Synthesis 2008(22): 3619-3624  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1083603
PAPER
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

Towards Metformin Prodrugs

Kristiina M. Huttunen*a, Jukka Leppänena, Eeva Kemppainena, Piia Palonena, Jarkko Rautioa, Tomi Järvinena, Jouko Vepsäläinenb
a Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kuopio, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
Fax: +358(17)162456; e-Mail: Kristiina.Huttunen@uku.fi;
b Department of Biosciences, University of Kuopio, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
Further Information

Publication History

Received 6 June 2008
Publication Date:
30 October 2008 (online)

Abstract

The first examples of possible metformin prodrugs have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods. These five different types of chemically stable prodrugs were prepared from metformin and the corresponding halogenated promoieties. The products from unstable derivatives were also identified and reasons for the rearrangements are discussed.