The proposed mechanism lacks the intermediacy of free radicals necessary for productive turnover. This hypothesis is consistent with the ability to tolerance double and triple bonds in the amine substrates without further reactivity at those sites; the significant remaining catalytic activity of the system in the presence of BHT; higher yields obtained with 18-crown-6; and the dealkylation products observed with i Pr 2 NH 31 and imipramine 26 as substrates.