A new approach to the synthesis of the carbon framework of SC-84536, an inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor

SC-84536, a selective inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), is targeted for the treatment of osteoarthritis, neuropathic pain, and asthma. The initial technology for constructing this molecule was acceptable only for the preparation of small quantities of material, but was not practical for larger scale work. This Letter describes our effort toward developing an alternative synthetic route for the carbon framework of SC-84536.