Abstract: A para-methoxy protected benzaldehyde useful in preparation of treprostinil, and of formula: (Formula (1)) is prepared by subjecting to Claisen re-arrangement a substituted benzaldehyde of formula (1a): (Formula (Ia)) to form the m-hydroxy-substituted benzaldehyde of formula (1b): (Formula (Ib)) and then reacting compound (1b) with a p-methoxybenzyl (PMB) compound to form a PMB-substituted benzaldehyde of formula (1).

Abstract: Treprostinil is prepared by a process which involves Pauson-Khan cyclization of an an alkene-substituted, alkyne-substituted benzene corresponding to formula: (I) where PMB represents para-methoxy benzyl protecting group and R1 and R2 are alcohol protecting groups. Following cyclization, the resulting compound can be subjected to several chemical trans-formations followed by alkylation, hydrolysis and salt formation to yield treprostinil sodium. The use of para-methoxybenzyl group as the phenolic protecting group confers several process advantages that result in simplified purification of the final product and improved yields.

Abstract: A para-methoxy protected benzaldehyde useful in preparation of treprostinil, and of formula: (Formula (1)) is prepared by subjecting to Claisen re-arrangement a substituted benzaldehyde of formula (1a): (Formula (Ia)) to form the m-hydroxy-substituted benzaldehyde of formula (1b): (Formula (Ib)) and then reacting compound (1b) with a p-methoxybenzyl (PMB) compound to form a PMB-substituted benzaldehyde of formula (1).

Abstract: 1 a-hydroxy vitamin D2 (doxercalciferol) of exceptionally high purity and stability is prepared by a process involving chromatographically purifying 1 ?-hydroxyvitamin D2 monoacetate, chemically removing the acetate protectant group from the purified product to form 1 ?-hydroxyvitamin D2, and precipitating the 1 a-hydroxyvitamin D2 so formed from a mixed organic solvent consisting essentially of at least one C1-C6 dialkyl ether or C1-C6 alkyl ester, and at least one C5-C12 hydrocarbon.