Abstract:
Novel intermediates, process for their preparation and their use in the preparation of therapeutically effective antineoplastic agents, in particular Temsirolimus of formula (I).

Description:
[0001]    This application claims benefit of Serial No. 173/DEL/2010, filed 28 Jan. 2010 in India and which application is incorporated herein by reference. To the extent appropriate, a claim of priority is made to the above disclosed application. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to novel intermediates, process for their preparation and their use in the preparation of therapeutically effective antineoplastic agents, in particular Temsirolimus of formula (I). 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Temsirolimus (CCI-779), an mTOR kinase Inhibitor of formula (I) is an antineoplastic agent indicated for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma. Temsirolimus is a Rapamycin 42 ester with [3-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpropanoic acid and was first disclosed by Skotnicki et al in U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,718. 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0004]    Several processes for the preparation of Temsirolimus have been reported in the literature such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,718; U.S. Pat. No. 6,277,983 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,153,957. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No 5,362,718 discloses a process for the preparation of different rapamycin 42 esters including Temsirolimus as per the scheme given below (Scheme-I). 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0006]    The process is non-regioselective and hence results in 31-esterified rapamycin, 31, 42 diesterified rapamycin and unreacted rapamycin along with the desired rapamycin-42 ester. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,277,983 reports a process for the preparation of Temsirolimus by using 31, 42 bis silyl intermediates as per the scheme shown below (Scheme-II). 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,153,957 reports a process for the preparation of Temsirolimus by using boronate intermediate as per the scheme shown below (Scheme-III). 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    First aspect of the present invention provides a novel intermediate of formula (II), wherein R 1 , R 2  and R 3  each may be different or same and selected from the group comprising of hydrogen, alkyl of C 1 -C 4  carbon atoms, alkoxy of C 1 -C 4  carbon atoms. 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0010]    Second aspect of the present invention provides a novel intermediate of formula (II′), wherein each R 1  and R 2  is hydrogen and R 3  is methoxy. 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0011]    Third aspect of the present invention provides a novel intermediate of formula (II″), wherein R 1  is hydrogen, R 2  is methyl and R 3  is methoxy. 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0012]    Fourth aspect of the present invention provides a novel intermediate of formula (IV), wherein R 1 , R 2  and R 3  each may be different or same and selected from the group comprising of hydrogen, alkyl of C 1 -C 4  carbon atoms, alkoxy of C 1 -C 4  carbon atoms. 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0013]    Fifth aspect of the present invention provides a novel intermediate of formula (IV′), wherein each R 1  and R 2  is hydrogen and R 3  is methoxy. 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0014]    Sixth aspect of the present invention provides a novel intermediate of formula (IV″), wherein R 1  is hydrogen, R 2  is methyl and R 3  is methoxy. 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0015]    Seventh aspect of the present invention provides a process for the preparation of compound of formula (II) comprising treating rapamycin of formula (III) with a compound of formula (IV). 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0016]    Eighth aspect of the present invention provides a process for the preparation of Temsirolimus comprising converting compound of formula (II) to Temsirolimus of formula (I). 
         [0017]    Ninth aspect of the present invention provides a process for the preparation of compound of formula (IV) comprising the steps of: 
         [0018]    a) treating compound of formula (V) 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
       
         
           
             with trimethyl orthoformate to obtain the compound of formula (VI), 
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0020]    b) treating compound of formula (VI) with 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid to obtain the compound of formula (VII) 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0021]    c) treating compound of formula (VII) with a coupling agent to obtain the compound of formula (IV) 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    First aspect of the present invention provides a novel intermediate of formula (II), wherein R 1 , R 2  and R 3  each may be different or same and selected from the group comprising of hydrogen, alkyl of C 1 -C 4  carbon atoms, alkoxy of C 1 -C 4  carbon atoms. 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0023]    Second aspect of the present invention provides a novel intermediate of formula (II′), wherein each R 1  and R 2  is hydrogen and R 3  is methoxy. 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0024]    Compound of formula (II&#39;) may be characterized by following NMR data: 
         [0025]      13 C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 17.74 &amp; 19.20 (CH 3 ), 41.99 &amp; 42.40 (C), 57.53 &amp; 57.88 (OCH 3 ), 101.66 &amp;101.77 (CH), 113.51 &amp; 113.68 (ArCH), 127.39 &amp;127.60 (ArCH), 173.56 &amp; 177.47 (C═O; ester) 
         [0026]    Compound of formula (II′) may be further characterized by IR (KBr, cm −1 ) spectrum having band at 1725 cm −1 . 
         [0027]    Third aspect of the present invention provides a novel intermediate of formula (II″), wherein R 1  is hydrogen, R 2  is methyl and R 3  is methoxy. 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0028]    Compound of formula (II″) may be characterized by following NMR data: 
         [0029]      1 HNMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 3.31 (s, 3H), 3.35 (s, 3H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 2.07 (s, 3H), 1.24 (s, 3H), 4.16 (d, 1H), 6.74 (d, 8 Hz, 1H), 7.18 (5, 1H), 7.21 (d, 8 Hz, 2H), 7.24 (s, 1H), 5.94 (d, 10.4 Hz, 1H) 
         [0030]    Fourth aspect of the present invention provides a novel intermediate of formula (IV), wherein R 1 , R 2  and R 3  each may be different or same and selected from the group comprising of hydrogen, alkyl of C 1 -C 4  carbon atoms, alkoxy of C 1 -C 4  carbon atoms. 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0031]    Fifth aspect of the present invention provides a novel intermediate of formula (IV′), wherein each R 1  and R 2  is hydrogen and R 3  is methoxy. 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0032]    Compound of formula (IV′) may be characterized by following NMR data: 
         [0033]      1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ δ 1.01 (s, 3H), 3.65 (d, J=11.2 Hz, 2H), 3.76 (s, 3H), 4.62 (d, J=11.2 Hz, 2H), 5.41 (s, 1H), 6.82 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.35 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H) 
         [0034]    Compound of formula (II′) may be further characterized by IR (KBr, cm −1 ) spectrum having band at 1253, 1813 cm −1    
         [0035]    Sixth aspect of the present invention provides a novel intermediate of formula (IV″), wherein R 1  is hydrogen, R 2  is methyl and R 3  is methoxy. 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0036]    Compound of formula (IV″) may be characterized by following NMR data: 
         [0037]      1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 1.12 (s, 3H), δ 2.17 (s, 3H), 3.65 (d, 11.5 Hz, 2H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 4.63 (d, 11.48 Hz, 2H), 5.39 (s, 1 H), 6.74 (d, 8.2 Hz, 2H) 
         [0038]    Seventh aspect of the present invention provides a process for the preparation of compound of Formula II comprising treating rapamycin of formula (III) with a compound of formula (IV). 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0039]    The reaction of rapamycin with compound of formula (IV) may be carried out in the presence of suitable solvents. Suitable solvents may be selected from the group comprising of halogenated hydrocarbons such as ethylene chloride, methylene chloride, carbon tetra chloride and mixtures thereof. 
         [0040]    The reaction of rapamycin with compound of formula (IV) may be carried out in the presence of catalytic amount of Dimethyl amino pyridine (DMAP) or 4-Pyrrolidinopyridine (PPY). 
         [0041]    The reaction of rapamycin with compound of formula (IV) may be carried out at a temperature range of about −20° C. to about room temperature. Preferably the reaction may be carried out at the temperature range of 0° C. to about 5° C. 
         [0042]    The reaction of rapamycin with compound of formula (IV) may be carried out for about 6-24 hours. Preferably the reaction may be carried out for about 18 hours. 
         [0043]    Eighth aspect of the present invention provides a process for the preparation of Temsirolimus comprising converting compound of formula (II) to Temsirolimus of formula (I). 
         [0044]    The conversion of compound of formula (II) to Temsirolimus may be carried out in the presence of an acid. An acid may be selected from the group comprising of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and mixtures thereof. 
         [0045]    The conversion of compound of formula (II) to Temsirolimus may be carried out in the presence of suitable solvents. Suitable solvent may be selected from the group comprising of alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol and mixtures thereof; ethers such as tetrahydrofuran, dioxane or mixtures thereof. 
         [0046]    The conversion of compound of formula (II) to Temsirolimus may be carried out at a temperature range of about −20° C. to about room temperature. Preferably the reaction may be carried out at the temperature range of 0° C. to about 5° C. 
         [0047]    The conversion of compound of formula (II) to Temsirolimus may be carried out for about 6-24 hours. Preferably the reaction may be carried out for about 18 hours. 
         [0048]    Temsirolimus may be further purified by known techniques like column chromatography and crystallization. 
         [0049]    Ninth aspect of the present invention provides a process for the preparation of compound of formula (IV) comprising the steps of: 
         [0050]    a) treating compound of formula (V) 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
       
         
           
             with trimethyl orthoformate to obtain the compound of formula (VI), 
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0052]    b) treating compound of formula (VI) with 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid to obtain the compound of formula (VII) 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0053]    c) treating compound of formula (VII) with a coupling agent to obtain the compound of formula (IV) 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0054]    The reaction of compound of formula (V) with trimethyl orthoformate may be carried out in the presence of suitable solvents. Suitable solvents may be selected from the group comprising of alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol and mixtures thereof. 
         [0055]    The reaction of compound of formula (V) with trimethyl orthoformate may be carried out in the presence of catalytic amount of an acid such as hydrochloric acid. 
         [0056]    The reaction of compound of formula (V) with trimethyl orthoformate may be carried out at a temperature range of about 0° C. to about reflux temperature. Preferably the reaction may be carried out at room temperature. 
         [0057]    The reaction of compound of formula (V) with trimethyl orthoformate may be carried out for about 6-24 hours. Preferably the reaction may be carried out for about 18 hours. 
         [0058]    The reaction of compound of formula (VI) with 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid may be carried out in the presence of suitable solvents. Suitable solvents may be selected from the group comprising of ketones such as acetone, methyl etly ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone and mixtures thereof; 
         [0059]    The reaction of compound of formula (VI) with 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid may be carried out in the presence of catalytic amount of an acid such as p-toluenesulfonic acid. 
         [0060]    The reaction of compound of formula (VI) with 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid may be carried out at a temperature range of about 0° C. to about reflux temperature. Preferably the reaction may be carried out at room temperature. 
         [0061]    The reaction of compound of formula (VI) with 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid may be carried out for about 2-10 hours. Preferably the reaction may be carried out for about 5-6 hours. 
         [0062]    The reaction of compound of formula (VII) with coupling agent may be carried out in the presence of suitable solvent. Suitable solvent may be selected from the group comprising of ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone and mixtures thereof; halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane, dichloroethane and mixtures thereof. 
         [0063]    Coupling agent may be selected from the group comprising of Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) and 1-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-3-(ethylcarbodiimide) Hydrochloride (EDAC.HCl). 
         [0064]    The reaction of compound of formula (VII) with coupling agent may be carried out at a temperature range of about 0° C. to about reflux temperature. Preferably the reaction may be carried out at room temperature. 
         [0065]    The reaction of compound of formula (VII) with coupling agent may be carried out for about 6-24 hours. Preferably the reaction may be carried out for about 18 hours. 
       EXAMPLES 
     Example-1 
     Preparation of 1-(dimethoxymethyl)-4-methoxybenzene {anisaldehyde dimethyl acetal} 
       [0066]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0067]    Anisaldehyde (40 g) and trimethylorthoformate (48.25 ml) were added to MeOH (60 ml) at 20-25° C. and the mixture was cooled to 10-15° C. Conc. HCl (0.26 ml) was then added to the mixture at 10-15° C. and was warmed to 20-25° C. followed by stirring at the same temperature for 16-18 hours. 5% aqueous KOH (40 ml) was added to the reaction mixture at 20-25° C. in 10 min and further stirred for 10 minutes. The reaction mixture was extracted with hexane (2×200 ml) and the combined organic layer was washed with DM water (200 ml). The organic layer was concentrated below 40° C. to obtain title compound (51.0 g, 95.2%). 
       Example-2 
       [0068]    Preparation of 4-(dimethoxymethyl)-1-methoxy-2-methylbenzene {4-methoxy-3-methyl benzaldehyde dimethyl acetal} 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0069]    A solution of 4-methoxy-3-methyl benzaldehyde (10 g) and trimethylorthoformate (43.77 ml) in methanol (15 ml) was cooled to 5-10° C. Concentrated HCl (0.75 ml) was added and the reaction mixture was warmed to ambient temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred for 6 hours and quenched with 5% aqueous KOH (10 ml). The reaction mixture was extracted with hexane (100 ml) and the hexane layer was washed with water (100 ml). Hexane layer was dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated below 30° C. to obtain title compound (15.8 g). 
         [0070]    MS(ES + ) (m/z) 219 [M+Na] +   
       Example-3  
     Preparation of 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-1,3-dioxane-5-carboxylic acid {2,2-bis (hydroxyl methyl)propionic acid anisylidene acetal} 
       [0071]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0000]    -2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid (10 g) and anisaldehyde dimethyl acetal (20.4 g) were added to acetone (50 ml) at 20-25° C. p-Toluenesulfonic acid (0.51 g) was added to the reaction mixture and stirred at 20-25° C. for 5 hours. The mixture was then cooled to 0-5° C. and stirred for 1 hour. The slurry was filtered and the solid was washed with chilled (0-5° C.) acetone (10 ml). The solid was dried under vacuum at 45-50° C. for 4 hour. The solid was added to toluene (150 ml) and the resulting mixture was heated at 65-70° C. for 2 hours. The mixture was then cooled to 5-10° C. and stirred for 30 minutes. The slurry was filtered and the solid was washed with toluene (10 ml) followed by drying under vacuum at 30-35° C. for 4 hours to obtain title compound (14.0 g, 74.4%). 
       Example-4 
     Preparation of 2-(4-methoxy-3-methyl phenyl)-5-methyl-1,3-dioxane-5-carboxylic anhydride 
       [0072]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0073]    A mixture of 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid (7.16 g), 4-methoxy-3-methyl benzaldehyde dimethyl acetal (15.0 g) and acetone (43 ml) was treated with p-toluenesulfonic acid (0.456 g) at ambient temperature and stirred for 7 h. The reaction mixture was cooled to 0-5° C. The slurry obtained was filtered and the solid was washed successively with acetone (43 ml) and dichloromethane (43 ml). A mixture of the wet solid and dichloromethane (43 ml) was treated with EDAC.HCl (4.4 g; 0.43 equivalents) at ambient temperature and stirred for 24 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated and the residue stirred with water (100 ml) for 30 min. The slurry was filtered and the solid dried under vacuum to obtain title compound (5.5 g). 
         [0074]      1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 1.12 (s, 3H), δ 2.17 (s, 3H), 3.65 (d, 11.5 Hz, 2H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 4.63 (d, 11.48 Hz, 2H), 5.39 (s, 1 H), 6.74 (d, 8.2 Hz, 2H) 
         [0075]    MS(ES + ) (m/z) 515 [M+H] + , 532 [M+NH 4 ] + , 537 [M+Na] +   
       Example-5  
     Preparation of 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-1,3-dioxane-5-carboxylic anhydride {2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic  acid anisylidene acetal anhydride} 
       [0076]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0077]    2,2-Bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid anisylidene acetal (10 g) and DCC (4.1 g) were added to CH 2 Cl 2  (200 ml) at 20-25° C. and stirred for 18 hours. The mixture was heated to 30-35° C. and stirred for 1 hour. The slurry was filtered and the solid was washed with CH 2 Cl 2  (20 ml). The filtrate was concentrated dryness and toluene (150 ml) was added to residue at 20-25° C. The mixture was stirred at 20-25° C. for 1 hour and the slurry was filtered. The solid was washed with toluene (10 ml) and dried under vacuum at 30-35° C. for 4 hours to obtain title compound (7.5 g, 77.8%). 
