Abstract: A method of preparing 2-?2-{?3-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)propyl!methylamino}ethyl!-6-fluoro-1-isopro pyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl methoxyacetate comprises contacting (6-fluoro-2-hydroxy-1-isopropyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)acetic acid or an activated derivative of (6-fluoro-2-hydroxy-1-isopropyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)acetic acid with ?3-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)propyl!methylamine to form N-?3-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl) propyl!-2-(6-fluoro-2-hydroxy-1-isopropyl-1,2,3 ,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2- yl)-N-methylacetamide, reducing this to 2-?2-{?3-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)propyl!methylamino}ethyl!-6-fluoro-1-isopro pyl-1, 2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-ol, and treating the 2-?2-{?3-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl) propyl!-methylamino}ethyl!-6-fluoro-1-isopropyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthal en-2-ol with methoxyacetic acid or an activated derivative of methoxyacetic acid.

Abstract: A method of preparing 2-?2-{?3-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)propyl!methylamino}ethyl!-6-fluoro-1-isopro pyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl methoxyacetate comprises contacting 6-fluoro-1-isopropyl-3,4-dihydro-1H-naphthalen-2-one with the anion of acetonitrile in an aprotic polar solvent; contacting ?3-(1H-benzitidazol-2-yl)propyl!methylamine with the thus-formed (6-fluoro-2-hydroxy-1-isopropyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)acetonit rile in the presence of hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst, followed by contacting the thus-formed 2-?2-{?3-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)propyl!methylamino}ethyl!-6-fluoro-1-isopro pyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-ol with methoxyacetic acid or an activated derivative of methoxyacetic acid. The invention is particularly applicable to the preparation of mibefradil, (1S,2S)-2-?2-{?3-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)propyl!methylamino}ethyl!-6-fluoro- 1-isopropyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl methoxyacetate, and its dihydrochloride salt.

Abstract: A method of preparing 2-?2-{?3-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)propyl!methylamino)}ethyl!-6-fluoro-1-isopr opyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl methoxyacetate comprises contacting 6-fluoro-1-isopropyl-3,4-dihydro-1H-naphthalen-2-one with the dianion of N-?3-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)propyl!-N-methylacetamide to form N-?3-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)propyl!-2-(6-fluoro-2-hydroxy-1-isopropyl-1,2,3 ,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)-N-methylacetamide, reducing this to 2-?2-{?3-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)propyl!methylamino}ethyl!-6-fluoro-1-isopro pyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-ol, and treating the 2-?2-{?3-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)propyl!methylamino}ethyl!-6-fluoro-1-isopro pyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-ol with methoxyacetic acid or an activated derivative of methoxyacetic acid. The invention is particularly applicable to the preparation of mibefradil, (lS,2S)-2-?2-{?3-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)propyl!methylamino}ethyl!-6-fluoro- 1-isopropyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl methoxyacetate, and its dihydrochloride salt.