2,6-BIS(CHLOROMETHYLOXYCARBONYLOXYMETHYL)PYRIDINE

Abstract: This invention relates to 2,6-bis(chloromethyloxy­ carbonyloxymethyl)pyridine of the formula (I) as well as to a process for the preparation of this compound, which is a useful intermediate in the preparation of the anti-atherosclerotic 2,6-­ bis(hydroxymethyl)pyridine bis(N-methylcarbamate) (pyridinolcarbamate) and other drugs.

Description: This invention relates to the compound 2,6-bis(chloromethyloxy-carbonyloxymethyl)pyridine of formula (I) and to a process for the preparation of this compound. The compound of formula (I) is an important intermediate for the preparation of 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyridine bis(N-methylcarbamate) (generic name: pyridinolcarbamate). Pyridinolcarbamate is a known drug with a useful anti-atherosclerotic and anti-inflammatory action. EP-A-233571 gives one process for its preparation, and CH-A-484134 discloses the preparation of some other 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl) pyridine derivatives. However, pyridinolcarbamate can also be prepared from the compound of formula (I) by reaction with methylamine by a process e.g. as described below in Example 2. The presence of an alcoholic, e.g. methanolic solvent and the use of lower temperatures, such as below 10°C are preferred. The novel compound of formula (I) is also a useful intermediate for the preparation of other drugs, particularly of carbamate esters. Some chloromethyl carbonate derivatives are described in Chemical Abstracts 76 (1972), 72344g. According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a compound of formula 2,6-bis(chloromethyloxy-carbonyloxy-methyl)pyridine of formula I According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for the preparation of the compound of formula (I), which comprises reacting 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyridine of formula (II) with chloromethyl chloroformate, optionally in the presence of a further base. The reaction between the compound of formula II and chloromethyl chloroformate is preferably effected in a polar, aprotic, water-immiscible organic solvent, and at a temperature below 10°C. 2,6-Bis(hydroxymethyl)pyridine of the formula (II) may be prepared according to the literature, as described e.g. in the Japanese patent specification No. 68-14,222. Chloromethyl chloroformate may be prepared as described e.g. in the published German patent application No. 3,241,568. Examples of suitable solvents include: acetonitrile; dimethylformamide; dioxan; tetrahydrofuran; ethyl acetate; ethers; and aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene or toluene. Halogenated hydrocarbons such as chloroform or dichloromethane are preferred. Examples of suitable bases include organic bases such as: triethylamine; trimethylamine; N-methylmorpholine and pyridine. The use of pyridine is preferred. The reaction of the compound of the formula (II) with chloromethyl chloroformate is preferably carried out at a temperature of between -30°C and +10°C, most preferably at about -5°C. The molar ratio of the compound of formula II: chloromethyl chloroformate: base used is preferably within the range 1:(2.1 to 2.6):(2:1 to 2.6). One preferred form of the process will now be described in detail: The chloromethyl chloroformate is dissolved in the desired solvent, preferably in chloroform, and a solution containing an organic base, preferably pyridine, is added at a temperature below 10°C, preferably at about -5°C, whilst stirring. The suspension obtained is stirred for about 20 minutes while care is taken to avoid any increase in the temperature. 2,6-Bis(hydroxymethyl)pyridine of the formula (II) is then added to the above mixture at the same temperature at such a rate that the temperature reaches at most -5°C. The suspension is stirred for about 20 minutes to give a brown solution. After washing this solution with water and evaporating off the solvent, a practically pure product with 95 to 97% of 2,6-bis(chloromethyloxy-carbonyloxymethyl)pyridine content is obtained. The product obtained after washing with water and removing the solvent can be used without any purification or, if desired, may be further purified by chromatography on a silica gel column or other adsorbent, e.g. on a synthetic resin. The physical constants of the product may be determined by using gas chromatography on a 3% OV-210 column at 210°C. The following Examples illustrate the invention further: Example 1 Preparation of 2,6-bis(chloromethyloxy-carbonyloxymethyl)pyridine To a solution containing 13.0 g (0.1 mole) of chloromethyl chloroformate in 40 ml of chloroform, 8 ml (0.1 mole) of pyridine dissolved in 40 ml of chloroform are added at -5°C at such a rate that the temperature is maintained at -5°C or below. A suspension is formed which gradually thickens. When all the pyridine has been added, the reaction mixture is stirred at about -5°C for 15 minutes, then 5.6 g (0.04 mole) of 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyridine are added to the mixture at the same temperature in several portions at such a rate that the temperature does not increase. During the addition, the mixture becomes thinner and after stirring for about 20 minutes, a brown solution is obtained. 120 ml of water are then added to the mixture under vigorous stirring. The aqueous phase is separated from the organic phase and extracted twice with 40 ml of chloroform each. The cholorformic phases are combined, washed with 20 ml of water and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulphate. After filtration, the solvent is evaporated off and any remaining solvent is removed under vacuum. Thus, 12.2 g of a honey-like oil with a characteristic mildly sharp odour are obtained which contains more than 96% of 2,6-bis(chloromethyloxycarbonyloxymethyl)pyridine according to the chromatographic measurements. The yield is 98% as calculated for 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyridine. Analysis : Cl calculated at 21.39% Cl found 21.19% IR (cm⁻¹): C=O 1765, C-O-C 1250; C-Cl 723; aromatic skeleton 1600, 1582; Ar-H def. 790. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃δ, ppm): 5.3 (s, Ar-CH₂-O) 5.74 (s, Cl-CH₂-O); 7.2-7.9 (m, Ar-H). Example 2 Preparation of 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyridine bis(N-methylcarbamate) 3.15 ml of methanolic methylamine solution (containing 33.6% by weight, i.e. 0.024 moles, of methylamine) are added to a solution of 1.3 g (0.004 moles) of 2,6-bis(chloromethyloxy-carbonyloxymethyl)-pyridine (prepared as described in Example 1) at about 0°C whilst cooling at such a rate that the temperature is maintained at 10°C or lower. A crystalline product precipitates out. 5 ml of water are then added to the mixture which is then cooled to 2 to 5°C. The precipitate is separated by filtration and dried to give 0.97 g of the title compound, m.p.: 132-135°C. The yield is 97% as calculated for 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)-pyridine. The 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyridine bis(N-methylcarbamate) content of the product is 98% based on the spectrophotometric determination.

