The reductive amination of ketones and aldehydes by ammonia is a highly attractive method for the synthesis of primary amines. The use of catalysts, especially reusable catalysts, based on earth‐abundant metals is similarly appealing. Here, the iron‐catalyzed synthesis of primary amines through reductive amination was realized. A broad scope and a very good tolerance of functional groups were observed. Ketones, including purely aliphatic ones, aryl–alkyl, dialkyl, and heterocyclic, as well as aldehydes could be converted smoothly into their corresponding primary amines. In addition, the amination of pharmaceuticals, bioactive compounds, and natural products was demonstrated. Many functional groups, such as hydroxy, methoxy, dioxol, sulfonyl, and boronate ester substituents, were tolerated. The catalyst is easy to handle, selective, and reusable and ammonia dissolved in water could be employed as the nitrogen source. The key is the use of a specific Fe complex for the catalyst synthesis and an N‐doped SiC material as catalyst support.

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Nanostructured earth abundant metal catalysts that mediate important chemical reactions with high efficiency and selectivity are of great interest. This study introduces a synthesis protocol for nanostructured earth abundant metal catalysts. Three components, an inexpensive metal precursor, an easy to synthesize N/C precursor, and a porous support material undergo pyrolysis to give the catalyst material in a simple, single synthesis step. By applying this catalyst synthesis, a highly active cobalt catalyst for the general and selective hydrogenation of aromatic heterocycles could be generated. The reaction is important with regard to organic synthesis and hydrogen storage. The mild reaction conditions observed for quinolines permit the selective hydrogenation of numerous classes of N‐, O‐ and S‐heterocyclic compounds such as: quinoxalines, pyridines, pyrroles, indoles, isoquinoline, aciridine amine, phenanthroline, benzofuranes, and benzothiophenes.