A novel process is provided for producing
pramipexole base or its optical isomeric mixture as defined hereinabove i.e. (R,S)-2-amino-6-propyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzothiazole avoiding the use of
borane tetrahydrofuran complex and using a more convenient
reducing agent like
sodium triacetoxyborohydride instead. The provided process comprises reacting the starting material (S)-2,6-diamino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzothiazole or its optical isomeric mixture as defined hereinabove i.e. (R,S)-2,6-diamino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzothiazole with
propionaldehyde in an
organic solvent to obtain the respective
enamine, which is subsequently reduced in situ, optionally without isolation, to obtain
pramipexole or its optical isomeric mixture as defined hereinabove i.e. (R,S)-2-amino-6-propyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzothiazole, and the acid addition salts thereof. The present invention also provides a process for purifying
pramipexole dihydrochloride or the dihydrochloride salt of its optical isomeric mixture as defined hereinabove i.e. (R,S)-2-amino-6-propyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzothiazole dihydrochloride by re-
crystallization from a suitable
solvent.