Novel method for the synthesis of perindopril and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof

A process for the synthesis of perindopril of formula (I):

• and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof,
• wherein a compound of formula (II):
• is reacted with a compound of formula (III):
• wherein X1 and X2, which may be identical or different, each represent a leaving group, to yield a compound of formula (IV):
• which is reacted with a compound of formula (V):
• wherein R represents hydrogen, benzyl or linear or branched (C1-C6)alkyl,
• or an addition salt thereof with a mineral or organic acid,
• to yield, after isolation, a compound of formula (VI)
• which is hydrogenated in the presence of a catalyst,
• under a hydrogen pressure of from 1 to 30 bars, to yield, after deprotection of the acid function where necessary, perindopril of formula (I) which is converted, if desired, to a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.