Received Feb 13; Accepted Apr 2.
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PMCID: PMC PMID:Herein, we provide a brief overview of the synthesis and applications of trifluoromethylpyridine (TFMP) and its derivatives in the agrochemical and pharmaceutical industries. Currently, the major use of TFMP derivatives is in the protection of crops from pests. Fluazifop-butyl was the first TFMP derivative introduced to the agrochemical market, and since then, more than 20 new TFMP-containing agrochemicals have acquired ISO common names. Several TFMP derivatives are also used in the pharmaceutical and veterinary industries; five pharmaceutical and two veterinary products containing the TFMP moiety have been granted market approval, and many candidates are currently undergoing clinical trials. The biological activities of TFMP derivatives are thought to be due to the combination of the unique physicochemical properties of the fluorine atom and the unique characteristics of the pyridine moiety. It is expected that many novel applications of TFMP will be discovered in the future.
Keywords: trifluoromethylpyridine, intermediate, chemical properties, agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, vapor'phase reaction
Many recent advances in the agrochemical, pharmaceutical, and functional materials fields have been made possible by the development of organic compounds containing fluorine. Indeed, the effects of fluorine and fluorine-containing moieties on the biological activities and physical properties of compounds have earned fluorine a unique place in the arsenal of the discovery chemist. As the number of applications for these compounds continues to grow, the development of fluorinated organic chemicals is becoming an increasingly important research topic.
In the crop protection industry, more than 50% of the pesticides launched in the last two decades have been fluorinated. In addition, around 40% of all fluorine-containing pesticides currently on the market contain a trifluoromethyl group, making these compounds an important subgroup of fluorinated compounds.1) The biological activities of fluorine-containing compounds are considered to be derived from the unique physicochemical properties of fluorine (van der Waals radius, 1.47'Å),2) which, sterically, is the next smallest atom after hydrogen (van der Waals radius, 1.20'Å)2) but the atom with the largest electronegativity (3.98).3) In addition, because the carbon'fluorine bond is relatively short (1.38'Å) compared with the other carbon'halogen bonds, the bond has strong resonance. As a result, the Hammett constant (σp) of fluorine is 0.06,4) which is similar to that of hydrogen. Interestingly, the electronegativity of the trifluoromethyl group is 3.46,5) and its Hammett constant is 0.54,4) indicating that, unlike fluorine, the trifluoromethyl group is strongly electron withdrawing. Therefore, during compound development, the trifluoromethyl group can be treated as a purely electron-withdrawing group.
These unique properties of fluorine mean that substitution with a fluorine or fluorine-containing moiety can have a large impact on the conformation, acid dissociation constant, metabolism, translocation, and biomolecular affinity of a compound. This has meant that bioisosteric replacement of hydrogen with fluorine has become a useful means of designing compounds with unique biological properties. For similar reasons, much effort has been made to develop synthetic methods for introducing trifluoromethyl groups into aromatic rings. The first synthesis of an aromatic compound bearing a trifluoromethyl group was reported in by Swarts,6) who treated benzotrichloride with antimony trifluoride to afford benzotrifluoride; the same transformation using hydrogen fluoride was subsequently achieved under liquid-phase reaction conditions in the s.7) In , the introduction of a trifluoromethyl group into a pyridine ring to afford trifluoromethylpyridine (TFMP) using a synthetic procedure similar to that used for benzotrifluoride but involving chlorination and fluorination of picoline (Scheme 1) was first reported.8) Comparing the physicochemical properties of TFMP and benzotrifluoride, there is a significant difference in the hydrophobic constant (e.g., 3-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine 1.7 versus benzotrifluoride 3.0), which can be expected to provide TFMP-containing compounds with many advantages, such as novel biological activity, lower toxicity, and advanced systemic and/or good selectivity; therefore, many efforts have been made to achieve the synthesis of TFMP. However, to make enough TFMP for use as a raw material for industrial production, it is important to establish a practical large-scale industrial manufacturing process. Details of the industrial manufacturing of TFMP and its use in the manufacture of various agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals are discussed in this review.
Figure 1 shows the worldwide demand for TFMP isomers used as intermediates in the production of synthetic pesticides for the period from to .
The production volume of each TFMP isomer (Fig. 1) was estimated based on the following data sources: the sales volume of each formulated agrochemical, which was obtained from i-map Sigma (https://kynetecwebsc.com/documentation/i-map/3.29.0/), a database for the crop protection market provided by the market research company Kynetec (Newbury, UK); the concentration of each active ingredient in the formulated product; and the synthetic yield described in the patent for each agrochemical containing a TFMP moiety.
Every year from to , the demand was greatest for β-TFMP, followed by α-TFMP and γ-TFMP. In addition, the demand for each of the three TFMP isomers increased each year. Examining the sales of the pesticides individually, globally in , fluazinam and haloxyfop were the two top-selling pesticides possessing the β-TFMP moiety. In addition, the total sales volumes of fluopicolide and fluopyram, which also contain the β-TFMP moiety, have gradually increased from to and are now around 1,000 tons/year. Picoxystrobin is the only pesticide manufactured using the α-TFMP intermediate with sales of more than 2,000 tons/year. However, sales of bicyclopyrone have markedly increased in the last few years, which has increased demand for α-TFMP. Around 500 tons/year of pesticides containing the γ-TFMP intermediate are manufactured; therefore, the demand for γ-TFMP is relatively small.
Research and development activities (i.e., the outputs of scientific papers and patents) involving TFMP derivatives from to were examined using data obtained through crossover analysis of the STN International Registry9) and HCAplus databases10) (CAS, Columbus, Ohio, USA, and FIZ Karlsruhe, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany). Since the development of economically feasible processes for the synthesis of several TFMP intermediates from 3-picoline in the early s, research and development activity involving TFMP derivatives has rapidly and consistently increased each year (Fig. 2).
There are three main methods for preparing TFMP derivatives: chlorine/fluorine exchange using trichloromethylpyridine; construction of a pyridine ring from a trifluoromethyl-containing building block; or direct introduction of a trifluoromethyl group using a trifluoromethyl active species such as trifluoromethyl copper, which undergoes substitution reactions with bromo- and iodopyridines.11) The first two methods are currently the most commonly used; therefore, the discussion below focuses on those two methods.
Among TFMP derivatives, 2,3-dichloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (2,3,5-DCTF), which is used as a chemical intermediate for the synthesis of several crop-protection products, is in the highest demand (production data estimated from the i-map Sigma database). Various methods of synthesizing 2,3,5-DCTF have been reported. For example, 2-chloro-5-methylpyridine or 2-chloro-5-(chloromethyl)pyridine can be chlorinated under liquid-phase conditions to afford the intermediate 2,3-dichloro-5-(trichloromethyl)pyridine (2,3,5-DCTC); subsequent vapor'phase fluorination of 2,3,5-DCTC produces 2,3,5-DCTF (Scheme 2).12'14)
An approach using stepwise vapor'phase chlorination followed by fluorination has also been reported (Scheme 3).15,16)
Another well-known approach is simultaneous vapor'phase chlorination/fluorination at a high temperature (>300°C) with transition metal-based catalysts such as iron fluoride (Scheme 4).17,18) The simultaneous vapor'phase reaction has the advantage that 2-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (2,5-CTF), a key intermediate for the synthesis of fluazifop, can be obtained in good yield via a simple one-step reaction. The number of chlorine atoms introduced to the pyridine ring can be controlled by changing the molar ratio of chlorine gas and the reaction temperature; however, the formation of some multi-chlorinated by-products is unavoidable. Fortunately, these unwanted by-products can be reduced to 3-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (3-TF) by catalytic hydrogenolysis and then fed back into the reactor to reduce overall production costs.
The vapor'phase reactor used for this approach includes two phases: a catalyst fluidized-bed phase and an empty phase (Fig. 3). In the fluidized-bed phase, fluorination proceeds immediately after chlorination of the methyl group of 3-picoline, resulting in the production of 3-TF. In the next step, further nuclear chlorination of the pyridine ring is performed in the empty phase to give 2,5-CTF as the major product, which can be subsequently converted to 2,3,5-DCTF. At the same time, 2-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (2,3-CTF), which can be used to produce several commercial products, as discussed in sections 3 and 4, is also obtained as a minor product.
Similar reaction conditions can be applied to 2- or 4-picoline; representative products and yields are summarized in Table 1.
For lutidines, the reaction proceeds under similar conditions, but the reaction temperature needs to be higher than that for picolines. Several novel compounds with two trifluoromethyl groups, such as chloro-bis(trifluoromethyl)pyridine, can be synthesized in 60 to 80% yield (Table 2).
A number of cyclocondensation reactions for the synthesis of TFMP derivatives have been reported. The most commonly used trifluoromethyl-containing building blocks are ethyl 2,2,2-trifluoroacetate, 2,2,2-trifluoroacetyl chloride, ethyl 4,4,4-trifluoro-3-oxobutanoate, and (E)-4-ethoxy-1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-en-2-one (Fig. 4).
The ISO common names for 22 agrochemicals containing a TFMP moiety, listed in the Compendium of Pesticide Common Names (http://www.alanwood.net/pesticides/index.html), are shown in Table 3. Prior to , all compounds except dithiopyr employed 3- or 5-trifluoromethyl-substituted pyridines as a partial structure. These compounds are synthesized from 2,5-CTF or 2,3,5-DCTF derived from 3-picoline. However, since , other substitution patterns, mainly 6-trifluoromethyl-substituted pyridine derivatives, have increased. A 4-trifluoromethyl-substituted pyridine moiety is adopted in relatively few agrochemicals, and only flonicamid and pyroxsulam have been commercialized.
Fluazifop-butyl, the first herbicide incorporating a TFMP substructure, was commercialized by Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd. (ISK), in .19,20) Fluazifop-butyl acts as an acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitor.21) Translocation with foliar application and herbicidal activities were improved by introducing a TFMP moiety into the lead compound, such as nitrofen. These favorable features of the pyridine derivative are far superior to the corresponding benzene analogue and showed excellent herbicidal activity on perennial grass weeds.22) As shown in Scheme 5, 2,5-CTF was employed as a key intermediate for the synthesis. Fluazifop-butyl is known to have an asymmetric center on the propionate moiety, with only the (R)-enantiomer being active. After the commercialization of fluazifop-butyl (racemate), a stereoselective synthetic process for optically active fluazifop-butyl was established, and it is now marketed as fluazifop-P-butyl.
Haloxyfop-methyl was developed by Dow Chemical for post-emergence grass control in many dicotyledonous crops.23) Like fluazifop-butyl, haloxyfop-methyl targets ACCase enzyme.24) The chemical structures of these two compounds are very close to each other, whereas 2,3,5-DCTF is utilized for the preparation of haloxyfop-methyl (Fig. 5). The herbicidal spectrum of haloxyfop-methyl overlaps that of fluazifop-butyl but exhibits longer residual soil activity.25)
Flazasulfuron, which was first reported by ISK in ,26) is a sulfonylurea-type acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicide that is selective on turf, sugarcane, and perennial crops such as citrus and grape.22) In the process of evaluating physicochemical and biological properties, it was found that flazasulfuron was readily decomposed and/or metabolized under various conditions through an intramolecular nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction triggered by the large electronegativity of the trifluoromethyl moiety on the pyridine ring.27) This observation could be a breakthrough to overcome the carry-over problem with sulfonylurea herbicides and led to the invention of nicosulfuron. 2,3-CTF is employed as a key component in the preparation of flazasulfuron, as shown in Scheme 6.
Dithiopyr, discovered by the Monsanto Company,28) is a pre-emergence and early post-emergence herbicide that is used primarily in turf and ornamentals. Thiazopyr29) is a pre-emergence herbicide and has long residual control of annual grass weeds. According to the Herbicide Resistance Action Committee (HRAC) classification,30) the mode of action of dithiopyr and thiazopyr is classified as Group 3, which inhibits root growth by blocking cell division as a microtubulin assembly inhibitor.31) The summarized synthetic pathways are shown in Scheme 7. The synthesis of both compounds starts with a cyclocondensation reaction of 3-methylbutanal and ethyl 4,4,4-trifluoro-3-oxobutanoate as a key trifluoromethyl-containing building block to give tetrahydro-2H-pyran (1). Then 1 is converted to compound 2 as a common intermediate of dithiopyr and thiazopyr.32)
Flupyrsulfuron-methyl-sodium is an ALS-inhibiting cereal herbicide discovered by DuPont.33) Selective control of Alopecurus myosuroides, Apera spica-venti, and a wide range of broadleaf weeds is obtained through post-emergence application.34) The chemical structure of flupyrsulfuron-methyl-sodium and a typical preparation method of 2-sulfamoyl-6-(trifluoromethyl)nicotinic acid methyl ester (3) as a key intermediate are shown in Scheme 8.35) Crop selectivity derives from the rapid metabolism degradation of flupyrsulfuron-methyl-sodium in wheat and very slow metabolism in sensitive weeds.36) Since the electron-deficient pyridine moiety is substituted by strong electron-withdrawing groups, such as trifluoromethyl and methoxycarbonyl moieties, it is susceptible to the aromatic nucleophilic substitution and degrades quickly in soil, water, and sediment.37)
Bicyclopyrone38) was discovered as a 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD)-inhibiting herbicide for use in corn and launched by Syngenta in . Intermediate 4 was prepared by a cyclization reaction using (E)-4-ethoxy-1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-en-2-one as shown in Scheme 9.39) The pyridyl nitrogen in bicyclopyrone has the effect of reducing hydrophobicity and increasing acidity. It can be inferred that these characteristics may have led to improvement in the bioavailability of pre-emergent applications, compared with the corresponding phenyl analogue.40)
Pyroxsulam,41) discovered by Dow AgroSciences LLC, is an ALS-inhibiting herbicide with the characteristic triazolopyrimidine and 2-methoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine substructures.42,43) It was developed for the control of key weeds in cereal crops such as wheat. High herbicidal activity on grass species was achieved with 2-methoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl analogues, but these compounds were found to cause significant injury to wheat, unlike pyridine analogues.44) The selectivity of pyroxsulam to wheat relatives is connected primarily with differences in the rate of metabolism.45) As shown in Scheme 10, the pyridone intermediate 5 is synthesized by the Horner'Wadsworth'Emmons reaction using (E)-4-ethoxy-1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-en-2-one as a trifluoromethyl-containing building block.46)
Chlorfluazuron,47) discovered by ISK, has a typical benzoylurea-type structure, which is well known as an insect growth regulator (IGR). Chlorfluazuron exhibits excellent insecticidal activity against specific target insects, such as Lepidoptera, Diptera, and Orthoptera, at their larval stages through the chitin biosynthesis-inhibition mechanism. As shown in Fig. 6, chlorfluazuron showed higher insecticidal activity against the common cutworm as compared with the lead compound diflubenzuron.22) 2,3,5-DCTF was employed as a starting raw material for the synthesis of chlorfluazuron, as shown in Scheme 11.
