Preparation of Optically Active Secondary Amines by Thermal Decomposition of (Methylbenzyl)urea Analogs: Absolute Configuration of (+)‐ and (−)‐Mecamylamine. Preliminary Communication

Thermolysis of the (α‐methylbenzyl)urea diastereoisomers 4 and 5 of (±)‐mecamylamine ((±)‐1) and 6 and 7 of (±)‐1‐noreseroline O‐methyl ether ((±)‐3) in refluxing alcohol afforded optically pure amines in high yield, besides optically pure carbamates of (α‐methylbenzyl)amine which can be recycled. The absolute configuration of (−)‐mecamylamine hydrochloride ((−)‐1 · HCl) was determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis.