PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF THE ISOMERS (R) AND (S)-ALPHA-METHYL-3-(TRIFLUOROMETHYL)BENZENEETHANAMINE

摘要

Process for the production of the isomers (R) and (S)-a-methyl-3- (trifluoromethyl)benzeneethanamine, the second being usable as intermediate in the synthesis of the anorexic drug dexfenfluramine (INN), which comprises carrying out a stereospecific reductive amination of 1-(3-trifluoromethyl)phenyl-2-propanone with (R) or (S)-.alpha.-methylbenzylamine under hydrogen atmosphere in the presence of a catalyst and in debenzylating the resulting diastereoisomer (R),(R) or (S),(S)-N-(1-phenylethyl)-.alpha.-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)benzeneethanamine by treatment with hydrogen and catalyst.