AU732430B2

AU732430B2 - Efficient synthesis of a chiral mediator

Info

Publication number: AU732430B2
Application number: AU60225/98A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Cheng Yi Chen; Richard D Tillyer; Feng Xu; Dalian Zhao
Original assignee: Merck and Co Inc
Current assignee: Merck and Co Inc
Priority date: 1997-01-10
Filing date: 1998-01-06
Publication date: 2001-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 2018-01-06
Also published as: JP2000507970A; AU6022598A; EP0973737A1; WO1998030540A1; EP0973737A4; CA2276074A1

Description

WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 TITLE OF THE INVENTION EFFICIENT SYNTHESIS OF A CHIRAL MEDIATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-o-phenyl- 1-pyrrolidineethanol, commonly referred to as (1R,2S)-N-pyrrolidinyl norephedrine, is an important chiral mediator for an enantioselective addition reaction, which is a key step in the synthesis of the reverse transcriptase inhibitor, 6 -chloro-4-cyclopropylethynyl-4-trifluoromethyl-1,4dihydro-2H-3,1-benzoxazin-2-one, also known as DMP-266. As this chiral mediator is not commericially available, an efficient method for its preparation had to be developed.

The synthesis of DMP-266 and structurally similar reverse transcriptase inhibitors are disclosed in US Patent 5,519,021 and the corresponding PCT International Patent Application WO 95/20389, which published on August 3, 1995. Additionally, the asymmetric synthesis of an enantiomeric benzoxazinone by a highly enatioselective acetylide addition and cyclization sequence has been described by Thompson, et al., Tetrahedron Letters 1995, 36, 937-940, as well as the PCT publication, WO 96/37457, which published on November 28, 1996.

The use of chiral mediators has been disclosed in the published literature as useful in enatioselective synthesis, in inducing the enantioselectivity of additions to aldhydes, enantioselectivity of deprotonation of meso-epoxides and enantioselectivity of proton abstraction, etc. (See P. J. Cox and N.S. Simpkins, Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 1991, 1-26; Asami, et al., Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 1994, 793-6; M. Ye, et al., Tetrahedron, 1994, 50(20), 6109-16; and M.Amadji, et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1996, 118, 12483-4.) The instant invention discloses an efficient method for the quantitative preparation and isolation of the enantiomers of the compound of formula I WO 98/30540 PCTIUS98/00578 C H HO

N-CH

2

R

2

R

1

I

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention concerns a novel process for the preparation of a compound of formula I C HO N-CH 2 t-(

R

2

R

1

I

and its enantiomers. Additionally, the present invention also concerns compounds of Formula I as chiral mediators useful in enantioselective synthesis.

An example of a compound of Formula I is (1R,2S)-Npyrrolidinyl norephedrine, which is a chiral mediator used in an enantioselective addition reaction. The preparation of methyl-a-phenyl-1-pyrrolidineethanol in quantitative yield was accomplished by alkylation of (1R,2S)-(-)-norephedrine with 1,4dibromobutane in toluene using NaHC03 as base. The success of the reaction relied on the use of a suitable base such as NaHCO3, and the efficient removal of water from the reaction media. The B-methyl-a-phenyl-l-pyrrolidineethanol was isolated in 97% yield.

WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The instant invention relates to a method for the preparation of a compound of Formula I CH HO

N-CH

2

R

2

R

1

I

which represents a chiral mediator useful in the synthesis of the reverse transcriptase inhibitor, 6 -chloro-4-cyclopropylethynyl-4trifluoromethyl-1,4-dihydro-2H-3,1-benzoxazin-2-one, also known as DMP-266.

A process for the preparation of a hydrochloride salt of a compound of Formula I

CH

HO N-CH 2

R

2

R

1

I

wherein -3- WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 A represents:

(CHR

3

H

-CHR

3

-CHR

3 (CHR3 3

-CHR

3

(CHR

3 or

(CHR

3

C/

represents a six-membered ring, unsaturated or saturated, optionally substituted with one or two heteroatoms selected from N, O, or S, optionally substituted with Cl-C6-alkyl; represents: a five-membered ring, unsaturated or saturated, optionally substituted with one or two heteroatoms selected from N, O, or S, optionally substituted with C1-C6-alkyl; n is 1, 2, or 3; m is 0, or 1; t is 0, 1, or 2; WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 s is 1 or 2;

R

1 is: H, phenyl, or C1-C6-alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted with Cl-C6-alkoxy;

(CH

2

R

2 is: H, C1-C6-alkyl, or

R

3 is: H, C -C6-alkyl, or phenyl;

R

4 is: H, except that R 1 and R 4 can represent a carbon carbon bond, when t is lor 2, or when t is 0; comprising the steps of: refluxing the 1,2-amino alcohol compound, HO

NH

2

R

2

R

1 with an alkylating agent

CH

2 X H 2

X

wherein X is Cl, Br, I, OTf, OTs or OMs; in the presence of a base and a solvent at a reaction temperature of about 650 to about 120 0 C for reaction time of about 12 to about 36 hours, while removing the water formed to give a solution of crude compound of Formula I; adding hydrogen chloride in solution or as a gas to a solution of the crude compound of Formula I at about to about 15°C and maintaining a reaction temperature of about 100 to about 25°C to form a slurry of the hydrochloride salt of the compound of Formula I; WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 azeotropically distilling the solvents leaving a concentrated slurry-solution of the hydrochloride salt of the compound of Formula I; crystallizing the concentrated solution of the hydrochloride salt of the compound of Formula I at about 0°C to about to give a slurry of crystalline hydrochloride salt of the compound of Formula I; and filtering the slurry of crystalline hydrochloride salt of the compound of Formula I to isolate crystalline hydrochloride salt of the compound of Formula I.

The process as recited above in step wherein the base is selected from the group consisting of: Li2CO3, Na2CO3, K2C03, LiHCO3, NaHCO3, KHCO3, LiOH, NaOH, and KOH.

The process as recited above in step wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of: toluene, heptane, nbutanol, methylcyclohexane, and tetrahydrofuran.

The process as recited above in step wherein (1R,2S)- (-)-norephedrine to alkylating agent ratio is about a I to 1.1 ratio.

The process as recited above in step wherein the dihalide to base ratio is about a 1 to 2 ratio.

The process as recited above in step wherein the base is preferably KHC03, NaHCO3, K2C03, and Na2CO3.

The process as recited above in step wherein the solvent system is toluene.

The process as recited above in step wherein the reaction temperature is about 1050 to about 118°C.

