1177-87-3

Manufacturing Process

The preparation of dexamethasone acetate is described in US Patent 3,007,923 as follows. 1.5 cc of dimethylformamide and 1.5 cc of anhydrous hydrofluoric acid are admixed and treated with 480 mg of 9β,11β-epoxy-17αhydroxy-21-acetoxy-16α-methyl-?1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione (prepared according to E.P. Oliveto et al, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 80, 44331, 1958). The steroid dissolves in about 15 minutes. The reaction mixture is shaken for two hours at a temperature between 0 and +5°C, and then poured into 75 cc ofwater containing in suspension, 7.5 grams of sodium bicarbonate. The mixture is vacuum filtered, the filter cake washed and then dried at 100°C, yielding 460 mg of crude hexadecadrol contaminated with a small amount of the starting material. A single recrystallization from methylene chloride yields 370 mg of the pure product having a melting point of 170°C and 229°C. The mother liquor yields 62 mg of the starting material, and a remainder constituting a mixture of starting and final materials with little other contamination.

Therapeutic Function

9-Fluoro-11β,17-dihydroxy-21-acetoxy-16α-methylpregna1,4-diene-3,20-dione

Safety Profile

Experimental teratogenic and reproductive effects. A steroid. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of F-.

Purification Methods

Dexamethasone 21-acetate is purified on neutral Al2O3 using CHCl3 as eluent, the fractions are evaporated, and the residue is recrystallised from CHCl3. It has max at 239nm. [Oliveto et al. J Am Chem Soc 8 0 4431 1958]. [Beilstein 8 IV 3501.]

Brand name

Decadron (Merck).