METHOD FOR THE PREPARATION OF CITALOPRAM

Abstract: The present invention relates method for the preparation of citalopram by alkylation of a 1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydroisobenzofurane derivative.

Description: Method for the Preparation of Citalopram The present mvention relates to a method for the preparation of the well-known antidepressant drug cιtalopram,l-[3-(dιmethylammo)propyl]-l-(4-fluorophenyl)-l,3-dιhydro-5- isobenzofurancarbonitrile. Background of the Invention Citalopram is a well-known antidepressant drug that has now been on the market for some years and has the following structure: It is a selective, centrally acting serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamme; 5-HT) reuptake inhibitor, accordingly having antidepressant activities. The antidepressant activity of the compound has been reported in several publications, eg. J. Hyttel Prog Neuro-Psychopharmacol & Biol Psychtat 1982, 6, 277-295 and A. Gravem Ada Psychiatr Scand. 1987, 75, 478-486. The compound has further been disclosed to show effects in the treatment of dementia and cerebrovascular disorders, EP-A-474580. Citalopram was first disclosed in DE 2,657,013, corresponding to US 4,136,193. This patent publication descπbes the preparation of citalopram by one method and outlines a further method, which may be used for prepaπng citalopram. According to the process descπbed, the corresponding l-(4-fluorophenyl)-l,3-dιhydro-5- lsobenzofurancarbonitrile is reacted with 3-(N,N-dιmethylammo)propyl-chloπde m the presence of methylsulfinylmethide as condensing agent The starting mateπal was prepared from the corresponding 5-bromo derivative by reaction with cuprous cyanide. International patent application No. WO 98/019511 discloses a process for the manufacture of citalopram wherem a (4-(cyano, alkyloxycarbonyl or alkylammocarbonyl)-2-hydroxy- methylphenyl-(4-fluorophenyl)methanol compound is subjected to πng closure. The resulting 5-( alkyloxycarbonyl or alkylammocarbony)-l-(4-fluorophenyl)-l,3-dιhydroιsobenzofuran is converted to the corresponding 5-cyano derivative and the 5-cyano derivative is then alkylated with a (3-dιmethylammo)propylhalogenιde m order to obtain citalopram It has now, surprisingly, been found that citalopram may be manufactured by a novel favourable process where 5-cyano-l-(4-fluorophenyl)-l ,3-dιhydroιsobenzofuran is alkylated with a compound which may be converted to a dimethylammopropyl group The alkylation process according to the invention is particularly advantageous because the formation of by-products by polymerisation of the alkylating agent is avoided whereby a reduction m the amount of alkylating reagent to be used is made possible The process of the invention provides high yields Summary of the invention Thus, the present invention relates to a method for the preparation of citalopram comprising reaction of a compound of formula (I) wherem Y is a group which may be converted to cyano, with a compound having the formula (II) wherem X is a suitable leaving group and R is -CH 2 -0-Pg, -CH 2 -NPgιPg 2 , -CH 2 -NMePgι, -CO-N(CH 3 ) 2 , -CH(A 1 R')(A 2 R 2 ), COOR 3 -CH 2 -CO-NH 2 , -CH=CH-R 7 or -CONHR 8 , wherem Pg is a protection group for an alcohol group, Pgi and Pg 2 are protection groups for an ammo group, R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and optionally alkyl substituted aryl and aralkyl groups or R 1 and R 2 together form a chain of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, R 3 and R 7 are independently selected from alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and optionally alkyl substituted aryl and aralkyl, R 8 is hydrogen or methyl and A 1 and A 2 are selected from O and S, to form a compound of the formula wherem R and Y are as defined above, followed by, in either order, conversion of the group R to a dimethylammomethyl group and conversion of the group Y to a cyano group, followed by isolation of the citalopram base or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof Thus, in one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for the preparation of citalopram wherem the compound of formula (I) is reacted with a compound of formula (II) wherem R is -CH 2 -0-Pg to form a compound of formula wherem Y is a group which may be converted to cyano and Pg is a protection group for an alcohol group, optionally followed by conversion of the group Y to a cyano group; and thereafter removal of the protecting group to form a compound of formula wherem Y 1 is cyano or a group which may be converted to cyano, and if Y 1 is not cyano, optionally followed by conversion of the group Y 1 to a cyano group; thereafter conversion of the alcohol group to a feasible leaving group, followed by, in either order, conversion of a group Y ! which is not cyano to cyano, and replacement of the leaving group with a dimethylamino group by reaction with a) dimethylamme or a salt thereof, b) methylamine followed by methylation or reductive animation, or c) with an azide followed by reduction to form the corresponding amme and thereafter methylation or reductive animation. In a second embodiment, the invention relates to a method for the preparation of citalopram wherem the compound of formula (I) is reacted with a compound of formula (II) wherem R is -CO-N(CH 3 ) 2 to form a compound of the formula wherem Y is as defined above, optionally followed by conversion of the group Y to a cyano group; and thereafter reduction of the resulting compound to form a compound of formula wherem Y 1 is cyano or a compound which may be converted to cyano, and if Y is not cyano conversion of the group Y 1 in the compound of formula (Nil) to a cyano group. In a third embodiment, the invention relates to a method for the preparation of citalopram wherem the compound of formula (I) is reacted with a compound of formula (II) wherein R is -CH 2 -N(Pgι)(Pg 2 ) to form a compound of formula wherem Y is a group which may be converted to a cyano group and Pg] and Pg 2 are protection groups for an ammo group, optionally followed by conversion of the group Y to a cyano group; and thereafter removal of the protecting groups to form a compound having the formula wherem Y 1 is a cyano group or a group which may be converted to a cyano group, followed by, in either order, conversion of a group Y 1 which is not cyano to a cyano group and methylation or reductive animation of the free ammo group to form citalopram. In a fourth embodiment, the invention relates to a process for the preparation of citalopram wherem a compound of formula (I) is reacted with a compound of formula (II) wherem R is -CH(A 1 R 1 )(A 2 R 2 ) to form a compound of the formula wherem Y is a group which may be converted to a cyano group, R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and optionally alkyl substituted aryl and aralkyl groups or R 1 and R 2 together form a chain of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and A 1 and A 2 are selected form O and S; optionally followed by conversion of the group Y to a cyano group, and thereafter deprotection of the compound of formula (X) to form a compound of formula wherein Y 1 is cyano or a group which may be converted to a cyano group and A 1 are as defined above, followed by, either order, reductive animation with dimethylamme of the compound of formula (XI) and if Y 1 is not cyano, conversion of the group Y 1 to form a cyano group. In a fifth embodiment, the invention relates to a method for the preparation of citalopram wherem a compound of formula (I) is reacted with with a compound of formula (II) wherem R is -COOR 3 to form a compound of the formula wherem Y is a group which may be converted to cyano and R 3 is selected from alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and optionally alkyl substituted aryl and aralkyl, optionally followed by conversion of Y to a cyano group; and thereafter 0 reduction to form an alcohol of formula wherein Y 1 is cyano or a group which may be converted to cyano, and if Y 1 is not cyano, optionally followed by conversion of the group Y 1 to a cyano group; and thereafter conversion of the alcohol group to a feasible leaving group, followed by, m either order, conversion of a group Y ! which is not cyano to cyano, and replacement of the leaving group with a dimethylamino group by reaction with a) dimethylamme or a salt thereof, b) methylamine followed by methylation or reductive animation, or c) with an azide followed by reduction to form the corresponding amme and thereafter methylation or reductive animation, or n) reaction of a compound of formula (XII) with an amme of formula NH(Me) 2 , NH 2 Me or NH 3 or a salt thereof to form an amide, followed by, in either order, reduction of the amide, and if Y is not cyano, conversion of the group Y 1 to cyano, and if necessary methylation or reductive animation to form a dimethylamino group. In a sixth embodiment, the invention relates to a method for the preparation of citalopram wherem a compound of formula (I) is reacted with a compound of formula (II) wherem R is -CH -CO-NH 2 to form a compound of the formula wherem Y is as defined above, optionally followed by conversion of Y to a cyano group; and thereafter treatment with a hypohahde to form a compound of formula wherem Y 1 is a cyano group or a group which may be converted to a cyano group, followed by, in either order, conversion of a group Y 1 which is not cyano to a cyano group and methylation or reductive animation of free amino group to form citalopram. In a seventh embodiment, the invention relates to a method for the preparation of citalopram wherem a compound of formula (I) is reacted with a compound of formula (II) wherem R is -CH=CH-R 7 to form a compound of the formula wherem Y is a group which may be converted to a cyano group and R 7 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and optionally alkyl substituted aryl and aralkyl as defined above, optionally followed by conversion of the group Y to a cyano group; and thereafter oxidation to form a compound of formula wherem Y 1 is cyano or a group which may be converted to a cyano group, followed by, in either order, reductive ammation with dimethylamme and if Y 1 is not cyano conversion of the group Y 1 to a cyano group to form citalopram. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for the preparation of citalopram from a compound of formula wherem Y 1 is a cyano group, or a group which can be converted to a cyano group and R 2 is -CH 2 -W, wherem W is a leaving group, or R 2 is cyano or -CH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 comprising, in either order, conversion of the group Y 1 which is not cyano to a cyano group and conversion of the group R 2 which is not -CH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 to a dimethylaminomethyl group, followed by isolation of citalopram base or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. According to this method, a group R 2 which is -CH 2 -W, wherein W is a leaving group may be converted to a dimethylaminomethyl group by reaction with a) dimethylamme or a salt thereof, b) methylamine followed by methylation or reductive ammation , or c) an azide followed by reduction to form the corresponding amme and thereafter methylation or reductive ammation. Further, according to this method a group R 2 which is cyano may be converted to a dimethylaminomethyl group by reduction followed by methylation or reductive ammation of the free ammo group formed. Reduction of the cyano group to an ammo group may be carried out using using Rh, Raney Ni etc. as a catalyst. The compound of formula (XVI) may be prepared by reaction of a compound of formula wherem Y 1 is a cyano group, or a group which can be converted to a cyano group, with a compound of formula wherem X is a leaving group and R 2 is -CH 2 -W, wherem W is a leaving group, or R " is cyano or -CH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 ; provided R 2 is not -CH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 when X is halogen and Y 1 is cyano, and if Y 1 is not cyano, optionally followed by conversion of the group Y to a cyano group In a further embodiment, the invention relates to a method for the preparation of citalopram wherem a compound of formula (I) is reacted with a compound of formula (II) wherem R is -CH 2 -NMe(Pg ! ) to form a compound of formula wherem Y is a group which may be converted to a cyano group and Pgi is a protection group for an amino group, optionally followed by conversion of the group Y to a cyano group; and thereafter removal of the protection group to form a compound of formula wherem Y 1 is a cyano group or a group which may be converted to cyano, followed by, in either order, conversion of the group Y 1 which is not cyano to a cyano group and methylation or reductive ammation of the ammo group to form citalopram. In still another embodiment, the invention relates to a process for the preparation of citalopram wherem a compound of formula (I) is reacted with a compound of formula (II) wherem R is -CO-NHR 8 to form a compound of formula wherem Y is a group which may be converted to cyano and R 8 is hydrogen or methyl, optionally followed by conversion of the group Y to a cyano group; and thereafter reduction to form a compound of the formula where Y 1 is cyano or a group which may be converted to cyano and R 8 is as hydrogen or methyl followed by, in either order, methylation or reductive ammation to form the dimethylamino group and if Y 1 is not cyano, conversion of Y 1 to cyano. In a further embodiment, the invention relates to a method method for the preparation of citalopram comprising reaction of a compound of formula (la) with a compound of formula (II) wherem R is -C(A'R 4 )(A 2 R 5 )(A 3 R 6 ) to form a compound of the formula wherem Y 1 is a cyano group or a group which may be converted to cyano and wherem each of R 4 , R 5 and R 6 are independently selected from alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and optionally alkyl substituted aryl and aralkyl and A 1 , A 2 and A 3 is selected form O and S, and if Y 1 is not cyano optionally followed by conversion of Y 1 to a cyano group; and thereafter hydrolysis to form a compound of formula wherem Y 1 is cyano or a group which may be converted to cyano, and A 1 and A 2 is as defined above and if Y 1 is not cyano, optionally conversion of Y 1 to cyano; and followed by 1) reduction of a compound of formula (XXII) or an ester thereof to form an alcohol of formula wherem Y 1 is cyano or a group which may be converted to cyano, and if Y 1 is not cyano, optionally followed by conversion of the group Y 1 to a cyano group; and thereafter conversion of the alcohol group to a feasible leaving group, followed by, in either order, conversion of a group Y 1 which is not cyano to cyano, and replacement of the leaving group with a dimethylamino group by reaction with a) dimethylamme or a salt thereof, b) methylamine followed by methylation or reductive ammation, or c) with an azide followed by reduction to form the corresponding amme and thereafter methylation or reductive ammation, or n) conversion of a compound of formula (XXII) to an amide with an amme of formula NH(Me) 2 , NH 2 Me, NH 3 or a salt thereof, followed by, in either order, reduction of the amide, and if Y is not cyano, conversion of the group Y 1 to cyano, and if necessary methylation or reductive ammation to form a dimethylamino group. The invention also relates to the intermediates having the formula (III), (XXI) and (XXII) and intermediates having the formula (V), (Nil), (IX), (XNI), (XNIII) and (XI) wherem Y 1 is a group which may be converted to cyano. In yet another aspect, the present mvention relates to an antidepressant pharmaceutical composition comprising citalopram manufactured by the process of the invention. The alkylation step where the compound of formula (I) and (la) are reacted with a compound of formula (II) and (Ha), respectively, is suitably carried out by treatment of the compound of formula (I) and (la) with a base such as for example LDA ( lithiumdnsopropylamine), LiHMDS (hexamethyldisilasan lithium), ΝaH, ΝaHMDS (hexamethyldisilasan sodium) and metalalkoxides such as ΝaOMe, KOMe, LiOMe, ΝaOtertBu, KOtertBu and LiOtertBu m an aprotic organic solvent such as THF (tetrahydrofurane), DMF (dimethylformamide), ΝMP (Ν-methylpyrrohdon), ethers such as diethylether or dioxalane, toluene, benzene, or alkanes and mixtures thereof. The amon formed is then reacted with a compound of formula (II) or (Ila) whereby a group of formula -CH 2 -CH 2 -R and -CH 2 -CH 2 -R 2 is introduced into position 1 of the isobenzofuranyl ring system. The reaction of the compound of formula (I) and (la) and with a compound of formula (II) and (Ha), respectively, is suitably carried out under non-aqueous conditions. Suitable leaving groups X and W, may be a halogenide, or a sulphonate of formula -O-SO 2 -R 0 wherein R° is alkyl, aralkyl, aryl or aryl substituted with alkyl. Conventionally, R° is methyl or p-methylphenyl. Groups Y, which can be converted to a cyano group may be selected from halogen, -0-S0 2 -(CF) n -CF 3 , wherem n is 0-8, -CHO, -COOR', -COΝR'R", -ΝHR'" wherem R' and R" are hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl, or optionally alkyl substituted aryl or aralkyl and R'" is hydrogen or alkylcarbonyl or Y is an an oxazolme or thiazolme group of the formula wherem U is O or S; R 12 - R 13 are each independently selected from hydrogen and alkyl, or R 12 and R 13 together form a C 5 alkylene chain thereby forming a spiro πng; R 10 is selected from hydrogen and alkyl, R 1 ' is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, a carboxy group or a precursor group therefore, or R 10 and R π together form a C 2 5 alkylene chain thereby forming a spiro ring. Y may be any other group, which can be converted to a cyano group. The substituents R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 and R 6 are preferably alkyl or aralkyl. Suitably, R 1 and R 2 and R 4 , R 5 and R 6 are identical. The alcohol protecting group, Pg, may be a trialkylsilyl group, a benzyl group or a tetrahydropyranyl group (THP). According to the invention, the alcohol protecting group is removed to form the compound of formula (IN) using conventional methods for removal of the protection group m question. Thus, where the protecting group is trialkylsilyl the protecting group may be removed by treatment with a base, an organic or mineral acid or a flouπde such as KF, or tπalkylammoflouπde. Where Pg is benzyl, the protecting group may be removed by reduction using Pd/C or Pt/C as a catalyst. Where Pg is a tetrahydropyranyl (THP) group, the protecting group may be removed by treatment with an organic or mineral acid, or resms carrying H + groups such as Dowex H + or Amberlyst. The alcohol group in the compound of formula (N) is converted to a feasible leaving group such as halogen, or a sulphonate of formula -O-SO 2 -R 0 wherem R° is as defined above, by reaction with reagents such as thionylchloπde, mesylchloπde, tosylchloπde etc. The resulting compound is then reacted with dimethylamm or a salt thereof, e.g. M + , Ν(CH 3 ) 2 wherem M + is Lι + or Na + . The reaction is suitably carried out in an aprotic organic solvent such as TH (tetrahydrofurane), DMF (dimethylformamide), NMP (N-methyl pyrrohdon), ethers such as diethylether, or dioxalane, toluene, benzene, or alkanes and mixtures thereof. The compound of formula (V) carrying a suitable leaving group may also be converted to citalopram by reaction with dimethylammonium chloride in presence of a base. Alternatively, the compound of formula (N) carrying a suitable leaving group, such as a sulphonate of formula -0-S0 2 -R wherein R is as defined above, may be reacted with an azide, such as sodium azide, followed by reduction using Pd/C as a catalyst to form a compound of formula (LX) and thereafter methylation or reductive ammation to form Citalopram. The compound of formula (N) carrying a suitable leaving group, may also be converted to citalopram by reaction with methylamine followed by methylation or reductive ammation to form a dimethylamino group. In a compound of formula (XNI) wherein R 2 is -CH 2 -W wherem W is a suitable leaving group, W may be replaced by a dimethylamino group as described above. The reduction of the amides of formula (NI) and (XIX) is conveniently earned out m toluene using Red- Al as a reducing agent. Suitable groups Pgi and Pg 2 are aralkyl or -S0 2 -R° groups wherem R° is as defined above, typically benzyl or tosyl, or Pgi and Pg 2 together with the Ν atom to which they are attached form an optionally substituted phthahmide group. The protecting groups, Pgi and Pg 2 , may be removed using conventional methods for removal of such protective groups. The phthahmide groups may thus be converted to an ammo group by treatment with hydrazm or methylamine and ethanol. Where the protecting group is an aralkyl group, such as benzyl, it may be removed by reduction, typically in presence of Pd/C or Pt/C as a catalyst Protecting groups of formula -S0 2 -R° may be removed by treatment with Red-Al. The ammo group m the compounds of formula (IX), (XNIII) and (XX) may be methylated with methylatmg agents such as Mel and Me 2 S0 4 , wherem Me is methyl. The methylation is carried out using conventional procedures for carrying out such reactions. Alternatively, citalopram is formed by reductive ammation. According to this procedure, the compound of formula (IX), (XNITJ) or (XX) is reacted with compounds such as formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde or trioxan in the presence of a reducing agent such as ΝaBH 4 or NaBH 3 CN. The reductive ammation is carried out using conventional procedures for carrying out such reactions. The compound of formula (Xa) or (Xb) may suitably be converted to the corresponding aldehyde by treatment with an organic or mineral acid or with or resms carrying H + groups such as Dowex H + or Amberlyst. The resulting aldehyde may be converted to citalopram by reductive ammation, i.e. by reaction with dimethylamm m presence of a reducing agent such as NaBH 4 or NaBH 3 CN The aldehydes of formula (XV) may be converted to a dimethylamino group by analogous methods. The ester derivative of formula (XII) may be converted to citalopram via the corresponding alcohol of formula (N) by reduction of the ester using Red-Al as a reducing agent or via an amide by reaction of the ester with an amme, preferably ΝH 2 (Me) 2 or a salt thereof. The reduction of the amide may suitably be carried out in toluene using Red-Al as reducing agent Conversion of a free ammo group or a monomethylammo group to a dimethylamino group may be carried out as described above. Suitably, the agent useful for conversion of a compound of formula (XIII) to a compound of formula (IX) is NaOH/Br 2 . Oxidation of the compound of formula (XIV) may be carried out by treatment of the compound with ozone in a polar solvent such as alcohol, water, acetic acid or esters thereof. Alternatively, the compound of formula (XIV) may be treated with oxidation agents such as NaI0 4 , Os0 4 /NaI0 4 and KMn0 4 . Hydrolysis of a compound of formula (XXI) to form a compound of formula (XXII) may be carried out using mineral acids or organic acids. Conversion of the compound of formula (XXTI) to an alcohol of formula (V) or an amide may suitably be carried out via the corresponding acid chloride. The acid chloπde may be prepared by treatment of the acid with POCl 3 , PC1 5 or SOCl 2 neat or in a suitable solvent, such as toluene or toluene comprising a catalytic amount of N,N-dιmethylformamιde. The ester is obtained by treatment of the acid with an alcohol, m the presence of an acid, preferably a mineral acid or a Lewis acid, such as HC1, H 2 S0 4 , POCl 3 , PC1 5 or SOCl 2 . Alternatively, the ester may be obtained from the acid chloπde by reaction with an alcohol. The ester or the acid chloπde is then converted to an amide of by amidation with ammonia or an alkylamme, preferably t-butyl amme. The conversion to amide may also be obtained by reaction of the ester with ammonia or an alkylamme under pressure and heating. The processes for the conversion of the corresponding alcohol or amide to the dimethylamino group of citalopram have already been described above When Y is halogen or CF 3 -(CF 2 ) n -S0 2 -0-, wherein n is 0-8, the conversion to a cyano group may be carried out by reaction with a cyanide source, for example KCN, NaCN, CuCN, Zn(CN) 2 or (R 15 ) 4 NCN, where (R 15 ) indicates four groups, which may be the same or different, and are selected from hydrogen and straight chain or branched alkyl, in the presence of a palladium catalyst and a catalytic amount of Cu " or Zn 2+ , or with Zn(CN) 2 in the presence of a palladium catalyst. The conversion of a compound wherem Y is halogen or CF 3 -(CF 2 ) n -S0 2 -0-, wherem n is 0-8, by reaction with a cyanide source in the presence of a palladium catalyst, may be carried out as described in WO 0013648. When Y is Cl or Br the conversion to a cyano group may also be carried out by reaction with a cyanide source, for example KCN, NaCN, CuCN, Zn(CN) 2 or (R 15 ) 4 NCN, where (R 15 ) 4 indicates four groups, which may be the same or different, and are selected from hydrogen and straight chain or branched alkyl, in the presence of a nickel catalyst. The conversion of a compound wherem Y is halogen or CF 3 -(CF 2 ) n -S0 2 -0-, wherem n is 0-8, by reaction with a cyanide source m the presence of a nickel catalyst may be carried out as described m WO 00/11926. The reactions may be performed m any convenient solvent as described in Sakakibara et. al. Bull Chem Soc. Jpn.1988, 61, 1985-1990. Preferred solvents are acetomtril, ethylacetat, THF, DMF or NMP. When Y is an oxazolme or a thiazolme of the formula (VI), the conversion to a cyano may be carried out as described m WO 00/23431. When Y is CHO, the conversion to a cyano group may be carried out by conversion of the formyl group to an oxime or similar group by reaction with a reagent R 16 -V-NH 2 , wherein R 16 is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl and V is O, N or S, followed by dehydration with a common dehydrating agent, for example thionylchloπde, acetic anhydπde/pyπdme, pyπdme/HCl or phosphor pentachloride. Preferred reagents, R 16 -N-NH 2 , are hydroxylamm and compounds wherem R 16 is alkyl or aryl and V is N or O. When Y is -COOH, the conversion to a cyano group may be carried out via the corresponding acid chloride or ester and amide. The acid chloride is conveniently obtained by treatment of the acid with POCl 3 , PC1 5 or SOCl 2 neat or m a suitable solvent, such as toluene or toluene comprising a catalytic amount of N,N- dimethylformamide. The ester is obtained by treatment of the acid with an alcohol, in the presence of an acid, preferably a mineral acid or a Lewis acid, such as HC1, H 2 S0 4 POCl 3 , PC1 5 or SOCl 2 Alternatively, the ester may be obtained from the acid chloride by reaction with an alcohol. The ester or the acid chloride is then converted to an amide of by amidation with ammonia or an alkylamme, preferably t-butyl amme. The conversion to amide may also be obtained by reaction of the ester with ammonia or an alkylamme under pressure and heating The amide group is then converted to a cyano group by dehydration. The dehydrating agent may be any suitable dehydrating agent, and the optimal agent may easily be determined by a person skilled in the art. Examples of suitable dehydrating agents are SOCl 2 , POCl 3 and PC1 5 , preferably SOCl 2 . In a particularly preferred embodiment, the carboxyhc acid is reacted with an alcohol, preferably ethanol, in the presence of POCl 3 , in order to obtain the corresponding ester, which is then reacted with ammonia thereby giving the corresponding amide, which in turn is reacted with SOCl 2 in toluene comprising a catalytic amount of N,N-dιmethylformamιde. Alternatively, a compound where Y is -COOH may be reacted with chlorosulfonyl isocyanate in order to form the nitπle, or treated with a dehydrating agent and asulfonamide as described in WO 0044738. When Y is -NHR'", where R'" is hydrogen, the conversion into cyano is preferably performed by diazotation and followed by reaction with CN ~ . Most preferably NaN0 2 and CuCN and/or NaCN is used. When R'" is alkylcarbonyl, the compound is initially subjected to hydrolysis thereby obtaining the corresponding compound wherein R'" is H, which is then converted as described above. The hydrolysis may be performed either in acidic or basic environment Starting materials of formula (I) wherem X is halogen may be prepared as described m GB 1526331, compounds of formula (I) wherem X is -0-S0 2 -(CF 2 ) n -CF 3 may be prepared analogously to the compounds described in WO 99/00640, compounds of formula (I) wherem X is an oxazolme or a thiazolme group may be prepared analogous to the compounds described in WO 0023431 , compounds wherem X is formaldehyde may be prepared analogously to the compounds descπbed in as WO 99/30548, compounds wherem X is - COOH, and esters and amides thereof may be prepared analogously to the compounds described in WO 98/19511 and compounds of formula I wherein is -NHR'" may be prepared analogously to the compounds described in WO 98/19512. The reaction conditions, solvents, etc. used for the reactions descπbed above are conventional conditions for such reactions and may easily be determined by a person skilled in the art The starting material of formula (la) wherein Y ! is a cyano group may be prepared as described in US patent No. 4,136,193 or as descπbed in WO 98/019511. The compounds of formula (II) and (Ila) are commercially available or may be prepared form commercially available starting materials using conventional techniques. Citalopram is on the market as an antidepressant drug in the form of the racemate. However, in the near future the active S-enantiomer of citalopram is also going to be introduced to the market. S-citalopram may be prepared by separation of the optically active isomers by chromatography. Throughout the specification and claims, the term alkyl refers to a branched or unbranched alkyl group having from one to six carbon atoms inclusive, such as methyl, ethyl, 1 -propyl, 2- propyl, 1 -butyl, 2-butyl, 2-methyl-2-propyl, 2,2-dιmethyl-l -ethyl and 2-methyl-l-propyl