Patent ID: 7999129
Filing Date: 2011-08-16
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
1. A process for the synthesis of agomelatine, wherein 7-methoxy-1-tetralone of formula (IV): is reacted with cyanoacetic acid of formula (V): wherein the water formed during the reaction is removed, in the presence of a catalytic amount of a compound of formula (VI): wherein R and R′, which may be the same or different, each represents linear or branched (C to yield, after filtration and washing with a basic solution, (7-methoxy-3,4-dihydro-1-naphthalenyl)acetonitrile of formula (VII): which compound of formula (VII) is subjected to aromatisation followed by reduction and then to coupling with acetic anhydride to yield agomelatine, it being understood that: