Simple one-pot green method for large-scale production of mesalamine, an anti-inflammatory agent

Abstract

Abstract We report a rapid and efficient synthesis protocol for mesalamine via a green approach with 2-chloro-5-nitrobenzoic acid as the starting material, for its large-scale production. This one-pot method involves the conversion of a chloro group into a hydroxyl group using aqueous KOH solution, followed by the reduction of a nitro group to amine using Pd/C. The product was characterised and confirmed by 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 13C NMR, IR and mass spectrometry techniques. The salient features of the method include excellent conversion (99.3%), high yield (93%), cost effectiveness and validated results for benign, large-scale production.