Primaquine diphosphate is an established antimalarial drug used in the treatment of persistent liver forms of P. vivax or P. ovale infection for its ability to kill late-stage gametocytes and hypnozoites. In historical terms, this aminoquinoline was the stimulus for the discovery of glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) dehydrogenase deficiency as it induced hemolytic anemia in patients lacking the G6P-metabolizing enzyme.
Purification Methods
It forms yellow crystals from 90% aqueous EtOH and is moderately soluble in H2O. The oxalate salt has m 182.5-185o (from 80% aqueous EtOH), and the free base is a viscous liquid b 165-170o/0.002mm, 175-177o/2mm. [Elderfield et al. J Am Chem Soc 68 1526 1964, Elderfield et al. J Am Chem Soc 77 4817 1955, Beilstein 22 III/IV 5817.]
