PROCEDURE FOR the PRODUCTION OF 3-ARYLOXY-3 ARYLPROPYLAMINE AND THEIR INTERMEDIATE PRODUCTS

METHODS FOR PREPARING 3-ARYLOXY-3-ARYLPROPYLAMINES AND INTERMEDIATES THEREOF This application claims the benefit of US Serial Number 60/128,480, filed April 9,1999.

Certain 3-aryloxy-3-arylpropylamines are known to possess central nervous system activity. See U. S. PatentNos. 5,744,474; 5,023,269; 4,956,388; 4,194,009; 4,314,081 and 5,658,590. The present application relates to processes for preparing 3-aryloxy-3-arylpropylamines, including duloxetine and tomoxetine.

Syntheses of 3-aryloxy-3-arylpropylamines utilizing nucleophilic aromatic displacement are known in the art.

For example U. S. Patent Nos. 5,225,585; 5,166,437; 5,023,269; 4,956,388; 5,362,886; and 5,023,269; TetrahedronLetters, 31 (49), 7101-7104 (1990); and PCT Publication No.

WO 94/00416.

The nucleophilic aromatic displacement reaction with 3hydroxy-3-arylpropylamines is facile for activated aryl halides. A variety of dipolar solvents, for example, dimethylsulfoxide (WO 94/00416) and 1,3-dimethyl-2- imidazolidinone and N-methylpyrrolodinone (US Patent No.

5,847,214) have been reported for the reaction of N-methyl3-phenyl-3-hydroxypropylamine with 4-trifluoromethyl-1chlorobenzene to give N-methyl- (4-trifluoromethylphenoxy)-3- phenylpropylamine (fluoxetine).

Nucleophilic aromatic displacement of alkoxides in 1,3dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone are described in Japanese KokokuPatent Publication Sho 60-23656, published June 8,1985.

However, the description is limited to lower order alcohols and the exemplified preparations using unactivated aromatics are carried out at temperatures of from 160g to l90gC in a pressure vessel reactor. See Japanese Kokoku PatentPublication Sho 60-23656, published June 8,1985, examples 7-9,11, and 14. Thus, it does not appear that 1,3dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone would a be useful solvent in a safe and convenient nucleophilic aromatic displacement with complex alcohols using unactivated aromatics. This is especially so for aromatics such as 2-fluorotoluene which has a boiling point of 113-114gC.

In addition, the reported reaction of unactivated substrate, 2-fluorotoluene, with the alkoxide of (S)-Nmethyl-3-phenyl-3-hydroxypropylamine in dimethylsulfoxide gave a modest yield. Tet. Let., 35,1339-1342 (1994).

In spite of the difficulties with using unactivated aryl halides, a method for preparing 3-aryloxy-3arylpropylamines using nucleophilic aromatic displacement is desirable. In contrast to methods utilizing other displacements, such as the Mitsunobu reaction or displacement of a halide by a phenol, the nucleophilic aromatic displacement method allows for cost efficient assembly of the required substituents directly from a 3hydroxy-3-arylpropylamine.

Surprisingly, we have discovered that nucleophilic aromatic displacement using complex benzylic alcohols, such as N-methyl-3-phenyl-3-hydroxypropylamine and N, N-dimethyl3- (2-thienyl)-3-hydroxypropylamine can be carried out with unactivated aromatics, such as 1-fluoronaphthylene and 2fluorotoluene in 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone or Nmethylpyrrolidinone at temperatures of less than about 140 C.

