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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.

A convenient and high-yielding method for the synthesis of trans-(dioxo)-azabicyclo-[3.1.0]-hexane carboxylate, a key intermediate of complex molecules, is presented using a flow cyclopropanation process. From a detailed kinetic study, it is demonstrated that the reaction concentration, addition time of reagents, and initial mixing temperature are the critical parameters to minimize formation of byproducts and to get high reaction yield. Using a modular tubular flow reactor, the trans/cis-(dioxo)-azabicyclo-[3.1.0]-hexane carboxylate was obtained in 92% yield and isomerized under basic conditions to produce the trans-isomer in greater than 99% diastereomeric excess. Using this approach, the reaction yield was significantly increased compared to the batch process, and the robustness and reproducibility of this flow process was demonstrated for the synthesis of this key intermediate on a multikilogram scale.