Novel Synthesis Route for the Precursor of Telithromycin

OBJECTIVE To study a new synthetic route of the precursor of telithromycin. METHODS 2’-O-acetate-3- keto-10,11-anhydro-12-O-acylimidazole-6-O-methyl-erythromycin, the precursor of telithromycin, was synthesized from 3-hydroxy-6-O-methyl-erythromycin by acetylation, oxidation, deoximation, followed by 10,11-dehydration and acylation with N-acylimidazole. RESULTS The total yield was up to 60.8%. The chemical structures of target compound were confirmed by 1H-NMR and MS. CONCLUSION The novel synthetic route was facile and characterized by less side-effects.