PROCESS FOR PRODUCING 4-SUBSTITUTED AZETIDINONE DERIVATIVE

Abstract: A process for producing a 4-substituted azetidinone derivative represented by general formula (I) wherein R represents hydrogen or a nitrogen-protecting group; R¹ represents an optionally protected hydroxyl group or an optionally halogenated alkyl group; R² represents hydrogen or alkyl; R³ represents alkyl, optionally substituted phenyl, etc; and R⁴ represents an electron-attractive group; or alternatively R³ and R⁴ are combined together to form a ring, by the reaction of an azetidinone derivative represented by general formula (II) wherein R and R¹ are as defined above, and Z represents a leaving group, with an imide compound represented by general formula (III) wherein R², R³ and R⁴ are each as defined above, in the presence of a base and a titanium compound represented by general formula Ti(Cl)n(OR⁵)m wherein R⁵ represents lower alkyl, 0 ≦ n ≦ 4,0 ≦ m ≦ 4 and n + m = 4 . The obtained derivative can be readily converted into a carboxylic acid as an important intermediate for preparing carbopenem compounds.

Description: The present invention relates to a process for preparing 4-substituted azetidinone derivatives which are important as an intermediate for the synthesis of carbapenem compounds. Background Art Carboxylic acid derivatives of the general formula [I']: wherein R 1 is alkyl which can be substituted by hydroxy which can be protected or halogen and R 2 is hydrogen or alkyl, are important as an intermediate for the synthesis of carbapenem compounds and several processes for the preparation thereof have been proposed. It is known from JP-A-55-7251 to obtain a 4-carbon substituted azetidinone useful as a raw material for antibiotics, by reacting a 2-azetidinone derivative having a lower acyloxy group or halogen at the 4-position with an organomagnesium or organocopper compound. JP-A-56/142259 discloses β-lactams including 1-(2',4'-dimethoxybenzyl)-3-(1'-acetoxyethyl)-4,4-bisethoxycarbonyl-azetidine-2-one as well as their preparation with a base in a solvent. JP-A-60-19764 discloses a process for the procuction of azetidinone dervatives wherein a specific azetidinone derivative is reacted with a compound containing a mercapto group. Among those processes, Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho JP 87252786 discloses the process that a 4-substituted azetidinone of the general formula [II']: wherein R 1 and R 2 are as defined above; R is hydrogen or a easily-removable protecting group of nitrogen; r is an unsubstituted or substituted aromatic group formed together with two adjacent carbon atoms; X is oxygen, sulfur, sulfinyl, sulfonyl or Nr 1 group (r 1 is hydrogen, alkyl or phenyl); Y is oxygen, sulfur or Nr 2 group (r 2 is hydrogen, alkyl or phenyl), is easily hydrolyzed to a carboxylic acid of the general formula [I']. Further, Tetrahedron Lett. Vol.27, 5687-5690 (1986) discloses the compound of the general formula [II"]: wherein X is as defined above, r 3 and r 4 are independently hydrogen or methyl. However, these processes for preparing 4-substituted azetidinone derivatives of the general formula [II'] and [II "] do not suit for industrial production because of using expensive boron triflate or tin triflate. Disclosure of Invention This invention relates to a process for preparing 4-substituted azetidinone derivatives of the general formula [II]: wherein R is hydrogen or an easily removable protecting group for nitrogen atom; R 1 is alkyl which can be substituted by hydroxy which can be protected or halogen; R 2 is hydrogen or alkyl; R 3 is alkyl, trialkylsilyl, phenyl which can be substituted with alkyl, alkoxy, nitro or halogen, cycloalkyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, fluorenyl, benzothiazolyl, naphthalimidyl; R 4 is an electron withdrawing group or can form a ring together with R 3 , which comprises reacting an azetidinone derivative of the general formula [III]: wherein R and R 1 are as defined above, and Z is a leaving group, with an imide compound of the general formula [IV]: wherein R 2 , R 3 and R 4 are as defined above, characterized in that the process is conducted in the presence of a titanium compound of the general formula [V]: Ti(Cl) n (OR 5 ) m wherein R 5 is C 1 to C 3 alkyl; n and m are independently an integer from 0 to 4 provided n plus m makes always 4, and a base As a protecting group for hydroxy at R 1 , for example, organosilyl such as tert-butyldimethylsilyl, tert-butyldiphenylsilyl, triethylsilyl, dimethylcumylsilyl, triisopropylsilyl, dimethylhexylsilyl; oxycarbonyl such as p-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl, p-methoxybenzyloxycarbonyl, allyloxycarbonyl; acetyl; triphenylmethyl; benzoyl and tetrahydropyranyl are exemplified. As a protecting group for nitrogen, for example, organosilyl as described above, benzyl, p-nitrobenzyl, p-nitrobenzoylmethyl, benzhydryl, p-methoxybenzyl and 2,4-dimethoxybenzyl are exemplified. As a leaving group Z, for example, acyloxy such as normal chain, branching or cyclic alkanoyloxy, monocyclic or bicyclic aroyloxy which can have hetero atoms, alkylsufonyloxy, arylsulfonyloxy, carbamoyloxy, alkoxycarboxy, aralkoxycarboxy and alkoxyalkanoyloxy; acylthio such as alkanoylthio and aroylthio; sulfinyl such as alkylsulfinyl and arylsulfinyl; sulfonyl such as alkylsulfonyl and arylsulfonyl and halogen such as fluorine, chlorine and bromine are exemplified. As a base, secondary and tertiary amines, anilines and pyridine compounds are used. For example, alkylamines such as dimethylamine, diethylamine, diisopropylamine, dicyclohexylamine, diisopropylethylamine, diisopropylmethylamine, triethylamine; alkylanilines such as N-methylaniline, dimethylaniline; heterocyclic amines such as piporidine, pyrrolidine, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, morpholine piperazine, 1-ethylpiperidine, 1-methylmorpholine, 1-ethylpyrrolidine, 1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane and 1,8-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]undec-7-ene; diamine compounds such as N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine; alkylpyridines such as α, β or γ-picoline, 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-, 3,4- or 3,5-lutidine and 2,4,6-collidine; dialkylaminopyridine such as dimethylaminopyridine and fused heterocyclized pyridines such as Quinoline are exemplified . As the substituent of the general formula: (hereinafter called auxiliary group), the followings can be exemplified. X : O, S, NH, N-alkyl, N-phenyl; Y : O, S, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, NH, N-alkyl, N-phenyl; R 3 : alkyl(C 3 H 7 i , C 4 H 9 t ), trialkylsilyl (r 5 : alkyl, halogen, alkoxy, nitro; k: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5), cycloalkyl, naphthyl, (r 6 : H, alkyl, phenyl), R 6 : alkyl, haloalkyl, (r 5 , k: as defined above), cycloalkyl, naphthyl: X, Y : As defined above ; R 9 , R 10 , R 11 , R 12 : H, alkyl, (r 5 , k: as defined above) ,cycloalkyl, naphthyl; R 3 : As defined above; R 13 : Same as R 6 defined above; Q : O, S NR 26 (R 26 : H, alkyl, phenyl); R 14 ~R 25 : H, alkyl, (r 5 , k : as defined above), cycloalkyl, naphthyl; R 14 and R 15 , R 16 and R 17 , R 18 and R 19 , R 20 and R 21 , R 22 and R 23 and/or R 24 and R 25 together form oxo or alkylene, respectively; R 3 , X : As defined above; R 27 : Same as R 6 defined above ; X : As defined above; U: Same as Q defined above; R 28 ∼R 35 : Same as R 14 ∼R 25 defined above; R 3 : As defined above; T : O, S, NR 38 (R 38 : H, alkyl, phenyl); R 37 : Same as R 6 defined above; T : As defined above; W : Same as Q defined above; R 30 ∼R 44 : Same as R 14 ∼R 25 defined above; R 3 : As defined above; The reaction is made firstly by reacting an imide compound of the general formula [IV] with a titanium compound of the general formula [V], and a base such as an amine, an aniline or a pyridine compound to produce enolate in organic solvent such as chlorine-containing solvent including methylene chloride, chloroform and the like; aromatic solvent including chlorobenzene, toluene and the like; or polar solvent including acetonitrile and the like, then further reacting the resulting enolate with an azetidinone derivative of the general formula [III]. The reaction temperature for both reaction of enolate formation and of the enolate and an azetidinone derivative is in the range from -50°C to 100 °C,preferably from -20°C to 50°C. The respective mole ratios of an imide compound of the general formula [IV], a titanium compound [V] and a base to 1 mol of azetidinone of the general formula [III] in the above reaction are 1 to 8 for the all. Further, when R 2 is alkyl such as methyl, the ratio of α-type and β-type is influenced by the type of auxiliary group or the mole ratios of the amine and the titanium compound for the imide compound of the general formula [IV]. The formation ratio of the β -type can be improved by addition of polar solvent such as DMF, THF and acetonitrile. After the completion of the reaction, the products can be isolated by usual work-up. It is also possible to convert the products to a carboxylic acid derivative of the general formula [I]: wherein R, R 1 and R 2 are as defined above, by direct hydrolysis without passing a process of isolation. Best Mode for carrying Out the Invention The present invention is further illustrated in detail according to the following examples. EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of β-methyl derivative (3-[(R)-2-[(3S,4R)-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl]propionyl]benzoxazol in-2-one) 3-Propionylbenzoxazolin-2-one (189mg, 1 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (2 ml) was cooled to -20°C and titanium tetrachloride/methylene chloride solution (1M, 1 ml, 1 mmol) was added to the solution. After aging for 30 minutes at -20°C, N,N-diisopropylethylamine (388 mg, 3 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) and (3R, 4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]azetidin-2-one (287.5 mg, 1 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) were added to the solution at the same temperature. After aging the reaction mixture for 2 hours at -20 °C, it was warmed to 0°C and 10 % sodium hydrogen carbonate aq. solution (10 ml) was added under stirring. The insoluble matter was removed by filtration, the organic layer separated from the filtrate was analyzed by using HPLC. The result showed that the organic layer contained 108 mg of the β-methyl derivative (β-methyl derivative: α-methyl derivative= 96:4). Example 2 Preparation of β-methyl derivative (3-[(R)-2-[(3S, 4R)-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl]propionyl]-4,4dimethyloxazolidine-2-thione) 4,4-Dimethyl-3-propionyloxazolidine-2-thione (187 mg, 1 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (2 ml) was cooled to -20°C and titanium tetrachloride/methylene chloride solution (1 M, 1 ml, 1 mmol) was added to the solution. After aging for 30 minutes at -20 °C, N,N-diisopropylethylamine (259 mg, 2 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) and (3R, 4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(R) -1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]azetidin-2-one (287.5 mg, 1 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) were added to the solution at the same temperature. After aging the reaction mixture for 1 hour at -20°C, it was warmed to 20 °C and further stirred for 8 hours. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 0°C and 10 % sodium hydrogen carbonate aq. solution (10 ml) was added under stirring. The insoluble matter was removed by filtration, the organic layer separated from the filtrate was analyzed by using HPLC. The result showed that the organic layer contained 196 mg of the β-methyl derivative (β-methyl derivative: α-methyl derivative= 95:5). Example 3 Preparation of β-methyl derivative (3-[(R)-2-[(3S, 4R)-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl]propionyl]-4,4-dimethyloxazolidine-2-thione) Tetraisopropoxytitanium (71 mg, 0.25 mmol) was added to titanium tetrachloride/methylene chloride solution (1 M, 0.75 ml, 0.75 mmol) at room temperature, then trichloroisopropoxytitanium solution was prepared by aging the above mixture for 2 hours at the same temperature. The reaction mixture was cooled to 0 °C, then 4,4-dimethyl-3-propionyloxazolidine-2-thione (187 mg, 1 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (2 ml) was added to the solution at the same temperature. After aging for 30 minutes at 0°C, N,N-diisopropylethylamine (259 mg, 2 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) was added to the solution at the same temperature. Further aging for 30 min. at 0 °C, (3R, 4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]azetidin-2-one (287.5 mg, 1 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) was added to the solution at the same temperature. After aging the reaction mixture for 8 hours at 0 °C, it was warmed to 20 °C and further stirred for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 0°C and 10 % sodium hydrogen carbonate aq. solution (10 ml) was added under stirring. The insoluble matter was removed by filtration, the organic layer separated from the filtrate was analyzed by using HPLC. The result showed that the organic layer contained 118 mg of the β-methyl derivative (β-methyl derivative: α-methyl derivative= 81:19). Example 4 Preparation of β-methyl derivative (3-[(R)-2-[(3S, 4R)-3-[(R)-1-tertbutyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl]propionyl]-4,4-dimethyloxazolidine-2-thione) 4,4-Dimethyl-3-propionyloxazolidine-2-thione (375 mg, 2 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (2 ml) was cooled to -20°C, then titanium tetrachloride/methylene chloride solution (1 M, 2 ml, 2 mmol) was added to the solution. After aging for 30 minutes at -20 °C, N,N-diisopropylethylamine (259 mg, 2 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) and (3R, 4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(R) -1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]azetidin-2-one (287.5 mg, 1 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) were added to the solution at the same temperature. After aging the reaction mixture for 1 hour at -20 °C, it was warmed to 20 °C and further stirred for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 0°C and 10 % sodium hydrogen carbonate aq. solution (10 ml) was added under stirring. The insoluble matter was removed by filtration, the organic layer separated from the filtrate was analyzed by using HPLC. The result showed that the organic layer contained 334 mg of the β-methyl derivative (β-methyl derivative: α-methyl derivative= 97:3). Example 5 Preparation of β-methyl derivative (3-[(R)-2-[(3S, 4R)-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyoxyethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl]propionyl]-4,4-dimethylthiazolidine-2-thione) 4,4-Dimethyl-3-propionylthiazolidine-2-thione (407 mg, 2 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (2 ml) was cooled to -20 °C, then titanium tetrachloride/methylene chloride solution (1M, 2 ml, 2 mmol) was added to the solution. After aging for 30 minutes at -20°C, N,N-diisopropylethylamine (259 mg, 2 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) and (3R, 4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(R) -1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]azetidin-2-one (287.5 mg, 1 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) were added to the solution at the same temperature. After aging the reaction mixture for 1 hour at -20 °C, it was warmed to 20 °C and further stirred for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 0°C and 10 % sodium hydrogen carbonate aq. solution (10 ml) was added under stirring. The insoluble matter was removed by filtration, the organic layer separated from the filtrate was analyzed by using HPLC. The result showed that the organic layer contained 150 mg of the β-methyl derivative (β-methyl derivative: α-methyl derivative= 61:39). Example 6 Preparation of β-methyl derivative (3-[(R)-2-[(3S, 4R)-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl]propionyl]-4,4-dimethylthiazolidin-2-one) 4,4-Dimethyl-3-propionylthiazolidin-2-one (375 mg, 2 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (2 ml) was cooled to -20 °C, then titanium tetrachloride/methylene chloride solution (1 M, 2 ml, 2 mmol) was added to the solution. After aging for 30 minutes at -20 °C, N,N-diisopropylethylamine (259 mg, 2 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) and (3R, 4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(R) -1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]azetidin-2-one (287.5 mg, 1 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) were added to the solution at the same temperature. After aging the reaction mixture for 1 hour at -20 °C, it was warmed to 20 °C and further stirred for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 0°C and 10 % sodium hydrogen carbonate aq. solution (10 ml) was added under stirring. The insoluble matter was removed by filtration, the organic layer separated from the filtrate was analyzed by using HPLC. The result showed that the organic layer contained 247 mg of the β-methyl derivative (β-methyl derivative: α-methyl derivative= 81:19). Example 7 Preparation of (3-[(3S, 4R)-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl]acetyl-4,4-dimethyloxazolidine-2-thione) 3-Acetyl-4,4-dimethyloxazolidine-2-thione (375 mg, 2 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (2 ml) was cooled to 0 °C, then titanium tetrachloride/methylene chloride solution (1 M, 2 ml, 2 mmol) was added to the solution. After aging for 15 minutes at 0 °C, N,N-diisopropylethylamine (259 mg, 2 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) and (3R, 4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(R) -1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]azetidin-2-one (287.5 mg, 1 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) were added to the solution at the same temperature. After aging the reaction mixture for 1 hour at 0 °C, it was warmed to 20 °C and further stirred for 3 hours. The resulting mixture solution was then cooled to 0°C and 10 % sodium hydrogen carbonate aq. solution (10 ml) was added under stirring. The insoluble matter was removed by filtration, the organic layer separated from the filtrate was analyzed by using HPLC. The result showed that the organic layer contained 280 mg of the product. Example 8 Preparation of β-methyl derivative (3-[(R)-2-[(3S, 4R)-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl]propionyl]-4,4-dimethyloxazolidine-2-thione) After addition of titanium tetrachloride (256 g, 1.35 mol) to 4,4-dimethyl-3-propionyloxazolidine-2-thione (243 g, 1.3 mol) solution in methylene chloride (4 1) in the temperature range from 20 to 35°C, triethylamine (126 g, 1.25 mol) and (3R, 4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]azetidin-2-one (287.5 g, 1 mol) were added to the mixture at the same temperature. After aging the reaction mixture for 0.5 hour under reflux, it was cooled to 0 °C and added to water at the same temperature under stirring, then stirred for 0.5 hour under the same temperature. The organic layer was separated and analyzed by using HPLC. The result showed that the organic layer contained 323 g of the β-methyl derivative (β-methyl derivative: α-methyl derivative = 97:3). The organic layer was washed with water (1 1) and added with Isoper G® (Exxon Chemical)(4 1), then the organic layer was concentrated so as to be 3.6 Kg in total weight under reduced pressure. The concentrate was cooled to 5°C under stirring and further stirred for 0.5 hour at the same temperature. The crystals deposited were taken out by filtration and dried, affording 307 g of the β-methyl derivative (β-methyl derivative : α-methyl derivative = 98.5: 1.5). Example 9 Preparation of β-methyl derivative (3-[(R)-2-[(3S, 4R)-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl]propionyl]oxazolidine-2-thione) 3-Propionyloxazolidine-2-thione (320 mg, 2 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (2 ml) was cooled to 0 °C, then titanium tetrachloride/methylene chloride solution (1 M, 2 ml, 2 mmol) was added to the solution. After aging for 15 minutes at 0 °C, N,N-diisopropylethylamine (259 mg, 2 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) and (3R, 4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]azetidin-2-one (287.5 mg, 1 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) were added to the solution at the same temperature. After aging the reaction mixture for 1 hour at 0°C, it was warmed to 20 °C and further stirred for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 0°C and 10 % sodium hydrogen carbonate aq. solution (10 ml) was added under stirring. The insoluble matter was removed by filtration, the organic layer separated from the filtrate was analyzed by using HPLC. The result showed that the organic layer contained 58 mg of the β-methyl derivative (β-methyl derivative : α-methyl derivative = 65:35). Example 10 Preparation of α-methyl derivative (3-[(S)-2-[(3S, 4R)-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl]propionyl]-4,4-dimethyloxazolidin-2-one) 4,4-Dimethyl-3-propionyloxazolidin-2-one (342 mg, 2 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (2 ml) was cooled to -20°C, then titanium tetrachloride/methylene chloride solution (1 M, 2 ml, 2 mmol) was added to the solution. After aging for 30 min. at -20°C, N,N-diisopropylethylamine (259 mg, 2 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) and (3R, 4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]azetidin-2-one (287.5 mg, 1 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) were added to the solution at the same temperature. After aging the reaction mixture for 1 hour at -20 °C, it was warmed to 20 °C and further stirred for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 0°C and 10 % sodium hydrogen carbonate aq. solution (10 ml) was added under stirring. The insoluble matter was removed by filtration, the organic layer separated from the filtrate was analyzed by using HPLC. The result showed that the organic layer contained 180 mg of the α-methyl derivative (α-methyl derivative: β-methyl derivative= 68:32). Example 11 Preparation of α-methyl derivative (3-[(S)-2-[(3S, 4R)-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl]propionyl]benzoxazolin-2-one) The solution of 3-propionylbenzoxazolin-2-one (3.16 g, 16.5 mmol) and N,N-diisopropylethylamine (4.27 g, 33 mmol) in methylene chloride (20 ml) was cooled to -5 °C, then titanium tetrachloride (3.13 g, 16.5 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (5 ml) was added to the mixture and the reaction mixture was stirred for 15 min. at the same temperature to prepare titanium enolate solution. Besides, titanium tetrachloride (3.13 g, 16.5 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (15 ml) was cooled to -5°C, then the methylene chloride solutions of both N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.1 g, 0.8 mmol) and (3R, 4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]azetidin-2-one (4.31 g, 15 mmol) were added thereto at the same temperature. Then the titanium enolate solution previously prepared was added to the resulting mixture and the readtion mixture was stirred for 5 hours at the same temperature, then 10 % sodium hydrogen carbonate aq. solution (100 ml) was added under stirring. The insoluble matter was removed by filtration, the organic layer separated from the filtrate was analyzed by using HPLC. The result showed that the organic layer contained 3.45 g of the α-methyl derivative (α-methyl derivative: β-methyl derivative= 92:8). Example 12 Preparation of β-methyl derivative (3-[(R)-2-[(3S, 4R)-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl]propionyl]-4,4-diethyloxazolidine-2-thione) 4,4-Diethyl-3-propionyloxazolidine-2-thione (431 mg, 2 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (2 ml) was cooled to 0 °C, then titanium tetrachloride/methylene chloride solution (1 M, 2 ml, 2 mmol) was added to the solution. After aging for 15 min. at 0°C, N,N-diisopropylethylamine (259 mg, 2 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) and (3R, 4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]azetidin-2-one (287.5 mg, 1 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) were added to the mixture at the same temperature. After aging the reaction mixture for 1 hour at 0 °C, it was warmed to 20 °C and further stirred for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 0°C and 10 % sodium hydrogen carbonate aq. solution (10 ml) was added under stirring. The insoluble matter was removed by filtration, the organic layer separated from the filtrate was analyzed by using HPLC. The result showed that the organic layer contained 332 mg of the β-methyl derivative (β-methyl derivative: α-methyl derivative= 96:4). Example 13 Preparation of β-methyl derivative (3-[(R)-2-[(3S, 4R)-3-[(R)-1-tertbutyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl]propionyl]-(S)-4-isopropyloxazolidine-2-thione) (S)-4-Isopropyl-3-propionyloxazolidine-2-thione (402 mg, 2 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (2 ml) was cooled to 0 °C, then titanium tetrachloride/methylene chloride solution (1 M 2 ml, 2 mmol) was added to the solution. After aging for 15 min. at 0°C, N,N-diisopropylethylamine (259 mg, 2 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) and (3R, 4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]azetidin-2-one (287.5 mg, 1 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) were added to the mixture at the same temperature. After aging the reaction mixture for 1 hour at 0 °C, it was warmed to 20 °C and further stirred for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 0°C and 10 % sodium hydrogen carbonate aq. solution (10 ml) was added under stirring. The insoluble matter was removed by filtration, the organic layer separated from the filtrate was analyzed by using HPLC. The result showed that the organic layer contained 203 mg of the β-methyl derivative (β-methyl derivative: α-methyl derivative= 100:0). Example 14 Preparation of β-methyl derivative (3-[(R)-2-[(3S, 4R)-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl]propionyl]-4,4-dibutyl-5,5-pentamethyleneoxazolidine-2-thione ) 4,4-Dibutyl-5,5-pentamethylene-3-propionyloxazolidine-2-thione (678 mg, 2 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (2 ml) was cooled to -10°C, then titanium tetrachloride/methylene chloride solution (1 M, 2 ml, 2 mmol) was added to the solution. After aging for 15 min. at -10°C, N,N-diisopropylethylamine (259 mg, 2 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) and (3R, 4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]azetidin-2-one (287.5 mg, 1 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) were added to the mixture at the same temperature. After aging the reaction mixture for 1 hour at 0 °C, it was warmed to the reflux temperature and further stirred for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 0 °C and 10 % sodium hydrogen carbonate aq. solution (10 ml) was added under stirring. The insoluble matter was removed by filtration, the organic layer separated from the filtrate was analyzed by using HPLC. The result showed that the organic layer contained 334 mg of the β-methyl derivative (β-methyl derivative: α-methyl derivative= 100:0). Example 15 Preparation of α-methyl derivative (1-[(S)-2-[(3S, 4R)-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl]propionyl]-3,5,5-trimethylimidazolidine-2,4-dione) 1-Propionyl-3,5,5-trimethylimidazolidine-2,4-dione (397 mg, 2 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (2 ml) was cooled to 0°C, then titanium tetrachloride/methylene chloride solution (1 M, 2 ml, 2 mmol) was added to the solution. After aging for 15 min. at 0°C, N,N-diisopropylethylamine (259 mg, 2 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) and (3R, 4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]azetidin-2-one (287.5 mg, 1 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) were added to the mixture at the same temperature. After aging the reaction mixture for 1 hour at 0 °C, it was warmed to 20 °C and further stirred for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 0°C and 10 % sodium hydrogen carbonate aq. solution (10 ml) was added under stirring. The insoluble matter was removed by filtration, the organic layer separated from the filtrate was analyzed by using HPLC. The result showed that the organic layer contained 190 mg of the α-methyl derivative (α-methyl derivative: β -methyl derivative= 92:8). 1 H NMR (270MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ of α-methyl derivative : 0.08(6H,s), 0.89(9H,s), 1.23(3H, d), 1.26(3H,d), 1.64(3H,s), 1.67(3H,s), 2.81(1H,dd), 3.09(3H,s), 3.6 ∼ 4.3(3H,m), 5.99(1H, s) Example 16 Preparation of β-methyl derivative (methyl N-[(R)-2-[(3S, 4R)-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl]propionyl]-N-methylthiocarbamate) Methyl N-methyl-N-propionylthiocarbamate (1.61 g, 10 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (30 ml) was cooled to 0°C, then titanium tetrachloride (1.9 g, 10 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (5 ml) was added to the solution. After aging for 15 min. at 0 °C, N,N-diisopropylethylamine (1.3 g, 10 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (5 ml) and (3R, 4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]azetidin-2-one (1.44 g, 5 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (10 ml) were added to the mixture at the same temperature. After aging the reaction mixture for 1 hour at 0°C, it was warmed to 20 °C and further stirred for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 0°C and 10 % sodium hydrogen carbonate aq. solution (50 ml) was added thereto under stirring. The insoluble matter was removed by filtration, the organic layer separated from the filtrate was analyzed by using HPLC. The result showed that the organic layer contained 1.35 g of the β-methyl derivative (β-methyl derivative: α-methyl derivative= 87:13). The organic layer was concentrated and purified by using silica gel column chromatography, affording the purified β-methyl derivative. The melting point of the β-methyl derivative : 156∼157 °C Example 17 Preparation of β-methyl derivative (methyl N-tert-butyl-N-[(R)-2-[(3S, 4R)-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl] propionyl]thiocarbamate) Methyl N-tert-butyl-N-propionylthiocarbamate (1.0 g, 4.9 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (30 ml) was cooled to 0 °C, then titanium tetrachloride (0.93 g, 4.9 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (5 ml) was added to the solution. After aging for 15 min. at 0 °C, N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.64 g, 4. 9 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (5 ml) and (3R, 4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]azetidin-2-one (0.71 g, 2.5 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (10 ml) were added to the mixtrue at the same temperature. After aging the reaction mixture for 1 hour at 0°C, it was warmed to 20 °C and further stirred for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 0°C and 10 % sodium hydrogen carbonate aq. solution (50 ml) was added thereto under stirring. The insoluble matter was removed by filtration, the organic layer separated from the filtrate was analyzed by using HPLC. The result showed that the organic layer contained 0.38 g of the β-methyl derivative (β-methyl derivative: α-methyl derivative= 100:0). It was purified according to the method described in Example 16, affording the purified β-methyl derivative. The melting point of the β-methyl derivative : 128∼129 °C Example 18 Preparation of β-methyl derivative (methyl N-[(R)-2-[(3S, 4R)-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl]propionyl]-N-phenylthiocarbamate) Methyl N-phenyl-N-propionylthiocarbamate (2.23 g, 10 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (30 ml) was cooled to 0°C, then titanium tetrachloride (1.9 g, 10 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (5 ml) was added to the solution. After aging for 15 min. at 0 °C, N,N-diisopropylethylamine (1.3 g, 10 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (5 ml) and (3R, 4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]azetidin-2-one (1.44 g, 5 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (10 ml) were added to the mixture at the same temperature. After aging the reaction mixture for 1 hour at 0°C, it was warmed to 20 °C and further stirred for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 0°C and 10 % sodium hydrogen carbonate aq. solution (50 ml) was added thereto under stirring. The insoluble matter was removed by filtration, the organic layer separated from the filtrate was analyzed by using HPLC. The result showed that the organic layer contained 1.16 g of the β-methyl derivative (β-methyl derivative: α-methyl derivative= 72:28). It was purified according to the method described in Example 16, affording the purified β-methyl derivative. The melting point of the β-methyl derivative : 100∼101 °C Example 19 Preparation of α-methyl derivative (N-[(S)-2-[(3S, 4R)-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl]propionyl]-N-(4-chlorophenyl)-p-toluenesulfonamide) N-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-propionyl-p-toluenesulfonamide (676 mg, 2 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (2 ml) was cooled to 0 °C, then titanium tetrachloride/methylene chloride (1 M, 2 ml, 2 mmol) solution was added to the solution. After aging for 15 min. at 0°C, N,N-diisopropylethylamine (259 mg, 2 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) and (3R, 4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]azetidin-2-one (287.5 mg, 1 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (1 ml) were added to the solution at the same temperature. After aging the reaction mixture for 1 hour at 0°C, it was warmed to 20 °C and further stirred for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 0 °C and 10 % sodium hydrogen carbonate aq. solution (10 ml) was added thereto under stirring. The insoluble matter was removed by filtration, the organic layer separated from the filtrate was analyzed by using HPLC. The result showed that the organic layer contained 190 mg of the α-methyl derivative (α-methyl derivative: β -methyl derivative= 59:41). It was purified according to the method described in Example 16, affording the purified α-methyl derivative. 1 H NMR (270MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ of a α-methyl derivative: 0.03(6H,d), 0.84(9H,s), 1.01(3H,d), 1.14(3H,d), 2.2∼2.6(5H,m), 7.1∼7.9(8H,m), 3.65 ∼3.78(1H, m), 4.0 ∼4.15(1H, m), 5.90(1H, s) Example 20 Preparation of α-methyl derivative (N-(S)-2-[(3S, 4R)-3-[(R)-1-tert butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl]propionyl]-N-isopropylbenzamide) Titanium tetrachloride (0.43 g, 2.3 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (5 ml) was added to N-isopropyl-N-propionylbenzamide (0.5 g, 2.3 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (10 ml) at room temperature, then triethylamine (0.22 g, 2.1 mmol) and (3R, 4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]azetidin-2-one (0.44 g, 1.52 mmol) were added to the mixture at the same temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 hour at 20 °C, then cooled to 0°C and added with 10 % sodium hydrogen carbonate aq. solution (50 ml) under stirring. The insoluble matter was removed by filtration, the organic layer separated from the filtrate was analyzed by using HPLC. The result showed that the organic layer contained 0.25 g of the α-methyl derivative (α-methyl derivative: β -methyl derivative= 95:5). It was purified according to the method described in Example 16, affording the purified α-methyl derivative. 1H NMR (270MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ of the α-methyl derivative: 0.06(6H,s), 0.87(9H,s), 0.99(3H,d), 1.06(3H,d), 1.38(6H, d), 2.6 ∼2.7(1H, m), 2.83(1H, dd), 3.76∼3.82(1H, m), 4.05∼4.18(1H, m), 4.45∼4. 66(1H, m), 6.16(1H,s), 7.3 ∼ 7.8(5H,m) Example 21 Preparation of β-methyl derivative (N-[(R)-2[(3S, 4R)-3[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]-2-oxoazetidin-4-yl]propionyl]-N-isopropyl-p toluenesulfonamide) N-isopropyl-N-propionyl-p-toluenesulfonamide (2.69 g, 10 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (20 ml) was cooled to 0°C, then titanium tetrachloride (1.9 g, 10 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (2.5 ml) was added to the solution. After aging for 1 hour at 0°C, N,N-diisopropylethylamine (1.29 g, 10 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (2.5 ml) and (3R, 4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(R)-1-tert-butyldimethylsilyloxyethyl]azetidin-2-one (1.44 g, 5 mmol) solution in methylene chloride (5 ml) were added to the mixture at the same temperature. After aging the reaction mixture for 2 hour at 0°C, it was warmed to 20 °C and further stirred for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 0°C and 10 % sodium hydrogen carbonate aq. solution (50 ml) was added thereto under stirring. The insoluble matter was removed by filtration and the filtrate was washed with water. The filtrate was dried with anhydrous magnesium sulfate, then concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography, affording 1.5 g of the mixture of the β-methyl derivative and the α-methyl derivative. From the analytical result of NMR ( 1 H), the ratio of the β-methyl derivative and the α-methyl derivative was 67 : 33. H NMR (270MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ of a β methyl derivative : 7.76(d,2H), 7.38(d,2H), 6.00(br S,1H), 4.55(m,1H), 4.15(m, 1H), 3.83(q, 1H), 3.59(m,1H), 2.89(br S, 1H), 1.43(q, 6H), 1.11(d,3H), 1.01(S,3H), 0.87(S,9H), 0.06(S,6H) Industrial Applicability The process of the present invention is an industrially advantageous process using titanium compounds of the general formula [V] which are inexpensive and can be remored easily as titanium oxides. Further, when R 2 is alkyl such as methyl group, it is possible to obtain the β-type derivatives selectivly, which are important as intermediates for the synthesis of carbapenem compounds, by adjusting the mole ratios or optionally selecting an auxiliary group.

