G'day, I'm just taking down some notes, to work out the best (easiest) way from P2P's to amphetamine. (just because it's an easier place to arrive at for beginners)
I started getting interested in the Leuckart reaction a few weeks ago and the reports seem very varied. I had been wondering if catalysts would improve things in this reaction, and then I found this variation using a Pd/C catalyst...
[Reductive amination of ketones using Pd/C and formic acid]
https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/pdf/redamin.cth-pd.pdf (https://www.thevespiary.org/rhodium/Rhodium/pdf/redamin.cth-pd.pdf)
The only thing is, they don't start with any ketones with a benzene ring by the looks of it, is that important? (Some of the starting materials gave a 0% yield, when certain amines were used.)
In section 4.2.1, they run the reaction overnight at room temperature, should I take from that that some ketones are too sensitive to run at higher temperatures?
Any idea what a temperature and reaction time would be a good place to start with, using P2P as the starting ketone?
I really like the look of this synth. I like the one ning posted too, using oxalate in the reaction instead. LAter on, after some experiments, do you think it would be worthwhile using a Pd or Pt catalyst with that particular synthesis? :)
This explains a lot:
Post 508257 (https://www.thevespiary.org/talk/index.php?topic=9675.msg50825700#msg50825700)
(armageddon: "CTH à la Sunlight - revisited", Methods Discourse)
and several other posts.