Novel Approach to the Synthesis of Omeprazole: An Antipeptic Ulcer Agent.

A novel approach for the synthesis of omeprazole, a potent antiulcer drug, is described. The synthetic procedure involved the formation of an ester of the 5-methoxy thiobenzimidazole followed by coupling of the ester with the Grignard reagent of 2-chloromethyl-4-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-pyridine.