A method for the metal-free reduction of carboxylic amides using oxalyl chloride as an activating agent and hydrogen as the final reductant is introduced. The reaction proceeds via the hydrogen splitting by B(2,60F(2)-C6H3)(3) in combination with chloride as the Lewis base. Density functional theory calculations support the unprecedented role of halides as active Lewis base components in the frustrated Lewis pair mediated hydrogen activation. The reaction displays broad substrate scope for tertiary benzoic acid amides and a-branched carboxamides.