Phenytoin is listed by the World Health Organization as an Essential Medicine that is one of the most cost-effective anti-epileptic (AED) treatments available. However, availability of the drug to pharmacies in developing countries is limited. 85% of those affected with epilepsy live without treatment. Low commercial production, political instabilities, and/or financial barriers prevent the availability of this anti-epileptic drug. A more efficient and cost-effective method for supplying phenytoin to local clinics and medical personnel could alleviate some of these barriers. The initial goal of this project was to refine a small-scale synthesis and purification of phenytoin using base-catalyzed addition of urea to benzil, followed by pinacol rearrangement and recrystallization. Our procedure emphasized simple laboratory equipment found in the most basic of pharmacy laboratories. Using the International Pharmacopoeia guidelines for pharmaceutical purity, we achieved over 98% purity. Verification of pharmaceutical grade purity was achieved by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Our Secondary goal was to incorporate a more efficient and accessible synthesis method. This goal was achieved through the implementation of Microwave Assisted Extraction (MAE). This project outlines the comparison between these two methods and the potential benefits and limitations in each of these methodologies.

Comparison of low-cost synthesis methods for pharmaceutical-grade purity of the anticonvulsant phenytoin using traditional reflux techniques verses microwave-assisted extraction

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