WO2004017965A1 - 1,3-thiazolin-4-ones as therapeutic compounds in the treatment of pain - Google Patents

1,3-thiazolin-4-ones as therapeutic compounds in the treatment of pain Download PDF

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WO2004017965A1
WO2004017965A1 PCT/GB2003/003673 GB0303673W WO2004017965A1 WO 2004017965 A1 WO2004017965 A1 WO 2004017965A1 GB 0303673 W GB0303673 W GB 0303673W WO 2004017965 A1 WO2004017965 A1 WO 2004017965A1
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alkyl
group
unsubstituted
phenyl
hydrogen
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PCT/GB2003/003673
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French (fr)
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Lars Jacob Stray Knutsen
Christopher John Hobbs
Fleur Radford
Andrea Fiumana
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Ionix Pharmaceuticals Limited
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Priority claimed from GB0219719A external-priority patent/GB0219719D0/en
Priority claimed from GB0219721A external-priority patent/GB0219721D0/en
Application filed by Ionix Pharmaceuticals Limited filed Critical Ionix Pharmaceuticals Limited
Priority to AU2003255843A priority Critical patent/AU2003255843A1/en
Publication of WO2004017965A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004017965A1/en

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Definitions

  • the present invention relates to specific thiazolidinone, oxazolidinone and imidazolone derivatives, which act as inhibitors of N-type calcium channels.
  • Mammalian ion ⁇ channels are becoming increasingly well characterised, and this is especially true of calcium channels.
  • Voltage-gated calcium channels are critical components for the functioning of the nervous system, and they signal a painful event.
  • 7 subtypes of these channels have been identified (L, N, T, O, P, Q and R), each expressed in various combinations by neuronal and non-neuronal cells (Perez- Reyes, E. Schneider, T. Drug Dev. Res., 1994, 33, 295-318). These channels are now recognised as valid targets for pain therapeutics and as neuroprotective agents (Cox, B.; Denyer, J.C. Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents, 1998, 8, 1237-1250).
  • WO 99/62891 discloses specific thiazolidinone and metathiazanone compounds as potassium channel inhibitors.
  • the potassium channel inhibitors are contemplated for use in treating cardiac arrhythmias, cell proliferative disorders, disorders of the auditory system, central nervous system mediated motor dysfunction and disorders of pulmonary, vascular and visceral smooth muscle contractility.
  • EP-A-705816 relates to calcium antagonists. Some thiazolidinones are exemplified. A limited range of specific N-containing groups is present at the 3- position of the exemplified thiazolidinones.
  • the present invention provides the use, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment or prevention of a condition mediated by N-type calcium channels, of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,
  • Z is -S-, -S(O)-, -SO2-, -O- or -NR- wherein R is hydrogen, C C 6 alkyl or -CO-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl);
  • R 1 is hydrogen or C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl
  • R 2 is hydrogen, fluorine, C1-Q5 alkyl, -(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl)-CO 2 H or -(C C 6 alky ⁇ )-CO-NR 5 R 5, wherein either (a) R 5 is-hydrogen, aryl or -(C ⁇ C 6 alkyl)-aryl and R 6 is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond, a C ⁇ -C 6 alkylene group, a C -C 6 alkenylene group or a C 2 -C 6 alkynylene group and R is hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl or (b) R 5 and Re, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, represent a moiety -Heti-
  • Het 2 wherein Heti is a heterocyclyl or heteroaryl group and Het 2 is hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, -CH(aryl) or -CH(heteroaryl) ;
  • Y is -(CR y 2 ) q -, -(CR y 2 ) ra -X 4 -(CR y 2 ) lake-, -(CR y 2 ) m -A-(CR y 2 ) m - or -(CR y 2 ) m -A-(CR y 2 ) p -X 3 -
  • p, q, m and n are each independently an integer of 0 to 4;
  • A is aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl;
  • X 3 is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -S(O)-, -SO2-, -O-CO-, -S-CO-, -NR'-CO, -CO-O-, -CO-S- or -CO-NR wherein R' is hydrogen, C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl or C 2 -C 6 alkynyl;
  • X 4 is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -S(O or -SO 2 - wherein R' is hydrogen, C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl or C -C 6 alkynyl; each R y is the same or different and is hydrogen, C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl, C 2 -C alkenyl, C 2 - C 6 alkynyl, aryl or heteroaryl; R 3 is hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl or carbocyclyl; and Rz* is methyl, -Ci-Xi-Ari or -C -X 2 -C 3 , wherein:
  • Ci is a direct bond, a C ⁇ -C 6 alkylene group, a C 2 -C alkenylene group or a C 2 -C 6 alkynylene group;
  • Xi is a direct bond when Ci is a direct bond and, when Ci is a C ⁇ -C alkylene group, C 2 -C 6 alkenylene group or C 2 -C 6 alkynylene group, represents a direct bond or -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -CO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO-, -CO-O-R"-CO-O-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-O-, -CO-O-R"-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-O-, -CO-O-R"-CO- NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -O-CO-NR'
  • C is a C ⁇ -C 6 alkylene group, a C -C 6 alkenylene group or a C -C 6 alkynylene group;
  • - X 2 is a direct bond or -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -CO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO-, -CO-O-R"-CO-O-, -CO-NR'-R" -CO-O-, -CO-O-R"-CO-O-, -CO-O-R"-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-
  • C 3 is a C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl group, a C 2 -C 6 alkenyl group or a C -C 6 alkynyl group, wherein: the alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl, alkenylene, alkynyl and alkynylene groups and moieties in the R 1 to R 4 substituents are unsubstituted or carry 1, 2 or 3 unsubstituted substituents selected from aryl, hydroxy, C ⁇ -C 6 alkoxy, -C 6 alkylthio, -NH 2 , -NH(C!-C6 alkyl), -N(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl) 2 , halogen, cyano, nitro, -NHCO-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl), -CO-O-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl) and -OrCO-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl) substituents;
  • R 2 in the formula (I) is hydrogen, fluorine or - alkyl and Rj in the formula (I) is -Ci-Xi-Ari or -C 2 -X 2 -C 3 wherein Ci; X ls Ari, C 2 , X 2 and C 3 are as defined above.
  • a C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl group or moiety is a linear or branched alkyl group or moiety containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as a C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl group or moiety.
  • Examples of C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl groups are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl and t-butyl.
  • Preferred substituents on an alkyl group or moiety in the formula (I) are hydroxy, halogen, -C 2 alkoxy, -NH 2 , -NH(C C 2 alkyl) and -N(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl) 2 , in particular fluorine and hydroxy.
  • the substituents on an alkyl group are themselves unsubstituted.
  • a C ⁇ -C 6 alkylene group is a linear or branched C ⁇ -C 6 alkylene group. Typically, it is a C ⁇ -C 4 alkylene group, for example a methylene, ethylene, n- propylene, i-propylene or n-butylene group.
  • an alkylene group in the formula (I) is unsubstituted.
  • preferred substituents are hydroxy, halogen, C ⁇ -C 2 alkoxy, -NH , -NH(C ⁇ - C alkyl) and -N(C ⁇ -C alkyl) 2 , in particular fluorine and hydroxy.
  • the substituents on an alkylene group are themselves unsubstituted.
  • a C -C 6 alkenyl group or moiety is a linear or branched alkenyl group or moiety containing from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, such as a C -C 4 alkenyl group or moiety.
  • Examples of C -C 4 alkenyl groups are ethenyl, n-propenyl and n-butenyl.
  • an alkenyl group has only one double bond. This double bond is typically located at the ⁇ -position of the alkenyl group.
  • alkenyl group or moiety in the formula (I) is preferably unsubstituted.
  • preferred substituents are hydroxy, halogen, C ⁇ -C 2 alkoxy, -NH 2 , -NH(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl) and -N(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl) , in particular fluorine and hydroxy.
  • the substituents on an alkenyl group are themselves unsubstituted.
  • a C 2 -C 6 alkenylene group is a linear or branched C -C 6 alkenylene group. Typically, it is a C 2 -C 4 alkenylene group, for example an ethenylene, n-propenylene or n-butenylene group. Typically an alkenylene group has only one double bond. This double bond is typically located at the ⁇ -position of the alkenylene group.
  • An alkenylene group in the formula (I) is preferably unsubstituted.
  • substituents are hydroxy, halogen, C ⁇ -C 2 alkoxy, -NH , -NH(C ⁇ - C 2 alkyl) and -N(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl) 2 , in particular fluorine and hydroxy.
  • the substituents on an alkenylene group are themselves unsubstituted.
  • C -C 6 alkynyl group or moiety is a linear or branched alkynyl group or moiety containing from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, such as a C 2 -C 4 alkynyl group or moiety.
  • Examples of C -C 4 alkynyl groups are ethynyl, propynyl and n-butynyl.
  • an alkynyl group has only one triple bond. This triple bond is typically located at the ⁇ -position of the alkynyl group.
  • alkynyl group or moiety in the formula (I) is preferably unsubstituted.
  • preferred substituents are hydroxy, halogen, C ⁇ -C 2 alkoxy, -NH 2 , -NH(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl) and -N(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl) 2 , in particular fluorine and hydroxy.
  • the substituents on an alkynyl group are themselves unsubstituted.
  • a C -C 6 alkynylene group is a linear or branched C 2 -C 6 alkynylene group. Typically, it is a C -C 4 alkynylene group, for example . an ethynylene, propynylene or n-butynylene group. Typically an alkynylene group has only one triple bond. This triple bond is typically located at the ⁇ -position of the alkynylene group.
  • alkynylene group in the formula (I) is preferably unsubstituted.
  • preferred substituents are hydroxy, halogen, C ⁇ -C alkoxy, -NH , -NH(Cr C 2 alkyl) and -N(C ⁇ -C alkyl) , in particular fluorine and hydroxy.
  • the substituents on • an alkynylene group are themselves unsubstituted.
  • an aryl group is typically a C 6 -C ⁇ 0 aryl group such as phenyl or naphthyl. Phenyl is preferred.
  • An aryl group in the formula (I) may be unsubstituted or substituted at any position. Preferred substituents include C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl, C ⁇ -C alkoxy, C ⁇ -C alkylthio, C 5 -C 6 carbocyclyloxy, C -C alkenyloxy, halogen (for example fluorine), hydroxy, -NH 2 , -NH(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl), -N(C 1 -C 2 alkyl) 2 and -NH-CO-(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl).
  • Substituents on an aryl group in the formula (I) are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, C ⁇ -C 6 alkoxy, C ⁇ -C 6 alkylthio, -NH 2 , -NH(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl), -N ⁇ C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl) 2 , -NH-CO-(C!-C 6 alkyl), -CO-NH- (C ⁇ -C alkyl) and -O-CO-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl). These further substituents are themselves unsubstituted.
  • the C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl moieties present in the further substituents are C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl moieties. More preferably, substituents on an aryl group are unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents which are halo substituents.
  • references to an aryl group in the formula (I) include fused ring systems in which an aryl group is fused to a carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl group.
  • the carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl group to which the aryl group is fused is typically monocyclic.
  • fused ring systems are a phenyl group fused to a pyridine ring to form a quinoline or isoquinoline group and a phenyl ring fused to a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring containing 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms selected fromN, O and S; for example a phenyl ring fused to a 1,4-dioxanyl ring to form a 1,4- benzodioxanyl group, a phenyl ring fused to a 1,3-dioxolanyl ring to form a 1,3- benzodioxolyl group, and a phenyl ring fused to a tetrahydrofuranyl ring to form a 2,3- dihydrobenzofuran group.
  • a heteroaryl group is typically a 5- to 10- membered aromatic ring, such as a 5- or 6- membered ring, containing at least one heteroatom, for example 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms, selected from O, S and N.
  • heteroatoms for example 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms, selected from O, S and N.
  • Examples include pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, furanyl, thienyl, imidazolyl, pyrazol inyl, pyrrolyl, oxadiazolyl, isoxazyl, thiadiazolyl, thiazolyl and pyrazolyl groups.
  • Pyridyl, furanyl, thienyl, imidazolyl and pyrrolyl groups are preferred.
  • a heteroaryl group in the formula (I) may be unsubstituted or substituted at any position.
  • Preferred substituents include C ⁇ C 4 alkyl, C ⁇ -C alkoxy, C ⁇ -C alkylthio, C 5 - C 6 carbocyclyloxy, C 2 -C alkenyloxy, halogen (for example fluorine), hydroxy, -NH 2 , -NH(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl), -N(d-C 2 alkyl) 2 and -NH-CO-(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl).
  • Particularly preferred substituents include C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl groups and halogen atoms.
  • Substituents on a heteroaryl group in the formula (I) are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, C ⁇ -C 6 alkoxy, C C 6 alkylthio, -NH 2 , -NH(d-C 6 alkyl), -N(Cj-C 6 alkyl) 2 , -NH-CO-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl) and -O-CO-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl).
  • These further substituents are themselves unsubstituted.
  • the C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl moieties present in the further .
  • substituents are Cj-C alkyl moieties. More preferably, substituents on a heteroaryl group are unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents which are halo substituents. Most preferably, substituents on a heteroaryl group are unsubstituted.
  • References in the formula (I) to a heteroaryl group include fused ring systems in which a heteroaryl group is fused to a said aryl group, to a further heteroaryl group or to a heterocyclyl group.
  • the aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl group to which the heteroaryl group is fused is typically monocyclic. Examples of such fused heteroaryl groups are heteroaryl groups fusedrto a phenyl ring including benzimidazolyl, benzofuranyl, quinolinyl and isoquinolinyl groups.
  • a carbocyclyl group is a non-aromatic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon ring, typically having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms.
  • a saturated hydrocarbon ring i.e. a cycloalkyl group
  • examples include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexenyl and cyclohexyl.. It is preferably- cyclohexenyl, cyclohexyl or cyclopentyl.
  • a carbocyclyl group in the formula (I) may be unsubstituted or substituted at any position.
  • Preferred substituents include C ⁇ -C alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, C ⁇ -C 4 alkylthio, C 5 -C 6 carbocyclyloxy, C 2 -C 4 alkenyloxy, halogen (for example fluorine), hydroxy, -NH 2 , -NH(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl), -N(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl) 2 and -NH-CO-(C r C 2 alkyl).
  • a carbocyclyl group is unsubstituted.
  • Substituents on a carbocyclyl group in the formula (I) are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, C ⁇ -C alkoxy, C ⁇ -C 6 alkylthio, -NH 2 , -NH(C C 6 alkyl), -N(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl) 2 , -NH-CO-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(d-C 6 alkyl) and -O-CO-(C C 6 alkyl).
  • These further substituents are themselves unsubstituted.
  • the C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl moieties present in the further substituents are C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl moieties. More preferably, substituents on an carbocyclyl group are unsubstituted.
  • references in the formula (I) to a carbocyclyl group include fused ring systems in which a carbocyclyl group is fused to a phenyl ring.
  • An example of such a fused ring system is 2,3-dihydro-lH-indenyl
  • a heterocyclyl group is typically a non-aromatic, saturated or unsaturated C 5 -C ⁇ o carbocyclic ring in which one or more, for example 1, 2 or 3, of the carbon atoms are replaced by a heteroatom selected from N, O and S.
  • Saturated heterocyclyl groups are preferred.
  • suitable heterocyclyl groups include piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, imidazolidinyl. 1,4 dioxanyl and 1,3 dioxolanyl. Tetrahydrofuranyl, 1,4-dioxanyl and 1,3-dioxolanyl are preferred, in particular 1,4-dioxanyl. ' .
  • a heterocyclyl group in the formula (I) may be unsubstituted or substituted at any position.
  • Preferred substituents include C ⁇ -C alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, C 1 -C 4 alkylthio, C 5 -C carbocyclyloxy, C -C 4 alkenyloxy, halogen (for example fluorine), hydroxy, -NH 2 , -NH(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl), -N(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl) 2 and -NH-CO-(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl).
  • a heterocyclyl group is unsubstituted.
  • Substituents on a heterocyclyl group in the formula (I) are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, C ⁇ -C 6 alkoxy, C ⁇ -C 6 alkylthio, -NH 2 , -NHCQ-C ⁇ alkyl), -N(C!-C 6 alkyl) 2 , -NH-CO-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl) and -O-CO-(C C 6 alkyl).
  • These .further ' substituents are themselves unsubstituted.
  • the C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl moieties present in the further substituents are C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl moieties. More preferably, substituents on a heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted.
  • references in the formula (I) to a heterocyclyl group include fused ring systems in which a heterocyclyl group is fused to a said aryl group, a said heteroaryl group or to a further heterocyclyl group.
  • the aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl group to which the heteroaryl group is fused is typically monocyclic.
  • Preferred such fused ring systems are heterocyclyl groups fused to a phenyl ring.
  • An example of such a fused heterocyclyl group is 1,4-benzodioxanyl.
  • a halogen is typically chlorine, fluorine, bromine or iodine and is preferably chlorine or fluorine.
  • an alkoxy, alkenyloxy, alkynyloxy or carbocyclyloxy group is typically a said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or carbocyclyl group respectively, which is attached to an oxygen atom.
  • An alkylthio, alkenylthio, alkynylthio or carbocyclylthio group is typically a said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or • carbocyclyl group respectively, which is attached to a thio group ⁇
  • Z is -NR-
  • R is typically -COCH 3 or -CO-CH 2 -CH 3 .
  • Z is -S-, -S(O)- or -S(O) 2 -.
  • Z is typically -S- or -O-. Most preferably, Z is -S-.
  • Ri is hydrogen or an unsubstituted C ⁇ -C alkyl group.
  • Ri is hydrogen or -CH 3 . More preferably, Ri is hydrogen.
  • R 2 represents hydrogen, fluorine, C 1 -C4 alkyl, -(C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl)-CO 2 H or -(C1-C4 wherein either (a) R5 is hydrogen, aryl or -(C ⁇ -C alkyl)-aryl and 5 is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond or a C ⁇ -C 4 alkylene group and R is hydrogen, aryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl or (b) R 5 and E ⁇ , together with the nitrogen atom to which they are-attached, represent a moiety -Het ⁇ -Het , wherein Heti is a heterocyclyl group and Het is hydrogen, aryl or -CH(aryl) 2 .
  • R 2 represents hydrogen, an unsubstituted C 1 -C 4 alkyl group, -(CH 2 ) a -CO 2 H or -(CH 2 ) b -CONR 5 R5 wherein a and b are 1 or 2 and either (a) R 5 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted benzyl group and Re is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond or an unsubstituted C ⁇ -C 4 alkylene group and R is hydrogen or a phenyl, cyclohexenyl, piperidyl, pyridyl or benzimidazolyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen, hydroxy, -OCH 3 or -OCH CH 3 substituent, or (b) R 5 and R 6 , together with the N atom to which they are attached, represent a pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl or piperazinyl group which is
  • R 2 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl group. More preferably, R 2 is hydrogen.
  • each R y is the same or different and is hydrogen, C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl.
  • each R y is the same or different and is hydrogen, a C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl or phenyl group.
  • each R y is the same or different and is hydrogen, -CH 3 , -CH 2 -CH 3 or an unsubstituted phenyl group.
  • no more than 2 of, preferably no more than 1 of, said R y groups is aryl or heteroaryl.
  • each R y is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, NH 2 , NH(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl) or N(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl) 2 .
  • the substituents on R y are selected from C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl, C ⁇ -C 2 alkoxy, halogen and hydroxy.
  • the substituents on R y are themselves unsubstituted.
  • R y is unsubstituted.
  • A is aryl, for example phenyl, or heteroaryl, for example pyridyl or pyrrolyl.
  • A is phenyl, pyridyl or pyrrolyl.
  • the moiety A is typically unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents.
  • the substituents on A are typically selected from C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, NH 2 , NH(C ⁇ -Q alkyl) or N(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl) 2 .
  • the substituents on A are selected from C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl, C ⁇ -C 2 alkoxy, halogen and hydroxy.
  • the substituents on A are themselves unsubstituted.
  • R' is typically hydrogen or an unsubstituted C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl group, preferably hydrogen or -CH 3 , most preferably hydrogen.
  • X 3 is -O-, -S-, -SO- , -SO 2 -, -O-CO-, -CO-O-, -NH-CO- or -CO-NH-.
  • X 3 is -O-, -S-, -SO-, -SO 2 - or -NH-CO-, more preferably -O-, -SO 2 - or -NH-CO-.
  • p is 0 or 1, preferably 0.
  • q is 0, 1, 2 or 3, preferably 0 or 1.
  • m is 0 or 1.
  • n is 1 or 2, preferably 1.
  • R' is typically hydrogen or an unsubstituted C 1 -Q 5 alkyl group, preferably hydrogen or -CH 3 , most preferably hydrogen.
  • X 4 is -O-, -S- or -NR'- wherein R' is as defined above.
  • X 4 is -O- or -S-. More preferably X 4 is -O-.
  • Y is preferably a direct bond or a group of formula -(CR y 2 )-, -(CH 2 ) m O(CH 2 ) n -, -A- or -A-X 3 -(CH 2 ) ra -, wherein R y , A, X 3 , m and n are as defined above.
  • R 3 is typically hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl or carbocyclyl.
  • R 3 is aryl it is a phenyl group or a phenyl group fused to a heteroaryl or heterocyclyl group.
  • fused ring systems are phenyl groups fused to a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclyl ring having 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from O, S and N.
  • Preferred examples of such fused ring systems are 1,3-benzodioxolyl, 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran and 1,4-benzodioxanyl.
  • R 3 when R 3 is aryl it is phenyl, 1,3-benzodioxolyl, 2,3- dihydrobenzofuran or 1,4-benzodioxanyl.
  • R when R is heteroaryl, it is preferably thienyl, furyl, pyrrolyl, pyridinyl or a heteroaryl ring fused to a phenyl ring, for example quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl or benzofuranyl. More preferably, when R 3 is heteroaryl, it is thienyl, furyl, quinolinyl or benzofuranyl.
  • R 3 is carbocyclyl it is preferably cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl, most preferably cyclopentyl.
  • R 3 is hydrogen, phenyl, thienyl, furyl, quinolinyl, benzofuranyl, cyclopentyl, 1,4-benzodioxanyl, 1,3-benzodioxolyl or 2,3- dihydrobenzofuran.
  • R 3 is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 substituents.
  • the substituents are typically chosen from halogen, for example fluorine, chlorine or bromine, hydroxy, C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl, C ⁇ -C 6 alkoxy, C ⁇ -C 6 alkylthio, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyloxy, C 2 -C 6 alkenylthio, C 2 -C 6 alknynyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyloxy, C 2 -C 6 alkynylthio, C 3 -C carbocyclyl, C 3 -C 6 carbocyclyloxy, C 3 -C 6 carbocyclylthio, -NH-CO-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl) and -NR'R" wherein R' and R" are each independently hydrogen or a C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl
  • Preferred substituents on R 3 are halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C ⁇ -C alkoxy, C 1 -C 4 alkylthio, C 2 -C alkenyl, C -C 4 alkenyloxy, C 3 -C 6 carbocycyl, C 3 -C 6 carbocyclyloxy, -NH-CO-(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl) and -N(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl) 2 .
  • R 3 More preferred substituents on R 3 are halogen, C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl, C ⁇ -C alkoxy, C ⁇ -C 4 alkylthio, C 2 -C 4 alkenyloxy, C 3 -C 6 carbocyclyloxy, -NH-CO-Me and -N(CH 3 ) 2 .
  • substituents- on R 3 are themselves unsubstituted or further substituted with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen, in particular fluorine, and hydroxy.
  • R 4 is -CH 3 or is -Ci-Xi-Ari or -C 2 -X 2 -C 3 , wherein Ci, Xi, Ari, C 2 , X 2 and C 3 are as defined above.
  • Ci is a direct bond or a C ⁇ -C 6 alkylene group, preferably a C ⁇ -C alkylene group. More preferably, Ci is an unsubstituted C ⁇ -C -alkylene group. Most preferably, d is -CH 2 -, -(CH 2 ) 2 - or -(CH 2 ) 3 -.
  • the orientation of the group Xi is such that the left hand side of the depicted moiety is attached to d and the right hand side of the depicted moiety is attached to Ari.
  • Xi is -S-CO-
  • each R' in the moiety Xi is the same or different and is hydrogen, or an unsubstituted phenyl or C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl group, preferably hydrogen, -CH 3 or -CH 2 -CH 3 . More preferably, each R' in the moiety Xi is hydrogen.
  • each R" in the moiety Xi is an unsubstituted d-C 6 alkylene group, preferably -CH - or -CH 2 -CH -. More preferably, each R" is -CH 2 -.
  • Xi is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -CO-O-, -CO-S-, -NR'-CO- or -CO-NR'-, wherein R' is as defined above.
  • Xi is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -S-CO-, -O-CO- or -NH-CO-. More preferably, Xi is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -S-CO- or -O-CO-.
  • Ari is heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl, carbocyclyl, heteroaryl-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl)-, heterocyclyl-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl)-, aryl-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl)- or carbocyclyl-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl)-.
  • Ari is a heteroaryl-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl)-, aryl-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl)-, heterocyclyl-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl)- or carbocyclyl-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl)- group
  • the alkyl moiety is typically an unsubstituted methylene or ethylene moiety.
  • Ari is heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl, carbocyclyl, heteroaryl-(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl)- or aryl-(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl)-.
  • Ar is heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl , carbocyclyl or heteroaryl-(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl)-, most preferably heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl or heteroaryl-(C ⁇ -C alkyl)-.
  • Ari is heteroaryl, it is preferably a pyridyl, thienyl or benzimidazolyl group, more preferably a thienyl or benzimidazolyl group.
  • Ari is heteroaryl-(C ⁇ - C 2 alkyl)-, it is preferably a thienyl-methyl-, pyridyl-methyl- or furanyl-methyl- group, more preferably a thienyl-methyl- or furanyl-methyl- group.
  • Ari is heterocyclyl
  • it is preferably a morpholinyl, piperazinyl, piperadinyl or pyrrolidinyl group or a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclyl group fused to a phenyl ring, for example a 1 ,4- benzodioxanyl group or a 1,3-benzodioxolyl group. More preferably, when Ari is heterocyclyl it is a 1,4-benzodioxanyl group.
  • Ari is aryl-, it is preferably a phenyl group or a phenyl group fused to a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclyl ring, for example a 1,3-benzodioxolyl group or a 1,4-benzodioxanyl group. More preferably, when Ari is aryl it is a phenyl group or a 1,3-benzodioxolyl group.
  • Ari is carbocyclyl, it is preferably cyclohexenyl or 1,2-dihydro-lH-indenyl.
  • the group Ari is unsubstituted or carries one or more, for example 1, 2 or 3, substituents on the cyclic group.
  • the substituents are typically selected from halogen, for example fluorine or. chlorine, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, hydroxy, C ⁇ -C alkoxy, -NR'R" and -NH-CO-R' wherein R' and R" are the same or different and are selected from hydrogen and unsubstituted C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl.
  • Preferred substituents are fluorine, hydroxy, methoxy, dimethylamino and -NH-CO-CH 3 .
  • the substituents on a group Ari are themselves unsubstituted.
  • Ar t is a pyridyl, thienyl, benzimidazolyl, furanyl-methyl-, 1,4- benzodioxanyl, phenyl or 1,3-benzodioxolyl group which is unsubstituted or carries, on the cyclic moiety, 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from fluorine, hydroxy, -OCH 3 ,> -N(CH 3 ) 2 and -NH-CO-CH 3 .
  • C 2 is a C ⁇ -C 6 alkylene group, preferably an unsubstituted C ⁇ -C 4 alkylene group, more preferably an unsubstituted straight chain C 1 -C 4 alkylene group.
  • the orientation of the group X 2 is such that the left hand side of the depicted moiety is attached to C and the right hand side of the depicted moiety is attached to Cj.
  • the moiety -C 2 -X 2 - C 3 is -C 2 -N-CO-O-C 3 .
  • each R' in the moiety X 2 is the same or different and is hydrogen or an unsubstituted C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl or phenyl group, preferably hydrogen, -CH 3 or -CH CH 3 . More preferably, each R' in the moiety X 2 is hydrogen.
  • each R" in the moiety X 2 is an unsubstituted d-C 6 alkylene group, prefereably -CH 2 - or -CH 2 -CH 2 -. More preferably, each R" is -CH 2 -.
  • X 2 is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -CO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO, -O-CO-NR'-, -NR'-CO-O-, -S-CO- or -CO-S- wherein R' is as defined above.
  • X 2 is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -S-CO-, -CO-S- or -NH-CO-O.
  • X 2 is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -CO-O- or -NH-CO-O.
  • C 3 is a C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl group, preferably a C1-C 4 alkyl group.
  • C 3 is typically unsubstituted or substituted by one or more, for example 1, 2 or 3, substituents selected from hydroxy, -NH 2 , -NH(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl), -N(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl) 2 and halogen.
  • C 3 is unsubstituted or carries, on a primary carbon atom (i.e. a carbon atom at the end of a chain), either (a) one hydroxy or (b) 1, 2 or 3 halo substituents, which are preferably fluoro substituents.
  • the substituents on C 3 are typically themselves unsubstituted.
  • Preferred compounds of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are those in which: Z is -S-, -S(O)- or -S(O) 2 -;
  • Ri is hydrogen or an unsubstituted C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl group
  • R is hydrogen, an unsubstituted C 1 -C4 alkyl group, -(CH 2 )a-CO 2 H or -(CH 2 )b- CONR 5 R 6 wherein a and b are 1 or 2 and either (a) R 5 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted benzyl group and R 6 is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond or an unsubstituted C1-C4 alkylene group and R is hydrogen or a phenyl, cyclohexenyl, piperidyl, pyridyl or benzimidazolyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen, hydroxy, -OCH 3 or -OCH 2 CH 3 substituent, or (b) R 5 and R 6 , together with the N atom to which they are attached, represent a pyrrolidinyl, piperidiny
  • Y is -(CR y 2 ) q -, -(CR y 2 ) rii -X 4 -(CR y 2) lake-, -(CR y 2 ) m -A-(CR y 2 ) m - or -(CR y 2 ) m -A-(CR y 2 ) p -X 3 -
  • each R y is the same or different and is hydrogen or an unsubstituted C 1 -C 4 alkyl or phenyl group;
  • A is an aryl or heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1 , 2 or
  • X 3 is -O-, -S-, -SO-, -SO2-, -O-CO-, -CO-O-, -NH-CO- or -CO-NH-;
  • X 4 is : O-, -S- or -NR'- wherein R' is hydrogen or -CH 3 ; p is 0 or 1; q is 0, 1, 2 or 3; m is 0 or 1 and n is 1 or 2; R 3 is hydrogen or an aryl, heteroaryl or carbocyclyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl, d-C 6 alkoxy, C ⁇ -C 6 alkylthio, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyloxy, C 2 -G 6 alkenylthio, C 2 -C 6 alknynyl, C 2 -C alkynyloxy, C 2 -C 6 alkynylthio, C 3 -C 6 carbocyclyl, C 3 -C 6 carbocyclyloxy, C 3 -C 6 carbocyclylthi
  • R 4 is -CH 3 , -Ci-Xi-Ari or -C 2 -X 2 -C 3 , wherein:
  • Ci is an unsubstituted C]-C 4 alkylene group; .
  • Xi is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -CO-O-, CO-S-,
  • Ci-C ⁇ alkyl group
  • Ari is a heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl, carbocyclyl or heteroaryl-(C ⁇ -C2 alkyl)- group which is unsubstituted or carries, on the cyclic moiety, 1, 2 or 3 unsubstituted groups selected from halogen, C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl, hydroxy, C 1 -C4 alkoxy,
  • R' and R" are the same or different and are selected from hydrogen and C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl;
  • C 2 is an unsubstituted C ⁇ -C 4 alkylene group;
  • X 2 is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -CO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-
  • R' is hydrogen, -CH 3 or -CH 2 -CH 3 ;
  • C 3 is a C ⁇ -C alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 unsubstituted groups selected from hydroxy, -NH 2 , -NH(d-C 2 alkyl), -N(d-C 2 alkyl) 2 and halogen.
  • Ri is hydrogen or an unsubstituted C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl group
  • R 2 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted Ci-Ce alkyl group
  • Y is -(CR y 2 ) q -, -(CR y 2 ) m -X 4 -(CR y 2 ) lake-, -(CR y 2 ) m -A-(CR y 2 ) m - or -(CR y 2 ) m -A-(CR y 2 ) p -X 3 - (CR y 2 ) m , wherein each R y is the same or different and is hydrogen or an unsubstituted Cj-C 4 alkyl or phenyl group;
  • A is an aryl or heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or
  • X 3 is -O-, -S-, -SO-, -SO2-, -O-CO-, -CO-O-, -NH-CO- or -CO-NH-;
  • X 4 is -O-, -S- or -NR- wherein R' is hydrogen or -CH 3 ; p is 0 or 1 ; q is 0, 1, 2 or 3; m is 0 or 1 and n is 1 or 2; R 3 is hydrogen or an aryl, heteroaryl or carbocyclyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl, d-C 6 alkoxy, C ⁇ -C 6 alkylthio, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyloxy, C 2 -C 6 alkenylthio, C 2 -C 6 alknynyl, C 2 -C 6 alkynyloxy, C 2 -C 6 alkynylthio, C 3 -C 6 carbocyclyl, C 3 -C 6 carbocyclyloxy, C 3 -C 6 carbocyclyl
  • Ci is an unsubstituted C ⁇ -C alkylene group
  • X! is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -CO-O-, CO-S-, -NR'-CO- or -CO-NR'-, wherein R' is hydrogen or an unsubstituted phenyl or C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl group; .
  • Ari is a heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl or heteroaryl-(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl)- group which is unsubstituted or carries, on the cyclic moiety, 1, 2 or 3 unsubstituted groups selected from halogen, C ⁇ -C alkyl, hydroxy, C 1 -C4 alkoxy, -NR'R" or -NH-CO- R' wherein R' and R" are the same or different and are selected from hydrogen and C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl;
  • C 2 is an unsubstituted C ⁇ -C alkylene group
  • X 2 is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -CO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S- CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO, -O-CO-NR'-, -NR'-CO-O-, -S-CO- or " -CO-S- wherein R' is hydrogen, -CH 3 or -CH2-CH3; and
  • C 3 is a C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 unsubstituted groups selected from hydroxy, -NH 2 , -NH(d-C 2 alkyl), -N(Cj-C 2 alkyl) 2 and halogen.