The process as recited above in step wherein the reaction time is about 18 to about 24 hours.

-6- WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 The process as recited above wherein the compound of Formula I or its enantiomer is selected from the group consisting of: HO CH3, Ph N-- HO CH3 Ph O

HO

Ph N 0 N HO OCH 3 Ph OH Ph HO CH3, and Ph o OH 0j 0: HO

CH

3 Ph N

OH

C N/ A process for the preparation of [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-tphenyl-l-pyrrolidineethanol hydrochloride or its enantiomer, HO NO Ph Me

SHCI,

comprising the steps of: refluxing (1R,2S)-(-)-norephedrine or its enantiomer, HO

NH

2 Ph Me WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 with 1,4-dibromobutane in the presence of a base, sodium bicarbonate and a solvent, toluene, at a reaction temperature of about 1000 to about 120 0 C for reaction time of about 12 to about 24 hours, while removing the water formed to give a toluene solution of crude methyl-a-phenyl-1 -pyrrolidineethanol; adding a solution of hydrogen chloride in isopropanol to a toluene solution of [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a-phenyl-1pyrrolidineethanol or its enantiomer at about 100 to about and maintaining a reaction temperature of about 100 to about 25 0 C to form [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a-phenyl-lpyrrolidineethanol hydrochloride or its enantiomer; azeotropically distilling the isopropanol-toluene leaving a concentrated toluene slurry of [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-aphenyl-1 -pyrrolidineethanol hydrochloride; crystallizing the concentrated toluene slurry of B-methyl-a-phenyl-l-pyrrolidineethanol hydrochloride or its enantiomer at about 0°C to about 20 0 C to give a toluene slurry of crystalline [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a-phenyl- pyrrolidineethanol hydrochloride; and filtering the toluene slurry of crystalline methyl-a-phenyl-l-pyrrolidineethanol hydrochloride or its enantiomer to isolate crystalline [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-aphenyl-1-pyrrolidineethanol hydrochloride or its enantiomer.

The process as recited above in step wherein (1R,2S)norephedrine to 1,4-dibromobutane ratio is about a 1 to 1.1 ratio.

The process as recited above in step wherein the 1,4dibromobutane to NaHCO3 is about a 1 to 2 ratio.

WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 The process as recited above in step wherein the reaction temperature is about 105° to about 118 0

C.

The process for the preparation of [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyla-phenyl-1-pyrrolidineethanol or its enantiomer comprising the steps recited above and following additional steps: neutralizing [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a-phenyl-1pyrrolidineethanol hydrochloride or its enantiomer with aqueous NaOH in toluene producing a biphasic solution containing [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a-phenyl- 1pyrrolidineethanol or its enantiomer; extracting [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a-phenyl-1pyrrolidineethanol or its enantiomer into a toluene-organic layer; and concentrating the [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a-phenyl-lpyrrolidineethanol or its enantiomer containing tolueneorganic layer to give solid [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a-phenyl- 1-pyrrolidineethanol or its enantiomer.

WO 98/30540 WO 9830540PCTIUS98/00578 A compound of Formula 1: qH2 HO

N-OH

2

R

2

R

1

I

or its enantiomer, wherein A represents: -(CHR 3 (CHR) m

H

(CHR 3

-H

-CHR 3 (CHR 3 )m (CHR 3 or -CHR 3 (CHR 3 )m /16- WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 represents a six-membered ring, unsaturated or saturated, optionally substituted with one or two heteroatoms selected from N, O, or S, optionally substituted with C1-C6-alkyl; represents: a five-membered ring, unsaturated or saturated, optionally substituted with one or two heteroatoms selected from N, O, or S, optionally substituted with C1-C6-alkyl; n is 1, 2, or 3; m is 0, or 1; tis 0, 1, or 2; s is I or 2;

R

(CH

2 )t

R

4

R

2 is: H, C1-C6-alkyl, or

R

3 is: H, Cl-C6-alkyl, or phenyl; and

R

4 is: H, except that R 1 and R 4 can represent a carbon carbon bond, when t is lor 2, or when t is 0, with the proviso that: when the compound of structural formula I

A

CH2 HO N-CH 2 Ph R 1 or its enantiomer is defined as R 1 is H or CH3, that A cannot represent-(CHR3F or (CHR3),- ,when n is 2, or 3, R 3 is H and m is 0; and when the compound of structural formula I or its enantiomer is defined as

CH

2

OH

N-CH

2

,CH

2 A .,OH N CH that A cannot represent -(CHR3)n when n is 2, and R 3 is H, when the compound of structural formula I or its enantiomer is defined as CH2 HO N-CH 2 oo--o PhH R A cannot represent -(CHR )nwhen n is 1 and both R 1 and R 2 are H, (ii) when n is 2, R 1 is H, and either R 2 is C 1

-C

6 alkyl and each R 3 is H or R 2 is H or Ci-C 6 alkyl and one R 3 is H and the other R 3 is Cl-C 6 alkyl, (iii) when n is 2 or 3, each of R 1 and R 2 is H or Ci-C 6 alkyl, and 2 or 3 of the R 3 groups are phenyl, or (iv) when n is 2, R 1 is phenyl or Ci-C 6 alkyl, R 2 is H, and each R 3 is H; and

(CHR

3 A A cannot represent CH when m is 0, R 1 is phenyl or C1-C6 alkyl, and R 2 is H; [I:\DAYLIB\LIBC]08359.doc:MEF 12a as a free base or an acid salt thereof An acid salt such as a salt of an organic acid or inorganic acid. Examples of organic acids capable of forming an acid salt include but are not limited to: citric acid, acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, maleic acid, methanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, formic acid, and benzoic acid.

s Examples of inorganic acids capable of forming an acid salt include but are not limited to: HCI, HBr,

H

3 P04 and H 2 S0 4 A further embodiment of this invention is the process for the preparation of a compound of Formula I: [I:\DAYLIB\LIBC]08359.doc:MEF WO 98/30540 WO 9830540PCTIUS98/00578 C?)2 HO

N-CH

2 R 2

R'

wherein A represents: -(CR 3,_(CHR 3 )m -CHR 3

H

(CR3)_ -CHR 3 (CHR 3 -CHR 3 (CHR 3 -CHR 3 (CHR 3 or (CHR 3 Grepresents a six-membered ring, unsaturated or saturated, optionally substituted with one or two heteroatoms selected from N, 0, or S, optionally substituted with C1I-C6-alkyl; WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 Nv represents: a five-membered ring, unsaturated or saturated, optionally substituted with one or two heteroatoms selected from N, O, or S, optionally substituted with C1-C6-alkyl; n is 1, 2, or 3; m is 0, or 1; t is 0, 1, or 2; s is 1 or 2;

