Alectinib Synthesis through Formal α-Arylation of Enone

A new synthetic route for the synthesis of Alectinib, which is used as an adjuvant and first line of treatment in ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer, is reported. The developed route starts from readily available starting materials (4-(4-methoxyphenyl)butyric acid or 2-ethyl anisole) and employs Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling and reductive cyclization as key steps. Good yield and no regioisomeric mixture formation are the key highlights of this route.