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Luedvik Blaha

Miroslav Rajsner

Vaclav Trcka

Ivan Helfert

2-Isopropyl-2-(2-methylphenyl)-5-(N-methylhomoveratrylamino)-valeronitrile ('mepamil') of the Formula I: ##STR1## preferably administered in the form of water-soluble acid addition salts such as e.g. hydrochloride. The claimed compound is advantageously prepared by alkylation of 2-(2-methylphenyl)-3-methylbutyronitrile with 3,3-diethoxypropylchloride. Subsequently, the obtained 5,5-diethoxy-2-isopropyl-2-(2-Methylphenyl)-valeronitrile is mildly, acidically hydrolisized to yield the appropriate aldehye, i.e. 2-isopropyl-2-(2-methylphenyl)-5-oxovaleronitrile. This aldehyde is then reacted with N-methylhomoveratrylamine under conditions of reductive alkylation, suitably by catalytic hydrogenation over a platinum or palladium catalyst or by chemical reduction with the use of formic acid as a reducing agent. The resulting base is optionally converted by neutralization with a pharmaceutically acceptable organic or inorganic acid, i.e. hydrochloric or fumaric acid, into the corresponding acid addition salt.

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Praha, Czechoslovakia

Luedvik Blaha