Reductive amination of carbonyl compounds by tartaric acid - NaBH4

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran

Abstract

In this study, a simple and efficient method for the synthesis of various amines via the reductive amination of carbonyl compounds has been developed. The reaction was carried out at room temperature using anilines, aldehydes, or ketones, with tartaric acid as a green, inexpensive, and non-toxic catalyst, in the presence of sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) as the reducing agent. Tartaric acid plays a key role both in the formation of the imine intermediate and in facilitating its reduction to the corresponding amine. This method exhibits high yields and tolerates a wide range of substrates, including aromatic and aliphatic amines, as well as various aldehydes and ketones. The synthesized amines were characterized using FTIR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The approach offers several advantages, such as high efficiency, mild reaction conditions, avoidance of hazardous reagents, and minimized by-product formation. The findings of this study highlight tartaric acid as an effective and sustainable catalyst for reductive amination under mild conditions.

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Applied Chemistry Today
Volume 20, Issue 76
December 2025
Pages 153-168

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