BR112021011854B1 - METHODS FOR PREPARING SUBSTITUTED FUSED HETEROCYCLIC GAMMA-CARBOLINE COMPOUNDS AND ACTIVE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION - Google Patents

Abstract

SYNTHESIS OF SUBSTITUTED FUSED HETEROCYCLIC GAMMA-CARBOLINES. The present invention provides improved methods for the preparation of substituted fused heterocyclic gamma-carbolines, intermediates useful in their production, and methods for producing such intermediates and such fused heterocyclic gamma-carbolines.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

[001] This application is an international application claiming priority and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/780,688, filed on December 17, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[002] The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of particular substituted fused heterocyclic gamma-carbolines, as described herein, which are useful in the treatment of diseases involving the 5-HT2A receptor, the serotonin transporter (SERT), pathways involving dopamine D1 and/or D2 receptor signaling systems and/or the μ-opioid receptor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[003] Substituted fused heterocyclic gamma-carbolines are known to be agonists or antagonists of 5-HT2 receptors, particularly 5-HT2A receptors, in the treatment of central nervous system diseases. These compounds have been disclosed in US Patent Nos. 6,548,493; 7,238,690; 6,552,017; 6,713,471; 7,183,282; US RE39680 and US RE39679, as novel compounds useful for the treatment of disorders associated with 5-HT2A receptor modulation, such as obesity, anxiety, depression, psychosis, schizophrenia, sleep disorders, sexual disorders, migraine, conditions associated with headache, social phobias, gastrointestinal disorders such as gastrointestinal tract motility dysfunction and obesity. US Patent 8,309,722 and US Patent 7,081,455 also disclose methods of producing substituted fused heterocyclic gamma-carbolines and uses of these gamma-carbolines as serotonin agonists and antagonists useful for the control and prevention of central nervous system disorders such as addictive behavior and sleep disorders.

[004] Furthermore, US Patent 8,598,119 describes the use of particular substituted fused heterocyclic gamma-carbolines for the treatment of a combination of psychosis and depressive disorders, as well as sleep, depression and/or mood disorders in patients with psychosis or Parkinson's disease. In addition to disorders associated with psychosis and/or depression, this patent application discloses and claims the use of these compounds at a low dose to selectively antagonize 5-HT2A receptors without affecting or minimally affecting dopamine D2 receptors, thus useful for the treatment of sleep disorders without the side effects associated with high occupancy of dopamine D2 pathways or side effects of other pathways (e.g., GABAA receptors) associated with conventional sedative-hypnotic agents (e.g., benzodiazepines) including, but not limited to, the development of drug dependence, muscular hypotonia, weakness, headache, blurred vision, vertigo, nausea, vomiting, epigastric distress, diarrhea, joint pain, and chest pain. US Patent 8,648,077 also describes methods of preparing toluenesulfonic acid addition salt crystals of these substituted fused heterocyclic gamma-carbolines.

[005] Furthermore, recent evidence shows that the aforementioned heterocyclic fused gamma-carbolines may operate, in part, through NMDA receptor antagonism via mTOR1 signaling, in a manner similar to that of ketamine. Ketamine is a selective NMDA receptor antagonist. Ketamine acts through a system that is unrelated to the common psychogenic monoamines (serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine), and this is one of the main reasons for its much faster onset of effects. Ketamine directly antagonizes extrasynaptic glutamatergic NMDA receptors, which also indirectly results in the activation of AMPA-type glutamate receptors. Downstream effects involve the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and mTORC1 kinase pathways. Similar to ketamine, recent evidence suggests that compounds related to those of the present disclosure potentiate NMDA- and AMPA-induced currents in rat medial prefrontal cortex pyramidal neurons via activation of D1 receptors, and that this is associated with increased mTORC1 signaling. International application PCT/US2018/043100 discloses such effects for certain substituted fused heterocyclic gamma-carbolines and useful therapeutic indications related thereto.

[006] US 2017/319580 discloses additional substituted fused gamma-carbolines. These newer compounds retain much of the unique pharmacological activity of the previously disclosed compounds, including serotonin receptor inhibition, SERT inhibition, and dopamine receptor modulation. However, these compounds were unexpectedly found to also show significant activity at mu-opioid receptors. Analogs of these new compounds have also been disclosed, for example, in WO 2018/126140 and WO 2018/126143.

[007] For example, the compound of Formula A, shown below, is a potent serotonin 5-HT2A receptor antagonist and mu-opiate receptor partial agonist or biased agonist. This compound also interacts with dopamine receptors, in particular, dopamine D1 receptors. It is also believed that the Formula A compound, through its D1 receptor activity, may also enhance NMDA- and AMPA-mediated signaling via the mTOR pathway. The Formula A compound is therefore useful for the treatment or prophylaxis of central nervous system disorders, but there is a need in the art for additional compounds having this unique biochemical and pharmacological profile, especially those that may have subtly altered pharmacological or pharmacokinetic profiles compared to the Formula A compound.

[008] The preparation of substituted fused heterocyclic gamma-carbolines in free or pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms, intermediates used in their preparation, e.g., 2,3,4,4a,5,9b-hexahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole and intermediate types and methods for producing said intermediates and said substituted fused heterocyclic gamma-carbolines are disclosed in U.S. Patents 7,183,282, 8,309,722, 8,779,139, 9,315,504 and 9,751,883, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[009] The present disclosure provides methods of preparing particular fused gamma-carbolines with high purity, yield and economic efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention provides improved methods for the preparation of substituted fused heterocyclic gamma-carbolines in free or pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms, intermediates used in their preparation, e.g., 2,3,4,4a,5,9b-hexahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole and intermediate types, and methods for the production of said intermediates and said substituted fused heterocyclic gamma-carbolines are disclosed in the present invention.

[0011] The substituted fused heterocyclic gamma-carbolines and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts produced by the present invention are represented by the core structures shown in Formulas 1J and 2J: where R is selected from H and C1-4 alkyl, and Q is selected from 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-oxobutyl and 3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl. It is understood that in the compound of Formula 2J (and those similar to Formula 2 herein), the stereochemistry shown is absolute stereochemistry, which, for example, corresponds to the 4aS, 9bR configuration in the compound of Formula 2I and the 6bR, 10aS configuration in the compound of Formula 2J. In contrast, it is understood that in the compound of Formula 1J (and those similar to Formula 1 herein) the stereochemistry shown is relative stereochemistry for the two adjacent stereocenters. Thus, for example, in the compound of Formula 1J shown above, the formula represents both compounds having the 6bR, 4aS configuration and compounds having the 6bS, 4aR configuration, or combinations thereof.

[0012] In some embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula 1I, as shown below, in free or salt form, which are useful, for example, as intermediates for the production of compounds of Formula 1J: compounds of Formula 1I: where: R is H or C1-4 alkyl (e.g. methyl); in free or salt form, e.g. as an acid addition salt, optionally in solid form.

[0013] In some embodiments, the invention further relates to compounds of the following formulas: 1.1 Formula 1I, wherein R is C1-C4 alkyl (e.g., methyl). 1.2 Formula 1I, wherein R is H. 1.3 Formula 1I, 1.1, or 1.2, wherein the compound is in free base form. 1.4 Formula 1I, 1.1, or 1.2, wherein the compound is in acid addition salt form. 1.5 Formula 1.4, wherein the acid addition salt form is a hydrohalide salt form (e.g., hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, or hydrofluoride, e.g., in a base to acid molar ratio of 1:1 to 3:1). 1.6 Formula 1.5, wherein the acid addition salt form is a hydrochloride salt. 1.7 Any of the foregoing formulae wherein said compound is in solid form, e.g. solid amorphous form or solid crystalline form. 1.8 Any of the foregoing formulae wherein said compounds are at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, most preferably 95% and up to 100%, cis stereoisomers with respect to all other stereoisomers and/or wherein said compounds have an enantiomeric excess (e.e.) of at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, most preferably greater than 95%, or greater than 97%, or greater than 99%, or greater than 99.5%, or greater than 99.9%, and up to 100% (i.e. for the 4aS, 9bR enantiomer shown above).

[0014] In some embodiments, the present invention relates to compounds of Formula 2I, as shown below, in free or salt form, which are useful, for example, as intermediates for the production of compounds of Formula 2J: compounds of Formula 2I: where: R is H or C1-4 alkyl (e.g. methyl); in free or salt form, e.g. as an acid addition salt, optionally in solid form.

[0015] The invention further relates to compounds of the following formulae: 2.1 Formula 2I, wherein R is C1-C4 alkyl (e.g., methyl). 2.2 Formula 2I, wherein R is H. 2.3 Formula 2I, 2.1 or 2.2, wherein the compound is in free base form. 2.4 Formula 2I, 2.1 or 2.2, wherein the compound is in acid addition salt form. 2.5 Formula 2.4, wherein the acid addition salt form is a hydrohalide salt form (e.g., hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide or hydrofluoride, for example, in a base to acid molar ratio of 1:1 to 3:1). 2.6 Formula 2.5, wherein the acid addition salt form is a hydrochloride salt. 2.7 Any of the foregoing formulae wherein said compound is in solid form, e.g. solid amorphous form or solid crystalline form. 2.8 Any of the foregoing formulae wherein said compounds are at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, most preferably 95% and up to 100%, cis stereoisomers with respect to all other stereoisomers.

[0016] The present invention further provides the following compounds, which may be formed as impurities in the processes of preparing the compounds of Formula 1J: wherein, in each of said compounds 1K and 1L, the R group is selected from H and C1-4 alkyl (e.g., methyl), and the Q group is selected from -O- and -(C=O)-.

[0017] The present invention further provides the following compounds, which may be formed as impurities in the processes of preparing the compounds of Formula 2J: wherein, in each of said compounds 2K and 2L, the R group is selected from H and C1-4 alkyl (e.g., methyl), and the Q group is selected from -O- and -(C=O)-.

[0018] In some embodiments, the present invention relates to a method for preparing the compound of Formula 1J, as shown in the following scheme: wherein for each of compounds 1A through 1J, independently: (i) A is selected from Br, Cl, and I; (ii) R is selected from H and C1-4 alkyl (e.g., methyl); (iii) B is a protecting group as defined herein; and (iv) Q is selected from 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-oxobutyl and 3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl; wherein each of compounds 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1I, and 1J are independently in salt or free base form (e.g., acid addition salt form). It is understood that compound 1B is substantially, essentially, or completely racemic cis isomers, i.e., containing approximately equal amounts of the two cis enantiomers to the substantial or complete exclusion of any trans isomers. It is further understood that compound 1C is substantially, essentially or completely a single cis enantiomer, specifically the 4aS, 9bR enantiomer (as drawn above), to the substantial or complete exclusion of the opposite cis enantiomer or any trans stereoisomer.

[0019] In some embodiments, the present invention relates to a method for preparing the compound of Formula 2J, as shown in the following scheme: wherein for each of compounds 2A through 2J, independently: (i) A is selected from Br, Cl, and I; (ii) R is selected from H and C1-4 alkyl (e.g., methyl); (iii) B is a protecting group as defined herein; and (iv) Q is selected from 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-oxobutyl and 3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl; wherein each of compounds 1A, 1B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2I, and 2J are independently in salt or free base form (e.g., acid addition salt form). It is understood that compound 1B is substantially, essentially, or completely racemic cis isomers, i.e., containing approximately equal amounts of the two cis enantiomers to the substantial or complete exclusion of any trans isomers. It is further understood that compound 2C is substantially, essentially or completely a single cis enantiomer, to the substantial or complete exclusion of the opposite cis enantiomer or any trans stereoisomer.

[0020] In some embodiments, the present invention relates to methods for preparing the compound of Formula 1J, as set forth above, in free or salt form, as follows: 3.1 Formula 1J, wherein R is H. 3.2 Formula 1J, wherein R is C1-4 alkyl. 3.3 Formula 1J, wherein R is methyl. 3.4 Formula 1J or any of 3.1-3.3, wherein Q is 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-oxobutyl. 3.5 Formula 1J or any of 3.1-3.3, wherein Q is 3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl. 3.6 Formula 1J, wherein R is H and Q is 3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl. 3.7 Formula 1J, or any of 3.1-3.6, wherein the compound of Formula 1J is in free base form, e.g., solid free base form. 3.8 Formula 1J, or any of 3.1-3.6, wherein the compound of Formula 1J is in salt form. 3.9 Formula 1J, or any of 3.1-3.6, wherein the compound of Formula 1J is in acid addition salt form. 3.10 Formula 1J, or any of 3.1-3.6, wherein the compound of Formula 1J is in tosylate or hydrochloride salt form, e.g., in a 1:1 to 1:3 ratio of free base to acid. 3.11 Formula 1J, or any of 3.1-3.10, wherein the compound of Formula 1J is at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, most preferably greater than 95%, up to 100%, in the form of a cis stereoisomer relative to all other stereoisomers. 3.12 Formula 1J, or any of 3.1-3.11, wherein the compound of Formula 1J is in substantially enantiomerically pure form, e.g., at least 90% e.e., preferably at least 95% e.e., or at least 97% e.e., or at least 99% e.e., or at least 99.5% e.e., or at least 99.9% e.e., up to 100% e.e..

[0021] In some embodiments, the present invention relates to methods for preparing the compound of Formula 2J, as set forth above, in free or salt form, as follows: 4.1 Formula 2J, wherein R is H. 4.2 Formula 2J, wherein R is C1-4 alkyl. 4.3 Formula 2J, wherein R is methyl. 4.4 Formula 2J or any of 4.1-4.3, wherein Q is 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-oxobutyl. 4.5 Formula 2J or any of 4.1-4.3, wherein Q is 3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl. 4.6 Formula 2J, wherein R is H and Q is 3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl. 4.7 Formula 2J, or any of 4.1-4.6, wherein the compound of Formula 2J is in free base form, e.g., solid free base form. Formula 2J is in salt form. Formula 2J is in acid addition salt form. Formula 2J is in tosylate or hydrochloride salt form, e.g., in a 1:1 to 1:3 ratio of free base to acid. 4.11 Formula 2J, or any of 4.1-4.10, wherein the compound of Formula 2J is at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, most preferably greater than 95%, up to 100%, in the form of the cis stereoisomer relative to all other stereoisomers. 4.12 Formula 2J, or any of 4.1-4.11, wherein the compound of Formula 2J is in substantially enantiomerically pure form, e.g., at least 90% e.e., preferably at least 95% e.e., or at least 97% e.e., or at least 99% e.e., or at least 99.5% e.e., or at least 99.9% e.e., up to 100% e.e..

[0022] In a first aspect, the invention provides a method (Method 1J) for preparing a compound of Formula 1J, or any one of 3.1-3.12, in free or salt form, comprising the steps of (a) reacting a compound of Formula 1E, in free or salt form, with (i) a transition metal catalyst selected from the group consisting of Groups 8-11 of the periodic table, (ii) optionally a base, (iii) optionally an alkali metal or ammonium iodide or bromide (e.g., potassium iodide or tetrabutyl ammonium bromide), and (iv) optionally a monodentate or bidentate ligand, to form an intermediate of Formula 1F, in free or salt form; (b) deprotecting the piperidine nitrogen of the compound of Formula 1F to produce the compound of Formula 1I (or any one of 1.1-1.8), in free or salt form; and (c) alkylating the piperidine nitrogen of the compound of Formula 1I with a suitable alkylating agent to produce the compound of Formula 1J (or any of 3.1-3.12) in free or salt form; and optionally (d) converting the compound of Formula 1J in free form to a compound of Formula 1J (or any of 3.1-3.12) in salt form, e.g., in acid addition salt form (e.g., in tosylate salt form). In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of alkylating a compound of Formula 1D to form the compound of Formula 1E.

[0023] In another embodiment of the first aspect, the invention provides a method (Method 2J) for preparing a compound of Formula 2J, or any one of 4.1-4.12, in free or salt form, comprising the steps of (a) reacting a compound of Formula 2E, in free or salt form, with (i) a transition metal catalyst selected from the group consisting of Groups 8-11 of the periodic table, (ii) optionally a base, (iii) optionally an alkali metal or ammonium iodide or bromide (e.g., potassium iodide or tetrabutyl ammonium bromide), and (iv) optionally a monodentate or bidentate ligand, to form an intermediate of Formula 2F, in free or salt form; (b) deprotecting the piperidine nitrogen of the compound of Formula 2F to produce the compound of Formula 2I (or any of 2.1-2.8), in free or salt form; and (c) alkylating the piperidine nitrogen of the compound of Formula 1I with a suitable alkylating agent to produce the compound of Formula 2J (or any of 4.1-4.12) in free or salt form; and optionally (d) converting the compound of Formula 2J in free form to a compound of Formula 2J (or any of 4.1-4.12) in salt form, e.g., in acid addition salt form (e.g., in tosylate salt form). In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of alkylating a compound of Formula 2D to form the compound of Formula 2E.

[0024] In a second aspect, the invention provides a method (Method 1I) for preparing a compound of Formula 1I, or any one of 1.1-1.8, in free or salt form, comprising the steps of (a) reacting a compound of Formula 1E, in free or salt form, with (i) a transition metal catalyst selected from the group consisting of Groups 8-11 of the periodic table, (ii) optionally a base, (iii) optionally an alkali metal or ammonium iodide or bromide (e.g., potassium iodide or tetrabutyl ammonium bromide), and (iv) optionally a monodentate or bidentate ligand, to form an intermediate of Formula 1F, in free or salt form; and (b) deprotecting the piperidine nitrogen of the compound of Formula 1F to produce the compound of Formula 1I (or any one of 1.1-1.8), in free or salt form. In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of alkylating a compound of Formula 1D to form the compound of Formula 1E.

[0025] In another embodiment of the second aspect, the invention provides a method (Method 2I) for preparing a compound of Formula 2I, or any one of 2.1-2.8, in free or salt form, comprising the steps of (a) reacting a compound of Formula 2E, in free or salt form, with (i) a transition metal catalyst selected from the group consisting of Groups 8-11 of the periodic table, (ii) optionally a base, (iii) optionally an alkali metal or ammonium iodide or bromide (e.g., potassium iodide or tetrabutyl ammonium bromide), and (iv) optionally a monodentate or bidentate ligand, to form an intermediate of Formula 2F, in free or salt form; and (b) deprotecting the piperidine nitrogen of the compound of Formula 2F to produce the compound of Formula 2I (or any one of 2.1-2.8), in free or salt form. In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of alkylating a compound of Formula 2D to form the compound of Formula 2E.

