Title of Invention

"PROCESS FOR PREPARING BENZIMIDAZOLE COMPOUNDS"

Abstract Provided are methods for the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds such as benzimidazole carboxylic acid core structures having Formula Ia-1 and their synthetic intermediates: wherein Z, X , X , X , R and R arc as defined herein. Compounds of Formula Ia-1 and their synthetic intermediates can be used to prepare heterocyclic derivatives such as benzimidazole derivatives.
Full Text PROCESS FOR PREPARING BENZIMIDAZOLE COMPOUNDS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Related Application
[0002] The present application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application Serial
No. 60/693,270 filed June 23, 2005, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.
[0003] Field of the Invention
[0004] This invention relates to processes for the preparation of heterocyclic
compounds. More specifically, this invention relates to the synthesis of compounds that can
be used to prepare pharmaceutical agents such as benzimidazole derivatives. This invention
further includes intermediate compounds obtained during the synthesis of the heterocyclic
compounds according to this invention and to the methods of preparation thereof.
[0005] Description of the state of the art
[0006] Benzimidazole derivatives have been investigated as therapeutics for treating
cancers, viral infections, and diseases arid pathological conditions involving inflammation and have been disclosed in a number of. patents and publications in the last several years, including U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2003/0232869, 2004/0116710, and 2003/0216460; U.S. Patent No. 5,525,625; WO 98/43960: WO 99/01421; WO 99/01426; WO 00/41505; WO 00/42002; WO 00/42003; WO 00/41994; WO 00/42022; WO 00/42029; WO 00/68201; WO 01/68619; WO 02/06213; WO 03/0779.14; and WO 03/077855.
[0007] In particular, WO 03/077914 describes the synthesis of the sodium salt of a
benzimidazole derivative 11 from 2,3,4-trifluorobenzoic acid in 11 linear steps as illustrated in Scheme 1. This route is not only very long in terms of the number of steps, but also includes a number of chemical transformations that could be hazardous to carry out on a manufacturing scale, and/or produce levels of by-products that would not be acceptable in a final active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that for a process to be suitable for industrial application it should be (i) amenable to being performed on large scale, (ii) have minimal environmental impact (for example in terms of amount of raw materials required and/or the amount of waste produced), (iii) safe (for example, use materials of low toxicity that do not produce toxic waste), and (iv) as low in cost as possible (for example, by being a higher yielding and more convergent synthesis).
Since heterocyclic compounds such as benzimidazoles are potentially useful as therapeutics, there is an on-going need for a more efficient synthetic route for the production of benzimidazole derivatives that is more amenable to or suitable for large-scale manufacture. (Formula Removed)
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In general, the present invention provides methods for preparing heterocyclic
compounds and their synthetic intermediates, which are useful for the production of therapeutic compounds such as benzimidazole derivatives.
[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, methods are provided for the
preparation of compounds, of the general Formulas Ia-1, Ia-2, Ib-1, Ib-2 and Ic-1 and their synthetic intermediates
(Formula Removed)
[0010] and salts and solvates thereof, wherein
[0011] Z is -C(=0)ORl, -C(=0)NR6R7, CN, -C(=0)H, or

(Formula Removed)
, or a moiety that can be transformed into any one of said Z
groups, for example through hydrolysis;
[0012] R1 is hydrogen, C1-C10 alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, C3-C10
cycloalkyl, C3-C10 cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyi, heterocyciyi, heterocyclylalkyl, trialkylsilyl or dialkylarylsilyl, wherein said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyi, heterocyciyi and lieterocyclylalkyl portions are optionally substituted with one or more groups independently selected from halogen, hydroxyl, C1-C4 alkyl, C2-C4 alkenyl, C2-C4 alkynyl, C3-C6 Cycloalkyl, and C3-C6 heterocycloalkyl;
[0013] R2 and R2b are independently hydrogen, C1-C10 alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10
alkynyl, arylalkyl, trialkylsilyl, dialkylarylsilyl, -COR6, -C(0)OR6 or -C(O)NR6R7, wherein Said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and arylalkyl portions are optionally substituted with one or more groups independently selected from halogen, hydroxyl, C1-C4 alkyl, C2-C4 alkenyl and C2-C4
alkynyl, wherein for Formula Ic-1, R" is not hydrogen;
[0014] X1 and X2 are independently selected from hydrogen, F, Cl, Br, I, OR8,C1-C10
alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, C3-C10 cycloalkylalkyl and C1-C10
thioalkyl, wherein said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl and thioalkyl
portions are optionally substituted with one or more groups independently selected from oxo,
halogen, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy and azido;
'[0015] X5 is H, F, Cl, Br, I or C1-C6 alkyl;
[0016] R6 and R7 are independently hydrogen, trifluoromethyl, -OR8, C1-C10 alkyl,
C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, C3-C10 cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl,
heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heterocyciyi or heterocyclylalkyl,
[0017] or R6 and R7 together with the atom to which they are attached form a 4 to 10
membered heteroaryl or heterocyclic ring, wherein said heteroaryl and heterocyclic rings are
optionally substituted with one or more groups independently selected from halogen,
trifluoromethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy and OR ;
[0018] R8 is hydrogen, C1-C10 alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, aryl or arylalkyl, wherein said
alkyl, alkenyl, aryl and arylalkyl are optionally substituted with one or more groups
independently selected from OH, -O-(C1-C10o-alkyl) and -O-(C1-C10-alkenyl);
[0019] R10 is hydrogen, C1-C10 alkyl, C3-C10 cycloalkylalkyl, arylalkyl,
heteroarylalkyi or heterocyclylalkyl, wherein said alkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyi and heterocyclylalkyl portions are optionally substituted with one or more groups independently selected from halogen, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, azido, C1-C4 alkyl, C2-C4 alkenyl, C2-C4 alkynyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C3-C6 heterocycloalkyl, -NR6R7 and -OR8; and
[0020] R12a and R12b are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C10 alkyl, C2-C10
alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, C3-C10 cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl
and heteroarylalkyl,
[0021] or R12a and R12b together with the atom to which they are attached form a 4 to
10 membered carbocyclic, heteroaryl or heterocyclic ring.
[0022] More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention provides a
process, referred to herein as Method 1, for preparing N-3 benzimiclazole compounds
represented by Formula Ia-1 and their synthetic intermediates
(Formula Removed)
[0023] and salts and solvates thereof, wherein Z, R2, R10, X1, X2 and X5 are as defined
herein, said method comprising:
[0024] nitrating a compound having the Formula
(Formula Removed)
[0025] wherein X3 and X4 are independently F, Cl, Br, I or a sulfonate ester, and Z
and X3 are as defined herein, to provide a compound of Formula II
(Formula Removed)
[0026] wherein X3, X4, X5 and Z are as defined herein;
[0027] treating said compound of Formula II, optionally at elevated temperature
and/or pressure, with two or more equivalents of (i) a reagent that contains or generates ammonia, (ii) a primary or secondary amine other than an aromatic amine or (iii) a reagent that delivers a group that can subsequently be converted into an amine to provide a compound of Formula VI-11, or treating said compound of Formula II with (iv) two or more
equivalents of a metal azide, optionally at elevated temperatures and/or pressure, to provide a
compound of Formula VI-12
(Formula Removed)
[0028] wherein X5, R2 and Z are as defined herein, and R2a is hydrogen, C1-C10 alkyl,
C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, benzyl, allyl, arylalkyl, trialkylsilyl, dialkylarylsilyl, -COR6,
-C(0)OR6, -C(0)NR6R7, -OR1 or -NHR1, wherein said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, benzyl, allyl
and arylalkyl portions are optionally substituted with one or more groups independently
selected from halogen, hydroxyl, C1-C4 alkyl, C2-C4 alkenyl and C2-C4 alkynyl;
[0029] reducing said compound of Formula VI-11 or VI-12 to provide a compound of
Formula VIIa-1
(Formula Removed)
[0030] wherein X5, R2, R2a and Z are as defined herein, and wherein when A of
Formula VI-11 or VI-12 is -NH-benzyl, -NHOR1, -NHNHR1 or N3, then R2 and R2a of Formula VIIa-1 are hydrogen;
[0031] when R2a is hydrogen, cyclizing said compound of Formula VIIa-1 to provide
a compound of Formula VIIIa-1
[0032]
[0033]
(Formula Removed)
wherein Z, R2, R2a, R10 and.X5 are as defined herein; and
when R2a is hydrogen, coupling said compound of Formula VIIIa-1 with a
reagent having the formula

[0034] wherein X1 and X2 are as defined herein and X6 is F, Cl, Br, I, -OS02CF3;
alkyl sulfonate, aryl sulfonate, alkylaryl sulfonate, -B(OR8)2, -BFs or -Bi(R')2, optionally
either (i) at elevated temperature and optionally in the presence of a base, or (ii) in the
presence of a metal-based catalyst and a base, to provide said compound of Formula Ia-1.
[0035] In a particular embodiment of Method 1, there is provided a process for
preparing a compound of Formula Ia-1



(Formula Removed)
[0036] and salts and solvates thereof, wherein:
[0037] Z is -C(=0)OR', R1 is C1-C10 alkyl, and R2, R10, X1, X2 and X5 are as defined
herein, said process comprising:
(Formula Removed)
[0038] i) nitrating a compound having the Formula





[0039] wherein X3 and X4 are independently F, Cl, Br, I, or a sulfonate ester and X5 is
as defined herein, to provide a compound of Formula II

[0040] wherein X , X and X are as defined herein;
(Formula Removed)
[0041] ii) reacting the compound of Formula II with a compound of formula
R'OH, wherein R1 is C1-C10 alkyl, to form the corresponding ester having the formula
(Formula Removed)
[0042] wherein R1 is C1-C10 alkyl and X3, X4 and X5 are as defined herein;
[0043] iii) reacting the ester from step (ii) with two or more equivalents of a
reagent that generates ammonia to form a compound of Formula VI-11
(Formula Removed)
[0044] wherein R2a is hydrogen, R is C1-C10 alkyl and R" and XD are as defined
herein;
[0045] iv) reducing said compound of Formula VI-11 to provide a compound of
Formula VIIa-1
(Formula Removed)
[0046] wherein R2a is hydrogen, R1 is C1-C10 alkyl and R2 and X5 are as defined
herein;
[0047] v) cyclizing said compound of Formula VIIa-1 to provide a compound of Formula VIIIa-1
[0048] wherein; and
[0049] Formula VIIIa-1
wherein R2a is hydrogen, R1 is C1-C10 alkyl, and R2, R10 and X5 are as defined
vi) coupling said compound of Formula VIIIa-1 with a reagent having the

(Formula Removed)
[0050] wherein X1 and X2 are as defined herein and X6 is F, Cl, Br, I, -OSO2CF3,
alkyl sulfonate, aryl sulfonate, alkylaryl sulfonate, -B(OR )2, -BFs or -Bi(R )2, to provide said
compound of Formula Ia-1.
[0051] The coupling stage of this process is optionally earned out at either i) elevated
temperature and optionally in the presence of a base or ii) in the presence of a metal-based
catalyst and a base.
[0052] In another particular embodiment of Method 1, there is provided a process for
preparing a compound of Formula Ia-1
(Formula Removed)
[0053] and salts and solvates thereof, wherein R, R, R, X, X and X5 are as
defined herein, said method comprising:
[0054] coupling a compound of Formula VIIIa-1,
[0055] wherein R2a is hydrogen, with a reagent having the Formula X
[0056] wherein X1 and X2 are as defined herein and X6 is F, Cl, Br, I, -OS02CF3,
alkyl sulfonate, aryl sulfonate, alkylaryl sulfonate, ~B(0-R8)2, -BF3 or -Bi(R1)2, in the
presence of a suitable metal-based catalyst and a base in an appropriate solvent.
[0057] In one embodiment the reagent of Formula X has the Formula
(Formula Removed)
[0058] where X1 is Br, X2 is alkyl or halogen and X6 is iodo.
[0059] In one embodiment the compound for Formula Ia-1 is isolated as its esterified
form (i.e., wherein Z is COOR1). In another embodiment the ester group COOR1 is
hydrolyzed and the compound is isolated as a free acid (wherein Z is COOH) or a salt
thereof, for example a sodium salt.
[0060] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method, referred to
herein as Method 2, for preparing N-3 benzimidazole compounds represented by Formula la-
2 and their synthetic intermediates
(Formula Removed)
[0061] and salts and solvates thereof, wherein R1, R2, R10, X1, X2 and X5 are as
defined herein, said method comprising:
[0062] nitrating a compound having the Formula
(Formula Removed)
[0063] wherein X3, X4, X5 and Z are as defined herein, to provide a compound of
Formula II
(Formula Removed)
[0064] wherein Z, X3, X4 and X5 are as defined herein;
[0065] treating said compound of Formula II optionally at an elevated temperature
and/or pressure with two or more equivalents of (i) a reagent that contains or generates ammonia, (ii) a primary or secondary amine other than an aromatic amine or (iii) a reagent that delivers a group that can subsequently be converted into an amine to provide a compound of Formula VI-11 wherein R2a is as defined herein; or treating said compound of Formula II with (iv) two or more equivalents of a metal azide optionally at an elevated temperature and/or pressure to provide a compound of Formula VI-12
(Formula Removed)
[0066] wherein Z, X5, R2 and R2a are as defined herein;
[0067] reacting said compound of Formula VI-11 or VI-12 with a compound having
the Formula R'OH, wherein R1 is as defined herein, optionally in the presence of an activating agent that activates the Z group towards reaction with said compound having the Formula R'OH, to provide a compound of Formula Va-11 or Va-12
(Formula Removed)

[0068] wherein R , R , R a and X are as defined herein;
[0069] reducing said compound of Formula Va-11 or Va-12 to provide a compound
of Formula VIIa-2
(Formula Removed)
[0070]wherein R1, R2, R2a and X5 are as defined herein, and wherein when A of
Formula Va-11 or Va-12 is -NH-benzyl, -NHOR1, -NHNHR1 or N3, then R2 and R2a of Formula VIIa-2 are hydrogen;
[0071] when R2a is hydrogen, cyclizing said compound of Formula VIIa-2 to provide
a compound of Formula VIIIa-2
(Formula Removed)
[0072] wherein R , Rr, R , R u and Xs are as defined herein; and
[0073] when R2a is hydrogen, coupling said compound of Formula VIIIa-2 with a
reagent having the Formula
(Formula Removed)
[0074] optionally either (i) at elevated temperature and optionally in the presence of a
base, or (ii) in the presence of a metal-based catalyst and a base, wherein X1, X2 and X6 are as defined herein, to provide said compound of Formula Ia-2.
[0075] Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a method, referred
to herein as Method 3, for preparing N-3 benzimidazole compounds represented by Formula Ib-1 and their synthetic intermediates
(Formula Removed)
[0076] and salts and solvates thereof, wherein Z, R2b, R10, X1, X2 and X5 are as
defined herein, said method comprising:
[0077] nitrating a compound having the Formula
(Formula Removed)
[0078] wherein X , X , X and Z are as defined herein, to provide a compound of
Formula II
(Formula Removed)
[0079] wherein X3, X4, X5 and Z are as defined herein;
[0080] reacting said compound of Formula II with (i) a reagent that contains or
generates ammonia, (ii) a primary or secondary amine other than an aromatic amine or (iii) a reagent that delivers a group that can subsequently be converted into an amine under conditions that allow selective displacement of X to provide a compound of Formula III-ll; or reacting said compound of Formula II with (iv) a metal azide under conditions that allow selective displacement of X4 to provide a compound of Formula 111-12
(Formula Removed)
[0081] wherein X3, X5, R2, R2a and Z are as defined herein;
[0082] reacting said compound of Formula III-ll or 111-12, optionally at elevated
temperatures, with (i) a reagent that contains or generates ammonia, (ii) a primary or secondary amine other than an aromatic amine or (iii) a reagent that delivers a group that can subsequently be converted into an amine to provide a compound having Formula Vb-11 wherein B is -NR2bR2c and A is -NR2R2a or N3; or reacting said compound of Formula III-ll or 111-12 with (iv) a metal azide, optionally at elevated temperatures, to provide a compound of Formula Vb-12 wherein B is N3 and A is -NR2R2a or N3,
(Formula Removed)
[0083] wherein Z, X5, R2, R2a, and R2b are as defined herein and R2c is hydrogen, C1-C10
alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, benzyl, allyl, arylalkyl, trialkylsilyl, dialkylarylsilyl, -COR6, -C(O)OR6, -C(O)NR6R7 , -OR1 or -NHR1, wherein said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, benzyl, allyl and arylalkyl portions are optionally substituted with one or more groups independently selected from halogen, hydroxyl, C1-C4 alkyl, C2-C4 alkenyl and C2-C4 alkynyl;
[0084] reducing said compound of Formula Vb-11 or Vb-12 to provide a compound
of Formula VIIb-1
(Formula Removed)
[0085] wherein Z, R2, R2a, R2b, R2c and X5 are as defined herein, and wherein when A
and/or B of Formula Vb-11 or Vb-12 is -NH-benzyl, N3, -NHOR1 or -NHNHR1, then R2 and
R2a and/or R2b and R2c, respectively, of Formula VIIb-1 are hydrogen;
[0086] when R2a is hydrogen, cyclizing said compound of Formula VIIb-1 to provide
a compound of Formula VIIIb-1
(Formula Removed)
[0087] wherein Z, R2b, R2c, R10 and X5 are as defined herein; and
[0088] when R2c is hydrogen, coupling said compound of Formula VIIIb-1 with a
reagent having the formula
(Formula Removed)
[0089] optionally either (i) at elevated temperature and optionally in the presence of a
base, or (ii) in the presence of a metal-based catalyst and a base, wherein X1, X2 and X6 are as defined herein, to provide said compound of Formula Ib-1.
[0090] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a process, referred to
herein as Method 4, for preparing N-3 benzimidazole compounds represented by Formula Ib-2 and their synthetic intermediates
(Formula Removed)
[0091] and salts and solvates thereof, wherein R1, R2b, R10, X1, X2 and X5 are as
defined herein, said method comprising:
[0092] nitrating a compound having the formula
[0093] Formula II wherein X , X , X and Z are as defined herein, to provide a compound of

(Formula Removed)
[0094] wherein X3, X4, X5 and Z are as defined herein;
[0095] reacting said compound of Formula II with (i) a reagent that contains or
generates ammonia, (ii) a primary or secondary amine other than an aromatic amine or (iii) a reagent that delivers a group that can subsequently be converted into an amine, under conditions that allow selective displacement of X4, to provide a compound of Formula III-ll, or reacting said compound of Formula II with (iv) a metal azide under conditions that allow selective displacement of X4 to provide a compound of Formula 111-12
(Formula Removed)
[0096] wherein Z, R2, R2a, X3 and X5 are as defined herein;
[0097] reacting said compound of Formula III-ll or 111-12 with a compound having
the formula R1OH wherein R1 is as defined herein, optionally in the presence of an activating agent that activates the Z group towards reaction with said compound of formula R1OH, to provide a compound of Formula IV-21 or IV-22
(Formula Removed)
[0098] wherein R1, R2, R2a, X3 and X5 are as defined herein;
[0099] reacting said compound of Formula IV-21 or IV-22, optionally at elevated
temperatures, with (i) a reagent that contains or generates ammonia, (ii) a primary or
secondary amine other than an aromatic amine or (iii) a reagent that delivers a group that can subsequently be converted into an amine to provide a compound of Formula Vb-21 wherein B is -NR2bR2c and A is -NR2R2a or N3, or reacting said compound of Formula IV-21 or IV-22 with (iv) a metal azide, optionally at elevated temperatures, to provide a compound of Formula Vb-22 wherein B is N3 and A is -NR2R2a or N3,
(Formula Removed)
[00100] wherein R1, R2, R2a, R2b, R2c and X5 are as defined herein;
[00101] reducing said compound of Formula Vb-21 or Vb-22 to provide a compound
of Formula VIIb-2
(Formula Removed)
[00102] wherein R1, R2, R2a, R2b, R2c and X5 are as defined herein, and wherein when
A and/or B of Formula Vb-21 or Vb-22 is -NH-benzyl, N3, -NHOR1 or -NHNHR1, then R2
and R2a and/or R2b and R2c, respectively, of Formula VIIb-2 are hydrogen;
[00103] when R d is hydrogen, cyclizing said compound of Formula VIIb-2 to provide
a compound of Formula VIIIb-2
[00104]
[00105]
wherein R1, R2b, R2c, R10 and X5 are as defined herein; and
when R2c is hydrogen, coupling said compound of Formula VIIIb-2 with a

compound having the formula
[00106] optionally either (i) at elevated temperature and optionally in the presence of a
base, or (ii) in the presence of a metal -based catalyst and a base, wherein X1, X2 and X6 are as defined herein, to provide said compound of Formula Ib-2.
(Formula Removed)
[00107] Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a method, referred
to herein as Method 5, for preparing N-l benzimidazole compounds represented by Formula Ic-1 and their synthetic intermediates
(Formula Removed)
[00108] and salts and solvates thereof, wherein Z, R2b, X1, X2 and X5 are as defined
herein, said method comprising:
(Formula Removed)
[00109] cyclizing a compound of Formula VIIb-1
[00110]prepared as described in Method 3, wherein R is not hydrogen and Z, R ,
R , R and X are as defined herein to provide a compound of Formula XIb-1
[00111] wherein Z, R , R , R and X are as defined herein and R is not hydrogen;
and
[00112] coupling said compound of Formula XIb-1 with a reagent having the formula
(Formula Removed)
[00113] optionally either (i) a.t elevated temperatures and optionally in the presence of
a base, or (ii) in the presence of a metal-based catalyst and a base, wherein X1, X2 and X are as defined herein, to provide said compound of Formula Ic-1.
[00114] The step of cyclizing a compound of Formula VIIa-1, VIIa-2, VIIb-1 or
VIIb-2 to provide benzimidazole core structures in any of the above-described Methods 1 -5 can be performed in several ways. Several cyclization methods, namely Methods A-E, are described in general below with respect to the cyclization of a compound of Formula VIIb-1 for ease of explanation; however, it is to be understood that Methods A-E apply equally to the cyclization of compounds of Formulas VIIa-1, VIIa-2 and VIIb-2, The cyclization methods will provide either N-3 benzimidazole derivatives or N-l benzimidazole derivatives, depending on the reagents used and the substituents on the compounds of Formulas VIIa-1, VIIa-2, VIIb-1 and VIIb-2.
[00115] Method A: According to Method A, a compound of Formula VIIb-1, wherein
R2 and R2a are hydrogen, can be cyclized to the corresponding benzimidazole represented by Formula VIIIb-1, wherein R1 is hydrogen, by a "one pot" method upon treatment with (i) formic acid, optionally in the presence of an additional acid or (ii) a formic acid derivative in the presence of an acid. The compound of Formula VIIIb-1 can then be carried on to a compound of Formula Ib as described in detail below.
[00116] Method B: According to Method B, a compound of Formula VIIb-1, wherein
R2a is hydrogen and R2 is not hydrogen, can be cyclized to the corresponding N-3
benzimidazole represented by Formula VIIIb-1 by a multi-step method upon treatment with
(i) formic acid, optionally in the presence of an additional acid, (ii) a formic acid derivative in
the presence of an acid, or (iii) formaldehyde or a formaldehyde derivative in the presence of
an acid, to provide an intermediate N-l benzimidazole compound represented by the Formula
XIb-1. The compound of Formula XIb-1 can then be carried on to the N-3 benzimidazole
derivative Formula Ib-1 by alkylating the N-3 position, followed by removal of the R2 group
at the N-l position.
[00117] Method C: According to Method C, a compound of Formula VIIb-1, wherein
R2 and R2a are hydrogen, can be cyclized to the corresponding N-3 benzimidazole represented by Formula VIIIb-1 wherein R10 is methyl, by a "one pot" method upon treatment with two or more equivalents of formaldehyde or a formaldehyde derivative in the presence of an acid. The compound of Formula VHIb-1 can then be earned on to the N-3 benzimidazole compound represented by Formula Ib-1 as described in detail below.
[00118] Method D: According to Method D, a compound of Formula VIIb-1, wherein
R2 and R2a are hydrogen, can be cyclized to the corresponding benzimidazole represented by
Formula VIHb-l, wherein R10 is not hydrogen, by a step-wise process comprising:
[00119] (a) reacting a compound of Formula VIIb-1
(Formula Removed)
[00120] with a suitable acylating agent to provide a compound of Formula IXb
(Formula Removed)
[00121] wherein Z, R2, R2a and X5 are as defined herein and R10a is H, C1-C10 alkyl,
C1-C10 cycloalkylalkyl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl or heterocyclylalkyl, wherein said alkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, and heterocyclylalkyl portions are optionally substituted with one or more groups independently selected from halogen, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, azido, C1-C4 alkyl, C2-C4 alkenyl, C2-C4 alkynyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C3-C6 heterocycloalkyl, -NR6R7 and -OR8;
[00122] (b) reducing the amide group of said compound of Formula IXb to provide a
compound of Formula Xb
(Formula Removed)
[00123] wherein Z, R2, R2a, R10a and X5 are as defined herein; and
[00124] (c) reacting said compound of Formula Xb with (i) formic acid optionally in
the presence of an additional acid or (ii) a formic acid derivative in the presence of an acid to provide said compound of Formula VIIIb-1. Alternatively, according to another embodiment of Method D, compound of Formula Xb may be obtained by reaction of said compound of Formula VIIb-1 with an allcylating agent of formula R10aCH2L, wherein L is a leaving group, such as Cl, Br, I, OMs, OTs, OTf, etc.
[00125] Method E: According to Method E, a compound of Formula VIIb-1, wherein
R2a is hydrogen and R2 is not hydrogen, can be cyclized to the corresponding benzimidazole compound of Formula VIIIb-1, wherein R10 is not hydrogen, by a step-wise method comprising:
[00126] (a) reacting a compound of Formula VIIb-1
(Formula Removed)
NR2R2a VIIb-1 with a suitable acylating agent to provide a compound of Formula IXb
[00127]
(Formula Removed)
[00128] wherein Z, R2, R2a and X5 are as defined herein and R10a is H, d-Cio alkyl,
CB-CIO cycloalkylalkyl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl or heterocyclylalkyl, wherein said alkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, and heterocyclylalkyl portions are optionally substituted with one or more groups independently selected from halogen, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, azido, C1-C4 alkyl, C2-C4 alkenyl, C2-C4 alkynyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C3-C6 heterocycloalkyl, -NR6R7 and -OR8;
[00129] (b) reducing the amide group of said compound of Formula IXb to provide a
compound of Formula Xb
(Formula Removed)
[00130] wherein Z, R2, R2a, R2b, R2c, R10a and X5 are as defined herein;
[00131] (c) reacting said compound of Formula Xb with (i) formic acid optionally in
the presence of an additional acid or (ii) a formic acid derivative in the presence of an acid to provide said compound of Formula XIIb-1
(Formula Removed)
[00132] wherein Z, R2, R2b, R2c, R10a and X5 are as defined herein; and
[00133] removing the R2 group to provide the N-3 benzimidazole compound of
Formula Ib-1. Alternatively, according to another embodiment of Method E, a compound of Formula Xb may be obtained by reaction of a compound of Formula VIIb-1 with an alkylating agent of formula R10aCH2L, wherein L is a leaving group, such as Cl, Br, I, OMs, OTs, OTf, etc.
[00134] In a further aspect, the present invention provides compounds of Formulas III,
Va-1, Vb-1, VIIa-1, VIIb-1, VIIIa-1, VIIIb-1 and XIb-1 and salts and solvates thereof. Compounds having Formulas III, Va-1, Vb-1, VIIa-1, VIIb-1, VIIIa-1, VIIIb-1 and XIb-1 are useful for the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds including, but not limited to, benzimidazoles, benzimidazolones, pyrazines, andpiperazines.
[00135] Additional advantages and novel features of this invention shall be set forth in
part in the description that follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following specification or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities, combinations, compositions, and methods particularly pointed out in the detailed description and in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[00136] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of
the specification, illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, and together
with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[00137] In the Figures:
[00138] Figure 1 shows a reaction scheme (Method 1) for the synthesis of compounds
having the Formula Ia-1.
[00139] Figure 2 shows a reaction scheme (Method 2) for the synthesis of compounds
having the Formula Ia-2.
[00140] Figure 3 shows a reaction scheme (Method 3) for the synthesis of compounds
having the Formula Ib-1.
[00141] Figure 4 shows a reaction scheme (Method 4) for the synthesis of compounds
having the Formula Ib-2.
[00142] Figure 5 shows the structures of organometallic ligands used in certain aryl
halide coupling reactions of the present invention.
[00143] Figure 6 shows a "one pot" cyclization method (Method A) using formic acid
or a formic acid derivative for the preparation of benzimidazole core structures represented by Formula Ib-1.
[00144] Figure 7 shows a multi-step cyclization method (Method B) using formic acid
or a formic acid derivative for the preparation of benzimidazole core structures represented by Formula Ib-1.
[00145] Figure 8 shows a "one pot" cyclization method (Method C) using
formaldehyde or a formaldehyde derivative for the preparation of benzimidazole core structures represented by Formula Ib-1.
[00146] Figure 9 shows an alternative multi-step cyclization method (Method D) for
the preparation of benzimidazole core structures represented by Formula Ib-1.
[00147] Figure 10 shows yet another niulti-step cyclization method (Method E) for the
preparation of benzimidazole core structures represented by Formula Ib-1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00148] One aspect of the present invention provides methods for the preparation of
compounds of the general Formulas Ia-1, Ia-2, Ib-1, Ib-2 and Ic-1 and their synthetic intermediates
(Formula Removed)
and salts and solvates thereof, wherein:
Z is -C(=0)OR', -C(=0)NR6R7, CN, -C(=0)H, or
, or a moiety that may be transformed into any of said Z groups, for example through hydrolysis;
[00151] R1 is hydrogen, C1-C10 alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, C3-C10
cycloalkyl, C3-C10 cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, trialkylsilyl or dialkylarylsilyl, wherein said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heterocyclyl and heterocyclylalkyl portions are optionally substituted with one or more groups independently
selected from halogen, hydroxyl, C1-C4 alkyl, C2-C4 alkenyl, C2-C4 alkynyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl
and C3-C6 heterocycloalkyl;
[00152] R2 is hydrogen, C1-C10 alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, arylalkyl,
trialkylsilyl, dialkylarylsilyl, -COR6, -C(O)OR6 or -C(O)NR6R7, wherein said alkyl, alkenyl,
alkynyl and arylalkyl portions are optionally substituted with one or more groups
independently selected from halogen, hydroxyl, C1-C4 alkyl, C2-C4 alkenyl and C2-C4
alkynyl, wherein for Formula Ic-1, R is not hydrogen;
[00153] R2b is hydrogen, C1-C10 alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, arylalkyl,
trialkylsilyl, dialkylarylsilyl, -COR6, -C(O)OR6 or -C(O)NR6R7, wherein said alkyl, alkenyl,
alkynyl and arylalkyl portions are optionally substituted with one or more groups
independently selected from halogen, hydroxyl, C1-C4 alkyl, C2-C4 alkenyl and C2-C4
alkynyl;
[00154] X1 and X2 are independently selected from hydrogen, F, Cl, Br, I, OR8, Ci-Cio
alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, C3-C10 cycloalkylalkyl or C1-C10
thioalkyl, wherein said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl and thioalkyl
portions are optionally substituted with one or more groups independently selected from oxo,
halogen, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy and azido;
[00155] X5 is H, F, Cl, Br, I or C1-C6 alkyl;
[00156] R6 and R7 are independently hydrogen, trifluoromethyl, -OR8, C1-C10 alkyl,
C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, C3-C10 cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl,
heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heterocyclyl or heterocyclylalkyl,
[00157] or R and R7 together with the atom to which they are attached form a 4 to 10
membered heteroaryl or heterocyclic ring, wherein said heteroaryl and heterocyclic rings are
optionally substituted with one or more groups independently selected from halogen,
trifluoromethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy and OR8;
[00158] R8 is hydrogen, Ci-Cio alkyl, C2-C]0 alkenyl, aryl or arylalkyl, wherein said
alkyl, alkenyl, aryl and arylalkyl are optionally substituted with one or more groups
independently selected from OH, -O-(C1-C10-alkyl) and -O-(C1-C10-alkenyl);
[00159] R10 is hydrogen, C1-C10 alkyl, C3-C10 cycloalkylalkyl, arylalkyl,
heteroarylalkyl or heterocyclylalkyl, wherein said alkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, arylalkyl,
heteroarylalkyl and heterocyclylalkyl portions are optionally substituted with one or more
groups independently selected from halogen, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, azido, C1-C4 alkyl, C2-
[00160] R12a and R12b are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C10 alkyl, C2-C10
C4 alkenyl, C2-C4 alkynyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C3-C6 heterocycloalkyl, -NR6R7 and -OR8; and
alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, C3-C10 cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl
and heteroarylalkyl,
[00161] or R12a and R]2b together with the atom to which they are attached form a 4 to
10 membered carbocyclic, heteroaryl or heterocyclic ring.
[00162] Methods for preparing N-3 benzimidazole compounds of the general Fomiulas
Ia-1, Ia-2, Ib-1 and Ib-2 can be performed in several ways. Four methods, namely Methods
1-4, are shown in Figures 1-4, respectively, and are described below. Method 5 describes the
synthesis of the N-l benzimidazole derivatives represented by Formula Ic-1.
[00163] In certain embodiments of Methods 1-5, Z is -C(=O)NR6R7. In certain
embodiments, R6 is OR8 and R7 is H. In certain embodiments, R8 is Ci-Cio alkyl optionally
n
substituted with OH, 0-(Ci-C6-alkyl) or -O-(C1-C10-alkenyl). In certain embodiments, R is -(CH2)2-OH. In particular embodiments, Z is -C(=O)NH(CH2)2-OH.
[00164] In certain embodiments of Methods 1-5, Z is COOR1. In certain
embodiments, R1 is C1-C10 alkyl. In particular embodiments, R is methyl.
[00165] In certain embodiments of Methods 1-5, X5 is halogen. In particular
embodiments, X5 is F.
[00166] In certain embodiments of Methods 1-5, X1 and X2 are H or halogen, and X6 is
halogen. In other embodiments, X2 is alkyl. In certain embodiments, X1 is Br. In certain embodiments, X2 is Cl. In certain embodiments, X6 is iodo.
[00167] In certain embodiments of Methods 1-5, R10 is C1-C10 alkyl. In particular
embodiments, R10 is methyl.
[00168] In other embodiments of Methods 1-5, R2 and R2b are hydrogen.
[00169] In certain embodiments, Methods 1-5 provide methods of preparing
compounds of Ia-1, Ia-2, Ib-1, Ib-2 and Ic-1 wherein Z is -C(=O)NR6R7, X5 is halogen, X1 and X2 are H or halogen, and R10 is C1-C10 alkyl. In certain embodiments, R6 is OR8, R7 is H, Xs is F, X2 is Cl, and R10 is methyl. In particular embodiments, Z is -C(=O)NH-(CH2CH2OH)5 X5 is F, X2 is Cl, and R10 is methyl.
[00170] In certain embodiments, Methods 1-5 provide methods of preparing
compounds of Ia-1, Ia-2, Ib-1, Ib-2 and Ic-1 wherein Z is COOR1, Xs is halogen, X1 and X2 are H or halogen, and R10 is C1-C10 alkyl. In certain embodiments, R1 is C1-C10 alkyl, X5 is F, X2 is Cl, and R10 is methyl. In particular embodiments, Z is COOCH2, X5 is F, X2 is Cl, and R10 is methyl.
[00171] Method 1: One embodiment of the present invention provides a method,
referred to herein as Method 1 and shown schematically in Figure 1, for preparing
Compounds of Formula Ia-1 and their synthetic intermediates
(Formula Removed)
[00172] and salts and solvates thereof, wherein X1, X2, X3, R2 and R10 are as defined
(Formula Removed)
herein, and Z is -C(-O)OR], -C(-0)NR6R7, CN, -C(=0)H, or [00173]
, or a moiety that can be transformed into any one of said Z
groups, for example through hydrolysis. Examples of moieties that can be transformed into
the defined Z groups through hydrolysis include, but are not limited to, orthoesters having the
formula C(OR1)3 and acetals having the formula CH(OR1)2.
[00174] More specifically, Method 1 comprises nitrating a compound having the
Formula
(Formula Removed)
[00175] wherein X3 and X4 are independently F, Cl, Br, I, or a sulfonate ester such as,
but not limited to, trifluoromethanesulfonate, methanesulfonate, benzenesulfonate or p-toluenesulfonate, and X and Z are as defined herein, to provide a compound of Formula II
[00176] wherein X3, X4 and X3 are as defined herein. In one embodiment of a
compound of Formula II, X , X4 and are F.
[00177] Nitration reaction conditions, which are well known to those skilled in the art,
can include reacting an aromatic system with nitric acid in the presence of an activating agent such as concentrated sulfuric acid. For example, in one embodiment a 2,3,4-trihalobenzoic can be treated with fuming nitric acid in H2SO4 to provide a 2,3,4-trihalo-5-nitrobenzoic acid, such as 2,3,4-trifluoro~5-nitrobenzoic acid, in high yield.
[00178] The compound of Formula II then undergoes a bis-amination reaction
comprising a nucleophilic displacement of X and X . Nucleophilic substitution of a leaving group (such as a halide, or sulfonate ester) ortho- or para- to a nitro group in an aromatic ring is a method well known in the art for the introduction of an amino group into an aromatic ring. In the case of compounds of Formula II, leaving groups at positions ortho- and para- to the nitro group can be replaced in a single process under suitable conditions. Examples of bis-aminations are illustrated herein for Method 1 as well as Method 2 below. More specifically, according to Method 1 a compound of Formula II is treated optionally at elevated temperatures with two or more equivalents of (i) a reagent that contains or generates ammonia, (ii) a primary or secondary amine other than an aromatic amine or (iii) a reagent that delivers a group that can subsequently be converted into an amine to provide a compound of Formula VI-11 wherein A is NR2R2a, or said compound of Formula II is treated with (iv) two or more equivalents of a metal azide optionally at elevated temperatures and/or pressure to provide a compound of Formula VI-12 wherein A is N3
(Formula Removed)
[00179] wherein X5, R and Z are as defined herein, and R2a is hydrogen, C1-C10 alkyl,
C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, benzyl, allyl, arylalkyl, trialkylsilyl, dialkylarylsilyl, -COR6, -C(0)OR6,-C(0)NR6R7, -OR1, or -NHR1, wherein said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, benzyl, allyl, or arylalkyl portions are optionally substituted with one or more groups independently selected from halogen, hydroxyl, C1-C4 alkyl, C2-C4 alkenyl and C2-C4 alkynyl. In certain embodiments, Ra is a nitrogen protecting group such as hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted benzyl, allyl or -C(O)OR6. In a particular embodiment, R2a is hydrogen.
[00180] In a particular embodiment of Method 1, the compound of Formula II, where
Z is COOH, can undergo an esterification of the Z group and a bis-amination in one step. This may be achieved by reacting the compound of Formula II, where Z is COOH, with a compound of formula R1OH wherein R is C1-C10 alkyl, optionally in the presence of an activating agent, to form the corresponding ester in-situ, followed by reaction of the ester with two or more equivalents of (i) a reagent that generates ammonia, for example ammonium hydroxide or (ii) a primary or secondary amine other than an aromatic amine to provide a compound of Formula VI-11, wherein Z is COOR1, R1 is C1-C10 alkyl, and R2 and R2a are as defined herein.
[00181] Examples of activating agents include, but are not limited to, (a) mineral and
organic acids; (b) reagents capable of converting a carboxylic acid into an acid chloride including, but not limited to, halogenating agents such as SOCh or (COC1)2, alkyl chloroformates, aryl chloroformates and acid chlorides (such as trimethylacetyl chloride); (c) carbodiimides, including, but not limited to, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC); (d) trialkylsilyl halides including, but not limited to, trimethylsilyl chloride (MesSiCl); (e) chloroformates such as alkyl chloroformates (e.g., isobutyl chloroformate) and aryl chloroformates (phenyl chloroformate), and (f) dialkylazodicarboxylates such as, but not limited to, diethylazodicarboxylate (DEAD), which is typically used in conjunction with a phosphine reagent such as, but not limited to, PhsP. In one embodiment, the activating agent is trimethylsilyl chloride.
[00182] Examples of reagents that contain or generate ammonia include, but are not
limited to, NHs and NH4OH. Examples of primary and secondary amines suitable for purposes of this invention include amines having the formula HNR2R2a, wherein R2 and R2a are as defined herein. Specific examples of primary and secondary amines include, but are not limited to methylamine, benzylamine,. dibenzylamine, allylamine, diallylamine and hexamethyldisilazane. Examples of reagents that deliver a group that can subsequently be converted into an amine include, but are not limited to, (1) metal amides such as sodium, potassium and lithium amide, or alkylated derivatives thereof, (2) protected ammonia or amide equivalents such as, but not limited to, hydroxylamines and hydrazines, (3) nitrogen nucleophiles having the Formula MNR2R2a wherein M is a metal such as Na, K, Li, Cs, Mg or Al, and (4) metal silylamides such as lithium (bis)(trimethylsilyl)amide, sodium (bis)(trimethylsilyl)amide or potassium (bis)(trimethylsilyl)amide. Examples of metal azides include, but are not limited to, sodium azide (NaN3), potassium azide (KN3) and lithium azide (LiN3).
[00183] The bis-amination reaction can be performed in any suitable organic or
aqueous solvent, including but not limited to N-methyl pyrrolidine, THF, dioxane, at temperatures ranging from -20 °C to 200 °C. In certain embodiments the reaction is performed at elevated temperatures in the range of about 50 and 100 °C. One example of a method for preparing a compound of Formula VI-11 comprises reacting a compound of Formula II with ammonium hydroxide at a temperature between 50 and 100 °C, in particular between 80 and 90 °C.
[00184] Another example of a method for preparing a compound of Formula VI-11
from a compound of Formula II comprises reacting, for example, a compound of Formula II, wherein Z = COiH, and X and X4 = F, with excess ammonium hydroxide solution in N-methyl pyrrolidine at an elevated temperature, for example between 80-90 °C, in a sealed reactor, under a slight pressure of ammonia, for example 0-5 bar, to provide compound Formula VI-11 wherein Z = C02H, R2 = H, and R2a = H in high yield.
[00185] This invention also provides compounds of Formulas VI-11 and Vl-12 and
salts and solvates thereof, wherein Z, X5, A, R2 and R2a are as defined herein. In some embodiments of compounds of Formula VI-11 and VI-12, Z is -COOR1 or -C(=O)NR6R7. In certain embodiments, R6 is -OR8 and R7 is H. In particular embodiments, R8 is -(CH2)2-OH. In some embodiments, X5 is halogen. In particular embodiments, X5 is F. In some embodiments of compounds of Formula VI-11, A is NH2.
[00186] The compound of Formula VI-11 or VI-12 is then reduced to provide
compound of Formula VIIa-1

