The Large-Scale Synthesis of (S)‑N‑Boc-bis(4-fluorophenyl)alanine

The synthesis of (S)-N-Boc-bis(4-fluorophenyl)alanine, an intermediate in the synthesis of denagliptin, is described from the synthesis of a 12 g proof of principle sample to a >900 kg cGMP manufacturing campaign. The chiral centre was established by the asymmetric hydrogenation of the sterically crowded precursor, ethyl 2-acetamido-3,3-bis(4-fluorophenyl)acrylate. The ability to isolate the various intermediates in a physical form that would readily allow filtration, washing, and ultimately purification underpinned the successful manufacturing campaign.