Abstract:
The present invention relates to novel processes for the preparation of the compound of formula I (Iclaprim), related to dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
     and to valuable intermediates of these processes.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to novel processes for the preparation of a compound of formula I (Iclaprim), related to dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0000]    and to valuable intermediates of these processes. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The compound of formula I has valuable antibiotic properties. The compound can be used in the control or prevention of infectious diseases in mammals, both humans and non-humans. In particular, they exhibit pronounced antibacterial activity, even against multiresistant Gram-positive strains and against opportunistic pathogens such as e.g.  Pneumocystis carinii.  The compound can also be administered in combination with known substances of antibacterial activity and exhibit synergistic effects with some of them. 
         [0003]    Typical combination partners are e.g. sulfonamides or other inhibitors of enzymes, which are involved in folic acid biosynthesis such as, for example, pteridine derivatives. 
         [0004]    The synthesis of compound I as described in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,773,446 and patent application PCT/EP 2004/008682 starts from relative expensive starting materials and the last steps of the synthesis are difficult to control. 
         [0005]    Therefore, there is a need for a process for preparing compound I with a higher overall yield and reduced number of intermediates, which have to be isolated. The aim is a process where all isolated intermediates are crystalline and do not require chromatography. In addition this process allows to synthesize compounds related to the structure I from a common intermediate and a cheap starting material. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides a process for preparing the compound of the formula I from the intermediate of formula 6 and 12. 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0007]    The intermediate of formula 3 is synthesized in 3 steps from a readily available starting material 1 (Scheme 1). The diamino pyrimidine substituent of 1 is selectively protected according to R. J. Griffin et al., J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans I, 1811 (1992) leading to compound of formula 2, which in turn is formylated to a compound of formula 3 (Scheme 1). 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0008]    Another route of obtaining the compound of formula 3 is depicted in Scheme 2. Compound of formula 4 is protected at the diamino pyrimidine group to a compound of formula 5 followed by carbonylation of 5 to the intermediate of structure 3 (Scheme 2). 
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         [0009]    The compound of formula 3 is transformed by selective demethylation to the key intermediate of formula 6 (Scheme 3). 
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         [0010]    Condensation of compound of structure 6 after phenol protection (7) with ketone 8 resulted in formation of compound of formula 9. Reduction to compound of structure 10 and acid or palladium catalyzed cyclisation, depending on the protecting group lead to compound of formula 11 as depicted in Scheme 4. 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0011]    Alternatively, compound of structure 2 is acylated to compound of structure 12, which is selectively demethylated to compound of structure 13 and reacted with a compound of formula 14 to obtain a compound of formula 15 (Scheme 5). 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0012]    Compound of formula 17 can be synthesized either by acylation of compound of formula 2 with compound of formula 16 or starting from compound of formula 12 by reacting with the compound of formula 14. Selective demethylation of compound of formula 17 by treatment with sodium iodide render the compound of formula 18 and subsequent cyclisation leads to a compound of formula 15 (Scheme 6). 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0013]    Compound of formula 15 is reduced to a compound of formula 19 and transformed into compound of formula 11 as shown in Scheme 7. 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0014]    Deprotection of compound of formula 11 leads to the target compound of formula I as depicted in Scheme 8. 
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         [0015]    The compound of formula I is basic in nature and can be, if desired, transformed with an acid into pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Suitable acids are, e.g. hydrochloric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, L(+)-lactic acid, DL-lactic acid, glycolic acid, 1-hydroxy-naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, methane sulfonic acid. Most preferred are carboxylic acids. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]    The process of the present invention provides many advantages and improvements over the current process of synthesizing compound of formula I as described in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,773,446 and the patent application PCT/EP 2004/008682. The corresponding starting materials of formulae 1, 8 and 14 are commercially available in bulk quantities, whereas compound of formula 16 can be prepared from compound of formula 14 and malonic acid according the literature reference e.g. Z. Ma et al., Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 6 (6), 883 (1997). The central intermediate of formula 6 to prepare compound of formula I may be prepared following the reaction sequences depicted in Schemes 1 to 3. The protection A1 of trimethoprim 1 can be done by heating compound of formula 1 with acid anhydrides, e.g. acetic anhydride, isobutyric acid anhydride or pivaloyl acid anhydride in an inert, high boiling solvent like toluene, p-xylene or in plain acid anhydride up to about 120° C. to 160° C. The formulation B1 of the protected trimethoprim 2 can be achieved in an inert solvent, e.g. dichloromethane, dichloroethane, preferably dichloromethane with dichloromethyl-methyl ether and a Lewis acid, e.g. tin tetrachloride at 0° C. to −30° C., preferably at −10° C. Alternatively, compound of formula 3 can also be synthesized via protection A2 of compound 4 with acid anhydrides, e.g. acetic anhydride, methyl-propionic acid anhydride or pivaloyl acid anhydride in an inert, high boiling solvent like toluene, p-xylene or in plain acid anhydride, preferably methyl-propionic acid anhydride up to about 120° C. to 160° C. Carbonylation B2 of compound of formula 5 can be effected in an inert atmosphere and solvent, e.g. tetrahydrofuran, with palladium tetrakis as catalyst, carbon monoxide and tri-butyl-tin-hydride at 60° C. to 80° C. The selective demethylation A3 can be done in an inert solvent, e.g. dichloromethane, acetonitrile, in combination with a Lewis acid like aluminium trichloride, boron trichloride, boron tribromide, manganese dichloride, manganese diiodide, preferably aluminium trichloride and a nucleophile, e.g. sodium iodide, dimethyl sulfide, diethyl sulfide, tetrahydrothiophene, preferably sodium iodide at room temperature up to 40° C. 
         [0017]    The synthesis of the target compound I starting from trimethoprim is shown in Schemes 1 to 8. Starting from intermediate with structure 6 by protection A4 of the phenol with e.g. chloromethyl-methylether, di-tertiary butyl methylchlorosilane, allyl halogenides, preferably with chloromethyl-methylether or 3-bromo-1-propene in an inert solvent like dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, dimethoxyethane, dimethyl-formamide, preferably tetrahydrofuran with a base like triethylamine, sodium hydride, potassium tertiary butoxide, preferably triethylamine or potassium tertiary butoxide at 0° C. to 40° C. preferably at 0° C. The condensation B4 of 7 with acetyl cyclopropane in e.g. dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, dimethoxyethane, dimethyl-formamide, preferably tetrahydrofuran and a base like sodium hydride, tertiary amines, potassium tertiary butoxide preferably potassium tertiary butoxide at 0° C. to 40° C. preferably at ambient temperature leads to compound of formula 9. Reduction C4 of compound of formula 9 to compound of formula 10 was achieved in e.g. isopropanol, tetrahydrofuran, dimethoxyethane, preferably in isopropanol or tetrahydrofuran with an alkali or metal borohydride at −10° C. up to ambient temperature, preferably at −10° C. up to 0° C. with sodium borohydride. The deprotection of the phenol followed by cyclisation D4 of compound of formula 10 was achieved in dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran or acetonitrile with a palladium complex or an acid e.g. trifluoroacetic acid, para toluene sulfonic acid, methane sulfonic acid, hydrochloric acid, ammonium formiate, preferably with a palladium complex and ammonium formiate or trifluoroacetic acid depending on the nature of the protecting group at room temperature or up to 60° C. and leads to compound of formula 11. 
         [0018]    Friedel-Crafts acylation A5 of compound of formula 2 with an acylation agent like acetyl chloride or acetic acid anhydride, preferably acetic acid anhydride and a Lewis acid, e.g. aluminium trichloride, titanium tetrachloride or tin tetrachloride, preferably tin tetrachloride in an inert solvent, e.g. dichloromethane, dichloroethane at −10° C. to 40° C., preferably at 0° C. up to room temperature leads to compound 12, which in turn is demethylated B5 in an inert solvent, e.g. dichloromethane, acetonitrile, in combination with a Lewis acid like aluminium trichloride, boron trichloride, boron tribromide, preferably aluminium trichloride and a nucleophile, e.g. sodium iodide, dimethyl sulfide, tetrahydrothiophene, preferably sodium iodide at room temperature up to 40° C. leading to compound of formula 13. Condensation C5 of compound of formula 13 with compound of formula 14 in acetonitrile and pyrrolidine as base at room temperature up to 50° C., preferably room temperature leads to compound of formula 15. 
         [0019]    Acylation A6 of compound of formula 2 with compound of formula 16 under Friedel-Crafts conditions with a Lewis acid, e.g. aluminium trichloride, titanium tetrachloride or tin tetrachloride, preferably tin tetrachloride in an inert solvent, e.g. dichloromethane, dichloroethane at −10° C. to 40° C., preferably at 0° C. up to room temperature leads to compound of formula 17, which also can be synthesised by the condensation B6 of 12 with compound of formula 14 in tetrahydrofuran and potassium tertiary butoxide as base at room temperature up to 50° C., preferably room temperature. Demethylation C6 of 17 in an inert solvent, e.g. dichloromethane, acetonitrile, in combination with a Lewis acid like aluminium trichloride, boron trichloride, boron tribromide, preferably aluminium trichloride and a nucleophile, e.g. sodium iodide, dimethyl sulfide, tetrahydrothiophene, preferably sodium iodide at room temperature up to 40° C. leading to compound of formula 18. Cyclisation D6 of compound of formula 18 can be achieved in an inert solvent like dimethylformamide and potassium carbonate as base at room temperature leading to compound of formula 15. 
         [0020]    The reduction A7 of compound of formula 15 to compound of formula 19 was achieved in e.g. isopropanol, tetrahydrofuran, dimethoxyethane, preferably in isopropanol with sodium borohydride at 0° C. up to ambient temperature, preferably at ambient temperature. Water elimination B7 of compound of formula 19 with an acid like hydrochloric acid, methane sulfonic acid, trifluoro-acetic acid, preferably trifluoroacetic acid in toluene at room temperature up to 100° C., preferably at 80° C. leads to compound of formula 11. 
         [0021]    Deprotection A8 of compound of formula 11 can be achieved in a mixture of organic solvents, e.g. tetrahydrofuran, methyl alcohol, preferably tetrahydrofuran and water with a strong base like sodium or potassium hydroxide, preferably sodium hydroxide at 40° C. to 80° C. preferably at 50° C. leading to the target compound I. 
         [0022]    The compounds of formulae 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9 to 13, 15, and 17 to 19 are novel and are also objects of the invention. They can be prepared according to the reaction sequences elucidated in Schemes 1 to 8. The preparation of compounds outlined in Schemes 1 to 8 are, moreover, described in more detail in the examples. 
         [0023]    As already mentioned, the compound of formula I or their pharmaceutical acceptable salts have valuable antibacterial properties. These compounds are active against a large number of pathogenic microorganisms such as e.g.  S. aureus, P. carinii  etc. by virtue of their activity in inhibiting bacterial dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). The activity of compound I is described in more detail in P. G. Hartmann et al.  Abstracts,  F2020, 42nd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, San Diego, Calif., Sep. 27-30, 2002; American Society for Microbiology: Washington, D.C., 2002. 
         [0024]    Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following examples, which are not intended to be limiting the scope of the invention. 
         [0025]    The following examples illustrate the invention in more detail. Examples 1 to 11 describe the preparation of compound 6, while examples 12 to 19 describe the preparation of the compound of formula 11 from compound of formula 6. Examples 20 to 26 describe the synthesis of compound 15 which is transformed to compound 11 as described in the examples 27 and 28, and examples 29 and 30 describe the transformation of compound 11 to the end product of formula I (Iclaprim). 
       EXAMPLES 
       [0026]    Compound of formula 4 can be prepared e.g. according to M. Calas et al., Eur. J. Med. Chem. Chim. Ther., 17 (6), 497 (1982). Compound 7 can be prepared in analogy to e.g. W. B. Wright et al., J. Med. Chem., 11(6), 1164 (1968). The compound of formula 27 can be synthesized e.g. according to Z. Ma et al., Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 6 (6), 883 (1997). 
         [0027]    All other reagents and solvents are readily commercially available, for example from Fluka or equivalent commercial suppliers. The temperatures are given in degrees Celsius. 
       LCMS System 
       [0028]    HPLC Column 01: Reverse Phase, Atlantis dC 18  3 μm 4.6×75 mm column with guard catridge 
       Gradient 01: 
       [0029]      
         [0000]                                                                          Time   Flow   % A   % B           Min.   mL   water/10 mM Formic acid   Acetonitrile                                        0.00   0.7   95   5           1.00   0.7   87   13           2.00   0.7   79   21           5.00   0.7   55   45           7.00   0.7   32   68           10.00   0.7   5   95           12.00   0.7   5   95           13.00   0.7   95   5                        
HPLC Column 02: Reverse Phase, Waters C 18  3.5 μm 3×20 mm column
 
       Gradient 02: 
       [0030]      
         [0000]                                                                          Time   Flow   % A   % B           Min.   mL   water/10 mM Formic acid   Acetonitrile                                        0.00   0.7   95   5           3.00   0.7   5   95           3.50   0.7   5   95           3.60   0.7   95   5           4.50   0.7   95   5                        
Solvent A: 10 mM Formic acid (Formic acid 377 μl) was added to HPLC grade water (1 L, Millipore filtered)
 
Solvent B: Acetonitrile HPLC grade (Biosolve Ltd)
 
       Wavelength: 210 nm to 400 nm. 
       [0031]    HPLC Apparatus Type: Finnigan Surveyor LC pump, Finnigan Surveyor Photodiode array detector (PDA)
 
MS Apparatus Type: Finnigan Surveyor MSQ Plus (ION TRAP), Ionisation mode ESI
 
       Abbreviations 
       [0032]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 AcOEt 
                 Acetic acid ethylester 
               
               
                 AlCl 3   
                 Aluminium trichloride 
               
               
                 CH 3 CN 
                 Acetonitrile 
               
               
                 DCM 
                 Dichloromethane 
               
               
                 DMAP 
                 4-Dimethylamino pyridine 
               
               
                 DMF 
                 Dimethylformamide 
               
               
                 DMSO 
                 Dimethyl sulfoxide 
               
               
                 eq. 
                 Equivalent 
               
               
                 iPAc 
                 Isopropyl acetate 
               
               
                 iPrOH 
                 Isopropyl alcohol 
               
               
                 LC-MS 
                 High pressure liquid chromatography with MS detection 
               
               
                 MgSO 4   
                 Manganese sulfate 
               
               
                 MOM-Cl 
                 Chloromethyl-methylether 
               
               
                 mp 
                 Melting point 
               
               
                 NaHCO 3   
                 Sodium hydrogen carbonate 
               
               
                 RT 
                 Room temperature 
               
               
                 R t  (01) 
                 Retention time column/gradient 01 
               
               
                 R t  (02) 
                 Retention time column/gradient 02 
               
               
                 TBME 
                 Tertiary butyl methyl ether 
               
               
                 tBuOK 
                 Potassium tertiary butoxide 
               
               
                 TFA 
                 Trifluoroacetic acid 
               
               
                 THF 
                 Tetrahydrofuran 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Example 1 
       [0033]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-[4-(2,2-Dimethyl-propionylamino)-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl)-pyrimidin-2-yl]-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide 2 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) (step A1). 
         [0034]    A solution of trimethoprim (5 g, 17.24 mmol) in pivalic anhydride (8.74 mL, 43.10 mmol, 2.5 eq.) was heated during 2 h at 150° C. under argon. Hot AcOEt was added, and the organic layers were washed with aqueous NaHCO 3  10%, water and brine. The org. layers were then dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated. It was then recrystallized from TBME to give 3.02 g of compound 2 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ). 
         1 H-NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz) δ: 8.35 (s, 1 H), 8.21 (br s, 1 H), 7.65 (br s, 1 H), 6.30 (s, 2 H), 3.86 (s, 2 H), 3.79 (s, 3 H), 3.77 (s, 6 H), 1.31 (s, 9 H), 1.12 (s, 9 H). 
     mp: 130-133° C. 
     Example 2 
       [0035]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-[4-isobutyrylamino-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl)-pyrimidin-2-yl]-isobutyramide 2 (R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 ) (step A1). 
         [0036]    A solution of trimethoprim (50 g, 172.4 mmol) in isobutyric anhydride (100 g, 105 mL, 632 mmol, 3.6 eq.) was heated during 2 h at 150° C. under argon. The warm solution was poured into 1 L of cyclohexane from where it slowly crystallized. The product was filtered off and was washed thoroughly with cyclohexane (2×200 mL) to give 70 g of compound 2 (R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 ). 
         [0000]      1 H-NMR (D 6 -DMSO, 400 MHz) δ: 10.42 (s, 1H, NH); 10.15 (s, 1H, NH); 8.41 (s, 1H, pyrimidine); 6.41 (s, 2H, PhH); 3.81 (s, 2H, CH 2 ); 3.70 (s, 6H, 2×OCH 3 ); 3.59 (s, 3H, OCH 3 ); 2.72-2.85 (m, 2H, CH); 1.06 (d, 6H, J=6.6 Hz, 2×CH 3 ), 1.01 (d, 6H, J=6.6 Hz, 2×CH 3 . mp: 153-154° C. R t  (02)=1.65 minutes. 
       Example 3 
       [0037]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-[4-isobutyrylamino-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl)-pyrimidin-2-yl]-isobutyramide 2 (R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 ) (step A1). 
         [0038]    A solution of trimethoprim (50 g, 172.4 mmol) in isobutyric anhydride (62 g, 65.5 mL, 392 mmol, 2.3 eq.) was heated during 2 h at 150° C. under Ar and stirred with a mechanical stirrer. The solution was cooled to 130° C. and 200 ml toluene was added (clear solution), then 1000 ml TBME was slowly added (after 500 ml crystallization started) under vigorous stirring. The thick crystal cake was stirred for 1 hour at 100° C. external temperature. Then the slurry was cooled to RT and stirred for 2 hours. Finally the slurry was cooled to 10° C. and stirred for 2 hours. The crystals were filtered and washed with 3 times 90 ml TBME to remove residual isobutyric acid and anhydride. The crystals were dried at HV/70° C. for 8 hours to give 70 g of compound 2 (R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 ). 
         [0000]      1 H-NMR (D 6 -DMSO, 400 MHz) δ: 10.42 (s, 1H, NH); 10.15 (s, 1H, NH); 8.41 (s, 1H, pyrimidine); 6.41 (s, 2H, PhH); 3.81 (s, 2H, CH 2 ); 3.70 (s, 6H, 2×OCH 3 ); 3.59 (s, 3H, OCH 3 ); 2.72-2.85 (m, 2H, CH); 1.06 (d, 6H, J=6.6 Hz, 2×CH 3 ), 1.01 (d, 6H, J=6.6 Hz, 2×CH 3 . mp: 153-154° C. R t  (02)=1.65 minutes. See 
       Example 4 
       [0039]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-[4-(2,2-Dimethyl-propionylamino)-5-(2-formyl-3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl)-pyrimidin-2-yl]-2,2-dimethyl-propionamid 3 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) (step B1). 
         [0040]    To a solution of 2 (1 g, 2.18 mmol, R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) in DCM (5 mL), dichloromethyl methyl ether (0.58 mL, 6.54 mmol) was added. The solution was cooled to −30° C. before slowly adding stannic chloride (0.285 mL, 2.18 mmol). The mixture was stirred at a temperature between −10° C. and −5° C. At 0° C., the reaction mixture was poured into a solution of 1-N K 3 PO 4 . The mixture (pH 7-8) was then vigorously stirred during 15 minutes, extracted twice with AcOEt. The organic layers were washed with water and brine, dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (AcOEt/Cyclohexane 7/3) to give 709 mg of compound 3 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ). 
         1 H-NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz) δ: 10.23 (s, 1 H), 8.44 (s, 1 H), 8.12 (s, 1 H), 8.09 (s, 1 H), 6.59 (s, 1 H), 4.10 (s, 2 H), 3.96 (s, 3 H), 3.89 (s, 3 H), 3.85 (s, 3 H), 1.29 (s, 9 H), 1.27 (s, 9 H). 
     mp: 124-126° C. 
     Example 5 
       [0041]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-[5-(2-Formyl-3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl)-4-isobutyrylamino-pyrimidin-2-yl]-isobutyramide 3 (R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 ) (step B1). 
         [0042]    To a solution of 2 (70 g, 162 mmol, R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 ) in DCM (500 mL), dichloromethyl methyl ether (30 mL, 325 mmol) was added. The solution was cooled to −10° C. before slowly adding stannic chloride (35 mL, 300 mmol). The mixture was stirred at a temperature between −10° C. and −5° C. At first a gummy precipitate was formed (mechanical stirrer required). After 1 h stirring at −5° C. this was transformed into a “homogeneous” suspension. 
         [0043]    At 0° C., the reaction mixture is poured into a solution of 300 mL 1 N K 3 PO 4  and 200 mL 1 M Na/K-tartrate while cooling with an ice bath. The mixture (pH was adjusted with 4N NaOH solution to 7-8) was then stirred for 15 minutes until complete hydrolysis, and then extracted with DCM (300 mL) together with AcOEt (500 mL). The organic layer was washed with 0.1N HCl solution (2×200 mL) and brine (2×300 mL), dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated. The product precipitated while concentration to about half of the initial volume, cyclohexane (200 mL) was added to further precipitate the product which was then filtered off to give 50 g of compound 3 (R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 ). 
         [0000]      1 H-NMR (D 6 -DMSO, 400 MHz) δ: (s, 1H, NH); 10.27 (s, 1H, NH); 10.17 (s, 1H, CHO); 8.00 (s, 1H, pyrimidine); 6.72 (s, 1H, PhH); 4.05 (s, 2H, CH 2 ); 3.90 (s, 3H, OCH 3 ); 3.85 (s, 3H, OCH 3 ); 3.77 (s, 3H, OCH 3 ); 2.75-2.85 (m, 2H, CH); 1.05 (d, 6H, J=6.6 Hz, 2×CH 3 ), 1.01 (d, 6H, J=6.6 Hz, 2×CH 3 ). mp: 162-163° C. R t  (02)=1.85 minutes. 
       Example 6  
       [0044]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-[5-(2-Formyl-3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl)-4-isobutyrylamino-pyrimidin-2-yl]-isobutyramide 3 (R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 ) (step B1). 
         [0045]    Dichloromethyl-methyl ether (4.3 mL, 46.4 mmol, 2 eq.) was dissolved in DCM (30 mL) and cooled to −15° C. to −20° C. in a reaction vessel with mechanical stirrer. To this solution stannic chloride (5 mL, 42.8 mmol, 1.8 eq.) was added within 15 minutes. The clear solution was stirred at −18° C. for 30 minutes. Then a solution of 2 (10 g, 23.2 mmol, crystallized from toluene and TBME) in DCM (40 mL) was continuously added during 60 minutes, a yellow solid separated from the beginning and resulted in a thick slurry (green/yellow). Then the slurry was stirred at −15° C. for two hours, at −10° C. for one hour and 30 minutes at −5° C. Then 40 mL DCM was added at −5° C. and the separated crystals at the top of the solvent layer were removed with vigorous stirring for 15 minutes. The thin slurry was transferred into a well-stirred mixture of 35 g Na 2 CO 3  (with one crystal water) dissolved in 100 mL water and 35 mL DCM at 10° C. The mixture was stirred for 15 minutes at RT and then transferred back to the reaction vessel to finish the workup continuing the stirring at RT. After vigorous stirring for 30 minutes at RT the layers were separated and the organic phase washed twice with a mixture of 30 mL saturated NaCl, 5 ml saturated Na 2 CO 3  and 40 mL water (several shakings are necessary, the water phases should show a pH of 7 to 8). The milky water phases were washed with 50 mL DCM and 30 mL DCM separately. 
         [0046]    The organic layers were dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated. The crude white crystalline product was crystallized from DCM and TBME. 
         [0047]    With 10.67 g crude material a slurry was made in 25 mL DCM at 44° C. under stirring for 30 minutes and 100 mL TBME were slowly added and the slurry stirred for 30 minutes at 44° C. and then cooled to RT for 6 hours under stirring. The crystals were filtered and washed with 40 mL TBME, dried at high vacuum/RT for 6 hours to give 9.6 g of compound 3 (R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 ). 
         [0000]      1 H-NMR (D 6 -DMSO, 400 MHz) δ: (s, 1H, NH); 10.27 (s, 1H, NH); 10.17 (s, 1H, CHO); 8.00 (s, 1H, pyrimidine); 6.72 (s, 1H, PhH); 4.05 (s, 2H, CH 2 ); 3.90 (s, 3H, OCH 3 ); 3.85 (s, 3H, OCH 3 ); 3.77 (s, 3H, OCH 3 ); 2.75-2.85 (m, 2H, CH); 1.05 (d, 6H, J=6.6 Hz, 2×CH 3 ), 1.01 (d, 6H, J=6.6 Hz, 2×CH 3 ). mp: 162-163° C. R t  (02)=1.85 minutes. 
       Example 7 
       [0048]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-[4-(2,2-Dimethyl-propionylamino)-5-(2-iodo-3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl)-pyrimidin-2-yl]-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide 5 (R C(CH 3 ) 3 ) (step A2). 
         [0049]    To a solution 4 (5 g, 9.2 mmol, R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) in pivalic anhydride (4.1 mL, 20.24 mmol) was added pyridine (1.65 mL, 20.24 mmol). The mixture was heated at 120° C. during 12 h. HCl 0.25 N (25 mL) was added and the mixture was extracted twice with AcOEt. The organic layers were washed subsequently with water, NaHCO 3  10%, then water and brine, dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated to dryness. The final compound was obtained by flash chromatography on silica gel (AcOEt/Cyclohexane 1/1) to give 2.5 g of compound 5 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ). UV: 238 (282) nm. 
       Example 8  
       [0050]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-[4-(2,2-Dimethyl-propionylamino)-5-(2-formyl-3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl)-pyrimidin-2-yl]-2,2-dimethyl-propionamid 3 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) (step B2). 
         [0051]    5 (1 g, 1.71 mmol, R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) was dissolved in THF (10 mL) and the mixture was degassed with argon. Palladium tetrakis was then added (49.4 mg, 4 mol %). The mixture was heated to 70° C. and a slow stream of carbon monoxide gas was started. Bu 3 SnH (476 μL, 1.05 eq.) in 5 mL THF was slowly added over a period of 2.5 h. After 12 h at 70° C., compound 3 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) was isolated by flash chromatography. The analytical data were comparable to the compound of Example 4. 
       Example 9 
       [0052]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-[4-(2,2-Dimethyl-propionylamino)-5-(2-formyl-3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxy-benzyl)-pyrimidin-2-yl]-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide 6 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) (step A3). 
         [0053]    Under argon, 3 (2 g, 4.11 mmol, R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) was dissolved in DCM (10 mL). AlCl 3  (823 mg, 6.17 mmol) was added to the mixture at 0° C. Stirring was continued at RT during 10 minutes until complete dissolution of AlCl 3 . Sodium iodide (616 mg, 4.11 mmol) was added, and after 30 minutes, 0.5 mL of acetonitrile was added. The reaction was checked by LCMS, and 0.5 mL acetonitrile was added to complete the reaction. The reaction mixture was then poured into 1 N K 3 PO 4 /DCM biphasic solution. The two phases were separated. The aqueous layers were extracted twice with AcOEt and the organic layers were washed with water and brine, then dried on MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated. Compound 6 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) was obtained after purification on a column chromatography on silica gel eluting with AcOEt/cyclohexane 6/4 (1.2 g). 
         1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 400 MHz) δ: 12.07 (s, 1 H), 9.81 (s, 1 H), 8.94 (s, 1 H), 8.26 (s, 1 H), 7.95 (s, 1 H), 6.33 (s, 1 H), 4.07 (s, 2 H), 3.84 (s, 3 H), 3.80 (s, 3 H), 1.22 (s, 9 H), 1.20 (s, 9 H). mp: 110-112° C. 
     Example 10 
       [0054]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-[5-(2-Formyl-3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxy-benzyl)-4-isobutyrylamino-pyrimidin-2-yl]-isobutyramide 6 (R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 ) (step A3). 
         [0055]    Under argon, 3 (4 g, 8.7 mmol, 1 eq., R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 ) were dissolved in DCM (36 mL). Aluminium trichloride (3.48 g, 26.1 mmol, 3 eq.) and sodium iodide (2 g, 13.3 mmol, 1.5 eq.) were added to the mixture at RT. The mixture was stirred for 20 minutes before acetonitrile (2.4 mL) was added and then warmed up to 40° C. Stirring at 40° C. was continued for 3.5 h. The mixture was cooled to RT, diluted with 75 mL DCM and quenched by adding the reaction mixture to 30 mL ice-water, then 2.5 mL of concentrated HCl was slowly added, which helped to dissolve the yellow precipitate. The organic layer was separated and the aqueous layer extracted once more with DCM (75 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (50 mL), twice with sodium bicarbonate solution made from 50 mL saturated sodium bi-carbonate (NaHCO 3 )+150 mL water (2×100 mL), 0.1 N HCl solution (50 mL) and again brine (1×50 mL). The resulting yellowish solution was dried over MgSO 4  and concentrated. The oily residue was crystallized from ethyl acetate (6 mL) and dichloroethane (2.4 mL) by first warming to 50° C., then cooling to 4° C. After filtration the mother liquor was concentrated to halve and stored at 4° C. to give a second crop of crystals. In total 2.48 g of compound 6 (R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 ) were isolated. 
         [0000]      1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 400 MHz) δ: 11.95 (br s, 1H, PhOH); 9.9 (s, CHO, 1H), 8.04 (s, pyrimidine, 1H); 6.44 (s, ArH, 1H), 4.15 (s, CH 2 , 2H), 3.93 (s, OCH 3 , 3H); 3.90 (s, OCH 3 , 3H); 2.7-2.8 (m, CH, 2H); 1.2-1.25 (m, CH 3 , 12H). 
       Example 11 
       [0056]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-[5-(2-Formyl-3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxy-benzyl)-4-isobutyrylamino-pyrimidin-2-yl]-isobutyramide 6 (R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 ) (step A3). 
         [0057]    Under argon, 3 (3 g, 6.54 mmol) was dissolved in DCM (28 mL) at RT (15 minutes). The solution was cooled to 0° C. during 30 minutes. AlCl 3  (2.07 g, 15.52 mmol, 2.3 eq.) was added to the cooled solution at once. The colour of the solution changed from yellow to dark yellow within 30 minutes and the AlCl 3  dissolved while stirring for 30 minutes at 0° C. Then NaI (1.5 g, 10 mmol, 1.5 eq.) was added and the mixture warmed up to 30° C. After 10 minutes stirring acetonitrile (1.6 mL) was slowly added. After 2 hours stirring at 30° C. additional 0.2 mL acetonitrile was added. After 4 hours stirring at 30° C. the reaction temperature was raised to 35° C. for 1 h, during this time crystals separated. The slurry was cooled to RT and then poured into a well stirred mixture of 20 mL DCM and 30 mL water containing 2 mL concentrated HCl (cooled to 10° C.). After stirring for 10 minutes the clear yellow mixture was poured back to the reaction vessel and the stirring was continued until all the residues were dissolved (about 30 minutes). The organic phase was separated and washed with 25 mL of a mixture of 10 mL 1-N HCl and 15 mL water and 25 mL of a mixture of 10 ml saturated NaCl and 15 ml water, the water layers were extracted with 2 times 20 mL DCM. The combined organic solution was dried with MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated. The yellow crystalline residue (2.62 g) was crystallized from DCM/TBME to give 2.48 g of compound 6 (R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 ). 
         [0000]      1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 400 MHz) δ: 11.95 (br s, 1H, PhOH); 9.9 (s, CHO, 1H), 8.04 (s, pyrimidine, 1H); 6.44 (s, ArH, 1H), 4.15 (s, CH 2 , 2H), 3.93 (s, OCH 3 , 3H); 3.90 (s, OCH 3 , 3H); 2.7-2.8 (m, CH, 2H); 1.2-1.25 (m, CH 3 , 12H). 
       Example 12 
       [0058]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-[4-(2,2-Dimethyl-propionylamino)-5-(2-formyl-4,5-dimethoxy-3-methoxymethoxy-benzyl)-pyrimidin-2-yl]-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide 7 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 , R′=methoxymethyl) (step A4). 
         [0059]    Under argon, 6 (200 mg, 0.424 mmol, R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) was dissolved in DCM (2 mL). triethylamine (59.6 μL, 1 eq.) was added to the mixture at 0° C. MOM—Cl (32.2 μL, 1 eq.) was slowly added. After stirring for 1 h 1 equivalent of triethylamine and 1 equivalent of MOM—Cl were added to complete the reaction. 
         [0060]    0.25 N HCl was added to the reaction mixture and the mixture was extracted with AcOEt. The organic layers were washed with water and brine, then dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated. Compound 7 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 , R′=methoxymethyl) was used directly in the next reaction. UV: 234 (283) nm. 
       Example 13 
       [0061]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-[4-(2,2-Dimethyl-propionylamino)-5-(2-formyl-4,5-dimethoxy-3-allyloxy-benzyl)-pyrimidin-2-yl]-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide 7 (R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 , R′=allyl) (step A4). 
