Beclobrate

Description

Beclobrate is a hypolipidemic agent related structurally to clofibrate. It is reportedly useful in types IIa-V hyperlipoproteinemias, promoting normalization of t h e atherogenic index.

Originator

Siegfried AG (Switzerland)

Definition

ChEBI: Beclobrate is a diarylmethane.

Manufacturing Process

87.0 g (0.4 mol) of 4-chloro-4'-hydroxydiphenylmethane are heated together with 27.0 g (0.2 mol) of anhydrous potassium carbonate in 350 ml of anhydrous xylene for 30 min to reflux temperature, whereafter a solution of 83.5 g (0.4 mol) of 2-bromo-2-ethyl-2-methyl acetic acid ethyl ester in 50 ml of anhydrous xylene is added. The mixture is kept for 24 hours and with vigorous stirring at reflux temperature. After filtering off the precipitated potassium bromide and evaporating the solvent in a Buchi rotary evaporator, the residue is taken up in ether and extracted with normal sodium hydroxide solution. The ether extracts are washed with water, dried over MgSO4 and concentrated by evaporation. The brown oil (82.0 g) thereby obtained is dissolved in n-hexane and filtered through a column of 200 g of basic Al2O3. After evaporating the solvent and distillation at reduced pressure, 34.7 g of pure ethyl (+/-)-2-((α-(p-chlorophenyl)-p-tolyl)oxy)-2-methylbutyrate are obtained with the boiling point 200-204°C/0.01-0.1 mm Hg.

brand name

BECLOSCLERIN

Therapeutic Function

Antihyperlipidemic

World Health Organization (WHO)

Beclobrate, an antihyperlipidaemic agent, was introduced into medicine in 1985. Although a causal relationship between the use of the drug and hepatic toxicity has not been established, the Intercantonal Office for the Control of Medicines has withdrawn marketing authorization since safer therapeutic alternatives are available. Beclobrate is not registered elsewhere.