A PROCESS FOR PREPARATION OF ETHER DERIVATIVES OF DIHDROARTEMISININ

摘要

The present invention relates to a facile and cost-effective process for the preparation of ether derivatives of dihydroartemisinin. The present invention further enables preparation of pure ß-ether derivatives of dihydroartemisinin, commonly known as Artemether, the methyl ether derivative and Arteether, the ethyl ether derivative, which are well-known antimalarial agents without using an organic pro-acid. This invention also discloses a novel epimerisation process for the a-ether derivatives of dihydroartemisinin in ß- isomer.