Title of Invention

"PROCESS FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF PERINDOPRIL OF FORMULA (I)"

Abstract Process for the synthesis of perindopril of formula (I) and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts.
Full Text The present invention relates to a process for the synthesis of perindopril of formula (I).


(Formula Removed)
and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts.
Perindopril and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and more especially its tert-
butylamine salt, have valuable pharmacological properties.
Their principal property is that of inhibiting angiotensin I converting enzyme (or
kininase II), which allows, on the one hand, prevention of the conversion of the
decapeptide angiotensin I to the octapeptide angiotensin II (a vasoconstrictor) and, on the
other hand, prevention of the degradation of bradykinin (a vasodilator) to an inactive
peptide.
Those two actions contribute to the beneficial effects of perindopril in cardiovascular
diseases, more especially in arterial hypertension and heart failure.
Perindopril, its preparation and its use in therapeutics have been described in European patent specification EP 0 049 658.
In view of the pharmaceutical value of this compound, it has been important to be able to obtain it by an effective synthesis process, readily transposable to an industrial scale, that leads to perindopril in a good yield and with excellent purity starting from reasonably priced starting materials.

Patent specification EP 0 308 341 describes the synthesis of perindopril by the coupling of (2S',3a5',7aS)-octahydroindole-2-carboxylic acid benzyl ester with N-[(S)-l-carboxybutyl]-(S)-alanine ethyl ester, followed by deprotection of the carboxylic group of the heterocycle by catalytic hydrogenation.
The (2S,3aS,7aS)-octahydroindole-2-carboxylic acid ester is not a commercial product, and its preparation requires several synthesis steps (including a resolution step) starting from indole-2-carboxylic acid.
The Applicant has now developed a new process for the synthesis of perindopril that uses readily obtainable starting materials.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a process for the synthesis of perindopril and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts which is characterised in that a compound of formula (II):
(Figure Removed)
wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a benzyl or linear or branched (Ci-C6)alkyl group, is reacted
with a compound of formula (III) having the (R) configuration :
wherein G represents a chlorine, bromine or iodine atom or a hydroxy, p-toluene-sulphonyloxy, methanesulphonyloxy or trifluoromethanesulphonyloxy group,
in the presence of a base,
to yield a compound of formula (IV):
(Figure Removed)

wherein R and G are as defined hereinbefore,
which is reacted with the compound of formula (V) having the (S) configurationto yield a compound of formula (VI):
(Figure Removed)

wherein R is as defined hereinbefore,
which is hydrogenated in the presence of a catalyst, such as palladium, platinum, rhodium
or nickel
to yield, after deprotection where necessary, the compound of formula (I).
Among the bases that can be used for the reaction between the compounds of formula (II) and (III) there may be mentioned, without implying any limitation, organic amines, such as triethylamine, pyridine and diisopropylethylamine, and mineral bases, such as NaOH, KOH, Na2C03, K2CO3, NaHCO3 and KHCO3.
When G represents a chlorine, bromine or iodine atom, or a p-toluenesulphonyloxy, methanesulphonyloxy or trifluoromethanesulphonyloxy group, the reaction between the compounds of formulae (IV) and (V) is preferably carried out in the presence of a base, preferably an organic amine, such as triethylamine, pyridine or diisopropylethylamine, or a mineral base, such as Na2C03, K2CO3, NaHCO3 or KHCO3.
When G represents a hydroxy group, the reaction between the compounds of formulae (IV) and (V) is preferably carried out in the presence of an activation reagent, such as N-methyl-N-phenyl-aminotriphenylphosphonium iodide, or hexamethylphosphorus triamide together with ammonium perchlorate, or, when R is other than a hydrogen atom, by Mitsunobu reaction.
The compounds of formula (IV) are new products which are useful as synthesis intermediates in the chemical or pharmaceutical industry, especially in the synthesis of perindopril, and as such form an integral part of the present invention.
EXAMPLE 1 : (2S,3aS,7aS)-l-{(2S)-2-[(lS)-l-(EthoxycarbonyI)butylaminoJ-
propionyl}octahydro-l//-indole-2-carboxylic acid tert-butylamine salt
Step A : Benzyl (2S)-l-[(2R)-2-bromopropionyl]-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-lH-indo le-2-carboxylate
Introduce 200 g of benzyl (2S)-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-lH-indole-2-carboxylate and 1.5 litres of dichloromethane into a reactor, then bring the temperature of the reaction mixture to 0°C and add 201 ml of diisopropylethylamine followed by 132 g of (2R)-2-bromopropionyl chloride. Subsequently, bring the mixture to ambient temperature. After stirring for 1 hour at that temperature, wash the mixture with water and then with a dilute acetic acid solution. The benzyl (2S)-l-[(2R)-2-bromopropionyl]-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-lH-indole-2-carboxylate solution so obtained is used as it is in the following Step.
StepB: Benzyl (2S)-l-{(2S)-2-[(lS)-l-(ethoxycarbonyl)butylamino]-propionyl}-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-lH-indole-2-carboxylate
Introduce 123 g of ethyl (2S)-2-aminopentanoate, 160 ml of triethylamine and 160 ml of acetonitrile into a reactor, and then bring the mixture to 60°C, slowly add the solution obtained in Step A and reflux for 4 hours. After returning to ambient temperature, wash the mixture with water and with a dilute acetic acid solution, and then evaporate off the solvents to yield benzyl (2S)-l-{(2S)-2-[(lS)-l-(ethoxycarbonyl)butylamino]propionyl}-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-lH-indole-2-carboxylate.
StepC: (2S,3aS, 7aS)-l-{(2S)-2-[(lS)-l-(Ethoxycarbonyl)butylamino]propionyl}-octahydro-lH-indole-2-carboxylic acid
Introduce 200 g of the compound obtained in the above Step, in solution in acetic acid, and then 5 g of 10 % Pt/C into a hydrogenation vessel. Hydrogenate under a pressure of 5 bars at from 15 to 30°C until the theoretical amount of hydrogen has been absorbed. Remove the catalyst by filtration, and then cool to from 0 to 5°C and recover by filtration the solid obtained. Wash the cake and dry it to constant weight. (2S,3aS,7aS)-l-{(2S)-2-[(lS)-l-(ethoxycarbonyl)butylamino]propionyl}octahydro-l//-indole-2-carboxylic acid is thereby obtained in a yield of 85 % and with an enantiomeric purity of 98%.
StepD: (2S,3aS, 7aS)-l-{(2S)-2-[(lS)-l-(Ethoxycarbonyl)butylamino]propionyl}-octahydro-lH-indole-2-carboxylic acid tert-butylamine salt
The precipitate obtained in the above Step (200 g) is dissolved in 2.8 litres of acetonitrile, and then 40 g of tert-butylamine and 0.4 litres of ethyl acetate are added. The suspension obtained is subsequently refluxed until complete dissolution occurs, and the solution obtained is then filtered in the heated state and cooled, with stirring, to a temperature of from 15 to 20°C.
The precipitate obtained is then filtered off, made into a paste again with acetonitrile, dried and then recrystallised from ethyl acetate to yield the expected product in a yield of 95 % and with an enantiomeric purity of 99 %.
EXAMPLE 2 ; (2S,3aS,7aS)-l-{(2S)-2-[(lS)-l-(Ethoxycarbonyl)butylamino]-
propionyl}octahydro-l#-indole-2-carboxylic acid tert-butylamine salt
Step A : (2S)-l-[(2R)-2-Bromopropionyl]-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-lH-indole-2-carboxylic acid
Introduce into a reactor 200 g of (2S)-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-lH-indole-2-carboxylic acid,
75 nil of water and 150 ml of toluene, and then bring the mixture to from 0 to 5°C and add
250 ml of 5M sodium hydroxide solution, followed by a solution of 202 g of (2R)-2-
bromopropionyl chloride in toluene, while maintaining the temperature below 10°C and
maintaining the pH of the mixture at 10 by adding 5M sodium hydroxide solution. After
stirring for a further 1 hour at 10°C, add concentrated hydrochloric acid to adjust the pH of
the mixture to 6.
Separate off the toluene phase, and then add concentrated hydrochloric acid to the aqueous
phase to adjust the pH to 2.
The precipitate formed is then filtered off and dried to yield (2S)-l-[(2R)-2-
bromopropionyl]-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-lH-indole-2-carboxylie acid.
Step B: (2S)-l-{(2S)-2-[(lS)-l-(Ethoxycarbonyl)butylamino]propionyl}-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-l H-indole-2-carboxylic acid
Introduce into a reactor 105 g of ethyl (2S)-2-aminopentanoate, 135 ml of triethylamine and 135 ml of acetonitrile, and then bring the mixture to 60°C and slowly add a solution of 200 g of the compound obtained in Step A in 1.3 litres of dichloromethane, and subsequently reflux for 4 hours. After returning to ambient temperature, wash the mixture with water and with a dilute acetic acid solution, and then evaporate off the solvents to
yield (2S)-l-{(2S)-2-[(lS)-l-(ethoxycarbonyl)butylamino]propionyl}-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexa-hydro-1 H-indole-2-carboxylic acid.
Steps C and D : identical to Steps C and D of Example 1.
EXAMPLE 3 : (2S,3aS,7aS)-l-{(2S)-2-[(lS)-l-(Ethoxycarbonyl)butylamino]-
propionyl}octahydro-l//-indoIe-2-carboxylic acid tert-butylamine salt
Step A : Benzyl (2S) -1 -[(2R) -2- {p-toluenesulphonyloxy}propionyl]-2,3,4,5,6,7-Hexahydro-lH-indole-2-carboxylate
Introduce into a reactor 200 g of benzyl (2S)-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-lH-indole-2-carboxylate and 1.5 litres of dichloromethane, and then bring the temperature of the reaction mixture to 0°C and add 201 ml of diisopropylethylamine, followed by 202 g of (lR)-2-chloro-l-methyl-2-oxoethyl p-toluenesulphonate. Subsequently, bring the mixture to ambient temperature. After stirring for 1 hour at that temperature, wash the mixture with water. The solution of benzyl (2S)-l-[(2R)-2-{p-toluenesulphonyloxy}propionyl]-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-lH-indole-2-carboxylate so obtained is used as it is in the following Step.
Steps B to D : identical to Steps B to D of Example 1.







