Alkylation of primary amines generally forms a mixture of products since the secondary and tertiary amines formed can also be alkylated. an alternative method of generating secondary amines is from the reduction of amides, which in turn can be made from a primary amine. draw the structures of the starting primary amine and the intermediate amide that would be used in the synthesis of n-benzylethylamine.

Secondary Amine was synthesized in two steps,

1: Step 1; Synthesis of Amide from Primary Amine;
                                                                                 Benzoyl Chloride was reacted with primary amine and formation of N-ethylbenzamide took place with the elimination of HCl.

2: Step 2; Synthesis of Secondary Amine from Amide;
                                                                                     In second step N-ethylbenzamide is reacted with strong reducing agent (LiAlH₄) and is converted into N-benzylethanamine.