1-Phenylethylamine (1-PEA or ñ-PEA), also known as ñ-methylbenzylamine, is the organic compound with the formula C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub>CH(NH<sub>2</sub>)CH<sub>3</sub>. This primary amine is a colorless liquid is often used in chiral resolutions. Like benzylamine, it is relatively basic and forms stable ammonium salts and imines.
1-Phenylethylamine may be prepared by the reductive amination of acetophenone:
The Leuckart reaction, using ammonium formate, is another method for this transformation.
-malic acid is used to resolve 1-Phenylethylamine, a versatile resolving agent in its own right. The dextrorotatory enantiomer crystallizes with the malate, leaving the levorotatory form in solution.
Similarly to benzylamine and analogues like pargyline, 1-phenylethylamine has been found to act as a very weak monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), as well as an inhibitor of semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO).