Leuckart Reaction

Abstract

This reaction is the reductive amination of carbonyl compounds (i.e., aldehydes and ketones) with ammonium formate or the combination of formic acid and formamides to give primary, secondary, or tertiary amines and is generally known as the Leuckart reaction. In this reaction, formic acid and formates function as reducing reagents or hydride donors, so that tertiary amine can be prepared. Several reaction conditions have been discussed, which affect the yield of the corresponding amines, such as water content, temperature, etc. This reaction is useful for the preparation of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines.