Patent ID: 7078527

Claim:
A new process for preparing a compound of formula (I) where R is H or F, comprising (a) reacting a compount of formula (II) where R is H or F, and X is bromine, chlorine, mesylate, or tosylate, with a compound of formula (III) M + SCN − (III) where M + is hydrogen, an ammonium ion, a tetraalkylammonium ion, or an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal ion, optionally in the presence of a reaction auxiliary and optionally in the presence of a diluent, to give a compound of formula (IV) where R is H or F, (b) converting the compound of formula (IV) by adding hydrogen sulphide or salts thereof, optionally in the presence of a reaction auxiliary and optionally in the presence of diluent, to a compound of formula (V) where R is H or F, and (c) reacting the compound of formula (V) with acetaldehyde or choloroacetaldehyde (ClCH 2 CHO), or an acetal thereof, optionally in the presence of an acidic reaction auxiliary and optionally in the presence of a diluent, thereby forming the compound of formula (I).