Process for the Preparation of Ethacrynic Acid

The invention provides an improved process for preparing Ethacrynic acid of formula I, including the steps of: (a) reacting 4-butyryl-2,3-dichloro-phenoxy acetic acid of formula II with dimethylamine or its salt to obtain [2,3-dichloro-4-[2-dimethylaminomethyl butyryl phenoxy acetic acid of formula III or its salt; (b) hydrolysing [2,3-dichloro-4-[2-dimethylaminomethyl butyryl phenoxy acetic acid hydrochloride of formula III obtained in step a) with t-butyl amine to obtain t-butyl amine salt of Ethacrynic acid; (c) acidifying the t-butyl amine salt of Ethacrynic acid formed in step b) to obtain Ethacrynic acid of formula I; and(d) optionally purifying the obtained Ethacrynic acid with a solvent mixture of alkyl acetate and hydrocarbon solvent. The invention also provides crystalline t-butylamine salt of Ethacrynic acid and process thereof. Also provide compound Ethacrynic acid having a purity of greater than or equal to 99% and a composition including the compound.