Reductive Amination/Cyclization of Keto Acids Using a Hydrosilane for Selective Production of Lactams versus Cyclic Amines by Switching of the Indium Catalyst

Described herein is that the catalytic construction of N‐substituted five‐ and six‐membered lactams from keto acids with primary amines by reductive amination, using an indium/silane combination. This relatively benign and safe catalyst/reductant system tolerates the use of a variety of functional groups, especially ones that are reduction‐sensitive. A direct switch from synthesizing lactams to synthesizing cyclic amines is achieved by changing the catalyst from In(OAc) 3 to InI 3 . This conversion occurs by further reduction of the lactam using the indium/silane pair.