The first Ritter-type reaction of alkylbenzenes with nitriles has been successfully achieved by the use of N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) as a key catalyst. Thus, treatment of ethylbenzene with ammonium hexanitratocerate(IV) (CAN) in the presence of a catalytic amount of NHPI in EtCN under argon produced the corresponding amide in good selectivity.
The invention relates to a process for preparing certain adamantanamines, of formula
wherein R, R′ are each methyl and X is halogen, to intermediates used in the process, and to processes for preparing such intermediates.