# Patent

## Title
Autocatalytic process for the synthesis of chiral propargylic alcohols

## Abstract

An autocatalytic process for the synthesis of chiral propargylic alcohols.

## Background
This application is the U.S. National Phase of, and Applicants claim priority from, International Application Number PCT/EP2010/002224 filed 9 Apr. 2010, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application bearing Ser. No. 61/167,920 filed 9 Apr. 2009 and European Patent Application No. 09005213.5 filed 9 April, 2009, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.


The invention is directed to an autocatalytic process for the preparation of chiral propargylic alcohols, which are key intermediates for the preparation of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals and as precursors for compounds in the materials sciences.
Jiang et al. disclosed in Tetrahedron Lett. 2002, 43, 8323-8325 and J. Org. Chem. 2002, 67, 9449-9451 the reaction of acetylene derivatives with aldehydes and ketones in the presence of equimolar amounts of a zinc(II) compound (Zn(II) compound) to give several racemic propargylic alcohols. Chiral compounds are not mentioned at all.
WO-A-95/20389, WO-A-96/37457, WO 98/30543 and WO 98/30540 disclose several processes for the production of chiral propargylic alcohols useful for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals. WO-A-98/51676 disclose a process wherein by addition of a first chiral and optionally a second additive in a zinc(II) mediated reaction the chiral product is obtained in high enantiomeric excess. The disadvantage of said process is the use of high amounts of expensive zinc catalysts and chiral compounds.
WO-A-2004/87628 further discloses facultative use of a chiral auxiliary in an equivalent molar amount in respect of the zinc(II) compound for the production of chiral propargylic alcohols mentioned above.
A main task for the present invention was therefore to supply an alternative process for the production of chiral propargylic alcohol with high enantiomeric excess. A further problem was to reduce the amounts of catalyst and other components to be added during the reaction in order to facilitate the workup procedures of the product and to promote industrial production.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The problem is solved by the process of claim 1. The inventive process comprises the addition of an initial amount of the chiral product to the reaction as a chiral mediator, which allows to reduce the amount of further chiral auxiliaries. Presence of the chiral product from the beginning of the reaction has the advantageous side effect that the amount of the zinc(II) catalyst can be reduced compared to processes known in the art. Furthermore, the addition of the compound of formula I allows to dispense with chiral auxiliaries, while still the chiral product is formed in high enantiomeric excess (ee).
Claimed is a process for the preparation of chiral compounds of the formula




or mirror image

wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-6-alkyl or (C1-6-alkoxy)carbonyl, any of said alkyl or alkoxy optionally is substituted with one or more halogen atoms, and

R2 is selected from the group consisting of aryl, aralkyl, C1-6-alkyl and (1′-R3)—C3-6-cyclo-alkyl wherein R3 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, any of said aryl, aralkyl or alkyl is optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, and

A is selected from the group consisting of C1-20-alkyl, C3-6-cycloalkyl, aryl and aralkyl, any of said cycloalkyl, aryl or aralkyl is optionally annellated to one or more further 5 to 7 membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings, and/or any of said alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or aralkyl is optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, cyano, C1-6-alkyl, C3-6-cycloalkyl, —NR4R5, —SR6 and/or —OR7, and wherein said C1-6-alkyl or C3-6-cycloalkyl substituent optionally attached to A is further optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, and wherein R4 and R5 independently are hydrogen or C1-6-alkyl, or

wherein R4 is hydrogen and R5 is C2-7-acyl or (C1-6-alkoxy)carbonyl, wherein any of said acyl and/or alkoxy in R5 optionally is substituted with one or more halogen atoms, or

wherein R4 and R5 together with the nitrogen atom form a 5 to 7 membered heterocyclic ring, or wherein R4 and R5 together are ═CH-aryl, the aryl moiety optionally being substituted with one or more halogen atoms, —NH2, —NH(C1-6-alkyl), —N(C1-6-alkyl)2 or C1-6-alkyl, or R4 and R5 together are ═CH—N(C1-6-alkyl)2, and wherein R6 is C1-6-alkyl, optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, and wherein R7 is hydrogen or C1-6-alkyl, optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, or

