Solvent-Free Synthesis of a Secondary N-Benzhydrylamine as a Chiral Reagent for Asymmetric Deprotonation of Bicyclic N-Benzylamino Ketones

Several chiral secondary N -benzhydrylamines were synthesized in good yields (68–92%) without racemization by the direct alkylation of amines with benzhydryl chloride under solvent-free conditions. Using the solvent-free conditions ( R )- N -benzhydryl-1-phenylethylamine was obtained with the highest yield (92%), purified on ion-exchange resin, and converted to its hydrochloride salt. The resulting chiral amine hydrochloride was transformed into lithium amide/lithium chloride mixture used in asymmetric deprotonations of N -benzyl analogues of tropinone and granatanone followed by aldol reactions giving products in high ­diastereomeric purities (up to 96%) and enantiomeric excesses of 77 to 96%.