(including a.b-unsaturated carbonyl compounds)

The method described by Basudeb Basu et al uses potassium formate and catalytic palladium acetate in a transfer hydrogenation.  Yields are typically in the range 60-80%.  A variety of aromatic aldehydes and ketones were examined as substrates reacting with amines such as cyclohexylamine, morpholine, benzylamine and various anilines.  (Synlett, 2003, (4), 555-557).