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  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
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  • C07D231/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing 1,2-diazole or hydrogenated 1,2-diazole rings
  • C07D231/02—Heterocyclic compounds containing 1,2-diazole or hydrogenated 1,2-diazole rings not condensed with other rings
  • C07D231/10—Heterocyclic compounds containing 1,2-diazole or hydrogenated 1,2-diazole rings not condensed with other rings having two or three double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members
  • C07D231/12—Heterocyclic compounds containing 1,2-diazole or hydrogenated 1,2-diazole rings not condensed with other rings having two or three double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members with only hydrogen atoms, hydrocarbon or substituted hydrocarbon radicals, directly attached to ring carbon atoms
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P11/00—Drugs for disorders of the respiratory system
  • A61P11/06—Antiasthmatics
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  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P19/00—Drugs for skeletal disorders
  • A61P19/02—Drugs for skeletal disorders for joint disorders, e.g. arthritis, arthrosis
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P29/00—Non-central analgesic, antipyretic or antiinflammatory agents, e.g. antirheumatic agents; Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAID]
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P3/00—Drugs for disorders of the metabolism
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P35/00—Antineoplastic agents
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
  • A61P43/00—Drugs for specific purposes, not provided for in groups A61P1/00-A61P41/00
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
  • C07D233/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing 1,3-diazole or hydrogenated 1,3-diazole rings, not condensed with other rings
  • C07D233/54—Heterocyclic compounds containing 1,3-diazole or hydrogenated 1,3-diazole rings, not condensed with other rings having two double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members
  • C07D233/56—Heterocyclic compounds containing 1,3-diazole or hydrogenated 1,3-diazole rings, not condensed with other rings having two double bonds between ring members or between ring members and non-ring members with only hydrogen atoms or radicals containing only hydrogen and carbon atoms, attached to ring carbon atoms
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
  • C07D249/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing five-membered rings having three nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms
  • C07D249/02—Heterocyclic compounds containing five-membered rings having three nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms not condensed with other rings
  • C07D249/08—1,2,4-Triazoles; Hydrogenated 1,2,4-triazoles
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
  • C07D401/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing two or more hetero rings, having nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms, at least one ring being a six-membered ring with only one nitrogen atom
  • C07D401/02—Heterocyclic compounds containing two or more hetero rings, having nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms, at least one ring being a six-membered ring with only one nitrogen atom containing two hetero rings
  • C07D401/04—Heterocyclic compounds containing two or more hetero rings, having nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms, at least one ring being a six-membered ring with only one nitrogen atom containing two hetero rings directly linked by a ring-member-to-ring-member bond
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
  • C07D403/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing two or more hetero rings, having nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms, not provided for by group C07D401/00
  • C07D403/02—Heterocyclic compounds containing two or more hetero rings, having nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms, not provided for by group C07D401/00 containing two hetero rings
  • C07D403/04—Heterocyclic compounds containing two or more hetero rings, having nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms, not provided for by group C07D401/00 containing two hetero rings directly linked by a ring-member-to-ring-member bond
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
  • C07D405/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing both one or more hetero rings having oxygen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms, and one or more rings having nitrogen as the only ring hetero atom
  • C07D405/14—Heterocyclic compounds containing both one or more hetero rings having oxygen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms, and one or more rings having nitrogen as the only ring hetero atom containing three or more hetero rings
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
  • C07D409/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing two or more hetero rings, at least one ring having sulfur atoms as the only ring hetero atoms
  • C07D409/14—Heterocyclic compounds containing two or more hetero rings, at least one ring having sulfur atoms as the only ring hetero atoms containing three or more hetero rings
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
  • C07D413/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing two or more hetero rings, at least one ring having nitrogen and oxygen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms
  • C07D413/14—Heterocyclic compounds containing two or more hetero rings, at least one ring having nitrogen and oxygen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms containing three or more hetero rings
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
  • C07D491/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing in the condensed ring system both one or more rings having oxygen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms and one or more rings having nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms, not provided for by groups C07D451/00 - C07D459/00, C07D463/00, C07D477/00 or C07D489/00
  • C07D491/02—Heterocyclic compounds containing in the condensed ring system both one or more rings having oxygen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms and one or more rings having nitrogen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms, not provided for by groups C07D451/00 - C07D459/00, C07D463/00, C07D477/00 or C07D489/00 in which the condensed system contains two hetero rings
  • C07D491/10—Spiro-condensed systems
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07D—HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
  • C07D493/00—Heterocyclic compounds containing oxygen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms in the condensed system
  • C07D493/02—Heterocyclic compounds containing oxygen atoms as the only ring hetero atoms in the condensed system in which the condensed system contains two hetero rings
  • C07D493/10—Spiro-condensed systems

Definitions

• This invention is directed to imidazolyl-cyclic acetals, their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, and their pharmaceutical use in the treatment of disease states capable of being modulated by the inhibition of TNF.
• Tumour necrosis factor is an important pro-inflammatory cytokine which causes hemorrhagic necrosis of tumors and possesses other important biological activities. TNF is released by activated macrophages, activated T-lymphocytes, natural killer cells, mast cells and basophils, fibroblasts, endothelial cells and brain astrocytes among other cells.
• TNF The principal in vivo actions of TNF can be broadly classified as inflammatory and catabolic. It has been implicated as a mediator of endotoxic shock, inflammation of joints and of the airways, immune deficiency states, allograft rejection, and in the cachexia associated with malignant disease and some parasitic infections. In view of the association of high serum levels of TNF with poor prognosis in sepsis, graft versus host disease and adult respiratory distress syndrome, and its role in many other immunologic processes, this factor is regarded as an important mediator of general inflammation.
• TNF primes or activates neutrophils, eosinophils, and endothelial cells to release tissue damaging mediators and increase the expression of adhesion molecules.
• TNF stimulates the production of collagenase, an enzyme implicated in the joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis.
• TNF also activates monocytes, macrophages and T-lymphocytes to cause the production of colony stimulating factors and other pro-inflammatory cytokines such IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 and GM-CSF, which in some cases mediate the end effects of TNF.
• T-lymphocytes T-lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages and related cells has been implicated in the progression of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection.
• HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus
• Cytokines such as TNF have been shown to activate HIV replication in monocytes and macrophages.
• endotoxic shock such as fever, metabolic acidosis, hypotension and intravascular coagulation are thought to be mediated through the actions of TNF.
• the cachexia associated with certain disease states is mediated through indirect effects on protein catabolism. TNF also promotes bone resorption and acute phase protein synthesis.
• TNF-alpha inhibits surfactant protein C gene transcription, which may contribute to abnormalities of surfactant homeostasis associated with pulmonary injury and infection, induces mucin hypersecretion and mediates the recruitment of neutrophils and eosinophils during airway inflammation.
• TNF-alpha inhibits collagen synthesis in fibroblasts, a number of studies point to it being pro-fibrotic in vivo.
• the compounds of the invention have potential in suppressing the inflammation and airways remodelling that occurs in asthma.
• TNF-alpha inhibits the ability of insulin to stimulate glucose uptake in adipose tissue. In obesity the overproduction of TNF is thought to cause an insulin-resistant state. Thus, by blocking TNF release the compounds of the invention have anti-diabetic potential.
• TNF-alpha can induce angiogenesis in normally avascular tissue, possibly through upregulation of other pro-inflammatory cytokines, upregulation of adhesion molecules, stimulation of matrix mettalloproteinase expression and increased prostaglandin production.
• inhibition of TNF-alpha release by compounds of the invention will have benefit in angiogenesis dependent diseases including arthritis, diabetic retinopathies and ischemia induced diseases (myocardial infarction) and cancer.
• TNF disease states associated with TNF including those disease states related to the production of TNF itself, and disease states associated with other cytokines, such as, but not limited to IL-1 or IL-6, that are modulated by association with TNF.
• IL-1 associated disease state
• IL-6 cytokines
• a IL-1 associated disease state where IL-1 production or action is exacerbated or secreted in response to TNF, would therefore be considered a disease state associated with TNF.
