PROCESS FOR PRODUCING BY ELECTROCHEMICAL METHODS THIOETHERS FOR PHARMACEUTICAL USE

摘要

Thioethers of the formula (I) are obtained where R1 is alkyl C2-C5, optionally substituted, phenyl substituted, phenyl (haloalkyl C1-C4), -CH2-COOR3, R3 is H or a cation, haloformylalkyl or haloformylaryl, and R2 is - (CH2)n-CH(NHR4)-COOH, R4 is H or acetyl, and n is 1 or 2, by electrochemically reducing a disulfide (II), in a basic medium, to which a compound (III) is added, where X is a halogen, in a controlled fashion, throughout the whole of the process, maintaining the pH between 9 and 12, in an electrochemical cell which comprises, at least, a cathode and an anode, a catholyte and an anolyte separated by an ion exchange membrane. The thioethers (I) obtained have mucolytic activity, comply with the specifications of the European Pharmacopoeia, and are suitable for their pharmaceutical use. R1-S-R2 R2-S-S-R2 R1-X