A process for the rapid removal of dialkylamino-substituents from aromatic rings. Application to the expedient synthesis of (R)-tolterodine

A range of N,N-dialkylanilines have been successfully converted to the parent substituted benzenes by a novel two-step pathway. The products are obtained in good yields and optical purity of adjacent stereocenters is maintained. This technology has been applied toward the synthesis of (R)-tolterodine.