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

Benzyl-α,α-2H2-amine, 2-2H1-Benzyl-α,α-2H2-amine, 3-2H1-Benzyl-α,α-2H2-amine, 4-2H1-Benzyl-α,α-2H2-amine, 2, 5-2H2-Benzyl-α,α-2H2-amine, and phenethyl-α,α,β,β-2H4-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.