PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF 3-SPIRO'CYCLOHEXflN -1,3'-'3HIINDOLIN-2'-ONE! DERIVATIVES
The subject of the invention is a new process for the preparation of
N-(l,1-dimethylethyl)-4-[[5'-ethoxy-4-cis-[2-(4-morpholino)ethoxy]-2'-
oxospiro[cyclohexan-l ,3 '-[3 H]mdol]-l '(2H)-yl]-sulfonyl]-3-methoxy-benzamide of
formula (I) and of its salts, having vasopressin V2 antagonistic effect.
According to WO 97/15556 the compound of formula (I) was synthesized by reacting the spiro/cis-4-(beta-morpholuioetliyloxy)cyclohexan-l,3'-(5'-ethoxy)-[3H)indol-2'[1H]-one of formula (II) with the 2-methoxy-4-(N-t-butylaminocarbonyl)benzene sulfochloride of formula (III), by using potassium-7-butylate in tetrahydrofuran.
Due to the applied solvent (tetrahydrofuran) and temperature (between -60 °C and -40 °C) industrial realization of the process would encounter difficulties, in addition the
yield of the reaction is low, the product obtained is contaminated, it needs repeated
crystallisations to purify it.
Practically the same process is described by Venkatesan et. al. (J. Org. Chem. 2001, 66,
3653-3661, on page 3661.).
According to WO-01/05791 the sulfonylation is carried out in water-free medium, in
dimethyl sulfoxide at room temperature, with excellent yield.
This finding brought about a great technical achievement, since the quality of the product
allowed to leave out all further purification steps, compared with the process described in
W097/15556, page 39. Preparation 11 and J. Org. Chem. 2001, 66, 3653-3661,
Experimental Part, page 3661.
In industrial scale, however, the use of dimethyl sulfoxide is not desirable, our aim was therefore to work out a process without using this solvent.
We have found, to our surprise, that the spiro/cis-4-(beta-morpholinoethyloxy)-cyclohexan-l,3'-(5'-ethoxy)-[3H]indol-2'[1,H]-one, compound of formula (II), which has a high pK value, i.e. which behaves as a very weak acid, or is rather a molecule with amphoteric character, can be sulfonylated with the compound of formula (III) on the nitrogen atom of the carboxamide group in the presence of a base, working in a two-phase system and using a suitable phase transfer catalyst. That discovery opened the possibility to prepare the compound of formula (I) - which is sensitive to hydrolysis - according to the present invention.

2 N-acylation of indole in the presence of phase transfer catalyst has already been
described in the literature (V. 0. Illi et al: Synthesises. 1979 page 136, and A.S. Bourlot et al: Synthesis 1994 page 411). Preparation of indolin-on type compounds, which are much less nucleophilic than indole, is not described in the above literatures, there is not even given a hint for their peparation.
Lack of knowledge on N-acylation of indolinones was the reason why the special methods described in applications WO-97/15556, WO01/05791 and in the publication in J. Org. Chem. have been worked out.
In the process according to the invention the compounds of formulae (II) and (HI) are dissolved in a water-inmiscible organic solvent in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst, and reacted by adding to them
a.) the aqueous solution of a base, or
b.) a base in solid form directly
to obtain the compound of formula (I), which -if desired- can be transformed into one of its
salt.
The organic solvents can be first of all halogenated carbohydrates, advantageously
dichloromethane, dichloroetliane, trichloroethylene or chloroform, most preferably
dichloromethane.
For phase-transfer catalysts, quaternary nitrogen containing compounds, preferably benzyl
triethyl ammonium chloride, tetrabutyl ammonium hydrogen sulphate, cetyl pyridinium
bromide, tetramethyl ammonium chloride, tetramethyl ammonium fluoride can be applied,
but other types of phase transfer catalysts, for instance crown ethers can also be used.
As aqueous solution of a base according to process variant a.) most preferably aqueous
sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide solutions can be used, in excesses of 1-5
equivalents, counted for the compound of the formula (II), in concentrations of 10% - 50%,
most preferably 4 equivalents of the base, in 30% solution are used.
