An
efficiently scalable synthesis of key intermediate toward mirabegron
has been developed via a mixed anhydride method, employing PivCl instead
of EDCI and HOBt. The developed process produced (R)-2-hydroxy-N-(4-nitrophenethyl)-2-phenylacetamide
(10) in 91.5–92.3% yield and >99.0% HPLC purity
under mild conditions. During this process, a side reaction induced
by triethylamine hydrochloride was discovered and investigated, which
was ultimately avoided by executing the reaction in a biphasic solvent
system.