A boron-based catalyst was found to catalyze the straightforward alkylation of amines with readily available carboxylic acids in the presence of silane as the reducing agent. Various types of primary and secondary amines can be smoothly alkylated with good selectivity and good functional-group compatibility. This metal-free amine alkylation was successfully applied to the synthesis of three commercial medicinal compounds, Butenafine, Cinacalcet. and Piribedil, in a one-pot manner without using any metal catalysts.

An iridium photoredox catalyst in combination with either a stoichiometric amount of Brønsted acid or a catalytic amount of Lewis acid is capable of catalyzing regioselective alkylation of N-heteroarenes with N-(acyloxy)phthalimides at room temperature under irradiation. A broad range of N-heteroarenes can be alkylated using a variety of secondary, tertiary, and quaternary carboxylates. Mechanistic studies suggest that an Ir /Ir redox catalytic cycle is responsible for the observed reactivity.

No abstract