NZ623864B2 - Optically active fluconazole analogues containing thiophenes as antifungal agents - Google Patents

Abstract

The disclosure provides enantiomeric antifungal compounds of Formula (1a) and Formula (1b), wherein each R1 and R2, which may be the same or different, is independently selected from hydrogen or a halogen selected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine; each R3 and R4, which may be the same or different, is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl group of linear or branched chain of 1 to 20 carbon atoms or R3 and R4 together form a cycloalkyl ring of 3 to 10 carbon atoms, and R5 is CN or COOR' (wherein R'= methyl or ethyl). ifferent, is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl group of linear or branched chain of 1 to 20 carbon atoms or R3 and R4 together form a cycloalkyl ring of 3 to 10 carbon atoms, and R5 is CN or COOR' (wherein R'= methyl or ethyl).

Description

GNA 1412 WO 1 “OPTICALLY ACTIVE FLUCONAZOLE ANALOGUES CONTAINING THIOPHENES AS ANTIFUNGAL AGENTS” FIELD OF INVENTION: The present invention relates to enantiomers of fluconazole analogues containing thiophenes as antifungal agents, which are depicted by Formula (1a) and Formula (1b), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

N R3 Formula 1b Formula 1a Wherein each R1 and R2, which may be the same or different, is independently selected from hydrogen or a halogen selected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine; each R3 and R4, which may be the same or different, is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl group of linear or branched chain of 1 to 20 carbon atoms or R3 and R4 together form a cycloalkyl ring of 3 to 10 carbon atoms, and R5 is CN or COOR’ (wherein R’= methyl or ethyl).

The invention further relates to a process for preparation of the enantiomers of fluconazole analogues containing thiophenes of Formula (1a) and Formula (1b), and pharmaceutical preparations containing these compounds for prevention and treatment of fungal infections in a subject.

GNA 1412 WO 2 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: Fungus is a type of microorganism that causes fungal infection. A fungal infection is an inflammatory condition in which fungi multiply and invade the skin, the digestive tract, the genitals and other body tissues, particularly the lungs and liver. Fungal infections mainly include superficial and systemic fungal infections. Fungal infections are more common in people taking antibiotics, corticosteroids, immunosuppressant drugs and contraceptives. The fungal infections are prominent in people with endocrine disorders, immune diseases and other conditions such as obesity, AIDS, tuberculosis, major burns, leukemia and diabetes.

The current antifungal agents belong to various groups like polyenes, heterocyclic benzofuran, allylamines, antimetabolites, azoles, glucan synthesis inhibitors, etc. out of which azoles are presently the most extensively used antifungal agents. Azoles are further classified into imidazoles and triazoles. Fluconazole belongs to the family of triazole antifungals. Fluconazole is an important antifungal agent which is orally active and has low toxicity but its extensive use has resulted in emergence of fluconazole-resistant fungal strains. Therefore, it is necessary to meet the long-felt need to develop novel fluconazole analogues which exert high anti-fungal activity against various fungi. The presence of one triazole ring, halogenated phenyl ring and tertiary alcoholic oxygen functionality in azole class of compounds, is necessary for antifungal activity.

Various fluconazole analogues having antifungal activity have been reported in the literature. Some of the recent references describing synthesis and antifungal activity are given below: Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters 17 (2007) 3686-9; Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters 18 (2008) 6538–6541; Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters 19 (2009) 301–304; Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters 19 (2009) 759–763; Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters 19 (2009) 2013–2017; Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters 19 (2009) 3559–3563; Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters 20 (2010) 2942–2945.

GNA 1412 WO 3 The racemic fluconazole analogues containing thiophene moiety of Formula (2) and their excellent fungicidal activities have already been described by the inventors in WO 2010/046912, with the method of preparing such racemic compounds, which have high antifungal activity against various fungi.

Formula 2 Wherein, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are defined as above.

It has been found by the present invention that one of the enantiomers of chiral fluconazole analogues containing thiophene moiety has enhanced antifungal activity than corresponding racemic compound. Hence, there is a need to develop such enantiomers which exert high antifungal activity against various fungal strains.

The present invention seeks to provide enantiomers of chiral fluconazole analogues of Formula (1a) and Formula (1b) containing thiophene moiety and process thereof as an effort to come up with antifungal agents having broad spectrum of antifungal activity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: Accordingly, to meet the above stated objectives, the present invention discloses enantiomers of fluconazole analogues containing thiophene moiety as antifungal agents, which are depicted by Formula (1a) and Formula (1b).

GNA 1412 WO 4 N R3 N R3 Formula 1b Formula 1a Wherein each R1 and R2, which may be the same or different, is independently selected from hydrogen or a halogen selected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine; each R3 and R4, which may be the same or different, is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl group of linear or branched chain of 1 to 20 carbon atoms or R3 and R4 together form a cycloalkyl ring of 3 to 10 carbon atoms, and R5 is CN or COOR’ (wherein R’= methyl or ethyl).

The invention further discloses a process for preparation of compounds of Formula (1a) and Formula (1b), and pharmaceutical preparations containing these compounds, for prevention and treatment of fungal infections. Such chiral, optically-active compounds acting as antifungals proved to have MIC values much smaller than that of racemic compounds of Formula (2) as well as fluconazole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION According to the present invention, there are provided enantiomers of fluconazole analogues containing thiophene moiety, as depicted in Formula (1a) and Formula (1b).

These compounds belong to azole class of antifungal compounds and are analogues of fluconazole, which are active against fungi and used in pharmaceutical preparations as active agents.

GNA 1412 WO 5 N R3 N R3 Formula 1b Formula 1a Wherein each R1 and R2, which may be the same or different, is independently selected from hydrogen or a halogen selected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine; each R3 and R4, which may be the same or different, is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl group of linear or branched chain of 1 to 20 carbon atoms or R3 and R4 together form a cycloalkyl ring of 3 to 10 carbon atoms, and R5 is CN or COOR’ (wherein R’= methyl or ethyl).

According to another embodiment, the invention provides process for preparation of the compounds of Formula (1a) and Formula (1b). The compounds of Formula (1a) and Formula (1b) of the present invention are prepared either by a synthetic process as illustrated in Scheme 1, or by chiral separation using HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) as illustrated in Scheme 2.

Scheme 1: GNA 1412 WO 6 Base, catalyst Formula 3 Formula 4 N R3 N R3 Formula 1b Formula 1a Wherein, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are defined as above, and ‘*’ is used to designate R or S configuration at carbon atom.

Accordingly, the process for the preparation of compound of Formula (1a) and Formula (1b) comprises reacting a compound of Formula (3) with a chiral epoxide of Formula (4), in presence of a suitable base and a catalyst. The suitable base used in the present invention is selected from various organic or inorganic bases preferably inorganic base such as potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate or cesium carbonate. The suitable catalyst used in the present invention is selected from various phase transfer catalysts such as tetrabutylammonium bromide, tertrabutylammonium chloride, triethylbenzylammonium chloride or cetyltrimethylammonium bromide.

Compounds of Formula (1a) and Formula (1b) can also be prepared by chiral separation of racemic compounds of Formula (2) using chiral HPLC in order to obtain desired enantiomers, as shown in Scheme 2. The chiral HPLC is performed using a chiral GNA 1412 WO 7 preparative HPLC column and a mobile phase. Compounds of Formula (2) can be prepared as per the method disclosed in .

Scheme 2: N R3 Chiral HPLC Formula 2 N R3 Formula 1b Formula 1a Wherein, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are defined as above.

According to the present invention, the chiral preparative HPLC column is selected from but not limited to cellulose tris (3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) coated on silica-gel, cellulose tris (4-methylbenzoate) coated on silica-gel or tris-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)- carbamoyl amylose coated on silica-gel; and the eluent system is an isocratic system comprising a mixture of hydrocarbon(s), alcohol(s) and/or acid(s).

The hydrocarbons used in the present invention are selected from a group consisting of pentane, hexane, heptane, petroleum ether (60-80 fraction), iso-octane, cyclohexane and cyclopentane.

GNA 1412 WO 8 The alcohol used in the present invention is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol, propanol, butanol, butanol, tert-butanol, 3- methylbutanol, 2-methylpropanol, 2-methoxyethanol and 2-ethoxyethanol.

The acid used in the present invention is trifluoroacetic acid.

The ratio of alcohol in the mobile phase of the eluent system ranges from 10% to 60%.

The ratio of hydrocarbon in the mobile phase of the eluent system ranges from 40% to 90%. The ratio of trifluoroacetic acid in the mobile phase of the eluent system ranges from 0% to 2%.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical preparation for treating or preventing fungal infections, comprising compounds of Formula (1a) or Formula (1b), in association with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient known in the art.

The pharmaceutical preparations can be selected from various dosage forms such as solid dosage form including tablets, capsules, pellets, powders, soft gelatin capsules and oral liquids. The pharmaceutical compositions can be prepared using conventional techniques well known in the art.

In further embodiment, the invention provides a method for treating or preventing fungal infections in a subject, wherein the said method comprises administering to the subject, therapeutically effective amounts of the compounds of Formula (1a) or Formula (1b) of the present invention. The compounds of the present invention can also be administered optionally with other actives depending on the disease conditions.

The term “therapeutically effective amount” as used herein, means an amount used in the pharmaceutical preparations to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.

The amount/quantity of the compound used in pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention will vary depending upon the body weight of the patient and the mode GNA 1412 WO 9 of administration, and can be of any effective amount to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.

In yet another embodiment, the invention provides use of therapeutically effective amounts of compounds of formula 1a or 1b for the treatment or prevention of fungal infections in a subject. The invention also provides use of formula 1a and 1b of the present invention in the preparation of medicament useful for treating fungal infections in a subject. The subject for trhe purpose of the invention is an animal or a mammal.

The invention is further illustrated with the following examples and should not be construed to limit the scope of the present invention. The features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the inventive concept and the description of the preferred embodiments.

The compounds of Formula 1a are depicted in Table 1.

Compounds of Formula (1a): Formula 1a GNA 1412 WO 10 Table 1: Compd 1 2 3 4 5 R R R R R Structure 2-F 4-F methyl H CN 1a-01 N Pr 1a-02 2-F 4-F propyl H CN N Bu 1a-03 2-F 4-F butyl H CN Pent 1a-04 2-F 4-F pentyl H CN The compounds of Formula 1b are depicted in Table 2.

GNA 1412 WO 11 Compounds of Formula (1b): N R3 Formula 1b Table 2: Compd 1 2 3 4 5 R R R R R Structure N Me 1b-01 2-F 4-F methyl H CN N Pr 1b-02 2-F 4-F propyl H CN 2-F 4-F butyl H CN 1b-03 GNA 1412 WO 12 N Pent 1b-04 2-F 4-F pentyl H CN The compounds of Formula 2 are depicted in Table 3.

Compounds of Formula (2): N R3 Formula 2 Table 3: Compd 1 2 3 4 5 R R R R R Structure N Me 2-01 2-F 4-F methyl H CN GNA 1412 WO 13 N Pr 2-02 2-F 4-F propyl H CN N Bu 2-03 2-F 4-F butyl H CN Pent 2-04 2-F 4-F pentyl H CN The compounds of Formula 3 are depicted in Table 4.

Compounds of Formula (3): Formula 3 GNA 1412 WO 14 Table 4: Compd 3 4 5 R R R Structure methyl H CN 3-01 3-02 propyl H CN 3-03 butyl H CN 3-04 pentyl H CN Pent The compounds of Formula 4 are depicted in Table 5.

Compounds of Formula (4): Formula 4 GNA 1412 WO 15 Table 5: Compd No. R R Structure 4a 2-F 4-F 4b 2-F 4-F Examples: General method of preparation of compounds of Formula (1a) and Formula (1b) via Scheme 1: Base, catalyst Formula 3 Formula 4 N R3 Formula 1b Formula 1a GNA 1412 WO 16 Wherein, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are defined as above, and ‘*’ is used to designate R or S configuration at carbon atom.

A mixture of compound of Formula 3 (1 equivalent), base (0.5-5 equivalents) and catalyst (0.1-2 equivalents) in a suitable organic solvent was taken in two- necked round bottom flask equipped with a reflux condenser and a guard tube. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 0.5-4 h and a compound of Formula 4 (1 equivalent) in organic solvent such as ethyl acetate was added. The mixture was stirred under reflux for 5-18 h, cooled, diluted with water, extracted with ethyl acetate, dried over Na SO and concentrated. Purification by column chromatography afforded the pure product.

Example 1: (S)((2-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)hydroxy(1H-1,2,4-triazolyl)propyl)amino) methylthiophenecarbonitrile (1a-01) N Me A mixture of compound of Formula 3-01 (166 mg, 1 mmol), flame dried potassium carbonate (414 mg, 3 mmol) and tetra-butyl ammonium bromide (322 mg, 1 mmol) in ethyl acetate (10 ml) was taken in two- necked round bottom flask equipped with reflux condenser and guard tube. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 0.5 h and compound of Formula 4a (244 mg, 1.03 mmol) in ethyl acetate (4 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred under reflux for 13 h, cooled, diluted with water, extracted with ethyl acetate (3 x 10 ml), dried over Na SO and concentrated. Purification by column chromatography afforded the pure product; 255 mg (68%); H NMR (200 MHz, CDCl ): δ 2.28 (s, 3H), 3.64 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 3.68 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 4.65 (d, J = 14 Hz, 1H), 4.87 (d, J = 14 Hz, 1H), 5.24 (t, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 5.30 (bs, 1H), 6.36 (s, 1H), 6.37-6.87 (m, GNA 1412 WO 17 0 2H), 7.45-7.57 (m, 1H), 7.86 (s, 1H), 7.92 (s, 1H); [ ] = -10 (C=1, methanol ); ee 98.99% by chiral HPLC.

Example 2: (S)((2-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)hydroxy(1H-1,2,4-triazolyl)propyl)amino) propylthiophenecarbonitrile (1a-02) The compound of Formula 3-02 (200 mg, 1.03 mmol) in dry ethyl acetate (5 ml) was added to a mixture of flame-dried K CO (284 mg, 2.06 mmol), tetra-butyl ammonium bromide (TBAB, 332 mg, 1.03 mmol) and dry ethyl acetate (10 ml). Reaction mixture was stirred at 70 ºC for 30 min and then epoxide 4a (244 mg, 1.03 mmol) dissolved in dry ethyl acetate (3 ml) was added drop wise over a period of 10 min and stirring was continued for further 15 h at the same temperature. It was then cooled to room temperature, diluted with water (20 ml), extracted with ethyl acetate (3 x 10 mL), dried over Na SO , concentrated and purified by column chromatography to give pure compound of the Formula 1a-02 (335 mg); Yield: 81%; H NMR (200 MHz, CDCl ): δ 0.89 (t, J=7 Hz, 3H), 1.43-1.60 (m, 2H), 2.50 (t J=7 Hz, 2H), 3.63 (bs, 2H), 4.67 (d, J=14 Hz, 1H), 4.80 (d, J=14 Hz, 1H), 5.05 (bs, 1H), 6.31 ( s, 1H), 6.66-6.82 (m, 2H), 7.41-7.58 (m, 1H), 7.77 (s, 1H), 8.07, (s, 1H); [ ] = -12 (C=1, THF ); ee 99.16% by chiral HPLC.

GNA 1412 WO 18 Example 3: (S)Butyl((2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)hydroxy(1H-1,2,4-triazol yl)propyl)amino)thiophenecarbonitrile (1a-03) The compound of Formula 3-03 (104 mg, 0.5 mmol) in dry ethyl acetate (5 ml) was added to a mixture of flame-dried K CO (284 mg, 2.06 mmol), tetra-butyl ammonium bromide (TBAB, 32 mg, 0.1 mmol) and dry ethyl acetate (10 ml). Reaction mixture was stirred at 70 ºC for 30 min and then epoxide 4a (118 mg, 0.5 mmol) dissolved in dry ethyl acetate (3 ml) was added drop wise over a period of 10 min and stirring was continued for further 20 h at the same temperature. It was then cooled to room temperature, diluted with water (20 ml), extracted with ethyl acetate (3 x 10 mL), dried over Na SO , concentrated and purified by column chromatography to give pure compound of the Formula 1a-03 (131 mg); Yield: 63%; H NMR (200 MHz, CDCl ): δ 0.88 (t, J = 8 Hz, 3H), 1.20-1.40 (m, 2H), 1.46-1.59 (m, 2H), 2.56 (t, J = 8 Hz, 2H), 3.61 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 3.67 (d, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 4.66 (d, J = 16 Hz, 1H), 4.81 (d, J = 16 Hz, 1H), 5.41-5.49 (m, 2H), 6.32 (s, 1H), 6.69-6.85 (m, 2H), 7.44-7.57 (m, 1H), 7.78 (s, 1H), 7.99 (s, 1H); [ ] = -10 (C=1, methanol ); ee 97.45% by chiral HPLC.

GNA 1412 WO 19 Example 4: (S)((2-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)hydroxy(1H-1,2,4-triazolyl)propyl)amino) pentylthiophenecarbonitrile (1a-04) Pent To a mixture of compound of Formula 3-04 (178 mg, 0.8 mmol), flame-dried K CO (552 mg, 4.0 mmol) and tetra-butyl ammonium bromide (TBAB, 32 mg, 0.1 mmol), dry ethyl acetate (10 ml) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at 65 ºC for 20 min and then epoxide 4a (190 mg, 0.8 mmol) dissolved in dry ethyl acetate (5 ml) was added drop wise over a period of 10 min and stirring was continued for further 12 h at the same temperature. It was then cooled to room temperature and extracted with ethyl acetate (3 x mL) after dilution with water (20 ml). The organic layer was dried over Na SO , concentrated and purified by column chromatography to give pure compound of the Formula 1a-04 (270 mg); Yield: 78%; H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl ): δ 0.90 (t, J = 10 Hz, 3H), 1.26-1.35 (m, 4H), 1.52-1.58 (m, 2H), 2.57 (t, J = 10 Hz, 2H), 3.62 (d, J = 10 Hz, 1H), 3.68 (d, J = 10 Hz, 1H), 4.67 (d, J = 10 Hz, 1H), 4.86 (d, J = 10 Hz, 1H), 5.27-5.31 (m, 2H), 6.36 (s, 1H), 6.75-6.83 (m, 2H), 7.49-7.54 (m, 1H), 7.85 (s, 1H), 7.93 (s, 1H); [ ] = -12 (C=1, methanol ); ee 99.89% by chiral HPLC.

General method of preparation of compounds of Formula (1a) and Formula (1b) via Scheme 2: Compounds of Formula 2 in Scheme 2 were prepared as described in .

The racemic compounds of Formula 2 were analyzed by analytical HPLC on chiral column to get separation and to develop the conditions for preparative chiral HPLC in order to isolate the enantiomers in pure form. The racemic compounds of Formula 2 were separated into their S and R enantiomers of Formula (1a) and Formula (1b) GNA 1412 WO 20 respectively, using chiral preparative HPLC. The analytical as well as chiral preparative HPLC was carried out under following general conditions: HPLC column Chiracel-OD-H (DAICEL) or its equivalent, or Chiracel OJ or its equivalent, or Chiralpak AD or its equivalent Mobile Phase Alcohol: Hydrocarbon or Alcohol: Hydrocarbon: acid Wavelength 254 nm Example 5: (R)((2-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)hydroxy(1H-1,2,4-triazolyl)propyl)amino) propylthiophenecarbonitrile (1b-02) N Pr The racemic compound of Formula 2-02 was separated into its S and R enantiomers of Formula (1a-02) and Formula (1b-02) respectively using preparative HPLC under following conditions: HPLC column KromasilCelluCoat (250 X 4.6 mm) Mobile Phase iso-Propanol-Pet ether-Trifluoroacetic acid (20:80:0.1) Wavelength 254 nm Retention time Formula (1a-02): 30.65 min Formula (1b-02): 26.36 min The retention time, rotation and spectral data of compound of Formula (1a-02) was identical with the sample obtained in Example 2.

GNA 1412 WO 21 0 The rotation of compound of Formula (1b-02) was [ ] = +10 (C=1, THF); ee 81.3% by chiral HPLC.

Antifungal Activity Testing: The compounds of Formula (1a) and (1b) were tested for antifungal activity against various strains of Candida (Candida albicans ATCC 24433, C. albicans ATCC 10231, C. albicans ATCC 2091, C. albicans ATCC 90028, C. glabrata ATCC 90030, C. Krusei ATCC 6258, C. tropicalis ATCC 750), Cryptococcus neoformans ATCC 34664, Aspergillus niger ATCC 16404, Aspergillus fumigatus ATCC 46645 and Fusarium proliferatum ATCC 10052. In vitro evaluation of antifungal activity was performed by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) following standard broth dilution methods (CLSI: Reference method for broth dilution antifungal susceptibility testing of yeasts; Approved standard, second edition M27-A2, 2002; CLSI: Reference method for broth dilution antifungal susceptibility testing of filamentous fungi; Approved standard M38-A, 2002) using RPMI 1640 medium buffered to pH 7.0 with MOPS buffer.

Known anti-fungal agents like Fluconazole and Amphotericin-B were used as standards.

End points were determined after 48 hours visually and by using spectrophotometer wherever necessary. The activity parameters are enumerated in Table 1: Table 1: MIC obtained by broth dilution method MIC in μg/ml Organism AM FLU 2-02 1b-02 1a- 2-01 1a- 2-04 1a- 2-03 1a- B 02 01 04 03 C. 0.25 0.5 0.06 0.5 0.06 0.25 0.12 0.25 0.12 0.12 0.06 albicans ATCC 24433 C. 0.5 0.5 0.12 1 0.12 0.5 0.25 1 0.5 0.12 0.06 albicans ATCC 10231 C. 0.5 0.5 0.12 1 0.12 0.5 0.25 1 0.5 0.25 0.12 albicans ATCC 2091 C. 0.5 0.5 0.12 0.5 0.06 0.5 0.25 0.5 0.25 0.12 0.06 GNA 1412 WO 22 albicans ATCC 90028 C. 0.25 4 0.12 0.5 0.12 0.25 0.12 0.25 0.12 0.12 0.06 glabrata ATCC 90030 C. krusei 0.5 64 8 >8 8 64 32 8 4 8 4 ATCC 6258 C. 0.5 2 2 >8 2 4 2 2 1 1 0.5 tropicalis ATCC C. 0.5 2 1 8 0.5 4 2 2 1 1 0.5 neoforman s ATCC 34664 A. niger 0.25 >128 4 >8 8 >64 >64 >8 >8 >4 >4 ATCC 16404 A. 0.5 >128 >16 8 >16 >64 >64 >8 >8 >4 >4 fumigatus ATCC 46645 F. 2 >128 >16 >128 >16 >64 >64 >8 >8 >4 >4 proliferatu m ATCC 10052 *For azoles and NCEs: For Fluconazole and the NCEs, MIC is recorded as the concentration exhibiting more than 50% inhibition as compared to the positive control.

