FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10; Rule 13)
TITLE
A COMPOUND OF FORMULA (II), A METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME AND A METHOD OF MAKING MOXIFLOXACIN USING THE SAME
APPLICANT
CIPLA LIMITED
AN INDIAN COMPANY
OF 289 BELLASIS ROAD, MUMBAI CENTRAL,
MUMBAI400 008
INDIA
The following specification particularly describes the nature of the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

This application is divided out of Indian application no. 1012/MUMNP/2009
Technical field:
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of moxifloxacin, and more particularly relates to a process for the preparation of moxifloxacin which uses a novel Borate intermediate. The present invention relates to a novel crystalline form of moxifloxacin hydrochloride and process to prepare the same.
Background and prior art:
Moxifloxacin hydrochloride {l-cyclopropyl-7-[S, S]-2,8-diazabicyclo-[4,3,0] non-8-yl)6-fluoro-l,4-dihydro-8-methoxy4-oxo-3-quinoline carboxylic acid hydrochloride} is known from EP 350733 & EP 550903 and has the following chemical structure.

Moxifloxacin Hydrochloride
Moxifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone broad spectrum antibacterial agent, shown to be clinically active against Gram-positive microorganisms including staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus pneumonia, and streptococcus pyogenes; significantly better than those of Sparfioxacin and Ciprofloxacin that was disclosed in EP No 350,733 and EP No 550,903. Moxifloxacin also has activity against Gram-negative microorganisms including haemophilus influenzae, haemophilus parainfluenzae, klebisiella pneumoniae, and moraxella catarrhalis.
The prior art disclosed in European patent No's EP 350,733, EP 550,903 and EP 657,448 describes the preparation of moxifloxacin hydrochloride involving the condensation of 1-cyclopropyl-6,7-difluoro-8-methoxy-4-oxo-l,4-dihydro-3-quinoline carboxylic acid or its esters with (S,S) 2,8-diazabicyclo [4.3.0] nonane in presence of a base and its conversion to hydrochloride at higher temperatures leading to the desired moxifloxacin along with its

potential isomer namely (4aS-Cis)-l-cyclopropyl-6-(2,8-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-8-yl)-7-fluoro-8-methoxy-4-oxo-l,4-dihydro-3-quinoline carboxylic acid as a major impurity. As the impurity and moxifloxacin are positional isomers they are difficult to separate. Further, purification of moxifloxacin to remove this isomer results in lower yields thereby increasing the product cost.
US 5,849,752 discloses the monohydrate of moxifloxacin hydrochloride(1-cyclopropyl-7-([S,S]-2,8-diazabicyclo-[4,3,0]non-8-yl)6-fluoro-l,4-dihydro-8-memoxy-4-oxo-3-quinoline carboxylic acid hydrochloride} (CDCH) and its preparation by treating the anhydrous crystalline form with ethanol/ water mixtures.
Moxifloxacin hydrochloride exhibits polymorphism. WO 2004/091619 discloses a new crystalline Form III of moxifloxacin monohydrochloride and processes for making the crystalline form using an alkanol and an antisolvent for precipitation. This patent discloses X-ray powder diffraction patterns,- 13C solid state NMR spectra, Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermogram and IR spectrum of the crystalline form HI.
However, it is known that polymorphic forms of the same drug may have substantial difference in certain pharmaceutically important properties such as dissolution characteristics and bioavailability as well as stability of the drug. Furthermore, different crystalline form may have different particle size, hardness and glass transition temperature. Thus, one crystalline form may provide significant advantages over other crystalline forms of the same drug in solid dosage form manufacture processes, such as accurate measurement of the active ingredients, easier filtration, or improved stability during granulation or storage. Furthermore, a particular process suitable for one crystalline form may also provide drug manufacturers several advantages such as economically or environmentally suitable solvents or processes, or higher purity or yield of the desired product.
US Patent No 5,157,117 discloses (l-cyclopropyl-6,7-difluoro-8-methoxy-4-oxo-l,4-dihydro-3-quinoline carboxylic acid- O3,O4)bis (acyloxy-O)borate and a process for its preparation by reacting ethyl-l-cyclopropyl-6,7-difluror-8-methoxy-4-oxo-l,4-dihydro-3-

quinoline carboxylate with Boric acid and acetic anhydride in presence of zinc chloride and its conversion to Gatifloxacin hydrochloride.
WO 2005/012285 discloses the process for the preparation of moxifloxacin hydrochloride using a novel intermediate namely (4aS-Cis)-(l-cyclopropyl-7-(2,8-diazabicyclo [4,3,0]non-8-yl)-6-fluoro-8-memoxy-4-oxo-1,4-dihydro-3-quinoline carboxylic acid — O3,O4) bis(acycloxy-0)borate. The disclosure further refers to the preparation of moxifloxacin hydrochloride pseudohydrate and conversion to moxifloxacin hydrochloride monohydrate. The fingerprinting of the novel intermediate, moxifloxacin hydrochloride pseudohydrate and moxifloxacin hydrochloride anhydrous and moxifloxacin hydrochloride monohydrate forms are substantiated using NMR, FTIR and X-ray diffraction analysis.
Prior art processes for the preparation of the Borate complex without use of catalyst has its limitations owing to higher exothermicity during acetylation thereby reducing the reaction purity which is indicated in the lower yields obtained when further converted to moxifloxacin after condensation with nonane and subsequent hydrolysis. Also prior art makes use of triethyl amine as a base required for the condensation step with nonane.
Hence it is a long felt need of the industry to provide a simple, safe and cost effective process that produces moxifloxacin hydrochloride with high product yield and quality.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
In one aspect, invention relates to a new crystalline form of moxifloxacin hydrochloride designated herein as Form C. The invention also relates to a method of making the new form and to pharmaceutical compositions containing it.
In another aspect the invention relates to new intermediates for use in making moxifloxacin and salts thereof, of formulas (1) and (2):


The invention also relates to method of making the intermediates (1) and (II).
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a method of making a compound of formula (I), comprising reacting propionic anhydride and boric acid with Ethyl-1-cyclopropyl-6-7-difluoro-8- methoxy-4-oxo-l, 4-dihydro-3-quinolone carboxylate, preferably without the use of any catalyst, to obtain the compound of formula (I).
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a method of making a compound of formula (II), as defined in claim 20, comprising condensing a compound of formula (I), as defined in claim 18, with (S,S)-2,8-Diazabicyclo [4.3.0] nonane in an organic solvent, preferably in the absence of a base, to obtain the compound of formula (II).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is an X-ray diffraction pattern of moxifioxacin hydrochloride Form C.
Fig. 2 is aFTIR of moxifioxacin hydrochloride Form C.
Fig 3 is a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of moxifioxacin hydrochloride Form C.
Fig 4 is a Raman Spectra of moxifioxacin hydrochloride Form C.

Detailed Description of the Invention
The present invention provides an improved process for the preparation of moxifloxacin base, or a salt thereof, especially the hydrochloride salt, using a novel intermediate ( I ) and (II)

In one embodiment of the present invention the process comprises first reacting boric acid and propionic anhydride with ethyl l-cyclopropyl-6,7-difiuoro-8-methoxy-4-oxo-1,4-dihydro-3-quinolinecarboxylate (A) without using any catalyst to give a novel borate complex of formula (I), l-cyclopropyl-6,7-difluro-8-methoxy-4-oxo-l,4-dihydro-3-quinoline carboxylic acid-O3,O4) bis (propyloxy-O) borate.


In another embodiment of the present invention the novel borate complex (I) may be condensed with (S,S)-2,8-Diazabicyclo [4.3.0] nonane (B) in absence of any base using an organic polar solvent to give novel intermediate of formula (II).

The intermediate (II) may be subjected to hydrolysis to get moxifloxacin base. The base may be treated with hydrochloric acid in the presence of a suitable solvent to give moxifloxacin hydrochloride.


Surprisingly, it was found that use of propionic anhydride without the use of any catalyst during the preparation of Borate complex follows a nonexothermic pathway resulting in lesser impurity formation and hence better recovery of the product. Also reaction of the propionate complex with the nonane (B) without the use of a base results in moxifloxacin with excellent yields. In general, we prefer that a base is used if the temperature of the reaction is less than or equal to about 100°C. We prefer that a base is used if the temperature of the reaction is above 100°C.
The process of present invention wherein the novel borate complex (I) is condensed with (S,S)-2,8-Diazabicyclo [4.3.0] nonane (B) can be optionally carried out in using sodium methoxide , triethyl amine as base in an organic polar solvent to give novel intermediate of formula (II).
The yield of moxifloxacin hydrochloride is much higher compared with the yields from prior art processes: 100.0 g of nonane yields 260.0 g of moxifloxacin hydrochloride using the process of the present invention whereas; 100.0 g of nonane yields 187.0 g of moxifloxacin hydrochloride as per prior art process.
In yet another aspect the present invention provides a novel crystalline form of moxifloxacin hydrochloride herein designated Form C, and a process for the preparation of Form C which comprises the step of: dissolving or suspending the moxifloxacin base in methanol treating with methanolic hydrochloric acid, preferably at a temperature range of 0° C to 30°C, and isolating moxifloxacin hydrochloride form C from methanol.

