An amine of the formula, ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are each hydrogen, alkyl or the like and n is 1, 2 or 3, including .alpha.-phenyl-.beta.-(p-tolyl)-ethylamine, which is useful as an optically resolving agent, an intermediate of medicines and the like, is effectively produced by a novel process comprising hydrolysis of the corresponding nitrile of the formula, ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and n are the same as above, followed by alkali-decomposition of the resulting amide of the formula, ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and n are the same as above. An amide including the above one is effectively produced by hydrolysis of the corresponding nitrile in the presence of a base and hydrogen peroxide using an organic quaternary ammonium salt and/or a tertiary amine as a catalyst.