Similarly, alkenyl and alkynyl, respectively, designate such groups having from two to six carbon atoms, including one double bond and triple bond respectively, such as ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, ethynyl, propynyl, and butynyl. The term aryl refers to a mono- or bicyclic carbocychc aromatic group, such as phenyl and naphthyl, in particular phenyl. The term aralkyl refers to aryl-alkyl, wherein aryl and alkyl is as defined above. The term optionally alkyl substituted aryl or aralkyl means aryl and aralkyl as above which are optionally substituted with one or more alkyl groups. Halogen means chloro, bromo or lodo. Citalopram may be used as the free base, preferably in crystalline form, or as a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. As acid addition salts, such salts formed with organic or inorganic acids may be used. Exemplary of such organic salts are those with maleic, fumaπc, benzoic, ascorbic, succmic, oxalic, bismethylenesalicyhc, methanesulfonic, ethanedisulfonic, acetic, propionic, tartaπc, salicylic, citric, glucomc, lactic, malic, mandelic, cinnamic, citraconic, aspartic, steaπc, palmitic, ltacomc, glycohc, p- aminobenzoic, glutamic, benzene sulfonic and theophylhne acetic acids, as well as the 8- halotheophyllmes, for example 8-bromotheophyllme. Exemplary of such inorganic salts are those with hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuπc, sulfamic, phosphoric and nitπc acids. The acid addition salts of the compounds may be prepared by methods known in the art. The base is reacted with either the calculated amount of acid in a water miscible solvent, such as acetone or ethanol, with subsequent isolation of the salt by concentration and cooling, or with an excess of the acid in a water immiscible solvent, such as ethylether, ethylacetate or dichloromethane, with the salt separating spontaneously. The pharmaceutical compositions of the mvention may be administered in any suitable way and in any suitable form, for example orally m the form of tablets, capsules, powders or syrups, or parenterally m the form of usual sterile solutions for injection. The pharmaceutical formulations of the invention may be prepared by conventional methods m the art. For example, tablets may be prepared by mixing the active ingredient with ordinary adjuvants and/or diluents and subsequently compressing the mixture in a conventional tablettmg maschme. Examples of adjuvants or diluents compπse: Corn starch, potato starch, talcum, magnesium stearate, gelatine, lactose, gums, and the like. Any other adjuvant or additive, colouπngs, aroma, preservatives etc. may be used provided that they are compatible with the active ingredients. Solutions for injections may be prepared by solving the active ingredient and possible additives in a part of the solvent for injection, preferably steπle water, adjusting the solution to the desired volume, sterilising the solution and filling it in suitable ampoules or vials. Any suitable additive conventionally used m the art may be added, such as tonicity agents, preservatives, antioxidants, etc. The invention is further illustrated by the following examples. Example 1 A solution of l-(4-fluorophenyl)-l,3-dιhydroιsobenzofuran-5-carbonιtπle (4.8 g, 0.02 mol) in THF (50 ml) was added dropwise to a solution of LDA ( Butyl lithium 1.6 M (15 mL) , disopropylamme 2.6 g ) at -30 °C under an atmosphere of nitrogen. After stimng at - 30 °C for 10 minutes, a solution of a compound of formula (II) or (Ila) ( 0.02 mol) in THF (25 mL) was added dropwise and allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for a further 60 minutes. The reaction was then quenched with ice, extracted with toluene (3 x 50 mL) , washed with water (50 mL) and concentrated under reduced pressure The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel using mixtures of n-heptane/EtOAc as the eluent.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. A method for the preparation of citalopram comprising reaction of a compound of formula (I) wherem Y is a group which may be converted to cyano, with a compound having the formula (ii) wherem X is a suitable leaving group and R is -CH 2 -0-Pg, -CH 2 -NPg ! Pg 2 , -CH 2 -NMePgι, -CO-N(CH 3 ) 2 , -CH(A 1 R 1 )(A 2 R 2 ), -COOR 3 -CH 2 -CO-NH 2 , -CH=CH-R 7 or -CONHR 8 , wherem Pg is a protection group for an alcohol group, Pgi and Pg 2 are protection groups for an amino group, R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and optionally alkyl substituted aryl or aralkyl groups or R 1 and R 2 together form a chain of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, each of R 3 and R 7 are independently selected from alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and optionally alkyl substituted aryl or aralkyl, R 8 is hydrogen or methyl and A 1 and A 2 are selected form O and S; to form a compound of the formula wherem R and Y are as defined above, followed by, in either order, conversion of the group R to a dimethylaminomethyl group and conversion of the group Y to a cyano group, followed by isolation of the citalopram base or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof 2. The method according to claim 1 wherem the compound of formula (I) is reacted with a compound of formula (II) wherein R is -CH 2 -0-Pg to form a compound of formula wherem Y is a group which may be converted to cyano and Pg is a protection group for an alcohol group, optionally followed by conversion of the group Y to a cyano group; followed by removal of the protecting group to form a compound of formula wherem Y 1 is cyano or a group which may be converted to cyano, and if Y is not cyano, optionally followed by conversion of the group Y 1 to a cyano group; and thereafter conversion of the alcohol group to a feasible leaving group, followed by, m either order, conversion of a group Y 1 which is not cyano to cyano, and replacement of the leaving group with a dimethylamino group by reaction with a) dimethylamme or a salt thereof, b) methylamine followed by methylation or reductive ammation, or c) with an azide followed by reduction to form the corresponding amme and thereafter methylation or reductive ammation. 