PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF ARYLGLYCIDYL ETHERS AND 3-SUBSTITUTED 1-ALKYLAMINO-2-PROPANOLS

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a pharmaceutically active compound in a stereospecific form of the formula R₁-O-CH₂-CHOH-CH₂-NH-R₂ (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, like an acid addition salt, and/or a compound in a stereospecific form of the formula wherein R₁ is an optionally substituted aryl group including a phenyl or naphthyl group optionally included in a heterocyclic ring system, which is optionally substituted, or is a heteroaromatic 5 or 6 membered ring containing in addition to carbon atoms, one or more atoms selected from nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen, this ring being optionally substituted, and wherein R₂ is an alkyl group of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, this alkyl group being optionally substituted, which comprises subjecting a compound of the formula R₁-O-CH₂-CH=CH₂ (III) to the action of a micro-organism having the ability for stereoselective epoxidation of compound (III) into compound (II), having at least 80% by weight the S configuration, at least partly separating compound (II) and/or reacting compound (II) with a C₂-C₆ alkylamine group optionally substituted and at least partly separating compound (I) and/or converting compound (I) into the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Description: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a pharmaceutically active compound in a stereospecific form of the formula R₁-O-CH₂-CHOH-CH₂-NH-R₂ (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, like an acid addition salt, and/or a compound in a stereospecific form of the formula wherein R₁ is an optionally substituted aryl group including a phenyl or naphthyl group optionally included in a heterocyclic ring system, which is optionally substituted, or is a heteroaromatic 5 or 6 membered ring containing in addition to carbon atoms, one or more atoms selected from nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen, this ring being optionally substituted, and wherein R₂ is an alkyl group of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, this alkyl group being optionally substituted, which comprises subjecting a compound of the formula R₁-O-CH₂-CH=CH₂ (III) to the action of a micro-organism having the ability for stereoselective epoxidation of compound (III) into compound (II), having at least 80% by weight the S configuration, at least partly separating compound (II) and/or reacting compound (II) with a C₂-C₆ alkylamine group optionally substituted and at least partly separating compound (I) and/or converting compound (I) into the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. It is commonly known that a lot of biologically active compounds exist as a mixture of stereoisomers. Most frequently these mixtures are used as such in agricultural and pharmaceutical applications. The major reason is that the separation costs still exceed the potential advantage of increase in activity. Usually the required biological activity resides in one stereoisomer so that at best the potency of the mixture is reduced to half. However it is apparent that modern pharmacologists are becoming increasingly aware of other implications of administering mixtures wherein one or more stereoisomers are regarded as an impurity that may not have the desired therapeutic effect but may well have other unwanted physiological effects including toxicity. Some examples are cited to illustrate the association of biological activity with single stereoisomers. Within the pharmaceutical area most of the beta-adrenergic blocking agents are sold as mixtures although the activity resides in one stereoisomer. In one instance a drug known as labetalol has a combined alpha-adrenergic blocking and beta-adrenergic blocking action that has been shown to be attributed to two separate pairs of isomers from the mixture of four. N. Toda et al. reported in J.Pharmacol.Exp.Ther. 207 (1978) 311 that (-)-metoprolol is 270 to 380 times more potent than (+)-metoprolol in attenuating the response of rabbit atria and tracheal muscles to isoproterenol (a beta-adrenoreceptor stimulant). Current routes to single stereoisomer beta-blockers generally involve chemical resolutions or rather lengthy chemical syntheses from stereomeric precursors which are for example described in US patent 4,408,063 and in J.Org.Chem. 41 (1976) 3121 by L.M. Weinstok et al.. Thus, these described processes to prepare analogously the S enantiomer (optically active stereoisomer) of metoprolol are not economically advantageous in industrial applications. Therefore an object of the present invention is to provide an efficient process for the preparation of such stereoisomers which may be carried out on an industrial scale in an economically attractive way. The ability of micro-organisms to convert stereospecifically short-chain alkenes (C₁-C₄) into their corresponding epoxyalkanes in a gas/solid or in a two-liquid phase bio-reactor is demonstrated by J. Tramper et al. (3rd European Congress on Biotechnology, München, 10-14 September 1984). Another example of the microbiological preparation of epoxyalkanes is disclosed in the U.S. patent 4,106,986 describing the conversion of straight-chain 1-alkenes (C₁-C₂₀) into 1,2-epoxyalkanes. In the European patent application 0099609 examples are given of the conversion of propane and 1-octene into their corresponding epoxyalkanes. However, the conversion of substituted alkenes, such as an ether compound (III), can in no way be deduced from these known processes, which are only applicable to straight or sometimes branched alkenes. As a result of extensive research and experimentation an improved synthesis has now surprisingly been found for the preparation of particularly the S enantiomer of compound (I) and the S enantiomer of compound (II), starting from a compound (III), using bacteria being active for the epoxidation of compound (III) to produce compound (II) which is showing at least 80 % by weight the S configuration, whereafter at least partly compound (II) is separated and/or said compound (II) is reacted with an alkylamine to produce said compound (I). More specifically the present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a pharmaceutically active compound in a stereospecific form of the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, like an acid addition salt, and/or a compound in a stereospecific form of formula (II), wherein R₁ is an optionally substituted aryl group including a phenyl or naphthyl group optionally included in a heterocyclic ring system, which is optionally substituted, or is a heteroaromatic 5 or 6 membered ring containing in addition to carbon, one or more atoms selected from nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen, this ring being optionally substituted, and wherein R₂ is an alkyl group of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, this alkyl group being optionally substituted, which comprises subjecting a compound of the formula (III) to the action of a micro-organism having the ability for stereoselective epoxidation of compound (III) into compound (II), having at least 80% by weight the S configuration, at least partly separating compound (II) and/or reacting compound (II) with a C₂-C₆ alkylamine group optionally substituted and at least partly separating compound (I) and/or converting compound (I) into the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Preferably the alkylamine is isopropylamine or tertiary butylamine. More preferably R₁ is a 2-tolyl, 3-tolyl, 2,3-dimethylphenyl, 2-chloro-5-methylphenyl, 2-allylphenyl, 2-allyloxyphenyl, 2-cyclopropylphenyl, 2-cyclohexylphenyl, 2-cyclopentylphenyl, 2-cyanophenyl, 2-methoxyphenyl, 2-methylthiophenyl, 2-(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)-methoxyphenyl, 4-acetamidophenyl, 4-carbazolyl, 4-carbamoylmethylphenyl, 4-[2-(methylformylamino)-ethyl]phenyl, 2-acetyl-4-butyramidophenyl, 1-naphthyl, phenyl, 4-(3-cyclohexylureido)-phenyl, 5,6-dihydro-1-naphthyl, 5,8-dihydro-1-naphthyl, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5-oxo-1-naphthyl, 5,8-ethano-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1-naphthyl, 2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl, 1H-inden-4-yl, 1H-inden-7-yl, 1H-indol-4-yl, 5-methyl-8-coumarinyl, 8-thiochromanyl, 4-morpholino-1,2,5-thiadiozol-3-yl, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-cis 6,7-dihydroxy-1-naphthyl, 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl, 4-(2-methoxyethoxy)-phenyl, (2-acetyl)-benzofuran-7-yl, 2,5-dichlorophenyl, 2-(2-propenyloxy)-phenyl, 3,4-dihydrocarbostyril-5-yl, 2-acetyl-4-(3,3-diethylureido)-phenyl, 4-[2-(cyclopropylmethoxy)-ethyl]-phenyl, 2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl, (4-acetoxy-2,3,5-trimethyl)-phenyl, 2-phenoxyphenyl, 2-thiazolyloxy, 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethylchroman-6-yl, 2-(N-beta-hydroxyethylcarbamoylmethoxy)-phenyl or 2-(N-methylcarbamoylmethoxy)-phenyl group. Preferably the processes of the present invention are carried out, starting with a compound (III) wherein R₁ represents 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl, 2-allyloxyphenyl, 4-carbamoylmethylphenyl, 1-naphthyl, phenyl and more preferably with a compound wherein R1 represents 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl. In a preferred embodiment, the process is carried out in such a way by selecting micro-organisms that at least 90% by weight of the S configuration is formed. With the term suitable micro-organisms is meant for example bacteria belonging to the genera Rhodococcus, Mycobacterium, Nocardia and Pseudomonas. The micro-organisms are optionally immobilized with polymer gel. The micro-organisms for the epoxidation of 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylallyl ether include cultures of species Nocardia corallina (an example of this species is deposited in the ATCC under the accession number of 31338), species Rhodococcus sp. (an example of this species is deposited in the NCIB under the accession number of 11277), species Mycobacterium rhodochrous (an example of this species is deposited in the NCIB under the accession number of 9703), species Rhodococcus equi (an example of this species is deposited in the NCIB under the accession number of 12035), species Pseudomonas aeruginosa (an example of this species is deposited in the NCIB under the accession number 12036), species Pseudomonas oleovorans (an example of this species is deposited in the ATCC under the accession number of 29347), species Pseudomonas putida (an example of this species is deposited in the NCIB under the accession number of 9571) and species Pseudomonas aeruginosa (an example of this species is deposited in the NCIB under the accession number of 8704). The micro-organisms for the epoxidation of phenylallyl ether include a culture of the species Mycobacterium WM1 (an example of this species is deposited in the NCIB under the accession number of 11626). The micro-organisms for the epoxidation of 4-allyloxy-phenylacetamide include a culture of the species Pseudomonas oleovorans (an example of this species is deposited in the ATCC under the accession number of 29347). In practising the preferred embodiment of the process of the present invention, a micro-organism having the ability to convert 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylallyl ether into 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether having at least 90% by weight the S configuration, has to be selected from the above-mentioned microorganisms, to be cultured for 0.5 to 10 days, whereafter the bacterial cells have to be collected from the culture solution, the cells are suspended in a liquid nutrient medium and 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylallyl ether is subjected to the action of the cells. The microorganisms used in the present invention showing the epoxidation activity, have to be cultured for about 0.5 to 10 days, whereafter the cells are suspended in a liquid nutrient medium, preferably a minimal liquid nutrient medium, and compound (III) is subjected to the action of the cells. After the abovementioned cultivation for about 0.5 to 10 days the cells may be isolated from the culturing medium before suspending the cells in the minimal liquid nutrient medium. To grow the micro-organisms used for the stereo selective epoxidation of compound (III), ordinary culture mediums containing an assimilable carbon source (for example glucose, lactate, hydrocarbons like tetradecane (C₁₄), etc.), a nitrogen source (for example ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium chloride, etc.), with an agent for an organic nutrient source (for example yeast extract, malt extract, peptone, meat extract, etc.) and an inorganic nutrient source (for example phosphate, magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron and other metals in trace amounts) may be used. Optionally an inducer (for example diethoxymethane) is added to the culture medium. A temperature between 0 and 45°C and a pH between 3.5 and 9 is maintained during the growth of the micro-organisms. Preferably the micro-organisms are grown at a temperature between 20 and 37°C and at a pH between 5 and 8. The aerobic conditions required during the growth of the micro-organisms can be provided according to any of the well-established procedures, provided that the supply of oxygen is sufficient to meet the metabolic requirement of the micro-organisms. This is most conveniently achieved by supplying a gaseous oxygen, preferably in the form of air. During the conversion of compound (III) into compound (II) the micro-organisms might be in a growing stage using an abovementioned ordinary culture medium. The microorganisms may be supplemented with a cosubstrate. Preferably during the conversion of compound (III) into compound (II), the micro-organisms can be held in a substantially non-growing stage using a minimal culture medium. As minimal culture medium, an ordinary culture medium may be used containing an assimilable carbon source when required (for example glucose, lactate, hydrocarbons like tetradecane (C₁₄), etc.), a nitrogen source when required (for example ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium chloride, etc.), with an agent for an organic nutrient source when required (for example yeast extract, malt extract, peptone, meat extract etc.) and an inorganic nutrient source when required (for example phosphate, magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron and other metals in trace amounts). The micro-organisms can be kept in the non-growing stage for example under exclusion of the assimilable carbon source or under exclusion of the nitrogen source. A temperature between 0 and 45°C and a pH between 3.5 and 9 is maintained during this stage. Preferably the micro-organisms are kept at a temperature between 20 and 37°C and a pH between 5 and 8. The aerobic conditions required during this stage can be provided according to the abovementioned procedures, provided that the supply of oxygen is sufficient to meet the metabolic requirement of the micro-organisms but also to convert compound (III) into compound (II). The compound (II) produced by the micro-organisms as mentioned above, can be recovered and purified according to any of the well established procedures. produced according to the present invention can be converted into (+)-R₁-O-CH₂-CHOH-CH₂-NH-R₂, (-)-R₁-O-CH₂-CHOH-CH₂-NH-R₂, or mixtures thereof, respectively by the chemical reaction with isopropylamine or tertiary-butylamine. An example of the reaction to form beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agents with the absolute (S)-configuration from aryl glycidyl ethers with the absolute (S)-configuration is described in the German patent application 2453324. Especially mixtures with a predominant amount of the compound (-)-R₁-O-CH₂-CHOH-CH₂-NH-R₂ can be advantageously used in pharmaceutical products. Preferably those compounds having at least 80% and more preferably at least 90% by weight the S configuration can be used in pharmaceutical products. Compounds of the formula R₁-O-CH₂-CHOH-CH₂-NH-R₂ include compounds having a beta-adrenergic receptor blocking property, for example Tolamolol, Toliprolol, D-32, Bupranolol, Alprenolol, Oxprenolol, Procinolol, Exaprolol, Penbutolol, Bunitrolol, Moprolol, Triprenolol, Bufetolol, Practolol, Carazolol, Atenolol, Acebutolol, Propranolol, Pamatolol, Talinolol, Idropranolol, Dropranolol, Bunolol, K 4423, USVC 6524, Indenolol, Pindolol, Bucumolol, S 2395, Timolol, Nadolol, Metoprolol, H 87/07, Cloranolol, Pargolol, Carteolol, Celiprolol, Betaxolol, Mepindolol, Metipranolol, PHQA 33, Tazolol and Cromipranol or a pharmaceutical acceptable salt thereof, like an acid addition salt. Examples for pharmaceutically acceptable salts are: Metoprolol tartrate prepared from Metropolol and L-tartaric acid and 1-isopropylamino-3-phenoxy-2-propanol.