Indian Patents. 252084:METHOD FOR CLEANING 3-HYDROXY-AMIDINOPHENYLALANINE DERIVATIVES BY THE PRECIPITATION AND RECRYSTALLIZATION OF SALT AND AN AROMATIC SULFONIC ACID

Title of Invention	METHOD FOR CLEANING 3-HYDROXY-AMIDINOPHENYLALANINE DERIVATIVES BY THE PRECIPITATION AND RECRYSTALLIZATION OF SALT AND AN AROMATIC SULFONIC ACID
Abstract	The present invention relates to the preparation of 3- hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivatives in highly pure form which can be used for example as urokinase inhibitors; the present invention further relates to the use of high-purity 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivatives for preparing 3- amidinophenylalanine derivatives.

Full Text	METHOD FOR CLEANING 3-HYDROXYAMIDINOPHENYLALANINE DERIVATIVES BY THE PRECIPITATION AND RECRYSTALLIZATION OF SALT AND AN AROMATIC SULFONIC ACID Description The present invention relates to the preparation of 3-hydroxyamidino- phenylalanine derivatives in highly pure form which can be used for example as urokinase inhibitors. The present invention further relates to the use of high-purity 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivatives for preparing 3-amidinophenylalanine derivatives. The urokinase-plasminogen activator system (UPA system) plays a central role in the metastasis and, in addition, in the growth of primary tumors, for example in breast, stomach, bowel, pancreatic, ovarian cancer and other solid tumors. A medical effect can be displayed at two levels through inhibition of the UPA system: firstly blocking of metastasis, and secondly reduction of primary tumor growth. 3-Amidinophenyralanine derivatives represent a class of highly effective urokinase inhibitors. Preparation of 3-amidinophenylalanine derivatives, in particular of N-a- (2,4,6-triisopropylphenylsulfonyl)-3-amidino-(L)-phenylalanine 4-ethoxycar- bonylpiperazide (WX-UK1), and the use thereof as urokinase inhibitors is described for example in CH-A 689611, WO 00/04954 and WO 00/17158 and in the publication by Sturzebecher et al. (Bioorg. Med. Chem. Let 9 (1999), 3147-3152). However, the synthetic methods used therein generally afford relatively low yields of product, because hydrolyzed TIPPS-OH results as unwanted by-product. One problem is that the desired reaction product can be separated from by-products only by elaborate chromatographic methods. PCT/EP03/08230 describes methods for preparing 3-amidinophenylalanine derivatives via a 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine intermediate. These oxamidine derivatives represent highly specific and selective urokinase inhibitors and additionally have the advantage of oral bioavailability. However, the problem in the preparation method disclosed in PCT/EP03/08230 is that the oxamidine intermediates are not obtained in pure form, and elaborate purification methods are necessary in order to remove for example amide by-products. However, both for the further synthesis of 3-amidinophenylalanine derivatives and for a pharmaceutical use of the oxamidine derivatives, it would be advantageous for a method to be available to allow these oxamidine derivatives to be prepared in good yield and with high purity. It was therefore the object of the present invention to provide such a method in order to obtain oxamidine derivatives in highly pure form. This object is achieved by a method for purifying 3-hydroxyamidinophenyl- alanine derivatives, comprising the steps: (a) addition of an aromatic sulfonic acid to a solution of an optionally contaminated 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative in order to form a salt, (b) separation of the precipitate formed in step (a), and (c) recovery of the 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative from the precipitate. The meaning of "aromatic sulfonic acid" in the sense of the present invention is an aromatic or heteroaromatic mono- or oligocyclic ring system which is substituted by at least one sulfonic acid group and/or sulfonate group. The aromatic or heteroaromatic ring system may additionally have further substituents which may be selected for example from C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C3-alkoxy, hydroxyl, carboxyl, sulfonyl, nitro, cyano, oxo or/and halogen. Suitable aromatic or heteroaromatic ring systems include for example mono- and bicycles having 6 to 20 carbon atoms and 0 to 4 heteroatoms, which may preferably be selected from N, O and S. Examples of suitable aromatic sulfonic acids are toluene- and benzene- mono- or/and -disulfonic acids, and naphthalene-mono- or/and -disulfonic acid derivatives. Disulfonic acids with a good tendency to crystallize, for example naphthalene disulfonic acids, are preferred. Naphthalene-1,5- disulfonic acid (Armstrong's acid) is most preferred. Aromatic disulfonic acids are frequently employed in the dye industry and there represent intermediates and coupling reagents for various, especially naphthalene- based, dyes. It has now surprisingly been found that aromatic sulfonic acids, and in particular Armstrong's acid, are particularly suitable for precipitating 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivatives (oxamidines) in the form of a corresponding salt. Salts formed in this way precipitate from a solution of optionally contaminated 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative crude products. Suitable solvents in this connection are, for example, ketones such as acetone and pentanone, esters such as ethyl acetate, polar ethers such as tetrahydrofuran, bis(2-methoxyethyl) ether (diglyme), dioxane and methyl tert-butyl ether, halogenated solvents such as dichloromethane, but also nitriles and nonpolar alcohols. The precipitates can be separated in a simple manner from the solution in a subsequent step (b), for example by filtration. The removed salt can then be purified further by purification methods customary in the state of the art, and be dried. It is possible in this way according to the invention to improve the purity of the 3-hydroxyamidino- phenylalanine derivative even further. Subsequently, in step (c), the 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative is recovered. It is possible for this purpose according to the present invention to react the corresponding sulfonic acid salt for example with bases which are more basic than the hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivatives, e.g. with sodium bicarbonate, but also with inorganic and organic bases. The present invention thus makes it possible in a simple and elegant manner to remove contaminated reactants, intermediates and unwanted products, especially unwanted amide contaminants, from the oxamidine. The method of the present invention is particularly suitable for purifying oxamidine compounds of the formula (I) which may be in the form of racemates as well as in the form of the L or D configuration compounds, and in which R1 is a group of the formula in which R4 is (i) an optionally for example C1-C6-alkyl-, C1-C3-alkoxy-, hydroxyl-, carboxyl-, sulfonyl-, nitro-, cyano-, oxo- or/and halogen-substituted C1-C6-alkyl residue such as, for example, ethoxycarbonyl or aryl residue such as, for example, phenyl, p-halophenyl, naphthyl, (ii) a saturated or unsaturated branched or unbranched C1-C6-alkoxy residue or (iii) an optionally for example