The present processes provide safe and convenient methods for a high yield preparation of 3-aryloxy-3arylpropylamines utilizing nucleophilic aromatic displacement on unactivated aromatics in 1,3-dimethyl-2- imidazolidinone or N-methylpyrrolidinone.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a 3-aryloxy-3-arylpropylamine of the formulaEMI3.1 whereinAr is phenyl or 2-thienyl,Arl is 1-naphthyl, 2-methoxyphenyl, 2-thiomethoxyphenyl, or 2-methylphenyl;G is hydrogen or methyl, and the pharmaceutically-acceptable addition salts thereof comprising the steps of: (a) reacting an alkoxide of a 3-hydroxy-3-arylpropylamine of the formulaEMI3.2 whereinAr and G are as defined above with a haloaromatic of the formula Arl-X whereinArl-X is 2-fluorotoluene, 2-chlorotoluene, 1fluoronaphthalene, 1-chloronaphthalene, 2-fluoroanisole, 2chloroanisole, 2-fluorothioanisole, or 2-chlorothioanisole, in 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone or N-methylpyrrolidinone to give the 3-aryloxy-3-arylpropylamine;STDC0362 (b) optional N-demethylated of the 3-aryloxy-3arylpropylamine wherein G is methyl to give the 3-aryloxy-3arylpropylamine wherein G is hydrogen; (c) optional resolution of the 3-aryloxy-3-arylpropylamine to give a specific isomer of the 3-aryloxy-3arylpropylamine; and (d) optional formation of an acid addition salt using a pharmaceutically-acceptable acid.

That is, the present invention provides a process for preparing a 3-aryloxy-3-arylpropylamine, as defined above and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which comprises reacting an alkoxide of 3-hydroxy-3arylpropylamine of the formulaEMI4.1 whereinAr and G are as defined above with a haloaromatic as defined above, characterized in that, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone or N-methylpyrrolidinone is used as solvent.

Particularly, the present invention relates to a process for preparing tomoxetine and the pharmaceuticallyacceptable addition salts thereof comprising the steps of: (a) reacting an alkoxide of N-methyl-3-phenyl-3hydroxypropylamine with 2-fluorotoluene in 1,3-dimethyl-2- imidazolidinone to give N-methyl-3- (2-methylphenoxy)-3- phenylpropylamine; (b) resolution of N-methyl-3- (2-methylphenoxy)-3- phenylpropylamine to give (R)-N-methyl-3- (2-methylphenoxy)-3- phenylpropylamine (tomoxetine); and (c) optional formation of an acid addition salt using a pharmaceutically-acceptable acid.

The present invention also relates to a particular process for preparing tomoxetine and the pharmaceuticallyacceptable addition salts thereof comprising the steps of: (a) reacting an alkoxide of N, N-dimethyl-3-phenyl-3hydroxypropylamine) with 2-fluorotoluene in 1,3-dimethyl-2- imidazolidinone to give N, N-dimethyl-3- (2-methylphenoxy)-3- phenylpropylamine; (b) N-demethylated N, N-dimethyl-3- (2-methylphenoxy)-3- phenylpropylamine to give N-methyl-3- (2-methylphenoxy)-3- phenylpropylamine; (c) resolution of N-methyl-3- (2-methylphenoxy)-3- phenylpropylamine to give (R)-N-methyl-3- (2-methylphenoxy)-3- phenylpropylamine (tomoxetine); and (d) optional formation of an acid addition salt using a pharmaceutically-acceptable acid.

That is, the present invention relates to processes for preparing tomoxetine and the pharmaceutically-acceptable addition salts thereof, which comprises, reacting an alkoxide of N-methyl-3-phenyl-3-hydroxypropylamine, or an Nprotected derivative thereof, with 2-fluorotoluene, characterized in that, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone is used as solvent.

As used herein, the following terms have the meanings indicated: (a) the term"DMI"refers to 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone; (b) the term"NMP"refers to N-methylpyrrolidinone; (c) the term"ee"or"enantomeric excess"refers to the percent by which one enantiomer, E1, is in excess in a mixture of both enantiomers (E1 + E2), as calculated by the equation {(E1-E2). (E1 + E2)} x 100% = ee; (d) the term pharmaceutically-acceptable addition salt" refers to an acid addition salt using a pharamaceuticallyacceptable acid.

The 3-aryloxy-3-arylpropylamines and the intermediates described herein form pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts with a wide variety of organic and inorganic acids and include the physiologically acceptable salts which are often used in pharmaceutical chemistry.

A pharmaceutically-acceptable addition salt is formed from a pharmaceutically-acceptable acid as is well known in the art. Such salts are also part of this invention.

Typical inorganic acids used to form such salts include hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydriodic, nitric, sulfuric, phosphoric, hypophosphoric, metaphosphoric, pyrophosphoric, and the like. Salts derived from organic acids, such as aliphatic mono and dicarboxylic acids, phenyl substituted alkanoic acids, hydroxyalkanoic and hydroxyalkandioic acids, aromatic acids, aliphatic and aromatic sulfonic acids, may also be used.STDC0859 Such pharmaceutically acceptable salts thus include acetate, phenylacetate, trifluoroacetate, acrylate, ascorbate, benzoate, chlorobenzoate, dinitrobenzoate, hydroxybenzoate, methoxybenzoate, methylbenzoate, oacetoxybenzoate, naphthalene-2-benzoate, bromide, isobutyrate, phenylbutyrate, a-hydroxybutyrate, butyne-1,4dicarboxylate, hexyne-1,4-dicarboxylate, caprate, caprylate, cinnamate, citrate, formate, fumarate, glycollate, heptanoate, hippurate, lactate, malate, maleate, hydroxymaleate, malonate, mandelate, mesylate, nicotinate, isonicotinate, nitrate, oxalate, phthalate, teraphthalate, propiolate, propionate, phenylpropionate, salicylate, sebacate, succinate, suberate, benzene-sulfonate, pbromobenzenesulfonate, chlorobenzenesulfonate, ethanesulfonate, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonate, methanesulfonate,STDC0138 naphthalene-1-sulfonate, naphthalene-2-sulfonate, ptoluenesulfonate, xylenesulfonate, tartarate, and the like.

The present invention relates to processes for the preparation of 3-aryloxy-3-arylpropylamines. It is understood by the skilled person that these compounds exist as stereoisomers. Herein, the Cahn-Prelog-Ingold designations of (R)-and (S)-are used to refer to specific isomers where designated. Specifically, present invention relates to processes for the preparation of duloxetine, (S)N-methyl-3- (l-naphthyloxy)-3- (2-thienyl) propylamine; and tomoxetine, (R)-N-methyl-3- (2-methylphenoxy)-3- phenylpropylamine. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, the present processes are not necessarily limited to the preparation of racemic mixtures or specific isomers.

Rather the present processes are capable of preparing both specific enantiomers and racemic mixtures.

The specific isomers can be obtained by resolution of the product, intermediates, or in some cases the starting materials. For example, duloxetine specific isomers can be most conveniently obtained by utilizing enantomerically pure starting materials, specifically, (S)-N, N-dimethyl-3- (2- thienyl)-3-hydroxypropylamine or (R)-N-methyl-3-phenyl-3hydroxypropylamine. As used herein the term "enantiomerically pure"refers to an enatiomeric excess which is greater than 90%, preferably greater than 93%, more preferably greater than 95%.

The present preparation of 3-aryloxy-3-arylpropylamines are carried out according to Reaction Scheme A below. InReaction Scheme A, all substituents, unless otherwise indicated, are as previously defined. In Reaction Scheme A all reagents are well known and appreciated in the art.

