FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
(39 OF 1970)
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (SECTION 10)
"AN IMPROVED PROCESS FOR PREPARATION AND PURIFICATION OF VORTIOXETINE HYDROBROMIDE"
UNICHEM LABORATORIES LIMITED, A COMPANY REGISTERED UNDER THE
INDIAN COMPANY ACT, 1956, HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE LOCATED AT
UNICHEM BHAVAN, PRABHAT ESTATE, S.V. ROAD, JOGESHWARI (WEST),
MUMBAI - 100102, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed

"AN IMPROVED PROCESS FOR PREPARATION AND PURIFICATION OF VORTIOXETINE HYDROBROMIDE"
FIELD OF INVENTION:
The present invention is related to an efficient and improved process for the preparation and purification of Vortioxetine hydrobromide (Formula-I) with high pharmaceutical purity. The present invention also provides novel crystalline form of l-(2-((2,4-Dimethyl phenylsulfanyl)-phenyl) piperazine hydrobromide (Formula-I). The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of crystalline forms of Vortioxetine hydrobromide (Formula-I).,
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
The chemical name for Vortioxetine hydrobromide is l-[2-(2,4-dimethylphenyl-sulfanyl)phenyl]piperazine hydrobromide. The empirical formula is C18H22N2S HBr and the molecular weight is 298.45 (free base). Vortioxetine hydrobromide exhibits serotonin reuptake inhibition activity combined with an activity on the serotonin receptor 1A (5-HTia) and the serotonin receptor 3 (5-HT3), developed by Lundbeck and Takeda. In September, 2013, it was approved by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adults with the trade name Trintellix.
US7144884 teaches Vortioxetine. The process comprises use of solid polystyrene support followed by decomplexation using light irradiation and purification by using preparative LC-MS and ion-exchange chromatography. The overall yield of the reaction is only 17% with 95% purity, which limits its commercial production.

The multiple processes are disclosed in the patent to prepare bases analogous to
Vortioxetine and their salts.
US8722684 disclosed a process for the synthesis of Vortioxetine hydrobromide of
(Formula-I) by the condensation of 2,4-dimethylthiophenol and 1,2-dibromo-
benzene in presence of palladium catalyst and phosphine ligand to get l-(2-
bromophenylsulfanyl)-2,4-dimefhylbenzene intermediate. The obtained
intermediate optionally isolated, was then condensed using piperazine derivative in
presence of palladium catalyst and phosphine ligand to get Vortioxetine
hydrobromide. The overall yield of the reaction is only 61% with 95% purity, with
preparative HPLC. This patent also includes various polymorph and salt formation.
The process involves use of costly reagents like expensive palladium catalyst and
phosphine ligand. According to inventors of this patent application, it is very
difficult to make these crystalline forms as similar solvent type is used for the
preparation of all the polymorphs.
WO 2015/044963 Al discloses a new amorphous form of Vortioxetine
hydrobromide using water as solvent and the API was isolated using spray drying
technique. According to inventors of this application, in this technique there might
be a possibility to get hydrated polymorph of Vortioxetine hydrobromide.
US 2015/0266841 discloses a crystalline new polymorph of Vortioxetine
hydrobromide form delta using ethanol as a solvent. In this polymorphic form the
Vortioxetine hydrobromide generated as a hydrate form.
WO2014/161976 disclosed a process for the preparation of Vortioxetine
hydrobromide which comprises
i. Condensation of ortho chloro nitrobenzene (Formula-Ill) with 2,4-dimethyl
thiophenol (Formula-II) in presence of potassium carbonate as a base and
dimethyl formamide as a solvent to obtain (2,4-dimethylphenyl)(2-
nitrophenyl)sulfane (Formula-IV) ii. The obtained (2,4-dimethyl phenyl)(2-nitrophenyl)sulfane (Formula-IV) was
reduced in presence of Iron and acetic acid to get 2-((2,4-dimethyl
phenyl)thio)aniline (Formula-V)

iii. The obtained 2-((2,4-dimethyl phenyl)thio)aniline (Formula-V) was reacted with bis(2-chloroethyl)amine hydrochloride in presence of diethylene glycol methyl ether at 130 °C for three days to get Vortioxetine hydrochloride (Formula-la)
iv. Vortioxetine hydrochloride (Formula-la) was then basified by using sodium hydroxide followed by salt formation using aq. Hydrobromic acid produced Vortioxetine hydrobromide salt (Formula-la).
The reaction sequence is indicated in Scheme-1
Reagent: (i) Potassium carbonate, DMF, 25 °C, 18h (ii) Fe, Acetic Acid, 25 °C,
16 h (iii) bis(2-chloroethyl)amine hydrochloride, Methylenediglycol, 130 °C, 3
days (iv) 1M NaOH, Methyl THF, 25 °C, 1 h (v) 48% HBr, Isopropyl acetate, 25
°C, 1 h.
Scheme-1 suffers from several disadvantages such as poor yield of the overall
process (43%), use of longer reaction time such as 3 days at 130 °C which limits its
commercial scale production. It is also silent about the purity of vortioxetine
hydrobromide.
The process described in the research journal Synthesis, 2015, 47, 1387-1389 by Y.
Mao et al describes the cyclization of the piperazine ring. The process at 160-170°C

give a light- yellow solution. This process is not reproducible as 1,2-dichlorobenzene in presence of reactants forms a dark brown to tar coloured . product.
The processes taught by prior art have complex methodologies and have several drawbacks namely expensive reagents, lower yields, longer duration of reactions and the reactions are less user friendly. These drawbacks limit the commercial exploitation or the large scale applications of the inventions. Considering the drawbacks of prior art and use of complex methodologies for the preparation of the Vortioxetine hydrobromide (Formula-I), there is an urgent and pressing need for simple, energy economical, cheaper, plant friendly and environment friendly process for the preparation and purification of Formula-I, particularly an improved purification process which will give the ICH quality Vortioxetine hydrobromide with higher yield.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION:
The main object of the present invention is to provide an improved process for the preparation and purification of Vortioxetine hydrobromide (Formula-I) which has better overall yield and quality as per ICH guidelines.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved process for the synthesis of Vortioxetine hydrobromide (Formula-I) as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a process for the preparation of Vortioxetine hydrobromide, the process comprising;
a) Providing a solution of Vortioxetine hydrobromide in one or more organic
solvents; and
b) Obtaining a stable polymorph of Vortioxetine hydrobromide by the
removal of the solvent.
Yet another object of the present invention is to avoid expensive metal catalyst and column chromatography for the preparation of different stages of Vortioxetine hydrobromide (Formula-1).

Yet another object of the invention is to prepare a novel crystal form of Vortioxetine
hydrobromide.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a process for the
preparation of Vortioxetine hydrobromide, the process comprising;
a) Providing a solution of Vortioxetine hydrobromide in one or more organic solvents; and
b) Obtaining a stable polymorph of Vortioxetine hydrobromide by the removal of the solvent.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide the process to prepare novel crystal form of Vortioxetine hydrobromide, the process comprising;
a) Providing a solution of Vortioxetine hydrobromide in one or more organic solvents; and
b) Obtaining a stable polymorph of Vortioxetine hydrobromide by the removal of the solvent.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a simple process which
will avoid stringent requirements like maintaining anhydrous conditions during
reaction and can be scaled up easily.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an effective and industrially
advantageous process for purification of Vortioxetine which give snow-white
material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
According to the main object of the present invention, there is provided an improved process for the preparation and purification of Vortioxetine hydrobromide (Formula-I) which has better overall yield and quality as per ICH guidelines and which comprises:
i. Condensation of ortho halo (floro, chloro, bromo, iodo) nitrobenzene (Formula-VII) with 2,4-dimethyl thiophenol (Formula-II) in presence of a base and a suitable solvent to get (2,4-dimethyl phenyl)(2-nitrophenyl) sulfane (Formula-IV)

ii. The obtained (2,4-dimethyl phenyl)(2-nitrophenyl) sulfane (Formula-IV) was then reduced in presence of a reducing agent to get 2-((2,4-dimethyl phenyl) thio) aniline (Formula-V).
iii. The obtained product 2-((2,4-dimefhyl phenyl) thio) aniline (Formula-V) . was then reacted with bis-(2-chloroethyl) amine or its salt such as hydrochloride in presence of 1,2-dichloro benzene at 145-180°C to get Vortioxetine hydrochloride salt (Formula-la)
iv. Optionally isolating Vortioxetine hydrochloride salt (Formula-la) was then reacted using aq. Hydrobromic acid followed by isolation and purification using mixture of 2-butanol and water to produce Vortioxetine hydrobromide salt (Formula-I).
The reaction sequence is indicated in Scheme-2.
Reagent: (i) Sodium hydroxide, Methanol, 25 °C, 8 h (ii) Raney Ni, Methanol:
MDC, 25 °C, 4 h (iii) bis(2-chloroethyl)amine.HCl, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, 165-180
°C, 6 h (iv) 48% HBr, 2-butanol, 25 °C, 1 h.
By the process disclosed above synthesis of Vortioxetine hydrobromide (Formula-
I) as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt is rendered possible. The process also
avoids use of column chromatography for preparation of Vortioxetine
hydrobromide.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE:
FIG. 1: X-Ray powder diffraction pattern of crystalline form of Vortioxetine hydrobromide salt (Formula-I)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
There is provided an improved, efficient, process for preparation and purification of a novel crystalline pharmaceutically acceptable Vortioxetine hydrobromide of Formula-I comprising
i. Condensation of ortho halo (fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo) nitrobenzene (Formula-VII) with 2,4-dimethyl thiophenol (Formula-II) in presence of a base and a suitable solvent to get (2,4-dimethyl phenyl)(2-nitrophenyl) sulfane (Formula-IV)
ii. The obtained (2,4-dimethyl phenyl)(2-nitrophenyl) sulfane (Formula-IV) was then reduced in presence of a reducing agent to get 2-((2,4-dimethyl phenyl) thio) aniline (Formula-V).
iii. The obtained product 2-((2,4-dimethyl phenyl) thio) aniline (Formula-V) was then reacted with bis(2-chloroethyl) amine or its salt such as hydrochloride in presence of 1,2-dichloro benzene at 145-180°C to get Vortioxetine hydrochloride salt (Formula-la)
iv. Optionally isolating Vortioxetine hydrochloride salt (Formula-la) was then reacted using aq. Hydrobromic acid followed by isolation and purification using mixture of 2-butanol and water to produce Vortioxetine hydrobromide salt (Formula-I).
In the present invention the ortho chloro nitrobenzene compound of formula formula-3 and 2,4-dimethyl thiophenol compound of formula-2 was obtained from commercially available source and used directly.
The condensation of ortho halogenated nitrobenzene (Formula-VII) such as ortho chloro nitrobenzene with 2,4-dimethyl thiophenol (Formula-II) in presence of a base such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, sodium

carbonate etc. and a suitable solvent such as methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate,
isopropyl alcohol etc. at room temperature to get (2,4-dimethyl phenyl)(2-
nitrophenyl) sulfane (Formula-IV)
The reduction of (2,4-dimethyl phenyl)(2-nitrophenyl) sulfane (Formula-IV) was
then carried out using reducing agent such as raney nickel, palladium in carbon,
sodium dithionate at room temperature to get 2-((2,4-dimethyl phenyl) thio) aniline
(Formula-V).
The obtained product 2-((2,4-dimethyl phenyl) thio) aniline (formula-V) was then
reacted with bis(2-chloroethyl) amine or its salt such as hydrochloride in presence
of 1,2-dichloro benzene at 165-170°C to get Vortioxetine hydrochloride salt
(Formula-la). Vortioxetine hydrochloride salt (Formula-la) was then reacted using
aq. Hydrobromic acid produced Vortioxetine hydrobromide salt (Formula-I), which
was purified using 2-butanol or mixture of 2-butanol and water to get the novel
crystalline polymorphic form. The product is snow white in appearance.
The reaction scheme for the synthesis of Vortioxetine hydrobromide is shown in
Reagent : (i) Sodium hydroxide, Methanol, 25 °C, 6 h (ii) Raney Ni, MethanoFMDC, 25 °C, 4 h (iii) 1,2-dichlorobenzene, 165-180 °C, 6 h (iv) 48% HBr, 2-butanol, 25 °C, 1 h.

