Synthetic Approaches to the 2002 New Drugs Jin Li *
Transcription
Synthetic Approaches to the 2002 New Drugs Jin Li *
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, 4, 207-233 207 Synthetic Approaches to the 2002 New Drugs Jin Li* and Kevin K.-C. Liu* Pfizer Global Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton CT 06340, USA Abstract: New drugs are introduced to the market every year and each individual drug represents a privileged structure for its biological target. In addition, these new chemical entities (NCEs) not only provide insights into molecular recognition, but also serve as drug-like leads for designing future new drugs. Therefore, it is important to be acquainted with these new structures as well as their syntheses. To these ends, this review covers the syntheses of 28 NCEs marketed in 2002. Keywords: Synthesis, New Drug, New Chemical Entities, Medicine, Therapeutic Agents. INTRODUCTION Dozens of new drugs are registered and launched every year around the world. Although thousands of drugs have been marketed historically, the structure similarity among some drugs is obvious and even more so for drugs targeting in the same gene family. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that molecules which share the same or similar chemical template can be further modified for different therapeutic indications against the similar gene family. Therefore, medicinal chemists, being aware of these new drug structures, can strike and adopt ideas for their own innovations. In addition, preparation of these drug molecules has been studied extensively to make it concise due to the cost of goods consideration and to ensure environmentfriendliness. Having such robust and reliable synthetic methods in hand to access these core structures will steer synthetic efforts more effectively toward the most promising compounds and help focus the optimization toward other challenging properties such as ADME. In 2002 alone, 33 NCEs including biological drugs, and two diagnostic agents reached the market [1-5]. This review article will focus on the syntheses of the 28 new drugs marketed last year (Figure 1), but excludes new indications for known drugs, new combinations and new formulations. The syntheses of these new drugs were published sporadically in different journals and patents. It is our intention to compile the syntheses of new drugs yearly into an annual review for the readers’ advantage. The synthetic routes cited here represent the most scalable methods according to the best of the authors’ knowledge and appear in alphabetical order by generic name. Adefovir Dipivoxil (HepseraTM) Adefovir dipivoxil (1), discovered by Gilead, became the first nucleoside analogue to gain FDA approval for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection [6]. Adefovir works by blocking viral replication [6]. The synthesis [7,8] of adefovir dipivoxil (1) involves a four-step process [9,10] as depicted in Scheme 1. Adenine (29) was condensed with ethylene carbonate (30) in hot DMF to afford intermediate 9*Address correspondence to these authors at the Pfizer, Groton, CT 06340, USA; Tel: 1-860-7153552; E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] 1389-5575/04 $45.00+.00 (2-hydroxyethyl)-adenine 31 in 83-95% yield. Alkylation of 31 was carried out using diethyl-p-toluenesulfonyloxymethanephosphonate (32) and sodium t-butoxide in DMF. Phosphonate ester 33 was then cleaved with bromotrimethylsilane to furnish 34 and esterification of the phosphoric acid to append the pivaloyloxymethyl group provided adefovir dipivoxil (1). Amrubicin Hydrochloride (Calsed) This drug is the first anthracycline anticancer antibiotic produced by purely synthetic methods. It was discovered by Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals, and is for the treatment of nonsmall cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer [11]. Tetralone 35 was treated with ammonium carbonate and potassium cyanide (Strecker reaction) to give the corresponding aminonitrile intermediate, which was hydrolyzed under basic conditions to afford amino acid 36 in excellent yield [12]. The carboxylic acid in 36 was esterified with HCl in methanol to the corresponding methyl ester, which was treated with D-(-)-mandelic acid in toluene to give optically pure levorotatory ester 37 in 33% yield. Sodium methylsulfinylmethide treatment of 37 followed by reduction with zinc yielded amino ketone 38, which was acylated to give amido ketone 39 in 81 % yield from 37. Compound 39 was converted to tetracyclic amido ketone 40 in one step (90% yield) by heating with phthalic anhydride in the presence of AlCl3 -NaCl at 170° C. Ketone 40 was protected as its ketal 41 in order to provide for subsequent regiospecific bromination. Treatment of 41 with 1,3dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (DDH) under illumination in refluxing benzene formed oxazine 42 in 89% yield. Hydrolysis of the oxazine ring and deketalization were simultaneously affected by heating 42 with 3N sulfuric acid to give cis-amino alcohol 43 in 82% yield. Modified Arcamone conditions (AgOSO2CF3 in ether/tetramethylurea /DCM) were employed for the stereoselective glycosidation of 43 with 2-deoxy-3,4-di-O-acetyl-D-erythro-pentopyranosyl bromide (44) [13] to give the protected β-glycoside in 86% yield. Basic hydrolysis of the protected coupling product followed by HCl salt formation gave amrubicin hydrochloride (2) in 90% yield. Aripiprazole (AbilifyTM) This atypical antipsychotic agent was originally discovered by Otsuka and was co-developed and co-marketed © 2004 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd. 208 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 2 Li and Liu O O OH O O N N O O N N HCl NH2 NH2 O O O OH O P O O Cl O N HO Cl N Adefovir dipivox il (1) NH O OH F H H S N HCl H H F Dex methylphenidate HCl (4) O N O S O O Ertapenem sodium (6) Dutasteride (5) NC NH OH F O Na N H O F N H H O O H O N H Aripiprazole (3) F F O O NH O OH Amrubicin hydrochloride (2) O OH OH Cl CO2H CO2H N F N O N F Escitalopram oxalate (7) F Ezetimibe (9) Etoricoxib (8) O Na+ O O O + Na O O O + Na O O S O O O HO OH O N OH S O O O ONa + O O O H N O O O NH2 H H H O O O O N OH S S O O ONa+ Na + H O Na+ O O Na + O O O S O S OH O O S O OH O N N H S O ONa+ O Na + Frovatriptan (1 1) O Fondaparinux sodium (10) N OH OMe O H O H HO H F F N S 7 Fulvestrant (12) F F F N NH Gefitinib (13) Cl F Synthetic Approaches to the 2002 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 2 209 (Fig. 1). contd..... O O O O H N O O N N H Landiolol (14) OH O OH OH H2 N HO OH O O O HN O OH O N O O OH OH OH OH P N H O HO P H2N O N O O O O HN S H N O N O NaO OH HN HO OH OH Neridronate (16) OH Micafungin sodium (15) OH O O N O O O NO2 N O O N N O O N N O S Na O NH N F F O F Nitisinone (17) Olmes artan medoxomil (18) Parecoxib sodium (19) Cl O O O O O N OH CH 3S O3H H 2N N O OH F F OO O OH O O O O O P az ufloxacin me silate (20) O O O Pimecrolimus (21) N N Prulifloxacin (22) OH N S 210 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 2 Li and Liu (Fig. 1). contd..... HO O O OH O Na HN F Ca2+ O N N H N O N Br O O S O O S 4H2O O O HO O S N S O O 2 Tiotropium bromide (25) Sivelestat sodium hydrate (24) Rosuvastatin calcium (23) O OH H 2N S O F N O OH HO F N N N N O Na O N O Treprostinil (26) F Valdecoxib (27) Voricona zole (28) Fig. (1). Structures of 28 new drugs marketed in 2002. Dexmethylphenidate Hydrochloride (FocalinTM) by Bristol-Myers Squibb. The compound is a partial agonist at dopamine D2 and 5HT1a and an antagonist at 5-HT2a receptors [14]. It is indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia. Hydroxyl quinolinone 45 was alkylated with 1,4-dibromobutane in the presence of potassium carbonate in DMF to give 46 in 78% yield [15]. Bromide 46 was condensed with 1-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)piperazine [16] (47) in the presence of NaI and TEA to give aripiprazole (3) in 87% yield. O NH2 N N NH2 O 30 N N H Dexmethylphenidate (4) is the more pharmacologically active d-threo-enantiomer of methylphenidate which was marketed for the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in 1954 [17]. In addition, it has been shown that there are significant metabolic differences between the two enantiomers. This drug was discovered by Cangene and is marketed by Novartis. To date, several methods have been disclosed in the literature for preparing O NaOH, DMF O EtO N N N N N N NaOBut, DMF OH 83-95% NH2 32 OEt 120o C O 33 31 Cl N OEt OEt NH2 O N N TMSBr N P O NH2 N O N N 35-48% 29 CH3 CN, ∆ 80-90% OTs P O N O P OH OH 34 Scheme 1. Synthesis of adefovir dipivoxil. TEA, NMP N O N O 40% 1 P O O O 2 Synthetic Approaches to the 2002 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 2 211 OCH3 OCH3 O OCH3 CO2H 1) KCN, (NH4) 2CO3, 50% EtOH, ∆, 99% NH2 2) Ba(OH)2 , H2O, ∆, 92% OCH3 35 CO2 CH3 1) HCl, MeOH, 95% NH2 2) D-(-)-mandelic acid toluene, IPA, 33% OCH3 OCH3 36 37 O OCH3 O CH3 1) NaH, DM SO, THF NH2 2) Zn, NaOH/H2O, toluene O 80% from 37 38 39 OH O CH3 NHAc TsOH, toluene, ∆ 88% DDH, benzene, hv ∆, 89% OH O 40 41 O OH O O CH3 O OH O OH CH3 3N H2 SO4, ∆ NH2 82% N O O O ethylene glycol OH O AlCl3, NaCl, 170oC 90% OCH3 NHAc O NHAc OCH3 CH3 O CH3 Ac 2O, pyridine, toluene O OH O O OCH3 O CH3 OH OH 43 42 O O Br O OH CH3 NH2 AcO OAc 44 AgOSO2CF 3, ether tetramethylurea, CH2 Cl2 86% 1) KOH, CH2Cl 2 MeOH, 2) HCl, MeOH, 90% HCl O OH O O HO OH 2 Scheme 2. Synthesis of amrubicin hydrochloride. the d-threo-enantiomer of methylphenidate, most involving with enzymatic resolution [18], or crystallization/ recrystallization methods [19,20]. An asymmetric synthesis [21] route is depicted in Scheme 4. R-Pipecolic acid (48) was reacted with (Boc)2O to afford N-Boc pipecolic acid 49. Treatment of 49 with N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine in DCM provided the Weinreb amide 50 in 93% yield. Reaction of amide 50 with phenyllithium at –23°C in Et2 O furnished enantiopure ketone 51 in 73% yield. Ketone 51 was converted to chiral aromatic alkene 5 2 using methylenetriphenylphosphorium ylide in THF at rt. The transformation of olefin 52 to diastereomeric alcohols 53 and 54 was achieved using BH3-THF complex in 89% overall yield. Diastereomerically pure alcohol 53 was subjected to PDC-mediated oxidation in DMF followed by treatment with excess ethereal diazomethane. The resulting N-Bocmethylphenidate was deprotected with 3N methanolic HCl to give dexmethylphenidate (4) as a white solid in 67% yield. 212 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 2 Li and Liu Cl Cl Br(CH2)4Br, K2CO3 HO N H DM F, O 60oC, N 78% Br(CH2)4O N H 46 45 Cl O 47 Nal, TEA CH3CN, 87% Cl N NH N O N H 3 O Scheme 3. Synthesis of aripiprazole. OH N H (Boc) 2O, TEA MeOH, rt, 97% O OH N N, O-dimethylhydroxylamine O PhLi, Et2O BOP, TEA, DCM, rt, 93% N -23oC, 73% O Boc Boc 49 48 N Boc O 50 O 51 1) BH3 THF, THF methyltriphenylphosphorium bromide KOBut , THF, rt, 93% N 2) NaOH , H2O2, rt N Boc N N Boc Boc OH OH 52 53 6 4% 54 25% 1) PDC/DMF 2) CH2N2 N Boc OH 3) HCl/MeOH 67% 53 N H O OMe 4 Scheme 4. Synthesis of dexmethylphenidate. Dutasteride (AvodartTM) Ertapenem Sodium (InvanzTM) This steroid 5α-reductase type 1 and 2 inhibitor was patented by GlaxoSmithKline. It is used for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia in men with an enlarged prostate to improve urinary symptoms, reduce the risk of acute urinary retention and BPH-related surgery [22]. Steroidal dutasteride (5) was synthesized from 3-oxo-4androstene-17β−carboxylic acid (55) [23]. Oxidation of 55 with potassium permanganate, sodium periodate and sodium carbonate in refluxing t-butyl alcohol and water gave secosteroid 56 which was cyclized with ammonium acetate in acetic acid to give 4-aza-steroid 57 in good yield. Stereoselective hydrogenation of 57 with H2 over PtO2 in hot acetic acid and in the presence of ammonium acetate yielded saturated azasteroid 58, which was dehydrogenated with DDQ in the presence of bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) 59 in refluxing dioxane to give 60. Treatment of 60 with thionyl chloride gave the corresponding acyl chloride intermediate, which was then condensed with 2,5bis(trifluoromethyl)aniline (61) by means of DMAP in heated toluene to give dutasteride (5) in 57% yield from intermediate 60. Ertapenem sodium (6) was introduced in the U.S. and Europe by Merck & Co. as a once daily injectable carbapenum antibiotic drug. Ertapenem (6) is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe infections in adults caused by susceptible strains of a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobic and anaerobic bacteria [24]. Following a conventional carbapenem synthetic strategy, ertapenem sodium (6) can be assembled from 4-nitrobenzylprotected β-methyl carbapenemenolphosphate 71 and 2aminocarbonylpyrrolidine-4-ylthio-containing side chain 70. Many efficient approaches to 71 have been reported in the literature [25], and this compound is now commercially available on a large scale [26]. The synthesis of 70 is outlined in Scheme 6 [27,28]. Protection of the amino group in trans-4-hydroxy-L -proline (6 2 ) with diisopropyl phosphite followed by NaClO oxidation gave N-DIPP protected hydroxyl proline 63 in 80% yield. The carboxyl group in 6 3 was activated v i a reaction with diphenylphosphinic chloride (DPPC) in the presence of diisopropylethylamine (DIPEA). This intermediate 64 was directly reacted with methanesulfonyl chloride in the Synthetic Approaches to the 2002 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 2 213 CO2H CO2H CO2H H KM nO4, NaIO4, Na 2 CO3 H H t-BuOH, H2O, 100oC 58-66% H NH4OAc, HOAc H H 120oC, 85-95% H HO2C O H O N H O 57 56 55 CO2H CO2H H F 3C H PtO2 , H2 H HOAc, 60o C NH4OAc, 75-85% O H N H H DDQ, NSiMe3 59 Me 3SiO dioxane, 100o C, 70-85% H O O H N 1) SOCl2, toluene, pyridine, DMF H NH2 O o toluene, DMAP, 100 C, 57% CF3 H CF3 61 H N H H 60 58 F3 C H N H H CF3 H 5 Scheme 5. Synthesis of dutasteride. presence of pyridine to furnish mesylate 65. Mesylate 65 was then quenched with aqueous sodium sulfide yielding 66 instantaneously, which then slowly cyclized to 6 7 . Aminolysis of 67 with m -aminobenzoic acid (68) and subsequent deprotection of the DIPP group with concentrated HCl provided 70 in 90-95% yield in a one-pot process. The coupling reaction between 70 and 71 followed by deprotection of PNB group was completed in one reaction vessel to furnish ertapenem sodium (6) (yield was not disclosed) [28]. Escitalopram Oxalate (Cipralex®) Escitalopram (7) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and was launched first in Switzerland. It is the more active S-enantiomer of citalopram which is a wellknown antidepressant drug that has been on the market for some years [29]. It is for the treatment of major depressive episodes and panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. The synthesis of escitalopram was carried out in several different routes [30-33]. 5-Cyanophthalide (72) was treated with Grignard reagent 73 at 0°C to provide intermediate 75 which was reacted in situ with another Grignard reagent 76 to afford the diol in a one-pot process. Racemic diol 77 was resolved using (+)-p-toluoyltartaric acid to afford desired S isomer 78 in 55% yield. The ring closure reaction was carried out at 0°C using methanesulfonyl chloride in toluene to furnish escitalopram (7) in 60% yield. Etoricoxib (ArcoxiaTM) Merck & Co.’s etoricoxib (8) was launched for the first time in the U.K. last May as a new COX-2 inhibitor. Etoricoxib (8) is indicated for the symptomatic relief of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, treatment of acute gouty arthritis, relief of chronic musculoskeletal pain including low back pain, relief of acute pain associated with dental surgery and treatment of primary dysmenorrhea [34]. The synthesis of etoricoxib (8) was explored extensively by the Merck process research group [35]. Key intermediate 85 was synthesized through at least three different routes. In the Horner-Wittig approach, 6-methyl methylnicotinate (79) was converted into Weinreb amide 80 in 95% yield. Amide 80 was then converted to aldehyde 81 via a DIBAL-H mediated reduction. Subsequent treatment of a solution of aldehyde 81 in isopropyl acetate with aniline and diphenyl phosphite provided N,P-acetal 82 in 87% yield. The Horner-Wittig reaction of N , P -acetal 8 2 with 4-methanesulfonylbenzaldehyde (83) furnished enamine 84, which was hydrolyzed to ketosulfone 85. A Grignard approach was also developed in the preparation of ketosulfone 85. Addition of Grignard reagent 86 to Weinreb amide 80 in toluene/THF provided ketosulfide 85 in 80% yield. Tungstate-catalyzed oxidation of ketosulfide 87 using hydrogen peroxide provided ketosulfone 85 in 89% yield by simple filtration. Ketosulfone 85 was prepared through Claisen condensation protocol as well. Thus, reaction of 4-methanesulfonyl phenyl acetic acid (88) with methyl nicotinate 79 under Ivanoff condition, i.e., the magnesium dianion in THF, resulted 58% yield of ketosulfone 85. Treatment of ketosulfone 85 with a three-carbon electrophile, 2-chloro-N , N dimethylaminotrimethinium hexafluorophos-phate (89) in the presence of potassium t-butoxide at ambient temperature resulted adduct 90. Inverse quench of adduct 90 into a mixture of HOAc /TFA led to the putative intermediate 91. Ring closure of the pyridine ring occurred upon heating at 214 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 2 Li and Liu H O HO P O 1) 80% S P DIPP = O COOH DIPP 63 O 2) NaClO 0-5 o C, PH=9 O P N 2) DIPEA -20oC, DCM DIPP P N O DIPP S _ S aq. Na 2S O O OiPr MsO O O 64 OiPr MsO Cl Pyridine -20 oC HO O N 62 O P COOH N H Cl 1) HO O 25oC, 2h N O DIPP 65 N O DIPP 67 66 one pot process , 90-95% from 63 to 67. CO2H HS HS H2N 68 AcOH, rt H N CO2 H HCl conc, rt N H _ H Cl N DIPP O 69 H HO H N H O CO2H O N O 71 OPh OPh O 70 P O OPNB one pot process, 90-95% from 67 to 70 H HO H 1) Pd/C, NaOH, NEP, TMG O 2) H2 S N O OH NH O ONa N H O 6 Scheme 6. Synthesis of ertapenem sodium. reflux in the presence of an excess of aqueous ammonium hydroxide to give desired etoricoxib (8) in 97% yield in a one-pot process from 85. Ezetimibe (Zetia) Ezetimibe (9) was approved as the first hypolipidemic drug to act by blocking the absorption of dietary cholesterol. This drug was discovered by Schering-Plough and is codeveloped and co-marketed by Merck and Schering-Plough for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and also two less common forms of hyperlipidemia: homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia and homozygous sitosterolemia [36]. The synthesis of ezetimibe (9) begins with the one-step diastereoselective and practical synthesis [37] of the trans βlactam from commercially available (S)-3-hydroxy-γ-lactone (92). Lactam 95 was obtained by generation of a dianion of lactone 92 with LDA in THF followed by addition of the imine and N,N’-dimethylpropyleneurea (DMPU) to give predominately adduct 93 (93:94 = 79:21). However, intermediate 93 and 94 did not cyclize to their respective lactams due to formation of stable lithium aggregates. Addition of lithium chloride/DMF was employed to cyclize the intermediates into trans-lactam 95 as the major product (trans:cis = 95:5) in a one-pot process from 92 in 64% yield. The 95:5 ratio of compound 95 was oxidatively cleaved with NaIO4 to give aldehyde 96. Mukaiyama aldol condensation was adopted to elaborate the 4-fluorophenylpropyl side chain to give alcohol 98. Without isolation, the reaction mixture was subjected to dehydration using p-TSA to give enone 99 in 75% yield from compound 96. Reduction of the double bond in 99 with Wilkinson’s catalyst yielded ketone 100, which was subjected to the highly enantioselective CBS reduction to give alcohol 101 with a 98:2 selectivity of S:R at the benzylic position. Catalytic hydrogenation of compound 101 gave ezetimibe (9) in 79% yield. Alternatively, a palladium-catalyzed double reduction in EtOAc/MeOH of both the double bond and the benzyl protecting group in enone 99 produced free phenol 107 in 90% yield. A three-step one-pot procedure was subsequently developed to transform 107 into ezetimibe (9) in 79% yield. That is, free phenol 107 was protected in situ as its TMS ether using BSU followed by a highly selective CBS reduction of the ketone group to give the Synthetic Approaches to the 2002 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 2 215 NC NC OMgBr O MgBr O OMgBr NC THF O O 0oC, 3h rt, overnight F F F 73 72 75 74 OH NC N MgCl OH 76 N 10oC, 6h 33% from 72 F 77 OH NC NC O OH (+)-p-toluoyltartaric acid resolution N TEA, MeSO2 Cl N 60% 55% F 78 F 7 Scheme 7. Synthesis of escitalopram. desired alcohol in 97% ee. The TMS group was removed during acidic workup to give ezetimibe (9). A more convergent approach to this drug was also developed by preparing the (S)-hydroxy side chain before the ring construction [38]. Therefore, p-fluorobenzoylbutyric acid (102) was reacted with pivaloyl chloride and the acid chloride thus obtained was acylated with chiral auxiliary 103 to give the corresponding amide. The ketone group in the amide was reduced with (R)-MeCBS/BH3-THF (104) in the presence of p-TSA to give desired alcohol 105 in high yield (99%) and stereoselectivity (96 % d.e.) [39]. Chiral alcohol 105 was then mixed with the imine in the presence of TMSCl and DIPEA to protect the alcohols as TMS ethers. In the same pot, TiCl 4 was added to catalyze the condensation reaction and gave compound 106 in 65% yield. Compound 106 was reacted with TBAF and a fluoridecatalyzed cyclization took place to give the corresponding lactam. Finally, the TMS protecting group was removed under acidic conditions to give ezetimibe (9) in 91% yield over two steps. Fondaparinux Sodium (ArixtraTM) Fondaparinux sodium (Arixtra; formerly fondaparin sodium, 10) is a synthetic pentasaccharide heparinoid Factor Xa antagonist and thrombokinase inhibitor launched extensively by Sanofi-Synthélabo (formerly Sanofi) and Organon as a treatment and prophylaxis for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and symptomatic pulmonary embolism following hip or knee surgery. It is also being developed as a potential treatment for coronary artery diseases [40]. Fondaparinux has a complex structure. Starting from Dglucose, D-cellobiose, and D-glucosamine, the production process for the synthesis of the pentasaccharide involves about 55 steps. The synthesis was accomplished by preparing a fully-protected pentasaccharide, and then converting it into the final product. The choice of protecting groups was dictated by two factors: the need to introduce sulfate substituents (O- as well as N-linked), carboxylate groups and hydroxyl groups, in the proper positions on the target molecule, and the constraints of current methods for oligosaccharide synthesis, particularly the use of 2-azido glucose derivatives to achieve stereoselective introduction of α-D-linked glucosamine units. All the monosaccharide synthons were obtained from glucose or from glucosamine [41,42], and the synthesis [42-44] is outlined in Scheme 10. Trisaccharide 108 and disaccharide 109 are the two key building blocks in the synthesis. Coupling 108 and 109 was carried out at -20°C in DCE. Fully protected pentasaccharide 110 was then converted into the target compound 10 using traditional methods: saponification, O-sulfation, cleavage of benzyl ethers with simultaneous reduction of azido into 216 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 2 Li and Liu O CO2Me OMe HNMe(OMe), i-PrMgCl Toluene, Me O -7o C, DIBAL-H, toluene N 95% Me N Me N H <-15o C, 92% Me 81 80 79 N O P(OPh)2 aniline diphenyl phosphite IPAC NHPh Me 87% N 82 O MeO2S CHO CO2H M eO2S CO2 Me KOBut , IPA/THF NHPh t-BuMgCl THF, <50o C 58% N 2N HCl 83 87% in two steps MeO2 S 85 N SO2Me Me N 88 79 84 0.1% Na2WO4 H2O2, MeOH 89% O O MgCl S Me Me N toluene/THF N <-15oC, 80% S 87 80 86 Cl N+ N 85 OMe N SO2Me NMe 2 Cl Cl NH4OH, ∆ AcOH/TFA (89) PF6 t-BuOK, THF SO2Me M e2N O Me 2N SO2 Me Cl 97% from 85 O N N N N 90 91 8 Scheme 8. Synthesis of etoricoxib. amino functions and finally N-sulfation. Preparation of trisaccharide building block 108 started from 1,6-anhydrocellobiose (111). Selective protection at 4’,6’ position was achieved through benzylidenation to provide crude 112 which was converted into epoxide 113 by treatment with sodium methoxide and benzylation. Compound 113 was isolated after filtration on silica gel and crystallization (m.p. 184-5°C). Trans-diaxial opening of the epoxide yielded the 2-azido derivative (66%) which was acetylated to give 114 (99%). The benzylidene was cleaved (92%) and the diol was then converted into 115 by successive tritylation, levulinoylation, detritylation, oxidation, methylation and Synthetic Approaches to the 2002 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 2 217 β− mixture with α as the predominant isomer, 76%). The preparation of the other building block 109 is described as following. Selective 6-acetylation of 118 by N acetylimidazole in DCE gave 119 in 60% yield. Treatment of 119 with 120 using DCE/pyridinium perchlorate and followed dechloroacetylation using hydrazinedithiocarbonate afforded the crystalline disaccharide 109 [43]. hydrazinolysis (60% over the 6 steps). Imidate 116 was prepared in the usual way from its hydroxyl precursor and coupled with 115 to give O-linked trisaccharide 117 in 78% yield. Compound 117 was acetolysed (91%), the anomeric acetate was cleaved by benzylamine in ether (100%) and imidate 108 was obtained by reaction with potassium carbonate and trichloroacetonitrile at room temperature (α, OBn OBn 1) 2eq. LDA/THF/DMPU 2) 4-BnOPh-CH=N-Ph-4F DMF, -40o C to -15oC O LiO OLi OH N O F N O Li Li O O O 92 94 93 OBn OX OBn OH LiCl/DMF -15oC 64% F OBn O HO NaIO4 CH3CN 90% N O F TMSCl N O OH O 97 X = Li X = TMS TiCl4 N F F O F 95 OBn OBn O O (PPh3 )3 RhCl/H2 DCM 71% F p-TSA 75% from 96 N F O F 99 OBn OH Pd/C/H2 F N EtOH, 79% O F 101 F 98 96 CBS/DCM 70% N O 100 F 218 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 2 Li and Liu F OH O 1) BSA/t-BuOMe TBAF 3H2O OH HO P O h-C H= N -P h -4F DIP , TM EA SCl , TiC OTMS 65% l4 OH Ph 106 O HN N 2) 2N H2SO4 , IPA 91% two steps N F O TMSO 9 O N F F O O F 1) BSU, DCM 2) CBS 3) HCl, MeOH, 79% 105 1) pivaloyl chloride TEA, DCM 2) DMAP, DMF, 92% OH O N F O O N 107 F B CH3 104 O THF, p-TSA, BH3-THF 99%, 96% de Pd/C/H2 EtOAc/MeOH, 90% O HN O O OH 99 F 102 103 Scheme 9. Synthesis of ezetimibe. Frovatriptan Succinate (FrovaTM) The serotonin 5-HT1D receptor agonist frovatriptan succinate (11) was launched last year in the U.S. for the acute treatment of migraine attacks. This drug was discovered at Vernalis and is marketed by UCB Pharm and Elan. Frovatriptan treats migraine by constricting blood vessels in the brain [45]. The synthesis of frovatriptan (11) appeared in a patent in multi-kilo scale [46]. Cyclohexanedione monoketal (121) was converted to amine 122 by reductive amination. The Fischer indolization of amine 122 with hydrazine 123 furnished indole nitrile 124 in 72% yield. The desired R isomer of the indole nitrile was obtained via a chiral salt formation/recrystallization process using chiral lactam 125 and isolated as a L-pyroglutamic acid salt 126. Hydrolysis of the nitrile functional group in 126 provided carboxamido indole 127, which was converted to succinate 11 in situ. Fulvestrant (Faslodex®) Fulvestrant (12) was launched for the first time in the U.S. for the treatment of hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women with disease progression following antiestrogen therapy. As an estrogen antagonist with no known agonist effects, it is the only compound in its class to be proven effective after tamoxifen failure [47]. It is administered as a once a month i. m. injection. Several routes for the synthesis of fulvestrant (12) were published [48,49]. One of the best routes [50] is depicted in Scheme 12. The conjugate addition of Grignard reagent derived from bromide 130 with dienone 129 gave adduct 131 as a mixture of 7α- and 7β-isomers in a ratio of 2.5:1 in 90-95% yield. Aromatization of the A-ring with copper bromide/lithium bromide in acetic acid followed by hydrolysis of the ester group provided diol 132 in 80-85% yield. Oxidation of the side chain from sulfite to sulfone followed by crystallization provided fulvestrant (12) in 30% overall yield from dienone 129. Gefitinib (Iressa) Gefitinib (1 3 ) is the first drug in a new class of anticancer agents known as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors. It was discovered by AstraZeneca and is for the treatment of inoperable or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer [51]. A mixture of 4,5-dimethoxyanthranilic acid (133) and formamide was heated to generate the cyclized quinazoline 134 [52]. The quinazoline was selectively mono- Synthetic Approaches to the 2002 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 2 219 OAc OAc OAc CO2Me O OBn NH OAc O O O OH OBn 108 O OAc O CCl3 OBn N3 O OBn MeO2 C O O OBn OMe NHCbz OAc N3 109 OAc OAc OAc CO2Me TMSOTf/DCE 70% O O O OBn OBn O O O O OBn MeO2C OAc OBn O O OBn N3 N3 OBn OSO3H OSO3H CO2H O 1) LiOOH/OH 2)Et3N SO3 O OH HO2C O OSO3 H O OSO3H O OH O OH NHSO3H NHSO3H OH OMe NHSO3H OSO3H 10 OH O O O O OH OH OH O 3) H2/Pd 4) pyridine SO3 72% O O OH OMe NHCbz OAc 110 OH O OH 111 O OBn Ph O O O O OBn 1) NaN3, DMF, 66% Ph 2) Ac 2O, pyridine, 99% O O O OTs 112 O O OAc O O OBn 113 OBn 114 OAc 1) MeONa, 80% OH O 2) BnBr, DMF, 76% O OH O O OH Ph 2) TsCl, pyridine, -20oC, 60% OH O O 1) C6H5CH(OCH3) 2, TsOH, 80% N3 1) H+ , 92% 4) CrO3 , H2SO4 acetone/H2 O 2) TrCl, pyridine, then levulinic anhydride 3) HClO4 5) MeI, KHCO3 6) NH2 NH2, H2O 60% NH CO2Me O OBn OH O OBn O OBn OAc O 116 N3 OBn O N3 O OAc O OBn CCl 3 O OAc OH O N-acetylimidazole DCM , 60% OMe NHCbz 118 N3 O OBn N3 108 O OBn OBn 3) CCl3CN, K2CO3 69% NH MeO2C N3 117 O OAc O O OBn OBn O OBn 1) Ac2O, TFA 2) C6H5CH2NH2, Et2O O OAc CO2 Me O O OBn N3 OAc O CO2Me O TMSTf, DCM, -20oC, 78% 115 OH OAc CCl3 O OBn OBn O OBn OH Scheme 10. Synthesis of fondaparinux sodium. OMe NHCbz 119 O O 120 O OBut Cl 1) DCE, pyridinium, perchlorate, 45% MeO2C OAc O OBn O 2) hydrazinedithiocarbonate, 85% O OBn OMe OH OAc 109 NHCbz 220 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 2 O Li and Liu NHMe HCl CN 1) MeNH2, 5% Pd/C H2, EtOH O O NC 1) HCl/H2O 2) NaOH O 2) Concentrated HCl 85.5% O NHMe 72.2% N H NNH2 HCl 124 123 122 121 OH O N H MeOH, >98%ee 26.5% O 125 NC MeHN NHMe AcOH, BF 3 Ac OH o 90-95 C CONH2 N H 77.2% N H 126 L-pyroglutamic acid salt 127 O EtOH/H2O 85.9 HO OH 128 O MeHN CONH2 N H succinic acid salt 11 Scheme 11. Synthesis of frovatriptan. OAc OAc H H o A H H Br S O CF 2CF 3 A 90-95% 7 7 Mg, CuCl, -34 C H H 7 S O CF 2CF 3 7 130 129 7α/β ratio about 2.5: 1 OH OH H2O2 H 1) CuBr 2, LiBr, Ac2 O 2) NaOH 80-85% H H 7 HO 131 S crystallization 30% overall from 129 CF 2CF3 H H S HO CF 2CF 3 7 7 132 O H 7 12 Scheme 12. Synthesis of fulvestrant. demethylated with methionine in refluxing methanesulfonic acid to afford 135 in 47% yield [53]. Compound 135 was acylated to give acetate 136, which was treated with refluxing thionyl chloride to yield chloropyrimidine 137. Chloride 137 was condensed with 3-chloro-4-fluoroaniline (138) in refluxing IPA to yield anilinoquinazoline 139 in 56% yield from 136. The acetate protecting group in compound 139 was hydrolyzed with ammonium hydroxide in methanol, and the free phenol was alkylated with 3-(4morpholinyl)propyl chloride (140) to give gefitinib (13) in 55% yield. Synthetic Approaches to the 2002 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 2 221 O MeO MeO CO2H O o MeO NH methionine o 190 C, 18% NH2 HO NH HCONH2 MeO MeSO3H/100 C N M eO N 135 134 133 F F O AcO MeO Cl H2N AcO NH Ac 2O pyridine 100oC 75% Cl N SOCl2 DMF, 90 C MeO 136 NH AcO N 138 o N Cl IPA, 95oC 56% from 136 N M eO 137 N 139 O F N O N HN Cl Cl O 30%NH4OH N 140 MeOH, 95% MeO N 13 Scheme 13. Synthesis of gefitinib. Landiolol Hydrochloride (Onoact®) Landiolol hydrochloride (14) was launched in Japan by Ono for the treatment of intraoperative tachyarrhythmia. It improves tachyarrhythmia by selectively blocking β 1 receptors located mainly in the heart and by inhibiting the action of catecholamine [54]. The synthesis of landiolol appeared in an earlier patent in 1990 [55]. Esterification of 3(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid (141) with 2,2-dimethyl- 1,3-dioxolan-4-ylmethyl chloride (142) in DMSO gave desired ester 143 in 57% yield. Treatment of phenol 143 with bromo epoxide 144 in the present of K2CO 3 afforded ether 145 in 76% yield. Epoxide 145 was then reacted with free amine 146 via a neucleophilic ring opening process to provide landiolol (14). Micafungin Sodium (Funguarg®) O O 1) K2CO3 , KI, DMSO, 100oC, 30 min HO 2) OH 141 O O Cl 100oC, 15h O O O OH 143 142 57% O O K2CO3,Br 144 O aceton, ∆ 76% O H2N O O H N N O O 145 146 IPA, 30o C, 16h 43% O O O O O 14 Scheme 14. Synthesis of landiolol. O O N H OH H N N O 222 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 2 Li and Liu O O MeO HON CO2Me H O(CH2)4CH3 TEA, THF 84% Cl N 148 147 N O 149 O N N O 1) 1N NaOH, EtOH/THF, 98% 2) HOBt, WSC-HCl, CH2Cl2, 95% N O 150 HO OH HN HO HO H N R HN N DMF, 53% O H2N O OO OH OO O HO N NH OH OH S O FR90 137 9 acylase O OH O HO O HO OH NH O S O HN OH HO N O H 2N N O HO O N HO HN O O HN HO 15 0, DMAP O H N O O HO HO HN HO O OH O HO 15 R = CO(CH2) 14CH3 151: R = H Scheme 15. Synthesis of micafungin sodium. The semi-synthetic echinocandin antifungal agent, micafungin sodium (15), is a 1,3-β-glucan synthase inhibitor discovered by Fujisawa. It is for the treatment and prevention of infections caused by Aspergillus and Candida such as fungemia, respiratory mycosis and gastrointestinal mycosis [56]. The key intermediate for the side chain of micafungin (15) was prepared by regioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of 4-methoxycarbonylbenzhydroxamic acid chloride (147) and 4-pentyloxyphenylacetylene (148) with TEA in THF [57]. Basic hydrolysis of thus obtained ester 1 4 9 , followed by condensation with 1hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBT) gave the corresponding 1) PCl3, H3PO3, OH 152 Scheme 16. Synthesis of neridronate. Neridronate (Nerixia®) This bisphosphonate compound was developed, and is marketed, by Abiogen Pharma. This drug is the first treatment ever for osteogenesis imperfecta [58]. 6Aminohexanoic acid (152) was reacted with phosphorus trichloride and phosphorous acid at 85oC, and then water O O H2 N activated ester 150 in 95% yield. The cyclic peptide core 151, obtained by acylase-catalyzed hydrolysis of the natural product F R 9 0 1 3 7 9 , was acylated with 1 5 0 to give micafungin (15) in 53% yield. 85o C OH P OH OH H2 N 2) H2O, 78% HO 16 HO P O Synthetic Approaches to the 2002 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 2 223 O F3 C NO2 O O or Et3N, CHCl3, Me 89% Me NC O NO2 TEA, CHCl 3, TMSCN, 91% Cl 153 O F O OSiMe 3 Nitisinone 17 154 F F Scheme 17. Synthesis of nitisinone. Olmesartan Medoxomil (Benicar TM) was added to generate free diphosphonic acid 16 in 78% overall yield [59]. This Angiotensin II antagonist was discovered by Sankyo and licensed to Forest for the treatment, alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents, of high blood pressure [62]. The imidazole ring of olmesartan (18) was constructed with diaminomaleonitrile 155 a n d trimethylorthobutyrate (156) in CH3CN then xylene to give 157 in 96% yield [63]. Acid hydrolysis of 157 in 6N HCl gave the dicarboxylic acid intermediate. After esterification of the diacid in ethanol in the presence of HCl, diester 158 was treated with MeMgCl to give 4-(1-hydroxyalkyl) imidazole 159 in 95% yield. Alkylation of 159 with biphenyl bromide 160 in the presence of potassium tbutoxide afforded 161 in 80% yield. Ester 161 was then hydrolyzed to free carboxylic acid 1 6 2 under basic Nitisinone (Orfadin®) This reversible inhibitor of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase was discovered by Swedish Orphan and is comarketed by Apoteket AB and Rare Disease Therapeutics. It is used as an adjunct to dietary restriction of tyrosine and phenylalanine in the treatment of hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 (HT-1) disease [60]. Nitisinone (17) was synthesized in one step by reacting 2-nitro-4-trifluoromethylbenzoyl chloride (153) with cyclohexane-1, 3-dione (154) in the presence of TEA and trimethylsilylcyanide or 2-cyano-2(trimethylsilyloxy)propane [61]. H2 N NH2 NC CN 1) CH3CN, ∆ PrC(OMe) 3 CN N H CN Pr 2) HCl(g), EtOH, 86% N H 157 Br CO2Et N 1) 6N HCl, ∆, 80% Pr 2) xylene, ∆ 96% 156 155 N CO2Et 158 OH Me Me MeMgCl Et2 O, CH2 Cl2 95% N N N OH Pr N N H CO2Et N EtO ButOK/AcNMe 2 N 80% N N O N CPh3 159 N N CPh3 161 160 OH N HO N N LiOH, dioxane/H2 O O N N N CPh3 162 OH O CH3 Cl O O O N O O 163 O N N O N N 25% AcOH( aq ) O N N 81% 164 Scheme 18. Synthesis of olmesartan medoxomil. O N CPh3 K2 CO3, AcNHMe 88% from 161 N O O N O OH 18 N NH 224 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 2 Li and Liu O NOH N 1) n-hexLi, THF, -15-10oC NH2OH HCl, NaOAc o EtOH/H2O, 70 C 95% 165 2) EtOAc, 59% 166 O -15o C OH 167 1) ClSO3H, TFA, 5-25oC N N 2) NH4OH, 65% (2 steps) O H2N O 1) (CH3 CH2CO) 2O, H2SO4, 80oC O 10-15oC Na 2) NaOH, EtOH, 50oC 64% (2 steps) S O O O S N O 19 parecoxib sodium 27 valdecoxib Scheme 19. Synthesis of paracoxib sodium. conditions, and 162 was treated with chloride 163 in the presence of K2CO3 to give ester 164 in 88% yield from 161. F Lastly, the trityl group was removed with 25% aqueous acetic acid to give olmesartan (18) in 81% yield. F F F 1) EtBr, CO2H K2CO3 , DMSO ButO 2C F 170 169 F O F NC H2O2, NaOH CO2Et PhCH2N+ Et 3Cl10 N NaOH F Ac 2O 81% from F F CO2Et 170 F F CO2Et F 174 2) EtO2CCH2CO2-K+ MgCl2, TEA, DMF CH3 175 HN F F F K2CO3, DMSO H F CO2Et H N 100oC 80% from 174 N O CH3 O CO2Et H O 177 O O F 2) NaOH, EtOH/H2O, 98% 2) 6N HCl, 90% 3) CH3SO3 H, EtOH, 94% OH H2N N O 20 CH3SO3H Pazufloxacin mesilate Scheme 20. Synthesis of pazufloxacin mesilate. 173 1) Me 2NCH(OMe) 2 Ac 2O, CH2Cl 2 CH2CO2Et 2) (S)-2-amino-1-propanol EtOH F O HO CO2Et F 1) SOCl2, imidazole, TEA 2N NaOH, 97% H2N F NH F 2.5 N NaOH, 96% F HN 176 13% NaOCl (aq) 172 O F F H2N 171 O NH CO2Et F 168 F NC Toluene, reflux 90% from 168 F O PTSA H2O CO2Et t 2) NCCH2CO2Bu , K2CO3 BrCH2CH2Br F F NC O Synthetic Approaches to the 2002 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 2 225 Parecoxib Sodium (Dynastat®) from commercially available 2,3,4,5-tetrafluorobenzoic acid (168) by an 11-step process with an overall yield 48% [68]. Starting material 168 was first treated with ethyl bromide and then with t-butyl cyanoacetate in the presence of potassium carbonate in DMSO in one flask to give acylated cyanoacetate 169. Intermediate 169 thus obtained without purification was refluxed in toluene with p-TSA to yield 4cyanomethylbenzoate 1 7 0 in 90% yield from 1 6 8 . Cyclopropanation at the benzylic position of 170 was performed by α,α-dialkylation with two equiv. of 1,2dibromoethane under phase-transfer conditions to give cyanocyclopropyl compound 171. Cyano compound 171 was subjected to hydration with alkaline H2 O 2 to afford carboxamide 172 in 81% yield from 170. Subsequently, carboxamide 172 was treated with NaOCl for Hofmann rearrangement to give primary amine 173, which was protected as its N-acetyl derivative 174 for the next reaction. Treatment of 174 with imidazole in the presence of thionyl chloride and TEA generated an imidazolide intermediate, which was converted to β-keto ester 175 by reacting with potassium ethyl malonate and MgCl2 . Enamine 176 was obtained without purification by successive treatment of 175 with DMF-dimethylacetal and (S)-(+)-2-aminopropanol. Crude 1 7 6 was heated in DMSO in the presence of potassium carbonate to efficiently give tricycle product 177 in 80% yield from 1 7 4 . Finally, the ethyl ester and Parecoxib sodium (19) is a cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitor and was introduced by Pharmacia (now Pfizer) as an injectable formulation for short-term treatment of postoperative pain [64]. Parecoxib is a water-soluble prodrug of valdecoxib (27) that undergoes biotransformation in vivo to release valdecoxib (27). The synthesis (Scheme 19) of parecoxib sodium (19) started from commercially available deoxybenzoin (165). Deoxybenzoin (165) was treated with hydroxylamine in EtOH/H2O (3:1) to give deoxybenzoin oxime 166 in 95% yield. Deprotonation of oxime 166 with two equivalents of n-hexyllithium followed by condensation with ethyl acetate afforded isoxazoline 167 in 59% yield. Treatment of isoxazoline 167 with chlorosulfonic acid followed by reaction of the incipient sulfonyl chloride with aqueous ammonia furnished valdecoxib (27). Acylation of isoxazole sulfonamide 27 with propionic anhydride afforded parecoxib, which was converted to its sodium salt by titration with aqueous sodium hydroxide (64%) [65,66]. Pazufloxacin Mesilate (Pazucross, Pasil) This fluoroquinolone was co-developed by Toyama and Mitsubishi Pharm and was launched for the intravenous therapy of respiratory, urinary, surgical, gynecological and systemic infections [67]. The drug is elegantly synthesized TIPSO HO HO 32 O O O OTIPS OTIPS 24 O O O OH O N N OO O TIPS-triflate lutidine, DCM o 0 C, 16 h OH O N OO O O O OO p-TSA, MeOH/MeCN OH O OH rt, 2h, 88% O O 94% 178 O O O O O 179 O 180 Cl NO2 O O S O O O OH OTIPS NO2 181 O SO2Cl N 1) LiCl, DMF, 70o C N 5h, 50% OO DIPEA, DM AP, DCM, rt, 18 h 78% O O O O 2) 48% HF, 2h, 37% OH OO O OH O O 182 21 O Scheme 21. Synthesis of pimecrolimus. O O O 226 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 2 Li and Liu acetamide in 177 were hydrolyzed under basic and acidic conditions, respectively, to give the free amine. Pazufloxacin mesilate (20) was obtained in 94% yield by treatment of its corresponding free amine with methanesulfonic acid in ethanol. macrolide 178 with triisopropylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TIPS-triflate) in the presence of lutidine in DCM at 0°C afforded di-protected compound 179 in 94% yield. Selective deprotection of the TIPS group at position 32 using p-TSA in MeOH at rt gave mono-protected macrolide 180 in 88% yield. Reaction of the hydroxyl group at position 32 with o-nitrobenzenesulfonyl chloride (181) in the presence of DMAP and DIPEA in DCM provided 182 in 78% yield with 20% recovered starting material 180. Displacement of the sulfate with chloride using LiCl in DMF furnished the chlorinated compound, which was treated with aqueous HF to remove the TIPS group to provide pimecrolimus (21). Pimecrolimus (Elidel®) Pimercrolimus (21) is the first non-steroid agent for the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis lunched by Novartis. It selectively blocks the production and release of cytokines from T-cells. These cytokines cause inflammation, redness and itching associated with eczema. Long-term therapy with pimecrolimus (21) was more effective than conventional treatment in reducing the incidence of disease flares and the use of corticosteroids. This drug is also safe and effective in pediatric patients and is approved for use in children as young as two years [69]. The syntheses of pimecrolimus (21) appeared in several patent applications [70-73]. Starting material 178 was prepared by either fermentation [74] or modification of a previously described synthetic method in the literature [75]. Treatment of F Prulifloxacin (Sword) This fluoroquinolone antibacterial prodrug was originally discovered by Nippon Shinyaku and subsequently codeveloped and co-marketed by Meiji Seika. The drug is used in the treatment of systemic bacterial infections including acute upper respiratory tract infection, bacterial pneumonia, cholecystitis, prostatitis, internal genital infections, bacterial F 1) CS 2, TEA, 4 o C NH2 F CH2 (CO2Et)2, KOH NCS 184 EtO2C F F N H 98% F SEt CO2Et F N CHCl3, 93% SEt 187 OAc F CO2Et H N O CO2Et NaOAc SO2 Cl2 N SEt hexane, 79% F N 188 189 O F CO2Et THF, 70% F S Me N Cl 190 O O F OEt O F OH KOH, t-BuOH/H2 O = 3: 1 N N S 92% HN N N S HN 192 191 O O O F OH O O Br 163 KHCO3, DMF 62% O O O N N 22 Scheme 22. Synthesis of prulifloxacin. _ + SK AcCl, TEA OAc F N H CO2Et 185 xylene ∆, 79% 186 F F OH CO2Et (EtO) 2SO2 EtOH, 92% o C, dioxane, 4 2) ClCO2Et, CHCl3 74% 183 EtO2C F F Prulifloxacin N S S Me N H DMF 84% Synthetic Approaches to the 2002 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 2 227 enteritis, otitis media and sinusitis [76]. The synthesis of prulifloxacin (22) [77] started with the treatment of 3,4difluoroaniline (183) with carbon disulfide in the presence of TEA to give the triethylammonium dithiocarbamate, which by reaction with ethyl chloroformate and TEA in chloroform, was converted into isothiocyanate 184 in 74% yield. Reaction of 184 with diethyl malonate in the presence of KOH in dioxane yielded methylenemalonate 1 8 5 potassium salt, which was ethylated with ethyl sulfate in ethanol to give compound 186 in excellent yield. 6,7Difluoroquinoline 187 was obtained with the highest yield and regioselectivity when precursor 186 was heated in refluxing xylene [78]. To suppress the side reaction in the subsequent chlorination, quinoline 187 was acylated to give 188 with acetyl chloride in chloroform. Chlorination of 188 with sulfuryl chloride gave compound 189 in 79% yield. Compound 189 was treated with sodium acetate in THF to afford cyclized compound 190, which was condensed with HN O CHO piperazine in DMF to give compound 191. The hydrolysis of ester 191 with KOH in hot t-butanol gave free acid 192, which was finally condensed with 4-(bromomethyl)-5methyl-1, 3-dioxol-2-one (163) by treatment of potassium bicarbonate in DMF to give prulifloxacin (22). Rosuvastatin Calcium (Crestor®) The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, known as Crestor® (2 3 ), was originally discovered by Shionogi and subsequently co-developed and co-marketed by AstraZeneca. The drug is for the treatment of patients with primary hypercholesterolemia (type IIa including heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia) or mixed dyslipidemia (type IIb) as an adjunct to diet when response to exercise and diet is inadequate. Crestor (23) is also used in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia either alone or as an adjunct to diet and other lipid-lowering treatments [79]. AcOH CO2Et O benzene, ∆ 87% F 1) (S)-methylisothiourea H2SO4 HMPA F CO2Et 193 194 195 F F F m-CPBA, CHCl3 CO2 Et N MeS 2) DDQ, CH2 Cl2 50% 90% CO2Et N MeO2S N 1) DlBAL-H, toluene, -78o C 1) MeNH2 , EtOH 2) MeSO2Cl, NaH DM F 58% N MeN 2) TPAP, CH2 Cl2 58% N SO2Me 197 196 CO2Et N 198 F F O OTBDMS CO2Me Ph3P CHO N O 200 CO2Me N MeCN, 71% MeN OTBDMS N MeN SO2 Me 1) HF, M eOH 2) Et2 BOMe, NaBH4 THF 85% N SO2Me 199 201 F F OH CO2Me N MeN OH OH 1) NaOH, EtOH, 95% N 2) CaCl2 , 95% SO2 Me 202 Scheme 23. Synthesis of rosuvastatin calcium sodium. N MeN SO2Me N 23 OH _ CO2 Ca 228 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 2 NO2 O H 2N COCl Li and Liu TsOH O HN O O 204 TEA, CH2Cl2 90% O Fe, 2N HCl THF/H2O = 2/1, rt O 81% NO2 203 O 207 O pyridine, 0oC to rt 87% 206 O HN SO2Cl O O O O 2) 5N NaOH, THF 99% O _ + O Na HN 1) 10% Pd/C, H2 1 atm, rt MeOH, 96% S N H O NH2 205 O O HN N H O O O 4 H 2O S O O O 24 Sivelestat sodium hydrate 208 Scheme 24. Synthesis of sivelestat sodium hydrate. The synthesis of optically pure rosuvastatin (23) begins from the Knoevenagel reaction of p-fluorobenzaldehyde (193) with ethyl isobutylacetate (194) to give unsaturated ketoester 195 [80]. Compound 1 9 5 was condensed with (S ) methylisothiourea and then aromatized in situ using DDQ in methylene chloride to give pyrimidine 196 in 50% yield. Pyrimidine sulfide 196 was then oxided by m-CPBA to give sulfone 197 in 96% yield. Sulfone 197 was reacted with methylamine in methanol followed by treatment with methanesulfonyl chloride to give the N methanesulfonylamino pyrimidine 198 in 58% yield. Reduction of ester 198 with DIBAL-H followed by TPAP oxidation afforded aldehyde 199 in 58% yield. Aldehyde 199 was subjected to Wittig reaction with optically pure ylide, (3R)-3-(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-5-oxo-6-triphenylphosphoranylidenehexanoate (200) [81], to give heptenoate compound 2 0 1 in 71% yield. Compound 2 0 1 was deprotected with HF in acetonitrile, and stereoselective N HCl O S OMe S chelation-controlled reduction with Et2BOMe and NaBH4 in THF-MeOH mixed solvent gave methyl (3R, 5S, 6E)dihydroxyheptenoate 202 in 85% yield. Diol 202 was hydrolyzed with aqueous NaOH to afford the corresponding sodium salt. Rosuvastatin calcium salt (23) was obtained as white powder from the sodium salt on treatment with aqueous CaCl2. Sivelestat Sodium Hydrate (Elaspol®) A neutrophil elastase inhibitor, introduced by Ono Pharmaceutics as an injectable formulation, is for the treatment of acute lung injury accompanying systemic inflammatory response syndrome [82]. The synthesis [83] of sivelestat (24) started with the amide formation between 2nitrobenzoyl chloride (203) and glycine benzyl ester p-tolene sulfonic acid salt (204) in the presence of TEA to give amide 205 in 90% yield. Amide 205 was then reduced with iron 1) NH3, toluene 2) NaH 70oC N S O 83% OH OH 209 O 210 OH S 211 1) H2 O2 NH2CONH2 V2O5, DMF 2) NaHSO3 N N MeBr, DMF, rt S O S O 88% from 211 O 25 O Br O OH S Scheme 25. Synthesis of tiotropium sodium. 212 O OH S Synthetic Approaches to the 2002 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 2 229 OH t-BuMe2SiCl, Imd. OSiMe 2But OSiMe 2But n-BuLi/hexane, rt TBAF/THF 36% yield from 213 CH2Cl2, rt Br OMe 213 OMe OM e 214 215 OMe 216 O OH H (COCl)2/DMSO/TEA O CH2Cl2, -78oC 86% OM e 217 1) EtMgBr/THF/∆ O 2) 217, 0oC-rt, 3h 52% N H O O 219 1) PCC CH2Cl2, rt 71% O OMe 218 O Ph O OH Ph B B O OTBDMS O B 2) BH3 , Me2S/THF, 70% 3) TBDMSCl, Imid, DMF, rt, 88% O OMe O OMe O 221 220 THPO THPO 4 4 TBDMSO H 1) Co2(CO) 8, CH2Cl2 rt, 0.5 h H2, Pd/C, K2CO3 O O 2) CH3 CN, ∆, 2h 96% NaBH4, NaOH, EtOH EtOH, rt, 13h H OCH3 OCH3 222 -10oC, 6h, 98% H 223 THPO HO HO 4 4 4 H H H Ph2PH, n-BuLi CH3OH, p-TSA OH OH OH THF, 75% rt, 2h, 78% OCH3 OH H OCH3 224 H OH 226 225 HO HO HO 4 4 H aq KOH, M eOH OH OCH2CN 4 H H ClCH2 CN, K2 CO3 acetone, ∆, 95% H OH ∆, 3h, 95% H 227 H OCH2COOH 228 NaOH OH H OCH2COONa 26 Scheme 26. Synthesis of treprostinil sodium. power under acidic conditions to give corresponding amine 206 in 81% yield. Alternatively, the mixture of activated Raney nickel, nitro compound 205, acetic acid and 1,3dimethyl-2-imidazolinone (DMI) under 25 atmospheric pressure of hydrogen at 40oC in an autoclave can give the same free amine 206 in 88% yield. Free amine 206 was treated with p-pivaloyloxybenzenesulfonyl chloride [84] (207) in pyridine to yield sulfonamide 208 in 87% yield. Benzyl ester 208 was converted to its free carboxylic acid under hydrogenation, and the carboxylic acid was subsequently basified to give sivelestat sodium (24). 230 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 2 Li and Liu Tiotropium Bromide (Spiriva®) Treprostinil Sodium (RemodulinTM) Boehringer Ingelheim’s once-daily inhaled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) therapy tiotropium bromide (2 5 ) was launched for the first time in the Netherlands and Philippines in 2002. Tiotropium (25), which acts through prolonged M3 receptor blockade, is approved as a bronchodilator for the maintenance treatment of COPD [85]. At least two synthetic paths have been disclosed in the patent and literature [86-88]. The synthesis of tiotropium is depicted in Scheme 25. Tropenol hydrochloride 209 was first neutralized with ammonia in toluene and then the free base was reacted with methyl di-(2thienyl)glycolate (210) in the presence of sodium hydride to furnish desired tropenol ester 211 in 83% yield. The vanadium-catalyzed oxidation of tropenol ester 211 using hydrogen peroxide-urea complex gave epoxide 212, which was converted into its quaternary salt 25 with methyl bromide. The last two steps were carried out in a one-pot process in 88%yield. The prostacyclin analog, treprostinil sodium (26), was launched in the U.S. in June 2002 for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. Developed and marketed by United Therapeutics, treprostinil is specifically approved for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients with NYHA class II-IV symptoms, to reduce symptoms associated with exercise [89]. The synthesis of treprostinil [90,91] starts from commercially available 3-methoxybenzyl alcohol (213). The hydroxyl group in 213 was protected as a t-butyldimethylsilyl ether via reaction with TBDMS chloride in DCM at rt. A regiospecific introduction of the allylic chain and deprotection of the silyl group in situ provided alcohol 216 in 36% yield in a three-step sequence. Swern oxidation of alcohol 216 using oxalyl chloride/DMSO furnished aldehyde 217 in 86% yield. Acetylene 218 was first treated with magnesium ethyl bromide and then reacted with aldehyde 217 to provide adduct 219 in 52% yield. The alcohol functional group in Cl F Cl OH Cl N F F N 95oC, N F N POCl 3, N,N-dimethylaniline Mg/THF, EtBr o 15h, 95% N OH 0C Cl N 2HCl, NH4Cl, rt. N Pd/C, H2 80% F Cl N O N F NBS, AIBN DCM, 95% OMe 80-90% 236 Cl N O F2 (g) 234 N O O OMe NaOMe 50-70% N 233 POCl3, Et3N DCM, 90% Cl 232 O N NH=CH-NH2 AcOH Cl F N 231 F F 75% OH ONH4 1) NaOH, 90o C N I 2, Et3N, <15o C Cl MgBr 230 229 234 N F 235 N Zn, Pb, I2 , THF 90% N Br N F 237 HO N N CH3 238 F Cl N N F N N N HO 239 Me F HO Cl N N F N 1) Pd/C, H2, 85% N N 2) resolution, 80% SO3H N Me F N F O F 240 racemate Scheme 27. Synthesis of voriconazole. 240 : 241 : 1 : 10.3 F 241 racemate 242 F 28 optical pure N Synthetic Approaches to the 2002 New Drugs 219 was then transformed into a carbonyl group in 220 via a PCC-mediated oxidation. Ketone 220 was then reduced again using chiral boron reagent to give the chiral alcohol which was protected with TBDMS chloride in situ (221). Optically pure intermediate 221 underwent cobalt-mediated Pauson-Khand reaction to furnish tricyclic compound 222 in excellent yield. Catalytic hydrogenation was employed to reduce the double bond and the hydroxyl moiety to give ketone 223. Sodium borohydride mediated reduction of the carbonyl group in 223 gave single diastereomer 224. The THP and methyl ether protecting groups were then removed in a two-step process to give triol 226. The more reactive hydroxyl group on the phenyl ring was then reacted with chloroacetonitrile to furnish nitrile 227. A base mediated hydrolysis of the nitrile provided free acid, treprostinil (228), which was converted to its sodium salt 26 by titration with sodium hydroxide (no yield reported). Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 2 231 hydrogen) to give the racemate of voriconazole. The racemic voriconazole was resolved using (1R)-10-camphorsulfonic acid (242) and crystallization of the required diastereomeric salt provided optically pure voriconazole (28) in 80% yield. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The authors would like to acknowledge the critical evaluation of this review by Dr. M. Y. Chu-Moyer and Dr. S Sakya. ABBREVIATIONS ADME = Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion AIBN = 2,2’-Azobisisobutyronitrile BOP = Benzotriazole-1-yloxytris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate BSA = Bistrimethyl acetamide BSTFA = Bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide BSU = Bistrimethylsilyl urea CBS = Tetrahydro-1-methyl-3,3-diphenyl-1H,3HPyrrolo[1,2-c][1,3,2]oxazaborole DCE = Dichloroethane DCM = Dichloromethane DDH = 1,3-Dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin DDQ = 2,3-Dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone DIBAL-H = Diisobutylaluminum hydride DIPEA = Diisopropylethylamine DIPP = Diisopropylphosphoryl DMAP = 4-Dimethylaminopyridine DMF = N,N-Dimethylformamide DMPU = N,N’-dimethylpropyleneurea DMSO = Methyl sulfoxide DPPC = Diphenylphosphinic chloride HOBT = 1-Hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate I.M. = Intramuscularly IPA = Isopropyl alcohol IPAC = Isopropyl acetate LDA = Lithium diisopropylamide NBS = N-Bromosuccinimide NCE = New chemical entities NEP = N-Ethylpyrrolidinone NMP = 1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidinone NYHA = New York Heart Association PCC = Pyridinium chlorochromate PDC = Pyridinium dichromate Voriconazole (Vfend®) Voriconazole was launched by Pfizer in both oral and injectable formulations for the treatment of fungal infections in patients intolerant of, or refractory to, other therapy and for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis [92]. It is a triazole antifungal agent whose major mechanism of action is the inhibition of fungal cytochrome P450-mediated 14αlanosterol demethylation [93]. The synthesis [94-96] of voriconazole is an excellent example of process research. As depicted in Scheme 27, 5-fluorouracil (229) was chlorinated in both the 2- and 4- positions using a mixture of phosphorus oxychloride and N,N-dimethylaniline at 95° C to afford 230 in 95% yield. Dichloro pyrimidine 230 was reacted with ethyl magnesium bromide to give dihydropyrimidine adduct 231. Adduct 231 was oxidized prior to quenching using a mixture of iodine and TEA in THF to give 2,4-dichloro-6-ethyl-5-fluoro pyrimidine (232) in 75% yield. Reaction of 232 with two equiv of aqueous NaOH at reflux gave selective displacement of the chloro functionality at 4-position. Acidification of the reaction and extraction with DCM gave 2-chloro-6-ethyl-5-fluoro-4(3H)pyrimidine which was conveniently isolated as its ammonia salt 233. Dechlorination of 233 was achieved using catalytic hydrogenation at 50 ˚ C to provide 234 in 80% yield. Alternatively, 4-fluoro-6-ethyl-5-fluoropyrimidine (234) was prepared in a two-pot process in which methyl 3oxopentanoate (235) was fluorinated with fluorine gas to give methyl 2-fluoro-3-oxopentanoate (236) in 80-90% yield [97]. This ester was then cyclized [98] with formamidine acetate in the presence of NaOMe to give 234 in a moderate yield (50-70%). Reaction of 2 3 4 with phosphorus oxychloride and TEA afforded 4-chloro-6-methyl-5fluoropyrimidine (237) in 90% yield. Reaction of 237 with NBS in the presence of AIBN initiator provided bromide 238 in 95% yield. A Reformatsky protocol was employed in the condensation of 238 with ketone 239 which was an intermediate in the commercial synthesis of Diflucan [99]. A solution of iodine in THF was added to a slurry of zinc and lead at rt and then a mixture of bromide 238 and ketone 239 were added to the above mixture at 5°C for 30 min. 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In addition, these new chemical entities (NCEs) not only provide insights into molecular recognition, but also serve as drug-like leads for designing new future drugs. To these ends, this review covers the syntheses of 23 NCEs marketed in 2003. Keywords: Synthesis, New Drug, New Chemical Entities, Medicine, Therapeutic Agents. INTRODUCTION “The most fruitful basis for the discovery of a new drug is to start with an old drug.” Sir James Whyte Black, winner of the 1998 Nobel prize in physiology and medicine [1]. Inaugurated last year, this annual review presents synthetic methods for molecular entities that were launched or approved in various countries for the first time during the past year. The motivation to write such a review is the same as stated in the previous article [2]. Briefly, drugs that are approved worldwide tend to have structural similarity across similar biological targets. We strongly believe that knowledge of new chemical entities and their syntheses will greatly enhance our abilities to design new drug molecules in short period of time. With this hope, we continue to profile these NCEs that were approved for the year 2003. In 2003, 30 NCEs including biological drugs, and two diagnostic agents [3,4] reached the market. This review article will focus on the syntheses of 23 new drugs marketed last year (Figure 1), but excludes new indications for known drugs, new combinations and new formulations. Drugs synthesized via bio-processes (i.e., daptomycin and talaporfin sodium) and peptide synthesizers (i.e., abarelix and enfuvirtide) will be excluded as well. The syntheses of these new drugs were published sporadically in different journals and patents. The synthetic routes cited here represent the most scalable methods based on the author’s judgment and appear in alphabetical order by generic names. Alfuzosin Hydrochloride (Uroxatral™) Alfuzosin (SL-77499) (I), a quinazoline derivative which is a uroselective alpha-1 adrenoreceptor antagonist, has been developed and launched worldwide by Sanofi-Synthelabo, for the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) [5]. In November 2003, alfuzosin (I) was launched as an extended release formulation in the US as Uroxatral utilizing Skyepharma’s oral controlled release technology. Although syntheses of alfuzosin (I) have appeared in several reports [68], an optimized route used for the manufacture of the *Address correspondence to these authors at the Pfizer, Groton, CT 06340, USA; KKL: Tel: 1-860-441-5498; E-mail: [email protected]; JL: Tel: 1-860-715-3552, E-mail: [email protected]; SMS: Tel: 1-860-715-0425, E-mail: [email protected] 1389-5575/04 $45.00+.00 compound does not appear in the literature. The synthesis reported by the Sanofi group for alfuzosin will be described and is shown in Scheme 1. The commercially available 4amino-2-chloro-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline (1) was treated with 3-methylaminopropionitrile (2) in isoamyl alcohol and refluxed for 5 hrs. Filtration of the precipitated product and washing with ethanol gave nitrile 3 in 62% yield. Hydrogenation of the nitrile was done in 15% ammonia solution in ethanol with Raney nickel as catalyst at 70o C and 1000 psi to obtain the corresponding amine free base. Conversion of the free base to the hydrochloride salt was done in ethanol to give the HCl salt 4 in 52% yield. The final acylation of amine 4 was done with the imidazolyl anhydride of furan 5. Thus, 2-carboxyfuran was treated with carbonyldiimidazole in THF at 40°C for 1 hr and then cooled to 10°C. Addition of amine 4 in THF in the presence of triethylamine at 10°C, then refluxing the reaction for 1 hr, and aqueous workup gave the alfuzosin free base. After conversion to the hydrochloride salt and recrystallization from 2-propanol alfuzosin hydrochloride (I) was obtained in 44% yield. Aprepitant (Emend™) Aprepitant (MK-869, L-754030) (II), a functionalized morpholine acetal derivative with potent neurokinin receptor 1(NK-1) antagonist activity, has been developed and launched in April, 2003 in the US and February, 2004 in the UK for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) [9] under the trade name Emend™. Several variations to the synthesis of aprepitant (II) have been published by the Merck group [10-16]. The latest optimized synthesis utilizing a novel crystallization-induced diastereoselective synthesis of aprepitant is highlighted in Scheme 2 [11]. The synthetic approach entailed (1) the synthesis and coupling of the key pieces, N-benzyl lactam lactol 13 and sec-phenethyl alcohol 7, to provide lactam acetal 1 4 , (2) stereoselective elaboration to the key intermediate 14, and (3) conversion to the final compound via either intramolecular cyclization or intermolecular coupling with triazolinone chloride 24. The intermediate secphenethyl alcohol 7 was synthesized in 97% yield and 95% e.e. (improved to 99% e.e. after recrystallization) via the enantioselective borane reduction of ketone 6 in the presence of 2 mol % of (S)-oxazaborolidine catalyst 8. The optimized conditions involved the slow addition of ketone 6 to a © 2004 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd. Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 10 1106 Liu et al. N O N H N N N O O HCl O O NH Alfuzosin HCl (I) NH2 H2SO4 O HN O N O F O H N N H O N H O F N H N N F O OH O F Aprepitant (II) F NO2 H N O Atazanavir sulfate (III) F F O O N O O N H N HCl O OH H N B OH O N Bortezomib (VI) Azelnidipine (V) NH2 N H Atomoxetine hydrochlo ride (IV) O OH H NH2 N H NH2 HCl N F N N N O O HCl O O O O OH H O O H O H OH S HO O Epinastine HCl (VIII ) Emtricitabine HC l (VI I) O O Everolimus (IX) Ca O 2+ O P O O NH2 O O N N S O O P O OH F N N O F N N H 2N N N N MeSO3H N N O Fos amprenavir calcium (X) F Fosfluconazole (XI) O O N P O P OH OH OH OH HO Gemifloxacin mesylate (XII) NH2 HCl Cl H N OH Ibandronate Sodium (XIII) O OH O H N O HO F Lumiracoxib (XIV) Memantine HCl (XV) Synthetic Approaches to the 2003 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 10 1107 Fig. (1). contd..... O OH O N ONa N HO O HO OH F O H HCl H Palonosetron HCl (XVIII) O Mycophenolate sodium (XVII) OH Miglustat (XVI) N Cl OH O N N N CO2H Cl O OH 1/2 Ca 2+ HO2C N O O Sertaconazole nitrate (XXI) Rupatadine fumarate (XX) N Cl S Cl Pitavastatin calcium (XIX) N H N O N N H O N N H N N S O N O Tadalafil (XXII ) O Vardenafil HCl (XXIII ) O O N Fig. (1). Structures of 23 new drugs marketed in 2003. solution containing catalyst 8 and BH3•PhNEt2 complex in MTBE at –10 to 0°C. The synthesis of lactam 12 was done by reacting N-benzylethanolamine (9) with slight excess of aqueous glyoxylic acid (10, 2.3 equivalent of 50% aqueous solution) in refluxing THF. Adjustment of the solvent composition from predominantly THF to predominantly water resulted in the crystallization of lactam 12 directly from 11 in the reaction mixture in 76% yield. Lactam 12 was treated with trifluoroacetic anhydride (1 equiv) to give trifluoroacetate 13, which was reacted in situ with chiral alcohol 7 in the presence of BF3·OEt2 to give, after workup, a 55:45 mixture of the acetals 14 and 15 in 95-98% overall yield. To obtain the desired diastereomer from the 55:45 mixture of 14 and 15, an optimized crystallization sequence was developed. To a solution of the crude mixture in heptane, 3,7-dimethyl-3-octanol (17) (0.9 equiv) was added, cooled to –10 to –5°C and, after seeding the mixture with pure 14, potassium salt of 3,7-dimethyl-3-octanol (16) (0.3 equiv) was added to initiate the crystallization-induced O Cl HN N isoamyl alcohol, ∆ 62% N O 1 NH 2 O O O i. 5 THF, TEA, ∆ ii. HCl/ IPA 44% 2 CN O epimerization of 15 to 14. After 5 hr, the mixture was transformed into a 96:4 mixture from which 14 was isolated in 83-85% yield and >99% e.e. Under an optimized condition, the lactam 1 4 was reacted with 4fluorophenylmagnesium bromide (18) (1.3 equiv) in THF at ambient temperature followed by methanol quench and addition of p -toluenesulfonic acid (1.8-2.2 equiv). Immediate hydrogenation of this mixture in the presence of 5% Pd/C gave the addition product 19, which was isolated as hydrochloride salt in 91% yield. Under these conditions, no cleavage of the benzylic ether group was seen, even after extended hydrogenation periods. Elaboration to aprepitant (II) was done by the initial alkylation of 19 in the presence of a base with amidrazone chloride 20, which was prepared from chloroacetonitrile, to give the intermediate 21. Thermolysis of 21 in toluene provided aprepitant (II) in 85% overall yield. Alternatively, the hydrochloride salt 19 has also been alkylated directly with the triazolinone chloride 24 to give aprepitant (II) [17]. N N N i . H2 /Raney Nickel N O 3 15% EtOH/NH 3 70oC, 1000psi ii. HCl/EtOH 52% NH 2 O O N N N H N N N O H Cl O Scheme 1. Synthesis of alfuzosin hydrochloride (I). O NH2 Al fuzosi n HCl (I) O N N N O 4 NH 2 NH2 ● HCl 1108 F Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 10 F F F O OH NH 8 (S)- oxazaborolidine catalys t O OH O 10 2.3 equiv. CO2H N O H 2O N crystallization 76% THF, ∆ 9 O O Bn BF 3 OEt 2 O F Bn + F O DCM 95-98% O F F F HCl OH HN O CF3 O 16 (0.3 equiv.) 17 (0.9 equiv.) F F F O MgBr O O -K + O 15 45% F N 13 F F 14 55% Bn DCM 100% OH F N F N O (CF 3CO)2O O 12 11 7 O B F F 7 99%ee after recrystallization OH HO Ph Me F F F H Ph N MTBE,-10 -0oC 97% F OH F catalyst (2 mol %) 8 BH3 PhNEt2 F 6 Liu et al. F F O heptan e, -10 to 4oC crystallization 83-85% F 18 (1.3 equiv.) i. THF, rt 14 99% ee ii. MeOH p TsOH (1.8-2.2 equiv.), H2/ 5% Pd/C iii. HCl/4-methyl-2-pentanone F 19 F F F H 2N MeO 2CHN Cl N 91% 20 O 24 1 .0 3 equiv. NH HN Pr2NEt, DMF (wet) 99% N O N F O H 2N ● HCl 22 + N F O F N O F toluene, ∆ F F 21 F F Cl NH2 NH F F F F F F II Aprepitant O H2N MeO2CHN MeOH M eO o MeO OMe20 C, 3 days 98% 23 H N O HN N Cl 24 Scheme 2. Synthesis of aprepitant (II). Atazanavir Sulfate (ReyatazTM) Atazanavir (BMS-232632, III), an azapeptide HIV protease inhibitor, has been developed and launched by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), under worldwide license from Novartis, for the treatment of HIV infection [18]. Atazanavir was launched in the US as Reyataz™ in July 2003. The synthesis of atazanavir (III) appeared in several reports [1922]. The synthetic route depicted in Scheme 3 was one of the best routes which was suitable for large scale production [22]. The commercially available chiral diol 25 was converted to its silyl mesylate 26 in one pot via selective silylation and subsequent mesylation. This oily intermediate 26 was carried into the next step without further purification. The desilylation of 26 was achieved by using inexpensive ammonium fluoride. The resulting solid product 27 was readily isolated and further purified through recrystallization from IPA/H2O in 80% yield. The epoxide formation from 2 7 was affected by KO t Bu in THF/IPA to provide Synthetic Approaches to the 2003 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 10 1109 O OH BocHN OMs i. TBSCl, TEA, DMAP, BocHN OH PhM e, 50oC ii. MsCl, 0oC 100% 25 Bn CHO OMs NH4F, HOAc OTBS BocHN rt 80% Bn 26 BocHN KOtBu, IPA 28 Bn rt 88% OH Bn 27 N N Br N 30 PhMe/EtOH, ∆ 80% 29 Pd/C, HCO2Na EtOH, ∆ 78% ∆ Pd(PPh3) 4, Na 2CO3 B(OH)2 N NH2NHBoc, PhMe/IPA 85% NHNHBoc CHO 31 33 NNHBoc 32 N N 28, IPA ∆ 85% i. THF/HCl (12N), 50oC ii. WSC, HOBT, DIPEA, DCM, rt Bn O BocHN N OH Bu OH N H 35 O t O N O O O H N N H 82% N H H N O O O NHBoc N 34 36 H2SO4 O H2SO4, EtOH/heptane, rt 85% N O O H N N H N H H N O O O III atazanavir sulfate Scheme 3. Synthesis of atazanavir sulfate (III). enantiomerically pure epoxide 28 in 88% yield. Suzuki coupling of boronic acid 29 with bromopyridine (30) provided pyridyl benzaldehyde 31 in 80% yield after crystallization. The subsequent condensation of aldehyde 31 with t-butylcarbamate was carried out by refluxing in toluene/IPA and Shiff base 32 was collected by filtration upon cooling. Reduction of hydrazone 32 to hydrazine 33 was accomplished by employing a catalytic phase-transfer hydrogenation protocol (Pd/C, HCOONa) to furnish hydrazine 33 in 78% yield after crystallization. Coupling of the hydrazinocarbamate 33 with epoxide 28 was performed in refluxing IPA, followed by the addition of water to precipitate the crude product. Subsequent recrystallization from MeCN/H2O furnished 34 in 85% yield. Treatment of 34 with concentrated HCl in THF at 50ºC removed the two Boc groups in 34 to give the product as an oil, which was then dissolved in a mixture of DCM/DIPEA and slowly transferred into a premixed solution of N-methoxycarbonylL-tert-leucine (35), HOBT, and WSC in DCM. After removal of the solvent the crude product was crystallized from IPA/EtOH to furnish the freebase 36 in 82% yield. The sulfate III was obtained by stirring the free base 36 with concentrated H2SO4 in EtOH at ambient temperature. Direct crystallization by addition of n-heptane provided the sulfate salt III as an easily filterable solid in 85% yield. Atomoxetine (StratteraTM) This is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and was discovered and launched by Lilly. Although it is a prescription drug, it is not classified as a controlled substance because the drug does not appear to have the potential for abuse [23]. The 3-aryloxy substituent was introduced utilizing a chiral alcohol by either the Mitsunobu reaction or by nucleophilic aromatic displacement. Because of the expense and difficulty of the Mitsunobu reaction on large scale, the commercial process adopts the nucleophilic aromatic substitution method. 3Chloropropiophenone (37) was asymmetrically reduced with borane and catalytic amount of (S)-oxazaborolidine (8) in THF at 0°C to give chiral alcohol 38 in 99% yield and 94% 1110 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 10 Liu et al. O Cl 37 HO 0.6 eq. BH3, THF, 0oC Cl HO 99%, 94% e.e. O 38 B 8 Cl O N O O N NaH, DMSO, 15oC-30o C 98% 39 Ph N 41 N EtOH, ∆, 90% Ph H 40% dimethylamine O N N i. NaBH4, M eOH, 0oC AcOH, H2O ii. SOCl2, DCM 0oC -rt 0oC, 96% 43 44 42 O O N TEA, toluene Zn, AcOH/H2O 12M HCl ● HCl EtOAc, ∆ phenyl chloroformate 60-65oC 95%, 94% e.e. H N 98%, 99% e.e. 45 IV atomoxetine hydrochloride t-BnNH2 F F DCM , MS 4A, rt N O 40 41 Scheme 4. Synthesis of atomoxetine hydrochloride (IV). e.e. The chiral alcohol was further purified by recrystallization to greater than 99% e.e. [24]. Subsequent treatment of chloride 38 with excess dimethylamine (40% in water) in ethanol gave dimethylamine alcohol 39 in 90% yield. Alcohol 39 was then subjected to nucleophilic aromatic displacement [25] in the presence of NaH in DMSO with 1fluoro-2-(t-butylimino)benzene (41), which was prepared in high yield from 2-fluorobenzaldehyde (4 0 ). The displacement product 42 was obtained in 98% yield, and the imine 42 was subsequently hydrolyzed with acetic acid in water at low temperature to give the corresponding aldehyde 43 in 96% yield. Sodium borohydride was employed to reduce aldehyde 43 to alcohol in cold methanol and the intermediate alcohol was converted to chloride 44 with thionyl chloride. Chloride 44 was then reduced with zinc metal under acidic conditions to give methyl adduct 45 in 95% yield and 94% e.e. Finally, phenyl chloroformate and triethylamine was used to transform dimethylamine 45 to monomethyl amine, which was subsequently treated with HCl in EtOAc under reflux to give atomoxetin hydrochloride (IV) in 98% yield and 99% e.e. from 45. Azelnidipine (CalblockTM) It is a calcium channel antagonist, co-developed by Sankyo and Ube. It is a long-acting (slow onset), once-daily drug for the treatment of hypertension, and is only available in Japan now. Unlike other anti-hypertension drugs in its class, it does not produce an associated increase in heart rate when dosed chronically [26]. A solution of benzhydrylamine (46) and epichlorohydrin (47) was mixed without adding solvent to give azetidinol 48 in 57% yield [27]. DCC coupling between cyanoacetic acid (49) and azetidinol 48 in hot THF gave ester 50 in 93% yield. Cyanoester 50 was treated with ethanol and HCl gas in chloroform to give imidate HCl salt 51, which was treated with ammonia gas in chloroform and ammonium acetate in acetonitrile to give the corresponding amidinoacetate 52. A modified Hantzsch reaction was employed to construct the 2-amino-1,4dihydropyridine core structure. Compound 5 2 was condensed with 2-(3-nitrobenzylidene)acetic acid isopropyl ester (55) in the presence of NaOMe in refluxing isopropanol to give the cyclized product, azelnidipine (V) in 74% yield. Benzylideneacetoacetate 55 was obtained through the Knoevenagel reaction employing 3-nitrobenzaldehyde (53) and isopropyl acetoacetate (54) in isopropanol containing a catalytic amount of piperidinium acetate at 45-55oC in 65% yield. Bortezomib (VelcadeTM) Millennium (formerly LeukoSite) has developed and launched bortezomib VI (Velcade; formerly known as MLN341, LDP-341 and PS-341), a ubiquitin proteasome inhibitor, for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) in the US. Although the synthesis of dipeptidyl boronic acids have appeared on several reports [28-30], the synthetic details for bortezomib were not revealed. The synthetic route for the preparation of bortezomib is depicted in Scheme 6. Synthetic Approaches to the 2003 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 10 1111 O Cl O NC 47 N rt, 3 days reflux 3 days, 57% NH2 OH 46 EtOH, HCl (g) OH 49 DCC, THF, 55oC 93% 50 1)NH3(g), CHCl3 HCl 2) NH4OAc, CH3CN HCl O O N NH NH O OEt 55 NaOMe IPA, ∆ 74% 51 NO2 NH2 52 O O O O N H IPA, 45-55oC O N O NO2 NO2 CHCl3 CN O 48 N O N NH2 V azelnidipine O + H O HOAc 54 53 O O N H 6 5% O 55 O Scheme 5. Synthesis of azelnidipine (V). The pinanediol ester of leucine boronic acid (56) [31] was coupled with N-Boc phenylalanine (57) in the presence of TBTU followed by deprotection of the Boc group to provide 58. N-Acylation of 58 then furnished the dipeptide boronate ester 60. Deprotection of the boronic ester functionality was achieved by bi-phase transfer esterification with isobutyl boronic acid. Bortezomib (VI) was isolated by extractive workup. Emtricitabine (EmtrivaTM) Emtricitabine (BW-524W91, (-)-FTC) (VII), cis-5fluoro-1-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl]cytosine, a novel enantiomerically pure oxathiolanyl nucleoside analog was recently approved in the US in July, 2003, for the treatment of HIV infection [32]. This novel HIV nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) was developed and marketed under the trade name Emtriva T M by Gilead Pharmaceuticals. Emcitritabine (VII) was discovered by researchers at Emory University and licensed to Triangle Pharmaceuticals, which started the development work before being acquired by Gilead. Because emcitritabine (VII) belongs to an important structural class of nucleosides with marketed drugs, such as 3TC, several processes for the manufacture of this class of oxathiolane nucleosides have appeared in patents and scientific literature [33-41]. However, only the synthesis described in the latest patent filed for the manufacture of emcitritabine (VII) and one other efficient synthesis from the Liotta group will be described (Scheme 7) [38,39]. The synthesis started with diacylation with butyryl chloride (62) of the 2-butene-1,4-diol (61) in methyl t-butylether at 0°C to room temperature in the O O H N O CF3COO H3N B i. TBTU, IPDEA, DMF, O + 56 H3N B N O 58 57 N O H N N H B O O N 60 Scheme 6. Synthesis of bortezomib (VI). OH O i-BuB(OH) 2, aq HCl N MeOH/hexane, rt N 59 TBTU, IPDEA, DMF, 0o C O O OH N O Cl ii. 4N HCl/dioxane OH BocHN 0oC H N N H O VI bortezomib B OH 1112 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 10 62 OH O O OH i. O3, -10oC ii. thiourea O Cl O TEA, DMAP MeO O 64 O t resolution S O O THF 0 - 19oC 87% O S 66 o i. LiAl(O Bu) 3, 5 C ii. Ac 2O, DMAP O O 54% O 85oC, toluene, OH O O HSCH2CO2H, O 63 95% O O MeOH, 0oC - rt 97% O TBME, rt 61 Liu et al. S 67 65 NHTMS F N F N N O TMSO N 68 TMSI, DCM, 0oC - rt 69 DOWEX SBR (- OH) HO resin MeOH, 0o - rt S N F N N H O VII emcitritabine F N TMSO 71 i. O3, DCM -78oC- rt N 68 O HSCH2CO2H ii. DMS, -78o to rt 96% 73 (NH4)2SO4 HMDS, ∆ F OTBDMS NHTMS NH2 81% OH NaH, TBDMSCl THF, 0oC 72 94% 69 NH2 N S O 70 O N O O O O S O crystallizatio n O O F N N O + S O F N O O NH2 NH2 NH2 OAc OTBDMS H O O toluene, ∆ 74 88% TBDMSO S NHTMS O o 1. Dibal, -78 C 2. Ac2O toluene, -78oC - rt 64% TBDMSO S OAc i. TMSO (6:1 anomeric mixture) 76 75 F N N 68 VII SnCl4, DCM, rt 91% ii. TBAF, THF, rt 98% Scheme 7. Synthesis of emcitritabine (VII). presence of triethylamine to give diacylated product 63 in 95% yield. Ozonolysis followed by reduction with thiourea provided a mixture of hemiacetal 64 mixed with acetals, dimers and trimers in 97% yield, which was used in the next step directly. The hemiacetal mixture was reacted with thioacetic acid in toluene at 85°C for 3 hr to give the crude keto oxathiolane mixture, which was purified by vacuum distillation in a 2-in Pope Scientific wiped film still to remove impurities and collect about 92% pure 66 in 54% yield. Also mentioned in the patent is the potential use of enzymatic resolution of the isomers as reported previously [37]. This keto oxathiolane 66 was reduced at 5°C with lithium aluminum t-butoxide, which was prepared in situ via reaction of LAH and t-butanol, and the resulting lactol was trapped with acetic anhydride in the presence of DMAP in the same reaction vessel to give, after workup, 87% yield of the key intermediate acetate 67. The bis-silyl protected 5fluorocytosine 6 8 , prepared in situ by reacting 5fluorocytosine (71) with HMDS, was reacted with acetate 67 in the presence of trimethylsilyliodide at 0°C to room temperature to give a 1:1 mixture of alpha and beta-anomers 69 and 70. Pure 69 could be isolated by recrystallization from toluene. Cleavage of the butyryl group with a strongly basic DOWEX SBR resin in methanol at room temperature gave emcitritabine (VII) in 81% yield. An alternate concise synthesis reported by Liotta et al is worth mentioning [39]. This synthetic route accessed the key thioxalane acetate 76 as the TBDMS ether in four steps from allyl alcohol 72. The Synthetic Approaches to the 2003 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 10 1113 NH2 N O Cl N i. NH2OH NaCN N THF, < 40oC DMSO, 90o C ii. PCl5 77 79 N i. BrCN, EtOH/THF, RT ii. NaOH 67% 70% 78 NH LAH, H2 SO4 80 NH2 HCl N iii. HCl/Et2 O 79% VI II epinastine HCl Cl N O O HN ,K2 CO3 N 81 AcOH, < 30oC O O 96% N CH3CN, ∆ i. NH2NH2 H2 O O NaBH4 N O NH ethylene glycol, 110oC ii. Fumaric acid 90% 95% HO2 C CO2H 82 NH2 83 N NH2 NH i. BrCN HCl N ii. CH3 NHCH2Ph 80 fumaric acid salt iii. HCl, DMF VIII epinastine HCl Scheme 8. Synthesis of epinastine (VIII). key step to the preparation of the final compound was the coupling of the bis-silyl 5-fluorocytosine (68) with acetate 76 with tin tetrachloride in a stereoselective manner, after cleavage of the silyl groups and recrystallization, to give pure cis isomer emcitritabine (VII) in excellent yield. Epinastine (AlesionTM) Epinastine (WAL-801), a non-sedating, histamine H1 antagonist, was developed by Allergan, after licensing from Boeringer Ingelheim, and approved in the US in October, 2003 as an ophthalmic formulation for the prevention of itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis [42]. This drug was first introduced in Japan in 1993 and followed shortly by an introduction in several Asian and South American markets. Several patents on the synthesis of epinastin (VIII) have appeared in Europe and Japan [43-48]. The synthesis described below is taken partly from the US patent [43] and a Japanese patent [44]. All the syntheses utilized 6-aminomethyl-6,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[b.e]azepine (80) as the key intermediate which was converted to the final guanidine epinastine by reacting with cyanogen bromide. The solution of 80 in ethanol was treated with a solution of cyanogen bromide in THF at room temperature and stirred overnight. The hydrobromide salt was collected in 79% yield after adding ether to the reaction mixture. The salt was free based with a solution of sodium hydroxide and then treated with an ethereal solution of HCl to obtain the epinastine hydrochloride salt VIII. For the preparation of the key intermediate, chloroimine 78, presumably obtained from ketone 77 via Beckmann rearrangement [49,50], was reacted with sodium cyanide in DMSO to give the nitrile 79 in 70% yield. Reduction of the imino nitrile was carried out in THF in the presence of an acid with LAH to give the key intermediate 80 in 67% yield. An alternate approach to preparation of 80 is shown in Scheme 8 as well. Reaction of the commercially available chloride 81 with phthalimide [46,48] in the presence of a base gave the phthalimide 82. Reduction of the imine with sodium borohydride gave 83, which was then reacted with hydrazine hydrate to free up the amine in 90% yield. The amine intermediate was isolated as the fumarate salt. Everolimus (Certican™) Everolimus (I X ) (SDZ-RAD), was developed by Novartis as an immunosuppressant [51] to be used in conjunction with cyclosporin in transplantation allograft rejection and was recently approved in the US in 2003. Another natural product that had been approved for use in transplantation is rapamycin (sirolimus) as an inejectable agent. In an attempt to develop an orally bioavailable 1114 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 10 Liu et al. OH H H N O O H 2,6-lutidine O HO O O O H O H O TBDMSO N OTf O H toluene, 60o C OH O HO O O O O O O O OTBS O H O 2N HCl H MeOH, rt OH O O 84 O H H N O O HO O O 85 O H O OH O H OH O O O I X everolimus Scheme 9. Synthesis of everolimus (IX). immunosuppressant agent, many companies attempted modification of rapamycin itself [52]. Everolimus (IX) was discovered by Sandoz (Novartis) scientists by modifying rapamycin drug in the 40-hydroxyl position [53]. Thus, treatment of rapamycin (84) with t-butyldimethylsilyloxy ethyl triflate in the presence of 2,6-lutidine at 60°C for 3.5 hrs gave ether 85. Deprotection of the silyl group was done by treating silyloxy ether 85 in methanol with 2N HCl to give the product IX (everolimus), which was purified by chromatography. No yields were given for the reactions. Fosamprenavir Calcium (LexivaTM) Fosamprenavir is an amprenavir (APV, Agenerase; Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc/GlaxoSmithKline plc) prodrug for the treatment of HIV infection. Fosamprenavir (X) was developed to overcome adherence barriers, such as pill size and burden, and food and water restrictions, which are common amongst all current FDA-approved protease inhibitors (PI). Fosamprenavir (X) can be administered without any food or water restrictions as two 700 mg tablets twice-daily; one 700 mg tablet plus one 100 mg capsule of ritonavir twice-daily; or two 700 mg tablets plus two 100 mg capsules of ritonavir once-daily. Ultimately, fosamprenavir (X) will offer patients and physicians a flexible and convenient PI backbone [54]. The synthesis of fosamprenavir (X) started with a known amino alcohol 91 [55,56]. N,N-Dibenzyl-L-phenylalaninal (87) was prepared by reduction of L-phenylalanine (86) to L-phenylalaninol followed by N,N-dibenzylation and oxidation to the aldehyde 87 using pyridine-sulfur trioxide complex at room temperature. A large excess of lithium shot was stirred in a solution of aldehyde 87 and bromochloromethane in THF at -65°C. The reaction mixture was subsequently allowed to warm up to room temperature to provide the diastereomeric epoxide mixture (6:1) which was quenched with 6N aqueous HCl and set standing overnight to provide the salt precipitate. Recrystallization from methanol gave optically pure dibenzylaminochlorohydrin hydrochloride (88) in 3845% yield. Hydrogenolysis under standard conditions gave deprotected aminochlorohydrin hydrochloride 89 as a crystalline white solid. Conversion to desired N -Bocepoxide 90 was accomplished by the introduction of the Boc group followed by cyclization [55]. N-Boc-epoxide 90 was then converted to amino alcohol 91 by refluxing with isobutylamine in EtOH [57]. Treatment of the amino alcohol Synthetic Approaches to the 2003 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 10 1115 i. NaBH4, H2SO4 ii. BnBr, K2CO3, EtOH, 60oC O H 3N iii. Py SO3, TEA, DMSO, rt 99% Bn2N O 1 atm, rt OH 88 NHBoc i-BuNH2 EtOH, ∆ >98% then KOH/MeOH HCl N H OH BocHN 97% H2N Cl 89 O 90 OH NO2 91 O Cl i. Cl O Boc 2O, TEA, THF, 5oC Pd(OH) 2/C, H2, MeOH Bn2N ii. HCl 38 - 45% H 87 86 HCl i. Li, BrCH2Cl, THF, -65oC O S O NH2 9 2 , TEA, Toluene, 80oC, 1h O NO2 S O N N O ii. HCl (concentrate), ∆, 1h N HCl O 94 EtOAc, ∆, 22 h 82% OH 73% NO2 O HN O S O NH2 93 O O i. POCl3, Py, 3h ii. HCl, ∆, 3h O HN iii. Pd/C, H2, 30oC, 8h O iv. Ca(OAc) 2, 40 -50oC N S 92 % O P Ca 2+ O 95 O N O OH O O O X fosamprenavir calcium Scheme 10. Synthesis of fosamprenavir calcium (X). 91 with p-nitrobenzene sulphonyl chloride in toluene at 80°C followed by acid hydrolysis of the Boc group furnished sulphonamide 93 in 73% yield. The carbamate 95 was prepared by refluxing 93 with (S)-tetrahydrofuryl imidazole carboxylate (94) in EtOAc. Treatment of the sulphonamide 95 with POCl3 followed by aqueous HCl hydrolysis provided the phosphate intermediate, which was then reduced by hydrogenation and converted to fosamprenavir calcium salt X in a one-pot process in 92% yield. Fosfluconazole (Profif™) Fosfluconazole, a phosphate prodrug of fluconazole (96), was recently approved for intravenous use in Japan in October 2003. The drug was developed as a water-soluble prodrug by Pfizer as an enhancement to the injectable infusion formulation of fluconazole (96), a very potent antifungal agent, that could be used intravenously in bolus doses requiring smaller volumes of fluid and sodium. The disclosed manufacturing route of synthesis utilized O O OH N N N F N N N 1. PCl3,-13-13oC, 2hrs 2. BnOH, 14 -16oC, 2hr 3. H2O2, 20oC, 1hr pyridine, DCM BnO P HO OBn NaOH O N N N F N N N OH O N H2 (60psi), 5% Pd/C H2O, rt P N N N F 88% 6 6% F F 96 fluconazole Scheme 11. Synthesis of fosfluconazole (XI). 97 F XI fosfluconazole N N Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 10 1116 HCl EtO O H2N + O CN i. (t-Boc) 2O, CHCl3, rt, 17h O KOH, H2O CN 50-60oC, 5h 48% O 99 Liu et al. ii. EtONa, EtOH, 1h >98% N H 100 98 CN i. NaBH4, MeOH, 0oC, 0.5h ii. LiAlH4, THF, -5oC, 0.5h iii. (t-Boc) 2O, dioxane/H2O, rt, 0.5h 83% N Boc 101 HO NHBoc O DMSO, rt, 3h >98% N Boc EtOH/THF/H2O, 40oC, 1h N 88% Boc 103 O O F OEt Cl N NH2, 5-10oC, 1h ii. Cl N Cl NH 2CF3COOH 105 O 105 PhCHO, Et3N, CH3CN/H2O rt, 3h 95% O OH ii. HCl, ∆, 5h Cl N N N 52% one-pot from 106 107 O O F F N O i. Et3N, Et2O 108 106 O F OEt Cl NH2 N H O F i. (EtO) 3CH, Ac 2O, ∆, 3h 84% 104 N Boc 102 O O N NHBoc TFA, rt, 20 min NHBoc O N CH3ONH2 HCl, NaHCO3 Pyridine SO3, Et3N OH N 40-45oC, 0.5h 95% N OH MeSO3H, H2O H 2N N N N MeSO3H N N O O 109 XII gemifloxacin mesylate Scheme 12. Synthesis of gemifloxacin mesylate (XII). fluconazole (96) as a precursor and was prepared in two steps using inexpensive starting materials [58]. Fluconazole [59] was dissolved in dichloromethane with pyridine and was treated sequentially with phosphorus trichloride at –13°C and reacted at 13°C for 2 hr followed by an addition of benzyl alcohol at 14-16°C and reacted for 2 hrs at 10-15°C. The mixture was then cooled to 0°C and 30% hydrogen peroxide was added over three hours, maintaining the temperature below 20°C. After stirring the reaction at 20°C for 1hr, the intermediate 97 was isolated in 66% yield. Hydrogenation of the benzyl phosphate at 60 psi in water with 5% palladium on carbon gave the desired phosphate prodrug, fosfluconazole (XI) in 88% yield. Gemifloxacin (ZymarTM) LG Life Sciences (formerly LG Chemical) has developed gemifloxacin (SB-265805, LB-20304a), a fluoronaphthyridone active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative H i. Pd/C, H2 , 74% ii. H2CO, HCO2H, 95% NH2 N O 110 bacteria, including methicillin-resistant staphylococci, as a treatment for bacterial infection [60]. By December 2002, the drug had been approved in Korea. Oral gemifloxacin was approved by the FDA in April 2003. Two key intermediates, 3-aminomethyl-4-methoxyiminopyrrolidine (105) and 7chloro-1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-1,8-naphthyridine-3-carboxylic acid (108) were involved in the synthesis of gemifloxacin (XII). Michael addition of glycine ethyl ester hydrochloride (98) to acrylonitrile (99) in the presence of KOH furnished cyanoester 100 in 48% yield. Protection of the amino group and Dieckmann cyclization were accomplished in a one-pot process to furnish 4-cyano-1-(N-tbutoxycarbonyl)-pyrrolidine-3-one (1 0 1 ) in almost quantitative yield. The conversion of ketone 101 to alcohol 102 was achieved via three reaction sequences in a one-pot process in 83% yield. The hydroxy group was oxidized to ketone 103 with pyridine-sulfur trioxide complex in DMSO. Treatment of ketone 103 with methoxyamine in the presence of NaHCO 3 provided methyloxime 104 in 88% yield. N 111 94% 112 OCH3 Pd/C, H2, 49% NH 113 114 i. 1N NaOH ii. H3PO3/POCl3 iii. H2O, NaOH O N toluene 93% 115 Scheme 13. Synthesis of ibandronate sodium (XIII). OCH3 O HO N 34% overall XIII ibandronate sodium HO O P O Na OH P O Na O Synthetic Approaches to the 2003 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 10 1117 F Cl H2N NaOtBu Pd(dba)2 , (t-Bu) 3P + Br O Cl HN Cl F O Cl Cl excess F N Cl 119 toluene 116 neat, 90oC 117 120 118 F O O AlCl3 N HO NaOH Cl neat, 160-170o C Cl H N EtOH/H2O, ∆ F XIV lumiracoxib 121 Scheme 14. Synthesis of lumiracoxib (XIV). Deprotection of the Boc groups in 104 by TFA afforded pyrrolidine 105 in 84% yield [61]. Quinolone acid 108 was employed in the synthesis of ciprofloxacin and can be readily prepared according to literature methods [62,63]. A four step sequence/one-pot process [63,64] is depicted in Scheme 12. Nicotinoyl acetate 106 was converted to enaminoester 107 by reaction with ethyl orthoformate and acetic anhydride, followed by reaction with the cyclopropyl amine. 1,8-Naphthyridine 108 was obtained through baseassisted cyclization, followed by acid hydrolysis of the ester function via a one-pot process in 52% overall yield. The coupling reaction of quinolone 108 with pyrrolidine 105 was carried out in CH3CN-H2O in the presence of benzaldehyde and triethylamine. The benzaldehyde served as an important reagent to protect the primary amine selectively and therefore the desired gemifloxacin derivative 109 was obtained in high yield and purity, otherwise a 10% by-product was observed [65]. The deprotection and salt formation reactions were carried out in one step by treatment of 109 w i t h methanesulfonic acid at 40-45ºC in water. The gemifloxacin mesylate (XII) was collected by filtration upon cooling in 95% yield [65]. injectable and oral formulations [66]. In collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline, the ibandronic acid was also developed in both iv and oral formulations for the treatment and prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The synthesis of ibandronate sodium (XIII) is shown in Scheme 13 [67]. However some reaction details are not available in the literature. N -pentylamine (1 1 0 ) was reacted with benzaldehyde to give oily Schiff base 111 in 94% yield. Hydrogenation with palladium/charcoal gave N-benzyl-Npentylamine as oil in 74% yield. The secondary amine was reductively alkylated with formaldehyde and formic acid to give the tertiary amine 112 in 95% yield. Hydrogenolytic cleavage of the benzyl group of 112 with palladium/charcoal gave secondary amine 113, which was reacted with methyl acrylate (114) in toluene to give compound 115 in 93% yield. Methyl ester 115 was then saponified with 1N NaOH to give carboxylic acid. The acid was then heated to 80oC with phosphorous acid. The melt was mixed with phosphorus oxychloride at the same temperature for 16 hours. Water was then added and the reaction mixture was stirred at 100°C for 24 hours to give free diphosphonic acid. The free diphosphonic acid was finally treated with sodium hydroxide to give ibandronate sodium (XIII). Ibandronate (BonivaTM) This bisphosphonate, a calcium metabolic inhibitor and osteogenesis inhibitor, was developed and launched by Boehringer Mannheim (now Roches) for the treatment of tumor-induced hypercalcemia (TIH) and is available in both Lumiracoxib (PrexigeTM) Lumiracoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor discovered and developed by Novartis, was approved in September, 2003 in the UK for the symptomatic relief of osteoarthritis and short NH2 HCl NCl3, AlCl 3 98% O NH2 HCl XV Memantine HCl HN Br Br2 122 H2SO4 neat, ∆ CH3CN, rt 100% 86% 123 Scheme 15. Synthesis of memantine (XV). NaOH diethylene glycol, ∆ 96% HCl,Et2 O 73% 124 XV Memantine HCl Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 10 1118 Liu et al. HCl O HO OH n-BuNH , 12N HCl 2 H2, Pd/C, EtOH HO OH 60oC, 90% HO HO HO 125 HN HCl OH NH O HO N HO Pd/C , H2 HO 80% 45% from glucose HO HO OH HO D-Glucose Gluconobacter oxidation OH OH HO 127 XVI miglustat 126 Scheme 16. Synthesis of miglustat (XVI). Memantine HCl (NamendaTM) term relief of moderate to severe acute pain associated with primary dysmenorrhea, dental surgery and orthopedic surgery [68]. After an initial not approvable letter issued by FDA in September 2003, Novartis expects to re-submit a NDA by early 2006 following the completion of several studies requested by FDA. Since the original patent on the discovery of lumiracoxib (XIV) disclosed the first synthesis of this compound [69], several approaches to the synthesis of lumiracoxib (XIV) have been detailed in the subsequent process patent [70]. In all the routes, the key to the synthesis was the ring opening of lactam 121. Coupling of pbromotoluene (116) with 2-chloro-6-fluoroaniline (117) in the presence of palladium catalyst Pd(dba)3 , tributyl phosphine and sodium t-butoxide in toluene provided a n i l i n e i n t e r m e d i a t e 1 1 8 . Acylation with chloroacetylchloride (119) at 90°C neat gave chloride intermediate 120. Cyclization in the presence of aluminum chloride at 160 to 170°C gave the key lactam 121, which was subsequently opened with sodium hydroxide in boiling ethanol water mixture to provide lumiracoxib (XIV). O MeO2C Memantine, a NMDA receptor antagonist [71,72], was co-developed by Forest Laboratories with Merz Pharmaceuticals and marketed under the trade name Namenda for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease in the US after its approval in October, 2003. This drug has been available in many European and Asian markets before getting approval in the US. Memantine (XV) or 1-amino3,5-dimethyladamantane hydrochloride was first synthesized by Lilly as an anti-diabetic agent but was ineffective in lowering blood sugar [73]. Several syntheses have been detailed in the literature [73-76]. However the simplest synthesis of the drug was done in one step from the commercially available 3,5-dimethyl adamantine (122). Treatment of 122 with nitrogen trichloride (CAUTION: very explosive gas!) in the presence of aluminum trichloride (ratio of 1.5:1.2) gave the desired amino adamantine in 86% yield. However, a much safer alternative has been reported by Lilly scientists. Heating the commercially available 3,5O Cl CO2Me + NaH, THF, rt, 14h CO2Me 82% 129 128 OPiv OHC OH O 131 CO2Me + NaH, THF, 2h CO2Me OPiv HO 132 133 NaOH OMe O CO2Me K2CO3, MeOH, iii. TEA, MeSO2Cl, DCM, rt, 2.5h, iv. NaBH4, DMF, 77% in two steps ii. CrO3, H+, acetone, -30o C, then CH2 N2 , AcOEt, 54% 62% OMe i. NaH, DMF, MeI, 3h, rt, 88% ii. NaBH4, MeOH, 0.5h, 89% i. O3, DCM, Py, DMS, -78o C, 52% OPiv HO CHO 33% 132 CO2Me 130 OPiv M eO O 6h, rt, 100% MeO 134 135 OM e iii. BCl3, DCM, -78o-rt, 86% O O O OMe iv. LiOH, H2O, rt, 6h, 93% MeO 136 OH O O ONa XVII mycophenolate sodium O MeO Scheme 17. Synthesis of mycophenolate sodium (XVII). OH O O OH O MeO 137 Synthetic Approaches to the 2003 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 10 1119 dimethyladamantane 122 in bromine gave the bromo derivative 123 (86%) which was then reacted with sulfuric acid in acetonitrile to provide quantitatively acetyl amino derivative 124 after aqueous workup. Hydrolysis of the acetyl group was done by heating 1 2 4 with sodium hydroxide in diethylene glycol to give 1-amino -3,5adamantane (96%), which was then made into the hydrochloride salt in ether and recrystallized from ether and alcohol mixture to provide the final product memantine hydrochoride XV. acid (137) was originally synthesized by Birch and Wright [81] and has been the subject of several total [82-88] and formal syntheses [89-95]. The large production in industry is done via fermentation [96]. A concise synthesis of mycophenolic acid published recently is depicted in Scheme 17 [88]. Reaction of dimethyl 1,3-acetonedicarboxylate (128) with commercially available geranyl chloride (129) in the presence of NaH gave ketoester 130 in 82% yield. Treatment of ketoester 130 with 4-(pivolyloxy)-2-butynal (131) in the presence of NaH provided resorcinol 132 in a single step with all substituents in place in 33% yield along with two more compounds represented by 133 (62%). Resorcinol 132 was transformed into 134 via a four step sequences: methylation with NaH and MeI in dry DMF, reduction of the formyl group with NaBH4, mesylation of the resulting alcohol and subsequent reduction of the mesylate. The preparation of phthalide 135 was affected in quantitative yield on treatment of 134 with K2 C O 3 in dry MeOH. Selective ozonolysis of compound 135, followed by Jones oxidation and esterification afforded ester 1 3 6 . Demethylation with BCl3 in DCM followed by hydrolysis of the ester function gave the mycophenolic acid (137). The mycophenolic acid was then converted to its sodium salt XVII (no conditions and yield available). Miglustat (Zavesca™) This orally active glucosylceramide glucosyltransferase inhibitor, was launched for the treatment of type I Gaucher’s disease [77]. Miglustat (XVI) has been developed and launched by Oxford GlycoSciences (OGS; now Celltech) and Actelion. The drug was originally discovered at Searle (now Pfizer) and an enzymatic oxidation was employed in the synthesis [78]. D-Glucose (125) was subjected to reductive amination with n-butylamine in ethanol under 4 atm of hydrogen in the presence of Pd/C catalyst at 60 ºC to give N -butylglucamine HCl salt (1 2 6 ) in 90% yield. N butylglucamine (126) then was submitted to a selective microorganism oxidation by Gluconobacter Oxidans (DSM 2003) cell paste in water to give 6-(butylamino)-6-deoxy-aL-sorbofuranose HCl salt (127) in 80 % yield. Finally, compound 127 was cyclized and reduced in situ with hydrogen over Pd/C at 4000 atm in ethanol/water to give miglustat (XVI) in 45% overall yield from D-glucose (125). Palonosetron (AloxiTM) This selective and conformationally restricted 5-HT3 receptor antagonist was approved for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting [97]. The drug was originally developed by Syntex Corp (now Roche Bioscience) and is currently being developed by Helsinn and MGI Pharm. (S)-3-Aminoquinuclidine was condensed with inexpensive 1,8-naphthalic anhydride (138) to furnish imide 139 in 93% yield and isolated as its TFA salt [98]. Imide 139 was hydrogenated at 5 psi to give intermediate 140 with one of the reduced aromatic ring. The less hindered C-3 carbonyl group in 140 was selectively reduced to a hydroxy group by using sodium borohydride in ethanol under nitrogen at low temperature to give intermediate 141. Intermediate 141 was not isolated because of the formation of a tight boron complex. Subsequently, acid was added to 141 in i-PrOH to decompose the boron complex and dehydrate intermediate 141 to 142, which was conveniently Mycophenolate Sodium (Myfortic™) Novartis has developed and launched an enteric-coated formulation of mycophenolate sodium (Myfortic; ERL-080), an IMP dehydrogenase inhibitor, as an oral immunosuppressive agent for the prevention of kidney rejection during transplantation [79]. In November 2002, its first approval was gained in Switzerland; additional approvals were subsequently received in Brazil, India, Australia. By January 2004, approval had been received in 36 countries, and by March 2004, approval had been granted in the EU and US. Mycophenolic acid (137), a natural product, was discovered 107 years ago [80]. Mycophenolic N O O N O O N (S) -3-aminoquinuclidine N O propanol, 93% H 5psi H2, Pd/C H O O EtOH, 50oC ● N O NaBH4, EtOH -78oC to -45oC 139 N O N N OH 141 Scheme 18. Synthesis of palonosetron (XVIII). ● 142 N THF, 50oC, 57% H 81% from 139 to 142 N O H 5 psig H2, Pd/C HCl, i-PrOH H TFA TFA 140 138 ● H ● HCl HCl XVIII palonosetron 1120 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 10 Liu et al. i. TsCl, Na 2CO3, H2O, 78oC, 78% N H Cl O HO i. AlCl3, fluorobenzene, 80oC O ii. PCl5, o-dichlorobenzene, 85oC NH2 S O O CH3 NH2 o ii. H2O, 80 C, 64% 144 O F F F 145 14 3 i. KOH, dioxane-H2O OEt (EtO) 2CO 85% O O 148 N N 149 , THF, -78oC i. ONa CHO O 151 O i. NaOH, 92% CO2Et 150 ii. Et2BOMe, then NaBH4 iii. 2,2-dimethoxypropane, TsOH, 99% from 150 O O I OEt OLi TMS ii. PhI(OAc) 2, I 2, CCl4 CO2Et 500 W halog en-lamp, ∆ 74% from 148 Toluene, ∆ Dean-Stark 90% O 147 146 PTSA, 145 ii. (R)-naphthylethylamine recrystallization, 31%, 97% e.e. 152 O O NH3 i. HCl O CO2Et ii. EtI, DBU 70% 153 O i. disiamylborane O O CO2Et ii. NaOEt, EtOH CH3 Sia 2B 155 154 F F OH O O O OH O _ O OEt 149 PdCl2, CH3CN, 99% i. HCl(aq) ii. NaOH iii. CaCl 2 1/2 Ca+ 2 N N 156 XI X pitavastatin calcium Scheme 19. Synthesis of pitavastatin calcium (XIX). isolated as its HCl salt in 75% yield from 139. Palonosetron (XVIII) was obtained in 57% yield by palladium-catalyzed hydrogenation of 142. Pitavastatin Calcium (Livalo™) Pitavastatin calcium, another HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor in the statin family, is marketed by Kowa and Sankyo for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Pitavastatin (XIX) is a liver-selective drug with higher cholesterollowering potency and longer action than pravastatin or simvastatin [99]. The convergent synthesis [100-102] was achieved by cross-coupling of aryl halide 149 with (E)alkenyl borane 155 which was derived from terminal acetylene 154 by via hydroboration [102]. Anthranilic acid (143) was treated with TsCl and sodium carbonate in hot water to give N-tosylated intermediate in 78% yield, which was converted to the corresponding acid chloride 144 with PCl 5 in o-dichlorobenzene at 85°C. Intermediate 144, without isolation, was reacted with fluorobenzene in the presence of AlCl3 at 80°C to give the Friedel-Crafts product which was then hydrolyzed in hot water to give fluorobenzophenone free aniline 145 in 64% yield from the N-tosyl anthranilic acid. Acetyl cyclopropane (146) was reacted with diethyl carbonate to give the corresponding ethyl ester 147. The quinoline core structure was obtained by condensing fluorobenzophenone 145 with 147 under acidic conditions with a Dean-Stark trap to give quinoline-3carboxylic ethyl ester 148 in 90% yield. Ester 148 was hydrolyzed with potassium hydroxide, and the free carboxylic acid thus obtained was subsequently photoiododecarboxylated with iodine and PhI(OAc)2 to give aryl Synthetic Approaches to the 2003 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 10 1121 i. n-BuLi, THF, -20 to -30oC, 1h EtOCOCl, TEA, DCM O p-chloroaniline, -10 to -20oC N H N N 91% ii. Cl 158 157 Cl Cl , -20 to -30oC, 1h 159 O OH Cl 91% H N N O Cl 160 Cl Cl i. PCl 5, DCM, 5oC to rt N ii. AlCl3 iii. H2 O, 80o C 71% N N O 161 162 Cl Cl OH OH HN HO2C OH N DCC, HOBT, TEA, DM F 18h, 70% O 163 N then NaBH4, rt 89% 164 N SOCl2, CHCl3, ∆, 30 min POCl 3, CHCl3 , rt 166 165 51% 167 N i. Mg/THF + 167 N N Cl 162 N Cl Fumaric acid EtOH N ii. H2SO4 CO2H N 70% 42% N HO2C N N XX rupatadine fumarate N 168 Scheme 20. Synthesis of rupatadine fumarate (XX). iodide 149 in 74% yield. 3-Trimethylsilylpropynal (150) was used as the starting material to prepare the chiral side chain. Compound 150 was reacted with di-anion 151 in THF at low temperature to give the corresponding diol ester which was first reacted with Et2BOMe and then reduced to acetylene with sodium borohydride. The free diol was protected as ketal with 2,2-dimethoxypropane in the presence of TsOH to give dimethylketal acetylene 152 in 99% yield. The ester functionality was hydrolyzed with sodium hydroxide to give the acid in 92% yield. The racemic free acid was resolved with (R)-(1-naphthyl)ethylamine to give the pure diastereomeric salt 153 which crystallized out in 31% yield and 97% e.e. Esterification of the free carboxylic acid liberated from the crystalline salt with ethyl iodide gave optically pure acetylene 154 in 70% yield. Hydroboration of acetylene 154 with disiamylborane gave (E)-alkenyldisiamylborane 155 and the excess borane reagent was quenched with sodium ethoxide in ethanol. After evaporation of all volatile material, the residue was directly subjected to the cross-coupling reaction. Palladium (II) chloride and aryl iodide 149 were mixed in acetonitrile to give coupling product 156 in 99% yield. After the ketal in 156 was hydrolyzed under acid conditions and the ester was hydrolyzed with sodium hydroxide, the resulting carboxylic sodium salt was reacted with calcium chloride to yield pitavastatin calcium (XIX) with 99% e.e. Rupatadine Fumarate (Rupafin™) Uriach’s rupatadine fumarate, a novel antiallergic drug with a dual mechanism of action, was launched for the first time in Spain in 2003. Rupatadine, which acts as a nonsedating histamine H1 antagonist and platelet-activating factor antagonist, represents a novel approach to the treatment of allergic rhinitis [103]. One of the convergent syntheses [104-109] for rupatadine (XX) involved two key intermediates, tricyclic ketone 162 and chloropiperidine derivative 167. 3-Methylpicoline acid (157) was reacted with p-chloroaniline in the presence of acid chloride and TEA to provide amide 158 in 91% yield. Amide 158 was then Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 10 1122 O O O Cl Liu et al. N Br Cl Br2 , Et2O/dioxane = 2/1 N Cl HO 5 eq. imidazole Cl Cl 5-10 C, 1hr ∆, 1 hr, 78% Cl 170 169 Cl 171 N (-) -DIP-chloride 172 Cl N Cl N Cl o MeOH 71% from 169 5-10oC N NaBH4, MeOH S N H ● HNO3 N OH Et2O/THF 80% Br Cl KOt Bu, 173 Cl 60%HNO3 174 H EtOH, 89% DMF, MS 4A 68% Cl O Cl S XXI sertaconazole Scheme 21. Synthesis of sertaconazole (XXI). treated with n-BuLi at -20°C for 1h, followed by addition of 3-chlorobenzyl chloride (159) to furnish amide 160 in 91% yield after an aqueous workup. The cyclization of amide 160 was accomplished by treatment with 160 PCl5 first followed by AlCl3 mediated Friedel-Crafts cyclization. The cyclic intermediate 161 was directly subjected to hydrolysis without isolation and tricyclic ketone 162 was obtained in 71% yield via a one-pot process [107]. N-acylation of 5hydroxypiperidine (164) with 5-methylnictonic acid (163) was accomplished by using HOBT, DCC to furnish amide 1 6 5 . The carbonyl group in 1 6 5 was reduced by chlorination/reduction sequence using POCl3 and NaBH4. Alcohol 166 was then converted to the chloride 167 by refluxing with SOCl2 in CHCl3. Coupling tricyclic ketone 162 and chloride 167 via a Grinard protocal followed by dehydration furnished the rupatadine 168. Treatment of rupatadine with fumaric acid in EtOH gave rupatadine fumarate (XX) in 70% yield [109]. Sertaconazole (DermofixTM, ErtaczoTM) This drug has been developed and launched for the treatment of dermatological fungal infections by Ferrer Internacional S. A.[110]. Mylan received FDA approval for sertaconazole nitrate cream for the treatment of athlete's foot (tinea pedis) at the end of 2003. 2,4-Dichloro acetophenone 169 was brominated at low temperature to give bromide intermediate 170, which was used without isolation. To the same pot, five-fold excess of imidazole was added to give imidazolylacetophenone 171 in 71% yield from 169. Sodium borohydride was employed to reduce ketone 171 to alcohol 172 in 78% yield. Racemic alcohol 172 w a s CO2Me CO2Me H O CO2Me NH TFA, CH2Cl2 NH2 NH + O N H O 175 N H N H 176 O 177, 42% O 178, 27% O O CO2 Me O Cl N H O N N NaHCO3, CHCl3 NH Cl O CH3 O CO2 Me Cl 33% CH3 NH2/EtOH ∆, 77% N H O N O N H O 179 93% O O 177 Scheme 22. Synthesis of tadalafil (XXII). 