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An efficient and practical synthesis of enantiomerically pure P-chiral dihydrobenzooxaphosphole (BOP) core 1 is developed that is amenable to large scale preparation of the related ligand series. The unique epimerization of the P-chiral center of the undesired (R,R)-diastereomeric phosphine oxide 19 through chlorination followed by crystallization makes this chemical resolution method achieve 65% yield of desired (R,S)-diastereomer 12.

A convergent, robust, and concise synthesis of a developmental CCR1 antagonist is described using continuous flow technology. In the first approach, following an expeditious SNAr sequence for cyclopropane introduction, a safe, continuous flow Curtius rearrangement was developed for the synthesis of a p-methoxybenzyl (PMB) carbamate. Based on kinetic studies, a highly efficient and green process comprising three chemical transformations (azide formation, rearrangement, and isocyanate trapping) was developed with a relatively short residence time and high material throughput (0.8 kg h−1, complete E-factor = ∼9) and was successfully executed on 40 kg scale. Moreover, mechanistic studies enabled the execution of a semi-continuous, tandem Curtius rearrangement and acid–isocyanate coupling to directly afford the final drug candidate in a single, protecting group-free operation. The resulting API synthesis is further determined to be extremely green (RPG = 166%) relative to the industrial average for molecules of similar complexity.

An efficient continuous flow iron-catalyzed Kumada cross-coupling was developed for the coupling of 2-chloropyrazine and various aryl Grignard reagents in presence of low catalyst loadings (0.5 mol-%). Compared to batch mode, the continuous flow approach overcomes the exothermicity which enabled longer catalyst lifetime, facilitated scale-up and significantly improved the yield. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of flow iron-catalyzed Kumada cross-coupling reactions which addresses scale dependence issues which often plague Kumada reactions carried out in the traditional batch mode.

An efficient asymmetric synthesis of 11-β-HSD inhibitor 1 has been accomplished in five linear steps and 53% overall yield, starting from the readily available 3-chloro-1-phenylpropan-1-one. The key feature of the synthesis includes an asymmetric methallylation of 3-chloro-1-phenylpropan-1-one catalyzed by the highly effective organocatalyst (S)-3,3'-F2-BINOL under solvent-free and metal-free conditions.

Two potent glucocorticoid receptor agonists were prepared labeled with carbon-14 and with stable isotopes to perform drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and bioanalytical studies. Carbon-14 labeled (1) was obtained from an enantiopure alkyne (5) via a Sonogashira coupling to a previously reported 5-amino-4-iodo-[2-(14)C]pyrimidine [(14)C]-(6), followed by a base-mediated cyclization (1) in 72% overall radiochemical yield. Carbon-14 labeled (2) was prepared in five steps employing a key benzoic acid intermediate [(14)C]-(13), which was synthesized in one pot from enolization of trifluoromethylketone (12), followed by bromine-magnesium exchange and then electrophile trapping reaction with [(14)C]-carbon dioxide. A chiral auxiliary (S)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethylamine was then coupled to this acid to give [(14)C]-(15). Propargylation and separation of diastereoisomers by crystallizations gave the desired diastereomer [(14)C]-(17) in 34% yield. Sonogashira coupling to iodopyridine (10) followed by cyclization to the azaindole [(14)C]-(18) and finally removal of the chiral auxiliary gave [(14)C]-(2) in 7% overall yield. For stable isotope syntheses, [(13)C6]-(1) was obtained in three steps using [(13)C4]-(6) and trimethylsilylacetylene-[(13)C2] in 26% yield, while [(2)H5]-(2) was obtained by first preparing the iodopyridine [(2)H5]-(10) in five steps. Then, Sonogashira coupling to chiral alkyne (24) and cyclization gave [(2)H5]-(2) in 42% overall yield.

A highly enantioselective enamide hydrogenation route to the title amine was developed. Highlights of the synthesis include an efficient two-step synthesis of a 2-sulfonyl 4-pyridyl ethyl ketone, a simple enamide synthesis by direct condensation of propionamide with a ketone, catalytic asymmetric enamide hydrogenation employing the in-house-developed ligand MeO-BIBOP, and a mild epimerization-free deprotection of a propionamide using Koenig’s procedure.

Various 2-formylazoles underwent CuI/sparteine-catalyzed annulation with 1-substituted-4-iodo-5-aminopyrazoles to produce four new heterocyclic ring systems. The reaction was demonstrated for 2-formylpyrroles, 2-formylindoles, 2-formylimidazole, and 3-methyl-5-formylpyrazole. 3-Substitution of the iodopyrazole was tolerated.

