Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
wo 9s/30684 ~ 1 ~ 7 S 2 2 r~l~LI~ -
SYNTHESIS OF 17~CYANO-3-E'l~IOXY-17a-HYDROXY-6-
r ~r~r.Ar~DRoSTA-3.Fj.s(ll)-TRENE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENl'ION
1 Field of the Invention
6 The present invention is a chemical process for the ~ -.. , of a 17-
keto steroid to the l,U..~ .,yunLllg 17~-cyano-17a-hydroxy steroid.
2. Descri"tion of the Related Art
The i ~ " of 17-keto steroids to the l,ULl~,_,JULldill~' I,y~llullyul11.6
(17~-cyano-17a-hydroxy steroids) is known to those skilled in the art.
US Patents 4,500,461 and 4,548,748 discloses a process fûr l~ g ~4-
3,17-diketo steroids to the ~UlLC..~U~.l~g 17~-cyano-17a-hydroxy steroid by use of
acetone L, ' .rLil~ and potassium cyanide. EXAMPLEs 1 and 25 discloses a
process for the 1, ~... '...., ._ I: . of a ~4-3,17-diketo sterûid v~ithout 1.- I : l .. I: .. . at C6.
EXAMPLE 2 discloses a process for the l r~ :- . of a ~4~9(~ 3,17-diketo
16 steroid without a~ .. at C6. EXAMPLE 26 disclûses a prûcess for the
., r.. -1:.. of a~ 4-3,17-diketogteroidviithout a~ atC6. EXAMPLE
27 discloses a process for the 1~ r....... - 1 .. of a 6a-methyl-11~-hydroxy-~4-3,17-
diketo steroid. EXAMPLE 28 discloses a process for the 1..~ -AF-- "~ of a 6a-
methyl-~1~4-3,17-diketo steroid. These patents also disclose 17~-cyano-3,17a-
20 dihydroxy-5-ene 3-ethylidine ketal ethers (EXAMPLE 3) and 17~-cyano-3,17a-
dihydroxy-3,5-diene 3-rnethyl ethers (EXAMPLE 24). However, in both ca6es the 17-
keto steroid was first 1..." r . -~1 to the cu~ ul.L~lG 17-~JGll~l.JLh~ and then the
C3 filnrt;~nol;ty in the A-ring was I ,_.. ~I-... ~.l into the ether.
US Patent 4,921,638 discloses 17~-cyano-3,17a-dil.yLuA.~ al.dluD G-3,5,9(11)-
25 triene 3-methyl ether (rl~GlGLiUll 1) and 17~-cyano-6-fluoro-3,17a-
yLuAy~Lua~a-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-methyl ether (n~,G. ~iu~ 5). In addition, US
Patent 4,921,638 (EXAMPLE 89) discloses the production of 173-cyano-9a,17a-
1;1IY~hUAYG~dI uOW-en-3-one from the corresponding 17-keto steroid using potassium
cyanide, sulfilric acid, methanol and water.
J. Am. Chem. Soc., 75, 650 (1953) discloses the ~u.. . of the 17-
~.~GIIullydli~ of androst^4-ene-3,17-dione and its conver6ion to the cul~ ,uL.L..~ 3-
enol etbyl ether, the 3-enol benzyl ether and the 3-ethylene glycol ketal.
h'elu. Chem. Acta, 33, 1093 (1950) discloses the ,Ul~GLiu.. of 17a-cyano-
3,17~dillyd.uAy~LuD~5-ene 3-acetyl ester.
~i'elv. Chim. Acta, 29, 1580 (1946) discloses the Ul~.~GlG~iUIl of a mi~rture of17,B-cyano-3,17a-dil yLuAy~LuD~c 3-acetyl and 17a-cyano-3,17~-
-1-
.... . .
wo 95l30684 2 1 8 7 5 2 2 . ~
Illl.~LvA~ Dl~L 3-acetyl ester6.
l~clu. Chim. Acta, 21, 1317 (1938) discloses 3 . .y~u u"~5-en-17-one to
the 17- ~uilull~l~luhl using hydrogen Lvanide.