According to process variant b.) the base used in solid form directly is most probably
sodium-hydroxide or potassium-hydroxide, preferably in pellet form.
The reaction is carried out at a temperature between 5-40 °C, preferably at 20 - 30°C.
Preferred stirring speed is 100-800 rotation/minute, most preferably 300 rotation/minute.
Compound of formula (III) is used in an excess of 0% - 20% .
The process according to process variant a.) of our invention, in accordance with the aim, does not need water-free solvents and hard to ensure ,,dry" industrial equipments.

Neither process variant a.) nor process variant b.) requires the use of alcoholates or metal
hydrides. At the end of the reaction - in given case -, after separating the phases, the solvent can simply be regenerated. The processes of our invention are simple and environment friendly, they have all the advantages of the known sulfoxide method, but at the same tune avoid the use of dimethyl sulfoxide, thus achieving the goal which was set.
Figures 1, 2 and 3 show formula (I), (II) and (III).
Further details of our process are demonstrated in the following examples, without limiting
the claims to the examples.
Examples Example 1
37.47 g of spiro[cw-4-(p-morpholinoethyloxy)cyclohexan-l,3'-(5'-ethoxy)-[3H]indol]-2'[l'H]-one are dissolved in 200 cm3 of dichloromethane and to the solution 4-(N-tert-butylammocarbonyl)-2-memoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride and 2 g of benzyl triethyl ammonium chloride are added at 20°C.
12 g of potassium hydroxide are dissolved in 40 cm3 of distilled water, and added to the above solution. The reaction mixture is stirred at 25-30°C (stirring speed 500 r.p.m). The end point of the reaction is checked by thin layer chromatography. Reaction time is 2-2.5 hours. The phases are then separated, the organic phase is washed with water and dried. Dichloromethane is distilled out, the white crystalline residue, which contains the desired compound (I), is suspended in alcohol, and to the suspension 11.4 g of 85% phosphoric acid is added at 75°C. The solution is clarified by charcoal, filtered, the precipitating crystals are collected, washed with alcohol, and dried. 63.8 g of cis-N-(l,l-dimethylethyl)-4- [[5' -ethoxy-4-[2-(4-morpholinyl)ethoxy] -2' -oxospiro [cyclohexane-1,3' -[3H]indol]-1 (2'H)-yl]sulfonyl]-3-methox.ybenzamide phosphate monohydrate are obtained. M.p.: 164°C.
Purity of the product is 99.5% (by HPLC), it can be used for the preparation of a drug product without further purification, phase transfer catalyst does not contaminate the product.
Examples 2-6
The process described in Example 1. is followed, by using the base and catalyst as given in the table below.
(Table Removed)
Example 7
28.08 g (0.075Mol) of (spiro[cw-4-(β-morpholino'ethyloxy)cyclohexane-l,3'-(5'-ethoxy)-[3,Hindol]-2'[l,H]-one) and 27.52 g(0.09 Mol) of (4-(N-terbutylaminocarbonyl)-2-methoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride and 1.71 g of benzyltriethylammonium chloride were solved in 150 ccm dichloromethane at 25 °C with stirring.(189 rpm) 5.46 g (0.136 Mol) of sodium-hydroxide were solved in 8.2 ccm ion free water and the solution was added to the above mentioned solution at 5 °C. The temperature of the two-phase mixture was kept on 5-15 °C for 1.5 hours. Than the mixture was heated to reflux temperature, and kept it for 2 hours .Cooled back to 30 °C, diluted with 100 ccm dichloromethane and 120 ccm tap water. After a short time the phases were separated. The organic layer was washed with 2X100 ccm water The dichloromethane was distilled off. 100 ccm 96% ethanol were added to the white crystalline and kept on the distillation.. Stirred for 2 hours at 20 °C filtered off washed with 2X40 ccm ethanol (be suspended) and dried.
42.6g (88.2%) Mp.: 217-218°C of cis-N-(l,l-dimethylethyl)-4-[[5'-ethoxy-4-[2-(4-morpholinyl)ethoxy]-2'-oxospiro[cyclohexane-l,3'-[3H]indol]-1,(2'H)-yl]sulfonyl]-3-methoxybenzamide were obtained.
