Highly efficient asymmetric synthesis of sitagliptin.

A highly efficient synthesis of sitagliptin, a potent and selective DPP-4 inhibitor for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), has been developed. The key dehydrositagliptin intermediate 9 is prepared in three steps in one pot and directly isolated in 82% yield and >99.6 wt % purity. Highly enantioselective hydrogenation of dehydrositagliptin 9, with as low as 0.15 mol % of Rh(I)/(t)Bu JOSIPHOS, affords sitagliptin, which is finally isolated as its phosphate salt with nearly perfect optical and chemical purity. This environmentally friendly, 'green' synthesis significantly reduces the total waste generated per kilogram of sitagliptin produced in comparison with the first-generation route and completely eliminates aqueous waste streams. The efficiency of this cost-effective process, which has been implemented on manufacturing scale, results in up to 65% overall isolated yield.

Stereoselective formation of carbon-carbon bonds via SN2-displacement: synthesis of substituted cycloalkyl[b]indoles.

A general asymmetric synthesis of substituted cycloalkyl[b]indoles has been accomplished. The key features of this approach are (1) the utilization of a Japp-Klingemann condensation/Fischer cyclization to prepare cycloalkyl[b]indolones, (2) the asymmetric borane reduction of these heterocyclic ketones with (S)-OAB to obtain enantiomerically pure alcohols, and (3) the stereoselective S(N)2-displacement of these indole alcohol substrates with a carbon nucleophile under Mitsunobu conditions to set the C1 or C3 tertiary carbon stereocenter. The use of trimethylphosphine (PMe3) and bis(2,2,2-trichloroethyl) azodicarboxylate (TCEAD) was found to have an effect on the Mitsunobu dehydrative alkylation.

Asymmetric hydrogenation of N-sulfonylated-alpha-dehydroamino acids: toward the synthesis of an anthrax lethal factor inhibitor.

A novel and highly enantioselective Ru-catalyzed hydrogenation of N-sulfonylated-alpha-dehydroamino acids has been discovered and demonstrated in the synthesis of an anthrax lethal factor inhibitor (LFI). Herein, this methodology is used to prepare N-sulfonylated amino acids in up to 98% ee. This unprecedented hydrogenation uses a chiral Ru catalyst rather than Rh as typical for acylated dehydroamino acids and esters, and this work reports the first asymmetric hydrogenation of a tetrasubstituted dehydroamino acid derivative using a Ru catalyst. [reaction: see text]

Enantiopure drug synthesis: from methyldopa to imipenem to efavirenz.

An historical retrospective is presented relative to the development of practical processes for the syntheses of three major drugs: methyldopa, imipenem, and efavirenz. Each highlights a major method for asymmetric synthesis. This work was initially presented as a lecture at the BLOCKBUSTER CHIRALITY section of the CHIRALITY 2004 meeting in New York City, and this paper is simply a written account of that presentation. The original literature that details the chemistry discussed herein is noted in the reference section.

Practical asymmetric synthesis of a potent PDE4 inhibitor via stereoselective enolate alkylation of a chiral aryl-heteroaryl secondary tosylate.

A practical, chromatography-free catalytic asymmetric synthesis of a potent and selective PDE4 inhibitor (L-869,298, 1) is described. Catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation of thiazole ketone 5a afforded the corresponding alcohol 3b in excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99.4% ee). Activation of alcohol 3b via formation of the corresponding p-toluenesulfonate followed by an unprecedented displacement with the lithium enolate of ethyl 3-pyridylacetate N-oxide 4a generated the required chiral trisubstituted methane. The displacement reaction proceeded with inversion of configuration and without loss of optical purity. Conversion of esters 2b to 1 was accomplished via a one-pot deprotection, saponification, and decarboxylation sequence in excellent overall yield.

Asymmetric synthesis of a prostaglandin D2 receptor antagonist.

