IMPROVED PROCESS FOR NUCLEOSIDES

摘要

The present invention relates to improved process for the preparation of lamivudine or emtricitabine. Thus, (1'R,2'S,5'R)-menthyl-5(R,S)-acetoxy-[1,3]-oxathiolane-2(R)-carboxylate is reacted with N-propinoyl cytosine in hexamethyl disilazane and then added trityl perchlorate to obtain a solid containing (1'R,2'S,5'R)-menthyl-5S-(N-4''-propionylcytosin-1''-yl)-[1,3]-oxathiolane-2R-carboxylate. The solid obtained above is reacted with methane sulfonic acid to obtain (2R,5S)-5-(4-amino-2-oxo-2H-pyrimidin-1-yl)-[1,3]-oxathiolane-2-carboxylic acid, 2S-isopropyl-5R-methyl-1R-cyclohexyl ester. The above compound is reduced with sodium borohydride to obtain lamivudine.