METHOD OF OBTAINING FLUOXETIN

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of N-methyl-[3-phenyl-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenoxy]-propyl]-amine of the Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof by reaction of N,N-dimethyl-{3-phenyl-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenoxy]-propyl}-amine of the Formula (III) and ethyl chloro formate and hydrolysis and decarboxylation of the N-methyl-N-ethoxycarbonyl-{3-phenyl-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenoxy]-propyl}-amine of the Formula (II) and if desired salt formation which comprises carrying out the reaction of the compound of the Formula (III) and ethyl chloro formate in toluene or xylene or a mixture thereof at a temperature below 90 DEG C; removing the contaminations and by-products from the reaction mixture by treatment with a diluted acid; separating the organic phase which contains the urethane derivative of the Formula (II) and reacting said organic phase, without isolating the urethane derivative of the Formula (II), with an alkali hydroxide at the boiling point of the reaction mixture in the presence of water and optionally n-butanol; removing the inorganic compounds; and if desired converting the base of the Formula (I) thus obtained into a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. The compounds of the Formula (I) are a known valuable antidepressant.