180 O XXII tadalafil Synthetic Approaches to the 2003 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 10 1123 OEt OH CNH2 i. K2CO3, ethyl bromide acetone, reflux, 97% CN O O O N H THF, reflux O O O 186 O O O 70oC 186 NH HN N N O O POCl 3 ClCH2CH2Cl N 28% N HN N 91% N 188 O O HN N 187 ClSO3H OEt O 185 184 183 + NH2 O OEt Cl N H 183 DMAP, pyridine OH + C NH2NH2.H2O 182 O N H NH OEt ethanol ii. NH4Cl, toluene, Al(Me)3 80oC, 76% 181 NH O N N H 190 N SO2Cl DCM 0 C, 66% N S N N N o 189 N H N O O O XXIII vard enafil Scheme 23. Synthesis of vardenafil (XXIII). resolved with (-)-DIP-chloride to give its corresponding chiral R-alcohol 173 in 80% yield. Compound 173 was then alkylated with 3-bromomethyl-7-chlorobenzo[b]thiophene (174) in dry DMF in the presence of potassium t-butoxide to give the alkylation product in 68% yield. Finally, 60% nitric acid was used to make sertaconazole mononitrate (XXI) in 89% yield [111]. Tadalafil (Cialis™) Tadalafil is an orally active and structurally distinct phosphodiesterase (PDE) type 5 inhibitor. This drug has been developed and launched widely in several markets by Lilly ICOS LLC (a joint venture established in 1998) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Compared to Viagra, tadalafil (XXII) is more selective against PDE6 , has a significantly longer duration of action (24 hr vs. 2-4 hr) and has no food effect on its absorption [112]. Pictet-Spengler reaction was applied in the synthesis of tadalafil (XXII) [113]. D -(-)-Tryptophan methyl ester (175) and 1,3benzodioxole-5-carboxaldehyde (176) were subjected to a modified Pictet-Spengler reaction to form cis- and transtetrahydro-β-carboline tricyclic compounds. The ciscompound 177 was isolated as a white solid in 42% yield. The basic nitrogen in the piperidine ring of 177 was acylated with chloroacetyl chloride (179) to give compound 180 in 93% yield. Finally, the diketonepiperazine ring was formed by adding 180 to 33% methylamine in ethanol under refluxing conditions and yielded tadalafil (XXII) in 77% as a white solid. Vardenafil (LevitraTM) This is another orally active phosphodiesterase (PDE) type 5 inhibitor with better potency and selectivity for the P D E 5 isoform than Viagra. Vardenafil (XXIII) was originally discovered by Bayer and co-developed by Bayer and GlaxoSmithKline for the treatment of erectile dysfunction [114]. The synthesis [115] started with 2hydroxybenzonitrile. 2-Hydroxybenzonitrile (181) was alkylated with ethyl bromide to give 2-ethoxybenzonitrile in 97% yield as a liquid which was subsequently treated with AlMeClNH 2, prepared from AlMe3 and NH4 Cl, to give corresponding 2-ethoxybenzamidine (182) in 76% yield as a solid. Compound 182 was treated with hydrazine hydrate in ethanol to give hydrazide 183, which was used in the next step without isolation. Dakin-West reaction of 2butyrylaminopropionic acid (184) with ethyl oxalyl chloride (185) in the presence of DMAP in refluxing pyridine/THF to give corresponding α-oxoamino-acid ester 186 which was also used for next step without isolation. Hydrazide 183 was condensed with ester 186 in refluxing ethanol to give triazinone 187 intermediate which was then cyclized to the final core structure, imidazo[5,1-f][1,2,4]triazin-4-one, using POCl3 to give 188 in 28% yield from 183. Compound 188 was sulfonylated with chlorosulfonic acid to give sulfonyl chloride 189 in 91% yield. Finally, 189 was condensed with 1124 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2004, Vol. 4, No. 10 N -ethylpiperazine (190) in dichloromethane to give vardenafil (XXIII) in 66% yield. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The authors would like to acknowledge the critical evaluation of this review by Dr. M. Y. Chu-Moyer. Liu et al. [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] ABBREVIATIONS ADME = absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion Boc = t-butyloxycarbonyl Dba = dibenzylideneacetone DBU = 1,8-diaza-7-bicyclo[5.4.0]undecene DCC = N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide [13] [14] DCM = dichloromethane [15] DIBAL-H = diisobutylaluminum hydride [16] DIP-chloride = B-chlorodiisopinocampheylborane DIPEA = diisopropylethylamine DMAP = 4-dimethylaminopyridine DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide DMSO = methyl sulfoxide HOBT = 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate HMDS = hexamethyldisilazane [20] IPA = isopropyl alcohol LDA = lithium diisopropylamide [21] [22] LAH = lithium aluminum hydride MTBE = t-butylmethyl ether NCE = new chemical entities TBAF = t-butyl ammonium fluoride TBDMS = t-butyldimethylsilyl TBTU = 2-(1H-benzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate TEA = triethyl amine TFA = trifluoroacetic acid THF = tetrahydrofuran TMS = tetramethylsilyl Ts = tosyl p-TSA = para-Toluene sulfonic acid WSC-HCl = 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride [12] [17] [18] [19] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] REFERENCES [38] [1] [2] [3] [4] [39] [40] [41] Raju, T. 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Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2005, 5, 1133-1144 1133 Synthetic Approaches to the 2004 New Drugs Jin Li* , Kevin K.-C. Liu* and Subas Sakya* Pfizer Global Research and Development, Pfizer Inc, Groton CT 06340, USA Abstract: New drugs are introduced to the market every year and each individual drug represents a privileged structure for its biological target. In addition, these new chemical entities (NCEs) not only provide insights into molecular recognition, but also serve as leads for designing future drugs. To this end, this review covers the syntheses of 12 NCEs marketed in 2004. Keywords: Synthesis, New Drug, New Chemical Entities. INTRODUCTION “ The most fruitful basis for the discovery of a new drug is to start with an old drug.” — Sir James Whyte Black, winner of the 1998 Nobel prize in physiology and medicine [1]. Inaugurated two years ago, this annual review presents synthetic methods for molecular entities that were launched in various countries for the first time during the past year. The motivation to write such a review is the same as stated in the previous article[2-3]. Briefly, drugs that are approved worldwide tend to have structural similarity across similar biological targets. We strongly believe that knowledge of new chemical entities and their syntheses will facilitate our ability to design new drug candidates. In 2004, 23 NCEs including biological drugs, and two diagnostic agents [4] reached the market. Among them, some products were approved for the first time in 2004 but were not launched before year end. The synthesis of those drugs will be covered in the next review. The current article will focus on the syntheses of the 11 new drugs and one diagnostic agent (gadoxetic disodium) marketed last year (Fig. 1), but excludes new indications for known drugs, new combinations and new formulations. Drugs synthesized via bio-process and peptide synthesizers will also be excluded as well. Syntheses of these new drugs were published sporadically in different journals and patents. The synthetic routes cited here represent the most scalable methods based on the authors’ judgment on available publications and appear in alphabetical order by generic names. Azacitidine (Vidaza TM) Azacitidine, an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase, was approved by the US FDA for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes in May, 2004 [4]. It is the first drug to be approved by the FDA for treating this rare family bone-marrow disorders, and has been given orphan-drug status. It is also a pioneering example of an agent that targets “epigenetic” gene silencing, a mechanism that is exploited by cancer cells to inhibit the expression of genes that counteract the malignant phenotype [5]. The triazine ring of *Address correspondence to these authors at the Pfizer, Groton, CT 06340, USA; Tel: 1-860-4415498; E-mail: [email protected]; Tel: 1860-7153552; E-mail: [email protected]; Tel: 1-860-715-0425; E-mail: [email protected] 1389-5575/05 $50.00+.00 azacitidine is sensitive to water [6]; this characteristic has made the synthesis of azacitidine a challenge, especially in manufacturing at commercial scale. A number of reports have appeared in order to avoid the use of water; however, these methods all have additional problems that render them undesirable for the large scale synthesis [7-12]. A recent improved synthesis [13] is depicted in Scheme 1. 5Azacytosine (1) was bis-silylated with HMDS in the presence of (NH4)SO4 to furnish trimethylsilylated azacytosine (2) in greater than 90% yield. Coupling of silylated azacytosine 2 with 1,2,3,5-tetra-O-acetyl-β-Dribofuranose (3) in DCM in the presence of TMS-triflate provided protected 5-azacitidine 4. The acetyl groups were then removed by using NaOMe in MeOH at rt. The crude azacitidine was crystallized from DMSO/MeOH to provide pure azacitidine (I). Belotecan Hydrochloride (Camtobell ®) The DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor, belotecan hydrochloride (II), developed by Chong Kun Dang Pharmaceuticals, was launched for the first time last year in the Republic of Korea as an injectable formulation, where it is indicated for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer as well as ovarian cancer. The initial discovery synthetic route involved over 12 steps. The large scale synthesis was developed later [14-15]. Treatment of commercially available camptothecin (5) with tert-butylhydroperoxide in the presence of FeSO4, AcOH and conc. H2SO4 gave (S)-7methylcamptothecin (6). Mannich reaction of compound 6 with isopropylamine hydrochloride in DMSO as a formaldehyde source gave belotecan hydrochloride (II). The total synthesis route is depicted in Scheme 2.2. The known pyridinone 7 [16] was converted to the bicyclic pyridinone 8 by treatment with methyl acrylate and K2CO3 in DMF. Hydrolysis and decarboxylation of 8 to ketone 9 was effected by refluxing in a mixture of HOAc and conc. HCl under nitrogen. Ketalization was performed in a two phase system of toluene and ethylene glycol to provide ketal 10 in 90% yield. Functionalization of the methyl group in 10 using diethyl carbonate in the presence of KH furnished the ester 11 in 76% yield. Ethylation of 11 was accomplished by use of KOBut and EtI in DME. Catalytic hydrogenation of 12 using Raney Ni in a mixture of Ac2O and HOAc gave the amide 13. Removal of the catalyst by filtration followed by addition of NaNO2 to the filtrate gave the N-nitroso amide. Decomposition of the nitroso amide by © 2005 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd. 1134 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2005, Vol. 5, No. 12 Li et al. NH2 N N H N O O H N N N CF 3 N OH O HCl O HO HCl HO OH O Cinicalcet hydrochloride (III) Belotecan hydrochloride (II) Azacitidine (I) CO2 CO2 Gd 3+ S NaO2C N HN O N H O O HCl N CO2 Na N N CO2 HCl O O N OEt Duloxetine hydrochloride (I V) Erlotinib hydrochloride (V) O N O H N O N H2N O N H O HN N O N H Gadoxetic acid disodium (VI) N N H 1/2 Ca N 2 HCl Indisetron hydrochloride (VI I) H2N O O Pregabalin (X) Pemetrexed disodium (IX) Mitiglinide calcium hydrate (VIII) N O O CO2H O O Na O Na H2 O HO2C OH O O N H H N O H N N O HO N Solifenecin succinate (XI) NH Ximelagatran (XII) Fig. (1). Structures of 12 NCEs marketed in 2004. heating in an inert solvent (CCl4) gave the acetate 14 [17]. The diester 14 was lactonized by LiOH in MeOH/H2O to give lactone 15 in 92% yield [18]. The carbonyl group in 15 was then reduced with DIBAL-H in THF to give lactol, which was dehydrated via its mesylate to afford 16 [19]. The asymmetric dihydroxylation of 16 gave diasteromeric mixtures in favor of the desired isomer 17 (81% d.e.). Compound 16 was then oxidized directly with iodine in the presence of CaCO3 to give α-hydroxy lactone 18. The deketalization was accomplished by HCl in THF/H2O to provide the ketone 19 [19]. Condensation of ketone 19 and the amine 20 [20] in the presence of p-TSA followed by hydrolytic removal of Cbz group provided the free base Which was convert to its corresponding HCl salt as belotecan hydrochloride (II). Synthetic Approaches to the 2004 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2005, Vol. 5, No. 12 1135 NH2 N NHSiMe 3 N O N HMDS, (NH4 )2SO4 N H ∆, 8h >90% 1 Me3 SiO AcO H N + O H OAc N OAc H H OAc 2 3 NHSiMe3 N AcO TMS-Triflate N O O H DCM, rt H NH2 N N NaOMe, MeOH HO H H H OAc OAc O H OH 4 O N N H H OH azacitidine (I) Scheme 1. Synthesis of azacitidine (I). Cinacalcet Hydrochloride (Sensipar TM, Mimpara ®) reuptake inhibitor, as a treatment for depression [24] and urinary incontinence [25]. The balanced dual NE and serotonin reuptake inhibitor increases neurotransmitter concentration, which is believed to enhance the tone and contraction of the urethral sphincter and help to prevent accidental urine leakage due to physical activity . The synthesis from Lilly’s group [26] is depicted in Scheme 4. Friedel-Crafts acylation of thiophene (24) by 3chloropropanoyl chloride (25) with SnCl4 as Lewis acid gave ketone 26 which was then enantioselectively reduced with (R )-1-methyl-3,3-diphenyl-tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2c][1,3,2]oxazaborole (27) in the presence of borane in THF to give (S)-3-chloro-1-(2-thienyl)-1-propanol (28). Compound 28 was subjected to Finkelstein reaction to give (S)-3-iodio-1-(2-thienyl)-1-propanol which was reacted with methylamine in THF to give compound 29. The alcohol 29 was then used in a nucleophilic displacement reaction with 1-fluoronaphthalene (30) in the presence of sodium hydride in DMA to give duloxetine free base in 88% yield. Finally, the free base was treated with HCl to yield duloxetine hydrochloride (IV). Amgen’s cinacalcet (III) was licensed from NPS Pharmaceuticals as a first-in-class oral calcimimetic for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) in chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis and the treatment of hypercalcemia in patients with parathyroid carcinoma [21]. Cinacalcet’s (III) mechanism of action is via inhibition at an allosteric site on the calcium-sensing receptor. The drug increases the sensitivity of the calcium receptor in the parathyroid gland to extracellular calcium and thereby reduces the levels of parathyroid hormone [22]. General syntheses of this class of compounds have been published [23], however, the specific synthesis of cinacalcet (III) has not been available to date. The synthesis of cinacalcet, based on a patented procedure, is depicted in Scheme 3. A mixture of 1-acetonaphthone (21), 3-trifluoromethyl-1-propylamine (22) and titanium (IV) isopropoxide were stirred at rt to form the enamine intermediate which was reduced with methanolic sodium cyanoborohydride at rt to give corresponding racemic α-methyl amine (23). Compound 23 was resolved and then treated with HCl etherate to give cinacalcet hydrochloride (III) as a white solid. Erlotinib Hydrochloride (TarcevaTM) Duloxetine Ariclaim ®) Hydrochloride (Cymbalta TM, Yentreve®/ Erlotinib hydrochloride (V), a quinazoline derived small molecule inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EDGFR) tyrosine kinase, was approved in November, 2004, for the treatment of advanced or metastatic non-smallcell lung cancer [4]. It belongs to the same class as gefitinib, Lilly, in collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim and Shionogi, has developed and launched duloxetine (IV), an orally active dual norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin N H t-BuOOH, FeSO4 AcOH, H2SO4 O N N rt, 60h, 86% O N 140oC, N O 1h, 47% N N O HO 5 O i-PrNH2, HCl, DMSO O HO O Scheme 2.1. Synthesis of belotecan hydrochloride (II ). 6 HO O belotecan I I O 1136 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2005, Vol. 5, No. 12 Li et al. O O CN HN N CO2Me , DM F HCl, HOAc ∆, 89% HO O 7 8 9 O O CN N OH, toluene HO O toluene, ∆ 76% O O KOBut, EtI O CN Raney Ni, H2 N O i. (Ac) 2O, HOAc, NaNO2 N O CO2Et ii. CCl4, ∆ O O O 100% 12 14 13 O O N LiOH, MeOH/H2O 92% O O i. DIBAL-H, THF, -78o, 2h O ii. MsCl, TEA, THF, rt, 24h O N O 90% O O 16 15 O N O O N I2, CaCO3, M eOH/H2O (DHQD) 2-PHAL, K3Fe(CN) 6 O OH O K2OsO4, 89%, 81% d.e. rt, 24h, 48% OH O O O OH O 18 17 O N HCl, THF/H2O 60o, N H NH2 O 3h, 100% O + O 19 Cbz N OH O OAc N 0o , 2h CO2Et 45o, 50 psi 100% O -78o to rt, 98% NHAc Ac 2O, HOAc CO2 Et O 11 10 O O CN N (EtO) 2CO, KH CO2Et ∆, 90% CN N MeO2C K2CO3, 45oC 75% EtO2C O CN 20 i. toluene, pTSA, ∆ O N ii. Pd/C, H2, HAc 40% iii. HCl N HCl belotecan II O HO O Scheme 2.2. Total Synthesis of belotecan hydrochloride (II ). another quinazoline approved for treatment of advanced lung cancer, but with improved pharmacokinetic properties [2728]. The molecule was originated by Pfizer and development initiated in collaboration with OSI, which assumed full rights to the drug when Pfizer merged with Warner Lambert. Subsequently, Genentech/Roche went into licensing agreement with OSI to develop and market the drug in the US and Worldwide [29]. The synthesis of this agent is based on the original patent and is shown in Scheme 5 [3032]. The 3,4-dihydroxy benzoate 31 was reacted with bromoethyl methyl ether in the presence of potassium carbonate and tetrabutyl ammonium iodide to give 32 in 93% yield. Nitration followed by hydrogenation provided 34 in 88% yield, which was then cyclized in formamide with ammonium formate to provide quinazolone 35. . Subsequent reaction with oxalyl chloride gave quinazoline chloride 36, which was then reacted with 3-ethynyl aniline (37) in isopropanol in the presence of pyridine to give the desired product erlotinib, which was isolated as the HCl salt (V). An alternate synthesis, that used protected 3-trimethylsilyl ethynyl aniline to couple to the quinazoline chloride 36, has also been published [32]. Synthetic Approaches to the 2004 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2005, Vol. 5, No. 12 1137 O + ii. NaCNBH3/MeOH i. titanium (IV) isopropoxide NH2 F 3C rt rt 22 21 H N i. chiral resolution H N CF3 ii. HCl etherate CF3 HCl Cinacalcet hydrochloride (III) 23 Scheme 3. Synthesis of cinacalcet hydrochloride (III). O Cl + S Cl 24 BH3 THF Cl rt, 40% S OH O SnCl4 benzene H Ph Ph 26 25 N Cl S O 28 27 B S OH i. NaI, acetone ii. NHM e, THF N H S NaH, DM A CH3 HCl O N H HCl 29 F 30 Duloxetine hydrochloride (IV) Scheme 4. Synthesis of duloxetine hydrochloride (IV). Gadoxate Disodium (Primovist ®) Schering AG’s liver imaging product , gadoxate disodium (VI) was approved and launched last year in O HO OEt O Br O K2CO3, TBAI 31 O O O Acetone, ∆ 64 hrs 93% HO Sweden. Gadoxate is designed for the detection and characterization of liver lesions. Owing to its structural properties, gadoxate is specifically taken up by the hepatocytes, so that lesions with no or minimum hepatocyte O OEt HOAc, O H2, PtO2 /H2O O EtOH 88% NH2 HCOONH4 CHONH2, HCl 86% 165oC O O O O N 33 O NH O cat DMF, (COCl) 2 CHCl 3, ∆, 1.5h N 92% H2N N NO2 35 34 O O O OEt O Cl OEt 32 O O O 24hr O 1 equiv HCl O O HNO3 5oC-rt, O HN , pyridine 37 iPrOH, ∆, 4 hr 36 Scheme 5. Synthesis of erlotinib hydrochloride (V). CHCl3, Et2O, 1M HCl/Et 2O O 71% O O N HCl O N Erlotinib hydrochloride (V) 1138 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2005, Vol. 5, No. 12 Li et al. function remain un-enhanced and are therefore more readily detected and localized [33-35]. A scalable synthesis of gadoxate (VI) has appeared [36] (Scheme 6). The commercially available N a -benzyloxy-carbonyl-L-tyrosine methyl ester (38) was O-alkylated at the phenolic hydroxyl group with ethyl iodide in DMF to yield the ethyl ether 39 in 98% yield. Ester 39 was reduced to corresponding alcohol 40 using sodium borohydride in MeOH. Mesylation of 40 and further reaction with excess of ethylendiamine and addition of aqueous HCl afforded the mono-protected triamine dihydrochloride 41 in 81% yield. Catalytic hydrogenation afforded chiral triamine 42 as the dihydrochloride salt in 93% yield. Triamine 42 was then treated with t-butyl bromoacetate in THF/H2O using K2CO3 as a base. The resulting crude product was subjected to preparative chromatography on reverse-phase silica gel yielding the oily penta-t-butyl ester 43 in 73% yield. The penta-t-butyl ester 43 was then hydrolyzed by sodium hydroxide. After cleavage of the t-butyl groups, the excess of sodium ions was removed by addition of cation-exchange resin Amberlite IR 120 to yield the sodium salt, which was then reacted with Ga2O3 in water at 80˚C to give gadoxetic acid disodium (VI) after neutralization with NaOH. Indisetron Hydrochloride (SinseronTM) Indisetron is a dual serotonin 5HT3/5HT 4 receptor antagonist co-developed by Nisshin Pharma and Kyorin. It was approved for the first time in Japan for the treatment of prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting [37]. The synthesis [38-39] is highlighted in Scheme 7. Bromoacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal (44) was condensed with methylamine with KOH in refluxing ethyleneglycol for 3 hr to give 33% yield of bis(2,2-dimethoxyethyl)amine (45), which was cyclized with acetonedicarboxylic acid (46) and methylamine to generate 3,9-dimethyl-3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-7-one (47) in 12% yield. Compound 47 was reacted with hydroxylamine in refluxing pyridine and ethanol mixture to give corresponding oxime 48 in 88% yield, which was subsequently reduced with hydrogen over Raney Ni in hot ethanol in the presence of ammonium acetate at 50 kg/cm2 to give amine 49 in 89% yield. Compound 49 was OH O O O EtI, K2CO3, DMF rt, overnight 98% O N H O O NaBH4, THF/MeOH <30o C, 1h 92.5% O N H O O 38 39 O O O O OH N H O i. MeSO2Cl, TEA, THF rt, 30 min ii. ethylenediamine, 50oC, 4h iii. HCl O Pd/C, H2, MeOH H N N H NH2 15 bar, 1h. 92.5% 2HCl 81% 41 40 O O But O2 C H2N Br, K2CO3, THF/H2 O But O2 C ∆, 20h, 73% H N NH2 N N CO2But But O2C 2HCl 43 42 COO NaO2 C Gd N i. NaOH, MeOH/H2O, ∆, 5h 80oC, ii. Gd2 O3 , 80% 1h Scheme 6. Synthesis of gadoxate disodium (VI). COO 3+ N N EtO COO Gadoxetic acid disodium (VI) CO2Na N CO2 But CO2But Synthetic Approaches to the 2004 New Drugs H3CO H3 CO MeNH2 Br O MeNH2 O OCH3 ,∆ OH OH 44 OCH3 N OCH3 CH3 KOH OCH3 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2005, Vol. 5, No. 12 1139 O N O HO OH 45 NH2 OH, Py/EtOH ∆, 0.5 hr, 88% CH3 47 46 3 hr, 33% CH3 N 12% O Cl HON CH3 N N CH3 48 H2, EtOH, NH4OAc N H2N CH3 i. N Raney Ni 70oC, 50 kg/cm2 89% N CH3 49 N H N O N 50 N H pyridine, DMAP N H 2 HCl N rt, 16 hr, 16% Indisteron hydrochloride (VII) ii. HCl Scheme 7. Synthesis of indisteron hydrochloride (VII). condensed with 1H-indazole-3-carbonyl chloride (50) in pyridine with catalytic amount of DMAP to give crude indisteron free base, which was re-crystallized from chloroform/hexane to give indisteron free base as colorless crystals in 16% yield. Finally, the free base was treated with hydrogen chloride to give indisteron hydrochloride (VII). treatment of type 2 diabetes in Japan in May of 2004 [4]. This secretagogue works by inhibiting ATP dependent influx of potassium in pancreatic beta cells, which induces depolarization of the cell and opens voltage dependent calcium channels that increases calcium levels in beta-cells and results in insulin release. A number of publications and patents have disclosed the syntheses of mitiglinide [40-44]. One of the syntheses describing the preparation of mitiglinide using bis-activated esters to obtain a selective mono amide is described in Scheme 8. The synthesis starts with racemic 2-benzylsuccinic acid (51) which was resolved Mitiglinide Calcium Hydrate (Glufast ) Mitiglinide, an insulin secretagogue developed by Kissei and co-marketed by Kissei and Takeda, was approved for the OH N O O O O (R)-1-Phenylethylamine 2X recrystallization 19.8%, 99.5%ee CO2H HO2C SOCl2 , Et 3N, HO2C CO2H O O O 97% 52 51 N CH2Cl2 O N O O 53 O NH N 54 O O O N H2 O O CH2Cl2 OH N O O 90% 55 (99:1; mono:bis) O N O O 1/2 Ca H2O Mitiglinide calcium hydrate (VIII) Scheme 8. Synthesis of mitiglinide calcium hydrate (VIII ). 56 99.6% ee 2N NaOH M eOH CaCl2 H2O:EtOH 91% 1140 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2005, Vol. 5, No. 12 Li et al. into its enantiomer using chiral amine salt formation and crystallization. Out of several amines used, (R)-1phenylethylamine gave the best results for the chiral resolution (99.5% ee, 19.5%). Acid 52 was treated with thionyl chloride and triethylamine followed by Nhydroxysuccinamide to give doubly activated ester 53 (97%). Treatment of this double ester 53 with tetrahydroisoindoline (54) [45] gave selectively mono amide to di-amide in 99:1 ratio. Hydrolysis of the activated ester in 55 with water gave desired product 56 in 99% yield. Subsequent conversion in two steps to the half calcium salt provided mitiglinide calcium hydrate (VIII) in 91% yield. have appeared. [46-56]. A practical and scalable synthetic route [56] is depicted in Scheme 9. Palladium (0) coupling of methyl 4-bromobenzoate (57) with 3-butyn-1-ol (58) gave crystalline 59, which was then reduced over palladium on carbon in DCM to give alcohol 60. Filtration of the catalyst afforded a DCM solution of alcohol 60, which was utilized directly in a TEMPO-catalyzed sodium hypochlorite oxidation, providing known aldehyde 61 without isolation. Addition of 5,5-dibromobarbituric acid (DBBA) and catalytic amount of HBr in acetic acid to the DCM solution of 61 effected the conversion to α-bromoaldehyde 62. After aqueous work-up, the solution was concentrated and diluted with acetonitrile to exchange solvents. Addition of commercially available 2,4-diamino-6-hydroxypyrimidine (63), aqueous sodium acetate and heating to 45°C resulted in cyclic condensation and precipitation of pyrrolo[2,3d]pyrimidine 64 from the reaction mixture in 67% yield based on 60. Saponification of 64 with aqueous sodium hydroxide followed by acidification afforded the carboxylic acid derivative 65, which was elaborated to 66 by chlorodimethoxytriazine active ester coupling method. Reaction of 65 with 2-chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazine (CDMT) in the presence of N-methylmorpholine in DMF solution followed by reaction of the resulting dimethoxy-s- Pemetrexed Disodium (Alimta®) Pemetrexed is a novel multi-targeting antifolate that simultaneously blocks at least three separate enzymes essential to the survival of cancer cells: thymidylate synthase, dihydrofolate reductase and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase. Pemetrexed is broadly active in wide variety of solid tumors, including mesothelioma, non-small cell lung cancer, breast, bladder, head and neck, and ovarian cancers. A number of papers outlining the syntheses of pemetrexed and related analogs CO2Me H2, Pd/C, 50psi CO2Me PdCl 2, PPh3, CuI, DEA + HO 57 3h, 99.2% 50oC, 4h, 83% Br HO O 59 58 HN CO2Me CO2Me NaOCl, TEMPO, KBr NaHCO3, DCM , <20oC H2N O NaOAc, acetonitrile X HO 40oC, 3h 61 X=H 62 X=Br 60 CO2Me O DBBA, HBr, rt i. CDMT, DM F/NMM, rt, 1.5h HN ii. NH2 -L -Glu(OEt) 2, rt 1.5h, 91% H2N N H2N N H 64 O N H N H N H 66 free bas e 67 pTSA salt O CO2Et HN N N 65 O H2N 67% from 60 CO2H O 2N NaOH, 40oC HN 63 NH2 N pTSA pTSA, EtOH, ∆ 72% from 65 Scheme 9. Synthesis of pemetrexed disodium (IX). O i. 1N NaOH ii. HCl CO2Et iii. NaOH 85% CO2Na N H HN H2N CO2Na N N H pemetrexed disodium (I X) Synthetic Approaches to the 2004 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2005, Vol. 5, No. 12 1141 CO2Et CO2Et CO2Et CHO i Pr 2NH KCN, EtOH CO2Et + CO2Et 68 HOAc (high yield) CN 94% iii. HOAc 73% 71 70 69 CO2 H S-(+)-Mandellic Acid CO2H i. IPA/H2O ii. Recrystallization NH2 i. KOH, MeOH ii. H2, Ni CO2Et OH i. THF: H2O OOC NH3 NH2 100% S 25-29% 99:1 S:R 72 CO2H ii. Recrystallization Pregabalin (X) 73 Scheme 10. Synthesis of pregabalin (X). triazinyl ester with diethyl L-glutamate afforded crude 66, which was isolated via crystallization as pTSA salt 67. Saponification of 67 with aqueous sodium hydroxide followed by acidification with HCl gave pemetrexed as the free acid, which was crystallized as disodium salt form. the literature, including process scale-up comparison of several different routes [57-58]. The most cost efficient route as described in the publication [56] is shown in Scheme 10. Condensation of diethyl malonate 69 in the presense of diisopropyl amine in acetic acid gave α,β-unsaturated diester 70 in high yield. Reaction of the enone diester with potassium cyanide gave cyano diester 71 in 95% yield. In a remarkable three step, one pot process, the nitrile in 71 was hydrolyzed followed by decarboxylation of one of the esters to provide 72 in 73% yield. Resolution of the two enantiomers was achieved using (S)-(+)-mandellic acid, one of the best acid found after many salt screening, to give, after two recrystallization, a 99:1 ratio of the desired diastereomer. Pregabalin (Lyrica ) Pregabalin, a GABA mimetic that was developed by Pfizer (originally Warner Lambert) for the treatment of epileptic seizures and neuropathic pain, was approved in European Union in the summer of 2004 and subsquently received approvable letter in September, 2004, in the US [4]. Several syntheses of pregabalin (X) have been disclosed in O NH2 benzoyl chloride or TEA, CH3Cl i. POCl3, P 2O5, xylene, ∆ benzoic acid N H TEA, DPPA DMF 74 ii. NaBH4, EtOH 75 N NH NH R-(+)-tartaric acid O TEA, CH2Cl2 78 77 76 OEt ClCO2Et HO CO2H HO2C O N N 79 HO2C O N NaH, toluene, ∆ 80 Scheme 11. Synthesis of solifenacin succinate (XI). CO2H N O O Solifenacin succinate (XI) N 1142 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2005, Vol. 5, No. 12 Li et al. N(Boc)2 N(Boc) 2 NH2OH, Na 2CO3 Br NaH, (Boc) 2NH THF, rt 18h, 96% NC H2 , Pd-C H2 O, EtOH, ∆ NC H2N 80% 81 N 82 AcOH:Ac2 O 86% 83 OH N(Boc)2 N(Boc)2 ClCO2Bn 4N NaOH H2N THF NH NCbz 86 85 84 O O O HO H2N EtOAc 100% NH NHBoc NH2.HCl HCl BnO2CHN 5.2-2.8 MPa H2, Rh/Al2O3 O NHBoc HO MeO 89 MeOH, 3 days O MeO 83% NHBoc N NH , EDC, DMAP CH3 CN, 5oC - rt 92% 87 90 88 O O HO LiOH NHBoc N THF, 24 hr NH2 HCl EDC, CbzN + 86 NH2 -8oC - rt 86% 91 O CbzHN DMAP CH3CN O O HN NHBoc N H2N H2, Pd/C O HN NHBoc N HN HN 92 93 O O 93 NO2 O TEA O O O O O O NHBoc HN 77% 95 94 O O TFA O CH2 Cl2, rt O HN N CH2Cl2, rt, 16h + O NH NH O O O O F 3C HN NH2 .TFA N O O S O HN O , K2 CO3 O CH2Cl2, rt 22% 96 O O O O HN O HN N O H N HN O 95%EtOH, rt 58% HO N H H N NH 97 Scheme 12. Synthesis of xilomelagatran (XII). O O NH2 OH.HCl, TEA Ximelagatran (XII) O H N N O Synthetic Approaches to the 2004 New Drugs Removal of the acid was done with wet THF instead of base separation, to avoid salt impurities, and one recrystallization in ethanol gave 100% ee diastereomer in 25 – 29% overall yield. It’s worth noting that the Pfizer group have come up with a new process of preparing pregabalin (X) via enantioselective reduction, that promises to further reduce cost and waste associated with the manufacture of this drug [59-60]. Solfenacin Succinate (Vesicare®) Solifenacin , an orally active selective M3 muscarinic receptor antagonist, was developed and launched by Yamanouchi for the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) with symptoms of urgency, frequency and urge incontinence [61]. Solifenacin improves various incontinence associated with OAB by blocking muscarinic receptors on bladder smooth muscles [62]. The synthesis of solifenacin [63] is highlighted in Scheme 11. Phenylethyl amine (74) was reacted with benzoyl chloride or coupled with benzoic acid to give corresponding amide 75. Reaction with POCl 3 and P 2O5 in refluxing xylene followed by reduction with sodium borohydride in ethanol gave cyclized racemic tetrahydroisoquinoline 76. The racemic 76 was resolved with (R)-(+)-tartaric acid to give 1-(S)-phenyl-1,2,3,4tetrahydroisoquinoline (77), which was reacted with ethyl chloroformate and TEA in dichloromethane to give ethyl ester 78. Compound 78 was transesterified with quinuclidine-3-(R)-ol (79) with NaH in refluxing toluene to give solifenacin free base as a yellow oil which was treated with succinic acid and re-crystallized to yield solifenacin succinate (XI). Ximelagatran (Exanta ®) Ximelagatran (XII), a prodrug of a direct thrombin inhibitor, melagatrin, was approved in the European Union in December, 2003, for the prevention of venous thromboembolic events in patients undergoing major elective orthopedic surgery, that is, hip or knee replacement [4-64]. The FDA, however, did not approve the drug in the US based on the recommendation of the advisory panel. Synthesis of melagatran and ximelagatran has been published in several patents and is shown in Scheme 12 [65-68]. The synthesis is based on coupling of key fragment 86 with acid 91 followed by elaboration to provide ximelagatran. The synthesis of the key intermediate, shown in Scheme 12, was reported to be scalable in high yields [66]. Reaction of benzyl bromide 81 with ditertbutylimino dicarboxylate in the presence of sodium hydride gave 82, which was reacted with hydroxyl amine in aqueous ethanol to give hydroxyl amidine 83 in 80% yield. Immediate hydrogenation removed the hydroxyl group and gave 84, which was protected with benzyl chloroformate to provide 85. Deprotection of 85 with acid furnished amidine intermediate 86. Synthesis of fragment 91 was done by hydrogenation of N-BOC phenyl glycine (87) in the presence of rhodium in alumina to provide cyclohexyl amino acid 88 in 83% yield. Coupling of the acid 88 with azetidine 2-methyl ester (89) using EDC provided 90 in 92% yield. Hydrolysis of the ester followed by coupling to a key intermediate benzyl carbamate protected Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2005, Vol. 5, No. 12 1143 aminino benzyl amine 86 under EDC coupling conditions provided 92 in 86%. Subsequent hydrogenolysis removed the benzyl carbamate and provided intermediate 93. To complete the synthesis, the intermediate 93 was reacted with activated double ester 94 to furnish simultaneously protected and activated amidine 95. Removal of the BOC group (TFA) followed by reaction with ethyl (Otrifluoromethanesulfonyl)-glycolate in the presence of base provided esterified intermediate 97. Reaction of 97 with hydroxyl amine hydrochloride in the presence of base deprotected and installed hydroxyl amidine product, ximelagatrin (XII). ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The authors would like to acknowledge the critical evaluation of this review by Robert Chambers. ABBREVIATIONS ADME = Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion Cbz = Carbobenzyloxy CDMT = 2-chloro-4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazine DBBA = 5,5-dibromobarbituric acid DCE = Dichloroethane DCM = Dichloromethane (DHQD)2- = 1,4-Bis(9-O-dihydroquininyl)PHAL phthalazine DIBAL-H = Diisobutylaluminum hydride DIPEA = Diisopropylethylamine DIPP = Diisopropylphosphoryl DMAP = 4-Dimethylaminopyridine DMA = N, N-Dimethylacetamide DMF = N,N-Dimethylformamide DMSO = Methyl sulfoxide DPPA = Diphenylphosphoryl azide MsCl = Methansulfonyl chloride NCE = New chemical entities NMM = 4-Methylmorpholine TEA = Triethyl amine TFA = Trifluoroacetic acid THF = Tetrahydrofuran TEMPO = 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy p-TSA = para-Toluene sulfonic acid REFERENCES [1] [2] [3] [4] Raju, T. N. K. Lancet 2000, 355, 1022. Li, J.; Liu, K.-C. Mini-Rev. Med. Chem. 2004, 4, 207. Liu, K.-C.; Li, J.; Sakya, S. Mini-Rev. Med. Chem. 2004, 4, 1105. Graul, A. I.; Prous, J. R. 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T.; Gustafsson, D.; Hoffman, K.-J.; Nyström, J.-E.; Sörensen, H.; Sellén, M. WO9723499A1 1997. Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, 7, 429-450 429 Synthetic Approaches to the 2005 New Drugs Subas M. Sakya1,*, Jin Li2,* and Kevin K.