PREPARATION PROCESS OF THE SODIUM SALT OF ESOMEPRAZOLE

摘要

Preparation process of the sodium salt of a 2-(2-pyridylmethylsulfinyl)- benzimidazole derivative compound It comprises a preparation process of esomeprazole sodium substantially free of sulfone impurity comprising the steps of: a) combining either esomeprazole with a (C3-C8)-ketone or a mixture thereof, a sodium alkoxide, and a (C1-C5)-alcohol, or esomeprazole sodium with a (C3-C8)-ketone or a mixture thereof and a (C1-C5)-alcohol; and b) recovering the esomeprazole sodium formed from the reaction media by filtration.