Pirlindole, sold under the brand names Lifril and Pyrazidol, is mainly a reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A (RIMA) and secondly a serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) which was developed and is used in Russia as an antidepressant.

The Fischer indole synthesis between p-Tolylhydrazine Hydrochloride [637-60-5] (1) and 1,2-Cyclohexanedione [765-87-7] (2) gives 6-methyl-2,3,4,9-tetrahydrocarbazol-1-one [3449-48-7] (3).

[13] Intramolcular alkylation with the indole nitrogen resulted in Dehydropirlindole [75804-32-9] (7).

Reduction of the imine with sodium borohydride completes the synthesis of pirlindole (8).

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