Development of a Scalable Route to a Pyrrolidone Compound via a Hydroxyfuranone

Herein, we describe the preparation of pyrrolidone compound 1 as a potential antiepileptic drug. The key steps of this synthetic route are based on the preparation of a heterocyclic amine and its condensation with a hydroxyfuranone in a three-step one-pot process. The development of the synthesis led to decreased route complexity and removal of chromatographic purifications. These improvements were demonstrated at scale by the production of 700 g of this pyrrolidone.