WO 2015177807, New patent on AVANAFIL by Wanbury

WO 2015177807
Suryakant Shivaji Pol; Nitin Sharadchandra Pradhan; Shashikant Balu Padwal; Vihar Raghunath Telange; Nitn Shankar Bondre
Wanbury ltd

The present invention relates to a novel compound of Formula (II), and its use in preparation of Avanafil, [Formula should be inserted here] wherein R is -OH, -CI or -OR¹ and R¹ is C₁ to C₃ alkyl group
https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO2015177807&recNum=1&maxRec=&office=&prevFilter=&sortOption=&queryString=&tab=PCTDescription



It having been developed and launched by VIVUS and JW Pharmaceutical, under license from Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, and Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, for treating ED.
A process for preparation of Avanafil was first disclosed in US 6,797,709 (depicted in Scheme I), wherein 4-chloro-5-ethoxycarbonyl-2-methylthio-pyrimidine is coupled with 3-chloro-4-methoxybenzylamine in presence of triethylamine to provide compound of Formula (A), which on oxidization provides a sulfonyl compound of Formula (B). Said compound of Formula (B) is reacted with L-prolinol and exert compound of Formula (C). The resulting compound of Formula (C) undergoes column chromatographic purification and crystallization, while further subjected to hydrolysis to obtain compound of Formula (D). The compound of Formula (D) is coupled with 2-aminomethylpyrimidine to obtain Avanafil of Formula (I). The final product obtained is purified by column chromatography. The need to purify the intermediate compound of Formula (C) and final product, by column chromatography makes this process cumbersome, time consuming and unviable for large scale production thereby contributing to main disadvantages of the process.
Scheme I

Formula (A)
m-CPBA/chloroform

Formula (C) Formula (B)
NaOH/DMSO

Formula (D) Formula (I)
CN 103254179, discloses a process for preparation of Avanafi, wherein 3-chloro-4-methoxybenzylhalide is coupled with cytosine to result compound of Formula (E), later on condensation with L-prolinol yields 4-[(3-chloro-4-methoxy benzyl)amino-2-(2-hydroxymethyl)-l -pyrrolinyl]pyrimidine of Formula (F). The compound of Formula (F) is then condensed with N-(2-pyrimidylmethyl)formamide to obtain Avanafil of Formula (I). Process is depicted in Scheme II
Scheme II

Formula (F) Formula (I)
CN 103254180 describes an alternate process for preparation of Avanafil of Formula (I), wherein a substitution reaction on 6-amino-l ,2-dihydropyrimidine-2-keto-5-carboxylic acid, ethyl ester and 3-chloro-4-methoxybenzylchloride provides 6-(3-chloro-4-methoxybenzylamino)-l ,2-dihydropyrimidine-2-keto-5-carboxylic acid, ethyl ester of Formula (G) which on condensation with L-prolinoI generates 6-(3-chloro-4-methoxybenzylamino)-l ,2-dihydropyrimidine-2-keto-5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester of Formula (H). The compound of Formula (H) is then hydrolysed and coupled with N-(2-pyrimidylmethyI)formamide to obtain Avanafil of Formula (I). Process is depicted in Scheme III
Scheme III

Formula (H) Formula (Γ)
In all the prior art discussed above, chiral compound L-prolinol is coupled in molecule in earlier steps of synthesis. This approach seems to be less feasible for large scale production; the insertion of L-prolinol in early stage may need to exert number of purifications for intermediates. Further the main shortcoming in such process is that the chirality of molecule is disturbed by inserting L-prolinol in early stages because there are number of operations in line in process to obtain the target compound.
CN 103483323, discloses a synthetic method for preparation of avanafil, wherein amidation of pyrimidine-5-carbonyl chlorides with 2-(aminomethyl)pyrimidine at temperature ranging from -10 to 5°C resulted an amide (intermediates A); which underwent condensation with 3-chloro-4-methoxybenzylamine at the temperature ranging from 0 -3°C to give 4-[(3-chloro-4-methoxybenzyl)amino]-5-
pyrimidinecarboxamides (intermediates B), which further on condensation with L-prolinol gave avanafil. The disadvantage of this process is the need to maintain the reaction temperature in range of – 10 to 5°C which adds up to cost of process and makes the process complicated. The process is depicted in Scheme IV.
Scheme IV

