Process for preparing ivabradine

1. A process for preparing ivabradine hydrochloride of formula (I)

comprising

a) reacting 3-(3-chloropropyl)-7,8-dimethoxy-1,3-dihydro-2H-3-benzazepin-2-one with (1S)-4,5-dimethoxy-1-[(methylamino)methyl] benzocyclobutane in suitable solvent;

b) reacting the 3-[3-[[[(7S)-3,4-dimethoxybicyclo[4.2.0]octa-1,3,5-trien-7-yl]methyl]methylamino]propyl]-1,3-dihydro-7,8-dimethoxy-2H-3-benzazepin-2-one obtained in step a) with HCl in a suitable solvent to obtain 3-[3-[[[(7S)-3,4-dimethoxybicyclo[4.2.0]octa-1,3,5-trien-7-yl]methyl]methylamino]propyl]-1,3-dihydro-7,8-dimethoxy-2H-3-benzazepin-2-one hydrochloride;

c) further obtaining 3-[3-[[[(7S)-3,4-dimethoxybicyclo[4.2.0]octa-1,3,5-trien-7-yl]methyl]methylamino]propyl]-1,3-dihydro-7,8-dimethoxy-2H-3-benzazepin-2-one hydrochloride obtained in step b) as a solid hydrochloride salt;

d) dissolving the solid hydrochloride salt from step c) in a C1-C4 alcohol solvent; and

e) hydrogenating the dissolved 3-[3-[[[(7S)-3,4-dimethoxybicyclo[4.2.0]octa-1,3,5-trien-7-yl]methyl]methylamino]propyl]-1,3-dihydro-7,8-dimethoxy-2H-3-benzazepin-2-one hydrochloride to obtain the compound of formula (I).

2. The process according to claim 1 , wherein said hydrogenating is carried out with gaseous hydrogen.

3. The process according to claim 2 , wherein said suitable solvent in step a) is methylisobutylketone.

4. The process according to claim 3 , wherein said C1-C4 alcohol is methanol.

5. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the hydrogenating is carried out in the presence of a catalyst.

6. The process according to claim 5 , wherein said catalyst is Pd/C.

7. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the reaction of step a) is carried out at a temperature between 20 and 40° C.

8. The process according to claim 1 , wherein said suitable solvent in step a) is methylisobutylketone.

9. The process according to claim 8 , wherein said C1-C4 alcohol is methanol.