Antihistaminics: The N-Beta-Dimethylaminoethyl derivatives of carbazole and diphenylamine

Although β-dimethylaminoethyl chloride hydrochloride is a very important intermediate which has been especially useful in the synthesis of various antihistaminic agents, publications mentioning its use often neglect to refer to a convenient method of preparation. A simplified laboratory procedure for the preparation of this intermediate is reported and a description is given of its use in the synthesis of two antihistamine-type compounds derived from carbazole and diphenylamine.