CC BY-ND-NC 4.0 · Synlett 2019; 30(04): 471-476
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1610375
letter
Copyright with the author

A New Synthesis of Gefitinib

Taber S. Maskrey
,
Tyler Kristufek
,
Matthew G. LaPorte
,
Prasanth R. Nyalapatla
,
Peter Wipf*
This work was partially supported by Sterling, Perugia, Italy.
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 08 September 2018

Accepted: 15 October 2018

Publication Date:
14 November 2018 (online)

 


Published as part of the 30 Years SYNLETT – Pearl Anniversary Issue

Abstract

A four-step synthesis of the FDA-approved anticancer agent gefitinib was developed starting from 2,4-dichloro-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline. Reaction temperatures were highly practical (0–55 °C), and chromatographic purifications were avoided. The ionic liquid trimethylammonium heptachlorodialuminate was used to monodemethylate the dimethoxyquinazoline core. In the final step, a selective dehalogenation was employed to provide gefitinib in 14% overall yield on a gram scale.


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Originally developed by AstraZeneca, gefitinib (Iressa) is a small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).[1] The drug was approved in 2015 by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a first-line treatment for metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutations. Worldwide, lung cancer is the most prevalent fatal cancer for both men and women.[2] In NSCLC, mutation of the EGFR tyrosine kinase domain destabilizes the kinase conformation and affects downstream signaling pathways.[3] These disruptions stimulate cancer cell proliferation and inhibit apoptosis. Gefitinib reversibly binds to the ATP site of the EGFR kinase domain to inhibit autophosphorylation and signal transduction.[4]

Several syntheses of gefitinib have been described in the literature.[5] [6] [7] [8] [9] AstraZeneca’s original synthesis began with the demethylation of 6,7-dimethyoxyquinazoline-4-one with l-methionine and methanesulfonic acid, followed by acetylation, halogenation, aniline nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr), deacetylation, and O-alkylation (Scheme [1]).[10] This six-step synthesis (10% overall yield) required chromatographic purifications and used hazardous reagents, such as thionyl chloride, which reacts violently with water to produce toxic fumes of sulfur dioxide and also contaminates the air very quickly upon evaporation at 20 °C.[11]

Zoom Image
Scheme 1 AstraZeneca synthesis of gefitinib[10]

In 2007, Reddy and co-workers reported a synthesis of gefitinib from isovanillin (Scheme [2]).[12] The nitro group in the isovanillin-derived intermediate was reduced with sodium dithionite, followed by treatment with N,N-dimethylformamide dimethylacetal (DMF-DMA; 1,1-dimethoxy-N,N-dimethylmethanamine) and amination with 3-chloro-4-fluoroaniline to yield the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). No chromatography was required, but high reaction temperatures were needed, and DMF was used in large quantities in the seven-step synthesis.

Zoom Image
Scheme 2 Reddy and co-workers’ synthesis of gefitinib[12]

More recently, Suh and co-workers reported a variant of the AstraZeneca synthesis that used a transient-protective-group strategy (Scheme [3]).[13] An acetylated quinazoline core was subjected to a chlorination with POCl3, substitution with 3-chloro-4-fluoroaniline, and deprotection with LiOH to set the stage for alkylation with 4-(3-chloropropyl)morpholine, using TMSI to protect the aniline nitrogen transiently. Although high yielding, this synthetic route required hazardous TMSI and a more-elaborate starting material. It also used phosphoryl chloride, which reacts violently with water to produce toxic gases, and is highly corrosive.[14]

Zoom Image
Scheme 3 Suh and co-workers’ synthesis of gefitinib[13]

We envisioned a new route to gefitinib with fewer than five steps from inexpensive starting materials that would avoid hazardous reagents and chromatographic separations, and would keep reaction temperatures in the 0–60 °C range. Such a process would be commercially relevant and potentially attractive for pharmaceutical manufacturing. To increase the electrophilic reactivity of the pyrimidine moiety in the SNAr reaction, we chose commercially available 2,4-dichloro-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline (1) as a starting material. To the best of our knowledge, a synthesis of gefitinib or related analogues that utilizes a 2,4-dichloroquinazoline as a starting material or advanced intermediate is unprecedented. We reasoned that the SNAr substitution of the chlorine in the 4-position of the quinazoline would occur preferentially,[15] and that the 2-position might be readily dechlorinated at a late stage. We did not employ a Buchwald–Hartwig amination of the quinazoline because of concerns regarding the harsh conditions often required and because of the risk of contaminating the API with Pd. Furthermore, several groups have recently demonstrated the feasibility of nucleophilic aromatic substitutions on similar quinazoline substrates under simple acidic conditions.[16] [17] [18]

