Reactions of relevance to the chemistry of aminoglycoside antibiotics. Part 10. α-alkylation of primary amines

Abstract

Alkylation at the α-carbon atom of primary amines can be conveniently accomplished by a sequence involving formation of the corresponding azoxy-derivative, alkylation with an alkyl-lithium, and subsequent cleavage of the α-alkylated azo-compound. Improved procedures are described for the preparation of unsymmetrical azoxyderivatives. The scope of the reductive alkylation of azoxy-compounds has been considerably extended.