Title of Invention

A NEW METHOD FOR THE PREPARATION OF CEFTIOFUR

Abstract The present invention relates to a new method for the preparaion of Ceftiofur acid and its pharmaceutically acceptable salt, the said process comprising steps of: (i) condensing an activated derivative of the formula (III) wherein the activated derivative is an acid halide, a mixed anhydride or active amides; with silylated derivative of 7 -amino cephalosporin to produce a compound of formula (V) (ii) cyclising the compound of formula (V) with thiourea in the presence of water miscible solvent and sodium acetate at room temperature to produce cephalosporin compounds of the formula (iii) deesterifying the compound of formula (VI) to produce a compound of formula (I) using anisole/trifluoroacetic acid, phenol/ trifluoroacetic acid, formic acid in the presence or absence of a solvent at a temperature in the range of 0 °C to 10 °C and (iv) converting the compound of formula (I), to its pharmaceutically acceptable salt.
Full Text Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of Ceftiofur acid of the formula (I)

and its pharmaceutically acceptable salt such as sodium or hydrochloride.
The present invention also provides two new intermediates of the formulae (V) and (VI)

wherein X represents halogen atom such as chlorine or bromine; R represents p-methoxybenzyl, p-nitrobenzyl or diphenylmethyl group.
Background of the Invention
Ceftiofur acid, its alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and amines salts were reported for the first time in US patent no. 4464367. During the course of further investigation, later on, it was discovered that all these derivatives of Ceftiofur are known to have stability problems. Further, it was difficult to purify the derivative of Ceftiofur due to amorphous nature of the compound. In fact, from the beginning, preparation of Ceftiofur sodium has posed challenges to organic chemists regarding purity, stability and crystallinity.

Several attempts have been made to prepare Ceftiofur sodium for obviating above-mentioned problems. One of the solutions was provided in US patent No. 4877782 by preparing zinc complexes of Ceftiofur which have better dispersibility in water and can be used in pharmacological preparations. US patent No. 4902683 also explains the isolation of more stable Ceftiofur in the form of crystalline hydrohalide salts which has better solubility and other physical properties, as compared to parent compounds. During the isolation of Ceftiofur hydrochloride salt most of the impurities present in the compound are removed during filtration. The hydrohalide salts as such cannot be used for parenteral administration, therefore it is necessary to convert a hydrohalide salt to sodium salt in order to use the drug as injectable.
EP 0030294 discloses the condensation of the 4-halogeno-2-substitutedimino-3-oxo-butyric acid with cephem carboxylic acids by using PCI5. Another EP patent 0 842 937 discloses the formation of amide bond with cephem moiety by reacting with the thioester derivative of 4-chloro-2-methoxyimino-3-oxo-butyric acid. The thioester was prepared by reacting 4-chloro-2- methoxyimino-3-oxo-butyric acid with 2,2"-dithio-bis-benzothiazole in the presence of triphenyl phosphine which is costly material and its by product triphenyl phosphine oxide is also difficult to remove from the reaction mixture.
Objectives of the Invention
The primary objective of the invention is to provide a new method for the preparation of Ceftiofur acid of the formula (I), which would be easy to implement in commercial scales.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide the novel intermediates of the formulae (V) and (VI), which are useful in the preparation of Ceftiofur derivatives.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a process for the preparation of intermediates of the general formulae (V) and (VI), in good yields with high purity.
Summary of the Invention
Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for the preparation of Ceftiofur acid of the formula (I),

and its pharmaceutically acceptable salt such as sodium or hydrochloride which
comprises:
(i) condensing the activated derivative of the formula (III) where X
represents halogen atom such as chlorine or bromine, with silylated derivative of
7-amino cephalosporin of the formula (IV) wherein R is as defined earlier in the
presence of a solvent at a temperature in the range of -40 °C to 0 °C to produce
a compound of formula (V), where R is as defined earlier,
(ii) cyclising the compound of formula (V) with thiourea in the presence of
water miscible solvent and sodium acetate at room temperature to produce
cephalosporin compounds of the formula (VI) wherein R is as defined earlier ,
(iii) deesterifying the compound of formula (VI) using anisole/trifluoroacetic
acid, phenol/ trifluoroacetic acid, formic acid in the presence or absence of a
solvent at a temperature in the range of 0 °C to 10 °C to produce a compound of
formula (I) and
(iv) converting the compound of formula (I), to its pharmaceutically
acceptable salt.
The process is as shown in Scheme-1 below:



In still another embodiment of the present invention the compound of formula (IV), can be prepared by a process which comprises protecting the compound of the formula (VII) using p-methoxybenzyl halide, p-nitrobenzyl halide, or diphenylmethane halide or diphenyldiazomethane, in the presence of a solvent and base.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an alternate process for the preparation of compound of formula (IV), which comprises :
(i) condensing the 7-aminocephalosporin derivative of the formula (VIII) wherein Rj represents hydrogen, (Ci-C4)alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted phenyl or substituted or unsubstituted phenoxy with furyl-2-carbonylthiol of the formula (IX) in the presence in an organic solvent and a base at a temperature in the range of 0 °C to 30 °C to produce 7-aminocephalosporin derivative of the formula (X),
(ii) removing the acyl group on the N-atom in the 7-aminocephalosporin derivative of the formula (X) using PCl5/POCl3/pyridine, PCl5/pyridine, triphenyl phosphite/Cl2 complexes in the presence of an alcohol, at a temperature in the range of -40 °C to 0 °C to produce a compound of the formula (IV) and (iii) isolating the compound of formula (IV).
The process is shown in Scheme-3 below


Detailed Description of the Invention
In yet another embodiment of the present invention where in the condensation in step (i) is performed by using the activated derivative of formula (III) in the presence of a solvent selected from dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran, aromatic hydrocarbon, acetone, dioxane, acetonitrile, N,N-dimethylformamide, dialkylethers, water or mixtures thereof.
The compound of formula (III) is activated as acid halides, mixed anhydrides, active esters, active amides. The acid halides are acid chlorides or acid bromides. The mixed anhydrides are anhydrides of the compounds of formula (III) with pivaloyl chloride, ethyl chloroformate, benzyl chloroformate.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention the cyclisation in step (ii) is carried out using a mixture of water and organic solvent selected from tetrahydrofuran, acetone, acetonitrile, N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, dioxane, (Ci-C3)alcohol or mixtures thereof.
In still another embodiment of the present invention the deesterification in step (iii) is carried out using anisole/trifluoroacetic acid, phenol/ trifluoroacetic acid, formic acid in the absence or presence of dichloromethane as a solvent.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the pharmaceutically acceptable salt is sodium or hydrochloride.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the solvent used in scheme-2 is selected from tetrahydrofuran, acetone, acetonitrile, N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, dioxane, (Ci-C3)alcohol or mixtures thereof, in the presence of a base selected from sodium acetate, potassium carbonate, triethylamine, l,4-diazabicyclo-[2,2,2]-octane (DABCO), l,5-diazabicyclo[4,3,0]-non-5-ene (DBN), l,8-diaza-bicyclo[5,4,0]-undec-7-ene(DBU), pyridine or sodium carbonate.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the solvent used in step (i) of scheme-3 is selected from tetrahydrofuran, acetone, acetonitrile, N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, dioxane, (Ci-C3)alcohol or mixtures thereof, in the presence of a base selected from sodium acetate, potassium carbonate, triethylamine, l,4-diazabicyclo-[2,2,2]-octane (DABCO), l,5-diazabicyclo[4,3,0]-non-5-ene (DBN), l,8-diaza-bicyclo[5,4,0]-undec-7-ene(DBU), pyridine or sodium carbonate.
The compound of formula (IX) used in step (i) of scheme-3 is freshly prepared from furoyl chloride and sodium sulphide in a mixture of water and solvent selected from ethyl acetate or dichloromethane.
The substituents on Ri in Scheme-3 are selected from methyl, methoxy, nitro or halogen atom.
The present invention is provided by the examples below, which are provided by way of illustration only and should not be considered to limit the scope of the invention.
EXAMPLE-1

Preparation of 7-phenyIacetamido-3-[(fur-2-ylcarbonyl)thiomethyI] - 3-cephem-4-carboxyIic acid p-methoxybenzylester
Flask A : Acetone was charged and cooled to 10 °C, 7-phenylacetamido-3-
chloromethyl - 3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid p-methoxybenzylester (100 g) was
added. Sodium iodide (34.0 g) was added to it and mixture was stirred for 1-2 hr
while temperature of the reaction mixture was maintained between 10-15 °C
Flask B : Water(200 ml) was taken and cooled to 20 °C and sodium
sulphide(35.0 g) was added at 20 °C. 2-Furoyl chloride (29.4 g) was added
slowly drop wise into aqueous solution of sodium sulphide at 20 °C in 30
minutes. The reaction mixture was stirred at 20 °C for 1 hour added. Ethyl
acetate(300 ml) was added and pH adjusted to 2-3 using 1:1 HC1 [~50-60 ml]
slowly. The organic layer was separated and dried over MgS04 (10 g).
The solution from flask A was transferred to flask B slowly at 10 °C. Sodium
carbonate anhydrous (23.0 g) was added and mixture was stirred at 10 °C for 30
minutes. The reaction was monitored by HPLC. After completion of reaction,
the inorganic salts were filtered. To the clear filtrate, excess of water (~1500 ml)
was added and stirred at 10-15 °C. The solid separated out was filtered, washed
with water and IPE.
Yield = 110 g
Purity(By HPLC) = 98%
"H NMR - (DMSO-dg) 8 : 3.6(s, 2H, 2-CH2S), 3.7(s, 2H, PhCH2), 3.8(s, 3H, -OMe), 4.2(dd, 2H, -CH2), 5.1(d, 1H, C6.H), 5.2(s, 2H, 0-CH2-CO), 5.7(dd, 1H, C7.H), 6.8(d,lH,H-4 furan), 7.2-7.4(m , 4H, Ar), 7.3(d, 1H, H-3 furan), 8.0(d, 1H, H-5 furan), 9.1(d, 1H, -CONH).
EXAMPLE-2
Preparation of 7-amino-3-[(fur-2-ylcarbonyl)thiomethyl]-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid p-methoxy benzyl ester

Flask - A : Dichloromethane(60 ml) was charged and cooled to -20°C.
Phosphorous penta chloride(7.2 g) was added followed by POCI3O.3 g) and the
suspension was stirred for 15 minutes. Pyridine(7.0 g) was charged slowly at -
30 to -40 °C. The solution of 7-phenylacetamido-3-[(fur-2-
ylcarbonyl)thiomethyl]-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid p-methoxy benzyl ester(10.0 g) in 40 ml of dichloromethane was slowly added to this mixture. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1.0 hour at -30 °C.
Flask - B: In an another flask, methanol (200 ml) was taken and cooled to -40
°C and to this cooled methanol, solution from flask A was added in 1.0 hour by
maintaining temperature at -10 to -15 °C. Solution becomes dark brown in
color. Temperature was brought up to 0-10 °C. The reaction was monitored by
HPLC for complete disappearance of starting material. After completion of
reaction, dichloromethane and methanol were removed under reduced pressure.
To the residue was added a mixture of water (70 ml) and ethyl acetate (70 ml).
Organic layer was separated and washed with water (3 x 50 ml) and with brine
solution (50 ml). The org. layer was dried with Na2SC>4 and evaporated to yield
the title compound.
Yield : 6.0 g
Purity : 97%
"H NMR - (DMSO-dg) 5 : 3.6(s, 2H, 2-CH2S), 3.8(s, 3H, -OMe-), 4.2(d, 2H, 3-CH2S), 5.1(d, 1H, C6.H), 5.2(s, 2H, 0-CH2-CO), 5.7(dd, 1H, C7-H), 6.8(d, 1H, H-4 furyl), 7.2-7.4 (m, 4H, Ar), 7.3(d, 1H, H-3 furyl), 8.0(d, 1H, H-5 furyl).
EXAMPLE-3
Preparation of 7-[(2-(syn)methoxyimino-3-oxo-4-chlorobutyrylamino]-3-[(fur-2-ylcarbonyl)thiomethyl] - 3-cephem-4-carboxyIic acid p-methoxy benzyl ester
Flask - A: Dichloromethane(75 ml) was charged at room temperature, followed by 7-amino-3-[(fur-2-ylcarbonyl)thiomethyl]-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid p-

methoxy benzyl ester (15.0 g) and N,0- bis-(trimethylsilyl)acetamide (BSA)
(100 g) drop wise at room temperature. The mixture was stirred at room
temperature for 1 hour to get clear solution.
Flask - B: 4-Chloro-3-oxo-methoxyimino-butyric acid(6.4 g) was dissolved in
dichloromethane (75 ml) at room temperature The solution was cooled to -30
°C, PC15 (7.4 g) was added portion wise at -30 °C and stirred at -30 °C for 30
minutes.
The reaction mass in flask B at -30 °C was transferred into pre cooled silylated
mixture in flask A. Mixture was stirred at -30 °C for 15-20 minutes and
progress of the reaction was monitored by HPLC. After completion of reaction,
water (75 ml) was added slowly at 10 °C. Organic layer was separated and
washed again with water. IPE (200 ml) was added into organic layer at 10-20 °C
to precipitate out the product. The solid was stirred at 20 °C, filtered, washed
with excess of water and IPE.
Yield = 12.0 g
Purity = 98%
•H NMR - (DMSO-de) 8 : 3.6(dd, 2H, 2-CH2S), 3.7(s, 3H, NOMe), 3.8(s, 3H, -
OMe), 4.2 (dd, 2H, -CH2S), 4.8(s, 2H, C1CH2), 5.1(d, 1H, C6.H), 5.2(S, 2H, O-
CH2-CO), 5.7 (dd, 1H, C7-H), 6.8(d, 1H, H4.furan), 7.2-7.4(m, 4H, Ar), 7.4 (d,
1H, H5.furan), 8.0(d, 1H, H5.furan), 9.1(d, 1H, -CONH).
EXAMPLE-4
Preparation of 7-[(2-(syn)methoxyimino-3-oxo-4-bromobutyrylamino]-3-
[(fur-2-ylcarbonyl)thiomethyl] - 3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid p-
methoxybenzylester
Flask - A: Dichloromethane(75 ml) was charged at room temperature, followed
by the addition of 7-amino-3-[(fur-2-ylcarbonyl)thiomethyl]-3-cephem-4-
carboxylic acid p-methoxy benzyl ester(15.0 g) and N,0-bis-

