A facile and efficient synthesis of Baclofen

?-Aminobutiric acid (GABA), the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, is activated by the antispastic and muscle relaxant agent, Baclofen, which is a lipophilic derivative of GABA. Since 1962 several strategies have been reported for the synthesis of baclofen. In this study, baclofen was easily synthesized by Claisen condensation of ethyl acetoacetate and p-chlorobenzaldehyde, which is formation of cyclic imide from B(p-chlorophenyl) glutaric acid and further Hoffmann rearrangement of B(p-chlorophenyl) glutarimid with a good yield.