2-(4-Methyl-2-phenylpiperazin-4-ium-1-yl)pyridine-3-carboxylate dihydrate

Abstract

The title compound, C17H19N3O2·2H2O, is particularly useful in the preparation of mirtazapine, which is the active agent in a new class of antidepressants. It crystallized as a zwitterion with two molecules of water in the asymmetric unit. The crystal structure is dominated by a system of hydrogen bonds involving the positively charged N atom and both water molecules.