Naproxen → Desmethylnaproxen

Participants

Reaction Steps

To a mixture of Naproxen (500 grams) and 48% HBr (1500 ml) was refluxed for 10 hours. It was poured onto ice water (3000 ml) and stirred for 30 minutes. Crude 2-(6-Hydroxy-naphthalen-2-yl)-propionic acid was filtered, dried and recrystallized from a mixture of ethyl acetate and hexane to yield pure product (380 grams, 81%) as a white powder with a melting point of 186-188° C.

Provenance & Evidence