3. The method according to claim 1 wherem the compound of formula (I) is reacted with a compound of formula (II) wherem R is -CO-N(CH 3 ) 2 to form a compound of the formula wherem Y is as defined above, optionally followed by conversion of the group Y to a cyano group; and thereafter reduction of the compound formed to form a compound of formula wherem Y 1 is cyano or a compound which may be converted to cyano, and if Y 1 is not cyano conversion of the group Y 1 m the compound of formula (Nil) to a cyano group. 4. The method according to claim 1 wherem the compound of formula (I) is reacted with a compound of formula (II) wherem R is -CH 2 -Ν(Pgι)(Pg 2 ) to form a compound of formula wherem Y is a group which may be converted to a cyano group and Pg] and Pg 2 are protection groups for an ammo group, optionally followed by conversion of the group Y to a cyano group; and thereafter by removal of the protecting groups to form a compound having the formula wherein Y 1 is a cyano group or a group which may be converted to a cyano group, followed by, in either order, conversion of a group Y 1 which is not cyano to a cyano group and methylation or reductive ammation of the free ammo group to form citalopram. 5. The method according to claim 1 wherem a compound of formula (I) is reacted with a compound of formula (II) wherem R is -CH(A'R' )(A 2 R 2 ) to form a compound of the formula wherem Y is a group which may be converted to a cyano group, R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and optionally alkyl substituted aryl and aralkyl groups or R 1 and R 2 together form a chain of 2 to 4 carbon atoms and A 1 and A 2 are selected from O and S; optionally followed by conversion of the group Y to a cyano group; and thereafter deprotection of the compound of formula (X) to form a compound of formula wherem Y 1 is cyano or a group which may be converted to a cyano group and A 1 is as defined above, followed by, m either order, by reductive ammation with dimethylamme of the compound of formula (XI) and if Y 1 is not cyano, conversion of the group Y 1 to form a cyano group. 6. The method according to claim 1 where a compound of formula (I) is reacted with with a compound of formula (II) wherem R is -COOR 3 where R 3 is as defined above to form a compound of the formula where Y is a group which may be converted to cyano and R 3 is selected from alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and optionally alkyl substituted aryl and aralkyl, optionally followed by conversion of Y to a cyano group; and thereafter I) reduction to form an alcohol of formula wherem Y 1 is cyano or a group which may be converted to cyano, and if Y 1 is not cyano, optionally followed by conversion of the group Y 1 to a cyano group, and thereafter conversion of the alcohol group to a feasible leaving group, followed by, m either order, conversion of a group Y 1 which is not cyano to cyano, and replacement of the leaving group with a dimethylamino group by reaction with a) dimethylamme or a salt thereof, b) methylamine followed by methylation or reductive ammation, or c) with an azide followed by reduction to form the coπespondmg amme and thereafter methylation or reductive ammation, or n) reaction of the compound of formula (XII) with an amme of NH(Me) 2 , NH 2 Me, NH 3 or a salt thereof to form an amide, followed by, in either order, reduction of the amide, and if Y 1 is not cyano, conversion of the group Y 1 to cyano, and if necessary methylation or reductive ammation to form a dimethylamino group 7 The method according to claim 1 wherein a compound of formula (I) is reacted with a compound of formula (II) wherem R is -CH 2 -CO-NH 2 to form a compound of the formula wherem Y is as defined above, optionally followed by conversion of Y to a cyano group; followed by treatment with a hypohahde to form a compound of formula wherem Y 1 is a cyano group or a group which may be converted to a cyano group, followed by, in either order, conversion of a group Y 1 which is not cyano to a cyano group and methylation or reductive ammation of free ammo group to form citalopram. 8. The method according to claim 1 wherem a compound of formula (I) is reacted with a compound of formula (II) wherein R is -CH=CH-R 7 to form a compound of the formula wherem Y is a group which may be converted to a cyano group and R 7 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and optionally alkyl substituted aryl and aralkyl as defined above, optionally followed by conversion of the group Y to a cyano group; and thereafter oxidation to form a compound of formula wherem Y 1 is cyano or a group which may be converted to a cyano group, followed by, in either order, reductive ammation with dimethylamme and if Y 1 is not cyano conversion of the group Y 1 to a cyano group to form citalopram. A method for the preparation of citalopram from a compound of formula wherem Y 1 is a cyano group, or a group which can be converted to a cyano group and R 2 is -CH 2 -W, wherein W is a leaving group, or R 2 is cyano or -CH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 comprising, in either order, conversion of the group Y 1 which is not cyano to a cyano group and conversion of the group R 2 which is not -CH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 to a dimethylaminomethyl group, followed by isolation of citalopram base or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof. 10. The method according to claim 9 wherem R 2 is -CH 2 -W, wherein W is a leaving group and the group W is replaced by a dimethylaminomethyl group by reaction with a) dimethylamme or a salt thereof, b) methylamine followed by methylation or reductive ammation , or c) with an azide followed by reduction to form the corresponding amine and thereafter methylation or reductive ammation. 11. The method according to claim 9 wherem group R is cyano which is converted to a dimethylaminomethyl group by reduction followed by methylation or reductive ammation of the free of the ammo group formed. 