Patent ID: 7638633

Claim:
A process for the preparation of Rabeprazole sodium (2-[[[4-(3-methoxy-propoxy)3-methyl-2-pyridinyl]methyl]-sylfinyl]-1H benzimidazole sodium) comprising the steps of a) oxidizing the wet or dry Rabeprazole sulfide (2-[[[4-(3-methoxy-propoxy) 3-methyl-2-pyridinyl]methyl]-thio]-1H benzimidazole of formula (II) with sodium hypohalite solution in water or a mixture of water and water miscible solvent medium using alkali metal hydroxide and a catalyst selected from pyridine, di-isopropyl ethylamine and N,N-dimethylaminopyridine at a temperature range of −10 to 60° C.; b) saturating the reaction mass by using sodium chloride, c) extracting the sodium salt of rabeprazole using water immiscible organic solvents, d) distilling the solvent, dissolving the residue in second organic solvent and precipitating the sodium salt of formula (I) using an antisolvent and e) isolating the sodium salt of formula (I).