[0026] In a third aspect, the invention provides a method (Method 1F) for preparing a compound of Formula 1F, in free or salt form, comprising the steps of (a) reacting a compound of Formula 1E, in free or salt form, with (i) a transition metal catalyst selected from the group consisting of Groups 8-11 of the periodic table, (ii) optionally a base, (iii) optionally an alkali metal or ammonium iodide or bromide (e.g., potassium iodide or tetrabutyl ammonium bromide), and (iv) optionally a monodentate or bidentate ligand, to form an intermediate of Formula 1F, in free or salt form. In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of alkylating a compound of Formula 1D to form the compound of Formula 1E.

[0027] In another embodiment of the third aspect, the invention provides a method (Method 2F) for preparing a compound of Formula 2F, in free or salt form, comprising the steps of (a) reacting a compound of Formula 2E, in free or salt form, with (i) a transition metal catalyst selected from the group consisting of Groups 8-11 of the periodic table, (ii) optionally a base, (iii) optionally an alkali metal or ammonium iodide or bromide (e.g., potassium iodide or tetrabutyl ammonium bromide), and (iv) optionally a monodentate or bidentate ligand, to form an intermediate of Formula 2F, in free or salt form. In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of alkylating a compound of Formula 2D to form the compound of Formula 2E.

[0028] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides the use of the compound of Formula 1I, or any one of 1.1 et seq., and/or the compound of Formula 1F, in a process for manufacturing a compound of Formula 1J, or any one of 3.1-3.12.

[0029] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides the use of the compound of Formula 2I, or any one of 2.1 et seq., and/or the compound of Formula 1F, in a process for manufacturing a compound of Formula 2J, or any one of 4.1-4.12.

[0030] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an active pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of Formula 1J or 2J, in substantially pure form.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] In one aspect, the invention provides a method (Method 1I) for preparing a compound of Formula 1I, or any one of 1.1-1.8, in free or salt form, comprising the steps of (a) reacting a compound of Formula 1E, in free or salt form, with (i) a transition metal catalyst selected from the group consisting of Groups 8-11 of the periodic table, (ii) optionally a base, (iii) optionally an alkali metal or ammonium iodide or bromide (e.g., potassium iodide or tetrabutyl ammonium bromide), and (iv) optionally a monodentate or bidentate ligand, to form an intermediate of Formula 1F, in free or salt form; and (b) deprotecting the piperidine nitrogen of the compound of Formula 1F to produce the compound of Formula 1I (or any one of 1.1-1.8), in free or salt form. In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of alkylating a compound of Formula 1D to form the compound of Formula 1E.

[0032] Preferably, steps (a) and (b) occur without isolation or purification of the intermediate of Formulas 1F. In some embodiments, steps (a) and (b) occur sequentially in a single reaction vessel or a set of connected reaction vessels.

[0033] In another embodiment of this aspect, the invention provides a method (Method 2I) for preparing a compound of Formula 2I, or any one of 2.1-2.8, in free or salt form, comprising the steps of (a) reacting a compound of Formula 2E, in free or salt form, with (i) a transition metal catalyst selected from the group consisting of Groups 8-11 of the periodic table, (ii) optionally a base, (iii) optionally an alkali metal or ammonium iodide or bromide (e.g., potassium iodide or tetrabutyl ammonium bromide), and (iv) optionally a monodentate or bidentate ligand, to form an intermediate of Formula 2F, in free or salt form; and (b) deprotecting the piperidine nitrogen of the compound of Formula 2F to produce the compound of Formula 2I (or any one of 2.1-2.8), in free or salt form.

[0034] Preferably, steps (a) and (b) occur without isolation or purification of the intermediate of Formulas 2F. In some embodiments, steps (a) and (b) occur sequentially in a single reaction vessel or a set of connected reaction vessels.

[0035] The transition metal catalyst of step (a) of Method 1I or 2I can be an atom, ion, salt, or complex of transition metals selected from Groups 8-11 of the periodic table (e.g., palladium, copper, nickel, platinum, ruthenium, or rhodium). Examples of such a transition metal catalyst include, but are not limited to, copper catalysts such as CuI, CuCl, CuBr, CuBr2, Cu(II) acetate, Cu2Cl2, Cu2O, Cu, CuSO4, Cu2SO4, or palladium or nickel catalysts such as Pd/C, PdCl2, Pd(OAc)2, (CH3CN)2PdCl2, Pd[P(C6H5)3]4, bis(dibenzylideneacetone)palladium [Pd(dba)2], tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium [Pd2(dba)3], Ni(acetylacetonate)2, NiCl2[P(C6H5)]2 and Ni(1,5-cyclooctadiene)2 as described in US Patents 6,759,554 B2, 6,395,916 B1 and 6,307,087 B1, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In a preferred embodiment, the transition metal catalyst is a copper catalyst. In an especially preferred embodiment, said catalyst is CuI.

[0036] The base useful for step (a) of Method 1I or 2I can be a Bronsted base or a Lewis base, including by way of example only, amine bases (e.g., triethylamine, trimethylamine, N,N'-diisopropylethylamine, 1,8-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]undec-7-ene (DBU), or 1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane (DABCO)), hydrides (e.g., sodium, lithium, or potassium hydride), alkoxides (e.g., sodium or potassium tert-butoxide), carbonates (e.g., sodium carbonate or bicarbonate, potassium or cesium carbonate), or phosphates (e.g., potassium phosphate). In a preferred embodiment, the base is a carbonate of an alkali or alkaline earth metal (e.g., sodium, potassium, cesium, barium, etc.). In a particularly preferred embodiment, said base is potassium carbonate.

[0037] In some embodiments, the base for step (a) can be eliminated by using a ligand for step (a) that is itself basic, such as an amine ligand (e.g., DBU, DBN, or 1,2-diamine), as described below. In such embodiments, step (a) can comprise ligand (iv) without a base (ii). In other embodiments, a base (ii) and a basic ligand (iv) are used together, for example, an inorganic base (ii) (such as potassium carbonate or sodium carbonate) and a basic amine ligand (iv) (such as DBU, DBN, or a 1,2-diamine).

[0038] Optional monodentate or bidentate ligands useful in step (a) of Method 1I or 2I are those ligands known to bind to transition metal catalysts. Examples of such ligands include, but are not limited to, phenolic or amine ligands such as optionally substituted aryl alcohol, 1,2-diamine, 1,2-aminoalcohol, 1,8-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]undec-7-ene (DBU), 1,5-diazabicyclo[4,3,0]non-5-ene (DBN), 1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane (DABCO), imidazolium carbene, 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine, 2-(aminomethyl)pyridine, 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, 5-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline, 5-chloro-1,10-phenanthroline, and 5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline. Examples of phenolic or amine ligands include, but are not limited to, 2-phenylphenol, 2,6-dimethylphenol, 2-isopropylphenol, 1-naphthol, 8-hydroxyquinoline, 8-aminoquinoline, DBU, DBN, DABCO, 2-(dimethylamino)ethanol, N,N-diethylsalicylamid, 2-(dimethylamino)glycine, N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-1,2-diaminoethane, 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, 5-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline, 5-chloro-1,10-phenanthroline, 5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline, 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine, 2-(aminomethyl)pyridine, hydroxyacid (methylimino)diacetic acid, cis-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, a mixture of cis- and trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, cis-N,N'-dimethyl-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, trans-N,N'-dimethyl-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, a mixture of cis and trans-N,N'-dimethyl-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, cis-N-tolyl-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, trans-N-tolyl-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, a mixture of cis- and trans-N-tolyl-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, ethanolamine, 1,2-diaminoethane, N,N'-dimethyl-1,2-diaminoethane, N,N-dimethyl-2-hydroxybenzamide, N,N-diethyl-2-hydroxybenzamide, fluoro-N,N-diethyl-2-hydroxybenzamide, chloro-N,N'-diethyl-2-hydroxybenzamide, (2-hydroxyphenyl)(pyrrolidin-1-yl)methanone, biphenyl-2-ol, 2-pyridylphenol, 1,2-benzenediamine, ammonia, N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide and 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone as described in US Patents 6,759,554B2; 6,395,916B1; 6,307,087B1, Klapars, A. et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. (2002) 124, 7421-7428; Kang, S., et al., Synlett, 3, 427-430 (2002); Sugahara, M. and Ukita, T., Chem. Pharm. Bull. (1997) 45, 719-721, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. In an especially preferred embodiment, said ligand is DBU, DBN, N,N'-dimethyl-1,2-diaminoethane, trans-N,N'-dimethyl-1,2-diaminocyclohexane or N-butylethylenediamine. Without being bound by any theory, it is believed that the ligands facilitate the reaction by stabilizing and solubilizing the metal catalyst.

[0039] In some embodiments, the crude compound of Formula 1F or 2F is treated with a reagent to remove copper. For example, the crude compound can be suspended and/or dissolved in an organic solvent and washed with a basic aqueous solution (e.g., aqueous ammonia solution). Alternatively, the crude solid can be washed directly with a basic aqueous solution (e.g., aqueous ammonia solution).

[0040] The conditions for deprotection step (b) of Method 1I or 2I necessarily vary with the choice of protecting group B and may involve, for example, acid or base catalysis or catalytic hydrogenation. Thus, for example, where the protecting agent is an acyl group such as an alkanoyl or alkoxycarbonyl (e.g. ethoxycarbonyl) group or an aroyl group, deprotection may be accomplished, for example, by hydrolysis with a base such as an alkali metal hydroxide, e.g. lithium, potassium or sodium hydroxide. Alternatively, an acyl protecting agent such as a t-butoxycarbonyl group may be removed, for example, by treatment with a suitable acid such as hydrochloric, sulfuric or phosphoric acid or trifluoroacetic acid. An arylmethoxycarbonyl protecting agent, such as a benzyloxycarbonyl group, can be removed, for example, by hydrogenation over a catalyst such as platinum or palladium on carbon, or by treatment with a Lewis acid such as boron tris(trifluoroacetate). For additional examples of useful reagents for this deprotection step, see “Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis” by Theodora Green (publisher: John Wiley & Sons).

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the protecting group B is a carbamate protecting group, e.g., methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, or t-butoxycarbonyl. In said embodiment, step (b) of Method 1I or 2I may preferably be carried out using an acidic aqueous solution, such as aqueous hydrochloric acid or aqueous hydrobromic acid, or using a non-aqueous acidic medium, such as hydrogen chloride or hydrogen bromide in an organic solvent (e.g., methanol, THF, dioxane, diethyl ether, acetic acid, or a mixture thereof), or using a strong organic acid (e.g., neat trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) or TFA in a suitable organic solvent, e.g., dioxane). In a preferred embodiment, the non-aqueous acidic medium is hydrobromic acid dissolved in an organic solvent (e.g., in acetic acid).

[0042] In some embodiments, step (b) of Method 1I or 2I is carried out under acidic conditions and the compound of Formula 1I or 2I is obtained in the form of an acid addition salt. For example, the reaction can be carried out using hydrochloric acid or hydrobromic acid, resulting in the compound of Formula 1I or 2I as a hydrochloride or hydrobromide salt. In other embodiments, step (b) of Method 1I or 2I is carried out under acidic conditions and the reaction mixture is subjected to neutralization or basification with a suitable base in order to obtain the compound of Formula 1I or 2I in the form of the free base. Suitable bases for carrying out said neutralization or basification include inorganic bases such as hydroxides, oxides, carbonates, and bicarbonates (e.g., ammonium, alkali metal, or alkaline earth metal bases including NaOH, KOH, LiOH, NH4OH, Ca(OH)2, CaO, MgO, Na2CO3, K2CO3, Li2CO3, NaHCO3, KHCO3, LiHCO3, CaCO3, MgCO3, (NH4)2CO3, and the like), optionally in aqueous solution (such as aqueous sodium hydroxide, aqueous sodium carbonate, or aqueous ammonia).

[0043] In some embodiments, Method 1I or 2I provides the compounds of Formula 1I or 2I, respectively, as a crystalline free base or as a crystalline acid addition salt, e.g., as a hydrochloride or hydrobromide salt. The inventors have unexpectedly discovered that use of Method 1I or 2I, or one or more of Methods 5.1-5.52, results in the production of compounds of Formula 1I or 2I with much lower levels of contamination by transition metal (e.g., copper) impurities compared to prior art methods for producing these compounds. For example, use of the present methods can result in the production of compounds of Formula 1I or 2I containing less than about 50 ppm copper, or less than about 10 ppm copper, or less than about 5 ppm copper.

[0044] In specific embodiments of the first aspect, the present disclosure provides: 5.1 Method 1I or 2I, wherein the compound of Formula 1I or 2I is, respectively, a compound according to any one of Formulas 1.1-1.8 or 2.1-2.8. 5.2 Method 1I or 2I, wherein the substituent A of the compound of Formula 1E or 2E is selected from Br, Cl, and I. 5.3 Method 5.2, wherein A is Br. 5.4 Method 1I or 2I, or any one of 5.1 et seq., wherein the substituent R of the compounds of Formulas 1E, 1F, and 1I, or 2E, 2F, and 2I, is C1-4 alkyl (e.g., methyl). 5.5 Method 1I or 2I, or any of 5.1 et seq., wherein the substituent R of compounds of Formulas 1E, 1F, and 1I, or 2E, 2F, and 2I, is H. 5.6 Method 1I or 2I, or any of 5.1 et seq., wherein the protecting group B of compounds of Formulas 1E and 1F, or 2E and 2F, is a group of formula P-Z, where P is selected from CH2, C(O), C(O)O, and S(O)2, and where Z is an optionally substituted alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, or -OR' where R' is alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or heteroarylalkyl. 5.7 Method 5.6, wherein protecting group B is an acyl group (e.g., an alkanoyl or alkoxycarbonyl group), for example, t-butoxycarbonyl, phenoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl or methoxycarbonyl, or an optionally substituted benzyloxycarbonyl. 5.8 Method 5.7, wherein protecting group B is ethoxycarbonyl. 5.9 Method 5.6, wherein protecting group B is an optionally substituted benzyl group, for example, benzyl, 4-methoxybenzyl or 2,4-dimethoxybenzyl. 5.10 Method 1I or 2I, or any of 5.1 et seq., wherein the transition metal catalyst of step (a) is a copper catalyst. 5.11 Method 5.10, wherein the transition metal catalyst from step (a) is selected from CuI, CuBr, CuCl, Cu(OAc)2, Cu2Cl2, CuBr2, CuSO4, Cu2SO4, and Cu2O. 5.12 Method 5.11, wherein the transition metal catalyst from step (a) is selected from CuI, CuBr, and CuCl. 5.13 Method 5.12, wherein the transition metal catalyst is CuI. 5.14 Method 1I or 2I, or any one of 5.1 et seq., wherein the transition metal catalyst from step (a) is present in an amount of from 0.01 to 0.50 equivalents, for example, from 0.05 to 0.40 equivalents, or from 0.10 to 0.30 equivalents, or from 0.15 to 0.25 equivalents, or about 0.20 equivalents. 5.15 Method 1I or 2I, or any one of 5.1 et seq., wherein the base in step (a) is a Bronsted base, e.g., selected from amines, alkoxides, carbonates and phosphates, and mixtures thereof. 5.16 Method 5.15, wherein the base in step (a) is a carbonate base, e.g., an alkali or alkaline earth metal carbonate or bicarbonate, or mixtures thereof. 5.17 Method 5.16, wherein the base in step (a) is selected from sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate, or a mixture thereof. 5.18 Method 5.17, wherein the base in step (a) comprises potassium carbonate, optionally in an amount of 1.5 to 3 equivalents, e.g., 2 to 2.5 equivalents or about 2.2 equivalents. 5.19 Method 1I or 2I, or any of 5.1 et seq., wherein step (a) does not comprise base (ii), e.g., does not comprise an alkoxide, carbonate, phosphate or other inorganic base. 5.20 Method 1I or 2I, or any of 5.1 et seq., wherein step (a) comprises an alkali metal or ammonium iodide or bromide, e.g., selected from sodium iodide, potassium iodide, lithium iodide, sodium bromide, potassium bromide, lithium bromide, or a tetraalkyl ammonium bromide or iodide (e.g., tetrabutyl ammonium bromide or iodide). 5.21 Method 5.20 wherein step (a) comprises potassium iodide. 5.22 Method 1I or 2I, or any of 5.1 et seq., wherein step (a) comprises a monodentate or bidentate ligand, for example, a ligand selected from phenolic or amine ligands. 5.23 Method 5.22, wherein the ligand is selected from an optionally substituted 1,2-diamine, an optionally substituted 1,2-aminoalcohol, DBU, DBN or DABCO. 5.24 Method 5.23, wherein the ligand is DBU. 5.25 Method 1I or 2I, or any of 5.1 et seq., wherein the ligand of step (a) is present in an amount of from 0.01 to 0.50 equivalents, for example from 0.05 to 0.45 equivalents, or from 0.10 to 0.40 equivalents, or from 0.20 to 0.30 equivalents, or about 0.25 equivalents. 5.26 Method 1I or 2I, or any of 5.1 et seq., wherein the solvent for step (a) is dioxane or toluene. 5.27 Method 5.26, wherein the solvent for step (a) is toluene. 5.28 Method 5.27, wherein the compound of Formula 1E or 2E is combined with base (ii) in toluene solvent and the mixture is azeotropically distilled to remove water prior to the addition of catalyst (i) and optional iodide (iii) and/or optional ligand (iv). 5.29 Method 1I or 2I, or any of 5.1 et seq., wherein the compound of Formula 1F or 2F is isolated by cooling the reaction mixture to room temperature and then diluting the mixture with a non-polar solvent (e.g., pentanes, n-pentane, hexanes, n-hexane, heptanes, n-heptane, cyclopentane, cyclohexane, or a combination thereof) to precipitate the product, followed by filtration to isolate the precipitate. 5.30 Method 5.29, wherein the reaction solvent is toluene and the added nonpolar solvent is a heptane (e.g., heptanes or n-heptane). 5.31 Method 5.29 or 5.30, wherein the precipitated solid (e.g., filter cake) is slurried with aqueous inorganic base (e.g., aqueous NaOH, KOH, or NH4OH) followed by filtration and washing with water. 5.32 Method 1I or 2I, or any of 5.1 et seq., wherein the deprotection step (b) is an acid- or base-mediated cleavage reaction, a hydrolysis reaction (e.g., acid- or base-catalyzed), or a hydrogenation reaction. 5.33 Method 5.32, wherein the deprotection step (b) is an acid hydrolysis, e.g., an aqueous or nonaqueous acid hydrolysis. 5.34 Method 5.33 wherein the acid hydrolysis comprises an acid, e.g., selected from hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and nitric acid, optionally an excess of acid (e.g., 10 to 30 molar equivalents of acid). 5.35 Method 5.33 wherein the acid hydrolysis comprises the acid in a non-aqueous solvent, e.g., acetic acid, ether, or THF. 5.36 Method 5.33 wherein the acid hydrolysis comprises the acid in an aqueous solvent, e.g., water or a water-alcohol mixture (e.g., water-methanol or water-ethanol). 5.37 Method 5.35 wherein the deprotection step (b) comprises the use of hydrobromic acid in acetic acid (e.g., 33% w/w HBr in AcOH). 5.38 Any of methods 5.32-5.37, wherein the deprotection step comprises the use of hydrobromic acid or hydrogen bromide and the step further comprises washing the starting or final product with a polar solvent (e.g., ethyl acetate, methyl tert-butyl ether, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane, or combinations thereof, or one or more thereof sequentially) to remove bromine from the product. 5.39 Any of methods 5.32-5.38, wherein step (b) initially produces an acid addition salt form of the compound of Formula 1I or 2I (e.g., an HCl or HBr salt), and wherein step (b) further comprises a neutralization step to convert the acid addition salt form of the compound of Formula 1I or 2I to the corresponding free base form. 5.40 Method 5.39, wherein the neutralization step comprises combining the acid addition salt form of the compound of Formula 1I or 2I with an inorganic base (e.g., an ammonium hydroxide, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, alkoxide, carbonate or bicarbonate). 5.41 Method 5.40, wherein the inorganic base is ammonium hydroxide, optionally in the form of aqueous ammonia (e.g., 25% w/v aqueous ammonia). 5.42 Method 5.32, wherein the deprotection step (b) is a base-mediated cleavage, e.g., comprising an organic base (e.g., piperidine) in an organic solvent. 5.43 Method 5.32, wherein the deprotection step (b) is a hydrogenation reaction, e.g., a hydrogen catalytic comprising a transition metal (e.g., platinum or palladium) catalyst and hydrogen. 5.44 Method 1I or 2I, or any of 5.1 et seq., wherein the compound of formula 1I or 2I (e.g., the compound of any of 1.1-1.8 or 2.1-2.8) is obtained as a solid, e.g., as an amorphous or crystalline solid (in free base or acid addition salt form). 5.45 Method 1I or 2I, or any of 5.1 et seq., wherein the compound of formula 1I or 2I (e.g., the compound of any of 1.1-1.8 or 2.1-2.8) is obtained in substantially pure form, e.g., greater than 90 wt. % pure, or, e.g., greater than 95 wt. % pure, up to 100 wt. % pure. 5.46 Method 1I or 2I, or any of 5.1 et seq., wherein the compound of formula 1I or 2I (e.g., the compound of any of 1.1-1.8 or 2.1-2.8) is obtained in free form (i.e., free base form), optionally as a crystalline solid. 5.47 Method 1I or 2I, or any of 5.1 et seq., wherein the compound of formula 1I or 2I (e.g., the compound of any of 1.1-1.8 or 2.1-2.8) is obtained in salt form, e.g., acid addition salt form. 5.48 Method 5.47, wherein the compound of Formula 1I or 2I (e.g., the compound of any one of 1.1-1.8 or 2.1-2.8) is obtained as an addition salt selected from a hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, formate, acetate, trifluoroacetate, or methanesulfonate, for example, in a base to acid molar ratio of 1:1 to 2:1. 5.49 Method 5.48, wherein the compound of Formula 1I or 2I (e.g., the compound of any one of 1.1-1.8 or 2.1-2.8) is obtained as a hydrochloride or hydrobromide salt, for example, as a solid hydrochloride or hydrobromide salt or a solid crystalline hydrochloride or hydrobromide salt. 5.50 Method 1I or 2I, or any of 5.1 et seq., wherein the method proceeds without isolation or purification of the intermediate of Formula 1F or 2F. 5.51 Method 1I or 2I, or any of 5.1 et seq., wherein steps (a) and (b) occur sequentially in a single reaction vessel or set of connected reaction vessels. 5.52 Method 1I or 2I, or any of 5.1 et seq., wherein the compound of Formula 1I or 2I (e.g., the compound of any of 1.1-1.8 or 2.1-2.8) is obtained in a form containing less than about 50 ppm copper, or less than about 10 ppm copper, or less than about 5 ppm copper. 5.53 Method 1I or 2I, or any one of 5.1 et seq., wherein the method further comprises a step (c) of alkylating the piperidine nitrogen of the compound of Formula 1I or 2I with a suitable alkylating agent as described herein to produce a compound of Formula 1J or 2J in free or salt form. 5.54 Method 5.53 wherein the compound of Formula 1J or 2J is obtained in free base form from step (c), and wherein the method further comprises a step (d) of converting said compound of Formula 1J or 2J in free base form to a compound of Formula 1J or 2J in salt form, e.g., acid addition salt form (e.g., tosylate salt form). 5.55 Method 5.53 or 5.54, wherein the method provides a compound of Formula 1J or 2J as described by Formulas 3.1-3.12 or 4.1-4.12, respectively. 5.56 Method 1I or 2I, or any of 5.1 through 5.55, further comprising any or all of the following steps as described in any embodiments thereof herein: a. Preparing the compound of Formula 1A by reacting 2-bromophenylhydrazine, in free or salt form, with 4-piperidinone, in free or salt form, optionally in hydrate form, optionally in acetic acid solvent; b. English: Preparing the compound of Formula 1C or 2C, in free or salt form, by (a) reducing the compound of Formula 1A to a compound of Formula 1B, optionally wherein the reduction comprises reacting the compound of Formula 1A with triethylsilane and methanesulfonic acid, and (b) separating the stereoisomers of Formula 1B by chiral salt resolution or chiral chromatography to yield the compound of Formula 1C or 2C, optionally wherein the chiral salt resolution is accomplished in a single resolution step using S-mandelic acid; c. Preparing the compound of Formula 1D or 2D, in free or salt form, by protecting the piperidine amine of the compound of Formula 1C or 2C with a protecting agent in the presence of a base; d. Prepare the compound of Formula 1E or 2E, in free or salt form, by N-alkylation of a compound of Formula 1D or 2D with (a) a nucleophilic alkyl halide, and (b) a base.

[0045] In another aspect, the invention provides a method (Method 1J) for preparing a compound of Formula 1J, or any one of 3.1-3.12, in free or salt form, comprising the steps of (a) reacting a compound of Formula 1E, in free or salt form, with (i) a transition metal catalyst selected from the group consisting of Groups 8-11 of the periodic table, (ii) optionally a base, (iii) optionally an alkali metal or ammonium iodide or bromide (e.g., potassium iodide or tetrabutyl ammonium bromide), and (iv) optionally a monodentate or bidentate ligand, to form an intermediate of Formula 1F, in free or salt form; (b) deprotecting the piperidine nitrogen of the compound of Formula 1F to produce the compound of Formula 1I (or any one of 1.1-1.8), in free or salt form; and (c) alkylating the piperidine nitrogen of the compound of Formula 1I with a suitable alkylating agent to produce the compound of Formula 1J (or any of 3.1-3.12) in free or salt form; and optionally (d) converting the compound of Formula 1J in free form to a compound of Formula 1J (or any of 3.1-3.12) in salt form, e.g., in pharmaceutically acceptable salt form, such as in acid addition salt form (e.g., in tosylate salt form). In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of alkylating a compound of Formula 1D to form the compound of Formula 1E.

[0046] In another embodiment of the second aspect, the invention provides a method (Method 2J) for preparing a compound of Formula 2J, or any one of 4.1-4.12, in free or salt form, comprising the steps of (a) reacting a compound of Formula 2E, in free or salt form, with (i) a transition metal catalyst selected from the group consisting of Groups 8-11 of the periodic table, (ii) optionally a base, (iii) optionally an alkali metal or ammonium iodide or bromide (e.g., potassium iodide or tetrabutyl ammonium bromide), and (iv) optionally a monodentate or bidentate ligand, to form an intermediate of Formula 2F, in free or salt form; (b) deprotecting the piperidine nitrogen of the compound of Formula 2F to produce the compound of Formula 2I (or any of 2.1-2.8), in free or salt form; and (c) alkylating the piperidine nitrogen of the compound of Formula 1I with a suitable alkylating agent to produce the compound of Formula 2J (or any of 4.1-4.12) in free or salt form; and optionally (d) converting the compound of Formula 2J in free form to a compound of Formula 2J (or any of 4.1-4.12) in salt form, e.g., in pharmaceutically acceptable salt form, such as in acid addition form (e.g., in tosylate salt form). In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of alkylating a compound of Formula 2D to form the compound of Formula 2E.

[0047] In all respects, steps (a) and (b) of Method 1J and 2J may be performed in accordance with the above description for Method 1I and 2I, respectively, including any of Methods 5.1-5.56.

[0048] Suitable alkylating agents for step (c) of Method 1J or 2J include compounds of the general formula Q-X, wherein Q is selected from 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-oxobutyl and 3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl, and wherein X is any suitable leaving group. The leaving groups are entities known in the art to be amenable to nucleophilic substitution reactions. In some embodiments, X is selected from chloro, bromo, iodo, C1-4alkylsulfonyloxy (e.g., methanesulfonyloxy), and optionally substituted arylsulfonyloxy (e.g., benzenesulfonyloxy, 4-nitrobenzenesulfonyloxy, 4-halosulfonyloxy, and the like).

[0049] In some embodiments, step (c) of Method 1J or 2J may further comprise a suitable base. Suitable bases include, but are not limited to, organic bases such as amine bases (e.g., ammonia, triethylamine, N,N'-diisopropylethylamine or 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP), 1,5-diazabicyclo[4,3,0]-non-5-ene (DBN), 1,5-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]undec-5-ene (DBU)); or inorganic bases such as hydrides (e.g. sodium, lithium or potassium hydride), alkoxides (e.g. sodium, potassium or lithium t-butoxide), aryloxides (e.g. lithium, sodium or potassium phenoxide) or alkali or alkaline earth metal carbonates, bicarbonates, phosphates or hydroxides (e.g. sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, caesium or barium carbonate, bicarbonate, hydroxide or phosphate). Optionally, step (c) may further comprise an inorganic iodide salt such as potassium iodide or sodium iodide, preferably potassium iodide. Suitable solvents include polar protic and/or polar aprotic solvents such as acetonitrile, dioxane, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, dimethylsulfoxide, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, step (c) comprises reacting the compound of Formula 1I or 2I with the alkylating agent 1-chloro-3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propane and a base selected from triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, potassium carbonate, and sodium carbonate. When a base is used, the amount of base can be any amount from a catalytic amount (e.g., 0.01 equivalents) to an excess amount (e.g., 10 or more equivalents). In some embodiments, the reaction is carried out with 1.0 to 10.0 equivalents of base, e.g., 3.0 to 10.0 or 4.0 to 6.0 equivalents of base.

[0050] The compound of Formula 1J or 2J resulting from step (c) of Method 1J or 2J may be obtained as a free base or as a salt. Suitable salt forms include acid addition salts such as phosphates, sulfates, hydrohalides (e.g., hydrochloride), and carboxylates (e.g., acetate or formate). Both the free base form and the salt form of the compound of Formula 1J or 2J may be obtained, e.g., isolated or purified, by any suitable method. In some embodiments, the reaction of step (c) is carried out in the presence of an excess of base, and this may allow isolation of the free base of the compound of Formula 1J or 2J from the reaction mixture (e.g., by aqueous/organic extraction and/or by chromatography and/or by precipitation from a suitable solvent and/or by evaporation of the reaction solvent). In some embodiments, the reaction of step (c) is carried out in the absence of base or in the presence of less than one equivalent of base (e.g., 0.5 equivalent or less, or a catalytic amount). Particularly, when carried out in the absence of base, step (c) can produce an acid addition salt of the compound of Formula 1J or 2J, wherein the acidic component of the salt is derived from the alkylating agent. For example, if the compound of Formula 1I or 2I is treated with an alkylating agent Q-X, as defined above, and in the absence of an added base, the resulting compound of Formula 1J or 2J can be obtained as the acid addition salt corresponding to group X (e.g., if X is chlorine, then the compound of Formula 1J or 2J can be obtained in the form of a hydrochloric acid addition salt). In some embodiments, an equimolar or only moderate excess of base is used during the reaction of step (c), but prior to or during purification, an excess of acid (e.g., hydrochloric acid) is added, resulting in obtaining the compound of Formula 1J or 2J as an acid addition salt (e.g., hydrochloride).

[0051] In some embodiments, step (c) of Method 1J or 2J produces the compound of Formula 1J or 2J in free form (i.e., free base form) and this form is isolated and/or purified, and then optionally, step (d) is performed to convert the free base form of said compound of Formula 1J or 2J to a salt form of said compound of Formula 1J or 2J, e.g., a pharmaceutically acceptable salt form (e.g., an acid addition salt). In some embodiments, this acid addition salt form of said compound of Formula 1J or 2J is further isolated and/or purified. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that initial isolation of the compound of Formula 1J or 2J in free form, followed by subsequent conversion of this compound to the salt form (e.g., acid addition salt form) results in a final product (compound of Formula 1J or 2J) of greater purity and/or workability.

[0052] Step (d) of Method 1J or 2J can be carried out by reacting the free base form of the compound of Formula 1J or 2J with an appropriate acid, in water or in an organic solvent, or in a mixture of the two, to provide, for example, a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt of Formula 1J or 2J of the present invention. Suitable acids are generally known in the art and can include, for example, hydrochloric acid or toluenesulfonic acid. When a monovalent acid is used (e.g., hydrochloric acid or toluenesulfonic acid), step (d) can result in either a monoaddition salt or a diaddition salt, depending on the molar equivalent of acid to free base used (e.g., from 1:1 free base to acid to 1:2 free base to acid).

[0053] In specific embodiments of this aspect, the present disclosure provides: 6.1 Method 1J or 2J, wherein the compound of Formula 1I or 2I is, respectively, a compound according to any one of Formulas 1.1-1.8 or 2.1-2.8. 6.2 Method 1J or 2J, wherein the substituent A of the compound of Formula 1E or 2E is selected from Br, Cl, and I. 6.3 Method 6.2, wherein A is Br. 6.4 Method 1J or 2J, or any one of 6.1 et seq., wherein the substituent R of the compounds of Formulas 1E, 1F, and 1I, or 2E, 2F, and 2I, is C1-4 alkyl (e.g., methyl). 6.5 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the substituent R of compounds of Formulas 1E, 1F, and 1I, or 2E, 2F, and 2I, is H. 6.6 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the protecting group B of compounds of Formulas 1E and 1F, or 2E and 2F, is a group of formula P-Z, where P is selected from CH2, C(O), C(O)O, and S(O)2, and where Z is an optionally substituted alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, or -OR' where R' is alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or heteroarylalkyl. 6.7 Method 6.6, wherein protecting group B is an acyl group (e.g., an alkanoyl or alkoxycarbonyl group), for example, t-butoxycarbonyl, phenoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl or methoxycarbonyl, or an optionally substituted benzyloxycarbonyl. 6.8 Method 6.7, wherein protecting group B is ethoxycarbonyl. 6.9 Method 6.6, wherein protecting group B is an optionally substituted benzyl group, for example, benzyl, 4-methoxybenzyl or 2,4-dimethoxybenzyl. 6.10 Method 1J or 2J, or any one of 6.1 et seq., wherein the transition metal catalyst of step (a) is a copper catalyst. 6.11 Method 6.10 wherein the transition metal catalyst from step (a) is selected from CuI, CuBr, CuCl, Cu(OAc)2, Cu2Cl2, CuBr2, CuSO4, Cu2SO4, and Cu2O. 6.12 Method 6.11 wherein the transition metal catalyst from step (a) is selected from CuI, CuBr, and CuCl. 6.13 Method 6.12 wherein the transition metal catalyst is CuI. 6.14 Method 1J or 2J, or any one of 6.1 et seq., wherein the transition metal catalyst from step (a) is present in an amount of from 0.01 to 0.50 equivalents, for example, from 0.05 to 0.40 equivalents, or from 0.10 to 0.30 equivalents, or from 0.15 to 0.25 equivalents, or about 0.20 equivalents. 6.15 Method 1J or 2J, or any one of 6.1 et seq., wherein the base in step (a) is a Bronsted base, e.g., selected from amine bases, alkoxides, carbonates and phosphates, and mixtures thereof. 6.16 Method 6.15, wherein the base in step (a) is a carbonate base, e.g., an alkali or alkaline earth metal carbonate or bicarbonate, or mixtures thereof. 6.17 Method 6.16, wherein the base in step (a) is selected from sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate, or a mixture thereof. 6.18 Method 6.17, wherein the base in step (a) comprises potassium carbonate, optionally in an amount of 1.5 to 3 equivalents, e.g., 2 to 2.5 equivalents or about 2.2 equivalents. 6.19 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein step (a) does not comprise base (ii), e.g., does not comprise an alkoxide, carbonate, phosphate or other inorganic base. 6.20 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein step (a) comprises an alkali metal or ammonium iodide or bromide, e.g., selected from sodium iodide, potassium iodide, lithium iodide, sodium bromide, potassium bromide, lithium bromide, or a tetraalkyl ammonium bromide or iodide (e.g., tetrabutyl ammonium bromide or iodide). 6.21 Method 6.20 wherein step (a) comprises potassium iodide. 6.22 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein step (a) comprises a monodentate or bidentate ligand, for example, a ligand selected from phenolic or amine ligands. 6.23 Method 6.22, wherein the ligand is selected from an optionally substituted 1,2-diamine, an optionally substituted 1,2-aminoalcohol, DBU, DBN or DABCO. 6.24 Method 6.23, wherein the ligand is DBU. 6.25 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the ligand of step (a) is present in an amount of from 0.01 to 0.50 equivalents, for example from 0.05 to 0.45 equivalents, or from 0.10 to 0.40 equivalents, or from 0.20 to 0.30 equivalents, or about 0.25 equivalents. 6.26 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the solvent for step (a) is dioxane or toluene. 6.27 Method 6.26, wherein the solvent for step (a) is toluene. 6.28 Method 6.27, wherein the compound of Formula 1E or 2E is combined with base (ii) in toluene solvent and the mixture is azeotropically distilled to remove water prior to addition of catalyst (i) and optional iodide (iii) and/or optional ligand (iv). 6.29 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the compound of Formula 1F or 2F is isolated by cooling the reaction mixture to room temperature and then diluting the mixture with a non-polar solvent (e.g., pentanes, n-pentane, hexanes, n-hexane, heptanes, n-heptane, cyclopentane, cyclohexane, or a combination thereof) to precipitate the product, followed by filtration to isolate the precipitate. 6.30 Method 6.29, wherein the reaction solvent is toluene and the added nonpolar solvent is a heptane (e.g., heptanes or n-heptane). 6.31 Method 6.29 or 6.30, wherein the precipitated solid (e.g., filter cake) is slurried with aqueous inorganic base (e.g., aqueous NaOH, KOH, or NH4OH) followed by filtration and washing with water. 6.32 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the deprotection step (b) is an acid- or base-mediated cleavage reaction, a hydrolysis reaction (e.g., acid- or base-catalyzed), or a hydrogenation reaction. 6.33 Method 6.32, wherein the deprotection step (b) is an acid hydrolysis, e.g., an aqueous or nonaqueous acid hydrolysis. 6.34 Method 6.33 wherein the acid hydrolysis comprises an acid catalyst, e.g. selected from hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and nitric acid, optionally an excess of acid (e.g. 10 to 30 molar equivalents of acid). 6.35 Method 6.33 wherein the acid hydrolysis comprises the acid in a non-aqueous solvent, e.g. acetic acid, ether, or THF. 6.36 Method 6.33 wherein the acid hydrolysis comprises the acid in an aqueous solvent, e.g. water or a water-alcohol mixture (e.g. water-methanol or water-ethanol). 6.37 Method 6.35 wherein the deprotection step (b) comprises the use of hydrobromic acid in acetic acid (e.g. 33% w/w HBr in AcOH). 6.38 Any of methods 6.32-6.37, wherein the deprotection step comprises the use of hydrobromic acid or hydrogen bromide and the step further comprises washing the starting or final product with a polar solvent (e.g., ethyl acetate, methyl tert-butyl ether, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane, or combinations thereof, or one or more thereof sequentially) to remove bromine from the product. 6.39 Any of methods 6.32-6.38, wherein step (b) initially produces an acid addition salt form of the compound of Formula 1I or 2I (e.g., an HCl or HBr salt), and wherein step (b) further comprises a neutralization step to convert the acid addition salt form of the compound of Formula 1I or 2I to the corresponding free base form. 6.40 Method 6.39, wherein the neutralization step comprises combining the acid addition salt form of the compound of Formula 1I or 2I with an inorganic base (e.g., an ammonium hydroxide, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, alkoxide, carbonate or bicarbonate). 6.41 Method 6.40, wherein the inorganic base is ammonium hydroxide, optionally in the form of aqueous ammonia (e.g., 25% w/v aqueous ammonia). 6.42 Method 6.32, wherein the deprotection step (b) is a base-mediated cleavage, e.g., comprising an organic base (e.g., piperidine) in an organic solvent. 6.43 Method 6.32, wherein the deprotection step (b) is a hydrogenation reaction, e.g., a hydrogen catalytic comprising a transition metal (e.g., platinum or palladium) catalyst and hydrogen. 6.44 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the compound of formula 1I or 2I (e.g., the compound of any of 1.1-1.8 or 2.1-2.8) is obtained as a solid, e.g., as an amorphous or crystalline solid (in free base or acid addition salt form). 6.45 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the compound of formula 1I or 2I (e.g., the compound of any of 1.1-1.8 or 2.1-2.8) is obtained in substantially pure form, e.g., greater than 90 wt. % pure, or, e.g., greater than 95 wt. % pure, greater than 98.5 wt. % pure, up to 100 wt. % pure. 6.46 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the compound of formula 1I or 2I (e.g., the compound of any of 1.1-1.8 or 2.1-2.8) is obtained in free form (i.e., free base form), optionally as a crystalline solid. 6.47 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the compound of formula 1I or 2I (e.g., the compound of any of 1.1-1.8 or 2.1-2.8) is obtained in salt form, e.g., acid addition salt form. 6.48 Method 6.48, wherein the compound of Formula 1I or 2I (e.g., the compound of any one of 1.1-1.8 or 2.1-2.8) is obtained as an addition salt selected from a hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, formate, acetate, trifluoroacetate, or methanesulfonate, for example, in a base to acid molar ratio of 1:1 to 2:1. 6.49 Method 6.44, wherein the compound of Formula 1I or 2I (e.g., the compound of any one of 1.1-1.8 or 2.1-2.8) is obtained as a hydrochloride or hydrobromide salt, for example, as a solid hydrochloride or hydrobromide salt or a solid crystalline hydrochloride or hydrobromide salt. 6.50 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the method proceeds without isolation or purification of the intermediate of Formula 1F or 2F. 6.51 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein steps (a) and (b) occur sequentially in a single reaction vessel or set of connected reaction vessels. 6.52 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the compound of Formula 1I or 2I (e.g., the compound of any of 1.1-1.8 or 2.1-2.8) is obtained in a form containing less than about 50 ppm copper, or less than about 10 ppm copper, or less than about 5 ppm copper. 6.53 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the compound of Formula 1J or 2J is, respectively, a compound of Formula 3.1-3.12 or 4.1-4.12. 6.54 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the suitable alkylating agent of step (c) is a compound of the general formula Q-X, wherein Q is selected from 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-oxobutyl and 3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl, and wherein X is any suitable leaving group (e.g., a functional group known in the art to be amenable to nucleophilic substitution reactions). 6.55 Method 6.50 wherein the group X is selected from chloro, bromo, iodo, C1-4alkylsulfonyloxy (e.g., methanesulfonyloxy), and optionally substituted arylsulfonyloxy (e.g., benzenesulfonyloxy, 4-nitrobenzenesulfonyloxy, 4-halosulfonyloxy, and the like). 6.56 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the Q group of the compound of Formula 1J or 2J is 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-oxobutyl. 6.57 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the Q group of the compound of Formula 1J or 2J is 3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl. 6.58 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the alkylating agent is 4-chloro-4'-fluorobutyrophenone or 1-chloro-3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propane. 6.59 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein step (c) comprises the alkylating agent (e.g., 1-chloro-3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propane) in an amount of 1 to 3 equivalents, e.g., 1 to 2 equivalents, or 1.25 to 1.75 equivalents, or about 1.5 equivalents, e.g., 1.35 to 1.65 equivalents. 6.60 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein step (c) further comprises a suitable base, for example, an organic base (for example, an amine base) or an inorganic base (for example, a hydride, alkoxide, aryloxide, carbonate, bicarbonate, phosphate or hydroxide base). 6.61 Method 6.56, wherein the base in step (c) is selected from triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate. 6.62 Method 6.57, wherein the base in step (c) is triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine. 6.63 Method 6.58, wherein the triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine is present in an amount of 1 to 10 equivalents, e.g., 2 to 10 equivalents, or 4 to 6 equivalents, or about 5 equivalents, e.g., 4.5 to 5.5 equivalents. 6.64 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein step (c) further comprises an inorganic iodide salt (e.g., potassium iodide or sodium iodide), optionally in an amount of 0.75 to 1.5 equivalents, or 1 to 1.25 equivalents, or about 1 equivalent, e.g., 0.9 to 1.1 equivalents. 6.65 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the solvent for step (d) is dimethyl sulfoxide. 6.66 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the compound of Formula 1J or 2J is obtained in free base form from step (c). 6.67 Method 6.66, wherein the compound of Formula 1J or 2J in free base form is isolated from the reaction mixture by a process comprising the steps of (i) diluting the reaction mixture with an organic solvent (e.g., ethyl acetate) and water, (ii) separating the organic layer and concentrating it under vacuum to a low volume, and (iii) co-evaporating the residue with a non-polar solvent (e.g., pentanes, n-pentane, hexanes, n-hexane, heptanes, n-heptane, cyclopentane, cyclohexane or a combination thereof) from one to five times (e.g., three times) followed by collecting the solids by filtration. 6.68 Method 6.67, wherein the process for isolating the compound of Formula 1J or 2J comprises the step of precipitating the crude product from a suitable solvent (e.g., acetonitrile, acetone, and/or methanol) to produce the free base solid (e.g., suspending the crude product with said solvent and filtering to recover the solid product, and/or recrystallizing the product from said solvent). 6.69 Method 6.68, wherein the crude product is recrystallized from a binary solvent mixture, e.g., acetone-methanol or acetone-ethyl acetate, in a solvent ratio of 5:1 to 1:5. 6.70 Method 6.69, wherein the recrystallization solvent is acetone-methanol in a 2:1 to 4:1 ratio of acetone to methanol, e.g., 3:1 acetone to methanol. 6.71 Any of methods 6.68-6.70, wherein the method comprises suspending the crude product with acetonitrile followed by recrystallization from a binary solvent (e.g., acetone-methanol). 6.72 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the compound of formula 1J or 2J is obtained in the form of a salt of step (c), for example, an acid addition salt (e.g., a hydrochloride salt). 6.73 Any of methods 6.66-6.71, wherein the compound of Formula 1J or 2J is obtained in free base form from step (c), and wherein the method further comprises a step (d) of converting said compound of Formula 1J or 2J in free base form to a compound of Formula 1J or 2J in salt form, e.g., acid addition salt form (e.g., tosylate salt form). 6.74 Method 6.73, wherein step (d) comprises treating the compound of Formula 1J or 2J in free base form with an acid (e.g., toluenesulfonic acid) in an amount of 1.25 to 2.00 molar equivalents of acid compared to the free base (e.g., 1.3 to 1.6 equivalents, or about 1.5 equivalents), in a suitable solvent (e.g., methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, acetonitrile, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl ethyl ketone). 6.75 Method 6.73 or 6.74, wherein the temperature of step (d) is from 25 °C to 100 °C, for example, from 30 °C to 60 °C, or from 45 °C to 55 °C, or 50 °C. 6.76 Method 6.74 or 6.75, wherein the acid is toluenesulfonic acid and the solvent is methyl ethyl ketone. 6.77 Any of Methods 6.73-6.76, wherein step (d) results in spontaneous precipitation of the compound of Formula 1J or 2J in solid form, optionally in crystalline form, optionally followed by washing with a solvent (e.g., the salt-forming solvent). 6.78 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the method provides the compound of Formula 1J or 2J in free base form, optionally in solid crystalline free base form. 6.79 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the method provides the compound of Formula 1J or 2J in acid addition salt form, optionally in solid crystalline salt form. 6.80 Method 6.79, wherein the acid addition salt form is a tosylate salt form. 6.81 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the method provides the compound of Formula 1J or 2J in at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, most preferably greater than 95%, up to 100%, cis stereoisomer relative to all other stereoisomers. 6.82 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the method provides the compound of Formula 1J or 2J in substantially enantiomerically pure form, e.g., at least 90% e.e., preferably at least 95% e.e., or at least 97% e.e., or at least 99% e.e., or at least 99.5% e.e., or in at least 99.9% e.e., up to 100% e.e.. 6.83 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the method provides the compound of Formula 1J or 2J in substantially pure form, e.g., as measured by HPLC, e.g., greater than 95% pure form, or greater than 97%, greater than 98%, greater than 98.5%, greater than 99%, greater than 99.5% or greater than 99.9% pure form, up to 100% pure form. 6.84 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the method provides the compound of Formula 1J or 2J in a form having less than about 50 ppm copper, or less than about 10 ppm copper, or less than about 5 ppm copper. 6.85 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 through 6.84, wherein the method provides the compound of Formula 1J or 2J in admixture with at least 0.001 wt. % and less than 2 wt. % of at least one compound selected from the compound of Formula 1K or 2K, or 1L or 2L. 6.86 Method 6.85, wherein the method provides the compound of Formula 1J or 2J in admixture with at least 0.10 wt % and less than 2 wt % of at least one compound selected from the compound of Formula 1K or 2K, or 1L or 2L. 6.87 Method 6.86, wherein the method provides the compound of Formula 1J or 2J in admixture with at least 1.0 wt % and less than 2.0 wt % of the compound of Formula 1K or 2K. 6.88 Method 6.86 or 6.87, wherein the method provides the compound of Formula 1J or 2J in admixture with at least 1.0 wt % and less than 2.0 wt % of the compound of Formula 1L or 2L. 6.89 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the method provides the compound of Formula 1J or 2J in admixture with less than 1.0% by weight of 1-chloro-3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propane, e.g., less than 0.5%, or less than 0.25%, or less than 0.15%, or less than 0.10%, or less than 0.08% by weight of 1-chloro-3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propane. 6.90 Method 1J or 2J, or any of 6.1 et seq., wherein the method provides the compound of formula 1J or 2J in a mixture with less than 5000 ppm of any organic solvent (e.g., acetone, acetonitrile, or methanol), e.g., less than 4000 ppm, or less than 3000 ppm, or less than 1500 ppm, or less than 1000 ppm, or less than 500 ppm, or less than 410 ppm, of any organic solvent. 6.91 Any of methods 6.85-6.90 wherein in the compound of formula 1K or 2K, or 1L or 2L, the R group is H and the Q group is -O-. 6.92 Method 1J or 2J, or any one of 6.1 to 6.91, further comprising any or all of the following steps, as described in any embodiments thereof herein: a. Preparing the compound of Formula 1A by reacting 2-bromophenylhydrazine, in free or salt form, with 4-piperidinone, in free or salt form, optionally in hydrate form, optionally in acetic acid solvent; b. Preparing the compound of Formula 1C or 2C, in free or salt form, by (a) reducing the compound of Formula 1A to a compound of Formula 1B, optionally wherein the reduction comprises reacting the compound of Formula 1A with triethylsilane and methanesulfonic acid, and (b) separating the stereoisomers of Formula 1B by chiral salt resolution or chiral chromatography to yield the compound of Formula 1C or 2C, optionally wherein the chiral salt resolution is accomplished in a single resolution step using S-mandelic acid; c. Preparing the compound of Formula 1D or 2D, in free or salt form, by protecting the piperidine amine of the compound of Formula 1C or 2C with a protecting agent in the presence of a base; d. Preparation of the compound of Formula 1E or 2E, in free or salt form, by N-alkylation of a compound of Formula 1D or 2D with (a) a nucleophilic alkyl halide, and (b) a base.

[0054] In another aspect, the invention provides a method (Method 1F) for preparing a compound of Formula 1F, in free or salt form, comprising the steps of (a) reacting a compound of Formula 1E, in free or salt form, in a solvent comprising toluene, with (i) a transition metal catalyst selected from the group consisting of Groups 8-11 of the periodic table, (ii) a base, (iii) optionally, an alkali metal or ammonium iodide or bromide (e.g., potassium iodide or tetrabutyl ammonium bromide), and (iv) one or more monodentate or bidentate ligands comprising DBU, to form the compound of Formula 1F, in free or salt form, followed by (b) isolating the compound of Formula 1F, in free or salt form, by precipitation from a hydrophobic solvent mixture.

[0055] In another embodiment of this aspect, the invention provides a method (Method 2F) for preparing a compound of Formula 2F in free or salt form, comprising the steps of (a) reacting a compound of Formula 2E, in free or salt form, in a solvent comprising toluene, with (i) a transition metal catalyst selected from the group consisting of Groups 8-11 of the periodic table, (ii) a base, (iii) optionally, an alkali metal or ammonium iodide or bromide (e.g., potassium iodide or tetrabutyl ammonium bromide), and (iv) one or more monodentate or bidentate ligands comprising DBU, to form the compound of Formula 2F, in free or salt form, followed by (b) isolating the compound of Formula 2F, in free or salt form, by precipitation from a mixture of hydrophobic solvents.

[0056] Prior art methods for the synthesis of compounds such as those of Formula 1F or 2F involve the use of copper iodide in dioxane solvent with the ligand N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine, or the use of copper iodide in toluene solvent based on potassium carbonate and DBU ligand. However, these prior art methods suffered from one or more of (1) long reaction times, (2) the formation of undesirable impurities, and/or (3) loss of product by decomposition during evaporation of the reaction solvent. Applicant has unexpectedly discovered that the choice of reaction conditions and purification are critical to improving yield. In particular, it has unexpectedly been discovered that water promotes impurity formation and decomposition. The use of toluene as the solvent, especially azeotropically distilled toluene, results in improved yield and product purity. Furthermore, it was unexpectedly found that precipitation of the product from the reaction mixture induced by the addition of hydrophobic hydrocarbon solvent provides a purer product and higher yield compared to prior art methods.

