Cobalt-catalyzed selective transformation of levulinic acid and primary amines into pyrrolidines and pyrrolidinones under H 2 has been developed. The catalyst system consisting of Co(NTf 2 ) 2 , 1,1,1-tris(di(4methoxyphenyl)phosphinomethyl) ethane ((p-anisyl)triphos) and Me 3 SiOTf works well for the synthesis of pyrrolidines via reductive amination/cyclization/deoxygenative reduction of amide, and using Co(NTf 2 ) 2 /1,1,1tris(diphenylphosphinomethyl) ethane (triphos) as the catalyst under reduced hydrogen pressure results in exclusive formation of pyrrolidinones. Both aryl and alkyl primary amines are suitable substrates, and a variety of functional groups are tolerated. Meanwhile, 4-oxo-4-arylbutanoic acids, 5-oxohexanoic acid, 6-oxoheptanoic acid, 2-formylbenzoic acid, 2-acetylbenzoic acid and 2'-acetyl-[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-carboxylic acid are also applicable, allowing for convenient access to cyclic amines and lactams with different ring size.