(Formula Removed)
[00187] wherein X5, R2, R2a and Z are as defined herein, wherein when A of said
compound of Formula VI-11 or Formula VI-12 is -NH-benzyl, -NHOR1, -NHNHR1, or N3, then R2 and R2a of the compound of Formula VIIa-1 are hydrogen.
[00188] The reduction step can be performed utilizing reaction conditions and reagents

well known to those skilled in the art. Examples of suitable methods for reducing an aromatic nitro group include, but are not limited to, dissolving metal reductions, catalytic hydrogenations, and enzymatic reactions. More specific examples of dissolving metal

reductions include the use of a metal in a suitable solvent under acidic conditions. Examples
of metals suitable for dissolving metal reductions include, but are not limited to, Zn, Fe and
Sn. Suitable solvent systems include water and/or organic solvents such as, but not limited
to, alcohols, carboxylic acids, ethers or a mixture of these. For example, in one embodiment a
compound of Formula VI-11 or VI-12 can be converted to a compound of Formula VIIa-1
using zinc powder and concentrated HC1 in a mixture of methanol and water, at temperatures
between 0-100 °C, more typically at 50-70 °C. Catalytic hydrogenations can be performed
with hydrogen in the presence of a metal catalyst in a suitable solvent system under hydrogen
(for example, 1-20 ami. HI) typically at temperatures between 0-100 °C. Suitable metal
catalysts for use in catalytic hydrogenations include, but are not limited to, Pd, Pt, Rh and Ni.
Examples of suitable solvent systems include, but are not limited to, alcohols (e.g., methanol,
ethanol, isopropanol), acetic acid, esters (e.g., ethyl acetate) and ethers (e.g., THF). Mixed
solvents, including aqueous mixtures are also commonly used for hydrogenations. Catalytic
hydrogenation was found to be particularly effective for the conversion of a compound of
Formula VI-11 or VI-12 into a compound of Formula VIIa-1. In one embodiment, platinum
oxide was found to be an effective and convenient catalyst, providing a compound of VIIa-1
free from carbon residue. In another embodiment, Pd(OH)2 was a suitable hydrogenation
catalyst. In a particular embodiment palladium supported on carbon was found to be
effective. The reaction can be carried out in a range of organic solvents, and a mixture of
methanol and THF was found to be both effective and convenient. Hydrogen pressure in a
range between 2-10 bar was effective and the temperature was typically between 20-80°C.
[00189] This invention further provides compounds of Formula VIIa-1 and salts and
solvates thereof wherein Z, X5, R2 and R2a are as defined herein. In some embodiments of compounds of Formula VIIa-1, Z is -COOR1 or -C(=O)NR6R7. In certain embodiments, R6 is OR8 and R7 is H. In particular embodiments, R8 is -(CH2)2-OH. In some embodiments, X5 is halogen. In particular embodiments, X5 is F. In other embodiments, R2 and R2a are hydrogen.
[00190] With continued reference to Figure 1, the compound of Formula VIIa-1 can
be cyclized to the benzimidazole derivative represented by Formula VIIIa-1 when R2a of said compound of Formula VIIa-1 is hydrogen.
(Formula Removed)
[00191] The cyclization step to provide the benzimidazole core structure can be
performed in several ways, such as any one of Methods A-E as described herein.
[00192] Also provided herein are compounds of Formula VIIIa-1 and salts and
solvates thereof wherein Z, Xs, R2, R2a and R10 are as defined herein. In some embodiments of compounds of Formula VIIIa-1, Z is COOR1 or -C(=:O)NR6R7. In certain embodiments, R6 is OR8 and R7 is H. In particular embodiments, R8 is -(CH2)2-OH. In some embodiments of compounds of Formula VIIIa-1, R1 is C1-C10 alkyl. In particular embodiments, R1 is methyl. In some embodiments of compounds of Formula VIIIa-1, X5 is halogen. In particular embodiments, X5 is F. In some embodiments of compounds of Formula VIIIa-1, R2 and R2a are hydrogen. In other embodiments, R10 is methyl.
[00193] When R2a is hydrogen, the compound of Formula VIIIa-1 can be directly
converted to compound of Formula Ia-1 as shown in Figure 1. Several methods are known in the literature for the preparation of diarylamines by coupling an aromatic amine with a halobenzene (see, for Example, PCT Publication No. WO 02/083622). Nucleophilic aromatic substitutions and transition metal catalyzed processes are particularly common coupling methods. However, there are very few examples of efficient transition metal catalyzed coupling processes that provide diarylamines that are highly substituted in both rings, as is the case for compounds of Formula Ia-1. In addition, very few of the catalysts that have been reported in the literature for a coupling reaction between a trihalobenzene and an aromatic amine to provide the desired product in high yield. However, particular catalyst systems have been identified herein that can be employed to give high yields for the coupling of compounds of Formula VIIIa-1 with aryl halides.
[00194] More specifically, one embodiment for the preparation of compounds of
Formula Ia-1, as shown in Figure 1, comprises a coupling reaction between a compound of Formula VIIIa-1, wherein R2a is hydrogen, and an aryl halide in the presence of a suitable metal-based catalyst and a base in an appropriate solvent. In one embodiment, the aryl halide has the Formula
(Formula Removed)
[00195] wherein X1 and X2 are as defined herein and X6 is F, Cl, Br, I, -OSO2CF3,
alkyl sulfonate, aryl sulfonate, alkylaryl sulfonate, -B(O-R8)2, -BFs or -Bi(R1)2. In another
alkyl sulfonate, aryl sulfonate, alkylaryl sulf embodiment, the aryl halide has the Formula
(Formula Removed)
[00196] In certain embodiments, X is F, Cl, Br, or I, X is C1-C10 alkyl, F, Cl, Br, or I,
and X6 is F, Cl, Br, or I. In certain embodiments, X1 is Br. In certain embodiments, X2 is Cl.
In another embodiment, X6 is iodo. In a particular embodiment, 4-bromo-2-
chloroiodobenzene was found to be an effective and regioselective partner for the coupling
reaction in the conversion of compounds of Formula VIIIa-1 to compounds of Formula Ia-1,
wherein the iodo group of 4-bromo-2-chloroiodobenzene is selectively displaced. Suitable
bases for use in the coupling reactions of this invention include, but are not limited to, Group
I and Group II metal bases such as Na2CO3, K2CO3, CS2C03, NaOH and NaOtBu, and
organic bases such as triethylamine. Suitable solvents for the coupling reaction include, but
are not limited to, toluene, anisole, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran and dioxane.
[00197] Suitable metal-based catalysts for this coupling reaction include, but are not
limited to, organometallic catalysts. The phrase "organometallic catalyst" means a catalyst
comprising a metal and an organic ligand. Examples of metals include, but are not limited to,
palladium, copper, nickel, and platinum. The preferred ligands for copper include those
containing heteroatoms such as oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen or phosphorous. Ligands containing
oxygen groups are generally inexpensive and readily available, and ethylene glycol is a
particular example of a convenient ligand that is effective in the process. For palladium
catalyzed coupling reactions, phosphine ligands have been shown to be effective, and in
certain cases bidentate ligands containing either two phosphine groups or one phosphine
group and a second heteroatom-containing group have been shown to be effective. Examples
of such ligands include, but are not limited to, DPE-phos and Xantphos. Illustrative
examples of suitable organopalladium catalysts include, but are not limited to, Pd(OAc)2 and
Xantphos, Pd(OAc)2 and DPE-phos, Pd2(dba)3 and Xantphos, Pd2(dba)3 and DPE-phos,
palladium tetrakis(triphenylphosphine), and palladium dichloride
[bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]. Other organopalladium catalysts are known, ana may be found in Comprehensive Organic Transformations, 2nd ed., by Richard C. Larock, VCH Publishers, Inc., New York, 1999. Preferred catalysts include, but are not limited to, Pd(OAc)2 and Pd2(dba)3 in combination with Xantphos or DPE-phos. A particular embodiment of the present invention comprises refluxing a compound of Formula VIIIa-1, wherein R2a is hydrogen, and a halo-substituted benzene in toluene in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd(OAc)2, Xantphos, and an excess amount of a suitable base such as CS2C03. Another embodiment of the present invention comprises refluxing a compound of Formula VIIIa-1, wherein R2a is hydrogen, and a halo-substituted benzene in toluene in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd(OAc)2 and DPE-phos in the presence of a suitable base. A particular embodiment of the present invention comprises heating a compound of Formula VIIIa-1 and a substituted halobenzene (e.g. 2-chloro-4-iodobromobenzne) at a temperature between 40 - 140 °C in anisole in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd2(dba)3 and Xantphos and an excess amount of a. suitable base such as Cs2CO3.
[00198] Table 1 summarizes a selection of ligands, bases and solvents that have been
evaluated for the metal-catalyzed coupling reaction of the present invention. Figure 5 illustrates several ligands evaluated in organometallic coupling reactions to convert compounds of Formula VIIIa-1 to compound of Formula Ia-1, and the chemical names for the ligands are provided in Table 2.
Table 1

Table 2

(Table Removed)
[00199] In one embodiment a Pd scavenger, for example Silicycle Siliabond Si-
Thiourea can be used to reduce the Pd content of the compounds produced by the process of
the invention.
[00200] Alternatively, the metal-catalyzed coupling reaction can be earned out using a
copper catalyst (see F.Y. Kwong, A. Klapars and S.L. Buchwald, Organic Letters 2002, 4,
581-584). Examples of suitable copper-based catalysts include, but are not limited to,
Cul/ethylene glycol. In one embodiment, the reaction is carried out in an alcoholic solvent,
such as isopropanol or 2-butanol, with a simple chelating diol catalyst, such as ethylene
glycol.
[00201] In an alternative embodiment, the coupling of a compound of Formula VIIIa-
1 with an aryl halide to provide a compound of Formula Ia-1 can proceed by direct
nucleophilic displacement, optionally in the presence of a base such as a lithium amide, at
either ambient or elevated temperature.
[00202] Method 2: In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a
method, referred to herein as Method 2, for preparing compounds of Formula Ia-2 and their
synthetic intermediates
(Formula Removed)
[00203] and salts and solvates thereof, wherein R1, R2, R10, X1, X2 and Xs are as
defined herein. Method 2, as illustrated in Figure 2, follows the diamination route of Method 1, with the exception that the Z group is converted to a -COOR1 group at some point during
the synthesis of compounds of Formula Ia-2. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the Z group of a compound of Formula VI-11 or VI-12 (prepared as described in Method 1)
(Formula Removed)
[00204] can be converted to the corresponding ester derivative represented by Formula
Va-11 or Va-12
(Formula Removed)
[00205] wherein R1, R2, R2a and X5 are as defined herein, by reacting a compound of
Formula VI-11 or VI-12 with a compound having the formula R1OH, optionally in the presence of an activating agent that activates said Z group towards reaction with the compound of formula R1OH, wherein R1 is as defined herein. Examples of activating agents suitable for purposes of this invention, include, but are not limited to, the activating agents listed above for Method 1, including (a) mineral and organic acids; (b) reagents capable of converting a carboxylic acid into an acid chloride including, but not limited to, halogenating agents; (c) carbodiimides; (d) trialkylsilyl halides; (e) chloroformates and (f) dialkylazodicarboxylates alone or together with a phosphine reagent.
[00206] Compounds of Formulas Va-11 and Va-12 can be converted to a compound of
Formula Ia-2 in a manner similar to that described in Method 1. More specifically, as shown in Figure 2, one embodiment for the conversion of a compound of Formula Va-11 or Va-12 to a compound of Formula Ia-2 comprises:
[00207] (i) reducing said compound of Formula Va-11 or Va-12 to provide a
compound of Formula VIIa-2
wherein R1, R2, R2a and X5 are as defined herein, and wherein when A of said

(Formula Removed)
compound of Formula Va-11 or Va-12 is -NH-benzyl, -NHOR1, -NHNHR1 or N3, then R2
[00208]
and R2a of Formula VIIa-2 are hydrogen;
[00209] (ii) when R2a is hydrogen, cyclizing said compound of Formula VIIa-2 using
methods such as, but not limited to, any one of cyclization Methods A-E described herein, to provide a compound of Formula VIIIa-2
(Formula Removed)
[00210] wherein R1, R2, R2a, R10 and X5 are as defined herein; and
[00211] (iii) when R2a is hydrogen, coupling the benzimidazole represented by
Formula VIIIa-2 with a compound having the Formula
(Formula Removed)
[00212] wherein X1, X2 and X6 are as defined herein, optionally either (i) at elevated
temperature and optionally in the presence of a base, or (ii) in the presence of a metal-based
catalyst and a base, to provide said compound of Formula Ia-2. In certain embodiments, X1,
X2 and X6 are independently F, Cl, Br, or I. In certain embodiments, X1 is Br. In certain
embodiments, X2 is Cl. In another embodiment, X6 is iodo. In a particular embodiment, the
compound of Formula VIIIa-2 is reacted with is 4-bromo-2-chloroiodobenzene.
[00213] In one embodiment, the synthesis of compounds of VIIIa-2 from compounds
of Formula Va-11 or Va-12 is performed without isolation of the intermediate compound
VIIa-2. In other embodiment, the intermediate compound of Formula VIIa-2 is isolated.
[00214] While Method 2 as illustrated in Figure 2 shows the conversion of the Z group
to a COOR1 group during the preparation of a compound of Formula Va-11 or Va-12 from a compound of Formula VI-11 or VI-12, it is to be understood that Figure 2 shows only one of several embodiments of Method 2 for ease of explanation. That is, the Z group can be converted to COOR1 at any point during the process of Method 2.
[00215] Method 3: In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a
stepwise animation method, referred to herein as Method 3 and shown generally in Figure 3, for the preparation of compounds of Formula Ib and their synthetic intermediates
(Formula Removed)
[00216] and salts and solvates thereof, wherein Z, X1, X2, X5, R2b and R10 are as
defined herein. In general, according to one embodiment of the invention, a method for preparing a compound of Formula Ib-1 according to Method 3 comprises nitrating a compound having the Formula
[00217] Formula II wherein X , X , X5 and Z are as defined herein, to provide a compound of


(Formula Removed)
[00218] Nitration reaction conditions are well known to those skilled in the art. For
example, in one embodiment a trihalobenzoic acid can be treated with fuming nitric acid in H2SO4 to provide a 2,3,4-trihalo-5-nitrobenzoic acid.
[00219] Compounds of Formula II are then converted to compounds of Formula III-11
or 111-12 by a stepwise animation process. A useful discovery was that the X3 and X4 groups
of compounds represented by Formula II can be replaced independently. That is, the leaving group at the position ortho- to the nitro group in the compound of Formula II can be selectively replaced by a nitrogen nucleophile, in high yield, under carefully controlled conditions. The leaving group at the position para- to the nitro group can then be displaced by a second nucleophile at a convenient stage later in the synthetic route. Examples of selective stepwise mono-aminations are illustrated herein for Method 3 as well as in Method 4.
[00220] More specifically, in one embodiment a compound of Formula II is reacted
with (i) a reagent that contains or generates ammonia, (ii) a primary or secondary amine other than an aromatic amine or (iii) a reagent that delivers a group that can subsequently be converted into an amine, under conditions that allow selective displacement of X4, to provide a compound of Formula III-ll, or said compound of Formula II is reacted with (iv) a metal azide under conditions that allow selective displacement of X4 to provide a compound of Formula 111-12
(Formula Removed)
[00221] wherein X3, X5, R2, R2a and Z are as defined herein. In certain embodiments,
R2a is a nitrogen protecting group such as substituted or unsubstituted benzyl, allyl or -C(O)OR6. In another embodiment, R2 and/or R2a is hydrogen.
[00222] Nucleophilic substitution of a halide or sulfonate ester ortho- or para- to a
nitro group in an aromatic ring is a method well known in the art for the introduction of an amino group into an aromatic ring. The reaction conditions needed to achieve selective mono-amination at the position para- to the Z group depend on the type of nucleophile used in the mono-amination reaction. For example, if a strong nucleophile such as is used, the reaction may proceed easily at or below room temperature and at atmospheric pressure using one equivalent of the nucleophile to provide the desired mono-amination product. Examples of strong nucleophiles include, but are not limited to, aqueous ammonia (30% vol/vol) and metal amides such as sodium, potassium and lithium amide. Alternatively, if a weak nucleophile is used, more forcing conditions such as elevated temperatures and/or elevated
pressure and/or an excess amount of the nucleophile may be required to achieve
monoamination. Examples of weak nucleophiles include, but are not limited to, a primary or
secondary amine substituted with a sterically bulky group such as t-butyl. The introduction
of an amino group ortho- to the nitro groups causes the substitution product represented by
Formula III-ll or 111-12 to be less reactive to further nucleophilic attack at the positionpara-
to the nitro group, so the reaction can be carried out with a high level of selectivity.
[00223] For example, according to one embodiment a compound of Formula III-ll
can be prepared by reacting a compound of Formula II with NH4OH at temperatures between 0 °C and room temperature in water (with or without an organic co-solvent) followed by acidification to pH between 0 and 7. Examples of suitable organic co-solvents include THF, 1,4-dioxane and N-methyl pyrrolidine. In certain embodiments, a compound of Formula III-ll is prepared by reacting a compound of Formula II with excess NH4OH in water at room temperature. The acidification can be accomplished by the addition of an acid such as, but not limited to, a dilute or concentrated mineral acid or a carboxylic acid such as acetic acid. In one embodiment, the above-described preparation of a compound of Formula III-ll or 111-12 is performed without isolation of the intermediate compound. In another embodiment, the intermediate compound represented by Formula II is isolated.
[00224] Examples of reagents that contain or generate ammonia for preparing a
compound of Formula 111-11 or 111-12 include, but are not limited to, NH3 and NH4OH. Examples of primary and secondary amines suitable for purposes of this invention include amines having the formula HNR2R2a, wherein R2 and R2a are as defined herein. Specific examples of primary and secondary amines include, but are not limited to methylamine, benzylamine, dibenzylamine, allylamine, diallylamine and hexamethyldisilazane. Examples of reagents that deliver a group that can subsequently be converted into an amine include, but are not limited to, (1) metal amides such as sodium, potassium and lithium amide, or alkylated derivatives thereof, (2) protected ammonia or amide equivalents such as, but not limited to, hydroxylamines and hydrazines, (3) nitrogen nucleophiles having the Formula MNR2R2a wherein M is a metal such as Na, K, Li, Cs, Mg or Al, and (4) metal silylamides such as lithium (bis)(trimethylsilyl)amide, sodium (bis)(trimethylsilyl)amide or potassium (bis)(trimethylsilyl)amide. Examples of metal azides include, but are not limited to, sodium azide (NaN3), potassium azide (KN3) and lithium azide (LiN3).
[00225] This invention further provides compounds of Formula III and salts and
solvates thereof. In some embodiments of compounds of Formula III, Z is COOR1 or -C(=O)NR6R7. In certain embodiments, R6 is -OR8 and R7 is H. In particular embodiments,
R8 is -(CH2)a-OH. In some embodiments, X5 is halogen. In particular embodiments, X5 is F. In certain embodiments,'A is -NH2-
[00226] With continued reference to Figure 3, the compound of Formula III-ll or III-
12 is reacted, optionally at elevated temperatures, with (i) a reagent that contains or generates ammonia, (ii) a primary or secondary amine other than an aromatic amine or (iii) a reagent that delivers a group that can subsequently be converted into an amine to provide a compound having Formula Vb-11 wherein B is -NR2bR2c and A is -NR2R2a or NB, or said compound of Formula III-ll or 111-12 is reacted with (iv) a metal azide, optionally at elevated temperatures, to provide a compound of Formula Vb-12 wherein B is Nj and A is -NR2R2a or N3,
(Formula Removed)
[00227] wherein Z, X5, R2, R2a, and R2b are as defined herein and R2c is hydrogen, C1-C10
alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, benzyl, allyl, arylalkyl, trialkylsilyl, dialkylarylsilyl, -COR6, -C(0)OR6, -C(0)NR6R7 , -OR1 or -NHR1, wherein said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, benzyl, allyl and arylalkyl portions are optionally substituted with one or more groups independently selected from halogen, hydroxyl, C1-C4 alkyl, C2-C4 alkenyl and C2-C4 alkynyl. In a particular embodiment, X5 is F.
[00228] According to one embodiment, the animation reaction is performed by
reacting a compound of Formula III with a suitable nitrogen nucleophile using methods well known to those skilled in the art. Nitrogen nucleophiles suitable for purposes of this invention include, but are not limited to, (i) reagents that contain or generate ammonia (including, but not limited to, NH3 and NH4OH); (ii) primary and secondary amines having the formula HNR2bR2c, wherein R2 and R2a are as defined herein; (iii) metal azides including, but not limited to, (NaN3), potassium azide (KN3) and lithium azide (LiN3) and (iv) reagents that deliver a group that can subsequently be converted into an amine include, but are not limited to, protected ammonia or amide equivalents such as, but not limited to, hydroxylamines and hydrazines, (3) nitrogen nucleophiles having the Formula MNR2bR2c wherein M is a metal such as Na, K, Li, Cs, Mg or Al; and metal silylamides such as lithium
(bis)(trirnethylsilyi)arnide, sodium . (bis)(trimethylsilyl)amide or potassium (bis)(trimethylsiiyl)amide. The reaction can be performed in any suitable organic or inorganic solvent at temperatures ranging from -20 °C to 200 °C. Typically the reaction is performed at elevated temperatures in the range of about 30 and 130 °C5 more preferably at temperatures between 50 and 95 °C.
[00229] For example, in one embodiment a compound of Formula Vb-11 wherein A =
B — NH2 can be obtained by reaction of a compound of Formula III with aqueous ammonia in an organic solvent such as, but not limited to5 tetrahydrofuran, dioxane or N-methyl pyrrolidinone, at elevated temperature, for example, between 30 and 130 °C, and as a further example between 55-90 °C under a slight pressure of ammonia (for example between 1 to 5 bar).
[00230] The nitrb group of the compound of Formula Vb-11 or Vb-12 is then reduced
to provide a compound of Formula VIIb-1
(Formula Removed)
[00231] wherein Z. R2, R2a, R2b, R2c and Xs are as defined herein. In embodiments of
Method 3 wherein A and/or B is N3, -NH-benzyl, -NHOR1 or -NHNHR1, then NR2R2a and/or NR2bRlc group of the compound of Formula VIIb-1 is -NH2. The reduction step can be performed utilizing reaction conditions and reagents known to those skilled in the art. Examples of suitable methods for reducing an aromatic nitro group include, but are not limited to, dissolving metal reductions, catalytic hydrogenations, and enzymatic reactions as described above.
[00232] This invention further provides compounds of Formula VIIb-1 and salts and
solvates thereof.
[00233] When R2a is hydrogen, compounds of Formula VIIb-1 can be cyclized to
provide the benzimidazole derivative represented by Formula VIIIb-1

(Formula Removed)
[00234] wherein Z, R2b, R2°, R10 and X5 are as defined herein. The cyclization step to
provide the benzimidazole core structure can be performed in several ways, such as any one of cyclization Methods A-E as described herein.
[00235] This invention further provides compounds of Formula VIHb-1 and salts and
solvates thereof.
[00236] When R2c is hydrogen, the benzimidazole represented by Formula VIIIb-1 is
optionally isolated or directly converted to compound of Formula Ib-1 without isolation by reacting the compound of Formula VIIIb-1 with a compound having the formula
(Formula Removed)
[00237] optionally either (i) at elevated temperature and optionally in the presence of a
base, or (ii) in the presence of a metal-based catalyst and a base, wherein X1, X2 and X6 are as defined herein, to provide said compound of Formula Ib-1. The coupling reaction can be performed generally as described for Method 1, using any suitable metal-based catalyst. Suitable catalysts include, but are not limited to, copper-based and palladium-based catalysts. Illustrative examples of suitable organopalladium catalysts include, but are not limited to, Pd(OAc)2 and Xantphos, Pd(OAc)2 and DPE-phos, Pd2(dba)3 and Xantphos, Pd2(dba)3 and DPE-phos, palladium tetrakis(triphenylphosphine), and palladium dichloride [bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocenej. Preferred catalysts include organopalladium catalysts such as Pd2(dba)3 in combination with Xantphos or DPE-phos, and Pd(OAc)2 in combination with Xantphos or DPE-phos.
[00238] Method 4: In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a
method, referred to herein as Method 4, for preparing compounds of Formula Ib-2 and their synthetic intermediates
(Formula Removed)
[00239] and salts and solvates thereof, wherein R1, R2b, R10, X1, X2 and X5 are as
defined herein. Method 4, which is illustrated in Figure 4, follows the stepwise amination route of Method 3, with the exception that the Z group is converted to a COOR1 group at
some point during the synthesis. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the Z group of a compound of Formula III-ll or 111-12 (prepared as described in Method 3)
(Formula Removed)
[00240] can be converted to the corresponding ester derivative represented by Formula
IV-21 or IV-22
(Formula Removed)
[00241] by reacting said compound of Formula III-ll or HI-12 with a compound
having the formula R OH, wherein R is as defined herein, optionally in the presence of an activating reagent that activates the Z group towards reaction with said compound of formula R1OH, under reaction conditions well known to those skilled in the art. Examples of activating agents suitable for purposes of this invention include, but are not limited to, (a) mineral and organic acids; (b) reagents capable of converting a carboxylic acid into an acid chloride including, but not limited to, halogenating agents such as SOC12 or (COC1)2, alkyl chloroformates, aryl chlorofornmtes and acid chlorides (such as trimethylacetyl chloride); (c)
carbodiimides including, but not limited to, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC); (d) trialkylsilyl halides including, but not limited to, trimethylsilyl chloride (Me3SiCl); and (e) dialkylazodicarboxylates such as, but not limited to, diethylazodicarboxylate (DEAD), typically in conjunction with a phosphine reagent such as, but not limited to, PhsP. In a particular embodiment, a compound of Formula III-ll or 111-12 where Z is COOH can be converted into a methyl ester derivative represented by Formula IV-21 or 1V-22 by reaction with methanol in the presence of trimethylsilyl chloride.
[00242] A compound of Formula IV-21 or IV-22 is then reacted, optionally at elevated
temperatures, with (i) a reagent that contains or generates ammonia, (ii) a primary or secondary amine other than an aromatic amine or (iii) a reagent that delivers a group that can subsequently be converted into an amine to provide a compound of Formula Vb-21 wherein A is -NR2bR2c or NS, or said compound of Formula IV-21 or IV-22 is reacted with (iv) a metal azide, optionally at elevated temperatures, to provide a compound of Formula Vb-22 wherein A is -NR2bR2c or N3,
(Formula Removed)
[00243] wherein R1, R2b, R2c, R10, X1, X2 and X5 are as defined herein. The reaction
can be performed in any suitable organic or inorganic solvent at temperatures ranging from -
20 °C to 200 °C. Typically the reaction is performed at elevated temperatures in the range of
about 30 and 130 °C, more preferably at temperatures between 50 and 95 °C. For example,
in one embodiment a compound of Formula Vb-21 can be obtained by reaction of a
compound of Formula IV-21 or IV-22 with aqueous ammonia in an organic solvent such as,
but not limited to, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane or N-methyl pyrrolidinone at elevated
temperature and under a slight pressure of ammonia (for example between 1 to 5 bar).
[00244] This invention also includes compound of Formula Vb-21 and Vb-22, In one
particular embodiment, R1 is C1-C10 alkyl. In another embodiment, R1 is methyl. According to one embodiment, the compound of Formula Vb-21 is a 2,4-diamino-3-fluoro-5-nitrobenzoic acid ester. In a particular embodiment,- the compound of Formula Vb-21 is methyl 2,4-diamino-3-fluoro-5-nitrobenzoate.
[00245] With continued reference to Figure 4, carboxylic acid esters represented by
Formula Vb-21 or Vb-22 can be utilized to prepare compounds of Formula Ib-2 by the method comprising:
[00246] (i) reducing the compound of Formula Vb-21 or Vb-22 utilizing reaction
conditions known in the art, such as those described for Method 1, to provide a compound represented by Formula VIIb-2
(Formula Removed)
[00247] wherein when A and/or B of Formula Vb-21 or Vb-22 is -NH-benzyl, -
NHOR1, -NHNHR1 or N3, then R2 and R2a and/or R2b and R2b, respectively, of Formula VIIb-2 are hydrogen;
[00248] (ii) when R2a is hydrogen, cyclizing said compound of Formula VIIb-2 using
methods such as, but not limited to, any one of Methods A-E described herein, to provide a compound of Formula VIIIb-2
(Formula Removed)
[00249] wherein R1, R2, R2b, R2c, R10 and X5 are as defined herein; and
[00250] (iii) when R2c is hydrogen, coupling said compound of Formula VIIIb-2 with
a reagent having the Formula
(Formula Removed)
[00251] optionally either (i) at elevated temperature and optionally in the presence of a
base, or (ii) in the presence of a metal-based catalyst and a base, wherein X1, X2 and X6 are as defined herein, using reaction conditions such as those described for Method 1, to provide said compound of Formula Ib-2.
[00252] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a process for the
conversion of a compound of Formula VIIIb-2 into a compound of Formula Ib-2 comprises a coupling reaction between said compound of Formula VIIIb-2 and an aryl halide in the presence of a suitable metal-based catalyst and a base in an appropriate solvent. In one embodiment, the aryl halide has the Formula
(Formula Removed)
[00253] wherein X1, X2 and X6 are as defined herein. The coupling reaction can be
performed generally as described for Method 1. The preparation of compounds of Formula
VIIIb-2 from compounds of Formula Vb-2 as described in Method 4 can be prepared in one
pot or in a step-wise manner.
[00254] While Method 4 as illustrated in Figure 4 shows the conversion of the Z group
to a -COOR1 group during the preparation of a compound of Formula IV-21 or IV-22 from a
compound of Formula III-ll or 111-12, it is to be understood that Figure 4 shows only one of
several embodiments of Method 4 for ease of explanation. That is, the Z group can be
converted to -COOR1 at any point during the process of Method 4.
[00255] This invention further provides compounds of Formula VIIb-2 and VIIIb-2
and salts and solvates thereof.
[00256] Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a method, referred
to herein as Method 5, for preparing N-l benzimidazole compounds represented by Formula
Ic-1 and their synthetic intermediates
(Formula Removed)
[00257] and salts and solvates thereof, wherein Z, R , X , X and X are as defined
herein and R is not hydrogen, said method comprising:
[00258] cyclizing a compound of Formula VII b-1

(Formula Removed)
[00259] prepared as described in Method 3, wherein R2a is hydrogen and Z, R"°,
and X5 are as defined herein, to provide a compound of Formula XIb-1
(Formula Removed)
[00260] wherein Z, R2, R2b, R2c, R10 and X5 are as defined herein; and
(00261] when R2c is hydrogen, coupling said compound of Formula XIb-1 with a
reagent having the formula
(Formula Removed)
[00262] optionally either (i) at elevated temperatures and optionally in the presence of
a base, or (ii) in the presence of a metal-based catalyst and a base, wherein X1, X2 and X6 are as defined herein, to provide said compound of Formula Ic-1.
[00263] Methods 1-5 of the present invention provide a number of distinct advantages
over conventional processes for preparing compounds of the general Formulas Ia-1, Ib-1 and Ic-1. For example, the processes of the present invention provide compounds of the general Formulas Ia-1, Ib-1 and Ic-1 in higher yields compared to conventional processes. Further, the invention provides methods for the regioselective and chemoselective cyclization of compounds of Formulas VIIa-1 and Vltb-1 to provide benzimidazoles of Formulas VIIIa-1 and VIIIb-1, respectively. In addition, the process of the present invention is more reliable and suitable for the large-scale synthesis of benzimidazoles than conventional processes. For example, the conversion of a compound of Formula VIIa-1 or VIIb-1 to a compound of Formula VIIIa-1 or VIIIb-1, respectively, according to the methods of the present invention
produces far less toxic by-products than methods utilized in the prior art for the synthesis of
benzimidazole ring systems, and is a more efficient process. The synthetic methods of the
present invention are selective and the preparation of compounds of this invention can be
earned out in high yield, thus providing industrial value. Furthermore, benzimidazole
derivatives represented by Formulas VIIIa-1, VIIIb-1, Ia-1, Ib-1 and Ic-1 can be
synthesized from trihalobenzoic acids in a relatively short number of steps.
[00264] Benzimidazole cyclizations
[00265] As stated, the cyclizatiou of compounds of Formulas VIIa-1, VIIa-2, VIIb-1
and VIIb-2 in any of Methods 1 -5 of the present invention to provide benzimidazole core structures can be performed in several ways. Several methods, namely Methods A-E, are described below and are illustrated in Figures 6-10. While Methods A-E are described specifically with respect to the cyclization of a compound of Formula VIIb-1 for ease of explanation, it is to be understood that Methods A-E also apply equally to the cyclization of compounds of Formulas VIIa-1, VIIa-2 and VIIb-2. The cyclization methods will provide either N-3 benzimidazole derivatives or N-l benzimidazole derivatives, depending on the reagents used and the particular R2 and R2a substituents on the compounds of Formulas Vlla-1, VIIa-2, VIIb-1 and VIIb-2
[00266] Method A: According to cyclization Method A as shown in Figure 6, a
compound of Formula VIIb-1, where R2 and R2a are hydrogen, can be cyclized to the corresponding benzimidazole tautomer represented by Formula VIIIb-1
(Formula Removed)
[00267] (i.e., wherein R10 is hydrogen) according to a "one-pot" process which
comprises reacting a compound of Formula VIIb-1 with (i) formic acid optionally in the presence of an additional acid, or (ii) a formic acid derivative in the presence of an acid under appropriate conditions known to those skilled in the art. As used herein, the term "formic acid derivative" includes, but is not limited to, esters of formic acid such as, but not limited to, trimethylorthoformate, triethylorthoformate, and formamidine acetate. For example, in one embodiment, a compound of Formula VIIb-1 (wherein Z is CO2Me, and R2 and R2a are
H) was converted into a compound of Formula VIIIb-1 (wherein Z is C02Me) in very high
yield upon reaction with methyl orthoformate and sulfuric acid in THF solution.
[00268] Method B: According to Method B, as illustrated in Figure 7, compound of
Formula VIIb-1, wherein R2a is hydrogen and R2 is not hydrogen, can be cyclized to the corresponding N-3 benzimidazole represented by Formula VIHb-1 by a multi-step method upon treatment with (i) formic acid, optionally in the presence of an additional acid, (ii) a formic acid derivative (for example, a formic acid ester such as trimethylorthoformate, triethylorthoformate, or formamidine acetate) in the presence of an acid, or (iii) formaldehyde or a formaldehyde derivative in the presence of an acid, to provide an intermediate N-l benzimidazole compound represented by the Formula XIb-1. As used herein, the term "formaldehyde derivative" includes, but is not limited to, dialkoxymethanes such as diethoxymethane and dimethoxymethane.
[00269] Alkylation of the compound of Formula XIb-1 provides the benzimidazolium
ion represented by the compound of Formula XIIb-1. Removal of the N-l substituent (i.e., the R2 substituent) from the compound of Formula XIIb-1 provides the N-3 benzimidazole compound represented by Formula VIIIb-1, which can undergo an arylation reaction such as described in Method 1 to provide the N-3 benzimidazole compound represented by Formula Ib-1.
[00270] Methods for removing N-l substituents benzimidazoles are well known to
persons skilled in the art, and the reagents and reaction conditions required depend on the nature of the R2 group. For example, when the R2 group of a compound of Formula XIIb-1 is substituted or unsubstituted benzyl, allyl or COOR6 wherein R6 is benzyl, removal of the R2 group can be achieved by hydrogenation. An N-l allyl substituent can also be removed by heating a compound of Formula XIIb-1 in-the presence of an organometallic catalyst such as Rh(PPh3)3Cl (also known as Wilkinson's catalyst).
[00271] Method C: Cyclization Method C, as shown in Figure 8, provides a "one pot"
method of selectively and directly converting a compound of Formula VIIb-1, where R2 and R2a are hydrogen, to an N-3 benzimidazole derivative represented by Formula VIIIb-1
[00272] wherein R10 is methyl. Method C comprises treating a compound of Formula
VIIb-l with (i) two or more equivalents of formaldehyde or a formaldehyde derivative in the presence of an acid. Suitable formaldehyde derivatives include, but are not limited to, dialkoxymethanes such as diethoxymethane and dimethoxymethane. Suitable acids for purposes of this invention include mineral acids (e.g., sulfuric acid, HC1, HBr), sulfonic acids (methanesulfonic acid, toluenesulfonic acid, etc.) or carboxylic acids such as formic acid or acetic acid. In one non-limiting embodiment, the reaction is performed in acetonitrile containing some water and diethoxymethane or dimethoxymethane in the presence of an acid such as toluenesulfonic acid. This reaction advantageously proceeds with complete regioselectivity to provide N-3 methyl benzimidazoles represented by Formula VIIIb-1. Another advantageous feature of this process is that the formaldehyde does not appear to react with the amino group ortho to the Z group of compounds represented by Formula VIIIb-1. Furthermore, the reaction conditions avoid the production of bis-chloromethyl ether as a by-product. This by-product is a carcinogen, and its production on an industrial scale is highly undesirable.
[00273] Method D: According to another embodiment, an N-3 benzimidazole
derivative represented by Formula VIIIb-1, wherein R10 is not hydrogen, can be prepared from a compound of Formula VIIb-1 in a stepwise manner as shown in Figure 9. More specifically, Method D comprises treating a compound of Formula VIIb-1, wherein R2 and R2a are hydrogen, with a suitable acylating agent such as, but not limited to, formic acid, an acid anhydride (for example acetic anhydride), an acid halide (for example acetyl chloride) or an ester (for example trifluoroethyl formate) to provide the intermediate compound represented by Formula IXb
(Formula Removed)
[00274] wherein Z, R2, R2a and X5 are as defined herein and R10a is H, C1-C10 alkyl,

C3-C10 cycloalkylalkyl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl or heterocyclylalkyl, wherein said alkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, and heterocyclylalkyl portions are optionally substituted with one or more groups independently selected from halogen, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, azido, C1-C4 alkyl, C2-C4 alkenyl, C2-C4 alkynyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C3-C6
heterocycloalkyl, -NR6R7 and -OR8.
[00275] The amide group of the compound of Formula IXb is then reduced to provide
an intermediate compound represented by Formula Xb
(Formula Removed)
[00276] Suitable reducing agents include, but are not limited to, borane-type reducing
agents (e.g., BH3 THF) in an appropriate solvent such as THF. Alternatively, compounds of Formula Xb can be formed directly from a compound of Formula VIIb-1 by reaction with an alkylatmg agent of formula R10aCH2X, wherein X is a leaving group such as Cl, Br, I, OMs, OTs, OTf, etc. Examples of alkylating agents include alkyl halides such as ethyl iodide. Cyclization of the compound of Formula Xb to provide the benzimidazole represented by Formula VIIIb-1
(Formula Removed)
[00277] wherein R is not hydrogen, is accomplished by reacting the compound of

Formula Xb with (i) formic acid optionally in the presence of an additional acid or (ii) a
formic acid derivative (for example, esters of formic acid such as, but not limited to,
trimethylorthoformate, triethylorthoformate and formamidine acetate) in the presence of an
acid under appropriate conditions known to those skilled in the art to provide a compound of
Formula VIIIb-1. The compound of Formula VIIIb-1 can be reacted with an aryl halide as
described in Method 1 to provide an N-3-benzimidazole compound of Formula Ib-1.
[00278] Method E: In an alternative multi-step cyclization method, referred to herein
as Method E as shown in Figure 10, a compound of Formula VIIb-1, wherein R2" is hydrogen and R2 is not hydrogen, can be cyclized to the corresponding benzimidazole compound of Formula VIIIb-1, wherein R10 is not hydrogen, by a step-wise method comprising:
[00279](a) reacting a compound of Formula VIIb-1
[00280]with a suitable acylating agent to provide a compound of Formula IXb
(Formula Removed)
[00281] wherein Z, R2, R2a and X5 are as defined herein and Rlua is H, C1-C10 alkyl,
C3-C10 cycloalkylalkyl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl or heterocyclylalkyl, wherein said alkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl and heterocyclylalkyl portions are optionally substituted with one or more groups independently selected from halogen, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, azido, C1-C4 alkyl, C2-C4 alkenyl, C2-C4 alkynyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C3-C6 heterocycloalkyl, -NR6R7 and -OR8;
[00282] (b) reducing the amide group of said compound of Formula IXb to provide a
compound of Formula Xb
(Formula Removed)
[00283] wherein Z, R2, R2a, R2b, R2c, R10a and X5 are as defined herein;
[00284] (c) reacting said compound of Formula Xb with (i) formic acid optionally in
the presence of an additional acid or (ii) a formic acid derivative (for example, esters of formic acid such as, but not limited to, trimethylorthoformate, triethylorthoformate and formamidine acetate) in the presence of an acid to provide said compound of Formula XIIb-1

