Synthesis of molnupiravir (MK-4482, EIDD-2801): a promising oral drug for the treatment of COVID-19 starting from cytidine.

The present work describes the synthesis of molnupiravir by employing commercially available inexpensive materials in two steps with an overall yield of 85.7%. The synthetic methodology starts with an eco-friendly starting material, that is, cytidine and establishes an alternative way to avoid costly enzyme mediated reactions.