C1-C6-alkyl-, C1-C3-alkoxy-, hydroxyl-, carboxyl-, sulfonyl-, nitro-, cyano-, oxo- or/and halogen-substituted phenoxy or benzyloxycarbonyl residue, R2 is an optionally for example C1-C6-alkyl-, C1-C3-alkoxy-, hydroxyl-, carboxyl-, sulfonyl-, nitro-, cyano-, oxo- or/and halogen-substituted phenyl residue, such as, for example, phenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 2,4,6- trimethylphenyl, 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl, 4-methoxy-2,3,6-trimethylphenyl, R3 is H or branched or unbranched C1-C4-alkyl, and n is0or 1, Z is N or CR9 where R9 is H or branched or unbranched C1-C4-alkyl. According to one aspect of the invention, it can preferably be employed in order to isolate N-α-(2,4,6-triisopropylphenylsulfonyl)-3-hydroxyamidino- (L)-phenylalanine 4-ethoxycarbonylpiperazide in highly pure form. In the synthetic methods disclosed to date for preparing oxamidine derivatives, the oxamidine compound results in a low degree of purity and comprises a large proportion of up to 30% of amide contaminant and further contaminations by reactants and unknown compounds. It is possible with the method of the present invention to obtain pure oxamidine. The oxamidine preferably results in a purity of more than 90%, more preferably more than 95% and most preferably more than 99%. According to a further aspect of the present invention, no racemization takes place in the purification method of the invention, so that enantiopure oxamidine products are obtained. In one embodiment of the invention, the purification according to the invention can be part of a method for preparing 3-hydroxyamidinophenyl- alanine derivatives. A preferred preparation method includes the steps: (i) reaction of an N-protected 3-cyanophenylalanine with a piperazine derivative to form an N-protected 3-cyanophenylalanine piperazide, (ii) reaction with an optionally substituted phenylsulfonyl halide, in particular a TIPPS halide; (iii) conversion of the cyano group into a hydroxyamidino group (iv) purification with an aromatic sulfonic acid as described above. In step (i) of the method of the invention, an N-protected 3-cyanophenyl- alanine is reacted with a piperazine derivative. The term "piperazine derivative" includes in the sense of the present invention piperazine and its derivatives, wherein optionally up to four carbon positions in the ring and/or not more than one nitrogen atom in the ring may be substituted. Piperazine derivatives preferably employed have a substituent on one of the two nitrogen atoms in the ring. Examples of suitable substituents include C1-C6-alkyl residues, saturated or unsaturated branched or unbranched C1-C6-alkoxy residues, phenoxy and phenyloxycarbonyl residues, and aryl residues such as, for example, phenyl, p-halophenyl and naphthyl. These may in turn be optionally substituted in each case independently, for example by C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C3- alkoxy, hydroxyl, carboxyl, sulfonyl, nitro, cyano, oxo or/and halogen. It is possible according to the present invention to employ any protective group for protecting the amino nitrogen atom of the 3-cyanophenylalanine employed in step (i). Examples of suitable protective groups for amino functions are known in the prior art and include for example Cbz (benzyloxycarbonyl), Boc (T-butyloxycarbonyl), DIMOZ (dimetoxybenzyl- oxycarbonyl), Tfac (trifluoroacetyl), CyOC (cyano-t-butyloxycarbonyl), Phth (phthaloyl), Bpoc (2-biphenyl-4-isopropoxycarbonyl), Ddz (3,5-dimethoxy- phenylisopropoxycarbonyl), Fmoc (fluorenyl-9-methyloxycarbonyl), PALOC (3-(3-pyridyl)allyloxycarbonyl), Tos (p-toluenesulfonyl), NPS (2-nitrophenyl- sulfenyl), DNPS (2,4-dinitrophenylsulfenyl). Boc is particularly preferably employed as protective group according to the present invention. The reaction in step (i) of the method according to the invention forms an N-protected 3-cyanophenylalanine piperazide. It is subsequently possible in one embodiment of the invention to remove the N-protective group again. The conditions necessary for eliminating the respective protective group are known to a skilled worker. The Boc protective group which is particularly preferably used according to the invention can be eliminated for example in acidic medium, e.g. in an organic solvent such as dioxane or methanol which is saturated with HCI gas or trifluoroacetate, particularly preferably with 4M HCI (g) in dioxane. An alternative possibility is to choose the conditions in the subsequent reaction step (ii) so that elimination of the protective group takes place in situ. In step (ii), the 3-cyanophenylalanine piperazide formed in step (i) is reacted with a phenylsulfonyl halide, which may optionally be substituted. Preferred halides in this connection are fluoride, chloride, bromide and iodide. Examples of substituents on the phenylsulfonyl halide include C1- C6-alkyl, C1-C3-alkoxy, hydroxyl, carboxyl, sulfonyl, nitro, cyano, oxo and halogen. Phenylsulfonyl halides which are preferably employed are phenyl-, 4-methylphenyl-, 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl-, 4-methoxy-2,3,6- trimethylphenyl- and especially 2,4,6-triisopropylphenylsulfonyl (TIPPS) halides. In step (iii), the cyano group is converted into the hydroxyamidino function. This conversion can be carried out for example by means of hydroxylamine hydrochloride in the presence of sodium carbonate or triethylamine. Suitable methods for such reactions are known in the prior art and are described for example in WO 03/072559. The 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative formed in step (iii) is subsequently obtained in highly pure form in accordance with the purification method described above using an organic sulfonic acid. It is unnecessary in this connection first to isolate the 3-hydroxyamidinophenyl- alanine derivative from step (iii). 3-Hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivatives are obtained in this way with little expenditure on apparatus and in high chemical yield and purity. The oxamidine compounds obtained in highly pure form with the method of the invention can be employed for example as orally available urokinase inhibitors. According to a further aspect of the present invention, the oxamidine compounds can be reacted further to give 3-amidinophenylalanine derivatives. Since oxamidine is in highly pure form according to the present invention, the yield of amidino final product in the further course of the synthesis is also distinctly increased. The present invention thus provides a method for preparing 3-amidino- phenylalanine derivatives including the steps: (i) preparation of a 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative by a method described above, and (ii) conversion of the hydroxyamidino group into an amidino group. The hydroxyamidino group can be converted into the amidino derivative by reduction. This normally takes place by catalytic hydrogenation in reactions familiar to the skilled worker, for example as indicated in WO 03/076391, WO 03/072559, EP 1 294 742, and in Steinmetzer et al., J. Enzyme Inhibition, 16, 2001, 241-249, Kent et al., J. Peptide Res., 52, 1998, 201- 207 and Stuber et al., peptide Res. 8, 1995, 78-85. It is thus possible by the method of the invention to isolate the corresponding 3-amidinophenylalanine derivative with