(trimethylsilyl)acetamide (BSA) (100 g) drop wise at room temperature. The
mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour to get clear solution.
Flask - B: 4-Bromo-3-oxo-methoxyimino-butyric acid (9.3 g) was dissolved in
dichloromethane (75 ml) at room temperature The solution was cooled to -30
°C and PC15 (7.4 g) was added portion wise at -30 °C. The mixture was stirred
at-30 °C for 30 minutes.
The reaction mass in flask B at -30 °C was transferred into pre cooled silylated
mixture in flask A. The reaction mixture was stirred at -30 °C for 15-20 minutes
and progress of the reaction was monitored by HPLC. After completion of
reaction, water (75 ml) was added slowly at 10 °C. Organic layer was separated
and washed again with water. IPE (200 ml) was added into organic layer at 10-
20 °C to precipitate out the product. The solid was stirred at 20 °C, filtered,
washed with excess of water and IPE.
Yield = 12.0 g
Purity = 98%
•H NMR - (DMSO-de) 8 : 3.6(dd, 2H, 2-CH2S), 3.7(s, 3H, NOMe), 3.8(s, 3H, -
OMe), 4.2 (dd, 2H, -CH2S), 4.6(s,2H, BrCH2); 5.1(d, 1H, C6.H), 5.2(S, 2H, O-
CH2-CO), 5.7 (dd, 1H, C7.H), 6.8(d, 1H, H4.furan), 7.2-7.4(m, 4H, Ar), 7.4(d,
1H, H5.furan), 8.0(d, 1H, H5.furan), 9.1(d, 1H, -CONH).
EXAMPLE-5
Preparation of 7- [2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-methoxy iminoacetamido] -3-[(fur-2-ylcarbonyl)thiomethyl] - 3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid p-methoxy benzyl ester
Tetrahydrofuran(50 ml) and water (50 ml) was charged into the reaction flask and to this 7-[(2-(syn)methoxyimino-3-oxo-4-chlorobutyrylamino]-3-[(fur-2-ylcarbonyl) thiomethyl]-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid p-methoxybenzylester (10.0 g) was added at room temperature. Thiourea (2.0g) and sodium acetate (1.6 g) were added at room temperature. The reaction was monitored by HPLC and

after completion of reaction, water (50 ml) and MDC (100 ml) were added to reaction mass. Organic layer was separated and washed with water (100 ml). Organic layer was added into IPE solvent (200 ml) at room temperature in 30 minutes, cooled to 10-20°C, filtered and washed with water (100 ml) and IPE (50 ml).
Yield = 7.0 g Purity = 96%
•H NMR - (DMSO-de) 5 : 3.6(dd, 2H, 2-CH2S), 3.7(s, 3H, NOMe), 3.8(s, 3H, -OMe), 4.2(dd, 2H, -CH2S), 5.1(d, 1H, C6.H), 5.2(m, 2H, 0-CH2-CO), 5.7(dd, 1H, C7.H), 6.7(s,lH, H-thiazole), 6.8(m, 1H, H4.furyl), 7.15 (s, 2H, -NH2 thiazole), 7.2-7.4 (m, 4H, Ar), 7.4(d, 1H, H3.furyl), 8.0(d, 1H, H5.furan), 9.1(d, 1H, -NH).
EXAMPLE-6
Preparation of Ceftiofur Sodium
Dichloromethane(20 ml) was charged and cooled to 0-5 °C, 7-[2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-methoxyiminoacetamido]-3-[(fur-2-ylcarbonyl)thiomethyl]-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid p-methoxy benzyl ester (6.5 g) was added followed by trifluoroacetic acid (20 ml) at 0-5 °C. The reaction mixture was stirred for 30-40 min. Anisole(12 ml) was also added at 5 °C and reaction was stirred at 5 °C for 1 hour, the reaction was checked by HPLC and after completion of reaction, water (100 ml) was added with stirring . The product was filtered and washed with water (100 ml) followed by dichloromethane (100 ml). The filtered solid was taken in tetrahydrofuran (100 ml) and dried over MgS04. To the dried THF layer was added a solution of 5 g of 2-ethyl sodium hexanoate in THF(20 ml). The precipitated ceftiofur sodium was stirred for 30 minutes at 20°C filtered and washed with acetone(100 ml). Yield = 5.0 g Purity = 99%.


