Efficient metal-free hydrosilylation of tertiary, secondary and primary amides to amines

Hydrosilylation of secondary and tertiary amides to amines is described using catalytic amounts of B(C6F5)3. The organic catalyst enables the reduction of amides with cost-efficient, non-toxic and air stable PMHS and TMDS hydrosilanes. The methodology was successfully extended to the more challenging reduction of primary amides.