Efficient syntheses of 2-(3',5'-difluorophenyl)-3-(4'- methylsulfonylphenyl)-cyclopent-2-enone, a potent COX-2 inhibitor

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(99)00274-4

2-(3',5'-Difluorophenyl)-3-(4'-methylsulfonylphenyl)cyclopent-2-enone (1) displays high selectivity and potency against COX-2. Three efficient syntheses of this diarylcyclopentenone are described. The first approach employs a Suzuki coupling reaction as the key step while the second synthesis features an intramolecular Friedel-Crafts acylation. The third, and preferred route to this compound involves a sequential malonate alkylation and acylation and ring-closure sequence.