PROCESS FOR PREPARING OPTICALLY PURE 3-HYDROXY-PYRROLIDINE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for preparing optically pure
3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine, more particularly to a novel method for preparing
3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine represented by the following Formula 1 economically,
conveniently and efficiently, by reacting optically active 3,4-epoxy-l-butanol with
ammonia and an aldehyde compound to prepare 4-protected-imino-butane-l,3-diol,
selectively activating a hydroxy group at C-1 and then converting an imino group to
an amine group by acid simultaneously or consecutively and performing
intramolecular cyclization in the presence of a base.
H (1)
In Formula 1, * represents (S) or (R) configuration.
Optically pure (S)- or (R)-3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine derivatives are used as
intermediate compounds for preparing a variety of chiral compounds. For example,
they are used as key intermediate materials for preparing chiral medicines, such as
vasodilators (calcium antagonist: barnidipine) [European Patent Publication No.
160,451, /. Med. Chem. 1986, 29, 2504-2511, Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho
61-267577, Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 61-63652], carbapenem antibiotics
[Heterocji cles, vol 24, No 5, 1986, Tetrahedron Lett. 25, 2793, 1984, W088/ 08845, /. Org.
Chem. 1992, 57, 4352-4361], quinolone antibiotics [US Patent No. 4,916,141, European
Patent Publication No. 391,169, European Patent Publication No. 304,087], anodynes
(κ-receptor agonists) [European Patent Publication No. 398,720, European Patent
Publication No. 366,327, /. Med. Chem., 1994, 37, 2138-2144] and neurotransmitters
[WO01/ 19817].
Description of Related Art
The conventional methods for preparing optically pure (S)- or
(R)-3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine derivatives are as follows.
There is a method of preparing (R)-3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine by decarboxylation
using L-hydroxy-proline [Chem. Lett. 893, 1986, Syn. Commun. 23, 2691, 1993, Syn.
Commun. 24, 1381, 1994]. Disadvantage of this method is that it uses expensive
L-hydroxy-proline as a starting material.
There is a method of obtaining cyclized amide by multi-step from L-malic acid
or L-glutamic acid and reducing it with LiAlH4 or B2H6 [Syn. Commun. 15, 587-598,
1985, /. Med. Chem. 1994, 37, 2138-2144, Syn. Commun. 16, 1815-1822, 1986].
Disadvantage of this method is that it requires several steps and LiAlH4 or B2H6
reducing agents are expensive and difficult to handle.
There is a method of obtaining l-benzyl-3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine by preparing
4-halo-3-hydroxy-butanoate by reduction of β-ketoester using catalyst, reducing
with Ca(BH4)2, selectively activating hydroxy group to sulfonic acid derivative and
carrying out intramolecular cyclization [European Patent Publication No. 452,143].
Disadvantage of this method is that it requires an expensive catalyst and reduction
should be processed selectively only in one direction during induction of chiral center
at carbon.
There is a method of obtaining 3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine by preparing chiral C4
derivative through optical resolution of racemic C3 compound using an enzyme and
carbon chain elongation (KCN) and carrying out reduction in the presence of a metal
catalyst and intramolecular cyclization [European Patent Publication No. 347,818,
European Patent Publication No. 431,521]. This method also should be processed in
one direction during induction of chiral center at carbon.
There is a method of introducing a chiral hydroxy group by asymmetric
hydroboration of N-substituted-3-ρyrroline [/. Org. Chem. 1986, 51, 4296-4298, /. Am.
Chem. Soc, 1986,108, 2049]. However, this method is not yet commercially
applicable.
Also, there are classical optical resolution, hydrolysis using an enzyme and
esterification using an enzyme [Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 5-32620, Japanese
Patent Publication No. Hei 4-164066, Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 61-63652,
Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn. 1996, 69, 207, Enantiomer, 1997, 2, 311-314, Biochem. 1995, 59, 1287].
But, theoretical maximum yield of these methods cannot exceed 50% irrespective of
optical purity.
There is a method of obtaining 3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine by preparing
2-halo-l,4-butanediol through halogenation and B2H6 reduction of D- or L-aspartic
acid, preparing 4-methanesulfonyloxy-l,2-epoxybutane by epoxidation and
sulfonation and carrying out reaction with ammonia [Heterocycles, 1986, 24, 5].