An asymmetric synthesis was developed for the production of a prostaglandin D(2) receptor antagonist for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. The stereogenic center was set using asymmetric allylic alkylation chemistry, and the core of the structure was constructed via Pd-catalyzed N-cyclization/Heck methodology. The synthesis relies on a late stage indoline oxidation which does not racemize the product.

Mechanistic evidence for an alpha-oxoketene pathway in the formation of beta-ketoamides/esters via Meldrum's acid adducts.

A practical, one-pot process for the preparation of beta-keto amides via a three-component reaction, including Meldrum's acid, an amine, and a carboxylic acid, has been developed. Key to development of an efficient, high-yielding process was an in-depth understanding of the mechanism of the multistep process. Kinetic studies were carried out via online IR monitoring and subsequent principal component analysis which provided a means of profiling the concentration of both the anionic and free acid forms of the Meldrum's adduct 6 in real time. These studies, both in the presence and absence of nucleophiles, strongly suggest that formation of beta-keto amides from acyl Meldrum's acids occurs via alpha-oxoketene species 2 and rule out other possible reaction pathways proposed in the literature, such as via protonated alpha-oxoketene intermediates 3 or nucleophilic addition-elimination pathways.

Practical synthesis of a potent hepatitis C virus RNA replication inhibitor.

A practical, efficient synthesis of 1, a hepatitis C virus RNA replication inhibitor, is described. Starting with the inexpensive diacetone glucose, the 12-step synthesis features a novel stereoselective rearrangement to prepare the key crystalline furanose diol intermediate. This is followed by a highly selective glycosidation to couple the C-2 branched furanose epoxide with deazapurine.

Highly efficient synthesis of beta-amino acid derivatives via asymmetric hydrogenation of unprotected enamines.

A direct asymmetric hydrogenation of unprotected enamino esters and amides is described. Catalyzed by Rh complexes with Josiphos-type chiral ligands, this method gives beta-amino esters and amides in high yield and high ee (93-97% ee). No acyl protection/deprotection is required.

Highly diastereoselective heterogeneously catalyzed hydrogenation of enamines for the synthesis of chiral beta-amino acid derivatives.

Pure (Z)-enamines readily prepared from beta-ketoesters and amides using (S)-phenylglycine amide were hydrogenated with very high diastereoselectivities (up to 200:1) using heterogeneous catalysis. Hydrogenolytic cleavage of the (S)-phenylglycine amide afforded the corresponding chiral beta-aminoesters and amides. The high geometrical purity of the (Z)-enamine and a simple activation procedure for the PtO2 catalyst are essential in achieving high selectivity.

Synthesis of substituted imidazoles via organocatalysis.

A one-pot synthesis of substituted imidazoles is described. The cornerstone of this methodology involves the thiazolium-catalyzed addition of an aldehyde to an acyl imine to generate the corresponding alpha-ketoamide in situ followed by ring closure to the imidazole in a one-pot sequence. The extension of this methodology to the one-pot synthesis of substituted oxazoles and thiazoles is also described. [reaction: see text]

Stereoselective carbon-carbon bond formation via the Mitsunobu displacement of chiral secondary benzylic alcohols.

[reaction: see text] The stereoselective displacement of a variety of chiral benzylic alcohols with triethylmethanetricarboxylate (TEMT) under Mitsunobu conditions (DEAD, PMe(3)) has been demonstrated to proceed in good yield (70-94%) and with a high degree of inversion. Subsequent saponification and decarboxylation of the products thus obtained provide chiral 3-aryl-3-substituted propanoic acids without racemization.

Practical asymmetric synthesis of a potent Cathepsin K inhibitor. Efficient palladium removal following Suzuki coupling.

A large-scale, chromatography-free synthesis of a potent and selective Cathepsin K inhibitor 1 is reported. The key asymmetric center was installed by addition of (R)-pantolactone to the in situ-generated ketene 4a. The final step of the convergent synthesis of 1 was completed via Suzuki coupling of aryl bromide 7a with unprotected aryl piperazine boronic acid 13. Residual palladium and iron generated in the Suzuki coupling were efficiently removed from crude 1 via a simple extractive workup using lactic acid.