Intermediate (A)

wherein, R’ & R² are independently, hydrogen, halogen, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, cyno group, amino group
Hence, to overcome shortcomings of prior art the inventors of present invention have skillfully designed a process with novel intermediate which concomitantly result Avanafil compound of Formula (I), substantially free from impurities. Further this invention encompass L-proline in last stage of molecule in order to avoid the number of purifications of intermediate which relent the economic significances by taking into account yield of each stage.


Object of the invention
1. The main object of the invention is to provide a novel compound of Formula
(ID-
2. Another object of present invention is to provide a process for preparation of a novel compound of Formula (II).
3. Yet another object of present invention is to provide a process for preparation of Avanafil of Formula (I), in high yield and purity using a novel compound of Formula (II).
4. Yet another object of the present invention to provide simple, economic and industrially scalable process for the preparation of Avanafil o Formula (I).
Summary of the invention
According to an aspect of present invention, there is provided a novel compound of Formula (II).

Formula (II)
wherein R is -OH, -CI or -OR and R is Q to C₃ alkyl group

The invention will be specifically described below with reference to Examples but it should not be construed that the scope of the invention is limited thereto. Since the starting compound was produced by a modified method from that described in prior art, it will be described as Referential Example 1 to 3. Here synthesis routes of Referential Example 1 to 3 and Example 1 to 10 are illustrated below in Scheme (V).
Scheme (V)

Formula (I) Referential Examples
Referential Example 1 – Preparation of ethyl 4-[(3-chloro-4-methoxybenzyl)amino]-2-(methyl sulfanyl)pyrimidine-5-carboxylate
To 600ml of methylene dichloride was added l OOg of ethyl 4-chloro-2-(methylsulfanyl) pyrimidine-5-carboxylate and 91.2g of 3-chloro-4-methoxybenzylamine. The reaction mixture was stirred and 500ml of water, 48g of sodium carbonate and Ig of tetra-butylammonium bromide were added to it. The reaction mixture was then maintained overnight at 25-30°C. After completion of reaction, methylene dichloride layer was separated, washed with water and evaporated to obtain 145g of ethyl 4-[(3-chloro-4-methoxybenzyl) amino]-2-(methyl sulfanyl) pyrimidine-5-carboxylate having 95% of HPLC purity.
Above reaction can also be carried out using ammonia or triethylamine in same reaction conditions and parameters, in place of sodium carbonate.
Referential Example 2 – Preparation of 4-[(3-chloro-4-methoxybenzyl) amino]-2-(methyl sulfanyl) pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid
To 600ml of methanol was added l OOg of ethyl 4-[(3-chloro-4-methoxybenzyl) amino]-2-(methyl sulfanyl) pyrimidine-5-carboxylate (Referential Example 1) and an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide (15g of NaOH in 140ml of water). The reaction mixture was heated to reflux temperature. After completion of reaction, the pH of mixture was adjusted to 1 -2 using concentrated hydrochloric acid followed by stirring the mixture for 1 hour at 10-15°C. The solid product obtained was filtered, washed sequentially with water and methanol, and dried overnight at 70-75°C to get 87g of 4-[(3-chloro-4-methoxybenzyl) amino]-2-(methyl sulfanyl) pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid.
Referential Example 3 – Preparation of 4-[(3-chloro-4-methoxybenzyl) amino]-2-(methyl sulfinyl)-N-(pyrimidin-2-ylmethyl) pyrimidine-5-carboxiamide of Formula (III)
To a mixture of 400ml of toluene and 0.5ml of dimethyl formamide was added 50g of 4-[(3-chloro-4-methoxybenzyl) amino]-2-(methyl sulfanyl) pyrimidine-5-carboxylic acid (Referential Example 2) and 70g of thionyl chloride, and the reaction mixture was refluxed for 2.5 hours. After completion of reaction, solvent was distilled under vacuum and the residue was stripped with toluene to obtain yellow solid mass. The solid mass thus obtained, was cooled to 15-20°C followed by addition of 1 75ml of methylene dichloride, 36. l g of 2-amino methyl pyrimidine mesylate and 35.55g of triaethylamine. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight at 25-30°C. After completion of reaction, methylene dichloride was distilled out to get residue. The residue was washed sequentially with 2.5% sodium carbonate solution and water. The residue was then treated with methanol to obtain 4-[(3-chloro-4-methoxybenzyl) amino]-2-(methyl sulfinyl)-N-(pyrimidin-2-ylmethyl) pyrimidine-5-carboxiamide of Formula (III) having HPLC purity of more than 95% (yield: 80%)
Referential Example 4 – Preparation of 4-[(3-Chloro-4-methoxybenzyl)amino]-2-[(2S)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-l -pyrrolidinyl]-N-(2-pyrimidinylmethyl)-5-pyrimidinecarboxamide (Avanafil)
Step i)
To 200ml of dichloromethane was added lOg of 4-[(3-chloro-4-methoxybenzyl) amino]-2-(methyl sulfinyI)-N-(pyrimidin-2-ylmethyl) pyrimidine-5-carboxiamide and 6.5g of m-chloro per benzoic acid and the mixture was stirred for 1 hour at 25-30°C. After completion of reaction, the reaction mixture was washed with aqueous solution of sodium carbonate and water. The resulting dichloromethane layer comprising compound of Formula (IV) was taken to next step.
Step ii)
To the dichloromethane layer obtained in step i), was added 2.57g of triethylamine followed by slow addition of 125ml solution of L-prolinol in dichloromethane (2.46g of L-prolinol in 125ml of dichlromethane). The reaction mixture was maintained overnight. After completion of reaction, the reaction mixture was washed with water followed by evaporation of dichloromethane to obtain an oily mass. The oily mass thus obtained was treated with methanol to yield 8g of Avanafil.
Examples
Example 1 : Preparation of Compound of Formula (II) (wherein R is -OH)
Step i)
To 200ml of methylene dichloride was added lOg of 4-[(3-chloro-4-methoxybenzyl) amino]-2-(methyl sulfinyl)-N-(pyrimidin-2-ylmethyl) pyrimidine-5-carboxiamide of Formula (III) and 6.5g of m-chloro per benzoic acid and the mixture was stirred for 1 hour at 25-30°C. After completion of reaction, the reaction mixture was washed with aqueous solution of sodium carbonate and water. The resulting methylene dichloride layer comprising compound of Formula (IV) was taken to next step.
Step ii)
To the methylene dichloride layer comprising compound of Formula (IV) obtained in step i), was added 5g of triethylamine followed by slow addition of 125ml solution of L-proline in methylene dichloride (2.8g of L-proline in 125ml of methylene dichloride). The reaction mixture was maintained overnight. After completion of reaction, the reaction mixture was washed with water and 5% sodium carbonate solution, followed by evaporation of methylene dichloride to obtain an oily mass. The oily mass obtained was stripped with 50ml acetone to yield 9g of compound of Formula (II) having HPLC purity 98%.
Example 2: Preparation of Compound of Formula (II) (wherein R is -OC₂H₅)
To 100ml of ethanol was added 0.5ml of sulphuric acid and l Og of compound of Formula (II) obtained in example 1 , and the reaction mixture was maintained at reflux temperature till completion of reaction. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 25-30°C and the pH of reaction mixture was adjusted to 7-8 using sodium carbonate. Filter the reaction mixture and collect filtrate containing product. The ethanol in filtrate is completely distilled out to isolate 10.45g of esterified compound of Formula (II).
Example 3 : Preparation of Compound of Formula (II) (wherein R is -CI)
To a mixture of 400ml of toluene and 0.5ml of dimethylformamide was added 50g of compound of Formula (II) obtained in example 1 , and 70g of thionyl chloride. The reaction mixture was refluxed for 2.5 hours. After completion of reaction, solvent was distilled under vacuum and the residue was stripped with toluene to obtain 50.5g of oily carboxylic acid chloride compound of Formula (II).
Example 4: Preparation of Avanafil of Formula (I)
In an inert atmosphere, a solution of 30g of compound of Formula (II) obtained in example 1 or 2, in 150 ml of tetrahydrofuran was dropwise added to 180ml of suspension of 1.0M lithium aluminium hydride solution in tetrahydrofuran, The reaction mixture was refluxed for 5 hours. After completion of reaction, the mixture was cooled in ice-bath and saturated aqueous solution of sodium sulfate was added to decompose excess of lithium aluminium hydride. The mixture was then diluted with 200ml of methylene dichloride and thus formed organic layer was separated. The organic layer was washed with water (3 ^χ 100 ml), dried over MgS04 and concentrated to collect crude Avanafil of Formula (I) which was subjected to purification using methanol as solvent to yield 22.8g of Avanafil of Formula (I) having HPLC purity of 99.20%.
Example 5 : Preparation of Avanafil of Formula (I)
To a mixture of 1.3g sodium borohydride, 1 ml methanesulfonic acid and 50ml ethanol was added l Og of compound of Formula (II) obtained in example 1 or 2, and the mixture was stirred at 25-30°C for 5 hours. After completion of reaction, 100ml water was added and the mixture was extracted with 1 00ml methylene dichloride (50ml X 2). The methylene dichloride layer obtained was evaporated under reduced pressure to get an oily mass. The oily mass was stripped with ethyl acetate at 45- 50°C. To the oily residue formed was added 50ml of ethyl acetate and the mixture was cooled to 0-5°C. The solid obtained was filtered, washed with ethyl acetate and dried to yield crude Avanafil of Formula (I) which was subjected to purification using methanol as solvent to yield 7g of Avanafil of Formula (I) having HPLC purity of 99%.
Example 6 to Example 8
The procedure is carried out as in example 5 except for instead of methanesulfonic acid other reducing agents are used in combination with sodium borohydride. The results are given in Table I
Table I

Example 9: Preparation of Avanafil of Formula (I)
To 100ml of ethanol was added 0.5ml of sulphuric acid and l Og of compound of Formula (II) obtained in example 1 , and the reaction mixture was maintained at reflux temperature till completion of reaction. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 25-30°C and the pH of reaction mixture was adjusted to 7-8 using sodium carbonate. Filter the reaction mixture and collect filterate containing product. To the fi Iterate was added 1.2g of sodium borohydride and 2.6g of lithium bromide, and the mixture was stirred for 5 hours. After complete conversion of ester to final product, l OOml water was added and the mixture was extracted with 100ml methylene dichloride (50ml X 2). The methylene dichloride layer obtained was evaporated under reduced pressure to get an oily mass. The oily mass was stripped with 25ml ethyl acetate at 45-50°C. To the oily residue formed was added 50ml of ethyl acetate and the mixture was cooled to 0-5°C. The solid obtained was filtered, washed with ethyl acetate and dried to yield crude Avanafil of Formula (I) which was subjected to purification using methanol as solvent to yield 7.5g of Avanafil of Formula (I) having HPLC purity of 99%.
Example 10: Preparation of Avanafil of Formula (I) from Compound of Formula (II) (wherein R is -CI)
To a mixture of 400ml of tetrahydrofuran and 50g of carboxylic acid chloride compound of Formula (II) obtained in example 3, was added 12g sodium borohydride at 0-5°C. After completion of reaction, water was added to reaction mixture to decompose excess of sodium borohydride present. The reaction mixture was then concentrated and a solution of 30g of potassium hydroxide in 200 ml of water was added. The mixture was heated to 60-70°C and maintained for 15-18 hours. The mixture was then cooled to 25-30°C and 500 ml of methylene dichloride was added. The organic layer thus formed, was separated and evaporated to yield crude Avanafil
of Formula (I) which was then subjected to purification using methanol as solvent to obtain 40g of Avanafil of Formula (I) having HPLC purity of 99.01%.

Mr. K. Chandran
		Wholetime Director & Vice Chairman

Tarapur plant

MR K. CHANDRAN (left), Director, Wanbury, and Mr Asok Shinkar, Director-Corporate Finance, at a press conference held in Mumbai on Monday.

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