The Forster–Decker method is a series of chemical reactions that have the effect of mono-alkylating a primary amine (1), forming a secondary amine (6).[1][2] The process occurs by way of transient formation of an imine (3) that undergoes the actual alkylation reaction.

The Forster-Decker method
The Forster-Decker method

Process stages

  1. Conversion of the primary amine to an imine (Schiff base) using an aldehyde.[3]
  2. Alkylation of the imine using an alkyl halide, forming an iminium ion.[4]
  3. Hydrolysis of the iminium, releasing the secondary amine and regenerating the aldehyde. [5]

Because the actual alkylation occurs on the imine, over-alkylation is not possible. Therefore, this method does not suffer from side-reactions such as formation of tertiary amines as a simple SN2-type process can.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Forster, Martin Onslow (1899). "XCI.–Influence of substitution on specific rotation in the bornylamine series". Journal of the Chemical Society, Transactions. 75: 934–935. doi:10.1039/CT8997500934.
  2. ↑ Decker, H.; Becker, P. Ann. 1913, 395, 362.
  3. ↑ McMurry, John (1988). Organic Chemistry (Second ed.). Brooks/Cole Publishing Company. p. 674-675. ISBN 0-534-07968-7.
  4. ↑ "Forster-Decker Amine Synthesis". SynArchive.com The Organic Synthesis Archive. 2011–2022. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Imine and Enamine Hydrolysis Mechanism". Chemistry Steps. 2016–2022. Retrieved December 13, 2022.


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