Alfa-fluorocarboxylic acid derivatives as intermediates for the preparation of fungicides

Abstract: Certain fluoroalkanoic acids and derivatives, including 2-fluoroisobutyric acid and 2-fluoroisobutyryl chloride, useful as intermediates for fungicides, and methods of preparing them.

Description: This invention relates to fluoroalkanoic acids and derivatives thereof, which are useful intermediates in the preparation of fungicides, and to methods of preparing them. Certain fluoroalkanoic acids and derivatives are described in, for example, Chemical Abstracts (CA 77(9):61234r, CA 83(1):10242h, CA 107(25):236013k, and CA 112(23):216382e) and in J. Org. Chem 1986, 51 (7), 1003-6, EP-A-0411153, Can. J. Chem 1965, 43 (6), 1700-13, Can. J. Chem 1971, 49 (16), 2681-7, and Bull. Soc. Chim. Fr. 1967(10), 3904-9. In US Patent No. 4030994 there is described the fluorination of isobutyric acid which is reported as giving a mixture of some isobutyric acid, 2-fluoroisobutyric acid and 3-fluoroisobutyric acid. According to the present invention there is provided a compound of the formula (I): wherein: (a) R¹ and R² are both methyl and R is Cl, C₃₋₈ alkoxy or OH, the compound in which R is OH having a purity of 80% or more; or, (b) R¹ and R² are both ethyl and R is Cl or C₃₋₈ alkoxy; or, (c) R¹ is methyl, R² is ethyl and R is Cl, OH or C₃₋₈ alkoxy; or, (d) R is OH, Cl, C₁₋₈ alkoxy or optionally substituted benzyloxy; R¹ is methyl, ethyl or CH₂F; and R² is n - or iso -propyl or CHFR³ wherein R³ is methyl or ethyl; or, (e) R is OH, Cl, C₂₋₈ alkoxy or optionally substituted benzyloxy; R¹ is methyl, ethyl or CH₂F; and R² is CHFR³ wherein R³ is H; or, (f) R is C₁ alkoxy; R¹ is ethyl or CH₂F; and R² is CHFR³ wherein R³ is H; or, (g) R is OH, Cl, C₂₋₈ alkoxy or optionally substituted benzyloxy; R¹ is CF₃, R² is C(R⁴)(R⁵)R⁶ wherein R⁴ is H, methyl or ethyl, R⁵ is H, F, Br, methyl or ethyl and R⁶ is H or F; or, (h) R is methoxy, R¹ is CF₃ and R² is C(R⁴)(R⁵)R⁶ wherein R⁴ is H, methyl or ethyl, R⁵ is F, Br, methyl or ethyl and R⁶ is H or F; wherein optionally substituted benzyloxy is unsubstituted benzyloxy, or benzyloxy wherein the benzyl in which the phenyl ring is substituted with one or more of halogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy. C₁₋₈ Alkoxy and C₃₋₈ alkoxy mean alkoxy groups containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, respectively, which can be in the form of straight or branched chains. Examples are methoxy, ethoxy, n -propyloxy, n -butoxy, tert -butoxy, n -hexyloxy and n -octyloxy. The compounds of the invention are useful intermediates in the preparation of fungicidal compounds of the type described in EP-A-0381330. In one aspect of the invention there are provided compounds of the formula (I) wherein R is OH or Cl; R¹ is methyl, CF₃ or CH₂F, and, when R¹ is methyl or CH₂F, R² is ethyl, n or iso -propyl, allyl, propargyl or CHFR³ wherein R³ is H, methyl or ethyl, and, when R¹ is CF₃, R² is the group C(R⁴)(R⁵)R⁶ wherein R⁴ is H, methyl or ethyl, R⁵ is H, F, Br, methyl or ethyl and R⁶ is H or F. In another aspect of the invention there are provided compounds of the formula (I) wherein R is OH; R¹ is methyl or CF₃; and, when R¹ is methyl, R² is ethyl, n -propyl or CH₂F, and, when R¹ is CF₃, R² is methyl, CH₂F or CHFCH₃. In yet another aspect of the invention, there are provided 2-fluoroisobutyric acid having a purity of 80% or more, and its acid chloride derivative, 2-fluoroisobutyryl chloride. These compounds have the respective formulae (II) and (III), and are particularly useful for the preparation of fungicides described in UK Applications Nos. 9016578.8, 9016579.6, 9016580.4 and 9016581.2 corresponding to EP-A-473267, GB-A-2246352, EP-A-468682 and EP-A-468683 respectively and applications claiming priority therefrom. The invention also includes 2-fluoroisobutyric acid in the absence of isobutyric acid and 2-fluoroisobutyric acid in the absence of 3-fluoroisobutyric acid. The invention is illustrated by the compounds listed in the following table. The compounds have the formula (I), in which R, R¹ and R² have the values given in the table. The compounds of the invention may be prepared as described in Routes 1 to 8, which follow. Unless otherwise stated, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁶ have the meanings already given, R' is C₁₋₈ alkyl or optionally substituted benzyl, R'' is H or C₁₋₈ alkyl, R⁷ and R⁸ are C₁₋₄ alkyl or joined to form a piperidine, pyrrolidine or morpholine ring, Y is O or H₂ and X is OP where P is a protecting group or OR. Route 1 In Route 1, 2-hydroxyacetic acid esters of formula (IV) are converted to 2-fluoroacetic acid esters of formula (VI) by reaction with one or more equivalents of a dialkylaminosulphur trifluoride of formula (V). The reaction may be carried out in a dry solvent such as methylene chloride, chloroform or fluorotrichloromethane (preferably in methylene chloride), at a temperature of -78°C to +50°C. The compounds of formula (V) are suitably added to the compounds of formula (IV) at -78°C, warmed to room temperature, and allowed to stand for 5-48 hours. The product of formula (VI) may then be isolated by pouring the reaction mixture onto ice, separating and drying the organic layer, and then carefully evaporating the organic solvent. Route 2 In Route 2, 2-hydroxyacetic acid esters of formula (IV) are converted to 2-fluoroacetic acid esters of formula (VI), by reaction with sulphur tetrafluoride, with or without a solvent such as arcton 113 or anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (preferably with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride) in an autoclave, at -78°C to +100°C (preferably between -40°C and +30°C) for 5 to 48 hours (preferably from 10 to 20 hours). The product (VI) may be isolated by cooling to room temperature and venting excess pressure, pouring onto ice and water and extracting with a suitable solvent, for example methylene chloride. The organic solution can then be dried and carefully evaporated to give the 2-fluoroacetic acid ester (VI). Route 3 In Route 3, a 2-fluoroacetic ester of formula (VII) is reacted with one or more equivalents of a strong base such as a lithium dialkylamide (for example lithium diisopropylamide), in a suitable solvent, such as THF or diethyl ether in an inert atmosphere (for example nitrogen), at -78°C to +25°C (preferably at -78°C to -20°C). The resulting anion may then be treated with one or more equivalents of an alkylating agent R²L, wherein R² is as already defined and L is a leaving group, such as iodide, bromide, sulphate or methylsulphonate, and the reaction mixture allowed to warm to room temperature, and then to stand for 1-48 hours. The product (VI), wherein R² is an alkyl (or alkenyl or alkynyl) group, may be isolated by careful addition of water to the reaction mixture, and extraction with a low boiling organic solvent such as diethyl ether or methylene chloride. After drying, the solvent can be carefully evaporated to yield the product (VI). Route 4 In Route 4, a 2-fluoroacetic acid (VIII) is reacted with two or more equivalents (preferably three equivalents) of a strong base such as a lithium dialkylamide (for example lithium diisopropylamide) in a suitable solvent such as THF or diethyl ether, in an inert atmosphere (for example nitrogen), at -78°c to +25°C (preferably at -78°C to -50°C), for ½ to 5 hours. An alkylating agent (or alkenylating or alkynylating agent), R²L, wherein R² and L are already defined, is then added, and the reaction mixture warmed to room temperature and allowed to stand for 1 to 48 hours. The compound (IX), wherein R² is an alkyl (or alkenyl or alkynyl) group, may be isolated by adding aqueous mineral acid, for example dilute hydrochloric acid, and extracting with an organic solvent such as methylene chloride or diethyl ether. The organic solution can be dried and evaporated to give the compound (IX). Route 5 In Route 5, compounds of formula (VI) are converted to a 2-fluoroacetic acid (IX) by hydrolysis with aqueous acid such as hydrochloric acid or sulphuric acid at 0°C to 120°C (preferably at 60-80°C), for 1 to 48 hours, (preferably for 6-10 hours). The acid (IX) may be isolated by extraction with an organic solvent, such as ethyl acetate or toluene, drying the solvent and evaporating the solvent carefully. Route 6 In Route 6, the hydrolysis is carried out under basic conditions. For example the ester of formula (VI) may be reacted with an alkali metal hydroxide (such as sodium hydroxide) in a suitable solvent such as aqueous ethanol, or in a two phase system, such as methylene chloride and water containing a phase transfer catalyst (such as cetrimide). The acid (IX) may be isolated by acidifying the solution with aqueous acid (for example dilute hydrochloric acid) and extracting with a suitable solvent such as methylene chloride. The organic solution can be dried and evaporated to give the acid (IX). Route 7 In Route 7, the acid (IX) is converted to the acid chloride (X) by reaction with reagents such as thionyl chloride, oxalyl chloride, phosphorus trichloride or phosphorus pentachloride (preferably thionyl chloride or oxalyl chloride), either neat, or in a suitable dry solvent such as methylene chloride, chloroform, diethyl ether or toluene at -30°C to 100°C (preferably at 0°C to 40°C). A small quantity of N , N -dimethylformamide may be added to accelarate the reaction. If a solvent is used, the acid chloride (X) can then be used directly as a solution, or can be isolated by careful evaporation of the solvent, and distilled or used directly. If no solvent is used, the volatile components can be carefully evaporated, and the acid chloride distilled, or used directly. Route 8 In Route 8, an oxirane (XI) is treated with a triethylamine/hydrogen fluoride complex at an elevated temperature, for example, 90°C to form a mixture of the alcohols (XII) and (XIII). The reaction mixture can be neutralised with sodium bicarbonate and the mixed products extracted with a suitable solvent, such as ether. Diethylaminosulphur trifluoride is added carefully to the mixed products in a solvent such as dichloromethane under an atmosphere of nitrogen at about 0°C. The reaction mixture is drowned in water and the difluoro compound (XIV) extracted with a solvent such as hexane. The difluoro compound (XIV) can be converted to the product (XV) by methods described in the literature. For instance, where Y is H₂ and X is OP, the protecting group P which may be, for example, benzoyl, is removed by conventional techniques and the alcohol so formed oxidised to the acid (XV), where R'' is H. In another aspect the invention includes methods of preparing compound (I) as herein defined. The invention is illustrated by Examples 4 to 12. Examples 1, 2 and 3 illustrate Routes 1, 2 and 3 (above) and show methods by which compounds of the invention could be prepared by analogy. Where shown, NMR data are selective; no attempt is made to list every absorption in all cases. ¹H NMR spectra were recorded using CDCl₃ solutions unless otherwise stated. ¹H NMR spectra used (CH₃)₄Si as internal standard. ¹⁹F NMR spectra used CFCl₃ as internal standard. The following abbreviations