Benzylation of γ-N- (arylamino) piperidines via the wallach reaction

N-Aryl(aralkyl)-N-(4-piperidinyl)benzylamines have been prepared from γ-N-(arylamino) piperidines using the Wallach reaction. Carbonyl-containing compounds have been detected as impurities in these products using mass spectrometry. A possible mechanism is discussed for the Wallach reaction, based on the structures of the secondary amine starting materials used in this study. © 1989 Plenum Publishing Corporation.