wherein A and R1 together form a 5 to 7 membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings, optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, cyano, C1-6-alkyl, C3-6-cycloalkyl, —NR4R5, —SR6 and/or —OR7, wherein R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are as defined above,

said process comprising the steps of

(i) preparing a mixture of a zinc(II) catalyst, an initial amount of the compound of formula I in a molar ratio to the zinc(II) catalyst from 0.1:1 to 2:1, and optionally a further chiral auxiliary in a molar ratio to the zinc(II) catalyst from 0.1:1 to 3:1, and

(ii) adding to said mixture

(a) a compound of formula





wherein A and R1 are as defined above,

(b) a base, and

(c) a compound of formula





wherein R2 is as defined above,

at a mixing temperature from −78 to 10° C., and

(iii) heating the mixture obtained in step (ii) to 10 to 50° C. until completion of the reaction, to obtain the compound of formula I.

Here and hereinbelow the term “alkyl” represents a linear or branched alkyl group. By using the form “C1-n-alkyl” the alkyl group is meant having 1 to n carbon atoms. C1-8-alkyl represents for example methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, as well as linear and branched pentyl, hexyl, heptyl and octyl.
Here and hereinbelow the term “alkoxy” represents a linear or branched alkoxy group. By using the form “C1-n-alkoxy” the alkyl group is meant having 1 to n carbon atoms.
C1-6-alkoxy represents for example methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, as well as linear and branched pentyloxy and hexyloxy.
Here and hereinbelow the term “cycloalkyl” represents a cycloaliphatic group having 3 carbon atoms or more. Cycloalkyl represents mono- and polycyclic ring systems such as cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, adamantyl or norbornyl.
Here and hereinbelow the term “aryl” represents an aromatic group, preferably phenyl or naphthyl.
Here and hereinbelow the term “aralkyl” represents a group having 7 or more carbon atoms, consisting of an alkyl and an aryl moiety, wherein the alkyl moiety of the aralkyl residue is a C1-8 alkyl group and the aryl moiety is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, naphthyl, furanyl, thienyl, benzo[b]furanyl, benzo[b]thienyl.
Regarding the addition of compounds in step (ii) the inventive process does not rely on a specific order of addition. In a preferred embodiment the compounds of formula II and the base are added simultaneously, either separately or as a mixture. The compound of formula II may also be added before or after the addition of compound formula III or both compounds may be added simultaneously, either separately or as a mixture. In the latter case preferably the compound of formula II is fed together with the base.
The process is designed to obtain the compound of formula I with an enantiomeric excess (ee) of at least 40%, preferably with an ee of at least 60%, more preferred of at least 80%, and even more preferred of at least 90%.
In a preferred embodiment the reaction is carried out in the presence of a proton source selected from the group consisting of C1-6-alcohols, phenols, benzyl alcohols, and linear or branched C2-5-alkanoic acids, each of said C1-6-alcohols, phenols and benzyl alcohols optionally being substituted with one or more halogen atoms, nitro, methyl or aryl groups, said C2-5-alkanoic acid optionally being substituted with one or more halogen atoms. Both the alcohol and the acid facilitate the proton exchange. Especially the addition of the acid is not intended to change the pH of the solution. The alcohol and the acid may be added at any time before completion of the reaction.
Preferably the zinc(II) catalyst is used in the process in a total molar ratio to the compound of formula II from 0.1:1 to 0.3:1. By using the product itself as the main chiral auxiliary the amount of the zinc(II) catalyst needed in the reaction can be reduced remarkably compared to processes known in the art. The compound of formula I mediates the catalytic process and although the zinc(II) catalyst and the compound of formula I form a zinc(II) complex with a certain stoichiometry it is not necessary to add the chiral compound of formula I and the zinc(II) catalyst in equimolar amounts. Preferably the amount of the initially added compound of formula I is higher than the amount of the zinc(II) catalyst.
Suitable zinc(II) catalysts are for example di(C1-4-alkyl)zinc, diphenylzinc, Zn(OTf)2 and ZnCl2, wherein the alkyl moieties are independently selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl and tert-butyl. OTf denotes a triflate (trifluoromethanesulfonate) group.
In a preferred embodiment the compound of formula I used as an auxiliary in step (i) is added in a molar ratio to the compound of formula III from 0.1:1 to 0.45:1. The compound of formula I and the zinc(II) catalyst are part of an chiral zinc(II) complex mediating an autocatalytic process. Autocatalysis in the present Zn(II) mediated autocatalytic process has the meaning that a chiral zinc(II) complex promotes the reaction in such a way, that the reaction may carried out in the absence of any further chiral auxiliary. Chiral compounds of formula I for use as initial amount may be obtained by production of racemic compounds and subsequent chiral resolution. Although said zinc(II) complex has a certain stoichiometry it is not necessary to add the chiral compound of formula I, or any optionally further auxiliary, and the zinc(II) catalyst in equimolar amounts.
In a preferred embodiment the compound of formula I used as an auxiliary in step (i) is added in a molar ratio to the compound of formula III from 0.1:1 to 0.45:1.
A chiral auxiliary may be used to increase the meditative effect of the compound of formula I to give the desired enantiomer of formula I. Preferably the auxiliary is selected from the group consisting of [R—(R,S)]-β-methyl-α-phenyl-1-pyrrolidineethanol ((1R,2S)-pyrrolidinylnorephedrine=(1R,2S)-PNE), N-methylephedrine, ephedrine, N,N-dibenzoylephedrine, norephedrine, diethyl tartate, (1R,2R)-pseudoephedrine, cinchonine, (1S,2S)—N-methylpseudoephedrine, 2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethanol, and N,N-dibutyl-2-amino-ethnol. (1R,2S)-PNE is a preferred auxiliary.
In a preferred embodiment in step (ii) the compound of formula II is used in a molar ratio to the compound of formula III from 0.8:1 to 3:1.
Addition of the compound of formula III can be carried out at a temperature from −78 to +30° C.
In a preferred embodiment the compounds of formula II are selected from the group consisting of p-methylbenzaldehyde, p-fluorobenzaldehyde, p-cyanobenzaldehyde, p-methoxybenzaldehyde, naphthalenealdehyde, cinnamaldehyde, C3-20-alkane aldehydes, cycloheane carbaldehyde, cyclohexyl methyl ketone, methyl 4-methylcyclohexyl ketone, 1,1,1-trifluoroacetophenone and 2-(trifluoroaceto)-4-chloro-anilin.
In a further preferred embodiment the base is added in a molar ratio to the compound of formula III from 0.5:1 to 3:1.
Addition of the base can be carried out at a temperature from −40 to +10° C. In a preferred embodiment the compounds of formula III are selected from the group consisting of C1-6-alkane acetylenes, cyclopropylacetylene, (1′-methyl)-cyclopropyl-acetylene and phenylacetylene.
A suitable base for the present process is a strong base such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, caesium hydroxide, sodium hydride, potassium hydride, trimethylamine, triethylamine, potassium trimethylsilanolate, lithium trimethylsilanolate, lithium tert-butoxylate, lithium 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxylate, butyllithium and hexyllithium.
Preferably the base is an organometallic compound or a lithium organic salt.
In a preferred embodiment such organometallic lithium compound is selected from the group consisting of phenyllithium and (C1-8-alkyl)lithium, such as methyllithium, ethyllithium, n-propyllithium, n-butyllithium (BuLi), n-hexyllithium (HexLi) or n-octyllithium.
In a further preferred embodiment the lithium organic salt is a lithium C1-6-alkoxide.
Expediently, an organometallic lithium compound or lithium organic salt is used in the presence of a Lewis base or a nitrogen ligand such as diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran (THF), tetramethylenediamine (TMEDA), N,N,N′,N′,N′′-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDTA), or a sparteine such as (−)-sparteine, to deaggregate the lithium compound.
During the addition of the base the reaction mixture is preferably kept at a temperature from −40 to +10° C.
The inventive process may be carried out with or without solvent. In a preferred embodiment the process is carried out in an aprotic polar, a non-polar solvent or a mixture of aprotic polar and/or non-polar solvents.
The solvents of agents added in solution may be selected independently of each other. Particularly preferred the solvent is selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofuran (THF), benzene, chlorobenzene, o-, m-, p-dichlorobenzene, dichloromethane, toluene, hexanes, cyclohexane, pentane, 1,4-dioxane, cyclohexane, diethyl ether, tert-butyl methyl ether, diisopropyl ether, N-methylpyrrolidine or a mixture thereof.
If a C1-6-alcohol is added as a proton source said C1-6-alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropyl alcohol, butanol, isobanol, sec-butanol, tert-butanol, pentanol, (CH3)3CCH2OH, (CH3)3CCH(CH3)OH, Cl3CCH2OH, CF3CH2OH, CH2═CHCH2OH, (CH3)2NCH2CH2OH. Examples for suitable benzyl alcohols and phenols are phenol, PhCH2OH, Ph3COH, 4-Cl-phenol and 4-NO2-phenol.
In a further preferred embodiment a C2-5-alkanoic acid added as a proton source is selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, prioponic acid, butyric acid, CF3CO2H, CH3CHClCOOH and (CH3)3CCO2H.


EXAMPLES
For calculation of the yield of the product, as well as for the calculation of the enantiomeric excess the product added in step (i) of the process is subtracted.
Comparison Example 1
Racemic 2,4-diphenyl-but-3-yn-2-ol
THF and toluene were purified by distillation and dried by passage over activated alumina under an argon atmosphere (H2O content <30 ppm, Karl Fischer titration). Solvents were degassed prior to use. Phenylacetylene was purified by transfer via neutral alumina prior to use. (1S,2R)-1-Phenyl-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)propan-1-ol ((1S,2R)-PNE, was prepared according to Organic Synthesis, 2000, 77, 12-21. Acetophenone was stirred over CaSO4 several hours prior to use. 2,4-Diphenyl-but-3-yn-2-ol (S-(1)) and its enantiomer R-(1) were obtained by preparative chiral resolution of the racemate.
Example 1
2,4-diphenyl-but-3-yn-2-ol (S-(1))
A solution of Et2Zn (0.24 eq, 0.48 mmol, 1.1 M in toluene) is dropwise added to a mixture of (1R,2S)—N-pyrrolidinylnorephedrine (1S,2R)-PNE, 123.2 mg, 0.3 eq, 0.6 mmol, in 0.5 mL THF) and chirally pure 2,4-diphenyl-but-3-yn-2-ol (S-(1)) (0.18 eq, 0.36 mmol, 80.02 mg) at 17° C. After 30 min of stirring at r.t. phenylacetylene (III) (1.5 eq, 3 mmol, 0.33 mL in 0.1 mL toluene) is added dropwise at 15° C. and the mixture is stirred for additional 1.5 h at r.t. Acetophenone (a compound of formula II) (1 eq, 2 mmol, 0.23 mL in 0.4 mL THF)) is added at 5° C. within 30 min by means of syringe pump, followed by 12 h addition of hexyllithuim (HexLi)(1 eq, 2.3 M in toluene, 0.87 mL) at −5° C. to 10° C. At the completion of base addition the reaction mixture is stirred 1 h at r.t., and then heated to 40° C. After 9 h of stirring at 40° C. the reaction is quenched with citric acid (pH=4 to 6), the aqueous phase is extracted with EtOAc (3 times), washed with brine, dried over MgSO4, concentrated and chromatographed on silica gel (hexane/EtOAc=15:1) to give the corresponding tertiary alcohol S-(1) or R-(1) for qualitative identification by NMR. Until completion of the reaction at certain reaction times, 0.5 mL aliquots are collected, each quenched by citric acid (pH=4 to 5), diluted by EtOAc, the organic phase is dried over MgSO4, transferred via silica gel, concentrated and diluted by Hex/iPrOH=95:5 (w/w). The enantiomeric excess of the residue is determined by HPLC analysis (Chiracel OD-H, 0.46 cm×25 cm; hexane:iPrOH=95:5 (w/w), flow=1 mL/min, retention time of the enantiomers: t=13.95 and 19.25 min). After 3 h 2,4-diphenyl-but-3-yn-2-ol (S-(1)) is obtained with 68% conversion (Con.), 76.6% selectivity (Sel.) and 62% enantiomeric excess (ee).
1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) d 7.76 (d, J=6.9 Hz, 2H), δ 7.5-7.3 (m, 8H) d 2.5 (s, 1H), d 1.88 (s, 3H);
13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) δ 145.5, 131.6, 128.4, 128.2, 128.1, 127.6, 124.9, 122.4, 92.3, 84.9, 70.4, 33.4.
Example 2
2,4-diphenyl-but-3-yn-2-ol (R-(1))
Example 1 is repeated except by adding 2,4-diphenyl-but-3-yn-2-ol (R-(1)) as the chiral compound of formula I. After 3 h 2,4-diphenyl-but-3-yn-2-ol (R-(1)) is obtained with 68.5% Con., 76.5% Sel. and 57.3% (ee), accordingly.
Example 3
Et2Zn (DEZ, 0.24 eq), 2,4-diphenyl-but-3-yn-2-ol (R-(1)) as chiral mediator (0.48 eq), phenylecetylene (a compound of formula III) (2.0 eq), acetophenone (a compound of formula II) (1.0 eq) and HexLi (1 eq) are reacted as described in example 1 wherein the base is added within 16 h and subsequently heating the mixture to 40° C. Toluene is added to prevent aldolization. The reaction yields 2,4-diphenyl-but-3-yn-2-ol (R-(1)): 3 h aliquot, 72.2% Con., 77.1% Sel. 44.7% ee; 5.5 h aliquot: 95.7% Con., 70.6% Sel., 48.6% ee. Almost no aldol is formed as a side product.
Example 4
Et2Zn (DEZ, 0.9 eq), 2,4-diphenyl-but-3-yn-2-ol (R-(1)) as chiral mediator (0.5 eq), phenylacetylene (a compound of formula III) (2.0 eq), acetophenone (a compound of formula II) (1.0 eq) and HexLi (1 eq) are reacted as described in example 1 wherein the base is added within 10 h and subsequently heating the mixture to r.t. The reaction yields 2,4-diphenyl-but-3-yn-2-ol (R-(1)): 8 h aliquot: 65% Con., 56.2% Sel. 62.3% ee.
Example 5
General procedure for the autocatalytic formation of (S)-5-chloro-α-(cyclopropylethynyl)-2-amino-α-(trifluoromethyl)benzenemethanol (SD573 or (S)-2):
A flask was charged with (1R,2S)—N-pyrrolidinylnorephedrine ((1S,2R)-PNE, 17.2% in THF/toluene at approx. 90:10 (w/w), 0.3 eq, 0.6 mmol, 0.7 mL), enantiomerically pure (S)-2 (0.18 eq, 0.36 mmol, 104.3 mg). A solution of Et2Zn (DEZ, 0.24 eq, 1.1 M in toluene, 0.48 mmol, 0.44 mL) was dropwise added at 17° C., followed by 30 min of stirring at r.t. Cyclopropylacetylene (70.4% in toluene, 2 eq, 4 mmol, 0.42 mL) was added dropwise at 15° C. and the mixture was stirred for additional 1.5 h at r.t. 2-Trifluoromethylcarbonyl-4-chloroaniline (SD570 (a ketoaniline of formula II), 40.4% in THF/toluene, 1 eq, 2 mmol) was added simultaneously with n-hexyllithium (HexLi, 0.9 eq, 2.3 M in hexane, 1.8 mmol, 0.78 mL) to the reaction mixture at 0° C. to 5° C. within 7 h, by means of two syringe pumps. At the completion of addition, reaction mixture was stirred for 2 h at r.t., and then heated to 40° C. After 2 h of stirring at 40° C. the reaction was quenched with citric acid (pH=4 to 6), the aqueous phase was extracted with EtOAc (×3), washed with brine, dried over MgSO4, concentrated and chromatographed on silica gel (Hexane/EtOAc=12:1, (w/w)) to afford tertiary alcohol (S)-2 as a yellowish powder in 87% yield and 90% ee determined by HPLC analysis (Hex/iso-PrOH=85:15, Chiralpack, AD-H, 0.46 cm, Ø×25 cm, flow=1 mL/min, λ=254 nm).