WE CLAIM:
1. Process for the synthesis of perindopril of formula (I)

(Formula Removed)
and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts,
characterised in that a compound of formula (II)

(Formula Removed)

wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a benzyl or linear or branched (C1-C6)alkyl group, is reacted
with a compound of formula (III) having the (R) configuration :
(Formula Removed)
wherein G represents a chlorine, bromine or iodine atom or a hydroxy, p-
toluenesulphonyloxy, methanesulphonyloxy or trifluoromethanesulphonyloxy
group,
in the presence of a base,
to yield a compound of formula (IV) :

(Formula Removed)
wherein R and G are as defined hereinbefore,
which is reacted with the compound of formula (V) having the (S) configuration:
(Formula Removed)
to yield a compound of formula (VI) :

(Formula Removed)
wherein R is as defined hereinbefore,
which is hydrogenated in the presence of a catalyst such as palladium,
platinum, rhodium or nickel,
to yield, after deprotection where necessary, the compound of formula (I).
2. Process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base used for the reaction between the compounds of formulae (II) and (III) is an organic amine selected from triethylamine, pyridine and diisopropylethylamine, or a mineral base selected from NaOH, KOH, Na2CO3, K2CO3, NaHCO3 and KHCO3.

3. Process as claimed in claim 1, wherein G represents a chlorine or bromine atom or a p-toluenesulphonyloxy, methanesulphonyloxy or trifluoromethanesulphonyloxy group.
4. Process as claimed in claim 3, wherein the reaction between the compounds of formulae (IV) and (V) is carried out in the presence of an organic amine selected from triethylamine, pyridine and diisopropylethylamine, or of a mineral base selected from Na2CO3, K2CO3, NaHCCto and KHCO3.
5. Process as claimed in claim 1, wherein G represents a hydroxy group.
6. Process as claimed in claim 5, wherein the reaction between compounds of formulae (IV) and (V) is carried out in the presence of an activation reagent selected from N-methyl-N-phenyl-aminotriphenylphosphonium iodide, and hexamethylphosphorus triamide together with ammonium perchlorate, or, when R is other than a hydrogen atom, by Mitsunobu reaction.
7. Process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 for the synthesis of perindopril in the form of its tert-butylamine salt.

Documents:

468-DELNP-2006-Abstract-(05-08-2008).pdf

468-delnp-2006-abstract.pdf

468-DELNP-2006-Claims-(05-08-2008).pdf

468-delnp-2006-claims.pdf

468-DELNP-2006-Correspondence-Others-(05-08-2008).pdf

468-delnp-2006-correspondence-others-1.pdf

468-delnp-2006-correspondence-others.pdf

468-delnp-2006-description (complete)-05-08-2008.pdf

468-delnp-2006-description (complete).pdf

468-delnp-2006-drawings.pdf

468-DELNP-2006-Form-1-(05-08-2008).pdf

468-delnp-2006-form-1.pdf

468-delnp-2006-form-18.pdf

468-DELNP-2006-Form-2-(05-08-2008).pdf

468-delnp-2006-form-2.pdf

468-DELNP-2006-Form-3-(05-08-2008).pdf

468-delnp-2006-form-3.pdf

468-DELNP-2006-Form-5-(05-08-2008).pdf

468-delnp-2006-form-5.pdf

468-DELNP-2006-GPA-(05-08-2008).pdf

468-delnp-2006-gpa.pdf

468-DELNP-2006-Other-Documents-(05-08-2008).pdf

468-delnp-2006-pct-210.pdf

468-DELNP-2006-Petition-137-(05-08-2008).pdf

468-DELNP-2006-Petition-138-(05-08-2008).pdf

abstract.jpg


Patent Number 228446
Indian Patent Application Number 468/DELNP/2006
PG Journal Number 08/2009
Publication Date 20-Feb-2009
Grant Date 04-Feb-2009
Date of Filing 27-Jan-2006
Name of Patentee LES LABORATOIRES SERVIER
Applicant Address 12, PLACE DE LA DEFENSE, F-92415 COURBEVOIE CEDEX, FRANCE.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 PASCAL LANGLOIS 3 ALLEE DU BASSIN, 76210 SAINT DE LA NEUVILLE, FRANCE.
2 THIERRY DUBUFFET 17 ALLEE DES CHARMILLES 76190 AUTRETOT, FRANCE.
3 CLAUDE FUGIER 6 RUE THOMAS BECKET, 76210 GRUCHET LE VALASSE, FRANCE.
PCT International Classification Number C07K 5/06
PCT International Application Number PCT/FR2004/002036
PCT International Filing date 2004-07-29
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 03291930.0 2003-07-31 EUROPEAN UNION