Recycling of undesired isomers of key intermediate for aprepitant

Abstract

A protocol for regeneration of key intermediate of aprepitant from its undesired diastereomers is described. This work features the recycling of at least one-third of the undesired isomers (ent-6, 7 and ent-7) to desired isomer 4 as the key early intermediate for the synthesis of aprepitant 1. The key step in our strategy involves diastereomeric salt preparation.