1H NMR (300 MHz, Tol-d8): δ 7.97 (d, J=2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.04 (dd, J=8.4, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.07 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 3.99 (brs, 2H), 3.6 (brs, 1H), 1.054-0.999 (m, 1H), 0.70-0.66 (m, 2H), 0.53-0.48 (m, 2H) ppm; 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3): δ 143.8, 130.5, 130.3, 126.1, 123.7, 122.3 (q), 120.68, 93.9, 74.8 (q), 70.5, 8.75, 8.7, −0.43 ppm; 19F NMR (282 MHz, Tol-d8): δ −78.92 ppm.
Example 6
General procedure for the autocatalytic synthesis of (S)—N-(4-chloro-2-(4-cyclopropyl-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-hydroxybut-3-yn-2-yl)phenyl)pivalamide((S)-6) or SD573) with an initial amount of the compound of formula I (SD573) added to the reaction mixture: A flask was charged with (1R,2S)—N-pyrrolidinylnorephedrine (1S,2R)-PNE, 17.2% in THF/toluene at approx. 90:10 (w/w), 0.18 eq, 0.18 mmol, 0.42 mL), enantiomerically pure (S)-6 (0.3 eq, 0.3 mmol, 112.14 mg) and 0.3 mL of THF. A solution of Et2Zn (DEZ, 0.24 eq, 1.5 M in toluene, 0.24 mmol, 0.32 mL) was dropwise added at 17° C., followed by 30 min of stirring at r.t. Cyclopropylacetylene (70.1% in toluene, 2 eq, 2 mmol, 0.23 mL) was added dropwise at 15° C. and the mixture was stirred for additional 1.5 h at r.t. SD570 (1 eq, 1 mmol, 307.2 mg) in 1 mL THF was added at 5° C. within 30 min, followed by n-hexyllithium (2.2 eq, 2.3 M in hexane, 2.2 mmol, 0.95 mL) to the reaction mixture at 0° C. to 5° C. within 9 h, by means of a syringe pump. At the completion of addition, reaction mixture was stirred for 2 h at r.t., and then heated to 40° C. After 2 h of stirring at 40° C. the reaction was quenched with citric acid (pH=4 to 6), the aqueous phase was extracted with EtOAc (×3), washed with brine, dried over MgSO4, concentrated and chromatographed on silica gel (Hexane/EtOAc=15:1) to afford tertiary alcohol (S)-6 as a yellowish powder in 49% yield and 94% ee (defined by Chiralpak AD-H, 0.46 cm, Ø×25 cm; hexane/iso-PrOH=95:5, flow=1 ml/min, λ=254 nm).
1H NMR (300 MHz, Tol-d8): δ 10.07 (s, 1H), 8.84 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H), 8.17 (d, J=2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.19 (m, 1H), 5.45 (s, 1H), 1.38 (s, 9H), 1.04-0.98 (m, 1H), 0.7-0.66 m, 0.53-0.51 (m, 2H) ppm; 13C NMR (75 MHz, Tol-d8): δ 177, 138.0, 137.7, 130.8, 128.6, 134.34 (q), 124.72, 124.55, 94.9, 76.95 (q), 70.7, 40.39, 27.63, 8.73, 8.66, −0.3 ppm; 19F NMR (282 MHz, Tol-d8): δ −78.8 ppm; [α]D22: +5.3 (c 0.09, CDCl3).

