Short and Efficient Synthesis of the Antituberculosis Agent Pretomanid from (R)-Glycidol

An efficient gram-scale synthesis of the antituberculosis agent pretomanid using straightforward chemistry, mild reaction conditions, and readily available starting materials is reported. Four different protecting groups on the glycidol moiety were investigated for their technical feasibility and ability to suppress side reactions. Starting from readily available protected (R)-glycidols and 2-bromo-4-nitro-1H-imidazole, pretomanid could be prepared in a linear three-step synthesis in up to 40% isolated yield. In contrast to most syntheses reported so far, deprotection and cyclization were performed in a one-pot fashion without any hazardous steps or starting materials.