Process for alkylating hindered sulfonamides

摘要

The present invention relates to a process for alkylating hindered sulfonamides by Michael addition to propiolates, and to novel intermediates prepared in said process. The products of these reactions can be converted into pharmaceutical compounds useful in the treatment of disease states mediated by matrix metalloproteinase enzymes. Novel intermediates prepared according to the present invention include compounds of the formulawherein R1 is (C1-C6)alkyl or optionally substituted benzyl;R2 and R3 are independently (C1-C6)alkyl or R2 and R3 are taken together to form a three to seven membered cycloalkyl, pyran-4-yl ring or a bicyclo ring of the formulawherein the asterisk indicates the carbon atom common to R2 and R3; and group Q is as herein described.