It is preferred that the methanol is substantially pure, i.e., it has a v/ater content less than 0.5 wt%.
It is preferred that the methanolic hydrochloride comprises 10-15% HC1 gas dissolved in methanol.
The moxifloxacin base may be formed according to the processes described above, specifically*-
i) Reacting Propionic anhydride and boric acid with Ethyl- l-cyclopropyl-6-7-difluoro-8- methoxy-4-oxo-l, 4-dihydro-3-quinolone carboxylate (A) to obtain 1-cyclopropyl-6,7-difluoro-8-methoxy-4-oxo-l,4-dihydro-3-quinolme carboxylic
acid-O3,O4 bis(propyloxy-O)borate (I);
ii) Condensing the borate complex (I) with nonane (B) in the absence of a base and
in an organic solvent to obtain a novel intermediate. (4aS-Cis)-(l-cyclopropyl-7-
(2,8-diazabicyclo [4.3.0]non-8-yl)-6-fluoro-8-methoxy-4-oxo-l,4-dihydro-3-
quinoline carboxylic acid-O3,04) bis(propyloxy-0)borate (II); and
iii) hydrolysing the intermediate (II) to get moxifloxacin base
Moxifloxacin Hydrochloride Form C according to the present invention is further characterized by X-ray powder diffraction spectrum as obtained by X-ray powder diffraction spectrum measured on a Rigaku D-maz-2200 advance X-ray powder dirfractometer having a copper-k- α radiation as shown in Figure 1.
Moxifloxacin Hydrochloride Form C is further characterized by having characteristic peaks (2 θ°) at least at 15.080, 27.86,and 28.221 ± 0.2 θ°. The peaks are shown in more detail in Table-1
TABLE-1

2 THETA VALUES I/Io
5.72 21.3
7.139 68.6

8.499
100
8.779 23.7
10.24 85.8
12.20 10.9
13.139 45.4
13.98 23.5
14.50 31.6
14.799 61.8
15.08 46.6
16.52 49.8
17.04 59.6
17.219 41.1
17.74 54.4
19.239 87.5
19.679 37.3
21.54 92.6
22.22 29.8
24.60 20.9
25.06 37.2
25.72 31.4
26.42 65.7
26.88 61
27.260 64.4
27.86 27.9
28.221 23.2
28.882 30.5
29.859 30.1
31.461 7.5
32.101 16.7
33.420 5.6
33.879 10.8

34.860 15.3
36.659 7.8
37.299 12.2
37.638 9.8
38.981 21.8
Furthermore, the following Table-2 shows in more detail the data for the XRPD shown in Figure 1.

Table -2:

