Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of a heteroaryl acetamide from a heteroaryl ?-hydroxyacetamide is provided. The process comprises directly hydrogenating the heteroaryl ?-hydroxyacetamide in the presence of a strong acid, a halide and a catalyst wherein the molar ratio of the starting heteroaryl ?-hydroxyacetamide to water at the initiation of hydrogenolysis is at least about 2:1. In one embodiment, the heteroaryl acetamide is zolpidem and the heteroaryl ?-hydroxyacetamide is ?-hydroxyzolpidem.

Abstract: An improved method of making a substituted pyrazolopyrimidine. The method comprises reacting a aminopyrazole compound or a salt thereof with a substituted 1-oxo-2-propenyl-arene(-heterocycle) or a salt thereof under acidic conditions in a reaction medium including a two-phase mixture of an aqueous solution and a water-immiscible organic liquid. Specific substituted pyrazolopyrimidines include N-[3-(3-cyanopyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl)phenyl]-N-ethylacetamide and N-methyl-N-(3-{3-[2-thienyl-carbonyl]-pyrazolo[1,5-a]-pyrimidin-7-yl}phenyl)acetamide.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a quaternary derivative of the morphinan alkaloid, the process comprising contacting a tertiary N-substituted morphinan alkaloid with an alkyl halide in an anhydrous solvent system, wherein the solvent system comprises an aprotic dipolar solvent with the aprotic dipolar solvent constituting at least 25 wt % of the solvent system.

Abstract: A process for producing 2-halofluorobenzene from 2,4-dihalofluorobenzenes comprises treating an aqueous slurry of 2,4-dihalofluorobenzene with hydrogen at an elevated temperature in the presence of a transition metal supported on a carbon catalyst. The process produces a mixture including fluorobenzene and 2-halofluorobenzene. The 2-halofluorobenzene can be separated from the mixture by conventional means such as distillation. Optionally, the fluorobenzene also can be recovered.