TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to a process for producing a 2-azetidinone derivative.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] 2-Azetidinone derivatives are important as reactive compounds for forming the subsituent
at the 13-position of an anticancer compound having the following structure.

[0003] As such a reactive compound, use is made of, for example, a compound (1) having the
following structure (TIPS: triisopropylsilyl group, Boc: tertiary butoxycarbonyl group
(hereinafter "tertiary" will be abbreviated as "t-", i.e., "t-butoxycarbonyl group")

[0004] This compound (1) is obtained by subjecting a racemic compound (2) (PMP: paramethoxyphenyl
group (4-methoxyphenyl group) , Ac: acetyl group, the acetoxy group at the 3-position
and the 3-fluoro-2-pyridyl group at the 4-position being in the cis-configuration):

to deprotection of Ac at the 3-position, conversion into TIPS, recrystallization,
elimination of PMP at the 1-position, and separation by column chromatography (which
will be sometimes abbreviated as column hereinafter) to give a compound (3):

followed by separation with the use of an optical resolution column and attachment
of a protective group.
[0005] The process for obtaining the compound (1) from the racemic compound (2) suffers
from a problem that troublesome procedures (epimerization, replacement of the solvent
for recrystallization, isolation by the column, etc.) are needed and yet only a low
yield can be achieved. To obtain the compound (1), there arises an additional problem
that the compound (3) should be separated by using an optical resolution column in
the step prior to the final step, which results in an increase in the cost in case
of mass production.
[0006] The present invention aims at providing a production process whereby an optically
active 2-azetidinone derivative can be easily produced in a large amount at a low
cost.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present inventors have found a production process whereby an optically active
2-azetidinone derivative can be efficiently produced in a large amount at a low cost
by treating a racemic 2-azetidinone derivative with an enzyme capable of asymmetrically
hydrolyzing an ester, thereby completing the present invention.
[0008] Accordingly, the present invention relates to a process for producing a compound
represented by formula (II):

wherein R
1 represents a phenyl group or a pyridyl group (in which each group may have one or
more substituent(s) selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom, an alkyl
group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a halogenoalkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms,
an alkoxyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a nitro group, a carbamoyl group and
a cyano group); R
2 represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an alkoxyl group having 1 to 6 carbon
atoms which may have substituent(s), an alkanoyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms
which may have substituent(s), an alkenoyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms which
may have substituent(s), an aryl group which may have substituent(s) , an aryloyl
group whi ch may have substituent(s) or an aralkyl group which may have substituent(s);
and R
3 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms which may have substituent(s)
or an alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms which may have substituent(s);
which comprises treating a compound represented by formula (I) with an enzyme capable
of asymmetrically hydrolyzing an ester:

wherein R
1, R
2 and R
3 are each as defined above.
[0009] The present invention further relates to the followings:
The above-described production process wherein R1 is a 3-fluoro-2-pyridyl group;
the above-described production process wherein R2 is a a phenyl group (which may have one or more substituent(s) selected from the
group consisting of a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a halogenoalkyl
group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a nitro
group, a carbamoyl group and a cyano group) or an aralkyl group (having a structure
wherein an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms is substituted by one or more aryl
group(s); and said aryl moiety may have one or more substituent(s) selected from the
group consisting of a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a halogenoalkyl
group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a nitro
group, a carbamoyl group and a cyano group);
the above-described production process wherein R2 is a 4-methoxyphenyl group or a bis (4-methoxyphenyl) methyl group;
the above-described production process wherein R3 is a methyl group;
the above-described production process wherein the enzyme is a lipase;
the above-described production process wherein the lipase is a lipase originating
in a microorganism belonging to the genus Pseudomonas;
the above-described production process wherein the lipase is a lipase originating
in a microorganism belonging to the genus Aspergillus;
the above-described production process wherein the lipase is immobilized;
a compound represented by formula (II):

wherein R1 represents a phenyl group or a pyridyl group (in which each group may have one or
more substituent(s) selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom, an alkyl
group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a halogenoalkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms,
an alkoxyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a nitro group, a carbamoyl group and
a cyano group); R2 represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an alkoxyl group having 1 to 6 carbon
atoms which may have substituent(s), an alkanoyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms
which may have substituent(s), an alkenoyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms which
may have substituent(s), an aryl group which may have substituent(s), an aryloyl group
which may have substituent (s) or an aralkyl group which may have substituent(s);
and R3 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms which may have substituent(s)
or an alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms which may have substituent(s);
the above-described compound wherein R1 is a 3-fluoro-2-pyridyl group;
the above-described compound wherein R2 is a phenyl group (which may have one or more substituent(s) selected from the group
consisting of a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a halogenoalkyl
group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a nitro
group, a carbamoyl group and a cyano group) or an aralkyl group (having a structure
wherein an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms is substituted by one or more aryl
group(s); and said aryl moiety may have one or more substituent(s) selected from the
group consisting of a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms , a
halogenoalkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxyl group having 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, a nitro group, a carbamoyl group and a cyano group);
the above-described compound wherein R2 is a 4-methoxyphenyl group or a bis (4-methoxyphenyl) methyl group;
the above-described compound wherein R3 is a methyl group, etc.
[0010] In the present invention, the compound represented by formula (I) (which will be
called the compound (I) hereinafter and the same will apply to compounds represented
by other formulae) is treated with an enzyme capable of asymmetrically hydrolyzing
an ester (which will be sometimes simply called an "enzyme" hereinafter) to thereby
give the compound (II). Usually another compound (III) is formed together with the
compound (II) as shown in the following reaction scheme.

[0011] It is preferable herein that in the compound (I), the acyloxy group at the 3-position
and R
1 at the 4-position are in the cis-configuration. In this case, the compound (I) is
a racemate having the (3R, 4S) and (3S, 4R) forms, the compound (II) is in the (3R,
4S) form and the compound (III) is in the (3S, 4R) form. Since the (35, 4R) form of
the compound (I) is selectively ester-hydrolyzed by the enzyme, the (3R, 4S) form
of the compound (I) , namely, the compound (II) selectively remains. In case where
the compound (II) has crystalline nature, the compound (II) may be separated from
the mixture of the compound (II) with the compound (III) by usual recrystallization
using a suitable solvent without resort to a column. It is advantageous that, even
though R
3COO at the 3-position of the compound (II) is ester-hydrolyzed into OH and a desired
protective group is introduced thereinto, the R-configuration at the 3-position and
the S-configuration at the 4-position are sustained, and even though the amino group
at the 1-position is eliminated or protected, the R-configuration at the 3-position
and the S-configuration at the 4-psotion are sustained. Owing to these characteristics,
the above-described compound (1) can be formed without resort to optical resolution
by using a column, whereby an extremely high efficiency can be established (see, Examples
and Referential Examples).
[0012] The enzyme to be used in the present invention is not particularly restricted, so
long as it is capable of stereo-selectively hydrolyzing the ester bond at the 3-position
of the (3S, 4R) form of the compound (I).
[0013] A higher optical purity of the compound (III) obtained by the above-described reaction
brings about the higher ester hydrolysis selectivity of the (3S, 4R) form of the compound
(I). Therefore, it is favorable to employ such an enzyme.
[0014] It is preferable that the enzyme to be used in the present invention has an optical
purity of the compound (III) of 80%ee or above, still preferably 90%ee or above and
particularly preferably 95%ee or above.
[0015] As the enzyme to be used in the present invention, a lipase is preferable. It is
still preferable to use a lipase originating in a microorganism, for example, a lipase
originating in a microorganism belonging to the genus
Pseudomonas or
Aspergillus.
[0016] It is also preferable to use an immobilized lipase. Examples thereof include lipases
immobilized on ceramics or diatomaceous earth.
[0017] As specific examples of the lipase, Amano PS, Amano PS-CI, Amano PS-DI and Amano
AK (manufactured by Amano Enzyme), etc. may be cited.
[0018] To treat the compound (I) wi th the above-described enzyme, it is required to bring
the compound (I) into contact wi th the enzyme. Although the contact method is not
particularly restricted, it is preferable to dissolve the compound (I) in an appropriate
solvent and then bring the enzyme into contact with the compound (I).
[0019] The contact time of bringing the above-described enzyme into contact with the compound
(I) may be properly determined to achieve the desired hydrolysis ratio and optical
purity. In the present invention, when an immobilized lipase is used as the enzyme,
the reaction can proceed even if the contact time with the compound (I) is a short
time. Illustratively, the contact time is preferably 0.5 to 48 hours, more preferably
0.5 to 24 hours, and most preferably 0.5 to 18 hours.
[0020] The solvent is not particularly restricted, so long as it would not inhibit the ester-hydrolysis
reaction as described above. For example, use can be made of an organic solvent such
as toluene, isopropyl ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol, acetonitrile, isopropyl ether,
tetrahydrofuran, acetone, or a mixture thereof with water. In case of using a mixture
of an organic solvent with water, it is preferable that the mixing ratio (by volume)
of water is 5% or more but not more than 80%. In case of using ethanol as the organic
solvent, the mixing ratio of water is preferably adjusted to 40%.
[0021] The reaction temperature may be properly determined depending on the solvent. Namely,
the reaction temperature is preferably controlled to about 40°C in case of using an
ethyl acetate or toluene-based solvent, or to about 25°C in case of using an ethanol-based
solvent.
[0022] Stirring may be performed by using a stirrer, stirring blades, a shaker or the like.
An adequate device may be suitably selected.
[0023] The relation between the concentration of the substrate, i.e., the compound (I) and
the amount of the enzyme may be suitably controlled. In general, the selectivity of
the enzyme would be lowered with an increase in the substrate concentration. Also,
the selectively would be lowered with a decrease in the enzyme amount. It is preferable
to control the substrate concentration to about 5% and the enzyme amount to about
0.4 (enzyme mass/substrate mass).
[0024] The pH of the reaction system is usually adjusted to the optimum pH value of the
enzyme during the reaction. In the present invention, the initial pH value little
differs from the pH value after the completion of the reaction. Thus, there arises
a merit that no pH control is needed.
[0025] After the completion of the enzymatic reaction, the enzyme is filtered off and the
solvent is concentrated under reduced pressure. Then the residue is extracted with
a solvent, concentrated under reduced pressure and recrystallized from an appropriate
solvent. Thus, the compound (II) can be obtained at a high purity (99% or above) and
a high optical purity (99%ee or above).
[0026] Water-containing methanol is preferable as the solvent for crystallization. In particular,
a methanol/water mixture (17:19 by volume) is preferable therefor.
[0027] The compound (II) thus obtained is a novel optically active compound.
[0028] In the compound (I) and the compound (II), the substituents R
1, R
2 and R
3 remain unchanged after the reaction.
[0029] Next, the substituents R
1, R
2 and R
3 will be illustrated in greater detail.
[0030] R
1 represents a phenyl group or a pyridyl group which may respectively have one or more
substituent (s) selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom, an alkyl group
having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a halogenoalkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxyl
group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a nitro group, a carbamoyl group and a cyano group,
preferably a halogen atom or an alkoxyl group.
[0031] It is particularly preferable that R
1 is a 3-fluoro-2-pyridyl group.
[0032] R
2 represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an alkoxyl group having 1 to 6 carbon
atoms which may have substituent(s), an alkanoyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms
which may have substituent(s), an alkenoyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms which
may have substituent(s), an aryl group which may have substituent (s) , an aryloyl
group which may have substituent(s) or an aralkyl group which may have substituent(s).
[0033] It is preferable that R
2 is a phenyl group or an aralkyl group. The phenyl group may have one or more substituent(s)
selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6
carbon atoms, a halogenoalkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxyl group having
1 to 6 carbon atoms, a nitro group, a carbamoyl group and a cyano group, preferably
an alkoxyl group. The aralkyl group has a structure wherein an alkyl group having
1 to 6 carbon atoms is substituted by one or more aryl group(s), and the aryl moiety
may have one or more Substituent(s) selected from the group consisting of a halogen
atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a halogenoalkyl group having 1 to
6 carbon atoms, an alkoxyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a nitro group, a carbamoyl
group and a cyano group.
[0034] It is particularly preferable that R
2 is a 4-methoxyphenyl group or a bis(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl group.
