Novel Triethylsilane Mediated Reductive N-Alkylation of Amines: Improved Synthesis of 1-(4-Imidazolyl)methyl-4-sulfonylbenzodiazepines, New Farnesyltransferase Inhibitors.

An improved synthesis of 1-(imidazolyl)methyl-4-sulfonylbenzodiazapines, new farnesyltransferase inhibitors, was achieved using a novel reductive N-alkylation method. The new method involves reaction of a secondary amine with an aldehyde using triethylsilane in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid, giving a tertiary amine in 90–95% isolated yields.