Method for producing 3-amidinophenylalanine derivatives

Abstract

The present invention describes a method for the synthesis of enantiomerically pure 3-amidinophenylalanine derivatives, which are used as pharmaceutically effective urokinase inhibitors, by starting from 3-cyanophenylalanine derivatives. The methods of manufacture comprising only one synthesis step lead to new intermediates, namely 3-hydroxyamidino- and 3-amidrazonophenylalanine derivatives. These intermediates or their acetyl derivatives can be reduced into the desired 3-amidino-phenylalanine derivatives under gentle conditions (H.sub.2 or ammonium .[.formiate.]. .Iadd.formate.Iaddend., Pd/C (approx. 10%), ethanol/water, room temperature, normal pressure or also H.sub.2, Pd/C, AcOH or HCl/ethanol, 1-3 bar) in excellent yields and in an enantiomeric excess of up to 99.9%.

Claims

1. A method of synthesizing 3-amidino-phenylalanine derivatives of general formula (I) ##STR00004## or salts thereof formed with acids, which are present as either L- or D-configurated isomers and wherein R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a group of formula ##STR00005## wherein (i) p=1 and r=2 and R.sup.2 is benzyloxycarbonyl, .[.benyzlaminocarbonyl.]. .Iadd.benzylaminocarbonyl .Iaddend.or 2-thienylhydrazinocarbonyl or (ii) p=2 and r=1 and R.sup.2 is ethoxycarbonyl, 2-propyloxycarbonyl, 2-propylcarbonyl, 2-propylaminocarbonyl, methylaminocarbonyl or methyl; and (b) a group of formula ##STR00006## wherein R.sup.3 is selected from the group consisting of methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, dimethylaminocarbonyl, acetyl, and propionyl, comprising the reduction of a compound of the general formula (IIa) ##STR00007## present as L- or D-enantiomers, as (E)- or (Z)-isomers or (E/Z)-mixtures, and wherein R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a group of formula ##STR00008## wherein (i) p=1 and r=2 and R.sup.2 is benzyloxycarbonyl, .[.benyzlaminocarbonyl.]. .Iadd.benzylaminocarbonyl .Iaddend.or 2-thienylhydrazinocarbonyl or (ii) p=2 and r=1 and R.sup.2 is ethoxycarbonyl, 2-propyloxycarbonyl, 2-propylcarbonyl, 2-propylaminocarbonyl, methylaminocarbonyl or methyl; and (b) a group of formula ##STR00009## wherein R.sup.3 is selected from the group consisting of .[.methoxycarbonyk.]. .Iadd.methoxycarbonyl, .Iaddend.ethoxycarbonyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, dimethylaminocarbonyl, acetyl, and propionyl, in the presence of Pd/C in an alcoholic-aqueous solution with hydrogen or ammonium .[.formiate.]. .Iadd.formate.Iaddend..

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound of the general formula (IIa) is hydrogenated in the presence of Pd/C in an alcoholic, acetic acid- or hydrogen chloride-containing solution at a pressure of 1-3 bar.

.[.3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transforming the compounds of general formula (IIa) into the corresponding acetoxyamidino derivatives with acetanhydride in the presence of hydrochloric acid and reducing the derivatives with hydrogen or ammonium formiate in the presence of Pd/C in an alcoholic-aqueous solution..].

4. The method of claim .[.3.]. .Iadd.1.Iaddend., wherein the acetoxyamidino derivatives are hydrogenated in the presence of Pd/C in an alcoholic, acetic acid- or hydrogen chloride-containing solution at a pressure of 1-3 bar.

5. The method of claim .[.3.]. .Iadd.1.Iaddend., wherein the transformation of the compounds of formula (IIa) into the corresponding acetoxyamidino derivatives occurs at a temperature between 20 and 60 C.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the reduction occurs in an ethanolic-aqueous solution having a ratio of 1:1 to 20:1.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the reduction occurs in the presence of 1 to 50% Pd/C.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the reduction occurs at a temperature of 10 to 50 C.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the reduction occurs with an at least 4-fold excess of ammonium .[.formiate.]. .Iadd.formate.Iaddend..

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows how compounds of formula (III) can be transformed into amidoximes of formula (IIa) and into amidrazones of formula (IIb) and how such amidoximes and amidrazones can be reduced to amidines of formula (I).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(2) In a first embodiment of the method of the present invention, transformation of the nitrile group into the amidino function occurs over the amidoxime intermediate of general formula (IIa) by means of hydroxylamine hydrochloride in the presence of sodium carbonate in alcoholic-aqueous solution at reflux temperature, advantageously by boiling for 2 to 20 hours, preferably 4 to 10 hours, a compound of formula (III) with a one to 5-fold excess of hydroxylamine hydrochloride/0.5-0.6 equiv. sodium carbonate in an alcoholic-aqueous, preferably ethanolic-aqueous solution. However, the transformation of nitrile (III) with hydroxylamine hydrochloride can also occur at room temperature in the presence of triethylamine in alcoholic solution, with or without addition of a further organic solvent, such as methylene chloride.

