DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/2TDP-NQ30
Defense Date
2015
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Chemistry
First Advisor
Frank Gupton
Second Advisor
Everett Carpenter
Third Advisor
Scott Gronert
Fourth Advisor
Matthew Hartman
Fifth Advisor
Stephen Fong
Abstract
A direct and highly efficient synthesis has been developed for telmisartan, the active ingredient in the widely prescribed antihypertensive drug Micardis®. This approach brings together two functionalized benzimidazoles using a high-yielding Suzuki reaction that can be catalyzed by a homogeneous palladium source or palladium on a solid support.
The ability to perform the cross-coupling reaction was facilitated by the regio-controlled preparation of a 2-bromo-1-methylbenzimidazole precursor. The method developed is the first reported selective bromination at the 2-position of a benzimidazole and produces the first major precursor in high yield (93%). The second precursor, potassium (4-methyl-2-propylbenzimidazol-6-yl) trifluoroborate, was prepared from commercially available 4-bromo-2-methyl-6-nitroaniline. An optimized preparation is described that provides a direct three-step process to prepare the benzimidazole and install the borate; this synthetic sequence yields the second precursor with a 90% yield and no isolated intermediates.
The two prepared precursors were combined with a third, commercially available methyl-4’-(bromomethyl)-[1,1’-biphenyl]-2-carboxylate, utilizing a short sequence of high yielding reactions to produce the telmisartan with an 83% yield from these advanced intermediates. This new convergent approach provides the active drug ingredient with an overall yield of 74% while circumventing many issues associated with the previously reported processes. Additionally, a flow-based synthesis of telmisartan was achieved with no intermediate purifications or solvent exchanges. The continuous process utilizes a tubular reactor system coupled with a plug flow cartridge, ultimately delivering telmisartan in an 86% isolated yield.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
5-4-2015