NOVELTY - Preparing dronedarone (I) and its salt comprises: either reacting N-(3-(4-(3-oxopropoxy)benzoyl)-2-butyl-benzofuran-5-yl)methanesulfonamide (II) with dibutylamine under reducing circumstances, isolating the obtained product, and optionally converting the product into its salt; or reacting a (4-hydroxyphenyl)-(5-nitro-2-butyl-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-3-yl)methanone compound (VII) with an alkoxy compound (VIII) under reducing circumstances, isolating the obtained product, and optionally converting the product into its salt.    USE - The process is useful for preparing dronedarone and its salt (claimed), which is useful for treating arrhythmia. No biological data given.    ADVANTAGE - The process simply provides dronedarone with high yield and purity using compatible reagents and solvents in an environmentally friendly manner.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Preparing dronedarone (I) and its salt comprises: either reacting N-(3-(4-(3-oxopropoxy)benzoyl)-2-butyl-benzofuran-5-yl)methanesulfonamide (II) with dibutylamine under reducing circumstances, isolating the obtained product, and optionally converting the product into its salt; or reacting a (4-hydroxyphenyl)-(5-nitro-2-butyl-benzofuran-3-yl)methanone compound of formula (VII) with an alkoxy compound of formula (X-(CH2)2-CH(-O-R)2) (VIII) under reducing circumstances, isolating the obtained product, and optionally converting the product into its salt.    R = alkyl; and    X = halo.    INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for:    (1) the compound (II);    (2) preparing (II) comprising hydrolyzing a N-(3-(4-ethoxybenzoyl)-2-butyl-benzofuran-5-yl)methanesulfonamide compound of formula (IV), isolating the obtained product, and optionally converting the product into its salt;    (3) the compound (IV);    (4) preparing (IV) comprising mesylation of a (5-amino-2-butyl-benzofuran-3-yl)-(4-methoxyphenyl)methanone compound of formula (V), isolating the obtained product, and optionally converting the product into its salt;    (5) the compound (V);    (6) preparing (V) comprising hydrogenating a (5-nitro-2-butyl-benzofuran-3-yl)-(4-propoxyphenyl)methanone compound of formula (VI), isolating the obtained product, and optionally converting the product into its salt;    (7) the compound (VI); and    (8) preparing (VI) comprising reacting the compound (VII) with the compound (VIII).