PROCESSES FOR THE PREPARATION OF THALIDOMIDE

摘要

The present invention provides a process for the preparation of thalidomide (I) comprising: i) reacting a compound of formula (II), where one of R represents -OH or -NH2 and the other of R represents -NH2 or -OH, respectively, with a phthaloylating agent in the presence of a base and a a non-polar organic solvent to obtain a phthaloyl derivative where R have the same meanings as above; and ii) dehydrating the phthaloyl derivative using a dehydrating agent selected from an acid anhydride, an acid halide, an ion exchange resin or a molecular sleve to obtain thalidomide (I).