Compound can be prepared in two different ways both starting from 2,6-xylidine (I): 1) By condensation of (I) with N-carbobenzoxyalanine (B) by means of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide in methylenechloride giving N-(carbobenzoxyalanyl)xylidine (II), which is then hydrogenated over Pd/C in ethanol - methylene chloride. 2) By condensation of (I) with 2-bromopropionyl bromide (A) by means of sodium acetate in acetic acid giving 2-bromo-2',6'-propionoxylidide (III), which is then treated with NH3 in alcohol water.