Fluoride-induced desilylation of (α-phthalimido-, α-morpholino-, and α-acetamidobenzyl) silanes and a (phthalimidomethyl) silane generates the corresponding α-amino carbanions which add to a variety of aldehydes. The conversion of phthalimido group of the adducts into amino moiety leads to β-amino alcohols. This simple reaction sequence offers a new and general method of nucleophilic aminomethylation.