[RD-MOXIHCI-28.raw] MOXIFLOXACIN-RD-MOXIHCI-28 Peak Search Report
SCAN: 3.0/40.0/0.02/0.6(sec), Cu(40kV,30mA), l(max)=1933, 09/20/06 16:33
PEAK: 15-pts/ParaboBc FBter, Threshold=2.0, CutofF=1.5%, BG=4/2,0, Peak-Top=Summit
NOTE Intensity = Counts, 2T(O)=0.0(deg), Wavelength to Compute d-Spacing = 1.54056A (Cu/K-alpha1)
#. 2-Theta d(A) Height Heights FWHM
1 5.720 15.4388 381 21.3 0.216
2 6.504 13.5794 120 6.7 0.489
3 7.139 12.3714 1225 68.6 0.332
4 8.499 10.3947 1786 100.0 0.269
5 8.779 10.0639 432 23.7 0.442
6 10.241 8.6305 1532 85.8 0.269
7 12301 7.2482 195 10.9 0.153
8 13.139 6.7329 810 45.4 0.238
9 13.980 6.3297 420 23.5 0.582
10 14.501 6.1035 564 31.8 1.105
11 14.799 5.9811 1104 61.8 0.611
12 15.080 5.8703 821 48.0 0.458
13 16.522 5.3610 889 49.8 0.564
14 17.040 5.1991 1064 59.6 0.542
15 17.219 5.1456 734 41.1 0.987
16 17.740 4.9957 972 54.4 0.303
17 19.239 4.6097 1563 87.5 0.367
18 19.679 4.5075 666 37.3 0.401
19 21.540 4.1221 1654 92.6 0.391
20 22.220 3.9975 533 29.8 0.708
21 24.601 3.6156 374 20.9 6.455
22 25.060 3.5505 665 37.2 0376
23 25.720 3.4609 560 31.4 0.371
24 26.420 3.3707 1174 65.7 0.606
25 26.880 3.3141 1089 61.0 6.813
28 27.260 3.2888 1150 64.4 1.072
27 27.860 3.199f 499 27.9 0.843
28 28.221 3.1596 414 23.2 0.273
29 28.882 3.0888 545 30.5 6.222
30 29.859 2.9899 538 30.1 0.327
31 31.003 2.8821 43 2.4 6.584
32 31.461 2.8412 134 7.5 1.031
33" 32.101 2.7860 298 16.7 0.707
34 33.420 2.6790 100 5.6 0.509
35 33.879 2.643- 193 10.8 6.684
36 34.880 2.5716 273 15.3 0.522
37 36.659 274494 140 7.8 6.933
38 37.299 2.4088 217 12.2 6.837
39 .37.638 2.3879 175 9.8 1.534
40 38.981 2.3086 390 21.8 0.415
Moxifloxacin Hydrochloride Form C according to the present invention is further characterized by IR, DSC, and Raman as shown respectively in figures 2, 3 and 4.

In the IR spectrum of moxifioxacin hydrochloride Form C, the wave number of several distinctive peaks may help to identify the crystalline nature of the compound. These IR peaks measured on IR Thermo Nicolet instrument includes absorption bands at about 3367 cm-1; 2931cm-1; 2885 cm-1; 2728 cm-1; 2691 cm-1; 1733 cm-1; 1311 cm-1;1242 cm-1 1104 cm-1; 923 cm-1 .
Moxifioxacin Hydrochloride Form C according to the present invention is further characterized by DSC having a melting endotherm peak at 253 °C. The DSC spectrum was measured on Perkin Elmer Diamond DSC.
Moxifioxacin Hydrochloride Form C according to the present invention is further characterized by Raman Spectra having Raman peaks at 3094.48, 3079.19,3052.84, 3038.86, 3012.81, 2997.21, 2964.58, 2934.40,2879.86, 1741.20, 1618.72, 1547.70, 1490.01, 1462.68, 1430.60, 1393.53, 1372.62, 1354.07, 1337.13, 13124.47, 1302.62, 1277.88, 1226.72, 1207.46, 1189.47, 1164.50, 1104.89, 1030.51, 957.69, 939.73, 888.57, 831.46, 783.78, 723.06, 687.13, 541.70, 477.11, 425.87, 389.22, 306.92, 271.51, 228.03, 207.24, 140.22, 103.95, 75.76. cm"1. The Raman spectra is done on the instrument Bruker RFS-100S.
The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising moxifioxacin hydrochloride Form C. It can be formulated with one or more pharrnaceutically acceptable carriers, also known as excipients, which ordinarily lack pharmaceutical activity, but have various useful properties which may, for example, enhance the stability, sterility, bioavailability^ and ease of formulation of a pharmaceutical composition. These carriers are pharrnaceutically acceptable, meaning that they are not harmful to humans or animals when taken appropriately and are compatible with the other ingredients in a given formulation. The carriers may be solid, semi-solid, or liquid, and may be formulated with the compound in bulk. The resulting mixture may be manufactured in the form of a unit-dose formulation (i.e., a physically discrete unit containing a specific amount of active ingredient) such as tablet or capsule.
In another aspect, the invention also provides methods of treating infections caused by susceptible strains of staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus pneumoniae, and streptococcus

