Iron-Catalysed Switchable Synthesis of Pyrrolidines vs Pyrrolidinones by Reductive Amination of Levulinic Acid Derivatives via Hydrosilylation

A selective production of pyrrolidines vs pyrrolidinones via hydrosilylation of levulinic acid and levulinates by switching of the iron complex catalyst is presented herein. The reactions proceeded efficiently with various anilines and alkylamines under both visible light irradiation and thermal conditions with 43 examples in isolated yields up to 93%. Noticeably, under similar conditions, cyclic amines such as piperidines and azepanes were efficiently synthesized with yields up to 92%, by reaction of anilines with 1,5- or 1,6-keto acids, respectively. Similarly, N-arylinsolidoline compounds can be prepared from 2-formylbenzoic acid in 57–93% yields. (Figure presented.).