Synthesis and Chromatographic Analysis of the Neuroprotective Agent Mafedine and Related Compounds

A procedure for the synthesis of 2-anilino-6-hydroxy-3-phenylpyrimidin-4(3 H )-one (mafedine) without using alkali metal ethoxides has been developed and optimized. Mafedine-related compounds that can be formed as possible impurities have been prepared, and conditions for joint determination of these impurities by HPLC with spectrophotometric detection have been found. The structure of the mafedine decomposition product in solution has been identified by HPLC-ESI/MS.