Reaction Scheme AEMI8.1 <tb> <SEP> Ar,<tb> <SEP> OH <SEP> tzar,<tb> <SEP> Ai-X<tb> <SEP> CH3/CH3<tb> Ar <SEP> step <SEP> a <SEP> Ar <SEP> N<tb> <SEP> G <SEP> CH,<tb> <SEP> (a) <SEP> a<tb> <SEP> step <SEP> b<tb> <SEP> \ <SEP> step <SEP> a <SEP> r,<tb> <SEP> art<tb> <SEP> O<tb> <SEP> step <SEP> a <SEP> \ <SEP> Ar,-X <SEP> f<tb> <SEP> CH3<tb> <SEP> air <SEP> N<tb> <SEP> H<tb> <SEP> \ <SEP> (c)<tb> <SEP> step <SEP> c<tb> <SEP> Ar, <SEP> Ar,<tb> <SEP> 0 <SEP> 0<tb> <SEP> or<tb> <SEP> CH3CH3<tb> <SEP> Ar <SEP> H <SEP> Ar<tb> (d) a specific isomer of the desired 3-aryloxy-3-arylpropylamine) In Reaction Scheme A, step a, a nucleophilic aromatic displacement, the alkoxide of a suitable 3-hydoxy-3arylpropylamine of formula (a) is contacted with a suitable haloaromatic, Arl-X, in 1,STDC01023-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone or Nmethylpyrrolidinone to give a 3-aryloxy-3-arylpropylamine.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a 3hydoxy-3-arylpropylamine of formula (a) in which G is methyl gives a 3-aryloxy-3-arylpropylamine of formula (b); a 3hydoxy-3-arylpropylamine of formula (a) in which G is hydrogen gives a 3-aryloxy-3-arylpropylamine of formula (c); and a specific isomer of a 3-hydoxy-3-arylpropylamine of formula (a) in which G is hydrogen gives directly a 3aryloxy-3-arylpropylamine of formula (d). Also, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the specific isomers of formula (d) can be obtained by demethylation of a 3-aryloxy-3-arylpropylamine of formula (b) prepared from a single isomer of a compound of formula (a) in which G is methyl.

Suitable 3-hydoxy-3-arylpropylamines of formula (a) include N, N-dimethyl-3-phenyl-3-hydroxypropylamine, Nmethyl-3-phenyl-3-hydroxypropylamine, N, N-dimethyl-3- (2- thienyl)-3-hydroxypropylamine, (R)-N, N-dimethyl-3-phenyl-3hydroxypropylamine, (R)-N-methyl-3-phenyl-3hydroxypropylamine, (R)-N, N-dimethyl-3- (2-thienyl)-3- hydroxypropylamine, (S)-N, N-dimethyl-3-phenyl-3hydroxypropylamine, (S)-N-methyl-3-phenyl-3hydroxypropylamine, and (S)-N, N-dimethyl-3- (2-thienyl)-3- hydroxypropylamine. Suitable haloaromatics, include 2fluorotoluene, 2-chlorotoluene, 1-fluoronaphthalene, 1chloronaphthalene, 2-fluoroanisole, 2-chloroanisole, 2fluorothioanisole, and 2-chlorothioanisole.

For example, the reaction is carried out using an alkoxide of an alcohol of formula (a). While many metals are suitable for this reaction, generally, an alkali metal alkoxide is used, with the lithium, sodium, and potassium alkoxide being preferred. Sodium and potassium alkoxide are more preferred. The alkoxide is formed by contacting of an alcohol of formula (a) with a suitable base, such as lithium hydride, lithium N, N-diisopropylamide, sodium hydride, potassium hydride, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium amide, potassium amide, sodium alkoxides, such as sodium t-butoxide, sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide, potassium alkoxides, such as potassium t-butoxide, potassium methoxide, potassium ethoxide, and the like. From 1 molar equivalent to a large molar excess of base is used.STDC0174 In some cases, when sodium bases are used, the addition of a catalytic amount of potassium ion can advantageously be added, for example, in the form of potassium benzoate.

The reaction is carried out in 1,3-dimethyl-2- imidazolidinone or N-methylpyrrolidinone. Neither high temperatures nor pressure vessels are required. The reaction is carried out at temperatures of from about 0 C to about 140 C with temperatures of from about 20 C to about 130 C being preferred, and temperatures of from about 80 C to about 120 C being more preferred. The reaction typically requires from about 1 hour to about 48 hours. The product can be isolated and purified by techniques well known in the art, such as filtration, evaporation, extraction, trituration, chromatography, and crystallization.

