Practical routes to the triarylsulfonyl chloride intermediate of a β3 adrenergic receptor agonist

A β3 adrenergic receptor agonist was prepared on a multi-kilogram scale in high yield and purity via a convergent synthesis. A key intermediate in this synthesis was an arylthiazolylbenzenesulfonyl chloride. The triaryl segment of this sulfonyl chloride was assembled at the thiazole ring via coupling of α-haloketone and thiobenzamide precursors (Hantzsch synthesis). Three strategies for introducing the para-sulfonyl chloride moiety were developed and evaluated. The sulfonation/chlorination and diazotization/chlorosulfonylation routes were found the most efficient.