Practical asymmetric synthesis of aprepitant, a potent human NK-1 receptor antagonist, via a stereoselective Lewis acid-catalyzed trans acetalization reaction.

A streamlined and high-yielding synthesis of aprepitant (1), a potent substance P (SP) receptor antagonist, is described. The enantiopure oxazinone 16 starting material was synthesized via a novel crystallization-induced dynamic resolution process. Conversion of 16 to the penultimate intermediate cis-sec-amine 9 features a highly stereoselective Lewis acid-catalyzed trans acetalization of chiral alcohol 3 with trichloroacetimidate 18 followed by inversion of the adjacent chiral center on the morpholine ring. The six-step process for the synthesis of 9 was accomplished in extremely high overall yield (81%) and with only two isolations.

Highly Chemoselective Trichloroacetimidate-Mediated Alkylation of Ascomycin: A Convergent, Practical Synthesis of the Immunosuppressant L-733,725.

L-733,725, a new immunosuppressant drug candidate, was prepared by a highly chemoselective alkylation of the macrolide ascomycin at the C32 hydroxy position with the imidazolyl trichloroacetimidate 16. The trichloroacetimidate-activated side chain 16 was prepared by an efficient four-step sequence in 42% overall yield. The high chemoselectivity in the alkylation of the C32 hydroxy group of the unprotected ascomycin was the result of the synergetic effects of the electron-donating protecting group on the imidazole 16, the polar, moderately basic solvent, and the strong acid catalyst. N,N-Dimethylpivalamide mixed with acetonitrile was found to be the best solvent and trifluromethanesulfonic acid the best catalyst. This synthesis coupled with a resin column purification of L-733,725 followed by crystallization of its tartrate salt has been used to make multi-kilogram quantities of the bulk drug with consistent and high purity.

A Novel, Highly Enantioselective Ketone Alkynylation Reaction Mediated by Chiral Zinc Aminoalkoxides.

Kilogram-scale synthesis of the HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitor efavirenz was achieved by means of a highly enantioselective alkynylation of prochiral ketones 1 with alkynyllithium or alkynylmagnesium reagents in the presence of chiral zinc aminoalkoxides as mediators. With the achiral auxiliary 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (R3 =CF3 CH2 ), the efavirenz precursor 2 (R1 =H, R2 =cyclopropyl) was obtained with an ee of 99.2%.

An Asymmetric Synthesis of L-694,458, a Human Leukocyte Elastase Inhibitor, via Novel Enzyme Resolution of beta-Lactam Esters.

A convergent synthesis of [S-(R,S)]-2-[4-[(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)carbonyl]phenoxy]-3,3-diethyl-N-[1-[3,4-(methylenedioxy)phenyl]butyl]-4-oxo-1-azetidinecarboxamide (L-694,458, 1), a potent human leukocyte elastase inhibitor, was achieved via chiral synthesis of key intermediates: (S)-3,3-diethyl-4-[4'-[(N-methylpiperazin-1-yl)carbonylphenoxy]-2-azetidinone (2) and (R)-alpha-propylpiperonyl isocyanate (3). Synthesis of beta-lactam 2 was achieved by a novel enantioselective lipase hydrolysis of ester 5 to produce (S)-3,3-diethyl-4-(4'-carboxyphenoxy)-2-azetidinone (6) (60% yield, three cycles, 93% ee) with isolation, epimerization, and recycling of the undesired (R)-ester 5. Isocyanate 3 was prepared by chiral addition of Zn(n-Pr)(2) to piperonal (98% yield, 99.2% ee), azide displacement and reduction to (R)-alpha-propylpiperonylamine (11) (58% yield, 85% ee), crystallization as the D-pyroglutamic acid salt (92% yield, 98.2% ee), and isocyanate formation (98% yield) with phosgene.