[0057] In particular embodiments of methods 1F and 2F, the present disclosure further provides: d.1 Method 1F or 2F, wherein the transition metal catalyst of step (a) is a copper catalyst. d.2 Method 7.1, wherein the transition metal catalyst of step (a) is selected from CuI, CuBr, CuCl, Cu(OAc)2, Cu2Cl2, CuBr2, CuSO4, Cu2SO4, and Cu2O. d.3 Method 7.2, wherein the transition metal catalyst of step (a) is selected from CuI, CuBr, and CuCl. d.4 Method 7.3, wherein the transition metal catalyst is CuI. d.5 Method 1F or 2F, or any of 7.1 et seq., wherein the transition metal catalyst of step (a) is present in an amount of from 0.01 to 0.50 equivalents, for example from 0.05 to 0.40 equivalents, or from 0.10 to 0.30 equivalents, or from 0.15 to 0.25 equivalents, or about 0.20 equivalents. d.6 Method 1F or 2F, or any of 7.1 et seq., wherein the base of step (a) is a Bronsted base, for example selected from amine bases, alkoxides, carbonates and phosphates, and mixtures thereof. d.7 Method 7.6, wherein the base of step (a) is a carbonate base, for example an alkali or alkaline earth metal carbonate or bicarbonate, or mixtures thereof. d.8 Method 7.7, wherein the base in step (a) is selected from sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate, or a mixture thereof. d.9 Method 7.8, wherein the base in step (a) comprises potassium carbonate, optionally in an amount of 1.5 to 3 equivalents, e.g., 2 to 2.5 equivalents or about 2.2 equivalents. d.10 Method 1F or 2F, or any one of 7.1 et seq., wherein step (a) comprises an alkali metal or ammonium iodide or bromide, e.g., selected from sodium iodide, potassium iodide, lithium iodide, sodium bromide, potassium bromide, lithium bromide, or a tetraalkyl ammonium iodide or bromide (e.g., tetrabutyl ammonium bromide). d.11 Method 7.10, wherein step (a) comprises potassium iodide. d.12 Method 1F or 2F, or any of 7.1 et seq., wherein the DBU ligand of step (a) is present in an amount of from 0.01 to 0.50 equivalents, for example from 0.05 to 0.45 equivalents, or from 0.10 to 0.40 equivalents, or from 0.20 to 0.30 equivalents, or about 0.25 equivalents. d.13 Method 1F or 2F, or any of 7.1 et seq., wherein the compound of Formula 1E or 2E is combined with base (ii) in toluene solvent and the mixture is azeotropically distilled to remove water prior to the addition of catalyst (i) and optional iodide (iii) and ligand (iv). d.14 Method 1F or 2F, or any of 7.1 et seq., wherein the compound of Formula 1F or 2F is isolated by cooling the reaction mixture to room temperature and then diluting the mixture with a non-polar solvent (e.g., pentanes, n-pentane, hexanes, n-hexane, heptanes, n-heptane, cyclopentane, cyclohexane, or a combination thereof) to precipitate the product, followed by filtration to isolate the precipitate. d.15 Method 7.14 wherein the reaction solvent is toluene and the added non-polar solvent is a heptane (e.g., heptanes or n-heptane). d.16 Method 7.14 or 7.15 wherein the precipitated solid (e.g., filter cake) is suspended with aqueous inorganic base (e.g., aqueous NaOH, KOH, or NH4OH) followed by filtration and washing with water. d.17 Method 7.16, in which the precipitated solid is suspended with aqueous ammonium hydroxide followed by filtration and washing with water. d.18 Method 1F or 2F, or any one of 7.1 et seq., in which the compound of formula 1F or 2F is obtained as a solid, for example, as an amorphous or crystalline solid. d.19 Method 1F or 2F, or any one of 7.1 et seq., in which the compound of formula 1F or 2F is obtained in substantially pure form, for example, more than 90 wt % pure, or, for example, more than 95 wt % pure, up to 100 wt % pure. d.20 Method 1F or 2F, or any one of 7.1 et seq., in which the compound of formula 1F or 2F is obtained in free form (i.e., free base form), optionally as a crystalline solid. d.21 Method 1F or 2F, or any of 7.1 et seq., wherein the compound of Formula 1F or 2F is obtained in a form having less than about 50 ppm copper, or less than about 10 ppm copper, or less than about 5 ppm copper.

[0058] In some embodiments, any of methods 1F, 2F, 1I, 2I, 1J, 2J, or 5.1-5.56 or 6.1-6.92, or 7.1-7.21, may further comprise the step of preparing a compound of Formula 1C or 2C: in free or salt form, comprising the substeps of: a) reducing a compound of Formula 1A: to a Formula 1B compound: wherein the substituent A of the compounds of Formula 1A, 1B, 1C and/or 2C is selected from Br, Cl and I; and (b) separating the stereoisomers (e.g., enantiomers) of the compounds of Formula 1B by chiral acid resolution or chiral chromatography to produce the compound of Formula 1C or 2C; optionally, wherein the compound of Formula 1C or 2C is at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, most preferably greater than 95% and up to 100%, cis stereoisomer relative to all other stereoisomers; and/or wherein the compound of Formula 1C or 2C has an enantiomeric excess (ee) (e.g. of the 4aS, 9bR enantiomer or the 4aR, 9bS enantiomer) of at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, most preferably greater than 95%, or greater than 97%, or greater than 99%, or greater than 99.9%, and up to 100%.

[0059] Reduction of Formula 1A compounds to Formula 1B compounds may be accomplished through the use of a reducing agent including, but not limited to: silanes in the presence of an acid (e.g., acetic acid, methanesulfonic acid, or trifluoroacetic acid); metal (e.g., zinc) and mineral acid (e.g., hydrochloric acid); sodium and liquid ammonia; sodium in ethanol; or through the use of borane-amine complexes (e.g., borane-triethylamine in tetrahydrofuran); sodium triacetoxyborohydride; or sodium cyanoborohydride. The conversion of the Formula 1A compound to a Formula 1B compound can also be accomplished by catalytic hydrogenation, in which the Formula 1A compound is treated with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst such as palladium oxide, palladium on carbon, or platinum oxide (See Hudlicky, M., “Reductions in Organic Chemistry”, Ellis Horwood, Ltd., Chichester, UK, 1984). The reduction of the Formula 2A compound to the Formula 2B compound can be accomplished through the use of similar agents as described for the reduction of Formula 1A to 1B compounds, e.g., silanes (e.g., triethylsilane) in the presence of an acid (e.g., acetic, methanesulfonic, or trifluoroacetic acid); metal (e.g., zinc) and mineral acid (e.g., hydrochloric acid); sodium and liquid ammonia; sodium in ethanol; or through the use of borane-amine complexes (e.g., borane-triethylamine in tetrahydrofuran); sodium triacetoxyborohydride; or sodium cyanoborohydride. Conversion of the compound of Formula 2A to the compound of Formula 2B can also be accomplished by catalytic hydrogenation, in which the compound of Formula 2A is treated with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst such as palladium oxide, palladium on carbon, or platinum oxide. In a particularly preferred embodiment for the reduction of compounds of Formula 1A or 2A, the reduction is accomplished through the use of triethylsilane in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid, or triethylsilane in the presence of methanesulfonic acid. In particular, it has been unexpectedly discovered that replacing methanesulfonic acid with trifluoroacetic acid significantly improves the yield, reaction time, and cost efficiency. For example, using 4 volumes of methanesulfonic acid instead of 10 volumes of trifluoroacetic acid allows a significant reduction in the need for expensive triethylsilane reagent (from 7 volumes to 1.3 volumes) and reduces the reaction time from 45 hours to 2 to 5 hours, while increasing the yield for the step.

[0060] In some embodiments, enantiomeric enrichment (or separation) of isomers of compounds of Formula 1B to produce compounds of Formula 1C or 2C can be achieved by chiral salt resolution, in which chiral acids, such as chiral sulfonic acids or mono- or diacid carboxylic acids or derivatives thereof are used. Examples of such acids include, but are not limited to, (+/-)/(R/S) tartaric acid, (+/-)/(R/S) (mono- or di-acetyl) tartaric acid, (+/-)/(R/S) (mono- or di-benzoyl) tartaric acid, (+/-)/(R/S) (mono- or di-pivaloyl) tartaric acid, (+/-)/(R/S) mandelic acid, (+/-)/(R/S) acetoxyphenyl acetic acid, (+/-)/(R/S) methoxyphenyl acetic acid, (+/-)/(R/S) hydroxmandelic acid, (+/-)/(R/S) halomandelic acid (e.g., 4-fluoromandelic acid), (+/-)/(R/S) lactic acid, and (+/-)/(R/S) camphorsulfonic acid. Similarly, enantiomeric separation of compounds of Formula 2B can be achieved by chiral salt resolution in which chiral acids such as chiral sulfonic acids or mono- or di-carboxylic acids or derivatives thereof are used. Examples of such acids include, but are not limited to, (+/-)/(R/S) tartaric acid, (+/-)/(R/S) (mono- or di-acetyl) tartaric acid, (+/-)/(R/S) (mono- or di-benzoyl) tartaric acid, (+/-)/(R/S) (mono- or di-pivaloyl) tartaric acid, (+/-)/(R/S) mandelic acid, (+/-)/(R/S) acetoxyphenyl acetic acid, (+/-)/(R/S) methoxyphenyl acetic acid, (+/-)/(R/S) hydroxmandelic acid, (+/-)/(R/S) halomandelic acid (e.g., 4-fluoromandelic acid), (+/-)/(R/S) lactic acid, and (+/-)/(R/S) camphorsulfonic acid. Preferably, resolution of compounds of Formula 1B or 2B is accomplished using mandelic acid. In an especially preferred embodiment, said acid is (S)-(+)-mandelic acid. Resolution can be optimized when the undesired enantiomer is removed first. Therefore, in another preferred embodiment, resolution is accomplished by adding (R)-(-)-mandelic acid to remove the undesired enantiomer first, followed by the addition of (S)-(+)-mandelic acid to obtain the desired product. In some embodiments, only a single resolution is accomplished using only (S)-(+)-mandelic acid. Preferred solvents for resolution include methanol, ethanol, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), and combinations thereof.

[0061] In another embodiment, enantiomeric enrichment (or separation) of stereoisomers of compounds of Formula 1B can be achieved using chiral chromatography, for example using amylose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) column sold under the trade name “CHIRALPAK® AD®”. The isomers of Formula 1B can be separated and eluted with a mobile phase, such as ethanol, at a flow rate of 100 to 450 ml/min. In yet another embodiment, the isomers of Formula 1B can be separated and eluted with a mobile phase, such as methanol or isopropyl alcohol. Fractions for the desired compounds, preferably compounds of Formula 1C or 2C, can be collected and isolated. In one embodiment, the chiral chromatography comprises using a CHIRALPAK® AD® column, 20 μm, 5 cm ID x 50 cm L, and 100% ethanol mobile phase at a flow rate of 150 ml/min. In another embodiment, the chiral chromatography comprises using a CHIRALPAK® AD® column, 20 μm, 11 cm ID x 25 cm L, and 100% ethanol mobile phase at a flow rate of 400 ml/min.

[0062] It is understood that after separation of the isomers of the compounds of Formula 1B to produce the compounds of Formula 1C or 2C, the diastereomeric or enantiomeric composition of the Compounds becomes fixed, or substantially fixed, since all additional reactions in the sequence leading to the compound of Formula 1J or 2J do not substantially alter the diastereomeric or enantiomeric composition of the Compounds. Thus, in all aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the intermediates according to Formulas 1D, 1E, 1F, 1H and 1I, may each be substantially, essentially or completely a single cis enantiomer, to the substantial or complete exclusion of the cis isomer or any opposite trans isomer. Likewise, in all aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the intermediates according to Formulas 2D, 2E, 2F, 2H, and 2I can each be substantially, essentially, or completely a single cis enantiomer, specifically the 4aS, 9bR enantiomer, to the substantial or complete exclusion of the cis isomer or any opposite trans isomer. Thus, as used herein, each of the intermediates according to Formulas 1D, 2D, 1E, 2E, 1F, 2F, 1H, 2H, 1I, and 2I can be at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, most preferably greater than 95%, and up to 100%, cis stereoisomer relative to all other stereoisomers; and/or has an enantiomeric excess (e.e.) of at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, most preferably greater than 95%, or greater than 97%, or greater than 98.5%, or greater than 99%, or greater than 99.9% and up to 100%.

[0063] In some embodiments, any of methods 1F, 2F, 1I, 2I, 1J, 2J, or 5.1-5.56, or 6.1-6.92, or 7.1-7.21, can further comprise the step of preparing the compound of Formula 1A, in free or salt form, by reacting 2-bromophenylhydrazine with 4-piperidinone in an acidic solvent (a Fischer indole reaction). In some embodiments, the 2-bromophenylhydrazine and/or the 4-piperidinone is provided as an acid addition salt, e.g., a hydrochloride, hydrobromide, acetate, or trifluoroacetate salt. In some embodiments, the 4-piperidinone is present as a hydrate, e.g., a monohydrate. In some embodiments, the product is obtained as an acid addition salt, e.g., a hydrochloride, hydrobromide, trifluoroacetate, sulfate, or acetate salt. The reaction can be carried out in any suitable solvent, e.g., an aqueous or alcoholic solvent (e.g., water, methanol, ethanol, or isopropanol, or any mixture thereof) comprising a dissolved acid (e.g., HCl, HBr, H2SO4, acetic acid), or in a pure acidic solvent (e.g., acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid). In some embodiments, the yield can be improved by using a solvent in which the product is poorly soluble. In some embodiments, the yield is improved by using pure acetic acid as the solvent.

[0064] In some embodiments, any of methods 1F, 2F, 1I, 2I, 1J, 2J, or 5.1-5.56 or 6.1-6.92 or 7.1-7.21 may further comprise the step of preparing a compound of Formula 1D or 2D: wherein: (i) A is selected from Br, Cl and I; and (ii) B is a protecting group as defined herein; in free or salt form, comprising the step of protecting the piperidine amine of the compound of Formula 1C or 2C with a protecting agent in the presence of a base; wherein said protecting agent is a compound of the general formula: wherein: (i) Y is halogen, imidazoyl, benzotriazole, N-(oxy)succinimide, alkoxy, -O-alkylaryl, or -O-aryl; (ii) Z is optionally substituted by alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, or -OR where R is alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or heteroarylalkyl; (iii) P is -CH2-, -C(O)-, -C(O)O-, or S(O)2.

[0065] Examples of a suitable protecting agent for reaction with compounds of Formula 1C or 2C include, but are not limited to, benzyloxycarbonyl chloride (Cbz-Cl), triphenylmethyl chloride, ethyl chloroformate, t-butoxycarbonyl anhydride (Boc2O), benzyl N-succinimidyl carbonate or benzoyl halide (e.g., benzoyl chloride or bromide), (benzyloxycarbonyl)-benzotriazole, benzyl halide (e.g., benzyl chloride or bromide), 1-arenesulfonyl chloride, or toluenesulfonyl chloride. Another example of a protecting group for compounds of Formula 1C or 2C is p-methoxybenzyl, which can be prepared using p-methoxybenzyl chloride, p-methoxybenzyl bromide, or p-methoxybenzaldehyde. The protecting agents disclosed herein are not intended to be exhaustive. For further examples of amine protecting agents, consult one of the many general texts on the subject, e.g., “Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis” by Theodora Green (publisher: John Wiley & Sons), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. After addition of the protecting agent to compounds of Formula 1C or 2C, the substituent B of the resulting compound 1D or 2D therefore has the general formula: wherein: (i) Z is optionally substituted by alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or -OR where R is alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl; (ii) P is -CH2-, -C(O)-, -C(O)O- or S(O)2.

[0066] The capping step of this embodiment generally requires the addition of a base, such as: butyllithium or metal hydrides (e.g., potassium hydride); alkali or alkaline earth metal bicarbonates, carbonates or hydroxides (e.g., potassium or sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydroxide); or organic amines (e.g., triethylamine). Preferably, the capping agent for the compounds of Formula 1D or 2D is ethyl chloroformate or BOC anhydride. In an especially preferred embodiment, said capping agent is ethyl chloroformate and said base is triethylamine or sodium hydroxide.

[0067] In some embodiments, converting the compound of Formula 1C or 2C to the compound of Formula 1D or 2D comprises treatment with ethyl chloroformate and sodium hydroxide in a mixture of water and THF.

[0068] In some embodiments, the procedure for protecting the piperidine nitrogen of the compound of Formula 1C or 2C will involve first neutralizing a salt of the compound of Formula 1C or 2C, e.g., a mandelic acid salt, with a suitable base, followed by isolating, separating, or purifying the free base of the compound of Formula 1C or 2C. Appropriate reagents for protecting the piperidine nitrogen of the compound of Formula 1C or 2C are then added, along with the appropriate base, to produce the compound of Formula 1D or 2D. The base used for neutralization may or may not be the base used for the protection reaction. In other embodiments, the salt of the compound of Formula 1C or 2C (e.g., the mandelate salt) is reacted with the appropriate protecting reagents in the presence of excess base to arrive at the compound of Formula 1D or 2D in a single step. Thus, free base formation and acylation reactions are conducted simultaneously in these embodiments. Preferably, the base is sodium hydroxide.

[0069] In some embodiments, any of methods 1F, 2F, 1I, 2I, 1J, 2J, or 5.1-5.52 or 6.1-6.92, or 7.1-7.21, can further comprise the step of preparing a compound of Formula 1E or 2E: wherein: (i) A is selected from Br, Cl and I; (ii) R is selected from H and C1-4alkyl (e.g. methyl); and (iii) B is a protecting group as defined herein; in free or salt form, comprising the step of N-alkylating a compound of Formula 1D or 2D as previously described with (a) a nucleophilic alkyl halide of general formula: where: (i) A = Cl, F, Br or I; and (iv) R is H or C1-4 alkyl; and (b) a base, and optionally (c) a catalyst (e.g. an iodide or bromide source).

[0070] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for preparing a compound of Formula 1D or 2D, as defined above, comprising the step of N-alkylating a compound of Formula 1D or 2D with (a) a nucleophilic alkyl halide, (b) a base, and (c) a catalyst, in a suitable solvent, as described below.

