Regiospecific synthesis of 3-alkyl-4-hydroxybenzimidazoles as intermediates for an expedient approach to potent EP3 receptor antagonists

Regiospecific construction of 3-alkyl-4-hydroxybenzimidazoles is detailed. The synthetic route involves a novel O- to N-acyl transfer reaction to address the observed exclusive O-acylation of 2-amino-3-nitrophenol starting material. This efficient route provides the targeted 3-alkyl-4-hydroxybenzimidazoles in good yields, in five steps, without the use of chromatographic purification. These key intermediates were subsequently elaborated, as shown, to provide acylsulfonamide-derived potent EP3 receptor antagonists.