Recent advances in catalytic C-N bond formation: a comparison of cascade hydroaminomethylation and reductive amination reactions with the corresponding hydroamidomethylation and reductive amidation reactions

The design and catalytic implementation of tandem reactions to selectively create nitrogen-containing products under mild conditions has encountered numerous challenges in synthetic chemistry. Several known classes of homogeneously catalyzed carbon-nitrogen bond formation including hydroamination, hydroamidation, hydroaminoalkylation, hydroaminomethylation and reductive amination were reported in the literature. More recently, a new class of C-N bond formation consisting of hydroamidomethylation and reductive amidation extended the applicability of these synthetic methodologies. The tandem reactions do considerably impact on the selectivity and efficiency of synthetic strategies. This review highlights and compares selected examples of the hydroaminomethylation, reductive amination, hydroamidomethylation and reductive amidation reactions, and thus consequently reveals their potential applications in synthetic chemistry as well as chemical industries.