AU2002340773A1 - Novel ligands for the HisB10 Zn2+ sites of the R-state insulin hexamer - Google Patents

Description

NOVEL LIGANDS FOR THE HisBlO Zn²⁺ SITES OF THE R-STATE INSULIN HEXAMER.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses novel ligands for the HisBlO Zn²⁺ sites of the R-state insulin hexamer, R-state insulin hexamers comprising such ligands, and aqueous insulin preparations comprising such R-state insulin hexamers. The novel preparations release insulin slowly following subcutaneous injection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Insulin Allostery. The insulin hexamer is an allosteric protein that exhibits both positive and negative cooperativity and half-of-the-sites reactivity in ligand binding. This allosteric behaviour consists of two interrelated allosteric transitions designated L^A ₀ and L^B ₀, three inter- converting allosteric conformation states (eq. 1),

■ A I B

L o L o T₆ «→ T₃R₃ <→ R₆ (1 )

designated T₆, T₃R₃, and R₆ and two classes of allosteric ligand binding sites designated as the phenolic pockets and the His⁶¹⁰ anion sites. These allosteric sites are associated only with insulin subunits in the R conformation. Insulin Hexamer Structures and Ligand Binding. The T- to R-transition of the insulin hexamer involves transformation of the first nine residues of the B chain from an extended conformation in the T-state to an α-helical conformation in the R-state. This coil-to-helix transition causes the N-terminal residue, Phe^B1, to undergo an ~ 30 A change in position. This conformational change creates hydrophobic pockets (the phenolic pockets) at the sub- unit interfaces (three in T₃R₃, and six in R₆), and the new B-chain helices form 3-helix bundles (one in T₃R₃ and two in R₆) with the bundle axis aligned along the hexamer three-fold symmetry axis. The His⁸¹⁰ Zn²⁺ in each R₃ unit is forced to change coordination geometry from octahedral to either tetrahedral (monodentate ligands) or pentahedral (bidentate ligands). Formation of the helix bundle creates a narrow hydrophobic tunnel in each R₃ unit that extends from the surface -12 A down to the His⁶¹⁰ metal ion. This tunnel and the His⁸¹⁰ Zn²⁺ ion form the anion binding site.

Hexamer Ligand Binding and Stability of Insulin Formulations. The in vivo role of the T to R transition is unknown. However, the addition of allosteric ligands (e.g. phenol and chloride ion) to insulin preparations is widely used. Hexamerization is driven by coordination of Zn²⁺ at the His⁸¹⁰ sites to give T₆, and the subsequent ligand-mediated transition of T₆ to T₃R₃ and to R₆ is known to greatly enhance the physical and chemical stability of the resulting formulations. Ligand Binding and Long Acting Insulin Formulations. Although the conversion of T₆ to T₃R₃ and R₆ improves the stability of the preparation, the rate of absorption following subcutaneous injection of a soluble hexameric preparation is not much affected by the addition of phenol and cloride. Putative events following injection of a soluble hexameric preparation. The small molecule ligands initially diffuse away from the protein. The affinity of the ligands for insulin may help to slow this process. On the other hand, the affinity of Zn²⁺ for e.g. albumin and the large effective space available for diffusion of the lipophilic phenol will tend to speed up the separation. In about 10-15 minutes after injection, the distribution of insulin species in the subcutaneous tissue will roughly correspond to that of a zinc-free insulin preparation at the same di- lution. Then, the equilibrium distribution of species at this point will determine the observed absorption rate. In this regimen, absorption rates vary between about 1 hour (for rapid-acting insulin analogues, such as Asp⁸²⁸ human insulin) and about 4 hours (Co³⁺-hexamer). Current Approaches Toward Slow Acting Insulins. The inherent limitation of the absorption half-life to about 4 hours for a soluble human insulin hexamer necessitates further modifica- tions to obtain the desired protraction. Traditionally, this has been achieved by the use of preparations wherein the constituent insulin is in the form of a crystalline and/or amorphous precipitate. In this type of formulation, the dissolution of the precipitate in the subcutaneous depot becomes rate-limiting for the absorption. NPH and Ultralente belong to this category of insulin preparations where crystallization/precipitation is effected by the addition of protamine and excessive zinc ion, respectively.

Another approach involves the use of insulin derivatives where the net charge is increased to shift the isoelectric point, and hence the pH of minimum solubility, from about 5.5 to the physiological range. Such preparations may be injected as clear solutions at slightly acidic pH. The subsequent adjustment of the pH to neutral induces crystallization/precipitation in the subcutaneous depot and dissolution again becomes rate-limiting for the absorption. Gly^A21Arg^B31Arg⁸³² human insulin belongs to this category of insulin analogues. Most recently, a series of soluble insulin derivatives with a hydrophobic moiety covalently attached to the side chain of Lys⁸²⁹ have been synthesized. These derivatives may show prolonged action profile due to various mechanisms including albumin binding (e.g. B29-N^ε- myristoyl-des(B30) human insulin), extensive protein self-association and/or stickiness (e.g. B29-N^ε-(N-lithocholyl-γ-glutamyl)-des(B30) human insulin) induced by the attached hydro- phobic group.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides novel ligands for the His⁸¹⁰ Zn²⁺ sites of the R-state insulin hexamer. The ligands stabilize the hexamers and modify solubility in the neutral range. The resulting preparations release insulin slowly following subcutaneous injection. In comparison with earlier slow release preparations, the present ligands work to modify the timing of both human insulin and insulin mutants/analogues. The ligands alone or in combination with new ligands for the phenol cavity also confer increased physical and chemical stability of the re- suiting preparations. Moreover, the preparations release active insulin more reproducibly that e.g. NPH preparations.

DEFINITIONS

The following is a detailed definition of the terms used to describe the invention: "Halogen" designates an atom selected from the group consisting of F, CI, Br and I.

The term "CrC₆-alkyl" as used herein represents a saturated, branched or straight hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Representative examples include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, -erf-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, terf-pentyl, n-hexyl, isohexyl and the like. The term "C C₆-alkylene" as used herein represents a saturated, branched or straight bivalent hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Representative examples include, but are not limited to, methylene, 1 ,2-ethylene, 1 ,3-propylene, 1 ,2-propylene, 1 ,4-butylene, 1 ,5- pentylene, 1 ,6-hexylene, and the like. The term "C₂-C₆-alkenyl" as used herein represents a branched or straight hydrocarbon group having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms and at least one double bond. Examples of such groups include, but are not limited to, vinyl, 1 -propenyl, 2-propenyl, iso-propenyl, 1 ,3-buta- dienyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-methyl-1 -propenyl, 1-pentenyl, 2-pentenyl, 3- pentenyl, 4-pentenyl, 3-methyl-2-butenyl, 1-hexenyl, 2-hexenyl, 3-hexenyl, 2,4-hexadienyl, 5- hexenyl and the like. The term "C₂-C₆-alkynyl" as used herein represents a branched or straight hydrocarbon group having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms and at least one triple bond. Examples of such groups include, but are not limited to, ethynyl, 1-propynyl, 2-propynyl, 1-butynyl, 2-butynyl, 3-butynyl, 1-pentynyl, 2-pentynyl, 3-pentynyl, 4-pentynyl, 1-hexynyl, 2-hexynyl, 3-hexynyl, 4- hexynyl, 5-hexynyl, 2,4-hexadiynyl and the like.

The term "C C₆-alkoxy" as used herein refers to the radical -O-CrCe-alkyl, wherein C^Ce-alkyl is as defined above. Representative examples are methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, sec-butoxy, terf-butoxy, pentoxy, isopentoxy, hexoxy, isohexoxy and the like.

The term "C₃-C₈-cycloalkyl" as used herein represents a saturated, carbocyclic group having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms. Representative examples are cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl and the like. The term "C^-cycloalkenyl" as used herein represents a non-aromatic, carbocyclic group hav- ing from 4 to 8 carbon atoms containing one or two double bonds. Representative examples are 1-cyclopentenyl, 2-cyclopentenyl, 3-cyclopentenyl, 1-cyclohexenyl, 2-cyclohexenyl, 3- cyclohexenyl, 2-cycloheptenyl, 3-cycloheptenyl, 2-cyclooctenyl, 1 ,4-cyclooctadienyl and the like. The term "heterocyclyl" as used herein represents a non-aromatic 3 to 10 membered ring con- taining one or more heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur and optionally containing one or two double bonds. Representative examples are pyrrolidinyl, piperidyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, aziridinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl and the like. The term "aryl" as used herein is intended to include carbocyclic, aromatic ring systems such as 6 membered monocyclic and 9 to 14 membered bi- and tricyclic, carbocyclic, aromatic ring systems. Representative examples are phenyl, biphenylyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, phe- nanthrenyl, fluorenyl, indenyl, azulenyl and the like. Aryl is also intended to include the partially hydrogenated derivatives of the ring systems enumerated above. Non-limiting examples of such partially hydrogenated derivatives are 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl, 1 ,4- dihydronaphthyl and the like. The term "arylene" as used herein is intended to include divalent, carbocyclic, aromatic ring systems such as 6 membered monocyclic and 9 to 14 membered bi- and tricyclic, divalent, carbocyclic, aromatic ring systems. Representative examples are phenylene, biphenylylene, naphthylene, anthracenylene, phenanthrenylene, fluorenylene, indenylene, azulenylene and the like. Arylene is also intended to include the partially hydrogenated derivatives of the ring systems enumerated above. Non-limiting examples of such partially hydrogenated derivatives are 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthylene, 1 ,4-dihydronaphthylene and the like. The term "aryloxy" as used herein denotes a group -O-aryl, wherein aryl is as defined above. The term "aroyl" as used herein denotes a group -C(O)-aryl, wherein aryl is as defined above. The term "heteroaryl" as used herein is intended to include aromatic, heterocyclic ring sys- tems containing one or more heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur such as 5 to 7 membered monocyclic and 8 to 14 membered bi- and tricyclic aromatic, heterocyclic ring systems containing one or more heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur. Representative examples are furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, 3-oxopyrazolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, 1 ,2,3-triazolyl, 1 ,2,4-triazolyl, pyranyl, pyridyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, 1 ,2,3-triazinyl, 1 ,2,4-triazinyl, 1 ,3,5- triazinyl, 1,2,3- oxadiazolyl, 1 ,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1 ,2,5-oxadiazolyl, 1 ,3,4-oxadiazolyl, 1 ,2,3-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,4- thiadiazolyl, 1 ,2,5-thiadiazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, tetrazolyl, thiadiazinyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, ben- zofuryl, benzothienyl, indazolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzthiazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, purinyl, quinazolinyl, quinolizinyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, naphthyridinyl, pteridinyl, carbazolyl, azepinyl, diazepinyl, acridinyl, thiazolidinyl, 2- thiooxothiazolidinyl and the like. Heteroaryl is also intended to include the partially hydrogenated derivatives of the ring systems enumerated above. Non-limiting examples of such partially hydrogenated derivatives are 2,3-dihydrobenzofuranyl, pyrrolinyl, pyrazolinyl, indolinyl, oxazolidinyl, oxazolinyl, oxazepinyl and the like. The term "heteroarylene" as used herein is intended to include divalent, aromatic, heterocyclic ring systems containing one or more heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur such as 5 to 7 membered monocyclic and 8 to 14 membered bi- and tricyclic aromatic, heterocyclic ring systems containing one or more heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur. Representative examples are furylene, thienylene, pyrrolylene, oxa- zolylene, thiazolylene, imidazolylene, isoxazolylene, isothiazolylene, 1 ,2,3-triazolylene, 1 ,2,4- thazolylene, pyranylene, pyridylene, pyridazinylene, pyrimidinylene, pyrazinylene, 1 ,2,3- triazinylene, 1 ,2,4-triazinylene, 1 ,3,5- triazinylene, 1 ,2,3-oxadiazolylene, 1 ,2,4-oxadiazolylene, 1 ,2,5-oxadiazolylene, 1 ,3,4-oxadiazolylene, 1 ,2,3-thiadiazolylene, 1 ,2,4-thiadiazolylene, 1 ,2,5- thiadiazolylene, 1 ,3,4-thiadiazolylene, tetrazolylene, thiadiazinylene, indolylene, isoindolylene, benzofurylene, benzothienylene, indazolylene, benzimidazolylene, benzthiazolylene, ben- zisothiazolylene, benzoxazolylene, benzisoxazolylene, purinylene, quinazolinylene, quinoliz- inylene, quinolinylene, isoquinolinylene, quinoxalinylene, naphthyridinylene, pteridinylene, carbazolylene, azepinylene, diazepinylene, acridinylene and the like. Heteroaryl is also intended to include the partially hydrogenated derivatives of the ring systems enumerated above. Non-limiting examples of such partially hydrogenated derivatives are 2,3-dihydro- benzofuranylene, pyrrolinylene, pyrazolinylene, indolinylene, oxazolidinylene, oxazolinylene, oxazepinylene and the like.

"Aryl-d-Ce-alkyl", "heteroaryl-d-C-e-alkyl", "aryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl" etc. is intended to mean C C₆- alkyl or C₂-C₆-alkenyl as defined above, substituted by an aryl or heteroaryl as defined above, for example:

The term "optionally substituted" as used herein means that the groups in question are either unsubstituted or substituted with one or more of the substituents specified. When the groups in question are substituted with more than one substituent the substituents may be the same or different.

Furthermore, when polycyclic structures are substituted with one or more substituents, it is intended that substitutions at any available position in either of the rings that are part of the polycyclic structure are included. Certain of the above defined terms may occur more than once in the structural formulae, and upon such occurrence each term shall be defined independently of the other.

Furthermore, when using the terms "independently are" and "independently selected from" it should be understood that the groups in question may be the same or different. The term "treatment" as used herein means the management and care of a patient for the purpose of combating a disease, disorder or condition. The term is intended to include the delaying of the progression of the disease, disorder or condition, the alleviation or relief of symptoms and complications, and/or the cure or elimination of the disease, disorder or condition. The patient to be treated is preferably a mammal, in particular a human being. The term "fragment" as used herein is intended to mean a bivalent chemical group The term "Neutral amino acid" as used herein is intended to mean any natural (codable) and non-natural amino acid, including α- or β-aminocarboxylic acids, including D-isomers of these (when applicable) without charges at physiologically relevant pH in the side chain, such as glycine, alanine, β-alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, aspargine, glutamine, cysteine, methionine, 3-aminobenzoic acid, 4-aminobenzoic acid or the like. The term "positively charged group" as used herein is intended to mean any pharmaceuti- cally acceptable group that contains a positive charge at physiologically relevant pH, such as amino (primary, secondary and tertiary), ammonium and guanidino groups.

The term "a amino acid" as used herein is intended to mean mean any natural (codable) and non-natural α-aminocarboxylic acid, including D-isomers of these.

The term "β amino acid" as used herein is intended to mean any β-aminocarboxylic acid, such as β-alanine, isoserine or the like.

When in the specification or claims mention is made of groups of compounds such as car- boxylates, dithiocarboxylates, phenolates, thiophenolates, alkylthiolates, sulfonamides, imi- dazoles, triazoles, 4-cyano-1 ,2,3-triazoles, benzimidazoles, benzotriazoles, purines, thia- zolidinediones, tetrazoles, 5-mercaptotetrazoles, rhodanines, N-hydroxyazoles, hydantoines, thiohydantoines, naphthoic acids and salicylic acids, these groups of compounds are intended to include also derivatives of the compounds from which the groups take their name.

The term human insulin as used herein refers to naturally produced insulin or recombinantly produced insulin. Recombinant human insulin may be produced in any suitable host cell, for example the host cells may be bacterial, fungal (including yeast), insect, animal or plant cells. The expression "insulin derivative" as used herein (and related expressions) refers to human insulin or an analogue thereof in which at least one organic substituent is bound to one or more of the amino acids.

By "analogue of human insulin" as used herein (and related expressions) is meant human insulin in which one or more amino acids have been deleted and/or replaced by other amino acids, including non-codeable amino acids, or human insulin comprising additional amino acids, i.e. more than 51 amino acids, such that the resulting analogue possesses insulin activity.

The term "phenolic compound" or similar expressions as used herein refers to a chemical compound in which a hydroxyl group is bound directly to a benzene or substituted benzene ring. Examples of such compounds include, but are not limited to, phenol, o-cresol, m-cresol and p-cresol.

The term "physiologically relevant pH" as used herein is intended to mean a pH of about 7.1 to 7.9.

When calculating the ratio between precipitated and dissolved insulin in dual-acting insulin composition, i.e. a composition containing both rapid-acting insulin and insulin with a pro- longed action, the term "precipitated insulin" as used herein is intended to mean insulin monomer which is part of a hexamer to which a ligand of the present invention is bound at physiologically relevant pH as defined above. Similarly the term "dissolved insulin" as used herein is intended to mean insulin which is not precipitated as defined above.

Abbreviations:

4H3N 4-hydroxy-3-nitrobenzoic acid

Abz Aminobenzoic acid

AcOH acetic acid

BT Benzotriazol-5-oyl DMF N,N-Dimethylformamide

DMSO Dimethylsulfoxide

DIC Diisopropylcarbodiimide

EDAC 1 -ethyl-3-(3'-dimethylamino-propyl)carbodiimide, hydrochloride

Fmoc 9H-Fluorene-9-ylmethoxy carbonyl

G. GIy Glycine

HOAt 1 -hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole

HOBT 1 -Hydroxybenzothazole

L. Lys Lysine

NMP N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone

Pbf 2,2,4,6,7-pentamethyldihydrobenzofuran-5-sulfonyl

Pmc 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethylchroman-6-sulfonyl

R. Arg Arginine

TFA Trifluoroacetic acid

Abbreviations for non-natural amino acid residues:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 : Effect of BTG₂R₅-NH₂ on pH-solubility profile of an insulin preparation. Fig. 2: Effect of BTG₂R₄-NH₂ on the pH-solubility profile of an insulin preparation. Fig. 3: Disappearance from the subcutaneous depot (pig model) of insulin preparations in the presence of BT-AbzG₂R₅-NH₂ with phenol and 7-hydroxy indole (a-b); and BT -G₂R₅-NH₂ and BT-G₂R₄ with phenol (c-d) . The bottom panels (e-f) show slow- and dual release profiles, respectively, obtained from Asp⁸²⁸ human insulin formulated with variable concentration of TZD-Abz-G₂R₅

Fig. 4: 4H3N-assay. UV/vis spectra resulting from a titration of hexameric insulin with the compound 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid in the presence of 4-hydroxy-3-nitrobenzoic acid (4H3N). Inserted in the upper right corner is the absorbance at 444nm vs. the concentration of ligand

Fig. 5: TZD-assay. Fluorescence spectra resulting from a titration of hexameric insulin with 5-(3-methoxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione in the presence of 5-(4-dimethylamino- benzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione (TZD). Inserted in the upper right corner is the fluorescence at 460 nm vs. the concentration of ligand

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based on the discovery that the two known ligand binding sites of the R-state insulin hexamer can be used to obtain an insulin preparation having prolonged action designed for flexible injection regimes including once-daily, based on insulin molecules of any kind, e.g. human Insulin or AspB28 human insulin.

The basic concept underlying the present invention involves reversible attachment of a ligand to the His⁸¹⁰ Zn²⁺ site of the R-state hexamer. A suitable ligand binds to the hexamer metal site with one end while other moieties are covalently attachment to the other end. On this ba- sis, prolonged action via modification of preparation solubility may be obtained in a number of ways. However, all cases involve the same point of protein-ligand attachment and the delivery of human insulin (or analogues or derivatives thereof) as the active species. The anions currently used in insulin formulations as allosteric ligands for the R-state hexamers (notably chloride ion) bind only weakly to the His⁸¹⁰ anion site. The present invention, which is based on the discovery of suitable higher affinity ligands for these anion sites, provides ligands which are extended to modify timing via changes in hexamer solubility as outlined above.

Most ligand binding sites in proteins are highly asymmetric. Because the His⁸¹⁰ Zn²⁺ sites reside on the three-fold symmetry axis, these sites posses a symmetry that is unusual, but not unique. Several other proteins have highly symmetric ligand binding sites.

The His⁸¹⁰ Zn²⁺ site consists of a tunnel or cavity with a triangular-shaped cross-section that extends -12 A from the surface of the hexamer down to the His⁸¹⁰ Zn²⁺ ion. The diameter of the tunnel varies along its length and, depending on the nature of the ligand occupying the site, the opening can be capped over by the Asn⁸³ and Phe⁸¹ side chains. The walls of the tunnel are made up of the side chains of the amino acid residues along one face each of the three α-helices. The side chains from each helix that make up the lining of the tunnel are Phe⁸¹, Asn⁸³, and Leu⁸⁶. Therefore, except for the zinc ion, which is coordinated to three His⁸¹⁰ residues and is positioned at the bottom of the tunnel, the site is principally hydropho- bic. Depending on the ligand structure, it may be possible for substituents on the ligand to make H-bonding interactions with Asn⁸³ and with the peptide linkage to Cys⁸⁷. The present invention originates from a search for compounds with suitable binding properties by using novel UV-visible and fluorescence based competition assays described herein which are based on the displacement of chromophoric ligands from the R-state His^B10-Zn²⁺ site by the incoming ligand in question. These compounds will be referred to as "starter compounds" in the following. These assays are easily transformed into a high-throughput format capable of handling libraries constructed around hits from the initial search of compound databases.

These starter compounds provide the starting point for the task of constructing a chemical handle that allows for attachment of the positively charged fragment D (see below).

Thus, from the structure-activity relationship (SAR) information obtained from the binding as- say(s) it will be apparent for those skilled in the art to modify the starter compounds in question by introduction of a chemical group that will allow for coupling to a peptide containing e.g. one or more arginine or lysine residues. These chemical groups include carboxylic acid (amide bond formation with the peptide), carbaldehyde (reductive alkylation of the peptide), sulfonyl chloride (sulphonamide formation with the peptide) or the like.

The decision where and how to introduce this chemical group can be made in various ways. For example: From the SAR of a series of closely related starter compounds, a suitable position in the starter compound can be identified and the chemical group can be attached to this position, optionally using a spacer group, using synthesis procedures known to those skilled in the art.

Alternatively, this chemical group can be attached (optionally using a spacer group using and synthesis procedures known to those skilled in the art) to a position on the starter compound remote from the Zn²⁺-binding functionality

The zinc-binding ligands of the present invention are characterised by the following formula

(I):

A-B-C-D-X (I) wherein: A is a functionality capable of reversibly coordinating to a His⁸¹⁰ Zn²⁺ site of an insulin hexamer;

B is a valence bond or a non-naturally occurring amino acid residue containing an aromatic ring; C is a valence bond or a fragment consisting of 1 to 5 neutral α- or β-amino acids;

D is a fragment containing 1 to 20 positively charged groups independently selected from amino or guanidino groups, preferably a fragment consisting of 1 to 20 basic amino acids independently selected from the group consisting of Lys and Arg and D-isomers of these; and X is OH, NH₂ or a diamino group. The length of the zinc-binding ligand should be such that it extends from the His⁸¹⁰ Zn²⁺ site to beyond the hexamer surface.

A is preferably a chemical structure selected from the group consisting of carboxylates, di- thiocarboxylates, phenolates, thiophenolates, alkylthiolates, sulfonamides, imidazoles, tria- zoles, benzimidazoles, benzotriazoles, purines, thiazolidinediones, naphthoic acids and sali- cylic acids.

More preferably, A comprises a benzotriazole, a 3-hydroxy 2-napthoic acid, a salicylic acid, a tetrazole or a thiazolidinedione structure.

A is is advantageously selected from one of the following chemical structures:

wherein

R¹ is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo, m is 0 or 1.

B is preferably a valence bond or one of the following amino acid residues:

C is preferably a valence bond or a fragment consisting of 1 to 5 amino acids independently selected from the group consisting of neutral amino acids, more preferably from the group of amino acids consisting of Gly, Ala, Thr, and Ser.

In a particular preferred embodiment, C consists of 1-5 Gly residues or 1-5 Ala residues. D preferably consists of 1-10 Arg residues.

X is preferably OH, NH₂ or

The most preferred specific zinc-binding ligands of the present invention are:

Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-Gly-Gly-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH₂ Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-Gly-Gly-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH₂

Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-Gly-Gly-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH₂

Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-Gly-Gly-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH₂

Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-Gly-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH₂

Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-Gly-Gly-Gly-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH₂ Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-4-Abz-Gly-Gly-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH₂

Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-4-Abz-Gly-Gly-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH₂

Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-4-Abz-Gly-Gly-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH₂

Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-4-Abz-Gly-Gly-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH₂

Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-4-Abz-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH₂ Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-4-Apac-Gly-Gly-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH₂

Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-4-Apac-Gly-Gly-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH₂

Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-4-Apac-Gly-Gly-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH₂

Benzothazol-5-ylcarbonyl-4-Apac-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH₂

Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-4-Apac-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH₂ Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-4-Apac-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH₂

[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]acetyl-4-Abz-Gly-Gly-Arg-Arg-Arg-

Arg-Arg-NH₂

[3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]acetyl-4-Abz-Gly-Gly-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-

NH₂ 4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)benzoyl-Abz-Gly-Gly-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-Arg-NH₂

In another embodiment the invention provides a zinc-binding ligand of the following general formula (II)

A-B-C-D-X (II)

wherein: A is a chemical group which reversibly binds to a His⁸¹⁰ Zn²⁺ site of an insulin hexamer;

B is a linker selected from • A valence bond • A chemical group G⁸ of the formula -B¹-B²-C(O)-, -B¹-B²-SO₂-, -B¹-B²-CH₂-, or

-B¹-B²-NH-; wherein B¹ is a valence bond, -O-, -S-, or -NR⁶-; B² is a valence bond, CrC₁₈-alkylene, C₂-C₁₈-alkenylene, C₂-Cι₈-alkynylene, arylene, heteroarylene, -d-dβ-alkyl-aryl-, -C₂-Cι₈-alkenyl-aryl-, -C₂-C₁₈-alkynyl-aryl-, -C(=O)- -C(=O)-C₁-C₁₈-alkenyl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-C₁-C₁₈-alkyl-O-C₁-C₁₈- alkyl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)- C₁-C₁₈-alkyl-S-C₁-Cι₈-alkyl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-d-ds-alkyl-NR⁶-C

C₁₈-alkyl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-aryl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-heteroaryl-C(=O)-; wherein the alkylene, alkenylene, and alkynyl enemoieties are optionally substituted by -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR⁶, or -NR⁶R⁷ and the arylene and heteroarylene moieties are optionally substituted by halogen, -C(O)OR⁶, -C(O)H, OCOR⁶, -SO₂, -CN, -CF₃, - OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR⁶, -NR⁶R⁷, d-C₁₈-alkyl, or d-C₁₈-alkanoyl;

R⁶and R⁷ are independently H, CrC₄-alkyl;

C is a fragment consisting of 1 to 5 neutral α- or β-amino acids

D is a fragment comprising 1 to 20 positively charged groups independently selected from amino or guanidine groups; and

X is -OH, -NH₂ or a diamino group, or a salt thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base, or any optical isomer or mixture of optical isomers, including a racemic mixture, or any tautomeric forms.

In another embodiment A is a chemical structure selected from the group consisting of carboxylates, dithiocarboxylates, phenolates, thiophenolates, alkylthiolates, sulfonamides, imi- dazoles, triazoles, 4-cyano-1 ,2,3-triazoles, benzimidazoles, benzothazoles, purines, thia- zolidinediones, tetrazoles, 5-mercaptotetrazoles, rhodanines, N-hydroxyazoles, hydantoines, thiohydantoines, barbiturates, naphthoic acids and salicylic acids.

In another embodiment A is a chemical structure selected from the group consisting of benzothazoles, 3-hydroxy 2-napthoic acids, salicylic acids, tetrazoles or thiazolidinediones In another embodiment A is one of the following structures: wherein

X is =O, =S or =NH Y is -S-, -O- or -NH-

R⁸ and R¹¹ are independently hydrogen or d-C₆-alkyl,

R⁹ is hydrogen or d-C₆-alkyl or aryl, R⁸ and R⁹ may optionally be combined to form a double bond, R¹⁰ and R ² are independently hydrogen, aryl, d-C₆-alkyl, or -C(O)NR¹⁶R¹⁷

E and G are independently C C₆-alkylene, arylene, -aryl-d-Cβ-alkyl, -aryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl- or heteroarylene, wherein the alkylene or alkenylene is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, aryl, -COOH and -NH₂, and the arylene or heteroarylene is optionally substituted with up to three substituents R¹³, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵,

E and R¹⁰ may be connected through one or two valence bonds, G and R¹² may be connected through one or two valence bonds;

R¹³, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CH₂CN, -CHF₂, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OCHF₂, -OCH₂CF₃, -OCF₂CHF₂, -S(O)₂CF₃, -OS(O)₂CF₃, -SCF₃, -NO₂, -OR⁶, -NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -SR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶S(O)₂R¹⁷, -S(O)₂NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -S(O)NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -S(O)R¹⁶, -S(O)₂R¹⁶, -OS(O)₂ R¹⁶, -C(O)NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -OC(O)NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -NR¹⁶C(O)R¹⁷, -CH₂C(O)NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -Od-C₆- alkyl-C(O)NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -CH₂OR¹⁶, -CH₂OC(O)R¹⁶, -CH₂NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -OC(O)R¹⁶, -Od-C₆- alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶, -OCι-C₆-alkyl-OR¹⁶, -SCι-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl- C(=O)OR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶-C(=O)-C₁-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶-C(=O)-C₁-C₆- alkenyl-C(=O)OR¹⁶ , -C(O)OR¹⁶, or -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)R¹⁶,

> d-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkynyl, which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR¹⁶, and -NR¹⁶R¹⁷

• aryl, aryloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, aroyl, arylsulfanyl, aryl-d-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl, aroyl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-Cι-

C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl or heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR¹⁶, -CH₂C(O)OR¹⁶, -CH₂OR¹⁶, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶R¹⁷ and d-C₆-alkyl,

R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ independently are hydrogen, OH, C C₆-alkyl, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl or aryl, wherein the alkyl groups may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -Od-C₆-alkyl, -C(O)Od-C₆-alkyl, -COOH and -NH₂, and the aryl groups may optionally be substituted by halogen, -C(O)Od-C₆-alkyl, -COOH, -CN, -CF₃, -

OCF₃₎ -NO₂₎ -OH, -Od-C₆-alkyl, -NH₂, C(=O) or d-C₆-alkyl; R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ when attached to the same nitrogen atom may form a 3 to 8 membered heterocyclic ring with the said nitrogen atom, the heterocyclic ring optionally containing one or two further heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, and optionally containing one or two double bonds

In another embodiment X is =O or =S

In another embodiment X is =O

In another embodiment X is =S

In another embodiment Y is -O- or -S- In another embodiment Y is -O-

In another embodiment Y is -S-

In another embodiment E is arylene optionally substituted with up to three substituents R¹³,

R¹⁴ and R¹⁵.

In another embodiment E is phenylene or naphtylene optionally substituted with up to three substituents R¹³, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵.

In another embodiment E is heteroarylene optionally substituted with up to three substituents

R¹³, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵.

In another embodiment E is indolylene optionally substituted with up to three substituents

R¹³, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵. In another embodiment R⁸ is hydrogen. In another embodiment R⁹ is hydrogen.

In another embodiment R⁸ and R⁹ are combined to form a double bond. In another embodiment R ⁰ is dC₆-alkyl. In another embodiment R¹⁰ is methyl.

In another embodiment G is phenylene optionally substituted with up to three substituents R¹³, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵.

In another embodiment R¹¹ is hydrogen. In another embodiment R¹² is hydrogen. In another embodiment R¹³, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -NO₂, -OR⁶, -NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -SR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶S(O)₂R¹⁷, -S(O)₂NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -S(O)NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -S(O)R¹⁶, -S(O)₂R¹⁶, -OS(O)₂ R¹⁶, -NR¹⁶C(O)R¹⁷, -CH₂OR¹⁶, - CH₂OC(O)R¹⁶, -CH₂NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -OC(O)R¹⁶, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶, -Od-C₆- alkyl-C(O)NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -Od-C₆-alkyl-OR¹⁶, -SC C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl- C(=O)OR¹⁶, -C(O)OR¹⁶, or -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)R¹⁶,

• d-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR¹⁶, and -NR¹⁶R¹⁷

• aryl, aryloxy, aroyl, arylsulfanyl, aryl-d-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl, aryl-C₂- C₆-alkenyl, aroyl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-Ci-Ce-alkyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR¹⁶, -CH₂C(O)OR¹⁶, -CH₂OR¹⁶, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶R¹⁷ and d-C₆-alkyl.

In another embodiment R , R and R are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -NO₂, -OR⁶, -NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -SR¹⁶, -S(O)₂R¹⁶, -OS(O)₂ R¹⁶, - CH₂OC(O)R¹⁶, -OC(O)R¹⁶, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶, -OC C₆-alkyl-OR¹⁶, -Sd-C₆- alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶, -C(O)OR¹⁶, or -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)R¹⁶, • Cι-C₆-alkyl or d-C₆-alkenyl which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR¹⁶, and -NR¹⁶R¹⁷

• aryl, aryloxy, aroyl, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR¹⁶, -CH₂C(O)OR¹⁶, -CH₂OR¹⁶, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶R¹⁷ and d-C₆-alkyl.

In another embodiment R , R and R are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -NO₂, -OR⁶, -NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -SR¹⁶, -S(O)₂R¹⁶, -OS(O)₂ R¹⁶, - CH₂OC(O)R¹⁶, -OC(O)R¹⁶, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶, -Od-C₆-alkyl-OR¹⁶, -Sd-C₆- alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶, -C(O)OR¹⁶, or -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)R¹⁶,

• d-C₆-alkyl or d-C₆-alkenyl which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CF₃, -OR¹⁶, and -NR¹⁶R¹⁷

• aryl, aryloxy, aroyl, aryl-d-C_e-alkoxy, aryl-d-C-e-alkyl, heteroaryl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, C(O)OR¹⁶, -CN, -NO₂, -OR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶R¹⁷ and d-C₆-alkyl.

In another embodiment R¹³, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ are independently selected from • hydrogen, halogen, -OR⁶, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶, or -C(O)OR¹⁶,

• d-C₆-alkyl which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -OR¹⁶, and -NR¹⁶R¹⁷

^βaryl, aryloxy, aryl-d-C₆-alkoxy,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, C(O)OR¹⁶, OR¹⁶, and d-C₆-alkyl. In another embodiment R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ independently are hydrogen, d-C₆-alkyl, or aryl, wherein the alkyl groups may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -Od-C₆-alkyl, -COOH and -NH₂, and the aryl groups may optionally be substituted by halogen, -COOH, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OH, -OC C₆-alkyl, -NH₂, C(=O) or d-C₆-alkyl; R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ when attached to the same nitrogen atom may form a 3 to 8 membered heterocyclic ring with the said nitrogen atom, the heterocyclic ring optionally containing one or two further heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, and optionally containing one or two double bonds

In another embodiment R ⁶ and R¹⁷ independently are hydrogen, Ci-Ce-alkyl, or aryl, wherein the alkyl groups may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CF₃, -OC C₆-alkyl, -COOH and -NH₂, and the aryl groups may optionally be substituted by halogen, -COOH, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OH, -NH₂,or d-C₆-alkyl.

In another embodiment A is one of the following structures

wherein

R²⁰ is hydrogen or d-C₆-alkyl, R²¹ is hydrogen or C C₆-alkyl,

U and V are a valence bond or d-C₆-alkylene optionally substituted with one or more hydroxy, d-C-₆-alkyl, or aryl independently,

J is d-C₆-alkylene, arylene or heteroarylene, wherein the arylene or heteroarylene is optionally substituted with up to three substituents R²², R²³ and R²⁴,

L is d-C-₆-alkylene, arylene or heteroarylene, wherein the arylene or heteroarylene is optionally substituted with up to three substituents R²⁵, R²⁶ and R²⁷,

R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²², R²³, R²⁴, R²⁵, R²⁶ and R²⁷ are independently selected from • hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CH₂CN, -CHF₂, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OCHF₂, -OCH₂CF₃, -OCF₂CHF₂, -S(O)₂CF₃, -SCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹, -SR²⁸, -NR²⁸S(O)₂R²⁹, -S(O)₂NR²⁸R²⁹, -S(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -S(O)R²⁸, -S(O)₂R²⁸, -C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -OC(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)OR²⁹, -CH₂C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -OCH₂C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -CH₂OR²⁸, -CH₂NR²⁸R²⁹, -OC(O)R²⁸, -OC C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -Sd-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -C₂-C₆- alkenyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -NR²⁸-C(=O)-d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -NR²⁸-C(=O)-d-C₆- alkenyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -C(=O)NR²⁸-d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -C₁-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸,or -C(O)OR²⁸,

•C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, and -NR²⁸R²⁹

'aryl, aryloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, aroyl, aryl-d-C-e-alkoxy, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl, aryl-C₂-

C₆-alkenyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-d-Cβ-alkyl, heteroaryl-C₂-C₆- alkenyl or heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substitu- ents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR²⁸, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹ and

C C₆-alkyl,

R²⁸ and R²⁹ independently are hydrogen, d-C₆-alkyl, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl or aryl, or R²⁸ and R²⁹ when attached to the same nitrogen atom together with the said nitrogen atom may form a 3 to 8 membered heterocyclic ring optionally containing one or two further heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, and optionally containing one or two double bonds

In another embodiment U is a valence bond

In another embodiment U is C C₆-alkylene optionally substituted with one or more hydroxy, d-C₆-alkyl, or aryl

In another embodiment J is arylene or heteroarylene, wherein the arylene or heteroarylene is optionally substituted with up to three substituents R²², R²³ and R²⁴ In another embodiment J is arylene optionally substituted with up to three substituents R²², R²³ and R²⁴ In another embodiment J is phenylene optionally substituted with up to three substituents

R²², R²³ and R²⁴

In another embodiment R²², R²³ and R²⁴ are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -CHF₂, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OCHF₂, -OCH₂CF₃, -OCF₂CHF₂, -SCF₃, -

NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹, -SR²⁸, -C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -OC(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)OR²⁹, -CH₂C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -OCH₂C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -CH₂OR²⁸, -CH₂NR²⁸R²⁹, -OC(O)R²⁸, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -Sd-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl- C(=O)OR²⁸, -NR²⁸-C(=O)-d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -NR²⁸-C(=O)-d-C₆- alkenyl-C(=O)OR²⁸-, -C(=O)NR²⁸-C C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -C C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, or

-C(O)OR²⁸,

• d-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, and -NR²⁸R²⁹

• aryl, aryloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, aroyl, aryl-d-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl, aryl-C₂- C₆-alkenyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-CrC₆-alkyl, heteroaryl-C₂-C₆- alkenyl or heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR²⁸, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹ and d-C₆-alkyl

In another embodiment R , R and R²⁴ are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹, -SR²⁸, -NR²⁸C(O)R²⁹, -NR ⁸C(O)OR²⁹, -OC(O)R²⁸, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -Sd-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl- C(=O)OR²⁸, -C(=O)NR ⁸-d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -C C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, or

-C(O)OR²⁸,

• d-C₆-alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, and -NR²⁸R²⁹ • aryl, aryloxy, aroyl, aryl-d-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-d-C-e-alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-d-C₆- alkyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substitu- ents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR²⁸, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹ and d-C₆-alkyl

In another embodiment R²², R²³ and R²⁴ are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹, -SR²⁸, -NR²⁸C(O)R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)OR²⁹,

-OC(O)R²⁸, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -Sd-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl- C(=O)OR²⁸, -C(=O)NR²⁸-d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, or -C(O)OR²⁸,

• C C₆-alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, or -CF₃

• aryl, aryloxy, aroyl, aryl-d-C-β-alkoxy, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-d-C₆- alkyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OH, -CN, -CF₃, -NO₂, or C C₆-alkyl

In another embodiment R²⁰ is hydrogen or methyl In another embodiment R²⁰ is hydrogen

In another embodiment R²⁸ is hydrogen, d-C₆-alkyl or aryl

In another embodiment R²⁸ is hydrogen or d-C₆-alkyl

In another embodiment R²⁹ is hydrogen or C C₆-alkyl

In another embodiment V is a valence bond In another embodiment V is d-C₆-alkylene optionally substituted with one or more hydroxy, d-C₆-alkyl, or aryl

In another embodiment L is Cι-C₆-alkylene or arylene, wherein the arylene is optionally substituted with up to three substituents R²⁵, R²⁶ and R²⁷

In another embodiment L is C C₆-alkyl In another embodiment L is phenylene optionally substituted with up to three substituents

R²⁵, R²⁶ and R²⁷

In another embodiment R²⁵, R²⁶ and R²⁷ are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -CHF₂, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OCHF₂, -OCH₂CF₃, -OCF₂CHF₂, -SCF₃, -

NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹, -SR²⁸, -C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -OC(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)OR²⁹, -CH₂C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -OCH₂C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -CH₂OR²⁸, -CH₂NR²⁸R²⁹, -OC(O)R²⁸, -OC C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -SC C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl- C(=O)OR²⁸, -NR²⁸-C(=O)-d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -NR²⁸-C(=O)-d-C₆- alkenyl-C(=O)OR²⁸-, -C(=O)NR²⁸-d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -C₁-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, or

-C(O)OR²⁸,

• d-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, and -NR²⁸R²⁹

• aryl, aryloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, aroyl, aryl-d-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-C C₆-alkyl, aryl-C₂- C₆-alkenyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-d-C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl-C₂-C₆- alkenyl or heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR²⁸, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹ and d-C₆-alkyl

In another embodiment R , R and R are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹, -SR²⁸, -NR²⁸C(O)R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)OR²⁹, -OC(O)R²⁸, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -Sd-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl- C(=O)OR²⁸, -C(=O)NR²⁸-d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -C C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, or

-C(O)OR²⁸,

• d-C₆-alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, and -NR²⁸R²⁹ • aryl, aryloxy, aroyl, aryl-d-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-d-C₆- alkyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substitu- ents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR²⁸, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR ⁸R²⁹ and d-C₆-alkyl

In another embodiment R²⁵, R²⁶ and R²⁷ are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹, -SR²⁸, -NR²⁸C(O)R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)OR²⁹,

-OC(O)R²⁸, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -Sd-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl- C(=O)OR²⁸, -C(=O)NR²⁸-C C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -C₁-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, or -C(O)OR²⁸,

"d-Ce-alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, or -CF₃

• aryl, aryloxy, aroyl, aryl-d-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-d-C-β- alkyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OH, -CN, -CF₃, -NO₂, or d-C₆-alkyl

In another embodiment R²¹ is hydrogen or methyl In another embodiment R²¹ is hydrogen

In another embodiment R²⁸ is Hydrogen, C C₆-alkyl or aryl

In another embodiment R²⁸ is Hydrogen or Cι-C₆-alkyl

In another embodiment R²⁹ is Hydrogen or d-C₆-alkyl

In another embodiment R¹⁸and R¹⁹are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹, -SR²⁸, -S(O)R²⁸, -S(O)₂R²⁸, -C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -CH₂OR²⁸, -OC(O)R²⁸, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -SC C₆- alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, or -C(O)OR²⁸,

•d-Ce-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkynyl, which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, and -NR²⁸R²⁹

• aryl, aryloxy, aryl-d-Ce-alkoxy, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-d-C₆-alkyl of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR²⁸, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹ and d-C-e-alkyl

In another embodiment R¹⁸and R¹⁹are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹, or -C(O)OR²⁸,

• d-C₆-alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, and -NR²⁸R²⁹

• aryl, aryloxy, aryl-d-C-β-alkyl, heteroaryl, of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR²⁸, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹ and C C₆-alkyl

In another embodiment A is a compound of the form M-Q-T-

wherein M is one of the 1 ollowing structures

wherein W¹, W², and W³ are independently OH, SH or NH₂ and the phenyl, naphthalene or benzocarbazole rings are optionally substituted by one or more R³⁴ independently

Q is selected from the following:

• a valence bond

• -CH₂N(R³⁰)- or -SO₂N(R³¹)- • A compound of the formula wherein Z¹ is S(O)₂ or CH₂, Z² is N,-O- or -S-, and n is 1 or 2;

T is • A valence bond

• d-C₆-alkylene, C₂-C₆-alkenylene or C₂-C₆-alkynylene, which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR³², and -NR³²R³³

• Arylene, -aryloxy-, -aryloxycarbonyl-, -aroyl-, -aryl-C C₆-alkoxy-, -aryl-CrC₆-alkyl-, -aryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, -aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, heteroarylene, -heteroaryl-d-C₆-alkyl-,

-heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl- or -heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, wherein the cyclic moieties are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halogen, - C(O)OR³², -C(O)H, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR³², -NR³²R³³, d-C₆-alkyl or d-C₆- alkanoyl,

R³² and R³³ independently are hydrogen, C C₆-alkyl, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl or aryl, or R³² and R³³ when attached to the same nitrogen atom together with the said nitrogen atom may form a 3 to 8 membered heterocyclic ring optionally containing one or two further heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, and optionally containing one or two double bonds, R³⁰ and R³¹ are independently hydrogen, d-C₆-alkyl or d-C₆-alkanoyl.

R³⁴ is hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CH₂CN, -CHF₂, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OCHF₂, -OCH₂CF₃, -OCF₂CHF₂, -S(O)₂CF₃, -SCF₃, -NO₂, -OR³², -C(O)R³², -NR³²R³³, -SR³², -NR³²S(O)₂R³³, -S(O)₂NR³²R³³, -S(O)NR³²R³³, -S(O)R³², -S(O)₂R³², -C(O)NR³²R³³, -OC(O)NR³²R³³, -NR³²C(O)R³³, -CH₂C(O)NR³²R³³, -OCH₂C(O)NR³²R³³, -CH₂OR³², -CH₂NR³²R³³, -OC(O)R³², - OC C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR³², -SC C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR³² -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)OR³²,

-NR³²-C(=O)-C C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR³², -NR³²-C(=O)-d-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)OR³²-, d-C₆-alkyl, d-Ce-alkanoyl or -C(O)OR³², In another embodiment M is one of the following structures

In another embodiment M is

In another embodiment M is

In another embodiment the salicylic acid moiety is of the formula

In another embodiment the napthoic acid moiety is of the formula

In another embodiment Q is a valence bond, -CH₂N(R³⁰)-, or -SO₂N(R³¹)- In another embodiment Q is a valence bond In another embodiment T is

• A valence bond

• d-C₆-alkylene, C₂-C₆-alkenylene or C₂-C₆-alkynylene, which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR³², and -NR³²R³³

• Arylene, or heteroarylene, wherein the cyclic moieties are optionally substituted as defined in claim 70

In another embodiment T is

• A valence bond • Arylene, or heteroarylene, wherein the cyclic moieties are optionally substituted as defined in claim 70

In another embodiment T is phenylene or naphthalene

In another embodiment the cyclic moiety in T is optionally substituted by halogen, -C(O)OR³², -CN, -CF₃, -OR³², -NR³²R³³, d-C₆-alkyl or C C₆-alkanoyl

In another embodiment the cyclic moiety in T is optionally substituted by halogen, -C(O)OR³²,

-OR³², -NR³²R³³, d-C₆-alkyl or d-C₆-alkanoyl

In another embodiment the cyclic moiety in T is optionally substituted by halogen, -C(O)OR³² or -OR³² In another embodiment T is a valence bond

In another embodiment R³⁰ and R³¹ are independently hydrogen or d-C₆-alkyl

In another embodiment R³⁴ is hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -SCF₃, -NO₂, -OR³²,

-C(O)R³², -NR³²R³³, -SR³², -C(O)NR³²R³³, -OC(O)NR³²R³³, -NR³²C(O)R³³, -OC(O)R³², -OC

C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR³², -Sd-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR³² or -C(O)OR³² In another embodiment R³⁴ is hydrogen, halogen, -CF₃, -NO₂, -OR³², -NR³²R³³, -SR³²,

-NR³²C(O)R³³, or -C(O)OR³²

In another embodiment R³⁴ is hydrogen, halogen, -CF₃, -NO₂, -OR³², -NR³²R³³, or

-NR³²C(O)R³³

In another embodiment R³⁴ is hydrogen, halogen, or -OR³² In another embodiment R³² and R³³ independently are hydrogen, d-C₆-alkyl, or aryl

In another embodiment R³² and R³³ independently are hydrogen or d-C₆-alkyl

In another embodiment C consists of 1-5 neutral amino acids independently selected from the group consisting of Gly, Ala, Thr, and Ser

In another embodiment C consists of 1-5 Gly In another embodiment G^B is of the formula -B¹-B²-C(O)-, -B¹-B²-SO₂- or -B¹-B²-CH₂-, wherein B¹ and B² are as defined above

In another embodiment G^B is of the formula -B¹-B²-C(O)-, -B¹-B²-SO₂- or -B¹-B²-NH-, wherein B¹ and B² are as defined above

In another embodiment G⁸ is of the formula -B¹-B²-C(O)-, -B¹-B²-CH₂- or -B¹-B -NH-, wherein B¹ and B² are as defined above

In another embodiment G⁸ is of the formula -B¹-B²-CH₂-, -B¹-B²-SO₂- or -B¹-B²-NH-, wherein

B¹ and B² are as defined above

In another embodiment G⁸ is of the formula -B¹-B²-C(O)- or -B¹-B²-SO₂-, wherein B¹ and B² are as defined above n another embodiment G⁸ is of the formula -B¹-B²-C(O)- or -B¹-B²-CH₂-, wherein B¹ and B² are as defined above n another embodiment G⁸ is of the formula -B¹-B²-C(O)- or -B¹-B²-NH-, wherein B¹ and B² are as defined above n another embodiment G⁸ is of the formula -B¹-B²-CH₂- or -B¹-B²-SO₂- , wherein B¹ and B² are as defined above n another embodiment G⁸ is of the formula -B¹-B²-NH- or -B¹-B²-SO₂- , wherein B¹ and B² are as defined above n another embodiment G⁸ is of the formula -B¹-B²-CH₂- or -B¹-B²-NH- , wherein B¹ and B² are as defined above n another embodiment G^B is of the formula -B¹-B²-C(O)- n another embodiment G^B is of the formula -B¹-B²-CH₂- n another embodiment G^B is of the formula -B¹-B²-SO₂- n another embodiment G^B is of the formula -B¹-B²-NH- n another embodiment B¹ s a valence bond, -O-, or -S- n another embodiment B¹ s a valence bond, -O-, or -N(R⁶)- n another embodiment B¹ s a valence bond, -S-, or -N(R⁶)- n another embodiment B¹ s -O-, -S- or -N(R⁶)- n another embodiment B¹ s a valence bond or-O- n another embodiment B¹ s a valence bond or-S- n another embodiment B¹ s a valence bond or-N(R⁶)- n another embodiment B¹ s -O-or -S- n another embodiment B¹ s -O-or -N(R⁶)- n another embodiment B¹ s -S-or -N(R⁶)- n another embodiment B¹ s a valence bond n another embodiment B¹ s -O- n another embodiment B¹ s -S- n another embodiment B¹ s -N(R⁶)- n another embodiment B² s a valence bond, d-Ciβ-alkylene, C₂-C₁₈-alkenylene, C₂-C₁₈- alkynylene, arylene, heteroarylene, -d-C₁₈-alkyl-aryl-, -C(=O)-C₁-C₁₈-alkyl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)- C₁-C₁₈-alkyl-O-C₁-C₁₈-alkyl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-C₁-C₁₈-alkyl-S-C₁-C₁₈-alkyl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-d- C₁₈-alkyl-NR⁶-C₁-C₁₈-alkyl-C(=O)-; and the alkylene and arylene moieties are optionally substituted as defined above

In another embodiment B² is a valence bond, d-C₁₈-alkylene, C₂-C₁₈-alkenylene, C₂-C₁₈- alkynylene, arylene, heteroarylene, -d-C₁₈-alkyl-aryl-, -C(=O)-C₁-C₁₈-alkyl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)- C₁-C₁₈-alkyl-O-Cι-C₁₈-alkyl-C(=O)-₎ and the alkyl and aryl moieties are optionally substituted as defined above

In another embodiment B² is a valence bond, d-C₁₈-alkylene, C₂-C₁₈-alkenylene, C₂-C₁₈- alkynylene, arylene, heteroarylene, -d-C₁₈-alkyl-aryl-, -C(=O)-C_rC₁₈-alkyl-C(=O)-, and the alkylene and arylene moieties are optionally substituted as defined above

In another embodiment B² is a valence bond, d-Cι₈-alkylene, arylene, heteroarylene, -C ds-alkyl-aryl-, -C(=O)-d-Cι₈-alkyl-C(=O)-, and the alkylene and arylene moieties are optionally substituted as defined above In another embodiment B² is a valence bond, d-C ₈-alkylene, arylene, heteroarylene, -C_.- dβ-alkyl-aryl-, and the alkylene and arylene moieties are optionally substituted as defined above

In another embodiment B² is a valence bond, d-C₁₈-alkylene, arylene, -Cι-C₁₈-alkyl-aryl-, and the alkylene and arylene moieties are optionally substituted as defined above In another embodiment B² is a valence bond or d-C₁₈-alkylene, and the alkylene moiety is optionally substituted as defined above

In another embodiment D comprises 1 to 16 positively charged groups In another embodiment D comprises 1 to 12 positively charged groups In another embodiment D comprises 1 to 10 positively charged groups In another embodiment D is a fragment containing basic amino acids independently selected from the group consisting of Lys and Arg and D-isomers of these. In another embodiment the basic amino acid is Arg In another embodiment X is -OH or -NH₂ In another embodiment X is -NH₂

Also provided by the present invention is an R-state insulin hexamer comprising:

6 molecules of insulin, at least 2 zinc ions, and a zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the preceding claims.

In one embodiment the insulin forming the R-state insulin hexamer is selected from the group consisting of human insulin, an analogue thereof, a derivative thereof, and combinations of any of these

In another embodiment the insulin is an analogue of human insulin selected from the group consisting of i.An analogue wherein position B28 is Asp, Lys, Leu, Val, or Ala and position B29 is Lys or Pro; and ii.des(B28-B30), des(B27) or des(B30) human insulin. In another embodiment the insulin is an analogue of human insulin wherein position B28 is Asp or Lys, and position B29 is Lys or Pro. In another embodiment the insulin is des(B30) human insulin.

In another embodiment the insulin is a derivative of human insulin having one or more lipophilic substituents.

In another embodiment the insulin derivative is selected from the group consisting of B29-N^ε- myristoyl-des(B30) human insulin, B29-N^ε-palmitoyl-des(B30) human insulin, B29-N^ε- myristoyl human insulin, B29-N^ε-palmitoyl human insulin, B28-N^ε-myristoyl Lys⁸²⁸ Pro⁸²⁹ human insulin, B28-N^ε-palmitoyl Lys⁸²⁸ Pro⁸²⁹ human insulin, BSO-N'-myristoyl-Thr^Lys⁸³⁰ human insulin, B30-N^ε-palmitoyl-Thr⁸²⁹Lys⁸³⁰ human insulin, B29-N^ε-(N-palmitoyl-γ-glutamyl)- des(B30) human insulin, B29-N^ε-(N-lithocholyl-γ-glutamyl)-des(B30) human insulin, B29-N^ε- (ω-carboxyheptadecanoyl)-des(B30) human insulin and B29-N^ε-(ω-carboxyheptadecanoyl) human insulin.

In another embodiment the insulin derivative is B29-N^ε-myristoyl-des(B30) human insulin. In another embodiment the insulin hexamer of the invention further comprises at least 3 phenolic molecules. In another embodiment the invention provides an insulin preparation comprising R-state insulin hexamers as defined above

In another embodiment the invention provides a method of prolonging the action of an insulin preparation which comprises adding a zinc-binding ligand as defined above to the insulin preparation. In another embodiment the invention provides an aqueous insulin preparation as defined above wherein the ratio between precipitated insulin and dissolved insulin is in the range from 99:1 to 1 :99.

In another embodiment the ratio between precipitated insulin and dissolved insulin is in the range from 95:5 to 5:95 In another embodiment the ratio between precipitated insulin and dissolved insulin is in the range from 80:20 to 20:80

In another embodiment the ratio between precipitated insulin and dissolved insulin is in the range from 70:30 to 30:70. In another embodiment the invention provides a zinc-binding ligand of the following general formula (III)

A-B-C-D-X (III)

wherein:

A is a chemical group which reversibly binds to a His⁸¹⁰ Zn²⁺ site of an insulin hexamer;

B is a linker selected from

• A valence bond

• A chemical group G^B of the formula -B¹-B²-C(O)-, -B¹-B²-SO₂-, -B¹-B²-CH₂-, or -B¹- B²-NH-; wherein B¹ is a valence bond, -O-, -S-, or -NR⁶-,

B² is a valence bond, d-C₁₈-alkylene, C₂-C₁₈-alkenylene, C₂-C₁₈-alkynylene, arylene, heteroarylene, -d-dβ-alkyl-aryl-, -C₂-C₁₈-alkenyl-aryl-, -C₂-C₁₈-alkynyl-aryl-, -C(=O)- d-C₁₈-alkyl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-Cι-C₁₈-alkenyl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-C₁-C₁₈-alkyl-O-C₁-C₁₈- alkyl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)- C₁-C₁₈-alkyl-S-C₁-C₁₈-alkyl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-d-C₁₈-alkyl-NR⁶-d-

C₁₈-alkyl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-aryl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-heteroaryl-C(=O)-; wherein the alkylene, alkenylene, and alkynylene moieties are optionally substituted by -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR⁶, or -NR⁶R⁷ and the arylene and heteroarylene moieties are optionally substituted by halogen, -C(O)OR⁶, -C(O)H, OCOR⁶, -SO₂, -CN, -CF₃, -

OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR⁶, -NR⁶R⁷, d-C₁₈-alkyl, or d-C₁₈-alkanoyl;

R⁶and R⁷ are independently H, d-C₄-alkyl;

C is a fragment consisting of 0 to 5 neutral amino acids, wherein the individual neutral amino acids are the same or different

D is a fragment comprising 1 to 20 positively charged groups independently selected from amino or guanidino groups, wherein the individual positively charged groups are the same or different; and

X is -OH, -NH₂ or a diamino group, or a salt thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base, or any optical isomer or mixture of optical isomers, including a racemic mixture, or any tautomeric forms. In another embodiment of the invention A is a chemical structure selected from the group consisting of carboxylates, dithiocarboxylates, phenolates, thiophenolates, alkylthiolates, sul- fonamides, imidazoles, triazoles, 4-cyano-1 ,2,3-thazoles, benzimidazoles, benzotriazoles, purines, thiazolidinediones, tetrazoles, 5-mercaptotetrazoles, rhodanines, N-hydroxyazoles, hydantoines, thiohydantoines, barbiturates, naphthoic acids and salicylic acids.

In another embodiment of the invention A is a chemical structure selected from the group consisting of benzotriazoles, 3-hydroxy 2-napthoic acids, salicylic acids, tetrazoles, thiazolidinediones, 5-mercaptotetrazoles, or 4-cyano-1 ,2,3-triazoles.

In another embodiment of the invention A is

wherein

X is =O, =S or =NH

Y is -S-, -O- or -NH-

R⁸ and R¹¹ are independently hydrogen or d-C₆-alkyl,

R⁹ is hydrogen or d-C₆-alkyl or aryl, R⁸ and R⁹ may optionally be combined to form a double bond, R¹⁰ and R¹² are independently hydrogen, aryl, d-C₆-alkyl, or -C(O)NR¹⁶R¹⁷

E and G are independently d-C₆-alkylene, arylene, -aryl-Cι-C₆-alkyl-, -aryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl- or heteroarylene, wherein the alkylene or alkenylene is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, aryl, -COOH and -NH₂, and the arylene or heteroarylene is optionally substituted with up to four substituents R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, and R^15A

E and R¹⁰ may be connected through one or two valence bonds, G and R¹² may be connected through one or two valence bonds;

R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R ^5A are independently selected from • hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CH₂CN, -CHF₂, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OCHF₂, -OCH₂CF₃, -OCF₂CHF₂, -S(O)₂CF₃, -OS(O)₂CF₃, -SCF₃, -NO₂, -OR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -SR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶S(O)₂R¹⁷, -S(O)₂NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -S(O)NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -S(O)R¹⁶, -S(O)₂R¹⁶, -OS(O)₂ R¹⁶, -C(O)NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -OC(O)NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -NR¹⁶C(O)R¹⁷, -CH₂C(O)NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -OC C₆-alkyl-C(O)NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -CH₂OR¹⁶, -CH₂OC(O)R¹⁶, -CH₂NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -OC(O)R¹⁶, -OC C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶, -Od-C₆-alkyl-OR¹⁶, -Sd-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶ , -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)OR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶-C(=O)-C C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶-C(=O)-d-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)OR¹⁶ , -C(O)OR¹⁶, or -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)R¹⁶, =O, or -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)-NR¹⁶R¹⁷,

• Ci-Ce-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR¹⁶, and -NR¹⁶R¹⁷

• aryl, aryloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, aroyl, arylsulfanyl, aryl-d-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl, aroyl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-Ci- Ce-alkyl, heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl or heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR¹⁶, -CH₂C(O)OR¹⁶, -CH₂OR¹⁶, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶R¹⁷, S(O)₂R¹⁶, aryl and d-C₆-alkyl,

R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ independently are hydrogen, OH, d-C₂₀-alkyl, aryl-C C₆-alkyl or aryl, wherein the alkyl groups may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -Od-C₆-alkyl, -C(O)Od-C₆-alkyl, -COOH and -NH₂, and the aryl groups may optionally be substituted by halogen, -C(O)Od-C₆-alkyl, -COOH, -CN, -CF₃, - OCF₃, -NO₂, -OH, -Od-C₆-alkyl, -NH₂, C(=O) or C C₆-alkyl; R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ when attached to the same nitrogen atom may form a 3 to 8 membered heterocyclic ring with the said nitrogen atom, the heterocyclic ring optionally containing one or two further heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, and optionally containing one or two double bonds

In another embodiment of the invention X is =O or =S In another embodiment of the invention X is =O In another embodiment of the invention X is =S In another embodiment of the invention Y is -O- or -S- In another embodiment of the invention Y is -O- In another embodiment of the invention Y is -S-

In another embodiment of the invention E is arylene optionally substituted with up to four substituents, R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, and R^15A.

In another embodiment of the invention E is phenylene or naphtylene optionally substituted with up to four substituents, R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, and R^15A. In another embodiment of the invention E is

I another embodiment of the invention E is

In another embodiment of the invention E is phenylene

In another embodiment of the invention E is heteroarylene optionally substituted with up to four substituents, R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, and R^15A.

In another embodiment of the invention E is benzofuranylidene optionally substituted with up to four substituents R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, and R^15A.

In another embodiment of the invention E is

In another embodiment of the invention E is carbazolylidene optionally substituted with up to four substituents R ³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, and R^15A. In another embodiment of the invention E is

In another embodiment of the invention E is quinolylidene optionally substituted with up to four substituents R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, and R^15A.

In another embodiment of the invention E is

In another embodiment of the invention E is indolylene optionally substituted with up to four substituents R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, and R^15A.

In another embodiment of the invention E is

In another embodiment of the invention R⁸ is Hydrogen. In another embodiment of the invention R⁹ is Hydrogen. In another embodiment of the invention R⁸ and R⁹ are combined to form a double bond. In another embodiment of the invention R¹⁰ is dCβ-alkyl. In another embodiment of the invention R¹⁰ is methyl. In another embodiment of the invention G is phenylene optionally substituted with up to four substituents, R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, and R^15A. In another embodiment of the invention R¹¹ is Hydrogen. In another embodiment of the invention R¹² is Hydrogen. In another embodiment of the invention R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R^15A are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -NO₂, -OR⁶, -NR ⁶R¹⁷, -SR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶S(O)₂R¹⁷, -S(O)₂NR ⁶R¹⁷, -S(O)NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -S(O)R¹⁶, -S(O)₂R¹⁶, -OS(O)₂ R¹⁶, -NR¹⁶C(O)R¹⁷, -CH₂OR¹⁶, - CH₂OC(O)R¹⁶, -CH₂NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -OC(O)R¹⁶, -OC C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶, -OC C₆- alkyl-C(O)NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -Od-C₆-alkyl-OR¹⁶, -Sd-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl- C(=O)OR¹⁶, -C(O)OR¹⁶, or -C₂-C₆-alkenyI-C(=O)R¹⁶,

β -Cβ-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR¹⁶, and -NR¹⁶R¹⁷

»aryl, aryloxy, aroyl, arylsulfanyl, aryl-d-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl, aryl-C₂-

C₆-alkenyl, aroyl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-d-C₆-alkyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR¹⁶, -CH₂C(O)OR¹⁶, -CH₂OR¹⁶, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶R¹⁷ and C C₆-alkyl.

In another embodiment of the invention R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R^15A are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -NO₂, -OR⁶, -NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -SR¹⁶, -S(O)₂R¹⁶, -OS(O)₂ R¹⁶, -

CH₂OC(O)R¹⁶, -OC(O)R¹⁶, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶, -OC C₆-alkyl-OR¹⁶, -Sd-C₆- alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶, -C(O)OR¹⁶, or -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)R¹⁶,

• CrC_δ-alkyl or d-C₆-alkenyl which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR¹⁶, and -NR¹⁶R¹⁷

• aryl, aryloxy, aroyl, aryl-d-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substitu- ents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR¹⁶, -CH₂C(O)OR¹⁶, -CH₂OR¹⁶, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃,

-NO₂, -OR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶R¹⁷ and C C₆-alkyl.

In another embodiment of the invention R¹³, R ⁴, R¹⁵ and R^15A are independently selected from • hydrogen, halogen, -NO₂, -OR⁶, -NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -SR¹⁶, -S(O)₂R¹⁶, -OS(O)₂ R¹⁶, - CH₂OC(O)R¹⁶, -OC(O)R¹⁶, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶, -Od-C₆-alkyl-OR¹⁶, -Sd-C₆- alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶, -C(O)OR¹⁶, or -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)R¹⁶,

• d-C₆-alkyl or d-C₆-alkenyl which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CF₃, -OR¹⁶, and -NR¹⁶R¹⁷

• aryl, aryloxy, aroyl, aryl-d-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-C C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, C(O)OR¹⁶, -CN, -NO₂, -OR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶R¹⁷ and C C₆-alkyl.

In another embodiment of the invention R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R^15A are independently selected from • hydrogen, halogen, -OR⁶, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶, or -C(O)OR¹⁶,

• d-C₆-alkyl which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -OR¹⁶, and -NR¹⁶R¹⁷

• aryl, aryloxy, aryl-d-C₆-alkoxy,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, C(O)OR¹⁶, OR¹⁶, and C C₆-alkyl.

In another embodiment of the invention R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ independently are hydrogen, d-C₂₀- alkyl, or aryl, wherein the alkyl groups may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OC C₆-alkyl, -COOH and -NH₂, and the aryl groups may optionally be substituted by halogen, -COOH, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OH, - OCι-C₆-alkyl, -NH₂, C(=O) or d-C₆-alkyl; R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ when attached to the same nitrogen atom may form a 3 to 8 membered heterocyclic ring with the said nitrogen atom, the heterocyclic ring optionally containing one or two further heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, and optionally containing one or two double bonds

In another embodiment of the invention R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ independently are hydrogen, d-C₂₀- alkyl, or aryl, wherein the alkyl groups may optionally be substituted with one or more sub- stituents selected from halogen, -CF₃, -OC C₆-alkyl, -COOH and -NH₂, and the aryl groups may optionally be substituted by halogen, -COOH, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OH, -NH₂,or d- C-e-alkyl.

In another embodiment of the invention A is

wherein

R²⁰ is hydrogen or d-C₆-alkyl, R²¹ is hydrogen or C C₆-alkyl,

U and V are a valence bond or d-C₆-alkylene optionally substituted with one or more hydroxy, Cι-C₆-alkyl, or aryl independently,

J is d-C-₆-alkylene, arylene or heteroarylene, wherein the arylene or heteroarylene is optionally substituted with up to three substituents R²², R²³ and R²⁴,

L is d-Ce-alkylene, arylene or heteroarylene, wherein the arylene or heteroarylene is optionally substituted with up to three substituents R²⁵, R²⁶ and R²⁷,

R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R R", R , R^Λ, R^Λ and R are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CH₂CN, -CHF₂, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OCHF₂, -OCH₂CF₃, -OCF₂CHF₂, -S(O)₂CF₃, -SCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹, -SR²⁸, -NR²⁸S(O)₂R²⁹, -S(O)₂NR²⁸R²⁹, -S(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -S(O)R²⁸, -S(O)₂R²⁸, -C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -OC(O)NR²⁸R²⁹,

-NR²⁸C(O)R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)OR²⁹, -CH₂C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -OCH₂C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -CH₂OR²⁸, -CH₂NR ⁸R²⁹, -OC(O)R²⁸, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -SC C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -C₂-C₆- alkenyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -NR²⁸-C(=O)-d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -NR²⁸-C(=O)-d-C₆- alkenyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -C(=O)NR²⁸-d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -C C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR ⁸,or -C(O)OR²⁸,

• C C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkynyl, which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, and -NR²⁸R²⁹

»aryl, aryloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, aroyl, aryl-d-C-e-alkoxy, aryl-C C₆-alkyl, aryl-C₂-

C₆-alkenyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-CrC₆-alkyl, heteroaryl-C₂-C₆- alkenyl or heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substitu- ents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR²⁸, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹ and d-Cβ-alkyl,

R²⁸ and R²⁹ independently are hydrogen, d-C₆-alkyl, aryl-d-C-₆-alkyl or aryl, or R²⁸ and R²⁹ when attached to the same nitrogen atom together with the said nitrogen atom may form a 3 to 8 membered heterocyclic ring optionally containing one or two further heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, and optionally containing one or two double bonds

In another embodiment of the invention U is a valence bond

In another embodiment of the invention U is d-C₆-alkylene optionally substituted with one or more hydroxy, d-C_β-alkyl, or aryl

In another embodiment of the invention J is arylene or heteroarylene, wherein the arylene or heteroarylene is optionally substituted with up to three substituents R²², R²³ and R²⁴

In another embodiment of the invention J is arylene optionally substituted with up to three substituents R²², R²³ and R²⁴ In another embodiment of the invention J is phenylene optionally substituted with up to three substituents R²², R²³ and R²⁴

In another embodiment of the invention J is

In another embodiment of the invention R , R and R are independently selected from • hydrogen, halogen, -CHF₂, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OCHF₂, -OCH₂CF₃, -OCF₂CHF₂, -SCF₃, - NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹, -SR²⁸, -C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -OC(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)OR²⁹, -CH₂C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -OCH₂C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -CH₂OR²⁸, -CH₂NR²⁸R²⁹, -OC(O)R²⁸, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -Sd-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl- C(=O)OR²⁸, -NR ⁸-C(=O)-C₁-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -NR²⁸-C(=O)-C₁-C₆- alkenyl-C(=O)OR²⁸-, -C(=O)NR²⁸-d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -C C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, or -C(O)OR²⁸,

• d-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, and -NR²⁸R²⁹

• aryl, aryloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, aroyl, aryl-d-C-e-alkoxy, aryl-d-C-₆-alkyl, aryl-C₂- C₆-alkenyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-d-C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl-C₂-C₆- alkenyl or heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR²⁸, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹ and d-C₆-alkyl

er embodiment of the invention R²², R²³ and R²⁴ are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹, -SR²⁸, -NR²⁸C(O)R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)OR²⁹, -OC(O)R²⁸, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -Sd-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-

C(=O)OR²⁸, -C(=O)NR²⁸-d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, or -C(O)OR²⁸,

• Ci-Ce-alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from halo- gen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, and -NR²⁸R²⁹

• aryl, aryloxy, aroyl, aryl-d-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-d-Cβ-alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-C C₆- alkyl, of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR²⁸, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹ and d-Ce-alkyl

In another embodiment of the invention R²², R²³ and R²⁴ are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹, -SR²⁸, -NR²⁸C(O)R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)OR²⁹, -OC(O)R²⁸, -OC Ce-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -SC C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl- C(=O)OR²⁸, -C(=O)NR²⁸-d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, or -C(O)OR²⁸,

• CrCβ-alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, or -CF₃

"aryl, aryloxy, aroyl, aryl-d-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-d-Ce-alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-Ci-Ce- alkyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OH, -CN, -CF₃, -NO₂, or d-C₆-alkyl

In another embodiment of the invention R²⁰ is hydrogen or methyl

In another embodiment of the invention R²⁰ is hydrogen

In another embodiment of the invention R²⁸ is Hydrogen, C C₆-alkyl or aryl

In another embodiment of the invention R²⁸ is Hydrogen or d-C₆-alkyl In another embodiment of the invention R²⁹ is Hydrogen or d-C₆-alkyl

In another embodiment of the invention V is a valence bond

In another embodiment of the invention V is d-C₆-alkylene optionally substituted with one or more hydroxy, d-Cβ-alkyl, or aryl

In another embodiment of the invention L is d-C₆-alkylene or arylene, wherein the arylene is optionally substituted with up to three substituents R²⁵, R²⁶ and R²⁷

In another embodiment of the invention L is d-C₆-alkylene

In another embodiment of the invention L is phenylene optionally substituted with up to three substituents R²⁵, R²⁶ and R²⁷

In another embodiment of the invention R²⁵, R²⁶ and R²⁷ are independently selected from • hydrogen, halogen, -CHF₂, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OCHF₂, -OCH₂CF₃, -OCF₂CHF₂, -SCF₃, - NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹, -SR²⁸, -C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -OC(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)OR²⁹, -CHzCtOJNR^R²⁹, -OCH₂C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -CH₂OR²⁸, -CH₂NR²⁸R²⁹, -OC(O)R²⁸, -OC₁-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -SC₁-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl- C(=O)OR²⁸, -NR²⁸-C(=O)-C₁-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -NR²⁸-C(=O)-C₁-C₆- alkenyl-C(=O)OR²⁸-, -C(=O)NR²⁸-d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, or -C(O)OR²⁸,

• d-Cβ-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, and -NR²⁸R²⁹

• aryl, aryloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, aroyl, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl, aryl-C₂- C₆-alkenyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-C C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl-C₂-C₆- alkenyl or heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR²⁸, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹ and d-C₆-alkyl

In another embodiment of the invention R²⁵, R²⁶ and R²⁷ are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹, -SR²⁸, -NR²⁸C(O)R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)OR²⁹, -OC(O)R²⁸, -OC₁-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -Sd-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl- C(=O)OR²⁸, -C(=O)NR²⁸-C C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -C₁-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, or

-C(O)OR²⁸,

• Ci-Ce-alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, and -NR²⁸R²⁹

• aryl, aryloxy, aroyl, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-Ci-Ce- alkyl, of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR²⁸, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹ and Cι-C₆-alkyl

In another embodiment of the invention R²⁵, R²⁶ and R²⁷ are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹, -SR²⁸, -NR²⁸C(O)R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)OR²⁹, -OC(O)R²⁸, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -Sd-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl- C(=O)OR²⁸, -C(=O)NR²⁸-d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, or -C(O)OR²⁸,

• d-C₆-alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, or -CF₃

•aryl, aryloxy, aroyl, aryl-d-C₈-alkoxy, aryl-C C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-Ci-Ce- alkyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OH, -CN, -CF₃, -NO₂, or Ci-Cβ-alkyI

In another embodiment of the invention R²¹ is hydrogen or methyl In another embodiment of the invention R²¹ is hydrogen In another embodiment of the invention R²⁸ is Hydrogen, d-C₆-alkyl or aryl In another embodiment of the invention R²⁸ is Hydrogen or d-C₆-alkyl In another embodiment of the invention R²⁹ is Hydrogen or d-C₆-alkyl

In another embodiment of the invention R¹⁸and R ⁹are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹, -SR²⁸, -S(O)R²⁸, -S(O)₂R²⁸, -C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -CH₂OR²⁸, -OC(O)R²⁸, -OCι-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -Sd-Cβ- alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, or -C(O)OR²⁸,

• Ci-Ce-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, and -NR²⁸R²⁹ • aryl, aryloxy, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-Ci-Ce-alkyl of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR²⁸, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR ⁸R²⁹ and Ci-Ce-alkyl In another embodiment of the invention R¹⁸and R¹⁹are independently selected from

hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -NO₂, -OR", -NR^R ^a, or -C(O)OR j2δ

• Cι-C₆-alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, and -NR²⁸R²⁹

• aryl, aryloxy, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl, of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR²⁸, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹ and Cι-C₆-alkyl

In another embodiment of the invention A is

In another embodiment of the invention A is of the form M-Q-T-

wherein W /1¹, \ WΛ/2, and W³ are independently OH, SH or NH₂ and the phenyl, naphthalene or benzocarbazole rings are optionally substituted by one or more R³⁴ independently Q is selected from the following:

• a valence bond

• -CH₂N(R³⁰)- or -SO₂N(R³¹)-

• A compound of the formula wherein Z¹ is S(O)₂ or CH₂, Z² is N,-O-or

-S-, and n is 1 or 2;

T is

• Ci-Ce-alkylene, C₂-C₆-alkenylene or C₂-C₆-alkynylene, which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR³², and -NR³²R³³

• Arylene, arylene-oxy, -aryl-oxycarbonyl-, -aroyl-, -aryl-Cι-C₆-alkoxy-, -aryl-d-C₆- alkyl-, -aryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, -aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, heteroarylene, -heteroaryl-d-C₆- alkyl-, -heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl- or -heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, wherein the cyclic moieties are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo- gen, -C(O)OR³², -C(O)H, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR³², -NR³²R³³, C C₆-alkyl or C

Ce-alkanoyl,

• A valence bond

R³² and R³³ independently are hydrogen, Ci-Ce-alkyl, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkyl or aryl, or R³² and R³³ when attached to the same nitrogen atom together with the said nitrogen atom may form a 3 to 8 membered heterocyclic ring optionally containing one or two further heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, and optionally containing one or two double bonds,

R³⁰ and R³ are independently hydrogen, d-C₆-alkyl or Ci-Ce-alkanoyl.

R³⁴ is hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CH₂CN, -CHF₂, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OCHF₂, -OCH₂CF₃, -OCF₂CHF₂, -S(O)₂CF₃, -SCF₃, -NO₂, -OR³², -C(O)R³², -NR³²R³³, -SR³², -NR³²S(O)₂R³³, -S(O)₂NR³²R³³, -S(O)NR³²R³³, -S(O)R³², -S(O)₂R³², -C(O)NR³²R³³, -OC(O)NR³²R³³, -NR³²C(O)R³³, -CH₂C(O)NR³²R³³, -OCH₂C(O)NR³²R³³, -CH₂OR³², -CH₂NR³²R³³, -OC(O)R³², - OCι-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR³², -SCι-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR³² -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)OR³², -NR³²-C(=O)-Cι-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR³², -NR³²-C(=O)-d-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)OR³²-, Ci-Ce-alkyl, Ci-Ce-alkanoyl or -C(O)OR³², In another embodiment of the invention M is

In another embodiment of the invention M is

In another embodiment of the invention M is

In another embodiment of the invention M is

In another embodiment of the invention M is

In another embodiment of the invention Q is a valence bond, -CH₂N(R³⁰)-, or-SO₂N(R³¹)- In another embodiment of the invention Q is a valence bond In another embodiment of the invention T is • A valence bond • Ci-Ce-alkylene, C₂-C₆-alkenylene or C₂-C₆-alkynylene, which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR³², and -NR³²R³³

• Arylene, or heteroarylene, wherein the cyclic moieties are optionally substituted as defined in claim 70

In another embodiment of the invention T is

• A valence bond

• Arylene, or heteroarylene, wherein the cyclic moieties are optionally substituted as defined in claim 70 In another embodiment of the invention T is phenylene or naphthalene

In another embodiment of the invention the cyclic moiety in T is optionally substituted by halogen, -C(O)OR³², -CN, -CF₃, -OR³², -NR³²R³³, d-Cβ-alkyl or d-Cβ-alkanoyl In another embodiment of the invention the cyclic moiety in T is optionally substituted by halogen, -C(O)OR³², -OR³², -NR³²R³³, d-C₆-alkyl or Ci-Ce-alkanoyl In another embodiment of the invention the cyclic moiety in T is optionally substituted by halogen, -C(O)OR³² or -OR³²

In another embodiment of the invention T is a valence bond

In another embodiment of the invention R³⁰ and R³¹ are independently hydrogen or Cι-C₆- alkyl In another embodiment of the invention R³⁴ is hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -SCF₃, -NO₂, -OR³², -C(O)R³², -NR³ R³³, -SR³², -C(O)NR³²R³³, -OC(O)NR³²R³³, -NR³²C(O)R³³, -OC(O)R³², -Od-Ce-alkyl-C(O)OR³², -Sd-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR³² or -C(O)OR³² In another embodiment of the invention R³⁴ is hydrogen, halogen, -CF₃, -NO₂, -OR³², -NR³²R³³, -SR³², -NR³²C(O)R³³, or -C(O)OR³² In another embodiment of the invention R³⁴ is hydrogen, halogen, -CF₃, -NO₂, -OR³², -NR³²R³³, or -NR³²C(O)R³³

In another embodiment of the invention R³⁴ is hydrogen, halogen, or -OR³² In another embodiment of the invention R³² and R³³ independently are hydrogen, Cι-C₆-alkyl, or aryl In another embodiment of the invention R³² and R³³ independently are hydrogen or d-C₆- alkyl

In another embodiment of the invention A is

wherein A¹ is a valence bond, d-C₆-alkylene, -NH-C(=O)-A²-, -Cι-C₆-alkyl-S-, -C Cβ-alkyl-O-, -C(=O)-, or -C(=O)-NH-, wherein any Ci-Ce-alkyl moiety is optionally substituted by R^1A;

A² is a valence bond, Cι-C₆-alkylene, d-C₆-alkenylene, or -Cι-C₆-alkyl-O-;

R^1A is d-C₆-alkyl, aryl, wherein the alkyl or aryl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more halogen, cyano, nitro, amino;

AR¹ is a valence bond, arylene or heteroarylene, wherein the aryl or heteroaryl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more R^1B independently

R^1B is selected from • hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CH₂CN, -CHF₂, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OCHF₂, -OCH₂CF₃,

-OCF₂CHF₂, -S(O)₂CF₃, -OS(O)₂CF₃, -SCF₃, -NO₂, -OR^1c, -NR^1CR^1D, -SR^1C, -NR^1cS(O)₂R^1D, -S(O)₂NR^1cR^1D, -S(O)NR ^cR^1D, -S(O)R^1c, -S(0)₂R^1C, -OS(O)₂ R^1C, -C(O)NR^1cR^1D, -OC(O)NR^1cR^1D, -NR^1CC(0)R^1D, -CH₂C(O)NR^1cR¹ , -Od-C₆- alkyl-C(O)NR^1cR^1D, -CH₂OR^1c, -CH₂OC(O)R^1c, -CH₂NR^1CR^1D, -OC(O)R^1c, -OCι-C₆- alkyl-C(O)OR^1c, -OCι-C₆-alkyl-OR^1c, -S-d-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR^1c, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-

C(=O)OR^1c, -NR^1c-C(=O)-Cι-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR^1c, -NR^1c-C(=O)-Cι-C₆- alkenyl-C(=O)OR^1c , -C(O)OR^1c, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)R^1c, =O, -NH-C(=O)-O-d- Ce-alkyl, or -NH-C(=O)-C(=O)-O-C C₆-alkyl

• Ci-Ce-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR¹⁰, and -NR^1CR^1D

»aryl, aryloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, aroyl, arylsulfanyl, aryl-Ci-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl, aroyl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-d- Ce-alkyl, heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl or heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl, of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR^1c, -CH₂C(O)OR^1c, -CH₂OR^lC, -CN, -CF₃, - OCF₃, -NO₂, -0R^1C, -NR^1CR^1D and d-Cβ-alkyl.

R^1C and R^1D independently are hydrogen, -OH, Ci-Ce-alkyl, Cι-C₆-alkenyl, aryl-Ci-Ce-alkyl or aryl, wherein the alkyl moieties may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -O-Ci-Ce-alkyl, -C(O)-O-d-C₆-alkyl, -COOH and - NH₂, and the aryl moieties may optionally be substituted by halogen, -C(O)OCι-C₆-alkyl, - COOH, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OH, -OCι-C₆-alkyl, -NH₂, C(=O) or d-Cβ-alkyl; R^1C and R^1D when attached to the same nitrogen atom may form a 3 to 8 membered heterocyclic ring with the said nitrogen atom, the heterocyclic ring optionally containing one or two further heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, and optionally containing one or two double bonds,

C¹ is a valence bond, d-C₆-alkylene, -Ci-Cβ-alkyl-O-, -Ci-Cβ-alkyl-NH-, -NH-Ci-Cβ-alkyI,

-NH-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-NH-, -O-Ci-Ce-alkyl, -C(=O)-, or wherein the alkyl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more R^1F independently

R^1E and R^1F are independently selected from Ci-Ce-alkyl, aryl optionally substituted by one or more halogen, -COOH;

AR² is

• a valence bond • Ci-Ce-alkylene, C₂-C₆-alkenylene , C₂-C₆-alkynylene wherein the alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more R² independently;

• arylene, -aryloxy-, -aryloxy-carbonyl-, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkyl, -aroyl-, aryl-C Cβ-alkoxy-, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, heteroarylene, -heteroaryl-Ci-C₆-alkyl-, -heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, -heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl- wherein the aryl and heteroaryl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more R^ independently;

R^ is Ci-Ce-alkyl, Ci-Ce-alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkoxy, -C(=O)-NH-d-C₆-alkyl-aryl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-Cι-C₆-alkoxy, -Ci-Ce-alkyl-COOH, -O-Cι-C₆-alkyl-COOH, -S(O)₂R^2B, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-COOH, -OR²⁸, -NO₂, halogen, -COOH, -CF₃, -CN, -N(R^2BR^2C), wherein the aryl or heteroaryl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more Ci-Ce-alkyl, d- Cβ-alkoxy, -Ci-Ce-alkyl-COOH, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-COOH, -OR²⁸, -NO₂, halogen, -COOH, -CF₃, -CN, or -N(R^2BR^2C)

R²⁸ and R^2C are independently selected from hydrogen and C C₆-alkyl

In another embodiment of the invention A¹ is a valence bond, d-C₆-alkylene, -NH-C(=O)-A²-, -Ci-Cβ-alkyl-S-, -Cι-C₆-alkyl-O-, or -C(=O)-, wherein any Cι-C₆-alkyl moiety is optionally substituted by R^1A

In another embodiment of the invention A¹ is a valence bond, d-C₆-alkylene, -NH-C(=O)-A²-, -d-d-alkyl-S-, or -Cι-C₆-alkyl-O, wherein any Cι-C₆-alkyl moiety is optionally substituted by

_R1A

In another embodiment of the invention A¹ is a valence bond, d-C₆-alkylene, or

-NH-C(=O)-A², wherein any Ci-Ce-alkyl moiety is optionally substituted by R^1A

In another embodiment of the invention A¹ is a valence bond or Cι-C₆-alkylene, wherein any Ci-C₆-alkyl moiety is optionally substituted by R^1A

In another embodiment of the invention A¹ is a valence bond

In another embodiment of the invention A² is a valence bond or -Cι-C₆-alkyl-O-

In another embodiment of the invention A² is a valence bond

In another embodiment of the invention AR¹ is arylene or heteroarylene, wherein the aryl or heteroaryl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more R¹⁸ independently

In another embodiment of the invention AR¹ is selected from the group of compounds consisting of phenylene, biphenylylene, naphthylene, anthracenylene, phenanthrenylene, fluo- renylene, indenylene, azulenylene, furylene, thienylene, pyrrolylene, oxazolylene, thia- zolylene, imidazolylene, isoxazolylene, isothiazolylene, 1 ,2,3-triazolylene, 1 ,2,4-triazolylene, pyranylene, pyridylene, pyridazinylene, pyrimidinylene, pyrazinylene, 1 ,2,3-triazinylene, 1,2,4- triazinylene, 1 ,3,5- triazinylene, 1 ,2,3-oxadiazolylene, 1 ,2,4-oxadiazolylene, 1 ,2,5-oxa- diazolylene, 1 ,3,4-oxadiazolylene, 1 ,2,3-thiadiazolylene, 1 ,2,4-thiadiazolylene, 1,2,5- thiadiazolylene, 1 ,3,4-thiadiazolylene, tetrazolylene, thiadiazinylene, indolylene, isoindolylene, benzofurylene, benzothienylene, indazolylene, benzimidazolylene, benzthiazolylene, ben- zisothiazolylene, benzoxazolylene, benzisoxazolylene, punnylene, quinazolinylene, quinoliz- inylene, quinolinylene, isoquinolinylene, quinoxalinylene, naphthyhdinylene, pteridinylene, carbazolylene, azepinylene, diazepinylene, or acridinylene, optionally substituted by one or more R^1B independently In another embodiment of the invention AR¹ is selected from phenylene, biphenylylene, naphthylene, pyridinylene, fyrylene, indolylene, or carbazolylene, optionally substituted by one or more R¹⁸ independently

In another embodiment of the invention AR¹ is selected from the group of compounds con- sisting of phenylene, indolylene, or carbazolylene, optionally substituted by one or more R¹⁸ independently

In another embodiment of the invention AR¹ is phenylene optionally substituted by one or more R^1B independently

In another embodiment of the invention AR¹ is indolylene In another embodiment of the invention AR¹ is carbazolylene In another embodiment of the invention AR¹ is

In another embodiment of the invention AR¹ is

In another embodiment of the invention R^1B is selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR^1c, -NR^1CR^1D, -SR^1C, -S(O)₂R^1c, -NR^1cC(O)R^1D, -OCι-C₆-alkyl-C(O)NR^1cR^1D, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)OR^1c, -C(O)OR ^c, =O, -NH-C(=O)-O-Ci-C₆-alkyl, or -NH-C(=O)-C(=O)-O-d-C₆-alkyl

• Ci-Ce-alkyl or C₂-C₆-alkenyl

which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR ^c, and -NR^1CR^1D

•aryl, aryloxy, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-CrCe-alkyl, aryl-C₂-Ce-alkenyl, heteroaryl, het- eroaryl-Cι-C₆-alkyl, or heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR^1c, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR¹⁰, -NR^1CR^1D and Ci-Ce-alkyl In another embodiment of the invention R^1B is selected from • hydrogen, halogen, -CF₃, -NO₂, -OR^1c, -NR^1CR^1D, -C(O)OR^1c, =O, -NH-C(=O)-O-C Cβ-alkyl, or -NH-C(=O)-C(=O)-O-d-C₆-alkyl

• Cι-C₆-alkyl

In another embodiment of the invention R^1C and R¹ independently are hydrogen, d-C₆- alkyl, or aryl, wherein the aryl moieties may optionally be substituted by halogen or -COOH In another embodiment of the invention R^1C and R^1D independently are hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, or phenyl, wherein the phenyl moieties may optionally be substituted by halogen or - COOH In another embodiment of the invention C is a valence bond, Ci-Ce-alkylene, -Cι-C₆-alkyl-O-, -Cι-C₆-alkyl-NH-, -NH-d-C₆-alkyl, -NH-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-NH-, -O-Ci-Ce-alkyl, -C(=O)-, or -d- C₆-alkyl-C(=O)-N(R^1E)- wherein the alkyl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more R^1F independently

In another embodiment of the invention C¹ is a valence bond, -CH₂-, -CH₂-CH₂-, -CH₂-O-, -CH₂-CH₂-O-, -CH₂-NH-, -CH₂-CH₂-NH-, -NH-CH₂-, -NH-CH₂-CH₂-, -NH-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-NH-, -O-CH₂-, -O-CH₂-CH₂-, or -C(=O)-

In another embodiment of the invention R^1E and R^1F are independently selected from Ci- Ce-alkyl In another embodiment of the invention AR² is

• a valence bond •Ci-Cβ-alkylene, wherein the alkyl is optionally substituted by one or more R^ independently

• arylene, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkyl, heteroarylene, wherein the aryl and heteroaryl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more R^ independently

In another embodiment of the invention AR² is • a valence bond

• Ci-Cβ-alkylene, wherein the alkyl is optionally substituted by one or more R^M independently

• phenyl, phenyl-Cι-C₆-alkyl, wherein the phenyl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more R^ independently

In another embodiment of the invention R^ is Cι-C₆-alkyl, Ci-Cβ-alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, -Ci-Cβ-alkyl-COOH, -O-d-C₆-alkyl-COOH, -S(O)₂R^2B, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-COOH, -OR²⁸, -NO₂, halogen, -COOH, -CF₃, -CN, -N(R²⁸R^2C), wherein the aryl or heteroaryl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more Ci-Ce-alkyl, d-C₆-alkoxy, -Cι-C₆-alkyl-COOH, -C₂- Ce-alkenyl-COOH, -OR²⁸, -NO₂, halogen, -COOH, -CF₃, -CN, or -N(R^2BR^2C) In another embodiment of the invention R^ is Ci-Ce-alkyl, d-C₆-alkoxy, aryl, -OR²⁸, -NO₂, halogen, -COOH, -CF₃, -CN, -N(R^2BR^2C), wherein the aryl is optionally substituted by one or more Ci-Ce-alkyl, Ci-Ce-alkoxy, -OR^2B, -NO₂, halogen, -COOH, -CF₃, -CN, or -N(R^2BR^2C) In another embodiment of the invention R^ is Cι-C₆-alkyl, Cι-C₆-alkoxy, aryl, halogen, -CF₃, wherein the aryl is optionally substituted by one or more Ci-d-alkyl, halogen, -COOH, -CF₃, or -CN

In another embodiment of the invention R² is Ci-Ce-alkyl, Cι-C₆-alkoxy, phenyl, halogen, -CF₃, wherein the phenyl is optionally substituted by one or more Ci-Ce-alkyl, halogen, -COOH, -CF₃, or -CN In another embodiment of the invention A is

wherein AR³ is Ci-C₆-alkylene, arylene, heteroarylene, or -aryl-C₂.₆-alkenyl-, wherein the alkylene or alkenylene is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, aryl, -COOH and -NH₂, and the arylene or heteroarylene is optionally substituted with one or more R^3A independently

R^3A is independently selected from • hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CH₂CN, -CHF₂, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OCHF₂, -OCH₂CF₃,

-OCF₂CHF₂, -S(O)₂CF₃, -OS(O)₂CF₃, -SCF₃, -NO₂, -OR³⁸, -NR^3BR^3C, -SR^3B, -NR^3BS(O)₂R^3C, -S(O)₂NR³⁸R^4C, -S(O)NR^3BR^3C, -S(O)R^3B, -S(O)₂R^3B, -OS(O)₂ R³⁸, -C(O)NR^3BR^3C, -OC(O)NR^3BR^3C, -NR^3BC(O)R^3C, -CH₂C(O)NR^3BR^3C, -OC C₆- alkyl-C(O)NR^3BR^3C, -CH₂OR^3B, -CH₂OC(O)R^3B, -CH₂NR^3BR^3C, -OC(O)R^3B, -Od-Cβ- alkyl-C(O)OR³⁸, -OCι-C₆-alkyl-OR^3B, -SCι-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR^3B, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-

C(=O)OR^3B, -NR³⁸-C(=O)-Cι-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR³⁸, -NR^3B-C(=O)-Cι-C6- alkenyl-C(=O)OR³⁸ , -C(O)OR^3B, or -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)R^3B,

• Ci-Ce-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR³⁸, and -NR^3BR^3C • aryl, aryloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, aroyl, arylsulfanyl, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-Ci-Ce-alkyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl, aroyl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-Cι- C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl or heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR³⁸, -CH₂C(O)OR^3B, -CH₂OR³⁸, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR³⁸, -NR³⁸R^3C and Cι-C₆-alkyl,

R³⁸ and R^3C are independently hydrogen, OH, CF₃, Cι-Cι₂-alkyl, aryl-Ci-Ce-alkyl, -C(=O)-Cι-C₆-alkyl or aryl, wherein the alkyl groups may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OCι-C₆-alkyl, -C(O)Od-C₆- alkyl, -C(=O)-R^3D, -COOH and -NH₂, and the aryl groups may optionally be substituted by halogen, -C(O)OCι-C₆-alkyl, -COOH, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OH, -OCι-C₆-alkyl, -NH₂, C(=O) or Ci-Ce-alkyl; R³⁸ and R^3C when attached to the same nitrogen atom may form a 3 to 8 membered heterocyclic ring with the said nitrogen atom, the heterocyclic ring optionally containing one or two further heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, and optionally containing one or two double bonds

R^3D is Ci-Ce-alkyl, aryl optionally substituted with one or more halogen, or heteroaryl option- ally substituted with one or more d-C₆-alkyl.

In another embodiment of the invention AR³ is arylene, heteroarylene, or wherein the alkyl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, aryl, -COOH and -NH₂, and the arylene or heteroary- lene is optionally substituted with one or more R^3A independently

In another embodiment of the invention AR³ is arylene optionally substituted with one or more R^3A independently

In another embodiment of the invention AR³ is phenylene, naphthalene or anthranylene optionally substituted with one or more R^3A independently In another embodiment of the invention AR³ is phenylene optionally substituted with one or more R^3A independently In another embodiment of the invention R^3A is independently selected from

• halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -NO₂, -OR³⁸, -NR^3BR^3C, -SR³⁸, -OCι-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR^3B or -C(O)OR^3B • Cι-C₆-alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF3, -OR³⁸, and -NR³⁸R^3C

• aryl, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl, or heteroaryl-Ci-C₆-alkyl of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substitu- ents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR³⁸, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR³⁸, -NR³⁸R^3C and Ci-Ce-alkyl In another embodiment of the invention R^3A is independently selected from halogen, -OR³⁸, -NR^3BR^3C, -C(O)OR³⁸, -OCι-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR^3B, or d-C₆-alkyl In another embodiment of the invention R³⁸ and R^3C are independently hydrogen, CF₃, Cι-Cι₂-alkyl, or -C(=O)-d-C₆-alkyl; R^3B and R^3C when attached to the same nitrogen atom may form a 3 to 8 membered heterocyclic ring with the said nitrogen atom

In another embodiment of the invention A is

wherein AR⁴ is Ci-Cβ-alkylene, arylene, heteroarylene, -aryl-Cι.₆-alkyl- or -aryl-C₂.₆-alkenyl-, wherein the alkylene or alkenylene is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, aryl, -COOH and -NH₂, and the ary- lene or heteroarylene is optionally substituted with one or more R^4A independently

R^4A is independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CH₂CN, -CHF₂, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OCHF₂, -OCH₂CF₃, -OCF₂CHF₂, -S(O)₂CF₃, -OS(O)₂CF₃, -SCF₃, -NO₂, -OR⁴⁸, -NR^4BR^4C, -SR^4B,

-NR^4BS(O)₂R^4C, -S(O)₂NR^4BR^4C, -S(O)NR^4BR^4C, -S(O)R⁴⁸, -S(O)₂R^4B, -OS(O)₂ R^4B, -C(O)NR^4BR^4C, -OC(O)NR^4BR^4C, -NR^4BC(O)R^4C, -CH₂C(O)NR ^BR^4C, -OCι-C₆- alkyl-C(O)NR⁴⁸R^4C, -CH₂OR⁴⁸, -CH₂OC(O)R⁴⁸, -CH₂NR^4BR^4C, -OC(O)R^4B, -OCι-C₆- alkyl-C(O)OR⁴⁸, -OCι-C₆-alkyl-OR ^B, -SCι-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR⁴⁸, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl- C(=O)OR^4B, -NR ^B-C(=O)-Cι-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR^4B, -NR^4B-C(=O)-d-C₆- alkenyl-C(=O)OR^4B , -C(O)OR⁴⁸, or -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)R⁴⁸, • d-Ce-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR⁴⁸, and -NR^4BR^4C

• aryl, aryloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, aroyl, arylsulfanyl, aryl-Ci-Cβ-alkoxy, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl, aroyl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-Ci- C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl or heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR⁴⁸, -CH₂C(O)OR^4B, -CH₂OR^4B, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR^4B, -NR⁴⁸R^4C and Ci-Ce-alkyl,

R^4B and R^4C are independently hydrogen, OH, CF₃, Cι-Cι₂-alkyl, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkyl, -C(=O)-R^4D, or aryl, wherein the alkyl groups may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OCi-Ce-alkyl, -C(O)Od-C₆-alkyl, -COOH and - NH₂, and the aryl groups may optionally be substituted by halogen, -C(O)Od-C₆-alkyl, - COOH, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OH, -OCι-C₆-alkyl, -NH₂, C(=O) or Ci-Ce-alkyl; R^4B and R^4C when attached to the same nitrogen atom may form a 3 to 8 membered heterocyclic ring with the said nitrogen atom, the heterocyclic ring optionally containing one or two further heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, and optionally containing one or two double bonds

R^4D is Ci-Ce-alkyl, aryl optionally substituted with one or more halogen, or heteroaryl option- ally substituted with one or more Ci-Ce-alkyl.

In another embodiment of the invention AR⁴ is arylene, heteroarylene or aryl-C^-alkyl-, wherein the alkyl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, aryl, -COOH and -NH₂, and the arylene or heteroaryl is optionally substituted with one or more R^4A independently In another embodiment of the invention AR⁴ is arylene or heteroarylene optionally substituted with one or more R^4A independently

In another embodiment of the invention AR⁴ is phenylene, naphtylene, anthrylene, thienylene, pyridylene, or benzodioxylene optionally substituted with one or more R^4A independently In another embodiment of the invention AR⁴ is phenylene optionally substituted with one or more R ^A independently

In another embodiment of the invention R^4A is independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, -CF₃, -OR⁴⁸, -NR⁴⁸R^4C, Ci-Ce-alkyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl or aryl optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CF₃, or -OR⁴⁸

In another embodiment of the invention R^4B and R^4C are independently hydrogen, CF₃,

Cι-Cι₂-alkyl, -C(=O)-R^4D, or aryl

In another embodiment of the invention R^4D is Ci-Ce-alkyl, phenyl optionally substituted with one or more halogen, or a heteroaryl selected from isoxazole and thiadiazole optionally sub- stituted with one or more Ci-Ce-alkyl

In another embodiment of the invention C consists of 0 to 5 neutral amino acids independently selected from the group consisting of Abz, Gly, Ala, Thr, and Ser

In another embodiment of the invention C consists of 0 to 5 Gly

In another embodiment of the invention C consists of 0 Gly In another embodiment of the invention C consists of 1 Gly

In another embodiment of the invention C consists of 2 Gly

In another embodiment of the invention C consists of 3 Gly

In another embodiment of the invention C consists of 4 Gly

In another embodiment of the invention C consists of 5 Gly In another embodiment of the invention G⁸ is of the formula -B¹-B²-C(O)-, -B¹-B²-SO₂- or -B¹-

B²-CH₂-, wherein B¹ and B² are as defined in claim 1

In another embodiment of the invention G⁸ is of the formula -B¹-B²-C(O)-, -B¹-B²-SO₂- or -B¹-

B²-NH-, wherein B and B² are as defined in claim 1

In another embodiment of the invention G⁸ is of the formula -B¹-B²-C(O)-, -B¹-B²-CH₂- or -B¹- B²-NH-, wherein B¹ and B² are as defined in claim 1

In another embodiment of the invention G⁸ is of the formula -B¹-B²-CH₂-, -B¹-B²-SO₂- or -B¹-

B²-NH-, wherein B¹ and B² are as defined in claim 1

In another embodiment of the invention G⁸ is of the formula -B¹-B²-C(O)- or -B¹-B²-SO₂-, wherein B¹ and B² are as defined in claim 1 In another embodiment of the invention G⁸ is of the formula -B¹-B²-C(O)- or -B¹-B²-CH₂-, wherein B¹ and B² are as defined in claim 1

In another embodiment of the invention G⁸ is of the formula -B¹-B²-C(O)- or -B¹-B²-NH-, wherein B¹ and B² are as defined in claim 1

In another embodiment of the invention G⁸ is of the formula -B¹-B²-CH₂- or -B¹-B²-SO₂- , wherein B¹ and B² are as defined in claim 1 n another embodiment of the invention G^B is of the formula -B¹-B²-NH- or -B¹-B²-SO₂- , wherein B¹ and B² are as defined in claim 1 n another embodiment of the invention G⁸ is of the formula -B¹-B²-CH₂- or -B¹-B²-NH- , wherein B¹ and B² are as defined in claim 1 n another embodiment of the invention G⁸ is of the formula -B¹-B²-C(O)- n another embodiment of the invention G^B is of the formula -B¹-B²-CH₂- n another embodiment of the invention G^B is of the formula -B -B²-SO₂- n another embodiment of the invention G^B is of the formula -B¹-B²-NH- n another embodiment of the nvention B¹ s a valence bond, -O-, or -S- n another embodiment of the nvention B¹ s a valence bond, -O-, or -N(R⁶)- n another embodiment of the nvention B¹ s a valence bond, -S-, or -N(R⁶)- n another embodiment of the nvention B¹ s -O-, -S- or -N(R⁶)- n another embodiment of the nvention B¹ s a valence bond or -O- n another embodiment of the nvention B¹ s a valence bond or-S- n another embodiment of the nvention B¹ s a valence bond or-N(R⁶)- n another embodiment of the nvention B¹ s -O-or -S- n another embodiment of the nvention B¹ s-O-or-N(R⁶)- n another embodiment of the nvention B¹ s -S-or -N(R⁶)- n another embodiment of the nvention B¹ s a valence bond n another embodiment of the nvention B¹ s -O- n another embodiment of the nvention B¹ s -S- n another embodiment of the nvention B¹ s -N(R⁶)- n another embodiment of the nvention B² s a valence bond, Cι-C₁₈-alkylene, C₂-Cι₈- alkenylene, C₂-d₈-alkynylene, arylene, heteroarylene, -Cι-Cιβ-alkyl-aryl-, -C(=O)-C Cι₈- alkyl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-Ci-Ci₈-alkyl-O-C₁-Ci₈-alkyl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-Ci-Ci₈-alkyl-S-Ci-Ci₈-alkyl- C(=O)-, -C(=O)-Cι-Cι₈-alkyl-NR⁶-d-C₁₈-alkyl-C(=O)-; and the alkylene and arylene moieties are optionally substituted as defined in claim 1

In another embodiment of the invention B² is a valence bond, Cι-Cι₈-alkylene, C₂-Cι₈- alkenylene, C₂-C₁₈-alkynylene, arylene, heteroarylene, -Ci-Ciβ-alkyl-aryl-, -C(=O)-C Cι₈- alkyl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-Cι-Cι₈-alkyl-O-Cι-Cι₈-alkyl-C(=O)-, and the alkylene and arylene moieties are optionally substituted as defined in claim 1

In another embodiment of the invention B² is a valence bond, d-Cι₈-alkylene, C₂-d₈- alkenylene, C₂-Cι₈-alkynylene, arylene, heteroarylene, -d-da-alkyl-aryl-, -C(=O)-Cι-Cι₈- alkyl-C(=O)-, and the alkylene and arylene moieties are optionally substituted as defined in claim 1 In another embodiment of the invention B² is a valence bond, Cι-Cι₈-alkylene, arylene, heteroarylene, -Cι-Cι₈-alkyl-aryl-, -C(=O)-Cι-Cι₈-alkyl-C(=O)-, and the alkylene and arylene moieties are optionally substituted as defined in claim 1

In another embodiment of the invention B² is a valence bond, Cι-C₁₈-alkylene, arylene, het- eroarylene, -d-C₁₈-alkyl-aryl-, and the alkylene and arylene moieties are optionally substituted as defined in claim 1

In another embodiment of the invention B² is a valence bond, Cι-Cι₈-alkylene, arylene, -d- Cι₈-alkyl-aryl-, and the alkylene and arylene moieties are optionally substituted as defined in claim 1 In another embodiment of the invention B² is a valence bond or -Cι-Cι₈-alkylene, and the alkylene moieties are optionally substituted as defined in claim 1 In another embodiment of the invention D comprises 1 to 16 positively charged groups In another embodiment of the invention D comprises 1 to 12 positively charged groups In another embodiment of the invention D comprises 1 to 10 positively charged groups In another embodiment of the invention D is a fragment containing basic amino acids independently selected from the group consisting of Lys and Arg and D-isomers of these. In another embodiment of the invention the basic amino acid is Arg In another embodiment of the invention X is -OH or -NH₂ In another embodiment of the invention X is -NH₂

The invention furthermore provides an R-state insulin hexamer comprising: 6 molecules of insulin, at least 2 zinc ions, and a zinc-binding ligand as defined above In another embodiment of the invention the insulin is selected from the group consisting of human insulin, an analogue thereof, a derivative thereof, and combinations of any of these In another embodiment of the invention the insulin is an analogue of human insulin selected from the group consisting of iii.An analogue wherein position B28 is Asp, Lys, Leu, Val, or Ala and position B29 is Lys or Pro; and iv.des(B28-B30), des(B27) or des(B30) human insulin.

In another embodiment of the invention the insulin is an analogue of human insulin wherein position B28 is Asp or Lys, and position B29 is Lys or Pro.

In another embodiment of the invention the insulin is des(B30) human insulin. In another embodiment of the invention the insulin is a derivative of human insulin having one or more lipophilic substituents.

In another embodiment of the invention the insulin derivative is selected from the group con- sisting of B29-N^ε-myristoyl-des(B30) human insulin, B29-N^ε-palmitoyl-des(B30) human insulin, B29-N^ε-myristoyl human insulin, B29-N^ε-palmitoyl human insulin, B28-N^ε-myhstoyl Lys⁸²⁸ Pro⁸²⁹ human insulin, B28-N^ε-palmitoyl Lys⁸²⁸ Pro⁸²⁹ human insulin, B30-N^ε-myristoyl- Thr^Lys⁸³⁰ human insulin, BSO-N^palmitoyl-Thr^Lys⁸³⁰ human insulin, B29-N^ε-(N- palmitoyl-γ-glutamyl)-des(B30) human insulin, B29-N^ε-(N-lithocholyl-γ-glutamyl)-des(B30) human insulin, B29-N^ε-(ω-carboxyheptadecanoyl)-des(B30) human insulin and B29-N^ε-(ω- carboxyheptadecanoyl) human insulin.

In another embodiment of the invention the insulin derivative is B29-N^ε-myristoyl-des(B30) human insulin. In another embodiment of the invention the insulin hexamer as defined above further com- prises at least 3 phenolic molecules.

The invention furthermore provides an aqueous insulin preparation comprising R-state insulin hexamers as defined above

The invention furthermore provides a method of prolonging the action of an insulin preparation which comprises adding a zinc-binding ligand as defined above to the insulin prepara- tion.

In another embodiment of the invention the ratio between precipitated insulin and dissolved insulin is in the range from 99:1 to 1 :99.

In another embodiment of the invention the ratio between precipitated insulin and dissolved insulin is in the range from 95:5 to 5:95 In another embodiment of the invention the ratio between precipitated insulin and dissolved insulin is in the range from 80:20 to 20:80

In another embodiment of the invention the ratio between precipitated insulin and dissolved insulin is in the range from 70:30 to 30:70 The invention furthermore provides a method of preparing a zinc-binding ligand as defined above comprising the steps of

• Identifying starter compounds that are able to displace a ligand from the R-state His⁸¹⁰-Zn²⁺ site

• optionally attaching a fragment consisting of 0 to 5 neutral α- or β-amino acids • attaching a fragment comprising 1 to 20 positively charged groups independently selected from amino or guanidino groups

The compounds of the present invention may be chiral, and it is intended that any enantiomers, as separated, pure or partially purified enantiomers or racemic mixtures thereof are included within the scope of the invention.

Furthermore, when a double bond or a fully or partially saturated ring system or more than one centre of asymmetry or a bond with restricted rotatability is present in the molecule di- astereomers may be formed. It is intended that any diastereomers, as separated, pure or partially purified diastereomers or mixtures thereof are included within the scope of the invention.

Furthermore, some of the compounds of the present invention may exist in different tautomeric forms and it is intended that any tautomeric forms, which the compounds are able to form, are included within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention also encompasses pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the present compounds. Such salts include pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts, pharmaceutically acceptable metal salts, ammonium and alkylated ammonium salts. Acid addition salts include salts of inorganic acids as well as organic acids. Representative examples of suitable inorganic acids include hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic, phosphoric, sulphuric, nitric acids and the like. Representative examples of suitable organic acids include formic, acetic, trichloroacetic, trifluoroacetic, propionic, benzoic, cinnamic, citric, fumaric, glycolic, lactic, maleic, malic, malonic, mandelic, picric, pyruvic, succinic, methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, tartaric, ascorbic, pamoic, , ethanedisulfonic, gluconic, citraconic, aspartic, stearic, palmitic, glycolic, p-aminobenzoic, glutamic, benzenesulfonic, p-toluenesulfonic acids and the like. Further examples of pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic or organic acid addition salts include the pharmaceutically acceptable salts listed in J. Pharm. Sci. 1977, 66, 2, which is incorporated herein by reference. Examples of metal salts include lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium salts and the like. Examples of ammonium and alkylated ammonium salts include ammonium, methyl-, dimethyl-, trimethyl-, ethyl-, hydroxyethyl-, diethyl-, n-butyl- , sec-butyl-, tert-butyl-, tetramethylammonium salts and the like.

Also intended as pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts are the hydrates, which the present compounds, are able to form. Furthermore, the pharmaceutically acceptable salts comprise basic amino acid salts such as lysine, arginine and omithine. The acid addition salts may be obtained as the direct products of compound synthesis. In the alternative, the free base may be dissolved in a suitable solvent containing the appropriate acid, and the salt isolated by evaporating the solvent or otherwise separating the salt and solvent.

The compounds of the present invention may form solvates with standard low molecular weight solvents using methods well known to the person skilled in the art. Such solvates are also contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.

PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of diabetes in a patient in need of such a treatment comprising an R-state hexamer of insulin according to the invention together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In one embodiment of the invention the insulin preparation comprises 60 to 3000 nmol/ml of insulin. In another embodiment of the invention the insulin preparation comprises 240 to 1200 nmol/ml of insulin.

In another embodiment of the invention the insulin preparation comprises about 600 nmol/ml of insulin. Zinc ions may be present in an amount corresponding to 10 to 40 μg Zn/100 U insulin, more preferably 10 to 26 μg Zn/100 U insulin.

Insulin formulations of the invention are usually administered from multi-dose containers where a preservative effect is desired. Since phenolic preservatives also stabilize the R-state hexamer the formulations may contain up to 50 mM of phenolic molecules. The phenolic molecules in the insulin formulation may be selected from the group consisting of phenol, m- cresol, chloro-cresol, thymol, 7-hydroxyindole or any mixture thereof.

In one embodiment of the invention 0.5 to 4.0 mg/ml of phenolic compound may be employed. In another embodiment of the invention 0.6 to 4.0 mg/ml of m-cresol may be employed. In another embodiment of the invention 0.5 to 4.0 mg/ml of phenol may be employed. In another embodiment of the invention 1.4 to 4.0 mg/ml of phenol may be employed. In another embodiment of the invention 0.5 to 4.0 mg/ml of a mixture of m-cresol or phenol may be employed.

In another embodiment of the invention 1.4 to 4.0 mg/ml of a mixture of m-cresol or phenol may be employed. The pharmaceutical preparation may further comprises a buffer substance, such as a TRIS, phosphate, glycine or glycylglycine (or another zwitterionic substance) buffer, an isotonicity agent, such as NaCl, glycerol, mannitol and/or lactose. Chloride would be used at moderate concentrations (e.g. up to 50 mM) to avoid competition with the zinc-site ligands of the pre- sent invention.

The action of insulin may further be slowed down in vivo by the addition of physiologically acceptable agents that increase the viscosity of the pharmaceutical preparation. Thus, the pharmaceutical preparation according to the invention may furthermore comprise an agent which increases the viscosity, such as polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, copolymers thereof, dextrans and/or polylactides.

In a particular embodiment the insulin preparation of the invention comprises between 0.001 % by weight and 1 % by weight of a non-ionic surfactant, for example tween 20 or Polox 188. A nonionic detergent can be added to stabilise insulin against fibrillation during storage and handling. The insulin preparation of the present invention may have a pH value in the range of 3.5 to 8.5, more preferably 7.4 to 7.9.

EXAMPLES

The following examples and general procedures refer to intermediate compounds and final products identified in the specification and in the synthesis schemes. The preparation of the compounds of the present invention is described in detail using the following examples, but the chemical reactions described are disclosed in terms of their general applicability to the preparation of compounds of the invention. Occasionally, the reaction may not be applicable as described to each compound included within the disclosed scope of the invention. The compounds for which this occurs will be readily recognised by those skilled in the art. In these cases the reactions can be successfully performed by conventional modifications known to those skilled in the art, that is, by appropriate protection of interfering groups, by changing to other conventional reagents, or by routine modification of reaction conditions. Alternatively, other reactions disclosed herein or otherwise conventional will be applicable to the preparation of the corresponding compounds of the invention. In all preparative methods, all starting materials are known or may easily be prepared from known starting materials. All temperatures are set forth in degrees Celsius and unless otherwise indicated, all parts and percentages are by weight when referring to yields and all parts are by volume when referring to solvents and eluents.

HPLC-MS (Method A)

The following instrumentation was used: • Hewlett Packard series 1100 G1312A Bin Pump

• Hewlett Packard series 1100 Column compartment

• Hewlett Packard series 1100 G13 15A DAD diode array detector

• Hewlett Packard series 1100 MSD

The instrument was controlled by HP Chemstation software.

The HPLC pump was connected to two eluent reservoirs containing:

A: 0.01% TFA in water

B: 0.01 % TFA in acetonitrile

The analysis was performed at 40 °C by injecting an appropriate volume of the sample (pref- erably 1 μL) onto the column, which was eluted with a gradient of acetonitrile. The HPLC conditions, detector settings and mass spectrometer settings used are given in the following table.

HPLC-MS (Method B)

The following instrumentation was used: Sciex API 100 Single quadropole mass spectrometer Perkin Elmer Series 200 Quard pump Perkin Elmer Series 200 autosampler Applied Biosystems 785A UV detector

Sedex 55 evaporative light scattering detector

A Valco column switch with a Valco actuator controlled by timed events from the pump.

The Sciex Sample control software running on a Macintosh PowerPC 7200 computer was used for the instrument control and data acquisition.

The HPLC pump was connected to four eluent reservoirs containing: acetonitrile water

0.5% TFA in water

0.02 M ammonium acetate

The requirements for samples are that they contain approximately 500 μg/mL of the com- pound to be analysed in an acceptable solvent such as methanol, ethanol, acetonitrile, THF, water and mixtures thereof. (High concentrations of strongly eluting solvents will interfere with the chromatography at low acetonitrile concentrations.)

The analysis was performed at room temperature by injecting 20 μL of the sample solution on the column, which was eluted with a gradient of acetonitrile in either 0.05% TFA or 0.002 M ammonium acetate. Depending on the analysis method varying elution conditions were used.

The eluate from the column was passed through a flow splitting T-connector, which passed approximately 20 μUmin through approx. 1 m. 75 μ fused silica capillary to the API interface of AP1 100 spectrometer.

The remaining 1.48 mL/min was passed through the UV detector and to the ELS detector.

During the LC-analysis the detection data were acquired concurrently from the mass spectrometer, the UV detector and the ELS detector.

The LC conditions, detector settings and mass spectrometer settings used for the different methods are given in the following table.

HPLC-MS (Method C) The following instrumentation is used:

• Hewlett Packard series 1100 G1312A Bin Pump

• Hewlett Packard series 1100 Column compartment

• Hewlett Packard series 1100 G1315A DAD diode array detector

• Hewlett Packard series 1100 MSD

• Sedere 75 Evaporative Light Scattering detector The instrument is controlled by HP Chemstation software.

The HPLC pump is connected to two eluent reservoirs containing:

0.01% TFA in water

B 0.01% TFA in acetonitrile The analysis is performed at 40 °C by injecting an appropriate volume of the sample (preferably 1 μl) onto the column which is eluted with a gradient of acetonitrile. The HPLC conditions, detector settings and mass spectrometer settings used are given in the following table.

After the DAD the flow is divided yielding approximately 1 ml/min to the ELS and 0.5 ml/min to the MS.

HPLC-MS (Method D) The following instrumentation was used:

Sciex AP1 150 Single Quadropole mass spectrometer

Hewlett Packard Series 1100 G1312A Bin pump

Gilson 215 micro injector

Hewlett Packard Series 1100 G1315A DAD diode array detector Sedex 55 evaporative light scattering detector

A Valco column switch with a Valco actuator controlled by timed events from the pump.

The Sciex Sample control software running on a Macintosh Power G3 computer was used for the instrument control and data acquisition.

The HPLC pump was connected to two eluent reservoirs containing:

A: Acetonitrile containing 0.05% TFA

B: Water containing 0.05% TFA

The requirements for the samples are that they contain approximately 500 μg/ml of the compound to be analysed in an acceptable solvent such as methanol, ethanol, acetonitrile, THF, water and mixtures thereof. (High concentrations of strongly eluting solvents will interfere with the chromatography at low acetonitrile concentrations.) The analysis was performed at room temperature by injecting 20 μl of the sample solution on the column, which was eluted with a gradient of acetonitrile in 0.05% TFA The eluate from the column was passed through a flow splitting T-connector, which passed approximately 20 μl/min through approx. 1 m 75 μ fused silica capillary to the API interface of API 150 spectrometer.

The remaining 1.48 ml/min was passed through the UV detector and to the ELS detector. During the LC-analysis the detection data were acquired concurrently from the mass spectrometer, the UV detector and the ELS detector.

The LC conditions, detector settings and mass spectrometer settings used for the different methods are given in the following table.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

1 H-Benzotriazole

Example 2

5,6-Dimethyl-1 /-/-benzotriazole

Example 3

1 /-/-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid

Example 4

4-Nitro-1 H-benzotriazole

Example 5

5-Amino-1 H-benzotriazole

Example 6

5-Chloro-1 H-benzotriazole

Example 7

5-Nitro-1 H-benzotriazole

Example 8

4-[(1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)amino]benzoic acid

4-[(1H-Benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)amino]benzoic acid methyl ester (5.2 g, 17.6 mmol) was dissolved in THF (60 mL) and methanol (10 mL) was added followed by 1 N sodium hydroxide (35 mL). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours and then 1 N hydrochloric acid (45 mL) was added. The mixture was added water (200 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate (2 x 500 mL). The combined organic phases were evaporated in vacuo to afford 0.44 g of 4-[(1 H-benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)amino]benzoic acid. By filtration of the aqueous phase a further crop of 4-[(1H-benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)amino]benzoic acid was isolated (0.52 g).

¹H-NMR (DMSO-dβ): δ 7.97 (4H, s), 8.03 (2H, m), 8.66 (1 H, bs), 10.7 (1 H, s), 12.6 (1H, bs); HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 283 (M+1 ); Rt = 1.85 min.

General procedure (A) for preparation of compounds of general formula \_:

wherein U, J and R²⁰ are as defined above, and J is optionally containing up to three sub- stituents, R²², R²³ and R²⁴ as defined above.

The carboxylic acid of 1 H-benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid is activated, ie the OH functionality is converted into a leaving group L (selected from eg fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, 1- imidazolyl, 1 ,2,4-triazolyl, 1 -benzotriazolyloxy, 1-(4-aza benzotriazolyl)oxy, pentafluoro- phenoxy, N-succinyloxy 3,4-dihydro-4-oxo-3-(1 ,2,3-benzotriazinyl)oxy, benzotriazole 5-COO, or any other leaving group known to act as a leaving group in acylation reactions. The activated benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid is then reacted with R²-(CH₂)_n-B' in the presence of a base. The base can be either absent (i.e. R²-(CH₂)_n-B' acts as a base) or triethylamine, N- ethyl-N,N.-diisopropylamine, N-methylmorpholine, 2,6-lutidine, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, caesium carbonate or any other base known to be useful in acylation reactions. The reaction is performed in a solvent solvent such as THF, dioxane, toluene, dichloromethane, DMF, NMP or a mixture of two or more of these. The reaction is performed between 0 °C and 80 °C, preferably between 20 °C and 40 °C. When the acylation is complete, the product is isolated by extraction, filtration, chromatography or other methods known to those skilled in the art.

The general procedure (A) is further illustrated in the following example:

Example 9 (General Procedure (A))

1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid phenylamide

Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid (856 mg), HOAt (715 mg) and EDAC (1.00 g) were dissolved in DMF (17.5 mL) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature 1 hour. A 0.5 mL aliqot of this mixture was added to aniline (13.7 μL, 0.15 mmol) and the resulting mixture was vigor- ously shaken at room temperature for 16 hours. 1 N hydrochloric acid (2 mL) and ethyl acetate (1 mL) were added and the mixture was vigorously shaken at room temperature for 2 hours. The organic phase was isolated and concentrated in vacuo to afford the title compound.

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 239 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.93 min.

The compounds in the following examples were similarly made. Optionally, the compounds may be isolated by filtration or by chromatography.

Example 10 (General Procedure (A))

1H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid (4-methoxyphenyl)amide

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 269 (M+1 ) & 291 (M+23); Rt = 2.41 min HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 239 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.93 min.

Example 11 (General Procedure (A))

{4-[(1H-Benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)amino]phenyl}carbamic acid terf-butyl ester

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 354 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.58 min. Example 12 (General Procedure (A))

1H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid (4-acetylaminophenyl)amide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 296 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.32 min.

Example 13 (General Procedure (A))

1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid (3-fluorophenyl)amide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 257 (M+1); Rt = 4.33 min.

Example 14 (General Procedure (A))

1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid (2-chlorophenyl)amide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 273 (M+1); Rt = 4.18 min.

Example 15 (General Procedure (A))

4-[(1H-Benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)amino]benzoic acid methyl ester

HPLC-MS (Method A):m/z: 297 (M+1); Rt : 2,60 min. HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 297 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.30 min. Example 16 (General Procedure (A))

1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid (4-butylphenyl)amide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 295 (M+1); Rt = 5.80 min.

Example 17 (General Procedure (A))

1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid (l-phenylethyl)amide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 267 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.08 min.

Example 18 (General Procedure (A))

1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid benzylamide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 253 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.88 min.

Example 19 (General Procedure (A))

1H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid 4-chlorobenzylamide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 287 (M+1); Rt = 4.40 min.

Example 20 (General Procedure (A))

1H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid 2-chlorobenzylamide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 287 (M+1); Rt = 4.25 min.

Example 21 (General Procedure (A)) 1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid 4-methoxybenzylamide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 283 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.93 min.

Example 22 (General Procedure (A)) 1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid 3-methoxybenzylamide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 283 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.97 min.

Example 23 (General Procedure (A)) 1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid (1 ,2-diphenylethyl)amide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 343 (M+1); Rt = 5.05 min.

Example 24 (General Procedure (A)) 1H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid 3-bromobenzylamide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 331 (M+1); Rt = 4.45 min.

Example 25 (General Procedure (A))

4-{[(1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)amino]methyl}benzoic acid

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 297 (M+1); Rt = 3.35 min.

Example 26 (General Procedure (A))

1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid phenethylamide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 267 (M+1); Rt = 4.08 min.

Example 27 (General Procedure (A))

1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid [2-(4-chlorophenyl)ethyl]amide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 301 (M+1); Rt = 4.50 min.

Example 28 (General Procedure (A))

1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid [2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]amide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 297 (M+1); Rt = 4.15 min. Example 29 (General Procedure (A))

1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid [2-(3-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]amide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 297 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.13 min.

Example 30 (General Procedure (A))

1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid [2-(3-chlorophenyl)ethyl]amide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 301 (M+1); Rt = 4.55 min.

Example 31 (General Procedure (A))

1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid (2,2-diphenylethyl)amide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 343 (M+1 ); Rt = 5.00 min.

Example 32 (General Procedure (A))

1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid (3,4-dichlorophenyl)methylamide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 321 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.67 min.

Example 33 (General Procedure (A))

1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid methylphenylamide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 253 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.82 min.

Example 34 (General Procedure (A))

1H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid benzylmethylamide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 267 (M+1); Rt = 4.05 min.

Example 35 (General Procedure (A)) 1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid [2-(3-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]methyl-amide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 345 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.37 min.

Example 36 (General Procedure (A)) 1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid methylphenethylamide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 281 (M+1); Rt = 4.15 min.

Example 37 (General Procedure (A)) 1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid [2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]methylamide

'N-VV V⁰ HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 341 (M+1); Rt = 3.78 min;

Example 38 (General Procedure (A))

1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid (2-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)methylamide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 297 (M+1); Rt = 3.48 min.

Example 39 (General procedure (A))

1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid (3-bromophenyl)amide

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 317 (M+1); Rt = 3.19 min.

Example 40 (General procedure (A))

1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid (4-bromophenyl)amide

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 317 (M+1); Rt = 3.18 min.

Example 41 (General procedure (A))

{4-[(1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)amino]benzoylamino}acetic acid

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 340 (M+1 ); Rt = 1.71 min.

Example 42 (General procedure (A))

{4-[(1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)amino]phenyl}acetic acid

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 297 (M+1 ); Rt = 2.02 min.

Example 43 (General procedure (A)) 3-{4-[(1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)amino]phenyl}acrylic acid

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 309 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.19 min.

Example 44 (General procedure (A))

{3-[(1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)amino]phenyl}acetic acid

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 297 (M+1); Rt = 2.10 min.

Example 45 (General procedure (A)) 2-{4-[(1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)amino]phenoxy}-2-methylpropionic acid HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 341 (M+1); Rt = 2.42 min.

Example 46 (General procedure (A))

3-{4-[(1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)amino]benzoylamino}propionic acid

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 354 (M+1); Rt = 1.78 min.

Example 47 (General procedure (A)) 3-{4-[(1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)amino]phenyl}propionic acid

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 311 (M+1); Rt = 2.20 min.

Example 48 (General procedure (A)) 1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid (4-benzyloxyphenyl)amide

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 345 (M+1); Rt = 3.60 min. Example 49 (General procedure (A)) 1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid (3-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)amide

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 303 (M+1 ); Rt = 2.88 min.

Example 50 (General procedure (A))

1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid (4-phenoxyphenyl)amide

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 331 (M+1); Rt = 3.62 min.

Example 51 (General procedure (A))

1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid (4-butoxyphenyl)amide

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 311 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.59 min.

Example 52 (General procedure (A))

1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid (3-bromo-4-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)amide

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 402 (M+1); Rt = 3.93 min. Example 53 (General procedure (A))

1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid (3,5-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)amide

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 323 (M+1 ); Rt = 2.57 min.

Example 54 (General procedure (A)) 4-{[(1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)amino]methyl}benzoic acid

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 297 (M+1 ); Rt = 1.86 min.

Example 55 (General procedure (A)) {4-[(1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carbonyl)amino]phenylsulfanyl}acetic acid

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 329 (M+1 ); Rt = 2.34 min.

Example 56

N-(1H-Benzotriazol-5-yl)acetamide

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 177 (M+1); Rt = 0.84 min. Example 57 (General Procedure (A))

1 H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid 4-nitrobenzylamide

General procedure (B) for preparation of compounds of general formula l₂:

ι₂ wherein X, Y, E and R¹⁰ are as defined above and E is optionally containing up to four optional substituents, R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, and R^15A as defined above.

The chemistry is well known (eg Lohray et al., J. Med. Chem., 1999, 42, 2569-81) and is generally performed by reacting a carbonyl compound (aldehyde or ketone) with the heterocyclic ring (eg thiazolidine-2,4-dione (X = O; Y = S), rhodanine (X = Y = S) and hydantoin (X = O; Y = NH) in the presence of a base, such as sodium acetate, potassium acetate, ammo- nium acetate, piperidinium benzoate or an amine (eg piperidine, triethylamine and the like) in a solvent (eg acetic acid, ethanol, methanol, DMSO, DMF, NMP, toluene, benzene) or in a mixture of two or more of these solvents. The reaction is performed at room temperature or at elevated temperature, most often at or near the boiling point of the mixture. Optionally, azeotropic removal of the formed water can be done.

This general procedure (B) is further illustrated in the following example:

Example 58 (General procedure (B))

5-(3-Phenoxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

A solution of thiazolidine-2,4-dione (90%, 78 mg, 0.6 mmol) and ammonium acetate (92 mg, 1.2 mmol) in acetic acid (1 mL) was added to 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde (52 μL, 0.6 mmol) and the resulting mixture was shaken at 115 °C for 16 hours. After cooling, the mixture was concentrated in vacuo to afford the title compound.

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 298 (M+1); Rt = 4.54 min.

The compounds in the following examples were similarly prepared. Optionally, the compounds can be further purified by filtration and washing with water, ethanol and / or heptane instead of concentration in vacuo. Also optionally the compounds can be purified by washing with ethanol, water and/or heptane, or by chromatography, such as preparative HPLC.

Example 59 (General procedure (B)) 5-(4-Dimethylaminobenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 249 (M+1); Rt = 4.90 min

Example 60 (General procedure (B))

5-Naphthalen-1-ylmethylenethiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 256 (M+1 ); Rt = 4,16 min.

Example 61 (General procedure (B))

5-Benzylidene-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 206 (M+1 ); Rt = 4,87 min.

Example 62 (General procedure (B))

5-(4-Methoxy-benzylidene)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 263 (M+1); Rt = 4,90 min.

Example 63 (General procedure (B)) 5-(4-Chloro-benzylidene)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 240 (M+1); Rt = 5,53 min.

Example 64 (General procedure (B))

5-(4-Nitro-benzylidene)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 251 (M+1 ); Rt = 4,87 min. Example 65 (General procedure (B))

5-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzylidene)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 252 (M+1); Rt = 4,07 min.

Example 66 (General procedure (B))

5-(4-Methylsulfanyl-benzylidene)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 252 (M+1 ); Rt = 5,43 min.

Example 67 (General procedure (B))

5-(3-Fluoro-4-methoxy-benzylidene)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 354 (M+1); Rt = 4,97 min.

Example 68 (General procedure (B))

5-(4-tert-Butylbenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 262 (M+1); Rt = 6,70 min. Example 69 (General procedure (B))

Λ/-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenyl]acetamide

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 263 (M+1); Rt = 3,90 min.

Example 70 (General procedure (B))

5-Biphenyl-4-ylmethylene-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 282 (M+1); Rt = 4,52 min.

Example 71 (General procedure (B))

5-(4-Phenoxy-benzylidene)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 298 (M+1); Rt = 6,50 min.

Example 72 (General procedure (B))

5-(3-Benzyloxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 312 (M+1); Rt = 6,37 min.

Example 73 (General procedure (B))

5-(3-p-Tolyloxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 312 (M+1); Rt = 6,87 min.

Example 74 (General procedure (B))

5-Naphthalen-2-ylmethylene-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 256 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.15 min.

Example 75 (General procedure (B)) 5-Benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-ylmethylenethiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 250 (M+1), Rt = 3.18 min.

Example 76 (General procedure (B)) 5-(4-Chlorobenzylidene)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 256 (M+1); Rt = 4,51 min.

Example 77 (General procedure (B)) 5-(4-Dimethylaminobenzylidene)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 265 (M+1 ); Rt = 5,66 min.

Example 78 (General procedure (B))

5-(4-Nitrobenzylidene)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 267 (M+1 ); Rt = 3,94 min.

Example 79 (General procedure (B))

5-(4-Methylsulfanylbenzylidene)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 268 (M+1 ); Rt = 6,39 min.

Example 80 (General procedure (B))

5-(3-Fluoro-4-methoxybenzylidene)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 270 (M+1 ); Rt = 5,52 min.

Example 81 (General procedure (B)) 5-Naphthalen-2-ylmethylene-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 272 (M+1); Rt = 6,75 min.

Example 82 (General procedure (B))

5-(4-Diethylaminobenzylidene)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 293 (M+1 ); Rt = 5,99 min.

Example 83 (General procedure (B)) 5-Biphenyl-4-ylmethylene-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 298 (M+1 ); Rt = 7,03 min.

Example 84 (General procedure (B))

5-(3-Phenoxybenzylidene)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 314 (M+1); Rt = 6,89 min.

Example 85 (General procedure (B)) 5-(3-Benzyloxybenzylidene)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 328 (M+1 ); Rt = 6,95 min.

Example 86 (General procedure (B))

5-(4-Benzyloxybenzylidene)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 328 (M+1 ); RT = 6,89 min.

Example 87 (General procedure (B)) 5-Naphthalen-1 -ylmethylene-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 272 (M+1 ); Rt = 6,43 min.

Example 88 (General procedure (B)) 5-(3-Methoxybenzyl)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 236 (M+1 ); Rt = 3,05 min.

Example 89 (General procedure (D)) 4-[2-Chloro-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyric acid ethyl ester

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 392 (M+23), Rt = 4.32 min.

Example 90 (General procedure (D))

4-[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-phenoxy]-butyric acid

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 410 (M+23); Rt = 3,35 min.

Example 91 (General procedure (B)) 5-(3-Bromobenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 285 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.01 min.

Example 92 (General procedure (B)) 5-(4-Bromobenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 285 (M+1); Rt = 4.05 min.

Example 93 (General procedure (B)) 5-(3-Chlorobenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 240 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.91 min.

Example 94 (General procedure (B))

5-Thiophen-2-ylmethylenethiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 212 (M+1); Rt = 3.09 min.

Example 95 (General procedure (B))

5-(4-Bromothiophen-2-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 291 (M+1); Rt = 3.85 min.

Example 96 (General procedure (B)) 5-(3,5-Dichlorobenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 274 (M+1); Rt = 4.52 min. Example 97 (General procedure (B))

5-(1-Methyl-1 H-indol-3-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 259 (M+1); Rt = 3.55 min.

Example 98 (General procedure (B))

5-(1 H-lndol-3-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 245 (M+1 ); Rt = 2.73 min.

Example 99 (General procedure (B))

5-Fluoren-9-ylidenethiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 280 (M+1); Rt = 4.34 min.

Example 100 (General procedure (B))

5-(1-Phenylethylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 220 (M+1 ); Rt = 3,38 min.

Example 101 (General procedure (B))

5-[1-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-ethylidene]-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 250 (M+1); Rt = 3.55 min.

Example 102 (General procedure (B)) 5-(1 -Naphthalen-2-yl-ethylidene)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 270 (M+1 ); Rt = 4,30 min.

Example 103 (General procedure (B)) 5-[1 -(4-Bromophenyl)-ethylidene]-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 300 (M+1 ); Rt = 4,18 min. Example 104 (General procedure (B))

5-(2,2-Diphenylethylidene)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 296 (M+1 ); Rt = 4,49 min.

Example 105 (General procedure (B))

5-[1-(3-Methoxyphenyl)-ethylidene]-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 250 (M+1 ); Rt = 3,60 min.

Example 106 (General procedure (B))

5-[1-(6-Methoxynaphthalen-2-yl)-ethylidene]-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 300 (M+1); Rt = 4,26 min.

Example 107 (General procedure (B))

5-[1-(4-Phenoxyphenyl)-ethylidene]-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 312 (M+1); Rt = 4,68 min. Example 108 (General procedure (B))

5-[1-(3-Fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)ethylidene]thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 268 (M+1); Rt = 3,58 min.

Example 109 (General procedure (B))

5-[1-(3-Bromophenyl)-ethylidene]-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 300 (M+1); Rt = 4,13 min.

Example 110 (General procedure (B))

5-Anthracen-9-ylmethylenethiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 306 (M+1); Rt = 4,64 min.

Example 111 (General procedure (B))

5-(2-Methoxynaphthalen-1-ylmethylene)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 286 (M+1); Rt = 4,02 min.

Example 112 (General procedure (B))

5-(4-Methoxynaphthalen-1-ylmethylene)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 286 (M+1); Rt = 4,31 min.

Example 113 (General procedure (B))

5-(4-Dimethylaminonaphthalen-1-ylmethylene)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 299 (M+1); Rt = 4,22 min.

Example 114 (General procedure (B))

5-(4-Methylnaphthalen-1-ylmethylene)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 270 (M+1); Rt = 4,47 min.

Example 115 (General procedure (B)) 5-Pyridin-2-ylmethylene-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

Example 116

5-Pyridin-2-ylmethyl-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

5-Pyridin-2-ylmethylene-thiazolidine-2,4-dione (5 g) in tetrahydrofuran (300 ml) was added 10% Pd/C (1 g) and the mixture was hydrogenated at ambient pressure for 16 hours. More 10% Pd/C (5 g) was added and the mixture was hydrogenated at 50 psi for 16 hours. After filtration and evaporation in vacuo, the residue was purified by column chromatography eluting with a mixture of ethyl acetate and heptane (1 :1 ). This afforded the title compound (0.8 g, 16%) as a solid.

TLC: R_f = 0.30 (SiO₂; EtOAc: heptane 1 :1)

Example 117 (General procedure (B))

5-(1 H-lmidazol-4-ylmethylene)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

Example 118 (General procedure (B))

5-(4-Benzyloxy-benzylidene)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 6,43 min ; 99 % (2A)

Example 119 (General procedure (B))

5-[4-(4-Fluorobenzyloxy)benzylidene]-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one

Example 120 (General procedure (B))

5-(4-Butoxybenzylidene)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one

Example 121 (General procedure (B))

5-(3-Methoxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 236 (M+1); Rt = 4,97 min Example 122 (General procedure (B))

5-(3-Methoxybenzylidene)imidazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 219 (M+1); Rt = 2.43 min.

Example 123 (General procedure (B))

5-(4-Methoxybenzylidene)imidazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 219 (M+1); Rt = 2.38 min.

Example 124 (General procedure (B))

5-(2,3-Dichlorobenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

Example 125 (General procedure (B)) 5-Benzofuran-7-ylmethylenethiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 247 (M+1 ); Rt = 4,57 min.

Example 126 (General procedure (B)) 5-Benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-4-ylmethylenethiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 250 (M+1); Rt = 4,00 min.

Example 127 (General procedure (B)) 5-(4-Methoxy-2,3-dimethylbenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 264 (M+1 ); Rt = 5,05 min.

Example 128 (General procedure (B)) 5-(2-Benzyloxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 342 (M+1 ); Rt = 5,14 min.

Example 129 (General procedure (B)) 5-(2-Hydroxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 222 (M+1); Rt = 3,67 min.

Example 130 (General procedure (B)) 5-(2,4-Dichlorobenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

¹H-NMR (DMSO-cQ: 7.60 (2H, "s"), 7.78 (1H, s), 7.82 (1 H, s).

Example 131 (General procedure (B)) 5-(2-Chlorobenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

O ..

HN ) ό ci

¹H-NMR (DMSO-cf₆): 7.40 (1 H, t), 7.46 (1 H, t), 7.57 (1 H, d), 7.62 (1 H, d), 7.74 (1H, s).

Example 132 (General procedure (B)) 5-(2-Bromobenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

¹H-NMR (DMSO-cf₆): 7.33 (1 H, t), 7.52 (1 H, t), 7.60 (1 H, d), 7.71 (1H, s), 7.77 (1H, d).

Example 133 (General procedure (B)) 5-(2,4-Dimethoxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 266 (M+1 ) Rt = 4,40 min.

Example 134 (General procedure (B)) 5-(2-Methoxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 236 (M+1 ); Rt = 4,17 min.

Example 135 (General procedure (B)) 5-(2,6-Difluorobenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 242 (M+1 ); Rt = 4,30 min.

Example 136 (General procedure (B)) 5-(2,4-Dimethylbenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 234 (M+1 ); Rt = 5,00 min.

Example 137 (General procedure (B)) 5-(2,4,6-Trimethoxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 296 (M+1); Rt = 4,27 min.

Example 138 (General procedure (B)) 5-(4-Hydroxy-2-methoxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 252 (M+1 ); Rt = 3,64 min.

Example 139 (General procedure (B)) 5-(4-Hydroxynaphthalen-1-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ = 7.04 (1 H, d), 7.57 (2H, m), 7.67 (1 H, t), 8.11 (1 H, d), 8.25 (1 H, d), 8.39 (1 H, s) 1 1.1 (1 H, s), 12.5 (1 H, bs). HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 272 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.44 min.

Example 140 (General procedure (B)) 5-(2-Trifluoromethoxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HN ϋ

O F_F

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 290 (M+1 ); Rt = 4,94 min.

Example 141 (General procedure (B)) 5-Biphenyl-2-ylmethylenethiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 282 (M+1); Rt = 5,17 min. Example 142 (General procedure (B)) 5-(2-Benzyloxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 312 (M+1 ); Rt = 5,40 min.

Example 143 (General procedure (B)) 5-Adamantan-2-ylidenethiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 250 (M+1 ); Rt = 4,30 min.

General procedure (C) for preparation of compounds of general formula l₂:

ι₂ wherein X, Y, E, and R¹⁰ are as defined above and E is optionally containing up to four optional substituents, R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, and R^15A as defined above.

This general procedure (C) is quite similar to general procedure (B) and is further illustrated in the following example:

Example 144 (General procedure (C)) 5-(3,4-Dibromobenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

A mixture of thiazolidine-2,4-dione (90%, 65 mg, 0.5 mmol), 3,4-dibromobenzaldehyde (132 mg, 0.5 mmol), and piperidine (247 μL, 2.5 mmol) was shaken in acetic acid (2 mL) at 110 °C for 16 hours. After cooling, the mixture was concentrated to dryness in vacuo . The resulting crude product was shaken with water, centrifuged, and the supernatant was discarded. Subsequently the residue was shaken with ethanol, centrifuged, the supernatant was discarded and the residue was further evaporated to dryness to afford the title compound.

¹H NMR (Acetone-d₆): δ_H 7.99 (d,1 H), 7.90 (d,1 H), 7.70 (s,1 H), 7.54 (d,1 H); HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 364 (M+1); Rt = 4.31 min.

The compounds in the following examples were similarly prepared. Optionally, the compounds can be further purified by filtration and washing with water instead of concentration in vacuo. Also optionally the compounds can be purified by washing with ethanol, water and/or heptane, or by preparative HPLC.

Example 145 (General procedure (C))

5-(4-Hydroxy-3-iodo-5-methoxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

Mp = 256 °C; ¹H NMR (DMSO-cf₆) δ = 12.5 (s,broad,1H), 10.5 (s,broad,1 H), 7.69 (s,1H), 7.51

(d,1 H), 7.19 (d,1 H)3.88 (s,3H), ¹³C NMR (DMSO-c/e) δ_c = 168.0, 167.7 , 149.0, 147.4, 133.0,

131.2, 126.7, 121.2, 113.5, 85.5, 56.5; HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 378 (M+1); Rt = 3.21 min.

Example 146 (General procedure (C))

5-(4-Hydroxy-2,6-dimethylbenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 250 (M+1); Rt.= 2.45 min.

Example 147 (General procedure (C))

4-[5-Bromo-6-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-naphthalen-2-yloxymethyl]-benzoic acid

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 506 (M+23); Rt.= 4.27 min.

Example 148 (General procedure (C))

5-(4-Bromo-2,6-dichlorobenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 354 (M+1 ); Rt.= 4.36 min.

Example 149 (General procedure (C))

5-(6-Hydroxy-2-naphthylmethylene) thiazolidine-2,4-dione

Mp 310-314 °C, ¹H NMR (DMSO-cfe): δ_H = 12.5 (s,broad,1 H), 8.06(d,1 H), 7.90- 7.78(m,2H),7.86 (s,1 H), 7.58 (dd,1H),7.20 7.12 (m,2H). ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ_c = 166.2, 165.8 , 155.4, 133.3, 130.1 , 129.1, 128.6, 125.4, 125.3, 125.1 , 124.3, 120.0, 117.8, 106.8; HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 272 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.12 min.

Preparation of the starting material, 6-hydroxy-2-naphtalenecarbaldehyde:

6-Cyano-2-naphthalenecarbaldehyde (1.0 g, 5.9 mmol) was dissolved in dry hexane (15 mL) under nitrogen. The solution was cooled to -60 °C and a solution of diisobutyl aluminium hy- dride (DIBAH) (15 mL, 1 M in hexane) was added dropwise. After the addition, the solution was left at room temperature overnight. Saturated ammonium chloride solution (20 mL) was added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 20 min, subsequently aqueous H₂SO₄ (10% solution, 15 mL) was added followed by water until all salt was dissolved. The resulting solution was extracted with ethyl acetate (3x), the combined organic phases were dried with MgSO₄, evaporated to dryness to afford 0.89 g of 6-hydroxy-2- naphtalenecarbaldehyde.

Mp.: 153.5-156.5 ^°c; HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 173 (M+1 ); Rt = 2.67 min; ¹ H NMR (DMSO- d₆): δ_H = 10.32(s,1 H), 8.95 (d,1H), 10.02 (s,1 H), 8.42 (s,broad,1 H), 8.01 (d,1 H), 7.82-7.78 (m,2H), 7.23-7.18 (m,2H).

Alternative preparation of 6-hydroxy-2-naphtalenecarbaldehyde:

To a stirred cooled mixture of 6-bromo-2-hydroxynaphthalene (25.3 g, 0.113 mol) in THF

(600 mL) at -78 °C was added n-BuLi (2.5 M, 100 mL, 0.250 mol) dropwise. The mixture turned yellow and the temperature rose to -64 °C. After ca 5 min a suspension appeared. After addition, the mixture was maintained at -78 °C. After 20 minutes, a solution of DMF (28.9 mL, 0.373 mol) in THF (100 mL) was added over 20 minutes. After addition, the mixture was allowed to warm slowly to RT. After 1 hour, the mixture was poured in ice/water (200 mL). To the mixture citric acid was added to a pH of 5. The mixture was stirred for 0.5 hour. Ethyl acetate (200 mL) was added and the organic layer was separated and washed with brine (100 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄and concentrated. To the residue was added heptane with 20% ethyl acetate (ca 50 mL) and the mixture was stirred for 1 hour. The mixture was filtered and the solid was washed with ethyl acetate and dried in vacuo to afford 16 g of the title compound. Example 150 (General procedure (C))

5-(3-lodo-4-methoxybenzylidene)thiazolidiene-2,4-dione

¹H NMR (DMSO-de): δ_H 12.55 (s,broad,1H), 8.02 (d,1 H), 7.72 (s,1 H), 7.61 (d,1 H)7.18(d,1H), 3.88 (s,3H); ¹³C NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ_c 168.1 , 167.7 , 159.8, 141.5, 132.0, 130.8, 128.0, 122.1 , 112.5, 87.5, 57.3. HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 362 (M+1); Rt = 4.08 min.

Preparation of the starting material, 3-iodo-4-methoxybenzaldehyde:

4-Methoxybenzaldehyde (0.5 g, 3.67 mmol) and silver trifluoroacetate (0.92 g, 4.19 mmol) were mixed in dichloromethane (25 mL). Iodine (1.19 g, 4.7 mmol) was added in small portions and the mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature under nitrogen. The mixture was subsequently filtered and the residue washed with DCM. The combined filtrates were treated with an acqueous sodium thiosulfate solution (1 M) until the colour disappeared. Subsequent extraction with dichloromethane (3 x 20 mL) followed by drying with MgSO₄ and evaporation in vacuo afforded 0.94 g of 3-iodo-4-methoxybenzaldehyde.

Mp 104-107 °C; HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z:263 (M+1); Rt = 3.56 min.;¹H NMR (CDCI₃): δ_H = 8.80 (s,1 H), 8.31 (d,1 H), 7.85 (dd,1 H) 6.92 (d,1 H), 3.99 (s, 3H).

Example 151 (General procedure (C))

5-(1-Bromonaphthalen-2-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: =336 (M+1); Rt = 4.46 min.

Example 152 (General procedure (C))

1 -[5-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)thiazol-2-yl]piperidine-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester

¹H NMR (DMSO-cfe): δ_H = 7.88 (s,1 H), 7.78 (s,1H), 4.10 (q,2H), 4.0-3.8 (m,2H), 3.40-3.18 (m,2H), 2.75-2.60 (m,1 H), 2.04-1.88 (m,2H), 1.73-1.49 (m,2H) , 1.08 (t,3H); HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 368 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.41 min.

Example 153 (General procedure (C))

5-(2-Phenyl-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-ylmethylene) thiazolidine-2,4-dione

Q

XS r^

HN y ^r y_s O A U

¹H NMR (DMSO-de): δ_H = 12.6 (s,broad,1 H), 8.46 (s,1 H), 8.08 (dd,2H), 7.82 (s,1 H), 7.70-7.45 (m, 3H). HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 273 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.76 min.

Example 154 (General procedure (C))

5-(Quinolin-4-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 257 (M+1 ); Rt = 2.40 min.

Example 155 (General procedure (C))

5-(6-Methylpyridin-2-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

¹H NMR (DMSO-αfe): δ_H = 12.35 (s,broad,1 H), 7.82 (t,1 H), 7.78 (s,1 H), 7.65 (d,1 H), 7.18 (d,1 H), 2.52 (s,3 H); HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 221 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.03 min.

Example 156 (General procedure (C))

5-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-furan-2-ylmethylacetate

¹H NMR (DMSO-cfe): δ_H = 12.46 (s,broad,1H), 7.58 (s,1 H), 7.05 (d,1H), 6.74 (s,1H), 5.13 (s,2H), 2.10 (s,3H). HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 208 (M-CH₃COO); Rt = 2.67 min.

Example 157 (General procedure (C))

5-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)furan-2-sulfonic acid

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z:276 (M+1 ); Rt = 0.98 min.

Example 158 (General procedure (C))

5-(5-Benzyloxy-1 H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-3-ylmethylene)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 352 (M+1); Rt = 3.01 min. Example 159 (General procedure (C))

5-(Quinolin-2-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 257 (M+1); Rt = 3.40 min.

Example 160 (General procedure (C))

5-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)thiophene-2-carboxylic acid

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 256 (M+1); Rt = 1.96 min.

Example 161 (General procedure (C))

5-(2-Phenyl-1 H-imidazol-4-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 272 (M+1 ); Rt = 2.89 min.

Example 162 (General procedure (C))

5-(4-lmidazol-1-yl-benzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 272 (M+1 ); Rt = 1.38 min. Example 163 (General procedure (C))

5-(9-Ethyl-9H-carbazol-3-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 323 (M+1); Rt = 4.52 min.

Example 164 (General procedure (C)) 5-(1 ,4-Dimethyl-9H-carbazol-3-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 323 (M+1); Rt = 4.35 min.

Example 165 (General procedure (C))

5-(2-Methyl-1 H-indol-3-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 259 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.24 min.

Example 166 (General procedure (C))

5-(2-Ethylindol-3-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

2-Methylindole (1.0 g, 7.6mmol) dissolved in diethyl ether (100 mL) under nitrogen was treated with n-Butyl lithium (2 M in pentane, 22.8 mmol) and potassium terf-butoxide (15.2 mmol) with stirring at RT for 30 min. The temperature was lowered to -70 C and methyl Iodide (15.2 mmol) was added and the resulting mixture was stirred at -70 for 2 h. Then 5 drops of water was added and the mixture allowed to warm up to RT. Subsequently, the mixture was poured into water (300 mL), pH was adjusted to 6 by means of 1N hydrochloric acid and the mixture was extracted with diethyl ether. The organic phase was dried with Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to dryness. The residur was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using heptane/ether( 4/1 ) as eluent. This afforded 720 mg (69 %) of 2-ethylindole.

¹H NMR (DMSO-cfe ): δ = 10.85 (1 H,s); 7.39 (1 H,d); 7.25 (1 H,d); 6.98(1 H,t); 6.90(1H,t); 6.10 (1 H,s); 2.71 (2H,q); 1.28 (3H,t).

2-Ethylindole (0.5 g, 3.4mmol) dissolved in DMF (2 mL) was added to a cold (0 °C) premixed (30 minutes) mixture of DMF (1.15 mL) and phosphorous oxychloride (0.64 g, 4.16 mmol). After addition of 2-ethylindole, the mixture was heated to 40 °C for 1 h, water (5 mL) was added and the pH adjusted to 5 by means of 1 N sodium hydroxide. The mixture was subsequently extracted with diethyl ether, the organic phase isolated, dried with MgSO₄ and evaporated to dryness affording 2-ethylindole-3-carbaldehyde (300 mg ).

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z:174 (M+1 ); Rt. =2.47 min.

2-Ethylindole-3-carbaldehyde (170 mg) was treated with thiazolidine-2,4-dione using the general procedure (C) to afford the title compound (50 mg).

HPLC-MS (Method C):m/z: 273 (M+1 ); Rt .= 3.26 min.

Example 167 (General procedure (C))

5-[2-(4-Bromophenylsulfanyl)-1-methyl-1 H-indol-3-ylmethylene]thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 447 (M+1); Rt = 5.25 min. Example 168 (General procedure (C))

5-[2-(2,4-Dichlorobenzyloxy)-naphthalen-1-ylmethylene]thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): (anyone 1 ) m/z: 430 (M+1 ); Rt = 5.47 min.

Example 169 (General procedure (C))

5-{4-[3-(4-Bromophenyl)-3-oxopropenyl]-benzylidene}thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 416 (M+1); Rt = 5.02 min.

Example 170 (General procedure (C))

5-(4-Pyridin-2-ylbenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 283 (M+1 ), Rt = 2.97 min.

Example 171 (General procedure (C))

5-(3,4-Bisbenzyloxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 418 (M+1 ); Rt = 5.13 min.

Example 172 (General procedure (C))

5-[4-(4-Nitrobenzyloxy)-benzylidene]thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 357 (M+1); Rt = 4.45 min.

Example 173 (General procedure (C)) 5-(2-Phenyl-1 H-indol-3-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 321 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.93 min.

Example 174 (General procedure (C))

5-(5-Benzyloxy-1 H-indol-3-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 351 (M+1); Rt = 4.18 min.

Example 175 (General procedure (C))

5-(4-Hydroxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 222 (M+1); Rt = 2.42 min.

Example 176 (General procedure (C)) 5-(1-Methyl-1H-indol-2-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4- dione

¹H NMR (DMSO-cf₆): δ_H = 12.60 (s.broad.lH), 7.85 (s,1H), 7.68 (dd,1H), 7.55 (dd,1H), 7.38 (dt,1H), 7.11 (dt,1H) 6.84 (s,1H), 3.88 (s,3H); HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 259 (M+1); Rt = 4.00 min.

Example 177 (General procedure (C)) 5-(5-Nitro-1H-indol-3-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4- dione

.Mp 330-333 °C, ¹H NMR (DMSO-cf₆): <*H = 12.62 (s,broad,1H), 8.95 (d,1H), 8.20 (s,1H), 8.12 (dd,1H), 7.98 (s,broad,1H), 7.68 (d,1H); HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 290 (M+1); Rt = 3.18 min. Example 178 (General procedure (C)) 5-(6-Methoxynaphthalen-2-ylmethylene)thiazolidine- 2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 286 (M+1); Rt = 4.27 min.

Example 179 (General procedure (C)) 5-(3-Bromo-4-methoxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4- dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 314 (M+1), Rt = 3.96 min.

Example 180 (General procedure (C)) 3-{(2-Cyanoethyl)-[4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5- ylidenemethyl)phenyl]amino}propionitrile

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 327 (M+1 ); Rt = 2.90 min.

Example 181 (General procedure (C)) 3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)indole-6- carboxylic acid methyl ester

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 303 (M+1); Rt = 3.22-3-90 min. Example 182

3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)indole-6-carboxylic acid pentyl ester.

3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)indole-6-carboxylic acid methyl ester (example 181, 59 mg; 0.195mmol) was stirred in pentanol (20 mL) at 145 °C for 16 hours. The mixture was evaporated to dryness affording the title compound (69 mg).

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 359 (M+1); Rt.= 4.25 min.

Example 183 (General procedure (C)) 3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)indole-7- carboxylic acid

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 289 (M+1 ); Rt = 2.67 min.

Example 184 (General procedure (C)) 5-(1-Benzylindol-3-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 335 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.55 min.

Example 185 (General procedure (C)) 5-(1-Benzenesulfonylindol-3- ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: = 385 (M+1); Rt = 4.59 min.

Example 186 (General procedure (C)) 5-(4-[1 ,2,3]Thiadiazol-4-ylbenzylidene)thiazolidine- 2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 290 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.45 min.

Example 187 (General procedure (C)) 5-[4-(4-Nitrobenzyloxy)-benzylidene]thiazolidine-2,4- dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 357 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.42 min.

Example 188 (General procedure (C)) 3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)indole-1- carboxylic acid ethyl ester

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 317 (M+1); Rt = 4.35 min.

Example 189 (General procedure (C)) 5-[2-(4-Pentylbenzoyl)-benzofuran-5- ylmethylene]thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 420 (M+1); Rt = 5.92 min.

Example 190 (General procedure (C)) 5-[1-(2-Fluorobenzyl)-4-nitroindol-3- ylmethylene]thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): (Anyone 1) m/z: 398 (M+1); Rt = 4.42 min.

Example 191 (General procedure (C)) 5-(4-Benzyloxyindol-3-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4- dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 351 (M+1); Rt = 3.95 min.

Example 192 (General procedure (C)) 5-(4-lsobutylbenzylidene)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 262 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.97 min.

Example 193 (General procedure (C)) Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid 4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin- 5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1 -yl ester

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 404 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.96 min.

Preparation of starting material:

4-Hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde (10 g, 58 mmol) was dissolved in pyridin (50 ml) and the mixture was cooled to 0-5 °C. With stirring, trifluoromethanesulfonic acid anhydride (11.7 ml, 70 mmol) was added drop-wise. After addition was complete, the mixture was allowed to warm up to room temperature, and diethyl ether (200 ml) was added. The mixture was washed with water (2 x 250 ml), hydrochloric acid (3N, 200 ml), and saturated aqueous sodium chloride (100 ml). After drying (MgSO4), filtration and concentration in vacuo, the residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel eluting with a mixture of ethyl acetate and heptane (1 :4). This afforded 8.35 g (47%) trifluoromethanesulfonic acid 4-formylnaphthalen-1-yl ester, mp 44-46.6 °C. Example 194 (General procedure (C)) 5-(4-Nitroindol-3-ylmethylene)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 290 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.14 min.

Example 195 (General procedure (C)) 5-(3,5-Dibromo-4-hydroxy-benzylidene)thiazolidine- 2,4-dione

¹H NMR (DMSO-cfe ): δ_H = 12.65 (broad,1H), 10.85 (broad,1 H), 7.78 (s,2H), 7.70 (s,1 H); HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 380 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.56 min.

Example 196 (General procedure (C)) HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 385 (M+1); Rt = 5.08 min

General procedure for preparation of starting materials for examples 196 - 199: lndole-3-carbaldehyde (3.8 g, 26 mmol) was stirred with potassium hydroxide (1.7 g) in acetone (200 mL) at RT until a solution was obtained indicating full conversion to the indole potassium salt. Subsequently the solution was evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in acetone to give a solution containing 2.6 mmol/20 mL.

20 mL portions of this solution were mixed with equimolar amounts of arylmethylbromides in acetone (10 mL). The mixtures were stirred at RT for 4 days and subsequently evaporated to dryness and checked by HPLC-MS. The crude products, 1-benzylated indole-3- carbaldehydes, were used for the reaction with thiazolidine-2,4-dione using the general procedure C. Example 197 (General procedure (C)) 4-[3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)indol-1- ylmethyljbenzoic acid methyl ester

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 393 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.60 min.

Example 198 (General procedure (C)) 5-[1-(9,10-Dioxo-9,10-dihydroanthracen-2-ylmethyl)- 1/-/-indol-3-ylmethylene]thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 465 (M+1 ); Rt = 5.02 min.

Example 199 (General procedure (C)) 4'-[3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)indol-1- ylmethyl]biphenyl-2-carbonitrile

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 458 (M+23); Rt = 4.81 min.

Example 200 (General procedure (C)) 3-[3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methylindol-1-ylmethyl]benzonitrile.

2-Methylindole-3-carbaldehyde (200 mg, 1.26 mmol) was added to a slurry of 3- bromomethylbenzenecarbonitrile (1.26 mmol) followed by sodium hydride, 60%, (1.26 mmol) in DMF (2 mL). The mixture was shaken for 16 hours, evaporated to dryness and washed with water and ethanol. The residue was treated with thiazolidine-2,4-dione following the general procedure C to afford the title compound (100 mg).

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 374 (M+1 ); Rt. = 3.95 min.

Example 201 (General procedure (C))

5-(1-Benzyl-2-methylindol-3-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione.

This compound was prepared in analogy with the compound described in example 200 from benzyl bromide and 2-methylindole-3-carbaldehyde, followed by reaction with thiazolidine- 2,4-dione resulting in 50 mg of the title compound.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 349 (M+1 ); Rt. = 4.19 min.

Example 202 4-[3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2-methylindol-1-ylmethyl]benzoic acid methyl ester ,

This compound was prepared in analogy with the compound described in example 200 from 4-(bromomethyl)benzoic acid methyl ester and 2-methylindole-3-carbaldehyde, followed by reaction with thiazolidine-2,4-dione.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 407 (M+1); Rt.= 4.19 min.

Example 203 (General procedure (C)) 5-(2-Chloro-1-methyl-1H-indol-3- ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 293 (M+1); Rt = 4.10 min.

Example 204 (General procedure (C)) 5-(4-Hydroxy-3,5-diiodo-benzylidene)-thiazolidine- 2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 474 (M+1); Rt = 6.61 min. Example 205 (General procedure (C)) 5-(4-Hydroxy-3-iodobenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 348 (M+1); Rt. = 3.13 min

¹H-NMR: (DMSO-cfe ): 11.5 (1 H.broad); 7.95(1 H,d); 7.65(1 H,s); 7.45 (1 H.dd); 7.01 (1 H,dd);

3.4 (1H,broad).

Example 206 (General procedure (C))5-(2,3,6-Trichlorobenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

H PLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 309 (M+1 ); Rt.= 4.07 min

Example 207 (General procedure (C)) 5-(2,6-Dichlorobenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

Mp. 152-154°C.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 274 (M+1), Rt.= 3.70 min

¹H-NMR: (DMSO-cfe): 12.8 (1 H, broad); 7.72 (1H,s); 7.60 (2H,d); 7.50 (1 H,t). Example 208 (General procedure (C))

5-[1-(2,6-Dichloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrol-3-ylmethylene]thiazolidine-

2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 436 (M+1); Rt. 4.81 min

Example 209 (General procedure (C))

5-[1-(3,5-Dichlorophenyl)-5-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-2-methyl-1H-pyrrol-3-ylmethylene]- thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 508 (M+1); Rt. = 4.31 min

Example 210 (General procedure (C))

5-[1-(2,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)-5-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-2-methyl-1H-pyrrol-3-ylmethylene]- thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 499 (M+1); Rt. = 3.70 min

Example 211 (General procedure (C)) 4-[3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-2,5-dimethylpyrrol-1-yl]benzoic acid

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z:342 (M+1 ); Rt.= 3.19 min

Example 212 (General procedure (C)) 5-(4-Hydroxy-2,6-dimethoxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z:282( M+1 ); Rt .= 2.56, mp=331-333 °C

Example 213 (General procedure (C)) 5-(2,6-Dimethylbenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

M.p: 104-105 °C

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 234 (M+1); Rt .= 3.58 min,

Example 214 (General procedure (C)) 5-(2,6-Dimethoxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

Mp: 241-242 °C

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 266 (M+1 ); Rt.= 3.25 min;

Example 215 (General procedure (C)) 5-[4-(2-Fluoro-6-nitrobenzyloxy)-2,6-dimethoxybenzylidene]thiazolidine-2,4-dione

Mp: 255-256 °C

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 435 (M+1), Rt 4.13 min,

Example 216 (General procedure (C)) 5-Benzofuran-2-ylmethylenethiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z:246 (M+1 ); Rt.= 3.65 min, mp = 265-266 °C

Example 217 (General procedure (C)) 5-[3-(4-Dimethylaminophenyl)allylidene]thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z:276(M+1 ); Rt.= 3.63, mp = 259-263 °C ¹H-NMR: (DMSO-cfe ) δ= 12.3 (1 H.broad); 7.46 (2H,d); 7.39 (1 H,d); 7.11 (1H,d); 6.69 (2H,d); 6.59 (1 H, dd); 2.98 (3H,s).

Example 218 (General procedure (C)) 5-(2-Methyl-3-phenylallylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

Mp: 203-210 °C

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 246 (M+1); Rt = 3.79 min.

Example 219 (General procedure (C)) 5-(2-Chloro-3-phenylallylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

Mp: 251-254 °C

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 266 (M+1 ; Rt = 3.90 min

Example 220 (General procedure (C)) 5-(2-Oxo-1 ,2-dihydroquinolin-3-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

Mp: 338-347 °C

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 273 (M+1); Rt. = 2.59 min.

Example 221 (General procedure (C)) 5-(2,4,6-Tribromo-3-hydroxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 459 (M+1 );Rt .= 3.65 min.

Example 222 (General procedure (C)) 5-(5-Bromo-2-methylindol-3-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 339 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.37min.

Example 223 (General procedure (C)) 5-(7-Bromo-2-methylindol-3-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 319 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.48min.

Example 224 (General procedure (C)) 5-(6-Bromoindol-3-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 325 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.54 min.

Example 225 (General procedure (C)) 5-(8-Methyl-2-oxo-1 ,2-dihydroquinolin-3-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 287 (M+1 ); Rt = 2.86 min.

Example 226 (General procedure (C)) 5-(6-Methoxy-2-oxo-1 ,2-dihydroquinolin-3-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 303 (M+1 ); Rt = 2.65 min.

Example 227 (General procedure (C)) 5-Quinolin-3-ylmethylenethiazolidine-2,4-dione.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 257 (M+1 ); Rt = 2.77 min.

Example 228 (General procedure (C))

5-(8-Hydroxyquinolin-2-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 273 (M+1); Rt = 3.44 min.

Example 229 (General procedure (C))

5-Quinolin-8-ylmethylenethiazolidine-2,4-dione.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 257 (M+1); Rt = 3.15 min.

Example 230 (General procedure (C)) 5-(1-Bromo-6-methoxynaphthalen-2-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 366 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.44 min.

Example 231 (General procedure (C)) 5-(6-Methyl-2-oxo-1 ,2-dihydroquinolin-3-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 287 (M+1); Rt. = 2.89 min.

Example 232 (General procedure (D)) 5-(2,6-Dichloro-4-dibenzylaminobenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 469 (M+1); Rt = 5.35 min.

Other preferred compounds include

3',5'-Dichloro-4'-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid:

The following compounds are commercially available and may be prepared using general procedures (B) and / or (C).

Example 233

5-(5-Bromo-1 H-indol-3-ylmethylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

Example 234

5-Pyridin-4-ylmethylenethiazolidine-2,4-dione

Example 235

5-(3-Bromo-4-methoxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A):

Example 236

5-(3-Nitrobenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A):

Example 237

5-Cyclohexylidene-1 ,3-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

HPLC-MS (Method A):

Example 238

5-(3,4-Dihydroxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

Example 239

5-(3-Ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

Example 240

5-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-nitrobenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

Example 241

5-(3-Ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

Example 242

5-(4-Hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

Example 243

5-(3-Bromo-5-ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

Example 244

5-(3-Ethoxy-4-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione

Example 245

Example 246

Example 247

Example 248

Example 249

Example 250

Example 251

Example 252

Example 253

Example 254

Example 256

Example 257

5-(3-Hydroxy-5-methyl-phenylamino)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione

Example 258

Example 259

Example 260

Example 261

Example 262

Example 263

Example 264

Example 265

Example 266

Example 267

Example 268

Example 269

Example 270

Example 271

Example 272

Example 273

Example 274

Example 275

Example 276

Example 277

Example 278

Example 279

Example 280

General procedure (D) for preparation of compounds of general formula l₃:

Step 3

l₃ wherein X, Y, R¹⁰ are as defined above, n is 1 or 3-20,

E is arylene or heterarylene (including up to four optional substituents, R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, and R^15A as defined above),

R' is a standard carboxylic acid protecting group, such as C C₆-alkyl or benzyl and Lea is a leaving group, such as chloro, bromo, iodo, methanesulfonyloxy, toluenesulfonyloxy or the like.

Step 1 is an alkylation of a phenol moiety. The reaction is preformed by reacting R¹⁰-C(=O)- E-OH with an ω-bromo-alkane-carboxylic acid ester (or a synthetic equivalent) in the presence of a base such as sodium or potassium carbonate, sodium or potassium hydroxide, sodium hydride, sodium or potassium alkoxide in a solvent, such as DMF, NMP, DMSO, acetone, acetonitrile, ethyl acetate or isopropyl acetate. The reaction is performed at 20 - 160 °C, usually at room temperature, but when the phenol moiety has one or more substituents heating to 50 °C or more can be beneficial, especially when the substituents are in the ortho position relatively to the phenol. This will readily be recognised by those skilled in the art.

Step 2 is a hydrolysis of the product from step 1.

Step 3 is similar to general procedure (B) and (C).

This general procedure (D) is further illustrated in the following examples: Example 282 (General procedure (D))

4-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyric acid

Step l : A mixture of 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (9.21 g, 75 mmol), potassium carbonate (56 g, 410 mmol) and 4-bromobutyric acid ethyl ester (12.9 mL, 90 mmol) in Λ/,Λ/-dimethylformamide (250 mL) was stirred vigorously for 16 hours at room temperature. The mixture was filtered and concentrated in vacuo to afford 19.6 g (100%) of 4-(4-formylphenoxy)butyric acid ethyl ester as an oil. H-NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 1.21 (3H, t), 2.05 (2H, p), 2.49 (2H, t), 4.12 (4H, m), 7.13 (2H, d), 7.87 (2H, d), 9.90 (1 H, s). HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z = 237 (M+1); R, = 3.46 min.

Step 2:

4-(4-Formylphenoxy)butyric acid ethyl ester (19.6 g, 75 mmol) was dissolved in methanol (250 mL) and 1N sodium hydroxide (100 mL) was added and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The organic solvent was evaporated in vacuo (40 °C, 120 mBar) and the residue was acidified with 1N hydrochloric acid (110 mL). The mixture was filtered and washed with water and dried in vacuo to afford 14.3 g (91%) 4-(4- formylphenoxy)butyric acid as a solid. ¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 1.99 (2H, p), 2.42 (2H, t), 4.13 (2H, t), 7.14 (2H, d), 7.88 (2H, d), 9.90 (1 H, s), 12.2 (1 H, bs). HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z = 209 (M+1); R, = 2.19 min.

Step 3:

Thiazolidine-2,4-dione (3.55 g, 27.6 mmol), 4-(4-formylphenoxy)butyric acid (5.74 g, 27.6 mmol), anhydrous sodium acetate (11.3 g, 138 mmol) and acetic acid (100 mL) was refluxed for 16 h. After cooling, the mixture was filtered and washed with acetic acid and water. Drying in vacuo afforded 2.74 g (32%) of 4-[4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyric acid as a solid.

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆): 1.97 (2H, p), 2.40 (2H, t), 4.07 (2H, t), 7.08 (2H, d), 7.56 (2H, d), 7.77 (1 H, s), 12.2 (1 H, bs), 12.5 (1 H, bs); HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 308 (M+1); Rt = 2.89 min. Example 283 (General procedure (D))

[3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]acetic acid

Step 3:

Thiazolidine-2,4-dione (3.9 g, 33 mmol), 3-formylphenoxyacetic acid (6.0 g, 33 mmol), anhydrous sodium acetate (13.6 g, 165 mmol) and acetic acid (100 mL) was refluxed for 16 h. After cooling, the mixture was filtered and washed with acetic acid and water. Drying in vacuo afforded 5.13 g (56%) of [3-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]acetic acid as a solid.

¹H-NMR (DMSO-o^, ₆): δ 4.69 (2H, s), 6.95 (1 H, dd), 7.09 (1H, t), 7.15 (1H, d), 7.39 (1 H, t),7.53 (1 H, s); HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z = 280 (M+1 ) (poor ionisation); R_t = 2.49 min.

The compounds in the following examples were similarly prepared.

Example 284 (General procedure (D))

3-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenyl]acrylic acid

¹H-NMR (DMSO-c/e): £6.63 (1 H, d), 7.59-7.64 (3H, m), 7.77 (1 H, s), 7.83 (2H, m).

Example 285 (General procedure (D))

[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]acetic acid

Triethylamine salt: ¹H-NMR (DMSO- ₆): δ 4.27 (2H, s), 6.90 (2H, d), 7.26 (1 H, s), 7.40 (2H, cD-

Example 286 (General procedure (D))

4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)benzoic acid

Example 287 (General procedure (D))

3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)benzoic acid

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 7.57 (1 H, s), 7.60 (1 H, t), 7.79 (1H, dt), 7.92 (1H, dt), 8.14 (1 H, t).

Example 288 (General procedure (D))

4-[2-Chloro-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyric acid

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 2.00 (2H, p), 2.45 (2H, t), 4.17 (2H, t), 7.31 (1 H, d), 7.54 (1 H, dd), 7.69 (1 H, d), 7.74 (1 H, s), 12.2 (1 H, bs), 12.6 (1 H, bs). HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 364 (M+23); Rt = 3.19 min.

Example 289 (General procedure (D))

4-[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyric acid ¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 1.99 (2H, p), 2.46 (2H, t), 4.17 (2H, t), 7.28 (1H, d), 7.57 (1H, dd), 7.25 (1 H, s), 7.85 (1 H, d), 12.2 (1 H, bs), 12.6 (1 H, bs). HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 410 (M+23); Rt = 3.35 min.

Example 290 (General procedure (D))

4-[2-Bromo-4-(4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyric acid

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 1.99 (2H, p), 2.45 (2H, t), 4.18 (2H, t), 7.28 (1 H, d), 7.55 (1 H, dd), 7.60 (1 H, s), 7.86 (1 H, d), 12.2 (1 H, bs), 13.8 (1 H, bs). HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 424 (M+23); Rt = 3.84 min. HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 424 (M+23); Rt = 3,84 min

Example 291 (General procedure (D))

4-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyric acid

¹H-NMR (DMSO-αf₆): δ 2.12 (2H, p), 2.5 (below DMSO), 4.28 (2H, t), 7.12 (1H, d), 7.6-7.7 (3H, m), 8.12 (1 H, d), 8.31 (1 H, d), 8.39 (1 H, s), 12.2 (1 H, bs), 12.6 (1 H, bs). HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 380 (M+23); Rt = 3.76 min.

Example 292 (General procedure (D))

5-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]pentanoic acid

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 394 (M+23); Rt = 3.62 min. H-NMR (DMSO- ₆): δ 1.78 (2H, m), 1.90 (2H, m), 2.38 (2H, t), 4.27 (2H, t), 7.16 (1 H, d),

7.6-7.75 (3H, m), 8.13 (1H, d), 8.28 (1H, d), 8.39 (1 H, s), 12.1 (1 H, bs), 12.6 (1H, bs).

Example 293

5-[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]pentanoic acid.

5-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-naphthalen-1-yloxy]pentanoic acid (example 292, 185 mg, 0.5 mmol) was treated with an equimolar amount of bromine in acetic acid (10 mL). Stirring at RT for 14 days followed by evaporation to dryness afforded a mixture of the bro- minated compound and unchanged starting material. Purification by preparative HPLC on a C18 column using acetonitrile and water as eluent afforded 8 mg of the title compound.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 473 (M+23), Rt. = 3.77 min

Example 294

4-[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyric acid.

Starting with 4-[4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-naphthalen-1-yloxy]-butyric acid (example 291 , 0.5 mmol) using the same method as in example 293 afforded 66 mg of the title compound. HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 459 (M+23) ; Rt. = 3.59 min.

Example 295 (General procedure (D))

[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]acetic acid

¹H-NMR (DMSO-cfe): δ 4.90 (2H, s), 7.12 (1 H, d), 7.52 (1 H, dd), 7.65 (1H, s) 7.84 (1 H, d).HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: not observed; Rt = 2.89 min.

Example 296 (General procedure (D))

4-[3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyric acid

¹H-NMR (DMSO-cfe): δ 1.98 (2H, p), 2.42 (2H, t), 4.04 (2H, t), 7.05 (1 H, dd), 7.15 (2H, m), 7.45 (1 H, t), 7.77 (1H, s), 12.1 (1H, bs), 12.6 (1 H, bs). HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 330 (M+23); Rt = 3.05 min.

Example 297 (General procedure (D)) [4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-3-methoxyphenoxy]acetic acid

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 310 (M+1); Rt = 3,43 min. Example 298 (General procedure (D)) [4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]acetic acid

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 330 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.25 min.

Example 299 (General procedure (D))8-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalene- 1-carboxylic acid

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 299 (M+1); Rt = 2,49 min.

Example 300 (General procedure (D)) [3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)indol-1- yljacetic acid

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 303 (M+1 ); Rt = 2.90 min.

Preparation of starting material:

3-Formylindol (10 g, 69 mmol) was dissolved in Λ/,Λ/-dimethylformamide (100 mL) and under an atmosphere of nitrogenand with external cooling, keeping the temperature below 15 °C, sodium hydride (60% in mineral oil, 3.0 g, 76 mmol) was added in portions. Then a solution of ethyl bromoacetate (8.4 mL, 76 mmol) in Λ/,Λ/-dimethylformamide (15 mL) was added dropwise over 30 minutes and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue was partitioned between water (300 mL) and ethyl acetate (2 x 150 mL). The combined organic extracts were washed with a saturated aqueous solution of ammonium chloride (100 mL), dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo to afford 15.9 g (quant.) of (3-formylindol-1-yl)acetic acid ethyl ester as an oil.

¹H-NMR (CDCI₃): δ_H = 1.30 (3H, t), 4.23 (2H, q), 4.90 (2H, s), 7.3 (3H, m), 7.77 (1 H, s), 8.32 (1 H, d), 10.0 (1 H, s).

(3-Formylindol-1-yl)acetic acid ethyl ester (15.9 g 69 mmol) was dissolved in 1,4-dioxane (100 mL) and 1 N sodium hydroxide (10 mL) was added and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 days. Water (500 mL) was added and the mixture was washed with diethyl ether (150 mL). The aqueous phase was acidified with 5N hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate (250 + 150 mL). The combined organic extracts were dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo to afford 10.3 g (73%) of (3-formylindol-1-yl)acetic acid as a solid.

¹H-NMR (DMSO-αf₆): δ_H = 5.20 (2H, s), 7.3 (2H, m), 7.55 (1 H, d), 8.12 (1 H, d), 8.30 (1 H, s), 9.95 (1H, s), 13.3 (1 H, bs).

Example 301 (General procedure (D))3-[3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)indol-1- yl]propionic acid

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 317 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.08 min.

Preparation of starting material:

A mixture of 3-formylindol (10 g, 69 mmol), ethyl 3-bromopropionate (10.5 mL, 83 mmol) and potassium carbonate (28.5 g, 207 mmol) and acetonitrile (100 mL) was stirred vigorously at refux temperature for 2 days. After cooling, the mixture was filtered and the filtrate was con- centrated in vacuo to afford 17.5 g (quant.) of 3-(3-formylindol-1-yl)propionic acid ethyl ester as a solid.

¹H-NMR (DMSO-cfe): δ_H = 1.10 (3H, t), 2.94 (2H, t), 4.02 (2H, q), 4.55 (2H, t), 7.3 (2H, m), 7.67 (1 H, d), 8.12 (1 H, d), 8.30 (1 H, s), 9.90 (1 H, s).

3-(3-Formylindol-1-yl)propionic acid ethyl ester (17.5 g 69 mmol) was hydrolysed as described above to afford 12.5 g (83%) of 3-(3-formylindol-1-yl)propionic acid as a solid.

H-NMR (DMSO-de): δ_H = 2.87 (2H, t), 4.50 (2H, t), 7.3 (2H, m), 7.68 (1 H, d), 8.12 (1H, d), 8.31 (1 H, s), 9.95 (1 H, s), 12.5 (1 H, bs).

Example 302 (General procedure (D)){5-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5- ylidenemethyl)benzylidene]-4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-3-yl}acetic acid

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 429 (M+23); Rt = 3.89 min.

Example 303 (General procedure (D)) 6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxyoctanoic acid

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 436 (M+23); Rt.= 4.36 min

The intermediate aldehyde for this compound was prepared by a slightly modified procedure: 6-Hydroxynaphthalene-2-carbaldehyde (1.0 g, 5.8 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (10 mL) and sodium hydride 60% (278 mg) was added and the mixture stirred at RT for 15 min. 8- Bromooctanoic acid (0.37 g, 1.7 mmol) was converted to the sodium salt by addition of sodium hydride 60% and added to an aliquot (2.5 mL) of the above naphtholate solution and the resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 16 hours. Aqueous acetic acid (10 %) was added and the mixture was extracted 3 times with diethyl ether. The combined organic phases were dried with MgSO₄ and evaporated to dryness affording 300 mg of 8-(6-formylnaphthalen-2- yloxy)octanoic acid. HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z 315 (M+1); Rt. = 4.24 min.

Example 304 (General procedure (D)) 12-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]dodecanoic acid.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 492 (M+23); Rt.= 5.3 min.

The intermediate aldehyde was prepared similarly as described in example 303.

Example 305 (General procedure (D))

11 -[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]undecanoic acid.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z:478 (M+23); Rt.= 5.17 min.

The intermediate aldehyde was prepared similarly as described in example 303.

Example 306 (General procedure (D)) 15-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]pentadecanoic acid.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 534 (M+23); Rt.= 6.07 min.

The intermediate aldehyde was prepared similarly as described in example 303.

Example 307 (General procedure (D)) 6-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]hexanoic acid.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 408 (M+23); Rt.= 3.71 min.

Example 308 (General procedure (D)) 4-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]butyric acid.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 380 (M+23); Rt.= 3.23 min.

Example 309 (General procedure (D)) 6-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]hexanoic acid ethyl ester.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 436 (M+23); Rt .= 4.64 min.

Example 310 (General procedure (D))

4-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]butyric acid ethyl ester.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 408 (M+23); Rt.= 4.28 min.

Example 311

N-(3-Aminopropyl)-4-[4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-naphthalen-1-yloxy]- butyramide

To a mixture of 4-[4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyric acid (example 291 , 5.9 g, 16.5 mmol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (3.35 g, 24.8 mmol) in DMF (60 mL) was added 1-ethyl-3-(3'-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (4.75 g, 24.8 mmol) and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. Λ-(3- aminopropylcarbamic acid .erf-butyl ester (3.45 g, 19.8 mmol) was added and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and ethyl acetate and dichloromethane were added to the residue. The mixture was filtered, washed with water and dried in vacuo to afford 4.98 g (59%) of (3-{4-[4-(2,4- dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyrylamino}propyl)carbamic acid tert- butyl ester.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 515 (M+1); Rt = 3.79 min.

(3-{4-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyrylamino}- propyl)carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (4.9 g, 9.5 mmol) was added dichloromethane (50 mL) and trifluoroacetic acid (50 mL) and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 45 minutes. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and co-evaporated with toluene. To the residue was added ethyl acetate (100 mL) and the mixture was filtered and dried in vacuo to afford the title compound as the trifluoroacetic acid salt.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 414 (M+1); Rt = 2,27 min.

Preferred compounds of the invention includes:

The following compounds are commercially available and may be prepared according to general procedure (D):

Example 312

Example 313

Example 314

Example 315

Example 316

Example 317

Example 318

The following salicylic acid derivatives do all bind to the His B10 Zn²⁺ site of the insulin hexamer:

Example 319

Salicylic acid

Example 320

Thiosalicylic acid (or: 2-Mercaptobenzoic acid)

Example 321 2-Hydroxy-5-nitrobenzoic acid

Example 322

3-Nitrosalicyclic acid

Example 323

5,5'-Methylenedisalicylic acid

Example 324 2-Amino-5-trifluoromethylbenzoesyre

Example 325

2-Amino-4-chlorobenzoic acid

Example 326

2-Amino-5-methoxybenzoesyre

Example 327

Example 328

Example 329

Example 330

Example 331

Example 332

Example 333

5-lodosalicylic acid

Example 334

5-Chlorosalicylic acid

Example 335

1-Hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid

Example 336

3,5-Dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid

Example 337

3-Hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid

Example 338

3,7-Dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid

Example 339 2-Hydroxybenzo[a]carbazole-3-carboxylic acid

Example 340

7-Bromo-3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid

This compound was prepared according to Murphy et al., J. Med. Chem. 1990, 33, 171-8. HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 267 (M+1); Rt: = 3.78 min.

Example 341

1 ,6-Dibromo-2-hydroxynaphthalene-3-carboxylic acid

This compound was prepared according to Murphy et al., J. Med. Chem. 1990, 33, 171-8. HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 346 (M+1 ); Rt: = 4,19 min.

Example 342

7-Formyl-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic Acid

A solution of 7-bromo-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid (15.0 g, 56.2 mmol) (example 340) in tetrahydrofuran (100 mL) was added to a solution of lithium hydride (893 mg, 112 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (350 mL). After 30 minutes stirring at room temperature, the resulting solution was heated to 50 °C for 2 minutes and then allowed to cool to ambient tempera- ture over a period of 30 minutes. The mixture was cooled to -78 °C, and butyllithium (1.6 M in hexanes, 53 mL, 85 mmol) was added over a period of 15 minutes. Λ/,Λ/-Dimethylformamide (8.7 mL, 8.2 g, 112 mmol) was added after 90 minutes additional stirring. The cooling was discontinued, and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 17 hours before it was poured into 1 N hydrochloric acid (aq.) (750 mL). The organic solvents were evaporated in vacuo, and the resulting precipitate was filtered off and rinsed with water (3 x 100 mL) to yield the crude product (16.2 g). Purification on silica gel (dichloromethane / methanol / acetic acid = 90:9:1 ) furnished the title compound as a solid.

¹H-NMR (DMSO- e): £ 11.95 (1 H, bs), 10.02 (1H, s), 8.61 (1 H, s), 8.54 (1 H, s), 7.80 (2H, bs), 7.24 (1 H, s); HPLC-MS (Method (A)): m/z: 217 (M+1 ); Rt = 2.49 min.

Example 343

3-Hydroxy-7-methoxy-2-naphthoic acid

Example 344

4-Amino-2-hydroxybenzoic acid

Example 345

5-Acetylamino-2-hydroxybenzoic acid

Example 346 2-Hydroxy-5-methoxybenzoic acid

The following compounds were prepared as described below:

Example 347

4-Bromo-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid

3-Hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid (3.0 g, 15.9 mmol) was suspended in acetic acid (40 mL) and with vigorous stirring a solution of bromine (817 μL, 15.9 mmol) in acetic acid (10 mL) was added drop wise during 30 minutes. The suspension was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour, filtered and washed with water. Drying in vacuo afforded 3.74 g (88%) of 4-bromo-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid as a solid.

¹H-NMR (DMSO-cfe): δ 7.49 (1 H, t), 7.75 (1 H, t), 8.07 (2H, "t"), 8.64 (1H, s). The substitution pattern was confirmed by a COSY experiment, showing connectivities between the 3 (4 hydrogen) "triplets". HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 267 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.73 min.

Example 348

3-Hydroxy-4-iodonaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid

3-Hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid (0.5 g, 2.7 mmol) was suspended in acetic acid (5 mL) and with stirring iodine monochloride (135 μL, 2.7 mml) was added. The suspension was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour, filtered and washed with water. Drying afforded 0.72 g (85%) of 4-iodo-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid as a solid. ¹H-NMR (DMSO-cfe): δ 7.47 (1H, t), 7.73 (1H, t), 7.98 (1 H, d), 8.05 (1 H, d), 8.66 (1 H, s). HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 315 (M+1); Rt = 3.94 min.

Example 349

2-Hydroxy-5-[(4-methoxyphenylamino)methyl]benzoic acid H,

p-Anisidine (1.3 g, 10.6 mmol) was dissolved in methanol (20 mL) and 5-formylsalicylic acid (1.75 g, 10.6 mmol)was added and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The solid formed was isolated by filtration, re-dissolved in N-methyl pyrrolidone (20 mL) and methanol (2 mL). To the mixture was added sodium cyanoborohydride (1.2 g) and the mixture was heated to 70 °C for 3 hours. To the cooled mixture was added ethyl acetate (100 mL) and the mixture was extracted with water (100 mL) and saturated aqueous ammonium chloride (100 mL). The combined aqueous phases were concentrated in vacuo and a 2 g aliquot was purified by SepPac chromatography eluting with mixtures of aetonitrile and water containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid to afford the title compound.

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 274 (M+1); Rt = 1.77 min.

¹H-NMR (methanol-cf₄): δ 3.82 (3H, s), 4.45 (2H, s), 6.96 (1 H, d), 7.03 (2H, d), 7.23 (2H, d), 7.45 (1 H, dd), 7.92 (1 H, d).

Example 350

2-Hydroxy-5-(4- methoxyphenylsulfamoyl)benzoic acid

A solution of 5-chlrosulfonylsalicylic acid (0.96 g, 4.1 mmol) in dichloromethane (20 mL) and triethylamine (1.69 mL, 12.2 mmol) was added p-anisidine (0.49 g, 4.1 mmol) and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The mixture was added dichloromethane (50 mL) and was washed with water (2 x 100 mL). Drying (MgSO₄) of the organic phase and concentration in vacuo afforded 0.57 g crude product. Purification by column chromatography on silica gel eluting first with ethyl acetate: heptane (1 :1) then with methanol afforded 0.1 g of the title compound.

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 346 (M+23); Rt = 2.89 min. ¹H-NMR (DMSO-cf₆): δ 3.67 (3H, s), 6.62 (1 H, d), 6.77 (2H, d), 6.96 (2H, d), 7.40 (1 H, dd), 8.05 (1H, d), 9.6 (1 H, bs).

General procedure (E) for preparation of compounds of general formula l₄:

l₄

wherein Lea is a leaving group such as CI, Br, I or OSO₂CF₃, R is hydrogen or optionally the two R-groups may together form a 5-8 membered ring, a cyclic boronic acid ester, and T is as defined above.

An analogous chemical transformation has previously been described in the literature (Bumagin et al., Tetrahedron, 1997, 53, 14437-14450). The reaction is generally known as the Suzuki coupling reaction and is generally performed by reacting an aryl halide or triflate with an arylboronic acid or a heteroarylboronic acid in the presence of a palladium catalyst and a base such as sodium acetate, sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide. The solvent can be water, acetone, DMF, NMP, HMPA, methanol, ethanol toluene or a mixture of two or more of these solvents. The reaction is performed at room temperature or at elevated temperature.

The general procedure (E) is further illustrated in the following example: Example 351 (General Procedure (E))

7-(4-Acetylphenyl)-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic Acid

To 7-bromo-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid (100 mg, 0.37 mmol) (example 340) was added a solution of 4-acetylphenylboronic acid (92 mg, 0.56 mmol) in acetone (2.2 mL) followed by a solution of sodium carbonate (198 mg, 1.87 mmol) in water (3.3 mL). A suspension of palladium(ll) acetate (4 mg, 0.02 mmol) in acetone (0.5 mL) was filtered and added to the above solution. The mixture was purged with N₂ and stirred vigorously for 24 hours at room temperature. The reaction mixture was poured into 1 N hydrochloric acid (aq.) (60 mL) and the precipitate was filtered off and rinsed with water (3 x 40 mL). The crude product was dissolved in acetone (25 mL) and dried with magnesium sulfate (1 h). Filtration followed by concentration furnished the title compound as a solid (92 mg). ¹H-NMR (DMSO-cfe): £ 12.60 (1 H, bs), 8.64 (1 H, s), 8.42 (1 H, s), 8.08 (2H, d), 7.97 (2H, d), 7.92 (2H, m), 7.33 (1 H, s), 2.63 (3H, s); HPLC-MS (Method (A): m/z: 307 (M+1); Rt = 3.84 min.

The compounds in the following examples were prepared in a similar fashion. Optionally, the compounds can be further purified by recrystallization from e.g. ethanol or by chromatography.

Example 352 (General Procedure (E)) 3-Hydroxy-7-(3-methoxyphenyl)naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid

HPLC-MS (Method (A)): m/z: 295 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.60 min.

Example 353 (General Procedure (E)) 3-Hydroxy-7-phenylnaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid

HPLC-MS (Method (A)): m/z: 265 (M+1); Rt = 4.6 min.

Example 354 (General Procedure (E)) 3-Hydroxy-7-p-tolylnaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid

HPLC-MS (Method (A)): m/z: 279 (M+1); Rt = 4.95 min.

Example 355 (General Procedure (E)) 7-(4-Formylphenyl)-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid

HPLC-MS (Method (A)): m/z: 293 (M+1); Rt = 4.4 min.

Example 356 (General Procedure (E)) 6-Hydroxy-[1 ,2]binaphthalenyl-7-carboxylic acid

HPLC-MS (Method (A)): m/z: 315 (M+1 ); Rt = 5.17 min.

Example 357 (General Procedure (E)) 7-(4-Carboxy-phenyl)-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid

HPLC-MS (Method (A)): m/z: 309 (M+1); Rt = 3.60 min.

Example 358 (General Procedure (E)) 7-Benzofuran-2-yl-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid

HPLC-MS (Method (A)): m/z: 305 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.97 min.

Example 359 (General Procedure (E)) 3-Hydroxy-7-(4-methoxyphenyl)-naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid

HPLC-MS (Method (A)): m/z: 295 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.68 min.

Example 360 (General Procedure (E)) 7-(3-Ethoxyphenyl)-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid

HPLC-MS (Method (A)): m/z: 309 (M+1); Rt = 4.89 min. Example 361 (General Procedure (E))

7-Benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-yl-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid

HPLC-MS (Method (A)): m/z: 309 (M+1); Rt = 5.61 min.

Example 362 (General Procedure (E)) 7-Biphenyl-3-yl-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid

HPLC-MS (Method (A)): m/z: 341 (M+1 ); Rt = 5.45 min.

General procedure (F) for preparation of compounds of general formula l₅:

wherein R is hydrogen or Ci-Ce-alkyl and T is as defined above

This general procedure (F) is further illustrated in the following example:

Example 363 (General procedure (F))

3-Hydroxy-7-[(4-(2-propyl)phenylamino)methyl]naphthalene-2-carboxylic Acid-

7-Formyl-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid (40 mg, 0.19 mmol) (example 342) was suspended in methanol (300 μL). Acetic acid (16 μL, 17 mg, 0.28 mmol) and 4-(2- propyl)aniline (40 μL, 40 mg, 0.30 mmol) were added consecutively, and the resulting mixture was stirred vigorously at room temperature for 2 hours. Sodium cyanoborohydride (1.0 M in tetrahydrofuran, 300 μL, 0.3 mmol) was added, and the stirring was continued for another 17 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into 6 N hydrochloric acid (aq.) (6 mL), and the precipitate was filtered off and rinsed with water (3 x 2 mL) to yield the title compound (40 mg) as its hydrochloride salt. No further purification was necessary.

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆): £ 10.95 (1 H, bs), 8.45 (1 H, s), 7.96 (1 H, s), 7.78 (1 H, d), 7.62 (1 H, d), 7.32 (1 H, s), 7.13 (2H, bd), 6.98 (2H, bd), 4.48 (2H, s), 2.79 (1 H, sept), 1.14 (6H, d); HPLC- MS (Method (A)): m/z: 336 (M+1); Rt = 3.92 min.

The compounds in the following examples were made using this general procedure (F).

Example 364 (General procedure (F)) 7-{[(4-Bromophenyl)amino]methyl}-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic Acid

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 372 (M+1); Rt = 4.31 min.

Example 365 (General procedure (F)) 7-{[(3,5-Dichlorophenyl)amino]methyl}-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic Acid

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 362 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.75 min. Example 366 (General procedure (F)) 7-{[(Benzothiazol-6-yl)amino]methyl}-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic Acid

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 351 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.43 min.

Example 367 (General procedure (F)) 3-Hydroxy-7-{[(quinolin-6-yl)amino]methyl}naphthalene-2-carboxylic Acid

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 345 (M+1); Rt = 2.26 min.

Example 368 (General procedure (F)) 3-Hydroxy-7-{[(4-methoxyphenyl)amino]methyl}naphthalene-2-carboxylic Acid

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 324 (M+1 ); Rt = 2.57min.

Example 369 (General procedure (F))

7-{[(2,3-Dihydrobenzofuran-5-ylmethyl)amino]methyl}-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic Acid

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 350 (M+1); Rt = 2.22 min. Example 370 (General procedure (F))

7-{[(4-Chlorobenzyl)amino]methyl}-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic Acid

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 342 (M+1 ); Rt = 2.45 min.

Example 371 (General procedure (F))

3-Hydroxy-7-{[(naphthalen-1-ylmethyl)amino]methyl}naphthalene-2-carboxylic Acid

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 357 (M+1 ); Rt = 2.63 min.

Example 372 (General procedure (F))

7-{[(Biphenyl-2-ylmethyl)amino]methyl}-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic Acid

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 384 (M+1 ); Rt = 2.90 min.

Example 373 (General procedure (F))

3-Hydroxy-7-{[(4-phenoxybenzyl)amino]methyl}naphthalene-2-carboxylic Acid

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 400 (M+1); Rt = 3.15 min. Example 374 (General procedure (F))

3-Hydroxy-7-{[(4-methoxybenzyl)amino]methyl}naphthalene-2-carboxylic Acid

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 338 (M+1); Rt = 2.32 min.

General procedure (G) for preparation of compounds of general formula l_β:

wherein T is as defined above and the moiety is an anhydride.

The general procedure (G) is illustrated by the following example:

Example 375 (General procedure (G))

Λ/-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-7-[(4-(2-propyl)phenylamino)methyl]naphthalene-2-carboxylic Acid

3-Hydroxy-7-[(4-(2-propyl)phenylamino)methyl]naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid (25 mg, 0.07 mmol) (example 363) was suspended in tetrahydrofuran (200 μL). A solution of sodium hy- drogencarbonate (23 mg, 0.27 mmol) in water (200 μL) was added followed by acetic anhydride (14 μL, 15 mg, 0.15 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred vigorously for 65 hours at room temperature before 6 N hydrochloric acid (4 mL) was added. The precipitate was filtered off and rinsed with water (3 x 1 mL) to yield the title compound (21 mg). No further purification was necessary. ¹H-NMR (DMSO-cfe): £ 10.96 (1 H, bs), 8.48 (1 H, s), 7.73 (1 H, s), 7.72 (1H, d), 7.41 (1 H, dd), 7.28 (1H, s), 7.23 (2H, d), 7.18 (2H, d), 4.96 (2H, s), 2.85 (1H, sept), 1.86 (3H, s), 1.15 (6H, d); HPLC-MS (Method (A)): m/z: 378 (M+1); Rt = 3.90 min.

The compounds in the following examples were prepared in a similar fashion.

Example 376 (General procedure (G)) Λ/-Acetyl-7-{[(4-bromophenyl)amino]methyl}-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic Acid

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 414 (M+1); Rt = 3.76 min.

Example 377 (General procedure (G))

Λ/-Acetyl-7-{[(2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-ylmethyl)amino]methyl}-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2- carboxylic Acid

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 392 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.26 min.

Example 378 (General procedure (G))

Λ/-Acetyl-7-{[(4-chlorobenzyl)amino]methyl}-3-hydroxynaphthalene-2-carboxylic Acid

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 384 (M+1); Rt = 3.67 min.

Example 379

5-(3-(Naphthalen-2-yloxymethyl)-phenyl)-1H-tetrazole

To a mixture of 2-naphthol (10 g, 0.07 mol) and potassium carbonate (10 g, 0.073 mol) in acetone (150 mL), alpha-bromo-m-tolunitril (13.6 g, 0.07 mol) was added in portions. The reaction mixture was stirred at reflux temperature for 2.5 hours. The cooled reaction mixture was filtered and evaporated in vacuo affording an oily residue (19 g) which was dissolved in diethyl ether (150 mL) and stirred with a mixture of active carbon and MgSO₄ for 16 hours. The mixture was filtered and evaporated in vacuo affording crude 18.0 g (100 %) of 3- (naphthalen-2-yloxymethyl)-benzonitrile as a solid.

12 g of the above benzonitrile was recrystallised from ethanol (150 mL) affording 8.3 g (69 %) of 3-(naphthalen-2-yloxymethyl)-benzonitrile as a solid.

M.p. 60 - 61 °C. Calculated for C₁₈H₁₃NO: C, 83.37 %; H, 5.05 %; N, 5.40 %; Found C, 83.51 %; H, 5.03 %; N, 5.38 %.

To a mixture of sodium azide (1.46 g, 22.5 mmol) and ammonium chloride (1.28 g, 24.0 mmol) in dry dimethylformamide (20 mL) under an atmosphere of nitrogen, 3-(naphthalen-2- yloxymethyl)-benzonitrile (3.9 g, 15 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at 125 °C for 4 hours. The cooled reaction mixture was poured on to ice water (300 mL) and acidified to pH = 1 with 1 N hydrochloric acid. The precipitate was filtered off and washed with water, dried at 100 °C for 4 hours affording 4.2 g (93 %) of the title compound.

M.p. 200 - 202 °C. Calculated for C₁₈H₁₄N₄O:

C, 71.51 %; H, 4.67 %; N, 18.54 %; Found C, 72.11 %; H, 4.65 %; N, 17.43 %.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ_H 5.36 (s, 2H), 7.29 (dd, 1 H), 7.36 (dt, 1 H), 7.47 (m, 2H), 7.66 (t, 1 H), 7.74 (d, 1 H), 7.84 (m, 3H), 8.02 (d, 1 H), 8.22 (s, 1 H). Example 380

N-(3-(Tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl)-2-naphtoic acid amide

2-Naphtoic acid (10 g, 58 mmol) was dissolved in dichloromethane (100 mL) and N,N- dimethylformamide (0.2 mL) was added followed by thionyl chloride (5.1 ml, 70 mmol). The mixture was heated at reflux temperature for 2 hours. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture was added dropwise to a mixture of 3-aminobenzonitril (6.90 g, 58 mmol) and triethyl amine (10 mL) in dichloromethane (75 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred at room tem- perature for 30 minutes. Water (50 mL) was added and the volatiles was exaporated in_ vacuo. The resulting mixture was filtered and the filter cake was washed with water followed by heptane (2 x 25 mL). Drying in vacuo at 50 °C for 16 hours afforded 15.0 g (95 %) of N-(3- cyanophenyl)-2-naphtoic acid amide.

M.p. 138-140 °C

The above naphthoic acid amide (10 g, 37 mmol) was dissolved in N,N-dimethylformamide (200 mL) and sodium azide (2.63 g, 40 mmol) and ammonium chloride (2.16 g, 40 mmol) were added and the mixture heated at 125 °C for 6 hours. Sodium azide (1.2 g) and ammo- nium chloride (0.98 g) were added and the mixture heated at 125 °C for 16 hours. After cooling, the mixture was poured into water (1.5 I) and stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. The solid formed was filtered off, washed with water and dried in vacuo at 50 °C for 3 days affording 9.69 g (84 %) of the title compound as a solid which could be further purified by treatment with ethanol at reflux temperature.

¹H NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ_H 7.58-7.70 (m, 3H), 7.77 (d, 1 H), 8.04-8.13 (m, 5H), 8.65 (d, 1 H), 10.7 (s, 1 H).

Calculated for Cι₈H₁₃N₅O, 0.75 H₂O: C, 65.74 %; H, 4.44 %; N, 21.30 %. Found: C, 65.58 %; H, 4.50 %; N, 21.05 %. Example 381

5-[3-(Biphenyl-4-yloxymethyl)phenyl]-1H-tetrazole

To a solution of 4-phenylphenol (10.0 g, 59 mmol) in dry N,N-dimethyl-formamide (45 mL) kept under an atmosphere of nitrogen, sodium hydride (2.82 g, 71 mmol, 60 % dispersion in oil) was added in portions and the reaction mixture was stirred until gas evolution ceased. A solution of m-cyanobenzyl bromide (13 g, 65 mmol) in dry N,N-dimethylformamide (45 mL) was added dropwise and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. The reaction mixture was poured on to ice water (150 mL). The precipitate was filtered of and washed with 50 % ethanol

(3 x 50 mL), ethanol (2 x 50 mL), diethyl ether (80 mL), and dried in vacuo at

50 °C for 18 hours affording crude 17.39 g of 3-(biphenyl-4-yloxymethyl)-benzonitrile as a solid.

¹H NMR (200 MHz, CDCI₃) δ_H 5.14 (s, 2H), 7.05 (m, 2H), 7.30 - 7.78 (m, 11 H).

To a mixture of sodium azide (2.96 g, 45.6 mmol) and ammonium chloride (2.44 g, 45.6 mmol) in dry N,N-dimethylformamide (100 mL) under an atmosphere of nitrogen, 3-(biphenyl- 4-yloxymethyl)-benzonitrile (10.0 g, 35.0 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at 125 °C for 18 hours. The cooled reaction mixture was poured on to a mixture of 1 N hydrochloric acid (60 mL) and ice water (500 mL). The precipitate was filtered off and washed with water (3 x 100 mL), 50 % ethanol (3 x 100 mL), ethanol (50 mL), diethyl ether (50 mL), ethanol (80 mL), and dried in vacuo at 50 °C for 18 hours affording 8.02 g (70 %) of the title compound.

¹H NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ_H 5.31 (s, 2H), 7.19 (m, 2H), 7.34 (m, 1 H), 7.47 (m, 2H), 7.69 (m, 6H), 8.05 (dt, 1H), 8.24 (s, 1 H).

Example 382 5-(3-Phenoxymethyl)-phenyl)-tetrazole

3-Bromomethylbenzonitrile (5.00 g, 25.5 mmol) was dissolved in N.N-dimethylformamide (50 mL), phenol (2.40 g, 25.5 mmol) and potassium carbonate (10.6 g, 77 mmol) were added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The mixture was poured into water (400 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate (2 x 200 mL). The combined organic extracts were washed with water (2 x 100 mL), dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated in vacuo to afford 5.19 g (97 %) 3-(phenoxymethyl)benzonitrile as an oil.

TLC: R_f = 0.38 (Ethyl acetate/heptane = 1 :4)

The above benzonitrile (5.19 g, 24.8 mmol) was dissolved in N.N-dimethylformamide (100 mL) and sodium azide (1.93 g, 30 mmol) and ammonium chloride (1.59 g, 30 mmol) were added and the mixture was heated at 140 °C for 16 hours. After cooling, the mixture was poured into water (800 mL). The aqeous mixture was washed with ethyl acetate (200 mL). The pH of the aqueous phase was adjusted to 1 with 5 N hydrochloric acid and stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. Filtration, washing with water and drying in vacuo at 50 °C afforded 2.06 g (33 %) of the title compound as a solid.

¹H NMR (200 MHz, CDCI₃ + DMSO-αf₆) δ_H 5.05 (s, 2H), 6.88 (m, 3H), 7.21 (m, 2H), 7.51 (m, 2H), 7.96 (dt, 1 H), 8.14 (s, 1 H).

Example 383

5-[3-(Biphenyl-4-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-1 H-tetrazole

To a solution of 3-cyanophenol (5.0 g, 40.72 mmol) in dry N.N-dimethylformamide (100 mL) kept under an atmosphere of nitrogen, sodium hydride (2 g, 48.86 mmol, 60 % dispersion in oil) was added in portions and the reaction mixture was stirred until gas evolution ceased, p- Phenylbenzyl chloride (9.26 g, 44.79 mmol) and potassium iodide (0.2 g, 1.21 mmol) were added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 60 hours. The reaction mixture was poured on to a mixture of saturated sodium carbonate (100 mL) and ice water (300 mL). The precipitate was filtered of and washed with water (3 x 100 mL), n-hexane (2 x 80 mL) and dried in vacuo at 50 °C for 18 hours affording 11.34 g (98 %) of 3-(biphenyl-4- ylmethoxy)-benzonitrile as a solid.

To a mixture of sodium azide (2.37 g, 36.45 mmol) and ammonium chloride (1.95 g, 36.45 mmol) in dry N.N-dimethylformamide (100 mL) under an atmosphere of nitrogen, 3-(biphenyl- 4-ylmethoxy)-benzonitrile (8.0 g, 28.04 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at 125 °C for 18 hours. To the cooled reaction mixture water (100 mL) was added and the reaction mixture stirred for 0.75 hour. The precipitate was filtered off and washed with water, 96 % ethanol (2 x 50 mL), and dried in vacuo at 50°C for 18 hours affording 5.13 g (56 %) of the title compound.

¹H NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ_H 5.29 (s, 2H), 7.31 (dd, 1H), 7.37 - 7.77 (m, 12H).

Example 384

5-[4-(Biphenyl-4-ylmethoxy)-3-methoxyphenyl]-1H-tetrazol

This compound was made similarly as described in example 383.

Example 386

5-(2-Naphtylmethyl)-1 H-tetrazole

This compound was prepared similarly as described in example 379, step 2.

Example 387

5-(1 -Naphtylmethyl)-1 H-tetrazole

This compound was prepared similarly as described in example 379, step 2.

Example 388

5-[4-(Biphenyl-4-yloxymethyl)phenyl]-1 H-tetrazole

A solution of alpha-bromo-p-tolunitrile (5.00 g, 25.5 mmol), 4-phenylphenol (4.56 g, 26.8 mmol), and potassium carbonate (10.6 g, 76.5 mmol) in N.N-dimethylformamide (75 mL) was stirred vigorously for 16 hours at room temperature. Water (75 mL) was added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. The precipitate was filtered off and washed with thoroughly with water. Drying in vacuo over night at 50 °C afforded 7.09 g (97 %) of 4- (biphenyl-4-yloxymethyl)benzonitrile as a solid.

The above benzonitrile (3.00 g, 10.5 mmol) was dissolved in N.N-dimethylformamide (50 mL), and sodium azide (1.03 g, 15.8 mmol) and ammonium chloride (0.84 g, 15.8 mmol) were added and the mixture was stirred 16 hours at 125 °C. The mixture was cooled to room temperature and water (50 mL) was added. The suspension was stirred overnight, filtered, washed with water and dried in vacuo at 50 °C for 3 days to give crude 3.07 g (89 %) of the title compound. From the mother liquor crystals were colected and washed with water, dried by suction to give 0.18 g (5 %) of the title compound as a solid.

¹H NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ_H 5.21 (s, 2H), 7.12 (d, 2H), 7.30 (t, 1 H), 7.42 (t, 2H), 7.56- 7.63 (m, 6H), 8.03 (d, 2H).

Calculated for C₂₀H₁₆N₄O, 2H₂O: C, 65.92 %; H, 5.53 %; N, 15.37 %. Found: C, 65.65 %; H, 5.01 %; N, 14.92 %.

Example 389

This compound was prepared similarly as described in example 383.

Example 390

Example 391

Example 392

Example 393

5-(3-(Biphenyl-4-yloxymethyl)-benzyl)-1 H-tetrazole

Example 394

5-(1 -Naphthyl)-1 H-tetrazole

This compound was prepared similarly as described in example 379, step 2.

Example 395

5-[3-Methoxy-4-(4-methylsulfonylbenzyloxy)phenyl]-1H-tetrazole

This compound was made similarly as described in example 383.

Example 396

5-(2-Naphthyl)-1 H-tetrazole

This compound was prepared similarly as described in example 379, step 2.

Example 397

2-Amino-N-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-benzamide

Example 398

5-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1 H-tetrazole

This compound was prepared similarly as described in example 379, step 2. Example 399

4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-ylmethoxy)benzoic acid

To a mixture of methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (30.0 g, 0.20 mol), sodium iodide (30.0 g, 0.20 mol) and potassium carbonate (27.6 g, 0.20 mol) in acetone (2000 mL) was added chloroacetonitrile (14.9 g , 0.20 mol). The mixture was stirred at RT for 3 days. Water was added and the mixture was acidified with 1 N hydrochloric acid and the mixture was extracted with diethyl ether. The combined organic layers were dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in acetone and chloroacetonitrile (6.04 g,0.08 mol), so- dium iodide (12.0 g, 0.08 mol) and potassium carbonate (11.1 g, 0.08 mol) were added and the mixture was stirred for 16 hours at RT and at 60 °C. More chloroacetonitrile was added until the conversion was 97%. Water was added and the mixture was acidified with 1 N hydrochloric acid and the mixture was extracted with diethyl ether. The combined organic layers were dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo to afford methyl 4- cyanomethyloxybenzoate in quantitative yield. This compound was used without further purification in the following step.

A mixture of methyl 4-cyanomethyloxybenzoate (53.5 g,0.20 mol), sodium azide (16.9 g, 0.26 mol) and ammonium chloride (13.9 g, 0.26 mol) in DMF 1000 (mL) was refluxed overnight under N₂. After cooling, the mixture was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was suspended in cold water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases were washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo, to afford methyl 4-(2H-tetrazol-5- ylmethoxy)benzoate. This compound was used as such in the following step.

Methyl 4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-ylmethoxy)-benzoate was refluxed in 3N sodium hydroxide. The reaction was followed by TLC (DCM:MeOH = 9:1). The reaction mixture was cooled, acidified and the product filtered off. The impure product was washed with DCM, dissolved in MeOH, filtered and purified by column chromatography on silica gel (DCM:MeOH = 9:1 ).The resulting product was recrystallised from DCM:MeOH=95:5. This was repeated until the product was pure. This afforded 13.82 g (30 %) of the title compound.

¹H-NMR (DMSO-cfe): 4.70 (2H, s), 7.48 (2H, d), 7.73 (2H, d), 13 (1 H, bs). Example 400

4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-ylmethylsulfanyl)benzoic acid

To a solution of sodium hydroxide (10.4 g, 0.26 mol) in degassed water (600 mL) was added 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (20.0 g, 0.13 mol). This solution was stirred for 30 minutes. To a solution of potassium carbonate (9.0 g, 65 mmol) in degassed water (400 mL) was added chloroacetonitrile (9.8 g, (0.13 mol) portion-wise. These two solutions were mixed and stirred for 48 hours at RT under N₂. The mixture was filtered and washed with heptane. The aque- ous phase was acidified with 3N hydrochloric acid and the product was filtered off, washed with water and dried, affording 4-cyanomethylsulfanylbenzoic acid (27.2 g, 88%). This compound was used without further purification in the following step.

A mixture of 4-cyanomethylsulfanylbenzoic acid (27.2 g, 0.14 mol), sodium azide (11.8 g, 0,18 mol) and ammonium chloride (9.7 g, 0.18 mol) in DMF ( 000 mL) was refluxed overnight under N₂. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was suspended in cold water and extracted with diethyl ether. The combined organic phases were washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. Water was added and the precipitate was filtered off. The aqueous layer was concentrated in vacuo, water was added and the precipitate filtered off. The combined impure products were purified by column chromatography using DCM:MeOH = 9:1 as eluent, affording the title compound (5.2 g, 16%).

¹H-NMR (DMSO-cf₆): 5.58 (2H, s), 7.15 (2H, d), 7.93 (2H, d), 12.7 (1 H, bs).

Example 401

3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

3-Bromo-9H-carbazole was prepared as described by Smith et al. in Tetrahedron 1992, 48, 7479-7488.

A solution of 3-bromo-9H-carbazole (23.08 g, 0.094 mol) and cuprous cyanide (9.33 g, 0.103 mol) in Λ/-methyl-pyrrolidone (300 ml) was heated at 200 °C for 5 h. The cooled reaction mix- ture was poured on to water (600 ml) and the precipitate was filtered off and washed with ethyl acetate (3 x 50 ml). The filtrate was extracted with ethyl acetate (3 x 250 ml) and the combined ethyl acetate extracts were washed with water (150 ml), brine (150 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was crystallised from heptanes and recrys- tallised from acetonitrile (70 ml) affording 7.16 g (40 %) of 3-cyano-9H-carbazole as a solid. M.p. 180 - 181 °C.

3-Cyano-9H-carbazole (5.77 g, 30 mmol) was dissolved in Λ/,Λ/-dimethylformamide (150 ml), and sodium azide (9.85 g, 152 mmol), ammonium chloride (8.04 g, 150 mmol) and lithium chloride (1.93 g, 46 mmol) were added and the mixture was stirred for 20 h at 125 °C. To the reaction mixture was added an additional portion of sodium azide (9.85 g, 152 mmol) and ammonium chloride (8.04 g, 150 mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred for an additional 24 h at 125 °C. The cooled reaction mixture was poured on to water (500 ml). The suspension was stirred for 0.5 h, and the precipitate was filtered off and washed with water (3 x 200 ml) and dried in vacuo at 50 °C. The dried crude product was suspended in diethyl ether (500 ml) and stirred for 2 h, filtered off and washed with diethyl ether (2 x 200 ml) and dried in vacuo at 50 °C affording 5.79 g (82 %) of the title compound as a solid.

¹H-NMR (DMSO-de): £ 11.78 (1 H, bs), 8.93 (1 H, d), 8.23 (1 H, d), 8.14 (1 H, dd), 7.72 (1 H, d), 7.60 (1 H, d), 7.49 (1 H, t), 7.28 (1H, t); HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 236 (M+1); Rt = 2.77 min.

The following commercially available tetrazoles do all bind to the His B10 Zn²⁺ site of the insulin hexamer:

Example 402 5-(3-Tolyl)-1 H-tetrazole

Example 403

5-(2-Bromophenyl)tetrazole

Example 404

5-(4-Ethoxalylamino-3-nitrophenyl)tetrazole

Example 405

Example 406

Example 407

Example 408

Example 409

Tetrazole

Example 410

5-Methyltetrazole

Example 411

5-Benzyl-2H-tetrazole 7XO

Example 412

4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)benzoic acid

Example 413

5-Phenyl-2H-tetrazole

Example 414

5-(4-Chlorophenylsulfanylmethyl)-2H-tetrazole

Example 415 5-(3-Benzyloxyphenyl)-2H-tetrazole

Example 416

2-Phenyl-6-(1 H-tetrazol-5-yl)-chromen-4-one

Example 417

Example 418

Example 419

Example 420

Example 421

Example 422

5-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-1 H-tetrazole

Example 423

Example 424

Example 425

Example 426

Example 427

Example 428

Example 429

Example 430

Example 431

Example 432

Example 433

Example 434

Example 435

Example 436

Example 437

Example 438

Example 439

Example 440

Example 441

Example 442

Example 443

Example 444

Example 445

Example 446

Example 447

Example 448

Example 449

Example 450

Example 451

Example 452

General procedure (H) for preparation of compounds of general formula l₇:

NaCBH₃

wherein A , AR , and AR are as defined above.

The reaction is generally known as a reductive alkylation reaction and is generally performed by stirring an aldehyde with an amine at low pH (by addition of an acid, such as acetic acid or formic acid) in a solvent such as THF, DMF, NMP, methanol, ethanol, DMSO, dichloro- methane, 1 ,2-dichloroethane, trimethyl orthoformate, triethyl orthoformate, or a mixture of two or more of these. As reducing agent sodium cyano borohydride or sodium triacetoxy borohydride may be used. The reaction is performed between 20°C and 120°C, preferably at room temperature.

When the reductive alkylation is complete, the product is isolated by extraction, filtration, chromatography or other methods known to those skilled in the art.

The general procedure (H) is further illustrated in the following example 453:

Example 453 (General procedure (H)) Biphenyl-4-ylmethyl-[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

A solution of 5-(3-aminophenyl)-2H-tetrazole (example 589, 48 mg, 0.3 mmol) in DMF (250 μL) was mixed with a solution of 4-biphenylylcarbaldehyde (54 mg, 0.3 mmol) in DMF (250 μL) and acetic acid glacial (250 μL) was added to the mixture followed by a solution of sodium cyano borohydride (15 mg, 0.24 mmol) in methanol (250 μL). The resulting mixture was shaken at room temperature for 2 hours. Water (2 mL) was added to the mixture and the resulting mixture was shaken at room temperature for 16 hours. The mixture was centrifugated (6000 rpm, 10 minutes) and the supernatant was removed by a pipette. The residue was washed with water (3 mL), centrifugated (6000 rpm, 10 minutes) and the supernatant was removed by a pipette. The residue was dried in vacuo at 40 °C for 16 hours to afford the title compound as a solid.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 328 (M+1 ), 350 (M+23); Rt = 4.09 min.

Example 454 (General procedure (H)) Benzyl-[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 252 (M+1); Rt = 3,74 min.

Example 455 (General procedure (H)) (4-Methoxybenzyl)-[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 282,2 (M+1); Rt = 3,57min.

Example 456 (General procedure (H)) 4-{[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)phenylamino]methyl}phenol

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 268,4 (M+1); Rt = 2,64 min.

Example 457 (General procedure (H)) (4-Nitrobenzyl)-[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 297,4 (M+1); Rt = 3,94 min.

Example 458 (General procedure (H)) (4-Chlorobenzyl)-[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 287,2 (M+1); Rt = 4,30 min.

Example 459 (General procedure (H)) (2-Chlorobenzyl)-[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 286 (M+1 ); Rt = 4,40 min.

Example 460 (General procedure (H)) (4-Bromobenzyl)-[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z:332 (M+1); Rt = 4,50 min.

Example 461 (General procedure (H)) (3-Benzyloxybenzyl)-[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 358 (M+1 ); Rt = 4,94 min.

Example 462 (General procedure (H)) Naphthalen-1 -ylmethyl-[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 302 (M+1); Rt = 4,70 min.

Example 463 (General procedure (H)) Naphthalen-2-ylmethyl-[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 302 (M+1); Rt = 4,60 min.

Example 464 (General procedure (H)) 4-{[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)phenylamino]methyl}benzoic acid

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 296 (M+1); Rt = 3,24 min.

Example 465 (General procedure (H)) [3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)-phenyl]-[3-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)benzyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 412 (M+1); Rt = 5,54 min.

Example 466 (General procedure (H)) (3-Phenoxybenzyl)-[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 344 (M+1); Rt = 5,04 min.

Example 467 (General procedure (H)) (4-Phenoxy-benzyl)-[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 344 (M+1); Rt = 5,00 min.

Example 468 (General procedure (H)) (4-{[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)phenylamino]methyl}phenoxy)acetic acid

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 326 (M+1); Rt = 3,10 min.

Example 469 (General procedure (H)) (4-Benzyloxybenzyl)-[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 358 (M+1); Rt = 4,97 min.

Example 470 (General procedure (H)) 3-(4-{[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)phenylamino]methyl}phenyl)acrylic acid

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 322 (M+1); Rt = 3,60 min.

Example 471 (General procedure (H)) Dimethyl-(4-{[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenylamino]methyl}naphthalen-1-yl)amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 345 (M+1 ); Rt = 3,07 min.

Example 472 (General procedure (H)) (4'-Methoxybiphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 358 (M+1); Rt = 4,97 min.

Example 473 (General procedure (H)) (2'-Chlorobiphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 362 (M+1); Rt = 5,27 min. Example 474 (General procedure (H)) Benzyl-[4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

For preparation of starting material, see example 590. HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 252 (M+1); Rt = 3,97 min.

Example 475 (General procedure (H)) (4-Methoxybenzyl)-[4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 282 (M+1 ); Rt = 3,94 min.

Example 476 (General procedure (H)) 4-{[4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)phenylamino]methyl}phenol

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 268 (M+1); Rt = 3,14 min.

Example 477 (General procedure (H)) (4-Nitrobenzyl)-[4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: (M+1 ); Rt = 3,94 min. Example 478 (General procedure (H))

(4-Chlorobenzyl)-[4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: (M+1); Rt = 4,47 min.

Example 479 (General procedure (H)) (2-Chlorobenzyl)-[4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 286 (M+1); Rt = 4,37 min.

Example 480 (General procedure (H)) (4-Bromobenzyl)-[4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 331 (M+1); Rt = 4,57 min.

Example 481 (General procedure (H)) (3-Benzyloxybenzyl)-[4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 358 (M+1); Rt = 5,07min. Example 482 (General procedure (H))

Naphthalen-1 -ylmethyl-[4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 302 (M+1 ); Rt = 4,70 min.

Example 483 (General procedure (H)) Naphthalen-2-ylmethyl-[4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 302 (M+1 ); Rt = 4,70 min.

Example 484 (General procedure (H)) Biphenyl-4-ylmethyl-[4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 328 (M+1); Rt = 5,07 min.

Example 485 (General procedure (H)) 4-{[4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)phenylamino]methyl}benzoic acid

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 296 (M+1); Rt = 3,34 min. Example 486 (General procedure (H)) [4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]-[3-(3-trifluoromethylphenoxy)benzyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 412 (M+1 ); Rt = 5,54 min.

Example 487 (General procedure (H)) (3-Phenoxybenzyl)-[4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 344 (M+1); Rt = 5,07 min.

Example 488 (General procedure (H)) (4-Phenoxybenzyl)-[4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-phenyl]-amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 344 (M+1); Rt = 5,03 min.

Example 489 (General procedure (H)) 3-{[4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)phenylamino]methyl}benzoic acid

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 286 (M+1); Rt = 3,47 min. Example 490 (General procedure (H)) (4-{[4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)phenylamino]methyl}phenoxy)acetic acid

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 326 (M+1); Rt = 3,40 min.

Example 491 (General procedure (H)) (4-Benzyloxybenzyl)-[4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 358 (M+1); Rt = 5,14 min.

Example 492 (General procedure (H)) 3-(4-{[4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)phenylamino]methyl}phenyl)acrylic acid

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 322 (M+1); Rt = 3,66 min.

Example 493 (General procedure (H)) Dimethyl-(4-{[4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenylamino]methyl}naphthalen-1-yl)amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 345 (M+1); Rt = 3,10 min. Example 494 (General procedure (H))

(4'-Methoxybiphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-[4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl]amine ,

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 358 (M+1 ); Rt = 5,04 min.

Example 495 (General procedure (H))

(2'-Chlorobiphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-[4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-phenyl]-amine

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 362 (M+1 ); Rt = 5,30 min.

General procedure (I) for preparation of compounds of general formula l₈:

HOAt

wherein A¹, AR¹, and AR² are as defined above.

This procedure is very similar to general procedure (A), the only difference being the carbox- ylic acid is containing a tetrazole moiety. When the acylation is complete, the product is isolated by extraction, filtration, chromatography or other methods known to those skilled in the art.

The general procedure (I) is further illustrated in the following example 496:

Example 496 (General procedure (I)) 4-[4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)benzoylamino]benzoic acid

To a solution of 4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)benzoic acid (example 412, 4 mmol) and HOAt (4.2 mmol) in DMF (6 mL) was added 1-ethyl-3-(3'-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (4.2 mmol) and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. An alquot of this HOAt-ester solution (0.45 mL) was mixed with 0.25 mL of a solution of 4- aminobenzoic acid (1.2 mmol in 1 mL DMF). (Anilines as hydrochlorides can also be utilised, a slight excess of triethylamine was added to the hydrochloride suspension in DMF prior to mixing with the HOAt-ester.) The resulting mixture was shaken for 3 days at room temperature. 1 N hydrochloric acid (2 mL) was added and the mixture was shaken for 16 hours at room temperature. The solid was isolated by centrifugation (alternatively by filtration or extraction) and was washed with water (3 mL). Drying in vacuo at 40 °C for 2 days afforded the title compound.

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 310 (M+1 ); Rt = 2.83 min.

Example 497 (General procedure (I)) 3-[4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)benzoylamino]benzoic acid

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 310 (M+1); Rt = 2.89 min.

Example 498 (General procedure (I))

3-{4-[4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)benzoylamino]phenyl}acrylic acid

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 336 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.10 min.

Example 499 (General procedure (I)) 3-{4-[4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)benzoylamino]phenyl}propionic acid

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 338 (M+1 ); Rt = 2.97 min.

Example 500 (General procedure (I)) 3-Methoxy-4-[4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)benzoylamino]benzoic acid

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 340 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.03 min.

Example 501 (General procedure (I)) Λ/-(4-Benzyloxyphenyl)-4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)benzamide

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 372 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.47 min.

Example 502 (General procedure (I)) Λ/-(4-Phenoxyphenyl)-4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)benzamide

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 358 (M+1); Rt = 4.50 min.

Example 503 (General procedure (I)) Λ/-(9H-Fluoren-2-yl)-4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)benzamide

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 354 (M+1); Rt = 4.60 min.

Example 504 (General procedure (I)) Λ/-(9-Ethyl-9H-carbazol-2-yl)-4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)benzamide

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 383 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.60 min.

Example 505 (General procedure (I)) Λ/-Phenyl-4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)benzamide

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 266 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.23 min. Example 506 (General procedure (I)) 4-[4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-ylmethoxy)benzoylamino]benzoic acid

The starting material was prepared as described in example 399. HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 340 (M+1 ); Rt = 2.83 min.

Example 507 (General procedure (I)) 3-[4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-ylmethoxy)benzoylamino]benzoic acid

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 340 (M+1 ); Rt = 2.90 min.

Example 508 (General procedure (I)) 3-{4-[4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-ylmethoxy)benzoylamino]phenyl}acrylic acid

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 366 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.07 min.

Example 509 (General procedure (I)) 3-{4-[4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-ylmethoxy)benzoylamino]phenyl}propionic acid

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 368 (M+1 ); Rt = 2.97 min. Example 510 (General procedure (I))

3-Methoxy-4-[4-(2H-tetrazol-5-ylmethoxy)benzoylamino]benzoic acid

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 370 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.07 min.

Example 511 (General procedure (I)) Λ/-(4-Benzyloxyphenyl)-4-(2H-tetrazol-5-ylmethoxy)benzamide

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 402 (M+1); Rt = 4.43 min.

Example 512 (General procedure (I)) Λ/-(4-Phenoxyphenyl)-4-(2H-tetrazol-5-ylmethoxy)benzamide

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 388 (M+1); Rt = 4.50 min.

Example 513 (General procedure (I)) Λ/-(9H-Fluoren-2-yl)-4-(2H-tetrazol-5-ylmethoxy)benzamide

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 384 (M+1); Rt = 4.57 min. Example 514 (General procedure (I)) Λ/-(9-Ethyl-9H-carbazol-2-yl)-4-(2H-tetrazol-5-ylmethoxy)benzamide

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 413 (M+1); Rt = 4.57 min.

Example 515 (General procedure (I)) Λ/-Phenyl-4-(2H-tetrazol-5-ylmethoxy)benzamide

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 296 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.23 min.

Example 516 (General procedure (I)) 4-[4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-ylmethylsulfanyl)benzoylamino]benzoic acid

The starting material was prepared as described in example 400. HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 356 (M+1 ); Rt = 2.93 min.

Example 517 (General procedure (I)) 3-[4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-ylmethylsulfanyl)benzoylamino]benzoic acid

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 356 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.00 min. Example 518 (General procedure (I)) 3-{4-[4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-ylmethylsulfanyl)benzoylamino]phenyl}acrylic acid

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 382 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.26 min.

Example 519 (General procedure (I)) 3-{4-[4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-ylmethylsulfanyl)benzoylamino]phenyl}propionic acid

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 384 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.10 min.

Example 520 (General procedure (I))

3-Methoxy-4-[4-(2H-tetrazol-5-ylmethylsulfanyl)benzoylamino]benzoic acid

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 386 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.20 min.

Example 521 (General procedure (I)) Λ/-(4-Benzyloxyphenyl)-4-(2H-tetrazol-5-ylmethylsulfanyl)benzamide

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 418 (M+1); Rt = 4.57 min. Example 522 (General procedure (I)) Λ/-(4-Phenoxyphenyl)-4-(2H-tetrazol-5-ylmethylsulfanyl)benzamide

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 404 (M+1); Rt = 4.60 min.

Example 523 (General procedure (I)) Λ/-(9H-Fluoren-2-yl)-4-(2H-tetrazol-5-ylmethylsulfanyl)benzamide

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 400 (M+1); Rt = 4.67 min.

Example 524 (General procedure (I)) Λ/-(9-Ethyl-9H-carbazol-2-yl)-4-(2H-tetrazol-5-ylmethylsulfanyl)benzamide

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 429 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.67 min.

Example 525 (General procedure (I)) Λ/-Phenyl-4-(2H-tetrazol-5-ylmethylsulfanyl)benzamide

HPLC-MS (Method D): m/z: 312 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.40 min. General procedure (J) for solution phase preparation of amides of general formula l_g:

wherein AR2 is as defined above.

This general procedure (J) is further illustrated in the following example.

Example 526 (General procedure (J)). 9-(3-Chlorobenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole (example 401 , 17 g, 72.26 mmol) was dissolved in N,N- dimethylformamide (150 mL). Triphenylmethyl chloride (21.153 g, 75.88 mmol) and triethylamine (20.14 mL, 14.62 g, 144.50 mmol) were added consecutively. The reaction mixture was stirred for 18 hours at room temperature, poured into water (1.5 L) and stirred for an additional 1 hour. The crude product was filtered off and dissolved in dichloromethane (500 mL). The organic phase was washed with water (2 x 250 mL) and dried with magnesium sulfate (1 h). Filtration followed by concentration yielded a solid which was triturated in heptanes (200 mL). Filtration furnished 3-[2-(triphenylmethyl)-2H-tetrazol-5-yl]-9H-carbazole (31.5 g) which was used without further purification.

¹H-NMR (CDCI₃): £8.87 (1H, d), 8.28 (1 H, bs), 8.22 (1 H, dd), 8.13 (1 H, d), 7.49 (1 H, d), 7.47- 7.19 (18H, m); HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 243 (triphenylmethyl); Rt = 5.72 min. 3-[2-(Triphenylmethyl)-2H-tetrazol-5-yl]-9H-carbazole (200 mg, 0.42 mmol) was dissolved in methyl sulfoxide (1.5 mL). Sodium hydride (34 mg, 60 %, 0.85 mmol) was added, and the resulting suspension was stirred for 30 min at room temperature. 3-Chlorobenzyl chloride (85 μL, 108 mg, 0.67 mmol) was added, and the stirring was continued at 40 °C for 18 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and poured into 0.1 N hydrochloric acid (aq.) (15 mL). The precipitated solid was filtered off and washed with water (3 x 10 mL) to furnish 9-(3-chlorobenzyl)-3-[2-(triphenylmethyl)-2H-tetrazol-5-yl]-9H-carbazole, which was dissolved in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran and 6 N hydrochloric acid (aq.) (9:1) (10 mL) and stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into water (100 mL). The solid was filtered off and rinsed with water (3 x 10 mL) and dichloromethane (3 x 10 mL) to yield the title compound (127 mg). No further purification was necessary. ¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆): £8.89 (1 H, d), 8.29 (1 H, d), 8.12 (1 H, dd), 7.90 (1 H, d), 7.72 (1 H, d), 7.53 (1 H, t), 7.36-7.27 (4H, m), 7.08 (1 H, bt), 5.78 (2H, s); HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 360 (M+1); Rt = 5.07 min.

The compounds in the following examples were prepared in a similar fashion. Optionally, the compounds can be further purified by recrystallization from e.g. aqueous sodium hydroxide (1 N) or by chromatography.

Example 527 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(4-Chlorobenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 360 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.31 min.

Example 528 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(4-Methylbenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 340 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.26 min. Example 529 (General Procedure (J)). 3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)-9-(4-trifluoromethylbenzyl)-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 394 (M+1); Rt = 4.40 min.

Example 530 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(4-Benzyloxybenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 432 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.70 min.

Example 531 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(3-Methylbenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

₃ HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 340 (M+1); Rt = 4.25 min. Example 532 (General Procedure (J)). 9-Benzyl-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

H-NMR (DMSO-d₆): £8.91 (1 H, dd), 8.30 (1 H, d), 8.13 (1 H, dd), 7.90 (1H, d), 7.73 (1 H, d), 7.53 (1 H, t), 7.36-7.20 (6H, m), 5.77 (2H, s).

Example 533 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(4-Phenylbenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

¹H-NMR (DMSO-C7₆): £8.94 (1 H, s), 8.33 (1 H, d), 8.17 (1 H, dd), 7.95 (1 H, d), 7.77 (1 H, d), 7.61-7.27 (11 H, m), 5.82 (2H, s).

Example 534 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(3-Methoxybenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 356 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.99 min. Example 535 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(Naphthalen-2-ylmethyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 376 (M+1); Rt = 4.48 min.

Example 536 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(3-Bromobenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 404 (M+1); Rt = 4.33 min.

Example 537 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(Biphenyl-2-ylmethyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 402 (M+1); Rt = 4.80 min.

Example 538 (General Procedure (J)). 3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)-9-[4-(1 ,2,3-thiadiazol-4-yl)benzyl]-9H-carbazole

Example 539 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(2'-Cyanobiphenyl-4-ylmethyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆): £8.91 (1 H, d), 8.31 (1H, d), 8.13 (1 H, dd), 7.95 (1 H, d), 7.92 (1 H, d), 7.78 (1 H, d), 7.75 (1 H, dt), 7.60-7.47 (5H, m), 7.38-7.28 (3H, m), 5.86 (2H, s); HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 427 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.38 min.

Example 540 (General Procedure (J)).

9-(4-lodobenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 452 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.37 min.

Example 541 (General Procedure (J)).

9-(3,5-Bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 462 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.70 min.

Example 542 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(4-Bromobenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

¹H-NMR (DMSO-cfe): £8.89 (1 H, d), 8.29 (1 H, d), 8.11 (1 H, dd), 7.88 (1 H, d), 7.70 (1 H, d), 7.52 (1 H, t), 7.49 (2H, d), 7.31 (1 H, t), 7.14 (2H, d), 5.74 (2H, s); HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 404 (M+1); Rt = 4.40 min.

Example 543 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(Anthracen-9-ylmethyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 426 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.78 min.

Example 544 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(4-Carboxybenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

3.6 fold excess sodium hydride was used.

¹H-NMR (DMSO-cfe): £12.89 (1H, bs), 8.89 (1H, d), 8.30 (1H, d), 8.10 (1H, dd), 7.87 (1H, d), 7.86 (2H, d), 7.68 (1H, d), 7.51 (1H, t), 7.32 (1H, t), 7.27 (2H, d), 5.84 (2H, s); HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 370 (M+1); Rt = 3.37 min.

Example 545 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(2-Chlorobenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 360 (M+1); Rt = 5.30 min.

Example 546 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(4-Fluorobenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

¹H-NMR (DMSO-cfe): £8.88 (1H, d), 8.28 (1H, d), 8.10 (1H, dd), 7.89 (1H, d), 7.72 (1H, d), 7.52 (1H, t), 7.31 (1H, t), 7.31-7.08 (4H, m), 5.74 (2H, s); HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 344 (M+1); Rt = 4.10 min. Example 547 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(3-Fluorobenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

¹H-NMR (DMSO-cfe): £8.89 (1H, d), 8.29 (1H, d), 8.12 (1H, dd), 7.90 (1 H, d), 7.72 (1H, d), 7.53 (1 H, t), 7.37-7.27 (2H, m), 7.12-7.02 (2H, m), 6.97 (1H, d), 5.78 (2H, s); HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 344 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.10 min.

Example 548 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(2-lodobenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 452 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.58 min.

Example 549 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(3-Carboxybenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

3.6 fold excess sodium hydride was used. ¹H-NMR (DMSO-cfe): £ 12.97 (1 H, bs), 8.90 (1 H, bs), 8.30 (1 H, d), 8.12 (1H, bd), 7.89 (1 H, d), 7.82 (1 H, m), 7.77 (1 H, bs), 7.71 (1 H, d), 7.53 (1 H, t), 7.46-7.41 (2H, m), 7.32 (1H, t), 5.84 (2H, s); HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 370 (M+1); Rt = 3.35 min.

Example 550 (General Procedure (J)). 9-[4-(2-Propyl)benzyl]-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

¹H-NMR (DMSO-cfe): £8.87 (1H, d), 8.27 (1H, d), 8.10 (1 H, dd), 7.87 (1 H, d), 7.71 (1 H, d), 7.51 (1 H, t), 7.31 (1 H, t), 7.15 (2H, d), 7.12 (2H, d), 5.69 (2H, s), 2.80 (1 H, sept), 1.12 (6H, d); HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 368 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.73 min.

Example 551 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(3,5-Dimethoxybenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 386 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.03 min.

Example 552 (General Procedure (J)). 3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)-9-(2,4,5-trifluorobenzyl)-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 380 (M+1); Rt = 5.00 min.

Example 553 (General Procedure (J)).

Λy-Methyl-Λ/-phenyl-2-[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)carbazol-9-yl]acetamide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 383 (M+1); Rt = 4.30 min.

Example 554 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

¹H-NMR (DMSO-cfe): £8.86 (1H, d), 8.26 (1 H, d), 8.10 (1 H, dd), 7.90 (1H, d), 7.73 (1 H, d), 7.51 (1 H, t), 7.30 (1 H, t), 7.18 (2H, d), 6.84 (2H, d), 5.66 (2H, s), 3.67 (3H, s); HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 356 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.73 min.

Example 555 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(2-Methoxybenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

¹H-NMR (DMSO-cfe): £8.87 (1 H, d), 8.27 (1H, d), 8.09 (1 H, dd), 7.77 (1 H, d), 7.60 (1 H, d), 7.49 (1 H, t), 7.29 (1 H, t), 7.23 (1 H, bt), 7.07 (1 H, bd), 6.74 (1 H, bt), 6.61 (1 H, bd), 5.65 (2H, s), 3.88 (3H, s); HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 356 (M+1); Rt = 4.97 min.

Example 556 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(4-Cyanobenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 351 (M+1); Rt = 3.74 min.

Example 557 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(3-Cyanobenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 351 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.73 min.

Example 558 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(5-Chloro-2-methoxybenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

¹H-NMR (DMSO-cfe): £8.87 (1H, d), 8.35 (1H, d), 8.10 (1H, dd), 7.73 (1H, d), 7.59 (1H, d), 7.49 (1H, t), 7.29 (1H, t), 7.27 (1H, dd), 7.11 (1H, d), 6.51 (1H, d), 5.63 (2H, s), 3.88 (3H, s); HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 390 (M+1); Rt = 4.37 min.

Example 559 (General Procedure (J)). Λ/-Phenyl-2-[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)carbazol-9-yl]acetamide

¹H-NMR (DMSO-cfe): £10.54 (1H, s), 8.87 (1H, bs), 8.27 (1H, d), 8.12 (1H, bd), 7.83 (1H, d), 7.66 (1 H, d), 7.61 (2H, d), 7.53 (1 H,t), 7.32 (1 H, t), 7.32 (2H, t), 7.07 (1 H, t), 5.36 (2H, s); HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 369 (M+1); Rt = 3.44 min.

Example 560 (General Procedure (J)). Λ/-Butyl-2-[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)carbazol-9-yl]acetamide

¹H-NMR (DMSO-cf₆): £8.85 (1 H, d), 8.31 (1 H, t), 8.25 (1 H, d), 8.10 (1 H, dd), 7.75 (1 H, d), 7.58 (1H, d), 7.52 (1H, t), 7.30 (1 H, t), 5.09 (2H, s),.3.11 (2H, q), 1.42 (2H, quint), 1.30 (2H, sext), 0.87 (3H, t); HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 349 (M+1); Rt = 3.20 min.

Example 561 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(2,4-Dichlorobenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

¹H-NMR (DMSO-cfe): £8.92 (1 H, d), 8.32 (1H, d), 8.09 (1 H, dd), 7.76 (1 H, d), 7.74 (1 H, d), 7.58 (1H, d), 7.51 (1H, t), 7.33 (1 H, t), 7.23 (1 H, dd), 6.42 (1 H, d), 5.80 (2H, s); HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 394 (M+1 ); Rt = 5.87 min.

Example 562 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(2-Methylbenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

¹H-NMR (DMSO-cfe): £8.92 (1 H, d), 8.32 (1H, d), 8.08 (1 H, dd), 7.72 (1 H, d), 7.55 (1 H, d), 7.48 (1H, t), 7.32 (1 H, t), 7.26 (1 H, d), 7.12 (1 H, t), 6.92 (1 H, t), 6.17 (1H, d), 5.73 (2H, s), 2.46 (3H, s); HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 340 (M+1); Rt = 5.30 min.

Example 563 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(3-Nitrobenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 371 (M+1); Rt = 3.78 min.

Example 564 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(3,4-Dichlorobenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 394 (M+1 ); Rt = 5.62 min.

Example 565 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(2,4-Difluorobenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

¹H-NMR (DMSO-cf₆): £8.89 (1 H, d), 8.29 (1 H, d), 8.11 (1 H, dd), 7.88 (1 H, d), 7.69 (1 H, d), 7.52 (1 H, t), 7.36-7.24 (2H, m), 7.06-6.91 (2H, m), 5.78 (2H, s); HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 362 (M+1); Rt = 5.17 min.

Example 566 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(3,5-Difluorobenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

¹H-NMR (DMSO-cf₆): £8.90 (1H, bs), 8.31 (1H, d), 8.13 (1H, bd), 7.90 (1H, d), 7.73 (1H, d), 7.54 (1H, t), 7.34 (1H, t), 7.14 (1H, t), 6.87 (2H, bd), 5.80 (2H, s); HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 362 (M+1); Rt = 5.17 min.

Example 567 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(3,4-Difluorobenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

¹H-NMR (DMSO-de): £8.89 (1H, bs), 8.29 (1H, d), 8.12 (1H, bd), 7.92 (1H, d), 7.74 (1H, d), 7.54 (1H, t), 7.42-7.25 (3H, m), 6.97 (1H, bm), 5.75 (2H, s); HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 362 (M+1); Rt = 5.17 min.

Example 568 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(3-lodobenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 452 (M+1); Rt = 5.50 min. Example 569 (General Procedure (J)). 3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)-9-[3-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]-9H-carbazole

¹H-NMR (DMSO-cfe): £8.89 (1H, d), 8.30 (1H, d), 8.11 (1 H, dd), 7.90 (1 H, d), 7.72 (1 H, d), 7.67 (1 H, bs), 7.62 (1 H, bd), 7.53 (1 H, t), 7.50 (1 H, bt), 7.33 (1 H, bd), 7.32 (1H, t), 5.87 (2H, s); HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 394 (M+1); Rt = 5.40 min.

Example 570 (General Procedure (J)).

Λ/-(4-Carboxyphenyl)-2-[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)carbazol-9-yl]acetamide

3.6 fold excess sodium hydride was used.

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 413 (M+1); Rt = 3.92 min.

Example 571 (General Procedure (J)). Λ/-(2-Propyl)-2-[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)carbazol-9-yl]acetamide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 335 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.70 min.

Example 572 (General Procedure (J)). Λ/-Benzyl-Λ/-phenyl-2-[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)carbazol-9-yl]acetamide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 459 (M+1); Rt = 5.37 min.

Example 573 (General Procedure (J)). Λ/-[4-(2-Methyl-2-propyl)phenyl]-2-[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)carbazol-9-yl]acetamide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 425 (M+1); Rt = 5.35 min.

Example 574 (General Procedure (J)). Λ/-Phenethyl-2-[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)carbazol-9-yl]acetamide

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 397 (M+1); Rt = 3.43 min.

Example 575 (General Procedure (J)). 3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)-9-[2-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 394 (M+1); Rt = 4.44 min.

Example 576 (General Procedure (J)). 9-[2-Fluoro-6-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl]-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 412 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.21 min.

Example 577 (General Procedure (J)). 9-[2,4-Bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)]-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 462 (M+1); Rt = 4.82 min. Example 578 (General Procedure (J)). 3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)-9-(2,4,6-trimethylbenzyl)-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 368 (M+1); Rt = 4.59 min.

Example 579 (General Procedure (J)). 9-(2,3,5,6-Tetramethylbenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 382 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.47 min.

Example 580 (General Procedure (J)). 9-[(Naphthalen-1-yl)methyl]-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 376 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.43 min.

Further preferred compounds of the invention that may be prepared according to general procedure (J) includes:

The following preferred compounds of the invention may be prepared eg. from 9-(4- bromobenzyl)-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole (example 542) or from 9-(3-bromobenzyl)-3- (2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-9H-carbazole (example 536) and aryl boronic acids via the Suzuki coupling reaction eg as described in Littke, Dai & Fu J. Am. Chem. Soc, 2000, 122, 4020-8 (or references cited therein), or using the methodology described in general procedure (E), optionally changing the palladium catalyst to bis(tri-ferf-butylphosphine)palladium (0).

General procedure (K) for preparation of compounds of general formula l₁₀:

wherein AR2 is as defined above.

The general procedure (K) is further illustrated by the following example:

Example 581 (General procedure (K)).1-Benzyl-5-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1H-indole

5-Cyanoindole (1.0 g, 7.0 mmol) was dissolved in Λ/,Λ/-dimethylformamide (14 mL) and cooled in an ice-water bath. Sodium hydride (0.31 g, 60 %, 7.8 mmol) was added, and the resulting suspension was stirred for 30 min. Benzyl chloride (0.85 mL, 0.94 g, 7.4 mmol) was added, and the cooling was discontinued. The stirring was continued for 65 hours at room temperature. Water (150 mL) was added, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (3 x 25 mL). The combined organic phases were washed with brine (30 mL) and dried with sodium sulfate (1 hour). Filtration and concentration yielded the crude material. Purification by flash chromatography on silica gel eluting with ethyl acetate/heptanes = 1 :3 afforded 1.60 g 1 -benzyl-1 H-indole-5-carbonitrile. HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 233 (M+1); Rt = 4.17 min.

1-Benzyl-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile was transformed into 1-benzyl-5-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1H- indole by the method described in general procedure (J) and in example 401. Purification was done by flash chromatography on silica gel eluting with dichloromethane/methanol = 9:1.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 276 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.35 min.

The compounds in the following examples were prepared by the same procedure.

Example 582 (General procedure (K)).1-(4-Bromobenzyl)-5-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1H-indole

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 354 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.80 min.

Example 583 (General procedure (K)).1-(4-Phenylbenzyl)-5-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1H-indole

¹H-NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-o^* ₆): δ = 5.52 (2H, s), 6.70 (1 H, d), 7.3-7.45 (6H, m), 7.6 (4H, m), 7.7-7.8 (2H, m), 7.85(1 H, dd), 8.35 (1 H, d). Calculated for C₂₂H₁₇N₅, H₂O:

73.32% C; 5.03% H; 19.43% N. Found: 73.81% C; 4.90% H; 19.31% N. Example 584 (General procedure (K)).5-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)-1H-indole

5-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)-1H-indole was prepared from 5-cyanoindole according to the method described in example 401.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 186 (M+1); Rt = 1.68 min.

Example 585 (General procedure (K)).1-Benzyl-4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1H-indole

1 -Benzyl-1 H-indole-4-carbonitrile was prepared from 4-cyanoindole according to the method described in example 581. HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 233 (M+1); Rt = 4.24 min.

1-Benzyl-4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1H-indole was prepared from 1 -benzyl-1 H-indole-4-carbonitrile according to the method described in example 401. HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 276 (M+1); Rt = 3.44 min.

Further preferred compounds of the invention that may be prepared according to general procedure (K) includes:

The following preferred compounds of the invention may be prepared eg. from 1-(4- bromobenzyl)-5-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1H-indole (example 582) or from the analogue 1-(3- bromobenzyl)-5-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1H-indole and aryl boronic acids via the Suzuki coupling reaction eg as described in Littke, Dai & Fu J. Am. Chem. Soc, 2000, 122, 4020-8 (or references cited therein), or using the methodology described in general procedure (E), optionally changing the palladium catalyst to bis(tri-terf-butylphosphine)palladium (0).

General procedure (L) for preparation of compounds of general formula 1^:

"11

The general procedure (L) is further illustrated by the following example:

Example 586 (General procedure (L)).1-Benzoyl-5-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1H-indole

To a solution of 5-cyanoindole (1.0 g, 7.0 mmol) in dichloromethane (8 mL) was added 4- (dimethylamino)pyridine (0.171 g, 1.4 mmol), triethylamine (1.96 mL, 1.42 g, 14 mmol) and benzoyl chloride (0.89 mL, 1.08 g, 7.7 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred for 18 hours at room temperature. The mixture was diluted with dichloromethane (80 mL) and washed consecutively with a saturated solution of sodium hydrogencarbonate (40 mL) and brine (40 mL). The organic phase was dried with magnesium sulfate (1 hour). Filtration and concentra- tion furnished the crude material which was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel, eluting with ethyl acetate/heptanes = 2:3. 1-Benzoyl-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile was obtained as a solid.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 247 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.07 min.

1-Benzoyl-1H-indole-5-carbonitrile was transformed into 1-benzoyl-5-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1H- indole by the method described in example 401.

HPLC (Method C): Rt = 1.68 min.

The compound in the following example was prepared by the same procedure.

Example 587 (General procedure (L)).1-Benzoyl-4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1H-indole

1-Benzoyl-1H-indole-4-carbonitrile was prepared from 4-cyanoindole according to the method described in example 586.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 247 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.24 min.

1-Benzoyl-4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1H-indole was prepared from 1-benzoyl-1H-indole-4- carbonitrile according to the method described in example 401.

HPLC (Method C): Rt = 1.56 min.

The following known and commercially available compounds do all bind to the His B10 Zn²⁺ site of the insulin hexamer: Example 5881 -(4-Fluorophenyl)-5-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1 H-indole

Example 5891 -Amino-3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)benzene

Example 5901 -Amino-4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)benzene

A mixture of 4-aminobenzonitrile (10 g, 84.6 mmol), sodium azide (16.5 g, 254 mmol) and ammonium chloride (13.6 g, 254 mmol) in DMF was heated at 125 °C for 16 hours. The cooled mixture was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was added water (200 mL) and diethyl ether (200 mL) which resulted in crystallisation. The mixture was filtered and the solid was dried in vacuo at 40 °C for 16 hours to afford 5-(4- aminophenyl)-2H-tetrazole.

¹H NMR DMSO-cf₆): δ = 5.7 (3H, bs), 6.69 (2H, d), 7.69 (2H, d). HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 162 (M+1 ); Rt = 0,55 min. Example 5911-Nitro-4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)benzene

Example 5921 -Bromo-4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)benzene

General procedure (M) for solution phase preparation of amides of general formula l₁₂:

o o

_A__BL_B? _0H + HN R __. _A__BL_B?J__N^_R

R R¹

'12 wherein A, B¹, B² are as defined above, R is hydrogen, optionally substituted aryl or C^-alkyl and R' is hydrogen or C^-alkyl.

A-B¹-B²-CO₂H may be prepared eg by general procedure (D) or by other similar procedures described herein, or may be commercially available.

The procedure is further illustrated in the following example 593:

Example 593 (General procedure (M)) Λ/-(4-Chlorobenzyl)-2-[3-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-1H-indol-1-yl]acetamide

[3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)indol-1-yl]acetic acid (example 300, 90.7 mg, 0.3 mmol) was dissolved in NMP (1 mL) and added to a mixture of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylamino- propyl)carbodiimide, hydrochloride (86.4 mg, 0.45 mmol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazol (68.8 mg, 0.45 mmol) in NMP (1 mL). The resulting mixture was shaken at RT for 2 h. 4- Chlorobenzylamine (51 mg, 0.36 mmol) and DIPEA (46.4 mg, 0.36 mmol) in NMP (1 mL) were added to the mixture and the resulting mixture shaken at RT for 2 days. Subsequently ethyl acetate (10 mL) was added and the resulting mixture washed with 2x10 mL water followed by saturated ammonium chloride (5 mL). The organic phase was evaporated to dryness giving 75 mg (57%) of the title compound.

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 426 (M+1 ); Rt. = 3.79 min.

Example 594 (General procedure (M)) 1H-Benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid 4-chlorobenzylamide

HPLC-MS (Method B): m/z: 287 (M+1); Rt = 4.40 min.

Example 595 (General procedure (M)) Λ/-(4-Chlorobenzyl)-4-[2-chloro-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyramide

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 465 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.35 min.

Example 596 (General procedure (M))

Λ/-(4-Chlorobenzyl)-4-[4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyramide

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 431 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.68 min.

Example 597 (General procedure (M)) 2-[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]-Λ/-(4-chlorobenzyl)acetamide

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 483 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.06 min.

Example 598 (General procedure (M)) Λ -(4-Chlorobenzyl)-2-[3-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]acetamide

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 403 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.03 min.

Example 599 (General procedure (M))

Λ/-(4-Chlorobenzyl)-3-[4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenyl]acrylamide

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 399 (M+1 ); Rt = 3.82.

Example 600 (General procedure (M)) Λ/-(4-Chlorobenzyl)-4-[3-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyramide

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 431 (M+1); Rt = 3.84 min. Example 601 (General procedure (M)) 4-[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]-Λ/-(4-chlorobenzyl)butyramide

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 511 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.05 min.

Example 602 (General procedure (M))

4-[2-Bromo-4-(4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-phenoxy]-Λ/-(4-chlorobenzyl)- butyramide

HPLC-MS (Method A): m/z: 527 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.77 min.

Example 603 (General procedure (M)) /V-(4-Chlorobenzyl)-2-[4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]acetamide

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 431 (M+1 ); Rt. = 4.03 min.

Example 604 (General procedure (M)) Λ/-(4-Chlorobenzyl)-3-[3-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-1H-indol-1-yl]propionamide

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 440 (M+1); Rt. = 3.57 min.

Example 605 (General procedure (M)) Λ/-(4-Chlorobenzyl)-4-[4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyramide

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 481 (M+1 ); Rt = 4.08 min.

Example 606 (General procedure (M)) 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)-naphthalen-1 -yloxy]-Λ/-hexylbutyramide

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 441 (M+1); Rt = 4.31 min.

Example 607 (General procedure (M)) Λ/-(4-Chlorobenzyl)-4-[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)carbazol-9-ylmethyl]benzamide

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z:493 (M+1); Rt = 4.19 min.

Example 608 (General procedure (M))

Λ/-(4-Chlorobenzyl)-3-[3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)carbazol-9-ylmethyl]benzamide

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 493 (M+1); Rt = 4.20 min.

Example 609

4-({[3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)indole-7-carbonyl]amino}methyl)benzoic acid methyl ester

HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 436 (M+1 ); Rt.= 3.55 min.

The commercially available compounds in the following examples do all bind to the HisBlO Zn²⁺site:

Example 610

1 -(4-Bromo-3-methylphenyl)-1 ,4-dihydrotetrazole-5-thione

Example 611

1 -(4-lodophenyl)-1 ,4-dihydrotetrazole-5-thione

Example 612

1 -(2,4,5-Trichlorophenyl)-1 H-tetrazole-5-thiol

Example 613 1-(2,6-Dimethylphenyl)-1 ,4-dihydrotetrazole-5-thione

Example 614

1-(2,4,6-Trimethylphenyl)-1 ,4-dihydrotetrazole-5-thione

Example 615

1 -(4-Dimethylaminophenyl)-1 H-tetrazole-5-thiol

Example 616

1 -(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-1 ,4-dihydro-1 H-tetrazole-5-thione

Example 617

1 -(4-Propylphenyl)-1 ,4-dihydro-1 H-tetrazole-5-thione

Example 618

1 -(3-Chlorophenyl)-1 ,4-dihydro-1 H-tetrazole-5-thione

Example 619

1 -(2-Fluorophenyl)-1 ,4-dihydro-1 H-tetrazole-5-thione

Example 620

1-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)-1 ,4-dihydro-1 H-tetrazole-5-thione

Example 621

1 -(4-Trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-1 ,4-dihydro-1 H-tetrazole-5-thione

Example 622

N-[4-(5-Mercaptotetrazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-acetamide

Example 623

1 -(4-Chlorophenyl)-1 ,4-dihydrotetrazole-5-thione

Example 624

1-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-1 ,4-dihydrotetrazole-5-thione

Example 625

1 -(3-Fluoro-4-pyrrolidin-1 -ylphenyl)-1 ,4-dihydrotetrazole-5-thione

Preparation of 1 -aryl-1 ,4-dihydrotetrazole-5-thiones (or the tautomeric 1 -aryltetrazole-5- thiols) is described in the literature (eg. by Kauer & Sheppard, J. Org. Chem., 32, 3580-92 (1967)) and is generally performed eg. by reaction of aryl-isothiocyanates with sodium azide followed by acidification

1 -Aryl-1 ,4-dihydrotetrazole-5-thiones with a carboxylic acid tethered to the aryl group may be prepared as shown in the following scheme:

Step 3

Step 1 is a phenol alkylation and is very similar to steps 1 and 2 of general procedure (D) and may also be prepared similarly as described in example 303.

Step 2 is a reduction of the nitro group. SnCI₂, H₂ over Pd/C and many other procedures known to those skilled in the art may be utilised.

Step 3 is formation of an arylisothiocyanate from the corresponding aniline. As reagents CS₂, CSCI₂, or other reagents known to those skilled in the art, may be utilised.

Step 4 is a conversion to mercaptotetrazole as described above.

Preferred compounds of the invention includes:

Example 626

4-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazole-5-carbonitrile

Phenylsulphonyl acetonitrile (2.0 g, 11.04 mmol) was mixed with 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (1.35 g, 11.04 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) and toluene (20 mL). The mixture was refluxed for 3 hours and subsequently evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residue was treated with di- ethyl ether and toluene. The solid formed was filtered to afford 2.08 g (66%) of 2- benzenesulfonyl-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acrylonitrile. HPLC-MS (Method C): m/z: 286 (M+1 ); Rt. = 3.56 min.

A mixture of 2-benzenesulfonyl-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acrylonitrile (2.08 g, 7.3 mmol) and so- dium azide (0.47g,7.3 mmol) in DMF (50 mL) was heated at reflux temperature 2 hours. After cooling, the mixture was poured on ice. The mixture was evaporated in vacuo to almost dryness and toluene was added. After filtration, the organic phase was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silicagel chromatography eluting with a mixture of ethyl acetate and heptane (1 :2). This afforded 1.2 g (76%) of the title compound.

1 H NMR (DMSO-cfe): 10.2 (broad, 1 H); 7.74 (d,2H); 6.99 (d,2H); 3.6-3.2 (broad,1 H). HPLC-MS (Method C) m/z: = 187 (M+1); Rt. = 1.93 min

The compounds in the following examples are commercially available and may be prepared using a similar methodology:

Example 627

4-(4-Trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-1H-[1 ,2,3]triazole-5-carbonitrile

Example 628 4-Benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-yl-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazole-5-carbonitrile

Example 629

4-(3-Trifluoromethylphenyl)-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazole-5-carbonitrile

Example 630

4-Pyridin-3-yl-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazole-5-carbonitrile

Example 631

4-(2,6-Dichlorophenyl)-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazole-5-carbonitrile

Example 632 4-Thiophen-2-yl-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazole-5-carbonitrile

Example 633

3,5-Dimethylisoxazole-4-carboxylic acid 4-(5-cyano-1H-[1,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenyl ester

Example 634

3,3-Dimethyl-butyric acid 4-(5-cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenyl ester

Example 635

4-Methyl-[1 ,2,3]thiadiazole-5-carboxylic acid 4-(5-cyano-1H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenyl ester

Example 636

4-Chlorobenzoic acid 4-(5-cyano-1H-[1,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenyl ester

Example 637

4-(3-Phenoxyphenyl)-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazole-5-carbonitrile

Example 638 4-(5-Bromo-2-methoxyphenyl)-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazole-5-carbonitrile

Example 639

4-(2-Chloro-6-fluorophenyl)-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazole-5-carbonitrile

The following cyanotriazoles are also preferred compounds of the invention: 4-(2-Chloro-6-fluorophenyl)-1H-[1 ,2,3]triazole-5-carbonitrile.

Terephthalic acid mono[ 4-(5-cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenyl] ester.

N- [4-(5-cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)-phenyl]terephthalamic acid 4-(4-Octyloxyphenyl)-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazole-5-carbonitrile

4-(4-Styrylphenyl)-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazole-5-carbonitrile.

4-(4'-Trifluoromethylbiphenyl-4-yl)-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazole-5-carbonitrile.

4-(4'-Chlorobiphenyl-4-yl)-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazole-5-carbonitrile.

4-(4'-Methoxybiphenyl-4-yl)-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazole-5-carbonitrile. 4-(1 -Naphthyl)-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazole-5-carbonitrile.

4-(9-Anthranyl)-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazole-5-carbonitrile.

4-(4-Methoxy-1 -naphthyl)-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazole-5-carbonitrile.

4-(4-Aminophenyl)-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazole-5-carbonitrile.

4-(2-Naphthyl)-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazole-5-carbonitrile.

General procedure (N) for preparation of compounds of general formula l₁₃:

Step 3

wherein n is 1 or 3-20,

AR¹ is as defined above,

R" is a standard carboxylic acid protecting group, such as C C₆-alkyl or benzyl and Lea is a leaving group, such as chloro, bromo, iodo, methanesulfonyloxy, toluenesulfonyloxy or the like. This procedure is very similar to general procedure (D), steps 1 and 2 are identical.

Steps 3 and 4 are described in the literature (eg Beck & Gunther, Chem. Ber., 106, 2758-66 (1973))

Step 3 is a Knoevenagel condensation of the aldehyde obtained in step 2 with phenylsulfon- ylacetonitrile and step 4 is a reaction of the vinylsulfonyl compound obtained in step 3 with sodium azide. This reaction is usually performed in DMF at 90 - 110 °C.

The following compounds may be prepared according to this general procedure (N):

4-(4-(5-Cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenoxy)butyric acid:

2-(4-(5-Cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenoxy)acetic acid:

4-(4-(5-Cyano-1H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenoxy)butyric acid ethyl ester 5-(4-(5-Cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenoxy)pentanoic acid 8-(4-(5-Cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenoxy)octanoic acid 10-(4-(5-Cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenoxy)decanoic acid 12-(4-(5-Cyano-1H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenoxy)dodecanoic acid

General procedure (O) for preparation of compounds of general formula l₇:

H₂N-

wherein PS is polymeric support, a Tentagel S RAM resin, n is 1 - 20, m is 0 - 5, and p is 0 or 1.

The compounds of the invention of general formula (l₂) can be prepared by means of standard peptide chemistry (General procedure H), e.g. in 0.5 mmol scale, using Fmoc strategy and HOAt or HOBT activated amino acids. The compounds prepared in the following examples according to General procedure (O) were all isolated as the TFA salts. This procedure is further illustrated in the following: Typically, 2 gram of Fmoc Tentagel S RAM resin (Rapp Polymere, Tubingen) with substitution 0,25 mmol/g was washed with NMP then treated with 25% piperidine in NMP for 30 min followed by wash with NMP which renders the resin ready for coupling. Step wise coupling of Fmoc-Arginine (Fmoc-Arg(Pmc)-OH), Fmoc-Glycine (Fmoc-Gly-OH) and Fmoc-4-aminobenzoic acid (Fmoc-4-Abz-OH): To 2 mmol of Fmoc-L-Arg(Pmc)-OH (Novabiochem) was added 3,33 ml 0.6M HOAt in NMP (Perseptives) or 0,6M HOBT in NMP (Novabiochem) containing 0,2% bromphenolblue as indicator and added 330 μl of diisopropylcarbodiimide DIC (Fluka) and the solution was then added to the resin. After coupling for minimum 1 hour, or when the blue colour disappeared, the resin was washed with NMP and the Fmoc group was deprotected with 25% piperidine in NMP for 20 minutes followed by wash with NMP. This stepwise assembling of the arginine residues was repeated to give 3, 4, 5 or 6 arginines on the resin. The Fmoc-Glycine (Novabiochem) and Fmoc-4-aminobenzoic acid (Fluka and Neosystems) were coupled using the same procedure as described for Fmoc-Arg(Pmc)-OH. Coupling of A-OH, e.g. 1 -benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid on Gly.

When A-OH, e.g. 1 H-benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid (Aldrich) was coupled on a glycine or arginine residue the coupling procedure was as described above.

Coupling of A-OH, e.g. 1H-benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid on Abz or 4-Apac:

Due to the lower nucleophilicity of the amino group in Abz the following procedure was nec- essary. To 4 mmol of A-OH, e.g. 1H-benzotriazole-5-carboxylic acid was added 6,66 ml of a solution of 0,6M HOAt, 0,2 mmol dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) and 4 mmol DIC and was then added to the resin and allowed to react overnight.

Introduction of fragment 4-Apac instead of 4-Abz: 4-Nitrophenoxyacetic acid may be coupled on a glycine or arginine residue using DIC and HOBT/HOAt as described above. Subsequent reduction of the nitro group may be done using SnCI₂ in NMP or DMF e.g. as described by Tumelty et al. (Tet. Lett., (1998) 7467-70). Cleavage of the peptides from the resin. After synthesis the resin was washed extensively with diethyl ether and dried. To 1 gram of the peptidyl resin was added 25 ml of a TFA solution containing 5% thioanisole, 5% ethanol, 5% phenol and 2% triisopropylsilane and allowed to react for 2 hours. The TFA solution was filtered and concentrated with argon flow for approximately 30 minutes. Then diethylether ca. 5-7 times the residual volume of TFA was added and the peptide precipitate was extracted in 10% AcOH and washed 5 times with diethyl ether and lyophilized.

RP-HPLC analysis and purification: The crude products were analysed on RP-HPLC C18 column (4,6 x 250 mm) using one of two gradients (see table 1 and 2), temperature 25°C, wavelength 214 nm and flow rate 1 ml/min with A-buffer 0,15 % ( _W) TFA in H₂O and B- Buffer (87,5 % ( _W) MeCN, 0,13 % (7_W) TFA in H₂O). The products were purified on preparative RP-HPLC C18 column (2x25 cm) using a gradient (variable, see e.g examples 640 to 643643643), temperature 25°C, wavelength 214 nm and flow rate

6 ml/min with A-buffer 0,15 % (7_W) TFA in H₂O and B-Buffer (87,5 % (7_W) MeCN, 0,13 % (7_W) TFA in H₂O) and verified by mass spectrometry (MALDI).

Table 1 :

Table 2:

Time (min.) Flow (ml/min) %A %B

0 1 ,00 95,0 5,0 30,00 1 ,00 40,0 60,0 31 ,00 1 ,00 0,00 100,0 35,00 1 ,00 0,00 100,0 36,00 1 ,00 95,0 5,0

The following examples were prepared using this general procedure (O).

Example 640 (General Procedure (O))

Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-Gly₂-Arg₃-NH₂ (BT-G₂R₃).

MS (MALDI): m/z: 746.7 g/mol; calculated: 744.2 g/mol. HPLC gradient:

Example 641 (General Procedure (O))

Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-Gly₂-Arg₄-NH₂ (BT-G₂R₄).

MS (MALDI): m/z: 903.0 g/mol; calculated: 900.6 g/mol. HPLC gradient:

Example 642 (General Procedure (O))

Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-Gly₂-Arg₅-NH₂ (BT-G₂R₅).

MS (MALDI): m/z: 1060.8 g/mol; calculated: 1057 g/mol. HPLC gradient

Example 643 (General Procedure (O)) Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-Gly₂-Arg₆-NH₂ (BT-G₂R₆).

MS (MALDI): m/z: 1214.8 g/mol; calculated: 1213.4 g/mol. HPLC gradient:

Example 644 (General Procedure (O))

Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-4-Abz-Gly₂-Arg₅-NH₂ (BT-4-Abz-G₂R₅).

MS (MALDI): m/z: 1176.7 g/mol; calculated: 1177.9 g/mol. HPLC gradient:

Example 645 (General Procedure (O)) Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-4-Abz-Gly-Arg₅-NH₂ (BT-4-Abz-GR₅).

MS (MALDI): m/z: 1122 g/mol; calculated: 1120.4 g/mol. HPLC gradient:

Example 646 (General Procedure (O))

Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-4-Abz-Arg₅-NH₂ (BT-4-Abz-R₅).

MS (MALDI): m/z: 1064.3 g/mol; calculated: 1063.2 g/mol. HPLC gradient:

General procedure (P) for preparation of compounds of general formula l₈:

wherein X, Y, R¹⁰, E, B¹, B² are as defined above, p is 0 or 1 , m is 0-5 and n is 1-20.

This general procedure is very similar to General procedure (O), where benzotriazole-5- carboxylic acid in the last step before cleavage from the resin is replaced with compounds optionally prepared according to general procedure (D):

Example 647 (General Procedure (P))

4-{2-[3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]acetylamino}benzoyl-Gly₂-Arg₅-NH₂

Example 648 (General Procedure (P))

3-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenyl]acryloyl-Arg₅-NH₂

MS (MALDI): m/z: 1057.3 g/mol; calculated: 1055.3 g/mol.

Example 649 (General Procedure (P))

3-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenyl]acryloyl-Arg₄-NH₂

MS (MALDI): m/z: 899.1 g/mol; calculated: 901.6 g/mol.

Example 650 (General Procedure (P)) 3-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenyl]acryloyl-Arg₃-NH₂

H₂

MS (MALDI): m/z: 746.2 g/mol; calculated: 742.9 g/mol.

Example 651 (General Procedure (P))

4-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyryl-Arg₅-NH₂.

MS (MALDI): m/z: 1088.7 g/mol; calculated: 1087 g/mol.

Example 652 (General Procedure (P))

4-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyryl-Arg₄-NH₂.

MS (MALDI): m/z: 933.0 g/mol; calculated: 931 g/mol.

Example 653 (General Procedure (P)) 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyryl-Arg₃-NH₂. H₂

MS (MALDI): m/z: 776.9 g/mol; calculated: 774.0 g/mol.

Example 654 (General Procedure (P))

4-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyryl-Arg₁₂-NH₂.

MS (MALDI): m/z: 2232.9.4 g/mol; calculated: 2230.3 g/mol.

Example 655 (General Procedure (P))

4-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyryl-Arg₈-NH₂.

MS (MALDI): m/z: 1607.4 g/mol; calculated: 1605.5 g/mol.

Example 656 (General Procedure (P))

4-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyryl-Arg₅-NH₂.

MS (MALDI): m/z: 1141.9 g/mol; calculated: 1137.4 g/mol.

Example 657 (General Procedure (P))

4-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyryl-Arg₄-NH₂.

MS (MALDI): m/z: 985.4 g/mol; calculated: 981.2 g/mol.

Example 658 (General Procedure (P)) 4-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1 -yloxy]butyryl-Arg₃-NH₂. ,

MS (MALDI): m/z: 828.5 g/mol; calculated: 825.0 g/mol.

The following compounds were prepared according to the methodology described in general procedure (O) and (P):

Example 659

4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)benzoyl-4-Abz-Gly₂-Arg₅-NH₂

MS (MALDI): m/z: 1203.8 g/mol; calculated: 1203.8 g/mol.

Example 660

4-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)carbazol-9-ylmethyl]benzoyl-Arg₅-NH₂

MS (MALDI): m/z: 1152.5 g/mol; calculated: 1149.3 g/mol.

Example 661

4-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)carbazol-9-ylmethyl]benzoyl-Arg₈-NH₂

MS (MALDI): m/z: 1621.0 g/mol; calculated: 1617.5 g/mol.

Example 662

4-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)carbazol-9-ylmethyl]benzoyl-Arg₁₂-NH₂

MS (MALDI): m/z: 2247.9 g/mol; calculated: 2242.3 g/mol.

Other preferred compounds of the invention that may be prepared according to general pro- cedure (O) and / or general procedure (P) includes:

Building block from example 291 :

4-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyryl-Arg₁₀-NH₂

4-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyryl-Arg₉-NH₂

4-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyryl-Arg₈-NH₂

4-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyryl-Arg₇-NH₂

4-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyryl-Arg₁₁-NH₂

4-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyryl-Arg₁₂-NH₂

4-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyryl-Argi₃-NH₂

4-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyryl-Arg₁₄-NH₂ 7-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]heptanoyl-Arg₃-NH₂ 7-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]heptanoyl-Arg₄-NH₂ 7-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]heptanoyl-Arg₅-NH₂ Building block from page 164:

8-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]octanoyl-Arg₃-NH₂ 8-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]octanoyl-Arg₄-NH₂ 8-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]octanoyl-Arg₅-NH₂ Building block from page 164:

10-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]decanoyl-Arg₃-NH₂ 10-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]decanoyl-Arg₄-NH₂ 10-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]decanoyl-Arg₅-NH₂ Building block from page 164:

11 -[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1 -yloxy]undecanoyl-Arg₃-NH₂ 11-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]undecanoyl-Arg₄-NH₂ 11-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]undecanoyl-Arg₅-NH₂ Building block from page 164:

12-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]dodecanoyl-Arg₃-NH₂ 12-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]dodecanoyl-Arg₄-NH₂ 12-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]dodecanoyl-Arg₅-NH₂ Building block from page 164:

15-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]pentadecanoyl-Arg₃-NH₂ 15-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]pentadecanoyl-Arg₄-NH₂ 15-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]pentadecanoyl-Arg₅-NH₂ Building block from example 298:

2-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]acetyl-Arg₆-NH₂ 2-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalene-1-yloxy]acetyl-Arg₅-NH₂ 2-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalene-1-yloxy]acetyl-Arg₄-NH₂ 2-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalene-1-yloxy]acetyl-Arg₃-NH₂ Building block from example 302:

2-{5-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)benzylidene]-4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-3- yl}acetyl-Arg₆-NH₂

2-{5-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)benzylidene]-4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-3- yl}acetyl-Arg₅-NH₂ 2-{5-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)benzylidene]-4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-3- yl}acetyl-Arg₄-NH₂

2-{5-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)benzylidene]-4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-3- yl}acetyl-Arg₃-NH₂

4-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]butyryl-Arg₆-NH₂ 4-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]butyryl-Arg₅-NH₂ 4-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]butyryl-Arg₄-NH₂ 4-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]butyryl-Arg₃-NH₂ 15-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]pentadecanoyl-Arg₆-NH₂ 15-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]pentadecanoyl-Arg₅-NH₂ 15-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]pentadecanoyl-Arg₄-NH₂ 15-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]pentadecanoyl-Arg₃-NH₂ 5-[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]pentanoyl-Arg₆-NH₂ 5-[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]pentanoyl-Arg₅-NH₂ 5-[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]pentanoyl-Arg₄-NH₂ 5-[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]pentanoyl-Arg₃-NH₂ Building block from example 284:

3-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenyl]acryloyl-Arg₆-NH₂ Building block from example 295:

2-[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]acetyl-Arg₆-NH₂ 2-[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]acetyl-Arg₅-NH₂ 2-[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]acetyl-Arg₄-NH₂ 2-[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]acetyl-Arg₃-NH₂ 8-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]octanoyl-Arg₆-NH₂ 8-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]octanoyl-Arg₅-NH₂ 8-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]octanoyl-Arg₄-NH₂ 8-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]octanoyl-Arg₃-NH₂ 6-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]hexanoyl-Arg_β-NH₂ 6-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]hexanoyl-Arg₅-NH₂ 6-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]hexanoyl-Arg₄-NH₂ 6-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]hexanoyl-Arg₃-NH₂ Building block from example 288:

4-[2-Chloro-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyryl-Arg₆-NH₂ 4-[2-Chloro-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyryl-Arg₅-NH₂ 4-[2-Chloro-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyryl-Arg₄-NH₂ 4-[2-Chloro-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyryl-Arg₃-NH₂ Building block from example 282:

4-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyryl-Arg₆-NH₂ Building block from example 289:

4-[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyryl-Arg₆-NH₂ 4-[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyryl-Arg₅-NH₂ 4-[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyryl-Arg₄-NH₂ 4-[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyryl-Arg₃-NH₂ 11-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]undecanoyl-Arg₆-NH₂ 11-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]undecanoyl-Arg₅-NH₂ 11-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]undecanoyl-Arg₄-NH₂ 11-[6-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxy]undecanoyl-Arg₃-NH₂ 4-[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyryl-Arg₆-NH₂ 4-[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyryl-Arg₅-NH₂ 4-[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyryl-Arg₄-NH₂ 4-[2-Bromo-4-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyryl-Arg₃-NH₂ Building block from example 286: 4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)benzoyl-Arg₆-NH₂ 4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)benzoyl-Arg₅-NH₂ 4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)benzoyl-Arg₄-NH₂ 4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)benzoyl-Arg₃-NH₂ Building block from example 285:

2-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]acetyl-Arg₆-NH₂ 2-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]acetyl-Arg₅-NH₂ 2-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]acetyl-Arg₄-NH₂ 2-[4-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]acetyl-Arg₃-NH₂ Building block from example 283:

2-[3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]acetyl-Arg₆-NH₂ 2-[3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]acetyl-Arg₅-NH₂ 2-[3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]acetyl-Arg₄-NH₂ 2-[3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]acetyl-Arg₃-NH₂ Building block from example 296:

4-[3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyryl-Arg₆-NH₂ 4-[3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyryl-Arg₅-NH₂ 4-[3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyryl-Arg₄-NH₂

4-[3-(2,4-Dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyryl-Arg₃-NH₂

Building block from example 290:

4-[2-Bromo-4-(4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyryl-Arg₆-NH₂

4-[2-Bromo-4-(4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyryl-Arg₅-NH₂

4-[2-Bromo-4-(4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyryl-Arg₄-NH₂

4-[2-Bromo-4-(4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)phenoxy]butyryl-Arg₃-NH₂

Building block from example 544:

4-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl )carbazol-9-ylmethyl]benzoyl-Arg₆-NH₂

4-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl )carbazol-9-ylmethyl]benzoyl-Arg₄-NH

4-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl )carbazol-9-ylmethyl]benzoyl-Arg₃-NH₂

4-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl )carbazol-9-ylmethyl]benzoyl-Arg₇-NH₂

4-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl )carbazol-9-ylmethyl]benzoyl-Arg₈-NH₂

4-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl )carbazol-9-ylmethyl]benzoyl-Arg₉-NH

4-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl )carbazol-9-ylmethyl]benzoyl-Arg₁₀-NH₂

4-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl )carbazol-9-ylmethyl] benzoy l-Arg , , -N H₂

4-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-y )carbazol-9-ylmethyl] benzoyl-Arg -, ₂-N H

4-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-y )carbazol-9-yl methyl] benzoyl-Arg ₃-N H₂

4-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-y )carbazol-9-ylmethyl]benzoyl-Arg₁₄-NH₂

4-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-y )carbazol-9-ylmethyl] benzoyl-Arg ₁₅-N H₂

4-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-y )carbazol-9-ylmethyl] benzoyl-Arg ₆-N H₂

4-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-y )carbazol-9-yl methyl] benzoyl-Arg ₁₇-N H₂

4-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-y )carbazol-9-ylmethyl]benzoyl-Arg₁₈-NH

4-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-y )carbazol-9-ylmethyl]benzoyl-Arg₁₉-NH₂

4-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)carbazol-9-ylmethyl]benzoyl-Arg₂₀-NH₂

Building block from page 251:

4'-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)carbazol-9-ylmethyl]biphenyl-4-carbonyl-Arg₆-NH₂

4'-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)carbazol-9-ylmethyl]biphenyl-4-carbonyl-Arg₅-NH₂

4'-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)carbazol-9-ylmethyl]biphenyl-4-carbonyl-Arg₄-NH₂

4'-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)carbazol-9-ylmethyl]biphenyl-4-carbonyl-Arg₃-NH₂

Building block from example 549:

3-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)carbazol-9-ylmethyl]benzoyl-Arg₆-NH₂

3-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)carbazol-9-ylmethyl]benzoyl-Arg₅-NH₂

3-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)carbazol-9-ylmethyl]benzoyl-Arg₄-NH₂ 3-[3-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)carbazol-9-ylmethyl]benzoyl-Arg₃-NH₂ Building block from page 252: 4'-[5-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)indol-1-ylmethyl]biphenyl-4-carbonyl-Arg₆-NH₂

4'-[5-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)indol-1-ylmethyl]biphenyl-4-carbonyl-Arg₅-NH₂

4'-[5-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)indol-1-ylmethyl]biphenyl-4-carbonyl-Arg₄-NH₂

4'-[5-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)indol-1-ylmethyl]biphenyl-4-carbonyl-Arg₃-NH₂

Building block from example 412:

4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)benzoyl-Gly₂-Arg₆-NH₂

4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)benzoyl-Gly₂-Arg₅-NH₂

4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)benzoyl-Gly₂-Arg₄-NH₂

4-(2H-Tetrazol-5-yl)benzoyl-Gly₂-Arg₃-NH₂

Building block from example 355:

[4-(7-Carboxy-6-hydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)phenyl]methyl-Arg₆-NH₂

[4-(7-Carboxy-6-hydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)phenyl]methyl-Arg₅-NH₂

[4-(7-Carboxy-6-hydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)phenyl]methyl-Arg₄-NH₂

[4-(7-Carboxy-6-hydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)phenyl]methyl-Arg₃-NH₂

Building block from example 342:

(7-Carboxy-6-hydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)methyl-Arg₆-NH₂

(7-Carboxy-6-hydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)methyl-Arg₅-NH₂

(7-Carboxy-6-hydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)methyl-Arg₄-NH₂

(7-Carboxy-6-hydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)methyl-Arg₃-NH₂

Building block from example 342:

4-[(7-Carboxy-6-hydroxynaphthalen-2-ylmethyl)amino]benzoyl-Arg₆-NH₂

4-[(7-Carboxy-6-hydroxynaphthalen-2-ylmethyl)amino]benzoyl-Arg₅-NH₂

4-[(7-Carboxy-6-hydroxynaphthalen-2-ylmethyl)amino]benzoyl-Arg₄-NH₂

4-[(7-Carboxy-6-hydroxynaphthalen-2-ylmethyl)amino]benzoyl-Arg₃-NH₂

4-[4-(5-Mercaptotetrazol-1-yl)benzoylamino]benzoyl-Arg₆-NH₂

4-[4-(5-Mercaptotetrazol-1-yl)benzoylamino]benzoyl-Arg₅-NH₂

4-[4-(5-Mercaptotetrazol-1-yl)benzoylamino]benzoyl-Arg₄-NH₂

4-[4-(5-Mercaptotetrazol-1-yl)benzoylamino]benzoyl-Arg₃-NH₂

4-[4-(5-Mercaptotetrazol-1-yl)phenoxy]butyryl-Arg₆-NH₂

4-[4-(5-Mercaptotetrazol-1-yl)phenoxy]butyryl-Arg₅-NH₂

4-[4-(5-Mercaptotetrazol-1-yl)phenoxy]butyryl-Arg₄-NH₂

4-[4-(5-Mercaptotetrazol-1-yl)phenoxy]butyryl-Arg₃-NH₂ 4-[4-(5-Mercaptotetrazol-1-yl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyryl-Arg₆-NH₂

4-[4-(5-Mercaptotetrazol-1-yl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyryl-Arg₅-NH₂

4-[4-(5-Mercaptotetrazol-1-yl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyryl-Arg₄-NH₂

4-[4-(5-Mercaptotetrazol-1-yl)naphthalen-1-yloxy]butyryl-Arg₃-NH₂

Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-4-Abz-Gly₂-Arg₆-NH₂

Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-4-Abz-Gly₂-Arg₄-NH₂

Benzotriazol-5-ylcarbonyl-4-Abz-Gly₂-Arg₃-NH₂

4-[5-Bromo-6-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxymethyl]benzoyl-Arg₃-

NH₂

4-[5-Bromo-6-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxymethyl]benzoyl-Arg₄-

NH₂

4-[5-Bromo-6-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)naphthalen-2-yloxymethyl]benzoyl-Arg₅-

NH₂

3',5'-Dichloro-4'-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)biphenyl-4-oyl-Arg₃-NH₂

3',5'-Dichloro-4'-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)biphenyl-4-oyl-Arg₄-NH₂

3',5'-Dichloro-4'-(2,4-dioxothiazolidin-5-ylidenemethyl)biphenyl-4-oyl-Arg₅-NH₂

4-i 5-Cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenoxy)acetyl-Arg₃-NH₂

4- 5-Cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenoxy)acetyl-Arg₄-NH₂

2- 4- 5-Cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenoxy)acetyl-Arg₅-NH₂

4- 4- 5-Cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenoxy)butyryl-Arg₅-NH₂

4- 4-ι 5-Cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenoxy)butyryl-Arg₄-NH₂

4- 4-i 5-Cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenoxy)butyryl-Arg₃-NH₂

5- 5-Cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenoxy)pentanoyl-Arg₅-NH₂

5- 4-i 5-Cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenoxy)pentanoyl-Arg₄-NH₂

5- 4-i 5-Cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenoxy)pentanoyl-Arg₃-NH₂

8- 5-Cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenoxy)octanoyl-Arg₅-NH₂

8- 5-Cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenoxy)octanoyl-Arg₄-NH₂

8- 5-Cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenoxy)octanoyl-Arg₃-NH₂

4- 4- 5-Cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)benzoylamino]-benzoyl-Arg₆-NH₂

4- 4- 5-Cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)benzoylamino]-benzoyl-Arg₅-NH₂

4- 4- 5-Cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)benzoylamino]-benzoyl-Arg₄-NH₂

4- -(5-Cyano-1H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)benzoylamino]-benzoyl-Arg₃-NH₂

N- [4-(5-Cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenyl]terephthalamoyl-Arg₅-NH₂ N- [4-(5-Cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenyl]terephthalamoyl-Arg₄-NH₂ N- [4-(5-Cyano-1 H-[1 ,2,3]triazol-4-yl)phenyl]terephthalamoyl-Arg₃-NH₂

Example 663

Equilibrium Solubility. For pH-solubility profiles, a 0.6 mM human insulin stock solution containing 0.2 mM Zn²⁺, 30 mM phenol, 0.2 M mannitol, 2 mM phosphate and Zn²⁺ -binding ligand as required were prepared and the pH was adjusted to the desired value corresponding to the alkaline endpoint of the pH-solubility profile. From these stock solutions samples were withdrawn, the pH adjusted to the desired value in the pH 3-8 range, and samples were incubated at 23 C for 24 hours. After centrifugation (20,000 g in 20 min at 23 C) of each sample, pH was measured and the solubility was determined by quantitation of insulin con- tents in the supernatant by SEC HPLC analysis

The effect of various concentration of the ligand BTG₂R₅ on the pH-dependence of insulin solubility is illustrated in Figure 1.

Example 664 The effect of increasing concentrations of the ligand BTG₂P on the pH-dependence of insulin solubility is illustrated in Figure 2. The solubility was determined as in example 663. Solution conditions: 0.6 mM human insulin, 0.2 mM mM Zn²⁺, 30 mM phenol, 0.2 M mannitol, 2 mM phosphate, 23 C.

Example 665

The slow release (prolonged action) properties of certain formulations of the present invention was characterized by the disappearance rate from the subcutaneous depot following subcutaneous injections in pigs. T_50% is the time when 50% of the A14 Tyr(^{1 5}l) insulin has disappeared from the site of injection as measured with an external ι/-counter (Ribel et al., The Pig as a Model for Subcutaneous Absorption in Man. In: M. Serrano-Rtios and P.J. Le- febre (Eds): Diabetes (1985) Proceedings of the 12^th congress of the International Diabetes Federation, Madrid, Spain, 1985 (Excerpta Medica, Amsterdam (1986), 891-896). The composition of a series of protracted formulations is given in the table below together with the T₅₀% values. The disappearance curves are illustrated in Figure 3 a-d. For comparison, the T_50% for the corresponding insulin preparations formulated without the ligands would be about 2 hours. The induction of slow release by addition of exogenous ligands of the invention affords further advantages in terms of versatility regarding the choice of insulin species and release patterns. Consequently, human or mutant insulins such as Asp^B28, Lys^B28Pro^B29, or Gly^Lys^Glu⁶²⁹ may be formulated as slow- or dual-release preparations by adding variable amounts of His⁸¹⁰ Zn²⁺-site ligand. This is illustrated below for Asp^B28 human insulin employing two different levels of the ligand TZD-Abz-G₂R₅ (example 647). As shown in the table and in Figure 3 panels e-f, addition of this ligand in slight excess of the Zn²⁺ concentration produces a slow release preparation with T_50% about 14.8. In contrast, when the ligand is added in concentrations lower than that of Zn²⁺, a distinctly dual-release formulation results.

ANALYTICAL METHODS

Assays to quantify the binding affinity of ligands to the metal site of the insulin R₆ hexamers:

4H3N-assay:

The binding affinity of ligands to the metal site of insulin R₆ hexamers are measured in a UV/vis based displacement assay. The UV/vis spectrum of 3-hydroxy-4-nitro benzoic acid (4H3N) which is a known ligand for the metal site of insulin R₆ shows a shift in absorption maximum upon displacement from the metal site to the solution (Huang et al., 1997, Bio- chemistry 36, 9878-9888). Titration of a ligand to a solution of insulin R₆ hexamers with 4H3N mounted in the metal site allows the binding affinity of these ligands to be determined following the reduction of absorption at 444 nm.

A stock solution with the following composition 0.2 mM human insulin, 0.067 mM Zn-acetate, 40 mM phenol, 0.101 mM 4H3N is prepared in a 10mL quantum as described below. Buffer is always 50mM tris buffer adjusted to pH=8.0 with NaOH/CIO₄ ^".

1000 μL of 2.0mM human insulin in buffer 66.7 μL of 10mM Zn-acetate in buffer 800 μL of 500mM phenol in H₂O 201 μL of 4H3N in H₂O 7.93 ml buffer

The ligand is dissolved in DMSO to a concentration of 20 mM. The ligand solution is titrated to a cuvette containing 2 mL stock solution and after each addition the UV/vis spectrum is measured. The titration points are listed in Table 3 below. Table 3

The UV/vis spectra resulting from a titration of the compound 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid is shown in Figure 5. Inserted in the upper right corner is the absorbance at 444nm vs. the concentration of ligand.

The following equation is fitted to these datapoints to determine the two parameters K_D(obs), the observed dissociation constant, and abS_ma_x the absorbance at maximal ligand concentration.

abs ([ligand]free) = (abs_max ^* [ligand]_free)/ (K_D(obs) + [ligand]_free)

The observed dissociation constant is recalculated to obtain the apparent dissociation con- stant

K_D(app) = K_D(obs) / ( 1+[4H3N]/K4H3 )

The value of K_4H3N=50 M is taken from Huang et al., 1997, Biochemistry 36, 9878-9888.

TZD-assay:

The binding affinity of ligands to the metal site of insulin R₆ hexamers are measured in a fluo- rescense based displacement assay. The fluorescence of 5-(4- dimethylaminobenzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione (TZD) which is a ligand for the metal site of insulin R₆ is quenched upon displacement from the metal site to the solution. Titration of a ligand to a stock solution of insulin Re hexamers with this compound mounted in the metal site allows the binding affinity of these ligands to be determined measuring the fluorescence at 455nm upon excitation at 410nm.

Preparation

Stock solution: 0.02 mM human insulin, 0.007 mM Zn-acetate, 40 mM phenol, 0.01 mM TZD in 50mM tris buffer adjusted to pH=8.0 with NaOH/CIO₄ ^".

The ligand is dissolved in DMSO to a concentration of 5 mM and added in aliquots to the stock solution to final concentrations of 0-250 DM.

Measurements

Fluorescence measurements were carried out on a Perkin Elmer Spectrofluorometer LS50B.The main absorption band was excited at 410 nm and emission was detected at 455 nm. The resolution was 10 nm and 2.5 nm for excitation and emission, respectively.

Data analysis

This equation is fitted to the datapoints

ΔF(455nm)) = ΔF_max ^* [ligand ( K_D(app) ^* ( 1 +[TZD]/K_TZD )+ [ligand]_free)) K_D(app) is the apparent dissociation constant and F_max is the fluorescence at maximal ligand concentration. The value of K_TZD is measured separately to 230 nM

Two different fitting-procedures can be used. One in which both parameters, K_D(app) and F_max, are adjusted to best fit the data and a second in which the value of F_max is fixed (F_max=1 ) and only K_D(app) is adjusted. The given data are from the second fitting procedure. The Solver module of Microsoft Excel can be used to generate the fits from the datapoints.

Claims (203)

1. A zinc-binding ligand of the following general formula (III)

A-B-C-D-X (III)

wherein:

A is a chemical group which reversibly binds to a His⁸¹⁰ Zn²⁺ site of an insulin hexamer;

B is a linker selected from

• A valence bond

• A chemical group G^B of the formula -B¹-B²-C(O)-, -B¹-B²-SO₂-, -B¹-B²-CH₂-, or -B¹- B²-NH-; wherein B¹ is a valence bond, -O-, -S-, or -NR⁶-,

B² is a valence bond, d-ds-alkylene, C₂-Cι₈-alkenylene, C₂-C₁₈-alkynylene, arylene, heteroarylene, -d-C₁₈-alkyl-aryl-, -C₂-Cι₈-alkenyl-aryl-, -C₂-C₁₈-alkynyl-aryl-, -C(=O)-

C₁-C₁₈-alkyl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-C₁-C₁₈-alkenyI-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-C₁-C₁₈-alkyl-O-C₁-C₁₈- alkyl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)- C₁-C₁₈-alkyl-S-C₁-C₁₈-alkyl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-C₁-C₁₈-alkyl-NR⁶-C₁-

C₁₈-alkyl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-aryl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-heteroaryl-C(=O)-; wherein the alkylene, alkenylene, and alkynylene moieties are optionally substituted by -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR⁶, or -NR⁶R⁷ and the arylene and heteroarylene moieties are optionally substituted by halogen, -C(O)OR⁶, -C(O)H, OCOR⁶, -SO₂, -CN, -CF₃, -

OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR⁶, -NR⁶R⁷, d-C₁₈-alkyl, or C C₁₈-alkanoyl;

R⁶ and R⁷ are independently H, d-C₄-alkyl;

C is a fragment consisting of 0 to 5 neutral amino acids, wherein the individual neutral amino acids are the same or different

D is a fragment comprising 1 to 20 positively charged groups independently selected from amino or guanidino groups, wherein the individual positively charged groups are the same or different; and

X is -OH, -NH₂ or a diamino group, or a salt thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base, or any optical isomer or mixture of optical isomers, including a racemic mixture, or any tautomeric forms.

2. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 1 wherein A is a chemical structure selected from the group consisting of carboxylates, dithiocarboxylates, phenolates, thiophenolates, alkyl- thiolates, sulfonamides, imidazoles, triazoles, 4-cyano-1 ,2,3-triazoles, benzimidazoles, benzotriazoles, purines, thiazolidinediones, tetrazoles, 5-mercaptotetrazoles, rhodanines, N- hydroxyazoles, hydantoines, thiohydantoines, barbiturates, naphthoic acids and salicylic acids.

3. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 2 wherein A is a chemical structure selected from the group consisting of benzotriazoles, 3-hydroxy 2-napthoic acids, salicylic acids, tetrazoles, thiazolidinediones, 5-mercaptotetrazoles, or 4-cyano-1 ,2,3-triazoles.

4. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 1 to 3 wherein A is

wherein X is =O, =S or =NH Y is -S-, -O- or -NH-

R⁸ and R¹¹ are independently hydrogen or d-C₆-alkyl,

R⁹ is hydrogen or d-C₆-alkyl or aryl, R⁸ and R⁹ may optionally be combined to form a double bond,

R ⁰ and R¹² are independently hydrogen, aryl, d-C₆-alkyl, or -C(O)NR¹⁶R¹⁷

E and G are independently d-C₆-alkylene, arylene, -aryl-d-C₆-alkyl-, -aryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl- or heteroarylene, wherein the alkylene or alkenylene is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, aryl, -COOH and -NH₂, and the arylene or heteroarylene is optionally substituted with up to four substituents R ³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, and R^15A

E and R¹⁰ may be connected through one or two valence bonds, G and R¹² may be connected through one or two valence bonds;

R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R^15A are independently selected from • hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CH₂CN, -CHF₂, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OCHF₂, -OCH₂CF₃, -OCF₂CHF₂, -S(O)₂CF₃, -OS(O)₂CF₃, -SCF₃, -NO₂, -OR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -SR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶S(O)₂R¹⁷, -S(O)₂NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -S(O)NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -S(O)R¹⁶, -S(O)₂R¹⁶, -OS(O)₂ R¹⁶, -C(O)NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -OC(O)NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -NR¹⁶C(O)R¹⁷, -CH₂C(O)NR¹⁶R¹⁷,

-Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -CH₂OR¹⁶, -CH₂OC(O)R¹⁶, -CH₂NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -OC(O)R¹⁶, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶, -Od-C₆-alkyl-OR¹⁶, -Sd-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶ , -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)OR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶-C(=O)-C₁-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶-C(=O)-C₁-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)OR¹⁶ , -C(O)OR¹⁶, or -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)R¹⁶, =O, or -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)-NR¹⁶R¹⁷,

• d-Cβ-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR¹⁶, and -NR¹⁶R¹⁷

• aryl, aryloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, aroyl, arylsulfanyl, aryl-d-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl, aroyl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-Ci- Ce-alkyl, heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl or heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR¹⁶, -CH₂C(O)OR¹⁶, -CH₂OR¹⁶, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶R¹⁷, S(O)₂R¹⁶, aryl and C C₆-alkyl,

R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ independently are hydrogen, OH, Cι-C₂o-alkyl, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl or aryl, wherein the alkyl groups may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -Od-Ce-alkyl, -C(O)Od-C₆-alkyl, -COOH and -NH₂, and the aryl groups may optionally be substituted by halogen, -C(O)Od-C₆-alkyl, -COOH, -CN, -CF₃, - OCF₃, -NO₂, -OH, -Od-Ce-alkyl, -NH₂, C(=O) or d-Cβ-alkyl; R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ when attached to the same nitrogen atom may form a 3 to 8 membered heterocyclic ring with the said nitrogen atom, the heterocyclic ring optionally containing one or two further heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, and optionally containing one or two double bonds

5. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 4 wherein X is =O or =S

6. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 5 wherein X is =O

7. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 5 wherein X is =S

8. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 4 to 7 wherein Y is -O- or -S-

9. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 8 wherein Y is -O-

10. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 8 wherein Y is -S-

11. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 4 to 10 wherein E is arylene optionally substituted with up to four substituents, R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, and R^15A.

12. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 11 wherein E is phenylene or naphtylene optionally substituted with up to four substituents, R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, and R^15A.

13. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 12 wherein E is

14. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 13 wherein E is

15. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 12 wherein E is phenylene

16. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 4 to 10 wherein E is heteroarylene optionally substituted with up to four substituents, R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, and R^15A.

17. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 15. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 12 wherein E is phenylene

16 wherein E is benzofuranylidene optionally substituted with up to four substituents R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, and R^15A.

18. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 17 wherein E is

19. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 15. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 12 wherein E is phenylene 16 wherein E is carbazolylidene optionally substituted with up to four substituents R¹³, R¹⁴,

R¹⁵, and R^15A.

20. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 19 wherein E is

21. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 15. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 12 wherein E is phenylene

16 wherein E is quinolylidene optionally substituted with up to four substituents R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, and R^15A.

22. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 21 wherein E is

23. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 15. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 12 wherein E is phenylene

16 wherein E is indolylene optionally substituted with up to four substituents R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, and R 15A

24. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 23 wherein E is

25. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 4 to 24 wherein R⁸ is Hydrogen.

26. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 4 to 25 wherein R⁹ is Hydrogen.

27. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 4 to 24 wherein R⁸ and R⁹ are combined to form a double bond.

28. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 4 to 27 wherein R¹⁰ is Ci-Ce- alkyl.

29. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 28 wherein R¹⁰ is methyl.

30. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 4 to 10 wherein G is phenylene optionally substituted with up to four substituents, R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, and R^15A.

31. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 4 to 10 or 30 wherein R¹¹ is Hydrogen.

32. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 4 to 10 or 30 to 31 wherein R¹² is Hydrogen.

33. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 4 to 32 wherein R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R^15A are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -NO₂, -OR⁶, -NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -SR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶S(O)₂R¹⁷, -S(O)₂NR¹⁶R¹⁷,

-S(O)NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -S(O)R¹⁶, -S(O)₂R¹⁶, -OS(O)₂ R¹⁶, -NR¹⁶C(O)R¹⁷, -CH₂OR¹⁶, - CH₂OC(O)R¹⁶, -CH₂NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -OC(O)R¹⁶, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶, -OC C₆- alkyl-C(O)NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -OC C₆-alkyl-OR¹⁶, -Sd-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl- C(=O)OR¹⁶, -C(O)OR¹⁶, or -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)R¹⁶,

• Cι-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR¹⁶, and -NR¹⁶R¹⁷

• aryl, aryloxy, aroyl, arylsulfanyl, aryl-d-Cβ-alkoxy, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl, aryl-C₂- C₆-alkenyl, aroyl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-d-C₆-alkyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substitu- ents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR¹⁶, -CH₂C(O)OR¹⁶, -CH₂OR¹⁶, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃,

-NO₂, -OR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶R¹⁷ and d-C₆-alkyl.

34. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 33 wherein R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R^15A are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -NO₂, -OR⁶, -NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -SR¹⁶, -S(O)₂R¹⁶, -OS(O)₂ R¹⁶, - CH₂OC(O)R¹⁶, -OC(O)R¹⁶, -OC C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶, -Od-C₆-alkyl-OR¹⁶, -Sd-C₆- alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶, -C(O)OR¹⁶, or -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)R¹⁶, • d-Ce-alkyl or d-Ce-alkenyl which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR¹⁶, and -NR¹⁶R¹⁷

• aryl, aryloxy, aroyl, aryl-d-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-Ci-C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR¹⁶, -CH₂C(O)OR¹⁶, -CH₂OR¹⁶, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶R¹⁷ and d-Ce-alkyl.

35. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 34 wherein R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R^15A are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -NO₂, -OR⁶, -NR¹⁶R¹⁷, -SR¹⁶, -S(O)₂R¹⁶, -OS(O)₂ R¹⁶, - CH₂OC(O)R¹⁶, -OC(O)R¹⁶, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶, -Od-C₆-alkyl-OR¹⁶, -SC C₆- alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶, -C(O)OR¹⁶, or -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)R¹⁶,

• Cι-C₆-alkyl or d-C₆-alkenyl which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CF₃, -OR¹⁶, and -NR¹⁶R¹⁷

•aryl, aryloxy, aroyl, aryl-d-Cβ-alkoxy, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, C(O)OR¹⁶, -CN, -NO₂, -OR¹⁶, -NR¹⁶R¹⁷ and d-Cβ-alkyl.

36. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 35 wherein R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R^15A are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -OR⁶, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR¹⁶, or -C(O)OR¹⁶,

• d-Ce-alkyl which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents se- lected from halogen, -OR¹⁶, and -NR¹⁶R¹⁷

• aryl, aryloxy, aryl-d-C₆-alkoxy,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substitu- ents selected from halogen, C(O)OR¹⁶, OR¹⁶, and d-C₆-alkyl.

37. A zinc-binding ligand according to any of the claims 4 to 36 wherein R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ independently are hydrogen, C C₂₀-alkyl, or aryl, wherein the alkyl groups may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -Od-C₆-alkyl, -COOH and -NH₂, and the aryl groups may optionally be substituted by halogen, -COOH, - CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OH, -OCi-Ce-alkyl, -NH₂, C(=O) or Ci-Ce-alkyl; R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ when attached to the same nitrogen atom may form a 3 to 8 membered heterocyclic ring with the said nitrogen atom, the heterocyclic ring optionally containing one or two further heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, and optionally containing one or two double bonds

38. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 37 wherein R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ independently are hydrogen, d-C₂o-alkyl, or aryl, wherein the alkyl groups may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CF₃, -OCi-Ce-alkyl, -COOH and -NH₂, and the aryl groups may optionally be substituted by halogen, -COOH, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OH, -NH₂,or d-Ce-alkyl.

39. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 1 to 3 wherein A is

wherein

R²⁰ is hydrogen or Ci-Ce-alkyl,

R²¹ is hydrogen or C C₆-alkyl,

U and V are a valence bond or d-C₆-alkylene optionally substituted with one or more hydroxy, Ci-Ce-alkyl, or aryl independently,

J is Ci-Ce-alkylene, arylene or heteroarylene, wherein the arylene or heteroarylene is option- ally substituted with up to three substituents R²², R²³ and R²⁴,

L is d-Cβ-alkylene, arylene or heteroarylene, wherein the arylene or heteroarylene is optionally substituted with up to three substituents R²⁵, R²⁶ and R²⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, R²², R²³, R²⁴, R²⁵, R²⁶ and R²⁷ are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CH₂CN, -CHF₂, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OCHF₂, -OCH₂CF₃,

-OCF₂CHF₂, -S(O)₂CF₃, -SCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹, -SR²⁸, -NR²⁸S(O)₂R²⁹, -S(O)₂NR²⁸R²⁹, -S(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -S(O)R²⁸, -S(O)₂R²⁸, -C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -OC(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)OR²⁹, -CH₂C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -OCH₂C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -CH₂OR²⁸, -CH₂NR²⁸R²⁹, -OC(O)R²⁸, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -SCι-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -C₂-C₆- alkenyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -NR²⁸-C(=O)-Cι-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -NR²⁸-C(=O)-d-C₆- alkenyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -C(=O)NR²⁸-d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸,or -C(O)OR²⁸,

• Ci-Ce-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, and -NR²⁸R²⁹

• aryl, aryloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, aroyl, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl, aryl-C₂- Ce-alkenyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-Cι-C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl-C₂-C₆- alkenyl or heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR²⁸, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹ and Ci-Ce-alkyl,

R²⁸ and R²⁹ independently are hydrogen, Ci-Ce-alkyl, aryl-Ci-Ce-alkyl or aryl, or R²⁸ and R²⁹ when attached to the same nitrogen atom together with the said nitrogen atom may form a 3 to 8 membered heterocyclic ring optionally containing one or two further heteroatoms se- lected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, and optionally containing one or two double bonds

40. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 39 wherein U is a valence bond

41. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 39 wherein U is d-Cβ-alkylene optionally substituted with one or more hydroxy, Ci-Ce-alkyl, or aryl

42. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 39 to 41 wherein J is arylene or heteroarylene, wherein the arylene or heteroarylene is optionally substituted with up to three substituents R²², R²³ and R²⁴

43. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 42 wh^'erein J is arylene optionally substituted with up to three substituents R²², R²³ and R²⁴

44. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 43 wherein J is phenylene optionally substituted with up to three substituents R²², R²³ and R²⁴

45. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 44 wherein J is

46. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 39 to 45 wherein R²², R²³ and R²⁴ are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -CHF₂, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OCHF₂, -OCH₂CF₃, -OCF₂CHF₂, -SCF₃, - NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹, -SR²⁸, -C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -OC(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)OR²⁹, -CH₂C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -OCH₂C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -CH₂OR²⁸, -CH₂NR²⁸R²⁹,

-OC(O)R²⁸, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -SCι-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl- C(=O)OR²⁸, -NR²⁸-C(=O)-Cι-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -NR²⁸-C(=O)-Cι-C₆- alkenyl-C(=O)OR²⁸-, -C(=O)NR²⁸-d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, or -C(O)OR²⁸,

• Ci-Ce-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, and -NR²⁸R²⁹

• aryl, aryloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, aroyl, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-Ci-Ce-alkyl, aryl-C₂- Ce-alkenyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-Ci-C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl-C₂-C₆- alkenyl or heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl, of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR²⁸, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹ and Ci-Ce-alkyl

47. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 45. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 44 wherein J is

46 wherein R²², R²³ and R²⁴ are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹, -SR²⁸, -NR²⁸C(O)R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)OR²⁹,

-OC(O)R²⁸, -OCι-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -SCι-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl- C(=O)OR²⁸, -C(=O)NR²⁸-Cι-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -C Ce-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, or -C(O)OR²⁸,

• Ci-Ce-alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, and -NR²⁸R²⁹

• aryl, aryloxy, aroyl, aryl-CrC₆-alkoxy, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-Ci-Ce- alkyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR²⁸, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹ and Ci-Ce-alkyl

48. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 47 wherein R²², R²³ and R²⁴ are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹, -SR²⁸, -NR²⁸C(O)R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)OR²⁹, -OC(O)R²⁸, -OCι-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -SCι-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl- C(=O)OR²⁸, -C(=O)NR²⁸-Cι-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, or

-C(O)OR²⁸, • Ci-Ce-alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, or -CF₃

• aryl, aryloxy, aroyl, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-C C₆- alkyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OH, -CN, -CF₃, -NO₂, or Ci-Ce-alkyl

49. A zinc-binding ligand according to any of the claims 39 to 48 wherein R²⁰ is hydrogen or methyl

50. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 49 wherein R²⁰ is hydrogen

51. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 39 to 50 wherein R²⁸ is Hydro- gen, Ci-Ce-alkyl or aryl

52. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 51 wherein R²⁸ is Hydrogen or Ci-Ce-alkyl

53. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 39 to 52 wherein R²⁹ is Hydrogen or Ci-Ce-alkyl

54. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 39 wherein V is a valence bond

55. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 39 wherein V is Cι-C₆-alkylene optionally substituted with one or more hydroxy, Ci-Ce-alkyl, or aryl

56. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 39 or 54 to 55 wherein L is Ci- Ce-alkylene or arylene, wherein the arylene is optionally substituted with up to three substitu- ents R²⁵, R²⁶ and R²⁷

57. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 56 wherein L is d-C₆-alkylene

58. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 56 wherein L is phenylene optionally substituted with up to three substituents R²⁵, R²⁶ and R²⁷

59. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 39 to 58 wherein R²⁵, R²⁶ and R²⁷ are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -CHF₂, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OCHF₂, -OCH₂CF₃, -OCF₂CHF₂, -SCF₃, - NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹, -SR²⁸, -C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -OC(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)OR²⁹, -CH₂C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -OCH₂C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -CH₂OR²⁸, -CH₂NR²⁸R²⁹, -OC(O)R²⁸, -OCι-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -Sd-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl- C(=O)OR²⁸, -NR²⁸-C(=O)-Cι-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -NR²⁸-C(=O)-Cι-C₆- alkenyl-C(=O)OR²⁸-, -C(=O)NR²⁸-Cι-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -Cι-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, or -C(O)OR²⁸,

• Cι-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, and -NR²⁸R²⁹

«aryl, aryloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, aroyl, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkyl, aryl-C₂-

C₆-alkenyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-Ci-Ce-alkyl, heteroaryl-C₂-C₆- alkenyl or heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substitu- ents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR²⁸, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹ and

Ci-Ce-alkyl

60. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 59 wherein R^2S, R²⁶ and R²⁷ are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹, -SR²⁸, -NR²⁸C(O)R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)OR²⁹, -OC(O)R²⁸, -OCi-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -SC C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl- C(=O)OR²⁸, -C(=O)NR²⁸-Cι-Ce-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -Cι-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, or -C(O)OR²⁸,

• Cι-C₆-alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, and -NR²⁸R²⁹

• aryl, aryloxy, aroyl, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-C C₆- alkyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR²⁸, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹ and Ci-Ce-alkyl

61. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 60 wherein R²⁵, R²⁶ and R²⁷ are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, -NR ⁸R²⁹, -SR²⁸, -NR²⁸C(O)R²⁹, -NR²⁸C(O)OR²⁹, -OC(O)R²⁸, -OCι-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -SCι-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl- C(=O)OR²⁸, -C(=O)NR²⁸-Cι-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, -d-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR²⁸, or -C(O)OR²⁸,

• Ci-Ce-alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from halo- gen, -CN, or -CF₃

• aryl, aryloxy, aroyl, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-Cι-C₆- alkyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OH, -CN, -CF₃, -NO₂, or Cι-C₆-alkyl

62. A zinc-binding ligand according to any of the claims 39 or 54 to 61 wherein R²¹ is hydrogen or methyl

63. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 62 wherein R²¹ is hydrogen

64. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 39 or 54 to 63 wherein R²⁸ is Hydrogen, Cι-C₆-alkyl or aryl

65. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 64 wherein R²⁸ is Hydrogen or Cι-C₆-alkyl

66. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 39 or 54 to 65 wherein R²⁹ is Hydrogen or Ci-Ce-alkyl

67. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 39 wherein R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹, -SR²⁸, -S(O)R²⁸, -S(O)₂R²⁸, -C(O)NR²⁸R²⁹, -CH₂OR²⁸, -OC(O)R²⁸, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, -Sd-Cβ- alkyl-C(O)OR²⁸, or -C(O)OR²⁸,

• Ci-Ce-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkynyl, which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, and -NR²⁸R²⁹

• aryl, aryloxy, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-Ci-Ce-alkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-Ci-C₆-alkyl of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR²⁸, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹ and Ci-Ce-alkyl

68. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 67 wherein R¹⁸ and R ⁹are independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹, or -C(O)OR²⁸,

• C C₆-alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR²⁸, and -NR²⁸R²⁹

• aryl, aryloxy, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl, of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR²⁸, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR²⁸, -NR²⁸R²⁹ and Ci-Ce-alkyl

69. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 39 wherein A is

70. A zinc-binding ligand according to any of the claims 1 to 3 wherein A is of the form M-Q-T-

wherein W¹, W², and W³ are independently OH, SH or NH₂ and the phenyl, naphthalene or benzocarbazole rings are optionally substituted by one or more R³⁴ independently

Q is selected from the following:

• a valence bond

• -CH₂N(R³⁰)- or -SO₂N(R³¹)-

> A compound of the formula wherein Z¹ is S(O)₂ or CH₂, Z² is N,-O-or

-S-, and n is 1 or 2;

T is

• Ci-Ce-alkylene, C₂-C₆-alkenylene or C₂-C₆-alkynylene, which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR³², and -NR³²R³³

• Arylene, arylene-oxy, -aryl-oxycarbonyl-, -aroyl-, -aryl-Cι-C₆-alkoxy-, -aryl-Cι-C₆- alkyl-, -aryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, -aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, heteroarylene, -heteroaryl-d-C₆- alkyl-, -heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl- or -heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, wherein the cyclic moieties are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR³², -C(O)H, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR³², -NR³²R³³, d-C₆-alkyl or C C₆-alkanoyl, »A valence bond

R³² and R³³ independently are hydrogen, Cι-C₆-alkyl, aryl-Ci-Ce-alkyl or aryl, or R³² and R³³ when attached to the same nitrogen atom together with the said nitrogen atom may form a 3 to 8 membered heterocyclic ring optionally containing one or two further heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, and optionally containing one or two double bonds,

R³⁰ and R³¹ are independently hydrogen, C C₆-alkyl or Cι-C₆-alkanoyl.

R³⁴ is hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CH₂CN, -CHF₂, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OCHF₂, -OCH₂CF₃,

-OCF₂CHF₂, -S(O)₂CF₃, -SCF₃, -NO₂, -OR³², -C(O)R³², -NR³²R³³, -SR³², -NR³²S(O)₂R³³, -S(O)₂NR³²R³³, -S(O)NR³²R³³, -S(O)R³², -S(O)₂R³², -C(O)NR³²R³³, -OC(O)NR³ R³³, -NR³²C(O)R³³, -CH₂C(O)NR³ R³³, -OCH₂C(O)NR³²R³³, -CH₂OR³², -CH₂NR³²R³³, -OC(O)R³²,

OCι-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR³², -SCι-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR³² -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)OR³²,

-NR³²-C(=O)-Cι-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR³², -NR³²-C(=O)-Cι-Ce-alkenyl-C(=O)OR³²-, Ci-Ce-alkyl, d-Ce-alkanoyl or -C(O)OR³²,

71. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 70 wherein M is

72. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 71 wherein M is

73. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 71 wherein M is

74. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 71 wherein M is

75. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 71 wherein M is

76. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 70 to 75 wherein Q is a valence bond, -CH₂N(R³⁰)-, or -SO₂N(R³¹)-

77. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 76 wherein Q is a valence bond

78. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 70 to 77 wherein T is

• A valence bond

• Ci-Ce-alkylene, C₂-C₆-aIkenylene or C₂-C₆-alkynylene, which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR³², and -NR³²R³³

• Arylene, or heteroarylene, wherein the cyclic moieties are optionally substituted as defined in claim 70

79. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 78 wherein T is

• A valence bond • Arylene, or heteroarylene, wherein the cyclic moieties are optionally substituted as defined in claim 70

80. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 70 to 75 wherein T is phenylene or naphthalene

81. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 70 to 80 wherein the cyclic moi- ety in T is optionally substituted by halogen, -C(O)OR³², -CN, -CF₃, -OR³², -NR³²R³³, C d-alkyl or Cι-C₆-alkanoyl

82. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 81 wherein the cyclic moiety in T is optionally substituted by halogen, -C(O)OR³², -OR³², -NR³²R³³, Ci-Ce-alkyl or Ci-Ce-alkanoyl

83. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 81 wherein the cyclic moiety in T is optionally substituted by halogen, -C(O)OR³² or -OR³²

84. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 70 to 75 wherein T is a valence bond

85. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 70 to 84 wherein R³⁰ and R³¹ are independently hydrogen or d-C₆-alkyl

86. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 70 to 85 wherein R³⁴ is hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -SCF₃, -NO₂, -OR³², -C(O)R³², -NR³²R³³, -SR³², -C(O)NR³²R³³, -OC(O)NR³²R³³, -NR³²C(O)R³³, -OC(O)R³², -OCι-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR³², -SCi-Ce- alkyl-C(O)OR³² or -C(O)OR³²

87. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 86 wherein R³⁴ is hydrogen, halogen, -CF₃, - NO₂, -OR³², -NR³²R³³, -SR³², -NR³²C(O)R³³, or -C(O)OR³²

88. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 87 wherein R³⁴ is hydrogen, halogen, -CF₃, - NO₂, -OR³², -NR³²R³³, or -NR³²C(O)R³³

89. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 88 wherein R³⁴ is hydrogen, halogen, or -OR³²

90. A zinc-binding ligand according to any of the claims 70 to 89 wherein R³² and R³³ inde- pendently are hydrogen, Ci-Ce-alkyl, or aryl

91. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 90 wherein R³² and R³³ independently are hydrogen or Ci-Ce-alkyl

92. A zinc-binding ligand according to any of the claims 1 to 3 wherein A is

wherein A¹ is a valence bond, Cι-C₆-alkylene, -NH-C(=O)-A²-, -Ci-Ce-alkyl-S-, -Ci- Ce-alkyl-O-, -C(=O)-, or -C(=O)-NH-, wherein any d-C₆-alkyl moiety is optionally substituted by R^1A;

A² is a valence bond, d-Ce-alkylene, d-Ce-alkenylene, or -Ci-Ce-alkyl-O-;

R^1A is Cι-C₆-alkyl, aryl, wherein the alkyl or aryl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more halogen, cyano, nitro, amino;

AR¹ is a valence bond, arylene or heteroarylene, wherein the aryl or heteroaryl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more R^1B independently

R^1B is selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CH₂CN, -CHF₂, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OCHF₂, -OCH₂CF₃, -OCF₂CHF₂, -S(O)₂CF₃, -OS(O)₂CF₃, -SCF₃, -NO₂, -OR^1c, -NR^1CR^1D, -SR^1C,

-NR^1cS(O)₂R^1D, -S(O)₂NR^1cR^1D, -S(O)NR^1cR^1D, -S(O)R^1c, -S(O)₂R^1c, -OS(O)₂ R^1C, -C(O)NR^1cR¹ , -OC(O)NR^1cR^1D, -NR^1cC(O)R^1D, -CH₂C(O)NR^1cR^1D, -OCι-C₆- alkyl-C(O)NR ^cR^1D, -CH₂OR^1c, -CH₂OC(O)R^1c, -CH₂NR^1CR^1D, -OC(O)R^1c, -OCi-Cβ- alkyl-C(O)OR^1c, -Od-C₆-alkyl-OR^1c, -S-Cι-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR^1c, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl- C(=O)OR^1c, -NR^1c-C(=O)-Cι-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR^1c, -NR^1c-C(=O)-Cι-C₆- alkenyl-C(=O)OR^1c , -C(O)OR^1c, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)R^1c, =O, -NH-C(=O)-O-Cι- Ce-alkyl, or -NH-C(=O)-C(=O)-O-d-C₆-alkyl

• Ci-Ce-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR^1c, and -NR^1CR^1D • aryl, aryloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, aroyl, arylsulfanyl, aryl-d-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl, aroyl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-Cι- Ce-alkyl, heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl or heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR^1c, -CH₂C(O)OR^1c, -CH₂OR^1c, -CN, -CF₃, - OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR^1c, -NR^1CR^1D and Ci-Ce-alkyl,

R^1C and R^1D independently are hydrogen, -OH, d-C₆-alkyl, Cι-C₆-alkenyl, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkyl or aryl, wherein the alkyl moieties may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -O-C C₆-alkyl, -C(O)-O-d-C₆-alkyl, -COOH and - NH₂, and the aryl moieties may optionally be substituted by halogen, -C(O)OCι-C₆-alkyl, - COOH, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OH, -OCι-C₆-alkyl, -NH₂, C(=O) or Ci-Ce-alkyl; R^1C and R¹ when attached to the same nitrogen atom may form a 3 to 8 membered heterocyclic ring with the said nitrogen atom, the heterocyclic ring optionally containing one or two further heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, and optionally containing one or two double bonds,

C¹ is a valence bond, d-Ce-alkylene, -C C₆-alkyl-O-, -Cι-C₆-alkyl-NH-, -NH-C C₆-alkyl, -NH-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-NH-, -O-Cι-C₆-alkyl, -C(=O)-, or -Cι-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)-N(R^1E)- wherein the alkyl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more R^1F independently

R^1E and R^1F are independently selected from d-C₆-alkyl, aryl optionally substituted by one or more halogen, -COOH;

AR' is

• a valence bond

• Ci-Ce-alkylene, C₂-C₆-alkenylene , C₂-C₆-alkynylene wherein the alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more R^ independently;

• arylene, -aryloxy-, -aryloxy-carbonyl-, aryl-Ci-Ce-alkyl, -aroyl-, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkoxy-, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl-, heteroarylene, -heteroaryl-Ci-Ce-alkyl-, -heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl-, -heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl- wherein the aryl and heteroaryl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more R^ independently; R^ is Ci-Ce-alkyl, Cι-C₆-alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkoxy, -C(=O)-NH-Cι-C₆-alkyl-aryl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-Cι-C₆-alkoxy, -Ci-Ce-alkyl-COOH, -O-Cι-C₆-alkyl-COOH, -S(O)₂R^2B, -C₂-Ce-alkenyl-COOH, -OR^2B, -NO₂, halogen, -COOH, -CF₃, -CN, -N(R^2BR^2C), wherein the aryl or heteroaryl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more Cι-C₆-alkyl, C Ce-alkoxy, -Ci-Ce-alkyl-COOH, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-COOH, -OR^2B, -NO₂, halogen, -COOH, -CF₃, -CN, or -N(R^2BR^2C)

R^2B and R^2C are independently selected from hydrogen and Ci-Ce-alkyl

93. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 92 wherein A¹ is a valence bond, Ci-Ce-alkylene, -NH-C(=O)-A²-, -Ci-Ce-alkyl-S-, -Cι-C_β-alkyl-O-, or -C(=O)-, wherein any d-C₆-alkyl moiety is optionally substituted by R^1A

94. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 93 wherein A¹ is a valence bond, Ci-Ce-alkylene, -NH-C(=O)-A²-, -Ci-Ce-alkyl-S-, or -Ci-Ce-alkyl-O, wherein any Cι-C₆-alkyl moiety is option- ally substituted by R^1A

95. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 94 wherein A¹ is a valence bond, Ci-Ce-alkylene, or -NH-C(=O)-A², wherein any Ci-Ce-alkyl moiety is optionally substituted by R^1A

96. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 95 wherein A¹ is a valence bond or Ci- Ce-alkylene, wherein any Ci-Ce-alkyl moiety is optionally substituted by R^1A

97. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 96 wherein A¹ is a valence bond

98. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 92 to 97 wherein A² is a valence bond or -Cι-C₆-alkyl-O-

99. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 98 wherein A² is a valence bond

100. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 92 to 99 wherein AR¹ is arylene or heteroarylene, wherein the arylene or heteroarylene moieties are optionally substituted by one or more R^1B independently

101. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 100 wherein AR¹ is selected from the group of compounds consisting of phenylene, biphenylylene, naphthylene, anthracenylene, phenan- threnylene, fluorenylene, indenylene, azulenylene, furylene, thienylene, pyrrolylene, oxa- zolylene, thiazolylene, imidazolylene, isoxazolylene, isothiazolylene, 1 ,2,3-triazolylene, 1 ,2,4- triazolylene, pyranylene, pyridylene, pyridazinylene, pyrimidinylene, pyrazinylene, 1 ,2,3- triazinylene, 1 ,2,4-triazinylene, 1 ,3,5- triazinylene, 1 ,2,3-oxadiazolylene, 1 ,2,4-oxadiazolylene, 1 ,2,5-oxadiazolylene, 1 ,3,4-oxadiazolylene, 1 ,2,3-thiadiazolylene, 1 ,2,4-thiadiazolylene, 1 ,2,5- thiadiazolylene, 1 ,3,4-thiadiazolylene, tetrazolylene, thiadiazinylene, indolylene, isoindolylene, benzofurylene, benzothienylene, indazolylene, benzimidazolylene, benzthiazolylene, ben- zisothiazolylene, benzoxazolylene, benzisoxazolylene, purinylene, quinazolinylene, quinoliz- inylene, quinolinylene, isoquinolinylene, quinoxalinylene, naphthyridinylene, pteridinylene, carbazolylene, azepinylene, diazepinylene, or acridinylene, optionally substituted by one or more R^1B independently

102. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 101 wherein AR¹ is selected from phenylene, biphenylylene, naphthylene, pyridinylene, fyrylene, indolylene, or carbazolylene, optionally substituted by one or more R^1B independently

103. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 102 wherein AR¹ is selected from the group of compounds consisting of phenylene, indolylene, or carbazolylene, optionally substituted by one or more R^1B independently

104. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 103 wherein AR¹ is phenylene optionally substituted by one or more R^1B independently

105. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 103 wherein AR¹ is indolylene optionally substituted by one or more R^1B independently

106. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 105 wherein AR¹ is

107. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 103 wherein AR¹ is carbazolylene optionally substituted by one or more R^1B independently 108. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 107 wherein AR¹ is

109. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 92 to 108 wherein R^1B is selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR^1c, -NR^1CR^1D, -SR^1C, -S(O)₂R^1c, -NR^1cC(O)R^1D, -OCι-C₆-alkyl-C(O)NR^1cR^1D, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)OR^1c, -C(O)OR^1c,

=O, -NH-C(=O)-O-Cι-C₆-alkyl, or -NH-C(=O)-C(=O)-O-Cι-C₆-alkyl

• Cι-C₆-alkyl or C₂-C₆-alkenyl which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR^1c, and -NR^1CR^1D

• aryl, aryloxy, aryl-Ci-Ce-alkoxy, aryl-Ci-C₆-alkyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl, heteroaryl, het- eroaryl-Ci-Ce-alkyl, or heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR^1c, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR^1c, -NR^1CR^1D and Ci-Ce-alkyl

110. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 109 wherein R^1B is selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -CF₃, -NO₂, -OR¹⁰, -NR^1CR^1D, -C(O)OR^1c, =O, -NH-C(=O)-O-d- Ce-alkyl, or -NH-C(=O)-C(=O)-O-Cι-C₆-alkyl

• C Ce-alkyl

111. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 92 to 110 wherein R^1C and R^1D independently are hydrogen, Cι-C₆-alkyl, or aryl, wherein the aryl moieties may optionally be substituted by halogen or -COOH

112. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 111 wherein R^1C and R^1D independently are hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, or phenyl, wherein the phenyl moieties may optionally be substituted by halogen or -COOH

113. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 92 to 112 wherein C¹ is a valence bond, Cι-C₆-alkylene, -d-C₆-alkyl-O-, -C C₆-alkyl-NH-, -NH-Cι-C₆-alkyl, -NH-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-NH-, -O-Ci-Ce-alkyl, -C(=O)-, or -C C₆-alkyl-C(=O)-N(R^1E)- wherein the alkyl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more R^1F independently

114. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 113 wherein C¹ is a valence bond, -CH₂-, -CH₂-CH₂-, -CH₂-O-, -CH₂-CH₂-O-, -CH₂-NH-, -CH₂-CH₂-NH-, -NH-CH₂-, -NH-CH₂-CH₂-, -NH-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-NH-, -O-CH₂-, -O-CH₂-CH₂-, or -C(=O)-

115. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 92 to 114 wherein R ^E and R ^F are independently selected from d-Ce-alkyl

116. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 92 to 115 wherein AR² is

• a valence bond

• Ci-Ce-alkylene, wherein the alkyl is optionally substituted by one or more R inde- pendently

• arylene, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl, heteroarylene, wherein the arylene and heteroarylene moieties are optionally substituted by one or more R²* independently

117. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 116 wherein AR² is

• a valence bond • Ci-Ce-alkylene, wherein the alkylene is optionally substituted by one or more R² independently

• phenyl, phenyl-C Ce-alkyl, wherein the phenylene moieties are optionally substituted by one or more R^ independently

118. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 92 to 117 wherein R^ is Ci- Ce-alkyl, Ci-Ce-alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, -Ci-Ce-alkyl-COOH, -O-Cι-C₆-alkyl-COOH, -S(O)₂R ^B, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-COOH, -OR^2B, -NO₂, halogen, -COOH, -CF₃, -CN, -N(R^2BR^2C), wherein the aryl or heteroaryl moieties are optionally substituted by one or more Ci-Ce-alkyl, Ci-Ce-alkoxy, -Ci-Ce-alkyl-COOH, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-COOH, -OR ^B, -NO₂, halogen, -COOH, -CF₃, -CN, or -N(R^2BR^2C)

119. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 118 wherein R²* is Ci-Ce-alkyl, d-C₆-alkoxy, aryl, -OR^2B, -NO₂, halogen, -COOH, -CF₃, -CN, -N(R^2BR^2C), wherein the aryl is optionally substituted by one or more d-Ce-alkyl, Ci-Ce-alkoxy, -OR^2B, -NO₂, halogen, -COOH, -CF₃, -CN, or -N(R^2BR^2C)

120. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 119 wherein R^ is d-C₆-alkyl, Ci-Ce-alkoxy, aryl, halogen, -CF₃, wherein the aryl is optionally substituted by one or more Ci-Ce-alkyl, halogen, -COOH, -CF₃, or -CN

121. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 120 wherein R^ is Ci-Ce-alkyl, Ci-Ce-alkoxy, phenyl, halogen, -CF₃, wherein the phenyl is optionally substituted by one or more Ci- Ce-alkyl, halogen, -COOH, -CF₃, or -CN

122. A zinc-binding ligand according to any of the claims 1 to 3 wherein A is

wherein AR³ is Ci-Ce-alkylene, arylene, heteroarylene, -aryl-d.₆-alkyl- or -aryl-C₂.₆-alkenyl-, wherein the alkylene or alkenylene is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, aryl, -COOH and -NH₂, and the ary- lene or heteroarylene is optionally substituted with one or more R^3A independently

R^3A is independently selected from • hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CH₂CN, -CHF₂, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OCHF₂, -OCH₂CF₃, -OCF₂CHF₂, -S(O)₂CF₃, -OS(O)₂CF₃, -SCF₃, -NO₂, -OR^3B, -NR^3BR^3C, -SR^3B, -NR^3BS(O)₂R^3C, -S(O)₂NR^3BR^4C, -S(O)NR^3BR^3C, -S(O)R^3B, -S(O)₂R^3B, -OS(O)₂ R^3B, -C(O)NR^3BR^3C, -OC(O)NR^3BR^3C, -NR^3BC(O)R^3C, -CH₂C(O)NR^3BR^3C, -Od-C₆- alkyl-C(O)NR^3BR^3C, -CH₂OR^3B, -CH₂OC(O)R^3B, -CH₂NR^3BR^3C, -OC(O)R^3B, -OCi-Ce- alkyl-C(O)OR^3B, -Od-C₆-alkyl-OR^3B, -SCι-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR^3B, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl- C(=O)OR^3B, -NR^3B-C(=O)-Cι-Ce-alkyl-C(=O)OR^3B, -NR^3B-C(=O)-Cι-C₆- alkenyl-C(=O)OR^3B , -C(O)OR^3B, or -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)R^3B,

• Ci-Ce-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR^3B, and -NR^3BR^3C

•aryl, aryloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, aroyl, arylsulfanyl, aryl-d-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl, aroyl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-Ci- C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl or heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substitu- ents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR^3B, -CH₂C(O)OR^3B, -CH₂OR^3B, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃,

-NO₂, -OR^3B, -NR^3BR^3C and Ci-Ce-alkyl,

R^3B and R^3C are independently hydrogen, OH, CF₃, d-Cι₂-alkyl, aryl-Ci-Ce-alkyl, -C(=O)-Cι-C₆-alkyl or aryl, wherein the alkyl groups may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OC C₆-alkyl, -C(O)OC C₆- alkyl, -C(=O)-R^3D, -COOH and -NH₂, and the aryl groups may optionally be substituted by halogen, -C(O)Od-C₆-alkyl, -COOH, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OH, -OCi-Ce-alkyl, -NH₂, C(=O) or Ci-Ce-alkyl; R^3B and R^3C when attached to the same nitrogen atom may form a 3 to 8 membered heterocyclic ring with the said nitrogen atom, the heterocyclic ring optionally containing one or two further heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, and optionally containing one or two double bonds

R^3D is Ci-Ce-alkyl, aryl optionally substituted with one or more halogen, or heteroaryl optionally substituted with one or more Ci-Ce-alkyl.

123. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 122 wherein AR³ is arylene, heteroarylene, or -aryl-Cι.₆-alkyl-, wherein the alkyl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, aryl, -COOH and -NH₂, and the arylene or heteroarylene is optionally substituted with one or more R^3A independently

124. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 123 wherein AR³ is arylene optionally substituted with one or more R^3A independently

125. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 124 wherein AR³ is phenylene, naphthalene or anthranylene optionally substituted with one or more R^3A independently

126. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 125 wherein AR³ is phenylene optionally substi- tuted with one or more R^3A independently

127. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 122 to 126 wherein R^3A is independently selected from

• halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -NO₂, -OR^3B, -NR^3BR^3C, -SR^3B, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR^3B or -C(O)OR^3B •Ci-Ce-alkyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR^3B, and -NR^3BR^3C

• aryl, aryl-d-C₆-alkyl, heteroaryl, or heteroaryl-d-C₆-alkyl of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR^3B, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR^3B, -NR^3BR^3C and Ci-Ce-alkyl

128. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 127 wherein R^3A is independently selected from halogen, -OR^3B, -NR^3BR^3C, -C(O)OR^3B, -Od-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR^3B, or C C₆-alkyl

129. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 122 to 128 wherein R^3B and R^3C are independently hydrogen, CF₃, C Cι₂-alkyl, or -C(=O)-d-C₆-alkyl; R^3B and R^3C when at- tached to the same nitrogen atom may form a 3 to 8 membered heterocyclic ring with the said nitrogen atom

130. A zinc-binding ligand according to any of the claims 1 to 3 wherein A is

wherein AR⁴ is Ci-Ce-alkylene, arylene, heteroarylene, -aryl-Cι.₆-alkyl- or -aryl-C₂.₆-alkenyl-, wherein the alkylene or alkenylene is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, aryl, -COOH and -NH₂, and the arylene or heteroarylene is optionally substituted with one or more R^4A independently

R^4A is independently selected from

• hydrogen, halogen, -CN, -CH₂CN, -CHF₂, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OCHF₂, -OCH₂CF₃, -OCF₂CHF₂, -S(O)₂CF₃, -OS(O)₂CF₃, -SCF₃, -NO₂, -OR^4B, -NR^4BR^4C, -SR^4B, -NR^4BS(O)₂R^4C, -S(O)₂NR^4BR^4C, -S(O)NR^4BR^4C, -S(O)R^4B, -S(O)₂R^4B, -OS(O)₂ R^4B,

-C(O)NR^4BR^4C, -OC(O)NR^4BR^4C, -NR^4BC(O)R^4C, -CH₂C(O)NR^4BR^4C, -Od-C₆- alkyl-C(O)NR^4BR^4C, -CH₂OR^4B, -CH₂OC(O)R^4B, -CH₂NR^4BR^4C, -OC(O)R^4B, -OCι-C₆- alkyl-C(O)OR^4B, -OCι-C₆-alkyl-OR^4B, -SCι-C₆-alkyl-C(O)OR^4B, -C₂-C₆-alkenyl- C(=O)OR^4B, -NR^4B-C(=O)-Cι-C₆-alkyl-C(=O)OR^4B, -NR^4B-C(=O)-Cι-C₆- alkenyl-C(=O)OR^4B , -C(O)OR^4B, or -C₂-C₆-alkenyl-C(=O)R^4B,

• CrCe-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl or C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

which may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OR^4B, and -NR^4BR^4C

• aryl, aryloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, aroyl, arylsulfanyl, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkoxy, aryl-Cι-C₆-alkyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl, aroyl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl-C Ce-alkyl, heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl or heteroaryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl,

of which the cyclic moieties optionally may be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -C(O)OR^4B, -CH₂C(O)OR^4B, -CH₂OR^4B, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OR^4B, -NR^4BR^4C and Ci-Ce-alkyl,

R^4B and R^4C are independently hydrogen, OH, CF₃, C Cι₂-alkyl, aryl-C C₆-alkyl, -C(=O)-R^4D, or aryl, wherein the alkyl groups may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -OCi-Ce-alkyl, -C(O)Od-C₆-alkyl, -COOH and - NH₂, and the aryl groups may optionally be substituted by halogen, -C(O)OC C₆-alkyl, - COOH, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, -NO₂, -OH, -Od-Ce-alkyl, -NH₂, C(=O) or d-C₆-alkyl; R^4B and R^4C when attached to the same nitrogen atom may form a 3 to 8 membered heterocyclic ring with the said nitrogen atom, the heterocyclic ring optionally containing one or two further heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, and optionally containing one or two double bonds

R^4D is Ci-Ce-alkyl, aryl optionally substituted with one or more halogen, or heteroaryl optionally substituted with one or more Ci-Ce-alkyl.

131. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 130 wherein AR⁴ is arylene, heteroarylene or aryl-d.₆-alkyl-, wherein the alkyl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents independently selected from halogen, -CN, -CF₃, -OCF₃, aryl, -COOH and -NH₂, and the arylene or heteroaryl is optionally substituted with one or more R^4A independently

132. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 131 wherein AR⁴ is arylene or heteroarylene optionally substituted with one or more R^4A independently

133. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 131 wherein AR⁴ is phenylene, naphtylene, anthrylene, thienylene, pyridylene, or benzodioxylene optionally substituted with one or more R^4A independently

134. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 133 wherein AR⁴ is phenylene optionally substituted with one or more R^4A independently

135. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 130 to 134 wherein R^4A is independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, -CF₃, -OR^4B, -NR^4BR^4C, Cι-C₆-alkyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl or aryl optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, -CF₃, or -OR^4B

136. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 130 to 135 wherein R^4B and R^4C are independently hydrogen, CF₃, Cι-Cι₂-alkyl, -C(=O)-R^4D, or aryl

137. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 130 to 136 wherein R^4D is Ci-Ce-alkyl, phenyl optionally substituted with one or more halogen, or a heteroaryl selected from isoxazole and thiadiazole optionally substituted with one or more d-d-alky!

138. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 1 to 137 wherein G^B is of the formula -B¹-B²-C(O)-, -B¹-B²-SO₂- or -B¹-B²-CH₂-, wherein B¹ and B² are as defined in claim 1

139. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 1 to 137 wherein G^B is of the formula -B -B²-C(O)-, -B¹-B²-SO₂- or -B¹-B²-NH-, wherein B¹ and B² are as defined in claim 1

140. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 1 to 137 wherein G^B is of the formula -B¹-B²-C(O)-, -B¹-B²-CH₂- or -B¹-B²-NH-, wherein B¹ and B² are as defined in claim 1

141. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 1 to 137 wherein G^B is of the formula -B¹-B²-CH₂-, -B¹-B²-SO₂- or -B¹-B²-NH-, wherein B¹ and B² are as defined in claim 1

142. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 138 or 139 wherein G^B is of the formula -B¹-B²-C(O)- or -B¹-B²-SO₂-, wherein B¹ and B² are as defined in claim 1

143. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 138 or 140 wherein G^B is of the formula -B¹-B²-C(O)- or -B¹-B²-CH₂-, wherein B and B² are as defined in claim 1

144. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 139 or 140 wherein G^B is of the formula -B¹-B²-C(O)- or -B¹-B²-NH-, wherein B¹ and B² are as defined in claim 1

145. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 138 or 141 wherein G^B is of the formula -B¹-B²-CH₂- or -B¹-B²-SO₂- , wherein B¹ and B² are as defined in claim 1

146. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 139 or 141 wherein G^B is of the formula -B¹-B²-NH- or -B¹-B²-SO₂- , wherein B¹ and B² are as defined in claim 1

147. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 140 or 141 wherein G^B is of the formula -B -B²-CH₂- or -B¹-B²-NH- , wherein B¹ and B² are as defined in claim 1

148. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 142, 143, or 144 wherein G^B is of the formula -B¹-B²-C(O)-

149. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 143, 145 or 147 wherein G^B is of the formula -B -B²-CH₂-

150. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 143, 145 or 146 wherein G^B is of the formula -B¹-B²-SO₂-

151. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 144, 146 or 147 wherein G^B is of the formula -B¹-B²-NH-

152. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 1 to 151 wherein B¹ is a valence bond, -O-, or -S-

153. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 1 to 151 wherein B¹ is a valence bond, -O-, or -N(R⁶)-

154. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 1 to 151 wherein B¹ is a valence bond, -S-, or -N(R⁶)-

155. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 1 to 151 wherein B¹ is -O-, -S- or -N(R⁶)-

156. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 152 or 153 wherein B¹ is a va- lence bond or -O-

157. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 152 or 154 wherein B¹ is a valence bond or -S-

158. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 153 or 154 wherein B¹ is a valence bond or -N(R⁶)-

159. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 152 or 155 wherein B¹ is -O-or -S-

160. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 153 or 155 wherein B¹ is -O-or -N(R⁶)-

161. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 154 or 155 wherein B¹ is -S-or -N(R⁶)-

162. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 156,157 or 158 wherein B¹ is a valence bond

163. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 156, 159 or 160 wherein B¹ is -O-

164. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 157, 159 or 161 wherein B¹ is -S-

165. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 158, 160 or 161 wherein B¹ is -N(R⁶)-

166. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 1 to 165 wherein B² is a valence bond, d-C₁₈-alkylene, C₂-C₁₈-alkenylene, C₂-Cι₈-alkynylene, arylene, heteroarylene, -Cι-Cι₈-alkyl-aryl-, -C(=O)-Cι-Cι₈-alkyl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-Cι-Cι₈-alkyl-O-d-Cι₈-alkyl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-Cι-Cιs-alkyl-S-C₁-Cι₈-alkyl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-Cι-C₁₈-alkyl-NR⁶-Cι-Cι₈-alkyl-C(=O)-; and the alkylene and arylene moieties are optionally substituted as defined in claim 1

167. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 166 wherein B² is a valence bond, Cι-Cι₈- alkylene, C₂-Cι₈-alkenylene, C₂-Cιs-alkynylene, arylene, heteroarylene, -d-Cι₈-alkyl-aryl-, -C(=O)-Cι-Cιs-alkyl-C(=O)-, -C(=O)-d-Cι₈-alkyl-O-Cι-Cι₈-alkyl-C(=O)-, and the alkylene and arylene moieties are optionally substituted as defined in claim 1

168. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 167 wherein B² is a valence bond, Cι-Cι₈- alkylene, C₂-C₁₈-alkenylene, C₂-Cι₈-alkynylene, arylene, heteroarylene, -d-Cι₈-alkyl-aryl-,

-C(=O)-Ci-Ci₈-alkyl-C(=O)-, and the alkylene and arylene moieties are optionally substituted as defined in claim 1

169. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 168 wherein B² is a valence bond, Cι-Cι₈- alkylene, arylene, heteroarylene, -d-Ciβ-alkyl-aryl-, -C(=O)-C₁-Cι₈-alkyl-C(=O)-, and the al- kylene and arylene moieties are optionally substituted as defined in claim 1

170. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 169 wherein B² is a valence bond, d-Cι₈- alkylene, arylene, heteroarylene, -Cι-Ci8-alkyl-aryl-, and the alkylene and arylene moieties are optionally substituted as defined in claim 1

171. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 170 wherein B² is a valence bond, Cι-Cι₈- alkylene, arylene, -Cι-C₁₈-alkyl-aryl-, and the alkylene and arylene moieties are optionally substituted as defined in claim 1

172. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 171 wherein B² is a valence bond or -Cι-C₁₈- alkylene, and the alkylene moieties are optionally substituted as defined in claim 1

173. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 1 to 172 wherein C consists of

0 to 5 neutral amino acids independently selected from the group consisting of Abz, Gly, Ala, Thr, and Ser

174. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 173 wherein C consists of 0 to 5 Gly

175. A zink-binding ligand according to claim 174 wherein C consists of 0 Gly

176. A zink-binding ligand according to claim 174 wherein C consists of 1 Gly

177. A zink-binding ligand according to claim 174 wherein C consists of 2 Gly

178. A zink-binding ligand according to claim 174 wherein C consists of 3 Gly

179. A zink-binding ligand according to claim 174 wherein C consists of 4 Gly

180. A zink-binding ligand according to claim 174 wherein C consists of 5 Gly

181. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 173 wherein C is -Abz-(Gly)₀. -

182. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 1 to 181 wherein D comprises

1 to 16 positively charged groups

183. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 182 wherein D comprises 1 to 12 positively charged groups

184. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 183 wherein D comprises 1 to 10 positively charged groups

185. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 1 to 184 wherein D is a fragment containing basic amino acids independently selected from the group consisting of Lys and Arg and D-isomers of these.

186. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 185 wherein the basic amino acid is Arg

187. A zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the claims 1 to 186 wherein X is -OH or - NH₂

188. A zinc-binding ligand according to claim 187 wherein X is -NH₂ 189. An R-state insulin hexamer comprising:

6 molecules of insulin, at least 2 zinc ions, and a zinc-binding ligand according to any one of the preceding claims.

190. An R-state insulin hexamer according to claim 189 wherein the insulin is selected from the group consisting of human insulin, an analogue thereof, a derivative thereof, and combinations of any of these

191. An R-state insulin hexamer according to claim 190 wherein the insulin is an analogue of human insulin selected from the group consisting of v.An analogue wherein position B28 is Asp, Lys, Leu, Val, or Ala and position B29 is Lys or Pro; and vi.des(B28-B30), des(B27) or des(B30) human insulin.

192. An R-state insulin hexamer according to claim 191 , wherein the insulin is an analogue of human insulin wherein position B28 is Asp or Lys, and position B29 is Lys or Pro.

193. An R-state insulin hexamer according to claim 191 wherein the insulin is des(B30) hu- man insulin.

194. An R-state insulin hexamer according to claim 190 wherein the insulin is a derivative of human insulin having one or more lipophilic substituents.

195. An R-state insulin hexamer according to claim 194 wherein the insulin derivative is selected from the group consisting of B29-N^ε-myristoyl-des(B30) human insulin, B29-N^ε- palmitoyl-des(B30) human insulin, B29-N^ε-myristoyl human insulin, B29-N^ε-palmitoyl human insulin, B28-N^ε-myristoyl Lys^B28 Pro⁶²⁹ human insulin, B28-N^ε-palmitoyl Lys^B28 Pro⁶²⁹ human insulin, BSO-N'-myristoyl-Thr^Lys⁸³⁰ human insulin, BSO-N'-palmitoyl-Thr^Lys⁶³⁰ human insulin, B29-N^ε-(N-palmitoyl-γ-glutamyl)-des(B30) human insulin, B29-N^ε-(N-lithocholyl-γ- glutamyl)-des(B30) human insulin, B29-N^ε-(ω-carboxyheptadecanoyl)-des(B30) human insulin and B29-N^ε-(ω-carboxyheptadecanoyl) human insulin.

196. An R-state insulin hexamer according to claim 195 wherein the insulin derivative is B29- N^ε-myristoyl-des(B30) human insulin.

197. An insulin hexamer according to any one of the claims 189 to 196 further comprising at least 3 phenolic molecules.

198. An aqueous insulin preparation comprising R-state insulin hexamers according to any of claims 189 to 197

199. Method of prolonging the action of an insulin preparation which comprises adding a zinc-binding ligand according to any of claims 1 to 188 to the insulin preparation.

200. Aqueous insulin preparation according to claim 198 wherein the ratio between precipitated insulin and dissolved insulin is in the range from 99:1 to 1 :99.

201. Aqueous insulin preparation according to claim 200 wherein the ratio between precipitated insulin and dissolved insulin is in the range from 95:5 to 5:95

202. Aqueous insulin preparation according to claim 201 wherein the ratio between precipitated insulin and dissolved insulin is in the range from 80:20 to 20:80

203. Aqueous insulin preparation according to claim 202 wherein the ratio between precipitated insulin and dissolved insulin is in the range from 70:30 to 30:70 204. A method of preparing a zinc-binding ligand according to claim 1 comprising the steps of

• Identifying starter compounds that are able to displace a ligand from the R-state His^B10-Zn²⁺ site

• optionally attaching a fragment consisting of 0 to 5 neutral α- or β-amino acids • attaching a fragment comprising 1 to 20 positively charged groups independently selected from amino or guanidino groups