Betulinic aldehyde (1) and Betulinic acid (2) and its derivatives were the most intensively studied group of birch bark triterpenoids during the previous decade because of the discoveries of their unique anti-cancer and anti-HIV bioactivities. This triggered a lot of effort on the development of industrially viable ways to manufacture these products. We patented a selective and simple electrochemical anode oxidation of betulin into betulin aldehyde with catalytic amounts of TEMPO and specific electrolyte on the basis of DMFA or DMA. The selectivity of the process is >95% and the yield of betulin aldehyde is approximately 90%.
Betulinic acid (2) is produced from aldehyde (1) by the oxidation with NaClO2. The industrial feasibility of this process was approved at pilot scale and construction of platinum (anode) and cupper (cathode) electrodes in 40L apparatus (see picture at left). This apparatus allows manufacturing of 1 kg of betulinic aldehyde and consequently 1 kg of betulinic acid per day. Figure 1. 40L apparatus for anode oxidation of betulin into betulin aldehyde.
The Chemical Extractives Laboratory is can provide research institutes with 100 mg – 100 g quantities of betulin aldehyde, betulinic acid or any of their valuable derivatives. Pilot scale amounts of these chemicals (10 kg/month) may be sustainably supplied to the industrial sector on a contract basis. The capacity of pilot station production on betulinic aldehyde and betulinic acid could be expanded to 100 kg/month, if necessary. The construction of a corresponding plant could be provided in two- to- three months on a cooperative basis between interested partners and NRRI.
(1- US patent application serial number 11/910,134, Letters patent from the United States from September 28, 2007 – Electrochemical Method for the Production of Betulinic Aldehyde)
(2- Pavel Krasutsky, Natural Product Reports, 2006, 23, 919-942.)