Hydrosiloxane-Ti(OiPr)4: an efficient system for the reduction of primary amides into primary amines as their hydrochloride salts

A simple and useful method for the reduction of primary amides into the corresponding amines using a polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS)-Ti(OiPr)4 reducing system is described. Aromatic as well as aliphatic primary amides are reduced in high selectivity and excellent yields. The reduction could proceed via dehydration of the primary amide group into the corresponding nitrile which is then reduced into the corresponding primary amine.