Reaction Steps
To a solution of 1.50 g (2.90 mmol) of (2,6-diisopropylphenyl){[6-(2-{[(2-methylphenyl)amino]methyl}-1-naphthyl)pyridin-2-yl]methylene}amine in 20 ml of methanol 0.30 g (4.70 mmol) of NaBH3CN was added in one portion followed by addition of three drops of 88% formic acid. The reaction mixture was refluxed for 1 h and then poured into 50 ml of water. The crude product was extracted with 2×20 ml of ether. The organic extract was washed by water, dried over K2CO3, and then evaporated to dryness. The product was isolated by flash chromatography on silica gel 60 (40-63 um; eluent: hexanes-ethyl acetate=5:1, vol.). Yield 1.00 g (67%) of yellow oil which crystallized at room temperature. Anal. calc. for C36H39N3: C, 84.17; H, 7.65; N, 8.18. Found: C, 84.25; H, 7.78; N, 8.00. 1H NMR (CDCl3): 7.91 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H, 4-H in naphthyl), 7.89 (m, 1H, 8-H in naphthyl), 7.79 (m, 1H, 4-H in Py), 7.66 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H, 3-H in naphthyl), 7.47 (m, 1H, 7-H in naphthyl), 7.36-7.42 (m, 4H, 3,5-H in Py and 5,6-H in naphthyl), 7.04-7.10 (m, 3H, 3,5-H in ortho-tolyl and 4-H in 2,6-diisopropylphenyl), 7.01 (m, 2H, 3,5-H in 2,6-diisopropylphenyl), 6.61 (m, 1H, 4-H in ortho-tolyl), 6.52 (m, 1H, 6-H in ortho-tolyl), 4.22-4.35 (m, 4H, CH2N), 4.02 (br. s, 1H, NH), 3.93 (br. s, 1H, NH), 3.28 (sept, J=6.8 Hz, 2H, CHMe2), 2.09 (s, 3H, Me in ortho-tolyl), 1.16 (d, J=6.8 Hz, 6H, CHMeMe′), 1.14 (d, J=6.8 Hz, 6H, CHMeMe′).
