An efficient synthesis of an adrenoceptor antagonist has been developed and demonstrated in a pilot plant. A linear synthesis that relied on a catalytic reduction of a rather insoluble nitroaromatic proved to be a viable route. The active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) that contained an amidine functional group was generated from the amino-containing precursor by activation of dimethylacetamide (DMA) with phosphorus oxychloride (POCl3). The ...