Topiramate is synthesized by two methods: D-Fructose, an abundant and inexpensive monosaccharide, is reacted with acetone to produce the thermodynamically more stable bisacetonide (I). This bisacetonide is then condensed with sulfamoyl chloride in the presence of sodium hydride. Alternatively, intermediate (I) is reacted with sulfuryl chloride and pyridine in methylene chloride and then with sodium azide in acetonitrile to furnish azido sulfate (II), which is reduced with copper powder in methanol.