An Efficient Multikilogram Synthesis of ABT-963: A Selective COX-2 Inhibitor

An efficient chemical process for the multikilogram synthesis of ABT-963 (3) is described. The potent and selective COX-2 inhibitor was prepared in four steps in 36% overall isolated yield from commercially available 3,4-difluoroaniline (4). The chemistry, which required no chromatography, involved a facile one-pot synthesis of the pyridazinone core, a selective alkoxylation, a high yielding Suzuki coupling, and a very efficient oxidation.