Oxopyrrolidine compounds, preparation of said compounds and their use in the manufacturing of levetiracetam and analogues

1. A process for the manufacture of a compound of formula (22′)

wherein R 2′ is hydrogen, C 1 –C 4 alkyl, C 2 –C 4 alkenyl or C 2 –C 4 alkynyl, optionally substituted by one or more halogen, said process comprising the ammonolysis of the corresponding compound of formula (6′)

wherein R 1′ is C 1 –C 6 alkyl and R 2′ is hydrogen, C 1 –C 4 alkyl, C 2 –C 4 alkenyl or C 2 –C 4 alkynyl, optionally substituted by one or more halogen, in the presence of water.

2. The process according to claim 1 , wherein said ammonolysis is performed in a mixture of water and an alcohol.

3. The process according claim 1 , wherein said ammonolysis is performed in a 30–80% (w/w) NH 3 solution in water.

4. The process according to claim 1 , wherein said ammonolysis is performed at 0 to 25° C.

5. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the molar ratio of NH 3 to the compound of formula (6′) is at least 4.

6. The process according to claim 1 , wherein a compound of formula (6′) is used wherein R 1′ is methyl and R 2′ is hydrogen.

7. The process according to claim 1 , wherein a compound of formula (6′) is used wherein R 1′ is ethyl and R 2′ is hydrogen.

8. The process according to claim 1 , wherein a compound of formula (6′) is used wherein the R 2′ substituent is present at position 4 on the ring structure, according to the following general formula (7′)

9. The process according to claim 1 , wherein a compound of formula (6′) or (7′) is used wherein R 2′ is selected from the group of propyl, 2,2-difluorovinyl, 2-fluoro-2-methylpropyl, 2,2-difluoropropyl, cyclopropylmethyl and 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl.

10. The process according to claim 1 , wherein compound (6′) is an S isomer according to the following formula (8′)

11. The process according to claim 1 , wherein compound (6′) is obtained by a process comprising following steps:

(a) reaction of a compound of formula (9)

 with an alcohol of formula R 1′ OH wherein R 1′ is as noted in claim 1 ,

(b) reaction of the corresponding compound of formula (10′) thus obtained

 with a R 2′ -substituted-ethyl-4-bromobutyrate wherein R 2′ is as noted in claim 1 ,

(c) cyclisation of the corresponding compound of formula (11′) thus obtained

 in the presence of a catalyst, and

(d) isolation of the resulting compound.

12. The process according to claim 1 , wherein compound (6′) is obtained by a process comprising a step of cyclisation of a compound of formula (11′)

wherein R 1′ and R 2′ are as noted in claim 1 .

13. The process according to claim 1 , wherein compound (6′) is obtained by a process comprising following steps:

(a) reaction of an α-ketocarboxylic acid derivative of formula (12′)

 wherein R 1′ is as noted in claim 1 , with a pyrrolidinone of formula (13′)

 wherein R 2′ is as noted in claim 1 ,

(b) reaction of the corresponding compound of formula (14′) thus obtained

 with hydrogen in the presence of an asymmetric hydrogenation catalyst, and

(c) isolation of the resulting compound.

14. The process according to claim 1 , wherein compound (6′) is obtained by a process comprising following steps:

(a) reaction of a compound of formula (15′)

 wherein R 1′ is as noted in claim 1 and X is Cl, Br, I, alkylsulphonate or sulfate; with a pyrrolidone of formula (13′)

 wherein R 2′ is as in claim 1 ,

(b) reaction of the corresponding compound of formula (16′) thus obtained

 with ethyl-X, wherein X is Cl, Br, I, alkylsulphonate or sulfate in the presence of an asymmetric alkylation catalyst or additive,

(c) isolation of the resulting compound.

15. The process according to claim 1 , wherein compound (6′) is obtained by a process comprising following steps:

(a) reaction of a compound of general formula (20′)

 wherein R 1′ is as noted in claim 1 , with a pyrrolidone of general formula (13′)

 wherein R 2′ is defined as in claim 1 ,

(b) separation of the corresponding compound of formula (21′) thus obtained, and

(c) isolation of the resulting compound of formula (6′).