An efficient regioconvergent synthesis of 3-aza-obeticholic acid

Bile acids (BAs) are steroidal molecules that play important roles in nutrient absorption, distribution, and excretion. They also act on specific receptors implicated in various metabolic and inflammatory diseases demonstrating their importance as potential drug candidates. Accordingly, there has been a concerted effort to develop new BA derivatives to probe structure-activity relationships with the goal of discovering BA analogues with enhanced pharmacological properties. Among the many steroidal derivatisations reported, the formation of endocyclic azasteroids appeals due to their potential to deliver altered biological responses with minimal change to the steroidal superstructure. Here, we report the synthesis of 3-aza-obeticholic acid (6) via a regioconvergent route. Ammoniolysis of lactones, formed from an m-CPBA-mediated Baeyer-Villiger reaction on a 3-keto-OCA derivative, furnished protected intermediate amido-alcohols which were separately elaborated to amino-alcohols via Hofmann degradation with BAIB. Upon individual N-Boc-protection, these underwent annulation to the 3-aza-A-ring when subjected to either mesylation or a Dess-Martin oxidation/hydrogenation sequence. Global deprotection of the 3-aza-intermediate delivered 3-aza-OCA in ten steps and an overall yield of up to 19%.