Research and development of a novel process for nilotinib: A Bcr-Abl inhibitor

Abstract

In this study, an efficient, economic and novel process for the production of highly pure nilotinib (1), a Bcr-Abl inhibitor in described. The synthesis comprises the chlorination of 4-methyl-3-nitro benzoic acid (2) to get 4-methyl-3-nitro benzoyl chloride (2A). Condensation of compound (2) with 5-(4-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-benzeneamine (11) to obtain 4-methyl-N-[3-(4-methyl-1Himidazol- 1-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-3-nitro- benzamide hydrochloride (3). Reducing compound (3) with stannous chloride (or) raney nickel to obtain 4-methyl-N-[3-(4-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl-5- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-3-amino-benzamide (4). Reaction of compound (4) with cyanamide to obtain 4-methyl-N-[3-(4-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl-5-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl]-3-guanidino-benzamide (5). Condensation of the compound (5) with 3-dimethylamino-1-(3-pyridyl)-2-propen-1-one (8) to obtain nilotinib (1).