CA2228050A1 - 2,5-substituted aryl pyrroles, compositions containing such compounds and methods of use - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention addresses 2,5-substituted aryl pyrroles of formula (I);
or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as well as compositions containing such compounds and methods of treatment. The compounds are useful for treating Cytokine mediated diseases, which refers to diseases or conditions in which excessive or unregulated production or activity of one or more cytokines occurs. Interleukin-1(IL-1), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) are cytokines which are involved in immunoregulation and other physiological conditions, such as inflammation. The compounds also have glucagon antagonist activity.

Description

CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W O 97/05878 PCT~US96~12922 TITLE OF THE INVENTION

2,5-SUBSTITUTED ARYL PYRROLES, COMPOSITIONS
CONTAINING SUCH COMPOUNDS AND METHODS OF USE

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Thi,~ application i,s ba,sed upon provi~iional U.S. application no.
60/002,094 filed on Augu.st 10, 1995 and upon provi~ional U. S. application no. 60/014,1g2 filed on March 23, 1996, priority of which i.s claimed hereunder.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The pre~ient invention addresse,~; 2,5-,substituted aryl pyrrole,s, a~ well a~; compo,sition~ containing ~such compound.s and methods of treatment.
Cytokine mediated di,sea~es refer.s to di~ea.se~ or condition,s in which exce.s,sive or unregulated production of one or more cytokines occur.s.
Interleukin- 1 (IL- 1 ) and Tumor Necrolsis Factor (TNF) are cytokines produced by a variety of cell,s, which are involved in immllnoregulation and other pl1y,siological conditions, such as inflammation.
IL- 1 ha,s been demonstrated to mediate a variety of biological activities thought to be important in immunoregulation and other phy,siological condition~ See, e.g., Dinarello et al., Rev. Infect. Di,sea~;e. 6, 51 ( 19~4)]. The myriad of known biological activitie~ of IL-l include the activation of T-helper cells, induction of fever, ,stimulation of pro,staglandinor collagena.se production, neutrophil chemotaxi.s, induction of acute phase protein,s and the suppres,sion of plasma iron levels.
There are many di,sea~se states in which IL-l is implicated.
Included among the~;e di~;ea~es are rheumatoid arthriti~, o~teoarthriti.s, endotoxemia, toxic ~ihock .syndrome, other acute or chronic inflammatory di~ea.se.s, ,such a,s the inflammatory reaction induced by endotoxin or inflamrnatoly bowel di,sea~e; tuberculo~ i, atherosclero,~i~, mu~;cle degeneration, cachexia, p,soriatic althriti,~, Reiter'~ yndrome, rheumatoid arthriti~;, gout, traumatic althriti~i, rubella arthriti~ and acute synovitis.
Recent evidence al~o link,~ IL-l activity to diabete~ and pancreatic ,B cells.
Exce~s.sive or unregulated TNF production ha~s been implicated in mediating or exacerbating rheumatoid arthriti,~, rheumatoid ~ipondyliti,s, CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 osteoarthritis, gouty arthriti,s, and other arthritic conditions; sepsi.s, septic shock, endotoxic shock, gram negative sepsis, toxic shock syndrome, adult respiratory distress syndrome, cerebral malaria, chronic pulmonary infl~mm~tory disease, silicosis, pulmonary sarcosis, bone resorption 5 diseases, reperfu,sion injury, graft vs. host reaction, allograft rejections, fever and myalgia.~ due to infection, such as influenza, cachexia secondary to infection or malignancy, cachexia secondary to ac4uired immllne deficiency syndrome (AIDS), AIDS related complex (ARC), keloid formation, scar tis.sue formation, Crohn's disea~e, ulcerative colitis and I 0 pyresi.s.
M[onokines, such a.s TNF, have been shown to activate HIV
replication in monocytes and/or macrophages [See Poli, et al., Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci., 87:782-784 (1990)]. Therefore, inhibition of monokine production or activity aids in limiting HIV progre.ssion as stated above for 15 T-cell.s. TNF ha~ also been implicated in variou.s roles with other viral infections, .such a.s the cytomegalovirus (CMV), influenza virus and the herpe,s virus.
IL-6 is a cytokine effecting the immune system, hematopoiesi,s and acute phase reactions. It is produced by several m~mm~ n cell types 20 in response to agent,s such as IL-l and is correlated with disea.se state.s such as angiofollicular lymphoid hyperplasia.
Interleukin-~s (IL-8) i.s a chemotactic factor first identified and characterized in 1987. Many different names have been applied to IL-8, such as neutrophil attractant/activation protein- I (NAP- 1 ), monocyte 25 derived neutrophil chemotactic factor (MDNCF), neutrophil activating factor (NAF), and T-cell Iymphocyte chemotactic factor. Like IL-I, IL-8 i~;
produced by several cell types, including mononuclear cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cell~. Its production i~; induced by IL- 1, TNF and by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). IL-8 stimulate~; a number of cellular functions in 30 vitro. It is a chemoattractant for neutrophils, T-lymphocyte.~ and ba~ophil.~.
It induce.s hi~tamine relea~ie from basophil~i. It cause,s Iysozomal enzyme relea:~e and respiratory burst from neutrophils. and it has been shown to increase the .~urface expression of Mac-l (CDl Ib/CD 18) on neutrophil~
without de novo protein ~ynthe~i~. There remain.s ~ need for treatment, in 35 this field, for compounds which are cytokine suppres.sive or antagonistic, , -i.e., compounds which are capable of inhibiting or antagonizing cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF.
The compounds of formula I are also useful in treating diseases characterized by exces.sive IL-~ activity. There are many disease states in which exce.ssive or unregulated IL-~ production is implicated in exacerbating and/or causing the disease. These diseases include psoriasis, infl~mm~tory bowel di,sease, asthma, cardiac and renal reperfusion injury, adult re~piratory di,~tress syndrome, thrombosis and glomerulonephriti~i.

SUMMARY OF THE ~VENTION
The pre.sent invention i.s directed to a compound represented by formula I:

(Ra)o 3~ R2 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

(~) and ~) each independently repre.~ent a 5-10 membered aryl or heteroaryl group substituted with Ra groups;
wherein a and b repre~ent~ integers, O, 1, 2 or 3, such that the sum of a plus bis 1,2,30r4;

,~, repre~;ent~ a heteroaryl group containing from 5 to 10 atom~, 1-4 of which are heteroatoms, 0-4 of which heteroatom~ are N and 0-I of which are O or S, said heteroaryl group being unsubstituted or .substituted with O -3 Ra groups; each R~ independently represents a member CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W O 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 ~elected from the group consisting of: halo; CN, N02, R21; OR23; SR23;
S(O)R21; S02R21; NR20R23; NR2~)COR21; NR2OCO2R2l;
NR20coNR20R23; NR20so2R2l; NR20c(NR2o)NHR2o~ Co2R23;
CONR20R23; So2NR2oR23; SO2NR20COR21; S02NR20coNR2oR23;
S S02NR20co2R2l; oCoNR20R23; OCONR2~S02R2~~ C(O)OCH20C(O)R2(); r C(NR20)NR20R23 and CONR20so2R2l;

Rl i.s ,selected from the group consisting of: H, aryl, C1 15 alkyl, C3 15 alkenyl, C3 15 alkynyl and heterocyclyl, said alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, alkynyl and heterocyclyl being optionally sub,stituted with from one to three member,s selected from the group consisting of: aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, OR2(), SR2(), N(R2())2, S(O)R21, SO2R21, S02NR20R23~
SO2NR2~COR2l, So2NR2()coNR2oR23~ NR2()coR2l~ NR20co2R2l, NR20coNR2oR23~ N(R2())C(NR2())NHR20, C02R2(), CoNR20R23 CONR2nS02R21, NR20S02R21, S02NR2()C02R21, oCoNR20R23, OCONR2()S02R21; oCoNR2()R23 ~nd C(O)OCH20C(O)R20;

R2 i.s ,selected from the group consi.sting of: H, Cl l5 alkyl, C2 15 alkenyl, C2 ls alkynyl, halo, NO2, heterocyclyl, CN, S(O)R21, S02R2l, S02N(R20)2, S02NR2~COR2l, S02NR2()CON(R20)2, COR2(-), CO2R20, CONR20R23~ CONR2~SO2R2l and SO2NR2~CO2R2l, said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and heterocyclyl being optionally substituted with from one to three member~i ,c;elected from the group consi,sting of: halo, heterocyclyl, CN, aryl, heteroaryl, R20, OR2(), SR2()~ NR2oR23~ S(O)R21, SO2R21, S02NR20R23~ SO2NR2()COR2l, S02NR2()CoNR2()R23~ NR2()COR21, NR20co2R21, NR2()coNR20R23, NR2()C(NR20)NHR20 C02R20 CoNR20R23, CONR2()S02R22, NR2~)S02R21~ S02NR2()CQ2R22, OCONR2()S02R21 and 0CONR2()R2~;

R2() repre.sents a member ~selected from the group consisting of:
H, Cl ls alkyl, C2 l5 alkenyl, C2 l5 alkynyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl, ~;aid alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl. heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl being optionally substituted with 1-3 groups ~elected from halo, aryl and heteroaryl;

.

CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 WO 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 R21 represents a member selected from the group consisting of:
Cl l5 alkyl, C2 ls alkenyl, C2 15 alkynyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl, such alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl being optionally interrupted with oxo and/or 1-2 heteroatoms selected from O, S, S(O), S02 and NR20, said alkyl, 5 alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl and heteroaryl being optionally substituted with from 1-3 of halo, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, CN, OR2~), O((CH2)nO)mR20, NR20((CH2)nO)mR2() wherein n represents an integer of from 2 to 4, and m represents an integer of from 1 to 3; SR2(~, N(R2o)2~ S(O)R22, SO2R22, S02N(R2())2, S02NR2()COR22. SO2NR2()CON(R2~)2, NR20COR2~, NR2()C02R22, NR20CON(R2())2, NR22C(NR22)NHR22, C02R2(), CON(R20)2, CC)NR2()S02R22, NR2OSO2R22, SO2NR2~CO2R22, OCONR20so2R22oc(o)R2o~ C(O)OCH20C(O)R20 and OCON(R2())2;

R22 is selected from the group consisting of: Cl l5 alkyl, C2 15 alkenyl, C2 1s alkynyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl, said alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl being optionally substituted with 1-3 halo, aryl or heteroaryl groups;

R23 i,s R2l or H;
R24 i,s selected from COR22, C02R22, CON(R20)2, S02R22 and R23;
and when two R2() groups are present, when R2() and R21 are present, or when R20 and R23 are present, said two R20 groups, R20 and R21 or said R2() and R23 may be taken in combination with the atoms to which they are attached and any intervening atoms and represent heterocyclyl containing from 5-10 atoms, at lea.st one atom of which is a heteroatom selected from O, S or N, .said hetercyclyl optionally containing 1-3 additional N atoms and 0-1 additional O or S atom.
Al.so included in the invention is a pharmaceutical composition which is comprised of a compound of formula I in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
The invention includes a method of treating psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, asthm~ cardiac and renal reperfusion injury, adult re,spiratory distress syndrome~ thrombosis and glomerulonephritis~ in a mammal in need of such treatment which comprises administering to said CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W O 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 m~mm~l a compound of formula I in an amount which is effective for treating ,said disease or condition.
- Also included in the invention is a method of treating acytokine mediated disease in a mammal, comprising administering to a S m~mm~ n patient in need of such treatment an amount of a compound of formula I which is effective to treat .said cytokine mediated disease.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention is de.scribed herein in detail using the terms 10 defined below unles,s otherwise .specified.
The term "alkyl" refers to a monovalent alkane (hydrocarbon) derived radical containing from 1 to 15 carbon atoms unless otherwi,se defined. It may be .straight, branched or cyclic. Preferred straight or branched alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, i~opropyl, butyl and t-15 butyl. Preferred cycloalkyl groups include cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl.
Alkyl also includes a straight or branched alkyl group which contains or i.s interrupted by a cycloalkylene portion. Example.s include the following:

--(CH2)X~ and (CH2)w ~ (CH2)z--wherein: x plus y - from 0-10 and w plus z = from 0-9.
The alkylene and monovalent alkyl portion(s) of the alkyl group can be attached at any available point of attachment to the 25 cycloalkylene portion.
When ,substituted alkyl is present, thi~ refer,s to a ~traight, branched or cyclic alkyl group a~s defined above, substituted with 1-3 groups a~s defined with re,spect to each variable.
The term "alkenyl" refers to a hydlocarbon radical straight, 30 branched or cyclic containing from 2 to 1~ carbon atoms and at lea.st one carbon to carbon double bond. Preferably one carbon to carbon double bond i,s present, and up to four non-aromatic (non-re,sonating) carbon-carbon double bonds may be pre,sent. Preferred alkenyl groups include ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl ~nd cyclohexenyl. A,s de.scribed above with CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W O 47~05878 PCT~US96/12922 respect to alkyl, the straight, branched or cyclic portion of the alkenyl group may contain double bonds and may be substituted when a substituted alkenyl group i.s provided.
The term "alkynyl" refers to a hydrocarbon radical .~traight, 5 branched or cyclic, cont~ining from 2 to 15 carbon atoms and at least one carbon to carbon triple bond. Up to three carbon-carbon triple bonds may be present. Preferred alkynyl groups include ethynyl, propynyl and butynyl.
As described above with respect to alkyl, the straight, branched or cyclic portiorl of the alkynyl group may contain triple bonds and may be 10 ,substituted when a ~ubstituted alkynyl group i~i provided.
Aryl refers to aromatic rings e.g., phenyl, substituted phenyl and like groups as well a.s rings which are fu,sed, e.g., naphthyl and the like.Aryl thus contains at least one ring having at least 6 atoms, with up to two .~uch rirlg~s being present, cont~ining up to 10 atoms therein, with alternating15 (resonating) double bonds between adjacent carbon atoms. The preferred aryl groups are phenyl and naphthyl. Aryl groups may likewise be substituted as defined below. Preferred substituted aryls include phenyl and naphthyl substi~uted with one or two groups.
The term "heteroaryl" refers to a monocyclic aromatic 20 hydrocarbon group having 5 or 6 ring atoms, or a bicyclic aromatic group having ~ to 10 atom~, cont~ining at least one heteroatoml O~ S or N, in which a carbon or nitrogen atom i~s the point of attachment, and in which one additional carbon atom i,s optionally replaced by a heteroatom selected from O or S, and in which from I to 3 additional carbon atoms are 25 optionally replaced by nitrogen heteroatom~. The heteroaryl group is optionally sub,stituted with up to three Ra groups.
Heteroaryl thus includes aromatic and partially aromatic group.s which contain one or more heteroatom~. Examples of thi~i type are thiophene, purine, imidazopyridine, pyridine, oxazole, thiazole, pyrazole, 30 tetrazole, imidazole, pyrimidine, pyrazine and triazine.

The group,~ (~) and (~) represent 5-1() membered ~ aryl or heteroaryl, each of which is substituted with 0 - 3 group~; ~elected from R ~ .such that a total of I to 4 group~ ; att;lched to (~) ~nd (~

_ CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W O 97/OS878 PCT~US96/12922 Preferred are phenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, thiophenyl, furanyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, i,~othiazolyl, oxazolyl, and isoxazolyl.
~3 ' The group repre.sent~s a heteroaryl group which contain~
S from S to 10 atoms. One to four atoms are heteroatoms which are selected from O, S and N. The heteroaryl group may be unsubstituted or substituted with 0 -3 Ra groups.
~3 Preferred heteroaryl groups represented by are a.s 10 follows: pyridyl~ quinolyl, purinyl, imidazolyl, imidazopyridine, and pyrimidinyl.
The terms "heterocycloalkyl" and "heterocyclyl" refer to a cycloalkyl group (nonaromatic) in which one of the carbon atoms in the ring i,s replaced by a heteroatom selected from O, S, SO, S02 or N, and in which 15 up to three additional carbon atoms may be optionally replaced by heteroatoms.
Heterocyclyl is carbon or nitrogen linked; if carbon linked and contains a nitrogen, then the nitrogen may be substituted by R24. Examples of heterocyclyl~i are piperidinyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolidinyl, 20 tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydroimidazo[4,5-c]pyridinyl, imidazolinyl, piperazinyl, pyrolidin-2-onyl, piperidin-2-onyl and the like.
The term "TNF mediated di.~,ease or di,~ea~e state" referls to any and all disea.~,e ~tate~ in which TNF plays a role, either by production of TNF itself, or by TNF causing another monokine to be released, such as but 25 not limited to L-l or IL-6. A disease state in which IL-1, for instance, is a major component, and whose production or action, is exacerbated or ,secreted in respon,se to TNF, would therefore be considered a disease ~state mediated by TNF.
The term "cyto~ine" a,s used herein means any .secreted 30 polypeptide that affect.s the functions of cells and is a molecule which modulates interaction~ between cell~ in the immune, inflammatory or hematopoietic re.spon.~e. A cytokine include,s, but i.s not limited to, monokines and Iymphokines re~ardle.s~ of which cell~ produce them.
Examples of cytokine.~ include. but are not limited to, Interleukin-l (II_-l), CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W O 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-~ (IL-~), Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-oc) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-beta (TNF-,13).
By the terrn "cytokine interfering or cytokine suppressive amount" i~s mean an effective amount of a compound of formula I which 5 will, cause a decrease in the in vivo levels of the cytokine or its activity to normal or sub-normal levels, when given to the patient for the prophylaxis or therapeutic treatment of a disea~;e ,~tate which i.~ exacerbated by, or cau.sed by, excessive or unregulated cytokine production or activity.
The compounds of the pre.sent invention may contain one or 10 more asymmetric carbon atom.s and may exist in racemic and optically active forms. All of the.se compounds are contemplated to be within the ~scope of the present invention.
Throughout the in.stant application, the following abbreviation,s are used with the following meanings:
Bu butyl Bn benzyl BOC, Boc t-butyloxycarbonyl calc. calculated CBZ, Cbz Benzyloxycarbonyl CDI N,N'-carbonyl diimidazole FAB-MS Fa.~;t atom bombardment-mas~ spectroscopy HPLC High pre.s.sure li~uid chromatography KHMDS Pota~;~ium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide LAH Lithium aluminum hydride LHMDS Lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide Me methyl MeOH methanol MPLC Medium pre.s.~ure liquid chromatography NMR Nuclear Magnetic Re.~onance Ph phenyl Pr propyl prep. prepared Pyr. pyridyl TMS Tetramethyl.silane CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W O 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 One subxet of compounds of the invention include.s compound.~ of formula I wherein Ar 1 and Ar2 are independently selected from:
a) phenyl, b) pyridyl, c) pyrimidinyl, d) thiophenyl, e) furanyl, f) imidazolyl, g) thiazolyl, h) isothiazolyl, i) oxazolyl, j) i,soxazolyl, and k) napthyl.
15 Within thi.s ,sub,set of compound,s, all other variables are as previously defined with respect to forrnula I.
Another subset of compounds of the invention includes compounds of formula I wherein HAr is selected from:
a) pyridyl, b) ~luinolyl, c) purinyl, d) imidazolyl, e) imidazopyridine, and f) pyrimidinyl.
Within this _set of compounds, all other variables are a.s originally defined with re,spect to formula I.
Another subset of compounds of formula I includes compounds wherein R I is hydrogen. Within thiLs ,subset of compound,s, all other variables are as originally defined with respect to formula I.
Another subset of compounds of formula I includes compounds wherein R l represents C I l ~s alkyl, un,substituted or substituted, as originally defined. Within this subset of compound,s, all other variables are as originally defined with respect to formula I.
Another subset of compound,s of formula I include,s compounds wherein R2 repre,sent,s a member selected from the group consi,sting of:

WO 97~5878 PCT~US96/12922 a) H;
b) alkyl;
c) halo;
d) CN;
e) C(0)Cl 6 alkyl;
f) C(O)CI 6 alkylphenyl;
g) C02H;
h) C02CI ~,alkyl i) C02C 1 6 alkylphenyl;
j) CONH2;
k) CONHCI 6 alkyl;
I) C(O)N(C 1 ~ alkyl)2;
m) S02NH2;
n) SO2NHC 1-~, alkyl and o) S02N(CI ~ alkyl)2-Within this subset of compounds, all other variables are a.s originally defined with re.spect to formula I.
Preferred compounds of formula I are realized when:
Arl and Ar2 are independently selected from:
a) phenyl, b) pyridyl, c) pyrimidinyl, d) thiophenyl, e) furanyl, fl imidazolyl, g) thiazolyl, h) isothiazolyl, i) oxazolyl, j) isoxazolyl and k) napthyl;
one, two or three R~ group~; are present and attached to Arl ~nd Ar2, and each Ra j~ independently .selected from the group consi.sting of halo, R21, oR23, NR20R23, C02R23, CoNR20R23, S02R21 and S(O)R21, R20, R21 and R23 are a~i originally defined;
HAr is selected from:

a) pyridyl, b) quinolyl, c) purinyl, d) imidazolyl, e) imidazopyridinyl and f) pyrimidinyl;

R 1 i~ a) H or b) substituted or unsubstiuted alkyl; and R2 is selected from the group consisting of:
a) H, b) alkyl, c) halo, d) CN, e) C(O)Cl ~, alkyl, f) C(O)C1 ~, alkylphenyl, g) C02H, h) C02CI ~,alkyl, i) CO2CI ~,alkylphenyl, j) CONH2, k) CONHC 1-~, alkyl, I) C(O)N(C 1 ~. alkyl)2, m) S02NH2, n) SO2NHC l-fi alkyl and o) SO2N(CI ~ alkyl)2.

