To a solution of ethane-1,2-diamine (10.00 g, 166.39 mmol) in MeOH (200 ml) was added benzaldehyde (38.17 g, 359.69 mmol) and stirred at RT for five hours. This mixture was then added carefully to NaBH4 (16.00 g, 422.94 mmol) in MeOH (150 mL) with stirring and stirred for additional 30 minutes. HCl (aq) (5 M) was added to acid on pH paper. The volatile components were removed in vacuo and the product taken up in CH2Cl2 (150 mL) and NaOH (aq) (2 M) was added to basic on pH paper. The phases were separated and the aqueous phase was extracted with additional CH2Cl2 (3 × 30 mL). The collected organic phases were dried (Na2SO4), filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The product was further purified by adding Et2O (400 mL) and precipitation by drop wise addition of HCl (aq) (5 M) to acid reaction on pH paper. The salt was collected on a glass filter funnel with suction and the product washed with additional fractions of Et2O (3 × 50 mL) followed by drying in vacuo. The product was taken up in CH2Cl2 (150 mL) and NaOH (aq) (2 M) was added to basic on pH paper. The phases were separated and the aqueous phase extracted with additional CH2Cl2 (3 × 50 mL). The collected organic phases were dried (Na2SO4), filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give 22.39 g (56 %) of the product as a colorless oil. Boiling point: 127°C at 1.0 × 10-1 mBar. 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.37 -7.12 (m, 10 H); 3.73 (s, 4 H); 2.72 (s, 4H). 13