a yield which is distinctly improved by comparison with methods known in the prior art, and in highly pure form. Figures Figure 1 shows an HPLC profile of the product mixture obtained in a conventional synthesis of N-alpha-(2,4,6-triisopropylphenylsulfonyl)-3- hydroxyamidino-(L)-phenylalanine 4-ethoxycarbonylpiperazide. The oxamidine is detected at a retention time of about 21.4 minutes, followed by the amide contaminant at 24.3 minutes. Figure 2 shows an HPLC profile of the oxamidine N-alpha-(2,4,6-triiso- propylphenylsulfonyl)-3-hydroxyamidino-(L)-phenylalanine 4-ethoxy- carbonylpiperazide prepared by the method of the invention. Diethyl acetamidomalonate (407 g) is added to ethanol (1 I) at room temperature in a nitrogen atmosphere. The suspension is heated to about 70°C, and a solution of sodium ethoxide (130 g) in ethanol (900 ml) is added. The reaction mixture is stirred at this temperature for a further 30 minutes. A suspension of 3-bromomethylbenzonitrile (300 g) in ethanol (1.4 I) is then added to the reaction vessel. The temperature in the reaction vessel is kept at about 70°C for a further 2.5 hours. Then, over the course of 1.5 hours, dilute sodium hydroxide solution (2N; 2.2 I) is added dropwise. The suspension is stirred at about 70°C for a further 30 minutes and then cooled to room temperature. The pH of the reaction mixture is slowly reduced at room temperature to about 7 by adding concentrated hydrochloric acid (over the course of about 1 hour). The organic solvent is removed by distillation under reduced pressure ( The remaining residue is dissolved in 1N NaOH (1 I). The aqueous solution is extracted 3 times with ethyl acetate (350 ml each time). This is followed by cooling to 10°C. The aqueous solution is acidified with cone. HCI (pH = 1). The desired product is extracted with ethyl acetate (3 extractions with 1.2 I of ethyl acetate each time). The combined organic phases are concentrated under reduced pressure. The desired product precipitates as a white solid. The crystals are collected in a suction funnel at 5°C, washed with small amounts of ethyl acetate and dried at 45°C in a nitrogen atmosphere. Yield: 243 g (68%). Acetylcyanophenylalanine (940 g) is dissolved in 1N NaOH (4 I) at 37°C. The initial pH of 12.8 is reduced to 7.2 by adding 4N HCI (approximately 120 ml). Acylase I (37.8 g) is added. In order to keep the pH of the reaction mixture constant at about 7.2, NaOH (1N) is continuously added to the reaction mixture. After 72 hours at 37°C, the precipitated product is isolated by filtration at 20°C. The crystals are washed with water and dried under reduced pressure at about 40°C. Concentration of the filtrate under reduced pressure to one third of the original volume leads to precipitation of further product. Overall yield: 261 g (34%). Triethylamine (310 ml) is added to a suspension of cyanophenyl-L-alanine (425 g) in methanol (4.5 I). At 25°C, di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (488 g) is added. The reaction mixture is stirred overnight. The organic solvent is removed under reduced pressure at 40°C. The remaining orange-colored oil is diluted with ethyl acetate (3 I). 1N HCI (2.3 I) is added, and the heterogeneous solution is stirred vigorously for 30 minutes. A phase separation is carried out. The organic phase is isolated, extracted with water and dried with MgSO4. After filtration, the organic phase is evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure at 40°C. Crystals are obtained on addition of dichloromethane to the residue. The crystals are collected by filtration and dried under nitrogen at 45°C. Yield: 554 g (85%) Boc-Cyanophenylalanine (554 g) and HOBT (52 g) are suspended in dichloromethane (2.7 I). A solution of DCC (453 g) in dichloromethane (1 I) is added. The suspension is then cooled to 10-15°C, and ethoxycarbonyl- piperazine (347 g) is added dropwise over the course of 30 minutes while maintaining the above temperature range. The reaction mixture is stirred overnight. The urea is filtered off and discarded. Saturated NaHCO3 solution (1.8 I) is added to the filtrate. The heterogeneous mixture is stirred for 30 minutes and then the phases are separated. The organic phase is extracted with water (2 I) and then dried with MgSO4. The MgSO4 is filtered off and the solution is concentrated under reduced pressure at 30°C. The remaining oil is dissolved in ethyl acetate (300 ml). The solution is heated to the boiling point. Diisopropyl ether (750 ml) is slowly added until the solution becomes cloudy. The temperature is reduced to 50°C, and the mixture is left to settle. The temperature is then reduced over the course of 5 hours to 25°C. The product is filtered off and washed with diisopropyl ether and then dried under nitrogen at 40°C. Yield: 660 g (80%) Boc-L-Cyanophenylalanine pipamide (442 g) is dissolved in a solution of HCI in dioxane (4N; 1.2 I). The temperature rises during the addition from 25°C to 32°C. The reaction is complete after 3 hours, and dichloromethane (1 I) is added to the solution. The desired product starts to precipitate. The suspension is stirred overnight. An excess of HCI is removed by evacuating the mixture. The product is isolated by filtration, washed with diisopropyl ether (0.7 I) and dried under high vacuum at 45°C. Yield: 552 g (98%) 2,4,6-Triisopropylphenylsulfonyl chloride (212 g) is added to a suspension of cyanophenyl-L-alanine pipamide HCI (257 g) in dichloromethane (1.6 I) at 25°C. Addition of N-ethyldiisopropylamine (238 ml) results in a clear solution. The addition proceeds exothermically (temperature increase from 25°C to 35°C). Water (1.1 I) is added to the reaction mixture after it has been stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The phases are separated, and the organic phase is extracted once with saturated NaHCO3 solution (1.6 I) and once with water (0.5 I). The organic phase is dried with MgSO4, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. A colorless oil is obtained and slowly crystallizes on standing at room temperature. Yield: 423 g (-100%) Step 7: Amide oxime formation; N-alpha-(2,4,6- triisopropylphenylsulfonyl)-3-hydroxyamidino-(L)-phenylalanine-4 ethoxycarbonylpiperazide TIPPS-L-Cyanophenylalanine pipamide (50 g) is dissolved in ethanol (350 ml). Hydroxylamine HCI (7.3 g) and triethylamine (14.5 ml) are successively added. The reaction mixture is heated to the boiling point (~75°C) and heated under reflux for 6 hours. It is then cooled to 40°C, and the solvent is replaced. Ethanol is removed under reduced pressure and dichloromethane (300 ml) and water (100 ml) are added to the residue. A phase separation is carried out. The organic phase is dried with MgSO4. Filtration is followed by removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. A white solid (57 g) is obtained and is dissolved in acetone (200 ml). A solution of Armstrong's acid (15 g) in acetone (150 ml) is added. The mixture is heated at the boiling point of acetone for 30 minutes. The Armstrong salt of the desired product crystallizes as white solid. The suspension is cooled to room temperature and stirred for 1 hour before subsequently carrying out a filtration. The crystals are washed with acetone (75 ml), dried and then dissolved in dichloromethane (600 ml). Saturated NaHCO3 solution (400 ml) is added. The heterogeneous mixture is stirred vigorously for 20 minutes and then the phases are separated. The organic phase is extracted with water (400 ml), and then the dichloromethane is removed by distillation. A white solid (45 g) is obtained. The product is recrystallized from ethyl acetate/diisopropyl ether, dissolving 45 g in ethyl acetate (60 ml). Diisopropyl ether (250 ml) is added. The suspension formed in this way is heated at the boiling point for 30 minutes and then slowly cooled to room temperature. The amorphous white solid is filtered off, washed with diisopropyl ether and dried in vacuo at 45°C. Yield: 34 g (65%) WE CLAIM: 1. A method for purifying 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivatives having its formula (I): in which R1 is a group of the formula in which R4 is (i) an optionally for example C1-C6-alkyl-, C1-C3-alkoxy-, hydroxyl-, carboxyl-, sulfonyl-, nitro-, cyano-, oxo- or/and halogen- substituted C1-C6-alkyl residue such as, for example, ethoxycarbonyl or aryl residue such as, for example, phenyl, p- halophenyl, naphthyl, (ii) a saturated or unsaturated branched or unbranched C1-C6- alkoxy residue or (iii) an optionally for example C1-C6-alkyl-, C1-C3-alkoxy-, hydroxyl-, carboxyl-, sulfonyl-, nitro-, cyano-, oxo- or/and halogen- substituted phenoxy or benzyloxycarbonyl residue, R2 is an optionally for example C1-C6-alkyl-, C1-C3-alkoxy-, hydroxyl-, carboxyl-, sulfonyl-, nitro-, cyano-, oxo- or/and halogen-substituted phenyl residue, such as, for example, phenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 2,4,6- trimethylphenyl, 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl, 4-methoxy-2,3,6- trimethylphenyl, R3 is H or branched or unbranched C1-C4-alkyl, and n is0 or 1, Z is N or CR9 where R9 is H or branched or unbranched C1-C4-alkyl; including the steps: (a) addition of an aromatic sulfonic acid to a solution of an optionally contaminated 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative in order to form a salt; (b) separation of the precipitate formed in step (a), and (c) recovery of the free 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative from the precipitate. 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which the aromatic sulfonic acid in step (a) is Armstrong's acid. 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which the 3- hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivatives is an N-α-(2,4,6-triiso- propylphenylsulfonyl-3-hydroxyamidino-(D,L)-phenylalanine derivative or the L enantiomer thereof. 4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the 3- hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative is N-α-TIPPS-3-hydroxyamidino-(D,L)- phenylalanine 4-ethoxycarbonylpiperazide or the L enantiomer thereof. 5. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which a solution of the 3- hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative in acetone is employed in step (a). 6. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which the removal of the precipitate in step (b) takes place by filtration. 7. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which the recovery in step (c ) takes place by reaction with NaHCO3. 8. The method as claimed in any of the preceding claims 1 to 7, in which the 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative is obtained in a purity of more than 90%. 9. The method as claimed in any of the preceding claims 1 to 8, in which the 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative is obtained in a purity of more than 95%. 10. The method as claimed in any of the preceding claims 1 to 9, in which the hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative is obtained in a purity of more than 99%. 11. A method for preparing 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivatives having its formula (I): in which R1 is a group of the formula in which R4 is (i) an optionally for example C1-C6-alkyl-, C1-C3-alkoxy-, hydroxyl-, carboxyl-, sulfonyl-, nitro-, cyano-, oxo- or/and halogen- substituted C1-C6-alkyl residue such as, for example, ethoxycarbonyl or aryl residue such as, for example, phenyl, p- halophenyl, naphthyl, (ii) a saturated or unsaturated branched or unbranched C1-C6- alkoxy residue or (iii) an optionally for example C1-C6-alkyl-, C1-C3-alkoxy-, hydroxyl-, carboxyl-, sulfonyl-, nitro-, cyano', oxo" or/and halogen- substituted phenoxy or benzyloxycarbonyl residue, R2 is an optionally for example C1-C6-alkyl-, C1-C3-alkoxy-, hydroxyl-, carboxyl-, sulfonyl-, nitro-, cyano-, oxo- or/and halogen-substituted phenyl residue, such as, for example, phenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 2,4,6- trimethylphenyl, 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl, 4-methoxy-2,3,6- trimethylphenyl, R3 is H or branched or unbranched C1-C4-alkyl, and n is 0 or 1, Z is N or CR9 where R9 is H or branched or unbranched C1-C4-alkyl; including the steps: (i) reaction of an N-protected 3-cyanophenylalanine with a piperazine derivative to form an N-protected 3-cyanophenylalanine piperazide, (ii) reaction with an optionally substituted phenylsulfonyl halide; (iii) conversion of the cyano group into a hydroxyamidino group (iv) purification of the formed 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative by a method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10. 12. The method as claimed in claim 11, in which a Boc N-protected 3- cyanophenylalanine derivative is employed in step (i). 13. The method as claimed in claim 11 or 12, in which the piperazine derivative in step (i) is ethoxycarbonylpiperazine. 14. The method as claimed in any of claims 11 to 13, in which reaction with 2, 4, 6-triisopropylbenzenesulfonyl chloride takes place in step (ii). 15. The method as claimed in any of claims 11 to 14, in which the cyano group in step (iii) is converted by means of hydroxylamine hydrochloride in the presence of sodium carbonate or triethylamine into a hydroxyamidino group. 16. The method as claimed in any of claims 11 to 15, in which the 3- hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative is produced in a purity of more than 90%. 17. The method as claimed in any of claims 11 to 16, in which the 3- hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative is produced in a purity of more than 95%. 18. The method as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10, in which the 3- hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative is produced in a purity of more than 99%. 19. A process for preparing 3-amidinophenylalanine derivatives including the steps: (i) preparation of a 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative by a method as claimed in any of claims 8 to 18, and (ii) conversion of the hydroxyamidino group into an amidino group. 20. The method as claimed in claim 19, in which the hydroxyamidino group is converted into an amidino group in step (ii) by reaction with acetic anhydride and subsequent catalytic hydrogenation. The present invention relates to the preparation of 3- hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivatives in highly pure form which can be used for example as urokinase inhibitors; the present invention further relates to the use of high-purity 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivatives for preparing 3- amidinophenylalanine derivatives.

Full Text

METHOD FOR CLEANING 3-HYDROXYAMIDINOPHENYLALANINE
DERIVATIVES BY THE PRECIPITATION AND RECRYSTALLIZATION
OF SALT AND AN AROMATIC SULFONIC ACID
Description
The present invention relates to the preparation of 3-hydroxyamidino-
phenylalanine derivatives in highly pure form which can be used for
example as urokinase inhibitors. The present invention further relates to
the use of high-purity 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivatives for
preparing 3-amidinophenylalanine derivatives.
The urokinase-plasminogen activator system (UPA system) plays a central
role in the metastasis and, in addition, in the growth of primary tumors, for
example in breast, stomach, bowel, pancreatic, ovarian cancer and other
solid tumors. A medical effect can be displayed at two levels through
inhibition of the UPA system: firstly blocking of metastasis, and secondly
reduction of primary tumor growth. 3-Amidinophenyralanine derivatives
represent a class of highly effective urokinase inhibitors.
Preparation of 3-amidinophenylalanine derivatives, in particular of N-a-
(2,4,6-triisopropylphenylsulfonyl)-3-amidino-(L)-phenylalanine 4-ethoxycar-
bonylpiperazide (WX-UK1), and the use thereof as urokinase inhibitors is
described for example in CH-A 689611, WO 00/04954 and WO 00/17158
and in the publication by Sturzebecher et al. (Bioorg. Med. Chem. Let 9
(1999), 3147-3152). However, the synthetic methods used therein
generally afford relatively low yields of product, because hydrolyzed
TIPPS-OH results as unwanted by-product. One problem is that the
desired reaction product can be separated from by-products only by
elaborate chromatographic methods.
PCT/EP03/08230 describes methods for preparing 3-amidinophenylalanine
derivatives via a 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine intermediate. These
oxamidine derivatives represent highly specific and selective urokinase
inhibitors and additionally have the advantage of oral bioavailability.
However, the problem in the preparation method disclosed in
PCT/EP03/08230 is that the oxamidine intermediates are not obtained in
pure form, and elaborate purification methods are necessary in order to
remove for example amide by-products. However, both for the further

synthesis of 3-amidinophenylalanine derivatives and for a pharmaceutical
use of the oxamidine derivatives, it would be advantageous for a method to
be available to allow these oxamidine derivatives to be prepared in good
yield and with high purity.
It was therefore the object of the present invention to provide such a
method in order to obtain oxamidine derivatives in highly pure form.
This object is achieved by a method for purifying 3-hydroxyamidinophenyl-
alanine derivatives, comprising the steps:
(a) addition of an aromatic sulfonic acid to a solution of an optionally
contaminated 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative in order to
form a salt,
(b) separation of the precipitate formed in step (a), and
(c) recovery of the 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative from the
precipitate.
The meaning of "aromatic sulfonic acid" in the sense of the present
invention is an aromatic or heteroaromatic mono- or oligocyclic ring system
which is substituted by at least one sulfonic acid group and/or sulfonate
group. The aromatic or heteroaromatic ring system may additionally have
further substituents which may be selected for example from C1-C6-alkyl,
C1-C3-alkoxy, hydroxyl, carboxyl, sulfonyl, nitro, cyano, oxo or/and halogen.
Suitable aromatic or heteroaromatic ring systems include for example
mono- and bicycles having 6 to 20 carbon atoms and 0 to 4 heteroatoms,
which may preferably be selected from N, O and S.
Examples of suitable aromatic sulfonic acids are toluene- and benzene-
mono- or/and -disulfonic acids, and naphthalene-mono- or/and -disulfonic
acid derivatives. Disulfonic acids with a good tendency to crystallize, for
example naphthalene disulfonic acids, are preferred. Naphthalene-1,5-
disulfonic acid (Armstrong's acid) is most preferred. Aromatic disulfonic
acids are frequently employed in the dye industry and there represent
intermediates and coupling reagents for various, especially naphthalene-
based, dyes.
It has now surprisingly been found that aromatic sulfonic acids, and in
particular Armstrong's acid, are particularly suitable for precipitating
3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivatives (oxamidines) in the form of a

corresponding salt. Salts formed in this way precipitate from a solution of
optionally contaminated 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative crude
products. Suitable solvents in this connection are, for example, ketones
such as acetone and pentanone, esters such as ethyl acetate, polar ethers
such as tetrahydrofuran, bis(2-methoxyethyl) ether (diglyme), dioxane and
methyl tert-butyl ether, halogenated solvents such as dichloromethane, but
also nitriles and nonpolar alcohols. The precipitates can be separated in a
simple manner from the solution in a subsequent step (b), for example by
filtration.
The removed salt can then be purified further by purification methods
customary in the state of the art, and be dried. It is possible in this way
according to the invention to improve the purity of the 3-hydroxyamidino-
phenylalanine derivative even further.
Subsequently, in step (c), the 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative is
recovered. It is possible for this purpose according to the present invention
to react the corresponding sulfonic acid salt for example with bases which
are more basic than the hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivatives, e.g. with
sodium bicarbonate, but also with inorganic and organic bases.
The present invention thus makes it possible in a simple and elegant
manner to remove contaminated reactants, intermediates and unwanted
products, especially unwanted amide contaminants, from the oxamidine.
The method of the present invention is particularly suitable for purifying
oxamidine compounds of the formula (I)

which may be in the form of racemates as well as in the form of the L or D
configuration compounds, and in which
R1 is a group of the formula

in which R4 is
(i) an optionally for example C1-C6-alkyl-, C1-C3-alkoxy-, hydroxyl-,
carboxyl-, sulfonyl-, nitro-, cyano-, oxo- or/and halogen-substituted
C1-C6-alkyl residue such as, for example, ethoxycarbonyl or aryl
residue such as, for example, phenyl, p-halophenyl, naphthyl,
(ii) a saturated or unsaturated branched or unbranched C1-C6-alkoxy
residue or
(iii) an optionally for example C1-C6-alkyl-, C1-C3-alkoxy-, hydroxyl-,
carboxyl-, sulfonyl-, nitro-, cyano-, oxo- or/and halogen-substituted
phenoxy or benzyloxycarbonyl residue,
R2 is an optionally for example C1-C6-alkyl-, C1-C3-alkoxy-, hydroxyl-,
carboxyl-, sulfonyl-, nitro-, cyano-, oxo- or/and halogen-substituted phenyl
residue, such as, for example, phenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 2,4,6-
trimethylphenyl, 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl, 4-methoxy-2,3,6-trimethylphenyl,
R3 is H or branched or unbranched C1-C4-alkyl, and

