Efficient and regioselective ruthenium-catalyzed hydro-aminomethylation of olefins.

An efficient and regioselective ruthenium-catalyzed hydroaminomethlyation of olefins is reported. Key to success is the use of specific 2-phosphino-substituted imidazole ligands and triruthenium dodecacarbonyl as catalyst. Both industrially important aliphatic as well as various functionalized olefins react with primary and secondary amines to give the corresponding secondary and tertiary amines generally in high yields (up to 96%) and excellent regioselectivities (n/iso up to 99:1).