PROCESS FOR PRODUCING KETOPROFEN AND 5-BENZOYL-3-METHYL-2-INDOLINONE

摘要

The present invention relates to a process for producing ketoprofen, comprising the steps of: benzoylating 3-methyl-2-indolinone with benzoyl halide to yield 5-benzoyl-3-methyl-2-indolinone; cleaving an amido linkage that forms the 5-menbered ring moiety of 5-benzoyl-3-methyl-2-indolinone, with a basic compound; and substituting an amino group attached to an aromatic ring of the resulting compound by a hydrogen atom to yield the ketoprofen. By employing the process, it is possible to produce ketoprofen by ordinary steps without the need for use of any extremely poisonous chemical such as prussic acid compounds or any hard-to-handle chemical such as liquid ammonium, by more shortened steps as a whole, with an excellent yield. <IMAGE>