An Efficient Synthesis of Tenofovir (PMPA): A Key Intermediate Leading to Tenofovir-Based HIV Medicines

Abstract: Herein, we report further improvements to the synthesis of tenofovir 1, the precursor to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate. Starting from acyclic precursor diaminomalononitrile 12, a four-step protocol to tenofovir 1 will allow for vertical integration for more manufacturers. The key transformation is a more convergent one step procedure from 6 as compared to the current commercial process, with an improved yield from 59% (two steps) to 70%. Further improvements include eliminating the need for problematic magnesium tert-butoxide (MTB) and significant solvent reduction by eliminating the need for an intermediate workup. With the costs of HIV/AIDS tre…

Synthesis of 5‐Fluorocytosine Using 2‐Cyano‐2‐fluoroethenolate as a Key Intermediate

Programmed Formation of HCN Oligomers through Organosulfur Catalysis

An efficient, inexpensive, and reliable synthesis of diaminomaleonitrile (DAMN, 1) is described starting from readily available acetone cyanohydrin as the source of hydrogen cyanide (HCN). Diaminomaleonitrile (DAMN) is known to be an important intermediate in heterocyclic and medicinal chemistry as well as being a possible precursor for the origin of life's hypothesis within prebiotic chemistry. The mechanism of its formation through organosulfur catalysis has been investigated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) using two newly synthesized cationic "marker" molecules as a tool that allows for sensitive detection. As a result, the proposed mechanism of a thiocyanate-mediat…