2-Fluoro-4-methylpyridine (3) is efficiently functionalized by chlorination, hydrolysis and methanesulfonylation into the novel alkylating agent 7. This mesylate is used for the bisalkylation of anthrone under carefully defined conditions to prepare the cognition enhancer drug candidate 1. This process proceeds in up to 37% overall yield and is adaptable for large scale synthesis.
Chemical and Physical Sciences Department, The DuPont Pharmaceuticals Company, Experimental Station, Wilmington, Delaware 19880-0500, USA. jaan.a.pesti@dupontpharma.com
