The three-step manufacturing process used in the synthesis of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (1) was studied and optimized, leading to a more productive and robust process. The yield was improved from about 13% overall to 24%. Key process improvements identified included implementation of a telescoped process for the second stage that obviated the need for an extraction and solvent exchange, and significant optimization of the final reaction, including the beneficial effect of adding a quaternary ammonium salt to the alkylation reaction and development of a nonaqueous process for removal of NMP and triethylamine from the product mixture to decrease the level of decomposition of product during the isolation.

The purpose of this study was to develop an LC/MS assay to accurately detect three mycotoxins produced by Fusarium graminearum in various matrices. Using different LC conditions, deoxynivalenol (DON), 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON), and zearalenone (ZEN) were detected in four different matrices (fungal liquid cultures, maize grain, insect larvae and pig serum). The sensitivity of MS detection allowed us to detect concentrations as low as 8 ppb of DON and 12 ppb of ZEN. A very small quantity of matrix was therefore necessary for successful analysis of these toxins and a variety of experimental situations were successfully investigated using this technique. Production of 15-ADON and butenolide was monitored in a liquid culture of F. graminearum under controlled conditions. Using simple extraction procedures, the differential accumulation of DON and 15-ADON was followed in inoculated maize genotypes varying in susceptibility to F. graminearum. Toxicokinetic studies were carried out with maize insect pests reared continually on artificial diets containing ZEN and suggested that larvae may possess the ability to degrade ZEN. Finally, persistence of DON was assessed in pigs fed diet supplemented with DON, results indicated that DON accumulates quickly in pig blood and then levels decline progressively for 12 hours thereafter. The LC/MS study reported here is very useful and flexible for the detection of these mycotoxins in different media and at very low concentrations.

The Baylis-Hillman coupling between activated alkenes and alkyl 2-(bromomethyl)prop-2-enoates in the presence of DABCO (or DBU) leading to the formation of 2,4-functionalized 1,4-pentadienes, has been described.