Reductive Alkylation of β-Alkanolamines with Carbonyl Compounds and Sodium Borohydride

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00213a014

A synthesis of secondary alkylalkanolamines from primary alkanolamines in a rapid process in which overalkylation is virtually suppressed is described.The procedure combines the ease of formation of oxazolidines from alkanolamines with aldehydes or ketones in absolute ethanol and the lability of the newly formed C-O bond toward sodium borohydrode.The entire process is carried out in 15-35 min depending on the carbonyl substrate.