Claims: A process for preparing 4-substituted azetidinone derivatives of the general formula: wherein R is hydrogen or an easily removable protecting group of nitrogen, R 1 is alkyl which can be substituted by hydroxy which can be protected or halogen, R 2 is hydrogen or alkyl, R 3 is alkyl, trialkylsilyl, phenyl which can be substituted by alkyl, alkoxy, nitro or halogen, cycloalkyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, fluorenyl, benzothiazolyl or naphthalimidyl and R 4 is an electron withdrawing group or forming a ring together with R 3 , which comprises reacting an azetidinone derivative of the general formula: wherein R and R 1 are as defined above and Z is a leaving group, and an imide compound of the general formula: wherein R 2 , R 3 and R 4 are as defined above, characterized in that the process is conducted in the presence of a titanium compound of the general formula: Ti (Cl) n (OR 5 ) m wherein R 5 is C 1 to C 3 alkyl, n and m are independently an integer from 0 to 4 provided n plus m always makes 4, and a base. The process for the preparation according to claim 1, wherein R 4 is a substituent represented by the formula: wherein X is oxygen, sulfur or NR 7 (R 7 is hydrogen, alkyl or phenyl); Y is oxygen, sulfur or NR 8 (R 8 is hydrogen, alkyl or phenyl); and R 6 is alkyl, phenyl which can be substituted by alkyl, alkoxy, nitro or halogen, cycloalkyl, naphthyl, or forming 5- to 6-membered ring together with R 3 . The process according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ring formed with the following formula: is a 5-membered ring represented by the formula: wherein R 9 , R 10 , R 11 and R 12 are independently hydrogen, alkyl, phenyl which can be substituted by lower alkyl, alkoxy, nitro or halogen, cycloalkyl, naphthyl, oxo or alkylene formed together with R 9 and R 10 or R 11 and R 12 , or aromatic formed together with R 9 , R 10 , R 11 and R 12 and two adjacent carbon atoms connecting to these substituents; and, X and Y are as defined above. The process according to claim 1, wherein R 4 is a substituent of the general formula: -SO 2 R 13 wherein R 13 is alkyl; haloalkyl; phenyl which can be substituted by alkyl, alkoxy, nitro or halogen; cycloalkyl or naphthyl or can form a ring together with R 3 . The process according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the ring formed by the group of the general formula: is a ring represented by the following formula: wherein R 14 , R 15 , R 16 , R 17 , R 18 , R 19 , R 20 , R 21 , R 22 , R 23 , R 24 and R 25 are independently hydrogen; alkyl; phenyl which can be substituted by alkyl, alkoxy, nitro or halogen; cycloalkyl; or R 14 and R 15 , R 16 and R 17 , R 18 and R 19 , R 20 and R 21 , R 22 and R 23 or R 24 and R 25 can respectively form oxo or alkylene group, and R 14 and R 20 , R 16 and R 22 , R 22 and R 24 or R 14 and R 24 can form a ring, when R 17 and R 19 , R 15 and R 21 , R 17 and R 23 , R 23 and R 25 or R 15 and R 25 can respectively form double bond; Q is O, S or NR 26 (wherein R 26 is hydrogen, alkyl or phenyl). The process according to claim 1, wherein R 1 is a substituent of the general formula: wherein X is as defined above. R 27 is alkyl; haloalkyl; phenyl which can be substituted by alkyl, alkoxy, nitro or halogen; cycloalkyl or naphthyl or can form a ring together with R 3 . The process according to claim 1 or 6, wherein the ring formed from the group of the general formula: is a ring represented by the following formula: wherein X is as defined above; R 28 , R 29 , R 30 , R 31 , R 32 , R 33 , R 34 and R 35 are independently hydrogen; alkyl; pheyl which can be substituted with alkyl, alkoxy, nitro or halogen ; cycloalkyl; naphthyl; or R 28 and R 20 , R 30 and R 31 , R 32 and R 33 or R 34 and R 35 can respectively form oxo or alkylene group, or R 30 and R 32 , R 28 and R 34 or R 32 and R 34 can independently form a ring. When R 31 and R 33 , R 29 and R 35 or R 33 and R 35 can independently form a double bond; and U is O, S or NR 36 (wherein R 36 is hydrogen, alkyl or phenyl). The process according to claim 1, wherein R 4 is a substituent of the general formula: SO 2 ―T― R 37 wherein T is 0, S or NR 38 (wherein R 38 is hydrogen or alkyl); R 37 is alkyl; phenyl which can be substituted by alkyl, alkoxy, nitro or halogen; cycloalkyl or naphthyl or can form 5- or 6-membered ring together with R 3 . The process according to claim 1 or 8, wherein the ring of the general formula: is a ring represented by the following formula: wherein R 39 , R 40 , R 41 , R 42 , R 43 and R 44 are independently hydrogen; alkyl; phenyl which can be substituted by alkyl, alkoxy, nitro or halogen; cycloalkyl; naphthyl; or R 39 and R 40 , R 41 and R 42 or R 43 and R 44 can form oxo or alkylene, or R 39 and R 41 or R 41 and R 43 can form a ring respectively, when R 42 and R 42 or R 42 and R 44 can form a double bond respectively; T is as defined above; W is O, S or NR 45 (wherein R 45 is hydrogen, alkyl or phenyl). The process according to claim 1, wherein R 4 is nitro.

Inventors: HARA TAMIO, IMAI KIYOHITO, NAKAGAWA YUUKI, HARA, TAMIO, IMAI, KIYOHITO, NAKAGAWA, YUUKI, HARA, TAMIO TAKAOKA PLANT, IMAI, KIYOHITO TAKAOKA PLANT, NAKAGAWA, YUUKI TAKAOKA PLANT
Applicants: NIPPON SODA CO, NIPPON SODA CO., LTD.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: C07D205
IPC codes: C07D413, C07D205, C07D403, C07D417, C07F7