Processes for the Synthesis of Substituted Urea Compounds

The present invention concerns a process for preparing a compound having the Formula A; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof, or for preparing a substituted urea compound of Formula IIa, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, the process comprising the reaction of an imidazolyl intermediate of Formula IIa′ with a carbamoyl halide of the formula: R1R2NC(═O)Hal, wherein Hal represents Cl, F, I or Br, wherein the intermediate of Formula IIa′ is prepared by oxidation of the derivative of R5 and R6, R6-C(═O)CH2R5 to form a glyoxal intermediate R6-C(═O)(C═O)R5, which is subjected to treatment with ammonium hydroxide and an aldehyde R8CHO to provide the intermediate of Formula IIa′ and wherein the compound substituents are as defined herein.