Claims: Claims for the following Contracting States : BE, CH, DE, FR, GB, GR, IT, LI, NL, SE 2,6-bis(chloromethyloxy-carbonyloxy-methyl)-pyridlne of the formula (I) A process for the preparation of 2,6-bis(chloromethyloxy-carbonyloxy-methyl)pyridine of the formula (I) which comprises reacting 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)-pyridine of the formula (II) with chloromethyl chloroformate, optionally in the presence of a further base. A process as claimed in claim 2 wherein the reaction is effected in a polar, aprotic, water-immiscible organic solvent. A process as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 which comprises using a halogenated hydrocarbon as solvent. A process as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the molar ratio of the compound of formula II: chloromethyl chloroformate: base used is 1:(2.1 to 2.6):(2.1 to 2.6). A process as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5 which comprises using pyridine as the base. A process as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6 which comprises carrying out the reaction at a temperature of between -30°C and +10°C. A process as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7 which comprises carrying out the reaction at about -5°C. The use of the compound of formula (I) as claimed in claim 1 in the preparation of 2,6-bis-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine carbamate esters. A process for the preparation of 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyridine bis(N-methylcarbamate) which comprises reacting the compound of formula (I) as defined in claim 1 with methylamine. Claims for the following Contracting States : AT, ES A process for the preparation of 2,6-bis(chloromethyloxy-carbonyloxy-methyl)pyridine of the formula (I) which comprises reacting 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)-pyridine of the formula (II) with chloromethyl chloroformate, optionally in the presence of a further base. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reaction is effected in a polar, aprotic, water-immiscible organic solvent. A process as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 which comprises using a halogenated hydrocarbon as solvent. A process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the molar ratio of the compound of formula II: chloromethyl chloroformate: base used is 1:(2.1 to 2.6):(2.1 to 2.6). A process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 which comprises using pyridine as the base. A process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 which comprises carrying out the reaction at a temperature of between -30°C and +10°C. A process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 which comprises carrying out the reaction at about -5°C. The use of the compound of formula (I) as defined in claim 1 in the preparation of 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyridine carbamate esters. A process for the preparation of 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyridine bis(N-methylcarbamate) which comprises reacting the compound of formula (I) as defined in claim 1 with methylamine.

Inventors: CSUTORAS, LASZLO, FRANCSICS, ERZSEBET, NEE CZINEGE, GOEROEG, SANDOR, HAVASI, GABOR, HOLLY, SANDOR, KOVATSITS, MATE, LOSONCZI, BELA, SZABO, GABOR, TOTH, JOZSEF, TRISCHLER, FERENC, Csutorás, Lászlo, Francsics, Erzsébet, née Czinege, Görög, Sándor, Havasi, Gábor, Holly, Sándor, Kovatsits, Máté, Losonczi, Béla, Szabo, Gábor
Applicants: RICHTER GEDEON VEGYESZETI GYAR R.T.
Application year: 1987
Main classification: C07D213
IPC codes: A61K31, C07D213, A61P9, A61P29