Addition of an alkyl magnesium halide or alkyllithium reagent to the aldehyde intermediate LXXXIX provides secondary alcohol XC. Conversion of the hydroxyl group to a leaving group, for example by formation of the tosylate, mesylate, triflate, bromide or iodide produces an intermediate XCI (when the leaving group is bromide) that can be used to alkylate amines LI and LII in refluxing acetonitrile