Process for racemizing of optically active amines

A process for racemizing an optically active amine of the following formula (1):

• ##STR4## wherein R.sup.1 is an unsubstituted aryl group;
• an aryl group substituted with one to five substituents selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl groups, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy groups and halogen atoms;
• or an unsubstituted or substituted heterocyclic group;
• R.sup.2 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group;
• a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl group substituted with one to three aryl groups;
• a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkoxy group;
• a C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkoxy group substituted with one to three aryl groups;
• an unsubstituted aryloxy group;
• an aryloxy group substituted with one to five substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl groups optionally substituted with one to three halogen atoms and C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy groups optionally substituted with one to three halogen atoms;
• or
• an unsubstituted aryl group;
• an aryl group substituted with one to five substituents selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl groups, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy groups and halogen atoms;
• or an unsubstituted or substituted heterocyclic group;
• provided that these unsubstituted and substituted aryl and heterocyclic groups are not identical to R.sup.1 ;
• R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, which may be identical or different, are chosen from hydrogen atoms, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl groups, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl groups substituted with one to three aryl groups, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl-CO-groups;
• A is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkylene group;
• and
• * indicates the position of the asymmetric carbon atom;
• which comprises reacting said amine with a complex of an alkali metal and a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon.