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C H A P T E R 2
Asymmetric synthesis of (S)-Dapoxetine and (R)-Selegiline using
Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation strategy
112
SECTION-I
Asymmetric synthesis of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (S)-
Dapoxetine
2.1.1 Introduction
Premature ejaculation (PE) is the most common form of male sexual dysfunction.
1
Globally, between 20% and 40% of men, at some point in their lives, have reported
symptoms of PE or a complaint of PE,
1-3
which may be classified as lifelong or acquired.
4
Lifelong PE is characterized by early ejaculation in the majority of intercourse attempts
with nearly every partner from the first sexual encounter onwards, whereas acquired PE
develops at some point in a mans life after he has previously experienced normal
ejaculation and may be linked to urological or psychological problems.
4
Current treatments
Historically, PE was considered a psychosomatic problem.
5, 6
Therefore,
behavioral, cognitive, and sex/relationship therapies have been a key component of PE
management. Behavioral approaches have generally focused on the physical aspect of
PE, including the squeeze technique as first described by Masters and Johnson in 1970
7
and the stop-start method described by Semans in 1956.
8
A number of pharmacologic therapies have been employed in the management of
PE. A topical cream containing local anesthetics lidocaine 1 and prilocaine 2 was
effective for PE (Figure 1).
9, 10
H
N
O
N
H
H
N
O
N
Lidocaine 1 Prilocaine 2
Figure 1. Local anesthetics agent.
113
In addition, topical treatments can be messy and inconvenient to use.
Alternatively, Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), commonly used in the
treatment of depression, are often used to treat PE. A key limitation of therapy for PE
with currently available SSRIs is that in addition to delaying ejaculation, this class of
drugs has been associated with a number of unwanted side effect have been observed
following treatment with citalopram 3, fluvoxamine 4, fluoxetine 5, paroxetine 6,
sertraline 7 (Figure 2).
11, 12
O
F
N
NC
CF
3
N
O
O
H
2
N
NHMe
O
F
3
C
(R)-Fluoxetine 5
N
H
O
O
O
Cl
Cl
NHMe
(R,S)-Paroxetine 6
(S,S)-Sertraline 7
(R)-Citalopram 3
Fluvoxamine 4
Figure 2. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
N
H
N
N
H
O
O
O
O
Me
N
S
Me O
N
H
N
N
N
Me
O
O
O
N
S
O
N
H
N
N
N
Me
O
O
O
Sildenafil 8
Vardenafil 9
Tadalafil 10
Figure 3. Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors
114
Other systemic treatments that have been evaluated for the management of PE include the
phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors such as Sildenafil 8, Tadalafil 9, and Vardenafil
10, currently licensed for the treatment of Erectile Dysfunction (ED) (Figure 3).
Dapoxetine
Presently, no pharmacologic agent is approved by any regulatory agency
specifically for the treatment of PE, which may contribute to under treatment of the
condition. Dapoxetine is a novel short-acting SSRI for the treatment of PE. In preclinical
models, dapoxetine has been statistically shown to significantly inhibitory ejaculatory
expulsion reflexes, acting at a supraspinal level.
13, 14
Similar to other SSRIs, dapoxetine
exerts its effects primarily through the inhibition of the serotonin reuptake transporter,
with minimal inhibitory activity at the norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake
transporters.
15
However, unlike long-acting SSRIs, which are typically administered in a
chronic (daily) fashion and may take days or weeks to reach steady-state plasma
concentrations,
16
dapoxetine is a short-acting SSRI, which may be better suited to the
treatment of PE.
17
O
N
Me Me
O
N
Me Me
O
N
Me Me
()-Dapoxetine 11
(R)-Dapoxetine 11a (S)-Dapoxetine 11b
Figure 4. Structure of racemic and enantiomers of Dapoxetine
(S)-(+)-Dapoxetine 11b hydrochloride ((S)-(+)-N,N-dimethyl-[3-(naphthalen-1-yloxy)-1-
phenylpropyl]amine; Priligy),
18
a potent SSRI with a short half-life has been developed
specifically for the treatment of PE. The (S)-Dapoxetine 11b is 3.5 times more potent
19
115
than is (R)-Dapoxetine 11a (Figure 4).
This substance was first launched in 2009 in
Europe where it is used for the oral, on-demand treatment of PE in men between 18 and
64 years of age.
2.1.2 Review of Literature
The synthetic methods available in the literature for (S)-Dapoxetine are as follows
OBannon approach (1992)
20
OBannon et al have reported three different approaches for the synthesis of (S)-
Dapoxetine 11b, first method describes resolution of racemic dapoxetine 11 with D-
tartaric acid (Scheme 1). Racemic dapoxetine 11 was synthesized by Knoevenagel
condensation of benzaldehyde 12 with malonic acid in the presence of ammonium acetate
produced the beta-aminoacid 13.
CHO
NH
2
OH
O N
OH
Me Me
O
N
OEt
Me Me
O
OEt
O N
OH
Me Me
N
O
Me Me
O
N
Me Me
i
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii
12
13
14
16 15 17
11
(S)-11b
()-
Scheme 1. Reagents and condition: i) Malonic acid, NH
4
OAc, EtOH, reflux; ii) Pd-C, H
2
,
HCHO; iii) EtOH, HCl (gas), reflux; iv) dimethyl amine; v) LiAlH
4
, THF (or) Red-Al in
toluene; vi) NaOH, 1-fluoronaphthol, DMA, 100
C; iii)
MsCl, pyridine, DCM; iv) NaCN, DMSO, 60
C; v) dil.H
2
SO
4
, reflux; vi) BH
3
.THF, 0
C; vii)
HCHO, HCO
2
H, reflux; viii) 1-Fluoronaphthalene, NaH, DME.
Borane reduction of 19 provided the N-Boc amino alcohol 20, which was
activated as the mesylate 21 by reaction with methanesulfonyl chloride in pyridine,
117
yielding 21. Displacement of the mesylate group of 21 with NaCN furnished the Boc-
aminonitrile 22. Hydrolysis of the nitrile group with concomitant N-Boc deprotection
under the acidic condition to afford amino acid (S)-13b. This was reduced to amino
alcohol 23b using borane in THF. Eschweiler-Clarke methylation of aminoalcohol 23b
yielded the dimethyl amine (S)-17b. This was finally condensed with 1-
fluoronaphthalene to produce the (S)-Dapoxetine 11b.
Third approach of same group, the synthesis of
14
C-labeled compound 11b was
reported as shown in Scheme 3. The selective tosylation of the primary hydroxyl of (R)-
1-phenyl-1,3-propanediol 24 provided 25. From this, naphthyl ether 26 was prepared by
Williamsons synthesis with the sodium alkoxide of 1-naphthol. The secondary hydroxyl
group in 26 was then converted to mesylate 27 upon treatment with methanesulfonyl
chloride and catalytic amount of DMAP. Subsequent displacement with methylamine in a
sealed vessel afforded the secondary amine 28. This was finally alkylated with
14
CH
3
I to
yield the target
14
C-labeled compound (S)-11b.
OH
OH
OTs
OH
O
OH
O
NH
O
OMs
i ii
iv
iii
O
N
H
3
14
C CH
3
v
24
25
26
27 28
14
C-labled (S)-Dapoxetine 11b
Scheme 3. Reagents and condition: i) TsCl, Et
3
N, DCM; ii) 1-naphthol, NaOH, DMF; iii)
MsCl, cat. DMAP, Et
3
N, DME, 0
C; iv) MeNH
2
, sealed tube, heat; v)
11
CH
3
I.
118
Gotor approach (2006)
21
Gotor et al have reported the enzymatic resolution of 3-amino-3-phenylpropane-
1-ol derivative ()-29 has been studied through N-acylation in the presence of candida
antarctica lipase A (CAL-A) as a biocatalyst (Scheme 4). Racemic 3-amino-3-
phenylpropan-1-ol ()-23 was synthesized from benzaldehyde 12, a process which
involves two steps: formation of 3-amino-3-phenylpropionic acid ()-13 followed by
reduction to afford the corresponding amino alcohol ()-23.
CHO
NH
2
OH
O
NH
2
OH
NH
2
OTBDMS
O
O
O
HN
OTBDMS
O
O
NH
2
OTBDMS
NH
2
OH
N
OH
Me Me
N
O
Me Me
93% ee
i
ii
iii
v
vi
vii
12
13 23 ()- ()-
29 ()-
(R)-29a
30
31
(S)-23b
(S)-17b
(S)-11b
iv
Scheme 4. Reagents and condition: i) Malonic acid, NH
4
OAc, EtOH, reflux, 12 h, 68%; ii)
LiAlH
4
, THF, reflux, 3 h, 77%; iii) TBDMCl, imidazole, DCM, rt, 95%; iv) CAL-A, TBME, 30
C, 16 h; (ii) SOCl
2
, Et
3
N, DCM, 0
C to rt, 12 h; (vi) n-
Bu
3
SnH, AIBN, toluene, reflux, 75% two steps; (vii) LiAlH
4
, THF, rt, 12 h; (viii) TFA, DCM,
rt, (ix) HCHO, HCO
2
H, reflux; (x) 1-Naphthol, Ph
3
P, DEAD, THF, rt.
120
As indicated in the Scheme 5, the trans-cinnamyl ester 32 upon Sharpless
asymmetric dihydroxylation afforded (2R,3S)-methyl-2,3-dihydroxy-3-phenylpropanoate
33 in 80% yield with 99% ee. The vicinal diol on treatment with thionyl chloride gave the
corresponding cyclic sulfite 34 as a diastereomeric mixture in a 1:1 ratio. The cyclic
sulfite reacted with NaN
3
to furnish azido alcohol 35 in 85% yield. The azide reduction
followed by Boc protection of the amine functionality resulted in the formation of
compound 36. The deoxygenation of the secondary alcohol 36, under the Barton
McCombie protocol gave the product 38 in 75% yield. The ester functionality in 38 was
reduced to intermediate 39 by LAH. The Boc group in 39 was subsequently deprotected
by TFA to give (S)-23b. The amine (S)-23b was alkylated using the Clarke-Eschweiler
condition to afford (S)-17b in 83% yield. Mitsunobu reaction conditions, which gave (+)-
(S)-dapoxetine 11b in 72% yield.
Another approach of same group, the trans-cinnamyl alcohol 40 was subjected to
SAE conditions
to give the epoxide 41 in 88% yield with 98% ee is represented in the
Scheme 6.
Regioselective opening of the epoxide 41 with NaN
3
gave the azido diol 42 in
97% yield. The azido diol 42 was converted into the mono-TBS protected azido alcohol
43 in 96% yield, which on reduction with 5% Palladium on Charcoal in EtOAc followed
by treatment of the amine with (Boc)
2
O afforded the N-Boc protected alcohol 44 in 88%
yield. The secondary alcohol 44 was converted into its xanthate ester 45 under standard
reaction condition followed by a deoxygenation under the Barton-McCombie
protocol
affording the protected amino alcohol 46, which was further treated with TFA to give the
121
amino alcohol (S)-23b in 81% yield in two steps. The amino alcohol (S)-23b was
converted in to (S)-dapoxetine 11b using literature procedure.
OH OH
O
OH
N
3
OH
OTBS
N
3
OH
OTBS
NHBoc
OH
OH
NH
2
O
N
Me Me
OTBS
NHBoc
OTBS
NHBoc
O
S
SMe
i
ii
iii iv v
vi
vii
40
41b
42
43
44
45
46
(S)-23b
(S)-11b
Scheme 6. Reagents and conditions: i) (R,R)-(+)-DET, Ti(O
i
Pr)
4
, TBHP, 4
MS, DCM, -20
C-rt, 5 h, 81%
two steps.
Benjamin List approach (2008)
23
Benjamin list et al have reported formal synthesis of (S)-Dapoxetine 11b through
Mannich reaction catalyzed by organocatalyst as shown in the Scheme 7.
N
Boc
H
O
NHBoc
CHO
NHBoc
OH
i
ii
47 48
49
50
(S)-Dapoxetine 11b
Scheme 7. Reagents and conditions: i) (S)-Proline (20 mol %), CH
3
CN, 0
C, 2 h; vii) NaH, CS
2
, MeI, THF, 0
C, 1 h; x) LAH, THF, 0
C to rt,
2 h; HCHO, NaCNBH
3
, AcOH, CH
3
CN, rt, 2 h.
The Lactam 60 was then protected as its carbamate derivative with (Boc)
2
O obtains 61. It
was further reduced by LAH to get Boc protected amino alcohol 39. Intermediate 39 was
further subjected to Boc deprotection with TFA to get amino alcohol (S)-23b. The
methylation of (S)-23b using formaldehyde and sodium cyanoborohydride afforded the
desired N-bismethylated amino alcohol (S)-17b.
124
Lee approach (2010)
25
Lee et al have reported enantiomers of Dapoxetine employing Du Bois
asymmetric C-H amination reaction of the prochiral sulfamate ester 63, catalyzed by a
chiral valerolactam-derived, dirhodium (II) complex which illustrated in the Scheme 9.
OH
O
i
S
H
2
N
O O
O
S
HN
O O
ii
O
S
N
O O
iii
iv
NH
O
v
N
O
N
O
Rh
Rh N
O N
N
Ts
Ts
H
H
2
2
Rh
2
(R-nap)
4
62
63 64
65
28
(S)-11b
Scheme 9. Reagents and conditions: i) ClSO
2
NH
2
, DMA, 0
C, followed by addition of
128
allylic alcohol or t-BuOOH. After a brief waiting period (presumably to allow the ligand
equilibrium to occur on titanium), the final component of the reaction is added.
R
2
R
1
R
3
":O:
-"
":O:
-"
L-(+)-diethyl tartrate
L-(-)-diethyl tartrate
t-BuOOH, Ti(Oi-Pr)
4
CH
2
Cl
2
, -20
o
C
R
2
R
1
R
3
OH
OH
CH
2
Cl
2
, -20
o
C
t-BuOOH, Ti(Oi-Pr)
4
O
R
2
R
1
R
3
OH
O
(-)-DET
(+)-DET
Scheme 11.
The virtues of the AE are obvious. In each case, the components are commercially
available cost. The availability of tartrate esters in both enantiomeric forms is especially
fortunate, allowing the synthesis of either of enantiomer of a desired product. A key
feature in this regard is the predictability of the process; no exceptions to the trend shown
in Scheme 11 have been noted in reactions using achiral substrates. And the simplicity of
standard epoxidation reactions has been effectively retained, especially considering that
the chiral catalyst system is prepared in situ. Epoxides can be easily converted into
dialcohols, amino alcohols or ethers, so formation of chiral epoxides is a very important
step in the synthetic of natural products. K. Barry Sharpless shared the 2001 Nobel Prize
in chemistry for his work on asymmetric oxidations. The prize was shared with Williams
S. Knowles and Ryoji Noyori.
129
Reaction variable for titanium tartrate catalyzed asymmetric epoxidation:
1. Stoichiometry:
Two aspect of stoichiometry are important in an asymmetric epoxidation: one is the
ratio of titanium to tartrate used for the catalyst and the other is the ration of catalyst to
substrate. With regard to the catalyst it is crucial to obtaining the highest possible
enantiomeric excess that at least a 10% excess of tartrate ester to titanium (IV) alkoxide
to be used in all asymmetric epoxidations. This is important when the reaction is being
done with either a stiochiometric or a catalytic quantity of the complex. There appears to
be no need to increase the excess of tartrate ester beyond 10-20% and, in fact, a larger
excess has been shown to slow the epoxidation reaction unnecessarily.
The second stoichiometry consideration is the ratio of catalyst to substrate. Virtually
all asymmetric epoxidations can be performed with a catalytic amount of titanium tartrate
complex if molecular sieves are added to the reaction condition. A study of catalyst-
substrate ratios in the epoxidation of cinnamyl alcohol revealed a significant loss in
enantiomeric excess (Table 1) below the level of 5 mol% catalyst. At this catalyst level,
the reaction rate also decreases with the consequence that incomplete epoxidation of the
substrate may occur. Presently, the recommended catalyst stoichiometric is from 5%
Ti/6% tartrate ester to 10% Ti/12% tartrate ester.
28
Table 1. Dependence of Enantioselectivity on Catalyst Stoichiometry
OH
O
(R,R)-41a
Ti(O-i-Pr)
4
, % (+)-DIPT, % ee, %
5.0 6.0 92
4.0 5.2 87
2.0 2.5 69
130
2. Concentration
The concentration of substrate used in the asymmetric epoxidation must be given
consideration because competing side reactions may increase with increased reagents
concentration. The use of catalytic quantities of the titanium tartrate complex has greatly
reduced this problem. The epoxidation of most substrates under catalytic conditions may
be performed at a substrate concentration up to 1M. By contrast, epoxidations using
stoichiometry amounts of complex best run at substrate concentrations of 0.1M. Even
with catalytic amounts of the complex, a concentration of 0.1M allylalcohol, which
produce sensitive epoxy alcohol products.
28
3. Preparation and Aging of the catalyst
Proper preparation of the catalyst is essential for optimal reaction rates and
enantioselectivity. The preparation and storage of stock solutions of the titanium tartrate
catalyst should not be attempted as the complex is not sufficiently stable for long term
storage. Best results are obtained when the catalyst is prepared by mixing the titanium
(IV) alkoxide and the tartrate in a solvent at -20
C,
3 h, 89%; ii) Red-Al, DME, 0 to 25
C, 1 g of activated
powdered 4A
o
molecular sieves, Ti(O
i
Pr)
4
(0.59 mL, 2 mmol) and 5-6 M solution of
TBHP in undecane (8 mL, 40 mmol) were added sequentially. The mixture was allowed
to stir at -20 C for 1 h and then a solution of freshly distilled (E)-3-phenyl-2-propenol 40
(2.57 mL, 20 mmol) in 5 mL CH
2
Cl
2
was added dropwise over 30 min. after 3 h at -20
C while MgSO
4
(2 g) and Celite (500 mg)
were added. After another 15 min of stirring, the mixture was allowed to settle and clean
solution was filtered through a pad of Celite and washed with diethyl ether. Azeotropic
removal of TBHP with toluene at a reduced pressure and subjected to high vacuum gave
41b as yellow oil. Recrystallization from petroleum ether/diethyl ether gave white
crystals of 41b
Yield : 2.68 g, 89%
mp : 52-54
o
C {lit.
28
mp: 51-53
C }
[]
25
D
: - 49.3 (c 2.4, CHCl
3
) {Lit.
28
[]
25
D
= -49.6 (c 2.4, CHCl
3
)}
IR (KBr, cm
-1
) : 3446, 3032, 2922, 2870, 1606, 1462, 1400, 1222, 1074, 985,
854, 759
1
H-NMR
(300MHz, CDCl
3
)
: 1.79-1.84 (dd, J = 5.4, 5.2 Hz, 1H), 3.22-3.25 (m, 1H),
OH
O
41b
140
3.76-3.84 (m, 1H), 3.92-3.93 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 4.01-4.09
(ddd, J =2.4, 10.5, 12.1 Hz, 1H), 7.26-7.39 (m, 5H)
13
C-NMR
(75 MHz, CDCl
3
)
: 55.5, 61.2, 62.5, 125.7, 128.3, 128.5, 136.5.
Moshers ester (41c)
To a solution of N, N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide
(DCC) (41 mg, 0.2 mmol), and 4-dimethylaminopyridine
(2 mg, 10 mol %) in CH
2
Cl
2
(2 mL) at 0
C under argon
atmosphere, was added drop-wise a solution of alcohol 41b (28.5 mg, 0.19 mmol) in
CH
2
Cl
2
(2 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred for 10 min. and (R)--methoxy--
trifluoromethylphenyl acetic acid (46 mg, 0.19 mmol) in CH
2
Cl
2
(2 mL) was added drop-
wise, solution was stirred at 0
C)
[]
25
D
: = +66 (c 1, CHCl
3
) {lit.
31
[]
25
D
= +65 (c 1, CHCl
3
)}
IR (KBr, cm
-1
) : 3392, 3313, 2955, 2902, 1595, 1489, 1444, 1209, 1082,
1037, 972, 879, 742
1
H-NMR
(300MHz, CDCl
3
)
: 1.91-2.07 (m, 2H), 2.34 (br s, 2H), 3.86-3.89 (t, J = 5.4 Hz,
2H), 4.95-4.99 (dd, J = 3.6, 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.26-7.37 (m, 5H).
13
C-NMR
(75 MHz, CDCl
3
)
: 40.3, 61.0, 73.8, 125.9, 127.4, 128.4, 144.2.
MS (m/z, RI %) : 152 (23)[M
+
], 134 (17), 117 (35), 107 (100)
OH
OH
24
142
(R)-3-(Naphthalen-1-yloxy)-1-pheny-propae-1-ol (26)
To a mixture of (R)-3-phenyl-1,3-dihydroxypropane
24 (456 mg, 3 mmol), 1-naphthol (576 mg, 4 mmol) and
triphenylphosphine (840 mg, 3.2 mmol) in 15 mL of
anhydrous THF under N
2
at room temperature was added a
solution of DIAD (0.63 mL, 3.2 mmol) in anhydrous THF (5 mL). The resulting mixture
was stirred until TLC indicated that the diol 24 was consumed (20 h, TLC). The solvent
was evaporated; residue was purified by flash column chromatography (silica gel (230-
400 mesh), petroleum ether/ethyl acetate (80:20) to afford 26.
Yield : 592 mg, 71%
BP : colorless oil
[]
25
D
: = +122 (c 1.3, CHCl
3
)
IR (Neat, cm
-1
) : 3375, 3053, 2935, 1590, 1388, 1253, 1078, 765
1
H-NMR
(300MHz, CDCl
3
)
: 1.66 (br s, 1H), 2.15-2.26 (m, 1H), 2.35-2.47 (m, 1H), 3.83-
3.91 (m, 1H), 3.95-4.03 (m, 1H), 5.57-5.62 (dd, J = 3.9, 8.8
Hz, 1H), 6.64-6.66 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.16-7.54 (m, 9H),
7.76-7.79 (m, 1H), 8.38-8.41 (m, 1H)
13
C-NMR
(75 MHz, CDCl
3
)
: 41.4, 59.7, 77.5, 106.9, 120.3, 121.8, 125.3, 125.6, 125.7,
126.3, 127.5, 127.6, 128.7, 134.5, 141.4, 153.2
MS (m/z, RI %) : 278 (5) [M
+
], 260 (5), 144 (100)
O
OH
26
143
(S)-2-[3-(Naphthalen-1-yloxy)-1-phenyl-propyl]-isoindole-1,3-dione (66)
To a mixture of alcohol 26 (556 mg 2 mmol),
phthalimide (367 mg, 2.5 mmol) and triphenylphosphine (577
mg, 2.2 mmol) in 10 mL of anhydrous THF under N
2
at room
temperature was added a solution of DIAD (0.46 mL, 2.2
mmol) in anhydrous THF (2 mL). The resulting mixture was
stirred until TLC indicated that the alcohol was consumed. The solvent was evaporated;
the residue was subjected to chromatography on silica gel (100-200 mesh) with (95:5) pet
ether-ethyl acetate to afforded desired product 66.
Yield : 667 mg, 82%
mp : 156-158
C
[]
25
D
: = +195.6 (c 1, CHCl
3
)
IR (CHCl
3
, cm
-1
) : 3036, 2937, 1707, 1591, 1383, 1244,1084, 949
1
H-NMR
(200MHz, CDCl
3
)
: 2.20-2.40 (m, 1H), 2.50-2.69 (m, 1H), 3.86-3.97 (m, 1H),
4.05-4.19 (m, 1H), 5.46-5.52 (dd, J = 4, 8 Hz, 1H), 6.57-6.60
(d, J = 6 Hz, 1H), 7.12-7.44 (m, 9 H), 7.61-7.75 (m, 5H),
8.34-8.39 (m, 1H)
13
C-NMR
(75 MHz, CDCl
3
)
: 35.3, 37.2, 78.0, 106.6, 120.1, 121.9, 122.9, 125.0, 125.6,
126.1, 127.3, 127.6, 128.6, 131.9, 133.6, 134.3, 140.8, 152.9,
168.2
MS (m/z, RI %) : 407 (3)[M
+
], 266 (12), 264 (55), 160 (100), 144 (18)
O
N
O O
66
144
(S)-Dapoxetine 11b
To a stirred solution of 66 (407 mg, 1 mmol) in
ethanol (10 mL) was added hydrazine hydrate (80%) solution
(0.5 mL, 8 mmol) and the resulting mixture was refluxed for
3 h. The precipitated solid was filtered off, and the solvent
was removed under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in ether and extracted
with 2N HCl, and the aqueous phase was treated with 2N NaOH until pH >12. The
aqueous phase was extracted with ether (3x20 mL), and the combined organic phases
were dried over Na
2
SO
4
and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was taken
into next step.
To a solution of crude amine in 85% formic acid (227 L, 5 mmol), was added a
37% aqueous formaldehyde (220 L, 3 mmol) and the mixture heated at 95-100
C for 6
hours. After cooling the solution, acidified with 4N HCl until pH = 1 and basified with 4
N NaOH. The aqueous phase was extracted with ether (3 x 20 mL), and combined
organic phase were dried over Na
2
SO
4
and evaporated under reduced pressure. The
residue was purified by flash column chromatography (CH
2
Cl
2
/MeOH, 97:3) to afford
(S)-Dapoxetine 11b.
Yield : 210 mg, 69%
BP : pale yellow oil
[]
25
D
: = + 65.4 (c 0.31, CHCl
3
){ref.
25
[]
28
D
= + 63 (c 0.3, CHCl
3
)}
IR (Neat, cm
-1
) : 3057, 2953, 2775, 1735, 1583, 1456, 1394, 1269, 1238, 1099,
1068, 1022, 912, 850, 769
1
H-NMR : 2.25 (s, 6H), 2.26-2.29 (m, 1H), 2.58-2.69 (m, 1H), 3.58-
O
N
Me Me
(S)-Dapoxetine 11b
145
(300MHz, CDCl
3
) 3.63 (dd, J = 9.3, 5.1 Hz, 1H), 3.84-3.92 (m, 1H), 4.02-4.09
(m, 1H), 6.62-6.65 (dd, J = 7.3, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 7.23-7.79 (m,
7H), 7.43-7.50 (m, 2H), 7.76-7.79 (m, 1H), 8.21-8.25 (m,
1H)
13
C-NMR
(75 MHz, CDCl
3
)
: 32.9 , 42.7, 65.5, 67.5, 104.4, 119.9, 121.9, 124.9, 125.5,
125.7, 126.2, 127.2, 127.3, 128.1, 128.5, 134.3, 139.4, 154.5
MS (m/z, RI %) : 305 (4) [M
+
], 134 (100), 115 (12)
146
2.1.7 Spectra
29.
1
H NMR spectrum of 41b
30.
13
C NMR spectrum of 41b
31.
1
H NMR spectrum of Moshers ester 41c
32.
1
H NMR spectrum of 24
33.
13
C NMR spectrum of 24
34.
1
H NMR spectrum of 26
35.
13
C NMR spectrum of 26
36.
1
H NMR spectrum of 66
37.
13
C NMR spectrum of 66
38.
1
H NMR spectrum of 11b
39.
1
H NMR spectrum of 11b (Expansion)
40.
13
C NMR spectrum of 11b
147
1
H
N
M
R
S
p
e
c
t
r
u
m
o
f
4
1
b
148
1
3
C
N
M
R
S
p
e
c
t
r
u
m
o
f
4
1
b
149
1
H
N
M
R
S
p
e
c
t
r
u
m
o
f
M
o
s
h
e
r
'
s
e
s
t
e
r
4
1
c
150
1
H
N
M
R
S
p
e
c
t
r
u
m
o
f
2
4
151
1
3
C
N
M
R
S
p
e
c
t
r
u
m
o
f
2
4
152
1
H
N
M
R
S
p
e
c
t
r
u
m
o
f
2
6
153
1
3
C
N
M
R
S
p
e
c
t
r
u
m
o
f
2
6
154
1
H
N
M
R
S
p
e
c
t
r
u
m
o
f
6
6
155
1
3
C
N
M
R
S
p
e
c
t
r
u
m
o
f
6
6
156
1
H
N
M
R
S
p
e
c
t
r
u
m
o
f
1
1
b
157
1
H
N
M
R
S
p
e
c
t
r
u
m
o
f
1
1
b
158
1
3
C
N
M
R
S
p
e
c
t
r
u
m
o
f
1
1
b
159
2.1.8 References
1. Althof, S. E. Prevalence, characteristics and implications of premature
ejaculation/rapid ejaculation. J Urol. 2006, 175, 842.
2. Porst, H.; Montorsi, F.; Rosen, R. C.; Gaynor, L.; Grupe, S.; Alexander, J. The
Premature Ejaculation Prevalence and Attitudes (PEPA) survey: prevalence,
comorbidities, and professional help-seeking. Eur Urol. 2007, 51, 816.
3. Carson, C.; Gunn, K. Premature ejaculation: definition and prevalence. Int J Impot
Res. 2006, 18, S5.
4. Waldinger, M. D. Recent advances in the classification, neurobiology and treatment
of premature ejaculation. Adv Psychosom Med. 2008, 29, 50.
5. Barnes, T.; Eardley, I. Premature ejaculation: the scope of the problem. J Sex Marital
Ther. 2007, 33, 151.
6. McMahon, C. The etiology and management of premature ejaculation. Nat Clin
Pract Urol. 2005, 2, 426.
7. Masters, W.; Johnson, V. Human Sexual Inadequacy. Boston, MA: Little Brown and
Co; 1970.
8. Semans, J. Premature ejaculation: a new approach. S Med J. 1956, 49, 353.
9. Atikeler, M. K.; Gecit, I.; Senol, F. A. Optimum usage of prilocaine-lidocaine cream
in premature ejaculation. Andrologia. 2002, 34, 356.
10. Busato, W.; Galindo, C. C. Topical anaesthetic use for treating premature
ejaculation: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. BJU Int. 2004,
93, 1018.
160
11. Montejo-Gonzlez, A. L.; Llorca, G.; Izquierdo, J. A. SSRI-induced sexual
dysfunction: fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, and fluvoxamine in a prospective,
multicenter, and descriptive clinical study of 344 patients. J Sex Marital Ther. 1997,
23, 176.
12. Montejo, A. L.; Llorca, G.; Izquierdo, J. A.; Rico-Villademoros, F. Incidence of
sexual dysfunction associated with antidepressant agents: a prospective multicenter
study of 1022 outpatients. Spanish Working Group for the Study of Psychotropic-
Related Sexual Dysfunction. J Clin Psychiatry. 2001, 62, 10.
13. Clment, P.; Bernab, J.; Gengo, P. Supraspinal site of action for the inhibition of
ejaculatory reflex by dapoxetine. Eur Urol. 2007, 51, 825.
14. Giuliano, F.; Bernabe, J.; Gengo, P.; Alexandre, L.; Clement, P. Effect of acute
dapoxetine administration on the pudendal motoneuron reflex in anesthetized rats:
comparison with paroxetine. J Urol. 2007, 177, 386.
15. Gengo, P. J.; Giuliano, F.; McKenna, K. Monoaminergic transporter binding and
inhibition profile of dapoxetine, a medication for the treatment of premature
ejaculation [abstract]. J Urol. 2005, 173, 239.
16. Hiemke, C.; Hartter, S. Pharmacokinetics of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Pharmacol Ther. 2000, 85, 11.
17. Modi, N. B.; Dresser, M. J.; Simon, M.; Lin, D.; Desai, D.; Gupta, S. Single- and
multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of dapoxetine hydrochloride, a novel agent for the
treatment of premature ejaculation. J Clin Pharmacol. 2006, 46, 301.
18. Hellstrom, W. J. G. Neuropsychiatr. Dis. Treat. 2009, 5, 37.
19. Robertson, D. W.; Wong, D. T.; Thompson, D. C. U.S. Patent 5135947, 1992.
161
20. a) Wheeler, W. J.; OBannon, D. D. J. Labelled. Compd. Radiopharm. 1992, 31,
305; b) Sarbera, L. A.; Castaner, J.; Castaner, R. M. Drugs Future 2004, 29, 1201.
21. Torre,O.; Gotor-Fernadaz, V.; Gotor, V. Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 2006, 17, 860.
22. Siddiqui, S. A.; Srivasan, K. V. Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 2007, 18, 2099; b)
Venkatesan, K.; Srinivasan, K. V. ARKIVOC 2008, xvi, 302.
23. Chincholkar, P. M.; Kale, A. S.; Gumaste, V. K.; Deshmukh, A. R. A. S.
Tetrahedron 2009, 65, 2605.
24. Yang, J. W.; Chandler, C.; Stadler, M.; Kampen, D.; List, B. Nature 2008, 452, 453.
25. Kang, S.; Lee, H. K. J. Org. Chem. 2010, 75, 237.
26. (a) Henbest, H. B. Chem. Sec., Spec. Publ. 1965, 19, 83. (b) Ewins, R. C.; Henbest,
H. B.; Mckervy, M. A. J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun., 1967, 1085.
27. Katsuki, T.; Sharpless, K. B. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1980, 102, 5974.
28. Gao, Y.; Hanson, R. M.; Klunder, J. M.; Ko, S. Y.; Masamune, H.; Sharpless, K. B.
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1987, 109, 5765.
29. Lu, L. D. L.; Johnson, M. G. Finn, Sharpless, K. B. J. Org. Chem. 1984, 49, 728.
30. Finn, M. G.; Sharpless, K. B., in Asymmetric synthesis, ed. J. D. Morrison,
Academic Press, New York, 1985, Vol.5, P. 247
31. (a) Gao, Y.; Sharpless, K. B. J. Org. Chem. 1988, 53, 4081; (b) Chenevert, R.;
Fortier, G.; Rhlid, R. B. Tetrahedron 1992, 48, 6769.
32. (a) Bittner, S.; Assaf, Y. Chem. Ind. (London) 1975, 281; (b) Manhas, M. S.;
Hoffmann, W. H.; Lal, B.; Bose, A. K. J. Chem. Soc. Perkin Trans. 1, 1975, 461; (c)
162
Fukuyama, T.; Laud, A. A.; Hotchkiss, L. M. Tetrahedron Lett. 1985, 26, 6291; (d)
Mitsunobu, O. Synthesis, 1981, 1-28; (e) Kumara Swamy, K. C.; Bhuvan Kumar, N.
N.; Balaraman, E.; Pavan Kumar, K. V. P. Chem. Rev. 2009, 109, 2551.
33. (a) Von Itzstein, M.; Jenkins, I. D. J. Chem. Soc. Perkin. Trans. 1, 1986, 436; (b)
Hughes, D. L. Org. React. 1992, 42, 335.
34. (a) Mitsunobu, O.; Wada, M.; Sano, T. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1972, 94, 679; (b) Wada,
M.; Sano, T.; Mitsunobu, O. Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn. 1973, 46, 2833; (c) Huang, K.;
Ortiz-Marciales, M.; Correa, W.; Pomales, E.; Lopaz, X. Y. J. Org. Chem. 2009, 74,
4195.
35. (a) Eschweiler, W. Ber. 1905, 38, 880; (b) Clarke, H. T.; Gillespie, H. B.;
Weisshaus, S. Z. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1933, 55, 4571; (c) Snyder, H. R.; Saunders, J.
H. Org. Syn. 1955, Coll. Vol. 3,723.
163
SECTION-II
Asymmetric synthesis of Monoamine Oxidase (MAO-B) Inhibitor (R)-
Selegiline
2.2.1 Introduction
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system
that often impairs the sufferer's motor skills, speech, and other functions.
1
Parkinson's
disease belongs to a group of conditions called movement disorders. It is characterized by
muscle rigidity, tremor, postural abnormalities, gait abnormalities, a slowing of physical
movement (bradykinesia) and a loss of physical movement (akinesia) in extreme cases.
The primary symptoms are the results of decreased stimulation of the motor cortex by the
basal ganglia. Normally this involves insufficient formation and thus action of dopamine
produced in the dopaminergic neurons of the midbrain (specifically the substantia nigra).
Secondary symptoms may include high level cognitive dysfunction and subtle language
problems. The disease is named after English apothecary James Parkinson, who made a
detailed description of the disease in his essay: "An Essay on the Shaking Palsy" (1817).
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia (taken from
Latin, originally meaning "madness"). This incurable, degenerative, and terminal disease
was first described by German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer in
1906 and was named after him.
2
Most often, it is diagnosed in people over 65 years of
age,
3
although the less-prevalent early-onset Alzheimer's can occur much earlier. In 2006,
164
there were 26.6 million sufferers worldwide. Alzheimer's is predicted to affect 1 in 85
people globally by 2050.
4
L-DOPA (L-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine; levodopa)
Levodopa is a naturally-occurring dietary supplement and psychoactive drug
found in certain kinds of food and herbs (e.g., Mucuna pruriens, or velvet bean), and is
synthesized from the amino acid L-tyrosine (TYR) in the mammalian body and brain. L-
DOPA is the precursor to the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine
(noradrenaline), and epinephrine (adrenaline) collectively known as catecholamines.
Aside from its natural and essential biological role, L-DOPA is also used in the clinical
treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) and dopamine-responsive dystonia (DRD).
MeO
MeO
COOH
NHCOCH
3
MeO
MeO
COOH
NHCOCH
3
H
H
[Rh(R,R)DiPAMP, COD)BF
3
+ H
2
H
3
O
+
HO
HO
COOH
NH
2
L-DOPA (69)
67
68
Scheme 1
In work that earned him a Nobel Prize in 2000, Swedish scientist Arvid Carlsson
first showed in the 1950s that administering L-DOPA to animals with Parkinsonian
symptoms would cause a reduction in their intensity. The 2001 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
was also related to L-DOPA: the Nobel Committee awarded one-fourth of the prize to
William S. Knowles for his work on chirally-catalysed hydrogenation reactions, the most
noted example of which was used for the synthesis of L-DOPA. Levodopa (or L-DOPA)
165
has been the most widely used treatment for Parkinsons disease over 30 years.
5
L-DOPA
is transformed into dopamine in the dopaminergic neurons by dopa-decarboxylase. Since
motor symptoms of PD are produced by a lack of dopamine in the substantia nigra the
administration of L-DOPA temporarily diminishes the motor symptomatology.
5
Only 5-
10% of L-DOPA crosses the blood-brain barrier. The remaining L-DOPA is often
metabolized to dopamine elsewhere, causing a wide variety of side effects including
nausea, dyskinesias and stiffness. Carbidopa and benserazide are peripheral dopa
decarboxylase inhibitors. They help to prevent the metabolism of L-DOPA before it
reaches the dopaminergic neurons and therefore reduce side effects. They are generally
given as combination with levodopa.
MAO-B inhibitors
R-(-)-Deprenyl (Selegiline 70a), Rasagiline 71a, Lazabemide 72 and Safinamide
73 are well-known selective inhibitors of MAO-B (Figure 1).
6,7
The Selegiline is quite
effective in the treatment of Parkinsons disease as well as Alzheimers disease when
used along with L-DOPA.
N
Cl
N
H
O
NH
2
F
O
N
H
Me
NH
2
O
(R)-Selegilne 70a
(R)-Rasagilne 71a
Lazabemide 72
(S)-Safinamide 73
N
HN
Figure 1. Selective Monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitors
166
The idea behind adding selegiline to levodopa is to decrease the dose of levodopa
and thus reduce the motor complications of levodopa therapy.
10
Comparisons of patients
on levodopa + placebo vs levodopa + selegiline showed that selegiline allowed reduction
of the levodopa dose by about 40%. Selegiline + levodopa also extended the time until
the levodopa dose had to be increased from 2.6 to 4.9 years. In addition, Selegiline has
been recently approved as transdermal patch formulation to treat major depressive
disorders. The high doses of selegiline used in such a formulation may be responsible for
MAO-A inhibition and, consequently, for the antidepressant effect.
11
N
70
N
(R)-70a
N
(S)-70b ()-
Figure 2. Racemic and enantiomers of Selegiline
Deprenyl 70 is a racemic compound (Figure 2). For the further pharmaceutical
development, the (-)-enantiomer of deprenyl 70a, which caused less hypermotility than
the opposite (+)-enantiomer 70b. This (-)-enantiomer (l-deprenyl, R-deprenyl) later has
come to be called Selegiline 70a.
12
167
2.2.2 METABOLISM OF SELEGILINE IN HUMAN
13
Nine urinary metabolites of selegiline hydrochloride were identified after administrations
to human (Scheme 2). Their identities were confirmed by comparison of the spectra from
GC/MS of peaks with those of authentic compounds.
N
Me
Me
NHMe
Me
N
H
Me
(R)-(-)-Methamphetamine 74a
N-despropynylation
(R)-(-)-Selegiline 70a
N-desmethylation
Desmethylselegiline 75a
N-despropynylation
NH
2
Me
(R)-(-)-Amphetamine 78a
p-hydroxylation
-hydroxylation
NHMe
Me
HO
(S)
(R)
NHMe
Me
OH
(1S,2R)-(+)-Ephedrine 77a
(1R,2R)-(-)-pseudoephedrine 77b
(R)
(R)
NHMe
Me
OH
-hydroxylation
p-hydroxylation
NH
2
Me
HO
(S)
(R)
NH
2
Me
OH
(1S,2R)-(+)-Norephedrine 80a
(1R,2R)-(-)-Norpseudoephedrine 80b
(R)
(R)
NHMe
Me
OH
(R)-(-)-Hydroxyamphetamine 79
(R)-(-)-Hydroxy
methamphetamine 76
Scheme 2. Metabolic pathways of selegiline in humans.
168
The following metabolites and unchanged drug (Selegiline) were detected in
urine: (R)-desmethylselegiline 75a, (R)-methamphetamine 74a, (R)-amphetamine 78a,
(1S,2R)-norephedrine 80a, (1R,2R)-norpseudoephedrine 80b, (1S,2R)-ephedrine 77a,
(1R,2R)-pseudoephedrine 77b, (R)-p-hydroxyamphetamine 79, and (R)-p-
hydroxymethamphetamine 76. The metabolites excreted 2 days after administration of
2.5-10 mg of selegiline hydrochloride amounted to 44-58% of the dose. Selegiline was
metabolized by three distinct pathways: N-dealkylation, -hydroxylation, and aromatic
ring-hydroxylation. The major metabolite was (R)-methamphetamine 74a. During
metabolism, no racemic transformation occurred and -hydroxylation showed apparently
product stereoselectivity.
