A precursor of Naproxen, 2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propenoic acid
was synthesized in good yield from commercially available 6-methoxy-2-naphthaldehyde
in three steps. The synthesis includes an unprecedented one-step
reduction of acrylic acid ethyl ester to propenoic acid ethyl ester
in high yield.
anti-inflammatory agents - Lewis acids - organometallic reagents - catalysis - Naproxen
