Improved process for the prepration of oxaborole derivatives

The preparation of Crisaborole propanolamine salt through acidification in organic solvents addresses the purity and yield issues of existing methods, resulting in high-purity, stable Crisaborole Form II suitable for industrial use.

WO2026078471A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-04-16VIRUPAKSHA ORGANICS LTD +4
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/IB2025/059422
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-10-08
Filing Date
2025-09-19
Publication Date
2026-04-16

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing processes for preparing Crisaborole do not yield products in good purity and yield, making them unsuitable for industrial-scale production.

Method used

A process involving the preparation of Crisaborole propanolamine salt followed by acidification in an organic solvent or solvent mixture, optionally with a base, to isolate pure crystalline Form II of Crisaborole.

Benefits of technology

The process achieves high purity (above 99.5%) and yield, producing stable, reproducible Crisaborole Form II suitable for bulk handling and industrial applications.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of oxaborole derivatives which are used as agents in the treatment of mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis. The present invention specifically relates to an improved process for the preparation of crystalline forms of Crisaborole. The present invention specifically relates to an improved process for the preparation of crystalline forms of Crisaborole (Form II) through crisaborole propanolamine salt. The present invention specifically relates to an improved process for the preparation of highly pure Crisaborole through crisaborole propanolamine salt.
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Description

[0001] IMPROVED PROCESS FOR THE PREPRATION OF OXABOROLE DERIVATIVES

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of oxaborole derivatives which are used as agents in the treatment of mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis.

[0004] The present invention specifically relates to an improved process for the preparation of Crisaborole.

[0005] The present invention specifically relates to an improved process for the preparation of crystalline forms of Crisaborole (Form II).

[0006] The present invention specifically relates to an improved process for the preparation of Crisaborole through propanolamine salt.

[0007] The present invention specifically relates to an improved process for the preparation of crystalline forms of Crisaborole (Form II) through propanolamine salt.

[0008] The present invention specifically relates to an improved process for the preparation of highly pure Crisaborole through crisaborole propanolamine salt.

[0009] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Crisaborole is a novel boron-containing small molecule. Crisaborole topical ointment, 2%, is an investigational non-steroidal topical anti-inflammatory PDE-4 inhibitor approved by the USFDA for the treatment of mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis. Crisaborole is chemically represented as 5-(4-cyanophenoxy)-l,3-dihydro- 1 -hydroxy-2, 1-benzoxaborole. The chemical formula is C14H10BNO3, the molecular weight is 251.045100 g / mol and the structural formula is:

[0011] Crisaborole was first disclosed in US 8,039,451 B2. This patent also discloses a process for the preparation of Crisaborole, which is shown in the scheme given below:

[0012] Further, in ‘451, Crisaborole was purified by column chromatography over silica gel to provide a solid. However, no physicochemical characteristics were provided except the proton NMR data. The example-4 process reported, purification of crude product by flash column chromatography over silica gel to provide solid with 80% purity. The 80% purity solid was further purified by washing with hexane to afford Crisaborole, which is impure Crisaborole because hexane washings cannot eliminate process impurities, such as Keto impurity, Des-bromo impurity, Hydroxy impurity, Acid impurity and other process impurities. By the purification process of example-4, API purity / pharmaceutical quality with 99.5% purity is not possible.

[0013] Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters 19, 2129-2132, 2009 discloses a process for the preparation of Crisaborole, which is shown in the scheme given below: eth tol , d) HCI, THF,

[0014] Scheme-IV wherein R is cyano group.

[0015] IN 201941025196 discloses a process for the preparation

[0016] MDC, ethylvinyl ether pyridinium p-toluenesulfonate

[0017] US 11,014,944 B2 discloses a process for the preparation of Crisaborole as shown below:

[0018] The detailed procedure given in this patent is 10.0 gm compound of formula (III) was added to the stirred solution of methylene chloride (50 ml) at 25° C.-300C. TBAB (0.5 gm) was added. After the addition of concentrated hydrochloric acid (30 ml), the mixture was stirred for 24 hours at 25° C.-300C. After completion of the reaction, the phases were separated. Water (30 ml) was added to the organic layer and phases were separated. The organic layer obtained was added 200 ml water followed by aqueous sodium hydroxide (4.49 ml 30%) and stirred for 15 mins. The aqueous layer was filtered and acidified with hydrochloric acid (9.22 ml 10%) at 25° C.-300C. The obtained solid was filtered and washed with water (10 ml) and dried at 50° C. under vacuum for 24 hrs to obtain Crisaborole (3.6 gm); Purity=99.5%. However, this patent does not disclose isolation of Crisaborole propanalomine salt and its use in the preparation of Crisaborole crystalline forms.

[0019] US 11,014,944 B2 also discloses a process for preparing highly pure Crisaborole comprising: a) reacting Crisaborole with mono-ethanolamine in suitable solvent to obtain ethanolamine salt of Crisaborole, b) isolating mono-ethanolamine salt of Crisaborole obtained in step a), and c) converting the obtained mono-ethanolamine salt of Crisaborole to a highly pure Crisaborole.

[0020] US 11,447,506 B2 discloses Crystalline Forms I, II and III of Crisaborole with XRD and the process for the preparation of these forms. The generic process given for the preparation of Crisaborole Form II is

[0021] 1) solids of Crisaborole in free form are suspended in a mixed solvent of water and an alcohol to produce a suspension, and the suspension is stirred, subjected to centrifugal separation and dried, to provide the solids of the crystal form II, wherein the water to alcohol volume ratio is 1:1, wherein the alcohol is preferably methanol, and the stirring and separating steps each are conducted at room temperature; or

[0022] 2) solids of Crisaborole in free form are dissolved in a positive solvent, and then a reverse solvent is added thereto; the resultant mixture crystallized while being stirred, separated and dried, to produce the solids of crystal form II, wherein the solids of Crisaborole in free form are present in the positive solvent in a state that the solids are dissolved until the resultant mixture is clear or in a state that the solids are completely dissolved, and the reverse solvent is added until solids are produced; the positive solvent includes, but not limited to, alcohols, ketones, cyclic ethers, amides, and dimethyl sulfoxide, and the inverse solvent is preferably water, wherein: the alcohol solvent is isopropanol, the ketone solvent is acetone, the cyclic ether solvent is selected from tetrahydrofuran, and 1,4-dioxane, and the amide solvent is dimethylformamide; and the stirring crystallizing step and the separating step both are conducted at room temperature.

[0023] The prior-art processes disclosed for the preparation of Crisaborole does not yield the product in good purity and yield. In order to improve the yield, product purity, the inventors of the present invention tried to prepare Crisaborole propanolamine salt which is in turn converted into Crisaborole. The process has simple operations, which can be used in bigger batch sizes, in high yields. These features make the process of the invention highly suitable for industrial scale up production.

[0024] OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The main objective of the present invention is to provide an improved process for the preparation of oxaborole derivatives which are used as agents in the treatment of mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis.

[0026] In yet another objective of the present invention is to provide an improved process for the preparation of Crisaborole.

[0027] Still another objective of the present invention is to provide an improved process for the preparation of crystalline forms of Crisaborole (Form II) through crisaborole propanolamine salt. Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide an improved process for the preparation of highly pure Crisaborole through crisaborole propanolamine salt.

[0028] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide an improved process for the preparation of pure Crisaborole Form II which is having better yields and purity through crisaborole propanolamine salt.

[0029] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved process for the preparation of oxaborole derivatives which are used as agents in the treatment of mild- to-moderate atopic dermatitis.

[0031] In one aspect, the present invention provides an improved process for the preparation of crystalline forms of Crisaborole.

[0032] In another aspect, the present invention provides improved process for the preparation of crystalline forms of Crisaborole (Form II).

[0033] In another aspect, the present invention provides an improved process for the preparation of crystalline forms of Crisaborole (Form II) through crisaborole propanolamine salt.

[0034] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides an improved process for the preparation of highly pure Crisaborole through crisaborole propanolamine salt.

[0035] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a process for the preparation of Crisaborole form (II) which comprises the steps of: i) providing a solution of Crisaborole propanolamine salt in an organic solvent or mixture of solvents and water, optionally in the presence of a base, ii) acidifying the resulting mixture using an acid, iii) isolating pure crystalline form (II) of Crisaborole.

[0036] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a process for the preparation of Crisaborole form (II) which comprises the steps of: i) providing a solution of Crisaborole propanolamine salt in an organic solvent and / or mixture with water, optionally in the presence of a base, ii) adding the above solution to an organic solvent and / or mixture with water, iii) acidifying the resulting mixture using an acid, iv) isolating pure crystalline form (II) of Crisaborole.

[0037] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a process for the preparation of Crisaborole form (II) which comprises the steps of: i) suspending Crisaborole propanolamine salt in an organic solvent and / or mixture with water, optionally in the presence of a base, ii) acidifying the resulting mixture using an acid, iii) isolating pure crystalline form (II) of Crisaborole.

[0038] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a process for the preparation of Crisaborole propanolamine salt which comprises the steps of: i) providing a solution of Crisaborole in an organic solvent or mixture of solvents, ii) adding propanolamine to the mass obtained in step (i), iii) isolating pure Crisaborole propanolamine salt.

[0039] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides novel crystalline Crisaborole propanolamine salt. In still another aspect, the present invention provides novel crystalline Crisaborole propanolamine salt, which can be used in the preparation of Crisaborole Form II in high purity and yield.

