A solution of dibenzo[a,e]cycloheptadiene in anhydrous xylene is added in a
dropwise fashion with stirring to a suspension of sodium hydride in refluxing
anhydrous xylene. The mixture is heated at reflux for two hours with continual
agitation and there is then added dropwise a solution of 2-methyl-3-
dimethylaminopropyl chloride in an equal volume of xylene. The mixture is
then heated for fifteen hours, after which time it is cooled and decomposed by
the cautious addition of ice water. The layers are separated and the aqueous
layer extracted with ether. The combined organic layers are next extracted
with 10% hydrochloric acid and the acidic extracts then rendered alkaline by
the addition of ammonium hydroxide. The precipitated oil is extracted three
times with chloroform. The chloroform extracts are dried and concentrated in
vacuo, the residue being distiiled to yield the product.