pyogenes, haemophilias influenzae, haemophilus parainfluenzae, klebisiella pneumoniae, and moraxella catarrhalis which includes admimstering a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of the moxifioxacin hydrochloride Form C.
The examples which will follow will further illustrate the preparation of the compound of the invention, according to different process routes and including new intermediates. These examples are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined hereinabove or as claimed below in any way.
Example 1
Propionic anhydride (200.0 g) was heated to 80-85° C and boric acid (30.0 g) was added at a temperature range of 80-90°C, refluxed for 2 hours, and later cooled to 70°C. Ethyl-1-cyclopropyl-6-7-difluoro-8-methoxy-4-oxo-l, 4-dihydro-3-quinolone carboxylate (100 g) was added under stirring. The reaction mass temperature was raised to 100°C and maintained for 4 hours at 100°C. After the completion of reaction the reaction mass was cooled to 0° C, purified water (1000.0 ml) was slowly added at 0°C and maintained for 1 hour at 0-5°C. The product was filtered, washed with water (400.0 ml) and dried at 45-50°C in Fluid bed drier to get 135.0 g (96.0 %) of l-cyclopropyl-6, 7-difluoro-8-methoxy-4-oxo-l, 4-dihydro-3-quinoline carboxylic acid-03,04 bis(propyloxy-0)borate.
Example 2
l-cyclopropyl-6, 7-difiuoro-8-methoxy-4-oxo-l, 4-dihydro-3-quinoline carboxylic acid-03,04 bis(propyloxy-0)borate (100.0g) was suspended in n-butanol (500.0 ml) to which (S, S)-2,8-diazabicyclo (4,3,0) nonane (29.0 g) diluted with 100.0 ml n-butanol was added slowly at 10-15°C. The contents were heated to 100°C and maintained for 3 hours. After the completion of reaction it was cooled to 25-30°C. 200.0 ml methanol was added and pH was adjusted 1.0-2.0 using methanolic hydrochloric acid. The contents were stirred at 25-30°C for 2 hours. After completion of reaction the reaction mass was distilled to residue. Purified water 500 ml was added and pH was adjusted to 7.5-9.0 using liquor ammonia. The reaction mass was then extracted with dichloromethane. The organic layer was dried using sodium

sulphate and concentrated to residue. The residue was stripped with 100 ml methanol. 300 ml methanol was charged and pH was adjusted to 1.0-2.0 using methanolic hydrochloric acid, the contents were further cooled to 0-5°C and maintained for 1 hour. The solid was filtered and washed with chilled methanol (50.0 ml) and dried under vacuum at 85-90°C to yield 75.0 g (75%) of moxifloxacin hydrochloride.
Example 3
l-cyclopropyl-6, 7-difluoro-8-methoxy-4-oxo-l, 4-dihydro-3-quinoline carboxylic acid-03,04 bis(propyloxy-0)borate (100.0g) was suspended in acetonitrile (445.0 ml). (S, S)-2,8-diazabicyclo (4,3,0) nonane (29.0 g) diluted with 50.0 ml acetonitrile. The contents were heated to reflux temperature optionally in presence of triethyl amine and maintained for 2 hours. The reaction mass was distilled under vacuum to residue. Diisopropyl ether (500.0 ml) was added and the contents were cooled to 25-30°C. The resulting product was filtered and washed with diisopropyl ether (50.0 ml) and dried at 45-50°C under vacuum to yield 120.0 g (93.8 %) of (4aS-Cis)-l-Cyclopropyl-7-(2,8 diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-8-yl)-6-fluoro-8-methoxy-4-oxo-l,4-dihydro-3-quinoline carboxylic aid-03,04) bis (propyloxy-0)borate.
Example 4:
(4aS-Cis)-1-Cyclopropyl-7-(2,8 diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-8-yl)-6-fluoro-8-methoxy-4-oxo-l ,4-dihydro-3-quinoline carboxylic aid-O3, O4) bis (propyloxy-0)borate (100.0 g), was suspended in 500.0 ml methanol and pH was adjusted to 1.0-2.0 using hydrochloric acid. The reaction mass was maintained at 10-15°C for 2 hours. The reaction mass was distilled to obtain a residue. Purified water 500.0 ml was added and pH was adjusted to 7.5-8.0 using liquour ammonia. The contents were stirred for 15 minutes and heated to 70-75°C. The reaction mass was then cooled to 25-30°C and stirred for lhour. The resulting solid were filtered and washed with purified water and dried under vacuum at 55-60°C to obtain 65.0 g (90%) moxifloxacin base.

