A novel synthetic method for preparation of some folates

Article abstract of DOI:10.1007/s11164-012-0751-2

An improved method was developed for preparation of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid (THF) and calcium-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF-Ca) by reduction of folic acid using KBH₄ catalyzed by Pb(NO₃)₂. The yields of THF and 5-MTHF-Ca were 56.5 and 42.7 %, respectively. A convenient method for measurement of THF and 5-MTHF-Ca using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was also established, enabling analysis of those folates within 10 min without application of gradient elution.