  • Further preferred compounds of formula (I) are those of formula (IA) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof:
  • Z is -S-, -S(O)- or -S(O) 2 -;
  • R 2 represents hydrogen, an unsubstituted C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl group, -(CH2) a -CO 2 H or -(CH 2 )b-
  • R5 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted benzyl group and Rg is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond or an unsubstituted C 1 -C 4 alkylene group and R is hydrogen or a phenyl, cyclohexenyl, piperidyl, pyridyl or benzimidazolyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen, hydroxy, -OCH 3 or -OCH2CH 3 substituent, or (b) R 5 and R 6 , together with the N atom to which they are attached, represent a pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl or piperazinyl group which is. unsubstituted or substituted by an unsubstituted -CHPh 2 group;
  • Y is a direct bond or a group of formula -(CR y 2)-, -(CH2) m O(CH 2 )-, -A- or -A-X 3 - (CFL m , wherein R y is hydrogen, -CH 3 , -CH 2 -CH 3 or an unsubstituted phenyl group, wherein no more than one R y group is phenyl; A is a phenyl, pyridyl or pyrrolyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from -CH 3 , -CH 2 -CH 3 , -OCH 3 , -OCH 2 -CH 3 , halogen and hydroxy; X 3 is -O-, -SO 2 - or -NH- CO-; and m is 0 or 1;
  • R 3 is hydrogen or a phenyl, thienyl, furyl, quinolinyl, benzofuranyl, cyclopentyl, 1,4- benzodioxanyl, 1,3-benzodioxolyl or 2,3-dinydrobenzofuran group which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C ⁇ -C 4 alkoxy, C ⁇ -C 4 alkylthio, d-C alkenyloxy, C 3 -C 6 carbocyclyloxy, -NH- CO-Me and -N(CH 3 ) 2 , the substituents on R 3 being themselves unsubstituted or further substituted with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen and hydroxy; R 4 is an unsubstituted methyl group or is -Ci-Xi-Ari or -C 2 -X2 i C 3 , wherein
  • Ci is -(CH 2 )-, -(CH 2 ) 2 - or -(CH 2 ) 3 -;
  • Xi is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -S-CO- or -O-CO-;
  • Ari is a phenyl, pyridyl, thienyl, benzimidazolyl, furanyl-methyl-, cyclohexenyl, quinolinyl, 2,3-dihydro-lH-indenyl, 1,3 -benzodioxolyl, 1,3- benzodioxanyl or 1,4-benzodioxanyl group, which is unsubstituted or carries, on the cyclic moiety, 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from fluorine, hydroxy, -OCH 3 , -N(CH 3 ) 2 and -NH-CO-CH 3 ; is a straight chain unsubstituted C ⁇ -C 4 alkylene group; X 2 is a direct bond or is or is -O-, -S-, -CO-O- or -NH-CO-O; and is C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted on a primary
  • Y is a direct bond or a group of formula -(CR y 2 )-, -(CH 2 ) m O(CH 2 )-, -A- or -A-X 3 - (CH 2 ) m , wherein R y is hydrogen, -CH 3 , -CH 2 -CH 3 or an unsubstituted phenyl group, wherein no more than one R y group is phenyl; A is a phenyl, pyridyl or pyrrolyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from -CH 3 , -CH2-CH3, -OCH 3 , -OCH2-CH3, halogen and hydroxy; X 3 is -O-, -SO 2 - or -NH- CO-; and m is 0 or 1;
  • R J is hydrogen or a phenyl, thienyl, furyl, quinolinyl, benzofuranyl, cyclopentyl, 1,4- benzodioxanyl, 1,3-benzodioxolyl or 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran group which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, C ⁇ -C 4 alkoxy, C ⁇ -C alkylthio, C 2 -C 4 alkenyloxy, C 3 -C 6 carbocyclyloxy, -NH- CO-Me and -N(CH 3 ) 2 , the substituents on R 3 being themselves unsubstituted or further substituted with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen and hydroxy; R4 is - Ci-Xi-Ari or -C 2 -X2-C3, wherein: Ci is -(CH 2 , -(CH 2
  • Particularly preferred compounds of formulae (I), (IA) and (IB) are those which are more active as N-type calcium channel inhibitors than as L-type calcium channel inhibitors (i.e. which are selective N-type calcium channel antagonists).
  • Such compounds have a lower IC 50 for inhibition of N-type calcium channels expressed by ' IMR32 cells than for inhibition of L-type calcium channels expressed by IMR32 cells under the same conditions. They may therefore involve fewer side effects than non- selective N-type calcium channel antagonists.
  • -YR 3 is other than a substituted or unsubstituted naphthalenyl, phenoxyphenyl, phenoxythiophenyl, benzyloxyphenyl, benzylthiophenyl, -furanyl-phenyl or carbazolyl group. More typically, Y in the formula (I) is other than a direct bond or a phenoxy, benzyloxy, benzylthio or furanyl group.
  • Y in the formula (I) is other than aryl, heteroaryl or -(CH 2 ) m -A-X 3 - wherein m is 0 or 1, A is aryl or heteroaryl and X 3 is -O- or -S-.
  • R 4 is typically other than (a) -Y-NR 3 R 4 , wherein Y is alkylene and R 3 and Ri are the same or different and are selected from hydrogen, alkyl or aryl or R 3 and R 4 together form an alkylene chain having 4 to 5 carbon atoms optionally interrupted by a nitrogen or oxygen, (b) pyridylalkyl and (c) piperidin-4-yl-alkyl, optionally substituted by alkyl, aryl or aralkyl.
  • X is other than -NR ; -, C 3 is a C ⁇ -C alkyl group which is unsubstituted or is substituted on a primary carbon atom with either (a) one hydroxy or (b) 1 , 2 or 3 halo substituents and Ari is other than a pyridyl or piperidyl group, preferably other than a 6-membered heteroaryl or heterocyclyl group.
  • R 3 is other than is a phenyl, thienyl, pyridyl or 1,3-benzodioxolyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, cyano, C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl, C1-C 4 alkoxy, C r C 4 alkylthio, C 2 -C 4 alkenyl, -NR'R" wherein R' and R" are each independently hydrogen or a C C alkyl group, and -Si(R 7 / ) 3 wherein each R 7 is independently a C ⁇ -C alkyl group.
  • R 3 is other than is a phenyl, thienyl, pyridyl or 1,3-benzodioxolyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, cyano, C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl, C1-
  • A is a heteroaryl group
  • R is other than an aryl, heteroaryl or carbocyclyl group.
  • Y is a group of formula -(CR y 2 ) q - wherein R y and q are as defined above, or R 3 is hydrogen.
  • the present invention also provides the use, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment or prevention of a condition mediated by N-type calcium channels, of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,
  • Z is -S-, -S(O)-, -SO 2 -, -O- or -NR- wherein R is hydrogen, C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl or -CO-(d-C 6 alkyl);
  • Ri is hydrogen or C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl
  • R 2 is hydrogen, fluorine, Ci-d alkyl, -(C C 6 alkyl)-CO 2 H or -(Ci-d alkyl)-CO-NR 5 R 6 , wherein either (a) R 5 is hydrogen, aryl or -(C ⁇ C 6 alkyl)-aryl and R ⁇ is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond, a C ⁇ -C 6 alkylene group, a C 2 -C 6 alkenylene group or a C 2 -C 6 alkynylene group and R is hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl or (b) R 5 and R5, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, represent a moiety -Heti-
  • Het 2 wherein Heti is a heterocyclyl or heteroaryl group and Het 2 is hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, -CH(aryl) 2 or -CH(heteroaryl) 2 ;
  • R 3 is -SCQ 3 or -OCQ 3 wherein Q is halogen
  • R 4 is methyl, -Ci-Xi-Ari or -C 2 -X 2 -C 3 , wherein
  • Ci. is a direct bond, a C ⁇ -C 6 alkylene group, a d-d alkenylene group or a d-C 6 alkynylene group;
  • Xi is a direct bond when Ci is a direct bond and, when Ci is a C ⁇ -C 6 alkylene group, C 2 -C 6 alkenylene group or C 2 -C 6 alkynylene group, represents a direct bond or -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -CO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO-, -CO-O-R"-CO-O-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-O-, -CO-O-R"-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-CO-NR'
  • X 2 is a direct bond or -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -CO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO-, -CO-O-R"-CO-O-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-O-, -CO-O-R"-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -OCO-NR'- or -NR'-CO-O- wherein each R' is the same or different and represents hydrogen, phenyl, Ci-d alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl or C 2 -C 6 alkynyl and each R" is the same or different and represents a C ⁇ -C 6 alkylene group, a C -C 6 alkenylene group or a C 2 -
  • C 3 is a Ci-d alkyl group, a d-C 6 alkenyl group or a d-C 6 alkynyl group, wherein: the alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl, alkenylene, alkynyl and alkynylene groups and moieties in the Ri to R 4 substituents are unsubstituted or carry 1, 2 or 3 unsubstituted substituents selected from aryl, for example phenyl, hydroxy, C ⁇ -C alkoxy, C ⁇ -C 6 alkylthio, -NH 2 , -NH(C C 6 alkyl), -N(C r C 6 alkyl) 2 , halogen, cyano, nitro, -NHCO- (Ci-d alkyl), -CO-NH-(d-C 6 alkyl), -CO-O-(C C 6 alkyl) and -O-CO-(C C 6 alkyl); the aryl and heteroaryl
  • R2 is hydrogen, fluorine or Ci-d alkyl and R 4 is -Cj-Xi-Ari or -C 2 -X 2 -C 3 wherein Ci, Xi, Ari, d, X 2 and C 3 are as defined above.
  • Preferred substituents on an alkyl group or moiety in the formula (I 7 ) are phenyl, hydroxy, halogen, C d alkoxy, -NH 2 , -NH(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl), -N(d-C 2 alkyl) 2 and - NHCO-(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl).
  • the substituents on an alkyl group or moiety are themselves unsubstituted.
  • Preferred substituents on an alkenyl group or moiety in the formula (I 7 ) are phenyl, hydroxy, halogen, C ⁇ -C 2 alkoxy, -NH 2 , -NH(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl), -N(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl) 2 and -NHCO-(C ⁇ -d alkyl).
  • the substituents on an alkenyl group or moiety are themselves unsubstituted.
  • Preferred substituents on an alkynyl group or moiety in the formula (I 7 ) are phenyl, hydroxy, halogen, C ⁇ -C 2 alkoxy, -NH 2 , -NH(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl), -N(d-C 2 alkyl) 2 and -NHCO-(C ⁇ -d alkyl).
  • the substituents on an alkynyl group or moiety are themselves unsubstituted.
  • Ci- alkylene group in the formula (I 7 ) is typically a Ci-d alkylene group, for example a methylene, ethylene, propylene, n-butylene, or n-pentylene group, or the branched pentylene group -CH 2 -CH 2 -CH 2 -CH(CH 3 )-.
  • Preferred substituents on an alkylene group in the forrnu'la (I 7 ) are phenyl, hydroxy, halogen, C 1 -C 2 alkoxy, -NH 2 , -NH(d-C 2 alkyl), -N(d-C 2 alkyl) 2 and -NHCO-(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl).
  • the substituents on an alkylene group are typically themselves unsubstituted.
  • Preferred substituents on an alkenylene group in the formula (I 7 ) are phenyl, hydroxy, halogen, d-C 2 alkoxy, -NH 2 , -NH(d-C 2 alkyl), -N(d-C 2 alkyl) 2 and -NHCO-(C ⁇ -d alkyl).
  • the substituents on an alkenylene group are themselves unsubstituted.
  • a d-d alkynylene group in the formula (I 7 ) is typically a d-d alkynylene group, for example a ethynylene, propynylene, n-butynylene or n-pentynylene group.
  • an alkynylene group has only one triple bond.
  • Preferred substituents on an alkynylene group in the formula (I 7 ) are phenyl, hydroxy, halogen, d-C 2 alkoxy, -NH 2 , -NH(d-C 2 alkyl), -N(d-C 2 alkyl) 2 and -NHCO-(C ⁇ -d alkyl).
  • the substituents on an alkynylene group are typically themselves unsubstituted.
  • An aryl group in the formula (I 7 ) may be unsubstituted or substituted at any position.
  • Preferred substituents include C ⁇ -C alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, C 1 -C 4 alkylthio, halogen (for example fluorine), hydroxy, methylenedioxy, -NH 2 , -NH(C ⁇ -d alkyl), -N(Ci-C 2 alkyl) 2 , -NH-CO-(d-C 2 alkyl) and -O-CO-(d-C 2 alkyl).
  • Substituents on an aryl group in the formula (I 7 ) are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, C ⁇ -C 6 alkoxy, C ⁇ -C 6 alkylthio, -NH 2 , -NH(d-d alkyl), -N(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl) 2 , -NH-CO-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl), -CO-NH- (Ci-d alkyl) and -O-CO-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl). These further substituents are themselves unsubstituted.
  • the Ci-d alkyl moieties present in the further substituents are C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl moieties. More preferably, substituents on an aryl group are unsubstituted or substituted either (a) with one further substituent selected from C 1 -C 2 alkoxy, -NH-(d-C 2 alkyl) and -N(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl) 2 or (b) with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents which are halo substituents.
  • references to an aryl group in the formula (I 7 ) include fused ring systems in which an aryl group is fused to a carbocyclic, heterocyclic or heteroaryl group.
  • the carbocyclic, heterocyclic or heteroaryl group to which the aryl group is fused is typically monocyclic.
  • An example of such a fused ring system is a phenyl group fused to a pyridine ring to form a quinoline group or a phenyl ring fused to a cyclopentane group to form a 2,3-dihydro-lH-indenyl group.
  • a heteroaryl group in the formula (I 7 ) may be unsubstituted or substituted at any position.
  • Preferred substituents include C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, C 1 -C 4 alkylthio, halogen (for example fluorine), hydroxy, methylenedioxy, -NH 2 , -NH(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl), - N(C ⁇ -dalkyl) 2 , -NH-CO-(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl) and -O-CO-(d-C 2 alkyl).
  • Particularlypreferred substituents include C 1 -C 4 alkyl and C ⁇ -C 4 alkoxy groups.
  • Substituents on an heteroaryl group are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, Ci-d alkoxy, C ⁇ -C 6 alkylthio, -NH 2 , -NH(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl), -N(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl) 2 , -NH-CO-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(d-C 6 alkyl) and -O-CO-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl).
  • These further substituents are typically themselves unsubstituted.
  • the C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl moieties present in the further substituents are Ci-d alkyl moieties.
  • substituents on an heteroaryl group are unsubstituted or substituted either (a) with one further substituent selected from Ci-d alkoxy, -NH-(C ⁇ -d alkyl) and -N(C ⁇ -d alkyl or (b) with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents which are halo substituents.
  • references in the formula (I 7 ) to a heteroaryl group include fused ring systems in which a heteroaryl group is fused to a said aryl group, to a further heteroaryl group or to a heterocyclic group.
  • the aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclic group to which the heteroaryl group is fused is typically monocyclic.
  • An example of such a fused heteroaryl group is a benzimidazolyl group.
  • a carbocyclyl group in the formula (I 7 ) may be unsubstituted or substituted at any position.
  • Preferred substituents include C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylthio, halogen (for example fluorine), hydroxy, methylenedioxy, -NH2, -NH(C ⁇ -d alkyl), -N(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl) 2 , oxo, -NH-CO-(d-C 2 alkyl) and -O-CO-(d-C 2 alkyl).
  • Substituents on an carbocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, C ⁇ -C 6 alkoxy, Ci-d alkylthio, -NH 2 , -NH(Ci-d alkyl), -N(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl) 2 , -NH-CO-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(d-C 6 alkyl) and -O-CO-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl).
  • substituents are •themselves unsubstituted.
  • the Ci-d alkyl moieties present in the further substituents are C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl moieties. More preferably, substituents on a carbocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted either (a) with one further susbtituent selected from Ci-d alkoxy, -NH-(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl) and -N(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl) 2 or (b) with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents which are halo substituents.
  • references in the formula (I 7 ) to a carbocyclyl group include fused ring systems in which a carbocyclyl group is fused to a phenyl ring.
  • An example of such a fused ring system is 2,3-dihydro-l ⁇ -indenyl.
  • a heterocyclyl group in the formula (I 7 ) may be unsubstituted or substituted at any position.
  • Preferred substituents include d-d alkyl, d-C alkoxy, C 1 -C 4 alkylthio, halogen (for example fluorine), hydroxy, methylenedioxy, -NH 2 , -NH(d-C 2 alkyl), - N(C ⁇ -d alkyl) 2 , oxo, -NH-CO-(d-C 2 alkyl) and -O-CO-(d-C 2 alkyl).
  • Particularly preferred substituents are oxo and C 1 -C 4 alkyl substituents.
  • Substituents on an heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, Ci- alkoxy, Ci-Ce alkylthio, -NH 2 , -NH(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl), -N(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl) 2 , -NH-CO-(d-C 6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl) and -O-CO-(d-d alkyl).
  • these further substituents are themselves unsubstituted.
  • the Ci- alkyl moieties present in the further substituents are C 1 -C 2 alkyl moieties.
  • substituents on a heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted either (a) with one further susbtituent selected from Ci-d alkoxy, -NH-(d-C 2 alkyl) and -N(d-C 2 alkyl) 2 or (b) with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents which are halo substituents.
  • R is typically -COCH 3 or -CO-CH 2 -CH 3 .
  • Z is -S-, -S(O)- or -S(O) 2 -.
  • Z is -S- or -O-.
  • Z is -S-.
  • Ri in the formula (I 7 ) is hydrogen or an unsubstituted C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl group.
  • Ri is hydrogen or methyl. More preferably, Ri is hydrogen.
  • R 2 in the formula (I) represents hydrogen, fluorine, C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl, -(C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl)-CO 2 H or -(C r C 4 alkyl)-CONR 5 R 6 , wherein either (a) R 5 is hydrogen, aryl or -(Ci-d alkyl)-aryl and Re is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond or a C ⁇ -C 4 alkylene group and R is hydrogen, aryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl or (b) R5 and Re, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, represent a moiety -Heti- Het 2 , wherein Heti is a heterocyclyl group and Het 2 is hydrogen, aryl or -CH(aryl) 2 .
  • R 2 represents hydrogen, an unsubstituted d-d alkyl group, -(CH 2 ) a -CO 2 H or -(CH 2 )b-CONR 5 R 6 wherein a and b are 1 or 2 and either (a) R 5 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted benzyl group and R 6 is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond or an unsubstituted C ⁇ -C 4 alkylene group and R is hydrogen or a phenyl, cyclohexenyl, piperidyl, pyridyl or benzimidazolyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen, hydroxy, -OCH 3 or -OCH 2 CH 3 substituent, or (b) R 5 and R 6 , together with the N atom to which they are attached, represent a pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl or piperazinyl group which is unsubstit
  • R 2 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl group. More preferably, R 2 is hydrogen or methyl. Most preferably, R 2 is hydrogen.
  • R 3 group in the formula (I 7 ) is present at the 3 -position of the phenyl ring to which it is attached.
  • R 3 is typically -SCQ 3 or -OCQ 3 wherein Q is fluorine or chlorine.
  • R 3 is -SCF 3 or -OCF 3 . More preferably, R 3 is -OCF 3 .
  • R 4 in the formula (I 7 ) is -CH 3 or is -d-Xi-Ari or -C 2 -X 2 -d, wherein Ci, Xi, Ari, d, X 2 and d are as defined above.
  • Ci in the formula (I 7 ) is a direct bond or a Ci- alkylene group. More typically, Ci is a direct bond or a C ⁇ -C 4 alkylene group which is unsubstituted when Xi is other than a direct bond and, when Xi is a direct bond, is unsubstituted or substituted at the carbon atom ⁇ to the moiety Ar t by one substituent selected from those set out above as examples of suitable alkylene substituents.
  • the substituent ⁇ to the moiety Xi is a phenyl group.
  • the orientation of the group Xi in the formula (I 7 ) is such that the left hand side of the depicted moiety is attached to Ci and the right hand side of the depicted moiety is attached to Ari.
  • the moiety -Ci-Xi-An is -d-CO-NH-CH 2 -CO-O-An.
  • each R' in the moiety Xi is the same or different and is hydrogen, or an unsubstituted phenyl or C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl group. More typically, each R' in the moiety Xi is the same or different and is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl. Preferably, each R' in the moiety Xi is hydrogen.
  • each R" in the moiety Xi is the same or different and is an unsubstituted Ci-d alkylene group. More typically, each R" in the moiety Xi is methylene or ethylene. Preferably, each R" is methylene.
  • Xj in the formula (I 7 ) is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO- or -CO-NR'-R"-CO-O-, wherein R' and R" are as defined above.
  • Xi in the formula (I 7 ) is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NH-CO- or -CO-NH-CH2-CO-O-. More preferably, Xj is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -SCO- or -O-CO-.
  • Ari in the formula (I 7 ) is heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl, carbocyclyl, heteroaryl-(C ⁇ -d alkyl)-, heterocyclyl-(C ⁇ -d alkyl)-, aryl-(C ⁇ -d alkyl)- or carbocyclyl-(C ⁇ -d alkyl)-.
  • Ari is a heteroaryl-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl)-, aryl-(C ⁇ -d alkyl)-, heterocyclyl-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl)- or carbocyclyl-(C ⁇ -d alkyl)- group
  • the alkyl moiety is typically an unsubstituted methylene or ethylene moiety.
  • Ari is heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, carbocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl- Y'- or aryl-Y'-, in particular heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl- Y 7 - or aryl-Y -, wherein Y' is an unsubstituted methylene or ethylene moiety.
  • Ari is heteroaryl, for example imidazolyl, 2- pyridyl, 3 -pyridyl, benzimidazolyl, furanyl and pyrazinyl, heteroaryl-(C ⁇ -d alkyl)-, for example furanyl-methyl-, heterocyclyl, for example morpholinyl, piperazinyl, piperidyl and pyrrolidinyl, aryl, for example phenyl, aryl-(C ⁇ -d alkyl)-, for example benzyl, or carbocyclyl, for example cyclohexenyl and 2,3-dihydro-lH-indenyl.
  • heteroaryl for example imidazolyl, 2- pyridyl, 3 -pyridyl, benzimidazolyl, furanyl and pyrazinyl, heteroaryl-(C ⁇ -d alkyl)-, for example furanyl-methyl-, heterocyclyl, for example
  • d in the formula (I) is a Ci- alkylene group.
  • C 2 is typically unsubstituted or carries one substituent at the carbon atom ⁇ to the moiety X 2 or, where X 2 is a direct bond, to the moiety C 3 , which substituent is selected from those _set out above as examples of suitable alkylene substituents.
  • said substituent is hydroxy, halogen, C r d alkoxy, -NH 2 , -NH-(C r C 2 alkyl), -N(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl) 2 or - NHCO-(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl). More preferably, said substituent is hydroxy or -NH-CO-CH 3 .
  • the orientation of the group X 2 in the formula (I 7 ) is such that the left hand side of the depicted moiety is attached to C 2 and the right hand side of the depicted moiety is attached to C 3 .
  • the moiety -C 2 -X 2 -C 3 - is -C 2 -CO-NH-CH 2 -CO-O-C 3 -.
  • each R' in the moiety X 2 is the same or different and is hydrogen or an unsubstituted phenyl or C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl group. More typically, each R' is the same or different and is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl. Preferably, each R' in the moiety X 2 is hydrogen.
  • each R" in the moiety X 2 is the same or different and is an unsubstituted C ⁇ -C 6 alkylene group. More typically, each R" in the moiety X 2 is methylene or ethylene. Preferably, each R" is methylene.
  • X 2 in the formula (I 7 ) is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'- or -CO-NR'-R"-CO-O-, wherein R' and R" are as defined above.
  • Xi is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -NMe-, -NEt-, -CO-O-, -CO-NH- or
  • C 3 in the formula (I 7 ) is a C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl group.
  • C 3 is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from hydroxy, -NH 2 , -NH(C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl), -N(C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl) 2 and halogen.
  • C 3 is unsubstituted or carries, on a primary carbon atom (i.e. a carbon atom at the end of a chain), either (a) one hydroxy, -NMe 2 or -NEt 2 substituent or (b) 1, 2 or 3 halo substituents, which are preferably fluoro substituents.
  • Preferred compounds of formula (I 7 ) are those in which:
  • Z is -S-, -S(O)- or -S(O) 2 -;
  • Ri is hydrogen or -CH 3 ;
  • R 2 is hydrogen, an unsubstituted C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl group, -(CH 2 ) a -CO 2 H or -(CH 2 ) b -
  • R5 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted benzyl group and Re is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond or an unsubstituted C ⁇ -C 4 alkylene group and R is hydrogen or a phenyl, cyclohexenyl, piperidyl, pyridyl or benzimidazolyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen, hydroxy, -OCH 3 or -OCH CH 3 substituent, or (b) R 5 and R 6 , together with the N atom to which they are attached, represent a pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl or piperazinyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by an unsubstituted -CHPI12 group;
  • R 3 is present at the 3 -position of the phenyl ring to which it is attached, and is -OCQ 3 wherein Q is fluorine or chlorine; and • - 4 is -CH 3 , -Ci-Xi-Ari or -C 2 -X 2 -C 3 , wherein Ci, C 2 , Xi, X 2 , Ari and C 3 are as defined above.
  • Z is -S-; Ri is hydrogen or -CH 3 ;
  • R 2 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted C 1 -C 4 alkyl group
  • R 3 is present at the 3 -position of the phenyl ring to which it is attached, and is -OCQ 3 wherein Q is fluorine or chlorine;
  • R 4 is -Ci-X t -Ari or -C 2 -X 2 -C 3 , wherein Ci, C 2 , Xi, X 2 , Ari and C 3 are as defined above.
  • Particularly preferred compounds of formula (I 7 ) are compounds of formula (la 7 )
  • Z is -S-, -S(O)- or -S(O) 2 -;
  • R 2 is hydrogen, an unsubstituted C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl group, -(CH 2 ) a -CO 2 H or -(CH 2 ) b -
  • R 5 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted benzyl group and R 6 is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond or an unsubstituted C ⁇ -C 4 alkylene group and R is hydrogen or a phenyl, cyclohexenyl, piperidyl, pyridyl or benzimidazolyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen, hydroxy, -OCH 3 or -OCH 2 CH 3 substituent, or (b) R 5 and R 6 , together with the N atom to which they are attached, represent a pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl or piperazinyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by an unsubstituted -CHPh group;
  • R t is an unsubstituted methyl group or is -C ⁇ -X ⁇ -Ar ⁇ or -C 2 -X 2 -C 3 , wherein Ci,
  • R is hydrogen or -CH 3 ;
  • R 4 is -Ci-Xi-Ari or -C -X 2 -C 3 , wherein Ci, C 2 , Xi, X 2 Ari and C 3 are as defined above.
  • Further preferred compounds of formulae (I 7 ), (la 7 ) and (lb 7 ) are compounds which are more active as N-type calcium channel inhibitors than as L-type calcium channel inhibitors (i.e. which are selective N-type calcium channel antagonists).
  • such compounds have a lower IC 50 for inhibition of N-type calcium channels expressed by IMR32 cells than for inhibition of L-type calcium channels expressed by IMR32 cells under the same assay conditions. They may therefore involve fewer side effects than non-selective N-type calcium channel antagonists.
  • R4 is -Ci-Ari, or -C 2 -X 2 -C 3 , wherein:
  • Ci is an unsubstituted C ⁇ -C 4 alkylene group, for example a methylene or ethylene group;
  • Ari is an aryl group, for example a phenyl group, or a heteroaryl group, for example a 2-pyridyl or 3 -pyridyl group;
  • d is a Ci-d alkylene group, for example a methylene, ethylene or propylene group;
  • X 2 is -O-, -S- or a direct bond
  • C 3 is a C ⁇ -C alkyl group.
  • An is an aryl or heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or is substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, Cj-C 4 alkyl and C ⁇ -C 4 alkoxy groups.
  • An is preferably an unsubstituted 2-pyridyl or 3-pyridyl group or a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, C 1 -C 4 alkyl and C 1 -C 4 alkoxy groups.
  • " d in said further preferred compounds is typically an unsubstituted C 1 -C 5 alkylene group.
  • C 3 is typically a methyl, ethyl, n-butyl and i-propyl.
  • d is unsubstituted or carries, on a primary carbon atom (i.e. a carbon atom at the end of a chain), a hydroxy substituent.
  • Preferred compounds of formula (I) and formula (I 7 ) include:
  • a pharmaceutically acceptable salt is a salt with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base.
  • Pharmaceutically acceptable acids include both inorganic acids such as hydrochloric, sulfuric, phosphoric, ⁇ iphosphoric, ascorbic, succinic, tartaric, benzoic, acetic, methanesulphonic, ethanesulphonic, benzenesulphonic or p-toluenesulphonic acid.
  • Pharmaceutically acceptable bases include alkali metal (e.g. sodium or potassium) and alkali earth metal (e.g. calcium or magnesium) hydroxides and organic bases such as alkyl amines, aralkyl amines or heterocyclic amines.
  • the compound of formula (I) is a compound wherein, when R 2 is other than hydrogen, fluorine and Ci- alkyl, Y is -(CR y 2 ) q - and/or R 3 is hydrogen.
  • the compounds of the invention contain one or more chiral centre.
  • the chemical structures depicted herein are intended to embrace all stereoisomers of the compounds shown, including racemic and non-racemic mixtures and pure enantiomers and/or diastereoisomers.
  • Preferred compounds of the invention are optically active isomers.
  • preferred compounds of formula (I) containing only one chiral centre include an R enantiomer in substantially pure form, an S enantiomer in substantially pure form and enantiomeric mixtures which contain an excess of the R enantiomer or an excess of the S enantiomer.
  • the present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition
  • a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (II), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent,
  • R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , Y and Z in the formula (II) are as defined above for the formula (I), provided that (i) -YR 3 is other than an unsubstituted pyridyl group, (ii) -YR 3 is other than -phenyl-O-A 2 -R, wherein A 2 is a d-d alkylene group and R is 1 -pyrrolidinyl, 1- piperidinyl, 4-morpholinyl, 1 -piperazinyl or 4-alkyl-l-piperazh yl, (iii) R 2 is other than Ci-Ce alkyl, (iv) when Xi is -O-, Ari is other than phenyl and when X2 is -O- and C 2 is an unsubstituted Ci- alkylene group, C 3 is other than an unsubstituted Ci-d alkyl group and (v) when Z is S and R 1
  • Z, R 2 , R 2 , R 3 and Y are as defined above for the formula (I) and R ⁇ is -Ci-Xi-An' or -C 2 -X 2 '-C 3 , or an unsubstituted C 1 -C 4 alkyl group, wherein Ci, Xi, C 2 and C 3 are as defined above; and: A ' is heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl-R a - or heterocyclyl-R a -, wherein R a is a Ci-Ce alkylene group, a C 2 -C 6 alkenylene group or a C 2 -C 6 alkynylene group; wherein when Ari ' is an unsubstituted phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted with one or two groups selected from methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, phenoxy; chlorine, bro
  • X 2 ' is -O-, -S-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -CO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO-, -CO-O-R"-CO-O-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-O-, -CO-O-R"-CO- NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -NR'-CO-O- or -O-CO-NR'-, wherein each R' is the same or different and represents hydrogen, phenyl, Ci-d alkyl, C 2 -C 6 alkenyl or C -C 6 alkynyl and each R" is the same or different and represents a C ⁇ -C 6 alkylene group a C 2 -C 6 alkenylene group or a C 2 -C 6 alkynylene
  • R 4 in the compounds of formula (II) is -Ci-Xi-An' or -C 2 -X 2 '-C 3 .
  • Ci and Xi in the compounds of formula (II) are as defined above with regard to formula (I), formula (IA) or formula (IB), with the proviso that when An ' is an unsubstituted phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted with one or two groups selected from methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, phenoxy, chlorine, bromine and nitro, either both Ci and X are direct bonds or Ci is methylene and Xi is -S-, -NR'-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO-, -CO-R"-CO- O-, -CO
  • Ci is methylene and X ⁇ is -S-, -NR'-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO-, -CO-O-R"-CO-O-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-O-, -CO-O-R"-CO-CO-, -CO-O-R"-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-
  • Ci is methylene and Xi is -S-, -NR'-, -SO-, -SO 2 -, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO-, -CO-O-R"-CO- O-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-O-, -CO-O-R"-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -O-CO-NR'- or -NR'-CO-O-, wherein R' and R" are as defined above.
  • Xi is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO, -CO-O-, -CO-S-, -NR'-CO- or -CO-NR'-, wherein R' is as defined above.
  • Xi is -O-, -S-, -S-CO-, -O-CO- or -NH-CO-.
  • Xj is -O-, -S-, -S-CO- or -O-CO-.
  • Xi is -S-, -S-CO- or -O-CO-.
  • An ' in the formula (II) above is heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl-(Ci-C 6 alkyl)- or heterocyclyl-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl)-.
  • An ' is a heteroaryl-(C ⁇ - C 6 alkyl)- or heterocyclyl-(C ⁇ -C 6 alkyl)- group
  • the alkyl moiety is typically an unsubstituted methylene or ethylene moiety.
  • An ' is heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl or heteroaryl-(C ⁇ -C 2 alkyl)-.
  • An ' is aryl, it is a phenyl group fused to a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclyl ring, for example a 1,3- benzodioxolyl group or a 1,4-benzodioxanyl group. More preferably, when Ari' is aryl it is a 1,3-benzodioxolyl group.
  • An ' is heteroaryl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl- (Ci-C 2 alkyl)-, it preferably has the same meanings as the corresponding groups of An as defined above. More preferably, An ' is pyridyl, thienyl, benzimidazolyl, furanyl- methyl-, 1,4-benzodioxanyl or 1,3-benzodioxolyl.
  • the group An ' in the formula (II) is unsubstituted or carries one or more, for example 1, 2 or 3, substituents on the cyclic group.
  • the substituents are typically selected from halogen, for example fluorine or chlorine, C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl, hydroxy, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, -NR'R" and -NH-CO-R' wherein R' and R" are selected from hydrogen and unsubstituted C 1 -C 4 alkyl.
  • Preferred substituents are fluorine, hydroxy, methoxy, dimethylamino and -NH-CO-CH .
  • substituents are fluorine, hydroxy, -N(CH 3 ) 2 and -NH-CO-CH 3 . More preferred substituents are -N(CH 3 ) 2 and -NH-CO- CH 3 . Typically, the substituents on a group An' are themselves unsubstituted.
  • each R' in the moiety X 2 ' in the formula (II) above is the same or different and is hydrogen or an unsubstituted phenyl or Ci-d alkyl group, preferably hydrogen, -CH 3 or -CH 2 CH 3 . More preferably, each R' in the moiety X 2 ' is hydrogen.
  • each R" in the moiety X 2 ' is an unsubstituted C ⁇ -C 6 alkylene group, preferably -CH 2 - or -CH 2 -CH 2 -. More preferably, each R" is -CH 2 -.
  • X 2 ' in the formula (II) above is -O-, -S-, -CO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO, -O-CO-NR'-, -NR'-CO-O-, -S-CO- or -CO-S- wherein R' is as defined above with regard to formula (I), formula (IA) or formula (IB).
  • X 2 ' is -O-, -S-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -S-CO-, -CO-S- or -NH-CO-O.
  • X 2 ' is -O-, -S-, -CO-O- or -NH-CO-O, for example -S-, -CO-O- or -NH-CO-O-.
  • P 4 in the formula (II) above represents a d-C 4 alkyl group, it may be straight or branched, unsubstituted or substituted. Typically it is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 substituents. Suitable substituents are those set out above as examples of suitable substituents on an alkyl group. Preferred substituents include halogen, in particular fluorine, and hydroxy. Typically, substituents on the Ci- alkyl group are themselves unsubstituted.
  • Y in the formula (II) above is as defined above with regard to formula (I), formula (IA) or formula (IB).
  • Y is a group of formula -(CR y 2 )-, -(CH 2 ) m -O-(CH 2 )-, -A- or -A-X 3 -(.CH 2 ) m wherein R y , m, A and X 3 are as defined above with regard to formula (I), formula (IA) or formula (IB) with the proviso that A is other than phenyl.
  • Z is -S-, -S(O)- or-S(O) 2 -;
  • Y is a direct bond or a group of formula -(CR y 2 )-, -(CH 2 ) m O(CH 2 )-, -A- or -A-X 3 -
  • R y is hydrogen, -CH , -CH 2 -CH 3 or an unsubstituted phenyl group, wherein no more than one R y group is phenyl;
  • A is a phenyl, pyridyl or pyrrolyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from
  • X 3 is -O-, -SO 2 - or -NH-
  • R 2 is hydrogen, -(CH 2 ) a -CO 2 H or -(CH 2 ) b -CONR 5 R ⁇ wherein a and b are 1 or 2 and either (a) R 5 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted benzyl group and R 6 is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond or an unsubstituted C ⁇ -C alkylene group and R is hydrogen or a phenyl, cyclohexenyl, piperidyl, pyridyl or benzimidazolyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen, hydroxy, -OCH 3 or -OCH 2 CH 3 substituent, or (b) R 5 and Re, together with the N atom to which they are attached, represent a pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl or piperazinyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by an unsubstituted -CH
  • Ci is -(CH 2 )-, -(CH 2 ) 2 - or -(CH 2 ) 3 -;
  • Xi is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -S-CO- or -O-CO-;
  • Ari' is a pyridyl, thienyl, benzimidazolyl, furanyl-methyl-, 1,3-benzodioxolyl or
  • 1,4-benzodioxanyl group which is unsubstituted or carries, on the cyclic moiety
  • d is a straight chain unsubstituted C ⁇ -C alkylene group
  • X 2 ' is -O-, -S-, -CO-O- or -NH-CO-O; and C 3 is a C1-C4 alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted on a primary carbon atom with either (a) one hydroxy or (b) 1, 2 or 3 halo substituents, provided that Y-R 3 is other, than an unsubstituted pyridyl group, and when X 2 7 is -O-, is other than an unsubstituted C 1 -C 4 alkyl group.
  • the compound of formula (Ila) is a compound of formula (Ha 7 )
  • Y is a direct bond or a group of formula -(CR y 2 )-, -(CH 2 ) m O(CH2)-, -A- or -A-X 3 - (CH ) m , wherein R is hydrogen, -CH 3 , -CH 2 -CH 3 or an unsubstituted phenyl group, wherein no more than one R y group is phenyl;
  • A is a phenyl, pyridyl or pyrrolyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from -CH 3 , -CH 2 -CH 3 , -OCH 3 , -OCH 2 -CH 3 , halogen and hydroxy;
  • X 3 is -O-, -SO 2 - or -NH- CO-; and m is 0 or 1 ;
  • R 3 is hydrogen or a phenyl, thienyl, furyl, quinolinyl, benzofuranyl, cyclopentyl, 1,4- benzodioxanyl, 1,3-benzodioxolyl or 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran group which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, C 1 -C4 alkyl, C 1 -C 4 alkoxy, C ⁇ -C alkylthio, d-d alkenyloxy, C 3 -C 6 carbocyclyloxy, -NH- CO-Me and -N(CH 3 ) 2 , the substituents on R 3 being themselves unsubstituted or further substituted with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen and hydroxy; R4 is -Ci-Xi-An' or -C 2 -X 2 '- , wherein:
  • Ci is -(CH 2 ) ⁇ , -(CH 2 ) 2 - or -(CH 2 ) 3 -;
  • Xi is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -S-CO- or -O-CO-;
  • Ari' is a pyridyl, thienyl, benzimidazolyl, furanyl -methyl-, 1,3-benzodioxolyl or
  • 1,4-benzodioxanyl group which is unsubstituted or carries, on the cyclic moiety, r 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from fluorine, hydroxy, -OCH 3 , -N(CH 3 ) 2 and
  • d is a straight chain unsubstituted C ⁇ -C alkylene group
  • X 2 ' is -O-, -S-, -CO-O, or -NH-CO-O
  • d is a C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted on a primary carbon atom with either (a) one hydroxy or (b) 1, 2 or 3 halo substituents; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, provided that -Y-R 3 is other than an unsubstituted pyridyl group, and when X is -O-, C 3 is other than an unsubstituted C ⁇ -C 4 alkyl group.
  • the present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition
  • a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I 7 ), as defined above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.
  • the said pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent is not DMSO.
  • Said pharmaceutical composition typically contains up to 85 wt% of a compound of the invention. More typically, it contains up to 50 wt% of a compound of the invention.
  • Preferred pharmaceutical compositions are sterile and pyrogen free.
  • the pharmaceutical compositions provided by the invention typically contain a compound of the invention which is a substantially pure optical isomer.
  • the compounds of formula (I) may be prepared by conventional routes, for example those set out in any of schemes 1 to 4 shown below.
  • an aldehyde or ketone of formula (II) is reacted with an amine of formula R4-NH2 in the presence of HSCHR 2 -CO 2 H.
  • the reaction takes place in a solvent such as benzene or toluene at elevated temperature, for example from 80 to 100°C.
  • a compound of formula (I) in which Z is S can be thereby prepared.
  • the reaction shown in scheme I can be conducted as a "one pot" reaction, or can be conducted stepwise, whereby a compound of formula (II) is reacted with an amine of formula R ⁇ -NH 2 and the thus obtained imino intermediate is then reacted with HSCHR 2 - CO 2 H.
  • stepwise reaction is effected, both reaction steps take place in a solvent such as benzene'or toluene at elevated temperature, for example from 80 to 100°C.
  • Scheme 2 provides an alternate synthesis of compounds of formula (I) in which Z is S and Ri is hydrogen.
  • a compound of formula (III) in which L is a leaving group, for example a chlorine atom, is reacted with an amine of formula R 4 -NH under standard amide coupling reaction conditions which will be familiar to those of skill in the art.
  • the reaction is effected in the presence of a coupling agent such as EDCI/HOBT, HATU or HBTU.
  • amide of formula (IN) can then be reacted with Lawess ⁇ n's reagent under standard reaction conditions to give a compound of formula (V).
  • the compound of formula (N) can then be reduced by known methods to a compound of formula (VI).
  • the compound of formula (NI) can then be reacted with C1CO- CH(R 2 )Br, in which R is as defined above, to give a compound of formula (I) in which Ri is hydrogen and Z is S. This final reaction typically takes place in a solvent such as benzene or toluene.
  • a compound of formula (I) in which Z is -S(O)- or -S(O) 2 - can be prepared by oxidising a corresponding compound in which Z is S.
  • a compound of formula (I) in which Z is -S(O)- can, for example, be prepared by reacting a corresponding compound in which Z is -S- with mcpba, in a solvent such as CH 2 C1 2 at around 0°C, or with ⁇ aIO 4 in a mixture of H 2 O, MeOH and dioxane.
  • a compound of formula (I) in which Z is -S(O) 2 - can be prepared from a corresponding compound in which Z is -S- or -S(O)- by (a) reaction with hydrogen peroxide in aqueous acetic acid, (b) reaction with mcpba in CH C1 2 at around 0°C, (c) reaction with NaHSO 5 in water or (d) reaction with KMnO 4 in water. All of these oxidation techniques will, of course, be familiar to those of skill in the art.
  • Scheme 3 provides a process for preparing compounds of formula (I) in which Z s O.
  • a compound of formula (II) can be reacted with a compound of formula (VII) under standard reaction conditions, such as those set out in Giraud et al, J. Org. Chem., 1998, 63, 9162-9163.
  • the compound of formula (VII) can, if necessary, be prepared by reacting an amine of formula R 4 -NH 2 with a compound L-CO-CH(R 2 )OH, wherein L is a leaving group such as OH, under standard amide coupling reaction conditions using coupling agents such as EDCI/HOBT, HATU or HBTU which will be familiar to those of skill in the art.
  • a compound of formula (II) can also be reacted with H N-CO-CH(R 2 )OH under standard reaction conditions such as those set out in Giraud et al, to yield a compound of formula (VIII).
  • a compound of formula (I) in which Ri is O can then be prepared from the thus obtained intermediate of formula (VIII) by standard methods. For example, it can be prepared by reacting a compound of formula (VIII) with a compound of formula R 4 -L, wherein L is a leaving group such as a chlorine atom, in the presence of a base such as NaH in a solvent such as THF at around room temperature.
  • Scheme 4 provides a process for the preparation of compounds of the invention in which Z is -NH-. Reaction conditions for the steps set out in scheme 4 can be found, for example, in Frutos et al, Tet. Assymmetry, 2001, 12, 101-104. '
  • a compound of formula (IX), in which P represents an amino protecting group is reaeted with an amine of formula R ⁇ , typically in a solvent such as THF or DMF, in the presence of a coupling agent such as EDCI/HOBT, at around 0 to 40°C.
  • P is a Boc protecting group or a Z (benzyloxycarbonyl) protecting group.
  • the thus obtained compound of formula (X) can then be deprotected using standard techniques.
  • P is Boc
  • deprotection is typically effected by reaction with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in dichloromethane.
  • P is Z
  • deprotection is typically effected by reaction with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst, for example 5% palladium on carbon.
  • the thus obtained compound of formula (XI) can then be reacted with a compound of formula (II), as defined above, under standard conditions such as those set out in Frutos et al. Typically, this reaction takes place in a solvent such as CH 2 C1 2 .
  • Cyclisation of the thus obtained compound of formula (XII) can be effected, for example, in the presence of AcCl and MeOH to yield a compound of formula (I) in which Z is -NH-.
  • compounds of formula (I) in which R 2 is fluorine can be prepared from corresponding compounds in which R2 is hydrogen by reaction with Et 3 N.3HF in CH 3 CN.
  • compounds in which R 2 is -(d-d alkyl)-CO-NR 5 R 6 can, of course, be prepared by reacting a corresponding compound in which R 2 is -(Ci-d alkyl)-CO-L, wherein L is a leaving group such as a chlorine atom, with an amine HNRsRe.
  • the thus obtained compounds of formula (I) may be salified by treatment with an appropriate acid or base. Racemic mixtures obtained by any of the above processes can be resolved by standard techinques, for example elution on a chiral chromatography column.
  • the compound of formula (I 7 ) can, of course, be prepared in the same way as the compounds of formula (I).
  • the compounds of the invention are found to be inhibitors of N-type calcium channels. Further, many preferred compounds of the invention exhibit selectivity over L-type calcium channels. The compounds of the invention are therefore therapeutically useful.
  • the compounds of the invention may be administered in a variety of dosage forms. Thus, they can be administered orally, for example as tablets, troches, lozenges, aqueous or oily suspensions, dispersible powders or granules.
  • Preferred pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are compositions suitable for oral administration, for example tablets and capsules.
  • the compounds of the invention may also be administered parenterally, whether subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, intrasternally, transdermally or by infusion techniques.
  • the compounds may also be administered as suppositories.
  • inhalation One preferred route of administration is inhalation.
  • the major advantages of inhaled medications are their direct delivery to the area of rich blood supply in comparison to many medications taken by oral route.
  • the absorption is very rapid as the alveoli have an enormous surface area and rich blood supply and first pass metabolism is bypassed.
  • Preferred pharmaceutical compositions of the invention therefore include those suitable for inhalation.
  • the present invention also provides an inhalation device containing such a pharmaceutical composition.
  • said device is a metered dose inhaler (MDI), which contains a pharmaceutically acceptable chemical propellant to push the medication out of the inhaler.
  • said propellant is a fluorocarbon.
  • Further preferred inhalation devices include nebulizers. Nebulizers are devices capable of delivering fine liquid mists of medication through a "mask" that fits over the nose and mouth, using air or oxygen under pressure. They are frequently used to treat those with asthma who cannot use an inhaler, including infants, young children and acutely ill patients of atfages.
  • Said inhalation device can also be, for example, a rotary inhaler or a dry powder inhaler, capable of delivering a compound of the invention without a propellant.
  • said inhalation device contains a spacer.
  • a spacer is a device which enables individuals to inhale a greater amount of medication directly into the lower airways, where it is intended to go, rather than into the throat. Many spacers fit on the end of an inhaler; for some, the canister of medication fits into the device. Spacers with withholding chambers and one-way valves prevent medication from escaping into the air. Many people, especially young children and the elderly, may have difficulties coordinating their inhalation with the action necessary to trigger a puff from a metered dose inhaler. For these patients, use of a spacer is particularly recommended.
  • nasal cavity's highly permeable tissue is very receptive to medication and absorbs it quickly and efficiently, more so than drugs in tablet form.
  • Nasal drug delivery is less painful and invasive than injections, generating less anxiety among patients.
  • Drugs can be delivered nasally in smaller doses than medication delivered in tablet form. By this method absorption is very rapid and first pass metabolism is bypassed, thus reducing inter-patient variability.
  • Nasal delivery devices further allow medication to be administered in precise, metered doses.
  • the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are typically suitable for intranasal administration. Further, the present invention also provides an intranasal device containing such a pharmaceutical composition.
  • a further preferred route of administration is transdermal administration.
  • the present invention therefore also provides a transdermal patch containing a compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
  • sublingual administration is also preferred.
  • the present invention therefore also provides a sub-lingual tablet comprising a compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable, salt thereof.
  • a compound of the invention is typically formulated for admimstration with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.
  • solid oral forms may contain, together with the active compound, diluents, e.g. lactose, dextrose, saccharose, cellulose, corn starch or potato starch; lubricants, e.g.
  • binding agents e.g. starches, arabic gums, gelatin, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose or polyvinyl pyrrolidone
  • disaggregating agents e.g. starch, alginic acid, alginates or sodium starch glycolate
  • dyestuffs effervescing mixtures
  • dyestuffs effer
  • Liquid dispersions for oral administration may be syrups, emulsions and suspensions.
  • the syrups may contain as carriers, for example, saccharose or saccharose with glycerine and/or mannitol and/or sorbitol.
  • Suspensions and emulsions may contain as carrier, for example a natural gum, agar, sodium alginate, pectin, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, or polyvinyl alcohol.
  • the suspension or solutions for intramuscular injections may contain, together with the active compound, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, e.g. sterile water, olive oil, ethyl oleate, glycols, e.g. propylene glycol, and if desired, a suitable amount of lidocaine hydrochloride.
  • Solutions for injection or infusion may contain as carrier, for example, sterile water or preferably they may be in the form of sterile, aqueous, isotonic saline solutions.
  • the compounds of the present invention are therapeutically useful in the treatment or prevention of conditions mediated by N-type calcium channels. Accordingly, the present invention provides the use of a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment or prevention of a condition mediated by N-type calcium channels. Also provided is a method of treating a patient suffering from or susceptible to a condition mediated by N-type calcium channels, which method comprises administering to said patient an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds are useful as calcium channel antagonists thereby inhibiting in a subject the onset of a disorder whose alleviation is mediated by the reduction of calcium ion influx into cells whose actions contribute to the disorder.
  • N-type calcium channels are known to be closely involved in the mediation of pain transmission. Typically, the compounds of the invention are therefore used as analgesic agents. N-type calcium channels have been identified as being particularly important in the transmission of pain signals in the spinal cord (Chaplan S.R., Pogrel J.W., Yaksh T.L. J. Pharm. Exp. Ther., 1994, 269, 1117-1123; Diaz, A., Dickenson, A.H. Pain, 1997, 69, 93-100).
  • the compounds of the invention are accordingly particularly effective in alleviating pain.
  • said medicament is for use in alleviating pain and said patient is suffering from or susceptible to pain.
  • the compounds of the invention are effective in alleviating both chronic and acute pain.
  • Acute pain is generally understood to be a constellation of unpleasant sensory, perceptual and emotional experiences of certain associate autonomic (reflex) responses, and of psychological and behavioural reactions provoked by injury or disease.
  • a discussion of acute pain can be found at Halpern (1984) Advances in Pain Research and Therapy, Vol.7, p.147.
  • Tissue injury provokes a series of noxious stimuli which are transduced by nociceptors to impulses transmitted to the spinal cord and then to the upper part of the nervous system.
  • Examples of acute pains which can be alleviated with the compounds of the invention include musculoskeletal pain, for example joint pain, lower back pain and neck pain, dental pain, post-operative pain, obstetric pain, for example labour pain, acute headache, neuralgia, myalgia, and visceral pain.
  • Chronic pain is generally understood to be pain that persists beyond the usual course of an acute disease or beyond a reasonable time for an injury to heal. A discussion of chronic pain can be found in the Halpern reference given above. Chronic pain is sometimes a result of persistent dysfunction of the nociceptive pain system.
  • Examples of chronic pains which can be alleviated with the compounds of the invention include trigeminal neuralgia, post-herpetic neuralgia (a form of chronic pain accompanied by skin changes in a dermatomal distribution following damage by acute Herpes Zoster disease), diabetic neuropathy, causalgia, "phantom limb” pain, pain associated with osteoarthritis, pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, pain associated with cancer, pain associated with HIV, neuropathic pain, migraine and other conditions associated with chronio- ' cephalic pain, primary and secondary hyperalgesia, inflammatory pain, nociceptive pain, tabes dorsalis, spinal cord injury pain, central pain, post-herpetic pain, noncardiac chest pain, irritable bowel syndrome and pain associated with bowel disorders and dyspepsia.
  • neurogenic pain Some of the chronic pains set out above, for example, trigeminal neuralgia, diabetic neuropathic pain, causalgia, phantom limb pain and central post-stroke pain, have also been classified as neurogenic pain.
  • One non-limiting definition of neurogenic pain is pain caused by dysfunction of the peripheral or central nervous system in the absence of nociceptor stimulation by trauma or disease.
  • the compounds of the invention can, of course, be used to alleviate or reduce the incidence of neurogenic pain.
  • blockers of N-type calcium channels inhibit the release of excitatory amino acids, they can be used inter alia to inhibit damage to neuronal cells during anoxia, and function as neuroprotective agents, useful in the treatment of cerebral ischaemia or central nervous system injuries (Cox, B.; Denyer, J.C. Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents, 1998, 8, 1237-1250).
  • the compounds can also be utilised for the treatment of eye diseases (Chu, T-C; Potter, D.E. Research Communications in Pharmacology and Toxicology, 2001, 6, 263-275).
  • cerebral ischaemias which can be treated or prevented with the compounds of the invention include transient ischaemic attack, stroke, for example thrombotic stroke, ischaemic stroke, embolic stroke, haemorrhagic stroke or lacunar stroke, subarachnoid haemorrage, cerebral vasospasm, peri-natal asphyxia, drowning, cardiac arrest and subdural haematoma.
  • central nervous system injuries which can be treated with the compounds of the invention include traumatic brain injury, neurosurgery (surgical trauma), neuroprotection for head injuries, raised intracranial pressure, cerebral oedema, hydrocephalus and spinal cord injury.
  • eye diseases which can be treated or prevented with the compounds of the invention include drug-induced optic neuritis, cataract, diabetic neuropathy, ischaemic retinopathy, retinal haemorrage, retinitis pigmentosa, acute glaucoma, in particular acute normal tension glaucoma, chronic glaucoma, in particular chronic normal tension glaucoma, macular degeneration, retinal artery occlusion and retinitis.
  • the compounds of the invention can be used in the treatment of seizure disorders.
  • seizure disorders which can be treated or prevented with the compounds of the invention include epilepsy and post-traumatic epilepsy, partial epilepsy (simple partial seizures, complex partial seizures, and partial seizures secondarily generalised seizures), generalised seizures, including generalised tonic/clonic seizures (grand mal), absence seizures (petit mal), myoclonic seizures, atonic seizures, clonic seizures, and tonic seizures, Lennox Gastaut, West Syndome (infantile spasms), multiresistant seizures and seizure prophylaxis (antiepileptogenic).
  • the compounds of the invention can be utilised in the treatment of tinnitus, itch such as pruritoceptive, neuropathic, neurogenic and psychogenic itch, as well as urinary tract disorders such as urinary incontinence, and irritable bowel syndrome.
  • the compounds of the invention may also have application in disorders Which are generally associated with blocking of L-type calcium channels; such as cardiovascular, antiasthmatic and antibronchoconstriction disorders for example in the prevention and treatment of disorders such as hypersensitivity, allergy, asthma, bronchospasm, dysmenorrhea, esophageal spasm, premature labour, gastrointestinal motility disorders and cardiovascular disorders wherein the cardiovascular disorder is selected from the group consisting of hypertension, myocardial ischemia, angina, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction and stroke.
  • the compounds of the invention may, where appropriate, be used prophylactically to reduce the incidence of such conditions.
  • a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention is administered to a patient.
  • a typical dose is from about 0.001 to 50 mg per kg of body weight, according to the activity of the specific compound, the age, weight and conditions of the subject to be treated, the type and severity of the disease and the frequency and route of administration.
  • Preferably, daily dosage levels are from 5 mg to 2 g-
  • the following Examples illustrate the invention. They do not, however, limit the invention in any way. In this regard, it is important to understand that the particular assays used in the Examples section are designed only to provide an indication of activity in inhibiting N-type calcium channels. There are many assays available to determine the activity of given compounds as N-type calcium channel antagonists, and a negative result in any one particular assay is therefore not determinative.
  • Example 1 (compound 2) 3-(2-Pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-2-[l-(toluene-4-sulfonyl)-lH-pyrrol-2-yl]-thiazolidin-4-one l-(p-ToluenesuIfonyl)pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde (50 mg, 0.2 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous THF (0.3 ml) in a deep well plate. 2-(2-Aminoethyl)pyridine (25 mg, 0.2 mmol, 1 equiv) was also dissolved in anhydrous THF (0.3 ml) and added to the aldehyde solution.
  • Thdoglycolic acid 0.05 ml, 0.72 mmol, 3.6 equiv
  • triethyl orthoformate 0.125 ml, 0.75 mmol, 3.8 equiv
  • the solvent was removed in a Genevac. The residue was then dissolved in DCM (1 ml) and washed with 7% aqueous potassium carbonate solution (2 x 1 ml) followed by water (l x l ml).
  • the title compound was prepared using a procedure analogous to that described in Preparation Example 2 using 3-bromo-4-fluorobenzaldehyde, mercaptoacetic acid and 3-(2-aminoethyl)pyridine (Lancaster, 16311) in benzene.
  • the human neuroblastoma cell line IMR32 has been used by a number of groups to investigate calcium ion channels either by electrophysiological or fluorescent techniques in low throughput assays (Carbone, E., et al. (1990) Pfl ⁇ gers Arch 416:170- 179; Rafferty, M., et al. (2000) Patent WO 00/06559; Seko, T., et al., (2001) Bioorg Med Chem Lett 11 :2067-2070).
  • undifferentiated IMR32 cells constitutively express L- type calcium channels, whilst differentiated IMR32 cells express both N- and L-type channels. Therefore, undifferentiated IMR32 cells can be used to assay the L-type calcium channel and differentiated cells assayed in the presence of 5 ⁇ M riitrendipine can be used to study the N-type channels.
  • the Molecular Devices Corp FLEXstationTM was utilised to develop a medium throughput assay with undifferentiated and differentiated IMR32 cells labelled with Fluo-4. Opening of voltage-activated calcium channels was stimulated by depolarisation of cells with KCl, which was added by the FLEXstation's fluidics system. The resulting influx of calcium into the cells was recorded by an increase in fluorescence. The assays were validated with known ion channel blockers.
  • IMR32 cells were grown in EMEM supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum, 2 mM lutamine, 1% NEAA, 100 U/ml penicillin and 100 ⁇ g/ml streptomycin. To differentiate the IMR32 cells, 1 mM dibutyryl cAMP and 2.5 ⁇ M bromodeoxyuridine were added to the cell culture media and cells maintained for 7-9 days.
  • HBSS Free cell dissociation buffer
  • the cells were then resuspended in assay buffer (HBSS containing Ca 2+ /Mg 2+ and supplemented with 20 mM HEPES, pH 7.4) to give a total volume of 40 ml. 2 ⁇ M Fluo-4 and 50 ⁇ M probenecid were added and then the cells were incubated at 25 °C for 30 min.
  • the cell pellet was resuspended in 40 ml assay buffer supplemented with 50 ⁇ M probenecid and incubated at 25 °C for a further 30 min.
  • the ceils were centrifuged as before and again resuspended in assay buffer supplemented with probenecid.
  • 200,000 cells were aliquoted into each well of a 96-well plate containing 0.001-100 ⁇ M compound to be tested (for the N-type assay 5 ⁇ M nitrendipine was also added to each well), in triplicate.
  • the final volume of compound and cells in assay buffer was 200 ⁇ l.
  • the plate containing cells was centrifuged at 300 rpm for 1 min with no brake in a Heraeus Labofuge 400E (rotor 8177).
  • the plate was then assayed using the FLEXstation (Molecular Devices Corp).
  • the excitation and emission wavelengths were 494 and 525 nm, respectively.
  • the calcium response was stimulated by the addition of 50 ⁇ l 250 mM KCl (50 mM final concentration) by the FLEXstation fluidics system.
  • SOFTmax Pro (Molecular Devices Corp) was used to calculate the change in fluorescence caused by calcium influx for each well and hence the IC5 0 or each compound. The results are shown in the Tables below.
  • Chronic inflammatory conditions produce a state of hyperalgesia, which is evident from a few hours to days after administration of an inflammatory stimulus.
  • FCA Freund's complete adjuvant
  • carrageenan have been well documented to produce this state in laboratory animals following intraplantar injection.
  • intraplantar injection of FCA in the rat is associated with the development of persistent hyperalgesia within a few hours, which is confined to the ipsilateral paw.
  • the displacement volume (ml) of-each hindpaw was assessed using plethysmometer.
  • paw withdrawal threshold of both ipsilateral and contralateral paws was determined using an algesymeter (Ugo Basile, Italy). An increasing weight was applied to each paw until a withdrawal reflex was elicited.
  • Allodynia an extreme tenderness or hypersensitivit ' y of the skin resulting from nerve damage, was examined in the model of neuropathic pain induced by partial ligation of the sciatic nerve as described by Seltzer et al. (Seltzer_ Z., Dubner, R. and Shir, Y., 1990.
  • the wound was closed with a single muscle suture and skin clips.
  • the animals were allowed to recover and evaluated 12-15 days following surgery.
  • Tactile allodynia was assessed in rats by measuring withdrawal thresholds to calibrated von Frey hairs with intensities ranging from 1 to 15 g. Filaments exerting a force above 15 g were not used as they produced lifting of the paws.
  • animals were placed in a perspex chamber with mesh metal floor and allowed to acclimatise for 15 - 30 min. Starting with the lowest filament force, von Frey hairs were applied perpendicular to the mid plantar surface of the both hind paws, with sufficient force to cause slight bending against the paw and held for 5 seconds.

Abstract

Compounds of formulae (I) and (I’) channels wherein R1, R2 and R3 are organic residues, Y is a linker and R3 is aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl are N-type calcium channel antagonists and are therefore useful in the treatment of pain.

Description

l , 3-THIAZ0LIN-4-0NES AS THERAPEUTIC COMPOUNDS IN THE TREATMENT OF PAIN
The present invention relates to specific thiazolidinone, oxazolidinone and imidazolone derivatives, which act as inhibitors of N-type calcium channels.
Mammalian ion^channels are becoming increasingly well characterised, and this is especially true of calcium channels. Voltage-gated calcium channels are critical components for the functioning of the nervous system, and they signal a painful event. To date, 7 subtypes of these channels have been identified (L, N, T, O, P, Q and R), each expressed in various combinations by neuronal and non-neuronal cells (Perez- Reyes, E. Schneider, T. Drug Dev. Res., 1994, 33, 295-318). These channels are now recognised as valid targets for pain therapeutics and as neuroprotective agents (Cox, B.; Denyer, J.C. Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents, 1998, 8, 1237-1250).
WO 99/62891 discloses specific thiazolidinone and metathiazanone compounds as potassium channel inhibitors. The potassium channel inhibitors are contemplated for use in treating cardiac arrhythmias, cell proliferative disorders, disorders of the auditory system, central nervous system mediated motor dysfunction and disorders of pulmonary, vascular and visceral smooth muscle contractility. -
EP-A-705816 relates to calcium antagonists. Some thiazolidinones are exemplified. A limited range of specific N-containing groups is present at the 3- position of the exemplified thiazolidinones.
It has now surprisingly been found that particular compounds of the general formula (I) set out below act as inhibitors of N-type calcium channels. Accordingly, the present invention provides the use, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment or prevention of a condition mediated by N-type calcium channels, of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,
Figure imgf000002_0001
wherein: Z is -S-, -S(O)-, -SO2-, -O- or -NR- wherein R is hydrogen, C C6 alkyl or -CO-(Cι-C6 alkyl);
R1 is hydrogen or Cι-C6 alkyl;
R2 is hydrogen, fluorine, C1-Q5 alkyl, -(Cι-C6 alkyl)-CO2H or -(C C6 alkyι)-CO-NR5R5, wherein either (a) R5 is-hydrogen, aryl or -(CιC6 alkyl)-aryl and R6 is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond, a Cι-C6 alkylene group, a C -C6 alkenylene group or a C2-C6 alkynylene group and R is hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl or (b) R5 and Re, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, represent a moiety -Heti-
Het2, wherein Heti is a heterocyclyl or heteroaryl group and Het2 is hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, -CH(aryl) or -CH(heteroaryl) ;
Y is -(CRy 2)q-, -(CRy 2)ra-X4-(CRy 2)„-, -(CRy 2)m-A-(CRy 2)m- or -(CRy 2)m-A-(CRy 2)p-X3-
(CRy 2)m, wherein: p, q, m and n are each independently an integer of 0 to 4; A is aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl; X3 is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -S(O)-, -SO2-, -O-CO-, -S-CO-, -NR'-CO, -CO-O-, -CO-S- or -CO-NR wherein R' is hydrogen, Cι-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl or C2-C6 alkynyl;
X4 is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -S(O or -SO2- wherein R' is hydrogen, Cι-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl or C -C6 alkynyl; each Ry is the same or different and is hydrogen, Cι-C6 alkyl, C2-C alkenyl, C2- C6 alkynyl, aryl or heteroaryl; R3 is hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl or carbocyclyl; and Rz* is methyl, -Ci-Xi-Ari or -C -X2-C3, wherein:
Ci is a direct bond, a Cι-C6 alkylene group, a C2-C alkenylene group or a C2-C6 alkynylene group;
Xi is a direct bond when Ci is a direct bond and, when Ci is a Cι-C alkylene group, C2-C6 alkenylene group or C2-C6 alkynylene group, represents a direct bond or -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -SO-, -SO2-, -CO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO-, -CO-O-R"-CO-O-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-O-, -CO-O-R"-CO- NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -O-CO-NR'- or -NR'-CO-O-, wherein each R' is the same or different and represents hydrogen, phenyl, Cι-C alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl or C2-C6 alkynyl and each R" is the same or different and represents a Cι-C6 alkylene group, a C -C6 alkenylene group or a C2-C6 alkynylene group; Ari is heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl, carbocyclyl, heteroaryl-Ra-, heterocyclyl- Ra-, aryl-Ra- or carbocyclyl-Ra-, wherein Ra is a Cι-C6 alkylene group, a C2-C6 alkenylene group or a C -C6 alkynylene group;
C is a Cι-C6 alkylene group, a C -C6 alkenylene group or a C -C6 alkynylene group; - X2 is a direct bond or -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -SO-, -SO2-, -CO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO-, -CO-O-R"-CO-O-, -CO-NR'-R" -CO-O-, -CO-O-R"-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -NR'-CO-O- or -O-CO- NR'-, wherein each R' is the same or different and represents hydrogen, phenyl, Cι-C6 alkyl, C -C6 alkenyl or C -C6 alkynyl and each R" is the same or different and represents a Cι-C6 alkylene group, a C2-C6 alkenylene group or a C2-C6 alkynylene group; and
C3 is a Cι-C6 alkyl group, a C2-C6 alkenyl group or a C -C6 alkynyl group, wherein: the alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl, alkenylene, alkynyl and alkynylene groups and moieties in the R1 to R4 substituents are unsubstituted or carry 1, 2 or 3 unsubstituted substituents selected from aryl, hydroxy, Cι-C6 alkoxy, -C6 alkylthio, -NH2, -NH(C!-C6 alkyl), -N(Cι-C6 alkyl)2, halogen, cyano, nitro, -NHCO-(Cι-C6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(Cι-C6 alkyl), -CO-O-(Cι-C6 alkyl) and -OrCO-(Cι-C6 alkyl) substituents; and the aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl and heterocyclyl groups and moieties in the R1 to R4 substituents are unsubstituted or carry 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, Cι-C6 alkyl, Cι-C6 alkoxy, Cι-C6 alkylthio, C3-C6 carbocyclyl, C3-C6 carbocyclyloxy, C3-C6 carbocyclylthio, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkenyloxy, C2-C alkenylthio, C2-C6 alknynyl, C2-C6 alkynyloxy, C2-C6 alkynylthio, hydroxy, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C6 alkyl), -N(Cι-C6 alkyl)2, cyano, nitro, -NH-CO-(Cι-C6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(Cι- C6 alkyl), -CO-O-(Cι-C6 alkyl) and -O-CO-(Cι-C6 allcyl) substituents, said substituents being unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 further unsubstituted substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, CrC6 alkoxy, Cι-C6 allcylthio, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C6 alkyl), -N(Cι- C6 alkyl)2, -NH-CO-(C1-C6.alkyl), -CO-NH-(Cι-C6 alkyl) and -O-CO-(C C6 alkyl) substituents. Typically, R2 in the formula (I) is hydrogen, fluorine or - alkyl and Rj in the formula (I) is -Ci-Xi-Ari or -C2-X2-C3 wherein Ci; Xls Ari, C2, X2 and C3 are as defined above.
As used herein, a Cι-C6 alkyl group or moiety is a linear or branched alkyl group or moiety containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as a Cι-C4 alkyl group or moiety. Examples of Cι-C4 alkyl groups are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl and t-butyl.
Preferred substituents on an alkyl group or moiety in the formula (I) are hydroxy, halogen, -C2 alkoxy, -NH2, -NH(C C2 alkyl) and -N(Cι-C2 alkyl)2, in particular fluorine and hydroxy. The substituents on an alkyl group are themselves unsubstituted.
As used herein, a Cι-C6 alkylene group is a linear or branched Cι-C6 alkylene group. Typically, it is a Cι-C4 alkylene group, for example a methylene, ethylene, n- propylene, i-propylene or n-butylene group.
Preferably, an alkylene group in the formula (I) is unsubstituted. When it is substituted, preferred substituents are hydroxy, halogen, Cι-C2 alkoxy, -NH , -NH(Cι- C alkyl) and -N(Cι-C alkyl)2, in particular fluorine and hydroxy. The substituents on an alkylene group are themselves unsubstituted.
As used herein, a C -C6 alkenyl group or moiety is a linear or branched alkenyl group or moiety containing from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, such as a C -C4 alkenyl group or moiety. Examples of C -C4 alkenyl groups are ethenyl, n-propenyl and n-butenyl. Typically an alkenyl group has only one double bond. This double bond is typically located at the α-position of the alkenyl group.
An alkenyl group or moiety in the formula (I) is preferably unsubstituted. When it is substituted, preferred substituents are hydroxy, halogen, Cι-C2 alkoxy, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C2 alkyl) and -N(Cι-C2 alkyl) , in particular fluorine and hydroxy. The substituents on an alkenyl group are themselves unsubstituted. •
As used herein, a C2-C6 alkenylene group is a linear or branched C -C6 alkenylene group. Typically, it is a C2-C4 alkenylene group, for example an ethenylene, n-propenylene or n-butenylene group. Typically an alkenylene group has only one double bond. This double bond is typically located at the α-position of the alkenylene group. An alkenylene group in the formula (I) is preferably unsubstituted. When it is substituted, preferred substituents are hydroxy, halogen, Cι-C2 alkoxy, -NH , -NH(Cι- C2 alkyl) and -N(Cι-C2 alkyl)2, in particular fluorine and hydroxy. The substituents on an alkenylene group are themselves unsubstituted.
As used herein, & C -C6 alkynyl group or moiety is a linear or branched alkynyl group or moiety containing from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, such as a C2-C4 alkynyl group or moiety. Examples of C -C4 alkynyl groups are ethynyl, propynyl and n-butynyl. Typically an alkynyl group has only one triple bond. This triple bond is typically located at the α-position of the alkynyl group.
An alkynyl group or moiety in the formula (I) is preferably unsubstituted. When it is substituted, preferred substituents are hydroxy, halogen, Cι-C2 alkoxy, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C2 alkyl) and -N(Cι-C2 alkyl)2, in particular fluorine and hydroxy. The substituents on an alkynyl group are themselves unsubstituted.
As used herein, a C -C6 alkynylene group is a linear or branched C2-C6 alkynylene group. Typically, it is a C -C4 alkynylene group, for example. an ethynylene, propynylene or n-butynylene group. Typically an alkynylene group has only one triple bond. This triple bond is typically located at the α-position of the alkynylene group.
An alkynylene group in the formula (I) is preferably unsubstituted. When it is substituted, preferred substituents are hydroxy, halogen, Cι-C alkoxy, -NH , -NH(Cr C2 alkyl) and -N(Cι-C alkyl) , in particular fluorine and hydroxy. The substituents on • an alkynylene group are themselves unsubstituted.
As used herein, an aryl group is typically a C6-Cι0 aryl group such as phenyl or naphthyl. Phenyl is preferred. An aryl group in the formula (I) may be unsubstituted or substituted at any position. Preferred substituents include Cι-C4 alkyl, Cι-C alkoxy, Cι-C alkylthio, C5-C6 carbocyclyloxy, C -C alkenyloxy, halogen (for example fluorine), hydroxy, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C2 alkyl), -N(C1-C2 alkyl)2 and -NH-CO-(Cι-C2 alkyl).
Substituents on an aryl group in the formula (I) are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, Cι-C6 alkoxy, Cι-C6 alkylthio, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C6 alkyl), -N<Cι-C6 alkyl)2, -NH-CO-(C!-C6 alkyl), -CO-NH- (Cι-C alkyl) and -O-CO-(Cι-C6 alkyl). These further substituents are themselves unsubstituted. Preferably, the Cι-C6 alkyl moieties present in the further substituents are Cι-C2 alkyl moieties. More preferably, substituents on an aryl group are unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents which are halo substituents.
References to an aryl group in the formula (I) include fused ring systems in which an aryl group is fused to a carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl group. The carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl group to which the aryl group is fused is typically monocyclic. Examples of such fused ring systems are a phenyl group fused to a pyridine ring to form a quinoline or isoquinoline group and a phenyl ring fused to a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring containing 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms selected fromN, O and S; for example a phenyl ring fused to a 1,4-dioxanyl ring to form a 1,4- benzodioxanyl group, a phenyl ring fused to a 1,3-dioxolanyl ring to form a 1,3- benzodioxolyl group, and a phenyl ring fused to a tetrahydrofuranyl ring to form a 2,3- dihydrobenzofuran group.
As used herein, a heteroaryl group is typically a 5- to 10- membered aromatic ring, such as a 5- or 6- membered ring, containing at least one heteroatom, for example 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms, selected from O, S and N. Examples include pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, furanyl, thienyl, imidazolyl, pyrazol inyl, pyrrolyl, oxadiazolyl, isoxazyl, thiadiazolyl, thiazolyl and pyrazolyl groups. Pyridyl, furanyl, thienyl, imidazolyl and pyrrolyl groups are preferred.
A heteroaryl group in the formula (I) may be unsubstituted or substituted at any position. Preferred substituents include Cι~C4 alkyl, Cι-C alkoxy, Cι-C alkylthio, C5- C6 carbocyclyloxy, C2-C alkenyloxy, halogen (for example fluorine), hydroxy, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C2 alkyl), -N(d-C2 alkyl)2 and -NH-CO-(Cι-C2 alkyl). Particularly preferred substituents include Cι-C4 alkyl groups and halogen atoms.
Substituents on a heteroaryl group in the formula (I) are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, Cι-C6 alkoxy, C C6 alkylthio, -NH2, -NH(d-C6 alkyl), -N(Cj-C6 alkyl)2, -NH-CO-(Cι-C6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(Cι-C6 alkyl) and -O-CO-(Cι-C6 alkyl). These further substituents are themselves unsubstituted. Preferably, the Cι-C6 alkyl moieties present in the further . substituents are Cj-C alkyl moieties. More preferably, substituents on a heteroaryl group are unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents which are halo substituents. Most preferably, substituents on a heteroaryl group are unsubstituted. References in the formula (I) to a heteroaryl group include fused ring systems in which a heteroaryl group is fused to a said aryl group, to a further heteroaryl group or to a heterocyclyl group. The aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl group to which the heteroaryl group is fused is typically monocyclic. Examples of such fused heteroaryl groups are heteroaryl groups fusedrto a phenyl ring including benzimidazolyl, benzofuranyl, quinolinyl and isoquinolinyl groups.
As used herein, a carbocyclyl group is a non-aromatic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon ring, typically having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms. Preferably it is a saturated hydrocarbon ring (i.e. a cycloalkyl group) having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms or an unsaturated ring having only one double bond. Examples include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexenyl and cyclohexyl.. It is preferably- cyclohexenyl, cyclohexyl or cyclopentyl.
A carbocyclyl group in the formula (I) may be unsubstituted or substituted at any position. Preferred substituents include Cι-C alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, Cι-C4 alkylthio, C5-C6 carbocyclyloxy, C2-C4 alkenyloxy, halogen (for example fluorine), hydroxy, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C2 alkyl), -N(Cι-C2 alkyl)2 and -NH-CO-(CrC2 alkyl). Most preferably, a carbocyclyl group is unsubstituted.
Substituents on a carbocyclyl group in the formula (I) are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, Cι-C alkoxy, Cι-C6 alkylthio, -NH2, -NH(C C6 alkyl), -N(Cι-C6 alkyl)2, -NH-CO-(Cι-C6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(d-C6 alkyl) and -O-CO-(C C6 alkyl). These further substituents are themselves unsubstituted. Preferably, the Cι-C6 alkyl moieties present in the further substituents are Cι-C2 alkyl moieties. More preferably, substituents on an carbocyclyl group are unsubstituted.
References in the formula (I) to a carbocyclyl group include fused ring systems in which a carbocyclyl group is fused to a phenyl ring. An example of such a fused ring system is 2,3-dihydro-lH-indenyl
As used herein, a heterocyclyl group is typically a non-aromatic, saturated or unsaturated C5-Cιo carbocyclic ring in which one or more, for example 1, 2 or 3, of the carbon atoms are replaced by a heteroatom selected from N, O and S. Saturated heterocyclyl groups are preferred. Examples of suitable heterocyclyl groups include piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, imidazolidinyl. 1,4 dioxanyl and 1,3 dioxolanyl. Tetrahydrofuranyl, 1,4-dioxanyl and 1,3-dioxolanyl are preferred, in particular 1,4-dioxanyl. ' .
A heterocyclyl group in the formula (I) may be unsubstituted or substituted at any position. Preferred substituents include Cι-C alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylthio, C5-C carbocyclyloxy, C -C4 alkenyloxy, halogen (for example fluorine), hydroxy, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C2 alkyl), -N(Cι-C2alkyl)2 and -NH-CO-(Cι-C2 alkyl). Most preferably, a heterocyclyl group is unsubstituted.
Substituents on a heterocyclyl group in the formula (I) are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, Cι-C6 alkoxy, Cι-C6 alkylthio, -NH2, -NHCQ-Cβ alkyl), -N(C!-C6 alkyl)2, -NH-CO-(Cι-C6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(Cι-C6 alkyl) and -O-CO-(C C6 alkyl). These .further' substituents are themselves unsubstituted. Preferably, the Cι-C6 alkyl moieties present in the further substituents are Cι-C2 alkyl moieties. More preferably, substituents on a heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted.
References in the formula (I) to a heterocyclyl group include fused ring systems in which a heterocyclyl group is fused to a said aryl group, a said heteroaryl group or to a further heterocyclyl group. The aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl group to which the heteroaryl group is fused is typically monocyclic. Preferred such fused ring systems are heterocyclyl groups fused to a phenyl ring. An example of such a fused heterocyclyl group is 1,4-benzodioxanyl.
As used herein a halogen is typically chlorine, fluorine, bromine or iodine and is preferably chlorine or fluorine. As used herein, an alkoxy, alkenyloxy, alkynyloxy or carbocyclyloxy group is typically a said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or carbocyclyl group respectively, which is attached to an oxygen atom. An alkylthio, alkenylthio, alkynylthio or carbocyclylthio group is typically a said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or • carbocyclyl group respectively, which is attached to a thio group÷
When Z is -NR-, R is typically -COCH3 or -CO-CH2-CH3 . Typically, Z is -S-, -S(O)- or -S(O)2-. In a further embodiment, Z is typically -S- or -O-. Most preferably, Z is -S-.
Typically, Ri is hydrogen or an unsubstituted Cι-C alkyl group. Preferably, Ri is hydrogen or -CH3. More preferably, Ri is hydrogen. Typically, R2 represents hydrogen, fluorine, C1-C4 alkyl, -(Cι-C4 alkyl)-CO2H or -(C1-C4
Figure imgf000010_0001
wherein either (a) R5 is hydrogen, aryl or -(Cι-C alkyl)-aryl and 5 is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond or a Cι-C4 alkylene group and R is hydrogen, aryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl or (b) R5 and E^, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are-attached, represent a moiety -Hetι-Het , wherein Heti is a heterocyclyl group and Het is hydrogen, aryl or -CH(aryl)2.
More typically, R2 represents hydrogen, an unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, -(CH2)a-CO2H or -(CH2)b-CONR5R5 wherein a and b are 1 or 2 and either (a) R5 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted benzyl group and Re is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond or an unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkylene group and R is hydrogen or a phenyl, cyclohexenyl, piperidyl, pyridyl or benzimidazolyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen, hydroxy, -OCH3 or -OCH CH3 substituent, or (b) R5 and R6, together with the N atom to which they are attached, represent a pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl or piperazinyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by an unsubstituted -CHPh2 group.
Preferably, R2 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkyl group. More preferably, R2 is hydrogen.
Typically, each Ry is the same or different and is hydrogen, Cι-C6 alkyl, aryl or heteroaryl. Preferably, each Ry is the same or different and is hydrogen, a Cι-C4 alkyl or phenyl group. Preferably, each Ry is the same or different and is hydrogen, -CH3, -CH2-CH3 or an unsubstituted phenyl group. Typically, when two or more Ry groups are present, no more than 2 of, preferably no more than 1 of, said Ry groups is aryl or heteroaryl.
Typically, each Ry is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, NH2, NH(Cι-C2 alkyl) or N(Cι-C2 alkyl)2. Preferably, the substituents on Ry are selected from Cι-C2 alkyl, Cι-C2 alkoxy, halogen and hydroxy. Typically, the substituents on Ry are themselves unsubstituted. Preferably, Ry is unsubstituted.
Typically A is aryl, for example phenyl, or heteroaryl, for example pyridyl or pyrrolyl. Preferably, A is phenyl, pyridyl or pyrrolyl. The moiety A is typically unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents. The substituents on A are typically selected from C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, NH2, NH(Cι-Q alkyl) or N(Cι-C2 alkyl)2. Preferably, the substituents on A are selected from Cι-C2 alkyl, Cι-C2 alkoxy, halogen and hydroxy. Typically, the substituents on A are themselves unsubstituted.
In the group X3, R' is typically hydrogen or an unsubstituted Cι-C6 alkyl group, preferably hydrogen or -CH3, most preferably hydrogen. Typically, X3 is -O-, -S-, -SO- , -SO2-, -O-CO-, -CO-O-, -NH-CO- or -CO-NH-. Preferably X3 is -O-, -S-, -SO-, -SO2- or -NH-CO-, more preferably -O-, -SO2- or -NH-CO-. Typically, p is 0 or 1, preferably 0. Typically, q is 0, 1, 2 or 3, preferably 0 or 1. Typically, m is 0 or 1. Typically, n is 1 or 2, preferably 1.
In the group X4, R' is typically hydrogen or an unsubstituted C1-Q5 alkyl group, preferably hydrogen or -CH3, most preferably hydrogen. Typically, X4 is -O-, -S- or -NR'- wherein R' is as defined above. Preferably X4 is -O- or -S-. More preferably X4 is -O-.
Y is preferably a direct bond or a group of formula -(CRy 2)-, -(CH2)mO(CH2)n-, -A- or -A-X3-(CH2)ra-, wherein Ry, A, X3, m and n are as defined above.
R3 is typically hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl or carbocyclyl. Preferably, when R3 is aryl it is a phenyl group or a phenyl group fused to a heteroaryl or heterocyclyl group. Examples of such fused ring systems are phenyl groups fused to a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclyl ring having 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from O, S and N. Preferred examples of such fused ring systems are 1,3-benzodioxolyl, 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran and 1,4-benzodioxanyl. Preferably, when R3 is aryl it is phenyl, 1,3-benzodioxolyl, 2,3- dihydrobenzofuran or 1,4-benzodioxanyl. When R is heteroaryl, it is preferably thienyl, furyl, pyrrolyl, pyridinyl or a heteroaryl ring fused to a phenyl ring, for example quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl or benzofuranyl. More preferably, when R3 is heteroaryl, it is thienyl, furyl, quinolinyl or benzofuranyl. When R3 is carbocyclyl it is preferably cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl, most preferably cyclopentyl.
More preferably, R3 is hydrogen, phenyl, thienyl, furyl, quinolinyl, benzofuranyl, cyclopentyl, 1,4-benzodioxanyl, 1,3-benzodioxolyl or 2,3- dihydrobenzofuran.
Typically, R3 is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 substituents. The substituents are typically chosen from halogen, for example fluorine, chlorine or bromine, hydroxy, Cι-C6 alkyl, Cι-C6 alkoxy, Cι-C6 alkylthio, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkenyloxy, C2-C6 alkenylthio, C2-C6 alknynyl, C2-C6 alkynyloxy, C2-C6 alkynylthio, C3-C carbocyclyl, C3-C6 carbocyclyloxy, C3-C6 carbocyclylthio, -NH-CO-(Cι-C6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(Cι-C6 alkyl) and -NR'R" wherein R' and R" are each independently hydrogen or a Cι-C6 alkyl group.
Preferred substituents on R3 are halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, Cι-C alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylthio, C2-C alkenyl, C -C4 alkenyloxy, C3-C6 carbocycyl, C3-C6 carbocyclyloxy, -NH-CO-(Cι-C2 alkyl) and -N(Cι-C2 alkyl)2. More preferred substituents on R3 are halogen, Cι-C4 alkyl, Cι-C alkoxy, Cι-C4 alkylthio, C2-C4 alkenyloxy, C3-C6 carbocyclyloxy, -NH-CO-Me and -N(CH3)2.
Typically, the substituents- on R3 are themselves unsubstituted or further substituted with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen, in particular fluorine, and hydroxy.
Typically, R4 is -CH3 or is -Ci-Xi-Ari or -C2-X2-C3, wherein Ci, Xi, Ari, C2, X2 and C3 are as defined above.
Typically, Ci is a direct bond or a Cι-C6 alkylene group, preferably a Cι-C alkylene group. More preferably, Ci is an unsubstituted Cι-C -alkylene group. Most preferably, d is -CH2-, -(CH2)2- or -(CH2)3-.
For the avoidance of doubt, the orientation of the group Xi is such that the left hand side of the depicted moiety is attached to d and the right hand side of the depicted moiety is attached to Ari. Thus, for example, when Xi is -S-CO-, the moiety -C1-X1-
Figure imgf000012_0001
Typically, each R' in the moiety Xi is the same or different and is hydrogen, or an unsubstituted phenyl or Cι-C6 alkyl group, preferably hydrogen, -CH3 or -CH2-CH3. More preferably, each R' in the moiety Xi is hydrogen. Typically, each R" in the moiety Xi is an unsubstituted d-C6 alkylene group, preferably -CH - or -CH2-CH -. More preferably, each R" is -CH2-.
Typically, Xi is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -CO-O-, -CO-S-, -NR'-CO- or -CO-NR'-, wherein R' is as defined above. Preferably, Xi is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -S-CO-, -O-CO- or -NH-CO-. More preferably, Xi is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -S-CO- or -O-CO-. Typically Ari is heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl, carbocyclyl, heteroaryl-(Cι-C6 alkyl)-, heterocyclyl-(Cι-C6 alkyl)-, aryl-(Cι-C6 alkyl)- or carbocyclyl-(Cι-C6 alkyl)-. When Ari is a heteroaryl-(Cι-C6 alkyl)-, aryl-(Cι-C6 alkyl)-, heterocyclyl-(Cι-C6 alkyl)- or carbocyclyl-(Cι-C6 alkyl)- group, the alkyl moiety is typically an unsubstituted methylene or ethylene moiety.
Preferably, Ari is heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl, carbocyclyl, heteroaryl-(Cι-C2 alkyl)- or aryl-(Cι-C2 alkyl)-. More preferably Ar is heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl , carbocyclyl or heteroaryl-(Cι-C2 alkyl)-, most preferably heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl or heteroaryl-(Cι-C alkyl)-.
When Ari is heteroaryl, it is preferably a pyridyl, thienyl or benzimidazolyl group, more preferably a thienyl or benzimidazolyl group. When Ari is heteroaryl-(Cι- C2 alkyl)-, it is preferably a thienyl-methyl-, pyridyl-methyl- or furanyl-methyl- group, more preferably a thienyl-methyl- or furanyl-methyl- group. When Ari is heterocyclyl, it is preferably a morpholinyl, piperazinyl, piperadinyl or pyrrolidinyl group or a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclyl group fused to a phenyl ring, for example a 1 ,4- benzodioxanyl group or a 1,3-benzodioxolyl group. More preferably, when Ari is heterocyclyl it is a 1,4-benzodioxanyl group. When Ari is aryl-, it is preferably a phenyl group or a phenyl group fused to a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclyl ring, for example a 1,3-benzodioxolyl group or a 1,4-benzodioxanyl group. More preferably, when Ari is aryl it is a phenyl group or a 1,3-benzodioxolyl group. When Ari is carbocyclyl, it is preferably cyclohexenyl or 1,2-dihydro-lH-indenyl.
Typically, the group Ari is unsubstituted or carries one or more, for example 1, 2 or 3, substituents on the cyclic group. The substituents are typically selected from halogen, for example fluorine or. chlorine, C1-C4 alkyl, hydroxy, Cι-C alkoxy, -NR'R" and -NH-CO-R' wherein R' and R" are the same or different and are selected from hydrogen and unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkyl. Preferred substituents are fluorine, hydroxy, methoxy, dimethylamino and -NH-CO-CH3. Typically, the substituents on a group Ari are themselves unsubstituted.
Preferably, Art is a pyridyl, thienyl, benzimidazolyl, furanyl-methyl-, 1,4- benzodioxanyl, phenyl or 1,3-benzodioxolyl group which is unsubstituted or carries, on the cyclic moiety, 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from fluorine, hydroxy, -OCH3,> -N(CH3)2 and -NH-CO-CH3. Typically, C2 is a Cι-C6 alkylene group, preferably an unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkylene group, more preferably an unsubstituted straight chain C1-C4 alkylene group.
For the avoidance of doubt, the orientation of the group X2 is such that the left hand side of the depicted moiety is attached to C and the right hand side of the depicted moiety is attached to Cj. Thus, for example, when X2 is -N-CO-O-, the moiety -C2-X2- C3 is -C2-N-CO-O-C3.
Typically, each R' in the moiety X2 is the same or different and is hydrogen or an unsubstituted Cι-C6 alkyl or phenyl group, preferably hydrogen, -CH3 or -CH CH3. More preferably, each R' in the moiety X2 is hydrogen. Typically, each R" in the moiety X2 is an unsubstituted d-C6 alkylene group, prefereably -CH2- or -CH2-CH2-. More preferably, each R" is -CH2-.
Typically, X2 is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -CO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO, -O-CO-NR'-, -NR'-CO-O-, -S-CO- or -CO-S- wherein R' is as defined above. Preferably, X2 is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -S-CO-, -CO-S- or -NH-CO-O. Most preferably, X2 is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -CO-O- or -NH-CO-O.
Typically, C3 is a Cι-C6 alkyl group, preferably a C1-C4 alkyl group. " C3 is typically unsubstituted or substituted by one or more, for example 1, 2 or 3, substituents selected from hydroxy, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C2 alkyl), -N(Cι-C2 alkyl)2 and halogen. Preferably, C3 is unsubstituted or carries, on a primary carbon atom (i.e. a carbon atom at the end of a chain), either (a) one hydroxy or (b) 1, 2 or 3 halo substituents, which are preferably fluoro substituents. The substituents on C3 are typically themselves unsubstituted.
Preferred compounds of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are those in which: Z is -S-, -S(O)- or -S(O)2-;
Ri is hydrogen or an unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkyl group; R is hydrogen, an unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, -(CH2)a-CO2H or -(CH2)b- CONR5R6 wherein a and b are 1 or 2 and either (a) R5 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted benzyl group and R6 is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond or an unsubstituted C1-C4 alkylene group and R is hydrogen or a phenyl, cyclohexenyl, piperidyl, pyridyl or benzimidazolyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen, hydroxy, -OCH3 or -OCH2CH3 substituent, or (b) R5 and R6, together with the N atom to which they are attached, represent a pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl or piperazinyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by an unsubstituted -CHPh2 group;
Y is -(CRy 2)q-, -(CRy 2)rii-X4-(CRy2)„-, -(CRy 2)m-A-(CRy 2)m- or -(CRy 2)m-A-(CRy 2)p-X3-
(CRy 2)m) wherein each Ry is the same or different and is hydrogen or an unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl or phenyl group;
A is an aryl or heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1 , 2 or
3 substituents selected from unsubstituted d-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, NH2, NH(Cι-C2 alkyl) andN(d-C2 alkyl)2 groups;
X3 is -O-, -S-, -SO-, -SO2-, -O-CO-, -CO-O-, -NH-CO- or -CO-NH-;
X4 is :O-, -S- or -NR'- wherein R' is hydrogen or -CH3; p is 0 or 1; q is 0, 1, 2 or 3; m is 0 or 1 and n is 1 or 2; R3 is hydrogen or an aryl, heteroaryl or carbocyclyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, Cι-C6 alkyl, d-C6 alkoxy, Cι-C6 alkylthio, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkenyloxy, C2-G6 alkenylthio, C2-C6 alknynyl, C2-C alkynyloxy, C2-C6 alkynylthio, C3-C6 carbocyclyl, C3-C6 carbocyclyloxy, C3-C6 carbocyclylthio, -NH-CO-(C!-C6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(CrC6 alkyl) and -NR'R" wherein R' and R" are each independently hydrogen or a d-C6 alkyl group, the substituents on R3 being themselves unsubstituted or further substituted with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen and hydroxy; R4 is -CH3, -Ci-Xi-Ari or -C2-X2-C3, wherein:
Ci is an unsubstituted C]-C4 alkylene group; . Xi is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -CO-O-, CO-S-,
-NR'-CO- or -CO-NR'-, wherein R' is hydrogen or an unsubstituted phenyl or
Ci-Cό alkyl group;
Ari is a heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl, carbocyclyl or heteroaryl-(Cι-C2 alkyl)- group which is unsubstituted or carries, on the cyclic moiety, 1, 2 or 3 unsubstituted groups selected from halogen, Cι-C4 alkyl, hydroxy, C1-C4 alkoxy,
-NR'R" or -NH-CO-R' wherein R' and R" are the same or different and are selected from hydrogen and Cι-C4 alkyl; C2 is an unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkylene group;
X2 is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -CO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-
CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO, -O-CO-NR'-, -NR-CO-O-, -S-CO- or -CO-S- wherein
R' is hydrogen, -CH3 or -CH2-CH3; and
C3 is a Cι-C alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 unsubstituted groups selected from hydroxy, -NH2, -NH(d-C2 alkyl), -N(d-C2 alkyl)2 and halogen.
Further preferred compounds of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are those in which: Z is -S- or -O-;
Ri is hydrogen or an unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkyl group; R2 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted Ci-Ce alkyl group;
Y is -(CRy 2)q-, -(CRy 2)m-X4-(CRy 2)„-, -(CRy 2)m-A-(CRy 2)m- or -(CRy 2)m-A-(CRy 2)p-X3- (CRy 2)m, wherein each Ry is the same or different and is hydrogen or an unsubstituted Cj-C4 alkyl or phenyl group;
A is an aryl or heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or
3 substituents selected from unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkyl, Cι-C4 alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, NH2, NH(d-C2 alkyl) and N(d-C2 alkyl)2 groups;
X3 is -O-, -S-, -SO-, -SO2-, -O-CO-, -CO-O-, -NH-CO- or -CO-NH-;
X4 is -O-, -S- or -NR- wherein R' is hydrogen or -CH3; p is 0 or 1 ; q is 0, 1, 2 or 3; m is 0 or 1 and n is 1 or 2; R3 is hydrogen or an aryl, heteroaryl or carbocyclyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, Cι-C6 alkyl, d-C6 alkoxy, Cι-C6 alkylthio, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkenyloxy, C2-C6 alkenylthio, C2-C6 alknynyl, C2-C6 alkynyloxy, C2-C6 alkynylthio, C3-C6 carbocyclyl, C3-C6 carbocyclyloxy, C3-C6 carbocyclylthio, -NH-CO-(C C6 alkyl), „-CO-NH-(Cι-C6 alkyl) and -NR'R" wherein R' and R" are each independently hydrogen or a Cι-C6 alkyl group, the substituents on R3 being themselves unsubstituted or further substituted with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen and hydroxy; R4 is -Ci-Xi-Ari or -C2-X2-C3, wherein:
Ci is an unsubstituted Cι-C alkylene group; X! is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -CO-O-, CO-S-, -NR'-CO- or -CO-NR'-, wherein R' is hydrogen or an unsubstituted phenyl or Cι-C6 alkyl group; .
Ari is a heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl or heteroaryl-(Cι-C2 alkyl)- group which is unsubstituted or carries, on the cyclic moiety, 1, 2 or 3 unsubstituted groups selected from halogen, Cι-C alkyl, hydroxy, C1-C4 alkoxy, -NR'R" or -NH-CO- R' wherein R' and R" are the same or different and are selected from hydrogen and Cι-C4 alkyl;
C2 is an unsubstituted Cι-C alkylene group;
X2 is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -CO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S- CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO, -O-CO-NR'-, -NR'-CO-O-, -S-CO- or "-CO-S- wherein R' is hydrogen, -CH3 or -CH2-CH3; and
C3 is a Cι-C4 alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 unsubstituted groups selected from hydroxy, -NH2, -NH(d-C2 alkyl), -N(Cj-C2 alkyl)2 and halogen. . Further preferred compounds of formula (I) are those of formula (IA) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof:
Figure imgf000017_0001
wherein:
Z is -S-, -S(O)- or -S(O)2-;
R2 represents hydrogen, an unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkyl group, -(CH2)a-CO2H or -(CH2)b-
CONR5R6 wherein a and b are 1 or 2 and either (a) R5 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted benzyl group and Rg is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond or an unsubstituted C1-C4 alkylene group and R is hydrogen or a phenyl, cyclohexenyl, piperidyl, pyridyl or benzimidazolyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen, hydroxy, -OCH3 or -OCH2CH3 substituent, or (b) R5 and R6, together with the N atom to which they are attached, represent a pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl or piperazinyl group which is. unsubstituted or substituted by an unsubstituted -CHPh2 group;
Y is a direct bond or a group of formula -(CRy2)-, -(CH2)mO(CH2)-, -A- or -A-X3- (CFL m, wherein Ry is hydrogen, -CH3, -CH2-CH3 or an unsubstituted phenyl group, wherein no more than one Ry group is phenyl; A is a phenyl, pyridyl or pyrrolyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from -CH3, -CH2-CH3, -OCH3, -OCH2-CH3, halogen and hydroxy; X3 is -O-, -SO2- or -NH- CO-; and m is 0 or 1;
R3 is hydrogen or a phenyl, thienyl, furyl, quinolinyl, benzofuranyl, cyclopentyl, 1,4- benzodioxanyl, 1,3-benzodioxolyl or 2,3-dinydrobenzofuran group which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, Cι-C4 alkoxy, Cι-C4 alkylthio, d-C alkenyloxy, C3-C6 carbocyclyloxy, -NH- CO-Me and -N(CH3)2, the substituents on R3 being themselves unsubstituted or further substituted with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen and hydroxy; R4 is an unsubstituted methyl group or is -Ci-Xi-Ari or -C2-X2iC3, wherein:
Ci is -(CH2)-, -(CH2)2- or -(CH2)3-; Xi is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -S-CO- or -O-CO-;
Ari is a phenyl, pyridyl, thienyl, benzimidazolyl, furanyl-methyl-, cyclohexenyl, quinolinyl, 2,3-dihydro-lH-indenyl, 1,3 -benzodioxolyl, 1,3- benzodioxanyl or 1,4-benzodioxanyl group, which is unsubstituted or carries, on the cyclic moiety, 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from fluorine, hydroxy, -OCH3, -N(CH3)2 and -NH-CO-CH3; is a straight chain unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkylene group; X2 is a direct bond or is or is -O-, -S-, -CO-O- or -NH-CO-O; and is Cι-C4 alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted on a primary carbon atom with either (a) one hydroxy or (b) 1, 2 or 3 halo substituents. Further preferred compounds of formula (I) are those of formula (IB) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
Figure imgf000019_0001
wherein:
Y is a direct bond or a group of formula -(CRy 2)-, -(CH2)mO(CH2)-, -A- or -A-X3- (CH2)m, wherein Ry is hydrogen, -CH3, -CH2-CH3 or an unsubstituted phenyl group, wherein no more than one Ry group is phenyl; A is a phenyl, pyridyl or pyrrolyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from -CH3, -CH2-CH3, -OCH3, -OCH2-CH3, halogen and hydroxy; X3 is -O-, -SO2- or -NH- CO-; and m is 0 or 1;
RJ is hydrogen or a phenyl, thienyl, furyl, quinolinyl, benzofuranyl, cyclopentyl, 1,4- benzodioxanyl, 1,3-benzodioxolyl or 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran group which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, Cι-C4 alkoxy, Cι-C alkylthio, C2-C4 alkenyloxy, C3-C6 carbocyclyloxy, -NH- CO-Me and -N(CH3)2, the substituents on R3 being themselves unsubstituted or further substituted with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen and hydroxy; R4 is - Ci-Xi-Ari or -C2-X2-C3, wherein: Ci is -(CH2 , -(CH2)2- or -(CH2)3-; Xi is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -S-CO- or -O-CO-; Ari is a phenyl, pyridyl, thienyl, benzimidazolyl, furanyl-methyl-, 1,3- benzodioxolyl or 1,4-benzodioxanyl group, which is unsubstituted or carries, on the cyclic moiety, 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from fluorine, hydroxy, -OCH3, -N(CH3)2 and -NH-CO-CH3; C2 is a straight chain unsubstituted C1-C4 alkylene group; X2 is a direct bond or is or is -O-, -S-, -CO-O- or -NH-CO-O; and C3 is Cι-C4 alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted on a primary carbon atom with either (a) one hydroxy or (b) 1, 2 or 3 halo substituents. Particularly preferred compounds of formulae (I), (IA) and (IB) are those which are more active as N-type calcium channel inhibitors than as L-type calcium channel inhibitors (i.e. which are selective N-type calcium channel antagonists). Typically such compounds have a lower IC50 for inhibition of N-type calcium channels expressed by ' IMR32 cells than for inhibition of L-type calcium channels expressed by IMR32 cells under the same conditions. They may therefore involve fewer side effects than non- selective N-type calcium channel antagonists.
Typically, in the compounds of the formula (I), -YR3 is other than a substituted or unsubstituted naphthalenyl, phenoxyphenyl, phenoxythiophenyl, benzyloxyphenyl, benzylthiophenyl, -furanyl-phenyl or carbazolyl group. More typically, Y in the formula (I) is other than a direct bond or a phenoxy, benzyloxy, benzylthio or furanyl group. Preferably, in this embodiment, Y in the formula (I) is other than aryl, heteroaryl or -(CH2)m-A-X3- wherein m is 0 or 1, A is aryl or heteroaryl and X3 is -O- or -S-.
Further, R4 is typically other than (a) -Y-NR3R4, wherein Y is alkylene and R3 and Ri are the same or different and are selected from hydrogen, alkyl or aryl or R3 and R4 together form an alkylene chain having 4 to 5 carbon atoms optionally interrupted by a nitrogen or oxygen, (b) pyridylalkyl and (c) piperidin-4-yl-alkyl, optionally substituted by alkyl, aryl or aralkyl. Preferably, in this embodiment, X is other than -NR;-, C3 is a Cι-C alkyl group which is unsubstituted or is substituted on a primary carbon atom with either (a) one hydroxy or (b) 1 , 2 or 3 halo substituents and Ari is other than a pyridyl or piperidyl group, preferably other than a 6-membered heteroaryl or heterocyclyl group. "
In one embodiment of the invention, when Y is a group of formula -A- wherein A is an unsubstituted pyridyl or an unsubstituted thienyl group, R3 is other than is a phenyl, thienyl, pyridyl or 1,3-benzodioxolyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, cyano, Cι-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, CrC4 alkylthio, C2-C4 alkenyl, -NR'R" wherein R' and R" are each independently hydrogen or a C C alkyl group, and -Si(R7 /)3 wherein each R7 is independently a Cι-C alkyl group. Preferably, in this embodiment, when Y is a group
3 ' of formula -A- wherein A is a heteroaryl group, R is other than an aryl, heteroaryl or carbocyclyl group. More preferably, in this embodiment, either Y is a group of formula -(CRy 2)q- wherein Ry and q are as defined above, or R3 is hydrogen.
The present invention also provides the use, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment or prevention of a condition mediated by N-type calcium channels, of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,
Figure imgf000021_0001
wherein:
Z is -S-, -S(O)-, -SO2-, -O- or -NR- wherein R is hydrogen, Cι-C6 alkyl or -CO-(d-C6 alkyl);
Ri is hydrogen or Cι-C6 alkyl;
R2 is hydrogen, fluorine, Ci-d alkyl, -(C C6 alkyl)-CO2H or -(Ci-d alkyl)-CO-NR5R6, wherein either (a) R5 is hydrogen, aryl or -(CιC6 alkyl)-aryl and R^ is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond, a Cι-C6 alkylene group, a C2-C6 alkenylene group or a C2-C6 alkynylene group and R is hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl or (b) R5 and R5, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, represent a moiety -Heti-
Het2, wherein Heti is a heterocyclyl or heteroaryl group and Het2 is hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, -CH(aryl)2 or -CH(heteroaryl)2;
R3 is -SCQ3 or -OCQ3 wherein Q is halogen; and
R4 is methyl, -Ci-Xi-Ari or -C2-X2-C3, wherein
Ci. is a direct bond, a Cι-C6 alkylene group, a d-d alkenylene group or a d-C6 alkynylene group;
Xi is a direct bond when Ci is a direct bond and, when Ci is a Cι-C6 alkylene group, C2-C6 alkenylene group or C2-C6 alkynylene group, represents a direct bond or -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -SO-, -SO2-, -CO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO-, -CO-O-R"-CO-O-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-O-, -CO-O-R"-CO- NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -OCO-NR'- or -NR'-CO-O- wherein each R' is the same or different and represents hydrogen, phenyl, Cι-C6 alkyl, d-C6 alkenyl or d-C6 alkynyl and each R" is the same or different and represents a Cι-C6 alkylene group, a d-C6 alkenylene group or a -d alkynylene group; Ari is heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl, carbocyclyl, heteroaryl- Y-, heterocyclyl- Y-, aryl- Y- or carbocyclyl- Y-, wherein each Y is the same or different and represents a Cι-C6 alkylene, C2-C6 alkenylene or d-d alkynylene group; C2 is a Ci-d alkylene group, a C -d alkenylene group or a C -C6 alkynylene group;
X2 is a direct bond or -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -SO-, -SO2-, -CO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO-, -CO-O-R"-CO-O-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-O-, -CO-O-R"-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -OCO-NR'- or -NR'-CO-O- wherein each R' is the same or different and represents hydrogen, phenyl, Ci-d alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl or C2-C6 alkynyl and each R" is the same or different and represents a Cι-C6 alkylene group, a C -C6 alkenylene group or a C2-C6 alkynylene group; and
C3 is a Ci-d alkyl group, a d-C6 alkenyl group or a d-C6 alkynyl group, wherein: the alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl, alkenylene, alkynyl and alkynylene groups and moieties in the Ri to R4 substituents are unsubstituted or carry 1, 2 or 3 unsubstituted substituents selected from aryl, for example phenyl, hydroxy, Cι-C alkoxy, Cι-C6 alkylthio, -NH2, -NH(C C6 alkyl), -N(CrC6 alkyl)2, halogen, cyano, nitro, -NHCO- (Ci-d alkyl), -CO-NH-(d-C6 alkyl), -CO-O-(C C6 alkyl) and -O-CO-(C C6 alkyl); the aryl and heteroaryl groups and moieties in the Ri to R4 substituents are unsubstituted or carry 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, Cι-C6 alkyl, Ci-Cβ alkoxy, Ci-d alkylthio, hydroxy, Cι-C4 alkylenedioxy -NH2, -NH(d-d alkyl), -N(Cι-C6 alkyl)2, cyano, nitro, -NH-CO-(C C6 alkyl), -CO-NH Cι-C6 alkyl), -CO-O- (Cι-C6 alkyl) and -O-CO-(Cι-C6 alkyl) substituents, said substituents being unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 further unsubstituted substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, Cι-C6 alkoxy, Ci-d alkylthio, -NH2, -NH(Cι-d alkyl), -N(Cι-d alkyl)2, -NH-CO-(Cι-C6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(d-C6 alkyl) and -O-CO-(Cι-d alkyl); and the carbocyclyl and heterocyclyl groups and moieties in the i to R4 substituents are unsubstituted or carry 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, Ci- d alkyl, Ci- alkoxy, Ci-d alkylthio, hydroxy, Cι-C4alkylenedioxy, -NH2, -NH(Cι-d alkyl), -N(Cι-C6 alkyl)2, cyano, nitro, oxo, -NH-CO-(d-C6 alkyl), -CO-NH- (Ci-C6 alkyl), -CO-O-(d-C6 alkyl) and -O-CO-(Cι-C6 alkyl) substituents, said substituents being unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 further unsubstituted substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, Ci-d alkoxy, Ci- alkylthio, -NH2, -NH(d-d alkyl), -N(C C6 alkyl)2, -NH-CO-(Cι-C6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(C C6 alkyl) and -O-CO-(d-C6 alkyl).
Typically, in the formula (I7), R2 is hydrogen, fluorine or Ci-d alkyl and R4 is -Cj-Xi-Ari or -C2-X2-C3 wherein Ci, Xi, Ari, d, X2 and C3 are as defined above.
Preferred substituents on an alkyl group or moiety in the formula (I7) are phenyl, hydroxy, halogen, C d alkoxy, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C2 alkyl), -N(d-C2 alkyl)2 and - NHCO-(Cι-C2 alkyl). The substituents on an alkyl group or moiety are themselves unsubstituted.
Preferred substituents on an alkenyl group or moiety in the formula (I7) are phenyl, hydroxy, halogen, Cι-C2 alkoxy, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C2 alkyl), -N(Cι-C2 alkyl)2 and -NHCO-(Cι-d alkyl). The substituents on an alkenyl group or moiety are themselves unsubstituted.
Preferred substituents on an alkynyl group or moiety in the formula (I7) are phenyl, hydroxy, halogen, Cι-C2 alkoxy, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C2 alkyl), -N(d-C2 alkyl)2 and -NHCO-(Cι-d alkyl). The substituents on an alkynyl group or moiety are themselves unsubstituted.
A Ci- alkylene group in the formula (I7) is typically a Ci-d alkylene group, for example a methylene, ethylene, propylene, n-butylene, or n-pentylene group, or the branched pentylene group -CH2-CH2-CH2-CH(CH3)-.
Preferred substituents on an alkylene group in the forrnu'la (I7) are phenyl, hydroxy, halogen, C1-C2 alkoxy, -NH2, -NH(d-C2 alkyl), -N(d-C2 alkyl)2 and -NHCO-(Cι-C2 alkyl). The substituents on an alkylene group are typically themselves unsubstituted. Preferred substituents on an alkenylene group in the formula (I7) are phenyl, hydroxy, halogen, d-C2 alkoxy, -NH2, -NH(d-C2 alkyl), -N(d-C2 alkyl)2 and -NHCO-(Cι-d alkyl). The substituents on an alkenylene group are themselves unsubstituted.
A d-d alkynylene group in the formula (I7) is typically a d-d alkynylene group, for example a ethynylene, propynylene, n-butynylene or n-pentynylene group. Typically, an alkynylene group has only one triple bond.
Preferred substituents on an alkynylene group in the formula (I7) are phenyl, hydroxy, halogen, d-C2 alkoxy, -NH2, -NH(d-C2 alkyl), -N(d-C2 alkyl)2 and -NHCO-(Cι-d alkyl). The substituents on an alkynylene group are typically themselves unsubstituted.
An aryl group in the formula (I7) may be unsubstituted or substituted at any position. Preferred substituents include Cι-C alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylthio, halogen (for example fluorine), hydroxy, methylenedioxy, -NH2, -NH(Cι-d alkyl), -N(Ci-C2 alkyl)2, -NH-CO-(d-C2 alkyl) and -O-CO-(d-C2 alkyl).
Substituents on an aryl group in the formula (I7) are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, Cι-C6 alkoxy, Cι-C6 alkylthio, -NH2, -NH(d-d alkyl), -N(Cι-C6 alkyl)2, -NH-CO-(Cι-C6 alkyl), -CO-NH- (Ci-d alkyl) and -O-CO-(Cι-C6 alkyl). These further substituents are themselves unsubstituted. Preferably, the Ci-d alkyl moieties present in the further substituents are Cι-C2 alkyl moieties. More preferably, substituents on an aryl group are unsubstituted or substituted either (a) with one further substituent selected from C1-C2 alkoxy, -NH-(d-C2 alkyl) and -N(Cι-C2 alkyl)2 or (b) with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents which are halo substituents.
References to an aryl group in the formula (I7) include fused ring systems in which an aryl group is fused to a carbocyclic, heterocyclic or heteroaryl group. The carbocyclic, heterocyclic or heteroaryl group to which the aryl group is fused is typically monocyclic. An example of such a fused ring system is a phenyl group fused to a pyridine ring to form a quinoline group or a phenyl ring fused to a cyclopentane group to form a 2,3-dihydro-lH-indenyl group. A heteroaryl group in the formula (I7) may be unsubstituted or substituted at any position. Preferred substituents include Cι-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylthio, halogen (for example fluorine), hydroxy, methylenedioxy, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C2 alkyl), - N(Cι-dalkyl)2, -NH-CO-(Cι-C2 alkyl) and -O-CO-(d-C2 alkyl). Particularlypreferred substituents include C1-C4 alkyl and Cι-C4 alkoxy groups.
Substituents on an heteroaryl group are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, Ci-d alkoxy, Cι-C6 alkylthio, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C6 alkyl), -N(Cι-C6 alkyl)2, -NH-CO-(Cι-C6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(d-C6 alkyl) and -O-CO-(Cι-C6 alkyl). These further substituents are typically themselves unsubstituted. Preferably, the Cι-C6 alkyl moieties present in the further substituents are Ci-d alkyl moieties. More preferably, substituents on an heteroaryl group are unsubstituted or substituted either (a) with one further substituent selected from Ci-d alkoxy, -NH-(Cι-d alkyl) and -N(Cι-d alkyl or (b) with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents which are halo substituents.
References in the formula (I7) to a heteroaryl group include fused ring systems in which a heteroaryl group is fused to a said aryl group, to a further heteroaryl group or to a heterocyclic group. The aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclic group to which the heteroaryl group is fused is typically monocyclic. An example of such a fused heteroaryl group is a benzimidazolyl group.
A carbocyclyl group in the formula (I7) may be unsubstituted or substituted at any position. Preferred substituents include Cι-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylthio, halogen (for example fluorine), hydroxy, methylenedioxy, -NH2, -NH(Cι-d alkyl), -N(Cι-C2 alkyl)2, oxo, -NH-CO-(d-C2 alkyl) and -O-CO-(d-C2 alkyl).
Substituents on an carbocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, Cι-C6 alkoxy, Ci-d alkylthio, -NH2, -NH(Ci-d alkyl), -N(Cι-C6 alkyl)2, -NH-CO-(Cι-C6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(d-C6 alkyl) and -O-CO-(Cι-C6 alkyl). These further substituents are •themselves unsubstituted. Preferably, the Ci-d alkyl moieties present in the further substituents are Cι-C2 alkyl moieties. More preferably, substituents on a carbocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted either (a) with one further susbtituent selected from Ci-d alkoxy, -NH-(Cι-C2 alkyl) and -N(Cι-C2 alkyl)2 or (b) with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents which are halo substituents.
References in the formula (I7) to a carbocyclyl group include fused ring systems in which a carbocyclyl group is fused to a phenyl ring. An example of such a fused ring system is 2,3-dihydro-lΗ-indenyl.
A heterocyclyl group in the formula (I7) may be unsubstituted or substituted at any position. Preferred substituents include d-d alkyl, d-C alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylthio, halogen (for example fluorine), hydroxy, methylenedioxy, -NH2, -NH(d-C2 alkyl), - N(Cι-d alkyl)2, oxo, -NH-CO-(d-C2 alkyl) and -O-CO-(d-C2 alkyl). Particularly preferred substituents are oxo and C1-C4 alkyl substituents.
Substituents on an heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, Ci- alkoxy, Ci-Ce alkylthio, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C6 alkyl), -N(Cι-C6 alkyl)2, -NH-CO-(d-C6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(Cι-C6 alkyl) and -O-CO-(d-d alkyl). These further substituents are themselves unsubstituted. Preferably, the Ci- alkyl moieties present in the further substituents are C1-C2 alkyl moieties. More preferably, substituents on a heterocyclyl group are unsubstituted or substituted either (a) with one further susbtituent selected from Ci-d alkoxy, -NH-(d-C2 alkyl) and -N(d-C2 alkyl)2 or (b) with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents which are halo substituents.
When Z in the formula (I7) is -NR-, R is typically -COCH3 or -CO-CH2-CH3. Typically, Z is -S-, -S(O)- or -S(O)2-. In a further embodiment, Z is -S- or -O-. Most preferably, Z is -S-.
Typically, Ri in the formula (I7) is hydrogen or an unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkyl group. Preferably, Ri is hydrogen or methyl. More preferably, Ri is hydrogen.
Typically, R2 in the formula (I) represents hydrogen, fluorine, Cι-C4 alkyl, -(Cι-C4 alkyl)-CO2H or -(CrC4 alkyl)-CONR5R6, wherein either (a) R5 is hydrogen, aryl or -(Ci-d alkyl)-aryl and Re is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond or a Cι-C4 alkylene group and R is hydrogen, aryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl or (b) R5 and Re, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, represent a moiety -Heti- Het2, wherein Heti is a heterocyclyl group and Het2 is hydrogen, aryl or -CH(aryl)2.
More typically, R2 represents hydrogen, an unsubstituted d-d alkyl group, -(CH2)a-CO2H or -(CH2)b-CONR5R6 wherein a and b are 1 or 2 and either (a) R5 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted benzyl group and R6 is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond or an unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkylene group and R is hydrogen or a phenyl, cyclohexenyl, piperidyl, pyridyl or benzimidazolyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen, hydroxy, -OCH3 or -OCH2CH3 substituent, or (b) R5 and R6, together with the N atom to which they are attached, represent a pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl or piperazinyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by an unsubstituted -CHPh2 group.
Preferably, R2 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkyl group. More preferably, R2 is hydrogen or methyl. Most preferably, R2 is hydrogen.
Typically, the R3 group in the formula (I7) is present at the 3 -position of the phenyl ring to which it is attached. R3 is typically -SCQ3 or -OCQ3 wherein Q is fluorine or chlorine. Preferably, R3 is -SCF3 or -OCF3. More preferably, R3 is -OCF3.
Typically, R4 in the formula (I7) is -CH3 or is -d-Xi-Ari or -C2-X2-d, wherein Ci, Xi, Ari, d, X2 and d are as defined above.
Typically, Ci in the formula (I7) is a direct bond or a Ci- alkylene group. More typically, Ci is a direct bond or a Cι-C4 alkylene group which is unsubstituted when Xi is other than a direct bond and, when Xi is a direct bond, is unsubstituted or substituted at the carbon atom α to the moiety Art by one substituent selected from those set out above as examples of suitable alkylene substituents. Preferably the substituent α to the moiety Xi is a phenyl group.
For the avoidance of doubt, the orientation of the group Xi in the formula (I7) is such that the left hand side of the depicted moiety is attached to Ci and the right hand side of the depicted moiety is attached to Ari. Thus, for example, when Xi is -CO-NH-CH2-CO-O-, the moiety -Ci-Xi-An is -d-CO-NH-CH2-CO-O-An.
Typically, each R' in the moiety Xi is the same or different and is hydrogen, or an unsubstituted phenyl or Cι-C6 alkyl group. More typically, each R' in the moiety Xi is the same or different and is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl. Preferably, each R' in the moiety Xi is hydrogen. Typically, each R" in the moiety Xi is the same or different and is an unsubstituted Ci-d alkylene group. More typically, each R" in the moiety Xi is methylene or ethylene. Preferably, each R" is methylene. Typically, Xj in the formula (I7) is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO- or -CO-NR'-R"-CO-O-, wherein R' and R" are as defined above.
Preferably, Xi in the formula (I7) is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NH-CO- or -CO-NH-CH2-CO-O-. More preferably, Xj is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -SCO- or -O-CO-.
Typically, Ari in the formula (I7) is heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl, carbocyclyl, heteroaryl-(Cι-d alkyl)-, heterocyclyl-(Cι-d alkyl)-, aryl-(Cι-d alkyl)- or carbocyclyl-(Cι-d alkyl)-. When Ari is a heteroaryl-(Cι-C6 alkyl)-, aryl-(Cι-d alkyl)-, heterocyclyl-(Cι-C6 alkyl)- or carbocyclyl-(Cι-d alkyl)- group, the alkyl moiety is typically an unsubstituted methylene or ethylene moiety. Preferably, Ari is heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, carbocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl- Y'- or aryl-Y'-, in particular heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl- Y7- or aryl-Y -, wherein Y' is an unsubstituted methylene or ethylene moiety. More preferably, Ari is heteroaryl, for example imidazolyl, 2- pyridyl, 3 -pyridyl, benzimidazolyl, furanyl and pyrazinyl, heteroaryl-(Cι-d alkyl)-, for example furanyl-methyl-, heterocyclyl, for example morpholinyl, piperazinyl, piperidyl and pyrrolidinyl, aryl, for example phenyl, aryl-(Cι-d alkyl)-, for example benzyl, or carbocyclyl, for example cyclohexenyl and 2,3-dihydro-lH-indenyl.
Typically, d in the formula (I) is a Ci- alkylene group. Further, C2 is typically unsubstituted or carries one substituent at the carbon atom α to the moiety X2 or, where X2 is a direct bond, to the moiety C3, which substituent is selected from those _set out above as examples of suitable alkylene substituents. Preferably, said substituent is hydroxy, halogen, Crd alkoxy, -NH2, -NH-(CrC2 alkyl), -N(Cι-C2 alkyl)2 or - NHCO-(Cι-C2 alkyl). More preferably, said substituent is hydroxy or -NH-CO-CH3.
For the avoidance of doubt, the orientation of the group X2 in the formula (I7) is such that the left hand side of the depicted moiety is attached to C2 and the right hand side of the depicted moiety is attached to C3. Thus, for example, when X2 is -CO-NH-CH2-CO-O-, the moiety -C2-X2-C3- is -C2-CO-NH-CH2-CO-O-C3-.
Typically, each R' in the moiety X2 is the same or different and is hydrogen or an unsubstituted phenyl or Cι-C6 alkyl group. More typically, each R' is the same or different and is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl. Preferably, each R' in the moiety X2 is hydrogen. Typically, each R" in the moiety X2 is the same or different and is an unsubstituted Cι-C6 alkylene group. More typically, each R" in the moiety X2 is methylene or ethylene. Preferably, each R" is methylene.
Typically, X2 in the formula (I7) is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'- or -CO-NR'-R"-CO-O-, wherein R' and R" are as defined above. Preferably, Xi is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -NMe-, -NEt-, -CO-O-, -CO-NH- or
Figure imgf000029_0001
Typically, C3 in the formula (I7) is a Cι-C6 alkyl group. Typically, C3 is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from hydroxy, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C4 alkyl), -N(Cι-C4 alkyl)2 and halogen. Preferably, C3 is unsubstituted or carries, on a primary carbon atom (i.e. a carbon atom at the end of a chain), either (a) one hydroxy, -NMe2 or -NEt2 substituent or (b) 1, 2 or 3 halo substituents, which are preferably fluoro substituents.
Preferred compounds of formula (I7) are those in which:
Z is -S-, -S(O)- or -S(O)2-;
Ri is hydrogen or -CH3;
R2 is hydrogen, an unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkyl group, -(CH2)a-CO2H or -(CH2)b-
CONR5R6 wherein a and b are 1 or 2 and either (a) R5 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted benzyl group and Re is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond or an unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkylene group and R is hydrogen or a phenyl, cyclohexenyl, piperidyl, pyridyl or benzimidazolyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen, hydroxy, -OCH3 or -OCH CH3 substituent, or (b) R5 and R6, together with the N atom to which they are attached, represent a pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl or piperazinyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by an unsubstituted -CHPI12 group;
R3 is present at the 3 -position of the phenyl ring to which it is attached, and is -OCQ3 wherein Q is fluorine or chlorine; and • - 4 is -CH3, -Ci-Xi-Ari or -C2-X2-C3, wherein Ci, C2, Xi, X2, Ari and C3 are as defined above.
Further preferred compounds of formula (I7) are those in which:
Z is -S-; Ri is hydrogen or -CH3;
R2 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group;
R3 is present at the 3 -position of the phenyl ring to which it is attached, and is -OCQ3 wherein Q is fluorine or chlorine; and
R4 is -Ci-Xt-Ari or -C2-X2-C3, wherein Ci, C2, Xi, X2, Ari and C3 are as defined above.
Particularly preferred compounds of formula (I7) are compounds of formula (la7)
Figure imgf000030_0001
wherein:
Z is -S-, -S(O)- or -S(O)2-;
R2 is hydrogen, an unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkyl group, -(CH2)a-CO2H or -(CH2)b-
CONR5Re wherein a and b are 1 or 2 and either (a) R5 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted benzyl group and R6 is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond or an unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkylene group and R is hydrogen or a phenyl, cyclohexenyl, piperidyl, pyridyl or benzimidazolyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen, hydroxy, -OCH3 or -OCH2CH3 substituent, or (b) R5 and R6, together with the N atom to which they are attached, represent a pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl or piperazinyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by an unsubstituted -CHPh group;
Rt is an unsubstituted methyl group or is -Cι-Xι-Arι or -C2-X2-C3, wherein Ci,
C2, Xi, X2, Ari and C3 are as defined above.
Further particularly preferred compounds of formula (I7) are compounds of formula (lb7)
Figure imgf000031_0001
wherein:
R is hydrogen or -CH3; and
R4 is -Ci-Xi-Ari or -C -X2-C3, wherein Ci, C2, Xi, X2 Ari and C3 are as defined above.
Further preferred compounds of formulae (I7), (la7) and (lb7) are compounds which are more active as N-type calcium channel inhibitors than as L-type calcium channel inhibitors (i.e. which are selective N-type calcium channel antagonists). Typically, such compounds have a lower IC50 for inhibition of N-type calcium channels expressed by IMR32 cells than for inhibition of L-type calcium channels expressed by IMR32 cells under the same assay conditions. They may therefore involve fewer side effects than non-selective N-type calcium channel antagonists.
The above further preferred compounds of formulae (I7), (la7) and (lb7) include compounds wherein:
Z, Ri, R2 and R3 are as defined above; and R4 is -Ci-Ari, or -C2-X2-C3, wherein:
Ci is an unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkylene group, for example a methylene or ethylene group;
Ari is an aryl group, for example a phenyl group, or a heteroaryl group, for example a 2-pyridyl or 3 -pyridyl group; d is a Ci-d alkylene group, for example a methylene, ethylene or propylene group;
X2 is -O-, -S- or a direct bond; and
C3 is a Cι-C alkyl group.
Typically, in said further preferred compounds, An is an aryl or heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or is substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, Cj-C4 alkyl and Cι-C4 alkoxy groups. An is preferably an unsubstituted 2-pyridyl or 3-pyridyl group or a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, C1-C4 alkyl and C1-C4 alkoxy groups. " d in said further preferred compounds is typically an unsubstituted C1-C5 alkylene group. C3 is typically a methyl, ethyl, n-butyl and i-propyl. Preferably, d is unsubstituted or carries, on a primary carbon atom (i.e. a carbon atom at the end of a chain), a hydroxy substituent.
Preferred compounds of formula (I) and formula (I7) include:
I 2-Benzhydryl-3-pyridine-2-ylmethyl-thiazolidin-4-one; ■
2. 3-(2-Pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-2-[l -(toluene-4-sulfonyl)-lH-pyrrolo-2-yl]-thiazolidin- . 4-one;
3. 2-(3-Cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxy-phenyl)-3-(2,3-dihydro-benzo[l,4]dioxin-2- ylmethyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
4 3-Benzo[l,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-2-(2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-o.ne;
5 3-(lH-Benzoiπύdazol-2-ylmethyl)-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
6 3-(2-Ethoxy-ethyl)-2-(2,4,6-triethyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
7 2-(3,5-Dimethoxy-phenyl)-3-(2-methoxy-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; .
8 3-(2,4-Difltioro-benzyl)-2-(3-methyl-thiophen-2-yl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
9 2-(5-Bromo-thiophen-2-yl)-3-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
10 2-(4-Methylsulfanyl-phenyl)-3-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
II 3-(2-Thiophen-2-yl-ethyl)-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
12 3-[2-(3,4-Dimethoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-2-(4-ethyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
13 2-(4-Ethyl-phenyl)-3-(2-thiophen-2-yl-ethyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
14 2-(3-CUoro-4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-[2-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-thiazolidin-4- one;
15 2-(3-Chloro-4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-(3-isopropoxy-propyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
16 {2-[2-(3-Ethoxy-phenyl)-4-oxo-thiazolidin-3-yl]-ethyl}-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester;
17 3-Benzo[l,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-2-(3-ethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
18 2-(3 -Bromo-4-fluoro-phenyl)-3 -(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 3-Benzo[l,3]dioxol-5-ylmethyl-2-(3-bromo-4-fluoro-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-Benzyloxymethyl-3-(3,4,5-trifluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-Benzyloxymethyl-3-(3,4-difluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 3-(2-Fluoro-benzyl)-2-(l -phenyl-ethyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 3-(2,3-Difluoro£benzyl)-2-(l-phenyl-ethyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-sec-Butyl-3-(3,4-difluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-(l-Ethyl-propyl)-3-(2-fluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 3-(3,5-Difluoro-benzyl)-2-(l-ethyl-propyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-(3-Bromo-thiophen-2-yl)-3-(2-fluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-(3-Bromo-thiophen-2-yl)-3-(3,4-difluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-(3-Fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-3-(2-pyridin-3-ylrethyl)-thiazolidin-4- one; 2-(3 -Fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-3 -isobutyl-thiazolidin-4-one; 3-(2-tert-Butylsulfanyl-e yl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-trifluoromemyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin- 4-one; 3-(2-Fluoro-benzyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-(3 -Fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-3 - [2-(4-hydroxy^3 -methoxy-phenyl)- ethyl]-thiazolidin-4-one; 3-(2-Emylsulfanyl-ethyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4- one; 3-(3-Butoxy-propyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 3-(2-Benzo[l,3]dioxol-5-yl-ethyl)-2-(3-fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)- thiazolidin-4-one; 2-(3-Fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-3-(3-methylsulfanyl-propyl)-thiazolidin- 4-one; 2-(3-Fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-3-(5-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-pentyl)- thiazolidin-4-one; 3-(2-Fluoro-benzyl)-2-(5-fluoro-2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 3-(3,4-Difluoro-benzyl)-2-(5-fluoro-2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4- one; 3-(3-Butoxy-propyl)-2-(5-fluoro-2-trifluorome yl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4^one; 3-(2,5-Dimethoxy-benzyl)-2-(5-fluoro-2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin- ' one; 2-(5-Fluoro-2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-3-[2-(4-methoxy-phenoxy)-ethyl]- thiazolidin-4-one; 3-(2,3-Difluoro-benzyl)-2-(5-fluoro-2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4- one; 2-(l-Benzenesulfonyl-lH-ρyrrol-2-yl)-3-(3,4,5-trifluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4- one; 2-(l -Benzenesulfonyl- 1 H-pyrrol-2-yl)-3-(2-fluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-(l-Benzenesulfonyl-lH-pyrrol-2-yl)-3-(2-pyridin-4-yl-ethyl)-thiazolidin-4- one; 2-(l-Benzenesulfonyl-lH-pyrrol-2-yl)-3-(2,2,2-trifluoro-e l)-thiazolidin-4- one; 2-(l-Benzenesulfonyl-lH-pyrrol-2-yl)-3-(3,4-difluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4- one; 2-(l-Benzenesulfonyl-lH-pyrrol-2-yl)-3-(2,3-difluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4- one; 3-[2-(3-Cyclopentyloxy-4-memoxy-phenyl)-4-oxo-thia2;olidin-3-yl]-propionic acid tert-butyl ester; 2-(3-Cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxy-phenyl)-3-(4-fluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-(3-Cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxy-phenyl)-3-(3,4-difluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4- one; 2-[4-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl]-3-(3-propoxy-propyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-[4-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl]-3-isobutyl-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-[4-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-pyrid -3-yl]-3-(3,4,5-trifluoro-benzyl)-1mazolidin-4- one; 2-[4-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl]-3-(2-fiuoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-[4-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-pyridm-3-yl]-3-(3-fluoro-benzyϊ)-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-[4-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl]-3-(4-fluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-[4-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl]-3-(2-e ylsulfanyl-e yl)-thiazolidin-4- one; 2-[4-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl]-3-(3-butoxy-propyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-[4-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl]-3-(3-memylsulfanyl-propyl)-thiazolidin- one; 2-[4-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl]-3-(2,5-dimethoxy-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4- one; 2-[4-(4-Bromo-phenyl)-pyridin-3-yl]-3-[2-(4-methoxy-phenoxy)-ethyl]- thiazolidin-4-orie; 2-(4-Ethylsulfanyl-phenyl)-3-[2-(furan-2-ylmethylsulfanyl)-emyl]-thiazolidin-4- one; 3 -(3 ,4-Difluoro-benzyl)-2-(4-ethylsulfanyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 3-(2-Benzo[l,3]dioxol-5-yl-ethyl)-2-(4-ethylsulfanyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-(4-Ethylsulfanyl-phenyl)-3-(3-memylsulfanylpropyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-(4-Emylsulfanyl-phenyl)-3-[2-(4-memoxy-phenoxy)-ethyl]-thiazolidin-4-one; 3-(2,3-Difluoro-benzyl)-2-(4-ethylsulfanyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-3-(2,3 ,4-trifluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 3 -(3 -Butoxy-propyl)-2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-3-(3 ,4,5-trifluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-3-(2,5-difluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-3-(3-fluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 3 -(3 -Butoxy-proρyl)-2-(2 -chloro-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 3-(2-Benzo[l,3]dioxol-5-yl-ethyl)-2~(2-chloro-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; Thiobenzoic acid S-{2-[2-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-4-oxo-thiazolidin-3-yl]-ethyl} ester; 3-(4-Fluoro-benzyl)-2-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 3 -(3 ,4-Difluoro-benzyl)-2-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-(2,3-Dimethoxy-phenyl)-3 -(2-pyridin-4-yl-ethyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 3-(3,4-Difluoro-benzyl)-2-(2,3-dime oxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 3-(2,5-Dimethoxy-benzyl)-2-(2,3-dimethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 3-(3,4-Difluoro-benzyl)-2-(2,3,4-ttimemoxy-phenyl)^thiazolidin-4-one; 3-(2-Benzo[l,3]dioxol-5-yl-ethyl)-2-(2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-(2,4-Dime oxy-ρhenyl)-3-[2-(4-methoxy-phenoxy)-ethyl]-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-(2,5-Dimethoxy-phenyl)-3-(2,3,4-trifluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 2-(2,5-Dime oxy-ρhenyl)-3-[2-(4-memoxy-phenoxy)-ethyl]-thiazolidin^4-one; 3-(2,3-Difiuoro-benzyl)-2-(2,5-dimethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 90 2-(2-Ethoxy-phenyl)-3 -(2-fluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
91 2-(2-Ethoxy-phenyl)-3-(4-methoxy-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
92 3 -(3 ,4-Difluoro-benzyl)-2-(2-ethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
93 3-(2,5-Dimethoxy-benzyl)-2-(2-ethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
94 2-(2-Ethoxy-phenyl)-3-[2-(4-methoxy-phenoxy)-ethyl]-thiazolidin-4-one;
95 3-(2-Fluoro-benzyl)-2-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one;
96 3 -(3 ,4-Difluoro-benzyl)-2-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one;
97 3 -(4-Dimethylamino-benzyl)-2-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one;
98 3-[2-(4-Methoxy-phenoxy)-ethyl]-2-o-tolyl-thiazolidin-4-one;
99 3-(3,4-Difluoro-benzyl)^2-(2,4,6-ttimethyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
100 3-(3-Butoxy-propyl)-2-(2,4,6-triemyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
101 3-(3-Butoxy-propyl)-2-(2,4,6-triethyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
102 3-(2-tert-Butylsulfanyl-ethyl)-2-(3-chloro-ρhenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
103 2-(3 -Chloro-phenyl)-3-(3 ,4,5-trifluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
104 2-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-3-(2-fluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
105 2-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-3-(4-fluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
106 2-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-3-(2-ethylsulfanyl-ethyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
107 3-(2-Benzo[l,3]dioxol-5-yl-emyl)-2-(3-cWoro-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
108 2-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-3-(3-methylsulfanyl-propyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
109 2-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-3-[2-(4-methoxy-phenoxy)-ethyl]-thiazolidin-4-one;
110 2-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-3-(3 ,5-difluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
111 3-(4-Methoxy-benzyl)-2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
112 3-(3-Fluoro-benzyl)-2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
113 3 -(3 ,4-Difluoro-benzyl)-2-(3 -methoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
114 3-(3 ,5-Difluoro-benzyl)-2-(3-metl oxy-phenyl)-thiazoUdin-4-one;
115 3-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyloxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
116 2-(4-Benzyloxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-3-(2-methylsulfanyl-emyl)-thiazolidin-4- one;
117 2-(4-Benzyloxy-3-methoxy-ρhenyl)-3-(3-memylsulfanyl-propyl)-thiazolidin-4- one;
118 2-(3,5-Dimethoxy-phenyl)-3-(3-fiuoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
119 2-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-3 -isobutyl-thiazolidin-4-one; 120 2-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-3-(2,5-difluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
121 2-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-3-(2-phenoxy-ethyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
122 2-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-3-(3 ,4-difluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
123 2-(4-CMoro-phenvlV -r2-(4-hydroxy-3-memoxy-phenyl)-emyl]-thiazolidin-4 one;
124 N-(4- {3 - [2-(Furan-2-ylmethylsulfanyl)-ethyl]-4-oxo-thiazolidm-2-yl } -phenyl)- acetamide;
125 2-(4-Ethoxy-phenyl)-3-(3,4,5-trifluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
126 3-(3,4-Difluoro-benzyl)-2-thiophen-2-yl-thiazolidin-4-one;
127 3-(2,4-Dimemoxy-benzyl)-2-(3-memyl-tmophen-2-yl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
128 3-(3,5-Difluoro-benzyl)-2-thiophen-3-yl-thiazolidin-4-one;
129 3-(2,5-Dimethoxy-benzyl)-2-quinolin-4-yl-thiazolidin-4-one;
130 3-(2-tert-Butylsulfanyl-emyl)-2-(4-memylsulfanyl-phenyl)-1hiazolidin-4-one;
131 2-(4-Methylsulfanyl-phenyl)-3-(3,4,5-trifiuoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
132 3-(4-Fluoro-benzyl)-2-(4-methylsulfanyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
133 3-(3-Butoxy-proρyl)-2-(4-methyls fanyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
134 3-(2-Benzo[l,3]dioxol-5-yl-emyl)-2-(4-methylsulfanyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4- one;
135 3 -Isobutyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
136 3-(2-tert-Butylsulfanyl-ethyl)-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
137 3-(3-Methylsulfanyl-propyl)-2-(4-1rifluoromemyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; 138 2-(4-Ethyl-phenyl)-3-(2-pyridin-3-yl-ethyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
139 2-(4-Ethyl-phenyl)-3-(3-fluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-όne;
140 2-(4-Ethyl-phenyl)-3-(3-methylsulfanyl-ρropyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
141 3-(2-tert-Butylsulfanyl-ethyl)-2-(2,3-dihydro-benzo[l,4]dioxin-6-yl)-thiazolidin- 4-one;
142 3-(3,4-Difluoro-benzyl)-2-(2,3-dihydro-benzo[l,4]dioxm-6-yl)-thiazolidin-4- one;
143 2-(2,6-Dime oxy-phenyl)-3-(2,3,4-trifluoro-benzyl)-1hiazolidin-4-one;
144 3-(2-Benzo[l ,3]dioxol-5-yl-ethyl)-2-(2,6-dimethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
145 Thiobenzoic acid S-{2-[2-(3-chloro-4-fluoro-phenyl)-4-oxo-thiazolidin-3-yl]- ethyl} ester; 146 2-(3-Clnoro-4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-(2-pyridin-3-yl-ethyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
147 2-(3-CMoro-4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-[2-(furan-2-ylme lsulfanyl)-ethyl]-thiazolidin- 4-one;
148 N-(3-{3-[2-(3-Chloro-4-fluoro-ρhenyl)-4-oxo-thiazolidin-3-yl]-proρoxy}- phenyl)-acetamide;
149 2-(3 -Chloro-4-fluoro-phenyl)-3 -(4-fluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
150 3-(3-Butoxy-propyl)-2-(3-chloro-4-fluoro-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
151 2-(3 -Chloro-4-fluoro-phenyl)-3 -(2,5-dimethoxy-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
152 2-(3-Chloro-4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-(3,5-difluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
153 2-(2-Allyloxy-phenyl)-3-(2-benzo[l,3]dioxol-5-yl-e yl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
154 2-Benzofuran-2-yl-3-[2-(furan-2-ylmemylsulfanyl)-emyl]-tMazolidm-
155 2-(3-Ethoxy-phenyl)-3-(2-pyridin-3-yl-ethyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
156 2-(3-Ethoxy-phenyl)-3-(3,4,5-trifluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
157 2-(3 -Ethoxy-phenyl)-3 - [2-(furan-2-ylmethylsulfanyl)-ethyl] -thiazolidin-4-one;
158 2-(3-Ethoxy-phenyl)-3-(4-methoxy-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
159 3-(2,5-Difluoro-benzyl)-2-(3-ethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
160 2-(3-Ethoxy-phenyl)-3-(3-fluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-ϋne;
161 3-(2,6-Difluoro-benzyl)-2-(3-emoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
162 2-(3-Ethoxy-phenyl)-3-[2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-thiazolidin-4- one;
163 2-(3-Ethoxy-phenyl)-3-(2-ethylsulfanyl-ethyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
164 3-(3-Butoxy-propyl)-2-(3-ethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
165 2-(3-Ethoxy-phenyl)-3-(3-methylsulfanyl-propyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
166 3-(2,5-Dimethoxy-benzyl)-2-(3-ethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
167 2-(3-Emoxy-phenyl)-3-[2-(4-memoxy-phenoxy)-ethyl]-thiazolidin-4-one;
168 3-(2,3-Difluoro-benzyl)-2-(3-ethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
169 2-Benzo[l,3]dioxol-4-yl-3-(3,4,5-trifluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
170 2-Benzo[l,3]dioxol-4-yl-3-(3,4-difluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
171 2-Benzo[l,3]dioxol-4-yl-3-(2-benzo[l,3]dioxol-5-yl-ethyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
172 2-Benzo[l,3]dioxol-4-yl-3-(3,5-difluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
173 2-(2-Chloro-4-dimemylammo-phenyl)-3-(3,4,5-trifluoro-berιzyl)-thiazolidm one; 174 2-(2-Chloro-4-dimethylamino-phenyl)-3-(3 ,4-difiuoro~benzyl)-thiazolidin-4- one;
175 2-(4-tert-Butoxy-phenyl)-3-(3,4,5-trifluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
176 2-(3 -Bromo-4-fluoro-phenyl)-3 -(3 -methylsulfanyl-propyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
177 2-(5-CMoro-t όphen-2-yl)-3-(3-methylsulfanyl-propyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
178 3-(3 ,5-Difluoro-benzyl)-2-(2,3,4-trifluoro-phenyl)-thiazoHdin-4-one;
179 3-(2,3-Difluoro-berκyl)-2-(2,3,4-trifϊuoro-phenyl thiazolidin-4-one;
180 2-(2,3-Dihydro-berιzofuran-5-yl)-3-(3,4,5-trifluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
181 2-(2,3-Dihyαro-benzofuran-5-yl)-3-(2-phenoxy-ethyl)-thiazolidin-4-one;
182 3-(2-Benzo[l ,3]dioxol-5-yl-ethyl)-2-(2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-5-yl)-thiazolidin- 4-one;
183 2-(2,3-Dihydro-benzofuran-5-yl)-3-[2-(4-methoxy-ρhenoxy)-ethyl]-thiazolidin- 4-one;
184 3-(4-Dimeώy2arnino-beιι^l)-2-(4,5-dimemyl-ιuran-2-yl)-rhiazolidm-4-one;
185 2-(3-Bromo-4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-(2-pyridin-3-yl-ethyl)-thiazolidin-4-one.
