PMGB

To a stirred solution of alkylmagnesium bromide (2M solution in ether, 0.039 mol) under nitrogen atmosphere was added drop wise the nitrile (0.026 mol) in 20 mL anhydrous THF at 40 ^oC (exothermic- gentle reflux observed). Then the reaction mixture was heated to reflux for 18 h. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and then added drop wise to stirred slurry of sodium borohydride in 20 mL isopropanol (caution-exothermic). The resulting mixture was refluxed for overnight (12 h). The reaction mixture was evaporated; the residue was diluted with dichloromethane, washed with saturated aq. NaHCO₃ solution, dried (Na₂SO₄) and evaporated under reduced pressure to give the corresponding amine which was purified by silica gel column chromatography using a gradient of hexane and ethyl acetate (colorless oil, 75% yield).