PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF 2,6-DIALKYLPHENYLACETIC ACIDS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of 2,6-dialkylphenylacetic acids of the general formula (I).

[0002] 2,6-Dialkylphenylacetic acids of the general formula (I) are important intermediates for the production of bioactive compounds that can be used specifically to control pests in crop protection. In particular, they are used for the production of insecticidal, acaricidal, or herbicidal cyclic ketoenols (for example, WO 2006 / 089633). ), whereby the corresponding 2,6-dialkylphenyl acetic acid chlorides are produced from these 2,6-dialkylphenyl acetic acids.

[0003] Various methods for the preparation of 2,6-dialkylphenyl acetic acids have already been reported (e.g. Bioorg.&Med.Chem. 17 (2009) 4241-56 ; Chem.Eur.J. 19 (2013) 7334-7 ; WO 2004 / 050607 ; WO 2010 / 104217 ; US 20110039701 ; WO 2011 / 003530 ;WO 2011 / 089072 ; WO 2018 / 015489 ). However, these methods are not satisfactory in all respects. For example, some of these methods result in unsatisfactory yields or require the use of expensive reagents such as palladium catalysts, which can make the synthesis uneconomical. Furthermore, the production of active ingredients for the pharmaceutical or agricultural sectors requires the removal of palladium or other heavy metals down to very low, tolerated residual amounts. The use of sensitive transition metal catalysts also requires the use of very clean starting materials, as otherwise catalyst deactivation ("poisoning") can easily occur.

[0004] One possibility for the production of 2,6-dialkylphenyl acetic acids without the use of a palladium catalyst is, for example, to first synthesize a 2,6-dialkyl benzaldehyde starting from a 2,6-dialkyl bromobenzene; to hydrogenate this aldehyde to the corresponding 2,6-dialkyl benzyl alcohol; to convert this benzyl alcohol into a corresponding 2,6-dialkyl benzyl halide; to react the benzyl halide with an inorganic cyanide to form the corresponding 2,6-dialkylphenyl acetonitrile; and finally to hydrolyze the 2,6-dialkylphenyl acetonitrile to 2,6-dialkylphenyl acetic acid.

[0005] It has already become known ( WO 2001 / 23387 ),to prepare the intermediate compound (4-chloro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)acetonitrile by reacting 4-chloro-2,6-dimethylbromobenzene first with butyllithium and then with N,N-dimethylformamide to obtain 4-chloro-2,6-dimethylbenzaldehyde; reducing this aldehyde to 4-chloro-2,6-dimethylbenzyl alcohol using sodium borohydride; reacting this alcohol with thionyl chloride to give 4-chloro-2,6-dimethylbenzyl chloride; and finally converting this benzyl chloride into (4-chloro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)acetonitrile using sodium cyanide.

[0006] However, the disadvantages of this process are the use of butyllithium and sodium borohydride, both of which are expensive and difficult to handle on an industrial scale (for example, low reaction temperatures of up to -100°C in the reaction with butyllithium; Chem.Eur.J. 2013,19, 7334-7).

[0007] It has also been reported to use magnesium instead of butyllithium and thus to produce the corresponding 2,6-dialkylphenyl Grignard compounds (e.g. Chem.Eur.J. 2014,20, 6268-71 ; J. Med. Chem. 2017, 60, 1325-42 ). However, further reactions to 2,6-dialkylphenyl acetic acids are not disclosed therein.

[0008] It has also already become known ( US 20110039701 ; WO 2010 / 104217 ),2,6-Dialkylphenyl Grignard compounds are reacted with paraformaldehyde to directly produce the corresponding benzyl alcohols and, from them, the corresponding benzyl chlorides. A disadvantage of this process, however, is that the resulting benzyl alcohols can only be completely freed of paraformaldehyde through very complex procedures. This is absolutely necessary to avoid the formation of highly carcinogenic bis(chloromethyl) ether in the subsequent step.

[0009] Accordingly, there is still a need for an improved process for the production of 2,6-dialkylphenyl acetic acids.

[0010] The present invention therefore includes a novel process for the preparation of 2,6-dialkylphenyl acetic acids of the formula (I) in which R 1< and R 2< are methyl and R 3< is chlorine, characterized in that in a first step (1) a 2,6-dialkylbromobenzene of the formula (II) in which R 1< , R 2< and R 3< have the meanings given above, is reacted with magnesium in the presence of a solvent to form a Grignard compound of the general formula (III), in which R 1< , R 2< and R 3< have the meanings given above; in a second step (2) this Grignard compound of formula (III) is reacted with an N,N-dialkylformamide of general formula (IV) in which R 4< and R 5< are methyl, is converted to a compound of general formula (V) in which R 1< , R 2< , R 3< , R 4< and R 5< have the meanings given above; in a third step (3) the compound of general formula (V) is hydrolyzed under acidic conditions to give an aldehyde of general formula (VI) in which R 1< , R 2< and R 3< have the meanings given above; in a fourth step (4) the aldehyde of the general formula (VI) is converted into a benzyl alcohol of the general formula (VII) in which R 1< , R 2< and R 3< have the meanings given above, is hydrogenated in the presence of a catalyst; in a fifth step (5) the benzyl alcohol of the general formula (VII) is converted into a compound of the general formula (VIII) in which R 1< , R 2< and R 3< have the meanings given above and Y represents chlorine or bromine; in a sixth step (6) the compound of general formula (VIII) is reacted with a cyanide of general formula (IX) MCN (IX), in which M represents sodium, to give a compound of general formula (X) in which R 1< , R 2< and R 3< have the meanings given above; in a seventh step (7) the compound of general formula (X) is converted under acidic or basic conditions to a 2,6-dialkylphenylacetic acid of general formula (I) in which R 1< , R 2< and R 3< have the meanings given above, is hydrolyzed.

[0011] The process according to the invention is illustrated by Scheme 1.

[0012] The preparation of 4-chloro-2,6-dimethylphenylacetic acid is also described in WO 2017 / 121699.

[0013] The present invention also relates to novel compounds of the general formula (V) in which R 1< , R 2< , R 3< , R 4< and R 5< have the meanings given above.

[0014] In formulas (I), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII), (VIII), (IX) and (X), R 1< , R 2< , R 3< , R 4< , R 5< , Y and M have the meanings given above.

[0015] The compounds of formulas (II), (III), (IV), (VI), (VII), (IX) and (X) are either commercially available or can be prepared by known methods. General description of the method according to the invention: First step (1) of the inventive method:

[0016] Examples of suitable solvents and diluents in the first step of the process according to the invention are: methyl tert-butyl ether, cyclopentyl methyl ether, tert-amyl methyl ether, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, diethylene glycol diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane, toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene or mesitylene or mixtures of these solvents and diluents.

[0017] Preferred solvents and diluents are methyl tert-butyl ether, cyclopentyl methyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran or toluene or mixtures of these solvents and diluents.

[0018] Mixtures of tetrahydrofuran and toluene are particularly preferred.

[0019] The amount of magnesium relative to the bromoaromatic compound of the general formula (II) is between 0.9 and 1.5 mol per mole; preferably between 1.0 and 1.3 mol per mole.

[0020] The reaction between the magnesium and the bromoaromatic of general formula (II) to produce the Grignard compound of general formula (III) can be initiated in various, basically known ways, for example by adding substoichiometric amounts of iodine, methyl iodide, ethyl iodide, 1,2-dibromoethane, trimethylsilyl chloride, solutions of methylmagnesium chloride, methylmagnesium bromide, ethylmagnesium chloride, ethylmagnesium bromide, or an existing solution of the Grignard compound of general formula (III). Preferably, iodine, 1,2-dibromoethane, ethylmagnesium bromide, and an existing solution of the Grignard compound of general formula (III) are used. Particularly preferably, ethylmagnesium bromide and an existing solution of the Grignard compound of general formula (III) are used.

[0021] The reaction temperature in the first step (1) of the process according to the invention is between 10 and 70°C, preferably between 10 and 40°C.

[0022] The product of the first step is not isolated but used as a solution in the second step of the process according to the invention. Second step (2) of the inventive method:

[0023] The Grignard compound of general formula (III) is reacted with a formamide of general formula (IV), such as N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-diethylformamide, N,N-dibutylformamide, N-formylpiperidine, N-formylmorpholine, or N-formylthiomorpholine. N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dibutylformamide, or N-formylmorpholine is preferably used.

[0024] The amount of formamide of general formula (IV) is between 0.9 and 2 mol per mole of the Grignard compound of general formula (III), preferably between 1 and 1.5 mol per mole.

[0025] The solvent and diluent used in the second step of the process according to the invention is naturally the same as that used in the first step.

[0026] The reaction temperature is between 10 and 70°C, preferably between 10 and 40°C.

[0027] The product of the second step is not isolated but used as a solution or suspension in the third step. Third step (3) of the inventive method:

[0028] The solvent and diluent used in the third step of the process according to the invention is naturally the same as that used in the first and second steps.

[0029] For the hydrolysis of the compound of general formula (V), various acids can be used in a mixture with water; for example, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, citric acid, or acetic acid. Hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid is preferred.

[0030] The reaction temperature is between 10 and 70°C, preferably between 20 and 50°C.

[0031] The processing is carried out according to known methods of organic chemistry such as filtration, phase separation, extraction and distillation. Fourth step (4) of the inventive method:

[0032] Suitable solvents and diluents in the fourth step of the process according to the invention are, for example: ethers such as methyl tert-butyl ether, cyclopentyl methyl ether, tert-amyl methyl ether, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, diethylene glycol diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane; nitriles such as acetonitrile or butyronitrile; esters such as methyl acetate or butyl acetate; hydrocarbons such as hexane, methylcyclohexane, heptane, toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene, mesitylene or chlorobenzene; alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol or butanol; or mixtures of these solvents and diluents.

[0033] It is also possible to carry out the hydrogenation at temperatures above the melting points of the compounds of general formulas (VI) and (VII) without the presence of a solvent or diluent.

[0034] Preferred solvents and diluents are methanol, ethanol, tetrahydrofuran, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, methyl acetate or mixtures of these solvents and diluents, and the reaction is carried out at temperatures above the melting points of the compounds of the general formulas (VI) and (VII) without the presence of a solvent or diluent.

[0035] Suitable catalysts in the fourth step of the process according to the invention are, in principle, all those suitable for hydrogenating a benzaldehyde to the corresponding benzyl alcohol, for example catalysts containing the metals palladium, platinum, iridium, rhodium, ruthenium, cobalt, or nickel. Catalysts containing the metal ruthenium, cobalt, or nickel are preferred.

[0036] Hydrogenation can be carried out with both homogeneously dissolved and heterogeneous catalysts. Examples include: cobalt sponge catalyst (Raney cobalt), nickel sponge catalyst (Raney nickel), palladium on carbon, platinum on carbon, ruthenium on carbon, {bis[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl]amine}carbonylchlorohydridoruthenium(II) (Ru-MACHO, CAS 1295649-40-9), dichlorotriphenylphosphine[bis(2-(ethylthio)ethyl)amine]ruthenium(II) (CAS 1462397-86-9), [2-(Aminomethyl)pyridine](dichloro)(diphenylphosphinobutane)ruthenium(II) (CAS 850424-32-7), Chloro[N-[(1R,2R)-1,2-diphenyl-2-[[3-(η6-phenyl)propyl]amino-κN]ethyl]-4-methylbenzenesulfonamidato-κN]ruthenium (CAS 1192620-83-9).

[0037] The reaction temperature is between 20 and 200°C, preferably between 50 and 150°C.

[0038] The hydrogenation can be carried out at atmospheric pressure or under elevated pressure. It is preferably carried out under elevated pressure of 1 to 100 bar hydrogen, particularly preferably 10 to 50 bar hydrogen.

[0039] The processing is carried out according to known methods of organic chemistry such as filtration, phase separation, extraction and distillation. Fifth step (5) of the inventive method:

[0040] Suitable solvents and diluents in the fifth step of the process according to the invention are, for example: ethers such as methyl tert-butyl ether, cyclopentyl methyl ether, tert-amyl methyl ether, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, diethylene glycol diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane; nitriles such as acetonitrile or butyronitrile; esters such as methyl acetate or butyl acetate; amides such as N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide or N-methylpyrrolidone; hydrocarbons such as hexane, methylcyclohexane, heptane, toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene, mesitylene or chlorobenzene or mixtures of these solvents and diluents. Methylcyclohexane, heptane, toluene, xylene or chlorobenzene or mixtures of these solvents and diluents are preferred.

[0041] Compounds of general formula (VIII) where Y is bromine can be obtained by methods known in principle in organic chemistry by reacting the compounds of general formula (VII) with brominating agents such as hydrogen bromide, N-bromosuccinimide, phosphorus tribromide, or thionyl bromide. Hydrogen bromide or thionyl bromide is preferably used.

