Development of an Alternate Synthesis for a Key JAK2 Inhibitor Intermediate via Sequential C–H Bond Functionalization

The development of an alternative synthetic route to a functionalized imidazopyridazine which strategically streamlines the synthesis and avoids a number of problematic reagents is described. Key to the success of this alternative route is the use of two C–H functionalization reactions: a Pd-catalyzed direct benzylation reaction to functionalize a C–H bond with a substituted benzyl group and a V-catalyzed NMO addition reaction to install a benzylic morpholine moiety.