The invention discloses a method for preparation of protected difluoromethylornithine by a difluoromethylation of dibenzaldimine ornithine ester using CHF3 and LiHMDS (lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide), which can be converted to a salt of unprotected

difluoromethylornithine by a subsequent deprotection under acidic conditions in the presence of water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

2-Difluoromethyl-2,5-diaminopentanoic acid, also called Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) or eflornithine, is an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, an enzyme which is involved in polyamine formation in organisms.

Eflornithine is a medication used to treat African trypanosomiasis, which is sleeping sickness.

US 4,330,559 discloses in example 5 the preparation of DFMO in form of its hydrochloride monohydrate by deprotonation of the ornithine dibenzaldimine methyl ester with butyl lithium and diisopropylamine providing in situ lithium diisopropylamide, which is followed by reaction with chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22 or R-22); DFMO in form of its hydrochloride monohydrate is provided after deprotection and hydrolysis with aqueous HCl. Reaction times reported are 3 h for the reaction with chlorodifluoromethane and 16 h for the deprotection by 12 N HCl. Yield was 37%.

US 4,413, 141 discloses in example 3 the preparation of DFMO in form of its hydrochloride monohydrate by deprotonation of the dibenzylidene ornithine methyl ester with butyl lithium and diisopropylamine providing in situ lithium diisopropylamide, which is followed by reaction with chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22 or R-22); DFMO in form of its hydrochloride monohydrate is provided after deprotection and hydrolysis with aqueous HCl. Reaction times reported are 3 h for the reaction with chlorodifluoromethane and 16 h for the deprotection by 12 N HCl. Yield was 40%. Philippe Bey et al., J. Org. Chem., 1979, 44, 2732-2742 discloses in example 9b the preparation of methyl 2-(Difluoromethyl)-2,5-bis(benzylideneamino) pentanoate by deprotonation of the ornithine dibenzaldimine methyl ester with lithium diisopropylamide, which is followed by reaction with chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22 or R-22). R-22 is known for its ozone depletion potential which is no longer considered acceptable, for this reason R-22 is regulated by the Montreal Protocol and is being phased out in the EU and US. There was a need to find a method for preparation of DFMO, which does not need a substance which falls under the Montreal Protocol, and which has high yields.

This need is met by a method which uses CHF ₃ , which is not regulated by the Montreal Protocol. The method shows a higher yield of over 70%, even of over 80%, compared with the yields disclosed in US 4,330,559 or in US 4,413, 141, the reaction times are significantly reduced. CHF ₃ has different reactivity than R-22 and does not react under the reaction conditions of example 5 of US 4,330,559, of example 3 of US 4,413, 141 or example 9b of Philippe Bey et al., J. Org. Chem., 1979, 44, 2732-2742. Therefore CHF ₃ needed different reaction conditions than R-22 resulting in the method of instant invention being different from those disclosed methods.

The following abbreviations are used, if not otherwise stated:

DFMO difluoromethylornithine, efl ornithine, MW 182 g/mol, compound of formula (3)

HCFC-22 chlorodifluoromethane

LiUMDS lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide

Me-THF 2 methyltetrahydrofuran

R-22 chlorodifluoromethane

RT room temperature

TUF tetrahydrofuran

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Subject of the invention is a method for the preparation of compound of formula (II) comprising a reaction REACl, wherein compound of formula (I) is reacted with CHF3 in the presence of LiHMDS (lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide);

Rl is Ci-4 alkyl or benzyl;

R2 and R3 are identical or different and are selected from the group consisting of H, Ci _-4 alkoxy, F, CI, Br, I, NO2, CN, CF ₃ , OH and CM alkyl.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Preferably, compound of formula (I) is compound of formula (I-CHIR), with Rl, R2 and R3 as defined herein, also with all their embodiments.

Preferably, Rl is methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, n-butyl or benzyl;

more preferably, Rl is methyl or ethyl;

even more preferably, Rl is methyl.

Preferably, R2 and R3 are selected from the group consisting of H, Ci _-4 alkoxy, F, CI, Br, CN, CF ₃ and Ci _-4 alkyl;

more preferably, R2 and R3 are selected from the group consisting of H, methoxy, ethoxy, CI, Br, CN, CF ₃ , methyl and ethyl;

even more preferably, R2 and R3 are selected from the group consisting of H, methoxy, CI,

Br, CN, CF ₃ and methyl;

especially, R2 and R3 are H, CI, Br, or CF ₃ ;

more especially, R2 and R3 are H or CI.

Preferably, R2 and R3 are either identical or at least R3 is H.

Preferably, R2 is in para position;

more preferably, R2 is in para position and R3 is H.

In one embodiment, R2 and R3 are H.

In another embodiment, at least one of R2 or R3 is not H.

Particular embodiments of compound of formula (II) are selected from the group consisting of compound of formula (Π-Η), compound of formula (II-3-OMe), compound of formula (II-4-OMe), compound of formula (II-3-C1), compound of formula (II-4-C1), compound of formula (II-2-3-C1), compound of formula (II-4-CN), compound of formula (II-4-Br), compound of formula (II-4-CF ₃ ) and compound of formula (II-4-Me); more in particular compound of formula (II-H), compound of formula (II-4-C1), compound of formula (II-4-Br) and compound of formula (II-4-CF3);

even more in particular compound of formula (II-H) and compound of formula (II-4-C1); with Rl as defined herein, also with all its embodiments, preferably with Rl being methyl.

(II-4-OMe)

(1I-4-CN)

Particular embodiments of compound of formula (I) are selected from the group consisting of compound of formula (I-H), compound of formula (1-3 -OMe), compound of formula (I- 4-OMe), compound of formula (1-3 -CI), compound of formula (I-4-C1), compound of formula (1-2-3 -CI), compound of formula (I-4-CN), compound of formula (I-4-Br), compound of formula (I-4-CF ₃ ) and compound of formula (I-4-Me);

more in particular compound of formula (I-H), compound of formula (I-4-C1), compound of formula (I-4-Br) and compound of formula (I-4-CF );

even more in particular compound of formula (I-H) and compound of formula (I-4-C1);

10

Specific embodiments of compound of formula (II) are compound of formula (2-H), compound of formula (2-4-Cl), compound of formula (2-4-Br) and compound of formula (2-4-CF ₃ );

preferably, compound of formula (2-H) and compound of formula (2-4-Cl).

(2-H)

Specific embodiments of compound of formula (I) are compound of formula (1-H), compound of formula (1-4-Cl), compound of formula (1-4-Br) and compound of formula (I-4-CF3);

preferably, compound of formula (1-H) and compound of formula (1-4-Cl).

(I-4-CF ₃ ) Preferably, in any of the compounds of formula (I) the alpha C atom next to the carboxy residue has the stereochemistry in analogy to the alpha C atom next to the carboxy residue of compound of formula (I-CHIR). Preferably, the molar amount of CHF3 in REACl is from 1 to 20 times, more preferably from 1.5 to 15 times, even more preferably from 2 to 15 times, of the molar amount of compound of formula (I).

In another embodiment, the molar amount of CHF3 in REACl is from 1 to 20 times, more preferably from 1 to 15 times, even more preferably from 1 to 10 times, especially from 1 to 5 times, more especially from 1 to 3.5 times, even more especially from 1 to 2 times, in particular from 1 to 1.5 times, more in particular from 1 to 1.2 times, even more in particular from 1 to 1.1 times, of the molar amount of compound of formula (I).

Preferably, the molar amount of LiHMDS in REACl is from 1 to 20 times, more preferably from 1.5 to 15 times, even more preferably from 1.75 to 10 times, especially from 1.75 to

5 times of the molar amount of compound of formula (I).

REACl can be done in a solvent SOLVl, SOLVl is a solvent that is compatible with

LiHMDS (lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide), compatible means, that is does not react with LiMHDS, that it is inert towards LiHMDS;

preferably, SOLVl is selected from the group consisting of THF, dioxane, methyl-THF and toluene; more preferably SOLVl is THF or methyl-THF, even more preferably, SOLVl is methyl-THF.

Preferably, methyl-THF is 2-methyl-THF.

Preferably, the weight of SOLVl in REACl is from 1 to 100 times, more preferably from 2 to 50 times, even more preferably from 3 to 30 times, especially from 4 to 20 times, more especially from 4 to 15 times, of the weight of compound of formula (I).

Preferably, the reaction temperature of REACl is from -70 to 100 °C, more preferably

from -50 to 80 °C, even more preferably from -30 to 60 °C, especially from -20 to 50 °C, more especially from -20 to 40 °C.

Preferably, the reaction time of REACl is from 1 min to 1 h, more preferably from 2 min to

45 min, even more preferably from 3 min to 30 min. The pressure, under which REACl is done, can simply be the vapor pressure of the reaction mixture at the chosen reaction temperature at which REACl is done. REACl can also be done under elevated pressure, which can be applied by use of an inert gas such as nitrogen or argon, or by charging CHF3 with a respective pressure. In case of a continuous reaction set up elevated pressure can also be realized by feeding the reactants against a back pressure regulation device, or elevated pressure can be realized by a combination of these measures.

