Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 15, 2026

Versatile CO2 Transformations into Complex Products: A One-pot Two-step Strategy
Published on: November 9, 2019
Absolute Configuration of Key Intermediates and the Gram Scale Synthesis of Berotralstat and ent-Berotralstat
Pravin L Kotian1, Satish Vadlakonda1, Venkat Chintareddy1
1BioCryst Pharmaceuticals Inc., Discovery Center of Excellence, 2100 Riverchase Center Building 200, Suite 200, Birmingham, Alabama 35244, United States.
Abstract:
Berotralstat (BCX-7353) is a potent plasma kallikrein inhibitor developed to prevent hereditary angioedema attacks. Initial racemic synthesis yielded limited quantities of the active (R)-enantiomer. To support clinical studies, a stereoselective synthetic route was developed. Key intermediates were isolated, and their stereochemistry confirmed via X-ray diffraction. These efforts enabled the scalable preparation of 16 g of berotralstat in 61% yield and nearly 1 g of its enantiomer in 23% yield─representing the first reported gram-scale synthesis of both compounds.
Related Concept Videos
Regioselectivity and Stereochemistry of Hydroboration
Hydroboration proceeds in a concerted fashion with the attack of borane on the π bond, giving a cyclic four-centered transition state. The –BH2 group is bonded to the less substituted carbon and –H to the more substituted carbon. The concerted nature requires the simultaneous addition of –H and –BH2 across the same face of the alkene giving syn stereochemistry.
Regioselectivity of Electrophilic Additions to Alkenes: Markovnikov's Rule
The hydrohalogenation of an unsymmetrical alkene can yield two haloalkane products, depending on which vinylic carbon takes up the halogen. However, one product usually predominates, where hydrogen adds to the vinylic carbon bearing the...
Regioselective Formation of Enolates
Alkylation of β-Ketoester Enolates: Acetoacetic Ester Synthesis
Stereochemical Effects of Enolization
Radical Halogenation: Stereochemistry
Halogenation to form a new chiral center:

