Table 1.

Optimization of the redox-neutral amination reaction.^a

entry	catalyst	X	Y	solvent	yield (%)b
1	PhCOOH	1.5	10	DCE	50
2	CF3COOH	1.5	10	DCE	87
3	p-TsOH.H2O	1.5	10	DCE	90
4	Sc(OTf)3	1.5	10	DCE	94
5	Cu(OTf)2	1.5	10	DCE	94
6	Zn(OTf)2	1.5	10	DCE	97
7	AlCl3	1.5	10	DCE	76
8	ZnCl2	1.5	10	DCE	95
9	ZnCl2	1.5	10	CH2Cl2	97
10	ZnCl2	1.5	10	CHCl3	95
11	ZnCl2	1.5	10	toluene	94
12	ZnCl2	1.5	10	CH3CN	96
13	ZnCl2	1.5	10	THF	71
14	ZnCl2	1.2	10	CH2Cl2	97
15	ZnCl2	1.0	10	CH2Cl2	93
16	ZnCl2	1.2	5	CH2Cl2	95
17	ZnCl2	1.2	2	CH2Cl2	91

^a1a (0.5 mmol), 2a (X equiv), catalyst (Y mol %), solvent (5 mL), room temperature, 24 h. ^bIsolated yield.