186 5-Memyl-3-(2-ρyridin-3-yl-e yϊ)-2-(3-trifiuoromethoxy-pherιyl)-thiazolidin-4- one;
187 3-(3,3-Diphenyl-propyl)-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidm-4-one
188 2-(3-Trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-3-(3,4,5-trime oχy-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one
189 3-(2,2-Diphenyl-ethyl)-2-(3-1rifluoromemoxy-phenyl)-tHazolidin-4-one
190 3-(3-Hydxoxy-proρyl)-2-(3- fluoromethoxy-phenyI)-thiazolidin-4-one
191 3-Hexyl-2-(3-trifiuoromethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidm-4-one
192 3-[2-(3-Methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4- one
193 3-Methyl-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyi)-thiazolidin-4-one
194 3-(2,3-Dimemoxy-benzyl)-l-oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyi)-llambda*4*- thiazolidin-4-one
195 3-(2,3-Dimethoxy-benzyl)-l,l-dioxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)- 1 lambda* 6* -thiazolidin-4-one
196 2-(3-Bromo-4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-isobutyl-thiazolidin-4-one
197 3-Indan-l-yl-2-(3-trifluoromemoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidrn-4-one
198 3-Quinolin-6-yl-2-(3 -trifiuoromethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one 199 2-(3-Bromo-4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-quinolin-6-yl-thiazolidin-4-one
200 2-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-3-(2,3-dimethoxy-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one
201 3-(2,3-Dimethoxy-benzyl)-2-(4-ethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one
202 3-(2,3-Dimethoxy-benzyl)-2-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one
203 2-(4-Chloro-phe'nyl)-3-(2,3-dimethoxy-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one
204 3-(2,3-Dimethoxy-benzyl)-2-ρhenyl-thiazolidin-4-one
205 3-(3-CUoro-4-fluoro-berrzyl)-2-(3-ttifluoromemoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-onc
206 3 -(2,2-Diphenyl-ethyl)- 1 -oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)- 1 lambda*4* - thiazolidin-4-one
207 3-(2,3-Dimethoxy-benzyl)-2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one
208 2-(3-CUoro-4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-(2,3-dimethoxy-benzyl)rthiazolidin-4-one
209 3-(2,3-Dimethoxy-benzyl)-2-(4-emylsulfanyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one
210 3-(2,3-Dimemoxy-benzyl)-2-(4-ttifluorome oxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one
211 3 -(2,3 -Dimemoxy-benzyl)-2-(2-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one
212 3-(2,3-Dimemoxy-benzyl)-2-(3-1rifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one
213 3-(l -Phenyl-ethyl)-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one
214 3 - [ 1 -(4-Methoxy-phenyι)-efhyι] -2 -(3 -trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4- one
215 [3-(2,3-Dimemoxy-ben2 l)-4-oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-5- yl]-acetic acid
216 2--[3-(2,3-Dime oxy-benzyl)-4-oxo-2-(3- fluoromemoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin- 5-yl]-N-isobutyl-acetamide
217 3-(2,3-Dimethoxy-benzyl)-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one
218 3-(2,3-Dimethoxy-benzyl)-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one
219 3-(2,5-Difluoro-benzyl)-2-(4-ethylsulfanyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one
220 2-(4-Emylsulfanyl-phenyl)-3-(4-fluoro-benzyl)-thiazolidin-4-one
221 3-{2-[4-Oxo-2-(3-trifluoromemoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-3-yl]-ethyl}-pyridinium; chloride
222 2-{2-[2-(3-Bromo-4-fluoro-ρhenyl)-4-oxo-thiazolidm-3-yl]-e yl}-pyridinium; chloride
223 3-(2-Benzo[l,3]dioxol-5-yl-emyl)-2-(3-trifluorome oxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4- one 224 2-(3 -Bromo-phenyl)-3 -isobutyl-thiazolidin~4-one
225 2-(2-Bromo-phenyl)-3-isobutyl-thiazolidin-4-one
226 2-Biphenyl-3 -yl-3 -isobutyl-thiazolidin-4-one
227 N-(3-Methoxy-benzyl)-2-[3-methyl-4-oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)- 1hiazolidin-5-yIJ-acetamide
228 N-(2-Cyclohex-l-enyl-ethyl)-2-[3-methyl-4-oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)- thiazolidin-5-yl]-acetamide
229 N-Isobutyl-2-[3-methyl-4-oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-5-yl]- acetamide
230 2- [3 -Isobutyl-4-oxo-2-(3 -trifiuoromethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-5-yl]-N-(3 - methoxy-benzyl)-acetamide
231 N-(2-Cyclohex-l-enyl-ethyl)-2-[3-isobutyl-4-oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy- phenyl)-thiazolidin-5-yl]-acetamide
232 N-Isobutyl-2-[3-isobutyl-4-oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-5-yl]- acetamide
233 2-[3-(2-Cyclohex-l-enyl-ethyl)-4-oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)- thiazolidin-5-yl]-N-(4-methoxy-benzyl)-acetamide
234 N-(2-Cyclohex-l-enyl-ethyl)-2-[3-(2-cyclohex-l-enyl-ethyl)-4-oxo-2-(3- trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-5-yl]-acetamide
235 2-[3-(2-Cyclohex-l-enyl-ethyl)-4-oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)- thiazolidin-5-yl]-N-isobutyl-acetamide
236 [2-(3-Bromo-4-fluoro-phenyl)-4-oxo-3-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-thiazolidin-5-yl]- acetic acid
237 2-[3-(2-Cyclohex-l-enyl-ethyl)-4-oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)- thiazolidin-5-yl]-N-(2-piperidin-l -yl-ethyl)-acetamide
238 2-[3-Methyl-4-oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-5-yl]-N-(2- piperidin- 1 -yl-ethyl)-acetamide
239 2-[3-Isobutyl-4-oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-5-yl]-N-(2- piperidin- 1 -yl-ethyl)-acetamide
240 2-{2-[2-(3-Bromo-4-fluoro-phenyl)-5-(isobutylcarbamoyl-methyl)-4-oxo- thiazolidin-3-yl]-ethyl} -pyridinium; chloride 241 2-(2-{2-(3 -Bromo-4-fluoro-phenyl)-5 - [(2-cyclohex- 1 -enyl-ethylcarbamoyl)- methyl]-4-oxo-thiazolidin-3-yl} -ethyl)-pyridinium; chloride
242 2-(2-{2-(3-Bromo-4-fluoro-phenyl)-5-[(3-methoxy-benzylcarbamoyl)-methyl]- 4-oxo-thiazolidin-3-yl} -ethyl)-pyridinium; chloride
243 2-[2-(3-Bromo-4-fluoro-phenyl)-4-oxo-3-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-thiazolidin-5- yl]-N-(2-piperidin-l-yl-ethyl)-acetamide; dihydrochloride
244 5-[2-(4-Benzhydryl-piperazin-l-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-2-(3-bromo-4-fluoro-phenyl)- 3-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; dihydrochloride
245 2-{2-[5-(Isobutylcarbamoyl-methyl)-4-oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)- thiazolidin-3-yl]-ethyl}-pyridinium; chloride
246 l-Benzhydryl-4-{2-[3-isobutyl-4-oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)- thiazolidin-5 -yl] -acetyl } -piperazin- 1 -ium; chloride
247 l-Benzhydryl-4-{2-[3-methyl-4-oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin- 5-yl]-acetyl} -piperazin-1 -ium; chloride
248 2-{2-[5-[(4-Methoxy-benzylcarbamoyl)-methyl]-4-oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy- phenyl)-thiazolidin-3-yl]-ethyl} -pyridinium; chloride
249 2- [4-Oxo-3 -(2-ρyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-2-(3 -trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-5- yl]-N-(2-piperidin-l-yl-ethyl)-acetamide; dihydrochloride
250 3 -Methyl-5-(2-oxo-2-pyrrolidin- 1 -yl-ethyl)-2-(3 -trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)- thiazolidin-4-one
251 5-(2-Azepan-l-yl-2-oxo-ethyl)-3-methyl-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)- thiazolidin-4-one
252 N-(lH-Benzoimidazol-2-yl)-2-[3-methyl-4-oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)- thiazolidin-5 -yl] -acetamide
253 2-[3-Me yl-4-oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-5-yl]-N-pyridin-2- yl-acetamide
254 N,N-Dibenzyl-2-[3-methyl-4-oxo-2-(3-trifluorometh9xy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-5- yl] -acetamide
255 5-[2-(4-Berizhydryl-piperazin-l-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-3-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-2-(3- trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one; dihydrochloride
256 2-(3-Bromo-4-fluoro-phenyl)-3 -(2-cyclohex- l-enyl-ethyl)-thiazolidin-4-one
257 2-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-3-(2-cyclohex-l-enyl-ethyl)-thiazolidin-4-one 258 3-(2 Cyclohex-l-enyl-emyl)-2-(3-ethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one
259 3-(2-Cyclohex-l-enyl-ethyl)-2-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one
260 3 -(2-Cyclohex- 1 -enyl-ethyl)-2-(3 -trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one
261 2-(3 -Bromo-4-fluoro-phenyl)-3 -phenethyl-thiazolidin-4-one
262 3-Phenethyl-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-4-one
263 2-(3-Chloro-phenyl)-3-phenethyl-thiazolidin-4-one
264 2-[3-(3,5-Difluoro-benzyl)-4-oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-5- yl] -N-isobutyl-acetamide
265 N-(2-Cyclohex-l-enyl-ethyl)-2-[3-(3,5-difluoro-benzyl)-4-oxo-2-(3- trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-5-yl]-acetamide
266 2-[3-(3,5-Difluoro-benzyl)-4-oxo-2-(3-1xifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-thiazolidin-5- yl] -N-(3 -methoxy-benzyl)-acetamide
267 2-(4-Bromo-pyridin-3-yl)-3-isobutyl-thiazolidin-4-one
268 2-(3-Bromo-4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-[2-(6-bromo-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl]-thiazolidin-4- one
269 2-(3-Bromo-pyridin-4-yl)-3-isobutyl-thiazolidin-4-one
270 3-[2-(4-Imidazolyl)emyl]-2-[(3-trifluoromemoxyphenyl)]-4-thiazolidinone
271 [4-Oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-3-thiazolidinyl]acetic acid, pentyl ester
272 3-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl]-2-[(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)]-]-4- thiazolidinone
273 6-[4-Oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-3-thiazolidinyl]-hexanoic acid, methyl ester
274 3 - [3 -( 1 -Imidazolyl)propyl] -2-(3 -trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
275 3-(2-Pyridinyl)methyl-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
276 3-[2-(2-Pyridinyl)emyl)]-2-(3-1rifluoromemoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
277 3-(Benzo[l,3]dioxol-5-yl)methyl-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
278 3-[2-(lH-Benzoimidazolyl)methyl]-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4- thiazolidinone
279 3-(2,4-Difluorophenylmethyl)-2-(3-1xifluorome oxyphenyl)-4-1hiazolidinone
280 3-[2-[4-Morpholinyl)emyl]-2-(3-1rifluoromemoxyphenyl)-4-tMazolidinone
281 3-[3-(4-Methyl-l-piperazinyl)propyl]-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4- thiazolidinone 282 3-[3-(l-Piperidinyl)propyl]-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
283 3-(2-Ethoxyethyl)-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
284 3-(6-Mefhoxy-3-pyridinyl)-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
285 3 -(3 -Isoρropoxyphenyι)-2-(3 -trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
286 3-(3-Propoxypr6pyl)-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
287 3-(2-HyαVoxyemyl)-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
288 Thiobenzoic acid, S-{2-[4-oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-3-thiazolidinyl]- ethyl} ester
289 3-Phenylmethyl-2-(3-τrifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
290 3-[2-(3-Pyridinyl)ethyl]-2-(3-trifiuoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
291 3-[4-(l-Pyrrolidinyl)butyl]-2-(3-trifluoromemoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
292 3-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-2-(3-trifluoromemoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
293 3-Isobutyl-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
294 3-(2-tert-Butylsulphanylethyl)-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
295 3-[(3,4,5-Trifluorophenyl)methyl]-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-4- thiazolidinone
296 3-[(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-2-(3-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-4- thiazolidinone
297 (S)-3-(2,3-Dihydroxypropyl)-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
298 3-{2-[2-Furanyl)methylsulphanyl]ethyl}-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyρhenyl)-4- thiazolidinone
299 3-[(2-Fluorophenyl)methyl]-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
300 3-[2-(2-Hydroxyethoxy)emyl]-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazoUdinone
301 3-[5-Me yl-2-pyrazinyl)methyl]-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
302 [4-Oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-3-thiazolidinyl]acetic acid, ethyl ester
303 3-[2-Die ylamino)ethyl]-2-(3-ttifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
304 3-[(2-Dimethylamino)ethyl]-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
305 3-[(4-Memoxyphenyl)memyl]-2-(3- fluorome oxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
306 • 3-(2,2,2-Trifluoroethyl)-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
307 3-[2-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)emyl]-2-(3-1rifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
308 3-(2-Furanyl)methyl-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
309 3-[(3 -Methoxyphenyl)methyl]-2-(3 -trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone 310 3-(5-Hydroxypentyl)-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
311 3-[(2,5-Difluorophenyl)methyl]-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
312 3-[(2-Phenoxy)ethyl]-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
313 3 - [4-Oxo-2-(3 -trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-3 -thiazolidinyl]propionic acid, tert-butyl ester
314 N-Methyl-2-[4-oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-3-thiazolidinyl]acetamide
315 3 -[2-(2-Hydroxyethylsulphanyl)ethyl]-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4- thiazolidinone
316 3-[3-(l -Pyrrolidinyl)propyl)-2-(3 -trifluoromemoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
317 3-[(2,3-Dimemoxyphenyl)methyl]-2-(3-trifluorome oxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
318 3-{2-[5-Dime ylaminomethyl-2-furanyl)methylsulphanyl]ethyl}-2-(3- trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
319 N-(3-{3-[4-Oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-3- thiazolidinyl]propoxy}phenyl)acetamide
320 3-[2-(l-Pyrrolidinyl)ethyl]-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
321 3 - [3 -(2-Oxo- 1 -pyrrolidinyl)propyl]-2-(3 -trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4- thiazolidinone
322 (2S)-2-Acetylarrιino-6-[4-oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-3- thiazolidinyl]hexanoic acid methyl ester
323 3 - [(3-Fluorophenyl)methyl]-2 -(3 -trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
324 3-[(4-Fluorophenyl)methyl]-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
325 3-(2-Methoxyethyl)-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
326 3-Propyl-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
327 3-[(3-piethylammo)propyl]-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
328 3-(3-Ethoxypropyl)-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
329 3-[(3,4-Difluorophenyl)methyl]-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
330 3 - [(2,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)methyl]-2-(3 -trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4- thiazolidinone
331 3-{[(4-Dimethylamino)phenyl]methyl}-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4- thiazolidinone
332 3-[2-(4-Hydroxy-3-memoxyphenyl)ethyl]-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-'4- thiazolidinone 333 3 -[(2-Ethylsulphanyl)ethyl] -2-(3 -trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
334 3-[4-Oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-3-thiazolidinyl]-propionic acid, ethyl ester
335 3 -(3 -Methoxypropyl)-2-(3 -trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-tbiazolidinone
336 3-(3-Butoxypropyl)-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
337 {2-[4-Oxo-2-(3-trifluoromemoxyphenyl)-3-tMazolidinyl]ace1ylamino}acetic acid, ethyl ester
338 3-[4-Oxo-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-3-thiazolidinyl]propionic acid, methyl ester
339 3 - [3 -Memylsulphanyl)propyl]-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
340 3-(5-Hydroxy-4,4-dimethylpentyl)-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4- thiazolidinone
341 (2- [4-Oxo-2-(3 -trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-3-thiazolidinyl] acetylamino } acetic acid, benzyl ester
342 3-[(2,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)methyl]-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4- thiazolidinone
343 3-[2-(4-Methoxyphenoxy)emyl]-2 (3-trifluoromemoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
344 3-[(3,5-Difluorophenyl)methyl]-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
345 3-[(2,3-Difluorophenyl)memyl]-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
346 2-(3-Trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-3-[(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)methyl)-4- thiazolidinone
347 3-(3,3-Diphenylpropyl)-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
348 3-(2,2-Diphenylethyl)-2-(3-trifluoromemoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
349 3-Hexyl-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
350 3 -(3 -Hydroxypropyl)-2-(3 -trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
351 5-Methyl-3-[2-(3-pyridinyl)ethyl]-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4- thiazolidinone
352 3-[(3-me oxyphenyl)emyl]-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
For the avoidance of doubt, the structures of compounds 194, 195 and 206 are as follows:
Figure imgf000047_0001
Figure imgf000047_0002
Figure imgf000047_0003
As used herein, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt is a salt with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base. Pharmaceutically acceptable acids include both inorganic acids such as hydrochloric, sulfuric, phosphoric, ^iphosphoric,
Figure imgf000047_0004
ascorbic, succinic, tartaric, benzoic, acetic, methanesulphonic, ethanesulphonic, benzenesulphonic or p-toluenesulphonic acid. Pharmaceutically acceptable bases include alkali metal (e.g. sodium or potassium) and alkali earth metal (e.g. calcium or magnesium) hydroxides and organic bases such as alkyl amines, aralkyl amines or heterocyclic amines.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the compound of formula (I) is a compound wherein, when R2 is other than hydrogen, fluorine and Ci- alkyl, Y is -(CRy 2)q- and/or R3 is hydrogen.
The compounds of the invention contain one or more chiral centre. For the avoidance of doubt, the chemical structures depicted herein are intended to embrace all stereoisomers of the compounds shown, including racemic and non-racemic mixtures and pure enantiomers and/or diastereoisomers.
Preferred compounds of the invention are optically active isomers. Thus, for example, preferred compounds of formula (I) containing only one chiral centre include an R enantiomer in substantially pure form, an S enantiomer in substantially pure form and enantiomeric mixtures which contain an excess of the R enantiomer or an excess of the S enantiomer.
The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (II), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent,
Figure imgf000048_0001
wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, Y and Z in the formula (II) are as defined above for the formula (I), provided that (i) -YR3 is other than an unsubstituted pyridyl group, (ii) -YR3 is other than -phenyl-O-A2-R, wherein A2 is a d-d alkylene group and R is 1 -pyrrolidinyl, 1- piperidinyl, 4-morpholinyl, 1 -piperazinyl or 4-alkyl-l-piperazh yl, (iii) R2 is other than Ci-Ce alkyl, (iv) when Xi is -O-, Ari is other than phenyl and when X2 is -O- and C2 is an unsubstituted Ci- alkylene group, C3 is other than an unsubstituted Ci-d alkyl group and (v) when Z is S and R1 is hydrogen, R4 and Y-R3 are not defined as follows:
Figure imgf000049_0001
Figure imgf000050_0001
Figure imgf000051_0001
Figure imgf000052_0001
Preferably, in the compund of formula (II), Z, R2, R2, R3 and Y are as defined above for the formula (I) and RΛ is -Ci-Xi-An' or -C2-X2'-C3, or an unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, wherein Ci, Xi, C2 and C3 are as defined above; and: A ' is heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl-Ra- or heterocyclyl-Ra-, wherein Ra is a Ci-Ce alkylene group, a C2-C6 alkenylene group or a C2-C6 alkynylene group; wherein when Ari ' is an unsubstituted phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted with one or two groups selected from methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, phenoxy; chlorine, bromine and nitro, either both Ci and Xi are direct bonds or d is methylene and Xi is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -SO-, -SO2-, -CO-S-, -CO-O- , -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO-, -CO-O-R"-CO-O-, -CO-NR'-R" -CO-O-, -CO-O-R"-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -O-CO-NR'- or -NR'- CO-O-, wherein each R' is the same or different and represents hydrogen, phenyl, Cι-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl or C2-C6 alkynyl and each R" is the same or different and represents a Ci- alkylene group, a C2-C6 alkenylene group or a C2-d alkynylene group, provided that when Xi is -0-, Ar is other than phenyl; and
X2' is -O-, -S-, -SO-, -SO2-, -CO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO-, -CO-O-R"-CO-O-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-O-, -CO-O-R"-CO- NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -NR'-CO-O- or -O-CO-NR'-, wherein each R' is the same or different and represents hydrogen, phenyl, Ci-d alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl or C -C6 alkynyl and each R" is the same or different and represents a Cι-C6 alkylene group a C2-C6 alkenylene group or a C2-C6 alkynylene group, provided that when X2 7 is -O- and C2 is an unsubstituted alkylene group, C3 is other than an unsubstituted alkyl group; provided that -YR3 is other than an unsubstituted pyridyl group or -phenyl-O-A2-R, wherein A and R are as defined above, and R is other than Cι-C6 alkyl..
Typically, R4 in the compounds of formula (II) is -Ci-Xi-An' or -C2-X2'-C3. Typically, Ci and Xi in the compounds of formula (II) are as defined above with regard to formula (I), formula (IA) or formula (IB), with the proviso that when An ' is an unsubstituted phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted with one or two groups selected from methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, phenoxy, chlorine, bromine and nitro, either both Ci and X are direct bonds or Ci is methylene and Xi is -S-, -NR'-, -SO-, -SO2-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO-, -CO-O-R"-CO- O-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-O-, -CO-O-R"-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -O-CO-NR'- or -NR'-CO-O-, wherein R' and R" are as defined above with regard to formula (I) or formula (IA). Preferably, when A ' is an unsubstituted phenyl group or any substituted phenyl group which does not have at least one substituent selected from fluorine, -N(Cι- C6 alkyl)2, -NH-CO-(C[-C6 alkyl) and hydroxy, either both Ci and Xt are direct bonds or Ci is methylene and X^ is -S-, -NR'-, -SO-, -SO2-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO-, -CO-O-R"-CO-O-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-O-, -CO-O-R"-CO- NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -O-CO-NR'- or -NR'-CO-O-, wherein R' and R" are as defined above. More preferably, when A ' is an unsubstituted or substituted phenyl group, either both Ci and Xi are direct bonds or Ci is methylene and Xi is -S-, -NR'-, -SO-, -SO2-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO-, -CO-O-R"-CO- O-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-O-, -CO-O-R"-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -O-CO-NR'- or -NR'-CO-O-, wherein R' and R" are as defined above.
Typically, in the compounds of formula (11), Xi is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO, -CO-O-, -CO-S-, -NR'-CO- or -CO-NR'-, wherein R' is as defined above. Preferably, Xi is -O-, -S-, -S-CO-, -O-CO- or -NH-CO-. More preferably, Xj is -O-, -S-, -S-CO- or -O-CO-. More preferably, Xi is -S-, -S-CO- or -O-CO-.
Typically An ' in the formula (II) above is heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl-(Ci-C6 alkyl)- or heterocyclyl-(Cι-C6 alkyl)-. When An ' is a heteroaryl-(Cι- C6 alkyl)- or heterocyclyl-(Cι-C6 alkyl)- group, the alkyl moiety is typically an unsubstituted methylene or ethylene moiety. Preferably, An ' is heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl or heteroaryl-(Cι-C2 alkyl)-. Preferably, when An ' is aryl, it is a phenyl group fused to a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclyl ring, for example a 1,3- benzodioxolyl group or a 1,4-benzodioxanyl group. More preferably, when Ari' is aryl it is a 1,3-benzodioxolyl group. When An ' is heteroaryl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl- (Ci-C2 alkyl)-, it preferably has the same meanings as the corresponding groups of An as defined above. More preferably, An ' is pyridyl, thienyl, benzimidazolyl, furanyl- methyl-, 1,4-benzodioxanyl or 1,3-benzodioxolyl.
Typically, the group An ' in the formula (II) is unsubstituted or carries one or more, for example 1, 2 or 3, substituents on the cyclic group. The substituents are typically selected from halogen, for example fluorine or chlorine, Cι-C4 alkyl, hydroxy, C1-C4 alkoxy, -NR'R" and -NH-CO-R' wherein R' and R" are selected from hydrogen and unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl. Preferred substituents are fluorine, hydroxy, methoxy, dimethylamino and -NH-CO-CH . More preferred substituents are fluorine, hydroxy, -N(CH3)2 and -NH-CO-CH3. More preferred substituents are -N(CH3)2 and -NH-CO- CH3. Typically, the substituents on a group An' are themselves unsubstituted.
Typically, each R' in the moiety X2' in the formula (II) above is the same or different and is hydrogen or an unsubstituted phenyl or Ci-d alkyl group, preferably hydrogen, -CH3 or -CH2CH3. More preferably, each R' in the moiety X2' is hydrogen. Typically, each R" in the moiety X2' is an unsubstituted Cι-C6 alkylene group, preferably -CH2- or -CH2-CH2-. More preferably, each R" is -CH2-.
Typically, X2' in the formula (II) above is -O-, -S-, -CO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO, -O-CO-NR'-, -NR'-CO-O-, -S-CO- or -CO-S- wherein R' is as defined above with regard to formula (I), formula (IA) or formula (IB). Preferably, X2' is -O-, -S-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -S-CO-, -CO-S- or -NH-CO-O. Most preferably, X2' is -O-, -S-, -CO-O- or -NH-CO-O, for example -S-, -CO-O- or -NH-CO-O-.
When P4 in the formula (II) above represents a d-C4 alkyl group, it may be straight or branched, unsubstituted or substituted. Typically it is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 substituents. Suitable substituents are those set out above as examples of suitable substituents on an alkyl group. Preferred substituents include halogen, in particular fluorine, and hydroxy. Typically, substituents on the Ci- alkyl group are themselves unsubstituted.
Typically, Y in the formula (II) above is as defined above with regard to formula (I), formula (IA) or formula (IB). Preferably, Y is a group of formula -(CRy 2)-, -(CH2)m-O-(CH2)-, -A- or -A-X3-(.CH2)m wherein Ry, m, A and X3 are as defined above with regard to formula (I), formula (IA) or formula (IB) with the proviso that A is other than phenyl.
Examples of the most preferred compounds of formula (Iϊ) are those of formula (Ila)
Figure imgf000056_0001
wherein:
Z is -S-, -S(O)- or-S(O)2-;
Y is a direct bond or a group of formula -(CRy 2)-, -(CH2)mO(CH2)-, -A- or -A-X3-
(CH2)m, wherein Ry is hydrogen, -CH , -CH2-CH3 or an unsubstituted phenyl group, wherein no more than one Ry group is phenyl; A is a phenyl, pyridyl or pyrrolyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from
-CH3, -CH2-CH3, -OCH3, -OCH2-CH3, halogen and hydroxy; X3 is -O-, -SO2- or -NH-
CO-; and m is O or 1;
R2 is hydrogen, -(CH2)a-CO2H or -(CH2)b-CONR5Rό wherein a and b are 1 or 2 and either (a) R5 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted benzyl group and R6 is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond or an unsubstituted Cι-C alkylene group and R is hydrogen or a phenyl, cyclohexenyl, piperidyl, pyridyl or benzimidazolyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen, hydroxy, -OCH3 or -OCH2CH3 substituent, or (b) R5 and Re, together with the N atom to which they are attached, represent a pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl or piperazinyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by an unsubstituted -CHPh2 group; * is -CH3, -Ci-Xt-An' or -C2-X2'-C3, wherein:
Ci is -(CH2)-, -(CH2)2- or -(CH2)3-;
Xi is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -S-CO- or -O-CO-;
Ari' is a pyridyl, thienyl, benzimidazolyl, furanyl-methyl-, 1,3-benzodioxolyl or
1,4-benzodioxanyl group which is unsubstituted or carries, on the cyclic moiety,
1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from fluorine, hydroxy, -OCH3,
-N(CH3)2 and -NH-CO-CH3; d is a straight chain unsubstituted Cι-C alkylene group;
X2' is -O-, -S-, -CO-O- or -NH-CO-O; and C3 is a C1-C4 alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted on a primary carbon atom with either (a) one hydroxy or (b) 1, 2 or 3 halo substituents, provided that Y-R3 is other, than an unsubstituted pyridyl group, and when X2 7 is -O-, is other than an unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group.
