A vigorously stirred suspension of 0.2 to 1 mole of sodium amide in 200 ml of
xylene, in which 0.1 moles of 4-diisopropylamino-2,2-diphenyl-butyronitrile
were dissolved, was boiled for about twelve hours. After this the excess of
sodium amide was decomposed with water and the xylene layer was
separated, washed with water and extracted with dilute hydrochloric acid. This
acidic extract was made strongly alkaline with a concentrated aqueous sodium
hydroxide solution and the separated base was extracted with ether. After
drying, the ether evaporated and the 1,1-diphenyl-3-diisopropylaminopropane was distilled in vacuum. The oil obtained can be dissolved in ether
and after introduction of hydrochloric acid gas the hydrochloric acid addition
salt precipitates. It shows a melting point of 171°C.
