Process for the preparation of 17-phenyl-18,19,20-thinor-pgf 2a and its derivatives

摘要

The present invention provides a new and effective process for the synthesis of 17-phenyl-18,19,20-trinor-PGF_2alpha and its derivatives, including the anti-glaucoma drugs Bimatoprost and Latanoprost. The benefit of the present invention rises inter alia from the fact that a major intermediate involved in the synthesis of the above compounds may be isolated from a mixture containing also an undesired isomer, by crystallization. In addition, the undesired isomer may be oxidized to give the starting compound, which is then recycled.