Abstract: A process for preparing amines of the formula I, by reacting a carbonyl compound of the formula II with an amine of the formula III where R1 and R2 are different and are each an organic radical which has from 1 to 20 carbon atoms and may optionally also comprise heteroatoms, R3 is a C1-C6-alkyl group and R4 is an aryl group which may be partly or fully halogenated and/or may bear from one to three radicals from the group of cyano, nitro, C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-haloalkyl, hydroxyl, C1-C6-hydroxyalkyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C1-C6-haloalkoxy, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C6-alkylamino, di(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, aryl and aryl(C1-C6-alkyl); and * represents the S or R configuration, and ** represents the S and/or R configuration; which comprises performing the reaction in the presence of a heterogeneous imination catalyst, of a hydrogenation catalyst and of hydrogen.

Abstract: Diastereoselective conversion of chiral imines of the formula I to amines of the formula II where the R1 to R4 radicals are each as defined in the description and R1 and R2 are different than one another, by converting the imine of the formula I in the presence of hydrogen and a heterogeneous copper-containing catalyst.

Abstract: A process for preparing amines of the formula I, by reacting a carbonyl compound of the formula II with an amine of the formula III where R1 and R2 are different and are each an organic radical which has from 1 to 20 carbon atoms and may optionally also comprise heteroatoms, R3 is a C1-C6-alkyl group and R4 is an aryl group which may be partly or fully halogenated and/or may bear from one to three radicals from the group of cyano, nitro, C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-haloalkyl, hydroxyl, C1-C6-hydroxyalkyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C1-C6-haloalkoxy, hydroxycarbonyl, C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C6-alkylamino, di(C1-C6-alkyl)amino, aryl and aryl(C1-C6-alkyl); and * represents the S or R configuration, and ** represents the S and/or R configuration; which comprises performing the reaction in the presence of a heterogeneous imination catalyst, of a hydrogenation catalyst and of hydrogen.

Abstract: Diastereoselective conversion of chiral imines of the formula I to amines of the formula II where the R1 to R4 radicals are each as defined in the description and R1 and R2 are different than one another, by converting the imine of the formula I in the presence of hydrogen and a heterogeneous copper-containing catalyst.