Use of N,N'-dimethylpropyleneurea (DMPU) as solvent in the efficient preparation of enantiomerically pure secondary amines

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1993-26035

The monoalkylation of (R)- and (S)-1-phenylethylamine proceeds readily with DMPU as the solvent. An efficient procedure was then developed for the high-yield preparation of the chiral secondary amines N-benzyl-, N-isopropyl-, N-(2-biphenylyl)methyl-, N-(diphenyl)methyl-, and N-(2,2-dimethyl)propyl-1-phenylethylamine, in enantiomerically pure form.