Process for preparing nitrogen-substituted aminotetralins

The present invention relates to a process for preparing optically active and racemic nitrogen-substituted 2-aminotetralins of the following Formula (I):wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and n are set in the specification, wherein the process comprises alkylating the corresponding unsubstituted 2-aminotetralin of Formula (II):with a reactant of the Formula (III):wherein Z is a leaving group, in the presence of a base, wherein the base is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal carbonate and alkali metal bicarbonate, and wherein the amount of the base is less than about a 1.9-fold molar excess with respect to the amount of the 2-aminotetralin.