         [0062]    A solution of 6 (166.9 g, 0.35 mol, R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 , R′=allyl) in DMF (800 mL) was cooled to 0° C. and tBuOK (47 g, 0.42 mol) was added. To this solution allyl bromide (41 mL, 0.49 mol) was slowly added and stirred for 3 hours at 0° C. and 16 hours at RT. The reaction mixture was filtered and the solvent distilled off at reduced pressure (20 mbar) and 60° C. The residue was diluted with DCM (850 mL) and the organic phase was washed with HCl 1 N (250 mL), saturated sodium bicarbonate (500 mL) and water (500 mL), then dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated to give 175 g of crystalline 7 (R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 , R′=allyl). 
         [0000]      1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 400 MHz) δ: 10.34 (s, 1 H), 9.37 (broad, NH), 8.64 (broad, NH), 8.32 (s, 1 H), 6.53 (s, 1 H), 6.02 (m, 1 H), 5.31 (m, 2 H), 4.70 (m, 2 H), 4.12 (s, 2 H), 3.87 (s, 3 H), 3.84 (s, 3 H), 2.91 (broad, 1H), 2.67 (m, 1 H), 1.22 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 6 H), 1.17 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 6 H) 
       Example 14 
       [0063]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-{5-[2-(3-Cyclopropyl-3-oxo-propenyl)-4,5-dimethoxy-3-methoxymethoxy-benzyl]-4-(2,2-dimethyl-propionylamino)-pyrimidin-2-yl}-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide 9 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 , R′=methoxymethyl) (step B4). 
         [0064]    Under argon, 7 (140 mg, 0.27 mmol, R=C(CH 3 ) 3 , R′=methoxymethyl) was dissolved in THF (1 mL). In a second flask, the enolate of acetylcyclopropane 8 was prepared (28 μL, 1.1 eq.), tBuOK (34 mg, 1.1 eq.) in 1 mL THF and after 3 minutes the enolate was added dropwise to the solution of 7 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 , R′=methoxymethyl) at RT. After 5 minutes, another equivalent of the enolate of 8 was added to complete the reaction. After 1 h, 0.25 N HCl was added to the reaction mixture and the mixture was extracted twice with AcOEt. The organic layers were washed with water and brine, then dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated. The crude material was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (AcOEt/cyclohexane 5/5→AcOEt/cyclohexane 7/3) to give 0.133 g of compound 9 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 , R′=methoxymethyl). 
         [0000]      1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 400 MHz) δ: 8.22 (s, 1 H), 8.15 (s, 1 H), 8.08 (s, 1 H), 7.44 (d, J=16.4 Hz, 1 H), 6.78 (d, J=16.4 Hz, 1 H), 6.51 (s, 1 H), 5.06 (s, 2 H), 3.83 (s, 2 H), 3.77 (s, 3 H), 3.76 (s, 3 H), 3.43 (s, 3 H), 1.98-2.04 (m, 1 H), 1.22 (s, 9 H), 1.19 (s, 9 H), 1.01 (quint, J=3.6 Hz, 2 H), 0.82-0.86 (m, 2 H). 
       Example 15 
       [0065]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-{5-[2-(3-Cyclopropyl-3-oxo-propenyl)-4,5-dimethoxy-3-allyloxy-benzyl]-4-(2,2-dimethyl-propionylamino)-pyrimidin-2-yl}-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide 9 (R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 , R′=allyl) (step B4). 
         [0066]    Under argon, 7 (424 mg, 0.877 mmol, R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 , R′=allyl) was dissolved in THF/DMF (6 mL, 2:1). In a second flask, the enolate of acetylcyclopropane 8 was prepared (109 μL, 1.1 eq.), tBuOK (131 mg, 1.1 eq.) in 2 mL THF and after 3 minutes the enolate was added dropwise to the solution of 7 (R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 , R′=allyl) at RT. After 5 minutes, another equivalent of the enolate of 8 was added to complete the reaction. After 3 days, the reaction mixture was diluted with DCM and the mixture was washed three times with sodium hydrogen carbonate 5% then dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated. The crude material was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (AcOEt/toluene 1/1) to give 0.340 g of compound 9 (R=CH(CH 3 ) 3 , R′=allyl). The compound was crystallized from TBME to give 0.210 g crystals. 
         [0000]      1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 400 MHz) δ: 8.80 (broad, 2 NH), 8.08 (s, 1 H), 7.45 (d, J=16.2 Hz, 1 H), 6.94 (d, J=16.2 Hz, 1 H), 6.61 (s, 1 H), 6.06 (m, 1H), 5.30 (m, 2 H), 4.53 (m, 2 H), 3.91 (s, 2 H), 3.87 (s, 3 H), 3.86 (s, 3 H), 3.13 (broad, 1H), 2.27 (m, 1 H), 2.04 (m, 1 H), 1.22 (d, J=2.0 Hz, 6 H), 1.20 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 6 H), 1.06 (m, 2H), 0.91 (m, 2 H). 
       Example 16 
       [0067]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-{5-[2-(3-Cyclopropyl-3-hydroxy-propenyl)-4,5-dimethoxy-3-methoxymethoxy-benzyl]-4-(2,2-dimethyl-propionyl-amino)-pyrimidin-2-yl}-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide 10 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 , R′=methoxymethyl) (step C4). 
         [0068]    Under argon, 9 (418 mg, 0.718 mmol, R=C(CH 3 ) 3 , R′=methoxymethyl) was dissolved in iPrOH (5 mL). NaBH 4  (54 mg, 1.436 mmol) was added at RT. After 2 h, the reaction was stopped. Water was added to the reaction mixture and it was extracted twice with AcOEt. The organic layers were washed with water and brine, then dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated. The crude material was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (AcOEt/cyclohexane 8/2) to give 0.29 g of compound 10 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 , R′=methoxymethyl). 
         [0000]      1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 400 MHz) δ: 8.72 (s, 1 H), 8.15 (s, 1 H), 7.92 (s, 1 H), 6.46 (d, J=16.4 Hz, 1 H), 6.34 (s, 1 H), 6.05 (dd, J 1 =16.4 Hz, J 2 =6.2 Hz, 1 H), 5.04 (s, 2 H), 3.83 (s, 2 H), 3.78 (s, 5 H), 3.70 (s, 3 H), 3.57 (m, 1 H), 3.51 (s, 3 H), 1.29 (s, 9 H), 1.05 (s, 9 H), 037-0.56 (m, 2 H), 0.20-0.26 (m, 2 H). 
       Example 17 
       [0069]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-{5-[2-(3-Cyclopropyl-3-hydroxy-propenyl)-4,5-dimethoxy-3-methoxymethoxy-benzyl]-4-(2,2-dimethyl-propionyl-amino)-pyrimidin-2-yl}-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide 10 (R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 , R′=allyl) (step C4). 
         [0070]    Under argon, 9 (100 mg, 0.181 mmol, R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 , R′=allyl) was dissolved in iPrOH (2 mL). NaBH 4  (13 mg, 0.363 mmol) was added at RT. After 2 hours at RT the reaction was kept at 4° C. for 16 hours. Water was added to the reaction mixture and it was extracted twice with AcOEt. The organic layers were dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated to give 0.11 g of compound 10 (R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 , R′=allyl). The crude material was used directly without purification for the next reaction step. 
       LC-MS (Gradient 01): R t =8.43 [M+H] + =553 
     Example 18 
       [0071]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-[5-(2-Cyclopropyl-7,8-dimethoxy-2H-chromen-5-ylmethyl)-4-(2,2-dimethyl-propionylamino)-pyrimidin-2-yl]-2,2-dimethyl- propionamide 11 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) (step D4). 
         [0072]    Under argon, 10 (180 mg, 0.308 mmol, R=C(CH 3 ) 3 , R′=methoxymethyl) was dissolved in DCM (2 mL). TFA (24 μL, 0.308 mmol) was added and after 30 minutes at RT 2 equivalent of TFA were added. After 5 minutes NaHCO 3  10% (10 mL) was added, and the mixture was extracted with AcOEt. The organic layers were washed with water and brine, then dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated. The crude material was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (AcOEt/cyclohexane 4/6→AcOEt/cyclohexane 5/5) to give 0.1 g of compound 11 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ). 
         [0000]      1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 400 MHz) δ: 8.19 (s, 1 H), 8.12 (s, 1 H), 8.00 (s, 1 H), 6.38 (d, J=10 Hz, 1 H), 6.16 (s, 1 H), 5.67 (dd, J 1 =10.2 Hz, J 2 =3.4 Hz, 1 H), 4.19 (dd, J 1 =8.4 Hz, J 2 =3.4 Hz, 1 H), 3.87 (s, 2 H), 3.80 (s, 2 H), 3.75 (s, 3 H), 1.30 (s, 9 H), 1.21 (s, 9 H), 0.43-0.61 (m, 3 H), 0.26-0.34 (m, 2 H). 
       Example 19 
       [0073]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-[5-(2-Cyclopropyl-7,8-dimethoxy-2H-chromen-5-ylmethyl)-4-(2,2-dimethyl-propionylamino)-pyrimidin-2-yl]-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide 11 (R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 ) (step D4). 
         [0074]    Under Argon, 10 (110 mg, 0.18 mmol, R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 , R′=allyl) was dissolved in acetonitrile (2 mL). Tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (46 mg, washed with DMSO, EtOH, diethyl ether) and ammonium formiate (57 mg) was added and the slurry heated to 70° C. for 2 hours. After cooling to RT the reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc (30 mL) and washed with water. The organic layer was washed with water and brine, then dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated to give an oil which was used in the next reaction step without purification. 
       LC-MS (Gradient 01): Rt =7.33 [M+H] + =495 
     Example 20  
       [0075]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-[5-(2-Acetyl-3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl)-4-(2,2-dimethyl-propionylamino)-pyrimidin-2-y]-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide 12 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) (step A5). 
         [0076]    Under argon, 2 (2 g, 4.37 mmol, R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) was dissolved in DCM (5 mL). Acetic anhydride was added (2.06 mL, 5 eq.) followed by the addition of SnCl 4  (2.55 mL, 5 eq.) at 0° C. Stirring was continued at RT, after 4 h the reaction was treated with NaHCO 3  10% until pH=9 and the mixture was extracted twice with AcOEt. The organic layers were washed with water and brine, then dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated. The crude material was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (AcOEt/cyclohexane 6/4 to 7/3) to give 1.4 g of compound 12 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ). 
         1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 400 MHz) δ: 8.28 (s, 1 H), 8.22 (s, 1 H), 8.14 (s, 1 H), 6.34 (s, 1 H), 3.89 (s, 3 H), 3.81 (s, 3 H), 3.80 (s, 2 H), 3.75 (s, 3 H), 2.41 (s, 3 H), 1.30 (s, 9 H), 1.18 (s, 9 H). 
     mp: 94-98° C. 
     Example 21  
       [0077]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-[5-(2-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxy-benzyl)-4-(2,2-dimethyl-propionylamino)-pyrimidin-2-yl]-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide 13 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) (step B5). 
         [0078]    Under argon, 12 (2.34 g, 4.68 mmol, R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) was dissolved in DCM (20 mL). At 0° C., AlCl 3  (1.872 g, 14.04 mmol) was added and stirring was continued until complete dissolution. Sodium iodide was then added (702 mg, 4.68 mmol), followed 30 minutes later by 3 mL of CH 3 CN. The reaction was stirred until complete disappearance of starting material (LCMS). AcOEt and HCl 0.1 N were added to the reaction mixture and the mixture was extracted twice with AcOEt. The organic layers were washed with water and brine, then dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated. The crude material was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (AcOEt/cyclohexane 8/2) to give 1.5 g of compound 13 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ). 
         1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 400 MHz) δ: 8.42 (s, 2 H), 8.22 (s, 1 H), 6.20 (s, 1 H), 3.92 (s, 2 H), 3.84 (s, 3 H), 3.77 (s, 3 H), 2.50 (s, 3 H), 1.29 (s, 9 H), 1.19 (s, 9 H). 
     Example 22  
       [0079]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-[5-(2-Cyclopropyl-7,8-dimethoxy-4-oxo-chroman-5-ylmethyl)-4-(2,2-dimethyl-propionylamino)-pyrimidin-2-yl]-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide 15 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) (step C5). 
         [0080]    13 (432 mg, 0.889 mmol, R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) was dissolved in CH 3 CN (10 mL). Pyrrolidine (81 μL, 0.978 mmol) and cyclopropylcarboxaldehyde 14 (73 μL, 0.978 mmol) were added and the reaction was stirred overnight at RT. AcOEt and NaHCO 3  10% were added. The organic layers were washed with HCl 0.5 N water and brine, then dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated to dryness. The crude material was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (AcOEt/cyclohexane 7/3) to give 0.24 g of compound 15 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ). 
         [0000]      1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 400 MHz) δ: 8.70 (br s, 1H), 8.37 (br s, 1 H), 8.04 (s, 1 H), 6.51 (s, 1 H), AB system (δ A  4.20, δ B  4.07, J AB =15.6 Hz, 2 H), 3.91 (s, 3 H), 3.85 (s, 3 H), 3.64-3.70 (m, 1 H), 2.61-2.76 (m, 2 H), 1.34 (s, 9 H), 1.29 (s, 9 H), 0.59-0.74 (m, 2 H), 0.50-0.57 (m, 1 H), 0.28-0.38 (m, 1 H). 
       Example 23 
       [0081]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-{5-[2-(3-Cyclopropyl-acryloyl)-3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl]-4-(2,2-dimethyl-propionylamino)-pyrimidin-2-yl}-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide 17 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) (step A6). 
         [0082]    Under argon, 2 (0.5 g, 1.09 mmol, R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) was dissolved in DCM (5 mL) and compound 16 was added (0.71 g, 5 eq.) followed by the addition of SnCl 4  (0.63 mL, 5 eq.) at 0° C. Stirring was continued at RT, after 4 h the reaction was treated with NaHCO 3  10% until pH=9 and the mixture was extracted twice with AcOEt. The organic layers were washed with water and brine, then dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated. The crude material was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (AcOEt/cyclohexane 6/4 to 7/3) to give compound 17 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ). 
         [0000]      1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 400 MHz) δ: 0.58-0.61 (m, 2 H), 0.93-0.98 (m, 2 H), 1.16 (s, 9 H), 1.28 (s, 9 H), 1.51-1.60 (m, 1 H), 3.71 (s, 2 H), 3.74 (s, 3 H), 3.78 (s, 6 H), 6.02 (dd, J 1 =15.2 Hz, J 2 =10 Hz, 1 H), 6.35 (s, 1 H), 6.38 (d, J=15.2 Hz, 1 H), 8.15 (br s, 1 H), 8.28 (s, 1 H), 8.35 (br s, 1H). 
       Example 24  