(Formula Removed)
[00285] wherein Z, R2, R2b, R2c; R10 and X5 are as defined herein; and
[00286] removing the R2 group using methods such as those described in Method B to
provide the N-3 benzimidazole compound of Formula VIIIb-1. The compound of Formula VIIIb-1 can be reacted with an aryl halide as described in Method 1 to provide an N-3 benzimidazole compound of Formula Ib-1. Alternatively, according to another embodiment of Method E, a compound of Formula Xb may be obtained by reaction of VIIb-1 with an alkylating agent of the formula R10aCH2L, wherein L is a leaving group, such as Cl, Br, I, OMs, OTs, OTf, etc.
[00287] The above-described cyclization Methods A-E of the present invention offer
several advantages over conventional methods for the preparation of benzimidazole derivatives. First, there are only a few literature examples of the conversion of a diamino aryl compound to a benzimidazole (see, for example, G. P. Ellis, R.T. Jones, J. Chew. Soc., Perkin 1, 1974, 903; G.T. Morgan, W.A.P. Challenor, J. Chem. Soc. Trans., 1921, 1537; N.S. Zefirov, G.A. Sereda, V.P. Volkov, S.E. Tkachenko, N.V. Zyk, ECHET98: Electronic Conference on Heterocyclic Chemistry, (1988) 406-408; V. Milata, D. llavsky, Organic Proc. And Prep. Int., (1993), 25:703-704), however, none of the reported examples involved highly substituted substrates such as those involved in the process of the present invention. In addition, in many of the literature examples the regioselectivity is uncertain (G.T. Morgan, W.A.P. Challenor, J. Chem. Soc. Trans., 1921,1537), and none of the methods prior to the present invention utilize a substrate having a third amino substituent on the aromatic ring, which has the potential to react with the formaldehyde, leading to the formation of alternative products. Furthermore, the methods of this invention are more suitable for industrial applications, since it uses reagents that are less toxic than the HC1/HCHO reagent mixture used in conventional methods, and therefore do not generate toxic by-products such as dichloromethyl ether.
[00288] The terms "C1-C10 alky!" and "alkyl" as used herein refer to a saturated linear
or branched-chain monovalent hydrocarbon radical having one to ten carbon atoms, wherein
the alkyl radical may be optionally substituted independently with one or more substituents
described below. Examples of alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, n-
propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, tert-
pentyl, hexyl, 2-hexyl, 3-hexyl, 3-methylpentyl, heptyl, octyl, and the like.
[00289] The terms "C2-C10 alkenyl" and " alkenyl" refer to linear or branched-chain
monovalent hydrocarbon radical having two to 10 carbon atoms and at least one double bond, and include, but is not limited to, ethenyl, propenyl, l-but-3-enyl, l-pent-3-enyl, l-hex-5-enyl and the like, wherein the alkenyl radical may be optionally substituted independently with one or more substituents described herein, and includes radicals having "cis" and "trans" orientations, or alternatively, "E" and "Z" orientations.
[00290] The terms "C2-C10 alkynyl" and "alkynyl" refer to a linear or branched
monovalent hydrocarbon radical of two to twelve carbon atoms containing at least one triple bond. Examples include, but are not limited to, ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl, pentyn-2-yl and the like, wherein the alkynyl radical may be optionally substituted independently with one or more substituents described herein.
[00291] The terms "carbocycle," "carbocyclyl," "cycloalkyl" and "C3-C10 cycloalkyl"
refer to saturated or partially unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbon radical having from three to ten carbon atoms. The term "cycloalkyl" includes monocyclic and polycyclic (e.g., bicyclic and tricyclic) cycloalkyl structures, wherein the polycyclic structures optionally include a saturated or partially unsaturated cycloalkyl fused to a saturated or partially unsaturated cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl ring or an aryl or heteroaryl ring. Examples of cycloalkyl groups include, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, and the like. The cycloalkyl may be optionally substituted independently in one or more substitutable positions with various groups. For example, such cycloalkyl groups may be optionally substituted with, for example, one or more groups independently selected from C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, nitro, amino, mono(C1-C6)alkylamino, di(C1-C6)alkylamino. C2-C6 alkenyl. C2-C6 alkynyl. C1-C6 haloalkyl, C1-C6 haloalkoxy, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, mono(C1-C6)alkylamino(C1-C6)alkyl and di(C1-C6)
alkylamino(C1-C6)alkyl.
[00292] The term "heteroalkyl" refers to saturated linear or branched-chain monovalent
hydrocarbon radical of one to twelve carbon atoms, wherein at least one of the carbon atoms is replaced with a heteroatom selected from N, O, or S, and wherein the radical may be a carbon radical or heteroatom radical (i.e., the heteroatom may appear in the middle or at the end of the radical). The heteroalkyl radical may be optionally substituted independently with
one or more substiruents described herein. The term "heteroalkyl" encompasses alkoxy and heteroalkoxy radicals.
[00293] The terms "heterocycloalkyl," "heterocycle" or "hetercyclyl" refer to a
saturated or partially unsaturated carbocyclic radical of 3 to 8 ring atoms in which at least one ring atom is a heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, the remaining ring atoms being C, wherein one or more ring atoms may be optionally substituted independently with one or more substituent described below. The radical may be a carbon radical or heteroatom radical. The term further includes bicyclic and tricyclic fused ring systems,' which include a heterocycle fused one or more carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings. "Heterocycloalkyl" also includes radicals wherein heterocycle radicals are fused with aromatic or heteroaromatic rings. Examples of heterocycloalkyl rings include, but are not limited to, pyrrolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, dihydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothienyl, tetrahydropyranyl, dihydropyranyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl, piperidino, morpholino, thiomorpholino, thioxanyl, piperazinyl, homopiperazinyl, azetidinyl, oxetanyl, thietanyl, homopiperidinyl, oxepanyl, thiepanyl, oxazepinyl, diazepinyl, thiazepinyl, 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridinyl, 2-pyrrolinyl, 3-pyrrolinyl, indolinyl, 2H-pyranyl, 4H-pyranyl, dioxanyl, 1,3-dioxolanyl, pyrazolinyl, dithianyl, dithiolanyl, dihydropyranyl, dihydrothienyl, dihydrofuranyl, pyrazolidinylimidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, 3-azabicyco[3.1,0]hexanyl, 3-azabicyclo[4.1.0]heptanyl, azabicyclo[2.2.2]hexanyl, 3H-indolyl and quinolizinyl. Spiro moieties are also included within the scope of this definition. The foregoing groups, as derived from the groups listed above, may be C-attached or N-attached where such is possible. For instance, a group derived from pyrrole may be pyrrol- 1-yl (N-attached) or pyrrol-3-yl (C-attached). Further, a group derived from imidazole may be imidazol-1-yl (N-attached) or imidazol-3-yl (C-attached). An example of a heterocyclic group wherein 2 ring carbon atoms are substituted with oxo (=O) moieties is 1,1-dioxo-thiomorpholinyl. The heterocycle groups herein are unsubstituted or, as specified,, substituted in one or more substitutable positions with various groups. For example, such heterocycle groups may be optionally substituted with, for example, one or more groups independently selected from C1-C6
alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, nitro, amino, mono(C1-C6)alkylamino, di(C1-C6)alkylamino, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C1-C6 haloalkoxy, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, mono(C1-C6)alkylamino(C1-C6)alkyl and di(C1-C6)alkylamino(C1-C6)alkyl.
[00294] The term "aryl" refers to a monovalent aromatic carbocyclic radical having a
single ring (e.g., phenyl), multiple rings (e.g., biphenyl), or multiple condensed rings in
which at least one is aromatic, (e.g., 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl, naphthyl), which is optionally mono-, di-, or trisubstituted with, e.g., halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and hydroxy.
[00295] The term "heteroaryl" refers to a monovalent aromatic radical of 5-, 6- or 7-
membered rings which includes fused ring systems (at least one of which is aromatic) of 5-10
atoms containing at least one and up to four heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen, or
sulfur. Examples of heteroaryl groups are .pyridinyl, imidazolyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazolyl,
triazolyl, pyrazinyl, tetrazolyl, furyl, thienyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, isothiazolyl,
pyrrolyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, indolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzofuranyl, cinnolinyl,
indazolyl, indolizinyl, phthalazinyl, pyridazinyl, triazinyl, isoindolyl, pteridinyl, purinyl,
oxadiazolyl, triazolyl, thiadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, furazanyl, benzofurazanyl, benzothiophenyl,
benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, naphthyridinyl and furopyridinyl.
Spiro moieties are also included within the scope of this definition. Heteroaryl groups are
optionally mono-, di-, or trisubstituted with, e.g., halogen, hydroxyl, cyano, nitro, azido, C1-
C4 alkyl, C2-C4 alkeiiyl, C2-C4 alkynyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl and C3-C6 heterocycloalkyl.
[00296] The term "arylalkyl" means an alkyl moiety (as defined above) substituted
with one or more aryl moiety (also as defined above). More preferred arylalkyl radicals are aryl-C1-3-alkyls. Examples include benzyl, phenylethyl, and the like.
[00297] The term "heteroarylalkyl" means an alkyl moiety (as defined above)
substituted with a heteroaryl moiety (also as defined above). More preferred heteroarylalkyl radicals are 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl-C1-3-alkyls. Examples include oxazolylmethyl, pyridylethyl and the like.
[00298] The term "heterocyclylalkyl" means an alkyl moiety (as defined above)
substituted with a heterocyclyl moiety (also defined above). More preferred heterocyclylalkyl radicals are 5- or 6-membered heterocyclyl-C1-3-alkyls. Examples include tetr ahy dropyrany Imethy 1.
[00299] The term "cycloalkylalkyl" means an alkyl moiety (as defined above)
substituted with a cycloalkyl moiety (also defined above). More preferred heterocyclyl
radicals are 5- or 6-membered cycloalkyl-C1-3-alkyls. Examples include cyclopropylmethyl.
[00300] The term "Me" means methyl, "Et" means ethyl, "Bu" means butyl and "Ac"
means acetyl. .
[00301] The term "halogen" represents fluorine, bromine, chlorine, and iodine.
[00302] In general, the various moieties or functional groups of any of the compounds
of the present invention may be optionally substituted by one or more substituents. Examples
of substituents suitable for purposes of this invention include, but are not limited to, oxo (with the proviso that it is not on an aryl or heteroaryl), halogen, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, azido, -OR1, -NR'SO2R"", -SO2NR'R", -C(O)R', -C(O)OR', -OC(O)R', -NR'C(O)OR"", -NR'C(0)R", -C(0)NR'R", -SR', -S(O)R"", -SO2R"", -NR'R", -NR'C(0)NR"R'"5 -NR'C(NCN)NR"R'"5 aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, heterocyclyl and heterocyclylalkyl, where R', R", R'" and R"" are independently lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, or lower alkynyl.
[00303] It is to be understood that in instances where two or more radicals are used in
succession to define a substituent attached to a structure, the first named radical is considered to be terminal and the last named radical is considered to be attached to the structure in question. Thus, for example, the radical arylalkyl is attached to the structure in question by the alkyl group.
[00304] Certain compounds prepared according to a process of the present invention
can exist as two or more tautomeric forms. Tautomeric forms of the compounds may interchange, for example, via enolization/de-enolization and the like. Accordingly, the present invention includes the preparation of all tautomeric forms of compounds of Formulas Ia-1, Ib-1, VIIIa-1 and VIIIb-1 wherein R10 is hydrogen.
[00305] This invention also encompasses compounds of Formulas Ia-1, Ib-1, Ic-1, III,
VI, VIIa-1, VIIb-1, VIIIa-1, VIIIb-1, XIa and Xlb
(Formula Removed)
[00306] wherein Z, R1, R2, R2a, R2b, R2c., R10, X1, X2, X3, X5, A, and B are as defined
herein. In certain embodiments, Z is -C(=0)NR6R7. In certain embodiments, R8 is C1-C10 alkyl optionally substituted with OH, O-(C1-C6-alkyl) or -O-(C1-C10-alkenyl). In certain embodiments, R8 is -(CH2)2-OH. In particular embodiments, Z is -C(=O)NH(CH2)2-OH. In other embodiments, Z is -COOR1 and R1 is C1-C10 alkyl. In particular embodiments, R1 is methyl.
[00307] In certain embodiments, X5 is halogen. In particular embodiments, X5 is F. In
certain embodiments, X1 is H or halogen and X2 is alkyl or halogen. In certain embodiments, X1 is Br and X2 is Cl.
[00308] In certain embodiments, R10 is C1-C10 alkyl. In particular embodiments, R10 is
methyl. In certain embodiments, R2, R2a, R2b and R2c are hydrogen.
[00309] This invention further includes solvates of compound of Formula Ia-1, Ib-1,
Ic-1, III, VI, VIIa-1, VIIb-1, VIIIa-1, VIIIb-1, XIa and Xlb. The term "solvate" refers to
an aggregate of a compound of this invention with one or more solvent molecules.
[00310] This invention also encompasses salts of compounds of Formula Ia-1, Ib-1,
Ic-1, III, VI, VIIa-1, VIIb-1, VIIIa-1, VIIIb-1, XIa and Xlb. That is, a compound of the invention may possess a sufficiently acidic, a sufficiently basic, or both functional groups, and accordingly react with any of a number of inorganic or organic bases, and inorganic and organic acids, to form a salt. Examples of salts include those salts prepared by reaction of the compounds of the present invention with a mineral or organic acid or an inorganic base, such salts including sulfites, bisulfites, phosphates, monohydrogenphosphates, dihydrogenphosphates, metaphosphates, pyrophosphates, chlorides, bromides, iodides,
-acetates, propionates, decanoates, caprylates, acrylates, formates, isobutyrates, caproates,
heptanoates, propiolates, oxalates, malonates, succinates, suberates, sebacates, fumarates,
maleates, butyn-l,4-dioates, hexyne-l,6-dioates, benzoates, chlorobenzoates,
methylbenzoates, dinitrobenzoates, hydroxybenzoates, methoxybenzoates, phthalates,
sulfonates, xylenesulfonates, phenylacetates, phenylpropionates, phenylbutyrates, citrates,
lactates, y-hydroxybutyrates, glycolates, tartrates, methanesulfonates, propanesulfonates,
naphthalene-1-sulfonates, naphthalene-2-sulfonates and mandelates. Since a single
compound of the present invention may include more than one acidic or basic moieties, the
compounds of the present invention may include mono, di or tri-salts in a single compound.
[00311] If the inventive compound is a base, the desired salt may be prepared by any
suitable method available in the art, for example, treatment of the free base with an acidic
compound, particularly an inorganic acid, such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid,
sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid and the like, or with an organic acid, such as acetic
acid, maleic acid, succimc acid, maridelic acid, fumaric acid, malonic acid, pyruvic acid,
oxalic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, a pyranosidyl acid, such as glucuronic acid or
galacturonic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, such as citric acid or tartaric acid, an amino acid,
such as aspartic acid or glutamic acid, an aromatic acid, such as benzoic acid or cinnamic
acid, a sulfonic acid, such as p-toluenesulfonic acid or ethanesulfonic acid, or the like.
[00312] If the inventive compound is an acid, the desired salt may be prepared by any
suitable method, for example, treatment of the free acid with an inorganic or organic base. Preferred inorganic salts are those formed with alkali and alkaline earth metals such as lithium, sodium, potassium, barium and calcium. Preferred organic base salts include, for example, ammonium, dibenzylammonium, benzylammonium, 2-hydroxyethylammonium, bis(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium, phenylethylbenzylamine, dibenzylethylenediamine, and the like salts. Other salts of acidic moieties may include, for example, those salts formed with procaine, quinine and N-methylghicosarnine, plus salts formed with basic amino acids such as glycine, ornithine, histidine, phenylglycine, lysine and arginine.
[00313] The inventive compounds may be prepared using the reaction routes and
synthesis schemes as described herein, employing the techniques available in the art using starting materials that are readily available or can be synthesized using methods known in the art.
[00314] Representative compounds of the present invention, which are encompassed
by the present invention include, but are not limited to, the compounds of the examples and the acid or base addition salts thereof. The examples presented below are intended to
illustrate particular embodiments of the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the specification or the claims in any way.
EXAMPLES
[00315] The example and preparations provided below further illustrate and exemplify
the compounds of the present invention and methods of preparing such compounds. It is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited in any way by the scope of the following examples and preparations. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that the chemical reactions described may be readily adapted to prepare a number of other MEK inhibitors of the invention, and alternative methods for preparing the compounds of this invention are deemed to be within the scope of this invention. For example, the synthesis of non-exemplified compounds according to the invention may be successfully performed by modifications apparent to those skilled in the art, e.g., by appropriately protecting interfering groups, by utilizing other suitable reagents known in the art other than those described, and/or by making routine modifications of reaction conditions. Alternatively, other reactions disclosed herein or known in the art will be recognized as having applicability for preparing other compounds of the invention.
[00316] In the example described below, unless otherwise indicated all temperatures
are set forth in degrees Celsius. Reagents were purchased from commercial suppliers such as Aldrich Chemical Company, Lancaster, TCI or Maybridge, and were used without further purification unless otherwise indicated, Tetrahydrofuran (THF), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), dichloromethane, toluene, and dioxane were purchased from Aldrich in Sure seal bottles and used as received.
[00317] The reactions set forth below were done generally under a positive pressure of
nitrogen or argon or with a drying tube (unless otherwise stated) in anhydrous solvents, and
the reaction flasks were typically fitted with rubber septa for the introduction of substrates
and reagents via syringe. Glassware was oven dried and/or heat dried.
[00318] 1H-NMR spectra were recorded on a Varian instrument operating at 400 MHz.
1H-NMR spectra were obtained as CDCl3 or d6 DMSO solutions (reported in ppm). Other NMR solvents were used as needed. When peak multiplicities are reported, the following abbreviations are used: s (singlet), d (doublet), t (triplet), m (multiplet), br (broadened), dd (doublet of doublets), dt (doublet of triplets). Coupling constants, when given, are reported in Hertz (Hz).
Example 1
Synthesis of 6-(4-bromo-2-chlorophenylamino)-7-fluoro-3-methyl-3H-benzoimidazole-5-
(Formula Removed)
[00319] Step 1: 2.3.4-Trifluoro-5-nitrobenzoicacid (2): Fuming HNO3 90% (549.0 g,
7.84 mol coiTected for 90% wt, 1.26 equiv.) was added to 2.0 L (3.35 kg) of concentrated H2S04 over 18 minutes with stirring. The solution of HNO3 was then added to a mixture of 2,3,4-trifluorobenzoic acid (1094 g, 6.21 mol, 1 equiv.) in 3.3 L (5.85 kg) of concentrated H2SO4 in a second flask with ice-water bath cooling over an hour. Upon complete addition, the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature. After 5 hours, the reaction was complete by HPLC and the reaction mixture (brown solution) was poured over 10 minutes into a mechanically stirred mixture of 10.6 kg of distilled water and 11.8 kg of ice. The yellow slurry was cooled to 14 °C, stirred for 2 hours and then filtered. The cake was rinsed with 4.0 L of distilled water and then with 5 L of heptane. The wet cake was oven-dried overnight. The crude solids (1.791 kg) were then stirred in 16 L of distilled water (9 vol.), filtered and oven-dried at 55 °C under high vacuum overnight to yield 1035.9 g (75%) of compound 2 as a yellowish solid. HPLC was 98 a% (220 run) and 100% (254 run). 1H NMR (400 MHz, d6 DMSO) 5 8.44 (1H, apparent dt, J 1.9, 7, Ar-H). 19F NMR (376 MHz, de DMSO) 6 -153.9, -131.5, -120.9. 13C NMR (100 MHz, d5 DMSO) 5 117 (C, m), 124 (CH, b s), 134 (C, s), 141 (C-F, dt,J251, 10), 148 (C-F, dd, J265, 13), 154 (C-F, dd, J265, 10), 163 (COOH). IR Vmax/cm'1 3108 (br), 1712, 1555, 1345, 1082. MS APCI (-) m/z 220 (M-l) detected.
(Formula Removed)
[00320] Step 2: 4-Amino-2, 3-difluoro-5-nitrobenzoic acid (3): To a mixture of 2,3,4-
trifluoro-5-nitrobenzoic acid (2) (167.2 g, 0.756 mol, 1 equiv) in 400 mL of distilled water
was added concentrated ammonium hydroxide (28% NH3 solution; 340 g, 380 mL, 4.23 mol, 5.6 equiv.) ensuring that internal temperature was below 6.0 °C over 2-2.5 hours. The mixture was stirred for 50 minutes and then wanned to room temperature for 3-4 hours. When the reaction was >90% complete by HPLC, the reaction mixture was cooled in an ice-water bath and concentrated HC1 (350 mL) was then added dropwise to adjust pH = 2. The slurry was stirred for 1 hour with ice bath cooling and filtered. The cake was rinsed with 1 L of distilled water and then with 350 mL of MTBE. The cake was oven-dried at 48 °C overnight to give 134.9 g of a yellow solid. HPLC was 83.6 a% (220 nm) and 96.96 a% (254 run). The MTBE filtrate was concentrated on a rotary evaporator and pumped overnight to give 9.9 g of a second crop as a yellow solid: HPLC was 81.1 a% (220 nm) and 95,40 a% (254 nm). Combined yield of 4-amino-2,3-difluoro-5-nitrobenzoic acid (3) was 144.8 g (88%). LH NMR (400 MHz, d6 DMSO) 5 8.0 (2H, br s, NH2) 8.42 (1H, dd, J 1.5, 7.6, Ar-H). 19F NMR (376 MHz, dfi DMSO) 5 -153.9, -129.0. 13C NMR (100 MHz, d6 DMSO) 6 106 (C, d, J 10), 126 (CH), 128 (C), 140 (C-F, dd, J241, 16), 140.8 (C, dd, J 12, 4), 153 (C-F, dd, J 263, 11), 164 (COOH). IR vmax/cm-1 3494, 3383, 1697, 1641, 1280. MS APCI (-) m/z 217 (M-l) detected.

