Convenient preparation of O-linked polymer-bound N-substituted hydroxylamines, intermediates for synthesis of N-substituted hydroxamic acids.

[reaction: see text] An efficient procedure for preparation of O-linked polymer-bound N-substituted hydroxylamines by reduction of resin-bound oximes with borane.pyridine complex in the presence of dichloroacetic acid is reported. Other reducing systems commonly used for imine or oxime reduction were ineffective, including borane.pyridine in the presence of acetic acid. Oximes derived from a variety of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes and ketones were successfully reduced. The N-substituted products were acylated and cleaved from resin to afford N-substituted hydroxamic acids.