A new method for the resolution of amines and its application to 3-amino-1,5-benzodiazepines

A new method for the resolution of racemic amines and its application to 3-amino-1,5-benzodiazepines is reported. The method is based upon the reaction of the amines with a chiral auxiliary, namely the tosyl derivative of (S)-(+)-methyl mandelate, followed by the separation of the two diastereomers formed and the subsequent hydrogenation of the separated compounds to give the free chiral amines with good enantiomeric excesses.