PHOSPHATE-MEDIATED CYCLIZATION

Abstract: This invention relates to a cyclization process useful in the preparation of a key intermediate in the preparation of an endothelin antagonist of formula (I).

Description: TITLE OF THE INVENTION PHOSPHATE-MEDIATED CYCLIZATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the cyclization of a key intermediate in the synthesis of an endothelin antagonist. The endothelin antagonist compound possessing a high affinity for at least one of two receptor subtypes, are responsible for the dilation of smooth muscle, such as blood vessels or in the trachea. The endothelin antagonist compounds provide a potentially new therapeutic target, particularly for the treatment of hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, Raynaud's disease, acute renal failure, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, cerebral infarction, cerebral vasospasm, arteriosclerosis, asthma, gastric ulcer, diabetes, restenosis, prostatauxe endotoxin shock, endotoxin-induced multiple organ failure or disseminated intravascular coagulation, and/or cyclosporin-induced renal failure or hypertension. Endothelin is a polypeptide composed of amino acids, and it is produced by vascular endothelial cells of human or pig. Endothelin has a potent vasoconstrictor effect and a sustained and potent pressor action (Nature, 332, 11-415 (1988)). Three endothelin isopeptides (endothelin- 1, endothelin-2 and endothelin-3), which resemble one another in structure, exist in the bodies of animals including human, and these peptides have vasoconstriction and pressor effects (Proc. Natl. Acad, Sci, USA, 86, 2863-2867 (1989)). As reported, the endothelin levels are clearly elevated in the blood of patients with essential hypertension, acute myocardial infarction, pulmonary hypertension, Raynaud's disease, diabetes or atherosclerosis, or in the washing fluids of the respiratory tract or the blood of patients with asthmaticus as compared with normal levels (Japan, J. Hypertension, 12, 79, (1989), J. Vascular medicine Biology, 2, 207 (1990), Diabetologia, 33, 306-310 (1990), J. Am. Med. Association, 264, 2868 (1990), and The Lancet, ii, 747-748 (1989) and ii, 1144-1147 (1990)). Further, an increased sensitivity of the cerebral blood vessel to endothelin in an experimental model of cerebral vasospasm (Japan. Soc. Cereb. Blood Flow & Metabol., 1, 73 (1989)), an improved renal function by the endothelin antibody in an acute renal failure model (J. Clin, invest., 83, 1762-1767 (1989), and inhibition of gastric ulcer development with an endothelin antibody in a gastric ulcer model (Extract of Japanese Society of Experimental Gastric Ulcer, 50 (1991)) have been reported. Therefore, endothelin is assumed to be one of the mediators causing acute renal failure or cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage. Further, endothelin is secreted not only by endothelial cells but also by tracheal epithelial cells or by kidney cells (FEBS Letters, 255. 129-132 (1989), and FEBS Letters, 249, 42-46 (1989)). Endothelin was also found to control the release of physiologically active endogenous substances such as renin, atrial natriuretic peptide, endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), thromboxane A2, prostacyclin, noradrenaline, angiotensin II and substance P (Biochem. Biophys, Res. Commun., 157, 1164-1168 (1988); Biochem. Biophys, Res. Commun., 155, 20 167-172 (1989); Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 85 1 9797-9800 (1989); J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol., 13, S89- S92 (1989); Japan. J. Hypertension, 12, 76 (1989) and Neuroscience Letters, lOjj!, 179-184 (1989)). Further, endothelin causes contraction of the smooth muscle of gastrointestinal tract and the uterine smooth muscle (FEBS Letters, 247, 337-340 (1989); Eur. J. Pharmacol., 154, 227- 228 (1988); and Biochem. Biophys Res. Commun., 159, 317-323 (1989)). Further, endothelin was found to promote proliferation of rat vascular smooth muscle cells, suggesting a possible relevance to the arterial hypertrophy (Atherosclerosis, 78, 225-228 (1989)). Furthermore, since the endothelin receptors are present in a high density not only in the peripheral tissues but also in the central nervous system, and the cerebral administration of endothelin induces a behavioral change in animals, endothelin is likely to play an important role for controlling nervous functions (Neuroscience Letters, 97, 276-279 (1989)). Particularly, endothelin is suggested to be one of mediators for pain (Life Sciences, 49, PL61-PL65 (1991)). - 2 - Internal hyperplastic response was induced by rat carotid artery balloon endothelial denudation. Endothelin causes a significant worsening of the internal hyperplasia (J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol., 22, 355 - 359 & 371 - 373(1993)). These data support a role of endothelin in the phathogenesis of vascular restenosis. Recently, it has been reported that both ETA and ETβ receptors exist in the human prostate and endothelin produces a potent contraction of it. These results suggest the possibility that endothelin is involved in the pathophysiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia (J. Urology, 151, 763 - 766(1994), Molecular Pharmocol., 45, 306 - 311(1994)). On the other hand, endotoxin is one of potential candidates to promote the release of endothelin. Remarkable elevation of the endothelin levels in the blood or in the culture supernatant of endothelial cells was observed when endotoxin was exogenously administered to animals or added to the culture endothelial cells, respectively. These findings suggest that endothelin is an important mediator for endotoxin- induced diseases (Biochem. Biophys. Commun., 161, 1220-1227 (1989); and Acta Physiol. Scand., 137, 317-318 (1989)). Further, it was reported that cyclosporin remarkably increased endothelin secretion in the renal cell culture (LLC-PKL cells) (Eur. J. Pharmacol., 180, 191-192 (1990)). Further, dosing of cyclosporin to rats reduced the glomerular filtration rate and increased the blood pressure in association with a remarkable increase in the circulating endothelin level. This cyclosporin-inducea renal failure can be suppressed by the administration of endothelin antibody (Kidney Int., 37, 1487-1491 (1990)). Thus, it is assumed that endothelin is significantly involved in the pathogenesis of the cyclosporin-induced diseases. Such various effects of endothelin are caused by the binding of endothelin to endothelin receptors widely distributed in many tissues (Am. J. Physiol., 256, R856-R866 (1989)). It is known that vasoconstriction by the endothelins is caused via at least two subtypes of endothelin receptors (J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol., 17(Suppl.7). S119-SI21 (1991)). One of the endothelin receptors is ETA receptor Selective to ET-1 rather than ET-3, and the other is ETβ receptor equally active to ET-1 and ET-3. These receptor - 3 - proteins are reported to be different from each other (Nature, 348, 730-735 (1990)). These two subtypes of endothelin receptors are differently distributed in tissues. It is known that the ETA receptor is present mainly in cardiovascular tissues, whereas the ETβ receptor is widely distributed in various tissues such as brain, kidney, lung, heart and vascular tissues. Substances which specifically inhibit the binding of endothelin to the endothelin receptors are believed to antagonize various pharmacological activities of endothelin and to be useful as a drug in a wide field. Since the action of the endothelins is caused via not only the ETA receptor but also the ETβ receptor, novel non-peptidic substances with ET receptor antagonistic activity to either receptor subtype are desired to block activities of the endothelins effectively in various diseases. Endothelin is an endogenous substance which directly or indirectly (by controlling liberation of various endogenous substances) induces sustained contraction or relaxation of vascular or non-vascular smooth muscles, and its excess production or excess secretion is believed to be one of pathogeneses for hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, Raynaud's disease, bronchial asthma, gastric ulcer, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, restenosis, acute renal failure, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, cerebral vasospasm and cerebral infarction. Further, it is suggested that endothelin serves as an important mediator involved in diseases such as restenosis, prostatauxe, endotoxin shock, endotoxin- induced multiple organ failure or disseminated intravascular coagulation, and cyclosporin-induced renal failure or hypertension. Two endothelin receptors ETA and ETβ are known so far and antagonists of these receptors have been shown to be potential drug targets. EP 0526708 Al and WO 93/08799 Al are representative examples of patent applications disclosing non-peptidic compounds with alleged activity as endothelin receptor antagonists. The present invention discloses a method for preparing a compound of Formula I, Formula I comprising reacting a solution of a compound of Formula II, R 1 O II with a chlorodi(C 1 -C 4 )-alkylphosphate and a base to cyclize to the compound of Formula I. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention discloses a method for preparing the compound of Formula I, wherein: represents: a) 5- or 6-membered heterocyclyl containing one, two or three double bonds, but at least one double bond and 1, 2 or 3 - 5 heteroatoms selected from O, N and S, the heterocyclyl is unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from the group consisting of: OH, CO2R 4 , Br, Cl, F, I, CF3, N(Rδ)2, Cl-Cs alkoxy, Cl-Cs alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, CO(CH2) n CH3, and CO(CH2) n CH2N(R5) 2 , b) 5- or 6-membered carbocyclyl containing one or two double bonds, but at least one double bond, the carbocyclyl is unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from the group consisting of: OH, CO2R 4 , Br, Cl, F, I, CF3, N(R5)2, Cl-Cs alkoxy, Cl-Cs alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, CO(CH2) n CH3, and CO(CH2) n CH2N(R5) 2 , c) aryl, wherein aryl is as defined below, Ci-Cβ alkoxy, Cl-Cs alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, or C3-C8 cycloalkyl, are unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from the group consisting of: OH, CO2R 4 , Br, Cl, F, I, CF3, N(Rδ) 2 , C1-C8 alkoxy, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, CO(CH2) n CH3, and CO(CH2) n CH2N(R5) 2 , aryl is defined as phenyl or naphthyl , which is unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from the group consisting of: OH, CO2R 4 , Br, Cl, F, I, CF3, N(Rδ)2, Cl-C-8 alkoxy, Cl-Cs alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C 2 -C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, CO(CH2) n CH3, CO(CH2)nCH2N(R 5 )2, or when aryl is substituted on adjacent carbons they can form a 5- or 6-membered fused ring having one, two or three heteroatoms selected from O, N, and S, this ring is unsubstituted or substituted on carbon or nitrogen with one, two or three substituents selected from the group consisting of: H, OH, CO2R 6 , Br, Cl, F, I, CF3, N(R7)2, Cl-Cs alkoxy, Ci-Cβ alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, or C3-C8 cycloalkyl, CO(CH2) n CH3, and CO(CH2)nCH2N(R5) 2 ; Rl is: a) Cl-Cs alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, b) aryl, or c) heteroaryl; heteroaryl is defined as a 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring containing one, two or three heteroatoms selected from O, N and S , which is unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from the group consisting of: OH, CO2R 4 , Br, Cl, F, I, CF3, N(Rδ) 2 , Cl-Cs alkoxy, Ci-Cβ alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, CO(CH2) n CH3, and CO(CH2) n CH2N(R5) 2 , R2 is: OR 4 or N(R5) ; R 3 is a) H, b) C1-C8 alkyl, c) C2-C8 alkenyl, d) C2-C8 alkynyl, e) Cl-Cs alkoxyl, f) C3-C7 cycloalkyl, g) S(O) t R 5 , h) Br, Cl, F, I, i) aryl, j) heteroaryl, k) N(Rδ)2, 1) NH 2 , m) -CHO, n) -CO-C1-C8 alkyl, 0) -CO-aryl, P) -CO-heteroaryl, or q) -CO2R 4 ; - 7 - n is: 0 to 5; t is: 0, 1 or 2; R 4 is: Cl-Cs alkyl; R 5 is: Cl-Cs alkyl, or aryl; R 6 , is: H, Cl-Cs alkyl, or aryl; and R 7 is: H, Cl-Cs alkyl, aryl, alkyl and aryl are unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from the group consisting of: OH, CO2R 4 , Br, Cl, F, I, CF3, N(R 5 )2, C1-C8 alkoxy, C1-C8 alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C 3 -C 8 cycloalkyl, CO(CH 2 ) n CH3, CO(CH2)nCH2N(R 5 )2; or when two R 7 substutients are on the same nitrogen they can join to form a ring of 3 to 6 atom; comprising the following steps: 1) adding chlorodi(C x -C 4 )-alkylphosphate to a mixture of a compound of formula II and a first solvent at a temperature of about -30°C to about 0°C, and 2) adding a base in a second solvent to the phosphate containing solution while maintaining the temperature of the reaction mixture between about -78°C to about 25°C to produce the compound of Formula I. 8 - DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention discloses a method for preparing the compound of Formula I, wherein: represents: a) 5- or 6-membered heterocyclyl containing one, two or three double bonds, but at least one double bond and 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms selected from O, N and S, the heterocyclyl is unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from the group consisting of: OH, CO2R 4 , Br, Cl, F, I, CF3, N(R5)2, CI-CS alkoxy, Ci-Cs alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, CO(CH2) n CH3, and CO(CH2) n CH 2 N(R5) 2 , b) 5- or 6-membered carbocyclyl containing one or two double bonds, but at least one double bond, the carbocyclyl is unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from the group consisting of: OH, CO2R 4 , Br, Cl, F, I, CF3, N(R5)2, Cl-Cs alkoxy, Cl-Cs alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, CO(CH 2 ) n CH3, and CO(CH2) n CH 2 N(R5) 2 , c ) aryl, wherein aryl is as defined below, Cl-Cs alkoxy, Ci-Cs alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, or C3-C8 cycloalkyl, are unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or 9 - three