PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF SERTRALINE AND ITS 1,R-STEREOISOMER

摘要

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of cis-(1R, 1S)-N-methyl-4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthalene-1-amine of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof by reducing (+/-)-4-(S,R)-[(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3,4-dihydro-1(2H)-naphthalene-1-ylidene]-methylamine of formula (II) in the presence of a palladium catalyst and if desired converting the base of formula (I) obtained into a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof which comprises using a palladium catalyst applied on a carrier, containing 5-30 % by weight of palladium and pre-treated with an alkali halide. The compound of formula (I) is a useful pharmaceutical active ingredient.