AU1827101A - Novel substituted imidazole compounds - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

(ORIGINAL)

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventors: Address for Service: Invention Title: SmithKline Beecham Corporation Jerry L. ADAMS AND Jeffrey C. BOEHM.

DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000 Novel substituted imidazole compounds The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: IP Australia

(D

Documents received on:

O

2 FEB 2001 Batch No: Q:\OPER\PDB\DIVISIONALS\2381878.DIV.DOC 2/2/01 1A- NOVEL SUBSTITUTED IMIDAZOLE COMPOUNDS This application is a divisional application derived from Australian Patent Application No.

15782/97, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

This invention relates to a novel group of imidazole compounds, processes for the preparation thereof, the use thereof in treating cytokine mediated diseases and pharmaceutical compositions for use in such therapy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) are biological substances produced by a variety of cells, such as monocytes or macrophages. IL-1 has been demonstrated to mediate a variety of biological activities thought to be important in immunoregulation and other physiological conditions such as inflammation [See, e.g., Dinarello et al., Rev. Infect. Disease, 6, 51 (1984)]. The myriad of known biological activities of IL-1 include the activation of T helper cells, induction of fever, stimulation of prostaglandin or collagenase production, neutrophil chemotaxis, induction of acute phase proteins and the suppression of plasma iron levels.

There are many disease states in which excessive or unregulated IL-1 production is implicated in exacerbating and/or causing the disease. These include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, endotoxemia and/or toxic shock syndrome, other acute or chronic inflammatory disease states such as the inflammatory reaction induced by endotoxin or 20 inflammatory bowel disease; tuberculosis, atherosclerosis, muscle degeneration, cachexia, psoriatic arthritis, Reiter's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, traumatic arthritis, rubella arthritis, and acute synovitis. Recent evidence also links IL-1 activity to diabetes and pancreatic B cells.

Dinarello, J. Clinical Immunology, 5 287-297 (1985), reviews the biological activities which have been attributed to IL-1. It should be noted that some of these effects .have been described by others as indirect effects of IL-1.

Excessive or unregulated TNF production has been implicated in mediating or exacerbating a number of diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid spondylitis, S* osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis and other arthritic conditions; sepsis, septic shock, endotoxic shock, gram negative sepsis, toxic shock syndrome, adult respiratory distress syndrome, cerebral malaria, chronic pulmonary inflammatory disease, silicosis, pulmonary sarcoisosis, bone resorption diseases, reperfusion injury, graft vs. host reaction, allograft rejections, fever and myalgias due to infection, such as influenza, cachexia secondary to infection or malignancy, cachexia, secondary to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), AIDS, ARC (AIDS related complex), keloid formation, scar tissue formation, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or pyresis.

AIDS results from the infection of T lymphocytes with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). At least three types or strains of HIV have been identified, HIV-1, HIV- 2 and HIV-3. As a consequence of HIV infection, T-cell mediated immunity is impaired and infected individuals manifest severe opportunistic infections and/or unusual neoplasms.

HIV entry into the T lymphocyte requires T lymphocyte activation. Other viruses, such as HIV-1, HIV-2 infect T lymphocytes after T Cell activation and such virus protein expression and/or replication is mediated or maintained by such T cell activation. Once an activated T lymphocyte is infected with HIV, the T lymphocyte must continue to be maintained in an activated state to permit HIV gene expression and/or HIV replication.

Monokines, specifically TNF, are implicated in activated T-cell mediated HIV protein expression and/or virus replication by playing a role in maintaining T lymphocyte activation. Therefore, interference with monokine activity such as by inhibition of monokine production, notably TNF, in an HIV-infected individual aids in limiting the maintenance of T cell activation, thereby reducing the progression of HIV infectivity to previously uninfected cells which results in a slowing or elimination of the progression of immune dysfunction caused by HIV infection. Monocytes, macrophages, and related cells, such as kupffer and glial cells, have also been implicated in maintenance of the HIV infection. These cells, like T-cells, are targets for viral replication and the level of viral replication is dependent upon the activation state of the cells. Monokines, such as TNF, have been shown to activate HIV replication in monocytes and/or macrophages [See Poli, et Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 87:782-784 (1990)], therefore, inhibition of monokine production or activity aids in limiting HIV progression as stated above for T-cells.

TNF has also been implicated in various roles with other viral infections, such as the cytomegalia virus (CMV), influenza virus, and the herpes virus for similar reasons as those 25 noted.

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a chemotactic factor first identified and characterized in 1987. IL-8 is produced by several cell types including mononuclear cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and keratinocytes. Its production from endothelial cells is induced by IL- 1, TNF, or lipopolysachharide (LPS). Human IL-8 has been shown to act on Mouse Guinea Pig, Rat, and Rabbit Neutrophils. Many different names have been applied to IL-8, such as neutrophil attractant/activation protein-1 (NAP-1), monocyte derived neutrophil chemotactic factor (MDNCF), neutrophil activating factor (NAF), and T-cell lymphocyte chemotactic factor.

IL-8 stimulates a number of functions in vitro. It has been shown to have 35 chemoattractant properties for neutrophils, T-lymphocytes, and basophils. In addition it induces histamine release from basophils from both normal and atopic individuals as well as lysozomal enzyme release and respiratory burst from neutrophils. IL-8 has also been -2- P: 'PER\PDBSpei\ 5 782-97didoc-02/02I -3shown to increase the surface expression of Mac-1 (CD1 lb/CD18) on neutrophils without de novo protein synthesis, this may contribute to increased adhesion of the neutrophils to vascular endothelial cells. Many diseases are characterized by massive neutrophil infiltration. Conditions associated with an increased in IL-8 production (which is responsible for chemotaxis of neutrophil into the inflammatory site) would benefit by compounds which are suppressive of IL-8 production.

IL-1 and TNF affect a wide variety of cells and tissues and these cytokines as well as other leukocyte derived cytokines are important and critical inflammatory mediators of a wide variety of disease states and conditions. The inhibition of these cytokines is of benefit in controlling, reducing and alleviating many of these disease states.

There remains a need for treatment, in this field, for compounds which are cytokine suppressive anti-inflammatory drugs, ie compounds which are capable of inhibiting cytokines, such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF.

15 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AU 726084 provides compounds of Formula and their use in methods of treatment.

The present invention now provides an intermediate compound of Formula (III) useful in the preparation thereof.

P:\OPERTPOBSpcci\I 3782-97.di.-O2O2/OI -4- Accordingly, the invention provides a compound of the Formula

R

1

-CH(=NR

2 wherein R, is a pyrimid-4-yl or pyrid-4-yl ring substituted in the 2-position with CI- 4 alkoxy or CI- 4 thioalkyl; and

R

2 is an optionally substituted heterocyclyl, or an optionally substituted heterocyclylCl- 1 oalkyl moiety.

P:'OPER PDB'Sp~ci\ 1782-97.div.do-2/O2IOI DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The novel compounds of Formula may also be used in association with the veterinary treatment of mammals, other than humans, in need of inhibition of cytokine inhibition or production. In particular, cytokine mediated diseases for treatment, therapeutically or prophylactically, in animals include disease states such as those noted herein in the Methods of Treatment section, but in particular viral infections. Examples of such viruses include, but are not limited to, lentivirus infections such as, equine infectious anaemia virus, caprine arthritis virus, visna virus, or maedi virus or retrovirus infections, such as but not limited to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), bovine immunodeficiency virus, or canine immunodeficiency virus or other retroviral infections.

In Formula suitable R 1 moieties include a 4-pyridyl or a 4-pyrimidinyl ring.

The Ri moieties are substituted at least one time by a Cl4alkoxy moiety such as nbutyloxy, isoproxy, ethoxy or

S

S.

S

*S«e o methoxv. A preferred ring placement of the R1 substituent on the 4-pyridyl derivative is in the 2-position, such as 2-methoxy-4-pyridyl. A preferred ring placement on the 4-pyrimidinyl ring is also at the 2-position, such as in 2-methoxy-pyrimidinyl.

Suitable additional substituents for the RI heteroaryl rings are C1-4 alkyl, halo, OH, C1- 4 alkoxy, C1- 4 alkylthio, C1-4 alkylsulfinyl, CH20R 2, amino, mono and di-C 1-6 alkyl substituted amino, N(RIO)C(O)Rc, or an N-heterocyclyl ring which ring has from 5 to 7 members and optionally contains an additional heteroatom selected from oxygen, sulfur or NR15. The alkyl group in the mono- and di-C1-6 alkylsubstituted moiety may be halo substituted, such as in trifluoro- trifluoromethyl or trifluroethyl.

When the RI optional substituent is N(RIO)C(O) Rc, wherein Rc is hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl, C 3 7 cycloalkyl, aryl, arylC 1 4 alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylC -4alkyl, heterocyclyl, or heterocyclylC I-4alkyl Ci-4 alkyl, Rc is preferably C -6 alkyl; preferably R10 is hydrogen.

It is also recognized that the Rc moieties, in particular the C1-6 alkyl group may be optionally substituted, preferably from one to three times, preferably with halogen, such as fluorine, as in trifluoromethyl or trifluroethyl.

Suitably, R4 is phenyl, naphth-l-yl or naphth-2-yl, or a heteroaryl, which is optionally substituted by one or two substituents. More preferably R4 is a phenyl or naphthyl ring. Suitable substitutions for R4 when this is a 4-phenyl, 4-naphth-1-yl, naphth-2-yl or 6-naphth-2-yl moiety are one or two substituents each of which are independently selected from halogen, -SR5, -SOR5, -OR 12, CF3, or -(CR10R20)vNR1OR20, and for other positions of substitution on these rings preferred substitution is halogen, -S(O)mR3, -OR3, CF3, -(CRIOR20)m"NR13Rl4,

-NRIOC(Z)R

3 and -NRIOS(O)m'R8. Preferred substituents for the 4-position in phenyl and naphth-1-yl S and on the 5-position in naphth-2-yl include halogen, especially fluoro and chloro and and -SOR5 wherein R5 is preferably a C1-2 alkyl, more preferably methyl; of which the fluoro and chloro is more preferred, and most especially preferred is fluoro. Preferred substituents for the 3-position in phenyl and naphth- 1-yl rings include: halogen, especially fluoro and chloro; -OR3, especially C1-4 alkoxy; CF3, NR10R20, such as amino; NR10C(Z)R3, especially -NHCO(C 1-10 alkyl); -NRlOS(O)m'R8, especially S 30 NHS02(Cl-10 alkyl), and -SR3 and -SOR3 wherein R3 is preferably a C1-2 alkyl, more preferably methyl. When the phenyl ring is disubstituted preferably it is two independent halogen moieties, such as fluoro and chloro, preferably di-chloro and more preferably in the 3,4-position. It is also preferred that for the 3-position of both the -OR3 and -ZC(Z)R3 moietites, R3 may also include hydrogen.

Preferably, the R4 moiety is an unsubstituted or substituted phenyl moiety. More preferably, R4 is phenyl or phenyl substituted at the 4-position with fluoro and/or substituted at the 3-position with fluoro, chloro, C1-4 alkoxy, methane-sulfonamido or -6acetamido, or R4 is a phenyl di-substituted at the 3,4-position independently with chloro or fluoro, more preferably chloro. Most preferably, R4 is a 4 -fluorophenyl.

In Formula Z is oxygen or sulfur, preferably oxygen.

Suitably, R2 is an optionally substituted heterocyclyl, or a heterocyclylC 1- 10 alkyl moiety.

When R2 is an optionally substituted heterocyclyl the ring is preferably a morpholino, pyrrolidinyl, or a piperidinyl group. When the ring is optionally substituted the substituents may be directly attached to the free nitrogen, such as in the piperidinyl group or pyrrole ring, or on the ring itself. Preferably the ring is a piperidine or pyrrole, more preferably piperidine. The heterocyclyl ring may be optionally substituted one to four times independently by halogen; C 1-4 alkyl; aryl, such as phenyl; arylalkyl, such as benzyl, wherein the aryl or aryl alkyl moieties themselves may be optionally substituted (as in the definition section below); C(O)OR11, such as the C(O)C1- 4 alkyl or C(O)OH moieties; C(O)H; C(O)C 1 4 alkyl, hydroxy substituted C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, S(O)mCI-4 alkyl (wherein m is 0, 1, or NRIoR20 (wherein R10 and R20 are independently hydrogen or Cl-4alkyl).

Preferably if the ring is a piperidine, the ring is attached to the imidazole at the 4position, and the substituents are directly on the available nitrogen, i.e. a 1-Formyl-4-piperidine, 1-benzyl-4-piperidine, 1-methyl-4-piperidine, 1-ethoxycarbonyl-4piperidine. If the ring is substituted by an alkyl group and the ring is attached in the 4 -position, it is preferably substituted in the 2- or 6- position or both, such as 2,2,6,6tetramethyl-4-piperidine. Similarly, if the ring is a pyrrole, the ring is attached to the imidazole at the 3-position, and the substituents are all directly on the available nitrogen.

When R2 is an optionally substituted heterocyclyl CI-10 alkyl group, the ring is preferably a morpholino, pyrrolidinyl, or a piperidinyl group. Preferably the alkyl moiety is from 1 to 4 carbons, more preferably 3 or 4, and most preferably 3, such as in a propyl group. Preferred heterocyclic alkyl groups include but are not limited to, morpholino ethyl, morpholino propyl, pyrrolidinyl propyl, and piperidinyl propyl moieties. The heterocyclic ring herein is also optionally substituted in a similar manner to that indicated above for the 30 direct attachment of the heterocyclyl.

In all instances herein where there is an alkenyl or alkynyl moiety as a substituent group, the unsaturated linkage, the vinylene or acetylene linkage is preferably not directly attached to the nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur moieties, for instance in OR3, or for certain R2 moieties.

As used herein, "optionally substituted" unless specifically defined shall mean such groups as halogen, such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine; hydroxy; hydroxy substituted C1-10alkyl; C1-10 alkoxy, such as methoxy or ethoxy; S(O)m alkyl, wherein m -7is 0, 1 or 2, such as methyl thio, methylsulfinyl or methyl sulfonyl; amino, mono disubstituted amino, such as in the NR7R17 group; or where the R7R17 may together with the nitrogen to which they are attached cyclize to form a 5 to 7 membered ring which optionally includes an additional heteroatom selected from O/N/S; C1-10 alkyl, cycloalkyl, or cycloalkyl alkyl group, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, t-butyl, etc. or cyclopropyl methyl; halosubstituted C-10 alkyl, such CF2CF 2 H, or CF3; halosubstituted C1-10 alkoxy, such OCF2CF 2 H; an optionally substituted aryl, such as phenyl, or an optionally substituted arylalkyl, such as benzyl or phenethyl, wherein these aryl moieties may also be substituted one to two times by halogen; hydroxy; hydroxy substituted alkyl; C1-10 alkoxy; S(O)m alkyl; amino, mono di-substituted amino, such as in the NR7R17 group; alkyl, or CF3.

In a preferred subgenus of compounds of Formula RI is 2 -alkoxy-4-pyridyl or 2-alkoxy-4-pyrimidinyl; R2 is morpholinyl propyl, piperidinyl, N-benzyl-4-piperidinyl, or N-methyl-4-piperidinyl; and R4 is phenyl or phenyl substituted one or two times by fluoro, chloro, C1-4 alkoxy, -S(O)m alkyl, methanesulfonamido or acetamido.

Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts are well known to those skilled in the art and include basic salts of inorganic and organic acids, such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, methane sulphonic acid, ethane sulphonic acid, acetic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, lactic acid, oxalic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, phenylacetic acid and mandelic acid.

In addition, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of compounds of Formula may also be formed with a pharmaceutically acceptable cation, for instance, if a substituent group comprises a carboxy moiety. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable cations are well known to those skilled in the art and include alkaline, alkaline earth, ammonium and quaternary ammonium cations.

25 The following terms, as used herein, refer to: "halo" or "halogens", include the halogens: chloro, fluoro, bromo and iodo.

"Cl- 10 alkyl" or "alkyl" both straight and branched chain radicals of 1 to carbon atoms, unless the chain length is otherwise limited, including, but not limited to, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, iso-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl and the like.

The term "cycloalkyl" is used herein to mean cyclic radicals, preferably of 3 to 8 carbons, including but not limited to cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and the like.

The term "cycloalkenyl" is used herein to mean cyclic radicals, preferably of 5 to 8 carbons, which have at least one bond including but not limited to cyclopentenyl, 35 cyclohexenyl, and the like.

The term "alkenyl" is used herein at all occurrences to mean straight or branched chain radical of 2-10 carbon atoms, unless the chain length is limited thereto, including, but -8not limited to ethenyl, 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, 2-methyl- -propenyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl and the like.

"aryl" phenyl and naphthyl; "heteroaryl" (on its own or in any combination, such as "heteroaryloxy", or "heteroaryl alkyl") a 5-10 membered aromatic ring system in which one or more rings contain one or more heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, O or S, such as, but not limited, to pyrrole, pyrazole, furan, thiophene, quinoline, isoquinoline, quinazolinyl, pyridine, pyrimidine, oxazole, thiazole, thiadiazole, triazole, imidazole, or benzimidazole.

"heterocyclic" (on its own or in any combination, such as "heterocyclylalkyl") a saturated or partially unsaturated 4-10 membered ring system in which one or more rings contain one or more heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, O, or S; such as, but not limited to, pyrrolidine, piperidine, piperazine, morpholine, tetrahydro pyran, or imidazolidine.

The term "aralkyl" or "heteroarylalkyl" or "heterocyclicakyl" is used herein to mean C1 -4 alkyl as defined above attached to an aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclic moiety as also defined herein unless otherwise indicate.

"sulfinyl" the oxide S of the corresponding sulfide, the term "thio" refers to the sulfide, and the term "sulfonyl" refers to the fully oxidized S (0)2 moiety.

"aroyl" a C(0)Ar, wherein Ar is as phenyl, naphthyl, or aryl alkyl derivative 20 such as defined above, such group include but are not limited to benzyl and phenethyl.

"alkanoyl" a C(0)CI-10 alkyl wherein the alkyl is as defined above.

For the purposes herein the "core" 4-pyrimidinyl moiety for RI or R2 is referred to

N

N

as the formula: The compounds of the present invention may contain one or more asymmetric carbon atoms and may exist in racemic and optically active forms. All of these compounds are included within the scope of the present invention.

Exemplified compounds of Formula include: 1-(4-Piperidinyl)-4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-(2-isopropoxy-4-pyrimidinyl) imidazole 1-(4-Piperidinyl)-4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-(2-methoxy-4-pyrimidinyl) imidazole 5-(2-Methoxy-4-pyridinyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)- 1 -(4-piperidinyl)imidazole 5-(2-iso-Propoxy-4-pyridinyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)- 1-(4-piperidinyl)imidazole -(2-Ethoxy-4-pyridimidinyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)- 1 -(4-piperidinyl)imidazole.

A preferred grouping of compounds of Formula have the structure: R2

R>N

R4 N (Ia) wherein R I is pyrimidinyl substituted with a CL.4 alkoxy, and is additionally optionally substituted independently one or more times by C 1- alkyl, halogen, hydroxyl, C 1 alkoxy. C 1alkylthio, C 1- alkylsulfinyl, CH20R 12, amnino, mono and di- C1-6 alkyl substituted amino, N(R IO)C(O)Rc or an N-heterocyclyl ring which ring has from 5 to 7 members and optionally contains an additional heteroatom selected from oxygen, sulfur or NR R2 is an optionally substituted heterocyclyl, or an optionally substituted heterocyclylC 1 alkyl moiety; R4 is phenyl, which is optionally substituted by halogen; R10 is independently selected from hydrogen or CIA4 alkyl; Rc is hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl, C 3 7 cycloalkyl, aryl, arylC 1 4 alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylC I .4alkyl, heterocyclyl, or heterocyclylC 1 4alkyl C 1 alkyl, all of which may be optionally substituted; R12 is hydrogen or R16; R 16 is C1 -4 alkyl, halo- substituted-C 1- alkyl, or C3-7 cycloalkyl; :R15 is hydrogen, C1-4 alkyl or C(Z)-CLA4 alkyl; Z is oxygen or sulfur; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

:Preferably, R2 is piperidine, 1-Formyl-.4-piperidine, l-benzyl-4-piperidine, 1-methyl- 30 4-piperidine, 1 -ehxycarbonyl piperidine, 2 2 6 6 -tetramethyl-4-piperidine, morpholino ethyl, morpholino propyl, pyrrolidinyl propyl, or piperidinyl propyl.

Another prefered grouping of compounds of Formula have the structure:

R

R R4^ N 4 (Ib) wherein R1 is pyridyl substituted with a C1-4 alkoxy, and is additionally optionally substituted independently one or more times by C 1-4 alkyl, halogen, hydroxyl, C1-4 alkoxy, C1-4 alkylthio, C1-4 alkylsulfinyl, CH2OR12, amino, mono and di- C1-6 alkyl substituted amino, N(R10)C(O)Rc or an N-heterocyclyl ring which ring has from 5 to 7 members and optionally contains an additional heteroatom selected from oxygen, sulfur or NR R2 is an optionally substituted heterocyclyl, or an optionally substituted heterocyclylC1-10 alkyl moiety; R4 is phenyl, which is optionally substituted by halogen; is independently selected from hydrogen or C1-4 alkyl; Rc is hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl, C 3 7 cycloalkyl, aryl, arylC1-4 alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylC 1-4alkyl, heterocyclyl, or heterocyclylC 1-4alkyl C1-4 alkyl, all of which may be optionally substituted; R12 is hydrogen or R16; R16 is C1-4 alkyl, halo-substituted-C 1-4 alkyl, or C3-7 cycloalkyl; is hydrogen, C1-4 alkyl or C(Z)-C 1 -4 alkyl; Z is oxygen or sulfur; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

20 Preferably, R2 is piperidine, 1-Formyl-4-piperidine, 1-benzyl-4-piperidine, 1-methyl- 4-piperidine, 1-ethoxycarbonyl-4-piperidine, 2 2 6 6 -tetramethyl-4-piperidine, morpholino .ethyl, morpholino propyl, pyrrolidinyl propyl, or piperidinyl propyl.

The compounds of Formula may be obtained by applying synthetic procedures, i some of which are illustrated in Schemes I to XI herein. The synthesis provided for in 25 these Schemes is applicable for the producing compounds of Formula having a variety of different R1, R2, and R 4 groups which are reacted, employing optional substituents t* t* which are suitably protected, to achieve compatibility with the reactions outlined herein.

Subsequent deprotection, in those cases, then affords compounds of the nature generally disclosed. Once the imidazole nucleus has been established, further compounds of Formula 30 may be prepared by applying standard techniques for functional group interconversion, well known in the art.

For instance: -C(O)NR13R1 4 from -CO2CH3 by heating with or without catalytic metal cyanide, e.g. NaCN, and HNR13RI4 in CH30H; -OC(O)R3 from -OH with e.g., CIC(O)R3 in pyridine; -NR10-C(S)NR13RI 4 from -NHR10 with an alkylisothiocyante or 11thiocyanic acid; NR6C(O)0R 6 from -NHR6 with the alkyl chioroformate; NRl1oC(O)NR I3R 1 4 from -NHR 10 by treatment with anl isocyanate, e.gc. HN;-=C=O or R iON=C=O; -NR I -C(O)R 8 from -INHR 10 by treatment with CI-C(O)R 3 in pyridine; C(=iNR1O)NR13Rl 4 from -C(NRl3RI 4

)SR

3 with H-3NR3+OAc- by heating in alcohol; C(INRl3R14)SR 3 from -C(S)NR 1 3RI 4 with R6- in an inert solvent, e.g. acetone; C(S)NRlI3R 1 4 (where R 13 or R 14 is not hydrogen) from -C(S)NH2 with HNR13RI4-C(=NCN)-.NRl 3

R

1 4 from -C(=NRL3Rl 4

)-SR

3 with NH2CN by heating in anhydrous alcohol, alternatively from -C(=NH)-NR 13

RI

4 by treatment with BrCN and NaGEt in EtOH; -,NR1O-C(=NCN)SR 8 from -NHRIO by treatment with (R8S)2C=.NCN; NRlIOSO2R3 from -NIIR 1 by treatment with ClSO2R3 by heating in pyridine; NR IOC(S)R3 from -NR IOC(O)R 8 by treatment with Lawesson's reagent [2 ,4-bis(4methoxyphenyl)- 1,3 2 4 -dithadiphosphetane.2,4-disulfide]. -NR 1OSO2CF3 from -NHR6 with triflic anhydride and base wherein R3, R6, R 10, R 13 and R 14 are as defined in Formula herein.

Precursors of the groups R I, R 2 and R 4 can be other R I, R 2 and R 4 groups which can be interconverted by applying standard techniques for functional group intercon version.

For example a compound of the formula wherein R 2 is halo -substituted C I 10 alkyl can be converted to the corresponding

C

1 I 10 alkylN 3 derivative by reacting with a suitable azide salt, and thereafter if desired can be reduced to the corresponding

C

1

I.-

1 Oalky1NH 2 compound, which in turn can be reacted with R I 8 S(0) 2 X wherein X is halo chioro) to yield the corresponding C I I aLkcylNS(o) 2 R 18 compound.

Alternatively a compound of the formula where R 2 is halo-substituted *C I 1 Q-alkyl can be reacted with an amine R 13 R 14 NH to yield the corresponding Clj..-aIkylNRl 3

RI

4 compound, or can be reacted with an alkali metal salt of R 1 8 SH to yield the corresponding C I -I alkylSR 18 compound.

12 13

R

4 CHO +ArS(O)pH

H

2

NCHO

CHCI

3 NaOH

CH

2 C1 2

H

2 0, PTC Ar-S(Q)

P

(Iv) 4 NIICHO dehydring agent

R

4

CH

2

NH

2 (VMf) Formylating agent

R

4

CH,-NICHO

dehydrating agent

R

4

CH

2 NC (VI) RICHO

R

2 NH 2 Ar L I wherein p =2 Ar-S(O)

P

R4 NC

NR

2 Referring to Scheme I the compounds of Formula are suitably prepared by reacting a compound of the Formula (11) with a compound of the Formula (Il) wherein p is 0 or 2, R I, R 2 and R 4 are as defined herein, for Formula or are precursors of the groups Rl, R 2 and R 4 and Ar is an optionally substituted phenyl group, and thereafter if necessary converting a precursor of R I, R 2 and R 4 to a group R I, R 2 and R 4 Suitably, the reaction is performed at ambient temperature or with cooling (eg. to 100) or heating in a solvent which is inert to the reaction conditions such as methylene chloride, DMF, tetrahydrofuran, toluene, acetonitrile, or dimethoxyethane in the presence of an appropriate base such as 1,8diazabicyclo undec-7-ene (DBU) or a guanidine base such as 1,5,7-triaza-bicyclo dec-5-ene (TBD). The intermediates of formula (II) have been found to be very stable and capable of storage for a long time. Preferably, p is 2. PTC is defined as a phase transfer catalyst.

Compounds of the Formula (II) have the structure: Ar-S(O)p

(II)

R4 NC wherein p is 0, or 2; R4 is as defined for Formula and Ar is an optionally substituted aryl as defined herein. Suitably, Ar is phenyl optionally substituted by C1- 4 aikyl, C1-4 alkoxy or halo. Preferably Ar is phenyl or 4-methylphenyl, i.e. a tosyl derivative.

Reaction of a compound of the Formula (II) wherein p 2, with a compound of the Formula (II) in Scheme I gives consistently higher yields of compounds of Formula (I) than when p=0. In addition, the reaction of Formula (II) compounds wherein p 2 is more environmentally and economically attractive. When p=0, the preferred solvent used is methylene chloride, which is environmentally unattractive for large scale processing, and the preferred base, TBD, is also expensive, and produces some byproducts and impurities, than when using the commercially attractive synthesis as further described herein.

As noted, Scheme I utilizes the 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of an anion of a 20 substituted aryl thiomethylisocyanide (when p=O) to an imine. More specifically, this reaction requires a strong base, such as an amine base, to be used for the deprotonation step.

The commercially available TBD is preferred although t-butoxide, Li+ or Na+, or K+ hexamethyldisilazide may also be used. While methylene chloride is the prefered solvent, other halogenated solvents, such as chloroform or carbon tetrachloride; ethers, such as 25 THF, DME, DMF, diethylether, t-butyl methyl ether; as well as acetonitrile, toluene or mixtures thereof can be utiltized. The reaction may take place from about -200C to about; **400C, preferably from about 0°C to about 23 0 C, more preferably from about OOC to about 0 C, and most preferably about 40C for reactions involving an R1 group of pyrimidine.

For compounds wherein RI is pyridine, it is recognized that varying the reations conditions 30 of both temperature and solvent may be necessary, such as decreasing temperatures to about -500C or changing the solvent to THF.

14- In a further process, compounds of Formula may be prepared by coupling a suitable derivative of a compound of Formula (IX): ,2 Ti N

T

4

(IX)

wherein T is hydrogen and T4 is R4, or alternatively T is R1 and T4 is H in which R R2 and R4 are as hereinbefore defined; with: when TI is hydrogen, a suitable derivative of the heteroaryl ring R 1H, under ring coupling conditions, to effect coupling of the heteroaryl ring RI to the imidazole nucleus at position 5; (ii) when T4 is hydrogen, a suitable derivative of the aryl ring R4H, under ring coupling conditions, to effect coupling of the aryl ring R4 to the imidazole nucleus at position 4.

Such aryl/heteroaryl coupling reactions are well known to those skilled in the art.

In general, an organometallic synthetic equivalent of an anion of one component is coupled with a reactive derivative of the second component, in the presence of a suitable catalyst.

The anion equivalent may be formed from either the imidazole of Formula in which case the aryl/heteroaryl compound provides the reactive derivative, or the aryl/heteroaryl compound in which case the imidazole provides the reactive derivative. Accordingly, suitable derivatives of the compound of Formula (IX) or the aryl/heteroaryl rings include organometallic derivatives such as organomagnesium, organozinc, organostannane and 20 boronic acid derivatives and suitable reactive derivatives include the bromo, iodo, fluorosulfonate and trifluoromethanesulphonate derivatives. Suitable procedures are described in WO 91/19497, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

Suitable organomagnesium and organozinc derivatives of a compound of Formula (IX) may be reacted with a halogen, fluorosulfonate or triflate derivative of the heteroaryl or aryl ring, in the presence of a ring coupling catalyst, such as a palladium or palladium (II) catalyst, following the procedure of Kumada et al., Tetrahedron Letters, 22, 5319 (1981). Suitable such catalysts include tetrakis-(triphenylphosphine)palladium and PdC12[1,4-bis-(diphenylphosphino)-butane], optionally in the presence of lithium chloride and a base, such as triethylamine. In addition, a nickel (11) catalyst, such as Ni(II)C12(1,2- 30 biphenylphosphino)ethane, may also be used for coupling an aryl ring, following the procedure of Pridgen et al., J. Org. Chem, 1982, 47, 4319. Suitable reaction solvents include hexamethylphosphor-amide. When the heteroaryl ring is 4-pyridyl, suitable derivatives include 4-bromo- and 4 -iodo-pyridine and the fluorosulfonate and triflate esters of 4-hydroxy pyridine. Similarly, suitable derivatives for when the aryl ring is phenyl include the bromo, fluorosulfonate, triflate and, preferably, the iodo-derivatives. Suitable organomagnesium and organozinc derivatives may be obtained by treating a compound of Formula (IX) or the bromo derivative thereof with an alkyllithium compound to yield the corresponding lithium reagent by deprotonation or transmetallation, respectively. This lithium intermediate may then be treated with an excess of a magnesium halide or zinc halide to yield the corresponding organometallic reagent.

A trialkyltin derivative of the compound of Formula (IX) may be treated with a bromide, fluorosulfonate, triflate, or, preferably, iodide derivative of an aryl or heteroaryl ring compound, in an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, preferably containing hexamethylphosphoramide, in the presence of a suitable coupling catalyst, such as a palladium catalyst, for instance terrakis-(triphenylphosphine)-palladium, by the method described in by Stille, J. Amer. Chem. Soc, 1987, 109, 5478, US Patents 4,719,218 and 5,002,942, or by using a palladium (II) catalyst in the presence of lithium chloride optionally with an added base such as triethylamine, in an inert solvent such as dimethyl formamide. Trialkyltin derivatives may be conveniently obtained by metallation of the corresponding compound of Formula (IX) with a lithiating agent, such as s-butyl-lithium or n-butyllithium, in an ethereal solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran, or treatment of the bromo derivative of the corresponding compound of Formula (IX) with an alkyl lithium, followed, in each case, by treatment with a trialkyltin halide. Alternatively, the bromo- derivative of a compound of Formula (IX) may be treated with a suitable heteroaryl or aryl trialkyl tin compound in the presence of a catalyst such as tetrakis-(triphenyl-phosphine)-palladium, under conditions similar to those described above.

Boronic acid derivatives are also useful. Hence, a suitable derivative of a compound of Formula such as the bromo, iodo, triflate or fluorosulphonate derivative, 25 may be reacted with a heteroaryl- or aryl-boronic acid, in the presence of a palladium catalyst such as terakis-(triphenylphosphine)-palladium or PdC12[,4-bis-(diphenylphosphino)-butane] in the presence of a base such as sodium bicarbonate, under reflux conditions, in a solvent such as dimethoxyethane (see Fischer and Haviniga, Rec. Trav.

-Chim. Pays Bas, 84,439, 1965, Snieckus, Tetrahedron Lett., 29, 2135, 1988 and Terashimia, Chem. Pharm. Bull., 11, 4755, 1985). Non-aqueous conditions, for instance, a solvent such as DMF, at a temperature of about 100°C, in the presence of a Pd(II) catalyst may also be employed (see Thompson W J et al, J Org Chem, 49, 5237, 1984). Suitable boronic acid derivatives may be prepared by treating the magnesium or lithium derivative with a trialkylborate ester, such as triethyl, tri-iso-propyl or 35 tributylborate, according to standard procedures.

16- In such coupling reactions, it will be readily appreciated that due regard must be exercised with respect to functional groups present in the compounds of Formula (IX).

Thus, in general, amino and sulfur substituents should be non-oxidised or protected.

Compounds of Formula (IX) are imidazoles and may be obtained by any of the procedures herein before described for preparing compounds of Formula In particular, an cr-halo-ketone or other suitably activated ketones R4COCH2Hal (for compounds of Formula (IX) in which Tl is hydrogen) or RICOCH2Hal (for compounds of Formula (IX) in which T4 is hydrogen) may be reacted with an amidine of the formula R2NH-C=NH, wherein R2 is as defined in Formula or a salt thereof, in an inert solvent such as a halogenated hydrocarbon solvent, for instance chloroform, at a moderately elevated temperature, and, if necessary, in the presence of a suitable condensation agent such as a base. The preparation of suitable a-halo-ketones is described in WO 91/19497. Suitable reactive esters include esters of strong organic acids such as a lower alkane sulphonic or aryl sulphonic acid, for instance, methane orp-toluene sulphonic acid. The amidine is preferably used as the salt, suitably the hydrochloride salt, which may then be converted into the free amidine in situ by employing a two phase system in which the reactive ester is in an inert organic solvent such as chloroform, and the salt is in an aqueous phase to which a solution of an aqueous base is slowly added, in dimolar amount, with vigorous stirring. Suitable amidines may be obtained by standard methods, see for instance, Garigipati R, Tetrahedron Letters, 190, 31, 1989.

Compounds of Formula may also be prepared by a process which comprises reacting a compound of Formula wherein T is hydrogen, with an N-acyl heteroaryl salt, according to the method disclosed in US patent 4,803,279, US patent 4,719,218 and US patent 5,002,942, to give an intermediate in which the heteroaryl ring is attached to the 25 imidazole nucleus and is present as a 1,4-dihydro derivative thereof, which intermediate may then be subjected to oxidative-deacylation conditions (Scheme The heteroaryl salt, for instance a pyridinium salt, may be either preformed or, more preferably, prepared in situ by adding a substituted carbonyl halide (such as an acyl halide, an aroyl halide, an arylalkyl haloformate ester, or, preferably, an alkyl haloformate ester, such as acetyl 30 bromide, benzoylchloride, benzyl chloroformate, or, preferably, ethyl chloroformate) to a solution of the compound of Formula (IX) in the heteroaryl compound R1H or in an inert solvent such as methylene chloride to which the heteroaryl compound has been added.

Suitable deacylating and oxidising conditions are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,803,279, 4,719,218 and 5,002,942, which references are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Suitable oxidizing systems include sulfur in an inert solvent or solvent mixture, such as decalin, decalin and diglyme, p-cymene, xylene or mesitylene, under reflux conditions, or, preferably, potassium t-butoxide in t-butanol with dry air or oxygen.

17- 0 HN2

A

HN )2 FaIfN 2 X ONH pynoine/R COCI N S/decaiin, or R N R« RR N K- t-outoxe/air l SCHEME II In a further process, illustrated in Scheme EI below, compounds of Formula (I) may be prepared by treating a compound of Formula thermally or with the aid of a cyclising agent such as phosphorus oxychloride or phosphorus pentachloride (see Engel and Steglich, Liebigs Ann Chem, 1978, 1916 and Strzybny et al., J Org Chem, 1963, 28, 3381).

Compounds of Formula may be obtained, for instance, by acylating the corresponding a-keto-amine with an activated formate derivative such as the corresponding anhydride, under standard acylating conditions followed by formation of the imine with R2NH 2 The aminoketone may be derived from the parent ketone by oxamination and reduction and the requisite ketone may in turn be prepared by decarboxylation of the beta-ketoester obtained from the condensation of an aryl (heteroaryl) acetic ester with the RICOX component.

S1.) NaOMe 0 1.)0 0 2 HCI R O 1.)NaNO 2 HCI. 4 2 O LM e R 0 POCI 3 R OR R 2 e R NH, 2 2.)NH 2 A. R N 4 H H S formnnua (X) .99 SCHEME m In Scheme IV illustrated below, two different routes which use ketone (formula 20 XI) for preparing a compound of Formula A heterocyclic ketone (XI) is prepared by adding the anion of the alkyl heterocycle such as 4 -methyl-quinoline (prepared by treatment *i •thereof with an alkyl lithium, such as n-butyl lithium) to an N-alkyl-O-alkoxybenzamide, ester, or any other suitably activated derivative of the same oxidation state. Alternatively, the anion may be condensed with a benzaldehyde, to give an alcohol which is then oxidised S 25 to the ketone (XI).

18- R, NHR 2 R r R4 0 R 0 0 (XI)

R

2

"CH

2 Br 2 L RR ONH 0 R O ow

R,

SCHEME IV In a further process, N-substituted compounds of Formula may be prepared by treating the anion of an amide of Formula (XII): R1CH2NR2COH

(XII)

wherein R and R2 with: a nitrile of the Formula (XIII): R4CN

(XIII)

wherein R4 is as hereinbefore defined, or an excess of an acyl halide, for instance an acyl chloride, of the Formula (XIV): R4COHal

(XIV)

wherein R4 is as hereinbefore defined and Hal is halogen, or a corresponding anhydride, to give a bis-acylated intermediate which is then treated with a source of ammonia, such as 15 ammonium acetate.

R

2 HN base R, C Ri U+-N(i-Pr R R2 0 R 44

(XII)

SCHEME

V

20 One variation of this approach is illustrated in Scheme V above. A primary amine

(R

2 NH2) is treated with a halomethyl heterocycle of Formula RICH 2 X to give the secondary amine which is then converted to the amide by standard techniques.

Alternatively the amide may be prepared as illustrated in scheme V by alkylation of the formamide with RICH 2 X. Deprotonation of this amide with a strong amide base, such as lithium di-iso-propyl amide or sodium bis-(trimethylsilyl)amide, followed by addition of an excess of an aroyl chloride yields the bis-acylated compound which is then closed to an 19imidazole compound of Formula by heating in acetic acid cc ining ammonium acetate. Alternatively, the anion of the amide may be reacted wIm a substituted aryl nitriie to produce the imidazole of Formula directly.

The following description and schemes are further exemplification of the process as previously described above in Scheme I. Various pyrimidine aldehyde derivatives 6 and 7 as depicted in scheme VI below, can be prepared by modification of the procedures of Bredereck et al. (Chem. Ber. 1964, 97, 3407) whose disclosure is incorporated by reference herein. These pyrimidine aldehydes are then utilized as intermediates in the synthesis as further described.

MeO 0 >-NMe 2 MeO\/ MeO MeO N" N MeO 1 MeO 2 1. thiourea NaOEt /EtO 2. RI SR

RO

3 N O(n) N YN II NaOR/ROH N5 OXONE S N MeO OMe MeO OMe

N.

