A Practical Synthesis of 2-chloro-2′-deoxyadenosine (Cladribine) from 2′-deoxyadenosine

Abstract

A practical synthesis of 2-chloro-2′-deoxyadenosine (Cladribine) from 2′-deoxyadenosine is reported. Treatment of fully protected 2′-deoxyadenosine with 2,2,2-trifluoroacetic anhydride and tetrabutylammonium nitrate gave protected 2-nitro-2′-deoxyadenosine with high yield. 2-Chloro-2′-deoxyadenosine was synthesised in four steps and 44.8% yield after substitution by chloride and deprotection steps.