[0042] Compounds of general formula (VIII) where Y is chlorine can be obtained by methods known in principle of organic chemistry by reacting the compounds of general formula (VII) with chlorinating agents such as hydrogen chloride, N-chlorosuccinimide, phosphorus trichloride, cyanuric trichloride, phosgene, or thionyl chloride. Hydrogen chloride, phosgene, or thionyl chloride are preferably used.

[0043] In the preparation of compounds of general formula (VIII) where Y is chlorine using hydrogen chloride, phosgene, or thionyl chloride, it is preferable to initially charge the chlorinating agent and then meter in the benzyl alcohol of general formula (VII) to achieve a high yield. It is particularly preferred to initially charge the benzyl alcohol of general formula (VII) and then meter in the benzyl alcohol of general formula (VII).

[0044] Compounds of the general formula (VIII) with Y being OSO 2 Me, OSO 2 (4-methylphenyl) or OSO 2 CF 3 can be prepared by methods known in principle of organic chemistry by reacting the compounds of the general formula (VII) with the corresponding sulfonic acid chlorides or sulfonic acid anhydrides. Sixth step (6) of the inventive method:

[0045] Examples of suitable solvents and diluents in the sixth step of the process according to the invention are: ethers such as methyl tert-butyl ether, cyclopentyl methyl ether, tert-amyl methyl ether, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, diethylene glycol diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane; nitriles such as acetonitrile or butyronitrile; esters such as methyl acetate or butyl acetate; amides such as N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide or N-methylpyrrolidone; hydrocarbons such as hexane, methylcyclohexane, heptane, toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene, mesitylene or chlorobenzene; water or mixtures of these solvents and diluents. Preferred solvents are methylcyclohexane, heptane, toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene, chlorobenzene or water or mixtures of these solvents and diluents.

[0046] Lithium cyanide, sodium cyanide, or potassium cyanide can be used as cyanating agents of the general formula (IX). Sodium cyanide or potassium cyanide is preferred.

[0047] The amount of cyanide used is between 0.9 and 2 mol per mol of compound of general formula (VIII), preferably between 1 and 1.5 mol per mol.

[0048] If the reaction takes place in a two-phase mixture of solvent and diluent, it is usually carried out in the presence of a phase-transfer catalyst. Such phase-transfer catalysts can be, for example, tetraalkylammonium salts, such as tetrabutylammonium bromide, tetraoctylammonium chloride, or tetradecylammonium chloride, or mixtures of such tetraalkylammonium salts, such as Aliquat 336.

[0049] The amount of phase transfer catalyst is between 0.01 and 10 mol percent, based on the compound of general formula (VIII), preferably between 0.1 and 5 mol percent.

[0050] The reaction temperature is between 20 and 200°C, preferably between 50 and 150°C.

[0051] The reaction can also be carried out under reduced or increased pressure.

[0052] The processing is carried out according to known methods of organic chemistry such as filtration, phase separation, extraction and distillation. Seventh Step (7) of the inventive method:

[0053] Examples of suitable solvents and diluents in the seventh step of the process according to the invention include: hydrocarbons such as hexane, methylcyclohexane, heptane, toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene, mesitylene, or chlorobenzene; alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, butanol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol; water, or mixtures of these solvents and diluents. Preferred solvents and diluents are methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, butanol, ethylene glycol, toluene, o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene, mesitylene, or water, or mixtures of these solvents and diluents.

[0054] If the reaction takes place in a two-phase mixture of solvent and diluent, it is usually carried out in the presence of a phase-transfer catalyst. Such phase-transfer catalysts can be, for example, tetraalkylammonium salts, such as tetrabutylammonium bromide, tetraoctylammonium chloride, or tetradecylammonium chloride, or mixtures of such tetraalkylammonium salts, such as Aliquat 336.

[0055] The seventh step of the process according to the invention can in principle be carried out under acidic or alkaline conditions.

[0056] For acidic conditions, acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, or phosphoric acid are used in a mixture with water. Sulfuric acid is preferably used in a mixture with water.

[0057] For alkaline conditions, bases such as lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or calcium hydroxide are used. Sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide are preferred.

[0058] The reaction temperatures are between 50 and 250°C, preferably between 80 and 200°C.

[0059] The reaction can also be carried out under reduced or increased pressure.

[0060] The processing is carried out according to known methods of organic chemistry such as filtration, phase separation, extraction and distillation.

