title: A new alternative synthesis of 5-cyanophthalide, a versatile intermediate in the preparation of the antidepressant drug citalopram.
abstract: An alternative versatile synthesis of 5-cyanophthalide, a key synthetic intermediate in the preparation of the antidepressant drug Citalopram, is presented. The synthesis reported here allows the preparation of this important intermediate in three steps, avoiding the manipulation of environmentally detrimental cyanides.
authors.affiliation: GlaxoSmithKline Group, GlaxoWellcome SpA, Medicines Research Centre, Verona, Italy. fm20244@glaxowellcome.co.uk
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Micheli
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Crippa
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Donati
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Di Fabio
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Leslie
mesh_terms: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D015283:Citalopram / Q000138:chemical synthesis*
chemical_list: D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D001572:Benzofurans; D015283:Citalopram; C082022:phthalide