­ hydrochloride prepared from 1-isopropylamino-3-phenoxy-2-propanol and hydrochloride. Preferably those beta-adrenergic receptor blocking compounds are produced according to the present invention which are formed to at least 80% and more preferably at least 90% in the S configuration. The optical purity as will be mentioned in the specification is represented as percent enantiomeric excess: S-R/S+R. The present invention will be futher described with reference to Examples in conjunction with the accompanying Figures, without restricting the scope of the present invention to these Examples. Brief description of the Figures. Figure 1 shows the partial pmr spectra of (+) and (±)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyglycidyl ether in the presence of europium shift reagent A: (±) or (+)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether without shift reagent B: (±)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether with Eu(hfc)3; Ratio Eu(hfc)3 / (±-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether = 0.10 C: (+)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether with Eu(hfc)3; Ratio Eu(hfc)3 / (+)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether = 0.12 Figure 2 shows the pmr spectrum of (-)-metoprolol. Figure 3 shows the mass spectrum determined by C.1.(CH₄) of (-)-metoprolol. Figure 4 shows the batch production of phenylglycidyl ether by Mycobacterium WM1 in a two-phase system (2.25 litre scale) (750 ml cells (6.9 g/l dry wt) + 1500 ml iso-octane containing 2.5% phenylallyl ether). Figure 5 shows the pmr spectrum of (-)-1-isopropylamino-3-phenoxy-2-propanol. Figure 6 shows the C.I. (CH₄) spectrum of (-)-1-isopropyl-amino-3-phenoxy-2-propanol. EXAMPLE 1 Transformation of 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylallyl ether into (+)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether by Rhodococcus equi NCIB 12035 Approximately half the biomass from a 72 h culture of Rhodococcus equi NCIB 12035, grown at 30°C on tetradecane (1 ml) in ASM mineral salts medium (100 ml), containing yeast extract (0.02%) was transferred to a conical flask (250 ml capacity) containing ASM (50 ml) yeast extract (to 0.02%), tetradecane (0.15 ml), octane (1 ml), Tween 80-(0.05 ml) and 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylallyl ether (0.05 ml). The contents were incubated at 30°C on an orbital shaker and samples were extracted into methylene chloride prior to analysis by gas chromatography on a Varian 3700. (Column: 3%OVI on WHP 100-120, 50 cm x 2 mm i.d., 100°C-200°C at 10°C/min, N₂ at 30 cc/min). ASM contains NH₄Cl (0.535 g/l), KH₂PO₄ (0.531 g/l), Na₂HPO₄ (0.866 g/l), K₂SO₄ (0.174 g/l), MgSO₄.7H₂O (0.037 g/l), CaCl₂.2H₂O (0.00735 g/l), TK₃ trace elements (1.0 ml/l), and FeSO₄.7H₂O (1.0 ml of a 0.1 M solution/l). TK₃ contains ZnSO₄.7H₂O (0.288 g/l), MnSO₄.4H₂O (0.224 g/l), H₃BO₃ (0.0618 g/l), CuSO₄.5H₂O (0.1248 g/l), Na₂MoO₄.2H₂O (0.0484 g/l), CoCl₂.6H₂O (0.0476 g/l), KI (0.083 g/l), 1 M H₂SO₄ (1 ml/l) at pH 7.0. The product, (+)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether, appeared after 48h incubation and increased until 96h when the level of epoxide was approximately 15% of the remaining 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylallyl ether. In order to accumulate sufficient quantities of (+)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether, the culture broth from 10 x 50 ml and 5 x 500 ml incubations (conditions as described above) was extracted with methylene chloride (350 ml). The extract was dried over Na₂SO₄, the solvent evaporated, and the epoxide purified on silica gel using a hexane/ether gradient (epoxide eluted with 30% ether) to give (+)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether (353 mg) having |α| = +8.11° (c = 0.95, ethanol). Optical purity of (+)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether was investigated using pmr in the presence of europium shift reagent Eu(hfc)3 (see Figure 1). On addition of the shift reagent, the envelope of signals from each of the geminal protons (labelled (a) and (b)) in the chemically synthesised (±)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether (Figure 1A) shifted downfield and each was split into two envelopes of signals of equal intensity (Figure 1B, (a) + (b)). However, under the same conditions, only one envelope of signals was detectable from each of the geminal protons in the microbially produced (+)4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether (Figure 1C, (a) + (b)). Thus, the optical purity of the (+)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether obtained by microbial epoxidation was determined to be 100%, within the experimental error of the pmr measurements. EXAMPLE II Conversion of (+)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether into (-)-metoprolol. A solution of (+)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether (290 mg. see example I) in dried ethanol (6.2 ml) containing isopropylamine (1.84 ml) was heated under reflux for 3 hours after which the solvents were removed by evaporation. The resulting oil was dissolved in methylene chloride (10 ml) and extracted into 0.2N HCl (10ml) which was then washed with methylene chloride (2 x 10 ml). The acid layer was made basic with 2N NaOH (3 ml) and the product extraced into methylene chloride (10 ml). The methylene chloride extract was dried over Na₂SO₄ and the solvent evaporated to give a sticky solid. The product was recrystallized from hexane to give (-)-metopropol (260 mg), showing |α| = -5.46° (c= 1.01, ethanol) and m.p. 42-45°C. (±)-Metoprolol m.p. 49-51°C, prepared chemically, was, as expected optically inactive. The pmr and mass spectra of (-)-metoprolol (Figures 2-3) and (±)-metoprolol, (not shown), were consistent with the required structure, and were indistinguishable from the pmr spectrum of (±)-metoprolol (m.p. 48.5-50.5°C) extracted from a commercial sample of metoprolol tartrate. Optical purity of the (-)-metoprolol was determined by separation of its S -leucyl diastereomeric amide derivatives on a reverse phase HPLC column (Lichrosorb RP8 (10µm), 25 cm x 1/4" o.d., 4.9 mm i.d., mobile phase: 40% acetonitrile in 0.1 M Na phosphate buffer pH 3.0 at 2.5 ml/min., U.V. detection). Derivatization was achieved by reacting metoprolol with the symmetrical anhydride of tertiary-butoxycarbonyl-S-leucine (BOC-S-leucine) followed by removal of the BOC group