An efficient synthesis of 6-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dimethyl-7-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolizine, a key intermediate in the licofelone synthesis

An efficient synthesis of 6-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dimethyl-7-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolizine, a key intermediate for the synthesis of licofelone, an anti-inflammatory drug currently undergoing evaluation of the phase-III clinical studies, is described. The method is based on a novel synthesis of unstable 5-benzyl-3,3-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole, which is then treated with 2-bromo-1-(4-chlorophenyl)ethan-1-one. 2,2-Dimethyl-5-phenylpent-4-ynal with benzylamines provides the corresponding Schiff bases. Migration of the C=N double bond in these N-(2,2-dimethyl-5-phenylpent-4-yn-1-ylidene)benzylamines into conjugation with the aromatic ring using various base/solvent systems was studied. Acid hydrolysis of the formed Schiff bases then provided 2,2-dimethyl-5-phenylpent-4-yn-1-amine and 2,2-dimethyl-5-phenylpenta-3,4-dien-1-amine; their ratio was influenced mainly by the reaction conditions. Cyclization of these amines using Ag or Au catalysts then led to 5-benzyl-3,3-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole.