Enantioselective syntheses of 2-arylpropanoic acid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and related compounds

Abstract

(S)-2-[4′-(2″-Methylpropyl)phenylpropanoic acid (ibuprofen) and (S)-2-(3′-benzoylphenyl)propanoic acid (ketoprofen) have been synthesised in high enantiomeric excess. Control of stereochemistry was achieved by a combination of Sharpless epoxidalion followed by catalytic hydrogenolysis of the introduced benzylic epoxide oxygen bond. Also, the coupling of organic compounds in the presence of palladium with enantiopure 2-(3-iodophenyl)propanoic and 2-(4-iodophenyl)propanoic acids, prepared by the methodology above, is a general method for the synthesis of optically active arylpropanoic acids.