More preferably, the compound of formula (Ila) is a compound of formula (Ha7)
Figure imgf000057_0001
wherein:
Y is a direct bond or a group of formula -(CRy 2)-, -(CH2)mO(CH2)-, -A- or -A-X3- (CH )m, wherein R is hydrogen, -CH3, -CH2-CH3 or an unsubstituted phenyl group, wherein no more than one Ry group is phenyl; A is a phenyl, pyridyl or pyrrolyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from -CH3, -CH2-CH3, -OCH3, -OCH2-CH3, halogen and hydroxy; X3 is -O-, -SO2- or -NH- CO-; and m is 0 or 1 ;
R3 is hydrogen or a phenyl, thienyl, furyl, quinolinyl, benzofuranyl, cyclopentyl, 1,4- benzodioxanyl, 1,3-benzodioxolyl or 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran group which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, Cι-C alkylthio, d-d alkenyloxy, C3-C6 carbocyclyloxy, -NH- CO-Me and -N(CH3)2, the substituents on R3 being themselves unsubstituted or further substituted with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen and hydroxy; R4 is -Ci-Xi-An' or -C2-X2'- , wherein:
Ci is -(CH2)~, -(CH2)2- or -(CH2)3-;
Xi is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -S-CO- or -O-CO-;
Ari' is a pyridyl, thienyl, benzimidazolyl, furanyl -methyl-, 1,3-benzodioxolyl or
1,4-benzodioxanyl group which is unsubstituted or carries, on the cyclic moiety, r 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from fluorine, hydroxy, -OCH3, -N(CH3)2 and
-NH-CO-CH3; d is a straight chain unsubstituted Cι-C alkylene group; X2' is -O-, -S-, -CO-O, or -NH-CO-O; and d is a Cι-C4 alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted on a primary carbon atom with either (a) one hydroxy or (b) 1, 2 or 3 halo substituents; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, provided that -Y-R3 is other than an unsubstituted pyridyl group, and when X is -O-, C3 is other than an unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkyl group.
The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I7), as defined above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.
For the avoidance of doubt, the said pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent is not DMSO.
Said pharmaceutical composition typically contains up to 85 wt% of a compound of the invention. More typically, it contains up to 50 wt% of a compound of the invention. Preferred pharmaceutical compositions are sterile and pyrogen free. Further, the pharmaceutical compositions provided by the invention typically contain a compound of the invention which is a substantially pure optical isomer.
The compounds of formula (I) may be prepared by conventional routes, for example those set out in any of schemes 1 to 4 shown below.
Scheme 1
Figure imgf000058_0001
In scheme (I), an aldehyde or ketone of formula (II) is reacted with an amine of formula R4-NH2 in the presence of HSCHR2-CO2H. Typically, the reaction takes place in a solvent such as benzene or toluene at elevated temperature, for example from 80 to 100°C. A compound of formula (I) in which Z is S can be thereby prepared. The reaction shown in scheme I can be conducted as a "one pot" reaction, or can be conducted stepwise, whereby a compound of formula (II) is reacted with an amine of formula R}-NH2 and the thus obtained imino intermediate is then reacted with HSCHR2- CO2H. Typically, when stepwise reaction is effected, both reaction steps take place in a solvent such as benzene'or toluene at elevated temperature, for example from 80 to 100°C.
Scheme 2
Figure imgf000059_0001
Scheme 2 provides an alternate synthesis of compounds of formula (I) in which Z is S and Ri is hydrogen. In this scheme, a compound of formula (III), in which L is a leaving group, for example a chlorine atom, is reacted with an amine of formula R4-NH under standard amide coupling reaction conditions which will be familiar to those of skill in the art. Typically, the reaction is effected in the presence of a coupling agent such as EDCI/HOBT, HATU or HBTU.
The thus obtained amide of formula (IN) can then be reacted with Lawessøn's reagent under standard reaction conditions to give a compound of formula (V). The compound of formula (N) can then be reduced by known methods to a compound of formula (VI). The compound of formula (NI) can then be reacted with C1CO- CH(R2)Br, in which R is as defined above, to give a compound of formula (I) in which Ri is hydrogen and Z is S. This final reaction typically takes place in a solvent such as benzene or toluene. "
Compounds of formula (I) in which Z is -S(O)- or -S(O)2- can be prepared by oxidising a corresponding compound in which Z is S. Thus, a compound of formula (I) in which Z is -S(O)- can, for example, be prepared by reacting a corresponding compound in which Z is -S- with mcpba, in a solvent such as CH2C12 at around 0°C, or with ΝaIO4 in a mixture of H2O, MeOH and dioxane.
Similarly, a compound of formula (I) in which Z is -S(O)2- can be prepared from a corresponding compound in which Z is -S- or -S(O)- by (a) reaction with hydrogen peroxide in aqueous acetic acid, (b) reaction with mcpba in CH C12 at around 0°C, (c) reaction with NaHSO5 in water or (d) reaction with KMnO4 in water. All of these oxidation techniques will, of course, be familiar to those of skill in the art.
Scheme 3
Figure imgf000060_0001
(I ) (VII)
Figure imgf000060_0002
Scheme 3 provides a process for preparing compounds of formula (I) in which Z s O. In this scheme, a compound of formula (II) can be reacted with a compound of formula (VII) under standard reaction conditions, such as those set out in Giraud et al, J. Org. Chem., 1998, 63, 9162-9163. The compound of formula (VII) can, if necessary, be prepared by reacting an amine of formula R4-NH2 with a compound L-CO-CH(R2)OH, wherein L is a leaving group such as OH, under standard amide coupling reaction conditions using coupling agents such as EDCI/HOBT, HATU or HBTU which will be familiar to those of skill in the art.
A compound of formula (II) can also be reacted with H N-CO-CH(R2)OH under standard reaction conditions such as those set out in Giraud et al, to yield a compound of formula (VIII). A compound of formula (I) in which Ri is O can then be prepared from the thus obtained intermediate of formula (VIII) by standard methods. For example, it can be prepared by reacting a compound of formula (VIII) with a compound of formula R4-L, wherein L is a leaving group such as a chlorine atom, in the presence of a base such as NaH in a solvent such as THF at around room temperature.
Scheme 4
Figure imgf000061_0001
Figure imgf000061_0002
Scheme 4 provides a process for the preparation of compounds of the invention in which Z is -NH-. Reaction conditions for the steps set out in scheme 4 can be found, for example, in Frutos et al, Tet. Assymmetry, 2001, 12, 101-104. '
In Scheme A, a compound of formula (IX), in which P represents an amino protecting group, is reaeted with an amine of formula R^ , typically in a solvent such as THF or DMF, in the presence of a coupling agent such as EDCI/HOBT, at around 0 to 40°C. Typically, P is a Boc protecting group or a Z (benzyloxycarbonyl) protecting group.
The thus obtained compound of formula (X) can then be deprotected using standard techniques. When P is Boc, deprotection is typically effected by reaction with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in dichloromethane. When P is Z, deprotection is typically effected by reaction with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst, for example 5% palladium on carbon. The thus obtained compound of formula (XI) can then be reacted with a compound of formula (II), as defined above, under standard conditions such as those set out in Frutos et al. Typically, this reaction takes place in a solvent such as CH2C12.
Cyclisation of the thus obtained compound of formula (XII) can be effected, for example, in the presence of AcCl and MeOH to yield a compound of formula (I) in which Z is -NH-.
Compounds of formula (I) in which Z is -NR- can, of course, be prepared by reacting a corresponding compound in which Z is -NH- with a group L-R, wherein L is a leaving group, for example a halogen atom, in the presence of a coupling agent such as EDCI/HOBT, at around 0 to 40%.
Further synthetic manipulation of the compounds of formula (I), such as bromination, nitration and acylation may be carried out by conventional methods to achieve further compounds of formula (I). For example, compounds of formula (I) in which R2 is fluorine can be prepared from corresponding compounds in which R2 is hydrogen by reaction with Et3N.3HF in CH3CN. Further, compounds in which R2 is -(d-d alkyl)-CO-NR5R6 can, of course, be prepared by reacting a corresponding compound in which R2 is -(Ci-d alkyl)-CO-L, wherein L is a leaving group such as a chlorine atom, with an amine HNRsRe. The thus obtained compounds of formula (I) may be salified by treatment with an appropriate acid or base. Racemic mixtures obtained by any of the above processes can be resolved by standard techinques, for example elution on a chiral chromatography column.
Compounds of formulae (II), (III), (VII), (IX), HSCHR2-CO2H, Cl-CO- CH(R2)Br, L-CO-CH(R2)OH and H2N-CO-CH(R2)OH and the amines of formula R4- NH2, are known compounds, or may be prepared by analogy with known methods.
The compound of formula (I7) can, of course, be prepared in the same way as the compounds of formula (I).
The compounds of the invention are found to be inhibitors of N-type calcium channels. Further, many preferred compounds of the invention exhibit selectivity over L-type calcium channels. The compounds of the invention are therefore therapeutically useful.
The compounds of the invention may be administered in a variety of dosage forms. Thus, they can be administered orally, for example as tablets, troches, lozenges, aqueous or oily suspensions, dispersible powders or granules. Preferred pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are compositions suitable for oral administration, for example tablets and capsules.
The compounds of the invention may also be administered parenterally, whether subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, intrasternally, transdermally or by infusion techniques. The compounds may also be administered as suppositories.
One preferred route of administration is inhalation. The major advantages of inhaled medications are their direct delivery to the area of rich blood supply in comparison to many medications taken by oral route. Thus, the absorption is very rapid as the alveoli have an enormous surface area and rich blood supply and first pass metabolism is bypassed.
Preferred pharmaceutical compositions of the invention therefore include those suitable for inhalation. The present invention also provides an inhalation device containing such a pharmaceutical composition. Typically said device is a metered dose inhaler (MDI), which contains a pharmaceutically acceptable chemical propellant to push the medication out of the inhaler. Typically, said propellant is a fluorocarbon. Further preferred inhalation devices include nebulizers. Nebulizers are devices capable of delivering fine liquid mists of medication through a "mask" that fits over the nose and mouth, using air or oxygen under pressure. They are frequently used to treat those with asthma who cannot use an inhaler, including infants, young children and acutely ill patients of atfages.
Said inhalation device can also be, for example, a rotary inhaler or a dry powder inhaler, capable of delivering a compound of the invention without a propellant.
Typically, said inhalation device contains a spacer. A spacer is a device which enables individuals to inhale a greater amount of medication directly into the lower airways, where it is intended to go, rather than into the throat. Many spacers fit on the end of an inhaler; for some, the canister of medication fits into the device. Spacers with withholding chambers and one-way valves prevent medication from escaping into the air. Many people, especially young children and the elderly, may have difficulties coordinating their inhalation with the action necessary to trigger a puff from a metered dose inhaler. For these patients, use of a spacer is particularly recommended.
Another preferred route of administration is intranasal administration. The nasal cavity's highly permeable tissue is very receptive to medication and absorbs it quickly and efficiently, more so than drugs in tablet form. Nasal drug delivery is less painful and invasive than injections, generating less anxiety among patients. Drugs can be delivered nasally in smaller doses than medication delivered in tablet form. By this method absorption is very rapid and first pass metabolism is bypassed, thus reducing inter-patient variability. Nasal delivery devices further allow medication to be administered in precise, metered doses. Thus, the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are typically suitable for intranasal administration. Further, the present invention also provides an intranasal device containing such a pharmaceutical composition.
A further preferred route of administration is transdermal administration. The present invention therefore also provides a transdermal patch containing a compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Also preferred is sublingual administration. The present invention therefore also provides a sub-lingual tablet comprising a compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable, salt thereof. A compound of the invention is typically formulated for admimstration with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. For example, solid oral forms may contain, together with the active compound, diluents, e.g. lactose, dextrose, saccharose, cellulose, corn starch or potato starch; lubricants, e.g. silica, talc, stearic acid, magnesium or calcium ^stearate, and or polyethylene glycols; binding agents; e.g. starches, arabic gums, gelatin, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose or polyvinyl pyrrolidone; disaggregating agents, e.g. starch, alginic acid, alginates or sodium starch glycolate; effervescing mixtures; dyestuffs; sweeteners; wetting agents, such as lecithin, polysorbates, laurylsulphates; and, in general, non toxic and pharmacologically inactive substances used in pharmaceutical formulations. Such pharmaceutical preparations may be manufactured in known manner, for example, by means of mixing, granulating, tableting, sugar coating, or film coating processes.
Liquid dispersions for oral administration may be syrups, emulsions and suspensions. The syrups may contain as carriers, for example, saccharose or saccharose with glycerine and/or mannitol and/or sorbitol.
Suspensions and emulsions may contain as carrier, for example a natural gum, agar, sodium alginate, pectin, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, or polyvinyl alcohol. The suspension or solutions for intramuscular injections may contain, together with the active compound, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, e.g. sterile water, olive oil, ethyl oleate, glycols, e.g. propylene glycol, and if desired, a suitable amount of lidocaine hydrochloride.
Solutions for injection or infusion may contain as carrier, for example, sterile water or preferably they may be in the form of sterile, aqueous, isotonic saline solutions.
The compounds of the present invention are therapeutically useful in the treatment or prevention of conditions mediated by N-type calcium channels. Accordingly, the present invention provides the use of a compound of the formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment or prevention of a condition mediated by N-type calcium channels. Also provided is a method of treating a patient suffering from or susceptible to a condition mediated by N-type calcium channels, which method comprises administering to said patient an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds are useful as calcium channel antagonists thereby inhibiting in a subject the onset of a disorder whose alleviation is mediated by the reduction of calcium ion influx into cells whose actions contribute to the disorder.
N-type calcium channels are known to be closely involved in the mediation of pain transmission. Typically, the compounds of the invention are therefore used as analgesic agents. N-type calcium channels have been identified as being particularly important in the transmission of pain signals in the spinal cord (Chaplan S.R., Pogrel J.W., Yaksh T.L. J. Pharm. Exp. Ther., 1994, 269, 1117-1123; Diaz, A., Dickenson, A.H. Pain, 1997, 69, 93-100). Indeed, a series of recent clinical studies has provided confirmation of the important role of N-type calcium channels in pain transmission (Mathur, V.S.; McGuire, D.; Bowersox, S.S.; Miljanich, G.P.; Luther, R.R. Pharmaceutical News, 1998, 5, 25-29). The compounds of the invention are accordingly particularly effective in alleviating pain. Typically, therefore, said medicament is for use in alleviating pain and said patient is suffering from or susceptible to pain. The compounds of the invention are effective in alleviating both chronic and acute pain.
Acute pain is generally understood to be a constellation of unpleasant sensory, perceptual and emotional experiences of certain associate autonomic (reflex) responses, and of psychological and behavioural reactions provoked by injury or disease. A discussion of acute pain can be found at Halpern (1984) Advances in Pain Research and Therapy, Vol.7, p.147. Tissue injury provokes a series of noxious stimuli which are transduced by nociceptors to impulses transmitted to the spinal cord and then to the upper part of the nervous system. Examples of acute pains which can be alleviated with the compounds of the invention include musculoskeletal pain, for example joint pain, lower back pain and neck pain, dental pain, post-operative pain, obstetric pain, for example labour pain, acute headache, neuralgia, myalgia, and visceral pain.
Chronic pain is generally understood to be pain that persists beyond the usual course of an acute disease or beyond a reasonable time for an injury to heal. A discussion of chronic pain can be found in the Halpern reference given above. Chronic pain is sometimes a result of persistent dysfunction of the nociceptive pain system. Examples of chronic pains which can be alleviated with the compounds of the invention include trigeminal neuralgia, post-herpetic neuralgia (a form of chronic pain accompanied by skin changes in a dermatomal distribution following damage by acute Herpes Zoster disease), diabetic neuropathy, causalgia, "phantom limb" pain, pain associated with osteoarthritis, pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, pain associated with cancer, pain associated with HIV, neuropathic pain, migraine and other conditions associated with chronio-'cephalic pain, primary and secondary hyperalgesia, inflammatory pain, nociceptive pain, tabes dorsalis, spinal cord injury pain, central pain, post-herpetic pain, noncardiac chest pain, irritable bowel syndrome and pain associated with bowel disorders and dyspepsia.
Some of the chronic pains set out above, for example, trigeminal neuralgia, diabetic neuropathic pain, causalgia, phantom limb pain and central post-stroke pain, have also been classified as neurogenic pain. One non-limiting definition of neurogenic pain is pain caused by dysfunction of the peripheral or central nervous system in the absence of nociceptor stimulation by trauma or disease. The compounds of the invention can, of course, be used to alleviate or reduce the incidence of neurogenic pain.
Since blockers of N-type calcium channels inhibit the release of excitatory amino acids, they can be used inter alia to inhibit damage to neuronal cells during anoxia, and function as neuroprotective agents, useful in the treatment of cerebral ischaemia or central nervous system injuries (Cox, B.; Denyer, J.C. Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents, 1998, 8, 1237-1250). The compounds can also be utilised for the treatment of eye diseases (Chu, T-C; Potter, D.E. Research Communications in Pharmacology and Toxicology, 2001, 6, 263-275).
Examples of cerebral ischaemias which can be treated or prevented with the compounds of the invention include transient ischaemic attack, stroke, for example thrombotic stroke, ischaemic stroke, embolic stroke, haemorrhagic stroke or lacunar stroke, subarachnoid haemorrage, cerebral vasospasm, peri-natal asphyxia, drowning, cardiac arrest and subdural haematoma.
Examples of central nervous system injuries which can be treated with the compounds of the invention include traumatic brain injury, neurosurgery (surgical trauma), neuroprotection for head injuries, raised intracranial pressure, cerebral oedema, hydrocephalus and spinal cord injury.
Examples of eye diseases which can be treated or prevented with the compounds of the invention include drug-induced optic neuritis, cataract, diabetic neuropathy, ischaemic retinopathy, retinal haemorrage, retinitis pigmentosa, acute glaucoma, in particular acute normal tension glaucoma, chronic glaucoma, in particular chronic normal tension glaucoma, macular degeneration, retinal artery occlusion and retinitis.
By virtue of their inhibition of neurotransmitter release the compounds of the invention can be used in the treatment of seizure disorders. Examples of seizure disorders which can be treated or prevented with the compounds of the invention include epilepsy and post-traumatic epilepsy, partial epilepsy (simple partial seizures, complex partial seizures, and partial seizures secondarily generalised seizures), generalised seizures, including generalised tonic/clonic seizures (grand mal), absence seizures (petit mal), myoclonic seizures, atonic seizures, clonic seizures, and tonic seizures, Lennox Gastaut, West Syndome (infantile spasms), multiresistant seizures and seizure prophylaxis (antiepileptogenic).
Furthermore the compounds of the invention can be utilised in the treatment of tinnitus, itch such as pruritoceptive, neuropathic, neurogenic and psychogenic itch, as well as urinary tract disorders such as urinary incontinence, and irritable bowel syndrome.
The compounds of the invention may also have application in disorders Which are generally associated with blocking of L-type calcium channels; such as cardiovascular, antiasthmatic and antibronchoconstriction disorders for example in the prevention and treatment of disorders such as hypersensitivity, allergy, asthma, bronchospasm, dysmenorrhea, esophageal spasm, premature labour, gastrointestinal motility disorders and cardiovascular disorders wherein the cardiovascular disorder is selected from the group consisting of hypertension, myocardial ischemia, angina, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction and stroke.
The compounds of the invention may, where appropriate, be used prophylactically to reduce the incidence of such conditions.
A therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention is administered to a patient. A typical dose is from about 0.001 to 50 mg per kg of body weight, according to the activity of the specific compound, the age, weight and conditions of the subject to be treated, the type and severity of the disease and the frequency and route of administration. Preferably, daily dosage levels are from 5 mg to 2 g- The following Examples illustrate the invention. They do not, however, limit the invention in any way. In this regard, it is important to understand that the particular assays used in the Examples section are designed only to provide an indication of activity in inhibiting N-type calcium channels. There are many assays available to determine the activity of given compounds as N-type calcium channel antagonists, and a negative result in any one particular assay is therefore not determinative.
EXAMPLES
Example 1 (compound 2) 3-(2-Pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-2-[l-(toluene-4-sulfonyl)-lH-pyrrol-2-yl]-thiazolidin-4-one l-(p-ToluenesuIfonyl)pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde (50 mg, 0.2 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous THF (0.3 ml) in a deep well plate. 2-(2-Aminoethyl)pyridine (25 mg, 0.2 mmol, 1 equiv) was also dissolved in anhydrous THF (0.3 ml) and added to the aldehyde solution. Thdoglycolic acid (0.05 ml, 0.72 mmol, 3.6 equiv) and triethyl orthoformate (0.125 ml, 0.75 mmol, 3.8 equiv) were added to the reaction well and the plate placed in a CEM MARS 5 microwave. After irradiating at 60°C for 30 minutes at 300 W, the solvent was removed in a Genevac. The residue was then dissolved in DCM (1 ml) and washed with 7% aqueous potassium carbonate solution (2 x 1 ml) followed by water (l x l ml). The solvent was removed and the sample dried in a Genevac to constant mass to give the desired 3-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-2-[l-(toluene-4-sulfonyl)-lH- pyrrol-2-yl]-thiazolidin-4-one (15 mg, 0.04 mmol, 20%; ES+ 428, DAD (254 nm) 98%).
Example 2 (compound 18) 2-(3-Bromo-4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-thiazolidin-4-one
A stirring solution of 3-bromo-4-fluorobenzaldehyde (Lancaster, 13473) (lOOmg, 0.49mmol), 2-(2-aminoethyl)pyridine (Lancaster, 5627) (60mg, 0.49mmol) and mercaptoacetic acid (Aldrich, 47,534-3) (45mg, 0.49mmol) in benzene (3 ml) was heated to reflux for 17h. The reaction mixture was evaporated to dryness and the remaining oil was dissolved in ethyl acetate. The solution was washed with 2M NaOH (2 x) then brine, dried (MgSO4) and evaporated to dryness to give a yellow oil. Purification by column chromatography gave the title compound as a yellow oil.
1H NMR (400 MHz, CDC13) δ 2.90-3.15' (3H), 3.58-3.62 (IH), 3.72-3.76 (IH), 3.99-4.06 (IH), 5.42-5.43 (IH), 7.07-7.11 (IH), 7Λ3-7.17 (3H), 7.37-7.39 (IH), 7.59- .' 7.63 (IH), 8.49-8.51 (IH);
Mass spectrum (ES+) m/z 383 (M + 2H). Example 3 (compound 185) 2-(3-Bromo-4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-(2-pyridin-3-yl-ethyl)-thiazolidin-4-one
The title compound was prepared using a procedure analogous to that described in Preparation Example 2 using 3-bromo-4-fluorobenzaldehyde, mercaptoacetic acid and 3-(2-aminoethyl)pyridine (Lancaster, 16311) in benzene.
HPLC retention time, 3.38 min (Solvent: MeCN/H2O/0.05% NHiOH, 5-95% gradient H2O - 6 min. Column: Phenomenex 50 x 3.00 mm i.d., C18 reverse phase. Flow rate: 1.5 ml/min.)
Mass spectrum (ES+) m/z 383 (M + 2H).
Compounds 1, 3 to 17 and 19 to 184 were prepared by analogous methods.
Example 4 3-[(2,3-Dimethoxyphenyl)methyl)]-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
A stirring solution of 3-(trifluoromethoxy)benzaldehyde (Aldrich, 34,648-9) (1.05g, 5.5mmol), 2,3-dimethoxybenzylamine (Aldrich, 18,985-5) (0.92g, 5.5mmol) and mercaptoacetic acid (Aldrich, 47,534-3) (0.5 lg, 5.5mmol) in benzene (30 ml) was heated to reflux for 17 h. The reaction mixture was evaporated to dryness and the remaining oil was dissolved in EtOAc. The solution was washed with sat. aq. NaHCO3 followed by 10% aq. HCl and brine, dried (MgSO ). MgSO4 was removed by filtration and the filtrate was evaporated to dryness to afford a yellow oil. Purification by column chromatography gave the title compound as a yellow oil (2.14g, 94%);
1HNMR (400 MHz, CDC13) δ 3.63 (3H), 3.68-3.76 (2H), 3.83-3.87 (4H), 5.00- 5.04 (IH), 5.48 (2H), 6.71-6.74 (IH), 6.85-6.87 (IH), 6.96-7.00 (IH), 7.08 (IH), 7.17- 7.20 (2H), 7.38-7.42 (IH); Mass spectrum (ES+) m/z 414 (M + H).
Example 5 3-(5-Hydroxypentyl)-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
The title compound was prepared according to the procedure described in Example 4 using 3-(trifluoromethoxy)benzaldehyde, mercaptoacetic acid and 5-amino- 1-pentanol (Aldrich, 12,304-8) in benzene. HPLC retention time, 3.41 min (Solvent: MeCN/H2O/0.05% NHtOH, 5-95% gradient H2O - 6 min. Column: Phenomenex 50 x 3.00 mm i.d., C18 reverse phase. Flow rate: 1.5 ml/min.). Mass spectrum (ES+) m/z 350 (M + H).
Example 6 2-(3-Trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)-4-thiazolidinone
The title compound was prepared according to the procedure described in Example 4 using 3-(trifluoromethoxy)benzaldehyde, mercaptoacetic acid and 3,4,5- trimethoxybenzylamine (Aldrich, 33,893-1) in benzene.
HPLC retention time, min (Solvent: MeCN/H2O/0.05% NHUOH, 5-95% gradient H2O - 6 min. Column: Phenomenex 50 x 3.00 mm i.d., C18 reverse phase. Flow rate: 1.5 ml/min.); Mass spectrum CES+) m/z flvl + H).
Example 7 3-(3,3-Diphenylpropyl)-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
The title compound was prepared according to the procedure described in Example 4 using 3-(trifluoromethoxy)benzaldehyde, mercaptoacetic acid and 3,3- diphenylpropylamine (Aldrich, 13,629-8) in benzene.
. HPLC retention time, min (Solvent: MeCN/H2O/0.05% NILOH, 5-95% gradient H2O - 6 min. Column: Phenomenex 50 x 3.00 mm i.d., CI 8 reverse phase. Flow rate: 1.5 ml/min.). Mass spectrum (ES+) m/z (M + H).
Example 8 3-(2,2-Diphenylethyl)-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
The title compound was prepared according to the procedure described in Example 4 using 3-(trifluoromethoxy)benzaldehyde, mercaptoacetic acid and 2,2- diphenylethylamine (Aldrich, D20,670-9) in benzene.
HPLC retention time, 4.47 min (Solvent: MeCN/H2 /0. )5% N^OH, 5-95% gradient H2O - 6 min. Column: Phenomenex 50 x 3.00 mm i.d., CI 8 reverse phase. Flow rate: 1.5 ml/min.) Mass spectrum (ES+) m/z 444 (M + H). Example 9 3-(5-Hydroxy-4,4-dimethylpentyl)-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
The title compound was prepared according to the procedure described in Example 4 using 3-(trifluoromethoxy)benzaldehyde, mercaptoacetic acid and 5-amino- 2,2-dimethylpentanol (Frinton Laboratories) in benzene.
HPLC retention time, 5.82 min (Solvent: MeCN/H2O/0.05% NKjOH, 5-95% gradient H O - 10 min. Column: Phenomenex 50 x 3.00 mm i.d., C18 reverse phase. Flow rate: 1.5 ml/min). Mass spectrum (ES+) m/z 378 (M + H).
Example 10 3-Hexyl-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
The title compound was prepared according to the procedure described previously using 3-(trifluoromethoxy)benzaldehyde, mercaptoacetic acid and hexylamine (Aldrich, 21 ,970-3) in benzene.
HPLC retention time, 7.17 min (Solvent: MeCN/H2O/0.05% NH OH, 5-95% gradient H O - 10 min. Column: Phenomenex 50 x 3.00 mm i.d., C18 reverse phase. Flow rate: 1.5 ml/min.) Mass spectrum (ES+) m/z 348 (M + H).
Example 11 3-(3-Hydroxypropyl)-2-(3-trifluorometlιoxyplιenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
The title compound was prepared according to the procedure described in Example 4 using 3-(trifluoromethoxy)benzaldehyde, mercaptoacetic acid and 3-amino- 1-propanol (Lancaster, 8654) in benzene.
HPLC retention time, 4.77 min (Solvent: MeCN/H2O/0.05% NF ^OH, 5-95% gradient H2O - 10 min. Column: Phenomenex 50 x 3.00 mm i.d., C18 reverse phase. Flow rate: 1.5 ml/min.). Mass spectrum (ES+) m/z 322 (M + H).
Example 12 3-(2-Pyridin-3-ylethyl)-2-(3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-thiazolidinone
A stirring solution of 3-(trifluoromethoxy)benzaldehyde (Aldrich, 34,648-9) (2.34g, 16.4mmol), 3-(2-aminoethyl)pyridine (Lancaster, 16311) (l.OOg, 8.18 mmol) and mercaptoacetic acid (Aldrich, 47,534-3) (0.5 lg, 5.5 mmol) in benzene (30 ml) w— heated to reflux for 3h. The reaction mixture was evaporated to dryness and the remaining oil was dissolved in EtOAc. The solution was washed with sat. aq. NaHCO3 (2 x) and brine, dried (MgSO4) and evaporated to dryness to afford a yellow oil. Purification by column chromatography gave the title compound as a yellow oil (1.26g,
1HNMR (400 MHz, CDC13) δ 2.68 (IH), 2.80-2.97 (2H), 3.67 (IH), 3.76-3.87 (2H), 5.40 (IH), 7.09 (IH), 7.16-7.23 (3H), 7.40-7.45 (2H), 8.34 (IH), 8.48 (IH); Mass spectrum (ES+) m/z 369 (M + H).
Examples 13 to 23
The following compounds were prepared by processes analogous to those set out above.
Figure imgf000074_0001
Figure imgf000075_0001
Activity Example 1
N-type calcium channel inhibition in IMR32 cells
The human neuroblastoma cell line IMR32 has been used by a number of groups to investigate calcium ion channels either by electrophysiological or fluorescent techniques in low throughput assays (Carbone, E., et al. (1990) Pflϋgers Arch 416:170- 179; Rafferty, M., et al. (2000) Patent WO 00/06559; Seko, T., et al., (2001) Bioorg Med Chem Lett 11 :2067-2070).
It has been shown that undifferentiated IMR32 cells constitutively express L- type calcium channels, whilst differentiated IMR32 cells express both N- and L-type channels. Therefore, undifferentiated IMR32 cells can be used to assay the L-type calcium channel and differentiated cells assayed in the presence of 5 μM riitrendipine can be used to study the N-type channels.
The Molecular Devices Corp FLEXstation™ was utilised to develop a medium throughput assay with undifferentiated and differentiated IMR32 cells labelled with Fluo-4. Opening of voltage-activated calcium channels was stimulated by depolarisation of cells with KCl, which was added by the FLEXstation's fluidics system. The resulting influx of calcium into the cells was recorded by an increase in fluorescence. The assays were validated with known ion channel blockers.
IMR32 cells were grown in EMEM supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum, 2 mM lutamine, 1% NEAA, 100 U/ml penicillin and 100 μg/ml streptomycin. To differentiate the IMR32 cells, 1 mM dibutyryl cAMP and 2.5 μM bromodeoxyuridine were added to the cell culture media and cells maintained for 7-9 days.
Cells were detached from tissue culture surfaces using an enzyme free cell dissociation buffer (Invitrogen) after washing with a Ca2+/Mg2+ free Hanks buffered saline solution (HBSS). The cells were then resuspended in assay buffer (HBSS containing Ca2+/Mg2+ and supplemented with 20 mM HEPES, pH 7.4) to give a total volume of 40 ml. 2 μM Fluo-4 and 50 μM probenecid were added and then the cells were incubated at 25 °C for 30 min. Following centrifugation in a Heraeus Megafuge 1.0 (rotor 2704) for lmin at 1000 rpm, the cell pellet was resuspended in 40 ml assay buffer supplemented with 50 μM probenecid and incubated at 25 °C for a further 30 min. The ceils were centrifuged as before and again resuspended in assay buffer supplemented with probenecid. 200,000 cells were aliquoted into each well of a 96-well plate containing 0.001-100 μM compound to be tested (for the N-type assay 5 μM nitrendipine was also added to each well), in triplicate. The final volume of compound and cells in assay buffer was 200 μl. The plate containing cells was centrifuged at 300 rpm for 1 min with no brake in a Heraeus Labofuge 400E (rotor 8177).
The plate was then assayed using the FLEXstation (Molecular Devices Corp). The excitation and emission wavelengths were 494 and 525 nm, respectively. The calcium response was stimulated by the addition of 50 μl 250 mM KCl (50 mM final concentration) by the FLEXstation fluidics system. SOFTmax Pro (Molecular Devices Corp) was used to calculate the change in fluorescence caused by calcium influx for each well and hence the IC50 or each compound. The results are shown in the Tables below.
Table 1
Figure imgf000076_0001
Figure imgf000077_0001
Figure imgf000078_0001
Figure imgf000079_0001
Figure imgf000080_0001
Figure imgf000081_0001
Figure imgf000082_0001
Figure imgf000083_0001
Figure imgf000084_0001
Figure imgf000085_0001
Figure imgf000086_0001
* Compound numbers in this Table correspond to those set out in the list of preferred compounds in the description.
** 3 different measurements were taken using the same assay.
Table 2
Figure imgf000086_0002
Figure imgf000087_0001
Activity Example 2
Inflammation-induced hyperalgesia in experimental animals
Chronic inflammatory conditions produce a state of hyperalgesia, which is evident from a few hours to days after administration of an inflammatory stimulus.
Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA containing heat-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and carrageenan have been well documented to produce this state in laboratory animals following intraplantar injection. In particular intraplantar injection of FCA in the rat is associated with the development of persistent hyperalgesia within a few hours, which is confined to the ipsilateral paw.
Methodology
The method μsed was based on that described by Iadarola et al. Brain Res. 1998, 455, 205-212. Animals received a unilateral, intraplanter, injection of saline. At various time points post-aα^ninistration of inflammatory stimulus the following parameter was measured: Oedema
The displacement volume (ml) of-each hindpaw was assessed using plethysmometer.
Mechanical hyperalgesia
To assess the development of mechanical hyperalgesia, paw withdrawal threshold of both ipsilateral and contralateral paws was determined using an algesymeter (Ugo Basile, Italy). An increasing weight was applied to each paw until a withdrawal reflex was elicited.
The results are shown in the Table below. The figures quoted show the reversal achieved 3 hours after administration of compound 18 (2-(3-bromo-4-fluoro-phenyl)-3- (2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-thiazolidin-4-one).
