A mixture of furfurylbenzyl ketone and of N-ethyl-α-benzylamine in methanol
was hydrogenated over Raney nickel at 150°C and at a pressure of 1500 p.s.i.
The catalyst was removed by filtration and the solvent removed by vacuum
distillation. The oily residue was taken up in ether, the ether solution washed
with dilute hydrochloric acid and the aqueous layer separated. Addition of
35% sodium solution caused the separation of an oil which was taken up in
ether. Removal of the ether by evaporation followed by distillation of the
residue gave N-ethyl-α-benzyltetrahydrofurfurylamine, boillin point
101°C/0.07 mm.