         [0078]      1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ δ 1.01 (s, 3H), 3.65 (d, J=11.2 Hz, 2H), 3.76 (s, 3H), 4.62 (d, J=11.2 Hz, 2H), 5.41 (s, 1H), 6.82 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.35 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H) 
         [0079]    IR (KBr, cm −1 ) 1253, 1813 
         [0080]    M/z (ES + ) 487 [M+H] + , 504 [M+NH 4 ] +   
       Example-6 
     Preparation of Temsirolimus Acetal 
       [0081]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0082]    Rapamycin (1.0 g) and anhydride (5.3 g) obtained in Example-5 were added to CH 2 Cl 2  (10 ml) at 20-25° C. The mixture was then cooled to 0-5° C. and a solution of DMAP (1.5 g) in CH 2 Cl 2  (5 ml) was added in 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0-5° C. for 18 hours. The reaction mixture was washed with DM water (10 ml). The organic layer was washed with 0.5N H 2 SO 4  (15 ml), 5% aqueous NaHCO3 (20 ml) and DM water (10 ml). The organic layer was concentrated to dryness and the residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel using acetone-dichloromethane (2:23) as eluent to obtain title compound (0.6 g, 47.8%). 
         [0083]      13 C NMR (100 MHz, CDCl3) δ 17.74 &amp; 19.20 (CH 3 ), 41.99 &amp; 42.40 (C), 57.53 &amp; 57.88 (OCH 3 ), 101.66 &amp;101.77 (CH), 113.51 &amp; 113.68 (ArCH), 127.39 &amp;127.60 (ArCH), 173.56 &amp; 177.47 (C═O; ester) 
         [0084]    IR (KBr, cm −1 ) 1725 
         [0085]    M/z (ES + ) 1166 [M+NH 4 ] 30    
         [0086]    M/z (ES − ) 1147 [M−H] −   
       Example-7 
     Preparation of Temsirolimus Methyl Acetal 
       [0087]    A solution of rapamycin (0.5 g) and 2-(4-methoxy-3-methyl phenyl)-5-methyl-1,3-dioxane-5-carboxylic anhydride (0.702 g) obtained in Example-4 in dichloromethane (7.5 ml) was cooled to 0-5° C. and treated with a solution of 4-pyrrolidinopyridine (0.162 g) in dichloromethane (2.5 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at 0-5° C. for 10 hours and quenched with water (10 ml). Organic layer was concentrated and the residue subjected to column chromatography over silica gel using acetone-dichloromethane (1:10) to obtain title compound (0.11g). 
         [0088]      1 HNMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 3.31 (s, 3H), 3.35 (s, 3H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 2.07 (s, 3H), 1.24 (s, 3H), 4.16 (d, 1H), 6.74 (d, 8 Hz, 1H), 7.18 (5, 1H), 7.21 (d, 8 Hz, 2H), 7.24 (s, 1H), 5.94 (d, 10.4 Hz, 1H) 
         [0089]    MS(ES + ) (m/z) 1180 [M+NH 4 ] + , 1185 [M+Na] +   
       Example-8 
     Preparation of Temsirolimus  
       [0090]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0091]    Temsirolimus acetal (0.2 g) obtained in Example-6 was added to THF (3 ml) and MeOH (2 ml) at 20-25° C. The mixture was cooled to 0-5° C. and 2N aqueous H 2 SO 4  (1 ml) was added to the mixture. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0-5° C. for 18 hours and extracted with EtOAc (10 ml). The organic layer was washed with 5% aqueous NaHCO 3  (10 ml) and DM water (10 ml). The organic layer was concentrated to dryness and the residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel using acetone-dichloromethane (1:4) as eluent to obtain title compound (0.1 g, 55.7%). 
       Example-9  
     Preparation of Temsirolimus  
       [0092]    A mixture of Temsirolimus methyl acetal (50 mg) obtained in Example-7, methanol (0.2 ml) and THF (0.3 ml) was cooled to 0-5° C. A solution of Conc. HCl (0.01 ml) in water (0.15 ml) was added and stirred for 24 hours. Water (1 ml) was added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (3×2 ml). Combined organic layer was washed with 5% NaHCO3 (1 ml) and concentrated to dryness. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel using acetone-hexane (1:3) to obtain title compound (30 mg).