An amine is prepared by cleaving a carbamate of the formula I wherein R1=hydrogen, alkyl, aryl or phenyl group, R2=alkyl, aryl or phenyl group, wherein R1 and R2 are independently substituted or unsubstituted, wherein the cleaving of the carbamate is performed in the presence of an acid of the formula II wherein R3, R4 and R5 are independently alkyl or phenyl group, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are the same or different.