Cobalt-Catalyzed Umpolung Alkylation of Imines To Generate α-Branched Aliphatic Amines.

Here we report a general and mild approach to prepare α-branched aliphatic amines from imines. This method capitalizes on a cobalt-catalyzed umpolung alkylation of imines, employs easily available reaction partners, and demonstrates a broad substrate scope. Mechanistic studies suggest this transformation occurs by a radical pathway.