Alternately, the compound of formula (b) can be taken directly to step c, if desired, without isolation or without purification.

In Reaction Scheme A, optional step b, the compound of the formula (b) is N-demethylated to give the compound of formula (c). As is understood from Reaction Scheme A, where a specific isomer of compound (a) is used to provide a specific isomer of compound (b) the isomer can by Ndemethylated to give compound (d) directly. Such Ndemethylation reactions are well known and appreciated in the art and include demethylations which proceed through aN-cyano and carbamate intermediates followed by hydrolysis.

See for example, U. S. Patent Nos. 4,956,388; 4,314,081; and 5,362,886.

For example, a compound of formula (b) is contacted with a slight molar excess of chloro formate, such as phenyl chloroformate, ethyl chloroformate, trichloroethyl chloroformate, and the like. The reaction is carried out in the presence of a suitable base, such as triethylamine, pyridine, N, N-diisopropylethylamine, and the like. The reaction is carried out in a suitable solvent, such as toluene, dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, and the like.

Typically the reaction is carried out at temperatures of from about 0 C to the refluxing temperature of the solvent and require about 1 hour to 48 hours. The carbamate intermediate can be isolated and purified by techniques well known in the art, such as filtration, evaporation, extraction, trituration, chromatography, and crystallization. The carbamate intermediate is then hydrolyzed to give product. For example, the carbamate intermediate is contacted with an excess of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. The reaction is carried out in a suitable solvent, such as water, dimethyl sulfoxide, ethanol, dimethyl sulfoxide/water mixtures, and the like.

Typically the reaction is carried out at temperatures of from about 20 C to about 100 C and require about 1 hour to 48 hours. The product can be isolated and purified by techniques well known in the art, such as filtration, evaporation, extraction, trituration, chromatography, and crystallization.

In Reaction Scheme A, optional step c, a compound of formula (c) is resolved to give a 3-aryloxy-3arylpropylamine having a specific stereochemistry. Such resolutions are well known and appreciated in the art, such as the use of mandelic acid as described in European PatentApplication No. 0 052 492, published May 26,1982, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. As is understood from Reaction Scheme A, a compound (b) can be resolved by the same techniques to give a specific isomer of compound (b) the isomer can by N-demethylated, if desired to give compound (d) directly.

In Reaction Scheme A, optional step d, not shown, an acid addition salt is formed using a pharmaceuticallyacceptable acid. As is appreciated by the person skilled in the art, an acid addition salt can be formed for the end products of formula (b), (c), and (d). The formation of acid addition salts is well known and appreciated in the art.

In particular, the present preparations of tomoxetine are carried out according to Reaction Scheme B below. InReaction Scheme B, all substituents, unless otherwise indicated, are as previously defined. In Reaction Scheme B all reagents are well known and appreciated in the art.

Reaction Scheme BEMI12.1 <tb> <SEP> H3C) <SEP> o<tb> OH <SEP> O<tb> <SEP> /CH3/CH3<tb> <SEP> Hf <SEP> <tb> <SEP> stepstep <SEP> a <SEP> NCH,<tb> <SEP> (3)<tb> <SEP> ! <SEP> steps<tb> <SEP> step <SEP> b<tb> <SEP> F<tb> <SEP> (2) <SEP> HaC<tb> <SEP> step <SEP> a<tb> <SEP> 0<tb> <SEP> CH3<tb> <SEP> /<tb> <SEP> H<tb> <SEP> (4)<tb> <SEP> (4)<tb> <SEP> H3C/stepc<tb> <SEP> 0<tb> <SEP> C3<tb> <SEP> N/<tb> <SEP> H<tb> <SEP> (tomoxetine)<tb> In Reaction Scheme B, step a, a nucleophilic aromatic displacement, the alkoxide of an alcohol of formula (1) in which G is methyl or hydrogen, N, N-dimethyl-3-phenyl-3hydroxypropylamine where G is methyl or N-methyl-3-phenyl-3hydroxypropylamine where G is hydrogen, is contacted with a 2-fluorotoluene (the compound of formula (2)) in 1,STDC02983dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone or N-methylpyrrolidinone to give the compound of formula (3), N, N-dimethyl-3- (2- methylphenoxy)-3-phenylpropylamine, or the compound of formula (4), N-methyl-3- (2-methylphenoxy)-3- phenylpropylamine; respectively.

