Title of Invention

A PROCESS FOR PREPARATION OF CURCUMIN

Abstract A new process for synthesis of (1E, 6E) - 1, 7-bis (4-hydroxy-3methoxy phenyl)- 1,6- heptadiene-3,5-dione, comprising the steps of :(i)condensation of acetone with vanillin to form compound 4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy phenyl) - but -3-ene-2-one; (ii)condensation of ethyl acetate with vanillin to form 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy phenyl) - 2-ene ethyl propanoate; (iii)condensation of resulting compounds of step (i) and (ii) to form the final product.
Full Text FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
This invention relates to a new process for the preparation of (1E, 6E) - 1, 7-bis (4-
hydroxy-3 methoxy phenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3, 5-dione, which is generally known as
curcumin.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION;
Curcumin [(1E, 6E) - 1, 7-bis (4-hydroxy-3methoxy phenyl)- 1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione]
is a yellow coloured phenolic pigment, obtained from rhizomes of plant, turmeric
(curcuma longa Linn. Family - Zingiberaceae). This natural pigment is widely used as a
coloring agent in foods and cosmetics and is reported to have various pharmaceutical
uses Extensive scientific research on curcumin reveal that curcumin has anticancer,
antitumor and potent antioxidant activities and negligible adverse effect on human
systems. It was found to inhibit DNA polymerase, arachidonic acid metabolism,
cyclooxygenease, lipoxygenease, cytokines (Interleukins and tumor necrosis factor),
nuclear factor - kB and release of steroidal hormones. Curcumin was reported to
stabilize lysosomal membrane and uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation besides
having strong oxygen radical scavenging activity, which was responsible for its
antiinflammatory property.
Normally , curcumin is obtained from the natural sources by way of solvent extraction
and chromatographic methods, which are difficult and costly procedure. Content of
curcumin in turmeric being very low (nearly about 2%), the above methods are not very
useful from the commercial point of view, hence synthesis of this compound is a much-
researched area. Some researchers have tried to synthesise curcumin by aldol
condensation of vanillin (3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde) and 2,4-pentanedione.
However, the yields of product being very low , is not commercially viable.
Another synthetic route using vanillin and the boron complex of 2,4-pentanedione
dissolved in ethyl acetate in the presence of tri-n-butyl borate and a primary aliphatic
amine is known. Further curcumin is reported to have been prepared by reaction of
vanillin and the boron complex of 2,4-pentanedione dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide.
Curcumin was synthesised by Lampe (Ber. 1918, 51,1347) by the treatment of
carbomethoxy feruloyl chloride with ethyl acetoacetate and the product hydrolysed,
when Carbomethoxyferuloylocetone result. Condensation of this substance with a further
molecule of carbomethoxyferuloyl chloride and hydrolysis of this product gave
dicarbomethoxy curcumin from which curcumin was obtained by saponification.
A further synthesis was performed by Pavolini (Chem.Zentr. 1938, 1, 1584) who
obtained curcumin by condensing vanillin with acetyl acetone in the presence of boric
anhydride.
However, in all of these procedures, the yields or process operability is poor.

US patent 5679864 (Krackov, et al) describes a process for the synthesis of curcumin
and curcumin-related compounds by reacting the enol form of a 2,4-diketone with a
monocarbocyclic aldehyde in the presence of an organic amine catalyst. The reactants
are dissolved in a highly polar, aprotic organic solvent. The curcumin-related product is
recovered in crystalline form by precipitation from the reaction mass and solvent
recrystallization. But this method involves several reaction steps and therefore the yield
tends to be lower than expected.
PCT publication WO2007/143635 describes a method of purification of curcumin using
synthetic route. However, the starting material here is again less pure curcumin .
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION:
The primary objective of the invention is to provide a process for preparation of pure
curcumin through a simple synthetic route.
It is another objective of the invention is to produce curcumin through synthetic route
with a high yield.
It is another object of the invention is to provide a cost effective process for preparation
of curcumin.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a process for preparation of curcumin,
which can be used in large scale industrial production of pure curcumin.
These and other objectives of the invention will be apparent from the following
description of the invention in detail.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION :
Accordingly present invention provides a process for preparing (1E, 6E) - 1, 7-bis (4-
hydroxy-3methoxy phenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3, 5-dione of molecular structure (I),
(i) condensation of acetone with vanillin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzaldehyde) of
structural formula (II):
comprising the steps of:




to form a compound 4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy phenyl) - but -3-ene-2-one of structural
formula (III):

