A one-pot process for the enantioselective synthesis of amines via reductive amination under transfer hydrogenation conditions.

[reaction: see text]. Cyclic amines may be prepared via a sequence of deprotection followed by intramolecular reductive amination of t-Boc-protected amino ketones under asymmetric transfer hydrogenation conditions. In cases where the corresponding imine reaction proceeds with high enantioselectivity, this is reflected in the one-step process.