n is0or 1,
Z is N or CR9 where R9 is H or branched or unbranched C1-C4-alkyl.
According to one aspect of the invention, it can preferably be employed in
order to isolate N-α-(2,4,6-triisopropylphenylsulfonyl)-3-hydroxyamidino-
(L)-phenylalanine 4-ethoxycarbonylpiperazide in highly pure form.
In the synthetic methods disclosed to date for preparing oxamidine
derivatives, the oxamidine compound results in a low degree of purity and
comprises a large proportion of up to 30% of amide contaminant and
further contaminations by reactants and unknown compounds. It is possible
with the method of the present invention to obtain pure oxamidine. The
oxamidine preferably results in a purity of more than 90%, more preferably
more than 95% and most preferably more than 99%.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, no racemization
takes place in the purification method of the invention, so that enantiopure
oxamidine products are obtained.
In one embodiment of the invention, the purification according to the
invention can be part of a method for preparing 3-hydroxyamidinophenyl-
alanine derivatives. A preferred preparation method includes the steps:
(i) reaction of an N-protected 3-cyanophenylalanine with a piperazine
derivative to form an N-protected 3-cyanophenylalanine piperazide,
(ii) reaction with an optionally substituted phenylsulfonyl halide, in
particular a TIPPS halide;
(iii) conversion of the cyano group into a hydroxyamidino group
(iv) purification with an aromatic sulfonic acid as described above.
In step (i) of the method of the invention, an N-protected 3-cyanophenyl-
alanine is reacted with a piperazine derivative. The term "piperazine
derivative" includes in the sense of the present invention piperazine and its
derivatives, wherein optionally up to four carbon positions in the ring and/or
not more than one nitrogen atom in the ring may be substituted. Piperazine
derivatives preferably employed have a substituent on one of the two
nitrogen atoms in the ring.
Examples of suitable substituents include C1-C6-alkyl residues, saturated
or unsaturated branched or unbranched C1-C6-alkoxy residues, phenoxy

and phenyloxycarbonyl residues, and aryl residues such as, for example,
phenyl, p-halophenyl and naphthyl. These may in turn be optionally
substituted in each case independently, for example by C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C3-
alkoxy, hydroxyl, carboxyl, sulfonyl, nitro, cyano, oxo or/and halogen.
It is possible according to the present invention to employ any protective
group for protecting the amino nitrogen atom of the 3-cyanophenylalanine
employed in step (i). Examples of suitable protective groups for amino
functions are known in the prior art and include for example Cbz
(benzyloxycarbonyl), Boc (T-butyloxycarbonyl), DIMOZ (dimetoxybenzyl-
oxycarbonyl), Tfac (trifluoroacetyl), CyOC (cyano-t-butyloxycarbonyl), Phth
(phthaloyl), Bpoc (2-biphenyl-4-isopropoxycarbonyl), Ddz (3,5-dimethoxy-
phenylisopropoxycarbonyl), Fmoc (fluorenyl-9-methyloxycarbonyl), PALOC
(3-(3-pyridyl)allyloxycarbonyl), Tos (p-toluenesulfonyl), NPS (2-nitrophenyl-
sulfenyl), DNPS (2,4-dinitrophenylsulfenyl). Boc is particularly preferably
employed as protective group according to the present invention.
The reaction in step (i) of the method according to the invention forms an
N-protected 3-cyanophenylalanine piperazide.
It is subsequently possible in one embodiment of the invention to remove
the N-protective group again. The conditions necessary for eliminating the
respective protective group are known to a skilled worker. The Boc
protective group which is particularly preferably used according to the
invention can be eliminated for example in acidic medium, e.g. in an
organic solvent such as dioxane or methanol which is saturated with HCI
gas or trifluoroacetate, particularly preferably with 4M HCI (g) in dioxane.
An alternative possibility is to choose the conditions in the subsequent
reaction step (ii) so that elimination of the protective group takes place in
situ.
In step (ii), the 3-cyanophenylalanine piperazide formed in step (i) is
reacted with a phenylsulfonyl halide, which may optionally be substituted.
Preferred halides in this connection are fluoride, chloride, bromide and
iodide. Examples of substituents on the phenylsulfonyl halide include C1-
C6-alkyl, C1-C3-alkoxy, hydroxyl, carboxyl, sulfonyl, nitro, cyano, oxo and
halogen. Phenylsulfonyl halides which are preferably employed are
phenyl-, 4-methylphenyl-, 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl-, 4-methoxy-2,3,6-

trimethylphenyl- and especially 2,4,6-triisopropylphenylsulfonyl (TIPPS)
halides.
In step (iii), the cyano group is converted into the hydroxyamidino function.
This conversion can be carried out for example by means of hydroxylamine
hydrochloride in the presence of sodium carbonate or triethylamine.
Suitable methods for such reactions are known in the prior art and are
described for example in WO 03/072559.
The 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative formed in step (iii) is
subsequently obtained in highly pure form in accordance with the
purification method described above using an organic sulfonic acid. It is
unnecessary in this connection first to isolate the 3-hydroxyamidinophenyl-
alanine derivative from step (iii).
3-Hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivatives are obtained in this way with
little expenditure on apparatus and in high chemical yield and purity.
The oxamidine compounds obtained in highly pure form with the method of
the invention can be employed for example as orally available urokinase
inhibitors.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, the oxamidine
compounds can be reacted further to give 3-amidinophenylalanine
derivatives. Since oxamidine is in highly pure form according to the present
invention, the yield of amidino final product in the further course of the
synthesis is also distinctly increased.
The present invention thus provides a method for preparing 3-amidino-
phenylalanine derivatives including the steps:
(i) preparation of a 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative by a
method described above, and
(ii) conversion of the hydroxyamidino group into an amidino group.
The hydroxyamidino group can be converted into the amidino derivative by
reduction. This normally takes place by catalytic hydrogenation in reactions
familiar to the skilled worker, for example as indicated in WO 03/076391,
WO 03/072559, EP 1 294 742, and in Steinmetzer et al., J. Enzyme

Inhibition, 16, 2001, 241-249, Kent et al., J. Peptide Res., 52, 1998, 201-
207 and Stuber et al., peptide Res. 8, 1995, 78-85.
It is thus possible by the method of the invention to isolate the
corresponding 3-amidinophenylalanine derivative with a yield which is
distinctly improved by comparison with methods known in the prior art, and
in highly pure form.
Figures
Figure 1 shows an HPLC profile of the product mixture obtained in a
conventional synthesis of N-alpha-(2,4,6-triisopropylphenylsulfonyl)-3-
hydroxyamidino-(L)-phenylalanine 4-ethoxycarbonylpiperazide. The
oxamidine is detected at a retention time of about 21.4 minutes, followed
by the amide contaminant at 24.3 minutes.
Figure 2 shows an HPLC profile of the oxamidine N-alpha-(2,4,6-triiso-
propylphenylsulfonyl)-3-hydroxyamidino-(L)-phenylalanine 4-ethoxy-
carbonylpiperazide prepared by the method of the invention.