substituents selected from the group consisting of: OH, CO2R 4 , Br, Cl, F, I, CF3, N(Rδ) 2 , Ci-Cβ alkoxy, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, CO(CH2) n CH3, and CO(CH2) n CH2N(R5) 2 , aryl is defined as phenyl or naphthyl , which is unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from the group consisting of: OH, CO2R 4 , Br, Cl, F, I, CF3, N(R5)2, Ci-Cs alkoxy, Cl-Cs alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C 3 -C 8 cycloalkyl, CO(CH 2 ) n CH3, CO(CH2) n CH2N(R 5 )2, or when aryl is substituted on adjacent carbons they can form a 5- or 6-membered fused ring having one, two or three heteroatoms selected from O, N, and S, this ring is unsubstituted or substituted on carbon or nitrogen with one, two or three substituents selected from the group consisting of: H, OH, CO2R 6 , Br, Cl, F, I, CF3, N(R 7 )2, C1-C8 alkoxy, Cl-Cs alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, CO(CH2) n CH3, and CO(CH2) n CH2N(R5) 2 ; R! is: a) Cl-Cs alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, b) aryl, or c) heteroaryl; heteroaryl is defined as a 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring containing one, two or three heteroatoms selected from O, N and S , which is unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from the group consisting of: OH, CO2R 4 , Br, Cl, F, I, CF3, N(R5)2, Cl-Cs alkoxy, Ci-Cs alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, CO(CH2)nCH 3 , and CO(CH 2 ) n CH 2 N(R5)2, R2 is: OR 4 or N(R5)2; R 3 is: - 10 a) H, b) Cl-Cs alkyl, c) C2-C8 alkenyl, d) C2-C8 alkynyl, e) Cl-Cs alkoxyl, f) C3-C7 cycloalkyl, g) S(O) t R 5 , h) Br, Cl, F, I, i) aryl, j) heteroaryl, k) N(R5)2, 1) NH 2 , m) -CHO, n) -CO-C1-C8 alkyl, o) -CO-aryl, P) -CO-heteroaryl, q) -CO2R 4 , n is: : 0 to 5; t is: 0, 1 or 2; R 4 is: Cl-Cs alkyl; R 5 is: Cl-Cs alkyl, or aryl; R 6 , is: H, Cl-Cs alkyl, or aryl; and R 7 is: H, C1-C8 alkyl, aryl, alkyl and aryl are unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from the group consisting of: OH, CO2R 4 , Br, Cl, F, I, CF3, N(R5)2, Cl-Cs alkoxy, Ci-C 8 alkyl, C 2 -Cs alkenyl, C 2 -Cs alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, CO(CH 2 ) n CH3, CO(CH2)nCH2N(R 5 )2; or when two R 7 substutients are on the same nitrogen they can join to form a ring of 3 to 6 atom; - 11 - comprising the following steps: 1) adding chlorodi(C 1 -C 4 )-alkylphosphate to a mixture of a compound of formula II and a first solvent at a temperature of about -30°C to about 0°C, and 2) adding a base in a second solvent to the phosphate containing solution while maintaining the temperature of the reaction mixture between about -78°C to about 25°C to produce the compound of Formula I. The process as recited above, wherein the first solvent is selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, MTBE (methyl t-butyl ether), toluene, benzene, hexane, pentane, and dioxane, or a mixture of said solvents. The process as recited above, wherein the preferred the first non-acidic, aprotic solvent is toluene. The process as recited above wherein the chlorodi(C 1 -C 4 )- alkylphosphate is utilized in about 1.0 to about 2.0 equivalents, preferably about 1.5 equivalents. The process as recited above, wherein the second solvent is selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, MTBE (methyl t-butyl ether), toluene, benzene, hexane, pentane, and dioxane, or a mixture of said solvents. The process as recited above, wherein the preferred the second solvent is tetrahydrofuran. The process as recited above, wherein the base is selected from sodium hydride, lithium diisopropylamide, lithium diethylamide, lithium dimethylamide and lithium hexamethyldisilazide. - 12 The process as recited above wherein base is utilized in a ratio of about 2.0 to about 4.0 equivalents of base per equivalent of the the chlorodi(C 1 -C 4 )-alkylphosphate, preferably about 3.0 equivalents of base per equivalent of the chlorodi(C 1 -C 4 )-alkylphosphate. The process as recited above, wherein the temperature range is about -78°C to about 25°C in Steps 2 and 3, and preferably about - 15°C to about 10°C. The process as recited above, which includes the following additional steps: 3) aging the reaction mixture for about 2 to about 12 hours at a temperature of about -78°C to about 25°C to produce the compound of Formula I; 4) quenching the reaction mixture by addition of water and an acid, while maintaining the temperature of the reaction mixture at less than 30°C producing a biphasic solution composed of an aqueous layer and an organic layer containing the compound of Formula I; 5) separating the biphasic solution to isolate the organic layer containing the compound of Formula I in organic solvent(s) from the aqueous layer; and 6) evaporating the organic solvent from the orgainc layer to isolate the compound of Formula I. It is further understood that the substituents recited above would include the definitions recited below. The alkyl substituents recited above denote straight and branched chain hydrocarbons of the length specified such as methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, neopentyl, isopentyl, etc. The alkenyl-substituents denote alkyl groups as described above which are modified so that each contains a carbon to carbon double bond such as vinyl, allyl and 2-butenyl. 13 Cycloalkyl denotes rings composed of 3 to 8 methylene groups, each of which may be substituted or unsubstituted with other hydrocarbon substituents, and includes for example cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and 4-methylcyclohexyl. The alkoxy substituent represents an alkyl group as described above attached through an oxygen bridge. The aryl substituent represents phenyl and 1-naphthyl or 2- naphthyl, including aryl substituted with a 5- or 6-membered fused ring, such as an unsubstituted and substituted methylenedioxy, oxazolyl, imidazolyl, or thiazolyl ring. The heteroaryl substituent represents a carbazolyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, isothiazolyl, imidazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, or purinyl. The heterocyclyl substituent represents, oxazolidinyl, thiazolidinyl, imidazolidinyl, thiazolidinyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, morpholinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, or pyrrolidinyl. Each of the above substituents (alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, aryl, heteroaryl, or heterocyclyl) can be either unsubstituted or substituted as defined within the description. The ,β-unsaturated ester or amide can generally be prepared in two steps: 1) a coupling reaction at the one position of Ring A FV O wherein R^ is CHO, Z is a leaving group, such as Br, Cl, I, OTriflyl, OTosyl or OMesyl and R 2 is OR 4 or N(R 5 )2; and 14 - 2) the conversion of the aldehyde (R^=CHO) to the desired R e R f chiral auxiliary (R 3 ), wherein R 3 represents X and Y are independently: O, S, or NR 5 ; R 4 is Cl-Cs alkyl; R5 is: Ci-Cβ alkyl, or aryl; Re, Rd, Re an d R f are independently: H, Cl-Cs alkyl, and aryl, such that either R c and R" are not the same and/or R e and Rf are not the same, or R c and R e or R" and R*can join to form a 5- or 6- membered ring, which is unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from the group consisting of: OH, CO2R 4 , Br, Cl, F, I, CF3, N(R5) 2 , Cl-Cs alkoxy, Cl-Cs alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, or C3-C8 cycloalkyl, CO(CH2) n CH3, CO(CH2) n CH2N(R 5 )2; and n is o to 5. Commercially available pyridone 1 is alkylated via its dianion with propyl bromide, and the product is then converted into the bromopyridine 3a using a brominating agent such as PBr3. The nitrile 3a is then reduced to the aldehyde 3 using diisobutyl aluminum hydride (DIBAL). The aldehyde then undergoes a Heck reaction with t-butyl acrylate using NaOAc, (allyl)2PdCl2, tri-o-tolylphosphine, toluene, reflux to provide the unsaturated ester 4a in high yield. The unsaturated ester 4a is then heated with pseudoephedrine, or alternatively, N-methyl-cis-aminoindanol (not shown in the schemes), and acetic acid in toluene to give the protected aldehyde 5. 15 Scheme 1 ^c LDA V CN PBr, /^ Me ' N O C 3 H 7 Br Bur O H H y^cu ^^C O DIBAL .y^. H 2 C=CHC0 2 Bu t Bu ' " N Br - Bu N Br 3 Qg u t pseudoephedrine, t toluene, HOAc, Δ 0 Bu Commericially available acid 10 is reduced with in situ borane (NaBH4/BF3*Et2θ) to the alcohol 11, which is then converted into the chloride 13, by treatment with SOCl 2 in dimethylformamide (DMF). 16 - Scheme 2 Br O OH T OMe 10 Commercial available 1,2-aminoindanol 7 is acylated (propionyl choride, K2CO3) to give amide 8, which is then converted into the acetonide 9 (2-methoxypropene, pyridinium p-toluene-sulfonate (PPTS)). Acetonide 9 is then alkylated with the benzylchloride 13, (LiHMDS) to give 14, which is then hydrolyzed (6N HCl, dioxane) to give the carboxylic acid 15. Reduction (NaBH4/BF3»Et2O) of the acid provided the alcohol 16 in high yield and optical purity. Protection of the alcohol 16 (TBSC1, imidazole) provided bromide 17, the precursor to organolithium 17a. - 17 Scheme 3 O NH, NH ■ OH ■ OH 8 O 13, LiHMDS THF, -10 ° C 14 NHCI OH NaBH 4 ,4-dioxane BF 3 .Et 2 0 OMe 16 OTBS OTBS OMe 17 OMe 17a -18 Compound 17a is added to the α,β-unsaturated ester bearing a pseudoephedrine 5 (or the N-methyl-cis-aminoindanol chiral auxiliary, not shown) at -78° to -50°C. Work up with acid, THF and water (to remove the auxiliary) affords compound 6 in high yield and good selectivity. Please note other chiral axillary groups can be utilized in this asymmetric addition. See WO 98/06698, published by the World Intellectual Property Organization on 19 February 1998. Scheme 4 OTBS 19 Addition of the Grignard reagent (prepared from the aryl bromide and magnesium) to compound 6 at -78°C to about -60°C in THF affords compound 7 in quantitative yield and good stereoselectivity. Scheme 5 H OTBS OMe 6 Mg THF/toluene -70 to -78°C BrMg 9-λ O ^H rr *OH BiT N OTBS OMe 20 - Cyclization of compound 7 by treatment with diethylchlorophosphate and lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (LHMDS) at about-15°C to about 10°C give compound 8 . Deprotection by treatment with HCl in acetonitrile followed by work up and purification by crystallization of its benzylamine salt affords the penultimate key intermediate 9. Scheme 6 y T ,.\\H Bu OTBS OMe CIP(=O)(OEt) 2 LiN(TMS) 2 9-λ O Bu OTBS Salt breaking followed by oxidation of the primary lacohol 9 according to the present invention gives the dicarboxylic acid 10 in high yield. Scheme 7 P-λ O ^ 1. Cone. HCl 2. NaOH 8 3. H 3 PO 4 4. BnNH 2 p-\ o ^^ oxidation Bu CO H - 22 The instant invention can be understood further by the following examples, which do not constitute a limitation of the invention. EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of 2-bromo-5-methoxybenzyl alcohol Br ,C0 2 H OMe OMe Sodium borohydride (8.6 g) is slurried in THF (150mL KF=150 μg/mL) in a round bottom flask equipped with a thermocouple, an addition funnel, a nitrogen inlet a mechanical stirrer and a cooling bath. 2-Bromo-5-methoxybenzoic acid (50 g) is dissolved in THF (lOOmL KF= 150 μg/mL) is added to the sodium borohydride slurry over 45 min while maintaining the temperature at 20-25°C. The reaction must be controlled with intermittent cooling and by careful monitoring of the addition rate. The mixture is aged for 30 min at 20-25°C. Boron trifluoride etherate (36.9 g) is added over a period of 30 min at 30-35°C. The addition of boron trifluoride etherate produces a delayed exotherm and should be added slowly in order to control the reaction temperature. The resulting white slurry is aged for 1 h at 30-35°C and then sampled for HPLC assay. A peak at RT = 8.7 min is an impurity related to the starting material. The acid is at RT = 9.1min. The reaction mixture is cooled to 15°C and carefully quenched into a cold (10°C) saturated ammonium chloride solution (150 mL) while maintaining the temperature < 25°C. Ethyl acetate (500 mL) is added and the layers are separated. The organic layer is washed with water (100 mL) and then transfered to a 1L round bottom flask equipped for distillation. The solution was concentrated and charged with fresh ethyl acetate. This is repeated until a solution with a volume of 200 L has KF<200 - 23 μg/mL.The solvent is then switched to DMF to give the final volume of 200 mL with a KF<200 μg/mL. EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of 2-bromo-5-methoxybenzyl chloride OMe OMe The DMF solution of the benzyl alcohol (91.3 g in 400mL KF=300 μg/mL) is charged to a 2 L flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, thermocouple, N 2 inlet, and cooling bath. The solution is cooled to 0-5°C and the addition funnel is charged with thionyl chloride (55.0 g). The thionyl chloride is added over a period of 45 min while maintaining the temperture 5-10°C. The mixture is aged for 1 h at 5°C and assayed by HPLC. The addition funnel is charged with water (400 mL) which is added dropwise to the reaction mixture over a period of 30 min. while maintaining the temperture < 15°C. The temperature is controlled by cooling and monitoring the rate of addition. The initial addition of water is highly exothermic. Using large excess of thionyl chloride results in a more exothermic quench. If the quench temperture is not controlled, hydrolysis of the benzyl chloride back to the alcohol may result. The resulting thick white slurry is aged for 1 h at 0-5°C. The benzyl chloride is isolated by filtration. The cake is washed with (1:1) DMF:H 2 O (lOOmL) and then water (200 mL). The solid is dried in vacuo to give 93 g of the benzyl chloride( 94% yield, 96 A%). HPLC assay: Column: Waters Symmetry C8, 4.6 x 250mm; UV Detection: 220 nm; Column Temp: 25 °C; Flow rate: 1 mL / min.; Eluent: ■ 24 - CH 3 CN:H 2 O:0.1% H 3 PO 4 (70:30); RT (benzyl alcohol) = 3.9 min; RT (benzyl chloride) = 7.3 min.; and RT (DMF) = 2.6 min. EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of the Acetonide of N-propanoyl (lR,2S)-cis-aminoindanol H 2 N, HO»,.. "l| J _ y^ A 5 L 3-neck round bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, N 2 inlet, thermocouple probe, heating mantle, and addition funnel is charged with (lR,2S)-cis-aminoindanol (100 g), tetrahydrofuran (1.2 L, KF 120 μg/mL), and triethylamine (96 mL, KF 500 μg/mL). The resulting slurry is heated under a N 2 atmosphere to 40- 45°C giving a yellow solution. Propionyl chloride (59 mL) is charged to an addition funnel and added to the solution while maintaining the temperature at 45-50°C. The temperature is controlled by rate of propionyl chloride addition and a cooling bath. HPLC assay shows >99% amide formed. Methanesulfonic acid (3 mL) is added to the reaction slurry. 