A new method for the synthesis of secondary amines is described involving the sodium borohydride reduction of imino esters prepared from nitrilium salts. This conversion of nitriles into secondary amines proceeds in high yield and has been applied to a variety of compounds. The nitrilium salts are easily prepared from nitriles and dialkoxycarbonium fluoroborates (5), which are readily available from the corresponding ortho esters. ...
