Sinitrodil (ITF-296) is obtained in four main steps. The reaction of methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate (I) with ethanolamine gives 2-hydroxy-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)benzamide (II), which is converted to 3-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2H-1,3-benzoxazin-4(3H)-one (III) by cyclization with paraformaldehyde under acidic conditions. Treatment of compound (III) with thionyl chloride gives the chloro derivative (IV), which is converted to ITF-296 by reaction with silver nitrate in refluxing acetonitrile.