2.2.3 Review of Literature
The synthetic methods available in the literature for Selegiline are as follows
Gyogys approach (1988)
14
Gyogy et al have reported the preparation of racemic selegiline 70 and 4-
fluoroselegiline 84 as given in the Scheme 3. Phenyl acetone 81 and propargylamine on
treatment with HgCl
2
-activated aluminum at 60 C gave amine 75, which on methylation
yielded racemic selegiline 70. Similarly, (4-fluorophenyl) acetone 82 gave 4-
fluoroselegiline 84.
R
O
R
HN
R
N
i
ii
R =H 81
R =F 82
R =H 75
R =F 83
R =H 70
R =F 84
Scheme 3. Reagents and conditions: (i) propargylamine, EtOH, 60
C, HgCl
2
-Al; (ii) MeI,
K
2
CO
3
, acetone.
169
Hajiceks approach (1988)
15
In this approach (R)-selegiline 70a was prepared by propargylation of
deoxyephedrine 74a with propargyl bromide. Subsequent treatment with HCl afforded
(R)-Selegiline 70a hydrochloride (Scheme 4).
NH
N N
.HCl
i
ii
74a
70a 70a. HCl
Scheme 4. Reagents and conditions: (i) propargyl bromide, K
2
CO
3
, PhH 5 C; (ii) HCl (gas)
Same group have reported the (R)-selegiline 70a hydrochloride by reaction of (R)-
deoxyephedrine 74a with HCCCH
2
OP
+
Ph
3
Cl, followed by treatment with HCl
(Scheme 5).
NH
N N
.HCl
i
ii
74a
70a
70a. HCl
Scheme 5. Reagents and conditions: (i) HCCCH
2
OP
+
Ph
3
Cl
-
, Et
3
N, CH
3
CN, 25
C, 10 h; (ii)
HCl (gas), i-PrOH, 36%.
Sterlings approach (2002)
16
Sterling et al have reported the synthesis of (R)-3-hydroxy selegiline 87,
involving classical resolution of amine 85 with D-tartaric acid to give optically pure amine
85a. Subsequent propargylation and reaction with ethyl formate gave formate derivative,
which on reduction yielded (R)-3-hydroxy selegiline 87 (Scheme 6).
NH
2
NH
2 HN N
iii ii i
85
85a
86 87 OH
OH
OH OH
()-
Scheme 6. Reagents and conditions: (i) D-tartaric acid, MeOH, reflux; then 25% NH
4
OH, 25
C; (iii) HCO
2
Et, then LiAlH
4
,THF,reflux.
170
Plenevauxs approach (2002)
17
Racemic 4-[
18
F]fluoroselegiline 84 was prepared via the three step procedure: (i)
substitution by [
18
F]fluoride on 4-nitrobenzaldehyde 88 (ii) reaction with (1-chloro- 1-
(trimethylsilyl)ethyl)lithium and hydrolysis to give 4-[
18
F]flurophenylacetone 82, (iii)
reductive alkylation of ketone 82 with N-methylpropnylamine led to 84 (Scheme 7).
CHO
O
2
N
CHO
F
i
F
O
F
N
ii iii
88
89
82 84
Scheme 7. Reagents and conditions: (i) KF, 65%; (ii) 1-chloro-1-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl lithium,
hydrolysis, 50%; (iii) N-methylpropynylamine, NaBH
3
CN, 35%.
www.selegiline.com
18
In this method, (S)-phenyl alanine 90 was used as the starting material for the
preparation of (R)-selegiline 70a (Scheme 8). Methyl ester of phenyl alanine 91 on
reductive alkylation with formic acid gave N-methyl derivative 92. Propargylation and
reduction of ester 93 with LiAlH
4
yielded alcohol 94 without affecting -CC-bond, which
on subsequent reaction with thionyl chloride followed by reduction, gave (R)-selegiline
70a.
CO
2
H
NH
2
CO
2
Me
NH
2
CO
2
Me
NHMe
CO
2
Me
N N
OH
N
i ii
iii
iv
v
(S)-phenylalanine 90 91
92
93
94
70a
Scheme 8. Reagents and conditions: (i) MeOH, HCl, reflux; (ii) HCO
2
H, NaBH
4
; (iii)
propargylbromide, K
2
CO
3
; (iv) SOCl
2
; (v) LiAlH
4,
THF.
171
Sudalais approach (2004)
19
Sudalai et al have reported three different approaches for the synthesis of (R)-
Selegiline 70a. In first approach, -methyl styrene 95 was subjected to Sharpless
asymmetric dihydroxylation reaction to give chiral diol 96 which on treatment with
SOCl
2
gave the corresponding cyclic sulfite 97. Treatment of cyclic sulfite 97 with
sodium azide gave the corresponding azido alcohol 98 which on treatment with
triphenylphosphine gave chiral aziridine 99. It was under the transfer hydrogenation in
the presence of Pd-catalyst produced the amine 78a which was subsequently, converted
to (R)-selegiline 70a as per the literature procedure (Scheme 9).
OH
OH
O
S
O
O
N
3
OH
NH
NH
2
NH
N
i ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii
95
96
97 98
99
78a 74a
70a
Scheme 9. Reagents and condition: (i) OsO
4
, (DHQ)
2
-PHAL, K
3
Fe(CN)
6
, K
2
CO
3
, t-
BuOH:H
2
O, 0
C,
82%; (iv) PPh
3
, CH
3
CN, 90%; (v) Pd/C (10%), HCO
2
NH
4
, MeOH, reflux, 88%; (vi) (a)
ClCO
2
CH
3
, DCM, aq. K
2
CO
3
, 45 min, 90% (b) LiAlH
4
, dry THF, 65
C, 72%.
In the second approach, -aminooxylation of 3-phenylpropanaldehyde 100 was
carried out using nitrosobenzene and catalytic amount of L-proline. The resulting
aminooxy aldehyde was reduced with NaBH
4
afforded the -aminooxy alcohol 101. It
was then reduced with molecular hydrogenation in the presence of Pd-C to the
corresponding diol 102 in 88% yield. The diol 102 upon selective tosylation of primary
172
hydroxyl functionality followed by treatment with NaH converted to the corresponding
epoxide 103. It was then subjected to selective reductive ring opening at the terminal
position with LiAlH
4
to give the secondary alcohol 104 in 92% yield. The alcohol 104
was then converted to N-methylamine 74a in a four-step reaction sequence: (i)
mesylation, substitution with azide, reduction of azide to amine, protection of amine
with (Boc)
2
O and reduction of N-Boc group using LiAlH
4
to give N-methylamine 74a.
Propargylation of amine 74a using propargyl bromide furnished (R)-selegiline 70a in
26% overall yield (Scheme10).
O OH
ONHPh
O
OH
NH
2 N
i ii
iii
v
vi
OH
OH
NH
vii
iv
100
101 102 103
104
78a
74a 70a
Scheme 10. Reagents and conditions: (i) (a) PhNO, L-proline (10 mol %), DMSO, 25 C, 20
min. then MeOH, NaBH
4
, 86%; (ii) H
2
(1atm.), 10% Pd/C, MeOH, 12 h, 88%; (iii) (a) TsCl,
Et
3
N, CH
2
Cl
2
, 0 C, 1 h, (b) NaH, DMF, 0 C, 0.5 h, 81% for 2 steps; (iv) LiAlH
4
, THF, reflux,
2 h, 92%; (v) (a) MsCl, Et
3
N, DCM, 0 C, 0.5 h, (b) NaN
3
, DMF, 80 C, 12 h, 76% for 2 steps;
(c) H
2
(1atm.), 10% Pd/C, MeOH, 2 h, 98%; (vi) (a) (Boc)
2
O, Et
3
N, 0 C, 1 h, 95%; (b)
LiAlH
4
, THF, reflux, 4 h, 90%; (vii) propargyl bromide, K
2
CO
3
, CH
3
CN, 12 h, 72%.
In the third approach, 3-phenylpropanaldehyde 126 was reacted with dibenzyl
azodicarboxylate in the presence of D-proline (10 mol %) to afford an aminoaldehyde.
Subsequently, it was reduced with NaBH
4
afforded the protected amino alcohol 131 in
95% yield (Scheme 11).
