A PROCESS FOR PREPARATION OF DEXMETHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE

摘要

The present invention relates to a process for preparation of dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride from racemic methylphenidate. The process involves the treatment of racemic mixture of dl-throe-methylphenidate base in the presence of di-pivaloyl-D-tartaric acid (D-DPTA) in a solvent to isolate dipivaloyl tartrate salt of d-threo-methylphenidate. The dipivaloyl tartrate salt of d-threo-methylphenidate is treated with a base to obtain a d-threo-methylphenidate base, which is extracted using a suitable solvent. The d-threo-methylphenidate base is treated with hydrochloric acid-isopropyl alcohol solution to obtain slurry of d-threo-methylphenidate hydrochloride also known as dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride. The dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride slurry is filtered and washed with acetone. The invention also discloses a process for recovery of D-DPTA from the salt mother liquor and from the spent aqueous layer. The process is economical, environmental friendly and results in increased yield and optically pure dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride.