Disclosed
herein is a novel and efficient synthesis of dapagliflozin
and canagliflozin, the most advanced sodium glucose cotransporter
2 inhibitors (SGLT2 inhibitors), for the treatment of type 2 diabetes
mellitus (T2DM). Per Ac-protected thioester was prepared by the treatment
of per Ac d-gluconolactone with 1-dodecanethiol and
i
PrMgCl without affecting labile Ac-protecting
groups. Aryl bromide (ArBr) was synthesized through reduction of diaryl
ketone to diaryl methane by the TiCl4/NaBH4/DME-MeOH
reduction system. Fukuyama coupling of the thioester with aryl zinc
reagent prepared from ArBr gave a multifunctional aryl ketone at 40
°C in a high yield where the use of a limited amount of a mixed
solvent (7.2 volumes (v), THF:toluene:DMF = 3v/4v/0.2v) was crucial
to achieve the higher yield. After cleavage of the THP group, hydroxy
ketone obtained was treated with methanesulfonic acid (MSA) in MeOH
to give a methoxy-cyclized product in a single step and in a quantitative
yield, which was allowed to silane reduction to furnish dapagliflozin
in an excellent yield. By following the same procedure, canagliflozin
was synthesized. The current synthetic method is featured by high
yields, mild reaction conditions, and the use of inexpensive reagents
and readily cleavable protecting groups.