Flonicamid was discovered by ISK as a novel insecticide to control aphids.48) The initial screening of various TFMP analogues revealed that some nicotinamide derivatives showed interesting activity against aphids, as shown in Fig. 7.49) Structural optimization using compound 6 as a lead compound led to the discovery of flonicamid, which has a unique 4-trifluoromethyl-substituted pyridine moiety. Flonicamid is a chordotonal organ modulator and is classified as Group 29 according to the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) mode of action classification.50) The synthesis route of the 4-(trifluoromethyl)nicotinic acid is shown in Scheme 12.51)
Pyridalyl was discovered and reported by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.52,53) It has a 5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine moiety as a key substructure in the molecule. According to the IRAC, the mode of action of pyridalyl is classified as unknown (UN).50,54) After structural optimization, the insecticidal activity of TFMP derivatives on lepidopterous pests was found to be superior to that of the corresponding phenyl analogues. The chemical structure and synthetic route of pyridalyl are shown in Scheme 13.55)
Sulfoxaflor,56,57) commercialized by Dow AgroSciences LLC in , is an insecticide targeting sap-feeding pests. The sulfoxyimine functional group is rare and characteristic as a pesticide. The IRAC has classified sulfoxaflor as the only insecticide in Group 4, Subgroup 4C.50) At the beginning of the novel sulfoxyimine analogue research, phenyl derivatives that exhibited weak fungicidal activity were explored. However, when the phenyl moiety was replaced with a hetero-aromatic ring such as pyridine, insecticidal activity was observed. As a result of further structural optimization, it was found that the 6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine moiety was the optimal substructure, showing excellent insecticidal activity.58,59) A practical preparation route of sulfoxaflor is shown in Scheme 14. A critical pyridine sulfide intermediate, 7, is prepared via an enamine-mediated cyclocondensation reaction by using (E)-4-ethoxy-1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-en-2-one as a trifluoromethyl-containing building block.60)
N-phenylsulfonylimidazopyridine-2-carboxamide derivatives were found via high-throughput screening of DuPont's internal compound libraries against a root-knot nematode. Fluazaindolizine61) was selected as the optimal compound after structural optimization aiming at both the reduction of phytotoxicity and the improvement of biological activity. The trifluoromethyl group at the 6-position of the imidazopyridine moiety is particularly important for nematicidal activity. Therefore, fluazaindolizine shows activity superior to the corresponding unsubstituted or halogen-substituted imidazopyridine derivatives.62) According to the IRAC classification, the mode of action of fluazaindolizine is UN, but it seems to be novel, because there is no activity against the target sites of current commercial nematicides. 2-Amino-3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (2,3,5-ACTF), which can be prepared from 2,3,5-DCTF, was employed as a starting material, as shown in Scheme 15.
Acynonapyr63) is a new acaricide discovered by Nippon Soda and is active on spider mites of Tetranychus and Panonychus. Acynonapyr has a characteristic chemical structure in which azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane core 864) and the 5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine ring are connected via an ether bond, as shown in Scheme 16. The mode of action of acynonapyr has not yet been classified but is presumed to be disturbance of the neurotransmitter system by acting on inhibitory glutamate receptors.65)
The first patent claimed for cyclobutrifluram was published in by Syngenta.66) Cyclobutrifluram has been reported as a nematicide and is characterized by a novel carboxamide structure that has a cis-substituted four-membered ring comprised of a specific absolute configuration at each of two positions.67,68) Although there is no information on the mechanism of action, its chemical structure is reminiscent of fluopyram, with the same nematicidal effect. 2-(Trifluoromethyl)nicotinic acid is expected to be a critical raw material for the synthesis of cyclobutrifluram. Several preparation methods of 2-(trifluoromethyl)nicotinic acid have been reported in previous literature.69'71) One of the representative synthetic methods is a cyclocondensation reaction starting from compound 9, derived from Vilsmeier salt, as shown in Scheme 17.72) Ethyl 4,4,4-trifluoroacetoacetate can be condensed with compound 9 to form compound 10, followed by intramolecular cyclization to obtain 2-(trifluoromethyl)nicotinic acid.