(ii) condensation of ethyl acetate with vanillin (II) to form compound 3-(4-hydroxy-3-
methoxy phenyl) - 2-ene ethyl propanoate, having structural formula (IV) :

(iii) condensation of compound (III) with compound (IV) to form curcumin, and
(iv) isolation and purification In the known process to obtain pure curcumin of structural
formula(I).
Each of the steps (i)-(iii) is carried out in the presence of a catalyst.
The catalyst is neucleophilic in nature.
The catalyst is preferably piperidine.
The reaction is carried out preferably at hot water bath temperature.
In steps (i) and (ii) the reactants are condensed for around 30 minutes.
In step (iii) the reactants are condensed for about 60 minutes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
Curcumin (1E, 6E) - 1, 7-bis (4-hydroxy-3methoxy phenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3, 5-dione
has the following molecular structure:




According to the invention curcumin can be prepared by sequential chemical reaction
scheme , in the presence of a catalyst, comprising the steps of :
(I) condensation of acetone with vanillin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzaldehyde) of
structural formula (II):



to form a compound 4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy phenyl) - but -3-ene-2-one of structural
formula (III):

(ii)condensation of ethyl acetate with vanillin (II) to form compound (IV) 3-(4-hydroxy-
3-methoxy phenyl) - 2-ene ethyl propanoate, having structural formula :


(iii) condensation of compound (III) with compound (IV) to form curcumin, and
(iv) isolation and purification in the known process to obtain pure curcumin of structural
formula(I).
The following is the reaction scheme:



A neucleophilic catalyst, preferably piperidine is used as a catalyst in all the above three
steps of synthesis.
In the first step vanillin is dissolved in acetone and refluxed in the presence of piperidine
as catalyst for about 30 minutes in a hot water bath.
In the second step vanillin is dissolved in ethyl acetate and refluxed in the presence of
piperidine in a hot water bath for about 30 minutes.
In the third step the resulting solution of the first and second step are mixed together
and refluxed for about 60 minutes in the presence of piperidine as catalyst in a hot
water bath.
The transparent solution thus obtained is cooled and evaporated to produce a semisolid
mass. This is further neutralized, filtered , washed and dried to obtain orange yellow
crystalline pure curcumin.
EXAMPLE:
Synthesis of curcumin
5gms of vanillin is dissolved in 30ml of acetone and 3 drops of piperidine is added and
the solution is refluxed in a hot water bath for about 30 minutes. 5 gms of vanillin is
dissolved separately in 30ml of ethyl acetate and 3 drops of piperidine is added and the
solution is refluxed in hot water bath for 30 minutes. The two resulting solutions are
mixed and 3 drops of piperidine is added and the resulting mixture is refluxed for about
1 hour in a hot water bath.
A reddish orange transparent solution is obtained. The solution is cooled and then
evaporated. A reddish orange semisolid mass is, thereby, obtained. This product is
dissolved in ethanol and poured in cold water. 2ml sodium hydroxide solution is added.
A deep reddish orange solution is obtained in the process. The solution is filtered and
the filtrate is acidified with hydrochloric acid and is stirred thoroughly and kept in
refrigerator overnight. A yellow solid intermediate is obtained. The product is filtered
and washed with water and dissolved in water by adding 1 ml sodium hydroxide
solution. A deep reddish orange transparent solution is obtained. Said solution is
neutralized with dilute hydrochloric acid and cooled overnight. The orange yellow

crystalline cucumin is filtered and washed with water and dried over calcium oxide in a
desicator.
Thin layer chromatography has been used to assess the purity of the compound
synthesised in for different batches and the purity is found to be in the range of 98%-
99%.
Alcoholic solution of the compound is reacted with neutral ferric chloride solution to form
green colouration confirming the presence of phenolic and enolic hydroxyl group.
The synthesised compound produced reddish orange colour in alkali and yellow
precipitate in dilute hydrochloric acid, which is a known chemical property of curcumin.
Yield : 70% with respect to vanillin.
m.p. 120° - 123°C
Elementary analysis calculated for C21H20O6
C - 68.47%, H - 5.47%, O - 26.6%
Found: C - 68.54%, H - 5.39%.
IR data
IR (KBr) Cm -1: 3283.7 (s,br, phenolic OH),
3001.1 - 2368.3 (m, br, enolic OH),
1637.9 (s, C=O), 1581.9 (s, - CH = CH, vinylic),
1515.3 (s, C = C, aromatic).
NMR data
1H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO - d6)  ppm :
3.3011 (m, 1H, Phenolic OH), 3.80323 (s, 3H, - OCH3),
9.60301 (m, 1H, Enolic OH),
7.53074, 7.47665 (d, 1H, - CH = CH, vinylic, J = 16 Hz),
6.67930, 6.62523 (d, 1H, - CH = CH, vinylic, J = 16 Hz),
(indicates that two vinylic hydrogen atoms are in trans position with respect to each
other)
7.28076 (m, 1H, Ar - H),
7.12904, 7.10200 (d, 1H, Ar - H, J = 8 Hz),
6.80592, 6.77934 (d, 1H, Ar - H, J = 8 Hz).
The mass spectrum pointed out the molecular ion peak at m/z = 367.
The above invention is described with the help of preferred embodiment only and it will
be readily appreciated by the persons skilled in the art that various modifications of the
invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim,
1. A process for preparing (1E, 6E) - 1, 7-bis (4-hydroxy-3methoxy phenyl)-
1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione of molecular structure (I) , comprising the steps of

