A highly stereoselective reductive amination of 3-ketosteroid with amines: an improved synthesis of 3α-aminosteroid

A highly stereoselective reductive amination method was developed based on in situ generated sodium acyloxyborohydride and was successfully applied to a steroidal skeleton with various amine sources. High yield (96%) and a de of up to 95% were achieved by modifying the reducing reagent. The effect of this reagent will be discussed.