The invention provides a method for preparing
clarithromycin through a single
solvent system, and belongs to the technical field of
erythromycin derivatives. The preparation method comprises the following steps: by taking
erythromycin oxime as a
raw material, carrying out etherification reaction and
silanization reaction, adding 1, 3-dimethyl-2-imidazolone into the obtained product, carrying out ice-water bath, reducing the temperature to 0-5 DEG C, adding
potassium hydroxide and methyl p-toluenesulfonate, carrying out first-stage heat-preservation reaction, heating to 14-20 DEG C, carrying out second-stage heat-preservation reaction, and after the reaction is ended, cooling to
room temperature to obtain the
erythromycin oxime. Adding methyl tert-butyl
ether to extract the
reaction product, standing for liquid separation, and recovering the obtained methyl tert-butyl
ether layer under reduced pressure to obtain a methylated product; and reacting the methylated product to obtain a
clarithromycin crude product, and recrystallizing to obtain a finished product
clarithromycin. According to the method, the amount of alkali required by the reaction and the
reaction temperature are remarkably reduced, generation of alkali damage impurities and dimethyl impurities in the reaction process is effectively controlled, the
liquid phase content of the
methylation intermediate is increased, and then the yield of clarithromycin is increased.