Process and intermediates for growth hormone secretagogues

A process for preparing a compound of Formula VI,

• comprising
• (a) reacting a compound of Formula IV,
• wherein Pt is an amine protecting group and R3 is (C1-C4)alkyl, with a carbonyl equivalent and CF3CH2NH2 in a reaction inert solvent to form a compound of Formula VII,
• wherein Pt is as defined hereinabove;
• (b) reacting said compound of Formula VII with 2-picolyl-Z1, wherein Z1 is halo, methanesulfonyloxy or p-toluenesulfonyloxy, in the presence of a base and a reaction inert solvent at a temperature from about −78° C. to about 25° C. for from about one hour to about 24 hours to form a compound of Formula VIII,
• (c) reacting said compound of Formula VIII with a suitable acid in a reaction inert solvent at a temperature from about −30° C. to about 25° C. for from about one hour to about 10 hours to form a compound of Formula IX,
• (d) resolving said compound of Formula IX with D-tartaric acid in a reaction inert solvent to form the D-tartrate salt of a compound of Formula X,
• (e) reacting said D-tartrate salt of a compound of Formula X with a compound of Formula XI,
• wherein Boc is tert-butyloxycarbonyl, a peptide coupling reagent and a base in a reaction inert solvent to form a compound of Formula XII,
• (f) reacting said compound of Formula XII under standard t-butyloxycarbonyl group removing conditions to form a compound of Formula VI,