AU770925B2 - Methods of reducing serum glucose and triglyceride levels and for inhibiting angiogenesis using substituted indolealkanoic acids - Google Patents

Description

WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 METHODS OF REDUCING SERUM GLUCOSE AND TRIGLYCERIDE LEVELS AND FOR INHIBITING

ANGIOGENESIS

USING SUBSTITUTED INDOLEALKANOIC

ACIDS

Background of Invention: The use of aldose reductase inhibitors (ARIs) for the treatment of diabetic complications is well known. The complications arise from elevated levels of glucose in tissues such as the nerve, kidney, retina and lens that enters the polyol pathway and i3 converted to sorbitol via aldose reductase. Because sorbitol does not easily cross cell membranes, it accumulates inside certain cells resulting in changes in osmotic pressure, alterations in the redox state of pyridine nucleotides increased NADH/NAD ratio) and depleted intracellular levels of myoinositol. These biochemical changes, which have been linked to diabetic complications, can be controlled by inhibitors of aldose reductase.

The use of aldose reductase inhibitors for the treatment of diabetic complications has been extensively reviewed, see: Textbook of Diabetes, 2nd ed.; Pickup, J. C. and Williams, G. Blackwell Science, Boston, MA 1997.; Larson, E.

Lipinski, C. A. and Sarges, Medicinal Research Reviews, 1988, 8 159-198; Dvornik, D. Aldose Reductase Inhibition. Porte, D. Biomedical Information Corp., New York, NY. Mc Graw Hill 1987; Petrash, J. Tarle,

I.,

WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 Wilson, D. K. Quiocho. F. A. Perspectives in Diabetes, Aldose Reductase Catalysis and Crystalography: Insights From Recent Advances in Enzyme Structure and Function, Diabetes, 1994, 43, 955; Aotsuka, Abe, Fukushima, Ashizawa, N.and Yoshida, Bioorg. Med. Chem. Letters, 1997, 7, 1677, (f) Nagaki, Ishii, Konishi, Yago, H; Seishi, S.; Okukado, Okamoto, J. Med. Chem., 1997, 40, 684; (g) Ashizawa, Yoshida, Sugiyama, Akaike, Ohbayashi, Aotsuka, Abe, Fukushima, Matsuura, A, Jpn. J.

Pharmacol. 1997, 73, 133; Kador, P. Sharpless, N. E., Molecular Pharmacology, 1983, 24, 521; Kador, P. F.; Kinoshita, J. Sharpless, N. J. Med. Chem. 1985, 28 841; Hotta, Biomed. Pharmacother. 1995, 5, 232; (k) Mylar, Larson, E. Beyer, T. Zembrowski, W. J.; Aldinger, C. Dee, F. Siegel, T. Singleton, D. H., J. Med. Chem. 1991, 34, 108; Dvornik, D. Croatica Chemica Acta 1996, 69 613.

Previously described aldose reductase inhibitors most closely related to the present invention include those sighted in: U.S Pat. No. 5,700,819: 2-Substituted benzothiazole derivatives useful in the treatment of diabetic complications, U.S Pat. No. 4,868,301: Processes and intermediates for the preparation of oxophthalazinyl acetic acids having benzothiazole or other heterocyclic side chains, U.S Pat.

No. 5,330,997: 1H-indazole-3-acetic acids as aldose reductase WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 inhibitors, and U.S Pat. No. 5,236,945: 1H-inda.7ole-3acetic acids as aldose reductase inhibitors. Although many aldose reductase inhibitors have been extensively deve..oped, none have demonstrated sufficient efficacy in human clinical trials without significant undesirable side effects. This no aldose reductase inhibitors are currently available as approved therapeutic agents in the United States; and consequently, there is still a significant need for new, efficacious and safe medications for the treatment of diabetic complications.

Treatment to normalize the plasma glucose concentration in people afflicted with type 2 diabetes currently includes diet, exercise and oral agents such as sulfonylureas, metformin and glitazone-type compounds. Many of these agents exhibit side effects and have limited efficacy. There is a need for new agents which do not possess these drawbacks. Because of the limited efficacy of each method of treatment often the oral agents are giving in combination of with each other or with insulin.

Elevated serum triglyceride levels are also commonly associated with diabetes; however, this condition is also widely seen in nondiabetic patients. The mechanism causing the presence of elevated triglyceride levels in patients, both diabetic and otherwise, is different from that underlying chronic diabetes-related complications directly treatable by inhibition of aldose reductase activity. There is, therefore, -3- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 a need for treatment of elevated triglyceride levels in diabetic and/or nondiabetic patients, cardiac patients.

WO 00/32180 PCTIUS99/28483 Summary of the Invention: This invention provides compounds that interact with and inhibit aldose reductase. Thus, in a broad aspect, the invention provides compounds of Formula I:

R

R2 ra Z,

R

R JL Ar Ir N R4

O

R

5 R6

I

or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein A is a Ci-C 4 alkylene group optionally substituted with Ci-C 2 alkyl or mono- or disubstituted with halogen, preferably fluoro or chloro; Z is a bond, 0, S, C(0)NH, or C 1

-C

3 alkylene optionally substituted with Cl-C 2 alkyl; RI is hydrogen, alkyl having 1-6 carbon atoms, halogen, 3-, or 4-pyridyl, or phenyl, where the phenyl or pyridyl is optionally substituted with up to three groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, C,-CG alkoxy, alkyl, nitro, amino, or mono- or di(C,-C 6 )alkylamino;

R

2

R

3

R

4 and R s are each independently hydrogen, halogen, nitro, or an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens); WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 OR,, SR,, S(0) 2 2 C N 2 or N(R,) 2 wherein each R, is independently hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1- 6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1

-C

6 alkyl, CI-C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di(C-C) alkylamino; phenyl or heteroaryl such as 3- or 4-imidazolyl or 2-, or 4-pyridyl, each of which phenyl or heteroaryl is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, Cl-C 6 alkyl, C 1

-C

6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di(Ci-C 6 )alkylamino; phenoxy where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, CI-C 6 alkyl, C,-C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di(C-C 6 alkylamino; or a group of the formula (CH)r ,N(CH2 where J is a bond, CH 2 oxygen, or nitrogen; and each r is independently 2 or 3; R, is hydroxy or a prodrug group; R, is hydrogen, alkyl, fluoro, or trifluoromethyl; and WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 Ar represents aryl or heteroaryl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to five groups.

In another aspect, the invention provides methods for preparing such compounds.

The compounds of the invention inhibit aldose reductase.

Since aldose reductase is critical to the production of high levels of sorbitol in individuals with diabetes, inhibitors of aldose reductase are useful in preventing and/or treating various complications associated with diabetes. The compounds of the invention are therefore effective for the treatment of diabetic complications as a result of their ability to inhibit aldose reductase.

In another aspect, the invention provides methods for treating and/or preventing chronic complications associated with diabetes mellitus, including, for example, diabetic cataracts, retinopathy, keratopathy, wound healing, diabetic uveitis, diabetic cardiomyopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy.

The compounds of this invention also possess antihyperglycemic activity and are therefore useful for the treatment of hyperglycemia. and elevated serum triglyceride levels. Accordingly, an aspect of the invention is prevention and/or alleviation of complications associated with hyperglycemia with the inventive compounds.

WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 The compounds of the present invention have been discovered to lower triglycerides. While serum triglyceride levels are often elevated in diabetic patients, they are also frequently elevated in nondiabetic patients resulting in various diseases and disorders, cardiac disease. Because of their ability to reduce serum triglyceride levels, the compounds of the present invention are useful in the treatment, prevention and/or alleviation, of elevated triglyceride levels in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients.

Thus, the compounds of the present invention may be used as antihyperlipidemic and/or antihyperglycemic agents. The compounds of this invention may be given in combination with other glucose or lipid lowering agents as well as other agents that are given specifically to treat the complications of diabetes.

It has also been discovered that the compounds of the present invention exhibit anti-angiogenic activity in an established in vitro assay. The discovery of this biological activity for the compounds of the invention is unexpected. As a result of this biological activity, the compounds of the invention can be used to treat various diseases that exhibit aberrant vasoproliferation. According to the invention, the compound would be administered to a mammal in need of inhibition of vasoproliferation, inhibition of angiogenesis. Examples of such diseases are diabetic -8- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinopathy of prematurity, corneal neovascularization, pterygium, and any neoplasms (cancers) which appear to be angiogenesis dependent.

Administration of the compound(s) of this invention is/are not limited to a particular mode, and could be administered systemically or topically to the eye in an appropriate ophthalmic solution. The compounds of the invention may be administered in combination therapy with other known antiangiogenic agents.

The compounds of the invention have also been discovered to promote the healing of wounds in mammals. In preferred aspects, the compounds are useful in promoting wound healing in diabetic mammals. Thus, the compounds of the invention may be employed in the treatment of wounds in mammals, preferably humans, more preferably in diabetic humans.

In still another aspect, the invention provides pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of Formula I.

In still another aspect, the invention provides for the use of a compound or compounds of Formula I for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of any of the disorders or diseases listed above, connected with diabetic complications, hyperglycemia, or hypertriglyceridemia, or (c) where inhibition of vasoproliferation is indicated.

WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 Detailed Description of the Invention As used herein, the term "treatment" includes both prevention and alleviation.

The numbering system for the compounds of Formula I is as follows:

R

2 Ra Z

R

3 4 32 Ar S IN R, R4 7 N

R

5 A..f R6

I

As noted above, the invention provides novel substituted indole alkanoic acids useful in treating and/cr preventing complications associated with or arising from elevated levels of glucose in individuals suffering from diabetes mellitus.

These compounds are represented by Formula I above.

In compounds of Formula I, the aryl and heteroaryl groups represented by Ar include: a phenyl group optionally substituted with up to 5 groups independently selected from halogen, an alkyl croup of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens), nitro, OR,, SR,, S(O) 2 R, or N(2,) 2 wherein R, is hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1

-C

6 WO 00/32180 WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 alkyl, C 1 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (CI-

C

6 )alkylamino, or the phenyl group may be condensed with benzo where the benzo is optionally substituted with one or two of halogen, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, perfluoroethyl, trifluoroacetyl, or (C 1 alkanoyl, hydroxy, alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio,

(C-

C )alkylsulfinyl, (Cl-C,)alkylsulfonyl; a heterocyclic 5-membered ring having one nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, two nitrogens one of which may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur, or three nitrogens one of which may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur, said heterocyclic ring substituted by one or two fluoro, chloro, (C 1 C)alkyl or phenyl, or condensed with benzo, or substituted by one of pyridyl, furyl or thienyl, said phenyl or benzo optionally substituted by one of iodo, cyano, nitro, perfluoroethyl, trifluoroacetyl, or

C

6 )alkanoyl, one or two of fluoro, chloro, bromo, hydroxy, alkyl, alkoxy, (C, 1 alkylthio, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio,

(C

1 C) alkylsulfinyl, (C-C 6 alkylsulfonyl or trifluoromethyl, or two fluoro or two trifluoromethyl with one hydroxy or one (C-C 6 alkoxy, or one or, preferably, two fluoro and one trifluoromethyl, or three fluoro, said pyridyl, furyl -11- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 or thienyl optionally substituted in the 3-position by fluoro, chloro, bromo, (C,-C,)alkyl or (C,-C 6 )alkoxy; a heterocyclic 6-membered ring having one to three nitrogen atoms, or one or two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen or sulfur, said heterocyclic 6-membered ring substituted by one or two alkyl or phenyl, or condensed with benzo, or substituted by one of pyridyl, furyl or thienyl, said phenyl or benzo optionally substituted by one of iodo or trifluoromethylthio, or one or two of fluoro, chloro, bromo, (CI-C 6 alkyl, (C 1

-C

6 alkoxy, C) alkylthio, (C 1

C

6 )alkylsulfinyl, (Cl-C 6 )alkylsulfonyl, or trifluoromethyl, and said pyridyl, furyl or thienyl optionally substituted in the 3-position by fluoro, chloro, (Cl-C) alkyl or alkoxy; said benzo-condensed heterocyclic 5-membered or 6-membered rings optionally substituted in the heterocyclic membered or 6-membered ring by one of fluoro, chloro, bromo, methoxy, or trifluoromethyl; oxazole or thiazole condensed with a 6-membered aromatic group containing one or two nitrogen atoms, with thiophene or with furane, each optionally substituted by one of fluoro, chloro, bromo, trifluoromethyl, methylthio or methylsulfinyl; -12- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 imidazolopyridine or triazolopyridine optionally substituted by one of trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethylthio, bromo, or

(C

1 -C,)alkoxy, or two of fluoro or chloro; thienothiophene or thienofuran optionally substituted by one of fluoro, chloro or trifluoromethyl; thienotriazole optionally substituted by one of chloro or trifluoromethyl; naphthothiazole; naphthoxazole; or thienoisothiazole.

More specific compounds of the invention are those of Formula I wherein Ar is optionally substituted benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, isoquinolyl, benzothiophen-yl, benzofuran--yl or benzimidazolyl, or substituted oxadiazolyl or indolyl. Other more specific compounds are of Formula I those wherein Ra is trifluoromethyl, Z is a covalent bond or CH 2

R

6 is hydroxy, and each of R 2

-R

5 are independently hydrogen, halogen, more preferably bromo or chloro, C 1

-C

2 alkyl, phenoxy, benzyloxy, or

C,-C

2 alkoxy, and R, is hydrogen or methyl.

Preferred compounds of the invention are those wherein Z is a covalent bond, R 6 is hydroxy, Ar is optionally substituted benzothiazol-2-yl, benzothiazol-5-yl, benzoisothiazol-3-yl, benzoxazol-2-yl, 2-quinolyl, 2-quinoxalyl, b]pyridine-2-yl, benzothiophen-2-yl, benzofuran-2-yl, or thazolo[4,5-pyridine-2-y, thieno[2,3-b]pyridine2-yl, imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine-2-yl, or indol-2-yl, or substituted -13- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 isothiazol-4-yl, 1,3,4-oxadiazol-5-yl, 1,2,5-thiadiazol-3-yl, oxazol-2-yl, thiazol-2-yl, or thiazol-4-yl, R 2 are independently hydrogen, halogen, more preferably bromo or chloro, C alkyl, phenoxy, benzyloxy or phenyl where each phenyl portion is optionally substituted with CI-C, alkyl, halogen, C 1 alkoxy, hydroxy, amino or mono- or di alkylamino Ra is hydrogen,fluro or C 1 alkyl, and R, is hydrogen or methyl.

Other preferred compounds are those wherein the methylene bridge connecting the indolyl group with Ar is located alpha with respect to a nitrogen atom in Ar, e.g. wherein Ar is benzoxazol-2-yl or 1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl mentioned above.

Other more specific compounds of the invention are those wherein Z is a covalent bond, R, is hydroxy, Ra is hydrogen, Ar is optionally 4,5,6 or 7 benzo-substituted benzothiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzothiophenyl, benzofuranyl, or indolyl, or Ar is 2-benzothiazolyl substituted on benzo by one trifluoroacetyl or trifluoromethylthio, or one or two of fluoro chloro, bromo, hydroxy, methyl, methoxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluocromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, or one or, preferably, two fluoro and one trifluoromethyl, or two fluoro or two trifluoromethyl with one methoxy, or three fluoro, or by 6,7benzo, and those wherein one of R 2 and R, is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, bromo or methyl, and one of R 4 and R 5 is hydrogen, or -14- WO 00/32 180 PCT/US99/28483 chloro, brorno, methyl, isopropyl, methoxy, nitro or trifluoromethyl; or R, and R, is 5, 6-difluoro, R, is hydrogen; and those wherein Ar is optionally substituted benzothiazol-2yl or quinoxalyl and R 3 and R, are each chioro, and R, is hydrogen or methyl.

Further more specific compounds are those wherein Z is a covalent bond, R. is hydroxy, Ar is optionally substituted benzothiazol-2-yl, R 3 and R, are hydrogen, and R, is methyl; those wherein Z is a covalent bond, R, is hydroxy, R 3

R

4 and R are hydrogen, chloro, fluoro, bromo or Cl-C 2 alkyl, Ra is hydrogen, and Ar is optionally 4,5,6 or 7 benzosubstituted benzothiazolyl tri fluoromethyl, benzoxazolyl -2trifluoromethyl, benzimidazolyl-2-trifluoronethy-, benzofuran- 2-trifluoromethy., benzofuran-3-trifluoromethyl, benzothiophen- 2-trifluoromethyl, benzothiophen-3--trifluoromethyl, indolyl-2trifluoromethyl, or indolyl-3-trifluoromethyl; and those wherein Z is CH 2

R

6 is hydroxy, Ar is optionally substituted benzothiazol-2-yl, benzothiazol-5-yl, benzoisothiazol-3-yl, benzoxazol-2-yl, 2-quinolyl, 2-quinoxalyl, oxazolo blpyridine-2-yl, or thiazolo[4,5-blpyridine-2-yl, or substituted 1,2,4- oxadiazol3-yl, 1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl, isothiazol4-yl, 1,3,4-oxadiazol-5-yl, 1,2,5thiadiazol-3-yl, oxazol-2-yl, thiazol-2-yl, or thiazol-4-yl, and R 3

R

4 and R. are independently hydrogen, chioro, fluoro, bromo, C 1

-C

2 alkyl, or trif luoromethyl, and Ra is hydrogen.

WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 Generally, R, in the specific compounds described above is hydrogen, halogen, preferably chloro or fluoro, alkyl, or phenyl optionally substituted with with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1 alkyl, C 1

-C

6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di(C 1

-C

6 )alkylamino. Preferred R, groups are hydrogen and methyl.

Preferred compounds of the invention include those where Ar in Formula I is substituted phenyl, compounds of Formula II:

R

3 R4 R2R 9 R RR8o

R

5

NR

o N Z R, Re R9'

R

6

II

wherein A is a C,-C 4 alkylene group optionally substituted with CI-C 2 alkyl; Z is a bond, or C.-C3 alkylene optionally substituted with C 1

-C

2 alkyl; Ra is hydrogen, C alkyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, or trifluoromethyl; R, is hydrogen, C -C 6 alkyl, fluoro, or phenyl optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, alkyl, Ci-C 6 alkoxy, amino, and monoor di (C -C 6 alkylamino; -16- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483

R

2

R

3

R

4 and R 5 are each independently hydrogen, halogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens), nitro, OR,, SR,, S(O) 2

C(O)N(R,)

2 or

N(R,)

2 wherein each R, is independently hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1 alkyl, alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (C 1

-C

6 alkylamino; phenyl or heteroaryl such as 3- or 4-imidazolyl or 2-, or 4-pyridyl, each of which phenyl or heteroaryl is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1 alkyl, C 1

-C

6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di(C,-C 6 )alkylamino; phenoxy where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1

-C

6 alkyl, C -C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di alkylamino; or a group of the formula

(CH),

N-(CH2/ where J is a bond, CH,, oxygen, or nitrogen; and -17- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 each r is independently 2, or 3;

R

6 is hydrogen, an alkoxy group of 1-6 carbon atoms, or -OM* where M' is a cation forming a pharmaceutically acceptable salt; and

R

9 and Ro are independently hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, trifluoromethyl or nitro.

Other preferred compounds of the invention are those where Ar is a substituted benzothiazole, compounds of Formula

III:

R

3 R4 R2 R R 1 2 I Ra J N R 5 Z- /R 13 0 N S I L-A Ri R14

R

6

III

wherein A is a Ci-C 4 alkylene group optionally substituted with C.-C 2 alkyl; Z is a bond, or alkylene optionally substituted with C-C, alkyl; Ra is hydrogen, C1-C, alkyl, chloro, bromo, fluoro, or trifluoromethyl;

R

1 is hydrogen, alkyl, halogen, preferably chloro or fluoro, or phenyl optionally substituted with with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C-C6 -18- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 alkyl, CI-CE alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (Ci- C) alkylamino;

R

3

R

4 and R 5 are each independently hydrogen, halogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens), nitro, OR,, SR,, S(O)R,,

S(O)

2

N(R,)

2

C(O)N(R,)

2 cr N(R,) 2 wherein each R, is independently hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C,-C 6 alkyl, alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (Ci-C 6 alkylamino; phenyl or heteroaryl such as 3- or 4-imidazolyl or 2-, or 4-pyridyl, each of which phenyl or heteroaryl is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1

-C

6 alkyl, C 1

-C

6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- cr di(Ci-C) alkylamino; phenoxy where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (Cl-C) alkylamino; or a group of the formula

(CH),

N-(CH2 where -19- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 J is a bond, CH 2 oxygen, or nitrogen; and each r is independently 2 or 3;

R

6 is hydroxy, CI-C 6 alkoxy, or -0-M where M* is a cation forming a pharmaceutically acceptable salt; and

R

11

R

12 R1 and R 14 are independently hydrogen, halogen, nitro, hydroxy, CI-C 6 alkyl, C 1 alkoxy, CI-C 6 alkylthio, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, Ca-C 6 alkylsulfinyl, or C-C, alkylsulfonyl.

In preferred compounds of Formula III, the R 2

R

3

R

4 and Rs substituents, in combination, represent one of bromo, cyano or nitro, one or two of fluoro, chloro, hydroxy, (C-C 6 )alkyl, alkoxy, or trifluoromethyl, or two fluoro or two methyl with one hydroxy or one (C -C 6 )alkoxy, or one or, preferably, two fluoro and one methyl, or three fluoro groups.

Particularly preferred R 2

R

3

R

4 and R s substituents are, independently, fluorine, chlorine, nitro, and trifluoromethyl.

In preferred compounds of Formulas II and III, A is preferably methylene, methylene substituted with a methyl group, or ethylene.

Preferred compounds according to Formula II above include those wherein R 8 is fluorine, R 9 is hydrogen and Ri is bromine or those wherein R, and R 0 i are hydrogens and R, is nitro.

Preferred compounds of Formula III above are those wherein the benzothiazole moiety is substituted with nitro, one, two, or three of fluoro, one or two of chloro, or at least one WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 trifluoromethyl group. More preferred compounds of Formula II are those where A is methylene, R, is hydrogen or methyl, Z is a bond, and R 6 is hydroxy or alkoxy.

Still more preferred compounds of Formula II are those wherein R 1

R

12 and are fluorines and R 13 is hydrogen. Other more preferred compounds of Formula II are those where Ra is methyl or hydrogen, Z is methylene or, more preferably, a bond, A is CHF or C, or C 2 alkylene, preferably methylene, R, is methyl or hydrogen, and R 11

R

12 and R 14 are halogens or CI-C 3 alkyl. Still other more preferred compounds of Formula III are those where R. is methyl or hydrogen, Z is methylene or, more preferably, a bond, A is CHF or C 1 or C 2 alkylene, R, is methyl or hydrogen, and Ru, R 12 and R, 4 are fluorines or chlorines.

