Preparation of deuteriated benzylamines and phenethylamine with raney alloys in an alkaline deuterium oxide solution

Abstract Benzyl‐α,α‐ 2 H 2 ‐amine, 2‐ 2 H 1 ‐Benzyl‐α,α‐ 2 H 2 ‐amine, 3‐ 2 H 1 ‐Benzyl‐α,α‐ 2 H 2 ‐amine, 4‐ 2 H 1 ‐Benzyl‐α,α‐ 2 H 2 ‐amine, 2, 5‐ 2 H 2 ‐Benzyl‐α,α‐ 2 H 2 ‐amine, and phenethyl‐α,α,β,β‐ 2 H 4 ‐amine were prepared in high isotopic purities from the corresponding benzonitrile, bromobenzonitriles, and phenylacetonitrile by reduction with Raney Cu‐Al alloy in an alkaline deuterium oxide solution.