[0035] R
3 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms which may have substituent(s)
or an alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms which may have substituent(s). It is
particularly preferable that R
3 is a methyl group.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0036] Now, the present invention will be described in greater detail by reference to the
following Examples, but the present invention should not be construed as being limited
thereto.
[0037] Optical purity was determined under the following conditions.
Column: ULTRON ES-OVM (150 mm x 4.6 mmφ), Shinwa Kako
Mobile phase: MeOH:0.02M phosphate buffer pH 7.0=5:95
Flow rate: 1.0 ml/min
Temperature: 40°C
Detection: 254 nm
Retention time: desired (3R, 4S) ester: 17 min, (3S, 4R) ester: 11 min, (3R,
4S) alcohol: 8.3 min, (3R, 4S) alcohol: 9.3 min, trans-alcohol: 11, 31 min
Example 1: (3R, 4S)-cis-3-acetoxy-4-(3-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-azetidinone
[0038] Cis-3-acetoxy-4-(3-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-azetidinone (480 g) was
suspended in a mixture of ethanol (5.76 1) with 0.1 M phosphate buffer pH 7.0 (3.84
1) . Then an enzyme Lipase PS-CI (144 g) was added thereto and the mixture was stirred
at 25°C for 16 hours. After evaporating ethanol, the residue was extracted with methylene
chloride and the organic layer was evaporated. To the obtained residue were added
methanol (8.16 1) and water (9.18 1) and the mixture was stirred at
10°C for 16 hours. The crystals thus precipitated were collected by filtration and dried
under reduced pressure to thereby give the title compound (182 g, 99.7%ee) as pale
brown crystals.
1H-MMR (CDCl
3)δ: 1.80 (s, 3H) , 3.74 (s, 3H) , 5.72 (d, 1H, J=5.6Hz), 6.09 (d, 1H, J=5.1Hz), 6.77-6.83
(m, 2H), 7.21-7.29 (m, 2H), 7.30-7.33 (m, 1H), 7.41-7.46 (m, 1H), 8.43-8.46 (m, 1H)
Example 1a: (3R,4S)-cis-3-acetoxy-4-(3-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-azetidinone
[0039] Cis-3-acetoxy-4-(3-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl) -2-azetidinone (1 g) was
suspended in a mixture of ethanol (6 ml) with 0.1 M phosphate buffer pH 7.0 (4 ml).
Then an enzyme Lipase PS-CI (1 g) was added thereto and the mixture was stirred at
25°C for 30 minutes. After evaporating ethanol, the residue was extracted with methylene
chloride and the organic layer was evaporated. To the obtained residue were added
methanol (17 ml) and water (19 ml) and the mixture was stirred at 10°C for 16 hours.
The crystals thus precipitated were collected by filtration and dried under reduced
pressure to thereby give the title compound (400 mg, 99.9%ee) as pale brown crystals.
The
1H-NMR data of this product was identical with those of the compound obtained in Example
1.
Examples 2 to 14:
[0040] Reactions were carried out as in Example 1 but employing different enzymes and reaction
solvents in the asymmetric hydrolysis reaction.
[Table 1]
| Ex. |
Enzyme |
Reaction Solvent (water content:5%) |
Optical Purity of Compound (III) (%ee) |
Reaction Ratio |
| 2 |
Amano PS |
toluene |
>95 |
>48 |
| 3 |
Amano PS |
isopropyl ether |
92 |
42 |
| 4 |
Amano PS-CI |
ethyl acetate |
>95 |
>48 |
| 5 |
Amano PS-CI |
toluene |
>95 |
>48 |
| 6 |
Amano PS-CI |
ethanol |
>95 |
>48 |
| 7 |
Amano PS-CI |
acetonitrile |
>95 |
36 |
| 8 |
Amano PS-CI |
isopropyl ether |
93 |
32 |
| 9 |
Amano PS-CI |
tetrahydrofuran |
>95 |
37 |
| 10 |
Amano PS-CI |
acetone |
93 |
29 |
| 11 |
Amano PS-DI |
toluene |
93 |
26 |
| 12 |
Amano PS-DI |
ethanol |
93 |
22 |
| 13 |
Amano PS-DI |
isopropyl ether |
91 |
28 |
| 14 |
Amano AK |
isopropyl ether |
91 |
35 |
Example 15: (3R,4S)-cis-3-acetoxy-4-(3-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-1-{bis(9-methoxyphenyl)methyl}-2-azetidinone
[0041] Cis-3-acetoxy-4-(3-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-1-{bis(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl}-2-azetidinone
(200 mg) was suspended in a mixture of N,N-dimethylformamide (2 ml) with 0.1 M phosphate
buffer pH 7.0 (18 ml). Then an enzyme Lipase PS-CI (200 mg) was added thereto and
the mixture was stirred at 25°C for 2 days. Then the liquid reaction mixture was extracted
with methylene chloride. The organic layer was washed with water and dried over anhydrous
magnesium sulfate. After evaporating the solvent, the obtained residue was subjected
to silica gel column to thereby give the title compound (90 mg, 99.7%ee) as a colorless
oily product. Also, (3S,4R)-cis-3-hydroxy-4-(3-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-1-{bis(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl}-2-azetidinone
(96 mg, 99.5%ee) was obtained.
1H-NMR (CDCl
3)δ: 1 .75 (s, 3H) , 3.72 (s, 3H) 3.79 (s, 3H) , 5.30 (d, 1H, J=5Hz), 5.91 (s, 1H),
5.93 (d, 1H, J=5Hz), 6.64 (d, 2H, J=8.9Hz), 6.83 (d, 2H, J=8.9Hz), 7.06-7.20 (m, 6H),
8.35-8.42 (m, 1H)
Referential Example 1: N-[(E)-(3-fluoro-2-pyridyl)methylidene]-4-methoxyaniline
[0042] 3-Fluoro-2-formylpyridine (229 g) and paraanisidine (225 g) were dissolved in toluene
(2.29 l). After adding anhydrous sodium sulfate (334 g) , the mixture was stirred
at room temperature for 1 hour. After filtering off the insoluble matters, the liquid
reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure to thereby give the title
compound (449 g).
1H-NMR (CDCl
3) δ: 3.85 (s, 3H) , 6.96 (d, J=8.9Hz, 2H) , 7.41 (d, J=8.9Hz, 2H), 7.36-7.43 (m, 1H),
7.53 (m, 1H), 8.62 (d, J=4.3Hz, 1H), 8.86 (s, 1H)
Referential Example 2 : Cis-3-acetoxy-4-(3-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-azetidinone
[0043] A solution (2.29 l) of N-[(E)-(3-fluoro-2-pyridyl)methylidene]-4-methoxyaniline (449
g) and triethylamine (204 g) in dichloromethane was cooled to -10°C. Then acetoxyacetyl
chloride (250 g) was added dropwise thereinto and the resultant mixture was stirred
at the same temperature for 30 minutes. Then it was heated to room temperature and
stirred for 16 hours . The liquid reaction mixture was washed with water and the solvent
was concentrated under reduced pressure to thereby give a crude product (723 g). This
crude product was recrystallized from a solvent mixture of ethanol (6.91) and ethyl
acetate (350 ml) to thereby give the title compound (486 g) as brown crystals.
1H-NMR (CDCl
3)δ: 1.80 (s, 3H), 3.74 (s, 3H), 5.72 (d, 1H, J=5.6Hz), 6. 09 (d, 1H, J=5.1Hz), 6.77-6.83
(m, 2H) , 7.21-7.29 (m, 2H) , 7.30-7.33 (m, 1H, 7.41-7 .46 (m, 1H), 8.43-8.46 (m,
1H).
Referential Example 3: Cis-3-acetoxy-4- (3-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-1-{bis(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl}-2-azetidinone
[0044] Under a nitrogen gas stream, 3-fluoro-2-formylpyridine (6.2 g) and bis(4-methoxyphenyl)methylamine
(12 g) were dissolved in toluene (30 ml). After adding anhydrous sodium sulfate (12
g), the resultant mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. After filtering
off the insoluble matters, the liquid reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced
pressure to give an imine compound. A solution (60 ml) of the imine compound thus
obtained and triethylamine (8.2 ml) in dichloromethane was cooled to -5°C. Then acetoxyacetyl
chloride (6.3 ml) was added dropwise thereinto and the resultant mixture was stirred
at the same temperature for 30 minutes. Then it was heated to room temperature and
stirred for 16 hours. The liquid reaction mixture was washed with water and then extracted
with chloroform. The organic layers were combined, washed with water and dried over
anhydrous magnesium sulfate. After concentrating the solvent under reduced pressure,
ethyl acetate (20 ml) and diisopropyl ether (60 ml) were added to the obtained residue.
The resultant mixture was stirred at room temperature. The crystals thus precipitated
were collected by filtration to thereby give the title compound (21.8 g) as white
crystals.
1H-NMR (CDCl
3)δ: 1.75 (s, 3H) , 3.72 (s, 3H) , 3.79 (s, 3H) , 5.30 (d, 1H, J=5Hz) , 5.91 (s, 1H)
, 5.93 (d, 1H, J=5Hz) , 6.64 (d, 2H, J=8.9Hz), 6.83 (d, 2H, J=8.9Hz), 7.06-7.20 (m,
6H), 8.35-8.42 (m, 1H)
Referential Example 4: (3R, 4S)-cis-3-hydroxy-4-(3-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-azetidinone
[0045] (3R,4S)-cis-3-acetoxy-4-(3-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-azetidinone (181
g, 99.7%ee) was dissolved in a solvent mixture of methylene chloride (725 ml) and
methanol (725 ml). After adding potassium carbonate (5.43 g) at 0°C, the resultant
mixture was stirred at the same temperature for 1 hour. Then Dowex 50 (27 g) was added
to the liquid reaction mixture followed by stirring. After filtering off the insoluble
matters, the solvent was evaporated. Then toluene was added to the obtained residue
and the mixture was azeotropically distilled. Thus, the title compound (157.9 g, 99.7%ee)
was obtained as white crystals.
1H-NMR (CDCl
3)δ: 3.74 (s, 3H), 5.34 (d, 1H, J=5Hz), 5.62 (dd, 1H, J=5, 1Hz) , 6.78-6.81 (m, 2H)
, 7.15-7.38 (m, 3H), 7.52-7.59 (m, 1H) , 8.45-8.47 (m, 1H)
Referential Example 5: (3R, 4S)-cis-4-(3-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-triisopropylsilyloxy-2-azetidinone
[0046] (3R,4S)-cis-3-hydroxy-4-(3-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-azetidinone (126.5
g, 99.7%ee) was dissolved in methylene chloride (1.45 1). After adding triisopropylsilyl
chloride (118 g) and imidazole (75 g), the resultant mixture was stirred at room temperature
for 12 hours. After washing with water, the liquid reaction mixture was dried over
anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Then the solvent was evaporated and n-hexane was added
to the obtained residue. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours and
then at 0°C for 2 hours. The crystals thus precipitated were collected by filtration.
Thus, the title compound (176 g, 99.7%ee) was obtained as white crystals.
1H-NMR (CDCl
3)δ: 0.91-1.06 (m, 21H), 3.74 (s, 3H) , 5.38 (d, 1H, J=5.1Hz), 5 . 50 (d, 1H, J=4.9Hz),
6.78-6.81 (m, 2H) , 7.23-7.30 (m, 3H), 7.35-7.39 (m, 1H), 8.41-8.43 (m, 1H).
Referential Example 6: (3R,4S)-cis-3-hydroxy-4-(3-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-1-{bis(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl}-2-azetidinone
[0047] (3R,4S)-cis-3-acetoxy-4-(3-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-1-{bis( 4-methoxyphenyl)methyl}-2-azetidinone
(90 mg, 99.5%ee) was dissolved in a solvent mixture of tetrahydrofuran (0.3 ml), methanol
(0.3. ml) and methylene chloride (0.3 ml). After adding potassium carbonate (2 .3
mg), the resultant mixture was stirred at 0°C for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Then Dowex
50 (10 mg) was added to the liquid reaction mixture followed by stirring for 5 minutes.
After filtering off the insoluble matters, the solvent was evaporated. Thus, the title
compound (81.6 mg, 99.5%ee) was obtained as a colorless oily product.
1H-NMR (CDCl
3)δ: 3.70 (s, 3H) , 3.81 (s, 3H) , 5.08-5.27 (m, 2H), 5.94 (s, 1H), 6.55 (d, 2H, J=8.6Hz),
6.85 (d, 2H, J=8.6Hz), 7.15-7.20 (m, 6H), 8.36-8.41 (m, 1H)
Referential Example 7: (3R, 4S)-cis-4-(3-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-1-{bis(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl}-3-triisopropylsilyloxy-2-azetidinone
[0048] (3R,4S)-cis-3-hydroxy-4-(3-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-1-{bis(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl}-2-azetidinone
(81.6 mg, 99.5%ee) was dissolved in methylene chloride (1 ml). After adding triisopropylsilyl
chloride (55.3 µl) and imidazole (20.4 mg), the resultant mixture was stirred at room
temperature for 16 hours . After washing with water, the liquid reaction mixture was
dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Then the solvent was evaporated. Thus, the
title compound (112.8 mg, 99.5%ee) was obtained as a colorless oily product.
1H-NMR (CDCl
3) δ: 0.62-1:00 (m, 21H) , 3.69 (s, 3H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 5.15 (d, 1H, J=5Hz), 5.29 (d,
2H, J=5Hz), 5.93 (s, 1H), 6.62 (d, 2H, J-8.6Hz), 6.84 (d, 2H, J=8. 6Hz), 7.05-7.19
(m, 3H), 8.31-8.34 (m, 1H)
Referential Example 8: (3R, 4S)-cis-4-(3-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-3-triisopropylsilyloxy-2-azetidinone
[0049] (3R,4S)-cis-4-(3-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-triisopropylsilyloxy-2-azetidinone
(167 g, 99.7%ee) was dissolved in acetonitrile (5 1) and then cooled to -10°C. After
adding an aqueous solution (5 1) of ammonium cerium nitrate (515 g), the resultant
mixture was stirred at the same temperature for 30 minutes. After adding diisopropyl
ether, the liquid reaction mixture was washed with water, a 4% aqueous sodium thiosulfate
solution and a 2% aqueous sodium hydrogencarbonate solution. After evaporating the
solvent, the obtained residue was dissolved in methanol (1.67 l). Then active carbon
(167 g) was added and the resultant mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16
hours. After filtering off the active carbon, the solvent was evaporated. To the obtained
residue were added ethanol (835 ml) and water (1.25 l). Then the mixture was stirred
at room temperature for 5 hours. The crystals thus precipitated were collected by
filtration to thereby give the title compound (97.5 g, 99.7%ee) as white crystals.
1H-NMR (CDCl
3)δ: 0.89-1.08 (m, 21H), 5.71 (dd, 1H, J=4.8, 1.4Hz), 5.35 (dd, 1H, J=4.9, 1.5Hz) ,
6.18 (brs, 1H), 7.22-7.26 (m, 1H), 7.33-7.41 (m, 1H), 8.42-8.44 (m, 1H)
Referential Example 9: (3R, 4S)-cis-4-(3-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-3-triisopropylsilyloxy-2-azetidinone
[0050] (3R,4S)-cis-4-(3-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-1-{bis(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl}-3-triisopropylsilyloxy-2-azetidinone
(112.8 mg, 99.5%ee) was dissolved in acetonitrile (0.56 ml) and then cooled to -10°C.
After adding an aqueous solution (4 ml) of ammonium cerium nitrate (346 mg), the resultant
mixture was stirred at the same temperature for 30 minutes. After adding chloroform,
the liquid reaction mixture was washed with water and dried over anhydrous magnesium
sulfate. After evaporating the solvent, the obtained residue was subjected to silica
gel column chromatography to thereby give the title compound (59.2 mg, 99.5%ee) as
white crystals. The
1H-NMR data of this product was identical with those obtained in Referential Example
8.
Referential Example 10: (3R, 4S)-cis-1-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-4-(3-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-3-triisopropylsilyloxy-2-azetidinone
[0051] (3R,4S)-cis-4-(3-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-3-triisopropylsilyloxy-2-azetidinone (44.9 g,
99.7%ee) was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (448.6 ml). After adding 4-dimethylaminopyridine
(1.62 g) and di-t-butyl dicarbonate (36.5 ml) at room temperature, the resultant mixture
was stirred at the same temperature for 1 hour. After adding n-hexane, the liquid
reaction mixture was washed with a 4% aqueous sodium hydrogencarbonate solution and
water. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. After evaporating
the solvent, the title compound (58.1 g, 99.7%ee) was obtained as a brown oily product.
1H-NMR (CDCl
3)δ: 0. 88-1 .02 (21H, m), 1 .44 (9H, s), 5.27 (1H, d, J=5.6Hz), 5.45 (1H, d, J=5.6Hz),
7.23-7.28 (1H, m), 7.34-7.41 (1H, m), 8.41-8.44 (1H, m)
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0052] According to the present invention, an optically active compound (II) can be obtained
from a racemic compound (I) merely by treating the compound (I) with an enzyme capable
of asymmetrically hydrolyzing an ester. Thus, the process of the present invention
makes it possible to efficiently obtain the compound (II) in a large amount at a low
cost.
1. A process for producing a compound represented by formula (II):

wherein R
1 represents a phenyl group or a pyridyl group (in which each group may have one or
more substituent(s) selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom, an alkyl
group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a halogenoalkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms,
an alkoxyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a nitro group, a carbamoyl group and
a cyano group); R
2 represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an alkoxyl group having 1 to 6 carbon
atoms which may have substituent(s), an alkanoyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms
which may have substituent(s), an alkenoyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms which
may have substituent(s), an aryl group which may have substituent(s), an aryloyl group
which may have substituent (s) or an aralkyl group which may have substituent(s);
and R
3 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms which may have substituent(s)
or an alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms which may have substituent(s);
which comprises treating a compound represented by formula (I) with an enzyme capable
of asymmetrically hydrolyzing an ester:

wherein R
1, R
2 and R
3 are each as defined above.
2. The process according to claim 1 wherein R1 is a 3-fluoro-2-pyridyl group.
3. The process according to claim 1 or 2 wherein R2 is a phenyl group (which may have one or more substituent(s) selected from the group
consisting of a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a halogenoalkyl
group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a nitro
group, a carbamoyl group and a cyano group) or an aralkyl group (having a structure
wherein an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms is substituted by one or more aryl
group(s); and said aryl moiety may have one or more substituent(s) selected from the
group consisting of a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a halogenoalkyl
group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a nitro
group, a carbamoyl group and a cyano group).
4. The process according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein R2 is a 4-methoxyphenyl group or a bis (4-methoxyphenyl)methyl group.
5. The process according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein R3 is a methyl group.
6. The process according to any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the enzyme is a lipase.
7. The process according to claim 6 wherein the lipase is a lipase originating in a microorganism
belonging to the genus Pseudomonas.
8. The process according to claim 6 wherein the lipase is a lipase originating in a microorganism
belonging to the genus Aspergillus.
9. The process according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the lipase is immobilized.
10. A compound represented by formula (II):

wherein R
1 represents a phenyl group or a pyridyl group (in which each group may have one or
more substituent (s) selected from the group consisting of a halogen atom, an alkyl
group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a halogenoalkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms,
an alkoxyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a nitro group, a carbamoyl group and
a cyano group); R
2 represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an alkoxyl group having 1 to 6 carbon
atoms which may have substituent(s), an alkanoyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms
which may have substituent(s), an alkenoyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms which
may have substituent(s), an aryl group which may have substituent (s) , an aryloyl
group which may have substituent (s) or an aralkyl group which may have substituent(s);
and R
3 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms which may have substituent(s)
or an alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms which may have substituent(s).
11. The compound according to claim 10 wherein R1 is a 3-fluoro-2-pyridyl group.
12. The compound according to claim 10 or 11 wherein R2 is a phenyl group (which may have one or more substituent(s) selected from the group
consisting of a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a halogenoalkyl
group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a nitro
group, a carbamoyl group and a cyano group) or an aralkyl group (having a structure
wherein an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms is substituted by one or more aryl
group(s); and said aryl moiety may have one or more substituent(s) selected from the
group consisting of a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a halogenoalkyl
group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a nitro
group, a carbamoyl group and a cyano group).
13. The compound according to any of claims 10 to 12 wherein R2 is a 4-methoxyphenyl group or bis(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl group.
14. The compound according to any of claims 10 to 13 wherein R3 is a methyl group.