For Amphotericin B: MIC is recorded as the concentration exhibiting complete inhibition.

It was observed that one of the enantiomers of each compound was more active than the corresponding racemic compound.

It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details of the foregoing illustrative examples and that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiments and examples be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

GNA 1412 WO 23

Claims (11)

We claim:

1. An enantiomeric antifungal compounds of Formula (1a) and Formula (1b) N R3 N R3 Formula 1b Formula 1a wherein each R1 and R2, which may be the same or different, is independently selected from hydrogen or a halogen selected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine; each R3 and R4, which may be the same or different, is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl group of linear or branched chain of 1 to 20 carbon atoms or R3 and R4 together form a cycloalkyl ring of 3 to 10 carbon atoms, and R5 is CN or COOR’ (wherein R’= methyl or ethyl).

2. A process for preparation of antifungal compounds of Formula (1a) and Formula (1b) as claimed in claim 1, comprising, a process selected from a synthetic process comprising reacting a compound of Formula (3) with a chiral epoxide of Formula (4), in presence of a base and a catalyst Formula 3 Formula 4 wherein each R1 and R2, which may be the same or different, is independently selected from hydrogen or a halogen selected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine; each R3 and R4, which may be the same or different, is GNA 1412 WO 24 independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl group of linear or branched chain of 1 to 20 carbon atoms or R3 and R4 together form a cycloalkyl ring of 3 to 10 carbon atoms, and R5 is CN or COOR’ (wherein R’= methyl or ethyl); or a chiral separation process using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).

3. The process for preparation of antifungal compounds of Formula (1a) and Formula (1b) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the base is selected from organic and inorganic bases.

4. The process for preparation of antifungal compounds of Formula (1a) and Formula (1b) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said inorganic base is selected from potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate or cesium carbonate.

5. The process for preparation of antifungal compounds of Formula (1a) and Formula (1b) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the catalyst is selected from a phase transfer catalyst such as tetrabutylammonium bromide, tertrabutylammonium chloride, triethylbenzylammonium chloride or cetyltrimethylammonium bromide.

6. The process for preparation of antifungal compounds of Formula (1a) and Formula (1b) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said chiral separation process is carried using chiral HPLC columns selected from cellulose tris (3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) coated on silica-gel, cellulose tris (4-methylbenzoate) coated on silica-gel or tris-(3,5- dimethylphenyl)-carbamoyl amylose coated on silica-gel using an isocratic elution system comprising a mixture of hydrocarbon (s), alcohol(s) and/or acid(s).

7. The process for preparation of antifungal compounds of Formula (1a) and Formula (1b) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the hydrocarbon is selected from pentane, hexane, petroleum ether (60-80 fraction), heptane, iso-octane, cyclohexane or cyclopentane.

8. The process for preparation of antifungal compounds of Formula (1a) and Formula (1b) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the alcohol is selected from methanol, GNA 1412 WO 25 ethanol, propanol, propanol, butanol, butanol, tert-butanol, 3-methyl butanol, 2-methylpropanol, 2-methoxyethanol or 2-ethoxyethanol.

9. The process for preparation of antifungal compounds of Formula (1a) and Formula (1b) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the acid is trifluoroacetic acid.

10. A pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing fungal infections comprising a compound of Formula (1a) or Formula (1b) according to claim 1 in association with at least one pharmaceutical excipient.

11. The use of enantiomeric antifungal compounds of formula 1a or 1b according to claim 1 and at least one pharmaceutical excipient for the preparation of a medicament for treating or preventing fungal infections.