Suitable back pressure regulation devices are known to the skilled person and are available on the market, such as from companies like Swagelok Company, Solon, Ohio, US, or Zaiput Flow Technologies, Scottsdale, Arizona, US. It should be a back pressure regulation device with a small dead volume, precise pressure control and large enough channel width to ensure a smooth flow without clogging.

Preferably, REACl is done under atmospheric pressure or under elevated pressure, such as from atmospheric pressure to 500 bar; more preferably, REACl is done at a pressure of from 2 bar to 500 bar, even more preferably of from 3 bar to 250 bar, especially of from 5 bar to 100 bar.

Preferably, REACl is done continuously. Compound of formula (I), LiHMDS and CHF3 can be fed by pumping respective feeds through a respective continuously working mixing device MIXDEV, preferably this pumping is done against a back pressure regulation device, which holds the pressure in MIXDEV at a constant level.

Preferably, compound of formula (I) is mixed with LiHMDS, for this mixing also a

continuously working mixing device can be use, then this mixture is mixed, preferably in in MIXDEV, with CHF3, then REACl takes place.

MIXDEV can be any suitable device or installation which can be used for mixing fluids or for mixing fluids with gases for the case that under the reaction conditions CHF3 is in a gaseous state; such suitable devices or installations are known in the state of the art, such as a common branch connection, e.g. a T or Y piece, a static mixing device or a micro reactor, preferably MIXDEV is a static mixing device or a micro reactor.

Static mixing devices, e.g. static mixers, are well established and widespread in all fields of chemical process technology. It is characteristically for static mixing devices, that, in contrast to dynamic mixing devices, only the media to be mixed are in motion. The liquids or gases are mixed by pump energy only, while the geometrically strong defined mixing elements in the static mixing devices remain in position. Companies such as Fluitec, Seuzachstrasse, 8413 Neftenbach, Switzerland, or Sulzer Ltd, Neuwiesenstrasse 15, 8401 Winterthur, Switzerland, are well known suppliers among others of such static mixing devices.

Micro reactors, also called micro structured reactors, are devices in which chemical reactions take place in a confinement with typical lateral dimensions below 1 mm; the most typical form of such confinement are micro channels. A micro reactor is a continuous flow reactor. They have been successfully applied in lab, pilot and production scale. E.g. the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICT, Joseph-von-Fraunhofer Strasse 7, 76327 Pfinztal, Germany, develops and offers such micro reactors.

Preferably, the static mixing device has the form of a tube or a plate containing means that present obstacles for the flow of the reaction mixture and thereby effecting the mixing of the components.

Preferably, the micro reactor contains micro channels which are arranged in such a way as to effect the mixing of the components.

Depending on the geometry of MIXDEV, of the velocity of the flow of the components and of the resulting residence time during which the reaction mixture is in MIXDEV, the reaction mixture exiting from MIXDEV can pass through a further device that is providing additional residence time after the mixing itself, such as a tube, thereby additional residence time, that is additional reaction time, in which REAC1 can take place, can be realized.

After REAC1, compound of formula (II) can be isolated by standard methods such as

evaporation of volatile components, distillation, preferably under reduced pressure, extraction, washing, drying, concentration, crystallization, chromatography and any combination thereof, which are known per se to the person skilled in the art.

Preferably, compound of formula (I) is prepared by a reaction REACO, wherein

compound of formula (V) is reacted with compound of formula (IV);

with Rl, R2 and R3 as defined herein, also with all their embodiments.

Preferably, compound of formula (V) is the respective ester of ornithine.

Preferably, compound of formula (V) is used in form of its dihydrochloride.

Preferably, the molar amount of compound of formula (IV) in REACO is from 2 to 10 times, more preferably from 2 to 5 times, even more preferably from 2 to 4 times, especially from 2 to 3 times, of the molar amount of compound of formula (V).

Preferably, REACO is done in the presence of a base BASEO; BASEO is preferably a (Ci _-4 alkyl) ₃ amine, more preferably, BASEO is triethylamine.

Preferably, the molar amount of BASEO in REACO is from 2 to 5 times, more preferably from 2 to 4 times, even more preferably from 2 to 3 times, of the molar amount of compound of formula (V).

More preferably, compound of formula (V) is used in form of its dihydrochloride and REACO is done in the presence of BASEO. REACO can be done in a solvent SOLVO;

preferably, SOLVO is chloroform or dichloromethane, more preferably, SOLVO is

di chl oromethane .

Preferably, the weight of SOLVO in REACO is from 4 to 100 times, more preferably from 5 to 50 times, even more preferably from 5 to 40 times, of the weight of compound of formula (V).

Preferably, the reaction temperature of REACO is from -10 to 50 °C, more preferably from -5 to 40 °C, even more preferably from -5 to 30 °C. Preferably, the reaction time TIMEO of REACO is from 1 to 48 h, more preferably from 5 to

24 h, even more preferably from 10 to 24 h.

Preferably, REACO is done under atmospheric pressure.

Preferably, REACO is done under inert atmosphere, such as nitrogen or argon atmosphere.

Preferably, when REACO is done in the presence of BASEO, BASEO is mixed with a mixture of compound of formula (IV) and compound of formula (V).

More preferably, said mixing of BASEO with the mixture of compound of formula (IV) and compound of formula (V) is done in a mixing time MIXTIMEO, MIXTIMEO is from 1 min to 5 h, more preferably from 5 min to 2.5 h, even more preferably from 5 min to 2 h.

In another embodiment, MIXTIMEO is from 45 min to 5 h, more preferably from 45 min to

2.5 h, even more preferably from 45 min to 2 h, especially from 45 min to 1.5 h.

Preferably, MIXTIMEO is a part of TIMEO; more preferably, said mixing is done at the

beginning of TIMEO.

Preferably, the reaction temperature during said mixing, that is during MIXTIMEO, is from - 10 to 5 °C, more preferably from -5 to 5 °C, even more preferably from -5 to 2 °C, especially from -2 to 1°C; and more preferably, after MIXTIMEO, that is during the remaining TEVIEO, the reaction temperature is raised to room temperature.

REACO according to the invention provides for a low content of compound of formula

(LACT), with R2 and R3 as defined herein, also with all their preferred embodiments.

Preferably, compound of formula (LACT) is substituted as desired for REACl; embodiments of compound of formula (LACT) are compound of formula (LACT-4-H) and compound of formula (LACT-4-C1).

(LACT-4-H)

After REACO compound of formula (I) can be isolated by standard methods known to the skilled person, such a evaporation of solvent, removal of any salt of BASEO that has formed during REACO, preferably said removal by precipitation and filtration, concentration of the product in vacuum, crystallization.

Compound of formula (II) can be converted to compound of formula (3) by a deprotection of compound of formula (II);

preferably by a deprotection of compound formula (II) with an acid in the presence of water. Therefore, further subject of the invention is a method for the preparation of compound of formula (3)

comprising REAC1 and a deprotection of compound of formula (II);

with REAC1 and compound of formula (II) as defined herein, also with all their

embodiments.

Preferably, the deprotection is done with an acid and in the presence of water;

preferably, the acid used for the deprotection is ACID2, ACID2 is HCl, H2SO4 or acetic acid; more preferably, ACID2 is HCl.

Compound of formula (3) may be obtained as a salt with one or two equivalents of ACID2, such as compound of formula (III-l ACID2), compound formula (III-2ACID2), in particular compound of formula (3-lHCl), compound formula (3-2HC1). 1 ACID2

1 HC1

2 HC1 Compound of formula (3), compound of formula (III-1ACID2) and compound of formula (III-2ACID2) may also crystalize as a hydrate, such as for example as a monohydrate or a dihydrate, for example as compound of formula (3-1HC1-1H20), the monohydrochloride monohydrate.

Preferably, Compound of formula (II), that is deprotected, has been prepared by REACl . Compound of formula (II) is protected by three protecting residues, that are the ester residue and the two benzylidene residues. The removal of the three protecting residues by the deprotection can be done consecutively in two or three consecutive deprotection reactions, an example for a consecutive removal of the protecting groups would be the situation when Rl is benzyl and R2 and R3 are benzylidene residues, then Rl can be removed catalytically whereas R2 and R3 can be removed by acidic hydrolysis, or the deprotection of all three protecting residues can be done in one deprotection reaction, for example hen Rl is a CI -4 alkyl residue and R2 and R3 are said benzylidene resisues, then all three protecting group can be removed simultaneously by an acidic hydrolysis. So the deprotection of compound of formula (II) comprises the removal of the alkoxy residue Rl-O- in the ester residue to provide the respective acid residue and comprises the removal of the two benzylidene residues from the amino residues.

Preferably, deprotection is done in one reaction REAC2, that is all protecting residues are removed simultaneously in this one reaction REAC2.

Preferably, the molar amount of ACID2 for the deprotection is at least 2 times, more

preferably at least 3 times, even more preferably at least 4 times, of the molar amount of compound of formula (II).

Preferably, the molar amount of water for the deprotection is at least 3 times, more preferably at least 4 times, even more preferably at least 5 times, of the molar amount of compound of formula (II).

Preferably, ACID2 is used in form of an aqueous ACID2;

preferably, the aqueous ACID2 that is used for the deprotection is at least 1 N, more

preferably at least 2 N, even more preferably at least 3 N, aqueous ACID2;

preferably, the aqueous ACID2 that is used for the deprotection is from 1 to 13 N, more

preferably from 2 to 13 N, even more preferably from 3 to 13 N, aqueous ACID2.

In case that ACID2 is HC1, then preferably HC1 cone, is used, such as aqueous HC1 35 wt% or 12 N aqueous HC1.

Preferably, the reaction temperature of the deprotection is from 50 to 200 °C, more preferably from 75 to 180 °C, even more preferably from 95 to 160 °C.

In another embodiment, the reaction temperature of the deprotection is preferably from 50 to 200 °C, more preferably from 75 to 180 °C, even more preferably from 95 to 180 °C, especially from 110 to 180 °C, more especially from 130 to 180°C, even more especially from 140 to 180°C, in particular from 140 to 170°C; preferably these ranges of the reaction temperature are applied when the deprotection is done continuously. Preferably, the reaction time of the deprotection is from 1 min to 48 h, more preferably from

10 min to 24 h, even more preferably from 30 min to 12 h, especially from 30 min to 6 h, more especially from 30 min to 2 h.

Preferably, the deprotection is done under atmospheric pressure or under elevated pressure, such as from atmospheric pressure to 500 bar; more preferably such as from atmospheric pressure to to 500 bar, even more preferably such as from atmospheric pressure to 250 bar, especially such as from atmospheric pressure to 100 bar.

Elevated pressure can be applied by use of an inert gas such as nitrogen or argon.

The deprotection, in particular REAC2, when the deprotection is done in one reaction

REAC2, can be done continuously. REAC1 and the deprotection can both be done continuously and consecutively, this can be done by using the reaction mixture from REAC1 directly as feed for the deprotection.

The pressure, under which the deprotection is done, can be the vapor pressure of the reaction mixture at the chosen temperature, or, when the deprotection is done continuously, especially when REAC1 and the deprotection are done continuously and consecutively, then the pressure, under which the deprotection is done, can be the pressure chosen and set by the back pressure regulation device against which the pumping of the feeds is done, as described herein.

After the deprotection, compound of formula (3) can be isolated by standard methods such as evaporation of volatile components, extraction, washing, drying, concentration, crystallization, chromatography and any combination thereof, which are known per se to the person skilled in the art.

Further subject of the invention are compound of formula (1-4-Cl), compound of formula (1- 4-Br), compound of formula (l-4-CF ₃ ), compound of formula (2-4-Cl), compound of formula (2-4-Br) and compound of formula (2-4-CF ₃ ). Examples

L-ornithine methyl ester dihydrochloride: purchased from Fluorochem Ltd,

www.fluorochem.co.uk, Catalogue number 429762, (S)-Methyl 2,5-diaminopentanoate dihydrochloride, CAS 40216-82-8

4-chlorobenzaldehyde: 97% purity, Sigma Aldrich

lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide: 1 M solution in THF, Sigma Aldrich

fluoroform: 99.995% purity, Messer Group GmbH, Bad Soden, Germany

2 methyltetrahydrofuran anhydrous: >99% purity, inhibitor free, Acros Organics BVBA, Belgium

tetrahydrofuran anhydrous: >99%, Acros Organics BVBA, Belgium

concentrated HC1: 35% in water, VWR International Ltd., UK

dichloromethane: >98% purity, VWR International Ltd., UK

chloroform: 99.2% purity, VWR International Ltd., UK

trimethylamine: >99%, Riedel de Haen (Honeywell Specialty Chemicals Seelze GmbH, Germany)

General

¾ and ¹³ C MR spectra were recorded on a 300 MHz instrument. Chemical shifts (delta) are expressed in ppm downfield from TMS as an internal standard. The letters s, d, t, q, and m are used to indicate singlet, doublet, triplet, quadruplet, and multiplet, respectively.

Trifluorotoluene was used as internal standard for ¹⁹ F NMR.

Example 1

Methyl (S)-2,5-bis((benzylidene)amino) pentanoate, compound of formula (1-H)

A dry 20 mL vessel with magnetic stirring bar was charged with 1.530 g (7.00 mmol, 1.0 eq) L-ornithine methyl ester dihydrochloride, sealed and flushed with argon three times. 7 mL CHCta was added to afford a 1 M solution followed by the addition of 1.42 mL (13.93 mmol, 1.99 eq) benzaldehyde. The resulting stirred solution was cooled to 0 °C. After adding 2.13 mL (15.4 mmol, 2.2 eq) triethylamine over 10 min, the mixture was gradually warmed to room temperature and stirred for 24 h at RT. The reaction mixture was filtered through

Na ₂ S0 ₄ and the obtained light yellow filtrate was concentrated under vacuum and treated with Et ₂ 0 to precipitate Et ₃ N-HCl. The formed colourless precipitate was filtered off and the obtained filtrate was concentrated in vacuum to give compound of formula (1).

Yield: 2.2136 g (6.87 mmol, 98%), yellow viscous oil. ¹ H- MR (300 MHz, CDCb): delta = 7.68-7.56 (m, 4H), 7.47-7.29 (m, 12H), 7.20-7.08 (m, 4H), 4.10 (dd, ³ JHH = 8.0 Hz, ³ JHH = 5.2 Hz, 1H), 3.71 (s, 3H), 3.33 (t, ³ JHH = 6.8 Hz, 2H), 2.07-1.88 (m, 2H), 1.79-1.54 (m, 2H). Example 2

alpha difluoromethylornithine dihydrochloride (DFMO), compound of formula (3- 2HC1)

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary reactor set up that can be used to prepare continuously a compound of formula (II).

The complete reactor setup as shown in Fig 1 was flushed with pure solvent by pumping dry THF with the pump PI and a flow rate FRl of 250 microliter/min and with the pump P2 and a flow rate FR2 of 250 microliter/min through respective injection loops FL1 (0.8 mm inner diameter, 1.59 mm outer diameter, internal volume 2.0 mL) and FL2 (0.8 mm inner diameter, 1.59 mm outer diameter, internal volume 2.5 mL) via a first Y shaped connector YSC1 into a first residence loop RLl (1/16 inch outer diameter; 0.8 mm inner diameter; 2.0 mL residence volume) and onwards through a second residence loop RL2 (1/16 inch outer diameter; 0.8 mm inner diameter; 6.1 mL residence volume), a third residence loop RL3 (1/8 inch outer diameter; 1.6 mm inner diameter; 2.0 mL residence volume) and a device for back pressure regulation BPR, between RLl and RL2 additionally CHF ₃ was fed from a pressurized bottle into the stream via a second Y shaped connector YSC2 with a flow rate FR3 of 8.3 mL/min, until the internal pressure of the set up reached 12 bar, this process took ca. 10 min.

Compound of formula (1), prepared according to example 1, (1.00 mmol), was dissolved in neat THF and diluted to 2.00 mL (0.5 mol/L, 1 eq) with THF and served as feed FEED1 via pump PI .

A LiHMDS solution (1.0 mol/L, 2.5 mL, 2 eq) in THF was used as feed FEED2 via pump P2.

Pumping of FEED 1 was started 1 min prior to FEED2. Both feeds were pumped through their respective FL1 and FL2 through YSC1 which was located in a cooling bath with the temperature of -30 °C.

Flow rate FRl and flow rate FR2 were 250 microliter/min. The combined mixture then passed through RLl, which was located in a cooling bath having a temperature of -30°C. The resulting reaction mixture stream was brought to contact with a third feed FEED3, which was CHF3, and which was fed at FR3 of 8.3 mL/min (gas flow at normal conditions; corresponds to 3 eq of CFIF3) into YSC2, which was located in a cooling bath having a temperature of -15°C, the resulting reaction mixture stream then passed on through RL2, which was located in a cooling bath having a temperature of -15°C, exiting TR2 the reaction mixture stream was then warmed by its passing through RL3, which was located in a bath having a temperature of 25°C, and was collected after having passed through BPR, that held the pressure in the set up at 12 bar. The yield as determined by ¹⁹ F- MR in this reaction mixture, which had been collected after having passed through BPR, was > 95%.

The dimensions of TRl, TR2 and TR3 together with the flow rates FRl, FR2 FR3 resulted in a residence time RES1 in TRl of 4 min, in a residence time RES2 in TR2 of 12 min and in a residence time RES3 in TR3 of 4 min.

The reaction mixture comprising compound of formula (2) was dried in vacuum and diluted with 10 mL Et ₂ 0. After a filtration the filtrate was concentrated in vacuum and treated with 10 mL 6 N HC1. The reaction mixture was heated to 150 °C for 45 min in the microwave reactor (Biotage Initiator+ single mode microwave instrument) and washed with Et ₂ 0 (2 times with 20 mL). The aqueous layer was mixed with activated carbon which was subsequently filtered off. After concentrating the crude product in vacuum it was

recrystallized from MeOH/EtOH.

Yield of compound of formula (3-2HC1): 194 mg (0.76 mmol, 76%) colourless powder mp 228 °C

¹ H- MR (300.36 MHz, D ₂ 0): delta = 6.33 (t, ² JHF = 53.2 Hz, 1H), 3.02 (t, ³ JHH = 7.6 Hz, 2H), 2.16-1.53 (m, 4H)

¹³ C MR (75 MHz, D ₂ 0): delta = 168.8(d, ³ JCF = 5.9 Hz), 114.9 (dd, ^CF = 248.4 Hz, ^CF = 246.0 Hz), 65.1 (dd, ² JCF = 21.3 Hz, ² JCF = 16.6 Hz), 38.7, 27.7 (d, ³ JCF = 5.0 Hz), 20.9 ¹⁹ F NMR (282 MHz, D ₂ 0): delta = 126.83 (dd, ² JFF = 281.6 Hz, ² JHF = 52.6 Hz), -132.39 (dd, ² JFF = 281.6 Hz, ² JHF = 53.8 Hz)

Example 3 to 8

Example 2 was repeated with the differences as given in Table 1. The yield was determined by ¹⁹ F-NMR in the reaction mixture which was collected after having passed through BPR. ^(x) In examples 3 to 7 the FEED1 was 0.25 M N-benzylidene-protected methyl ornithine in THF.

Example 9

Various bisimine protected ornithine methyl esters, compound of formula (I)

Various protecting groups for the H ₂ -residues of ornithine methyl ester were applied using different benzaldehyde analogues. As the obtained bisimines are not stable towards chromatography, the yield and purity was determined through ¾ NMR using nitromethane as internal standard.

General experimental procedure:

A dry 10 mL round bottom flask with magnetic stirring bar was charged with (S)-methyl 2,5- diaminopentanoate dihydrochloride (0.50 g, 2.282 mmol) and the corresponding

benzaldehyde derivative compound of formula (IV) (2 equiv, 4.564 mmol), sealed and flushed with argon three times. Chloroform (5 mL) was added and the stirred, colorless reaction mixture was cooled to 0 °C. After addition of triethylamine (632 microliter, 4.564 mmol, 2 equiv) over 10 min the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for 18 h. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The slightly yellow residue was treated with Et ₂ 0 to precipitate EtsN-HCl. The formed colorless precipitate was filtered off and the obtained filtrated was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was checked for yield and purity with ¾ NMR. Result are shown on Table 2.

(a) : Analyzed by ¾ MR via internal standard (CH3NO2), corrected for purity

(b) liquid at RT

Example 10

4-Chlorobenzaldehyde Protected Ornithine Methyl Ester, compound of formula (1-4-Cl)

A dry 2 L round bottom flask with magnetic stirring bar was charged with (S)-methyl 2,5- diaminopentanoate dihydrochloride (25.0 g, 114 mmol) and 4-chlorobenzaldehyde (24.2 g, 240 mmol), sealed and flushed with argon three times. Anhydrous dichloromethane (750 mL) was added and then the reaction mixture was stirred. The colorless reaction mixture was cooled to 0 °C. After addition of triethylamine (33.2 mL, 240 mmol) over 1 h, the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and was stirred for 18 h. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The off-white residue was treated with Et ₂ 0 to precipitate Εΐ ₃ ΝΉΟ. The formed colorless precipitate was filtered off and the obtained filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. The obtained off-white residue was recrystallized from petrol ether/EtOAc to provide the desired compound of formula (1-4-Cl) as colorless crystalline solid (41.1 g, 105 mmol, 92% yield)

mp. 89-92 °C

¾ NMR (500 MHz, CDCb) delta 8.26 (dd, J = 11.6, 5.6 Hz, 2H), 7.75-7.70 (m, 2H), 7.67- 7.63 (m, 2H), 7.43-7.35 (m, 4H), 4.06 (dd, J = 8.4, 5.3 Hz, 1H), 3.76 (s, 3H), 3.65 (t, J = 6.7 Hz, 2H), 2.16 - 2.07 (m, 1H), 2.06 - 1.94 (m, 1H), 1.81 - 1.66 (m, 2H) ppm

¹³ C NMR (75 MHz, CDCb) delta 172.4, 162.2, 159.9, 137.3, 136.6, 134.7, 134.2, 129.8, 129.3, 129.0, 128.9, 73.3, 61.2, 52.3, 31.3, 27.4 ppm

To determine stability of compound of formula (1-4-Cl), eight NMR tubes were charged with 100 mg of compound of formula (1-4-Cl) and 10 mg CH3N02 as internal standard, sealed with a cap and stored at -30 °C. The purity of samples was then determined by ¾ NMR over the course of 10 days. There was no significant degradation of compound of formula (1-4-Cl) detected.

Therefore compound of formula (1-4-Cl) could be stored for prolonged periods of time under argon at low temperatures (-30 °C) without degradation, and it was bench stable at room temperatures for at least 2 weeks.

Water content was determined by Karl Fischer titration on a Metrohm Coulometer "Aquaster Combi Coulomat fritless", a concentration of 1475 ppm H ₂ 0 was found. Example 11 - alpha difluoromethylornithine monohydrochloride monohydrate (DFMO), compound of formula (3-1HC1-1H20)

Fig. 2 shows an exemplary reactor set up that can be used to prepare continuously a compound of formula (3).

The reactor set up of Fig 2 consisted of three continuously working syringe pumps (2 x Asia Syrris, that are pump PI and pump P2, 1 x HighTec Zang Syrdos, that is pump P4) to introduce a solution of compound of formula (1-4-Cl) in 2-MeTHF (FEED1), a commercial solution of LiHMDS (1.0 M in THF, Sigma-Aldrich) (FEED2) and concentrated HC1 (35 wt% in water) (FEED4). FEED1, FEED2 and FEED4 were directly pumped through the syringe pumps. To start the experiment, the complete reactor setup was flushed by pumping dry 2-MeTHF with flow rates of FEEDl = 0.8 mL/min and FEED2 = 1.2 mL/min. HC1 was introduced with FEED4 = 1 mL/min. Fluoroform was introduced into the reactor with a flow rate of 9.23 mL/min (1.05 equiv) using a calibrated mass flow controller (MFC) of

Bronkhorst. The internal pressure of the reactor reached the target pressure of 12 bar after approximately 10 min.

Compound of formula (1-4-Cl) (100 mmol) was dissolved in neat 2-MeTHF and diluted to 200 mL in two volumetric flasks with 2-MeTHF (FEEDl, 0.5 M). A LiHMDS solution (1.0 M, 800 mL) in THF was used as FEED2. FEEDl and FEED2 pumped directly through the syringe pumps were combined in a Y-shaped connector YSC1 (Y Assembly PEEK 1/4-28 0.040 in) in a cooling bath (-30 °C). The combined mixture went through a first residence loop RL1 at -30 °C (1/8 in outer diameter.; 0.8 mm inner diameter; residence volume VI = 4.0 mL), before the mixture was combined with fluoroform in a Syrris Asia glass static mixer Ml (1 mL internal volume). The mixture then went through a second residence loop RL2 at 25 °C (1/8 in outer diameter; 0.8 mm inner diameter; residence volume V2 = 14 mL) and were mixed with FEED4 in a T-shaped connector TSC1 (T Assembly PTFE 1/4-28 0.040 in). The combined stream then went through a third residence loop RL3 at 160 °C (1/8 in. outer diameter; 0.8 mm inner diameter; residence volume V3 = 40 mL) and left the flow system through an adjustable back pressure regulator BPR (Zaiput BPR-10).

The run was conducted for 4 h with a throughput of 24 mmol/h.

"The employed back pressure rose from 12 to 15 bar.

Residence time in the total reactor set up was 23 min.

The biphasic reaction mixture was collected for 3.5 h (84 mmol) and the aqueous phase was washed with Et ₂ 0 and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude product was dissolved in a small amount of H ₂ 0 and the pH was adjusted to 4 with Et ₃ N. The resulting slurry was filtered and washed with cold EtOH abs. and CHCta. The residue was recrystallized from EtOH/H ₂ 0 to give alpha difluoromethylornithine monohydrochloride monohydrate as colourless powder. (17.05 g, 72.3 mmol, 86% yield).

Mp. 228 °C

¾ MR (300.36 MHz, D2O): delta = 6.46 (t, 2JHF = 52.8 Hz, 1H), 3.05 (t,3JHH = 7.6 Hz, 2H), 2.25-1.97 (m, 2H), 1.96-1.79 (m, 1H), 1.76-1.59 (m, 1H) ppm

¹³ C NMR (75 MHz, D20): delta = 167.8 (d, 3JCF = 6.4 Hz), 114.0 (dd, 1JCF = 249.7 Hz,

1JCF = 247.0 Hz), 64.5 (dd, 2JCF = 20.4 Hz, 2JCF = 18.7 Hz), 38.8 (d, 3JCF = 7.3 Hz), 31.6 (d, 4JCF = 3.2 Hz), 20.8 ppm ¹⁹ F NMR (282 MHz, D20): delta = -126.28 (dd, 2JFF = 283.5 Hz, 2JHF = 52.4 Hz), -131.76

(dd, 2JFF = 283.5 Hz, 2JHF = 52.4 Hz) ppm

Conversion from compound of formula (2-4-Cl) to its fully deprotected analogue was

measured by ¾ NMR via integration of base line separated CHF ₂ -peaks of compound of formula (2-4-Cl) and its fully deprotected analogue of dried residue, conversion was

> 99%.