Particularly preferred compounds of Formula I are those where R 3 and R 4 are independently hydrogen, C 1

-C

6 alkyl, C 1

-C

6 alkoxy, or halogen, and Ra is methyl or hydrogen, Z is a bond, A is methylene, methyl substituted methylene, or ethylene, R, is methyl or hydrogen, and R 1

R

12 and R, are fluorines or chlorines.

The term "prodrug group" denotes a moiety that is converted in vivo into the active compound of formula I wherein

R

6 is hydroxy. Such groups are generally known in the art and include ester forming groups, to form an ester prodrug, such as benzyloxy, di(C-C 6 )alkylaminoethyloxy, acetoxymethyl, -21- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 pivaloyloxymethyl, phthalidoyl, ethoxycarbonyloxyethyl, methyl-2-oxo-l,3-dioxol-4-yl methyl, and (Ci-C 6 alkoxy optionally substituted by N-morpholino anc amide-forming groups such as di(Ci-C 6 )alkylamino. Preferred prodrug groups include hydroxy, Ci-C 6 alkoxy, and OM* where M' represents a cation.

Preferred cations include sodium, potassium, and ammonium.

Other cations include magnesium and calcium. Further preferred prodrug grops include O'M" where M' is a divalent cation such as magnesium or calcium.

In certain situations, compounds of Formula I may contain one or more asymmetric carbon atoms, so that the compounds can exist in different stereoisomeric forms. These compounds can be, for example, racemates or optically active forms. In these situations, the single enantiomers, optically active forms, can be obtained by asymmetric synthesis or by resolution of the racemates. Resolution of the racemates can be accomplished, for example, by conventional methods such as crystallization in the presence of a resolving agent, or chromatography, using, for example a chiral HPLC column.

Representative compounds of the present invention include the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts of compounds where R, includes basic nitrogen atom, i.e, an alkylamino or morpholino group. In addition, if the compound or prodrug of the invention is :btained as an acid addition salt, the free base can be obtained by basifying a solution of -22- WO00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 the acid salt. Conversely, if the product is a free base, an addition salt, particularly a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt, may be produced by dissolving the free base in a suitable organic solvent and treating the solution with an acid, in accordance with conventional procedures for preparing acid addition salts from base compounds.

Non-toxic pharmaceutical salts include salts of acids such as hydrochloric, phosphoric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, sulfinic, formic, toluenesulfonic, methanesulfonic, nitric, benzoic, citric, tartaric, maleic, hydroiodic, alkanoic such as acetic,

HOOC-(CH

2 )n-ACOOH where n is 0-4, and the like. Non-toxic pharmaceutical base addition salts include salts of bases such as sodium, potassium, calcium, ammonium, and the like. Those skilled in the art will recognize a wide variety of non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts.

As used herein, the terms 2-benzothiazolyl and benzothiazol-2-yl are synonymous.

Representative groups of the formula

(IH

2 )r

^N-(CH,

include those where J is oxygen and each r is 2 (morpholinyl), J is nitrogen and each r is 2 (piperazinyl) or one r is 2 and the other 3 (homopiperazinyl), or J is CH 2 and each r is 2 (piperidinyl) or one r is 2 and the other 3 (homopiperidinyl).

-23- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 Preferred groups of this formula are morpholinyl and piperaziny1.

The heterocyclic 5-membered ring having one to three nitrogen atoms, one of which may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur includes imidazolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, pyrazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, and triazolyl.

The heterocyclic 6-membered ring having one to three nitrogen atoms, or one or two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen or sulfur includes triazinyl, pyrimidyl, pyridazinyl, oxazinyl and triazinyl.

The heterocyclic ring may be condensed with benzo so that said ring is attached at two neighboring carbon atoms to form a phenyl group. Such benzoheterocyclic ring may be attached to Z either through the heterocyclic group or through the benzo group of the benzoheterocyclic ring. Specific wherein said heterocyclic ring is condensed with a benzo include benzoxazolyl, quinazolin-2-yl, 2-benzimidazolyl, quinazolin-4yl and benzothiazolyl. The oxazole or thiazole condensed with a 6-membered aromatic group containing one or two nitrogen atoms include positional isomers such as b]pyridine-2-yl, thiazolo[4,5-b]pyridine-2-yl, oxazolol4,Sc]pyridine-2-yl, thiazolo[4,5-c]pyridine-2-yl, oxazolo[5,4b]pyridine-2-yl, thiazolo[5,4-b]pyridine-2-yl, oxazolol5, 4 c]pyridine-2-yl, and thiazolo[5,4-c]pyridine-2-yl.

-24- WO 00/32 180 PCTIUJS99/28483 The following compounds of the invention are provided to give the reader an understanding of the compounds encompassed by the invention: 3 4 7 trif luorobenzothiazol 2 yl)mehyl indole N-acetic acid S-chloro-3- (4,5.7-trifluorobeflzothiazo4 -2-yl)methyl-indole-N acetic acid 2-methyl-3-

S,

7 -trifluorobenzothiazol>yl)methylindole-N acetic acid 5-methyl-3- 4 5 7 -trifluorobenzothiazol2yl)methylindole-N acetic acid 7-methyl-3- 4 ,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol2yl)methylindole-N acetic acid 6-chloro-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol>yl)methylindole-N acetic acid 5-benzyloxy-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol1>yl)methyl-indole- N-acetic acid 6-f luoro-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-y' )methyl-indole-Nacetic acid 5-fluoro-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl.imfethylindole-N acetic acid 6-methyl-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-Yl)nethyl-indole-N acetic acid 3-methyl 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methJ1,-ifdoleN-2 propionic acid WO00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 3-methyl( 4 ,5, 7 -trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N- 3 propionic acid 3-(5-trifluoromethylbenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid 5-methyl-3-(5-trifluoromethylbenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-Nacetic acid 3-( 3 -nitrophenyl)methyl-indole-N-acetic Acid The above compounds, further described in the Examples and other description of the invention below, are illustrative but are not meant to limit in any way the scope of the contemplated compounds according to the present invention.

The compounds of the invention are administered to a patient or subject in need of treatment either alone or in combination with other compounds having similar or different biological activities. For example, the compounds of the invention may be administered in a combination therapy, i.e., either simultaneously in single or separate dosage forms or in separate dosage forms within hours or days of each other.

Examples of such combination therapies include administering the compounds of Formula I with other agents used to treat hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and diabetic complications.

Suitable compounds for use in combination therapy include For Hyperglycemia: WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 Insulin Metformin Troglitazone Pioglitazone Rosiglitazone Darglitazone Sulfonylureass such as glipizide and glimepiride Repaglinide alpha-glucosidase inhibitors such as acarbose, miglitol For Diabetic complications: ACE inhibitors: Captopril, lisinopril Angiotensin II receptor antagonists (AT1-receptor) such as candesartan, losartan, irbesartan, and valsartan MMP inhibitors Protein kinase C inhibitors For Antihvperlipidemia: Statins such as Atorvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, cerivastatin Fibrates such as Fenofibrate, bezafibrate, ciprofibrate, gemfibrozil The compounds of general Formula I may be administered orally, topically, parenterally, by inhalation or spray or -27- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 rectally in dosage unit formulations containing conventional non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants and vehicles. The term parenteral as used herein includes subcutaneous injections, intravenous, intramuscular, intrasternal injection or infusion techniques. In addition, there is provided a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a compound of general Formula I and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. One or more compounds of general Formula I may be present in association with one or more non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or diluents and/or adjuvants and if desired other active ingredients. The pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of general Formula I may be in a form suitable for oral use, for example, as tablets, troches, lozenges, aqueous or oily suspensions, dispersible powders or granules, emulsion, hard or soft capsules, or syrups or elixirs.

Compositions intended for oral use may be prepared according to any method known to the art for the manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions and such compositions may contain one or more agents selected from the group consisting of sweetening agents, flavoring agents, coloring agents and preserving agents in order to provide pharmaceutically elegant and palatable preparations. Tablets contain the active ingredient in admixture with non-toxic pharmaceuticall; acceptable excipients which are suitable for the manufacture of -28- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 tablets. These excipients may be for example, inert diluents, such as calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, lactose, calcium phosphate or sodium phosphate; granulating and disintegrating agents, for example, corn starch, or alginic acid; binding agents, for example starch, gelatin or acacia, and lubricating agents, for example magnesium stearate, stearic acid or talc.

The tablets may be uncoated or they may be coated by known techniques to delay disintegration and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and thereby provide a sustained action over a longer period. For example, a time delay material such as glyceryl monostearate or glyceryl distearate may be employed.

Formulations for oral use may also be presented as hard gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with an inert solid diluent, for example, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate or kaolin, or as soft gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with water or an oil medium, for example peanut oil, liquid paraffin or olive oil.

Aqueous suspensions contain the active materials in admixture with excipients suitable for the manufacture of aqueous suspensions. Such excipients are suspending agents, for example sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydropropylmethylcellulose, sodium alginate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, gum tragacanth and gum acacia; dispersing or wetting agents may be a naturally-occurring phosphatide, for -29- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 example, lecithin, or condensation products of an alkylene oxide with fatty acids, for example polyoxyethylene stearate, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with long chain aliphatic alcohols, for example heptadecaethyleneoxycetanol, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with partial esters derived from fatty acids and a hexitol such as polyoxyethylene sorbitol monooleate, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with partial esters derived from fatty acids and hexitol anhydrides, for example polyethylene sorbitan monooleate. The aqueous suspensions may also contain one or more preservatives, for example ethyl, or n-propyl p-hydroxybenzoate, one or more coloring agents, one or more flavoring agents, and one or more sweetening agents, such as sucrose or saccharin.

Oily suspensions may be formulated by suspending the active ingredients in a vegetable oil, for example arachis oil, olive oil, sesame oil or coconut oil, or in a mineral oil such as liquid paraffin. The oily suspensions may contain a thickening agent, for example beeswax, hard paraffin or cetyl alcohol. Sweetening agents such as those set forth above, and flavoring agents may be added to provide palatable oral preparations. These compositions may be preserved by the addition of an anti-oxidant such as ascorbic acid.

Dispersible powders and granules suitable for preparation of an aqueous suspension by the addition of water provide the active ingredient in admixture with a dispersing or wetting WO 00/32180 PCTIUS9928483 agent, suspending agent and one or more preservatives.

Suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents are exemplified by those already mentioned above. Additional excipients, for example sweetening, flavoring and coloring agents, may also be present.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may also be in the form of oil-in-water emulsions. The oily phase may be a vegetable oil, for example olive oil or arachis oil, or a mineral oil, for example liquid paraffin or mixtures of these.

Suitable emulsifying agents may be naturally-occurring gums, for example gum acacia or gum tragacanth, naturally-occurring phosphatides, for example soy bean, lecithin, and esters or partial esters derived from fatty acids and hexitol, anhydrides, for example sorbitan monoleate, and condensation products of the said partial esters with ethylene oxide, for example polyoxyethylene sorbitan monoleate. The emulsions may also contain sweetening and flavoring agents.

Syrups and elixirs may be formulated with sweetening agents, for example glycerol, propylene glycol, sorbitol or sucrose. Such formulations may also contain a demulcent, a preservative and flavoring and coloring agents. The pharmaceutical compositions may be in the form of a sterile injectable aqueous or oleaginous suspension. This suspension may be formulated according to the known art using those suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents -31- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 which have been mentioned above. The sterile injectable preparation may also be sterile injectable solution or suspension in a non-toxic parentally acceptable diluent or solvent, for example as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are water, Ringer's solution and isotonic sodium chloride solution.

In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil may be employed including synthetic mono-or diglycerides. In addition, fatty acids such as oleic acid find use in the preparation of injectables.

The compounds of general Formula I may also be administered in the form of suppositories for rectal administration of the drug. These compositions can be prepared by mixing the drug with a suitable non-irritating excipient which is solid at ordinary temperatures but liquid at the rectal temperature and will therefore melt in the rectum to release the drug. Such materials are cocoa butter and polyethylene glycols.

Compounds of general Formula I may be administered parenterally in a sterile medium. The drug, depending on the vehicle and concentration used, can either be suspended or dissolved in the vehicle. Advantageously, adjuvants such as local anesthetics, preservatives and buffering agents can be dissolved in the vehicle.

-32- WO 00/32180 PCT1US99/28483 Dosage levels on the order of from about 0.1 mg to about 140 mg per kilogram of body weight per day are useful in the treatment of the above-indicated conditions (about 0.5 mg to about 7 g per patient per day). The amount of active ingredient that may be combined with the carrier materials to produce a single dosage form will vary depending upon the host treated and the particular mode of administration. Dosage unit forms will generally contain between from about 1 mg to about 1000 mg of an active ingredient.

It will be understood, however, that the specific dose level for any particular patient will depend upon a variety of factors including the activity of the specific compound employed, the age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, time of administration, route of administration, and rate of excretion, drug combination and the severity of the particular disease undergoing therapy.

The compounds of the present invention may be prepared by use of known chemical reactions and procedures. General methods for synthesizing the compounds are presented below. It is understood that the nature of the substituents required for the desired target compound often determines the preferred method of synthesis. All variable groups of these methods are as described in the generic description if they are not 2 specifically defined below. More detailed procedures for -33- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 particular examples are presented below in the experimental section.

Methods of Preparation The compounds of the invention where Ar is benzothiazolyl can be conveniently prepared from a substituted indole moiety using general Scheme A set forth below.

Ra Z R2 R

CN

R3 1)NaH/CH 3

CN

R 1 4 N 2) Br-A-C0 2 Et R4 H

R

5 Iv z CN HCI,2HN.

OEt R14 0 EtOH, 78 0

C

312 aq. NaOH ethanol R4

VII

III

where R 6 is hydroxy Scheme A Treatment of a nitrile indole IV with a strong base such as, for example, sodium hydride, butyl lithium or sodium tert- -34- .1 WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 butoxide, in a polar aprotic solvent such as acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran or N,N-dimethylformamide followed by an treatment with an alkylating agent, ethyl or tert-butyl bromoacetate, provides the desired N-alkylated product V.

Alternativly, phase transfer catalysis can be used in a biphasic solvent system. A general review of such alkylations can be found in Sundberg, R. J. Indoles; Chapter 11, Academic Press Inc., San Diego, CA, 1996. Condensation with a suitable 2-amino thiophenol hydrochloride salt VI provides benzothiazole intermediate VII. These reactions are most often carried out in an alcohol solvents at elevated temperatures; however, other solvents like N,N-dimethylformamide and Nmethylpyrrolidone can be used or the reactions can be carried out in the absence of solvents altogether. The scope of the reaction conditions useful for this transformation have been described previously Pat. No. 5,700,819). General methods for the preparation of various substituted 2-amino thiophenols are also well known Med. Chem. 1991, 34, 108 and Chem. Pharm. Bull. 1994, 42, 1264). In general, the best method of synthesis is determined by such factors as availability of starting materials and ease of synthesis.

Deprotection of the alkanoic acid moiety VII can be carried out by methods common to those skilled in the art to result in compounds of Formula III. The method used in the deprotection depends on the type of protecting group. A description of such WO00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 protecting groups and methods for deprotecting them may be found in: Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, Second Edition, T. W. Green and P. G. M. Wuts, John Wiley and Sons, Ney York, 1991. When a methyl or ethyl ester is used, an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution in ethanol or dimethoxyethane is conveniently employed for its removal.

If not commercially available, nitrile IV can be prepared substantially as described below in Scheme B depicting the formation of 3-acetonitrile substituted indoles of Formula IV where Z is a bond. Thus, an indole moiety in a weak acid solution, for example, acetic acid in ethanol, is treated with aqueous formaldehyde and dimethyl amine in an alcohol solvent.

The 3-(dimethylamino)methyl indole product can then be treated with sodium or potassium cyanide in N,N-dimethylformamide at elevated temperatures to provide the 3-acetonitrile substituted indole intermediate. Alternatively, an iminium salt like N,Ndimethylmethyleneammonium chloride can be used to prepare the 3-(dimethylamino)methyl indole intermediate.

-36- WO 00/32180 PCTIUS99/28483

CH

3

R

2 aq. H 2 CO R2 CH 3 R2 CN

R

3 HNMe. R. KCN R3

S

R 1 r 1 DMF R R N or N H CH 2

N(CH

3 2 CI R H 140 0 C R 4

N

IV

R

5 IV R5 R 5 CH3 I KCN

CHDMF

H

3 C I l e R2

'CCH

3 R3

HNR

RR,

R N 4

-H

Rs Scheme B The 3-(dimethylamino)methyl indole intermediate can also be converted to the the 3-acetonitrile substituted indole intermediate via the trimethyl ammonium salt. The salt can be prepared by treating the gramine intermediate with an alkalating agent like methyl iodide. The trimethyl ammonium salt intermediate can then be converted to the nitrile by treatment with sodium or potassium cyanide in a solvent like N,N-dimethylformamide. In general, the conversion to the acetonitrile occurs under more mild conditions when the crimethyl ammonium salt is used.

Alternatively, other compounds, such as those where Z-Ar represents a wide variety of substituted hetercycles, may be prepared using the general method outlined in Scheme C. Here, substituted indole intermediates where X is an activating group like hydroxyl, halogen, dialkyl amino, trialkyl ammonium or -37- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 benzotriazole are coupled with Q-Z-Ar groups using methods well-established in indole chemistry. Examples of these me hods where Q is Na or H and Z is sulfur, oxygen, nitrogen carbon or a bond are described in Tidwell, Peat, Buchwald, S.L. J. Org. Chem. 1994, 59, 7164; Bruneau, Delvare, Edwards, McMillan, R.M. J. Med. Chem.

1991, 34, 1028; Gan, Cook, J.M. Tetrahedron Lett. 1997, 38, 1301; Cerreto,F.; Villa, Retico, Scalzo, M.

Eur. J. Med. Chem. 1992, 27 701; Majchrzak, Zobel, Obradovich, Synth. Commun. 1997, 27, 3201; (F) DeLeon, Ganem, B. J. Org. Chem. 1996, 61, 8730; (G) Katritzky, Toader, D; Xie, L. J. Org. Chem. 1996, 61, 7571.

It is understood that, depending on the specific chemistry used, a protecting group, P, may be required. In general, P represents groups such as acyloxy, alkyl, sulfonyl or A-COOR.

The use of these general methods is illustrated in Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, Second Edition, T. W. Green and P.

G. M. Wuts, John Wiley and Sons, Ney York, 1991.

R R R 2 X 2 Ar

R

3 Q Ar

R

R4 R4 1^ RS P R 5

P

Scheme C -38- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 In general, the intermediate compounds wherein is aryl or heteroaryl can be synthesized by the chemistry illustrated in reaction Scheme D belcw. For example, treatment of the potassium salt of an optionally substituted bromoindole with tert-butyllithium at low temperature in an ethereal solvent such as ether or tetrahydrofuran followed by the addition of an electrophile represents a general method for obtaining substituted indoles, as described by Rapoport, H. Org.

Chem. 1986, 51, 5106). For a discussion of a synthesis where R is acyl, see Biorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 1999, 9, 333; where R is, thiomethyl, see Heterocycles, 1992, 34, 1169; and where R is cycloalkyl, see J. Med. Chem. 1999, 42, 526.

More specifically the addition of a trialkyl borate followed by an acidic work-up provides the desired indole boronic acids (Heterocycles, 1992, 34, 1169). Indole boronic acids can be used in well established transition metal catalyzed coupling reactions like the Suzuki reaction to provide aryl and heteroaryl indoles. These reactions are most often carried out in a mixture of ethereal or alcohol solvents with aqueous base in the presence of palladium catalyst, such as Pd(OAc)., Pd(OAc), w/ PPh, or Pd(PPh-), as described in Tetrahedron Lett. 1998, 39, 4467, J. Org. Chem. 1999, 64, 1372 and Heterocycles 1992, 34, 1395.

Alternatively, an optionally substituted bromoindole can be treated with an arylboronic acid and a palladium catalyst -39- WO 00/32 180 PCT/US99/28483 to provide arylindoles in large quantities (Synlett 1.994, 93) A ge~neral review of Suzuki cross-couplings between boronic aId.z and ar-vl haides can be found inMivaura, N; Suzuki, A.

Cher,-. Rev. 1995, 95, 2457.

1. a. KH. Et 2 0 b. tert- BuLl, '780C ABO dO p 591 c. B(OR) 3 then H'i BrBOH) Pd( (ArHet)AI--I BFI

A--B

N aqueous base, solvent HN 2. ArX or HetArX HH HPd(O), aqueous base, solvent I1. KH. EtO 7o 3. E

H

Scheme D For example, treatment of the advanced intermediate indole X with an aryl or heteroaryl boronic acid using Pd-mediated couplir'g conditions provides the desired aryl and heteroaryl indole product XI as shown in scheme In general the utility of this method is determined by the ease of synthesis of advanced intermediates of type X and the commercial availab:..lity of aryl and heteroaryl boronic acids.

CN CN N\ Ar(OH), DM Brr(O), M Ar~~ N 0 Pd(OAc) 2

PPH

3 N 0 >X 2 M Na 2

CO

3 X, OEt QEt Scheme E WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 In addition, certain organometallic reactions eliminate the need for de r.cvo construction of the indole nucleus. For example, the Stille reaction serves as a general method for the synthesis of regiocontrolled substitution of indole intermediates as described by Farina, Krishnamurthy, V; Scott, Organic Reactions, 1998, 50, 1-652. As indicated in the scheme below, the indole may serve as the organotin species or the aryl halide. The stannylindole (XII), where P is a suitable protecting group such as [2-(trimethyl)ethoxy]methyl (SEM) or an alkyl substituent, is treated with a variety of partners vinyl/allylic halides, vinyl triflates, aryl/heteroaryl halides and acyl halides) in the presence of a Pd(0)L, catalyst to provide the desired indoles (XII) Synnlett 1993, 771, Helv. Chim. Acta 1993, 76, 2356 and J. Org.

Chem. 1994, 59, 4250). Conversely, a haloindole (XIV) is treated with a variety of tin reagents under Stille conditions to provide the desired substituted indoles (XV) as described in Heterocycles 1988, 27, 1585 and Synth. Comm 1992, 22, 1627)

R

3 Sn j RX, Pd(O)Ln

R

P P XII XIII Br R 3 SnR', Pd(O)Ln R

B

r

R'

H H XIV XV -41- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 A =eneral procedure fcr the synthesis of intermediate compounds using amines of the formula NRR,, NRR: in the scheme below) is given in scheme F below. In Scheme F, R, and are the same or different and represent hydrogen, C.-C alkyl, or R.

and R. together represent a group of the formula: (CH2 H N-(CH2 where J and each r is as defined above for formula I.

As shown in Scheme F, nucleophilic substitution of X (X is halogen, preferably fluorine) in an aromatic system is a method often used to substitute aromatic rings with amine and ether functionalities. Both 4- and 5- fluoro-2-nitrotoluene are sufficiently activated to undergo substitution with amines in the presence of KCO, in a polar aprotic solvent such as, for example, DMSO as described in J. Med. Chem. 1993, 36, 2716.

The Leimgruber -Batcho two-step method is a general process for the construction of the indole ring system from the appropriate o-nitrotoluene. This reaction involves the condensation of an o-nitrotoluene with N,N-dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal followed by a reductive cyclization under suitable conditions such as hydrogen over a palladium catalyst or Zn/HOAc as described in Sundberg, R.J. Indoles; Chapter 2, Academic Press -42- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 Inc., San Diego, CA, 1996. A representative description of the process can also be found in Organic Synthesis, 1984, 63, 214.

R ,K 2 C 3 MeO'OMe

DMF

N02 DMSO, A R NO 2 A

H

H

2 Pd/C EtOAc/HOAc

R

N--

or Zn/HOAc R2

H

A

Scheme F A general procedure for the synthesis of intermediate compounds wherein R is an aromatic, heteroaromatic or alkyl group is indicated in Scheme G below. As previously described, nucleophilic substitution of halogen, preferably fluorine, in an aromatic system is a method often used to substitute aromatic rings with amine and ether functionalities. Both 4and 5-fluoro-2-nitrotoluene are sufficiently activated enough to undergo substitution with alcohols or phenols in the presence of K 2

CO

3 in a polar aprotic solvent such as DMSO. A similar system using KOH and phenol is described in J. Med.

Chem. 1994, 37, 1955. Alternatively, solid-liquid phase transfer catalysis (PTC) methods have been used to prepare intermediate ethers of this type as described in Synth. Comm.

-43- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 1990, 20, 2855. The appropriately substituted o-nitrotoluene can then be converted to the appropriate indole by the Leimgruber-Batcho method previously desribed.

SN

F N ROH, K 2 CO RO MeO OMe, DMF R'O

N

N02 DMSO,80 0 C No 1) -N0 2

N

H

Reduction

RO

H

Scheme G The preparation of intermediate alkoxy indole compounds wherein R is Cl-C 6 alkyl is outlined in Scheme H below.

Commercially available nitrophenols can be alkylated under mild conditions with a base such as, for example, K 2 C0 3 or Cs 2 CO,, in a polar aprotic solvent, e.g. CH 3 CN, with a variety of suitable alkyl halides. See Synth. Comm. 1995, 25, 1367. The alkoxy o-nitrotoluene can then be converted to the desired indole as described above.

HO

2

C

3 MeO OMe,DMF RO1 N02 2.RX No 2 Q7

NO

N

H

-44- WO 00/32180 PCTIUS99/28483 Reduction

N

H

Scheme H Alternatively, some examples of the invention where Z is a bond and Ar is a substituted heterocycle such as a thiazole; or Z is amide and Ar is a substituted phenyl can be conveniently prepared from an indole 3-acetic acid derivative as illustrated in Scheme I. Using this method, the carboxylic acid moiety is activated and coupled with an aryl amine. Some examples of activating methods well-known to those skilled in the art include formation of acid chloride, mixed anhydrides and coupling reagents such as 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiinide

(DCC).

A review of such method can be found in Bodanszky, M.

Principles of Peptide Synthesis; Springer-Verlag: New York, 1984. For the examples where Z is a bond and Ar is a substituted benzothiazole or benzoxazole, the intermediate amide or thioamide can be cyclized into the aromatic ring.

Examples of these types of hetercycle forming reactions are described in Mylar, B. L. et al. J. Med. Chem. 1991, 34, 108.

In addition, the carboxylic acid can be converted to a chloroor bromomethyl ketone and condensed with nucleophiles like thioamides or 2-aminothiophenols to produce thiazole or benzothiazine derivatives. Examples of methods to prepare the chloro- and bromomethyl ketones are illustrated in Rotella, WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 Tetrahedron Lett. 1995, 36, 5453 and Albeck, Persky, Tetrahedron 1994, 50, 6333. Depending on the reaction conditions in a given synthetic sequence a protecting group may be required. It is also understood that the specific order of steps used in the synthesis depends on the particular example being prepared. P may represent H, A-COOH, A-COO-lower alkyl or a simple protecting group that can be removed at a late stage of the synthesis. When such a protecting group is used, the A-CO2R6 group can be introduced near the end of the synthesis after the 2-Ar group has been assembled. Method of introducing the Z-Ar group are similar to those already described.

-46- WO 00/32180 WO 0032180PCT/US99/28483 R3 OH 1) ROC(O)CI R 3 R4 2) HNR 6

R

7 Rj

R

5 p 1 1)

ROC(O)CI

3) HCI

NR

6 Ar R3 Rj

R

5 p IP 2

S

R

2

R

N~ N R4 N p R3 R 2 Ra Z *Ar

R

3

R,

R4

N

R

2 R a Z

R

3 N\Ar 4 N0

R

5 XA..f

OH

Scheme I Another strategy involves the synthesis of substituted indoles via an intramolecular cyclization of an aniline -47- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 nitrogen onto a substituted alkyne as shown in Scheme J.

Typical approaches utilize commercially available o-iodoaniline derivatives. When these intermediates are unavailable, the regioselective ortho iodination of aromatic amines is used to generate the required intermediate Org. Chem. 1996, 61, 5804). For example, lodophenyl intermediates are treated with trimethylsilylacetylene in the presence of a Pd catalyst and a Cu(I) source, such as cupric iodide, to produce oalkynylanilines. See Heterocycles, 1996, 43, 2471 and J. Org.

Chem. 1997, 62, 6507. Further elaboration of the oalkynylaniline to the desired indole can be done by a coppermediated cyclization or a base-induced amine ring closure onto the alkyne functionality Med. Chem. 1996, 39, 892).

Alternative modifications have been made in the acetylenic derivatives to generate more elaborate indole structures as described in J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1991, 113, 6689, Tetrahedron Lett. 1993, 24, 2823 and Tetrahedron Lett. 1993, 34, 6471.

Reduction R O

-,N

H

Scheme J Those having skill in the art will recognize that the starting materials may be varied and additional steps employed to produce compounds encompassed by the present invention, as demonstrated by the following examples. In some cases, -48- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 protection of certain reactive functionalities may be necessary to achieve some of the above transformations. In general, the need for such protecting groups will be apparent to those skilled in the art of organic synthesis as well as the conditions necessary to attach and remove such groups.

The disclosures in this application of all articles and references, including patents, are incorporated herein by reference.

The preparation of the compcunds of the present invention s illustrated further by the following examples, which are not o be construed as limiting the invention in scope or spirit to he specific procedures and compounds described in them.

Example 1: Preparation of 2-methyl-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2vl)methyl-indole-N-aLcetic acid

F

N

S

CH3 F

OH

2-Methyl-3- (4,5,7-Trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methylindole-N-acetic Acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that set forth in Example 2, except 2-methylindole was used instead of 5-chloroindole in part 1: 178-180°C; 'H NMR (DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 8 7.75-7.62 1 7.45 J 9.0 Hz, 1 7.39 (d, -49- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 J 9.0 Hz, 1 7.08 J 9 Hz, 1 6.99 J 9.0 Hz, 1 5.00 2 4.60 2 2.38 3 LRMS calcd for C 1

,H

13

F

3

N

2 0 2 S: 390.0; found 391.0 (M Anal. Calcd for

C

1 9

H

3

F

3

N

2 0 2 OS: C, 58.46; H, 3.36; N, 7.18; S, 8.21. Found:

C,

58.47; H, 3.29, N, 7.12, S, 8.18.

Example 2: Preparation of 5-chloro-3-( 4 ,5.7-Trifluorobenzothiazol- 2 yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic Acid

F

F

NN

OH

5-chloroindole-3-acetonitrile A solution of aqueous formaldehyde 2.95 mL, 66.0 mmol) and dimethylamine 5.30 mL, 66.0 mmol) in 20 mL EtOH was cooled to 0°C. 5-Chloroindole 4.0 g, 26.4 mmol) was dissolved in a HOAc:EtOH mixture 40 mL) and added dropwise to the reaction mixture. After stirring at this temperature for 2 h, the mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stir overnight. The mixture was added to a sat'd solution of NaHCO,. 1 N NaOH was added until the pH was between 9-10. The resulting mixture was extracted with CH 2 C1, The organics were combined and washed with a sat'd aq.

NaC1, dried over MgSO,, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to WO 00/32 180 PCTIUS99/28483 give 4.65 g of 5-chloro-3-t(dimethylamino)methYlI indole as a yellow powder. Without further purification, 5-chloro-3fidimethyl amio)methyl I indole (4.65 g, 22.4 mmol) was dissolved in dimethylformamide (80 mL) at room temperature with stirring. To this was added KCN (2.18 g, 33.5 mmcl) in H 2 0 mL) The mixture was warmed to 140 0 C and stirred for 14 h. H 2 0 was added and the mixture was extracted with EtOAc (2X) The organics were combined and washed with sat'd brine, dried over MgSO 4 filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was urif ied by Si0 2 f lash chromatography Heptane: EtOAc) to ive 2.65 g of 5-chloroifdole-3-acetonitrile. 1H NMvR .DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 8 11.30 (br s, 1 7.63 1 H) 7.42- 7. 38 (in, 2 H) 7. 05 J 6. 0 Hz, 1 H) 70 2 H), 5-chloro-3- 4 .,7triflucrobenzothiazol2vl)methylindole-N acetic acid: 5-hoo3(,,-rfurbnoh ~zl2y~ehl indole-N-acetic acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that set forth in Example 3 (parts except 5-chloroindole-3acetonitrile was used instead of 3-indolyl acetonitrile in part mp 188-189 0 C; 'H NNR (DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 8 7.73-7.68 (in, 1 H) 7. 63 J 1. 8 Hz, 1 H) 7. 51 1 H) 7. 45 J H z, 1 H) 7 .14 (dd, J, 9. 0, J, 2. 4 Hiz, 1 H) 5. 04 2 H) 4 .65 2 H) LRNS calcd for C1 8

HI

0 F 3

N

2 0 2 SC1 410.0; found 411.0 -51- WO 00/32 180 PCT/US99/28483 (M Anal. Calcd for C 18

H

10

F

3 N0 2 SC1: C, 52..63; H, 2.45; N, 6.82; S, 7.81. Found: C, 52.56; H, 2.40, N, 6.71, S, 7.72.

Example 3: Preparation of 3- 4 ,5,7-Trifluorober1zothiaZo'..-2-vl)methvlindole-N-acetic Acid

F

$__OH

0 5.6 -Tetraflucroacetaflilide: A solution of 2 ,3,5,6-tetrofluoroanilile (200 g, 1.21 rnol) in anhydrous pyridine (103 mL, 1.27 mol) was treated with acetic anhydride (120 mL, 1.27 mol) and heated to 120 'C for 2 h. After cooling to room temperature, the solutioni was poured into ice-cold water (500 niL). The resulting precipitate was filtered, dissolved in ethyl acetate, dried over MgSO 4 filtered and concentrated. The solid material was w~ashed with heptane (200 mL) and dried to give 2,3,5,6tetrafluoroacetanilide as a white crystalline solidi (206 g, 82%) MiP 136-137 Z:C; Rz 0.48 (50% ethy"l acetate in he:ptane) 'H NNR (DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 610.10 1 H) 7.87-7.74 mi, 1 H), 2.09 3 Anal. Calcd for CH 5 ,FNO: C, 46.39; H, 2.43; N, 6.67. Found C, 46.35; H, 2.39; N, 6.68.

-52- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 2.3.5. 6-Tetrafluorothioacetanilide: A flame-dried, 4-necked 5,000 mL round-bottomed flask was charged with phosphorous pentasulfide (198 g, 0.45 mol) and diluted with anhydrous benzene (3,000 mL, 0.34 2,3,5,6tetrafluoroacetanilide (185 g, 0.89 mol) was added in one portion and the bright yellow suspension was heated to a gentle reflux for 3 h. The solution was cooled to 0 °C and filtered.

The insoluble material was washed with ether (2 x 250 mL) and the combined filtrate was extracted with 10% aq. NaOH (750 mL, 500 mL) After cooling the aqueous layer to 0 OC, it was carefully acidified with conc. HC1 (pH The precipitated product was collected by filtration and washed with water (500 mL). The yellow-orange material was disolved in ethyl acetate (1,000 mL), dried over MgSO, and activated charcoal (3 g), filtered through a short pad of silica (50 and concentrated. The resulting solid was triturated with heptane (500 mL) and filtered to give 2,3,5,6tetrafluorothioacetanilide (174.9 g, mp: 103-104 0 C; Rf 0.67 (50% ethyl acetate in heptane); 'H NMR (DMSO-d, 300 MHz) 8 11.20 1 8.00-7.88 1 2.66 3 Anal.

Calcd for CHsFNS: C, 43.05; H, 2.26; N, 6.28. Found C, 43.10; H, 2.23; N, 6.19.

4,5,7-Trifluoro-2-methylbenzothiazole: -53- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 A flame-dried 5,000 mL round-bottomed flask equipped with over-head stirrer was charged with sodium hydride (15.9 g, 0.66 mol) and diluted with anhydrous toluene (3,000 mL, 0.2 The suspension was cooled to 0 OC, and treated with 2,3,5,6tetrafluorothioacetanilide (134 g, 0.60 mol) in one portion.

The solution was warmed to room temperature over 1 h, then heated to a gentle reflux. After 30 min, dimethylformamide (400 mL) was carefully added and the mixture was stirred for an additional 2 h. The solution was cooled to 0 oC and added to ice-water (2,000 mL) The solution was extracted with ethyl acetate (1,500 mL) and washed with sat'd. aq. NaCl (1,000 mL).

The organic layer was concentrated to dryness, diluted with heptane and successively washed with water (300 mL) and sat'd.

aq. NaC1 (1,000 mL). The organic layer was dried over MgSO 4 filtered and concentrated to give 4,5,7-trifluoro-2methylbenzothiazole (116.8 g, 96%) as a light brown solid: mp: 91-92 cC; Rf 0.56 (30% ethyl acetate in heptane); H NMR (DMSOd 6 300 MHz) 6 7.76-7.67 1 2.87 3 Anal. Calcd for CH 4

F

3 NS: C, 47.29; H, 1.98; N, 6.82; S, 15.78. Found C, 47.56; H, 2.07; N, 6.82; S, 15.59.

2-Amino-3,4,6-trifluorothioDhenol Hydrochloride: A solution of 4,5,7-trifluoro-2-methylbenzothiazole (25.0 g, 123 mmol) in ethylene glycol (310 mL, 0.4 M) and 30% aq.

NaOH (310 mL, 0.4 M) was degassed using a nitrogen stream then -54- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 heated to a gentle reflux (125 for 3 h. The solution was cooled to 0 OC and acidified to pH 3-4 using conc. HC1 (appox.

200 mL). The solution was extracted with ether (750 mL) and washed with water (200 mL). The organic layer was dried over Na 2

SO

4 filtered and treated with 2,2-di-tert-butyl-4methylphenol (0.135 g, 0.5 mol%). After concentrating to dryness, the crude product was dissolved in anhydrous methanol (200 mL) and treated with an HCl solution in 1,4-dioxane mL, 4 N, 148 mmol). The resulting mixture was concentrated to dryness, triturated with isopropylether (100 mL) and filtered to give 2-amino-3,4,6-trifluorothiophenol hydrochloride (19.3 g, 73%) as a light brown solid that was used without further purification. mp. 121-124 C; R, 0.43 (30% ethyl acetate in heptane); Anal. Calcd for CH s ClF 3 NS: C, 33.42; H, 2.34; N, 6.50; S, 14.87. Found C, 33.45; H, 2.27; N, 6.48; S, 14.96.

3 -cvanomethvl-indole-N-acetic acid, Ethyl Ester: Under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a solution of 3-indolyl acetonitrile (25.0 g, 160 mmol) in dry acetonitrile (530 mL, 0.3 M) was treated with sodium hydride 4.2 g, 168 mmol) and stirred for 30 min. Ethyl bromoacetate (21.3 mL, 192 mmol) was added in a dropwise manner over 10 min and the solution was stirred at room temperature for 16 h. After concentrating under reduced pressure, the resulting residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and washed with sat'd. aq. NaC1. The organic WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 extracts were dried over MgSO filtered and concentrated. The crude product was recrystalized from heptane and ethyl acetate to give the target compound as a white crystalline solid (19 g, mp 98-99 OC; Rf 0.29 (30% ethyl acetate in heptane); 'H NMR (DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 8 7.59 (dd, J, 7.8 Hz, J, 0.6 Hz, 1 7.40 (dd, J, 8.1 Hz, J, 0.6 Hz, 1 7.36 1 H), 7.18 (b t, J 7.2 Hz, 1 7.10 (b t, J 7.2 Hz, 1 5.12 2 4.14 J 7.2 Hz, 2 4.06, 2 1.20 J 7.2 Hz, 3 LRMS calcd for C, 4

H,

4

N

2 0 2 242.3; found 243.0 (M Anal. Calcd for C, 4

H,

4

N

2 C, 69.49; H, 5.82; N, 11.56. Found C, 69.39; H, 5.89; N, 11.59.

3-(4,5.7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-vl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid. Ethyl Ester: Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a solution of 3-acetonitrile-indole-N-acetic acid, ethyl ester (11.0 g, 45.4 mmol) in anhydrous ethanol (90 mL, 0.5 M) was treated with 2-amino-3,4,6-trifluorothiophenol hydrochloride (12.7 g, 59.0 mmol) and heated to a gentle reflux for 16 h.

After cooling to room temperature, the solution was concentrated under reduced pressure, diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with 2N HC1 and sat'd. aq. NaC1. The organic layer was dried over MgSO,, filtered and concentrated. Purification by MPLC (10-50% ethyl acetate in heptane, 23 mL/min, 150 min) to give 3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-Nacetic acid, ethyl ester (6.0 g, 36%) as a white crystalline -56- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 solid: mp 110-111 OC; Rf 0.41 (30% ethyl acetate in heptane); 'H NMR (DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 6 7.74-7.66 1 7.54 J 7.8 Hz, 1 7.46 1 7.40 J 8.1 Hz, 1 7.15 (br t, J 6.9 Hz, 1 7.04 (br t, J 7.8 Hz, 1 5.14, s, 2 H), 4.66 2 H) 4.14 J 7.2 Hz, 3 H) LRMS calcd for

C

20 HisF 3

N

2 0 2 S: 404.4; found 405.0 (M Anal. Calcd for

C

20 HIsF 3

N

2 0 2 S; C, 59.40; H,3.74; N, 6.93; S, 7.93. Found C, 59.52; H, 3.721 N, 6.92; S, 8.04.

3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2vl) methyl-indole-N-acetic acid: A solution of give 3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid, ethyl ester (5.91 g, 14.6 mmol) in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (73 mL, 0.2 M) was cooled to 0 =C and treated with aq. NaOH (1.25 N, 58 mL, 73.1 mmol) in a dropwise manner over 15 min. After the addition was complete, the solution was stirred for an additional 30 min, acidified to pH 3 with 2N HC1, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (200 mL) and washed with sat'd. aq. NaC1 (30 mL). The organic extract was dried over Na 2

SO

4 filtered and concentrated. The resulting material was stirred as a supension in heptane, filtered and dried to give 3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid (5.38 g, 98%) as a pale yellow solid: mp 177-178 OC; Rf 0.44 (20% methanol in dichloromethane); 'H NMR (DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 6 -57- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 7.74-7.65 1 7.53 J 7.5 Hz, 1 7.46 1 H), 7.40 J 8.1 Hz, 1 7.15 (b t, J 6.9 Hz, 1 7.03 (b t, J 7.2 Hz, 1 5.03 2 4.65 2 LRMS calcd for C 1 ,HnlF 3

N

2 0 2 S: 376.4; found 375.0 (M Anal. Calcd for

C,,H,,F

3 NOS: C, 57.44; H, 2.95; N, 7.44; S, 8.52. Found C, 57.58; H, 2.99; N, 7.38; S, 8.51.

Example 4: Preparation of 5-methyl-3-(4.5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2vl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid

F

F

N

H

3 S

OH

5-Methyl-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methylindole-N-acetic Acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that set forth in Example 2, except 5-methylindole was used instead of 5-chloroindole in part 1: mp 131-133 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 6 7.73-7.62 1 7.39 1 7.30 1 H), 7.27 J 9.0 Hz, 1 6.96 (dd, J, 9.0 Hz, J 2 2.4 Hz, 1 4.98 2 4.60 2 2.32 3 LRMS calcd for C,,H, 3

FN

2 0 2 S: 390.0; found 391.0 (M Anal. Calcd for

C

1

,HF

3

N

2 0 2 S: C, 58.46; H, 3.36; N, 7.18; S, 8.21. Found: C, 58.36; H, 3.30, N, 7.10, S, 8.20.

-58- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 Example Preparation of 7-methyl-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol..> vl)rethyl-indole-N-acetic acid 7-Methyl-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methylindole-N-acetic Acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that set forth in Example 2, except 7-methylindole was used instead of 5-chloroindole in part 1: mp 216-218 OC; 1H NNR (DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 6 7.73-7.63 (in, 1H), 7.36-7.32 (in, 2 6.92-6.88 (in, 2 H) 5. 17 2 H) 4. 60 2 H) 2.55 3 H) LRMS calcd for C 1 9 Hl 3

F

3

N

2 0 2 S: 390.0; found 391.0 (M Anal. Calcd for

CH

3

F

3

N

2 0 2 S: C, 58.46; H, 3.36; N, 7.18; S, 8.21.Fon:C 58.37; H, 3.37; N, 7.11; S, 8.13.

Example 6: Preparation of 6-chloro-3- 5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2vl)inethyl-indole-N-acetic acid 6-Chloro-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)inethylindole-N-acetic Acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that set forth in Example 2, except 6-chlorolindole was used instead of 5-chloroindole in part 1: rnp 194-19SOC; 1H NMR (DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 6 7.73-7.63 (in, 1 7.50 J 8.4 Hz, 1 H) 7.46- 7.42 (in, 2 H) 7.00 (dd, J, 8.4 Hz, J, 2.1 Hz, 1 H) 4.76 2 H) 4.62 2 H) LRMS calcd for C1 8

H,

0

F

3

N

2 0 2 SC1: 410.0; found 411.0 (M Analysis calculated for C1 8

H,

0

F

3

N

2 0 2 SCl: C, -59- WO 00/32 180 PCTIUJS99/28483 52.63; H, 2.45; N, 6.82; S, 7.81. Found: C, 52.50; H, 2.44, N, 6.74, S, 7.69.

Example 7: Prenaration of 5-benzvloxv-3- (4 .5,7-trjfluorobenzothiazol-2vi) methvl-indole-N-acetic acid

F

N

/S

0-

F

OH

5-Benzyloxy-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methy.indole-N-acetic Acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that set forth in Example 2, except 5-benzyloxyindole was used instead of 5-chioroindole in part 1: mp 165-168 0 C; 'H NMR (DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 8 7.73-7.65 1 H) 7.40-7.30 (mn, 3 H) 7. 28 10 (in, 4 H) 7. 10 J 2. 4 Hz, 1 6.87-6.80 1 H) 5. 05 2 H) 4. 95 2 H) 4. 57 (s 2 H) LRNS cal cd f or

C,

5

H,,F

3 N.0 2 S: 482.0; found 483.0 (M Example 8: Preparation of 6-f luoro-3- (4.5,7-trifluorcbenzothiazol-2vl)methvl-indole--N-acetic acid 6-f2.uoro-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methylindole-N-acetic Acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that set forth in Example 2, except 6-f luoroindole was used instead WO 00/32180 PCTUS99/28483 of 5-chioroindole in part 1: mp 200-203 C; 'H NMR (DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 8 7. 73-7. 65 (in, 1 H) 7. 53 (dd, J 1 -T 8.4 Hz, JT, 3.3 Hz, 1 H) 7.44 1 H) 7.34 (dd, 10. 5 Hz, J 2 2.4 Hz, 1 I.H) 6.9 3 68 (mn, 1 H) 5.-11 2 H) 4.-6 4 2 LRMS calcd for C,,H,,FN 2 0,S: 394.0; found 395 (M 1) Example 9: Preparation of 5-f luoro-3- 5.7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2vIl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid

F

F

N F

F

OH

f1u or o- 3- 5,7 -t r ifl1uo robe nz o th ia z ol12 -y 1me thy 1 irdole-N-acetic Acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that set forth in Example 2, except 5-fluoroindole was used instead of 5-chioroindole in part 1: mp 193-195 0 C; H NMR (DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 5 7.65 (in, 1 H) 7. 51 1 H) 7. 42 (br dd, J, 9. 0 Hz, J. 4. 8 Hz, 1 H) 7.34 (br dd, J, 9.9 Hz, J, 2.4 Hz, 1 H) 7.0 2 96 (in, 1 H) 5. 03 2 H) 4. 62 2 H) LRMS calcd for C,,H,,FN 2 0S: 394.0; found 395 (M 1).

Example -61- WO 00/32 180 PCT/US99/28483 Preraration of 6-methvl-3- 5,7-trifluorobenzothiazop2vl)methvl-indole-N-acetic acid 6 -methyl -3 4 5 ,7 tri fluorobenzothi azol- 2 -yl) methyl indole-N-acetic Acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that set forth in Example 2, except 6-methylindole was used instead of 5-chloroindole in part 1: mp 211-2131T, RfO.50 methanol in diehioromethane) 1H NMR (DMSO-d., 300 MHz) 8 7.72- 7. 63 1 H) 7. 37 Cd, J 7. 1 Hz, 1 H) 7. 35 1. 7. 18 1 6. 85 J= 8. 4 H z, 1 H) 5. 08 2 H) 4. 60 2 2.37 3 H).

Example 11: Premaration of 3- (5-trifluoromethvlbenzothiazol-2..vl)methvlindole-N-acetic Acid 3- (5-trifluoromethvlbenzothiazol-2-yl)methylindoleN aceti'c Acid was prepared a manner analogous to that set forth in Example 3 (parts 5-7) except 2-arnino-4- (trifluoromethyl)-benzenethiol hydrochloride was used instead of 2 -amino- 3, 4, 6-trif luorothiophenol hydrochloride in part 6: mp 233-234 -H NMR (DMSC-d,, 300 MHz) 5 8.29 1 H) 8.19 Cbr d, J 1 H z, 1 H) 7. 68 Cbr d, J 9. 0 H z, 1 H) 7. 49 Cbr d, J 6.9 Hz, 1 H) 7.41 1 H) 7.38 (br d, J 8.4 Hz, 1 H) 7.12 (br t, J 6.9 Hz, 1 H) 7. 00 (br t, J 6. 9 Hz, 1 H) 01 2 H) 4. 60 2 H).

-62- This page is not part of the pamphlet! WO 00-32180 2/2 Date: 08 jun 2000 Destination: AU Address: IP Australia, WO 00/32180 PTU9/88 PCT/US99/28483 Example 12: Prelparation of 5-Methyl-3- (5-Trifluoromethylbenzothiazol.2vl)met-hyl-indole-N-acetic acid 5-Methyl-3-(S-trifluoromethylbenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl.

5 indole-N-acetic acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that set forth in Example 2, except 5-methylindole was used instead of 5-chloroindole in part 1 and, 2 -amino- 4 -(trif luoromethyl) benzenethiol hydrochloride was used instead of 2-amino-3,4,6trifluorothiophenol hydrochloride in part 2 (Example 3, part mp 248-249*C; 'H NMR (DMSO-d6, 300 MHz) 8 8.27 1 H), 8. 20 J 8 4 Hz, 1 H) 7. 68 J 8. 4 Hz, 1 H) 7. 35 (s, 1 H) 7. 27 1 H) 7. 25 J 8.21 H z, 1 H) 6. 95 J 8.2. Hz, 21 H) 4.96 2 H) 4.57 2 H) 2.31, 3 H); LRMS calcd for 3 found 405 (M H).

Example 13: Prelparation of 3- 3 -nit roiphenyl) methyl -indole acetic acid

NO

2

OH

Preparation of indole-N-acetic acid, ethyl ester Under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a solution of indole (15.0 9, 128 mmol) in dry acetonitrile (300 mL, 0.4 M) was -63- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 treated with sodium hydride 3.69 g, 153 mmol) and stirred for 30 min. Ethyl bromoacetate (17.0 mL, 153 mmol) was added in a dropwise manner over 10 min and the solution was stirred at room temperature for 16 h. After concentrating under reduced pressure, the resulting residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and washed with sat'd. aq. NaCl. The organic extracts were dried over MgSO 4 filtered and concentrated. The crude product was purified by flash column chromatography (50% ethyl acetate in heptane): Rf0.25 (40% ethyl acetate in heptane) 1

H

NMR (DMSO-d,, 300 MHz) 6 7.53 J 6.3 Hz, 1 7.38-7.31 2 7.11 (br t, J 7.2 Hz, 1 7.02 (br t, J 7.2 Hz, 1 6.45-6.43 1 5.10 2 4.12 J 7.2 Hz, 2 1.19 J 7.2 Hz, 3 H).

Preparation of 3-(3-nitrophenvl)methvl-indole-N-acetic acid, ethyl ester Indole-N-acetic acid, ethyl ester 0.500 g, 2.50 mmol) was dissolved in 1,4-dioxane (5 mL) at room temperature with stirring. To this solution was added Ag 2 CO,/Celite (50% by weight, 0.500 g, 0.9 mmol). The mixture was warmed to 90 0 C and maintained overnight. HO was added to the reaction mixture followed by extracted with EtOAc The organics were combined and washed with a sat'd brine solution, dried over MgSO 4 filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was -64- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 purified by SiO 2 flash chromatography (3:2 Heptane: EtOAc) to give 180 mg as a pale yellow oil. 'H NMR (DMSO-d, 300 MHz) 8 8.10 1H), 8.02 J 8.1 Hz, 1 7.75 J 7.2 Hz, 1 7.59-7.57 1 7.46-7.39 1 7.33 (d, J 8.1 Hz, 1 7.20 1 7.13-6.89 2 5.06 2 4.19 2 4.13 J 7.2 Hz, 2 1.18 J 7.2 Hz, 3 H).

Preparation of 3-(3-nitrophenvl)methyl-indole-N-acetic Acid 3- (3-Nitrophenyl)methyl-indole-N-acetic Acid, ethyl ester (0.175 g, 0.5 mmol) was dissolved in THF: EtOH 5 mL) at room temperature with stirring. The mixture was cooled to 0 C and treated with IN NaOH (1.55 mL, 1.6 mmol). The mixture was allowed to stir at this temperature for 2 h. 1 N HC1 was added and the mixture extracted with EtOAc The organics were combined and washed with a sat'd brine solution, dried over MgSO,, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was triturated with heptane and vacuum- filtered with several heptane washings to give 110 mg the desired compound as an off-white powder. mp 163-165 'H NMR (DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 6 8.11 1 8.03 J 8.1 Hz, 1 H) 7.75 J 8.1 Hz, 1 7.53 J 8.1 Hz, 1 7.45 J 8.1 Hz, 1 H), 7.33 J 8.4 Hz, 1 7.20 1 7.11 J 7.2 Hz, 1 6.97 J 7.2 Hz, 1 4.96 2 4.18 2 H); LRMS calcd for CH,4N20 4 S: 310.0; found 311 (M 1).

WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 Example 14 Prer~aration of 2-Den 1-3- 4 5. 7-trif luorobenzothiazol- 2 vi) methyl -indole-N-acetic acid

F

F

N

SI

I -F

ONS

2-phenyl-3- 4 57-trifluorobenzothiazol2yl)thyl indole-.N-acetic acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that set forth in Example 2, except that 2 -phenylnindole was used instead of 5-chloroindole in part 1: mp 238-239'C; Rt 0.60 methanol in chloroform); 'H NMR (DMSO-d,, 300 MHz) 6 7.60-7.70 (in, 1H), 7.39-7.58 (in, 7H), 7.20 J 9 Hz, 1H-) 7.07

J

9 Hz, 1H), 4.80 2H), 4.45 2H); LRMS calcd for C24 .,F 3

N

2

O

2 S: 452.0; found 453.0 (M Anal. Calcd for

C

24

H,,F

3 NO.S: C, 63.71; H, 3.34; N, 6.19; S, 7.09. Pound:

C,

63.46; H, 3.32; N, 6.11; S, 6.96.

Example Pre Darat--ion of 5 -phenl 3- 5, 7-trif I iorobenzothiazol 2 vl)methvl-indole-N-acetic acid 3 -cvanomethl5henlindole ctic acid. ethyl ester 5-Bromo-3-cyanomethylindoleNacetic acid, ethyl ester g, 3.1 inmol) and phenylboronic acid (0.418 g, 3.4 mmol) were dissolved in anhydrous DME at room temperature under a -66- WO 00/32180 PCTIUS99/28483 nitrogen atmsophere and treated with Pd(OAC) 2 (2.1 mg, 0.0093 mmol) and PPh 3 (7.4 mg, 0.028 mmol). This mixture was heated to ref lux and 2 M Na2C0 3 11 mL, 6.2. mmol) was added via syringe. Af ter 12h, the mixture was cooled to room temperature and added to H 2 0 (5OmL) The resultant mixture was extracted with EtOAc (2X, lO0mL) and the organics were combined and washed with a sat'd aqueous NaCl solution, dried over MgSO 4 filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by Si0 2 flash chromatography (heptane to 1:1 heptane/ EtOAc) to give the desired material as a white solid (445 mg, H NMR (DMSO-dc, 300 MHz) 8 7.64-7.74 (in, 4H), 7.39-7.44 4H), 7.2 9 34 (in, 1H) 5. 20 2H) 4. 15 J 7. 2 Hz, 2H) 4.0 8 2H) 1.20 J 7.2 Hz, 3H).

5-iphenvl-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-vl)methvl indole-Nacetic acid 5-phenyl-3- 4

,S,

7 -trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl.

indole-N-acetic acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that set forth in Example 2, except that 5-phenylindole was used instead of 5-chloroindole in part 1: mp 156-159 Rf 0.55 methanol in chloroform); IH NNR (DMSO-d,, 300 MHz) 8 7.66- 7. 69 (in, 4H) 7. 57-7. 60 (in, 1H) 7.39-7.47 3H) 7.29-7. (mn, 2H), 5.06 2H), 4.66 2H); LRMS calcd for

C

2

,H,,FN.O

2 S: 452.0; found 453.0 (M Anal. Calcd for

C

2 4 HjF 3

N

2 0 2 S: C, 63.71; H, 3.34; N, 6.19; S, 7.09. Found: C, 63.54; H, 3.32; N, 6.13; S, 7.01.

67- WO 00/32180 PCT[US99/28483 Example 16 Preparation of 6-phenyl-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2l) methvl-indole-N-acetic acid Part 1: 6-Phenvlindole A solution of 6-bromoindole (2.0 g, 10.20 mmol) in anhydrous toluene (20mL) under a nitrogen atmosphere was treated with Pd[P(Ph 3 4 (10% mol). After stirring the mixture for 30 min., phenylboronic acid (1.87 g, 15.30 mmol) in anhydrous EtOH (10 mL) was added followed by the addition of sat'd NaHCO 3 (6mL). The bi-phasic mixture was heated to reflux for 24 h. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture was added to a sat'd brine solution and extracted with EtOAc (2X).

The organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (1:1 CH 2 C1 2 heptane) to give the desired material as white powder 900 mg, IH NMR (DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 6 11.15 (br s, 1H), 7.58-7.66 4H), 7.41-7.47 2H), 7.36 1H), 7.26-7.31 2H), 6.42 1H).

Preparation of 6-phenyl-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2vl)methyl indole-N-acetic acid 6-phenyl-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methylindole-N-acetic acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that set forth in Example 2, except that 6-phenylindole was used instead of 5-chloroindole in part 1: mp 156-159 0 C; Rf 0.50 -68- _I WO 00/32180 PCTIUS99/28483 methanol in chloroform); 'H1 NMR (DMSO-d., 300 MHz) 8 7.65-7.75 (in, 4H), 7.57-7.62 (in, 1H) 7.41-7.50 (mn, 3H-) 7.26-7.38 (in, 2H1), 5.12 2H), 4.68 2H); LRMS calcd for C 2 4 1, 5

F

3

N

2 0 2 S 452.0; found 453.0 (M Anal. Calcd for C 24 11,,F 3

N

2 0 2 S: C, 63.71; H, 3.34; N, 6.19; S, 7.09. Found: C, 63.46; H, 3.33; N, 6.10; S, 6.96.

Example 17 Preparation of 5-morrholino-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2vl)methvl-indole-N-acetic acid

F

N

WZ N

N

OH

5-Morpholino-2 -nitrotoluene A mixture of 5-fluoro-2-nitrotoluene (5.11 g, 32.9 mmol), morpholine (4.31 inL, 49.4 mmol) and K.C0, (6.83 g, 49.4 mmol) was diluted in anhydrous DMSO (80 mL) at room temperature with stirring. The mixture was heated to 80'C for 24 h. After cooling to room temperature, H120 was added and the resultant mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3X, 50 mL The organic layer was washed with sat'd aqueous NaCi (100 mL) dried over MgSO,, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The remaining solid was triturated in heptane (200 inL) and filtered to give the desired material (7.10 g, 97%) as a yellow powder: Rf 0.40 -69- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 heptane/ 25% ethyl acetate). 1 H NMR (DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 6 7.96 J 9.9 Hz, 1H), 8.85-8.88 2H), 3.70 J 5.0 Hz, 4H), 3.35 J 5.0 Hz, 4H), 2.53 3H).

Preparation of Under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a solution of morpholinyl-2-nitrotoluene (7.0 g, 31.5 mmol) in DMF (100mL) was treated with dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (4.81 mL, 36.2 mmol) and pyrrolidine (2.62 mL, 31.5 mL). The mixture was heated to 100 0 C and maintained for 12 h. After cooling, the mixutre was concentrated in vacuo to give the desired intermediate as a brick-red solid.

The intermediate enamine was dissolved in EtOAc (200 mL) and added to a pre-charged Parr bottle with 10% Pd/C (600 mg) in EtOAc (40 mL). The mixture was hydrogentated on a Parrshaker at 55 psi for 2.5 h. The catalyst was filtered through a Celite plug with several washings with EtOAc and the remaining filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by SiO 2 flash chromatography (1:1 Hept/EtOAc) to give 2.0 g (31% over 2 parts) of the desired indole as a cream powder: R, 0.30 methanol in chloroform); 'H NMR (DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 6 10.77 (br s, 1H), 7.24 1H), 7.18-7.20 1H), 6.97 J 1.8 Hz, 1H), 6.81 (dd, J, 8.7 Hz, J, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.25 (dd, J 3.0 Hz, J 2 1.8 Hz, 1H), 3.7 J 4.50 Hz, 4H), 2.96 J 4.50 Hz, 4H).

WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 Preparation of 5-morpholino-3(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol 2vl)methvl indole-N-acetic acid 5-morpholino-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl indole-N- acetic acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that set forth in Example 2, except that 5-morpholinoindole was used instead of 5-chloroindole. IH NMR (DMSO-d, 300 MHz) 8 7.64-7.72 1H), 7.34 1H), 7.26 J 9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.06 J 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.91 (dd, 9.0 Hz, J= 2.4 Hz, 1H), 4.95 2H), 4.60 2H), 3.70-3.73 4H), 2.97-3.00 (m, 4H); LRMS calcd for C, 22

H

8

,FN

3 0 3 S: 461.0; found 462 (M 1).

Anal. Calcd for C, 2 H,FN3OS'1H,0: C, 55.11; H, 4.20; N, 8.76; S, 6.69. Found: C, 55.11; H, 4.05; N, 8.57; S, 6.50.

Example 18 Preparation of 6-morpholino-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzathiazol-2vl) methvl-indole-N-acetic acid Preparation of 4-Morpholino-2-nitrotoluene A mix-ure of 4-fluoro-2-nitrotoluene (15.34 g, 98.9 mmol) morpholine (12.94 mL, 49.4 mmol) and K 2 C0 3 (6.83 g, 148.3 mmol) were diluted in anhydrous DMSO (250 mL) at room temperature with stirring. The mixture was heated to 120 0 C for 24 h.

After cooling to room temperature, H 2 0 was added and the resultant mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3X, 75 mL). The organic layer was washed with sat'd brine (100 mL), dried over -71- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 MgSO 4 filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The remaining solid was triturated in hepatane (200 mL) and filtered to give the desired material (8.00 g, 36.4%) as a yellow powder: R, 0.40 ethyl acetate in heptane). IH NMR (DMSO-d-, 300 MHz) 6 7.40 J 2.7 Hz, 1H), 7.30 J 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.20 (dd, J 8.7 Hz, J, 2.7 Hz, 1H), 3.70 J 4.8 Hz, 4H), 3.35 J 4.8 Hz, 4H), 2.36 3H).

Preparation of 6-Morpholinoindole Under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a solution of 4morpholino-2-nitrotoluene (7.1 g, 31.9 mmol) in DMF (100 mL) was treated with dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (4.92 mL, 37.1 mmol) and pyrrolidine (2.67 mL, 31.9 mL). The mixture was heated to 100 0 C and maintained for 12 h. After cooling, the mixture was concentrated in vacuo to give the desired intermediate as a brick-red solid. The crude intermediate was dissolved in glacial HOAc (250 mL) and warmed to 85 0 C. Zn (18.17 g, 0.278 mol) was added to the solution portionwise over min. The mixture was heated for 4h. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture was neutralized with sat'd NaHCO 3 and extracted with Et 2 O (3X, 300 mL). The combined organics were washed with sat'd brine, dried over MgSO,, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by SiO 2 flash chromatography (heptane to 2:1 heptane/EtOAc) to give the desired material as a white crystalline powder (1.0 g, 11% over -72- WO 00/32180 PCTIUS99/28483 2 parts) Rf 0.50 (2:1 Heptane/EtOAc) 'H NNR (DMSO) -d 6 300 MHz) 8 10. 73 (br s, 1H) 7.35 J 8.4 Hz, 1H) 7. 11 J 2.4 Hz, 1H) 6.80 1H) 6.73 (dd, J, 8.4 Hz, J 2 2.4 Hz, 1H) 6.25 J =2.4 Hz, 1H) 3.72 J 4 4.8 Hz, 4H) 3. 02 J 4. 8 Hz, 1H) Preparation of 6-morpholino-3- 7-trifluorobenzothiazo.2vl)methvl indole-N-acetic acid 6-morpholino-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl indole-N-acetic acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that set forth in Example 2, except that 6-morpholainoindole was used instead of 5-chioroindole in part 1: mp 178-180 0 C; 'H NMR (DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 8 7.66-7.72 (in, 1H) 7.37 JT 8.4 Hz, 1H) 7.29 1H) 7.06 J 2.4 Hz, 1H) 6.84 J 8.4 Hz, 1H), 4.96 2H), 4.58 2H), 3.37-3.75 (in, 4H), 3.09- 3.13 (in, 4H) LRMS calcd for C 22

H

1 8

F

3

N

3 0,S: 461.0; fc--nd 462 Anal. Calcd for C,.

2

H

18

F

3

N

3 0S CHXCl 2 0.50H 2 0 C, 45.74; H, 3.72; N, 7.57; S, 5.77 Found C, 49.73; H, 3.36; N, 7.69; S, 5.58 Example 19 Preparation of 5-phenoxv-3- (4,.7-trifluorobenzothiazol->vl)rnethvl-indole-N-acetic acid -73- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483

OH

5-Phenoxy-2-nitrotoluene A solution of phenol (12.16 g, 0.129 mol) in anhydrous DMSO was treated with K 2

CO

3 (17.88 g, 0.129 mol) and stirred at room temperature for 15 min. 5-Fluoro-2-nitrotoluene (13.38 g, 0.086 mol) was added to the solution via syringe. The resultant mixture was heated to 80 0 C for 12 h. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture was poured into H 2 0 (100mL). After extraction with EtOAc (2X, 100mL), the organics were combined and washed with a sat'd brine solution, drieds over MgSO 4 filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (heptane to 8:1 heptane/ EtOAc) to give the desired material as a yellow crystalline solid (12.50 g, R, 0.60 (85% heptane/ 15% EtOAc); 'H NMR (DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 5 8.05 J 9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.44-7.47 2H), 7.23-7.29 1H), 7.12-7.16 2H), 7.04 J 2.7 Hz, 1H), 6.90 (dd, J, 9.0 Hz, J, 2.7 Hz, 1H), 2.51 3H).

A solution of 5-phenoxy-2-nitrotoluene (10.03 g, 0.0428 mol) in anhydrous DMF was treated with N,N-dimethylformamide -74- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 dimethyl diacetal (6.73 mL, 0.0508 mol) and pyrrolidine (3.63 mL, 0.0438 mol) and heated to 110 C for 2.5 h. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture was diluted with EtOAc (500 mL) and washed H 2 0 (500 mL). The organics were dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude intermediate was dissolved in glacial HOAc (250 mL) and warmed to 85"C. Zn (24.62 g, 0.377 mol) was added to the solution portion wise over 30 min. The mixture was heated for 4h. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture was neutralized with sat'd NaHCO 3 and extracted with Et 2 O (3X, 300 mL). The combined organics were washed with sat'd brine, dried over MgSO., filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by SiO 2 flash chromatography (heptane to 2:1 heptane/ EtOAc) to give the desired material as a white crystalline powder (3.1 g, 34% over 2 parts): R, 0.50 (2:1 Heptane/ EtOAc); 'H NMR (DMSO-d, 300 MHz) 6 11.12 (br s, 1H), 7.48 1H), 7.30-7.38 1H), 7.25- 7.29 2H), 7.17 J 2.7 Hz, 1H), 6.89-7.02 1H), 6.86-6.88 2H), 6.80 (dd, J2 8.7 Hz, J 2 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.37 1H).

Preparation of 5-phenoxy-3-(4,5,7-triflurobenzothiazol-2vl)methyl indole-N-acetic acid 5-phenoxy-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl indole-N- acetic acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that set forth in Example 2, except that 5-phenoxyindole was WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 used instead of 5-chloroindole in part 1: mp 128-130OC; R, 0.45 (10% methanol in chloroform 'H NMR (DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 8 7.65-7.70 1H), 7.47 1H), 7.42 J 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.21-7.27 3H), 6.98 1H), 6.83-6.90 3H), 5.02 (s, 2H), 4.60 2H); LRMS calcd for C 2

,H,F

3

N

2 0 3 S: 468.0; found 467.0 (M Anal. Calcd for C, 4

H,

5

F

3

N

2 0 3 OS: C, 55.11; H, 4.20; N, 8.76; S, 6.69. Found: C, 55.11; H, 4.05; N, 8.57; S, 6.50.

Example Preparation of 7-fluoro-3-(45,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2vl)methvl-indole-N-acetic acid 7-Fluoro-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl indole-N- acetic acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that set forth in Example 2, except that 7-fluoroindole was used instead of 5-chloroindole in part 1: mp 194-196'C; Rf 0.60 methanol in chloroform 'H NMR (DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 6 7.67-7.73 1H), 7.46 1H), 7.35 J 7.2 Hz, 1H), 6.89-6.99 2H), 5.06 2H), 4.64 2H); LRMS calcd for C,sH,OF 4 N,0 SH, 2 O: C,50.23; H, 3.28; N, 6.51; S, 7.45. Found C, 50.70; H, 2.52; N, 6.60; S, 7.57. 394.0; found 395.0 (M Anal. Calcd for CH,FF 4

N

2 0,S Example 21 Preparation of 7-bromo-3-(4.5.7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2vl)methvl-indole-N-acetic acid -76- WO 00/32 180 PCTIUS99/28483 7-brorno-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl indole-N-acetic acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that set forth in Example 2, except that 7-bromoindole was used instead of 5-chloroindole in part mp 228-230*C; Rt 0.40 methanol in chloroform); IH NMR (DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 8 7.65-7.74 (in, 1H) 7.57 J 7.8 Hz, 1H) 7.49 1H) 7.32 J 7. 8 Hz, 1H) 6. 94 J 7. 8 Hz, 1H) 5. 29 2H) 4. 65 (s, 2H) LRM'S calcd for C 1

.H.,F

3

N

2

O

2 SBr: 454.0 for 79 Br and 456.0 for 81r) found 453.0 (M and 455.0 (M Anal Calcd for C,,HlF 3

N

2

O

2 SBr: C, 47.49; H, 2.21; N, 6.15; S, 7.04. Fou.nd: C, 47.65;H, 2.27; N, 6.15; S, 6.98.

Example 22 Preoaration of 7-chloro-3- (4 57-trif luorobenzothiazol-2vl)methvl-indole-N-acetic acid 7-chloro-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) mnethyl indole-N- acetic acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that set forth in Example 2, except that 7-chloroindo-re was used instead of 5-chloroindole, in part 1: mp, 228-230OC; R. 0.38 (10% methanol in chloroform 'H NMR (DMSO-d., 300 M%5-z) 8 7.62-7.73 1H) 7.52 J 7.5 Hz, 1H) 7.49 Cs, 1H) 7.1.5 Cd, J 7.5 Hz, 1H) 7.00 J 7.5 Hz, 1H) 5.25 Cs, 2H) 4.-6 5 Cs, 2H) LRMS cal cd for C,,H,,F3N 2

O

2 SCl 410.0; found 409.0 (M Anal. Calcd for C, 8 Hl,F 3

N

2 0 2 SC1: C, 52.63; H, 2.45; N, 6.82; S, 7.81. Found: C, 52.60; H, 2.54; N, 6.66; S, 7.59.

-77- WO 00/32180PTIJ9/88 PCTIUS99/28483 Example 23 3- [5-Fluorbenzothiazole-2-vllmethvl-indole-N-acetic Acid

N

"'S

3- [5-fluorbenzothiazole-2-yllmethy1-indole-N.acetic acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that set f orth in Example 3, except 2-amino-4-fluorothiophenol hydrochloride was used instead of 2 -amino- 4,5, 7-trif luorothiophenol hydrochloride in part 6: mp 208'C (decomp); RfO. 10 (10% methanol in diehloromethane)'H NNR (DMSO-d., 300 MHz) 612.91 1 H) 7. 98 (dd, J 8. 9, 5. 6 Hz: 1 H) 7. 78 (dd, J =10. 0, 2. 6 Hz, 1 H) 7.50 J 7.8 Hz, 1 H) 7.40 1 7.37 J 7.8 Hz, 1 H) 7. 26 (dt, J 8. 9, 2.4 Hz, 1 H) 7.13 J 7. 8 Hz, 1 H) 7. 01 J 7.8 Hz, 1 H) 5. 01 2 H) 4.56 2 H) LRMS .m/z 342.0 (M 339.0 Anal. Calcd for

C.

6 Hl 3

FN

2 0,S: C, 63.52; H, 3.85; N, 8.23; S, 9.42; Found: C, 63.40; H, 3.80; N, 8.37; S, 9.43.

Example 24 3- r 6- Fluorbenzothiazole- 2-vl 1methl -indole.N- acetic Acid 3- [6-fluorbenzothiazole-2-yllmethyl-indole-N-acetic acid was prepared in a manner analogous to that set forth in Example -78- WO 00/32 180 PCT/US99/28483 3, except 2 -amino-5-fluorothiophenol hydrochloride was used instead of 2 -amino- 4,5, 7 -tri fluorothiophenol hydrochloride in part 6: rnp 203 0 C (decomp) RfO.13 (10% methanol in diehioromethane); 'H NMR (DMSO-d., 300 MHz) 8 12.91 1 H), 7.95 (dd, J 8. 9, 5. 0 Hz: 1 H) 7. 86 (dd, J 8. 8, 2. 8 Hz, 1 H) 7. 50 J 7. 5 Hz, 1 H) 7.4 0 35 (in, 2 H) 7. 32 (dt, J 9, 2. 7 Hz, 1 H) 7. 13 J 7. 6 Hz, 1 H) 7. 00 J= 7. 6 Hz,. 1 H) 5. 01 2 H) 4. 54 2 H) LRMS m/z 34 1. 0 (M 339.0 Anal. Calcd for C 18 Hl 3

FN

2 0 2 S: C, 63.52; H, 3.85; N, 8.23; S, 9.42. Found: C, 63.52; H, 3.86; N, 8.35; S, 9.53.

The compounds of Examples 25-32 were prepared essentially according to the procedures set forth above in examples land/or 2 with appropriate substitution of starting materials.

Example 3- 4 ,5.7-trifluoroenzothiazol.>v-l)methvlindoleN-2-rorionic acid

F

F

N

S

F

OH

mp 176-177 0 C; Rf 0.34 (20% methanol in dichiormethane) H NNR (DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 6 7.60-7.73 (in, 1H) 7.60 1H) 7.52 (d, J 8. 1 Hz, 1H) 7.44 J 8.-1 Hz, 1H) t, J=7. 5 Hz, 1H) -79- WO 00/32180 PCTJUS99/28483 7. 02 J=7. 5 Hz, 1H) 5. 35 J= 8. 1 Hz, 1H) 4. 64 2H) 1. 72 J 8. 1 Hz, 3H) LRMS calcd for Cj,H1 3

F

3

N

2 0 2 S: 3 90. 0; Found 391.Q (M *1W. Anal. Calcd for CI,H1 3

F

3

N

2 0 2 SH,0: C, 55.88; H, 3.70; N, 6.86; S, 7.85 Found: C, 56.09; H, 3.31; N, 6.89; S, 7.99.

Example 26 3- (4-5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-vl)methvl-indole-N-3-Drop~ionic acid

F

F

N

F

O OH mp 200-201'C; R, 0.50 (20% methanol in dichiorornethane); 'H NMR (DMSO-d., 300 MHz) 5 7.63-7.71 (mn, 1H), 7.51 1H) 7.47 (d, J 3. 0 Hz, 2H) 7.14 J 7.5 Hz, 1H) 7. 00 J= 7.5 Hz, 1H) 4. 61 2H) 4.39 J 6.6 Hz, 2H) 2 .75 J 6. 6 Hz, 2H) LR.MS calcd f or C, 9

H,

3

F

3

N

2 0 2 S: 3 90. 0; Found 3 91. 0 (M 1).

Anal Calcd for C.

0

H,

3

FN.

2 S:C 58.46; H, 3.36; N, 7.18; S, 8.21 Found: C, 58.63; H, 3.40; N, 7.20; S, 8.30.

Example 27 Preparation of 6-Bromo-3- (5-trifluoromnethlbenzothiazol-2vl)methvl-indole-N-acetic acid: mp 265-267 0 C; Rf 0.19 WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 methanol in dichioromethane) 'H NNR (DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 8 8.28 1H) 8.22 J =8.7 Hz, 1H) 7.67-7.69 (in, 2H) 7.43-7.47 (in, 2H) 7.14 J 0 Hz, 1H) 5. 04 2H) 4. 61 2H) LRNS calcd for C 1 qH 12

F

3

N

2 2 SBr:469.0; Found 469.0 (M for Br =79. Anal. Calcd for C, 9 Hl 2

F

3

N

2

O

2 SBr: C, 48.63; H, 2.58; N, 5.97; S, 6.83. Found: C, 48.60; H, 2.63; N, 5.88; S, 6.91.

Example 28 6-Methoxv-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-vl)methvl-indole-Nacetic acid: mp 118-120 0 C; Rf 0.27 (20% methanol in dichioromethane) 'H NMR (DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 8 7.63-7. 73 (mn, 1H) 7.39 1H), 7.28 J 8. 7 Hz, 1H) 7. 07 1H) 6. 78 (d, J 8.7 Hz, 1H), 4.97 2H) 4. 61 2H) 3. 07 3H) LRNS calcd for C 19

H

13 F 3

N

2 0 3 S: 406.0; Found 407.0 (M Anal. Calcd for C 1 9

H

1 3

F

3

N

2 0 3

SH

2 0: C, 53.77; H, 3.56; N, 6.60; S, 7.56 Found: C, 53.87; H, 3.56; N, 6.67; S, 7.67.

Example 29 4-Chloro-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2vl) methvl-indole-Nacetic acid

F

k -81- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 nip 203-206 0 C; RE 0.24 (20% methanol in dichioromethane) 1H N'MR (DMSO-d,, 300 MHz) 5 7. 63-7.71 (mn, 1H) 7. 57 1H) 7.33 J 9. 0 Hz, 1H) 7.12 (dd, J j 7 .8 Hz, 1H)', 7. 03 J 7. 8 Hz, 1H) 5. 08 2H) 4.78 2H) LRMS calcd for C,Hl,F 3

N

2 0,SCl: 410.0; Found 411.0 and 409.0 (M- 1).

Example 5-Methoxy-3- 7-trifluorobenzothjazol-2-vl) methvl-jndole-Nacetic acid

F

F

N

0

S

N

0

OH

nip 165-167 OC; R. 0.37 (20% methanol in dichioromethane);

'H

NMR. (DMSO-d 6 300 MHz) 67.61-7.70 (in, 1H), 7.35 J Hz, 1H) 7. 26 1H) 6. 90 1H) 6. 64 J 9. 0 Hz, 1H) 4.79 2H); 4. 56 2H) 3 .72 3H) LRNS calcd for C,,H,,F3N 2 02S: 406.0; Found 407.0 and 405.0 Example 31 5-Broino-3- (4,5.7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-vl) m lthvl-indole-Nacetic acid: nip 209-294 0 C; Rr 0.18 (20% methanol in dichioroniethane); 'H NNR. (DMSO-d., 300 MHz) 8 7.78 J 1.8 -82- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 Hz, 1H), 7.65-7.73 1H), 7.49 1H), 7.61 J 9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (dd, J 9.0 Hz, J 1.8 Hz, 1H), 5.04 2H); 4.64 2H); LRMS calcd for C 1 ,HioF 3

N

2 0 2 SBr: 455.0; Found 455.0 for Br 79 and 457 for Br 81.

Example 32 3-(6-chlorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methvl-indole-N-acetic acid

II

S

OH

Example 33 Representative compounds of the invention were tested for their potency, selectivity and efficacy as inhibitors of human aldose reductase. The potency or aldose reductase inhibiting effects of the compounds were tested using methods similar to those described by Butera et al. in J. Med. Chem. 1989, 32, 757. Using this assay, the concentrations required to inhibit human aldose reductase (hALR2) activity by 50% (IC50) were determined.

In a second assay, a number of the same compounds were tested for their ability to inhibit aldehyde reductase (hALR1), a structurally related enzyme. The test methods employed were essentially those described by Ishii, et al., J. Med. Chem.

-83- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 1996 39: 1924. Using this assay, the concentrations required to inhibit human aldehyde reductase activity by 50% (IC50) were determined.

From these data, the hALR1 hALR2 ratios were determined.

Since high potency of test compounds as inhibitors of aldose reductase is desirable, low hALR2 IC50 values are sought. On the other hand, high potency of test compounds as inhibitors of aldehyde reductase is undesirable, and high hALR1 IC50s values are sought. Accordingly, the hALR1 hALR2 ratio is used to determine the selectivity of the test compounds. The importance of this selectivity is described in Kotani, et al., J. Med. Chem. 40: 684, 1997.

The results of all these tests are combined and illustrated in Table 1.

hALR2 HALR1 HALR1 Example (IC50) (IC50) hALR2 1 8 nM 13,000 nM 1,200 2 10nM 11,000nM 1,100 3 5 nM 27,000 nM 5,400 4 8 nM 34,000 nM 4,250 6 nM 21,000 nM 3,500 6 8 nM 2,700 nM 340 7 12 nM 4,800 nM 400 8 7 nM 7,500 nM 1,100 9 11 nM 21,000 nM 1,900 5nM 13,000 nM 2,600 11 99 nM 5,600 nM 57 -84- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 12 102 nM 10,000 nM 98 13 73 nM 13,000 nM 178 14 101 nM 16,000 160 53 nM 10,000 190 16 25 nM 6,200 nM 248 17 8 nM 41,000 nM 5,100 18 15 nM >100 PM >6,700 19 30 nM 11,000 nM 370 7 nM 7,000 nM 1,000 21 14 nM 18,000 nM 1,300 22 9.1 nM 19,000 nM 2,100 23 9 nM 6,500 nM 720 24 1,040 nM 4,500 nM 4 160 nM 6,500 nM 41 26 17 nM 88,000 nM 5,200 27 52 nM <5,000 nM <96 28 5 nM 12,000 nM 2,400 29 11 nM 14,000 1,270 7.7 nM 21,000 nM 2,700 31 13 nM 9,700 746 32 660 nM Not Tested Not Tested Tolrestat 13 nM 1,940 nM 149 The results show the superior potency, selectivity and efficacy of representative compounds of the invention.

Such compounds are useful in the treatment of chronic complications arising from diabetes mellitus, such as, for example, diabetic cataracts, retinopathy and neuropathy. Accordingly, an aspect of the invention is treatment of such complications with the WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 inventive compounds; treatment includes both prevention and alleviation. The compounds are useful in the treatment of, for example, diabetic cataracts, retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy.

In a third, optional, set of experiments, the compounds can be assayed for their ability to normalize or reduce sorbitol accumulation in the sciatic nerve of streptozotocininduced diabetic rats. The test methods employed to determine the efficacy are essentially those of Mylari, et al., J. Med.

Chem. 34: 108, 1991.

Example 34 The blood glucose lowering activity of the test compounds of this invention is demonstrated using the following experiments with diabetic (db/db) mice.

The db/db (C57BL/KsJ) mouse exhibits many of the metabolic abnormalities that are associated with type 2 diabetes in humans. The mice are obese, extremely hyperglycemic and also hyperinsulinemic. Antihyperglycemic agents that are available to man and also are effective in this model include metformin and troglitazone, both of which begin to demonstrate a beneficial effect in the db/db mice at doses above 100 mg/kg/day. Thus, compounds that are effective in this model are expected to be effective in humans.

-86- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 Male db/db mice (8 weeks old) were obtained from Jackson Laboratories and were allowed to acclimate for 1 week before the experiment commenced. A sample of blood was collected from the tail after which plasma glucose was isolated by centrifigation and the glucose concentration was measured in the plasma enzymatically on the COBAS automated clinical analyzer equipped with a glucose kit that utilized hexokinas to quantitate the amount of glucose in a sample (Roche Diagnostic Systems, kit #47382). Mice with the lowest plasma glucose values were removed from the study and the remaining mice were randomized according to their individual plasma glucose values into 3 treatment groups (n=12 per group), control untreated db/db mice, 100 mg/kg/d compound treated db/db mice and 300 mg/kg/d compound treated db/db mice. The compound of Example 1 was administered in the diet by admixing the compound into the standard rodent powdered chow (Tekland LM-485 Mouse/Rat Sterilizable Diet 7012, Harlan Tekland).

Treatment with the compound was carried out for 4 weeks during which time blood glucose levels were measured weekly from the tail using the One Touch II blood glucose meter (Lifescan, Inc). The blood glucose values of mice in the compound treated groups was compared to the blood glucose values of mice from the control untreated group by an analysis of variance followed by Dunett's Comparison Test (one-tailed).

-87- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 The results in Table 1 show that the test compound of this invention lowers glucose in the diabetic db/db mouse over the 4 week study period. The mean percent change in glucose with drug treatment after four weeks of compound administration was 12% at a dose of 100 mg/kg/d and a 40% lowering of blood glucose at a dose of 300 mg/kg/d. This degree of glucose lowering is similar to what has been reported for troglitazone [+-5[[4-[(3,4-dihydro-6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2H-lbenzopyran-2-yl) methoxy]phenyl]methyl]-2,4-thiazolidinedione] also known as CS-045 (Endocrinology, 1996, 137, 4189) and much better than that reported for metformin in this model. Thus the test compounds of this invention are well suited as antihyperglycemic agents.

Table 1: Blood glucose lowering Group Week Diabetic 299 8C Diabetic test compound 323 (100 mg/kg/d) 79 Diabetic test compound 313 (300 mg/kg/d) 52 n=12 per group D<0.05 compared to Diabetic Data is given as mean SD Blood glucose (mg/dl) S0 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 F 313 90 305 57 S345 46 S 903 -4 284 258 60 197 77' t 303 79 240 85 207 7719 85I WO 00/32180 PCT[US99/28483 Example The assay described in this example is meant to determine whether the compounds of the instant invention would be effective in the treatment of elevated serum triglyceride levels in diabetic, as well as nondiabetic, patients. Tests are conducted to determine the effect of the compound of Example 1 on serum triglyceride levels in streptozotocininduced diabetic rats. These animals represent a wellestablished diabetic model exhibiting most of the metabolic abnormalities associated with hyperglycemia, including hpertriglyceridemia, see Schnatz, et al., Diabetologia 8: 125, 1972.

Diabetes is induced in animals as follows: male Sprague- Dawley rats (150g), supplied by Harlan Teklad (Madison, WI), are allowed to acclimate for 1 week and water is supplied ad libitum. Food (7012CM, Harlan Teklad certified LM-485 mouse/rat) is removed at 1PM on the day prior to injection of streptozocin (STZ, Sigma cat no. S01230, lot no. 66H0468).

STZ, 40 mg/kg, is prepared in 0.03 M citrate buffer, pH 4.5 and administered intraperitoneally after a 24-hr fast. Control animals receive citrate buffer.

Two hours after STZ injection, food is returned. Two days following STZ injection, blood glucose is measured and animals with <300 mg/dL are eliminated. Animals with blood glucose -89- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 levels 2300 mg/dL are randomized into diabetic control and treated groups.

In all, three groups of animals are monitored' and compared. The groups comprise a (nondiabetic) control group an untreated diabetic (control) group and treated diabetic group The daily dosages are administered at AM by gavage as a single dose of the test compound in 2% Tween in saline for 15 consecutive days. The nondiabetic and diabetic control groups are administered vehicle.

After the final dose (Day all groups of animals are fasted for 4 hours and anesthetized with CO2, and blood is collected by cardiac puncture into EDTA tubes. The plasma is separated from the red blood cells by centrifugation. Plasma triglyceride levels are quantitated on an automated

COBAS

chemistry system utilizing the Roche reagent for Triglycerides (Cat #44119). This assay is a standard spectrophotometric enzyme assay that uses a Trinder reaction to measure the final product (Trinder, Ann Clin Biochem 6: 24-17, 1969).

Statistical comparisons between groups employed a one-tailed ttest.

Table 2 shows the results of the tests. As can be seen, administration of daily dosage of 10mg/kg significantly reduced the mean plasma triglyceride levels in treated animals 68% compared to the mean level for untreated diabetic animals. The data clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of the test compound WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 in lowering serum triglyceride levels in diabetic animals; a property not generally associated with the ARI class. On the basis of these data, it is .further to be expected that a similar effect would be produced in nondiabetic hosts with elevated triglyceride levels.

Table 2: TriQlvceride lowering properties of test compound Group n Plasma Triglyceride triglycerides lowering (mg/dl) compared to diabetic Control 5 62 Diabetic 7 335 83* Diabetic test 7 149 29- 68% compound (10 mg/kg/d) p<0.01 compared to Control I'p<0.01 compared to the Diabetic Data is given as mean SEM Example 36 The anti-angiogenic properties of the compounds of the invention are demonstrated in the following experiments using the rat aortic ring assay.

Rats (less than 6 weeks old, approx 150 grams) are individually sacrificed via carbon dioxide asphyxiation. The abdomen and thorax are opened along the midline with scissors using known sterile techniques. The animals are placed recumbent on their right side, to allow displacement of the -91- 1 WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 viscera. The abdominal and thoracic sections of the aorta are carefully separated from the dorsum by dissection along the longitudinal axis of the aorta. The isolated aorta is placed in a petri dish containing sterile, ice cold Hanks' balanced salt solution (Gibco BRL-Life Technologies, Rockville, MD) for further micro-dissection under a dissecting microscope. The lumenal content of the aorta is dislodged by injection with Hanks, balanced salt solution via a syringe. Adherent adipose, loose connective tissue and segments of intercostal arteries are trimmed from the exterior of the aorta using sterile microsurgical instruments. The aorta is transferred to a clean petri dish containing fresh Hanks' balanced salt solution and the entire aorta is sectioned into 1 to 2 mm thick rings. The two end rings and any other rings which appear damaged are discarded. The aorta is maintained submerged in Hanks' balanced salt solution on ice while plating onto a 48-well plate.

Using a 48-well tissue culture plate, which is chilled on ice, in a tissue culture hood a 120 microliters of thawed Matrigel® (Becton Dickinson Labware, Bedford, MA) is plated onto each well using a sterile pipet tip. The Matrigele is solidified by placing the culture plate for 30 minutes in a 37 OC humidified tissue culture incubator in the presence of

CO

2 A single aortic ring is placed on edge, with one of its two cut surfaces resting on the Matrigel®, at the center of -92- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 each well using a sterile curved forcep. The layout of the culture plate is such that the rings from multiple animals are placed in a single column on the plate. In this fashion, the experimental results represent observations based on six animals The aortic rings are completely embedded in Matrigel® by pipetting an additional 50 microliters of chilled Matrigel® over each ring, being careful not to disrupt proper ring orientation. The plate with the aortic rings is placed in an incubator at 37 0 C with 97% humidity for 6 days.

Each 48-well tissue culture plate has the following template: six negative wells, six positive wells, with the remaining wells used to evaluate various concentrations of the test compound in replicates of six. The six negative controls consisting of 1584 JL of human endothelial serum free media (SFM) basal growth medium (Gibco-BRL-Life Technologies) and 16 pL of 100% sterile filtered DMSO. The six positive controls consist of 1484 iL serum free media (SFM) and 100 pL of endothelial cell growth supplement (ECGS, at a working concentration of 200 micrograms/ml) (Becton Dickinson Labware, Bedford, MA), and 16 FL of 100% sterile filtered DMSO. Six wells, for each concentration of the test compound, consist of: 1484 il SFM, 100 il ECGS, 16 il of test compounds dissolved in 100 sterile filtered DMSO. Final concentration of DMSO in all wells is All test compounds are diluted 1:100 from their stock concentrations.

-93- WO 00/32180 PCT/US99/28483 Anti-angiogenic activity is verified using a double-cross over experimental design. The negative control (negative), the positive control (positive) and the experimental group labeled (prevention) each receive media changes every 24 hours for six days. The content of the media changes are as previously described for each experimental group. The prevention group receives 50 micromolar concentration test compound for six consecutive days. The experimental group designated as Removal receives 50 micromolar concentration of test compound during day 1, 2 and 3 after which the compound is removed by multiple rinses with fresh media. The aortic rings in the Removal group are cultured for an additional three days in the absence of the compound and treated identically to the positive control group on days 4, 5 and 6. The experimental group, labeled Intervention, receives treatment identical to the positive control group for 1, 2 and 3 days and is then exposed to microliters of test compound only on days 4, 5 and 6 in a fashion identical to the treatment received by the prevention group.

For quantitation of the angiogenic response, an inverted microscope (Zeiss, Axiovert 25) set at low illumination with full closure of the iris diaphram to maximize depth-of-field is used. The microscope is coupled to a CCD camera (Cohu Inc.) for digital capture with a computer and each well of the 48well plate containing an aortic ring is digitally documented -94- WO 00/32180 PCTIUS99/28483 for quantitative analysis (Alpha Innotek Inc.) at a magnification of 5x. The average linear vascular growth (in mm) is determined from the adventitial margin of the aortic ring to the furthest detectable vascular outgrowth. This linear distance is measured along 16 equally spaced radial lines around a 360 degree field.

At the completion of the study, the media is aspirated and Diff-Quik fixative (Dade-Behring) is added to each well as per manufacturer's instructions to preserve the specimens which are stored sealed and refrigerated at 4 0

C.

The antigiogenic effect of the compound of Example 1 is shown in Table 3 below.

Table 3 Experimental Groups Linear Microvascular Growth (mm) Negative Control 0.72 0.39, n=6 Positive Control 2.95 0.52, n=6 Prevention (Days 1- 1.46 0.48, n=6 6) Removal (Days 4-6) 2.31 0.71, Intervention (Days 1.97 0.66, 4-6) #Represented as mean SD, n individual animals p<0.001 compared to positive control p<0.05 compared to positive control Statistical analysis conducted with Kruskal-Wallis Test and Dunns multiple comparisons 004548605 Example 37 STZ treated diabetic minipigs having various wounds are administered the compound of Example 1. These animals are compared with control STZ diabetic minipigs also having wounds but that are not treated with the compound. The animals administered the compound of Example 1 demonstrate a significant increase in the degree of wound healing.

Accordingly, the compounds of the invention are capable of promoting wound healing in diabetic mammals.

The invention and the manner and process of making and using it, are now described in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, to make and use the same. It is to be understood that the foregoing describes preferred embodiments of the present invention and that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims.

To particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter regarded as invention, the following claims conclude this specification.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprising" and grammatical 25 variations thereof, is used in the sense of "including" i.e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any 30 form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or any other jurisdiction.

*oo 96

Claims (7)

1. 05-02-200102:27pm From-MCDONNEL BOEHNEN HULBERT BERGHOFF +12939B +3129139600 T-284 P.07 US 009928483 What is claimed is: 1. A method for reducing elevated serum triglyceride levels, which method comprises administering to a mammal in need of such treatment an effective amount of a compound of the formula: R 2 Ra R 3 A R 5 A f OR 6 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein A is a C. 1 alkylene group optionally substituted with C3.-C 2 alkyl or mono- or disubscituced with halogen; Z is a bond, 0, S, C(O)NH, or CI-C 3 alkylene optionally substituted with CI-C 2 alkyl; R, is hydrogen. alkyl having 1-6 carbon atoms, halogen, 3-, or 4-pyridyl, or phenyl, where the phenyl or pyridyl is optionally substituced witch up to three groups selected from halogen, hydroxy. Cl-Cs alkoxy, C3,-Cg alkyl, nit-ro, amino, or mono- or di(Cj.-Cs)alkylamino; R 2 R 3 4 and R 5 are each independently hydrogen, halogen, nitro, or an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens);~ OR-y, SR-, S(O)R7. S(0) 2 N(R7) 2 C(0)N(R) 2 or N(R7)2, wherein each R 7 is independently hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atorns (which may be substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1 -Cg alkyl. C3 1 -C6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di(CI -Cg) alkyl amino; EMPFANGSZEIT 5. FEB. 21:25 AUSDRUCKSZEIT 5. FEB. 21:47 AMENDED SHEET
2. 050-010:Tm Froi-MCDONNEL BOEHNEN HULBERT I BERGHOFF 39390 +3129139608 T-284 p.08 US 009928483 phenyl. or hereroaryl such as 3- or 4-imidazolyl or 3- ,or 4-pyridyl, each of which phenyl or heceroaryl is optionally substituted with up to tree groups independently selected from halogen, CI.-Cg alkyl, CI-C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di(CI-Cc)alkylamino; phenoxy where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C. 1 -C 6 alkyl, CI 1 -C 6 5 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (C 1 -CO) alkylamfino; or a group of the formula N(H2? where J is a bond, CM 2 oxygen, or nitrogen; and each r is independently 2 or 3; RG is hydroxy or a prodrug group; R, is hydrogen, Cj-Cs alkyl, fluoro, or trifluoromethyl; and Ar represents a phenyl group optionally substituted with up to 5 groups independently selected from halogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be. substituted with one or more halogens), nitro, OR 7 SR7, S(O) 2 R 7 or N(R 7 2 wherein R 7 is hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up. to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1 C 6 alkcyl, C 1 Cs alkcoxy, amino, and mono- or di(C 1 -C, 6 )alkylamino, or the phenyl group may be condensed with benzo where the benzo is optionally substituted with one or two of halogen, cyano. ito trifiaoromethyl, perfluoroethyl. -98- EMPFANGSZEIT 5. FEB. 21:25 AOSDRUCKSZEJT 5. FEB. 21:47 AMENDED SHEET 02-2001 02:29pm Fro-MCDONNEL BOEHNEN HULBERT I BERGROFF 32390 +3129139806 T-Z94 P.09 US 009928483 trifluoroaceryl, or (CI -C 6 a 1kanoyl hydroxy, (Ci-Cs) alkyl, (Cl-Cg) a13coxy, (C3.-Cs) alkylthio, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromerhylthio, (CI-C 6 alkylsulf inyl, (C 1 Cs) alkyJlsulfonyl; a heterocyclic 5-membered ring having one nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, two nirrogens one of which may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur, or three nitrogens one of which may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur, said heterocyclic 5-rnembered ring substituted by one or two fluoro, chioro, (C3.-C)alkyl or phenyl, or condensed wi-h benzo, or substituted by one of pyridy., furyl or thienyl, said phenyl or benzo optionally substituted by one of iodo, cyano, nitro, perfluoroethyl, trifluoroaceryl, or (C,-C)alkanoyl, one or two of fluoro, chioro, bromo, hydroxy, (Cl-Cg) alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, (C 1 C 6 alkylthio, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, (C 1 Ce)alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 -CG)alkylsulfonyl or trifluoromerhyl, or two fluoro or two trifluoromethyl with one hydroxy or one (CI-C 6 )alkoxy, or one or, preferably, two fluoro and one t-rifluoromet-hyl, or three fluoro, said pyridyl, furyl or thienyl optionally substituted in the 3-position by fluoro, chloro, bromo, (Cl-C 6 alkyl or (CI-Cs) alkoxy; a heterocyclic 6-membered ring having one to three nitrogen atoms, or one or two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen or sulfu~r, said heterocyclic 6-membered ring substituted by one or two (C3 1 -Cd)alkyl or phenyl, or condensed with benzo, or substituted by one of pyridyl, furyl or thienyl, said phenyl or benzo optionally substituted by one of iodo or rrifluoromerhylthio, or one or two of fluoro, chloro, bromo, (C3.-C 6 alkYl, (CI-C 6 alkoxy, (Cl-C 6 alkcylthio, C3 alkyilsulfinyl, (C3,-C 6 alkylsulfonyl, or trifluoromethyl, and said pyridyl, furyl or thienyl optionally substituted in EMPFANGSZEIT 5. FEB. 21 :25 AUSDRUCKSZEIT 5. FEB. 21:47 AMENDED SHEET 0,5-02-2001 02: 28pm Froi-MCDONNEL BOEHNEN HULBERT BERGHOF +19190 +3129139808 T-284 p.1I0 US 009928483 the 3-position by fluoro, chioro, (c7,-Cg)alkyl or (Cl- C 5 s) alkoxy: said benzo-condensed hererocyclic 5-menibered or 6-membered rings optionally substituted in the heterocyclic 5-membered or 6- S membered ring by one of f].uoro, chioro, bromo, rnerhoxy, or trifluoromethyl: oxazole or thiazole condensed with a 6-mernbered aromatic group containing one or two nitrogen atoms, with rhiophene or with furane, each optionally substituced by one of fluoro, chioro, bromo, trifluoromethyl, methylthio or methyl suli nyl; imida2olopyridine or triazolopyridine optionally substituted by one of trifluorouerhyl, trifluoromethylthio, bromo. or (C3 1 C 6 s)alkoxy. or two of fluoro or chioro; thienot-hiophene or rhienofuran opt-ionally substit-uted by one of fluoro, chioro or trifluoromethyl; thienotriazole optionally substituted by one of chioro or tr-ifluoromerhyl; naphthothia.ole; naphthoxazole; or thienoisothiazole. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein Ar is aryl or heceroaryl, each of which is substituted with up to four groups independently selected from hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, trifluoromethyl and nitro. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein Ar is a substizuted phenyl of Formula II or a substituted benzothiazole of Formula III -100- EMPFANGSZEIT 5. FEB. 2 1 :25 AISDRUCKSZEIT 5. FEB. 21:47 AMENDED SHEET .05-02-2001 0 2:29pm From-MDONNEL BOEHNEN HULBERT A BERGHOFF +321390 +3129139608 T-284 P.-11 US 009928483 R R 9 Ri Rs'~ w.iherein R. Re' R.9, R,'r R 10 RI:L, P%12, R13 and R 14 are independently hydrogen, f luorine, chlorine, bromine, trifluoromethyl or nitro. 4. A method according to claim 3, wherein A is methylene and Z is a bond. 5. A method according to claim 3, wherein Ra is hydrogen and z is-a bond. 6. A method according to claim 3, wh erein A is mrehylene.Ra is hydrogen, and Z is a bond. is 7- A method according to claim 6, wherein Ar is a subscituted benzothiazole of Formula III. 8. A method according to claim 7, wherein at least one of R1., R3 12 R13 and R3.. is t-rifluoromerhyl. 9. A method according to claim 8, wherein R1. 2 is t r ifluo romethyl 10. A method according to claim 7, wherein R3. 2 and R3.. are if laorines and Ri 1 3 is hydrogen. 11.. A method according to claim 10, wherein Rg is hydrogen. -101- EMPFANGSZEIT 5. FEB. 21 :25 AUSDRUCKSZEIT 5, FEB. 21:46 AMENDED SHEET *05-02-2001 02:28pm Fro-MCDONNEL BOEHNN HULBERT I BERGHOFF +3129139908 T-294 P.12 US 009928483 12. A method according to claim ic, wherein R6 is Cj-C alkyl. 13. A method according to claim 6, wherein Ar is a substituted phenyl of Formula I. 14. A method according to claim 13. wherein at least one of Re, Re, R 9 R. R-.o is trifluoronethyl. A method according to claim 14, wherein R 9 is rrifluoromethyl. 16. A method according to claim 15, wherein Ra. R, Rjo are fluorines and R 1 3 is hydrogen. 17. A method according to claim 16, wherein R 6 is hydrogen. 18. A method according to claim 16. wherein RG is C3-Cg alkcyl. 19. A method according to claim 1, which is 3-(4,5,7- trifluorobenzothia zol. 2.yl) ethyl-indole-N-acetic acid, ethyl Ester. A method according to claim 1, which is 3-(4,5,7- trifluorobezothiazol-2yl) methyl-indole-N-acetic acid. 21. A method according to claim 1 which is 5-chloro-3- 7 Triflurobenzorhiazol 2 -yl)methy indoeNacetic acid. -102- EMPFANGSZEIT 5. FEB. 21:25 AUSDRUCKSZEIT 5, FEB. 21:46 AMENDED SHEET 05-02-2001 02:29pm From-MCDONNEL BQEHNEN HULBERT BERGHOFF +312913908 T-294 P.13 US 009928483 22. A method according to claim 1, which is 5-chloro-3- (4,5,7-rrifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)merhyl-indole-N-acetic acid. 23. A method according to claim 1, which is 2-merhyl-3- 5,7 trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole-N-acetic acid. 24. A method according to claim 1, which is 5-methyl-3- 7-crifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid. 25. A method according to claim 1, which is 7-methyl-3- (4,5,7-rrifluorobenzothiazol-2-y)methyl-indole-N-aceric acid. 26. A method according to claim 1, which is 6-chloro-3- (4,5,7-rrifluorobenzorhiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid. 27. A method according to claim 1, which is 5-benzyloxy-3- (4.51 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)merhyl-indole-g-acetic acid. 28. A method according to claim 1, which is 6-fluoro-3- 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)merhyl-indole-N-acetic acid. 29. A method according to claim 1, which is 5-fluoro-3- (4,5,7 -rrifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)merhyl-indole-N-acetic acid. 30. A method according to claim 1, which is 6-methyl-3- 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)methyl-indole-N-acetic acid. 31. A method according to claim 1, which is 3-(S- crifluoromethylbenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl- inole-N-acetic acid. 32. A method according to claim 1, which is 5-ethyl-3-(5- Trifluoromethylbenzorhiazol-2-y) methyl-indole-N-acetic acid. -103- EMPFANGSZEIT 5. FEB. 21:25 AUSDRUCKSZEIT 5. FEB. 21:46 AMENDED SHEET 004548605 33. A method according to claim 1, which is 3- (3- nitrophenyl) methyl-indole-NV-acetic acid. 34. A method according to claim 1, which is 3- (3- nitrophenyl) methyl-indole-N-acetic acid, ethyl ester. 35. A method according to claim 5, 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) acid. 36. A method according to claim 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) acid. 37. A method according to claim 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) acid. 38. A method according to claim 1, 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) acid. 39. A method according to claim 1, 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) acid. 1, which is 2-phenyl-3 methyl -indole-N- acetic 1, which is 5-phenyl-3 methyl -indole-N-acetic 1, which is 6-phenyl-3 methyl -indole-N-acetic which is 5-morpholino-3- methyl- indole acetic which is 6-morpholino-3- methyl -indole -N-acetic 40. A method according to claim 1, which is 5-phenoxy-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole-N-acetic acid. 41. A method according to claim 1, which is 7-f luoro-3 (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole-N-acetic 25 acid. 42. A method according to claim 1, which is 7-bromo-3 (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole-N-acetic acid. 43. A method according to claim 1, which is 7-chloro-3 30 5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl -indole acetic acid.
3. 104- 004548605 44. A method according to claim 1, which is Fluorbenzothiazole-2-yl]methyl]-indole-N-acetic acid. A method according to claim 1, which is 3-[[6 Fluorbenzothiazole-2-yl]methyl]-indole-N-acetic acid. 46. A method according to claim 3, wherein Ar is a substituted benzothiazole of Formula III, R 12 is trifluoromethyl, A is methylene, methylene substituted with a methyl group, or ethylene, and R 2 R 3 R 4 and Rs, in combination, represent one of bromo, cyano or nitro, one or two of fluoro, chloro, hydroxy, (Ci-C) alkyl, (Cz-C 6 alkoxy, or trifluoromethyl, or two fluoro or two methyl with one hydroxy or one (C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, or one or, preferably, two fluoro and one methyl, or three fluoro groups. 47. A method according to claim 9, wherein the mammal is diabetic. 48. A method according to claim 9, wherein the mammal is non-diabetic. 49. A method according to claim 1, wherein the compound is administered in a combination therapy along with at least one second agent used to treat hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, or diabetic complications. 50. A method for reducing elevated serum glucose levels, which method comprises administering to a mammal in need of such treatment an effective amount of a compound of the 25 formula: S R, *R2 SAr R A R4a wO ORs or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein -105- 004548605 A is a C 1 -C 4 alkylene group optionally substituted with C 1 -C 2 alkyl or mono-or disubstituted with halogen; Z is a bond, 0, S, C(O)NH, or CI-C 3 alkylene optionally substituted with C 1 -C 2 alkyl; R 1 is hydrogen, alkyl having 1-6 carbon atoms, halogen, 2-, or 4-pyridyl, or phenyl, where the phenyl or pyridyl is optionally substituted with up to three groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, C 1 -C6 alkyl, nitro, amino, or mono- or di(C 1 -C 6 alkylamino; R 2 R 3 R 4 and Rs are each independently hydrogen, halogen, nitro, or an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens); OR 7 SR 7 S(O)R 7 S(0) 2 N(R 7 2 C(O)N(R 7 2 or N(R7)2, wherein each R 7 is independently hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C1-Cs alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono-or di (C 1 C 6 )alkylamino; phenyl or heteroaryl such as 3-or 4-imidazolyl or or 4-pyridyl, each of which phenyl or heteroaryl is optionally substituted with up to three 25 groups independently selected from halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -Cs alkoxy, amino, and mono-or di (C 1 -Cg) alkylamino; phenoxy where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, Ci-C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (C 1 -C 6 alkylamino; or a group of the formula *o *eee -106- 004548605 2(C )r N- (CH 2 where J is a bond, CH 2 oxygen, or nitrogen; and each r is independently 2 or 3; R 6 is hydroxy or a prodrug group; Ra is hydrogen, Ci-C 6 alkyl, fluoro, or trifluoromethyl; and Ar represents a phenyl group optionally substituted with up to groups independently selected from halogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens), nitro, OR 7 SR 7 S(0)R 7 S(0) 2 R 7 or N(R 7 2 wherein R7 is hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, Ci-C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di(Ci- C 6 )alkylamino, or the phenyl group may be condensed with benzo where the benzo is optionally substituted with one or two of halogen, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, perfluoroethyl, trifluoroacetyl, or 25 (Ci-CW) alkanoyl, hydroxy, (C 1 -C 6 alkyl, (Ci-C 6 alkoxy, (C 1 -C 6 alkylthio, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, (CI-C 6 alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 C) alkylsulfonyl; a heterocyclic 5-membered ring having one nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, two nitrogens one of which may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur, or three nitrogens one of which may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur, said heterocyclic 5-membered ring substituted by one or two -107- I 004548605 fluoro, chloro, (C 1 -Cs) alkyl or phenyl, or condensed with benzo, or substituted by one of pyridyl, furyl or thienyl, said phenyl or benzo optionally substituted by one of iodo, cyano, nitro, perfluoroethyl, trifluoroacetyl, or (C 1 -C 6 alkanoyl, one or two of fluoro, chloro, bromo, hydroxy, (C 1 -C 6 alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, (C 1 -C 6 alkylthio, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, (C 1 -C 6 alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 -C 6 alkylsulfonyl or trifluoromethyl, or two fluoro or two trifluoromethyl with one hydroxy or one (C 1 -C6) alkoxy, or one or, preferably, two fluoro and one trifluoromethyl, or three fluoro, said pyridyl, furyl or thienyl optionally substituted in the 3-position by fluoro, chloro, bromo, (C 1 -Cs) alkyl or (C 1 -C 6 alkoxy; a heterocyclic 6-membered ring having one to three nitrogen atoms, or one or two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen or sulfur, said heterocyclic 6-membered ring substituted by one or two (C 1 -C 6 alkyl or phenyl, or condensed with benzo, or substituted by one of pyridyl, furyl or thienyl, said phenyl or benzo optionally substituted by one of iodo or trifluoromethylthio, or one or two of fluoro, chloro, bromo, (C 1 -Cs) alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, (C 1 -C 6 alkylthio, (C 1 -C 6 alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 -C 6 alkylsulfonyl, or trifluoromethyl, and said pyridyl, furyl or thienyl optionally substituted in the 3-position by fluoro, chloro, (C 1 -C 6 alkyl or (C 1 alkoxy; said benzo-condensed heterocyclic 5-membered or 6- membered rings optionally substituted in the heterocyclic 5-membered or 6-membered ring by one of fluoro, chloro, bromo, methoxy, or trifluoromethyl; oxazole or thiazole condensed with a 6-membered aromatic group containing one or two nitrogen atoms, with thiophene or with furane, each optionally -108- _.I 004548605 substituted by one of fluoro, chloro, bromo, trifluoromethyl, methylthio or methylsulfinyl; imidazolopyridine or triazolopyridine optionally substituted by one of trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethylthio, bromo, or (C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, or two of fluoro or chloro; thienothiophene or thienofuran optionally substituted by one of fluoro, chloro or trifluoromethyl; thienotriazole optionally substituted by one of chloro or trifluoromethyl; naphthothiazole; naphthoxazole; or thienoisothiazole. 51. A method for inhibiting angiogenesis, which method comprises administering to a mammal in need of such treatment an effective amount of a compound of the formula: R Ra Ra3 Ar I R, R 5 A-f ORs or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein 20 A is a C 1 -C 4 alkylene group optionally substituted with Ci-C 2 alkyl or mono-or disubstituted with halogen; Z is a bond, 0, S, C(O)NH, or C 1 -C 3 alkylene optionally substituted with C 1 -C 2 alkyl; RI is hydrogen, alkyl having 1-6 carbon atoms, halogen, 2-, or 4-pyridyl, or phenyl, where the phenyl or pyridyl is optionally substituted with up to three groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, nitro, amino, or mono- or di(C 1 -C 6 alkylamino; S* R 2 R 3 R 4 and Rs are each independently 6 -109- 004548605 hydrogen, halogen, nitro, or an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens); OR 7 SR7, S R 7 S 2 N (R 7 2, C(0) N (R 7 2 or N(R7)2, wherein each R 7 is independently hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono-or di (Ci- C 6 )alkylamino; phenyl or heteroaryl such as 3-or 4-imidazolyl or or 4-pyridyl, each of which phenyl or heteroaryl is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono-or di (C 1 -C 6 alkylamino; phenoxy where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, Ci-C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (Ci-C 6 alkylamino; or a group of the formula 25 'N-(CH where J is a bond, CH2, oxygen, or nitrogen; and each r is independently 2 or 3; 30 R6 is hydroxy or a prodrug group; -110- O*o *e *gibe -lO 004548605 Ra is hydrogen, Ci-C 6 alkyl, fluoro, or trifluoromethyl; and Ar represents a phenyl group optionally substituted with up to groups independently selected from halogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens), nitro, OR 7 SR7, S(0)R 7 S(0) 2 R 7 or N(R 7 2 wherein R 7 is hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -Cg alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (C 1 Cg) alkylamino, or the phenyl group may be condensed with benzo where the benzo is optionally substituted with one or two of halogen, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, perfluoroethyl, trifluoroacetyl, or (C 1 -C 6 alkanoyl, hydroxy, (C 1 -C 6 alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, (C -C 6 alkylthio, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, (C 1 -C 6 alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 C 6 )alkylsulfonyl; a heterocyclic 5-membered ring having one nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, two nitrogens one of which may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur, or three nitrogens one of which may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur, said 25 heterocyclic 5-membered ring substituted by one or two fluoro, chloro, (CI-C 6 alkyl or phenyl, or condensed with benzo, or substituted by one of pyridyl, furyl or thienyl, said phenyl or benzo optionally substituted by one of iodo, cyano, nitro, perfluoroethyl, S 30 trifluoroacetyl, or (Ci-Cs) alkanoyl, one or two of fluoro, chloro, bromo, hydroxy, (C 1 -C 6 alkyl, (Ci-C 6 alkoxy, (C 1 alkylthio, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, (C 1 -C 6 alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 -Cg) alkylsulfonyl or trifluoromethyl, or two fluoro or two trifluoromethyl with one hydroxy or one (Cz-C 6 alkoxy, -111- 004548605 or one or, preferably, two fluoro and one trifluoromethyl, or three fluoro, said pyridyl, furyl or thienyl optionally substituted in the 3-position by fluoro, chloro, bromo, (C 1 -C 6 alkyl or (C 1 -C6) alkoxy; a heterocyclic 6-membered ring having one to three nitrogen atoms, or one or two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen or sulfur, said heterocyclic 6-membered ring substituted by one or two (C 1 -C 6 alkyl or phenyl, or condensed with benzo, or substituted by one of pyridyl, furyl or thienyl, said phenyl or benzo optionally substituted by one of iodo or trifluoromethylthio, or one or two of fluoro, chloro, bromo, (Ci-C 6 alkyl, (Ci-C 6 alkoxy, (C 1 -C 6 alkylthio, (Cl-C 6 alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 -C 6 alkylsulfonyl, or trifluoromethyl, and said pyridyl, furyl or thienyl optionally substituted in the 3-position by fluoro, chloro, (Ci-C 6 alkyl or (Ci-C 6 alkoxy; said benzo-condensed heterocyclic 5-membered or 6- membered rings optionally substituted in the heterocyclic 5-membered or 6-membered ring by one of fluoro, chloro, bromo, methoxy, or trifluoromethyl; oxazole or thiazole condensed with a 6-membered S: aromatic group containing one or two nitrogen atoms, with thiophene or with furane, each optionally S 25 substituted by one of fluoro, chloro, bromo, trifluoromethyl, methylthio or methylsulfinyl; imidazolopyridine or triazolopyridine optionally substituted by one of trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethylthio, bromo, or (Ci-Cs) alkoxy, or two 30 of fluoro or chloro; thienothiophene or thienofuran optionally substituted by one of fluoro, chloro or trifluoromethyl; *eeo* *o *eee -112- 004548605 thienotriazole optionally substituted by one of chloro or trifluoromethyl; naphthothiazole; naphthoxazole; or thienoisothiazole. 52. A method for reducing elevated serum glucose and triglyceride .levels, which method comprises administering to a mammal in need of such treatment an effective amount of a compound of the formula: Ra R 2 RZ R3 Ar R 4 N R 5 A-f ORs or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein A is a C 1 -C 4 alkylene group optionally substituted with Ci-C 2 alkyl or mono-or disubstituted with halogen; Z is a bond, 0, S, C(O)NH, or C 1 -C 3 alkylene optionally substituted with C 1 -C 2 alkyl; RI is hydrogen, alkyl having 1-6 carbon atoms, halogen, 2-, or 4-pyridyl, or phenyl, where the phenyl or pyridyl is optionally substituted with up to three groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, Ci-C6 alkoxy, Ci-C 6 alkyl, nitro, S. amino, or mono- or di(Cl-C 6 alkylamino; R 2 R 3 R 4 and Rs are each independently hydrogen, halogen, nitro, or an alkyl group of 1-6 .carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens); OR 7 SR 7 S (0)R 7 S (0) 2 N(R 7 2 C(O)N(R 7 2 or N(R 7 2 wherein each R 7 is independently hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl S. 30 portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, Ci-Cs -113- 004548605 alkyl, C 1 -C6 alkoxy, amino, and mono-or di (Ci- C s )alkylamino; phenyl or heteroaryl such as 3-or 4-imidazolyl or or 4-pyridyl, each of which phenyl or heteroaryl is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono-or di (C 1 -Cg) alkylamino; phenoxy where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (C 1 -C 6 alkylamino; or a group of the formula (CH2)r N-(CH. where J is a bond, CH 2 oxygen, or nitrogen; and each r is independently 2 or 3; R is hydroxy or a prodrug group; Ra is hydrogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, fluoro, or trifluoromethyl; and Ar represents a phenyl group optionally substituted with up to groups independently selected from halogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens), nitro, OR 7 SR 7 S(0)R 7 S (0) 2 R 7 or N(R 7 2 wherein R 7 is hydrogen, an alkyl 30 group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl
4. 114- 004548605 portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, Cl-C6 alkyl, Cl-C6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di(Cl- C) alkylamino, or the phenyl group may be condensed with benzo where the benzo is optionally substituted with one or two of halogen, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, perfluoroethyl, trifluoroacetyl, or (Cl-Cs) alkanoyl, hydroxy, (C1-Cg) alkyl, (Ci-C6) alkoxy, (Cl-Cg) alkylthio, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, (C1-C6) alkylsulfinyl, (Ci- C) alkylsulfonyl; a heterocyclic 5-membered ring having one nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, two nitrogens one of which may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur, or three nitrogens one of which may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur, said heterocyclic 5-membered ring substituted by one or two fluoro, chloro, (Cl-Cg) alkyl or phenyl, or condensed with benzo, or substituted by one of pyridyl, furyl or thienyl, said phenyl or benzo optionally substituted by one of iodo, cyano, nitro, perfluoroethyl, trifluoroacetyl, or (C 1 -C 6 alkanoyl, one or two of fluoro, chloro, bromo, hydroxy, (Ci-C 6 alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, (C 1 alkylthio, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, (C 1 -C 6 alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 -Cg) alkylsulfonyl or trifluoromethyl, or two fluoro or two trifluoromethyl with one hydroxy or one (C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, or one or, preferably, two fluoro and one trifluoromethyl, or three fluoro, said pyridyl, furyl or thienyl optionally substituted in the 3-position by 30 fluoro, chloro, bromo, (C 1 -C 6 alkyl or (C 1 alkoxy; a heterocyclic 6-membered ring having one to three nitrogen atoms, or one or two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen or sulfur, said heterocyclic 6-membered ring S* substituted by one or two (Cl-C 6 alkyl or phenyl, or S 35 condensed with benzo, or substituted by one of -115- 004548605 pyridyl, furyl or thienyl, said phenyl or benzo optionally substituted by one of iodo or trifluoromethylthio, or one or two of fluoro, chloro, bromo, (Ci-C 6 alkyl, (C 1 -Cs) alkoxy, (C 1 -Cg) alkylthio, (Ci-C 6 alkylsulfinyl, (Ci-C 6 alkylsulfonyl, or trifluoromethyl, and said pyridyl, furyl or thienyl optionally substituted in the 3-position by fluoro, chloro, (CL-C6) alkyl or (Ci-C6) alkoxy; said benzo-condensed heterocyclic 5-membered or 6- membered rings optionally substituted in the heterocyclic 5-membered or 6-membered ring by one of fluoro, chloro, bromo, methoxy, or trifluoromethyl; oxazole or thiazole condensed with a 6-membered aromatic group containing one or two nitrogen atoms, with thiophene or with furane, each optionally substituted by one of fluoro, chloro, bromo, trifluoromethyl, methylthio or methylsulfinyl; imidazolopyridine or triazolopyridine optionally substituted by one of trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethylthio, bromo, or (C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, or two of fluoro or chloro; thienothiophene or thienofuran optionally substituted by one of fluoro, chloro or trifluoromethyl; thienotriazole optionally substituted by one of chloro 25 or trifluoromethyl; naphthothiazole; naphthoxazole; or thienoisothiazole. 53. A method for promoting wound healing in mammals, which method comprises administering to a mammal in need of such treatment an effective amount of a compound of the formula: 30 R2 R Z R\ r R 5 A ORs -116- 004548605 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein A is a C 1 -C 4 alkylene group optionally substituted with Ci-C 2 alkyl or mono-or disubstituted with halogen; Z is a bond, 0, S, C(O)NH, or C 1 -C 3 alkylene optionally substituted with Ci-C 2 alkyl; RI is hydrogen, alkyl having 1-6 carbon atoms, halogen, 2-, or 4-pyridyl, or phenyl, where the phenyl or pyridyl is optionally substituted with up to three groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, C 1 -C6 alkoxy, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, nitro, amino, or mono- or di(Cl-C 6 alkylamino; R 2 R 3 R 4 and Rs are each independently hydrogen, halogen, nitro, or an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens); OR 7 SR 7 S (0)R 7 S 2N(R 7 2 C(O)N(R 7 2 or N(R 7 2 wherein each R 7 is independently hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, Ci-C6 alkyl, C 1 -Cg alkoxy, amino, and mono-or di (C 1 C 6 alkylamino; phenyl or heteroaryl such as 3-or 4-imidazolyl or 25 or 4-pyridyl, each of which phenyl or heteroaryl is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, Ci-C 6 alkyl, Ci-C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono-or di (Ci-C 6 alkylamino; 30 phenoxy where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently
5. 117- 004548605 selected from halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (C 1 -C 6 alkylamino; or a group of the formula (C N-(CH) where J is a bond, CH 2 oxygen, or nitrogen; and each r is independently 2 or 3; R 6 is hydroxy or a prodrug group; Ra is hydrogen, Ci-C 6 alkyl, fluoro, or trifluoromethyl; and Ar represents a phenyl group optionally substituted with up to groups independently selected from halogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens), nitro, OR 7 SR 7 S(0)R 7 S 2 R 7 or N(R 7 2 wherein R 7 is hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, Cl-C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (C 1 Cg) alkylamino, or the phenyl group may be condensed with benzo where the benzo is optionally substituted with one or two of halogen, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, perfluoroethyl, trifluoroacetyl, or (Ci-C 6 alkanoyl, hydroxy, (Ci-C 6 alkyl, (C 1 -Cs) alkoxy, (C 1 -C 6 alkylthio, trifluoromethoxy, 30 trifluoromethylthio, (CI-C) alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 C 6 alkylsulfonyl; oooooo -118- 004548605 a heterocyclic 5-membered ring having one nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, two nitrogens one of which may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur, or three nitrogens one of which may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur, said heterocyclic 5-membered ring substituted by one or two fluoro, chloro, (Ci-C 6 alkyl or phenyl, or condensed with benzo, or substituted by one of pyridyl, furyl or thienyl, said phenyl or benzo optionally substituted by one of iodo, cyano, nitro, perfluoroethyl, trifluoroacetyl, or (Ci-C 6 alkanoyl, one or two of fluoro, chloro, bromo, hydroxy, (Ci-C 6 alkyl, (Ci-Cg) alkoxy, (Ci-Cg) alkylthio, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, (Ci-C 6 alkylsulfinyl, (CI-C 6 alkylsulfonyl or trifluoromethyl, or two fluoro or two trifluoromethyl with one hydroxy or one (C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, or one or, preferably, two fluoro and one trifluoromethyl, or three fluoro, said pyridyl, furyl or thienyl optionally substituted in the 3-position by fluoro, chloro, bromo, (Ci-C 6 alkyl or (C 1 alkoxy; a heterocyclic 6-membered ring having one to three nitrogen atoms, or one or two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen or sulfur, said heterocyclic 6-membered ring Ssubstituted by one or two (Ci-C 6 alkyl or phenyl, or condensed with benzo, or substituted by one of S 25 pyridyl, furyl or thienyl, said phenyl or benzo optionally substituted by one of iodo or trifluoromethylthio, or one or two of fluoro, chloro, bromo, (Ci-C 6 alkyl, (Ci-C 6 alkoxy, (Ci-C 6 alkylthio, (Ci-C 6 alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 -C 6 alkylsulfonyl, or 30 trifluoromethyl, and said pyridyl, furyl or thienyl optionally substituted in the 3-position by fluoro, I chloro, (Ci-C 6 alkyl or (CI-C6) alkoxy; said benzo-condensed heterocyclic 5-membered or 6- S: membered rings optionally substituted in the -119- 004548605 heterocyclic 5-membered or 6-membered ring by one of fluoro, chloro, bromo, methoxy, or trifluoromethyl; oxazole or thiazole condensed with a 6-membered aromatic group containing one or two nitrogen atoms, with thiophene or with furane, each optionally substituted by one of fluoro, chloro, bromo, trifluoromethyl, methylthio or methylsulfinyl; imidazolopyridine or triazolopyridine optionally substituted by one of trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethylthio, bromo, or (C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, or two of fluoro or chloro; thienothiophene or thienofuran optionally substituted by one of fluoro, chloro or trifluoromethyl; thienotriazole optionally substituted by one of chloro or trifluoromethyl; naphthothiazole; naphthoxazole; or thienoisothiazole. 54. A method according to claim 53, wherein the mammal is diabetic. A method according to claim 54, wherein the mammal is human. 56. A use of a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of elevated serum triglyceride levels, where formula I is: S: 25 Ra R2 o° N A aORs *or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein 30 A is a C1-C4 alkylene group optionally substituted with Ci-C2 •alkyl or mono-or disubstituted with halogen; -120- 004548605 Z is a bond, o, S, C(O)NH, or CI-C 3 alkylene optionally substituted with C 1 -C 2 alkyl; R 1 is hydrogen, alkyl having i-6 carbon atoms, halogen, 2-, or 4 -pyridyl, or phenyl, where the phenyl or pyridyl is optionally substituted with up to three groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, C 1 -C s alkyl, nitro, amino, or mono- or di(C 1 -C 6 alkylamino; R 2 R 3 R 4 and R 5 are each independently hydrogen, halogen, nitro, or an alkyl group of i-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens); OR 7 SR 7 S (O0)R 7 S 2N(R) 2, C 2, or N(R 7 2 wherein each R7 is independently hydrogen, an alkyl group of o1- carbon atoms (which may be substituted ithon or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono-or di (C- Cs) alkylamino; phenyl or heteroaryl such as 2- 3 or 4 -imidazolyl or 2- 3( 3-or 4-imidazolyl or 3- or 4 -pyridyl, each of which phenyl or heteroaryl is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, CI-C 6 alkyl Ci-C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono-or di (CI-C 6 25 alkylamino; •phenoxy where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C1-C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (C 1 -C 6 alkylamino; or a group of the formula *eo 121 004548605 (CrtZ)r N-(CH r where J is a bond, CH 2 oxygen, or nitrogen; and each r is independently 2 or 3; RE is hydroxy or a prodrug group; Ra is hydrogen, Ci-C6 alkyl, fluoro, or trifluoromethyl; and Ar represents a phenyl group optionally substituted with up to groups independently selected from halogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens), nitro, OR 7 SR 7 S(0)R 7 S(0) 2 R 7 or N(R 7 2 wherein R 7 is hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, Cl-Cg alkyl, Cl-C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (Ci- C 6 )alkylamino, or the phenyl group may be condensed with benzo where the benzo is optionally substituted with one or two of halogen, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, perfluoroethyl, trifluoroacetyl, or (Ci-C 6 alkanoyl, hydroxy, (Cl-Cs) alkyl, (Cl-C) alkoxy, (Ci-CE) alkylthio, trifluoromethoxy, S 25 trifluoromethylthio, (CI-C) alkylsulfinyl, (Ci- C)alkylsulfonyl; a heterocyclic 5-membered ring having one nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, two nitrogens one of which may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur, or three nitrogens one 30 of which may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur, said heterocyclic 5-membered ring substituted by one or two fluoro, chloro, (Ci-C) alkyl or phenyl, or condensed with benzo, or substituted by one of pyridyl, furyl or
6. 122- 004548605 thienyl, said phenyl or benzo optionally substituted by one of iodo, cyano, nitro, perfluoroethyl, trifluoroacetyl, or (C 1 -C 6 alkanoyl, one or two of fluoro, chloro, bromo, hydroxy, (C 1 -C 6 alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, (C 1 -C 6 alkylthio, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, (C 1 -C 6 alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 -Cs) alkylsulfonyl or trifluoromethyl, or two fluoro or two trifluoromethyl with one hydroxy or one (C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, or one or, preferably, two fluoro and one trifluoromethyl, or three fluoro, said pyridyl, furyl or thienyl optionally substituted in the 3-position by fluoro, chloro, bromo, (C 1 -C 6 alkyl or (C 1 -Cs) alkoxy; a heterocyclic 6-membered ring having one to three nitrogen atoms, or one or two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen or sulfur, said heterocyclic 6-membered ring substituted by one or two (C 1 -C 6 alkyl or phenyl, or condensed with benzo, or substituted by one of pyridyl, furyl or thienyl, said phenyl or benzo optionally substituted by one of iodo or trifluoromethylthio, or one or two of fluoro, chloro, bromo, (C 1 -C 6 alkyl, (C 1 -Cs) alkoxy, (C 1 -C6) alkylthio, (C 1 -C 6 alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 -C 6 alkylsulfonyl, or trifluoromethyl, and said pyridyl, furyl or thienyl optionally substituted in the 3-position by fluoro, chloro, (C 1 -Cs) alkyl or (Ci-C 6 alkoxy; said benzo-condensed heterocyclic 5-membered or 6- membered rings optionally substituted in the heterocyclic 5-membered or 6-membered ring by one of fluoro, chloro, bromo, methoxy, or trifluoromethyl; 30 oxazole or thiazole condensed with a 6-membered 00000aromatic group containing one or two nitrogen atoms, S' with thiophene or with furane, each optionally substituted by one of fluoro, chloro, bromo, 0 trifluoromethyl, methylthio or methylsulfinyl; -123- 004548605 imidazolopyridine or triazolopyridine optionally substituted by one of trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethylthio, bromo, or (C 1 -Cg) alkoxy, or two of fluoro or chloro; thienothiophene or thienofuran optionally substituted by one of fluoro, chloro or trifluoromethyl; thienotriazole optionally substituted by one of chloro or trifluoromethyl; naphthothiazole; naphthoxazole; or thienoisothiazole. 57. A use of a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of elevated serum glucose levels, where formula I is: Ra R 2 -Z R r R 5 A .f ORs or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein A is a C 1 -C 4 alkylene group optionally substituted with Ci-C 2 20 alkyl or mono-or disubstituted with halogen; Z is a bond, 0, S, C(0)NH, or C 1 -C 3 alkylene optionally substituted with C 1 -C 2 alkyl; RI is hydrogen, alkyl having 1-6 carbon atoms, halogen, 2-, or 4-pyridyl, or phenyl, where the phenyl or pyridyl is optionally substituted with up to three groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, Ci-C 6 alkyl, nitro, amino, or mono- or di(Ci-C 6 alkylamino; SR 2 R 3 R 4 and Rs are each independently 0 *eee ooo g* o• -124- 004548605 hydrogen, halogen, nitro, or an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens); OR 7 SR 7 S (O)R 7 S 2 N (R 7 2, C(O)N(R 7 2 or N(R 7 2 wherein each R 7 is independently hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono-or di (C 1 C) alkylamino; phenyl or heteroaryl such as 3-or 4-imidazolyl or or 4-pyridyl, each of which phenyl or heteroaryl is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, Ci-Cs alkyl, Ci-Cs alkoxy, amino, and mono-or di (Ci-Cg) alkylamino; phenoxy where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, Ci-C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (CI-C 6 alkylamino; or a group of the formula J is a bond,(C CH2xygen, or nitrogenz); and :.each r is independently 2 or 3; 30 R 6 is hydroxy or a prodrug group; *o ooo t *ooo N (C 2 -125- 004548605 Ra is hydrogen, Ci-C 6 alkyl, fluoro, or trifluoromethyl; and Ar represents a phenyl group optionally substituted with up to groups independently selected from halogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens), nitro, OR 7 SR7, S(0)R 7 S(0) 2 R 7 or N(R 7 2 wherein R 7 is hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1 -C6 alkyl, Ci-C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di(C 1 C g )alkylamino, or the phenyl group may be condensed with benzo where the benzo is optionally substituted with one or two of halogen, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, perfluoroethyl, trifluoroacetyl, or (Ci-C 6 alkanoyl, hydroxy, (CI-C 6 alkyl, (Ci-Cg) alkoxy, (C 1 -Cg) alkylthio, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, (Ci-C 6 alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 C 6 alkylsulfonyl; a heterocyclic 5-membered ring having one nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, two nitrogens one of which may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur, or three nitrogens one of which may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur, said 25 heterocyclic 5-membered ring substituted by one or two fluoro, chloro, (Ci-C 6 alkyl or phenyl, or condensed with benzo, or substituted by one of pyridyl, furyl or thienyl, said phenyl or benzo optionally substituted by one of iodo, cyano, nitro, perfluoroethyl, 30 trifluoroacetyl, or (C 1 -Cg) alkanoyl, one or two of fluoro, chloro, bromo, hydroxy, (Ci-C 6 alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, (C 1 -C 6 alkylthio, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, (Ci-C 6 alkylsulfinyl, (Ci-Cg) S: alkylsulfonyl or trifluoromethyl, or two fluoro or two trifluoromethyl with one hydroxy or one (C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, -126- 004548605 or one or, preferably, two fluoro and one trifluoromethyl, or three fluoro, said pyridyl, furyl or thienyl optionally substituted in the 3-position by fluoro, chloro, bromo, (C 1 -Cs) alkyl or (C 1 -C 6 alkoxy; a heterocyclic 6-membered ring having one to three nitrogen atoms, or one or two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen or sulfur, said heterocyclic 6-membered ring substituted by one or two (C 1 -C 6 alkyl or phenyl, or condensed with benzo, or substituted by one of pyridyl, furyl or thienyl, said phenyl or benzo optionally substituted by one of iodo or trifluoromethylthio, or one or two of fluoro, chloro, bromo, (C 1 -C 6 alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, (C 1 -C6) alkylthio, (C 1 -C 6 alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 -C 6 alkylsulfonyl, or trifluoromethyl, and said pyridyl, furyl or thienyl optionally substituted in the 3-position by fluoro, chloro, (C 1 -C 6 alkyl or (C 1 -C 6 alkoxy; said benzo-condensed heterocyclic 5-membered or 6- membered rings optionally substituted in the heterocyclic 5-membered or 6-membered ring by one of fluoro, chloro, bromo, methoxy, or trifluoromethyl; *0 oxazole or thiazole condensed with a 6-membered aromatic group containing one or two nitrogen atoms, with thiophene or with furane, each optionally 25 substituted by one of fluoro, chloro, bromo, 0 trifluoromethyl, methylthio or methylsulfinyl; S 0 imidazolopyridine or triazolopyridine optionally substituted by one of trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethylthio, bromo, or (C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, or two .99. S 30 of fluoro or chloro; *00.0 thienothiophene or thienofuran optionally substituted by one of fluoro, chloro or trifluoromethyl; 9 of 0:000: -127- 004548605 thienotriazole optionally substituted by one of chloro or trifluoromethyl; naphthothiazole; naphthoxazole; or thienoisothiazole. 58. A use of a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for inhibiting angiogenesis, where formula I is: 2 rZ R3 Ar R 4 O R ORs or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein A is a C 1 -C 4 alkylene group optionally substituted with Ci-C 2 alkyl or mono-or disubstituted with halogen; Z is a bond, 0, S, C(0)NH, or C 1 -C 3 alkylene optionally substituted with Ci-C 2 alkyl; RI is hydrogen, alkyl having 1-6 carbon atoms, halogen, 2-, or 4-pyridyl, or phenyl, where the phenyl or pyridyl is optionally substituted with up to three groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, nitro, 20 amino, or mono- or di(Ci-C 6 alkylamino; **e R 2 R 3 R 4 and Rs are each independently hydrogen, halogen, nitro, or an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens); OR 7 SR 7 S (0)R 7 S (0) 2 N(R 7 2 C(0)N(R 7 2 or N(R 7 2 wherein each R 7 is independently hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three 30 groups independently selected from halogen, C 1 -C 6 -128- 004548605 alkyl, C 1 -Cs alkoxy, amino, and mono-or di (Ci- C) alkylamino; phenyl or heteroaryl such as 3-or 4-imidazolyl or or 4-pyridyl, each of which phenyl or heteroaryl is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, Ci-C6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono-or di (Cl-C 6 alkylamino; phenoxy where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, Ci-C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (Ci-C 6 alkylamino; or a group of the formula (C N-(CHz where J is a bond, CH 2 oxygen, or nitrogen; and each r is independently 2 or 3; R 6 is hydroxy or a prodrug group; Ra is hydrogen, Ci-C 6 alkyl, fluoro, or trifluoromethyl; and "Ar represents :i a phenyl group optionally substituted with up to groups independently selected from halogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens), nitro, OR 7 SR 7 S(0)R 7 S (0) 2 R 7 or N(R7) 2 wherein R 7 is hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted 30 with one or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1 -Cg -129- 004548605 alkyl, Ci-C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (Ci- C) alkylamino, or the phenyl group may be condensed with benzo where the benzo is optionally substituted with one or two of halogen, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, perfluoroethyl, trifluoroacetyl, or (CI-C 6 alkanoyl, hydroxy, (C 1 -C 6 alkyl, (Ci-C 6 alkoxy, (C 1 -C 6 alkylthio, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, (Cl-C 6 alkylsulfinyl, (Ci- C) alkylsulfonyl; a heterocyclic 5-membered ring having one nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, two nitrogens one of which may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur, or three nitrogens one of which may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur, said heterocyclic 5-membered ring substituted by one or two fluoro, chloro, (C 1 -C 6 alkyl or phenyl, or condensed with benzo, or substituted by one of pyridyl, furyl or thienyl, said phenyl or benzo optionally substituted by one of iodo, cyano, nitro, perfluoroethyl, trifluoroacetyl, or (Ci-Cg) alkanoyl, one or two of fluoro, chloro, bromo, hydroxy, (Ci-C 6 alkyl, (Ci-C 6 alkoxy, (C -CG) alkylthio, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, (C 1 -C 6 alkylsulfinyl, (Ci-C 6 alkylsulfonyl or trifluoromethyl, or two fluoro or two o. trifluoromethyl with one hydroxy or one (Ci-C 6 alkoxy, or one or, preferably, two fluoro and one trifluoromethyl, or three fluoro, said pyridyl, furyl Sor thienyl optionally substituted in the 3-position by fluoro, chloro, bromo, (Ci-Cs) alkyl or (Ci-C 6 alkoxy; a heterocyclic 6-membered ring having one to three 30 nitrogen atoms, or one or two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen or sulfur, said heterocyclic 6-membered ring substituted by one or two (C 1 -C 6 alkyl or phenyl, or condensed with benzo, or substituted by one of pyridyl, furyl or thienyl, said phenyl or benzo optionally substituted by one of iodo or -130- 004548605 trifluoromethylthio, or one or two of fluoro, chloro, bromo, (Ci-C6) alkyl, (C 1 -C6) alkoxy, (C1-C6) alkylthio, (Ci-C 6 alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 -C6) alkylsulfonyl, or trifluoromethyl, and said pyridyl, furyl or thienyl optionally substituted in the 3-position by fluoro, chloro, (Cl-C 6 alkyl or (Cl-C 6 alkoxy; said benzo-condensed heterocyclic 5-membered or 6- membered rings optionally substituted in the heterocyclic 5-membered or 6-membered ring by one of fluoro, chloro, bromo, methoxy, or trifluoromethyl; oxazole or thiazole condensed with a 6-membered aromatic group containing one or two nitrogen atoms, with thiophene or with furane, each optionally substituted by one of fluoro, chloro, bromo, trifluoromethyl, methylthio or methylsulfinyl; imidazolopyridine or triazolopyridine optionally substituted by one of trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethylthio, bromo, or (Ci-C 6 alkoxy, or two of fluoro or chloro; thienothiophene or thienofuran optionally substituted by one of fluoro, chloro or trifluoromethyl; thienotriazole optionally substituted by one of chloro or trifluoromethyl; naphthothiazole; naphthoxazole; or thienoisothiazole. 59. A use of a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for the promotion of wound healing, where formula I is: Ra *I 2Ar 4 O 0 A. OR 6 -131- 004548605 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein A is a C 1 -C 4 alkylene group optionally substituted with C 1 -C 2 alkyl or mono-or disubstituted with halogen; Z is a bond, 0, S, C(O)NH, or C 1 -C 3 alkylene optionally substituted with C 1 -C 2 alkyl; RI is hydrogen, alkyl having 1-6 carbon atoms, halogen, 2-, or 4-pyridyl, or phenyl, where the phenyl or pyridyl is optionally substituted with up to three groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, Ci-C 6 alkyl, nitro, amino, or mono- or di(Ci-C 6 alkylamino; R 2 R 3 R 4 and Rs are each independently hydrogen, halogen, nitro, or an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens); OR 7 SR 7 S R 7 S 2 N(R 7 2 C(O)N(R 7 2 or N(R7)2, wherein each R 7 is independently hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono-or di(Ci- C 6 alkylamino; phenyl or heteroaryl such as 3-or 4-imidazolyl or or 4-pyridyl, each of which phenyl or 25 heteroaryl is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono-or di (Ci-C 6 alkylamino; phenoxy where the phenyl portion is optionally 30 substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (CI-C 6 alkylamino; or o o -132- 004548605 a group of the formula (Cr N-(CHzr where J is a bond, CH 2 oxygen, or nitrogen; and each r is independently 2 or 3; R 6 is hydroxy or a prodrug group; Ra is hydrogen, Ci-C 6 alkyl, fluoro, or trifluoromethyl; and Ar represents a phenyl group optionally substituted with up to groups independently selected from halogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens), nitro, OR 7 SR 7 S(0)R 7 S(0) 2 R 7 or N(R 7 2 wherein R 7 is hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (C 1 C 6 alkylamino, or the phenyl group may be condensed with benzo where the benzo is optionally substituted with one or two of halogen, cyano, nitro, S* 25 trifluoromethyl, perfluoroethyl, trifluoroacetyl, or (Ci-Cg) alkanoyl, hydroxy, (Ci-Cg) alkyl, (C 1 i-Cg) alkoxy, (Ci-Cs) alkylthio, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, (C 1 alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 C 6 alkylsulfonyl; 30 a heterocyclic 5-membered ring having one nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, two nitrogens one of which may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur, or three nitrogens one -133- 004548605 of which may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur, said heterocyclic 5-membered ring substituted by one or two fluoro, chloro, (C 1 -C 6 alkyl or phenyl, or condensed with benzo, or substituted by one of pyridyl, furyl or thienyl, said phenyl or benzo optionally substituted by one of iodo, cyano, nitro, perfluoroethyl, trifluoroacetyl, or (C 1 -C 6 alkanoyl, one or two of fluoro, chloro, bromo, hydroxy, (C 1 -C 6 alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, (Cl-C 6 alkylthio, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, (C 1 -Cs) alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 -C 6 alkylsulfonyl or trifluoromethyl, or two fluoro or two trifluoromethyl with one hydroxy or one (C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, or one or, preferably, two fluoro and one trifluoromethyl, or three fluoro, said pyridyl, furyl or thienyl optionally substituted in the 3-position by fluoro, chloro, bromo, (C 1 -C 6 alkyl or (C 1 -C 6 alkoxy; a heterocyclic 6-membered ring having one to three nitrogen atoms, or one or two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen or sulfur, said heterocyclic 6-membered ring substituted by one or two (C 1 -C 6 alkyl or phenyl, or condensed with benzo, or substituted by one of pyridyl, furyl or thienyl, said phenyl or benzo optionally substituted by one of iodo or trifluoromethylthio, or one or two of fluoro, chloro, bromo, (C 1 -C 6 alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, (Cl-C6) alkylthio, (C 1 alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 alkylsulfonyl, or trifluoromethyl, and said pyridyl, furyl or thienyl optionally substituted in the 3-position by fluoro, chloro, (Cl-CE) alkyl or (C 1 -Cs) alkoxy; said benzo-condensed heterocyclic 5-membered or 6- membered rings optionally substituted in the heterocyclic 5-membered or 6-membered ring by one of fluoro, chloro, bromo, methoxy, or trifluoromethyl; oxazole or thiazole condensed with a 6-membered 0 35 aromatic group containing one or two nitrogen atoms, -134- 004548605 with thiophene or with furane, each optionally substituted by one of fluoro, chloro, bromo, trifluoromethyl, methylthio or methylsulfinyl; imidazolopyridine or triazolopyridine optionally substituted by one of trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethylthio, bromo, or (Cl-C6) alkoxy, or two of fluoro or chloro; thienothiophene or thienofuran optionally substituted by one of fluoro, chloro or trifluoromethyl; thienotriazole optionally substituted by one of chloro or trifluoromethyl; naphthothiazole; naphthoxazole; or thienoisothiazole. A use of a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of elevated serum glucose and triglyceride levels, where formula I is: Ra R2 Z R- ZAr R 5 ORs or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein A is a C 1 -C 4 alkylene group optionally substituted with C 1 -C 2 alkyl or mono-or disubstituted with halogen; Z is a bond, 0, S, C(0)NH, or Ci-C 3 alkylene optionally substituted with C 1 -C 2 alkyl; RI is hydrogen, alkyl having 1-6 carbon atoms, halogen, 2-, or 4-pyridyl, or phenyl, where the phenyl or pyridyl is optionally substituted with up to three groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, CI-C6 alkyl, nitro, amino, or mono- or di(C 1 -C 6 alkylamino; Sand R are each independently R 2 R 3 R 4 and Rs are each independently -135- I 004548605 hydrogen, halogen, nitro, or an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens); OR 7 SR 7 S(O)R 7 S(0) 2 N(R 7 2 C(O)N(R 7 2 or N(R 7 2, wherein each R 7 is independently hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, Ci-C6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono-or di (Ci- C 6 )alkylamino; phenyl or heteroaryl such as 3-or 4-imidazolyl or or 4-pyridyl, each of which phenyl or heteroaryl is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C1-Cs alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono-or di (Ci-Cg) alkylamino; phenoxy where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C1-Cs alkyl, Ci-C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (C 1 -C 6 alkylamino; or a group of the formula a a where SJ is a bond, CH 2 oxygen, or nitrogen; and each r is independently 2 or 3; 30 Re is hydroxy or a prodrug group; o oo* *ooo
7. 136- 004548605 Ra is hydrogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, fluoro, or trifluoromethyl; and Ar represents a phenyl group optionally substituted with up to groups independently selected from halogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens) nitro, OR 7 SR 7 S(0)R 7 S(0) 2 R 7 or N(R 7 2 wherein R 7 is hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms (which may be substituted with one or more halogens) or benzyl, where the phenyl portion is optionally substituted with up to three groups independently selected from halogen, C 1 -C 6 alkyl, C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, amino, and mono- or di (Ci- C) alkylamino, or the phenyl group may be condensed with benzo where the benzo is optionally substituted with one or two of halogen, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, perfluoroethyl, trifluoroacetyl, or (Ci-Cs) alkanoyl, hydroxy, (CI-C 6 alkyl, (Ci-C 6 alkoxy, (C 1 -Cs) alkylthio, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, (Ci-Cg) alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 Cg) alkylsulfonyl; a heterocyclic 5-membered ring having one nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, two nitrogens one of which may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur, or three nitrogens one of which may be replaced by oxygen or sulfur, said heterocyclic 5-membered ring substituted by one or two fluoro, chloro, (Cl-C) alkyl or phenyl, or condensed with benzo, or substituted by one of pyridyl, furyl or thienyl, said phenyl or benzo optionally substituted by one of iodo, cyano, nitro, perfluoroethyl, 30 trifluoroacetyl, or (Ci-Cs) alkanoyl, one or two of fluoro, chloro, bromo, hydroxy, (C 1 -Cg) alkyl, (C 1 -Cg) alkoxy, (C -C alkylthio, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, (C 1 -Cg) alkylsulfinyl, (Ci-C 6 alkylsulfonyl or trifluoromethyl, or two fluoro or two 35 trifluoromethyl with one hydroxy or one (C 1 -Ce) alkoxy, -137- 004548605 or one or, preferably, two fluoro and one trifluoromethyl, or three fluoro, said pyridyl, furyl or thienyl optionally substituted in the 3-position by fluoro, chloro, bromo, (Cl-C 6 alkyl or (C 1 alkoxy; a heterocyclic 6-membered ring having one to three nitrogen atoms, or one or two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen or sulfur, said heterocyclic 6-membered ring substituted by one or two (Cl-C 6 alkyl or phenyl, or condensed with benzo, or substituted by one of pyridyl, furyl or thienyl, said phenyl or benzo optionally substituted by one of iodo or trifluoromethylthio, or one or two of fluoro, chloro, bromo, (Ci-C 6 alkyl, (Cl-C 6 alkoxy, (Ci-C 6 alkylthio, (Cl-C 6 alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 -C 6 alkylsulfonyl, or trifluoromethyl, and said pyridyl, furyl or thienyl optionally substituted in the 3-position by fluoro, chloro, (C 1 -C 6 alkyl or (Ci-C 6 alkoxy; said benzo-condensed heterocyclic 5-membered or 6- membered rings optionally substituted in the heterocyclic 5-membered or 6-membered ring by one of fluoro, chloro, bromo, methoxy, or trifluoromethyl; oxazole or thiazole condensed with a 6-membered Saromatic group containing one or two nitrogen atoms, with thiophene or with furane, each optionally 25 substituted by one of fluoro, chloro, bromo, trifluoromethyl, methylthio or methylsulfinyl; *imidazolopyridine or triazolopyridine optionally substituted by one of trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethylthio, bromo, or (C 1 -C 6 alkoxy, or two S 30 of fluoro or chloro; Sthienothiophene or thienofuran optionally substituted by one of fluoro, chloro or trifluoromethyl; S. -138- 004548605 thienotriazole optionally substituted by one of chloro or trifluoromethyl; naphthothiazole; naphthoxazole; or thienoisothiazole. 61. A use according to any one of claims 56-60, where the compound of formula I is: 3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole-N-acetic acid, ethyl ester; 5-chloro-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl- indole-N-acetic acid; 2-methyl-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl- indole-N-acetic acid; 5-methyl-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl- indole-N-acetic acid; 7-methyl-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl- indole-N-acetic acid; 6-chloro-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl- indole-N-acetic acid; 5-benzyloxy-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl- indole-N-acetic acid; 6-flouro-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl- indole-N-acetic acid; 5-flouro-3-4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole- N-acetic acid; *:6-methyl-3- 5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl- indole-N-acetic acid; 3- (5-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole -N-acetic acid; 5-methyl-3- (5-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole-N- acetic acid; 30 3-(3-nitrophenyl) methyl-indole-N-acetic acid. 139 004548605 3-(3-nitrophenyl) methyl-indole-N-acetic acid, ethyl ester; 2-phenyl-3 (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole- N-acetic acid; 5-phenyl-3 (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole- N-acetic acid; 6-phenyl-3 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole- N-acetic acid; 5-morpholino-3- (4,5,7-trifluoroberizothiazol-2-yl) methyl- indole-N-acetic acid; 6-morpholino-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl- indole-N-acetic acid; 5-phenoxy-3- 5;7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl- indole-N-acetic acid; 7-fluoro-3 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole- N-acetic acid; 7-bromo-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole- N-acetic methyl-indole-N-acetic acid; 7-chloro-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl- indole-N-acetic acid; 3- [[5-Fluorbenzothiazole-2-ylImethyl] -indole-N-acetic acid; 3- Fluorbenzothiazole-2-yllmethyl] -indole-N-acetic acid. 62. A method according to any one of claims 50 to 53, where :the compound is: 3- 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole-N-acetic acid, ethyl ester; 5-chloro-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)mehl indole-N-acetic acid; 2-methyl-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl- 30 indole-N-acetic acid; -140- 004548605 57methyl-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2>yl) methyl- indole-N-acetic acid; 7-methyl-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl- indole-N-acetic acid; 6-chloro-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl- indole-N-acetic acid; 5-benzyloxy-3- 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl- indole-N-acetic acid; 6-f louro-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl- indole-N-acetic acid; 5-flouro-3-4,5,7-trifluoroberizothiazol-2yl) methyl-indole- N-acetic acid; 6-methyl-3- (4,5,7-trifluoroberizothiazol-2-yl) methyl- indole-N-acetic acid; 3- (5-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole-N-acetic acid; 5-methyl-3- (5-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole-N- acetic acid; 3- (3-nitrophenyl) methyl-indole-N-acetic acid. 20 3-(3-nitrophenyl) methyl-indole-N--acetic acid, ethyl ester; 2-phenyl-3 7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole- N-acetic acid; 5-phenyl-3 (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole- N-acetic acid; 6-phenyl-3 (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole- N-acetic acid; 5-morpholino-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl- indole-N-acetic acid; 6-morpholino-3- (4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl- 30 indole-N-acetic acid; 141 004548605 5-phenoxy-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl- indole-N-acetic acid; 7-fluoro-3(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole- N-acetic acid; 7-bromo-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl-indole- N-acetic methyl-indole-N-acetic acid; 7-chloro-3-(4,5,7-trifluorobenzothiazol-2-yl) methyl- indole-N-acetic acid; 3-[[5-Fluorbenzothiazole-2-yl]methyl]-indole-N-acetic acid; or Fluorbenzothiazole-2-yl]methyl]-indole-N-acetic acid. 63. A method for reducing elevated serum triglyceride levels according to claim 1, substantially as described herein with reference to the examples. 64. A method for reducing elevated serum glucose levels according to claim 50, substantially as described herein with reference to the examples. A method for inhibiting angiogenesis according to claim 51, substantially as described herein with reference to the examples. 66. A method for reducing elevated serum glucose and triglyceride levels according to claim 52, substantially as Sdescribed herein with reference to the examples. 67. A method for promoting wound healing in mammals 25 according to claim 53, substantially as described herein with reference to the examples. 68. A use of a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of elevated serum triglyceride levels, 30 substantially as described herein with reference to the examples. ooooo -142- 004548605 69. A use of a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of elevated serum glucose levels, substantially as described herein with reference to the examples. A use of a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for inhibiting angiogenesis, substantially as described herein with reference to the examples. 71. A use of a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for the promotion of wound healing, substantially as described herein with reference to the examples. 72. A use of a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of elevated serum glucose and triglyceride levels, substantially as described herein with reference to the examples. The Institutes for Pharmaceutical Discovery LLC by its attorneys Freehills Carter Smith Beadle 14 January 2004 ••go ooooo oo .:i oo go*go o*oo D*g S -143-