阅读说明：本技术 通过反应性挤出的连续的、无溶剂的且非酶促的肽合成 (Continuous, solvent-free and non-enzymatic peptide synthesis by reactive extrusion ) 是由 伊夫·耶博伊 本杰明·盖拉德 尼古拉斯·勒莫伊格尼 弗雷德里克·拉马蒂 让·马丁内斯 托马 于 2019-02-12 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开涉及一种用于合成式(I)：Ra-POLYPEP-Rc(I)的化合物的连续的、无溶剂的且非酶促的方法,其中,POLYPEP是多氨基酸化合物,Ra和Rc如本公开中所指定,该方法包括以下步骤：a)在没有任何溶剂的情况下,向挤出反应器中加入(1)式(II)：Ra-PEPNt-Rg(II)的化合物,其中,PEPNt是单氨基酸化合物或多氨基酸化合物,Ra和Rg如本公开中所指定,和(2)式(III)：H-PEPCt-Rc(III)的化合物,其中,PEPCt是单氨基酸化合物或多氨基酸化合物,Rc如本公开中所定义,使得式(II)的化合物和式(III)的化合物一起反应以生成式(I)的化合物,和b)从挤出反应器中收集式(I)的化合物。(The present disclosure relates to a process for synthesizing a compound of formula (I): a continuous, solvent-free, and non-enzymatic method of a compound of Ra-polyprope-Rc (i), wherein the polyprope is a polyamino acid compound, Ra and Rc are as specified in the disclosure, comprising the steps of: a) adding to the extrusion reactor, in the absence of any solvent, (1) formula (II): a compound of Ra-PEPNt-Rg (ii), wherein PEPNt is a mono-or polyamino acid compound, Ra and Rg are as specified in the disclosure, and (2) formula (III): a compound of H-PEPCt-Rc (III), wherein PEPCt is a mono-or polyamino acid compound, Rc is as defined in the disclosure, such that the compound of formula (II) and the compound of formula (III) are reacted together to produce the compound of formula (I), and b) collecting the compound of formula (I) from the extrusion reactor.)

1. A continuous, solvent-free and non-enzymatic process for the synthesis of a compound of formula (I):

Ra-POLYPEP-Rc (I)

wherein:

the poly pep is a compound of a poly amino acid,

ra represents an N-protecting group, and Ra represents an N-protecting group,

rc represents-O-Rd, wherein Rd represents a hydrogen atom, a (C1-C24 alkyl) group, a methyl group substituted with one or more phenyl groups, an unsubstituted (C6-C10) aryl group, an O-protecting group or a-NReRf group, wherein the Re group and the Rf group independently of one another represent a hydrogen atom, a (C1-C24) alkyl group, a methyl group substituted with one or more phenyl groups, an unsubstituted (C6-C10 aryl) group or an N-protecting group,

The method comprises the following steps:

a) adding into an extrusion reactor without any solvent

(1) A compound of formula (II)

Ra-PEPNt-Rg (II)

Wherein:

PEPNt is a single amino acid compound or a multi-amino acid compound,

ra is as defined for said compound of formula (I), and

rg is a leaving group, and the structure is shown in the specification,

and

(2) a compound of formula (III)

H-PEPCt-Rc (III)

Wherein:

PEPCt is a mono-or poly-amino acid compound, and

rc is as defined for said compound of formula (I),

reacting together said compound of formula (II) and said compound of formula (III) to produce a compound of formula (I), and

b) collecting the compound of formula (I) from the extrusion reactor.

2. The continuous, solvent-free and non-enzymatic process according to claim 1 for the synthesis of a compound of formula (Γ):

wherein:

m is an integer of 1 or more,

n is an integer of 1 or more,

ra represents an N-protecting group, and Ra represents an N-protecting group,

each Rb1 represents, independently of the others, a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted (C1-C6) alkyl group or a (C1-C6) alkyl group substituted by a group selected from: unsubstituted aryl radicals or aryl radicals substituted by-OH groups, -OH, -COOH, -CONH2, -SH, -S- (C1-C6 alkyl), -NH2, -NH-C (NH) (NH2), -imidazolyl and indolyl,

Rb2 is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or an N-protecting group,

each Rb3 represents, independently of the others, a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted (C1-C6) alkyl group or a (C1-C6) alkyl group substituted by a group selected from: unsubstituted aryl radicals or aryl radicals substituted by-OH groups, -OH, -COOH, -CONH2, -SH, -S- (C1-C6 alkyl), -NH2, -NH-C (NH) (NH2), -imidazolyl and indolyl,

or

Each pair of Rb1 and Rb2, or each pair of Rb3 and Rb2 together with the carbon and nitrogen atoms to which they are attached, form a heterocyclic ring containing at least one nitrogen atom, wherein one pair of Rb1 and Rb2 or one pair of Rb2 and Rb3 is independent of each other pair of Rb1 and Rb2 or each other pair of Rb2 and Rb3,

and

each Rn1 represents, independently of the others, a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted (C1-C6) alkyl group or a (C1-C6) alkyl group substituted by a group selected from: unsubstituted aryl radicals or aryl radicals substituted by-OH groups, -OH, -COOH, -CONH2, -SH, -S- (C1-C6 alkyl), -NH2, -NH-C (NH) (NH2), -imidazolyl and indolyl,

rn2 is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or an aryl group, and

Each Rn3 represents, independently of the others, a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted (C1-C6) alkyl group or a (C1-C6) alkyl group substituted by a group selected from: unsubstituted aryl radicals or aryl radicals substituted by-OH groups, -OH, -COOH, -CONH2, -SH, -S- (C1-C6 alkyl), -NH2, -NH-C (NH) (NH2), -imidazolyl and indolyl,

or

Each pair of Rn1 and Rn2, or each pair of Rn3 and Rn2, together with the carbon and nitrogen atoms to which they are each attached, form a heterocyclic ring containing at least one nitrogen atom, wherein one pair of Rn1 and Rn2 or one pair of Rn3 and Rn2 is independent of each other pair of Rn1 and Rn2 or each other pair of Rn3 and Rn2,

rc represents-O-Rd, wherein Rd represents a hydrogen atom, a (C1-C24 alkyl) group, a methyl group substituted with one or more phenyl groups, an unsubstituted (C6-C10) aryl group, an O-protecting group or a-NReRf group, wherein the Re group and the Rf group independently of one another represent a hydrogen atom, a (C1-C24) alkyl group, a methyl group substituted with one or more phenyl groups, an unsubstituted (C6-C10 aryl) group or an N-protecting group,

the method comprises the following steps:

a) adding into an extrusion reactor without any solvent

(1) A compound of formula (II

Wherein the content of the first and second substances,

m, Ra, Rb1, Rb2 and Rb3 are as defined for the compounds of formula (I'), and

rg is a leaving group, and the structure is shown in the specification,

and

(2) a compound of the following formula (III

Wherein the content of the first and second substances,

n, Rn1, Rn2, Rn3 and Rc are as defined for the compounds of formula (I'),

reacting said compound of formula (II ') and said compound of formula (III ') together to produce a compound of formula (I '), and

b) collecting the compound of formula (I') from the extrusion reactor.

3. The continuous process of claim 2, wherein when Rb1 and Rb2, or Rb2 and Rb3, together with the carbon and nitrogen atoms to which they are each attached, form a heterocyclic ring containing at least one nitrogen atom, the heterocyclic ring is a pyrrolidinyl group.

4. The continuous method of any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein when Rn1 and Rn2, or Rn2 and Rn3, together with the carbon and nitrogen atoms to which they are each attached, form a heterocyclic ring comprising at least one nitrogen atom, the heterocyclic ring is a pyrrolidinyl group.

5. The method of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein Rb1 is selected from the group consisting of: a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, -CH2-CH2-CH2-NH-C (═ NH) NH2, -CH2-C (═ O) -NH2, -CH2-COOH, -CH2-SH, - (CH2)2-C (═ O) -NH2, - (CH2)2-COOH, -CH 2-imidazolyl, -CH (CH3) -CH2-CH3, -CH2-CH (CH3)2, - (CH2)4-NH2, -CH2-CH2-S-CH3, -CH 2-phenyl, -CH2OH, -CH OH) -CH3, -CH 2-indolyl, -CH 2-phenyl-OH, and an isopropyl group [ Val ], Rb3 is a hydrogen atom, and Rb2 is a hydrogen atom.

