Efficient and Scalable Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (−)-Emetine with Pharmaceutical Grade Quality; First Multigram Scale Synthesis

Masatoshi Yamada, Kazuki Azuma, Iori Takizawa, Yuki Ejima, Mitsuhisa Yamano, Kimio Satoh, Takayuki Doi, Hirofumi Ueda, Hidetoshi Tokuyama

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

A scalable asymmetric total synthesis of (−)-emetine, a natural product alkaloid from ipecac species and one of the main active ingredients in ipecac syrup used in emetics, has been accomplished. The synthetic route featured a total of 13 steps of highly efficient chemical reactions, including catalytic asymmetric allylation and an industrial deoxygenation of an aliphatic compound, which obviated the need for any chromatographic purification. (−)-Emetine·2HCl was obtained in 12% overall yield and over 93.2% HPLC purity. The synthesis was easily scaled up to 237.1 g and should be amenable to the production of larger quantities for ongoing drug development, while the compound is currently provided as natural ipecac syrup for a clinical use.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)343-357
Number of pages15
JournalOrganic Process Research and Development
Volume27
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023 Feb 17

Keywords

  • (−)-emetine
  • asymmetric allylation
  • asymmetric hydrogenation
  • deoxygenation of aliphatic compound
  • natural product

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry

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