Chemoselective reductive alkylation of ammonia with carbonyl compounds: synthesis of primary and symmetrical secondary amines

An efficient, general procedure for highly chemoselective reductive mono-alkylation of ammonia with ketones is reported. Treatment of ketones with ammonia in ethanol and titanium(IV) isopropoxide, followed by in situ sodium borohydride reduction, and a straightforward workup afforded primary amines in good to excellent yields. Reductive alkylation of ammonia with aldehydes, on the other hand, afforded the corresponding symmetrical secondary amines selectively. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.