[0061] The present invention will be explained in more detail by the following examples, without being intended to be limited thereby. Examples Example 1: Bromo(4-chloro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)magnesium

[0062]

[0063] 2.67 g [109.9 mmol] of magnesium turnings and a small crystal of iodine are placed in a 250 mL three-necked flask under argon. While stirring, the contents of the flask are heated with a hot air gun until iodine vapor is visible. Approximately 10 mL of a solution of 21.7 g [99 mmol] of 4-chloro-2,6-dimethylbromobenzene in 100 mL of tetrahydrofuran (THF) is added and heated to 50°C until the reaction begins. The remaining reactant solution is then slowly added, maintaining the internal temperature at 50°C by cooling. Stirring is then continued for one hour. Example 2: Bromo(4-chloro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)magnesium

[0064]

[0065] 20.05 g (0.825 mol) of magnesium turnings are placed in a 2L jacketed vessel under argon. At 25°C, first 50 mL of the solution from Example 1 are added, followed by 25 g of a solution of 164.6 g (0.75 mol) of 4-chloro-2,6-dimethylbromobenzene in 565 mL of THF. The onset of the reaction is evident from the exothermic reaction. The remaining reactant solution is then added over a period of approximately 2.5 hours, ensuring that the internal temperature does not exceed 33°C. Finally, the mixture is stirred for a further hour at 35°C. Stirring a small sample of the reaction mixture in a THF solution of iodine and subsequent HPLC analysis indicates complete conversion of the 4-chloro-2,6-dimethylbromobenzene. Example 3: Magnesium bromide (4-chloro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)(dimethylamino)methoxide

[0066]

[0067] In a 2L jacketed vessel, a solution of 54.8 g [0.75 mol] of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) in 185 mL of THF is added to the solution from Example 2 at 27-35°C over a period of approximately one hour. The mixture is then stirred for one hour at 27-35°C. The resulting product is used in the next step without further workup. Example 4: 4-Chloro-2,6-dimethylbenzaldehyde

[0068]

[0069] In a 2L jacketed vessel at 15°C, 402 g of semi-concentrated hydrochloric acid are added to the reaction mixture from Example 3 to reduce the pH to 1. The reaction mixture is drained, the phases are separated, the aqueous phase is extracted three times with 200 mL of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) each time, the combined organic phases are washed with 100 mL of saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over sodium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure. This gives 131.5 g of a yellowish solid. After removal of low-boiling impurities at 100°C and 6 mbar, 123.4 g of a yellowish solid remain, which, according to GC analysis, contains 90.7% of the title compound, resulting in a yield of 83% of theory, based on the starting material in Example 2.

[0070] GC / MS: m / e = 167 ((M-1) +< , 35< Cl, 100%), 139 (M-29, 45%).

[0071] 1<H-NMR (600 MHz, CDCl 3 ): δ = 2.59 (s, 6H), 7.09 (s, 2H), 10.55 (s, 1H) ppm. Melting point: 59°C Example 5: 4-Chloro-2,6-dimethylbenzyl alcohol

[0072]

[0073] A 2L autoclave is charged with 120.8 g of 4-chloro-2,6-dimethylbenzaldehyde with a purity of 89.2% [0.639 mol] in 480 mL of ethanol. 3.6 g of Raney cobalt (Actimet; washed three times each with water and ethanol) are added, the autoclave is sealed, flushed twice with argon, and then hydrogenated for 16 hours at 100°C and 30 bar hydrogen pressure. After cooling to room temperature and depressurizing, the reaction mixture is filtered through Celite, and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo. This gives 115.6 g of product, which, according to quantitative 1< H NMR, consists of 90.4% of the title compound, corresponding to a yield of 95.8% of theory.

[0074] GC / MS: m / e = 170 (M +< , 35< Cl, 35%), 152 (M-18, 35< Cl, 100%).

[0075] 1< H-NMR (600 MHz, d 6 -DMSO): δ = 2.34 (s, 6H), 4.44 (d, J = 5.3 Hz, 2H), 4.75 (t, J = 5.3 Hz, 1H), 7.06 (s, 2H) ppm. Melting point (98.3% purified compound): 110.6°C Example 6: 4-Chloro-2,6-dimethylbenzyl alcohol

[0076]

[0077] A solution of 1 g of 4-chloro-2,6-dimethylbenzaldehyde with a purity of 94% in 10 ml of tetrahydrofuran is placed in an autoclave and treated with 8 mg of [2-(aminomethyl)pyridine](dichloro)-(diphenylphosphinobutane)ruthenium (II) (CAS 850424-32-7) and 16 µl of a 1.7 M solution of potassium tert-butoxide in THF. The autoclave is purged twice with 10 bar of argon and then pressurized with 50 bar of hydrogen for 18 hours at 50°C. After cooling to room temperature and depressurizing, the title compound is obtained with a purity of 91.7% according to GC / MS analysis.

[0078] GC / MS: m / e = 170 (M +< , 35< Cl, 35%), 152 (M-18, 35< Cl, 100%). Example 7:2-(Bromomethyl)-5-chloro-1,3-dimethylbenzene

[0079]

[0080] 8.53 g [50 mmol] of 4-chloro-2,6-dimethylbenzyl alcohol in 60 mL of 48% aqueous hydrobromic acid is heated to 92°C for 4 hours. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature, and 50 mL of methylene chloride is added. The phases are separated, and the aqueous phase is extracted twice with 50 mL of methylene chloride each time. The combined organic phases are shaken with 50 mL of water and then 30 mL of saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over sodium sulfate, and concentrated in vacuo. This gives 12.22 g of solid, which, according to GC / MS analysis, contains 91.1% of the title compound, corresponding to a yield of 95.3% of theory.

[0081] GC / MS: m / e = 232 (M +< , 35< Cl, 79< Br, 5%), 153 (M-79, 100%). Example 8: 2-(Chloromethyl)-5-chloro-1,3-dimethylbenzene

[0082]

[0083] 14.94 g [0.19 mol] of thionyl chloride is initially charged, heated to 72°C, and a warm solution (74°C) of 16.47 g [0.0965 mol] of 4-chloro-2,6-dimethylbenzyl alcohol in 75 mL of toluene is added dropwise over the course of one hour. The mixture is then stirred at 72°C for a further 90 minutes. The excess thionyl chloride is distilled off, and the residue is filtered through some Celite and concentrated in vacuo. This gives 20.21 g of a greenish solid which, according to GC / MS analysis, contains 87.2% of the title compound, corresponding to a yield of 96.5% of theory.

[0084] GC / MS: m / e = 188 (M +< , 35< Cl, 12%), 153 (M-35, 100%), 119 (M-36, 72%).

[0085] 1<H-NMR (600 MHz, CDCl 3 ): δ = 2.33 (s, 6H), 4.53 (s, 2H), 6.97 (s, 2H) ppm. Melting point: 63.5 - 64°C Example 9: (4-Chloro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)acetonitrile

[0086]

[0087] A solution of 70.8 g of 2-(chloromethyl)-5-chloro-1,3-dimethylbenzene (74.4% purity) in 105 mL of toluene is prepared, 35 mL of water and 1.13 g of Aliquat 336 are added, the mixture is heated to 65°C, and a solution of 16.38 g [0.334 mol] of sodium cyanide in 55 mL of water is added with vigorous stirring. The mixture is then stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. The phases are separated at room temperature, the organic phase is washed with 120 mL of saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and twice 100 mL of water, dried over sodium sulfate, and concentrated in vacuo. This gives 61.9 g of solid, which, according to quantitative 1< H NMR, contains 69.8% of the title compound, corresponding to a yield of 86.3% of theory. Recrystallization from 100 ml of isopropanol yields 33.1 g of solid, which, according to GC / MS analysis, contains 99.2% of the title compound, resulting in a yield of 65.6% of theory.

[0088] GC / MS: m / e = 179 (M +< , 35< Cl, 57%), 152 (M-27, 100%), 144 (70%), 118 (90%).

[0089] 1<H-NMR (600 MHz, d6-DMSO): δ = 2.34 (s, 6H), 3.89 (s, 2H), 7.2 (s, 2H) ppm. Melting point: 87.6°C Example 10: (4-chloro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)acetic acid

[0090]

[0091] 28.1 g of (4-chloro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)acetonitrile (82% purity) and 45.6 g of (4-chloro-2,6-dimethylphenyl)acetonitrile (84.8% purity) are placed in 300 mL of ethanol, 122 g of 45% sodium hydroxide solution are added, and the mixture is stirred under reflux for 48 hours. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction mixture is poured onto ice, adjusted to pH 1 with concentrated hydrochloric acid, the solid is filtered off with suction, washed with water, and dried. This gives 76.04 g of solid, which has a purity of 86.8% according to quantitative 1< H NMR, resulting in a yield of 96.8% of theory.

