A simple proline-based organocatalyst for the enantioselective reduction of imines using trichlorosilane as a reductant

A simple and inexpensive proline-based organocatalyst was developed for the reduction of imines using trichlorosilane as a reductant. The reduction of N-aryl imines in the presence of 10 mol % of N-pivaloyl-l-proline anilide was carried out to give the corresponding amines in excellent yields (up to 99%) with high enantioselectivities (up to 93% ee).