The transformation tolerated different electronic environments on benzaldehydes, while electron withdrawing groups generally led to lower yields ( materials (1 and 2), and good mass recovery was demonstrated with the synthesis of 3d (93% brsm). The synthetic utility was illustrated with a 1.0 mmol scale synthesis of 3a in 54% isolated yield. Heteroaryl aldehydes were also compatible with this dehydrogenative coupling (3i-3l), and though electron-rich heterocycles gave lower yields, the absence of Minisici-type byproducts and clean reaction profile is worth highlighting. Further expanding the scope with aliphatic aldehydes, both cyclopropane carboxaldehyde and hydrocinnamaldehyde smoothly yielded the ketone products 3m and 3n, the former with the ring intact, and latter could be carried out with a 1:1 ratio of aldehyde and pyrrolidine. We envisioned that the potential of switching either coupling partner as the limiting reagent would facilitate late-stage applications in a complex setting. Along this line, an aldehyde derived from ricinoleic acid was well tolerated, leading to the formation of the desired coupling product 3o with a 41% yield.