Synthesis and Process Optimization of Boceprevir: A Protease Inhibitor Drug

Efforts toward the synthesis and process optimization of boceprevir 1 are described. Boceprevir synthesis was optimized by telescoping the first three steps and last two steps of the five-step process. Optimization of oxidation, which is one of the critical steps in the total synthesis, is discussed. A control strategy for the three impurities is described. A novel process for the synthesis of fragment A (2) has been developed, which is the key starting material for the synthesis of boceprevir.