We claim :
1. A method for the preparation of Ceftiofur acid of the formula (I)

and its pharmaceutical^ acceptable salt such as sodium or hydrochloride salts, the said process comprising steps of:
(i) condensing an activated derivative of the formula (III)

wherein the activated derivative is an acid halide, a mixed anhydride or active amides; X represents halogen atom selected from chlorine or bromine, with silylated derivative of 7-amino cephalosporin of the formula (IV)

wherein R represents p-methoxybenzyl, p-nitrobenzyl or diphenylmethyl group in the presence of a solvent at a temperature in the range of -40 °C to 0 °C to produce a compound of formula (V)

wherein R is as defined earlier,

(ii) cyclising the compound of formula (V) with thiourea in the presence of water miscible solvent and sodium acetate at room temperature to produce cephalosporin compounds of the formula (VI)

wherein R is as defined earlier,
(iii) deesterifying the compound of formula (VI) to produce a compound of
formula (I) using anisole/trifluoroacetic acid, phenol/ trifluoroacetic acid, formic
acid in the presence or absence of a solvent at a temperature in the range of 0
°C to 10 °C and
(iv) converting the compound of formula (I), to its pharmaceutically
acceptable salt.
2. The process of claim 1, wherein said compound of formula (I) is a syn isomer.
3. The process of claim 1, wherein the condensation in step (i) is performed by using the activated compound of formula (III) in the presence of a solvent selected from dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran, aromatic hydrocarbon, acetone, dioxane, acetonitrile, N,N-dimethylformamide, dialkylethers or mixtures thereof.
4. The process of claim 1, wherein the acid halide used is acid chlorides or acid bromides.
5. The process of claim 1, wherein the mixed anhydride used is anhydrides of the compounds of formula (III) with pivaloyl chloride, ethyl chloroformate or benzyl chloro formate.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein the cyclisation in step (ii) is carried out using a mixture of water and organic solvent selected from tetrahydrofuran, acetone, acetonitrile, N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, dioxane, (Ci-C3)alcohol or mixtures thereof.
7. The process of claim 1, wherein the deesterification in step (iii) is carried out using anisole/trifluoroacetic acid, phenol/ trifluoroacetic acid, formic acid in the absence or presence of dichloromethane as a solvent.

Documents:

0338-mas-2002 abstract duplicate.pdf

0338-mas-2002 abstract.pdf

0338-mas-2002 claims duplicate.pdf

0338-mas-2002 claims.pdf

0338-mas-2002 correspondence-others.pdf

0338-mas-2002 correspondence-po.pdf

0338-mas-2002 description (complete) duplicate.pdf

0338-mas-2002 description (complete).pdf

0338-mas-2002 description (provisional) duplicate.pdf

0338-mas-2002 form-1.pdf

0338-mas-2002 form-13.pdf

0338-mas-2002 form-19.pdf

0338-mas-2002 form-3.pdf

0338-mas-2002 form-5.pdf

0338-mas-2002 others.pdf

0338-mas-2002 petition.pdf

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Patent Number 210706
Indian Patent Application Number 338/MAS/2002
PG Journal Number 50/2007
Publication Date 14-Dec-2007
Grant Date 08-Oct-2007
Date of Filing 03-May-2002
Name of Patentee M/S. ORCHID CHEMICALS & PHARMACEUTICALS LTD
Applicant Address ORCHID TOWERS, 313, VALLUVAR KOTTAM HIGH ROAD, NUNGAMBAKKAM, CHENNAI - 600 034.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 PARVEN KUMAR LUTHRA H-85,S-1, TNHB FLATS, VALMIKI NAGAR, THIRUVANMIYUR, CHENNAI 600 041.
2 PANDURANG BALWANT DESHPANDE T-1, NAVIN'S VASUNDHARA, 12TH CROSS ROAD, DOOR NO.5, INDIRA NAGAR, CHENNAI 600 020.
PCT International Classification Number C 07D 501/36
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA