AU695337C - Therapeutic substituted guanidines - Google Patents

Description

THERAPEUTIC SUBSTITUTED GUANIDINES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1 . Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to certain substituted guanidines, and methods of treatment and pharmaceutical compositions that utilize or comprise one or more such guanidines.

2. Background

A number of substituted guanidines have been reported. See, e.g., U.S. Patent Nos. 1 ,41 1 ,731 , 1 ,422,506, 1 ,597,233, 1 ,642,180, 1 ,672,431 , 1 ,730,388, 1 ,756,315, 1 ,795,739, 1 ,850,682, 2, 145,214, 2,254,009, 2,633,474, 3,1 17,994, 3,140,231 , 3, 159,676, 3,228,975, 3,248,426, 3,252,816, 3,283,003, 3,270,054, 3,301 ,755, 3,320,229, 3,301 ,775, 3,409,669, 3,479,437, 3,547,951 , 3,639,477, 3,681 ,457, 3,769,427, 3,784,643, 3,803,324, 3,908,013, 3,949,089, 3,975,533, 3,976,787, 4,060,640, 4,014,934, 4,161 ,541 , 4,709,094, 4,906,779, 5,093,525, 5,190,976 and 5,262,568; PCT applications WO 90/12575, WO 91 /12797, WO 91 /18868, and WO 92/14697; and H.W. Geluk, et al., J. Med. Chem., 12:712 (1969).

The amino acid L-glutamate is widely thought to act as a chemical transmitter substance at excitatory synapses within the central nervous system. Neuronal responses to glutamate are complex and appear to be mediated by at least three different receptor types, i.e., KA, QA and NMDA subtypes, each being named for their relatively specific ligands, i.e., kainic acid, quisaqualic acid and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid, respectively. An amino acid which activates one or more of these receptor types is referred to as an excitatory amino acid (EAA).

The NMDA subtype of excitatory amino acid receptors is activated during normal excitatory synaptic transmission in the brain.

Activation of NMDA receptors under normal conditions is responsible for the phenomena of long-term potentiation, a memory-like phenomenon, at excitatory synapses. Excessive excitation of neurons occurs in epileptic seizures and it has been shown that over-activation of NMDA receptors contributes to the pathophysiology of epilepsy.

NMDA receptors are also strongly involved in nerve cell death which occurs following brain or spinal chord ischemia. Upon the occurrence of ischemic brain insults such as stroke or heart attack, an excessive release of endogenous glutamate occurs, resulting in the over- stimulation of NMDA receptors. Associated with the NMDA receptors is an ion channel. The recognition site, i.e., the NMDA receptor, is external to the ion channel. When glutamate interacts with the NMDA receptor, it causes the ion channel to open, thereby permitting a flow of cations across the cell membrane, e.g., Ca^{2 +} and Na⁺ into the cell and K⁺ out of the cell. It is believed that this flux of ions, especially the influx of Ca^{2 +} ions, caused by the interaction of glutamate with the NMDA receptor, plays an important role in nerve cell death. See, e.g., S.M. Rothman, et al., Trends in Neurosci. , 10(7):299-302 (1 987).

Agents which block responses to NMDA receptor activation therefore have therapeutic uses in the treatment of neurological disorders such as epilepsy and also in the prevention of nerve cell death resulting from hypoxia or hypoglycemia or following brain ischemia which occurs during stroke, trauma and heart attack. A number of disorders of the nervous system are associated with neurodegeneration that may be caused by overactivation of NMDA receptors. Antagonists of NMDA receptor-mediated responses have potential therefore for the treatment of such disorders as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Down's Syndrome and Korsakoff's disease.

Research on the NMDA receptor-ion channel complex has led to determination of a receptor site within the ion channel known as the PCP receptor. See J.P. Vincent, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 76:4678-4682 (1979); S.R. Zukin, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 76:5372-5376 (1979); M.S. Sonders, et al., Trends in Neurosci., 11 (1 ):37-40 (1988); and N.A. Anis, et al., Br. J. Pharmacol., 79:565- 575 (1983). A compound which binds to the PCP receptor can act as an ion channel blocker, thereby interrupting the flow of ions through the cell membrane. In this manner, agents which interact with the PCP receptor act as non-competitive antagonists reducing the agonist action of glutamate at the NMDA receptor.

Known PCP receptor ligands include PCP, i.e., Phencyclidine, analogues such as 1 -[1 -(2-thienyl)-cyclohexyl]-piperidine (TCP), benzomorphan (sigma) opiates, and ( + )-5-methyl-10,1 1 -dihydro-5H- dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene-5, 10-imine (i.e., the drug MK-801 , see U.S. Patent No. 4,399,141 ). See, also, E.H.F. Wong, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 83:7104-7108 (1986), and W.J. Thompson, et al., J. Med. Chem. , 33:789-808 (1990). SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides substituted guanidines of Formula

wherein R, R¹ and R² are each independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl having from 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl having from 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted aminoalkyi having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl having at least about 6 ring carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyi having at least about 6 carbon ring atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic or heteroalicyclic group having from 1 to 3 rings, 3 to 8 ring members in each ring and from 1 to 3 hetero atoms; R³ and R⁴ are each independently halogen, hydroxyl, azido, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl having from 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl having from 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted aminoalkyi having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl having at least about 6 ring carbon atoms, or substituted or unsubstituted aralkyi having at least about 6 ring carbon atoms; each R⁵ substituent is independently halogen, hydroxyl, azido, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl having from 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl having from 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted aminoalkyi having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl having at least about 6 ring carbon atoms, or substituted or unsubstituted aralkyi having at least about 6 ring carbon atoms; n is an integer of from 1 to 3; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

In another aspect, the invention provides compounds of the following Formula II:

wherein R, R¹ and R² are each independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl having from 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl having from 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfinyl having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfonyl having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted aminoalkyi having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl having at least 6 ring carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyi having at least 6 ring carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic or heteroalicyclic group having 1 to 3 rings, 3 to 8 ring members in each ring and 1 to 3 hetero atoms;

R³, R⁴, and each R⁵ substituent are each independently halogen, hydroxyl, azido, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl having from 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl having from 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfinyl having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfonyl having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted aminoalkyi having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl having about 6 or more ring carbon atoms, or substituted or unsubstituted aralkyi having about 6 or more ring carbon atoms; n is an integer of from 0-3; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Thus, Formula II is defined the same as above for Formula I except R, R\ R², R³, R⁴, R⁵ of Formula II each also may be independently selected from substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfoxide having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms and substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfonyl having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms.

Preferred compounds of Formulas I and II exhibit a high affinity for the PCP receptor. The phrase "high affinity for the PCP receptor" as used herein means the compound exhibits an IC₅₀ of 1 μM or less in a typical PCP receptor binding assay such as described in Example 74 which follows, more preferably an IC₅₀ of 0.5 μM or less in such a PCP receptor assay. For reasons discussed below, for at least some therapeutic applications, further preferred are those compounds of Formulas I and II that exhibit such high affinity for the PCP receptor as well as high affinity for the sigma receptor. The phrase "high affinity for the sigma receptor" as used herein means the compound exhibits an IC₅₀ of 1 μM or less in a typical sigma receptor binding assay such as described in Example 75 which follows, more preferably an IC₅₀ of 0.5 μM or less in such a sigma receptor assay.

The substituted guanidines of the invention are useful for a number of therapeutic applications. Accordingly, the present invention includes methods for treatment and/or prophylaxis of neurological conditions such as epilepsy, neurodegenerative conditions and/or nerve cell death resulting from e.g. hypoxia, hypoglycemia, brain or spinal chord ischemia, brain or spinal chord trauma, and the like. Compounds of Formulas I and II also are useful to treat and/or prevent various neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Down's Syndrome and Korsakoff's disease. The methods of the invention in general comprise administration of a therapeutically effective amount of one or more compounds of Formula I of Formula II to an animal, including a mammal, particularly a human.

The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions that comprise one or more compounds of Formula I or Formula II and a suitable carrier.

Other aspects of the invention are disclosed infra.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Suitable halogen substituent groups of compounds of Formulas I and II as defined above (i.e. compounds of the invention) include F, Cl, Br and I. It is intended that references herein to Formulas I and II, or references to compounds of the invention, apply equally to compounds of Formulas la, lb, Ic, lla, Mb and lie as those formulas are defined herein. Hence, suitable and preferred substituent groups of Formulas I and II as identified herein, are also suitable and preferred substituent groups of compounds of Formulas la, lb, Ic, lla, Mb and lie. Alkyl groups of compounds of Formulas I and II preferably have from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, still more preferably 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, even more preferably 1 , 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms. Methyl, ethyl and propyl including isopropyl are particularly preferred alkyl groups. As used herein, the term alkyl unless otherwise modified refers to both cyclic and noncyclic groups, although of course cyclic groups will comprise at least three carbon ring members. Straight or branched chain noncyclic alkyl groups are generally more preferred than cyclic groups. Preferred alkenyl and alkynyl groups of compounds of the invention have one or more unsaturated linkages and from 2 to about 1 2 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to about 8 carbon atoms, still more preferably 2 to about 6 carbon atoms, even more preferably 1 , 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms. The terms alkenyl and alkynyl as used herein refer to both cyclic and noncyclic groups, although straight or branched noncyclic groups are generally more preferred. Preferred alkoxy groups of compounds of

Formulas I and II include groups having one or more oxygen linkages and from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, and still more preferably 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, even more preferably 1 , 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms. Preferred alkylthio groups of compounds of Formulas I and II include those groups having one or more thioether linkages and from 1 to about 1 2 carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, and still more preferably 1 to about 6 carbon atoms. Alkylthio groups having 1 , 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms are particularly preferred. Preferred alkylsulfinyl groups of compounds of the invention include those groups having one or more sulfoxide (SO) groups and from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, and still more preferably 1 to about 6 carbon atoms. Alkylsulfinyl groups having 1 , 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms are particularly preferred. Preferred alkylsulfonyl groups of compounds of the invention include those groups having one or more sulfonyl (SO₂) groups and from 1 to about 1 2 carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, and still more preferably 1 to about 6 carbon atoms. Alkylsulfonyl groups having 1 , 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms are particularly preferred. Preferred aminoalkyi groups include those groups having one or more primary, secondary and/or tertiary amine groups, and from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, still more preferably 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, even more preferably 1 , 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms.

Secondary and tertiary amine groups are generally more preferred than primary amine moieties. Suitable heteroaromatic groups of compounds of Formula I and Formula II contain one or more N, O or S atoms and include, e.g., coumarinyl including 8-coumarinyl, quinolinyl including 8- quinolinyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidyl, furyl, pyrrolyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, benzofuranyl and benzothiazol. Suitable heteroalicyclic groups of compounds of Formula I and Formula II contain one or more N, O or S atoms and include, e.g., tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydropyranyl, piperidinyl, morpholino and pyrrolindinyl groups. Suitable carbocyclic aryl groups of compounds of Formula I and Formula II include single and multiple ring compounds, including multiple ring compounds that contain separate and/or fused aryl groups. Typical carbocyclic aryl groups contain 1 to 3 separate or fused rings and from 6 to about 18 carbon ring atoms. Specifically preferred carbocyclic aryl groups include phenyl including 3-substituted phenyl, 2,5-substituted phenyl, 2,3,5-substituted and 2,4,5-substituted phenyl, particularly where the phenyl substituents are independently selected from the same group as defined above for R³-R⁵; naphthyl including 1 -naphthyl and 2- naphthyl; biphenyl; phenanthryl; and anthracyl. Suitable aralkyi groups of compounds of Formula I and Formula II include single and multiple ring compounds, including multiple ring compounds that contain separate and/or fused aryl groups. Typical aralkyi groups contain 1 to 3 separate or fused rings and from 6 to about 18 carbon ring atoms. Preferred aralkyi groups include benzyl and methylenenaphthyl (-CH₂- naphthyl).

Said substituted R, R\ R², R³, R⁴ and R⁵ groups of Formula I or Formula II (as well as substituted groups of Formulas la-lc and lla-llc as specified below) may be substituted at one or more available positions by one or more suitable groups such as, e.g., halogen such as fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo; cyano; hydroxyl; nitro; azido; alkanoyl such as a C^e alkanoyl group such as acyl and the like; carboxamido; alkyl groups including those groups having 1 to about 12 carbon atoms or from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms and more preferably 1 -3 carbon atoms; alkenyl and alkynyl groups including groups having one or more unsaturated linkages and from 2 to about 12 carbon or from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms; alkoxy groups having those having one or more oxygen linkages and from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms or 1 to about 6 carbon atoms; aryloxy such as phenoxy; alkylthio groups including those moieties having one or more thioether linkages and from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms or from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms; and aminoalkyi groups such as groups having one or more N atoms and from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms or from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms.

It should be understood that alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl and aminoalkyi substituent groups described above include groups where a hetero atom is directly bonded to a ring system, such as a carbocyclic aryl group or a heterocyclic group, as well as groups where a hetero atom of the group is spaced from such ring system by an alkylene linkage, e.g. of 1 to about 4 carbon atoms. Preferred phenyl ring substituents R³, R⁴ and R⁵ of Formulas I and II (as well as phenyl ring substituents of Formulas la-lc and lla-llc as specified below) include halogen, particularly F, Cl and Br, hydroxyl, azido, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl including halogenated alkyl, substituted and unsubstituted alkoxy including halogenated alkoxy, and substituted and unsubstituted alkylthio. Typically preferred phenyl ring substituents have 1 to 4 carbon atoms with methyl, ethyl, and propyl including isopropyl being particularly preferred. Halogen-substituted alkyl and alkoxy groups are also particularly preferred including fluoroalkyl having 1 , 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms such as trifluoromethyl and fluoro-substituted alkoxy having 1 , 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms such as trifluoromethoxy (-OCF₃). Methylthio (-SCH₃) and ethylthio (-SCH₂CH₃) are also particularly preferred phenyl ring substituents.

Preferred compounds of the invention include trisubstituted compounds where one of the guanidine substituents R, R¹ and R² of the above defined Formulas (or the corresponding guanidine substituents of Formulas la-lc and lla-llc as specified below) is hydrogen and the other two substituents are other than hydrogen, more preferably where R or R¹ is heterocyclic aryl or carbocyclic aryl, still more preferably where R is substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic aryl or substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl and one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen and one of R¹ and R² is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl. Also preferred are N,N'-disubstituted compounds, i.e. where one of R and R¹ of Formulas I or II (or the corresponding guanidine substituents of Formulas la-lc and lla-llc) is hydrogen and R² is hydrogen, preferably where R is substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic aryl or substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl and R¹ and R² are hydrogen. Also preferred are N,N,N',N'-tetrasubstituted compounds, i.e. where each of R, R¹ and R² substituents of Formulas I or II (or the corresponding guanidine substituents of Formulas la-lc and lla-llc) is other than hydrogen, preferably where R or R¹ is substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic aryl or substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl, more preferably where R is substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic aryl or substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl and R¹ and R² are each substituted or unsubstituted alkyl. In any event, at least one of the substituents R and R¹ of compounds of Formula I or II generally will be other than hydrogen.

