New process for the synthesis of agomelatine

摘要

Disclosed is a process for the industrial synthesis of the compound of formula (I) which process is characterised in that the hydroxyl group of 7-methoxy-1-naphthol of formula (II) is converted into a leaving group and the compound is condensed in the presence of palladium with CH2=CH-R to yield a compound of formula (IV). The compound of formula (IV) is then subjected to catalytic hydrogenation to yield the compound of formula (V) which is subjected to a base or acid hydrolysis or to a binary reducing agent/acid system to yield the compound of formula (VI) or it hydrochloric salt. The compound or salt of formula (VI) is treated with sodium acetate and then acetic anhydride to yield the compound of formula (I) which is isolated as a solid. Also disclosed is the compound of formula (IV) and the use of the compound for synthesising agomelatine.