[0040] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0041] Fig.l: X-ray powder diffraction pattern of Crisaborole propanolamine salt of the present invention prepared as per example 1

[0042] Fig.2: X-ray powder diffraction pattern of pure Crisaborole crystalline form (II) of the present invention prepared as per example 2

[0043] Fig.3: X-ray powder diffraction pattern of pure Crisaborole crystalline form (II) of the present invention prepared as per example 3

[0044] Fig.4: X-ray powder diffraction pattern of pure Crisaborole crystalline form (II) of the present invention prepared as per example 4

[0045] Fig.5: X-ray powder diffraction pattern of pure Crisaborole crystalline form (II) of the present invention prepared as per example 5

[0046] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] As used in the present specification, the following words and phrases are generally intended to have the meanings as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicates otherwise.

[0048] The acid as used herein is selected from inorganic acid such as hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydrofluoric acid and perchloric acid, polyphosphoric acid; organic acid selected from formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, citric acid and oxalic acid, TsOH or mixture thereof.

[0049] The base as used in the present invention are not limited to sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, sodium carbonate.

[0050] In yet another embodiment, solvents used in the present invention are selected from "alcohol solvents" such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol and t-butanol and the like or "ketone solvents" such as acetone, ethyl methyl ketone, diethyl ketone, methyl tert-butyl ketone, isopropyl ketone and the like or "esters solvents" such as methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, n- butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, sec-butyl acetate, and the like or "nitrile solvents" such as acetonitrile, propionitrile, butyronitrile and isobutyronitrile and the like or "ether solvents" such as di-tert-butylether, diethylether, pet-ether, diisopropyl ether, 1,4- dioxane, methyltert-butylether, ethyl tert-butyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, methyl tetrahydrofuran and dimethoxyethane; "non-polar organic solvents" such as benzene, toluene, xylene, hexane, and cyclohexane, halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane, chloroform, dichloroethane; amides such as dimethyl formamide, N- methyl acetamide, N,N-dimethyl acetamide; N-methyl pyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide and / or mixtures thereof, preferably the solvent is alcoholic solvent.

[0051] The Crisaborole form (II) obtained by the process disclosed herein is stable, consistently reproducible and have good flow properties, and which is particularly suitable for bulk preparation and handling.

[0052] The term "stable" relates to a compound which after storage for up to 2 weeks, more suitably up to 4 weeks, still more suitably up to 12 weeks, or at least 12 weeks and especially up to 6 months, particularly at least 6 months at 25°C and 60% relative humidity, 40°C and, when protected from moisture is at least 95% chemically identical to the starting sample and retains its crystalline nature. Further, the solvent choice and the temperature at which the recrystallization take place has impact on the nature of the crystalline form.

[0053] The Crisaborole form (II) obtained by the process disclosed herein is highly pure with purities ranging above 99.5%.

[0054] Possible impurities in Crisaborole as per the process of the present invention are

[0055] It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments. The present invention is exemplified by the following examples, which are provided for illustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention.

[0056] The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples which are provided merely to be exemplary of the inventions and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Certain modifications and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

[0057] EXAMPLES

[0058] Example 1:

[0059] Preparation of Crisaborole propanolamine salt:

[0060] 4-(4-Bromo-3-((l-ethoxyethoxy)methyl)phenoxy)benzonitrile (St-III) (lOOgr) is dissolved 1,4-dioxan (800ml). To the solution, pinacol borate (84.05g), potassium acetate (52.09g) and Pd(dppf)Cl2. CH2C12(1.62g) are added under nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mass is heated to 85-90°C and maintained for 6h. The reaction mass is cooled to 20-30°C and filtered. To the filtrate, water (500ml) and Con HC1 (200ml) are added and maintained for 3h at 20-25°C. The reaction mass is extracted with methylenechloride (500ml) and concentrated to yield Crisaborole crude mass.

[0061] Isopropanol (340ml) is added to the Crisaborole crude mass and heated to 50-60°C. Propanolamine (29.8) is added to the reaction mass at 50-60°C and maintained for 2h. The reaction mass is cooled and maintained for 2h 20-30°C. The solid product is filtered, washed with isopropanol and dried at 35-40°C to yield Crisaborole Propanolamine salt (45g). HPLC purity: 99.37%.

[0062] Example 2:

[0063] Preparation of Crisaborole Form II:

[0064] Crisaborole Propanolamine salt is added (15.0g) to the pre-heated solution of water (450ml) and Tartaric acid (27.6g) at 50-60°C. The slurry mass is maintained for 2h at 50-60°C. The solid product is filtered, washed with water and dried at 30-45°C under vacuum to yield Crisaborole Form-II (10g; 87.0% by theory). HPLC Purity: 99.75%.

