A water-soluble Ru(II)-hm-pheox complex was efficiently catalyzed NH insertion of EDA with a broad class of amine derivatives in water/ether biphasic medium to deliver the biologically active precursors α-aminoester products with excellent yields (up to >99%). The products were separated by decantation and the catalyst was washed and reused several times (at least 8 times) without any specific loss