Alternative Synthesis of the Anti-Baldness Compound RU58841

In 2014, researchers developed a new synthesis method for the anti-baldness compound RU58841, which was more efficient and less toxic than the previous method. The old method used phosgene, a toxic gas, and required multiple steps under an inert atmosphere and flash chromatography. The new method did not use phosgene, required only one inert atmosphere step, and did not require flash chromatography. The overall yield of the new synthesis was 33%. The researchers also found that bromine-nitro substitutions can occur on tertiary carbons with a neighboring carbonyl, and that 2-nitropropane can be an effective leaving group, enabling the formation of a hydantoin ring by cyclization.