Novel method and intermediates for preparing 19-norsteroid compounds

Abstract

The subject of the invention is a method for preparing compounds of general formula (I): in which A, Z, R 3 are as defined in the description, and the intermediate compounds for carrying out this method.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 ) A method for preparing compounds of general formula (I):  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein 
 Z is a linear alkyl radical or a group R 4  of the formula:  
                     
  wherein n is an integer from 2 to 8, and  
 R 1  and R 2  are identical or different and independently of each other selected from benzyl, linear, branched or cyclic C 1 -C 8 alkyl, C 1 -C 8 alkenyl or C 1 -C 8 alkynyl; or  
 R 1  and R 2  taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a saturated or unsaturated, aromatic or nonaromatic 5- to 6-membered heterocycle optionally containing from 1 to 3 additional heteroatoms and optionally fused with another ring;  
 A is a keto functional group or a group CH—X, wherein X is a halogen atom;  
 R 3  is hydrogen or a hydroxyl protecting group;  
 comprising:  
 a) subjecting a mixture of the compounds of formulae (IIIa) and (IIIb):  
                     
  wherein ═K is a protected keto functional group selected from ketal, thioketal or a mixed ketal, to an alkylation reaction with an organocuprate derivative derived from an organometallic compound of formula R 5 MgHal or R 5 Li, Hal being a halogen atom and generated catalytically or stoichiometrically, wherein R 5  is:  
                     
  wherein Z is as defined above, the bonding taking place on the phenyl; and  
 reacting with a suitable deprotecting agent so as to obtain the compounds of formulae (Va), (Vb) and (Vc)  
                     
 b) treating the compounds of formulae (Va), (Vb) and (Vc) with a aromatization agent so as to obtain a mixture of the compounds of formulae (VI) and (I):  
                     which continue to undergo aromatization so as to obtain the compound of formula (I) wherein R 3  is as defined above.    
 
     
     
         2 ) A method for preparing compounds of general formula (I):  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein 
 Z is a linear alkyl radical or a group R 4  of the formula:  
                     
  wherein n is an integer from 2 to 8; and  
 R 1  and R 2  are identical or different and independently of each other selected from benzyl, linear, branched or cyclic C 1 -C 8 alkyl, C 1 -C 8 alkenyl or C 1 -C 8 alkynyl; or  
 R 1  and R 2  taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a saturated or unsaturated, aromatic or nonaromatic 5- to 6-membered heterocycle optionally containing from 1 to 3 additional heteroatoms and optionally fused with another ring;  
 A is a keto functional group or a group CH—X, wherein X is a halogen atom;  
 R 3  is hydrogen or a hydroxyl protecting group; comprising:  
 a) subjecting a compound of formula (IIIb):  
                     
  wherein ═K is a protected keto functional group selected from ketal, thioketal or a mixed ketal, to an alkylation reaction with an organocuprate derivative derived from an organometallic compound of formula R 5 MgHal or R 5 Li, Hal being a halogen atom and generated catalytically or stoichiometrically, wherein R 5  is:  
                     wherein Z is as defined above, the bonding taking place on the phenyl; and    
 reacting with a suitable deprotecting agent so as to obtain the compounds of formulae (Vb) and (Vc):  
                     
 b) treating the compounds of formulae (Vb) and (Vc) with a aromatization agent so as to obtain the mixture of the compounds of formulae (VI) and (I):  
                     which continue to undergo aromatization so as to obtain the compound of formula (I) wherein R 3  is as defined above.    
 
     
     
         3 ) The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the compounds of general formula (I) in which A is a keto functional group are prepared comprising the following steps: 
 a) epoxidizing a compound of formula (II):                           wherein ═K is a protected keto functional group selected from ketal, thioketal or a mixed ketal, so as to obtain the mixture of the alpha and beta isomers of formulae (III′a) and (III′b):                          b) subjecting the mixture of the compounds of formulae (III′a) and (III′b) to an alkylation reaction with an organocuprate derivative derived from an organometallic compound of formula R 5 MgHal or R 5 Li, Hal being a halogen atom and R 5  is as defined in  claim 1 , the bonding taking place on the phenyl; and    reacting with a suitable deprotecting agent so as to obtain the compounds of formulae (V′a), (V′b) and (V′c):                          c) treating the compounds of formulae (V′a), (V′b) and (V′c) with a aromatization agent so as to obtain a mixture of the compounds of formulae (VI′) and (I) in which A is a keto functional group:                           which continue to undergo aromatization so as to obtain the compound of formula (I) in which A is a keto functional group;    d) deprotecting, where appropriate, the product obtained in step c so as to obtain a compound of formula (I) in which A is a keto functional group and R 3  is hydrogen; and optionally    e) forming a salt of the compound of formula (I) by subjecting it to a salinification reaction.    
     
