A New Method of Synthesis of Epalrestat

A new synthetic route of Epalrestat was proposed in this study. The new route abandons the raw material carbon disulfide, which is highly harmful to the environment, and optimizes the key steps in the typical synthesis strategy. Epalrestat was prepared through a three-step process, and the reaction products were characterized. The optimum conditions for the synthesis of the substituted rhodanine intermediate are as follows: under the catalysis of 2.0 equivalents of 25%KOH, ethanol was used as the solvent, and the reaction was carried out at 40 °C for 1 h. The optimal conditions for the synthesis of Epalrestat are as follows: under the catalysis of 2.0 equivalents of 50%KOH, ethanol was used as the solvent, and the reaction was carried out at 40 °C for 5 h.