(i) condensation of acetone with vanillin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzaldehyde) of
structural formula (II):

to form a compound 4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy phenyl) - but -3-ene-2-one of structural
formula (III):

(ii) condensation of ethyl acetate with vanillin (II) to form compound 3-(4-hydroxy-3-
methoxy phenyl) - 2-ene ethyl propanoate, having structural formula (IV):


(iii) condensation of compound (III) with compound (IV) to form curcumin, and
(iv) isolation and purification in the known process to obtain pure curcumin of structural
formula(I)
2. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the steps (i)-(iii) is carried out in the
presence of a catalyst.
3. A process as claimed in claim 2, wherein the catalyst is a neucleophilic catalyst.
4. A process as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the catalyst is piperidine.
5. A process as claimed in any of the preceding claim, wherein the reaction is carried out
at hot water bath temperature.
6 A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein in steps (i) and (ii) the reactants are
condensed for around 30 minutes.
7. A process as claimed as clamed in claim 1, wherein in step (iii) the reactants are
condensed for about 60 minutes.
8. Curcumin whenever produced by the process as claimed in any of the preceding
claims.

A new process for synthesis of (1E, 6E) - 1, 7-bis (4-hydroxy-3methoxy phenyl)- 1,6-
heptadiene-3,5-dione, comprising the steps of :(i)condensation of acetone with vanillin
to form compound 4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy phenyl) - but -3-ene-2-one;
(ii)condensation of ethyl acetate with vanillin to form 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy phenyl) -
2-ene ethyl propanoate; (iii)condensation of resulting compounds of step (i) and (ii) to
form the final product.

Documents:

1511-KOL-2008-(26-04-2013)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

1511-kol-2008-abstract.pdf

1511-KOL-2008-CANCELLED PAGES.pdf

1511-kol-2008-claims.pdf

1511-KOL-2008-CORRESPONDENCE 1.1.pdf

1511-KOL-2008-CORRESPONDENCE-1.2.pdf

1511-KOL-2008-CORRESPONDENCE-1.3.pdf

1511-kol-2008-correspondence.pdf

1511-kol-2008-description (complete).pdf

1511-KOL-2008-EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

1511-kol-2008-form 1.pdf

1511-KOL-2008-FORM 18.pdf

1511-kol-2008-form 2.pdf

1511-kol-2008-form 3.pdf

1511-KOL-2008-FORM 9.pdf

1511-KOL-2008-GRANTED-ABSTRACT.pdf

1511-KOL-2008-GRANTED-CLAIMS.pdf

1511-KOL-2008-GRANTED-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

1511-KOL-2008-GRANTED-FORM 1.pdf

1511-KOL-2008-GRANTED-FORM 2.pdf

1511-KOL-2008-GRANTED-FORM 5.pdf

1511-KOL-2008-GRANTED-SPECIFICATION-COMPLETE.pdf

1511-KOL-2008-PA-1.1.pdf

1511-kol-2008-pa.pdf

1511-KOL-2008-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

1511-kol-2008-specification.pdf


Patent Number 260401
Indian Patent Application Number 1511/KOL/2008
PG Journal Number 18/2014
Publication Date 02-May-2014
Grant Date 29-Apr-2014
Date of Filing 03-Sep-2008
Name of Patentee DUTTA AJOY
Applicant Address PURBASHA HOUSING ESTATE, 160 MANICKTALA MAIN ROAD, D-16/3, KOLKATA
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 DUTTA AJOY PURBASHA HOUSING ESTATE, 160 MANICKTALA MAIN ROAD, D-16/3, KOLKATA- 700 054
PCT International Classification Number A61K36/00
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA