Synthesis of HCV replicase inhibitors: base-catalyzed synthesis of protected α-hydrazino esters and selective aerobic oxidation with catalytic Pt/Bi/C for synthesis of imidazole-4,5-dicarbaldehyde.

A robust convergent synthesis of the prodrugs of HCV replicase inhibitors 1–5 is described. The central 5H-imidazo[4,5-d]pyridazine core was formed from acid-catalyzed cyclocondensation of an imidazole-4,5-dicarbaldehyde (20) and a α-hydrazino ester, generated in situ from the bis-BOC-protected precursors 25 and 33. The acidic conditions not only released the otherwise unstable α-hydrazino esters but also were the key to avoid facile decarboxylation to the parent drugs from the carboxylic ester prodrugs 1–5. The bis-BOC α-hydrazino esters 25 and 33 were prepared by addition of ester enolates (from 23 and 32) to di-tert-butyl azodicarboxylate via catalysis with mild inorganic bases, such as Li2CO3. A selective aerobic oxidation with catalytic 5% Pt–Bi/C in aqueous KOH was developed to provide the dicarbaldehyde 20 from the diol 27.