Selective nosylation of 1-phenylpropane-1,3-diol and perchloric acid mediated Friedel-Crafts alkylation: Key steps for the new and straightforward synthesis of tolterodine

Abstract

We have developed a new and straightforward synthesis of racemic tolterodine [NN-diisopropyl-3-(2-hydroxy-5-methyl-phenyl)-3-phenylpropanamine]. The synthesis involves selective nosylation on the primary alcohol of 1-phenylpropane-1,3-diol using 4-nitrobenzenesulfonyl chloride, subsequent diisopropylamine substitution, and Friedel-Crafts alkylation using aqueous perchloric acid.