Optimization of the synthesis of 6
-fluoroursodeoxycholic acid
1 is described starting from the commercially available
2. Thepenultimate intermediate
16 was made in eight synthetic stepsbut in only four operations in an overall yield of 57%. Thehighlights are flourination of hydroxyketo acid
11 using Selectfluor through the intermediacy of silyl enol ether
12,conversion of
13 to
14 via equilibration of fluoroketone,esterification, and acylation. The drug substance
1 was preparedfrom mesylate
16 using potassium superoxide followed by a mildreductive workup using methoxydiethylborane.