Diethyl acetamidomalonate (407 g) is added to ethanol (1 I) at room
temperature in a nitrogen atmosphere. The suspension is heated to about
70°C, and a solution of sodium ethoxide (130 g) in ethanol (900 ml) is
added. The reaction mixture is stirred at this temperature for a further
30 minutes. A suspension of 3-bromomethylbenzonitrile (300 g) in ethanol
(1.4 I) is then added to the reaction vessel. The temperature in the reaction

vessel is kept at about 70°C for a further 2.5 hours. Then, over the course
of 1.5 hours, dilute sodium hydroxide solution (2N; 2.2 I) is added dropwise.
The suspension is stirred at about 70°C for a further 30 minutes and then
cooled to room temperature. The pH of the reaction mixture is slowly
reduced at room temperature to about 7 by adding concentrated
hydrochloric acid (over the course of about 1 hour). The organic solvent is
removed by distillation under reduced pressure ( The remaining residue is dissolved in 1N NaOH (1 I). The aqueous solution
is extracted 3 times with ethyl acetate (350 ml each time). This is followed
by cooling to 10°C. The aqueous solution is acidified with cone. HCI
(pH = 1). The desired product is extracted with ethyl acetate (3 extractions
with 1.2 I of ethyl acetate each time). The combined organic phases are
concentrated under reduced pressure. The desired product precipitates as
a white solid. The crystals are collected in a suction funnel at 5°C, washed
with small amounts of ethyl acetate and dried at 45°C in a nitrogen
atmosphere.
Yield: 243 g (68%).

Acetylcyanophenylalanine (940 g) is dissolved in 1N NaOH (4 I) at 37°C.
The initial pH of 12.8 is reduced to 7.2 by adding 4N HCI (approximately
120 ml). Acylase I (37.8 g) is added. In order to keep the pH of the reaction
mixture constant at about 7.2, NaOH (1N) is continuously added to the
reaction mixture. After 72 hours at 37°C, the precipitated product is isolated
by filtration at 20°C. The crystals are washed with water and dried under
reduced pressure at about 40°C. Concentration of the filtrate under
reduced pressure to one third of the original volume leads to precipitation
of further product.

Overall yield: 261 g (34%).

Triethylamine (310 ml) is added to a suspension of cyanophenyl-L-alanine
(425 g) in methanol (4.5 I). At 25°C, di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (488 g) is
added. The reaction mixture is stirred overnight. The organic solvent is
removed under reduced pressure at 40°C. The remaining orange-colored
oil is diluted with ethyl acetate (3 I). 1N HCI (2.3 I) is added, and the
heterogeneous solution is stirred vigorously for 30 minutes. A phase
separation is carried out. The organic phase is isolated, extracted with
water and dried with MgSO4. After filtration, the organic phase is
evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure at 40°C. Crystals are
obtained on addition of dichloromethane to the residue. The crystals are
collected by filtration and dried under nitrogen at 45°C.
Yield: 554 g (85%)

Boc-Cyanophenylalanine (554 g) and HOBT (52 g) are suspended in
dichloromethane (2.7 I). A solution of DCC (453 g) in dichloromethane (1 I)
is added. The suspension is then cooled to 10-15°C, and ethoxycarbonyl-
piperazine (347 g) is added dropwise over the course of 30 minutes while
maintaining the above temperature range. The reaction mixture is stirred
overnight. The urea is filtered off and discarded. Saturated NaHCO3
solution (1.8 I) is added to the filtrate. The heterogeneous mixture is stirred
for 30 minutes and then the phases are separated. The organic phase is
extracted with water (2 I) and then dried with MgSO4. The MgSO4 is filtered
off and the solution is concentrated under reduced pressure at 30°C. The
remaining oil is dissolved in ethyl acetate (300 ml). The solution is heated
to the boiling point. Diisopropyl ether (750 ml) is slowly added until the
solution becomes cloudy. The temperature is reduced to 50°C, and the
mixture is left to settle. The temperature is then reduced over the course of
5 hours to 25°C. The product is filtered off and washed with diisopropyl
ether and then dried under nitrogen at 40°C.
Yield: 660 g (80%)

Boc-L-Cyanophenylalanine pipamide (442 g) is dissolved in a solution of
HCI in dioxane (4N; 1.2 I). The temperature rises during the addition from
25°C to 32°C. The reaction is complete after 3 hours, and dichloromethane
(1 I) is added to the solution. The desired product starts to precipitate. The
suspension is stirred overnight. An excess of HCI is removed by evacuating
the mixture. The product is isolated by filtration, washed with diisopropyl
ether (0.7 I) and dried under high vacuum at 45°C.
Yield: 552 g (98%)

2,4,6-Triisopropylphenylsulfonyl chloride (212 g) is added to a suspension
of cyanophenyl-L-alanine pipamide HCI (257 g) in dichloromethane (1.6 I)
at 25°C. Addition of N-ethyldiisopropylamine (238 ml) results in a clear
solution. The addition proceeds exothermically (temperature increase from
25°C to 35°C). Water (1.1 I) is added to the reaction mixture after it has
been stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The phases are separated,
and the organic phase is extracted once with saturated NaHCO3 solution
(1.6 I) and once with water (0.5 I). The organic phase is dried with MgSO4,
filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. A colorless oil is
obtained and slowly crystallizes on standing at room temperature.
Yield: 423 g (-100%)
Step 7: Amide oxime formation; N-alpha-(2,4,6-
triisopropylphenylsulfonyl)-3-hydroxyamidino-(L)-phenylalanine-4
ethoxycarbonylpiperazide

TIPPS-L-Cyanophenylalanine pipamide (50 g) is dissolved in ethanol
(350 ml). Hydroxylamine HCI (7.3 g) and triethylamine (14.5 ml) are
successively added. The reaction mixture is heated to the boiling point
(~75°C) and heated under reflux for 6 hours. It is then cooled to 40°C, and
the solvent is replaced. Ethanol is removed under reduced pressure and
dichloromethane (300 ml) and water (100 ml) are added to the residue. A
phase separation is carried out. The organic phase is dried with MgSO4.
Filtration is followed by removal of the solvent under reduced pressure.
A white solid (57 g) is obtained and is dissolved in acetone (200 ml). A
solution of Armstrong's acid (15 g) in acetone (150 ml) is added. The
mixture is heated at the boiling point of acetone for 30 minutes. The
Armstrong salt of the desired product crystallizes as white solid. The
suspension is cooled to room temperature and stirred for 1 hour before
subsequently carrying out a filtration. The crystals are washed with acetone
(75 ml), dried and then dissolved in dichloromethane (600 ml). Saturated
NaHCO3 solution (400 ml) is added. The heterogeneous mixture is stirred
vigorously for 20 minutes and then the phases are separated. The organic
phase is extracted with water (400 ml), and then the dichloromethane is
removed by distillation. A white solid (45 g) is obtained. The product is
recrystallized from ethyl acetate/diisopropyl ether, dissolving 45 g in ethyl
acetate (60 ml). Diisopropyl ether (250 ml) is added. The suspension
formed in this way is heated at the boiling point for 30 minutes and then
slowly cooled to room temperature. The amorphous white solid is filtered
off, washed with diisopropyl ether and dried in vacuo at 45°C.
Yield: 34 g (65%)

