Fluoxetine process from benzoylacetonitrile

摘要

A synthesis of fluoxetine is disclosed. The process begins with benzoylacetonitrile, which is reduced, optionally in the presence of a chiral ligand, to produce the corresponding aminoalcohol, and the amine is carbamoylated without isolation. The alcohol is deprotonated and reacted with 4-chloro- or 4-fluoro benzotrifluoride or with 4-trifluoromethylphenol to provide a carbamate of fluoxetine. The carbamate is reduced with a hydride or with borane to provide fluoxetine free base. The process may be employed for the synthesis of individual enantiomers of fluoxetine.