Abstract: 2-Aminopropane is used as the amine donor in the stereoselective synthesis of a chiral amine from a ketone with a transaminase. In a typical embodiment, (S)-1-methoxy-2-aminopropane is prepared by bringing methoxyacetone into contact with a transaminase in the presence of 2-aminopropane as an amine donor until a substantial amount of methoxyacetone is converted to (S)-1-methoxy-2-aminopropane and 2-aminopropane is converted to acetone. In a second embodiment, L-alanine is prepared by bringing pyruvic acid into contact with a transaminase in the presence of 2-aminopropane as an amine donor.

Abstract: N,N-disubstituted amines in which the amino nitrogen atom is bound to the carbon atom of an aromatic ring disubstituted in the positions ortho to the carbon atom, are prepared by allowing a primary amine and a compound in which an ortho, ortho-disubstituted aromatic compound carrying a nucleofuge substituent, to react in a basic environment in the presence of a catalytic palladium(0) complex and a ligand, the ratio of palladium complex to ligand being greater than at least 1:1. A typical embodiment involves the reaction of 2-methyl-6-ethylphenyl-trifluoromethylsulfonate and (S)-1-methoxy-2-aminopropane in the presence of bis(dibenzylideneacetone)palladium, tri-tert.-butylphosphine, and sodium tert.-butoxide to yield (S)-N-(1-methoxyprop-2-yl)-2-methyl-6-ethylphenylamine.