Ster.oids, 28, 89 (1976) discloses the ,UI~ LiUII of the 17~.~ully Lill of
5 I:IIIVI~ The 1 ' eu~ y ûf the ~.JC~UUlI,~'dl;ll was not ~ ' ...:. (l
US Patent 3,496,169 discloses the ~u~ Lull of the a-~...vllyLi l from
carbonyl rrTT~ro~lnrl~ using alkylLy~n~ n~inllTn " ~ u". l^
East Cerman Patent 147,669 discloses the pl~y~lliull of a 17a-hydroAy-17~-
Lyano steroids by reaLtion of a 17-keto-steroid with an alkanone or a cyrlr~ll
10 ~J~uLyLhl in the presenLe of a base. The steroid had a double bond at 4,5-, 5,6-
and 5,10- positions. The 3-position waa a ketone, acetoxy or " ~' - ~l~i,.l.
Japanese Patent J5 7,062,296 discloses ~ iu.. of 17a-
lyLUA,~Ul~ ~, ' Ull_ derivatives from 17~-cyano-17a-llyv'.uA~v~ua~4-en-3-one or
17~-L~ano-17a-LyuluAy~Lua~-4,9(11)-dien-3-one in which the 3-carbonyl and 17a-
15 hydroA-y groups are proteLtêd.
Japanese Patent J5 7,062,299 disLloses the p, ~ iUII of 17,B-cyano-17a-
LyLuA~Lu ' 1~ and 17,B cyano-17a-1.yu~uAy~L. 1,9(11)-diene or their 3-
acetal derivatives by use of either hydrogen cyanide or an alkali metal salt thereo
Japanese Patent J5 7,062,300 discloses 17~cyano-17a-1.~ul~,A~vluD~en-3-
20 one and 17,B-cyano-17a-l~yd~uAy~v'lu~ 4,9(11)-dien-3~ne and the 3-acetals thereo
Te~l ' ' u" Letters, 22, 2005 (1971) reported the ~ liul~ of a
~;yullvL~Lhl with a steroid A-ring containing a ~5(1U)-double bond.
US Patent 4,977,255 discloses an important process for the tr.~ rr.~ T~ of
17~-cyano-17a-hydroAy steroids into cu~_.~.;i311y important corticoids or
25 ,u.. " v__L. The 17,B-cyano-17a-hydroAy steroid starting materials were prepared
in PREPARATIONS 1 thru 10. Some of the 17-keto steroids used to maAe the 17~-
cyano-17a-hydroAy steroids contained methyl ~ : at C6 (PREPARATIONS 3
and 4), methylene cllhn~;tl-t;~Tl at C6 (PREPARATION 8), ~9(11) ~ , in the
C-ring (PREPARATIONS 1, 5, 9 and 10) and/or a 3-methoAy-~8~5-"..- -~ d A-ring
30 (PREPARATIONS 1, 2 and 5).
Tel, ' ~i u,. Letters, 313669( 1990) discloses the ~le,u~c~iull of 17~-cyano-
3,17a-dil~yu;vAy.lllLu~1~-3,5,9(11)-triene and its conversion to llyulu~ul~v
acetate.
US Patent 5,003,063 discloses the conversion of protected ~ .vllyLhls (II) to
35 the ~,ul.~ u.lLIlg protected 21-halo steroid (IV) where the protecting groups are at
~ . n ~ ~ 5(6)
WO 95/30684 2 1 ~ 7 5 2 ~ r~
.
double bond.
CA 106:84943 and CA 109:170717 disclose 3-lly~.A~GIl~LvaLG-3,5,9(11)-trien-
17-one 3-etbyl etber whicb does not contsin tbe methyl group at C6 which iB
necessary to produce tbe 6-rnethyl i-,~.... 1~..1.~.
None of tbe above documenti disclose 3-ethoAy-6-1l._~ ' u~
SUMMARY QF lNVENl'ION
Disclosed is 3-hydro~y-6-ll~ lG..~u~G-3,5,9(11)-trien-17-one 3-ethyl ether.
Also discloEed is 17,B-cyano-3,17a-dihydroAy-6 _~IYIGI~ 3,5,9(11)-triene
3-ethyl ether.
Eurther disclosed i8 a process for the ~ :- . of 17~-cyano-3,17a-
dihydroAy-6-~_Lllyl~u~uaLG-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-ethyl ether, the compound of formula
(Il)
CN
~ j~ OH
~ .
J~,W (II)
CH3--CH2--O
CHt
which comprises:
(1) contacting 3-hydroAy-6-1ll_Ll.~lGIldluaLG-3,5,9(11)-trien-17-one 3-etbyl
ether, the compound of formula (I)
O
~) (I)
CH3 CH2--
CH3
with hydrogen cyanide (H-C~N) at a pH of about 7 to abûut 11 to produce the 17,~-
cyGno-3,17a-dihydroAy-6-methylandrosta-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-ethyl ether (II) and 17a-
35 cyano-3,17~-dihydroAy-6-1l..Lll~lGllLuc,~G-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-ethyl ether in the
presence of a solvent or solven~ mi-Ature in whicb the 17~-cyano isomer selectively
. .
wo 95/30684 2 1 ~ 7 ~ 2 2 r~ 2.-
~ iVPQ
I)ETATnF~n DESCRIPl'ION OF T;E~ INVENTION
The process of the present invention is the i ~ of 3-hydroxy-6-
lr~Lul~la-3~5~9(11)-trien-17-one 3-ethyl ether (I) to 17~-cyano-3,17a-dihydroxy-
6 6-~_:llyl~L. 3,5,9(11)-triene 3-ethyl ether (II) by reaction with cya~ude in the
presenoe of an acid and a 6uihble solvent.
The 3~thyl ether starting material, 3-hydroxy-6 ..._~l~yl~ lLuQ~-3,5,9(11)-
trien-17-one 3-ethyl ether (I) is prepared from 6a-~ ' ' u_' ~1,9111)-diene-3,20-
dione (US Patent 2,842,573, EXAMPLE 2) by reaction with ' ' JlulUlvfull~Q~t~ in a
10 suihblo solvent such as ethanol in the presence of pyridine hydrochloride under a
nitrogen ' ' ~. The reaction is heated at about 40 until the reaction is
complete as mûnitored by TLC using a methylene c ll~,.;lcta..dt~,.lc (97.5/2.5) solvent
system (a L;~ l~u_ quench is neoessary before ~_ ~u.. .~ the TLC). The
reaction is complete when only a few percent of starting material is left. When the
15 reaction is complete, the reaction mixture is cooled to 20-25 and the desired 3-ethyl
ether crystallizes out. If some 3-hydroxy-6-~_~ 3,5,9(11)-trien-17-one 3-
ethyl ether (I) is available, it is preferred to seed the cooled reaction mixture. The 3-
ethyl ether (I) must be ~ ~ 11i7r~1 slowly to assure good filtration. If the 3~thyl
ether (I) comes out of solution too fast, very fine particles are formed resulting in a
20 poor filtration. To avoid this, cryct~lli7Qt;rm prior to water addition is necessary. It
is best induced by seeding. When a thick slurry is obtained, the mixture is cooled
further on an ice bath. Water is then added and the mixture is stirred until thehydrolysis of the undesired 17-diethyl ketal is complete as measured by TLC. At
this point the reaction mixture is quenched with a slight excess of ~ Q~C
25 over the pyridine hydrochloride. Additional water is added to further precipitate the
3-ethyl ether (I) and the mixture stirred at 5 for one hour. The 3-ethyl ether is
obtained by filtration as is known to those skilled in the art, washing with cold
methanol. Various rnmrolln~lQ in the mother liquor can be ~v"~_.kv to the ~4-3-
keto starting material, if desired, by using hydrochloric acid (1 N).
The 3-hydroxy-6-~_~llyl~Lu~l~-3,5,9(11)-trien-17-one 3-ethyl ether (I) is
contacted with hydrogen cyanide at a pH of about 7 to about 11. It is critical to
maintain the pH of the reaction mixture in the operable range of about 7 to about
11, preferably from about 8 to about 10, more preferred is from about 9.0 to about
9.5. The pH is ~UIlV~lliwlUy set in this range by using a slight excess of cyanide salt
relative to acid (10-25~o). This produces the desired 17~-cyano-3,17a-dihydroxy-6-
~_UIyl~vlu~ -3~5~9(11)-triene 3-ethyl ether (II) and the 17a-cyano isomer, 17a-
1-
..... , . . . . .. . . .. ... . .... = .. ... .. . . . . . . . _ .. .. _ . .
WO 95/30684 2 1 8 7 ~ 2 2 I ~
cy~no-3,17~-dihydroxy-6 ~ ~llyLu.dl~,DLil-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-ethyl ether. The reaction
is performed in the presence of a aolvent or solvent misture in which the 17~-cyano
isomer is less soluble than the 17a-cyano isomer 80 that the desired product
7 ,u~G~y;L~L_~. out as the reaction proceeds.
6 The hydrogen cyanide is ~UI~ Uy prepared in sib~ by combining a salt of
cyanide amount of an acid with a PKa of less than about 7; it is preferred that the
PKa be less than 6. It is preferred that the cyanide initially be either sodium or
potasiium cyanide however since it is preferred to add it as an aqueous solution the
particular form of the cyanide is not important as long as it is soluble. The acid is
10 necessary to convert the cyanide (C~) to hydrogen cyanide (H-CaN) which is the
active species in the formation of the 17-1;y~luullyL;u. It is preferred that the acid
be a carboxylic acid. Suitable acids include inorganic acids such as hydrochloric,
1IYdLVb1U11UC~ hydriodic, sulfuric, ~lydlulluul;~, perchloric, nitric and r~
carboxylic acids such as acetic acid, formic, propionic, benzoic, chloroacetic,
15 d;~1IV1I ' LL;II1U1~ ' pivalic, GUIylll~vi~ and other organic acids such as
p-TSA, mPt~sln~ lfnni~ and ~ - lf ~ or their equivalent. The particular
acid is not important as long as it is DuLc.~ Uy acidic to transform the cyanide(C~) to hydrogen cyanide (H-C-N). AlL~ ~.IL~_~y, the hydrogen cyanide may be
l by a labile ~;y~ uullyvlul compound such as acetone ~iy. l vllyvLiu which is
20 ! ";ally available and commonly used for this purpose.
The nature of the solvent or solvent mixture is critical. For the reaction to
succeed the 17~-cyano-3,17a-dihydroxy-6-1ll~ llyk~uv uDL~-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-ethyl
etber (II) product must precipitate while the 17a-cyano isomer remains in solution.
Therefore, the sûlvent or solvent system must be such that the 17,~-cyano-3,17a-
25 dihydroxy-6-~_UIyl~vluD~-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-ethyl ether (II) is less soluble in the
reaction mixture than the 17a-cyano isomer. The 3-hydroxy-~ ..._llyl~dluDLu-
3,5,9(11)-trien-17-one 3-ethyl ether (I) steroid starting material and cyanide salt
must have at least some solubility in the solvent or solvent mixture. To effectuate
~1C~.;,U;L21LUII of 17~-cyano-3,17a-dihydroxy-6-1l.~Ulyl~vluDL~-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-ethyl
30 ether (II) the solvent can be adjusted during the reaction, if necessary, to cause more
product to precipitate. It is preferred that the solvent or solvent mixture contain at
least 50% of an alcohol. It is preferred that the alcohol be selected from the group
consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol, ;..V,UIU,U~ Ol, butanol, t-butanol, ethylene
glycol and propylene glycol. The preferred alcohol is methanol. Suitable non-
35 alcoholic solvents include water, methylene chloride, toluene, L~ yv~uîulal~ ormixture thereo
-5 -
W095/30684 2 1 87 522 P
The reaction should be performed in a Lc - y_.~uu~ range of from about 0 to
about 70 (in a sealed system); preferable from about 10 to about 45; more
preferably from about 20 to about 40. At elevated i ~ a sealed system is
necessary to prevent the hydrogen cyanide from being distilled off. It is preferred to
5 run the reaction for about one hour at about 30-35, then reduce the L~,~y_.~lLuuc to
about 20-25.
When the reaction is complete, it is preferred to add water and stir for a
short period such as 30 min. The desired 17~-cyano-3,17a-dihydroy-6-
~ yl~u~L~ 3,5,9(11)-triene 3-ethyl ether (II) product slowly w ~. " out. If
10 some product (II) is available, it is preferred to seed the reaction mixture.Once the reaction is complete as measured by TLC, it is quenched with
(acetic) acid to a pH of less than 7. At this point the reaction is warmed to about
50 and THF is added until all the solids dissolve. It is important to note that at
this point large amounts of hydrogen cyanide are evolved. When all the solids have
15 dissolved, water is added over a period of about three minutes. If it is added to fast,
the crystals wi~l be too small and filtration and washing and drying will be more
difficult. The mixture is stirred at 50, then cooled (to about -10) stirred more,
filtered, washed and dried to give the desired 17~-cyano-3,17a-dihydroxy-6-
~_ l~lG4d~uDL -3,5,9(11)-triene 3-ethyl ether (II) as a hydrate. If the anhydrous
20 form is desired, the compound should be dried at above 50.
17~-Cyano-3,17a-dihydroxy-6-~ L uuuua~-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-ethyl ether
(II) is equivaient to hydrates and solvates thereof.
17~-Cyano-3,17a-dihydroxy-6-1.._l,ylal.uluaLa-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-ethyl etber
(II) is useful in the production of 6-methyl steroids such as ~ ylyl~d~llovluu_~ see
25 US Patents 4,500,461, 4,548,748 and 4,977,255.
DEFINITIONS AND CON V~;N 11UN~
The definitions and ~ n~t;t~n~l below are for the terms as used Uuuu~ yuL
this entire document including both the a~ and the claims.
DEFINITIONS
All LL~y_~oLuu~"~ are in degrees C~ntigr~
- TLC refers to thin-layer ul.~ y~
HPL~w refers to high pressure liquid
THF refers to L~L~ yuluru~
When solvent pairs are used, the ratios of solvents used are ~ulu~w'~ulv~_
35 (v/v).
When the solubility of a solid in a solvent is used the ratio of the soLid to the
-6 -
WO 9~30684 2 1 8 7 5 2 2 r~
solvent is ~. ' ''~,.,lu~ (wt/v).
Hydrogen cyanide refers to HCN (H-C~N).
EXAMPLES
Without further I Ir~ ., it is believed that onc skilled in the art can,
5 using the preceding ~lp~rirtiAn~ practice the present invention to its fullest extent.
The following detailed ex~Aunples describe how to prepare the various ~
and/or perform the various processes of the invention and are to be construed asmerely illustrative, and not limit-l ;rn~ of the preceding disclosure in any way~L_L~u_._.. Al'hose skilled in the art will promptly recognize A~ variations
10 from the procedures both as to reactants and as to reaction conditions and
tPrhniTlPI:I
PREPARAAl'ION 1 3-Hydroxy-6-m~U~ ,~ ' 3,5,9(11)-trien-17-one 3-ethyl ether
a)
6a `' ' y -1lLu~L-4,9(11)-diene-3,17-dione (US Patent 2,842,573 - EXAMPLE
15 2, 50 g), pyridine hydrocbloride (0.56 g), absolute ethanol (100 ml) and
LL;. :I~lulU.ufu.l.,_Le (1.4 eq, 39 ml) are slurried and the vapors are removed under
reduced preOsure and replaced with nitrogen. The mixture is heated with stirring at
40 until the reaction is complete, as measured by TLC (methylene chlul;1~ u ._,97 5/2.5) The mixture is cooled to 20-25 and the product is obtOined by seeding20 and slow cry~tAI~ " with the mixture being cooled further with an ice bath.
Water (2 eq, 6 ml) is slowly added and the mixture stirred until the reaction iscomplete as measured by TLC (methylene chlu~id~'hw'u.l.; 97.5/2.5) When
complete, the reaction is quenched with LIl~Ulyl_~ (0.04 eq, 1 ml), water (40 ml)
is added and the mixture stirred at 5 for one hour. The mixture is filtered rapidly,
25 the c ke is washed with cold (-20) methanol (2 x 50 ml). The filter cake is dried at
40 under reduced pressure overnight to give the title compound, Rf = 0.67
(methylene chlul;W.~ v,lc, 97.5/2.5).
The st_rting material may be recovered by combining the mother liquors and
the methanol wa~hes and ~:ull~.lL~rLhlg to reduce the volume to the point that most
30 of the organic solvents are removed. Methanol (25 ml) is added and the mixture is
purged with nitrogen. Hydrochloric acid (12 N, 5 ml) is added and the mixture isstirred. The precipitate is filtered and washed witb water and cold methanol. The
filter cake is dried in a vacuum oven overnight to give the title compound, HPLC R~t
= 4.70 min (-~Pt~nitrilp/water~ 90/10, flow rate 1.5 ml/min, column C18 Nucloesil).5 PREPARATION 2 3-Hydroxy-6-1,~_'',yl~lunL~-3,5,9(11)-trien-17-one 3-methyl
ether
. .
woss/30684 2 ~ 8 7 522 r~ 6
Following tbe general procedure of PREPARATION 1 and making non-critical
variations but starting with methanol dnd L~ ylul ~ the title
compound is obtsined, Rf = 0.71 (methylene . 1 ~ t -- .r, 97.512/5); HPLCRt =
5.56 min (a~tnrlitr~ water~ 90/10, flow rate 1.5 mVmin, column C18 Nucloesil). r PREPARATION 3 3-Hydroxy-6--1..21lyl~uul. 3,5,9(11)-trien-17-one 3-propyl
ether
Following the general procedure of PREPARATION 1 and making non-critical
variations but starting witb propanol and L~ u~uylu~ r~ , the title compound
i8 obtsined, HPLC Rt = 8.52 min (~. _~.. I, il. ~wd~ 90110, flow rate 1.5 ml/min,
10 column C18 Nucloesil).
EXAMPLE 1 17~-Cyano-3,17a-dibydroxy-6-~ ".y., .u ui.L~-3,5,9(11)-triene 3-
ethyl etber (II)
3-Hydro~cy-6-~_:l~l~Lu ,L,l-3,5,9(11)-trien-17-one 3-ethyl ether (I,
PREPARATION 1, 50 g), potassium cyanide (19.95 g) and metbanol (120 ml) are
15 combined and purged witb a uiL. urJ_../~cl,.~ ed pressure system (3 x) and heated to
35-40 in a sealed system. The vapors are removed under reduced pressure and
acetic acid (14 ml) is added via a syringe. The vacuum i5 slowly reledse to nitrogen
and once ambient pressure is reached the vessel is sealed. The reaction mixture is
stirred for one hour at 35 and then at 20-25. The reduced pressure is ag_in
20 replaced by nitrogen until ambient pressure is reached. Water (9 ml) is added and
the mixture stirred for 30 min. If no solids are out of solution, the mixture isseeded. The flask is resealed and stirred at 25 until less than 3% starting material
is observed by HPLC (usually overnight). When the reaction is complete, the
reaction mixture is vented with nitrogen and quenched with acetic acid (4 ml). The
25 reaction is warmed to about 50 and THF (about 45 - 50 ml) is slowly added until all
the solids are dissolved. Care must be exercised as large amounts of hydrogen
cyaDide are evolved. When all the solids are dissolved water (33 ml) is added over
at least three minutes. The mixture is stirred for five min at 50 and then cooled
slowly over a period of a couple of hours to - 10. The mixture is stirred at - 10 for
30 a couple of hours and filtered. The filtered cake is washed with aqueous methanol
(50%, 2 Y 50 ml) cooled to 10. The filter cake is dried overDight on the nitrogen
press. At this point the product is the hydrate. Drying L~,u~ UI I,~ of greater
than 50 are required to remove the water of hydration and give the title compound,
HPLC = 6.70 min (~ I.".,l."lr!~L_" 8W20); yield (chemical) 92.4%; HPLC indicates35 about 1% starting material remains. Upon IO~ ~ " the starting material is
removed.
wo g~;/306~^~4 2 1 ~ 7 ~ 2 2
EXAMPLE 2 17~-Cyano-3,17a-dihydroxy-6-1.._:l.yL~L. 3,5,9(11)-trienG 3-
methyl ether
3-Hydroxy-6 ~l~LuDL,--3,5,9(11)-trien-17-one 3-methyl ether
(PREPARATION 2, 9.3 g), potassium cyanide (4.2 g) and methamol (18 ml) are mixed5 nd heated to 35. The mixture is purged v~ith nitrogen and subjected to reduce
pressure. Acetic acid (3.0 ml) is added using reduced pressure in the flask. Thereaction is ...-~ d at 45-48. After 1 hr 45 min, the mixture is seeded v~ith the
desired ~ul~yLi7 obtained from previous ~
After a total of four hours, the mixture is cooled. One hr later, the mixture is10 at 27 and a sample is taken. Analysis discloses about 9% of the starting material
remains im the mixture. The ,, 1 . ~ is checked at the same time. Very little ofthe starting material is seen, indicating that the starting material CUI~IC . ' '
viith the product.
The slurry is heated back up to 35 and stirred overnight. No change is
15 noticed after the overnight stirring. The reaction is then quenched with acetic acid
(1.5 ml) and the mixture is cooled to 25. The solids are filtered off and washed
with cold methanol. The crystals are analyzed by HPLC and found to contain about8% starting material. The solids are then recrystallized by dissolving them im
Luh~ l. The methanol is removed by distillation and the resulting
20 crystals are filtered off, Rf = 0.3 (&~ /n~ chloride, 2/98) . The assay on
the crystals imdicates that about 5-6% of starting material is still present.
