Continuous method for preparing tricyanoimidazole

1 . A continuous process for preparing a compound of Formula (A)

or a salt thereof, the process comprising:

(a) contacting a first reaction stream comprising a compound of Formula (I)

with a second reaction stream comprising a nitrite source, to form a first combined reaction stream comprising a compound of Formula (II)

or a tautomer thereof, wherein the first combined reaction stream flows through a continuous flow reactor at a flow rate providing a residence time sufficient for converting a compound of Formula (I) to a compound of Formula (II); and

(b) a step selected from step (b1) and (b2), wherein

step (b1) comprises contacting the first combined reaction stream further comprising an inorganic base with a third reaction stream comprising a cyanide source to form a second combined reaction stream to form a compound of Formula (A) or a salt thereof, wherein the second combined reaction stream is allowed to flow through a continuous flow reactor; and

step (b2) comprises quenching the reactor effluent exiting from the continuous flow reactor with a cyanide source to form a quench mixture comprising compound of Formula (A) or a salt thereof and an inorganic base.

2 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the nitrite source in step (a) is tert-butyl nitrite, amyl nitrite, sodium nitrite, or nitrous acid.

3 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the nitrite source is present in the first combined reaction stream in an amount of about 70 to 150 mol % relative to the compound of Formula (I).

4 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the first reaction stream and/or the second reaction stream in step (a) comprise a solvent.

5 . The process of claim 4 , wherein the solvent comprises DMSO, Diglyme, MeCN, H 2 O, DMF, NMP, BuOAc, or any combination of two or more thereof.

6 . The process of claim 4 , wherein the first reaction stream solvent comprises a combination of MeCN, DMSO, and water.

7 . The process of claim 6 , wherein MeCN, DMSO, and water are present in the solvent combination in an amount ranging from about 30% to 80%, from about 10% to 30%, and from about 10% to 30%, respectively.

8 . The process of claim 4 , wherein the second reaction stream comprises the solvent BuOAc.

9 . The process of claim 1 , wherein step (b) is step (b1), and wherein the third reaction stream in step (b1) comprises a solvent.

10 . The process of claim 1 , wherein step (b) is step (b2), and wherein the cyanide source is dissolved in a solvent prior to step (b2).

11 . The process of claim 9 , wherein the solvent is water.

12 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the cyanide source is CuCN, KCN, NaCN, or Zn(CN) 2 .

13 . The process of claim 12 , wherein the cyanide source is present in the second combined reaction stream or the quench mixture in an amount of about 100 to 300 mol % relative to the compound of Formula (II).

14 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the cyanide source is a combination of KCN and CuCN.

15 . The process of claim 14 , wherein the KCN is present in the second combined reaction stream or the quench mixture in an amount of about 50 to 200 mol % relative to the compound of Formula (II); and CuCN is present in the second combined reaction stream or the quench mixture in an amount of about 20 to 100 mol % relative to the compound of Formula (II).

16 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the inorganic base comprises LiOH, NaOH, KOH, CsOH, Li 2 CO 3 , Na 2 CO 3 , K 2 CO 3 , Cs 2 CO 3 , NaHCO 3 , KHCO 3 , CsHCO 3 , or any combination of two or more thereof.

17 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the inorganic base is present in the second combined reaction stream or the quench mixture in an amount of about 100 to 300 mol % relative to the compound of Formula (II).

18 . The process of claim 1 , wherein step (a), step (b1), and/or step (b2) occur at a temperature of about 20° C. to about 45° C.

19 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the process is operated at a pressure of about 1 to 10 bar.

20 . A continuous process for preparing a compound of Formula (A)

or a salt thereof, the process comprising:

(a) contacting a first reaction stream comprising a compound of Formula (I)

with a second reaction stream comprising a nitrite source, to form a first combined reaction stream comprising a compound of Formula (II)

or a tautomer thereof, wherein the first combined reaction stream flows through a continuous flow reactor at a flow rate providing a residence time sufficient for converting a compound of Formula (I) to a compound of Formula (II); and

(b) a step selected from step (b1) and (b2),

wherein:

step (b1) comprises contacting the first combined reaction stream with a third reaction stream comprising a cyanide source to form a second combined reaction stream to form a compound of Formula (A) or a salt thereof, wherein the second combined reaction stream is allowed to flow through a continuous flow reactor; and

step (b2) comprises quenching the reactor effluent exiting from the continuous flow reactor with a cyanide source to form a quench mixture comprising compound of Formula (A) or a salt thereof; and

the process is operated at a pressure of about 1 to 10 bar.