Suzuki–Miyaura reactions of the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor NS2028: a non-product specific route to C-8 substituted analogues

Both soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibitors ODQ 1 and NS2028 2 are synthesized via improved protocols. In the former case treating 3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2(1H)-one oxime 8, which can be prepared in two steps from 1,2-benzenediamine, with 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) gives the dihydro-ODQ 10 that in the presence of KMnO4 oxidises to give ODQ 1 in an overall yield of 46% starting from 1,2-benzenediamine. In the latter case, the synthesis affords NS2028 2 from 2-amino-4-bromophenol 3 in three steps with an overall yield of 85% and avoids the need for chromatography. Furthermore, Suzuki–Miyaura reaction conditions are described that enable the preparation of 8-aryl and 8-heteroaryl derivatives of NS2028 directly from NS2028 2. Finally, demethylation of the 8-(methoxyphenyl) substituted analogues afforded the 8-(hydroxyphenyl) derivatives 40–42. All new products are fully characterised.