Example 5
The (4aS-Cis)-l-Cyclopropyl-7-(2,8 diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-8-yl)-6-fluoro-8-methoxy-4-oxo-l,4-dihydro-3-quinoline carboxylic acid-O3O4) bis(propyloxy-0)borate (100.0 g), was suspended in about 500.0 ml methanol and pH was adjusted to 1.0-2.0 using hydrochloric acid and stirred at 10-15°C for 2 hours. The reaction mass was distilled to residue. Purified water 500.0 ml was added and pH was adjusted to 7.5-8.0 using liquour ammonia. The reaction mass was extracted with 500.0 ml methylene chloride and organic layer was washed with 70.0 ml purified water, dried over sodium sulphate. The organic layer was distilled under vacuum, stripped off with 200.0 ml methanol. Methanol 200.0 ml was added and chilled to 0-5°C and stirred for lhour. The resulting solid was filtered and washed with chilled methanol and dried under vacuum at 55-60°C to obtain 65.0 g (90%) moxifloxacin base.
Example 6
Moxifloxacin base 50.0 g was stirred in 200.0 ml methanol for 10-15 minutes at 25-3-oC. The pH was adjusted to 1.0 -2.0 using methanolic hydrochloric acid. The reaction mass was chilled to 0-5°C and maintained for 1 hour. The solids were filtered and dried under vacuum at 85-90°C to yield 52.5 g (105%) of moxifloxacin hydrochloride.
Example 7
l-cyclopropyl-6, 7-difluoro-8-methoxy-4-oxo-l, 4-dihydro-3-quinoline carboxylic acid-03,04 bis(propyloxy-0)borate (lOO.Og) was suspended in acetonitrile (445.0 ml). (S, S)-2,8-diazabicyclo (4,3,0) nonane (29.0 g) diluted with 50.0 ml acetonitrile was slowly added at 10-15°C followed by triethyl amine (25.0 g). The contents were heated to reflux temperature for 2 hours. Cooled to 25-30°C. Methanol (200.0 ml) was added and pH was adjusted to 1.0-2.0 using hydrochloric acid and stirred at 10-15°C for 2 hours. After the completion of reaction, the reaction mass was concentrated to residue. Purified water 500.0 ml was added and pH was adjusted to 7.5-9.0 using liquour ammonia under stirring. The contents were heated to 70-75°C and ammonia is expelled off by purging Nitrogen gas to the reaction mass. The

reaction mass was cooled to 25-30°C and stirred for lhour. The resulting solid was filtered and washed with purified water and dried under vacuum at 55-60°C to obtain 75.0 g moxifloxacin base. 70.0 g of moxifloxacrn base was stirred with 350.0 ml of methanol at 25-30°. The pH was adjusted to 1.0 - 2.0 using methanolic hydrochloric acid and contents were chilled to 0-5°C and stirred for 1 hour at the same temperature. The solid was filtered and dried under vacuum at 85-90°C to yield 78.0g (77%) of moxifloxacin hydrochloride.
Example 8
Moxifloxacin hydrochloride 100.0 gm was stirred with methanol 800.0 ml and triethyl amine 25-3 0°C. The reaction mass was concentrated partially. Further 300.0 ml of methanol was added and the pH was adjusted to 1.0 -2.0 using hydrochloric acid gas dissolved in methanol at 20-25°C.The contents were cooled to 0-5°C and maintained at 0-5°C for 2 hours. The resulting solids were filtered and washed with 50.0 ml chilled methanol. The product was dried under vacuum at 80-90°C to obtain 90-95.0 gm of moxifloxacin hydrochloride Form C.
It will be appreciated that the invention described above may be modified within the scope of the claims.

We Claim:
1. A compound having the formula (II):

2. A method of preparing a compound of formula (II) comprising condensing a compound
of formula (I) with (S,S)-2,8-Diazabicyclo [4.3.0] nonane in an organic solvent to obtain the compound of formula (II).

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the condensation reaction is carried out in the absence of a base.
4. A method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the compound of formula (I) is formed by a method comprising reacting propionic anhydride and boric acid with Ethyl-l-cyclopropyl-6-7-difluoro-8- methoxy-4-oxo-l, 4-dihydro-3-quinolone carboxylate to obtain the compound of formula (I).

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the reaction to obtain the compound of formula (I) is carried out without the use of any catalyst.
6. A method of preparing moxifloxacin base comprising: hydrolysing a compound of formula (H) to get moxifloxacin base.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the compound of formula (II) is prepared according to any one of claims 2 to 5.
8. A method of making moxifloxacin or a salt thereof comprising hydrolysing a compound of formula (II) according to claim 1 or claim 2.
9. A method of making Moxifloxacin hydrochloride Form C comprising preparing moxifloxacin base according to claim 6 or claim 7, dissolving or suspending the moxifloxacin base in methanol, treating the solution with methanolic hydrochloric acid; and isolating moxifloxacin hydrochloride Form C from the methanol.
10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the treatment with methanolic hydrochloric acid is carried out at a temperature from 0°C to 30°C.