[0092] GC / MS: m / e = 198 (M +< , 35< Cl, 23%), 153 (M-45, 100%), 115 (23%).

[0093] 1< H-NMR (600 MHz, d6-DMSO): δ = 2.34 (s, 6H), 3.58 (s, 2H), 7.1 (s, 2H) ppm. Melting point (after recrystallization): 188.7°C Example 11: Bromo(2,6-dimethylphenyl)magnesium (not according to the invention)

[0094]

[0095] 4.01 g [165 mmol] of magnesium turnings and a small crystal of iodine are placed in a 250 mL three-necked flask under argon. While stirring, the contents of the flask are heated with a hot air gun until iodine vapor is visible. Approximately 10 mL of a solution of 27.76 g [150 mmol] of 2,6-dimethylbromobenzene in 150 mL of tetrahydrofuran (THF) is added and heated to 50°C until the reaction begins. The remaining reactant solution is then slowly added, maintaining the internal temperature at 50°C by cooling. Stirring is then continued for one hour. Example 12: Bromo(2,6-dimethylphenyl)magnesium (not according to the invention)

[0096]

[0097] 66.62 g [2.741 mol] of magnesium turnings are placed in a 6 L jacketed vessel under argon. At 25°C, the solution from Example 11 is added first, followed by 800 mL of THF. At 30°C, 100 g of a solution of 461.2 g [2.492 mol] of 2,6-dimethylbromobenzene in 1200 mL of THF is added. The onset of the reaction is indicated by the exothermic reaction. The remaining amount of the reactant solution is then added over a period of 100 minutes, ensuring that the internal temperature does not exceed 33°C. Finally, the mixture is stirred for a further two hours at 35°C. Stirring a small sample of the reaction mixture in a THF solution of iodine and subsequent HPLC analysis indicates complete conversion of the 2,6-dimethylbromobenzene. Example 13: Magnesium bromide-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)(dimethylamino)methanolate (not according to the invention)

[0098]

[0099] In a 6L jacketed vessel, a solution of 193.1 g [2.642 mol] of DMF in 500 mL of THF is added to the solution from Example 12 at 24-29°C over a period of approximately 90 minutes. The mixture is then stirred for one hour at 27°C. The resulting product is used in the next step without further workup. Example 14: 2,6-Dimethylbenzaldehyde (not according to the invention)

[0100]

[0101] In a 6L jacketed vessel, 1500 g of semi-concentrated hydrochloric acid are added to the reaction mixture from Example 13 at 15-20°C to reduce the pH to 1. Stirring is continued at room temperature for three hours. The reaction mixture is drained, the phases are separated, the aqueous phase is extracted twice with 500 mL of MTBE each time, the combined organic phases are washed with 500 mL of saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over sodium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure. This gives 318.7 g of a yellowish solid which, according to quantitative 1< H NMR, contains 84.0% of the title compound, corresponding to a yield of 75.5% of theory, based on the starting material in Example 12.

[0102] GC / MS: m / e = 133 ((M-1) +< , 35< Cl, 100%), 105 (M-29, 100%).

[0103] 1<H-NMR (600 MHz, CDCl 3 ): δ = 2.55 (s, 6H), 7.15 (m, 2H), 7.39 (m, 1H), 10.53 (s, 1H) ppm. Example 15: 2,6-Dimethylbenzyl alcohol (not according to the invention)

[0104]

[0105] In a 5L autoclave, 318.7 g of the compound from Example 14 are placed as a solution in 1300 mL of ethanol. 3.9 g of Raney cobalt (Actimet), which has been washed twice with water and three times with ethanol, are added. The sealed autoclave is flushed twice with argon, and then hydrogenated for 34 hours at 100°C and 30 bar of hydrogen pressure. The reaction mixture is then filtered through Celite and concentrated in vacuo. This yields 299.6 g of solid, which, according to GC / MS analysis, contains 74.7% of the title compound, corresponding to a yield of 74% of theory.

[0106] GC / MS: m / e = 138 (M + < , 20%), 118 (100%). Example 16: 2-(Chloromethyl)-1,3-dimethylbenzene (not according to the invention)

[0107]

[0108] 91.4 g [0.768 mol] of thionyl chloride is placed in 100 mL of toluene, heated to 72°C, and a solution of 100 g of 2,6-dimethylbenzyl alcohol (74.7% purity) in 700 mL of toluene is added dropwise over one hour. The mixture is then stirred for one hour at 72°C. The excess thionyl chloride is distilled off, and the residue is filtered through some Celite and concentrated in vacuo. This gives 107.2 g of a brown oil which, according to GC / MS analysis, contains 71.0% of the title compound, corresponding to a yield of 89.7% of theory.