are used throughout: NMR = nuclear magnetic resonance gc = gas chromatography d = doublet THF = tetrahydrofuran dd = double doublet t = triplet HF = hydrogen fluoride dt = double triplet q = quintet MgSO₄ = magnesium sulphate m = multiplet b = broad NaOH = sodium hydroxide EXAMPLE 1 This Example illustrates the preparation of ethyl 2-fluoroisobutyrate by Route 1. Ethyl 2-hydroxyisobutyrate (12.43g) was stirred in dry methylene chloride (65ml) at -70°C under nitrogen. Diethylaminosulphur trifluoride (30.32g) in dry methylene chloride (5ml) was added slowly, maintaining the temperature at -70°C. After completion of the addition, the mixture was stirred at -70°C for 1 hour and was then allowed to warm to room temperature, stood for 3 hours and then overnight. The reaction was then carefully added to ice with vigorous stirring, and the resultant methylene chloride layer combined with a further methylene chloride extract of the aqueous layer. The total organic fraction was washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulphate and the solvent carefully distilled, to leave ethyl 2-fluoro-isobutyrate as a bronze liquid (12.8g); ¹H NMR analysis indicated that this material was >95% pure, and contained 2-3% of ethyl methacrylate. NMR (CDCl₃, 270 MHz) δ 1.31(3H,t), 1.58(6H,d), 4.25(2H,q) ppm; ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 254 MHz, ¹⁹F) δ -148.0 (1F, septet) ppm. EXAMPLE 2 This Example illustrates the preparation of ethyl 2-fluoroisobutyrate by Route 2. Ethyl 2-hydroxyisobutyrate (19.8g), anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (40g) and sulphur tetrafluoride (20.2g) were charged into a 100ml monel autoclave and stirred for 40 minutes while warming to 0°C, from -36°C. The reaction was then heated to 30°C and stirred for 14 hours. It was then cooled to room temperature and excess pressure vented to atmosphere through a sodium bicarbonate scrubber. The solution was then poured onto ice (150g), water added (500ml) and the solution extracted with methylene chloride (120ml). The organic extract was dried over magnesium sulphate, a little sodium bicarbonate added, and the solvents removed at atmospheric pressure by distillation through a short vigreux column, to give an oil (24.5g). Hexane (150ml) was then added, and after standing for 1 hour, the solution was filtered through celite, and the solvent distilled, to leave substantially pure ethyl 2-fluoroisobutyrate (17.0g). EXAMPLE 3 This Example illustrates the preparation of ethyl 2-fluoroisobutyrate by Route 3. Ethyl 2-fluoropropionate (9.0g) was slowly added to a stirred solution of lithium diisopropylamide (prepared by addition of 41ml of a 2.5 molar solution of n-butyl lithium in hexane, to 10.4g of diisopropylamine at -20°C) in dry THF (110ml) at -70°C under nitrogen. After completion of the addition the reaction was stirred for 1 hour at -70°C. Methyl iodide (31.95g) in dry THF (10ml) was then added slowly, dropwise. After completion of the addition the reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature and stirred overnight. Water was then carefully added at -5°C and the mixture extracted thoroughly with diethyl ether. The ether solution was dried over magnesium sulphate and then the ether carefully distilled leaving a bronze liquid, which was then distilled to give a main fraction (5.35g), which NMR analysis indicated contained 65% ethyl 2-fluoroisobutyrate and 35% ethyl 2-fluoropropionate. EXAMPLE 4 This Example illustrates the preparation of 2-fluoroisobutyric acid by Route 4. 