Original loading and Suzuki conditions for the solid-phase synthesis of biphenyltetrazoles. Application to the first solid-phase synthesis of irbesartan

Biphenyltetrazoles are recognized privileged structures. Among them, the therapeutically important class of sartans displays antagonistic activity on AT1 receptors. We have developed a method for anchoring tetrazole derivatives via the heterocycle on a hydroxylated resin using zinc triflate. New Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling conditions are developed for the quantitative formation of the phenyl–phenyl bond. Our straightforward synthesis scheme, starting from the conserved phenyltetrazole moiety and ending with the appending of the structurally variable moiety, is well suited to the preparation of sartans and their analogues at a laboratory scale. We thus describe here the first solid phase synthesis of irbesartan, a marketed AT1 antagonist.