A solution of 5-fluoro-2-(4-morpholinophenylamino)-6-(3-oxocyclohex-1-enyl)nicotinamide (1.2 g, 2.92 mmol), ammonium acetate (2.254 g, 29.2 mmol) and titanium(IV) isopropoxide (2.57 mL, 8.77 mmol) in DMF (0.8 mL) was stirred at rt overnight. To the above solution were added sodium borohydride (0.221 g, 5.85 mmol) and 0.2 mL of MeOH. Violent bubbling occurred and the reaction mixture became warm. The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 1 h. To the reaction mixture was added 1N NaOH (10 mL). A precipitate formed and was filtered through CELITE®, washed with a mixture of methylene chloride, and MeOH (50% each cosolvent) many times until the filter cake was white. The filtrate was washed with water; the aqueous fraction was back extracted 3 times with methylene chloride. The combined organic fractions were concentrated and the residue was purified by MPLC (ISCO, 5%-20% gradient ammonia/methanol/methylene chloride, 40 g silica gel column) to yield 105 mg of product as a yellow solid.
