Abstract: Method for the preparation of 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran-5-carbonitrile (citalopram) comprising the reaction of a compound of formula wherein X is a halogen, with organometallic dimethylaminopropyl halide. Other aspects of the invention are new compounds of formula II and formula III and their preparation.

Abstract: (1S-cis)-4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-N-methyl-1-naphthalenamine (sertraline) may be prepared by hydrogenating of N-[4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3, 4-dihydro-1(2H)-naphthalenylidene]methanamine in the presence of a dehalogenation inhibitor, e.g., triphenylphosphite or trimethylphosphite and a catalyst.

Abstract: Method for the preparation of 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran-5-carbonitrile (citalopram) comprising the reaction of a compound of formula 1

Abstract: Method for the preparation of 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-1-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran-5-carbonitrile (citalopram) comprising the reaction of a compound of formula wherein X is a halogen, with organometallic dimethylaminopropyl halide. Other aspects of the invention are new compounds of formula II and formula III and their preparation.

Abstract: (1S-cis)-4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-N-methyl-1-naphthalenamine (sertraline) may be prepared by hydrogenating of N-[4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3,4-dihydro-1(2H)-naphthalenylidene]methanamine in the presence of a dehalogenation inhibitor, e.g., triphenylphosphite or trimethylphosphite and a catalyst.

Abstract: Method for the preparation of 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-1-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran-5-carbonitrile (citalopram) comprising the reaction of a compound of formula 1

Abstract: A method for the preparation of 3-hydroxy-5-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-2,3-dihydro-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,5-b enzothiazepine-4(5H)-one and use of the product prepared by this method for making pharmaceutical compositions and pharmaceutically active compounds is disclosed starting with N-alkylation of 3-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-4-(methoxyphenyl)-1,5-benzothiazepin-4(5H)-one with a (dimethylamino)ethyl halide wherein the N-alkylation reaction is carried out in a reaction mixture comprising 2-butanone and water. The product of this reaction and its salts have utility as pharmaceutically active compounds and as intermediates for making pharmaceutically active compounds. The disclosed method and use is simpler, more efficient and safer than prior known methods and produces a product of superior purity.