Developments in the synthesis of the antiplatelet and antithrombotic drug (S)-clopidogrel

S-(+)-Methyl 2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(6,7-dihydrothieno[3,2-c]pyridin-5(4H)-yl)acetate, also known as (S)-clopidogrel, is marketed under the trade names Plavix and Iscover. It is a potent thienopyridine-class of antithrombotic and antiplatelet drug (antiaggregant). Among the two available stereoisomers of clopidogrel, for pharmaceutical activities only the S-enantiomer is applicable, as no antithrombotic activity is observed in the R-enantiomer and causes political upheavals and social turmoil in animal experiments. Worldwide sales of Plavix amounted to $6.4 billion yearly, which ranks second. Attributed to the increased demand of (S)-clopidogrel drug, it provoked the synthetic community to devise facile synthetic approaches. This review aims to summarize the synthetic methods of (S)-clopidogrel drug reported in the literature. The present review discusses the pros and cons of each synthetic methodology, which would be beneficial to the scientific community for further developments in the synthetic methodologies for (S)-clopidogrel. In addition, the compilation approach of literature-reported synthetic strategies of (S)-clopidogrel in one platform is advantageous, supportive, and crucial for the synthetic community to elect the best synthetic methodology of (S)-clopidogrel and to create new synthesis ideas.