Preparation of a Series of Highly Hindered Secondary Amines, Including Bis(triethylcarbinyl)amine

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo01311a014

A series of highly branched secondary amines was prepared by coupling propargylamines with propargyl chlorides.Hydrogenation of the resultant dipropargylamines was accomplished with Raney nickel in the presence of potassium hydroxide.The resultant amines, including bis(triethylcarbinyl)amine, are among the most hindered secondary amines reported to date.The pK_a values of the conjugate acids of the series of secondary amines exhibit a regular decrease with increasing size of the amine.The bulkier members of the series are inert to methyl iodide.Bis(triethylcarbinyl)amine reacts with boron trifluoride etherate to give a primary amine adduct and 3-ethyl-2-pentene.