58E

Question

Show how you might prepare the anti-inflammatory agent ibuprofen starting from isobutyl benzene. More than one step is needed.

Step-by-Step Solution

Verified
Answer

The synthesis of ibuprofen starting from isobutyl benzene can be shown.

1Step 1: Steps for the synthesis of ibuprofen

The acylation of Friedel-Crafts with acetyl chloride in the presence of AlCl3 which introduces an acetyl group in p-position for the yield of p-isopropylacetophenone. The ketone will convert into secondary alcohol when it is reduced with NaBH4. There is a displacement of bromine to –OH in the alcohol when it is treated with PBr3 to yield bromide. The nitrile to bromide conversion when treated with NaCN and hydrolysis will yield ibuprofen.

2Step 2: Structure for the ibuprofen synthesis

The steps for the ibuprofen synthesis have shown below,