An efficient total synthesis of (±)-pregabalin

3-Aminomethyl-5-methylhexanoic acid 1 (pregabalin), is a structural derivative of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA 1 . More recently, pregabalin was found to exhibit analgesic, anticonvulsant, anxiolytic and sleep modulating activities 2-4 . These observations have stimulated interest in the synthesis of pregabalin and related compounds. Many syntheses of pregabalin have been reported not only at the industrial level but also at the academic level 5-13 . In search of an efficient route for the synthesis of pregabalin, herein is reported an efficient synthesis of (±)-pregabalin applying oxidation-reduction strategy.