Optimization and Development of a Scalable Palladium-Catalyzed C-H Activation Process for the Geometry-Selective Preparation of Kilograms of YLF466D, a Potent AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Activator

Adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator YLF466D is a promising preclinical drug candidate to treat metabolic diseases and myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI). Herein, we report our efforts on optimization and development of a practical and scalable process for the preparation of YLF466D in kilogram scale. The process features a palladium-catalyzed C-H activation under mild reaction conditions, geometry selectivity, effective impurities purging, and low levels of residual solvents in the final active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). We applied this process successfully to prepare more than 17 kg (3.0-3.6 kg per batch) of YLF466D to support its preclinical study.