A new and efficient method for the synthesis of Ulipristal acetate

•We have succeeded in finding another convenient and efficient synthetic route for the synthesis of Ulipristal acetate with a good yield.•The yield of 11β-substituted isomer was greatly improved.•The 17β-carbonitrile compound was obtained with high purity after the reaction.•The yield of once Grignard addition dione was greatly improved.•These synthetic procedures are much suitable for industrial process.

In this study, we describe another new and efficient route for preparing Ulipristal acetate. The 1,4-addition compound 5 was greatly improved after the starting material ketone 1 was underwent epoxidation, cyanation, hydroxyl group protection and Grignard addition. The synthetic procedure is only 6 steps and the total yield is about 27.4%, which is much suitable for industrial process.

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