Synthesis of Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen의 합성

New synthetic method for ibuprofen, which is a potent antiinflammatory agent, was described. Ethyl ${\alpha}-methylthio-p-isobutylphenylacetate$ was obtained from Friedel-Crafts reaction of isobutylbenzene with ethyl ${\alpha}-chloro-{\alpha}-(methylthio)acetate$ in the presence of $SnCl_4$. Ibuprofen was prepared in good yield by treatment of ethyl ${\alpha}-methylthio-p-isobutylphenylacetate$ with NaH and MeI, followed by desulfurization with zinc dust-acetic acid and hydrolysis of the resultant ethyl 2-methylthio-2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propionate.