R

1 is: H, phenyl, or Cl-C6-alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted with Cl-C6-alkoxy;

(CH

2

R

2 is: H, C1-C6-alkyl, or

R

3 is: H, C1-C6-alkyl, or phenyl;

R

4 is: H, except that R1 and R 4 can represent a carbon carbon bond, when t is lor 2, or when t is 0; comprising the steps of: refluxing the 1,2-amino alcohol compound, HO

NH

2

R

2

R

1 with an alkylating agent

CH

2 X H 2 X, wherein X is Cl, Br, I, OTf, OTs or OMs; in the presence of a base and a solvent at a reaction temperature of about 100°C to about 120 0 C for reaction time of about 12 to about 36 hours, while removing the water formed to give a solution of crude compound of Formula I; filtering the solvent solution containing the crude compound of Formula I to remove the sodium bromide salt, once the solution reaches room temperature; washing the sodium bromide wet cake with a solvent; extracting the filtrate-solvent solution containing the crude compound of Formula I with water to remove any additional sodium bromide salt; mixing the washed filtrate-solvent solution containing the crude compound of Formula I with an aqueous acid solution to form the acid salt of the compound of Formula I; isolating the aqueous layer containing the acid salt of a compound of Formula I; neutralising a biphasic solution of the aqueous layer containing the acid salt of a compound of Formula I and solvent with a base while maintaining the temperature below about 15s extracting the compound of Formula I from the biphasic solution into the solvent after S* mixing for less than about one hour; and isolating the solvent layer containing the compound of Formula I.

The process as recited above in steps and wherein the base used in each step is independently selected from the group consisting of: Li 2 C0 3 Na2C03, K 2 C0 3 LiHC03, HaHCO3, KHC03, LiOH, NaOH, and KOH.

The process as recited above in steps and wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of: toluene, heptane, n-butanol, methylcyclohexane and tetrahydrofuran.

0 00 *oe° e [I:\DAYLIB\LIBC]08359.doc:MEF WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 The process as recited above in step wherein the aqueous acid solution is selected from the group consisting of: an aqueous inorganic acid solution and an aqueous organic acid solution.

The process as recited above in step wherein aminoalcohol compound to dihalide ratio is about 1 to about 1.1 ratio.

The process as recited above in step wherein the dihalide to base ratio is about 1 to about 2 ratio.

The process as recited above in step wherein the base is selected from the group consisting of: KHCO3, NaHCO3, K2C03, and Na2CO3.

The process as recited above in step wherein the aqueous acid solution is an aqueous inorganic acid solution selected from the group consisting of: HC1, HBr, H3P04 and H2S04.

The process as recited above in step wherein the aqueous acid solution is an aqueous organic acid solution selected from the group consisting of: citric acid, acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, maleic acid, methylsulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, formic acid, and benzoic acid.

The process as recited above in steps and (g) wherein the solvent is toluene.

The process as recited above in step wherein the aqueous acid solution is citric acid.

The process as recited above in step wherein the base is selected from the group consisting of: aqueous LiOH, KOH and NaOH.

The process as recited above wherein the compound of Formula I is selected from the group consisting of:

-A-

WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 HO CH 3 Ph N CN Ph OH HO CH3 Ph HQ.

OCH

3 Ph N

HO

Ph N HO

CH

3 Ph HO

CH

3

P

h and

IN

The process as recited above wherein the compound of Formula I is:

HO

Ph r [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-or-phenyl- 1-pyrrolidineethanol, also referred to as (1R,2S )-N-pyrrolidinylnorephedrine, is an important chiral mediator for the enantioselective addition of an acetylide to a prochiral ketone. See Soai, Yokoyama, Hayasaka, T. J. Org.

Chem. 1991, 4264. Niwa, Soai, K. J.Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. I 1990, 937; and Thompson, A. Corley, E. Huntington, M. F., Grabowski, E. J. J. Tetra. Lett. 1995, 36, 8937. This reaction has been successfully applied to the synthesis of the reverse transcriptase inhibitor WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 L-743,726 (DMP-266) (Scheme See A.S. Thompson, et al.Tetra.

Lett. 1995, 36, 8937. [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a-phenyl-1pyrrolidineethanol has been synthesized from norephedrine and 1,4dibromobutane in aqueous n-butanol using K2C03 as base. The reaction formed several undesired impurities and the final isolated product yield was only 75%. The preparation of another similar compound, (1S,2R )-N-pyrrolidinylnorephedrine, has been reported.

See K. Soai, et al., T. J. Org. Chem. 1991, 4264. S. Niwa, et al. J.Chem.

Soc., Perkin Trans. I 1990, 937. The method used K2C03 as base, and the yield of the product was only 33%. We have recently found that the reaction was extremely efficient when it was run in toluene using NaHCO3 as base which gave ([R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a-phenyl-1pyrrolidineethanol quantitatively. (The syntheses of pyrrolidinyl alkanols using NaHCO3 as a base was reported to give pyrrolidinyl derivatives in moderate yields. See Moffett, R. B. J. Org. Chem.

1949, 862.) Enantioselectivity of 2 up to 99% ee) was achieved when the toluene solution of [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a-phenyl-1pyrrolidineethanol was used in the addition reaction of cyclopropylacetylide to the PMB-protected ketoaniline 1.

