A PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF S-(+)-2-(3-BENZOYLPHENYL)PROPIONIC ACID BY ENZYME-CATALYSED ENANTIOSELECTIVE TRANSESTERIFICATION IN AN ORGANIC SOLVENT

Abstract: A process for the preparation of S-(+)-2-(3-benzoylphenyl)propionic acid, according to formula (I), which process comprises the following steps: a) stereoselective transesterification in organic medium, catalysed by a carboxylesterase enzyme of microbial origin, of an ester of formula (II) in which R<1> is a C1-C10 straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group, which can be substituted at the alpha - or beta -positions by an electron-withdrawing group, said transesterification reaction is carried out in an organic solvent with an alcohol of general formula R<5>OH, R<5> being a C1-C8 straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group, or a C1-C4 straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group substituted by a group having acid or basic functionality; b) selective hydrolysis or extraction of ester IV which is then converted to I.

Description: A PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF S-(+)-2-(3-BENZOYL- PHENYL)PROPIONIC ACID BY ENZYME-CATALYSED ENANTIOSELEC- TIVE TRANSESTERIFICATION IN AN ORGANIC SOLVENT. FIELD OF THE INVENTION. The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of optically active S-(+)-2-(3-benzoyl- phenyDpropionic acid (I) by resolution of the race- 5 mate via stereoselective transesterification in organic medium of a racemic 2-(3-benzoylphenyl)propionic acid reactive ester (II) with an achiral alcohol, catalysed by an extracellular lipase of microbial origin, fol¬ lowed by selective hydrolysis or extraction of the ob- 0 tained esters. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND. A number of antiinflammatory agents of the family of the aryl or alkylarylpropionic acids (i.e. naproxen, ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, etc.) are known, having a chi- 5 ral center in the ©^-carbon and therefore existing in two optically different forms. The higher activity of the S enantiomer compared with that of the R one is also known [Muller N. et al. , Fundam. Clin. Pharmacol. 4, 617 (1990)]. This is also the case of ketoprofen (S- 0 (+)-2-(3-benzoylphenyl)propionic acid) , the physiologi¬ cal activity of which mainly resides in the S enantio¬ mer [Yamaguchi T. et al. , Folia Pharmacol. Japon. 90, 295 (1987)]. The achievement of the chiral S-(+)-2-(3-benzoyl- 25. phenyl)propionic acid (I) was approached both by enan- tioselective synthesis [Fadel A., Synlett. 1, 48 (1992), FR 2,659,968 (21.3.1991)] and by resolution of the racemate, and particularly remarkable is the reso¬ lution by diastereomeric crystallization of a (-)-l- phenylpropylamine salt. In this case, the product, which is obtained in a 22% yield after two recry- stallizations, shows an optical purity higher than 99% [Nohira H. et al. EP 423,467]. Among the enzymatic methods for the optical resolution, only the stereoselective hydrolysis in aqueous medium has been applied to the preparation of S-(+)-2-(3-benzoylphenyl)propionic acid. The contribu¬ tion by Sih et al. [Sih C.L. et al. , EP 227,078] should be outlined, in which the resolution of this compound by hydrolysis of the methyl ester thereof, catalysed by a purified form of the lipase from Candida cylindracea, with optical purity values higher than 957o and in a 78% yield, is described. In spite of these results, the procedure does not seem to be suitable for the prepara¬ tive scale, due to the need to modify-purify the en¬ zyme. On the other hand, Cerbelaud D. et al. [EP 330529 and EP 2626288] describe the resolution by enantiose- lective hydrolysis of the nitrile and the corresponding amide catalysed by microorganisms such as Corynebacte- rium 1-774 or Brevibacterium R-312, to obtain the acid in an 88% yield and with an optical purity higher than 95%, even though it should be noted the disadvantage that these reactions are carried ou.t at a high dilution (0.05 M) . In both cases, the optically pure acid is ob¬ tained extracting with organic solvents the crude pro- duct from the hydrolysis, after alkalinizationv to le- ave the ester in the organic phase and the acid in the aqueous basic one. The enantioselective esterification and tran¬ sesterification reactions catalysed by upases have ne¬ ver been applied to the optical resolution of 2-(3-ben- zoylphenyDpropionic acid or other antiinflammatory agents of this family, although having been applied to other halo or aryloxy propionic acids substituted at the 0^ carbon. The achievement of chiral 2-chloro or 2- bromopropionic acids by selective esterification ca¬ talysed by lipase from Candida cylindracea has been described to give better results in organic medium, i.e. in n-hexane [Klibanov A.M. et al. , US 4,601,987; Kirchner G. et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. , 107 (24) 7072 (1985)], than in a water-organic solvent biphasic me¬ dium [Cambou et al. Biotech. & Bioeng. , 26, 1449 (1984)]. Alternatively, these chiral acids are obtained by stereoselective transesterification catalysed by li- pases from Penicillium cyclopium or Geotricum candidum. In practice, the cf-chloropropionic acid ethyl ester is enantioselectively converted into the butyl ester in the presence of butanol, in a 10% conversion in 48 hours and a 68% enantiomeric excess of the resulting product [Aviron-Violet P, EP 396447]. Similarly, the trichloroethyl ester transesterifies in the presence of hexadecanol in a 50% conversion in 50 hours to obtain the chiral hexadecyl ester [Klibanov A.M. et al. , US 4601987; Kirchner G. et al. , J. Am. Chem. Soc. 107, 7072 (1985)]. In both cases, the separation of the fi¬ nal esters is carried out by distillation. u et al. described ■ the resolution of 2-(4-chlorophe- noxy)propionic acid via enantioselective esterification with n-butanol, catalysed by the lipase from Candid cylindracea (Meito-Sangyo Ltd. Japan; 72 hours, 38% conversion, 86% optical purity of the n-butyl ester) in an n-hexane solution containing 2% (v/v) of phosphate buffer (0.2 M, pH 7.0) [Wu S.-H., Chu F.-Ed., Wang K.- T. Bioorganic & Med. Chem. Letters 1 (7) 339 (1991)]. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of chiral optically pure S-(+)-2-(3- benzoylphenyl)propionic acid (I) I by resolution of the racemate of a reactive ester (II) II of said compound via enantioselective transesterifica tion in organic medium, catalysed by an extracellula lipase of microbial origin. In formula (II), R is a straight, branched or cy clic C--C, 0 alkyl group, substituted by one or mor electron-withdrawing groups, for example halogen, ni tro, cyano, -OR 2 , -SR2, -COR2 [wherein R2 can be C ±.-C alkyl or cycloalkyl], NR R [wherein R and R can b H, C- -Cy. straight, branched or cyclic alkyl, -or the can form a C.-C 8 cycle together with the nitrogen an optionally other heteroatoms] . The electron-withdrawin group can be in the ζfe- or β- positions of the R group thus the ester being referred to as "reactive" este due to the faster hydrolysis rate observed for sai derivatives. Some specific examples of R groups are 2 chloroethyl, 2,2,2,-trichloroethyl, 2-fluoroethyl 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, cyanomethyl, 2-nitropropyl, 2 aminoethyl, N,N-dimethyl-2-aminoethyl. The process consists in subjecting the substrate the reactive ester (II), to the action of a extracellular carboxylesterase (also named "lipase", E 3.1.1.3.) of microbial origin, as described in the fol lowing scheme. The reaction is carried out in a water-immiscibl organic solvent such as a straight or branched alipha