synthesis
The nitroalcohol (5 g, 14.9 mmol) is dissolved in methanol (50 mL). The reaction mixture is cooled to −10 °C, and palladium on carbon (10%, purissimum, Fluka, 2.5 g) and dry ammonium formate (9.43 g, 150 mmol) are added while maintaining the reaction temperature at −10 °C. After stirring the reaction for 2 h, the catalyst is fifiltered off. The solvent is removed and EtOAc and saturated aqueous NaHCO3 solution are added (pH ≥ 7). The phases are separated and after two additional washings with EtOAc, the combined organic phases are washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, and the solvent is removed in vacuo. The amino alcohol is obtained as a colorless yellow oil in a crude yield of 4.55 g (100%). Reference: Rudolph, J.; Hanning, F.; Theis, H.; Wischnat, R. Org. Lett. 2001, 3, 3153–3155.
