Process for the optical resolution and recycling of tomoxetine

摘要

The present invention provides a process for the optical resolution of racemic tomoxetine under reaction conditions that improve reaction yields and optical purity. The invention also provides an epimerization process for the (S)-(+) enantiomer. The invention further provides the conversion of the enantiomer obtained from the optical resolution into atomoxetine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.