Accordingly, the dichloroquinazoline 1 was treated with 3-chloro-4-fluoroaniline in 20.4 equivalents of acetic acid at 55 °C for two hours to yield the coupling product 2 after extraction with EtOAc and filtration (Scheme [4]). Under these conditions, we were able to isolate the desired 4-aminated product 2 exclusively in 65% yield on a multigram scale. Not unexpectedly, however, the ensuing selective demethylation of 2 proved challenging (Table [1]). A variety of conditions were tested, including l-methionine in methanesulfonic acid (Table [1], entry 1). However, these conditions mainly afforded decomposition products at the high temperatures that proved necessary for significant conversion. Interestingly, BBr3 provided the bisdemethylated product exclusively (entry 2). When we experimented with various additives to BBr3 to control the rate of demethylation, we either observed no reaction (NR) or a complex mixture of products (entries 3 and 4). Another Lewis acid, aluminum iodide (AlI3), also showed no reaction at low temperatures (entry 5). Aluminum chloride (AlCl3) showed a robust rate of conversion but, even in the presence of sodium iodide (NaI), at best provided a 1:1 ratio of demethylated isomers that were difficult to separate (entries 6–7). With ethanethiol as an additive, a favorable 1:0.4 ratio was obtained, but in low yield (entry 8). Reaction times longer than two days were required for high conversions.

Zoom Image
Scheme 4 Dichloroquinazoline as a new starting material for gefitinib preparation

Table 1 Screening of Reagents and Conditions for Demethylation at the 6-Position of Intermediate 2

Entry

Reagent(s) (equiv)

Temp (°C)

Solvent

Product(s)a

1

l-methionine (1.2)

150

MsOH

– (dec.)

2

BBr3 (3.0)

r.t.

CH2Cl2

7 b

3

ZrCl2 (2.0), BBr3 (1.0)

50

CH2Cl2

NR

4

TiCl4 (2.0), BBr3 (1.0)

45

CH2Cl2

mixture

5

AlI3 (1.5), PhSH (1.5)

0

CH2Cl2

NR

6

AlCl3 (3.0)

r.t.

CH2Cl2

3, 6 c

7

AlCl3 (3.0), NaI (3.0)

r.t.

CH2Cl2

3, 6

8

AlCl3 (3.0), EtSH (2.0)

40

CH2Cl2

3, 6 d

9

[TMAH][Al2Cl7] (3.0)

50

CH2Cl2

3, 6 e

a Products and product ratios were determined by LC/MS and 19F NMR analyses.

b The bisdemethylated product 7 was formed exclusively.

c A 1:1 ratio of demethylated isomers and the starting material was detected that could not readily be enriched in the desired product through crystallization.

d A 1:0.4 ratio of phenols 3 and 6 was formed in low yield.

e A 1.3:1 ratio of phenols 3 and 6 was enriched to a 97:3 ratio in the first crystallization batch favoring the desired product 3.

In an attempt to accelerate the reaction without recourse to excessive heating that could potentially lead to deamination byproducts and quinazoline ring opening, we explored the cleavage of methyl ethers through the use of ionic liquid (IL) reagents, including trimethylammonium heptachlorodialuminate {[TMAH][Al2Cl7]}.[19] The IL demethylation mechanism is similar to that of AlCl3; however, the IL contains a higher concentration of chloride ions, the nucleophilicity of which is enhanced, resulting in shorter reaction times. Furthermore, improved demethylation selectivity has been reported for bicyclic ring systems.[19] The IL was synthesized in situ from aluminum trichloride and trimethylammonium chloride in dichloromethane, and was directly used for the demethylation step in a one-pot protocol. With intermediate 2, we found that treatment with [TMAH][Al2Cl7] at 50 °C for two hours gave a 1.1–1.3 to 1 ratio of monodemethylated regioisomers; however, a favorable >95:5 ratio of the desired product could readily be obtained in 30–35% yield without chromatography by crystallization of the concentrated reaction mixture from hot methanol. Although not required for the next step, a second crystallization increased the regioisomeric purity to >99%.

The IL was freshly prepared before each use, and was not concentrated as suggested in the original publication,[19] because we found that removal of the solvent generally resulted in a less active reagent. The one-pot protocol also simplified the experimental protocol. Significantly, the synthesis of [TMAH][Al2Cl7] IL is cost effective, and its feasibility for chemical-process applications has already been demonstrated on 7 kg scale.[20]

Previous syntheses mainly used DMF, sodium and potassium carbonates, and high temperatures for the O-alkylation step. We found that sodium and potassium carbonates were not effective at low temperatures in DMSO. In contrast, the reaction of 3 with 4-(3-chloropropyl)morpholine in the presence of cesium carbonate in DMSO at 40 °C for 2.5 hours provided ether 4 in 80% yield after filtration and crystallization from hot methanol. The FDA classifies DMF as a more-hazardous Class 2 solvent, whereas DMSO is a less-hazardous Class 3 solvent; therefore, these conditions were in agreement with our goal of minimizing the use of toxic or controlled reagents.[21]

