Protonated α-imino acids, RC(=NH 2 + )COOH, were easily reduced to α-amino acids by an acid-stable NADH analogue, 1-benzyl-3-carbamoyl-1,4-dihydroquinoline. This is the first model reaction of NADH-mediated α-amino acid synthesis from α-keto acids. ... The authentic sample of N-benzyl-2-picolylamine was prepared by the NaBH 4 reduction of N- (2-picolylidene)benzylamine in absolute ethanol: yield 70%, mp 205–209°C. The structure was confirmed by elemental ...