The present invention includes a process for the preparation of compounds offormula (I) havinginhibitory activity against sodium-dependent glucose transporter (SGLT). Theprocess includesa one-step coupling of a compound of formula (V) with a compound of formula(VI-S) in thepresence of an alkyl lithium, which may be selected from(trimethylsilyl)methyl lithium,2,4,6-trimethylphenyl lithium and (triethylsilyl)methyl lithium.(see formula I)(see formula V) (see formula VI-S)