Process for the preparation of anagrelide and analogues thereof

A process for the preparation of a compound of formula (A), or a salt thereof:

• wherein:
• R1 and R2 are each independently hydrogen or a blocking group which functions to directly or indirectly prevent metabolic reaction at the 3-position of substitution;
• V and W are independently chosen from the group consisting of:
• H, F, Cl, I, Br, CN, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 haloalkyl, C1-6 alkoxy, C1-6 haloalkoxy and C1-6 alkanoyl;
• X and Y are independently selected halo's;
• and
• R7 is a C1-6 alkyl group or aryl group, each of which can be optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from the group comprising:
• C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 haloalkyl, —SR8, —OR9, —NR8R9, —NO2, SCF3, halogen, —C(O)R8, —CN, and —CF3, where R8 and R9 are independently H or C1-6 alkyl
• the process comprising the steps of:
• (a) reacting a compound of the formula (X):
• with a glycine derivative of the formula (XI)
• in the presence of a suitable base and a suitable solvent to form an imine compound of the formula (XII)
• (b) reducing the imine compound of formula (XII) with a suitable reducing agent to form the compound of formula A;
• and
• (c) optionally isolating the compound of formula A in the form of an acid addition salt by reacting the compound of formula A with an suitable acid.