BigPatents India

A simple and cost effective process for the preparation of 2-(hydroxymethyl)-4- (3- methoxypropoxy)-3-methylpyridine hydrochloride which comprises, condensing 4"' chloro-2,3-dimethylpyridine-N-oxide with 3-methoxypropanol by means of base in a suitable solvent to prepare 4-(3-methoxypropoxy)-2,3-dimethylpyridine-N-oxide. Thereafter,' treating 4-(3-methoxypropoxy)-2,3-dimethylpyridine-N-oxide with acetic anhydride at 90 C to prepare 2-(acetoxymethyl)-4-(3-methoxypropoxy)-3- methylpyridine, which on subsequent hydrolysis with sodium hydroxide in ethanol affords 2-(hydroxymethyl)-4-(3-methoxypropoxy)-3-methylpyridine and then treating with hydrochloric acid to give 2-(hydroxymethyl)-4-(3-methoxypropoxy)-3- methylpyridine hydrochloride.