Patent ID: 8178674

Claim:
A process for the preparation of ziprasidone hydrochloride, comprising the steps of (a) reacting a compound of Formula II, wherein L is a leaving group, with 1(1,2-benzisothiazol-3-y)piperazine of Formula III, in water in absence of a base to form a mixture; (b) heating the resultant mixture to from about 50° C. to reflux temperature in an organic solvent; (c) isolating the ziprasidone base of Formula I, (d) obtaining a first suspension of ziprasidone of Formula I in a solvent; heating the first suspension to get a clear solution; and recovering the substantially pure ziprasidone by the removal of the first solvent; and (e) obtaining a second suspension of substantially pure ziprasidone in a solvent; contacting the second suspension with hydrogen chloride to form a solid; and isolating ziprasidone hydrochloride in substantially pure form.