Facile and green synthesis of dapagliflozin

A facile and green synthetic route was developed for the preparation of dapagliflozin (1), a selective sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Key reaction steps include a direct Friedel–Crafts acylation and a synthesis of diaryl ketal moiety in one-pot manner without waste water generation. Furthermore, the reduction of the diaryl ketone and C-phenylglucoside were achieved in one-pot manner to generate dapagliflozin (1) more efficiently. The synthetic route featured the usage of commercial available and easily handling reagents with shorter reaction steps and less waste disposal.