-C. Liu3,* 1 Pfizer Global Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA; 2BioDuro LLC, Beijing, China; 3Pfizer Global Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., La Jolla, CA 92121, USA Abstract: New drugs are introduced to the market every year and each individual drug represents a privileged structure for its biological target. In addition, these new chemical entities (NCEs) not only provide insights into molecular recognition, but also serve as drug-like leads for designing future new drugs. To these ends, this review covers the syntheses of 22 NCEs marketed in 2005. Key Words: Synthesis, new drug, new chemical entities, medicine, therapeutic agents. INTRODUCTION “The most fruitful basis for the discovery of a new drug is to start with an old drug.” Sir James Whyte Black, winner of the 1998 Nobel prize in physiology and medicine [1]. Inaugurated four years ago, this annual review presents synthetic methods for molecular entities that were launched in various countries for the first time during the past year. The motivation to write such a review is the same as stated in the previous article [2]. Briefly, drugs that are approved worldwide tend to have structural similarity across similar biological targets. We strongly believe that knowledge of new chemical entities and their syntheses will greatly enhance our abilities to design new drug molecules in shorten period of time. With this hope, we continue to profile these NCEs that were approved for the year 2005. In 2005, 41 NCEs including biological drugs [3], and two diagnostic agents reached the market. Among them, some products were approved for the first time in 2005 but were not launched before year end. Synthesis of those drugs will be covered in 2006’s review. This review will focus on the syntheses of 22 new drugs marketed last year (Fig. 1), but excludes new indications for known drugs, new combinations and new formulations. Natural products, diagnostic agents and drugs synthesized via bio-process and peptide synthesizers will also be excluded. The syntheses of these new drugs were published sporadically in different journals and patents. The synthetic routes cited here represent either the most scalable methods based on the author’s judgment or currently available publications, and appear in alphabetical order by generic names. CICLESONIDE (ALVESCO®) Ciclesonide, a newer generation inhaled corticosteroid for the treatment of persistent asthma, was discovered and developed by Altana Pharma and launched in January 2005 in England [3]. Besides being approved in a number of other *Address correspondence to these authors at the Pfizer Global Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA; Tel: 1-860-715-0425; E-mail: [email protected]; BioDuro LLC, Beijing, China; Tel: 861062948830; E-mail: [email protected]; Pfizer Global Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., La Jolla, CA 92121, USA; Tel: 1-858-622-7391; E-mail: [email protected] 1389-5575/07 $50.00+.00 countries, Altana and Aventis has received an approvable letter in the US. It’s novel release and distribution properties help target the lung specifically, resulting in an efficacious anti-inflammatory effects. Two separate approaches to the syntheses of the chiral ciclesonide have been described in the patent literature [4,5]. The first route involves a chiral resolution step [4] and the second approach highlights a stereoselective trans acetalization approach[5]. The first synthesis of ciclesonide (Scheme 1) started by reacting (11,16)-11, 16,17,21-tetrahydroxypregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione (1) with isobutyric anhydride to make the tri-isobutyl ester in 87% yield. Reaction of the tri-ester with cyclohexane carboxaldehyde in the presence of HCl and 70% perchloric acid gave the cyclohexane acetal 3, which was then separated into the desired isomer ciclesonide (I) by HPLC or recrystallization. In the second route (Scheme 2), desonide (4) was reacted with cyclohexane carboxaldehyde in the presence of 70% perchloric acid in nitropropane, a key solvent required for selectivity, to give the isomers 5 (R/S in 88:2 ratio). The alcohol was subsequently capped with isobutyric anhydride to give the desired product ciclesonide (I) in good yields. Enrichment of the desired isomer, if required, was done by either recrystallization or HPLC purification. CLOFARABINE (CLOLAR®) Clofarabine, a purine nucleoside analogue, is an anticancer agent approved in December 2004 for the treatment of refractory or relapsed lymphoblastic leukemia with at least two years of prior treatment in pediatric patients. The drug was discovered by Ilex oncology (now Genzyme) and currently marketed by Genzyme [3,6]. Several routes to the synthesis of clofarabine have been published, including a process scale-up chemistry as shown in Scheme 3 [7,8,9]. Treatment of commercially available 2-deoxy-2--fluoro-1,3,5-triO-benzoyl-1-R-D-arabinofuranose (6) with 33%HBr in acetic acid provided the bromo sugar 7 in 88% yield. The bromide 7 was reacted with 2-chloroadenine (8) in optimized mixed solvent system in the presence of calcium hydride and potassium t-butoxide to give the desired -anomeric product 9 in 50:1 ratio. Deprotection of the benzoyl groups with sodium methoxide then provided clofarabine (II). CONIVAPTAN (VAPRISOL®) Conivaptan, a vasopressin antagonist, was discovered and developed by Yamanouchi for the treatment of hyponatraeum associated with congestive heart failure [3,10]. After © 2007 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd. 430 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 4 O O O Sakya et al. NH2 O N O N HO O H H HO N O O Cl N CH3 N H N H H HCl HO F II. Clofarabine (Clolar) (Scheme 3) O O I. Ciclesonide (Alvesco) (Scheme 1 & 2) III. Conivaptan hydrochloride (Vaprisol) (Scheme 4) HO OH H H2N N N H N O N O HBr OH O N N N N Cl N N O O Cl H2N N N NH2 VI. Doripenem (Finibax) (Scheme 7-9) O O HN O S N H NH2 O O HO V. Deferasirox (Exjade) (Scheme 6) IV. Darfenacin hydrobromide (Emselex) (Scheme 5) O S N N Cl N OH HO N VII. Eberconazole (Ebernet) (Scheme 10) IX. Eszopiclone (Lunesta) (Scheme 12) VIII. Entecavir (Baraclude) (Scheme 11) OH Cl O O N N CN S O NH O Cl Cl O O HCl X. Ivabradine hydrochloride (Procorala) (Scheme 13) F N S N XII. Lumiracoxib (Prexige) (Scheme 15) XI. Luliconazole (Lulicon) (Scheme 14) O O O H2N N N F N N NH2 N N N O N N O H2N O N F HO N OH N HO XIII. Nelarabine (Arranon) (Scheme 16) O XIV Nepafenac (Nevanac) (Scheme 17) HO XV. Posaconazole (Noxafil) (Scheme 18 & 19) O H N CH3SO3H O Cl O O O HN XVI. Ramelteon (Rozerem) (Scheme 20) XVII. Resagiline mesilate (Azilect) (Scheme 21) F3C N H N H XVIII. Sorafenib (Nexavar) (Scheme 22) N H N Synthetic Approaches to the 2005 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 4 431 (Fig. 1. Contd….) O N H OH H N N H OH O H N NH2 N H O OH O OH OH O O XX. Tigecyline (Tygacil) (Scheme 24) XIX. Tamibarotene (Amnolake) (Scheme 23) CF3 OH H N O S O O O N O N H N N HN O O S N N O XXI. Tipranavir (Aptivus) (Scheme 25) XXII Udenafil (Zydena) (Scheme 26) Fig. (1). Structures of 22 new drugs marketed in 2005. O OH O 70% HClO4 O CHO O O O O OH HO O OH HO HCl/Dioxane O O pyridine, RT 1.5 - 2 h O rt (190h) -40oC (12 h) O O 87% 1 O 2 100% O O O O O HO O HO Prep HPLC or O H O Crystallization H O 3 O O H I Ciclesonide Scheme 1. Racemic synthesis of Ciclesonide. OH OH O O CHO O HO O O HO 70% HClO4 O 1-nitropropane O 4 Scheme 2. Stereoselective synthesis of Ciclesonide. I acetone, reflux, 2.5 h, 99% 0oC - rt, O/N O isobutyric anhydride, K2CO3 5 R/S: 97.8/2.2 432 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 4 Sakya et al. NH2 N O OCOPh PhCOO PhCOO PhCOO O 33% HBr, AcOH N H Br CaH2; KOBut rt, overnight, 88% F PhCOO 6 Cl 8 F MeCN:t-Amyl alcohol:DCM(1:2:1) 50oC, 40 min 7 NH2 NH2 N N PhCOO O PhCOO N Cl HO NaOMe O N Cl MeOH, 33oC, 7 h F HO 64% F 50:1 beta:alpha II Clofarabine 9 Scheme 3. Synthesis of Clofarabine. looking at several different approaches to the synthesis [1113], a convergent approach, shown in Scheme 4, was developed for large scale synthesis [15]. Bromination of benzazepinone 10 with pyridinium hydrobromide perbromide in chloroform followed by recrystallization gave bromide 11. Reaction of bromide 11 with ethaneimidate hydrochloride in the presence of potassium carbonate in toluene or chloroform gave the desired imidazole 12 in 69% yield. Although chloCl O O Br HN C5H5N HBr Br2 CHCl3, 15-30oC N NH2 N NH Ts 10 N 3 h, 69%, 2 steps Ts NH 80oC toluene, 95 -100oC N N 80% H2SO4 K2CO3 1 h,90% N H 13 Ts 12 11 OH H2N N,N-dimethylaniline SOCl2, cat DMF CO2H O COCl toluene, 40oC acetone, rt, >2h N H 95% >2h 14 CO2H O 15 16 O acetonitrile N 13 EtOH toluene 90% SOCl2 O N N H N H HCl III Conivaptan hydrochloride Scheme 4. Synthesis of Conivaptan. Synthetic Approaches to the 2005 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 4 ing the M1 and M2 receptors that are believed to be involved in central nervous system and cardiovascular function respectively. The compound was originally developed by Pfizer and licensed to Novartis and Bayer. The synthesis of darifenacin [17] is depicted in Scheme 5. Commercially available (2S,4R)-(-)-4-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid (17), anhydrous cyclohexanol and 2-cyclohexen-1-one were heated at 154oC to give de-carboxylated compound 18 in 69 % yield. The 3-(R)-hydroxypyrrolidine (18) was N-tosylated with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride in pyridine yielding compound 19 in 26 % yield . The N-tosylated alcohol 19 was subjected to Mitsunobu reaction in the presence of methyl ptoluenesulfonate, triphenylphosphine and diethyl azodicarboxylate (DEAD) in THF to afford N-tosyl-3(S)-(tosyloxy) pyrrolidine (20) in 70% yield, which was then condensed with 2,2-diphenylacetonitrile with NaH in refluxing toluene to give 2,2-diphenyl-2-[1-(p-toluenesulfonyloxy)pyrrolidin2(S)-yl]acetonitrile (21). The tosyl group of 21 was removed with 48% HBr and phenol in refluxing water to yield 2,2diphenyl-2-[2(S)-pyrrolidinyl] acetonitrile as its corresponding hydrogen bromide salt (22), which was coupled to 2-(2, 3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl) acetic acid (23) by treatment with carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) in ethyl acetate to the corresponding amide 24 in a quantitative yield. The amide (24) was dissolved in toluene and reduced with sodium borohydride in THF with slow addition of boron trifluoride THF roform provided a slightly better yield, for large scale preparation, toluene was used to minimize halogenated solvent waste and because the quality of product was similar or better than with use of chloroform. Deprotection of the tosylate was found to be effective with heating the sulfonamide 12 in 80% sulfuric acid at 80oC. The benzazepinone product 13 was obtained in 90% yield after crystallization from acetonitrile and water mixture. Synthesis of the coupling partner 16 required to provide conivaptan was synthesized in 95% yield from biphenyl 2benzoic acid (Scheme 4) via sequential reaction with thionyl chloride in toluene followed by coupling with aminobenzoic acid in acetone with N,N-dimethylaniline as a base. High quality acid 16 was obtained by crystallization from DMF and water. The acid 16 was activated by converting it into acid chloride with thionyl chloride in acenonitrile, to which was added imidazo benzazepine 13 in toluene and, after recrystallization in acidic ethanol, gave conivaptan hydrochloride (III) in 90% yield. DARIFENACIN HYDROBROMIDE (EMSELEX®) Darifenacin, an orally active, once a day selective M3 receptor antagonist, was launched for the treatment of overactive bladder in patients with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency and frequency [16]. The drug selectively inhibits M3 receptor in the detrusor muscle while sparOH CO2H HO O HO HO TsCl, Pyridine + NH NH 4.5h, 154oC 17 TsOMe, Ph3P, DEAD Ts 19 18 Ph2CHCN, NaH TsO N THF, 70% N 16h, 26% HCl 69% Ts HBr, H2O, PhOH NC PhMe, reflux 2h 84% reflux 3h, 79% N Ts 20 21 HO2C O NC 23 NH HBr HBr, MeOH NaBH4,THF, PHMe NC 93% BF3 THF, 88% N CDI, EtOAc, 100% O O 24 22 1) KOH, 2-methyl-butan-2-ol NC reflux, 20h, crystallization in PhMe, 84% N HBr 2) HBr, 2-methyl-butan-2-ol O H2N N HBr O O 25 Scheme 5. Synthesis of Darifenacin. 433 83% IV Darfenacin hydrobromide 434 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 4 Sakya et al. O HO O NH2 OH O O O H2N 170oC N N H 29 N N Cl + 55% OH N refluxing EtOH, 2h O OH OH HO 26 27 28 HO V Deferasirox Scheme 6. Synthesis of Deferasirox. complex to keep the temperature below 10oC to give free amine in 88% yield. The free amine was converted to corresponding hydrogen bromide salt (25) with 48% HBr in methanol. Compound 25 was hydrolyzed with potassium hydroxide in refluxing 2-methyl-butan-2-ol for twenty hours to give acetamide which was crystallized from toluene as a toluene solvated form in 84% yield. Finally, the toluene solvated compound was converted to darfenacin hydrobromide (IV) with 48% HBr in 2-methyl-butan-2-ol. ® DEFERASIROX (EXJADE ) Deferasirox, an orally active iron chelator, was approved for the treatment of chronic iron overload because of blood transfusions in chronic anemia in adult and pediatric patients iron chelator two years of age and older [19]. Deferasirox, developed by Novartis, is the only drug administered as a drink, compared to the current standard treatment which often requires a subcutaneous infusion lasting 8 to 12 hours per night, for 5 to 7 nights a week for as long as the patient continues to receive blood transfusions or has excess iron within the patient body. Synthesis of deferasirox [20] (Scheme 6) HO DORIPENEM (FINIBAX®) Doripenem, a carbapenem antibiotic approved in Japan 2005, was developed and marketed by Shionogi Pharmaceuticals in Japan for the treatment of serious infections caused by both gram positive and negative bacteria including pseudomonas aeruginosa. It is currently being developed in the U.S. by Peninsula Pharmaceuticals [3]. Two process syntheses have been reported for the preparation of doripenem (Scheme 7) [21]. Both methods utilize a common commercially available starting material, 3-hydroxy proline (30). In method A, compound 30 was initially reacted with thionyl chloride or HCl in methanol to provide methylester 31, which was immediately protected with p-nitrobenzylchloroformate (PNZCl) to give PNZ N-protected 3-hydroxy proline ester 33 Route A N H SOCl2 or HCl/MeOH started with cyclization of salicylamide (26) with salicyloyl chloride (27) by heating at 170 C without any solvents to give 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-benz[e][1,3]oxazin-4-one (28) in 55% yield. Compound 28 was reacted with 4-hydrazinobenzoic acid (29) in refluxing ethanol for 2 hours to give deferasirox V as colorless crystals. CO2Me PNZCl, K2CO3 H2O/toluene, 5oC 31 40oC HO HO MsO MsCl, Et3N CO2H N H N PNZ 30 33 PNZCl, K2CO3 H2SO4, MeOH H2O/toluene, 5oC HO reflux 95% N PNZ CO2H 32 Scheme 7. Synthesis of intermediate mesylate 34. Route B CO2Me toluene, rt N PNZ CO2Me 34 30 to 34: 91% Synthetic Approaches to the 2005 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 4 EBERCONAZOLE (EBERNET®) and finally the alcohol was converted to mesylate 34 before isolation in 91% overall yield. Alternatively, in method B, the hydroxyl proline is protected as the PNZ ester 32 first in 95% yield. The protected proline acid 32 was converted to the methyl ester with refluxing sulfuric acid in methanol followed by conversion of the alcohol to the mesylate 34 in 91% overall yield from 30. The mesylate ester was reduced with sodium borohydride to provide alcohol 35, which was converted without purification to thiol ester 36 by reacting with potassium thioacetate (Scheme 8). Mitsunobu reaction of alcohol 36 with BOC-sulfonyl urea 38, which was prepared from chlorosulfonyl isocyanate with ammonia in tbutanol in 90% yield, provided the key thioacetate intermediate 39. Finally, protected doripenem 42 was prepared by coupling thiol 40, obtained by hyrolysis of thioacetate 39, with enolphosphate 41 (Scheme 9) in 88% yield [20]. Deprotection of intermediate ester and carbamate protecting groups via hydrogenation gave the desired carbapenem VI, which was isolated after crystallization. Final form of the drug doripenem was prepared by sterilization, crystallization and granulation. Eberconazole is an azole antifungal agent developed by Salvat and approved in Spain in 2005 for the topical treatment of cutaneous fungal infections, including tinea corporis, tinea cruris and tinea pedis [3]. The synthesis (Scheme 10), started with the Wittig reaction of the phosphonium bromide 43 with the 3,5-dichlorobenzaldehyde to give the olefin mixture 44. Hydrolysis of the ester followed by hydrogenation gives acid 46, which was cyclized to tricyclized ketone 47. Completion of the synthesis was accomplished in three steps via reduction of the ketone 47 with sodium borohydride, chlorination of resulting alcohol 48 with thionyl chloride and alkylation of the chloride 49 with imidazole to give eberconazole (VII) [23]. ENTECAVIR (BARACLUDETM) Entecavir, an orally activity nucleoside analogue launched in the U.S. by Bristol-Myers Squibb, is for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in adults with evidence of active viral replication and either evidence of persistent elevations in AcS MsO 38 KSAc NaBH4 OH OH 34 N PNZ EtOAc/MeOH 36 AcS Ph3P, DEAD EtOAc N PNZ DMF-EtOAc 35 BOC N N PNZ 81% from 32: 71% from 34: 76% SO2NH2 39 BOC t-BuOH, NH3 ClSO2NCO HN SO2NH2 EtOAc 37 38 90% Scheme 8. Synthesis of key intermediate thioacetate 39. OH H H OPO(OPh)2 O O H2SO4 39 H N MeOH 65oC, 2.5hr OPNB OH H 41 SH N PNZ NHSO2NH2 H NPNZ iPr2NEt S SO2NH2 EtOAc/DMF 5oC, 18 hr 98% O OPNB O 88% 40 42 OH H i. 0.5psi H2, 10%Pd/C MgCl2.H2O NHSO2NH2 H NH iii. Sterilization S H2O:THF 26 - 36oC, 2 hr iv. Crystallization O OH ii. Recrystallization O VI Doripenem Scheme 9. Synthesis of Doripenem. 435 436 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 4 Sakya et al. O O O NaH OEt PPH3+Br- NaOH OEt Cl DMF, rt, O/N 43 OH Cl MeOH, Reflux, 14 h 44 45 H2/Pd/C Cl Cl O NaBH4 OH Cl PPA Cl MeOH, RT MeOH, RT, 3h 120oC - 160oC 3h 3.5 h 46 O Cl 47 Cl H N Cl Cl SOCl2, reflux, 1 h Cl OH Cl 48 Cl Cl N N DMF, reflux, 6h 56% 3 steps Cl N VII Eberconazole 49 Scheme 10. Synthesis of Eberconazole. serum aminotransferases (ALT or AST) or histologically active disease [26]. Entecavir is designed to selectively block the replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) by inhibiting the virus’ ability to infect cells. Several syntheses of entecavir have been reported and the synthesis described below is based on the most recent patents [25,26] (Scheme 11). Commercial sodium cyclopentadienide (50) was treated with phenyldimethylchlorosilane in anhydrous THF at –78oC. The resulting silane moiety serves as a masked hydroxyl group that will be revealed later in the synthetic process. The silylated product was subsequently reactive with dichloroacetyl chloride to a 2+2 cycloaddition reaction to give cyclobutanone 51 as crude dark oil. The cyclobutanone 51 was then opened under a basic condition, and the resulting intermediate reduced with sodium borohydride at low temperature to yield racemic free carboxylic acid 52. The racemic 52 was subjected to chiral resolution with a chiral amine, R, R-(-)-2amino-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,3-propanediol (53), to give chiral salt 54 in 99% e.e. and 28% overall yield from the starting material 50 as crystals. The chiral salt 54 was de-salted and converted to corresponding methyl ester 55 with sulfuric acid in methanol. The double bond in compound 55 was then expoxidized with titanium(IV) isopropoxide/TBHP at –30oC in dichloromethane to give an epoxyl ester which was selectively reduced with sodium borohydride in IPA to give epoxyl diol 56 as light yellow oil. Lithium salt of 2-amino-6-Obenzyl-oxypurine (57) was added to the epoxide 56 to give the ring-opening product 58. The vicinal diol moiety of 58 was converted to an alkene by a two-step procedure. Compound 58 was reacted with diethoxymethyl acetate and PPTS in dichloromethane to give a mixture of dioxolanes as a viscous brown oil which was subsequently reacted with acetic anhydride at 120oC for 30 hours to an alkene. Concentrated HCl was added to the alkene mixture to hydrolyze the 6benzyl-oxy group and an 2-N-acetyl group formed in the previous acetic anhydride reaction to give compound 59 as a light brown colored product. Finally, compound 59 was converted to entecavir by protodesilylation of the silane moiety followed by oxidation to convert the silane moiety to the hydroxyl group. Therefore, 59 was treated with boron trifluoride-acetic acid complex in acetic acid at high temperature and followed by basic hydrogen peroxide oxidation to give entecavir (VIII). ESZOPICLONE (LUNESTA TM) Eszopiclone is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic discovered by Aventis Pharma and licensed exclusively in the U.S. to Sepracor. Eszopicolone is the S-isomer of zopicolone. The parent compound, zopicolone, is a short acting hypnotic agent of cyclopyrrolone class which has been marketed in Europe for the treatment of insomnia under the brand name Imovane® or Amoban®. Therefore, Eszopicolone is for the treatment of transient and chronic insomnia. The hypnotic effect of eszopiclone is believed to result from its interaction with GABA-receptor complexes at binding domains located close to or allosterically coupled to benzodiazepine receptors [27]. The synthesis of eszopicolone involves enzymatic resolution of a zopicolone [28] derivative to give the chiral compound as depicted in the Scheme 12 [27]. Pyrazine-2,3dicarboxylic acid anhydride (60) was reacted with 2-amino5-chloropyridine (61) in refluxing acetonitrile to generate 3(5-chloro-2-pyridyl)carbamoyl pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (62) in 95% yield. Compound 62 was cyclized by treating with refluxing SOCl2 to give 6-(5-chloropyrid-2-yl)-5,7dioxo-5,6-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-b]pyrazine (63) in 79% yield. Synthetic Approaches to the 2005 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 4 SiMe2Ph SiMe2Ph 1) PhMe2SiCl/THF, -78oC O 2) Cl2CH2C(O)Cl, Et3N, Hexane Na 1) ButOH, H2O, Et3N reflux, 3h Cl Cl OH O2N OH CO2H 2) NaBH4, 10oC 437 H2N 53 EtOH, 50oC, 5h 28% from 50, 99%e.e. OH Racemate 50 51 52 OH SiMe2Ph SiMe2Ph O2N SiMe2Ph OH CO2Me H2SO4, MeOH CO2H . H2N OH OH 1) Ti(O-iPr)4, DIPT, CH2Cl2 TBHP, -30oC OH 2) NaBH4, IPA Pure chial compound 54 55 56 O SiPhMe2 OBn H2N N N . H Li salt H2N 57 N N DMF, 80oC N OH N HN OH OH N N OH O H2N N N 1) CH3CO2CH(OC2H5)2, CH2Cl2 PPTS N 2) Ac2O, 120oC, 30h 3)HCl, H2O, MeOH, 65oC OBn 58 SiPhMe2 HO 59 O N HN 1) CH3CO2H, CH3COOH.BF3 95oC, 4h H2N N N 2) K2CO3, H2O2 (30wt%), MeOH 70oC, 10h OH HO VIII Entecavir Scheme 11. Synthesis of Entecavir. Compound 63 was subjected to partial reduction with KBH 4 in dioxane-water at low temperature to give 6-(5-chloro-2pyridyl)-7-hydroxy-5,6-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-b]pyrazin-5-one (64) in 64% yield, which was esterified with vinyl chloroformate in pyridine to give corresponding vinyl acetate 65 in 75% yield. The racemic 65 was then subjected to kinetic resolution by a highly enantioselective enzymatic hydrolysis process. Chiral vinyl acetate 67 with desired stereochemistry was obtained when candida antarctica lipase was employed for hydrolysis of 65 in dioxane/water at 60oC for 2 days. Interestingly, the enzymatic hydrolysis stopped at 50% conversion and the hydrolyzed alcohol was recovered as the starting substrate 65 because of spontaneous racemization of the alcohol in the reaction medium. Therefore, although a maximum yield of kinetic resolution is 50%, the overall efficiency of this enzymatic process is 100% because of substrate recycling. Finally, the chiral vinyl acetate 67 was condensed with methyl piperazine in acetone to give eszopicolone (IX). IVABRADINE (PROCORALAN®) Ivabradine is a first selective and specific If inhibitor that was approved by EMEA in November for symptomatic treatment of chronic stable angina pectoris in patients with normal sinus rhythm. This is the first agent to lower heart rate by inhibiting the cardiac pacemaker If current. The compound was discovered and developed by Servier and is currently being marketed in Ireland [3,30]. The convergent synthesis of ivabradine was accomplished by coupling the key benzocylclobutanyl amine 73 with oxadioxalane 76 in an in situ deprotection and amination as shown in Scheme 13 [29]. For the synthesis of the key amine 73, cyano group of compound 69 is reduced with borane-THF to give amine 70 in 90% yield, which was reacted with ethyl chloroformate to give carbamate 71 in 80% yield. Complete reduction of the carbamate was accomplished by refluxing with LAH in THF to give racemic methyl amine 72 in 92% yield, which was then resolved by crystallizing with N-acetyl –L-glutamic Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 4 438 Sakya et al. H2N O Cl N 61 O N H reflux, CH3CN, 1.5 h, 95% N O Cl O N N N O N reflux, SOCl2 N KBH4 N 79% 63 Cl O N vinyl chloroformate N OH O H2O O O N pyridine, 75% N N 64% O 62 N 13oC,dioxan/H2O N N CO2H 60 Cl Cl N N O OH O O 64 O 65 Candida antarctica lipase CH3 recycle O N O O N N O N N N Cl + Cl N N N N N H N 68 N acetone O O O OH Cl N O N O N 66 67 IX Eszopiclone Scheme 12. Synthesis of Eszopicolone. OMe BH3.THF OMe NC 69 THF, rt 12h 90% H2N OCH3 TEA EtOCOCl OCH3 DCM, rt 80% OCH3 EtOCONH OCH3 70 71 OCH3 LAH THF, reflux, 1.5 h 92% OCH3 optical resolution H3CHN OCH3 H3CHN crystallization OCH3 72 73 O MeO O Br O MeO H2, Pd/C O NH K2CO3 MeO N MeO O EtOH, 55oC O 75 74 O MeO O H3CHN MeO N MeO O O 76 Scheme 13. Synthesis of Ivabradine. H2, Pd/C 85oC O N 73 N MeO O X Ivabradine hydrochloride Synthetic Approaches to the 2005 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 4 acid to give chiral salt 73. Prior to the next step, the amine is converted to the hydrochloride salt. solid phenylacetic acid 83 was reacted with SOCl2 in refluxing dichloromethane with a few drop of DMF to give corresponding acyl chloride as a yellowish oil, which is treated with dimethylamine in diethyl ether/THF to yield 2-(2-iodo5-methylphenyl)-N,N-dimethylacetamide (84). Condensation of compound 84 with 2-chloro-6-fluoroaniline (85) in the presence of Cu powder, Cu2I2 and K2CO3 in refluxing xylene afforded 2-[2-(2-chloro-6-fluorophenylamino)-5methylphenyl]-N,N-dimethyl-acetamide (86) as an off white crystalline solid that was finally hydrolyzed with NaOH in refluxing butanol/water to yield lumiracoxib (XII). The coupling partner 76 to make ivabradine was prepared from the azepinone 74 by first reacting with bromoethyldioxalane to give 75. The olefin in 75 was reduced by hydrogenating with palladium/carbon catalyst at 55oC to give 76. To the same pot, the amine 73 was added and hydrogenated to give reductive amination product ivabradine hydrochloride (X) in very good yields. LULICONAZOLE (LULICON®) NELARABINE (ARRANON®) Luliconazole is a topical imidazole related antifungal agent which was approved for use to treat tinea pedis, candidiasis and pityriasis in Japan [3]. Synthesis of luliconazole (Scheme 14) started with diol 77, prepared according to literature procedure in 98%ee [32] which was activated by converting to dimesylate 78 in 99% yield and coupled to dipotassium enolate 80, prepared in situ by reacting cyano methylimidazole 79 with carbon disulfide, to give luliconazole (XI), 99% ee in 48% yield [33]. Nelarabine, a novel water soluble nucleoside analog prodrug of ara-G with T- cell selectivity, was approved by the FDA in October, 2005 for treatment of T-cell acute lymphobalstic leukemia (T-ALL). After accumulation in cancer cells, it is converted to its corresponding arabinosylguanine nucleoide triphosphate (araGTP) which results in inhibition of DNA synthesis and cytotoxicity [3,36]. The drug was synthesized (Scheme 16) by enzymatic coupling of arabinosyluracil 87, prepared according to literature [37] and 2-amino6-methoxy purine 88 using purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) and uridine phosphorylase (UP) in phosphate buffer for 30 days to give the nelarabine (XIII) in 48% yield [38]. LUMIRACOXIB (PREXIGE) Lumiracoxib, a orally active cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor launched by Novartis in Brazil in 2005, is for the treatment of osteoarthritis and acute pain. In 2004, Novartis withdrew its application for the European mutual recognition procedure for the compound to await the outcome of a review from the EMEA of all selective COX-2 inhibitors. Novartis expects to resubmit in 2006 the application with added safety and efficacy data according to the EMEA's recommendations. In addition, phase III clinical trials of lumiracoxib are still under way in the U.S., Japan and Europe for the treatment of dysmenorrhea, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and gout [34]. Synthesis of lumiracoxib is rather straightforward (Scheme 15) [35]. 2-Iodo-5-methylbenzoic acid (81) was reduced with BH3/THF in THF to give 2-iodo-5methylbenzyl alcohol as a white solid, which was treated with 48% HBr under refluxing to yield benzyl bromide 82 as a yellow solid. The benzyl bromide 82 was reacted with NaCN in ethanol/water to afford corresponding phenylacetonitrile as a white solid, which was hydrolyzed with NaOH in refluxing EtOH/water to provide phenylacetic acid 83. The Cl Cl Cl OH NEPAFENAC (NEVANACTM) Nepafenac originated from Wyeth is a non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) that was launched by Alcon in 2005 for the treatment of pain and inflammation associated with cataract surgery [39]. The drug, which rapidly penetrates ocular tissues, is the first ophthalmic NSAI prodrug to receive FDA approval. Nepafenac is metabolically converted to 2-amino-3-benzoylbenzeneacetic acid, amfenac, a potent cyclooxygenase inhibitor and clinically approved anti-inflammatory drug. The synthesis of nepafenac (Scheme 17) [40] started with commercially available 2-amino-benzophenone (89). Compound 89 was reacted with t-butyl hypochrite at – 65oC in DCM to give a mono-N-chloroaniline (90) which was subsequently treated with methylthioacetamide in THF at –65oC in the same pot to give an aza-sulfonium salt 91 as a solid. Compound 91 was slurred in DCM and triethylamine was added to give sulfer ylide 92 intermediate which underCl Et3N, MsCl OMs 0oC-rt, 98%ee OH DCM, 2h 77 99% OMs 78 DMSO, rt, 2h Cl + S NC 48%, 99% ee CS2, KOH KS CN DMSO, rt KS N Cl S N N 79 Scheme 14. Synthesis of Luliconazole. XI Luliconazole N 80 439 CN N N 440 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 4 H3C CO2H i BH3/THF I ii HBr, reflux Sakya et al. H3C H3C i NaCN, EtOH/H2O, reflux Br I CO2H I ii EtOH, NaOH, reflux 83 82 81 NH2 Cl H3C N(Me)2 i SOCl2, CH2Cl2, DMF(cat), reflux I ii NH(Me)2/THF, Et2O, OoC O F H3C N(Me)2 NH 85 Cl Cu, Cu2I2, K2CO3 xylene, reflux O F 84 H3C 86 OH NH NaOH O Cl F butanol/H2O reflux XII Lumiracoxib Scheme 15. Synthesis of Lumiracoxib. went a Sommelet-Hauser type rearrangement to give compound 93 after re-aromatization of the intermediate cyclohexadienone imine. Compound 93 was finally reduced with Raney nickel to give nepafenac (XIV) in 73% yield as yellow needles. POSACONAOLE (NOXAFIL®) Posaconazole, a tetrahydrofuran antifungal agent discovered and developed by Schering Plough, was approved in the European Union in October, 2005 for the treatment of invasive fungal infections in adult patients, especially those who have been refractory or are intolerant of other commonly used antifungal agents [3,41,42]. Several routes to the synthesis of posaconazole have been published in the literature [43-46]. The most likely route to large scale synthesis uses convergent synthesis of a key chiral THF subunit 101 and aryl piperazine amine 102 followed by introduction of the triazole subunit at the end (Scheme 19) [44,46]. The readily accessible allyl alcohol 94 (Scheme 18) was brominated (PBr3) to give bromide 95 which was alkylated with sodium diethylmalonate and the resulting diester was reduced with NaBH4 /LiCl, to give the key diol 97 in very good yields. After scanning many hydrolases to desymmetrize the diol via selective acylation, hydrolase SP 435 was found to be suitable [47]. Thus reaction of the diol 97 in the presence of SP 435 with vinyl acetate in acetonitrile gave monoacetate 98 in greater than 90% yield. Iodine mediated cyclization of the monoacetate 98 with iodine in dichloromethane gave chiral iodide 99 in 86% yield. The iodide was converted to triazole (sodiumtriazole, DMF: DMPU) and immediately followed by hydrolysis of the acetate with sodium hydroxide to provide alcohol 100. Activation of the alcohol to the pchlorobenzene sulfonate 101 proceeded in 76% yield which was then coupled with commercially available amino alcohol piperazine 102 with aqueous sodium hydroxide in DMSO to give amine intermediate 103 in 96% yield. The amine was O O HN K2HPO4 OMe + O N OH H2N HO N PNP, UP N H KH2PO4 K2HPO4 buffer H2N N OH 30days, 87 88 47% PNP = purine nucleoside phosphorylase UP = uridine phosphorylase Scheme 16. Synthesis of Nelarabine. N N N O N N O HO OH HO XIII. Nelarabine Synthetic Approaches to the 2005 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 4 441 NHCl NH2 O O CH3SCH2CONH2, THF Me3COCl,CH2Cl2, -65oC -65oC 90 89 Cl NH O S CH2 NH CO2NH2 CH3 Et3N O S CH CO2NH2 CH3 92 91 O O H3CS Sommelet-Hauser rearrangement H2N NH2 NH2 Ra-Ni H2N THF, 73% rearomatization, 43% from 89 O 93 O XIV Nepafenac Scheme 17. Synthesis of Nepafenac. reacted with benzoyl chloride to give benzoate 104 (97%), which was subsequently converted to triazine of posaconazole. For the preparation of chiral hydrazine 107, intermediate needed to make the triazolone, lactam 105 was reduced with Red-Al to give (S)-2-benzyloxy propanal 106 (94%) which was then reacted with formyl hydrazine to give hydrazone 107 in 81% yield. Addition of EtMgBr directly to formyl hydrozones 107 gave mixture of (S,S)stereoisomer 109 and (S,R)-diastereomer 110 in relative good diastereoselectivity (94:6) in 55% yield. However, protection of the formyl group as TBDMS ether 108 followed by treatment of the EtMgCl gave 95% yield of the (S,S)-diastereomer 109 and (S,R)-diastereomer 110 in 99:1 ratio. For finishing off the synthesis, the formyl hydrazine 109 was coupled with the phenyl carbamate 104 in toluene at 75 - 85oC for 12 – 24 hrs. After the completion of coupling, the intermediate was heated at 100 – 110oC for 24 – 48 hrs to completely cyclize to the benzyloxy triazolone 108, which was deprotected with 5% Pd/C and formic acid at room temperature overnight and 40oC for 24 h to give posaconazole (XV) in 80% overall yield. RAMELTEON (ROZEREM™) Ramelteon, a melatonin receptor (MT1/MT2) agonist, was approved in 2005 for the treatment of primary insomnia characterized by difficulty with sleep onset. Discovered and developed by Takeda, this drug is one of the first prescription medication in 35 years to reach US market with a novel mechanism targeting the melatonin receptors in the suprachiasmatic nucleus to modulate the sleep/wake cycle. This drug has shown no dependence liability and is not designated as a controlled substance [3,48]. Several routes to the synthesis of this drug have been published [49,50] including the process route as shown in Scheme 20 [51]. Vilsmeier-Haack reaction on benzofuran 112 provided aldehyde 113 (100%), which was converted to olefin 114 (88%) by Horner-Emmons reaction with triethylphosphonoacetate, and was followed by hydrogenation of the olefin to give ester 115 (100%). In order to avoid the cyclization of the acid chloride intermediate into the wrong position, the benzene ring was protected by bromination. Both bromination and hydrolysis of the ester is accomplished in a single pot to give acid 116. Thus the ester is brominated with bromine in sodium acetate and acetic acid at 0oC and RT for 442 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 4 Sakya et al. CO2Et OH F Br F DCM, 0oC -rt, 4h >90% F THF, rt, 1.5h >90% F 94 F Sodium diethylmalonate PBr3 CO2Et NaBH4, LiCl EtOH, rt, 15h 88% F 96 95 OH OAc H F SP 435 (hydrolase) Vinyl acetate OH F I2, NaHCO3 OH CH3CN, 0oC, 4-6h >90%, >98%ee F OAc F CH3CN, 0oC -rt, 3h 86% F 97 O I F 99 98 OCBs OH 1. Na-Triazole DMF:DMPU, 100oC,24h, F F 80% Et3N, pClPhSO2Cl 2. NaOH, THF, rt, 90% N N F O DCM, RT, 18h 76% O N H N 101 N N 100 HO N N N O NH2 N NH2 F aq. NaOH 102 O DMSO, RT, O/N 96% N H N 103 N O OPh N O N NH F PhOCOCl O DCM, RT 97% H N N 104 N Scheme 18. Synthesis of key Intermediate 104. several hours followed by quenching of remaining bromide by sodium thiosulfate. The resulting acidic solution was taken up in acetonitrile and refluxed for 2hr to provide the acid 116 in 73% yield. The conversion of the acid to acid chloride was done by reacting with thionyl chloride in odichlorobenzene at 40oC for 30 to 40 min after which the reaction was cooled to 0oC . Aluminum trichloride was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at 0oC for 30 min to deliver cyclized ketone 117 in 92% yield. After completion of the cyclization, the bromines are removed by hydrogenation (86%) and resulting ketone 118 was then reacted under Horner-Emmons condition with diethyl cyano phosphonate to give vinyl nitrile 119 in 84% yield. Selective reduction of the nitrile was accomplished by hydrogenation under basic condition (sodium hydroxide in toluene) in the Synthetic Approaches to the 2005 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 4 presence of the activated cobalt at 25-50oC for 6.5 hr. The amine was recovered as hydrochloride salt 120 (99% yield) by treating the amine with HCl in methanol. In the next step, the amine salt 120 was taken up in toluene and treated with sodium hydroxide followed by hydrogenation of the mixture with [RuCl(benzene)(R)-BINAP]Cl as catalyst to provide chiral amine 121, after several work up and palladium catalyzed hydrogenations, in 73% overall yield. Final acylation of the amine with propionyl chloride in the presence of aqueous sodium hydroxide in THF at room temperature gave the desired product ramelteon (XVI), after crystallization, in 97% yield. give corresponding enamine (Scheme 21) which was reduced with sodium borohydride in ethanol to give racemic Nbenzyl-1-inda-namine (123) in 82% yield [51]. The racemic benzylamine 123 was resolved with L-tartaric acid and recrystallized from boiling water to give optical pure Rbenzylamine 124 as a tartarate salt. The recovered S-isomer 125 can be racemized under basic condition to give back as the starting racemic 123. Compound 124 was hydrogenated and basified to give free amine 126 in 72 % yield which was alkylated with propargyl chloride and K2CO3 in hot acetonitrile to yield free resagiline. Finally resagiline mesilate (XVII) was obtained by treating resagiline with methanesulfonic acid in refluxing IPA. RESAGILINE MESILATE (AZILECT®) SORAFENIB (NEXAVAR®) Rasagiline mesylate is a potent and selective irreversible monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitor launched in 2005 in Israel by Teva as monotherapy in patients with early Parkinson's disease and as adjuvant treatment in moderate-toadvanced disease [52]. Lundbeck will market the drug throughout Europe. Rasagiline is in phase II clinical trials at Teva and Eisai for the treatment of Alzheimer's type dementia. 1-Indanone (122) was condensed with benzyl amine to O Sorafenib, an orally active potent multi-kinases inhibitor, was approved in the U.S. for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma [54]. The drug targets both tumor cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis kinases that include RAF, VEGFR-2, VEGFR-3, PDGFR-, KIT and FLT-3. Sorafenib is being jointly developed by Bayer and Onyx in phase III trials as a single agent for the treatment of advanced hepato- O NH2NHCHO H -5oC toluene, -10 to then 0oC, 8-12h 94% OBn NHCHO N Red-Al N Et3N, TBDMSCl H Hexane, rt, 24h OBn TBME, rt, 24h 95% OBn 81% 106 105 107 OTBDMS N N HN NHCHO HN NHCHO EtMgCl + THF: toluene, 0oC - rt, 24h 95% H OBn OBn OBn 109 108 110 99:1 O N O DBU, 107 + 104 4Ao Mol Sieves N N 111 N O HCO2H, RT, O/N; then 40oC, 24h 80% 2 steps O N N F O F N N XV Posaconazole N Scheme 19. Synthesis of Posaconazole. N O F 5%Pd/C N F toluene, 75-85oC, 12-24h; then 100-110oC, 24-48h 443 N N N OH N N OBn 444 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 4 O (EtO)2(O)P O POCl3 Sakya et al. CO2Et O t-BuONa DMF, 70-80oC, 2h; 80-90oC 100% toluene, rt, 1h 88% CHO 112 CO2Et 113 ii. aq. Na2SO3, 0oC, 20 min iii. CH3CN, reflux, 2h 73% CO2Et AcOH, 50oC 100% 114 i. Br2, AcONa, AcOH, 0oC, 2h; rt, 4h O H2, 5% Pd/C i. SOCl2, DMF, 42oC, 30-40 min O o-dichlorobenzene Br ii. AlCl3, 0oC, 30 min o-dichlorobenzene 92% CO2H Br 115 116 O H2, 5% Pd/C, AcONa O 40oC, MeOH, 86% Br O (EtO)2(O)P O CN CN O NaOMe toluene:MeOH, rt (4h) reflux,1 h 8h 84% Br 118 119 117 i. NaOH, toluene i. H2, Activated Co NaOH ii. H2, [RuCl(benzene)(R)BINAP]Cl NH2.HCl O iii. aq HCl, 30oC, 30min iv. NaOH, pH 6 v. H2, 5% Pd/C, 60oC, 6 h vi. NaOH, H2O toluene ii. aq. HCl, MeOH, 2550oC, 6.5h 120 NH2.HCl O 121 73% O i. O Cl NaOH, THF, rt, 1h ii. Recrystallization/ pulverization N H O XVI Ramelteon Scheme 20. Synthesis of Ramelteon. cellular carcinoma and in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel in patients with advanced metastatic melanoma. Phase II trials in combination with doxorubicin for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma are also under investigation. Additional phase II trials are ongoing for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and in postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor and/or progesterone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer. In addition, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is evaluating the compound both as a single therapy agent and in combination with other oncology agents in phase II trials for several cancer indications. An improved, four-step synthesis in 63% overall yield was published recently [55] and is illustrated in Scheme 22. Picolinic acid (127) was heated with Vilsmeier reagent for 16 hr to give 128 in 89% yield as an off-white solid. The acid chloride 128 was treated with methylamine in methanol at low temperature to give amide 129 in 88% yield as paleyellow crystals after its crystallization from ethyl acetate. Synthetic Approaches to the 2005 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 4 445 i. CH3COOH, NH2CH2Ph benzene, reflux L-tartaric acid + ii. NaBH4, EtOH, 82% two steps NHBn O H2O, 70-80oC NHBn . L-tartaric acid L-tartaric acid NHBn . 122 123 124 tBuOH, 5% Pd/C, H2O 25 atm, 45-50oC L-tartaric acid NHBn . DMSO, 120oC, 2hr CH3SO3H Cl NH2 NaOH, 72% NH . HSO3CH3 IPA, reflux K2CO3, CH3CN 60oC 126 124 125 XVII Resagiline mesilate Scheme 21. Synthesis of Resagiline Mesilate. 4-Aminophenol anion was generated under a basic condition and compound 129 was added to the anion solution to give corresponding addition compound 131 in 87% yield. For an unknown reason, potassium carbonate used in the reaction increased the reaction rate significantly. Finally, compound 131 was condensed with isocyanate 132 in methylene chloride to give sorafenib (XVIII) in 92% yield as a white solid. TAMIBAROTENE (AMNOLAKE®) Tamibarotene, a retinoic acid receptor- (RAR) agonist, was approved for the treatment of relapsed or refractory acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) in Japan on June, 2005 and is currently marketed by Nippon Shinyaku Co. This novel drug has shown high remission rate among patients who have recurrent disease after all trans retinoic acid therapy [3,56]. Several synthesis of tamibarotene have been disclosed in the literature [57] including the process scale synthesis as shown in Scheme 23 [57]. The synthesis started with preparation of dichloride 134 in 82% yield from diol 133 by treating with concentrated HCL in DCM. Friedal Crafts reaction of dichloride 134 with acetanilide in the presence of aluminum chloride at -15oC for 2h provided acetanilide derivative 136 in 78% yield. In a single pot, the acetanilide was reacted with PCl5 and dimethylaniline at Cl Cl SOCl2, DMF N CO2H tBuOH, CH3NH2/CH3OH 16 hr, 89% N . HCl 127 COCl THF, 3oC, 88% N DMF, K2CO3 CONHMe NH2 80oC, 87% 129 128 HO 130 NH2 CF3 O CF3 + CH2Cl2, 92% Cl Cl O O N N CONHMe 131 Scheme 22. Synthesis of Sorafenib. NCO 132 N H N H XVIII Sorafenib CONHMe 446 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 4 Sakya et al. NHAc OH OH Cl conc HCl i. PhNMe2, PCl5, CH2Cl2, -25oC, NHAc 1.5 h 135 Cl AlCl3 CH2Cl2, -15oC, 2 h RT, 1 h 82% ii. MeOH, -25oC -RT, 2h iii. PhNMe2, terepthalic chloride monomethylester, -20oC --30oC, 1h 81% 78% 133 134 136 O O OH OMe H N H N NaOH MeOH:H2O, reflux, 1h 92% O O XIX Tamibarotene 137 Scheme 23. Synthesis of Tamibarotene. 25oC for 1.5h followed by quenching the reaction with methanol for 2h after addition at -25oC. Addition of dimethylaniline and terepthalic chloride mono-methylester at -30 - 20oC for 1 hr provided the tamibarotene methyl easter 137 in 81% yield. Hydrolysis of the ester by heating with sodium hydroxide in MeOH:water mixture for 1h followed isolation and crystallization gave tamibarotene (XIX) in 92% yield. panded broad spectrum of in vitro activity against many Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, anaerobes and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). It does not require dosage adjustment in patients with impaired renal function and is conveniently dosed every 12 hours [59]. Synthesis of tigecycline (Scheme 24) [60] started with nitration of 138 with potassium nitrate and concentrated sulfuric acid to give 9-nitro derivative 139 in 93 % yield as disulfate salt, which was hydrogenated over Pd/C in 2-methoxyethanol/2N sulfuric acid at 40 psi to provide 9-aminominocycline (140). Finally, 9-aminominocycline (140) is acylated directly with N-tert-butylglycyl chloride in a 1:5 mixture of acetonitrile and N, N-dimethylpropyleneurea (DMPU) with anhydrous sodium carbonate to give tigecycline (XX). TIGECYLINE (TYGACILTM) Tigecycline, a new glycylcycline class of antibiotics, was initially launched in 2005 for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI) and complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI). Originally discovered and developed by Wyeth, the intravenous antibiotic has an ex- N N H H O OH OH 0oC, 1.5 hr, 93% OH H2, Pd/C, 2N H2SO4 MeOCH2CH2OH 40 psi, 1.5 hr, 61% NH2 O2N OH O N H KNO3, H2SO4 OH NH2 OH H N O OH O OH O O .2H2SO4 139 138 N H H H N OH NH2 H2N OH O OH OH O 140 Scheme 24. Synthesis of Tigecycline. N O N O CH3CN, DMPU Na2CO3, 76% Cl H H N OH O H N NH2 N H OH O XX Tigecyline OH OH O O Synthetic Approaches to the 2005 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 4 OH OH OH O O O OCH2Cl OLi i) THF, 98% OEt NH2 OH (POMCl) 145 OH 143 DIEA, toluene, ii) NaOH, MeOH, 94% 447 110oC, 73% CH3CN 141 144 142 O OPOM OH OH OPOM N OH 148 O DIBAL, toluene OPOM OPOM NaOCl, CH2Cl2 KBr, NaHCO3 99% 78% 149 147 146 AcO HO AcO CH3 Lipase Amano P30 MTBE NO2 i) MsCl, DIEA,CH2Cl2 HO + ii) NaCH(CO2Et)2, EtOH NO2 NO2 152 151 150 OH EtO2C MeO2C i) 6N HCl, reflux, 18hr OPOM NaHMDS, THF -78oC, 90% ii) HCl, MeOH CO2Et CO2Me 149 NO2 NO2 NO2 153 155 154 O OH PCC, CH2Cl2 H2SO4/MeOH NaOAc, Florisil 99% 84% NO2 NaOH, MeOH CO2Me 75% OH NO2 O 156 157 CF3 OH Cl NH2 H2, Pd/C THF, 50 psi, 21hr O O 158 Scheme 25. Synthesis of Tipranavir. O O CF3 OH H N N S O O 159 Pyridine, DMSO 78%, from 157 O O XXI Tipranavir S N O 448 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 4 Sakya et al. lazide in THF at low temperature gave hydroxyester 155 in 90% yield as a mixture of four diastereomers. This mixture was oxidized with pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC) in dichloromethane to afford corresponding ketoester which was subsequently treated with sulfuric acid in methanol to remove the POM protecting group to yield hydroxy ketoester 156 in 84% yield. Compound 156 was cyclized with NaOH in methanol/water to afford dihydropyranone 157 in 75% yield. The nitro group of 157 was reduced with hydrogen over Pd/C in THF to give corresponding aniline 158, which was finally amidated with 5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine-2sulfonyl chloride 159 and pyridine in DMSO to give tipranavir (XXI) in 78% yield from compound 149. TIPRANAVIR (APTIVUS®) Tipranavir, an HIV protease inhibitor, is for the treatment of HIV-1-infected patient with evidence of viral replication who have HIV-1 strains resistant to multiple protease inhibitors or have extensive treatment already. The drug originally discovered at Pfizer and then developed by Boehringer Ingelheim gained accelerated approval from FDA based on analyses of plasma HIV-1 RNA levels in two controlled studies of tipranavir of six months duration [61]. Synthesis of tipranavir (Scheme 25) was assembled by an aldol condensation between two chiral key intermediates, 149 and 154 [62]. Condensation of 1-phenylhexan-3-one (141) with ethyl acetate in the presence of butyllithium and diisopropylamine in THF gave racemic 3-hydroxy-3-(2-phenylethyl)hexanoic acid ethyl ester, which was directly hydrolyzed with NaOH in methanol to corresponding free acid 142 in 94% yield. The racemic 142 was subjected to optical resolution with (1R, 2S)-(-)-norephedrine to yield chiral compound 144 which was alkylated with 4-biphenylyloxymethyl chloride (POMCl) and diisopropylethylamine in toluene to give POM protected ester 146 in 73% yield . The choice of POM protection group is for the purification since the POM protected intermediates were highly crystalline compounds. The ester group of 146 was reduced with diisobutylaluminum hydride in toluene to give corresponding alcohol 147 in 78% yield, which was oxidized with 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxy radical (TEMPO)/bleach (NaOCl) to yield corresponding aldehyde 149 in 99% yield. The other chiral intermediate 154 was synthesized as described below. Racemic compound 150 was subjected to kinetic enzymatic resolution with a lipase and isopropenyl acetate in dichloromethane to give chiral alcohol 152 which was converted to its mesylate and reacted with sodium diethyl malonate to give diester 153. The diester 153 was decarboxylated under an acid condition and re-esterified to give optical pure intermediate 154. Aldol condensation of 149 and 154 with sodium hexamethyldisi- UDENAFIL (ZYDENA®) Udenafil, an orally active phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor with pyrazolopyramidinone core structure, was launched by Dong-A in Korea for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Phase III trials are expected to begin in the U.S. in 2006. Udenafil has a unique pharmacokinetic profile with a relatively rapid onset and sufficiently long duration (Tmax 1-1.5 hr, t1/2 11-13 hr) to make it effective for up to 24 hours [63]. Synthesis of this racemic compound (Scheme 26) started with commercially available 2-propoxybenzoic acid (160) [64]. The free acid 160 was converted to it acyl chloride with thinoy chloride in refluxing dichloromethane, which was condensed with 4-amino-1-methyl-3propyl-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide (161) with TEA and DMAP in dichloromethane to yield carboxamide 162 in 85% yield from 160. Compound 162 was sulfonated with chlorosulfonic acid to yield benzenesulfonyl chloride 163 in 67% yield, which was treated with racemic 2-(1-methylpyrrolidin2-yl)ethylamine (164) in dichloromethane to afford sulfonamide 165 in 80% yield. Finally, compound 165 was cyclized with t BuOK in refluxing tBuOH to give udenafil (XXII) in 81% yield. CH3 O CO2H O N N H2N i) SOCl2, DCM, reflux H2N ClSO3H N O O CH3 N N O CH3 H2N 67% N H ii) TEA, DMAP, DCM, 0oC O N H S Cl CH3 85% O N O CH3 O O H2N 160 CH3 161 CH3 163 162 CH3 CH3 O O N N CH3 H2N NH2 O O 164 O tBuOH,tBuOK N H S N H 80% N reflux N CH3 O 81% O O N H S CH3 CH3 CH3 Scheme 26. Synthesis of Udenafil. 165 XXII Udenafil N N O N N HN Synthetic Approaches to the 2005 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 4 ABBREVIATIONS ADME = Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion CDI = Carbonyl diimidazole DBU = 1,8-Diazabicyclo[5, 5,0]undec-7-ene DCE = Dichloroethane DCM = Dichloromethane DEAD = Diethylazodicarboxylate [8] DIBAL = Diisobutylaluminum hydride [9] DIEA = Diisopropylethylamine DIPP = Diisopropylphosphoryl [10] DIPT = Diisopropyl tartrate [11] DMAP = 4-Dimethylaminopyridine [12] DMF = N,N-Dimethylformamide DMPU = N, N-dimethylpropyleneurea [13] [14] DMSO = Methyl sulfoxide IPA = Isopropyl alcohol MsCl = Methansulfonyl chloride MTBE = tert-Butyl methyl ether [5] [6] [7] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] NaHMDS = Sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide NCE = New chemical entities O/N = overnight PCC = Pyridinium chlorochromate PNP = Purine nucleoside phosphorylase PNZCl = p-Nitrobenzylchloroformate PPA = Polyphosphoric acid Red-Al = Sodium bis(2-methoxyethoxy)aluminum hydride TBHP = tert-Butyl hydrogen peroxide TEA = Triethyl amine TFA = Trifluoroacetic acid THF = Tetrahydrofuran [30] [31] TsCl = Toluenesulfonyl chlodire [32] p-TSA = para-Toluene sulfonic acid UP = Uridine phosphorylase REFERENCES [1] [2] [3] [4] Raju, T. 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In addition, these new chemical entities (NCEs) not only provide insights into molecular recognition, but also serve as drug-like leads for designing future new drugs. To these ends, this review covers the syntheses of 16 NCEs marketed in 2006. Key Words: Synthesis, new drug, new chemical entities, medicine, therapeutic agents. INTRODUCTION “The most fruitful basis for the discovery of a new drug is to start with an old drug.” Sir James Whyte Black, winner of the 1988 Nobel prize in physiology and medicine [1]. Inaugurated five years ago, this annual review presents synthetic methods for molecular entities that were launched in various countries for the first time during the past year. The motivation to write such a review is the same as stated in the previous articles [2-5]. Briefly, drugs that are approved worldwide tend to have structural similarity across similar biological targets. We strongly believe that knowledge of new chemical entities and their syntheses will greatly enhance our abilities to design new drug molecules in shorter period of time. With this hope, we continue to profile these NCEs that were approved in 2006. In 2006, 41 new products including new chemical entities, biological drugs, and diagnostic agents [6] reached the market. Another nine new products were approved for the first time in 2006 but were not launched before year end. Syntheses of those drugs will be covered in 2007’s review. The current article will focus on the syntheses of 16 new drugs marketed last year (Fig. 1), while excluding new indications for known drugs, new combinations and new formulations. Drugs synthesized via bio-process and peptide synthesizers will also be excluded as well. The syntheses of these new drugs were published sporadically in different journals and patents. The synthetic routes cited here represent the most suitable methods based on the author’s judgment and appear in alphabetical order by generic names. Anecortave Acetate (Retaane®) Anecortave acetate, an angiogenesis inhibitor, was launched in Australia by Alcon for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). AMD is the leading cause of untreatable blindness among people aged 65 to 74 years in the U.S. Worldwide, approximately 20 to 25 million people *Address correspondence to these authors at Pfizer Inc, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Tel: 858-622-7391; E-mail: [email protected] Pfizer Inc, Groton, CT 06340, USA; Tel: 860-715-0425; E-mail: [email protected] Shenogen Pharma Group, Beijing, China; Tel: 8610-8289-8780; E-mail: [email protected] 1389-5575/07 $50.00+.00 suffer from AMD, a disease that until recently was untreatable. Anecortave, an angiostatic steroid, down-regulates the expression MMP-2 and -9 to exert its antiangiogenic effects [7]. Anecortave has been synthesized by several different routes, and Pharmacia process patents are cited here [8,9]. The synthesis is depicted in Scheme 1. Compound 1 was condensed with 2-chlorovinyl ethyl ether with n-BuLi in THF at low temperature to give a mixture of two isomeric aldehydes 2 in 91% yield [8]. The mixture 2 was treated with acetic anhydride and anhydrous potassium acetate in DMF at 106oC to give acetate 3 which was reacted with RhCl(PPh3)3 and triethylsilane in methylene chloride at 45oC for 4 hours to yield the corresponding triethylsilane ether 4 as a solid after crystallization in hexane. Finally, compound 4 was oxidized with 40% peracetic acid in toluene at low temperature, and the reaction was quenched with SO2 in methanol (2M), and treated with TEA to give anecortave acetate [9]. Darunavir (Prezista™) Darunavir (TM-114) is a potent HIV protease inhibitor that has been shown to be efficacious in both wild type and resistant forms of HIV with low toxicity. With increased use of both protease inhibitors and reverse transcriptase inhibitors, there has been an increased level of resistance to most commonly used anti-HIV agents. Darunavir, developed and marketed by Tibotec, has so far shown excellent efficacy against the HIV-1 strains that show resistance to other approved protease inhibitors [6,10]. Several routes to the synthesis of darunavir have been reported utilizing the chiral hexahydro-furo[2,3-b]furan-3-ol carbonate 12 [11-13] and several chiral syntheses of bisfuranol 12 have been disclosed as well [12-15]. One route that has been performed on kilogram scale is highlighted in Scheme 2 [13]. Thus 2,3-Oisopropylidene-glyceraldehyde 5 was stirred with dimethyl malonate at RT for 3 h in tetrahydrofuran followed by addition of pyridine and heating to 45ºC. Then acetic anhydride was added at 45ºC over 4h and stirred at that temperature for 12 h. Concentration of the reaction followed by basic workup and extraction with toluene and solvent swap to methanol gave the products as a 23.6% solution in methanol. Nitromethane was added to this methanol solution followed by the addition of DBU over 30 min keeping the reaction temperature below 25ºC. Stirring the reaction for an additional 3 h afforded intermediate 7. The reaction was cooled © 2007 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd. 1256 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 12 Liu et al. O O O O OH H O NH2 Ph O O N H O N S O OH H O Darunavir (II) Anecortave acetate (I) O NH2 N N H N N H S Cl N N O N O OH N N O N O O HO OH HO HO Decitabine (IV) Dasatinib (III) F F Lubiprostone (V) HCl O O N O OH O N N H H N N N O Ranolazine (VII) Mozavaptan hydrochloride (VI) O Cl N H N N H N O N N S O N CF3 Cl H2N O OH OH Cl Silodosin (X) Rotigotine (IX) Rimonabant (VIII) O F S F NH2 O O N F H3PO4 O N N N O O O S O N F N H N Cl Na N N H OH O HO OH O N H O CF3 Sitagliptin phosphate (XI) Sunitinib malate (XIII) Sitaxsentan sodium (XII) O HN O N O O N HO CO2H NH HO N HO HO Telbivudine (XIV) Varenicline tartrate (XV) Fig. (1). Structures of 16 new drugs marketed in 2006. CO2H H N N H O Vorinostat (XVI) OH Synthetic Approaches to the 2006 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 12 1257 O Cl O H3C O H3C H3C Cl OEt H H3C H3C H3C H CH3 H H O O O 91% 1 H DMF, 106oC i. n-BuLi, -45oC ii. 6N HCl O O Ac2O, AcOK 2 3 O Si(Et)3 O H3C H3C H OH AcOOH(40%) H3C H CH3 Toulene, 0-5oC H triethylsilane CH2Cl2, 45oC CH3 H3C O O RhCl(PPh3)3 O O H O O Anecortave Acetate (I) 4 Scheme 1. Synthesis of Anecortave Acetae. MeO2C O H CO2Me O O O ii. AcOH, rt, 2h + OMe O O 9 1h 7 HO i. LiBH4, THF, 50oC, 2h O OMe O 8 O2N O i. KOH/H2O reflux, 2h COOMe HO MeOH. 0oC-10oC 3h 6 MeOOC COOMe CO2Me O MeOH, rt 12h 5 i. NaOMe, 0oC, 0.5h ii. conc. H2SO4 CO2Me O CO2Me O 45oC THF, rt - O CO2Me O Py, Ac2O CH3NO2, cat DBU OMe O ii. Conc HCl, THF, -10 -0oC O 11 10 O O O O O Disuccinimidyl carbonate, Et3N CH3CN, rt, 3h O O 12 BOC NH2 O H N pNO2C6H4SO2Cl, aq. NaHCO3 OH BOC 14 H N H N 23oC, Ph 13 iPrOH, 84oC 6h. 99% 1 atm H2, 10%Pd/C H N N O Ph 17 Scheme 2. Preparation of Darunavir. BOC i. TFA, CH2Cl2, rt, 40 min 12h, Ph O O N S 16 NH2 OH H N O N S O ii. 12, Et3N CH2Cl2, rt, 3h, 89% O O 15 NH2 OH BOC EtOAc, rt, 11h, 95% Ph CH2Cl2, 96% NO2 OH H N O O Ph Darunavir (II) S O 1258 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 12 to 0ºC and sodium methoxide was added dropwise over 30 min After stirring the reaction for 30 min, the reaction was added slowly over 1h to conc. H2SO4 in methanol at 0oC while ensuring the temperature did not exceed 10oC. This cooled reaction mixture (0ºC) was then added to a vigorously stirred mixture of ethyl acetate and 1N sodium hydrogen carbonate at 0oC. The organic layer was separated, washed with brine and concentrated to give the residue containing a mixture of 8 and 9. This mixture was dissolved in methanol then water and potassium hydroxide were added and the resulting mixture was heated at reflux for 2 h. The reaction was cooled to 35ºC and acetic acid was added and the resulting mixture concentrated. Additional acetic acid was added and stirred at room temperature for 2 h. The mixture was concentrated, diluted with water and extracted with ethylacetate. The ethylacetate layer was washed with 1N sodium bicarbonate three times and the organic layer was concentrated and diluted with isopropanol. The isopropanol mixture was then heated to 60-70ºC and further evaporation of isopropanol under reduced pressure to a concentrated volume with cooling to 0ºC over 4-5 h, allowed for the crystallization of product 10. After filtration and drying, the intermediate lactone 10 was dissolved in THF and treated over 30 min with a solution of lithium borohydride in THF. The reaction was warmed to 50ºC over 1 h and stirred at that temperature for 2h. The resulting suspension was cooled to -10ºC and conc. HCl was added slowly over 4h, while maintaining the temperature below 0ºC. Solvent swap was done by concentrating to a small volume and addition of ethyl acetate and further concentration of the solvent with continuous addition of ethylacetate. Following this procedure, when the final ratio of THF:ethylacetate reached 4:1 ratio, the mixture was cooled to 0ºC and filtered off while washing the filter cake with more ethylacetate. Concentration of the filtrate to dryness gave the hexahydro-furo [2,3-b]furan-3-ol 11 which was confirmed by NMR and chiral gas chromatography. Carbonate intermediate 12 was prepared in 66% yield by treating 11 with disuccinimidyl carbonate at RT for 3h in the presence of triethylamine [13]. Since the process scale synthesis of darunavir has not been disclosed, the latest reported synthesis is highlighted [13]. The commercially available epoxide 13 was mixed with isobutyl amine in isopropanol at RT and refluxed for 6h. The reaction was concentrated and purified by chromatography to provide amine 15 (99%). p-Nitrophenyl sulfonyl chloride was added to a mixture of the amine 15 in dichloromethane and saturated aqueous bicarbonate at RT and stirred for 12 h to give sulfonamide 16 in 96% yield after purification. Hydrogenation of 16 with 10% Pd/C under 1 atm hydrogen for 11h at room temperature gave aniline 17 in 95% yield. The BOC group was removed by treating 17 with TFA in dichloromethane and the resulting amine was reacted with carbonate 12 in the presence of triethylamine for 3h to provide the desired darunavir (II) in 89% yield. Dasatinib (SprycelTM) Dasatinib, developed and marketed by Bristol Myers, is the first approved oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor which binds to multiple conformations of ABL kinase for the treatment of two leukemia indications: chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) [16]. Dasatinib is a highly potent, ATP- Liu et al. competitive kinase inhibitor which, at nanomolar concentrations, inhibits BCR-ABL, SRC family, c-KIT, EPHA2 and PDGFR-B. A concise and efficient route (Scheme 3) was developed for the synthesis of dasatinib [17,18]. Reaction of 2-chlorothioa-zole (18) with n-butyllithium at low temperature followed by addition of 2-chloro-6-methylphenyl isocyanate (19) gave anilide 20 in 86% yield. The amide 20 was protected as corresponding 4-methoxy benzyl (PMB) anilide 22 in 95% yield which was subsequently reacted with 4amino-6-chloro-2-methylpyrimidine (23) in the presence of sodium hydride in hot THF to give compound 24 in 83% yield. The PMB protecting group was then removed with triflic acid to give compound 25 in 99% yield. Compound 25 was reacted with 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine (26) in refluxing dioxane to give dasatinib (III) in 91% yield. Decitabine (DacogenlTM) SuperGen’s decitabine was approved for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and exerts its antineoplastic effects by incorporation into DNA and inhibition of DNA methyltransferase in rapidly dividing cells. However, non-proliferating cells are relatively insensitive to this agent [19]. Silylated 5-aza-cytosine (28) was condensed with 9fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) protected 2-deoxy-1-chlororibose (27) with tin chloride (IV) in dichloroethane (Scheme 4). The coupled product 29 was de-protected with excess triethylamine in dry pyridine to give decitabine (IV) in 36% yield after separation from its corresponding isomer [20]. Lubiprostone (AmitizaTM) Lubiprostone, developed by Sucampo Pharmaceuticals and jointly marketed with Takeda, represents a novel pharmacotherapy for the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation which is a form of constipation characterized by difficult passage of stools for a period of at least of 3 months. It is the first selective chloride channel (ClC-2) activator on the market and works by exerting its effects through increasing fluid secretion and motility in the intestine to alleviate symptoms associated with chronic idiopathic constipation [21]. Synthesis of lupiprostone started with the tetrahydropyran (THP) protected (-)Corey lactone 30 [22] (Scheme 5). Desilylation of 30 with TBAF in THF gave free carbinol in 82% yield which was oxidized with oxalyl chloride and DMSO to give corresponding crude aldehyde 31. Aldehyde 31 was condensed with dimethyl 3,3,-difluoro-2-oxoheptylphosphonate (32) in the presence of thallium ethoxide to give unsaturated difluoroketone 33 which was hydrogenated with H2 over Pd/C in ethyl acetate and the resulting ketone was subsequently reduced with sodium borohydride in methanol to give lactone 34 in excellent yield. The lactone 34 was reduced to lactol 35 with DIBAL at -78oC in toluene and the crude lactol 35 was condensed with 4-carboxybutyl triphenylphosphonium bromide (36) in the presence of t-BuOK in THF to yield compound 37. Crude 37 was reacted with benzyl bromide and DBU in dichloromethane (DCM) to give the benzyl ester in 96% yield. Oxidation of the alcohol with Collins reagent and removal of the THP protecting group under acidic conditions gave corresponding prostaglandin E2 benzyl ester 38. Finally, compound 38 was submitted to simultaneous benzyl ester group cleavage and double bond hydrogenation with H2 over Pd/C in ethyl acetate to give lubiprostone (V) in 94% yield. Synthetic Approaches to the 2006 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 12 1259 OMe Cl S N CH3 n-BuLi, THF, -78oC N H N NCO 18 Cl Cl 19 NaH, THF, reflux N Cl Cl O N S Cl CH3 CH3 TfOH, TFA N N H O 22 95% N N Cl 21 OMe CH3 S MeO O 20 86% Cl N S CH3 N CH3 NaH, THF Cl NH CH2Cl2, 99% Cl CH3 Cl O N N S N N H Cl CH3 N 24 23 H2N 25 83% CH3 OH N NH dioxane, reflux HN CH3 26 Cl O 91% N S N N N H N N Dasatinib (III) OH Scheme 3. Synthesis of Dasatinib. Mozavaptan (Physuline®) Mozavaptan is a vasopressin V2 antagonist developed by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. in Japan for the treatment of hyponatremia in patients with inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) secretion syndrome. This tends to occur in patients with tumors with ectopic ADH production and others with liver failure, cardiac failure and volume contraction in 97% yield. Reaction of the resulting benzazepine 41 with p-nitrobenzoyl chloride (42) in the presence of triethylamine provided amide 43 which was hydrogenated in the presence of 10% Pd/C in ethanol at room temperature to give aniline 44. Acylation of aniline 44 with 2-methylbenzoylchloride (45) in the presence of triethylamine gave mozavaptan (VI) in 54% yield. NH2 NH2 N SiMe3 HN O Cl Fmoc-O Fmoc-O + N SnCl4 N O N Me3SiO N ClCH2CH2Cl O Fmoc-O O TEA 15 eq N O HO pyridine, 1 hr 36% N N N HO Fmoc-O 27 28 29 Decitabine (IV) Scheme 4. Synthesis of Decitabine. [6,23]. The reported synthesis of mozavaptan is shown in Scheme 6 [24,25]. Readily available benzazepin-5-one 39 [26] was refluxed with 40% methyl amine methanol solution in the presence of molecular sieves for 5h followed by the reduction of the resulting imine with sodium borohydride to give the monomethyl amine. Reductive alkylation of the monomethyl amine with formaldehyde in the presence of sodium cyanoborohydride gave the dimethyl amino benzazepine 40. Removal of the tosyl group was facilitated by heating 40 in polyphosphoric acid at 150oC for 2 h to give 41 Ranolazine (Ranexa™) Ranolazine, developed by CV therapeutics after licensing it from Roche (Syntex), is a late stage sodium channel blocker approved in March 2006 for the treatment of chronic angina. The compounds anti-angina and anti-ischemic affects do not depend on reductions in heart rate or blood pressure. Because of the potential for QT prolongation, the drug is indicated for treating patients that do not get adequate response with other anti-anginal drugs [6,27]. Two syntheses, one from the inventors at Roche [28] and other from a group 1260 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 12 Liu et al. O O O i.TBAF, THF, 82% O F MeO P O O OMe CHO ii. (COCl)2, CH2Cl2 DMSO OTMS O C4H9-n OH C4H9-n F OTHP O DIBAL, -78oC C4H9-n F 36 F F OTHP F 35 HO O OH toluene 34 OH CO2H F O i.PhCH2Br, DBU, DCM, 96% F ii.CrO3. Py, CH2Cl2, 78% F C4H9-n t-BuOK, THF 37 O HO 38 O O OH O O OH F H2, Pd/C, EtOAc 94% HO F O O HO F F CH3 Lubiprostone (V) Scheme 5. Synthesis of Lubiprostone. O i. MeNH2, 4Ao MS, MeOH, reflux, 5h Me2N Me2N ClOC ii. NaBH4, MeOH, 0-4oC, 1h N Ts PPA iii. 37% HCHO, NaBH3CN, AcOH, MeOH, rt, 1h 39 N 150oC, 41 40 78% Me2N Me2N Et3N/ DCM, 0oC -rt, 1h N H 97% Ts NO2 42 2h Me2N ClOC N 45 1 atm H2, 10% Pd/C O N N EtOH, rt, 5h DCM, Et3N, 0 - 5oC, 0.5h O O 43 NO2 Scheme 6. Synthesis of Mozavaptan. 