with trifluoracetic acid, as described by J. Hermansson and C.J. Von Bahr in J. Chrom., 227 , 113 (1982). Analysis of a sample derived from the (±)-metoprolol resulted in two peaks of equal intensity, as expected for a racemate. The sample derived from the (-)-metoprolol gave two peaks with intensity ratio 97.7 : 2.3, equivalent to an optical purity of 95.4%. EXAMPLE III Transformation of 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylallyl ether into (+)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl glycidyl ether by Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIB 12036 followed by its transformation into (-)-metropolol A suspension of Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIB 12036 was prepared by resuspending cells (which had been grown in an ASM mineral salts medium containing 0.75% Na lactate and 0.05% diethoxymethane for 24 h at 30°C) in ASM to a volume equal to one tenth of the original culture volume. Cell suspension (1100 ml) was incubated with 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylallyl ether (3.3 g) at 30°C., 220 rpm. After 24 h, the reaction mixture was extracted with methylene chloride (500 ml), the extract dried over Na₂SO₄, and the solvent evaporated to give an oil (2.67 g). Purification on silica gel (as in Example I) gave (+)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether (930 mg) with |α| = +8.21° (c = 0.943, ethanol). Optical purity, as measured by pmr in the presence of europium shift reagent Eu(hfc)3 (as in Example I), was determined to be 100% within the experimental error of the pmr measurements. (+)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether (694 mg) was used (method as in Example II) to prepare (-)-metoprolol (579 mg) m.p. 44-46°C with |α| = -5.49° (c = 1.02, ethanol). Optical purity was determined to be 98% (method as in Example II). The mother liquor was crystallised giving (-)-metoprolol (113 mg) with an optical purity of 96%. EXAMPLE IV Transformation of 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylallyl ether into (+)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl glycidyl ether by Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIB 8704 followed by its transformation into (-)-metoprolol Cell suspension (200 ml) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIB 8704, (preparation as described in Example III) was incubated with 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylallyl ether (2 g) at 30°C for 24 h after which the suspension was extracted and purified (as in Example III) to give (+)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether (91 mg). Optical purity of the epoxide, measured by pmr in the presence of europium shift reagent Eu(hfc)3 (as in Example I) was determined to be 100% within the errors of the pmr measurements. (+)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether (76 mg) was used (method as in Example II) to prepare (-)-metoprolol (55 mg), m.p. 42-45°C, |α| = -4.93° (c = 0.944, ethanol), with an optical purity of 98.8% as determined by HPLC of its S-leucyl diastereomeric derivatives (as in Example II). Evaporation of the mother liquor yielded (-)-metoprolol (17 mg) of 95.2% optical purity. EXAMPLE V Transformation of 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylallyl ether into (+)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether by Pseudomonas putida NCIB 9571 followed by its transformation into (-)-metoprolol Cell suspension (200 ml) of Pseudomonas putida NCIB 9571 (preparation as in Example III) was incubated with 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylallyl ether (1 g) at 30°C for 24 hr, after which it was extracted into methylene chloride and purified (as in Example III) to give (+)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether (324 mg) with |α| = + 6.42° (c = 0.88, ethanol). Optical purity as measured by pmr in the presence of europium shift reagent Eu(hfc)3 (as in Example I) was 100% within the experimental errors of the pmr measurements. (+)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether (214 mg) was condensed with isopropylamine (as in Example II) to yield (-)-Metoprolol (146 mg) m.p. 44-46°C with |α| = -5.00° (c = 1.01, ethanol). Optical purity (method as in Example II) was determined to be 98%. Evaporation of the mother liquor yielded (-)-metoprolol (9 mg) of 97.5% optical purity. EXAMPLE VI Transformation of 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylallyl ether into (+)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether by Pseudomonas oleovorans ATCC 29347 followed by its transformation into (-)-metoprolol Cell suspension (200 ml) of Pseudomonas oleovorans ATCC 29347 (preparation as in Example III) was incubated with 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylallyl ether (2 g) at 30°C for 5 h. Extraction into methylene choride and purification on silica gel (as in Example I) yielded (+)-4-(2-methoxy-ethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether (289 mg) with |α| = +8.02° (c = 1.16, ethanol). Optical purity, as measured by pmr in the presence of europium shift reagent Eu(hfc)3 (as in Example I) was determined to be 100% within the experimental errors of the pmr measurements. (+)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether (171 mg) was reacted with isopropylamine (method as in Example II) to give (-)-metoprolol (154 mg) m.p. 44-45°C with |α| = -5.27° (c = 0.967, ethanol). Optical purity was determined to be 98.4% based of HPLC of the S-leucyl diastereomeric derivatives (as in Example II). Evaporation of the mother liquor gave (-)-metoprolol (6 mg) of 92.2% optical purity. EXAMPLE VII Microbial transformation of 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylallyl ether into (+)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether Mineral salts medium (50 ml) containing Tween 80 (0.05 ml), tetradecane (0.05 ml) and 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylallyl ether (0.05 ml) was inoculated with either Nocardia corallina ATCC 31338, Rhodococcus sp. NCIB 11277 or Mycobacterium rhodochrous NCIB 9703 (all pregrown for 72 h on 0.5% tetradecane), then incubated at 30°C. Samples were taken at 24 h and 96 h extracted into methylene chloride and analysed by gas chromatography (GC). In each case, peaks corresponding to 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether were detected with conversions as follows: Mycobacterium rhodochrous 2% after 24 h; Rhodococcus sp. 1% after 96 h and Nocardia corallina 5% after 96 h. Further confirmation of the structure was obtained when the contents of a scaled up experiment using Nocardia corallina (500 ml culture, conditions as above) were extracted into methylene chloride followed by purification on silica gel and pmr analysis. The pmr europium shift spectra of the 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether suggested an optical purity of 100%, and were identical to the europium pmr spectra of (+)-4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether obtained from Rhodococcus equi . EXAMPLE VIII Transformation of phenylallyl ether into (+)-phenylglycidyl ether by Mycobacterium NCIB 11626 followed by its transformation into (-)-isopropylamino-3-phenoxy-2-propanol Continuous culture conditions: culture volume 2.7 litres, medium: AM2 (containing (NH₄)₂SO₄ (1.45 g/l), H₃PO₄ (1.0 g/l), MgSO₄.7H₂O (0.099 g/l), CaCl₂.2H₂O (0.015 g/l), TK₃ trace elements solution (2 ml/l), 0.1 M FeSO₄.7H₂O (1 ml/l). Carbon source: ethylene at 25 ml/min, air at 300 ml/min, stirrer speed: 280 rpm, temperature 28°C, pH 6.8, dilution rate: 0.02 h⁻¹ (µmax = ca. 0.03 h⁻¹). These conditions supported a biomass level of ca. 3.2 g/l dry weight. Cells were generally concentrated before use (by centrifugation followed by resuspension in spent medium). Phenylglycidyl ether was analysed by GC (column and conditions as in previous Examples except temperature programme was 50°C-100°C at 10°C/min. A 2.25 litre batch two-phase system was used to produce phenylglycidyl ether. The transformation was carried out in a fermenter containing 750 ml cell suspension (6.9 g/l dry weight) and 1500 ml iso-octane containing 2.5% v/v phenylallyl ether (Figure 4). The epoxide was produced at a rate of 193 µmol/h/g dry weight (0.03 g/h/g dry weight) and was isolated after 10 h by chromatography on silica gel then purified by distillation to give (+)-phenylglycidyl ether 750 mg). The pmr spectra and mass spectra of (+)-phenylglycidyl ether produced microbially were consistent with the required structure and identical to those of (±)-phenylglycidyl ether prepared chemically by the reaction of phenylallyl ether with m-chloroperbenzoic acid. The (+)-phenylglycidyl ether gave a specific rotation of |α| = +11.38° (c = 1.09, ethanol). Optical purity was investigated using pmr in the presence of europium shift reagent Eu(hfc)3, the same as in Example I. On addition of the shift reagent, the envelope of signals from each of the geminal protons in the chemically synthesised (±)-phenylglycidyl ether shifted downfield and were each split into two envelopes of signals of equal intensity, whereas the envelope of signals from the geminal protons in microbially produced (+)-phenylglycidyl ether were split in the ratio 6.7 : 1. This result indicates that 87% of the molecules are in one enantiomeric form, which implies an optical purity of 74%. Analysis of a mixture of epoxides from microbial and chemical sources gave signal ratios which confirmed that 90% of the (+)-phenylglycidyl ether was in one enantiomeric form, equivalent to an optical purity of 80%. Further confirmation of the optical purity of the (+)-phenylglycidyl ether was established following its conversion into (-)-1-isopropylamino-3-phenoxy-2-propanol. (+)-phenylglycidyl ether (300 mg) was reacted with isopropylamine (as in Example II) to give (-)-1-isopropylamino-3-phenoxy-2-propanol (125 mg) with |α| = -6.51° (c = 0.984, ethanol), m.p. 42-44°C. (±)-1-Isopropyl-amino-3-phenoxy-2-propanol was similarly synthesised from (±)-phenylglycidyl ether. The pmr and mass spectra of (-)-1-isopropylamino-3-phenoxy-2-propanol (Figures 5-6) and (±)-1-isopropylamino-3-phenoxy-2-propanol (not shown) were consistent with the required structure. Optical purity was measured by HPLC of the corresponding S-leucyl diastereomeric derivatives (as in Example II) and determined to be 80%. EXAMPLE IX Transformation of 4-allyloxy-phenylacetamide into (+)-4-(2,3-epoxypropyloxy)-phenylacetamide by Pseudomonas oleovorans ATCC 29347 followed by its transformation into (-)-1-p-carbamoylmethylphenoxy-3-isopropylamino-2-propanol ( (-)- Atenonol) A suspension of Pseudomonas oleovorans ATCC 29347 was prepared by resuspending cells (which had been grown in PSX mineral salts medium, pH 7, containing 0.75% sodium lactate and 0.05 % diethoxymethane for 24 hours at 30°C) in PSX, pH 7.5, to a volume equal to one tenth of the original culture volume. PSX contains: KH₂PO₄ (8.92 g/l), Na₂HPO₄ (2.94 g/l), (NH₄)₂ HPO₄ (1.0 g/l), (NH₄)₂SO₄ (0.2 g/l) KCl (0.2 g/l), Na₃citrate (0.294 g/l), CaSO₄.2H₂O (0.005 g.l), MgSO₄.7H₂O (0.2 g/l), and PS II trace elements solution (10 ml/l). (PS II trace elements solution contains: (NH₄)₂SO₄.FeSO₄.6H₂O (0.25 g/l), ZnSO₄.7H₂O (0.05 g/l), MnCl₂.4H₂O (0.03 g/l), CuSO₄.5H₂O (0.015 g/l), CoCl₂.6H₂O (0.015 g/l), H₃BO₄ (0.005 g/l), Na₂MoO₄.2H₂O (0.0055 g/l), KI (0.01 g/l), HCl to pH 3). Cell suspension (1100 ml) was incubated with 4-allyloxy-phenylacetamide (3.2 g) added as a 10% ball-milled suspension in water (containing 5% Tween-80), in eleven 2.5 litre conical flasks on an orbital shaker at 30°C. After 72 hours, the incubation mixture was extracted with methylene chloride (1000 ml), the solvent was dried and evaporated, after