Recry~ 7^-~;^n does not remove the starting material.
EXAMPLE 3 17,~-Cyano-3,17a-dihydroxy-6-~. LLyl_lLua~,--3,5,9(11)-triene 3-
propyl ether
3-Hydroxy-6-~_~llyl~ul, 3,5,9(11)-trien-17-one 3-propyl ether
(PREPARATION 3, 10.0 g), potassium cyanide (4.7 g) and methamol (15 ml) are
combined and purged. The mixture is heated to 45. Acetic acid (3.5 ml) is charged
with nitrogen and then subjected to reduced pressure. The reduced pressure is then
released to nitrogen and the flask again subjected to reduced pressure. When the30 mixture is 1,,"~J114. water (4 ml) is added and the mixture is seeded. After 30
r~in, a slurry is observed. After additional 30 min stirring, the mixture is cooled to
32. An hour later, water (4 ml) is added. After 45 min additional stirring, the mixture is quenched with acetic acid (1.5 ml). T~ Lur~ is added (10 ml) and
the mixture is heated to 40. Water is added to precipitate the product but an oil is
35 observed. Methanol and seed crystals are added following which crystals are
obtained. The mixture is stirred slowly overnight, cooled and filtered. After
g
wo 95/30684 2 1 8 7 5 2 2
washing (~_th~ul/~. ' ) and drying, the title compound ia obtained, 6.5 g yields.
EXAMPLE 4 3-Hydroxy-6 ~_~l~.,.'." -l 3,5,9(11)-trien-17-one S-ethyl ether
a)
6 r~ '' yl~Lu;,~4,9(11)-dieno-3,20-dione (US Patent 2,842,573, Example 2,
B 60 g) is mixed with ethanol (130 ml) and purged with nitrogen. Pyridine
Lul llu~;d~ (0.56 g) iB dissolved in ethanol (20 ml) and added to thc
I mixture. The reaction mixture is kept at 35-40 and stirred until the
reaction is complete (as monitored by TLC). When the reaction is complete, the
mixture is cooled to 0-5. Water (6 ml) is added and the mixturo stirred at 0-510 until the back hydrolysis is complete (as measured by TLC). When the back
hydrolysis is complete, IAI;-I.~YI~iII- (1.2 ml) is added.
The mixture is refluxed at 55 to 60 under nitrogen witb stirring. When the
steroid is in solution, the water bath is removed and the reaction mixture is allowed
to cool to 20-25. Water (60 ml) is added over 30 minutes. When complete the
15 mixture is cooled to 0 to 5 and stirred for 60 minutes. The mixture is filtered,
washed with Ll;_U.yl~L.~ (2% in cold (-5 to -10) methanol, 60 ml) and dried to
give the title compound.
EXAMPLE 5 17~-Cyano-3,17a-dihydroxy-6-m~UIy.. .~L. 3,5,9(11)-triene 3-
ethyl ether (II)
3-Hydroxy-6-~_:llyl~ -3,5,9(11)-trien-17-one 3-ethyl etber a,
EXAMPLE 4, 40 g), potassium cyanide (17.6 g) amd methanol (96 ml) are mixed
- under nitrogen and stirred at 20-25. Acetic acid (12.35 ml) is added and the
mixture warmed to 35 with stirring. The reaction mixture ia stirred at 35-40 for
45 minutes then cooled to 20-25. Water (10.8 ml) is added and the mixture stirred
25 until the reaction is complete (as measured by HPLC). When the reaction is
complete, the mixture is quenched with acetic acid (3.85 ml). When the reaction
IA ~U_.C.~U~ is 20-25, THF (20 ml) followed by water (20 ml) water is added andthe mixture stirred for 5 min at 20-25 then cooled to -10 for 1-2 hr. The mixture is
then filtered, washed with aqueous methanol (50%, 2 x 40 ml) at 10 and dried to30 give the title compound which because it is a Itl~ o.iu e sensitive hydrate, is
stored at ~ 0.
-10-
wogs/30684 21 ~7 5~ r ~ 6
CHART A
5 ~ (I)
CH3--CH2--O
CH3
l". OH ( )
~'
CH3--CH2--o
CH3
-11-
