PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF 6-METHYL-2-(4-METHYL-PHENYL)-IMIDAZO[1,2-A]PYRIMIDINE-3-(N,N-DIMETHYL-ACETAMIDE) AND INTERMEDIATES

The invention relates to a new and improved process for the preparation of 6-methyl-2-(4-methyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine-3-(N,N-dimethyl-acetamide) of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof which comprises reacting an ester of general Formula (II) (wherein R is lower alkyl or phenyl-lower alkyl) in a polar protic or aprotic solvent with dimethyl amine and, if desired, converting the compound of the Formula (I) thus obtained into a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt. The compound of Formula I is a known valuable sedative used in therapy. The invention also relates to new intermediates of general Formula (II) (wherein R is lower alkyl or phenyl-lower alkyl) useful in the process.