tic ether, or an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon which can be halogenated or not, and the like, in th presence of the transesterification alcohol, which h a R 5OH structure, wherein R5 is a C,-C 8 straight, bra ched or cyclic alkyl group, for example, n-butanol 5 n-octanol, or R is a C,-C. straight, branched or c clic alkyl group substituted with a group having a s cond basic or acid functionality, for example, a nitro- genated heteroaryl group [such as pyridyl, pyrazolyl, f, 7 imidazolyl, thiazolyl, etc] or a -NR R group [wherein 6 7 R and R can be H, C,-C. straight, branched or cyclic alkyl, or they can form a C.-C 6 cycle together with the Q nitrogen and optionally other heteroatoms] , a -CO-R ; 8 8 8 8 -S0 3 R , - p °3 R R group [wherein R can be H or an 5 alkali metal]. Some specific examples of these R OH di- functional alcohols are 2-(2-pyridyl)ethanol, N,N- diethylethanol and 2-hydroxyethylsulfonic , glycolic and lactic acids. Among the carboxylesterases (also named "lipases") capable to catalyse this type of reactions, the deriva¬ tives *from microorganisms of the genus Candida, Rhizo- pus, Mucor, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Pseudomonas showed a special activity, particularly the lipase from Mucor meihei commercialized by Amano Pharm. Co. Ltd. (Nagoya, JP) under the commercial name Amano M-AP-10 and the lipase isolated from the same microorganism by NOVO Nordisk Ind. (Bagsvaerdt, DK) under the name Li- pozyme 10000. In all cases, a preference for the R enantiomer of the ester was observed, as the alkyl ester (III) of R configuration is obtained, whereas the enantiomer S thereof remains in form of the starting reactive ester (IV). The concentration of the starting racemic ester (II) can be from 0.05 to 1.0 M, preferably 0.1-0.3 M. The molar ratio of ester to transesterification alcohol is at least 1:0.5; the- latter may' be used as solvent. The working temperature is from 0 to 60°C, but prefera¬ bly the reaction is carried out at 20-30°C. The reac- tion time is from 2 to 15 days , preferably 7 days . I some cases, the reaction will be carried out until con versions higher than 50% (approx. 55%), since, accor ding to the general theory of the irreversible enzym reactions, [C.S. Chen, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl., 28, 695 (1989)], and since the interesting compound (S iso mer) is the remaining substrate, the optical purit thereof can be optimized only excessing a 50% conver sion. The separation of the desired ester from the crud transesterification product when R is a C,-C 8 alky group is conveniently carried out by subjecting th mixture to chemoselective hydrolysis with aqueou alkal-i, at such a pH that only the reactive ester IV i hydrolysed; this pH can be from 7 to 12, preferabl from 9 to 10, kept constant by means of a pH-Stat, o in the suitable buffer solution. Moreover, the reactio mixture can be added with a water-miscible co-solven in order to increase the solubility of these compound in the medium. Preferably, co-solvents such a tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, aliphatic alcohols, di methylformamide or acetone will be used. Once the reaction mixture is treated, it i alkalinized and the resulting acid (I) is separate from ester (III) by extraction with a water-immiscibl organic solvent, such as ethyl acetate, diethyl ether toluene, and the like, or by centrifugation or filtra tion of the resulting suspension to obtain the R-este (III), whereas the acidification' gives the opticall active S-(+)-2-(3-benzoylphenyl)propionic acid (I). Alternatively, when R is a C,-C. alkyl substitu ted by basic or acid groups, the separation of both esters (III) and (IV) in the crude transesterification product is carried out by partition between a water-im¬ miscible organic solvent (such as ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, toluene, etc) and an aqueous solution at the pH suitable to dissolve the ester (III), leaving the starting ester (IV) in the organic phase. The pH optimum will depend on the nature of the bifunctional alcohol used, for example, in case (III) contains a py- ridyl group in R , this pH ranges from 0 to 4, whereas if R contains a carboxylic or sulfonic acid, it is from 6 to 13, so that the ester (III) is completely dissolved in water. The remaining reactive ester (IV) , once separated, is subjected to chemical or enzymatic hydrolysis: The chemical hydrolysis is carried out at alkaline pH which can range from 7 to 12, preferably from 9 to 10, pH being kept constant either by a pH-Stat or by a suita¬ ble buffer solution. Moreover, the reaction mixture can be added with a water-miscible co-solvent in order to increase the solubility of the ester (IV) in the medium and therefore the hydrolysis reaction rate. Preferably, co-solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane, ali¬ phatic alcohols, N,N-dimethylformamide and the like will be used. Alternatively, the hydrolysis may be car¬ ried out using a lipase, esterase or any other hydiro- lase at the optimum pH thereof. Finally, the resulting acid (I) is separated by acidification and extraction with a water-immiscible organic solvent such as those indicated above, or by centrifugation or filtration of the resulting suspension to obtain a solid which is S- (+)-2-(3-benzoylphenyl)propionic acid (I) . The following examples further illustrate the in¬ vention. Example la: Transesterification reaction of the ester (II) (R = -CHpCF.,) with n-butanol catalysed by lipase from Mucor meihei, Amano MAP-10 In a 5000 ml Erlenmeyer flask fitted with mechani¬ cal stirrer, 150 g (0.446 mole) of racemic trifluoro- ethyl ester (I) (R 1 = -CH 2 CF 3 ) and 66.1 g (0.892 mole) of n-butanol are dissolved in 3000 ml of dry diiso- propyl ether and 6.0 g of 4A molecular sieves are ad¬ ded. Subsequently 223 g of lipase from Mucor meihei (Amano MAP-10) are added, to obtain a suspension which is stirred for 7 days at 27°C. The final mixture is filtered, the filtrate is washed with 0.1 N NaOH, dried with magnesium sulfate and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum to obtain 189 g of a crude product which is analyzed by HPLC, showing a 47.3% content of trifluoroethyl ester (IV) (R 1 = -CH 2 CF 3 ) of a 91.8% op- tical purity, together with 48.7% of n-butyl ester (III) (R 1 = -0(CH 2 ) 3 CH 3 ) . The crude reaction product is used in the subsequent step without further purifica¬ tion. The optical purity of the chiral compounds in this and in the following examples was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) by means of a Chiralcel OJ column manufactured by Daicel Chem. Ind. , Ltd. and a n-hexane/i-propanol/AcOH (80/19.5/0.5) mo¬ bile phase . Example . lb: Chemoselective hydrolysis of the trifluoro ethyl ester (IV) (R 1 = -CH 2 CF 3 ) 50 g of the crude product of the above reaction (la) are dissolved in 4800 ml of water/l,4-dioxane (80:20 v/v). The mixture is adjusted to pH 9.5, which pH is kept for 6 days by addition of 0.1 N NaOH in a pH-Stat. The volume is reduced to 1/5 by evaporation under vacuum and pH is adjusted to 12 by addition of 1 N NaOH. The solid is dissolved in diethyl ether, washe with a NaCl saturated solution, dried and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum. 25 g of the n-butyl ester (III) (R 5 = -0(CH 2 ) 3 CH 3 ) are obtained with a 94 optical purity. The aqueous filtrate is brought to pH 1 by addition of 1 N HC1 , extracted with ethyl ether (5 x 200 ml) and dried over magnesium sulfate. After evapo¬ ration of the solvent under vacuum, 13.6 g (91% yield) of S-(+)-2-(3-benzoylphenyl)propionic acid (I) are ob tained of 87% optical purity. 