Synthesis and Green Metric Evaluation of 2-(Chloromethyl)-3-Methyl-4-(Methylsulfonyl)Pyridine

Abstract

ABSTRACT2-[[(2-pyridinyl) methyl] sulfinyl]-1H-benzimidazoles are the prominent motif's that belong to the class of prazoles. These are used in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) ulcers and other gastric acid related diseases. The present article describes the modified synthesis of 2-chloromethyl-4-methanesulfonyl-3-methyl pyridine (an intermediate utilized in the synthesis of Dexlansoprazole). The advantages of this modification involves (i) N-oxidation of 2,3-lutidine with catalytic quantity of RuCl 3 in presence of oxygen (ii) One pot synthesis of 2,3-dimethyl-4-(methylthio) pyridine-N-oxide using 30% NaSH, methyl iodide and tetra butyl ammonium hydroxide (iii) Oxidation of methythio pyridine-N-oxide with 30% H 2 O 2 followed by N-deoxygenation with RuCl 3 .H 2 O to produce 2,3-dimethyl-4-(methylsulfonyl)pyridine (iv) Chlorination of the penultimate step using trichloroisocyanuric acid to obtain the desired 2-chloromethyl-4-methanesulfonyl-3-methyl pyridine. Furthermore, green metrics assessment was calculated for the above modified scheme based on the parameters viz., atom economy (AE), reaction mass efficiency (RME) and E-factor. It was observed that, in case of step 4 (oxidation of thiomethyl pyridine-N-oxide), the E-factor value is very less 3.2 which is indicative of less waste generation, when compared to the various steps that are involved in the synthesis.

Organic Synthesis without Conventional Solvents

“…[46] Therefore, the higher the E-factor, the more waste is produced. To compare different methodologies regarding their environmental impact, the so-called "E-factor" was defined, which takes into account the waste generated in a reaction.…”