(Formula Removed)
[00321] Step 4: Methyl 4-amino-2, 3-difluoro-5-nitrobenzoate (4): TMSC1 (132 g,
1.21 mol, 2.0 equiv) was added over 5 minutes to a slurry of 4-amino-2,3-difluoro-5-nitrobenzoic acid (3) (132.3 g, 0,607 mol, 1 equiv) in 325 mL of MeOH. The mixture was heated at reflux for 15 hours. Once the reaction was complete by HPLC, the reaction mixture was cooled in an ice-water bath for 45 minutes. Then the reaction mixture was filtered and the cake was washed with 65 mL of MeOH. The wet cake was dried overnight at 55 °C under high vacuum to provide 128.8 g (92%) of 4-amino-2, 3-difluoro-5-nitrobenzoic acid methyl ester (4). HPLC was 97.9 a% (220 nm) and 99.2 a % (254 nm). !H NMR (400 MHz, d6 DMSO) 5 3.84 (3H, s, OMe), 8.1 (2H, br s, NH2), 8.43 (1H, apparent dd, J 1.9, 7.2, Ar-H). 19F NMR (376 MHz, d6 DMSO) 5 -153.6, -129.2. 13C NMR (100 MHz, dfi DMSO) 5 52 (CH3O), 105 (C, d, J 10), 125 (CH, t, .72.7,), 128 (CH, d, J5), 140 (C-F, dd, J 244, 15,), 141
(C, dd, J 14, 5), 152 (C-F, dd, J 263, 11), 162 (COO, t, J 3). IR Vmax/cm-1 3433, 3322, 1699, 1637, 1548, 1342, 1234. MS APCI (--) m/z 23.1 (M-l) detected.

(Formula Removed)
[00322] Step 5: Methyl 2,4-diamino-3-fluoro-5-nitrobenzoate (5): To a stirred
solution of methyl 4-amino-2,3-difluoro-5-nitrobenzoate (4) (33.0 g, 142.15 mmol) in 1,4-dioxane (165 mL , 1.93 moles), in a 250 mL glass pressure vessel, was added an aqueous solution of ammonia (39 g, 711 mmol, 42.9 mL, 16.5 M). The vessel was then heated in an immersion bath at a bath temperature between 79 and 105 °C, for 80 minutes, over which time the internal pressure ranged between 0.2 and 2.7 bar. The pressure was then released slowly and the mixture was treated with water (330 mL, 10 vol). The resultant suspension was stirred for 20 minutes and then filtered under vacuum, and the solid was washed with water (33 mL, 1 vol). The solid was sucked dry, then dried in a vacuum oven at 50 °C to provide methyl 2,4-diamino-3-fluoro-5-nitrobenzoate (5) (32.6 g, 92% yield) as a yellow solid. 'H NMR (500 MHz, d6 DMSO) 5 3.83, (3H, s, OMe), 7.20 (2H, br, NH2), 7.37 (2H, br, NH2), 8.47 (1H, s, Ar-H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, d6 DMSO) 5 52 (CH3), 101 (C), 122 (C), 126 (CH), 134 (C), 137 (C), 142 (C), 166 (C=0). vmax/cml 3474, 3358, 1697, 1633, 1528, 1435, 1317, 1285.
(Formula Removed)
[00323] Step 6: 6-Amino-7-fluoro-3-methyl-3H-benzoimidazole-5-carboxylic acid
methyl ester (6): A nitrogen purged hydrogenation vessel was charged with palladium on carbon (5.53 g, 1.30 mmol), and to this was added a solution of methyl 2,4-diamino-3-fluoro-
5-nitrobenzoate (5) (100 g, 419 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (1.3 L) 15.98, followed by methanol (700 mL), The mixture was then stirred, purged with nitrogen, and heated to 55 °C. Stirring was then paused while the system was purged with hydrogen (4 bar), and stirring was then recommenced at 750 rpm. After 6.75 hours observable hydrogen uptake had ceased and 29.1 L of hydrogen had been taken up. The system was then purged with nitrogen and allowed to cool to 20 °C. HPLC analysis indicated that all starting material had been reacted and that the solution yield of the desired triamine product was approximately 96%. The mixture was then filtered using a Whatman 1 µ. in-line 'filter to remove the catalyst and the system was washed with tetrahydrofuran (400 mL). Solvent was then distilled off until a total of 1400 mL had been collected and the mixture was allowed to cool to ambient temperature. Acetonitrile (1.0 L) was added to the mixture, followed by removal of solvent (1 L) by distillation, then two additional 500 mL aliquots of acetonitrile were added, followed each time by removal of solvent (2 x 500 mL) by distillation.
[00324] Following the solvent swap procedure above, the stirred mixture was cooled to
60 °C and a solution of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (87.7 g, 461 mmol) in acetonitrile (175 mL) and water (7.6 mL, 419 mmol) was added slowly, followed by diethoxymethane (95.98 g, 921.59 mmol). After 3 hours, HPLC analysis indicated incomplete reaction and the temperature was raised to 65 °C for an additional 1 hour, after which time the reaction was complete by HPLC analysis. Pyridine (66.3 g, 838 mmol) was added over 10 minutes and the reaction mixture was cooled to 20 °C over about 30 minutes and held at this temperature for 2.5 hours. The resultant slurry was then filtered and the solid was washed with acetonitrile (2 x 200 mL), and then dried at 45 °C in a vacuum oven, to provide 73.65 g of 6-amino-7-fluoro-3-methyl-3H-benzoimidazole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester (6) as a pale brown solid (assay 95.3%), yield at 100%, 75%. 1H NMR (400 MHz, d6 DMSO) 5 3.79 (3H, s, NMe), 3.87, (3H, s, OMe), 6.04 (2H, br, NH2), 7.82 (1H, s, ArH), 8.23 (1H, s, Ar-H). I3C NMR (100 MHz, ds DMSO) 5 33 (NCH3), 52 (OMe), 110 (CH, d J 5), 111 (C, dJ4), 124 (C, d J 5), 125 (C, d J 14), 136 (C, d J 11), 137 (CF, d/242), 145 (CH), 167 (C=O). vmax/cm-1 3455, 3283, 3166, 3096, 2950, 2361, 2342, 1689, 1608, 1228. MS APCI (+) m/z 224 (M+l) detected.
(Formula Removed)
[00325] Step 7: 6-(4-Bromo-2-chlorophenylamino)-7-fluoro-3-methvl-3H-
benzoimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (Na Salt) (7): A mixture of Xantphos (1.20 g, 2.05 mmol) and tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium (0) (1.26 g, 1.37 mmol) in anhydrous anisole (76 mL) was stirred under nitrogen, at 50 °C for 30 minutes to provide a an orange-brown solution of the catalyst.
[00326] To a stirred mixture of 6-amino-7-fluoro-3-methyl-3H-benzoimidazole-5-
carboxylic acid methyl ester (6) (8.00 g, 34.16 mmol) and cesium carbonate (22.48 g, 68.31 mmol) in anhydrous anisole (76 mL) under nitrogen was added 4-bromo-2-chloroiodobenzene (1.60 g, 1.10 equiv., 4.88 mmol). The preformed catalyst, as prepared above, was then added to the mixture to provide a dark brown suspension, which was heated at 100 ± 2 °C, with stirring at 350 rpm. The reaction was monitored by HPLC analysis. After 41 hours, no 6-amino-7-fluoro-3-methyl-3H-benzoimidazole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester (6) remained. The reaction mixture was cooled to about 80 °C and 1M sulfuric acid (40.99 mL 40.99 mmol) was added. Gas evolution was observed after 10 minutes and the rate of addition was controlled to moderate the effervescence. At the end of the addition the pH was between 7 and 8. Additional sulfuric acid (1M, 10.25 mL, 10.25 mmol) was then added to give mobile slurry with a pH of 0. The mixture was diluted with anisole (20 mL) and Celatom FW-14 filter agent was added. It was then filtered at about 80 °C through a water-wet pad of Celatom FW-14 filter agent and the cake was washed with anisole (1 x 40 mL + 3 x 20 mL), then water (10 mL). The lower aqueous layer was separated and discarded and the organic layer was washed -with 10 % aqueous NaCl solution (2 x 40 mL). This was added to a sodium hydroxide (5.46 g, 68,3 mmol) in methanol (24 mL) and the mixture was heated at 65 -°C with stirring. After 17.5 hours HPLC analysis indicated that the hydrolysis of the ester was complete and the slurry was cooled to 15 °C, then filtered on a sinter. The solid was washed with water (4 x 24 mL), MTBE (24 mL), and acetonitrile (2 x 25 mL) and then dried at 45 °C in a vacuum oven to provide 11.07 g of 6-(4-
bromo-2-chlorophenylamino)-7-fluoro-3-methyl-3H-benzoimidazole-5-carboxyJic acid (7) as a fine pale brown solid (assay 93.7% by JH NMR), actual wt 10.37 g (72.2% yield). JH NMR (400 MHz, d6 DMSO) 8 3.85 (3H, s, NMe), 6.53 (IH, dd, J9, 7, Ar-H), 7.27 (IH, dd, J 9, 2.5, Ar-H), 7.56 (IH, d, J9, Ar-H), 7.97 (IH, s, Ar-H), 8.20 (IH, s, Ar-H), 11.5 (IH, s, C02H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, dfi DMSO) 5 31 (CH3), 108 (CH, d, J2\ 109 (CH), 117 (C, d, J6), 122 (C), 124 (C, d, JT), 127 (C), 130 (C), 131 (C), 132 (C, d,J 9), 133 (C, d, J 11), 141 (C), 145 (CF, d, .7252), 146 (CH), 170 (C=0).
Example 1A Synthesis of 6-(4-bromo-2-chlorophenylamino)-7-fluoro-3-methyl-5H-benzoimidazole-5-
(Formula Removed)
[00327] Step 1: 2,3,4_-Trifluoro-5-nitrobenzoic acid (2): To a stirred solution of 2, 3, 4-
Trifluorobenzoic acid (70 Kg, 398 Mol) in sulphuric acid (96 wt%; 194 L) and hexamethyldisiloxane (6,5 Kg, 40 Mol), at 23 °C, was added a 1:1 mixture of sulphuric acid (96 wt%) and nitric acid (98 wt%) (total 70.1 Kg), over 75 min. The temperature of the reaction mixture was maintained between 15 and 25 °C during the addition. The mixture was stirred for a further 5 hours and then run onto ice (700 Kg), keeping the temperature of the ice micture below 0 °C. Water (35 L) was used to rinse the nitration reactor into the quench reactor and the obtained mixture was stirred for 2 hours at 0 °C, then isolated on a centrifuge. The resultant wet cake was washed with cold water (350 L), and the solid was then suspended in water (280 L) and stirred for 2 hours at 0 °C. This suspension was then centrifuged and the cake was washed with cold water (210 L), then dried in a vacuum oven at 45 °C for 2 days, to provide 2,3,4-Trifluoro-5-nitro benzoic acid (69.4 Kg, 74.3% yiled). ]H NMR (400 MHz, d6 DMSO) 5 S.44 (IH, apparent dt, J 2, 7, Ar-H). 19F NMR (376 MHz, d6 DMSO) 8 -153.9, -131.5, -120.9. L3C NMR (100 MHz, d6 DMSO) 8117 (C, m), 124 (CH, b s), 134 (C, s), 141 (C-F, dt, J 251, 10), 148 (C-F, dd, J 265, 13), 154 (C-F, dd,J265, 10), 163 (COOH). IR Vmax/cm-1 3108 (br), 1712, 1555, 1345, 1082. MS APCI (-) m/z 220 (M-l) detected.
(Formula Removed)
[00328] Step 2: Methyl, 2,4-diamino-3-fluoro-5-nitrobenzoate (S): 2,3,4-Trifluoro-5-
nitrobenzoic acid (100 g, 0.452 Mol) was dissolved in methanol (60 mL) at 25-30 °C. To the resulting stirred solution, at 10 °C, was added chlorotrimethylsilane (98.3 g, 0.91 Mol, 2 equiv.), maintaining the temperature between 10 and 20°C. On completion of the addition the mixture was heated at reflux for 5 hours. At this point 99% (area) conversion to methyl 2,3,4-trifluoro-5-nitrobenzoate (2) was indicated by HPLC analysis. After cooling the mixture to room temperature it was diluted with N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP, 380 mL) and the reaction vessel was placed in an ice-bath. Ammonium hydroxide solution (33 wt% [d 0.88], 164 mL, 144 g, 2.7 Mol) was added to the vigorously stirred mixture, keeping the temperature below 15 °C. A yellow precipitate was formed during the addition. The reactor was then closed and heated at 80 °C, with an internal pressure of 2.5 barg. After 5 hour the reaction mixture was cooled to 60°C and the pressure was released. The temperature was then increased to 75°C, followed by addition of ammonium hydroxide (33 wt% [d 0.88] in water, 53 mL, 47 g. 1.0 Mol). The mixture was then cooled to 50°C over 90 min. during with time a yellow precipitate was formed. After a further 1 hour at 50 °C water (400 mL) was added over 1 hour and the resulting suspension was cooled to 25°C and filtered. The filter cake was washed once with 1:1 NMP/water (540 mL), once with water (540 mL) and then dried in a vacuum oven at 50°C for 24 hours, to provide methyl 2, 4-diamino-3-fluoro-5-nitrobenzoate 4) (91 g, 88% yield).
(Formula Removed)
[00329] Step 3: 6-Amino-7-fluoro-3-methyl-3H-benzoimidazole-5-carboxylic acid
methyl ester (6): A nitrogen purged hydrogenation vessel was charged with palladium on
carbon (5.53 g, 1.30 mmol), and to this was added a solution of methyl 2,4-diamino-3-fluoro-5-nitrobenzoate (5) (100 g, 419 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (1.3 L) 15.98, followed by methanol (700 mL). The mixture was then stirred, purged with nitrogen, and heated to 55 °C. Stirring was then paused while the system was purged with hydrogen (4 bar), and stirring was then recommenced at 750 rpm. After 6.75 hours observable hydrogen uptake had ceased and 29.1 L of hydrogen had been taken up. The system was then purged with nitrogen and allowed to cool to 20 °C. HPLC analysis indicated that all starting material had been reacted and that the solution yield of the desired triamine product was approximately 96%. The mixture was then filtered using a Whatman 1 µ. in-line filter to remove the catalyst and the system was washed with tetrahydrofuran (400 mL). Solvent was then distilled off until a total of 1400 mL had been collected and the mixture was allowed to cool to ambient temperature. Acetonitrile (1.0 L) was added to the mixture, followed by removal of solvent (1 L) by distillation, then two additional 500 mL aliquots of acetonitrile were added, followed each time by removal of solvent (2 x 500 mL) by distillation.
[00330] Following the solvent swap procedure above, the stirred mixture was cooled to
60 °C and a solution of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (87.7 g, 461 mmol) in acetonitrile (175 mL) and water (7.6 mL, 419 mmol) was added slowly, followed by diethoxymethane (95.98 g, 921.59 mmol). After 3 hours, HPLC analysis indicated incomplete reaction and the temperature was raised to 65 °C for an additional 1 hour, after which time the reaction was complete by HPLC analysis. Pyridine (66.3 g, 838 mmol) was added over 10 minutes and the reaction mixture was cooled to 20 °C over about 30 minutes and held at this temperature for 2.5 hours. The resultant slurry was then filtered and the solid was washed with acetonitrile (2 x 200 mL), and then dried at 45 °C in a vacuum oven, to provide 73.65 g of 6-amino-7-fluoro-3-methyl-3H-benzoimidazole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester (6) as a pale brown solid (assay 95.3%), yield at 100%, 75%. 1E NMR (400 MHz, d6 DMSO) 6 3.79 (3H, s, NMe), 3.87, (3H, s, OMe), 6.04 (2H, br, NH2), 7.82 (1H, s, ArH), 8.23 (1H, s, Ar-H). !3C NMR (100 MHz, d6 DMSO) 6 33 (NCH3), 52 (OMe), 110 (CH, d J 5), 111 (C,d J4), 124(C,dJ5), 125 (C,d J 14), 136(C,d J ll), 137 (CF, d J 242), 145 (CH), 167 (C=0). Vmax/cm-1 3455, 3283, 3166, 3096, 2950, 2361, 2342, 1689, 1608, 1228. MS APCI (+) m/z 224 (M+l) detected.
(Formula Removed)
[00331] Step 4: 6-(4-Bromo-2-chlorophenylamino)-7-fluoro-3-methyl-3 H-
benzpimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (Na Salt) (7): A mixture of Xantphos (1.95 g, 3.36 mmol) and tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium (0) (1.23 g, 1.34'mmol) in anisole (135 mL) was stirred under nitrogen, at 50°C for 30 minutes to provide a brown solution of the catalyst.
[00332] To a stirred mixture of 6-ammo-7-fluoro-3-methyl-3H-benzoimidazole-5-
carboxylic acid methyl ester (6) (15,01 g, 67.2 mmol) and cesium carbonate (43.79 g, 134.4 mmol) in anisole (150 mL) under nitrogen was added 4-bromo-2-chloroiodobenzene (23.5 g, 1.10 equiv., 74.0 mmol). The preformed catalyst, as prepared above, was then added to the mixture, followed by an anisole (15 mL) line wash, to provide a dark brown suspension, which was heated at 90°C, with stirring at 400 rpm. The reaction was monitored by HPLC analysis. After 14 hours, no 6-amino-7-fluoro-3-methyl-5H-benzoimidazole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester (6) remained. The reaction mixture was diluted with anisole (75 mL) and cooled to about 80 °C. 1M aqueous sulfuric acid (108 mL 108 mmol) was added, gas evolution and an endotherm was observed and the rate of addition was controlled to moderate the effervescence and maintain the temperature above 75 °C. At the end of the addition the pH was 0. Harbolite filter agent (3.75g) was added to the biphasic mixture and the mixture was stirred for 20 minutes. It was then filtered at about 80°C through a pad of Harbolite filter agent and the cake was washed with hot (80 °C) anisole (2 x 75 mL). The lower aqueous layer was separated and discarded and the organic layer was washed with 10 % aqueous NaCl solution (2 x 75 mL).
[00333] Silicycle Siliabond Si-Thiourea (5.00 g) was added to the organic layer to
provide a fine suspension, which was stirred at 80 °C. After 2 hours the mixture was filtered through glass fiber filter paper (GF./C) at 80 °C, to provide a clear orange-brown solution, which was cooled to 55 °C. To the solution, was added methanol (45 mL) and water (2.7 mL 2.2 equiv.). A mixture of methanol (15 mL) and sodium methoxide in methanol 30% w/w
;(24.22g 2.0 equiv.) was added to the organic solution over a period of 1 hour, to provide a beige slurry. After 2 hours HPLC analysis indicated that the hydrolysis of the ester was complete and water (75 mL) was added to the mixture over a period of 2 hours. The resultant slurry was then filtered and solid was washed with water (3 x 45 mL) then dried at 45 °C in a vacuum oven, to provide 6-(4-bromo-2-chlorophenylamino)-7-fluoro-3-methyl-3H-benzoimidazole-5-carboxylic acid Na salt (7) as a beige solid (22.9 g, [assay 95.0% by 1H NMR, actual wt 21.8 g], 77.0% yield). 1H NMR (400 MHz, d6 DMSO) 5 3.85 (3H, s, NMe), 6.53 (1H, dd, J9, 7, Ar-H), 7.27 (1H, dd, J 9, 2.5, Ar-H), 7.56 (1H, d, J 9, Ar-H), 7.97 (1H, s, Ar-H), 8.20 (1H, s, Ar-H), 11.5 (1H, s, CO2H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, d6 DMSO) 6 31 (CH3), 108 (CH, d, J2), 109 (CH), 117 (C, d, J6), 122 (C), 124 (C, d, J7), 127 (C), 130 (C), 131 (C), 132(C,d,.J 9), 133 (C, d.JTl); 141 (C), 145 (CF, d, J252), 146 (CH), 170 (C=O).
Example 2
Synthesis of 6-(4-Bromo-2-chlorophenylamino)-7-fluoro-3-methyl-3H-benzoimidazole-5-
carboxylic acid methyl ester (11) C)
(Formula Removed)
[00334] A solution of Pd(OAc)2 (0.777 g, 3.46 mmol, 0.04 equiv.) and Xantphos (3.0
g, 5.19 mmol, 0.06 equiv.) in toluene (300 mL), under N2 was stirred for 20 minutes and then added to a slurry of 6-amino-7-fluoro-3-methyl-3H-benzoimidazole-5-carboxy!ic acid methyl ester (6) (19.3 g, 86.5 mmol, 1 equiv.), bromochloroiodobenzene (30.2 g, 95.1 mmol, 1.1 equiv.) and Cs2CO3 (particle size = 20 microns or less; 51 g, 156 mmol, 1.8 equiv.) in toluene (200 mL), over 15 minutes at about 50 °C. The mixture was then heated at reflux for 29 hours, after which no starting material remained by HPLC analysis. After allowing the mixture to cool to ambient it was filtered through an M frit and the solid was washed with toluene (95 mL), then dried in a vacuum oven at 50 °C overnight. The solid was then suspended in water (784 mL) and 2N aqueous HC1 (174 mL) was added slowly, over about 15 minutes to control bubbling. The resultant slurry was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours, then filtered through an M frit funnel (150 mL). The solid product was washed with water (3 x 87 mL) and dried in a vacuum oven at 45 °C, to provide 6-(4-bromo-2-
chlorophenylamino)-7-fluoro-3-methyl-3H-benzoimidazole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester (11) 25.6 g (92 wt % by HPLC, corrected mass = 23.6 g, 66% yield). !H NMR (400 MHz, d6 DMSO) 5 3.84 (3H, s, NMe), 3.93 (3H, s, OMe), 6.44 (1H, dd, J 8.8, 5.1, Ar-H), 7.28 (1H, dd, J 2, 9.8, Ar-H), 7.64 (1H, d J2.1, Ar-H), 8.1 (1H, s,NH) 8.14 ( 1H, s, Ar-H), 8.5 (1H, s, Ar-H); 5 19F (376 MHz, d6 DMSO) -133; 13C NMR (100 MHz, d6 DMSO) S 32 (MeN), 52 (MeO), 109.4 (C), 109.7 (CH), 115.7 (CH), 119.1 (C), 120.7 (C), 122.5 (C, d, J 10), 130.4 (CH), 131.0 (CH), 133.4 (C, d, J 10), 135.5 (C, d, J 16), 140.8 (C), 146.0 (C-F, d, J 252), 148.6 (CH), 166.7 (COO); vmax/cm-1 3401, 1700, 1506, 1274; m/z 412 and 414 (M+ and M+2) detected with MS APCI (+).
Example 3 Methyl 2,4,5-triamino-3-fluorobenzoate (9)
(Formula Removed)
[00335] A mixture of methyl 2,4-diamino-3-fluoro-5-nitrobenzoate (5) (40.0 g, 173.7
mmol) and 5% Pd/C (3.0 g, Type 487; 0.4 mol% Pd relative to starting material), in methanol (300.0 mL) and tetrahydrofuran (300.0 mL) was stirred at 2000 RPM, under hydrogen (-3.5 bar), at 50 °C in a 1.5 L hydrogenation vessel. After 6 hours the vessel was purged with nitrogen and HPLC analysis indicated that no starting material remained. The mixture was then filtered under nitrogen pressure and the filter washed through with THF (160 mL), to give a clear yellow solution. The solvent was removed by rotary evaporation, to provide methyl 2,4,5-triamino-3-fluorobenzoate (9) 37.5 g (93.3% w/w by NMR) as a solid, yield -100%. 'H NMR (400 MHz, d6 DMSO) 8 3.69 (3H, s, NMe), 4.20 (2H, br s, NH2), 5.24 (2H, br s, NH2), 5.70 (2H, br s, NH2), 6.83 (1H, d, J 1, Ar-H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, d6 DMSO) 5 51 (CH3), 98 (C, d, J 5), 110 (CH, d, J 2), 125 (C, d, J 6), 131 (C, d, J 12), 133 (C, d, J 12), 139 (CF, d, J 225), 166 (C=0). vmax/cm-1 3480, 3461, 3373, 3356, 3280, 3163, 1679, 1655, 1314. MS APCI (+) m/z 200 (M+l) detected.
Example 4
Synthesis of 6-(4-bromo-2-chlorophenylamino)-7-fluoro-3-methyl-5H-benzoimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (10) (Copper-catalyzed aryl coupling method)
(Formula Removed)
[00336] A mixture of methyl 6-amino-7-fluoro-3-methyl-3H-benzoimidazole-5-
carboxylate (6) (1.0 g, 4.4 mmol), copper iodide (85.3 mg, 443.5 µmol) and isopropanol (10.0 mL, 130.8 mmol) was stirred at 40 °C for 15 minutes. Potassium carbonate (1.2 g, 8.9 mmol) and ethylene gl'ycol (551 mg, 8,9 mmol) were then added and the mixture was heated at reflux for 1 hour under a Dean-Stark trap. An additional charge of isopropanol (1.5 mL) was added, followed by 4-bromo-2-chloroiodobenzene (1.5 g, 4.4 mmol) in isopropanol (2 mL) over 1 hour. After 26 hours, HPLC analysis showed that 81% of the benzimidazole substrate had been converted into 6-(4-Bromo-2-chlorophenylamino)-7-fluoro-3-methyl-3H-benzoimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (10).
Example 5 Synthesis of 6-Amino-7-fluoro-3H-benzoimidazole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester (12)

(Formula Removed)
[00337] To a stirred solution of methyl 2,4,5-triamino-3-fluorobenzoate (9) (7.58 g,
38.1 mmol) in THF (152 mL, 20 vol) was added triethyl orthoformate (20.3 g, 22.8 mL, 137.0 mmol), followed by dropwise addition of H2SO4 (9.33 g, 18 M, 94.1 mmol). The mixture was then heated at 60 °C for 6 hours, at which point no starting material was detected by HPLC analysis. The solid product was filtered and rinsed with THF (150 mL, 20 vol), then transferred to a reaction vessel, suspended in water (150 mL) and the resulting mixture was neutralized to about pH 7.5 with 2 N NaOH. After stirring for 30 minutes, the suspension was filtered and the solid product was dried in a vacuum oven at 55 °C, overnight to provide 6-amino-7-fluoro-3H-benzoimidazole-5-carboxylic acid methyl ester (12) 7.5 g, 94% yield (100% area by HPLC). 1H NMR (400 Hz, d6 DMSO) 8 3.53 (1H, br s, NH), 3.85,
(3H, s, OMe), 6.10 (2H, br s, NH2), 7.90 (1H, s, Ar-H), 7.20 (1H, s, Ar-H). MS APCI (+) m/z 210 (M+l) detected with MS APCI (+).
Example 6
Synthesis of 2, 4-Diamino-3-fluoro-5-nitrobenzoic acid (13)
C02H .
(Formula Removed)
[00338] A suspension of 2, 3, 4-trifluoro-5-nitrobenzoic acid (1) (5 g) and ammonium
hydroxide (7.7 grams, 25 wt% NH3 in H2O, 4.9 equivalents) in N-methyl pyrrolidinone (12.5 mL) was heated at 80-90 °C in a sealed reactor. During the reaction the mixture became homogeneous and the pressure rose to 0.4 bar. After 1.75 hours, HPLC analysis showed
incomplete conversion and a further charge of ammonium hydroxide (2 g, 25 wt % NH3 in H2O) was added, followed by heating at 80-90 °C in the sealed reactor for an additional 1.5 hours. After this time HPLC analysis indicated >99% conversion and the mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature overnight. The contents of the reactor were then added to water (100 mL), producing a homogeneous, brown solution with a pH of 9.4. Acetic acid was then added to the mixture until the pH was 6. After cooling to 0 °C the product was isolated by filtration and Avashed with a mixture of water (10 mL) and MeOH (10 mL), then dried in a vacuum oven at 50 °C, to provide 4.4 g (86% yield) of 2,4-diamino-3-fluoro-5-nitrobenzoic acid (2) (HPLC purity 99.7 a%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, d6 DMSO) 5 7.27 (2H, br s, NH2), 7.31 (2H, br s, NH2), 8.46, (1H, s, Ar-H), 13.10 (1H, br, C02H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, d6 DMSO) 5 102 (C), 123 (C), 127 (CH), 136 (d, J 229, CF), 138 (C), 143 (CF), 168 (CO).
Example 7 Synthesis of Methyl 2,4-Diamino-3-fluoro-5-nitrobenzoate (5)
(Formula Removed)
[00339] Step 1: 4-Amino-2,3-difluoro-5-nitrobenzoic acid (3): To a mixture of 2,3,4-
trifluoro-5-nitrobenzoic acid (2) (167.2 g, 0.756 mol, 1 equiv) in 400 mL of distilled water was added concentrated ammonium hydroxide (28% NH3 solution; 340 g, 380 mL, 4.23 mol, 5,6 equiv.) ensuring that internal temperature was below 6.0 °C over 2-2.5 hours. The mixture was stirred for 50 minutes and then warmed to room temperature for 3-4 hours. When the reaction was >90% complete by HPLC, the reaction mixture was cooled in an ice-water bath and concentrated HC1 (350 mL) was then added drop-wise to adjust pH = 2. The slurry was stirred for 1 hour with ice bath cooling and filtered. The cake was rinsed with 1 L of distilled water and then with 350 mL of MTBE. The cake was oven-dried at 48 °C overnight to give 134.9 g of a yellow solid. HPLC was 83.6 a% (220 nm) and 96.96 a% (254 nm). The MTBE filtrate was concentrated on a rotary evaporator and pumped overnight to give 9.9 g of a second crop as a yellow solid: HPLC was 81.1 a% (220 nm) and 95.40 a% (254 nm). Combined yield of 4-amino-2,3-difluoro-5-nitrobenzoic acid (3) was 144.8 g (88%). 'H NMR (400 MHz, d6 DMSO) 8 8.0 (2H, br s, NH2) 8.42 (1H, dd, J 1.5, 7.6, Ar-H). 19F NMR (376 MHz, d6 DMSO) 6 -153.9, -129.0. 13C NMR (100 MHz, d6 DMSO) 8 106 (C, d, J 10), 126 (CH), 128 (C), 140 (C-F, dd, J 241, 16), 140.8 (C, dd, J 12, 4), 153 (C-F, dd, J 263, 11), 164 (COOH). IR vmax/cm-1 3494, 3383, 1697, 1641, 1280. MS APCI (-) m/z 217 (M-l) detected.

(Formula Removed)
[00340] Step 2: Methyl 4-amino-2, 3-difluoro-5-nitrobenzoate (4): TMSC1 (132 g,
1.21 mol, 2.0 equiv) was added over 5 minutes to a slurry of 4-amino-2,3-difluoro-5-nitrobenzoic acid (3) (132.3 g, 0.607 mol, 1 equiv) in 325 mL of MeOH. The mixture was
lieated at reflux for 15 hours. Once the reaction was complete by HPLC, the reaction mixture was cooled in an ice-water bath for 45 minutes. Then the reaction mixture was filtered and the cake was washed with 65 mL of MeOH. The wet cake was dried overnight at 55 °C under high vacuum to provide 128.8 g (92%) of 4-amino-2,3-difluoro-5-nitrobenzoic acid methyl ester (4). HPLC was 97.9 a% (220 nm) and 99.2 a % (254 nm). 1H NMR (400 MHz, d6 DMSO) 5 3.84 (3H, s, OMe), 8.1 (2H, br s, NH2), 8.43 (Hi, apparent dd, J 1.9, 7.2, Ar-H). I9F NMR (376 MHz, d6 DMSO) 5 -153.6, -129.2. 13C NMR (100 MHz, d6 DMSO) 5 52 (CH3O), 105 (C, d, J 10), 125 (CH, t, J2.7,), 128 (CH, d, J5), 140 (C-F, dd, J 244, 15,), 141 (C, dd, J 14, 5), 152 (C-F, dd, J263, 11), 162 (COO, t, J3). IR vmax/cm-1 3433, 3322, 1699, 1637, 1548, 1342, 1234. MS APCI (-) m/z 231 (M-l) detected.
(Formula Removed)
[00341] Step 3: Methyl 2,4-diamino-3-fluoro-5-nitrobenzoate (5): To a stirred
solution of methyl 4-amino-2, 3-difluoro-5-nitrobenzoate (4) (33.0 g, 142.15 mmol) in 1,4-dioxane (165 mL , 1.93 moles), in a 250 mL glass pressure vessel, was added an aqueous solution of ammonia (39 g, 711 mmol, 42.9 mL, 16.5 M). The vessel was then heated in an immersion bath at a bath temperature between 79 and 105 °C, for 80 minutes, over which time the internal pressure ranged between 0.2 and 2.7 bar. The pressure was then released slowly and the mixture was treated with water (330 mL, 10 vol). The resultant suspension was stirred for 20 minutes and then filtered under vacuum, and the solid was washed with water (33 mL, 1 vol). The solid was sucked dry, then dried in a vacuum oven at 50 °C to provide methyl 2,4-diamino-3-fluoro-5-nitrobenzoate (5) (32.6 g, 92% yield) as a yellow solid. 'H NMR (500 MHz, d6 DMSO) 8 3,83, (3H, s, OMe), 7.20 (2H, br, NH2), 7.37 (2H, br, NH2), 8.47 (1H, s, Ar-H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, d6 DMSO) 5 52 (CH3), 101 (C), 122 (C), 126 (CH), 134 (C), 137 (C), 142 (C), 166 (CO). vmRX/cml 3474, 3358, 1697, 1633, 1528, 1435,1317,1285,
[00342] The foregoing description is considered as illustrative only of the principles of
the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and
process shown as described above. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents
may considered to fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims that follow.
[00343] The words "comprise," "comprising," "include," "including," and "includes"
when used in this specification and in the following claims are intended to specify the presence of stated features, integers, components, or steps, but they do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, components, steps, or groups thereof.





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http://ipindiaonline.gov.in/patentsearch/GrantedSearch/viewdoc.aspx?id=baqUqgLYknQqknGBETaCig==&loc=+mN2fYxnTC4l0fUd8W4CAA==


Patent Number 270305
Indian Patent Application Number 9776/DELNP/2007
PG Journal Number 50/2015
Publication Date 11-Dec-2015
Grant Date 09-Dec-2015
Date of Filing 17-Dec-2007
Name of Patentee ARRAY BIOPHARMA INC.
Applicant Address 3200 WALNUT STREET, BOULDER COLORADO 80301 USA
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 DEMATTEI JOHN 3200 WALNUT STREET, BOULDER CO 80301 USA.
2 SHAKYA SAGAR 3200 WALNUT STREET BOULDER CO 80301 USA.
3 PISCOPIO ANTHONY D. 3200 WALNUT STREET BOULDER CO 80301 USA
4 HACHE BRUNO P. 3200 WALNUT STREET, BOULDER, CO 80301 USA.
5 FORD JAMES GAIR ASTRAZENECA AB, CHARTER WAY MACCLESFIELD, CHESHIRE XX SK 10 2NA UNTIED KINGDOM
6 PEETERS KOEN AJINOMOTO OMNICHEM, SA RUE FONDS JEAN PAQUES 8, B-1435 MONT-SAINT-GUIBERT BELGUIM.
7 LEONARD JOHN ASTRAZENECA AB, CHARTER WAY, MACCLESFIELD, CHESHIRE XX SK 10 2NA UNTIED KINGDOM.
8 EVANS MATTHEW CHARLES ASTRAZENECA AB CHARTER WAY MACCLESFIELD, CHESHIRE XX SK 10 2NA UNTIED KINGDOM.
9 POINTON SIMON MARK ASTRAZENECA AB, CHARTER WAY, MACCLESFIELD, CHESHIRE XX SK 10 2NA UNTIED KINGDOM.
10 LILEY TIMOTHY JOHN ASTRAZENECA AB, CHARTER WAY MACCLESFIELD, CHESHIRE XX SK 10 2NA UNTIED KINGDOM.
PCT International Classification Number A61K 31/4184
PCT International Application Number PCT/US2006/024084
PCT International Filing date 2006-06-21
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 60/693,270 2005-06-23 U.S.A.