Fluazinam, discovered by ISK,73) is a broad-spectrum fungicide, and its mode of action is the uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation, classified as Fungicide Resistance Action Committee (FRAC) code 29.74) Substituent effects on the pyridine ring were examined using the fungicidal activity against Botrytis cinerea. It was found that the trifluoromethyl-substituted pyridine derivative showed higher fungicidal activity than the corresponding chloro-, nitro-, and cyano-substituted derivatives.75) 2,3,5-DCTF is utilized in the synthesis of fluazinam, as shown in Scheme 18.
Picoxystrobin76) was discovered as a strobilurin fungicide and developed by Syngenta for the European market. After a while, it was passed to DuPont and developed for wheat in North America and Asia and for soybean crops in South America in the mid s. One structural characteristic of picoxystrobin is a pyridine ring in which the 6-position is substituted with a trifluoromethyl group. Two procedures for the preparation of 6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2(1H)-one (11) have been reported: a cyclocondensation method starting from (E)-4-ethoxy-1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-en-2-one and direct fluorination of 2-picoline through a chlorine/fluorine exchange reaction, as shown in Scheme 19.77'79)
Bayer's chemists focused on the 3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine residue based on the 'Agrophore Approach'80) and discovered two commercial fungicides.81) It is quite interesting that the same fungicidal mechanism is inferred from the similarity of both chemical structures, but they are different according to the FRAC classification. Fluopicolide induces the delocalization of spectrin-like proteins in oomycete fungi, which is a new mode of action classified as FRAC code 43. On the other hand, fluopyram is a succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI, FRAC code 7) fungicide that is effective on ascomycete pathogens and plant-parasitic nematodes.82) Chemical structures and outlines of the synthesis route for both fluopicolide83) and fluopyram84) are shown in Scheme 20.
Fluopimomide85) was developed by Shandong Sino-Agri United Biotechnology Co., Ltd., and approved in China in . As shown in Fig. 8, it has a chemical structure very similar to the preceding fungicide, fluopicolide, but its EC50 against Pseudoperonospora cubensis is relatively low, and the observed downward transportation is different from that of fluopicolide.86) A nematicidal effect has also been reported for fluopimomide.87) 5-(Trifluoromethyl)pyridine is incorporated as a substructure as well as fluopicolide, whereas the substituents on the benzene ring are characteristic. According to the FRAC classification, both compounds are reported to have the same mode of action and are classified as code 43.
In , it was estimated that up to 20% of pharmaceuticals prescribed or administered in the clinic contained a fluorine atom.88) More recently, however, this has increased to over 40%. It is noteworthy that 19.2% of those fluorinated drugs contain a trifluoromethyl group.89)
Five pharmaceuticals (Table 4) containing a TFMP moiety as a partial structure have been approved and commercialized so far. Furthermore, since various drug candidates containing a TFMP moiety are currently undergoing clinical trials, new drugs are expected to be introduced to the market in the near future. Representative examples of drugs under development and their common names are listed in Table 5.90)
In , Boehringer Ingelheim succeeded in developing and commercializing tipranavir,91) which was discovered by Pharmacia & Upjohn (currently Pfizer, Inc.),92) as a non-peptide anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drug.
In the course of structural optimization, for all synthesized compounds, not only the HIV protease binding activity but also the relationship between pharmacokinetic parameters, such as in vitro antiviral activity and half-life in blood, was comprehensively investigated. Tipranavir with a TFMP moiety showed about tenfold higher antiviral activity than the corresponding phenyl analogue.
The first synthesis93) of tipranavir using a chiral auxiliary was reported in , but later, a practical asymmetric synthesis was also reported. The introduction of 5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine-2-sulfonyl chloride (12) prepared from 2,5-CTF is achieved in the final synthesis step, as shown in Scheme 21.94)
Enasidenib is an oral isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 (IDH2) inhibitor developed by the Celgene Corp. under a global, exclusive license from Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.95)
In , the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved enasidenib for adults with relapsed and refractory acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) with an IDH2 mutation.
The synthesis of enasidenib consists of six steps, depicted in Scheme 22.96) One structural characteristic of enasidenib is that two different α-TFMPs are introduced into both ends of the molecule.
Several synthetic methods of 2-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (13) and 2-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-4-amine (14), shown in Scheme 23, were reported previously.97,98)
For more 2-Chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (CTF)information, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
Apalutamide,99) developed by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is a second-generation nonsteroidal androgen receptor (AR) antagonist with a strong binding affinity to AR. In , it was approved by the FDA for the treatment of non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC). As shown in Fig. 9, the chemical structure of apalutamide is very similar to that of enzalutamide (FDA approved in ) with two minor modifications: (a) a gem-dimethyl group on the imidazoline ring of enzalutamide is bonded at each end to form a four-membered cyclic structure, and (b) the benzene ring of enzalutamide is replaced with a pyridine ring. Apalutamide possesses in vitro activity comparable to that of enzalutamide but with greater anti-tumor efficacy in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) xenograft models and lower potential to cause seizures as an adverse effect in the central nervous system.100)
A detailed review of the development of synthetic approaches to apalutamide has been published.101) An example of the synthetic route is shown in Scheme 24, in which 2,3-CTF is employed as a key intermediate.