4 H Hi MeO OMe :HCI

HCI

THF H 2 0 n 1 or2 THF/

SRY

II

N

6

N

7

H

Scheme VI The reaction of imines with tosylmethyl isonitriles was first reported by van Leusen (van Leusen, et al., J. Org. Chem. 1977, 42, 1153.) Reported were the following conditions: tert butyl amine(tBuNH 2 in dimethoxyethane (DME), K 2 C0 3 in MeOH, and NaH in DME. Upon re-examination of these conditions each was found produce low yields. A second pathway involving amine exchange to produce the t-butyl imine followed by reaction with the isocyanide to produce a 1-tBu imidazole was also operating. This will likely occur using any primary amine as a base. The secondary amines, while not preferred may be used, but may also decompose the isonitrile slowly. Reactions will likely require about 3 equivalents of amine to go to completion, resulting in approximately 50% isolated yields. Hindered secondary amines (diisopropylamine) while usable are very slow and generally not too effective. Use of tertiary and aromatic amines, such as pyridine, and triethylamine gave no reaction under certain test conditions, but more basic types such as DBU, and 4 -dimethylamino pyridine (DMAP) while slow, did produce some yields and hence may be suitable for use herein.

As depicted in Schemes VII and VIm below, the pyrimidine aldehydes of Scheme VI, can be condensed with a primary amine, to generate an imine, which may suitably be isolated or reacted in situ, with the desired isonitrile in the presence of a variety of suitable bases, and solvents as described herein to afford the 5-( 4 -pyrimidinyl)-substituted imidazoles, wherein R2 and R4 are as defined herein for Formula compounds.

One preferred method for preparing compounds of Formula is shown below in Scheme VII. The imines, prepared and isolated in a separate step were often tars, which were hard to handle. The black color was also often carried over into the final product.

The yield for making the imines varied, and environmentally less-acceptable solvents, such 20 as CH2C12 were often used in their preparation.

This reaction, wherein p=2. requires a suitable base for the reaction to proceed. The reaction requires a base strong enough to deprotonate the isonitrile. Suitable bases include an amine, a carbonate, a hydride, or an alkyl or aryl lithium reagent; or mixtures thereof.

Bases include, but are not limited to, potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, primary and 25 secondary amines, such as morpholine, piperidine, pyrrolidine, and other non-nucleophilic bases.

Suitable solvents for use herein, include but are not limited to N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), MeCN, halogenated solvents, such as methylene chloride or chloroform, tetrahydrofuran (THF), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), alcohols, such as methanol or ethanol, benzene, or toluene, or DME. Preferably the solvent is DMF, DME, THF, or MeCN, more preferably DMF. Product isolation may generally be accomplished by adding water and filtering the product as a clean compound.

-21 N Me Me S0STol VN (DiSanto,et Synth. Commun. 1995, 25, 795).

Various temperature conditions may be utilized depending upon the preferred base about 0 °C to about 25 oc.

XR

F

SCHEME VII While not convenient for large scale work, addition of NaH to the isonitrine, perhaps with temperatures lower than 25 OC (in THF) are likely needed. Additionally, BuLi has also been reported to be an effective base for deprotonating tosyl benzylisonitries at (DiSanto,et al., Synth. Commun. 1995, 25, 795).

Various temperature conditons may be utilized depending upon the preferred base For instance, tBuNH2/DME K2CO3/MeOH, K2C03 in DMF, at temperatures above DC, the yields may drop to about 20% but little difference is expected between OOC and C. Consequently, temperature ranges below 0 C and above 80 OC are contemplated as also being within the scope of this invention. Preferably, the temperature ranges are from about 0 0 C to about 25 °C.

As shown in Scheme VI V below, the imine is preferably formed in situ in a solvent This preferred synthesis, is a process which occurs as a one-pot synthesis. Suitably, when the primary amine is utilized as a salt, the reaction may further include a base, such as potassium carbonate prior to the addition of the isonitrile. Alternatively, the piperidine nitrogen may be required to be protected as shown below. Reaction conditions, such as solvents, bases, temperatures, etc. are similar to those illustrated and discussed above for the isolated imine as shown in Scheme VII. One skilled in the art would readily recognize that under some circumstances, the in situ formation of the imine may require dehydrating conditions, or may require acid catalysis.

-22-

BOC

CHO I NON 0Q OR Nf-

BOC

DMF

K2CO 3

DMF

RO

BOC

N) 3N HCI

RO

/H

F/N

-N

SCHEME VIII Scheme IX, describes an ai: -mative process for making compounds of formula 5 In this particular instance, the alkylthio moiety is oxidized to the alkylsulfinyl or sulfonly moiety which is reacted with a suitable alkoxy moiety.

0.00.: 0 00 0 .00.0: 0 .0.

0 0000 RS N N ,R2

R),N

R4 R(On)S N RC OXONE N ,R 2 NaOR/ROH N R4

A

N

N

N

3 3 n= 1,2 Scheme IX Another embodiment of the present invention is the novel hydrolysis of 2thiomethylpyrimidine acetal to 2 -thiomethylpyrimidine aldehyde, as shown in Scheme X below. Hydrolysis of the acetal to aldehyde using various known reaction conditions, such as formic acid, did not produce a satisfactory yield of the aldehyde, was obtained.

The preferred synthesis involves the use of AcOH (fresh) as solvent and con-centrated H2S04 under heating conditions, preferably a catalytic amount of sulfuric acid. Heating conditions include temperatures from about 60 to 85 0 C, preferably from about 70 to about 0 C as higher temperatures show a darkening of the reaction mixture. After the reaction -23is complete the mixture is cooled to about room temperature and the acetic acid is removed.

A more preferred alternative procedure to this involves heating the acetal in 3N HCI at 0 C for about 18 hours, cooling and extracting the bicarbonate neutralized solution into EtOAc.

OMe 0 OMe AcOH/conc.

H

2

SO.

N N

H

0 C N N SMe SMe Scheme X While these schemes herein are presented, for instance, with an optionally substituted piperidine moiety for the resultant R2 position, or a 4-fluoro phenyl for R4, any suitable R2 moiety or R4 moiety may be added in this manner if it can be prepared on the primary amine. Similarly, any suitable R4 can be added via the isonitrile route.

The compounds of Formula in Scheme I, may be prepared by the methods of van Leusen et al., supra. For example a compound of the Formula (II) may be prepared by dehydrating a compound of the Formula (IV)-Scheme I, wherein Ar, R 4 and p are as defined herein.

S" Suitable dehydrating agents include phosphorus oxychloride, oxalyl chloride, Sthionyl chloride, phosgene, or tosyl chloride in the presence of a suitable base such as Striethylamine or diisopropylethylamine, or similar bases, etc. such as pyridine. Suitable solvents are dimethoxy ether, tetrahydrofuran, or halogenated solvents, preferably

THF

S• 20 The reaction is most efficent when the reacton temperatures are kept between C and At lower temperatures incomplete reaction occurs and at higher temperatures, the S" solution turns dark and the product yield drops.

The compounds of formula (IV)-Scheme I may be prepared by reacting a compound of the formula (V)-Scheme I, R 4 CHO where R 4 is as defined herein, with ArS(O)pH and S S wish as dee itSH formamide with or without water removal, preferably under dehydrating conditions, at ambient or elevated temperature e.g. 30* to 150, conveniently at reflux, optionally in the .presence of an acid catalyst. Alternatively trimethysilylchloride can be used in place of the acid catalyst. Examples of acid catalysts include camphor-10-sulphoni c acid, formic acid, p-toluenesulphonic acid, hydrogen chloride or sulphuric acid.

-24- An optimal method of making an isonitrile of Formula (II) is illustrated below, in Scheme XI.

formamide NHCHO SCOTol CHO TMSCI SNHCHO TolSH NHCHO PhMe: F MeCN S1:1 F °C 2 3

SO

2 Tol 0.5 M THF

SO

2 Tol POC13 NHCHO Et3N

NC

0 oC F 30 min F" yield 4 SCHEME XI The conversion of the substituted aldehyde to the tosylbenzyl formamide may be accomplished by heating the aldehyde, 1-Scheme XI, with an acid, such as p-toluenesulfonic acid, formic acid or camphorsulfonic acid; with formamide and p-toluene-sulfinic acid [under reaction conditions of about 60 0 C for about 24 hours]. Preferably, no solvent is used. The reaction, may give poor yields 30%) when solvents, such as DMF, DMSO, 0 toluene, acetonitrile, or excess formamide are used. Temperatures less than 60 0 C are generally poor at producing the desired product, and temperatures in excess of 60 0 C may produce a product which decomposes, or obtain a benzylic bis-formamide, 2-Scheme XI.

Another embodiment of the present invention is the synthesis of the tosyl benzyl formamide compound, achieved by reacting the bisformamide intermediate, 2-Scheme XI with p-toluenesulfinic acid. In this preferred route, preparation of the bis-formamide from the aldehyde is accomplished by heating the aldehyde with formamide, in a suitable solvent with acid catalysis. Suitable solvents are toluene, acetonitrile, DMF, and DMSO or mixtures thereof. Acid catalysts, are those well known in the art, and include but are not limited to hydrogen chloride, p-toluenesulfonic acid, camphorsulfonic acid, and other 20 anhydrous acids. The reaction can be conducted at temperatures ranging from about 250C to 1 10 0 C, preferably about 50oC, suitably for about 4 to about 5 hours, longer reaction times are also acceptable. Product decomposition and lower yields may be observed at higher temperatures (>700C) at prolonged reactions times. Complete conversion of the product generally requires water removal from the reaction mixture.

Preferred conditions for converting a bis-formamide derivative to the tosyl benzyl formamide are accomplished by heating the bisformamide in a suitable solvent with an acid catalyst and p-toluenesulfinic acid. Solvents for use in this reaction include but are not limited to toluene, and acetonitrile or mixtures thereof. Additional mixtures of these solvents with DMF, or DMSO may also be used but may result in lower yields.

Temperatures may range from about 30 0 C to about 100 0 C. Temperatures lower than 40 0

C

and higher than 60 0 C are not preferred as the yield and rate decreases. Preferably the range is from about 40 to 60 0 C, most preferably about 50 0 C. The optimal time is about 4 to hours, although it may be longer. Preferably, acids used include but are not limited to, toluenesulfonic acid, camphorsulfonic acid, and hydrogen chloride and other anhydrous acids. Most preferably the bisformamide is heated in toluene:acetonitrile in a 1:1 ratio, with p-toluenesulfinic acid and hydrogen chloride.

Another embodiment of the present invention is the preferred synthetic route for synthesis of the tosylbenzyl formamide compound which is accomplished using a one-pot procedure. This process first converts the aldehyde to the bis-formamide derivative and subsequently reacts the bis-formamide derivative with toluenesulfinic acid. This procedure combines the optimized conditions into a single, efficient process. High yields, >90% of the aryl benzylformamide may be obtained in such a manner.

Preferred reaction conditions employ a catalyst, such as trimethylsilyl chloride 20 (TMSC1), in a preferred solvent, toluene:acetonitrile, preferably in a 1:1 ratio. A reagent, such as TMSC1 is preferred which reacts with water produced therein and at the same time produces hydrogen chloride to catalyze the reaction. Also preferred is use of hydrogen chloride and p-toluenesulfonic acid. Therefore, three suitable reaction conditions for use i herein include 1) use of a dehydrating agent which also provides hydrogen chloride, such as TMSC1; or by 2) use of a suitable dehydrating agent and a suitable source of acid source, such as but not limited to, camphorsulfonic acid, hydrogen chloride or toluenesulfonic acid; and 3) alternative dehydrating conditions, such as the azeotropic removal of water, and using an acid catalyst and p-toluene sulfinic acid.

Compounds of the formula (II) where p is 2 may also be prepared by reacting in the presence of a strong base a compound of the formula (VI) -Scheme I, R 4

CH

2 NC with a compound of the formula (VU)-Scheme I, ArSO 2

L

1 wherein R 4 and Ar are as defined S. herein and L 1 is a leaving group such as halo, e.g. fluoro. Suitable strong bases include, but are not limited to, alkyl lithiums such as butyl lithium or lithium diisopropylamide (Van Leusen et al, Tetrahedron Letters, No. 23, 2367-68 (1972)).

The compounds of formula (VI)-Scheme I may be prepared by reacting a compound of the formula (VIII)-Scheme I, R 4

CH

2

NH

2 with an alkyl formate ethylformate) to yield an intermediate amide which can be converted to the desired isonitrile by reacting -26with well known dehydrating agent, such as but not limited to oxalyl chloride, phosphorus oxychloride or tosyl chloride in the presence of a suitable base such as triethylamine.

Alternatively a compound of the formula (VIII) Scheme I may be converted to a compound of the formula Scheme I by reaction with chloroform and sodium hydroxide in aqueous dichloromethane under phase transfer catalysis.

The compounds of the formula (III) Scheme I may be prepared by reacting a compound of the formula RICHO with a primary amine R 2

NH

2 The amino compounds of the formula (VIII) Scheme I are known or can be prepared from the corresponding alcohols, oximes or amides using standard functional group interconversions.

Suitable protecting groups for use with hydroxyl groups and the imidazole nitrogen are well known in the art and described in many references, for instance, Protecting Groups in Organic Synthesis, Greene T W, Wiley-Interscience, New York, 1981. Suitable examples of hydroxyl protecting groups include silyl ethers, such as t-butyldimethyl or tbutyldiphenyl, and alkyl ethers, such as methyl connected by an alkyl chain of variable link, (CR10R20)n. Suitable examples of imidazole nitrogen protecting groups include tetrahydropyranyl.

Pharmaceutically acid addition salts of compounds of Formula may be obtained in known manner, for example by treatment thereof with an appropriate amount of acid in 20 the presence of a suitable solvent.

METHODS OF TREATMENT The compounds of Formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof can be used in the manufacture of a medicament for the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of i 25 any disease state in a human, or other mammal, which is exacerbated or caused by S. excessive or unregulated cytokine production by such mammal's cell, such as but not limited to monocytes and/or macrophages.

Compounds of Formula are capable of inhibiting proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF and are therefore of use in therapy. IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF affect a wide variety of cells and tissues and these cytokines, as well as other leukocyte-derived cytokines, are important and critical inflammatory mediators of a wide variety of disease states and conditions. The inhibition of these pro-inflammatory cytokines is of benefit in controlling, reducing and alleviating many of these disease states.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of treating a cytokinemediated disease which comprises administering an effective cytokine-interfering amount of a compound of Formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

-27- Compounds of Formula are capable of inhibiting inducible proinflammatory proteins, such as COX-2, also referred to by many other names such as prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase-2 (PGHS-2) and are therefore of use in therapy. These proinflammatory lipid mediators of the cyclooxygenase (CO) pathway are produced by the inducible COX-2 enzyme. Regulation, therefore of COX-2 which is responsible for the these products derived from arachidonic acid, such as prostaglandins affect a wide variety of cells and tissues are important and critical inflammatory mediators of a wide variety of disease states and conditions. Expression of COX-1 is not effected by compounds of Formula This selective inhibition of COX-2 may alleviate or spare ulcerogenic liability associated with inhibition of COX-1 thereby inhibiting prostoglandins essential for cytoprotective effects. Thus inhibition of these pro-inflammatory mediators is of benefit in controlling, reducing and alleviating many of these disease states. Most notably these inflammatory mediators, in particular prostaglandins, have been implicated in pain, such as in the sensitization of pain receptors, or edema. This aspect of pain management therefore includes treatment of neuromuscular pain, headache, cancer pain, and arthritis pain.

Compounds of Formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, are of use in the prophylaxis or therapy in a human, or other mammal, by inhibition of the synthesis of the COX-2 enzyme.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of inhibiting the synthesis of 20 COX-2 which comprises administering an effective amount of a compound of Fornula

(I)

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The present invention also provides for a method of prophylaxis treatment in a human, or other mammal, by inhibition of the synthesis of the COX-2 enzyme.

5 In particular, compounds of Formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are of use in the prophylaxis or therapy of any disease state in a human, or other mammal, which is exacerbated by or caused by excessive or unregulated IL-1, IL-8 or TNF production by such mammal's cell, such as, but not limited to, monocytes and/or macrophages.

3 Accordingly, in another aspect, this invention relates to a method of inhibiting the production of IL-1 in a mammal in need thereof which comprises administering to said .mammal an effective amount of a compound of Formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

There are many disease states in which excessive or unregulated IL-1 production is implicated in exacerbating and/or causing the disease. These include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, stroke, endotoxemia and/or toxic shock syndrome, other acute or chronic infammatory disease states such as the inflammatory reaction induced by endotoxin or inflammatory bowel disease, tuberculosis, atherosclerosis, muscle degeneration, multiple -28sclerosis, cachexia, bone resorption, psoriatic arthritis, Reiter's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, traumatic arthritis, rubella arthritis and acute synovitis. Recent evidence also links IL-1 activity to diabetes, pancreatic B cells and Alzheimer's disease.

In a further aspect, this invention relates to a method of inhibiting the production of TNF in a mammal in need thereof which comprises administering to said mammal an effective amount of a compound of Formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Excessive or unregulated TNF production has been implicated in mediating or exacerbating a number of diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid spondylitis, osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis and other arthritic conditions, sepsis, septic shock, endotoxic shock, gram negative sepsis, toxic shock syndrome, adult respiratory distress syndrome, stroke, cerebral malaria, chronic pulmonary inflammatory disease, silicosis, pulmonary sarcoisosis, bone resorption diseases, such as osteoporosis, reperfusion injury, graft vs. host reaction, allograft rejections, fever and myalgias due to infection, such as influenza, cachexia secondary to infection or malignancy, cachexia secondary to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), AIDS, ARC (AIDS related complex), keloid formation, scar tissue formation, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and pyresis.

Compounds of Formula are also useful in the treatment of viral infections, where such viruses are sensitive to upregulation by TNF or will elicit TNF production in vivo.

20 The viruses contemplated for treatment herein are those that produce TNF as a result of infection, or those which are sensitive to inhibition, such as by decreased replication, directly or indirectly, by the TNF inhibiting-compounds of Formula Such viruses include, but are not limited to HIV-1, HIV-2 and HIV-3, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Influenza, adenovirus and the Herpes group of viruses, such as but not limited to, Herpes 25 Zoster and Herpes Simplex. Accordingly, in a further aspect, this invention relates to a method of treating a mammal afflicted with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which comprises administering to such mammal an effective TNF inhibiting amount of a compound of Formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Compounds of Formula may also be used in association with the veterinary treatment of mammals, other than in humans, in need of inhibition of TNF production.

TNF mediated diseases for treatment, therapeutically or prophylactically, in animals include disease states such as those noted above, but in particular viral infections. Examples of such viruses include, but are not limited to, lentivirus infections such as, equine infectious anaemia virus, caprine arthritis virus, visna virus, or maedi virus or retrovirus infections, such as but not limited to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), bovine immunodeficiency virus, or canine immunodeficiency virus or other retroviral infections.

-29- The compounds of Formula may also be used topically in the treatment or prophylaxis of topical disease states mediated by or exacerbated by excessive cytokine production, such as by IL-1 or TNF respectively, such as inflamed joints, eczema, psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions such as sunburn; inflammatory eye conditions including conjunctivitis; pyresis, pain and other conditions associated with inflammation.

Compounds of Formula have also been shown to inhibit the production of IL-8 (Interleukin-8, NAP). Accordingly, in a further aspect, this invention relates to a method of inhibiting the production of IL-8 in a mammal in need thereof which comprises administering to said mammal an effective amount of a compound of Formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

There are many disease states in which excessive or unregulated IL-8 production is implicated in exacerbating and/or causing the disease. These diseases are characterized by massive neutrophil infiltration such as, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, cardiac and renal reperfusion injury, adult respiratory distress syndrome, thrombosis and glomerulonephritis. All of these diseases are associated with increased IL-8 production which is responsible for the chemotaxis of neutrophils into the inflammatory site. In contrast to other inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, TNF, and IL-6), IL-8 has the unique property of promoting neutrophil chemotaxis and activation. Therefore, the inhibition of L-8 production would lead to a direct reduction in the neutrophil infiltration.

20 The compounds of Formula are administered in an amount sufficient to inhibit cytokine, in particular IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 or TNF, production such that it is regulated down to normal levels, or in some case to subnormal levels, so as to ameliorate or prevent the disease state. Abnormal levels of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 or TNF, for instance in the context of the present invention, constitute: levels of free (not cell bound) IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 or TNF greater than or equal to 1 picogram per ml; (ii) any cell associated IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 or TNF; or (iii) the presence of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 or TNF mRNA above basal levels in cells or tissues in which IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 or TNF, respectively, is produced.

The discovery that the compounds of Formula are inhibitors of cytokines, specifically IL-1, IL-6, EL-8 and TNF is based upon the effects of the compounds of S 30 Formulas on the production of the IL-1, IL-8 and TNF in in vitro assays which are described herein.

As used herein, the term "inhibiting the production of IL-1 (IL-6, EL-8 or TNF)" refers to: a) a decrease of excessive in vivo levels of the cytokine (IL-1, 1L-6, IL-8 or TNF) in a human to normal or sub-normal levels by inhibition of the in vivo release of the cytokine by all cells, including but not limited to monocytes or macrophages; b) a down regulation, at the genomic level, of excessive in vivo levels of the cytokine (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 or TNF) in a human to normal or sub-normal levels; c) a down regulation, by inhibition of the direct synthesis of the cytokine (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 or TNF) as a postranslational event; or d) a down regulation, at the translational level, of excessive in vivo levels of the cytokine (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 or in a human to normal or sub-normal levels.

As used herein, the term "TNF mediated disease or disease state" refers to any and all disease states in which TNF plays a role, either by production of TNF itself, or by TNF causing another monokine to be released, such as but not limited to IL-1, IL-6 or IL-8. A disease state in which, for instance, IL-1 is a major component, and whose production or action, is exacerbated or secreted in response to TNF, would therefore be considered a disease stated mediated by TNF.

As used herein, the term "cytokine" refers to any secreted polypeptide that affects the functions of cells and is a molecule which modulates interactions between cells in the immune, inflammatory or hematopoietic response. A cytokine includes, but is not limited to, monokines and lymphokines, regardless of which cells produce them. For instance, a monokine is generally referred to as being produced and secreted by a mononuclear cell, such as a macrophage and/or monocyte. Many other cells however also produce monokines, such as natural killer cells, fibroblasts, basophils, neutrophils, endothelial cells, 20 brain astrocytes, bone marrow stromal cells, epideral keratinocytes and B-lymphocytes.

Lymphokines are generally referred to as being produced by lymphocyte cells. Examples of cytokines include, but are not limited to, Interleukin-1 Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-8 Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-ca) and Tumor Necrosis Factor beta (TNF-B).

25 As used herein, the term "cytokine interfering" or "cytokine suppressive amount" refers to an effective amount of a compound of Formula which will cause a decrease in the in vivo levels of the cytokine to normal or sub-normal levels, when given to a patient for the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease state which is exacerbated by, or caused by, excessive or unregulated cytokine production.

As used herein, the cytokine referred to in the phrase "inhibition of a cytokine, for use in the treatment of a HIV-infected human" is a cytokine which is implicated in the initiation and/or maintenance of T cell activation and/or activated T cell-mediated

HIV

gene expression and/or replication and/or any cytokine-mediated disease associated problem such as cachexia or muscle degeneration.

As TNF-B (also known as lymphotoxin) has close structural homology with TNF-a (also known as cachectin) and since each induces similar biologic responses and binds to the same cellular receptor, both TNF-a and TNF-B are inhibited by the compounds of the -31 present invention and thus are herein referred to collectively as "TNF" unless specifically delineated otherwise.

A new member of the MAP kinase family, alternatively termed CSBP, p38, or RK, has been identified independently by several laboratories recently [See Lee et al., Nature, Vol. 300 n(72), 739-746 (1994)]. Activation of this novel protein kinase via dual phosphorylation has been observed in different cell systems upon stimulation by a wide spectrum of stimuli, such as physicochemical stress and treatment with lipopolysaccharide or proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor. The cytokine biosynthesis inhibitors, of the present invention, compounds of Formula have been determined to be potent and selective inhibitors of CSBP/p38/RK kinase activity.

These inhibitors are of aid in determining the signaling pathways involvement in inflammatory responses. In particular, for the first time a definitive signal transduction pathway can be prescribed to the action of lipopolysaccharide in cytokine production in macrophages. In addition to those diseases already noted, treatment of stroke, neurotrauma cardiac and renal reperfusion injury, thrombosis, glomerulonephritis, diabetes and pancreatic 0 cells, multiple sclerosis, muscle degeneration, eczema, psoriasis, sunburn, and conjunctivitis are also included.

The cytokine inhibitors were subsequently tested in a number of animal models for anti-inflammatory activity. Model systems were chosen that were relatively insensitive to cyclooxygenase inhibitors in order to reveal the unique activities of cytokine suppressive agents. The inhibitors exhibited significant activity in many such S* in vivo studies. Most notable are its effectiveness in the collagen-induced arthritis model and inhibition of TNF production in the endotoxic shock model. In the latter study, the reduction in plasma level of TNF correlated with survival and protection from endotoxic S. 25 shock related mortality. Also of great importance are the compounds effectiveness in inhibiting bone resorption in a rat fetal long bone organ culture system. Griswold et al., (1988) Arthritis Rheum. 31:1406-1412; Badger, et al., (1989) Circ. Shock 27, 51-61; Votta et al., (1 9 9 4 )in vitro. Bone 15, 533-538; Lee et al., (1993). B Ann. N. Y. Acad.

Sci. 696, 149-170.

30 In order to use a compound of Formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in therapy, it will normally be Formulated into a pharmaceutical composition in accordance with standard pharmaceutical practice. This invention, therefore, also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective, non-toxic amount of a compound of Formula and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

Compounds of Formula pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and pharmaceutical compositions incorporating such may conveniently be administered by any of the routes conventionally used for drug administration, for instance, orally, topically, -32parenterally or by inhalation. The compounds of Formula may be administered in conventional dosage forms prepared by combining a compound of Formula with standard pharmaceutical carriers according to conventional procedures. The compounds of Formula may also be administered in conventional dosages in combination with a known, second therapeutically active compound. These procedures may involve mixing, granulating and compressing or dissolving the ingredients as appropriate to the desired preparation. It will be appreciated that the form and character of the pharmaceutically acceptable character or diluent is dictated by the amount of active ingredient with which it is to be combined, the route of administration and other well-known variables. The carrier(s) must be "acceptable" in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the Formulation and not deleterious to the recipient thereof.

The pharmaceutical carrier employed may be, for example, either a solid or liquid.

Exemplary of solid carriers are lactose, terra alba, sucrose, talc, gelatin, agar, pectin, acacia, magnesium stearate, stearic acid and the like. Exemplary of liquid carriers are syrup, peanut oil, olive oil, water and the like. Similarly, the carrier or diluent may include time delay material well known to the art, such as glyceryl mono-stearate or glyceryl distearate alone or with a wax.

A wide variety of pharmaceutical forms can be employed. Thus, if a solid carrier is used, the preparation can be tableted, placed in a hard gelatin capsule in powder or pellet form or in the form of a troche or lozenge. The amount of solid carrier will vary widely but *preferably will be from about 25mg. to about Ig. When a liquid carrier is used, the preparation will be in the form of a syrup, emulsion, soft gelatin capsule, sterile injectable liquid such as an ampule or nonaqueous liquid suspension.

Compounds of Formula may be administered topically, that is by non-systemic 25 administration. This includes the application of a compound of Formula externally to the epidermis or the buccal cavity and the instillation of such a compound into the ear, eye and nose, such that the compound does not significantly enter the blood stream. In contrast, systemic administration refers to oral, intravenous, intraperitoneal and intramuscular administration.

oo Formulations suitable for topical administration include liquid or semi-liquid preparations suitable for penetration through the skin to the site of inflammation such as liniments, lotions, creams, ointments or pastes, and drops suitable for administration to the eye, ear or nose. The active ingredient may comprise, for topical administration, from 0.001% to 10% w/w, for instance from 1% to 2% by weight of the Formulation. It may however comprise as much as 10% w/w but preferably will comprise less than 5% w/w, more preferably from 0.1% to 1% w/w of the Formulation.

33- _-rvTU Lotions according to the present invention include those suitable for application to the skin or eye. An eye lotion may comprise a sterile aqueous solution optionally containing a bactericide and may be prepared by methods similar to those for the preparation of drops. Lotions or liniments for application to the skin may also include an agent to hasten drying and to cool the skin, such as an alcohol or acetone, and/or a moisturizer such as glycerol or an oil such as castor oil or arachis oil.

Creams, ointments or pastes according to the present invention are semi-solid Formulations of the active ingredient for external application. They may be made by mixing the active ingredient in finely-divided or powdered form, alone or in solution or suspension in an aqueous or non-aqueous fluid, with the aid of suitable machinery, with a greasy or non-greasy base. The base may comprise hydrocarbons such as hard, soft or liquid paraffin, glycerol, beeswax, a metallic soap; a mucilage; an oil of natural origin such as almond, corn, arachis, castor or olive oil; wool fat or its derivatives or a fatty acid such as steric or oleic acid together with an alcohol such as propylene glycol or a macrogel. The Formulation may incorporate any suitable surface active agent such as an anionic, cationic or non-ionic surfactant such as a sorbitan ester or a polyoxyethylene derivative thereof.

Suspending agents such as natural gums, cellulose derivatives or inorganic materials such as silicaceous silicas, and other ingredients such as lanolin, may also be included.

Drops according to the present invention may comprise sterile aqueous or oily solutions or suspensions and may be prepared by dissolving the active ingredient in a Ssuitable aqueous solution of a bactericidal and/or fungicidal agent and/or any other suitable preservative, and preferably including a surface active agent. The resulting solution may then be clarified by filtration, transferred to a suitable container which is then sealed and S. sterilized by autoclaving or maintaining at 98-100" C. for half an hour. Alternatively, the 25 solution may be sterilized by filtration and transferred to the container by an aseptic technique. Examples of bactericidal and fungicidal agents suitable for inclusion in the S.i drops are phenylmercuric nitrate or acetate benzalkonium chloride and chlorhexidine acetate Suitable solvents for the preparation of an oily solution include glycerol, diluted alcohol and propylene glycol.

S 30 Compounds of formula may be administered parenterally, that is by intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous intranasal, intrarectal, intravaginal or intraperitoneal administration. The subcutaneous and intramuscular forms of parenteral administration are *i generally preferred. Appropriate dosage forms for such administration may be prepared by Sconventional techniques. Compounds of Formula may also be administered by inhalation, that is by intranasal and oral inhalation administration. Appropriate dosage forms for such administration, such as an aerosol Formulation or a metered dose inhaler, may be prepared by conventional techniques.

-34- For all methods of use disclosed herein for the compounds of Formula the daily oral dosage regimen will preferably be from about 0.1 to about 80 mg/kg of total body weight, preferably from about 0.2 to 30 mg/kg, more preferably from about 0.5 mg to The daily parenteral dosage regimen about 0.1 to about 80 mg/kg of total body weight, preferably from about 0.2 to about 30 mg/kg, and more preferably from about mg to 15mg/kg. The daily topical dosage regimen will preferably be from 0.1 mg to 150 mg, administered one to four, preferably two or three times daily. The daily inhalation dosage regimen will preferably be from about 0.01 mg/kg to about 1 mg/kg per day. It will also be recognized by one of skill in the art that the optimal quantity and spacing of individual dosages of a compound of Formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof will be determined by the nature and extent of the condition being treated, the form, route and site of administration, and the particular patient being treated, and that such optimums can be determined by conventional techniques. It will also be appreciated by one of skill in the art that the optimal course of treatment, the number of doses of a compound of Formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof given per day for a defined number of days, can be ascertained by those skilled in the art using conventional course of treatment determination tests.

The novel compounds of Formula may also be used in association with the veterinary treatment of mammals, other than humans, in need of inhibition of cytokine inhibition or production. In particular, cytokine mediated diseases for treatment, therapeutically or prophylactically, in animals include disease states such as those noted herein in the Methods of Treatment section, but in particular viral infections. Examples of such viruses include, but are not limited to, lentivirus infections such as, equine infectious anaemia virus, caprine arthritis virus, visna virus, or maedi virus or retrovirus infections, 25 such as but not limited to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), bovine immunodeficiency virus, or canine immunodeficiency virus or other retroviral infections.

The invention will now be described by reference to the following biological examples which are merely illustrative and are not to be construed as a limitation of the scope of the present invention.

BIOLOGICAL

EXAMPLES

The cytokine-inhibiting effects of compounds of the present invention were determined by the following in vitro assays: Interleukin 1 (IL-1) Human peripheral blood monocytes are isolated and purified from either fresh blood preparations from volunteer donors, or from blood bank buffy coats, according to the procedure of Colotta et al, J Immunol, 132, 936 (1984). These monocytes (lxl06) are plated in 2 4-well plates at a concentration of 1-2 million/ml per well. The cells are allowed to adhere for 2 hours, after which time non-adherent cells are removed by gentle washing.

Test compounds are then added to the cells for lh before the addition of lipopolysaccharide ng/ml), and the cultures are incubated at 37 0 C for an additional 24h. At the end of this period, culture supernatants are removed and clarified of cells and all debris. Culture supernatants are then immediately assayed for IL-1 biological activity, either by the method of Simon et al., J. Immunol. Methods, 84, 85, (1985) (based on ability of IL-1 to stimulate a Interleukin 2 producing cell line (EL-4) to secrete IL-2, in concert with A23187 ionophore) or the method of Lee et al., J. ImmunoTherapy, 6 1-12 (1990) (ELISA assay).

A representative compound of Formula Example 1, demonstrated positive inhibition in this assay.

Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF): Human peripheral blood monocytes are isolated and purified from either blood bank buffy coats or plateletpheresis residues, according to the procedure of Colotta, R. et al., J Immunol, 132(2), 936 (1984). The monocytes are plated at a density of lx106 cells/ml medium/well in 24-well multi-dishes. The cells are allowed to adhere for 1 hour after which time the supernatant is aspirated and fresh medium (1ml, RPMI-1640, Whitaker Biomedical Products, Whitaker, CA) containing 1% fetal calf serum plus penicillin and streptomycin (10 units/ml) added. The cells are incubated for 45 minutes in the presence or absence of a test compound at InM-lOmM dose ranges (compounds are solubilized in dimethyl sulfoxide/ethanol, such that the final solvent concentration in the culture medium is 0.5% dimethyl sulfoxide/0.5% ethanol). Bacterial lipopoly-saccharide coli 055:B5 [LPS] from Sigma Chemicals Co.) is then added (100 ng/ml in 10 ml phosphate buffered saline) and cultures incubated for 16-18 hours at 37°C in a 5% CO 2 incubator. At the end 25 of the incubation period, culture superatants are removed from the cells, centrifuged at 3000 rpm to remove cell debris. The supernatant is then assayed for TNF activity using either a radio-immuno or an ELISA assay, as described in WO 92/10190 and by Becker et al., J Immunol, 1991, 147, 4307.

IL-1 and TNF inhibitory activity does not seem to correlate with the property of the 30 compounds of Formula in mediating arachidonic acid metabolism inhibition. Further the ability to inhibit production of prostaglandin and/or leukotriene synthesis, by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with potent cyclooxygenase and/or lipoxygenase inhibitory activity does not mean that the compound will necessarily also inhibit TNF or IL-1 production, at non-toxic doses.

In vivo TNF assay: While the above indicated assay in an in vitro assay, the compounds of Formula may also be tested in an in vivo system such as described in -36- Griswold et al., Drugs Under Exp. and Clinical Res.,XIX 243-248 (1993); or Boehm, et al., Journal Of Medicinal Chemistry 39, 3929-3937 (1996) whose disclosures are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Interleukin -8 (IL-8): Primary human umbilical cord endothelial cells (HUVEC) (Cell Systems, Kirland, Wa) are maintained in culture medium supplemented with 15% fetal bovine serum and 1% CS-HBGF consisting of aFGF and heparin. The cells are then diluted 20-fold before being plated (250l) into gelating coated 96-well plates. Prior to use, culture medium are replaced with fresh medium (200pl). Buffer or test compound (25,l. at concentrations between I and 10ulM) is then added to each well in quadruplicate wells and the plates incubated for 6h in a humidified incubator at 37 0 C in an atmosphere of 5% C02. At the end of the incubation period, supernatant is removed and assayed for EL-8 concentration using an IL-8 ELISA kit obtained from R&D Systems (Minneapolis, MN). All data is presented as mean value (ng/ml) of multiple samples based on the standard curve. where appropriate are generated by non-linear regression analysis.

Cytokine Specific Binding Protein Assay A radiocompetitive binding assay was developed to provide a highly reproducible primary screen for structure-activity studies. This assay provides many advantages over the conventional bioassays which utilize freshly isolated human monocytes as a source of cytokines and ELISA assays to quantify them. Besides being a much more facile assay, the binding assay has been extensively validated to highly correlate with the results of the bioassay. A specific and reproducible cytokine inhibitor binding assay was developed S using soluble cystosolic fraction from THP. 1 cells and a radiolabeled compound. Patent Application USSN 08/123175 Lee et al., filed September 1993, USSN; Lee et al., PCT 94/10529 filed 16 September 1994 and Lee et al., Nature 300, n(72), 739-746 (Dec. 1994) whose disclosures are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety describes the above noted method for screening drugs to identify compounds which interact with and bind to the cytokine specific binding protein (hereinafter CSBP). However, for purposes herein the binding protein may be in isolated form in solution, or in immobilized form, or may be 30 genetically engineered to be expressed on the surface of recombinant host cells such as in phage display system or as fusion proteins. Alternatively, whole cells or cytosolic fractions comprising the CSBP may be employed in the screening protocol. Regardless of the form of the binding protein, a plurality of compounds are contacted with the binding protein under conditions sufficient to form a compound/ binding protein complex and compound capable of forming, enhancing or interfering with said complexes are detected.

Representative final compounds of Formula Examples 1 to 4, and 6 have all demonstrated positive inhibitory activity of an IC 5 0 of 50uM in this binding assay.

37- -38- CSBP KINASE ASSAY: This assay measures the CSBP-catalyzed transfer of 3 2 P from [a- 3 2 P]ATP to threonine residue in an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-derived peptide (T669) with the following sequence: KRELVEPLTPSGEAPNQALLR (residues 661-681). (See Gallagher et al., "Regulation of Stress Induced Cytokine Production by Pyridinyl Imidazoles: Inhibition of CSPB Kinase", BioOrganic Medicinal Chemistry, to be published 1996).

Kinase reactions (total volume 30 ul) contain: 25 mM Hepes buffer, pH mM MgC1 2 170 uM ATP( 1 10 uM Na ortho vanadate; 0.4 mM T669 peptide; and 20-80 ng of yeast-expressed purified CSBP2 (see Lee et al., Nature 300, n(72), 739-746 (Dec. 1994)). Compounds (5 ul from [6X] stock( 2 are pre-incubated with the enzyme and peptide for 20 min on ice prior to starting the reactions with 32P/MgATP. Reactions are incubated at 30 oC for 10 min and stopped by adding ul of 0.3 M phosphoric acid. 32P-labeled peptide is separated on phosphocellulose (Wattman, p81) filters by spotting 30 ul reaction mixture. Filters are washed 3 times 15 with 75 mM phosphoric acid followed by 2 washes with H 2 0, and counted for 32P.

The Km of CSBP for ATP was determined to be 170 uM. Therefore, compounds screened at the Km value of ATP.

Compounds are usually dissolved in DMSO and are diluted in 25 mM Hepes buffer to get final concentration of DMSO of 0.17%.

Representative final compounds of Formula Examples 1,5 8, and 9 have all 20 demonstrated positive inhibitory activity of an IC 5 0 of 50uM in this binding assay.

Example 10 demonstrated an IC50 of 50uMA this assay.

Comparative CSBP Kinase and Binding Activities Using the CSBP Kinase assay described above, the IC 5 0 values for the compounds of Examples 2, 1 and 8 were determined and compared against the IC 50 value for Example 27 of AU 46572/96 (5-(2-Methylthio-4-pyrimidinyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)- 1-(4-piperidinyl)imidazole). The results are depicted in Table 1.

N.

-38A- Table 1: Compound ICso Example 27 0.15 pM Example 2 0.05 pM Example 1 0.07 JgM Example 8 0.12 M (ii) Using the CSBP binding assay described in WO 95/02591, the IC 50 value of 4-(4fluorophenyl)-5-[(2-methylthio)-4-pyrimidinyl]-1-[4-morpholinyl]-1propylimidazole was compared to those of the compounds of Examples 2, 4 and The results are depicted in Table 2.

Table 2: Compound

IC

5 0 1.69 pM Example 2 0.018 pM Example 4 0.34 p.M Example 5 0.44 p.M Prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase-2 (PGHS-2) assay: The following assay describes a method for determining the inhibitory effects of compounds of Formula on humans PGHS-2 protein expression in LPS stimulated human monocytes.

Method: Human peripheral blood monocytes were isolated from buffy coats by centrifugation through Ficoll and Percol gradients. Cells were seeded at 2 X 10 6 /well in 24 well plates and allowed to adhere for 1 hour in RPMI supplemented with 1% human AB serum, 20mM L-glutamine, Penicillin-Streptomycin and 10mM HEPES. Compounds were -3813 added at various concentrations and incubated at 37'C for 10 minutes. LPS was added at (to induce enzyme expression) and incubated overnight at 37*C. The supernatant was removed and cells washed once in cold PBS. The cells were lysed in 100 jil of cold lysis buffer (50mM Tris/I-CL pH 7.5, 150mM NaCL, 1% NP40, 0.5% sodium deoxycholate, 0.1% SDS. 300 gig/ml DNAse, 0.1% TRITON X-100, 1mM PMSF, 1mM leupeptin, ImM pepstatin). The lysate was centrifuged (10,000 X g for 10 min. at 4 0 C) to remove debris and the soluble fraction was subjected to SDS PAGE. analysis (12% gel).

Protein separated on the gel were transferred onto nitrocellulose membrane by electrophoretic means for 2 hours at 60 volts. The membrane was pretreated for one hour in PBS/0.1% Tween 20 with 5% non-fat dry milk. After washing 3 times in PBS/Tween buffer, the membrane was incubated with a 1:2000 dilution of a monospecific antiserum to PGHS-2 or a 1:1000 dilution of an antiserum to PGHs-1 in PBS/Tween with 1% BSA for one hour with continuous shaking. The membrane was washed 3X in PBS/Tween and then incubated with a 1:3000 dilution of horseradish peroxidase conjugated donkey antiserum to rabbit Ig (Amersham) in PBS/Tween with 1% BSA for one hour with continuous shaking.

The membrane was then washed 3X in PBS/Tween and the ECL immunodetection system (Amersham) was used to detect the level of expression of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthases-2.

Results: The following compounds were tested and found to be active in this assay inhibited LPS induced PGHS-2 protein expression in rank order potency similar to that for inhibiting cytokine production as noted in assays indicated): 4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfmylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole 6-(4-Fluorophenyl)-2,3-dihydro-5-(4-pyridinyl)imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole; and Dexamethasone Several compounds were tested and found to be inactive (up to 2 4 -Methylsulfinylphenyl)-3-( 4 -pyridyl)-6,7-dihydro-(5H)-pyrrolo[ 1,2a]imidazole;rolipram phenidone and NDGA.

None of the compounds tested was found to inhibit PGHS-1 or cPLA2 protein levels in similar experiments.

TNF-a in Traumatic Brain Injury Assay The present assay provides for examination of the expression of tumor necrosis factor mRNA in specific brain regions which follow experimentally induced 3 lateral fluid-percussion traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats. Adult Sprague-Dawley 30 rats (n=42) are anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (60 mg/kg, and subjected to lateral fluid-percussion brain injury of moderate severity (2.4 atm.) centered over the left temporaparietal cortex or "sham" treatment (anesthesia and surgery without injury, n=18). Animals are sacrificed by decapitation at 1, 6 and 24 hr. post injury, brains removed, and tissue samples of left (injured) parietal cortex (LC), corresponding area in the contralateral right cortex cortex adjacent to injured parietal cortex corresponding adjacent area in the right cortex left hippocampus (LH) and right hippocampus (RH) are prepared. Total RNA is isolated -39and Northern blot hybridization is performed and quantitated relative to an TNF-a positive control RNA (macrophage 100%). A marked increase of TNF- a mRNA expression is observed in LH (104±17% of positive control, p 0.05 compared with sham), LC (105±21%, p< 0.05) and LA p 0.01) in the traumatized hemisphere 1 hr. following injury. An increased TNF- a mRNA expression is also observed in LH p 0.05), LC p 0.01) and LA p 0.01) at 6 hr. which resolves by 24 hr. following injury. In the contralateral hemisphere, expression of TNF- a mRNA is increased in RH p 0.01), RC and RA at 1 hr. and in RH RC and RA p 0.05) at 6 hr. but not at 24 hr. following injury. In sham (surgery without injury) or naive animals, no consistent changes in expression of TNF- a mRNA is observed in any of the 6 brain areas in either hemisphere at any times. These results indicate that following parasagittal fluid-percussion brain injury, the temporal expression of TNFa mRNA is altered in specific brain regions, including those of the non-traumatized hemisphere. Since TNF- a is able to induce nerve growth factor (NGF) and stimulate the release of other cytokines from activated astrocytes, this post-traumatic alteration in gene expression of TNF- a plays an important role in both the acute and regenerative response to CNS trauma.

CNS Injury model for IL-3 mRNA This assay characterizes the regional expression of interleukin-1 B (IL-1) mRNA in specific brain regions following experimental lateral fluid-percussion :o traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats (n=42) are anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (60 mg/kg, and subjected to lateral fluid-percussion brain injury of moderate severity (2.4 atm.) centered over the left temporaparietal cortex or "sham" treatment (anesthesia and surgery without injury). Animals are sacrificed at 1, 6 and 24 hr. post injury, brains removed, and Stissue samples of left (injured) parietal cortex corresponding area in the contralateral right cortex cortex adjacent to injured parietal cortex (LA), 30 corresponding adjacent area in the right cortex left hippocampus (LH) and Sright hippocampus (RH) were prepared. Total RNA is isolated and Northern blot hybridization is performed and the quantity of brain tissue IL-18 mRNA is presented as percent relative radioactivity of IL-13 positive macrophage RNA which is loaded on same gel. At 1 hr. following brain injury, a marked and significant increase in expression of IL-18 mRNA is observed in LC (20.0±0.7% of positive control, n=6, p 0.05 compared with sham animal), LH (24.5±0.9%, p 0.05) and LA p 0.05) in the injured hemisphere, which remained elevated up to 6 hr. post injury in the LC n=6, p 0.05) and LH p 0.05). In sham or naive animals, no expression of IL-18 mRNA is observed in any of the respective brain areas. These results indicate that following TBI, the temporal expression of IL-lB mRNA is regionally stimulated in specific brain regions. These regional changes in cytokines, such as IL-1B play a role in the post-traumatic pathologic or regenerative sequelae of brain injury.

SYNTHETIC EXAMPLES The invention will now be described by reference to the following examples which are merely illustrative and are not to be construed as a limitation of the scope of the present invention. All temperatures are given in degrees centigrade, all solvents are highest available purity and all reactions run under anydrous conditions in an argon atmosphere unless otherwise indicated. Mass spectra were performed upon a VG Zab mass spectrometer using fast atom bombardment, unless otherwise indicated. 1H-NMR (hereinafter "NMR") spectra were recorded at 250 MHz using a Bruker AM 250 or Am 400 spectrometer. Multiplicities indicated are: s=singlet, d=doublet, t=triplet, q=quartet, m=multiplet and br indicates a broad signal. Sat. indicates a saturated solution, eq indicates the proportion of a molar equivalent of reagent relative to the principal reactant.

Flash chromatography is run over Merck Silica gel 60 (230 400 mesh).

Example 1 5-( 2 -Methoxv-4-vrimidinvl)-4-(4-fluorophenvl- I 4 -pieridinvl)imidazole a) 2 -N-Methylthiopyrimidine-4-carboxaldehyde dimethyl acetal Pyruvic aldehyde dimethyl acetal (60 mL, 459 mmol) and N,N-dimethyl formamide dimethyl acetal (60 mL, 459 mmol) were stirred together at 1000 for 18 h. The mixture 25 was cooled.

Methanol (300 mL), thiourea (69.6 g) and sodium methoxide (231 mL, 25 wt% in MeOH) were added to the above mixture and stirred at 70° for 2 h. After cooling, iodomethane (144 mL) was added dropwise and the mixture was stirred 3 h. at room temp.

After diluting with EtOAc and H 2 0, the organic phase was separated, dried (Na2SO 4 ),and 30 concentrated to yield the title compound as a brown oil (75.5 g, 82% yield). H NMR (CDC13): d 8.17 IH), 6.77 1H), 5.15 1H), 3.40 6H).

2- Methoxypyrimidine-4-carboxaldehvde dimethyl acetal The product of the preceding example (5.0 g, 25 mmol) was dissolved in methanol (100 mL), cooled to 4 and a solution of oxone (9.21g), in H20 (100 mL) was added dropwise (T 150). Warmed to 230, stirred 2h, poured into 10 aq NaOH (250 mL) and extracted with EtOAc. The extracts were washed with 10% aq NaOH, dried (Na2SO4), -41 filtered, concentrated, and flash chromatographed (70% hexane/EtOAc) to afford 1.

6 6g of the title compound. ESP+ (Mass Spec) m/z 185 c) 2- MethoxvDpvrimidine-4-carboxaldehvde The product of the preceding example (0.54 g, 2.93 mmol), was dissolved in 3 M HCI (2.17 mL, 6.5 mmol) and stirred at 230 for 3 days, cooled to 40, layered with EtOAc and made slightly basic by the addition of solid Na2CO3. Extraction with EtOAc (5 x mL) afforded 0.309 g of the title compound as a white solid. 1H NMR (CDC13): d 9.96 8.78 7.46 4.10 3).

d) 1 t-Butoxycarbonyl-4-aminopiperidine 1- t-Butoxycarbonyl piperidine-4-one (commercially available from Lancaster Chem) (39.9 g, 0.20 mol) THF (150 mL), HIO (300 mL), and lNOH HCI (55.2, 0.80 mol) were dissolved together and Na 2 CO, (55.2 g, 0.53 mol) was added in small portions.

The mixture was stirred at 230 for 14 h, most of the THF was evaporated in vacuo, adjusted to pH 10 with 50% aq NaOH, extracted with EtOAc(5 x 50 mL) and concentrated to a white foam. Triturated with hexane, filtered and the solid was dried in vacuo to afford 40.31 g of the title compound.

The above residue was dissolved in EtOH (absolute, 1 L) and Raney Ni (50 mL of a slurry in EtOH) was added and the mixture was reduced under H, (50 psi) for 3.5 h. The catalyst was filtered off and washed with EtOH to afford. Concentration afforde 3 8 .44g (96% overall) of the title compound as a colorless oil which solidified to a white solid upon standing at -200.

e) 4 -Fluorophenvl-tolvlsulfonomethvlforrnamid To a suspension of p-toluenesulfinic acid sodium salt (30 g) in H20 (100 mL) was added methyl t-butyl ether (50 mL) followed by dropwise addition of conc HC (15 mL). After 25 stirring 5 min, the organic phase was removed and the aqueous phase was extracted with methyl t-butyl ether. The organic phase was dried (Na2SO 4 and concentrated to near dryness. Hexane was added and the resulting precipitate collected to afford ptoluenesulfinic acid; yield 22 g.

p-Toluenesulfinic acid (22 g, 140.6 mmol), p-fluorobenzaldehyde (22 mL, 206 mmol), 30 formamide (20 mL, 503 mmol) and camphor sulphonic acid (4 g, 17.3 mmol) were combined and stirred at 60 o 18 h. The resulting solid was broken up and stirred with a mixture of MeOH (35 mL) and hexane (82 mL) then filtered. The solid was resuspended in MeOH hexanes 200 mL) and stirred vigorously to break up the remaining chunks. Filtration afforded the title compound (27 g, 62 yield): 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDC1 3 d 8.13 1H), 7.71 2H), 7.43 (dd, 2H), 7.32 2H), 7.08 2H), 6.34 1H), 2.45 3H).

f) 4 -Flurophenvl-tolylsulfonomethvlisoai -42- 4 -Fluorophenyl-tolylsulfonomethylformamide (2.01g, 6.25 mmol) in DME (32 mL) was cooled to -10 OC. POC13 (1.52 mL, 16.3 mmol) was added followed by the dropwise addition of triethylamine (4.6 mL, 32.6 mmol) in DME (3mL) keeping the internal temperature below -5 o. The mixture was gradually warmed to ambient temperature over 1 poured into H 2 0 and extracted with EtOAc. The organic phase was washed with sat aq NaHCO3, dried (Na2SO4), and concentrated. The resulting residue was triturated with petroleum ether and filtered to afford the title compound (1.7 g, 90% yield): 1H NMR (CDC13) d 7.63 2H), 7.33 4H), 7.10 2H), 5.60 1H), 2.50 3H).

g) 2- Methoxyyrimidine-4-carboxaldehde I -t-butoxvcarbonvl-4-aminopiperidineI imine The product of example 1(d) (0.308 g, 2.23 mmol), and the product of example 1(c) (0.468 g, 2.34 mmol) were combined in CHC1 2 (50 mL) and stirred at 23* for 16h.

Concentration afforded the title compound as a light orange foam. 1 H NMR (CDC13): d 8.56 8.26 7.57 4.05 (s and m, 3.5 3.0 1.75 4), 1.46 9).

h) 5-(2-Methoxy-4-pyrimidinl)-4-(4-fluoro1henl)-1( 1-t-butoxvcarbonvl)-4piperidinvllimidazole The product of the preceding example, DMF (5 mL), the product of example 1(f) (0.708 g, 2.23 mmol) and KCO, (0.308 g, 2.23 mmol) were combined and stirred for 2 days, diluted with Et20 and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under high vacuum to a brown solid. Trituration witb Et 2 O and hexane 200 mL) afforded the title compound as a tan solid. Crystallization from acetone/hexane afforded 0.505g (64% from the product of example ESP+ (Mass Spec) m/z 453 i) 5-( 2 -Methoxv-4-pyrimidinvl)-4-(4-fluorohenyl) 1-( 4 -piperidinvlyimidazole The product of the preceding example (0.

5 05g, 1.43 mmol), was added to ice cold TFA, under Ar. The resulting solution was warmed to 230 and stirred 1.5 h. The TFA was removed in vacuo the residue was dissolved in EtOAc and extracted into H20 (2 x 20 mL).

The combined aqueous phases were layered with EtOAc and cooled to 40, made basic by ,the addition of 10% aqueous NaOH and the aqueous was extracted with EtOAc (4 x mL). The combined extracts were dried (Na2SO4) and concentrated to a white crystalline solid. Trituration of the solid with hexane afforded 165 mg of white solid. Evaporation of the above filtrate afforded an additional 133mg of slightly yellow crystals. Total yield 298 mg For the first crop of crystals: mp 159-1600.

Example 2 2 -Iso-Propoxv-4-pvrimidinyl)- 4 4 -fluorophenvl- 1 4 -piperidinvl)imnidzole -43a) 2-ehlhp~rriie4croadhd The product of example 1 (9.96 g, 50 mmol), and 3 N HCI (42 ML, 126 mmol) were combined and stirred at 480 for 16h, cooled to 230, combined with EtOAc (200m.L) and made basic by the addition of solid Na-)CO 3 (12.6 g, 150 mmol).

The aqueous phase was extracted with EtOAc (4 x 150 m.L, dried (INa 2

SO

4 concentrated and the residue was filtered through a pad of silica (ca 150 m.L) with CH2)CI 2 to afford 7.49 g of the title compound IHNMR (CDCI3): 5 9.96 1), 8.77 7.44 2.62 3).

b) 2 -Methylthiopvyrimjdine4carboxaldehyde 1 -t-butoxycarbonvb4aminopiperidie inn The product of the previous step (4.84 g, 31.4 mmol), MgSO4 (ca 2 the product of example 1(d) (6.51 g, 32.6 mmol) and CH2CI2 (100 mL') were combined and stirred at 23 0for 16 h. Filtration and concentration of the filtrate afforded the title compound as a yellow oil. 1HINM (CDC13): 6 8.57 8.27 7.58 1), 4.05 (in, 3.55 (in, 3.00 (in, 2.60 1.75 (in, 1.48 9).

c) 5-( 2 -Methylthio4-12yrimidinl)4-( flurophenyl) (I1-t-butoxycarbonvl piperidinyllimidazole The product of the previous example and the product of example 1 (9.41 g, 32.6 inmol), DMIF (64 inL) and K2C03 (4.43 g, 32.4 mmol) were reacted by the procedure of example 1 to afford 9.07 g of product (62 from the product of example 1 MS ES mlz 470 d) 5-( 2 -MethylsulfinyI4-primidinyI)...-(4fu heayl) I-t-bu varbonyl piperidinylimidazole f- Or0 U-XC The product of the previous example (4.69g, 10 mmol) was dissolved in THF, *0*25 cooled to -100 and oxone (6.14g, 10 mmiol) in H20 (50 mL) was added dropwise (T The resulting mixture was warmed to 200 over ca 50 min, poured into a vigorously stirred mixture of 10% aq NaOH (300 inL), ice (100 mL), and EtOAc (300 mL). The EtOAc was separated, dried (Na2SO 4 and concentrated to a yellow oil. Flash chromatography (0-2% MeOH in CH2CI2) afforded 3.58g ESP+ (Mass Spec) m/z 486 e) 5-2is- 1ov-- I II-I,- -t-butoxycarbonvl)-4 p~1imdrdinvllirnidazole NaHl (60% in mineral oil) was washed with dry THF and layered with more THY (5 m.L) and anhydrous iso-propanol 15 mL) was added. When the bubbling subsided the resulting soln was recooled to 230 and the product of the previous S example (0.58 g, 1. 19 inmol) in THF (5 mL) was added dropwise. After 5 min the reaction was shaken with EtOAc (ca 100 inL) and H 2 0 (50 mL) and the phases were separated and -44the EtOAc was dried and concentrated. The residue was crystallized from acetone/hexane to afford 335 mg of the title compound MS ES+ rn/z 482 2 Popx-4 i i)-4(4fluorohey1)-I 4 -piperidinrllirdazole The product of the preceeding example (325 mg, 0.68 mmol) was treated with TEA by the procedure of example The crude product was crystallized from Et20fhexane to afford 10 6 mg (41 of white crystals. mp 121 1220.

2 -Hydro~x-4-[primidinv).44lurohenI) 1- 4 -pipridinvlI)imidazole trifluoroacetatea) 5-2Meh ulo)- 4 -(3iiinl44-fluoroyhenyl 1 I -t-butoxvcarbonvl).4piperidinvllIndaol The product of example 2(c) (9.07 g, 19.3 mmol), dissolved in THE was cooled to 100 and oxone 2 8 .5g, 46.4 mmol)in H20 (250 m.L)was added dropwise. The resulting mixture was stirred at 230 for 24h, combined with ice (100 ML) and CH 2 C1 2 and washed with brine (100 mnL), dried (Na 2

SO

4 concentrated and dried in vacuo to afford 8.27 g MS ES+ rnL/z 502 (MiH+).I b) 5 2 -Hydro~y-_4-pyimidinyl'.4-(4-fluophel)- I -f(I -t-butovcarbonl).4-.

piperidinvliidazo e 20 The product of the previous example (141 mg, 0.28 rnmol) was dissolved in THE rl) to which was added 50% aq NaOH (150 uL, ca 1.8 mfmol). The soin was stirred for 3 days and a precipitate formed. The solid was filtered off, washed with THF, and dried in vacuo to afford the title compound. MS ES+ m/z 440 (NM).

5 2 -Hlydroxy-4-pyrim idinvl)-4-(4-fluorophenvl'. I 4 -piperidinyl)imidazole trifluoroacetate c) The product of the previous example and TFA (3 mL) were combined and stirred for 30 min, concentrated and the residue was triturated with Et 2 O and filtered and the white solid was washed with Et 2 0, dried in vacua to afford 114 mg, ExampLe 4 5-2Mto -1 y-( 4 -piper(4floroheyIdinflimidazole a) 2 -Chloroprdie-4-carborxaldehvde 1 -t-butoxyarbnl..nioi~iiein 2 -Choopyridine4rbxadhyde was prepared as described in the patent literature (WPI Acc. No. 88-258820/37) whose disclosure is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. This aldehyde was reacted with the product of example 1(d) by the procedure of example I to afford the title compound as a yellow oil, apparently a mixture of imine isomers based on NMR. I H NMR (CD3CI): 8 8.49, 8.35 (2d, I1H), 45 8.22. 8,21 (2s, 7.57, 7.29 (2s, 1H), 7.45, 7.12 (2d, 1H), 2.93 (in, 2.70 (in, 1.64 (in, 1.42, 1.40 (2s, 1.17 (in, 2).

b) 5-(2-Chloro-4-pyridinyl) 4 -(4-fluorophenyl)- I -t-butoxvcarbonvlpiperidin- 4-vl)irnidazole The product of example 4(a) was reacted with the product of example I(f) by the procedure of example 1 The crude product was filtered through silica eluting with 0 2% MeOH in CH 2

CI

2 to afford the title compound as a light yellow solid. MS ES+ ni/z 457, 459 c) 5 -(2-Methoxv-4-p~vridinyl) 4 -(4-fluorophenv!)- 1 1-t-butoxycarbonyl p2iperidin- 4 -virnidazole The product of the preceeding example (1.0g, 2.19 nimol) was dissolved in NaOMe in MeOH (20 rnL) and heated to reflux for 1 h, cooled and combined with H 2 0 and extracted with EtOAc The extracts were dried (Na2SO4) and concentrated. The residue was flash chromatographed (0 30% EtOAc in hexane) afforded 300 mg of the tidle compound as a brown solid.

Crystals from acetone/hexane. MS ES+ m/z 453 (MIH+).

d) 5-( 2 -Methoxv-4-12vidinyl)-4-4-fluorophenyl) -1 4 -2iperidinvl)mdazole The product of the previous example was reacted by the procedure of example I1(i). The crude product was triturated with 1: 10 Et2Q/lhexane filtered and 0 dried in vacuo to afford the title compound as a white solid. mp=136 137.

Example 5-(2 -iso-Prop~oxv-4-Tpvridinyl)..4-(4.fluorotphenvl) -1 -(4-piperidinvluimidazole The product was prepared by the procedure of Example 4 substituting sodium 25 isopropoxide and isopropanol for sodium methoxide and methanol. MS ES+ m/z= 381 Example 6 ~5 -Methylthio-4-nvrimnidinvl 4 -(4-fluorophenyl)- 1-(4-piperidinvl 'imidazole 30 The product of example 2(c) was reacted by the procedure of example 1(i) to ::::*afford the tidle compound. mp 182 1830.

Example 7 piperidinyllhmidazole a) 2 -Methvlthiopvirnidine-4-carboxaldehvde 1 -mthyl-4-aminopiperi dine inine 46 The product of example 2(a) was reacted with 1 -methyl 4-amino piperidine by the procedure of example 2(b) to afford the title compound.

b) 5-( 2 -Methylthio-4-p~vrirnidinyl)-4-(4-fluorophenvI I-methyl)-4pipgridinyllimidazole The product of the previous example was reacted with the product of example 1 by the procedure of example I1(i) to afford the title compound. mp 181 1820.

Example 8 2 -Ethoxy-4-pvriMidinyl)-4-(44luorophenyly. 1-( 4 -1iperidinvffimidazole a) 5-( 2 -Ethoxv-4-ovrimidinvfl4-'4-fluorophenvl).I r( 1-t-butoxvarbonyl)-4 piperidinvllimidazole The title compound was prepared by the method of example 2(e) except that anhydrous EtOH was used in place of 2-propanol.

b) 5 4 2 -Ethoxv-4-pyrirridinyl).4-(4..fiuorophenyl)- I 4 -piperidinyvl)irndazole The product of the preceeding example was treated with TFA by the procedure of example I1(i) to afford the title compound as white crystals. mp 128 129.

*Example2 9:I -Ethvlcarbxylpiperidin-4.vy-4- 4 -thiomethylphenvl)-5-Lr2(thiomethyl)pvydiidin- 20 4 -yll-irnidazole a) 4Toehlhnltlyufnmtyioyn The titled compound was prepared using the proceedures 1 substituting 4thiomethylbenzaldhyde for 4 -fluorobenzaldehyde.

b b) 2 -Thiomethylpyrimidine -4-carboxaldehyde 1 -ethoxycarbonylA4-arninopipeidineI imne The titled compound was prepared using the proccediure of example 2 substituting the comnmercially available 1 -ethoxycarbonylA-aninopiper.idine for I -t-butoxycarbonyl-4.

:arninopiperidine c) 1 -(<1-Ethylcarbopxylpiperidin.4-yl) 4 -thiomethylphenyl)5-[2(thiomethyl)pyiiin 4-yl)-imidazole ~4-:hiomethylphenyl-tolysulfonomethylisocyanide (9.0g, 29.2 mmol) and 2 -thiomethylpyrimidine-4-carboxaldehyde[ 1-ethoxycarbonyl-4-aminopiperidineI imine 7 .0g, 22.1 mmol) allowed to react according to the proceedure of example I1(h). Upon completion of the reaction most of the DMF was evaporated in high vacuo, the remaining solution poured into water and extracted with EtOAc. The extracts were washed with water, brine, dried (Na 2

SO

4 filtered, concentrated, and flash chromatographed EtOAc/hexane) to yield the titled compound (4.0g, 38.5% yield). ESP+ (Mass Spec) m/z 471 47 Example 1vrimidi-4-yll idazole SuIlflv-ul

I

The product of the previous example 2 g, 4 2 6mmol) was dissolved in THF cooled to -100 and OXONE 3 .3g, 8 .52mmol) in water (10 ml) was added dropwise T 50). The resulting mixture was warmed to 200 over 50 mins, poured into a vigorously stirred mixture of 10% aq NaOH (150 ml), ice (100 ml), and EtOAc was separated, dried (Na 2

SO

4 and concentrated to a yellow solid. Recristallized from EtOAc/hexhane (1:10) to afford the titled compound 8 0mg). ESP+ (Mass Spec) m/z 502 All publications, including but not limited to patents and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference herein as though fully set forth.nco by ferce herein The above description fully discloses the invention including preferred embodiments hereof. Modifications and improvements of the embodiments specifically disclosed herein are within the scope of the following claims. Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the are can, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. Therefore the Examples herein are to be construed as 20 merely illustrative and not a limitation of the scope of the present invention in any way.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive pr ivilege is claimed are defined as follows.property or privilege is claimed SThroughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or .i group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

-48-

Claims (7)

1. A compound of the Formula RI-CH(=NR 2 (III) wherein R 1 is a pyrimid-4-yl or pyrid-4-yl ring substituted in the 2-position with Ci- 4 alkoxy or C1-4 thioalkyl; and R 2 is an optionally substituted heterocyclyl, or an optionally substituted heterocyclylCl-loalkyl moiety.

2. the compound according to Claim 1 wherein R 1 is a substituted pyrimid-4-yl ring.

3. The compound according to Claim 1 wherein R 1 is a substituted pyrid-4-yl ring. 15

4. The compound according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein R2 is piperidine, 1- :Formyl-4-piperidine, 1-benzyl-4-piperidine, 1-methyl-4-piperidine, 1-ethoxycarbonyl-4- piperidine, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidine, morpholino ethyl, morpholino propyl, pyrrolidinyl propyl, or piperidinyl propyl. 20

5. The compound according to Claim 4 wherein R 2 is morpholino propyl, piperidine, 1-methylpiperidine, 1-benzylpiperidine or 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine.

6. The compound according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the Ri substituent is methoxy, or methylthio.

7. A compound according to claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described. Dated this 2 nd day of February 2001 SmithKline Beecham Corporation. By Its Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE