Process for the synthesis of ivabradine and addition salts thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid

A process for the synthesis of the compound of formula (VIII), in racemic or optically active form:

• wherein a compound of formula (II), in racemic or optically active form:
• is reacted with a compound of formula (IX):
• in the presence of a salt of a transition metal or of a lanthanide,
• in a solvent,
• to yield a compound of formula (X), in racemic or optically active form:
• which is converted into the compound of formula (VIII) by the action of a hydride donor agent.