Premium
Unusual base‐catalyzed exchange in the synthesis of deuterated PF‐2413873 a
Author(s) -
Rozze Stuart J.,
Fray M. Jonathan
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of labelled compounds and radiopharmaceuticals
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.432
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1099-1344
pISSN - 0362-4803
DOI - 10.1002/jlcr.1657
Subject(s) - chemistry , sulfone , hydrogen–deuterium exchange , substituent , deuterium , base (topology) , medicinal chemistry , benzonitrile , pyrazole , catalysis , organic chemistry , hydrogen , mathematical analysis , physics , mathematics , quantum mechanics
The preparation of deuterated PF‐2413873 (4‐[3‐cyclopropyl‐1‐(methanesulfonylmethyl)‐5‐methyl‐1 H ‐pyrazol‐4‐yl]oxy‐2,6‐dimethylbenzonitrile, 1) is described for use as a bioanalytical standard in clinical trials. Two strategies were investigated. The sulfone‐containing substituent was labelled by base‐catalyzed exchange, but unacceptable deuterium loss was noted under assay conditions. Alternatively, labelling 4‐cyano‐3,5‐dimethylphenol was achieved by heating with deuterium oxide over platinum oxide. After building up the pyrazole ring we discovered that, during the subsequent alkylation to attach the methylthiomethyl group, the base, potassium t ‐butoxide, caused unwanted scrambling of deuteriums on the aromatic portion and the methylthiomethyl group. Thus, it was necessary to remove all base‐labile hydrogens to prevent their exchange. This was accomplished by alkylating the pyrazole with per ‐deuterated chloromethyl methylsulfide, oxidation to the sulfone, and selective removal of its deuteriums by treatment with sodium hydroxide. The unusual sensitivity and selectivity of these base‐promoted exchange reactions are discussed. Thus, 4‐[3‐cyclopropyl‐1‐(methanesulfonylmethyl)‐5‐methyl‐1 H ‐pyrazol‐4‐yl]oxy‐[ 2 H 6 ]2,6‐dimethyl‐[3,5‐ 2 H]benzonitrile (17) was obtained, labelled with eight deuterium atoms and an acceptable D 0 /D 8 ratio. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.