The invention relates to a low cost method for preparing a
sitagliptin phosphate salt key intermediate. The method comprises the steps of: with existence of suitable solvents and inorganic bases, preparing 3-oxalysine-[3-(
trifluoromethyl)-5,6-dihydrogen[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazinyl-7(8H)]
propionitrile(IV) by reacting cyanoethanoate ester with 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]
pyrazine hydrochloride(III)amidation and removing
alcohol; and compound IV then reacting with a
Grignard reagent that is prepared by 2,4,5-trifluoro-1-halogenated
methyl benzene and
magnesium, so as to obtain 4-oxalysine-4-[3-(
trifluoromethyl)-5,6-dihydrogen[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazinyl-7(8H)]-1-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-2-
butanone(II). According to the method provided by the invention, the expensive Michaelis acid, trimethylacetyl
chloride and diisopropylethylamine are not used; the
raw material used is cheap and easy to obtain and has less waste water in the production process; the product is high in yield, has few impurities, and is low in cost.