An efficient and stereoselective synthesis of Levetiracetam: An anticonvulsant drug

Aim: To synthesise (S)-α-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine acetamide, Levetiracetam by using (R)-1-(1-hydroxymethylpropyl) pyrrolidin-2-one as a chiral auxiliary. Methods: The 1 H and 13 C spectra were recorded in CDCl 3 at 400 MHz on varian Gemini 400 MHz FT NMR spectrometer. The chemical shifts were reported in d ppm relative to TMS. The FT-IR spectra were recorded in the solid state as KBr dispersion using a Perkin-Elmer 1650 FT-IR spectrometer. The mass spectrum (70eV) was recorded on an Agilent-6310 LC-MS spectrometer. Organic solvents were distilled before use or, if otherwise noted, dried according to the typical procedures. Conclusion: A highly stereoselective synthesis for the preparation of levetiracetam has been achieved by the asymmetric alkylation reaction.