Sibutramine hydrochloride

Originator

Meridia,Abbott Laboratories,USA

The Uses of Sibutramine hydrochloride

Sibutramine Hydrochloride is a 5-HT and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor.

The Uses of Sibutramine hydrochloride

Sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate was used as standard to screen dietary supplements for sibutramine using ion mobility spectrometer.¹

The Uses of Sibutramine hydrochloride

Anorexic; antidepressant.

Manufacturing Process

A solution of 4-chlorobenzyl cyanide and 1,3-dibromopropane in dry dimethylsulfoxide was added dropwise under nitrogen to a stirred mixture of sodium hydride dispersed in mineral oil and dimethylsulfoxide at a temperature in the range 30° to 35°C. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 h and propan-2-ol and then water were added dropwise. The mixture was filtered through a diatomaceous earth sold under the Registered Trade Mark CELITE and the solid residue washed with ether. The ether layer was separated, washed with water, dried and evaporated. 1-(4- Chlorophenyl)-1-cyclobutanecarbonitrile was isolated by distillation.
1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-cyclobutanecarbonitrile (37.6 g) was added to a solution of potassium hydroxide (32.4 g) in diethyleneglycol (370 ml) and the mixture heated under reflux for three and a 0.5 h The reaction mixture was poured into an ice/water mixture and the resulting solution was washed with ether. The aqueous layer was added to a mixture of concentrated hydrochloric acid (100 ml) and ice and the resulting precipitate of 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1- cyclobutanecarboxylic acid (melting point 86°-88°C) collected, washed with water and dried.
1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-1-cyclobutane carboxylic acid (10.5 g) was heated under reflux with thionyl chloride (20 ml) for 2.5 h. Excess thionyl chloride was evaporated off and the acid chloride of the above acid distilled (boiling point 82°-96°C /0.2 mm Hg). A solution of the acid chloride in dry tetrahydrofuran was added slowly to the product of the reaction of magnesium turnings and ethyl bromide in dry tetrahydrofuran. Water was added followed by 5 N hydrochloric acid with cooling. The reaction mixture was extracted with ether, washed with water, sodium bicarbonate solution, dried. The solvent was removed by evaporation and 1-isobutyl-1-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclobutane obtained by distillation. The 1-isobutyl-1-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclobutane, diethylene glycoldimethyl ether, water and concentrated hydrochloric acid were mixed and heated under reflux. The mixture was poured into water aqueous NaOH was added and the product extracted into ether. Evaporation gave a dark oil. A sample of this oil, water and formic acid were mixed and formaldehyde added. The mixture was heated under reflux and then concentrated hydrochloric acid and propan-2-ol were added. Evaporation to dryness gave N,N-dimethyl-1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclobutyl]isobutyl hydrochloride as a white solid.

brand name

Meridia (Abbott).

Therapeutic Function

Antidepressant, Anorexic

Biological Activity

5-HT and noradrenalin re-uptake inhibitor (SNRI). Produces weight loss in rats via inhibition of food intake and increased energy expenditure. Antidepressant.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Sibutramine is a serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It is an antiobesity drug, which decreases calorie intake and increases energy expanditure. Sibutramine antagonizes MPTP-induced dopamine depletion in mouse brain.