Process for preparing benzimidazole-type compounds

摘要

The present invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of proton pump inhibitors of the benzimidazole-type such as rabeprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, lansoprazole and esome prazole, of general formula (1) by oxidation of the corresponding sulfide followed by extraction of the sulfone by-product with an aqueous alkaline solution at controlled pH.