Microwave-assisted synthesis of nitrogen-containing 1-hydroxymethylenebisphosphonate drugs

A simple, rapid one-pot synthesis of heterocyclic (risedronate, zoledronate) and aminoalkyl (pamidronate, alendronate, neridronate) bisphosphonate drugs using microwave irradiation is presented. Good yields of product are achieved within 20 min, in contrast to conventional synthesis, which typically requires a day or longer.