Sodium borohydride: A versatile reagent in the reductive N-monoalkylation of α-amino acids and α-amino methyl esters

α-Amino acids and α-amino methyl esters are easily converted to their N-monoalkyl derivatives by a reductive condensation reaction using several carbonyl compounds in the presence of sodium borohydride. This reducing agent has shown a wide versatility with minor but essential procedural variations. The reaction allows the α-monodeuterium labeling of the new N-substituent by use of sodium borodeuteride.