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.
Siegfried AG (Switzerland)
ChEBI: Beclobrate is a diarylmethane.
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.
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Medicines has withdrawn marketing authorization since safer therapeutic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.
