0001 This application claims priority benefit under Title 35 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/240,902 filed on Oct. 17, 2000, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 0002 The present invention relates to methods for the preparation of biphenyl isoxazole sulfonamides and intermediates thereof. The present invention also relates to the novel intermediates prepared by these methods. The biphenyl isoxazole sulfonamides prepared by the present methods are endothelin antagonists useful, inter alia, for the treatment of hypertension.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 0003 The present methods allow preparation of biphenyl sulfonamides of the following formula I: 1

0004 where the phenyl rings of the biphenyl group may independently be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituent groups, enantiomers and diastereomers, and salts, preferably pharmaceutically acceptable salts, thereof. Preferred substituent groups for the biphenyl group include those groups R11 to R14 described herein and especially, when the biphenyl group is a 2-biphenyl group, the group 2

0005 in the 4-position. Preferred methods of the present invention allow preparation of compounds of the following formula Ia: 3

0006 enantiomers and diastereomers, and salts, preferably pharmaceutically acceptable salts, thereof. Throughout this specification, the above symbols are defined as follows: 0007 one of X and Y is N and the other is O; 0008 R1, R2, R3 and R4 are each directly bonded to a ring carbon and are each independently 0009 (a) hydrogen; 0010 (b) alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkenylalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, aralkyl or aralkoxy, any of which may be substituted with Z1, Z2 and Z3; 0011 (c) halo; 0012 (d) hydroxyl; 0013 (e) cyano; 0014 (f) nitro; 0015 (g) C(O)H or C(O)R5; 0016 (h) CO2H or CO2R5; 0017 (i)-Z4-NR6R7; 0018 (j)-Z4-N(R10)-Z5-NR8R9; or 0019 (k) R3 and R4 together may also be alkylene or alkenylene, either of which may be substituted with Z1, Z2 and Z3, completing a 4- to 8-membered saturated, unsaturated or aromatic ring together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached; 0020 R5 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkenylalkyl, aryl or aralkyl, any of which may be substituted with Z1, Z2 and Z3; 0021 R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 are each independently 0022 (a) hydrogen; or 0023 (b) alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkenylalkyl, aryl or aralkyl, any of which may be substituted with Z1, Z2 and Z3; or 0024 R6 and R7 together may be alkylene or alkenylene, either of which may be substituted with Z1, Z2 and Z3, completing a 3- to 8-membered saturated or unsaturated ring together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached; or any two of R8, R9 and R10 together are alkylene or alkenylene, either of which may be substituted with Z1, Z2 and Z3, completing a 3- to 8-membered saturated or unsaturated ring together with the atoms to which they are attached; 0025 R11 R12, R13 and R14 are each independently 0026 (a) hydrogen; 0027 (b) alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkenylalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, aralkyl or aralkoxy, any of which may be substituted with Z1, Z2 and Z3, 0028 (c) heterocycle, substituted heterocycle or heterocyclooxy; 0029 (d) halo; 0030 (e) hydroxyl; 0031 (f) cyano; 0032 (g) nitro; 0033 (h) C(O)H or C(O)R5; 0034 (i) CO2H or CO2R5; 0035 (j) SH, S(O)nR5, S(O)mOH, S(O)mOR5, OS(O)mOR5, OS(O)mOH or OS(O)mOR5; 0036 (k)-Z4-NR6R7; or 0037 (l)-Z4-N(R10)-Z5-NR8R9; 0038 Z1, Z2 and Z3 are each independently 0039 (a) hydrogen; 0040 (b) halo; 0041 (c) hydroxy; 0042 (d) alkyl; 0043 (e) alkenyl; 0044 (f) aryl; 0045 (g) aralkyl; 0046 (h) alkoxy; 0047 (i) aryloxy; 0048 (j) aralkoxy; 0049 (k) heterocycle, substituted heterocycle or heterocyclooxy; 0050 (l) SH, S(O)nZ6, S(O)mOH, S(O)mOZ6, OS(O)m-Z6, OS(O)mOH or OS(O)mOZ6; 0051 (m) oxo; 0052 (n) nitro; 0053 (o) cyano; 0054 (p) C(O)H or C(O)Z6; 0055 (q) CO2H or CO2Z6; 0056 (r)-Z4-NZ7Z8; 0057 (s)-Z4-N(Z11)-Z5-H; 0058 (t)-Z4-N(Z11)-Z5-Z6; or 0059 (u)-Z4-N(Z11)-Z5-NZ7Z8; 0060 Z4 and Z5 are each independently 0061 (a) a single bond; 0062 (b)-Z9-S(O)n-Z10-; 0063 (C)-Z9-C(O)-Z10-; 0064 (d)-Z9-C(S)-Z10-; 0065 (e)-Z9-O-Z10-; 0066 (f)-Z9-S-Z10-; 0067 (g)-Z9-OC(O)-Z10-; or 0068 (h)-Z9-C(O)O-Z10-; 0069 Z6 is alkyl; alkyl substituted with one to three groups selected from halogen, aryl, aryloxy and alkoxy; alkenyl; alkynyl; cycloalkyl; cycloalkyl substituted with one to three groups selected from alkyl, aryl, alkenyl and alkoxyaryl; cycloalkyl to which is fused a benzene ring; aryloxy substituted with one or two halogens; cycloalkylalkyl; cycloalkenyl; cycloalkenylalkyl; aryl; aryl substituted with methylenedioxy or one to four groups selected from alkyl, dialkylamino, cyano, halogen, trihaloalkyl, alkoxy and trihaloalkoxy; or heterocycle or substituted heterocycle; 0070 Z7 and Z8 are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkenylalkyl, aryl or aralkyl, or Z7 and Z8 together are alkylene or alkenylene, completing a 3- to 8-membered saturated or unsaturated ring together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached; 0071 Z9 and Z10 are each independently a single bond, alkylene, alkenylene or alkynylene; 0072 Z11 is 0073 (a) hydrogen; or 0074 (b) alkyl, alkyl substituted with one, two or three halogens, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkenylalkyl, aryl or aralkyl; 0075 or any two of Z7, Z8 and Z11 together are alkylene or alkenylene, completing a 3- to 8-membered saturated or unsaturated ring together with the atoms to which they are attached; 0076 J is O, S, N or NR15; 0077 K and L are N or C, provided that at least one of K or L is C; 0078 R15 is hydrogen, alkyl, hydroxyethoxy methyl or methoxyethoxy methyl; 0079 each m is independently 1 or 2; 0080 each n is independently 0, 1 or 2; and 0081 p is 0 or an integer from 1 to 2. 0082 In accordance herewith, a compound of the formula I or salt thereof may be prepared by a method comprising the steps of: 0083 (a) contacting a pinacol ester of the formula II or salt thereof: 4

0084 where the phenyl ring of said formula II may be further substituted, such as with one or more groups described for the groups R11 to R14 herein, with a compound of the formula III or salt thereof: 5

0085 where R16 is halogen or a group O-Q, where Q is SO2CF3, SO2CH3, or 6

0086 and where the phenyl ring of said formula III may be further substituted, such as with one or more groups described for the groups R11 to R14 herein, and especially, when the biphenyl group of said compound of the formula I or salt thereof is a 2-biphenyl, the group 7

0087 para to the halo group, in the presence of a palladium(0) catalyst and, preferably, a base, to form a nitrogen-protected compound of the formula IV or salt thereof: 8

0088 where the phenyl rings of the biphenyl group may independently be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituent groups; and 0089 (b) deprotecting the nitrogen of said compound of the formula IV or salt thereof to form said compound of the formula I or salt thereof. 0090 Prot, as used in formula II and throughout this specification, denotes an alkoxymethyl nitrogen-protecting group, and is preferably methoxymethyl (MOM). 0091 In a preferred embodiment, a compound of the formula Ia or salt thereof may be prepared by a method comprising the steps of: 0092 (a) contacting a pinacol ester of the formula IIa or salt thereof: 9

0093 with a compound of the formula IIIa or salt thereof: 10

0094 where R16 is preferably halo (preferably chloro, bromo or iodo and most preferably bromo or iodo), in the presence of a palladium(0) catalyst and, preferably, a base, to form a nitrogen-protected compound of the formula IVa or salt thereof: 11

0095 (b) deprotecting the nitrogen of said formula IVa compound or salt thereof to form said compound of the formula Ia or salt thereof. 0096 The present methods for preparing a compound of the formula I or salt thereof are advantageous in that they provide high yields with minimal or no formation of impurities. The present methods are further advantageous in that they provide a superior route to compounds of formula I in terms of practicality, ease of operation, cost and safety. 0097 Further provided herewith are novel intermediates of the present methods, and novel methods for preparing such intermediates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 0098 The present invention is described further as follows. Listed below are definitions of terms used in this specification. These definitions apply to the terms as used throughout this specification, individually or as part of another group, unless otherwise indicated in specific instances. 0099 The term alkyl or alk- refers to straight or branched chain hydrocarbon groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 7 carbon atoms. The expression lower alkyl refers to alkyl groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms. 0100 The term alkoxy refers to alkyl-O. 0101 The term aryl or ar- refers to phenyl, naphthyl and biphenyl. 0102 The term alkenyl refers to straight or branched chain hydrocarbon groups of 2 to 10 carbon atoms having at least one double bond. Groups of two to four carbon atoms are preferred. 0103 The term alkynyl refers to straight or branched chain groups of 2 to 10 carbon atoms having at least one triple bond. Groups of two to four carbon atoms are preferred. 0104 The term alkylene refers to a straight chain bridge of 1 to 5 carbon atoms connected by single bonds (e.g., (CH2)x wherein x is 1 to 5), which may be substituted with 1 to 3 lower alkyl groups. 0105 The term alkenylene refers to a straight chain bridge of 2 to 5 carbon atoms having one or two double bonds that is connected by single bonds and may be substituted with 1 to 3 lower alkyl groups. Exemplary alkenylene groups are CHCHCHCH, CH2CHCH, CH2CHCHCH2, C(CH3)2CHCH and CH(C2H5)CHCH. 0106 The term alkynylene refers to a straight chain bridge of 2 to 5 carbon atoms that has a triple bond therein, is connected by single bonds, and may be substituted with 1 to 3 lower alkyl groups. Exemplary alkynylene groups are CC, CH2CC, CH(CH3)CC and CCCH(C2H5)CH2. 0107 The term alkanoyl refers to groups of the formula C(O)alkyl. 0108 The terms cycloalkyl and cycloalkenyl, refer to cyclic hydrocarbon groups of 3 to 8 carbon atoms. 0109 The term hydroxyalkyl, refers to an alkyl group including one or more hydroxy radicals such as CH2CH2OH, CH2CH2OHCH2OH, CH(CH2OH)2 and the like. 0110 The terms halogen and halo refer to fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. 0111 The terms heterocycle, heterocyclic and heterocyclo refer to an optionally substituted, fully saturated or unsaturated, aromatic or nonaromatic cyclic group, for example, which is a 4 to 7 membered monocyclic, 7 to 11 membered bicyclic, or 10 to 15 membered tricyclic ring system, which has at least one heteroatom in at least one carbon atom-containing ring. Each ring of the heterocyclic group containing a heteroatom may have 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen atoms, oxygen atoms or sulfur atoms, where the nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms may optionally be oxidized and the nitrogen heteroatoms may optionally be quaternized. The heterocyclic group may be attached at any heteroatom or carbon atom. 0112 Exemplary monocyclic heterocyclic groups include pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, oxetanyl, pyrazolinyl, imidazolyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, oxazolyl, oxazolidinyl, isoxazolinyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, thiazolidinyl, isothiazolyl, isothiazolidinyl, furyl, tetrahydrofuryl, thienyl, oxadiazolyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, 2-oxopiperazinyl, 2-oxopiperidinyl, 2-oxopyrrolodinyl, 2-oxoazepinyl, azepinyl, 4-piperidonyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, morpholinyl, thiamorpholinyl, thiamorpholinyl sulfoxide, thiamorpholinyl sulfone, 1,3-dioxolane and tetrahydro-1,1-dioxothienyl, and the like. 0113 Exemplary bicyclic heterocyclic groups include indolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzothienyl, quinuclidinyl, quinolinyl, tetra-hydroisoquinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, benzimidazolyl, benzopyranyl, indolizinyl, benzofuryl, chromonyl, coumarinyl, benzopyranyl, cinnolinyl, quinoxalinyl, indazolyl, pyrrolopyridyl, furopyridinyl (such as furo2,3-cpyridinyl, furo3,2-bpyridinyl or furo2,3-bpyridinyl), dihydroisoindolyl, dihydroquinazolinyl (such as 3,4-dihydro-4-oxo-quinazolinyl), tetrahydroquinolinyl and the like. 0114 Exemplary tricyclic heterocyclic groups include carbazolyl, benzidolyl, phenanthrolinyl, acridinyl, phenanthridinyl, xanthenyl and the like. 0115 The expression substituted heterocycle refers to a heterocycle substituted with 1, 2 or 3 of the following: 0116 (a) alkyl, especially lower alkyl; 0117 (b) hydroxy (or protected hydroxy); 0118 (c) halo; 0119 (d) oxo (i.e. 0); 0120 (e) amino, alkylamino or dialkylamino; 0121 (f) alkoxy; 0122 (g) carbocyclo, such as cycloalkyl; 0123 (h) carboxy; 0124 (i) heterocyclooxy; 0125 (j) alkoxycarbonyl, such as unsubstituted lower alkoxycarbonyl; 0126 (k) carbamyl, alkylcarbamyl or dialkylcarbamyl; 0127 (l) mercapto; 0128 (m) nitro; 0129 (n) cyano; 0130 (o) carboalkoxy; 0131 (p) sulfonamido, sulfonamidoalkyl or sulfonamidodialkyl; 12

0132 (s) aryl; 0133 (t) alkylcarbonyloxy; 0134 (u) arylcarbonyloxy; 0135 (v) arylthio; 0136 (w) aryloxy; 0137 (x) alkylthio; 0138 (y) formyl; 0139 (z) arylalkyl; or 0140 (a) aryl substituted with alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, hydroxy, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, halo or trihaloalkyl. 0141 The term heterocyclooxy denotes a heterocyclic group bonded through an oxygen bridge. 0142 Throughout the specification, groups and substituents thereof may be chosen to provide stable moieties and compounds. 0143 The compounds of formula I and intermediates thereof may form salts which are also within the scope of this invention. Pharmaceutically acceptable (i.e., non-toxic, physiologically acceptable) salts are preferred, although other salts are also useful, for example, in isolating or purifying the compounds of this invention. 0144 The compounds of formula I and intermediates thereof may form salts with alkali metals such as sodium, potassium and lithium, with alkaline earth metals such as calcium and magnesium, with organic bases such as dicyclohexylamine, t-butyl amine, benzathine, N-methyl-D-glucamide and hydrabamine, and with amino acids such as arginine, lysine and the like. Such salts may be obtained by reacting these compounds with the desired ion in a medium in which the salt precipitates or in an aqueous medium followed by lyophilization. 0145 When groups such as the R1 to R4 or R11 to R14 substituents comprise a basic moiety, such as amino or substituted amino, the compounds of formula I and intermediates thereof may form salts with a variety of organic and inorganic acids. Such salts include those formed with hydrochloric acid, hydrogen bromide, methanesulfonic acid, sulfuric acid, acetic acid, maleic acid, benzenesulfonate, toluenesulfonate and various other sulfonates, nitrates, phosphates, borates, acetates, tartrates, maleates, citrates, succinates, benzoates, ascorbates, salicylates and the like. Such salts may be formed by reacting these compounds in an equivalent amount of the acid in a medium in which the salt precipitates or in an aqueous medium followed by lyophilization. 0146 In addition, when groups such as the R1 to R4 or R11 to R14 substituents comprise a basic moiety such as amino, zwitterions (inner salts) may be formed. 0147 Certain groups such as the R1 to R4 and R11 to R14 substituents of the compounds of the invention may contain asymmetric carbon atoms. The compounds of the invention such as those of the formula I and salts thereof may exist, therefore, in enantiomeric and diastereomeric forms and in racemic mixtures thereof. All are within the scope of this invention. Additionally, compounds such as those of formula I and salts thereof may exist as enantiomers even in the absence of asymmetric carbons (e.g., atropisomers). All such enantiomers are within the scope of this invention. 0148 U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,359, U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,869, U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,990, U.S. Pat. No. 5,856,507, U.S. Pat. No. 6,043,265 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/528,819, filed Mar. 20, 2000 (Attorney Docket No. HA708) by Singh et al. entitled Methods for the Preparation of Biphenyl Isoxazole Sulfonamides, describing endothelin antagonists, starting materials and methods, are each incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Coupling of Formulae II and III Compounds, and Deprotection 0149 A compound of the formula I or salt thereof may be prepared by coupling a pinacol ester of the formula II or salt thereof with a compound of the formula III or salt thereof, and by deprotecting the nitrogen-protected compound IV or salt thereof formed by the aforementioned coupling. 0150 Coupling of compounds of the formulae II and III or salts thereof is conducted in the presence of a palladium(0) catalyst, preferably palladium acetate/triphenylphosphine or other palladium (II) salt/triphenylphosphine, tetrakistri phenylphosphine palladium or tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium, and, preferably, a base, preferably aqueous potassium carbonate or sodium carbonate, to form a nitrogen-protected compound of the formula IV or salt thereof. The preferred molar ratio of palladium (II) salt to triphenylphosphine is between 1:1 and 1:3. See the conditions for catalysis described by A. Suzuki et al., Pure & Applied Chemistry, 63, 419-422 (1991); A. Martin et al., Acta. Chem. Scand., 47, 221 (1993); H. Jendralla et al., Liebig Ann., 1253 (1995), G. B. Smith et al., J. Org. Chem., 1994, 59, 8151 all incorporated herein by reference. 0151 When the compound III is a compound IIIa, protection of the heteroatoms J and K or L may be desirable, in certain instances, to facilitate the coupling reaction. For example, when J and K or L are N, one of the groups may be protected by a suitable protecting group such as t-butoxycarbonyl, etc. Specific R11-R14 groups may be chosen to be compatible with the reaction conditions. Additionally, specific R11-R14 groups may be converted into alternative R11-R14 groups, either before or after coupling, using any suitable methods such as those known in the art. 0152 The coupling method is preferably conducted at a temperature of from about 25 C. to about 100 C. (most preferably from about 45 C. to about 75 C.), at a pressure of about 1 atm, and under an atmosphere of argon or nitrogen. Molar ratios of the pinacol ester II or salt thereof to the compound III or salt thereof are preferably from about 1:1 to about 1:1.2. Amounts of palladium(0) catalyst and base are selected to catalyze the coupling reaction and are preferably from about 2.5 mol % to about 10 mol %, and from about 2.5 equivalents to about 7 equivalents, respectively. Solvents are preferably employed which are selected from aqueous or organic liquids such as acetone, ethanol, toluene, tetrahydrofuran, dimethoxyethane and water, or mixtures thereof, preferably a mixture of toluene, ethanol and water. Amounts of solvent are preferably those wherein the pinacol ester II or salt thereof is from about 4 to about 9% by weight, based on the combined weight of solvent and pinacol ester II or salt thereof. For example, the following are exemplary ranges for solvent/pinacol ester II/base: tetrahydrofuran (30 to 70 mL), toluene (200 to 300 mL), ethanol (80 to 160 mL)/pinacol ester II (15 to 20 g)/aqueous 2M sodium carbonate (100 to 150 mL). 0153 Residual palladium catalyst is preferably removed, either before or after deprotection of the compound of formula IV or salt thereof, by contact with a chelating agent such as trithiocyanuric acid (TMT). Crystallization providing a suitable crystalline form of the compound of the formula I or salt thereof, subsequent to deprotection of the compound of the formula IV or salt thereof, is also contemplated by the present invention. Preferably, crystallization is achieved from a supersaturated isopropanol solution, with or without the presence of co-solvents such as heptane or water, especially where seeded with the desired crystalline form. Most preferably, crystallization is conducted by the methods of the Examples herein. 0154 Compounds of the formula III and salts thereof may be prepared by methods analogous to those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,359, U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,869, U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,990, U.S. Pat. No. 5,856,507, U.S. Pat. No. 6,043,265 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/528,819. Preferably, oxazole compounds of the formula IIIa or salts thereof are prepared by the novel methods for their preparation described herein. Compounds of the formula II and salts thereof are preferably prepared by the novel methods for their preparation described herein. 0155 Deprotection of the formula IV compound or salt thereof formed by the present coupling method may be conducted by any suitable method, such as methods analogous to those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,359, U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,869, U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,990, U.S. Pat. No. 5,856,507, U.S. Pat. No. 6,043,265 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/528,819. Preferably, deprotection is conducted by heating in a mixture of aqueous HCl and ethanol.

Preparation of Formula II Compounds 0156 The pinacol esters of the formula II and salts thereof may themselves be formed by novel methods provided herein. In accordance herewith, a pinacol ester of the formula II or salt thereof may be prepared by a method comprising the steps of: 0157 (a) contacting a compound of the formula V or salt thereof: 13

0158 where the phenyl group of said formula V may be further substituted, such as with one or more groups described for the groups R11 to R14 herein, and where halo is preferably bromo, chloro or iodo, most preferably bromo, with an amine of the formula VI or salt thereof: 14

0159 in the presence of an organic base (e.g. pyridine)(preferably in the presence of a catalyst such as DMAP) and optionally an organic solvent, to form a compound of the formula VII or salt thereof: 15

0160 where the phenyl group of said formula VII may be further substituted, such as with one or more groups described for the groups R11 to R14 herein; 0161 (b) protecting the nitrogen of said compound of the formula VII or salt thereof by contacting the compound of formula VII with a compound of formula XX 16

0162 where R17 is alkoxy (preferably methoxy), or halogen, and R18 is alkoxy (preferably methoxy), in the presence of a Lewis or protic acid (preferably P2O5) when R17 is alkoxy, or in the presence of a base when R17 is halo, to form a compound of the formula VIII or salt thereof: 17

0163 where the phenyl group of said formula VIII may be further substituted, such as with one or more groups described for the groups R11 to R14 herein; 0164 (c) lithiating said compound of the formula VIII or salt thereof with an alkyl or aryl lithium compound and contacting the lithiated product formed with a trialkylborate, followed by hydrolysis, to form a boronic acid of the formula IX or salt thereof: 18

0165 where the phenyl group of said formula IX may be further substituted, such as with one or more groups described for the groups R11 to R14 herein; and 0166 (d) contacting said compound of the formula IX or salt thereof with pinacol (i.e., 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediol), with removal of water, thereby forming said compound of the formula II or salt thereof. 0167 In a preferred embodiment, a pinacol ester of the formula IIa or salt thereof may be prepared by a method comprising the steps of: 0168 (a) contacting a compound of the formula Va or salt thereof: 19

0169 with an amine of the formula VIa or salt thereof: 20

0170 in the presence of an organic base and optionally and organic solvent, to form a compound of the formula VIIa or salt thereof: 21

0171 (b) protecting the nitrogen of said compound of the formula VIIa or salt thereof by contacting the compound of formula VII with a compound of formula XX 22

0172 where R17 and R18 are each methoxy, in the presence of a Lewis or protic acid (preferably P2O5) to form a compound of the formula VIIIa or salt thereof: 23

0173 (c) lithiating said compound of the formula VIIIa or salt thereof with an alkyl or aryl lithium compound and contacting the lithiated product formed with a trialkylborate, followed by hydrolysis, to form a boronic acid of the formula IXa or salt thereof: 24

0174 (d) contacting said compound of the formula IXa or salt thereof with pinacol, with removal of water, thereby forming said compound of the formula IIa or salt thereof. 0175 The term leaving group, as used herein, denotes any suitable leaving group such as a halo group, preferably chloro. Any suitable organic base may be employed in step (a). Preferred organic bases include amines such as pyridine or a trialkylamine. The organic solvent optionally employed in step (a) is preferably a haloalkane, such as dichloromethane or 1,2-dichloroethane, or the organic base, such as neat pyridine, may also function as the solvent. 0176 As described above, compounds of the formula VIII and salts thereof may be prepared by contacting a compound of the formula V or salt thereof with an amine compound of the formula VI or salt thereof, and by protecting the nitrogen of the product compound VII or salt thereof. The formula VIII compound or salt thereof obtained is then lithiated with an alkyl or aryl lithium compound, preferably with n-butyl lithium or phenyl lithium, at temperatures which are preferably from about 40 C. to about 105 C. (especially, from about 70 C. to about 100 C.), to form the compound: 25

0177 where the phenyl group of said compound may be further substituted, such as with one or more groups described for the groups R11 to R14 herein, or salt thereof, preferably the compound: 26

0178 or salt thereof. Treatment of the lithiated compound or salt thereof with a trialkylborate such as triisopropylborate or, preferably, trimethylborate, at temperatures which are preferably from about 40 C. to about 105 C. (especially, from about 70 C. to about 100 C.), provides the following boronate ester: 27

0179 where the phenyl group of said compound may be further substituted, such as with one or more groups described for the groups R11 to R14 herein, or salt thereof, preferably the boronate ester: 28

0180 or salt thereof, which may then be hydrolyzed with a suitable acid, preferably an aqueous acid such as aqueous hydrochloric acid, or with a suitable base, to form the boronic acid IX or salt thereof. The hydrolysis step, forming the boronic acid IX or salt thereof, is advantageous as the boronic acid provides a handle for purification (the boronic acid moiety) by simple physical/chemical means whereas the the boronate ester from which it is obtained does not. The aforementioned steps may be conducted by methods analogous to those described in, and with starting materials of the formulae V and VI and salts thereof prepared by methods analogous to those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,359, U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,869, U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,990, U.S. Pat. No. 5,856,507, U.S. Pat. No. 6,043,265 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/528,819. 0181 The boronic acid IX or salt thereof may then be contacted with pinacol, with the removal of water, to form the corresponding pinacol ester II or salt thereof. Removal of water may be conducted, for example, by the addition of a drying agent such as magnesium sulfate or by azeotropic removal of water by heating with a solvent such as toluene. This reaction is preferably conducted at a temperature of from about 110 C. to about 120 C. (most preferably from about 112 C. to about 115 C.), at a pressure of about 1 atm, and under an atmosphere of argon or nitrogen. Molar ratios of pinacol to the boronic acid IX or salt thereof are preferably from about 1:1 to about 1.1:1. Solvents are preferably employed which are selected from organic liquids such as toluene. Amounts of solvent are preferably those wherein the boronic acid IX or salt thereof is from about 4 to about 10% by weight, based on the combined weight of solvent and boronic acid IX or salt thereof. 0182 The boronic acid IX or salt thereof (preferably, the preferred boronic acid IXa or salt thereof) may be directly coupled with the compound III or salt thereof to form a formula IV compound or salt thereof. This method, especially where the compound III or salt thereof is a halophenyl compound or salt thereof (preferably, an iodophenyl or bromophenyl compound IIIa or salt thereof), is also contemplated by the present invention. The pinacol ester II or salt thereof in place of the boronic acid IX or salt thereof may be advantageous, however, as the pinacol ester compounds are highly stable, and lesser amounts of impurities may be formed and higher yields of the formula IV compound or salt thereof may be obtained upon coupling with a halophenyl compound III or salt thereof.

Preparation of Formula III Compounds 0183 Compounds of the formula III and salts thereof may be prepared by methods analogous to those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,359, U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,869, U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,990, U.S. Pat. No. 5,856,507, U.S. Pat. No. 6,043,265 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/528,819. Preferred compounds of the formula IIIa and salts thereof bearing an oxazole ring may also be formed by novel methods provided herein. In accordance herewith, a formula IIIa(1) oxazole or salt thereof may be prepared by a method comprising the steps of: 0184 (a) contacting a phenyl acid halide X or salt thereof: 29

0185 with either triazole in the presence of a base (preferably sodium hydride), or an N-trimethylsilyl derivative of triazole, to form a triazole amide the formula XI or salt thereof: 30

0186 (b) effecting a nitrogen elimination rearrangement (e.g., thermally, photochemically, or by other catalytic means known in the art) of the triazole amide of formula XI or salt thereof, to form an oxazole of the formula IIIa(1) or salt thereof: 31

0187 The starting phenyl acid halide of formula X or salt thereof is commercially available or may readily be prepared by one of ordinary skill in the art. The halo group of the acid halide moiety is preferably chloro; R16 is preferably bromo, chloro, or iodo, most preferably iodo or bromo. Triazole and its N-trimethylsilyl derivatives are also commercially available or may readily be prepared by one of ordinary skill in the art. 0188 The base employed in step (a) may be any suitable base, and is preferably sodium hydride. Coupling of the acid halide of formula X or salt thereof with 1,2,3-triazole and subsequent nitrogen elimination/rearrangement is conducted in a solvent such as sulfolane in the presence of potassium carbonate at temperatures of 80-110 C. or by preforming the salt of 1,2,3-triazole with a base such as sodium hydride in a solvent such as sulfolane, and reacting the salt with the acid chloride X at temperatures of 80-110 C. Coupling of the acid halide of formula X with N-trimethylsilyl-1,2,3-triazole and subsequent nitrogen elimination/rearrangement can be effected in solvents like toluene, xylenes, and sulfolane at temperatures of 80-150 C. 0189 Preferred compounds of the formula I can be prepared from compounds of the formula IIIa(2) 32

0190 which may also be formed by novel methods provided herein. In accordance herewith a compound of formula IIIa(2) may be prepared by a method comprising the step of: 0191 (a) hydrolyzing a compound of formula IIIb or salt thereof 33

0192 where *R11 is dihalomethyl (preferably dibromomethyl, 0193 in the presence of a nucleophilic base (e.g. a secondary amine such as morpholine) to form a compound of formula IIIa(2). 0194 Compounds of the formula IIIb may be formed from a process comprising the steps of: 0195 (a) contacting a compound of formula XXI 34

0196 with a suitable halogenating agent (such as N-bromosuccinimide or 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethyl hydantoin to form a compound of the formula XXII 35

0197 where *R11 is dihalomethyl (preferably dibromomethyl); 0198 (b) converting said compound of formula XXII to an aryl acid halide compound of formula Xa 36

0199 (e.g. by reacting XXII with reagants such as oxalylchloride, thionyl chloride, phosphorus trichloride, phosphorus pentachloride or phosphorus tribromide; and 0200 (c) converting said compound of formula Xa to a compound of formula IIIb (e.g., through reaction with triazole or an N-trimethylsilyl derivative thereof as described previously herein, or through other methods such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,359, U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,869, U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,990, U.S. Pat. No. 5,856,507, U.S. Pat. No. 6,043,265 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/528,819. 0201 The compound XXI can be reacted with a brominating agent such as N-bromosuccinimide at temperatures of 100-120 C. in solvents such as trifluorotoluene or dichlorobenzene in the presence of radical initiators such 2,2-azo-bis-isobutyronitrile to provide XXII. Conversion of XXII to acid chloride Xa can be carried out with oxalyl chloride in toluene or dichloromethane in the presence of a small amount of N,N-dimethyl formamide. Coupling of the acid halide of formula Xa with 1,2,3-triazole and subsequent nitrogen elimination/rearrangement is conducted in a solvent such as sulfolane in the presence of potassium carbonate at temperatures of 80-110 C. or by preforming the salt of 1,2,3-triazole with a base such as sodium hydride in sulfolane, and reacting the salt with the acid chloride Xa at temperatures of 80-110 C. The compounds of the formula IIIa and salts thereof may also be used in a further method (reverse coupling) contemplated by the present invention, for the preparation of compounds of the formula Ia or salts thereof, comprising the steps of: 0202 (a) lithiating a compound of the formula IIIa or salt thereof: 37

0203 preferably, a compound of the formula IIIa(1) or salt thereof, with an alkyl or aryl lithium compound in the presence of a trialkylborate, followed by hydrolysis, to form a boronic acid of the formula XIII or salt thereof: 38

0204 (b) contacting the boronic acid of the formula XIII or salt thereof with a compound of the formula VIIIa or salt thereof: 39

0205 where halo is preferably bromo, iodo or chloro, most preferably bromo, in the presence of a palladium(0) catalyst and, preferably, a base, to form a nitrogen-protected compound of the formula IVa or salt thereof: 40

0206 (c) deprotecting the nitrogen of said formula IVa compound or salt thereof to form said compound of the formula Ia or salt thereof. 0207 With respect to this method, lithiation is conducted in the presence of a trialkylborate, followed by hydrolysis which may be conducted under conditions as described herein for the preparation of boronic acids of the formula IX and salts thereof. Coupling in the presence of a palladium(0) catalyst and, preferably, base, and deprotection of the nitrogen-protected coupled product, may be conducted under conditions as described herein for the coupling of compounds of the formulae II and III and salts thereof, and deprotection of the product thereof. Lithiation provides a compound having the following structure or a salt thereof: 41

0208 contact with a trialkylborate provides the following boronate ester or a salt thereof: 42

Preferred Compounds 0209 It is preferred that the compounds employed in or prepared by the present methods contain one or more, preferably all where appropriate, of the following substituents: 0210 X is O and N is Y; 0211 the ring bearing K, L and J is 2-oxazole; 0212 p is zero; 0213 R1 and R2 are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, hydroxyalkyl, CO2R5 or -Z4-NR6R7, most preferably lower alkyl or hydrogen; 0214 R3 and R4 are each independently alkyl, most preferably lower alkyl, especially methyl; and 0215 R11, R12, R13 and R14 are each independently hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, heterocyclo, alkenyl, alkoxy, carboxamide or substituted lower alkyl, most preferably, R12 to R14 are hydrogen and R11 is hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, heterocyclo, alkenyl, alkoxy, carboxamide or substituted lower alkyl (such as CH2N(CH3)C(O)CH2C(CH3)3). 0216 Compounds of the formula I of particular interest include N-(3,4-dimethyl-5-isoxazolyl)-4-(2-oxazolyl)-1,1-biphenyl-2-sulfonamide and salts thereof, and N-2-(4,5-dimethyl-3-isoxazolyl)aminosulfonyl-4-(2-oxazolyl)1,1-biphenyl-2-ylmethyl-N,3,3-trimethylbutanamide and salts thereof.

Utility of Compounds of Formula I and Salts Thereof as Endothelin Antagonists 0217 The compounds of the formula I and salts thereof are antagonists of ET-1, ET-2 and/or ET-3 and are useful in treatment of conditions associated with increased ET levels (e.g., dialysis, trauma and surgery) and of all endothelin-dependent disorders. They are thus useful as antihypertensive agents. By the administration of a composition having one (or a combination) of the compounds of this invention, the blood pressure of a hypertensive mammalian (e.g., human) host is reduced. They are also useful in pregnancy-induced hypertension and coma (preeclampsia and eclampsia), acute portal hypertension and hypertension secondary to treatment with erythropoietin. 0218 The compounds of the present invention are also useful in the treatment of disorders related to renal, glomerular and mesangial cell function, including acute and chronic renal failure, glomerular injury, renal damage secondary to old age or related to dialysis, nephrosclerosis (especially hypertensive nephrosclerosis), nephrotoxicity (including nephrotoxicity related to imaging and contrast agents and to cyclosporine), renal ischemia, primary vesicoureteral reflux, glomerulosclerosis and the like. The compounds of this invention may also be useful in the treatment of disorders related to paracrine and endocrine function. 0219 The compounds of the present invention are also useful in the treatment of endotoxemia or endotoxin shock as well as hemorrhagic shock. 0220 The compounds of the present invention are also useful in hypoxic and ischemic disease and as anti-ischemic agents for the treatment of, for example, cardiac, renal and cerebral ischemia and reperfusion (such as that occurring following cardiopulmonary bypass surgery), coronary and cerebral vasospasm, and the like. 0221 In addition, the compounds of this invention may also be useful as anti-arrhythmic agents; anti-anginal agents; anti-fibrillatory agents; anti-asthmatic agents; anti-atherosclerotic and anti-arteriosclerotic agents; additives to cardioplegic solutions for cardiopulmonary bypasses; adjuncts to thrombolytic therapy; and anti-diarrheal agents. The compounds of this invention may be useful in therapy for myocardial infarction; therapy for peripheral vascular disease (e.g., Raynaud's disease and Takayashu's disease); treatment of cardiac hypertrophy (e.g., hypertrophic cardiomyopathy); treatment of primary pulmonary hypertension (e.g., plexogenic, embolic) in adults and in the newborn and pulmonary hypertension secondary to heart failure, radiation and chemotherapeutic injury, or other trauma; treatment of central nervous system vascular disorders, such as stroke, migraine and subarachnoid hemorrhage; treatment of central nervous system behavioral disorders; treatment of gastrointestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, gastric mucosal damage, ulcer and ischemic bowel disease; treatment of gall bladder or bile duct-based diseases such as cholangitis; treatment of pancreatitis; regulation of cell growth; treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy; restenosis following angioplasty or following any procedures including transplantation; therapy for congestive heart failure including inhibition of fibrosis; inhibition of left ventricular dilatation, remodeling and dysfunction; and treatment of hepatotoxicity and sudden death. The compounds of this invention may be useful in the treatment of sickle cell disease including the initiation and/or evolution of the pain crises of this disease; treatment of the deleterious consequences of ET-producing tumors such as hypertension resulting from hemangiopericytoma; treatment of early and advanced liver disease and injury including attendant complications (e.g., hepatotoxicity, fibrosis and cirrhosis); treatment of spastic diseases of the urinary tract and/or bladder; treatment of hepatorenal syndrome; treatment of immunological diseases involving vasculitis such as lupus, systemic sclerosis, mixed cryoglobulinemia; and treatment of fibrosis associated with renal dysfunction and hepatotoxicity. The compounds of this invention may be useful in therapy for metabolic and neurological disorders; cancer; insulin-dependent and non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; neuropathy; retinopathy; maternal respiratory distress syndrome; dysmenorrhea; epilepsy; hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke; bone remodeling; psoriasis; and chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, sarcoidosis and eczematous dermatitis (all types of dermatitis). 0222 The compounds of the formula I and salts thereof can also be formulated in combination with endothelin converting enzyme (ECE) inhibitors, such as phosphoramidon; thromboxane receptor antagonists; potassium channel openers; thrombin inhibitors (e.g., hirudin and the like); growth factor inhibitors such as modulators of PDGF activity; platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonists; angiotensin II (AII) receptor antagonists; renin inhibitors; angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as captopril, zofenopril, fosinopril, ceranapril, alacepril, enalapril, delapril, pentopril, quinapril, ramipril, lisinopril and salts of such compounds; neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitors; dual NEP-ACE inhibitors; HMG CoA reductase inhibitors such as pravastatin and mevacor; squalene synthetase inhibitors; bile acid sequestrants such as questran; calcium channel blockers; potassium channel activators; beta-adrenergic agents; antiarrhythmic agents; diuretics, such as chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, flumethiazide, hydroflumethiazide, bendroflumethiazide, methylchlorothiazide, trichloromethiazide, polythiazide or benzothiazide as well as ethacrynic acid, tricrynafen, chlorthalidone, furosemide, musolimine, bumetamide, triamterene, amiloride and spironolactone and salts of such compounds; and thrombolytic agents such as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), recombinant tPA, streptokinase, urokinase, prourokinase and anisoylated plasminogen streptokinase activator complex (APSAC). If formulated as a fixed dose, such combination products employ the compounds of this invention within the dosage range described below and the other pharmaceutically active agent within its approved dosage range. The compounds of this invention may also be formulated with, or useful in conjunction with, antifungal and immunosuppressive agents such as amphotericin B, cyclosporins and the like to counteract the glomerular contraction and nephrotoxicity secondary to such compounds. The compounds of this invention may also be used in conjunction with hemodialysis. 0223 The compounds of the invention can be administered orally or parenterally to various mammalian species known to be subject to such maladies, e.g., humans, in an effective amount within the dosage range of about 0.1 to about 100 mg/kg, preferably about 0.2 to about 50 mg/kg and more preferably about 0.5 to about 25 mg/kg (or from about 1 to about 2500 mg, preferably from about 5 to about 2000 mg) in single or 2 to 4 divided daily doses. 0224 The active substance can be utilized in a composition such as tablet, capsule, solution or suspension containing about 5 to about 500 mg per unit dosage of a compound or mixture of compounds of formula I or in topical form for wound healing (0.01 to 5% by weight compound of formula I, 1 to 5 treatments per day). They may be compounded in a conventional manner with a physiologically acceptable vehicle or carrier, excipient, binder, preservative, stabilizer, flavor, etc., or with a topical carrier such as Plastibase (mineral oil gelled with polyethylene) as called for by accepted pharmaceutical practice. 0225 The compounds of the invention may also be administered topically to treat peripheral vascular diseases and as such may be formulated as a cream or ointment. 0226 The compounds of formula I can also be formulated in compositions such as sterile solutions or suspensions for parenteral administration. About 0.1 to 500 milligrams of a compound of formula I is compounded with a physiologically acceptable vehicle, carrier, excipient, binder, preservative, stabilizer, etc., in a unit dosage form as called for by accepted pharmaceutical practice. The amount of active substance in these compositions or preparations is such that a suitable dosage in the range indicated is obtained. 0227 The present invention will now be further described by the following working examples, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

Preparation of Pinacol Ester Compound II 0228 A. N-(4,5-Dimethylisoxazol-3-yl)-2-bromobenzenesulfonamide. 0229 A 500 mL flask was charged with 2-bromobenzene sulfonyl chloride (153.3 g) and dimethylaminopyridine (7.37 g, 0.1 equiv), purged with argon and cooled in an ice-brine bath. Pyridine (300 mL) was added, and the mixture stirred. A separate flask containing 3-amino-4,5-dimethyl isoxazole, (73.95 g) in anhydrous pyridine3 (300 mL) under argon was cooled in an ice bath. When the internal temperature of the pyridine-bromobenzenesulfonyl chloride solution was 3 C., the isoxazole-pyridine solution was added dropwise by cannula. The addition required 90 min. Quantitative transfer of the isoxazole was achieved with a 10 mL pyridine rinse. Upon completion of addition, the ice was removed from the brine-ice bath, and the internal temperature of the reaction vessel warmed to approximately 8-10 C. over 1 h. The reaction vessel was then immersed in a preheated oil bath at 42 C. and maintained at this temperature for 24.5 h. The warm solution was cannulated dropwise into ice cold 6N HCl (8 L) with vigorous stirring over approximately 90 min. Immediate precipitation occurred. The mixture was stirred in the ice-water bath for approximately 1 h, and the yellow solid collected by suction filtration on a medium porosity glass frit. The filter cake was washed with cold deionized water (40.5L), taking care to mix the filter cake with each wash. The solid was air suction dried for 24 h affording a yellow powder: 185.5 g, 93.4%, HPLC area percent 97.7. The solid was dissolved in ethyl acetate (3.7 L or 20 mL/g), charcoal (46.1 g, Darco KB, lot 1F-074) added, the mixture heated briefly to 58 C., cooled to RT and stirred for 12 h, filtered through celite, the celite pad rinsed with ethyl acetate (5200 mL) and evaporated to dryness. 0230 The solid was dissolved in ethyl acetate (500 mL), and stirred in an oil bath at 63-68 C. Warm hexanes (750 mL) were added (rapidly at first, then dropwise after crystallization commenced). 0231 Precipitation/crystallization began when 100 mL of hexanes had been added. Upon completion of addition, the oil bath was removed and after 2 h stirring was stopped. The mixture cooled to RT overnight (13 h) then at 5 C. for 32 h, collected and washed with ice cold 1:2 ethyl acetate:hexanes (100 mL). After drying for 15 h the white solid weighed 160.3 g, 81% overall yield, HPLC AP7 99.5, mp 143-145 degrees. The infra-red and 1H NMR spectra were consistent with the assigned structure. Mass spectrum: m/e 331 (MH); Elemental Analysis: for C11H11BrN2O3S: C; Calc. 39.89, Found: 39.86; H; Calc. 3.35, Found: 3.28; N; Calc. 8.46, Found: 8.47. 0232 B. 1-Bromo-N-(methoxymethyl)-N-(4,5-dimethyl-3-isoxazolyl)benzenesulfonamide 0233 A dry 1 L round bottom flask was charged with BMS-224339 (26.5 g, 80 mmol), celite (52.8 g), dichloromethane (400 mL), dimethoxymethane (56 mL) and P4O10 (10 g). The mixture was immersed in a pre-heated oil bath at 38 C. and stirred for 13 h. HPLC analysis of an aliquot indicated the reaction was complete. The mixture was filtered through a pad of celite, and the celite pad washed with dichloromethane (4200 mL). The filtrate was stirred vigorously with 0.5N NaOH (400 mL) for one hour. The layers were separated, the aqueous phase extracted with dichloromethane (2100 mL), and the combined organics dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to a waxy solid. The solid was dissolved in anhydrous ether (260 mL), cooled in an ice bath, seeded and heptane (540 mL) added dropwise with stirring for 2 h and allowed to stand in a cold room at 5 C. for 2 days. The solid was collected, rinsed with cold heptane (40 mL) and air suction dried for 10 h affording 24.5 g of 1-Bromo-N-(methoxymethyl)-N-(4,5-dimethyl-3-isoxazolyl)benzenesulfonamide, 81.7%, AP 99.9% as a white solid, mp 71-72 C. Concentration of the mother liquor to dryness and crystallization of the residue (5.02 g) from ether/heptane as above afforded a second crop of 1-Bromo-N-(methoxymethyl)-N-(4,5-dimethyl-3-isoxazolyl)benzenesulfonamide, 3.72 g, AP 99.9, 12.4%, mp 71-72 C. The 1H NMR and mass spectra were consistent with the assigned structure. 0234 C. 2-(4,5-Dimethyl-3-isoxazolyl)(methoxymethyl)aminosulfonylphenylboronic Acid 0235 A 1 liter, 3-necked flask equipped with an overhead mechanical stirrer, addition funnel and thermocouple probe was charged with the aryl bromide described above (30.0 g, 80.2 mmol) and the flask was sparged with a slow stream of argon for 0.5 h. THF (400 mL) was added via cannula and the resulting solution was slowly cooled to an internal temperature of 100 C. n-BuLi (40.1 mL, 84.2 mmol) was added dropwise via an addition funnel over 20 minutes with vigorous stirring, while maintaining the internal temperature between 99C. and 101 C. The reaction mixture turned pale yellow, yellow and eventually orange. After the addition of n-BuLi was complete, the addition funnel was rinsed with THF (5 mL). The reaction was maintained at 100 C. for 20 minutes following which a solution of trimethylborate (18.2 mL, 160.4 mmol) in THF (136 mL) was added in a slow, steady stream via an addition funnel over 15 minutes. The internal temperature was maintained between 98 C. and 101 C. during the addition of the borate/THF solution. The reaction mixture turned light orange, yellow, and eventually pale yellow. The resultant solution was stirred at 100 C. for 1 h, following which it was warmed to 78 C. A solution of 3N HCl (158 mL) was added in a slow stream with vigorous stirring during which the reaction mixture exothermed to 35 C. The reaction mixture was warmed to 0 C. and stirred for 0.5 h. The reaction mixture (pH 0.1) was basified with 4N NaOH (130 mL) to pH 12.2. The resulting solution was extracted with MTBE/hexanes (1:1, 2300 mL), and the organic phase was washed with 0.5N NaOH (4100 mL). The aqueous layers were pooled and washed with MTBE/hexanes (1/1, 2300 mL). The aqueous layer (pH 13.1) was acidified with 6.0N HCl (85 mL) to a pH of 1.0. The acidified solution was extracted with MTBE (4300 mL). The organic layers were pooled, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated to afford 2-(4,5-Dimethyl-3-isoxazolyl)(methoxymethyl) aminosulfonylphenylboronic acid as a pale yellow oil which solidified upon storing at 0-5 C. overnight. (25.4 g, 93%, HPLC area percent 93.1%). The 1H NMR and mass spectra were consistent with the assigned structure. 0236 D. N-methoxymethyl-N-(4,5-dimethyl-3-isoxazolyl)-2-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide. 0237 A 1-liter round bottomed flask equipped with magnetic stir bar, Dean-Stark trap and condenser was charged with the boronic acid as described above (25.0 g, 73.5 mmol), pinacol (9.1 g, 77.1 mmol), and toluene (1500 mL) and placed under an atmosphere of argon. The mixture was heated to vigorous reflux and water was collected in the Dean Stark trap over 20 minutes. The mixture was heated at reflux for a total of 1.5 hours. Toluene (75 mL) was then distilled off and the reaction mixture subsequently concentrated on a rotary evaporator for approximately 16 h to afford N-methoxymethyl-N-(4,5-dimethyl-3-isoxazolyl)-2-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide as a viscous, colorless oil (31.9 g, 103%, HPLC AP 97%). The 1H NMR and mass spectra were consistent with the assigned structure.

EXAMPLE 2

Preparation of Halophenyl Compound III 0238 A. 4-Bromo-3-(dibromomethyl)benzoic Acid 0239 A 3 L 3-necked flask equipped with reflux condenser was charged with 3-methyl-4-bromo-benzoic acid (50 g), N-bromosuccinimide (41.4 g, 1 equiv), azobisisobutyronitrile (0.5 g) and triflourotoluene (750 mL). The headspace was purged with argon for 10 min. The flask was placed in a preheated oil bath at 110 C., and stirred. Additional solid NBS (41.4 g, 1 equiv) and AIBN (250 mg) were added after 3-4 h. Additional solid NBS (41.4 g, 1 equiv) and AIBN (250 mg) after another 3-4 h. AIBN was added periodically (250 mg) every 3-4 h with heating and stirring under reflux. for 12-24 h until the side chainmonobromide:dibromide ratio is 7:93 or better as judged by analytical HPLC. The mixture was cooled to RT with stirring, 250 mL heptane was added dropwise, and the mixture then stirred in ice-salt bath 2 h. The solid was collected and washed twice with cold heptane. The solid was air suction dried 1 h. The solid was washed with warm (70 C.) water (3500 mL), stirring the filter cake each time. The solid was air suction dried 12 h. The weight of 4-Bromo-3-(dibromomethyl)benzoic acid was 72.5 g, 84%; HPLC and 1H NMR (DMSO-d6) give 96 area percent of sidechain dibromide, 4 area percent monobromide. 0240 The solid was dissolved in 1200 mL of hot n-butyl acetate, and filtered through a small pad of celite. The celite pad was rinsed with 100 mL of hot butyl acetate, the volume adjusted to 325 mL, and the mixture reheated to reflux to obtain a solution. Upon cooling to room temperature, crystals formed. The mixture was stirred, and heptane (650 mL) added at RT and then in an ice bath. The solid was collected and washed with ice cold heptane, and dried, affording the product 4-Bromo-3-(dibromomethyl)benzoic acid in 70% yield. The 1H NMR and mass spectra were consistent with the assigned structure. The sidechain monobromide was typically present in<5%. 0241 B. 4-Bromo-3-(dibromomethyl)benzoyl Chloride 43

0242 A 250 mL round bottom flask was charged with the 4-Bromo-3-(dibromomethyl)benzoic acid prepared as described above (114.6 g, 307 mmol) in anhydrous toluene (1.14 L) and anhydrous DMF (6.3 mL). The resulting suspension was stirred at RT under an argon atmosphere. Oxalyl chloride (29.5 mL, 338 mmol) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture became a clear yellow solution at the end of the reaction. HPLC indicated the reaction was complete in 2 hours. The solution was decanted away from a gummy oil deposited at the bottom of the reaction flask and the solution was concentrated on a rotary evaporator and then on a high vacuum pump overnight to dryness. The 4-Bromo-3-(dibromomethyl)benzoyl chloride was obtained as a light brown solid 115.02 g, 95.7% yield and area percent93.5%. The 1H NMR spectrum was consistent with the assigned structure. 0243 C. 2-4-Bromo-3-(dibromomethyl)-phenyloxazole 0244 A vessel was charged with 488,4 ml of Sulfolane. 24.0 44

0245 g of NaH (60% suspension in mineral oil) was added under an inert gas blanket. The suspension was agitated and heated to 50 C. In a separate vessel, 40,7 g of 1.2.3-Triazole were dissolved in 244,2 ml Sulfolane. The solution of 1.2.3-triazole was slowly added to the NaH suspension. Efficient agitation is essential. Evolution of hydrogen was observed. If hydrogen evolution gets too violent, addition has to be interrupted. After additon was complete agitation was continued at 50 C. for 1.5 hours. The 1.2.3 triazole-sodium suspension was cooled to 30 C. 0246 The acid chloride prepared as described above was dissolved in 600 ml of Sulfolane. When all acid chloride was dissolved temperature was increased to 90-95 C. At this temperature the Na-triazole solution was slowly added. During addition the temperature was maintained at 95-100 C. The reaction was slightly exothermic. During addition slight gas evolution of nitrogen is observed. The additon required 60-90 minutes. When addition was complete, agitation was continued at 95-100 C. for 30 min. The mixture was cooled to 10 C., added slowly to an ice cold solution of 66.7 g of potassium carbonate in 2000 mL of water, maintaining the temperature below 10 C. After the potassium carbonate addition was complete, 660 mL of water were added and the mixture agitated for 30 min at 10 C. The crystals were isolated and dried by suction and washed with water. The cake was washed with 45 C. warm water to remove residual sulfolane. The yield of 2-4-Bromo-3-(dibromomethyl)-phenyloxazole is 133.3 g. 0247 133,3 g of 2-4-Bromo-3-(dibromomethyl)-phenyloxazole were dissolved in 666.7 mL of MeoH at reflux temperature, 20,0 g of charcoal were added and reflux was continued for 5 min. The charcoal was filtered off at reflux temperature using a pad of hyflo filter aid. The cake was washed with 66.8 mL of hot MeOH. The solution was slowly cooled to ambient temperature. Crystallisation started at about 35 C. The mixture was agitated for one hour at ambient temperature then the temperature was lowered to 5 C. slowly and agitation continued for 1 hour. 0248 66.7 mL of water were added slowly and the mixture agitated for an additional hour. The crystals were collected by suction filtration and dried to constant weight in vacuo. The yield of 2-4-Bromo-3-(dibromomethyl)-phenyloxazole was 120 g. The 1H NMR and mass spectra were consistent with the assigned structure. 0249 D. 2-4-Bromo-3-(formyl)phenyloxazole 0250 A 1000 mL round bottom flask was charged with the oxazole as described above (30 g, 75.8 mmol) in morpholine (67 mL, 757.6 mmol) and distilled water (17 mL). The resulting yellow solution was stirred under an argon atmosphere and was heated to 75 C. external temperature. Some solid precipitated out of the solution immediately and then slowly partially melted, resulting in a heterogeneous mixture. The reaction was monitored by HPLC and was complete in 2 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to RT. Then HCl (1N, 760 mL) was added slowly and portionwise. The mixture was stirred at RT for 1 hour and in an ice bath for 2 hours. The solid was filtered, washed with H2O (1100 mL) and hot H2O (3100 mL). It was suction dried overnight to give 18.0 g of yellow solid, 94.1% yield and AP99.6 (CPR-NB). The crude solid was combined with a previous batch (1.8 g) and was dissolved in refluxing cyclohexane (470 mL). The hot solution was filtered to remove a small amount of insoluble solid. The filtration funnel was rinsed with hot cyclohexane (3100 mL). The combined hot cyclohexane solution was stirred, cooled to RT and seeded. Crystallization occurred within 10 minutes. It was stirred at RT for 4-5 hours, stored in the cold room at 4 C. overnight and collected to give an off-white crystalline product. The solid was suction dried to afford 2-4-Bromo-3-(formyl)phenyloxazole, 19.2 g, 91-2% yield and HPLC area percent 98.5. mp 100-104 C. The 0251 1H NMR and mass spectra were consistent with the assigned structures. Elemental analysis for C10H6BrNO2*0.1H2O*0.1 C6H12. 0252 C: Calc: 48.54, Found: 48.95; H: Calc: 2.84, Found: 2.94; 0253 N: Calc: 5.34, Found: 5.29. KF (H2O) Calc: 0.69, 0254 Found:0.63.