WO 98130540 WO 9830540PCTIUS98/00578 Scheme 1 HO 2o H3

H

NHPMB

n-BuLi deprotection step

NHPMB

NH

2 cyclization step DMP-266 /f- WO 98/30540 WO 9830540PCTIUS98/00578 The instant invention describes a method for the preparation of a compound of formula I

C;A&)

HO

N-OH

2 R 2

R

1

I

which as discussed above is useful as a chiral mediator in the addition reaction outlined in Scheme 1.

r4_

HA)

HO0 NH 2

CH

2 X CH 2 X HO0 N-OH 2 R 2 R 1 base, solvent R 2

R

1

I

Examples of the alkylating agent useful in this method are: I ,3-dibromopropane, 1 ,4-dibromobutane, 1 ,5-dibromopentane, (2bromomethyl)benzylbromide, 2 -(2-bromoethyl)benzylbromide, 1,2di(bromomethyl)naphthalene, 2,3-di(bromomethyl)naphthalene, 1,8di (bromomethyl) naphthalene, etc. Additionally, representative heterocyclic alkylating agents are: [2,3-di(bromomethyl)]pyridine, [3,4di(bromomethyl -pyridine, 2-(2-bromoethyl 3 -bromomethylpyridine, 3 2 -bromoethyl)-2-bromomethylpyridine, 3- (2-bromoethyl)-4bromomethylpyridine, 4-(2-bromoethyl)- 3-bromomethylpyridine, 3-(2bromoethyl)-4-bromomethyl.pyridine, etc. Also included are the chloride, iodide, tosylate, mesylate and triflate analogs of the aforementioned alkylating agents. (Note: OTs represents tosylate; OMs represents mesylate and OTf represents triflate) The bases useful in this method are: Li2CO3, Na2CO3, K2C03, LiHCO3, NaHCO3, KHCO3, LiOH, NaOH, and KOH. The solvent systems useful in this method are: toluene, heptane, n-butanol, tetrahydrofuran. The preferred base-solvent system was NaHC03- WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 toluene, which allowed for the isolation of the chiral mediator in crystalline form in qualitative yield.

The chiral mediator produced is easier to handle as the salt form. Also within the scope of this invention are the salts of the compound of formula I: CH2) HO N-CH 2

R

2

R

1

I

The actual compound used in the chiral addition reaction is the free base, which is generated in situ prior to use in the addition reaction.

The following examples are meant to be illustrative of the present invention. These examples are presented to exemplify the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1 rR-(R*,S*)1-B-Methyl-a-phenyl- -prrolidineethanol HO NH 2 HO N

S

Br NaHCO 3 S CH3 Btoluene H 3 Step A: Preparation of [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a-phenyl-1pyrrolidineethanol Under nitrogen, to a 22 L three-necked round bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, a condenser with Dean-Stark trap and a thermocouple was charged with toluene (8 (1R,2S norephedrine (1.512 kg, 10 mol), 1,4-dibromobutane (2.375 kg, 11 WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 mol) and sodium bicarbonate (1.848 kg, 22 mol) (note The solidliquid heterogeneous reaction mixture was then heated under reflux with stirring. The batch was kept under reflux at 105-118°C (note 2) until the completion of the reaction (note There was 360 mL water collected in the Dean-Stark trap by the end of the reaction (note 4).

The batch was cooled to ambient temperature, filtered through a sintered glass funnel to remove solid sodium bromide salt.

The wet cake was washed with 3 L toluene. The combined filtrate and wash was washed with water (6 The organic layer was then concentrated at a reduced pressure to a volume of about 5 L (about 1/3 of the original total volume) (note Notes: 1 (1R, 2S)-(-)-Norephedrine and 1,4-dibromobutane were purchased from Alps Pharmaceutical Co. and Leeds Chemical Co.

respectively. For the small scale reaction (250 g or less) these two compounds were purchased from Aldrich Chemical Co.

2. The reflux temperature was gradually increased as the reaction progressed.

3. The reaction normally took 18-22 h to complete. It was monitored by HPLC assay. An HPLC sample of the reaction was prepared as follows: 50 tL filtered clear reaction solution (Whatman syringe filter 0.45 gM PTFE) was dissolved in MeCN to 50 mL. The ratio of the product to starting material (1R,2S )-(-)-norephedrine HPLC area percentage should be 99:1 or higher at the end of the reaction.

HPLC conditions: HPLC Column: 4.6 mm x 25 cm Inertsil phenyl Eluent A: MeCN; Eluent B: pH 6.0 phosphate buffer, 15 mM (8.28 g NaH2PO4-H20 and 0.8 mL Et3N in 4 L HPLC grade water); Gradient: 14% A kept for 5 min then changed to 44% A over 11 min and kept this ratio for another 6min; Injection: 20 gL; Flow rate: mL/min; Detection: 210 nm; Temperature: 23 oC; and Retention Times: Sodium bromide: 1.8 min; Norephedrine: 5.0 min; Product: 12.0 min; Toluene: 22.5 min.

WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 4. Water started to generate soon after the batch began to reflux. It was mostly removed by the Dean-Stark trap with toluenewater azeotropic distillation. In this case 360 mL water was distilled out which was exact the theoretical amount. The presence of small amount water was essential to the reaction, however, if there was too much water stayed in the reaction mixture it would mix with inorganic salt and formed sticky, wet solid lump at the bottom of the flask which could be a potential problem for stirring and subsequent filtration.

The main purpose here is to remove most of the water in the toluene solution because the water in toluene solution would interfere the HCI salt formation, lowering the recovery of the salt product.

Step B: Preparation of [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a-phenyl-1pyrrolidineethanol hydrochloride The batch volume of the organic layer from Step A was then adjusted to 10 L with toluene and cooled to 10-15C with ice-water bath. HCI in IPA (2.56 L, 4.3 N) was added to the toluene solution slowly over a period of about 50 minutes, keeping the batch temperature below 25 0 C (note The batch was aged at ambient temperature for I h and isopropyl alcohol was removed by azeotropic distillation (Note 7).

The batch was flushed with toluene (2x2 L) until the concentration of the product in supernatant was less than 3 g/L. The batch was then cooled to 15°C and aged at this temperature for 1 h. The HCI salt was isolated by filtration and the wet cake was washed with toluene (2x2.5 The product loss in combined filtrate and wash was less than 1%.

Notes: 6. Formation of HCI salt was necessary to remove nonamine organic components such as 1,4-dibromobutane which is known to decrease the enantioselectivity of the subsequent chiral addition reaction.

7. To increase the HC1 salt product isolation yield removal of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) was necessary due to the high solubility of HCI salt in the presence of IPA.

WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 Step C: Isolation of [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl--phenyl-1pyrrolidineethanol [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-ao-phenyl- -pyrrolidineethanol hydrochloride, a semi-dried wet cake isolated in Step B (Note 8) was transferred to a mixture of 6 L toluene and 5.5 L of 2.0 N NaOH. Two phases were well mixed and layers were separated. The aqueous layer (pH>12) was extracted with toluene (4 The combined organic layers were washed with deionized water (3 then concentrated and flushed with toluene (5 The final batch volume was adjusted to about 5 L.

The final solution gave [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a-phenyl-1pyrrolidineethanol (1.97 kg) in toluene as a light yellow solution in 96% yield (note The solution KF was 80-100 jtg/mL.

1H NMR (300 MHz, CDC13) 8: 0.80 3H, 1.82 4H), 2.49 1H), 2.64 2H), 2.80 2H), 3.64 1H), 5.01 1H, J=3.1), 7.25 1H), 7.34 4H).

13 C NMR (75.5 MHz, CDC13) 6: 12.1, 23.6, 51.9, 65.5, 72.7, 125.9, 126.7, 128.0, 141.9.

Notes: 9. Alternatively, [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a-phenyl-lpyrrolidineethanol may be isolated as a solid free base 44-45 oC.) by removing all solvent.

EXAMPLE 2 rR-(R*.S*)1--methyl-a-phenvl-l-pyrrolidineethanol HO NH 2 HO N OH r NaHCO 3

H

C3 B toluene H 3 WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 Step A: Preparation of *)-B-methyl-a-phenyl- 1pyrrolidineethanol Under nitrogen, to a 2 L three-necked round bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, a condenser with Dean-Stark trap and a thermocouple was charged with toluene (800 mL), (1R, Norephedrine (159.8 g, 1.057 mol), 1, 4-dibromobutane (251 g, 1.162 mol) and sodium bicarbonate (177.6 g, 2.114 mol). The solid-liquid heterogeneous reaction mixture was then heated to reflux with stirring.

The batch was kept under reflux at 110-118 "C until the completion of the reaction.

Water started to generate soon after the batch began to reflux. It was mostly removed (usually 90-95% of total water formed during the reaction) by the Dean-Stark trap with toluene-water azeotropic distillation. The presence of small amount water was essential to the reaction, however, if there was too much water stayed in the reaction mixture it would mix with inorganic salt and formed sticky, wet solid lump at the bottom of the flask which was a potential problem for stirring and subsequent filtration.

The reaction was monitored by HPLC. It normally took 18- 22 h to complete. There was 36 mL water (total amount is 38 mL, 2.1 mol in this reaction) collected in the Dean-Stark trap.

HPLC sample preparation: 50 jtL filtered clear reaction solution (Whatman syringe filter 0.45 ptM PTFE) was dissolved in 50/50 MeCN/water to 50 mL. The ratio of the product to starting material norephedrine HPLC area percentage should be around 94.5:5.5 or higher. The level of 1, 4 -dibromobutane (the ratio to product should be less than 0.8 mole%) could be determined by proton NMR or GC (GC method hasn't been developed yet).

HPLC conditions: Column: 4.6 mm x 25 cm Inertsil phenyl; Eluent A: MeCN; Eluent B: pH6.0 phosphate buffer, 15 mM (8.28 g NaH2PO4-H20 and 0.8 mL Et3N in 4 L HPLC grade water); Gradient: 14% A kept for 5 min then changed to 44% A over 11 min and kept this ratio for another 6 min; Injection: 20 uL; Flow rate: 1.5 mL/min; WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 Detection: 210 nm; Temperature: 23°C; Retention Times: Sodium bromide 1.8 min., Norephedrine 5.0 min., Product, 12.0 min., Toluene 22.5 min.

The wet cake was washed with 300 mL toluene. The combined filtrate and wash was washed with D.I. water 2x400 mL. The top organic layer was then concentrated on a rotavap to around 400 mL (1/3 of the original total volume).

Step B: Preparation of *)]--methyl-a-phenyl-1pyrrolidineethanol Hydrochloride The batch was then transferred back to the reaction flask and adjusted to 800 mL with toluene. It was cooled to 10-15°C with icewater bath and HCI in IPA (260 mL, 4.5 N) was added slowly in 30 min while kept the batch temperature below 25 0 C. The batch was aged at 23 0 C for 1 h and solvent was removed by azeotropic distillation. About 200 mL distillate was out and 200 mL toluene was added meanwhile.

When the product in supernatant concentration was less than 3 g/L cooled the batch to 15°C. The HC1 salt was isolated by filtration and the wet cake was washed with toluene 2x250 mL. The product loss in combined filtrate and wash was less than 1%.

Step C: Isolation of [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a-phenyl-lpyrrolidineethanol The wet cake was transferred to a separatory funnel, 800 mL toluene and 700 mL 1.5 N NaOH were added (no obvious exothermic observed). Two phases were mixed well and layers were separated. The aqueous layer (pH>12) was extracted with toluene 2x500 mL. The combined organic layer was concentrated on a rotavap and flushed with toluene 1x500 mL. The final batch volume was adjusted to about 500 mL. The final solution gave [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a-phenyl- 1-pyrrolidineethanol (212 g) in toluene as a light yellow solution with 95% yield. (The enatioselectivity of WO 98/30540 WO 9830540PCTIUS98/00578 methyl-ac-phenyl- 1 -pyrrolidineethanol determined to be about 95+% ee when the solution was used in the chiral addition of cyclopropyl acetylide to the PMB-protected ketoaniline.) The solution KF was 100 gg/mL.

EXAMPLES 3-9 )1-B-methyl-cx-phenvl.. i -vrrol idineethanol Following the procedure described in Example 1 using the bases and solvents listed in the table below the desired producted was isolated in the yield indicated.

Example No. Base/Solvent Temperture (OC) Yield 3 Aq. K 2 C03/BuOH 95 4 5 N NaOHIToluene 93 87% 5 NaHCO3fFI-F 67 6 Na2CO3INaHCO3INal/ 110 Toluene (1.0:1.0:0.05) 7 5N NaOHTHF 65 91% 8 NaHCO3/Heptane 95 76% 9 5 N NaOH/Heptane 88 82% -4,7- WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 EXAMPLE HO CH 3 Ph N Following the procedure described in Example 1 using a,a'-dibromo-o-xylene and (1R,2S)-norephedrine the titled compound was prepared in a 93% yield.

1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDC13) 8: 7.43 7.36 4 7.32 7.25 5.11 1 4.21 2 4.05 2 3.62 br, 1 2.90 1 0.95 3 H).

EXAMPLE 11 HO

CH

3 Ph N Following the procedure described in Example 1 using dibromopentane and (1R,2S)-norephedrine the titled compound was prepared in a 98% yield.

1H NMR (300 MHz, CDC13) 5: 7.38 7.20 5 5.0 1 3.58 br, 1 2.69 2 2.56 2 2.48 1 1.82 6 H), 0.80 3 H).

WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 EXAMPLE 12

HO

Ph Following the procedure described in Example 1 using 1,4dibromobutane and 2

R)-

2 -hydroxy-2-phenylethylamine the titled compound was prepared in a 97% yield. (See A.I. Meyer, J. Org. Chem, 1980, 45, 2790, for the synthesis of 2 R)-2-hydroxy-2-phenylethylamine.) 1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDC13) 8: 7.42 7.23 5 4.72 (dd, 1 br, 1 2.83 2.74 3 2.58 2.45 3 1.80 4 H).

EXAMPLE 13 HO. OCH 3 Ph N Following the procedure described in Example 1, using 1,4-dibromobutane and S, 2 S)-(+)-2-amino-2-methoxy- -phenyl-1propanol the titled compound was prepared in a 92% yield.

1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDC13) 5: 7.42 7.24 5 H),,4.45 1 3.48 3.27 2 3.18 3 3.0 2.74 5 1.80 4 H).

WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 EXAMPLE 14 HO CH 3 Ph N Following the procedure described in Example 1 using 1,8bis(bromomethyl)naphthalene and (1R,2S)-norephedrine, the titled compound was prepared in a 81% yield.

1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDC13) 8: 7.75 2 7.45 2 7.32 7.21 7 5.17 1 4.28 4 3.02 1 1.0 3 H).

EXAMPLE HO CH 3 Ph N Following the procedure described in Example 1 using 1,3dibromopropane and (1R,2S)-norephedrine the titled compound was prepared in a 96% yield.

1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDC13) 5: 7.34 7.15 5 7.43 1 3.48 3.20 4 2.47 1 2.37 1 2.08 2 0.64 3

H).

WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 EXAMPLE 16

N

I""OH

Following the procedure described in Example 1 using 1,4dibromobutane and (1S,2R)-1-amino-2-indanol the titled compound can be prepared.

EXAMPLE 17

OH

N

Following the procedure described in Example 1 using 1,4dibromobutane and (1R,2S)-2-amino-l-indanol the titled compound can be prepared. (See E.J. Corey, et al, Tetrahedron Lett, 1993, 34, 52. and A. Mitrochkine, et al, Tetrahedron: Asymmetry, 1995, 6, 59, for the synthesis of (1R,2S)-2-amino-l-indanol.) EXAMPLE 18 Ph OH Following the procedure described in Example 1 using 1,4dibromobutane and 2 R)-2-amino-2-phenylethanol the titled compound can be prepared. 2

R)-

2 -amino-2-phenylethanol can be prepared by reducing the commericially available (R)-(-)-phenylglycine.

-31- WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 EXAMPLE 19 (1R,2S)-N-Pyrrolidinyl Norephedrine HO

NH

2

CH

3

HO

BR^^ Br 2 NaHCOa Br toluene

CH

3 Materials mw amount mol. equiv.

(1R,2S)-(-)-Norephedrine, 99% 1,4-Dibromobutane, 99% Sodium bicarbonate Toluene Citric acid D.I. Water Sodium hydroxide, 50 w/w% Product (1R,2S)-(-)-N-Pyrrolidinyl norephedrine (HCI salt) 151.21 1.512 kg 215.93 2.375 kg 84.01 1.848 kg 8+19 L 192.12 2.882 kg 16L 40.00 3.57 kg 15 44.6 4.46 Theory 205.3 (241.76) 2.053 kg Under nitrogen, to a 22 L three-necked round bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, a condenser with Dean-Stark trap and a thermocouple was charged with toluene (8 (1R, Norephedrine (1.512 kg, 10 mol), 1, 4-dibromobutane (2.375 kg, 11 mol) and sodium bicarbonate (1.848 kg, 22 mol). The solid-liquid heterogeneous reaction mixture was then heated to reflux with stirring.

Water started to generate soon after the batch began to reflux. It was mostly removed (usually 90-95% of total water formed during the reaction) by the Dean-Stark trap with toluene-water azeotropic distillation. The presence of small amount water was essential WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 to the reaction, however, if there was too much water stayed in the reaction mixture it would mix with inorganic salt and formed sticky, wet solid lump at the bottom of the flask which was a potential problem for stirring and subsequent filtration. The reaction was monitored by HPLC. It normally took 18-22 h to complete. There was 360 mL water (the theoretical total amount is 360 mL, 20 mol in this reaction) collected in the Dean-Stark trap.

HPLC sample preparation: 50 gL filtered clear reaction solution (Whatman syringe filter 0.45 gM PTFE) was dissolved in 50/50 MeCN/water to 50 mL. The ratio of the product to starting material norephedrine HPLC area percentage should be 99:1 or higher.

HPLC Conditions: Column: 4.6 mm x 25 cm Inertsil phenyl; Eluent A: MeCN; Eluent B: pH6.0 phosphate buffer [15 mM (8.28 g NaH2PO4-H20 and 0.8 mL Et3N in 4 L HPLC grade water)]; Gradient: 14% A kept for 5 min then changed to 44% A over 11 min and kept this ratio for another 6 min; Injection: 20 gL; Flow rate: 1.5 mL/min; Detection: 210 nm; andTemperature: 23 oC.

Retention Times: Sodium bromide 1.8 min; Norephedrine min; Product 12.0 min; and Toluene 22.5 min.

The wet cake was washed with 3 L toluene. The combined filtrate and wash was washed with D.I. water I x 6 L (the product in aqueous layer loss was less than The organic layer was transferred to a 50 L extractor and extracted with 30% aqueous citric acid solution at room temperature.

The mixture was stirred for 15 min and the layers were separated.

The aqueous layer was transferred back to the extractor which contained 10 L toluene. 50 w/w% NaOH (3.57 kg) was added slowly so that the temperature was kept below 30 oC. The mixture was stirred for 15 min and the layers were separated. (the pH of the aqueous layer was 12-12.5). The aqueous layer was extracted with toluene once WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 The aqueous layer was removed and combined organic layers were washed with D.I. water twice (2x5 L).

The washed organic layer was concentrated with vacuum and the batch volume was reduced to about 6-8 L. The batch was then flushed with toluene 2x3 L. The final batch volume was adjusted to about 5 L which gave the product (1.97 kg) in toluene as a light yellow solution (38 wt%) with 96% yield. The solution KF was 80-100 gg/mL.

Claims

3- WO 98/30540 PCTIUS98/00578 CH 2 X H 2 X, wherein X is Cl, Br, I, OTf, OTs or OMs; in the presence of a base and a solvent, at a reaction temperature of about 65°C to about 120°C for reaction time of about 12 to about 36 hours, while removing the water formed to give a solution of crude compound of Formula I; adding hydrogen chloride in solution or as a gas to a solution of the crude compound of Formula I at about 100 to about 15°C and maintaining a reaction temperature of about 100 to about 25°C to form a slurry of the hydrochloride salt of the compound of Formula I; azeotropically distilling the solvents leaving a concentrated slurry-solution of the hydrochloride salt of the compound of Formula I; crystallizing the concentrated solution of the hydrochloride salt of the compound of Formula I at about 0°C to about 20°C to give a slurry of crystalline hydrochloride salt of the compound of Formula I; and filtering the slurry of crystalline hydrochloride salt of the compound of Formula I to isolate crystalline hydrochloride salt of the compound of Formula I. 2. The process as recited in Claim 1, step wherein the base is selected from the group consisting of: Li2CO3, Na2CO3, K2C03, LiHCO3, NaHCO3, KHCO3, LiOH, NaOH, and KOH. WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 3. The process as recited in Claim 2, wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of: toluene, heptane, n- butanol, methylcyclohexane, and tetrahydrofuran.
4. The process as recited in Claim 3, wherein aminoalcohol compound to dihalide ratio is about 1 to about 1.1 ratio. The process as recited in Claim 4, wherein the dihalide to base ratio is about 1 to about 2 ratio.
6. The process as recited in Claim 5, wherein the base is selected from the group consisting of: KHCO3, NaHCO3, K2C03, and Na2CO3.
7. The process as recited in Claim 6, wherein the solvent is toluene.
8. The process as recited in Claim 7, wherein the reaction temperature is about 1050 to about 118 0 C.
9. The process as recited in Claim 8, wherein the reaction time is about 18 to about 24 hours. The process as recited in Claim 9, wherein the compound of formula I is selected from the group consisting of: WO 98/30540 WO 9830540PCTIUS98/00578 HO OH 3 Ph HO OH3 PhO HO Q N HO OH 3 PhN HQ, OCH 3 A Ph N HO OH 3 Hq Ph N OH C6-ND Q0. and
11. A process for the preparation of methyl-(x-phenyl-l1-pyrrolidineethanol hydrochloride or its enantiomer, Ph Me *HCI, comprising the steps of: refluxing (lR,2S)-(-)-norephedrine or its enantiomer, HO NH 2 Y-C Ph Me
341- WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 with 1,4-dibromobutane in the presence of a base, sodium bicarbonate and a solvent, toluene, at a reaction temperature of about 1000 to about 120 0 C for reaction time of about 12 to about 24 hours, while removing the water formed to give a toluene solution of crude methyl-a-phenyl-l-pyrrolidineethanol or its enantiomer; adding a solution of hydrogen chloride in isopropanol to a toluene solution of [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a-phenyl-1- pyrrolidineethanol or its enantiomer at about 100 to about and maintaining a reaction temperature of about 100 to about 25 0 C to form [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a-phenyl-1- pyrrolidineethanol hydrochloride or its enantiomer; azeotropically distilling the isopropanol-toluene leaving a concentrated toluene slurry of [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a- phenyl-1-pyrrolidineethanol hydrochloride or its enantiomer; crystallizing the concentrated toluene slurry of [R- (R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a-phenyl-l-pyrrolidineethanol hydrochloride or its enantiomer at about 0°C to about 0 C to give a toluene slurry of crystalline methyl-a-phenyl-l-pyrrolidineethanol hydrochloride or its enantiomer; and filtering the toluene slurry of crystalline methyl-a-phenyl-l-pyrrolidineethanol hydrochloride or its enantiomer to isolate crystalline [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a- phenyl-1-pyrrolidineethanol hydrochloride or its enantiomer. WO 98/30540 PCT/US98/00578 12. The process as recited Claim 11, wherein (1R,2S)- (-)-norephedrine to 1,4-dibromobutane ratio is about a 1 to about 1.1 ratio. 13. The process as recited Claim 12, wherein the 1,4- dibromobutane to NaHCO3 is about a I to about 2 ratio. 14. The process as recited Claim 13, wherein the reaction temperature is about 1050 to about 118°C. The process for the preparation of methyl-a-phenyl-1-pyrrolidineethanol or its enantiomer comprising the steps as recited in Claim 14 and the following additional steps: neutralizing [R-(R*,S*)]--methyl-a-phenyl- 1- pyrrolidineethanol hydrochloride or its enantiomer with aqueous NaOH in toluene producing a biphasic solution containing [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a-phenyl-1- pyrrolidineethanol or its enantiomer; extracting [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a-phenyl-1- pyrrolidineethanol or its enantiomer into a toluene-organic layer; and concentrating the [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a-phenyl-1- pyrrolidineethanol or its enantiomer containing toluene- organic layer to give solid [R-(R*,S*)]-B-methyl-a- phenyl-1-pyrrolidineethanol or its enantiomer. 19880Y PiUS 9 8/00 578 IPEA/US 163 DEC 1998 WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 16. A compound of Formula I: HO N-OH 2 R 2 R or its enantiomer, wherein A represents: -(OH R 3 )6- (CHR) M H (CHR 3 )m_ C6 (C HR), -OHR 3 (CHR1 3 m SHEET -42 19880 Y PCT/US. 8 0 5 78 IPEAUS 18 DEC s198 Srepresents a six-membered ring, unsaturated or saturated, optionally substituted with one or two heteroatoms selected from N, O, or S, optionally substituted with C1-C6-alkyl; Q represents: a five-membered ring, unsaturated or saturated, optionally substituted with one or two heteroatoms selected from N, O, or S, optionally substituted with C1-C6-alkyl; n is 1, 2, or 3; m is 0, or 1; t is 0, 1, or 2; s is 1 or 2; R 1 is: H, phenyl, or C1-C6-alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted with C1-C6-alkoxy; (CH 2 )t R 2 is: H, C1-C6-alkyl, or R 3 is: H, C1-C6-alkyl, or phenyl; and R 4 is: H, except that Ri and R 4 can represent a carbon carbon bond, when t is 1 or 2, or when t is 0, with the proviso that: when the compound of structural formula I AMENDED SHEET -43- 19880Y PCT/US 98/00578 IPEA 8 DEC t98; HO N-CH 2 Ph R 1 I or its enantiomer is defined as R1 is H or CH3, that A cannot represent (CHR 3 )m- -(CHR 3 )n-,or H R 3 is 0; and when the compound of stru enantiomer is defined as CH 2 N-CH2 OH when n is 2,or 3, R 3 is H and m ctural formula I or its OH C H2 that A cannot represent -(CHR 3 when n is 2, and R 3 is H, when the compound of structural formula I or its enantiomer is defined as C I2 HO N-CH 2 H R 1 AMENDED SHEET -44 A cannot represent -C R3) when n is 1 and both R 1 and R 2 are H, (ii) when n is 2, RI is H, and either R 2 is Cl-C 6 alkyl and each R 3 is H or R 2 is H or Cl-C 6 alkyl and one R 3 is H and the other R 3 is Cl-C6 alkyl, (iii) when n is 2 or 3, each of R 1 and R 2 is H or C 1 -C 6 alkyl, and 2 or 3 of the R 3 groups are phenyl, or (iv) when n is 2, R1 is phenyl or CI-C 6 alkyl, R 2 is H, and each R 3 is H; and (C R3 A cannot represent when m is 0, RI is phenyl or Cl-C 6 alkyl, and R 2 is H; as a free base or an acid salt thereof. 