The chemistry of benzotriazole. Part 8. A novel two-step procedure for the N-alkylation of amides

Abstract
Benzotriazole, aldehydes RCHO, and amides R1CONH2 react together with elimination of water to form 1:1:1 adducts which are reduced smoothly by NaBH4 to give the N-substituted amides R1CONHCH2R. Both steps occur in high yields and can be carried out on a large scale, thus comprising a convenient general method for the N-alkylation of amides.