Patent ID: 7208607

Claim:
A process for the synthesis of a compound of formula (I): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein a compound of formula (II), of configuration (S): wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a protecting group, is reacted with a compound of formula (III), of configuration (R): wherein G represents chlorine, bromine, hydroxy, p-toluenesulphonyloxy, methanesulphonyloxy or trifluoromethanesulphonyloxy, in the presence of a base to yield a compound of formula (IV): which is subjected to an intramolecular coupling reaction to yield a compound of formula (V): which is reacted with a compound of formula (VI): to yield a compound of formula (VII): which is subjected to a catalytic hydrogenation reaction to yield, after deprotection where appropriate, the compound of formula (I).