An improved process for the preparation of 3-aryloxy-3-phenylpropylamine and salt thereof

A process for preparing atomoxetine hydrochloride comprising the steps of:

• a). condensing the compound of formula II with 2-fluorotoluene in the presence of inorganic base in high boiling point polar aprotic solvent with continuous water removal;
• b). extracting the reaction mixture in hydrocarbon solvent;
• c). treating with oxalic acid solution in isopropyl alcohol;
• d). isolating oxalic acid salt of tomoxetine of formula III;
• e). basifying compound of formula III in hydrocarbon solvent;
• f). treating obtained free base with (S)-(+)-mandelic acid in ester solvent;
• g). isolating (S)-(+)-mandelic acid salt of (R)-tomoxetine of formula IV;
• h). basifying (S)-(+)-mandelic acid salt of (R)-tomoxetine formula IV in mixture of water and hydrocarbon solvent;
• i). separating the layers and distilling the hydrocarbon solvent;
• j). adding the mixture of ether and nitrile solvent in residue;
• k). treating with alcoholic hydrochloric acid to form atomoxetine hydrochloride of formula I;
• and
• l). purifying atomoxetine hydrochloride of formula I in suitable solvent.