An efficient catalytic system for the alkylation of amines with either alcohols or amines undermildconditions has been developed, using cyclometallated iridium complexes as catalysts. The method has broad substrate scope, allowing for the synthesis of a diverse range of secondary and tertiary amines with good to excellent yields. By controlling the ratio of substrates, both mono‐ and bis‐alkylated
A series of orthoalkylaminophenol derivatives was synthesized and tested in vitro with respect to their neuroprotective effect. Some of these compounds exhibited a potent antioxidant activity close to that of standard alpha-tocopherol. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.