Surprisingly it was found, that the product purified by using 2-butanol or 2-butanol/water mixture has ICH quality and has snow white appearance. According to one aspect of the present invention is to provide a novel crystalline form of Vortioxetine hydrobromide salt of Formula-I has an X-ray diffraction pattern with peaks at 6.84, 8.38, 9.67, 13.17, 13.72, 14.55, 18.91, 19.42, 20.64, 21.84, 22.63, 22.87, 24.66, 25.32, 29.31, 29.62 ± 0.2 20 degrees two.theta. X-ray diffraction intensity with the diffraction angle 20 as shown in Table 1 and an X-ray diffraction pattern as shown in FIG. 1
These aspects of the present invention substantially increase the inherent utility of the invention.
Thus present invention is novel, non-obvious over prior art and has tremendous utility and industrial application. Prior art is devoid of use of butanol as solvent for purification.
Non-obviousness of the invention resides in the fact that whiter or snow white product would be available if 2-butanol is used for purification is not imaginable. A process to purify Vortioxetine Hydrobromide using mixture of 2-butanol: water is unheard of. Novelty and inventive step of the invention resides in the process to purify Vortioxetine Hydrobromide wherein the ratio of 2-butanol: water is selected from 1.0:1.0, 1.0:0.75, 1.0: 0.50, 1.0:0.25 to 1:0.1, more preferably 1:0.1. Simpler process is to be understood as a process which will avoid stringent requirements like maintaining anhydrous conditions during reaction and can be scaled up easily.
Quantitative yield as mentioned in the example is to be interpreted as 100% yield. While the present invention has been described in terms of its specific aspects, certain modifications and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Following section describes and illustrates the invention by way of examples. Without limiting the scope of the present invention. Several variants of these examples would be evident to persons ordinarily skilled in the art.

EXAMPLES:
Example-1: Preparation of (2,4-dimethylphenyI)(2-nitrophenyl)sulfane
(FormuIa-IV)-
Potassium hydroxide solution (243 g in 900 ml methanol) was added into solution of 2,4-dimethyl thiophenol (300 g) and 2-chloro nitrobenzene (376 g) in methanol (300 ml). The resulting solution was stirred for about 6-8 hours at ambient temperature. Solid were collected by filtration and washing with methanol/water 1:1 (300 ml) to get the title compound with 95% yield and 99% purity by HPLC.
Example-2: Preparation of 2-[(2,4-dimethylphenyl)thio]aniline (Formula-V)-
200 g of nitro compound (Formula-IV) from example 1, was stirred in methanol: MDC (7:3) mixture followed by the addition of 20 g (10% w/w) Raney nickel catalyst. Resulting reaction mass was stirred at 45 °C in hydrogen atmosphere. After completion of reaction mass filtered through celite and distilled out under vacuum. Further reaction mass dissolved into MDC and washed with water. Separated out MDC layer, distill out and degas to get title product with quantitative yield and 98% purity by HPLC.
Example-3: l-[2-(2,4-dimethylphenylsulfanyl)phenyl]piperazine
hydrochloride (Formula-la):
Charge 50 g of amine compound (Formula-V) followed by Bis(2-chloroethyl)-amine.HCl in 1,2-dichlorobenzene (250 ml) at 25-30 °C. Raise temperature up to 165-180 °C and maintain the reaction for 6 h. After completion of reaction gradually cool to ambient temperature. Stirred overnight and filtered resulting Formula-la with 70% yield and 98% purity by HPLC.
Example-4: l-[2-(2,4-dimethyIpheny!sulfanyl)phenyl]piperazine
hydrobromide (Formula-I):
Charge 50 g of amine compound (Formula-V) followed by bis(2-chloroethyl) amine.HCl in 1,2-dichlorobenzene (250 ml) at 25-30 °C. Raise temperature up to 145-180 °C and maintain 6-7 hours. After completion of reaction gradually cool to ambient temperature. Charge Aqueous HBr (53 ml) and 2-butanol (250 ml), stirred

