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:[1] The Leuckart reaction, using ammonium formate, is another method for this transformation.

The dextrorotatory enantiomer crystallizes with the malate, leaving the levorotatory form in solution.

[3] Similarly to benzylamine and analogues like pargyline, 1-phenylethylamine has been found to act as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), as well as an inhibitor of semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO).