Isolation, characterization, and synthesis of some process-origin impurities of Atovaquone, a renowned anti-malarial drug

Authors

  • Sanjay S S Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Institute of Technology, Ujire, Karnataka, India
  • Shashikumar Somashekar Hiriyalu Independent researcher
  • Akshaya Raghavendra Bhat Independent Researcher
  • Shashiprabha PG Department of Chemistry, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College (Autonomous), Ujire-574 240, Karnataka, India.
  • Shridhara Kanakamajalu Chief Scientific Officer, BioOrganics & Applied Materials, Peenya Industrial Area, Bangalore

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12723/mjs.70.6

Keywords:

Atovaquone, 2,3-Dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone, Impurities, Isolation, Characterization, Synthesis

Abstract

To improve the yield of Atovaquone, we explored the chemical consequences occurring during its step-wise synthesis (process chemistry). Hence, the entire focus of this initiative was aimed towards the isolation of a few major process origin byproducts that were formed during the two-step reaction process. The synthesis of Atovaquone was done by the use of commercially viable key starting material trans-4-(4-chlorophenyl) cyclohexanecarboxylic acid for the decarboxylative coupling reaction with another key reactant 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone to obtain the intermediate. The isolated intermediate was hydrolyzed to obtain Atovaquone.  From the mother liquors (MLRs) of each stage, we were able to isolate a few major process origin impurities and characterize them with the assistance of spectral data. Additionally, we even synthesized some of the impurities and compared them with the ones that were isolated from the MLRs. In this work, we report the experimental aspects and results related to six process-origin impurities of Atovaquone. 

Author Biography

Shridhara Kanakamajalu , Chief Scientific Officer, BioOrganics & Applied Materials, Peenya Industrial Area, Bangalore

Mentor and advisor for the initiatives. Provided the lab facility and learning resources for the work.

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Additional Files

Published

2024-10-09

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