Download PDF
Synfacts 2011(8): 0819-0819  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1260676
Synthesis of Natural Products and Potential Drugs
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

Synthesis of Dimebolin

Contributor(s): Philip Kocienski
H. Dong, R. T. Latka, T. G. Driver*
University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
20 July 2011 (online)

    Permissions and Reprints

Significance

Dimebolin (latrepirdine) is an antihistamine that has also been evaluated for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and Huntington’s disease. The synthesis of dimebolin depicted features a Ru(III)-catalyzed insertion of an azide into the C4-H bond of the pyridinium salt E to give the γ-carbolinium salt F exclusively. A further 11 examples (48-100% yield) illustrate the scope of the reaction.