This drug has been suspended from marketing in the European Union, because of concerns about severe neurological and cardiac toxicity.[1][2] In its press release dated 17 November 2011 EMA suggested that doctors "should stop using buflomedil and consider alternative treatment options". The European Commission advised all member states to revoke marketing authorisation.[3]
Acylation between 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene [621-23-8] (1) and 4-pyrrolidinobutyronitrile [35543-25-0] (2) occurs in chlorobenzene solvent in the presence of gaseous hydrochloric acid to give Bufomedil (3). This is a demonstration of the Hoesch reaction.