NEW PROCESS FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF (7-METHOXY-1-NAPHTHYL)ACETONITRILE AND APPLICATION IN THE SYNTHESIS OF AGOMELATINE

摘要

Disclosed herein is a process for the industrial synthesis of the compound of 7-methoxy-1-naphthyl)acetonitrile (compound of formula I), characterised in that 7-methoxy1-1naphthoic acid of formula (III) is used for the reaction which is further subjected to the action of a reducing agent to yield the compound 7-methoxy-1-naphthyl)methanol (formula (IV)), wherein the OH function of the compound of formula (IV) is converted into a leaving group and which is reacted with a cyanation reagent to yield the compound of formula (I), which is isolated in the form of a solid. Also disclosed is a process for the synthesis of agomelatine (compound of formula (II))starting from the compound of formula (I), characterised in that the compound of formula(I) is obtained by the synthesis process described above and is subjected to reduction and then to coupling with acetic anhydride.