O-Methylbenzhydryl bromide

As described in U.S. Patent 2,667,351, o-methylbenzhydryl bromide is added slowly to (3-dimethylaminoethanol at refluxing temperature. After the addition has been completed the mixture is refluxed and stirred for an additional 16 hours. The mixture is cooled and the bottom layer consisting of the crude hydrobromide salt of (3-dimethylaminoethanol is drawn off. The excess amino alcohol is distilled from the upper layer in vacuo and the residue is reacted with citric acid. 

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