Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for the preparation of 2-benzhydryl-3-quinuclidinone (1). (I). The process of the invention allows to obtain the intermediate 2-benzhydryl-3-quinuclidinone (1) by reaction of 2-benzylidene-3-quinuclidinone (2) with the Grignard reagent phenyl-magnesium halide, in particular chloride or bromide, in the presence of catalytic amounts of copper (I) salts. Taking advantage of the high efficiency of the catalytic system of the copper (I) salts, 2-benzhydryl-3-quinuclidinone (1) is obtained in higher yields than those of the known processes. Advantageously, since the amounts of copper (I) salts are catalytic, the latter can easily be removed from the reaction mixture, and the process is carried out in the presence of solvents less toxic and expensive than those used in the state of the art.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for the preparation of 2-benzhydryl-3-quinuclidinone (1). (I). The process of the invention allows to obtain the intermediate 2-benzhydryl-3-quinuclidinone (1) by reaction of 2-benzylidene-3-quinuclidinone (2) with the Grignard reagent phenyl-magnesium halide, in particular chloride or bromide, in the presence of catalytic amounts of copper (I) salts. Taking advantage of the high efficiency of the catalytic system of the copper (I) salts, 2-benzhydryl-3-quinuclidinone (1) is obtained in higher yields than those of the known processes. Advantageously, since the amounts of copper (I) salts are catalytic, the latter can easily be removed from the reaction mixture, and the process is carried out in the presence of solvents less toxic and expensive than those used in the state of the art.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the synthesis of Pirfenidone (1) from 5-methyl-2(1H)-pyridinone and chlorobenzene in the presence of a catalytic system consisting of a copper salt and an organic ligand, in the presence of a base. The process exploits the high efficiency of the catalytic system consisting of copper(I) salt and an organic ligand in the presence of an inorganic base in the N-amidation reaction of chlorobenzene, a cheap reagent also usable as solvent in this case; reaction conditions at high temperatures, at atmosphere pressure or higher, produce a reaction with good yields.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the synthesis of Pirfenidone (1) from 5-methyl-2(1H)-pyridinone and chlorobenzene in the presence of a catalytic system consisting of a copper salt and an organic ligand, in the presence of a base. The process exploits the high efficiency of the catalytic system consisting of copper(I) salt and an organic ligand in the presence of an inorganic base in the N-amidation reaction of chlorobenzene, a cheap reagent also usable as solvent in this case; reaction conditions at high temperatures, at atmosphere pressure or higher, produce a reaction with good yields.