Doravirine,102) developed by the Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., is a new non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), and it was approved by the FDA in for the treatment of HIV infection in adult patients. Similar to other NNRTIs, doravirine exerts its antiviral effect through a noncompetitive inhibition of the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase but has a more favorable drug interaction profile compared with earlier NNRTIs, as it neither inhibits nor induces the cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzyme.103)
In structural optimization, a conversion of the methyl group on the pyridone ring to a trifluoromethyl group was found to improve plasma stability and enzyme inhibition.104,105)
A robust kilo-scale synthesis route of doravirine, shown in Scheme 25, has been reported,106) but details of the preparation method of 2-chloro-3-fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (15) have not been described in the literature.
As an alternative synthesis route for the key pyridine intermediate of doravirine, a flow reactor makes it possible to use (E)-4-ethoxy-1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-en-2-one as a starting raw material instead of 15, as shown in Scheme 26.107)
Pexidartinib,108) discovered by Plexxikon, Inc., is an orally active and potent colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R) kinase inhibitor (IC50 value 13'nM).109)
In , the FDA approved Daiichi Sankyo's pexidartinib capsules for the treatment of adult patients with symptomatic tenosynovial giant cell tumors (TGC'Ts) associated with severe morbidity or functional limitations and not amenable to improvement with surgery.
As shown in Fig. 10, pexidartinib is the compound in which a chlorine atom is introduced at the 5-position of the 1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine moiety of PLX647 (lead compound), and the benzene ring is replaced with a pyridine. The CSF-1R kinase inhibitory activity is about twofold higher, and the nitrogen atom of the pyridine ring contributes to the stabilization of the CSF-1R kinase conformation.
A novel synthetic route (Scheme 27) was designed and demonstrated.110) 6-(Trifluoromethyl)nicotinaldehyde (16) was used as a key intermediate for the synthesis of pexidartinib.
Compound 16 is synthesized by a cyclocondensation reaction using (E)-4-ethoxy-1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-en-2-one, as shown in Scheme 28.111'113)
Tavapadon (CVL-751),114) discovered by Pfizer, Inc., is a potent partial agonist at the D1/D5 receptors and it is being developed by Cerevel Therapeutics as a treatment for Parkinson's disease.115) 2,3-CTF is employed as a key intermediate for the preparation of CVL-751 as shown in Scheme 29.
Leniolisib (CDZ173),116) discovered by Novartis AG, is currently in clinical studies by Pharming in patients suffering from activated PI3Kδ syndrome (APDS)/p110 delta activating mutation causing senescent T cells, lymphadenopathy, and immunodeficiency (PASLI). In structural optimization, conversion of the methyl group on the pyridine moiety to a trifluoromethyl group was found to increase PI3Kδ potency by a factor of five. Leniolisib was found to have the optimal hydrophilic property to ensure good solubility and metabolic stability.117)
2,3-CTF is employed as a key intermediate for the preparation of leniolisib, as shown in Scheme 30.
Relacorilant (CORT)118) is being developed by Corcept Therapeutics, Inc. It is an orally active, high-affinity, selective antagonist of the glucocorticoid receptor that may benefit from the modulation of cortisol activity. In structural optimization, the introduction of a trifluoromethyl group to the 4-position on the pyridyl moiety was found to increase HepG2 tyrosine amino transferase assay potency by a factor of four. Relacorilant is currently being evaluated in a phase II clinical study in patients with Cushing's syndrome.119)
2-Bromo-4-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (17) prepared from (E)-4-ethoxy-1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-en-2-one is employed as a key intermediate for the preparation of relacorilant as shown in Scheme 31.120)
Bimiralisib (PQR309)121) is being developed by PIQUR Therapeutics AG. It has been selected after structural optimization as the best phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K) inhibitor with a balanced targeting of the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) kinase.122) Bimiralisib evolved as the lead compound of a series of dimorpholinotriazine-based compounds and is currently being tested in phase II clinical trials.
2-Amino-4-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (18), which can be prepared from 2,4-CTF, is employed as a key intermediate for the preparation of bimiralisib, as shown in Scheme 32.123)
Icenticaftor (QBW-251), which is a potentiator of the cystic fibrosis membrane conductance regulator (CFTR)124) used for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is being developed by Novartis AG.
5-Bromo-2-methoxy-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (the same intermediate of leniolisib), which can be prepared from 2,3-CTF, is employed as a key intermediate for the preparation of icenticaftor, as shown in Scheme 33.125)
Chromosome region maintenance 1 (CRM1) plays an important role in the nuclear export of cargo proteins bearing nuclear exporting signal sequences. Felezonexor (CBS),126) which was discovered by the CanBas Co., Ltd., is a novel reversible CRM1 inhibitor and a promising clinical candidate developed by Stemline Therapeutics, Inc.127)
2,6-Dichloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine (2,6,3-DCTF) is employed as a starting material for the preparation of felezonexor, as shown in Scheme 34.