(3) Subsequent reduction of the amidoxime function is performed either with hydrogen gas or with ammonium .[.formiate.]. .Iadd.formate .Iaddend.(which is advantageously applied in an at least 4-fold excess) either by directly starting from unsubstituted amidoxime, or over the acetylated amidoxime manufactured in situ with acetanhydride in the presence of hydrochloric acid, advantageously at 20 to 60 C., in an alcoholic-aqueous solution, preferably in an ethanolic-aqueous solution, advantageously in the ratio of 1:1 to 20:1, preferably 3:1 to 10:1, ideally 5:1, in the presence of Pd/C, advantageously 1 to 50%, preferably 5 to 30% Pd/C (approx. 10%), advantageously at normal pressure and a temperature between 10 and 50 C., preferably between 20 and 30 C., ideally at room temperature. However, reduction can also occur by hydrogenation in the presence of Pd/C in an alcoholic, acetic acid-containing solution at a pressure of about 1-3 bar.

(4) In a second embodiment of the method of the present invention, transformation of 3-cyanophenylalanine derivatives of general formula (III) into 3-amidinoderivatives of general formula I occurs over the amidrazone intermediate of general formula (IIb) by boiling, advantageously for 2 to 20 hours, preferably for 4 to 10 hours, a compound of formula (III) with an excess of hydrazine in alcoholic, preferably ethanolic solution. Reduction of the amidrazone intermediate (IIb) into the corresponding amidine (I) occurs under the same conditions as those starting from amidoxime (IIa).

(5) Further objects of the present invention are compounds of general formula (II) as represented in FIG. 1, in particular those of the following formulas (IV) and (V)

(6) ##STR00003##
as (L)- or (D)-enantiomers, and as (E)- or (Z)-isomers or (E/Z)-mixtures, and as free bases or as salts thereof formed with acids.

(7) The following examples further explain the improved methods of synthesis of the present invention and the synthesis of new intermediates, however without restricting the invention.

(8) Analysis of the eluates and products obtained according to the examples was carried out with .sup.1H-NMR, HPLC electrospray MS or elementary analysis. The enantiomeric excess was determined according to known methods using HPLC and chiral analytical columns. The starting compounds of general formula (III) and their manufacture are known (e.g. WO 00/17158).

EXAMPLES

Example 1

(A) N--2,4,6-Triisopropylphenylsulfonyl-3-oxamidino-(L)-phenylalanine-4-ethoxycar-bonyl piperazide

(9) 75.4 g (0.126 mol) of N--2,4,6-triisopropylphenylsulfonyl-3-cyano-(L)-phenylalanine-4-ethoxycarbonyl piperazide was dissolved in 1.5 l of ethanol, the solution was mixed with 32.5 g (0.47 mol) of hydroxylamine hydrochloride and with a solution of 25.4 g (0.24 mol) of Na.sub.2CO.sub.3 in 0.5 l of water and refluxed for 6 hours (80 C.). The crude product obtained after evaporation of the solvent was taken up in 1.5 l of ethyl acetate and extracted with water (30.5 l), washed with saturated NaCl, dried over Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 71.3 g (90%).

(B) N--2,4,6-Triisopropylphenylsulfonyl-1-3-amidino-(L)-phenylalanine-4-ethoxycar-bonyl piperazide hydrochloride

(10) 71.3 g (0.113 mol) of the N--2,4,6-triisopropylphenylsulfonyl-3-oxamidino-(L)-phenylalanine-4-ethoxycarbonyl piperazide obtained under (A) was dissolved in 0.71 l of ethanol and the solution was mixed with a suspension of 14.2 g of 10% palladium coal in 140 ml of water. Injection of hydrogen until saturation was followed by hydration until complete transformation at normal pressure (approx. 5 hours). The suspension was filtered over Celite, washed with ethanol/water (9:1) and the solvent was evaporated. The crude product obtained was purified over silica gel 60 (ethyl acetate/2-propanol, 8:2) and finally transformed into the corresponding hydrochloride over Amberlite IRA-400 (Cl.sup. form) in 2-propanol/water (8:2). Yield: 65.4 g (89%), ee-value: 99.9% of the (L) form.