1H N.M.R. (CDC1., , 300 MHz) 7.35-7.80 (m, 9H; pH-H) ; 3.77 (q J=4, 1H; CHCOOH) ; 1.50 (d J=4, 3H; CH 3 ) ; IR (CHC1 3 ) 3000-3400, 1730, 1650, 1600, 1460, 1410, 1290, 1200, 1150, 1075 cm-1; -0t- 23 D = +49.70° (c 0.93, CHC1..). n-Butyl ester (III) (R 5 = (CH 2 ) 3 CH 3 ): 1H N.M.R. (CDC1 3 , 300 MHz) 7.4-7.9 (m, 9H; Ph-H) ; 4.25 (m, 2H; COOCH2CH2) ; 3.88 (dd J=3.7, 1H; CHCOO); 1.56 (d J=3 , 3H; CHCH3) , 1.53 (m, 3H; CH 2 CH 3 ) . Example 2: Transesterification reaction of the trifluo roethyl ester (I) (R = -CH 2 CF, ) with n-butanol cataly sed by lipase from Mucor meihei, Lipozyme 10000 In a 100 ml Erlenmeyer flask fitted with magneti stirrer, 2.0 g (5.95 mmoles) of trifluoroethyl este (I) (R 1 = -CH 2 CF 3 ) and 441 mg (5.45 mmoles) of n-buta nol are dissolved in 60 ml of n-hexane. Subsequently, 1.19 g of lipase from Mucor meihei (Lipozyme 10000) are added to obtain a suspension which is stirred for 9 days at 27°C. The final mixture is centrifuged, washed with 0.1 N Na 2 C0 3 , dried with magnesium sulfate and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum to obtain 1.71 g of a crude product which is analyzed by chiral HPLC, showing to contain 46.0% trifluoroethyl ester (IV) (R = -CH 2 CF 3 ) of a 90.3% optical purity, together with 49.7% of n-butyl ester (III) (R 5 = -0(CH 2 ) 3 CH 3 ) corre- sponding to a 51.9% conversion. Example 3a) Transesterification of the ester (II) with 2-(2-pyridyl)ethanol catalysed by lipase of Mucor meihei . In a 2 1 flask, 75 g (0.22 mole) of ester (II) (R 1 = -CH 2 CF 3 ) and 22 g (0.18 mole) of 2-(2-py- ridyl)ethanol are dissolved in 885 ml of diisopropyl ether. Subsequently 112 g of lipase of Mucor meihei (Amano MAP-10 ) are added, to obtain a suspension whic is stirred for 11 days at 27°C. The final mixture i filtered and the filtrate is extracted with 0.1 N HC (5 x 200 ml). The organic phase is washed with 0.1 NaOH (3 x 50 ml), dried over magnesium sulfate and th solvent is evaporated off under vacuum to obtain 40.8 of the trifluoroethyl ester (IV) (R 1 = -CH 2 CF 3 ) , with 93.5 % optical purity . The aqueous phase is adjuste to alkaline pH with 0.1 N NaOH and extracted wit diethyl ether (5 x 100 ml), dried over magnesium sul fate and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum t obtain 28.9 g of the 2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl ester (III) (R ," = -(CH 2 ) 2 Py) with an optical purity higher than 99 % which means a 41% conversion. 2-(2-Pyridyl)ethyl este (III) (R 3 = -(CH 2 ) 2 Py) : optical purity >99 %; IH N.M.R (300 MHz, CDC1 3 ) : 8.45 (d J=3 , IH; Py-H) , 6.9-7.8 (m 12H; Ar-H), 4.45 (m, 2H; COOCH) , 3.7 (dd J=7.3 , 2H CH 3 CH) , 3.0 (dd J=7.3, 2H; CH 2 Py) , 1.45 (d J=3 , 3H CH 3 )- Trifluoroethyl ester (IV) (R 1 = CH 2 CF 3 ): optica purity = 93.5 %; IH N.M.R. (300 MHz, CDC1 3 ): 7.4-7. (m, 9H; Ph-H) ; 4.35 (m, 2H; CH 2 CF 3 ) ; 3.88 (dd J=3.7 IH; CHCOO); 1.56 (d J=3, 3H; CH 3 ) . Example 3b: Hydrolysis of the trifluoroethyl ester (IV (R 1 = -CH 2 CF 3 ) . 1.5 g of trifluoroethyl ester (IV) of example 3 (93.5 % optical purity) are dissolved in 80 ml of THF/water (50 % v/v) mixture. The mixture is brought t pH 9.5 and it is kept at this pH for 6 days, by addi tion of 0.1 N NaOH in a pH-Stat. The volume of the su spension is reduced to 1/2 by evaporation under vacuu and the suspension is acidified to pH = 1 by additio of 0.1 N HC1, extracted with diethyl ether (5 x 5 ml) dried and the solvent is evaporated off under vacuum 1.0 g of S-(+)-2-(3-benzoylphenyl)propionic acid (90 yield) is obtained, with a 91 % optical purity. I N.M.R. (CDC1 3 , 300 MHz) 7.35-7.80 (m 9H, Ph-H); 3.7 (md J=4, IH; CHCH 3 ) ; 1.50 (d J=4 , 3H; CHCH 3 ) ; I (CHC1 3 ) 3000-3400, 1730, 1650, 1600, 1460, 1410, 1290 1200, 1150, 1075 cm-1; M.p. =87-92°C; [OflD = +51.96° ( 1.0, CHC1 3 ).