2-Fluoropropionic acid (1.84g) in dry THF was added slowly over 0.5 hour to a stirred solution of lithium diisopropylamide (prepared by addition of 24ml of a 2.5 molar solution of n-butyl lithium in hexane, to 6.06g diisopropylamine at -20°C) in dry THF (60ml) at -70°C, under nitrogen. After completion of the addition the mixture was stirred for 1 hour, and methyl iodide (8.52g) was added slowly over 40 minutes, keeping the temperature at -70°C. After a further 30 minutes the reaction was warmed to room temperature and then stirred for 24 hours. Water was then carefully added at 5°C. The organic layer was separated and the aqueous layer acidified with concentrated hydrochloric acid, and was then extracted with diethyl ether. The ether solution was washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulphate, and evaporated to give a bronze oil (1.27g). NMR analysis showed that the oil was 80% 2-fluoroisobutyric acid, and 20% starting 2-fluoropropionic acid. Similarly prepared were: 2-fluoro-2-methylbutanoic acid ¹H NMR (270MHz; CDCl₃) δ 1.01(3H,t), 1.60(3H,d), 2.00(2H,m) ppm. 2-fluoro-2,3-dimethylbutanoic acid ¹H NMR (270MHz; CDCl₃) δ 1.02(6H,dd), 1.65(3H,dd), 2.14(1H,m) ppm. 2-fluoro-2-methylpentanoic acid ¹H NMR (270MHz; CDCl₃) δ 0.95(3H,t), 1.45(2H,m), 1.63(3H,d), 1.95(2H,m) ppm. EXAMPLE 5 This Example illustrates the preparation of 2-fluoroisobutyric acid by Route 5. Ethyl 2-fluoroisobutyrate (10.2g) was heated with 50% sulphuric acid (100ml) at 85°C for 5 hours, stood overnight at room temperature and then heated at 85°C for a further 4 hours. After cooling the mixture was poured into saturated brine and extracted well with methylene chloride. The organic extract was dried over magnesium sulphate, and carefully evaporated at below 35°C, to give 2-fluoroisobutyric acid. NMR analysis indicated that the material was 90% pure, containing about 5% of the starting ester and 5% of methacrylic acid; ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 270 MHz) δ 1.65 (6H,d) ppm; ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 254 MHz, ¹⁹F) δ -148.3 (1F, septet) ppm; IR (liquid film) v: 3400-2700(b), 1735(s) cm⁻¹. EXAMPLE 6 This Example illustrates the preparation of 2-fluoroisobutyric acid by Route 6. Ethyl 2-fluoroisobutyrate (0.50g), was stirred vigorously overnight at room temperature with 2M aqueous sodium hydroxide (10ml) and methylene chloride (10ml) containing cetrimide (0.050g). The aqueous layer was washed with methylene chloride, acidified with dilute hydrochloric acid and extracted again with methylene chloride. The extracts were dried over magnesium sulphate and evaporated to give 2-fluoroisobutyric acid as an oil (0.200g). EXAMPLE 7 This Example illustrates the preparation of 2-fluoroisobutyric acid by Route 6. Ethyl 2-fluoroisobutyrate (2.0g) was stirred in ethanol (10ml) containing dissolved sodium hydroxide (1.20g), for 2 hours at room temperature. The ethanol was then evaporated and the residue treated with 2M aqueous hydrochloric acid, and extracted with methylene chloride. The organic extract was dried over magnesium sulphate and evaporated to give 2-flouroisbutyric acid (1.45g). EXAMPLE 8 This Example illustrates the preparation of 2-fluoroisobutyryl chloride by Route 7. Oxalyl chloride (0.679g) in dry deuterochloroform (2ml) was added dropwise to a stirred solution of 2-fluoroisobutyric acid (0.567g) in dry deuterochloroform (3ml), at room temperature. Halfway through the addition one drop of DMF was added. After stirring for 2 hours the solution contained 2-fluoroisobutyryl chloride, which could be used without further purification; ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 270 MHz) δ 1.68 (6H,d) ppm; ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 254 MHz, ¹⁹F) δ -137.7 (1F, multiplet) ppm; IR (CDCl₃) ν: 1800, 1780 cm⁻¹. EXAMPLE 9 This Example illustrates the preparation of 2-fluoro-2-fluoromethylpropanoic acid by Route 8. Step 1 