A more preferred subset of compounds of formula I i~
realized when: (Ra)a-Arl i.~; selected from the group consisting of:
a) phenyl, b) 4-fluorophenyl, c) 4-chlorophenyl.
d) 3-fluorophenyl, e) 3-chlorophenyl, f) thiophen-2-yl, g) thiophen-3-yl, CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W o 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 h) 4-fluorothiophen-2-yl, i) 4-fluorothiophen-3-yl, j) S-fluorothiophen-2-yl, k) 5-fluorothiophen-3-yl, S 1) 4-chlorothiophen-2-yl, m) 4-chlorothiophen-3-yl, n) S-chlorothiophen-2-yl, o) S-chlorothiophen-3-yl, p) 3-methylphenyl, l O q) 3 ,4-dichlorophenyl, r) 3-hydroxyphenyl, s) 4-hydroxyphenyl, t) 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl, u) 3-methyl-2-thiophenyl, v) 5-methyl-2-thiophenyl, w) 4-carboxymethylphenyl, x) 3-cyanophenyl, y) 4-cyanophenyl, z) 2-pyridyl, aa) 2-furoyl, bb) 3-furoyl, cc) 4-methylsulfinylphenyl, dd) 4-trifluoromethylphenyl, ee) 3-trifluoromethylphenyl, ff) 4-methylphenyl, gg) 4-t-butoxyphenyl, hh) 3,4-dibenzyloxyphenyl, ii) 3-quinolinyl, jj) 3-pyridyl, kk) 4-pyridyl, Il) 2,4-difluorophenyl, mm) 3,4-difluorophenyl, nn) 4-methyl.~ulfinylphenyl, oo) 4-methyl~ulfonylphenyl.
pp) 2-methoxyphenyl, ~1'1) 3-methoxyphenyl, CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 rr) 4-nitrophenyl, ss) 4-aminomethylphenyl, and tt) 2-chlorophenyl.

S (Ra)b-Ar2 is ~selected from the group consisting of:
a) 4-(methylthio)-phenyl, b) 4-(ethylthio)-phenyl, c) 3-(methylthio)-phenyl, d) 2-(methylthio)-phenyl, e) 3-(ethylthio)-phenyl, f) 4-methylsulfonylphenyl, g) 4-ethylsulfonylphenyl, h) 3-methyl,~iulfonylphenyl, i) 2-methylsulfonylphenyl, j) 4-methylsul~inylphenyl, k) 4-ethylsulfonylphenyl, 1) 3-methyl,sulfinylphenyl, m) 4-(N-methyl-N-benzyl)aminomethylphenyl, n) 3 -(N-methyl-N-benzyl )aminomethylphenyl, o) 4-methoxyphenyl, p) 4-hydroxyphenyl, q) 3-methoxyphenyl, r) 2-benzyloxyphenyl, ,s) 4-methylthiophen-2-yl, t) 4-methylthiophen-3-yl, u) 4-acetylarninophenyl, v) 2-pyrimidinyl, w) phenyl, x) 4-aminomethylphenyl, y) 4-cyanophenyl, z) 4-fluorophenyl, aa) 4-chlorophenyl, bb) 4-bromophenyl, cc) 4-carboxyethylphenyl, dd) 2-fluorophenyl, ee) 3-nitrophenyl, CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W O 97105~78 PCTrUS96/12922 ff) 4-nitrophenyl, gg) 3-fluorophenyl, hh) 4-carboxyphenyl, ii) 4-aminophenyl, S jj) 3-aminophenyl, kk) 4-(O(CH2)3NMe2)-phenyl, 11) 44o(cH2)2-piperidin- 1 -yl)-phenyl, mm) 2-methoxyphenyl, nn) 3-chlorophenyl, oo) 4-((4-N-COCH3)piperazin- 1 -yl)-phenyl, pp) 4-trifluoromethylphenyl, q(l) 4-bromothiophen-2-yl, rr) 5-methylthiophen-2-yl, s,s) 2-benzoxazolyl, tt) 2-benzofuranyl, uu) 2,5-dimethoxyphenyl and vv) 4-morpholinylphenyl;

with the provi,so that when (Ra)a-Arl repre.sent.s a), f), g), z), aa), bb), jj) or 20 kk), Ar2-(Ra)b does not represent v), w), ,ss) or tt);

(Ra)0 3-HAr is selected from the group con.sisting of:
a) 4-pyridyl, b) 4-(2-methylpyridyl), c) 4-(2-aminopyridyl), d) 4-(2-methoxypyridyl), e) 4-quinolinyl, f) 4-pyrimidinyl, g) 9-purinyl, h) 7-(imidazo[4,5-b]pyridinyl), i) 4-(3-methylpyridyl), j) 2-pyridyl, k) 3,5-dimethyl-4-pyridyl, 1) 3-~1uinolinyl, m) 3-pyridazinyl, n) 4-(2-aminobenzyl)pyridyl, ~nd CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W O 97/0~878 PCT~US96/12922 o) 4-(2-~mino)pyrimidinyl;

Rl is: H; and 5 R2 is selected from the group consisting of:
a) H, b) F, c) Cl, d) Br, e) CN, f) C(O)CI 6 alkyl, g) C(O)CI -6 alkylphenyl, h) C02H, i) C02C l ~, alkyl, i) C02CI 6alkylphenyl, k) CONH2, I) CONHCl ~, alkyl, m) C(O)N(C 1 6 alkyl)2 n) S02NH2, o) S02NHC I ~, alkyl and p) S02N(CI ~alkyl)2.

Another more preferred subset of compounds of formula I i.
realized when: Ra)a-Arl is .selected from the group consisting of:
a) phenyl, b) 4-fluorophenyl, c) 4-chlorophenyl, d) 3-fluorophenyl, e) 3-chlorophenyl, f) thiophen-2-yl, g) thiophen-3-yl, h) 4-fluorothiophen-2-yl, i) 4-fluorothiophen-3-yl, j) 5-fluorothiophen-2-yl, k) 5-fluorothiophen-3-yl, 1) 4-chlorothiophen-2-yl, CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W ~ 97/05878 PCTnJS96/129Z2 m) 4-chlorothiophen-3-yl, n) 5-chlorothiophen-2-yl, o) 5-chlorothiophen-3-yl, p) 3-methylphenyl, ~1) 3,4-dichlorophenyl, r) 3-hydroxyphenyl, s) 4-hydroxyphenyl, t) 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl, u) 3-methyl-2-thiophenyl, v) 5-methyl-2-thiophenyl, w) 4-carboxymethylphenyl, x) 3-cyanophenyl, y) 4-cyanophenyl, z) 2-pyridyl, aa) 2-furoyl, bb) 3-furoyl, cc) 4-methylsulfinylphenyl, dd) 4-trifluoromethylphenyl, ee) 3-trifluoromethylphenyl, ff) 4-methylphenyl, gg) 4-t-butoxyphenyl, hh) 3,4-dibenzyloxyphenyl, ii) 3-~1uinolinyl, jj) 3-pyridyl.
kk) 4-pyridyl, Il) 2,4-difluorophenyl, mm) 3,4-difluorophenyl, nn) 4-methyl~sulfinylphenyl, oo) 4-methyl~;ulfonylphenyl, pp) 2-methoxyphenyl, 4~1) 3-methoxyphenyl, rr) 4-nitrophenyl, 4-aminomethylphenyl, and tt) 2-chlorophenyl.
(R~)b-Ar2 i~ .~elected from the group con~ ting of:
. .

CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W O 97/OS878 PCTnJS96/12922 a) 4-(methylthio)-phenyl, b) 4-(ethylthio)-phenyl, c) 3-(methylthio)-phenyl, d) 2-(methylthio)-phenyl, e) 3-(ethylthio)-phenyl, f) 4-methylsulfonylphenyl, g) 4-ethylsulfonylphenyl, h) 3-methyl,sulfonylphenyl, i) 2-methylsulfonylphenyl, j) 4-methylsulfinylphenyl, k) 4-ethylsulfonylphenyl, 1) 3-methylsulfinylphenyl, m) 4-(N-methyl-N-benzyl)aminomethylphenyl, n) 3-(N-methyl-N-benzyl)aminomethylphenyl, o) 4-methoxyphenyl, p) 4-hydroxyphenyl, q) 3-methoxyphenyl, r) 2-benzyloxyphenyl, s) 4-methylthiophen-2-yl, t) 4-methylthiophen-3-yl, u) 4-acetylaminophenyl, v) 2-pyrimidinyl, w) phenyl, x) 4-aminomethylphenyl, y) 4-cyanophenyl, z) 4-fluorophenyl, aa) 4-chlorophenyl, bb) 4-bromophenyl, cc) 4-carboxyethylphenyl, dd) 2-fluorophenyl, ee) 3-nitrophenyl.
ff) 4-nitrophenyl, gg) 3-fluorophenyl, hh) 4-carboxyphenyl, ii) 4-aminophenyl, jj) 3-aminophenyl, CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 kk) 4-(0(CH2)3NMe2)-phenyl, 11) 4-(O(CH2)2-piperidin- 1 -yl)-phenyl, mm) 2-methoxyphenyl, nn) 3-chlorophenyl, oo) 4-((4-N-COCH3)piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl, pp) 4-trifluoromethylphenyl, qq) 4-bromothiophen-2-yl, rr) 5-methylthiophen-2-yl, ss) 2-benzoxazolyl, tt) 2-benzofuranyl, uu) 2,5-dimethoxy-phenyl and vv) 4-morpholinylphenyl;

with the proviso that when (Ra)a-Arl represent,~; a), f), g), z), aa), bb), jj) or 15 kk) Ar2-(Ra)b doe.s not represent v), w), .~ ;) or tt);

(Ra)0 3-HAr is selected from the group con.sisting of:
a) 4-pyridyl, b) 4-(2-methylpyridyl), c) 4-(2-aminopyridyl), d) 4-(2-methoxypyridyl), e) 4-4uinolinyl, f) 4-pyrimidinyl, g) 9-purinyl, h) 7-(imidazo[4,5-b]pyridinyl), i) 4-(3-methylpyridyl), j) 2-pyridyl, k) 3,5-dimethyl-4-pyridyl, 1) 3-~uinolinyl, m) 3-pyridazinyl, n) 4-(2-aminobenzyl)pyridyl, and o) 4-(2-amino)pyrimidinyl;

R l i.s: a) sub.stituted or unsubstituted C l l s alkyl; and R2 is selected from the group con,si.sting of:

W O 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 a) H, b) F, c) Cl, d) Br, e) CN;
f) C(O)CI _fi alkyl;
g) C(O)CI ~, aLkylphenyl;
h) CO2H;
i) C02CI ~,alkyl j) CO2C1 6alkylphenyl;
k) CONH2;
I) CONHC 1-6 alkyl;
m) C(O)N(C1-6 alkyl)2;
n) SO2NH2;
o) SO2NHC 1 6 alkyl and p) SO2N(C1-6 alkyl)2-A further subset of compounds of the invention includes compounds repre~ented by formula I:

(Ra)O 3 ~R2 20 (R ) ~ ~N/ ~ (Ra)b wherein:

CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 PCT~US96/12922 and each independently represent a 5-10 membered aryl or heteroaryl group;

a and b represent.s integers, 0, 1, 2 or 3, .such that the .sum of a plus b is 1, 2,

3 or 4;
~3 repre~ents a heteroaryl group cont~ining from 5 to 10 atoms, 1-3 of which are heteroatoms, 0-3 of which heteroatoms are N ~nd 0-1 of which are O or S, .~aid heteroaryl group being unsubstituted or ,sub~tituted with 1 -3 Ra groups;
each Ra independently repre,~ient.~ a member selected from the group consisting of: halo; CN, NO2, R21; OR23; SR23; S(O)R21; SO2R21;
NR2()R23; NR2()CoR21; NR2()Co2R2l; NR2()CoNR2()R23; NR2OSO2R2l;
NR20C(NR2())NHR2(), Co2R23; CoNR2()R23; So2NR2()R23;
SO2NlR20COR21; So2NR2()coNR2()R23; So2NR2()co2R21;
OCONR2()R23; OCONR2()SO2R20 C(O)OCH20C(O)R2() and C(NR2o)NR2oR23;

Rl is selected from the group consi,sting of: H, aryl? C1 1s alkyl, C2 ls alkenyl, C2 15 alkynyl, and heterocyclyl, said alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, alkynyl and heterocyclyl being optionally substituted with from one to three member.s ~elected from the group con~isting of: aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, oR2(), SR2(), N(R2())2, S(O)R21, SO2R2l~ SO2N(R2~))2, SO2NR2()COR21, SO2NR2()CON(R2())2, NR2()CoR21, NR20co2R21, NR2()CON(R2())2, N(R2())C(NR2())NHR2(), CO2R2(), CON(R20)2~
CONR2()SO2R21, NR2()SO2R21, So2NR2()co2R2 l, OCON(R2())2, OcoNR2~)so2R2 l and OCoNR2~)R23;

R2 i~ .~;elected from the group con~i~;ting of: H, Cl l5 alkyl, C2 15 alkenyl, C2 15 alkynyl, halo, NO2 and heterocyclyl, ,~aid ~lkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and heterocyclyl bein~ optionally ~tituted with from one to three member.~ elected from the group con~i~ting of: halo, heterocyclyl, CN, aryl, heteroaryl, R20, oR2(), SR2(), N(R2())2~ S(O)R22, SO2R22, CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 S02N(R2())2, S02N~2()COR22, S02NR2nCON(R2())2, NR2()COR22 NR20C02R22, NR2()coN(R2())2~ NR22c(NR22)NHR22~ Co2R20, CON(R2~))2, CONR2()S02R22, NR20S02R22, SO2NR20co2R22 OCONR20so2R22 and OCONR20R23;
S
R20 represents a member ~elected from the group consisting of:
H, Cl l5 alkyl, C2 15 alkenyl, C2-ls alkynyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl, ,said alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl being optionally sub,stituted with 1-3 group,s selected from halo, aryl and heteroaryl;
R21 represents a member ~elected from the group consisting of:
Cl ls alkyl, C2 15 alkenyl, C2 1~ alkynyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl~
said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl and heteroaryl being optionally ~substituted with from 1-3 of halo, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, CN, OR20, O((CH2)nO)mR2(), NR2()((CH2)nO)mR2() wherein n represent.s an integer of from 2 to 4, and m represents an integer of from I to 3; heterocyclyl, SR2(), N(R2())2, S(O)R22, SO2R22, SO2N(R20)2, SO2NR2~)COR22, SO2NR2()CON(R2())2, NR2()COR22, NR2nC02R22, NR20coN(R2o)2 NR22C(NR22)NHR22, CO2R20, CON(R2())2, CONR2~SO2R22, NR''()S02R22, SO2NR20co2R22~ OCONR2~S02R22 oC(O)R20, C(O)OCH20C(O)R20 and OCON(R2())2;

R22 is selected from the group consisting of: Cl ls alkyl, C2 15 alkenyl, C2 15 alkynyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl, .said alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl being optionally substituted with 1-3 halo, aryl or heteroaryl groups;

R23 isR21orH;

R24 is selected from COR22, C02R22~ CON(R20)2, S02R22 and R23;
and when two R20 groups are pre.~ient, when R20 and R21 al-e pre.~;ent, or when R20 and R23 are pre~ent, ~aid two R20 group.~, R20 and R21 or said R20 and R23 may be taken in combination with the atoms to 3~ which they are attached and any intervening atoms and represent heterocyclyl containing from 5-10 atoms, at least one atom of which is W O 97/0~878 PCTAJS96/12922 heteroatom selected from O, S or N, .said hetercyclyl optionally containing 1-3 additional N atoms and 0-1 additional O or S atom.
Another subset of compounds of the invention includes compounds wherein Ar1 and Ar2 are independently selected from:
a) phenyl, b) pyridyl, c) pyrimidinyl, d) thiophenyl, e) furanyl, f) imidazolyl, g) thiazolyl, h) isothiazolyl, i) oxazolyl, j) isoxazolyl and k) napthyl;

HAr is .selected from the group consisting of::
a) pyridyl, b) quinolyl, c) purinyl, d) imidazolyl, e) imidazopyridine and f) pyrimidinyl;

Rl is: a) H or b) substituted alkyl; and R2 is selected from the group consi.sting of::
a) H, or b) alkyl and c) halo.

Still another ~ubset of compound.s of the invention includes compounds wherein Arl is selected from the group consisting of:
a) phenyl, b) 4-fluorophenyl, -CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W O 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 c) 4-chlorophenyl, d) 3-fluorophenyl, e) 3-chlorophenyl, f) thiophen-2-yl, g) thiophen-3-yl, h) 4-fluorothiophen-2-yl, i) 4-fluorothiophen-3-yl, j) 5-fluorothiophen-2-yl, k) 5-fluorothiophen-3-yl, 1) 4-chlorothiophen-2-yl, m) 4-chlorothiophen-3-yl, n) 5-chlorothiophen-2-yl, o) 5-chlorothiophen-3-yl, p) 3-methyl phenyl, q) 3,4 dichlorophenyl and r) 3-hydroxyphenyl;

(Ra)b-Ar2 is selected from the group consi.sting of::
a) 4-(methylthio)-phenyl, b) 4-(ethylthio)-phenyl, c) 3-(methylthio)-phenyl, d) 2-(methylthio)-phenyl, e) 3-(ethylthio)-phenyl, f) 4-methylsulfonylphenyl, g) 4-ethylsulfonylphenyl.
h) 3-methyl,sulfonylphenyl, i) 2-methyl,sulfonylphenyl, j) 4-methyl.sulfinylphenyl, k) 4-ethylsulfonylphenyl, 1) 3-methyl.sulfinylphenyl, m) 4-(N-methyl-N-benzyl)aminomethylphenyl, n) 3-(N-methyl-N-benzyl)aminomethylphenyl, o) 4-methoxyphenyl, p) 4-hydroxyphenyl, ~ S-methoxyphenyl, r) 2-benzyloxyphenyl, CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 WO ~7/05~78 PCT~US96/12922 s) 4-methylthiophen-2-yl, t) 4-methylthiophen-3-yl, u) 4-acetylaminophenyl and v) 2-pyrimidinyl;

(Ra)0 3-HAr is selected from the group consisting of::
a) 4-pyridyl, b) 4-(2-methylpyridyl), c) 4-(2-aminopyridyl), d) 4-(2-methoxypyridyl), e) 4-~1uinolinyl, f) 4-pyrimidinyl, g) 9-purinyl, h) 7-(imidazo[4,5-b~pyridinyl), and i) 4-(3-methylpyridyl) R1i.~i: Hand R2 i,~ elected from the group consisting of:
a) H, b) F, c) (:~1 and d) Br.

The pharmaceutically acceptable ,salts of the compounds of formula I include the conventional non-toxic salt,s or the ~luarternary ammonium ,salts of the compounds of formula I formed e.g. from non-toxic inorganic or organic acids. For example, such conventional non-toxic salts include tho.se derived from inorganic acids such as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, sulfamic, phosphoric, nitric and the like; and the .salts prepared from organic acid.s .such als acetic, propionic, succinic, glycolic, .stearic, lactic, malic. tartaric, citric, a.<;corbic, pamoic, ~;ulfanilic, 2-acetoxybenzoic, fumaric, toluene~;ulfonic, methane.sulfonic, ethane disulfonic, oxalic, i.sethionic and the like.
The pharmaceutically acceptable ~alt~ of the present invention c~n be ~ynthe.~ized from the compound.s of formula I which CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W O 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 contain a ba.sic or acidic moiety by conventional chemical methods.
Generally, the salt.s are prepared by reacting the free base or acid with stoichiometric amounts or with an excess of the desired salt-forming inorganic or organic acid or base in a suitable ~olvent or various S combinations of solvents.
The compounds of the present invention may have asymmetric centers and occur as racemates, racemic mixtures, and as individual diastereomers, with all possible isomers, including optical isomers, being included in the present invention.
Thi.~ invention al~o relates to a method of antagonizing or inhibiting the production or activity of cytokine.s in a m~mm~l in need thereof which comprises administering to said nl;lmm~l an effective amount of a compound of formula I to antagonize or inhibit cytokine production or activity such that it is regulated down to normal levels, or in some ca.ses to subnormal levels, so a~; to ameliorate or prevent the disease state.
The compounds of formula 1 can be used in the manufacture of a medicament for the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of disease .states in m~mm~l.s, which are exacerbated or cau,sed by excessive or unregulated cytokines production, more specifically IL-l, IL-6, IL-~ or TNF, by .such m~mm~l's cell~s, ,such as but not limited to monocytes and/or macrophages.
Compounds of formula I inhibit cytokines, ~iuch as IL- 1, IL-6, IL-~s and TNF and are therefore useful for treating inflamrnatory disea~ie,s, such as rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid spondyliti,s, osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis and other arthritic condition,s.
The compounds of forrnula I may be used to treat other disea,se state~i mediated by exces,sive or unregulated cytokine production or activity.
Such diseases include, but are not limited to sep,~iis, e.g., gram negative sepsi,~, ,septic shock, endotoxic shock, toxic .shock ~yndrome, adult re,spiratory distre.s.s syndrome, cerebral malaria, chronic pulmonary infl;~mm~tory di~sea.~e, .~ilico~ , pulmonary ~arcoidosis, bone resorption disea.se.s, ,such a.~ osteoporosi~i, reperfusion injury, graft vs. ho.st reaction, allograft rejection, fever and myalgia due to infection, such a,~i influenza, cachexia ~iecondary to infection or mali~nancy, cachexi, secondary to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), AIDS and other viral infection~, ARC (AID~; related complex). keloid formation, scar ti~ue formation. Crohn'~ di~ea~e, ulcerative coliti~i, pyre,~i.s, .such a.s CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 cytomegalovirus (CMV), influenza virus and the herpes family of viruses ,such, as Herpes Zoster or Simplex I and II.
The compounds of formula I may also be used in the treatment of infl~mm~tion such as for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, 5 rheumatoid spondylitis, osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis and other arthritic condition.s; inflamed joint.s, eczema, p.soriasis or other infl~mm~tory skin conditions such as sunburn; infl~mm~tory eye condition.s including conjunctivitis; pyresis, pain and other conditions associated with inflammation.
The compounds of formula I are normally formulated as pharmaceutical compositions, which are comprised of a compound of formula I and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The compounds of formula I may also be administered in combination with a second therapeutically active compound. These procedures may involve mixing, granulating and compressing or di.ssolving the ingredients as appropriate to the desired preparation.
The pharmaceutical carrier employed may be, for example, solid or liquid. Solid carriers include lactose, terra alba, sucrose, talc, gelatin, agar, pectin, acacia, magnesium stearate, stearic acid and the like.
Liquid carriers include syrup, peanut oil, olive oil, water and the like.
Similarly, the carrier may include time delay material, such as glyceryl monostearate or glyceryl distearate, alone or with a wax.
A wide variety of pharmaceutical forms can be employed.
Thu.s, if a .solid dosage form is used, the preparations typically be in the form of a tablet, hard gelatin capsule, a troche or lozenge. The amount of solid will vary widely but preferably will be from about 0.025 mg to about 1 g. When a li~luid do.sage form is u.sed, the preparation is typically in the form of a ,syrup, emulsion, ,soft gelatin cap.sule, sterile injectable liquid ornonaqueous li~luid su.~ipension.
The compounds of formula I may al,so be admini,stered topically in the form of a liquid, solid or semi-.solid. Liquid,s include solution.s, suspensions and emulsions. Solids include powders, poultices and the like. Semi-solid,s include creams, ointments, gels and the like.
The amount of a compound of formula I, for the methods of use disclosed herein? vary with the compound chosen, the nature and severity of the condition, and other factors. A representative, topical dose , CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W O 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 - 2g -of a compound of formula I is from about 0.01 mg to about 1500 mg, a(lmini.stered one to four, preferably one to two times daily.
While it is possible for an active ingredient to be ~dministered alone as the raw chemical, it is preferable to present it a.s a pharmaceutical formulation. The active ingredient typically compri~es about 0.001% to about 90% w/w.
Drops according to the present invention may compri,~e sterile a~lueou~ or oil solutions or suspensions, and may be prepared by dissolving the active ingredient in a suitable a~lueous solution, optionally including a bactericidal and/or fungicidal agent and/or any other suitable preservative, and optionally including a surface active agent. The resulting solution may then be clarified by filtration, transferred to a suitable container which i~
then sealed and sterilized by autoclaving or maintaining at 9~-100~C for half an hour. Alternatively, the solution may be sterilized by filtration and transferred to the container by aseptic techni~lue. Examples of bactericidal and fungicidal agent~ suitable for inclusion in the drops are phenylmercuric nitrate or acetate (0.002%), benzalkonium chloride (0.01 %) and chlorhexidine acetate (0.01%). Suitable solvents for the preparation of an oily solution include glycerol, diluted alcohol and propylene glycol.
Lotions according to the present invention include those ~uitable for application to the ~kin or eye. An eye lotion may comprise a sterile a(lueous solution optionally containing a bactericide and may be prepared by methods similar to those for the preparation of drops. Lotion~
or liniments for application to the skin may aLso include an agent to ha,~ten drying and to cool the skin, such as an alcohol or acetone, and/or a moisturizer such as glycerol or an oil such as castor oil or arachis oil.
Creams, ointments or pa,~tes according to the present invention are ,semi-,solid formulation~ of the active ingredient for external application.They may be made by mixing the active ingredient in finely-divided or powdered form. alone or in solution or ~u~pension in an a4ueou,s or non-a~lueous li-luid, with the aid of suitable machinery, with a greasy or non-grea.~;y base. The base may compri~ie hydrocarbon.~ ,such a~ hard, soft or uid paraffin, glycerol, beeswax, a metallic soap; a mucilage; an oil of natural origin such as almond, corn, arachis, castor or olive oil; wool fat or it,~ derivative.s, or a fatty acid .such as steric or oleic acid together with an alcohol .such as propylene glycol or macrogels. The formulation may CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W O 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 incorporate any suitable surface active agent such as an anionic, cationic or non-ionic ,surfactant such as sorbitan esters or polyoxyethylene derivatives thereo:f. Suspending agents such as natural gums, cellulose derivatives or inorganic materials such as silicas. and other ingredients such as lanolin S may also be included.
The methods of the instant invention may also be carried out by delivering the agent parenterally. The term 'parenteral' a,s used herein include~s intravenous, intramuscular, or intradermal and subcutaneous administration. The intravenous and intramuscular forms of administration 10 are preferred. Appropriate dosage forms for such ~tlministration may be prepared as described above. The instant invention can also be carried out by delivering the compounds of formula I intranasally, rectally, tran.sdermally or vaginally.
The compound,s of formula I may be administered by 15 inhalation. By 'inhalation' is meant intranasal and oral inh~l~tion admini~stration. Appropriate dosage forms for such administration, include an aero,sol formulations and metered dose inhalers.
Compound.s of formula I are prepared (see Scheme I) by the reaction of compound 1, or a protected version thereof with an 20 acetophenone (commercially available) in the presence of potassium cyanide followed by treatment with an alkyl or aryl amine, ammonia or equivalent thereof (ammonium acetate) at elevated temperature.

W O 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 SCHEME I

~ NC OTMS
TMSCN \~
~3 Znl2 CH3CN ~3 a a / ~

RaO 3~ (Ra) O

Silyl= protecting group \~
such as t-butyl dimethylsilyl or trimethylsilyl \~C
\
RaO-3--(3 (Ra)a~
(R a)b S Heteroaromatic aldehyde~ 3 may be converted to their trimethylsilyl cyanohydrinls 4. Deprotonation and reaction with an aldehyde wo 97/05878 PCT/US96/lZ9Z2 5 will provide trimethyl ,silyl protected benzoins 1. (See, e.g., Hunig, S.et al., Chem. Ber. 112, 2062 (1979)).

SCHEME II

Rao3--~ (Ra)b )a~

R1NH2, CH3COOH
90~C.
Rao 3~ ~R2 )a~ R~

(Ra)b Conden~sation of the 1,4-diketone 6 with ammonia or an amine give,s rise to pyrrole~i (Paal Knor Synthesis). ~ompound 6, a 1,4-diketone, 10 (see Scheme II) is reacted with ammonia, or a compound that give,s ri~se to ammonia such a.~i ammonium acetate or a primary amine, to provide compound.s of forrnula I. Thi~ reaction can be conducted in the pre,sence of an acid catalyst, such a~ acetic acid, or titanium tetrachloride at an elevated ~ temperature. 1~4-diketone 6 is thus regioselectively constructed so that the 15 appropriate groups are present on the pyrrole ring.

W O 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 Rao-3 (3~ Base, LCHR2COAr2(Ra)b Rao 3--C~
DMSO, room temp (Ra)a--~0 (R )a--(~~ ~ (Ra)b Base= NaH or NaN(TMS)2 7 L= Leaving group such as 6 Br, 1, OTos, OMs Alkylation of l-aryl-2-heteroarylethanone~ 7 with bromoacetophenones or other leaving group sub,stituted acetophenones provides 1,4 diketone.s 6 (Iyer, R. N.; Gopalachari, R. Ind. J. Chem. Il, 1260, 1973). Bromoacetophenones are readily prepared by bromination of acetophenones (for example by treatment with bromine in acetic acid or benzyltrimethylammonium bromide).

1. Lithiumdiisopropyl amide, ~ 1 H20 Rao 3 THF,-78~C ~/
~ao-3 ~ao-3 (Ra)a--(~0 (~)a ~
N(Me)OMe Ethanone 7 is prepared by the addition of a heteroaryl methyl anion 8 to an activated benzoic acid 9 (for example esters, acid chlorides, nitriles and N-methoxy-N-methyl amides) (see: Wolfe, J. F. et al J. Or~.
Chem. 39, 2006 1974 and Kaiser, E. M. et al Synthe,sis 705 1975 and Ohsawa A. Chem. Pharm. Bull. 2~5, 3633,1978).

1. LDA, THF
TMSCN \~~TMS(Ra) _(3 L
- ~3 Znl2 CH3CN ~ 3. H20 (Ra) (R1)0 L= Br, 1, Cl, OTos, OMs, OTf (~ (Ra) (R )0 3--(~bo Compound 7 may al.so be prepared by alkylation of aryl S trimethyl ,silyl protected cyanohydrins 10. Treatment of 10 with lithium dii.~opropyl amide in THF and addition of a heteroaryl methyl group functionalized with a leaving group L (for example: Br, I, Cl, tosylate, me~sylate) followed by acid catalyzed hydroly~is of the silyl cyanohydrin group provide.s ethanone 7 (Deuchert, K.; Hertenstein, U.; Hunig, S.;
Wehner, G. Chem. Ber. 112, 2045, 1979).

SCHEME III

Rao-3~ 2 K2CO3 0~(~ (Ra)b 3!

11 (R )a~ CN

Rao 3--~_ (R )a~H ~(R )b The reductive cross coupling of a 1,3 diketone 11 with a nitrile 12 in the presence of zinc and titanium tetrachloride also gives rise to compounds of formula I, See Scheme III, (Gao, J. Hu, M.; Chen, J.; Yuan, S.; Chen, W. Tet Lett. 34, 1617, 1993). The 1,3 diketone 11 may be prepared by alkylation of 4 with bromoacetophenones.

WO 97/~5878 PCT/US96rIZ9ZZ

SCHEME IV

O H O(Ra)O
15 (Ra)b--(~ \~ (Ra)b NaOH 16 ~
a)O 3 14 (R )a (~
catalyst= cyanide, thiazolium salt H
Et3N, catalyst 17 (Ra)O 3 (3 _ R1NH2 (Ra)0-3~

(R )a~ YR1 ~( )b (~(Ra)b (R )a 13 CHO
,~
(Ra)b thiazolium salt, Et3N

(R )a~) (R )a~

~0 (CH20)n Bu4N+OH-, tl2C~o KOH, THF, H20 ~ ' ~
a)0 3 7 (~a)0 3 17b The 1,4 diketone 13 can al,so be prepared as described in Scheme IV. A
heteroaryl aldehyde 14 is conden,sed with a methyl ketone 15 to provide an oc,~-un~saturated ketone 16. In the pre,sence of a catalylst ,such a.s cy,mide or W O 97/05878 PCTnJS96/12922 a thiazolium salt the aryl aldehyde 17 react.~ with 16 to give 13 (Stetter, H.
J. et al Heterocyclic Chem. 14, 573, l 977 and Stetter, H. et. al. Organic Reactions, Vol. 40, 407-496). Condensation of 13 with an amine provide~;
compounds of formula I. Alternatively, variation.s of Ar2 may be 5 introduced by addition of ~r2 aldehydes to alkenes 17b that are readily available from the ketones 7 described above.

SCHEME V

Br ~ ~

19 O~ ,OEt I -OEt ~ (Ra)b EtO--F~ 1. 2LDA 1. NaH
OEt O-~Rao 3 Et Rao 3~

z~ 16\~(~ ( )b Intermediate 16 may be prepared by a Horner-Emmon.~; reaction of the anion of 1~ with the heteroaryl aldehyde 14. The reagent 18 may be lS prepared by reaction of the bromoketone 19 and triethyl pho~phite or by reaction of the lithium .~alt of diethyl methylpho~;phonate with an e~;ter 21.

CA 02228050 l998-0l-28 W o 97r05878 PCT~US96/12922 SCHEME VI

(Ra)0 3--HAr (R )03 ~ (R )a~ 3 HNO3,(CH3C0)20 \ /Halogenating agent / R2= halo R2-NO2 ~~

(Ra)o 3~ R2 (R )a~ ~ (Ra)b 5 A nitro group may be introduced into the pyrrole nucleu,s at the 3 position (generic nomenclature - R2) by electrophilic nitration of a compound ,~uch as 22 (or a le~s advanced intermediate) in the presence of fuming nitric acid and acetic anhydride.
Halogen~s may be introduced by electrophilic halogation with 10 reagent.s such as XeF2 (R2=F), N-chlorosuccinimide in DMF (R2=CI), N-bromosuccinimide in DMF (R23=Br), 12 in KI (R2=I). Other reagent~ are available to carry out this conversion, the choice of reagent being dependent on the presence Olc functional groups that may be sensitive to the reagent being utilized. See e.g., Pyrroles Part 1, R. Alan Jones, ed., Heterocyclic Compound.~ ,Vol 4~ Part 1, John Wiley, New York, 1990. Page~ 34~-391.

W O 97/05878 PCTrUS96/12922 - 3~ -SCHEME VII

(Ra)o3~3~ OH (Ra)o3~ ~--L

2:1 ~R~) a (~4 ~1~
b L=Leavjng group (R )b acylation (Ra)o 3--(~ o X (Ra)0-3~ R2 (Ra)a--(~1~ (Ra)a~

(Ra) (Ra)b X=carbon or nitrogen Introduction of alkyl and heterocyclyl alkyl groups at the 3 5 position i,s described. Direct introduction is possible as described in the use of 1,4 diketone 6 a,s a precur,sor of compound,s of formula I. The preparation of the pyrrole 23 containing a hydroxy methyl group at position 3 (R2) provide,s an intermediate that is readily elaborated into compounds of formula I.
Acylation of the hydroxyl group with activated acids or isocyanates provide,s esters and carbamates respectively of formula I.
Conversion of the hydroxy group into a leaving group 24 (for example Br, 1, Cl, triflate, etc.) enables the introduction of alkyl, heterocyclyl and amine~s and thiol groups by displacement with a nucleophile. Suitable nucleophile~s 1~ include for example, an alkyl or heterocyclyl anion, a primary or secondary amine or a thiol.
-WO 97/0',878 PCT/US96/12922 SCHEME VIII

(Ra)0-3--(3~,CI, Br (R )0-3 (3~co (Ra)a~O ~S~ (R )a~ NR ~

RlNH~~~(Ra (Ra)o 3 ~ OEt (Ra)a R1~ (~(Ra)b 25a reducing agent such as LiAlH4 (Ra)0~3 CA3, OH

(R )a--@) R1~ ( )b reducing agent such \as NaBH4 (Ra)0-3--(~ (Ra)0-3 CA3~ =o (R )a !~)--YN~--~(Ra,b(R )a~) R1 ~(R )b Hydroxy methyl .~,ubstituted pyrrole.s 23 may be prepared by reduction of e.sters 25a through the reaction with a reducing agent such a.s W O 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 lithium aluminum hydride. The ester 25a may be prepared by treatment of 1,2-di~ubstituted-2 halo ketones 22 with 3-keto ester,s 27 and arnmonia or an amine, producing ester 25a (Hantzsch. Ber. Dt.sch. Chem. Ge~. 23, l 474, 1890). Alternatively, a 2-amino ketone 24 react~ with a 3-keto e~ter 27 to 5 produce 25.
A further method of synthesi~ of 23 i~ via reduction of the aldehyde 26 with a reducing agent .such as ~odium borohydride. The aldehyde may be prepared by treatment of the R3 -unsubstituted pyrrole 25 with the Vill~meyer reagent (POCI3/DMF).
SCHEME IX

Rao 3--~,CI, Br RaO-3--(~O
(Ra)a~ ~o f2 (Ra)a~R~
22 R 1 N~ -(~ (R ,~
Rao 3--(~3~ R2 ~ R2= COOR20, CN
(R )a V R~(Ra)b ~1. Oxidation \2. Esterification H

Rao3--(~ 1. POC13, DMF (~
(Ra)a~l (~ a) (Ra)a~) R (Ra)b The e~ter and nitrile of formula I may be prepared as shown in Scheme IX by treatment Or halo ketone.~ 22 with keto e~ter~ or keto nitrile~
23a with ammonia or an amine producin~ e,~ter I (Hantz~;ch. Ber. Dt.~ch.
Chem. Ge~. 23, 1474, 1~90). Alternatively a 2-amino ketone 24 react~; with a 3-keto e,~;ter 23a to produce I. A further method of ~;ynthe~ of CA 02228050 l998-0l-28 Compounds of formula I is by oxidation and esterification of aldehyde 26.
The aldehyde i.~, prepared by treatment of the pyrrole 25 with the Vill,~,meyer reagent (POCI3/DMF).

SCHEMF X

Silylchloride a ~
RaO-3--(3 Et3N, CH2CI2 R o 3 ~1 (Ra)a~l~~(~(Ra)(R )a{~N~ ~(Ra) R S(O)R20 P trialkylsilyl pyridine Rao 3 SR20 ( Ra0-3~ ~,S(o)R21 \ R21CoCI

(Ra)a~J~H~ (~(Ra)b P (~ COCI

1. TBAF, CH2CI / TBAF
oxidize 2. oxidize~

W O 97/OS878 PCT~US96/12922 RaO3~ ~S(0)2R Rao-3--(3~ COR

(R )a~) N (~ (Ra)b (R )a I~A~ ~3~~ (Ra)b Derivatize with R1 Rao 3~R2 (R )a~~ ~1 (~ (Ra)b The pyrrole 22 prepared a,s de,scribed herein may be silylated on the nitrogen atom to give 27 by treatment with a silyl chloride and ba,se 5 in a solvent such as methylene chloride. The pyrrole 27 may then be sulphenylated with a sulphenylchloride under basic conditions to provide 2X
(J. Org. Chem. 6317 1990). Oxidation of 28 with a reagent ,such a~s m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid will give the sulphone 29. Removal of the .silyl group and derivatization of the pyrrole will give compounds of Formula I.
10 Compound 22 may also be converted to the sulphide 30 by reaction of 22 with a symmetrical sulfoxide in the presence of trimethyl.silylchloride (TMSCI) to give 30. Oxidation of 30 with a reagent such as m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid will give 29. The ~ilyl pyrrole 27 may also be acylated with an acid chloride to give the ketone 31.
-W O 97/0~878 PCT~US96/12922 Removal of the silyl group from 29 and 31 and derivatization of the pylTole will give compounds of formula I. Pyrroles such as 22 may also be ,sulfinylated directly without N-protection, by treatment with ~;ulphinyl chloride in a solvent such a,s dichloromethane at 0~C (J. Org.
Chem. 5336, 19~0). Oxidation as described above thus provides pyrroles of formula I where R3 is So2~2l.

SCHEM[E XI

~ (R )b - ~ C OX (33) (R )a~) 34 R 1 (~ (Ra)b (R )a~2 N, 1 H

M = Me, Et, Bn, t-Bu ester X= Cl, or other acid activating agent hydrolysis ~ dicyclohexylcarbodiimide O
(R )a~R1 ~(R )b R 1-3 ~ ~ ~ (Ra)b 36 ~ R2 Note:R1 may also be a protecting-CO2 X 37 group that may be removed in the R o-3 final stepto give compounds where a ~ 2 R1 is H. R 0-3 "R

(Ra) ~A~ N'~

TBAF = tetrabutyl R2 = -C02R2(), -CN, -CoNR2()R-3 ammonium fluoride SO2R21, COR

The amino acid e~ster 32 may be acylated with an acid 33 that i.
.~uitably activated (acid chloride or other activating group u~ed in amide coupling reaction~;) to give 34 (Scheme XI). Hydroly~i,s of the e,ster protecting group will provide 35. Cyclization by treatment with an acid activating group such as dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) will give the oxazolium species 36. Addition of an alkyne 37 to 36 may give a pyrrole of Formula I via a 3+2 cycloaddition followed by loss of carbon dioxide.
Various R3 groups may be incorporated in this manner.
SCHEME XII

(Ra)0'3 (~ R2 E ~ \ (Ra) ~catalyst pyrroleas electrOphjle (Ra)b (R )~ 3 (3--~R2 (Ra)a~ N(~) (Ra)0.3~) R2 ~ /E (Ra)b ~/ (Ra)a~ catalyst G P E=: Br, 1, OS02CF3 pyrrole as nucleophile (Ra)b G=: SnMe3, B(OH)2, ZnCI, MgBr catalyst=: Pd(PPh3)4, Pd(PPh3)2C12 p=p1 or protecting group such as trialkyl silyl, benzyl, substituted benzyl, t-butyloxycarbonyl Aryl and heteroaryl ring,s may also be appended to the pyrrole ring sy,stem by utilization of organometallic coupling technology (Kalinin, V. Synthe,si~; 413 1991). See Scheme XIII. The pyrrole ring may function a,s an electrophile or as a nucleophile.
Any of the three appended aromatic or heteroaromatic ring.s 15 may be attached to the pyrrole ring ,sy~item (Alvarez, A. J. et al. J. Or~.
Chem. 1653, 1992 (u,~e of boronic acid and tributyl ,stannanes for coupling to aromatic and heteroaromatic rings)). Attachrnent of pyrrole pendant groups may be carried out with or without other Ar, HAr, R2 or R3 group,~
attached.

.

CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 The synthesis of pyrroles containing nucleophilic groups for coupling reaction~s depends on the pyrrole substitution pattern. Lithium anions are prepared by metalation of a regioselectively halogenated pyrrole, or the regioselective deprotonation of the pyrrole preferably by the use of a directing functional group. The resulting anion may then be trapped by a trialkyl stannyl halide or a trialkyl borate or tran.~metalated to magnesium or ~inc by treatment with appropriate halide ~salts. A further method u.sed to incorporate a trialkyl stannyl group is the coupling of a bromo, iodo or triflate sub~tituted pyrrole with hexalkylditin in the presence of a palladium 1 0 catalyst.
The synthesis of pyrroles incorporating electrophilic groups may be carried out by the regioselective halogenation of a pyrrole (Pyrrole.s Part 1, R. Alan Jones, ed., Heterocyclic Compound.s Vol 42 Part 1, John Wiley, New York, 349-391,1990). The regioselectivity of halogenation will depend on the .size, nature and sub.stitution position on the pyrrole ring a.s well as the pre.sence or ab.sence of the N-alkyl protecting group. Triflates may be prepared by acylation of hydroxy pyrrole~ with triflic anhydride.
The reaction condition.s used will depend on the nature of the coupling species. In the ca.~;e of magnesium, zinc and stannyl coupling reactions the .solvent employed is toluene, or DMF under anhydrous conditions. In the case of boronic acid couplings, a heterogenous system i.s u.sed of water~ toluene, and dimethoxyethane. or ethanol in the presence of a ba~se ,~uch a.s ~odium carbonate, or bicarbonate. ln general, the reaction take.~ place at an elevated temperature (~0-100 oC,). The catalysts used will mo,st likely depend on the structure of the components to be coupled as well as the functional group.~ and belong to the group con~isting of tetraki.striphenylpho.sphinepalladium (0), or palladium bis triphenyl phosphine dichloride.
Coupling of alkene.~ or alkyne~i with 4-halo pyrroles (Heck reaction, ~iee Kalinin, V. Synthesis 413 1991 for a review) will give rise to R~ (generic nomenclature) alkenyl and alkynyl substituted pyrroles that may be reduced or otherwi~e modified to provide compound,s of formula I.
Functional groups such a.s halogens, sulfides, nitro groups, ethers and other groups ~itable to the reaction condition.s used in the line~r ~;ynthe~is of the pyrrole.~ al-e incorporated in the initial ,steps of the reaction secluence. Sulfides may be oxidized to ,sulfoxides and sulfones with CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W O 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 reagent~ ;uch as m-chloroperbenzoic acid. Sulfide,~ may al.so be converted to ,~ulfonyl chlorides by oxidation and chlorination by chlorine in water.
Primary ami~es are prepared from nitro groups by catalytic (Pd/C, H2 or Raney Nickel, H2) or chemical means (CoCl2, NaBH4).
5 Alkylation of amine.~ to give .~econdary and tertiary amines is achieved by reductive alkylation (aldehyde, NaCNBH4) or alkylation with an alkyl group substituted with a leaving group in the presence of a ba~e such a~
K2C~O ~. Teltiary amines may, alternatively, be carried through the reaction sequence to the pyrrole.s. Acylation of primary or secondary amines with 10 activated acids, chloroformates, i,socyanate,~ and chlorosulfonates will give ri.se to amides, carbamates, ureas and sulfonamides, respectively.
Other methods of preparing amide~ and ureas are useful; .such as for example, treatment of the amine with pho~gene, or an equivalent thereof, followed by acylation of an alcohol or amine with the intermediate 15 activated chloroformamide.
Carboxylic acid.~ are best introduced a~; ester.s early in the .synthesi.s. Saponification will provide carboxylic acid.s. Transesterification or esterification of the acids will give ester.s. Carboxylic acids may be converted to amides by activation and reaction with amines. Phenols are 20 best introduced in a protected form early in the ~ynthetic se4uence to the pyrrole. Removal of the protecting group provide.~ a phenol which may sub.sequently be alkylated in the pre~ence of an alkylating agent and base to give an ether, or acylated with an i~ocyanate to give carbamates. Phenol~
may be converted to aryl ether.s by reaction with an aryl bismethane in the 25 presence of copper II acetate.
Aryl and heteroaryl group~; may be attached to pyrrole pendant aryl and heteroaryl groups by application of coupling chemistry technology a.s outlined above.
The .~equence and condition~ of the reaction step.~ is dependent 30 on the structure and functional groups present. Protecting groups may be nece.ssary and may be choxen with reference to Greene, T.W., et al., Protective Group.s in Or~anic Synthe~ii.s, John Wiley & Son~, ~nc., 1991.
The blocking groupx are readily removable, i.e., they can be removed, if de~;ired, by procedure~; which will not cau~ie cleavage or other di.~ruption of 35 the remaining portions of the molecule. Such procedures include chemical and enzymatic hydroly.~ , treatment with chemical reducing or oxidizing CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W o 97/05878 PCT~US96/129Z2 agents under mild conditions, treatment with fluoride ion, treatment with transition metal catalyst and a nucleophile, and catalytic hydrogenation.
Example.s of suitable hydroxyl protecting groups are: t-butylmethoxyphenylsilyl, t-butoxydiphenylsilyl, trimethylsilyl, triethyl.silyl, 5 o-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl, p-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, t-butyloxycarbonyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyloxycarbonyl, and allyloxycarbonyl.
Examples of suitable carboxyl protecting groups are benzhydryl, o-nitrobenzyl, p-nitrobenzyl, 2-naphthylmethyl, allyl, 2-chloroallyl, benzyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl, trimethylsilyl, t-butyldimethoyl.silyl, t-10 butldiphenylsilyl, 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl, phenacyl, p-methoxybenzyl, acetonyl, p-methoxyphenyl, 4-pyridylmethyl and t-butyl.
The following examples are illustrative and are not limiting of the compounds of thi~; invention.

4-Fluoro-2-(4-pyridyl)acetophenone ( 1 ) To a solution of lithium diisopropylamide (~Idrich Chemical Co. 2.0 M in heptane,THF and ethylbenzene) 3.1 mL (6.3 mmol) in 6 mL of anhydrous THF at -7~oC under nitrogen was added 0.5 g (5.3 mmol) of 4-20 picoline dropwise. The reaction mixture wa.s stirred for 20 minutes andthen treated with a .solution of 0.9 g (5.3 mmol) of 4-fluoro-(N-methyl-N-metho~y)-benzamide in THF. The reaction mixture wa~ warmed to OoC and quenched by addition of 10 mL of brine. The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (3 x 10 mL) and the combined organic pha~e.~; were dried over 25 M~SO4. The mixture wa~ filtered and the filtrate wa~ concentrated in vacuo to give an orange .~olid (4-Fluoro-2-(4-pyridyl)acetophenone). Hl NMR
(CDCI3 300 MHz): 4.23 s (d, 2H), 7.1-7.18 m (4H), 8.02 (dd, 2H), ~.55 (dd, 2H[).

4-Fluoro-2-(2-pyridyl)acetophenone (2) To a ~olution of lithium dii.~opropylamide (Aldrich Chemical Co. 2.0M in heptane,THF ethylbenzene) 5.2 mL (10.5 mmol) in 6 mL of anhydrou~; THF at -7~C under nitrogen wa.~i added 0.93 g (10 mmol) of 2-picoline dropwi~e. The reaction mixture was stirred for 20 minutes and then treated with a ~olution of 1.71 g (5.3 mmol) of 4-fluoro-(N-methyl-N-- 4~s -methoxy)-benzamide in THF. The reaction mixture was warmed to OoC and uenched by addition of 10 mL of brine. The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (3 x 10 mL) and the combined organic phases were dried over MgSO4. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo

5 to give a solid. Hl NMR (CDCI3 300 MHz): 4.49 (s); 6.0 (s); 6.97 (m); 7.-3-7.12 (m); 7.62 (m); 7.82 (m); ~.10 (dd); ~.2~ (bd); ~.57 (bd). The compound exi.st,s in a keto/enol e~uilibrium as determined by H1-NMR.
FAB ms:216 (M++l).

W O 97~05878 PCT~US96/12922 a) ~N~oMMe + (Ra)o-~cH3 (Ra)a~~ CH2~3 (Ra)O 3 The following compounds are prepared in the manner de.~cribed above:

TABLE I

(Ra)a~~CH2~ (Ra)O 3 (R )a~) (3(Ra)O 3 Prep Ex #
3 phenyl 4-pyridyl 4 phenyl-4-F 4-(3-methyl)-pyridyl phenyl-4-F 4-quinolinyl

6 phenyl-3-C1 4-pyridyl

7 phenyl-2-C1 4-pyridyl phenyl-4-F 4-pyrimidinyl - 9 phenyl-4-F 4-(2-Me)-pyridyl *
phenyl-3,4-di-F 4-pyridyl 10 *Purified by chrom~togr~phy from the ~;ide product formed from alkyl;ltion of the 2-methyl group of 2,4-dimethylpyridine.

W O 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 PREPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1 1 (Method 1 ) N~ ~ F

~0~
F~
s To a ,solution of 0.14 g (0.67 mmol) of 4-fluoro-2-(4-pyridyl)acetophenone ( 1 ) fi-om Preparative Example 1 in 2 mL of anhydrou~
DMSO under nitrogen at room temperature was added 0.67 mL of a I .OM
:~olution of ~odium hexamethyl disilazide in THF. After 15 minutes a ~olution of 4-fluoro-bromoacetophenone 0.14 g (0.67 mmol) in DMSO wa~;
added dropwi~e. The reaction mixture wa~ diluted with 5 mL of water after 30 minutes and extracted with ethyl acetate (3x 10 mL). The combined organic extract~ were washed with brine and dried over MgSO4. The mixture wa~ filtered and the filtrate wa~ concentrated in vacuo to give an oil. Hl NMR (CDCI3 300 MHz): 3.26 (dd. lH); 4.12 (dd, lH); s.23 (dd, lH);; 7.04-7.13 (m, 4H); 7.27 (dd, 2H); 7.95-~.05 (m, 4H); ~.51 (d, 2H?.

PREPARATIVE EXAMPLE 12 (Method 2) N~ ~NO2 ~0~

0.2 g ( 1.02 mM) of the product of Preparative Example 3 in :~
mL of dl~ DMF under nitrogen wa~; treated with 4~.7 mg of 60 ~ .~;odium 25 hydride di~per~iion in oil. The reaction mixture wa~ ~tirred at room temperature for one hour. 29~ mg ( 1.~2 mM) of 2-bromo-4'-nitroacetophenone di~olved in I mL of DMF wa~; added dropwixe. The W O 97~05878 PCTrUS96/129ZZ

reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours and was then treated with water and 10% citric acid solution. Ethyl acetate was added and the layers were separated and the aqueou~ pha~e was extracted with ethyl acetate. the organic phase wa,s dried over MgSO4, filtered and was S concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by fla,sh chromatography over silica gel eluting with 25-50% EtOAc/Hexanes to give the desired product.

The compounds of preparative e~amples 13-37 were prepared u.sing ~tarting materi~ls from the preparative example,~ above.

(Ra)a~ CH2~ (Ra)0-3 + ~--- CH2Br a)O 3 0 ~ (Ra)b (Ra)a~

TABLE II

(Ra)0-3 0 ~ (Ra)b (Ra)a ~

Exampie # (Ra)a~) (~(Ra)b ~3(Ra)o-3 Method 13 Ph-4-F Ph-4-OMe 4-Pyridyl 14 Ph-4-F Ph-2,5-di-OMe 4-Pyridyl Ph-4-F Ph-4-Br 4-Pyridyl 16 Ph-4-F Ph-4-C1 4-Pyridyl 17 Ph-4-F Ph-4-SMe 4-Pyridyl l ~i Ph-4-F Ph-4-OMe 2-Pyridyl 19 Ph-4-F Ph-4-Br 2-Pyridyl Ph-4-F Ph-4-C1 2-Pyridyl 21 Ph-4-F Ph-2,5-di-OMe 2-Pyridyl 22 Ph Ph-4-OMe 4-Pyridyl 23 Ph Ph-4-C1 4-Pyridyl 24 Ph Ph-2,5-di-OMe 4-Pyridyl Ph Ph-4-F 4-Pyridyl 26 Ph Ph-4-COOEt 4-Pyridyl 2 27 Ph Ph-2-F 4-Pyridyl 2 2~ Ph Ph-3-NO2 4-Pyridyl 29 Ph-4-F Ph-4-SMe 4-(3-Me)-pyridyl Ph Ph-3-F 4-Pyridyl 2 31 Ph Ph-2-NO2 4-Pyridyl 2 32 Ph-4-F Ph-4-SMe 4--~uinolinyl 33 Ph-2-CI Phenyl 4-Pyridyl W O 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 34 Ph-3-CI Ph-4-SMe 4-Pyridyl Ph-4-F Phenyl4-pyrimidinyl ~ 36 Ph-4-F Ph-4-SMe4-(2-Me)-pyridyl 37 Ph-3,4-F Ph-4-SMe 4-Pyridyl N~

To 4.4 mL of dry pyridine under nitrogen was added 2.14 g (0.02 nnol) of pyridine-4-carboxaldehyde followed by 2.4 g (0.02 mol) acetophenone and 1.46 g (0.02 mol) diethylamine. The .~olution wa~
refluxed for 2.5 hours, cooled to room temperature and poured into 100 mL
of ice water containing 10 mL of concentrated hydrochloric acid. The resulting ~olution was adjusted to pH 5.0 by addition of lN NaOH solution while stirring rapidly. The mixture was filtered and the residue was washed with 15 mL of water. The ,solid was dried in vacuo to give the product.
Hl NMR (CDCI3 300 MHz): 7.42-7.56 (m, 3H); 7.59-7.65 (m, lH); 7.62 (d, 2H); ~.1 1 (dt, 2H); g.69 (bd, 2H).

~0 ~
Cl I -(4-chlorophenyl)-4-phenyl-2-(4-pyridyl)-butan- 1 .4-dione To 0.019 g (0.039 mMol) of ~;odium cyanide in 2 ml of dry DMF at 30~C wa.s added a .solution of 4-chlorobenzaldehyde in 1.5 mL of DMF over 20 minute~. A thick ~ilurry formed. After 30 minute~ a solution of the product of preparative example 3g in 1.5 mL of DMF wa~ added CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W O 97/05878 PCT~US96/1~922 dropwise. The mixture was agitated and stirred for 3 hours. The mixture wa.s diluted with 30 ml of water and extracted with ethyl acetate (2 x 15 mL). The organic phase was washed with brine (1 x 15 mL) and dried over MgSO4. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo 5 to give the title compound as an oil.

4-phenyl-2-(4-pyridyl)- 1 -(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-butan- 1 ,4-dione A solution of 0.15 g (0.71 mMol) of l-phenyl-3-(4-pyridyl)-10 ethene-l-one (Preparative Example 3~), 0.14 g (7.~ mMol) of 4-trifluoromethylbenzaldehyde, 0.035 g (0.35 mMol) of triethylamine and 20 mg (0.07 mMol) of 3,4-dimethyl-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-thiazolium iodide in 3 mL on ethanol was heated at ~0~C for 3 hours. The reaction mixture wa,s cooled to room temperature, diluted with 10 mL of water and wa,s washed 15 with water and brine and dried over MgSO4. The mixture wa,s filtered and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo and the residue was purified by MPLC over silica gel eluting with 2.5% MeOH/CH2C12 to give the de,sired product.
Hl NMR (CDCI3 300 MHz): 7.42-7.56 (m, 3H); 7.59-7.65 (m, lH); 7.6~ (d, 2H); ~.1 1 (dt, 2H); ~.69 (bd, 2H).

CA 02228050 l998-0l-28 W O 97/05$78 PCT~US96/12922 N~ (R )a +

Nj3 ~ ~ 3 (R )a~~

Following the procedure described above the following compounds are prepared:
TABLE III

N~3 (R )a~~

(R )a~) Prep Ex.#
4 l4-methylthio-Ph 42 4-Me-P 1 ~3 4-t-BuO-'h ~43, -dichloro-Ph ~53,4-c ibenzyloxy-Ph '62-thiophenyl 47 3-furoyl '~ 3-CI-Ph ~9 2-pyridyl 4-CN-Ph 5 14-methoxyc~rbonyl-Ph CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W O 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 52 5-~e-2-th op leny 533- V e-2-th o~ leny 543-~ linol nyl 3-~yr cy 56 4-'~lr ~ y 57 4- '- ~'1 58 2,4-(----'h 59 3-C~-P l 3,4-d:-F- 'h Ph = phenyl; Pyr = pyridyl; 3,4-di-F=3,4-difluoro.

s OSi(Me)2-t-butyl F
To a 2 liter 3 neck flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer under N2 was added 54.6 g (0.59 m) diisopropylethylamine and 150 mL of 10 THF. The solution was cooled to -20~C and treated with 26~ ml (0.67 m) of 2.5 M butyl lithium over 20 minute,s. To the reaction mixture was added 125 g (0.56 mMol) of 4-(t-butyldimethysilyloxymethyl)pyridine in 100 ml of THF over 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was stirred for l hour at - l 5~C and then treated with a solution of 10~ g (0.59 mMol) of 4-fluoro-(N-15 methyl-N-methoxy)-benzamide dissolved in 100 mL of THF dropwise. The reaction was warmed to 0~C and stirred for l hour and then was warmed to room temperature and was quenched by addition of 1 liter of 20% NH4Cl .~olution. The ~lueou,s phase wa~ extracted with EtOAc (3 x 500 mL). The combined organic phase~ were washed with water (l x 500 mL), I x 500 20 mL brine and were dried over MgSO4. The mixture wa.s filtered and the filtrate wa~; concentrated in vacuo to give a dark oil. The product was purified by flash chromatography over silica gel eluting with 10-20%
EtOAc/hexanes.

CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W O 97105~78 PCrAUS96/IZ9Z2 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(4-pvridyl)-pyrrole F I J

Method 1: To a solution of 0.35 g (0.99 mmol) of the compound of preparative example 11 in 15 mL of glacial acetic acid was added 0.35 g (4.7 mmol) ammonium acetate. The mixture was heated to 90-110~C over 10 hours at which time a further l g of ammonium acetate was added. Heating was continued at 110~C for 6 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated to 50% of the original volume, and 25 mL of water was gradually added. A solid formed, which was filtered and dried in vacuo to give the title compound. Hl NMR (CDCl3 300 MHz): 6.61 (s, lH); 6.9~s-7.05 (m, 4H); 7.20 (dd, 2H); 7.33 (dd, 2~I); 7.53 (dd, 2H); 8.29 (d, 2H).
FAB ms:333 (M++1).

Method 2: The condensation in method 1 ilS followed by an alternative work-up procedure. The reaction mixture was diluted with 5 mL
of water and extracted with ethyl acetate (3 x 4 mL). The organic extract.s are dried over MgSO4, filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by rotary chromatography to give the desired product.

0.15-0.2 g of the l ,4-diketone from Preparative Example.s 13-37 and 39-60 is dissolved in 3 mL of acetic acid to which is added 1.0 g of ammol~ium acetate. The mixture is heated at 110~C~ for 1.5-l O hours. The work-up of Method l or 2 is then utilized to isolate the compounds (Examples 2-50) listed below in Table IV.

TABLE IV

(Ra)0-3~

(R )a ~) ~ ~t (Ra)b Ex # ~ , FAB ms (Ra)a~) ~ (Ra)b (Ra)0-3~) 2 Ph-4-F Ph-4-OMe 4-Pyridyl 345 3 Ph-4-F Ph-2,5-di-OMe 4-Pyridyl 375 4 Ph-4-F Ph-4-Br 4-Pyridyl 393/395 Ph-4-F Ph-4-C1 4-Pyridyl 349 6 Ph-4-F Ph-4-OMe 2-Pyridyl 345 7 Ph-4-F Ph-4-Br 2-Pyridyl 393/395 Ph-4-F Ph-4-C1 2-Pyridyl 349 9 Ph-4-F Ph-2,5-di-OMe 2-Pyridyl 375 Ph Ph-4-OMe 4-Pyridyl 327 I l Ph Ph-4-C1 4-Pyridyl 331 12 Ph Ph-2,5-di-OMe 4-Pyridyl 357 13 Ph Ph-4-F 4-Pyridyl 315 14 Ph-4-Cl Ph 4-Pyridyl 331 Ph-4-F Ph-4-SMe 4-Pyridyl 361 16 Ph-4-SMe Ph 4-Pyridyl 325 17 4-CF3-Ph Ph 4-Pyridyl 365 1 ~ 4-Me-Ph Ph 4-Pyridyl 311 19 4-tBuO-Ph Ph 4-Pyridyl 369 3,4-CI-Ph Ph 4-Pyridyl 366 21 3,4-di-(OBn)-Ph Ph 4-Pyridyl 509 22 3-Cl-Ph Ph 4-pyridyl 331 23 4-CN-Ph Ph 4-Pyridyl 322 -CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 WO 97/05~78 PCT~US96/12922 _ 59 _ 24 4-(COOMe) Ph Ph 4-Pyridyl 355 Ph 4-C02Et-Ph 4-Pyridyl 369 26 Ph 2-F-Ph 4 Pyridyl 315 27 Ph 3-N02-Ph 4-Pyridyl 342 28 5-Me-thiophen Ph 4-Pyridyl 317 2-yl 29 3-Me-thiophen- Ph 4-Pyridyl 317 2-yl 4-F-Ph 4-SMe-Ph 4-(3-Me)-Pyridyl 375 31 Ph 2-N02-Ph 4-Pyridyl 342 32 Ph 3-F-Ph 4-Pyridyl 315 33 Ph 4-N02-Ph 4-Pyridyl 342 34 4-F-Ph Ph 4-Pyridyl 315 2,4-F-Ph Ph 4-Pyridyl 333 36 3-CN-Ph Ph 4-Pyridyl 322 37 3,4-F-Ph Ph 4-Pyridyl 333 3g 4-F-Ph 4-(SMe)-Ph 4-quinolinyl 411 39 2-Cl-Ph Ph 4-pyridyl 331 3-Cl-Ph 4-(SMe)-Ph 4-pyridyl 377 41 4-F-Ph Ph 4-pyrimidinyl 316 42 4-F-Ph 4-(SMe)-Ph 4-(2-methyl)- 375 pyridyl 43 3,4-di-F-Ph 4-(SMe)-Ph 4-pyridyl 379 N~

F~ H 9~ S

2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-3-(4-pyridyl) pyrrole To a solution of Example 15 (55.5 mg (0.15 mmol) in 2 ml of acetic acid and 1.4 ml of water was added potassium persulfate (50.0 mg (0.1~ mmol). After stirring for 1.5 hours at room temperature the solution was neutralized by addition of ammonium hydroxide solution. The solid product was recovered by filtration and purified by flash chromatography 10 eluting with 5% MeOH/CH2C12 to give the product. FAB ms: Calc.: 376 for C22H 1 7N2SOF; Obs.: 377 (M++ 1).

The following compounds are prepared using the procedures 15 described above. An alternative work up was utilized wherein the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. The aclueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate and the combined organic phases were dried over MgSO4, filtered and puri~ied by flash chromatography eluting with 5% MeOH/CH2C12 to give 20 the product.
TABLE V
Har Aryl ~ "o Example # Arvl 1 Har FAB m.~;
~5 ~-F-pleny 4-(3-Me)-pyridyl 391 ~6 ~-F-pleny 4--~uinol nyl 427 ~7 3-CI-phenyl 4-pyric yl 393 _ CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W O 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 'g 4-F-phenyl 4-(2-Me)-pyridyl 391 ~9 3,4-F-phenyl 4-pyridyl 395 N~

--S~<H~
S O
2-((4-methyl,sulfinylphenyl)-5-phenyl-3-(4-pyridyl) pyrrole The title compound is prepared a~ in Example 44 using the product of Example 16 as the starting material. FAB ms: Calc.: 366 for C23H17N2SO; Obs.: 367 (M++1).
EXAMPLE 5 l N~

COOH

2-(phenyl) -5-(4-carboxyphenvl )-3 -(4-pyridyl ) pyrrole To a solution of 25 mg (0.068 mmol) 2-phenyl-3-(4-pyridyl)-5-[(4-ethoxycarbonyl)phenyl]-lH-pyrrole (prepared according to Example 25) in 500 ~L methanol and 500 ,uL THF was added 10 equivalents of a SN
NaOH solution. The reaction mixture was stirred at 60~C for 16 hours. After 20 the mixture was cooled to room temperature, volatiles were removed in vacuo. The residue was taken up in methanol and acidified to pH 2 using a 2N HCI solution. Volatile~s were removed in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in a 1:1 mixture of THF/methanol ~nd tritrated. The resulting mixture was centrifuged and filtered to remove sodium chloride. This 25 proces,s wa,s repeated 3 time.s to ensure total removal of sodium chloride.
Solvent.s were evaporated in vacu(~ to afford the desired product as a white W O 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 glass, homogeneous by TLC (10% MeOH/CH2C12). FAB ms: Calc.: 340 for C22H 16N2O2; Obs.: 341 (M++ 1).

s N~

~ H ~NH2 2-(phenyl)-5-(4-aminophenyl)-3-(4-pyridyl) pvrrole To a suspellsion of 55 mg (0.161 mmol) 2-phenyl-3-(4-10 pyridyl)-5-[(4-nitro)phenyl]-lH-pyrrole (prepared according to Example 33) in 1.5 ml ethyl acetate and 1.5 ml ethanol was added 10 mg platinum(IV) oxide. The mixture was stirred under H2 for 2 hours. The contents of flask were centrifuged, and the catalyst washed with ethyl acetate three times. The solvents were evaporated in vacuo to afford the 15 desired product as a pale orange solid, homogeneous by TLC (5%
MeOH/CH2C12). FAB ms: Calc.: 312 for C21H17N3; Obs.: 313 (M++l).

2-(phenyl)-5-(3-aminophenyl)-3-(4-pyridyl) pyrrole The title compound is prepared as described above in Example 25 52 using the product of Example 27 as the starting material. FAB ms:
Calc.: 312 for C21H17N3; Obs.: 313 (M++l).

CA 022280~0 l998-0l-28 W O 97/05878 PCTrUS96/12922 F~ ~ rNJ~

2-(4-fluorophenyl~-5 -(4-(2-pyridylmethvlaminocarbonyl)-phenyl)-3-(4-S pvridyl)-pyrrole To a solution of 42 mg (0.124 mmol) 2-phenyl-3-(4-pyridyl)-5-[(4-carboxy)phenyl]-1 H-pyrrole (prepared according to Example 5 1 ) in ~00 uL DMF was added 1.5 equivalents BOP reagent (benzotriazol- 1 -yloxy-tris-(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate), 1.2 equivalents 2-10 (aminomethyl)pyridine, and 2.5 equivalents triethylamine. The mixture wa.sstirred at room temperature for 15 hours. The reaction was quenched by the addition of 5% NaHCO3 solution and ethyl acetate (EtOAc). After separation of phases, the aqueous phase was re-extracted with EtO~Ac. The combined organic layers were washed with 5% NaHCO3 solution, water, 15 brine, and dried over Na2so4~ After filtration and concentration of the filtrate in vacuo, the crude product was flash chromatographed (gradient elution with 1.0%-5.0% MeoHlcH2cl2) to the desired product as a cream-colored solid, homogeneous by TLC. FAB ms: Calc.: 430 for C2~H22N4O;
Obs.:431(M++I).

Thi~ method is utilized to prepare the compounds listed below by coupling the appropriate amine to the acid derived from Example 51, or coupling an acid to the aniline formed in Example 52 or 53. The 25 compound.~ are shown below in Table VI.

W O 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 TABLE VI

N~,~_ H

FAB
Example #Aryl2 = ms 4-(CONHCH2-phenyl)-phenyl N~

~ NH ~, N ~

4-(NHCO(CH2)2-( 1 -piperidinyl))-phenyl N~' 56 ~--NJl N~ 451 W O 97/05878 PCT~US96/IZ9ZZ

4-(CONHCH2-4-pyr)-phenyl N~

~1 4-(CONH(CH2)2-( 1 -piperidinyl))-phenyl N~
~--<N ~ N~ ~ 451 4-(CONH(CH2)2-2-(N-methylimidazolyl)phenyl N~3~

~H ~ ~ H CH3 447 4-(CONH(CH2)2-(2-pyridyl))-phenyl N~

o ~ H 445 W O 97t05878 PCTtUS96/12922 4-(CONHCH2-(3-pyridyl))-phenyl 61 ~ ,, H~J~3 431 3 -(NHCO(CH2)3 -NMe2)-phen N~

62 ~--~/N ~--HN I N(CH3)2 W O 97105878 PCTnUS96/lZ9Z2 N~L

HO~

5 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl~-S-(phenyl)-3-(4-pyridyl) pyrrole 13.2 mg of the product of Example 19 was stirred for 2 hours in a mixture of 50% trifluoroacetic acid in methylene chloride. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo to provide the de.sired product. FAB
ms: Calc.: 312 for C21H16N2O; Obs.: 313 (M+~l).

Nl~

HO~H
HO
2-(3~4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5-(phenyl)-3-(4-pyridyl) pYrrole 20 mg of the product of Example 21 was dissolved in 1 mL of acetic acid and was hydrogenated at atmospheric pressure overnight in the presence of a catalytic amount of 10% Pd/C. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue was purified by rotary 20 chromatography over silica gel eluting with a gradient of 5 to 10%
MeOH/CH2CI2 to provide the de~;ired product. FAB ms: Calc.: 32~ for C21Hl6N202; Obs.: 329 (M++l).

W O 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 N~

F--~ H ~S?- M e 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methyl.sulfonylphenyl)-3-(4-pyridyl) pyrrole 0.5 g (1.4 mmol) of the product of Example 44 was dissolved S in a mixture of 4 mL of methanol and 16 mL of ethyl acetate. The solution was treated 0.045 g sodium tungstate dihydrate and 0.63 mL (5.6 mmol) of 30% hydrogen peroxide solution while heating at reflux over a period of 4 hours. A further 0.3 mL (2.~S mmol) hydrogen peroxide was added. The mixture was refluxed overnight and then cooled to room temperature. A
white solid was recovered by filtration and was washed with water to provide the desired product.

H1-NMR (CDC13): 3.10 (s, 3H); 6.92 (d, lH)Hz); 7.09 (t, 2H); 7.22 (m, 2H); 7.42 (dd, 2H); 7.72 (d, 2H); 7.95 (d, 2H); ~.45 (d, 2H), 8.95 (bs, lH).
FAB ms:Calc: 392 for C22H l 7N2so2F; Obs.:393 (M++ 1).

2-(3-chlorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-3-(4-pyridyl) pyrrole N~

~ H ~S- M e Cl The product of Example 47 was converted to the desired sulfone as described in Example 65. A portion of the product may be isolated by filtration as described in Example 65. The balance of the product was recovered following washing of the reaction mixture with a~ueous W O 97~05878 PCTAJS96/12922 sodium sulfite, water and brine and drying over MgS04 . The crude product was purified by crystalization from CH2C12/MeOH followed by recrystalization from isopropanol.

5 Hl-NMR (CD30D): 3.15 (s, 3H); 7.09 (d, lH); 7.39 (m, 4H); 7.50 (s, lH);
7.95 (s, 4H); ~.41 (d, 2H). FAB ms:Calc: 408 for C22H17N2S02Cll;
Obs.:409 (M++l).

Using the procedures set forth above, the following compounds can be prepared, as set forth in Table VII.
TABLE VII

(R a)0~3~ R 2 (Ra)a~ (Ra)b (Ra) ~)(~3 (Ra)b (Ra)0-3~) R2 67 ~1 ~1-4-- 3-quinol nyl H
68 ' 1 ' 1-4- ~ '-pyrimicinyl H
69 P 1 ' 1-4- F 3-pyrida~inyl 70 Pn '1-'-F 2-~yra~ 1vl 7 ~ 1 'n-'-CN ~-pyr ~y 7~ '1 P1-2-OMe ~-pyr cy 7 ~P 1 Ph-3-OMe ~-pyr cy H
74Ph-3,~-di-FPh-4-S(O)-Me 4-pyr cyl H
75 Ph Ph-4-NMe2 4-pyr ~yl H
76 Ph 4-(4-(N-COCH3) 4-pyridyl H
piperazinyl)-Ph 77 Ph4-(morpholinyl)- 4-pyridyl H
Ph W O 97/05878 PCTrUS96/12922 7~ 'h Ph-2-CI ~-pyr.cyl .-~
79 :' 1 P 1-3-Cl ~-pyr ~yl ~0 ~ Ph-4-CF3 ~-pyr c.yl ~1 .?h Ph-4-S-~ e 4-pyr dyl H
~2 'h Ph-4-S(O)- ~/Ie4-pyr dyl ~:' ~3 Ph-4-F (4-methyl)-2- 4-pyr dyl thiophenyl ~4 Ph-4-F (4-bromo)-2- 4-pyridyl H
thiophenyl ' 1-4- F Ph-4-F-3-C1 4-pyr.Ly H
~6 .? ~ -benzoxazoly'.~-pyr Ly ~7 .' ~ ''-benzofurany~-pyr.c y .~
~s8 ?1-~- F 4-(O(CH2)3 ~-pyr.cy. H
NMe2)-Ph ~9 Ph-4-F 4-(O(CH2)2- 4-pyridyl H
piperidin- 1 -yl)-P~
'' 1-4-C' ' 1-~ -pyr Ly -~
91 ' ~-3-C. ? l-'-F ~-pyr Ly. .-92 ' 1-2-C .' 1-~ -pyr .cy . .-.
93 Ph-'~,4-d-Cl 'n- -F 4-pyri~y .-:
94 Ph-3-C'~3 'n-~-~ 4-pyric.y Ph-4-S-~.e .'~ -pyr~y: ~~
96 Ph-4-S(O'-~e .? 1-~ -pyr c y ~' 97 Ph-2-03n 'n-~- F ~-pyr Ly. -.
9~ ''h-4-Br 'n-'-F ~-pyr ~y -:
99 'n-2-0 \~:e 'l-~-F ' -pyr.cy ..
:.00 :'h-3-O.'V.. e ~ -F ~-pyr cy. .-.
01.~ 1-4-O V'e ~ -F ~-pyr ~.y' 02 'n-4-N02 'n-~ -pyr dy :: I
103 Ph-4-NMe2 Ph-4-F 4-pyridyl H
104 Ph-4-(4-N- Ph-4-F 4-pyridyl H
COCH3)-piperazinyl 105Ph-4-mor~holinyl P 1-4-- 4-pyr dy' H
. 062-tl.opleny '~ -pyrcy.
073-t 1. op leny .' 1-/ -F ~-pyr cy .~
Og , -furoy ? 1-~ -pyr.c y H
: 093-furoy P 1-4- ~ 4-pyr dy H
11 0 Ph-3-CI Ph-4-S(O)Me 4-(2-Me)-pyridyl H

W 097105878 PCTrUS96/129ZZ

~, P 1-3,' -c -F '1-4-S(O)l\~e 4-(2-Me)-pyridyl H
P 1-3,~-C -F 'n-4-S(O)Me 4-pyridyl F
~ ~h-3-C~3 Ph 4-pyridyl H
114 Ph-4-F Ph-4-S(O)Me 4-(2-amino H
ber zyl)pyridyl ~ 5 3-quinolinyl 'h ' -pyr dyl H
6 Ph-4-F 4-(S~e)-Ph ~-pyr dyl Br 7 Ph-3,4-di-F Ph '-pyr dyl CO2Et 118 Ph-3,4-di-F Ph 4-pyridyl CN
119 3-(CF3)-Ph Ph 4-pyridyl CO2Et 120 3-(CF3)-Ph Ph 4-pyridyl CN
121 Ph Ph-4-F 3-methyl-4- H
pyridyl 122 Ph-3-Cl Ph-4-S(O)Me 4-(2-amino) H
pyrimidinyl 123 Ph Ph-4-F 3,5-dimethyl-4- H
pyridyl Bn = benzyl, Ph = phenyl, Me = methyl Et = ethyl .

N

COOEt F~3 A mixture of ethyl 2-benzoyl-acetate (0.41 g (2.0 mmol), 0.5 g (1.44 mmol) of the product of Preparative Example 61 and 0.61 g (~ mmol) of ammonium acetate were heated in acetic acid at reflux until the benzoin was consumed. The reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate and 10 washed with water and brine and dried over MgS04. The mixture was - filtered and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo and the residue was purified by chromatography over silica gel to give the desired product. H l - NMR (CDC13, 300 MHz): 0.92 (t, 3H); 4.01 (4, 2H); 6.94 (t, 2H); 7.12 (m, 4H); 7.41 (m, 4H); 7.61 (m, 2H); ~.10 (m, lH); 9.20 (bs, lH). FAB
ms:C24H19N202F=3~i6; Observed:3g7 (M+=1).

W O 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 N=~

~COOC H2Ph F--~H~3 A mixture of benzyl 2-benzoyl-acetate (2.0 mmol), 0.5 g (1.44 rnmol) of the product of Preparative Example 61 and 0.61 g (~ mmol) of ammonium acetate heated in acetic acid at reflux will provide the title compound after purification as recited in Example 124.

N=\
~ COOH

F~

I S A mixture of benzyl 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(4-pyridyl)-5-phenyl-pyrrole-4-carboxylate from Example 125 (1.0 mmol), 0.01 g of 10%
Pd/C in S mL of EtOH will yield 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(4-pyridyl)-5-phenyl-pyrrole-4-carboxylic acid after treatment with 40 psi H2 followed by filtration.

W O 97/05~78 PCTrUS96/12922 N

CON(Me)2 F~

S A mixture of 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(4-pyridyl)-5-phenyl-pyrrole-4-carboxylic acid from Example 126 (1.0 mrnol), EDC, Hunig's base and dimethylamine hydrochloride in DMF is stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture is diluted with water, adjusted to pH 7.0 and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic extracts are wa.shed with brine, dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The re.sidue i,s purified by chromatography.

N

~CN

F~\¢ ~
A mixture of benzoylacetonitrile 0.5 g (3.4 mmol), 1.17 g (3.4 mmol) of the product of Preparative Example 61 and 1.0 g (13.6 mmol) ammonium acetate are heated in acetic acid at reflux until the benzoin is consumed. The reaction mixture wa~ diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with water and brine and dried over MgSO4. The mixture is filtered and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by chromatography over silica gel eluting with 5% MeoHlcH2cl2 to give the de,sired product.
Hl-NMR (CDC13, 300 MHz): 7.0 (t, 2H); 7.24 (m, 2H); 7.32-7.4~ (m, 5H);
7.74 (bd, 2H); ~.42 (b.s, lH). FAB ms:c22Hl4N3F = 339; Observed: 340 (M+= 1).

CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W O 97/05878 PCTrUS96/12922 N=~
~ S--Pr Cl The product of Example 5 is dissolved in methylene chloride and treated with 1.05 equivalents of n-propylsulfinyl chloride at 0~C under nitrogen. After 30 minutes triethylamine is added to neutralize the reaction mixture. The reaction mixture is diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with 10 water and brine and dried over MgSO4. The mixture is filtered and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo. The residue is purified by chromatography over silica gel to give the desired product.

N=~
~ ~~ ~

F~ Cl The product of Example 129 is reacted with 1.05 equivalents of meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid in CH2cl2 at 0~C. The reaction mixture is 20 stirred overnight at room temperature. The solution is diluted with EtOAc and washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution followed by brine.
The solution is dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The re~sidue is purified by ~iilica gel chromatography to produce the desired product.

N

~H

~ SMe To 5 ml of DMF at room temperature under nitrogen is added 0.3 g (2 mrnol) of POC13 dropwise. After 15 minlltes a solution of 0.37 g 5 (0.~6 rnmol) of the product of Example 15 is added dropwise. The solution was warmed at 60~C until the starting material had been consumed. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and then poured into ice water (20 ml). The mixture was made basic by addition of saturated sodium carbonate solution and then stirred in the presence of 20 ml of chloroform.
10 The chloroform phase was separated and the a~lueous phase was extracted with chloroform (2 x 10 ml). The combined organic phase is washed with water and brine and dried over MgSO4. The mixture i.s filtered and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo; the residue is purified by chromatography over silica gel to give the desired product.

..

CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W O 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 N

OH

~SMe The product of Example 131 is dissolved in t-butyl alcohol and methyl-2-butene (6:1 ratio). The solution is then treated with 1.5 eq of monobasic sodium phosphate and an aqueous solution of sodium chlorate.
The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature until the starting material is consumed. The pH is adjusted to 5.5 with dilute HCl. The product is extracted with ethyl acetate and the combined organic phase is washed with water and brine, and dried over MgSO4. The mixture is filtered and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo to give the desired product.

N

~~

F~ Br H

To 5 ml of N1N-dimethylbutyramide at room temperature under nitrogen is added 0.3 g (2 mmol) of POC13 dropwise. After 15 minutes, a solution of 0.37 g (0.~6 mmol) of the product of Example 4 i.s 20 added dropwi.se. The solution i.s warmed at 60~C until the starting material i~s consumed. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature and then poured into ice water (20 ml). The mixture is made basic by addition of saturated sodium carbonate .solution and then .stirred in the pre.sence of 20 mL of chloroform. The chloroform pha.~e i~ .separated and the a~lueous 25 phase extracted with chloroform (2 x 10 ml). The combined organic pha.se W O 97J05878 PCTnJS96~292 is washed with water and brine and dried over MgSO4. The mixture is filtered and the filtrate is concentrated in vacuo. Ihe residue is purified by chromatography over silica gel to give the desired product.

Using the procedures set forth above, the compounds shown in Table VIII can be prepa~ed.

TABLE VIII

(R )()~ (~~ ,R2 (R~) (~ (Ra)b (Ra)a~)(~t(Ra)b (Ra)0 3~) R2 134Ph-4-F Ph-4-OMe 4-pyridyl C(O)Me 135Ph-4-FPh-2,5-di-OMe 4-pyridyl C(O)Me 136Ph-4-F Ph-4-Br 4-pyridyl C(O)Propyl 137Ph-4-F Ph-4-C1 4-pyridyl C(O)Ethyl 13~Ph-4-F Ph-4-OMe 2-pyridyl C(O)Me 13'~ Ph-4-F Ph-4-Br 2-pyridyl C(O)Me 140Ph-4-FPh-2,5-di-OMe 2-pyridyl C(O)Me 141Ph Ph-4-OMe 4-pyridyl C(O)Me 142Ph Ph-4-C1 4-pyridyl C(O)Me 143Ph Ph-2,5-di-OMe 4-pyridyl C(O)Me 144Ph Ph-4-F 4-pyridyl C(O)Me 145Ph-4-CI Ph 4-pyridyl C(O)Me 146Ph-4-F Ph-4-SMe 4-pyridyl C(O)Me 147Ph-4-SMe Ph 3-methyl-4-pyridyl C(O)Me CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W O 97/0~878 PCTrUS96/12922 - 7~ -14X Ph-4-F Ph-4-SMe 3-methyl-4-pyridyl CN
149 Ph~-F Ph-4-S(O)Me 3-methyl-4-pyridyl CN
150 Ph-3-CI Ph-4-C1 4-quinolyl CN
151 Ph-4-F Ph-4-C1 2-methyl-4-pyridyl CN
152 Ph Ph-4-F 3,5-dimedthlYI-4- CN
153 Ph Ph-4-F 3-quinolinyl CN
154 Ph Ph-4-F 4-quinolinyl CN
155 Ph Ph-4-F 2-quinolinyl CN
156 Ph Ph-4-F 2-pyrimidinyl CN
157 Ph Ph-4-F 4-pyrimidinyl CN
158 Ph Ph-4-F 3-pyridazinyl CN
15'~ Ph Ph-4-F 2-pyrazinyl CN
160 Ph Ph-4-F 2-pyrimidinyl CN
161 Ph Ph-4-F 4-pyrimidinyl CN
162 Ph Ph-4-F 2-imidazo-(4,5-b)- CN
163 Ph Ph-4-F 7-imidazo-(4,3-b)- CN
164 Ph Ph-4-F 4-pyridyl COMe 1 fi5 Ph Ph-4-F 4-pyridyl SO2Me 166 Ph Ph-4-CN 4-pyridyl COMe 167 Ph Ph-2-OMe 4-pyridyl COMe 1 fiX Ph Ph-3-OMe 4-pyridyl CN
I fi9 Ph Ph-4-OMe 4-pyridyl CO2Et 170 Ph Ph-4-NO2 4-pyridyl CN
171 Ph Ph-4-NMe2 4-pyridyl CN
172 Ph 4-(4-(N- 4-pyridyl CN
piperazinyl)-Ph 173 Ph 4-(morpholinyl)- 4-pyridyl CN
174 Ph Ph-2-C1 4-pyridyl CN

CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W ~ 97/05878 PCTrUS96/12922 175 Ph Ph-3-C1 4-pyridyl C(O)Me 176 Ph Ph-4-CF3 4-pyridylSO2Me 177 Ph Ph-4-S-Me 4-pyridylCN
178 Ph Ph-4-S(O)-Me 4-pyridylCN
179 Ph-4-F (4-methyl) 4-pyridylCN
180 Ph-4-F (3-methyl) 4-pyridylC(O)Me thiophen-2yl 181 Ph-4-F (4-bromo) 4-pyridylSO2Me thiophen-2yl 182 Ph-4-F (5-methyl) 4-pyridylCN
thiophen-2yl I X3 Ph-4-F Ph-4-F-3-C1 4-pyridylCN
184 Ph-4-F 2-benzoxazolyl 4-pyridylCN
I X5 Ph-4-F 2-benzofuranyl 4-pyridylCN
I X6 Ph-4-F NMe2)-Ph 4-pyridylCN
187 4-(O(CH2)2N- 4-pyridylCN
Ph-4-F piperidinyl)-Ph 188 Ph-4-CI Ph-4-F 4-pyridylCN .
I X9 Ph-3-CI Ph-4-F 4-pyridylCN
1~0 Ph-2-CI Ph-4-F 4-pyridylCN
1'~1 Ph-3,4-di-CI Ph-4-F 4-pyridylCN
192 Ph-3-CF3 Ph-4-F 4-pyridylCN
193 Ph-4-S-Me Ph-4-F 4-pyridylCN
1'~4 Ph-4-S(O)-Me Ph-4-F 4-pyridylCN
1'~5 Ph-2-OBn Ph-4-F 4-pyridylCN
I 9~5 Ph-4-Br Ph-4-F 4-pyridylCN
1'~7 Ph-2-OMe Ph-4-F 4-pyridylCN
1~8 Ph-3-OMe Ph-4-F 4-pyridylCN
1~ Ph-4-OMe Ph-4-F 4-pyridylCN
2()() Ph-4-NO2 Ph-4-F 4-pyridylCN
2()1 Ph-4-NMe2 Ph-4-F 4-pyridylCN

CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W O 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 - ~0 -202 4-(4-(N-cocH3)- Ph-4-F 4-pyridyl CN
piperazinyl)-Ph 203 4-(morpholinyl)-Ph Ph-4-F 4-pyridyl CN
Me = methyl, Et = ethyl, Ph = phenyl, Bn = benzyl, BIOLOGICAL ASSAYS.
The ability of compounds of the present invention to inhibit cytokines can be demonstrated by the following in vitro assays.
s Lipopoly~accharide mediated production of cytokines Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) are isolated from fresh human blood according to the procedure of Chin and Kostura, J. Immunol. 151, 5574-5585 (1993). Whole blood is collected by l0 sterile venipuncture into 60 mL syringes coated with l .0 mL of sodium-heparin (Upjohn, l000 U/mL) and diluted l:l in Hanks Balanced Salt Solution (Gibco). The erythrocytes are separated from the PBMC's by centrifugation on a Ficoll-Hypaque Iymphocyte separation media. The PBMC's are washed three times in Hanks Balanced Salt Solution and then 15 resuspended to a final concentration of 2 x 106 cell/mL in RPMI (cell culture medium) cont~ining 10% fresh autologous human serum, penicillin streptomycin (l0 U/mL) and 0.05% DMSO. Lipopolysaccharide (Salmonella type ReS45; Sigma Chemicals) is added to the cells to a final concentration of l 00 ng/mL. An ali~luot (0. l mL) of the cell.s is ~luickly 20 dispensed into each well of a 96 well plate cont~ining 0. l mL of the te.st compound, at the appropriate dilution, and incubated for 24 hours. at 37~C
in 5% CO2 . At the end of the culture period, cell culture supernatants are assayed for IL- l ~, TNF-o~, IL-6 and PGE2 production using specific ELISA.

IL-l mediated cytokine production Human peripheral blood mononuclear cell.~ are isolated from fre~ih human blood according to the procedure of Chin and Kostura, J.
Immun01. 151, 5574-55~5 (1993). Whole blood is collected by sterile 30 venipuncture into 60 mL ~iyringes coated with l.0 mL of ~odium- heparin (Upjohn, l000 U/mL) and diluted l: l in Hanks Balanced Salt Solution (Gibco). The erythrocytes are separated from the PBMC's by CA 022280~0 1998-01-28

8 PCr~US96~1Z9ZZ

centrifugation on a Ficoll-Hypaque Iymphocyte separation media. The PBMC's are washed three times in Hanks Balanced Salt Solution and then resuspended to a final concentration of 2 x 106 cell/mL in RPMI containing 10% fresh autologous human serum, penicillin streptomycin (10 U/mL) and 5 0.05% DMSO. Endotoxin free recombinant human IL-l ,B is then added to a final concentration of 50 pMolar. An aliquot (0.1 mL) of the cells is quickly dispensed into each well of a 96 well plate containing 0.1 mL of the compound at the appropriate dilution. and are incubated for 24 hours at 37~C in 5% CO2 . At the end of the culture period, cell culture supernatants 10 are assayed for TNF-oc, IL-6 and PGE2 synthesis using specific ELISA.

Determination of IL- 1 ,B ~ TNF-(x, ~L-6 and prostanoid production from LPS
or IL- 1 stimulated PBMC's 15 IL- 1,13 ELISA.
Human IL-l ,1~ can be detected in cell-culture supernatants or whole blood with the following specific trapping ELISA. Ninety-six well plastic plates (Immulon 4; Dynatech) are coated for 12 hours at 4~C with 1 mg/mL protein-A affinity chromatography purified mouse anti-human IL-20 lb monoclonal antibody (purchased as an ascites preparation from LAOEnterprise, Gaithersburg Maryland) diluted in Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline (-MgCl2, -CaC12). The plates are washed with PBS
(phosphate buffered saline)-Tween (Kirkegaard and Perry) then blocked with 1% BSA diluent and blocking solution (Kirkegaard and Perry) for 60 25 minute.s at room temperature followed by washing with PBS Tween.
IL-1,(3 standards are prepared from purified recombinant IL-1,13 produced from E. coli. The highest concentration begins at 10 ng/mL
followed by 1 I two-fold ~erial dilutions. For detection of IL-1 ,B from cell culture supernatants or blood plasma, 10 - 25 mL of supernatant is added to 30 each test well with 75 - 90 mL of PBS Tween. Samples are incubated at room temperature for 2 hour.s then washed 6 times with PBS Tween on an automated plate washer (Dennly). Rabbit anti-human IL-l ,[3 polyclonal antisera diluted 1:500 in PBS-Tween is added to the plate and incubated for 1 hour at room temperature followed by six washes with PBS-Tween.
35 Detection of bound rabbit anti-IL-l ~3 IgG is accomplished with Fab' fragments of Goat anti-rabbit IgG-horseradish pero~idase conjugate CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 WO 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 - g2 -(Accurate Scientific) diluted l:lO,000 in PBS-Tween. Peroxidase activity was determined using TMB peroxidase substrate kit (Kirkegaard and Perry) with ~uantitation of color intensity on a 96-well plate Molecular Devices spectrophotometer set to determine absorbance at 450 nM. Samples are 5 evaluated using a standard curve of absorbance versus concentration. Four-parameter logistics analysis generally is used to fit data and obtain concentrations of unknown compounds.

TNF-o~ ELISA
Immulon 4 (Dynatech) 96-well plastic plates are coated with a 0.5 mg/mL solution of mouse anti-human TNF-oc monoclonal antibody.
The secondary antibody is a l :2500 dilution of a rabbit anti-human TNF-oc polyclonal serum purchased from Genzyme. All other operations are identical to tho.se described above for IL-lb. The standards are prepared in PBS-Tween + 10'37o FBS (fetal bovine serum) or HS (human serum). Eleven 2 fold dilutions are made beginning at 20 ng/mL TNF-oc.

Levels of .secreted human IL-6 are also determined by specific trapping ELISA as described previously in Chin and Kostura, J. Immunol.
151, 5574-5585 (1993). (Dynatech) ELISA plates are coated with mouse anti-human IL-6 monoclonal antibody diluted to 0.5 mg/ml in PBS. The secondary antibody, a rabbit anti-human IL-6 polyclonal antiserum, is diluted l :5000 with PBS-Tween. All other operations are identical to those described above for IL- l ,(~. The standards are prepared in PBS-Tween +
l 0% FBS or HS. Eleven 2 fold dilutions are made beginning at 50 ng/mL
IL-6.

PGE~ production Prostaglandin E2 is detected in cell culture supernatants from LPS or IL-l stimulated PBMC'.s using a commercially available enzyme imrnunoassay . The as.say purcha.sed from the Cayman Chemical (Catalogue number 5 l 40 l 0) and is run exactly according to the manufacturer.s instructions.
Interleuking (IL-~) CA 022280~0 l998-0l-28 W ~ 97105878 PCTrUS96/12922 - ~3 -The present compounds can also be assayed for lL-8 inhibitory activity as discussed below. Primary human umbilical cord endothelial cells (HUVEC) (Cell Sy,stems, Kirland, Wa.) are maintained in culture medium supplemented with 15~ fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1% CS-5 HBGF (cell culture additive) consisting of aFGF (acid fibroblast growthfactor) and heparin. The cells are then diluted 20-fold before being plated (250 ,ul) into gelatin coated 96-well plates. Prior to use, culture medium is replaced with fresh medium (200,u1). Buffer or test compound (25~1, at appropriate concentrations) is then added to each well in quadruplicate 10 wells and the plates incubated for 6h in a humidified incubator at 37~C in anatmosphere of 5% CO2. At the end of the incubation period, supernatant i~
removed and assayed for IL-8 concentration using an IL-~S ELISA kit obtained from ~&D Systems (Minneapolis, MN). All data is presented as mean value (ng/ml) of multiple samples ba.sed on the standard curve. ICso 15 values where appropriate are generated by non-linear regression analysis.

The following compounds are found to inhibit cytokines at IC50 concentrations of less than 100 ,uM.

- ~4 -TABLE ~X

(Ra)o 3~ R2 (Ra)a~ ~(Ra)b R(R )a~) ~ (Ra)b (Ra)0-3~) R2 H 4-F-Ph 4-F-Ph 4-Pyr H
H 4-F-Ph 4-OMe-Ph 4-Pyr H
H 4-F-Ph 2,5-di-(OMe)-Ph 4-Pyr H
H 4-F-Ph 4-Br-Ph 4-Pyr H
H 4-F-Ph 4-Cl-Ph 4-Pyr H
H Ph 4-OMe-Ph 4-Pyr H
H Ph 4-CI-Ph 4-Pyr H
H Ph 2,~-di-(OMe)-Ph 4-Pyr H
H Ph 4-F-Ph 4-Pyr H
H 4-F-Ph 4-S Me-Ph 4-Pyr H
H 4-F-Ph 4-S(O)Me-Ph 4-Pyr H
H 4-CI-Ph Ph 4-Pyr H
H 4-SMe-Ph Ph 4-Pyr H
H4-S(O)Me-Ph-4 Ph H Ph H 4-CF~-Ph Ph 4-Pyr H
H 4-Me-Ph Ph 4-Pyr H
H 4-OH-Ph Ph 4-Pyr H
H3,4-di-CI-Ph Ph 4-Pyr H
H3~4-di-oH-ph Ph 4-Pyr H
H 4-F-Ph Ph 4-Pyr CO2Et ; ~ =~
CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 W V 97~5~78 PCTAUS96/12922 H 3-CI-Ph Ph 4-pyr H
H 4-CN-Ph Ph 4-Pyr H
H Ph 4-CO2Et-Ph 4-Pyr H
H Ph 2-F-Ph 4-Pyr H
H Ph 3-NO2-Ph 4-Pyr H
H5-Me-thiophen- Ph 4-Pyr H
H3-Me-thiophen- Ph 4-Pyr H
H3-quinolinyl Ph 4-Pyr H
H 4-F-Ph Ph 4-Pyr CN
H 4-F-Ph 4-(SMe)-Ph 4-(3-Me)-Pyr H
H 4-F-Ph 4-(S Me)-Ph 4-(3-Me)-Pyr H
H Ph 2-(NO2)-Ph 4-Pyr H
H Ph 3-F-Ph 4-Pyr H
H Ph 4-CO2H-Ph 4-Pyr H
H Ph 3-NH2-Ph 4-Pyr H
H Ph 4-NO2-Ph 4-Pyr H
H 4-F-Ph Ph 4-Pyr H
H2,4-di-F-Ph Ph 4-Pyr H
H 3-CN-Ph Ph 4-Pyr H
H3,4-di-F-Ph Ph 4-Pyr H
H Ph 4-NH2-Ph 4-Pyr H
H 4-F-Ph 4-S(O)Me-Ph 4-quinolinyl H
H 4-F-Ph 4-SMe-Ph 4-pyr Br H 4-F-Ph 4-SMe-Ph 4-quinolinyl H
H Ph phenyl)-Ph 4-pyr H
H Ph NMe2)-Ph 4-pyr H
H Ph 4-(CoNHcH2-4- 4-pyr H
H Ph 4-(CONH(CH2)2- 4 H
( I -piperidinyl))-Ph -pyr Ph 4-(CONH(CH2)2-2-(N- 4 methylimidazolyl)-Ph -pyr H
H Ph 4-(CONHCH2-(2- 4-pyr H
H Ph 4-(CONH(CH2)2- 4-pyr H

CA 022280~0 1998-01-28 WO 97/05878 PCT~US96/12922 - ~S6 -H Ph 4-(CONHCH2- 4-pyr H
H Ph 3-(NHCO(CH2) 4-pyr H
H Ph 4-(NHco(cH2)2- 4-pyr H
H 2-Cl-Ph Ph 4-pyr H
H 3-CI-Ph 4-S Me-Ph 4-pyr H
H 4-F-Ph Ph 4-pyrirnidinyl F
H 4-F-Ph 4-SMe-Ph 4-(2-methyl)-pyr H
H 3-CI-Ph 4-S(O)Me-Ph 4-pyr H
H 4-F-Ph 4-S(O)Me-Ph 4-(2-methyl)-pyr H
H 3,4-di-F-Ph 4-S Me-Ph 4-pyr H
H 3,4-di-F-Ph 4-S(O)Me-Ph 4-Pyr H
H 4-F-Ph 4-S02Me-Ph 4-pyr H
H 3.4-di-F-Ph Ph 4-pyr C02Et H 3,4-di-F-Ph Ph 4-pyr CN
H 3-CF?,-Ph Ph 4-pyr C02Et H 3-CF~,-Ph Ph 4-pyr CN
H 3-CI-Ph 4-S02Me-Ph 4-pyr H

Claims (35)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A compound of the formula:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

and each independently represent a 5-10 membered aryl or heteroaryl group substituted with Ra groups;

wherein a and b represents integers, 0, 1, 2 or 3, such that the sum of a plus b is 1,2,3 or 4;

represents a heteroaryl group containing from 5 to 10 atoms, 1-4 of which are heteroatoms, 0-4 of which heteroatoms are N and 0-1 of which are O or S, said heteroaryl group being unsubstituted or substituted with 0-3 Ra groups; each Ra independently represents a member selected from the group consisting of: halo; CN, NO2, R21; OR23; SR23;
S(O)R21; SO2R21; NR20R23; NR20COR21; NR20CO2R21;
NR20CONR20R23; NR20SO2R21; NR20C(NR20)NHR20, CO2R23;
CONR20R23; SO2NR20R23; SO2NR20COR21; SO2NR20CONR20R23;
SO2NR20CO2R21; OCONR20R23; OCONR20SO2R20; C(O)OCH2OC(O)R20;
C(NR20)NR20R23 and CONR20SO2R21;

R1 is selected from the group consisting of: H, aryl, C1-15 alkyl, C3-15 alkenyl, C3-15 alkynyl and heterocyclyl, said alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, alkynyl and heterocyclyl being optionally substituted with from one to three members selected from the group consisting of: aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, OR20, SR20, N(R20)2, S(O)R21, SO2R21, SO2NR20R23, SO2NR20COR21, SO2NR20CONR20R23, NR20COR21, NR20CO2R21, NR20CONR20R23, N(R20)C(NR20)NHR20, CO2R20, CONR20R23, CONR20SO2R21, NR20SO2R21, SO2NR20CO2R21, OCONR20R23, OCONR20SO2R21; OCONR20R23 and C(O)OCH2OC(O)R20;

R2 is selected from the group consisting of: H, C1-15 alkyl, C2-15 alkenyl, C2-15 alkynyl, halo, NO2, heterocyclyl, CN, S(O)R21, SO2R21, SO2N(R20)2, SO2NR20COR21, SO2NR20CON(R20)2, COR20, CO2R20, CONR20R23, CONR20SO2R21 and SO2NR20CO2R21, said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and heterocyclyl being optionally substituted with from one to three members selected from the group consisting of: halo, heterocyclyl, CN, aryl, heteroaryl, R20, OR20, SR20, NR20R23, S(O)R21, SO2R21, SO2NR20R23, SO2NR20COR21, SO2NR20CONR20R23, NR20COR21, NR20CO2R21, NR20CONR20R23, NR20C(NR20)NHR20, CO2R20, CONR20R23, CONR20SO2R22, NR20SO2R21, SO2NR20CO2R22, OCONR20SO2R21 and OCONR20R23;

R20 represents a member selected from the group consisting of:
H, C1-15 alkyl, C2-15 alkenyl, C2-15 alkynyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl, said alkyl. alkenyl, alkynyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl being optionally substituted with 1-3 groups selected from halo, aryl and heteroaryl;

R21 represents a member selected from the group consisting of:
C1-15 alkyl, C2-15 alkenyl, C2-15 alkynyl. heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl, such alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl being optionally interrupted with oxo and/or 1-2 heteroatoms selected from O, S, S(O), SO2 and NR20, said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl and heteroaryl being optionally substituted with from 1-3 of halo, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, CN, OR20, O((CH2)nO)mR20, NR20((CH2)nO)mR20 wherein n represents an integer of from 2 to 4, and m represents an integer of from 1 to 3; SR20, N(R20)2, S(O)R22, SO2R22, SO2N(R20)2, SO2NR20COR22. SO2NR20CON(R20)2, NR20COR22, NR20CO2R22, NR20CON(R20)2, NR22C(NR22)NHR22, CO2R20, CON(R20)2, CONR20SO2R22, NR20SO2R22, SO2NR20CO2R22, OCONR20SO2R22OC(O)R20, C(O)OCH2OC(O)R20 and OCON(R20)2;

R22 is selected from the group consisting of: C1-15 alkyl, C2-15 alkenyl, C2-15 alkynyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl, said alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl being optionally substituted with 1-3 halo, aryl or heteroaryl groups;

R23 is R21 or H;

R24 is selected from COR22, CO2R22, CON(R20)2, SO2R22 and R23;
and when two R20 groups are present, when R20 and R21 are present, or when R20 and R23 are present, said two R20 groups, R20 and R21 or said R20 and R23 may be taken in combination with the atoms to which they are attached and any intervening atoms and represent heterocyclyl containing from 5-10 atoms, at least one atom of which is a heteroatom selected from O, S or N, said hetercyclyl optionally containing 1-3 additional N atoms and 0-1 additional O or S atom.

2. A compound in accordance with claim 1 wherein:
Ar1 and Ar2 are independently and selected from the group consisting of:
a) phenyl, b) pyridyl, c) pyrimidinyl, d) thiophenyl, e) furanyl, f) imidazolyl, g) thiazolyl h) isothiazolyl, i) oxazolyl, j) isoxazolyl, and k) napthyl.

3. A compound in accordance with claim 1 wherein HAr is selected from the group of consisting of:

a) pyridyl, b) quinolyl, c) purinyl, d) imidazolyl, e) imidazopyridyl, f) pyrimidinyl and g) pyridazinyl.

4. A compound in accordance with claim 1 wherein R1 is hydrogen.

A compound in accordance with claim 1 wherein R1 is substituted or unsubstituted C1-15 alkyl.

6. A compound in accordance with claim 1 wherein R2 represents a member selected from the group consisting of:
a) H;
b) C1-6 alkyl;
c) halo, d) CN;
e) C(O)C1-6 alkyl;
f) C(O)C1-6 alkylphenyl;
g) CO2H;
h) CO2C1-6 alkyl i) CO2C1-6 alkylphenyl;
j) CONH2;
k) CONHC1-6 alkyl;
l) C(O)N(C1-6 alkyl)2;
m) SO2NH2;
n) SO2NHC1-6 alkyl and o) SO2N(C1-6 alkyl)2.

7. A compound in accordance with claim 1 wherein:
Ar1 and Ar2 are independently selected from:
a) phenyl, b) pyridyl, c) pyrimidinyl, d) thiophenyl, e) furanyl, f) imidazolyl, g) thiazolyl, h) isothiazolyl, i) oxazolyl, j) isoxazolyl and k) napthyl;
one, two or three Ra groups are present and attached to Ar1 and Ar2, and each Ra is independently selected from the group consisting of: halo, R21, OR23, NR20R23, CO2R23, CONR20R23, SO2R21 and S(O)R21, R20, R21 and R23 are as originally defined;
HAr is selected from:
a) pyridyl, b) quinolyl, c) purinyl, d) imidazolyl, e) imidazopyridyl, f) pyrimidinyl and g) pyridazinyl;

R1 is: a) H or b) substituted or unsubstiuted alkyl; and R2 is selected from the group consisting of:
a) H, b) alkyl, c) halo, d) CN, e) C(O)C1-6 alkyl, f) C(O)C1-6 alkylphenyl, g) CO2H, h) CO2C1-6 alkyl, i) CO2C1-6 alkylphenyl, j) CONH2, k) CONHC1-6 alkyl, l) C(O)N(C1-6 alkyl)2, m) SO2NH2, n) SO2NHC1-6 alkyl and o) SO2N(C1-6 alkyl)2.

8. A compound in accordance with claim 1 wherein:
(Ra)a-Ar1 is selected from the group consisting of:
a) phenyl, b) 4-fluorophenyl, c) 4-chlorophenyl, d) 3-fluorophenyl, e) 3-chlorophenyl, f) thiophen-2-yl, g) thiophen-3-yl, h) 4-fluorothiophen-2-yl, i) 4-fluorothiophen-3-yl, j) 5-fluorothiophen-2-yl, k) 5-fluorothiophen-3-yl, l) 4-chlorothiophen-2-yl, m) 4-chlorothiophen-3-yl, n) 5-chlorothiophen-2-yl, o) 5-chlorothiophen-3-yl, p) 3-methylphenyl, q) 3,4-dichlorophenyl, r) 3-hydroxyphenyl, s) 4-hydroxyphenyl, t) 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl, u) 3-methyl-2-thiophenyl, v) 5-methyl-2-thiophenyl, w) 4-carboxymethylphenyl, x) 3-cyanophenyl, y) 4-cyanophenyl, z) 2-pyridyl, aa) 2-furoyl, bb) 3-furoyl, cc) 4-methylsulfinylphenyl, dd) 4-trifluoromethylphenyl, ee) 3-trifluoromethylphenyl, ff) 4-methylphenyl, gg) 4-t-butoxyphenyl, hh) 3,4-dibenzyloxyphenyl, ii) 3-quinolinyl, jj) 3-pyridyl, kk) 4-pyridyl, ll) 2,4-difluorophenyl, mm) 3,4-difluorophenyl, nn) 4-methylsulfinylphenyl, oo) 4-methylsulfonylphenyl, pp) 2-methoxyphenyl, qq) 3-methoxyphenyl, rr) 4-nitrophenyl, ss) 4-aminomethylphenyl, and tt) 2-chlorophenyl.
(Ra)b-Ar2 is selected from the group consisting of:
a) 4-(methylthio)-phenyl, b) 4-(ethylthio)-phenyl, c) 3-(methylthio)-phenyl, d) 2-(methylthio)-phenyl, e) 3-(ethylthio)-phenyl, f) 4-methylsulfonylphenyl, g) 4-ethylsulfonylphenyl, h) 3-methylsulfonylphenyl, i) 2-methylsulfonylphenyl, j) 4-methylsulfinylphenyl, k) 4-ethylsulfonylphenyl, l) 3-methylsulfinylphenyl, m) 4-(N-methyl-N-benzyl)aminomethylphenyl, n) 3-(N-methyl-N-benzyl)aminomethylphenyl, o) 4-methoxyphenyl, p) 4-hydroxyphenyl, q) 3-methoxyphenyl, r) 2-benzyloxyphenyl, s) 4-methylthiophen-2-yl, t) 4-methylthiophen-3-yl, u) 4-acetylaminophenyl, v) 2-pyrimidinyl, w) phenyl, x) 4-aminomethylphenyl, y) 4-cyanophenyl, z) 4-fluorophenyl, aa) 4-chlorophenyl, bb) 4-bromophenyl, cc) 4-carboxyethylphenyl, dd) 2-fluorophenyl, ee) 3-nitrophenyl, ff) 4-nitrophenyl, gg) 3-fluorophenyl, hh) 4-carboxyphenyl, ii) 4-aminophenyl, jj) 3-aminophenyl, kk) 4-(O(CH2)3NMe2)-phenyl, ll) 4-(O(CH2)2-piperidin- 1 -yl)-phenyl, mm) 2-methoxyphenyl, nn) 3-chlorophenyl, oo) 4-((4-N-COCH3)piperazin- 1 -yl)-phenyl, pp) 4-trifluoromethylphenyl, qq) 4-bromothiophen-2-yl, rr) 5-methylthiophen-2-yl, ss) 2-benzoxazolyl, tt) 2-benzofuranyl, uu) 2,5-dimethoxyphenyl and vv) 4-morpholinylphenyl;
with the proviso that when (Ra)a-Ar1 represents a), f), g), z), aa), bb), jj) orkk) Ar2-(Ra)b does not represent v), w), ss) or tt);

(Ra)0-3-HAr is selected from the group consisting of:
a) 4-pyridyl, b) 4-(2-methylpyridyl), c) 4-(2-aminopyridyl), d) 4-(2-methoxypyridyl), e) 4-quinolinyl, f) 4-pyrimidinyl, g) 9-purinyl, h) 7-(imidazo[4,5-b]pyridinyl), i) 4-(3-methylpyridyl), j) 2-pyridyl, k) 3,5-dimethyl-4-pyridyl, 1) 3-quinolinyl, m) 3-pyridazinyl, n) 4-(2-aminobenzyl)pyridyl, and o) 4-(2-amino)pyrimidinyl;

R1 is: H; and R2 is selected from the group consisting of:
a) H, b) F, c) Cl, d) Br, e) CN, f) C(O)C1-6 alkyl, g) C(O)C1-6 alkylphenyl, h) CO2H, i) CO2C1-6 alkyl, j) CO2C1-6 alkylphenyl, k) CONH2, I) CONHC1-6 alkyl, m) C(O)N(C1-6 alkyl)2, n) SO2NH2, o) SO2NHC1-6 alkyl, p) SO2N(C1-6 alkyl)2 q) CHO and r) S(O)1-2 C1-6 alkyl.

9. A compound in accordance with claim 1 wherein:
Ra)a-Ar1 is selected from the group consisting of:
a) phenyl, b) 4-fluorophenyl, c) 4-chlorophenyl, d) 3-fluorophenyl, e) 3-chlorophenyl, f) thiophen-2-yl, g) thiophen-3-yl, h) 4-fluorothiophen-2-yl, i) 4-fluorothiophen-3-yl, j) 5-fluorothiophen-2-yl, k) 5-fluorothiophen-3-yl, 1) 4-chlorothiophen-2-yl, m) 4-chlorothiophen-3-yl, n) 5-chlorothiophen-2-yl, o) 5-chlorothiophen-3-yl, p) 3-methylphenyl, q) 3,4-dichlorophenyl, r) 3-hydroxyphenyl, s) 4-hydroxyphenyl, t) 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl, u) 3-methyl-2-thiophenyl, v) 5-methyl-2-thiophenyl, w) 4-carboxymethylphenyl, x) 3-cyanophenyl, y) 4-cyanophenyl, z) 2-pyridyl, aa) 2-furoyl, bb) 3-furoyl, cc) 4-methylsulfinylphenyl, dd) 4-trifluoromethylphenyl, ee) 3-trifluoromethylphenyl, ff) 4-methylphenyl, gg) 4-t-butoxyphenyl, hh) 3,4-dibenzyloxyphenyl, ii) 3-quinolinyl, jj) 3-pyridyl, kk) 4-pyridyl, ll) 2,4-difluorophenyl, mm) 3,4-difluorophenyl, nn) 4-methylsulfinylphenyl, oo) 4-methylsulfonylphenyl, pp) 2-methoxyphenyl, qq) 3-methoxyphenyl, rr) 4-nitrophenyl, ss) 4-aminomethylphenyl, tt) 2-chlorophenyl, uu) 4-thiomethyl-phenyl, vv) 2-benzyloxy-phenyl, ww) 4-bromophenyl, xx) 4-methoxyphenyl, yy) 4-dimethylaminophenyl, zz) 4-((4-N-COCH3)-piperazin-4-yl)-phenyl and aaa) 4-(morpholinyl)-phenyl;

(Ra)b-Ar2 is selected from the group consisting of:
a) 4-(methylthio)-phenyl, b) 4-(ethylthio)-phenyl, c) 3-(methylthio)-phenyl, d) 2-(methylthio)-phenyl, e) 3-(ethylthio)-phenyl, f) 4-methylsulfonylphenyl, g) 4-ethylsulfonylphenyl, h) 3-methylsulfonylphenyl, i) 2-methylsulfonylphenyl, j) 4-methylsulfinylphenyl, k) 4-ethylsulfonylphenyl, l) 3-methylsulfinylphenyl, m) 4-(N-methyl-N-benzyl)aminomethylphenyl, n) 3-(N-methyl-N-benzyl)aminomethylphenyl, o) 4-methoxyphenyl, p) 4-hydroxyphenyl, q) 3-methoxyphenyl, r) 2-benzyloxyphenyl, s) 4-methylthiophen-2-yl, t) 4-methylthiophen-3-yl, u) 4-acetylaminophenyl, v) 2-pyrimidinyl, w) phenyl, x) 4-aminomethylphenyl, y) 4-cyanophenyl, z) 4-fluorophenyl, aa) 4-chlorophenyl, bb) 4-bromophenyl, cc) 4-carboxyethylphenyl, dd) 2-fluorophenyl, ee) 3-nitrophenyl, ff) 4-nitrophenyl, gg) 3-fluorophenyl, hh) 4-carboxyphenyl, ii) 4-aminophenyl, jj) 3-aminophenyl, kk) 4-(O(CH2)3NMe2)-phenyl, Il) 4-(O(CH2)2-piperidin- 1 -yl)-phenyl, mm) 2-methoxyphenyl, nn) 3-chlorophenyl, oo) 4-((4-N-COCH3)piperazin-1-yl)-phenyl, pp) 4-trifluoromethylphenyl, qq) 4-bromothiophen-2-yl, rr) S-methylthiophen-2-yl, ss) 2-benzoxazolyl, tt) 2-benzofuranyl, uu) 2,5-dimethoxy-phenyl and vv) 4-morpholinylphenyl;
ww) 2-nitrophenyl, xx) 4-(CONHCH2-2-pyridyl)-phenyl, yy) 4-dimethylaminophenyl, zz) 2-chlorophenyl, aaa) 4-fluoro-3-chloro-phenyl, aab) 4-(CONHCH2-phenyl)-phenyl, aac) 4-(NHCO(CH2)3NMe2)-phenyl, aad) 4-(CONHCH2-4-pyridyl)-phenyl, aae) 4-(CONH(CH2)2-(1-piperidinyl))-phenyl, aaf) 4-(CONH(CH2)2-2-(N-methylimidazolyl)-phenyl, aag) 4-(CONH(CH2)2-(2-pyridyl))-phenyl, aah) 4-(CONHCH2-(3-pyridyl))-phenyl, aai) 3-(NHCO(CH2)3-NMe2)-phenyl, and aaj) 4-(NHCO(CH2)2-(1-piperidinyl))-phenyl, with the proviso that when (Ra)a-Ar1 represents a), f), g), z), aa), bb), jj) orkk) Ar2-(Ra)b does not represent v), w), ss) or tt);
(Ra)0-3-HAr is selected from the group consisting of:
a) 4-pyridyl, b) 4-(2-methylpyridyl), c) 4-(2-aminopyridyl), d) 4-(2-methoxypyridyl), e) 4-quinolinyl, f) 4-pyrimidinyl, g) 9-purinyl, h) 7-(imidazo[4,5-b]pyridinyl), i) 4-(3-methylpyridyl), j) 2-pyridyl, k) 3,5-dimethyl-4-pyridyl, 1) 3-quinolinyl, m) 3-pyridazinyl, n) 4-(2-aminobenzyl)pyridyl, o) 4-(2-amino)pyrimidinyl, p) 2-quinolinyl, r) 2-pyrimidinyl, s) 2-pyrazinyl and t) 2-(imidazo-(4,5-b)-pyridinyl;

R1 is: substituted or unsubstituted C1-15 alkyl; and R2 is selected from the group consisting of:
a) H, b) F, c) Cl, d) Br, e) CN;
f) C(O)C1-6 alkyl;
g) C(O)C1-6 alkylphenyl;
h) CO2H;
i) CO2C1-6 alkyl j) CO2C1-6 alkylphenyl;
k) CONH2;
I) CONHC1-6 alkyl;
m) C(O)N(C1-6 alkyl)2;
n) SO2NH2;
o) SO2NHC1-6 alkyl;
p) SO2N(C1-6 alkyl)2;
r) CHO and s) S(O)1-2C1-C6 alkyl.

10. A compound represented by formula I:

wherein:

and each independently represent a 5-10 membered aryl or heteroaryl group;

a and b represents integers, 0, 1, 2 or 3, such that the sum of a plus b is 1, 2, 3 or 4;

represents a heteroaryl group containing from 5 to 10 atoms, 1-3 of which are heteroatoms, 0-3 of which heteroatoms are N and 0-1 of which are O or S, said heteroaryl group being unsubstituted or substituted with 1 -3 Ra groups;

each Ra independently represents a member selected from the group consisting of: halo; CN, NO2, R21; OR23; SR23; S(O)R21; SO2R21;
NR20R23; NR20COR21; NR20CO2R21; NR20CONR20R23; NR20SO2R21;
NR20C(NR20)NHR20, CO2R23; CONR20R23; SO2NR20R23;
SO2NR20COR21; SO2NR20CONR20R23; SO2NR20CO2R21;
OCONR20R23; OCONR20SO2R20, C(O)OCH20C(O)R20 and C(NR20)NR20R23;

R1 is selected from the group consisting of: H, aryl, C1-15 alkyl, C2-15 alkenyl, C2-15 alkynyl, and heterocyclyl, said alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, alkynyl and heterocyclyl being optionally substituted with from one to three members selected from the group consisting of: aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, OR20, SR20, N(R20)2, S(O)R21, SO2R21, SO2N(R20)2, SO2NR20COR21, SO2NR20CON(R20)2, NR20COR21, NR20CO2R21, NR20CON(R20)2, N(R20)C(NR20)NHR20, CO2R20, CON(R20)2, CONR20SO2R21, NR20SO2R21, SO2NR20CO2R21, OCON(R20)2, OCONR20SO2R21 and OCONR20R23;

R2 is selected from the group consisting of: H, C1-15 alkyl, C2-15 alkenyl, C2-15 alkynyl, halo, NO2 and heterocyclyl, said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and heterocyclyl being optionally substituted with from one to three members selected from the group consisting of: halo, heterocyclyl, CN, aryl, heteroaryl, R20, OR20, SR20, N(R20)2, S(O)R22, SO2R22, SO2N(R20)2, SO2NR20COR22, SO2NR20CON(R20)2, NR20COR22, NR20CO2R22, NR20CON(R20)2, NR22C(NR22)NHR22, CO2R20, CON(R20)2, CONR20SO2R22, NR20SO2R22, SO2NR20CO2R22, OCONR20SO2R22 and OCONR20R23;

R20 represents a member selected from the group consisting of:
H, C1-15 alkyl, C2-15 alkenyl, C2-15 alkynyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl, said alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl being optionally substituted with 1-3 groups selected from halo, aryl and heteroaryl;

R21 represents a member selected from the group consisting of:
C1-15 alkyl, C2-15 alkenyl, C2-15 alkynyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl, said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl and heteroaryl being optionally substituted with from 1-3 of halo, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, CN, OR20, O((CH2)nO)mR20, NR20((CH2)nO)mR20 wherein n represents an integer of from 2 to 4, and m represents an integer of from 1 to 3; heterocyclyl, SR20, N(R20)2, S(O)R22, SO2R22, SO2N(R20)2, SO2NR20COR22, SO2NR20CON(R20)2, NR20COR22, NR20CO2R22, NR20CON(R20)2, NR22C(NR22)NHR22, CO2R20, CON(R20)2, CONR20SO2R22, NR20SO2R22, SO2NR20CO2R22, OCONR20SO2R22 OC(O)R20, C(O)OCH2OC(O)R20 and OCON(R20)2;

R22 is selected from the group consisting of: C1-15 alkyl, C2-15 alkenyl, C2-15 alkynyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl, said alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl being optionally substituted with 1-3 halo, aryl or heteroaryl groups;

R23 is R21 or H;

R24 is selected from COR22, CO2R22, CON(R20)2, SO2R22 and R23;
and when two R20 groups are present, when R20 and R21 are present, or when R20 and R23 are present, said two R20 groups, R20 and R21 or said R20 and R23 may be taken in combination with the atoms to which they are attached and any intervening atoms and represent heterocyclyl containing from 5-10 atoms, at least one atom of which is a heteroatom selected from O, S or N, said hetercyclyl optionally containing 1-3 additional N atoms and 0-1 additional O or S atom.

11. A compound according to claim 10 wherein Ar1 and Ar2 are independently and optionally selected from:
a) phenyl, b) pyridyl, c) pyrimidinyl, d) thiophenyl, e) furanyl, f) imidazolyl, g) thiazolyl, h) isothiazolyl, i) oxazolyl, j) isoxazolyl and k) napthyl;
HAr is optionally selected from the group consisting of::
a) pyridyl, b) quinolyl, c) purinyl, d) imidazolyl, e) imidazopyridyl and f) pyrimidinyl;

R1 is: a) H or b) substituted alkyl; and R2 is selected from the group consisting of::
a) H, b) alkyl and c) halo.

12 A compound according to claim 10 wherein (Ra)a-Ar1 is selected from the group consisting of:
a) phenyl, b) 4-fluorophenyl, c) 4-chlorophenyl, d) 3-fluorophenyl, e) 3-chlorophenyl, f) thiophen-2-yl, g) thiophen-3-yl, h) 4-fluorothiophen-2-yl, i) 4-fluorothiophen-3-yl, j) 5-fluorothiophen-2-yl, k) 5-fluorothiophen-3-yl, l) 4-chlorothiophen-2-yl, m) 4-chlorothiophen-3-yl, n) 5-chlorothiophen-2-yl, o) 5-chlorothiophen-3-yl, p) 3-methyl phenyl, q) 3,4 dichlorophenyl and r) 3-hydroxyphenyl;
Ar2-(Ra)b is selected from the group consisting of::
a) 4-(methylthio)-phenyl, b) 4-(ethylthio)-phenyl, c) 3-(methylthio)-phenyl, d) 2-(methylthio)-phenyl, e) 3-(ethylthio)-phenyl, f) 4-methylsulfonylphenyl, g) 4-ethylsulfonylphenyl, h) 3-methylsulfonylphenyl, i) 2-methylsulfonylphenyl, j) 4-methylsulfinylphenyl, k) 4-ethylsulfonylphenyl, l) 3-methylsulfinylphenyl, m) 4-(N-methyl-N-benzyl)aminomethylphenyl, n) 3-(N-methyl-N-benzyl)aminomethylphenyl, o) 4-methoxyphenyl, p) 4-hydroxyphenyl, q) 3-methoxyphenyl, r) 2-benzyloxyphenyl, s) 4-methylthiophen-2-yl, t) 4-methylthiophen-3-yl, u) 4-acetylaminophenyl and v) 2-pyrimidinyl;
HAr is selected from the group consisting of::
a) 4-pyridyl, b) 4-(2-methylpyridyl), c) 4-(2-aminopyridyl), d) 4-(2-methoxypyridyl), e) 4-quinolinyl, f) 4-pyrimidinyl, g) 9-purinyl, h) 7-(imidazo [4,5-b]pyridinyl), and i) 4-(3-methylpyridyl) R1 is: H and R2 is selected from the group consisting of:
a )H, b) F, c) Cl and d) Br.

13. A compound in accordance with claim 1 selected from Table IV:

14. A compound in accordance with claim 1 selected from Table V:

15. A compound in accordance with claim 1 selected from Table VI:

16. A compound in accordance with claim 1 which is:
2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-3-(4-pyridyl) pyrrole;
2-(3-chlorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-3-(4-pyridyl) pyrrole;
2,5 -bix-(4-fluorophenyl)-3 -(4-pyridyl)-pyrrole;
2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5 -(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-3-(4-pyridyl)-pyrrole;
2-(4-methylsulfinyl phenyl)-5-(phenyl)-3-(4-pyridyl)-pyrrole;
2-(4-phenyl)-5-(4-carboxyphenyl)-3-(4-pyridyl)-pyrrole;
2-(4-phenyl)-5-(4-aminophenyl)-3-(4-pyridyl)-pyrrole;
2-(4-phenyl)-5-(3-aminophenyl)-3-(4-pyridyl)-pyrrole;

2-(4-phenyl)-5-(4-CONHCH2-2-pyridyl)-phenyl-3-(4-pyridyl)-pyrrole;
2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(phenyl)-3-(4-pyridyl)-pyrrole or 2-(3,4-(OH)2-phenyl)-5-(phenyl)-3-(4-pyridyl)-pyrrole.

17. A compound in accordance with claim 1 selected from Table VII:

18. A compound in accordance with claim 1 represented by the structural formula:

19. A compound in accordance with claim 1 selected from Table VIII:

20. A compound in accordance with claim 1 falling within the table IX:

21. A method of treating a cytokine mediated disease in a mammal in need of such treatment, which comprises administering to said mammal an effective cytokine interfering amount of a compound of claim 1.

22. The method according to claim 21 wherein the cytokine inhibited is IL-l.

23. The method according to claim 21 wherein the cytokine inhibited is IL-6.

24. The method according to claim 21 wherein the cytokine inhibited is TNF.

25. The method according to claim 21 wherein the cytokine inhibited is IL-8.

26. The method according to claim 21 wherein the cytokine mediated disease is septic shock, endotoxic shock, gram negative sepsis or toxic shock syndrome.

27. The method according to claim 21 wherein the cytokine mediated disease is bone resorption disease, graft versus host reaction, atherosclerosis, arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriasis or a topical inflammatory disease state.

28. The method according to claim 21 wherein the cytokine mediated disease is adult respiratory distress syndrome, asthma or chronic pulmonary inflammatory disease.

29. The method according to claim 21 wherein the cytokine mediated disease is cardiac or renal reperfusion injury, thrombosis or glomerulonephritis.

30. The method according to claim 21 wherein the cytokine mediated disease is Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or inflammatory bowel disease.

31. The method according to claim 21 wherein the cytokine mediated disease is cachexia.

32. The method according to claim 21 wherein the cytokine mediated disease is a viral infection.

33. A method of treating inflammation mediated by excess production of prostaglandins in a human in need of such treatment, which comprises administering to said human an effective cytokine interfering amount of a compound of claim 1.

34. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to claim 1 in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

35. A pharmaceutical composition made by combining a compound according to claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.