Environmentally Responsible and Cost-Effective Synthesis of the Antimalarial Drug Pyronaridine

Org Lett. 2022 May 13;24(18):3342-3346. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.2c00944. Epub 2022 May 3.

Abstract

Two routes to the antimalarial drug Pyronaridine are described. The first is a linear sequence that includes a two-step, one-pot transformation in an aqueous surfactant medium, leading to an overall yield of 87%. Alternatively, a convergent route utilizes a telescoped three-step sequence involving an initial neat reaction, followed by two steps performed under aqueous micellar catalysis conditions affording Pyronaridine in 95% overall yield. Comparisons to existing literature performed exclusively in organic solvents reveal a 5-fold decrease in environmental impact as measured by E Factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antimalarials*
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Naphthyridines

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Naphthyridines
  • pyronaridine