• TNF-alpha and TNF-beta are also herein referred to collectively as "TNF” unless specifically delineated otherwise, since there is a close structural homology between TNF-alpha (cachectin) and TNF-beta (lymphotoxin) and each of them has a capacity to induce similar biological responses and bind to the same cellular receptor.
• the present invention is directed to compounds of general formula (I):-
• Rl is optionally substituted heteroaryl
• R 2 is optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl
• R3 represents a group -L ⁇ -R ⁇ or -L 2 -R [where iX represents a straight- or branched-chain alkylene linkage containing from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms optionally substituted by halogen or oxo; R ⁇ is hydrogen, aryl, cyano, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, nitro, -S(O) n R ⁇ , (where R 9 is alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, or heterocycloalkyl and n is zero or an integer 1 or 2), -NHSO2R 9 ,
• L 2 represents a direct bond or a straight- or branched-carbon chain comprising from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms and contains a double or triple carbon-carbon bond; and
• R8 is hydrogen , aryl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl or heterocycloalkyl];
• R represents a group -L ⁇ -R 1 ⁇ [where L 3 represents a direct bond or a straight- or branched-chain alkylene linkage containing from 1 to about 6
• R 1 is alkoxy, aryl, arylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxycarbonylamino, carboxy (or an acid bioisostere), cycloalkyl, cyano, halo, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkoxy, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxy or -NY ⁇ Y 2
• L 4 is a straight- or branched-chain alkylene linkage containing from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms
• R 1 " is alkoxy, aryl, arylalkyloxy, arylalkyl
• R6 represents hydrogen or alkyl; and m is zero or an integer 1 or 2; and N-oxides thereof, and their prodrugs; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates (e.g. hydrates) of compounds of formula (I) and N-oxides thereof, and their prodrugs.
• Patient includes both human and other mammals.
• Acid bioisostere means a group which has chemical and physical similarities producing broadly similar biological properties to a carboxy group (see Lipinski, Annual Reports in Medicinal Chemistry, 1986, 21, page 283 "Bioisosterism In Drug Design”; Yun, Hwahak Sekye, 1993, 33, pages 576-579 "Application Of Bioisosterism To New Drug Design”; Zhao, Huaxue Tongbao, 1995, pages 34-38 "Bioisosteric Replacement And Development Of Lead Compounds In Drug Design”; Graham, Theochem, 1995, 343, pages 105-109 "Theoretical Studies Applied To Drug Design:ab initio Electronic Distributions In Bioisosteres”).
• Acyl means an H-CO- or alkyl-CO- group in which the alkyl group is as described herein.
• acylamino is an acyl-NH- group wherein acyl is as defined herein.
• Alkenyl means an aliphatic hydrocarbon group containing a carbon-carbon double bond and which may be straight or branched having about 2 to about 15 carbon atoms in the chain. Preferred alkenyl groups have 2 to about 12 carbon atoms in the chain; and more preferably about 2 to about 4 carbon atoms in the chain.
• Branched means that one or more lower alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl or propyl are attached to a linear chain; here a linear alkenyl chain.
• “Lower alkenyl” means about 2 to about 4 carbon atoms in the chain which may be straight or branched.
• alkenyl groups include ethenyl, propenyl, n-butenyl, i-butenyl, 3-methylbut-2-enyl, n-pentenyl, heptenyl, octenyl, cyclohexylbutenyl and decenyl.
• Alkoxy means an alkyl-O- group in which the alkyl group is as described herein.
• exemplary alkoxy groups include methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, i-propoxy, n-butoxy and heptoxy.
• Alkoxymethyl means an alkyl-O-CH2- group in which the alkyl group is as described herein.
• exemplary alkoxymethyl groups include methoxymethyl and ethoxymethyl.
• Alkoxy carbonyl means an alkyl-O-CO- group in which the alkyl group is as described herein.
• exemplary alkoxycarbonyl groups include methoxy- and ethoxycarbonyl.
• Alkyl means, unless otherwise specified, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group which may be straight or branched having about 1 to about 15 carbon atoms in the chain, optionally substituted by one or more halogen atoms. Particular alkyl groups have from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms. Exemplary alkyl groups for R ⁇ , R ⁇ and within R 4 include C ⁇ alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl and i-propyl.
• Alkylene means a straight or branched bivalent hydrocarbon chain having from 1 to about 15 carbon atoms. Particular alkylene groups are the lower alkylene groups having from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms. Exemplary groups include methylene and ethylene.
• Alkylsulphinyl means an alkyl-SO- group in which the alkyl group is as previously described. Preferred groups are those in which the alkyl group is Cj ⁇ alkyl.
• Alkylsulphonyl means an alkyl-SO2- group in which the alkyl group is as previously described. Preferred groups are those in which the alkyl group is C j ⁇ alkyl.
• Preferred alkylsulphonylcarbamoyl groups are those in which the alkyl group is C j _4alkyl.
• Alkylthio means an alkyl-S- group in which the alkyl group is as previously described.
• Exemplary alkylthio groups include methylthio, ethylthio, isopropylthio and heptylthio.
• Alkynyl means an aliphatic hydrocarbon group containing a carbon-carbon triple bond and which may be straight or branched having about 2 to about 15 carbon atoms in the chain.
• Preferred alkynyl groups have 2 to about 12 carbon atoms in the chain; and more preferably about 2 to about 4 carbon atoms in the chain.
• Exemplary alkynyl groups include ethynyl, propynyl, n-butynyl, i-butynyl, 3-methylbut-2-ynyl, and n-pentynyl.
• Aroyl means an aryl-CO- group in which the aryl group is as described herein.
• exemplary groups include benzoyl and 1- and 2-naphthoyl.
• Aroylamino is an aroyl-NH- group wherein aroyl is as previously defined.
• Aryl as a group or part of a group denotes: (i) an optionally substituted monocyclic or multicyclic aromatic carbocyclic moiety of about 6 to about 14 carbon atoms, such as phenyl or naphthyl; or (ii) an optionally substituted partially saturated multicyclic aromatic carbocyclic moiety in which an aryl and a cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl group are fused together to form a cyclic structure, such as a tetrahydronaphthyl, indenyl or indanyl ring.
• Aryl groups may be substituted with one or more aryl group substituents which may be the same or different, where "aryl group substituent" includes, for example, acyl, acylamino, alkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylenedioxy, alkylsulphinyl, alkylsulphonyl, alkylthio, aroyl, aroylamino, aryl, arylalkyloxy, arylalkyloxycarbonyl, arylalkylthio, aryloxy, aryloxycarbonyl, arylsulphinyl, arylsulphonyl, arylthio, carboxy, cyano, halo, heteroaroyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyloxy, heteroaroylamino, heteroaryloxy, hydroxy, nitro, trifluoromethyl, Y 7 Y 8 N-, Y 7 Y 8 NCO-, Y 7 Y 8 NSO 2 -
• Arylalkyl means an aryl-alkyl- group in which the aryl and alkyl moieties are as previously described. Preferred arylalkyl groups contain a C ⁇ alkyl moiety. Exemplary arylalkyl groups include benzyl, 2-phenethyl and naphthlenemethyl.
• Arylalkyloxy means an arylalkyl-O- group in which the arylalkyl groups is as previously described. Exemplary arylalkyloxy groups include benzyloxy and 1- or 2-naphthalenemethoxy.
• Arylalkyloxycarbonyl means an arylalkyl-O-CO- group in which the arylalkyl groups is as previously described. An exemplary arylalkyloxycarbonyl group is benzyloxycarbonyl.
• Arylalkylthio means an arylalkyl-S- group in which the arylalkyl group is as previously described.
• An exemplary arylalkylthio group is benzylthio.
• Aryloxy means an aryl-O- group in which the aryl group is as previously described.
• exemplary aryloxy groups include optionally substituted phenoxy and naphthoxy.
• Aryloxy carbonyl means an aryl-O-CO- group in which the aryl group is as previously described.
• exemplary aryloxycarbonyl groups include phenoxycarbonyl and naphthoxycarbonyl.
• Arylsulphinyl means an aryl-SO- group in which the aryl group is as previously described.
• Arylsulphonyl means an aryl-SO2" group in which the aryl group is as previously described.
• Arylthio means an aryl-S- group in which the aryl group is as previously described.
