An improved synthesis of pyran-3,5-dione: application to the synthesis of ABT-598, a potassium channel opener, via Hantzsch reaction.

Ketoester 1 is cyclized to give pyran-3,5-dione 2 in 78% yield using a parallel addition of ketoester 1 and base NaO(t)Bu in refluxing THF. Compared to the previously reported procedures, these optimized conditions have significantly increased the yield of this transformation and the quality of pyran 2 and prove to be suitable for large-scale preparation. An application of 2 to the synthesis of ABT-598, a potassium channel opener, is demonstrated.

Characterization and Synthesis of a 6-Substituted Benzo[b]thiophene.

An impurity observed during the synthesis of zileuton (Zyflo) has been isolated and characterized as a benzo[b]thiophene derivative that has undergone electrophilic substitution in the 6 position (4). A nine-step synthesis confirms the structural assignment. Key steps in the synthesis include a regioselective Friedel-Crafts coupling between 2-hydroxythioanisole, 8, and 1-(benzo[b]thien-2-yl)ethanol, 1, and formation of a benzo[b]thiophene from an o-methylthiobenzaldehyde, 14, and chloroacetone.