[0109] GC / MS: m / e = 154 (M +< , 35< Cl, 17%), 119 (M-35, 100%), Example 17: 2,6-Dimethylphenylacetonitrile (not according to the invention)

[0110]

[0111] A solution of 105.6 g of 2-(chloromethyl)-1,3-dimethylbenzene (68.9% purity) in 150 mL of toluene is prepared, 50 mL of water and 1.9 g of Aliquat 336 are added, the mixture is heated to 65°C, and a solution of 27.68 g [0.565 mol] of sodium cyanide in 80 mL of water is added while stirring thoroughly. The mixture is then stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. A further 0.85 g of Aliquat 336 and 2.3 g of sodium cyanide are then added, and the mixture is stirred at 80°C for 18 hours. The phases are separated at room temperature. The organic phase is washed with 120 mL of saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and twice 100 mL of water, dried over sodium sulfate, and concentrated in vacuo. This results in 85 g of crude product, which according to GC / MS analysis contains 79.3% of the title compound, resulting in a yield of 98.6% of theory.

[0112] GC / MS: m / e = 145 (M +< , 40%), 118 (M-27, 100%). Example 18: 2,6-Dimethylphenylacetic acid (not according to the invention)

[0113]

[0114] 11 g of 2,6-dimethylphenylacetonitrile (94% purity) are added to a mixture of 100 mL of triethylene glycol and 25 mL of water. 28.1 g of KOH pellets (85%) are added, and the mixture is stirred for 18 hours at 120°C. The reaction mixture is allowed to cool to 50°C, then stirred into 500 mL of ice-cold water. The mixture is adjusted to pH 1 with 32% hydrochloric acid. The solid is filtered off, washed twice with 75 mL of water each time, and dried. This yields 9.8 g of solid, which, according to HPLC analysis, contains 96.3% of the title compound, corresponding to a yield of 81.7% of theory.

[0115] GC / MS(sil.): m / e = 236 (M +< (sil.), 7%), 221 (M +< (sil.)-15, 10%), 192 (10%), 119 (13%), 73(100%).

Claims

1. Process for preparing compounds of the formula (I) in which R1 and R2 represent methyl and R3 represents chlorine, characterized in that in a first step (1) compounds of the formula (II) in which R1, R2 and R3 have the definitions given above, are reacted with magnesium in the presence of a solvent to give compounds of the formula (III), in which R1, R2 and R3 have the definitions given above; in a second step (2) the compounds of the formula (III) are reacted with compounds of the formula (IV) in which R4 and R5 represent methyl, to give a compound of the formula (V) in which R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 have the definitions given above; in a third step (3) the compounds of the formula (V) are reacted by hydrolysis under acidic conditions to give compounds of the formula (VI) in which R1, R2 and R3 have the definitions given above; in a fourth step (4) compounds of the formula (VI) are hydrogenated to give compounds of the formula (VII) in which R1, R2 and R3 have the definitions given above; in the presence of a catalyst; in a fifth step (5) compounds of the formula (VII) are reacted to give compounds of the formula (VIII) in which R1, R2 and R3 have the definitions given above and Y represents chlorine or bromine; in a sixth step (6) the compounds of the formula (VIII) are reacted with a cyanide of the formula (IX)         MCN     (IX), in which M represents sodium, to give compounds of the formula (X) in which R1, R2 and R3 have the definitions given above; in a seventh step (7) the compounds of the formula (X) are hydrolysed under acidic or basic conditions to give compounds of the formula (I) in which R1, R2 and R3 have the definitions given above.

2. Process according to Claim 1, wherein, for the hydrogenation in the fourth step (4), use is made of catalysts with the metal ruthenium, cobalt or nickel.

3. Process according to Claim 1, wherein, for the hydrogenation in the fourth step (4), Raney cobalt is used as catalyst.

4. Process according to Claim 1, wherein, for the hydrogenation in the fourth step (4), Raney nickel is used as catalyst.

5. Process according to Claim 1, wherein, for the hydrogenation in the fourth step (4), [2-(aminomethyl)pyridine] (dichloro) (diphenylphosphinobutan e)ruthenium (II) is used as catalyst.

6. Compounds of the formula (V) in which R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 have the definitions given above.