Development of a Practical Synthesis of the Progesterone Receptor Antagonist 4-{[3-Cyclopropyl-1-(mesylmethyl)-5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]oxy}-2,6-dimethylbenzonitrile

Abstract

The development and implementation of a scaleable process for the manufacture of the nonsteroidal progesterone receptor antagonist 8 is described. Key aspects of the synthesis include (i) a telescoped chlorination−etherification sequence to prepare diketone 4 and (ii) separation of pyrazole regioisomers 6 and 7 through formation of their hydrogen sulfate salts and selective crystallization, followed by oxidation to 8.