| abstract |
A process for the preparation of 1-(4′-fluorophenyl)-1-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-5-phthalanecarbonitrile of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, n n n comprising performing two successive Grignard reactions on 5-bromophthalide, wherein the 5-bromophthalide is reacted with the first Grignard reagent in the presence of a Lewis acid, so reducing by-product formation and improving yields. |