Synthesis of novel deuterium labelled derivatives of N-alkylated polyamines

Novel di-, tetra- and octadeuterated derivatives of mono-N-alkylated diaminopropanes, spermidines, spermines, symmetrically bis-N-alkylated spermines and unsymmetrically bis-N-alkylated spermines were synthesized. Deuterium labels were introduced into the RHNCH2CH2CN intermediate either by exchanging the protons next to the nitrile group under basic conditions with D2O–EtOD mixture or/and by reducing the nitrile group to a CD2–NH2 fragment with LiAlD4.