Preferred R³, R⁴ and R⁵ alkylsulfinyl groups of compounds of Formula II (as well as phenyl ring alkylsulfinyl groups of compounds of Formulas lla-llc as specified below) typically have one or more sulfoxide groups, more typically, one or two sulfoxide groups and from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, even more preferably 1 to about 3 carbon atoms. Methylsulfinyl (-S(O)CH₃) and ethylsulfinyl (-S(O)CH₂CH₃) are particularly preferred R³, R⁴ and R⁵ alkylsulfinyl groups. Preferred substituted alkylsulfinyl groups include haloalkylsulfinyl groups that contain one or more F, Cl, Br or I atoms, preferably one or more F atoms, and preferably 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, more preferably one or two carbon atoms. Specifically preferred groups include fluoromethylsulfinyl, particularly trifluoromethylsulfinyl (- S(O)CF₃), and fluoroethylsulfinyl such as 2-trifluoroethylsulfinyl (- S(O)CH₂CF₃) and pentafluoroethylsulfinyl (-S(O)CF₂CF₃).

Preferred R³, R⁴ and R⁵ alkylsulfonyl ring substituents of compounds of Formula II (as well as phenyl ring alkylsulfonyl groups of compounds of Formulas lla-llc as specified below) have one or more sulfono (SO₂) groups, more typically one sulfono group, and from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, still more preferably 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, even more preferably 1 to about 3 carbon atoms. Methylsulfonyl (- S(O)₂CH₃) and ethylsulfonyl (-S(O)₂CH₂CH₃) are particularly preferred R³ and R⁴ sulfonoalkyl groups. Preferred substituted alkylsulfonyl groups include haloalkylsulfonyl groups that contain one or more F, Cl, Br or I atoms, preferably one or more F atoms, and preferably 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, more preferably one or two carbon atoms. Specifically preferred groups include fluoromethylsulfonyl, particularly trifluoromethylsulfonyl (-S(O)₂CF₃), and fluoroethylsulfonyl such as 2- trifluoroethylsulfonyl (-S(O)₂CH₂CF₃) and pentafluoroethylsulfonyl (- S(O)₂CF₂CF₃).

Particularly preferred R and R¹ groups include phenyl substituted at least at the 2,5 ring positions. For example, preferred are the following compounds of Formula la:

wherein R and R² are the same as defined above for Formula I; each R³, R⁴, R⁵, R^3', R^4', and R^5' substituent is independently selected from the same group of substituents as defined above for R³-R⁵ for Formula I; m and n are each independently an integer of from 0 to 3; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Preferred compounds of Formula la include those compounds where at least one of R and R² is other than heterocyclic aryl or carbocyclic aryl, e.g. where at least one of R and R² is hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, particularly, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having 1 , 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms. Preferred values of m and n of Formula la are 0 and 1 .

Also preferred are compounds of Formula lla, defined the same as for Formula la above, but where each substituent, particularly the R³, R⁴, R⁵, R^3', R^4', and R^5' substituents, may be independently alkylsulfinyl having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms or alkylsulfonyl having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms. Preferred compounds of Formula lla include those compounds where at least one of R and R² is other than heterocyclic aromatic or carbocyclic aryl, e.g. where at least one of R and R² is hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, particularly, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having 1 , 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms. Preferred values of m and n of Formula lla are 0 and 1 .

Further preferred compounds of Formula I include those compounds where the value n equals 1 , particularly where n equals 1 and the phenyl ring is substituted by a R⁵ group at the 3- or 4-position, i.e. the phenyl ring is 2,3,5-substituted or 2,4,5-substituted.

Such compounds of Formula II are also preferred, i.e. compounds of Formula II where the value n equals 1 , particularly where n equals 1 and the phenyl ring is substituted by a R⁵ group at the 3- or 4-position, i.e. the phenyl ring is 2,3,5-substituted or 2,4,5-substituted. Especially preferred compounds of Formula I are those where n is equal to zero (i.e., the 3, 4 and 6 positions of the phenyl ring are hydrogen-substituted), specifically compounds of the following Formula lb:

where the groups R through R⁴ are the same as specified above for Formula I; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Particularly preferred compounds of Formula lb include those compounds where R is substituted or unsubstituted heterocylic aryl or substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl such as substituted or unsubstituted phenyl or napthyl and where at least one of R¹ and R² is other than heterocyclic aryl or carbocyclic aryl, e.g. where at least one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, particularly substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having 1 , 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms.

Also preferred are compounds of Formula Mb, defined the same as for Formula lb above, but where each substituent, particularly the R³ and R⁴ substituents, may be independently alkylsulfinyl having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms or alkylsulfonyl having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms. Particularly preferred compounds of Formula lib include those compounds where R is substituted or unsubstituted heterocylic aryl or substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl such as substituted or unsubstituted phenyl or napthyl and where at least one of R¹ and R² is other than heterocyclic aryl or carbocyclic aryl, e.g. where at least one of R¹ and R² is hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, particularly substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having 1 , 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms.

A still further group of preferred compounds of the invention have, in addition to a 2,5-substituted phenyl moiety, at least one guanidine substituent (i.e., R, R¹ or R² of Formulas I or II) that is a phenyl group substituted at the 3-position, preferably without substitution at other ring positions. Particularly preferred are N-(3- substituted phenyl)-N'-(2,5-disubstituted phenyDguanidines of the following Formula Ic:

wherein R and R² are the same as defined above for Formula I; each R^3', R^4', R^5' and R^3" substituent is independently selected from the same group of substituents as defined above for R³, R⁴ and R⁵ for Formula I; and n is an integer of from 0 to 3; and pharmaceutically salts of said compounds. Preferred compounds of Formula Ic include those compounds where at least one of R and R is other than heterocyclic aryl or carbocyclic aryl, e.g. where at least one of R and R² is hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, particularly substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having 1 to about 4 carbon atoms. Especially preferred are compounds of Formula Ic are those where one of R and R² is hydrogen and the other is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having 1 , 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms, more preferably where R is methyl, ethyl or propyl and R² is hydrogen. Preferred values of n of Formula Ic are 0 and 1.

Also preferred are compounds of Formula lie, defined the same as for Formula Ic above, but where each substituent, particularly the R^3', R^4', R^5' and R^3" substituents, also may be independently alkylsulfinyl having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms or alkylsulfonyl having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms. Preferred compounds of Formula lie include those compounds where at least one of R and R² is other than heterocyclic aryl or carbocyclic aryl, e.g. where at least one of R and R² is hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, particularly substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having 1 , 2 , 3 or 4 carbon atoms. Especially preferred are compounds of Formula lie are those where one of R and R² is hydrogen and the other is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, more preferably where R is methyl, ethyl or propyl and R² is hydrogen. Preferred values of n of Formula lie are 0 and 1 .

Preferred compounds of Formulas I and II exhibit high affinity to the PCP receptor. For at least some therapeutic applications, use of compounds of Formulas I or II that exhibit high affinity to both the PCP receptor and the sigma receptor may be preferred. While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is thought that an agent that has high affinity to both the PCP and sigma receptors can provide effective therapy for the indications mentioned above without the risk of vacuolar injury as exhibited by some prior NMDA receptor antagonists. See, e.g., OIney et al., Science, 244: 1 360-1 364 ( 1 989).

Without wishing to be bound by theory, compounds of the invention that contain an alkylsulfinyl and/or alkylsulfonyl group, may be, in effect, "pro-drugs" wherein after administration of the compound to a subject the sulfinyl or sulfonyl group(s) are metabolized (reduced) in vivo to the corresponding sulfide moiety. In particular, compounds of the invention that have an aryl substituent that is ring-substituted by one or more alkylsulfinyl and/or alkylsulfonyl group(s) may be effective pro-drugs. Thus, preferred compounds of Formula II include those containing a carbocyclic or heterocyclic group, such as a naphthyl or phenyl group, substituted by one or more alkylsulfinyl or alkylsulfonyl groups having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms.

Specifically preferred compounds of the present invention include:

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5-dichiorophenyl)guanidine; N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)-N'-methylguanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)-N'-methylguanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine; N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- trifluromethylphenyDguanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethylphenyl)guanidine; N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- trifluoromethylphenyUguanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- trifluromethylphenyDguanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-fluoro-5-trifluromethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-fluoro-5-trifluoromethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-fluoro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-fluoro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-fluoro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylphenyl);

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylthio)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylthio)guanidine;

N-( 1 -naphthyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(1 -naphthyl-N'-(2-fluoro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-( 1 -naphthyl)-N'-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)guanidine;

N-(1 -naphthyl)-N'-(2-fluoro-5-methylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)guanidine; N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl)guanidine; N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl)guanidine;

N-(1 -naphthyl)-N'- -((2,4,5-trichlorophenyDguanidine;

N-(1 -naphthyl)-N'- -(2,3,5-trichlorophenyDguanidine;

N-( 1 -naphthyl)-N'- -(2,5-dichlorophenyl)-N'-methylguanidine;

N-(1 -naphthyl)-N'- -(2-chloro-5-methylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(1 -naphthyl)-N'- -((2,5-dimethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(1 -naphthyl)-N'- ((2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(1 -naphthyl)-N'- -((2-chloro-5-methylphenyl)-N'-methylguanidine;

N-(1 -naphthyl)-N'- (2-5-dimethylphenyl)-N'-methylguanidine;

N-(1 -naphthyl)-N'- -(2,5-dibromophenyl)-N-methylguanidine;

N-( 1 -naphthyl)-N'- -(2,5-dibromophenyl)-N'-methylguanidine;

N-(1 -naphthyl)-N'- -((2-chloro-5-thiomethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(1 -naphthyl)-N'- -(2-fluoro-5-trifluoromethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-( 1 -naphthyl)-N'- -((2-chloro-5-trifluoromethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(1 -naphthyl)-N'- -(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(1 -naphthyl)-N'- -(2-thiomethyl-5-trifluoromethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(1 -naphthyl)-N'- (2-methoxy-5-methylphenyl)guanidine;

N-( 1 -naphthyl)-N'- -((2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-( 1 -naphthyl)-N'- (2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)-N'-methylguanidine; N-(1 -naphthyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-thiomethylphenyl)guanidine; N-(8-quinolinyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylphenyl)guanidine; N-(8-quinolinyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine; N-(8-quinolinyl)-N'-methyl-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine; N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- methylthiophenyDguanidine; N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- methylthiophenyDguanidine; N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine; N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl-N-methyl-N'-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl-N'-methyl-N'-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)guanidine; N-(3-methylthiophenyl-N'-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- methylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- methylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylphenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylphenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylphenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylphenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine; N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine; N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine; N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- methylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- methylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine; N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- methylthiophenyDguanidine; N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- methylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-bromophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-bromophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine; N-(3-bromophenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2,5- dibromophenyDguanidine; N-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylphenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylphenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylsulfonylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylsulfonylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylsulfonylphenyl)-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine; N-(3-methylsulfinylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylsulfinylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylsulfinylphenyl)-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-iodophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-iodophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine; N-(3-iodophenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-iodophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-iodophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-iodophenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylthiophenyl)guanidine; N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylthiophenyl)guanidine; N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine; N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine; N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine; N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine; N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine; N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- trifluoromethylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- trifluoromethylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine; N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine; N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine; N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine; N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine; N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-( 1 -naphthyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine; N-(1 -naphthyl)-N'-(2-iodo-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(1 -naphthyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of said compounds.

Also specifically preferred are compounds specifically identified above and having one or more additional guanidine substituents (i.e., R, R¹ or R² substituents of Formulas I or II) that are other than hydrogen, particularly one or more additional substituents that are substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, especially unsubstituted methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl or hexyl, more preferably unsubstituted methyl, ethyl or propyl. For example, tetra-substituted compounds are particularly preferred such as di-alkyl-, di-aryl-substituted compounds such as N-(3-ethylphenyl)- N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine, N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N,N'- dimethyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-trifluromethylphenyl)guanidine, and the like.

In a further aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula II', which Formula II' is defined the same as Formula II above but where each of the substituents R³, R⁴ and each R⁵ also may be independently nitro, cyano, substituted or unsubstituted alkanoyl or substituted or unsubstituted carboxyl. Suitable and preferred substituents of compounds of Formula II as disclosed herein are also suitable and preferred substituents of Formula II'. Suitable alkanoyl groups of Formula II' have 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to about 4 carbon atoms. Acyl is a particularly suitable alkanoyl group. Carboxyl groups of Formula IT include acid and ester groups of the formula -(CH₂)_nCOOY where n is an integer equal to 0 to about 8, more preferably 1 , 2, 3 or 4, and Y is hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, preferably have 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, or 1 to about 3 carbon atoms. Compounds of Formula II' can be prepared as disclosed herein for synthesis of compounds of Formulas I and II. The invention also includes use of compounds of Formula IT for the methods of treatment disclosed herein, in the same manner as described for Formulas I and II.

Compounds of Formulas I and II can be readily prepared by the reaction of an amine, typically an amine salt such as an amine hydrochloride, with a preformed alkyl or aryl cyanamide (see S.R. Safer, et al., J. Org. Chem., 13:924 (1948)) or the corresponding N- substituted alkyl or aryl cyanamide. This is a particularly suitable method for producing N,N'-diaryl-N'-alkyl guanidines in which the substituents are not identical. For a synthesis of asymmetrical guanidines, see G.J. Durant, et al., J. Med. Chem., 28: 1414 (1985), and CA. Maryanoff, et al., J. Org. Chem., 51 : 1882 (1986), incorporated by reference herein. For additional discussion of guanidine synthesis, see PCT application WO 91 /12797 and U.S. Patents Nos. 5,093,525, 5,262,568 and 5,265,568, all incorporated by reference herein. See also H.W.J. Cressman, Org. Syn. Coll., 3:608-609 (1955); M.P. Kavanaugh, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 85:2844-2848 (1988); and E. Weber, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 83:8784-8788 (1986), all incorporated herein by reference.

More particularly, compounds of Formulas I and II can be prepared suitably by reaction of an appropriate amine salt such an amine hydrochloride with a slight molar excess (e.g., ca. 1.1 molar equivalent) of a substituted cyanamide in a suitable solvent such as toluene or chlorobenzene under an inert atmosphere such as argon or nitrogen. The reaction solution is then heated from about 1 10° to 120°C for 2 to about 16 hours until reaction completion, e.g. as indicated by thin layer chromatography. The reaction solution is then cooled to room temperature, and then preferably diluted with a solvent such as absolute alcohol. The solvent is then removed under reduced pressure to provide the desired substituted guanidine. The crude product then can be purified by recrystallization and/or flash chromatography, e.g. by elution on silica gel (60-200 mesh, 50x w/w) with 5-25% methanol in ethyl acetate. Suitable recrystallization solvents include an ethanol/ethyl acetate mixture or an ethanol/ether mixture. The cyanamide and amine reagents with appropriate substituents (i.e., R, R\ R² and R³,R⁴,R⁵- substituted phenyl substituents), are commercially available or can be readily prepared by known procedures. For example, the cyanamide starting material can be synthesized from the correspondingly substituted amine by treatment with cyanogen bromide (BrCN) in suitable solvent such as dry ethyl ether. The amine hydrochloride can be obtained by treatment of an appropriate amine with an excess of HCl. For example, a 2,5-substituted aniline hydrochloride salt can be prepared by adding methanolic HCl to a cooled solution of the substituted aniline and then stirring at room temperature for about 30 minutes. An alkylsulfinyl-substituted or alkylsulfonyl-substituted reagent, that can provide correspondingly substituted compounds of the invention as described above, can be provided by oxidation (e.g., H₂O₂) of alkylthio-substituted reagents. See, for instance, Example 5 which follows.

As discussed above, the present invention includes methods for treating or preventing certain neurological disorders, including the consequences of stroke or traumatic brain injury, epilepsy or neurodegenerative diseases comprising the administration of an effective amount of one or more guanidines of Formulas I or II to a subject including a mammal, particularly a human, in need of such treatment. In particular, the invention provides methods for treatment and/or prophylaxis of nerve cell death resulting e.g. from hypoxia, hypoglycemia, brain or spinal cord ischemia, brain or spinal cord trauma, stroke, heart attack or drowning. Typical candidates for treatment include e.g. heart attack, stroke, brain or spinal cord injury patients, patients undergoing major surgery such as heart surgery where brain ischemia is a potential complication and patients such as divers suffering from decompression sickness due to gas emboli in the blood stream.

In particular, the invention provides methods for treatment which comprise administration of one or more compounds of the invention to a patient that is undergoing surgery or other procedure where brain or spinal cord ischemia is a potential risk. For example, carotid endarterectomy is a surgical procedure employed to correct atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries. Major risks associated with the procedure include intraoperative embolization and the danger of hypertension in the brain following increased cerebral blood flow, which may result in aneurism or hemorrhage. Thus, an effective amount of one or more compounds of the present invention could be administered pre-operatively or peri-operatively to reduce such risks associated with carotid endarterectomy.

The present invention further includes methods for prophylaxis against neurological deficits resulting from coronary artery bypass grafts and aortic valve replacement surgery. Those methods will comprise administering to a patient undergoing such surgical procedures an effective amount of one or more compounds of the invention, typically either pre-operatively or peri-operatively.

The present invention also provides methods for prophylaxis against neurological injury for patients undergoing myocardial infarction, a procedure that can result in ischemic insult to the patient. Such methods will comprise administering to a patient undergoing such surgical procedure an effective amount of one or more compounds of the invention, typically either pre-operatively or peri-operatively.

Also provided are methods for treating or preventing neuropathic pain such as may experienced by cancer patients, persons having diabetes, amputees and other persons who may experience neuropathic pain. These methods for treatment comprise administration of an effective amount of one or more compounds of Formulas I or II to a patient in need of such treatment.

Further provided are methods of ameliorating the neurotoxic effect induced by glutamate interacting with the NMDA receptor of a nerve cell, comprising administering to a subject, such as a mammal, particularly a human, exhibiting symptoms of or susceptible to such neurotoxic effect, one or more compounds of Formulas I or II in an amount effective to ameliorate the neurotoxic effect.

This invention also provides methods of inhibiting NMDA receptor-ion channel related neurotoxicity comprising administering to a subject in need thereof such as a mammal, particularly a human, one or more compounds of Formulas I or II in an amount effective to inhibit or prevent the neurotoxicity.

The invention further provides a method of treating Korsakoff's disease, a chronic alcoholism-induced condition, comprising administering to a subject including a mammal, particularly a human, one or more compounds of Formula I or Formula II in an amount effective to treat the disease. Pretreatment of animals with the NMDA antagonist MK-801 (Merck Index, monograph 3392, 1 1th ed., 1989) markedly attenuates the extent of cell loss, hemorrhages and amino acid changes in a rat model of Korsakoff's disease. See P.J. Langlais, et al., Soc. Neurosci. Abstr., Λ - 74- (1988). Therefore, compounds of the present invention have utility for the attenuation of cell loss, hemorrhages and amino acid changes associated with Korsakoff's disease.

The invention also provides methods for determining binding activity of compounds of the invention, e.g. binding activity to NMDA receptors, as well as in vitro and in vivo binding activity diagnostic methods using one or more radiolabelled compounds of Formula I or Formula II, e.g., a compound of the invention that is labeled with ¹²⁵l, tritium, ³²P, "Tc, or the like, preferably ²⁵l. For instance, a compound of the invention having a phenyl substituent that is ring substituted with one or more ¹²⁵l groups can be administered to a mammal and the subject then scanned for binding of the compound to NMDA receptors. Specifically, single photon emission computed tomography ("SPECT") can be employed to detect such binding. Such an analysis of the mammal could e.g. aid in the diagnosis and treatment of acute cerebral ischemia.

Accordingly, the invention includes compounds of Formula I or II that contain a radiolabel such as ¹²⁵ , tritium, ³²P, "Tc, or the like, preferably ¹²⁵l. Such radiolabelled compounds can be suitably prepared by procedures known in the synthesis art. For example, a compound of the invention having an aromatic group, such as phenyl, that has a bromo or chloro ring substituent can be employed in an exchange labeling reaction to provide the corresponding compound having an ¹²⁵l ring substituent.

Certain pharmacological activity of compounds of Formulas I and II can be determined by, e.g., a method involving: (a) determining the binding affinity with respect to the PCP receptor by competitive displacement of tritiated MK-801 ; (b) in vitro cytotoxicity studies measuring the ability of the compound to prevent nerve cell death caused by exposure to glutamate; and (c) determination of in vivo neuroprotective ability using animal models.

Evaluation of the binding activity of compounds of Formulas I and II with respect to the PCP receptor is suitably performed using radioligand binding assays. The compounds are tested to determine their ability to displace tritiated MK-801 which is used to label PCP receptors. Evaluating the competitive displacement binding data, the preferred compounds are those which exhibit a high affinity (i.e., low IC₅₀ value) for the PCP receptors. Under such PCP binding activity studies, an IC₅₀ value of at most about 1 μM, preferably at most about 0.5 μM, indicates a high binding affinity.

As discussed above, under sigma binding studies an IC₅₀ value of less than 1 μM indicates a high binding affinity of a compound to the sigma receptor. The sigma receptor binding assay, preferably against ³H-DTG, may be performed as disclosed by E. Weber, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci (USA), 83:8784-8788 (1986), which is incorporated by reference herein. Compounds of Formulas I and II may be used in therapy in conjunction with other medicaments. For example, for treatment of a stroke victim, one or more compounds of Formulas I or II may be suitably administered together with a pharmaceutical targeted for interaction in the blood clotting mechanism such as streptokinase, tPA, urokinase and other agents that lyse clots.

As discussed above, preferred guanidines of Formulas I and II exhibit high affinity for the PCP receptor. Thus, in addition to the treatment of neurodegeneration and related conditions discussed above, the guanidines of the present invention may also be used as a pharmacological tool in an animal model for the screening of potential PCP receptor ligands.

The compounds of this invention can be administered intranasally, orally or by injection, e.g., intramuscular, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous or intravenous injection, or by transdermal, intraocular or enteral means. The optimal dose can be determined by conventional means. Guanidines of the present invention are suitably administered to a subject in the protonated and water-soluble form, e.g., as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of an organic or inorganic acid, e.g., hydrochloride, sulfate, hemi-sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, acetate, oxalate, citrate, maleate, etc.

The compounds of this invention can be employed, either alone or in combination with one or more other therapeutic agents as discussed above, as a pharmaceutical composition in mixture with conventional excipient, i.e., pharmaceutically acceptable organic or inorganic carrier substances suitable for parenteral, enteral or intranasal application which do not deleteriously react with the active compounds and are not deleterious to the recipient thereof. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include but are not limited to water, salt solutions, alcohol, vegetable oils, polyethylene glycols, gelatin, lactose, amylose, magnesium stearate, talc, silicic acid, viscous paraffin, perfume oil, fatty acid monoglycerides and diglycerides, petroethral fatty acid esters, hydroxymethyl-cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, etc. The pharmaceutical preparations can be sterilized and if desired mixed with auxiliary agents, e.g., lubricants, preservatives, stabilizers, wetting agents, emulsifiers, salts for influencing osmotic pressure, buffers, colorings, flavorings and/or aromatic substances and the like which do not deleteriously react with the active compounds.

For parenteral application, particularly suitable are solutions, preferably oily or aqueous solutions as well as suspensions, emulsions, or implants, including suppositories. Ampules are convenient unit dosages.

For enteral application, particularly suitable are tablets, dragees or capsules having talc and/or carbohydrate carrier binder or the like, the carrier preferably being lactose and/or corn starch and/or potato starch. A syrup, elixir or the like can be used wherein a sweetened vehicle is employed. Sustained release compositions can be formulated including those wherein the active component is protected with differentially degradable coatings, e.g., by microencapsulation, multiple coatings, etc. Intravenous or parenteral administration, e.g., sub-cutaneous, intraperitoneal or intramuscular administration are preferred. The compounds of this invention are particularly valuable in the treatment of mammalian subjects, e.g., humans, wherein the pathophysiology of the disease involves excessive excitation of nerve cells by agonists of the NMDA receptor. Typically, such subjects include those afflicted with neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Down's Syndrome and Korsakoff's disease. Also suitable for treatment are those subjects suffering from or likely to suffer from nervous system dysfunctions resulting from, for example, epilepsy or nerve cell degeneration which is the result of hypoxia, hypoglycemia, brain or spinal chord ischemia or brain or spinal chord trauma. As discussed above, typical candidates for treatment include heart attack, stroke, brain or spinal cord injury patients, patients undergoing major surgery where brain or spinal cord ischemia is a potential complication and patients such as divers suffering from decompression sickness due to gas emboli in the blood stream.

It will be appreciated that the actual preferred amounts of active compounds used in a given therapy will vary according to the specific compound being utilized, the particular compositions formulated, the mode of application, the particular site of administration, etc. Optimal administration rates for a given protocol of administration can be readily ascertained by those skilled in the art using conventional dosage determination tests conducted with regard to the foregoing guidelines. In general, a suitable effective dose of one or more compounds of Formula I or Formula II, particularly when using the more potent compound(s) of Formulas I or II, will be in the range of from 0.01 to 100 milligrams per kilogram of bodyweight of receipent per day, preferably in the range of from 0.01 to 20 milligrams per kilogram bodyweight of recipient per day, more preferably in the range of 0.05 to 4 milligrams per kilogram bodyweight of recipient per day. The desired dose is suitably administered once daily, or several sub-doses, e.g. 2 to 4 sub-doses, are administered at appropriate intervals through the day, or other appropriate schedule. Such sub-doses may be administered as unit dosage forms, e.g., containing from 0.05 to 10 milligrams of compound(s) of Formula I or II per unit dosage, preferably from 0.2 to 2 milligrams per unit dosage.

As with prior guanidines such as those reported in U.S. Patent No. 1 ,41 1 ,71 3, the guanidines of the present invention should have utility as rubber accelerators.

The entire text of all applications, patents and publications cited above and below are incorporated by reference herein.

The following non-limiting examples are illustrative of the invention.

GENERAL COMMENTS

In the following examples, melting points (mp) were determined in open capillary tubes on a Thomas-Hoover apparatus (compounds melting < 230°C) and are uncorrected. The NMR spectra of all compounds were recorded on a General Electric QE-300 or Bruker 300, and chemical shifts are reported in ppm relative to the residual signal of the deuterated solvent (CHCI₃, 7.26 ppm; HCD₂OD, 3.30 ppm; TMS, 0.00 ppm). IR spectra were recorded on a Nicolet 5DXB FT-IR, or a Perkin- Elmer model 1420 in CHCI₃ or neat. IR and NMR spectra of all compounds are consistent with their assigned structures. Elemental analyses were performed by M-H-W Laboratories (Phoenix, AZ), or Galbraith Laboratories (Knoxville, TN). 1 -Naphthylamine, cyanogen bromide, 3-ethylaniline and chlorobenzene were obtained from Aldrich Chemical Company, and were used as received. All other solvents were reagent grade. 1 -Naphthyl cyanamide that can be used to prepare compounds of Examples 27-46 and 51 is suitably prepared by the following procedure. To a solution of 20.0 g (140 mMol) 1 - naphthylamine in ether at 0°C was added by cannulation a solution of 1 7.5 mL (87.5 mMol) BrCN (5.0 M in CH₃CN; Aldrich). After 0.5 hours the cooling bath was removed and the mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight (14 hours). A crystalline precipitate of the amine«HBr was formed, which was filtered off under suction, and washed with ethyl acetate (1 5 mL x 3). The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo to provide 1 2.5 g of a purple colored solid of the crude cyanamide, whose TLC showed the presence of minor amounts of the hydrobromide amine salt. The crude solid was stirred with water (200 mL) for 1 hour, after which filtration under suction left a pinkish solid which was dried in a vacuum oven overnight to afford 9.2 g, (78.3%) of the pure 1 -naphthyl cyanamide.

EXAMPLE 1 - Preparation of N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-2,5- dichlorophenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-ethylphenyl, R¹ = CH₃, R² = H, R³ = R⁴ = CI, n = 0). Part 1 : Preparation of N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methylcvanamide Step A: 3-ethylphenylcvanamide

A solution of cyanogen bromide (1 1.36 g, 107 mmol) in anhydrous diethylether (50 mL) was added slowly to a stirred solution of 3-ethylaniline (20.8 g, 171 mmol) in diethylether at 4°C. After the addition, the reaction mixture was stirred at 24°C for 12 hours and it became a brown solution with a white precipitate. The precipitate was filtered off; the filtrate was washed with aqueous HCl (1 N, 3 x 150 mL) and brine (60 mL). Then the etherate solution was dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated to yield a thick liquid. The crude product was further purified by chromatography (SiO₂, hexanes, hexanes/CH₂CI₂, CH₂CI₂) to afford 3-ethylphenylcyanamide (1 1.6 g, 76% in yield) as a liquid.

Step B: N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methylcvanamide A suspension of 3-ethylphenylcyanamide (4.65 g, 31 .8 mmol) and sodium hydride (2.55 g of 80% NaH in mineral oil suspension, 63.6 mmol of NaH) in dried THF was heated at reflux for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled in an ice bath and methyl iodide (1 1 .28 g, 79.5 mmol) was added dropwise with stirring to the mixture. The reaction mixture was then allowed to stir for 15 hours, followed by the successive addition of MeOH (10 mL). The reaction mixture was then concentrated to dryness to give the crude product. Distilled water (40 mL) was added to this crude product and the aqueous mixture and was extracted with CH₂CI₂ (4 x 40 mL). The combined organic extracts were washed with water (3 x 30 mL) and then dried over MgSO₄. The solvent was removed to afford the crude product as an amber syrup. Flash chromatography (SiO₂, CH₂CI₂) of the crude product afforded 4.2 g (75% yield) of the desired product. Part 2: Preparation of 2,5-Dichloroaniline Hydrochloride

To a solution of 2,5-dichloroaniline (Aldrich, 1 .5 g, 9 mmol) in methanol ( 10 mL) was added methanolic HCl ( 1 M, 30 mL) at 4°C, then the reaction mixture was stirred at 25 °C for 30 minutes. The resulting solution was then evaporated and dried under vacuum to afford 1 .6 g of 2,5-dichloroaniline hydrochloride (88% yield).

Part 3: Guanidine Synthesis

A mixture of N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methylcyanamide (520 mg, 3.3 mmol), 2,5-dichloroanaline hydrochloride (600 mg, 3 mmol), and chlorobenzene (2 mL) were combined in a dry round button flask equipped with a water cooled condenser under nitrogen and placed in a preheated oil bath ( 1 50-1 60°C). The reaction mixture was heated for 4 hours. After cooling, the crude reaction product was purified by crystallization from chlorobenzene/diethylether. The resulting crystals were collected by filtration, washed with diethylether, and dried in a vacuum oven (40°C, 1 5 hours) to yield the title compound, N-(3- ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)guanidine hydrochloride, as a white solid (760 mg, 72% yield). TLC: R_f = 0.45 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 1 62-1 63°C; ¹H NMR

(CD₃OD): δ 7.53-7.23 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 3.48 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.70 (q, J = 7.6Hz, 2H, CH₂), 1 .26 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 3H, CH₃); MS(EI): m/e 322 (M ⁺ for the free base); Anal.: C₁₆H₁₇CI₂N₃»HCI; Calcd. (%): C: 53.57, H: 5.05, N: 1 1 .71 ; Found (%): C: 53.66, H: 5.20, N: 1 1 .71 .

EXAMPLE 2 - Preparation of N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5- dibromophenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-ethylphenyl, R¹ = CH₃, R₂ = H, R₃ = R₄ = Br, n = 0). Part 1 : Preparation of 2,5-dibromoaniline hydrochloride

To a solution of 2,5-dibromoaniline (Aldrich, 1 .5 g, 6 mmol) in methanol (5 mL) was added methanolic HCl (1 M, 30 mL) at 4°C, then the reaction mixture was stirred at 25 °C for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture became a light brown solution with a white precipitate. The precipitate was collected by filtration, washed with diethylether (2 mL), and dried under vacuum to afford 1 .6 g of 2,5-dibromoaniline hydrochloride (93% yield).

Part 2: Guanidine Synthesis

A mixture of N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methylcyanamide (520 mg, 3.3 mmol), 2,5-dibromoaniline hydrochloride (861 mg, 3 mmol), and chlorobenzene (2 mL) were combined in a dry round bottom flask equipped with water cooled condenser under nitrogen and placed in a preheated oil bath (1 50-160° C). The reaction mixture was heated for 3 hours. After cooling, the crude reaction product was purified by crystallization from chlorobenzene/diethylether. The resulting crystals were collected by filtration, washed with diethylether, and dried in a vacuum oven (40°C, 15 hours) to yield the title compound, N-(3- ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine hydrochloride, as a white solid (780 mg, 59% yield).

TLC: R_f = 0.5 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 21 7-21 8°C; ¹H NMR (CD₃OD): δ 7.56-7.20 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 3.41 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.62 (q, J = 7.7Hz, 2H, CH₂), 1 .18 (t, J = 7.7Hz, 3H, CH₃); MS(EI): m/e 41 1 (M ⁺ for the free base); Anal.: C₁₆H₁₇Br₂N₃«HCI; Calcd. (%): C: 42.93, H: 4.05, N: 9.39; Found (%): C: 42.90, H: 4.01 , N: 9.1 3. EXAMPLE 3 - Preparation of N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2,5- dichlorophenyDguanidine mesylate (Formula I: mesylate of R = 3- ethylphenyl, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = R⁴ = CI, n = 0).

Part 1 : Preparation of 2,5-dichlorophenylcyanamide

To a heterogeneous slurry of 2,5-dichloroaniline (3.0 g, 1 8.5 mmol) in 60 mL of water at 4°C was added solid BrCN (1 .22 g, 1 1 .3 mmol) slowly. After 5 minutes the cooling bath was removed and the heterogeneous reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours to yield the product in water suspension. The product was collected by filtration, washed with water (100 mL), and dried under vacuum to yield the pure product (2 g, 60% yield).

Part 2: Preparation of 3-ethylaniline mesylate To a solution of 3-ethylaniline (Aldrich, 4.84 g, 40 mmol) in methanol (10 mL) was added methanesulfonic acid (4.4 g, 45 mmol) at 4°C, then the reaction mixture was stirred at 25°C for 30 minutes to yield a solution with white precipitates. The precipitates were collected by filtration, washed with ether, and dried under vacuum to afford 7.7 g of 3-ethylaniline mesylate (7.7 g, 91 % yield).

Part 3: Guanidine Synthesis

A mixture of 2,5-dichlorophenylcyanamide ( 1 .02 g, 5.5 mmol), 3- ethylaniline mesylate (1 .1 g, 5 mmol), and chlorobenzene (1 5 mL) were combined in a dry round bottom flask equipped with a water cooled condenser under nitrogen and placed in a preheated oil bath (1 50- 1 60°C). The reaction mixture was heated for 2 hours. After cooling, the crude reaction product was purified by crystallization from chlorobenzene/diethylether. The resulting crystals were collected by filtration, washed with diethylether, and dried in a vacuum oven (40°C, 15 hours) to yield the title compound, N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2,5- dichlorophenyDguanidine mesylate, as a white solid (1 .5 g, 75% yield).

TLC: R_f = 0.4 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 220-221 °C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 1 '.58-7 '.17 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 2.68 (s, 3H, SO₃CH₃), 2.68 (m, 2H, CH₃), 1.24 (t, J = 7.6Hz, CH₃); Anal: C_l6H₁₉CI₂N₃O₃; Calcd. (%): C: 47.83, H: 4.74, N: 10.39; Found (%): C: 47.44, H: 4.64, N: 10.27.

EXAMPLE 4 - Preparation of N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylphenyDguanidine mesylate (Formula I: mesylate of R = 3- ethylphenyl, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = CI, R⁴ = CH₂CH₃, n =0).

Part 1 : Preparation of 2-chloro-5-ethylphenylcvanamide

To a heterogeneous slurry of 2-chloro-5-ethylaniline (1 .6 g, 10 mmol) in 60 mL of water at 4°C was added solid BrCN (0.848 g, 8 mmol) slowly. After 5 minutes the cooling bath was removed and the heterogeneous reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours to yield the product in water suspension. The precipitates were collected by filtration, washed with water (100 mL), and dried under vacuum to yield the pure title compound (1.45 g, 80% yield).

Part 2: Guanidine Synthesis A mixture of 2-chloro-5-ethylphenylcyanamide (0.6 g, 3.08 mmol), 3-ethylaniline mesylate (0.64 g, 2.93 mmol), and chlorobenzene (12 mL) were combined in a dry round bottom flask equipped with a water cooled condenser under nitrogen and placed in a preheated oil bath ( 1 50-1 60°C). The reaction mixture was heated for 3 hours. After cooling, the crude reaction product was purified by crystallization from chlorobenzene/diethylether. The resulting crystals were collected by filtration, washed with diethylether, and dried in a vacuum oven (40°C, 1 5 hours) to yield the title compound, N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylphenyDguanidine mesylate, as a white solid (1 .1 g, 91 % yield). TLC: R_f = 0.4 ( 10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 1 62-1 63°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.48-7.17 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 2.69 (s, 3H, SO₃CH₃), 2.67 (q, J = 7.6Hz, 4H), (H₂), 1 .24 (t, J = 7.5Hz, 6H, CH₃); Anal.: C₁₈H₂₄CIN₃SO₃; Calcd. (%): C: 54.33, H: 6.08, N: 10.56; Found (%): C: 53.98, H: 6.14, N: 10.40.

EXAMPLE 5

Other substituted aniline intermediates, suitable for reaction with an appropriate cyanamide compound to provide compounds of the invention as described above, are either commercially available or can be prepared by methods generally known to those skilled in the synthesis art. The following Examples 5a through 5d disclose procedures for preparation of four different substituted aniline compounds that are suitably used to prepare compounds of the invention, including e.g. the compounds of Examples 23, 58, 64, 69 and 70 which follow.

Example 5a - Preparation of 2-Bromo-5-methylthioaniline hydrochloride To a stirred solution (cooled to 1 6-1 9°C) of 2-bromo-5-

(methylthio)benzoic acid (1 .5 g, 6.07 mmol, prepared by the method described in Kuenzle, F., et al., He/v. Chim. Acta. , 52(3):622-628 ( 1 969)) in DMF ( 1 7 mL) was added triethylamine ( 1 .05 mL, 7.28 mmol). After stirring briefly, diphenyphosphoryl azide ( 1 .7 mL, 7.59 mmol) was added by an addition funnel over a 1 5 minute period. After 2 hours of stirring at ambient temperature, thin layer chromatography (SiO₂, cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 8: 1 ) showed the reaction was completed. To this solution was added distilled water (7 mL) and the mixture was then heated to 65 °C for 2 hours.

The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo at 45 °C to afford a light yellow, syrupy residue. After adding water (50 mL) to this residue, saturated potassium carbonate was added until pH 9. The mixture was then extracted with 40 mL of methylene chloride two times. The combined extracts were washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated in vacuo to yield a yellow oil. The yellow oil was dissolved in 10 mL of ether and added HCI/ether (10 mL, 1 N) to provide a white precipitate. The solid was collected by filtration and further purified by column chromatography (SiO2₂, hexanes/EtOAc: 100%-80%). The final product was a white solid (0.6 g, 39% in yield); ¹H NMR (CD₃OD): δ (ppm) 7.76 (d, 1 H, 8.5 Hz), 7.20 (s, 1 H), 7.1 8 (d, 1 H), 2.50 (s, 3H, CH₃); Anal: C₇H₈BrNS«HCI; Calcd. (%): C: 33.03, H: 3.56, N: 5.50; Found (%): C: 33.00, N: 3.52, N: 5.59.

Example 5b - Preparation of N-Methyl-3-methylsulfinylaniline hydrochloride

Part 1 : N-Methyl-(3-methylthiophenyl)amine: 3-Methylmercaptoaniline (5 g, 34.8 mmol) was dissolved in formic acid (1 .92 mL, 49 mmol) and heated to 100-105°C under argon for overnight. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and extracted with CH₂CI₂ (75 ml). The organic layer was washed with saturated Na₂CO₃ (30 ml) three times and dried over MgSO₄, filtered to remove MgSO₄ and the solution concentrated to afford the formamide. The formamide was dissolved in anhydrous THF (30 ml) under argon. To this solution was added slowly LiAIH₄ in THF (50 ml, 1 M) at 0-5°C. The reaction was warmed up to room temperature and stirred for 20 hours. To this reaction mixture was added 50 ml of saturated aqueous MgSO₄. The organic layer was saved. The water layer was further extracted with ethyl acetate (50 ml) three times and the combined organic solution was washed with H₂O (50 ml), brine (50 ml) and dried over MgSO₄. The solution was filtered to remove MgSO₄ and then concentrated to yield the crude product which was purified by column chromatography (SiO₂, hexanes/EtOAc: 8/1 ). The fractions which contained the product were collected and concentrated, dried under vacuum to yield the pure N-Methyl-(3- methylthiophenyDamine (5.25 g, 98% in yield).

Part 2: N-Methyl-3-methylsulfinylaniline hydrochloride

Hydrogen peroxide (30% in water, 10.22 mL, 1 mol, Aldrich) was added to a solution of N-methyl-3-methylmercaptoaniline (3.0 g, 19.6 mmol) in acetone (17 mL) at 0-5°C. The reaction was stirred overnight and then the acetone was removed. A 1 N NaOH aqueous solution was added until pH 12, which was then extracted with ether (30 ml) three times. The combined organic layers were dried over MgSO₄, and then the solution was filtered to remove MgSO₄ and the resulting solution concentrated to yield the crude product of the title compound which was purified by column chromatography (silica gel, eluted by

EtOAc/MeOH: 100%-90%). N-Methyl-3-methylsulfinylaniline was obtained and was further converted to its hydrochloride salt (1.82 g, 45% in yield). H NMR (CD₃OD): δ (ppm) 7.90-7.55 (m, Ar-H, 4H), 3.1 1 (s, NCH₃, 3H), 2.85 (s, SOCH₃, 3H); MS(EI): m/e 1 69 (M ⁺ for the free base); TLC: R_f = 0.29 (SiO₂, EtOAc); M.P.: 1 37-1 38°C.

Example 5c - Preparation of N-Methyl-3-methylsulfonyl aniline hydrochloride

Hydrogen peroxide (30% in water, 10.22 mL, 1 mol, Aldrich) was added to a solution of N-methyl-3-methylmercaptoaniline (3.0 g, 19.6 mmol) in acetone ( 1 7 mL) at 0-5°C. The reaction was stirred for overnight and then the acetone was removed. A 1 N NaOH aqueous solution was added until pH 12, which solution was then extracted with 30 ml of ethyl ether three times and the combined organic layers were dried MgSO₄. The MgSO₄ was removed by filtration and the resulting solution was concentrated to yield the crude product which was purified by column chromatography (silica gel, eluted by EtOAc/MeOH 100%- 90%). N-methyl-3-methylsulfonyl aniline was obtained and further converted to its hydrochloride salt (1 .8 g, 42% in yield).

¹H NMR (CD₃OD): δ (ppm) 7.90-7.50 (m, Ar-H, 4H), 3.1 6 (s, SO₂CH₃, 3H), 3.05 (s, NCH₃, 3H); MS(EI): m/e 185 (M ⁺ : ^H^NSO_;,); TLC: R_f = 0.81 (SiO₂, EtOAc); M.P.: 1 69-1 70°C.

Example 5d - Preparation of 2-Fluoro-5-ethylaniline Part 1 : 3-Nitro'4'-fluoroacetophenone: To stirred, pre-cooled fuming nitric acid (40 mL) at -10°C was added dropwise 4'-fluoroacetophenone (Aldrich, 75 g, 54.3 mmol) over a period of 10 minutes. The temperature was strictly maintained at -9 to -10°C for a total of 8 hours. The reaction mixture flask was then transferred to the freezer (- 10°C) for storage overnight. In the morning the reaction mixture was poured onto ice ( 1 .5 Kg). The resultant mixture was extracted three times with ether (400 mL). The organic layer was washed four times with NaOH (1 N, 300 mL) and brine. Concentration in vacuo afforded a yellow liquid which by thin layer chromatography (SiO₂, cyclohexane/ethyl acetate: 2/1 ) showed one major and two minor products. The crude product was purified over 600 grams of 230-400 mesh silica gel, eluting with a gradient of hexanes-ethyl acetate 10: 1 to 3: 1 . The product containing fractions were concentrated to afford a light yellow liquid (27.6 grams).

Part 2: 3'-Amino-4'-fluoroacetophenone: To a stirred mixture of 3'-nitro- 4'-fluoroacetophenone (10.04 g, 55 mmol) in 72 mL of concentrated hydrochloric acid, was added tin (II) chloride dihydrate (37 grams), in portions. After approximately one third of the material had been added, a rapid rise in the internal reaction temperature (to 95°C) was noted. The mixture was then heated to reflux for 10 minutes, this resulted in the dissolution of all solids to give a solution. The mixture was then cooled to room temperature and poured onto an ice/water mixture ( 1 50 g). The mixture was then further cooled in an ice bath while 50% sodium hydroxide was added until pH 1 2 was reached. The aqueous layer was extracted twice with ether (50 mL). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine and then dried over sodium sulfate. Removal of the drying agent and in vacuo concentration of the filtrate afforded a yellow-orange oil (8.73 g) which was recrystallized on standing. This material was of sufficient purity to be used directly in the next step (Part 3). Part 3: 2-Fluoro-5-ethylaniline: To a stirred mixture of 3'-amino-4'- fluoroacetophenone (7.56 g, 49.4 mmol) in triethylene glycol (60 mL) was added 4.94 g of sodium hydroxide. Neat hydrazine hydrate (7.2 mL) was added to the mixture in one portion via a syringe. This addition resulted in a slight exotherm (temperature around 50°). The reaction flask (three neck, equipped with claisen adapter and receiving flask) was then equipped with a heating mantle and the reaction heated to 100°C for 1 hour, then 1 50°C. At the higher temperature distillate began to collect in the receiving flask. After 1 hour at 1 50°C the reaction mixture was then heated to 180°C, while still collecting distillate. After 45 minutes at 1 80°C thin layer chromatography indicated the complete absence of starting material and the appearance of a single major product. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature with an ice bath and poured into 100 mL of water. The aqueous mixture was extracted three times with ether (125 mL). The combined organic extracts were washed once with water, once with brine and then dried over potassium carbone. Concentration of the organic extracts in vacuo afforded 2-fluoro-5-ethylaniline (6.82 g) as an amber liquid. This material was further purified by column chromatography (silica gel, hexanes/ethyl acetate: 2/1 ) to give 7.1 1 grams of product as a viscous liquid.

¹H NMR (CDCI₃): δ (ppm) 8.0-7.0 (m, Ar-H), 2.52 (q, CH₂), 1 .20 (t, CH₃); MW: 139.18 (for the free base); Anal.: C₈H₁₀NF; Calcd. (%): C: 69.04, H: 7.24, N: 10.07; Found (%): C: 69.03; N: 7.49, N: 9.89.

EXAMPLES 6-73

By procedures similar to those employed in Examples 1 through 5 above but using appropriately substituted amine hydrochloride and cyanamide reagents, the following compounds of Formulas I and II were prepared having the specified physical characteristics.

Example 6 - N-(3-Ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)- N'-methylguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3- ethylphenyl, R¹ = R² = CH₃, R₃ = R₄ = CI, n = 0). white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.4 ( 10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 1 61 -1 62°C; ¹ H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.38-7.09 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 3.44 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.38 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.51 (q, J = 7.6Hz, 2H, CH₂), 1 .1 6 (t, J = 7.6Hz, 3H, CH₃); Anal.: (C₁₇H₁₉CI₂N₃»HCI»H₂O); Calcd. (%): C:

52.26, H: 5.68, N: 10.75; Found (%): C: 51 .94, H: 5.59, N: 10.44.

Example 7 - N-(3-Ethylphenyl)-N'-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)-N'- methylguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3- ethylphenyl, R¹ = H, R² = CH₃, R³ = R⁴ = CI, n = 0). white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.4 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp = 92-93°C, ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.76-7.1 2 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 3.44 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.68 (q, J = 7.6Hz, 2H, CH₂), 1 .24 (t, J = 7.6Hz, 3H, CH₃); Anal.: (C₁₆H₁₇CI₂N₃«HCI), Calcd. (%) C: 53.58, H: 5.06, N: 1 1 .91 ; Found (%): C: 53.49, H: 5.20, N: 1 1 .92; MS (El) = m/e 321 (M⁺ for the free base).

Example 8 - N-(3-Ethylphenyl)-N'-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)guanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-ethylphenyl, white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.4 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 1 1 1 -1 1 2°C;

'H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.58-7.1 5 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 2.68 (q, J = 7.6Hz, 2H, CH₂), 1 .24 (t, J = 7.6Hz, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 308 (M ⁺ for the free base); Anal.: (C₁₅H₁₅CI₂N₃»HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 52.27, H: 4.68, N: 1 2.1 9; Found (%): C: 52.1 7, H: 4.76, N: 1 2.25.

Example 9 - N-(3-Ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)- N'-methylguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3- ethylphenyl, R¹ = R² = CH₃, R³ = R⁴ = Br, n = 0). white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.3 ( 10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 1 79-180°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.48-7.10 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 3.45 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.38 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.52 (q, J = 7.7Hz, 2H, CH₂), 1 .1 8 (t, J = 7.7Hz, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 425 (M⁺ for the free base); Anal.:

(C₁₇H₁₉Br₂N₃»HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 44.23, H: 4.37, N: 9.10; Found (%): C: 44.00, H: 4.57, N: 9.04.

Example 10 - N-(3-Ethylphenyl)-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-ethylphenyl, white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.54 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 76-77°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.70-7.1 5 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 2.67 (q, J = 7.6Hz, 2H, CH₂), 1 .24 (t, J = 7.6Hz, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 397 (M ⁺ for the free base); HRMS: 394.961 8 (394.9632 calculated for C₁₅H₁₅Br₂N₃).

Example 1 1 - N-(3-Ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- trifluoromethylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-ethylphenyl, R¹ = CH₃, R² = H, R³ = CI, R⁴ = CF₃, n = 0). white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.5 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 180-181 °C; ¹ H NMR: δ 7.76-7.25 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 3.53 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.70 (q, J = 7.5Hz, 2H, CH₂), 1 .26 (t, J = 7.5Hz, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 355 (M⁺ for the free base); Anal.: (C₁₇H₁₇CIF₃N₃»HCI); Calcd. (%) : C: 52.05, H: 4.63, N: 10.71 ; Found (%): C: 52.1 5, H: 4.53, N: 10.72.

Example 1 2 - N-(3-Ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5- trifluoromethylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-ethylphenyl, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = Cl, R⁴ = CF₃, n = 0) . white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.4 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 73-74°C; ¹H NMR: δ 7.55-7.1 6 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 2.60 (q, J = 7.6Hz, 2H, CH₂), 1 .21 (t, J = 7.6Hz, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 341 (M⁺ for the free base); HRMS: 341 .0907 (341 .091 7 calculated for C₁₆H₁₅CIF₃N₃).

Example 1 3 - N-(3-Ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- trifluoromethylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-ethylphenyl, R¹ = CH₃, R² = H, R³ = Br, R⁴ = CF₃, n = 0). white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.5 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 184-1 85°C; H NMR: δ 7.93-7.28 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 3.50 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.70 (q, J = 7.6Hz, 2H, CH₂), 1 .25 (t, J = 7.6Hz, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 400 (M ⁺ for the free base); Anal.: (C₁₇H₁₇BrF₃N₃»HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 46.76, H: 4.1 5, N: 9.62; Found (%): C: 46.57, H: 4.1 2, N: 9.36.

Example 14 - N-(3-Ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5- trifluoromethylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-ethylphenyl, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = Br, R⁴ = CF₃, n = 0). white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.4 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 109-1 10°C; ¹H NMR: δ 7.77-7.17 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 2.61 (q, J = 7.7Hz, 2H, CH₂);

MS(EI): m/e 386 (M⁺ for the free base); HRMS: 385.0391 (385.0401 calculated for C₁₆H₁₅BrF₃N₃). Examole 1 5 - N-(3-Ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-fluoro-5- trifluoromethylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-ethylphenyl, R¹ = CH₃, R² = H, R³ = F, R⁴ = CF₃, n = 0). white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.5 ( 10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 1 58-1 59°C; ¹ H NMR: δ 8.20-7.20 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 3.43 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.61 (q,

J = 7.6Hz, 2H, CH₂), 1 .1 7 (t, J = 7.6Hz, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 339 (M ⁺ for the free base); Anal.: (C₁₇H₁₇F₄N₃»HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 54.33, H: 4.83, N: 1 1 .1 8; Found (%): C: 54.20, H: 4.90, N: 1 1 .04.

Example 1 6 - N-(3-Ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-fluoro-5- trifluoromethylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-ethylphenyl, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = F, R⁴ = CF₃, n = 0). white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.4 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 105-106°C; ¹H NMR: δ 7.25-6.85 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 2.60 (q, J = 7.7Hz, 2H, CH₂), 1 .21 (t, J = 7.6Hz, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 325 (M⁺ for the free base); HRMS: 325.1212 (325.1202 calculated for C₁₆H₁₅N₃F₄).

Example 17 - N-(3-Ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylphenyl)-N'-methylguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-ethylphenyl, R¹ = R² = CH₃, R³ = Cl, R⁴ = CH₂CH₃, n = 0) . white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.3 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 1 29-1 30°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.28-7.01 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 3.42 (s, 3H, CH₃), 3.39 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.49 (q, J = 7.6Hz, 2H, CH₂), 2.34 (q, J = 7.6Hz, 2H, CH₂), 1 .1 3 (t, J = 7.7Hz, 3H, CH₃), 1 .05 (t, J = 7.7Hz, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 330 (M⁺ for the free base). Example 1 8 - N-(3-Ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-ethylphenyl, R¹ = CH₃, R² = H, R³ = CI, R = CH₂CH₃, n = 0). white solid; TLC: R_t = 0.4 ( 10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 1 90-1 91 °C; ¹ H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.44-7.20 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 3.48 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.71 (q, J = 7.6Hz, 2H, CH₂), 2.65 (J = 7.6Hz, 2H, CH₂), 1 .27 (t, J = 7.7Hz, 3H, CH₃), 1 .23 (t, J = 7.7Hz, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 31 5 (M⁺ for the free base); Anal.: (C₁₈H₂₂CIN₃«HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 61 .36, H: 6.58, N: 1 1 .93; Found (%): C: 61 .09, H: 6.37, N: 1 1 .86.

Example 1 9 - N-(3-Ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-ethylphenyl, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = CI, R⁴ = CH₂CH₃, n = 0). white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.5 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 77-78°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.49-7.18 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 2.69 (q,

J = 7.6Hz, 4H, CH₂), 1 .24 (t, J = 7.6Hz, 6H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 301 (M ⁺ for the free base); Anal.: (C₁₇H₂₀CIN₃»HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 60.36, H: 6.26, N: 1 2.42; Found (%): C: 60.33, H: 6.42, N: 1 2.37.

Example 20 - N-(3-Ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-ethylphenyl, R¹ = CH₃, R² = H, R³ = Br, R⁴ = CH₂CH₃, n = 0). white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.4 ( 10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 1 89-1 90°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.62-7.1 8 ( , 7H, Ar-H), 3.49 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.71 (q, J = 7.6Hz, 2H, CH₂), 2.64 (q,. J = 7.6Hz, 2H, CH₂), 1 .26 (t, J = 7.6Hz, 3H, CH₃), 1 .23 (t, J = 7.7Hz, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 360 (M⁺ for the free base); Anal.: (C₁₈H₂₂BrN₃»HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 54.49, H: 5.84, N: 10.59; Found (%): C: 54.46, H: 5.95, N: 10.62. Example 21 - N-(3-Ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-ethylphenyl, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = Br, R⁴ = CH₂CH₃, n = 0). white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.54 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 70-71 °C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.62-7.10 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 2.71 -2.62 (m, 4H, CH₂), 1 .27 (t, J = 7.6Hz, 3H, CH₃), 1 .22 (t, J = 7.7Hz, 3H, CH₃); Anal.: (C₁₇H₂₀BrN₃«HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 53.35, H: 5.53, N: 10.98; Found (%): C: 53.61 , H: 5.56, N: 1 1 .04; MS(EI): m/e 345 (M⁺ for the free base).

Example 22 - N-(3-Ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-fluoro-5- ethylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-ethylphenyl, R¹ = CH₃, R² = H, R³ = F, R⁴ = CH₂CH₃, n = 0). white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.4 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 1 71 -1 72°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.45-7.14 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 3.48 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.70 (q, J = 7.6Hz, 2H, CH₂), 2.64 (q, J = 7.5Hz, 2H, CH₂), 1 .26 (t, J = 7.7Hz, 3H, CH₃), 1 .22 (t, J = 7.5Hz, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 299 (M⁺ for the free base); Anal.: (C₁₈H₂₂FN₃»HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 64.37, H: 6.90, N: 1 2.51 ; Found (%): C: 64.49, N: 7.01 , N: 1 2.45.

Example 23 - N-(3-Ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-fluoro-5- ethylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-ethylphenyl, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = F, R⁴ = CH₂CH₃, n = 0). white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.3 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp = 52.53°C; ¹ H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.34-7.1 1 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 2.70-2.61 (m, 4H, CH₂), 1 .26-1 .20 (m, 6H, CH₃); Anal.: (C₁₇H₂₀FN₃»HCI); Calcd. (%) : C: 63.45, H: 6.58, N: 1 3.06; Found (%): C: 63.52, H: 6.77, N: 1 3.32; MS(EI): m/e 285 (M⁺ for the free base). Example 24 - N-(3-Ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- methylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-ethylphenyl, R¹ = CH₃, R² = H, R³ = CI, R⁴ = CH₃, n = 0). white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.45 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 204-205 °C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.46-7.1 6 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 3.48 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.70 (q, J = 7.6Hz, 2H, CH₂), 2.33 (s, 3H, CH₃), 1 .26 (t, J = 7.6Hz, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 302 (M⁺ for the free base); Anal. : (C₁₇H₂₀CIN₃»HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 60.36, H: 6.26, N: 1 2.42; Found (%): C: 60.23, H: 6.50, N: 1 2.32.

Example 25 - N-(3-Ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5- methylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-ethylphenyl, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = CI, R⁴ = CH₃, n = 0). white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.35 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 88-89°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.45-7.18 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 2.69 (q,

J = 7.7Hz, 2H, CH₂), 2.37 (s, 3H, CH₃), 1 .25 (t, J = 7.7Hz, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 288 (M⁺ for the free base); Anal.: (C₁₆H₁₈CIN₃«HCI«0.5H₂O); Calcd. (%): C: 57.66, H: 6.05, N: 12.61 ; Found (%): C: 57.36, H: 6.08, N: 12.46.

Example 26 - N-(3-Ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- methylthiophenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-ethylphenyl, R¹ = CH₃ R² = H, R³ = CI, R⁴ = SCH₃, n = 0). white solid; TLC: R_t = 0.45 ( 10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 1 98-1 99°C; MS (El): m/e 333 (M⁺ for the free base); ¹H NMR (CD₃OD): δ 7.45-7.20 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 3.49 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.70 (q, J = 7.5Hz, 2H, CH₂), 2.49 (s, 3H, SCH₃), 1 .26 (t, J = 7.5Hz, 3H, CH₃); Anal.: (C₁₇H₂₀CIN₃S»HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 55.14, H: 5.72, N: 1 1.35; Found (%): C: 54.99, H: 5.63, N: 1 1.23.

Example 27 - N-(3-Ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5- methylthiophenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-ethylphenyl, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = CI, R = SCH₃, n =0). white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.45 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp = 132- 133°C; ¹H NMR (CD₃OD): δ 7.50-7.18 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 2.69 (q, J = 7.6Hz, 2H, CH₂), 2.51 (s, 3H, CH₃), 1.25 (t, J = 7.6Hz, 3H, CH₃); Anal.: (C₁₆H₁₈CIN₃S^»HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 53.93, N: 1 1 .79, H: 5.37; Found (%): C: 54.09, N: 1 1.72, H: 5.44.

Example 28 - N-(1 -Naphthyl)-N'-(2-fluoro-5- methylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 1 -naphthyl, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = F, R⁴ = CH₃, n =0). white solid; mp 194°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.98- 8.15 (m, 2, Ar-H), 7.57-7.68 (m, 3, Ar-H) 7.15-7.24 (d, 5, Ar-H); 2.35 (s, 3, CH₃); MS (El); m/e 293 (M⁺ for free base).

Example 29 - N-(1 -Naphthyl)-N'(2,5-dichlorophenyl)-N'- methylguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 1- naphthyl, R¹ = H, R² = CH₃, R³ = R⁴ = CI, n = 0). white solid; mp 210°C, ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.96-

8.02 (m, 3, Ar-H), 7.48-7.64 (m, 7, Ar-H); 3.52 (s, 3, N-CH₃); MS (El): m/e 344 (M⁺ for free base); Anal.: (C₁₈H₁₅CI₂N₃ ^«HCI«0.25 H₂O); Calcd.

(%): C: 56.13, H: 4.32, N: 10.91 ; Found (%): C: 56.02, H: 4.60, N:

10.73. Examole 30 - N-(1 -Naphthyl)-N'(2-chloro-5- methylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 1 -naphthyl, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = CI, R⁴ = CH₃, n = 0). white solid; mp 1 25°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.95- 8.10 (m, 3, Ar-H), 7.52-7.70 (m, 6, Ar-H); 7.41 -7.48 (d, 1 , Ar-H);

7.30-7.35 (s, 1 , Ar-H); 7.20-7.25 (m, 2, Ar-H); 2.37 (s, 3, Ar-CH₃); MS (El): m/e 310 (M⁺ for free base); Anal.: (C₁₈H₁₆CIN₃«HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 62.44, H: 4.95, N: 1 2.14; Found (%): C: 62.52, H: 5.04, N: 1 1 .96.

Example 31 - N-(1 -Naphthyl)-N'-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)guanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 1 -naphthyl,

Rⁱ = R² = H R³ = R⁴ = CH₃, n = 0). white solid; mp 122-123°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ

7.95-8.08 (m, 3, Ar-H), 7.55-7.71 (m, 4, Ar-H); 7.10-7.28 (m, 3, Ar- H); 2.32 (s, 6, 2 Ar-CH₃); MS (El): m/e 289 (M⁺ for free base); Anal.:

(C₁₉H₁₉N₃«HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 70.04, H: 6.1 9, N: 1 2.90; Found (%): C:

70.02, H: 6,20, N: 12.87.

Example 32 - N-( 1 -Naphthyl)-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 1 -naphthyl, Rⁱ = R² = H, R³ = R = Br, n = 0). white solid; mp 231 -232°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.97-8.13 (m, 3, Ar-H), 7.48-7.72 (m, 7, Ar-H); MS (El): M/e 41 9 (M⁺ for free base).

Example 33 - N-(1 -Naphthyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylphenyl)-N'- methylguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 1 - naphthyl, R¹ = H, R² = CH₃, R³ = CI, R⁴ = CH₃, n = 0). white solid; mp 228-229°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) : δ 7.96-7.99 (m, 3, Ar-H), 7.48-7.61 (m, 6, Ar-H); 7.26-7.30 (d, 1 , Ar-H); 3.50 (s, 3, N-CH₃); 2.39 (s, 3, Ar-CH₃)I MS (El): m/e 324 (M⁺ for free base); Anal.: (C₁₉H₁₈CIN₃«HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 63.34, H: 5.32, N: 1 1 .66; Found (%): C: 63.20, H: 5.43, N: 1 1 .66.

Example 34 - N-(1 -Naphthyl)-N'-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-N'- methylguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 1 - naphthyl, R¹ = H, R² = CH₃, R³ = R⁴ = CH₃, n = 0). white solid; mp 21 6-21 7°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ

7.95-8.00 (m, 2, Ar-H), 7.5-7.7 (m, 4, Ar-H); 7.1 8-7.38 (m, 4, Ar-H);

3.5 (br s, 3, N-CH₃); 2.38 (s, 3, Ar-CH₃); MS (El): m/e 303 (M⁺ for free base); Anal.: (C₂₀H₂₁N₃»HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 70.68, H: 6,52, N: 1 2.36;

Found (%): C: 70.51 , H: 6,46, N: 12.18.

Example 35 - N-(1 -Naphthyl)-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)-N- methylguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 1 - naphthyl, R¹ = H, R² = CH₃, R³ = R⁴ = Br, n = 0). white solid; mp 21 3°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.94- 8.06 (m, 3, Ar-H), 7.54-7.74 (m, 6, Ar-H); 7.2-7.38 (m, 1 , Ar-H); 3.5

(br, s, N-CH₃); MS (El): m/e 433 (M⁺ for free base); Anal.:

(C₁₈H₁₅Br₂N₃«HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 46.04, H: 3.43, N: 8.95; Found (%):

C: 46.1 5, H: 3.33, N: 8.89.

Example 36 - N-( 1 -Naphthyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5- thiomethylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 1 -naphthyl, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = CI, R⁴ = SCH₃, n = 0). white solid; mp 1 75 °C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.95- 8.10 (m, 3, AR-H), 7.55-7.70 (m, 4, Ar-H); 7.46-7.51 (d, J = 8Hz; 1 , Ar-H); 7.34-7.39 (s, 1 , Ar-H); 7.25-7.32 (dd, 1 , Ar-H); 2.51 (s, 3, S- CH₃); MS (El): m/e 342 (M⁺ for free base); Anal.: (C₁₈H₁₆CIN₃S»HCI»EtOH); Calcd. (%): C: 56.61 , H: 5.23, N: 9.90; Found (%): C: 56.71 , H: 5.21 , N: 10.1 9.

Example 37 - N-(1 -Naphthyl)-N'-(2-fluoro-5- trifluoromethylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 1 -naphthyl, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = F, R = CF₃, n = 0). white solid; mp 149°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.97- 8.07 (m, 3, Ar-H), 7.48-7.85 (m, 7, Ar-H); MS (El): m/e 347 (M⁺ for free base); Anal.: (C18H₁₃F₄N₃«HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 56.33, H: 3.68, N: 10.95; Found (%): C: 55.91 , H: 3.69, N: 10.79.

Example 38 - N-(1 -Naphthyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5- trifluoromethylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 1 -naphthyl, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = Cl, R⁴ = CF₃, n = 0) . white solid; mp 1 98°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 8.07- 8.09 (d, J = 8.5Hz, 1 , Ar-H), 7.98-8.01 (m, 2, Ar-H); 7.56-7.86 (m; 7, Ar-H); MS (El): m/e 364 (M⁺ for free base); Anal.: (C₁₈H₁₃CIF₃N₃«HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 54.02, H: 3.53, N: 10.50; Found (%): C: 54.1 6, H: 3.52, N: 10.35.

Example 39 - N-(1 -Naphthyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5- trifluoromethylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 1 -naphthyl, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = Br, R⁴ = CF₃, n = 0). white solid; mp 234°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 8.10- 8.12 (d, J = 9Hz, 1, Ar-H), 7.97-8/01 (m, 3, Ar-H); 7.86 (s, 1, Ar-H); 7.56-7.70 (m, 5, Ar-H); MS (El): m/e 408 (M⁺ for free base); Anal.: (C₁₈H₁₃BrF₃N₃«HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 48.62, H: 3.17, N: 9.45; Found (%): C: 48.49, H: 3.11, N: 9.18.

Example 40 - N-(1-Naphthyl)-N'-(2-thiomethyl-5- trifluoromethylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 1-naphthyl, R¹=R² = H, R³ = SCH₃, R⁴ = CF₃, n=0). white solid; mp 210°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 8.11-

8.14 (d, J = 8Hz, 1, Ar-H), 7.98-8.01 (d, J = 7Hz; 2, Ar-H); 7.55-7.73 (m, 7, Ar-H); 2.62 (3, s, S-CH₃); MS (El): m/e 375 (M⁺ for free base); Anal.: (C₁₉H₁₆F₃N₃S»HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 55.41, H: 4.16, N: 10.20; Found (%): C: 55.27, H: 4.18, N: 10.90.

Example 41 - N-(1-Naphthyl)-N'-(2-methoxy-5- methylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 1-naphthyl, R¹=R² = H, R³ = OCH₃, R⁴ = CH₃; n=0). white solid; mp 194°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 8.06- 8.09 (d, J = 8Hz, 1, Ar-H), 7.96-8.00 (m, 2, Ar-H); 7.52-7.69 (m, 4, Ar- H); 7.14-7.20 (m, 2, Ar-H); 7.02-7.05 (dd, J = 8.5 Hz; 1, Ar-H); 3.94 (s, 3, OCH₃); 2.29 (3, s, Ar-CH₃); Anal.: (C₁₉H₁₉N₃O«HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 66.76, H: 5.90, N: 12.29; Found (%): C: 66.25, H: 5.89, N: 12.23.

Example 42 - N-(1-Naphthyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 1-naphthyl, R¹ H, R³ = CI, R⁴ = CH₂CH₃, n = 0). white solid; mp 1 54°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 8.07- 8.10 (d, J = 9Hz, 1 , Ar-H), 7.97-8.01 (m, 2, Ar-H); 7.57-7.69 (m, 4, Ar- H); 7.47-7.50 (d, J = 8Hz, 1 , Ar-H); 7.13-7.35 (m, 2, Ar-H); 2.63-2.71 (q, J = 7.5Hz, 2, CH₂); 1 .21 -1 .26 (t, J = 8Hz, 3, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 324 (M⁺ for free base).

Example 43 - N-(1 -Naphthyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)-N'- methylguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 1 - naphthyl, R = H, R² = CH₃, R³ = CI, R⁴ = CH₂CH₃, n = 0). white solid; mp 233°C; ¹ H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.97-

8.02 (m, 3, Ar-H), 7.52-7.63 (m, 6, Ar-H); 7.31 -7.34 (d, J = 8Hz, 1 , Ar- H); 3.51 (br s, 3, N-CH₃); 2.67-2.74 (q, J = 7.5Hz, 2, CH₂); 1 .24-1 .29 (t, J = 8Hz, 3, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 338 (M⁺ for free base); Anal.: (C₂₀H₂₀CIN₃»HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 64.18, H: 5.65, N: 1 1 .23; Found (%): C: 63.96, H: 5.83, N: 1 1 .25.

Example 44 - N-(1 -Naphthyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 1 -naphthyl, H, R³ = Br, R⁴ = CH₂CH₃, n = 0). white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.5 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); ¹H NMR (300

MHz, CD₃OD): δ 8.09-7.22 (m, 10H, Ar-H), 2.67 (q, J = 7.5Hz, 2H, CH₂), 1 .24 (t, J = 7.5Hz, 3H, CH₃).

Example 45 - N-(1 -Naphthyl)-N'-(2-fluoro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 1 -naphthyl, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = F, R⁴ = CH₂CH₃, n = 0). white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.5 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 8.05-7.1 9 (m, 10H, Ar-H), 2.65 (q, J = 7.5Hz, 2H, CH₂), 1 .23 (t, J = 7.5Hz, 3H, CH₃).

Example 46 - N-(1 -Naphthyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 1 -naphthyl, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = Br, R⁴ = CH₂CH₃, n = 0). white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.5 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 145-146°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 8.09-7.22 (m, 10H, Ar-H), 2.67 (q, J = 7.5Hz, 2H, CH₂), 1 .24 (t, J = 7.5Hz, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 367 (M ⁺ for free base).

Example 47 - N-(1 -Naphthyl)-N'-(2-fluoro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 1 -naphthyl, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = F, R = CH₂CH₃, n = 0). white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.5 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 100-101 °C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 8.05-7.1 9 (m, 10H, Ar-H), 2.65 (q, J = 7.5Hz, 2H, CH₂), 1 .23 (t, J = 7.5Hz, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 307.1 (M⁺ for the free base); Anal.: (C₁₉H₁₈FN₃«HCD; Calcd. (%): C: 66.37, H: 5.57, H: 12.22; Found (%): C: 66.21 , H: 5.50, N: 12.17.

Example 48 - N-(8-Quinolinyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5- methylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 8-quinolinyl, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = CI, R⁴ = CH₃, n = 0). yellowish solid; mp 1 50°C; ¹ H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 8.98-

8.00 (dd, 1 , Ar-H), 8.40-8.44 (dd, 1 , Ar-H); 7.93-7.96 (d, 1 , Ar-H); 7.82-7.84 (d, 1 , Ar-H); 7.61 -7.68 (m, 2, Ar-H); 7.38-7.44 (m, 3, Ar-H); 7.21 -7.22 (d, 1 , Ar-H); 3.30 (s, 3, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 310 (M⁺ for free base).

Example 49 - N-(8-Quinolinyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 8-quinolinyl, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = CI, R⁴ = CH₂CH₃, n = 0). brown solid; mp 1 67°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 8.40- 9.25 (m, 2, Ar-H), 7.27-8.34 (m, 7, Ar-H); 2.65-2.72 (q, 2, CH₂); 1 .22- 1 .27 (t, 3, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 324 (M⁺ for free base).

Example 50 - N-(3-Ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,4,5- trichlorophenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-ethylphenyl, R¹ = CH₃, R² = H, R³ = R⁴ = CI, R⁵ = 4-CI, n = 1 ). white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.3 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 1 64-1 65°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.79-7.23 (m, 6H, Ar-H), 3.49 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.70 (q, J = 7.6Hz, 2H, CH₂), 1 .26 (t, J = 7.6Hz, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 335.0 (M⁺ for the free base); Anal.: (C₁₆H_{l 6}CI₃N₃«HC /2H₂O); Calcd. (%): C: 47.78, H: 4.51 , N: 10.45; Found (%): C: 47.93, H: 4.63, N: 10.33.

Example 51 - N-(3-Ethylphenyl)-N'-(2,4,5- trichlorophenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-ethylphenyl, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = R⁴ = CI, R⁵ = 4-CI, n = 1 ). white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.4 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 82-83°C; ¹ H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.63-7.18 (m, 6H, Ar-H), 2.63 (q,

J = 7.6Hz, 2H, CH₂), 1 .22 (t, J = 7.6Hz, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 341 (M ⁺ for the free base). Example 52 - N-(1-Naphthyl)-N'-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)guanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 1-naphthyl, R¹ H, R³ = R⁴ = CI, R⁵=4-CI, n = 1). white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.4 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); mp: 238-239°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 8.08-7.58 (m, 10H, Ar-H); MS (El): m/e 363 (M⁺ for the free base); Anal.: (C₁₇H₁₂CI₃N₃»HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 50.9, H: 3.29, N: 10.48; Found (%): C: 51.11, H: 3.33, N: 10.63.

Example 53 - N-(3-Ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- methylthiophenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-ethylphenyl, R¹=CH₃, R = H, R³ = Br, R⁴ = CH₃S, n=0).

TLC: R_f = 0.5 (SiO₂, CH₂CI₂/MeOH = 10/1); M.P.: 90-92°C; H NMR (CD₃OD): δ (ppm) 7.64-7.15 (m, Ar-H, 7H), 3.49 (s, CH₃, 3H), 2.70 (q, J = 7.4 Hz, 2H, CH₂), 2.47 (s, SCH₃, 3H), 1.25 (t, J = 7.5Hz, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 377 (M⁺: C^H^N^S,); Anal. Calcd. (%): C: 49.23, H: 5.1, N: 10.13; Found (%) C: 49.30, H: 5.28, N: 10.28.

Example 54 - N-(3-Methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5- dichlorophenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-methylthiophenyl, R¹=CH₃, R² = H, R³ = R⁴ = CI, n=0).

TLC: R_f = 0.3 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); MP: 200-201 °C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ (ppm) 7.55-7.15 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 3.49 (s, 3H, NCH₃), 2.52 (s, 3H, SCH₃); MS (El): m/e 339 (M⁺ for the free base); Anal. (C₁₅H₁₅CI₂N₃S«HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 47.82, H: 4.28, N: 11.15; Found (%): C: 47.66, H: 4.26, N: 11.34. Examole 55 - N-(3-Methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5- dibromophenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-methylthiophenyl, R^ CHa, R² = H, R³ = R⁴ = Br, n = 0).

TLC: R_f = 0.4 ( 10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); MP: 239-240°C; ¹ H NMR: δ (ppm) 7.70-7.20 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 3.49 (s, 3H, NCH₃), 2.53 (s, 3H, SCH₃); MS (El): m/e 429 (M⁺ for the free base); Anal. (C_{l 5}H₁₅Br₂N₃S«HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 38.69, H: 3.46, N: 9.02; Found (%): C: 38.65, H: 3.60, N: 8.98.

Example 56 - N-(3-Methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-methylthiophenyl, R¹ = CH₃, R² = H, R³ = CI, R⁴ = CH₂CH₃, n = 0). white solid; TLC: R_f = 0.3 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); MP: 21 2-21 3°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ (ppm) 7.45-7.1 9 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 3.49 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.68 (q, J = 7.5Hz, 2H, CH₂), 2.51 (s, 3H, SCH₃), 1 .22 (t, J = 7.5Hz, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 333 (M⁺ for the free base); Anal. (C₁₇H₂₀CIN₃S»HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 55.14, H: 5.72, N: 1 1 .35; Found (%): C: 55.29, H: 5.81 , N: 1 1 .36.

Example 57 - N-(3-Methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- methylthiophenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-methylthiophenyl, R¹ = CH₃, R² = H, R³ = CI, R⁴ = SCH₃, n = 0). TLC: R_f = 0.25 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); MP: 203-204°C; ¹ H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ (ppm) 7.50-7.1 8 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 3.49 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.52 (s, 3H, SCH₃), 2.49 (s, 3H, SCH₃); MS (El): m/e 351 (M ⁺ for the free base); Anal. (C₁₆H₁₈CIN₃S₂«HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 49.48, H: 4.93, N: 10.82; Found (%): C: 49.41 , H: 5.07, N: 10.81 . Example 58 - N-(3-Methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- methylthiophenyDguanidine (Formula I: R = 3-methylthiophenyl, R¹ = CH₃, R² = H, R³ = Br, R⁴ = SCH₃, n = 0).

TLC: R_f = 0.43 (SiO₂, CH₂CI₂/MeOH = 10/1 ); M.P.: 174-175°C; ¹H NMR (CD₃OD): δ (ppm) 7.65-7.15 (m, Ar-H, 7H), 3.49 (s, CH₃, 3H), 2.52 (s, SCH₃, 3H), 2.49 (s, SCH₃, 3H); HRMS: 395.0120 (Calcd.: 395.0126 for C₁₆H₁₈N₃BrS₂); HPLC: 98.47%.

Example 59 - N-(3-Methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-methylthiophenyl, R¹ = CH₃, R² = H, R³ = Br, R⁴ = CH₂CH₃, n = 0). TLC: R_f = 0.3 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); MP: 199-200°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ (ppm) 7.65-7.15 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 3.49 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.64 (q, J = 7.5Hz, 2H, CH₂), 2.52 (s, 3H, SCH₃), 1.23 (t, J = 7.5Hz, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 378 (M⁺ for the free base); Anal. (C₁₇H₂₀BrN₃S»HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 49.23, H: 5.10, N: 10.13; Found (%): C: 49.39, H: 5.01 , N: 10.02.

Example 60 - N-(3-Trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5- dichlorophenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-trifluoromethylphenyl, R¹ = CH₃, R² = H, R³ = R⁴ = CI, n = 0).

TLC: R_f = 0.3 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); MP: 209-210°C; ¹H NMR: δ (ppm) 7.86-7.39 (m, 7H, Ar-H); 3.54 (s, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 361 (M⁺ for the free base); Anal. (C₁₅H₁₂CI₂F₃N₃»HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 45.19, H: 3.29; N: 10.54; Found (%): C: 45.31 , H: 3.50, N: 10.61. Example 61 - N-(3-Trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5- dibromophenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-trifluoromethylphenyl, R¹ = CH₃, R = H, R³ = R⁴ = Br, n =0).

TLC: R_f = 0.5 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); MP: 233-234°C; ¹H NMR: δ (ppm) 7.90-7.45 (m, 7H, Ar-H); 3.54 (s, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 449 (M⁺ for the free base); Anal. (C₁₅H₁₂Br₂F₃N₃«HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 36.93, H: 2.69, N: 8.62; Found (%): C: 37.00, H: 2.70, N: 8.56.

Example 62 - N-(3-Trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- methylthiophenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-trifluoromethylphenyl, R¹ = CH₃, R² = H, R³ = CI, R = SCH₃, n = 0).

TLC: R_f = 0.3 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); MP: 156-157°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ (ppm) 7.90-7.20 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 3.53 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.49 (s, 3H, SCH₃); MS (El): m/e 373 (M⁺ for the free base);

Anal. (C₁₆H₁₅CIF₃N₃S₂»HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 46.84, H: 3.93, N: 10.24; Found (%): C: 46.78, H: 4.07, N: 10.12.

Example 63 - N-(3-Tr.fluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylphenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of

R = 3-trifluoromethylphenyl, R¹ = CH₃, R² = H, R³ = CI, R⁴ = CH₂CH₃, n = 0).

TLC: R_f = 0.3 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); MP: 164-165°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ (ppm) 7.83-7.19 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 3.53 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.65 (q, J = 7.5Hz, 2H, CH₂), 1.22 (t, J = 7.5Hz, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 355 (M⁺ for the free base); Anal. (C₁₇H₁₇CIF₃N₃»HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 52.06, H: 4.63, N: 10.71 ; Found (%): C: 52.14, H: 4.79, N: 10.66. Example 64 - N-(3-Trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo- 5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-trifluoromethylphenyl, R¹ = CH₃, R² = H, R³ = Br, R⁴ = SCH₃, n = 0).

TLC: R_f = 0.5 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); MP: 1 21 -1 22°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ (ppm) 7.87-7.1 5 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 3.53 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.49 (s, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 419 (M⁺ for the free base); Anal. (C₁₆H₁₅BrF₃N₃S«HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 42.26, H: 3.5, N: 9.24; Found (%): C: 42.27, H: 3.70, N: 9.06.

Example 65 - N-(3-Trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo- 5-ethylphenyl)guanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-trifluoromethylphenyl, R¹ = CH₃, R² = H, R³ = Br, R = CH₂CH₃, n = 0). TLC: R_f = 0.5 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); MP: 95-96°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ (ppm) 7.70-6.75 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 3.47 (s, 3H, CH₃),

2.58 (q, J = 7.5HZ, 2H, CH₂), 1 .22 (t, J = 7.5Hz, 3H, CH₃); MS (El): m/e 401 (M⁺ for the free base); Anal. (C₁₇H₁₇BrF₃N₃»HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 46.76, H: 4.1 5, N: 9.62; Found (%): C: 46.57, H: 4.43, N: 9.38.

Example 66 - N-(3-Bromophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- methylthiophenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-bromophenyl, R = CH₃, R² = H, R³ = CI, R = SCH₃, n = 0).

TLC: R_f = 0.5 (10% MeOH/CH₂CI₂); MP: 244-245°C; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ (ppm) 7.80-7.20 (m, 7H, Ar-H), 3.53 (s, 3H, CH₃), 2.49 (s, 3H, SCH₃); MS (El): m/e 385 (M⁺ for the free base); Anal. (C_{l 5}H₁₅BrCIN₃S»HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 42.78, H: 3.83, N: 9.98; Found (%): C: 42.85, H: 3.99, N: 9.80. Example 67 - N-(3-Trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylphenyD-N-methylguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl, R¹ = CH₃, R² = H, R³ = Br, R⁴ = CH₂CH₃, n = 0).

TLC: R_f = 0.36 (SiO₂, CH₂CI₂/MeOH = 10/1 ); MP: 74-75°C; ¹H NMR (CD₃OD): δ (ppm) 7.63-7.15 (m, Ar-H, 7H), 3.30 (s, CH₃, 3H), 2.64 (m, CH₂, 2H), 1.23 (t, CH₃, J = 7.45Hz, 3H); MS (El): m/e 416.0 (M ⁺ : C₁₇H₁₇N₃BrOF₃); Anal. (C₁₇H₁₇N₃BrOF₃»HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 45.10, H: 4.01 , N: 9.28; Found (%): C: 45.31 , H: 4.15, N: 9.09.

Example 68 - N-(3-Trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-N'-(2,5- dibromophenyD-N-methylguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl, R¹ =CH₃, R² = H, R³ = R⁴ = Br, n = 0). TLC: R_f = 0.55 (SiO₂, CH₂CI₂/MeOH = 10/1 ); MP: 188-189°C; ¹H

NMR (CD₃OD): δ (ppm) 7.80-7.40 (m, Ar-H, 7H), 3.52 (s, CH₃, 3H); MS (El): m/e 467.80 (M ⁺ : C₁₆H₁₂N₃Br₂OF₃); Anal. (C₁₅H₁₂N₃Br₂OF₃»HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 35.78, H: 2.60, N: 8.34; Found (%): C: 35.72, H: 2.75, N: 8.26.

Example 69 - N-(3-Methylsulfonylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5- dibromophenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula II: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-methylsulfonylphenyl, R¹ = CH₃, R² = H, R³ = R = Br, n =0).

TLC: R_f = 0.47 (SiO₂, CH₂CI₂/MeOH = 10/1 ); MP: 245-246°C; ¹H NMR (CD₃OD): δ (ppm) 8.15-7.45 (m, Ar-H, 7H), 3.56 (s, CH₃, 3H), 3.17 (s, CH₃, 3H); MS (El): m/e 462 (M ⁺ : C₁₅H₁₅N₃Br₂SO₂); Anal. (C₁₅H₁₅N₃Br₂SO₂«HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 36.20, H: 3.24, N: 8.44; found (%): C: 35.98, H: 3.1 1 , N: 8.36. Example 70 - N-(3-Methylsulfinylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5- dibromophenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula II: hydrochloride salt of R = 3-methylsulfinylphenyl, R¹ = CH₃, R² = H, R³ = R⁴ = Br, n =0).

TLC: R_f = 0.52 (SiO₂, CH₂CI₂/MeOH = 10/1 ); MP: 169-170°C; ¹H NMR (CD₃OD): δ (ppm) 7.90-7.45 (m, Ar-H, 7H), 3.55 (s, CH₃, 3H), 2.85 (s, CH₃, 3H); MS (El): m/e 446 (M ⁺ : C₁₅H₁₅N₃Br₂SO); Anal. (C₁₅H₁₅N₃Br₂SO^«HCI); Calcd. (%): C: 37.41 , H: 3.35, N: 8.72; Found (%): C: 37.15, H: 3.46, N: 8.38.

Example 71 - N-(3-lodophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- methylthiophenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = iodophenyl, R^ CHa, R₂ = H, R³ = CI, R⁴ = SCH₃, n = 0). M.P.: 61-63°C.

Example 72 - N-(2-Chloro-5-ethylphenyl)-N'-(3- iodophenyDguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of

R = 3-iodophenyl, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = CI, R⁴ = CH₂CH₃, n = 0). white solid; mp 76-77°C; R_f = 0.28 (10:1 CHCI₃/MeOH): ¹H NMR

(300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ (ppm) 7.76-7.78 (m, 1 H, Ar-H), 7.52-7.56 (m, 1 H, Ar-H), 7.39-7.42 (d, J = 6Hz, 1 H, Ar-H), 7.31 -7.36 (m, 1 H, Ar-H),

7.08-7.22 (m, 3H, Ar-H), 3.30 (q, 2H, CH₂), 1.20-1.30 It, 3H, CH₃);

MS(EI): m/e 400 (M⁺ for free base); Anal.: (C₁₅H₁₆CI₂IN₃»HCI); Calcd.

(%): C: 41.31 , H: 3.70, N: 9.63; Found (%): c: 44.60, H: 3.96, N:

9.59.

Example 73 - N-(2-chloro-5-thiomethylphenyl)-N'-(3-iodophenyl)- N'-methylguanidine hydrochloride (Formula I: hydrochloride salt of R = 3- iodophenyl, R = CH₃, R² = H, R³ = CI, R⁴ = SCH₃, n =0). brown solid; mp 61-63°C; R_f = 0.24 (10: 1 ) CHCI₃/MeOH); ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δl .74-7.75 (3, 1 H, Ar-H), 7.58-7.62 (dt, 1 H, Ar-H), 7.30-7.37 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.14-7.19 (t, 1 H, Ar-H), 6.92-6.97 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 3.36 (s, 3H, N-CH₃), 2.46 (s, 3H, SCH₃); MS (El): m/e 432 (M⁺ for free base); Anal. (C₁₅H₁₅CIN₃S^«HOEt₂0); Calcd. (%): C: 40.76, H: 4.33, N: 8.20; Found (%): C: 44.37, H: 4.69, N: 8.58.

EXAMPLE 74 - PCP Radioliqand Binding Assays

PCP receptor binding assays were performed using rat brain membranes as the source of receptors. The radioligand used to label PCP receptors was [³H]MK-801.

Synthesis of [³H]MK-801 and PCP receptor binding assay protocols are described in J.F.W. Keana, et al., Life Sci., 43:965-973 (1988). Briefly, in the protocols, rat brain membranes were prepared and used as described for "detergent-treated membranes" (see D.E. Murphy, et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 240:778-784 (1987)), and stored at a protein concentration of 10 mg/ml at -70°C. No effect of storage (1 month) of the membranes at -70°C on receptor number or affinity for [³H]MK-801 was observed.

For assays with rat membranes, the thawed membranes were incubated at 1 mg/ml with 0.01 % Triton X-100 for 15 minutes at 32°C, then washed three times by centrifugation to reduce the endogenous amino acid concentrations, and finally resuspended in buffer for assay. Glycine and 1 -glutamate were each added back to a final concentration of 1 μM to maximally stimulate the [³H]MK-801 binding. The assays contain 400 μl of membranes, and 50 μl of buffer or unlabelled drug. For [³H]MK-801 binding, 1 nm radioligand was incubated with 200 μg/ml of rat brain membranes for 4 hours at room temperature. All assays were stopped by rapid filtration under vacuum through Whatman GF/B glass fiber filters presoaked in 0.05% po.yethyleneimine using a Brandel 48-well cell harvester (Brandel, Gaithersburg, MD). The filters were washed three times with 5 ml of cold 5 mM tris-HCI, pH = 7.4. Each filter was suspended in 10 ml of Cytoscint (ICN Biomedicals, Costa Mesa, CA) and radioactivity was measured by liquid scintillation spectrometry at a counting efficiency of 50%. Nonspecific binding was defined as that remaining in the presence of 10 μM MK-801 or 100 μM PCP.

Saturation data were evaluated and IC₅₀ values were determined as described by J.B. Fischer and A. Schonbrunn (J. Biol. Chem., 263:2808-2816 (1988)). Ki values are derived from the IC₅₀ values as described by Cheng et al., Biochem. Pharmacol., 22:3099-3108 (1973).

Results of the assay are shown in Table I which follows Example 75 below, wherein the general formula of the tested compounds (i.e., compounds identified as compound nos. 1 -83) is shown at the top of Table I with the particular substituent groups of each compound specified within the Table.

EXAMPLE 75 - Sigma Receptor Binding Assay Methods. Sigma receptor binding assays using guinea pig brain membrane homogenates and the radioligand [³H]DTG were conducted as described by E. Weber, et al., P.N.A.S. (USA), 83:8784-8788 (1986). Briefly, frozen whole guinea-pig brains (Biotrol, Indianapolis, IN) were homogenized in 10 volumes (w/v) of ice-cold 320 mM sucrose using a Brinkman polytron. The homogenate was centrifuged at 1 ,000 x g for 20 minutes at 4°C. The supernatant was centrifuged at 20,000 x g for 20 minutes at 4°C. The resulting pellet was resuspended in 10 initial volumes of 50 mM Tris/HCI buffer at pH 7.4 and centrifuged at 20,000 x g for 20 minutes at 4°C. The resulting pellet was resuspended in 5 initial volumes ice-cold 50 mM Tris/HCI (pH 7.4), and the final volume was adjusted to yield a protein concentration of 3 mg/ml. Aliquots of 20-ml were stored at -70°C until used, with no detectable loss of binding.

For [³H]DTG binding assays, the frozen membrane suspensions were thawed and diluted 1 :3 in 50 mM Tris/HCI (pH 7.4). To 12 x 75 mm polystyrene test tubes were added 0.8 ml of diluted membrane suspension, 0.1 ml of [³H]DTG (Dupont/NEN) to yield a final concentration of 1.4 nM, and 0.1 ml of unlabelled drugs or buffer. The protein concentration in the 1 -ml final incubation volume was 800 μg/ml, corresponding to 32 mg of brain tissue (original wet weight) and to a tissue concentration within the linear range for specific binding. Non-specific binding was defined as that remaining in the presence of 10 μM haloperidol. Incubations were terminated after 90 minutes at room temperature by addition of 4 ml of ice-cold 50mM Tris/HCI (pH 7.4) and rapid filtration of the membrane suspension through Whatman GF/B glass-fiber filters under vacuum, using a 48-well cell harvester (Brandel). The filters were washed 2 times with 4 ml of 50 mM

Tris/HCI (pH 7.4). Each filter was suspended in 10 ml Cytoscint (ICI), and radioactivity was measured by liquid scintillation spectrometry at a counting efficiency of approximately 50%. IC₅₀ values were determined by non-linear regression analysis. The results are shown in Table I below for each of the tested compounds of the specified structure. In Table I, the designation "NT" indicates the compound was not tested in the specified assay.

TABLE I

TABLE I (continued)

TABLE I (continued)

[³H-MK801 ]

Compd. [³H-DTG] No. R R¹ R² R³ R⁴ IC₆₀ IC₅₀ (nM) (nM) (nM)

53 1 -naphthyl H CH₃ H Br 54 41.6 2759

54 1 -naphthyl H CH₃ CH₃ CH₃ 79 60.8 1554

55 1 -naphthyl H CH₃ Cl CH₃ 41 31.6 2425

56 1 -naphthyl H CH₃ H CH₃ 85 65.4 1262

57 1 -naphthyl H CH₃ Cl CH₂CH₃ 32.8 25.2 136

58 1 -naphthyl H CH₃ H CH₂CH₃ 37.5 28.8 2535

59 3-ethylphenyl CH₃ H Br CH₃ 3.19 2.45 240

60 3-methylthiophenyl CH₃ H Cl SCH₃ 2.43 1.84 480

61 3-methylthiophenyl CH₃ H Cl CH CH3 12.6 9.69 178

62 3-methylthiophenyl CH₃ H Cl Cl 59.3 45.6 130

63 3-methylthiophenyl CH₃ H Br SCH₃ 2.15 1.65 NT

64 3-methylthiophenyl CH₃ H Br Or^Cr^ 5.09 3.92 180

65 3-methylthiopheπyl CH₃ H Br Br 5.38 4.13 1 13

66 3-trifluoromethyl- CH₃ H Cl SCH₃ 8.47 6.92 421 phenyl

67 3-trifluoromethyl- CH₃ H Cl CH₂CH₃ 77.0 59.2 200 phenyl

68 3-trifluoromethyl- CH₃ H Cl Cl 201 155 1 10 phenyl

69 3-trifluoromethyl- CH₃ H Br SCH₃ 5.55 4.27 631 phenyl

70 3-trifluoromethyl- CH₃ H Br CH₂CH₃ 20.4 15.7 166 phenyl

71 3-trifluoromethyl- CH₃ H Br Br 34.0 26.1 224 phenyl

72 3-bromophenyl CH₃ H Cl SCH₃ 4.65 3.58 NT

73 3-trifluoro- CH₃ H Br Br 25.6 19.7 NT methoxyphenyl

74 3-trifluoro- CH₃ H Br CH₂CH₃ 16.0 12.3 NT methoxyphenyl

75 3-methyl- CH₃ H Br Br 530 408 NT sulfonylphenyl

76 3-methyl- CH₃ H Br Br 322 248 NT sulfinylphenyl

77 3-iodophenyl CH₃ H Cl SCH₃ 2.1 1 1 .62 NT

78 3-iodophenyl H H Cl CH₂CH₃ 13.7 10.5 NT

79 8-quinolinyl CH₃ H Cl SCH₃ 22.3 17 542 EXAMPLE 76 - In vivo assay for protection against NMDA-induced excitotoxic damage to the central nervous system.

The in vivo potency of compounds of the present invention is exemplified by data summarized in Table II and obtained pursuant to the following protocol. Day 7 neonatal rats were anesthetized with metophane inhalation anesthetic for 4-6 minutes, inserted into a stereotaxic apparatus and injected intrastriatally with 0.5 μl of 50 mM NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate). 1 5 minutes after the NMDA injection, the rat pups were injected intraperitoneally with 10, 30 or 60 μmol/kg of the NMDA antagonist of the structure specified in Table II. Animals were returned to their mother and watched for signs of distress (e.g., respiratory depression). After five days, the animals were anesthetized with CO₂ and then decapitated; their brains were removed and weighed to determine the degree of neuroprotection. Because NMDA injection results in a retardation of brain growth (including necrosis), effects can be measured gravimetrically in terms of the weights of injected and non- injected hemispheres. Two groups of rat pups were used at each of three doses of a compound to generate a neuroprotection dose-response curve. The chemical structure of each of the tested compounds is specified below with the general formula of the compounds shown at the top of Table II with particular substituent groups specified within that Table. Table II discloses 1 ) the ED₈₀ for each tested compound, i.e., the dose of a compound that provides 80% of the maximum protection against damage to the central nervous system; and 2) the percent (%) maximum protection against damage to the central nervous system provided by the indicated dose expressed as μmol per kilogram bodyweight of the test subject. TABLE II

% maximum

Cmpd. ED80 protection per No. R Ri R₂ R₃ R₄ //mol/kg dose ( /mol/kg)

1 3-ethylphenyl CH₃ H Cl Cl 36.4 88.8@60

2 3-ethylphenyl CH₃ H Br Br 13.4 93.8@60

3 3-ethylphenyl H H F CF₃ 15.2 76.6@60

4 3-ethylphenyl CH₃ H Cl C₂H₅ 19.8 77.8@60

5 1 -naphthyl H CH₃ Cl C₂H₅ 22.3 92.2@60

6 1 -naphthyl H CH₃ Br Br 26.9 85.7@60

7 1 -naphthyl H CH₃ CH₃ CH₃ 22.5 86.0@30

8 1 -naphthyl H H F CF₃ 28.8 96.0@60

9 1 -naphthyl H H Cl SCH₃ 10.8 92.7@60

10 1 -naphthyl H H Cl CH₃ 45.8 96.4@60

1 1 8-quinolyl H H Cl C₂H_S 14.2 94.5@30

This invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. However, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon consideration of this disclosure, may make modifications and improvements within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (24)

What is claimed is:

1 . A compound of the following Formula I:

wherein R, R¹ and R² are each independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted aminoalkyi, substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyi, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic or heteroalicyclic group having 1 to 3 rings, 3 to 8 ring members in each ring and 1 to 3 hetero atoms;

R³, R⁴, and each R⁵ substituent are each independently halogen, hydroxyl, azido, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted aminoalkyi, substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted aralkyi; n is an integer of from 0-3; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

2. A compound of claim 1 wherein at least one of R and R¹ is other than hydrogen.

3. A compound of claim 2 wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl group or a subsituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic group.

4. A compound of claim 1 where R is a substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl group, and R¹ and R² are each independently hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl.

5. A compound of claim 1 of the following Formula la:

wherein R and R² are each independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted aminoalkyi, substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyi, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic or heteroalicyclic group having 1 to 3 rings, 3 to 8 ring members in each ring and 1 to 3 hetero atoms;

R³, R⁴, each R⁵, R^3', R^4', and each R^5' are each independently halogen, hydroxyl, azido, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted aminoalkyi, substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted aralkyi; m and n are each independently an integer of from 0 to 3; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

6. A compound of claim 1 of the following Formula lb:

wherein R, R¹ and R² are each independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted aminoalkyi, substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyi, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic or heteroalicyclic group having 1 to 3 rings, 3 to 8 ring members in each ring and 1 to 3 hetero atoms;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently halogen, hydroxyl, azido, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted aminoalkyi, substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted aralkyi; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

7. A compound of claim 1 of the following Formula Ic:

wherein R and R² are each independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted aminoalkyi, substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyi, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic or heteroalicyclic group having 1 to 3 rings, 3 to 8 ring members in each ring and 1 to 3 hetero atoms;

R³ , R^4', R^3" and each R^B are each independently halogen, hydroxyl, azido, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted aminoalkyi, substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted aralkyi; n is an integer of from 0 to 3; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

8. A compound of claim 1 that is N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N,N'- dimethyl-N'-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)guanidine; N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)guanidine; N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)-N'-methylguanidine; N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2,5-dichlorphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)-N'-methylguanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- trifluromethylphenyDguanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- trifluromethylphenyDguanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-fluoro-5-trifluromethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-fluoro-5-trifluoromethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-fluoro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-fluoro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-fluoro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylphenyl);

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylthio)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylthio)guanidine; N- 1 -naphthyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine; N- 1 -naphthyl-N'-(2-fluoro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine; N- 1 -naphthyl)-N'-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)guanidine; N- 1 -naphthyl)-N'-(2-fluoro-5-methylphenyl)guanidine; N- 3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)guanidine; N- 3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)guanidine; N- 3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl)guanidine; N- 3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl)guanidine; N- -naphthyl)-N'- ((2,4,5-trichlorophenyDguanidine; N- -naphthyl)-N'- (2,3,5-trichlorophenyDguanidine; N- -naphthyl)-N'- ((2,5-dichlorophenyl)-N'-methylguanidine; N- -naphthyl)-N'- (2-chloro-5-methylphenyl)guanidine; N- -naphthyl)-N'- (2,5-dimethylphenyl)guanidine; N- -naphthyl)-N'- ((2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine; N- -naphthyl)-N'- (2-chloro-5-methylphenyl)-N'-methylguanidine; N- -naphthyl)-N'- (2-5-dimethylphenyl)-N'-methylguanidine; N- -naphthyl)-N'- ((2,5-dibromophenyl)-N-methylguanidine; N- -naphthyl)-N'- (2,5-dibromophenyl)-N'-methylguanidine; N- -naphthyl)-N'- (2-chloro-5-thiomethylphenyl)guanidine; N- -naphthyl)-N'- ((2-fluoro-5-trifluoromethylphenyl)guanidine; N- -naphthyl)-N'- (2-chloro-5-trifluoromethylphenyl)guanidine; N- -naphthyl)-N'- (2-bromo-5-trifluoromethylphenyl)guanidine; N- -naphthyl)-N'- (2-thiomethyl-5-trifluoromethylphenyl)guanidine; N- -naphthyl)-N'- (2-methoxy-5-methylphenyl)guanidine; N- -naphthyl)-N'- (2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine; N- -naphthyl)-N'- ((2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)-N'-methylguanidine; N- naphthyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-thiomethylphenyl)guanidine;N- (8- quinolinyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylphenyl)guanidine; N-(8-quinolinyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(8-quinolinyl)-N'-methyl-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- methylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- methylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl-N-methyl-N'-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl-N'-methyl-N'-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl-N'-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- methylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- methylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylphenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylphenyDguanidine; N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylphenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifiuoromethylphenyl)-N'-(2,5-dichlorophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- methylthiophenγDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- methylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- methylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- methylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine; N-(3-bromophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-bromophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-bromophenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2,5- dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylphenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-iodophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-iodophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-iodophenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-iodophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-iodophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-iodophenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylphenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine; N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-ethylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-ethylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-bromo-5- ethylthiophenyDguanidine; N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- trifluoromethylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5- trifluoromethylthiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-ethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine; N-(3-methylthiophenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifIuoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N,N'-dimethyl-N'-(2-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl thiophenyDguanidine;

N-( 1 -naphthyl)-N'-(2-chloro-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine;

N-(1 -naphthyl)-N'-(2-iodo-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine; or

N-(1 -naphthyl)-N'-(2-bromo-5-methylthiophenyl)guanidine; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of said compounds.

9. A compound of the following Formula II:

wherein R, R¹ and R² are each independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfinyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfonyl, substituted or unsubstituted aminoalkyi, substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyi, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic or heteroalicyclic group having 1 to 3 rings, 3 to 8 ring members in each ring and 1 to 3 hetero atoms;

R³, R⁴, and each R⁵ substituent are each independently halogen, hydroxyl, azido, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfinyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfonyl, substituted or unsubstituted aminoalkyi, substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted aralkyi; n is an integer of from 0-3; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

10. A compound of claim 9 of the following Formula lla:

wherein R and R² are each independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfinyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfonyl, substituted or unsubstituted aminoalkyi, substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyi, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic or heteroalicyclic group having 1 to 3 rings, 3 to 8 ring members in each ring and 1 to 3 hetero atoms;

R³, R⁴, each R⁵, R^3', R⁴ , and each R⁵ are each independently halogen, hydroxyl, azido, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfinyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfonyl, substituted or unsubstituted aminoalkyi, substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted aralkyi; m and n are each independently an integer of from 0 to 3; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

1 1. A compound of claim 9 of the following Formula Mb:

wherein R, R¹ and R² are each independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfinyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfonyl, substituted or unsubstituted aminoalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyi, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic or heteroalicyclic group having 1 to 3 rings, 3 to 8 ring members in each ring and 1 to 3 hetero atoms;

R³ and R⁴ are each independently halogen, hydroxyl, azido, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfinyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfonyl, substituted or unsubstituted aminoalkyi, substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted aralkyi; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

12. A compound of claim 9 of the following Formula He:

wherein R and R² are each independently hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfinyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfonyl, substituted or unsubstituted aminoalkyi, substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyi, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic or heteroalicyclic group having 1 to 3 rings, 3 to 8 ring members in each ring and 1 to 3 hetero atoms;

R^3', R^4', R^3", and each R^5' are each independently halogen, hydroxyl, azido, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted alkylthio, substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfinyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulfonyl, substituted or unsubstituted aminoalkyi, substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclic aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted aralkyi; n is an integer of from 0 to 3; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

13. A compound of claim 9 that is N-(3-methylsulfonylphenyI)- N-methyl-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine;

N-(3-methylsulfonylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine; N-(3-methylsulfonylphenyl)-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine; N-(3-methylsulfinylphenyl)-N-methyl-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine; N-(3-methylsulfinylphenyl)-N'-methyl-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine; or N-(3-methylsulfinylphenyl)-N'-(2,5-dibromophenyl)guanidine; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

14. A method of treating a disease of the nervous system in which the pathophysiology of the disorder involves excessive excitation of nerve cells by agonists of NMDA receptors, comprising administering to a mammal exhibiting symptoms of the disease or that exhibits symptoms of the disease or susceptible to the disease an effective amount of a compound of claim 1.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said disease is Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Down's Syndrome or Korsakoff's disease, or wherein the mammal is a human suffering from epilepsy.

16. A method of inhibiting NMDA receptor-ion channel related neurotoxicity in a mammal exhibiting such neurotoxicity or susceptible thereto comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a compound of claim 1.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said neurotoxicity is caused by excessive release of endogenous glutamate following the occurrence of hypoxia, hypoglycemia, brain or spinal chord ischemia, or brain or spinal chord trauma.

18. A method of treating nerve cell death comprising administering to a mammal in need of such treatment an effective amount of a compound of claim 1.

19. A method of treating a disease of the nervous system in which the pathophysiology of the disorder involves excessive excitation of nerve cells by agonists of NMDA receptors, comprising administering to a mammal exhibiting symptoms of the disease or that susceptible to of the disease an effective amount of a compound of claim 9.

20. A method of inhibiting NMDA receptor-ion channel related neurotoxicity in a mammal exhibiting such neurotoxicity or susceptible thereto comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a compound of claim 9.

21. A method of treating nerve cell death comprising administering to a mammal in need of such treatment an effective amount of a compound of claim 9.

22. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of one or more compounds of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

23. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of one or more compounds of claim 9 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

24. A compound of claim 1 or claim 9 which is radiolabelled.