Example 8
37.45 g (O.lMol) of spiro[cis-4-(β-morpholmoethyloxy)cyclohexane-l,3'-(5'-ethoxy)-
[3H]indol]-2'[l'H]-one)- and 40.7 g (0.133 Mol) of (4-(N-tert-butylaminocarbonyl)-2-
methoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride-and 2.3 g of benzyltriethylammonium chloride were
solved in 200 ccm dichloromethane at 25 °C with stirring(rpm: 150-200). 7.27 g (0.18 Mol) of sodium hydroxide pellet were added to it in one portion and kept the temperature at 30-35 °C. The inorganic salt was filtered off washed with 2X20 ccm dichloromethane and the solvent was distilled till the solid phase appears. 100 ccm ethanol poured on it and kept on the distillation in atmospheric pressure The dichloromethane was removed. 100 ccm water was added to the thick, white suspension and stirred it for 1-1.5 hour in room temperature. Filtered off washed with water (3X50ccm) and dried. 57-61 g (88-95%) of cis-N-(l,l-dimethylethyl)-4-[[5'-ethoxy-4-[2-(4-morpholinyl)ethoxy]-2'-oxospiro[cyclohexane-l,3 '-[3fl]indol]-l '(2'H)-yl]sulfonyl]-3-methoxybenzamide were obtained. Mp.: 216-218C0 98.5-99% by HPLC.

What we claim is:
1. Process for the preparation of a compound of the formula (I) by reacting a compound of the formula (II) with a compound of the formula (III) characterised by dissolving the compounds of the formula (II) and formula (III) in a water-inmiscible organic solvent in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst, reacting with a.) an aqeuos solution of a base, or b.) a base in solid form directly and if desired transforming the compound of formula (I) thus obtained into its salt.
2. Process for the preparation of a compound of the formula (I) by reacting a compound
of the formula (II) with a compound of the formula (III) characterised by dissolving the
compounds of the formula (II) and formula (III) in a water-inmiscible organic solvent
in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst, reacting with an aqeuos solution of a base
and if desired transforming the compound of formula (I) thus obtained into its salt,
(priority: 31/07/2001)
3. Process according to claim 1 characterised by using as organic solvent halogenated
carbohydrates, preferably methylene chloride, ethylene chloride, trichloroethylene or
chloroform.
4. Process according to claim 2 characterised by using as organic solvent halogenated
carbohydrates, preferably methylene chloride, ethylene chloride, trichloroethylene or
chloroform, (priority: 31/07/2001)
5. Process according to claim 1 characterised by using as phase transfer catalyst a
quaternary nitrogen atom • containing phase transfer catalyst, preferably
benzyl triethyl ammonium chloride, tetrabutyl ammonium hydrogen sulfate,
cetyl pyridinium bromide, tetramethyl ammonium chloride, tetramethyl ammonium
fluoride.
6. Process according to claim 2 characterised by using as phase transfer catalyst a
quaternary nitrogen atom containing phase transfer catalyst, preferably
benzyl triethyl ammonium chloride, tetrabutyl ammonium hydrogen sulfate, cetyl

7 pyridinium bromide, tetramethyl ammonium chloride, tetramethyl ammonium fluoride.
(priority: 31/07/2001)
7. Process according to claim 1 characterised by using as a base sodium hydroxide or
potassium hydroxide.
8. Process according to claim 2 characterised by using as the aqueous solution of a base
aqueous sodium hydroxide solution or aqueous potassium hydroxide solution, (priority:
31/07/2001)
9. Process according to claim 1 characterised by carrying out the reaction at a temperature
from 5°C to 40°C.
10. Process according to claim 2. characterised by carrying out the reaction at a
temperature from 10°C to 40°C, preferably from 20°C to 30°C. (priority: 31/07/2001)
11. Process according to claim 1 characterised by carrying out the reaction by mixing at a
speed of rotation of 100-800 r. p. m.
12. Process according to claim 2 characterised by carrying out the reaction by mixing at a
speed of rotation of 200-800 r. p. m., preferably 300 r.p.m.. (priority: 31/07/2001)