A simplified synthesis of (±)-1,2-Diphenyl-1,2-diaminoethane (1) from benzaldehyde and ammonia. Revision of the structures of the long-known intermediates 'hydrobenzamide' and 'amarine'

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(97)10372-0

A new pathway for the simple, stereocontrolled and economical synthesis of (±)-1 from benzaldehyde is described. The structures of two intermediates (Scheme 1) have been revised to those shown in Scheme 2.