[0071] Examples of nucleophilic alkyl halides suitable for the alkylation of compounds of Formula 1D and 2D include, but are not limited to, 2-chloroacetamide, 2-bromoacetamide, N-C1-4 alkyl 2-chloroacetamides (e.g., N-methyl 2-chloroacetamide), and N-C1-4 alkyl 2-bromoacetamides (e.g., N-methyl 2-bromoacetamide). Examples of bases useful for said alkylation include, but are not limited to, organic bases such as amine bases (e.g., ammonia, triethylamine, N,N'-diisopropylethylamine or 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP), 1,5-diazabicyclo[4,3,0]-non-5-ene (DBN), 1,5-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]undec-5-ene (DBU)); or inorganic bases such as hydrides (e.g., sodium, lithium or potassium hydride), alkoxides (e.g., sodium, potassium or lithium t-butoxide and K(OAr), Na(OAr)), or alkali or alkaline earth metal carbonates, bicarbonates, phosphates or hydroxides (e.g., sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, cesium or barium carbonate, bicarbonate, hydroxide or phosphate). Optionally, such an N-alkylation reaction may be achieved in the presence of an iodide or bromide source, such as an alkali metal or ammonium iodide or bromide. For example, potassium iodide or sodium iodide, or potassium bromide or sodium bromide, a tetraalkyl ammonium iodide (e.g., tetrabutyl ammonium iodide), or a tetraalkyl ammonium bromide (e.g., tetrabutyl ammonium bromide). In particular embodiments, the alkylation may be carried out using 2-chloroacetamide or N-methyl 2-chloroacetamide in the presence of N,N'-diisopropylethylamine and potassium iodide in dimethylacetamide solvent. Suitable solvents also include acetonitrile, dioxane, dimethylformamide, and dimethylacetamide.

[0072] In a preferred embodiment, the alkylation of the compound of Formula 1D or 2D is carried out using 2-chloroacetamide, N,N-diisopropylethylamine, and tetrabutylammonium iodide or bromide, in a suitable solvent, such as dimethylacetamide, at a temperature of 90 to 110 °C. The present inventors unexpectedly discovered that in scaling up prior art methods to make the compound of Formula 1E or 2E, there was a concern for exothermic autocatalytic decomposition at temperatures close to the previous reaction temperature (i.e., at or above about 120 °C). The inventors therefore undertook an expansive re-evaluation campaign to find an alternative set of reaction conditions. Factors that were evaluated included concentration, temperature, reagent dosage, molar ratios, choice of solvent (e.g., dimethylacetamide, N-methyl pyrrolidone, DMSO, acetone, and acetonitrile), choice of catalyst (e.g., alkali metal halides such as KI and KBr; ammonium salts such as tetrabutyl ammonium iodide or bromide; nucleophilic alkyl halide leaving group (e.g., Cl or Br), and choice of base (e.g., amine bases such as DIPEA; hydride bases such as NaH; inorganic bases such as sodium or potassium carbonate). It was unexpectedly found that improved results are obtained using tetraalkyl ammonium halide catalyst (e.g., tetrabutyl ammonium iodide or bromide), in an amount of about 0.5 to 1.5 equivalents, e.g., 0.75 to 1.25 equivalents, or 0.9 to 1.10 equivalent (e.g., about 1.0 equivalent), with a tertiary amine base (e.g., DIPEA at 1.5 to 1.9 equivalent, e.g., about 1.7 equivalent), and 2-chloroacetamide in dimethylacetamide solvent. Preferably, the temperature is 90 to 110 °C, such as 95 to 100 °C. Since this method provides slightly lower yields than prior art methods, it was further unexpectedly discovered that advantage could be taken of the difference in solubility between compounds of Formula 1D/2D and 1E/2E in ethyl acetate. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the step of preparing the compound of Formula 1E or 2E comprises the step of resuspending the crude product in ethyl acetate solvent, optionally as a mixture with n-hexane solvent, and isolating the product by crystallization at a temperature of 5 to 70 °C.

[0073] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an active pharmaceutical composition (active pharmaceutical ingredient) comprising the compound of Formula 1J or 2J, in substantially pure form. In other embodiments of this aspect, the present disclosure provides: 8.1 An active pharmaceutical composition (active pharmaceutical ingredient) comprising the compound of Formula 1J or 2J in pharmaceutically acceptable salt form, wherein the composition comprises at least 97% by weight of said compound (measured as the salt form), optionally in solid crystalline salt form (e.g., in tosylate salt form). 8.2 Composition 8.1, wherein the compound is the compound of Formula 1J, wherein R is H and Q is 3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl. 8.3 Composition 8.2, wherein said compound is in substantially enantiomerically pure form, for example, at least 97% e.e., or at least 98% e.e., or at least 98.5% e.e., or at least 99% e.e., up to 100% e.e. 8.4 Composition 8.2 or 8.3, wherein the composition comprises the compound at least 98%, at least 98.5% or at least 99.0% by weight (measured as the salt form). 8.5 Any of Compositions 8.2-8.4, wherein the compound is in free base form, optionally in solid crystalline free base form. 8.6 Any of Compositions 8.1 through 8.5, wherein the composition comprises not more than 2.0% by weight of each of any compound of Formula 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 2D, 1E, 2E, 1F, 2F, 1I, or 2I, for example, not more than 1.0% by weight of each, or not more than 0.50% by weight of each. 8.7 Any of Compositions 8.1 through 8.6, wherein the composition comprises not more than 2.0% by weight of a compound of Formula 1I or 2I (for example, where R is H), for example, not more than 1.5%, or not more than 1.0%, or not more than 0.5% by weight. 8.8 Any of Compositions 8.1 through 8.7, wherein the composition comprises not more than 50 ppm copper, for example, not more than 40 ppm, or not more than 25 ppm, or not more than 10 ppm copper, or not more than 5 ppm copper. 8.9 Any of Compositions 8.1 through 8.8, wherein the composition comprises at least 0.001 wt % and less than 2 wt % of at least one compound selected from the compound of Formula 1K or 2K, or 1L or 2L. 8.10 Any of Compositions 8.1 through 8.8, wherein the composition comprises the compound of Formula 1J or 2J in admixture with at least 0.10 wt % and less than 2 wt % of at least one compound selected from the compound of Formula 1K or 2K, or 1L or 2L. 8.11 Any of Compositions 8.1 through 8.8, wherein the composition comprises the compound of Formula 1J or 2J in admixture with at least 1.0 wt. % and less than 2.0 wt. % of the compound of Formula 1K or 2K. 8.12 Any of Compositions 8.1 through 8.8, wherein the composition comprises the compound of Formula 1J or 2J in admixture with at least 1.0 wt. % and less than 2.0 wt. % of the compound of Formula 1L or 2L. 8.13 Any of Compositions 8.1 through 8.12, wherein the composition comprises the compound of Formula 1J or 2J in admixture with less than 1.0% by weight of 1-chloro-3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propane, for example, less than 0.5%, or less than 0.25%, or less than 0.15%, or less than 0.10%, or less than 0.08% by weight of 1-chloro-3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propane. 8.14 Any of Compositions 8.1 through 8.12, wherein the composition comprises the compound of Formula 1J or 2J in admixture with less than 5000 ppm of any organic solvent (e.g., acetone, acetonitrile, or methanol), for example, less than 4000 ppm, or less than 3000 ppm, or less than 1500 ppm, or less than 1000 ppm, or less than 500 ppm, or less than 410 ppm, of any organic solvent. 8.15 Any of Compositions 8.9 through 8.14, wherein in the compound of Formula 1K or 2K, or 1L or 2L, the R group is H and the Q group is -O-. 8.16 Any of Compositions 8.1 through 8.15, wherein the Compound of Formula 1J or 2J is a compound manufactured in accordance with any of Methods 1J, 2J or 6.1-6.92.

[0074] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the active pharmaceutical composition (active pharmaceutical ingredient) according to any one of compositions 8.1-8.16 in admixture with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, diluents, or solvents. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is selected from a tablet, capsule, caplet, powder, wafer, gel, or sterile injectable solution. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is an orally disintegrating tablet. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is a long-acting injectable composition, e.g., for intramuscular or subcutaneous administration. In some embodiments, the Pharmaceutical Composition comprises from 1 to 60 mg of the compound of Formula 1J or 2J, measured by weight of the free base equivalent (e.g., from 20 to 60 mg, or 20 to 40 mg, or 40 to 60 mg, for an oral swallowable dosage form; for example, from 1 to 30 mg, or 5 to 20 mg, or 5 to 15 mg, or 1 to 10 mg, for a rapidly dissolving oral dosage form).

[0075] As used herein, “active pharmaceutical composition” refers to an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) intended for incorporation into a pharmaceutical composition for administration to the body of a human or animal subject. As such, an API consists only of the active medicinal compound (e.g., the compound of Formula 1J or 2J) and any incidental impurities resulting from its synthesis. In contrast, a “pharmaceutical composition” comprises an API in admixture with at least one excipient, diluent, or solvent. Suitable excipients, diluents, and solvents are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, binders, disintegrants, polymers, sugars, fillers, sweeteners, adhesives, buffers, release-modulating agents, protective coatings (e.g., gastric liners), colorants, flavors, and liquid carriers (including water, ethanol, glycerol, sorbitol, propylene glycol, and the like).

[0076] The compounds described herein and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be made using the methods described and exemplified herein and by methods similar thereto and by methods known in the chemical art. In describing the synthetic methods described herein, it should be understood that all reaction conditions proposed, including the choice of solvent, reaction atmosphere, reaction temperature, duration of the experiment, and workup procedures, are chosen to be standard conditions for such reaction, which should be readily recognized by one skilled in the art. Therefore, at times, any reaction may be required to occur at an elevated temperature or for a longer or shorter period of time than described herein. It is understood by one skilled in the art of organic synthesis that the functionality present in various portions of the molecule must be compatible with the proposed reagents and reactions. If not commercially available, starting materials for these processes can be made by procedures that are selected from the chemical art using techniques similar or analogous to the synthesis of known compounds. All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0077] Unless terms are specifically defined for an embodiment, terms used in the present invention are generally defined as follows.

[0078] The phrase “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refers to derivatives of the disclosed compounds in which the parent compound is modified by the preparation of acid or base addition salts thereof. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, but are not limited to, mineral or organic acid salts of basic residues, such as amines; alkali or organic salts of acidic residues, such as carboxylic acids; and the like. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts include the conventional non-toxic salts or quaternary ammonium salts of the parent compound formed, for example, from non-toxic inorganic or organic acids. For example, such conventional non-toxic salts include those derived from inorganic acids, such as hydrochloric acid; and salts prepared from organic acids, such as toluenesulfonic acid.

[0079] The pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the present invention can be synthesized from the parent compound containing a basic or acidic moiety by conventional chemical methods. Generally, such salts can be prepared by reacting the free acid or base forms of these compounds with a stoichiometric amount of the appropriate base or acid in water or an organic solvent, or a mixture of the two; generally, non-aqueous media are preferred. The compounds of the present disclosure have more than one basic nitrogen atom. For example, the compounds of Formula 1J and 2J each have two basic nitrogen atoms (an N-aryl piperazine nitrogen and an aliphatic piperidine nitrogen). It is understood that the piperidine nitrogen is more basic than the piperazine nitrogen. It is also understood that either or both of the nitrogen atoms may form an acid addition salt with an acid hydrogen of a monoprotic, diprotic, or triprotic Bronsted acid, depending on the molar ratio of free base to acid provided in a reaction. As a result, when terms such as "acid addition salt" are used in this disclosure, such terms refer to any such salts that are possible, as well as combinations thereof.

[0080] The term “alkyl” is intended to include branched and straight chain saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having the specified number of carbon atoms; for example, “C1-C4 alkyl” denotes alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples of alkyl include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, s-butyl, and tert-butyl.

[0081] “Halo”, “halogen” or “halide”, as used herein, refers to fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. Therefore, “alkyl halide” refers to a halogen group bonded to an alkyl group as defined above, such as methyl iodide or iodobutane.

[0082] “Alkali metal” refers to lithium, sodium, and potassium. “Ammonium” refers to both the ammonium ion (NH4+) and tetraalkyl ammonium ions (NR4+), where R is a C1-6 alkyl radical. For example, tetraalkyl ammonium includes tetramethyl ammonium, tetraethyl ammonium, tetrapropyl ammonium, and tetrabutyl ammonium. Thus, the term “alkali metal or ammonium iodide or bromide” includes, but is not limited to, the iodide and bromide salts of sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, and tetraalkyl ammonium.

[0083] “Cycloalkyl” is intended to include monocyclic or polycyclic ring systems comprising at least one aliphatic ring. Thus, “cycloalkyl” includes cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexenyl, and the like. When cycloalkyl is a polycyclic system, such system may contain an aliphatic ring fused to aromatic, nonaromatic, heteroaromatic, or heterononaromatic rings. Examples of such include octahydro-1H-indene, 2,3-dihydro-1H-indene, and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoline.

[0084] The term “heterocycloalkyl” herein refers to a monocyclic or polycyclic system comprising at least one aliphatic ring containing at least one heteroatom selected from a group consisting of O, N, and S. Therefore, heterocycloalkyl may refer to piperidinyl, piperazinyl, 2-pyrrolidonyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolinyl, 2H,6H-1,5,2-dithiazinyl, 2H-pyrrolyl, or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,8-naphthyridine.

[0085] As used herein, the term “aryl” is intended to mean a stable 5- to 7-membered monocyclic or polycyclic or 7- to 14-membered polycyclic ring system comprising at least one aromatic ring (i.e., a planar ring containing 4n+2 Pi electrons, where n is an integer). Therefore, the term “aryl” includes phenyl, naphthyl, and their derivatives. The term “aryl” is also intended to include polycyclic ring systems containing at least one aromatic ring fused to one or more aromatic or nonaromatic or heteroaromatic rings (e.g., 2,3-dihydro-1H-indene).

[0086] As used herein, the term "heterocycle", "heterocyclic ring" or "heteroaryl" is intended to mean a stable 5- to 7-membered monocyclic or polycyclic or 7- to 14-membered polycyclic or polycyclic ring comprising at least one aromatic ring containing at least one heteroatom independently selected from the group consisting of N, O, and S. Therefore, a "heterocycle" or "heterocyclic ring" or "heteroaryl" may include a single heteroaromatic ring or a heteroaromatic ring fused to another heteroaromatic ring or to a non-heteroaromatic or non-aromatic ring. The heterocyclic ring may be attached to its pendant group at any heteroatom or carbon atom that results in a stable structure. The heterocyclic rings described herein may be substituted with carbon or with a nitrogen atom if the resulting compound is stable. Examples of heterocycles or heteroaryl groups include, but are not limited to, 1H-indazolyl, thiazolyl, furyl, pyridyl, quinolinyl, pyrolyl, indolyl, and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinolinyl.

[0087] The term "substituted", as used herein, means that any one or more hydrogens on the designated atom are replaced by a selection from the indicated group, provided that the normal valence of the designated atom is not exceeded, and that the substitution results in a stable compound. Therefore, optionally substituted alkyl may refer to an alkyl group as defined above wherein one or more hydrogens are replaced by a selection from the indicated group including, but not limited to, halogen, hydroxy, amino, sulfhydryl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl (e.g., CH2Cl, CF3, CH3CH2Br, etc.), amido, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, alkoxy, carboxy, carbonyl, silyl, alkylamino, alkylamido, nitro, cyano, halo, -S(O)-alkyl, -S(O)2-alkyl, R-cycloalkyl, R-heterocycloalkyl, RC(O)-, RC(O)-OR’, RO-, -N(R)(R’) wherein R and R’ are independently H, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl or heterocycloalkyl.

[0088] The term “resolution” is a term of the art and refers to the separation of a racemic mixture into its enantiomers by any means, including the reaction of a chiral organic acid or base with the components of the racemic mixture to form diastereomeric salts and separating said salts by, for example, crystallization techniques. The term “chiral salt resolution” refers to the separation of a racemic mixture into its enantiomers through the use of a chiral acid.

[0089] The term “chromatography” is well known in the art and refers to a technique of separating the components of a mixture by interacting it with a stationary phase and eluting the components of the mixture with a mobile phase, such as ethanol, methanol, acetonitrile, water or mixtures thereof. The term “chiral chromatography” refers to chromatography in which the stationary phase is chiral.

[0090] The term “chiral acid” refers to any optically active acid capable of forming diastereomeric salts with compounds of Formula 1B or 2B. The terms “mono- or di-carboxylic acid” or “sulfonic acid” herein refer to any compound containing one or two carboxylic functional groups and one sulfonic acid group, respectively. Examples of such acids include, but are not limited to, (+/-)/(R/S) tartaric acid, (+/-)/(R/S) (mono- or di-acetyl) tartaric acid, (+/-)/(R/S) (mono- or di-benzoyl) tartaric acid, (+/-)/(R/S) (mono- or di-pivaloyl) tartaric acid, (+/-)/(R/S) mandelic acid, (+/-)/(R/S) acetoxyphenyl acetic acid, (+/-)/(R/S) methoxyphenyl acetic acid, (+/-)/(R/S) hydroxmandelic acid, (+/-)/(R/S) halomandelic acid (e.g., 4-fluoromandelic acid), (+/-)/(R/S) lactic acid, and (+/-)/(R/S) camphorsulfonic acid.

[0091] The term “protecting agent” refers to any compound that reacts with the atom for which protection is desired in such a way as to block or mask its functionality. It is typically used to temporarily modify a potentially reactive functional group so as to protect it from an undesired chemical transformation. A desirable protecting agent is one that is compatible or stable with the reaction condition and is readily cleaved at a later point when protection is no longer desired.

[0092] The terms “protecting group” and “protecting group” refer to removable chemical groups that are used to protect or mask reactive functional moieties during synthetic transformations. The term “protecting agent” refers to a reagent that is used to attach a protecting group to the functional moiety to be protected. For example, the protecting agent ethyl chloroformate is used to attach the ethoxycarbonyl protecting group and the protecting agent BOC-anhydride is used to attach the t-butoxycarbonyl protecting group. Protecting groups, as defined herein, include groups having the general formula -P-Z, wherein Z is alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, alkoxycarbonyl or optionally substituted -OR wherein R is alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl, and wherein P is -CH2-, -C(O)-, -C(O)O- or S(O)2. Examples of protecting groups include benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz), triphenylmethyl, alkyloxy and aryloxycarbonyl (e.g., methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, t-butoxycarbonyl, phenoxycarbonyl), benzyl N-succinimidyl carbonyl, benzoyl, substituted benzoyl, substituted benzyloxycarbonyl, benzyl, substituted benzyl, and alkyl and aryl sulfonyl (e.g., methanesulfonyl, benzenesulfonyl, toluenesulfonyl). Other suitable protecting agents and protecting groups can be found, for example, in “Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis” by Theodora Green (publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Fourth Edition, 2007), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0093] The term “deprotection” or “deprotect” or “deprotecting” refers to the act of removing or cleaving a protecting group. The deprotection conditions for the above protecting groups necessarily vary with the choice of protecting group and may involve acid (e.g., hydrochloric, sulfuric, phosphoric, or trifluoroacetic acid or a Lewis acid such as boron tris(trifluoroacetate)) or base catalysis (alkali metal hydroxide, e.g., lithium, potassium, or sodium hydroxide) or catalytic hydrogenation condition (e.g., hydrogen and palladium on carbon).

[0094] The term “catalyst” herein refers to any substance or agent capable of affecting, inducing, increasing, influencing, or promoting the reactivity of a compound or reaction without itself being consumed. The phrase “transition metal catalyst” refers to any metal having valence electrons in d orbitals, for example, metals selected from one of Groups 3-12 of the periodic table. Catalysts useful for the methods of this invention include atoms, ions, salts, or complexes of transition metals of Groups 8-11 of the Periodic Table. “Group 3-12 of the Periodic Table” refers to the groups of the Periodic Table numbered according to the IUPAC system. Thus, the transition metals of Group 8-11 include iron, ruthenium, osmium, cobalt, rhodium, iridium, nickel, palladium, platinum, copper, silver, and gold. Examples of such catalysts include, but are not limited to, CuI, CuCl, CuBr, CuBr2, Cu(II) acetate, Cu2Cl2, Cu2O, CuSO4, Cu2SO4, Cu, Pd/C, PdCl2, Pd(OAc)2, (CH3CN)2PdCl2, Pd[P(C6H5)3]4, bis(dibenzylideneacetone)palladium [Pd(dba)2], tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium [Pd2(dba)3], Ni(acetylacetonate)2, NiCl2[P(C6H5)]2, and Ni(1,5-cyclooctadiene)2. Catalysts are typically, but not necessarily, used in substoichiometric amounts relative to the reactants. Preferably, 0.5 to 20 mol %, more preferably 10 mol %, of the transition metal catalyst is used relative to the reactants.

[0095] The term “base” herein refers to organic or inorganic bases, such as amine bases (e.g., ammonia, triethylamine, N,N'-diisopropylethylamine, or 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP); 1,5-diazabicyclo[4,3,0]-non-5-ene (DBN), 1,5-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]undec-5-ene (DBU)); hydrides (e.g., sodium, lithium, or potassium hydride); alkoxides (e.g., sodium, potassium, or lithium t-butoxide and K(OAr), Na(OAr)); or carbonates, bicarbonates, phosphates, or hydroxides of an alkali or alkaline earth metal (e.g., sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, cesium, or barium carbonate, bicarbonate, hydroxide, or phosphate).

[0096] The term “Bronsted base” is an art-recognized term and refers to an uncharged or charged atom or molecule, e.g., an oxide, amine, alkoxide, or carbonate, that is a proton acceptor. Examples of Bronsted bases include, but are not limited to, K3PO4, K2CO3, Na2CO3, Tl2CO3, Cs2CO3, K(OtBu), Li(OtBu), Na(OtBu), K(OPh), and Na(OPh), or mixtures thereof.

[0097] The term “Lewis base” is art-recognized and refers to a chemical moiety capable of donating an electron pair under certain reaction conditions. Examples of Lewis bases include, but are not limited to, uncharged compounds such as alcohols, thiols, olefins, and amines (e.g., ammonia, triethylamine) and charged moieties such as alkoxides, thiolates, carbanions, and a variety of other organic anions.

[0098] The term “acid” herein refers to Lewis or Bronsted acid. Lewis acid is a term in the art and refers to a chemical moiety capable of accepting an electron pair (e.g., boron trifluoride). Bronsted acid refers to any chemical moiety capable of donating a proton (e.g., acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, as well as other organic acids known in the art).

[0099] The term “ligand” refers to any atom, molecule, or ion capable of donating or sharing one or more electrons through a coordinate and/or covalent bond with another central atom, typically a metal. “Monodentate ligand” refers to ligands that have one binding site to the central atom (e.g., pyridine or ammonia). “Bidentate ligand” refers to ligands that have two binding sites (e.g., N,N'-dimethylethylenediamine, N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine, or 1,10-phenatroline). Examples of useful ligands for group 8-11 transition metals include, but are not limited to, 2-phenylphenol, 2,6-dimethylphenol, 2-isopropylphenol, 1-naphthol, 8-hydroxyquinoline, 8-aminoquinoline, DBU, DBN, DABCO, 2-(dimethylamino)ethanol, N,N-diethylsalicylamid, 2-(dimethylamino)glycine, N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-1,2-diaminoethane, 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, 5-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline, 5-chloro-1,10-phenanthroline, 5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline, 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine, 2-(aminomethyl)pyridine, (methylimino)diacetic acid, cis-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, a mixture of cis- and trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, cis-N,N'-dimethyl-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, trans-N,N'-dimethyl-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, a mixture of cis and trans-N,N'-dimethyl-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, cis-N-tolyl-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, trans-N-tolyl-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, a mixture of cis- and trans-N-tolyl-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, ethanolamine, 1,2-diaminoethane, N,N'-dimethyl-1,2-diaminoethane, N,N-dimethyl-2-hydroxybenzamide, N,N-diethyl-2-hydroxybenzamide, fluoro-N,N-diethyl-2-hydroxybenzamide, chloro-N,N'-diethyl-2-hydroxybenzamide, (2-hydroxyphenyl)(pyrrolidin-1-yl)methanone, biphenyl-2-ol, 2-pyridylphenol, 1,2-benzenediamine, ammonia, N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone or mixtures thereof, as well as the biphenyl and binaphthyl ligands described hereinbefore. In certain embodiments, the amount of ligand used can be stoichiometric or an excess amount. In other embodiments, the ligand can be used as a solvent for the reaction. Therefore, reagents such as N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone or other liquid amines can serve as a solvent as well as ligand for the reaction.

[00100] The term “N,N'-dimethylethylenediamine” is used interchangeably with “N,N'-dimethyl-1,2-diaminoethane”.

[00101] The phrase “nucleophilic alkyl halide” refers to any compound having an alkyl halide (electrophilic) functional group and a nucleophilic functional group. The term “nucleophilic” or “nucleophile” is well known in the art and refers to a chemical moiety with a reactive pair of electrons.

[00102] The term “reduction” or “reductant” refers to the conversion of a functional group in a molecule from a higher oxidation state to a lower oxidation state. The term “reducing agent” or “reducing agent” refers to any compound or complex that is known in the field for its effects in converting a functional group in a molecule from a higher oxidation state to a lower oxidation state. Examples of reduction include the reduction of a carbon-carbon double bond to a carbon-carbon single bond and the reduction of a carbonyl group (C=O) to a methylene (CH2). Reduction can be accomplished by a direct transfer of an electron, hydride, or hydrogen atom. Typical reducing agents useful for Methods 1C and 2C include metal hydrides (e.g., lithium aluminum hydride, sodium borohydride, sodium cyanoborohydride) and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst (e.g., Raney nickel, palladium on charcoal, nickel boride, platinum metal or its oxide, rhodium, ruthenium, and zinc oxide, pentacyanocobaltate(II) Co(CN)53-). Hydrogenation Catalytic reduction is typically performed at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, but higher temperature and/or higher pressure may be required for more resistant double bonds. Other reducing agents useful for converting double bonds to single bonds include silane and acid; sodium cyanoborohydride and acid; zinc and acid; sodium and liquid ammonia; sodium in ethanol; and borane-triethylamine.

[00103] The term “alkylation” refers to the introduction of an alkyl radical into an organic compound by substitution or addition. Therefore, the term “N-alkylation” refers to the introduction of an alkyl radical onto the nitrogen atom of the organic compound.

[00104] Procedures for producing compounds described herein and for carrying out some of the steps of the methods described herein are known to those skilled in the art and can be found, for example, in U.S. Patents 8,309,722; 8,779,139; 9,315,504; 9,751,883; 8,648,077; 9,199,995; and 9,586,960; the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. EXAMPLES Example 1 6-Bromo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole hydrochloric acid salt.

[00105] 1-(2-Bromophenyl)hydrazine hydrochloride and 4-piperidinone monohydrate hydrochloride are combined in a molar ratio of about 1:1.1 in acetic acid, and the resulting suspension is heated to reflux until less than 1% of the hydrazine starting material remains for HPLC analysis (e.g., for 6 hours). The reaction mixture is then cooled to room temperature, filtered, and the cake is washed with acetone and dried to a solid that is used in the next step. Example 2 [4aS,9bR]-6-bromo-2,3,4,4a,5,9b-hexahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole

[00106] Reduction: To a 3 L 3-neck RBF with magnetic stirrer, N2 inlet and drying tube are charged with methanesulfonic acid (400 ml). The hydrochloric acid salt of 6-bromo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (100 g) is charged portionwise. The reaction mixture is heated to 40 oC to 45 oC and then triethylsilane (TES) (55.5 ml, 1 eq.) is charged dropwise over 1 h in order to control the exotherm. The temperature is maintained at 40 oC to 45 oC. Once the addition is complete, the mixture is stirred at 40 oC to 45 oC for 1.5 h. Additional TES (13.9 mL, 0.25 eq.) can be added over approximately 10 min, after which the mixture is stirred at 40 °C to 45 °C for 30 min. Additional TES (13.9 mL, 0.25 eq.) can be added over approximately 10 min, after which the mixture is stirred at room temperature overnight. Additional TES (5.5 mL, 0.1 eq.) can be charged and the mixture stirred at room temperature for 90 min. After cooling to <10 °C, the reaction is quenched with water (600 mL), adding water dropwise at a rate to maintain <40 °C (severe exotherm observed). Dichloromethane (1000 mL) is added, and the mixture is adjusted to approximately pH = 12 with 50% w/v aqueous NaOH. The mixture is filtered through a pad of Celite. The layers are separated and the aqueous layer is extracted with dichloromethane (100 ml). The combined organic layer is washed with water (100 ml), dried over magnesium sulfate (120 g), filtered and concentrated under vacuum. The residue is treated with heptanes. After filtration, the solid obtained is dried under vacuum at 30 °C to yield 73.1 g of product (yield: 83%, purity by HPLC: 97.1%).

[00107] Separation: [4aS,9bR]-6-bromo-2,3,4,4a,5,9b-hexahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole can be separated by dissolving racemic cis 6-bromo-2,3,4,4a,5,9b-hexahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (9.61 g, 38.0 mmol) in methanol (190 ml) at 50 °C and adding (S)-(+)-Mandelic acid (5.78 g, 38.0 mmol) portionwise. The resulting clear solution is stirred at 50 °C for several minutes and ether (95 ml) is added dropwise. The resulting solution is cooled to room temperature. The white precipitate (S-Mandelate salt, 4.1 g) is filtered off. HPLC analysis shows >99% ee. Example 3 (4aS,9bR)-ethyl 6-bromo-3,4,4a,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-2(9bH)-carboxylate

[00108] (4aS,9bR)-ethyl 6-bromo-3,4,4a,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-2(9bH)-carboxylate can be prepared by first obtaining [4aS,9bR]-6-bromo-2,3,4,4a,5,9b-hexahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (36.0 g, 0.142 mol)) as a free base using 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and extracting the product into MTBE. Conversion to (4aS,9bR)-ethyl 6-bromo-3,4,4a,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-2(9bH)-carboxylate can then be accomplished by cooling a suspension of [4aS,9bR]-6-bromo-2,3,4,4a,5,9b-hexahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (36.0 g, 0.142 mol) in THF (300 ml) and triethylamine (24 ml) in an ice-water bath. Ethyl chloroformate (13.5 ml, 0.142 mol) is added dropwise via syringe pump over 1 h. The ice-water bath is removed and the reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for an additional hour. The reaction mixture is passed through a Celite pad and the solvent is evaporated to yield (4aS,9bR)-ethyl 6-bromo-3,4,4a,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-2(9bH)-carboxylate. 1H NMR (CDCl3, 300 MHz): 1.20-1.35 (m, 3H), 1.73-1.85 (m, 1H), 1.85-1.99 (m, 1H), 3.22-3.52 (m, 3H), 3.52-3.66 (m, 1H), 3.66-3.95 (Br, 1H), 3 .95-4.21 (m, 4H), 6.60 (t, J = 7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.04 (d, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.20 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1H).

[00109] As an alternative to using [4aS,9bR]-6-bromo-2,3,4,4a,5,9b-hexahydro- 1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (compound of Formula 1C) free base, the reaction can also be carried out starting with the (S)-mandelate salt of [4aS,9bR]-6-bromo-2,3,4,4a,5,9b-hexahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole. A 100 mL round bottom flask is equipped with a magnetic stir bar, a pressure equalizing addition funnel, and a N2 inlet at the top of the addition funnel. The flask is charged with the starting material S-mandelate (5 g, 12.35 mmol), Na2CO3 (2.88 g, 27.17 mmol), and 25 mL of THF. To the yellow reaction mixture at 25 °C (heating block temperature) is added a solution of ethyl chloroformate (1.64 g, 15.11 mmol) in 5 ml THF dropwise over about 70 min. The batch is stirred at 25 °C for an additional 10 min, and then checked by HPLC. Less than 2% of the starting material is observed by HPLC, and the desired product is recorded at about 98%. To the batch is added 12.5 ml of EtOH, and the batch is concentrated under reduced pressure to remove about 30 ml of solvent (mostly THF). To the batch is then added 37.5 ml of H2O, and the resulting mixture shows pH > 9 by pH paper. The yellow mixture is then stirred at room temperature for about 1 h and then filtered. The solid is rinsed with 25 ml of H2O. After drying in a vacuum oven at 58 °C for about 16 h, 3.9442 g of a yellow solid are obtained (98% yield). 1H NMR of the solid was consistent and showed no (S)-mandelic acid. HPLC analysis of the product shows the desired product with >99% purity. LC-MS showed a peak with M/e = 326 (M+1). Example 4 5-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-6-bromo-3,4,4a,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-2(9bH)-[4aS,9bR]-ethyl carboxylate

[00110] (4aS,9bR)-ethyl 5-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-6-bromo-3,4,4a,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-2(9bH)-carboxylate may be prepared by heating under reflux a suspension of (4aS,9bR)-ethyl 6-bromo-3,4,4a,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-2(9bH)-carboxylate (5.648g, 17.4mmol), 2-chloroacetamide (7.32g, 78.2mmol), potassium iodide (19.2g, 77.7mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (19ml, 115mmol) in acetonitrile (80ml) for 27 hours. The solvent is removed in vacuo and water (200 ml) is added to the residue and stirred for 1 hour. The resulting white solid is filtered, washed with ethanol and dried.

[00111] In other experiments, it was found that the yield and reaction time are improved using substantially the same conditions with dimethylacetamide solvent (e.g., at a temperature of 80 to 110 °C, e.g., at 110 °C). In comparative experiments, it was found that higher yields are obtained using dimethylacetamide compared to acetonitrile or dioxane as solvent. Other experiments are also conducted using 2-bromoacetamide in dimethylacetamide, acetonitrile, or dioxane solvent, optionally further comprising potassium iodide or tetrabutyl ammonium bromide.

[00112] Additional experiments reveal that at larger scales, the product can be oily, creating difficulties in handling and purification. It was unexpectedly discovered that control of the cooling rate and the rate of water addition has a significant effect on this result. Therefore, in an improved method, the product is obtained from the dimethylacetamide reaction mixture by precipitated crystallization using water as an antisolvent, optionally induced by seeding. For example, the reaction can be cooled to about 50 to 70 °C followed by the addition of a portion of water, followed further by the addition of more water. The mixture is mixed or stirred while gradually cooling to a final temperature of about 0 to 15 °C (e.g., 5 °C) followed by filtration and washing with water. During the cooling process, seeding is initiated to cause precipitation of the product. Example 4b: 5-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-6-bromo-3,4,4a,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indol-2(9bH)-4aS,9bR]-ethyl carboxylate

[00113] (4aS,9bR)-ethyl 6-bromo-3,4,4a,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-2(9bH)-carboxylate (175 g, 538 mmol), 2-chloroacetamide (75.48 g, 807 mmol), tetrabutyl ammonium bromide (173.5 g, 538 mmol), and diisopropylethylamine (151 mL, 917 mmol) are suspended in dimethylacetamide (158 mL) at 107 to 110 °C for 24 to 27 h. HPLC shows over 85% completion. The reaction mixture is cooled to 50 to 55 °C, and water (350 to 400 mL) is added slowly, the mixture is stirred for 2 h at about 50 °C, and then the mixture is seeded with the product (about 50 mg). Additional water (450 to 500 mL) is added over a period of 1 to 3 h, followed by a second seeding, and then the mixture is slowly cooled to 5 °C. The suspension is filtered, and the filter cake is washed with water, dried under vacuum to yield 187 g of crude product (86% purity by HPLC). The crude product is resuspended in ethyl acetate at 70 °C and stirred for 2 h. The suspension is cooled to 50 °C, and n-heptane is added slowly to induce precipitation. After stirring for 2 h at 50 °C, the mixture is slowly cooled to 5 °C, followed by filtration and washing with ethyl acetate/hexane (1:1). After drying, 149 g of pure product (98% purity by HPLC) are obtained. Example 5 (6bR,10aS)-ethyl 2,3,6b,9,10,10a-hexahydro-2-oxo-1H-pyrido[3',4':4,5]-pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]quinoxaline-8-carboxylate

[00114] A suspension of [4aS, 9bR]-ethyl 5-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-6-bromo-3,4,4a,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole-2(9bH)-carboxylate (254 mg, 1.34 mmol), cuprous iodide (254 mg, 1.34 mol), potassium carbonate (3.96 g, 28.7 mmol), and N,N'-dimethyl ethylenediamine (0.31 mL, 2.87 mmol) in dioxane (20 mL) is heated at reflux for 4.5 h. Another portion of cuprous iodide (250 mg, 1.32 mmol) and N,N'-dimethyl ethylenediamine (0.33 mL, 3.05 mmol) is added. The resulting mixture is heated under reflux for an additional 3 hours and then at 73 °C for approximately 66 hours. The reaction mixture is concentrated and passed through a short alumina column using 100:3:3 dichloromethane:triethylamine:methanol. The resulting column solvent is evaporated to a solid and redissolved in dichloromethane. The dichloromethane solution is washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, and concentrated to a solid (3.7 g, 95%, 83% pure by HPLC).

[00115] Scaling this procedure from laboratory to manufacturing batch scale (~1kg scale), the yield is found to drop to 26% primarily due to losses during filtration. Even after resuspending the filter cake with methanol to recover additional product, the net yield approaches only 86% with HPLC purity of about 70-75%. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the losses are due to material lost during transfer between pipelines, reactors, and other vessels.

[00116] Further experiments are conducted to optimize the reaction and purification conditions. Initial experiments using N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine as ligand (0.25 equiv.), with potassium iodide (1.9 equiv.), copper iodide (0.2 equiv.) and dioxane solvent result in reaction times of at least 48 hours to obtain an acceptable yield. Furthermore, it was unexpectedly found that the product is sensitive to oxygen, and during extractive work-up and concentration of the reaction solvent prior to chromatography, decomposition can occur. The reaction is also found to be sensitive to the water content of the reaction solvent (dioxane being miscible with water, allows significantly higher concentrations of water to be present compared to other solvents). It was found that with the use of DBU as ligand, toluene as solvent and azeotropic distillation prior to the reaction results in significantly improved yield and conversion. The yield is further improved by using hydrocarbon solvent to precipitate the free base product, rather than subjecting the reaction mixture to extraction and/or evaporation.

[00117] [4aS,9bR]-ethyl 5-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-6-bromo-3,4,4a,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3- b]indole-2(9bH)-carboxylate (1400 g, 1.00 equiv.) and potassium carbonate (2.2 equiv.) are suspended in toluene solvent (4 ml/g reagent) and the mixture is heated with a Dean-Stark trap at 110 °C for about 2 hours. Azeotropic distillation is continued until no more water is collected. After cooling to 70 °C, copper iodide (0.2 equiv.) and DBU (0.25 equiv.) are added. After stirring for 7 h at 120 °C, the reaction is found to be substantially complete (<3% of starting material remaining by HPLC). The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature and diluted with 10 volumes of degassed n-heptane with stirring. After stirring for 2 h, a heavy suspension is obtained. The mixture is filtered, and the collected solids are slurried in 7% aqueous ammonium hydroxide for 1 h. The suspension is filtered, and the solid is washed twice with water. The slurry/wash procedure is repeated twice again using 12.5% aqueous ammonium hydroxide (1 h slurry each). The solid is dried to give the title product in 95% yield (95% purity by HPLC). Example 6 (6bR,10aS)-2,3,6b,7,8,9,10,10a-octahydro-1H-pyrido-[3',4':4,5]-pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]quinoxaline

[00118] (6bR,10aS)-2-Oxo-2,3,6b,9,10,10a-hexahydro- 1H,7H-pyrido[3',4':4,5]pyrrolo[1,2,3-d]quinoxaline-8-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (6.4 g, 21.2 mmol) is suspended in HBr/acetic acid solution (64 ml, 33% w/w) at room temperature. The mixture is heated at 50 °C for 16 h. After cooling and treatment with ethyl acetate (300 ml), the mixture is filtered. The filter cake is washed with ethyl acetate (300 ml) and then dried under vacuum. The obtained HBr salt is then suspended in methanol (200 ml) and cooled with dry ice in isopropanol. Under vigorous stirring, ammonia solution (10 ml, 7N in methanol) is slowly added to the suspension to adjust the pH of the mixture to 10. The obtained mixture is dried under vacuum without further purification to yield crude (6bR,10aS)-2-oxo-2,3,6b,9,10,10a-hexahydro- 1H,7H-pyrido[3',4':4,5]pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]quinoxaline (8.0 g), which is used directly in the next step. MS (ESI) m/z 230.2 [M+H]+. Example 7: (6bR,10aS)-8-(3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl)-6b,7,8,9,10,10a-hexahydro-1H-pyrido[3',4':4,5]pyrrolo[1,2,3-d]quinoxalin-2(3H)-one

[00119] A mixture of (6bR,10aS)-6b,7,8,9,10,10a-hexahydro-1H-pyrido[3',4':4,5]pyrrolo[1,2,3-dequinoxalin-2(3H)-one (100 mg, 0.436 mmol), 1-(3-chloroproxy)-4-fluorobenzene (100 μL, 0.65 mmol), and KI (144 mg, 0.87 mmol) in DMF (2 mL) is degassed with argon for 3 min and DIPEA (150 μL, 0.87 mmol) is added. The resulting mixture is heated to 78 °C and stirred at this temperature for 2 h. The mixture is cooled to room temperature and then filtered. The filter cake is purified by silica gel column chromatography using a gradient of 0 to 100% ethyl acetate in a mixture of methanol/7N NH3 in methanol (1:0.1 v/v) as an eluent to afford partially purified product, which is further purified with a semi-preparative HPLC system using a gradient of 0 to 60% acetonitrile in water containing 0.1% formic acid over 16 min to obtain the title product as a solid (50 mg, 30% yield). MS (ESI) m/z 406.2 [M+1]+. 1H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 10.3 (s, 1H), 7.2 - 7.1 (m, 2H), 7.0 - 6.9 (m, 2H), 6.8 (dd, J = 1.03, 7.25 Hz, 1H), 6.6 (t, J = 7.55 Hz, 1H), 6.6 (dd, J = 1.07, 7.79 Hz, 1H), 4.0 (t, J = 6.35 Hz, 2H), 3.8 (d, J = 14.74 Hz, 1H), 3.3 - 3.2 (m, 3H), 2.9 (dd, J = 6.35, 11.13 Hz, 1H), 2.7 - 2.6 (m, 1H), 2.5 - 2.3 (m, 2H), 2.1 (t, J = 11.66 Hz, 1H), 2.0 (d, J = 14.50 Hz, 1H), 1.9 - 1.8 (m, 3H), 1.7 (t, J = 11.04 Hz, 1H).

[00120] In additional experiments, it was found that the yield and purity are improved by conducting the reaction in DMSO solvent at 70 to 75 °C for 3 to 5 hours (97% conversion, 100 g - 1 kg scale)). The product can be isolated by quenching with an ethyl acetate-water mixture, followed by solvent exchange with n-heptane after phase separation. The crude product can be isolated by crystallization from n-heptane, followed by filtration, washing and drying under vacuum. The crude product can be further purified by acetonitrile mixing and filtration. The obtained product is in accordance with the expected H1 NMR and HPLC-MS analysis. The following purity profile is obtained (organic impurities are determined by HPLC, except that solvent impurities are determined by HS-GC): Example 8 Purification of (6bR,10aS)-8-(3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl)-6b,7,8,9,10,10a-hexahydro-1H-pyrido[3',4':4,5]pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]quinoxalin-2(3H)-one

[00121] It was unexpectedly discovered during scale-up experiments that resuspension of crude (6bR,10aS)-8-(3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl)-6b,7,8,9,10,10a-hexahydro-1H-pyrido[3',4':4,5]pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]quinoxalin-2(3H)-one in acetonitrile or acetone resulted in overall acceptable HPLC purity for the purified product (93 to 97%), but having an excessive amount of certain particular impurities, for example of 1-(3-chloroproxy)-4-fluorobenzene, which is present in an amount of 0.10 to 0.30% w/w. This impurity should be limited to not more than 0.08% w/w in the final product.

[00122] A crystallization study is therefore performed to determine the optimal conditions for further purification of the free base product. Initially selected solvents include methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, acetonitrile, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, ethyl acetate, and isopropyl acetate. Based on the results of the initial screening, further studies are limited to methanol, acetone, and acetonitrile.

[00123] Initial results are shown in the table below:

[00124] When the above-mentioned recrystallized products are each dried at 50 °C and 100 mbar vacuum, however, the residual solvent levels exceed the ICH limits, as shown in the table below (24 hours drying for acetonitrile, 60 hours drying for methanol and acetone):

[00125] These data show that the product unexpectedly tends to entrap solvents to such an extent that it becomes very difficult to remove them, even after long periods of drying under vacuum. In combination with other studies, it was found that (6bR,10aS)-8-(3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl)-6b,7,8,9,10,10a-hexahydro-1H-pyrido[3',4':4,5]pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]quinoxalin-2(3H)-one free base tends to entrap solvents in its crystal structure in an amount of about 10 mol%.

[00126] Other studies show that the cooling rate during crystallization has an impact on residual solvent levels. Faster cooling (e.g., 20 °C/hr versus 10 °C/hr) has been found to help produce smaller crystals that retain less solvent. In contrast, drying the crystals at higher temperatures or lower pressure (high vacuum) does not significantly influence residual solvent levels.

[00127] Further studies are being conducted to evaluate the role of antisolvents (e.g., n-heptane or MTBE) in the crystallization process. Without being bound by theory, it is suspected that using a mixture of solvents, each solvent can be reduced to lower ICH levels. However, each set of binary solvent mixtures should be analyzed to also ensure that recrystallization of the solvent mixture maintains sufficient overall HPLC purity and a satisfactory impurity profile.

[00128] Various recrystallization solvent mixture combinations are studied, including acetone-ethyl acetate and acetone-methanol, in various solvent ratios. Recrystallization of acetone-methanol in a 2:1 or 3:1 ratio has been found to provide satisfactory results, as shown in the table below:

[00129] All drying conditions for the crystals prepared above are 16 hours, 40 °C at 100 mbar. Example 9 Purification of (6bR,10aS)-8-(3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl)-6b,7,8,9,10,10a-hexahydro-1H-pyrido[3',4':4,5]pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]quinoxalin-2(3H)-one tosylate (6bR,10aS)-8-(3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl)-6b,7,8,9,10,10a-hexahydro-1H-pyrido[3',4':4,5]pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]quinoxalin-2(3H)-one as the free base (1.88 g) is added to a 20 ml vial. Methyl ethyl ketone (11 mL) was added and the reaction mixture was heated to 50 °C, forming a brown suspension. Solid toluenesulfonic acid (1.5 eq) was added and the mixture soon became a homogeneous brown solution. While stirring at 50 °C, crystallization of a product slowly began. After stirring for about 1 h, the heat was removed and the reaction mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature with stirring (stirring overnight). A brown suspension was obtained. The mixture was filtered and washed with methyl ethyl ketone under vacuum to yield 1.7 g of an off-white to brownish powder. The powder slowly turned purple at room temperature. XRPD analysis showed sharp peaks, characteristic of good crystalline material, but with some amorphous background present. 1H NMR is consistent with a monotosylate salt (1:1 molar ratio of tosyl protons to free base protons). Other studies show that the salt is hygroscopic.

Claims (17)

1. Method for preparing a compound of Formula 1J: in free or salt form, wherein R is H, and Q is 3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl; CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it comprises the steps of: (a) reacting a compound of Formula 1E: in free or salt form, wherein: (i) A is selected from Br, Cl, and I; (ii) R is H; and (iii) B is a protecting group; with (i) a transition metal catalyst selected from CuI, CuBr, CuCl, Cu(OAc)2, Cu2Cl2, CuBr2, CuSO4, Cu2SO4, and Cu2O, (ii) a base selected from alkali or alkaline earth metal carbonates or bicarbonates, or mixtures thereof, (iii) optionally an alkali metal or ammonium iodide or bromide (e.g., potassium iodide or tetrabutyl ammonium bromide), and (iv) the ligand DBU, DBN, or DABCO, and wherein the solvent for step (a) is toluene, to form an intermediate of Formula 1F: in free or salt form, where B and R are as defined for the compound of Formula 1E; (b) deprotecting the piperidine nitrogen of the compound of Formula 1F to produce the compound of Formula 1I: in free or salt form, wherein R is defined as for the compound of Formula 1F; and (c) alkylating the piperidine nitrogen of the compound of Formula 1I with a suitable alkylating agent to produce the compound of Formula 1J in free or salt form; and optionally, (d) converting the compound of Formula 1J in free form to a compound of Formula 1J in salt form, e.g., in acid addition salt form (e.g., in tosylate salt form). 2. The method of claim 1, wherein B is a group of the formula P-Z, wherein P is selected from CH2, C(O), C(O)O, and S(O)2, and wherein Z is an optionally substituted alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, or -OR', wherein R' is alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or heteroarylalkyl. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein B is a group of the formula P-Z, wherein P is C(O), and wherein Z is optionally substituted -OR’, wherein R’ is alkyl, aryl, or arylalkyl. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein B is a group selected from t-butoxycarbonyl, phenoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, or methoxycarbonyl, or an optionally substituted benzyloxycarbonyl, optionally wherein the protecting group B is ethoxycarbonyl. 5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transition metal catalyst of step (a) is CuI. 6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the base of step (a) is selected from sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate, or a mixture thereof. 7. The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein step (a) comprises using an alkali metal or ammonium iodide or bromide. 8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein in step (a) the binder is DBU. 9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the toluene solvent for step (a) is azeotropically distilled toluene. 10. The method of claim 9 wherein in step (a) the compound of Formula 1E is combined with the base in the solvent toluene and the mixture is azeotropically distilled to remove water prior to the addition of the CuI, the optional alkali metal or ammonium iodide or bromide, and the DBU, DBN, or DABCO, optionally wherein the compound of Formula 1F is isolated by cooling the reaction mixture to room temperature and then diluting the mixture with a nonpolar solvent (e.g., pentanes, hexanes, heptanes, cyclopentane, cyclohexane, or a combination thereof) to precipitate the product, followed by filtration to isolate the precipitate. 11. The method of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the deprotection step (b) is an acid hydrolysis, e.g., an aqueous or non-aqueous acid hydrolysis, optionally wherein the deprotection step (b) comprises the use of hydrobromic acid in acetic acid (e.g., 33% w/w HBr in AcOH). 12. The method of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the suitable alkylating agent of step (c) is a compound of the general formula Q-X, wherein Q is 3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propyl, and wherein X is selected from chloro, bromo, iodo, C1-4alkylsulfonyloxy (e.g., methanesulfonyloxy), and optionally substituted arylsulfonyloxy (e.g., benzenesulfonyloxy, 4-nitrobenzenesulfonyloxy, 4-halosulfonyloxy). 13. The method of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the compound of Formula 1J is obtained in the free base form from step (c) and wherein the compound of Formula 1J in the free base form is isolated from the reaction mixture by a process comprising the steps of (i) diluting the reaction mixture with an organic solvent and water, (ii) separating the organic layer and concentrating it under vacuum to a low volume, and (iii) co-evaporating the residue with a non-polar solvent (e.g., pentanes, hexanes, heptanes, cyclopentane, cyclohexane, or a combination thereof) from one to five times, followed by collecting the solids by filtration, optionally wherein the crude product obtained is further purified by precipitation from a suitable solvent (e.g., selected from acetonitrile, acetone and methanol, or mixtures thereof), by suspension and filtration, or by recrystallization. 14. A method for preparing a compound of Formula 1I as defined in claim 1 in free or salt form comprising the steps of: (a) reacting a compound of Formula 1E as defined in claim 1 in free or salt form with (i) a transition metal catalyst selected from CuI, CuBr, CuCl, Cu(OAc)2, Cu2Cl2, CuBr2, CuSO4, Cu2SO4, and Cu2O, (ii) a base, (iii) optionally an alkali metal or ammonium iodide or bromide (e.g., potassium iodide or tetrabutyl ammonium bromide), and (iv) the ligand DBU, DBN, or DABCO, and wherein the solvent for step (a) is toluene to form an intermediate of Formula 1F in free or salt form; and (b) deprotecting the piperidine nitrogen of the compound of Formula 1F to produce the compound of Formula 1I, in free or salt form. 15. The method of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the method further comprises the step of preparing a compound of Formula 1E: wherein: (i) A is selected from Br, Cl and I; (ii) R is H; and (iii) B is a protecting group; in free or salt form, comprising the step of N-alkylating a compound of Formula 1D, with (a) a nucleophilic alkyl halide of general formula: wherein: (i) A = Cl, F, Br or I; and (ii) R is H or C1-4 alkyl; (b) a base, and (c) a catalyst; wherein the base is a tertiary amine base (e.g., DIPEA) and the catalyst is a tetraalkyl ammonium halide (e.g., tetrabutyl ammonium iodide or bromide). 16. A method for preparing a compound of Formula 1F as defined in claim 1 in free or salt form comprising the steps of: (a) reacting a compound of Formula 1E as defined in claim 1 in free or salt form in a solvent comprising toluene with (i) a transition metal catalyst selected from CuI, CuBr, CuCl, Cu(OAc)2, Cu2Cl2, CuBr2, CuSO4, Cu2SO4, and Cu2O, (ii) a base, (iii) optionally an alkali metal or ammonium iodide or bromide (e.g., potassium iodide or tetrabutyl ammonium bromide), and (iv) the ligand DBU to form the compound of Formula 1F in free or salt form, followed by (b) isolating the compound of Formula 1F in free or salt form by precipitation from a mixture of solvents. hydrophobic. 17. Active pharmaceutical composition or active pharmaceutical ingredient, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it comprises at least 97% by weight of the compound of Formula 1J, as defined in claim 1, and having no more than 50 ppm of copper, and/or having no more than 410 ppm of acetonitrile, 3,000 ppm of methanol, or 5,000 ppm of acetone, and/or less than 0.08% w/w of 1-chloro-3-(4-fluorophenoxy)propane.