SummaryThe synthesis of 15 N-labelled nornicotine 2 and 15 N-labelled nicotine 1 is described via the reductive aminocyclization of a 1,4-ketoaldehyde with a corresponding amine in the presence of sodium cyanoborohydride. Yields of 30% and 26%, respectively, were obtained from 3-bromopyridine. The 15 Nlabel has been easily introduced from ammonium-15 N-labelled chloride as an inexpensive label source. As far as we are aware, this is the first synthesis of 15 N-labelled nicotine.