for few hours and filtered resulting Formula-I with 75% yield and 99.95% purity by HPLC.
Example-5: l-[2-(2,4-dimethylphenyIsulfanyl)phenyl]piperazine
hydrobromide (Formula-I):
Charge Formula-I (50 g) compound into 2-butanol (500 ml) and raise temperature up to 80-85 °C and water added to get clear solution (50 ml). Maintain reaction mass temperature 80-85 °C for an hour and gradually cool to ambient temperature and filtered resulting Form-I with 85% yield and 99% purity by HPLC. The product has XRPD values as, 6.84, 8.38, 9.67, 13.17, 13.72, 14.55, 18.91, 19.42, 20.64, 21.84, 22.63, 22.87, 24.66, 25.32, 29.31, 29.62 ± 0.2 20.
EXAMPLE-6: l-[2-(2,4-dimethylphenylsulfanyl)-phenyI]piperazine
hydrobromide (Formula-I):
Charge Formula-I (50 g) compound into 2-butanol (500 ml) and raise temperature up to 80-85 °C and water added to get clear solution (500 ml). Maintain reaction mass temperature 80-85 °C for an hour and gradually cool to ambient temperature and filtered resulting Form-1 with 80% yield and 99.97% purity by HPLC. The titled product having XRPD values as, 6.84, 8.38,9.67, 13.17, 13.72, 14.55, 18.91, 19.42, 20.64, 21.84, 22.63, 22.87, 24.66, 25.32, 29.31, 29.62 ± 0.2 20.
EXAMPLE-7: l-[2-(2,4-dimethylphenylsulfanyl)-phenyl]piperazine
hydrobromide (Formula-I):
Charge Formula-I (50 g) compound into 2-butanol (500 ml) and raise temperature up to 80-85 °C and water added to get clear solution (250 ml). Maintain reaction mass temperature 80-85 °C for an hour and gradually cool to ambient temperature and filtered resulting Form-1 with 83% yield and 99.93% purity by HPLC. The titled product having XRPD values as, 6.84, 8.38, 9.67, 13.17, 13.72, 14.55, 18.91, 19.42, 20.64, 21.84, 22.63, 22.87, 24.66, 25.32, 29.31, 29.62 ± 0.2 20.

\ We claim:
1. A process for the preparation of crystalline compound of Vortioxetine
hydrobromide of Formula-1 comprising:
i. Condensation of ortho halo (fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo) nitrobenzene with 2,4-dimethyl thiophenol (Formula-II) in presence of a base and a suitable solvent to get (2,4-dimethyl phenyl)(2-nitrophenyl) sulfane (Formula-IV)
ii. The obtained (2,4-dimethyl phenyl)(2-nitrophenyl) sulfane (Formula-IV) was then reduced in presence of a reducing agent to get 2-((2,4-dimethyl phenyl) thio) aniline (Formula-V).
iii. The obtained product 2-((2,4-dimethyl phenyl) thio) aniline (Formula-V) was then reacted with bis(2-chloroethyl) amine or its salt such as hydrochloride in presence of 1,2-dichloro benzene at 160-165°C, 165-170°C, 170-175°C and 175-180°C to get Vortioxetine hydrochloride salt (Formula-la)
iv. Optionally isolated Vortioxitine hydrochloride salt (Formula-la) was then reacted using aq. Hydrobromic acid followed by isolation and purification using mixture of 2-butanol and water to produce Vortioxetine hydrobromide salt (Formula-I).
2. Crystalline compound of l-(2-((2,4-Dimethyl phenylsulfanyl)-phenyl) piperazine hydrobromide (Vortioxetine hydrobromide) of Formula-I having an XRPD pattern with characteristic peaks 6.84, 8.38, 9.67, 13.17, 13.72, 14.55, 18.91, 19.42, 20.64, 21.84, 22.63, 22.87, 24.66, 25.32, 29.31, 29.62 26 ±0.2°.
3. A process for the preparation of Vortioxetine hydrobromide of Formula I

a) Comprising the reaction between 2-((2,4-dimethyl phenyl) thio) aniline (Formula-V) with bis-2-(chloroethyl) amine hydrochloride or its salts in presence of 1,2-dichlorobenzene at 165 to 175°C.
b) 1,2-dichlorobenzene was distilled from the obtained solution followed by isolation using 2-butanol to get crude Vortioxetine hydrobromide salt.
c) Purification of crude Vortioxetine hydrobromide salt using mixture of 2-butanol : water with ratio varying from 1.0:1.0, 1.0:0.75, 1.0: 0.50, 1.0:0.25 to 1:0.1, more preferably 1:0.1

4. A process using claim 1 and claim 3 for the preparation of crystalline compound of l-(2-((2,4-Dimethylphenylsulfanyl)-phenyl) piperazine hydrochloride (Vortioxetine hydrochloride) of Formula-la.
5. A process for the preparation of Vortioxetine hydrobromide of Formula I using process as claimed in 1 and 4 having impurity of (2,4-dimefhyl phenyl)(2-nitrophenyl) sulfane (formula-IV) and 2-((2,4-dimethyl phenyl) thio) aniline (formula-V) not more than 75 ppm.
6. A process to purify Vortioxetine Hydrobromide using mixture of 2-butanol : water.
7. The process to purify Vortioxetine Hydrobromide as claimed in claim 6 wherein the ratio of 2-butanol: water is selected from 1.0:1.0, 1.0:0.75, 1.0: 0.50, 1.0:0.25 to 1:0.1, more preferably 1:0.1