Background of the Invention
[0001] Copending U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 687,318, filed May 26, 1976 by Elena
M. Bingham and William Joseph Middleton, which is a continuation- in-part of U.S.
Patent Application Serial Number 597,502, now abandoned, discloses certain novel 3-fluorobenzodiazepines
of the formula:'

where
X is Cl, Br, N02, or CF3;
Y is H, Cl, Br or F;
D is H, hydrocarbyl of 1-4 carbons, -CH2CF3, -CONHR, -CH2CH2NR2, or -CH2CH2NR2·A, where R is alkyl of 1-4 carbons and A is a pharmaceutically suitable acid;
B is O; or
B and D together is =N-N=C(R')-where R' is H or C1-C4 alkyl,
and the use of such compounds as tranquilizers, muscle relaxants and sedatives in
mammals. In addition, Bingham and Middleton disclose a process for making such compounds
by reaction of the corresponding 3-hydroxybenzodiazepine with a dialkylaminosulfur
trifluoride as follows:

where R
3 and R4 are a'primary alkyl group of 1-4 carbons
or taken together are -(CH
2)
4- or -(CH
2)
5.
[0002] In addition, copending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. , filed simultaneously
with the present application by William Joseph Middleton (attorney's docket number
CR-7796) discloses an improved process for preparing such 3-fluorobenzodiazepines,
which improved process can be summarized schematically by the following equations:

where
X is Cl, Br, NO2 or CF3;
Y is H, Cl, Br or F; and
Z1 and Z2 are Cl or Br.
[0003] Middleton also discloses that starting material (1) can be prepared by the process
disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,398,139.
Summary of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to an improved process for making such N-methylaminobenzophenone
anti-oximes, and novel intermediates used in the improved process.
[0005] More specifically, the present invention relates to a new process for the preparation
of N-methylaminobenzophenone anti-oximes by alkylation, and subsequent hydrolysis,
of the corresponding quinazoline oxides.

[0006] The preparation of compounds of Formula III is accomplished in two interrelated stages.
The first stage involves the alkali metal salt of quinazolinone 3-oxides of Formula
I (X = Cl, Br, CF
3 or N0
2; Y = H, Br, Cl or F) with alkylating agents of Formula CH
3Z; (Z = I, Cl, Br, CF
3SO
2O-, FSO
2O-, CCl
3SO
2O- or CH
3OSO
2O-) to give 1-methylquinazoline 3-oxides of Formula II (X and Y as defined).

[0007] The reaction products of Formula II (X, Y as defined) are then hydrolytically converted
in the presence of base to the methylaminobenzophenone anti-oximes of Formula III
(X, Y as defined).
Detailed Description of the Invention
Preferred compounds
[0008] Compounds from within the scope of U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 687,318
which are preferred for their activity are those shown in formula IV where, independently:
B = 0;
X = Cl;
D = H;
D = C1-C3 alkyl;
X = Cl and D = H;
X = Cl and D = C1-C3 alkyl.
[0009] More preferred are those compounds where:
X = Cl or Br;
Y = H, Cl, or F;
D = H, -CH3, or -C2H5; and
B = O.
[0010] Most preferred are those compounds where:
X = Cl or Br;
Y = H or F;
D = CH3; and
B = O.
[0011] Necessarily, then, compounds of formula II which are preferred as intermediates are
those where X is chlorine or bromine. More preferred compounds of formula II are those
where X is chlorine or bromine and Y is hydrogen, chlorine or fluorine.
[0012] Most preferred compounds are those where X is chlorine or bromine and Y is hydrogen
or fluorine.
[0013] Specifically preferred are the following compounds:
6-chloro-l-methyl-4-phenyl-2(lH)quinazolinone 3-oxide;
6-bromo-l-methyl-4-phenyl-2(lH)quinazolinone 3-oxide.
[0014] 1-Methylquinazolinone oxides of Formula II can be prepared by treating a solution
or mixture of a compound of Formula I, prepared as taught by Sulkowski and Childress,
J. Org. Chem., 27 4424 (1962) or by the improved process disclosed by Middleton in
copending U.S. Patent Application Serial Number filed simultaneously herewith (attorney's
docket number CR-7794), and a suitable base with an alkylating agent in an inert organic
solvent medium. The reaction is preferentially carried out at moderate temperatures
of 50-75°, but this step can be effected at room temperature.or above. Suitable solvents
include, but are not limited to, ethers such as tetrahydrofuran,.diethyl ether and
glyme; amides of secondary amines such as N,N-dimethylformamide and N,N-dimethylacetamide.
Representative bases useful in the generation of the alkali metal salt of a compound
of Formula I include, but are not limited to, potassium carbonate, sodium hydride,
sodium carbonate and sodium or potassium alkoxides such as sodium ethoxide or methoxide.
[0015] The alkylated quinazolinone oxides can be isolated from the reaction mixture by conventional
means, such as filtration of the insoluble product.
[0016] The compound of Formula II can then be converted to the anti-oxime by heating with
a base in an aqueous- alcoholic solvent. The reaction is conveniently carried out
at the reflux temperature of the solvent. Useful alcoholic solvents include, but are
not limited to, ethanol, methanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, 2-methoxyethanol,
ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. Examples of suitable bases are alkali metal
(such as sodium and potassium) hydroxides, carbonates and bicarbonates.
[0017] The alkylaminobenzophenone anti-oximes obtained can be purified by evaporation of
the reaction solvent and recrystallization of the solid residue.
[0018] The following examples further illustrate the improved process of the present invention
and the synthesis of the novel compounds of formula II. Parts are by weight and temperatures
are in degrees centigrade unless otherwise stated.
EXAMPLE 1
6-Chloro-1-methyl-4-phenyl-2(1H)quinazolinone 3-Oxide
[0019]