## Claims

1. A process for the preparation of a compound of formula



or mirror image
wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-6-alkyl and (C1-6-alkoxy) carbonyl, any alkyl or alkoxy optionally being substituted with one or more halogen atoms,
R2 is selected from the group consisting of aryl, aralkyl, C1-6-alkyl and (1′—R3)—C3-6-cycloalkyl wherein R3 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, any of said aryl, aralkyl, alkyl is optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, and
A is selected from the group consisting of C1-20-alkyl, C3-6-cycloalkyl, aryl and aralkyl, any of said cycloalkyl, aryl and aralkyl is optionally annellated to one or more further 5 to 7 membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings, and/or any of said alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl and aralkyl is optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, cyano, C1-6-alkyl, C3-6-cycloalkyl, —NR4R5, —SR6 and/or —OR7, and wherein said alkyl and cycloalkyl substituent attached to A is optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, and wherein R4 and R5 independently are hydrogen or C1-6-alkyl, or wherein R4 is hydrogen and R5 is C2-7-acyl or (C1-6-alkoxy)carbonyl, wherein each acyl and alkoxy in R5 is optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, or wherein R4 and R5 together with the nitrogen atom form a 5 to 7 membered heterocyclic ring, or wherein R4 and R5 together are ═CH-aryl, the aryl moiety optionally being substituted with one or more halogen atoms, —NH2, —NH(C1-6-alkyl), —N(C1-6-alkyl)2 or C1-6-alkyl, or R4 and R5 together are ═CH—N(C1-6-alkyl)2, and wherein R6 is C1-6-alkyl, optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, and wherein R7 is hydrogen or C1-6-alkyl, optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, or
wherein A and R1 together form a 5 to 7 membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings, optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, cyano, C1-6-alkyl, C3-6-cycloalkyl, —NR4R5, —SR6 and/or —OR7, wherein R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are as defined above,
said process comprising the steps of
(i) preparing a mixture of a zinc(II) catalyst, an initial amount of the compound of formula I in a molar ratio to the zinc(II) catalyst from 0.1:1 to 2:1, and optionally a further chiral auxiliary in a molar ratio to the zinc(II) catalyst of 0.1:1 to 3:1, and
(ii) adding to said mixture
(a) a compound of formula






wherein A and R1 are as defined above, and
(b) a base, and
(c) a compound of formula






wherein R2 is as defined above,

at a temperature from −78 to 30° C., and
(iii) heating the mixture obtained in step (ii) to 10 to 50° C. until completion of the reaction,
to obtain the compound of formula I.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the process is carried out in the presence of a proton source selected from the group consisting of C1-6-alcohols, benzyl alcohols, phenols and linear or branched C2-5-alkanoic acids, each of said C1-6-alcohols, phenols and benzyl alcohols optionally being substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, nitro, methyl and aryl groups, and said C2-5-alkanoic acid optionally being substituted with one or more halogen atoms.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the zinc(II) catalyst is used in a molar ratio to the compound of formula III from 0.1:1 to 0.3:1.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein the zinc(II) catalyst is selected from the group consisting of di(C1-4-alkyl)zinc, diphenylzinc, Zn(OTf)2 and ZnCl2, wherein the alkyl moieties are independently selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl and tert-butyl.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein in step (i) the product of formula I is added in a molar ratio to the compound of formula III from 0.1:1 to 0.45:1.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein in step (ii) the compound of formula II is used in a molar ratio to the compound of formula III from 0.8:1 to 3:1.

7. The process of claim 1, wherein the base is added in a molar ratio to the compound of formula III from 0.5:1 to 3:1.

8. The process of claim 1, wherein the base is an organometallic compound or a lithium organic salt.

9. The process of claim 8, wherein the organometallic compound is selected from the group consisting of phenyllithium and (C1-8-alkyl) lithium.

10. The process of claim 8, wherein the lithium organic salt is a lithium C1-6-alkoxide.

11. The process of claim 1, wherein the temperature during the addition of the base is of from −40 to +10° C.

12. The process of claim 1, wherein the reaction is carried out in a non-polar or an aprotic polar or a mixture of aprotic polar and/or non-polar solvents.