Although the starting material of this method is similar to that of the present
invention, this method uses B2H6, which is expensive and difficult to handle, as a
reducing agent. Also, during the reaction with ammonia, which is the key process,
excess by-products are formed, so that the reaction yield is below 28%. And,
introduction of a protection group is required during the purification of
3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine.
As yet, a method preparing 3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine using 3,4-epoxy-l-butanol
as a starting material as disclosed in the present invention has not been known.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present inventors have made enormous efforts to find a method for
preparing optically pure 3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine conveniently and economically.
As a result, they identified that: if optically active 3,4-epoxy-l-butanol is reacted with
ammonia and aldehyde compound, 4-protected imino-butane-l,3-diol is obtained as
an intermediate without a by-product, and then, through intramolecular cyclization
while selectively activating a hydroxy group at C-1 with a leaving group, optically
pure target compound can be prepared in good yield.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for
preparing commercially available optically pure 3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine in good yield
and in large quantity.
The preparing method according to the present invention comprises:
a step of reacting optically active 3,4-epoxy-l-butanol represented by the
following Formula 2 with ammonia and an aldehyde compound to obtain 4-protected
imino-butane-l,3-diol represented by the following Formula 3;
a step of selectively activating a hydroxy group at C-1 of the compound
represented by Formula 3 with a leaving group (halogen or sulfonyloxy group) by
halogenation or sulfonation to obtain an intermediate represented by the following
Formula 4, and treating it with an acid simultaneously or consecutively to obtain
3-hydroxy-l-substituted-butylamine salt represented by the following Formula 5; and
a step of intramolecular cyclizing the compound represented by Formula 5 in
the presence of a base to obtain 3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine represented by the following
Formula 1:
wherein: R1 is an aryl or a substituted aryl group; R2 is a hydrogen atom or an acyl
group; HX is halogen acid or aliphatic acid; and Y is a halogen, a Cι-C 2
alkylsulfonyloxy, arylsulfonyloxy or a substituted arylsulfonyloxy group.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, the present invention is described in more detail.
The present invention relates to a method for preparing optically pure (S)- or
(R)-3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine from optically active (S)- or (R)-3,4-epoxy-l-butanol
effectively and economically without a by-product.
Each step of the preparing method of the present invention represented in
Scheme 1 is described in more detail in the followings.
The first step is imination of reacting optically pure 3,4-epoxy-l-butanol
represented by Formula 2 with ammonia and an aldehyde compound to obtain
4-protected-imino-butane-l,3-diol represented by Formula 3.
The starting material, or optically pure (S)- or (R)-3,4-epoxy-l-butanol
represented by Formula 2, can be prepared from commercially available
(S)-3-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone by known methods [Japanese Patent Publication No.
Hei 2-174733].
For the aldehyde compound used in the imination step, aldehyde having an
aryl or a substituted aryl group, preferably benzaldehyde, is used. In the
imination step: ammonia is used in 1 to 20 equivalents, preferably in 2 to 5
equivalents; and the aldehyde compound is used in 1 to 5 equivalents, preferably in 1
to 2 equivalents. This step proceeds well without using a reaction solvent. If
necessary, an organic solvent or water may be used as a solvent. The imination is
proceeded at a temperature ranging from 20 to 80 °C, preferably from 20 to 40 °C .
The reaction time is 1 to 24 hours, and preferably 3 to 5 hours.
In the second step of the present invention, a hydroxy group at C-1 of the
compound represented by Formula 3 is selectively activated to form the intermediate
represented by Formula 4, and it is treated with an acid simultaneously or
consecutively to convert an imino group to an amine group, thereby obtaining
3-hydroxy-l-substituted-butylamine salt represented by Formula 5. That is, a
hydroxy group at C-1 of the compound represented by Formula 3 is activated and the
imino group is converted to amine in the presence of an acid catalyst simultaneously
or in situ. Several selective activation methods similar to that of the present
invention are reported. However, they are about selective activation at C-1 of
1,3-butanediol or 3-benzyloxy-2-methylpropane-l,2-diol, different from the present
invention [Tetrahedron: Asymmetry 12, 1383-1388, 2001, /. Org. Chem. 53, 4081-4084,
1988, /. Chem. Soc, Perkin Trans., 1973, 1214, Organic Sji nthesis, 63, 140].
The selective activation at C-1 of the present invention can be done by
halogenation or sulfonation.
In case the selective activation at C-1 is done by halogenation via the
intermediate represented by Formula 4, deprotection is carried out during water
addition for purification. In the halogenation, any common halogenating agent can
be used, and preferably hydrobromic acid. The halogenating agent is used in 1 to 5
equivalents, preferably in 2 to 3 equivalents. The halogenation can be proceeded
without a reaction solvent. If necessary, an organic solvent can be used. The
halogenation is proceeded at a temperature ranging from 20 to 60 °C , preferably 30 to
50 °C . The reaction time is 1 to 24 hours, and preferably 3 to 6 hours.
In case the selective activation at C-1 is done by sulfonation, an intermediate
represented by formula 4 can be purified or proceeded in situ depending on the
situation. For the sulfonating agents, alkylsulfonic acid anhydride, alkylsulfonyl
chloride or aryl sulfonyl chloride can be used. Specifically, G1-C12 alkylsulfonic acid
anhydride, alkylsulfonyl chloride or aryl sulfonyl chloride, preferably
methanesulfonyl chloride or p-toluenesulfonyl chloride, can be used. The
sulfonating agent is used in 1 to 3 equivalents, preferably in 1 to 2 equivalents.
For the base, aliphatic or aromatic amines, preferably triethylamine,
diisopropylethylamine or pyridine, can be used. The base is used in 1 to 3
equivalents, preferably in 1 to 2 equivalents. For the reaction solvent of the
sulfonation, an organic solvent, preferably dichloromethane, dichloroethane,
chloroform or dioxane, can be used. The reaction is proceeded at a temperature
ranging from -20 to 30 °C, preferably -10 to 10 °C . The reaction time is 1 to 12 hours,
and preferably 1 to 3 hours.
After the sulfonation is completed, the imino group is converted to an amine
group in the presence of an acid catalyst after purification, or in situ using an acid
catalyst. For the acid, halogen acid or aliphatic acid, preferably hydrochloric acid,
hydrobromic acid, acetic acid or methanesulfonic acid can be used. The acid is used
in 1 to 5 equivalents, preferably in 1 to 3 equivalents. The reaction is proceeded at a
temperature ranging from 5 to 40 °C, preferably 5 to 20 °C . The reaction time is 1 to 5
hours, and preferably 1 to 3 hours.
In the third step of the present invention, the compound represented by
Formula 5 is accomplishing intramolecular cyclization in the presence of a base to
obtain the compound represented by Formula 1, the target compound of the present
invention. For the base, inorganic base or organic base can be used. Inorganic base
refers to alkali metal salt or alkali earth metal salt. To be specific, it includes
hydroxide, alkoxide and carbonate of alkali metal or alkali earth metal. Organic
base refers to aliphatic or aromatic amine. To be specific, it includes alkylamine and
arylamine. The base is used in 1 to 10 equivalents, preferably in 2 to 4 equivalents.
For the reaction solvent, an organic solvent or water, preferably water, methanol or
ethanol can be used. The reaction is proceeded at a temperature ranging from 0 to
80 °C , preferably 0 to 30 °C . The reaction time is 1 to 24 hours, and preferably 1 to 6
hours.
The preparing method of the present invention minimizes generation of
by-products and provides good yield.
In Synth. Commun., 1973, 3, 177, the compound represented by Formula 2 was
directly aminated to obtain 4-amino-butane-l,3-diol. That is, 3,4-epoxy-l-butanol
was treated with ammonia to aminate the C-4 position. However, if
3,4-epoxy-l-butanol represented by Formula 2 is reacted with ammonia, dimer and
trimer are generated as by-products.
On the other hand, the present invention prepares the compound represented
by Formula 5 from 3,4-epoxy-l-butanol by way of the imine intermediate represented
by Formula 3. Therefore, generation of a dimer or a trimer is prevented and the
production yield can be maximized.
Also, with the introduction of the protection group (imine), the selective
activation at C-1 can be done efficiently without by-products.
Hereinafter, the present invention is described in more detail through
Examples. However, the following examples are only for the understanding of the
present invention, and the present invention is not limited by the following Examples.
In the examples, chirality is not marked distinctively.
