A no. of chiral amines e.g., EtCH(NR2)CH2OH (R = Me, Et, Pr, Bu, n-pentyl, n-hexyl) were prepared from (R)-2-amino-1-butanol and used as chiral catalysts in the addition of thiophenol to chalcone. An optically active addition product was obtained and its sp. rotation and the half-time of the reaction depended upon whether the carbon atom no. of group R in catalysts was even or odd. Also studied were the effects of solvents and the structure and concentration of catalysts on the asym. catalysis.

Key words: INFRARED SPECTROPHOTOMETRY, TERTIARY AMINE, ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS, ADDITION REACTION, BUTANOL P, PROTON MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROMETRY, SECONDARY AMINE, HYDROXYLAMINES, BUTANAMINE P, CHALCONE