       [0083]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-{5-[2-(3-Cyclopropyl-acryloyl)-3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzyl]-4-(2,2-dimethyl-propionylamino)-pyrimidin-2-yl}-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide 17 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) (step B6). 
         [0084]    12 (500 mg, 1 mmol, R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) was dissolved in THF (10 mL). tBuOK (168.3 mg, 1.5 mmol) was added and the mixture stirred 10 minutes at RT. Cyclopropylcarboxaldehyde 14 (82 μL, 1.1 mmol) was added and the reaction was stirred for 30 minutes at RT. After addition of AcOEt and HCl 0.1 N, the organic layers were washed with water and brine, then dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated to dryness. The crude material was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (AcOEt/cyclohexane 6/4) to give 0.45 g of the compound 17 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) having the same NMR given in Example 23. 
       Example 25 
       [0085]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-{5-[2-(3-Cyclopropyl-3-iodo-propionyl)-3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxy-benzyl]-4-(2,2-dimethyl-propionylamino)-pyrimidin-2-yl}-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide 18 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) (step C6). 
         [0086]    17 (152 mg, 0.275 mmol, R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) was dissolved in DCM (2 mL). Sodium iodide (103 mg, 0.6875 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred for 5 minutes before adding aluminium trichloride (55 mg, 0.413 mmol). Stirring was continued for 30 minutes at RT, then 0.5 mL of CH 3 CN were added. After 2 h AcOEt was added and the organic layer was washed with water and brine, then dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated to dryness. The crude material was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (AcOEt/cyclohexane 7/3) to give 0.11 g of compound 18 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ). 
         [0000]      1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 400 MHz) δ: 8.6 (br s, 1 H), 8.46 (br s, 1 H), 8.30 (s, 1 H), 6.70 (td, J=6.4 Hz, 1 H), 6.49 (d, J=16 Hz, 1 H), 6.21 (s, 1 H), 3.86 (s, 2 H), 3.85 (s, 3 H), 3.78 (s, 3 H), 3.17 (t, J=7 Hz, 2 H), 2.33 (quint, J=6.9 Hz, 2 H), 1.95 (quint, J=7.1 Hz, 2 H), 1.30 (s, 9H), 1.18 (s, 9 H). 
       Example 26  
       [0087]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-[5-(2-Cyclopropyl-7,8-dimethoxy-4-oxo-chroman-5-ylmethyl)-4-(2,2-dimethyl-propionylamino)-pyrimidin-2-yl]-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide 15 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) (step D6). 
         [0088]    18 (300 mg, 0.45 mmol, R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) was dissolved in DMF (5 mL). K 2 CO 3  (124 mg, 0.9 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred 2 h at RT. The mixture was then stirred during 3 h at 50° C. After addition of AcOEt the organic layer was washed with water and brine, then dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated to dryness. The crude material was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (AcOEt/cyclohexane 7/3) to give 0.075 g of compound 15 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) having the same NMR given in Example 22. 
       Example 27 
       [0089]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-[5-(2-Cyclopropyl-4-hydroxy-7,8-dimethoxy-chroman-5-ylmethyl)-4-(2,2-dimethyl-propionylamino)-pyrimidin-2-yl]-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide 19 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) (step A7). 
         [0090]    NaBH 4  (11.6 mg, 1.5 eq.) was added at 0° C. to a solution of 15 (110 mg, 0.205 mmol, R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) in 2 mL iPrOH. The mixture was stirred 1 h at RT. Water was added and the mixture was extracted twice with AcOEt. The organic layers were washed with brine, dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated to dryness. The crude material was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (AcOEt/cyclohexane 8/2 to AcOEt 100%) to give 0.073 g of compound 19 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ). 
         [0000]      1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 400 MHz) δ: 8.44 (br s, 1H), 8.39 (br s, 1 H), 8.11 (s, 1 H), 6.20 (s, 1 H), 4.92 (br s, 1 H), AB system (δ A  4.02, δ B  3.91, J AB =16 Hz, 2 H), 3.80 (s, 3 H), 3.72 (s, 3 H), 3.40 (td, J 1 =8.6 Hz, J 2 =2.4 Hz, 1 H), 2.35-2.41 (m, 1 H), 2.1-2.19 (m, 1 H), 1.24 (s, 9 H), 1.13 (s, 9 H), 0.54-0.61 (m, 2 H), 0.43-0.48 (m, 1 H), 0.27-0.32 (m, 1 H). 
       Example 28  
       [0091]    This example illustrates the preparation of N-[5-(2-Cyclopropyl-7,8-dimethoxy-2H-chromen-5-ylmethyl)-4-(2,2-dimethyl-propionylamino)-pyrimidin-2-yl]-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide 11 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) (step B7). 
         [0092]    TFA (36 μL, 5 eq.) was added to a solution of 19 (50 mg, 92.6 μmol, R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) in toluene (2 mL). The mixture was heated at 80° C. during 12 h. The mixture was then washed with NaHCO 3  10%, extracted twice with AcOEt. The organic layers were washed with water, brine then dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated to dryness to give crude 11 (R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) which was further used without purification. 
       Example 29 
       [0093]    This example illustrates the preparation of 5-(2-Cyclopropyl-7,8-dimethoxy-2H-chromen-5-ylmethyl)-pyrimidine-2, 4-diamine I (step A8). 
         [0094]    Under argon, 11 (100 mg, 0.192 mmol, R=C(CH 3 ) 3 ) was dissolved in methanol (1 mL). Sodium methoxide (42 mg, 0.766 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was heated at 50° C. After 10 h, methanol was removed under reduced pressure and the yellow solid was triturated in water. The white precipitate was filtered off, washed with water and dried under high vacuum to give 0.062 g of compound I. 
         [0000]      1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 , 400 MHz) δ: 7.06 (s, 1 H), 6.45 (d, J=10.4 Hz, 1 H), 6.42 (s, 1 H), 6.22 (br s, 2 H), 5.70-5.73 (m, 3 H), 4.25 (dd, J 1 =8.2 Hz, J 2 =2.6 Hz, 1 H), 3.72 (s, 3 H), 3.70 (s, 3 H), 3.52 (br s, 2 H), 1.09-1.18 (m, 1 H), 1.21 (s, 9 H), 0.29-0.53 (m, 4 H). 
       Example 30 
       [0095]    This example illustrates the preparation of 5-(2-Cyclopropyl-7,8-dimethoxy-2H-chromen-5-ylmethyl)-pyrimidine-2,4-diamine I (step A8) 
         [0096]    Under argon, 11 (crude material from Example 19, R=CH(CH 3 ) 2 ) was dissolved in THF (2 mL). Sodium hydroxide (0.6 mL, 4 N) was added and the reaction mixture heated at 58° C. for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc/15% iPrOH and the organic layer was 2 times washed with brine, then dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated to dryness to give crude I oil. The analytical data are compatible with the data from Example 29. 
         [0000]    LC-MS (Gradient 01): R t =4.80 [M+H] + =355