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A novel and concise synthesis towards DP2 receptor antagonist Fevipiprant (NVS-QAW039) was developed. The initial research route was suffering from lengthy access to the functionalized 7-aza-indole core followed by a low selective N(1)-alkylation with the benzyl side chain. These limitations were overcome by introducing the side chain early via reductive amination between the functionalized aldehyde and 2-amino-3-bromopyridine. Sonogashira coupling with prop-2-yn-1-ol introduces the 3 missing carbon atoms to build the 7-aza-indole core and sets the stage for the innovative Johnson-Claisen key step. Reaction of the advanced propargylic alcohol derivative with trimethyl orthoacetate leads to a reactive allene intermediate that spontaneously and selectively cyclizes to the 7-aza-indole QAW039-methly ester. QAW039 is isolated after ester saponification. Selectivity, yield, and ecological footprint of the new synthesis were significantly improved, and scalability was demonstrated.

3-Aminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine is an important scaffold that is found in many drugs. This scaffold is rapidly accessible through a Groebke–Blackburn–Bienayme cyclisation starting from an aminopyrazine, an aldehyde and an isocyanide. A scale-up process of this multicomponent reaction has been achieved in high yield and with excellent purity. The scope and limitations of this process leading to various 3-aminoimidazo[1,2-a]pyrazines are disclosed.

The preparation of various 2-(7-azaindolyl)carboxylic esters by Pd-catalyzed coupling of Reformatsky reagents with TBDMS-protected 3-bromo-7-azaindoles leading to a wide range of arylated ester derivatives is reported. After removal of the protecting group, the corresponding free 2-(7-azaindolyl)carboxylic esters are obtained in satisfactory yields.

The preparation of various 2-(7-azaindolyl)carboxylic esters by Pd-catalyzed coupling of Reformatsky reagents with TBDMS-protected 3-bromo-7-azaindoles leading to a wide range of arylated ester derivatives is reported. After removal of the protecting group, the corresponding free 2-(7-azaindolyl)carboxylic esters are obtained in satisfactory yields.

Sterically hindered molybdenum(III) amido complexes of the general type [Mo{(tBu)(Ar)N} 3 ] (1), upon treatment with CH 2 Cl 2 or other halogen donors, have been converted into highly effective catalysts for all kinds of alkyne metathesis reactions. Although the actual nature of the propagating species formed in situ is still elusive, halogen transfer to the Mo center of 1 plays a decisive role in the activation of such precatalysts. It was possible to isolate and characterize by X-ray crystallography some of the resulting molybdenum halide derivatives such as 15, 16 and 20 which themselves were shown to be catalytically active. Numerous applications illustrate the performance of the catalytic system 1/CH 2 Cl 2 which operates under mild conditions and tolerates an array of polar functional groups. The wide scope allows the method to be implemented into the total synthesis of sensitive and polyfunctional natural products. Most notable among them is a concise entry into the potent anticancer agents epothilone A (86) and C (88). The macrolide core of these targets is forged by ring closing alkyne metathesis (RCAM) of diyne 113, followed by Lindlar hydrogenation of cycloalkyne 114 thus formed. Since this strategy opens a stereoselective entry into (Z)-alkene 115, the approach is inherently more efficient than previous syntheses based on conventional RCM.

The suitably functionalized cyclopentanone derivatives 12, 13, 19, and 37 serve as common precursors for the synthesis of various prostaglandins, prostaglandin-1,15-lactones, and unnatural analogues thereof. All of them contain a 2-butynyl entity which is elaborated into the intact α side chain of the targets either via a sequence comprising ring closing alkyne metathesis/Lindlar reduction or via alkyne cross metathesis (ACM)/Lindlar reduction. These novel approaches are distinguished by (i) the ready accessibility of the required cyclopentenone substrates via a three-component coupling reaction, (ii) the inherent flexibility which allows one to make a series of analogues starting from these common platforms, (iii) a small number of steps, and (iv) an excellent overall yield. The key alkyne metathesis reactions are efficiently catalyzed either by the tungsten alkylidyne complex (t-BuO)3W⋮CCMe3 or, preferentially, by a catalyst formed in situ from Mo[N(t-Bu)(Ar)]3 and CH2Cl2, the reactivity of which can be...

A ring closing alkyne metathesis reaction catalyzed by the molybdenum complex 26 followed by a Lindlar reduction of the resulting cycloalkyne product opens an efficient and stereoselective entry into epothilone A and C.