A New Synthesis of 2-chloro-2′-deoxyadenosine (Cladribine), CdA)

Abstract

A new efficient route for the synthesis of 2-chloro-2′;-deoxyadenosine (Cladribine), CdA) has been developed. The key step of this method was selective deprotection of the acetyl group at the 2′ position; the 3′, 5′ acetyl groups were not affected. This can be accomplished efficiently with hydroxylamine hydrochloride and sodium acetate in pyridine. The 2′ hydroxyl group was removed by the Barton-McCombie reaction. Using this strategy, CdA was prepared in five steps and 31.0% yields.

Keywords:

• 2-chloro-2′-deoxyadenosine (Cladribine), CdA)
• new synthesis
• Barton-McCombie reaction

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Key Science and Technology Program of Henan Province, China (0624070006) and Scientific Research Program of Xinxiang City, China (09J049) for their support.