Development of a Robust Synthesis of Dactolisib on a Commercial Manufacturing Scale

The development of the robust synthesis of 2-methyl-2-[4-[3-methyl-2-oxo-8-(quinolin-3-yl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-1-yl]-phenyl]propionitrile (dactolisib) on a commercial scale is described. The key step is a Pd-catalyzed Suzuki coupling of 2-[4-(8-bromo-3-methyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-1-yl)-phenyl]-2-methyl-propionitrile to 3-quinoline boronic acid. A special focus is placed on reducing the amount of Pd catalyst used in the Suzuki coupling and purifying the crude drug substance, including removing traces of Pd.