• exemplary arylthio groups include phenylthio and naphthylthio.
• Azaheteroaryl means an aromatic carbocyclic moiety of about 5 to about 10 ring members in which one of the ring members is nitrogen and the other ring members are chosen from carbon, oxygen, sulphur, or nitrogen.
• optionally substituted azaheteroaryl groups include pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, quinazolinyl, imidazolyl, and benzimidazolyl, optionally substituted with one or more "heteroaryl group substituents”.
• Preferred azaheteroaryl groups within R include optionally substituted pyridyl and pyrimidinyl.
• Preferred heteroaryl group substituents when R* is pyrimidinyl include R 7 Z 3 - [where R* 7 is alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, or alkyl substituted by alkoxy, aryl, cyano, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxy, oxo, -CO2R 10 , -CON ⁇ l ⁇ 2 or-NY 4 Y 5 and Z 3 is O or S(O)trust] and Y 4 Y 5 N-.
• Cycloalkenyl means an optionally substituted non-aromatic monocyclic or multicyclic ring system containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond and having about 5 to about 10 carbon atoms.
• Exemplary monocyclic cycloalkenyl rings include cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl and cyclopentenyl.
• Exemplary multicyclic cycloalkenyl ring include norbornenyl.
• the cycloalkenyl group may be substituted by one or more substituents chosen from, for example, halo, or alkyl.
• Cycloalkoxymethyl means a cycloa!kyl-O-CH2-group in which the cycloalkyl group is as described hereinafter.
• Exemplary cycloalkoxymethyl groups include cyclopropyloxymethyl and cyclopentyloxymethyl.
• Cycloalkyl means an optionally substituted non-aromatic monocyclic or multicyclic ring system of about 3 to about 10 carbon atoms.
• Exemplary monocyclic cycloalkyl rings include cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl.
• Exemplary multicyclic cycloalkyl rings include perhydronaphthyl, adamant-(l- or 2-)yI and norbornyl and spirocyclic groups e.g. spiro[4,4]non-2yI.
• R 3 is, or contains, a cycloalkyl ring this may particularly represent a 3 to 7 membered monocyclic ring, especially cyclohexyl.
• the cycloalkyl group may be substituted by one or more (e.g. 1, 2, or 3) substituents chosen from, for example, alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, halo, halo substituted alkyl (such as trifluoromethyl), hydroxyalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, -S(O) n -alkyl, -NY!Y 2 or -CO 2 R 12 .
• Cycloalkylalkyl means a cycloalkyl-alkyl- group in which the cycloalkyl and alkyl moieties are as previously described.
• Exemplary monocyclic cycloalkylalkyl groups include cyclopropylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl and cycloheptylmethyl.
• Cycloalkyloxy means a cycloalkyl-O- group in which the cycloalkyl group is as described herein.
• Exemplary cycloalkyloxy groups include cyclopropyloxy, cyclopentyloxy, cyclohexyloxy and cycloheptyloxy.
• Halo or halogen means fluoro, chloro, bromo, or iodo. Preferred are fluoro or chloro.
• Heteroaroyl means a heteroaryl-CO- group in which the heteroaryl group is as described herein. Exemplary groups include pyridylcarbonyl. "Heteroaroylamino” means a heteroaroyl-NH- group in which the heteroaroyl moiety is as previously described.
• Heteroaryl as a group or part of a group denotes an optionally substituted aromatic monocyclic or multicyclic organic moiety of about 5 to about 10 ring members in which one or more of the ring members is/are element(s) other than carbon, for example nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur.
• optionally substituted heteroaryl groups include benzimidazolyl, furyl, imidazolyl, isoxazolyl, isoquinolinyl, isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, quinazolinyl, quinolinyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazoIyl, thiazolyl, thienyl and triazolyl groups.
• R 1 is an optionally substituted heteroaryl group this may particularly represent an optionally substituted "azaheteroaryl" group.
• Heteroaryl groups may be substituted with one or more heteroaryl group substituents which may be the same or different, where "heteroaryl group substituent" includes, for example acyl, acylamino, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylenedioxy, aroyl, aroylamino, aryl, arylalkyloxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, carboxy, cyano, halo, heteroaroyl, heteroaryl, heteroaroylamino, hydroxy, nitro, trifluoromethyl,
• Heteroarylalkyl means a heteroaryl-alkyl- group in which the heteroaryl and alkyl moieties are as previously described. Preferred heteroarylalkyl groups contain a C ⁇ -4alkyl moiety.
• heteroarylalkyl groups include pyridylmethyl.
• Heteroarylalkyloxy means an heteroarylalkyl-O- group in which the heteroarylalkyl group is as previously described.
• exemplary heteroaryloxy groups include optionally substituted pyridylmethoxy.
• Heteroaryloxy means an heteroaryl-O- group in which the heteroaryl group is as previously described.
• exemplary heteroaryloxy groups include optionally substituted pyridyloxy.
• Heterocycloalkyl means a cycloalkyl group of about 3 to 7 ring members which contains one or more heteroatoms selected from O, S or NY 3 .
• Exemplary heterocycloalkyl groups include 5-7 membered cyclic ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and perhydropyran.
• Heterocycloalkylalkyl means a heterocycloalkyl-alkyl- group in which the heterocycloalkyl and alkyl moieties are as previously described.
• Heterocycloalkyloxy means a heterocycloalkyl-O- group in which the heterocycloalkyl is as previously defined.
• Hydroalkyl means a HO-alkyl- group in which alkyl is as previously defined. Preferred hydroxyalkyl groups contain Cj ⁇ alkyl. Exemplary hydroxyalkyl groups include hydroxymethyl and 2-hydroxyethyl.
• Y 7 Y N- means a substituted or unsubstituted amino group, wherein Y 7 and Y 8 are as previously described.
• exemplary groups include amino (H2N-), methylamino, ethylmethylamino, dimethylamino and diethylamino.
• Y 7 Y 8 NCO- means a substituted or unsubstituted carbamoyl group, wherein Y 7 and Y 8 are as previously described.
• exemplary groups are carbamoyl (H2NCO-) and dimethylcarbamoyl
• Y 7 Y NSO2- means a substituted or unsubstituted sulphamoyl group, wherein Y 7 and Y 8 are as previously described.
• exemplary groups are sulphamoyl (H2NSO2-) and dimethylsulphamoyl (Me2NSO2-)-
• Prodrug means a compound which is convertible in vivo by metabolic means (e.g. by hydrolysis) to a compound of formula (I), including N-oxides thereof.
• an ester of a compound of formula (I) containing a hydroxy group may be convertible by hydrolysis in vivo to the parent molecule.
• an ester of a compound of formula (I) containing a carboxy group may be convertible by hydrolysis in vivo to the parent molecule.
• Solvate means a physical association of a compound of this invention with one or more solvent molecules. This physical association includes hydrogen bonding. In certain instances the solvate will be capable of isolation, for example when one or more solvent molecules are incorporated in the crystal lattice of the crystalline solid. "Solvate” encompasses both solution-phase and isolable solvates. Representative solvates include hydrates, ethanolates, methanolates, and the like.
• Suitable esters of compounds of formula (I) containing a hydroxy group are for example acetates, citrates, lactates, tartrates, alonates, oxalates, salicylates, propionates, succinates fumarates, maleates, methylene-bis-b-hydroxynaphthoates, gentisates, isethionates, di-p-toluoyltartrates, methanesulphonates, ethanesulphonates, benzenesulphonates, p-toluenesulphonates, cyclohexylsulphamates and quinates.
• Suitable esters of compounds of formula (I) containing a carboxy group are for example those described by FJ.Leinweber, Drug Metab. Res., 1987, 18, page 379.
• esters of compounds of formula (I) containing a hydroxy group may be formed from acid moieties selected from those described by Bundgaard et. al., J. Med. Chem., 1989, 32 , page 2503-2507, and include substituted (aminomethyl)-benzoates, for example dialkylamino-methylbenzoates in which the two alkyl groups may be joined together and/or interrupted by an oxygen atom or by an optionally substituted nitrogen atom, e.g. an alkylated nitrogen atom, more especially (morpholino-methyl)benzoates, e.g. 3- or 4-(morpholinomethyI)-benzoates, and (4-alkylpiperazin-l-yl)benzoates, e.g. 3- or 4-(4-aIkylpiperazin-l-yl)benzoates.
• substituted (aminomethyl)-benzoates for example dialkylamino-methylbenzoates in which the two alkyl groups may be joined together and/
• Some of the compounds of the present invention are basic, and such compounds are useful in the form of the free base or in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof.
• Acid addition salts are a more convenient form for use; and in practice, use of the salt form inherently amounts to use of the free base form.
• the acids which can be used to prepare the acid addition salts include preferably those which produce, when combined with the free base, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, that is, salts whose anions are non-toxic to the patient in pharmaceutical doses of the salts, so that the beneficial inhibitory effects inherent in the free base are not vitiated by side effects ascribable to the anions.
• compositions are preferred, all acid addition salts are useful as sources of the free base form even if the particular salt, per se, is desired only as an intermediate product as, for example, when the salt is formed only for purposes of purification, and identification, or when it is used as intermediate in preparing a pharmaceutically acceptable salt by ion exchange procedures.
• Pharmaceutically acceptable salts within the scope of the invention include those derived from mineral acids and organic acids, and include hydrohalides, e.g.
• hydrochlorides and hydrobromides sulphates, phosphates, nitrates, sulphamates, acetates, citrates, lactates, tartrates, malonates, oxalates, salicylates, propionates, succinates, fumarates, maleates, methylene-bis-b-hydroxynaphthoates, gentisates, isethionates, di-p-toluoyltartrates, methane-sulphonates, ethanesulphonates, benzenesulphonates, p-toluenesulphonates, cyclohexylsulphamates and quinates.
• base addition salts may be formed and are simply a more convenient form for use; and in practice, use of the salt form inherently amounts to use of the free acid form.
• the bases which can be used to prepare the base addition salts include preferably those which produce, when combined with the free acid, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, that is, salts whose cations are non-toxic to the patient in pharmaceutical doses of the salts, so that the beneficial inhibitory effects inherent in the free base are not vitiated by side effects ascribable to the cations.
• Pharmaceutically acceptable salts including those derived from alkali and alkaline earth metal salts, within the scope of the invention include those derived from the following bases: sodium hydride, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, aluminium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, zinc hydroxide, ammonia, ethylenediamine, N-methyl-glucamine, lysine, arginine, ornithine, choline, N,N'-dibenzylethylenediamine, chloroprocaine, diethanolamine, procaine, N-benzylphenethylamine, diethylamine, piperazine, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane, tetramethylammonium hydroxide, and the like.
• salts of compounds of the invention are useful for the purposes of purification of the compounds, for example by exploitation of the solubility differences between the salts and the parent compounds, side products and/or starting materials by techniques well known to those skilled in the art.
• R 1 may particularly represent optionally substituted azaheteroaryl such as optionally substituted pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, quinazolinyl, imidazolyl or benzimidazolyl (for example optionally substituted 4-pyridyl, 4-pyrimidinyl, 4-quinolinyI, 6-isoquinolinyl, 4-quinazolinyl, 1-imidazolyl or 1-benzimidazolyl).
• R* is preferably optionally substituted 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl, especially unsubstituted 4-pyridyl or 2-substituted 4-pyrimidinyI.
• Preferred substituents include Cj_4alkyl, especially methyl, -NY 4 Y ⁇ (especially where at least one of Y 4 and Y ⁇ is hydrogen) or -OR 17 (especiaIly where R ⁇ 7 is cycloalkyl).
• R 2 is preferably optionally substituted phenyl, particularly when substituted by halogen, especially fluoro and chloro, or an alkylthio or alkylsulphinyl group, especially methylthio or methysulphinyl, or a trifluoromethyl group.
• R 2 is more preferably phenyl substituted by a halogen (e.g. fluorine) atom, especially in the 4-position.
• R 3 may particularly represent hydrogen or Cj ⁇ alkyl, preferably hydrogen.
• R 4 may particularly represent a group -L 3 -Rl 4 where L 3 is a direct bond and R ⁇ 4 is -NY 4 Y ⁇ , where Y 4 and Y ⁇ are as defined hereinbefore, especially where Y 4 and Y ⁇ are hydrogen.
• R 4 may also particularly represent a group -L 3 -R 14 where L 3 is a direct bond and R ⁇ 4 is
• R 4 may also particularly represent a group -L 3 -Rl 4 where L 3 is a direct bond and R* is
• Z, L 4 , R 10 and R 16 are as defined hereinbefore, especially where Z is oxygen, L 4 is methylene, R 1 " is hydrogen, and R 1 " is aryl (e.g. substituted or more preferably, unsubstituted phenyl) or heteroaryl.
• R 4 may also particularly represent a group -L 3 -Rl 4 where L 3 is a direct bond and R ⁇ 4 is
• Y 4 and Y ⁇ are as defined hereinbefore, especially where Y 4 and Y ⁇ are hydrogen or where Y 4 is hydrogen and Y ⁇ is aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl.
• R 4 may also particularly represent a group -L -Rl 4 where L 3 is a direct bond and R ⁇ 4 is
• R 4 may also particularly represent a group -L 3 -R i4 where L 3 is a direct bond, especially methylene or ethylene, and R 14 is alkyl, especially methyl.
• R 4 may also particularly represent a group -L 3 -R 14 where L 3 is Cj.galkylene, especially methylene, and R* is hydroxy.
• R 4 may also particularly represent a group -L 3 -R1 4 where L 3 is Cj.galkylene, especially C ⁇ alkylene, preferably methylene, and R* 4 is -NY 4 Y ⁇ , where Y 4 and Y ⁇ are as defined hereinbefore, especially where Y 4 and Y 3 are hydrogen.
• R 4 may also particularly represent a group -L 3 -R l4 where L 3 is Cj.galkylene, especially methylene or ethylene, and R 4 is aryl or heteroaryl.
• R 4 may also particularly represent a group -L -R 14 where L 3 is Cj.galkylene, especially methylene, and R 14 is -N(R l ⁇ )-S ⁇ 2-R 15 , in which R* ⁇ and Rl 5 are as defined hereinbefore, especially where R 10 is hydrogen and R" is alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl.
• R 4 may also particularly represent a group -L -Rl 4 where L 3 is Cj.galkylene, especially methylene, and R 14 is -N(R 10 )-SO2-L 4 -R 15 , in which L 4 , R 10 and R 15 are as defined hereinbefore, especially where L 4 is methylene, Rl° is hydrogen and R" is alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl.
• R5 may particularly represent hydrogen or Cj ⁇ alkyl, especially methyl.
• R may also particularly represent hydroxyalkyl, especially hydroxymethyl.
• R" may particularly represent hydrogen or Cj ⁇ alkyl, especially hydrogen.
• n is preferably an integer 1.
• a particular group of compounds of the invention are compounds of formula (la):-
• R 4 and R ⁇ are as hereinbefore defined, and N-oxides thereof, and their prodrugs; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates (e.g. hydrates) of compounds of formula (la) and N-oxides thereof, and their prodrugs.
• R 4 represents a group -L 3 -Rl 4 where L 3 is a direct bond and Rl 4 is -NY 4 Y ⁇ , where Y 4 and Y ⁇ are as defined hereinbefore, especially where Y 4 and Y ⁇ are hydrogen, are preferred.
• R 4 represents a group -L 3 -R* 4 where L 3 is a direct bond, especially methylene or ethylene, and R ⁇ is alkyl, especially methyl, are also preferred.
• R 4 represents a group -L 3 -Rl 4 where L 3 is C j .galkylene, especially methylene, and R* 4 is hydroxy, are also preferred.
• R 4 represents a group -L -R 14 where L 3 is C j .galkylene, especially methylene
• L 4 is Cj.galkylene, especially methylene
• R 1 " is hydrogen and Rl** is aryl or heteroaryl, are also preferred.
• R 4 represents a group -L 3 -Rl 4 where L 3 is C j .galkylene, especially methylene
• R 4 represents a group -L 3 -R1 4 where L 3 is C j .galkylene, especially C j ⁇ alkylene, preferably methylene, and R* 4 is -NY 4 Y 3 , where Y 4 and Y ⁇ are as defined hereinbefore, especially where Y 4 and Y ⁇ are hydrogen, are also preferred.
• R 4 represents a group -L 3 -Rl 4 where L 3 is C j .galkylene, especially methylene or ethylene, and R 4 is aryl or heteroaryl, are also preferred.
• R 4 represents a group -L -Rl 4 where L 3 is C j .galkylene, especially methylene, and R 4 is -N(R 1 ")-SO2-R , in which R 10 and R" are as defined hereinbefore, especially where R l ⁇ is hydrogen and R*5 is alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, are also preferred.
• R 4 represents a group -L -Rl where L 3 is C j .galkylene, especially methylene
• R 14 is -N(R 10 )-SO 2 -L 4 -R 15
• L 4 , R 10 and R 15 are as defined hereinbefore, especially where L 4 is methylene
• R 1 " is hydrogen and R" is alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, are also preferred.
• a preferred group of compounds of the invention are compounds of formula (la) in which R 4 is a group -L 3 -R 4 ⁇ where L 3 is a direct bond and R 14 is (i) -NY 4 Y ⁇ , preferably -NH2; (ii)
• methyl or hydroxy C ⁇ alkyl (e.g. hydroxymethyl), especially methyl; and N-oxides thereof, and their prodrugs; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates (e.g. hydrates) of compounds of formula (la) herein and N-oxides thereof, and their prodrugs.
• a further preferred group of compounds of formula (la) are compounds in which R 4 is a group
• R 3 represents hydrogen, C ⁇ alkyl (e.g. methyl) or hydroxyC j .4alkyl (e.g. hydroxymethyl), especially methyl; and N-oxides thereof, and their prodrugs; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates (e.g. hydrates) of compounds of formula (la) herein and N-oxides thereof, and their prodrugs.
• a further particular group of compounds of the invention are compounds of formula (Ib):-
• R 4 and R 5 are as hereinbefore defined
• R 8 is R 7 Z 3 - or Y 4 Y - ( in which R* 7 ,
• Y 4 , ⁇ 5 and Z 3 are as hereinbefore defined), and N-oxides thereof, and their prodrugs; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates (e.g. hydrates) of compounds of formula (lb) and N-oxides thereof, and their prodrugs.
• R 4 represents a group -L 3 -R 14 where L 3 is a direct bond and Rl 4 is -NY 4 Y ⁇ , where Y 4 and Y-> are as defined hereinbefore, especially where Y 4 and Y-> are hydrogen, are preferred.
• R 4 represents a group -L -R1 4 where L 3 is a direct bond, especially methylene or ethylene, and R ⁇ 4 is alkyl, especially methyl, are also preferred.
• R 4 represents a group -L 3 -R* 4 where L 3 is C j .galkylene, especially methylene, and R 14 is hydroxy, are also preferred.
• R 4 represents a group -L -Rl 4 where L 3 is C j .galkylene, especially methylene
• L 4 is Cj.galkylene, especially methylene
• R 1 " is hydrogen and Rl" is aryl or heteroaryl, are also preferred.
• R 4 represents a group -L 3 -R1 4 where L 3 is C j .galkylene, especially methylene
• R 4 represents a group -L 3 -Rl 4 where L 3 is Ci-galkylene, especially Cj ⁇ alkylene, preferably methylene, and R* 4 is -NY 4 Y ⁇ , where Y 4 and Y ⁇ are as defined hereinbefore, especially where Y 4 and Y' are hydrogen, are also preferred.
• R 4 represents a group -L -Rl 4 where L 3 is C j .galkylene, especially methylene or ethylene, and Rl 4 is aryl or heteroaryl, are also preferred.
• R 4 represents a group -L 3 -Rl 4 where L 3 is Ci-galkylene, especially methylene, and R 4 is in which R 10 and R 5 are as defined hereinbefore, especially where R l ⁇ is hydrogen and R l ' is alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, are also preferred.
• R 4 represents a group -L 3 -Rl 4 where L 3 is C j .galkylene, especially methylene
• R 14 is -N(R 10 )-SO 2 -L 4 -R 15
• L 4 , R 10 and R 15 are as defined hereinbefore, especially where L 4 is methylene
• R l " is hydrogen and Rl' i s alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl, are also preferred.
• R is -NY 4 Y ⁇ , where Y 4 and Y ⁇ are as hereinbefore defined, especially where Y 4 is hydrogen and Y ⁇ is (i) arylalkyl, particularly optionally substituted benzyl or optionally substituted ⁇ -methylbenzyl (in which the phenyl group may be optionally substituted by one or more aryl group substituents, especially halo, methoxy, trifluoromethyl, methyl and methylenedioxy); (ii) heteroarylalkyl, particularly azaheteroaryl-alkyl, more particularly azaheteroaryl-CH2-; (iii) C2-6 a 'kyl substituted by alkoxy, particularly C2-6 a ⁇ yl substituted by methoxy; (iv) C2-6aIkyl substituted by -N ⁇ l ⁇ 2 , particularly C2-6 a lkyl substituted by -NMe2; (v) C2-6alkyl
• Rl is -OR 17 , where R 17 is as hereinbefore defined, especially where R 17 is alkyl, aryl (especially phenyl optionally substituted by one or more aryl group substituents, especially halo, methoxy, trifluoromethyl, methyl or methylenedioxy) or cycloalkyl, are also preferred.
• a preferred group of compounds of the invention are compounds of formula (lb) in which R 4 is a group -L 3 -R 14 ⁇ where L 3 is a direct bond and R 14 is (i) -NY 4 Y', preferably -NH2; (ii)
• R 18 represents -NY 4 Y ⁇ ⁇ where Y 4 and Y ⁇ are as hereinbefore defined, especially where Y 4 is hydrogen and Y' is (i) arylalkyl, particularly benzyl or ⁇ -methylbenzyl; (ii) heteroarylalkyl, particularly azaheteroaryl-alkyl, more particularly azaheteroaryl-CH2-; (iii) C2.6alkyl substituted by alkoxy, particularly C2-6 au ⁇ yl substituted by methoxy; (iv) C2-galkyl substituted by -NY! ⁇ , particularly C2-6aIkyl substituted by -NMe2; (v) C2_6alkyl substituted by hydroxy; (vi) cycloalkyl or (vii) aryl, especially phenyl optionally substituted by one or more aryl group substituents, especially halo, meth
• a further preferred group of compounds of formula (lb) are compounds in which R 4 is a group
• R' represents hydrogen, C j ⁇ alkyl (e.g. methyl) or hydroxyC ⁇ alkyl
• R 18 represents -NY 4 Y' ⁇ where Y 4 and Y ⁇ are as hereinbefore defined, especially where Y 4 is hydrogen and Y' is (i) arylalkyl, particularly benzyl or ⁇ -methylbenzyl; (ii) heteroarylalkyl, particularly azaheteroarylalkyl, more particularly azaheteroaryl-CH2-; (iii) C2-6 a lkyl substituted by alkoxy, particularly C2-6 a lkyl substituted by methoxy; (iv) C2.6 a -kyl substituted by -NY ⁇ 2 , particularly C2-6alkyl substituted by -NMe2;
• a particular group of compounds of the invention are those selected from the following: ⁇ 2-[5-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-4-pyridin-4-yI-lH-imidazol-2-yI]-5-methyl-[l,3]dioxan-5-yl ⁇ -methanol, cis-isomer, (Compound A);
• a further particular group of compounds of the invention are those selected from the following: ⁇ 2-[5-(2-cyclopropylamino-pyrimidin-4-yl)-4-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-lH-imidazol-2-yl]-5-methyl-
• N-oxides, and their prodrugs and their prodrugs; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates (e.g. hydrates) of such compounds and their N-oxides and prodrugs.
• Preferred compounds of the invention include: ⁇ 2-[5-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-4-pyridin-4-yl-lH-imidazol-2-yl]-5-methyI-[l,3]dioxan-5-yl ⁇ -methanol, cis-isomer, (Compound A);
• a particularly preferred compound of the invention is ⁇ 2-[4-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-5-pyridin-4-yI-lH- imidazol-2-yl]-5-methyl-[l,3]dioxan-5-yl ⁇ -morpholin-4-yl-methanone, trans-isomer, (Compound AW); and the corresponding N-oxide, and its prodrugs; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates (e.g. hydrates) of this compound and its N-oxide and prodrugs, especially its methane sulphonic acid salt as depicted by Compound FP.
• the compounds of the invention exhibit useful pharmacological activity and accordingly are incorporated into pharmaceutical compositions and used in the treatment of patients suffering from certain medical disorders.
• the present invention thus provides, according to a further aspect, compounds of the invention and compositions containing compounds of the invention for use in therapy.
• TNF tumour necrosis factor
• the present invention provides compounds of the invention and compositions containing compounds of the invention for use in the treatment of a patient suffering from, or subject to, conditions which can be ameliorated by the administration of an inhibitor of TNF, especially of TNF-alpha.
• compounds of the present invention are useful in the treatment of joint inflammation, including arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other arthritic conditions such as rheumatoid spondylitis, gouty arthritis, traumatic arthritis, rubella arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and osteoarthritis.
• the compounds are useful in the treatment of acute synovitis, tuberculosis, atherosclerosis, muscle degeneration, cachexia, Reiter's syndrome, endotoxaemia, sepsis, septic shock, endotoxic shock, gram negative sepsis, gout, toxic shock syndrome, chronic pulmonary inflammatory diseases including asthma and adult respiratory distress syndrome, silicosis, pulmonary sarcoidosis, bone resorption diseases, osteoporosis, restenosis, heart failure and myocardial ischaemic syndromes, cardiac and renal reperfusion injury, thrombosis, glomerularnephritis, graft vs. host reaction, allograft rejection and leprosy.
• the compounds are useful in the treatment of infections such as viral infections, for example HIV, cytomegalovirus (CMV), influenza, adenovirus and the Herpes group of viruses, parasitic infections, for example malaria such as cerebral malaria, and yeast and fungal infections, for example fungal meningitis; fever and myalgias due to infection; AIDS; AIDS related complex (ARC); cachexia secondary to infection or malignancy; cachexia secondary to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or to cancer; keloid and scar tissue formation; pyresis; diabetes; inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis; eczema; contact dermititis; psoriasis; sunburn and conjunctivitis.
• viruses such as viral infections, for example HIV, cytomegalovirus (CMV), influenza, adenovirus and the Herpes group of viruses, parasitic infections, for example malaria such as cerebral malaria, and yeast and fungal infections, for example fungal meningitis; fever
• Compounds of the invention are also useful in the treatment of diseases of, or injury to, the brain in which over-production of TNF-alpha has been implicated, such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimers disease, trauma, stroke and other ischaemic conditions.
• Compounds of the invention may also be useful in inhibiting diseases associated with over-production of other pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1, IL-6 and IL-8.
• a special embodiment of the therapeutic methods of the present invention is the treating of asthma.
• Another special embodiment of the therapeutic methods of the present invention is the treating of joint inflammation.
• Effective amount is meant to describe an amount of compound of the present invention effective in inhibiting TNF and thus producing the desired therapeutic effect.
• references herein to treatment should be understood to include prophylactic therapy as well as treatment of established conditions.
• the present invention also includes within its scope pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one of the compounds of the invention in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.
• Compounds of the invention may be administered by any suitable means.
• compounds of the present invention may generally be administered parenterally, topically, rectally, orally or by inhalation, especially by the oral route.
• compositions according to the invention may be prepared according to the customary methods, using one or more pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvants or excipients.
• the adjuvants comprise, inter alia, diluents, sterile aqueous media and the various non-toxic organic solvents.
• the compositions may be presented in the form of tablets, pills, granules, powders, aqueous solutions or suspensions, injectable solutions, elixirs or syrups, and can contain one or more agents chosen from the group comprising sweeteners, flavorings, colorings, or stabilizers in order to obtain pharmaceutically acceptable preparations.
• excipients such as lactose, sodium citrate, calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate and disintegrating agents such as starch, alginic acids and certain complex silicates combined with lubricants such as magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulphate and talc may be used for preparing tablets.
• lactose and high molecular weight polyethylene glycols When aqueous suspensions are used they can contain emulsifying agents or agents which facilitate suspension.
• Diluents such as sucrose, ethanol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol and chloroform or mixtures thereof may also be used.
• emulsions, suspensions or solutions of the products according to the invention in vegetable oil for example sesame oil, groundnut oil or olive oil, or aqueous-organic solutions such as water and propylene glycol, injectable organic esters such as ethyl oleate, as well as sterile aqueous solutions of the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, are used.
• vegetable oil for example sesame oil, groundnut oil or olive oil
• aqueous-organic solutions such as water and propylene glycol
• injectable organic esters such as ethyl oleate
• sterile aqueous solutions of the pharmaceutically acceptable salts are used.
• the solutions of the salts of the products according to the invention are especially useful for administration by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection.
• aqueous solutions also comprising solutions of the salts in pure distilled water, may be used for intravenous administration with the proviso that their pH is suitably adjusted, that they are judiciously buffered and rendered isotonic with a sufficient quantity of glucose or sodium chloride and that they are sterilized by heating, irradiation or microfiltration.
• gels water or alcohol based
• creams or ointments containing compounds of the invention may be used.
• Compounds of the invention may also be incorporated in a gel or matrix base for application in a patch, which would allow a controlled release of compound through the transdermal barrier.
• inhalation compounds of the invention may be dissolved or suspended in a suitable carrier for use in a nebulizer or a suspension or solution aerosol, or may be absorbed or adsorbed onto a suitable solid carrier for use in a dry powder inhaler.
• Solid compositions for rectal administration include suppositories formulated in accordance with known methods and containing at least one compound of the invention.
• the percentage of active ingredient in the compositions of the invention may be varied, it being necessary that it should constitute a proportion such that a suitable dosage shall be obtained. Obviously, several unit dosage forms may be administered at about the same time.
• the dose employed will be determined by the physician, and depends upon the desired therapeutic effect, the route of administration and the duration of the treatment, and the condition of the patient. In the adult, the doses are generally from about 0.001 to about 50, preferably about 0.001 to about 5, mg/kg body weight per day by inhalation, from about 0.01 to about 100, preferably 0.1 to 70, more especially 0.5 to 10, mg/kg body weight per day by oral administration, and from about 0.001 to about 10, preferably 0.01 to 1, mg/kg body weight per day by intravenous administration. In each particular case, the doses will be determined in accordance with the factors distinctive to the subject to be treated, such as age, weight, general state of health and other characteristics which can influence the efficacy of the medicinal product.
• the compounds according to the invention may be administered as frequently as necessary in order to obtain the desired therapeutic effect. Some patients may respond rapidly to a higher or lower dose and may find much weaker maintenance doses adequate. For other patients, it may be necessary to have long-term treatments at the rate of 1 to 4 doses per day, in accordance with the physiological requirements of each particular patient. Generally, the active product may be administered orally 1 to 4 times per day. Of course, for some patients, it will be necessary to prescribe not more than one or two doses per day.
• Compounds of the invention may be prepared by methods similar to those described in EP424195 and EP506437.
• R 4 , R ⁇ , R*> and m are as hereinbefore defined and T 1 represents a group of the formula :-
• R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are as hereinbefore defined.
• R 19 is hydrogen or a suitable protecting group, such as 2-trimethyIsilanyl-ethoxymethyl, which is subsequently removed under the acidic reaction conditions and R 20 is -CHO or -CH(OMe)2, with compounds of formula (III):-
• reaction may conveniently be carried out in the presence of an acid catalyst, such as pyridinium 4-toluene sulphonate or 4-toluene sulphonic acid, in an inert solvent, such as toluene, at reflux temperature, with azeotropic removal of the water formed in the reaction.
• an acid catalyst such as pyridinium 4-toluene sulphonate or 4-toluene sulphonic acid
• inert solvent such as toluene
• R 3 represents a group -L ⁇ ⁇ -R 7 (where L 1 and R 7 are as hereinbefore defined) or -L 2 -R 8 (where L 2 is as hereinbefore defined and R 8 is aryl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl) may be similarly prepared by reaction of compounds of formula (II), wherein
• R 1 , R 2 are as hereinbefore defined
• R 19 represents a group -L!-R 7 (where L 1 and R 7 are as hereinbefore defined) or -L 2 -R 8 (where L 2 is as hereinbefore defined and R 8 is aryl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl) and R 20 is -CHO or -CH(OMe)2 , with compounds of formula (III) wherein R 4 , R', R" and m are as hereinbefore defined.
• R 8 is Y 4 Y ⁇ N- ( in which Y 4 and Y ⁇ are as hereinbefore defined), may be prepared by:- (i) treating Merrifield resin (chloromethylpolystyrene resin) with potassium thioacetate in an inert solvent, such as dimethylformamide, at a temperature at about room temperature, to give Resin A;
• R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R', R° and m are as hereinbefore defined, at a temperature from about room temperature to about 80°C, to give Resin C;
• R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R ⁇ , R ⁇ and m are as hereinbefore defined; followed by appropriate functional group interconversions, for example those described hereinafter.
• R 1 represents a group (IV), wherein R 18 is a -OR 17 or -SR 17 group ( in which R 17 is as hereinbefore defined), may be prepared by reaction of Resin D, wherein R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R , R*> and m are as hereinbefore defined, with compounds of formula R 17 OH or R 17 SH ( in which R 17 is as hereinbefore defined), in the presence of an alkali metal hydride, such as sodium hydride, in an inert solvent, such as dimethylformamide, and at a temperature from about room temperature to about 80°C.
• an alkali metal hydride such as sodium hydride
• compounds of the invention may be prepared by interconversion of other compounds of the invention.
• compounds of formula (I), wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 4 , R', R" and m are as hereinbefore defined and R 3 is a group -Li-R 7 (in which L 1 represents a straight- or branched-chain alkylene linkage containing from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms and R 7 is as hereinbefore defined), may be prepared by alkylation of compounds of formula (I) wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 4 , R', R" and m are as hereinbefore defined and R 3 is hydrogen, with an alkyl halide of formula (IV):-
• L 1 and R 7 are as hereinbefore defined immediately above and X 1 is a halogen atom, preferably a bromine atom.
• the alkylation may for example be carried out in the presence of a base, such as an alkali metal hydride, e.g. sodium hydride, in dimethylformamide, or dimethyl sulphoxide, at a temperature from about 0°C to about 100°C.
• a base such as an alkali metal hydride, e.g. sodium hydride, in dimethylformamide, or dimethyl sulphoxide
• R 4 , R', R" and m are as hereinbefore defined and R 3 is a group -L -R 8 (in which L 2 represents a straight- or branched-carbon chain comprising from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms and contains a double or triple carbon-carbon bond, and R 8 is aryl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl), may be similarly prepared by alkylation of compounds of formula (I), wherein
• R l , R 2 , R 4 , R', R" and m are as hereinbefore defined and R 3 is hydrogen, with compounds of formula (V):-
• a base such as potassium or ammonium carbonate in methanol, or a mixture of methanol and water
• an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran
• peptide coupling procedures may be employed for the reaction, such as treatment with a carbodiimide, for example dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, in the presence of triethylamine, or treatment with 1-hydroxybenzotriazole and a carbodiimide, such as l-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3- ethylcarbodiimide, in an inert solvent such as dimethylformamide and at a temperature at about room temperature.
• a carbodiimide for example dicyclohexylcarbodiimide
• 1-hydroxybenzotriazole and a carbodiimide such as l-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3- ethylcarbodiimide
• an inert solvent such as dimethylformamide
• an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran
• an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran
• compounds of formula (Ic), wherein T 1 , R ⁇ , R ⁇ and m are as hereinbefore defined and R 4 contains a -CO2H group may be prepared by hydrolysis of corresponding compounds of formula (Ic), wherein T 1 , R', R" and m are as hereinbefore defined and R 4 contains a -CO2R 21 group (in which R 21 is as hereinbefore defined).
• the hydrolysis may conveniently be carried out by alkaline hydrolysis using a base, such as an alkali metal hydroxide or carbonate, in the presence of an aqueous/organic solvent mixture, using organic solvents such as dioxan, tetrahydrofuran or methanol, at a temperature from about ambient to about reflux.
• the hydrolysis may also be carried out by acid hydrolysis using an inorganic acid, such as hydrochloric acid, in the presence of an aqueous/inert organic solvent mixture, using organic solvents such as dioxan or tetrahydrofuran, at a temperature from about 50°C to about 80°C.
• the coupling reaction may conveniently be carried out in the presence of 1- hydroxybenzotriazole and a carbodiimide such as l-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3- ethylcarbodiimide in an inert solvent such as dimethylformamide and at a temperature at about room temperature.
• a carbodiimide such as l-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3- ethylcarbodiimide
• an inert solvent such as dimethylformamide
• compounds of formula (I) containing sulphoxide linkages may be prepared by the oxidation of corresponding compounds containing -S- linkages.
• the oxidation may conveniently be carried out by means of reaction with a peroxyacid, e.g. 3-chloroperbenzoic acid, preferably in an inert solvent, e.g. dichloromethane, preferably at or near room temperature, or alternatively by means of potassium hydrogen peroxomonosulphate in a medium such as aqueous methanol, buffered to about pH5, at temperatures between about 0°C and room temperature.
• a peroxyacid e.g. 3-chloroperbenzoic acid
• an inert solvent e.g. dichloromethane
• potassium hydrogen peroxomonosulphate in a medium such as aqueous methanol, buffered to about pH5, at temperatures between about 0°C and room temperature.
• This latter method is preferred for compounds containing an acid-labile group.
• compounds of formula (Ic), wherein T 1 , R , R" and m are as hereinbefore defined and R 4 contains a -N(R l ⁇ )-S ⁇ 2-R 1 ⁇ or -N(R 10 )-SO2-L 4 -R 16 group (in which R 10 , R 15 , R 16 and L 4 are as hereinbefore defined), may be prepared from the corresponding compounds of of formula (Ic) wherein T 1 , R ⁇ , R" and are as hereinbefore defined and R 4 contains a -NH2 group by treatment with the appropriately substituted acid chloride CI-SO2-R 15 or Cl-S ⁇ 2-L 4 -R 16 (in which R 15 , R 16 and L 4 are as hereinbefore defined), in the presence of a suitable base, such as triethylamine, in an inert solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran, and at a temperature at about room temperature.
• a suitable base such as triethylamine
• compounds of formula (I) containing sulphone linkages may be prepared by the oxidation of corresponding compounds containing -S- or sulphoxide linkages.
• compounds of formula (lb) where R 18 is -S ⁇ 2Me may conveniently be prepared by means of reaction of compounds of formula (lb) where R 18 is -SMe with a peroxyacid, e.g. 3-chloroperbenzoic acid, preferably in an inert solvent, such as dichloromethane, at a temperature from about 0°C to about room temperature.
• R5 are as hereinbefore defined and R 18 is a -NY 4 Y ⁇ group (in which Y 4 is hydrogen and Y ⁇ is as hereinbefore defined), may be prepared by reaction of compounds of formula (lb), where R 18 is a -S ⁇ 2Me group, with an appropriately substituted amine of formula Y'NH2 (in which Y ⁇ is as hereinbefore defined).
• the reaction may conveniently be carried out in an inert solvent such as dimethylformamide at a temperature up to about 100°C.
• Y' is hydrogen the reaction may be conveniently carried out in a sealed vessel.
• Y' is aryl, for example phenyl
• the reaction may be conveniently carried out with the lithio-anion of the amine.
• compounds of formula (lb), wherein R 4 and R5 are as hereinbefore defined and R 18 is a -OR 17 group (in which R 17 is as hereinbefore defined), may be prepared by reaction of compounds of formula (lb), where R 18 is a -SO2Me group, with an appropriately substituted alcohol of formula R 1 OH (in which R 17 is as hereinbefore defined).
• the reaction may conveniently be carried out in the presence of an alkali metal hydride, such as sodium hydride, in a mixture of inert solvents, for example tetrahydrofuran and dimethylformamide, and at a temperature at about room temperature.
• compounds of the present invention may contain asymmetric centres. These asymmetric centres may independently be in either the R or S configuration. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain compounds of the invention may also exhibit geometrical isomerism. It is to be understood that the present invention includes individual geometrical isomers and stereoisomers and mixtures thereof, including racemic mixtures, of compounds of formula (I) hereinabove. Such isomers can be separated from their mixtures, by the application or adaptation of known methods, for example chromatographic techniques and recrystallisation techniques, or they are separately prepared from the appropriate isomers of their intermediates. Additionally, in situations where tautomers of the compounds of formula (I) are possible, the present invention is intended to include all tautomeric forms of the compounds.
• acid addition salts of the compounds of this invention may be prepared by reaction of the free base with the appropriate acid, by the application or adaptation of known methods.
• the acid addition salts of the compounds of this invention may be prepared either by dissolving the free base in water or an aqueous alcohol solution or other suitable solvents containing the appropriate acid and isolating the salt by evaporating the solution, or by reacting the free base and acid in an organic solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran, in which case the salt separates directly or can be obtained by concentration of the solution.
• parent compounds of the invention can be regenerated from their acid addition salts by the application or adaptation of known methods.
• parent compounds of the invention can be regenerated from their acid addition salts by treatment with an alkali, e.g. aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution or aqueous ammonia solution.
• base addition salts of the compounds of this invention may be prepared by reaction of the free acid with the appropriate base, by the application or adaptation of known methods.
• the base addition salts of the compounds of this invention may be prepared either by dissolving the free acid in water or aqueous alcohol solution or other suitable solvents containing the appropriate base and isolating the salt by evaporating the solution, or by reacting the free acid and base in an organic solvent, in which case the salt separates directly or can be obtained by concentration of the solution.
• parent compounds of the invention can be regenerated from their base addition salts by the application or adaptation of known methods.
• parent compounds of the invention can be regenerated from their base addition salts by treatment with an acid, e.g. hydrochloric acid.
• Hydrates of compounds of the present invention may be conveniently prepared by recrystallisation from water.
• the starting materials and intermediates may be prepared by the application or adaptation of known methods, for example methods as described in the Reference Examples or their obvious chemical equivalents.
• R 19 is a 2-trimethylsilanyl-ethoxymethyl group and R 2 ⁇ is -CH(OMe)2, may be prepared by reaction of compounds of formula (II), wherein R 1 and R 2 are as hereinbefore defined, R 19 is a
• 2-trimethylsilanyl-ethoxymethyl group and R 2 ⁇ is -CHO, with trimethylorthoformate in the presence of an acid catalyst, such as 4-toluene sulphonic acid, in methanol at reflux temperature.
• an acid catalyst such as 4-toluene sulphonic acid
• R 19 is a 2-trimethylsilanyl-ethoxymethyl group, with an alkyllithium, such as butyllithium or lithium diisopropylamide, in an inert solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran, at a temperature at about -78°C, followed by reaction with N-formylmorpholine.
• alkyllithium such as butyllithium or lithium diisopropylamide
• inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran
• R 1 and R 2 are as hereinbefore defined, with glyoxal 1,1-dimethylacetal and ammonium acetate.
• the reaction may conveniently be carried out in a mixture of inert solvents, such as tert-butylmethyl ether and methanol, and at a temperature at about room temperature.
• R 7 , L 1 and L 2 is as hereinbefore defined and R 8 is aryl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl
• R 2 " is -CHO
• Intermediate 1,3-propanedioIs of formula (III), wherein R 4 is an azidomethyl group, R ⁇ is a methyl group, R ⁇ is hydrogen and m is 1, and where both R 4 and R' are attached in the 2-position, may be prepared by reaction of 5-azidomethyl-2,5-dimethyl-l,3-dioxane (prepared according to the procedure in J.Org.Chem., 1992, 57, page 6080) with a mineral acid, for example hydrochloric acid, in an aqueous organic solvent mixture such as tetrahydrofuran and water, at reflux temperature.
• a mineral acid for example hydrochloric acid
• a base such as potassium carbonate
• an inert solvent such as dimethylformamide
• the coupling may conveniently be carried out with a carbodiimide, such as dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, in the presence of l-hydroxybenzotriazole and disisopropylethylamine, in an inert solvent, such as acetonitrile, and at a temperature from room temperature to about 55°C.
• a carbodiimide such as dicyclohexylcarbodiimide
• an inert solvent such as acetonitrile
• Other standard peptide coupling procedures may be employed for the reaction, such as those described hereinbefore.
• an inert solvent such as tetrahydrofuran
• Resins of formula Resin C in which R 3 , R ⁇ , R > and m are as hereinbefore defined, and R 4 contains a -N(R 10 )-SO 2 -R 15 or -N(R 10 )-SO 2 -L 4 -R 16 group (in which R 10 , R 15 , R 1 ⁇ and L 4 are as hereinbefore defined), may be prepared from the corresponding Resin C, in which R 3 , R ⁇ , R*» and m are as hereinbefore defined and R 4 contains a -NH2 group by treatment with the appropriately substituted acid chloride CI-SO2-R 15 or Cl-S ⁇ 2-L 4 -R 16 (in which R 15 , R 16 and
• L 4 are as hereinbefore defined), in the presence of triethylamine, in an inert solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran, and at a temperature at about room temperature.
• R 19 is a hydrogen atom, with 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl chloride in the presence of sodium hydride, in an inert solvent such as dimethylformamide, and at a temperature at about room temperature.
• R 19 represents a group -Li-R 7 (where L 1 and R 7 are as hereinbefore defined) or -L 2 -R 8 (where L 2 is as hereinbefore defined and R 8 is aryl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl) may be similarly prepared by reaction of compounds of formula (1), wherein R 1 and R 2 are as hereinbefore defined, R 19 is a hydrogen atom, with an alkyl halide of formula (V) or (VI) respectively, in the presence of sodium hydride.
• the present invention is further Exemplified but not limited by the following illustrative Examples and Reference Examples.
• the eluent used was a mixture of dichloromethane and methanol (9:1, v/v); for Compound W the eluent used was ethyl acetate then a mixture of dichloromethane and methanol (14:1, v/v); and for Compounds X and Y the eluent used was a mixture of dichloromethane and methanol (14:1, v/v).
• -[1.31dioxan-5-ylmethyll-acetamide, cis-isomer (0.3g, Compound AD, R ⁇ 10.8).
• the Rp values indicated were determined using a mixture of dichloromethane and methanol (9:l,v/v) as eluent.
• Compound AA or Compound AB there were prepared Compounds DA to DF depicted in Table 3.
• the Rp values indicated were determined using a mixture of dichloromethane and methanol (9:l,v/v) as eluent.
• Method B 4-[2-(Dimethoxymethyl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-lH-4-imidazolyl]pyridine (62.7g) and 3-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methyl-l-morpholino-l-propanone (44.8g, Reference Example 6) were added to toluene (440ml), under nitrogen. The mixture was stirred and heated to reflux under a Dean and Stark trap for 20 minutes. N,N-dimethylformamide (160ml) and methanesulphonic acid (2ml) were added and the mixture heated to a gentle reflux over 4hours, removing a total of 150ml distillate at a fairly uniform rate.
• reaction mixture was then evaporated in vacuo to remove as much toluene as possible.
• the resulting suspension was treated with triethylamine (8ml) and then water (600ml) was added dropwise over lhour.
• the mixture was filtered to give a damp, crude solid mixture of cis- and trans-isomers after washing with water and allowing the cake to suck on the filter for lhour.
• This material was stirred in methanol (350ml), then the mixture was heated to reflux for 15 minutes and then cooled to 5°C.
• the R values indicated in Table 7 refer to high pressure liquid chromatography retention times determined on a C18 Dynamax 60A column using gradient elution with a mixture of acetonitrile and water as the mobile phase (0-12 minutes 5% acetonitrile ramp up to 80% acetonitrile; 12 minutes to end of run 80% acetonitrile).
• the Rp values indicated in Table 7 were determined using a mixture of ethyl acetate and methanol (19:1, v/v) [the eluant for Compounds HJ and HK was a mixture of dichloromethane and methanol (9:1, v/v)].

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