RAF) was a potent, selective, efficacious rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma (RAF) kinase inhibitor and well tolerated in preclinical models, but the high human intrinsic clearance precluded further development and prompted further investigation of close analogues. In further structural optimization studies, the mitigation of human intrinsic clearance and time-dependent inhibition led to the discovery of naporafenib (LXH254), as shown in Fig. 11.129,130) Naporafenib was advanced to human studies and is currently being assessed in phase I trials by the Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
An optimized synthetic route for naporafenib, which was used to supply larger quantities of material for in vivo studies, is outlined in Scheme 35. 2-(Trifluoromethyl)isonicotinic acid (19) is introduced in the last step of the synthesis, as shown in Scheme 35.131,132) For the synthesis of compound 19, ethyl 2,2,2-trifluoroacetate is used as a key precursor.
Two animal health products (Table 6) containing a TFMP moiety have been approved and commercialized.
Fluazuron, a benzoyl-phenylurea derivative, is a well-known chemical class of chitin biosynthesis inhibitors and was developed exclusively for veterinary use by Ciba-Geigy.133) It shows good activity against ticks and mites of livestock and pets but none at all against insects. Fluazuron was approved as an animal health product in .134) TFMP is incorporated as a substructure in fluazuron, as shown in Fig. 12.
Fuzapladib sodium hydrate (IKV-741, IS-741) was discovered and developed by ISK as an acute pancreatitis drug for dogs.
IS-741 had been a clinical candidate for patients with acute pancreatitis,135) but further development was cancelled in phase II. Later, this compound continued to be developed as a veterinary medicine and was approved as fuzapladib sodium hydrate in .136)
Fuzapladib sodium hydrate is synthesized from 2,5-CTF as a starting material, as shown in Scheme 36.137)
Despite not occurring in nature,138) fluorine derivatives have attracted attention as a rich source of bioactive compounds. Herein, we have discussed the synthesis and applications of TFMP derivatives. In the more than 40 years since the first TFMP-based agrochemical was reported, research and development of TFMP derivatives has continued unabated, and many new bioactive molecules have been discovered. Although TFMP derivatives were first applied in the agrochemical industry, their use in the pharmaceutical industry is increasing. Early structural design introduced the TFMP motif into a compound to manipulate its physicochemical properties and obtain better biological activity. There are also reports that TFMP itself has various biological activities. For instance, 2-amino-3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine is expected to show anti-tumor activity,139) and 3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine-2-carboxylic acid, a metabolite of the fungicide fluopyram, is phytotoxic.140) More agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals containing TFMP are expected to be introduced to the market in the near future. For discovery chemists, confirming the biological activity of TFMP derivatives during the structural optimization stage of the design process may open several useful avenues for future research.
Articles from Journal of Pesticide Science are provided here courtesy of Pesticide Science Society of Japan
Trifluoromethylpyridine (TFMP) and its intermediates are important ingredients for the development of agrochemical and pharmaceutical compounds. The presence of a fluorine atom and a carbon-containing pyridine are thought to bestow many of the distinctive physical'chemical properties observed with this class of compounds. Dr Masamitsu Tsukamoto and Mr Tadashi Nakamura, of Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd, Japan, take a closer look at this class of compounds. They explore the different synthetic methods for introducing TFMP groups within other molecules, and investigate their wide-ranging potential applications.
With the global population rapidly expanding, agrochemicals are in increasing demand to maintain crop production. In addition, the agricultural research community faces the challenge of producing pesticides that not only prevent crop losses caused by parasites, but also protect human populations from the spread of diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, or the Zika virus, all of which are carried by mosquitoes. Trifluoromethylpyridine (TFMP) and its intermediates have gained a fundamental role as key structural ingredients for the development of many agrochemical and pharmaceutical compounds.
TFMP contains three fluorine atoms, a methyl group (a unit made of a hydrogen atom and three carbon atoms), and a ring-shaped carbon-containing structure known as pyridine. TFMP derivatives are characterised by the presence of a fluorine atom and a pyridine in their structure, which are thought to bestow many of the distinctive physical'chemical properties observed in this class of compounds. To develop compounds with unique biological properties, hydrogen is commonly replaced with fluorine. Dr Masamitsu Tsukamoto and Mr Tadashi Nakamura, of Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha (ISK) Ltd Central Research Institute, Japan, are interested in the properties and applications of pesticides. The researchers published a detailed literature review on the synthesis of TFMP intermediates.
The demand for TFMP derivatives has been increasing steadily in the last 30 years. In their review, Tsukamoto and Nakamura guide the readers through the different synthetic methods for introducing TFMP groups within the structures of other molecules. The researchers explain that this is generally achieved via two main methods: one involving an exchange between chlorine and fluorine atoms using trichloromethyl-pyridine. The second method relies on the assembly of pyridine from a trifluoromethyl-containing building block. Whether TFMP intermediates are manufactured using the direct fluorination method or the building-block method, depends largely on the identity of the desired target compound.