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A process for the preparation of S-(+)-2-(3-ben- zoylphenyl)propionic acid, according to formula (I), I which process comprises the following steps: a) stereoselective transesterification in organic me¬ dium, catalysed by a carboxylesterase enzyme of micro- bial origin, of an ester of formula (II) II in which R is a C,-C- 0 straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group, which can be substituted at the - - or β- positions by an electron-withdrawing group, sai transesterification reaction is carried out in an orga- nic solvent with an alcohol of general formula R 5OH, R5 being a C,-C 8 straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group, or a C-.-C. straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group substituted by a group having acid or basic functiona lity; b) selective hydrolysis or extraction of ester I which is then converted to I. 2. A process according to claim 1, wherein the con centration of the starting ester (II) is from 0.05 t 5 1.0 M, the molar ratio of ester (II) to alcohol R OH i at least 1:0.5; the latter may be used as solvent, the reaction being carried out at a temperature from 0 to 60°C, for a time from 2 to 15 days. 3. A process according to claim 1 or 2 , in which the electron-withdrawing group present in R is halogen, nitro, cyano, -OR 2 , -SR2 , -COR2 [wherein R2 can be C,- Cg alkyl or cycloalkyl], NR 3R4 [wherein R3 and R4 can be H, C,-C β straight, branched or cyclic alkyl, or they can form a C.-C, cycle together with the nitrogen and optionally other heteroatoms] . 4. A process according to any one of the above claims, in which R is -CH 2 CF 3 , -CH 2 CH 2 F , -CH 2 CH 2 C1 or -CH 2 CC1 3 . 5. A process according to any one of the above claims, in which R is -CH 2 CF 3 . 6. A process according to any one of the above claims, in which the enzyme used is the lipase from Mu- cor meihei. 7. A process according to any one of the above claims 5 in which the R OH alcohol is a C,-C 8 linear, branched or cyclic alkanol and the ester IV is chemoselectively hydrolysed by treatment with ' aqueous alkali at constant pH from 7 to 12. 8. A process according to claim 7, in which the al- cohol of general formula R OH is n-butanol. 9. A process according to claim 7 or 8, in which the resulting final S-acid and the R-ester are separated by partition between a water-immiscible organic solvent and an acid aqueous solution, at pH from 0.5 to 1. 10. A process according to any one of the above claims 1 to 6 in which R OH is a C..-C. alkanol substituted by groups having acid or basic functionality and the unre- acted ester IV having S configuration is separated by partition between a water-immiscible organic solvent and an aqueous medium at a pH suitable to dissolve the formed ester III or by centrifugation or filtration of the resulting suspension followed by chemical or enzy¬ matic hydrolysis of the ester IV. 5 11. A process according to claim 10 in which the R OH alcohol is 2-(2-pyridyl)ethanol. 12. A process according to claim 10 or 11, in which the resulting esters are separated by partition between a water-immiscible organic solvent and an aqueous solu¬ tion at acid pH from 0 to 4 or basic pH from 9 to 14.

Inventors: CARGANICO GERMANO, MAULEON CASELLAS DAVID, PALOMER BENET ALBERT, CARGANICO, GERMANO, MAULEON CASELLAS, DAVID, PALOMER BENET, ALBERT
Applicants: CARGANICO GERMANO, MAULEON CASELLAS DAVID, MENARINI LAB, PALOMER BENET ALBERT, LABORATORIOS MENARINI S.A.
Application year: 1993
Main classification: C12P41
IPC codes: C12P7, C12P41