A straightforward route to obtain 13C1-labeled clenbuterol

Singly-labeled 13C1-clenbuterol has been synthesized employing a straightforward pathway starting from easily available acetanilide. The critical step was the Friedel-Crafts acylation of this compound with marked acetyl chloride, being the first example of the use of this methodology applied to the synthesis of a clenbuterol derivative. Subsequent chemical reactions afforded the desired product with good yields.