Hydroalkylation of Styrenes with Benzylamines by Potassium Hydride

Abstract A method for the synthesis of 1,3‐diarylpropylamines through hydroalkylation of styrenes with benzylamines by potassium hydride has been developed. The protocol is initiated by solvothermal treatment of benzylamines with KH at 100 °C to generate deprotonated anionic species, which undergo selective C‐alkylation with arylalkenes at 0 °C to ambient temperature to afford 1,3‐diarylpropylamines as the major product.