2- Methoxypropene (140 mL) is charged to an addition funnel and added over 30 minutes at a temperature of 50°C. The addition of 2-methoxypropene is mildly exothermic. The temperature is maintained by the rate of addition and a heating mantle. The reaction remains a slurry but does become less thick. The reaction slurry is aged for 1-2 hours at 50°C. HPLC assay at this point shows <0.5A% of the amide remaining. The amide is not removed in the isolation so it is important to push the reaction to completion. The reaction slurry is cooled to 0-5°C and quenched by addition of 5% aqueous sodium carbonate solution (1 L) and heptane (1 25 - L). The layers are stirred and separated and the organic is washed with water (300 mL). HPLC assay at this point shows the acetonide in >98A% and >90% yield. The acetonide/THF/heptane solution is filtered into a 2 L round bottom flask and the solution is distilled to a final volume of 700mL. Heptane (1L) is added and the solution is distilled to a final volume of 700mL. The distillation is done under partial vacuum at ~50°C. NMR assay at this point shows < 2 mol% THF. The solution is allowed to cool and is seeded with acetonide at 35-40°C. The thick slurry is aged for 1 hour at ambient temperature then cooled to 0-5°C and aged for 1 hour. The slurry is filtered and the cake is washed with cold heptane (200 mL) and air dried to yield acetonide as a crystalline white solid (141.1 g, 85% yield, 99.6 A%). EXAMPLE 4 Alkylation of the Acetonide with 2-bromo-5-methoxybenzyl chloride. OMe LiHMDS, THF, -10°C OMe 2) HCl A THF solution (2L, KF< 200 μg/mL) of the acetonide (252 g) and the benzyl chloride (255 g) is cooled to -10°C. Lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (1.45 L) is added dropwise over 5 h at 0-2°C. The mixture is then aged for 1.5 h and assayed by HPLC. The reaction is quenched by adding aqueous saturated ammonium chloride solution (1 L). The initial addition of the ammonium chloride should be slow in order to control the foaming. The rate can be increased when the foaming subsides. The quenched reaction is then transfered into a mixture of aqueous ammonium chloride (1.5 L), water (0.5 L), and ethyl acetate (3 - 26 - L). The mixture is then agitated for 15 min and the layers are separated. The organic layer is washed with water (1 L) and brine (0.5 L). The ethyl acetate solution is concentrated to a low volume and solvent switched to 1,4-dioxane. The dioxane solution is adjusted to a final volume of 1.8 L. The dioxane solution of the coupled product is charged to a 12 L round bottom flask and 6 M HCl (1.5 L) is charged. The mixture is heated to reflux and monitored by HPLC. The mixture is cooled to 20°C and MTBE (3 L) is added. The mixture is agitated for 15 min and the layers are separated. The organic layer is washed with water (1 L). The MTBE solution of the crude acid is extracted with 0.6 M sodium hydroxide (2 L). The aqueous solution of the sodium salt of the acid is combined with MTBE (2.5 L) and cooled to 10°C. The two phase mixture is acidified with 5.4 M sulfuric acid (250 mL), agitated for 15 min, settled and the layers separated. The MTBE solution of the acid is washed with water (0.5 L). The MTBE solution of the acid is dried by distilation and then solvent switched to THF. The final volume of the THF is 2 L with a KF < 250 μg/mL. HPLC assay: column: Waters Symmetry; Eluent: acetontrile: water: phosphoric acid (70:30:0.1); Flow rate: 1 mL/min.; RT (acetonide)= 4.5 min.; RT (benzyl chloride) = 7.5 min.; RT (coupled product) = 11.5 min.; RT (aminondanol) = 1.7 min.; RT (hydroxyamide) = 1.7 min.; and RT (acid) = 4.5 min. EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of 3-(2-bromo-5-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylpropanol Br O NaBH 4 /BF 3 (Et 2 0) THF OMe OMe Sodium borohydride (33 g) is slurried in THF (0.5 L KF=200 mg/mL) in a round bottom flask. The THF solution (2 L) of the acid is - 27 - added to the sodium borohydride slurry over 1 h while maintaining the temperature at 20-25°C. The reaction is controlled with a cooling bath and by carefully monitoring the addition rate. A nitrogen sweep and proper venting of the hydrogen is also important. The mixture is aged for 30 min at 20-25°C. Boron trifluoride etherate (152 g) is added over 1 h at 30-35°C. The addition produces a delayed exotherm and should be carefully monitored in order to control the reaction temperature. The resulting milky white slurry is aged for 1 h at 30 °C and sampled for HPLC assay. The reaction mixture is cooled to 15°C and carefully quenched in a cold (10°C) ammonium chloride solution (1.5 L) while maintaing the temperature at 25°C. The rate of hydrogen evolution is controlled by the rate of the addition of the mixture into the ammonium chloride. The quenched mixture is distilled in υacuo to remove the THF. The aqueous layer is extracted with MTBE (1.5 L) and the organic layer is dried by flushing with additional MTBE. The MTBE solution is then solvent switched to hexanes and adjusted to a volume of 350 mL and seeded. The slurry is aged for 2 h at 20°C and then cooled to 0-5°C aged for 1 h and filtered. The cake is washed with cold hexanes (200 mL). The solid is dried under a nitrogen sweep. The isolated solid (164 g) is > 99A% by HPLC and > 99%ee. HPLC: Column: Waters Symmetry C8; Solvent: acetonitrile:water: phosphoric acid (50:50:0.1); Flow rate: lmL /min.; Detection: 220 nm; RT (acid) = 10.2 min.; RT (alcohol) = 10.7min. Chiral HPLC: Column: Chiracel OD-H; Hexane :2-propanol (97:3); Flow rate: 1 mL/ min.; Detection: 220 nm; RT minor isomer = 21 min.; and RT major isomer = 23 min. EXAMPLE 6 Preparation of 3-(2-bromo-5-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylpropyl t- butyldimethylsilyl ether 28 - TBSCl OTBS imidazole OMe OMe Imidazole (1.6 g, 0.023 mol) is added to a solution of the alcohol (5.0 g, 0.019 mol) in DMF (15 mL) at 20°C. The addition of imidazole is endothermic and results in a 4-5°C drop in temperature. TBSCl (3.0 g, 0.020mol) is dissolved in DMF (5 mL) and is added slowly to the above solution while maintaining the temperature 20-25°C using a cooling bath. The reaction is monitored by HPLC. MTBE (50 mL) is added to the reaction mixture along with water (50 mL) and the phases are separated. The organic is washed with water (50 mL) and then concentrated to 10 mL total volume and solvent switched into THF in preparation for the next step. NMR assay of the organic layer after the second water wash indicates no residual DMF. iH NMR (CDCI3) δ: 7.41 (d, =8.74, IH), 6.77 (d, =3.04, IH), 6.63 (dd, =8.73, 3.06, IH), 3.78 (s, 3 H), 3.50 (d, =5.75, 2 H), 2.89 (dd, J=13.31, 6.15, 1 H), 2.45 (dd, =13.30, 8.26, 1 H), 2.03 (m, 1 H), 0.94 (s, 9 H), 0.92 (d, =5.01, 3 H), 0.07 (s, 6 H). 13 C NMR (CDCI3) δ: 159.1, 141.6, 133.2, 117.0, 115.4, 113.2, 67.4, 55.4, 39.7, 36.3, 26.0 (3C), 18.4, 16.5, -5.3 (2C). HPLC assay: column, Zorbax Rx C8 (4.6 x 250mm); solvent: acetonitrile: water: phosphoric acid 90:10:0.1; flow rate: 1 mL /min; UV Detection: 220 nm; Retention times: RT (alcohol) = 3.08 min; RT (DMF) = 3.17 min; and RT (product) = 7.7 min. - 29 EXAMPLE 7 Pseudoephedrine Acetal Formation of t-butyl 3-(6-n-butyl-3- formylpyridyl)-2-prop-2-enoate r ^^CHO (1 S,2S)-(+)- pseudoephedrine O l Bu Bu T ^ Y toluene Bu ' O acetic aicd O 4a 5c To a solution of Heck product 4a (2.907 kg) in toluene (7.049 kg) is added solid (1S S )-(+)-pseudoephedrine (1.74 kg) followed by acetic acid (2.87 ml). The reaction mixture is then heated to reflux. The toluene/water azeotrope begins to reflux at a pot temperature of 87°C. Over the course of 40 minutes, the pot temperature increases to 110°C. At this time, approximately 160 ml of water has been collected in the Dean-Stark trap. A HPLC assay of an aliquot indicates that all starting Heck product has been consumed. The reaction is then cooled to 40°C and pumped into a 50 L extractor and diluted with MTBE (10.67 kg). The organic layer is washed with saturated NaHCO 3 ( 12.10 kg ) and then with water ( 23.64 kg). The organic layer is concentrated to a volume < 10 L and a KF < 120 μg/mL. The MTBE is removed prior to flushing with toluene. Typically 8-10 L of toluene is required as flush to obtain the desired KF. The dry toluene solution was stored under nitrogen until needed. HPLC Assav: Column : Zorbax Rx-C8 4.6 x 250mm; Solvent: Acetonitrile:water 95:5; Flow: 1.0 mL /min; UV Detection : 220 nm; RT (toluene) = 3.2 min.; RT ( Heck Product) = 3.9 min.; and RT ( N,O, acetal ) = 5.3 min. 30 - EXAMPLE 8 Conjugate Addition-Hydrolysis + OTBS 1 ) n-BuLi 2) acetic acid OMe aq. citric acid Bu" OTBS OMe To a solution of arylbromide (4.08 kg) in THF (7.34 kg, KF<150 μg/mL) at -82°C is added a 2.25 M solution of n-BuLi in hexanes (4.87 L). The addition takes 2 h and the internal temperature is maintained below -72°C. Assay by HPLC indicates that the lithiation is complete after addition of the n-BuLi. The lithiation reaction is instantaneous at the reaction temperature. The purpose of checking an aliquot is to insure that the proper amount of n-BuLi is charged. To the above solution (re- cooled to approximately -80°C) is added the pre-cooled (approximately - 65°C) toluene solution (KF<150 μg/mL) of the enoate. The addition is done very rapidly with the aid of a pump (addition time < 5min.) and the reaction typically exotherms to -32°C. In order to insure efficient pumping, the enoate solution was diluted with an additional 3-4L of toluene. The reaction is re-cooled to -60°C and quenched carefully with 2.9 L of acetic acid. (Warning: exothermic reaction.) The reaction 31 exotherms to approximately -20°C. The quenched reaction mixture is then pumped into a 100 L extractor. A citric acid solution (4.82 kg of citric acid in 8 kg of water) is then added and the two-phase mixture is rapidly stirred for 16 h at room temperature. HPLC assay indicates that the N, O acetal hydrolysis is complete. The phases are cut and the aqueous layer is extracted with MTBE (14.23kg). The combined organic layers are washed twice with 5% NaHCO g (2 x 23 kg). The organic layer is then washed with water (20.55 kg). The pH of the water wash should be neutral to slightly basic. The oganic layer is dried under reduced pressure to a volume < 7 L and a KF < 100 μg/mL. The MTBE is removed prior to flushing with toluene. Approximately 30 kg of toluene is needed as flush to obtain the desired KF value. The dry toluene solution is then pumped into a plastic carboy. The 100 L extractor and pump are then flushed with 2.5 kg of THF. HPLC assay indicates a yield of 4.2 kg (72% from the Heck Product, 3 steps). The ee of the product is determined to be 92%. HPLC Assav: Column: Zorbax Rx-C8 4.6 x 250mm; Solvent: acetonitrile: water 95:5; flow rate: 1.0 mL /min.; UV Detection : 220 nm; RT (toluene) = 3.2 min.; RT (ArH) = 5.5 min.; RT (ArBr) = 6.5 min.; RT (ArBu ) = 8.2 min.; RT (Aldehyde Product) = 9.5 min.; and RT ( N,O acetal Product) = 18.2 min. Chiral HPLC Assav: Column: Whelk-O; Solvent: 97:3 Hexane/IPA; flow rate = l.OmL/min.; RT(toluene) = 3.1min.; RT(minor) = 6.8min.; and RT(major) = 7.5min. 32 - EXAMPLE 9 Grignard Addition ^ CH0 Bu N ' ' CO Bu OTBS OMe OTBS OMe Step A: Preparation of the Grignard Reagent To a 22 L reaction flask equipped with an efficient condenser is charged Mg (240g, 9.87 mol) and dry THF (8.2 L, KF < 100 ug/mL). The mixture is heated to 50°C after degassing by two vacuum/N 2 cycles. The aryl bromide (1.89 kg, 9.40 mol) is then added carefully! Due to the induction period and very exothermic reaction, the ArBr should be added very carefully! No more than 10% of the ArBr should be added before the reaction is initiated as indicated by the exotherm (the batch temperature will be higher than that of the bath) and color change from colorless to pale yellow. Cooling maybe required to control the reaction temperature. Once the reaction is initiated, the heating is stopped and the remaining ArBr is added slowly maintaining a gentle reflux. The reaction mixture is then aged at 50°C for 2 hours to 33 - give a solution of ArMgBr (-9.4 L, 1.0 M). The reaction is monitored by HPLC. Zorbax SB-C8 4.6 x 250 mm, 30 °C; 1.50 mlVmin; linear gradient: MeCN 40-70% in 15 min, 0.1% H 3 PO 4 ; 220nm; Retention time (min.): ArBr , 6.2; ArH, 9.2 min. Step B: Addition of the Grignard Reagent to the Aldehyde A dry solution of the crude Michael addition product (4.22 kg in -4.7 L toluene and 2.5 L THF, KF < 200 ug/mL) is charged into a 72 L flask. Dry THF (20 L, KF < 100 ug/mL) is added and the mixture is degassed by a vacuum/N 2 cycle. After the batch is cooled to -75°C with a dry ice- methanol bath, the ArMgBr prepared above is added slowly maintaining the batch below -65°C. The mixture is aged at -70°C for 1 hour and the completion of the reaction is confirmed by HPLC (< 1A% aldehyde ). The reaction mixture is aged for two more hours then pumped into aqueous NH 4 C1 (14 L 20w%) to quench the reaction. Toluene (14 L) is added and the mixture is warmed to 20°C. The organic layer is separated and washed with brine (14 L) to give a solution of the crude Grignard addition product (50.11 Kg). Assay by HPLC indicates the presence of 4.67 Kg (91% yield) of the product in solution. It is dried with -2 kg of anhydrous Na 2 SO 4 overnight to remove the bulk of the water then filtered and concentrated to 15 L under vacuum. HPLC conditions: Column : Zorbax SB-C8 4.6 x 250 mm; temperature: 30 °C; Solvent: CH 3 CN: H 2 O:0.1 H 3 PO 4 80:20:0.1 gradient to 100:0:0.1 over 15min.; Flowrate: 1.5 mL /min.; RT (aldehyde)= 12.15min.; RT (major stereoisomer) = 9.93 min.; RT (minor stereoisomer) = 10.65 min. The diastereomeric ratio was about 93:7 major to minor stereoisomer. 34. EXAMPLE 10 Cyclization-Deprotection P- o LiN(TMS) 2 OTBS OTBS OMe OMe 1. cone. HCl 2. NaOH 3. H 3 PO 4 4. BnNH 2 P-Λ O OMe The Grignard addition product in toluene (-15 L, KF=130 μg/ml) is cooled to -15 °C and the diethylchorophosphate (1.65 kg, 9.6 mol, 1.45 eq) is added. Then LiN(TMS)2 in THF (1.0 M, 28.75 L, 4.35 eq) is added while keeping the temparature < 5°C. The slurry is aged at 0- 10°C for 4 hrs. More diethyl chlorophosphate and LiN(TMS)2 may be added as required to complete the reaction. The reaction is monitored by 35 - HPLC. After 3 h the reaction is typically complete. After the reaction is completed (SM < 1%), water (17 L) and acetic acid (4.5 kg, exothermic!) is added while keeping the reaction temperature <30°C. The temperature is contolled by controlling the rate of addition and by using a cooling bath. After the two layers are separated, the organic layer is washed with 14 L brine. The organic layer is concentrated under vacuum to minimum volume of 10-12 L and mixed with 20 L acetonitrile and then cooled to 0°C. Concentrated HCl (13.2 kg) is added slowly while keeping the reaction temperature <25°C. The mixture is aged at 20-25°C overnight. The product is a mixture of the acid alcohol and the lactone. HPLC (same column and eluents) Time 0 A/B 50/50, 10 min A/B 90/10, 15 min 90/10. Retention time t-butyl ester alcohol 6.4 min, lactone 4.7 min, acid alcohol 2.9 min. When the t-butyl ester alcohol is consumed (19 hrs), the reaction mixture is cooled to 0°C and 40% w/w NaOH (-12.4 kg until pH=3-5) is added while keeping the temperature < 25°C. Water (6 L) is also added. When the pH of the aqueous layer reaches 3, the two layers are separated. The top organic layer is then mixed with 3.3 kg 40% NaOH (5 eq) and 12 L water. The mixture is vigorously stirred for 3 hrs until all the lactone is consumed (organic layer sample). The two layers are then separated and to the organic layer is added 20 L MTBE and 20 L water and 200 g 40% NaOH. The two layers are separated again after mixing. The organic layer is mixed with 100 g 40% NaOH, 10 L water and 20 L heptane. The layers are separated and the organic layer discarded. To the combined aqueous layer is added H3PO4 (85%, 4.6 kg, 6 eq) until pH=3-4 (exothermic, keep the temperature <25 °C) and MTBE (12 L). After the two layers are separated, the aqueous layer is extracted with 20 L toluene. The combined organic layer is dried with 1.5 kg Na 2 SO 4 and then concentrated under vacuum to a volume of -10 L. It was flushed with 5 L toluene to reach KF=450 μg/ml. The residue is then mixed with 50 L MTBE. Benzylamine (0.85 kg, 1.2 eq) is added as a solution in 3 L MTBE. Only 1.5 L of this solution is added initially and the batch is seeded with 0.5 g L-321,865 benzylamine salt. The batch is - 36 - aged for one hour for the salt to precipitate. The rest of the benzylamine solution is added over 30 min. Additional 7 L MTBE is used for rinse. The batch is aged at ambient temperature overnight. The solid is collected by filtration and washed with 3x4 L MTBE until the wash is nearly colorless. The batch is dried with nitrogen flow and suction, wt. 2.96 kg (72% yield). HPLC showed -95 wt% pure and 98.5 area%. HPLC: Column: Zorbax SB C-8 column 4.6x250 mm size; Solvent: Eluent: A: MeCN and B: 0.1% H3PO4; Gradient: Time 0 A B 80/20, 10 min 95/5; 20 min A B 98/2; 25 min 98/2; Flow rate: 1.5 ml/min; UV detection : 220 nm; RT (Grignard product) = 10.9 min.; RT (intermediate) =11.7 min.; RT (intermediate) =13.2 min.; RT (product) = 12.2 min EXAMPLE 11 Oxidation of Primary Alcohol Alternative A — Periodic Acid and Chromium Trioxide P-Λ P-Λ O O 1. HCI 2. CrO 3 /H 5 IQ 6) MeCN, 0°C Bu OMe OMe A solution of H 5 IO 6 /CrO 3 is prepared by adding water (1.1 mL) and MeCN to 15.95 g of H 5 IO 6 to a volume of 160 mL. An aqueous solution of CrO 3 (0.16 L 200 mg/mL) is then added and the mixture is stirred until all the solid dissolved. - 37 A mixture of the benzylamine salt of the hydroxy acid (12.50 g, 20.0 mmol) in MTBE (100 mL) and water (50 mL) is treated with 2.0 N HCl (-10 mL) until pH = 3-4. The organic layer is washed with water (3 x 50 mL), brine (50 mL) then concentrated to -30 mL. It is flushed with acetonitrile (100 mL) then diluted with MeCN (to 100 mL). Water (0.75mL) is then added and the mixture is cooled to -5°C. A portion of the H 5 IO 6 /CrO 3 solution (50 mL, 1.1 molar equiv.) is added in -5-10 minutes. The remaining portion (110 mL) is added in 30-60 minutes maintaining the batch temperature at -3 to 0°C. The mixture is aged for 0.5 hour at 0°C and the completion of the reaction is confirmed by HPLC (<2A% of the SM). The reaction is quenched with Na 2 HPO 4 solution (8.52 g in 150 mL H 2 O), then brine (50 mL). Some inorganic solid remains and is filtered off. The pH of the aqueous layer should be 3-^4. Toluene (150 mL) is added and organic layer is separated and washed with 1:1 brine-water mixture (2 x 100 mL), then aqueous NaHSO 3 (2.15g uin 50 mL H 2 O. The organic layer is concentrated to 160 mL to remove most of the acetonitrile (40 mmHg, 30 °C bath). The mixture is treated with 0.30 N NaOH (150 mL) for 0.5 hour and the organic layer is separated and discarded. MTBE is added (100 mL) to the aqueous layer and the mixture is acidified with 2.0 N HCl (-22.5 mL) to pH = 3.5. The organic layer is separated and washed with water (2 x 50 mL), brine (50 mL) then concentrated to give the crude product as a brown foam. HPLC conditions: Column : YMC-ODS AM 4.6 x 250 mm; Solvent: CH 3 CN: H 2 O: 0.1 H 3 PO 4 80:20:0.1 gradient to 100:0:0.1 over 15min.; Flow rate : 1.0 mL/min.; Temperature: 30°C; UV detection : 220 nm; RT (hydroxy acid) = 5.8 min.; and RT ( diacid ) = 7.8 min. 38 Alternative B— TEMPO Oxidation P-Λ P-Λ O O 1. HCI 2. NaOH 3. NaCIO 2) TEMPO, NaCIO Bu OH OMe OMe A mixture of the benzylamine salt of the hydroxy acid (25.0 g, 40.0 mmol) in MTBE (300 mL) and water (100 mL) is treated with 2.0 N HCl (-20 mL) until pH = 3-4. The organic layer is washed with water (2 x 100 mL) then extracted with NaOH (140 mL 0.63 N NaOH). To the NaOH extract are added MeCN (200 mL) and NaH 2 PO 4 (13.80g, 100 mmol) and the mixture is heated to 35°C. The pH of the mixture should be 6.7. TEMPO (436 mg, 2.8 mmol) is added followed by a simultaneous addition (over 2h) of a solution of sodium chlorite (9.14 g 80%, 80.0 mmol in 40 mL water) and dilute bleach (1.06 mL 5.25% bleach diluted into 20 mL, 2.0mol%). The sodium chlorite solution and bleach should not be mixed prior to the addition since the mixture appears to be unstable. The addition should be carried out as follows: approximately 20% of the sodium chlorite solution is added followed by 20% of the dilute bleach. Then the rest of the NaClO 2 solution and dilute bleach are added simultaneously over 2 h. The mixture is aged at 35°C until the reaction is complete (<2A% SM, 2-4 h). The batch is cooled to rt, water (300 mL) is added and the pH is adjusted to 8.0 with 2.0 N NaOH (-48 mL). The reaction is quenched by pouring into cold (0°C) Na 2 SO 3 solution (12.2 g in 200 mL water) maintained < 20°C. 39 The pH of the aqueous layer should be 8.5-9.0. After aging for 0.5 hour at room temperature, MTBE (200 mL) is added with stirring. The organic layer is discarded and aqueous layer is acidified with 2.0 N HCl (-100 mL) to pH = 3-4 after more MTBE (300 mL) is added. The organic layer is washed with water (2 x 100 mL), brine (150 mL) to give a solution of the crude dicarboxylic acid in 90-95% yield (19.1— 20.2g). HPLC conditions: Column: YMC-ODS AM 4.6 x 250 mm; Flow rate: 1.00 mL/min; Solvent: MeCN 50-80% in 15 min, 0.1% H 3 PO 4 ; Temperature: 30°C; UV detection: 220nm; RT (hydroxy acid) = 5.8 min.; RT (dicarboxylic acid) = 7.8 min. 40