173
O
OH
N
HN Cbz
Cbz
OH
NHBoc
OTs
NHBoc
NH N
i ii
iii
iv v
100
105
106
107
74a
70a
Scheme 11. Reagents and conditions: (i) Dibenzyl azodicarboxylate , D-Proline (10 mol%), 0-
20
C, 3 h then NaBH
4
, EtOH, 95%; (ii) (a) H
2
(60 psi), Raney Ni, MeOH, AcOH, 16 h, (b)
(Boc)
2
O, Et
3
N, 0
C, 1 h, (b) LiAlH
4
,
THF, reflux, 4 h, 81% for 2 steps; (iv) propargyl bromide, K
2
CO
3
, CH
3
CN, 12 h, 72%.
The amino alcohol 131 was then hydrogenated using Raney-nickel as catalyst to
give amino alcohol, which was converted to the corresponding carbamate 132 using
(Boc)
2
O. The primary alcohol was then tosylated to give 133, which on reduction with
LiAlH
4
gave the methylamine 99a in 81% yield. The secondary amine was propargylated
using propargyl bromide under standard conditions to give (R)-selegiline 95a in 37%
overall yield.
174
2.2.4 Present work
2.2.4.1 Objective
Literature search revealed that few reports are available for the synthesis of
Selegiline. Previously, to best of our knowledge the (R)-Selegiline 70a was prepared
from a racemic mixture through resolution by tartaric acid. Only a few strategies are
currently available for the asymmetric synthesis of (R)-Selegiline 70a. The first
asymmetric synthesis of (R)-Selegiline 70a was described from (S)-Phenyl alanine as
starting material. The stereoselective synthesis of (R)-Selegiline 70a from -methyl
styrene, employing Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation was developed. Unfortunately,
this method affords low optical purity (up to 83% ee). The Organocatalytic -
hydroxylation and -amination strategy also described for the synthesis of (R)-Selegiline
70a. However, these routes involved lengthy procedures and it required, Nitrosobenzene,
Dibenzylazodicarboxylate and unnatural amino acid D-proline. In this section, we
described highly enantioselective synthesis of (R)-Selegiline 70a using Sharpless
Asymmetric Epoxidation as a key step and source of chirality.
A retrosynthetic plan for the synthesis of (R)-Selegiline 70a outlined in the
Scheme 12. We envisaged (S)-secondary alcohol 104 as a key intermediate to (R)-
Selegiline. Since, (S)-secondary alcohol 104 could be easily converted into target
molecule 70a via Fukuyama-Mitsunobu reaction followed by propargylation. The key
intermediate 130 in turn could be obtained by regioselective reductive ring opening of
epoxide followed by dehalogenation of 108. Iodo compound 108 in turn could be
obtained by Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation of cinnamyl alcohol 40 followed by Apple
reaction respectively.
175
N
Me
Me
Me
OH
OH I
O
70a 104
108 40
Scheme 12. Retrosynthetic analysis of (R)-Selegiline 70a
2.2.5 Results and discussion
The (S)-secondary alcohol 104 as a key intermediate to (R)-Selegiline 70a. In
order to get (S)-secondary alcohol 104, it was considered that trans-cinnamyl alcohol 40
was the immediate precursor to 104 and accordingly, trans-cinnamyl alcohol was
subjected to Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation
20
reaction to give (2S, 3S)-epoxycinnamyl
alcohol 41b in 89% yield and >98% ee as indicated in the Scheme 13.
OH
(S)
(S)
OH
O
(S)
(R)
I
O
(S)
OH
i ii iii
(R)
N
Me
Me
Ns
(R)
N
Me
Me
H
(R)
N
Me
Me
iv v
vi
40 41b 108
104
110 74a (R)-Selegiline 70a
Scheme 13. Reagents and conditions: i) (+)-DIPT, Ti(O-i-Pr)
4
, TBHP, 4 MS, DCM, -20 C,
3 h, 89%; ii) I
2
, Ph
3
P, imidazole, Et
2
O:CH
3
CN (1:1), 0 C, 45 min, 92%; iii) H
2
(2 atm), Pd-C,
Et
3
N, EtOAc, 10 h, 94%; iii) DIAD, Ph
3
P, N Methyl-2-nitro-benzenesulfonamide 135, THF,
rt, 3 h, 86%; v) PhSH, CH
3
CN, rt, 2 h, 87%; vi) propargyl bromide, K
2
CO
3
, CH
3
CN, rt, 3 h,
76%.
Epoxycinnamyl alcohol 41b was treated with Iodine,
triphenylphosphine in the presence of imidazole under Apple
condition
21
to produce Iodo epoxide 108 in 92% yield. The
1
H NMR spectrum of 108
showed multiplet at 3.28 corresponding to methylene and methine proton, appearance
I
O
108
176
of apparent broad singlet at 3.77 corresponding to benzylic proton respectively. Its
13
C
NMR spectrum showed carbon signal at 4.4 corresponding to iodine attached to
methylene carbon and signal showed up field shift due to shielding of iodine atom. The
peaks at 61.9 and 62.4 are corresponding to methyne and benzylic carbon signal,
appearance of intense peaks at 125.5 and 1285 corresponding to -CH- carbon of the
aromatic ring, other carbon signal at 136.1 corresponding to quaternary carbon.
Subsequently, compound 108 was treated with 10% Palladium on charcoal, hydrogen (2
atm) and excess of triethylamine in ethyl acetate to give (S)-secondary alcohol 104 in
94% yield. In this transformation, the regioselective reductive ring opening of the
epoxide followed by reductive dehalogenation
22
occurred in one pot. Triethylamine was
used to neutralize the hydroiodide as a by-product in this process.
23
IR spectrum of 104 showed characteristic broad band at 3381
cm
-1
region indicating the presence of hydroxyl functionality. Its
1
H
NMR spectrum showed peak at 1.23 appeared as a doublet confirming the presence of
methyl group, the signal at 2.0 (s) is due to the hydroxyl functionality, appearance of
peak at 2.63-2.85 as a multiplet corresponding to benzylic protons. Other signal at
3.95-4.15 (m) corresponding to methine proton of the chiral center respectively. Its
13
C
NMR spectrum showed overall up field shift. The carbon signals at 22.7, 45.7 and 68.8
are corresponding to methyl, benzyl and methyne carbon respectively. The (S)-secondary
alcohol 104 was transformed into (R)-N-methyl-2-nitro-
benzenesulfonamide derivative 110 under Fukuyama-
Mitsunobu reaction condition.
24
The IR spectrum of 110
shows two very intense absorption in the 1545 cm
-1
and
OH
104
N
Me
Me
S
O
2
110
NO
2
177
1344 cm
-1
region of the spectrum due to asymmetric and symmetric stretching vibrations
of the highly polar nitrogen-oxygen bonds strongly evident the presence of -NO
2
group,
the strong bands in the 1454 cm
-1
and 1168 cm
-1
regions, due to the asymmetric and
symmetric stretching vibrations of -SO
2
- group. Its
1
H NMR spectrum showed 1.13-
1.15 (d) corresponding to terminal methyl proton, appearance of signal at 2.63-2.71 (dd,
1H, J = 8.4, 8.1 Hz), 2.81-2.87 (dd, 1H, J = 6.9, 6.6 Hz) due to diastereotopic nature of
benzylic proton, characteristic sharp singlet at 2.90 indicating the presence of methyl
group on the nitrogen and signal at 4.23-4.33 (sextet, J = 6.6 Hz) corresponding to proton
of the chiral center. Other peaks at 7.52-7.65 (m) and 7.80-7.83 (m) corresponding to
protons of the nosyl moiety respectively. Its
13
C NMR spectrum showed carbon signal at
27.9 indicating presence of methyl group on the nitrogen, peaks at 126.4, 130.6,
131.5, 133.1, 133.2 and 147.6 are corresponding to carbon signal of nosyl moiety. The
resulting sulfonamide derivative 110 was further transformed to Methamphetamine 74a
by the deprotection
25
of nosyl group with thiophenol.
Deprotection of nosyl moiety was confirmed by its IR
spectrum showed characteristic broad band 3425-3319 cm
-1
region
indicating the presence free amine. Its
1
H NMR spectrum showed
sharp intense peak around at 2.44 (s) indicating presence of methyl group on the
nitrogen. Its
13
C NMR spectrum showed overall up field shift of carbon signals. Finally,
the propargylation of the amino functionality in 74a was carried out using potassium
carbonate as a base and propargyl bromide as alkylating reagent. Thus, (R)-selegiline 70a
was obtained in 76% yield.
N
Me
Me
H
74a
178
The IR spectrum of 70a showed characteristic band
3437, 2120 and 669 cm
-1
region represent CC-H stretching,
CC stretching, and C-H bending mode indicating presence of
propargyl group. Its
1
H NMR spectrum showed characteristic singlet at 1.85
corresponding to terminal proton of acetylene moiety, typical signal at 3.43 (d)
corresponding to methylene protons of propargyl moiety respectively. Its
13
C NMR
spectrum showed peaks at 43.0, 72.6 and 80.2 corresponding to methylene, quaternary
and terminal carbon signal of propargyl moiety respectively.
2.2.6 Conclusion
In conclusion, we have developed efficient method for the synthesis of (R)-
selegiline 70a from commercially available trans-cinnamyl alcohol in a total of seven
steps with 44% overall yield. Herein, we used Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation and
Fukuyama-Mitsunobu reaction as a key step. Simple procedures, high enantioselectivity,
the ready availability of the catalyst and starting material are some of the salient features
of this approach. We envisage that this simple protocol may find application in the
pharmaceutical industry for the large scale production of (R)-selegiline 70a
N
Me
Me
(R)-Selegiline 70a
179
2.2.7 Experimental section
(S,R)-2-Iodomethyl-3-phenyloxirane (108)
To a stirred, cooled (0
C
IR (CHCl
3
, cm
-1
) : 3356, 3120, 3022, 1637, 1542, 1386, 1354, 1216, 1173, 1119,
1
H-NMR
(200 MHz, CDCl
3
)
: 2.79-2.81 (d, J = 4 Hz, 3H), 5.29 (br s, 1H), 7.72-7.90 (m,
3H), 8.10-8.18 (m, 1H)
13
C-NMR
(50 MHz, CDCl
3
)
: 29.7, 125.4, 131.4, 132.3, 132.7, 133.7, 148.10
SO
2
NHMe
NO
2
109
181
(R)-N-Methyl-N-(1-methyl-2-pheny-ethyl)-2-nitro-benzenesulfonamide (110)
A solution of DIAD (2.42 mL, 12 mmol) in dry THF
(10 mL) was added dropwise to a solution of 104 (1.49 g, 11
mmol), N-Methyl-2-Nitro-benzenesulfonamide 109 (2.37 g,
11 mmol) and triphenylphosphine (3.14 g, 12 mmol) in dry THF (30 mL) under N
2
atmosphere at room temperature. The stirring was continued until all of the alcohol 104
had been consumed (4 h, TLC). The reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced
pressure and the residue was purified by column chromatography (silica gel 100-200
mesh, petroleum ether/EtOAc, 90:10) to give 110.
Yield : 3.05 g, 82%
Mp : Low melting solid
[]
29
D
: = +17 (c 2 CHCl
3
)
IR (CHCl
3
, cm
-1
) : 2980, 2931, 1732, 1545, 1373, 1344, 1236, 1168, 1122.
1
H-NMR
(300 MHz, CDCl
3
)
: 1.13-1.15 (d, J = 6.6 Hz, 3H), 2.63-2.71 (dd, J = 8.4 and 8.1
Hz, 1H), 2.81-2.87 (dd, J = 6.9 and 6.6 Hz, 1H), 2.90 (s, 3H),
4.23-4.33 (sextet, J = 6.6 Hz, 1H), 7.10-7.21 (m, 5H), 7.52-
7.65 (m, 3H), 7.80-7.83 (m, 1H)
13
C-NMR
(75 MHz, CDCl
3
)
: 17.4, 27.9, 40.8, 54.9, 124.0, 126.4, 128.3, 129.0, 130.6,
131.5, 133.1, 133.2, 137.7, 147.6.
N
Me
Me
S
O
2
110
NO
2
182
(R)-N-Methyl-(1-methyl-2-phenyl-ethyl)-amine 74a
(1.67 g, 5 mmol) of 110 and (1.65 g, 12 mmol) of
potassium carbonate in acetonitrile (20 mL) stirred at room
temperature; thiophenol (1.03 mL, 10 mmol) was added. The
resulting solution was vigorously stirred for 2 h, the reaction mixture was filtered, solvent
was evaporated and the crude product was dissolved it in diethyl ether (40 mL), extract
with 1N HCl (2x15 mL), combined aqueous layer was basified with 1N NaOH, aqueous
layer was extract with diethyl ether (3x15 mL) combined organic layer was dried over
anhydrous Na
2
SO
4
, solvent was passed through pad of celite and evaporated under
reduced pressure to give 74a.
Yield : 650 mg, 87%
BP : pale yellow oil
[]
25
D
: = -10.5 (c 1 EtOH) {Lit.
19b
[]
25
D
= -10.87 (c 1 EtOH)}
IR (Neat, cm
-1
) : 3425, 3319, 2964, 1691, 1452, 1377, 1074, 1033,740, 702
1
H-NMR
(200 MHz, CDCl
3
)
: 1.07-1.10 (d, J = 6 Hz, 3H), 2.44 (s, 3H), 2.59-2.91 (m,
4H), 7.16-7.34 (m, 5H)
13
C-NMR
(50 MHz, CDCl
3
)
: 18.2, 32.7, 42.1, 56.5, 126.4, 128.4, 129.2, 138.3
(R)-N-Methyl-(1-methyl-2-phenyl-ethyl)-prop-2-ynyl-amine [(R)-Selegiline] (70a)
(298 mg, 2 mmol) of 74a and (552 mg, 4 mmol) of
anhydrous potassium carbonate in acetonitrile (10 mL) stirred
at room temperature, propargyl bromide (239 mg, 2.01 mmol)
was added dropwise then stirred at room temperature until disappearance of starting
N
Me
Me
(R)-Selegiline70a
N
Me
Me
H
74a
183
material (3 h, TLC), the reaction mixture was filtered off, and the solvent was evaporated
under reduced pressure to give the crude product, which was purified by column
chromatography (100-200 mesh silica gel, chloroform as a eluant) to give (R)-selegiline
70a.
Yield : 285 mg, 76%
BP : pale yellow oil
[]
25
D
: -10.3 (c 6.5 EtOH) {lit.
19b
[]
25
D
= -10.7 (c 6.5 EtOH)}
IR (Neat, cm
-1
) : 3437, 3019, 2120, 1652, 1402, 1215, 1017, 929, 669.
1
H-NMR
(200 MHz, CDCl
3
)
: 0.95-0.98 (d, J = 6 Hz, 3H), 1.85 (br s, 1H), 2.24-2.26 (t, J =
2 Hz, 1H), 2.34-2.39 (m, 1H), 2.43 (s, 3H), 2.92-3.09 (m, 2H),
3.43-3.44 (d, J = 2 Hz, 2H), 7.16-7.32 (m, 5H)
13
C-NMR
(50 MHz, CDCl
3
)
: 15.0, 37.3, 39.6, 43.0, 59.3, 72.5, 80.2, 125.8, 128.2, 129.2,
140.1
LCMS-MS : 188 (100) [M+H]
+
184
2.2.8 Spectra
1.
1
H NMR spectrum of 108
2.
13
C NMR spectrum of 108
3.
1
H NMR spectrum of 104
4.
13
C NMR spectrum of 104
5.
1
H NMR spectrum of 109
6.
13
C NMR spectrum of 109
7.
1
H NMR spectrum of 110
8.
13
C NMR spectrum of 110
9.
1
H NMR spectrum of 74a
10.
13
C NMR spectrum of 74a
11.
1
H NMR spectrum of 70a
12.
13
C NMR spectrum of 70a
185
1
H
N
M
R
S
p
e
c
t
r
u
m
o
f
1
0
8
186
1
3
C
N
M
R
S
p
e
c
t
r
u
m
o
f
1
0
8
187
1
H
N
M
R
S
p
e
c
t
r
u
m
o
f
1
0
4
188
1
3
C
N
M
R
S
p
e
c
t
r
u
m
o
f
1
0
4
189
1
H
N
M
R
S
p
e
c
t
r
u
m
o
f
1
0
9
190
1
3
C
N
M
R
S
p
e
c
t
r
u
m
o
f
1
0
9
191
1
H
N
M
R
S
p
e
c
t
r
u
m
o
f
1
1
0
192
1
3
C
N
M
R
S
p
e
c
t
r
u
m
o
f
1
1
0
193
1
H
N
M
R
S
p
e
c
t
r
u
m
o
f
7
4
a
194
1
3
C
N
M
R
S
p
e
c
t
r
u
m
o
f
7
4
a
195
1
H
N
M
R
S
p
e
c
t
r
u
m
o
f
7
0
a
196
1
3
C
N
M
R
S
p
e
c
t
r
u
m
o
f
7
0
a
197
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