Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing N-methyl-3-(p-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-3-phenyl-propylamine and pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof. The process in accordance with the present invention comprises reacting 1-phenyl-3-(N-methylamine) propane-1-ol with 1-chloro-4-trifluoromethylbenzene, in the presence of an hydroxide of an alkaline metal in a dipolar aprotic solvent non saponifiable in reaction conditions. The process in accordance with the present invention further comprises a final crystallization step which allows to obtain the active ingredient in a highly pure crystalline form.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing .alpha.-hydroxy-alkanoic acids of general formula: ##STR1## in which R represents hydrogen or a lower alkyl radical and Cy represents phenyl or a heterocyclic radical, both radicals optionally comprising one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl radicals and halogen atoms, process which comprises the treatment of an .alpha.,.alpha.-dihalogenated ketone of general formula: ##STR2## in which R and Cy have the same meaning as above and X represents chlorine, bromine or iodine, in the presence of an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide and a non polar organic solvent selected from an aromatic or alicyclic hydrocarbon, the treatment being carried out at a temperature between the boiling temperature of the reaction medium at atmospheric pressure and 240.degree. C. under pressure and the alkali metal so formed is then acidified to obtain the desired acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing trimethobenzamide chlorohydrate.According to such a method, a chloromethilation is carried out on anisle and, after reaction with urotropine followed by acidic hydrolisis, 4-methoxybenzylamide chlorohydrate is obtained which, demethyilated by hydrazoic acid, provides 4-hydroxy benzylamine chlorohydrated that, reacted with 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid chloride, provides N-(4-Hydroxybenzyl)-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzamide. The latter is per se a novel compound and is also the subject of the invention. This compound is reacted with sodium hydride and N,N-dimethylamino ethyl chloride to provide base trimethobenzamide, the latter being salified with hydrochloric acid.