(68–92%) without racemization by the direct alkylation of amines with benzhydryl chloride under solvent-free conditions. Using the solvent-free conditions (R)-N-benzhydryl-1-phenylethylamine was obtained with the highest yield (92%), purified on ion-exchange resin, and converted to its hydrochloride salt. The resulting chiral amine hydrochloride was transformed into lithium amide/lithium chloride mixture used