2,3-dichloro-5-(trifluoromethyl) pyridine (2,3,5-DCTF) is used in the production of several crop-protection products. Notably, of all the TFMP derivatives, it is in highest demand. It can be obtained by direct chlorination and fluorination of 3-picoline and followed by aromatic nuclear chlorination of the pyridine ring. Several cyclo-condensation reactions for the synthesis of TFMP derivatives from a trifluoromethyl building block have been reported. The process of cyclo-condensation involves the molecular assembly of a large, ring-shaped molecule (in this case a pyridine) from smaller, fluorinated building blocks ' either ethyl 2,2,2-trifluoroacetate, 2,2,2-trifluoroacetyl chloride, ethyl 4,4,4-trifluoro-3-oxobutanoate, or (E)-4-ethoxy-1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-en-2-one.
The first herbicide to incorporate a TFMP derivative is called fluazifop-butyl. Developed in , this compound proved to be an excellent growth inhibitor of perennial grass weeds. 2,5-CTF was used as a key fluorinated building block for its synthesis. Following the success of fluazifop-butyl, other herbicides were synthesised and commercialised that displayed a similar herbicidal spectrum to their predecessor, while exhibiting a longer residual soil activity.
In , Flazasulfuron was first reported by ISK. Flazasulfuron is a crop protector, and is selective for turf, sugarcane, and perennial crops such as citrus and grape. As with other herbicides, a fluorinated building block is used as an intermediate for the synthesis of flazasulfuron; in this case, 2,3-CTF is used as the key synthetic intermediate. Of course, the use of herbicides does not come without problems; as Tsukamoto and Nakamura point out, 2-methoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl analogues were developed as very effective herbicides for the control of key weeds in cereal crops, such as wheat, but were found to cause significant damage to the crops. Pyridine analogues do not cause the same amount of damage to wheat crops, and for this reason, Dow AgroSciences LLC produced pyroxsulam. Incorporating pyridine in its structure, pyroxsulam retains the herbicidal properties of the 2-methoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl) parent compounds, while displaying more selective protection of wheat crops.
2,3,5-DCTF is the starting raw material for the synthesis of chlorfluazuron, a compound developed by ISK, which acts as an insect growth regulator (IGR). Chlorfluazuron inhibits the growth of the target insects at their larval stages. The screening of various TFMP derivatives revealed that some compounds containing nicotinamide were particularly effective against aphids. This led to the development of flonicamid by ISK. Flonicamid contains the 4-trifluoromethyl-pyridine structure, which is obtained by condensation in the presence of ammonia.
Sulfoxaflor, sold by Dow AgroSciences, is an insecticide that works by targeting pests that feed on sap.
Sulfoxaflor is based on the 6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine. Its pyridine sulfide intermediate is prepared via a condensation reaction by with a trifluoromethyl-containing building block.
Pyridalyl, a TFMP derivative containing the 5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine molecular structure, was discovered and reported by Sumitomo Chemical Co, Ltd. As observed with other TFMP derivatives, the presence of fluorine and pyridine structure result in its superior pest control properties when compared to traditional phenyl-containing insecticides. The synthesis of pyridalyl, as is the case for other TFMPs, encompasses a condensation step that includes the reaction between a trifluoromethyl pyridine building block and a larger chlorinated counterpart.
A large number of compounds containing the TFMP sub-structure are currently undergoing clinical trial.Fluazinam, discovered by ISK, is a potent fungicide, and interferes with the biochemistry of respiration. It was found that the trifluoromethyl-substituted pyridine derivative showed higher fungicidal activity than chlorine and other derivatives. 2,3,5-DCTF is utilised in the synthesis of fluazinam, as a building block for the condensation.
Tsukamoto and Nakamura estimate that about 40% of pharmaceutical compounds contain fluorine in their structure. Of these, almost 20% contain a trifluoromethyl structure. Even though only five TFMP compounds have so far been approved for use as pharmaceuticals (that is, antivirals or antitumour agents), a large number of compounds containing the TFMP sub-structure are currently undergoing clinical trial. Many are expected to be approved as new drugs in the near future.
One of the most successful TFMP-containing drugs is tipranavir, developed and commercialised by Boehringer. Tipranavir is a non-peptide anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drug and acts by binding to and inhibiting the HIV protease enzyme. The molecule is synthesised by condensation using a 2,5-CTF building block.
Tsukamoto and Nakamura have studied the chemistry of TFMP derivatives, which are used in the pharmaceutical industry and as chemical feedstock for pest control, fungicidal, and herbicidal agents. The researchers have published a detailed review of the physical and chemical properties and the synthetic routes of the fluorine-containing compounds via either a chlorine/fluorine substitution reaction or a condensation mechanism that employs a molecular building block containing fluorine and a pyridine in its structure.
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