Synthesis of Mepivacaine and Its Analogues by a Continuous-Flow Tandem Hydrogenation/Reductive Amination Strategy

Abstract

Herein we report a convenient, fast, and high-yielding method for the generation of the racemic amide anaesthetics mepivacaine, ropivacaine, and bupivacaine. Coupling of α-picolinic acid and 2,6-xylidine under sealed-vessel microwave conditions generates the intermediate amide after a reaction time of only 5 min at 150 °C. Subsequent reaction in a continuous-flow high-pressure hydrogenator (H-Cube ProTM) in the presence of the respective aldehyde directly converts the intermediate to the final amide anaesthetics in a continuous, integrated, multi-step ring-hydrogenation/reductive amination protocol. Merits and limitations of the protocol are discussed.