The direct reductive amination of an aldehyde or ketone with a primary amine yields a secondary amin — Amines Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

The primary amine nucleophilically attacks the carbonyl carbon, initiating a condensation reaction that forcefully expels a molecule of water to form an unstable intermediate featuring a carbon-nitrogen double bond ($>C=N-$), known strictly as an imine or Schiff's base. This imine is then rapidly reduced to the final amine.