An efficient, large-scale synthesis of piperazine-2,6-dione was developed. The advantages of this procedure include the use of inexpensive starting materials, satisfactory yields, and a convenient workup without the need for chromatographic techniques.
Furthermore, this procedure can be easily modified for the preparation of 1-substituted piperazine-2,6-dione hydrobromides. The utility of the prepared piperazine-2,6-dione was demonstrated in the synthesis of a novel analogue of the only drug used in clinical practice to prevent anthracycline induced cardiotoxicity, dexrazoxane.