Method for the preparation of citalopram, pharmaceutical composition containing citalopram and intermediate

摘要

Described is a method for the preparation of citalopram comprising a reaction of a compound of the general formula (IV), wherein R is halogen, or CF3-(CF2)n-SO2-, n being 0 to 8, with a cyanide source in the presence of a palladium catalyst and a catalytic amount of Cu+ or Zn2+, or with Zn(CN)2 in the presence of a palladium catalyst.