Preparation of 1-benzoyloxy-2-methyl-3-fluoropropan-2-ol (and isomer) A mixture of 1-benzoyloxymethyl-1-methyloxirane (9.6g) and triethylamine/HF complex (16g) were heated together at 90°C for 2 hours and subsequently kept at room temperture overnight. Further heating at 90°C for 8 hours was followed by keeping at room temperature overnight. The mixture was carefully added to saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate and repeatedly extracted with ether. The combined organic extracts were washed with water, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a pale yellow viscous oil (8.2g). This product was shown by NMR to be a 2.5:1 mixture of 1-benzoyloxy-2-methyl-3-fluoropropan-2-ol (1) and 3-benzoyloxymethyl-2-fluoro-2-methylpropan-1-ol (2) respectively and was used in the next step without further purification. (1):¹H NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.33 (3H,d), 2.60(1H,s), 4.36(2H,s), 4.49(2H,d), 7.47(2H,t), 7.59(1H,t), 8.05(2H,d); (2):¹H NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.48 (3H,d), 2.5(1H,bs), 3.74(2H,bd), 4.39-4.58(2H,m), 7.45 (2H,t), 7.58(1H,t), 8.05(2H,d) ppm. Step 2 Preparation of 1-benzoyloxymethyl-1,2-difluoropropane. The product from step 1 (8.2g) was dissolved in dry dichloromethane (50ml) and the solution stirred under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0°C. Diethylaminosulphur trifluoride (6.2ml) was added portionwise over 15 minutes and, after a further 30 minutes, the reaction was allowed to warm to room temperature and left to stand overnight. The mixture was poured into water (500ml) and extracted with hexane (2 x 150ml). The combined extracts were washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicabonate, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure to give the product as a mobile yellow oil (5.3g; 64%); ¹H NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.51 (3H,dd), 4.39-4.67(4H,m), 7.48(2H,t), 7.60(1H,t), 8.06(2H,d); ¹⁹F ¹H NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 232.3(1F,dt), 163.6(1F,m) ppm. Step 3 Preparation of 2-fluoro-2-fluoromethylpropan-1-ol. The product from step 2 (7.8g) was stirred at room temperature in a solution of NaOH in methanol (15ml; 1%). After 1 hour (when gc analysis showed the absence of starting material), the mixture was neutralised with the calculated amount of acetic acid (215 µl). The methanol was removed by distillation, and the residue distilled at 50 mmHg. The fraction boiling between 80-85°C was isolated and shown by NMR to consist of the title compound containing approximately 20 mole percent of methyl benzoate. ¹N NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.39(3H,dd), 2.00(1H,bs), 3.69(1H,d), 3.76(1H,d), 4.45(1H,d), 4.51(1H,d) ppm. Step 4 Preparation of 2-fluoro-2-fluoromethylpropanoic acid. The product from step 3 (1.13g) was dissolved in acetone (45ml) and the solution stirred with ice bath cooling. A solution of Jones reagent was added [prepared from chromium trioxide (5.0g), concentrated sulphuric acid (2.5ml) and water (22.5ml)], the cooling bath was removed and the mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature. After 28 hours, sufficient water was added to redissolve the precipitated chromium salts and the mixture was repeatedly extracted with dichloromethane. The combined organic extracts were dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure to give the title acid as a pale yellow oil (800mg); ¹H NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.62(3H,dd), 4.38-4.90(2H,m), 8.3(1H,bs) ppm. EXAMPLE 10 This Example illustrates the preparation of 2-fluoro-2-methylbutyric acid by Route 4. 2-Fluoropropionic acid (2.0g) was slowly added (as a solution in dry THF, 5ml) to lithium diisopropylamide (freshly made from 26ml of n -butyl lithium and 6.59g of dry diisopropylamine) in dry THF (40ml) at -70°C under nitrogen. After completion of the addition the orange solution was stirred for 30 minutes, and ethyl iodide (10.17g) in dry THF (15ml) was added slowly dropwise. The reaction was then allowed to warm up slowly to room temperature overnight. It was then worked up by cooling and treating carefully with dilute hydrochloric acid, followed by extraction with ether. The ethereal solution was dried over magnesium sulphate, and evaporated to give the title acid as a bronze coloured oil, (0.89g); ¹H NMR (270MHz, CDCl₃) δ 1.05(3H,t), 1.60(3H,d), 1.80-2.10(2H,m), 6.90 (1H,vbs) ppm. EXAMPLE 11 This Example illustrates the preparation of 2-fluoro-2-methylpentanoic acid by Route 4. Using the procedure of Example 10, except using n -propyl iodide in place of ethyl iodide, the title compound was obtained; ¹H NMR (270 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 0.95(3H,t), 1.20-1.60(2H,m), 1.62(3H,d), 1.70-2.05(2H,m), 6.70(vbs) ppm. EXAMPLE 12 This Example illustrates the preparation of methyl 2-fluoromethyl-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropanoate by Route 9. Step 1 Preparation of methyl 2-hydroxymethyl-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropanoate. Methyl 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropanoate (27.0g) was dissolved in dry dichloromethane and the solution stirred under a dry nitrogen atmosphere at 0°C. A one molar solution of di- n -butylboron trifluoromethanesulfonate in dichloromethane (190ml) was added in portions over 15 minutes. After a further 15 minutes, the temperature was reduced to -10°C and di-isopropylethylamine (35ml) was added in portions, then stirring was continued for a further 2 hours. Paraformaldehyde (100g) (previously dried under vacuum over P₂O₅) was heated to 180-200°C and the resulting formaldehyde was passed into the reaction mixture in a stream of dry nitrogen, keeping the temperature close to -10°C. After 30 minutes, the mixture was poured into a mixture of 30% aqueous hydrogen peroxide (150ml) pH7 phosphate buffer (600ml) and crushed ice, and was stirred at 0°C for 45 minutes. The mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (3x200ml). The combined extracts were washed with sodium disulphite solution, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure to leave a yellow oil, which was redissolved in ethyl acetate and filtered through a thick plug of silica gel, and then was again concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified by chromatography on silica, eluting with 25% ethyl acetate in hexane. Subsequent heating to 65°C under aspirator vacuum (20mmHg) gave the product as a yellow oil (4.8g); ¹H NMR (270 MHz; CDCl₃) δ 3.93(3H,s), 4.05-4.30(2H,m), 2.80(1H,bt) ppm. Step 2 Preparation of methyl 2-fluoromethyl-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropanoate. The product from step 1 (600mg) was dissolved in dry dichloromethane (5ml) and was stirred under an atmosphere of dry nitrogen at 0°C. Diethylamino-sulphurtrifluoride (DAST) (420µl) was added in portions, stirring was continued 30 minutes at 0°C and the mixture was left at room temperature overnight. A further portion of DAST (200µl) was added and the mixture left for 24 hours. Water was added, the mixture was stirred, then the organic phase was separated and washed with saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate (5ml) and was dried (MgSO₄). After concentration at atmospheric pressure, the product was distilled in a kugelrohr oven (50°C, 100mmHg), giving the product as a colourless oil (320mg); ¹H NMR (270 MHz; CDCl₃) δ 3.97(3H,s), 4.70-5.12(2H,m) ppm.

Claims: A compound of the formula (I): wherein: (a) R¹ and R² are both methyl and R is Cl, C₃₋₈ alkoxy or OH, the compound in which R is OH having a purity of 80% or more; or, (b) R¹ and R² are both ethyl and R is Cl or C₃₋₈ alkoxy; or, (c) R¹ is methyl, R² is ethyl and R is Cl, OH or C₃₋₈ alkoxy; or, (d) R is OH, Cl, C₁₋₈ alkoxy or optionally substituted benzyloxy; R¹ is methyl, ethyl or CH₂F; and R² is n - or iso -propyl or CHFR³ wherein R³ is methyl or ethyl; or, (e) R is OH, Cl, C₂₋₈ alkoxy or optionally substituted benzyloxy; R¹ is methyl, ethyl or CH₂F; and R² is CHFR³ wherein R³ is H; or, (f) R is C₁ alkoxy; R¹ is ethyl or CH₂F; and R² is CHFR³ wherein R³ is H; or, (g) R is OH, Cl, C₂₋₈ alkoxy or optionally substituted benzyloxy; R¹ is CF₃, R² is C(R⁴)(R⁵)R⁶ wherein R⁴ is H, methyl or ethyl, R⁵ is H, F, Br, methyl or ethyl and R⁶ is H or F; or, (h) R is methoxy, R¹ is CF₃ and R² is C(R⁴)(R⁵)R⁶ wherein R⁴ is H, methyl or ethyl, R⁵ is F, Br, methyl or ethyl and R⁶ is H or F; wherein optionally substituted benzyloxy is unsubstituted benzyloxy, or benzyloxy wherein the benzyl in which the phenyl ring is substituted with one or more of halogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy. A compound of the formula (I) according to claim 1 wherein R is OH or Cl; R¹ is methyl, CF₃ or CH₂F, and, when R¹ is methyl or CH₂F, R² is ethyl, n or iso -propyl or CHFR³ wherein R³ is H, methyl or ethyl, and, when R¹ is CF₃, R² is C(R⁴)(R⁵)R⁶ wherein R⁴ is H, methyl or ethyl, R⁵ is H, F, Br, methyl or ethyl and R⁶ is H or F. A compound of the formula (I) according to claim 1 wherein R is OH; R¹ is methyl or CF₃; and, when R¹ is methyl, R² is ethyl, n -propyl or CH₂F, and, when R¹ is CF₃, R² is methyl, CH₂F or CHFCH₃. 2-Fluoroisobutyric acid having a purity of 80% or more. A compound as claimed in claim 4 in the absence of isobutyric acid or 3-fluoroisobutyric acid. 2-Fluoroisobutyryl chloride. A method of preparing a compound of formula (I) according to claim 1 which comprises: (i) when R is C₁₋₈ alkoxy or optionally substituted benzyloxy, (a) reacting a compound of formula (IV): with adialkylaminosulphur trifluoride R⁷R⁸NSF₃ or with sulphur tetrafluoride; or (a) reacting a 2-fluoroacetic ester of formula (VII): with a strong base and treating the resulting anion with a compound R²L; or (ii) when R is OH, (a) reacting a 2-fluoroacetic acid of formula (VIII): with a strong base and treating the resulting anion with a compound R²L; or (b) hydrolysing a compound of formula (VI): with an aqueous acid or with a base; or (iii) when R is Cl, reacting an acid of formula (IX): with a chlorinating agent; or (iv) when R² is CHFR³ and R is OH or C₁₋₈ alkyloxy, treating an oxirane of formula (XI): with a triethylamine/hydrogen fluoride complex at an elevated temperature, reacting the mixed products of formulae (XII) and (XIII): so formed, with diethylaminosulphur trifluoride, and converting the product of formula (XIV): so formed, to the desired product by conventional techniques; wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵ and R⁶ have the meanings given in claim 1, except where otherwise stated, R' is C₁₋₈ alkyl, benzyl or benzyl in which the phenyl ring is substituted with one or more of halogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl or C₁₋₄ alkoxy, R⁷ and R⁸ are C₁₋₄ alkyl or joined to form a piperidine, pyrrolidine or morpholine ring, Y is O or H₂, X is OP where P is a protecting group or OR, and L is a leaving group.

Inventors: CROWLEY PATRICK JELF, LAWSON KEVIN ROBERT, MOSELEY DONN WARWICK, SMITH DOUGLAS JOHN, CROWLEY, PATRICK JELF, LAWSON, KEVIN ROBERT, MOSELEY, DONN WARWICK, SMITH, DOUGLAS JOHN
Applicants: ZENECA LTD, ZENECA LIMITED
Application year: 1991
Main classification: C07C51
IPC codes: C07C67, C07C57, C07C69, C07C53, C07C51