Rapid, mild method for phosphonate diester hydrolysis: development of a one-pot synthesis of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate from tenofovir diethyl ester

A rapid, low temperature hydrolysis of tenofovir diethyl ester mediated by TMSCl and NaBr was identified and demonstrated to be superior to the current production method, TMSBr-mediated hydrolysis. This mild phosphonate ester hydrolysis was then coupled to alkylation of the phosphonic acid, providing a one-pot procedure for formation of tenofovir disoproxil from tenofovir diethyl ester. The hydrolytic conditions developed here dramatically improve the synthesis of tenofovir disoproxyl and will lead to lower cost HIV/AIDS treatment in the developing world.