Iminium cations generated by the coupling of aldehydes, N-trimethylsilylamines and TMSOTf or by the methylation of imines with MeOTf smoothly react with silanes of a general formula Me3SiRf (R-f = CF3, CCl2F, C6F5) to afford the corresponding tertiary amines having a fluorinated substituent. The key step, involving C-C bond formation, is promoted by NaOAc or KF in DMF as a solvent. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.