Metal-free reduction of secondary and tertiary N-phenyl amides by tris(pentafluorophenyl)boron-catalyzed hydrosilylation.

Tris(pentafluorophenyl)boron B(C6F5)3 is an effective catalyst for the hydrosilylative reduction of tertiary and N-phenyl secondary amides. It allows for the mild reduction of a variety of these amides in near quantitative yield, with minimal purification, at low temperatures, and with short reaction times. This reduction shows functional group tolerance for alkenes, nitro groups, and aryl halides, including aryl iodides.