Synthesis of racemic trans 4-substituted N,N dimethylaminotetralins (5a-m); Reagents and conditions: (a) Phenyl acetic acid (3 eq.), TFAA (3 eq.) 0 °C, rt for 24 h (0.5 h in case of 2′a-b); (b) NaBH4/MeOH, 50 °C,15 h; (c) TsCl/pyridine, rt, 20 h; (d) aq. NHMe2, sealed tube, 80 °C, 24 h.