SYNTHESIS OF THE METHANESULFONATES OF -CHLOROPHENYL)ETHENYL]-1H-1,2,4-TRIAZOLE-1-ETHANOL AND -(2,4-DIFLUOROPHENYL)-1H-1,2,4-TRIAZOLE-1-ETHANOL, ALPHA-STYRYL CARBINOL ANTIFUNGAL AGENTS

The methanesulfonates of -chlorophenyl)ethenyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-et hanol and a-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol (la,b) ar e orally effective alpha-styryl carbinol derivatives developed for the treatment and prevention of systemic fungal infections. Practical new processes amenable for the large-scale production of these compounds are described. Of note is the selection of dichlorostyrene as a conven ient precursor of the styryl portion, modification of a sensitive Grig nard addition into a realistic preparative reaction and the use of 1,2 ,4-triazole simultaneously as a base transfer agent and nucleophile.