For example, the reaction is carried out using an alkoxide of an alcohol of formula (1). While many metals are suitable for this reaction, generally, an alkali metal alkoxide is used, with the lithium, sodium, and potassium alkoxide being preferred. Sodium and potassium alkoxide are more preferred. The alkoxide is formed by contacting of an alcohol of formula (1) with a suitable base, such as lithium hydride, lithium N, N-diisopropylamide, sodium hydride, potassium hydride, sodium amide, potassium amide, sodium alkoxides, such as sodium t-butoxide, potassium alkoxides, such as potassium t-butoxide, and the like. From 1 molar equivalent to a large molar excess of base is used, with about 1.05 to about 1.5 molar equivalents being preferred.

The reaction is carried out in 1,3-dimethyl-2- imidazolidinone or N-methylpyrrolidinone with 1,3-dimethyl2-imidazolidinone being preferred. Neither high temperatures nor pressure apparatus are required. The reaction is carried out at temperatures of from about 75 C to about 140 C with temperatures of from about 90 C to about 130 C being preferred and about 95 C to about 115 C being more preferred. The reaction typically requires from about 12 hours to about 48 hours. The product can be isolated and purified by techniques well known in the art, such as filtration, evaporation, extraction, trituration, chromatography, and crystallization.STDC0118 Alternately, the compound of formula (4) can be taken directly to step c without isolation or without purification.

In Reaction Scheme B, step b, the compound of the formula (3), N, N-dimethyl-3- (2-methylphenoxy)-3- phenylpropylamine, is N-demethylated to give the compound of formula (4), N-methyl-3- (2-methylphenoxy)-3- phenylpropylamine. Such N-demethylation reactions are well known and appreciated in the art and include demethylations which proceed through a N-cyano and carbamate intermediates followed by hydrolysis as described above in Reaction SchemeA, step c, above.

In Reaction Scheme B, step c, N-methyl-3- (2- methylphenoxy)-3-phenylpropylamine is resolved to give (R)-Nmethyl-3- (2-methylphenoxy)-3-phenylpropylamine (tomoxetine).

Such resolutions are well known and appreciated in the art and is described in European Patent Application No. 0 052 492, published May 26,1982, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

In Reaction Scheme B, optional step d, not shown, an acid addition salt is formed using a pharmaceuticallyacceptable acid. The formation of acid addition salts is well known and appreciated in the art.

The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples and preparations. These examples and preparations are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

The terms used in the examples and preparations have their normal meanings unless otherwise designated. For example" C"refers to degrees Celsius;"N"refers to normal or normality;"M"refers to molar or molarity;"mol"refers to mole or moles;"mmol"refers to millimole or millimoles; "kg"refers to kilogram or kilograms;"g"refers to gram or grams;"mg"refers to milligram or milligrams;"mL"refers milliliter or milliliters;"L"refers to liter or liters; "bp"refers to boiling point;"mp"refers to melting point; "brine"refers to a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution; etc.

EXAMPLE 1Tomoxetine, (R)-N-methyl-3- (2-methylphenoxy)-3- phenylpropylamine hydrochloride Combine N-methyl-3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropylamine (10 g, 60.53 mmol) and potassium t-butoxide (7.5 g, 66.58 mmol) in 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (25 mL). Heat to dissolve, if necessary, before adding 2-fluorotoluene (20 mL, 181.6 mmol). Heat to about 110 C. After 20 hours, cool to ambient temperature and carefully add water and then toluene. Separate the layers and extract the organic layer with water. Evaporate by distillation to reduce the volume of the organic layer to about 10 mL, cool to about 40 to 502C, dilute with about 4.5 volumes of ethyl acetate (about 45 mL), and add (S)- (+)-mandelic acid (5.52 g, 36.3 mmol).

Hold the temperature at about 409 to 45gC and seed with (R)N-methyl-3- (2-methylphenoxy)-3-phenylpropylamine (S)- (+)- mandelic acid salt. After about 2 hours, cool to about 0 to 59C to give a solid. Collect the solid by filtration, rinse with ethyl acetate and dry in vacuo at about 80 C.

Combine (R)-N-methyl-3- (2-methylphenoxy)-3-phenylpropylamine (S)- (+)-mandelic acid salt (4.36 g, 10.7 mmol), water (13.5 mL), aqueous 50% sodium hydroxide solution (0.99 g, 12.32 mmol), and methyl t-butyl ether (14 mL). Heat to about 409 to 45gC and stir until the solids dissolve. Separate the layers and extract the organic layer with water. Dilute the organic layer with methyl t-butyl ether (about 17 mL) and dry by distillation (collecting the azeotrope). Add an additional amount of methyl t-butyl ether (about 17 mL) to bring the weight of the reaction mixture up to about 20.6 g.

Add isopropanol (7.5 g) before slowly adding concentrated aqueous hydrochloric acid solution (1.11 g, 11.25 mmol) over about 3 hours. Stir the reaction mixture, cooling if necessary to give a solid. Collect the solid by filtration, rinse with methyl t-butyl ether, and dry in vacuo at about 70 to 80 C to give the title compound.

EXAMPLE 2Tomoxetine, (R)-N-methyl-3- (2-methylphenoxy)-3- phenylpropylamine hydrochloride Combine N-methyl-3-hydroxy-3-phenylpropylamine (10 g, 60.53 mmol) and potassium t-butoxide (7.5 g, 66.58 mmol) in 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (25 mL). Heat to dissolve, if necessary, before adding 2-fluorotoluene (20 mL, 181.6 mmol). Heat to about 110 C. After 20 hours, cool to ambient temperature and carefully add water and then toluene. Separate the layers and extract the organic layer with water. Evaporate by distillation to reduce the volume of the organic layer until about 3 g of toluene remains.

Add toluene (about 12.5 g), cool to about 40 to 50 C, dilute with ethyl acetate (about 45 g), and add (S)- (+)- mandelic acid (5.52 g, 36.3 mmol). Hold the temperature at about 409 to 45gC and seed with (R)-N-methyl-3- (2- methylphenoxy)-3-phenylpropylamine (S)- (+)-mandelic acid salt. After about 2 hours, cool to about Og to 5gC to give a solid. Collect the solid by filtration, rinse with ethyl acetate and dry in vacuo at about 802C. Combine (R)-Nmethyl-3- (2-methylphenoxy)-3-phenylpropylamine (S)- (+)- mandelic acid salt (4.36 g, 10.7 mmol), water (13.5 mL), aqueous 50% sodium hydroxide solution (0.99 g, 12.32 mmol), and methyl t-butyl ether (14 mL).STDC0754 Heat to about 40g to 452C and stir until the solids dissolve. Separate the layers and extract the organic layer with water. Dilute the organic layer with methyl t-butyl ether (about 17 mL) and dry by distillation (collecting the azeotrope). Add an additional amount of methyl t-butyl ether (about 17 mL) to bring the weight of the reaction mixture up to about 20.6 g. Add isopropanol (7.5 g) before slowly adding concentrated aqueous hydrochloric acid solution (1.11 g, 11.25 mmol) over about 3 hours. Stir the reaction mixture, cooling if necessary to give a solid. Collect the solid by filtration, rinse with methyl t-butyl ether, and dry in vacuo at about 70 to 80 C to give the title compound.