which the residue was recrystallized from acetone to give 2.27 g white crystalline material whose composition was 90% 4-allyloxy-phenylacetamide and 10% 4-(2,3-epoxypropyloxy)-phenylacetamide as determined by HPLC (column: Lichrosorb RP8 (10 µm) 25 cm x 1/4"o.d., 4.9 mm i.d., mobile phase 40% acetonitrile in water at 2 ml/min, UV. detection). The crystallized extract, containing approximately 230 mg (4-(2,3-epoxy-propyloxy)-phenylacetamide, was dissolved in dry ethanol (40 ml), then heated under reflux with isopropylamine (2.5 ml) for 5 hours, after which the excess solvent was evaporated. The residu was dissolved in methylene chloride (50 ml) and extracted with 3 x 50 ml 0.2N HCl. The acid layers were combined, washed with methylene chloride, then made basic with 5N NaOH. The white precipitate which was formed, was extracted into methylene chloride (3 x 100 ml), the extract was dried over Na₂SO₄, then the solvent was evaporated to give a white solid which was recrystallized from hexane/ethyl acetate giving (-)-Atenolol (76 mg) |α| = -3.9° (c=1. 01, EtOH), m.p. 146°-148°C, ¹H NMR (CHCl₃) 360 MHz spectrum : delta 1.1 (d, 6H, CH₃ ), delta 1.5-2.5 broad (s, 2H, NH , OH ), delta 2.82 (m, 1H, NH CH ), delta 2.75/2.95 (m, 2H, CH ₂NH), delta 3.53 (s, 2H, CO- CH ₂), delta 3.98 (m, 3H, -O- CH ₂- CH -), delta 5.35 broad (s, 2H, NH ₂), delta 6.9 (d, 2H, para substituted aromatic), delta 7.2 (d, 2H, para substituted aromatic). Chemical ionization (NH₃) mass spectrum gave a molecular ion (M+H)⁺ m/e 267, indicating a molecular weight of 266, consistent with the expected mass. The pmr and mass spectra were identical to those of (±)-Atenolol prepared chemically. Optical purity of the (-)-Atenolol was determined by separation of its di-benzoyl-tartaric acid monoester diastereomeric derivatives on a reverse phase HPLC column (Lichrosorb RP8 (10 µm) 25 cm x 1/4" o.d., 4.9 mm i.d., mobile phase 2% acetic acid (to pH 3.7 with NH₃) 50 : 50 methanol at 1.5 ml/min.). Derivatization was achieved by reacting (±)- or (-)-Atenolol with (R,R)-O,O-dibenzoyltartaric anhydride as described by W. Linder et al in J. Chrom. 316, p. 605-616 (1984). Analysis of a sample derived from (±)-Atenolol resulted in the formation of two diastereomer peaks of near equal intensity, whereas the sample derived from the (-)-Atenolol resulted in the formation of two peaks with intensity ratio 1.5 : 98.5, equivalent to an optical purity of 97.0%. EXAMPLE X Transformation of 4-allyloxy-phenylacetamide into 4-(2,3-epoxypropyloxy)-phenylacetamide by Pseudomonas oleovorans ATCC 29347 A suspension of Pseudomonas oleovorans ATCC 29347 was prepared by resuspending cells (which had been grown for 24 hours at 30°C in PSX mineral salts medium, pH 7, containing 0.75 % glycerol plus 0.05% diethoxymethane) in PSX, pH 7.5, to a volume equal to one tenth of the original culture volume. Cell suspension (10 ml, 12.6 g/l dry wt.) was incubated at 30°C with 0.5 ml of a 90 mg/ml ball-milled and sonicated suspension of 4-allyloxy-phenyl-acetamide (which also contained 50 mg/ml tween 80 ) in a 250 ml stoppered conical flask on an orbital incubator. Samples (1 ml) were extracted into methylene chloride (2 ml), the solvent was evaporated, then the residue was redissolved in dimethylformamide prior to analysis by HPLC (conditions as for analysis of 4-(2,3-epoxypropyloxy)-phenylacetamide in example IX). The level of 4-(2,3-epoxypropyloxy)-pheny-acetamide in the incubation mixture reached 0.9 g/l and 1.3 g/l after 3 hours and 24 hours respectively. Example XI Transformation of 4-allyloxy-phenylacetamide into 4-(2,3-epoxypropyloxy)-phenylacetamide by Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIB 12036, Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIB 8704 and Pseudomonas putida NCIB 9571. Cell suspensions of Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIB 12036, Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIB 8704 and Pseudomonas putida NCIB 9571 were prepared by resuspending cells (which had been grown in PSX mineral salts medium, pH 7, containing 0.75 % sodiumlactate and 0.05 % diethoxymethane for 24 hours at 30°C) in PSX, pH 7.5, to a volume equal to one tenth of the original culture volume. Cell suspension (10 ml) was incubated with 0.5 ml of a 10% ball-milled aqueous suspension of 4-allyloxy-phenylacetamide (which also contained 5% tween 80) at 30°C in stoppered 250 ml conical flasks on an orbital incubator. After 24 hours the incubation mixtures were extracted into methylene chloride and found to contain 4-(2,3-epoxypropyloxy)-phenyl-acetamide at concentrations as follows: Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIB 12036, 0.07 g/l; Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIB 8704, 0.08 g/l; Pseudomonas putida NCIB 9571, 0.19 g/l (analysis by HPLC as in previous examples). Example XII Transformation of 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylallyl ether into 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether by Pseudomonas oleovorans ATCC 29347. A suspension of Pseudomonas oleovorans ATCC 29347 was prepared by resuspending cells (which had been grown to stationary phase in PSX mineral salts medium, pH 7, containing 0.75 % glycerol and 0.05 % diethoxymethane, at 30°C) in PSX, pH 7.5, to a volume equal to one tenth of the original culture volume. Cell suspension (10 ml, dry wt. 12.6 g/l, contained in a 250 ml conical flask) was incubated with 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylallyl ether (250 µl) and glucose (50 mg) at 37°C on an orbital shaker. Formation of 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether was monitored by gas chromatography after extraction into methylene chloride (conditions as described in previous examples). The level of 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenylglycidyl ether in the incubation mixture was 7.30 g/l after six hours.

