A PROCESS FOR PREPARING BENZOCYCLOHEPTAPYRIDIN-11-ONES

Abstract: A novel method for generating dianions using 3-methylpyridine-2-carboxylic acid derivatives of formula (V) or using their corresponding alkali metal salts of formula (VI), preferably from their lithium salt (Scheme 3) is described. The substituents R<1>, R<2>, R<3>, R<4>, R<5>, R<6> and R<7> in Scheme 3 are defined as herein described above. Preferably the substituents are selected from one or more of hydrogen, halogen or C1-C6 alkyl groups. M is represented by any alkali metal ion, preferably lithium.

Description: "A PROCESS FOR PREPARING BENZOCYCLOHEPTAPYRIDIN-11-ONES" Introduction (Benzocycloheptapyridinylidene) piperidine derivatives of the general formula (A) are known as non-sedating histamine Hi-receptor antagonists, PAF (platelet activating factor) antagonists or FPT (farnesyl protein transferase) inhibitors: The substituents R\ R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 and R 7 may be chosen individually from the following groups: hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, Cι-C 6 -alkyl, Cι-C 6 -alkoxy, nitro, CF 3 , thio-C r C 6 -alkyl. The substituent R 8 may be represented by: hydrogen, C,-C 6 -alkyl or COOR 9 (wherein R 9 may be d-C 6 - alkyl, Cι-C 6 -alkenyl, phenyl, benzyl), CO-aryl, CO-heteroaryl, CO-alkyl, CO-alkyl-aryl. For the synthesis of compounds of type (A) benzocycloheptapyridin-11-ones of formula (B) are frequently used as key intermediates: The substituents R\ R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 and R 7 in formula (B) are as defined above for compounds of formula A. Various routes for obtaining compounds of formula (B) are discussed in J. Med. Chem. 34, 457-461 [1991]; Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 3, 1073-1078 [1993]; EP-A-0 208 855 and CH -A- 688412. It is known to use a 2-cyano-3-methyl pyridine derivative (I) as a starting material to prepare the tricyclic key intermediate (B) (Scheme 1). The nitrile (I) is first protected as the tert. -butyl amide (II) via a Ritter-type reaction. The amide thus obtained is then reacted with at least two equivalents of w-butyl lithium affording a dianion. Subsequent alkylation of the generated dianion with a benzylhalide provides a compound of formula (III). Scheme 1 After deprotection of coupling product (III) the obtained nitrile (IV) is cyclised under acidic conditions to give key intermediate (B). The disadvantage of this reaction sequence is that the deprotonation and coupling reaction for producing a compound of type (III) has to be carried out at very low temperature in the range -50°C to -30°C with at least two equivalents of «-butyl lithium. Such low temperature reactions with n-butyl lithium are hazardous and expensive to perform, especially on a factory scale. In addition protection-deprotection procedures cause additional costs and lower the efficiency of the process. Moreover environmental aspects have to be considered with each performed reaction step. Therefore there is the need for a simple and efficient process which can be performed in a convenient temperature range. Furthermore there is the necessity of an atom-efficient and environmentally friendly process requiring only a minimum of hazardous chemicals. Statements of the invention According to the invention there is provided a simple and atom-efficient process for the preparation of benzocycloheptapyridin - 11 - ones of the general formula B: wherein R\ R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 and R 7 are independently selected from one or more of the following groups: hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, Cι-C 6 -alkyl, Cι-C 6 -alkoxy, nitro, CF , thio-C r Cβ-alkyl, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, including the steps of deprotonation of a compound of the formula V or a compound of the formula VI: wherein R , R and R 3 are as defined above, and M is an alkali metal ion. to form a dianion which is subsequently converted into an intermediate compound of formula B. In one embodiment of the invention deprotonation is carried out using a lithium deprotonation agent. Preferably the lithium deprotonation agent is a lithium amide or n-butyl lithium. Particularly preferred is a process wherein deprotonation is carried out by reaction of a compound of formula VI with one equivalent of the deprotonation agent. In another instance deprotonation is carried out by reaction of a compound of formula V with two equivalents of the deprotonation agent. Preferably the lithium amide is LDA (lithium diisopropylamide). In a preferred embodiment of the invention the dianions are picolinic acid dianions generated from picolinic acid or salts thereof, especially the lithium salt. Preferably the reaction is carried out within a temperature range of from -50°C to 70°C, most preferably within a temperature range of from -15°C to 20°C. Ideally the process is carried out in the presence of a solvent. The preferred solvent is a donor solvent, especially THF (tetrahydrofuran). In another embodiment of the invention the process includes the step of alkylation of the dianion to form a coupling intermediate VII. wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 and R 7 are as defined in claim 1. Preferably alkylation involves the addition of benzylhalide to the dianion. Ideally the alkylation reaction is carried out within a temperature range of from -50°C to 70°C, most preferably within a temperature range of from -15°C to 20°C. Ideally the alkylation process is carried out in the presence of a solvent, preferably a donor solvent, especially tetrahydrofuran. In a further embodiment of the invention the process includes the step of converting the coupling intermediate VII into a compound of formula B via the acid chloride and carrying out a Friedel Crafts reaction. In one embodiment of the invention compound B is a benzocycloheptapyridin-11- one. In another embodiment of the invention the process includes the step of preparing (benzocycloheptapyridinylidene) piperidine derivatives of formula A: wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 and R 7 are as defined in claim 1 and R 8 may be represented by: hydrogen, C r C 6 -alkyl or COOR 9 (wherein R 9 may be C C 6 -alkyl, C r C 6 - alkenyl, phenyl, benzyl), CO-aryl, CO-heteroaryl, CO-alkyl, CO-alkyl-aryl. The invention further provides (benzocycloheptapyridinylidene) piperdine derivatives whenever made by such a process. The invention provides compounds, especially Loratadine whenever made by the process and /or using the intermediates of the invention. The invention further provides picolinic acid dianions whenever made by the process of the invention. The invention also provides the novel intermediate products per se. Another embodiment of the invention is the use of benzocycloheptapyridin-11- ones for the preparation of antihistaminics, PAF antagonists and FPT inhibitors. Description of the Invention The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof, given by way of example only. A novel method for generating dianions using 3-methylpyridine-2-carboxylic acid derivatives of formula (V) or using their corresponding alkali metal salts of formula (VI), preferably from their lithium salt (Scheme 3) is described. The substituents R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 and R 7 in Scheme 3 are defined as herein described above. Preferably the substituents are selected from one or more of hydrogen, halogen or d-C 6 alkyl groups. M is represented by any alkali metal ion, preferably lithium. Scheme 3 A 2-cyano-3-methyl pyridine of formula (I) is hydrolysed to give a carboxylic acid derivative of type (V) or the corresponding alkali salt (VI). The alkali salt (VI), preferably the lithium salt is reacted with only one equivalent of «-butyl Hthium or lithium amide, preferably LDA (lithium dϋsopropylamide) to form the dianion. When reacting the free acid (V) in an analogous way two equivalents of deprotonation reagent are necessary to generate the dianion. In both cases it was found that the dianion is surprisingly stable in a temperature range from below 0°C up to room temperature and above. Under these mild conditions a C-alkylation reaction can be successfully performed in very good yield (>70%) by adding a benzylhalide to the dianion solution. The product Vtl) is isolated in high quality (purity >80%) and may be further purified by re-crystallisation. Final conversion of the coupling intermediate (VII) into ketone (B) is achieved by reacting the acid (VII) into its hydrochloride and further into the acid chloride for performing a Friedel-Crafts reaction. A good overall yield for these final steps is obtained (>65%). In general it appears to be of particular advantage to generate the alkali carboxylate (VI), most preferably the lithium carboxylate prior to the dianion formation. In this case only one equivalent of LDA is required and the subsequent alkylation can be performed with a minimum of hazardous substances in a very convenient temperature range. Example 1 Preparation of 3-methylpyridine-2-carboxylic acid 251 g (2.13 mol) of 2-cyano-3-methylpyridine are suspended in 700-800 ml of water and 159 g KOH (2.4 mol) are added. The mixture is heated to reflux for 5-6 hours, then the water is distilled off under vacuum. 300-400 ml of acetone are added to the residue. Stirring is continued for 1-2 hours. The precipitate is filtered off and re-crystallised from ethanol. 280 g (76%) of potassium 3-methyl-pyridine- 2-carboxylate are obtained. The potassium salt is converted into the free acid by dissolving it in 200-250 ml of water. The suspension is then heated to 30-50°C and 107 g (1.76 mol) of glacial acetic acid are added. The reaction mixture is subsequently cooled to 0-5°C and stirred at this temperature for 1-1.5 hours. The product is filtered off and washed with ethanol affording 170 g (70 %) of 3- methylpyridine-2-carboxylic acid. m.p.:116.5-118°C. Microanalysis C 7 H 7 N0 2 [137.14] calc: C 61.3 H: 5.1 N: 10.2 found.: C: 61.7 H: 5.26 N: 10.6 'H-NMR (270.05 MHz, D 6 -DMSO): δ = 2.49 (s, 3H, CH 3 ), 7.49 (dd, 1H, H-5), 7.79 (dd, 1H, H-4), 8.49 (d, 1H, H-6), 10.72 (s br , 1H, C0 2 H). 1 C-NMR (67.8 MHz, D 6 -DMSO): δ = 19.29 (CH 3 ), 126.11 (C-5), 133.77 (C-3), 139.89 (C-4), 146.62 (C-6), 148.91 (C-2), 167.87 (C0 2 H). FT-IR (KBr): v [cm 1 ] = 3354, 2923, 2201.5, 2142, 1667, 1602, 1520, 1463, 1442, 1360, 1297, 1229, 1164, 1124, 1069, 1001, 958, 854, 810.5, 697.5, 587. Example 2 Preparation of lithium 3-methylpyridine-2 -carboxylate 50.0 g (0.42 mol) of 2-cyano-3-methylpyridine are suspended in approximately 200 ml of water and 17.3 g lithium hydroxide monohydrate (0.40 mol) are added. The mixture is heated to reflux for 5-6 hours. Then the water is distilled off under vacuum. 300 ml of acetone are added to the obtained residue and stirring is continued for 1-2 hours. The product is filtered off and dried under vacuum. Yield: 57.8 g (0.40 mol, 96%). Η-NMR (60 MHz, D 2 0): δ = 2.4 (s, 3H, CH 3 ), 7.25 (dd, 1H, H-5), 7.65 (d, 1H, H-4), 8.25 (d, 1H, H-6). FT-IR (KBr): vfcm 1 ] = 3431, 3061.5, 2966, 2926.5, 1648, 1631, 1613, 1571, 1447, 1430, 1384, 1241, 1115, 868, 792, 712, 670, 580, 508. Example 3 Preparation of 3-[2-(3-Chlorophenyl)ethyl]-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid using one equivalent of LDA 15.0 g (105 mmol) of lithium 3-methylpyridine-2-carboxylate are suspended in approximately 300 ml of THF under nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture is kept at a temperature of from -30°C to 70°C, preferably -15°C to 30°C and 56.0 ml (112 mmol) of a 2 molar solution of lithium diisopropylamide are added forming a purple solution. Then 15.0 ml (118 mmol) of m-chlorobenzyl chloride are added. Stirring is continued at -30°C to 70°C, preferably -15°C to 30°C. The solvent is removed and the obtained solid is washed with petroleum ether, then suspended in water and acidified with glacial acetic acid. The title compound is extracted with MLBK in a yield of 19.2 g (73.4 mmol, 70%). Η-NMR (60 MHz, CDC1 3 ): δ = 2.95 (m, 2H, CH 2 ), 3.45 (m, 2H, CH 2 ), 6.9 - 7.7 (m, 6H, H-aryl), 8.5 (s br , 1H, H-6-pyridyl), 11.9 (s, 1H, C0 2 H). FT-LR (KBr): v [cm 1 ] = 3431, 3087, 2924, 1642, 1596, 1512, 1501, 1479, 1461, 1450, 1430, 1350, 1326, 1284, 1207, 1086, 892, 872, 843, 796, 780, 699, 654, 620. Example 4 Preparation of 3-[2-f3-Chloropheny ethyl]-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid using two equivalents of LDA 5.0 g (36.5 mmol) of 3-methylpyridine-2-carboxylic acid are dissolved in approximately 200 ml of THF under nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture is kept at -30°C to 70°C, preferably -15°C to 30°C. 38.0 ml (76 mmol) of a 2 molar solution of lithium diisopropylamide are added to form a purple solution. 5.1 ml (6.5 g, 40.2 mmol) of m-chlorobenzyl chloride are added. Stirring is continued preferably at a temperature of -15°C to 30°C. The solvent is removed under vacuum and the obtained solid is washed with petroleum ether. The crude product is suspended in water and acidified with glacial acetic acid. The title compound is extracted with MIBK in a yield of 8.6 g (32.9 mmol, 90%). Optionally the product can be converted into the hydrochloride by treatment with hydrochloric acid. Η-NMR (60 MHz, D 6 -DMSO): δ = 2.90 (m, 2H, CH 2 ), 3.45 (m, 2H, CH 2 ), 7.3 (m, 4H, H-aryl), 7.95 (m, 2H, H-aryl), 8.5 (d, 1H, H-aryl), 8.8 (d, 1H, H-aryl), 12.1 (s, lH, C0 2 H and N-H). FT-IR (KBr): v [cm 1 ] = 3103, 2920, 2868, 2359, 2342, 1800, 1733, 1705, 1622, 1596, 1574, 1538, 1465, 1411, 1275, 1236, 1207, 1184, 1162, 1084, 996, 908, 878, 813, 797, 749, 696, 686, 647. Mp.: 175-184°C. Example 5 Preparation of 8-Chloro-6.1 l-dihvdro-5H-benzo-[5.6]-cvcloheptaf 1.2-b]pyridine- 11 -one 75.0 g, (0.25 mol) of 3-[2-(3-Chloroρhenyl)ethyl]-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid hydrochloride are suspended in approximately 300 ml of thionylchloride. The mixture is stirred in a temperature range of 30-60°C, preferably 40-50°C. After evaporation of the excess of thionylchloride 79.5 g of the carboxylic acid chloride are obtained. FT-IR (KBr): v [cm 1 ] = 3420, 2924, 2854,1749, 1611, 1596, 1571, 1528, 1477, 1458, 1426, 1208, 1150, 1077, 896, 880,846, 803, 702, 684, 650, 622. The material obtained from the previous step is suspended in a suitable solvent such as 1,2-dichloroethane, 70.0 g (0.525 mol) of A1C1 3 are added and the mixture is stirred at -5°C to 20°C, preferably at 0-5°C. After acidification with diluted HCl the aqueous phase is separated and re-basified with 30% NaOH. The product is extracted with a suitable solvent such as toluene and re-crystallised. Yield 39.5 g (0.162 mol, 65%). Microanalysis C, 4 N, 0 NOC1 (243.69) Calc: C: 69.00 H: 4.14 N: 5.74 Found: C: 68.72 H: 4.20 N: 5.34 Η-NMR (400 MHz, CDC1 3 ): δ = 3.20 (m, 4H, CH 2 ), 7.32 (m, 3H, H-aryl), 7.63 (m, 1H, H-aryl), 8.04 (d, 1H, H-aryl), 8.68 (m, 1H, H-aryl). 13 C-NMR (67.8 MHz, CDC1 3 ): δ = 32.45, 34.50 (CH 2 ); 125.79, 127.22, 129.53, 132.80, 135.91, 136.48, 137.16, 138.87, 142.01, 148.68, 154.63, (C-aryl), 192.97 (C=0). FT-IR (KBr): v [cm ^lόόl, 1588, 1454, 1295, 1260, 1195, 1086, 944, 907, 838. 805. The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in detail.

Claims: Claims 1. A process for the preparation of benzocycloheptapyridine - 11 - ones of the general formula B: wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 and R 7 are independently selected from one or more of the following groups: hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, Cι-C 6 -alkyl, Cι-C 6 -alkoxy, nitro, CF 3 , thio-Cι-C 6 -alkyl. and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, including the steps of deprotonation of a compound of the formulae V or VI: wherein R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are as defined above, and M is an alkali metal ion. to form a dianion which is subsequently converted into an intermediate compound of formula B. 2. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein deprotonation is carried out using a lithium deprotonation agent. 3. A process as claimed in claim 2 wherein the lithium deprotonation agent is a lithium amide. 4. A process as claimed in claim 2 wherein the lithium deprotonation agent is is n butyl lithium. 5. A process as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein deprotonation is carried out by reaction of a compound of formula VI as defined in claim 1 with one equivalent of the deprotonation agent. 6. A process as claimed in any claims 1 to 4 wherein deprotonation is carried out by reaction of a compound of formula V as defined in claim 1 with two equivalents of the deprotonation agent. 7. A process as claimed in claims 3 to 6 wherein the lithium amide is lithium diisopropylamide . 8. A process as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the dianions are picolinic acid dianions generated from picolinic acid or salts thereof, especially the lithium salt. 9. A process as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the reaction is carried out within a temperature range of from -50°C to 70°C. 10. A process as claimed in claim 8 wherein the reaction carried out within a temperature range of from -15°C to 20°C. 11. A process as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the process is carried out in the presence of a solvent. 12. A process as claimed in claim 11 wherein the solvent is a donor solvent, especially tetrahydrofuran. 13. A process as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11 which includes the step of alkylation of the dianion to form a coupling intermediate of the formula. wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 and R 7 are as defined in claim 1. 14. A process as claimed in claim 13 wherein alkylation involves the addition of benzylhalide to the dianion. 15. A process as claimed in claim 13 or 14 wherein the alkylation reaction is carried out within a temperature range of from -50°C to 70°C. 16. A process as claimed in claim 15 wherein the alkylation reaction is carried out within a temperature range of from -15°C to 20°C. 17. A process as claimed in any of claims 13 to 16 wherein the alkylation process is carried out in the presence of a solvent. 18. A process as claimed in claim 17 wherein the solvent is a donor solvent, especially tetrahydrofuran. 19. A process as claimed in any of claims 13 to 18 including the step of converting the coupling intermediate of the formula VII into a compound of formula B as defined in claim 1 by forming an acid chloride and carrying out a Friedel Crafts reaction. 20. Benzocycloheptapyridin-11-ones whenever prepared by a process as claimed in any preceding claim. 21. A process as claimed in any preceding claim including the step of preparing (benzocycloheptapyridinylidene) piperidine derivatives of formula A: wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 and R 7 are as defined in claim 1 and R 8 is selected from one or more of: hydrogen, CrC 6 -alkyl or COOR 9 (wherein R 9 may be d-C 6 - alkyl, C C 6 - alkenyl, phenyl, benzyl), CO-aryl, CO- heteroaryl, CO-alkyl, CO-alkyl-aryl. 22. (Benzocycloheptapyridinylidene) piperidine derivatives whenever made by a process as claimed in claim 21. 23. Loratadine whenever prepared by a process as claimed in claim 21. 24. Picolinic acid dianions whenever prepared by a process as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8.

Inventors: KOCHER CHRISTIAN, MULCAHY DAVID, NIKOLOPOULOS AGGELOS, SCHICKANEDER HELMUT, KOCHER, CHRISTIAN, MULCAHY, DAVID, NIKOLOPOULOS, AGGELOS, SCHICKANEDER, HELMUT
Applicants: KOCHER CHRISTIAN, MULCAHY DAVID, NIKOLOPOULOS AGGELOS, RUSSINSKY LTD, SCHICKANEDER HELMUT, KOCHER, CHRISTIAN, MULCAHY, DAVID, NIKOLOPOULOS, AGGELOS, RUSSINSKY LIMITED, SCHICKANEDER, HELMUT
Application year: 1999
Main classification: C07D221
IPC codes: C07D221, C07D401