Process development and a pilot-plant process for the synthesisof
4 and its resolution to obtain (1
S,2
S,5
R,6
S)-spiro[bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2',5'-dioxo-2,4'-imidazolidine]-6-carboxylic acid,(
R)-
-methylbenzenemethanamine salt (
5) are described. Starting from the inexpensive raw 2-cyclopenten-1-one and sulfurylide
1 the racemic bicyclo keto ester
2 was synthesized.Reaction of
2 with potassium cyanide and ammonium carbonateunder Bücherer-Berg's reaction conditions affords racemic
3in 80% yield. Hydrolysis of
3 followed by the resolution with(
R)-(+)-
-methylbenzylamine gave
4 in excellent yield andpurity under optimized conditions. The improvement of theoriginal discovery process to accommodate safety and environmental requirements for scale-up in manufacturing facilities isalso discussed.