Claims: 1. A process for the preparation of a pharmaceutically active compound in a stereospecific form of the formula R₁-O-CH₂-CHOH-CH₂-NH-R₂ (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, like an acid addition salt, and/or a compound in a stereospecific form of the formula wherein R₁ is an optionally substituted aryl group including a phenyl or naphthyl group optionally included in a heterocyclic ring system, which is optionally substituted, or is a heteroaromatic 5 or 6 membered ring containing in addition to carbon atoms, one or more atoms selected from nitrogen, sulphur and oxygen, this ring being optionally substituted and wherein R₂ is an alkyl group of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, this alkyl group being optionally substituted, which comprises subjecting a compound of the formula R₁-O-CH₂-CH=CH₂ (III) to the action of a micro-organism having the ability for stereoselective epoxidation of compound (III) into compound (II), having at least 80% by weight the S configuration, at least partly separating compound (II) and/or reacting compound (II) with a C₂-C₆ alkylamine group optionally substituted and at least partly separating compound (I) and/or converting compound (I) into the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 2. A process according to claim 1, wherein isopropylamine or tertiary-butylamine is used. 3. A process according to claims 1-2, wherein R₁ is a 2-tolyl, 3-tolyl, 2,3-dimethylphenyl, 2-chloro-5-methylphenyl, 2-allylphenyl, 2-allyloxyphenyl, 2-cyclopropylphenyl, 2-cyclohexylphenyl, 2-cyclopentylphenyl, 2-cyanophenyl, 2-methoxyphenyl, 2-methylthiophenyl, 2-(tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)-methoxyphenyl, 4-acetamidophenyl, 4-carbozolyl, 4-carbamoylmethylphenyl, 4-[2-(methylformylamino)-ethyl]phenyl, 2-acetyl-4-butyramidophenyl, 1-naphthyl, phenyl, 4-(3-cyclohexylureido)-phenyl, 5,6-dihydro-1-naphthyl, 5,8-dihydro-1-naphthyl, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5-oxo-1-naphthyl, 5,8-ethano-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1-naphthyl, 2,3,-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl, 1H-inden-4-yl, 1H-inden-7-yl, 1H-indol-4-yl, 5-methyl-8-coumarinyl, 8-thiochromanyl, 4-morpholino-1,2,5-thiadiozol-3-yl, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-cis 6,7-dihydroxy-1-naphthyl, 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl, 4-(2-methoxyethoxy)-phenyl, (2-acetyl)-benzofuran-7-yl, 2,5-dichlorophenyl, 2-(2-propenyloxy)-phenyl, 3,4-dihydrocarbostyril-5-yl, 2-acetyl-4-(3,3-diethylureido)-phenyl, 4-[2-(cyclopropylmethoxy)-ethyl]-phenyl, 2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl, (4-acetoxy-2,3,5-trimethyl)-phenyl, 2-phenoxy-phenyl, 2-thiazolyloxy, 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethylchroman-6-yl, 2-(N-beta-hydroxyethylcarbamoylmethoxy)-phenyl or 2-(N-methylcarbamoylmethoxy)-phenyl group. 4. A process according to claims 1-3, wherein R₁ is a 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl, 2-allyloxyphenyl, 4-carbamoylmethylphenyl, 1-naphthyl or phenyl group. 5. A process according to claims 1-4 wherein R₁ is a 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl group. 6. A process according to claims 1-4 wherein R₁ is a 4-carbamoylmethylphenyl group. 7. A process according to claims 1-4 wherein R₁ is a phenylgroup. 8. A process according to claims 1-7, wherein said micro-organism is able to convert a compound (III) into a compound (II) having at least 90% by weight the S configuration. 9. A process according to claims 1-8, wherein said micro-organisms is a bacterium belonging to the genus Rhodococcus, the genus Mycobacterium, the genus Nocardia or the genus Pseudomonas. 10. A process according to claim 9, wherein said bacterium is of the genus Rhodococcus. 11. A process according to claim 9, wherein said bacterium is of the genus Mycobacterium. 12. A process according to claim 9, wherein said bacterium is of the genus Nocardia. 13. A process according to claim 9, wherein said bacterium is of the genus Pseudomonas. 14. A process according to any of the preceding claims wherein said bacterium is immobilized with polymer gel. 15. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein R₁ is a 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl group and R₂ is an isopropyl group and the micro-organism used is Nocardia corallina, preferably Nocardia corallina ATCC 31338. 16. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein R₁ is a 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl group and R₂ is an isopropyl group and the micro-organism used is Rhodococcus sp., preferably Rhodococcus sp. NCIB 11277. 17. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein R₁ is a 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl group and R₂ is an isopropyl group and the micro-organism used is Mycobacterium rhodochrous, preferably Mycobacterium rhodochrous NCIB 9703. 18. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein R₁ is a 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl group and R₂ is an isopropyl group and the micro-organism used is Rhodococcus equi, preferably Rhodococcus equi NCIB 12035. 19. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein R₁ is a 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl group and R₂ is an isopropyl group and the micro-organism used is Pseudomonas aeruginosa), preferably Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIB 12036. 20. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein R₁ is a 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl group and R₂ is an isopropyl group and the micro-organism used is Pseudomonas oleovorans, preferably Pseudomonas oleovorans ATCC 29347. 21. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein R₁ is a 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl group and R₂ is an isopropyl group and the micro-organism used is Pseudomonas putida, preferably Pseudomonas putida NCIB 9571. 22. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein R₁ is a 4-(2-methoxyethyl)-phenyl group and R₂ is an isopropyl group and the micro-organism used is Pseudomonas aeruginosa, preferably Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIB 8704. 23. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein R₁ is a phenyl group and R₂ is an isopropyl group and the micro-organism used is Mycobacterium WM1, preferably Mycobacterium WM1 NCIB 11626. 24. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein R₁ is a 4-carbamoylmethylphenyl group and R₂ is an isopropyl group and the micro-organism used is Pseudomonas oleovorans, preferably Pseudomonas oleovorans ATCC 29347. 25. A process for producing a compound (I) which comprises reacting a compound (II) produced according to claims 1-7, with isopropylamine or tertiary-butylamine. 26. A compound (I) and/or a compound (II) when produced by the process according to any preceding claim. 27. A compound according to claim 26 having at least 80% by weight the S configuration. 28. A compound according to claims 26-27 having at least 90% by weight the S configuration. 29. A pharmaceutical product containing at least one compound according to claims 26-28. 30. A process according to claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the Examples.

Inventors: BERTOLA, MAURO ATTILIO, KOGER, HEIN SIMON, MARX, ARTHUR FRIEDRICH, PHILLIPS, GARETH THOMAS, ROBERTSON, BRIAN WILLIAM, WATTS, PETER DOUGLAS
Applicants: GIST-BROCADES N.V., SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ B.V.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: C07D303
IPC codes: C12P17, C07D303, C07D301