New processes for the preparation of vemurafenib

A process for manufacture of a compound of formula (I):

• which process comprises:
• a) reacting a compound of formula (III):
• wherein R1 is C1-5 alkyl, C3-6 cycloalkyl, C3-5 alkenyl or optionally substituted benzyl, or sulfonyl, or carbonyl with either a compound of formula (IV);
• or a compound of formula (VI):
• wherein R2 and R3 are groups suitable for formation of a Vilsmeier reagent and A− is a suitable non-coordinating anion, to produce a compound of formula (IX) having a nitrile group:
• wherein R1 is as defined herein;
• and
• b) subjecting the compound of formula (IX) to removal of the R1 group and converting the nitrile group to a carboxylic acid, and performing a decarboxylation to produce a compound of formula (X):
• and
• c) reacting the compound of formula (X) with 2,6-difluoro-3-(propylsulfonamido)benzoic acid to give a compound of formula (I).