Synthesis of vicinal diamines via Zn–H2O–CO2-induced reduction of aromatic imines in supercritical carbon dioxide

Zn–H2O–CO2 is a good reducing reagent for the reduction of imines in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2). They provide the corresponding vicinal diamines in moderate to good yields. The results showed that carbon dioxide plays an important role as both solvent and reagent.