Patent ID: 8716471

Claim:
A process for the preparation of temozolomide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, comprising: i) pyrrolysing N′-methyl-N,N-diphenyl urea and obtaining a condensed vapor form of methyl isocyanate; ii) condensing the vapor form of the methyl isocyanate to obtain a solution of the methyl isocyanate; iii) adding to the thus obtained solution a compound of formula (II), wherein R 2 represents a group of formula —(C═O)NR 3 R 4 , wherein R 3 and R 4 are the same and are both hydrogen atoms, iv) decomposing any excess of the methyl isocyanate remaining by addition of water to obtain temozolomide, and v) optionally salifying the temozolomide with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid, or base.