Formylation of Secondary Amines with Dimethylformamide Dimethylacetal

Abstract
Secondary amines are formylated by dimethylformamide dimethylacetal, contradicting recent reports on the ethylation of secondary amines by this reagent. This explains why a single derivative is obtained regardless of the alkyl acetal that is used. These formyl derivatives, also formed by reaction with formic acid, are eluted later than the starting material or the corresponding ethyl derivative. Deuterated imipramine and related antidepressants can be prepared by reducing the formyl derivative of the appropriate desalkyl compound with lithium aluminum deuteride.

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