| abstract |
Disclosed is a method of preparing the antidepressant drug citalopram (1-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-1-(4- fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-5-isobenzofurancarbonitrile) by reacting a compound of formula (II) with a compound of formula (III), wherein R is halogen or -O-SO2-X (X=alkyl, alkenyl) and R1 is dimethylamino, halogen or -O-SO2-X. Note if R1 is halogen or -O-SO2-X, then conversion of the resulting compound of said reaction will accordingly follow. |