A Scalable Synthesis of Tofogliflozin Hydrate

A newly process for the synthesis of tofogliflozin hydrate, a sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, was described. Three improvements were achieved, including the development of a regioselective Friedel–Crafts reaction, a high-yield reduction, and a mild metal–halogen exchange. These improvements ultimately resulted in the isolation of tofogliflozin hydrate as a white solid in >99% purity (HPLC area) and 23% overall yield after 12 steps without column chromatography.