Process for preparing citalopram pure.

A process for the preparation of citalopram of formula in which a compound of formula II wherein Z is iodo, bromo, chloro or CF3- (CF2) n-S02-0- n being 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 , 5, 6, 7 or 8, it is subjected to a cyanide exchange reaction in which the group Z is exchanged with cyanide by reaction with a cyanide source; the resulting crude citalopram is optionally subjected to some initial purification and the crude citalopram base is subjected subsequently to a film distillation process; the resulting citalopram product is then purified, optionally, additionally and worked up and isolated as the base or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.