PROCESS FOR PRODUCING IOVERSOL

The present invention discloses a new process for producing ioversol (marketed as OPTIRAY TM ) comprising: (a) reacting 5-amino-N,N'-bis(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-2,4,6-triiodoisopthalamide with chloroacetyl chloride in a polar aprotic solvent, or combinations thereof, to produce N,N'-bis[2,3-di(2-chloroacetoxy)propyl]-5-(2-chloroacetamido)-2,4,6-triiodoisophthalamide; (b) reacting the product of (a) with sodium hydroxide to produce N,N'-bis(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-5-(2-chloroacetamido)-2,4,6-triiodoisopthalamide; (c) reacting the product of (b) in water and sodium acetate to produce N,N'-bis(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-5-glycolamido-2,4,6-triiodoisopthalamide; and (d) reacting the product of (c) with an alkylating agent capable of producing hydroxylhylated product in the presence of a base and water to produce ioversol.