Example 1: Preparation of 4-benzimino-butane-l,3-diol
3,4-Epoxy-l-butanol (100 g, 1.13 mol) was dissolved in 400m£ of ethanol in a
26 reactor. Benzaldehyde (121.6g, 1.15 mol) and 28% aqueous solution of ammonia
(275.6g, 4.54 mol) was added to the reactor, and the reactor was stirred at 40 °C for 3
hours. After the reaction was completed, the reaction mixture was cooled to room
temperature and the reaction solvent was concentrated under reduced pressure.
The concentrate was diluted in 500m^ of dichloromethane and washed with 50ml of
saturated brine. The dichloromethane layer was dried with anhydrous magnesium
sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain 201.8g of target compound
(yield: 92%).
Η-NMR (CDCls, ppm) δ 1.85 (m, 2H), 3.2 (br, 1H), 3.63 (m, 1H), 3.74 (m, 1H), 3.88
(m, 2H), 4.16 (m, 1H), 7.36-7.73 (m, 5H), 8.33 (s, 1H)
Example 2: Preparation of 4-benzimino-3-hydroxy-l-methanesulf onyloxybutane
4-Benzimino-butane-l,3-diol (123g, 0.64 mol) was dissolved in όOOmβ of
dichloromethane in a 21 reactor, and the reaction solution was cooled to -10 °C .
Diisopropylethylamine (90.5g, 0.70 mol) was added at the same temperature, and
methanesulfonyl chloride (76.6g, 0.67 mol) was added dropwise for 1 hour keeping
the temperature at -10 °C . The reaction solution was stirred at the same temperature
for 1 hour and warmed to 0°C to complete the reaction. 100 nι(. of water was
slowly added to the reaction solution at 0 to 5°C to wash it. Then, the
dichloromethane layer was dried with anhydrous magnesium sulfate and
concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain 152g of target compound (yield: 88%).
Η-NMR (CDCb, ppm) δ 1.93 (m, IH), 2.05 (m, IH), 3.05 (s, 3H), 3.57 (dd, IH), 3.76
(m, IH), 4.0 9(m, IH), 4.46 (m, 2H), 7.38-7.73 (m, 5H), 8.35 (s, IH)
Example 3: Preparation of 3-hydroxy-l-methanesulfonyloxy-butylamine hydrogen
chloride salt
The compound (lOOg, 0.37 mol) prepared in Example 2 was dissolved in 400m£
of dichloromethane and cooled to 5°C . 10% aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid
(269g, 0.74 mol) was added dropwise at 5°C for 1 hour while stirring the reaction
solution. The water layer was concentrated and azotropically distillated with
ethanol to obtain 77.7g of hydrogen chloride salt of target compound (yield: 96%).
Η-NMR (D20, ppm) δ 1.74 (m, IH), 1.88 (m, IH), 2.82 (m, IH), 3.03 (dd, IH), 3.89 (m,
IH), 4.32 (m, 2H)
Example 4: Preparation of 3-hydroxy-l-methanesulfonyloxy-butylamine hydrogen
chloride salt
The reaction according to Example 2 was carried out in situ, without
separation according to Example 3 to obtain 123. lg of hydrogen chloride salt of the
target compound (yield: 88%).
Η-NMR (D20, ppm) δ 1.74 (m, IH), 1.88 (m, IH), 2.82 (m, IH), 3.03 (dd, IH), 3.89 (m,
IH), 4.32 (m, 2H)
Example 5: Preparation of 3-hydroxy-l-bromo-butylamine hydrogen bromide salt
4-Benzimino-butane-l,3-diol (100g, 0.52 mol) and 33% hydrobromic
acid-acetic acid solution (380.6g, 1.55 mol) were added in a 11 reactor, and the reactor
was sealed. The reactor was heated at 40 °C for 5 hours to complete the reaction.
The reaction solution was cooled to room temperature and 150m£ of water was added.
The reaction solution was stirred at the same temperature for 1 hour and
concentrated under reduced pressure. 300ιn£ of toluene was added to the
concentrate. After concentration under reduced pressure, toluene was added again,
and was then concentrated under reduced pressure once more. The concentrate was
dissolved in 600m^ of dichloromethane and 200ut£ of water, and the water layer was
separated. The dichloromethane layer was added to 200m of water and the water
layer was separated again. The combined water layers were washed with 200m£ of
dichloromethane, and the target compound in the water layer was analyzed.
The NMR analysis showed that the water layer contains
3-acetoxy-l-bromo-butylamine hydrogen bromide salt and
3-hydroxy-l-bromo-butylamine hydrogen bromide salt (4:6 ratio).
Η-NMR (D20, ppm) δ 2.03 (s, 3H), 2.12 (m, 2H), 3.12 (m, 2H), 3.34 (m, 2H), 5.18 (m,
IH)
The water layer was heated at 40 °C for 1 hour for deacetylation. Then, the
target compound was distillated under reduced pressure and azotropically distillated
with ethanol to obtain 121.lg of hydrogen bromide salt of the target compound (yield:
94%).
Η-NMR (D20, ppm) δ 1.93 (m, 2H), 2.82 (m, IH), 3.03 (dd, IH), 3.46 (q, 2H), 3.95 (m,
IH)
Example 6: Preparation of 3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine
3-Hydroxy-l-methanesulfonyloxy-butylamine hydrogen chloride salt (70g,
0.32 mol) was dissolved in 400ra£ of methanol in a 11 reactor. The reactor was
cooled to 5°C. After slowly adding sodium hydroxide (38.2g, 0.96 mol) at the same
temperature, the reactor was heated to room temperature and stirred for 2 hours.
After the reaction was completed, the reaction solution was filtered and concentrated
under reduced pressure. Then, the concentrate was dissolved in 500ιιι£ of
dichloromethane. Undissolved material was removed with celite, and the solution
was concentrated under reduced pressure. The target compound was distilled
under reduced pressure of 0.2 torr at 65 °C to obtain 25.6g of pure target compound
(yield: 92%).
Η-NMR (CDC13, ppm) δ 1.72 (m, IH), 1.95 (m, IH), 2.79 (br, 2H), 2.86 (m, 3H), 3.12
(m, IH), 4.39 (m, IH)
Example 7: Preparation of 3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine
3-Hydroxy-l-bromo-butylamine hydrogen bromide salt (lOOg, 0.40 mol) was
dissolved in 500ιn# of methanol in a 11 reactor. The reactor was cooled to 5°C.
After slowly adding sodium hydroxide (48.2g, 1.21 mol) at the same temperature, the
reactor was heated to room temperature and stirred for 1 hour. After the reaction
was completed, the reaction solution was filtered and concentrated under reduced
pressure. Then, the concentrate was dissolved in 600nι of dichloromethane.
Undissolved material was removed with celite, and the solution was concentrated
under reduced pressure. The target compound was distilled under reduced
pressure of 0.2 torr at 65 °C to obtain 30.4g of pure target compound (yield: 87%).
-NMR (CDC13, ppm) δ 1.72 (m, IH), 1.95 (m, IH), 2.79 (br, 2H), 2.86 (m, 3H), 3.12
(m, IH), 4.39 (m, IH)
Experimental Example 1: Optical purity analysis of (S)- or
(R)-3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine
To analyze optical purity of 3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine prepared by the present
invention, N-trifluoroacetyl-3-trifluoroacetoxy-pyrrolidine was synthesized as
follows.
50mg of 3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine (0.57 mmol) was dissolved in 5nt£ of
dichloromethane. Then, 362mg of trifluoroacetic anhydride (1.72 mmol) was added
and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. After the reaction
was completed, the reaction solution was evaporated and concentrated. After
adding 10ιιt£ of dichloromethane, the reaction solution was evaporated and
concentrated again to obtain N-rrifluoroacetyl-3-trifluoroacetoxy-pyrrolidine.
Η-NMR (CDC , ppm) δ 2.26-2.41 (m, 2H), 3.70-4.04 (m, 4H), 5.62 (m, IH)
Thus obtained N-trifluoroacetyl-3-trifluoroacetoxy-pyrrolidine was dissolved
in 5ιιt£ of dichloromethane. Then, l.O β of the sample was taken with a syringe and
then the optical purity was measured by GC analyzer.
The preparing method according to the present invention synthesizes
4-protected-imino-butane-l,3-diol intermediate from optically active
3,4-epoxy-l-butanol, as a starting material. Then, amine-induced
3-hydroxy-l-substituted-butylamine intermediate is prepared without by-products
by selectively activating a hydroxy group at C-1. In this way, the target compound
can be obtained conveniently and effectively.
Accordingly, the present invention can maximize productivity of optically
pure 3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine production.
While the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the
preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various
modifications and substitutions can be made thereto without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.