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A process for preparing a compound of Formula I wherein: represents: a) 5- or 6-membered heterocyclyl containing one, two or three double bonds, but at least one double bond and 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms selected from O, N and S, the heterocyclyl is unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from the group consisting of: OH, CO2R 4 , Br, Cl, F, I, CF3, N(R5)2, Ci-Cβ alkoxy, Ci-Cβ alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, CO(CH 2 ) n CH3, and CO(CH2) n CH2N(R5) 2 , b) 5- or 6-membered carbocyclyl containing one or two double bonds, but at least one double bond, the carbocyclyl is unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from the group consisting of: OH, CO2R 4 , Br, Cl, F, I, CF3, N(R5)2, CI-CS alkoxy, Cl-Cs alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, CO(CH 2 ) n CH3, and CO(CH 2 )nCH 2 N(R5)2, c) aryl, wherein aryl is as defined below, Cl-Cs alkoxy, Ci-Cs alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, or C3-C8 cycloalkyl, are unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from the group consisting of: 41 OH, CO2R 4 , Br, Cl, F, I, CF3, N(R5) 2 , CI-C 8 alkoxy, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, CO(CH2) n CH3, and CO(CH2) n CH2N(R5) 2 , aryl is defined as phenyl or naphthyl , which is unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from the group consisting of: OH, CO2R 4 , Br, Cl, F, I, CF3, N(R5)2, Cl-Cs alkoxy, Cl-Cs alkyl, C2-C 8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, CO(CH2) n CH3, CO(CH2) n CH2N(R 5 )2, or when aryl is substituted on adjacent carbons they can form a 5- or 6-membered fused ring having one, two or three heteroatoms selected from O, N, and S, this ring is unsubstituted or substituted on carbon or nitrogen with one, two or three substituents selected from the group consisting of: H, OH, CO2R 6 , Br, Cl, F, I, CF3, N(R 7 )2, Cl-Cs alkoxy, Cl-Cs alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, CO(CH2) n CH3, and CO(CH2)nCH2N(R5) 2 ; R! is: a) Cl-Cs alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, b) aryl, or c) heteroaryl; heteroaryl is defined as a 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring containing one, two or three heteroatoms selected from O, N and S , which is unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from the group consisting of: OH, CO2R 4 , Br, Cl, F, I, CF3, N(Rδ) 2 , Ci-Cβ alkoxy, Cl-Cs alkyl, C2-C8 alkenyl, C2-C8 alkynyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, CO(CH2) n CH3, and CO(CH2) n CH 2 N(R5) 2 ; R 2 is: OR 4 or N(R 5 )2; R 3 is: a) H, - 42 - b) Cl-Cs alkyl, c) C2-C8 alkenyl, d) C2-C8 alkynyl, e) Cl-Cs alkoxyl, f) C3-C7 cycloalkyl, g) S(O) t R 5 , h) Br, Cl, F, I, i) aryl, j) heteroaryl, k) N(R5)2, 1) NH , m) -CHO, n) -CO-C1-C8 alkyl, o) -CO-aryl, P) -CO-heteroaryl, or q) -CO2R 4 ; n is: : 0 to 5; t is: 0, 1 or 2; R 4 is: H, or Cl-Cs alkyl; R 5 is: H, Cl-Cs alkyl, or aryl; R 6 , is: H, Cl-Cs alkyl, or aryl; and R 7 is: H, Cl-Cs alkyl, aryl, alkyl and aryl are unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three substituents selected from the group consisting of: OH, CO2R 4 , Br, Cl, F, I, CF3, N(R5)2, Cl-Cs alkoxy, Ci-C 8 alkyl, C2-C 8 alkenyl, C 2 -Cs alkynyl, or C 3 -C 8 cycloalkyl, CO(CH 2 )nCH 3 , CO(CH2)nCH2N(R 5 )2; or when two R 7 substutients are on the same nitrogen they can join to form a ring of 3 to 6 atom; - 43 comprising the following steps 1) adding chlorodi(C 1 -C 4 )-alkylphosphate to a mixture of a compound of formula II and a first solvent at a temperature of about -30°C to about 0°C, and 2) adding a slurry of a base in a second solvent to the phosphate containing solution while maintaining the temperature of the reaction mixture between about -78°C to about 25°C to produce the compound of Formula I. 2. The process as recited in Claim 1, wherein the first non-acidic, aprotic solvent is selected from the group consisting of: tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, MTBE (methyl t-butyl ether), toluene, benzene, hexane, pentane, and dioxane, or a mixture of said solvents. 3. The process as recited in Claim 2, wherein the chlorodi(C 1 -C 4 )-alkylphosphate is utilized in about 1.0 to about 2.0 equivalents. 4. The process as recited in Claim 3, wherein the second non-acidic, aprotic solvent is selected from the group consisting of: tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, MTBE (methyl t-butyl ether), toluene, benzene, hexane, pentane, and dioxane, or a mixture of said solvents. 44 - 5. The process as recited in Claim 4, wherein the base is selected from sodium hydride, lithium diisopropylamide, lithium diethylamide, lithium dimethylamide and lithium hexamethyldisilazide. 6. The process as recited in Claim 5, which includes the following additional steps: 3) aging the reaction mixture for about 2 to about 12 hours at a temperature of about -78°C to about 25°C to produce the compound of Formula I; 4) quenching the reaction mixture by addition of water and an acid, while maintaining the temperature of the reaction mixture at less than 30°C producing a biphasic solution composed of an aqueous layer and an organic layer containing the compound of Formula I; 5) separating the biphasic solution to isolate the organic layer containing the compound of Formula I in organic solvent(s) from the aqueous layer; and 6) evaporating the organic solvent from the orgainc layer to isolate the compound of Formula I. 7. The process as recited in Claim 6, wherein base is utilized in a ratio of about 2.0 to about 4.0 equivalents of base per equivalent of the chlorodi(C 1 -C 4 )-alkylphosphate. 8. The process as recited in Claim 7, wherein the first solvent is toluene. 9. The process as recited in Claim 8, wherein the chlorodi(C 1 -C 4 )-alkylphosphate is utilized in 1.5 equivalents. - 45 10. The process as recited in Claim 9, wherein the second solvent is tetrahydrofuran. 11. The process as recited in Claim 10, wherein base is utilized in a ratio of about 3.0 equivalents of base per equivalent of the chlorodi(C 1 -C 4 )-alkylphosphate. 12. The process as recited in Claim 11, wherein the temperature range in Steps 2 and 3 is about -15°C to about 10°C. 46 -

Inventors: SONG ZHIGUO, TILLYER RICHARD D, TSCHAEN DAVID M, ZHAO MANGZU, SONG, ZHIGUO, TILLYER, RICHARD, D., TSCHAEN, DAVID, M., ZHAO, MANGZU
Applicants: MERCK & CO INC, SONG ZHIGUO, TILLYER RICHARD D, TSCHAEN DAVID M, ZHAO MANGZU, MERCK & CO., INC., SONG, ZHIGUO, TILLYER, RICHARD, D., TSCHAEN, DAVID, M., ZHAO, MANGZU
Application year: 1999
Main classification: C07C63
IPC codes: C07C231, C07C233, C07D213, C07D405, C07D413