A process for the preparation of flupirtine

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of flupirtine acid salt comprising the steps of a) Hydrogenation of 2-amino-6- (4-fluoro-benzylamino) -3-nitropyridine with palladium on activated carbon in an inert, water-miscible solvent, b) reacting the product obtained in a) 2,3-Diamino-6- (4-fluorbenzylamini) pyridine to flupirtine by addition of ethyl chloroformate and a base, c) filtration, d) adding the filtrate from step c) with a solution of an acid or an acid salt in water, e) precipitation of the flupirtine acid salt and filtering.