     
         4 ) The method as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the compounds of general formula (I) in which A is a keto functional group are prepared comprising the following steps: 
 a) epoxidizing a compound of formula (II):                           wherein ═K is a protected keto functional group selected from ketal, thioketal or a mixed ketal, so as to obtain the beta isomer of formula (III′b):                          b) subjecting the compound of formula (III′b) to an alkylation reaction with an organocuprate derivative derived from an organometallic compound of formula R 5 MgHal or R 5 Li, Hal being a halogen atom and R 5  is as defined in  claim 2 , the bonding taking place on the phenyl; and    reacting with a suitable deprotecting agent so as to obtain the compounds of formulae (V′b) and (V′c):                          c) treating the compounds of formulae (V′b) and (V′c) with a aromatization agent so as to obtain a mixture of the compounds of formulae (VI′) and (I) in which A is a keto functional group:                        which continue to undergo aromatization so as to obtain the compound of formula (I) in which A is a keto functional group;      d) deprotecting, where appropriate, the product obtained in step c so as to obtain the compound of formula (I) in which A is a keto functional group and R 3  is hydrogen; and optionally    e) forming a salt of the compound of formula (I) by subjecting it to a salinification reaction.    
     
     
         5 ) The method as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the alkylation reaction is accompanied by an enolization reaction.  
     
     
         6 ) The method as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the alkylation reaction is accompanied by an enolization reaction.  
     
     
         7 ) The method as set forth in  claim 3 , further comprising a step of treating the compounds of formulae (III′a) and (III′b) with a silylating agent in the presence of a base so as to obtain a mixture of silylated enols of formulae (IVa) and (IVb):  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein, Ra, Rb and Rc, which are identical or different, represent C 1 -C 4 alkyl or phenyl; and  
         reacting the compounds of formulae (IVa) and (IVb) with an organocuprate derivative as defined in  claim 3 , the bonding taking place on the phenyl, so as to obtain the compounds of formulae (IV′a) and (IV′b) which are isolated or not isolated:  
         
           
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
         
         deprotecting said products so as to obtain respectively the compounds of formulae (V′a), (V′b) and (V′c) as defined in  claim 3 .  
       
     
     
         8 ) The method as set forth in  claim 4 , further comprising a step of treating the compound of formula (III′b) with a silylating agent in the presence of a base so as to obtain the silylated enol of formula (IVb):  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein Ra, Rb and Rc, which are identical or different, represent C 1 -C 4 alkyl or phenyl; and  
         reacting the compound of formula (IVb) with an organocuprate derivative as defined in  claim 4 , the bonding taking place on the phenyl, so as to obtain the compound of formula (IV′b) which is isolated or not isolated:  
         
           
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
         
         deprotecting said product so as to obtain respectively the compounds of formulae (V′b) and (V′c) as defined in  claim 4 .  
       
     
     
         9 ) The method as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein Ra, Rb and Rc are identical and represent a methyl.  
     
     
         10 ) The method as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein Ra, Rb and Rc are identical and represent a methyl.  
     
     
         11 ) The method as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein ═K is a cyclic ketal.  
     
     
         12 ) The method as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein ═K is 3,3-ethylenedioxy.  
     
     
         13 ) The method as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein ═K is a cyclic ketal.  
     
     
         14 ) The method as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein ═K is 3,3-ethylenedioxy.  
     
     
         15 ) The method as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein (ZO—) is at the para-position and Z is R 4 , with n equal to 2.  
     
     
         16 ) The method as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein (ZO—) is at the para-position and Z is R 4 , with n equal to 2.  
     
     
         17 ) The method as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein R 1  and R 2  are identical and represent a linear alkyl group, chosen from methyl or ethyl.  
     
     
         18 ) The method as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein R 1  and R 2  are identical and represent a linear alkyl group, chosen from methyl or ethyl.  
     
     
         19 ) The method as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein (ZO—) is at the meta or para position, and Z is methyl.  
     
     
         20 ) The method as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein (ZO—) is at the meta or para position, and Z is methyl.  
     
     
         21 ) The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein compounds of formula (I) in which A is CH—X and Z is R 4 , are prepared comprising the following steps: 
 a) subjecting a compound of formula (II):  
                     
  wherein ═K is a protected keto functional group selected from ketal, thioketal or a mixed ketal, to the action of an agent reducing the keto at the 17-position so as to obtain a compound of formula (VII):  
                     
 b) treating the compound of formula (VII) with a halogenating agent so as to obtain a compound of formula (VIII):  
                     
 wherein X is halogen;  
 c) subjecting the compound of formula (VIII) to the action of an epoxidation reagent so as to obtain the mixture of the compounds of formulae (III″a) and (III″b)  
                     
 d) subjecting the compounds of formulae (III″a) and (III″b) to an alkylation reaction with an organocuprate derivative derived from an organometallic compound of formula R 5 MgHal or R 5 Li, Hal being a halogen atom and R 5  is of the formula:  
                     
 wherein R 4  is as defined in  claim 1 , the bonding taking place on the phenyl; and  
 subjecting to the action of a deprotecting agent so as to obtain the compounds of formulae (V″a), (V″b) and (V″c):  
                     
 e) treating the compounds of formulae (V″a), (V″b) and (V″c) with a aromatization agent so as to obtain the mixture of the compounds of formulae (VI″) and (I) in which A represents a group CH—X and Z represents a group R 4 ,  
                     
 which continue to undergo aromatization so as to obtain the compound of formula (I) as defined above;  
 f) deprotecting, where appropriate, the product obtained in step e so as to obtain a compound of formula (I) in which A represents a group CH—X, Z represents a group R 4 , and R 3  is hydrogen; and optionally  
 forming a salt of the compound of formula (I) by subjecting it to a salinification reaction and neutralization.  
 
     
     
         22 ) The method as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein ═K is a cyclic ketal.  
     
     
         23 ) The method as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein ═K is 3,3-ethylenedioxy.  
     
     
         24 ) The method as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein X is fluorine.  
     
     
         25 ) The method as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein R 1  and R 2  taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a group:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       and wherein n is equal to 2.  
     
     
         26 ) The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the aromatization agent is acetyl bromide in the presence of acetic anhydride.  
     
     
         27 ) The method as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the aromatization agent is acetyl bromide in the presence of acetic anhydride.  
     
     
         28 ) The method as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the aromatization agent is acetyl bromide in the presence of acetic anhydride.  
     
     
         29 ) The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the deprotecting agent used to obtain the compounds of formulae (Va), (Vb), or (Vc) is an agent allowing acid hydrolysis, such as hydrochloric acid or perchloric acid.  
     
     
         30 ) The method as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the deprotecting agent used to obtain the compounds of formulae (Vb) or (Vc) is an agent allowing acid hydrolysis, such as hydrochloric acid or perchloric acid.  
     
     
         31 ) A compound of general formula (IV′b):  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein 
 Z is a linear alkyl radical or a group R 4  of the formula:  
                     
 wherein n is an integer from 2 to 8, and R 1  and R 2  are identical or different and independently of each other selected from benzyl, linear, branched or cyclic C 1 -C 8 alkyl, C 1 -C 8 alkenyl or C 1 -C 8 alkynyl; or  
 R 1  and R 2  taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a saturated or unsaturated, aromatic or nonaromatic 5- to 6-membered heterocycle optionally containing from 1 to 3 additional heteroatoms and optionally fused with another ring;  
 ═K is a protected keto functional group selected from ketal, thioketal or a mixed ketal; and  
 Ra, Rb and Rc are each methyl.  
 
     
     
         32 ) The compound as set forth in  claim 31  wherein (ZO—) is at the para position.  
     
     
         33 ) A compound of general formula (VI′) as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein R 3  is an acyl group.  
     
     
         34 ) The compound as set forth in  claim 33 , wherein (ZO—) is at the para position.  
     
     
         35 ) A compound of general formula (VIII) as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein ═K is 3,3-ethylenedioxy and X is fluorine.  
     
     
         36 ) A compound of general formulae (III″a) or (III″b) as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein ═K is 3,3-ethylenedioxy and X is fluorine.  
     
     
         37 ) A compound of general formulae (V″a), (V″b) or (V″c) as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein X is fluorine, n is equal to 2, and R 1  and R 2  taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a group  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         38 ) A compound of general formula (VI″) as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein R 3  is an acyl group, X is fluorine, n is equal to 2, and R 1  and R 2  taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a group  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         39 ) A compound of general formula (I) as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein R 3  is an acyl group, X is fluorine, n is equal to 2, and R 1  and R 2  taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a group