Catalyst-Free One-Pot ReductiveAlkylation of Primary and Secondary Amines and N,N-Dimethylationof Amino Acids Using Sodium Borohydride in 2,2,2-Trifluoroethanol

A simple and convenient procedure for the reductive alkylation of primary and secondary amines and N,N-dimethylation of amino acids is described using sodium borohydride as a reducing agent in 2,2,2- trifluoroethanol without use of a catalyst or any other additive. The solvent can be readily recovered from reaction products in excellent purity for direct reuse.