A Scalable and Sustainable Synthesis of Indirubin Frameworks Enabled by Deep Eutectic Solvents.

ABSTRACT: Indirubin, the active component of the traditional Chinese remedy Dang Gui Long Hui Wan, exhibits broad therapeutic potential. However, its scalable and sustainable synthesis remains challenging when using conventional methods. We report a green and efficient synthetic protocol using deep eutectic solvents (DESs) as environmentally benign media. Indirubin was synthesized from isatin using NaBH₄ in a choline chloride/urea DES at 70°C under air, achieving a 70% overall yield in 24 h without chromatographic purification. This approach, combined with an optimized work-up, significantly reduces organic solvent use, improving both process safety and environmental sustainability. The protocol is robust and scalable, as demonstrated by a pilot-scale preparation (386 g of isatin in 1.94 

SUBMITTER: Delvecchio B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12767273 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature