FIELD: organic chemistry, chemical technology. SUBSTANCE: invention describes method of hydrogenation of imine with hydrogen under increased pressure and temperature in the presence of iridium catalyst in medium of inert solvent or without the latter, in the presence of ammonium chloride, bromide or iodide or metal chloride, bromide or iodide which are soluble in the reaction medium. Process is carried out in the presence of acid at temperature from minus 20 to 100 C using homogeneous catalyst as iridium catalyst corresponding to the formula [XJrYZ} (III), [XJrY]+A- (IIIa), [XJrZ4]-M+ (IIIb), [YJrHZ2]2 (IIIc), [YJrZ3]2 (IIId) where values X, Y and Z, A, M are given in p. 1 of the invention claim. Invention describes also method of synthesis of amine. EFFECT: increased catalytic activity and enantioselectivity, increased yield of optical isomer. 35 cl, 1 tbl, 40 ex