54% NH2 44 CO2Bn C4H9-n iii. AcOH, H2O, THF = 3:1:1 50oC, 93% OH THPO F 33 HO O F OTHP 31 ii. NaBH4, MeOH, 99% Ph3P Br O 32 TlOEt, CH2Cl2, 44% O i. H2, 5%Pd/C, EtOAc, 98% CH3 OTHP OTHP 30 O F NH Mozavaptan (VI) O Synthetic Approaches to the 2006 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 12 1261 O Cl NH2 HN H N Cl 46 O ii. HCl/MeOH 73% 50 (No yield given) 48 Taken forward as crude O Cl O N OH O 52 NaOH OH O NH EtOH, reflux, 2h O 82% H N i. 53, iPrOH, reflux, 3h N 49 Cl 47 CH2Cl2,Et3N 0oC, 4h H N NH N O O O H2O,:dixane, reflux, 3h O .2HCl 53 (No yield given) 51 Ranolazine (VII) (purified by distillation) Scheme 7. Synthesis of Ranolazine. Rimonabant (Acomplia®) in Hungary [29], of Ranolazine have been described in the patent literature. The original synthesis is highlighted in Scheme 7. Reaction of 2,6-dimethylaniline 46 with chloroacetyl chloride (47) in the presence of triethylamine for 4h at 0ºC gave amide 48 in 82% yield. This chloro amide 48 was reacted with piperazine in refluxing ethanol for 2 h to give piperazinyl amide 50. Reaction of amide 50 with epoxide intermediate 53, prepared by reacting 2-methoxy phenol 51 with epichlorohydrin, in refluxing isopropanol for 3 h followed by treatment with HCl/methanol gave ranolazine dihydrochloride (VII) in 73% yield. Rimonabant is a central cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB-1) antagonist developed by Sanofi-Aventis and approved for the treatment of obesity in Europe. It’s currently under review in the US. The inhibition of the endocannabinoid pathway, which is believed to play an important role in the control of appetite signals, reduces food intake and thus may aid in obesity control [6,30,31]. The reported preparation of rimonabant, both in small and large scale, is shown in Scheme 8 [32]. Lithium enolate formation of p-chlorophenyl ethyl Cl Cl i. LiHMDS O Cl THF, -78oC, 45 min H2NHN O-Li+ Cl O N OEt Cl OEt O 55 57 Cl O SOCl2 Cl KOH Cl AcOH,reflux, 24h Cl Cl N N N toluene, reflux, 3 h N MeOH:H2O, reflux, 3h EtO HO O O 58 Cl 59 Cl Cl Cl HN Cl EtOH, rt, 16 h ii. (CO2Et)2, -78oC - rt, 16 h 54 Cl 56 O Cl N N i. H2N N CH2Cl2, rt, 3h ii. HCl/Et2O O 60 Scheme 8. Synthesis of Rimonabant. Cl , Et3N N N 61 Cl Cl .HCl HN N O Rimonabant (VIII) 1262 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 12 Liu et al. ketone 54 with LiHMDS in THF at -78ºC for 45 min followed by reaction with diethyl oxalate at -78ºC and warming to room temperature over 16 h provided the lithium enolate salt of the diketoester 55. Reaction of diketoester salt 55 with 2,4-dichlorophenyl hydrazine (56) in ethanol at room temperature gave intermediate hydrazone 57 which is then cyclized in refluxing acetic acid for 24 h to obtain pyrazole ester 58. Hydrolysis of ester 58 with KOH in refluxing methanol:water mixture gave acid 59 which was then converted to the acid chloride 60 with thionyl chloride in refluxing toluene in very good yield. On scale, the synthesis of the acid chloride was performed in cyclohexane at 83ºC. Reaction of acid chloride 60 with 1-aminopiperidine (61) in the presence of triethylamine at 0ºC to room temperature over 3h gave rimonabant (VIII) which was isolated as the HCl salt by treating it with HCl in ether. Rotigotine (Neupro®) Rotigotine is a nonergolinic dopamine D2/D3 receptor agonist that was developed and approved for marketing in Europe for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. It was developed jointly by Aderis Pharmaceuticals and Swartz Pharmaceuticals as a transdermal patch for an once daily application [6]. The synthesis described by the originators at Discovery Therapeutics Inc. (now known as Aderis Pharmaceuticals) is shown in Scheme 9 [33]. The synthesis utilizes the chiral methoxy tetralin 62 as starting precursor which was obtained via chiral crystallization procedure described in a patent literature [34]. Demethylation of tetraline 62 with refluxing 40% HBr solution for several hours provided phenol 63 in 96% yield [35]. Reaction of the amine 63 with 2thiophenylethyl tosylate 64 in refluxing xylene for 24-32 h in the presence of 0.6 equiv sodium carbonate gave the desired rotigotine (IX) without requiring chromatographic purification. The ratio of sodium carbonate to the amine was critical to achieving good yields (59-84% yield) without requiring extensive purification. Rotigotine was isolated as the HCl salt. Silodosin (Urief) Silodosin (KMD 3213) is an 1a receptor subtype inhibitor indicated for the treatment of urinary disturbances due to urethral resistance from enlarged prostate. It was developed by Kissei and jointly marketed with Daiichi in the Japanese market since approval in 2006 [6,36]. The synthesis of silodosin has been disclosed in several patents [37-39]. The latest synthetic route disclosed in the 2006 patent is highlighted in Scheme 10 [38d]. The synthesis started with Grignard generation from readily available bromoindoline 65 by treating it with Mg in the presence of a catalytic dibromoethane in THF. After initiation of the reaction with some heat and refluxing at a steady rate, CBZ protected oxazolidinone 66 [39b] was added over 1 h, refluxed for 4 h and then stirred at room temperature for 2 days. The reaction was quenched with 6 M aqueous HCl and stirred for 12 h after which time the reaction was worked up to provide product 67 in 53% yield. Ketone 67 was then treated with triethylsilane in TFA at 0ºC and stirred at room temperature for 10 h to provide amine 68 in 61% yield. Bromination of the indoline 68 with bromine in warm acetic acid furnished bromide 69 in 53% yield which was reacted with copper cyanide in DMF at 130ºC to give the cyano indoline 70 in 82% yield. Selective deprotection of the benzyloxycarbonyl over the benzyl group was accomplished by reacting indoline 70 with 1 atm hydrogen in the presence of 5% Pd/C in ethanol at room temperature. The resulting free amine 71 was then reacted with mesylate 72 [37] in t-butanol with sodium carbonate as base at 80-90ºC for 46 h to provide 73 in 67% yield. Removal of the benzyl ether was accomplished by reacting 73 with 1 atm hydrogen in the presence of 10%Pd/C to give alcohol 74, which upon hydrolysis provided the desired silodosin (X). No yield for the final reaction was given. Sitagliptin Phosphate (JanuviaTM) Sitagliptin is the first novel dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor from Merck for the treatment of type 2 diabetes without weight gain and the incidence of hypoglycemia was similar to placebo. Sitagliptin acts by enhancing the body’s incretin system, which helps to regulate glucose by affecting and cells in the pancreas [40]. Synthesis of sitagliptin [41,42] started with the slow addition of chloropyrazine (75) to 35% aqueous hydrazine at 60-65oC, controlling this exothermic reaction and making it process-friendly, and the resulting crude pyrazinyl hydrazine was acetylated with trifluoroacetic anhydride to afford bis-trifluoromethylhydrazide 76 in 49% yield from the chloropyrazine (Scheme 11). Compound 76 was treated with superphosphoric acid, a diluted form of polyphosphoric acid, to give cyclized compound 77 which was hydrogenated with Pd/C and the resulting product was treated with HCl in IPA to afford compound 78 as its HCl salt in 51% yield from 76. Compound 78 was used later on in a coupling reaction to generate sitagliptin. Compound 79, a beta-ketoester, was subjected to asymmetric reduction with (S)-BinapRuCl2-triethylamine complex in methanol at 80oC, catalytic amount of hydrogen bromide, and 90 psi of hydrogen atmosphere to give the desired beta-hydroxy ester S OTs NH 40% HBr, reflux, 2-3h NH i. Na2CO3 N 64 xylene, reflux, 24h OH O 62 Scheme 9. Synthesis of Rotigotine. ii. HCl/MeOH 63 OH Rotogotine hydrochloride (IX) S Synthetic Approaches to the 2006 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 12 1263 O Br NHCBz i. Mg, THF NHCBz cat (BrCH2)2 Et3SiH Br2 N N ii. O N O OBn 65 reflux 4h 66 68 NH2 NHCBz CuCN, NaI N DMF, 69 1 atm H2, 5%Pd/C N 130oC 46h, 82% BnO 4h, 53% 67 53% NHCBz Br OBn 10h, 61% OBn N CBz AcOH, 40oC, TFA, 0oC - rt CN BnO MsO 85% F3C CN EtOH, rt 70 O N O 72 Na2CO3 BnO tBuOH, 80-90oC 71 46h, 67% OCH2CF3 OCH2CF3 O OCH2CF3 O 1 atm H2, 10%Pd/C O H2O2, NaOH HN HN HN EtOH, rt, 3h DMSO, rt 80% CN N CN N OBn 73 CONH2 N OH 74 Silodosin (X) OH Scheme 10. Synthesis of Silodosin. which was hydrolyzed to give carboxylic acid 80 in 94% e.e. and 83% yield. The carboxylic acid 80 was coupled with BnONH2-HCl in the presence of EDC and lithium hydroxide in THF/H2O to give coupled compound 81 which was cyclized to compound 82 with DIAD and triphenylphosphine in THF in 81% yield from compound 80. Compound 82 was then hydrolyzed to -amino acid 83 with lithium hydroxide, and the acid was coupled with compound 78 at 0oC with EDC-HCl and NMM as base to give compound 84 in excellent yield. Compound 84 was hydrogenated with 10% Pd/C in an ethanol/H2O mix solvent system. The water was crucial to complete the reaction and restore catalyst activity. Finally, the ethanol solution of the hydrogenated product was treated with phosphoric acid, and sitagliptin (XI) was crystallized as its anhydrous phosphoric acid salt from aqueous ethanol solution. Sitaxsentan Sodium (Thelin®) In November Encysive Pharmaceuticals launched Thelin® (sitaxsentan sodium) in the U.K. for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), following European Commission approval in August 2006. Sitaxsentan is the first selective endothelin A (ETA) receptor antagonist, and the first once-daily oral treatment available for patients with PAH. It is 6,500-fold selective in the targeting of ETA ver- sus ETB receptors. Sitaxsentan is indicated for improving exercise capacity in PAH patients classified as World Health Organization (WHO) functional class III. Efficacy has been shown in primary pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary hypertension associated with connective tissue disease. In the U.S., Encysive has submitted a complete response to an approvable letter received from the FDA in July. The synthesis of sitaxentan is depicted in Scheme 12. 5-amino-3methylisoxazole 85 was treated with NCS in DCM at 0°C to give chloroisoxazole 86 in 87% yield. The amine was then coupled with the commercially available 2-(methoxycarbonyl)-3-thiophenesulfonyl chloride (87) using sodium hydride in THF at 0°C. The resulting ester was directly hydrolyzed in 1N NaOH to furnish acid 88 in 45% yield [43]. The acid 88 was then coupled with N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine to give Weinreb amide 89. The amide 89 was then treated with benzylic Grignard reagent followed by acidic workup to give the sitaxentan XII in 50% yield in two steps. The Grignard reagent 90 was prepared through the following sequence. The 5-methylbenzodioxole 91 was treated with aqueous formaldehyde and concentrated HCl in ethyl ether to give the desired benzyl chloride 93 and condensation product 92. The mixture of 92 and 93 was used to form the Grignard reagent without separation [44]. 1264 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 12 Liu et al. O O 35% Hydrazine(aq) Cl O F3C CF3 O N CF3 N N 60-65oC N Superphosphoric acid NH N O 49% (two steps) N N CF3 N N CF3 75oC 77 75 76 N HN i. H2, 10% Pd/C, EtOH N ii. HCl, IPA HCl N CF3 51% from 76 78 F F F O O i. (S)-BinapRuCl2, 48%HBr(aq) H2, MeOH, 80oC, 90 psi F OH O BnONH2-HCl, EDC OMe F OH ii.NaOH, MeOH/H2O LiOH, THF/H2O F 83%, 94% e.e. 79 80 F F F F F HO OBn N O DIAD, PPh3, THF O OBn F HN LiOH O OH THF/H2O NHOBn 81% F F F 83 82 81 F F EDC-HCl, NMM, CH3CN F OBn HN i. H2, 10% Pd/C EtOH/H2O O 0 oC N HCl N F N CF3 99% NH2 O N N N N N HN F N CF3 ii. H3PO4 82% yield two steps F H3PO4 N N CF3 XI Sitagliptin phosphate 84 78 Scheme 11. Synthesis of Sitagliptin. Sunitinib Malate (Sutent®) Sunitinib, an orally active multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor from Pfizer, was approved for the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) after disease progression on or intolerance to imatinib mesylate and advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). This was the first time that FDA simultaneously granted two indications for a new oncology drug. Sunitinib is a potent inhibitor of platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFR and PDGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR1, VEGFR2 and VEGFR3), stem cell factor receptor (KIT), Fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3), colony stimulating factor receptor Type 1 (CSF-1R), and the glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor receptor (RET). [45]. The commercially available 3-oxobuturic acid tert-butyl ester (94) was condensed with sodium nitrite in acetic acid to give corresponding hydroxyimine 96 which was treated with 3-oxobutyrate ethyl ester in the presence of zinc dust in acetic acid to give cyclized compound 97 in 65% yield from 94 (Scheme 13). Compound 97 was subjected to hydrolytic decarboxylation and formylation with trifluoroacetic acid and triethylorthoformate to give compound 98 in 64% yield which was hydrolyzed with potassium hydroxide to give corresponding acid 99 in 93% yield. Acid 99 was coupled with 2-(diethylamino)ethylamine (100) with EDC, HOBT in DMF to give amide 101. The oxindole 104 was prepared from 5-fluoroisatin (102) by heating 102 with neat hydrazine hydrate to give hydrazide 103 which was cyclized under acid to provide 5-fluorooxindole (104). The crude amide 101 was finally condensed with oxindole 104 in the presence of pyrrolidine in ethanol at 80oC and the resulting product (SU011248) was treated with L-malic acid to provide sunitinib malate (XIII) [46]. Synthetic Approaches to the 2006 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 12 1265 O Cl S Cl NCS, DCM, 0oC N H2N H2N 87% O N 86 O S N O rt Cl N O CDI, CH3NHOCH3, THF 88 45% Cl N O MgCl + H O S N O O O H CO2H S ii. NaOH 85 N O 87 i. NaH, THF, 0oC O O S CO2Me S N O O Cl H O S N O S OMe Mg 89 O O XII Sitaxentan 90 Cl HCHO, HCl, Et2O + O O O O O O O O 91 92 93 Scheme 12. Synthesis of Sitaxentan. Telbivudine (TyzekaTM in US; Sebivo® in Switzerland) third of whom have potentially progressive and life-threatening liver disease associated with the infection. Chronic hepatitis B infection can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and There are approximately 400 million people worldwide with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, about one- O EtO NOH O CH3 O O NaNO2, AcOH 94 O OEt H3C H O OH N H 100 EDC, HOBT, Et3N, DMF O F 104 N H L-malic acid F N H pyrrolidine, ethanol, 80oC N H N H 101 O O F NH2NH2.H2O F O Sunitinib malate (XIII) F O N H NH2 103 104 O OH O NHNH2 reflux Scheme 13. Synthesis of Sunitinib Malate. OH HO HCl, H2O O 102 N N H O N H N H N H2N 99 N H3C H N H O O 98 O O 97 93% O OEt O MeOH: H2O = 3:10 N H TFA, 64% 96 65oC 65% from 94 4N KOH HC(OCH3)3 H O 95 O H3C O Zn, AcOH, <15oC to rt O CH3 O CH3 H3C 1266 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 12 Liu et al. but not human polymerases [47,48]. Of these three compounds, telbivudine was the only one to combine reasonable oral bioavailability with good anti-HBV activity and so was progressed to development jointly with Novartis with the highest priority. hepatocellular carcinoma. Globally, HBV infection accounts for over one million deaths annually. At present, lamivudine and adefovir dipivoxil are the only approved nucleoside/ nucleotide analogs for the treatment of HBV infection. However, resistance to lamivudine is now recognized in 16 to 32% of HBV-infected patients after the first year of monotherapy [47,48] and about 50% of patients after two years. With adefovir treatment, the resistance rate is much lower, at about 2.5% after two years of therapy. Experience in treating chronic HIV infections has proven the advantage of therapy with a combination of antiviral compounds. Similarly for HBV, there is a clear need for additional antiviral compounds. Several promising candidates are currently in clinical development. Idenix (then known as Novirio) discovered that the known beta-L-nucleosides, L-dA, L-dC (torcitabine) and L-dT (telbivudine), have highly specific activity against HBV [47]. These L-nucleosides are essentially without activity against any of the other viruses tested and are similarly without effect in cell culture and in vivo toxicological tests. However, they are phosphorylated within human cells to their triphosphates which inhibit the HBV DNA polymerase, O OH The synthesis of telbivudeine is depicted in Scheme 14 [49,50]. The L-arabinose (105) was treated with acid in methanol to form the semi-acetyl intermediate which was then reacted with benzoyl chloride to provide 106 in 50% yield [51]. Acetolysis of 106 with a mixture of acetic acid and acetic anhydride afforded 107 in 95% yield. The / mixture was directly condensed with activated thymine to give 108. The nucleoside 108 was purified by column chromatography and characterized as the -anomer. Debenzoylation of 108 with sodium methoxide in methanol afforded 109. Differentiation of the 2’-OH was achieved by selective protection of the two other hydroxyl groups with 1,3dichloro-1,1,3,3,-tetraisopropyldisiloxane to form 110. In order to limit undesired reaction during the deoxygenation step, 110 was transformed into o-phenylthiocarbonate 111 i. MeOH/H2SO4/CaSO4 ii. PhCOCl/Py, 50oC, 1 h OH OMe O OBz OBz OH 5-10oC, 4h, 95% 50% overall for 4 BzO BzO OBz OBz OH 107 106 105 O O NH N NH O O thymine/Me3SiNHSiMe3 N O NaOMe,MeOH, rt, 1h OBz Me3SiCl/SnCl4/MeCN reflux 1h, 60% O Pri Pri O Si Cl Pri Si Pri Cl OH 80% BzO OAc O Ac2O/AcOH, H2SO4 Py, rt, 1h, 100% HO OBz OH 109 108 O O Si O Pri N O Si Pri O PhOC(S)Cl, DMAP, Py Si O Pri Pri O Pri N Bu3SnH/AIBN, toluene O O reflux, 3h, 83% O rt, 16h, 68% O Pri NH Pri NH Pri Si O O OPh OH S 111 110 O O NH NH Pri O Si Bu4NF, THF Pri N O O N O rt, 0.5h, 41% OH O Pri Pri Si HO O 112 Scheme 14. Synthesis of Telbivudine. Telbivudine (XIV) O Synthetic Approaches to the 2006 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 12 1267 provided di-aldehyde 117 which was immediately reacted with benzyl amine in the presence of sodium acetoxyborohydride to give benzyl amine 118 in 85.7% yield. The removal of the benzyl group was effected by hydrogenation of the HCl salt in 40-50 psi hydrogen pressure with 20% Pd(OH)2 in methanol to give amine hydrochloride 119 in 88% yield. Treatment of amine 119 with trifluoroacetic anhydride and pyridine in dichloromethane at 0ºC gave trifluoroacetamide 120 in 94% yield. Dinitro compound 121 was prepared by addition of trifluoroacetamide 120 to a mixture of trifluoromethane sulfonic acid and nitric acid, which was premixed, in dichloromethane at 0ºC. Reduction of the dinitro compound 121 by hydrogenation at 40-50 psi hydrogen in the presence of catalytic 5%Pd/C in isopropanol:water mixture provided the diamine intermediate 122 which was quickly reacted with glyoxal in water at room temperature for 18h to give compound 123 in 85% overall yield. The trifluoroacetamide 123 was then hydrolyzed with 2 M sodium hydroxide in toluene at 37-40ºC for 2-3h followed by preparation of tartrate salt in methanol to furnish varenicline tartrate (XV). which upon treatment with tributyltin hydride under Barton’s conditions afforded 112 in good yield. Desilylation of 112 gave Telbivudine (XIV). Varenicline (Chantix™) Varenicline, a nicotinic 42 partial agonist, was approved in the US for the treatment of smoking cessation in May of 2006. It was developed and marketed by Pfizer as a treatment for cigarette smokers who want to quit. Varenicline partially activates the nicotinic receptors and thus reduces the craving for cigarette that smokers feel when they try to quit smoking. By mitigating this craving and antagonizing nicotine activity without other symptoms, this novel drug helps quitting this dangerous addiction easier on the patients [6,52]. Several modifications [54,55] to the original synthesis [53,56] have been reported in the literature, including an improved process scale synthesis of the last few steps (Scheme 15) [57]. The Grignard reaction was initiated on a small scale by addition of 2-bromo fluorobenzene 113 to a slurry of Magnesium turnings and catalytic 1,2-dibromoethane in THF and heating the mixture until refluxing in maintained. To this refluxing mixture was added a mixture of the 2-bromo fluorobenzene 113 and cyclopentadiene 114 over a period of 1.5 h. After complete addition, the reaction was allowed to reflux for additional 1.5 h to give the DielsAlder product 115 in 64% yield. Dihydroxylation of the olefin 115 by reacting with catalytic osmium tetraoxide in the presence of N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMO) in acetone:water mixture at room temperature provided the diol 116 in 89% yield. Oxidative cleavage of diol 116 with sodium periodate in biphasic mixture of water: DCE at 10ºC F + OH 1.5 h addition, 1.5h reaction 115 O NaIO4 H2O:DCE, OH 10oC, 1h Acetone:H2O (8:1) THF, reflux 114 113 Vorinostat, a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor from Merck, was approved for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), a type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Vorinostat was shown to inhibit HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3 and HDAC6 at nanomolar concentrations. HDAC inhibitors are potent differentiating agents toward a variety of neoplasms, including leukemia and breast and prostate cancers [58]. Commercially available monomethyl ester 125 was NMO, 15mol% OsO4 Mg Br Vorinostat (ZolinzaTM) O 116 rt, 60h 117 89% 64% BnNH2, NaHB(OAc)3 ii. H2, 20wt% Pd(OH)2 85.7% O2N O 94% 119 3 wt% 5%Pd/C, 40-50 psi H2 H2N CF3 O2N iPrOH:H2O (4:1) H2N 28 - 30oC, 4h 2 M NaOH O CF3 NH toluene, 37-40oC, 2-3h 123 Scheme 15. Synthesis of Varenicline. glyoxal CF3 H2O, 0-5oC, 2h; 20oC, 18h 84.5% N N N N O 122 121 N 120 N N CH2Cl2, 0oC CF3 CH2Cl2, 0oC, 3h MeOH, 40-50psi, 24h, 88% 118 TfOH, HNO3 N NH.HCl NBn DCE, RT, 30-60min O TFAA, Pyridine i. HCl/EtOAc L-(+)-tartrate MeOH N 124 NH .tartrate N Varenicline (XV) 1268 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2007, Vol. 7, No. 12 Liu et al. O HO H N NH2 126 O OCH3 O O HOBt, DCC, rt, DMF, 4hr 125 OCH3 127 89% O H N N H NH2OH.HCl, KOH, MeOH, rt, 1hr OH O 90% Vorinostat (XVI) Scheme 16. Synthesis of Vorinostat. reacted with aniline in the presence of DCC and HOBt in DMF to give amide 127 in 89% yield [59] (Scheme 16). Methyl ester amide 127 was then reacted with hydroxylamine HCl salt and potassium hydroxide in methanol to give vorinostat (XVI) in 90% yield. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS NEP = N-Ethylpyrrolidinone NMM = N-Methylmorpholine NMP = 1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidinone PCC = Pyridinium chlorochromate PDC = Pyridinium dichromate We would like to thank Dr. Takushi Kaneko for helping with the translation of one of the Japanese patent. PMB = 4-methoxylbenzyl ABBREVIATIONS PPA = Poly phosphoric acid AIBN = 2,2’-Azobisisobutyronitrile TBAF = t-Butyl ammonium fluoride CBZ = Benzyloxycarbonyl TBDMS = t-Butyldimethylsilyl CDI = N,N'-carbonyldiimidazole TEA = Triethyl amine DCE = Dichloroethane TFA = Trifluoroacetic acid DCM = Dichloromethane TFAA = Trifluoroacetic acid anhydride DIAD = Diisopropyl azodicarboxylate THF = Tetrahydrofuran DIBAL-H = Diisobutylaluminum hydride THP = Tetrahydropyran DIPEA Diisopropylethylamine TIPS = Triisopropyl silyl = Tetrapropylammonium perruthenate = DMAP = 4-Dimethylaminopyridine TPAP DMF = N,N-Dimethylformamide TMG = 1,1,3,3-Tetramethylguanidine DMPU = N,N’-dimethylpropyleneurea p-TSA = para-Toluene sulfonic acid DMSO = Methyl sulfoxide REFERENCES DPPC = Diphenylphosphinic chloride EDC = N-(3-Dimethylaminopropal)-N'ethylcarbodiimide HOBT = 1-Hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] IPA = Isopropyl alcohol IPAC = Isopropyl acetate LDA = Lithium diisopropylamide LIHMDS = Lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide MS = Molecular sieves NBS = N-Bromosuccinimide NCS = N-Chlorosuccinimide [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] Raju, T. 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Busch, F. R.; Hawkins, J. M.; Mustakis, L. G.; Sinay, T. G., Jr.; Watson, T. J. N.; Withbroe, G. J. WO-2006090236 A1, 2006. Breslow, R.; Marks, P.A.; Rifkind, R. A.; Jursic, B. WO9307148, 2003. Gediya, L. K.; Chopra, P.; Purushottamachar, P.; Maheshwari, N.; Njar, V. C. O. J. Med. Chem., 2005, 48, 5047. Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2008, 8, 1526-1548 1526 Synthetic Approaches to the 2007 New Drugs Kevin K.-C. Liu1, Subas M. Sakya2, Christopher J. O’Donnell2 and Jin Li3,* 1 Pfizer Inc, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; 2Pfizer Inc, Groton, CT 06340, USA; 3Shenogen Pharma Group, Beijing, China Abstract: New drugs are introduced to the market every year and each individual drug represents a privileged structure for its biological target. These new chemical entities (NCEs) provide insights into molecular recognition and also serve as leads for designing future new drugs. This review covers the syntheses of 19 NCEs marketed in 2007. Key Words: Synthesis, new drug, new chemical entities, medicine, therapeutic agents. INTRODUCTION “The most fruitful basis for the discovery of a new drug is to start with an old drug.” Sir James Whyte Black, winner of the 1988 Nobel prize in physiology and medicine [1]. Inaugurated six years ago, this annual review presents synthetic methods for molecular entities that were launched in various countries for the first time during the past year. The motivation to write such a review is the same as stated in the previous articles [2-5]. Generally, drugs that are approved worldwide tend to have structural similarity across similar biological targets. We strongly believe that knowledge of new chemical entities and their syntheses will greatly enhance our abilities to design new drugs in shorter periods of time. With this hope, we continue to profile the NCEs that were approved in 2007. In 2007, 30 new products including new chemical entities, biological drugs, and diagnostic agents reached the market [6]. Six additional products were approved for the first time in 2007, however they were not launched before year’s end and therefore, the syntheses of those drugs will be covered in 2008’s review. This article will focus on the syntheses of 19 new drugs marketed in 2007 (Fig. 1) and exclude new indications for known drugs, new combinations, and new formulations and drugs synthesized via bioprocesses, or peptide synthesizers. The synthetic routes cited herein represent the most scalable methods reported and appear in alphabetical order by generic names. Aliskiren Fumarate (Tekturna®) Last March, the U.S. became the first country to approve Tekturna® (aliskiren fumarate; Novartis/Speedel), a first-inclass antihypertensive agent. The once-daily, oral, direct renin inhibitor received FDA approval for treatment of high blood pressure as mono therapy or in combination with other antihypertensive medications. In an extensive clinical trial program involving more than 6,400 patients, aliskiren provided significant blood pressure reduction for a full 24 hour period. Furthermore, aliskiren demonstrated increased efficacy when used in combination with other commonly used blood pressure-lowering medications. Novartis is conducting *Address correspondence to this author at the Shenogen Pharma Group, Beijing, China; tel: 8610-8277-4069; E-mail: [email protected] 1389-5575/08 $55.00+.00 a large outcome trial program to evaluate the long-term effects of aliskiren and of direct renin inhibition in general. The product, which is known as Rasilez® outside the U.S., was approved in the E.U. in August. Aliskiren has been synthesized by several different routes [7-11] and a convergent synthesis of aliskiren by Wuxi PharmaTech was performed on large scale; however, the yields were not reported [12]. The synthesis of aliskiren by Novartis is depicted in Scheme 1 [9]. Aliskiren (I) was synthesized through a convergent synthetic strategy by coupling key intermediate chloride 5 with aldehyde 10. Hydrogenation of cinnamic acid 1, followed by generation of the acid chloride of the corresponding acid and reaction with (+)-pseudoephedrine provided amide 2 in 91% yield. Deprotonation of amide 2 with LDA followed by alkylation with 2-iodopropane in refluxing THF gave 3 as a single diastereomer in 52% yield. Reduction of the amide functionality in 3 using n-butyl lithium boron trifluoride ammonium complex proceeded without epimerization of the chiral center to give alcohol 4 in 66% yield. Chlorination of 4 using phosphorus oxychloride gave chloride 5, in 78% yield as the organometallic precursor for the eventual coupling to aldehyde 10. Synthesis of fragment 10 commenced with (+)-pseudoephedrine isovaleramide 6, which was efficiently deprotonated with LDA and alkylated using allyl bromide; diastereomerically pure 7 was obtained upon crystallization of the crude reaction mixture in 78% yield. Bromolactonization of 7, using n-bromosuccinimide in the absence of acetic acid gave amide acetal 8 with a single configuration at the spirocenter and a 6:1 mixture of trans:cis ring substituents. Displacement of the bromide using tetrabutylammonium acetate followed by basic hydrolysis provided alcohol 9 in 85% yield. Oxidation of 9 using dimethyl sulfoxide-sulfur trioxide/pyridine proceeded without epimerization to furnish the masked lactone aldehyde 10 in 60% yield. Coupling of fragments 5 and 10 was achieved by treatment of 10 with the organocerium reagent of the corresponding Grignard reagent prepared from 5. Hydrolysis of the crude spirocyclic addition product revealed that the hydroxylactone 11 was formed in 51% overall yield as an inseparable epimeric mixture with a Felkin-Anh selectivity of 85:15. The requisite nitrogen functionality was installed via the brosylate to give azido lactone 12 in 68% yield. Aminolysis with 3-amino-2,2-dimethylpropionamide led to formation of the open chain azido alcohol 13 in 76% yield. The © 2008 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd. Synthetic Approaches to the 2007 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2008, Vol. 8, No. 14 1527 OH O NH2 O OH O H N O N NH2 O O O N O CO2H HO2C I Aliskiren Fumarate II Ambrisentan O OH H N H HN H N O O HO O HO O H F H O F F CO2H III Arformoterol tartrate IV Clevudine V Fluticasone furoate O O S OH N N HN O CO2H O O O O HO S HO N HO HO F N HO N H2N NH O O F2HC O •CH3SO3H•H2O VI Garenoxacin mesilate hydrate OH O VIII Ixabepilone VII Imidafenacin NH2 O HN H N S O O F H N Cl N 2 N IX Lapatinib ditosylate hydrate F O SO3H H2O O NH2 2CSO3H X Lisdexamfetamine dimesilate F N H N F3C O N H N O NH N N N N N N N XI Maraviroc HCl H2O XII Nilotinib hydrochloride monohydrate 1528 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2008, Vol. 8, No. 14 Liu et al. (Fig. (1). Contd….) OH N O N N N O N H N O F O OK N N F H N N O O XIV Raltegravir potassium HO XIII Paliperidone F O OH O HO O N S O H N F N N O NH2 O XVI Rufinamide XV Retapamulin O O O OH OH O HN HO O O O O O OH O O O O S O O N N XVII Temsirolimus HO H O O OH O N N H XVIII Trabectedin O CN XIX Vildagliptin Fig. (1). Structures of 19 new drugs marketed in 2007. synthesis of aliskiren was completed by azide hydrogenolysis and formation of the hemifumarate salt. Generation of pure aliskiren was achieved via crystallization which removed the residual minor (R)-epimer carried through from the Grignard addition step to afford aliskiren (I) in 43% yield. Ambrisentan (Letairis ) TM Ambrisentan (BSF-208075) is an endothelin-1a antagonist developed by Gilead (formerly Myogen) under license from Abbott Laboratories and received FDA approval for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension in June 2007 [6,13]. Both the discovery [14] and process routes to the synthesis of ambrisentan have been published and the process route is described as shown in Scheme 2 [15]. Reacting a mixture of benzophenone (14) and sodium methoxide in THF at 0 °C with methylchloroacetate over a four hour period provided glycidate 15 which was taken forward without purification to the subsequent step. Addition of ptoluenesulfonic acid monohydrate to a solution of glycidate 15 in methanol was followed by heating at reflux and distilling out the solvent until the temperature reached 66oC. While the solution was still refluxing, 10% potassium hydroxide was added and the remaining organic solvent was distilled out until the temperature reached 94oC, providing complete hydrolysis to acid 16. The reaction was cooled to room temperature and diluted with water and methyl tert-butylether (MTBE) then acidified with 10% sulfuric acid. The MTBE layer was separated and taken to the next step. Additional MTBE and methanol were added to the crude acid 17 and the resulting mixture was heated at reflux. (S)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)ethylamine was added to the refluxing solution and the resulting mixture was allowed to cool to 0-5oC slowly at a rate of 10oC/h which resulted in crystallization of the salt 19 in 33% overall yield from benzophenone and 99% e.e. The chiral hydroxyl acid salt 19 was mixed with sulfone 20 and lithium amide in a toluene/DMF mixture and heated at 45 °C for 12 hours to give, after acidic workup and crystallization, ambrisentan (II) in 84% yield as a colorless powder with 99.8% e.e. Arformoterol Tartrate (Brovana™ ) Sepracor’s Brovana™, a nebulized long acting bronchodilator, was launched in the U.S. in April 2007. The 2adrenoceptor agonist is indicated for the twice-daily, longterm maintenance treatment of bronchoconstriction in patients Synthetic Approaches to the 2007 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2008, Vol. 8, No. 14 1529 O O O OH O i. H2, Pd/C ii. (COCl)2, DMF, rt O O iii. (+)-pseudoephedrine, NaOH toluene-H2O, rt 91% MeO Ph N OH MeO 1 2 O i. LDA, LiCl, THF, 0 oC O O ii. 2-iodopropane, rt- 52%, >95% de BF3•NH3, n-BuLi, rt Ph N OH MeO 66% 3 O O O POCl3, DMF, PhMe, 80 oC OH MeO O Cl MeO 78% 4 O 5 O i. LDA, LiCl, THF, 0 oC Ph Ph N ii. allyl bromide, 0 oC 78%, >95% de OH Ph NBS, DME-H2O N N O 0 oC, 60% O OH Br 6 7 Ph Ph i. n-Bu4NOAc, acetone, N Py•SO3, Et3N N O O ii. K2CO3, MeOH-H2O, rt 85% 8 O O DMSO/DCM, 0 oC 60% OH CHO 9 10 O i. Mg, 1,2-dibromoethane, THF, ii. CeCl3, -78 oC 5 O O O iii. aldehyde 10, -78 oC iv. AcOH-THF-H2O, 50 oC 51% OH MeO 11 O O i. p-bromobenzensulfonyl chloride DMAP, DCM, rt 3-amino-2,2-dimethylpropionamide MeO(H2C)3O ii. NaN3, NMP, 60 oC 68% N3 MeO 2-hydroxypyridine, Et3N, 80 oC 76% 12 HO O H N O N3 MeO 13 Scheme 1. Synthesis of Aliskiren Fumarate. O i. H2, Pd/C, ethanolamine, MeOH, rt CONH2 ii. Fumaric acid, H2O, MeCN, MeOH 43% >98:2 S:R NH2 Aliskiren Fumarate I 1530 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2008, Vol. 8, No. 14 Liu et al. O Cl O O O NaOMe O O O p-TsOH.H2O THF, 0 °C 4 h addition OH O OH OH O MeOH:H2O 16 15 17 N NH2 O OH NH2 S S O2 O N OH N 20 18 Cl O KOH MeOH, rt - 14 OMe Crystallization OH O LiNH2 Cl MTBE:MeOH 33% (4 steps) O O N DMF:toluene 45 °C, 12 h 82% 99% e.e. 19 99.8%ee II Ambrisentan Scheme 2. Synthesis of Ambrisentan. enantio/diastereomerically pure (R,R)-formoterol is cited here (Scheme 3) [21a]. Bromoalcohol 22 was synthesized in 84% yield with 94% e.e. through the catalytic enantioselective reduction of bromo ketone 21[21b]. The nitro functional group in 22 was reduced in quantitative yield by hydrogena- with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It is the first long-acting nebulized bronchodilator approved by the FDA for this indication [16]. There are several reports on the synthesis of arformoterol [16-24]. A large-scale synthesis of O OH Br Br i. PtO2, H2, 45psi, THF, toluene 5% cat, THF, 25 oC BnO NO2 H N 21 ii. HCOOH, Ac2O 75% BnO 0.7 eq BH3•Me2S 84% NO2 94% e.e. BH 22 O catalyst OH H N H OH i. K2CO3, 26, MeOH, THF ii. neat, 120 oC, 24 h Br O HO iii. Pd/C, H2, EtOH iv. tartaric acid, i-PrOH 70% BnO NHCHO H N O HO CO2H HO CO2H 98-99% e.e. 23 III Arformoterol tartrate O PhCH2NH2, Pt/C, H2 OCH3 99% 24 Scheme 3. Synthesis of Arformoterol Tartrate. (S)-mandelic acid, MeOH HN HN 12-14%, 99.5% e.e. 25 OCH3 OCH3 mandelic acid salt 26 Synthetic Approaches to the 2007 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2008, Vol. 8, No. 14 1531 tion in the presence of Adams catalyst and the resulting aniline was isolated by filtration of the catalyst and removal of the solvent. In order to avoid auto-oxidation, the aniline was treated with a mixture of formic acid and acetic anhydride immediately after the removal of the platinum catalyst. Upon concentrating the reaction mixture, bromohydrin 23 crystallized and could be isolated in 75% yield with 98.6% e.e. It was further enriched to >99.5% e.e. by a single re-crystallization from ethylacetate. Next, a mixture of bromohydrin 23 and amine salt (R)-26-(S)-mandelic acid was treated with K2CO3 resulting in generation of the corresponding epoxide of 23 and liberation of the free base of (R)-26. After an aqueous work up to remove salts and mandelic acid, the reaction mixture was heated to 120 °C to affect epoxide opening with the amine of 26. Removal of the benzyl protecting groups of the resulting crude product via catalytic hydrogenation followed by salt formation with tartaric acid afforded arformoterol tartrate (III) in 70% yield upon crystallization. give acetylated arabinose, which was then brominated using 30% HBr in AcOH/Ac2O at room temperature for 36 hours to afford bromo-sugar 28 as a white solid in 57% yield after crystallization in ethyl ether. Bromo-sugar 28 was then treated with Zn dust, CuSO4 and NaOAc in AcOH/H2O, followed by chromatographic separation to give L-arabinal 29 in 60% yield. L-arabinal 29 was converted to the fluoro derivative in 70% crude yield by reaction with Selectfluor® (FTEDA-BF4) in refluxing nitromethane/H2O, and the resulting fluoroalcohol was deacetylated with NaOMe in MeOH to give compound 30 in 100% crude yield. Compound 30 was then treated with H2SO4 in refluxing MeOH to afford methyl furanoside 31 in 80% crude yield. Furanoside 31 was benzoylated with benzoyl chloride in pyridine to give a mixture of isomers, from which the -anomer was isolated by chromatography and then brominated with 30% HBr/AcOH in CH2Cl2 to provide the crude bromo-sugar 32 which was dissolved in chloroform and used without further purification in the next step. Compound 34 was obtained by treatment of thymine (33) with HMDS and ammonium sulfate in refluxing chloroform for 16 hours. The sugar 32 was condensed with silylated pyrimidine derivative 34 in refluxing chloroform to afford 3,5-di-O-benzoylclevudine in 42% yield after recrystallization from ethanol. The benzoyl groups were removed upon treatment with n-butylamine in refluxing methanol to give clevudine (IV) in 82% yield. Clevudine (Levovir®) Clevudine, a DNA polymerase inhibitor, was launched in South Korea for the treatment hepatitis B [25]. The hepatitis B virus (HBV) belongs to the family of hepadnaviruses. The HBV genome is a relaxed circular, partially double-stranded DNA of approximately 3,200 base pairs. The drug was originally discovered at the University of Georgia and Yale University. Bukwang acquired the rights and Eisai in-licensed clevudine from Bukwang. The synthesis is depicted in Scheme 4 [26]. L-Arabinose (27) was treated with acetic anhydride and pyridine at room temperature for four hours to O HO OH O i. Ac2O, pyridine ii. HBr, AcOH, Ac2O OH Fluticasone Furoate (Veramyst™) In April 2007, the FDA approved GlaxoSmithKline’s once-daily Veramyst™ (fluticasone furoate) nasal spray to treat seasonal and year-round allergy symptoms in adults and O Br AcO 57% OAc OH OAc 27 OH O H2SO4, MeOH HO F OAc 60% 29 OMe HO HO 80% crude ii. NaOMe/MeOH 70% crude AcO CuSO4, AcONa 28 O i. Selectfluor, NO2CH3/H2O, Zn(dust) F O i. PhCOCl, pyridine ii. separation Br PhCO2 PhCO2 iii. HBr, AcOH F OH 30 32 31 O O HN HN O HMDS HN O OTMS N H (NH4)2SO4 33 Scheme 4. Synthesis of Clevudine. O 32 N TMSO N 34 CH3Cl, 42% for 2 steps BuNH2 O PhCO2 PhCO2 O N O HO MeOH, 82% F 3,5-di-Obenzoylclevudine N HO F IV Clevudine 1532 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2008, Vol. 8, No. 14 Liu et al. children 2 years of age and older. Fluticasone furoate is an intranasal corticosteroid that works throughout the allergy process to block an entire range of inflammatory mediators that may lead to nasal allergy symptoms, although the precise mechanism through which the drug affects allergy symptoms is not known. The approval of fluticasone furoate was based on clinical trials in more than 2,900 adults and children suffering from seasonal or year-round allergies. The product was launched in May. In October the European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) issued a positive opinion for fluticasone furoate, which will be marketed upon approval in Europe under the trade name Avamys™. The synthesis of fluticasone on large scale was disclosed in the patent literature [27-29]. The starting 6,9difluoro-11-17-dihydroxy-16-methyl-3-oxoandrosta-1,4diene-17-carboxylic acid 35 [27a] was converted to the analogous carbothioic acid 36 in 95% yield via activation with carbonyl diimidazole, followed by reaction with hydrogen sulfide gas (Scheme 5). Conversion of the carbothioic acid to fluticasone was completed through a three-step sequence in a one pot process in 99% overall yield. Carbothioic acid 36 and DMAP were dissolved in MEK. Tripropylamine (TPA) was then added to the mixture at -8 to -5 °C. Neat furoyl chloride was then added dropwise over 2-3 minutes and the resulting mixture was then stirred at -5 to 0 °C for 15 minutes generating a mixture of desired ester 37 and thioanhydride 38. A solution of N-methylpiperazine in water was then added dropwise over 2-3 minutes at -5 to 0 °C to O the crude reaction mixture and stirred for 10 minutes, which enabled the conversion of thioanhydride 38 to the ester 37. A solution of bromofluoromethane in MEK was then added rapidly at 0 °C and the resulting solution was stirred at 20 °C for 5 hours. After a simple work-up, fluticasone furoate (V) was obtained in 99% overall yield from 36 with 97% purity. Garenoxacin Mesilate Hydrate ( Geninax®) Toyama, Astellas Pharma and Taisho Toyama launched Geninax® (garenoxacin mesilate hydrate), an orally formulated quinolone, last year in Japan. The product is indicated for pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, acute bronchitis, pneumonia, secondary infection in chronic respiratory lesion, otitis media and sinusitis. Garenoxacin is the first synthetic antibacterial agent indicated for treatment of penicillinresistant S. pneumoniae. Garenoxacin, discovered by Toyama, displays good oral absorption and tissue distribution, providing for once-daily administration. Several syntheses of garenoxacin have been reported and the largest scale synthesis is reported herein [30-32]. The synthesis was initiated by methylation of 2,6-difluorophenol (39) with methyl iodide and K2CO3 in DMF giving 2,6-difluoroanisole (40) in 90% yield (Scheme 6). Deprotonation of 40 with n-butyl lithium and reaction with CO2 yielded 2,4-difluoro-3-methoxybenzoic acid which was methylated with diazomethane in ether to afford methyl ester 41 in 69% yield. Liberation of the phenol was accomplished by reaction with BBr3 in dichloromethane resulting in 2,4-difluoro-3-hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester OH O OH HO F OH HO i. CDI, DMF, 22 °C, 4 h H O i. DMAP, MEK, 20 °C, 10 min ii. TPA, -8 to -5 oC H ii. H2S, 15 min 95% H SH F iii. furoyl chloride, -5 to 0 oC, 5 min H O F 35 F 36 O O O SH O O O HO N-methylpiperazine O H + F O O HO O H S H F O -5 to 0 oC, 10 min H O F F 37 O F SH O O O HO 38 O Br O H F H H O then 20 to 22 °C, 5 h 99% from 36 F H O F 37 Scheme 5. Synthesis of Fluticasone Furoate. O O HO F , MEK, 0 °C S F V Fluticasone furoate Synthetic Approaches to the 2007 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2008, Vol. 8, No. 14 1533 i. n-BuLi, THF, -70 oC; CO2, 1 h MeI, K2CO3, 50 oC F F 2 h, 90% F F ii. CH2N2, 10 min, 69% OCH3 OH CO2CH3 ClCHF2, K2CO3, DMF F sealed tube, 120-130 oC 2.5 h, 81% BBr3, DCM -30 oC F 2 h, 70% OCH3 40 39 F F CO2CH3 41 CO2CH3 F CO2CH3 NaN3, DMSO, 70 °C 20 h, 45% F N3 F OCHF2 OH 42 OCHF2 43 44 CO2CH3 H2, Pd/C, EtOH CO2H CuBr, NaNO2, HBr NaOH, EtOH, 40 oC H2N rt, 5 h, 37% F H2N 4 h, 86% F OCHF2 OCHF2 45 46 O CO2H Br O i. CDI, rt, 2 h i. Ac2O, (MeO)2CHN(Me)2, DCM, 2 h OEt ii. MgO2CCH2CO2Et, 20 h 86% F rt, 24 h, 96% ii. Br NH2 F OCHF2 77% OCHF2 47 , EtOH 48 O K2CO3, DMSO, 90 °C OEt Br F B(OH)2 O O 30 min, 91% NH (Ph)3C O N 51 OEt Br OCHF2 PdCl2(PPh3)2, xylene, 60% N F2HCO 49 O 50 O O OEt O OH i. HCl, EtOH, 0.5 h N (Ph)3C N O F F N ii. NaOH, 1 h 85% iii. MeSO3H 52 HN O F F •CH3SO3H•H2O VI Garenoxacin mesilate hydrate Scheme 6. Synthesis of Garenoxacin. 