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Use of large‐scale chromatography in the preparation of armodafinil
Author(s) -
Hauck Willy,
Adam Philippe,
Bobier Christelle,
Landmesser Nelson
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
chirality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.43
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1520-636X
pISSN - 0899-0042
DOI - 10.1002/chir.20564
Subject(s) - chemistry , chromatography , scale (ratio) , quantum mechanics , physics
Abstract Armodafinil, the ( R )‐enantiomer of modafinil, is a medication used to treat the excessive sleepiness associated with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome, and shift work sleep disorder. We report here the chemical development of armodafinil and the investigations that led to a commercial route to prepare this pure enantiomer. Three synthetic approaches were used to provide the chiral sulfoxide. Resolution via preferential crystallization was used for phase I clinical trials and was subsequently replaced by chiral chromatography, enabling us to pursue a rapid filing and registration of the API. Finally, the commercial route was developed and employed asymmetric oxidation catalyzed by a titanium(IV) isopropoxide and diethyl tartrate system. The advantages of choosing a chromatographic development pathway to expedite registration while concurrently developing an economical chiral synthesis route is discussed in the context of armodafinil development. Chirality, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.