We report the development of a concise method of synthesizing possible cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor BRL-37959, which is believed to be a potent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The four-step synthesis greatly increased the efficiency of compound production from commercially available salicylaldehydes. The synthesis involved an optimized, bismuth(III) trifluoromethanesulfonate catalyzed benzoylation of a benzofuran ring.
Keywords: NSAID; benzofuran; benzoylation; bismuth(III) trifluoromethanesulfonate; synthesis design.
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