In the presence of titanium tetrachloride, the borane/tetrahydrofuran complex can reduce 2-methyl-3-oxoamides into the corresponding syn-aminols in good yields and high diastereoselectivity. The use of borane/dimethyl sulfide instead of BH3/THF allows a partial reduction to syn-beta -hydroxyamides. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.