The present invention provides, according to an aspect thereof, a novel process for the preparation of
dronedarone [1] and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. According to a preferred embodiment, the process comprises N-acetylating of p-anisidine or p-
phenetidine with
acetic anhydride, reacting of the obtained N-(4-alkoxyphenyl)
acetamide with 2-bromohexanoyl
chloride or
bromide in the presence of aluminum
chloride or
bromide to obtain N-[3-(2-bromohexanoyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]
acetamide [6a], converting the compound [6a] into 2-butyl-5-benzofuranamine
hydrochloride [12a] and subsequently converting [12a] into [1] or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In accordance with another aspect of this invention, there are provided novel intermediates, inter alia the novel compounds [6a] and [12a]. The novel intermediates of the present invention are stable,
solid compounds, obtainable in high yields, which can be easily purified by
crystallization and stored for long periods of time.