Convenient synthesis of protected primary amines from nitriles

Investigations into the use of nickel chloride and sodium borohydride for the reduction of nitriles showed the secondary amine dimers to be the major products under normal conditions. The addition of a suitable trapping agent, such as di-tert-butyl dicarbonate, allowed the isolation of the protected primary amines. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.