A Convergent Kilogram-Scale Synthesis of the PPARα Agonist LY518674: Discovery of a Novel Acid-Mediated Triazolone Synthesis

The first kilogram-scale synthesis of the PPARα agonist LY518674 ( 1 ) is described. The de novo convergent synthetic approach involved coupling of two rapidly assembled components, triazolone formation via a novel acid-promoted cyclization reaction, and final step saponification, delivering the compound in 32.5% overall yield via eight total steps with a six-step longest linear sequence. A regioselective alkylation on the dianion of 4-hydroxyphenylbutyric acid allowed the direct preparation of one of the convergent coupling partners, carboxylic acid 12, and an unusual solvent effect enabled the installation of a urea group on a protected hydrazine, permitting the regiospecific preparation of the other coupling partner, semicarbazide mesylate 17 . Sulfonic acids were found to effect the desired triazolone ring formation, affording 25 from the coupled precursor acyl semicarbazide 23 . Following saponification of 25 to 1, a wide solubility differential between ethyl acetate extracts of 1 and solutions of 1 in anhydrous ethyl acetate was harnessed in the final crystallization step to deliver the final compound in high yield and purity. The novel acid-mediated triazolone formation was further evaluated on a range of additional substrates, showing the new methodology to be largely complementary to existing base-mediated triazolone syntheses.