A Synthesis of a Spirocyclic Macrocyclic Protease Inhibitor for the Treatment of Hepatitis C

Abstract

The development of a convergent and highly stereoselective synthesis of an HCV NS3/4a protease inhibitor possessing a unique spirocyclic and macrocyclic architecture is described. A late-stage spirocyclization strategy both enabled rapid structure-activity relationship studies in the drug discovery phase and simultaneously served as the basis for the large scale drug candidate preparation for clinical use. Also reported is the discovery of a novel InCl3-catalyzed carbonyl reduction with household aluminum foil or zinc powder as the terminal reductant.