6. The method of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein Rn1 is selected from the group consisting of: a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, -CH2-CH2-CH2-NH-C (═ NH) NH2, -CH2-C (═ O) -NH2, -CH2-COOH, -CH2-SH, - (CH2)2-C (═ O) -NH2, - (CH2)2-COOH, -CH 2-imidazolyl, -CH (CH3) -CH2-CH3, -CH2-CH (CH3)2, - (CH2)4-NH2, -CH2-CH2-S-CH3, -CH 2-phenyl, -CH2OH, -CH OH) -CH3, -CH 2-indolyl, -CH 2-phenyl-OH, and an isopropyl group [ Val ], Rn3 is a hydrogen atom, and Rn2 is a hydrogen atom.

7. Process according to any one of claims 2 to 6, in which the functional groups NH2, NH, COOH, CONH2, OH, SH of the Rb1 group of the compound of formula (I) or of the compound of formula (II) and of the Rn1 group of the compound of formula (I) or of the compound of formula (III), NH2, NH, COOH, CONH2, OH, SH are protected by one or more identical or different N-, O-or S-protecting groups.

8. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the group-C (O) -Rg of the compound of formula (II) is selected from the group consisting of: n-substituted carbamates, pentafluorophenyl hydroxylates, succinimidyl N-hydroxylates, imidazolates, benzimidazolates, benzotriazoles N-hydroxylates, azabenzotriazoles N-hydroxylates, pyrimidine hydroxylates, triazine hydroxylates, p-nitrophenyl hydroxylates, hydroxamates (for example:

9. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein step a) comprises adding a base.

10. The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the extrusion reactor is selected from a single screw extrusion reactor and a twin screw extrusion reactor.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein step a) is carried out by maintaining the reactants at a constant selected temperature.

12. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein step a) is carried out at a temperature of from 30 ℃ to 100 ℃.

13. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein step a) is carried out at a temperature of from 35 ℃ to 70 ℃.

14. The method of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the base is selected from the group consisting of mineral bases or organic bases.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the base is a carbonate salt, and the carbonate salt is selected from the group consisting of: sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, cesium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, and cesium carbonate.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein, in the compound of formula (I) or the compound of formula (II), Ra are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of: t-butyloxycarbonyl, 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl, benzyloxycarbonyl and nitro-veratryloxycarbonyl.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein in the compound of formula (I) or the compound of formula (I '), or the compound of formula (III) or the compound of formula (III'), Re and Rf are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, (C1-C24) alkyl groups, methyl groups substituted with one or more phenyl groups, unsubstituted (C6-C10 aryl) groups, or N-protecting groups.

18. The method of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein m is an integer from 1 to 100, such as from 1 to 50.

19. The method of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein n is an integer from 1 to 100, such as from 1 to 50.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of peptide synthesis.

Background

Generally, peptides are used in various industrial fields including food industry, diagnostic industry, cosmetic industry and therapeutic industry Has high usefulness. Therapeutic peptides exhibit a wide range of beneficial characteristics, making them one of the most promising active pharmaceutical ingredients (k.fosgerau, t.hoffmann, Drug discov.today 2015,20, 122; j.l.lau, m.k.dunn, bio rg.med.chem.2017, DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2017.06.052.). In fact, they are biologically active at very low doses, have high selectivity, are well tolerated and are biodegradable to non-toxic amino acids. However, the industrial production of peptides is carried out in solution, or by Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis (SPPS), and suffers from the large number of toxic organic solvents required in the synthesis and purification steps (Bray, Nature Rev. drug Discovery. 2003,2,587; A.M.Thiyer, chem.Eng. News 2011,89, 21; Mergler et al, Chimia 2013,67, 874; Werbitzky et al, RSCDug Discovery Ser.2015,42,290; Patel, chem.Eng. News 2017,95, 27). Despite the high concern of environmental issues, polar aprotic solvents such as DMF, DCM, THF and 1, 4-dioxane are often used (DMF is listed as being reproductive toxic according to regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008, whereas DCM, THF and 1, 4-dioxane are listed as being toxic and/or carcinogenic (category 2)). Under the pressure of REACH implementation, the pharmaceutical industry needs alternatives to these solvents (Patel, chem.eng.news 2017,95, 27; d.j.c.constable, p.j.dunn, j.d.hayler, g.r.hummphrey, j.j.l.leizer, r.j.linderman, k.lorenz, j.manley, b.a.pearlman, a.wells, a.zaks, t.y.zhang, Green chem.2007,9,411). The development of industrial peptide production has also been hampered by the conventional discontinuous batch production mode and limitations associated with the generally low solubility of peptides. In practice, peptide Synthesis is carried out without forcing The use of solvents, as long as The reactants are ground and mixed together by The application of mechanical force (James et al, chem. Soc. Rev.2012,41,413; M tro et al, in Ball Milling Towards Green Synthesis: Applications, Projects, Challenges (ed.: A. Stolle, B.Ranu.), The Royal Society of Chemistry,2015, page 114). Indeed, the lamay group described in 2009 alpha-amino acid N-carboxy anhydrides (UNCA), alpha-amino ester salts and NaHCO protected by ethyl carbamate in a ball mill ₃Various dipeptides, including the sweetener aspartame, were synthesized solvent-free by co-milling (Declerck et al, angelw. chem. int. ed.2009,48,9318). Based on this new paradigm, the collarOther developments in domains allow the production of various peptides, such as the pentapeptide leucine-enkephalin (Hern-ndez et al, j.org.chem.2010,75,7107;et al, chem.commun.2012,48,12100; duangkamol et al, RSC adv.2015,5,52624; port et al, eur.j.org.chem.2016, 3505; landeros et al, eur.j.org.chem.2017, 687; gonnet et al ACS susteable chem.eng.2017,5,2936; hern-lndez et al, greenchem.2017,19,2620; maurin et al, Beilstein j.org.chem.2017,13,2087; petry et al, Beilstein j. org. chem.2017,13,2169). Although it is best to be able to produce more than 4g of dipeptide, these methods are limited to discrete batch and laboratory scale production, thereby preventing widespread use of these methods in the peptide industry. Recently, the possibility of synthesizing high oligopeptides (homo-oligo-peptides) by enzymatic polymerization using reactive extrusion of alpha-L-amino acid ester hydrochloride has been described (Ardila-Fierro et al, Green chem.2018, DOI:10.1039/C7GC 03205F). However, this method does not allow any possibility of fine control of the diversity of the α -L-amino acid sequence of the peptide, since the polymerization is based on a single α -L-amino acid ester monomer. In addition, this study does not demonstrate the stereoselectivity of peptide coupling. Furthermore, the use of this enzyme has previously been shown to be ineffective for coupling to alpha-D-amino acid residues (Hern a ndez, J.G. et al, Green chem.2017,19, 2620-2625). Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for improved peptide synthesis methods, including methods related to solvent-free peptide synthesis that allow for the production of higher amounts of peptides compared to known solvent-free methods.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to a continuous, solvent-free and non-enzymatic process for the synthesis of a compound of formula (I):

Ra-POLYPEP-Rc (I)

wherein:

the poly pep is a compound of a poly amino acid,

ra represents an N-protecting group;

rc represents-O-Rd, wherein Rd represents a hydrogen atom, a (C1-C24 alkyl) group, a methyl group substituted with one or more phenyl groups, an unsubstituted (C6-C10) aryl group, an O-protecting group or a-NReRf group, wherein Re and Rf groups independently of one another represent a hydrogen atom, a (C1-C24) alkyl group, a methyl group substituted with one or more phenyl groups, an unsubstituted (C6-C10 aryl) group or an N-protecting group,

the method comprises the following steps:

a) adding into an extrusion reactor without any solvent

(1) A compound of formula (II)

Ra-PEPNt-Rg (II)

Wherein:

PEPNt is a single amino acid compound or a multi-amino acid compound,

ra is as defined for a compound of formula (I), and

rg is a leaving group, and the structure is shown in the specification,

and

(2) a compound of formula (III)

H-PEPCt-Rc (III)

Wherein:

PEPCt is a mono-or poly-amino acid compound, and

rc is as defined for the compounds of formula (I),

reacting together a compound of formula (II) and a compound of formula (III) to produce a compound of formula (I), and

b) Collecting the compound of formula (I) from the extrusion reactor.

In some embodiments of the disclosed methods, compound (II) Ra-PEPNt-Rg is comprised of a compound of formula (II'):

wherein the meaning of each of the groups Ra, Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, and Rg are further specified in the disclosure.

In some embodiments of the disclosed methods, compound (III), H-PEPCt-Rc, is comprised of a compound of formula (III'):

wherein the meaning of each of the groups Rn1, Rn2, Rn3, and Rc is further specified in the disclosure.

In some embodiments, each Rb1 group, independently of the others, represents a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted (C1-C6) alkyl group or a (C1-C6) alkyl group substituted with a group selected from: unsubstituted aryl radicals or aryl radicals substituted by-OH groups, -OH, -COOH, -CONH2, -SH, -S- (C1-C6 alkyl), -NH2, -NH-C (NH) (NH2), -imidazolyl and indolyl,

in some embodiments, each Rb3 group, independently of the others, represents a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted (C1-C6) alkyl group or a (C1-C6) alkyl group substituted with a group selected from: unsubstituted aryl radicals or aryl radicals substituted by-OH groups, -OH, -COOH, -CONH2, -SH, -S- (C1-C6 alkyl), -NH2, -NH-C (NH) (NH2), -imidazolyl and indolyl,

In some embodiments, each pair of Rb1 and Rb2, or each pair of Rb3 and Rb2 (one pair of Rb1 and Rb2 or one pair of Rb2 and Rb3 independently of each other pair of Rb1 and Rb2 or each other pair of Rb2 and Rb3) forms, together with the carbon and nitrogen atoms to which they are each attached, a heterocyclic ring containing at least one nitrogen atom.

In some embodiments, each Rn1 represents, independently of the others, a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted (C1-C6) alkyl group, or a (C1-C6) alkyl group substituted with a group selected from: unsubstituted aryl radicals or aryl radicals substituted by-OH groups, -OH, -COOH, -CONH2, -SH, -S- (C1-C6 alkyl), -NH2, -NH-C (NH) (NH2), -imidazolyl and indolyl,

in some embodiments, each Rn3 represents, independently of the others, a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted (C1-C6) alkyl group, or a (C1-C6) alkyl group substituted with a group selected from: unsubstituted aryl radicals or aryl radicals substituted by-OH groups, -OH, -COOH, -CONH2, -SH, -S- (C1-C6 alkyl), -NH2, -NH-C (NH) (NH2), -imidazolyl and indolyl,

in some embodiments, each pair of Rn1 and Rn2, or each pair of Rn3 and Rn2 (one pair of Rn1 and Rn2 or one pair of Rn3 and Rn2, independently of each other pair of Rn1 and Rn2 or each other pair of Rn3 and Rn2) forms, with the carbon and nitrogen atoms to which they are each attached, a heterocyclic ring containing at least one nitrogen atom.

In some embodiments of the method, step a) comprises adding a base, for example a base selected from the group consisting of mineral bases or organic bases.

In some embodiments of the method, the extrusion reactor is selected from the group consisting of a single screw extrusion reactor and a twin screw extrusion reactor.

In some embodiments of the method, step a) is carried out by maintaining the reactants at a constant selected temperature, for example at a temperature of from 30 ℃ to 100 ℃, including at a temperature of from 35 ℃ to 70 ℃.

Detailed Description

The inventors conceived a method for peptide synthesis that allows the synthesis of peptides in a continuous, solvent-free and non-enzymatic manner, allowing the production of the desired peptide in industrially satisfactory quantities.

Furthermore, the process conceived by the inventors allows the production of the desired peptide in high yields and high purity, and which (i) fully meets the requirements for low environmental impact in view of the low content of liquid additives and unreacted products and (ii) fully meets economic benefits in view of the high product yields achieved.

The present invention relates to a continuous, solvent-free and non-enzymatic process for the synthesis of a compound of formula (I):

Ra-POLYPEP-Rc (I)

wherein:

the poly pep is a compound of a poly amino acid,

Ra represents an N-protecting group;

rc represents-O-Rd, wherein Rd represents a hydrogen atom, a (C1-C24 alkyl) group, a methyl group substituted with one or more phenyl groups, an unsubstituted (C6-C10) aryl group, an O-protecting group or a-NReRf group, wherein Re and Rf groups independently of one another represent a hydrogen atom, a (C1-C24) alkyl group, a methyl group substituted with one or more phenyl groups, an unsubstituted (C6-C10 aryl) group or an N-protecting group,

the method comprises the following steps:

a) adding into an extrusion reactor without any solvent

(1) A compound of formula (II)

Ra-PEPNt-Rg (II)

Wherein:

PEPNt is a single amino acid compound or a multi-amino acid compound,

ra is as defined for a compound of formula (I), and

rg is a leaving group, and the structure is shown in the specification,

and

(2) a compound of formula (III)

H-PEPCt-Rc (III)

Wherein:

PEPCt is a mono-or poly-amino acid compound, and

rc is as defined for the compounds of formula (I),

reacting together a compound of formula (II) and a compound of formula (III) to produce a compound of formula (I), and

b) collecting the compound of formula (I) from the extrusion reactor.

The terms "compound of formula (X)" and "compound (X)" (e.g. "compound of formula (I)" and "compound (I)") are used interchangeably herein.

The terms "amino acid" and "aminoacyl" are used interchangeably herein. In the conventional use of these terms, "amino acid" encompasses a residue that is not attached to another residue, while "aminoacyl" encompasses an amino acid residue that is considered a chemical group that is attached to another chemical group (e.g., another aminoacyl residue).

As used herein, in embodiments where PEPNt is a single amino acid compound, the group Ra is attached to the nitrogen atom of the central amino group of the amino acid and the group Rg is attached to the carbon atom of the central carbonyl group of the amino acid.

As used herein, in embodiments where PEPNt is a polyamino acid compound, group Ra is attached to the nitrogen atom of the central amino group of the amino acid located at the N-terminus of the polyamino acid compound and group Rg is attached to the carbon atom of the central acyl group of the amino acid located at the C-terminus of the polyamino acid compound.

As used herein, the "central" amino group of a given amino acid compound consists of the amino group that would be involved in a peptide bond if the given amino acid compound were bound to another amino acid compound.

As used herein, the "central" carbonyl group or acyl group of a given amino acid compound consists of the carbonyl group or acyl group that would be involved in a peptide bond if the given amino acid compound were bound to another amino acid compound.

As used herein, in embodiments where the PEPCt is a single amino acid compound, the hydrogen atom denoted "H" is attached to the nitrogen atom of the central amino group of the amino acid and the group Rc is attached to the carbon atom of the carbonyl group of the amino acid.

As used herein, in embodiments where the PEPCt is a polyamino acid compound, the hydrogen atom denoted as "H" is attached to the nitrogen atom of the central amino group of the amino acid located at the N-terminus of the polyamino acid compound and the group Rc is attached to the carbon atom of the central carbonyl group of the amino acid located at the C-terminus of the polyamino acid compound.

As used herein, a poiypep is a polyamino acid compound wherein the group Ra is attached to the nitrogen atom of the amino group of the amino acid located at the N-terminus of the polyamino acid compound and the group Rg is attached to the carbon atom of the acyl group of the amino acid located at the C-terminus of the polyamino acid compound.

As used herein, an "amino acid" consists, in its most general definition, of a compound comprising a functional primary or secondary amino group and a functional carboxyl group. Illustratively, all natural amino acids contain a functional primary amino group, except proline, which contains a functional secondary amino group.

By definition, when step a) of the process comprises reacting a compound of formula (II) comprising a number of "m" amino acids with a compound of formula (III) comprising a number of "n" amino acids, the resulting compound of formula (I) comprises a number of "m" + "n" amino acids.

As will be described in detail elsewhere in this disclosure, regardless of the size of each of compound (II) and compound (III), there is no strict limit on the number of amino acids contained in the compound of formula (II) or the compound of formula (III) due to the same unique reaction steps being performed.

In some embodiments of the method, each of PEPNt and PEPCt exclusively comprises an aminoacyl residue linked by a conventional aa1-C (═ O) -NH-aa 2-amide peptide bond, wherein each of aa1 and aa2 represents an aminoacyl residue.

In some other embodiments, one or both of PEPNt and PEPCt comprises one or more residues joined by a non-conventional peptide bond, such as aa1-C (═ O) -O-aa2, where aa1 represents an aminoacyl residue and aa2 represents a non-conventional aminoacyl residue in which a functional amino group is not present. According to these embodiments, at least one conventional amide peptide bond attached to a residue is replaced with an ester bond. Peptides in which two residues are bound by such an unconventional ester bond are well known in the art and are commonly referred to as "depsipeptides".

Typically, compound (II) and compound (III) comprise predominantly an alpha aminoacyl residue, i.e., an aminoacyl residue wherein a functional amino group is attached to the carbon atom alpha to its carboxyl group. Illustratively, each of the 20 natural amino acids is composed of alpha amino acids.

In some embodiments, one of compound (II) or compound (III), or both compound (II) and compound (III), comprises one or more β aminoacyl residues. A β aminoacyl residue, wherein a functional amino group is attached to the carbon atom that is beta to its carboxyl group. The well known beta amino acid is beta alanine.

In some embodiments, one of compound (II) or compound (III), or both compound (II) and compound (III), comprises one or more gammahinyl residues. A gamma aminoacyl residue wherein a functional amino group is attached to the carbon atom gamma to its carboxyl group. The well known gamma amino acid is gamma aminobutyric acid.

In some embodiments wherein compound (II), compound (III), or both compound (II) and compound (III) consist of polyamino acid compounds, one of compound (II) or compound (III), or both compound (II) and compound (III), comprises a pseudopeptide, with the proviso that:

-for compound (II), Ra is linked to the nitrogen atom of the central amino group of the aminoacyl residue located at the N-terminus of compound (II), the group Rg is linked to the carbon atom of the central carbonyl group of the amino acid located at the C-terminus of compound (II); and

-for compound (III), the hydrogen atom denoted "H" is attached to the nitrogen atom of the central amino group of the amino acid located at the N-terminal group of compound (III), and Rc is attached to the carbon atom of the central carbonyl group of the amino acid located at the C-terminus of compound (III).

As used herein, a "pseudopeptide" is comprised of a compound comprising a chemical chain, most preferably an optionally substituted hydrocarbon chain, which compound does not exclusively comprise an aminoacyl residue, wherein said compound (i) comprises a functional amino group at one end of said chemical chain, which end may be referred to herein as the "N-terminus", and (ii) comprises a functional carboxyl group at the other end of the chemical chain, which other end may be referred to herein as the "C-terminus".

In some embodiments, compound (II) comprises 1 to 500 amino acid residues, for example 1 to 100 amino acid residues, including 1 to 50 amino acid residues.

In some embodiments, compound (III) comprises 1 to 500 amino acid residues, for example 1 to 100 amino acid residues, including 1 to 50 amino acid residues.

As already mentioned herein before, both compound (II) and compound (III) may exclusively comprise aminoacyl residues linked to each other by conventional amide peptide bonds.

In some embodiments of the disclosed methods, compound (II) Ra-PEPNt-Rg is comprised of a compound of formula (II'):

wherein the meaning of each of the groups Ra, Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, and Rg are further specified in the disclosure.

In some embodiments of the disclosed methods, compound (III), H-PEPCt-Rc, is comprised of a compound of formula (III'):

wherein the meanings of the groups Rn1, Rn2, Rn3 and Rc are further specified in the disclosure.

These particular embodiments of the disclosed process allow to obtain the compounds of formula (I'), as detailed below.

The invention therefore also relates to a continuous, solvent-free and non-enzymatic process for the synthesis of compounds of formula (I').

Wherein:

m is an integer of 1 or more,

n is an integer of 1 or more,

ra represents an N-protecting group;

each Rb1 represents, independently of the others, a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted (C1-C6) alkyl group or a (C1-C6) alkyl group substituted by a group selected from: unsubstituted aryl radicals or aryl radicals substituted by-OH groups, -OH, -COOH, -CONH2, -SH, -S- (C1-C6 alkyl), -NH2, -NH-C (NH) (NH2), -imidazolyl and indolyl,

Rb2 is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or an N-protecting group,

each Rb3 represents, independently of the others, a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted (C1-C6) alkyl group or a (C1-C6) alkyl group substituted by a group selected from: unsubstituted aryl radicals or aryl radicals substituted by-OH groups, -OH, -COOH, -CONH2, -SH, -S- (C1-C6 alkyl), -NH2, -NH-C (NH) (NH2), -imidazolyl and indolyl,

or

Each pair of Rb1 and Rb2, or each pair of Rb3 and Rb2 (one pair of Rb1 and Rb2 or one pair of Rb2 and Rb3 independently of each other pair of Rb1 and Rb2 or each other pair of Rb2 and Rb3) forms, together with the carbon and nitrogen atoms to which they are respectively attached, a heterocyclic ring containing at least one nitrogen atom,

and

each Rn1 represents, independently of the others, a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted (C1-C6) alkyl group or a (C1-C6) alkyl group substituted by a group selected from: unsubstituted aryl radicals or aryl radicals substituted by-OH groups, -OH, -COOH, -CONH2, -SH, -S- (C1-C6 alkyl), -NH2, -NH-C (NH) (NH2), -imidazolyl and indolyl,

rn2 is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or an aryl group, and

Each Rn3 represents, independently of the others, a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted (C1-C6) alkyl group or a (C1-C6) alkyl group substituted by a group selected from: unsubstituted aryl radicals or aryl radicals substituted by-OH groups, -OH, -COOH, -CONH2, -SH, -S- (C1-C6 alkyl), -NH2, -NH-C (NH) (NH2), -imidazolyl and indolyl,

or

Each pair of Rn1 and Rn2, or each pair of Rn3 and Rn2 (one pair of Rn1 and Rn2 or one pair of Rn3 and Rn2) forms, together with the carbon atom and nitrogen atom to which they are each attached, a heterocyclic ring containing at least one nitrogen atom independently of each other pair of Rn1 and Rn2 or each other pair of Rn3 and Rn2,

rc represents-O-Rd, wherein Rd represents a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted (C1-C24 alkyl) group, a methyl group substituted with one or more phenyl groups, an unsubstituted (C6-C10) aryl group, or an O-protecting group or an-NReRf group, wherein Re and Rf groups independently of one another represent a hydrogen atom, a (C1-C24) alkyl group, a methyl group substituted with one or more phenyl groups, an unsubstituted (C6-C10 aryl) group or an N-protecting group,

the method comprises the following steps:

a) adding into an extrusion reactor without any solvent

(1) A compound of formula (II

Wherein

m, Ra, Rb1, Rb2 and Rb3 are as defined for the compounds of formula (I'), and

rg is a leaving group, and the structure is shown in the specification,

and

(2) a compound of the following formula (III

Wherein

n, Rn1, Rn2, Rn3 and Rc are as defined for the compounds of formula (I'),

reacting together a compound of formula (II ') and a compound of formula (III ') to produce a compound of formula (I '), and

b) collecting the compound of formula (I') from the extrusion reactor.

In some embodiments, the compound of formula (I) or the compound of formula (Γ) encompasses pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

In the sense of the present invention, the term "(C1-C24) alkyl group" refers to any linear or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, in particular a methyl group, an ethyl group, a n-propyl group, an isopropyl group, a n-butyl group, an isobutyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a n-pentyl group, a n-hexyl group. Advantageously, it is a methyl group or a tert-butyl group.

Unless otherwise specified, "aryl" refers to an aromatic monocyclic hydrocarbon ring system or an aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbon ring system having 6 to 14 carbon atoms, preferably having 6 to 10 carbon atoms. Exemplary aryl groups include phenyl or naphthyl. Illustratively, the (C6) aryl group is phenyl.

In the sense of the present invention, the term "N-protecting group" means any substituent which protects the NH2 group from undesired reactions, such as the N-protecting Groups described In Greene, "Protective Groups In Organic Synthesis", (John Wiley & Sons, New York (1981)) and Harrison et al, "Compendium of Synthetic Organic Methods", Vol.1 to Vol.8 (J.Wiley & Sons, 1971-1996). N-protecting groups include carbamates, amides, N-alkylated derivatives, aminoacetal derivatives, N-benzylated derivatives, imine derivatives, enamine derivatives and N-heteroatom derivatives. Specifically, the N-protecting group includes formyl, acetyl, benzoyl, pivaloyl, benzenesulfonyl, benzyl (Bn), tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc), benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz), p-methoxybenzyloxycarbonyl, p-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl, trichloroethoxycarbonyl (Troc), allyloxycarbonyl (Alloc), 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc), trifluoroacetyl, benzyl carbamate (substituted or unsubstituted), and the like. The use of Boc or Cbz as N-protecting group is advantageous because of the relative ease of removal, for example with mild acid (e.g. trifluoroacetic acid in ethyl acetate, or hydrochloric acid) in the case of Boc, or by catalytic hydrogenation in the case of Cbz. Advantageously, the N-protecting group is a Boc group.

In the sense of the present invention, the term "O-protecting group" means any substituent which protects a hydroxyl group or a carboxyl group, i.e.a reactive oxygen atom, from undesired reactions, such as the O-protecting Groups described in Greene, "Protective Groups Organic Synthesis", (John Wiley & Sons, New York (1981)), and Harrison et al, "Compound of synthetic Organic Methods", Vol.1 to Vol.8 (J.Wiley & Sons, 1971-1996). O-protecting groups include substituted or unsubstituted methyl or alkyl ethers (e.g., methoxymethyl, benzyloxymethyl, 2-methoxyethoxymethyl, 2- (trimethylsilyl) ethoxymethyl, t-butyl, benzyl, and triphenylmethyl), benzyl ethers (substituted or unsubstituted), tetrahydropyranyl ethers, allyl ethers, substituted ethyl ethers (e.g., 2,2, 2-trichloroethyl ether), silyl ethers or alkyl silyl ethers (e.g., trimethylsilyl ether, t-butyldimethylsilyl ether, and t-butyldiphenylsilyl ether), heterocyclic ethers; and esters (e.g., tert-butyl, benzyl or methyl esters), carbonates (especially benzyl or haloalkyl carbonates), acetates, propionates, benzoates, and the like, prepared by reacting a hydroxyl group with a carboxylic acid. Advantageously, the O-protecting group is a benzyl group.

Subsequently, the compound of formula (I') can be deprotected to obtain a peptide in which the-OH, -NH2, -SH, -NH, -CONH2 and-COOH functions are unprotected.

In the sense of the present invention, the term "leaving group" means any chemical group which allows the group-c (o) -Rg of the compound of formula (II ') to react with the group NH-Rn2 of the compound of formula (III'). Thus, a leaving group encompasses any leaving group that is well known to those skilled in the art and that is used in coupling reactions between two amino acid residues in known chemicals for peptide synthesis. The leaving group may, for example, be selected from the group consisting of N-substituted carbamates, pentafluorophenyl hydroxylates and succinimidyl N-hydroxylates. Leaving groups encompass those leaving groups selected from the group consisting of: imidazoates (imidazolates), benzimidazolates (benzamidazolates), benzotriazole N-hydroxylates, azabenzotriazole N-hydroxylates, pyrimidine hydroxylates, triazine hydroxylates, p-nitrophenylhydroxylates and oximatotes (oximates) (e.g. imidazoates)). Leaving groups also encompass those selected from the group of halides (e.g., fluoride, bromide, and chloride). Leaving groups also encompass groups selected from carboxylic acid esters and carbonic acid Those of the group of esters. The person skilled in the art can find the leaving groups encompassed herein in the following publications: El-Faham et al, (2011, Chemical reviews, volume 111 (11): 6557-.

By "paired" groups (Rb1 and Rb2, Rb3 and Rb2, Rn1 and Rn2, or Rn3 and Rn2) is meant herein that the two groups that are paired are part of the same monomeric unit of compound (I '), compound (II '), or compound (III '), and wherein the first group in the paired group (one of the first groups Rb1, Rb3, Rn1, Rn 3) is attached to the carbon atom adjacent to the nitrogen atom to which the second group of the paired group is attached.

Thus, the compound of formula (I') is formed from m units comprising the group Rb1, the group Rb2 and the group Rb3 and n units comprising the group Rn1, the group Rn2 and the group Rn 3. Each unit comprising the group Rb1, the group Rb2, and the group Rb3 may be referred to herein as an amino acid residue, although the more precise term aminoacyl group may also be used. Each unit comprising the group Rn1, the group Rn2, and the group Rn3 may be referred to herein as an amino acid residue, although the more precise term aminoacyl group may also be used.

Thus, a compound of formula (I') comprising a number of "m + n" amino acid residues may be referred to herein as a peptide.

As will be described in more detail elsewhere in this specification, some combinations of the meanings of Rb1, Rb2, and Rb3 define units consisting of natural amino acids (i.e., natural aminoacyl groups). Likewise, some combinations of the meanings of Rn1, Rn2, and Rn3 define units consisting of natural amino acids (i.e., natural aminoacyl groups).

The continuous peptide synthesis methods described herein include solvent-free and non-enzymatic synthesis by reactive extrusion.

As will be described in the present application, the continuous peptide synthesis process herein is a non-enzymatic process of peptide synthesis, which means that the process is carried out in the absence of any added enzyme. The process herein is a purely chemical process for solvent-free peptide synthesis.

The compound of formula (I') comprises m + n monomer units which form the polymer chain of these m + n units.

As used herein, a compound of formula (I ') may be referred to as a peptide (i.e., a peptide of formula (I'), wherein the number m of monomeric units contributed by compound (II ') is located at the "N-terminus" of the peptide, and wherein the number N of monomeric units contributed by compound (III') is located at the "C-terminus" of the peptide, with reference to the nomenclature commonly used with respect to conventional peptides (e.g., natural peptides).

Furthermore, the sequential peptide synthesis method described herein allows to obtain compounds of formula (I') comprising different monomeric units, since (I) the groups Rb1, Rb2 and Rb3 of a first given monomeric unit may be different from (ii) the groups Rb1, Rb2 and Rb3 of a second given monomeric unit. Similarly, (i) the groups Rn1, Rn2, and Rn3 of the first given monomeric unit may be different from (ii) the groups Rn1, Rn2, and Rn3 of the second given monomeric unit. Still similarly, (i) the groups Rb1, Rb2, and Rb3 of the first given monomeric unit may be different from (ii) the groups Rn1, Rn2, and Rn3 of the second given monomeric unit.

In other words, the compounds of formula (I), including compounds of formula (I'), are not limited to homopolymers of m + n monomeric units, and thus heteropolymers of m + n monomeric units, wherein at least two of the monomeric units included herein are different from each other, according to the sequential peptide synthesis methods described herein.

Thus, in some embodiments in which the units comprised in the compounds of formula (I), including compounds of formula (I'), consist of natural amino acid residues, the sequential synthetic methods described herein allow for peptides having a defined amino acid sequence, e.g., peptides having therapeutic usefulness.

Furthermore, in some embodiments of compound (I) that encompass compound (I'), it is expressly excluded that all monomeric units comprised therein are identical. In other words, according to these embodiments of compound (I) or compound (I '), said compound (I) or compound (I') does not consist of a homopolymer compound, for example of a homopolymer of a given amino acid residue (for example a polyamino acid peptide).

As directly derived from the disclosure, the continuous peptide synthesis process herein allows complete control of the sequence of the unit chain comprised in compound (I) or compound (I'). In other words, in illustrative embodiments in which the monomer units consist of natural amino acids, the continuous peptide synthesis methods herein allow complete control of the amino acid sequence of the resulting peptide of formula (I) or formula (Γ).

Surprisingly, the inventors have shown that compounds of formula (I) or (I ') can be synthesized by contacting in an extrusion reactor (I) an activated first amino acid or an activated first peptide of formula (II) or (II) a reactive second amino acid or a reactive second peptide of formula (III) or (III') in the absence of any solvent.

Surprisingly, the inventors have also shown that compounds of formula (I) or (I ') can be synthesized by contacting (I) an activated first amino acid or an activated first peptide of formula (II) or (II ') with (II) a reactive second amino acid or a reactive second peptide of formula (III) or (III ') and (III) a base in an extrusion reactor in the absence of any solvent.

In some preferred embodiments, both (I) the first amino acid or first peptide of formula (II) or formula (II ') to be added and (II) the second amino acid or the second peptide of formula (III) or formula (III ') (which are reacted together to form the compound of formula (I) or formula (I ')) are provided in solid form, typically in solid form, preferably in powder form. According to these preferred embodiments of the process, step a) further comprises adding a liquid additive to reduce the viscosity of the compound (II) or the mixture of compound (II ') and compound (III) or compound (III'), thereby improving the mixing of compound (II) or compound (II ') with compound (III) or compound (III').

In some other preferred embodiments, one of compound (II) (or compound (II ')) or compound (III) (or compound (III')) is in liquid form. Illustratively, one of compound (II) (or compound (II ')) or compound (III) (or compound (III')) consists of a solution of the compound. According to these other embodiments, step a) of the continuous synthesis process is carried out without the need to add liquid additives, since the appropriate viscosity of the reaction mixture has been reached by the liquid additives contained in the solution of compound (II) (or compound (II ')) or compound (III) (or compound (III')).

The successful and complete reaction between the two main reactants is all the more surprising, since the shear forces generated in the extrusion reactor only allow a homogeneous mixing of the two main reactants, without significantly reducing the powder particle size and therefore without substantially increasing the active surface, in contrast to the grinding forces applied in other types of reactors, such as ball milling devices. Moreover, the successful and complete reaction between compound (II) or compound (II ') and compound (III) or compound (III') is more surprising, since it is known that the mechanical forces applied to the reaction mixture in the extruder have completely different properties and have a much lower strength than the forces applied in other types of reactors, in particular compared to the forces applied in ball milling devices.

In some preferred embodiments of the continuous synthetic methods herein, step a) is performed in the absence of added base, as shown in some embodiments.

In some preferred embodiments of the continuous synthesis methods herein, step a) comprises adding a base, as shown in other examples.

In some other preferred embodiments of the method (especially embodiments wherein compound (III) or compound (III') is in the form of a salt), said salt may be selected from the group comprising: hydrochloride, hydrobromide, acetate, trifluoroacetate, fumarate, alkylsulphonate, arylsulphonate or diphenylsulphonamide salts (dibenzylethanesulfonamamidatalt).

The successful and complete reaction obtained with the continuous process herein means, unexpectedly, that the use of an extrusion reactor apparatus allows for simultaneous contact of the three reagents required for reaction completion, namely (1) the compound of formula (II) or (II ') and (2) the compound of formula (III) or (III'), or alternatively (1) the compound of formula (II) or (II ') and (2) the compound of formula (III) or (III') and (3) the base. Thus, unexpectedly, the continuous process herein allows for high yields of peptide synthesis when the three desired reagents for forming the initial reaction mixture are added simultaneously or nearly simultaneously.

Although reactive extrusion has been widely used in the food and plastics industries and is also of interest in the pharmaceutical industry, the production of high value-added chemicals by reactive extrusion is rare (Jimenez-Gonz a lez et al, Org. Process Res. Dev.2011,15, 900; Dhumal et al, pharm. Res.2010,27,2725; Medina et al, J. pharm. Sci.2010,99,1693; Daurio et al, Farady Discuss.2014,170, 235; Crawford et al, chem. Sci.2015,6,1645; Crawford et al, chem. Commun.2016,52,4215; Karak et al, J.Am. chem. Soc.2017,139, 1856; Crawford et al, Chewram.2017, Dev.20178, Israem 2017, 2012017, Clinton.0327, Cl20, Farady Discus.2014.35; Cherak et al, J.35, Chewedry 368, Clinton.7, Clinton.8, Cwo 7, 358, Czoc.367, Clinton.8, and 367, and No. 7). The first example reported in the literature describes the formation of organic co-crystals. Later, reactive extrusion was used to synthesize Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs), eutectic solvents (DES), Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs), and α, β -unsaturated carbonyl compounds and imines by condensation reactions. NaBH by reactive extrusion has also been described ₄To reduce the aldehyde. Recently, the possibility of synthesizing high oligopeptides by reactive extrusion, by enzymatic polymerization of alpha-L-amino acid ester hydrochloride, has been described (Ardila-Fierro et al, Green chem.2018, DOI:10.1039/C7GC 03205F). However, this method does not allow any possibility of fine control of the diversity of the α -L-amino acid sequence of the peptide, since the polymerization is based on a single α -L-amino acid ester monomer. In addition, this study does not demonstrate the stereoselectivity of peptide coupling. Furthermore, the use of this enzyme has previously been shown to be ineffective for coupling to alpha-D-amino acid residues (Hern a ndez, J.G. et al, Green chem.2017,19, 2620-2625). It is well known to those skilled in the art that enzyme-catalyzed peptide coupling is ineffective for coupling alpha-D-amino acid residues, while chemical methods are equally effective for coupling L-amino acid residues and D-amino acid residues.

According to the inventors' knowledge, a non-enzymatic peptide synthesis process using an extrusion reactor is described herein for the first time. This method enables fine control of the diversity of the alpha-amino acid sequence of the peptides sought to be synthesized.

The continuous and solvent-free peptide synthesis process described herein allows for complete conversion of the reactants to the desired peptide.

As shown in the examples, the continuous synthetic methods described herein overcome the major obstacles to industrial peptide production.

The extruder consists of a barrel comprising one or two rotating screws, and is capable of efficiently transporting and mixing materials by compressive and shear forces. It is worth noting that in some embodiments of the continuous synthesis process, the presence of a recirculation pipe may allow to control the residence time of the material to be extruded. Advantageously, this type of device allows working under controlled and continuous flow conditions, while the barrel can be heated until the molten phase is initiated, thus facilitating the total extrusion of the reaction mixture.

In contrast to conventional solution-based flow chemistry, which is incompatible with viscous liquids and/or insoluble solids, extruders are capable of efficiently mixing viscous and/or solids-containing reaction mixtures.

As shown in the examples, the continuous synthetic methods described herein allow for the production of peptides in which the amino acid units retain their original enantiomeric form. In other words, as shown in the examples, the continuous synthetic method described herein allows to control the addition of the L-enantiomer or D-enantiomer of a given amino acid to a second amino acid or peptide chain by reacting the desired amino acid enantiomer at step a) of the method.

The continuous synthesis process herein may be carried out in a variety of extrusion reactor apparatus known in the art.

In some embodiments, the continuous synthesis process herein is carried out in a single screw reactor apparatus.

In a preferred embodiment, the continuous synthesis process herein is carried out in a twin screw (double-screw) reactor apparatus, which may also be referred to as a twin-screw (twin-screw) reactor apparatus.

Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, the inventors believe that the twin screw reactor apparatus for carrying out the continuous synthesis process herein allows for better intimate mixing of the reactants (compound of formula (II) or formula (II '), compound of formula (III) or formula (III'), and optionally base), respectively.

In some preferred embodiments, step a) is performed by maintaining the reactants at a constant selected temperature. As used herein, "constant" temperature refers to (i) a temperature that is substantially the same throughout the mass of the reaction mixture when considered for a particular cross-section of the extruder barrel and (ii) a temperature that is substantially the same at different locations of the reaction mixture along the length of the extruder barrel. As used herein, a constant temperature encompasses a temperature value that varies +/-10% from a desired temperature set point value.

In some other preferred embodiments of the continuous process herein, step a) is carried out by varying the temperature during the reaction between compound (II) or compound (II ') and compound (III) or compound (III'). Illustratively, after the addition of compound (II) or compound (II ') and compound (III) or compound (III') and optionally base at the beginning of step a), at the feed end of the extruder programmed to maintain the initial reaction mixture at the first selected temperature a, the temperature of the reaction mixture may vary as the reaction mixture progresses along the barrel of the extruder device, e.g. the temperature of the reaction mixture may increase as the reaction mixture progresses along the barrel of the extruder device. Illustratively, the temperature of the extruder barrel may be programmed to apply a temperature profile of the reaction mixture as it progresses along the extruder barrel, i.e. to apply a temperature profile of the reaction mixture as it progresses through the reaction. Applying a selected temperature profile to carry out the reaction between compound (II) or compound (II ') and compound (III) or compound (III') and optionally a base allows a more precise control of the reaction step a) and may further increase the yield of the reaction while reducing or completely avoiding hydrolysis of one or both of the reactants. The application of the temperature profile in step a) of the continuous process can be easily carried out by the skilled person, illustratively by using an extruder device equipped with a plurality of heating means arranged along the extruder barrel, and wherein the temperature of each of these heating means can be controlled individually.

Thus, in some embodiments of the continuous synthesis process herein, a temperature profile may be applied to step a) according to which, for example, the reaction mixture of compound (II) or compound (II ') with compound (III) or compound (III') and optionally a base is brought to an initial temperature T1 ℃ at the feed end of the extruder barrel, then the temperature of the reaction mixture is gradually increased up to a reaction temperature T2 ℃, for example by a programmed ramp rate, and then the temperature of the reaction mixture is reduced towards a temperature T3 ℃, which temperature T3 ℃ may represent the temperature at which the reaction mixture or more precisely the material comprising the synthesized compound (I) is collected from the extrusion device in step b) of the process.

These preferred embodiments are obtainable by the possibility of fine control of the temperature of the reaction mixture in the extrusion reactor apparatus.

Typically, extrusion reactor units are equipped with cast metal split cylinders (cast metal cylinder), such as cast steel split cylinders, in which insulated resistance wires are embedded. An exemplary heater device is a mica tape heater, which includes a coated resistance wire sandwiched between mica insulators and supported by a steel housing. In some embodiments of the extrusion reactor apparatus, the heater apparatus may also consist of known ceramic heaters. Regardless of which heater device is used, these heater devices are in intimate contact with the extruder barrel to allow high energy transfer capability and control of the uniform temperature of the reaction mixture, both across and along the extruder barrel.

When carrying out the continuous synthetic process herein, this fine temperature control, in particular this control of the uniform temperature control in the mass of the entire reaction mixture, allows to carry out said continuous process in a highly reproducible manner, including ensuring that the continuous synthetic process is reproducible in terms of the yield of peptide production obtained, the enantiomeric purity of the peptide thus synthesized, and the low level hydrolysis of the reactants, illustratively reduced or even undetectable hydrolysis of the compound of formula (II) or (II').

Such fine and constant temperature control of the reaction mixture is not possible with other types of reactors, typically with ball mill reactors.

As shown in the examples, the skilled person can adjust the reaction temperature, optionally the reaction temperature profile, according to the desired type of reaction conditions. The experimental data contained in the examples give the skilled man a complete guidance on the optimal temperature conditions (in particular according to the reaction time period sought) for carrying out the continuous synthesis process herein.

However, in a preferred embodiment, the skilled person will use temperature conditions that allow to minimize hydrolysis of the reactants (illustratively, hydrolysis of the compound of formula (II)).

In some embodiments, step a) is performed at a temperature of 30 ℃ to 100 ℃.

In some embodiments, step a) is performed at a temperature of 35 ℃ to 70 ℃.

In some embodiments, step a) is performed at a temperature of 55 ℃ to 100 ℃, e.g., 55 ℃ to 90 ℃.

The examples herein allow one skilled in the art to select suitable reaction conditions, which depend on (i) the temperature of the reaction mixture and (ii) the duration of step a). As shown in the examples herein, increasing the temperature of the reaction mixture allows to reduce the reaction time, i.e. the duration of step a), to obtain the resulting compound of formula (I) or formula (Γ).

Other general conditions for step a) of the continuous synthesis process can be easily determined by the person skilled in the art, especially, for example, the type of extruder reactor device, including the length of the extruder barrel, the number of screws, the screw profile (screwprofile) and the rotational speed of the extruder screw.

In some embodiments, the duration of step a) of the process is from 30 seconds to 120 minutes, advantageously from 1 minute to 20 minutes.

As shown in the examples, increasing the number of revolutions of the extruder screw during a given reaction period can increase the reaction yield. Illustrative screw speed values are disclosed in the examples herein.

Illustratively, the screw speed value may be between 30rpm (revolutions per minute) and 200rpm, for example between 50rpm and 150rpm, depending in particular on the temperature conditions of step a).

The optimal reaction conditions for step a) of the continuous synthesis process can be easily determined by the skilled person on the basis of the examples herein and the general technical knowledge thereof, e.g. selecting an extrusion reactor device wherein the barrel length and screw profile are adapted to the reaction taking into account the speed of progress of the reaction mixture along the length of the extruder barrel, the desired peptide is efficiently obtained when performing step b) of collecting the compound of formula (I) at the outlet of the extruder barrel.

In some embodiments of the process, an extrusion reactor equipped with a barrel whose length or screw profile does not allow sufficient residence time of the reaction mixture for the reaction to fully occur at its end may be used. In these embodiments, it is preferred to use an extruder barrel comprising a recirculation tube so that the reaction will be completed during the further passage of the reaction mixture within the extruder barrel. According to these embodiments, the recycling of the reaction mixture is carried out until the reaction between the compound of formula (II) or (II ') and the compound of formula (III) or (III') is complete to produce the compound of formula (I). According to some of these embodiments, the reaction mixture may be recirculated towards the feed end of the extruder barrel while fresh reactants (i.e. compound (II) or compound (II '), compound (III) or compound (III'), and optionally liquid additives and/or bases) are continued to be added to the extruder barrel.

In a preferred embodiment, an extruder barrel having a length and screw profile is used: the length and screw profile are sufficient to complete the reaction between the compound of formula (II) or formula (II ') and the compound of formula (III) or formula (III ') to produce the compound of formula (I) or formula (I ') after a single pass of the reaction mixture through the extruder barrel.

In some embodiments of the continuous synthesis methods described herein, step a) may be performed at a temperature of 30 ℃ to 100 ℃ (e.g., 55 ℃ to 100 ℃), over a period of 30 seconds to 20 minutes, using a twin screw extruder device, and by applying a rotation speed of 30rpm (revolutions per minute) to 200rpm, which encompasses rotation speeds of 50rpm to 150 rpm.

In some embodiments of the continuous synthetic methods described herein, when the groups Rb1 and Rb2 of compound (II') together with the carbon and nitrogen atoms to which they are each attached form a heterocyclic ring comprising at least one nitrogen atom, the heterocyclic ring is pyrrolidinyl. This encompasses embodiments of the continuous synthetic process wherein the compound of formula (II') comprises a prolyl residue. In certain of these embodiments, wherein the Rb1 and Rb2 groups belong to a unit directly linked to an Rg group, embodiments of the sequential peptide synthesis process are contemplated wherein compound (II') comprises an activated prolyl terminal residue (e.g., an activated prolyl C-terminal residue).

In some embodiments of the continuous synthetic methods described herein, when the groups Rb3 and Rb2 of compound (II') together with the carbon and nitrogen atoms to which they are each attached form a heterocyclic ring comprising at least one nitrogen atom, the heterocyclic ring is pyrrolidinyl. This encompasses embodiments of the continuous synthetic process wherein the compound of formula (II') comprises a prolyl residue. In certain of these embodiments, wherein the Rb3 and Rb2 groups belong to a unit directly linked to an Rg group, embodiments of the sequential peptide synthesis process are contemplated wherein compound (II') comprises an activated prolyl terminal residue (e.g., an activated prolyl C-terminal residue).

In some embodiments of the continuous synthetic methods described herein, when the groups Rn1 and Rn2 of compound (III') together with the carbon and nitrogen atoms to which they are each attached form a heterocyclic ring that includes at least one nitrogen atom, the heterocyclic ring is pyrrolidinyl. This encompasses embodiments of the continuous synthetic process wherein the compound of formula (III') comprises a prolyl residue.

In some embodiments of the continuous synthetic methods described herein, when the groups Rn3 and Rn2 of compound (III') together with the carbon and nitrogen atoms to which they are each attached form a heterocyclic ring that includes at least one nitrogen atom, the heterocyclic ring is pyrrolidinyl. This encompasses embodiments of the continuous synthetic process wherein the compound of formula (III') comprises a prolyl residue.

In some embodiments of the continuous synthetic methods described herein, in the monomeric units comprised by compound (I ') or compound (II'), thus for paired Rb1 and Rb3 groups, one of the groups Rb1 or Rb3 represents a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted (C1-C6) alkyl group or a (C1-C6) alkyl group substituted by a group selected from: unsubstituted aryl groups or aryl groups substituted by-OH groups, -OH, -COOH, -CONH2, -SH, -S- (C1-C6 alkyl), -NH2, -NH-C (NH) (NH2), -imidazolyl and indolyl groups, and the other of the groups Rb1 and Rb3 is a hydrogen atom. In some of these embodiments, Rb2 is a hydrogen atom.

In some embodiments of the continuous synthetic methods described herein, in the monomeric units comprised by compound (I ') or compound (II'), Rb1 or Rb3 is selected from the group consisting of: a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, -CH2-CH2-CH2-NH-C (═ NH) NH2, -CH2-C (═ O) -NH2, -CH2-COOH, -CH2-SH, - (CH2)2-C (═ O) -NH2, - (CH2)2-COOH, -CH 2-imidazolyl, -CH (CH3) -CH2-CH3, -CH2-CH (CH3)2, - (CH2)4-NH2, -CH2-CH2-S-CH3, -CH 2-phenyl, -CH2OH, -CH OH) -CH3, -CH 2-indolyl, -CH 2-phenyl-OH and isopropyl, and the other group of Rb1 and Rb3 is a hydrogen atom. In some of these embodiments, Rb2 is a hydrogen atom. This encompasses embodiments wherein the compound of formula (II') comprises one or more amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of: glycine residues, alanine residues, arginine residues, asparagine residues, aspartic acid residues, cysteine residues, glutamine residues, glutamic acid residues, histidine residues, isoleucine residues, leucine residues, lysine residues, methionine residues, phenylalanine residues, serine residues, threonine residues, tryptophan residues, tyrosine residues and valine residues.

In some embodiments of the continuous synthetic methods described herein, in the monomeric units comprised by compound (I ') or compound (III'), thus for pairs of Rn1 and Rn3 groups, one of the groups Rn1 or Rn3 represents a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted (C1-C6) alkyl group or a (C1-C6) alkyl group substituted with a group selected from: unsubstituted aryl radicals or aryl radicals substituted by-OH groups, -OH, -COOH, -CONH2, -SH, -S- (C1-C6 alkyl), -NH2, -NH-C (NH) (NH2), -imidazolyl and indolyl, and the other of the radicals Rn1 and Rn3 is a hydrogen atom. In some of these embodiments, Rn2 is a hydrogen atom.

In some embodiments of the continuous synthetic methods herein, in the monomeric units comprised by compound (I ') or compound (III'), Rn1 or Rn3 is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen atom, methyl group, -CH2-CH2-CH2-NH-C (═ NH) NH2, -CH2-C (═ O) -NH2, -CH2-COOH, -CH2-SH, - (CH2)2-C (═ O) -NH2, - (CH2)2-COOH, -CH 2-imidazolyl, -CH (CH3) -CH2-CH3, -CH2-CH (CH3)2, - (CH2)4-NH2, -CH2-CH2-S-CH3, -CH 2-phenyl, -CH2OH, -CH OH) -CH3, -CH 2-indolyl, -CH 2-phenyl-OH, isopropyl group, and Rn2 is a hydrogen atom. In some of these embodiments, Rn2 is a hydrogen atom. This encompasses embodiments wherein the compound of formula (III) comprises one or more amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of: glycine residues, alanine residues, arginine residues, asparagine residues, aspartic acid residues, cysteine residues, glutamine residues, glutamic acid residues, histidine residues, isoleucine residues, leucine residues, lysine residues, methionine residues, phenylalanine residues, serine residues, threonine residues, tryptophan residues, tyrosine residues and valine residues.

In some preferred embodiments of the continuous synthetic methods described herein, step a) does not comprise the addition of a base.

In some other preferred embodiments of the continuous synthetic methods described herein, step a) comprises adding a base. In these preferred embodiments, the base used in step a) may be selected from the group consisting of any known mineral base, such as carbonates and phosphates. In some other of these preferred embodiments, the base may be a hydroxide, for example a hydroxide selected from the group comprising: sodium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, cesium hydroxide, and barium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide. In some other of these preferred embodiments, the base may be an organic base, for example a base selected from the group comprising: triethylamine, N-diisopropylethylamine and 1, 8-diazabicyclo [5.4.0] undec-7-ene (DBU), sodium or potassium methoxide, tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, pyridine, sodium or potassium bis (trimethylsilyl) amide.

Thus, in some preferred embodiments of the continuous synthesis process herein, step a) comprises the addition of a base.

In some other preferred embodiments of the method (especially embodiments wherein compound (III) or compound (III') is in the form of a salt), said salt may be selected from the group comprising: hydrochloride, hydrobromide, acetate, trifluoroacetate, fumarate, alkylsulfonate, arylsulfonate or diphenylsulfonamide salts.

In these embodiments, the added base reacts with compound (III) or compound (III ') to produce a deprotonated compound (III) or compound (III '), which becomes highly reactive with compound (II) or compound (II ').

In embodiments wherein the base used in step a) of the continuous synthesis process is selected from carbonates, said carbonates are preferably selected from the group consisting of: sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, cesium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, and cesium carbonate.

The amount of base to be added in these embodiments of step a) of the continuous synthesis process herein can be readily determined by one skilled in the art, regardless of the type of base added. The amount of base that will allow deprotonation of compound (III) or compound (III') can be readily determined by one skilled in the art.

Illustratively, one skilled in the art can refer to the pKa of the compound of formula (III) or formula (III'),to determine the type of base used in step a) which will lead to deprotonation of the compound of formula (III) or formula (III'). Illustratively, in embodiments where the unit comprising the group Rc consists of the hydrochloride salt of the natural amino acid methyl ester, the base NaHCO ₃Is sufficiently basic to deprotonate the hydrochloride salt of the natural amino acid methyl ester to enable the free base of the natural amino acid methyl ester to react with the compound of formula (II) or formula (II').

In some embodiments, the selected base that may be added at the beginning of step a) is in a solid state, preferably in powder form.

In some other embodiments, the selected base that may be added at the beginning of step a) is in liquid form, e.g. a liquid base solution. As shown in the examples, the reaction between the compound of formula (II) or (II ') and the compound of formula (III) or (III') is stoichiometric.

Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the continuous synthesis process described herein, substantially equimolar amounts of each of the compound of formula (II) or (II ') and the compound of formula (III) or (III') are provided to feed the extrusion reactor at the start of step a).

As used herein, two compounds (e.g., "substantially equimolar amounts" of a compound of formula (II) or (II ') and a compound of formula (III) or (III')) means that the maximum number of moles of the compound exceeds the number of moles of the other compounds by up to 15%.

In a preferred embodiment of step a) of the continuous synthesis process described herein, the compound of formula (II) or (II ') is provided in more than 10% moles compared to the compound of formula (III) or (III').

In a further preferred embodiment, wherein the base is added in step a) of the process, the base is also added in step a) in a "substantially equimolar amount" compared to the maximum respective molar amount in the compound of formula (II) or (II ') and the compound of formula (III) or (III').

According to these further preferred embodiments, the base may be added in an excess molar amount compared to the compound of formula (II) or formula (II ') and the compound of formula (III) or formula (III').

Illustratively, in some embodiments of the continuous synthetic methods described herein, the reactants may be added in step a) in the following respective molar amounts: (i)1 molar equivalent of compound (II) or compound (II '), (II)1.1 molar equivalents of compound (III) or compound (III') and 1.2 molar equivalents of a base (e.g. a carbonate salt, such as sodium bicarbonate).

In some embodiments of the compound of formula (I) or formula (I '), or formula (II) or formula (II'), Ra are independently selected from the group consisting of: t-butyloxycarbonyl, 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl, benzyloxycarbonyl and nitro-veratryloxycarbonyl.

In some embodiments of the compound of formula (I) or formula (I '), or formula (III) or formula (III'), the group Rc represents-O-Rd, wherein Rd is benzyl.

In some embodiments of the compound of formula (I) or the compound of formula (III) or formula (III'), Re and Rf are independently selected from the group consisting of: a hydrogen atom, a (C1-C24) alkyl group, a methyl group substituted with one or more phenyl groups, an unsubstituted (C6-C10) aryl group or an N-protecting group (e.g., t-butoxycarbonyl, 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl, benzyloxycarbonyl and nitro-veratryloxycarbonyl).

In some embodiments of the compound of formula (I) or formula (I '), or formula (III) or formula (III'), one of the groups Re and Rf, or both of the groups Re and Rf represent benzyl.

In some embodiments of the compound of formula (I) or formula (I '), or formula (II) or formula (II'), Ra is tert-butoxycarbonyl.

The leaving group Rg may be selected from the group consisting of: n-substituted carbamates, pentafluorophenyl hydroxylates, succinimidyl N-hydroxylates, imidazolates, benzimidazolates, benzotriazoles N-hydroxylates, azabenzotriazoles N-hydroxylates, pyrimidine hydroxylates, triazine hydroxylates, p-nitrophenyl hydroxylates, hydroxamates (for example:

) Fluoride, bromide, chloride, carboxylate and carbonate.

In some embodiments, the activated group Rg consists of a hydroxysuccinimidyl group (also referred to herein as "OSu").

In some embodiments, the Rb1 group and the Rb3 group of the compound of formula (I ') or formula (II') and the groups NH2, NH, COOH, CONH2, OH, SH of the Rn1 group and the Rn3 group of the compound of formula (I ') or formula (III') are protected by one or more identical or different N-or O-or S-protecting groups. In some of these embodiments, the N-protecting group is the same as the group Ra, in which case all of the N-protecting groups may be removed simultaneously when desired. In some other embodiments, one or more of the N-protecting groups is different from or the same as the group Ra, in which case Ra and one or more of the other N-protecting groups may be selectively removed.

In some preferred embodiments, the compound of formula (III) or formula (III') is provided in the form of a salt in step a). The salt of the compound of formula (III) or formula (III') may be selected from the group consisting of: sodium salt, potassium salt, lithium salt, hydrochloride salt, hydrobromide salt, acetate salt, trifluoroacetate salt, fumarate salt, alkylsulfonate salt, arylsulfonate salt, and diphenylsulfonamide salt. An example is disclosed in the examples, namely sodium glycinate.

There is no strict limitation on the number of monomeric units (e.g., the number of amino acid residues) that may be included in the compound of formula (I) or formula (I'). The examples herein illustrate sequential synthetic procedures performed to produce compounds of formula (I) or formula (I') composed of dipeptides and tripeptides. It is to be noted that the reaction yield does not decrease detectably with the length of the compound of formula (I) or formula (I') produced.

For the compound of formula (I) or formula (I ') and the compound of formula (II) or formula (II'), m is an integer of 1 or more, which includes n values of 1 to 500, n values of 1 to 200, n values of 1 to 100, n values of 1 to 50, n values of 1 to 40, n values of 1 to 30, n values of 1 to 20, and n values of 1 to 10.

For the compounds of formula (I) or formula (I ') and the compounds of formula (III) or formula (III'), n is an integer of 1 or more, which includes n values of 1 to 500, n values of 1 to 200, n values of 1 to 100, n values of 1 to 50, n values of 1 to 40, n values of 1 to 30, n values of 1 to 20, and n values of 1 to 10.

In some embodiments, m is an integer having a value selected from the group consisting of: 1. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, and 100.

In some embodiments, n is an integer having a value selected from the group consisting of: 1. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, and 100.