Abstract: Repaglinide (a new antidiabetic medicine), (S)(+)-2-ethoxy-4-［N-［1-(2-piperidinophenyl)-3-methyl-1-butyl］aminocarbo nylmethyl］benzoic acid, was synthesized by means of Ph3P catalyzed condensation and LDA/DMPU catalyzed carboxylation as pivotal steps from the starting materials 4-methylsalicylic acid and 2-chlorobenzonitrile. Repaglinide was synthesized in a total yield of 10.5%. The structures of the targetmolecule and the key intermediates were confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR,¹³C NMR, elemental analysis, specific rotation and MS techniques.

Key words: repaglinide, chemical resolution technique, optical r otation, antidiabetic medicine