The development of synthetic routes to 4-[6-(morpholinomethyl)pyridin-3-yl]naphthalen-1-amine, the key intermediate of p38 MAP kinase inhibitor BIRB 1017, via (1) trialkylmagnesium ate complex mediated metalation and borylation followed by Suzuki coupling reactions and (2) pyridine-ring formation from a vinamidinium salt, is described.

A mild and general procedure for reduction of primary, secondary, and tertiary amides using catalytic triruthenium dodecacarbonyl and 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane as reductant is described. The reaction is tolerant of numerous functional groups, and the amine products can often be isolated by direct crystallization as hydrochloride salts. The catalyst and silane are commercially available, air stable, and inexpensive, making the procedure accessible for both laboratory and large-scale applications.

A concise asymmetric synthesis of an 11β-HSD-1 inhibitor has been achieved using inexpensive starting materials with excellent step-economy at low catalyst loadings. The catalytic enantioselective total synthesis of 1 was accomplished in 7 steps and 38% overall yield aided by the development of an innovative, sequential strategy involving Pd-catalyzed pyridinium C–H arylation and Ir-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of the resulting fused tricyclic indenopyridinium salt highlighted by the use of a unique P,N-ligand (MeO-BoQPhos) with 1000 ppm of [Ir(COD)Cl]2.

A scalable process for the preparation of 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-(3-trimethylsilyl-2-propynyl)-1,3,2-dioxaborolane from trimethylsilylpropyne, isopropyl pinacol borate, and n-butyllithium is described. Problems associated with implementing a typical aqueous workup and batch process into production due to borolane “ate” equilibration and protonolysis are presented. To address these issues, a continuous-flow and distillation process was developed which efficiently produced 297 kg of the key propargylation reagent.

Aryltrimethylammonium triflates and tetrafluoroborates were found to be highly reactive electrophiles in the Pd-catalyzed cross coupling with aryl Grignard reagents. The coupling reactions proceed at ambient temperature with a nearly stoichiometric quantity of Grignard reagent, and diverse functionality is tolerated. Competition experiments established the reactivity of PhNMe(3)OTf relative to PhCl, PhBr, PhI, and PhOTf.

Direct N-arylation of urea (5) with various arylboronic acids mediated by cupric acetate furnished BIRB796 and a range of N-substituted BIRB796 analogs in good to moderate yields in one step. Urea (5) was readily synthesized from commercially available compounds.

A zinc-catalyzed diastereoselective propargylation of t-butanesulfinyl imines is presented. The methodology provided both aliphatic and aryl homopropargylic amines in up to 98:2 and 99.8:0.2 dr, respectively. The utility of the homopropargylic amines was demonstrated by the application to the synthesis of a cis-substituted pyrido-indole through a diastereoselective Pictet-Spengler cyclization.

The utility of propargyl diethanolamine boronates as reagents for the preparation of allenes and homopropargylic alcohols is presented. Protonolysis with TFA and electrophilic substitution with N-halosuccinimides proceeded with inversion to provide the corresponding allene in high yield and regioselectivity. Alternatively, the propargylation of aldehydes was achieved with use of the in situ generated lithiated complex.

Several diethyl 2-cumylmalonates underwent fragmentation and dimerization in PPA at elevated temperatures to give 1,1,3-trimethyl-3-arylindanes in good yields. The same products were obtained from 2-cumylmalonic acid, ethyl 2-cumylcyanoacetate, and 2-cumyl Meldrum’s acid. This represents the first example of an S N 1/E1 ionization with diethyl malonate as the leaving group.

N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) were found to catalyze the silyl transfer from trialkylsilyl ketene acetals to ketones. In the presence of a catalytic amount of NHC 3 (IAd, 0.1 to 5 mol %), a series of enolizable ketones as well as cyclohexanecarboxaldehyde were efficiently converted into the corresponding silyl enol ethers at 23 degrees C in THF.

A one-pot process for the synthesis of (S)-1,1,1-trifluoro-4-(5-fluoro-2-methoxy-phenyl)-4-methyl-2-((R)-toluene-4-sulfinylmethyl)pentan-2-ol (3) is described, which was a key intermediate for the preparation of a class of novel glucocorticoid receptor ligands. The chemistry features the preparative-scale synthesis of (R)-p-tolyl methyl sulfoxide [(R)-pTMSO] from (2R,4S,5R)-4-methyl-5-phenyl-3-(tolene-4-sulfonyl)oxathiazolidine-2-oxide (5) and the synthesis of 3 from 5 without isolation of (R)-pTMSO during the process.

A novel two-step synthesis of substituted 2-formylpyrroles is described. Aldol adducts of ketones and 4-formyloxazole undergo a dehydration/oxazole hydrolysis/cyclization cascade on sequential treatment with MsCl/Et3N and aqueous NaOH to yield 5-substituted and 4,5-disubstituted 2-formylpyrroles. The methodology was extended to an N-benzyl thiazolium salt.

We describe the discovery and development of a chiral auxiliary-controlled asymmetric acetate aldol reaction with a trifluoromethyl ketone. Chiral acetate 3d was prepared efficiently from (1S,2R)-1-amino-2-indanol. Reaction of the lithium enolate of 3d with trifluoromethyl ketone 2 afforded aldol adducts in 95% HPLC assay yield (by weight) with a 78:22 dr. The major isomer 5 was obtained via a robust crystallization method in 45% one-crop isolated yield with a >98.7:1.3 dr. Compound 5 was subjected to transesterification to give β-hydroxy ester 1. The cleaved auxiliary 7 was readily recovered by a direct crystallization/filtration method. Process optimization led to better volume efficiencies, improved isolation protocols, and less consumption of organic solvents, all contributing to enhanced throughput, reduced processing labor and time, as well as reduction in chemical wastes.

An unexpected highly exothermic decomposition was observed during routine safety analysis of the magnesium−iodine exchange reaction of 2-iodo-4-fluorotoluene (3) with commercially available i-PrMgCl (2.0 M solution in THF). When the reaction mixture was scanned in an adiabatic calorimeter with the use of a 2 °C/min temperature ramp, a rapid exothermic decomposition with an onset temperature of approximately 80 °C was observed. The system temperature rapidly rose to 210 °C at a peak rate of 200 °C/min. Subsequent testing of three simplified substrates showed the same type of exothermic decomposition for all cases. Control experiments indicated that the decomposition requires both aryl iodide and i-PrMgCl (or arylMgCl and i-PrI). While the onset temperatures for all cases studied were generally well above the typical operating temperature for these reactions (0−10 °C), it is nonetheless important to cautiously evaluate these types of processes and install proper engineering controls for analogous decomposit...

In the presence of catalytic CuI and sparteine, 2-formylpyrroles can be annulated with o-aminoiodoarenes to give substituted pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines and related heterocycles. The reaction also works for annulation of 2-formylindoles, 2-formylimidazole, 2-formylbenzimidazole, and a 3-formylpyrazole.

A new method for the synthesis of 2-alkyl- and 2-phenyl-5-hydrazinopyridine has been developed. Nucleophilic addition on pyridine by alkyl or phenyl lithium reagents generated a 2-substituted dihydropyridine anion that reacts with di- t -butyl azodicarboxylate to form 2,5-disubstituted dihydropyridine. Conversion of the dihydropyridines to pyridines was achieved by a mild air oxidation.

Treatment of unprotected 5-amino-4-methylpyrimidine (2) with n-BuLi gave dianion 3. Direct condensation of the dianion with various carboxylic acid derivatives furnished a range of 2-substituted-4,6-diazaindoles in good yields in one step without the need for protecting groups or oxidation-state adjustment.

Primary and secondary (enolizable) carboxylic acids were converted in a single step to trifluoromethyl ketones. Treatment of the acid with 2.2 equiv of LDA generated an enediolate that was trifluoroacetylated with EtO(2)CCF(3). Quenching the reaction mixture with aqueous HCl resulted in rapid decarboxylation and provided the trifluoromethyl ketone product in good yield. The process may be performed at -20 degrees C with a slight reduction in yield. The reaction was extended to the preparation of pentafluoroethyl and chlorodifluoromethyl ketones.

A practical stereoselective synthesis is reported for an alpha-trifluoromethyl-alpha-alkyl epoxide (1), which is an important pharmaceutical intermediate. The key step involves a chiral auxiliary-controlled asymmetric trifluoromethylation reaction for the introduction of the unique trifluoromethyl-substituted tertiary alcohol stereogenic center in the target molecule. The fluoride-initiated CF3 addition to chiral keto ester 6a proceeded with a diastereoselectivity up to 86:14. The major diastereomer was readily obtained with a99.5:0.5 dr through a simple crystallization of the crude product mixture.

Dilithiation of 3-amino-4-picoline (1) was achieved with sec-BuLi at room temperature. Condensation of the resulting dianion (2) with carboxylic esters afforded a wide range of 2-substituted 6-azaindoles in good yields.

The development of a large scale synthesis of the glucocorticoid agonist BI 653048 BS H3PO4 (1·H3PO4) is presented. A key trifluoromethyl ketone intermediate 22 containing an N-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl amide was prepared by an enolization/bromine-magnesium exchange/electrophile trapping reaction. A nonselective propargylation of trifluoromethyl ketone 22 gave the desired diastereomer in 32% yield and with dr = 98:2 from a 1:1 diastereomeric mixture after crystallization. Subsequently, an asymmetric propargylation was developed which provided the desired diastereomer in 4:1 diastereoselectivity and 75% yield with dr = 99:1 after crystallization. The azaindole moiety was efficiently installed by a one-pot cross coupling/indolization reaction. An efficient deprotection of the 4-methoxyphenethyl group was developed using H3PO4/anisole to produce the anisole solvate of the API in high yield and purity. The final form, a phosphoric acid cocrystal, was produced in high yield and purity and with consistent control of particle size.

The development of zinc-mediated and -catalyzed asymmetric propargylations of trifluoromethyl ketones with a propargyl borolane and the N-isopropyl-l-proline ligand is presented. The methodology provided moderate to high stereoselectivity and was successfully applied on a multikilogram scale for the synthesis of the Glucocorticoid agonist BI 653048. A mechanism for the boron–zinc exchange with a propargyl borolane is proposed and supported by modeling at the density functional level of theory. A water acceleration effect on the zinc-catalyzed propargylation was discovered, which enabled a catalytic process to be achieved. Reaction progress analysis supports a predominately rate limiting exchange for the zinc-catalyzed propargylation. A catalytic amount of water is proposed to generate an intermediate that catalyzes the exchange, thereby facilitating the reaction with trifluoromethyl ketones.

[reaction: see text] The 5-bromopyridyl-2-magnesium chloride (2), which was not accessible previously, was efficiently synthesized for the first time via an iodo-magnesium exchange reaction with 5-bromo-2-iodopyridine (1). This reactive intermediate was allowed to react with a variety of electrophiles to afford a range of useful functionalized pyridine derivatives. Application of this methodology to 5-bromo-2-iodo-3-picoline provided a simple and economical synthesis of a key intermediate for the preparation of Lonafarnib, a potent anticancer agent.

(S)-3,3′-F2-BINOL has been synthesized for the first time and demonstrated as a highly active organocatalyst for asymmetric methallylation of ketones. Up to 98:2 enantioselectivity and 99% yield were obtained with 5 mol % catalyst loading. The catalyst (S)-3,3′-F2-BINOL could be easily recovered and reused.

A highly convergent large scale synthesis of a 15-membered macrocyclic hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor BI 201302 was achieved, in which the key features are the practical macrocyclization by Ru-catalyzed ring-closing metathesis (0.1 mol % Grela catalyst, 0.1–0.2 M concentration) and the efficient sulfone-mediated SNAr reaction.

A general and efficient zinc-alkoxide-catalyzed allylation of a diverse array of ketones with allyl boronates is presented. The methodology is effective with 2 mol % of catalyst and with relatively short reaction times. Studies of the key exchange process are presented, which support a cyclic transition state for the boron to zinc exchange.

A zinc-catalyzed diastereoselective propargylation of t-butanesulfinyl imines is presented. The methodology provided both aliphatic and aryl homopropargylic amines in up to 98:2 and 99.8:0.2 dr, respectively. The utility of the homopropargylic amines was demonstrated by the application to the synthesis of a cis-substituted pyrido-indole through a diastereoselective Pictet−Spengler cyclization.

A new method for the synthesis of 2-alkyl- and 2-phenyl-5-hydrazinopyridine has been developed. Nucleophilic addition on pyridine by alkyl or phenyl lithium reagents generated a 2-substituted dihydropyridine anion that reacts with di- t -butyl azodicarboxylate to form 2,5-disubstituted dihydropyridine. Conversion of the dihydropyridines to pyridines was achieved by a mild air oxidation.

The utility of propargyl diethanolamine boronates as reagents for the preparation of allenes and homopropargylic alcohols is presented. Protonolysis with TFA and electrophilic substitution with N-halosuccinimides proceeded with inversion to provide the corresponding allene in high yield and regioselectivity. Alternatively, the propargylation of aldehydes was achieved with use of the in situ generated lithiated complex.

The utility of allenyl and propargyl boronates for the propargylation of aldehydes and ketones mediated by zinc is presented. The reaction is catalytic in zinc with allenyl or propargyl borolanes. The propargylation with crystalline and air-stable propargyl diethanolamine boronates was also achieved. A catalytic cycle is proposed, and preliminary mechanistic studies are discussed.

Treatment of unprotected 5-amino-4-methylpyrimidine (2) with n-BuLi gave dianion 3. Direct condensation of the dianion with various carboxylic acid derivatives furnished a range of 2-substituted-4,6-diazaindoles in good yields in one step without the need for protecting groups or oxidation-state adjustment.

[157197-53-0] C11H20N2 (MW 180.29) InChI = 1S/C11H20N2/c1-10(2,3)12-7-8-13(9-12)11(4,5)6/h7-8H,1-6H3 InChIKey = FENRCIKTFREPGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N (catalyst for organic transformations, ligand for transition metal complexes, base or substrate for organometallic chemistry) Alternate Name: ItBu. Physical Data: white to yellow solid. Solubility: soluble in common organic solvents such as THF, DMF, methylene chloride, and acetonitrile. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: air- and moisture-sensitive in both solid state and solution. Handle and store under inert atmosphere. Refrigeration is recommended for storage. MSDS is available online from Strem Chemicals. Form Supplied in: commercially available as a solid. Analysis of Reagent Purity: 1H NMR and elemental analysis (C, H, N). Preparative Methods: it can be prepared1 under an inert atmosphere utilizing anhydrous, oxygen-free solvents. A mixture of ItBu-HCl and THF was treated with KOtBu at room temperature. The mixture was stirred for 0.5 h at room temperature and filtered through a pad of Celite, and solvents were removed under vacuum giving the crude product that could be further purified via recrystallization from cold hexane or sublimation.2

A mild and efficient synthesis of various 3-brominated azaindoles and diazaindoles was developed by regioselective halogenation of the parent systems. This practical and high-yielding transformation was achieved with copper(II) bromide in acetonitrile at room temperature.

Primary and secondary carboxylic acids were converted in one step to the corresponding trifluoromethyl ketones by treatment with trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA) and pyridine in toluene at 60–100 °C followed by hydrolysis/decarboxylation with water at 45 °C.

N-Heterocyclic carbenes were shown to be highly effective catalysts to promote Mukaiyama aldol reactions. In the presence of only 0.5 mol % of N-heterocyclic carbene (5), various aldehydes and 2,2,2-trifluoroacetophenone underwent Mukaiyama aldol reactions in THF with trimethylsilyl ketene acetal (2) at 23 degrees C as well as with trimethylsilyl enol ether (7) at 0 degrees C to afford aldol adducts in good yields. These conditions are extremely mild and operationally simple and tolerate various functional groups. [reaction: see text]

N-Heterocyclic carbenes were found to be highly effective organocatalysts in activating TMSCN for facile cyanosilylation of carbonyl compounds. Cyano transfer from TMSCN to aldehydes and ketones proceeds at room temperature in the presence of only 0.01-0.5 mol % of N-heterocyclic carbene (1), leading to a range of trimethylsilylated cyanohydrins in very good to excellent yields. These conditions are extremely mild and simple and tolerate various functional groups.

A mild and efficient synthesis of 3-halo-2-substituted-6-azaindoles was developed by regioselective halogenation of 6-azaindole systems. The transformation was achieved with copper(II) bromide in acetonitrile at room temperature.

[reaction: see text]. A novel N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyzed trifluoromethylation reaction of carbonyl compounds was discovered. Both enolizable and nonenolizable aldehydes and alpha-keto esters undergo facile trifluoromethylation with TMSCF3 at room temperature in the presence of only 0.5-1 mol % of the commercially available NHC (1), providing CF3-substituted alcohols in good yields. Selective trifluoromethylation of aldehydes over ketones can be achieved under NHC catalysis. These conditions are mild and simple and tolerate a variety of functional groups.

The highly enantio- and regioselective copper catalyzed asymmetric propargylation of aldehydes with a propargyl borolane reagent is reported. The methodology demonstrated broad functional group tolerance and provided high enantioselectivities for aliphatic, vinyl, and aryl aldehydes. The utility of the TMS homopropargylic alcohols was demonstrated by the facile conversion to a chiral dihydropyranone.