New Method for the Synthesis of Ether Derivatives of Artemisinin

Abstract

Dihydroartemisinin can be converted to its ether derivatives in good yields by reaction with different alcohols in the presence of a catalytic amount of dodecatungstophosphoric acid hydrate. Easy handling, trouble-free workup by filtration, excellent yields, and very short reaction times are some of the highlights of this protocol.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Antimalarial
• dihydroartemisinin
• dodecatungstophosphoric acid
• ether

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

SAIF, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), is acknowledged for recording NMR, mass, and elemental analysis. Financial help from the University Grants Commission, SAP, Department of Chemistry, NEHU, is also gratefully acknowledged.

Notes

^a 10 mol% of the catalyst was used.

^b Unreacted starting materials were recovered.

^a Conditions: dihydroartemisinin/alcohol/H₃PW₁₂O₄₀.xH₂O = 1:1.25:0.05 CH₂Cl₂, rt.

^b Isolated yield.