The final dehalogenation step in the conversion of 4 to 5 required considerable optimization. Palladium(II) acetate in the presence of hydrogen gas provided no control of selectivity and resulted in complete dechlorination to 8 (Figure [1]), as well as loss of aniline, among other side reactions. Similarly, hydrogenation with 10% Pd on carbon resulted in the loss of the quinazoline chlorine as well as the aniline chlorine atoms to give predominantly 8. Attempts at hydrogenation by using Lindlar’s catalyst or Raney nickel both provided only trace conversions to the desired product 5, along with varying amounts of the bisdechlorinated derivative 8. Similarly unsatisfactory results were obtained by using a combination of NaBH4 and TMEDA under palladium catalysis.[22] However, a chemoselective conversion was finally realized by using zinc and acetic acid in the presence of tetrabutylammonium bromide (Bu4NBr) as an additive, a reagent combination that had previously been shown to reduce a chloropyridine substrate selectively.[23] In addition to the desired product 5, under these conditions we also observed that small amounts of 3-chloro-4-fluoroaniline were formed, which probably originated from an acid-mediated solvolysis of the quinazoline moiety. This side reaction could be suppressed through a modification employing zinc and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) in a mixture of MeOH and AcOH to achieve the desired dehalogenation of 4 exclusively. After stirring the reaction mixture at 40 °C for 24 hours, 2-mercaptonicotinic acid was added to assist in the removal of excess zinc and zinc salts.[24] Finally, we were able to crystallize the product from hot MeOH to provide gefitinib (5) as colorless crystals in 82% yield with >99% purity as determined by LC/MS analysis.[25]

Zoom Image
Figure 1 Products observed in the dechlorination of 4

In conclusion, a gram-scale synthesis of gefitinib was accomplished in four steps from commercially available 2,4-dichloro-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline. Reaction temperatures did not exceed 55 °C, and workup procedures took advantage of the superior crystallization properties of the C(2)-chlorinated quinazolines in methanol. Thus, all purifications were performed by filtrations or crystallizations. No protective groups were required, and reagents such as DMF, SOCl2, POCl3, and TMSI were avoided. A new application of an ionic liquid streamlined the demethylation step, and a selective dehalogenation by using zinc, acetic acid, and TMEDA proved successful.


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Acknowledgement

The authors are grateful to the staff and chemists at Sterling, Perugia, Italy, for partial financial support of this work, and for many stimulating questions.

Supporting Information

  • References and Notes

  • 1 Gridelli C, De Marinis F, Di Maio M, Cortinovis D, Cappuzzo F, Mok T. Lung Cancer 2011; 72: 249
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  • 22 Chelucci G, Figus S. J. Mol. Catal. A: Chem. 2014; 393: 191
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  • 25 2-Chloro-N-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-amine (2)A vigorously stirred, pale-pink, homogeneous solution of 3-chloro-4-fluoroaniline (3.37 g, 23.2 mmol) in AcOH (22.5 mL, 394 mmol) was treated at 45 °C with neat 2,4-dichloro-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline (1; 5.00 g, 19.3 mmol) in a single batch. The temperature was monitored with an internal thermometer. After the addition was complete (1 min), the resulting mixture was warmed to 55 °C for a total of 2 h. The pink solution turned viscous and then solidified after about 30 min, after which the magnetic stirring was stopped. TLC analysis after 2 h showed that the aniline was consumed, some quinazoline starting material remained, and the product had formed [5% MeOH–­CH2Cl2; quinazoline: Rf  = 0.85, aniline: Rf  = 0.7; product 2: Rf  = 0.2; byproduct (<5%; aniline dimer addition product): Rf  = 0.1]. The solid pink mixture was cooled to 40 °C then dissolved in warm EtOAc (0.50 L, 40 °C) and 2 M aq NaOH (275 mL) with vigorous agitation. The solution was transferred to a separatory funnel and vigorously shaken. The layers were separated and the aqueous layer (~pH 10) was back-extracted with EtOAc (2 × 100 mL). The combined organic layers were extracted with 0.5 M aq NaOH (2 × 100 mL), dried (Na2SO4, ~40 g), filtered, and concentrated (75 mL). The precipitate was collected by filtration and washed with EtOAc (40 mL) to yield a white powder that was dried in vacuo (0.5 Torr, 20 °C) to yield a first batch of product (yield: 3.99 g). The original organic filtrate was then further concentrated to 37.5 mL, and the precipitate was collected by filtration and washed with additional EtOAc (~20 mL) to afford a second batch of product (0.60 g). After 1H and 19F NMR analysis, the two batches were combined to give a colorless solid; yield: 4.59 g (12.5 mmol, 65%); mp 273.0–275.8 °C; TLC: Rf  = 0.2 (5% MeOH–CH2Cl2); IR (ATR, neat): 3387, 2980, 1980, 1623, 1573, 1500, 1457, 1342, 1217, 1147, 997, 963, 846, 795 cm–1. 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = 9.92 (s, 1 H), 8.00 (dd, J = 6.8, 2.8 Hz, 1 H), 7.84 (s, 1 H), 7.76–7.72 (m, 1 H), 7.50 (app t, J = 9.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.20 (s, 1 H), 3.95 (s, 3 H), 3.93 (s, 3 H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = 158.2, 155.6, 154.4, 153.1, 149.6, 148.7, 136.3, 124.7, 123.5, 119.6, 117.4, 107.6, 107.2, 102.5, 56.8, 56.5. 19F NMR (376 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = –121.9; HRMS (LC/MS, ESI+): m/z [M + H]+ calcd for C16H13Cl2FN3O2: 368.0363; found: 368.0361.[TMAH][Al2Cl7]A suspension of AlCl3 (9.00 g, 67.5 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (67.5 mL) was cooled in an ice bath and treated by portionwise addition of Me3NH+ Cl (3.23 g, 33.7 mmol). After addition was complete, the reaction mixture was warmed to r.t. and stirred for 2 h. This mixture (12.2 g in 67.5 mL CH2Cl2) was used in the subsequent reaction without further purification or concentration.2-Chloro-4-[(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)amino]-7-methoxyquinazolin-6-ol (3)A suspension of quinazolinamine 2 (4.11 g, 11.2 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (11 mL) was added in two portions to a freshly prepared solution of [TMAH][Al2Cl7] (12.2 g, 33.5 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (67.5 mL). The first batch (7.0 mL) was added at a rate of 1 mL/min, and the second batch, along with a rinse of CH2Cl2 (4.0 mL), was added at a rate of 2 mL/min. The reaction mixture was then magnetically stirred and heated for 2 h at reflux, while the external temperature was maintained at ~50 °C. After 1 h, a light-brown suspension formed. TLC analysis (5% MeOH–CH2Cl2) after 2 h showed that the starting material had been consumed and a product spot corresponding to the mixture of phenol regioisomers had formed (Rf  = 0.4). The suspension was cooled to 0 °C, and 2 M aq HCl (~200 mL) was added dropwise from an addition funnel at a rate of 4.0 mL/min over 50 min while the rapidly forming suspension was stirred vigorously. The internal temperature of the solution was maintained below 20 °C to avoid solvent evaporation. After complete addition of the 2 M aq HCl, the resulting mixture (pH = 0) was filtered through a fritted glass funnel (~200 mL of filtrate was collected). The collected filter cake was washed with H2O (2 × 40 mL) and briefly dried by vacuum filtration to give ~50 g of a viscous residue that was transferred into a round-bottomed flask and concentrated by rotary evaporation under vacuum until a slurry (about 15–16 g) was obtained. This residue was suspended in hot MeOH (100 mL), heated to reflux for 10 min, and then allowed to cool and precipitate for 6 h while stirring was maintained. The solid was collected by filtration, washed with MeOH (10 mL) and dried in vacuo (0.5 Torr, 20 °C) to give as a white solid consisting of a 97:3 mixture of regioisomers; yield: 1.26 g (3.56 mmol, 32%).Major Regioisomer 3Mp 335.4–336.7 °C; TLC: Rf  = 0.4 (5% MeOH–CH2Cl2); IR (ATR, neat): 3392, 2555, 1620, 1571, 1517, 1498, 1421, 1350, 1283, 1216, 1157, 1010, 973, 844, 802, 735 cm–1. 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = 9.86 (s, 1 H), 9.83 (s, 1 H), 8.09 (dd, J = 6.8, 2.8 Hz, 1 H), 7.80–7.76 (m, 2 H), 7.46 (app t, J = 9.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.20 (s, 1 H), 3.97 (s, 3 H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = 157.5, 154.7, 153.2, 152.3, 147.3, 147.0, 136.2, 123.6, 122.5, 118.8, 116.5, 107.9, 106.7, 105.7, 56.1.19F NMR (376 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = –122.4; HRMS (LC/MS, ESI+): m/z [M + H]+ calcd for C15H11Cl2FN3O2: 354.0207; found: 354.0208.Characteristic Signals for Minor Regioisomer: 2-Chloro-4-[(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)amino]-6-methoxyquinazolin-7-ol (6) 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = 10.67 (s, 1 H). 19F NMR (376 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = –122.0.2-Chloro-N-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-7-methoxy-6-(3-morpholin-4-ylpropoxy)quinazolin-4-amine (4)A solution of quinazolinol 3 (1.25 g, 3.53 mmol), 4-(3-chloropropyl)morpholine (0.59 mL, 3.9 mmol), and Cs2CO3 (2.30 g, 7.06 mmol) in degassed DMSO (10.0 mL) was stirred at 40 °C under N2, while the reaction was monitored by TLC (5% MeOH–CH2Cl2; starting material: Rf  = 0.4; product 3: Rf  = 0.3). After 2.5 h, the mixture was cooled to r.t., diluted with EtOAc (100 mL), and extracted. The organic layer was washed sequentially with sat. aq NaHCO3 (2 × 25 mL), 1 M aq LiCl (7.5 mL), and 2 M aq NaOH (7.5 mL). The aqueous layer (pH >12) was then back-extracted with EtOAc (2 × 50 mL), and the combined organic layers were dried (Na2SO4, 12 g), filtered, rinsed with EtOAc (15 mL), and concentrated. The crude residue (2.02 g) was heated at reflux in MeOH (20 mL) for 10 min, and then allowed to precipitate overnight at r.t. The solids were collected by filtration, washed with MeOH (10 mL), and dried in vacuo (0.5 Torr, 20 °C) to afford a colorless solid; yield: 1.36 g, 2.82 mmol (80%); mp 213.7–217.3 °C; TLC: Rf  = 0.3 (5% MeOH–CH2Cl2); IR (ATR, neat): 3329, 2813, 1945, 1623, 1578, 1499, 1430, 1290, 1221, 1149, 1110, 1013, 960, 852, 735 cm–1. 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = 9.92 (s, 1 H), 8.00 (dd, J = 6.8, 2.8 Hz, 1 H), 7.83 (s, 1 H), 7.76–7.73 (m, 1 H), 7.50 (app t, J = 9.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.19 (s, 1 H), 4.17 (t, J = 6.4 Hz, 2 H), 3.93 (s, 3 H), 3.58 (app t, J = 4.4 Hz, 4 H), 2.49–2.45 (m, 2 H), 2.38 (br s, 4 H), 2.01–1.98 (m, 2 H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = 158.2, 155.7, 154.4, 153.0, 149.0, 148.6, 136.3, 124.8, 123.6, 119.5, 119.4, 117.3, 117.1, 107.6, 107.2, 103.3, 67.7, 66.6, 56.6, 55.4, 53.9, 26.3. 19F NMR (376 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = –121.8; HRMS (LC/MS, ESI+): m/z [M + H]+ calcd for C22H24Cl2FN4O3: 481.1204; found: 481.1203. N-(3-Chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-7-methoxy-6-(3-morpholinopropoxy)quinazolin-4-amine (5; Gefitinib, Iressa)AcOH (2.68 mL, 48.2 mmol) and quinazolinamine 4 (1.16 g, 2.41 mmol) were added sequentially in dropwise manner to a suspension of Zn dust (0.236 g, 36.1 mmol) and TMEDA (3.61 mL, 24.1 mmol) in MeOH (58.0 mL) at 0 °C. The mixture was then heated to 40–45 °C for 24 h, cooled to r.t., and diluted with MeOH (60.0 mL). 2-Mercaptonicotinic acid (5.61 g, 36.1 mmol) was added, and the suspension was vigorously stirred at r.t. for 30 min, diluted with MTBE (100 mL), and washed with 2 M aq NaOH (2 × 100 mL). The combined aqueous layers were back-extracted with MTBE (100 mL), and the combined organic layers were washed with sat. aq NaHCO3 (100 mL) then dried (Na2SO4), filtered, and concentrated to give a yellow solid residue (0.97 g). This solid was dissolved in hot MeOH (30 mL) and allowed to crystallize for 3 h at r.t. The colorless needles were collected by filtration, washed with MTBE (10 mL), and dried in vacuo (0.5 Torr, 20 °C) to provide a first batch of the crystalline product (0.84 g). The mother liquor was then concentrated (~15 mL) and allowed to crystallize overnight at r.t. The resulting crystals were collected by filtration and dried in vacuo (0.5 Torr, 20 °C) to provide a second batch of product (0.090 g; mp 188.5–190.6 °C), containing residual MeOH (~4% by 1H NMR), which was combined with the first batch. The product was further dried in vacuo (0.5 Torr, 80 °C) for 24 h to provide a colorless solid; yield: 0.930 g (2.08 mmol, 82%); mp 195.7–197.5 °C; TLC: Rf  = 0.2 (EtOH–EtOAc–hexanes); IR (ATR, neat): 3365, 3160, 1873, 2816, 1622, 1578, 1530, 1497, 1472, 1426, 1393, 1353, 1280, 1217, 1112, 1044, 993, 957, 850, 772 cm–1. 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = 9.57 (s, 1 H), 8.50 (s, 1 H), 8.11 (dd, J = 6.8, 2.8 Hz, 1 H), 7.81 (s, 1 H), 7.80–7.77 (m, 1 H), 7.45 (app t, J = 9.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.21 (s, 1 H), 4.18 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 2 H), 3.94 (s, 3 H), 3.58 (app t, J = 4.4 Hz, 4 H), 2.48–2.46 (m, 2 H), 2.39 (br s, 4 H), 2.03–1.96 (m, 2 H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = 156.0, 154.5, 152.6, 151.9, 148.3, 147.0, 136.8, 123.5, 122.4, 118.8, 118.7, 116.6, 116.4, 108.8, 107.3, 102.5, 67.1, 66.2, 55.9, 55.0, 53.4, 25.9. 19F NMR (376 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = –123.3; HRMS (LC/MS, ESI+): m/z [M + H]+ calcd for C22H25ClFN4O3: 447.1594; found: 447.1593.

  • References and Notes

  • 1 Gridelli C, De Marinis F, Di Maio M, Cortinovis D, Cappuzzo F, Mok T. Lung Cancer 2011; 72: 249
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  • 25 2-Chloro-N-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-6,7-dimethoxyquinazolin-4-amine (2)A vigorously stirred, pale-pink, homogeneous solution of 3-chloro-4-fluoroaniline (3.37 g, 23.2 mmol) in AcOH (22.5 mL, 394 mmol) was treated at 45 °C with neat 2,4-dichloro-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline (1; 5.00 g, 19.3 mmol) in a single batch. The temperature was monitored with an internal thermometer. After the addition was complete (1 min), the resulting mixture was warmed to 55 °C for a total of 2 h. The pink solution turned viscous and then solidified after about 30 min, after which the magnetic stirring was stopped. TLC analysis after 2 h showed that the aniline was consumed, some quinazoline starting material remained, and the product had formed [5% MeOH–­CH2Cl2; quinazoline: Rf  = 0.85, aniline: Rf  = 0.7; product 2: Rf  = 0.2; byproduct (<5%; aniline dimer addition product): Rf  = 0.1]. The solid pink mixture was cooled to 40 °C then dissolved in warm EtOAc (0.50 L, 40 °C) and 2 M aq NaOH (275 mL) with vigorous agitation. The solution was transferred to a separatory funnel and vigorously shaken. The layers were separated and the aqueous layer (~pH 10) was back-extracted with EtOAc (2 × 100 mL). The combined organic layers were extracted with 0.5 M aq NaOH (2 × 100 mL), dried (Na2SO4, ~40 g), filtered, and concentrated (75 mL). The precipitate was collected by filtration and washed with EtOAc (40 mL) to yield a white powder that was dried in vacuo (0.5 Torr, 20 °C) to yield a first batch of product (yield: 3.99 g). The original organic filtrate was then further concentrated to 37.5 mL, and the precipitate was collected by filtration and washed with additional EtOAc (~20 mL) to afford a second batch of product (0.60 g). After 1H and 19F NMR analysis, the two batches were combined to give a colorless solid; yield: 4.59 g (12.5 mmol, 65%); mp 273.0–275.8 °C; TLC: Rf  = 0.2 (5% MeOH–CH2Cl2); IR (ATR, neat): 3387, 2980, 1980, 1623, 1573, 1500, 1457, 1342, 1217, 1147, 997, 963, 846, 795 cm–1. 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = 9.92 (s, 1 H), 8.00 (dd, J = 6.8, 2.8 Hz, 1 H), 7.84 (s, 1 H), 7.76–7.72 (m, 1 H), 7.50 (app t, J = 9.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.20 (s, 1 H), 3.95 (s, 3 H), 3.93 (s, 3 H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = 158.2, 155.6, 154.4, 153.1, 149.6, 148.7, 136.3, 124.7, 123.5, 119.6, 117.4, 107.6, 107.2, 102.5, 56.8, 56.5. 19F NMR (376 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = –121.9; HRMS (LC/MS, ESI+): m/z [M + H]+ calcd for C16H13Cl2FN3O2: 368.0363; found: 368.0361.[TMAH][Al2Cl7]A suspension of AlCl3 (9.00 g, 67.5 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (67.5 mL) was cooled in an ice bath and treated by portionwise addition of Me3NH+ Cl (3.23 g, 33.7 mmol). After addition was complete, the reaction mixture was warmed to r.t. and stirred for 2 h. This mixture (12.2 g in 67.5 mL CH2Cl2) was used in the subsequent reaction without further purification or concentration.2-Chloro-4-[(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)amino]-7-methoxyquinazolin-6-ol (3)A suspension of quinazolinamine 2 (4.11 g, 11.2 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (11 mL) was added in two portions to a freshly prepared solution of [TMAH][Al2Cl7] (12.2 g, 33.5 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (67.5 mL). The first batch (7.0 mL) was added at a rate of 1 mL/min, and the second batch, along with a rinse of CH2Cl2 (4.0 mL), was added at a rate of 2 mL/min. The reaction mixture was then magnetically stirred and heated for 2 h at reflux, while the external temperature was maintained at ~50 °C. After 1 h, a light-brown suspension formed. TLC analysis (5% MeOH–CH2Cl2) after 2 h showed that the starting material had been consumed and a product spot corresponding to the mixture of phenol regioisomers had formed (Rf  = 0.4). The suspension was cooled to 0 °C, and 2 M aq HCl (~200 mL) was added dropwise from an addition funnel at a rate of 4.0 mL/min over 50 min while the rapidly forming suspension was stirred vigorously. The internal temperature of the solution was maintained below 20 °C to avoid solvent evaporation. After complete addition of the 2 M aq HCl, the resulting mixture (pH = 0) was filtered through a fritted glass funnel (~200 mL of filtrate was collected). The collected filter cake was washed with H2O (2 × 40 mL) and briefly dried by vacuum filtration to give ~50 g of a viscous residue that was transferred into a round-bottomed flask and concentrated by rotary evaporation under vacuum until a slurry (about 15–16 g) was obtained. This residue was suspended in hot MeOH (100 mL), heated to reflux for 10 min, and then allowed to cool and precipitate for 6 h while stirring was maintained. The solid was collected by filtration, washed with MeOH (10 mL) and dried in vacuo (0.5 Torr, 20 °C) to give as a white solid consisting of a 97:3 mixture of regioisomers; yield: 1.26 g (3.56 mmol, 32%).Major Regioisomer 3Mp 335.4–336.7 °C; TLC: Rf  = 0.4 (5% MeOH–CH2Cl2); IR (ATR, neat): 3392, 2555, 1620, 1571, 1517, 1498, 1421, 1350, 1283, 1216, 1157, 1010, 973, 844, 802, 735 cm–1. 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = 9.86 (s, 1 H), 9.83 (s, 1 H), 8.09 (dd, J = 6.8, 2.8 Hz, 1 H), 7.80–7.76 (m, 2 H), 7.46 (app t, J = 9.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.20 (s, 1 H), 3.97 (s, 3 H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = 157.5, 154.7, 153.2, 152.3, 147.3, 147.0, 136.2, 123.6, 122.5, 118.8, 116.5, 107.9, 106.7, 105.7, 56.1.19F NMR (376 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = –122.4; HRMS (LC/MS, ESI+): m/z [M + H]+ calcd for C15H11Cl2FN3O2: 354.0207; found: 354.0208.Characteristic Signals for Minor Regioisomer: 2-Chloro-4-[(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)amino]-6-methoxyquinazolin-7-ol (6) 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = 10.67 (s, 1 H). 19F NMR (376 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = –122.0.2-Chloro-N-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-7-methoxy-6-(3-morpholin-4-ylpropoxy)quinazolin-4-amine (4)A solution of quinazolinol 3 (1.25 g, 3.53 mmol), 4-(3-chloropropyl)morpholine (0.59 mL, 3.9 mmol), and Cs2CO3 (2.30 g, 7.06 mmol) in degassed DMSO (10.0 mL) was stirred at 40 °C under N2, while the reaction was monitored by TLC (5% MeOH–CH2Cl2; starting material: Rf  = 0.4; product 3: Rf  = 0.3). After 2.5 h, the mixture was cooled to r.t., diluted with EtOAc (100 mL), and extracted. The organic layer was washed sequentially with sat. aq NaHCO3 (2 × 25 mL), 1 M aq LiCl (7.5 mL), and 2 M aq NaOH (7.5 mL). The aqueous layer (pH >12) was then back-extracted with EtOAc (2 × 50 mL), and the combined organic layers were dried (Na2SO4, 12 g), filtered, rinsed with EtOAc (15 mL), and concentrated. The crude residue (2.02 g) was heated at reflux in MeOH (20 mL) for 10 min, and then allowed to precipitate overnight at r.t. The solids were collected by filtration, washed with MeOH (10 mL), and dried in vacuo (0.5 Torr, 20 °C) to afford a colorless solid; yield: 1.36 g, 2.82 mmol (80%); mp 213.7–217.3 °C; TLC: Rf  = 0.3 (5% MeOH–CH2Cl2); IR (ATR, neat): 3329, 2813, 1945, 1623, 1578, 1499, 1430, 1290, 1221, 1149, 1110, 1013, 960, 852, 735 cm–1. 