Kilo-Scale-Enabled Route toward PF-07907063, a Type II Brain Penetrant cMET Inhibitor

Abstract

New synthetic methodologies that access complex saturated building blocks enable the synthesis of drug molecules with unique properties. Here, we report collaborative efforts between Pfizer’s Medicinal Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry Synthesis Development, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Small Molecule (PSSM) groups for the development of kilogram-scale-enabled synthesis of a type II brain penetrant cMET inhibitor, PF-07907063. The chemistry presented herein demonstrates the importance of implementing a green chemistry approach for developing and applying new transformations throughout the drug development pipeline. Specifically, synthetic planning rooted in the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry led to advancements in deoxygenative photoredox-nickel dual catalysis and cross-electrophile nickel catalysis. The final route significantly lowered the process mass intensity (PMI), increased the yield of the final API, and allowed for the purification of key intermediates through crystallization versus purging impurities via column chromatography, among other improvements.