Jacob Janey

Biocatalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Chiral Amines from Ketones Applied to Sitagliptin Manufacture

Biocatalytic Boost Enzymes tend to direct reactions toward specific products much more selectively than synthetic catalysts. Unfortunately, this selectivity has evolved for cellular purposes and may not promote the sorts of reactions chemists are seeking to enhance (see the Perspective by Lutz). Siegel et al. (p. 309) now describe the design of enzymes that catalyze the bimolecular Diels-Alder reaction, a carbon-carbon bond formation reaction that is central to organic synthesis but unknown in natural metabolism. The enzymes display high stereoselectivity and substrate specificity, and an x-ray structure of the most active enzyme confirms that the structure matches the design. Savile et al. (p. 305, published online 17 June) applied a directed evolution approach to modify an existing transaminase enzyme so that it recognized a complex ketone in place of its smaller native substrate, and could tolerate the high temperature and organic cosolvent necessary to dissolve this ketone. This biocatalytic reaction improved the production efficiency of a drug that treats diabetes. An engineered enzyme offers substantial efficiency advantages in the production-scale synthesis of a drug. Pharmaceutical synthesis can benefit greatly from the selectivity gains associated with enzymatic catalysis. Here, we report an efficient biocatalytic process to replace a recently implemented rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric enamine hydrogenation for the large-scale manufacture of the antidiabetic compound sitagliptin. Starting from an enzyme that had the catalytic machinery to perform the desired chemistry but lacked any activity toward the prositagliptin ketone, we applied a substrate walking, modeling, and mutation approach to create a transaminase with marginal activity for the synthesis of the chiral amine; this variant was then further engineered via directed evolution for practical application in a manufacturing setting. The resultant biocatalysts showed broad applicability toward the synthesis of chiral amines that previously were accessible only via resolution. This work underscores the maturation of biocatalysis to enable efficient, economical, and environmentally benign processes for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals.

Synthesis of the HCV Protease Inhibitor Vaniprevir (MK-7009) Using Ring-Closing Metathesis Strategy

A highly efficient synthesis of Vaniprevir (MK-7009) has been accomplished in nine linear steps and 55% overall yield. The key features of this synthesis include a cost-effective synthesis of the isoindoline subunit and efficient construction of the 20-membered macrocyclic core of Vaniprevir (MK-7009) utilizing ring-closing metathesis technology. A high-performing ring-closing metathesis protocol has been achieved by simultaneous slow addition of the ruthenium catalyst (0.2 mol %) and the diene substrate at a concentration of 0.13 M.

A Practical Synthesis of 5-Lipoxygenase Inhibitor MK-0633

Practical, chromatography-free syntheses of 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor MK-0633 p-toluenesulfonate (1) are described. The first route used an asymmetric zincate addition to ethyl 2,2,2-trifluoropyruvate followed by 1,3,4-oxadiazole formation and reductive amination as key steps. An improved second route features an inexpensive diastereomeric salt resolution of vinyl hydroxy-acid 22 followed by a robust end-game featuring a through-process hydrazide acylation/1,3,4-oxadiazole ring closure/salt formation sequence to afford MK-0633 p-toluenesulfonate (1).

Remote Electronic Control in the Regioselective Reduction of Succinimides: A Practical, Scalable Synthesis of EP4 Antagonist MF-310

A practical large-scale chromatography-free synthesis of EP4 antagonist MF-310, a potential new treatment for chronic inflammation, is presented. The synthetic route provided MF-310 as its sodium salt in 10 steps and 17% overall yield from commercially available pyridine dicarboxylate 7. The key features of this sequence include a unique regioselective reduction of succinimide 2 controlled by the electronic properties of a remote pyridine ring, preparation of cyclopropane carboxylic acid 3 via a Corey-Chaykovsky cyclopropanation, and a short synthesis of sulfonamide 5.

Raney-Co Mediated Reductive Cyclization of an α,β-Unsaturated Nitrile

An expedient, five step synthesis of caprolactam 1 is reported starting from natural L-homoserine. The key step is a chemoselective reductive cyclization of alpha,beta-unsaturated nitrile 10 mediated by Raney-Co type metals. This hydrogenation is extensively investigated in order to account for the observed product distribution and yields.

Development of a Diastereoselective Phosphorylation of a Complex Nucleoside via Dynamic Kinetic Resolution

The development of a diastereoselective nucleoside phosphorylation is described, which produces a single isomer of a complex nucleoside monophosphate pro-drug. A stable phosphoramidic acid derivative is coupled to the nucleoside, in a process mediated by HATU and quinine, to deliver the coupled product in high chemical yield and good diastereoselectivity. This unusual process was shown to proceed through a dynamic kinetic resolution of a 1:1 mixture of activated phosphonate ester diastereoisomers. The optimized conditions afforded the product with a combined [S,S(P)] and [S,R(P)] in-process yield of 89% and a ∼7:1 [S,S(P):S,R(P)] diastereomeric ratio. Isolation of the major isomer was facilitated by single crystallization from anisole, where the product was obtained in 57% isolated yield, excellent purity (>95%), and a high diastereomeric ratio (>50:1).

High-Throughput Automation in Chemical Process Development

High-throughput (HT) techniques built upon laboratory automation technology and coupled to statistical experimental design and parallel experimentation have enabled the acceleration of chemical process development across multiple industries. HT technologies are often applied to interrogate wide, often multidimensional experimental spaces to inform the design and optimization of any number of unit operations that chemical engineers use in process development. In this review, we outline the evolution of HT technology and provide a comprehensive overview of how HT automation is used throughout different industries, with a particular focus on chemical and pharmaceutical process development. In addition, we highlight the common strategies of how HT automation is incorporated into routine development activities to maximize its impact in various academic and industrial settings.

Zinc Acetate-Promoted Buchwald-Hartwig Couplings of Heteroaromatic Amines

Zinc salts have been shown to promote the Buchwald-Hartwig coupling of azaindoles and azaindazoles with heteroaryl chlorides to provide the corresponding 1-aryl-1H-azaindoles and 1-aryl-1H-azaindazoles. The substrate scope and mechanistic aspects of this reaction were explored.