Continuous flow hydrogenation of a pharmaceutical intermediate, [4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-naphthalenyidene]-methylamine, in supercritical carbon dioxide

The hydrogenation of complex pharmaceutical intermediate, rac-sertraline imine has been optimized as a continuous flow process utilizing a palladium/calcium carbonate (Pd/CaCO3) catalyst and hydrogen in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO(2)). Superior levels of selectivity were obtained in the flow system possibly attributable to the heat transfer properties of scCO(2) which help to remove excess heat from the catalyst surface.