A Safe and Efficient Process for the Synthesis of the Inhalation Anesthetic Sevoflurane

✍ Scribed by Ramakrishna, Kornpati; Behme, Chris; Schure, Ralph M.; Bieniarz, Christopher

• Book ID: 121500807
• Publisher: American Chemical Society
• Year: 2000
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 42 KB
• Volume: 4
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1083-6160
• DOI: 10.1021/op000207c

✦ Synopsis

A novel method for the synthesis of 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-(fluoromethoxy)propane (sevoflurane) is described. Starting from commercially available 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP), the process involves a novel, safe and efficient fluoromethylation protocol in a two-step, one-vessel procedure. The method avoids many of the hazards and complications of the current process for sevoflurane manufacture. The new method is easily scaled up to afford 10-kg batches of 99.4% pure sevoflurane.