A process for reducing the content of ethyl 3-dimethylamino-2-phenylpropionate in a solution, contaminated therewith, of ethyl 2-dimethylamino-1-phenyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxylate in a water-immiscible solvent, which comprises adding from 0.5 to 2.0 equivalents of a carboxylic acid per mole of ethyl 2-dimethylamino-1-phenyl-3-cyclohexene-1-carboxylate to this solution, and stirring this mixture at a temperature of from 50.degree. C. to 100.degree. C., is described.