The dione subsequently reacted with potassium hydroxide and 2-(5-ethyl-2-pyridyl)ethyl sulfonate to produce pioglitazone, and finally with hydrochloride acid to obtain the hydrochloride salt.

• 5-乙基-2-羟乙基吡啶和甲基磺酰氯反应生成的磺酸酯与5-[(4-羟基苯基)甲基]-2,4-噻哗烷二酮的钾盐反应生成5-[4-[2-(5-乙基-2-吡啶基)乙氧基]苄基]-2,4-噻唑烷二酮(吡格列酮),吡格列酮用盐酸酸化得到盐酸吡格列酮。