(C) N--2,4,6-Triisopropylphenylsulfonyl-1-3-amidino-(L)-phenylalanine-4-ethoxycarbonyl piperazide hydrochloride

(11) 71.3 g (0.113 mol) of the N--2,4,6-triisopropylphenylsulfonyl-3-oxamidino-(L)-phenylalanine-4-ethoxycarbonyl piperazide was dissolved in 0.71 l of ethanol, the solution was mixed with 45.6 g (0.46 mol) of acetic anhydride and stirred for 10 min. at room temperature. Afterwards, 0.46 l of 1 N HCl was added and the thereby warm becoming solution was further stirred for 10 min. After cooling to room temperature, 29 g (0.46 mol) of ammonium .[.formiate.]. .Iadd.formate .Iaddend.was added and the mixture was stirred for 5 min. After addition of a suspension of 14.2 g of 10% Pd/C in 140 ml of water, the mixture was stirred for 24 hours at room temperature. After HPLC check of the reaction completion, the suspension was filtered over Celite, washed with a 1:9 mixture of water/ethanol and the solvent was evaporated. The crude product was taken up in 1.5 l of EtOAc, washed with 3 portions of 0.5 l each of 1N HCl, water and saturated NaCl, and dried over Na.sub.2SO.sub.4. After chromatographic purification over silica gel 60 with ethylacetate/2-propanol (8:2) and subsequent ion exchange chromatography over Amberlite IRA-400 (Cl.sup. form) in 2-propanol/water (8:2) for the conversion into the corresponding hydrochloride, 62.5 g (85%) of product was obtained. ee value: 99.9% of the (L) form.

Example 2

(A) N--2,4,6-Triisopropylphenylsulfonyl-(L)-3-oxamidino-phenylalanyl-nipecotinic acid benzylamide

(12) 2.3 g (3.6 mmol) of N-2,4,6-triisopropylphenylsulfonyl-(L)-3-cyanophenylalanyl-nipecotinic acid benzylamide was dissolved in 45 ml of ethanol and the solution was mixed with 0.94 g (13.6 mmol) of hydroxylamine hydrochloride followed by a solution of 0.74 g (7 mmol) of Na.sub.2CO.sub.3 in 15 ml of water and refluxed for 6 hours (80 C.). The crude product obtained after evaporation of the solvent was taken up in 100 ml of ethylacetate, extracted with water (330 ml), washed with saturated NaCl, dried over Na.sub.2SO.sub.4 and filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 2.1 g (87%).

(B) N--2,4,6-Triisopropylphenylsulfonyl-(L)-3-amidino-phenylalanyl-nipecotinic acid benzylamide hydrochloride

(13) 2.1 g (3.1 mmol) of the N--2,4,6-triisopropylphenylsulfonyl-(L)-3-oxamidino-phenylalanyl-nipecotinic acid benzylamide obtained under (A) was dissolved in 20 ml of ethanol and the solution was mixed with a suspension of 0.4 g of 10% palladium coal in 5 ml of water. Injection of hydrogen until saturation was followed by hydration at normal pressure until complete transformation (approx. 4 hours). The suspension was filtered over Celite, washed with ethanol/water (9:1) and the solvent was evaporated. The crude product obtained was purified over silica gel 60 (ethylacetate/2-propanol, 8:2) and finally converted into the corresponding hydrochloride over Amberlite IRA-400 (Cl.sup. form) in 2-propanol/water (8:2). Yield: 1.74 g (85%), ee value: 99.7% of the (L) form.

Example 3

(A) N--2,4,6-Triisopropylphenylsulfonyl-3-amidrazono-(L)-phenylalanine-4-ethoxy-carbonyl piperazide

(14) 75.4 g (0.126 mol) of N--2,4,6-triisopropylphenylsulfonyl-3-cyano-(L)-phenylalanine-4-ethoxycarbonyl piperazide was dissolved in 1.5 l of ethanol, the solution was mixed with 18.1 g (0.47 mol) of a 100% hydrazine hydrate solution and refluxed for 6 hours (80 C.). The crude product obtained after evaporation of the solvent was taken up in 1.5 l of ethylacetate, extracted with water (30.5 l), washed with saturated NaCl, dried over Na.sub.2SO.sub.4 and filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. Yield: 65.7 g (83%).

B) N--2,4,6-Triisopropylphenylsulfonyl-3-amidino-(L)-phenylalanine-4-ethoxycarbonyl piperazide hydrochloride

(15) 65.5 g (0.104 mol) of the N--2,4,6-triisopropylphenylsulfonyl-3-amidrazono-(L)-phenylalanine-4-ethoxycarbonyl piperazide obtained under (A) was dissolved in 0.66 l of ethanol and the solution was mixed with a suspension of 13.1 g of 10% palladium coal in 130 ml of water. Injection of hydrogen gas until saturation was followed by hydration at normal pressure until complete transformation (approx. 5 hours). The suspension was filtered over Celite and washed with ethanol/water (9:1), and the solvent was evaporated. The crude product obtained was purified over silica gel 60 (ethylacetate/2-propanol, 8:2) and finally converted into the corresponding hydrochloride over Amberlite IRA-400 (Cl.sup. form) in 2-propanol/water (8:2). Yield: 54.1 g (80%), ee value: 99.8% of the (L) form.