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = 9.92 (s, 1 H), 8.00 (dd, J = 6.8, 2.8 Hz, 1 H), 7.83 (s, 1 H), 7.76–7.73 (m, 1 H), 7.50 (app t, J = 9.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.19 (s, 1 H), 4.17 (t, J = 6.4 Hz, 2 H), 3.93 (s, 3 H), 3.58 (app t, J = 4.4 Hz, 4 H), 2.49–2.45 (m, 2 H), 2.38 (br s, 4 H), 2.01–1.98 (m, 2 H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = 158.2, 155.7, 154.4, 153.0, 149.0, 148.6, 136.3, 124.8, 123.6, 119.5, 119.4, 117.3, 117.1, 107.6, 107.2, 103.3, 67.7, 66.6, 56.6, 55.4, 53.9, 26.3. 19F NMR (376 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = –121.8; HRMS (LC/MS, ESI+): m/z [M + H]+ calcd for C22H24Cl2FN4O3: 481.1204; found: 481.1203. N-(3-Chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-7-methoxy-6-(3-morpholinopropoxy)quinazolin-4-amine (5; Gefitinib, Iressa)AcOH (2.68 mL, 48.2 mmol) and quinazolinamine 4 (1.16 g, 2.41 mmol) were added sequentially in dropwise manner to a suspension of Zn dust (0.236 g, 36.1 mmol) and TMEDA (3.61 mL, 24.1 mmol) in MeOH (58.0 mL) at 0 °C. The mixture was then heated to 40–45 °C for 24 h, cooled to r.t., and diluted with MeOH (60.0 mL). 2-Mercaptonicotinic acid (5.61 g, 36.1 mmol) was added, and the suspension was vigorously stirred at r.t. for 30 min, diluted with MTBE (100 mL), and washed with 2 M aq NaOH (2 × 100 mL). The combined aqueous layers were back-extracted with MTBE (100 mL), and the combined organic layers were washed with sat. aq NaHCO3 (100 mL) then dried (Na2SO4), filtered, and concentrated to give a yellow solid residue (0.97 g). This solid was dissolved in hot MeOH (30 mL) and allowed to crystallize for 3 h at r.t. The colorless needles were collected by filtration, washed with MTBE (10 mL), and dried in vacuo (0.5 Torr, 20 °C) to provide a first batch of the crystalline product (0.84 g). The mother liquor was then concentrated (~15 mL) and allowed to crystallize overnight at r.t. The resulting crystals were collected by filtration and dried in vacuo (0.5 Torr, 20 °C) to provide a second batch of product (0.090 g; mp 188.5–190.6 °C), containing residual MeOH (~4% by 1H NMR), which was combined with the first batch. The product was further dried in vacuo (0.5 Torr, 80 °C) for 24 h to provide a colorless solid; yield: 0.930 g (2.08 mmol, 82%); mp 195.7–197.5 °C; TLC: Rf  = 0.2 (EtOH–EtOAc–hexanes); IR (ATR, neat): 3365, 3160, 1873, 2816, 1622, 1578, 1530, 1497, 1472, 1426, 1393, 1353, 1280, 1217, 1112, 1044, 993, 957, 850, 772 cm–1. 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = 9.57 (s, 1 H), 8.50 (s, 1 H), 8.11 (dd, J = 6.8, 2.8 Hz, 1 H), 7.81 (s, 1 H), 7.80–7.77 (m, 1 H), 7.45 (app t, J = 9.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.21 (s, 1 H), 4.18 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 2 H), 3.94 (s, 3 H), 3.58 (app t, J = 4.4 Hz, 4 H), 2.48–2.46 (m, 2 H), 2.39 (br s, 4 H), 2.03–1.96 (m, 2 H). 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = 156.0, 154.5, 152.6, 151.9, 148.3, 147.0, 136.8, 123.5, 122.4, 118.8, 118.7, 116.6, 116.4, 108.8, 107.3, 102.5, 67.1, 66.2, 55.9, 55.0, 53.4, 25.9. 19F NMR (376 MHz, DMSO-d 6): δ = –123.3; HRMS (LC/MS, ESI+): m/z [M + H]+ calcd for C22H25ClFN4O3: 447.1594; found: 447.1593.

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Scheme 1 AstraZeneca synthesis of gefitinib[10]
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Scheme 2 Reddy and co-workers’ synthesis of gefitinib[12]
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Scheme 3 Suh and co-workers’ synthesis of gefitinib[13]
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Scheme 4 Dichloroquinazoline as a new starting material for gefitinib preparation
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Figure 1 Products observed in the dechlorination of 4