Practical synthesis of 2-(2-isopropylaminothiazol-4-yl)-7-methoxy-1H-quinolin-4-one : Key intermediate for the synthesis of potent HCV NS3 protease inhibitor BILN 2061

Herein we describe the development of an efficient, safe and practical process for the synthesis of 7-methoxy-2-(2-amino-4-thiazolyl)quinoline. Our new process allowed for a more convergent approach and eliminates the use of potentially dangerous reagents such as diazomethane used in the previous discovery approach.