Synthesis of Ethyl Nalidixate: A Medicinal Chemistry Experiment

Abstract

A series of laboratory experiments that complement a medicinal chemistry lecture course in drug design and development have been developed. The synthesis of ethyl nalidixate covers three separate experimental procedures, all of which can be completed in three, standard three-hour lab classes and incorporate aspects of green chemistry such as solvent-free reaction conditions and minimizing purification procedures. The experimental procedures are straightforward and require no specialized equipment, although access to IR and NMR spectrometers for spectral analysis is beneficial. Both the experimental and theoretical aspects of the synthesis are sufficiently challenging for a year-two undergraduate chemistry class.