Methanol → Sertraline

Participants

Reaction Steps

N-[4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3,4-dihydro-1(2H)naphthalenylidene]methanamine (Ketimine) (50 g), methanol (300 ml), Raney Nickel (0.15 g wet basis) and o-dichlorobenzene (50 ml) are charged into a reaction vessel. The mixture is hydrogenated at 5 to 6 kg/cm2 over pressure of hydrogen for 6 to 7 hrs at about 28° C. to 30° C. The catalyst is removed by filtration and the cake is washed with 50 ml methanol. The cis to trans ratio is 87 to 89/9 to 13. The amount of dehalogenated by product is <0.1%. Sertraline racemate free base thus formed is treated with hydrochloric acid (24 ml, 33%) and predominantly isomer of sertraline HCl racemate is filtered [Cis>98%, trans<2%, dehalogenation product<0.1%, yield 0.86 to 0.88%].

Provenance & Evidence