A straightforward synthesis of K-7174, a GATA-specific inhibitor

K-7174, a GATA-specific inhibitor, is a putative anti-inflammatory agent that attenuates effects of inflammatory cytokines in certain cell types. An expeditious four-step synthesis of K-7174 is described in this paper. The route employs Wittig olefination and bis-alkylation of homopiperazine as the key reactions. The iodinecatalyzed isomerization of the Z-isomer results in complete conversion to the E-isomer is the highlight of our synthetic endeavors.