Abstract This work describes the catalytic activity of 17 oxo–rhenium complexes containing heterocyclic ligands in the direct reductive amination of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde with 4- chloroaniline, using phenylsilane as reducing agent. In general, all of the catalysts tested gave excellent yields of the secondary amine, although, the best result was obtained with the catalytic system PhSiH 3/ReOBr 2 (Hhmpbta)(PPh 3)(2.5 mol%). This system was also ...