WE CLAIM:
1. A method for purifying 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivatives having
its formula (I):

in which R1 is a group of the formula

in which R4 is

(i) an optionally for example C1-C6-alkyl-, C1-C3-alkoxy-, hydroxyl-,
carboxyl-, sulfonyl-, nitro-, cyano-, oxo- or/and halogen-
substituted C1-C6-alkyl residue such as, for example,
ethoxycarbonyl or aryl residue such as, for example, phenyl, p-
halophenyl, naphthyl,
(ii) a saturated or unsaturated branched or unbranched C1-C6-
alkoxy residue or
(iii) an optionally for example C1-C6-alkyl-, C1-C3-alkoxy-, hydroxyl-,
carboxyl-, sulfonyl-, nitro-, cyano-, oxo- or/and halogen-
substituted phenoxy or benzyloxycarbonyl residue,
R2 is an optionally for example C1-C6-alkyl-, C1-C3-alkoxy-, hydroxyl-,
carboxyl-, sulfonyl-, nitro-, cyano-, oxo- or/and halogen-substituted
phenyl residue, such as, for example, phenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 2,4,6-
trimethylphenyl, 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl, 4-methoxy-2,3,6-
trimethylphenyl,
R3 is H or branched or unbranched C1-C4-alkyl, and
n is0 or 1,
Z is N or CR9 where R9 is H or branched or unbranched C1-C4-alkyl;

including the steps:
(a) addition of an aromatic sulfonic acid to a solution of an optionally
contaminated 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative in order to form a
salt;
(b) separation of the precipitate formed in step (a), and
(c) recovery of the free 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative from the
precipitate.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which the aromatic sulfonic acid in step
(a) is Armstrong's acid.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which the 3-
hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivatives is an N-α-(2,4,6-triiso-
propylphenylsulfonyl-3-hydroxyamidino-(D,L)-phenylalanine derivative or the L
enantiomer thereof.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the 3-
hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative is N-α-TIPPS-3-hydroxyamidino-(D,L)-
phenylalanine 4-ethoxycarbonylpiperazide or the L enantiomer thereof.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which a solution of the 3-
hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative in acetone is employed in step (a).
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which the removal of the precipitate
in step (b) takes place by filtration.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, in which the recovery in step (c ) takes
place by reaction with NaHCO3.
8. The method as claimed in any of the preceding claims 1 to 7, in which the
3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative is obtained in a purity of more than
90%.
9. The method as claimed in any of the preceding claims 1 to 8, in which the
3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative is obtained in a purity of more than
95%.
10. The method as claimed in any of the preceding claims 1 to 9, in which the
hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative is obtained in a purity of more than 99%.

11. A method for preparing 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivatives having
its formula (I):

in which R1 is a group of the formula

in which R4 is

(i) an optionally for example C1-C6-alkyl-, C1-C3-alkoxy-, hydroxyl-,
carboxyl-, sulfonyl-, nitro-, cyano-, oxo- or/and halogen-
substituted C1-C6-alkyl residue such as, for example,
ethoxycarbonyl or aryl residue such as, for example, phenyl, p-
halophenyl, naphthyl,
(ii) a saturated or unsaturated branched or unbranched C1-C6-
alkoxy residue or
(iii) an optionally for example C1-C6-alkyl-, C1-C3-alkoxy-, hydroxyl-,
carboxyl-, sulfonyl-, nitro-, cyano', oxo" or/and halogen-
substituted phenoxy or benzyloxycarbonyl residue,
R2 is an optionally for example C1-C6-alkyl-, C1-C3-alkoxy-, hydroxyl-,
carboxyl-, sulfonyl-, nitro-, cyano-, oxo- or/and halogen-substituted
phenyl residue, such as, for example, phenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 2,4,6-
trimethylphenyl, 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl, 4-methoxy-2,3,6-
trimethylphenyl,
R3 is H or branched or unbranched C1-C4-alkyl, and
n is 0 or 1,
Z is N or CR9 where R9 is H or branched or unbranched C1-C4-alkyl;

including the steps:
(i) reaction of an N-protected 3-cyanophenylalanine with a piperazine
derivative to form an N-protected 3-cyanophenylalanine piperazide,
(ii) reaction with an optionally substituted phenylsulfonyl halide;
(iii) conversion of the cyano group into a hydroxyamidino group
(iv) purification of the formed 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative by
a method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11, in which a Boc N-protected 3-
cyanophenylalanine derivative is employed in step (i).
13. The method as claimed in claim 11 or 12, in which the piperazine
derivative in step (i) is ethoxycarbonylpiperazine.
14. The method as claimed in any of claims 11 to 13, in which reaction with 2,
4, 6-triisopropylbenzenesulfonyl chloride takes place in step (ii).
15. The method as claimed in any of claims 11 to 14, in which the cyano
group in step (iii) is converted by means of hydroxylamine hydrochloride in the
presence of sodium carbonate or triethylamine into a hydroxyamidino group.

16. The method as claimed in any of claims 11 to 15, in which the 3-
hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative is produced in a purity of more than
90%.
17. The method as claimed in any of claims 11 to 16, in which the 3-
hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative is produced in a purity of more than
95%.
18. The method as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10, in which the 3-
hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative is produced in a purity of more than
99%.
19. A process for preparing 3-amidinophenylalanine derivatives including the
steps:
(i) preparation of a 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivative by a
method as claimed in any of claims 8 to 18, and
(ii) conversion of the hydroxyamidino group into an amidino group.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19, in which the hydroxyamidino group is
converted into an amidino group in step (ii) by reaction with acetic
anhydride and subsequent catalytic hydrogenation.

The present invention relates to the preparation of 3-
hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivatives in highly pure form which can be used
for example as urokinase inhibitors; the present invention further relates to the
use of high-purity 3-hydroxyamidinophenylalanine derivatives for preparing 3-
amidinophenylalanine derivatives.

METHOD FOR CLEANING 3-HYDROXY-AMIDINOPHENYLALANINE DERIVATIVES BY THE PRECIPITATION AND RECRYSTALLIZATION OF SALT AND AN AROMATIC SULFONIC ACID

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