EXAMPLE 2A

Alternate Synthesis of Example 2D 0255

0256 A 1 L round bottom flask was charged with potassium hydrogen carbonate (13.3 g, 132.3 mmol), water (220 mL) and acetone (150 mL). The resulting mixture was cooled to 10 C. to 0 C. in an ice/acetone bath. Aminoacetaldehyde dimethylacetal (14.5 mL, 133.1 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred at 10 C. to 0 C. for 15 minutes. 4-Bromo-3-(dibromomethyl)benzoyl chloride (50.0 g, 127.8 mmol) in acetone (200 mL) was added dropwise in 0.5 hours under argon. During the course of the addition, the reaction mixture was seeded when cloudiness occurred. The resulting milk like suspension was stirred at 0 C. for 2.5 h. The solvent acetone was removed on a rotary evaporator. The solid was collected by filtration and was washed with water (50 mL2). It was suction dried for 13 hours and vacuum oven dried for 6 hours at 60 C. to give the carboxamide aa a yellowish solid in 95.6% yield, HPLC area percent. The 1H NMR and mass spectra were consistent with the assigned structure. 0257 B. 2-4-Bromo-3-(dibromomethyl)-phenyl-5-methoxy-oxazoline 46

0258 A 500 mL round bottom flask was charged with the amido acetal (30.3 g, 67.3 mmol), anhydrous toluene (200 mL) and diisopropylethylamine (47 mL, 269.8 mmol). The mixture was cooled to 10 C. to 0 C. in an ice/acetone bath under argon. Trifluoroboron etherate (33 mL) was added dropwise in 0.5 hours. A suspension was obtained. The suspension was warmed up to RT and stirred at RT for 1 hour. The suspension was heated at 60 C. for 3.5 hours. TLC indicated that the starting material was consumed. The mixture was cooled to RT and poured onto saturated sodium bicarbonate solution (1.2 L). The sodium bicarbonate mixture was stirred at RT for 0.5 hours (pH9) and was filtered through a celite pad. The pad was rinsed with toluene (200 mL3). Each rinsing was used to extract the aqueous phase. The toluene layers were combined and washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution (250 mL), water (250 mL x2) and brine (250 mL x2). It was dried over MgSO4 (50 g) and charcoal (9 g) for 1 hour at RT. After filtration and concentration, 27.8 g of 2-4-Bromo-3-(dibromomethyl)-phenyl-5-methoxy-oxazoline as a yellowish solid, which was used for the next reaction without further purification. 0259 C. 2-4-Bromo-3-(formyl)-phenyloxazole 47

0260 A 1 L round bottom flask was charged with BMS-240682-01 (27.8 g, 67.1 mmol), DBU (24.1 mL, 161.2 mmol) and morpholine (56.4 mL, 646.7 mmol). The mixture was heated at 60 C. for 2.5 hours. HPLC indicated the starting material hjad disappeared. The reaction mixture was cooled to 10 C. to 0 C. in an ice/acetone bath. The stirring stopped. Potassium tert-butoxide (1 M in THF, 350 mL) was added dropwise in 0.5 hours. The stirring started after 20 mL of potassium tert-butoxide THF solution was added. The reaction mixture was warmed up to RT and stirred at RT for 5 hours. It was put aside in a 40 C. freezer for 13 hours and then was stirred at RT for another 2 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to 10 C. to 0 C. in an ice/acetone bath. HCl (6N, cold, 214 mL) was added dropwise in 15 minutes. The mixture was stirred at 0 C. to RT in 0.5 hours. It was transferred to a 2 L separatory funnel, diluted with EtOAc (300 mL) and water (300 mL). The aqueous layer was separated and extracted with EtOAc (300 mL2). The organic layers were combined and the combined organic phase was washed with brine/1N HCl mixture (200 mL/30 mL), brine/water mixture (200 mL/30 mL2) and brine (230 mL2). It was dried over MgSO4 (50 g) for 0.5 hours and concentrated to 21.3 g of semi solid. The crude semi solid was dissolved in warm THF (60 mL). The THF solution was added dropwise to a mixture of refluxing cyclohexane (600 mL) and charcoal (3.6 g). The mixture was stirred without heat for 0.5 hours and was heated to reflux. It was filtered through a celite pad and the pad was washed with a hot mixture of cyclohexane/THF (90 mL/9 mL3). The filtrate was concentrated to 14.1 g of yellowish white solid. The charcoal treated crude product was dissolved in cyclohexane (300 mL) at reflux. Crystallization occurred upon cooling to RT. The mixture was stirred at RT for 4 hours and then at 4 C. for 13 hours. The 2-4-Bromo-3-(formyl)-phenyloxazole was collected by filtration and was suction dried at RT for 13 h. It was obtained as an off-white solid in 72.3% yield, HPLC area percent 99.8. The 1H NMR and mass spectra were consistent with the assigned structure.

EXAMPLE 3

Preparation of Compound of Formula I 0261 A. N-(4,5-Dimethyl-3-isoxazolyl)-2-formyl-N-(methoxymethyl)-4-oxazol-2-yl1,1-biphenylsulfonamide 48

0262 A 3-liter, 3-necked flask equipped with dropping funnel, condenser, overhead mechanical stirrer, and thermocouple was charged with Pd(OAc)2 (0.56 g, 2.5 mmol), and Ph3P (1.76 g, 6.7 mmol). The flask was purged with a slow bleed of Argon gas overnight. Toluene (125 mL) was added via syringe. The resulting pale yellow solution was stirred and heated at 73 C. to 75 C. in an oil bath for approximately 1 h 10 min. The color of the solution gradually changed from pale yellow to dark yellow to dark orange red and eventually, blood-red. The solution was was cooled to 28 C. 0263 A solution consisting of the pinacol boronate ester (11.6 g, 27.5 mmol) in toluene; 2-4-Bromo-3-(formylphenyl)oxazole (12.6 g 50.0 mmol), ethanol (337.5 mL), and toluene (325 mL) was added via cannula. A thoroughly degassed solution of 2.0M Na2CO3 in water (150 mL) was added via cannula. The resultant mixture was stirred and the solution was heated to an internal temperature of approximately 72 C. to 74 C. The remaining pinacol boronate ester (11.6 g, 27.5 mmol) in toluene was added portionwise at intervals of 20 minutes (5.5 mmol of pinacol boronate, 7.9 mL every 20 minutes) for a total addition time of 2 h. The mixture was cooled to room temperature and combined with another small batch of crude product (prepared in an identical manner from 2.5 g of 2-4-Bromo-3-(formylphenyl)oxazole). The layers were separated in a separatory funnel. The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc (4120 mL). The organic extracts were combined, dried over MgSO4 and filtered through a Teflon filter (pore size: 0.45 micron). The filtrate was concentrated to afford a reddish-brown oil (41.4 g). 0264 The oil was dissolved in EtOAc (300 mL) and trithiocyanuric acid (TMT, 5.6 g, 31.6 mmol) was added. The mixture was heated at 55 C. for 0.5 h, then charcoal16 (27 g) was added. The resulting suspension was stirred for 0.5 h at 55 C. The suspension was cooled to 5 C. and maintained at that temperature for 15 minutes, then filtered through a 3 pad of celite. The celite pad was washed with EtOAc (3200 mL). The filtrate was washed with 0.5N NaOH (4150 mL) in a separatory funnel. The organic layer was then washed with brine (1150 mL), dried over anhydrous MgSO4, filtered and concentrated to give a yellow oil (35.1 g). The oil was dissolved in EtOAc (300 mL) and TMT (5.6 g, 31.6 mmol) was added. The mixture was heated at 55 C. for 0.5 h, then charcoal (27 g) was added. The resulting suspension was stirred for 0.5 h at 55 C. The suspension was cooled to 5 C. and maintained at that temperature for 15 minutes, then filtered through a 3 pad of celite. The celite pad was washed with EtOAc (3200 mL). The filtrate was washed with 0.5N NaOH (4150 mL) in a separatory funnel. The organic layer was then washed with brine (1150 mL), dried over anhydrous MgSO4, filtered and concentrated to give crude N-(4,5-Dimethyl-3-isoxazolyl)-2-formyl-N-(methoxymethyl)-4-oxazol-2-yl1,1-biphenylsulfonamide as very pale yellow oil (30.8 g, 110%, HPLC area percent 85%). 0265 B. N-(4,5-Dimethyl-3-isoxazolyl)-2-formyl-4-(2-oxazolyl)1,1-biphenyl-2-sulfonamide. 49

0266 The unpurified biphenyl compound obtained as described above (30.4 g) was taken in a 2-liter round-bottom flask equipped with a condenser and dissolved in warm ethanol (300 mL). 6N aqueous HCl (300 mL) was added under an argon atmosphere. The solution was warmed and the internal temperature was maintained between 78 C. and 81 C. The progress of reaction was monitored by HPLC. After 2 h 45 min the reaction was judged complete by HPLC. A large quantity of the product had precipitated. The reaction mixture was cooled to 74 C. Distilled water (207 mL) was added in a slow steady stream over 0.5 h during which time the internal temperature was maintained between 68 to 70 C. The resulting suspension was cooled to RT over 45 min following which the flask was cooled in an ice bath for 2 h with vigorous mechanical stirring. The crude product was collected by filtration on a sintered glass funnel, washed with a mixture of ethanol/water, and dried under house vacuum for 48 h, affording the crude N-(4,5-Dimethyl-3-isoxazolyl)-2-formyl-4-(2-oxazolyl)1,1-biphenyl-2-sulfonamide product, 19.9 g, HPLC area percent 98%. 0267 The crude solid (19.5 g) was suspended in distilled water (103 mL) and the suspension was cooled to 10 C. 1N NaOH (92 mL) was added dropwise with vigorous mechanical stirring. The first formed milky emulsion became clear within 5-7 minutes. MTBE (60 mL) was added and the biphasic solution was stirred for 5 min. The layers were separated and the aqueous layer was diluted with ethanol (58 mL). The aqueous layer was acidified by the dropwise addition of 1N HCl (138 mL) over 45 min. The internal temperature was maintained between 18 C. to 22 C. during acidification. A white precipitate resulted and the resulting suspension was stirred at 20 C. for 1 h. The product was collected by suction filtration and the filter cake washed with distilled water (80 mL). This was allowed to dry under house vacuum for 24 h, then in a vacuum oven (35 C.) for 16 h. 0268 The crude product was suspended in acetonitrile (360 mL) at RT, then warmed to 70 C. until a clear yellow solution was obtained. Hot distilled water (180 mL, 75 C.) was added to the solution over 20 minutes with vigorous stirring. The product began to crystallize. The internal temperature was maintained at 64 C.-67 C. with external heating. The resulting suspension was cooled to RT and stirred for 1 h, then placed in an ice-water bath for 8 h. The product was collected by vacuum filtration on a sintered glass funnel. The product was washed with an ice-cold solution of acetonitrile/water (1:1, 38 mL) and dried under house vacuum for 0.5 h, then in a vacuum oven at 30-35 C. overnight affording the product N-(4,5-Dimethyl-3-isoxazolyl)-2-formyl-4-(2-oxazolyl)1,1-biphenyl-2-sulfonamide, 17.7 g, HPLC area percent 96.9%. The H NMR and mass spectra were consistent with the assigned structure. 0269 C. N-(4,5-Dimethyl-3-isoxazolyl)-2-(methylamino)methyl-4-(2-oxazolyl)1,1-biphenyl-2-sulfonamide, Monohydrochloride. 50

0270 A 2 L three necked round bottom flask was charged with N-(4,5-Dimethyl-3-isoxazolyl)-2-formyl-4-(2-oxazolyl)1,1-biphenyl-2-sulfonamide (15.0 g, 35.5 mmol). The reaction vessel was equipped with a mechanical stirrer, an argon line and a digital thermometer probe. Ethanol (195 mL) was added followed by glacial acetic acid (5.3 mL) and methylamine in ethanol (8.03 M, 15.6 mL). The resulting clear solution was stirred at room temperature. A thick white precipitate formed within 10 min. The suspension was stirred vigorously for 1 h following which sodium triacetoxyborohydride powder (22.6 g, 106 mmol) was added in one portion over 5 min. The inside walls of the flask were washed with ethanol (30 mL). A homogenous solution resulted within 15 min. The reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 2 h, the reaction mixture was transferred to a 1L flask and concentrated on a rotary evaporator. To the resulting thick slurry, 3N HCl (150 mL) was added dropwise over 10 min with rapid agitation. The suspension dissolved to give a clear pale yellow solution. Within minutes, a thick white precipitate formed. The suspension was stirred at RT for 1 h, then at 0-5 C. for 2.5 h. The flask was stored at 0-5 C. overnight. The suspension was stirred at 0-5 C. for 30 min and the precipitate collected by suction filtration on a sintered glass funnel. The crude product was washed with cold water (20 mL) and dried under house vacuum for 24 h. 0271 The white solid (HPLC AP 97.6%) was dissolved in methanol (185 mL) at 50 C.-55 C. Charcoal (2.6 g) was added to the resulting solution and the suspension was stirred at 50 C.-55 C. for 1 h. The suspension was filtered through a pad of celite and the celite pad was washed with hot methanol (100 mL). The filtrate was concentrated to 120 mL at which time some product had begun to precipitate. The residual suspension was heated to reflux to give a clear solution, and then cooled to RT with stirring over 1.5 h. The product began to crystallize. The suspension was stirred in an ice/water bath for 1.5 h, and stored at 0-5 C. for 16 h. The suspension was stirred at 24 C. to 27 C. for 3 h and the product collected by suction filtration on a sintered glass funnel. The product was washed with methanol (at 25 C.) and dried under house vacuum to give the product as the hydrochloride salt: N-(4,5-Dimethyl-3-isoxazolyl)-2-(methylamino)methyl-4-(2-oxazolyl)1,1-biphenyl-2-sulfonamide, monohydrochloride (14.4 g, 85% crystallized yield from N-(4,5-Dimethyl-3-isoxazolyl)-2-formyl-4-(2-oxazolyl)1,1-biphenyl-2-sulfonamide, HPLC area percent 98.8%. The 1H NMR and mass spectra were consistent with the assigned structure. 0272 D. N-2-(4,5-dimethyl-3-isoxazolyl)aminosulfonyl-4-(2-oxazolyl)1,1-biphenyl-2-ylmethyl-N,3,3-trimethylbutanamide 51

0273 A 1-liter round-bottom flask was charged with the amine hydrochloride salt prepared as described above (14.2 g, 29.9 mmol). The flask was equipped with a Claisen head and mechanical stirrer. THF (220 mL), H2O (248 mL) and 1N NaOH (142 mL) were added to the flask. The resulting suspension was stirred at RT until a clear, very pale, yellow homogenous solution was obtained. The reaction mixture was cooled to approximately 5 C. t-Butyl acetyl chloride (4.9 g, 5.1 mL, 35.9 mmol) was added dropwise via an addition funnel over 20 minutes, with vigorous stirring. The reaction mixture was stirred for a total of 1 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated on a rotary evaporator; approximately 195 mL of solvent was removed. The concentrated solution was cooled to 0 C., then acidified by the dropwise addition of 1N HCl (156 mL) over 10 minutes. A white precipitate resulted immediately. 6N HCl (10 mL) was then added to the suspension which was then stirred at 0-5 C. for 1.5 h. The crude product was collected by suction filtration through a sintered glass funnel. The solid was washed with cold water (250 mL) and allowed to dry under house vacuum to give the crude product carboxamide (17.4 g, 107%, HPLC area percent 99%). 0274 The crude solid (16.73 g) was heated in isopropanol (250 mL) at 60 C. and filtered at 50 C. through a small bed of celite on a medium porosity glass frit. The celite was washed with isopropanol (50 mL2) and the solvent removed on a rotary evaporator. The residue was dissolved in warm isopropanol (225 mL) and stirred in a an oil bath with internal temperature at 58-60 C. and warm water (338 mL) was added dropwise maintaining the internal temperature at 58-60 C. The solution was seeded at 58 C., and slowly allowed to cool to RT with stirring over approximately 7 h, allowed to stand at RT overnight and then at 5 C. for 24 h. The solid was collected and rinsed with ice cold 1:1.5 isopropanol:water (30 mL) and air suction dried for 24 h affording 14.87 g, 92% of the product, N-2-(4,5-dimethyl-3-isoxazolyl)aminosulfonyl-4-(2-oxazolyl)1,1-biphenyl-2-ylmethyl-N,3,3-trimethylbutanamide as the monohydrate, HPLC area percent 98.6, mp 116-118 C. The 1H NMR, infrared spectrum and mass spectrum were consistent with the assigned structure. Karl Fischer analysis indicated 3.4% water by weight, indicating a monohydrate. A crystalline anhydrate is obtained by crystallization from an isopropanol/water solvent mixture under similar conditions, mp 156-158 C. A second, different anhydrate is obtained from ethyl acetate/hexanes, mp 166-168 C.