[0065] Example 3:

[0066] Preparation of Crisaborole Form II:

[0067] Crisaborole Propanolamine salt (15g) is added to the pre-heated solution of water (450ml), Methanol (585ml) and Na2CO3(7.3g) at 45-50°C and dissolved. The solution is filtered and partially concentrated to 1100ml at below 60°C under vacuum. Cone HC1 (15g) is added to the concentrated solution at 0-5°C. The reaction slurry is maintained for 3h at 0-5°C. The solid product is filtered, washed with water and dried the wet product at 30-45°C to yield Crisaborole Form-II (10g; 87.0% by theory).

[0068] HPLC Purity: 99.59%.

[0069] Example 4:

[0070] Preparation of Crisaborole Form II:

[0071] Crisaborole Propanolamine salt (15g) is added to the pre-heated solution of water (450ml), Methanol (195ml) and Na2CO3(7.3g) at 45-50°C and dissolved. The solution is filtered, cooled to -20 to -15°C and cone HC1 (15g) is added at -20 to -15°C. The reaction slurry is maintained for 3h at -20 to -15°C. The solid product is filtered, washed with water and dried the wet product at 30-45°C to yield Crisaborole Form-II (8.8g; 76.5% by theory). HPLC Purity: 99.32%.

[0072] Example 5:

[0073] Preparation of Crisaborole Form II:

[0074] Crisaborole Propanolamine salt (15g) is added to DM water (450ml) at 20-30°C and cooled to 0-5°C. Cone. HC1 (15g) is added to the reaction mass in 30min at 0-5°C and maintained for 3h at 0-5°C. The solid is filtered, washed with water and, dried the wet product at 30-45°C to yield Crisaborole Form-II (10g; 87.0% by theory). HPLC Purity: 99.67%.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. Novel crystalline Crisaborole Crisaborole propanolamine salt.

2. An improved process for the preparation of Crisaborole form (II) which comprises the steps of: i) providing a solution of Crisaborole propanolamine salt in an organic solvent or mixture of solvents and water, optionally in the presence of a base, ii) acidifying the resulting mixture using an acid, iii) isolating pure crystalline form (II) of Crisaborole.

3. An improved process for the preparation of Crisaborole form (II) which comprises the steps of: i) providing a solution of Crisaborole propanolamine salt in an organic solvent and / or mixture with water, optionally in the presence of a base, ii) adding the above solution to an organic solvent and / or mixture with water, iii) acidifying the resulting mixture using an acid, iv) isolating pure crystalline form (II) of Crisaborole.

4. An improved process for the preparation of Crisaborole form (II) which comprises the steps of: i) suspending Crisaborole propanolamine salt in an organic solvent and / or mixture with water, optionally in the presence of a base, ii) acidifying the resulting mixture using an acid, iii) isolating pure crystalline form (II) of Crisaborole.

5. An improved process for the preparation of Crisaborole propanolamine salt which comprises the steps of: i) providing a solution of Crisaborole in an organic solvent or mixture of solvents, ii) adding propanolamine to the mass obtained in step (i), iii) isolating pure Crisaborole propanolamine salt.

6. The process as claimed in claims 2 to 4, wherein the acid is selected from hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydrofluoric acid and perchloric acid, polyphosphoric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, citric acid and oxalic acid, TsOH.

7. The process as claimed in claims 2 to 4, base is sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, sodium carbonate.

8. The process as claimed in claims 2 to 5, wherein the solvent is selected from "alcohol solvents" such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol and t-butanol and the like or "ketone solvents" such as acetone, ethyl methyl ketone, diethyl ketone, methyl tert-butyl ketone, isopropyl ketone and the like or "esters solvents" such as methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, sec-butyl acetate, and the like or "nitrile solvents" such as acetonitrile, propionitrile, butyronitrile and isobutyronitrile and the like or "ether solvents" such as di-tert-butylether, diethylether, pet-ether, diisopropyl ether, 1,4-dioxane, methyl tert-butylether, ethyl tert-butyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, methyl tetrahydrofuran and dimethoxyethane; "non-polar organic solvents" such as benzene, toluene, xylene, hexane, and cyclohexane, halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane, chloroform, dichloroethane; amides such as dimethyl formamide, N-methyl acetamide, N,N-dimethyl acetamide; N-methyl pyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide.

9. The solvent as claimed in claim 8 wherein the solvent is alcoholic solvent.

10. Novel crystalline Crisaborole propanolamine salt used in the preparation of 5 Crisaborole Form II in high purity and yield.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Process for the preparation of crisaborole and its intermediates

    US11014944B2

  • Process for the preparation of 5-(4-cyanophenoxy)-1,3-dihydro-1-hydroxy-[2,1]-benzoxaborole and polymorphs thereof

    WO2018216032A1