Method for the preparation of therapeutically valuable triphenylbutene derivatives

1. A method for the preparation of a compound of formula (Ia) or (Ib)

wherein a compound of formula (II)

a) is alkylated with an alkylating reagent of the formula X—(CH 2 ) 2 —O—(CH 2 ) 2 —O—Pr,

where X is Cl, Br, I, mesyloxy or tosyloxy, and Pr is a protecting group, to give a compound of formula (III)

which is subjected to removal of the protecting group Pr to give the compound of formula (Ia), or

b) is alkylated with an alkylating reagent of the formula X—(CH 2 ) 2 —O—Pr, where X is Cl, Br, I, mesyloxy or tosyloxy, and Pr is a protecting group, to give a compound of formula (IV)

which is subjected to removal of the protecting group Pr to give the compound of formula (Ib), or

c) is alkylated with an alkylating reagent of the formula X—CH 2 —COOR, wherein X is Cl, Br, I, mesyloxy or tosyloxy, and R is an alkyl, to give a compound of formula (V)

and the ester is reduced to give the compound of formula (Ib).

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the compound of formula (II) is prepared by a McMurry reaction of 4-hydroxybenzophenone with 3-chloropropiophenone.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the alkylation in step a) or b) is carried out in tetrahydrofuran.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the protecting group is tetrahydropyranyl.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the protecting group is benzyl.

6. The method according claim 1 , wherein X in the alkylating reagent in step a) or step b) is I or Br.

7. The method according claim 1 , wherein X in the alkylating reagent in step c) is I, Br, or Cl.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the alkylation in step c) is carried out in by use of i) potassium carbonate and absolute ethanol, or ii) sodium hydride and tetrahydrofuran.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the reduction of compound (V) obtained in step c) is carried out by lithium aluminum hydride.

10. The method according to claim 1 where the compound (Ia) or (Ib) is the Z-isomer.

11. A method for the preparation of a compound of formula (Ia)

comprising:

wherein a compound of formula (II)

is alkylated with an alkylating reagent of the formula X—(CH 2 ) 2 —O—(CH 2 ) 2 —O—Pr,

where X is Cl, Br, I, mesyloxy or tosyloxy, and Pr is a protecting group, to give a compound of formula (III)

which is subjected to removal of the protecting group Pr to give the compound of formula (Ia), wherein the compound (Ia) is the Z-isomer.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein X is I.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein Pr is tetrahydropyranyl or benzyl.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein Pr is 2-tetrahydropyranyl.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the protecting group Pr is removed using acid.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein Pr is benzyl and is removed using zinc and acetyl chloride.

17. A method for the preparation of a compound of formula (Ib):

comprising:

wherein a compound of formula (II)

is alkylated with an alkylating reagent of the formula X—CH 2 —COOR, wherein X is Cl, Br, I, mesyloxy or tosyloxy, and R is an alkyl, to give a compound of formula (V)

and the ester group of V is reduced to give the compound of formula (Ib), wherein the compound (Ib) is the Z-isomer.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein X is Br.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein R is a C 1-4 alkyl.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein R is ethyl.

21. The method of claim 17 , wherein said ester is reduced using lithium aluminum hydride.