[0020] A mixture of 40 g (0.146 mole) of 6-chloro-4-phenyl-2(lH)quinazolinone 3-oxide in
1000 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide was treated with sodium hydride (7.7 g 50% in oil,
0.16 mole) and heated to 60°. The mixture was cooled to 10° and 30 g (0.211 mole)
of methyl iodide was added during 5 minutes. The reaction mixture was stirred at room
temperature for two hours and the solid collected by filtration, washed and dried.
The crude solid (30.2 g) was recrystallized from N,N-dimethylformamide to give, in
two. crops, 24.3 g (58%) of yellow plates identified as 6-chloro-l-methyl-4-phenyl-2(lH)quinazolinorie
3-oxide: m.p. 289-291°,
[0021] Anal. Calc'd. for C
15H
11ClN
2O
2: C, 6
2.
84; H, 3.87; N, 9.77
[0022] Found: C, 63.01; H, 3.84; N, 9.79
EXAMPLE 2
5-Chloro-2-methylaminobenzophenone anti-Oxime
[0023]

A mixture of 14.3 g (0.05 mole) of 6-chloro-4-phenyl-2(lH)quinazolinone 3-oxide, 200
ml of ethanol, 20 ml of water and 014 g (0.01 mole) of sodium hydroxide was refluxed
for 2 hours, cooled and poured into ice water. The mixture was extracted twice with
250 ml of methylene chloride. The organic extracts were dried (MgSO
4) and evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in 50 ml of 1-chlorobutane,'
filtered and diluted with hexane. A pale yellow solid precipitated and was collected
by filtration to give 9.2 g (69%) of 5-chloro-2-methylaminobenzophenone anti-oxime:
m.p. 90-91°,
[0024] Anal. Calc'd. for C
14N
13N
2OCl: C, 64.50; H, 5.03; N, 10.74 Found: C, 64.75; H, 4.92; N, 10.69
EXAMPLE 3
6-Chloro-1-methyl-4-phenyl--2(1H)quinazolinone 3-Oxide
[0025]

[0026] A mixture of 125 g (0.458 mole) of 6-chloro-4-phenyl-2(lH)quinazolinone 3-oxide,
3,250 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide and 75 of powdered anhydrous potassium carbonate
was heated to 50%. After heating for approximately 30 minutes at this temperature,
an increased solubility of the suspended solid due to formation of the potassium salt
of I was observed. At this point, 150 g (65.8 ml) of methyl iodide was added dropwise
at a fast rate. The reaction with the methyl iodide was somewhat exothermic and caused
the pot temperature to rise to 58°. Stirring at 50-55° was continued for 1 hour. The
contents of the flask were cooled and filtered and the solid obtained was thoroughly
washed with water. The product, 6-chloro- l-methyl-4-phenyl-2(lH)quinazolinone 3-oxide
was obtained in 80% yield (103.2 g), m.p. 253.5-254°.
EXAMPLE 4
5-Chloro-2-methylaminobenzophenone anti-Oxime
[0027]

[0028] The 6-chloro-1-methyl-4-phenyl-2(1H)quinazolinone 3-oxide, 286.7 g (1 mole) was mixed
with 2,000 ml of ethanol and 200 ml of a 1N NaOH solution was added. The mixture was
refluxed for 2 hours, cooled and filtered to remove a small amount of sodium bicarbonate
(~14 g). This ethanol solution was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure (bath
temp. not to exceed~40°) to give a solid. Evacuation with a pump removed the last
traces of ethanol.
[0029] The yellow solid was dissolved in 350 ml of hot 1-chlorobutane. This hot viscous
solution was filtered through a coarse fritted glass funnel. The filter and empty
flask were thoroughly rinsed with exactly 150 ml of 1-chlorobutane and added to the
filtrate. A total of only 500 ml of 1-chlorobutane was used. On addition of 2,000
ml of hexane to the chlorobutane solution, the desired product precipitated out. The
anti-5-chloro-2-(N-methylamino)benzophenone oxime was obtained either in 88% yield
(crystalline form "a", m.p. 90-91°) or 80% yield (crystalline form "b", m.p. 86-88°)
[209-230 g]. The anti-oxime obtained exists in two different crystalline modifications.
Their solid infrared spectra differ, as do color and solubility. The least soluble
crystalline form, "a" precipitates out immediately on addition of hexane to the 1-chlorobutane
solution. It is quite yellow, fluffy and obtained in good yield. The crystalline form
"b" is more soluble and is obtained when hexane addition does not cause rapid precipitation,
but rather a slow crystallization which requires thorough cooling. The material is
pale yellow and crystalline.
EXAMPLE 5
2-Chloro-5-methylantinobenzophenone anti-Oxime
[0030]

[0031] A mixture of 7.15 g (0.025 mole) of 6-chloro-l-methyl-4-phenyl-2(lH)quinazolinone
3-oxide, 100 ml of ethanol, 15 ml of water and 0.325 g (0.012 mole) of sodium carbonate
was refluxed for 2 hours. The mixture was added to an equal volume of ice water and
extracted with methylene chloride. The dried (MgS0
4) organic extracts were evaporated to dryness and the residue dissolved in a minimum
amount of 1-chlorobutane. Hexane was added, and the solution was cooled to give 3.44
g of 5-chloro-2-methylaminobenzophenone anti-oxime (m.p. 85-86°).
EXAMPLE 6
6-Chlaro-1-methyl-4-phenyl-2(1H)quinazolirione 3-Oxide
[0032]

[0033] To a suspension of 5 g (0.018 mole) of 6-chloro-4-phenyl-2-(lH)quinazolinone 3-oxide
and 125 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide was added, at room temperature, 0.96 g. of sodium
hydride (50% in oil). The temperature rose to 30° and the stirring was continued for
approximately 30 minutes to effect salt formation. To this mixture was added, dropwise,
6 g (0.042 mole) of methyl iodide. Stirring was continued for approximately 2 hours
and the solid was collected by filtration, washed with water and with 10 ml of 1N
HC1 to give 3.98 g (78%) of product identified as 6-chloro-l-methyl-4-phenyl-2(lH)-quinazoline
3-oxide: m.p. 253-254°.
1H nmr (CF
3CO
2H) 6 3.12 ppm (s, 3H); 6 6.5-7.3 (m, 8H, aromatic).
EXAMPLE 7
6-Bromo-1-methyl-4-phenyl-2(1H)quinazolinone 3-Oxide
[0034]

[0035] A.mixture of 17 g (0.053 mole) of 6-bromo-4-phenyl-2(lH)quinazolinone 3-oxide, 400
ml of N,N-dimethylformamide and 9.1 g (0.065 mole) of powdered anhydrous potassium
carbonate was heated to 50°. The contents of the flask were stirred at 50° for 30
minutes, at which time 8 ml (18 g) of methyl iodide was added dropwise at a fast rate.
Stirring at 50-55° was continued for one hour. The solid portion of the cooled mixture
was collected by filtration and washed with water to give 13.07 g (74%) of yellow
crystalls identified as 6-bromo-l-methyl-4-phenyl-2(lH)quinazolinone 3-oxide: m.p.
279-279.5°;
1H nmr (CF
3C0
2H) δ 3.05 (s, 3H), δ 6.5-7.5 ppm (m, 8H).
[0036] Anal. Calc'd. for C
15H
11BrN
2O2: C, 54.40; H, 3.35; N, .8.46 Found: C, 54.24; H, 3.39; N, 8.79
[0037] Table I shows additional 1-methylquinazolinone 3-oxides that can be prepared by the
processes disclosed and illustrated above using the appropriate quinazolinone 3-oxide
and a suitable methylating agent.

[0038] Table II shows additional methylaminobenzophenone anti-oximes that can be prepared
by the processes disclosed and illustrated above using the appropriate 1-methylquinazolinone
3-oxide and a suitable base.

1. A compound of the formula:

where
X is Cl, Br, N02 or CF3; and
Y is H, Br, Cl, or F.
2. A compound of claim 1 where X is chlorine or bromine.
3. A compound of claim 1 where Y is hydrogen, chlorine or fluorine.
4. A compound of claim 2 where Y is hydrogen, chlorine or fluorine.
5. A compound of claim 2 where Y is hydrogen or fluorine.
6. The compound of claim 1 where X is chlorine and Y is hydrogen.
7. A process for preparing a compound of the formula:

where
X is Cl, Br, NO2 or CF3; and
Y is H, Cl, Br or F;
which comprises hydrolytically converting a compound of the formula:

in the presence of aqueous base.
8. A process for preparing a compound of the formula:

where
X is Cl, Br, N02 or CF3; and
Y is H, Cl, Br or F;
which comprises treating the alkali metal salt of a compound of the formula:

with an alkylating agent of the formula CH
3Z, where Z is I, Cl, Br, CF
3SO
2O-, FSO
2O-, CCl
3SO
2O- or CH
3OSO
2O-.
9. A process for preparing a compound of the formula:

where
X is Cl, Br, NO2 or CF3; and
Y is H, Cl, Br or F;
which comprises the following steps in sequence:
(a) treating the alkali metal salt of a compound of the formula

with an alkylating agent of the formula CH3Z, to produce a compound of the formula:

(b) hydrolytically converting the reaction product of step (a) in the presence of
aqueous base to a compound of the formula:

where Z is I, Cl, Br, CF3SO2O-, FSO2O-, CCl3SO2O- or CH3OSO2O-.