10.1021/acs.oprd.5b00023
The research focuses on developing an optimized synthetic and purification process for S-2367 (Velneperit), a novel Neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y5 receptor antagonist with potential as an antiobesity drug. The purpose is to simplify the synthetic route, increase yield and productivity, and enhance environmental, health, and safety (EHS) aspects for commercial supply and clinical studies. Key chemicals used include trans-1-ethoxycarbonyl-4-aminocyclohexane hydrochloride salt (12) as the starting material, thionyl chloride (SOCl2), pyridylamine (11), and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) for purification. The study concludes that by changing the starting material and reaction order, and optimizing the oxidation step with Na2WO4/H2O2 in weakly basic conditions, the overall yield increased from 59% to 83%, and the number of chemical reactions was reduced from 6 to 4. Two purification processes were developed to address a quality deviation: slurry washing with polymorphic control and salt formation of impurity 10 followed by a rational recrystallization procedure, which reliably controlled impurity levels without increasing the maximum volume, achieving a 94.7% yield of purified S-2367.