Synthesis
40 g (0.2 mol) of 1,3-dibromopropane was added to 50 ml of methanol, followed by sodium methoxide (methanol solution). The mixture was refluxed for 6 hours, then 100 ml of water was added and stirred. The mixture was extracted with n-pentane and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. After filtration, the n-pentane solvent was distilled off to obtain 30 g of crude 1-Bromo-3-methoxypropane, which was a colorless oil.
Figure 3: Synthetic route of 1-Bromo-3-methoxypropane
Uses
3-Bromopropyl methyl ether can be used as an intermediate in pharmaceutical chemistry and organic synthesis, for example, in the preparation of the small molecule drug brinzolamide. Brinzolamide eye drops are currently a relatively effective drug for treating ocular hypertension and relieving elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma. In organic synthesis, the easy leaving property of the bromine unit is mainly utilized as an alkylating agent to protect oxygen or nitrogen atoms.
