
Pyridine-borane complex (py:BH3) is fairly well known as a good reagent for effecting reductive amination, but a new analogous reagent, 5-ethyl-2-methylpyridine-borane complex (PEMB) is available. PEMB has the big advantage that it is a liquid at room temperature, has a higher thermal stability than py:BH3, and is relatively stable towards hydrolysis (5% per day in THF-water) and methanolysis (6% per day in methanol). It is highly soluble in THF and toluene, but is insoluble in aliphatic hydrocarbons.
E.R. Burkhardt and B.M. Coleridge, Tet. Letts., 2008, 49, 5152-5155.
E.R. Burkhardt and B.M. Coleridge, Tet. Letts., 2008, 49, 5152-5155.