Figure imgf000088_0001
Activity Example 3
Allodynia in experimental animals
Allodynia, an extreme tenderness or hypersensitivit'y of the skin resulting from nerve damage, was examined in the model of neuropathic pain induced by partial ligation of the sciatic nerve as described by Seltzer et al. (Seltzer_ Z., Dubner, R. and Shir, Y., 1990. A novel behavioural model of neuropathic pain disorders produced in rats by partial sciatic nerve injury. Pain 43, 205-218). Briefly, Wistar rats (120-140 g) were anaesthetized, the left sciatic nerve was exposed at mid-thigh level through a small incision and 1/3 to 1/2 of the nerve thickness was tightly ligated within a 7.0 silk suture. The wound was closed with a single muscle suture and skin clips. The animals were allowed to recover and evaluated 12-15 days following surgery. Tactile allodynia was assessed in rats by measuring withdrawal thresholds to calibrated von Frey hairs with intensities ranging from 1 to 15 g. Filaments exerting a force above 15 g were not used as they produced lifting of the paws. On the day of the experiment animals were placed in a perspex chamber with mesh metal floor and allowed to acclimatise for 15 - 30 min. Starting with the lowest filament force, von Frey hairs were applied perpendicular to the mid plantar surface of the both hind paws, with sufficient force to cause slight bending against the paw and held for 5 seconds. A positive response was noted if the paw was sharply withdrawn or there was flinching upon removal of the hair. If no response was noted to any trial the process was repeated with the next higher force hair and the filament which produced a positive response was denoted as the threshold. Withdrawal thresholds were determined prior to and up to 6 h following drug or vehicle administration.
Results are shown in the Tables below. The figures quoted show the reversal of allodynia achieved 1 hour after subcutaneous administration of compound 18 and 3 hours after the administration compound 119 respectively:
Figure imgf000089_0001

Claims

1. Use, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment or prevention of a condition mediated by N-type calcium channels, of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,
Figure imgf000090_0001
wherein:
Z is -S-, -S(O , -SO2-, -O- or -NR- wherein R is hydrogen, d-C6 alkyl or -CO-(Cι-C6 alkyl);
R1 is hydrogen or d-C6 alkyl;
R2 is hydrogen, fluorine, d-C6 alkyl, -(Ci-d alkyl)-CO2H or -(C C6 alkyl)-CO-NR5R6, wherein either (a) R5 is hydrogen, aryl or -(Cid alkyl)-aryl and Rg is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond, a Ci-Q alkylene group, a C2-C6 alkenylene group or a C2-d alkynylene group and R is hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl or (b) R5 and Re, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, represent a moiety -Heti-
Het2, wherein Heti is a heterocyclyl or heteroaryl group and Het2 is hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, -CH(aryl) or -CH(heteroaryl) ;
Y is -(CRy 2)q-, -(CRy 2)m-X4-(CRy 2)„-, -(CRy 2)m-A-(CRy 2)m- or -(CRy 2)m-A-(CRy 2)p-X3-
(CRy )m, wherein: p, q, ni and n are each independently an integer of 0 to 4;
A is aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl;
X3 is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -S(O , -SO2-, -O-CO-, -S-CO-, -NR'-CO, -CO-O-,
-CO-S- or -CO-NR' wherein R' is hydrogen, d-d alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl or C2-d alkynyl;
X4 is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -S(O or -SO2- wherein R' is hydrogen, d-d alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl or C2-C6 alkynyl; each Ry is the same or different and is hydrogen, Ci-d alkyl, C2-C alkenyl, C2- C alkynyl, aryl or heteroaryl; R3 is hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl or carbocyclyl; and R4. is methyl, -Ci-Xi-Ari or -C2-X2-C3, wherein:
Ci is a direct bond, a Cι-C6 alkylene group, a C2-C6 alkenylene group or a C2-C6 alkynylene group;
Xi is a direct bond when Ci is a direct bond and, when Ci is a Ci- alkylene group, d-d alkenylene group or C2-C6 alkynylene group, represents a direct bond or -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -SO-, -SO2-, -CO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO-, -CO-O-R"-CO-O-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-O-, -CO-O-R"-CO- NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -O-CO-NR'- or -NR'-CO-O-, wherein each R' is the same or different and represents hydrogen, phenyl, Cι-C6 alkyl, C2-d alkenyl or C -C6 alkynyl and each R" is the same or different and represents a Ci-d alkylene group, a C -C6 alkenylene group or a C -C6 alkynylene group; Ari is heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl, carbocyclyl, heteroaryl-Ra-, heterocyclyl- Ra-, aryl-Ra- or carbocyclyl-Ra-, wherein Ra is a d-d alkylene group, a C2-C6 alkenylene group or a C2-C6 alkynylene group; d is a Ci-d alkylene group, a d-d alkenylene group or a C2-d alkynylene group; - X2 is a direct bond or -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -SO-, -SO2-, -CO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-,
-CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO-, -CO-O-R"-CO-O-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-O-, -CO-O-R"-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -NR'-CO-O- or -O-CO-NR'-, ' wherein each R' is the same or different and represents hydrogen, phenyl, d-d alkyl, C -C6 alkenyl or C2-C6 alkynyl and each R" is the same or different and represents a Cι-C6 alkylene group, a C2-C6 alkenylene group or a C2-d alkynylene group; and
C3 is a Ci-d alkyl group, a C2-d alkenyl group or a C2-d alkynyl group, wherein: the alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl, alkenylene, alkynyl and alkynylene groups and moieties in the R1 to R4 substituents are unsubstituted or carry 1, 2 or 3 unsubstituted substituents selected from aryl, hydroxy, d-C6 alkoxy, Ci-d alkylthio, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C6 alkyl), -N(Cι-C6 alkyl)2, halogen, cyano, nitro, -NHCO-(d-C6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(d-C6 alkyl), -CO-O-(C C6 alkyl) and -O-CO-(d-C6 alkyl) substituents; and the aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl and heterocyclyl groups and moieties in the R1 to R4 substituents are unsubstituted or carry 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, Cι-C6 alkyl, Ci-d alkoxy, Cι-C6 alkylthio, C3-C6 carbocyclyl, C3-d carbocyclyloxy, C3-d jearbocyclylthio, C2-d alkenyl, C2-C6 alkenyloxy, C2-C6 alkenylthio, C2-C6 alknynyl, C2-C6 alkynyloxy, C -C6 alkynylthio, hydroxy, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C6 alkyl), -N(d-C6 alkyl)2, cyano, nitro, -NH-CO-(d-C6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(C d alkyl), -CO-O-(d-C6 alkyl) and -O-CO-(d-C6 alkyl) substituents, said substituents being unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 further unsubstituted substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, d-C6 alkoxy, Cι-C6 alkylthio, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C6 alkyl), -N(C d alkyl)2, -NH-CO-(d-C6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(d-C6 alkyl) and -O-CO-(d-C6 alkyl) substituents.
2. Use according to claim 1, wherein R2 is hydrogen, fluorine or Cι-C6 alkyl and R_t is -d-Xι-Arι or -C2-X2-C3 wherein Ci, Xi, Ari, C2, X and C3 are as defined in claim 1.
3. Use according to claim 1, wherein R2 represents hydrogen, fluorine, d- C4 alkyl,. -(Cι-C4 alkyl)-CO2H or -(d-C4 alkyl)-CONR5Rδ, wherein either (a) R5 is hydrogen, aryl or -(Cι-C alkyl)-aryl and Re is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond or a Ci- C4 alkylene group and R is hydrogen, aryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl or (b) R5 and R , together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, represent a moiety -Hetι-Het , wherein Hetj is a heterocyclyl group and Het2 is hydrogen, aryl or -CH(aryl)2.
4. Use according to claim 3, wherein R2 represents hydrogen, an unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkyl group, -(CH )a-CO2H or -(CH2)b-CONRsR6 wherein a and b are 1 or 2 and either (a) R5 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted benzyl group and Rg is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond or an unsubstituted Cι-C alkylene group and R is hydrogen or a phenyl, cyclohexenyl, piperidyl, pyridyl or benzimidazolyl .group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen, hydroxy, -OCH3 or -OCH2CH3 substituent, or (b) R5 and R^, together with the N atom to which they are attached, represent a pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl or piperazinyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by an unsubstituted -CHPh2 group.
5. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl, alkenylene, alkynyl and alkynylene groups and moieties in the R1 to R4 substituents are unsubstituted or carry 1, 2 or 3 unsubstituted substituents selected from hydroxy, halogen, d-C2 alkoxy, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C2 alkyl) and -N(Cι-C2 alkyl)2 substituents; and the aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl and heterocyclyl groups and moieties in the R1 to R4 substituents are unsubstituted or carry 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from Cι-C alkyl, Cι-C4 alkoxy, Cι-C alkylthio, C5-C6 carbocyclyloxy, C2-C4 alkenyloxy, halogen, hydroxy, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C2 alkyl), -N(Cι-C2 alkyl)2 and -NH-CO-(Cι-C2 alkyl) substituents, the substituents on an aryl or heteroaryl group or moiety being unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents which are halo substituents and the substituents on a carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl group or moiety being unsubstituted.
6. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the alkyl groups and moieties in substituents R1 to R4 are unsubstituted or carry 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from fluorine and hydroxy groups.
7. Use according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein, when Ari is a heteroaryl or heterocyclyl group it is attached via a carbon-atom.
8. Use according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein Z is -S-, -S(O)- or -S(O)2-.
9. Use according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein Ri is hydrogen or -CH3.
10. Use according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein R2 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkyl group.
11. Use according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein each Ry is the same or different and is hydrogen or an unsubstituted Cι-C alkyl or phenyl group.
12. Use according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein A is an aryl or heteroaryl group which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1 ^ 2 or 3 substituents selected from unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkyl, Ci-d alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, NH , NH(d- d alkyl) and N(Cι-C2 alkyl)2 groups.
13. Use according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein X3 is -O-, -S-, -SO-, -SO2- or -NH-CO-.
14. Use according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein p is 0 or 1; and/or q is 0, 1, 2 or 3; and/or m is 0 or 1; and/or n is 1 or 2.
15. Use according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein * is -S- or -O-.
16. Use according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein Y is a direct bond or a group of formula -(CRy 2)-, -(CH2)mO(CH2)n-, -A- or -A-X3-(CH2)m- wherein Ry, A, X3, m and n are as defined in any one ofthe preceding claims.
17. Use according to any one ofthe preceding claims wherein R3 is hydrogen or an aryl, heteroaryl or carbocyclyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, d-d alkyl, d-C6 alkoxy, d-d alkylthio, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-d alkenyloxy, C2-C6 alkenylthio, d-d alknynyl, C2-C6 alkynyloxy, C2-C6 alkynylthio, C3-C6 carbocyclyl, C3-C6 carbocyclyloxy, C3-C6 carbocyclyltbio, -NH-CO-(d-C6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(d-C6 alkyl) and -NR'R" wherein R' and R" are each independently hydrogen or a Ci-d alkyl group, the substituents on R3 being themselves unsubstituted or further substituted with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen and hydroxy.
18. Use according to any one of claims 1 and 2 to 17, wherein j is -CH3 or is -d-Xi-Aπ or -C2-X -C3.
19. Use according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein d is an unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkylene group.
20 Use according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein Xi is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -S-CO-, -O-CO- or -NH-CO-.
21. Use according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein Ari is a heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl, carbocyclyl or heteroaryl-(Cι-C2 alkyl)- group which is unsubstituted or carries, on the cyclic moiety, 1, 2 or 3 unsubstituted groups selected from halogen, d-C4 alkyl, hydroxy, d-C4 alkoxy, -NR'R" and -NH-CO-R' wherein R' and R" are the same or different and are selected from hydrogen and unsubstituted Ci- C4 alkyl.
22. Use according to claim 21, wherein, when Art is a heteroaryl group it is a thienyl group, when Ari is a heteroaryl-(C1-C2 alkyl)- group it is a thienyl-methyl- or furanyl-methyl- group and when Ar is a heterocyclyl group it is a morpholinyl, 1,4- benzodioxanyl or 1,3-benzodioxanyl group.
23. Use according to claim 21 , wherein Ari is a pyridyl, thienyl, benzimidazolyl, furanyl-methyl-, 1,4-benzodioxanyl, phenyl, cyclohexenyl, quinolinyl, 2,3-dihydro-lH-indenyl, 1,3-benzodioxolyl or 1,3-benzddioxanyl group which is unsubstituted or carries, on the cyclic moiety, 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from fluorine, hydroxy, -OCFI3, -N(CH3)2 and -NH-CO-CH3.
24. Use according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein C2 is an unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkylene group.
25. Use according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein X2 is a direct bond or -O-, -S-, -CO-O-, -O-CO-, -S-CO-, -CO-S- or -NH-CO-.
26. Use according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein C3 is a d-C alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 unsubstituted groups selected from hydroxy, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C2 alkyl), -N(Cι-C2 alkyl)2 and halogen.
27. Use according to claim 26, wherein C3 is unsubstituted or carries, on a primary carbon atom, either (a) one hydroxy or (b) 1, 2 or 3 halo substituents.
28. Use according to claim 1, wherein the compound of formula (I) is a thiazolidinone derivative of formula (IA) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:
Figure imgf000095_0001
wherein:
Z is -S-, -S(O or -S(O)2-;
R2 represents hydrogen, an unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkyl group, -(CH )a-CO2H or -(CH2)b-
CONR5R6 wherein a and b are 1 or 2 and either (a) R5 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted benzyl group and Re is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond or an unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkylene group and R is hydrogen or a phenyl, cyclohexenyl, piperidyl, pyridyl or benzimidazolyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen, hydroxy,
-OCH3 or -OCH2CH3 substituent, or (b) R5 and Re, together with the N atom to which they are attached, represent a pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl or piperazinyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by an unsubstituted -CHPh2 group;
Y is a direct bond or a group of formula -(CRy 2)-, -(CH2)mO(CH2)-, -A- or -A-X3- (CH )m, wherein Ry is hydrogen, -CH3, -CH2-CH3 or an unsubstituted phenyl group, wherein no more than one Ry group is phenyl; A is a phenyl, pyridyl or pyrrolyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from -CH3, -CH2-CH3, -OCH3, -OCH2-CH3, halogen and hydroxy; X3 is -O-, -SO2- or -NH- CO-; and m is 0 or 1;
R3 is hydrogen or a phenyl, thienyl, furyl, quinolinyl, benzofuranyl, cyclopentyl, 1,4- benzodioxanyl, 1,3-benzodioxolyl or 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran group which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, Cι-C4 alkyl, Cι-C4 alkoxy, Cι-C4 alkylthio, C2-C4 alkenyloxy, C3-C6 carbocyclyloxy, -NH- CO-Me and -N(CH3)2, the substituents on R being themselves unsubstituted or further substituted with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents selected from halogen and hydroxy; R.I is an unsubstituted methyl group or is -Ci-Xi-Ari or -C2-X2-C3, wherein: d is -(CH2 , -(CH2)2- or -(CH2)3-; Xi is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -S-CO- or -O-CO-; ,
Ari is a phenyl, pyridyl, thienyl, benzimidazolyl, furanyl-methyl-, cyclohexenyl, quinolinyl, 2,3-dihydro-lH-indenyl, 1,3-benzodioxolyl, 1,3- benzodioxanyl or 1,4-benzodioxanyl group, which is unsubstituted or carries, on the cyclic moiety, 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from fluorine, hydroxy,- -OCH3, -N(CH3)2 and - NH-CO-CH3;
C2 is a straight chain unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkylene group; X is a direct bond or is or is -O-, -S-, -CO-O- or -NH-CO-O; and C3 is Cι-C4 alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted on a primary carbon atom with either (a) one hydroxy or (b) 1, 2 or 3 halo substituents.
29. Use according to claim 28 wherein, when Ari is a pyridyl or benzimidazolyl group it is attached via a carbon atom.
30. Use according to claim 28, wherein Ari is a phenyl, thienyl, furanyl- methyl-, 1,3 -benzodioxanyl or 1,4-benzodioxanyl group, which is unsubstituted or carries, on the cyclic moiety, 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from fluorine, hydroxy, -OCH3, -N(CH3)2 and -NH-CO-CH3.
31. Use, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment or prevention of a condition mediated by N-type calcium channels, of a compound of formula (I ) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,
Figure imgf000097_0001
wherein:
Z is -S-, -S(O)-, -SO.-, -O- or -NR- wherein R is hydrogen, CrC6 alkyl or -CO-(d-C6 alkyl);
Ri is hydrogen or Cι-C6 alkyl;
R2 is hydrogen, fluorine, Crd alkyl, -(Ci-d alkyl)-CO2H or -(Cι-C6 alkyl)-CO-NR5R6, wherein either (a) R5 is hydrogen, aryl or -(Ci alkyl)-aryl and Re is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond, a Cι-C6 alkylene group, a C -d alkenylene group or a C2-d alkynylene , group and R is hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocyclyl or heterocyclyl or (b) R5 and Re, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, represent a moiety -Heti- Het2, wherein Heti is a heterocyclyl or heteroaryl group and Het2 is hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, -CH(aryl)2 or -CH(heteroaryl)2; R3 is -SCQ3 or -OCQ3 wherein Q is halogen; and R is methyl, -Ci-Xi-Ari or -d-X2-d, wherein d is a direct bond, a Ci-d alkylene group, a C2-C6 alkenylene group or a C2-d alkynylene group;
Xi is a direct bond when Ci is a direct bond and, when Ci is a Ci-d alkylene group, d-d alkenylene group or C2-C6 alkynylene group, represents a direct bond or -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -SO-, -SO2-, -CO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO-, -CO-O-R"-CO-O-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-O-, -CO-O-R"-CO- NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -OCO-NR'- or -NR'-CO-O- wherein each R' is the same or different and represents hydrogen, phenyl, d-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl or C2-C6 alkynyl and each R" is the same or different and represents a d- alkylene group, a d-C alkenylene group or a C2-C alkynylene group; Ari is heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl, carbocyclyl, heteroaryl- Y-, heterocyclyl- Y-, aryl-Y- or carbocyclyl- Y-, wherein each Y is the same or different and represents a Cχ-P alkylene, C2-C6 alkenylene or C2-C6 alkynylene group; C2 is a Cι-C6 alkylene group, a C2-d alkenylene group or a C2-C6 alkynylene group;
X2 is a direct bond or -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -SO-, -SO2-, -CO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO-, -CO-O-R"-CO-O-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-O-, -CO-O-R"-CO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -OCO-NR'- or -NR'-CO-O- wherein each R' is the same or different and represents hydrogen, phenyl, Ci- alkyl, d-C6 alkenyl or C -C6 alkynyl and each R" is the same or different and represents a Ci- alkylene group, a C2-C6 alkenylene group or a C2-C6 alkynylene group; and
C3 is a Ci- alkyl group, a C -d alkenyl group or a C -C6 alkynyl group, wherein: the alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl, alkenylene, alkynyl and alkynylene groups and moieties in the R\ to R4 substituents are unsubstituted or carry 1, 2 or 3 unsubstituted substituents selected from aryl, hydroxy, Ci- alkoxy, Ci- alkylthio, -NH2, -NH(Cj- C6 alkyl), -N(Cι-C6 alkyl)2, halogen, cyano, nitro, -NHCO-(Cι-C6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(Cr d alkyl), -CO-O-(Cι-d alkyl) and -O-CO-(C C6 alkyl); the aryl and heteroaryl groups and moieties in the R\ to 4 substituents are unsubstituted or carry 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, Ci- alkyl, Ci- alkoxy, Cι-C6 alkylthio, hydroxy, Cι-C4 alkylenedioxy -NH2, -NH(Cι-C6 alkyl), -N(Cι-C6 alkyl)2, cyano, nitro, -NH-CO-(d-C6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(d-C6 alkyl), -CO-O- (d-C alkyl) and -0-CO-(C\-Ce alkyl) substituents, said substituents being unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 further unsubstituted substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, Cι-C6 alkoxy, Ci-Ce alkylthio, -NH2, -NH(d-d alkyl), -N(d-C6 alkyl)2, -NH-CO-(Cι-C6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(C d alkyl) and -O-CO-(d-C6 alkyl); and the carbocyclyl and heterocyclyl groups and moieties in the Ri to R^t substituents are unsubstituted or carry 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, d- C6 alkyl, Cι-C6 alkoxy, Ci- alkylthio, hydroxy, Ci- alkylenedioxy, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C6 alkyl), -N(Cι-C6 alkyl)2, cyano, nitro, oxo, -NH-CO-(CrC6 alkyl), -CO-NH- (Cι-C6 alkyl), -CO-O-(Cι-C6 alkyl) and -O-CO-(Cι-C6 alkyl) substituents, said substituents being unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2 or 3 further unsubstituted substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, Ci- alkoxy, Cι-C6 alkylthio, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C6 alkyl), -N(CΪ-C6 alkyl)2, -NH-CO-(Cι-C6 alkyl), -CO-NH-(Cι-C6 alkyl) and -O-CO-(Cι-C6 alkyl).
32. Use according to claim 31, wherein R2 is hydrogen, fluorine or d-d alkyl and R is -Ci-Xi-Ari or -C2-X2-C3 wherein Ci, Xi, An, C2, X2 and C3 are as defined in claim 31.
33. Use according to claim 31 or 32, wherein: the alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl, alkenylene, alkynyl and alkynylene groups and moieties in the Ri to substituents are unsubstituted or carry 1, 2 or 3 unsubstituted substituents selected from phenyl, hydroxy, halogen, Ci-d alkoxy, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C alkyl), -N(Cι-C2 alkyl)2 and -NHCO-(d-C2 alkyl); the aryl and heteroaryl groups and moieties in the Ri to R4 substituents are unsubstituted or carry 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from Cι-C4 alkyl, Cι-C4 alkoxy, d~ C4 alkylthio, halogen, hydroxy, methylenedioxy, -NH2, -NH(d-C2 alkyl), -N(Cj-C alkyl)2, -NH-CO-(Cι-C2 alkyl) and -O-CO-(CrC2 alkyl) substituents, said substituents being unsubstituted or substituted either (a) with one further substituent selected from unsubstituted Cι-C2 alkoxy, -NH-(d-C2 alkyl) and -N(Cι-C2 alkyl)2 groups or (b) with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents which are halo substituents; and the carbocyclyl and heterocyclyl groups and moieties in the Ri to R4 substituents are unsubstituted or carry 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from Cι-C alkyl, Cι-C4 alkoxy, Cι-C4 alkylthio, halogen, hydroxy, methylenedioxy, -NH2, -NH(d-C2 alkyl), -N(d-C2 alkyl)2, oxo, -NH-CO-(d-C2 alkyl) and -O-CO-(Cι-C2 alkyl) substituents, said substituents being unsubstituted or substituted either (a) with one further substituent selected from unsubstituted Cι-C2 alkoxy, -NH-(Cι-C2 alkyl) and -N(Cι-d alkyl)2 groups or (b) with 1, 2 or 3 further substituents which are halo substituents.
34. Use according to any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein R2 is as defined in claim 3 or 4.
35. Use according to any one of claims 31 to 34, wherein Z is -S-, -S(O)- ( -S(O)2- and or Ri is hydrogen or -CH3 and/or R2 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group.
36. Use according to any one of claims 31 to 35, wherein the R3 group is present at the 3 -position ofthe phenyl ring to which it is attached.
37. Use according to any one of claims 31 to 36, wherein Ci is a direct bond or a C1-C4 alkylene group which is unsubstituted when Xi is other than a direct bond and, when Xi is a direct bond, is unsubstituted or substituted at the carbon atom α to the moiety Ari by one substituent selected from phenyl, hydroxy, halogen, Cι-C2 alkoxy, -NH2, -NH(d-C2 alkyl), -N(Cι-C2 alkyl)2 and -NHCO-(Cι-C2 alkyl).
38. Use according to claim 37 wherein the substituent α to the moiety Xi is a phenyl group.
39. Use according to any one of claims 31 to 38, wherein Xi is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO- or -CO-NR'-R"-CO-O-, wherein each R' is the same or different and is hydrogen, -CH3 or -CH2CH3 and R" is -CH2- or -CH2- CH2-.
40. Use according to claim 39, wherein Xi is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NH-CO- or -CO-NH-CH2-CO-O-.
41. Use according to any one of claims 31 to 40 wherein Ari is heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, carbocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl-(CH2)n- or aryl-(CH2)„- wherein n is 1 or 2.
42. Use according to any one of claims 31 to 41, wherein C2 is unsubstituted or carries one substituent at the carbon atom α to the moiety X2 or, where X2 is a direct bond, to the moiety C3, which substituent is selected from hydroxy, halogen, Ci-d alkoxy, -NH2, -NH(Cι-C2 alkyl), -N(d-C2 alkyl)2 and -NHCO-(d-C2 alkyl).
43. Use according to claim 42, wherein said substituent is hydroxy or -NH- COCH3.
44. Use according to any one of claims 31 to 43 wherein X2 is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'- or -CO-NR'-R"-CO-O- wherein each R' is the same or different and is hydrogen, -CH3 or -CH2CH3 and R" is -CH2- or -CH2- CH2-.
45. Use according to any one of claims 31 to 44, wherein C3 is unsubstituted or substituted by one, two or three substituents selected from hydroxy, -NH2, -NH(d- C alkyl), -N(Cι-C4 alkyl)2 and halogen.
46. Use according to claim 31 , wherein the compound of formula (f) is a compound of formula (la'')
Figure imgf000101_0001
wherein:
Z is -S-, -S(O)- or -S(O)2-;
R2 is hydrogen, an unsubstituted d-C4 alkyl group, -(CH2)a-CO2H or -(CH2)b- CONR5R6 wherein a and b are 1 or 2 and either (a) R5 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted benzyl group and R6 is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond or an unsubstituted d-C alkylene group and R is hydrogen or a phenyl, cyclohexenyl, piperidyl, pyridyl or benzimidazolyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen, hydroxy, -OCH3 or -OCH2CH3 substituent, or (b) R5 and Re, together with the N atom to which they are attached, represent a pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl or piperazinyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by an unsubstituted -CHPh2 group; R4 is an unsubstituted methyl group or is -Ci-Xi-Ari or -C -X2-C3, wherein Ci, C2, Xi, X2, Ari and C3 are as defined in any one of claims 31 to 45.
47. Use according to claim 46, wherein Z is S, R2 is hydrogen or -CH3 and R4 is -Ci-Xi-Ari or C2-X2-C3 wherein Ci, d, Xi, X2, Ari and C3 are as defined in any one of claims 31 to 45.
48. Use according to any one of claims 31 to 46, wherein: Z, Ri, R2 and R3 are as defined in any one of claims 31 to 47; and i is an unsubstituted methyl group or is -Ci-Ar, or - -X2-d, wherein: Ci is an unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkylene group; Ari is an aryl or heteroaryl group; d is a Ci-d alkylene group; X2 is -O-, -S- or a direct bond; and C3 is a Cι-C4 alkyl group.
49. Use according to claim 48, wherein (a) Ari is an unsubstituted 2-pyridyl or 3-pyridyl group or a phenyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, Cι-C4 alkyl and C1-C4 alkoxy substituents, and/or (b) C2 is an unsubstituted C1-C5 alkylene group, and/or (c) C3 is unsubstituted or carries, on a primary carbon atom, a hydroxy substituent.
50. Use according to any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein the compound of formula (I) is a compound wherein, when R2 is other than hydrogen, fluorine and Cι-C6 alkyl, Y is -(CRy 2)q-, and/or R3 is hydrogen.
51. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound'of formula (II), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent,
Figure imgf000102_0001
wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, Y and Z in the formula (II) are as defined in any one of claims 1 to 30, provided that (i) -YR3 is other than an unsubstituted pyridyl group, (ii) -YR3 is other than -phenyl-O-A2-R, wherein A2 is a d-d alkylene group and R is 1- pyrrolidinyl, 1 -piperidinyl, 4-morpholinyl, 1 -piperazinyl or 4-alkyl-l -piperazinyl, (iii) R2 is other than Cι-C6 alkyl, (iv) when Xi is -O-, Ari is other than phenyl and when X2 is -O- and C2 is an unsubstituted Cι-C6 alkylene group, C3 is other than an unsubstituted Ci-d alkyl group and (v) when Z is S and R1 is hydrogen, R4 and Y-R3 are not defined as follows:
Figure imgf000102_0002
Figure imgf000103_0001
Figure imgf000104_0001
Figure imgf000105_0001
Figure imgf000106_0001
52. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 51 , wherein, in the compound of formula (II), Z, R1, R2, R3 and Y are as defined inany one of claims 1 to 30, and R4 is -Ci-Xi-Ari' or -C2-X2'-C3, or an unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkyl group, wherein Ci, Xi, C and C3 are as defined in any one of claims 1 to 30, and:
Ari ' is heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl-Ra- or heterocyclyl-Ra-, wherein Ra is a Ci-d alkylene group, a d-d alkenylene group or a C -d alkynylene group; wherein when Ari ' is an unsubstituted phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted with one or two groups selected from methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, phenoxy, chlorine, bromine and nitro, either both Ci and Xi are direct bonds or Ci is methylene and Xi is -O-, -S-, -NR'-, -SO-, -SO2-, -CO-S-, -CO-O- , -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO-, -CO-O-R"-CO-O-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO- O-, -CO-O-R"-dO-NR'-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -O-CO-NR'- or -NR'-CO-O-, wherein each R' is the same or different and represents hydrogen, phenyl, Ci-d alkyl, d-d alkenyl or C2-C6 alkynyl and each R" is the same or different and represents a Cι-C6 alkylene group, a C2-C6 alkenylene group or a C2-d alkynylene group, provided that when Xi is -O-, Ar is other than phenyl; and X2' is -O-, -S-, -SO-, -SO2-, -CO-, -CO-S-, -CO-O-, -CO-NR'-, -S-CO-, -O-CO-, -NR'-CO-, -CO-O-R"-CO-O-, -CO-NR'-R"-CO-O-, -CO-O-R"-CO-NR'-, -CO- NR'-R"-CO-NR'-, -NR'-CO-O- or -O-CO-NR'-, wherein each R' is the same or different and represents hydrogen, phenyl, Ci-d alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl or C -d alkynyl and each R" is the same or different and represents a Cι-C6 alkylene group a d-d alkenylene group or a C2-d alkynylene group, provided that when X_' is -O- and C2 is an unsubstituted alkylene group, C3 is other than an unsubstituted alkyl group; provided that -YR3 is other than an unsubstituted pyridyl group or -phenyl-O-A2-R, wherein A2 and R are as defined in claim 51 and R is other than Cι-C6 alkyl.
53. A composition according to claim 52, wherein R4 in the formula (II) is -Cι-Xι-An' or -C2-X2'-C3.
54. A composition according to claim 52 or 53, wherein Ari' in the formula (II) is heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl-(Cι-C2 alkyl)- or a phenyl group fused to a heterocyclyl ring, each of which is unsubstituted or carries, on the cyclic moiety, 1, 2 or 3 unsubstituted groups selected from halogen, Cι-C4 alkyl, hydroxy, Cι-C4 alkoxy, -NR'R" and -NH-CO-R' wherein R' and R" are selected from hydrogen and unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl.
55. A composition according to claim 51 , wherein the compound of formula (II) is a compound of formula (Ila)
Figure imgf000108_0001
wherein:
Z is -S-, -S(O)- or -S(O)2-;
Y is a direct bond or a group of formula -(CRy 2)-, -(CH2)mO(CH2)-, -A- or -A-X3-
(CH2)m5 wherein Ry is hydrogen, -CH3, -CH2-CH3 or an unsubstituted phenyl group, wherein no more than one Ry group is phenyl; A is a phenyl, pyridyl or pyrrolyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from
-CH3, -CH2-CH3, -OCH3, -OCH2-CH3, halogen and hydroxy; X3 is -O-, -SO2- or -NH-
CO-; and m is 0 or 1;
R2 is hydrogen, -(CH2)a-CO2H or -(CH2)b-CONR5R6 wherein a and b are 1 or 2 and either (a) R5 is hydrogen or an unsubstituted benzyl group and Re is -L-R wherein L is a direct bond or an unsubstituted Ci- alkylene group and R is hydrogen or a phenyl, cyclohexenyl, piperidyl, pyridyl or benzimidazolyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by a halogen, hydroxy, -OCH3 or -OCH2CH3 substituent, or (b) R5 and Re, together with the N atom to which they are attached, represent a pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl or piperazinyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted by an unsubstituted -CHPb.2 group;
R4 is -CH3, -Ci-Xi-Ari' or -C2-X2'-C3, wherein: d is -(CH2)-, -(CH2)2- or -(CH2)3-;
Xi is a direct bond or is -O-, -S-, -S-CO- or -O-CO-;
Ari' is a pyridyl, thienyl, benzimidazolyl, furanyl-methyl-, 1,3-benzodioxolyl or
1,4-benzodioxanyl group which is unsubstituted or carries, on the cyclic moiety,
1, 2 or 3 substituents selected from fluorine, hydroxy,' -OCH3, -N(CH3)2 and -
NH-CO-CH3; d is a straight chain unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkylene group;
X2' is -O-, -S-, -CO-O- or -NH-CO-O; and C3 is a Cι-C4 alkyl group which is unsubstituted or substituted on a primary carbon atom with either (a) one hydroxy or (b) 1, 2 or 3 halo substituents, provided that Y-R3 is other than an unsubstituted pyridyl group, and when X2 7 is -O-, C3 is other than an unsubstituted Cι-C4 alkyl group.
56. A phaπriaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I7), as defined in any one of claims 31 to 49, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.
57. A pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 51 to 56, which is in the form of a tablet, capsule, troche, lozenge, aqueous or oily suspension, dispersible powder or granules or a sub-lingual tablet.
58. A pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 51 to 56, which is in a format suitable for parenteral, intranasal or transdermal administration or administration by inhalation.
59. A pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 51 to 58 which composition contains a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a compound of formula (II) or (ϊ .
60. A pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 51 to 59, which contains a compound of formula (II) or (I ) which is a substantially pure optical isomer.
61. A compound of formula (II), as defined in any one of claims 51 to 55, a compound of formula (I7), as defined in any one of claims 31 to 49, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use in the treatment ofthe human or animal body.
62. . A method of treating a patient suffering from or susceptible to a condition mediated by N-type calcium channels, which method comprises administering to said patient an effective amount of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 52, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
63. Use according to any one of claims 1 to 50, or a method according to claim 62, wherein said condition mediated by N-type calcium channels is pain.
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US8163737B2 (en) 2006-06-13 2012-04-24 Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated CGRP receptor antagonists
US7834000B2 (en) 2006-06-13 2010-11-16 Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated CGRP receptor antagonists
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WO2008132139A2 (en) * 2007-04-27 2008-11-06 Ucb Pharma S.A. New heterocyclic derivatives useful for the treatment of cns disorders
WO2008132142A2 (en) * 2007-04-27 2008-11-06 Ucb Pharma S.A. New heterocyclic derivatives useful for the treatment of cns disorders
WO2009020470A2 (en) * 2007-06-13 2009-02-12 Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated Cgrp receptor antagonists
WO2009020470A3 (en) * 2007-06-13 2010-10-21 Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated Cgrp receptor antagonists
US20120088759A1 (en) * 2009-05-12 2012-04-12 Hamed Aissaoui Thiazolidin-4-one and [1,3]-thiazinan-4-one compounds as orexin receptor antagonists

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