a b s t r a c tRecent advances in the field of continuous flow chemistry allow the multistep preparation of complex molecules such as APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients) in a telescoped manner. Numerous examples of laboratory-scale applications are described, which are pointing towards novel manufacturing processes of pharmaceutical compounds, in accordance with recent regulatory, economical and quality guidances. The chemical and technical knowledge gained during these studies is considerable; nevertheless, connecting several individual chemical transformations and the attached analytics and purification holds hidden traps. In this review, we summarize innovative solutions for these challenges, in order to benefit chemists aiming to exploit flow chemistry systems for the synthesis of biologically active molecules.

This paper reports a novel method for the preparation of chiral stationary phases (CSPs) using an acridino-18-crown-6 ether selector as a model compound. Chiral stationary phase (R,R)-CSP- 2A: was obtained by in situ continuously recirculating the solution of carboxyl-substituted acridino-18-crown-6 ether (R,R)- 4: , dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and 3-(triethoxysilyl)propylamine through a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) column containing blank silica gel in elevated pressure and temperature. The enantiomer separating ability of chiral stationary phase (R,R)-CSP- 2A: was investigated by HPLC using mixtures of enantiomers of 1-(1-naphthyl)ethylamine hydrogen perchlorate, 1-(2-naphthyl)ethylamine, 1-(4-bromophenyl)ethylamine and 1-(4-nitrophenyl)ethylamine hydrogen chloride. The best results were found for the separation of the mixtures of enantiomers of Br-PEA.

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGluR2) positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) have been implicated as potential pharmacotherapy for psychiatric conditions. Screening our corporate compound deck, we identified a benzotriazole fragment (4) that was rapidly optimized to a potent and metabolically stable early lead (16). The highly lipophilic character of 16, together with its limited solubility, permeability, and high protein binding, however, did not allow reaching of the proof of concept in vivo. Since further attempts on the optimization of druglike properties were unsuccessful, the original hit 4 has been revisited and was optimized following the principles of fragment based drug discovery (FBDD). Lacking structural information on the receptor-ligand complex, we implemented a group efficiency (GE) based strategy and identified a new fragment like lead (60) with more balanced profile. Significant improvement achieved on the druglike properties nominated the compound for in vivo proof of concept studies that revealed the chemotype being a promising PAM lead targeting mGluR2 receptors.

A continuous-flow system consisting of two sequential microreactors was developed for the synthesis of nonsymmetrically substituted ureas starting from tert-butoxycarbonyl protected amines. Short reaction times could be achieved under mild conditions. In-line FT-IR analytical technique was used to monitor the reaction, including the formation of the isocyanate intermediate, thus allowing optimization of the reagent ratios. The mechanistic role of the applied base was also clarified. The setup was successfully utilized for the synthesis of several urea derivatives including the active pharmaceutical ingredient cariprazine.

A medium-throughput screening (MTS) of biomimetic drug metabolite synthesis is developed by using an iron porphyrin catalyst. The microplate method, in combination with HPLC-MS analysis, was shown to be a useful tool for process development and parameter optimization in the production of targeted metabolites and/or oxidation products of forty-three different drug substances. In the case of the biomimetic oxidation of amiodarone, the high quantity and purity of the isolated products enabled detailed HRMS and NMR spectroscopic studies. In addition to identification of known metabolites, several new oxidation products of the drug that was studied were characterized. Fast degradation and poor recovery of the catalyst under batch conditions was overcome by immobilization of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin iron(III) chloride (FeTSPP) on the surface of 3-aminopropyl-functionalized silica by electrostatic interaction. The supported catalyst was successfully applied in a packed-bed reactor under continuous-flow reaction conditions for the large-scale synthesis of amiodarone metabolites.