A solution of 3-(2-aminoethyl)-2-aminopyridine (0.122 g, 0.88 mmol) and 1-t-butoxycarbonyl 4-piperidone (0.177 g, 0.88 mmol) in dichloroethane (3 mL) containing 2 drops of acetic acid was treated with sodium triacetoxyborohydride (0.28 g, 1.33 mmol) at 20-75° C. until starting material was no longer consumed. The reaction was worked up with saturated sodium bicarbonate and methylene chloride, and dried over sodium sulfate. The crude product was purified by chromatography (silica gel, 0-10% {0.1% ammonium hydroxide in methanol) in methylene chloride, gradient elution) to produce the title compound (0.119 g) as a yellow oil. MS 321 (M+1).