42 in 70% yield. Alkylation of 42 with chlorodifluoromethane and K2CO3 in DMF gave 3-(difluoromethoxy)-2,4difluorobenzoic acid methyl ester 43 in 81% yield, which was then treated with sodium azide in DMSO, yielding the azido derivative 44 in 45% yield. Reduction of 44 with H2 over Pd/C in ethanol afforded 3-amino-2,4-difluorobenzoic acid methyl ester 45 in 37% yield and 45 was hydrolyzed with NaOH in ethanol, giving the free acid 46 in 86% yield. Diazotization of 46 with NaNO2 followed by reaction with HBr yielded 4-bromo-3-(difluoromethoxy)-2-fluorobenzoic acid 47 in 96% yield. Acid 47 was then condensed with the magnesium salt of malonic acid monoethyl ester by means of CDI in THF affording 3-oxopropionate 48 in 86% yield. The reaction of 48 with dimethylformamide dimethylacetal and cyclopropylamine by means of acetic anhydride in dichloromethane gave the 3-(cyclopropylamino) acrylate 49 in 77% yield, and this was followed by cyclization using K2CO3 in hot DMSO, yielding quinolone 50 in 91% yield. Coupling of 50 with the isoindolylboronic acid derivative 51, which was obtained by reaction of 5-bromo-1-(R)-methyl-2-tritylisoindoline with triisopropyl borate and n-butyl lithium, in THF using bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) chloride as catalyst in refluxing toluene afforded the protected compound 52 in 60% yield. Removal of the trityl group with HCl in etha- 1534 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2008, Vol. 8, No. 14 Liu et al. O NH2 H N H3C BrCH2CH2Br NC NC N NC 70% H2SO4 Et3N, DMF, 150 °C NaNH2 toluene N N Br N N 54 53 55 VII Imidafenacin Scheme 7. Synthesis of Imidafenacin. nol, followed by saponification of the ethyl ester and formation of the mesylate salt provided garenoxacin mesilate hydrate (VI). 7). The bromide 54 was condensed with 2-methylimidazole in the presence of Et3N in hot DMF to afford 2-methylimidazole derivative 55. Hydrolysis of the cyano group of 55 with 70% sulfuric acid provided imidafenacin (VII). Imidafenacin (Staybla, Uritos®) Ixabepilone (IxempraTM) Imidafenacin, an orally active muscarinic M1/M3 antagonist, was launched in Japan for the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB) [33]. Overactive bladder alone incurs annual costs of $12.6 billion [USD]. The drug was originally developed by Kyorin and it has selective action on bladder smooth muscle. Subsequently, Kyorin signed an agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical for co-development and co-marketing of imidafenacin. To date, the synthesis reported [34], gives no information on chemical yields. Diphenylacetonitrile (53) was alkylated with dibromoethane in the presence of NaNH2 in toluene to give bromide compound 54 (Scheme Ixabepilone is a semi-synthetic analog of epothilone developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer and has a mode of action similar to paclitaxel which involves stabilizing microtubules by promoting tubulin polymerization [35]. Ixabepilone is indicated for use as monotherapy in metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer after failure of an anthracycline, a taxane, or capecitabine treatment. Additionally, ixabepilone is currently undergoing clinical trials targeting a variety of additonal cancer indications. The synthesis [36] is described in Scheme 8, and was O O S S N HO OH N HO NH4Cl, THF, H2O PMe3, Pd2(dba)3 96% O O NaN3, Bu4NCl O O O O S S N HO PMe3 OH OH O OH NH2 O OH 57 O S N HO NH OH N HO N3 O O O OH 56 O PdLn OH O VIII Ixabepilone Scheme 8. Synthesis of Ixabepilone. K2CO3, DMF/THF(1:1) HOBt, EDCI 2h 93% NaN3 Synthetic Approaches to the 2007 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2008, Vol. 8, No. 14 1535 initiated by treating epothilone B (56) with sodium azide, tetrabutylammonium chloride, ammonium chloride, trimethylphosphine and tris-(dibenzylideneacetone)-dipalladium(0) chloroform which gave the ring-opened amino acid 57 in 96% yield. It has been proposed that this reaction proceeds via initial ring-opening -allyl palladium complex formation followed by trapping with azide and subsequent reduction to the desired amine [36b]. Lactamization of the acyclic amino carboxylic acid 57 by reaction with K2CO3, HOBt and EDCI provided ixabepilone (VIII) in 93% yield. Re-crystallization from cyclohexane/ethyl acetate afforded ixabepilone in 56% overall yield from epothilone B. prior therapy [37]. The drug was discovered and developed by GlaxoSmithKline and is also currently being evaluated for several additional cancer indications. The synthesis started with Williamson ether synthesis between 2-chloro-4-nitrophenol (58) and 3-fluorobenzyl bromide to give ether 59 (Scheme 9); however, no specific yields were provided [38]. Reduction of the nitro group of compound 59 by catalytic hydrogenation over Pt/C and subsequent condensation of the resulting aniline with 4-chloro-6-iodoquinazoline (61) in refluxing i-PrOH afforded compound 62. 4-Chloro-6-iodoquinazoline (61) was prepared by reacting 6-iodoquinazolin4(3H)-one (60) with POCl3 in the presence of triethylamine. Compound 62 was subjected to Stille coupling with 5dioxolanyl-2-(tributylstannyl)furan (63) in the presence of PdCl2(PPh3)2 to give 64. Acidic hydrolysis of acetal 64 using HCl in THF/H2O provided the corresponding aldehyde which was further subjected to reductive amination with 2-(methan- Lapatinib Ditosylate (Tykerb®) Lapatinib, an ErB-1 and ErB-2 dual kinase inhibitor, was launched for the treatment of advanced or metastatic HER2 (ErbB2) positive breast cancer in women who have received F OH O Br O2N Cl F F O2N K2CO3, MeOH Cl i. H2, Pt/C O ii. iPrOH, Cl 58 59 POCl3 I HN N I N O I N Et3N NH Cl N 61 N 62 60 F O O SnBu3 O O i. HCl, H2O, THF 63 HN O PdCl2(PPh3)2 iPr2NEt, DMF O O Cl N F 64 O NH HN O Cl N N SO3H H2O 2 IX Lapatinib ditosylate hydrate Scheme 9. Synthesis of Lapatinib ditosylate. H3C O N MeO2S ii. NH2 S O NaBH(OAc)3, AcOH CH2Cl2 1536 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2008, Vol. 8, No. 14 Liu et al. esulfonyl)ethylamine in the presence of sodium triacetoxyborohydride to yield lapatinib. Lapatinib was treated with ptoluenesulfonic acid solution to give lapatinib ditosylate (IX). [42,43]. The preparation of the azabicyclic triazole core of maraviroc (75) is described in Scheme 11. Cyclization of 2,5-dimethoxytetrahydrofuran 68 with benzylamine 69 and 1,3-acetonedicarboxylic acid 70 under aqueous HCl and NaOAc produced benzyl protected tropanone 71 in 47% yield. Reaction of 71 with ammonium hydroxide in pyridine generated the corresponding oxime in 96% yield which was reduced using sodium in refluxing pentanol to give exoamine 72 in 92% yield. Acetylation of 72 with isobutyric acid using EDC gave amide 73 in 53% yield. Triazole 74 was then prepared in a one-pot, two step procedure by first reacting amide 73 with phosphorus oxychloride followed by acetohydrazide to affect the desired cyclization in 30% yield. Removal of the benzyl protecting group of the amine under standard transfer hydrogenolysis conditions using ammonium formate as the hydrogen source gave azabicyclic triazole intermediate 75. Lisdexamfetamine Mesilate (Vyvanase®) Lisdexamfetamine, a prodrug consisting of d-amphetamine conjugated to L-lysine, is a stimulant for the treatment of ADHD in children. Lisdexamfetamine was discovered, developed, and launched in the US in 2007 by New River Pharmaceuticals and marketed by Shire after their merger. Lisdexamfetamine offers the advantage of prolonged duration of action and reduced abuse potential liability versus traditional stimulant agents for the treatment of ADHD [39]. The straightforward synthesis of lisdexamfetamine mesilate was initiated by adding a solution of D-amphetamine (66) to a solution of Boc-L-Lys(Boc)-OSu (65), N-methylmorpholine and 1,4-dioxane (Scheme 10) [40]. The resulting mixture was partitioned between isopropyl acetate and an acetic acid/brine solution, and the organic layer was washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate to give Boc-L-Lys(Boc)D-amphetamine (67) in 91% yield. The two primary amine groups were liberated by reacting a solution of 67 in 1,4dioxane with methanesulfonic acid providing lisdexamfetamine mesilate (X) in 92% yield. The preparation of the 4,4-difluorocyclohexane carboxylic acid chloride coupling partner 81 is described as follows (Scheme 11). Difluorination of cyclohexanone-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester 76 was accomplished through the reaction with diethylaminosulfur trifluoride (DAST) to give a inseparable 1:1 mixture of the desired difluorinated product 77 and undesired fluoroalkene 78 in 85% yield. This mixture was reacted with osmium tetroxide and NMO to affect complete dihydroxylation of the alkene functional group of 78 to keto alcohol 79 with concomitant no reaction of the difluorinated ester 77. Purification of 77 from the reaction mixture followed by saponification under basic conditions gave acid 80 in 65% yield. Reaction of 80 with thionyl chloride produced the 4,4difluorocyclohexane carboxylic acid chloride coupling partner 81 which was carried on without further purification. Maraviroc (Selzentry®) Maraviroc, a chemokine CCR5 antagonist, was discovered and developed by Pfizer for the treatment of HIVinfected adults who are infected with only CCR5-tropic HIV-1 virus and who have HIV-1 strains resistant to multiple antiretroviral agents [41]. Maraviroc was launched in the U.S. and the E.U. in 2007. In addition to treating HIV-1, Pfizer is currently developing maraviroc for the potential oral treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Two separate but similar approaches to the synthesis of enantiomerically pure maraviroc have been described, differing only in the end game strategy, the largest scale synthesis is reported herein The endgame strategy to maraviroc is described as follows (Scheme 11). Readily available alcohol 82 was oxidized to aldehyde 83 using sulfur trioxide pyridine complex [44]. Aldehyde 83 was reacted with azabicylic triazole 75 and sodium triacetoxyborohydride to give the protected NHBoc NHBoc O N O i. NMM, 1,4-dioxane ii. AcOH/brine, IPAC NH2 NHBoc + O iii. NaHCO3/H2O 91% O 65 H N 66 67 NH2 MsOH, 1,4-dioxane H N NH2 92% 2CH3SO3H O X Lisdexamfetamine Mesilate Scheme 10. Synthesis of Lisdexamfetamine Mesilate. NHBoc O Synthetic Approaches to the 2007 New Drugs O MeO OMe Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2008, Vol. 8, No. 14 1537 O + BnNH2 68 O O + HO HCl OH 69 NaOAc 47% 2. Na, pentanol, 92% BnN 70 O 1. NH2OH, pyr, 96% O NH2 BnN 72 71 O O HO N H NH2 N H BnN EDC, 53% HCO2NH2 N BnN N POCl3, pyr 30% N N HN Pd(OH)2, 85% N N 73 74 O F F F F O F F OH OsO4, NMO DAST OEt O 76 F NaOH F F SOCl3 + + 1:1 mix 85% O 75 acetone/H2O 74% O OEt THF, H2O 65% OEt O 78 77 NCBz O OEt O OEt 79 77 OH 80 O Cl 81 NCBz Na(OAc)3BH SO3•pyr OH O + N HN N 76% for 2 steps N 82 83 75 F F NCBz N N N N 1. Pd(OH)2, H2, 78% 2. 81, 59% O NH N N N N 84 XI Maraviroc Scheme 11. Synthesis of Maraviroc. amine 84 in 76% yield for the two step sequence. Removal of the CBz protecting group under standard catalytic hydrogenolysis conditions using Pearlman’s catalyst gave the corresponding primary amine in 78% yield which was reacted with acid chloride 81 to give maraviroc (XI) in 59% yield. Nilotinib (Tasigna®) Nilotinib, an orally active signal transduction inhibitor that selectively inhibits the tyrosine kinase Bcr-Abl, was discovered and developed by Norvartis and was launched for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) disease who are resistant or intolerant to imatinib mesilate [45]. Additional clinical trials are currently underway for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). A concise synthesis of nilotinib was recently described (Scheme 12) [46]. 3-Bromo-5-trifluoromethylaniline (85) was condensed with 4-methylimidazole in the presence of CuI, 8-hydroxyquinoline and potassium carbonate in hot DMSO to give compound 86 in 75% isolated yield. Aniline 86 was reacted with 3-iodo-4-methylbenzoic chloride and diisopropylethyl amine (DIPEA) in THF at room temperature to give amide 87 in 95% yield. Palladium catalyzed aryl amine coupling between 87 and commercially available 4-(pyridin-3-yl)pyrmidin-2-amine (89) was effectively carried out by using Pd2(dba)3/Xantphos as the catalyst system in the presence of cesium carbonate in dioxane/tBuOH to give nilotinib in 89% yield as a while solid which was treated with aqueous HCl solution to give nilotinib hydrochloride monohydrate (XII). 1538 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2008, Vol. 8, No. 14 O N F3C NH2 Liu et al. F3C I NH2 Cl CH3 8-hydroxyquinoline CuI, K2CO3, DMSO 120 oC, 15 h, 75% Br H N F3C N H DIPEA, THF, rt 2 h, 95% N I O N N N 85 1. 86 87 N N H2N N H N F3C N 89 N H N O Cs2CO3, Pd2(dba)3 Xantphos, dioxane t-BuOH, 100 oC, 7 h, 85% 2. HCl(aq) N N HCl H2O N XII Nilotinib hydrochloride monohydrate Scheme 12. Synthesis of Nilotinib. Paliperidone (InvegaTM) Paliperidone, a metabolite of the marketed antipsychotic drug risperidone, is a dual inhibitor of 5HT2 and dopamine D2 receptors developed by Johnson and Johnson for the treatment of schizophrenia [6,47]. It is formulated for once a day dosing with a proprietary OROS extended release formulation [6]. Among a number of publications on the preparation of paliperidone [48], the most recently described improved synthesis of the drug is shown in Scheme 13 [49,50]. 2-Amino-3-hydroxypiperidine (90) was treated with benzyl O 92 BnBr OH OBn 40% aq NaOH cat. TBAB NH2 N O NH2 90 POCl3 N pTsOH•H2O N DCM:H2O, 20 °C RT, overnight 98% OBn O N toluene, 30 h, 90% OH O 91 93 HN OBn OH 3 bar H2 10% Pd/C (5%) N N Cl N N HCl, MeOH 48 °C, 70% O 94 95 N N Cl O OH N O XIII Paliperidone N Scheme 13. Synthesis of Paliperidone XIII. O F 96 N O Na2CO3, KI DMF, 85 °C 8 h, 58% F diglyme, 90-92 °C 5.5 h, 89% Synthetic Approaches to the 2007 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2008, Vol. 8, No. 14 1539 bromide, sodium hydroxide and a catalytic amount of t-butyl ammonium bromide (TBAB) in a biphasic mixture of water and DCM to afford benzyl ether 91 in 98% yield. Amino pyridine 91 was reacted with ketolactone 92 in refluxing toluene and catalytic p-TsOH·H2O with azeotropic removal of water providing bicyclic pyrimidone 93 in 90% yield. Subsequent treatment of 93 with phosphorous oxychloride in diglyme gave the chloride 94 in 89% yield. The pyridine ring of chloride 94 was reduced by hydrogenation at 3 bar H2 and 48 °C for 7.5 hours in the presence of 10%Pd/C and concentrated HCl giving 95 in 70% yield. Chloride 95 was coupled with benzisoxazole piperidine 96 in the presence of sodium carbonate and potassium iodide in DMF to give racemic paliperidone (XIII) in 58% yield. HO NH3, 30 psi CN oC, 10 H2N Reltagravir (Isentress™) Reltagravir is an HIV integrase inhibitor developed by Merck and approved in 2007 in the US for treatment of HIV1 disease. Reltagravir is approved for the combination therapy with other antiretroviral agents for patients who have been exposed to other drugs and experienced resistance or patients that have growing viral loads [6,51,52]. Reltagravir was shown to be active in patients who had been unresponsive to other anti retroviral drugs and developed resistance [52]. Both the discovery [53] and process scale synthesis [54], have been published and the process synthesis is described in Scheme 14. The synthesis follows a convergent approach with the preparation of two key intermediates, pyrimidone 105 and the oxadiazole acid chloride 111, fol- CBZCl, DIEA CN CBZNH CN MTBE, rt 16 h, 88% 97% 97 NOH NH2OH(aq) CBZNH NH2 oC IPA, 60 3 h, 88% 98 99 100 O DMAD NOH MeOH, 20- 30 oC CBZNH N H ~95% conversion xylene CO2Me 90-135 oC 52% CO2Me DMSO, 20- 60 oC CBZNH N 101 N CBZNH OH N EtOH, 72 90% CO2Me N 70% O F OH CO2Me 102 NH2 O Mg(OCH3)2, MeI OH HN oC CBZNH H2, 40psi 5% Pd/C F H N N MeOH, MSA 50 oC, 3-4 h 96% O 104 103 O OH N NH2 F H N N O 105 N NH N Et3N + N OEt Cl N N N toluene N O 106 107 O + N KOH N EtOH:H2O 91% N O N O 109 H2N O (COCl)2, MeCN DMF, 5 °C 110 O OH F H N N O 111 -N2 108 N N OEt CO2K O COCl N CO2Et O O 105 Scheme 14. Synthesis of Reltagravir. 1. THF, NMM 0-5 °C, 91% 2. KOH, MeCN N OH N N H N O H N N O XIV Raltegravir potassium F O 1540 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2008, Vol. 8, No. 14 Liu et al. lowed by amide coupling to make reltagravir. The synthesis of pyrimidone 105 began with amination of cyanohydrin 97 with ammonia at 10 °C using pressurized ammonia gas feed to give amino cyanohydrin 98 in 97% yield. Aminonitrile 98 was protected with benzylchloroformate in methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) at room temperature in the presence of DIPEA to provide protected aminonitrile 99 in 88% yield. Aminonitrile 99 was then reacted with aqueous hydroxyl amine in IPA at 60 °C to furnish amidoxime 100 in 88% yield. Initial reaction of amidoxime 100 with dimethylacetylene dicarboxylate (DMAD) in methanol at 20-30 °C provided clean conversion to intermediate 101, which upon gradual warming to 90-135 °C in xylene gave pyrimidone 102 in 52% yield. Deprotonation of pyrimidone 102 in DMSO with magnesium methoxide, followed by removal of the residual methanol and treatment with methyliodide provided Nmethyl pyrimidone 103 in 70% yield. Remarkably, there was less that 0.5% O-methylated side products after workup and methanol:MTBE (9:1) wash of the crude product. Heating pyrimidone ester 103 with p-fluorobenzylamine in ethanol at 72 °C followed by crystallization gave amide 104 in 90% yield. Hydrogenolysis of the CBZ protecting group of amide 104 at 40 psi H2 using 5% Pd/C catalyst in the presence of methanesulfonic acid at 50 °C gave pyrimidone amine 105, obtained as a hydrate, in 96% yield. yltetrazole (106) in the presence of triethylamine in toluene at 0 °C to give intermediate 108. Slow addition of this intermediate to warm toluene at 50 °C followed by heating the reaction mixture at 65 °C for 1 hour resulted in loss of nitrogen and provided the oxadiazole ester 109. Crude ester 109 was treated with KOH which resulted in saponification of the ester to give oxadiazole carboxylic acid potassium salt 110 in 91% yield from 106. The synthesis was completed by first converting 110 to the corresponding acid chloride 111 using oxalyl chloride followed by reaction with pyrimidone 105 in the presence of N-methyl morpholine giving reltagravir in 91% yield after recrystallization from isopropanol/water. The reltagravir potassium salt XIV was then obtained by mixing KOH with reltagravir in acetonitrile and precipitating out the product via slow concentration and filtration of the potassium salt. Retapamulin (AltabaxTM) Antibacterial retapamulin is a derivative of the natural product pleuromutilin and was developed by Glaxo and approved in the US in 2007 for the treatment of skin infections [6]. It has a unique mechanism of action, inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis by inhibiting the larger subunit of the ribosome, and thus has no cross resistance to other antibacterial agents [55, 56]. A number of routes have been disclosed in the patent literature and all of them start with the natural product pleuromutilin [57, 58] and the process route is shown in Scheme 15 [58]. Commercially available tropinol The synthesis of oxadiazole acid chloride 111 was initiated by reaction of ethyl oxalylchloride (107) with meth- OH OMs S KSAc Et3N, MsCl DCM, -10 to -5 °C N pyridine:H2O 35-40 °C, 70% N 112 EtOH 8-20 °C, 0.5 h N 113 MsO NaOMe O 114 OH O O H SH N S O O N EtOH, 20-25 °C 0.5-1.5 h 115 HO OH O 117 H O XV retapaulin OH O O H MsO Et3N (20 min@-15 °C MsCl (added over 1.28 h) OH O O H DCM, -9 to 1 °C 100%, crude O O 116 Scheme 15. Synthesis of Retapamulin XV. 117 Synthetic Approaches to the 2007 New Drugs F Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2008, Vol. 8, No. 14 1541 F Cl water N3 CN F 118 F N 80 °C N F 119 O NaOH (30%) CN N N toluene 80 °C 40 min 120 N F N NH2 XVI Rufinamide Scheme 16. Synthesis of Rufinamide. 112 was mesylated under standard conditions (MsCl, Et3N) to give mesylate 113. Tropinol mesylate 113 was reacted with potassium thioacetate in pyridine and water giving intermediate 114 which was treated with sodium methoxide in ethanol to give intermediate 115. Thiol 115 was reacted with pleuromutilin mesylate 117, prepared by reacting pleuromutilin with methanesulfonyl chloride and triethylamine in DCM in 95% yield, giving crude retapamulin in 75% purity. Purification by crystallization in ethanol afforded retapamulin (XV) in >96-100% purity and 10.6% overall yield from tropinol mesylate 113. Rufinamide (Inovelon®) Rufinamide was developed by Novartis, and licensed by Eisai, for the treatment of epileptic seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) [6]. Rufinamide is a sodium channel blocker and works by reducing the recovery of neuronal sodium-dependent action potential [59-62]. Although several different approaches have been reported in the literature [60, 63], a simple one pot synthesis of rufinamide is shown in Scheme 16 [64]. 2,6-Difluorobenzyl azide 118 was reacted with 2-chloroacrylonitrile 119 in water at 80 °C for 24 hours. The excess acrylonitrile was removed by heating and upon cooling, toluene was added. The resulting mixture was heated to 80 °C and sodium hydroxide was added to affect hydrolysis of the nitrile. After removal of toluene by distillation, the reaction mixture was cooled and the resulting product, rufinamide (XVI) was collected by filtration. Temsirolimus (Torisel®) Temsirolimus, a cell cycle inhibitor developed by Wyeth for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma, was launched in the US in 2007. Temsirolimus works by inhibiting mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin)-driven cell proliferation [65]. Temsirolimus is also being developed for the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma (PhIII) and also as mono- or combination therapy for the treatment of ovarian and endometrium cancer (PhII). Additionally, temsirolimus is being evaluated for the treatment of several other types of cancer as well as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. The synthesis of temsirolimus was initiated by bis-silylation at positions 31 and 42 of rapamycin (121) using trimethylsilyl chloride and imidazole to give 122 (Scheme 17) [66]. The silyl ether at positon 42 was regioselectively desilylated using dilute sulfuric acid producing intermediate 123. The C42 position was acylated with the mixed anhydride derived from the 2-phenyl boronate acid 124 and 2,4,6-trichlorophenyl carboxylic acid chloride 125 using catalytic DMAP to give 126 [67]. Next, the silyl ether group at position 31 was removed using dilute sulfuric acid in acetone and after work up with aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and acetic acid provided the deprotected intermediate 127. The boronate ester was removed by reaction with excess 2-methyl-2,4pentanediol 128 and the crude product was precipitated using ether/heptanes to afford pure temsirolimus (XVII) in 86% yield. Trabectedin (Yondelis®) Trabectedin is a novel marine-derived tetrahydroisoquinoline, an antitumor agent isolated from the colonial tunicate Ecteinascidia turbinate. Trabectedin binds to the minor groove of DNA and bends the DNA toward the major groove, blocking the activation of genes via several pathways. These pathways include selective inhibition of the expression of key genes (including oncogenes) involved in cell growth and drug resistance, inhibition of genetic repair pathways and inhibition of cell cycle progression leading to p53-independent programmed cell death [68]. Trabectedin was originally developed by PharmaMar, a subsidiary of Zeltia. Subsequently, the drug was co-developed and comarketed with Ortho Biotech, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. Trabectedin was approved as an orphan drug designation for the treatment of advanced soft tissue sarcoma and ovarian cancer. PharmaMar and Johnson & Johnson are exploring trabectedin for numerous additional cancer indications. Cyanosafracin B (129), available from the optimization of the fermentation of bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens on kilogram scale, was used as the starting material for the synthesis (Scheme 18) [69]. The amino and phenol groups of compound 129 were protected as their corresponding Boc and MOM derivatives, respectively giving compound 130 in 67% yield for the 2 steps. Compound 130 was subjected to NaOH in H2O/MeOH, hydrolyzing the methoxy-p-quinone to give free hydroxyl compound 131 in 68% yield. Compound 131 was reduced with H2 over Pd/C to give an unstable hydroquinone which was selectively alkylated with bromochloromethane in hot DMF in a sealed tube to give benzodioxolane 132, which was used in the next step without purification. Compound 132 was subjected to a second alkylation with allylbromide to give allylic adduct 133 as a white solid in 56% yield from compound 131. Removal of both the MOM and Boc protecting groups of 133 with TFA gave compound 134 in 95% yield. Compound 135, the free amine product, was obtained by Edman degradation of the amide side chain of compound 134 by treating 134 with excess phenyl isothiocyanate to form the corresponding thiourea in 87% yield which was subsequently hydrolyzed with HCl in dioxane to give 135 in 82% yield. To set up the critical conversion of primary amine of compound 135 to its corresponding alcohol, the phenol of the E-ring needed to be protected as its MOM derivative. Therefore, the primary amine 1542 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2008, Vol. 8, No. 14 Liu et al. HO 42 TMSO O O O O HO O 31 OH O O O O O O O TMSCl, imid O EtOAc O HO O O OTMS O 0.5 N H2SO4 O O O 122 121 Rapamycin Ph HO 42 B O O 42 O Cl O O O O Cl 31 OTMS O O Cl Cl O 31 OTMS O 125 O O HO O O O O B O O O O O 126 124 O O CO2H 123 O B O HO Ph O O Ph O DMAP, CH2Cl2 HO O HO O O O OH i. 0.5N H2SO4 acetone ii. NaHCO3 (aq) iii. AcOH 58% from 121 O O OH O O OH 128 O O HO O O O O ether/heptane 86% yield for 2 steps O O O HO O O 127 O O OH O O O XVII Temsirolimus Scheme 17. Synthesis of Temsirolimus. was temporary protected as TROC carbamate in 98% yield. This was followed by reaction with MOMBr in the presence of DIPEA in 88% yield, and removal of the TROC protecting group with Zn in HOAc to give compound 136 in 83% yield. Compound 136 was treated with NaNO2 in HOAc to give key primary hydroxy intermediate 137 in 50% yield which was coupled with 138 in the presence of EDC and DMAP to give ester 139 in 95% yield. Compound 139 was treated with n-tributyl tin hydride and a palladium catalyst removing the allylic protecting group to give the corresponding phenol in 90% yield which was subsequently oxidized with benzeneselenic anhydride in methylene chloride at low temperature to give 140 in 91% yield as a mixture of alcohol isomers. Compound 140 was converted to lactone 141 in 58% yield by the following transformations as developed by Corey [70]: a) reaction of compound 140 with in situ Swern Synthetic Approaches to the 2007 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2008, Vol. 8, No. 14 1543 O O H2N BocHN NH CN i. Boc2O, EtOH rt, 23 h, 81% O NH CN O OMe 1M NaOH OMe N N N ii. MOMBr, DIPEA DMAP, CH3CN, 40 °C 6 h, 83% H N MeOH, rt, 2.5 h 68% H O OH O OMOM O O 129 130 O O BocHN BocHN NH CN i. 1atm H2, 10%Pd/C rt, 2 h O OH N N N N 56% from 131 H O OMOM OH OMOM O O 131 132 O O BocHN H2N NH CN NH CN O O O N N TFA, CH2Cl2 rt, 95% H H O OMOM ii. HCl, dioxane, 4.3 M rt, 1 h, 82% O OH O O 133 134 NH2 CN NH2 CN O i. TrocCl, pyridine, CH2Cl2 0 °C, 1 h, 98% ii. MOMBr, DIPEA, DMAP CH3CN, 40 °C, 6 h, 88% O N N H iii. Zn, AcOH/H2O rt, 7 h, 83% O O O N OH O i. phenyl isothiocyanate CH2Cl2, rt, 3 h, 87% O N N allyl bromide, Cs2CO3 DMF, rt, 3 h O O ii. BrClCH2, Cs2CO3 DMF, 110 °C H NH CN N NaNO2 H AcOH/H2O/THF 0 °C, 3 h, 50% O OMOM O 135 136 NHTroc S O OH CN HO O O O S O Fm N H CN NHTroc O O N Fm O N 138 EDC HCl, DMAP, CH2Cl2 rt, 2 h, 95% N H OMOM O OMOM O O 137 139 i.Bu3SnH, PdCl2(PPh3)2 AcOH, CH2Cl2 rt, 15 min, 90% ii. (PhSeO)2O, CH2Cl2 -10 °C, 15 min, 91% 1544 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2008, Vol. 8, No. 14 Liu et al. (Scheme 18. Contd….) NHTroc NHTroc S O O Fm O O CN O N N OH iii. tBuOH, 0 °C, 5 min iv. (CH3N)2C=N-t-Bu rt, 40 min v. Ac2O, rt, 1 h O OMOM O N H ii. Zn, AcOH H2O, 70 °C, 6 h 77% from 140 O OMOM O 56% 140 O 141 NH2 O O O O O S CN O S CN OHC O N N H HO O O N i. TMSCl, NaI CH2Cl2, CH3CN rt, 30 min O O N H S CN i. Tf2O, DMSO, CH2Cl2 -40 °C, 35 min ii. DIPEA, 0 °C, 45 min O CH3 I N N H DBU, (CO2H)2, rt 4 h, 57% O MeO O O 142 O 143 OH HN O CN O O N H HN O O S O N OH O O 144 silica gel EtOH, rt 12 h 90% O OH OH O NH2 OH AgNO3 CH3CN S O O N N H2O rt, 16 h 90% H O OH O OH O O 145 O O XVIII Trabectedin Scheme 18. Synthesis of Trabectedin. reagent in DMSO at low temperature, b) addition of DIPEA to form the exendo quinine methide, c) quenching with tBuOH to remove excess Swern reagent, d) addition of excess N-t-butyl-N’, N’, N’, N’-tetramethylguanidine to convert the 9-fluorenylmethyl thioether to the thiolate ion and to initiate nucleophilic addition of sulfur to the quinine methide to generate the lactone ring, and e) addition of excess acetic anhydride to acetylate the resulting phenoxide group. The MOM and TROC protecting groups were removed with TMSCl/ NaI and Zn in AcOH/H2O, respectively to give compound 142 in 77% yield for these two steps. The -amino lactone of compound 142 was oxidized to the corresponding -keto lactone with the methiodide of pyridine-4-carboxaldehyde in the presence of DBU to give compound 143 in 57% yield. Compound 143 was reacted with 144 in the presence of silica gel in ethanol at room temperature to give stereospecifically the spiro-tetrahydroisoquinoline 145 in 90% yield which was finally reacted with AgNO3 to replace the nitrile with a hydroxyl group to yield trabectedin (XVIII) in 90% yield. Vildagliptan (Galvus®) Vildagliptin, a dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (DPPIV) inhibitor discovered and developed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals, was approved for the treatment of type II diabetes in Mexico, Brazil and the E.U. Vildagliptin is the second DPPIV inhibi- Synthetic Approaches to the 2007 New Drugs Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2008, Vol. 8, No. 14 1545 ClCOCH2Cl HN O NH2 Cl N H + Me N Cl Cl Me O iPrOAc:DMF 15 - 35 °C 1.5 h O 146 148 Cl O 15 - 25 °C 1h NH2 N 147 CN 149 H HO NH2 152 KI, K2CO3 2-butanone 35 - 70 °C, 30 min HO N N H H O CN XIX Vildagliptin KOH HNO3/H2SO4 H NH2 0 °C, 2 h; RT, 30 h 150 O2N NH2 H2O, 0-80 °C, 45min HO 151 NH2 152 Scheme 19. Synthesis of Vildagliptin. tor approved after last year’s approval of sitagliptin developed by Merck [6,71,72]. Both the discovery [73] and process routes [74] toward the synthesis of this drug have been published, and the process route is shown in Scheme 19. A solution of L-prolinamide 146 in DMF was added to a premixed solution of chloroacetyl chloride in isopropylacetate/DMF at 15 °C. Upon complete addition of 146 the reaction mixture was warmed to 35 °C, which generated intermediate 147. After 1.5 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled to 15 °C and Vilsmeier reagent 148 was added portionwise to generate nitrile 149. 3-Hydroxyaminoadamantane 152, required for coupling with 149, was prepared in two steps [74]. Aminoadamantane 150 was added in small portions to an ice cold solution of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. Upon complete addition, the reaction was stirred for 2 hours at 0 °C and for 30 hours at room temperature generating intermediate 151. Next, the reaction mixture containing 151 was cooled in an ice-water bath and solid KOH was added portionwise over 45 minutes. After addition was complete, the reaction had reached 80 °C which resulted in the evolution of NO2 gas and the reaction turned into a white slurry. After filtration of the slurry, the solid was washed with DCM, dried, and concentrated to give the desired 3-hydroxyaminoadamantane 152. The synthesis was completed by adding a solution of 149, prepared as described above, to a solution of 3-hydroxyaminoadamantane 152, potassium carbonate, and potassium iodide in 2-butanone generating vildagliptin (XIX) in 31% crude yield. Pure vildagliptin was obtained upon re-crystallization from 2-butanone; however the yield was not reported. ABBREVIATIONS AIBN = 2,2’-Azobisisobutyronitrile BOC = t-Butyloxycarbonyl CBZ = Benzyloxycarbonyl CDI = N,N'-Carbonyldiimidazole DBU = 1,8-Diazabicyclo[5.4.0] undec-7-ene DCE = Dichloroethane DCM = Dichloromethane DIAD = Diisopropyl azodicarboxylate DIBAL-H = Diisobutylaluminum hydride DIPEA = Diisopropylethylamine DMAP = 4-Dimethylaminopyridine DMF = N,N-Dimethylformamide DMPU = N,N’-Dimethylpropyleneurea DMSO = Methyl sulfoxide DPPC = Diphenylphosphinic chloride EDC = N-(3-Dimethylaminopropal)-N'ethylcarbodiimide HOBT = 1-Hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate IPA = Isopropyl alcohol 1546 Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 2008, Vol. 8, No. 14 IPAC = Isopropyl acetate LDA = Lithium diisopropylamide LIHMDS = Lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide MEK = Methylethyl ketone MS = Molecular sieves NBS = N-Bromosuccinimide NCS = N-Chlorosuccinimide NEP = N-Ethylpyrrolidinone NMM = N-methylmorpholine NMP = 1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidinone PCC = Pyridinium chlorochromate PDC = Pyridinium dichromate PMB = 4-Methoxylbenzyl PPA = Polyphosphoric acid TBAF = t-Butyl ammonium fluoride TBAB = t-Butyl ammonium bromide TBDMS = t-Butyldimethylsilyl TEA = Triethyl amine TFA = Trifluoroacetic acid TFAA = Trifluoroacetic acid anhydride THF = Tetrahydrofuran THP = Tetrahydropyran TIPS = Triisopropylsilyl TPA = Triisopropylamine TPAP = Tetrapropylammonium perruthenate TROC = 2,2,2-Trichlorethoxycarbonyl TMG = 1,1,3,3-Tetramethylguanidine p-TSA = para-Toluene sulfonic acid Liu et al. 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