PROCESS FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF ETORICOXIB

摘要

The present invention relates to a process for the synthesis of the anti-inflammatory agent 5-chloro-3-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-6′-methyl-[2,3′]bipyridine, referred to as compound of formula (1) or etoricoxib, which is a pharmaceutically active ingredient inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2. In particular, the application concerns a novel process of making the compound of formula (1) by oxidizing a compound of formula (4).