Heterogeneous rhodium-catalyzed hydrogenation conditions for the highly effective synthesis of 1,3-oxazolidines from 1,2-amino alcohols and nitriles

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(98)00192-0

A procedure easily to carried out for the synthesis of 1,3-oxazolidines in high yields using 1,2-amino alcohols, nitriles, an atmospheric pressure of hydrogen and catalytic quantities of rhodium on carbon powder is presented. This reaction probably involves the semi-hydrogenation of the nitrile followed by condensation with the amine alcohol. The process may constitute the key step in a two-step sequence for reducing a nitrile into the corresponding aldehyde.