Abstract
A new, economical, and efficient process has been developed for large‐scale synthesis of donepezil 1, an anti‐Alzheimer's drug. The process involves palladium‐catalyzed hydrogenation of (2E)‐5,6‐dimethoxy‐2‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethylene)indan‐1‐one 6 to provide 5,6‐dimethoxy‐2‐(piperidin‐4‐ylmethyl)indan‐1‐one 8 as a key step.
DRL‐IPD Communication No. 006.
Acknowledgment
The authors thank management of Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd. for supporting this work. Cooperation from the project colleagues is highly appreciated.
Notes
DRL‐IPD Communication No. 006.