Esters and amides can be reduced by N,N-diethylaniline:borane complex in the presence of SpiroCAT, shown above.

Aliphatic esters are reduced at room temperature whilst aromatic esters require higher temperatures, 50°C, and longer reaction times.

Tertiary amides are also reduced similarly but secondary and primary amides inhibit the reaction.

B.M. Coleridge, T.P. Angert, L.R. Marks, P.N. Hamilton, C.P. Sutton, K. Matos, and E.R. Burhhardt, Tet. Letts., 2010, 51, 5973-5976.