12. The method according to claim 9 wherem the compound of formula (XVI) is prepared by reaction of a compound of formula wherem Y 1 is a cyano group, or a group which can be converted to a cyano group, with a compound of formula (πa) wherem X is a leaving group and R 2 is -CH 2 -W, wherem W is a leaving group, or R 2 is cyano or -CH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 ; provided R 2 is not -CH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 when X is halogen and Y 1 is cyano; and if Y 1 is not cyano, optionally followed by conversion of the group Y 1 to a cyano group. 13. The method according to claim 1 wherein the compound of formula (I) is reacted with a compound of formula (II) wherem R is -CH 2 -NMe(Pg]) to form a compound of formula wherem Y is a group which may be converted to a cyano group and Pgi is a protection group for an amino group, optionally followed by conversion of the group Y to a cyano group; thereafter removal of the protection group to form a compound of formula wherem Y 1 is a cyano group or a group which may be converted to cyano, followed by, m either order, conversion of the group Y 1 which is not cyano to a cyano group and methylation or reductive ammation of the ammo group to form citalopram. 14. The method according to claim 1 wherein the compound of formula (I) is reacted with a compound of formula (II) wherem R is -CO-NHR 8 to form a compound of formula wherem Y is a group which may be converted to cyano and wherem R 8 is hydrogen or methyl, optionally followed by conversion of the group Y to a cyano group; and thereafter reduction to form a compound of the formula wherem Y ! is cyano or a group which may be converted to cyano and R is hydrogen or methyl, followed by, m either order, methylation or reductive ammation to form a dimethylamino group, and if Y'IS not cyano conversion of Y 1 to a cyano group. 15. The method for the preparation of citalopram compπsmg reaction of a compound of formula (la) is reacted with a compound of formula (II) wherem R is -C(A ! R 4 )(A 2 R 5 )(A 3 R 6 ) to form a compound of the formula wherem Y 1 is a cyano group or a group which may be converted to cyano and wherem each of R 4 , R 5 and R 6 are independently selected from alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and optionally alkyl substituted aryl and aralkyl and A 1 , A 2 and A 3 are selected from O and S, if Y 1 is not cyano optionally followed by conversion of Y 1 to a cyano group; and thereafter hydrolysis to form a compound of formula wherem Y 1 is cyano or a group which may be converted to cyano, and A 1 and A 2 are as defined above and if Y 1 is not cyano, optionally followed by conversion of Y 1 to cyano; and followed by I) reduction of a compound of formula (XXTI) or an ester thereof to form a compound of formula wherein Y 1 is cyano or a group which may be converted to cyano, and if Y 1 is not cyano, optionally followed by conversion of the group Y 1 to a cyano group; and thereafter conversion of the alcohol group to a feasible leaving group, followed by, in either order, conversion of a group Y 1 which is not cyano to cyano, and replacement of the leaving group with a dimethylamino group by reaction with a) dimethylamme or a salt thereof, b) methylamine followed by methylation or reductive ammation, or c) with an azide followed by reduction to form the corresponding amme and thereafter methylation or reductive ammation, or n) conversion of the compound of formula (XXII) or an ester thereof to an amide followed by, in either order, reduction of the amide, and if Y 1 is not cyano, conversion of the group Y 1 to cyano, and if necessary methylation or reductive ammation to form a dimethylamino group. 16. A compound of the formula wherem Y is a group which may be converted to cyano and R is -CH 2 -0-Pg, -CH 2 -NPg]Pg 2 , CH 2 -NMePg,, -CO-N(CH 3 ) 2 , -CH(A 1 R 1 )(A R ), -COOR J -CH 2 -CO-NH 2 , -CH=CH-R' or CONHR 8 , where Pg is a protection group for an alcohol group, Pgi and Pg 2 are protection groups for an ammo group, R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and optionally alkyl substituted aryl or aralkyl groups or R 1 and R 2 together form a chain of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, each of R 3 and R 7 are independently selected from alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and optionally alkyl substituted aryl or aralkyl, R is hydrogen or methyl and A 1 and A 2 are selected from O and S; or an acid addition salt thereof. 17. A compound of formula wherem Y 1 is a group which may be converted to cyano, or an acid addition salt thereof A compound of formula wherem Y 1 is a compound which may be converted to cyano, or an acid addition salt thereof. 19. A compound of formula wherem Y is a group which may be converted to a cyano group, or an acid addition salt thereof. 20. A compound of formula wherem Y is a group which may be converted to a cyano group and A is O or S, or an acid addition salt thereof 21. A compound of formula wherem Y 1 is a group which may be converted to a cyano group and R 2 is -CH 2 -W, wherem W is a leaving group or R 2 is cyano or -CH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 , or an acid addition salt thereof. 22 A compound of formula wherem Y 1 is a group which may be converted to cyano, or an acid addition salt thereof. 23. A compound of formula wherein Y 1 is a cyano group or a group which may be converted to cyano and wherein each of R 4 , R 5 and R 6 are independently selected from alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and optionally alkyl substituted aryl and aralkyl and A 1 , A 2 and A 3 are selected from O and S, or an acid addition salt thereof. 24. A compound of formula wherem Y 1 is cyano or a group which may be converted to cyano, and A 1 and A 2 is selected from O and S, or an acid addition salt thereof.

Inventors: PETERSEN HANS, PETERSEN, HANS
Applicants: LUNDBECK & CO AS H, PETERSEN HANS, H. LUNDBECK A/S, PETERSEN, HANS
Application year: 2001
Main classification: C07D307
IPC codes: A61K31, A61P25, C07D307