Gregg A Barcan, J. J. Condé, Mohamed K. Mokhallalati
Jun 3, 2019
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Journal
Organic Process Research & Development
Abstract
GSK2981278A (1) is a RORγ inverse agonist used as a potential topical nonsteroidal therapy for psoriasis. New synthesis of 1 was developed based on a SNAr reaction of (tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)methanol with an aryl halide intermediate, prepared from 2-halobenzoic acids. The dianion underwent in situ N,O-bis-isobutylation, followed by a reduction to provide 1. The new route eliminated a genotoxic tosylate of (tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)methanol and a difficult reductive amination from the original synthesis starting from methyl salicylate. A primary version of the route has been scaled up to deliver 125 kg of 1. However, the heating of a strong base in DMSO for an extended period during the bis-alkylation was found to be a safety concern for manufacturing. A safer and greener process was then developed utilizing a facile N,O-bis-alkylation, which was conducted under phase transfer conditions with mild bases such as potassium carbonate and in green solvents such as water. The concise four stage sequence from ...