17. A process for the preparation of a compound of Formula 1: A (CHR 3 )m- OH N-OH 2 H R 2 R 1 wherein A represents: (HR)F -CHR 3 (CHR 3 )m -CHR 3 (CHR 3 )m H H H (CHR 3 -CHR 3 H 3 HR 3 )m or (CHR 3 )m- [I:\DAYLIB\LIBC]08359.doc:MEF PUT/US9 8 U00 78 19880'Y 18 DEC JS8. represents a six-membered ring, unsaturated or saturated, optionally substituted with one or two heteroatoms selected from N, O, or S, optionally substituted with C1-C6-alkyl; represents: a five-membered ring, unsaturated or saturated, optionally substituted with one or two heteroatoms selected from N, O, or S, optionally substituted with C1-C6-alkyl; n is 1, 2, or 3; m is 0, or 1; t is 0, 1, or 2; s is 1 or 2; R 1 is: H, phenyl, or C1-C6-alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted with C-C6-alkoxy; (CH 2 R 4 R 2 is: H, C1-C6-alkyl, or R 3 is: H, C1-C6-alkyl, or phenyl; R 4 is: H, except that R 1 and R 4 can represent a carbon carbon bond, when t is lor 2, or when t is 0; comprising the steps of: refluxing the 1,2-amino alcohol compound, HO NH 2 R 2 R 1 eT RA 1 with an alkylating agent AMENIDED SH4 rr -46 19880Y PCT/US 98/00578 jPgJW$ I3 DEC 1958 CH 2 X H 2 X, wherein X is Cl, Br, I, OTf, OTs or OMs; in the presence of a base and a solvent at a reaction temperature of about 100° to about 120 0 C for reaction time of about 12 to about 36 hours, while removing the water 1 formed to give a solution of crude compound of Formula I; filtering the solvent solution containing the crude compound of Formula I to remove the sodium bromide salt, once the solution reaches room temperature; washing the sodium bromide wet cake with a solvent; extracting the filtrate-solvent solution containing the crude compound of Formula I with water to remove any additional sodium bromide salt; mixing the washed filtrate-solvent solution containing the crude compound of Formula I with an aqueous acid solution to form the acid salt of the compound of Formula S -I; isolating the aqueous layer containing the acid salt of a compound of Formula I; neutralizing a biphasic solution of the aqueous layer containing the acid salt of a compound of Formula I and solvent with a base while maintaining the temperature below about extracting the compound of Formula I from the biphasic solution into the solvent after mixing for less than about one hour; and isolating the solvent layer containing the compound of Formula I. 18. The process as recited in Claim 17, steps and wherein the base used in each step is independently selected from the group consisting of: Li2CO3, Na2CO3, K2C03, LiHCO3, NaHCO3, KHCO3, LiOH, NaOH, and KOH. AMENDED SHET -47 rlluW1 /U t U 1 9880Y IPEAAS 18 DEC 19S8 19. The process as recited in Claim 18, steps and wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of: toluene, heptane, n-butanol, methylcyclohexane, and tetrahydrofuran. The process as recited in Claim 19, step wherein the aqueous acid solution is selected from the group consisting of: an Saqueous inorganic acid solution and an aqueous organic acid solution. 21. The process as recited in Claim 20, step wherein aminoalcohol compound to dihalide ratio is about 1 to about 1.1 ratio. 22. The process as recited in Claim 21, step wherein the dihalide to base ratio is about 1 to about 2 ratio. 23. The process as recited in Claim 22, step wherein the base is selected from the group consisting of: KHCO3, NaHCO3, K2C03, and Na2CO3. 24. The process as recited in Claim 23, step wherein the aqueous acid solution is an aqueous inorganic acid solution selected from the group consisting of: HC1, HBr, H3P04 and H2S04. The process as recited in Claim 23, step wherein the aqueous acid solution is an aqueous organic acid solution selected from the group consisting of: citric acid, acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, maleic acid, methylsulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, formic acid, and benzoic acid. 26. The process as recited in Claim 25, steps and wherein the solvent is toluene. 27. The process as recited in Claim 26, step wherein FR 4 the reaction temperature is about 1050 to about 118°C. AMENDED SHEE' I. -48 19880Y POT/US 98/00 578 I.AAJS I 8DEC 198 28. The process as recited in Claim 27, step wherein the reaction time is about 18 to about 24 hours. 29. The process as recited in Claim 28, step wherein the aqueous acid solution is citric acid. The process as recited in Claim 29, step wherein the base is selected from the group consisting of: aqueous LiOH, KOH and NaOH. 31. The process as recited in Claim 30, wherein the compound of Formula I is selected from the group consisting of: HO CH PhN QN Ph HO CF- Ph N-. 3 HO CH 3 Ph (D H0 OCH 3 OH Ph N 13, ,and 1..,,oH HO Ph N HO H 3 Ph N OH ND) AMENDED SOT -49 32. The process as recited in claim 30, wherein the compound of Formula I is: HO Ph N 33. A process for the preparation of a hydrochloride salt, said process being, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the examples. 34. A process for the preparation of [R-(R*,S*)]-p-methyl-a-phenyl-l-pyrrolidineethanol hydrochloride or its enantiomer, said process being, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the examples. The process for the preparation of [R-(R*,S*)]-p-methyl-a-phenyl-l-pyrrolidineethanol or its enantiomer, said process being, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the examples. 36. A compound produced by the process of any one of claims 1 to 15 or 17 to Dated 4 August, 1999 Merck Co., Inc. Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON 0 0 0 0@ *S S 0 .:.OS S' [R:\LIBC]06919.doc:bav