WO2007058601A1

WO2007058601A1 - Novel 2-amino-imidazole-4-one compounds and their use in the manufacture of a medicament to be used in the treatment of cognitive impairment, alzheimer’s disease, neurodegeneration and dementia

Info

Publication number: WO2007058601A1
Application number: PCT/SE2006/001316
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeffrey Albert; James Arnold; Gianni Chessari; Miles Stuart Congreve; Phil Edwards; Christopher Murray; Sahil Patel
Original assignee: Astrazeneca Ab; Astex Therapeutics Ltd
Priority date: 2005-11-21
Filing date: 2006-11-20
Publication date: 2007-05-24
Also published as: JP2009520686A; EP1954682A1; US20090176850A1; EP1954682A4; CN101360716A

Abstract

This invention relates to novel compounds having the structural formula I below and to their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, compositions and methods of use. These novel compounds provide a treatment or prophylaxis of cognitive impairment, Alzheimer Disease, neurodegeneration and dementia.

Description

Novel 2-amino-imidazole-4-one compounds and their use in the manufacture of a medicament to be used in the treatment of cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, neurodegeneration and dementia.

The present invention relates to novel compounds, their pharmaceutical compositions. In addition, the present invention relates to therapeutic methods for the treatment and/or prevention of Aβ-related pathologies such as Downs syndrome and β-amyloid angiopathy, such as but not limited to cerebral amyloid angiopathy, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage, disorders associated with cognitive impairment, such as but not limited to MCI ("mild cognitive impairment"), Alzheimer Disease, memory loss, attention deficit symptoms associated with Alzheimer disease, neurodegeneration associated with diseases such as Alzheimer disease or dementia including dementia of mixed vascular and degenerative origin, pre-senile dementia, senile dementia and dementia associated with Parkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy or cortical basal degeneration.

Background of the invention Several groups have identified and isolated aspartate proteinases that have β-secretase activity (Hussain et al, 1999; Lin et. al, 2000; Yan et. al, 1999; Sinha et. al, 1999 and Vassar et. al., 1999). β-secretase is also known in the literature as Asp2 (Yan et. al, 1999), Beta site APP Cleaving Enzyme (BACE) (Vassar et. al., 1999) or memapsin-2 (Lin et al., 2000). BACE was identified using a number of experimental approaches such as EST database analysis (Hussain et al. 1999); expression cloning (Vassar et al. 1999); identification of human homologs from public databases of predicted C. elegans proteins (Yan et al. 1999) and finally utilizing an inhibitor to purify the protein from human brain (Sinha et al. 1999). Thus, five groups employing three different experimental approaches led to the identification of the same enzyme, making a strong case that BACE is a β- secretase. Mention is also made of the patent literature: WO96/40885, EP871720, U.S. Patents Nos. 5,942,400 and 5,744,346, EP855444, US 6,319,689, WO99/64587, WO99/31236, EP1037977, WO00/17369, WO01/23533, WO0047618, WO00/58479, WO00/69262, WO01/00663, WO01/00665, US 6,313,268.

BACE was found to be a pepsin-like aspartic proteinase, the mature enzyme consisting of the N-terminal catalytic domain, a transmembrane domain, and a small cytoplasmic domain. BACE has an optimum activity at pH 4.0-5.0 (Vassar et al, 1999)) and is inhibited weakly by standard pepsin inhibitors such as pepstatin. It has been shown that the catalytic domain minus the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domain has activity against substrate peptides (Lin et al, 2000). BACE is a membrane bound type 1 protein that is synthesized as a partially active proenzyme, and is abundantly expressed in brain tissue. It is thought to represent the major β-secretase activity, and is considered to be the rate-limiting step in the production of amyloid-β-protein (Aβ). It is thus of special interest in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease, and in the development of drugs as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

Aβ or amyloid-β-protein is the major constituent of the brain plaques which are characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (De Strooper et al, 1999). Aβ is a 39-42 residue peptide formed by the specific cleavage of a class I transmembrane protein called APP, or amyloid precursor protein. Aβ-secretase activity cleaves this protein between residues Met671 and Asp672 (numbering of 770aa isoform of APP) to form the N-terminus of Aβ. A second cleavage of the peptide is associated with γ-secretase to form the C-terminus of the Aβ peptide.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is estimated to afflict more than 20 million people worldwide and is believed to be the most common form of dementia. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive dementia in which massive deposits of aggregated protein breakdown products - amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles accumulate in the brain. The amyloid plaques are thought to be responsible for the mental decline seen in Alzheimer's patients.

The likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease increases with age, and as the aging population of the developed world increases, this disease becomes a greater and greater problem. In addition to this, there is a familial link to Alzheimer's disease and consequently any individuals possessing the double mutation of APP known as the Swedish mutation (in which the mutated APP forms a considerably improved substrate for BACE) have a much greater chance of developing AD, and also of developing it at an early age {see also US 6,245,964 and US 5,877,399 pertaining to transgenic rodents comprising APP-Swedish). Consequently, there is also a strong need for developing a compound that can be used in a prophylactic fashion for these individuals.

The gene encoding APP is found on chromosome 21, which is also the chromosome found as an extra copy in Down's syndrome. Down's syndrome patients tend to acquire

Alzheimer's disease at an early age, with almost all those over 40 years of age showing Alzheimer's-type pathology (Oyama et al., 1994). This is thought to be due to the extra copy of the APP gene found in these patients, which leads to overexpression of APP and therefore to increased levels of APPβ causing the high prevalence of Alzheimer's disease seen in this population. Thus, inhibitors of BACE could be useful in reducing Alzheimer's-type pathology in Down's syndrome patients.

Drugs that reduce or block BACE activity should therefore reduce Aβ levels and levels of fragments of Aβ in the brain, or elsewhere where Aβ or fragments thereof deposit, and thus slow the formation of amyloid plaques and the progression of AD or other maladies involving deposition of Aβ or fragments thereof (Yankner, 1996; De Strooper and Konig, 1999). BACE is therefore an important candidate for the development of drugs as a treatment and/or prophylaxis of Aβ-related pathologies such as Downs syndrome and β- amyloid angiopathy, such as but not limited to cerebral amyloid angiopathy, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage, disorders associated with cognitive impairment, such as but not limited to MCI ("mild cognitive impairment"), Alzheimer Disease, memory loss, attention deficit symptoms associated with Alzheimer disease, neurodegeneration associated with diseases such as Alzheimer disease or dementia including dementia of mixed vascular and degenerative origin, pre-senile dementia, senile dementia and dementia associated with Parkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy or cortical basal^" degeneration.

It would therefore be useful to inhibit the deposition of Aβ and portions thereof by inhibiting BACE through inhibitors such as the compounds provided herein.

The therapeutic potential of inhibiting the deposition of Aβ has motivated many groups to isolate and characterize secretase enzymes and to identify their potential inhibitors (see, e.g., WO01/23533 A2, EP0855444, WO00/17369, WO00/58479, WO00/47618, WO00/77030, WO01/00665, WO01/00663, WO01/29563, WO02/25276, US5,942,400, US6,245,884, US6,221,667, US6,211,235, WO02/02505, WO02/02506, WO02/02512, WO02/02518, WO02/02520, WO02/14264, WO05/058311, WO 05/097767, US2005/0282826).

The compounds of the present invention show improved properties compared to the potential inhibitors known in the art, e.g. improved hERG selectivity.

Disclosure of the invention

Provided herein are novel compounds of structural formula I:

I wherein: R³ is H, Ci_-10 alkyl or a group of formula -C_1-6 alkyl-heterocycloalkyl;

R¹ is C_1-6 alkyl, C_3-7 cycloalkyl, or C_6-14 aryl, wherein the aryl is optionally substituted with up to three substiruents independently selected from OH, halogen, C_1-3 alkyl, C_1-3 alkoxy,

C_1-3 haloalkyl, C_1-3 hydroxyalkyl and phenyl that is optionally substituted with one or two

C_1-3 alkoxy groups; R² is C_6-14 aryl, or C_7-24 arylalkyl, wherein: the C_6-14 aryl is optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹⁰ groups; and the C_7-24 arylalkyl is optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹¹ groups; each R¹⁰ is independently selected from halogen, R²⁰, R³⁰, OH and C_1-3 alkoxy; each R²⁰ is independently aryl optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R²¹ groups; each R²¹ is independently -C_1-3 alkoxy, -OH, -C(O)O-Ci_-6 alkyl, halogen, -C_1-3 alkyl, -C_1-

₃ perhaloalkyl, -C_1-3 perhaloalkoxy, C_1-3 haloalkyl, C_1-3 haloalkyloxy, C_6-I₄ aryloxy, C_7-24 arylalkyloxy, -S(O)₂-Ci_-6 alkyl, -C(O)-C_1-6 alkyl, -N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹), -C(=O)-N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹), -

S(O)₂-N(R⁵⁰X R⁵¹), -N(R⁵⁰)-S(O)₂-Ci_-6 alkyl, -NH-C(O)-C_1-6 alkyl, -C(=0)0H, Ci_-6 hydroxyalkyl, C_2-I2 alkoxyalkyl, CN, S(=O)₂-C_6-14 aryl, -NH-C(=O)-N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹), and -

NH-S(O)₂-C_1-6 alkyl; or any two R²¹ groups on adjacent atoms of the aryl group to which they are attached can form a group of formula -O-(CH₂)_q-O-, where q is 1 or 2; each R³⁰ is independently heteroaryl optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R groups; each R²² is independently selected from -CN, -C_1-3 alkoxy, -OH, -C(=O)O-C_1-6 alkyl, halogen, -Ci_-3 alkyl, -Ci_-3 perhaloalkyl, Ci_-3 haloalkyl, Ci_-3 haloalkyloxy, -Ci_-3 perhaloalkoxy, C_6-I4 aryloxy, C_7-24 arylalkyloxy, -S(O)₂-Ci_-6 alkyl, -C(O)-Ci_-6 alkyl, -

N(R⁵⁰X R⁵¹), -C(O)-N(R⁵⁰X R⁵¹), -S(O)₂-N(R⁵⁰X R⁵¹), -NH-C(O)-Ci_-6 alkyl, -N(R⁵⁰)-S(O)₂-Ci_-6 alkyl,

-C(O)OH, Ci_-6 hydroxyalkyl, C_2-I2 alkoxyalkyl, S(O)₂-C₆₄₄ aryl, -NH-C(O)-N(R⁵⁰)(

R⁵¹), and -NH-S(O)₂-Ci_-6 alkyl; each R⁵⁰ and R⁵¹ is independently H or Ci_-6 alkyl, or R⁵⁰ and R⁵¹, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, can form a 5 to 7 membered non-aromatic ring optionally containing up to two additional non-carbon atoms; and each R¹¹ is independently selected from halogen, and phenyl substituted with up to three

Ci_-3 alkoxy groups.

In some embodiments, R³ is -Ci_-6 alkyl; -Ci_-3 alkyl; or methyl.

In some embodiments, R³ is H.

In some embodiments, R³ is a group of formula -Ci_-3 alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, wherein the heterocycloalkyl is unsubstituted or substituted; or a tetrahydrofuranyhnethyl, wherein the tetrahydofuranyl moiety is unsubstituted or substituted. In some embodiments, R¹ is -Ci_-3 alkyl; or methyl, ethyl or isopropyl.

In some embodiments, R¹ is -C_3-6 cycloalkyl; or -cyclopentyl.

In some embodiments, R¹ is unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected from -OH, -C_1-6 alkyl, -halogen, -C_1-6 alkoxy, -C_1-6 hydroxyalkyl, -C_1-6haloalkyl, or a group of formula -aryl-C_1-3 alkoxy. In some further embodiments, the phenyl of R¹ is substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected from -OH, -Ci_-3 alkyl, -halogen, Ci_-3 alkoxy-, -Ci_-3 hydroxyalkyl, -Ci_-3 haloalkyl, or a group of formula -phenyl-Ci_-3 alkoxy. In yet further embodiments, the phenyl of R¹ is substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected from -OH, -CH₃, -Cl, -F, -Br, -OCH₃, - CH₂OH, -CH₂Br, or a group of formula -phenyl-OCH₃.

In some embodiments, R is C_6-I4 aryl optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹⁰ groups; naphthyl or phenyl. In some embodiments, R² is naphthyl or phenyl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹⁰ groups.

In some embodiments, each R¹⁰ group is independently selected from halogen, OH and Q- ₃ alkoxy.

In some embodiments, each R¹⁰ group is an independently selected R²⁰ or R³⁰ group.

In some embodiments, R² is naphthyl or phenyl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R²⁰ groups.

In some embodiments, R groups are phenyl groups optionally substituted with up to three R²¹ groups independently selected from Ci_-3 alkoxy, F, Cl, Br, OH, -C(O)-O-Ci_-3 alkyl, Ci_-3 alkyl, CF₃, OCF₃, phenoxy, benzyloxy, -S(O)₂-CH₃, -C(O)-CH₃, -N(CH₃)₂, -NH- C(=O)-CH₃, -C(O)-N(CKb)₂, -C(=O)-NH₂, -C(O)OH, CH₂OH, methylsulfonylamino, phenylsulfonyl, -CH₂-O-CH₃, a group of formula -C(O)-N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹) or -S(=O)₂-N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹) where R⁵⁰ and R⁵¹ together form -(CH₂)₄-; or any two R²¹ groups on adjacent atoms of the phenyl group to which they are attached can form a group of formula -0-CH₂-O-.

In some embodiments, R² is naphthyl or phenyl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R³⁰ groups.

In some embodiments, R³⁰ groups are heteroaryl groups selected from thiophenyl, benzofuranyl, indolyl, quinolyl, chromenyl, isobenzothiophenyl, thienyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, isoxazolyl, or furyl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to three R²² groups independently selected from OH, CN, halogen, C_1-3 alkoxy, C_1-3 alkyl, C_1-3 haloalkyl, C_1-3 hydroxyalkyl, C_1-3 alkoxyaryl or phenylsulfonyl.

In some embodiments, R² is C_7-24 arylalkyl optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹¹ groups,

In some embodiments, R² is 2-phenylethyl, optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹¹ groups.

In some embodiments, each of the R¹¹ groups is independently selected from -OH, -C_1-6 alkyl, -halogen, C_1-6 alkoxy-, -C_1-6 hydroxyalkyl, -C_1-6 haloalkyl, or a group of formula - aryl-C_1-3 alkoxy.

In some embodiments, each of the R¹¹ groups is independently selected from -OH, -C_1-3 alkyl, -halogen, C_1-3 alkoxy-, -C_1-3 hydroxyalkyl, -C_1-3 haloalkyl, or a group of formula - phenyl-C_1-3 alkoxy.

In some embodiments, each of the R¹¹ groups is independently selected from -OH, -CH₃, - Cl, -F, -Br, -OCH₃, -CH₂OH, -CH₂Br, or a group of formula -phenyl-OCH₃.

In some embodiments, R³ is H, -C_1-3 alkyl or -C_1-3 alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, wherein the heterocycloalkyl is unsubstituted or substituted; and R¹ is -C_1-3 alkyl, -C_3-6 cycloalkyl, or unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected from -OH, -C_1-6 alkyl, -halogen, -C_1-6 alkoxy, -Ci_-6hydroxyalkyl, -C_1-6haloalkyL or a group of formula -aryl-Ci_-3 alkoxy.

In some embodiments, R³ is methyl or tetrahydrofuranylmethyl, wherein the tetrahydofuranyl moiety is unsubstituted or substituted; and R is methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, cyclopentyl, or phenyl substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected from -OH, -C_1-3 alkyl, -halogen, C_1-3 alkoxy-, -C_1-3 hydroxy alkyl, -C_1-3 haloalkyl, or a group of formula -phenyl-Ci_-3 alkoxy. In some further embodiments, the phenyl of R¹ is substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected from -OH, -CH₃, -Cl, -F, -Br, -OCH₃, -CH₂OH, - CH₂Br, or a group of formula -phenyl-OCH₃.

In some further embodiments, R² is C_6-I4 aryl optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹⁰ groups. In other further embodiments, R² is naphthyl or phenyl. In other embodiments, R² is naphthyl or phenyl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹⁰ groups. In other further embodiments, R² is naphthyl or phenyl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R groups. In other further embodiments, R is naphthyl or phenyl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R³⁰ groups. In other further embodiments, R² is C_7-24 arylalkyl optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹¹ groups. In other further embodiments, R² is 2- phenylethyl, optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹¹ groups.

In some further embodiments, each R¹⁰ group is independently selected from halogen, OH and C_1-3 alkoxy.

In some further embodiments, each R¹⁰ group is an independently selected R²⁰ or R³⁰ group.

In some further embodiments, each of the R²⁰ groups is independently naphthyl or phenyl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to three R²¹ groups independently selected from C_1-3 alkoxy, F, Cl, Br, OH, -Q=O)-O-C_1-3 alkyl, C_1-3 alkyl, CF₃, OCF₃, phenoxy, benzyloxy, -S(=O)₂-CH₃, -C(=0)-CH₃, -N(CH₃)₂, -NH-C(=O)-CH₃, -Ceθ)-N(CH₃)₂, - C(=O)-NH₂, -C(=O)OH, CH₂OH₅ methylsulfonylamino, phenylsulfonyl, -CH₂-O-CH₃, a group of formula -C(O)- N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹) or -S(O)₂- N(R⁵⁰X R⁵¹) where R⁵⁰ and R⁵¹ together form -(CH₂)₄-; or any two R²¹ groups on adjacent atoms of the naphthyl or the phenyl to which they are attached can form a group of formula -0-CH₂-O-.

In some further embodiments, R³⁰ groups are heteroaryl groups selected from thiophenyl, benzofuranyl, indolyl, quinolyl, chromenyl, isobenzothiophenyl, thienyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, isoxazolyl, or furyl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to three R²² groups independently selected from OH, CN, halogen, C_1-3 alkoxy, C_1-3 alkyl, Ci_-3 haloalkyl, Ci_-3 hydroxyalkyl, Ci_-3 alkoxyaryl or phenylsulfonyl.

In some further embodiments wherein R² is 2-phenylethyl, optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹¹ groups, each of the R¹¹ groups is independently selected from -OH, -Ci_-6 alkyl, -halogen, Ci_-6 alkoxy-, -Ci_-6 hydroxyalkyl, -Ci_-6 haloalkyl, or a group of formula -aryl-Ci_-3 alkoxy. In yet further embodiments, each of the R¹¹ groups is independently selected from -OH, -Ci_-3 alkyl, -halogen, Ci_-3 alkoxy-, -Ci_-3 hydroxyalkyl, -Ci_-3 haloalkyl, or a group of formula -phenyl-Ci_-3 alkoxy. In yet further embodiments, each of the R¹¹ groups is independently selected from -OH, -CH₃, -Cl, -F, - Br, -OCH₃, -CH₂OH, -CH₂Br, or a group of formula -ρhenyl-OCH₃.

The present invention further provides compositions comprising a compound of the invention described herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or in vzvo-hydrolysable precursor thereof, and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.

The present invention further provides methods of modulating activity of BACE comprising contacting the BACE with a compound of any of the formulas described herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or in vzvo-hydrolysable precursor thereof. The present invention further provides methods of treating or preventing an Aβ-related pathology in a patient, comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of any of the formulas described herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or in vrvø-hydrolysable precursor thereof.

The present invention further provides a compound of any of the formulas described herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or in vz^'vo-hydrolysable precursor thereof, described herein for use as a medicament.

The present invention further provides a compound of any of the formulas described herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or in vrvo-hydrolysable precursor thereof, described herein for the manufacture of a medicament.

Detailed Description of the Invention Provided herein are novel compounds of structural formula I:

I wherein:

R³ is H, C_1-1OaUCyI or a group of formula -C_1-6 alkyl-heterocycloalkyl; R¹ is C_1-6 alkyl, C_3-7 cycloalkyl, or C_6-14 aryl, wherein the aryl is optionally substituted with up to three substituents independently selected from OH, halogen, C_1-3 alkyl, C_1-3 alkoxy,

C_1-3 alkoxy groups;

R² is C_6-14 aryl, or C_7-24 arylalkyl, wherein: the C_6-14 aryl is optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹⁰ groups; and the C_7-24 arylalkyl is optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹¹ groups; each R¹⁰ is independently selected from halogen, R²⁰, R³⁰, OH and C_1-3 alkoxy; each R²⁰ is independently aryl optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R²¹ groups; each R²¹ is independently -C_1-3 alkoxy, -OH, -C(=O)O-C_1-6 alkyl, halogen, -C_1-3 alkyl, -C_1- ₃ perhaloalkyl, -C_1-3 perhaloalkoxy, Ci_-3 haloalkyl, Ci_-3 haloalkyloxy, C_6-I4 aryloxy, C_7-24 s arylalkyloxy, -S(=O)₂-Ci_-6 alkyl, -C(O)-Ci_-6 alkyl, -N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹), -C(=O)-N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹), -

S(=O)₂-N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹), -N(R⁵⁰)-S(=O)₂-Ci_-6 alkyl, -NH-C(^O)-Ci_-6 alkyl, -C(=0)0H, C_1-6 hydroxyalkyl, C_2-I₂ aUcoxyalkyl, CN, S(O)₂-C_6-I₄ aryl, -NH-C(O)-N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹), and-

NH-S(=O)₂-C_1-6 alkyl; or any two R²¹ groups on adjacent atoms of the aryl group to which they are attached can o form a group of formula -O-(CH₂)_q-O-, where q is 1 or 2; each R³⁰ is independently heteroaryl optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R²² groups; each R²² is independently selected from -CN, -Ci_-3 alkoxy, -OH, -C(=O)O-Ci_-6 alkyl, halogen, -Ci_-3 alkyl, -C_1-3 perhaloalkyl, Ci_-3 haloalkyl, Ci_-3 haloalkyloxy, -Ci_-3 s perhaloalkoxy, C_6-I4 aryloxy, C_7-24 arylalkyloxy, -S(=O)₂-Ci_-6 alkyl, -C(O)-Ci_-6 alkyl, -

N(R⁵⁰X R⁵¹), -C(=O)-N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹), -S(=O)₂-N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹), -NH-C(O)-C_1-6 alkyl, -N(R⁵⁰)-

S(=O)₂-C_W alkyl,

aryl, -NH-C(=O)-N(R⁵⁰)(

R⁵¹), and-NH-S(=O)₂-C_1-6 alkyl; 0 each R⁵⁰ and R⁵¹ is independently H or Ci_-6 alkyl, or R⁵⁰ and R⁵¹, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, can form a 5 to 7 membered non-aromatic ring optionally containing up to two additional non-carbon atoms; and each R¹¹ is independently selected from halogen, and phenyl substituted with up to three

Ci_-3 alkoxy groups. S

In some embodiments, R³ is other than piperidin-4-yl-methyl or morpholin-4-yl-ethyl, wherein the piperidin-4-yl-methyl is optionally N-substituted.

In some embodiments, the compound of formula I of the present invention is other than 0 any one compound selected from:

2-amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-5-butyl-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-3 ,5-dihydro-3 -methyl-5,5-diphenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-3,5-dihydro-3-ethyl-5,5-diphenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-(3-methoxyphenyl)-3-meth.yl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-(4"Chlorophenyl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-(3-chlorophenyl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-(l,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-3_;,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5,5-bis(3-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-3,5-diliydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-(4-bromophenyl)-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5,5-bis(4-bromophenyl)-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-[(3-methoxyphenyl)me1iiyl]-3-metb.yl-5-plienyl-4H-iniidazol-4- one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-[(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4- one; 2-amino-5-[l,r-biphenyl]-4-yl-3,5-dib.ydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5 -[ 1 , 1 -biphenyl] -3 -yl-3 , 5-dihydro-3 -methyl-5 -phenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-[3-(4-pyridinyl)plienyl]-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3₅5-diliydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-[3-(3-pyridmyl)phenyl]-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-[3-(3-thienyl)phenyl]-4H-iinidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(4'-fluoro[l,r-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4- one;

2-amino-3,5-diliydro-5-[3-(lH-indol-l-yl)phenyl]-3,5-dimetliyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-3,5-dihydro-3,5-dimethyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-(5-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(3 -bromo-4-fluorophenyl)-3 ,5-dihydro-3 -methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-butyl-3,5-diliydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5 -[1,1 '-biphenyl] -3 -yl-3 , 5-dihydro-3 ,5 -dimethyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-3,5-dimethyl-5-[3-(3-thienyl)phenyl]-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-3,5-dimethyl-5-(3'-methyl[l,r-biphenyl]-3-yl)-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-3,5-dihydro-3,5-dimethyl-5-[3-(5-methyl-2-thienyl)phenyl]-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-3,5-dimethyl-5-[3-(4-methyl-2-thienyl)phenyl]-4H-imidazol-4-one; 3'-(2-amino-4,5-dihydro-l,4-dimethyl-5-oxo-lH-imidazol-4-yl)-[l,r-Biphenyl]-3- carbonitrile;

2-amino-3 ,5-dihydro-5-(3 '-methoxy [1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-3 -yl)-3 ,5-dimethyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-(3^l-chloro[l₃l'-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-[3-(3H-indol-5-yl)ph.enyl]-3,5-dimethyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-(3'-ethoxy[l,r-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3_:,5-dihydro-5-[3'-(metb.oxymetliyl)[l,l^!-biphenyl]-3-yl]-3,5-dimeihyl-4H- imidazol-4-one;

2-ammo-3,5-dihydro-3,5-dimethyl-5-[3-(l-naphthalenyl)phenyl]-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(3-benzo[b]thien-2-ylphenyl)-3₃5-dib.ydro-3,5-dimethyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-(3-benzo[b]thien-3-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-3,5-dimethyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

3 '-(2-amino-4,5-dihydro- 1 ,4-dimethyl-5-oxo- 1 H-imidazol-4-yl)-[ 1 , 1 '-Biphenyl]-3 - carboxylic acid methyl ester;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-[3-(5-pyrimidinyl)plienyl]-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-3₅5-dihydro-3,5-dimethyl-5-[3'-(trifluoromethyl)[l,r-biphenyl]-3-yl]-4H- imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-(3',4'-dichloro[l,r-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3,5-dihydro-3₅5-dimethyl-4H-imidazol-4- one;

2-amino-5-(3',5'-dichloro[l,r-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3,5-diliydro-3,5-dimethyl-4H-imidazol-4- one;

2-amino-5-(2',5'-dichloro[l,r-biplienyl]-3-yl)-3,5-dihydro-3,5-dimethyl-4H-imidazol-4- one;

2-ammo-5-(2',3'-dichloro[l,r-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3,5-dihydro-3,5-dimetb.yl-4H-imidazol-4- one; 2-amino-5-(3'-butoxy [1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3,5-dihydro-3 ,5-dimethyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-ammo-3,5-dihydro-3,5-dimethyl-5-[3'-(methylsulfonyl)[l,r-biphenyl]-3-yl]-4H- imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5 -(3 '-fluoro [1,1 '-biphenyl] -3 -yl)-3 , 5-dihy dro-3 -methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4- one; 2-amino-5-[2-fluoro-5-(3-pyridinyl)phenyl]-3,5-diliydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-

4-one; 2-amino-5-[2-fluoro-5-(4-pyridmyl)phenyl]-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-

4-one;

2-amino-5-[4-fluoro-3-(3-pyridmyl)ρhenyl]-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-

4-one; 2-amino-5-[4-fluoro-3-(4-pyridinyl)phenyl]-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H--imidazol-

4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-(4'-methoxy[l,r-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3-rαethyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-

4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-[3-(4-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)phenyl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H- imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dih.ydro-5-[3-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)phenyl]-3-metliyl-5-phenyl-4H- imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-(3'-chloro[l,r-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4- one; 2-amino-3 , 5 -dihydro-5 -[3-(I H-indol-5 -yl)phenyl] -3 -methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one ;

2-amino-5-[3-(5-chloro-2-thienyl)phenyl]-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4- one;

5-(3'-acetyl[l,r-biphenyl]-3-yl)-2-amino-3,5-dihydro-3-metliyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4- one; 3 '-(2-amino-4,5-dihydro- 1 -methyl-5-oxo-4-phenyl- 1 H-imidazol-4-yl)-[ 1 , 1 '-Biphenyl]-3 - carboxamide;

2-amino-5-(3'-ethoxy[l,r-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4- one;

2-amino-5-[3-(l,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)phenyl]-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol- 4-one;

2-amino-5-(4-fl.uoro-3'-methoxy[l,r-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H- imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-(6-fluoro-3'-methoxy[l,r-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H- imidazol-4-one; 2-amuio-5-(3'-butoxy[l,r-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3,5-diliydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4- one; Z-amino-S.S-dihydro-S-metliyl-S-CS'-Cmethylsulfony^t^r-biphenyy-S-ylj-S-phenyl-ffl- imidazol-4-one;

N-[3'-(2-ammo-4,5-dihydro-l-methyl-5-oxo-4-phenyl-lH-imidazol-4-yl)[l,r-biphenyl]-3- yl]-acetamide; 3'-(2-ammo-4,5-dihydro-l-methyl-5-oxo-4-phenyl-lH-imidazol-4-yl)-[l,r-Biphenyl]-3- carboxylic acid methyl ester;

2-amino-3-(l,l-dimethylethyl)-3,5-dihydro-5,5-diphenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3-(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-5,5-diphenyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3-butyl-5,5-diphenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5,5-diphenyl-3 ,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5,5-bis-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-3,5-diliydro-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5 , 5-bis-(3 ,4, 5 -trimethoxyphenyl)-3 , 5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-(2-chloro-phenyl)-5-(4-dimethylamino-phenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4- one; 2-amino-5-(4-methoxy-benzyl)-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5,5-bis-(2-chloro-phenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-benzyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-ammo-5,5-bis-(5-chloro-2-methoxy-phenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5 -(4-dimethylamino-phenyl)-5 -phenyl-3 , 5 -dihy dro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5 -(3 ,4-dimethoxy-benzyl)-5 -phenyl-3 , 5 -dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-(4-dimethylamino-phenyl)-5-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-iniidazol-4- one;

2-amino-5-(2-methoxy-benzyl)-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; and 2-amino-5,5-bis-(4-chloro-phenyl)-3,5-diliydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or in vzvo-hydrolysable precursor thereof.

In some embodiments, R is -C_1-6 alkyl; -C_1-3 aUcyl; or methyl. In some embodiments, R³ is H. In some embodiments, R³ is a group of formula -C_1-3 alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, wherein the heterocycloalkyl is unsubstituted or substituted; or a tetrahydrofuranylmethyl, wherein the tetrahydofuranyl moiety is unsubstituted or substituted.

In some embodiments, R¹ is -C_1-3 alkyl; or methyl, ethyl or isopropyl.

In some embodiments, R¹ is -C_3-6 cycloalkyl; or -cyclopentyl.

In some embodiments, R¹ is unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected from -OH, -C_1-6 alkyl, -halogen, -C_1-6 alkoxy, -C_1-6 hydroxyalkyl, -C_1-6haloalkyl, or a group of formula -aryl-C_1-3 alkoxy. In some further embodiments, the phenyl of R¹ is substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected from -OH, -C_1-3 alkyl, -halogen, C_1-3 alkoxy-, -C_1-3 hydroxyalkyl, -C_1-3 haloalkyl, or a group of formula -phenyl-C_1-3 alkoxy. In yet further embodiments, the phenyl of R¹ is substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected from -OH, -CH₃, -Cl, -F, -Br, -OCH₃, - CH₂OH, -CH₂Br, or a group of formula -ρhenyl-OCH₃.

In some embodiments, R² is C_6-14 aryl optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹⁰ groups; naphthyl or phenyl. In some embodiments, R² is naphthyl or phenyl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹⁰ groups.

In some embodiments, each R¹⁰ group is independently selected from halogen, OH and C_1- ₃ alkoxy.

In some embodiments, R²⁰ groups are phenyl groups optionally substituted with up to three R²¹ groups independently selected from C_1-3 alkoxy, F, Cl, Br, OH, -C(=O)-O-C_1-3 alkyl, C_1-3 alkyl, CF₃, OCF₃, phenoxy, benzyloxy, -SC=O)₂-CH₃, -CC=O)-CH₃, ~N(CH₃)₂, -NH- C(=O)-CH₃, -CC=O)-NCCHs)₂, -C(=O)-NH₂, -C(=0)0H, CH₂OH, methylsulfonylamino, phenylsulfonyl, -CH₂-O-CH₃, a group of formula -C(=O)-N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹) or -S(=O)₂-N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹) where R⁵⁰ and R⁵¹ together form -(CH₂)₄-; or any two R²¹ groups on adjacent atoms of the phenyl group to which they are attached can form a group of formula -0-CH₂-O-.

In some embodiments, R³⁰ groups are heteroaryl groups selected from thiophenyl, benzofuranyl, indolyl, quinolyl, chromenyl, isobenzothiophenyl, thienyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, isoxazolyl, or furyl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to three R²² groups independently selected from OH, CN, halogen, C_1-3 alkoxy, C_1-3 alkyl, Ci_-3 haloalkyl, Ci_-3 hydroxyalkyl, Ci_-3 alkoxyaryl or phenylsulfonyl.

In some embodiments, R² is C_7-24 arylalkyl optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹¹ groups.

In some embodiments, each of the R¹¹ groups is independently selected from -OH, -Ci_-6 alkyl, -halogen, Ci_-6 alkoxy-, -C_1-6 hydroxyalkyl, -Ci_-6 haloalkyl, or a group of formula - aryl-Ci_-3 alkoxy.

In some embodiments, each of the R¹¹ groups is independently selected from -OH, -Ci_-3 alkyl, -halogen, Ci_-3 alkoxy-, -Ci_-3 hydroxyalkyl, -Ci_-3 haloalkyl, or a group of formula - phenyl-Ci_-3 alkoxy.

In some embodiments, each of the R¹¹ groups is independently selected from -OH, -CH₃, - Cl, -F, -Br, -OCH₃, -CH₂OH, -CH₂Br, or a group of formula -phenyl-OCH₃. Also provided herein are novel compounds of structural formula I wherein R³ is H, -C_1-3 alkyl or -C_1-3 alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, wherein the heterocycloalkyl is unsubstituted or substituted; and R¹ is -C_1-3 alkyl, -C_3-6 cycloalkyl, or unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected from -OH, -C_1-6 alkyl, -halogen, - C_1-6 alkoxy, -C_1-6 hydroxy alkyl, -C_1-6 haloalkyl, or a group of formula -aryl-C_1-3 alkoxy.

In some embodiments, R³ is methyl or tetrahydrofuranylmethyl, wherein the tetrahydofuranyl moiety is unsubstituted or substituted; and R¹ is methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, cyclopentyl, or phenyl substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected from -OH, -C_1-3 alkyl, -halogen, C_1-3 alkoxy-, -C_1-3 hydroxyalkyl, -C_1-3 haloalkyl, or a group of formula -phenyl-C_1-3 alkoxy. In some further embodiments, the phenyl of R¹ is substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected from -OH, -CH₃, -Cl, -F, -Br, -OCH₃, -CH₂OH, - CH₂Br, or a group of formula -phenyl-OCH₃.

In some further embodiments, R² is C_6-14 aryl optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹⁰ groups. In other further embodiments, R² is naphthyl or phenyl. In other embodiments, R² is naphthyl or phenyl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹⁰ groups. In other further embodiments, R² is naphthyl or phenyl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R²⁰ groups. In other further embodiments, R² is naphthyl or phenyl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R³⁰ groups. In other further embodiments, R² is C_7-24 arylalkyl optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹¹ groups. In other further embodiments, R² is 2- phenylethyl, optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹¹ groups.

In some further embodiments, each R¹⁰ group is an independently selected R²⁰ or R³⁰ group. In some further embodiments, each of the R²⁰ groups is independently naphthyl or phenyl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to three R²¹ groups independently selected from C_1-3 alkoxy, F, Cl, Br, OH, -C(O)-O-C_1-3 alkyl, C_1-3 alkyl, CF₃, OCF₃, phenoxy, s benzyloxy, -S(O)₂-CH₃, -C(O)-CH₃, -N(CH₃)₂, -NH-C(O)-CH₃, -C(O)-N(CH₃)₂, - C(O)-NH₂, -C(O)OH, CH₂OH, methylsulfonylamino, phenylsulfonyl, -CH₂-O-CH₃, a group of formula -C(O)- N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹) or -S(O)₂- N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹) where R⁵⁰ and R⁵¹ together form -(CH₂)₄-; or any two R²¹ groups on adjacent atoms of the naphthyl or the phenyl to which they are o attached can form a group of formula 0-CH₂-O-.

In some further embodiments, R³⁰ groups are heteroaryl groups selected from thiophenyl, benzofuranyl, indolyl, quinolyl, chromenyl, isobenzothiophenyl, thienyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, isoxazolyl, or furyl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to three 5 R²² groups independently selected from OH, CN, halogen, C_1-3 alkoxy, C_1-3 alkyl, C_1-3 haloalkyl, C_1-3 hydroxyalkyl, C_1-3 alkoxyaryl or phenylsulfonyl.

In some further embodiments wherein R² is 2-phenylethyl, optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹¹ groups, each of the R¹¹ groups is independently o selected from -OH, -Ci_6 alkyl, -halogen, C_1-6 alkoxy-, -C_1-6 hydroxyalkyl, -C_1-6 haloalkyl, or a group of formula -aryl-C_1-3 alkoxy. In yet further embodiments, each of the R¹¹ groups is independently selected from -OH, -C_1-3 alkyl, -halogen, C_1-3 alkoxy-, -C_1-3 hydroxyalkyl, -C_1-3 haloalkyl, or a group of formula -phenyl-C_1-3 alkoxy. In yet further embodiments, each of the R¹¹ groups is independently selected from -OH, -CH₃, -Cl, -F, - 5 Br, -OCH₃, -CH₂OH, -CH₂Br, or a group of formula -phenyl-OCH₃.

In some emboments, the present invention provides compounds selected from the following:

2-Amino-5-[2-(3^t-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)ethyl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H- o imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-[2-(3-bromophenyl)ethyl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^"-imidazol-4-one; 2-Ammo-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-(2-phenylethyl)-3_J5-dihydro-4H^:-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-3,5-diliydro-4H^"- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-5-(3-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4ii/-imidazol-4- one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-5-phenyl-3-(tetrahydrofuran-2-ylmethyl)-3,5- dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-5-phenyl-3-(tetrahydrofuran-2-ylmethyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H^"- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5,5-diphenyl-3-(tetxahydrof\iran-2-ylrnethyl)-3,5-dihydro-4i/^'-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-methylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Ammo-5-(3-bromophenyl)-3-methyl-5-(3-methylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4iy-imidazol-4- one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-3-methyl-5-(4-metliylphenyl)-3,5-diliydro-4iy-imidazol-4- one;

2-Amino-5-(3 '-methoxybiphenyl-3 -yl)-3 -methyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-3 ,5-dihydro-4Ji^'- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-[3-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl]-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-3,5- dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-[4-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl]-5-(3 '-methoxybiphenyl-3 -yl)-3 -methyl-3 ,5- dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-3,5-dimethyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^'-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2- Amino-5-isopropyl-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-[2-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)ethyl]-3_J5-dimethyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^'-imidazol-4- one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-3,5-dimethyl-5-(2-phenylethyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4ir-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4iy-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2- Amino-5-biphenyl-3 -yl-3 -methyl-5-phenyl-3 ,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Ammo-3-methyl-5,5-diρhenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-5-(3-methoxyphenyl)-3-metliyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^"- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-3-methyl-5-(2-naphthyl)-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-5-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4_JH-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-metriyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^'-irnidazol-4- one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4i^:f- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-metliyl-3,5-dihydro-4H- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^"-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2- Amino-5-ethyl-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-cyclopentyl-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-ethyl-5-(3'-methoxybiplienyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^"-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-5-benzyl-3-methyl-5-prienyl-3,5-diliydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Ammo-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-[3-(3-1iiienyl)phenyl]-3,5-dihydro-4H^'-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Ammo-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-[3-(3-thienyl)phenyl]-3,5-dihydro-4iy-irnidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-5-(2'-hydroxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Ammo-5-(3'-hydroxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-diliydro-4iϊ-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

Methyl 3'-(2-amino-l-methyl-5-oxo-4-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-lH^'-imidazol-4-yl)biphenyl-4- carboxylate trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-5-(4'-chlorobiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^'-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-3-methyl-5-(2'-methylbiphenyl-3-yl)-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4Ji^'-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2- Amino-3 -methyl-5 -(3 '-methylbiplienyl-3 -yl)-5-phenyl-3 , 5 -dihydro-4/i^'-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-3-methyl-5-(4'-methylbiphenyl-3-yl)-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(4'-fluorobiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4i7-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-5-(3'-ethoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4_JH-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-[2^t-(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-3-yl]-3,5-dihydro-4H^:- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Ammo-5-(2'-chlorobiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^r-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(2'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Ammo-5-(4'-ethoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4iy-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-3-methyl-5-plienyl-5-[3'-(trifluorometh.yl)biphenyl-3-yl]-3,5-diliydro-4H^'- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Arnino-3-methyl-5-plienyl-5-[4'-(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-3-yl]-3,5-diliydro-4H^'- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(3',5'-dicMorobiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^"-irnidazol-4- one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-[3^5'-bis(1xifluoromethyl)biplienyl-3-yl]-3-rnetliyl-5-plienyl-3,5-dihydro-4H- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-3-methyl-5-[3-(2-naphthyl)phenyl]-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^'-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-3-methyl-5-(4^!-phenoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^'-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2- Amino-5- [3 -( 1 -benzofuran-2-yl)phenyl] -3 -methyl-5 -phenyl-3 , 5 -dihydro-4H-imidazol-4- one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-[3-(l,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)phenyl]-3-methyl-5-ρhenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^'- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-[3'-(trifluoromethoxy)biphenyl-3-yl]-3,5-dihydro-4H- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-[4'-(trifluoromethoxy)biphenyl-3-yl]-3,5-dihydro-4H- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-[3-(l-berizothien-3-yl)phenyl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4iJ-imidazol-4- one trifluoroacetate; 2-Ammo-5-(3'-chloro-4'-fluorobiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-plienyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^'- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2- Amino-3 -methyl-5- [3 -(I -naphthyl)phenyl] -5-phenyl-3 , 5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-[4'-(benzyloxy)biplienyl-3-yl]-3-metriyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dib.ydro-4/f-imidazol-4- one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-3-methyl-5-[4'-(metliylsulfonyl)biphenyl-3-yl]-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-(3-quinolin-5-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4/f-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-(3-pyrimidin-5-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H^:-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

5-(4'-Acetylbiphenyl-3-yl)-2-amino-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-[4'-(dimethylamino)biphenyl-3-yl]-3-metiiyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^'- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-3-methyl-5-plienyl-5-(3-pyridin-4-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H^'-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-3-methyl-5-[3-(5-methyl-2-furyl)phenyl]-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^"-irnidazol-4- one trifluoroacetate;

2-Ainino-5-[3-(5-chloro-2-thienyl)phenyl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^'-imidazol-4- one trifluoroacetate; 5-(3'-Acetylbiphenyl-3-yl)-2-amino-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^'-imidazol-4-one;

2-Amino-5-[3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)phenyl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^'- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(3'-chlorobiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-ρhenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^;-irnidazol-4-one;

-¥-[3'-(2-amino-l-methyl-5-oxo-4-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-lH-imidazol-4-yl)biphenyl-4- yl]acetamide trifluoroacetate;

3'-(2-Amino-l-methyl-5-oxo-4-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-lH^'-imidazol-4-yl)-Λζ_>N- dimethylbiphenyl-3-carboxamide trifluoroacetate;

3'-(2-amino-l-methyl-5-oxo-4-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-lH-imidazol-4-yl)biplienyl-3- carboxamide trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-(3-pyridin-3-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4i7-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-[3-(lH-indol-5-yl)phenyl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Arnmo-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-[4'-(piperidin-l-ylsulfonyl)biphenyl-3-yl]-3,5-dihydro-4H- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

3'-(2-Amino-l-methyl-5-oxo-4-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-lH^'-imidazol-4-yl)biphenyl-3- carboxylic acid trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-[3'-(hydroxymethyl)biprienyl-3-yl]-3-methyl-5-prienyl-3_J5-dihydro-4H- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; N-[3'-(2-amino-l-methyl-5-oxo-4-phenyl-4,5-diliydro-lH^'-imidazol-4-yl)biphenyl-4- yljmethanesulfonamide trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-[4'-(pyrrolidin-l-ylcarbonyl)biphenyl-3-yl]-3,5-dihydro-

4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(3 '-isopropylbiphenyl-3 -yl)-3 -methyl-5-phenyl-3 ,5-dihydro-4H^"-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-{3-[l-(phenylsulfonyl)-lH-indol-3-yl]ρhenyl}-3,5-dihydro-

4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-amino-5-[4'-(hydroxymethyl)biphenyl-3-yl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3_J5-dihydro-4H^'- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

N-[3'-(2-amino-l-methyl-5-oxo-4-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-li7-imidazol-4-yl)biphenyl-3- yljacetamide trifluoroacetate; 2-Arnino-5-[3-(3,5-dimethylisoxazol-4-yl)ρhenyl]-3-rnethyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(2',4'-dichlorobiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-plienyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^"-imidazol-4- one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-[2'-(methoxyrnethyl)biphenyl-3-yl]-3-rnethyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-[3'-(methoxymethyl)biphenyl-3-yl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-diliydro-4H- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-[4'-(methoxymethyl)biphenyl-3-yl]-3-methyl-5-prienyl-3₃5-dih.ydro-4H^'- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; Methyl-3'-(2-amino-l-methyl-5-oxo-4-phenyl-4,5-diliydro-lH-imidazol-4-yl)biphenyl-3- carboxylate trifluoroacetate; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, alternative salt, tautomer, or in v/vø-hydrolysable precursor thereof.

Compounds of the present invention also include pharmaceutically acceptable salts, tautomers and in v/vo-hydrolysable precursors of the compounds of any of the formulas described herein. Compounds of the invention further include hydrates and solvates.

Compounds of the invention can be used as medicaments. In some embodiments, the present invention provides compounds of any of the formulas described herein, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, tautomers or in vrvo-hydrolysable precursors thereof, for use as medicaments. In some embodiments, the present invention provides compounds described herein for use as as medicaments for treating or preventing an Aβ-related pathology. In some further embodiments, the Aβ-related pathology is Downs syndrome, a β-amyloid angiopathy, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage, a disorder associated with cognitive impairment, MCI ("mild cognitive impairment"), Alzheimer Disease, memory loss, attention deficit symptoms associated with Alzheimer disease, neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer disease, dementia of mixed vascular origin, dementia of degenerative origin, pre-senile dementia, senile dementia, dementia associated with Parkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy or cortical basal degeneration.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides compounds of any of the formulas described herein, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, tautomers or in vzvo-hydrolysable precursors thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prophylaxis of Aβ-related pathologies. In some further embodiments, the Aβ-related pathologies include such as Downs syndrome and β-amyloid angiopathy, such as but not limited to cerebral amyloid angiopathy, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage, disorders associated with cognitive impairment, such as but not limited to MCI ("mild cognitive impairment"), Alzheimer Disease, memory loss, attention deficit symptoms associated with Alzheimer disease, neurodegeneration associated with diseases such as Alzheimer disease or dementia including dementia of mixed vascular and degenerative origin, pre-senile dementia, senile dementia and dementia associated with Parkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy or cortical basal degeneration.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of inhibiting activity of BACE comprising contacting the BACE with a compound of any of the formulas described herein, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, tautomers or in vzvo-hydrolysable precursors thereof. BACE is thought to represent the major β-secretase activity, and is considered to be the rate-limiting step in the production of amyloid-β-protein (Aβ). Thus, inhibiting BACE through inhibitors such as the compounds provided herein would be useful to inhibit the deposition of Aβ and portions thereof. Because the deposition of Aβ and portions thereof is linked to diseases such as Alzheimer Disease, BACE is an important candidate for the development of drugs as a treatment and/or prophylaxis of Aβ-related pathologies such as Downs syndrome and β-amyloid angiopathy, such as but not limited to cerebral amyloid angiopathy, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage, disorders associated with cognitive impairment, such as but not limited to MCI ("mild cognitive impairment"), Alzheimer Disease, memory loss, attention deficit symptoms associated with Alzheimer disease, neurodegeneration associated with diseases such as Alzheimer disease or dementia including dementia of mixed vascular and degenerative origin, pre-senile dementia, senile dementia and dementia associated with Parkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy or cortical basal degeneration. s

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method for the treatment of Aβ-related pathologies such as Downs syndrome and β-amyloid angiopathy, such as but not limited to cerebral amyloid angiopathy, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage, disorders associated with cognitive impairment, such as but not limited to MCI ("mild cognitive o impairment"), Alzheimer Disease, memory loss, attention deficit symptoms associated with Alzheimer disease, neurodegeneration associated with diseases such as Alzheimer disease or dementia including dementia of mixed vascular and degenerative origin, pre-senile dementia, senile dementia and dementia associated with Parkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy or cortical basal degeneration, comprising administering to s a mammal (including human) a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of any of the formulas described herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or in vzvo-hydrolysable precursor thereof.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method for the prophylaxis of 0 Aβ-related pathologies such as Downs syndrome and β-amyloid angiopathy, such as but not limited to cerebral amyloid angiopathy, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage, disorders associated with cognitive impairment, such as but not limited to MCI ("mild cognitive impairment"), Alzheimer Disease, memory loss, attention deficit symptoms associated with Alzheimer disease, neurodegeneration associated with diseases such as Alzheimer s disease or dementia including dementia of mixed vascular and degenerative origin, pre-senile dementia, senile dementia and dementia associated with Parkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy or cortical basal degeneration comprising administering to a mammal (including human) a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of any of the formulas described herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or in o vzvo-hydrolysable precursors. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating or preventing Aβ-related pathologies such as Downs syndrome and β-amyloid angiopathy, such as but not limited to cerebral amyloid angiopathy, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage, disorders associated with cognitive impairment, such as but not limited to MCI ("mild cognitive impairment"), Alzheimer Disease, memory loss, attention deficit symptoms associated with Alzheimer disease, neurodegeneration associated with diseases such as Alzheimer disease or dementia including dementia of mixed vascular and degenerative origin, pre-senile dementia, senile dementia and dementia associated with Parkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy or cortical basal degeneration by administering to a mammal (including human) a compound of any of the formulas described herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or in v/vo-hydrolysable precursors and a cognitive and/or memory enhancing agent.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating or prevenitng Aβ-related pathologies such as Downs syndrome and β-amyloid angiopathy, such as but not limited to cerebral amyloid angiopathy, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage, disorders associated with cognitive impairment, such as but not limited to MCI ("mild cognitive impairment"), Alzheimer Disease, memory loss, attention deficit symptoms associated with Alzheimer disease, neurodegeneration associated with diseases such as Alzheimer disease or dementia including dementia of mixed vascular and degenerative origin, pre-senile dementia, senile dementia and dementia associated with Parkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy or cortical basal degeneration by administering to a mammal (including human) a compound of any of the formulas described herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or in v/vo-hydrolysable precursors thereof wherein constituent members are provided herein, and a choline esterase inhibitor or anti-inflammatory agent.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating or prevenitng Aβ-related pathologies such as Downs syndrome and β-amyloid angiopathy, such as but not limited to cerebral amyloid angiopathy, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage, disorders associated with cognitive impairment, such as but not limited to MCI ("mild cognitive impairment"), Alzheimer Disease, memory loss, attention deficit symptoms associated with Alzheimer disease, neurodegeneration associated with diseases such as Alzheimer disease or dementia including dementia of mixed vascular and degenerative origin, pre-senile dementia, senile dementia and dementia associated with Parkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy or cortical basal degeneration, or any other disease, disorder, or condition described herein, by administering to a mammal (including human) a compounds of any of the formulas described herein, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, tautomers or in vzvo-hydrolysable precursors thereof, and an atypical antipsychotic agent. Atypical antipsychotic agents includes, but not limited to, Olanzapine (marketed as Zyprexa), Aripiprazole (marketed as Ability), Risperidone (marketed as Risperdal), Quetiapine (marketed as Seroquel), Clozapine (marketed as Clozaril), Ziprasidone (marketed as Geodon) and Olanzapine/Fluoxetine (marketed as Symbyax).

In some embodiments, the mammal or human being treated with a compound of the present invention, has been diagnosed with a particular disease or disorder, such as those described herein. In these cases, the mammal or human being treated is in need of such treatment. Diagnosis, however, need not be previously performed.

The anti-dementia treatment defined herein may be applied as a sole therapy or may involve, in addition to the compound of the invention, conventional chemotherapy. Such chemotherapy may include one or more of the following categories of agents: acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors, anti-inflammatory agents, cognitive and/or memory enhancing _. agents or atypical antipsychotic agents.

Such conjoint treatment may be achieved by way of the simultaneous, sequential or separate dosing of the individual components of the treatment. Such combination products employ the compounds of this invention.

Cognitive enhancing agents memory enhancing agents and choline esterase inhibitors includes, but not limited to, onepezil (Aricept), galantamine (Reminyl or Razadyne), rivastigmine (Exelon), tacrine (Cognex) and memantine (Namenda, Axura or Ebixa) Atypical antipsychotic agents includes, but not limited to, olanzapine (marketed as Zyprexa), aripiprazole (marketed as Ability), risperidone (marketed as Risperdal), quetiapine (marketed as Seroquel), clozapine (marketed as Clozaril), ziprasidone (marketed as Geodon) and olanzapine/fluoxetine (marketed as Symbyax).

The present invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions which contain, as the active ingredient, one or more of the compounds of the invention herein together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipent.

When used for pharmaceutical compositions, medicaments, manufacture of a medicament, inhibiting activity of BACE, or treating or preventing Aβ-related pathologies, compounds of the present invention include the compounds of any of the formulas described herein, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, tautomers and in vzvo-hydrolysable precursors thereof. Compounds of the present invention further include hydrates and solvates.

The definitions set forth in this application are intended to clarify terms used throughout this application. The term "herein" means the entire application.

As used in this application, the term "optionally substituted," as used herein, means that substitution is optional and therefore it is possible for the designated atom or moiety to be unsubstituted. In the event a substitution is desired then such substitution means that any number of hydrogens on the designated atom or moiety is replaced with a selection from the indicated group, provided that the normal valency of the designated atom or moiety is not exceeded, and that the substitution results in a stable compound. For example, if a methyl group (i.e., CH₃) is optionally substituted, then 3 hydrogens on the carbon atom can be replaced. Examples of suitable substituents include, but are not limited to: halogen, CN, NH₂, OH, SO, SO₂, COOH, OC_1-6alkyl₅ CH₂OH, SO₂H, C_1-6alkyl, OCi_-6alkyl, C(=O)C_1-6alkyl, C(=O)OC_1-6alkyl,

SO₂Ci_-6alkyl, SO₂NHCi_-6alkyl, SO₂N(C_1-6alkyl)2, NH(C_1-6alkyl), N(C_1-6alkyl)2, NHC(=O)Ci_-6alkyl, NC(=O)(Ci_-6alkyl)₂, C_5-6aryl, OC_5-6aryl, C(=O)C_5-6aryl,

C(=O)OC_5-6aryl, C(=O)NHC_5-6aryl, C(=O)N(C_5-6aryl)2, SO₂C_5-6aryl, SO₂NHC_5-6aryl, SO₂N(C_5-6aryl)₂, NH(C_5-6aryl), N(C_5-6aryl)2, NC(=O)C_5-6aryL NC(=O)(C_5-6aryl)₂, Cs-_δheterocyclyl, OC_5-6heterocyclyl, C(=O)C_5-6heterocyclyl, C(=O)OC_5-6heterocyclyl, C(=O)NHC_5-6heterocyclyl, C(=O)N(C_5-6heterocyclyl)2, SO₂C₅^heterocyclyl, SO₂NHC_5-6heterocyclyl_J SO₂N(C_5-6heterocyclyl)₂, NH(C_5-6heterocyclyl), N(C_5-6heterocyclyl)₂, NC(=O)C_5-6heterocyclyl, NC(=0)(C_5-6heterocyclyl)₂. ^l

A variety of compounds in the present invention may exist in particular geometric or stereoisomers forms. The present invention takes into account all such compounds, including cis- and trans isomers, R- and S- enantiomers, diastereomers, (D)-isomers, (L)-isomers, the racemic mixtures thereof, and other mixtures thereof, as being covered within the scope of this invention. Additional asymmetric carbon atoms may be present in a substituent such as an alkyl group. All such isomers, as well as mixtures thereof, are intended to be included in this invention. The compounds herein described may have asymmetric centers. Compounds of the present invention containing an asymmetrically substituted atom may be isolated in optically active or racemic forms. It is well known in the art how to prepare optically active forms, such as by resolution of racemic forms or by synthesis from optically active starting materials. When required, separation of the racemic material can be achieved by methods known in the art. Many geometric isomers of olefins, C=N double bonds, and the like can also be present in the compounds described herein, and all such stable isomers are contemplated in the present invention. Cis and trans geometric isomers of the compounds of the present invention are described and may be isolated as a mixture of isomers or as separated isomeric forms. AU chiral, diastereomeric, racemic forms and all geometric isomeric forms of a structure are intended, unless the specific stereochemistry or isomeric form is specifically indicated.

When a bond to a substituent is shown to cross a bond connecting two atoms in a ring, then such substituent may be bonded to any atom on the ring. When a substiruent is listed without indicating the atom via which such substituent is bonded to the rest of the compound of a given formula, then such substituent may be bonded via any atom in such substituent. Combinations of substituents and/or variables are permissible only if such combinations result in stable compounds. As used herein, "alkyl", "alkylenyl" or "alkylene" used alone or as a suffix or prefix, is intended to include both branched and straight-chain saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms or if a specified number of carbon atoms is provided then that specific number would be intended. For example "Ci_-6alkyl" denotes alkyl having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms. Examples of alkyl include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl, and hexyl. As used herein, "C_1-3alkyl", whether a terminal substituent or an alkylene (or alkylenyl) group linking two substituents, is understood to specifically include both branched and straight-chain methyl, ethyl, and propyl.

As used herein, "alkenyl" refers to an alkyl group having one or more double carbon-carbon bonds. Example alkenyl groups include ethenyl, propenyl, cyclohexenyl, and the like. The term "alkenylenyl" refers to a divalent linking alkenyl group.

As used herein, "alkynyl" refers to an alkyl group having one or more triple carbon-carbon bonds. Example alkynyl groups include ethynyl, propynyl, and the like. The term "alkynylenyl" refers to a divalent linking alkynyl group.

As used herein, "aromatic" refers to hydrocarbyl groups having one or more polyunsaturated carbon rings having aromatic characters, (e.g., 4n + 2 delocalized electrons) and comprising up to about 14 carbon atoms.

As used herein, the term "aryl" refers to an aromatic ring structure made up of from 5 to 14 carbon atoms. Ring structures containing 5, 6, 7 and 8 carbon atoms would be single-ring aromatic groups, for example, phenyl. Ring structures containing 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14 would be a poly cyclic moiety in which at least one carbon is common to any two adjoining rings therein (for example, the rings are "fused rings"), for example naphthyl. The aromatic ring can be substituted at one or more ring positions with such substituents as described above. The term "aryl" also includes polycyclic ring systems having two or more cyclic rings in which two or more carbons are common to two adjoining rings (the rings are "fused rings") wherein at least one of the rings is aromatic, for example, the other cyclic rings can be cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls or cycloalkynyls. The terms ortho, meta and para apply to 1,2-, 1,3- and 1,4-disubstituted benzenes, respectively. For example, the names 1,2-dimethylbenzene and ortho-dimethylbenzene are synonymous.

As used herein, "cycloatkyl" refers to non-aromatic cyclic hydrocarbons including cyclized alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups, having the specified number of carbon atoms.

Cycloalkyl groups can include mono- or polycyclic (e.g., having 2, 3 or 4 fused or bridged rings) groups. Example cycloalkyl groups include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, cyclohexadienyl, cycloheptatrienyl, norbornyl, norpinyl, norcarnyl, adamantyl, and the like. Also included in the definition of cycloalkyl are moieties that have one or more aromatic rings fused (i.e., having a bond in common with) to the cycloalkyl ring, for example, benzo derivatives of cyclopentane (i.e., indanyl), cyclopentene, cyclohexane, and the like. The term "cycloalkyl" further includes saturated ring groups, having the specified number of carbon atoms. These may include fused or bridged polycyclic systems. Preferred cycloalkyls have from 3 to 10 carbon atoms in their ring structure, and more preferably have 3, 4, 5, and 6 carbons in the ring structure. For example, "C_3-6 cycloalkyl" denotes such groups as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, or cyclohexyl.

As used herein, "cycloalkenyl" refers to ring-containing hydrocarbyl groups having at least one carbon-carbon double bond in the ring, and having from 3 to 12 carbons atoms.

As used herein, "halo" or "halogen" refers to fluoro, chloro, bromo, and iodo. The term "perhalo" refers to complete halogenation of carbons in the group (see J. Chem. Documentation, 191 A, 14, p. 98).

"Counterion" is used to represent a small, negatively or positively charged species such as chloride (Cl^"), bromide (Br^"), hydroxide (OH^"), acetate (CH₃COO^"), sulfate (SO4^2"), tosylate (CH₃-phenyl-SO₃ ^'), benezensulfonate (phenyl-SO₃ ^"), sodium ion (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), ammonium (NH₄ ⁺), and the like.

As used herein, the term "heterocyclyl" or "heterocyclic" or "heterocycle" refers to a ring-containing monovalent and divalent structures having one or more heteroatoms, independently selected from N, O and S, as part of the ring structure and comprising from 3 to 20 atoms in the rings, more preferably 3- to 7- membered rings. The number of ring-forming atoms in heterocyclyl is given in ranges herein. For example, C_5-1O heterocyclyl refers to a ring structure comprising from 5 to 10 ring-forming atoms wherein at least one of the ring-forming atoms is N, O or S. Heterocyclic groups may be saturated or partially saturated or unsaturated, containing one or more double bonds, and heterocyclic groups may contain more than one ring as in the case of polycyclic systems. The heterocyclic rings described herein may be substituted on carbon or on a heteroatom atom if the resulting compound is stable. If specifically noted, nitrogen in the heterocyclyl may optionally be quaternized. It is understood that when the, total number of S and O atoms in the heterocyclyl exceeds 1, then these heteroatoms are not adjacent to one another.

Examples of heterocyclyls include, but are not limited to, lH-indazole, 2-pyrrolidonyl, 2H, 6H-1, 5,2-dithiazinyl, 2H-pyrrolyl, 3H-indolyl, 4-piperidonyl, 4aH-carbazole, 4H-quinolizinyl, 6H- 1, 2,5-thiadiazinyl, acridinyl, azabicyclo, azetidine, azepane, aziridine, azocinyl, benzimidazolyl, benzodioxol, benzofuranyl, benzothiofuranyl, benzothiophenyl, benzoxazolyl, benzthiazolyl, benzotriazolyl, benzotetrazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzisotbiazolyl, benzimidazalonyl, carbazolyl, 4aH-carbazolyl, b-carbolinyl, chromanyl, chromenyl, cinnolinyl, diazepane, decahydroquinolinyl, 2H,6H-1, 5,2-dithiazinyl, dioxolane, furyl, 2,3-dihydrofuran, 2,5-dihydrofuran, dihydrofuro[2,3-b]tetrahydrofuran, furanyl, furazanyl, homopiperidinyl, imidazolidine, imidazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolyl, lH-indazolyl, indolenyl, indolinyl, indolizinyl, indolyl, isobenzofuranyl, isochromanyl, isoindazolyl, isoindolinyl, isoindolyl, isoquinolinyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, morpholinyl, naphthyridinyl, octahydroisoquinolinyl, oxadiazolyl, 1,2,3-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,5-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl, oxazolidinyl, oxazolyl, oxirane, oxazolidinylperimidinyl, phenanthridinyl, phenanthrolinyl, phenarsazinyl, phenazinyl, phenothiazinyl, phenoxathiinyl, phenoxazinyl, phthalazinyl, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, pteridinyl, piperidonyl, 4-piperidonyl, purinyl, pyranyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrroline, pyrrolidine, pyrazinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyridooxazole, pyridoimidazole, pyridothiazole, pyridinyl, N-oxide-pyridinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolidinyl dione, pyrrolinyl, pyrrolyl, pyridine, quinazolinyl, quinolinyl, 4H-quinolizinyl, quinoxalinyl, quinuclidinyl, carbolinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetramethylpiperidinyl, tetrahydroquinoline, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, thiophane, thiotetrahydroquinolinyl, 6H-l,2,5-thiadiazinyl, 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,5-thiadiazolyl, 1 ,3,4-thiadiazolyl, thianthrenyl, thiazolyl, thienyl, thienothiazolyl, thienooxazolyl, thienoimidazolyl, thiopheneyl, thiirane, triazinyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl, 1,2,4-triazolyl, 1,2,5-triazolyl, 1,3,4-triazolyl, xanthenyl.

As used herein, "heteroaryl" refers to an aromatic heterocycle having at least one heteroatom ring member such as sulfur, oxygen, or nitrogen. Heteroaryl groups include monocyclic and polycyclic (e.g., having 2, 3 or 4 fused rings) systems. Examples of heteroaryl groups include without limitation, pyridyl (i.e., pyridinyl), pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, triazinyl, furyl (i.e. furanyl), quinolyl, isoquinolyl, thienyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, indolyl, pyrryl, oxazolyl, benzofuryl, benzothienyl, benzthiazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, indazolyl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, benzothienyl, purinyl, carbazolyl, benzimidazolyl, indolinyl, and the like. In some embodiments, the heteroaryl group has from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, and in further embodiments from about 3 to about 20 carbon atoms. In some embodiments, the heteroaryl group contains 3 to about 14, 4 to about 14, 3 to about 7, or 5 to 6 ring-forming atoms. In some embodiments, the heteroaryl group has 1 to about 4, 1 to about 3, or 1 to 2 heteroatoms. In some embodiments, the heteroaryl group has 1 heteroatom.

As used herein, the term "heterocycloalkyl" is intended to mean a 5 to 7 member cyclic non-aromatic group containing from 1 to 3 ring heteroatoms independently selected from O, N and S. Examples of heterocycloalkyl groups include, but are not limited to, tetrahydrofuranyl, dihydrofuranyl, pyrrolidinyl, and the like. A suitable heterocycloalkyl group is tetrahydrofuranyl.

As used herein, "alkoxy" or "alkyloxy" represents an alkyl group as defined above with the indicated number of carbon atoms attached through an oxygen bridge. Examples of alkoxy include, but are not limited to, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, isobutoxy, t-butoxy, n-pentoxy, isopentoxy, cyclopropylmethoxy, allyloxy and propargyloxy. Similarly, "alkylthio" or "thioalkoxy" represent an alkyl group as defined above with the indicated number of carbon atoms attached through a sulphur bridge.

As used herein, the term "carbonyl" is art recognized and includes such moieties as can be represented by the general formula:

O O

-X-R , or — X— W— R¹ wherein X is a bond or represents an oxygen or sulfur, and R represents a hydrogen, an alkyl, an alkenyl, -(CH₂)_m-R' ' or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, R' represents a hydrogen, an alkyl, an alkenyl or -(CH₂)I_n-R" _> where m is an integer less than or equal to ten, and R' ' is alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, or heteroaryl. Where X is an oxygen and R and R' is not hydrogen, the formula represents an "ester". Where X is an oxygen, and R is as defined above, the moiety is referred to herein as a carboxyl group, and particularly when R' is a hydrogen, the formula represents a "carboxylic acid." Where X is oxygen, and R' is a hydrogen, the formula represents a "formate." In general, where the oxygen atom of the above formula is replaced by sulfur, the formula represents a "thiolcarbonyl" group. Where X is a sulfur and R and R' is not hydrogen, the formula represents a "thiolester." Where X is sulfur and R is hydrogen, the formula represents a "thiolcarboxylic acid." Where X is sulfur and R' is hydrogen, the formula represents a "thiolformate." On the other hand, where X is a bond, and R is not a hydrogen, the above formula represents a "ketone" group. Where X is a bond, and R is hydrogen, the above formula is represents an "aldehyde" group.

As used herein, the term "sulfonyl" refers to a moiety that can be represented by the general formula:

O

Il

— S-R Il O wherein R is represented by but not limited to hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, or heteroaralkyl. As used herein, some substituents are discribled in a combination of two or more groups.

For example, the expression of "C(=O)C₃-9cycloalkylR^d" is meant to refer to a structure:

wherein p is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 (i.e., C_3-c_>cycloalkyl); the C^cycloalkyl is substituted by R^d; and the point of attachment of the "C(=^:O)C₃.₉cycloalkylR^d" is through the carbon atom of the carbonyl group, which is on the left of the expression.

For example, the expressions "arylalkyl" and "arylakyloxy" are meant to refer to a type of structure as exemplified by the two depicted variants, respectively:

Arylalkyl

Arylalkyloxy

As used herein, the phrase "protecting group" means temporary substituents which protect a potentially reactive functional group from undesired chemical transformations. Examples of such protecting groups include esters of carboxylic acids, silyl ethers of alcohols, and acetals and ketals of aldehydes and ketones respectively. The field of protecting group chemistry has been reviewed (Greene, T.W.; Wuts, P.G.M. Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, 3^rd ed.; Wiley: New York, 1999).

As used herein, "pharmaceutically acceptable" is employed herein to refer to those compounds, materials, compositions, and/or dosage forms which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of human beings and animals without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problem or complication, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.

As used herein, "pharmaceutically acceptable salts" refer to derivatives of the disclosed compounds wherein the parent compound is modified by making acid or base salts thereof (i.e., also include counterions). Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, but are not limited to, mineral or organic acid salts of basic residues such as amines; alkali or organic salts of acidic residues such as carboxylic acids; and the like. The pharmaceutically acceptable salts include the conventional non-toxic salts or the quaternary ammonium salts of the parent compound formed, for example, from non-toxic inorganic or organic acids. For example, such conventional non-toxic salts include those derived from inorganic acids such as hydrochloric, phosphoric, and the like; and the salts prepared from organic acids such as lactic, maleic, citric, benzoic, methanesulfonic, and the like.

The pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the present invention can be synthesized from the parent compound that contains a basic or acidic moiety by conventional chemical methods. Generally, such salts can be prepared by reacting the free acid or base forms of these compounds with a stoichiometric amount of the appropriate base or acid in water or in an organic solvent, or in a mixture of the two; nonaqueous media like ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol, isopropanol, or acetonitrile can be used.

As used herein, "in vivo hydrolysable precursors" means an in vivo hydroysable (or cleavable) ester of a compound of any of the formulas described herein that contains a carboxy or a hydroxy group. For example amino acid esters, C_1-6 alkoxymethyl esters like methoxymethyl; Ci-galkanoyloxymethyl esters like pivaloyloxymethyl;

C₃.₈cycloalkoxycarbonyloxy C^ancyl esters like l-cyclohexylcarbonyloxyethyl, acetoxymethoxy, or phosphoramidic cyclic esters.

As used herein, "tautomer" means other structural isomers that exist in equilibrium resulting from the migration of a hydrogen atom. For example, keto-enol tautomerism where the resulting compound has the porperties of both a ketone and an unsturated alchol. As used herein "stable compound" and "stable structure" are meant to indicate a compound that is sufficiently robust to survive isolation to a useful degree of purity from a reaction mixture, and formulation into an efficacious therapeutic agent.

The present invention further includes isotopically-labeled compounds of the invention. An "isotopically" or "radio-labeled" compound is a compound of the invention where one or more atoms are replaced or substituted by an atom having an atomic mass or mass number different from the atomic mass or mass number typically found in nature (i.e., naturally occurring). Suitable radionuclides that may be incorporated in compounds of the present invention include but are not limited to ²H (also written as D for deuterium), ³H (also written as T for tritium), ¹¹C, ¹³C, ¹⁴C, ¹³N, ¹⁵N, ¹⁵0, ¹⁷0, ¹⁸0, ¹⁸F, ³⁵S, ³⁶Cl₃ ⁸²Br, ⁷⁵Br, ⁷⁶Br, ⁷⁷Br, ¹²³1, ¹²⁴1, ¹²⁵I and ¹³¹I. The radionuclide that is incorporated in the instant radio-labeled compounds will depend on the specific application of that radio-labeled compound. For example, for in vitro receptor labeling and competition assays, compounds that incorporate ³H, ¹⁴C, ⁸²Br, ¹²⁵1 , ¹³¹1, ³⁵S or will generally be most useful. For radio-imaging applications ¹¹C, ¹⁸F, ¹²⁵1, ¹²³1, ¹²⁴1, ¹³¹I, ⁷⁵Br, ⁷⁶Br or ⁷⁷Br will generally be most useful.

It is understood that a "radio-labeled compound" is a compound that has incorporated at least one radionuclide. In some embodiments the radionuclide is selected from the group consisting of ³H, ¹⁴C, ¹²⁵1 , ³⁵S and ⁸²Br.

The antidementia treatment defined herein may be applied as a sole therapy or may involve, in addition to the compound of the invention, conventional chemotherapy.

Compounds of the present invention may be administered orally, parenteral, buccal, vaginal, rectal, inhalation, insufflation, sublingually, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, topically, intranasally, intraperitoneally, intrathoracially, intravenously, epidurally, intrathecally, intracerebroventricularly and by injection into the joints.

The dosage will depend on the route of administration, the severity of the disease, age and weight of the patient and other factors normally considered by the attending physician, when determining the individual regimen and dosage level as the most appropriate for a particular patient.

An effective amount of a compound of the present invention for use in therapy of dementia is an amount sufficient to symptomatically relieve in a warm-blooded animal, particularly a human the symptoms of dementia, to slow the progression of dementia, or to reduce in patients with symptoms of dementia the risk of getting worse.

For preparing pharmaceutical compositions from the compounds of this invention, inert, pharmaceutically acceptable carriers can be either solid or liquid. Solid form preparations include powders, tablets, dispersible granules, capsules, cachets, and suppositories.

A solid carrier can be one or more substances, which may also act as diluents, flavoring agents, solubilizers, lubricants, suspending agents, binders, or tablet disintegrating agents; it can also be an encapsulating material.

In powders, the carrier is a finely divided solid, which is in a mixture with the finely divided active component. In tablets, the active component is mixed with the carrier having the necessary binding properties in suitable proportions and compacted in the shape and size desired.

For preparing suppository compositions, a low-melting wax such as a mixture of fatty acid glycerides and cocoa butter is first melted and the active ingredient is dispersed therein by, for example, stirring. The molten homogeneous mixture is then poured into convenient sized molds and allowed to cool and solidify. Suitable carriers include magnesium carbonate, magnesium stearate, talc, lactose, sugar, pectin, dextrin, starch, tragacanth, methyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, a low-melting wax, cocoa butter, and the like.

Some of the compounds of the present invention are capable of forming salts with various inorganic and organic acids and bases and such salts are also within the scope of this invention. For example, such conventional non-toxic salts include those derived from inorganic acids such as hydrochloric, phosphoric, and the like; and the salts prepared from organic acids such as lactic, maleic, citric, benzoic, methanesulfonic, trifluoroacetate and the like.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the therapeutic treatment (including prophylactic treatment) of mammals including humans, it is normally formulated in accordance with standard pharmaceutical practice as a pharmaceutical composition.

In addition to the compounds of the present invention, the pharmaceutical composition of this invention may also contain, or be co-administered (simultaneously or sequentially) with, one or more pharmacological agents of value in treating one or more disease conditions referred to herein.

The term composition is intended to include the formulation of the active component or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. For example this invention may be formulated by means known in the art into the form of, for example, tablets, capsules, aqueous or oily solutions, suspensions, emulsions, creams, ointments, gels, nasal sprays, suppositories, finely divided powders or aerosols or nebulisers for inhalation, and for parenteral use (including intravenous, intramuscular or infusion) sterile aqueous or oily solutions or suspensions or sterile emulsions.

Liquid form compositions include solutions, suspensions, and emulsions. Sterile water or water-propylene glycol solutions of the active compounds may be mentioned as an example of liquid preparations suitable for parenteral administration. Liquid compositions can also be formulated in solution in aqueous polyethylene glycol solution. Aqueous solutions for oral administration can be prepared by dissolving the active component in water and adding suitable colorants, flavoring agents, stabilizers, and thickening agents as desired. Aqueous suspensions for oral use can be made by dispersing the finely divided active component in water together with a viscous material such as natural synthetic gums, resins, methyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and other suspending agents known to the pharmaceutical formulation art.

The pharmaceutical compositions can be in unit dosage form. In such form, the composition is divided into unit doses containing appropriate quantities of the active component. The unit dosage form can be a packaged preparation, the package containing discrete quantities of the preparations, for example, packeted tablets, capsules, and powders in vials or ampoules. The unit dosage form can also be a capsule, cachet, or tablet itself, or it can be the appropriate number of any of these packaged forms,

Compositions may be formulated for any suitable route and means of administration. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or diluents include those used in formulations suitable for oral, rectal, nasal, topical (including buccal and sublingual), vaginal or parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, intradermal, intrathecal and epidural) administration. The formulations may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form and may be prepared by any of the methods well known in the art of pharmacy.

For solid compositions, conventional non-toxic solid carriers include, for example, pharmaceutical grades of mannitol, lactose, cellulose, cellulose derivatives, starch, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharin, talcum, glucose, sucrose, magnesium carbonate, and the like may be used. Liquid pharmaceutically administrable compositions can, for example, be prepared by dissolving, dispersing, etc, an active compound as defined above and optional pharmaceutical adjuvants in a carrier, such as, for example, water, saline aqueous dextrose, glycerol, ethanol, and the like, to thereby form a solution or suspension. If desired, the pharmaceutical composition to be administered may also contain minor amounts of non-toxic auxiliary substances such as wetting or emulsifying agents, pH buffering agents and the like, for example, sodium acetate, sorbitan monolaurate, triethanolamine sodium acetate, sorbitan monolaurate, triethanolamine oleate, etc. Actual methods of preparing such dosage forms are known, or will be apparent, to those skilled in this art; for example, see Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pennsylvania, 15th Edition, 1975.

The compounds of the invention may be derivatised in various ways. As used herein "derivatives" of the compounds includes salts (e.g. pharmaceutically acceptable salts), any complexes (e.g. inclusion complexes or clathrates with compounds such as cyclodextrins, or coordination complexes with metal ions such as Mn²⁺ and Zn²⁺), esters such as in vivo hydrolysable esters, free acids or bases, polymorphic forms of the compounds, solvates (e.g. hydrates), prodrugs or lipids, coupling partners and protecting groups. By "prodrugs" is meant for example any compound that is converted in vivo into a biologically active compound.

Salts of the compounds of the invention are preferably physiologically well tolerated and non toxic. Many examples of salts are known to those skilled in the art. All such salts are within the scope of this invention, and references to compounds include the salt forms of the compounds.

Compounds having acidic groups, such as carboxylate, phosphates or sulfates, can form salts with alkaline or alkaline earth metals such as Na, K, Mg and Ca, and with organic amines such as triethylamine and Tris (2-hydroxyethyl)amine. Salts can be formed between compounds with basic groups, e.g. amines, with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid or sulfuric acid, or organic acids such as acetic acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, fumaric acid, or tartaric acid. Compounds having both acidic and basic groups can form internal salts.

Acid addition salts may be formed with a wide variety of acids, both inorganic and organic. Examples of acid addition salts include salts formed with hydrochloric, hydriodic, phosphoric, nitric, sulphuric, citric, lactic, succinic, maleic, malic, isethionic, fumaric, benzenesulphonic, toluenesulphonic, methanesulphonic, ethanesulphonic, naphthalenesulphonic, valeric, acetic, propanoic, butanoic, malonic, glucuronic and lactobionic acids.

If the compound is anionic, or has a functional group which may be anionic (e.g., COOH may be COO)₅ then a salt may be formed with a suitable cation. Examples of suitable inorganic cations include, but are not limited to, alkali metal ions such as Na⁺ and K⁺, alkaline earth cations such as Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, and other cations such as Al³⁺. Examples of suitable organic cations include, but are not limited to, ammonium ion (i.e., NH₄ ⁺) and substituted ammonium ions (e.g., NH₃R⁺, NH₂R₂ ⁺, NHR₃ ⁺, NR₄ ⁺). Examples of some suitable substituted ammonium ions are those derived from: ethylamine, diethylamine, dicyclohexylamine, triethylamine, butylamine, ethylenediamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, piperazine, benzylamine, phenylbenzylamine, choline, meglumine, and tromethamine, as well as amino acids, such as lysine and arginine. An example of a common quaternary ammonium ion is N(CH₃)₄ ⁺.

Where the compounds contain an amine function, these may form quaternary ammonium salts, for example by reaction with an alkylating agent according to methods well known to the skilled person. Such quaternary ammonium compounds are within the scope of the invention.

Compounds containing an amine function may also form N-oxides. A reference herein to a compound that contains an amine function also includes the N-oxide.

Where a compound contains several amine functions, one or more than one nitrogen atom may be oxidised to form an N-oxide. Particular examples of N-oxides are the N-oxides of a tertiary amine or a nitrogen atom of a nitrogen-containing heterocycle.

N-Oxides can be formed by treatment of the corresponding amine with an oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide or a per-acid (e.g. a peroxycarboxylic acid), see for example Advanced Organic Chemistry, by Jerry March, 4^th Edition, Wiley Interscience, pages. More particularly, N-oxides can be made by the procedure of L. W. Deady (Syn. Comm. 1977, 7, 509-514) in which the amine compound is reacted with rø-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (MCPBA), for example, in an inert solvent such as dichloromethane.

Esters can be formed between hydroxyl or carboxylic acid groups present in the compound and an appropriate carboxylic acid or alcohol reaction partner, using techniques well known in the art. Examples of esters are compounds containing the group C(^=O)OR, wherein R is an ester substituent, for example, a C_1-7 alkyl group, a C_3-20 heterocyclyl group, or a C_5-20 aryl group, preferably a C_1-7 alkyl group. Particular examples of ester groups include, but are not limited to, C(=O)OCH₃, C(=O)OCH₂CH₃, C(=O)OC(CH₃)₃, and -C(=O)OPh. Examples of acyloxy (reverse ester) groups are represented by

OC(=O)R, wherein R is an acyloxy substituent, for example, a C_1-7 alkyl group, a C_3-20 heterocyclyl group, or a C_5-20 aryl group, preferably a C_1-7 alkyl group. Particular examples of acyloxy groups include, but are not limited to, OC(=O)CH₃ (acetoxy), OC(=O)CH₂CH₃, OC(=O)C(CH₃)₃, OC(=O)Ph, and OC(=O)CH₂Ph.

Derivatives which are prodrugs of the compounds are convertible in vivo or in vitro into one of the parent compounds. Typically, at least one of the biological activities of compound will be reduced in the prodrug form of the compound, and can be activated by conversion of the prodrug to release the compound or a metabolite of it. Some prodrugs are esters of the active compound (e.g., a physiologically acceptable metabolically labile ester). During metabolism, the ester group (-C(=O)OR) is cleaved to yield the active drug. Such esters may be formed by esterification, for example, of any of the carboxylic acid groups (-C(=O)OH) in the parent compound, with, where appropriate, prior protection of any other reactive groups present in the parent compound, followed by deprotection if required.

Examples of such metabolically labile esters include those of the formula -C(=O)OR wherein R is: Cπalkyl (e.g., Me, Et, -nPr, -iPr, -nBu, -sBu, -iBu, tBu); C₁₇aminoalkyl (e.g., aminoethyl; 2-(N,N-diethylamino)ethyl; 2(4morpholino)ethyl); and acyloxy-Ci₇alkyl (e.g., acyloxymethyl; acyloxyethyl; pivaloyloxymethyl; acetoxymethyl; lacetoxyethyl; 1 -(I -methoxy- 1 -methyl)ethyl-carbonyloxyethyl; 1 -(benzoyloxy)ethyl; isopropoxy-carbonyloxymethyl; 1 isopropoxy-carbonyloxyethyl; cyclohexyl-carbonyloxymethyl; 1 cyclohexyl-carbonyloxyethyl; cyclohexyloxy-carbonyloxymethyl; 1-cyclohexyloxy-carbonyloxyethyl; (4-tefrahydropyranyloxy) carbonyloxymethyl; l-(4-tetrahydropyranyloxy)carbonyloxyethyl;(4-tetrahydropyranyl)carbonyloxymethyl; and l(4tetrahydropyranyl)carbonyloxyethyl).

Also, some prodrugs are activated enzymatically to yield the active compound, or a compound which, upon further chemical reaction, yields the active compound (for example, as in ADEPT, GDEPT, LIDEPT, etc.). For example, the prodrug may be a sugar derivative or otiier glycoside conjugate, or may be an amino acid ester derivative.

Other derivatives include coupling partners of the compounds in which the compounds is linked to a coupling partner, e.g. by being chemically coupled to the compound or physically associated with it. Examples of coupling partners include a label or reporter molecule, a supporting substrate, a carrier or transport molecule, an effector, a drug, an antibody or an inhibitor. Coupling partners can be covalently linked to compounds of the invention via an appropriate functional group on the compound such as a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group or an amino group. Other derivatives include formulating the compounds with liposomes.

Where the compounds contain chiral centres, all individual optical forms such as enantiomers, epimers and diastereoisomers, as well as racemic mixtures of the compounds are within the scope of the invention.

Compounds may exist in a number of different geometric isomeric, and tautomeric forms and references to compounds include all such forms. For the avoidance of doubt, where a compound can exist in one of several geometric isomeric or tautomeric forms and only one is specifically described or shown, all others are nevertheless embraced by the scope of this invention.

The quantity of the compound to be administered will vary for the patient being treated and will vary from about 100 ng/kg of body weight to 100 mg/kg of body weight per day and preferably will be from 10 pg/kg to 10 mg/kg per day. For instance, dosages can be readily ascertained by those skilled in the art from this disclosure and the knowledge in the art. Thus, the skilled artisan can readily determine the amount of compound and optional additives, vehicles, and/or carrier in compositions and to be administered in methods of the invention.

Compounds of the present invention have been shown to inhibit beta secretase (including BACE) activity in vitro. Inhibitors of beta secretase have been shown to be useful in blocking formation or aggregation of Aβ peptide and therefore have a beneficial effects in treatment of Alzheimer's Disease and other neurodegenerative diseases associated with elevated levels and/or deposition of Aβ peptide. Therefore it is believed that the compounds of the present invention may be used for the treatment of Alzheimer disease and disease associated with dementia. Hence compounds of the present invention and their salts are expected to be active against age-related diseases such as Alzheimer, as well as other Aβ related pathologies such as Down's syndrome and b-amyloid angiopathy. It is expected that the compounds of the present invention would most likely be used in combination with a broad range of cognition deficit enhancement agents but could also be used as a single agent.

Generally, the compounds of the present invention have been identified in one or both assays described below as having an IC50 value of 100 micromolar or less.

IGEN Assay

Enzyme is diluted 1 :30 in 40 niM MES pH 5.0. Stock substrate is diluted to 12 μM in 40 mM MES pH 5.0. PALMEB solution is added to the substrate solution (1 : 100 dilution). DMSO stock solutions of compounds or DMSO alone are diluted to the desired concentration in 4OmM MES pH 5.0. The assay is done in a 96 well PCR plate from Nunc. Compound in DMSO (3 μL) is added to the plate then enzyme is added (27 μL) and pre-incubated with compound for 5 minutes. Then the reaction is started with substrate (30 μL). The final dilution of enzyme is 1 : 60; the final concentration of substrate is 6 μM (Km is 150 μM). After a 20 minute reaction at room temperature, the reaction is stopped by removing 10 μl of the reaction mix and diluting it 1 :25 in 0.20M Tris pH 8.0. The compounds are added to the plate by hand then all the rest of the liquid handling is done on the CyBi-well instrument.

All antibodies and the streptavidin coated beads are diluted into PBS containing 0.5% BSA and 0.5% Tween20. The product is quantified by adding 50 μL of a 1 :5000 dilution of the neoepitope antibody to 50 μL of the 1:25 dilution of the reaction mix. Then, 100 μL of PBS (0.5% BSA, 0.5% Tween20) containing 0.2 mg/ml IGEN beads and a 1:5000 dilution of ruthinylated goat anti-rabbit (Ru-Gar) antibody is added, The final dilution of neoepitope antibody is 1:20,000, the final dilution of Ru-GAR is 1:10,000 and the final concentration of beads is 0.1 mg/ml. The mixture is read on the IGEN instrument with the Cindy AB40 program after a 2-hour incubation at room temperature. Addition of DMSO alone is used to define the 100% activity. 20 μM control inhibitor is used to define 0% of control activity and 100 nM inhibitor defines 50% control of control activity in single-poke assays. Control inhibitor is also used in dose response assays with an IC50 of 100 nM.

Fluorescent Assay

Enzyme is diluted 1 :30 in 4OmM MES pH 5.0. Stock substrate is diluted to 30 μM in 40 mM MES pH 5.0. PALMEB solution is added to the substrate solution (1:100 dilution). Enzyme and substrate stock solutions are kept on ice until the placed in the stock plates. The Platemate-plus instrument is used to do all liquid handling. Enzyme (9 μL) is added to the plate then 1 μL of compound in DMSO is added and pre-incubated for 5 minutes. When a dose response curve is being tested for a compound, the dilutions are done in neat DMSO and the DMSO stocks are added as described above. Substrate (10 μL) is added and the reaction proceeds in the dark for 1 hour at room temperature. The assay is done in a Corning 384 well round bottom, low volume, non-binding surface (Corning #3676). The final dilution of enzyme is 1:60; the final concentration of substrate is 15 μM (Km of 25 μM). The fluorescence of the product is measured on a Victor II plate reader with an excitation wavelength of 360nm and an emission wavelength of 485 nm using the protocol labeled Edans peptide. The DMSO control defines the 100% activity level and 0% activity is defined by using 50 μM of the control inhibitor, which completely blocks enzyme function. The control inhibitor is also used in dose response assays and has an IC50 of 95 nM. Beta-Secretase Whole Cell Assay

Generation of HEK-Fc33-1:

The cDNA encoding Ml length BACE was fused in frame with a three amino acid linker (Ala-Val-Thr) to the Fc portion of the human IgGl starting at amino acid 104. The

BACE-Fc construct was then cloned into a GFP/pGEN-IRES-neoK vector (a proprietary vector of AstraZeneca) for protein expression in mammalian cells. The expression vector was stably transfected into HEK-293 cells using a calcium phosphate method. Colonies were selected with 250 μg/mL of G-418. Limited dilution cloning was performed to generate homogeneous cell lines. Clones were characterized by levels of APP expression and Aβ secreted in the conditioned media using an ELISA assay developed in-house. Aβ secretion of BACE/Fc clone Fc33-1 was moderate.

Cell Culture: HEK293 cells stably expressing human BACE (HEK-Fc33) were grown at 37⁰C in DMEM containing 10% heat-inhibited FBS, 0.5 mg/mL antibiotic-antimycotic solution, and 0.05 mg/niL of the selection antibiotic G-418.

Aβ40 Release Assay: Cells were harvested when between 80 to 90% confluent. 100 μL of cells at a cell density of 1.5 million/mL were added to a white 96- well cell culture plate with clear flat bottom (Costar 3610), or a clear, flat bottom 96-well cell culture plate (Costar 3595), containing 100 μL of inhibitor in cell culture medium with DMSO at a final concentration of 1%. After the plate was incubated at 37⁰C for 24 h, 100 μL cell medium was transferred to a round bottom 96-well plate (Costar 3365) to quantify Aβ40 levels. The cell culture plates were saved for ATP assay as described in ATP assay below. To each well of the round bottom plate, 50 μL of detection solution containing 0.2 μg/mL of the RαAβ40 antibody and 0.25 μg/mL of a biotinylated 4G8 antibody (prepared in DPBS with 0.5%BSA and 0.5% Tween-20) was added and incubated at 4⁰C for at least 7 h. Then a 50 μL solution (prepared in the same buffer as above) containing 0.062 μg/mL of a ruthenylated goat anti-rabbit antibody and 0.125 mg/mL of streptavidin coated Dynabeads was added per well. The plate was shaken at 22⁰C on a plate shaker for 1 h, and then the plates were then measured for ECL counts in an IGEN M8 Analyzer. Aβ standard curves were obtained with 2-fold serial dilution of an Aβ stock solution of known concentration in the same cell culture medium used in cell-based assays.

ATP Assay:

As indicated above, after transferring 100 μL medium from cell culture plates for Aβ40 detection, the plates, which still contained cells, were saved for cytotoxicity assays by using the assay kit (ViaLight™ Plus) from Cambrex BioScience that measures total cellular ATP. Briefly, to each well of the plates, 50 μL cell lysis reagent was added. The plates were incubated at room temperature for 10 min. Two min following addition of 100 μL reconstituted ViaLight Plus reagent for ATP measurement, the luminescence of each well was measured in an LJL plate reader or Wallac Topcount.

BACE Biacore Protocol Sensor Chip Preparation:

BACE was assayed on a Biacore3000 instrument by attaching either a peptidic transition state isostere (TSI) or a scrambled version of the peptidic TSI to the surface of a Biacore CM5 sensor chip. The surface of a CM5 sensor chip has 4 distinct channels that can be used to couple the peptides. The scrambled peptide KFES-statine-ETIAEVENV was coupled to channel 1 and the TSI inhibitor KTEEISEVN-statine-VAEF was couple to channel 2 of the same chip. The two peptides were dissolved at 0.2 mg/ml in 20 mM Na Acetate pH 4.5, and then the solutions were centrifuged at 14K rpm to remove any particulates. Carboxyl groups on the dextran layer were activated by injecting a one to one mixture of O.5M N-ethyl-N' (3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC) and 0.5M N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) at 5 μL/minute for 7 minutes. Then the stock solution of the control peptide was injected in channel 1 for 7 minutes at 5 μL/min., and then the remaining activated carboxyl groups were blocked by injecting IM ethanolamine for 7 minutes at 5 μL/minute.

Assay Protocol:

The BACE Biacore assay was done by diluting BACE to 0.5 uM in Na Acetate buffer at pH 4.5 (running buffer minus DMSO). The diluted BACE was mixed with DMSO or compound diluted in DMSO at a final concentration of 5% DMSO. The BACE/inhibitor mixture was incubated for 1 hour at 4⁰C then injected over channel 1 and 2 of the CM5 Biacore chip at a rate of 20 μL/minute. As BACE bound to the chip the signal was measured in response units (RU). BACE binding to the TSI inhibitor on channel 2 gave a certain signal. The presence of a BACE inhibitor reduced the signal by binding to BACE and inhibiting the interaction with the peptidic TSI on the chip. Any binding to channel 1 was non-specific and was subtracted from the channel 2 responses. The DMSO control was defined as 100% and the effect of the compound was reported as percent inhibition of the DMSO control.

hERG Assay

Cell culture

The hERG-expressing Chinese hamster ovary Kl (CHO) cells described by (Persson,

Carlsson, Duker, & Jacobson, 2005) were grown to semi-confluence at 37 ⁰C in a humidified environment (5% CO₂) in F- 12 Ham medium containing L-glutamine, 10% foetal calf serum (FCS) and 0.6 mg/ml hygromycin (all Sigma- Aldrich). Prior to use, the monolayer was washed using a pre-warmed (37⁰C) 3 ml aliquot of Versene 1 :5,000 (Invitrogen). After aspiration of this solution the flask was incubated at 37 ⁰C in an incubator with a further 2 ml of Versene 1 :5,000 for a period of 6 minutes. Cells were then detached from the bottom of the flask by gentle tapping and 10 ml of Dulbecco's

Phosphate-Buffered Saline containing calcium (0.9 rnM) and magnesium (0.5 mM) (PBS; Invitrogen) was then added to the flask and aspirated into a 15 ml centrifuge tube prior to centrifugation (50 g, for 4 mins). The resulting supernatant was discarded and the pellet gently re-suspended in 3 ml of PBS. A 0.5 ml aliquot of cell suspension was removed and the number of viable cells (based on trypan blue exclusion) was determined in an automated reader (Cedex; Innovatis) so that the cell re-suspension volume could be adjusted with PBS to give the desired final cell concentration. It is the cell concentration at this point in the assay that is quoted when referring to this parameter. CHO-KvI.5 cells, which were used to adjust the voltage offset on IonWorks™ HT, were maintained and prepared for use in the same way. Electrophysiology

The principles and operation of this device have been described by (Schroeder, Neagle, Trezise, & Worley, 2003). Briefly, the technology is based on a 384-well plate (PatchPlate™) in which a recording is attempted in each well by using suction to position and hold a cell on a small hole separating two isolated fluid chambers. Once sealing has taken place, the solution on the underside of the PatchPlate™ is changed to one containing amphotericin B. This permeablises the patch of cell membrane covering the hole in each well and, in effect, allows a perforated, whole-cell patch clamp recording to be made.

A β-test IonWorks™ HT from Essen Instrument was used. There is no capability to warm solutions in this device hence it was operated at room temperature (~21°C), as follows. The reservoir in the "Buffer" position was loaded with 4 ml of PBS and that in the "Cells" position with the CHO-hERG cell suspension described above. A 96-well plate (V-bottom, Greiner Bio-one) containing the compounds to be tested (at 3-fold above their final test concentration) was placed in the "Plate 1" position and a PatchPlate™ was clamped into the PatchPlate™ station. Each compound plate was laid-out in 12 columns to enable ten, 8- point concentration-effect curves to be constructed; the remaining two columns on the plate were taken up with vehicle (final concentration 0.33% DMSO), to define the assay baseline, and a supra-maximal blocking concentration of cisapride (final concentration 10 μM) to define the 100% inhibition level. The fluidics-head (F-Head) of IonWorks™ HT then added 3.5 μl of PBS to each well of the PatchPlate™ and its underside was perfused with "internal" solution that had the following composition (in mM): K-Gluconate 100, KCl 40, MgCl₂ 3.2, EGTA 3 and HEPES 5 (all Sigma-Aldrich; pH 7.25-7.30 using 10 M KOH). After priming and de-bubbling, the electronics-head (E-head) then moved round the PatchPlate™ performing a hole test (i.e. applying a voltage pulse to determine whether the hole in each well was open). The F-head then dispensed 3.5 μl of the cell suspension described above into each well of the PatchPlate™ and the cells were given 200 seconds to reach and seal to the hole in each well. Following this, the E-head moved round the PatchPlate™ to determine the seal resistance obtained in each well. Next, the solution on the underside of the PatchPlate™ was changed to "access" solution that had the following composition (in mM): KCl 140, EGTA 1, MgCl₂ 1 and HEPES 20 (pH 7.25-7.30 using 10 M KOH) plus 100 μg/ml of amphotericin B (Sigma- Aldrich). After allowing 9 minutes for patch perforation to take place, the E-head moved round the PatchPlate™ 48 wells at a time to obtain pre-compound hERG current measurements. The F-head then added 3.5 μl of solution from each well of the compound plate to 4 wells on the PatchPlate™ (the final DMSO concentration was 0.33% in every well). This was achieved by moving from the most dilute to the most concentrated well of the compound plate to minimise the impact of any compound carry-over. After approximately 3.5 mins incubation, the E-head then moved around all 384- wells of the PatchPlate™ to obtain post-compound hERG current measurements. In this way, non-cumulative concentration-effect curves could be produced where, providing the acceptance criteria were achieved in a sufficient percentage of wells (see below), the effect of each concentration of test compound was based on recording from between 1 and 4 cells.

The pre- and post-compound hERG current was evoked by a single voltage pulse consisting of a 20 s period holding at -70 mV, a 160 ms step to -60 mV (to obtain an estimate of leak), a 100 ms step back to -70 mV, a 1 s step to + 40 mV, a 2 s step to -30 mV and finally a 500 ms step to -7OmV. In between the pre- and post-compound voltage pulses there was no clamping of the membrane potential. Currents were leak-subtracted based on the estimate of current evoked during the +1OmV step at the start of the voltage pulse protocol. Any voltage offsets in IonWorks™ HT were adjusted in one of two ways. When determining compound potency, a depolarising voltage ramp was applied to CHO- KvI.5 cells and the voltage noted at which there was an inflection point in the current trace (i.e. the point at which channel activation was seen with a ramp protocol). The voltage at which this occurred had previously been determined using the same voltage command in conventional electrophysiology and found to be -15 mV (data not shown); thus an offset potential could be entered into the IonWorks™ HT software using this value as a reference point. When determining the basic electrophysiological properties of hERG, any offset was adjusted by determining the hERG tail current reversal potential in IonWorks™ HT, comparing it with that found in conventional electrophysiology (-82 mV; see Fig. Ic) and then making the necessary offset adjustment in the IonWorks™ HT software. The current signal was sampled at 2.5 kHz. Pre- and post-scan hERG current magnitude was measured automatically from the leak subtracted traces by the IonWorks™ HT software by taking a 40 ms average of the current during the initial holding period at -70 mV (baseline current) and subtracting this from the peak of the tail current response. The acceptance criteria for the currents evoked in each well were: pre-scan seal resistance >60 MΩ, pre-scan hERG tail current amplitude >150 pA; post-scan seal resistance >60 MΩ. The degree of inhibition of the hERG current was assessed by dividing the post-scan hERG current by the respective pre-scan hERG current for each well.

The compounds of the present invention can be prepared in a number of ways well known to one skilled in the art of organic synthesis. The compounds of the present invention can be synthesized using the methods described below, together with synthetic methods known in the art of synthetic organic chemistry, or variations thereon as appreciated by those skilled in the art. Such methods include, but are not limited to, those described below. AU references cited herein are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference.

The novel compounds of this invention may be prepared using the reactions and techniques described herein. The reactions are performed in solvents appropriate to the reagents and materials employed and are suitable for the transformations being effected. Also, in the description of the synthetic methods described below, it is to be understood that all proposed reaction conditions, including choice of solvent, reaction atmosphere, reaction temperature, duration of the experiment and workup procedures, are chosen to be the conditions standard for that reaction, which should be readily recognized by one skilled in the art. It is understood by one skilled in the art of organic synthesis that the functionality present on various portions of the molecule must be compatible with the reagents and reactions proposed. Such restrictions to the substituents, which are not compatible with the reaction conditions, will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art and alternate methods must then be used. The starting materials for the examples contained herein are either commercially available or are readily prepared by standard methods from known materials. For example the following reactions are illustrations but not limitations of the preparation of some of the starting materials and examples used herein.

Compounds of the present invention have been shown to inhibit beta secretase (including BACE) activity in vitro. Inhibitors of beta secretase have been shown to be useful in blocking formation or aggregation of Aβ peptide and therefore have beneficial effects in treatment of Alzheimer's Disease and other neurodegenerative diseases associated with elevated levels and/or deposition of Aβ peptide. Therefore, it is believed that the compounds of the present invention may be used for the treatment of Alzheimer disease and disease associated with dementia Hence, compounds of the present invention and their salts are expected to be active against age-related diseases such as Alzheimer, as well as other Aβ related pathologies such as Downs syndrome and β-amyloid angiopathy. It is expected that the compounds of the present invention would most likely be used as single agents but could also be used in combination with a broad range of cognition deficit enhancement agents.

Methods of Preparation The compounds of the present invention can be prepared in a number of ways well known to one skilled in the art of organic synthesis. The compounds of the present invention can be synthesized using the methods described below, together with synthetic methods known in the art of synthetic organic chemistry, or variations thereon as appreciated by those skilled in the art. Such methods include, but are not limited to, those described below. All references cited herein are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference.

The novel compounds of this invention may be prepared using the reactions and techniques described herein. The reactions are performed in solvents appropriate to the reagents and materials employed and are suitable for the transformations being effected. Also, in the description of the synthetic methods described below, it is to be understood that all proposed reaction conditions, including choice of solvent, reaction atmosphere, reaction temperature, duration of the experiment and workup procedures, are chosen to be the conditions standard for that reaction, which should be readily recognized by one skilled in the art. It is understood by one skilled in the art of organic synthesis that the functionality present on various portions of the molecule must be compatible with the reagents and reactions proposed. Such restrictions to the substituents, which are not compatible with the reaction conditions, will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art and alternate methods must then be used.

The starting materials for the examples contained herein are either commercially available or are readily prepared by standard methods from known materials. For example the following reactions are illustrations but not limitations of the preparation of some of the starting materials and examples used herein.

General procedures for making the compounds of the invention is as follows:

The invention will now be illustrated by the following nonlimiting examples, in which, unless stated otherwise:

Abbreviations: AIBN: 2,2'azobis(2-methylpropionitrile); APCI: atmospheric pressure chemical ionization; DCM: dichloromethane; DME: 1,2 dimethoxyethane; HPLC: high pressure liquid chromatography; NMR: nuclear magnetic resonance; TFA: trifluoroacetic acid; THF: tetrahydrofuran. General experimental details: Where indicated that compounds were purified by reverse phase HPLC, a preparative chromatography system was used employing a Cl 8 column with an appropriate solvent gradient composed of water and acetonitrile, each containing 0.1% TFA. For mass spectral data, results are reported in units of m/z for the parent ion (M+l) unless otherwise indicated. In cases where isotopic splitting (for example, with compounds containing bromine) results in multiple peaks, only the major peak in the cluster is indicated. NMR data are reported for key resonances, were recorded in the indicated deuterated solvent, and chemical shifts are reported in parts per million relative to tetramethyl silane.

Scheme 1

Example 1

2-Amino-5-[2-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)ethyl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4_J-3- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate (Scheme 1, G)

A mixture of 2-ammo-5-[2-(3-bromophenyl)ethyl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^"- imidazol-4-one (Scheme 1, F) (80 mg, 0.22 mmol), DME (1.06 mL), water (0.45 mL), ethanol (0.30 mL), 3-methoxyphenylboronic acid (42.5 mg, 0.280 mmol), cesium carbonate (140 mg, 0.43 mmol) and dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (II) (7.6 mg, 0.011 mmol) were placed in a sealed pressure reactor and heated at 150 °C by microwave for 15 min. The cooled reaction mixture was filtered and purified by preparative reverse phase chromatography, then lyophilized to afford the product as the TFA salt salt (46 mg, 0.089 mmol, 42%). NMR, 300 MHz, DMSO) 7.67-7.53 (m, 3H), 7.52-7.33 (m, 8H), 7.23-7.13 (m, 3H), 6.96-6.93 (d, IH)₅ 3.82 (s, 3H), 3.05 (s, 3H), 2.66- 2.54 (m, 4H).; m/z (APCI+) M+l (400.5).

The requisite 2-amino-5-[2-(3-bromophenyl)ethyl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^"- imidazol-4-one was prepared as follows.

3~(3-Bromophenyl)-l-phenyl-propan-l-one (Scheme 1, B)

A solution of 3-(3-bromophenyl)-N-methoxy-iV-meth.ylpropanamide (4.Og, 14.7 mmol) (Scheme 1, A) in THF (144.0 mL) was cooled to -78 °C followed by the addition of 3.0 M phenylmagnesium bromide (4.91 mL, 14.70 mmol) and allowed to stir at 0°C for 2 h. If unreacted starting material was still present, additional equivalents of the Grignard reagent were added. The reaction was quenched with NH₄Cl and the product extracted into DCM, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated to give crude product as a light orange liquid (4.30 g, quantitative yield) which was used without purification in the next step. m/z(APCI) M⁺ (289).

5-[2-(3-Bromophenyl)ethyl]-5-phenylimidazolidine-2,4-dione (Scheme 1, C)

A mixture of 3-(3-bromo-phenyl)-l-phenyl-propan-l-one (Scheme 1, B) (4.3 g, 14.9 mmol), potassium cyanide (2.25 g, 34 mmol), and ammonium carbonate (26 g, 270 mmol), water (40 mL) and methanol (40 mL) was placed in a sealed pressure reactor and heated at 120 ⁰C for 5 h. The cooled reaction mixture was concentrated to remove ethanol (lethal gasses ammonium cyanide and cyanide can be liberated). The aqueous mixture was diluted with 10% sodium bicarbonate and the product extracted into DCM. The organic phase was concentrated and dried (MgSO₄) to afford the desired product as a sticky yellow solid (4.23 g). This material was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with 10% diethyl ether in DCM to provide the desired product as a white sticky powder (3.2 g, 8.9 mmol, 60%). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.28 (s, IH)₅ 7.54 (d, J= 8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.44 - 7.26 (m, 8H), 7.12 (t, J= 7.8 Hz, IH), 7.04 (d, J= 7.6 Hz, IH), 6.67 (s, IH), 2.64 - 2.37 (m, 4H); m/z (APCI+) M+l (400.1).

2-Amino-4-(3-bromophenyl)-2-phenylbutanoic acid (Scheme 1, D)

Solutions of) 5-[2-(3-bromophenyl)ethyl]-5-phenylimidazolidine-2,4-dione (Scheme 1, C I₀ (2.25 g, 6.26 mmol) in THF (5 mL) and, sodium hydroxide (9 g, 225 mmol) in water (50 mL) were combined and heated at 180⁰C in a sealed, teflon lined pressure vessel for 1O h.

The cooled reaction mixture was diluted with water and neutralized to pH 7 by addition of

HCl. After standing for 2 h, the precipitate which formed was removed by filtration, washed with water, and dried under vacuum to afford the desired product as a white is powder in quantitative yield. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) 6 8.15 (s, IH), 7.56 (d, J= 6.8

Hz, 2H), 7.39 - 7.16 (m, 7H), 2.59 - 2.53 (m, 2H), 2.38 - 2.22 (m, 2H); m/z (APCI+) M+l

(336.1); t_κ 1.84 min.

5-[2-(3-Bromophenyl)ethyl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-one (Scheme 1, E)

In a teflon lined pressure vessel, were combined 2-amino-4-(3-bromophenyl)-2- phenylbutanoic acid (Scheme 1, D) (2.09 g, 6.24 mmol), KOH (617 mg), and n-butanol (40 mL). To this solution, add methyl isothiocyanate (853 uL, 12.5 mmol) and heat the sealed reaction at 13O⁰C for 12 h. The mixture was cooled, and additional KOH (300 mg) and 2S methyl isothiocyanate (853 uL) were added, and the sealed mixture heated at 180°C for 5 h. The mixture was again cooled, and additional KOH (300 mg) and methyl isothiocyanate (853 uL) were added, and the sealed mixture heated at 18O⁰C for 1O h. The cooled mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure, and the resulting oil was diluted with water, and the pH adjusted to 7.0 by addition of HCl. The solution was extracted with DCM₅ and the organic layer dried (MgSO₄) to afford a clear oil. This material contained residual n- butanol, and was used without purification, m/z (APCI+) M+l (389.0).

Example 2

2-amino-5-[2-(3-bromophenyl)ethyl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4_JβT-imidazol-4- one (Scheme 1, F)

To a solution of 5-[2-(3-bromophenyl)ethyl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4- one (Scheme 1, E) (2.40 g, 6.2 mmol) in methanol (60 mL) was added tert-butyl hydroperoxide (70% solution, 12 mL) and aqueous ammonium hydroxide (30%, 24 mL) and heated at 40°C for 2 h, then allowed to stir overnight at room temperature. The solution was concentrated under reduced pressure, diluted with water, and the pH was adjusted to 7.0 by addition of aqueous HCl. The mixture was extracted with DCM, then the organic layer was dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated to provide an oil. This material was purified by flash chromatography eluting with a mixture of 2-4% methanol in DCM. The product-containing fractions were combined and concentrated to afford the desired product as a white sticky solid (0.99 g, 2.7 mmol, 45%). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.61 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H), 7.38 - 7.26 (m, 5H), 7.12 - 7.02 (m, 2H), 6.11 (s, 2H), 3.07 (s, 3H), 2.56 - 2.50 (m, 2H), 2.38 - 2.32 (m, 2H); m/z (APCI+) M+l (374.1).

Example 3

2-Amino-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-(2-phenylethyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate

A solution of 2-amino-5-[2-(3-bromoρhenyl)ethyl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H- imidazol-4-one (Scheme 1, F) (40 mg, 0.108 mmol) in methanol (8 mL) with was stirred with 10% palladium on carbon (30 mg) under hydrogen (1 atm) for 14 h. After filtration to remove the catalyst, the material was purified by preparative reverse phase chromatography, then lyophilized to afford the product as the TFA salt salt (11 mg, 0.038 mmol, 35%). ¹R NMR (300 MHz, CDC13) δ 10.79 (s, IH), 8.16 (s, IH), 7.56 (d, J= 7.1 Hz, 2H), 7.44 - 7.34 (m, 3H), 7.28 - 7.10 (m, 5H), 3.11 (s, 3H), 2.67 - 2.59 (m, 2H), 2.55 - 2.48 (m, 2H); ); m/z (APCI+) M+l (294.1).

B

Scheme 2 Example 4

2-Amino-5-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4Jϊ- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate (Scheme 2, F)

s To a solution of 2-amino-5-(3-bromo-phenyl)-5-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)-3-methyl-3,5- dihydro-imidazol-4-one (Scheme 2, E) (partially purified, approximately 0.031 mmol) in 1 mL DME/water/ethanol (6:3:1) was added 3-methoxyphenylboronic acid (6 mg, 0.040 mmol), Cs₂CO₃ (30 mg, 0.093 mmol), and dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) (2 mg, 0.003 mmol). The reaction vessel was sealed and the contents heated by microwave at o 150 °C for 10 min with stirring. The resulting suspension was passed through a syringe filter, then purified by reverse phase HPLC to give the desired product as a white solid (2.5 mg as the TFA salt, 16% over 2 steps). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ 11.38 (s, IH), 9.68 (s, IH), 9.51 (bs, 2H), 7.72 (d, J= 7.4 Hz, IH), 7.63 (s, IH), 7.54 (t, J= 7.9 Hz, IH), 7.43 - 7.36 (m, 2H), 7.25 (t, J= 7.9 Hz, IH), 7.18 - 7.14 (m, 2H), 7.00 - 6.96 (m, IH), 6.81 - 6.75 s (m, 3H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.19 (s, 3H); m/z (APCI+) 388 (MH⁴)-

The requisite 2-amino-5-(3-bromo-phenyl)-5-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro- imidazol-4-one (Scheme 2, E) was prepared as follows:

Q 5-(3-Bromophenyl)-5-(3-methoxyphenyl)imidazolidine-2,4-dione (Scheme 2, A)

(3-Bromophenyl)(3-methoxyphenyl)methanone (1.0 g, 3.4 mmol) was combined with KCN (0.34 g, 5.2 mmol), (NH₄)₂CO₃ (0.98 g, 10.2 mmol), water (0.4 mL), and acetamide (4 g) in a teflon-lined sealed pressure vessel and heated, with stirring, at 150° C overnight. 5 After cooling, the contents were poured into ice-water and acidified with concentrated HCl (aq.) to pH = 4 (CAUTION: the lethal gasses ammonium cyanide and cyanide can be liberated). The resulting solid was then collected by filtration and rinsed with water. It was then dried under- vacuum to give the desired, product as a brown solid (1.2 g). m/z (AP+) 361 (MH⁺), 402 ([MH + CH₃CN]⁺).

Amino(3-bromophenyl)(3-methoxyphenyl)acetic acid trifluoroacetate (Scheme 2, B)

5-(3-Bromophenyl)-5-(3-methoxyphenyl)imidazolidine-2,4-dione (Scheme 2, A) (1.2 g, 3.3 mmol) was suspended in 20% aqueous NaOH (15 mL) in a sealed teflon-lined pressure vessel and heated, with stirring, at 160⁰C overnight. The contents were allowed to cool, diluted with water, acidified to pH = 2 with concentrated HCl (aq.), then purified using reverse phase HPLC. The desired product was obtained as a white solid (160 mg as the TFA salt, 10%). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ 9.22 (s), 7.64 (d, J= 7.9 Hz, IH), 7.55 (t, J= 1.8 Hz, IH), 7.44 - 7.36 (m, 2H), 7.31 (d, J- 8.6 Hz, IH), 7.05 - 7.02 (m, IH), 6.93 (t, J= 2.0 Hz, IH), 6.90 - 6.88 (m, IH), 3.75 (s, 3H); m/z (APCI+) 336 (MH⁺), 319 ([MH - NH₃]⁺).

5-(3-Bromophenyl)-5-(3-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-one (Scheme 2, C)

To a stirred suspension of amino(3-bromophenyl)(3-methoxyphenyl)acetic acid (Scheme 2, B) (160 mg as the TFA salt, 0.35 mmol) in 1-butanol (2 mL) was added KOH (45 mg, 0.81 mmol). The mixture was allowed to stir for 10 min, then methyl isothiocyanate (50 mg, 0.74 mmol) was added. The solution was heated at 100⁰C overnight, concentrated to approximately 1 mL, diluted with 1 mL of water and 1 mL of Ethanol, acidified to pH = 4 with concentrated HCl (aq.), then purified using reverse phase HPLC. The desired product was obtained as a white solid (50 mg, 37%). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ 11.62 (s, IH), 7.62 - 7.59 (m, IH), 7.51 - 7.50 (m, IH), 7.43 - 7.34 (m, 3H), 7.00 - 6.96 (m, IH), 6.94 - 6.90 (m, IH), 6.85 (t, J= 2.1 Hz, IH), 3.73 (s, 3H), 3.17 (s, 3H); m/z (APCI+) 391 (MH⁺). Example 5

2-Amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-5-(3-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4H- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate (Scheme 2, D)

5-(3-Bromophenyl)-5-(3-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-one (Scheme 2, C) (50 mg, 0.13 mmol) was dissolved in MeOH (1.5 mL) and to this was added aqueous NH₄OH (30%, 0.5 mL), then aqueous tert-butylhydroperoxide (70%, 0.27 mL, 1.9 mmol). The reaction was stirred at 35°C overnight, allowed to cool, concentrated to approximately io 1 mL and purified by reverse phase HPLC. The desired product was obtained as a white solid (30 mg as the TFA salt, 48%). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDC13) δ 13.19 (bs), 11.34 (bs), 7.88 (bs), 7.60 (t, J= 1.6 Hz, IH), 7.49 (d, J- 7.8 Hz, IH), 7.37 - 7.23 (m, 3H), 7.04 (d, J - 7.9 Hz, IH), 6.97 (t, J= 2.0 Hz₅ IH), 6.92 - 6.88 (m, IH), 3.79 (s, 3H), 3.28 (s, 3H); m/z (APCI+) 374 (MH⁴).

I₅

2-Amino-5~(3-bromophenyl)-5-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4- one (Scheme 2, E)

2-Amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-5-(3-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^"-imidazol-4- 20 one (Scheme 2, D) (15 mg of TFA salt, 0.031 mmol) was dissolved in CDCl₃ and to this was added boron tribromide (0.0035 mL, 0.037 mmol) and the reaction allowed to stir overnight. Additional 0.002 mL of boron tribromide was added and again stirred overnight. Two drops of IN NaOH were then added followed by several drops of 50% NaOH (aq.) until the pΗ reached approximately 6. The mixture was concentrated, and used without 25 purification, m/z (APCI+) 360 (MH⁺).

Scheme 3

Example 6

2-Amino-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-5-phenyl-3-(tetrahydrofuran-2-yImethyl)-3,5- dihydro-4Jϊ-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate (Scheme 3, C)

To a solution of 2-amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-5-phenyl-3-(tetrahydrofuran-2-ylmethyl)-3,5- dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one (Scheme 3, B) (80.0 mg, 0.193 mmol) in 1.6 mL

IQ DME/water/ethanol (7:3:2) was added 3-methoxyphenylboronic acid (38.2 mg, 0.251 mmol), Cs₂CO₃ (190 mg, 0.58 mmol), and dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (II) (7.0 mg, 0.01 mmol). The reaction vessel was sealed and the contents heated by microwave at 150 ⁰C for 15 min with stirring. The resulting suspension was passed through a syringe filter, then purified by preparative reverse phase chromatography, then

I₅ lyophilized to give product as a white solid (56.0 mg as the TFA salt, 0.127 mmol, 66%). ¹R NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ 9.63 (d, J= 93.9 Hz, 2H), 7.74 (d, J= 7.6 Hz, IH), 7.62 (d, J= 8.7 Hz, IH), 7.55 (t, J= 7.8 Hz, IH), 7.51 - 7.36 (m, 6H), 7.31 (d, J= 7.1 Hz, IH), 7.17 (d, J= 7.8 Hz, IH), 7.14 (s, IH), 6.98 (d, J= 10.2 Hz, IH), 4.12 (t, J= 5.8 Hz, IH), 3.81 - 3.61 (m, 7H), 1.96 - 1.76 (m, 3H), 1.62 - 1.49 (m, IH). m/z (APCI+) M+l (442). The requisite 2-amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-5-phenyl-3-(tetrahydrofuran-2-ylmethyl)-3,5- dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one (Scheme 3, B) was prepared as follows.

5-(3-Bromophenyl)~5-phenyl-3-(tetrahydroβιran-2-ylmethyl)-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-one (Scheme 3, A)

To a solution of amino(3-bromophenyl)phenylacetic acid (1.44 g, 4.70 mmol) in n-butanol (30 rnL) was added KOH (0.264 g, 4.70 mmol) and tetrahydrofuran-2-ylmethyl isothiocyanate (0.722 mL, 5.65 mmol) and heated at 100 ⁰C for 2 h. The mixture was cooled, additional KOH (0.264 g) and tetrahydrofuran-2-ylmethyl isothiocyanate (0.722 mL) were added and heated at 100 ⁰C for 2 h. The solution was concentrated under reduced pressure and purified by preparative reverse phase chromatography, then lyophilized to give a mixture of 2 compounds (0.423 g, 0.981 mmol,) which contained the target product in 31 % yield, m/z (APCI+) M (431).

Example 7

2-Amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-5-phenyl-3-(tetrahydrofuran-2-ylmethyl)-3,5-dihydro- 4fZ-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate (Scheme 3, B)

To a solution of 5-(3-bromo-phenyl)-5-phenyl-3-(tetrahydro-furan-2-ylmethyl)-2-thioxo- imidazolidin-4-one (0.423 g, 0.981 mmol) (Scheme 3, A) in methanol (14 mL) was added tert-butyl hydroperoxide (70% solution, 2.70 mL) and aqueous ammonium hydroxide (30%, 6.10 mL) and heated in a 36 ⁰C oil bath for 3.5 h. The solution was concentrated under reduced pressure and purified by preparative reverse phase chromatography, then lyophilized to give product (0.204 g, 0.491 mmol, 50%). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ 9.59 (s, 2H), 7.66 (d, J= 8.0 Hz₃ IH), 7.54 (d, J= 6.6 Hz, IH), 7.50 - 7.42 (m, 4H), 7.34 7.30 (m, 3H), 4.09 (t, J= 6.3 Hz₅ IH), 3.79 - 3.49 (m, 4H)₅ 1.96 - 1.78 (m, 3H), 1.57 - 1.47 (m, IH). m/z (APCI+) M (414).

Example 8

2-Amino-5,5-diphenyl-3-(tetrahydrofuran-2-ylmethyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4- one trifluoroacetate

A solution of 2-amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-5-phenyl-3-(tetrahydrofuran-2-ylmethyl)-3,5- dihydro-4/f-imidazol-4-one (Scheme 3, B) (100 mg, 0.242 mmol) in EtOH (16 mL) was stirred with 20% palladium hydroxide (30 mg) under hydrogen (1 atm) for 16 h. After filtration to remove the catalyst, the material was purified by preparative reverse phase chromatography to afford the product as the TFA salt (62 mg, 0.186 mmol, 77%). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ 9.58 (d, J= 69.5 Hz, 2H), 7.49 - 7.43 (m, 6H), 7.35 - 7.31 (m, 4H)₅ 4.09 (t, J= 6.2 Hz, IH), 3.80 - 3.60 (m, 4H)₅ 1.99 - 1.79 (m, 3H), 1.59 - 1.50 (m, IH). m/z (APCI+) M+1 (336.1).

Scheme 4 Example 9

2-Amino-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-methylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H^r- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate (Scheme 4, F)

A mixture of 2-amino-5-(3-bromo-phenyl)-3-niethyl-5-m-tolyl-3,5-diliydro-imidazol-4- one (Scheme 4, E) (80 mg, 0.223 mmol), DME (1.08 mL), water (0.462 ml), ethanol ( 0.31 mL), 3-methoxyphenylboronic acid (44 mg, 0.290 mmol), cesium carbonate (218 mg, 0.67 mmol) and dichlorobis(triphenylphosphme)palladium (II) (8 mg, 0.012 mmol) was placed in a sealed pressure reactor and heated at 150 ⁰C by microwave for 15 min. The cooled reaction mixture was filtered and purified by preparative reverse phase chromatography, then lyophilized to afford the product as the TFA salt (36 mg, 0.105 mmol, 47⁰Zo)-¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ 9.62 (s, 2H), 7.72 (d, J= 7.8 Hz, IH), 7.62 (s, IH), 7.59 - 7.51 (m, 2H)₅ 7.42 - 7.11 (m, 7H), 6.97 (t, J= 7.7 Hz, IH), 3.81 (s, 3H)₃ 3.20 (s, 3H), 2.31 (s, 3H); m/z (APCI+) M+l (386). The requisite 2-amino-5-(3-bromo-phenyl)-3-methyl-5-m-tolyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4- one (Scheme 4, E) was prepared as follows.

(3-Bromophenyl)(3-methylphenyl)methanone (Scheme 4, A)

A solution of 3-bromo-iV-methoxy-iV-methylbenzamide (4.0 g, 16.39 mmol) and THF (160.0 mL) was cooled to -78 ⁰C followed by the addition of 1.0 M m-tolylmagnesium bromide (16 mL, 16.4 mmol) and allowed to stir at 0 ⁰C for 2 h. If unreacted starting material was still present, additional equivalents of the Grignard reagent were added. The reaction was quenched with NH₄Cl and the product extracted into DCM, dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated to give crude product as a light orange liquid (5.15 g, 4.51 g) which was used without purification.¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ 7.88 (d, J= 9.9 Hz, 2H), 7.84 (s, IH), 7.69 (d, J= 7.7 Hz, IH), 7.56 - 7.43 (m, 4H), 2.39 (s, 3H); m/z (APCI) M (275).

5-(3-Bromophenyl)-5-(3-methylphenyl)imidazoJidine-2,4-dione (Scheme 4, B)

A mixture of (3-bromophenyl)(3-methylphenyl)methanone (Scheme 4, A) (1.20 g, 4.36 mmol), potasium cyanide (0.369 g, 5.67 mmol), ammonium carbonate (3.77 g, 39.25 mmol), water (15 mL) and ethanol (15 mL) were added to a pressure reaction tube and heated in a 116 ⁰C for 1 h. After cooling, if starting material still remained, additional KCN and (NEU)₂CO₃ were added and heated for an additional 1 h. The cooled reaction mixture was concentrated to remove ethanol, the aqueous was diluted with 10% sodium bicarbonate and the product extracted into DCM. (CAUTION: the lethal gasses ammonium cyanide and cyanide can be liberated.) The organic phase was dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated to give product (5.04g , 14.6 mmol, 89%). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ 11.03 (s, IH), 9.29 (s, IH), 7.57 (d, J= 6.7 Hz, IH), 7.52 (s, IH), 7.52 (s, IH), 7.39 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, IH), 7.28 (d, J= 7.7 Hz, IH), 7.15 (t, J= 10.7 Hz, IH), 7.12 (t, J= 8.7 Hz, IH), 7.10 (d, J= 7.8 Hz, IH), 2.30 (s, 3H). m/z (APCI) M (345).

Amino (3 -bromophenyl) (3 -methylphenyl) acetic acid (Scheme 4, C)

A mixture of 5-(3-bromophenyl)-5-(3-methylphenyl)imidazolidine-2,4-dione (Scheme 4, B) (1.13 g, 3.26 mmol), water (30 mL), Ba(OH)₂ (1.543 g, 8.15 mmol) were added to a pressure reaction tube and heated for 36 h. After cooling, reaction was brought to pH 1-2 using 6N-H₂SO₄, resulting in a small amount of a white solid which was filtered off. The filtrate was neutralized (pH 6-7), then concentrated under reduced pressure to give a solid which was triturated with Et₂O to give the desired product as a white solid. This material was used without further purification. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ 8.27 (s, IH), 7.62 (s, IH), 7.47 (d, J= 7.4 Hz, IH), 7.35 - 7.07 (m, 8H), 2.27 (s, 3H). m/z (APCI) M (320).

5 5-(3-Bromophenyl)-3-methyl-5-(3-τnethylphenyl)-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-one (Scheme 4, D)

To a pressure reaction tube was added amino(3-bromophenyl)(3-methylphenyl)acetic acid (Scheme 4, C) (1.0 g, 3.123 mmol), n-butanol (18 mL), KOH (0.175 g, 3.123 mmol),

I₀ methyl isothiocyanate (0.257 mL, 3.748 mmol) and heated at 100 ⁰C. The reaction was monitored every four hours, and if starting material was present, additional equivalents of KOH and methyl thioisocyanate were added. The above reaction required an additional 2 equivalents of KOH , 2.4 equivalents methyl isothiocyanate and a total of 20 h. of heating. After cooling the mixture was adjusted to pH 6-7 using IN-HCl, concentrated under is reduced pressure and purified by preparative reverse phase chromatography to give product (0.762 g, 2.03 mmol, 65%). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ 11.60 (s, IH), 7.61 (d, J= 10.9 Hz, IH), 7.51 (s, IH), 7.41 - 7.38 (m, 2H), 7.31 (d, J= 7.7 Hz, IH), 7.21 (d, J= 8.0 Hz, IH), 7.10 (t, J= 7.2 Hz, IH), 7.09 (d, J= 7.8 Hz, IH), 3.18 (s, 3H), 2.30 (s, 3H). m/z (APCI) M (375); t_R 2.85 min.

20

Example 10

2-Amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-3-methyl-5-(3-methylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol- 4-one trifluoroacetate (Scheme 4, E)

To a solution of 5-(3-bromophenyl)-3-methyl-5-(3-methylphenyl)-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4- one (Scheme 4, D) (0.762 g, 2.03 mmol) in methanol (30 mL) was added tert-butyl hydroperoxide (70% solution, 4.44 mL), aqueous ammonium hydroxide (30%, 10 mL) and heated at 36 ⁰C for 6 h. After cooling the reaction was concentrated under reduced pressure and purified by preparative reverse phase chromatography to give product (0.716 g, 1.99 mmol, 98%) as a white solid. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ 9.68 (s, 2H), 7.64 (d, J= 7.8 Hz, IH), 7.56 (s, IH), 7.42 (t, J= 7.8 Hz, IH), 7.10 (d, J= 7.6 Hz, IH), 7.16 (s, IH), 7.25 (d, J= 7.5 Hz, IH), 7.34 (t, J= 6.5 Hz, IH), 7.35 (d, J= 5.4 Hz, IH), 3.18 (s, 3H), 2.31 (s, 3H). m/z (APCI) M (358).

Example 11

2-Ammo-5-(3-bromophenyl)-3-methyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4i?-imidazol-

4-one

This material was prepared according to the procedure described for 5-(3-bromophenyl)-5- (3-methylphenyl)imidazolidine-2,4-dione (Scheme 4, B) except (3-bromophenyl)(4- methylρhenyl)methanone was used in place of (3-bromophenyl)(3- methylphenyl)methanone. ¹H NMR (300 MHz₅ DMSO) δ 7.60 (d, J= 8.9 Hz, IH)₃ 7.50 (s, IH), 7.39 (d, J= 7.5 Hz, 2H), 7.25 - 7.15 (m, 4H), 3.40 (s, 2H), 3.17 (s, 3H), 2.30 (s, 3H); m/z (APCI) M (374.9).

Example 12

2-Amino-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4.Er- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate

This material was prepared according to the procedure described for 2-Amino-5-(3'- methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-methylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one (Scheme 4, F), except 2-amino-5-(3-bromo-phenyl)-3-methyl-5-m-tolyl-3,5-dihydro- imidazol-4-one 2-amino-5-(3-bromo-phenyl)-3-methyl-5-para-tolyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol- 4-one was used in place of 2-amino-5-(3-bromo-phenyl)-3-methyl-5-m-tolyl-3,5-dihydro- imidazol-4-one. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ 9.60 (s, 2H), 7.72 (d, J= 7.8 Hz, IH), 7.61 - 7.51 (m, 4H), 7.42 - 7.35 (m, 2H), 7.25 (s, 2H), 7.18 - 7.13 (m, 2H), 6.97 (d, J= 8.1 Hz, IH), 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.20 (s, 3H), 2.31 (s, 3H).m/z (APCI+) M+l (386).

Scheme 5

Example 13

2-Amino-5-[3-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl]-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-3,5- dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate (Scheme 5, C)

A mixture of 2-amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-5-[3-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl]-3-methyl-3,5- dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one (Scheme 5, B) (69.3 mg, 0.185 mmol), DME 1.02 mL), water (0.45 ml), ethanol (0.144mL), 3-methoxyphenylboronic acid (36.7 mg, 0.242 mmol), cesium carbonate (182 mg, 0.558 mmol), and dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (II) (7.0 mg, 0.01 mmol) was placed in a sealed pressure reactor and heated at 150 ⁰C by microwave for 15 min. The cooled reaction mixture was filtered and purified by preparative reverse phase chromatography, then lyophilized to afford the product as the TFA salt (32.0 mg, 0.08 mmol, 43%). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ 9.62 (d, J= 59.2 Hz₃ 2H), 7.73 (d, J= 7.6 Hz, IH), 7.62 (s, IH), 7.54 (t, J= 7.8 Hz₃ IH), 7.44 - 7.37 (m, 5H)₃ 7.23 (d₃ J= 7.1 Hz₃ IH)₃ 7.17 (t, J= 7.1 Hz₃ IH)₃ 7.14 (s, IH), 6.98 (d, J= 8.3 Hz₃ IH), 5.21 (s₃ IH)₃4.50 (s, 2H)₃ 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.20 (s, 3H). m/z (APCI+) M+l (402); t_R 2.09 min.

The requisite 2-amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-5-[3-(hydroxymethyl)plienyl]-3-methyl-3,5- dihydro-4H^"-imidazol-4-one (Scheme 5, B) was prepared as follows.

2-Amino-5-[3-(bromomethyl)phenyl]-5-(3-bromophenyl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4H- imidazol-4-one (Scheme 5, A)

To a pressure reaction tube was added 2-amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-3-methyl-5-(3- methylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one (Scheme 4, E) (0.44 g, 1.23 mmol), CCl₄ (20 ml), N-bromosuccinimide (0.219 g, 1.23 mmol), ATON (0.009 g₃ 0.055 mmol) and brought to reflux overnight (22.5 h total). After cooling the mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure to give crude material which was used without purification, m/z (APCI) M (437).

2-Amino-5~(3-bromophenyl)-5-[3-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl]-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4H- imidazol-4-one (Scheme 5, B)

2-Amino-5-[3-(bromomethyl)ρhenyl]-5-(3-bromophenyl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4H- imidazol-4-one (Scheme 5₃ A) was added to a reaction tube along with THF (4.0 mL), IN- NaOH (7.0 mL) and allowed to stir at room temperature. Additional amounts of IN-NaOH were added at 4 h intervals (required a total of 21.0 mL of IN-NaOH) until the starting material was consumed. THF was removed under reduced pressure, and the pH of the resulting aqueous solution was adjusted to pH 7.0 using 6N HCl. The mixture was extracted with DCM, concentrated under reduced pressure and purified by preparative reverse phase chromatography to give product (71 mg, 16% over 2 steps). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ 9.59 (s, 2H), 7.65 (d, J= 8.2 Hz, IH), 7.56 (s, IH), 7.45 - 7.39 (m, 2H), 7.37 (d, J= 1.1 Hz, IH), 7.34 (d, J= 1.3 Hz, IH), 7.32 (s, IH), 7.19 (d, J= 7.3 Hz, IH), 4.50 (s, 2H), 3.50 (s, IH), 3.18 (s, 3H). m/z (APCI) M (374).

Example 14

2-Amino-5-[4-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl]-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-3,5- dmydro-4ff-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate

This material was prepared according the procedure described for 2-amino-5-[3- (hydroxymethyl)phenyl]-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol- 4-one (Scheme 5, C) except 2-amino-5-(3-bromo-phenyl)-3-methyl-5-p-tolyl-3,5-dihydro- imidazol-4-one was used in place of 2-amino-5-(3-bromo-phenyl)-3-methyl-5-m-tolyl-3,5- dihydro-imidazol-4-one 2-amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-3-methyl-5-(3-methylphenyl)-3,5- dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one (Scheme 4, E). Following purification by preparative reverse phase ΗPLC, the product was recovered as the TFA salt (18.0 mg, 0.045 mmol, 50%). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ 9.56 (s, 2H), 7.72 (d, J= 8.1 Hz₃ IH), 7.62 (s, IH), 7.54 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, IH), 7.42 - 7.35 (m, 3H), 7.33 (s, IH), 7.31 (d, J= 8.4 Hz, IH), 7.16 (d, J= 7.7 Hz, IH), 7.14 (t, J= 3.7 Hz, IH), 7.13 (s, IH), 6.97 (d, J= 8.1 Hz, IH), 5.21 (s, IH), 4.50 (s, 2H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.20 (s, 3H). m/z (APCI+) M+l (402).

Example 15 2-Amino-3,5-dimethyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4£T-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate

To a mixture of 3,5-dimethyl-5~phenyl-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-one (500 mg, 2.3 mmol) in MeOH (21 mL) was added ammonium hydroxide (7 mL, 30% in H₂O) then t- 5 butylhydroperoxide (3.3 mL, 70% in H₂O, 34 mmol). The reaction was allowed to stir for 3 days, concentrated, then purified by reverse phase HPLC to give the desired product as a white solid (370 mg as the TFA salt). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ 10.71 (s, IH), 9.50 (bs, 2H), 7.50 - 7.39 (m, 5H), 3.10 (s, 3H), 1.80 (s, 3H); m/z (APCI+) 204 (MH⁺). The requisite 3,5-dimethyl-5-phenyl-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-one was prepared as follows.

I₀

2~Amino-2-phenylpropanoic acid

5-Methyl-5-phenylhydantoin (2.0 g, 10.5 mmol) was suspended in H₂O (5 mL) and to this is was added 2.5 equivalents OfBa(OH)₂ and the reaction heated at 100° C overnight. It was allowed to cool, diluted with H₂O, then concentrated HCl was added very slowly (warning; gas evolution and foaming). The resulting solution was then basified to pH=2, allowed to stand overnight, then basified to neutral pH. The solid was then removed by filtration as the desired product remained as an aqueous solution. M/z (APCI+) 166 (MH⁺).

20

3,5-dimethyl-5-phenyl-2~thioxoimidazolidin-4-one

To a solution of 2-amino-2-phenylpropanoic acid in 50 mL of H₂O (used directly from the preceding step without isolation - containing Ba and other salts) was added KOH (590 mg) then methyl isothiocyanate (770 mg) and the solution heated at 100° C for 3 hours. It was then allowed to cool and the resulting solid filtered off and rinsed two times with H₂O. The material was dried via high vacuum to give a white solid (370 mg). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ 10.97 (s, IH), 7.42 - 7.32 (m, 5H), 3.10 (s, 3H), 1.70 (s, 3H); m/z (APCI+) 221 (MH¹).

Scheme 6

Example 16

2-Ammo-5-isopropyl-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4iϊ-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate (Scheme 6, D)

To a solution of 5-isopropyl-3-methyl-5-phenyl-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-one (Scheme 6, C) (0.13 g, 0.52 mmol) in MeOH (5 mL) was added 30% ammonium hydroxide (1.50 mL) and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (0.75 mL, 7.73 mmol). The reaction was stirred at ambient temperature for 18 h. The MeOH was removed under reduced pressure to yield a yellow syrup. To this was added acetonitrile:water:TFA (75:25:0.1, 3 mL) and the resulting precipitate was removed. The filtrate was purified using reverse phase HPLC. The combined purified fractions were lyophilized to give the title compound as a white powder (0.09g, 53%). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.73 (d, 3H, J= 6.6 Hz); 0.85 (d, 3H, J = 6.6 Hz); 2.61 (qq, IH, J= 6.6 Hz); 3.12 (s, 3H); 7.43 (br mult, 5H); 9.62 (s, 2H). m/z (APCI) 232 M+ l. The requisite 5-isopropyl-3-methyl-5-phenyl-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-one (Scheme 6, C) was prepared as follows.

5-Isopropyl-5-phenylimidazolidine-2,4-dione (Scheme 6, A)

To neat 2-methyl-l-phenylpropan-l-one (1.02 mL, 6.75 mmol) was added KCN (0.66 g, 10.13 mmol), ammonium carbonate (1.90 g, 20.25 mmol), acetamide (10 g, 169.3 mmol) and water (1 mL, 55.5 mmol). The contents were heated in a teflon-lined sealed stainless steel pressure bomb at 150 ⁰C for 18 hours. The warm reaction contents were poured over ice and stirred for 15 min. The suspension was diluted with water (20 mL) and acidified to pH 2.0 using concentrated HCl (CAUION: lethal cyanide gas may be liberated). The resulting precipitate was filtered and dried in a heated (50 ⁰C) drying pistol for 2 h to give the title compound as an off-white powder (1.46 g, 98%). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO- d₆): δ 0.62 (d, 3H, J= 6.3 Hz); 0.90 (d, 3H, J= 6.3 Hz); 2.47 (mult, IH); 7.37 (mult, 3H); 7.54 (mult, 2H); 8.68 (s, IH); 10.70 (s, IH). m/z (APCI) 219 M+ 1.

2-Amino-3-methyl-2-phenyl-butyric acid (Scheme 6, B)

To a solution of 5-isopropyl-5-phenylimidazolidine-2,4-dione (Scheme 6, A) (0.50 g, 2.29 mmol) in dioxane (4 niL) was added 20% NaOH (20 mL). The contents were heated in a sealed teflon lined stainless steel pressure bomb at 175 ⁰C for 18 h. The dioxane was removed under reduced pressure. The suspension was diluted with water (20 mL) and acidified to pH 2.0 using concentrated HCl. The remaining precipitate was removed and the filtrate brought to pH 7.0 using IN NaOH. The resulting precipitate was filtered and dried in a heated (50 ⁰C) drying pistol for 18 h under vacuum to give the title compound as an off-white powder (0.20 g, 50%). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆): δ 0.85 (br s, 3H); 1.05 (br s, 3H); 2.82 (br s, IH); 7.54 (br mult, 5H); 8.84 (br s, 2H). m/z (APCI) 194 M+ 1.

5-Isopropyl-3-methyl'5-phenyl-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-one (Scheme 6, C)

To a solution of 2-amino-3-methyl-2-phenyl-butyric acid (Scheme 6, B) (0.20 g, 1.03 mmol) in tert-butanol (20 mL) was added powdered KOH (0.16 g, 2.06 mmol) and methyl isothiocyanate (0.23 g, 3.10 mmol). The reaction was heated to 90 ⁰C for 18 h. The tert- butanol was removed under reduced pressure to yield a yellow syrup which was diluted with water (10 mL) and acidified to pH 2.0 using concentrated HCl. The resulting precipitate was filtered and dried in a heated (50⁰C) drying pistol under vacuum for 18 h to give the title compound as a grey powder (0.13 g, 50%). ¹H NMR (300 MHz₃ DMSO-d₆): δ 0.73 (d, 3H, J= 6.9 Hz); 0.80 (d, 3H, J= 6.9 Hz); 2.55 (mult, IH); 3.08 (s, 3H); 7.37 (mult, 3H); 7.51 (mult, 2H); 11.08 (s, IH). m/z (APCI) 249 M+l.

Scheme 7

Example 17 2-Amino-5-[2-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)ethyl]-3,5-dimethyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol- 4-one trifluoroacetate (Scheme 7, G)

A mix1iιre of2-amino-5-[2-(3-bromophenyl)ethyl]-3,5-dimethyl-3,5-dihydro-4Ji^'-imi{iazol- 4-one (80.0 mg, 0.258 mmol) (Scheme 7, F), DME (1.26 mL), H₂O (0.53 mL), EtOH (0.353 mL), 3-methoxyphenylboronic acid (51.0 mg, 0.336 mmol), cesium carbonate (252.1 mg, 0.774 mmol) anddicmorobis(triphenylphosprrine)palladium (II) (9.1 mg, 0.013 mmol) was placed in a sealed pressure reactor and heated at 150⁰C by microwave for 15 min. The cooled reaction mixture was filtered and purified by preparative reverse phase chromatography, then lyophilized to afford the product as the TFA salt (55.0 mg, 0.163 mmol, 63%) ¹H NMR (300. MHz, DMSO) δ 9.37 (d, J= 89.9 Hz, 2H), 7.48 (d, J= 7.8 Hz, IH), 7.44 (s, IH), 7.40 - 7.34 (m, 2H)₃ 7.20 (d, J= 7.8 Hz, IH)₅ 7.16 (s, 2H), 6.94 (d, J= 10.2 Hz, IH), 3.82 (s, 3H), 3.01 (s, 3H), 2.72 - 2.64 (m₅ IH)₅ 2.55 - 2.45 (m, IH)₅ 2.14 - 2.06 (m, 2H), 1.44 (s, 3H) m/z (APCI+) M+l (338.1).

The requisite 2-amino-5-[2-(3-bromophenyl)ethyl]-3,5-dimethyl-3,5-dihydro-4iϊ-irnidazol- 4-one (Scheme 7, F) was prepared according to the procedure described for Example 2 (Scheme I₅ F) except 4-(3-bromophenyl)butan-2-one (Scheme 7, B) was used in place of 3-(3-bromo-phenyl)-l-phenyl-propan-l-one (Scheme I₅ B).

4-(3-Bromophenyl)butan-2-one (Scheme 7, B)

A solution of 3-(3-bromophenyl)-N-methoxy-N-methylpropanamide (Scheme 7, A)(0.500g, 1.84 mmol) and THF (18.0 mL) was cooled to -78° followed by the addition of 3.0 M methylmagnesium bromide (0.623 mL, 1.84 mmol) and allowed to stir at 0⁰C for 2 h. Due to the presence of unreacted starting material, 3.0M methylmagnesium bromide (1.24 mL, 3.68 mmol) was added and allowed to stir overnight at O⁰C. The reaction was quenched with NH₄Cl and the product extracted into DCM, dried ( Na₂SO₄) and concentrated to give product as a light orange liquid (0.391 g, 94%). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO) δ 7.43 (s, IH)₅ 7.38 - 7.35 (m₅ IH)₅ 7.25 - 7.21 (m, 2H)₅ 2.77 (s, 4H)₅ 2.09 (s, 3H),.m/z (APCI) M (226.9).

Example 18

2-Amino-3,5-dimethyl-5-(2-phenylethyl)-3,5-dihydro-4£?-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate (Scheme 7, H)

A solution of 2-amino-5-[2-(3-bromophenyl)ethyl]-3,5-dimethyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^"-imidazol- 4-one (Scheme 7, F) (91 mg, 0.484 mmol) in ethanol (12 mL) was stirred with 10% palladium on carbon (28 mg) under hydrogen (1 atm) for 20 h. After filtration to remove the catalyst, the material was purified by preparative reverse phase chromatography, then lyophilized to afford the product as the TFA salt (76 mg, 0.33 mmol, 68%). ¹H NMR (300. MHz₅ DMSO) δ 9.28 (s, 2H)₅ 7.27 (d, J= 7.0 Hz, 2H), 7.17 (t, J= 10.5 Hz₅ IH), 7.15 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 2H), 3.03 (s, 3H)₅ 2.58 (t, J= 7.6 Hz₅ IH)₅ 2.41 (t, J= 15.0 Hz₅ IH), 2.03 (t, J= 12 Hz, 2H), 1.42 (s, 3H); m/z (APCI+) M+l 232.1.

Table 1

Table 1 notes: 1 : This material was prepared according to the procedure described for 2-amino-5-(3- bromophenyl)-5 -(3 -methoxyphenyl)-3 -methyl-3 , 5 -dihydro-4H^"-imidazol-4-one - (Scheme 2, D) except (3-bromophenyl)(phenyl)methanone was used instead of (3- bromophenyl)(3-methoxyphenyl)methanone.

2: This material was prepared according to the procedure described for 2-amino-5-(3- hydroxyphenyl)-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4- one (Scheme 2, F) except 2-amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro- 4H^"-imidazol-4-one was used instead of 2-amino-5-(3-bromo-phenyl)-5-(3-hydroxy- phenyl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one (Scheme 2, E).

3 : This material was prepared according to the procedure described for 2-amino-5-(3- hydroxyphenyl)-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4- one (Scheme 2, F) except 2-amino-5~(3-bromophenyl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5- dihydro-4/i^"-imidazol-4-one was used instead of 2-ammo-5-(3-brorno-phenyl)-5-(3- hydroxy-phenyl)-3 -methyl-3, 5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one (Scheme 2, E) and phenyl boronic acid used instead of 3-methoxyphenyl boronic acid. 4: This material was prepared according to the procedure described for 2-amino-5-(3- bromo-phenyl)-5-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one (Scheme 2, D) except amino(diphenyl)acetic acid was used instead of amino(3-bromophenyl)(3-methoxyphenyl)acetic acid (Scheme 2, B). 5: This material was prepared according to the procedure described for 2-amino-5-(3- hydroxyphenyl)-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^'-imidazol-4- one (Scheme 2, F) except 2-amino-5-(3-bromo-phenyl)-5-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)-3- methyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one (Scheme 2, D) was used instead of -2-amino-5- (3-bromo-phenyl)-5-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one (Scheme 2, E). 6: This material was prepared according to the procedure described for 2-amino-5-(3- bromo-phenyl)-5-(3-hydroxy-ρhenyl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one (Scheme 2, D) except 2-naphthyl(phenyl)methanone was used instead of (3-bromophenyl)(3-methoxyphenyl)methanone. 7: This compound was a side product isolated from the preparation of 2-amino-5-(3- hydroxyphenyl)-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4- one (Scheme 2, F). 8: This material was prepared according to the procedure described for 2- amino-5-(3- bromo-phenyl)-5-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one (Scheme 2, D) except (3-bromophenyl)(4-methoxyphenyl)methanone was used instead of (3-bromophenyl)(3-methoxyphenyl)methanone. 9: This material was prepared according to the procedure described for 2-amino-5-(3- hydroxyphenyl)-5-(3 ^!-methoxybiphenyl-3 -yl)-3 -methyl-3 , 5 -dihydro-4H-imidazol-4- one (Scheme 2, F) except 2-amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3- methyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one was used instead of 2-amino-5-(3-bromo-phenyl)-5-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)-3-methyl- 3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one (Scheme 2, E).

10: This material was prepared according to the procedure described for 2-amino-5-(3- hydroxyphenyl)-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4- one (Scheme 2, F) except (3-bromophenyl)(4-methoxyphenyl)methanone was used instead of (3-bromophenyl)(3-methoxyphenyl)methanone.

11 : This material was prepared according to the procedure described for 2-amino-5-(3- hydroxyphenyl)-5-(3 '-methoxybiphenyl-3 -yl)-3 -methyl-3 , 5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4- one (Scheme 2, F) except 2-amino-5-(3-bromophenyi)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5- dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one was used instead of 2-amino-5-(3-bromo-phenyl)-5-(3- hydroxy-phenyl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one (Scheme 2, E). 12: This material was prepared according to the procedure described for 2-amino-5- ^• isopropyl-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^'-imidazol-4-one (Scheme 6, D) except 2- amino-2-phenylbutyric acid was used instead of 2-amino-3-methyl-2-phenylbutyric acid (Scheme 6, B). 13 : This material was prepared according to the procedure described for 2-amino-5- isopropyl-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^r-imidazol-4-one (Scheme 6, D) except cyclopentyl(phenyl)methanone was used instead of 2-methyl-l-phenylpropan-l-one.

14: This material was prepared according to the procedure described for 2~amino-5- isopropyl-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one (Scheme 6, D) except 1-

(3-bromophenyl)propan-l-one was used instead of 2-methyl-l-phenylpropan-l-one. The title compound was achieved using standard Suzuki conditions (Scheme 1, G) with 3-methoxyphenylboronic acid

15: This material was prepared according to the procedure described for 2-amino-5- isopropyl-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^"-imidazol-4-one (Scheme 6, D) 1,2- diphenylethanone was used instead of 2-methyl-l-phenylpropan-l-one.

(3-Bromophenyl) (2-phenyl-l, 3-dithian-2-yl)methanol:

A solution of 1-phenyldithiane (30 mmol, 5.89 g) in dry THF (80 mL) under a nitrogen atmosphere was cooled to -78°C in a dry ice/acetone bath. The resulting mixture was stirred at -78⁰C for 20 minutes then treated with a solution of 3-bromobenzaldehyde (31.5 mmol, 5.83 g) in dry THF (10 mL). The reaction was stirred at -78⁰C for 20 minutes then allowed to warm to room temperature then quenched with saturated aqueous ammonium chloride (50 mL) and extracted with methylene chloride (3 x 50 mL). The organic phase was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to give a yellow oil. Purification by flash column chromatography (0-100% ethyl acetate in hexanes) gave the product as a colorless oil. Yield: 7.1 g (62%), ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDC13) δ 7.72 - 7.59 (m, 2H), 7.38 - 7.27 (m, 4H), 7.04 - 6.88 (m, 2H), 6.80 (d, J- 7.9 Hz, IH), 4.93 (d, J= 3.2 Hz, IH), 3.05 (d, J= 3.2 Hz, IH), 2.80 - 2.60 (m, 4H), 1.99 - 1.85 (m, 2H); MS: m/z 363 (M-water).

l-(3-Bromophenyl)-2-phenylethane-l,2-dione:

Ref: Page, Graham and Park, Tetrahedron, 48, 1265-121 A, 1992.

A solution of (3-bromophenyl)(2-phenyl-l,3-dithian-2-yl)methanol (7.05 g, 18.5 mmol) in acetone (20 mL) was added via syringe pump over 20 minutes to a ~5°C solution of N- bromosuccinimide (65.85 g, 370 mmol, 20 eq.) in 3% water/acetone (500 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred at .5 ⁰C for 30 minutes then treated slowly with 150 mL of saturated aqueous sodium sulfite (Caution - exotherm). After 10 minutes, the pale yellow reaction was filtered to remove precipitated solids, concentrated to ~ 200 mL and diluted with chloroform (200 mL). Water (150 mL) was added and the organic phase separated. The organic phase was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to a yellow solid (~ 8 g). This material was purified by flash chromatography (0-40% DCM in hexanes). Yield: 2.76 g (52%). ¹H NMR (300MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.13 (t, J= 1.7 Hz, IH), 8.01 - 7.92 (m, 2H), 7.89 (dt, J= 7.9, 1.2 Hz, IH), 7.78 (ddd, J= 8.1, 1.9, 1.0 Hz, IH), 7.68 (t, J= 7.5 Hz, IH), 7.53 (t, J= 7.8 Hz, 2H), 7.39 (t, J= 7.9 Hz, IH).

5-(3-Broinophenyl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-one:

1.2 M aqueous potassium hydroxide (1.7 mL, 2.04 mmol) was added to a solution of l-(3- bromophenyl)-2-phenylethane-l ,2-dione (0.289 g, 1.0 mmol) and N-methylthiourea (0.18 g, 2.0 mmol) in 4 mL of DMSO. The resulting mixture was heated by microwave at 100 ⁰C for 2 minutes. The reaction was allowed to cool to room temperature and the product partially precipitated from solution. This reaction was repeated 14 times. When all 14 reactions were complete, they were combined, diluted with water (25 mL) and chloroform (30 mL) and the resulting mixture acidified to ~ pH 5 by careful addition of 12N HCl. The aqueous phase was extracted with chloroform (3 x 30 mL) and the combined organic layers were dried (MgSO4) and filtered. The volatiles were removed under vacuum to give a colorless oil. This product was purified by flash chromatography (0-100% ethyl acetate/hexanes) to give the product as a white solid. Yield: 4.08 g (81%). ¹H NMR (300MHz, CDC13) δ 7.77 (s, IH), 7.54 - 7.47 (m, 2H)₅ 7.42 - 7.34 (m, 3H), 7.31 - 7.22 (m, 4H), 3.33 (s, 3H); LCMS: m/z: 362.

2-Amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-3-methyl~5~phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one:

A suspension of 5-(3-bromophenyl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-one (2.42 g, 6.7 mmol) in 40 mL of 3:1 methanol/ammonium hydroxide was treated with t- butylhydroperoxide (70%, 12 mL, 100 mmol) and heated at 35 °C for 2 hours. The reaction was concentrated under vacuum to ~ 15 mL then partitioned between water and chloroform. The organic phase was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated under vacuum. The resulting oil was purified by flash column chromatography (0 - 10% methanolic ammonia in dichloromethane) to yield the product as a white solid. Yield: 1.45 g (63%). ¹H NMR (300.132 MHz, CDC13) δ 7.68 (t, J= 1.7 Hz, IH), 7.48 - 7.36 (m, 4H), 7.36 - 7.21 (m, 4H), 7.17 (t, J= 7.9 Hz, IH), 3.11 (s, 3H); LCMS: m/z 345

The compounds in Table 2 were prepared using standard Suzuki conditions where 2- amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one was reacted with the appropriate boronic acid using conditions described for the preparation of 2- amino-5-[2-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)ethyl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol- 4-one (Scheme 1, G).

Table 2

Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Each reference (including, but not limited to, journal articles, U.S. and non-U.S. patents, patent application publications, international patent application publications, and the like) cited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Claims

1. A compound of formula I:

I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or in vz^'vo-hydrolysable precursor thereof, wherein:

R³ is H, C_1-10 alkyl or a group of formula -C_1-6 alkyl-heterocycloalkyl; R¹ is C_1-6 alkyl, C_3-7 cycloalkyl, or C_6-14 aryl, wherein the aryl is optionally substituted with up to three substituents independently selected from OH, halogen, C_1-3 alkyl, C_1-3 alkoxy,

C_1-3 haloalkyl, Ci_-3 hydroxyalkyl and phenyl that is optionally substituted with one or two

C_1-3 alkoxy groups;

R² is C_6-I4 aryl, or C_7-24 arylalkyl, wherein: the C_6-14 aryl is optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹⁰ groups; and the C_7-24 arylalkyl is optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹¹ groups; each R¹⁰ is independently selected from halogen, R²⁰, R³⁰, OH and C_1-3 alkoxy; each R²⁰ is independently aryl optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R²¹ groups; each R²¹ is independently -C_1-3 alkoxy, -OH, -Ct=O)O-C_1-6 alkyl, halogen, -C_1-3 alkyl, -C₁.

₃ perhaloalkyl, -C_1-3 perhaloalkoxy, C_1-3 haloalkyl, C_1-3 haloalkyloxy, C_6-14 aryloxy, C_7-24 arylalkyloxy, -Sf=O)₂-Ci_-6 alkyl, -C(=O)-C_1-6 alkyl, -N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹), -C(=O)-N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹), -

S(=O)₂-N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹), -N(R⁵⁰)-S(=O)₂-C_1-6 alkyl, -NH-C(O)-Ci_-6 alkyl, -C(O)OH, C_1-6 hydroxyalkyl, C_2-12 alkoxyalkyl, CN, S(O)₂-C₆-I₄ aryl, -NH-C(=O)-N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹), and -

NH-S(O)₂-Cw alkyl; or any two R²¹ groups on adjacent atoms of the aryl group to which they are attached can form a group of formula -0-(CH₂)_q-0-, where q is 1 or 2; each R is independently heteroaryl optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R²² groups; each R²² is independently selected from -CN, -C_1-3 alkoxy, -OH, -C(K))O-C_1-6 alkyl, halogen, -C_1-3 alkyl, -C_1-3 perhaloalkyl, C_1-3 haloalkyl, C_1-3 haloalkyloxy, -C_1-3 perhaloalkoxy, C_6-14 aryloxy, C_7-24 arylalkyloxy, -S(=O)₂-C_1-6 alkyl, -C(=O)-C_1-6 alkyl, -

N(R⁵⁰X R⁵¹), -C(=O)-N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹), -S(=O)₂-N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹), -NH-C(=O)-C_1-6 alkyl, -N(R⁵⁰)-

S(O)₂-C_1-6 alkyl, -C(=O)OH, C_1-6 hydroxyalkyl, C_2-12 alkoxyalkyl, S(O)₂-C_6-14 aryl, -

NH-C(O)-N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹), and -NH-S(O)₂-C_1-6 alkyl; each R⁵⁰ and R⁵¹ is independently H or C_1-6 alkyl, or R⁵⁰ and R⁵¹, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, can form a 5 to 7 membered non-aromatic ring optionally containing up to two additional non-carbon atoms; and each R¹¹ is independently selected from halogen, and phenyl substituted with up to three

C_1-3 alkoxy groups; with the provisos: (a) R³ is other than piperidin-4-yl-methyl or morpholin-4-yl-ethyl, wherein the piperidin-4- yl-methyl is optionally N-substituted; and

(b) the compound of formula I is other than any one compound selected from:

2-ammo-5-(3-bromophenyl)-5-butyl-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-3-metliyl-5,5-diphenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-3,5-dihydro-3-ethyl-5,5-diphenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-(3-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-(3-chlorophenyl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(l,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5,5-bis(3-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-(4-bromophenyl)-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5,5-bis(4-bromophenyl)-3₅5-dihydro-3-methyl-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-[(3-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4- one; 2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-[(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4- one;

2-amino-5-[l_jr-biphenyl]-4-yl-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-[l,r-biphenyl]-3-yl-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-3,5-dihydro-3-metliyl-5-phenyl-5-[3-(4-pyridinyl)phenyl]-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-plienyl-5-[3-(3-pyridinyl)phenyl]-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-[3-(3-thienyl)phenyl]-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-(4'-fluoro[l,r-biplienyl]-3-yl)-3,5-dihydro-3-niethyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4- one; 2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-[3-(lH-indol-l-yl)phenyl]-3,5-dimethyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-3,5-dihydro-3,5-dimethyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-(5-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)-3,5-dih.ydro-3-inethyl-5-phenyl-4H-iniidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-(3-bromo-4-fluorophenyl)-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-butyl-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-plienyl-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-[l,l^!-biphenyl]-3-yl-3,5-diliydro-3,5-dimethyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-3,5-dimethyl-5-[3-(3-tliienyl)pb.enyl]-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3 , 5-dihydro-3 ,5 -dimethyl-5 -(3 '-methyl[ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl] -3 -yl)-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-3,5-dimethyl-5-[3-(5-methyl-2-thienyl)phenyl]-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-3,5-dimethyl-5-[3-(4-methyl-2-tbienyl)plienyl]-4H-imidazol-4-one; 3'-(2-amino-4,5-dihydro- 1 ,4-dimethyl-5-oxo- 1 H-imidazol-4-yl)-[ 1 , 1 '-Biphenyl]-3 - carbonitrile;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-(3'-methoxy[l,r-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-(3'-chloro[l,r-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-[3-(3H-indol-5-yl)phenyl]-3,5-dimethyl-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-(3'-ethoxy[l,r-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3,5-dimethyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-[3'-(methoxymetliyl)[l,r-biph.enyl]-3-yl]-3,5-dimethyl-4H- imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-3,5-dimethyl-5-[3-(l-naphthalenyl)phenyl]-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-(3-benzo[b]thien-2-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-3,5-dimetliyl-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(3-benzo[b]thien-3-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-3,5-dimethyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

3'-(2-amino-4,5-diliydro-l ,4-dimethyl-5-oxo- lH-imidazol-4-yl)-[l , 1 ^!-Biphenyl]-3- carboxylic acid methyl ester; 2-amino-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-[3-(5-pyrimidinyl)phenyl]-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3₅5-dihydro-3,5-dimethyl-5-[3'-(trifluoromethyl)[l,r-biρhenyl]-3-yl]-4H- imidazol-4-one;

2-ammo-5-(3',4'-dichloro[l,r-biρhenyl]-3-yl)-3,5-dihydro-3,5-dimethyl-4H-imidazol-4- one;

2-amino-5-(3^t,5'-dichloro[l,l'-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3,5-dihydro-3,5-dimethyl-4H-imidazol-4- one;

2-amino-5-(2',5'-dichloro[l,r-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3,5-dihydro-3,5-dimethyl-4H-imidazol-4- one; 2-amino-5-(2',3'-dichloro[l,r-biplienyl]-3-yl)-3,5-diliydro-3,5-dimethyl-4H-imidazol-4- one;

2-amino-5-(3'-butoxy[l,r-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3,5-dihydro-3,5-dimethyl-4H-iniidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-3,5-dimethyl-5-[3'-(metliylsulfonyl)[l,r-biρhenyl]-3-yl]-4H- imidazol-4-one; 2-ammo-5-(3'-fluoro[l,r-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4- one;

2-amino-5-[2-fluoro-5-(3-pyridinyl)phenyl]-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-

4-one;

2-amino-5-[2-fluoro-5-(4-pyridinyl)phenyl]-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4B[-imidazol- 4-one;

2-amino-5-[4-fluoro-3-(3-pyridinyl)phenyl]-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-

4-one;

2-amino-5-[4-fluoro-3-(4-pyridinyl)phenyl]-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4B[-iniidazol-

4-one; 2-amino-3 ,5-dihydro-5-(4'-methoxy [ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-3~yl)-3 -methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-

4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-[3-(4-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)phenyl]-3-methyl-5-plienyl-4H- imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-[3-(6-methoxy-3-pyridinyl)ρhenyl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H- imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-(3'-chloro[14'-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3,5-dmydro-3-memyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4- one; 2-amino-3,5-dihydro-5-[3-(lH-indol-5-yl)ρhenyl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one;

5-(3'-acetyl[l₅r-biphenyl]-3-yl)-2-amino-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-4- one;

3'-(2-ammo-4,5-dihydro-l-methyl-5-oxo-4-ρhenyl-lH-imidazol-4-yl)-[l,r-Biphenyl]-3- carboxamide;

2-amino-5-(3 '-ethoxy [ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl] -3 -yl)-3 ,5 -dihydro-3 -methyl-5 -phenyl-4H-imidazol-4- one; 2-amino-5-[3-(l₎3-benzodioxol-5-yl)phenyl]-3₃5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-imidazol-

4-one;

2-amino-5-(4-fluoro-3 '-methoxy [ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-3 -yl)-3 ,5-dihydro-3 -methyl-5-phenyl-4H- imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-(6-fluoro-3'-methoxy[l,r-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-plienyl-4H- imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-(3'-butoxy[l,l'-biρhenyl]-3-yl)-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-4H-irnidazol-4- one;

2-ammo-3,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-[3'-(methylsulfonyl)[l,r-biphenyl]-3-yl]-5-ρhenyl-4H- imidazol-4-one; N-[3'-(2-amino-4,5-dihydro-l-methyl-5-oxo-4-phenyl-lH-imidazol-4-yl)[l,r-biphenyl]-3- yl]-acetamide;

3'-(2-amino-4,5-diliydro-l -methyl-5-oxo-4-phenyl- lH-imidazol-4-yl)-[l , 1 '-Biphenyl] -3- carboxylic acid methyl ester;

2-amino-3-(l,l-dhiiethylethyl)-3,5-dihydro-5,5-diphenyl-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-3-(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-5,5-diphenyl-3,5-dihydro-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-3-butyl-5,5-diphenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5,5-diphenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5,5-bis-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5,5-bis-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(2-chloro-phenyl)-5-(4-dimethylamino-phenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4- one;

2-amino-5-(4-methoxy-benzyl)-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-iniidazol-4-one; 2-amino~5,5-bis-(2-chloro-phenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol~4-one;

2-amino-5-benzyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5,5-bis-(5-chloro-2-methoxy-phenyl)-3_:,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-(4-dimethylamino-phenyl)-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-amino-5-(3,4-dimethoxy-benzyl)-5-phenyl-3₃5-diliydro-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-5-phenyl-3,5-dih.ydro-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-amino-5-(4-dimethylamino-phenyl)-5-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4- one;

2-amino-5-(2-methoxy-benzyl)-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; and 2-ammo-5,5-bis-(4-chloro-phenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, tautomer or in vzvo-hydrolysable precursor thereof.

2. The compound of claim 1 wherein R³ is -Ci_-6 alkyl.

3. The compound of claim 1 wherein R³ is -C_1-3 alkyl.

4. The compound of claim 4 wherein R³ is methyl.

5. The compound of claim 1 wherein R³ is a group of formula -C_1-3 alkyl- heterocycloalkyl, wherein the heterocycloalkyl is unsubstituted or substituted.

6. The compound of claim 5 wherein R³ is tetrahydrofuranylmethyl, wherein the tetrahydofuranyl moiety is unsubstituted or substituted.

7. The compound of claim 1 wherein R¹ is -Ci_-3 alkyl.

8. The compound of claim 7 wherein R¹ is methyl, ethyl or isopropyl.

9. The compound of claim 1 wherein R¹ is -C_3-6 cycloalkyl.

10. The compound of claim 1 wherein R¹ is -cyclopentyl.

11. The compound of claim 1 wherein R¹ is unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected from -OH, -C_1-6 alkyl, -halogen, -C_1-6 alkoxy, -C_1-6hydroxyalkyl, -C_1-6haloalkyl, or a group of formula -aryl-C_1-3 alkoxy.

12. The compound of claim 11 wherein R¹ is phenyl substituted with 1 , 2, or 3 groups independently selected from -OH, -C_1-3 alkyl, -halogen, C_1-3 alkoxy-, -C_1-3 hydroxyalkyl, - C_1-3 haloalkyl, or a group of formula -phenyl-C_1-3 alkoxy.

13. The compound of claim 11 wherein R¹ is phenyl substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected from -OH₃ -CH₃, -Cl, -F, -Br, -OCH₃, -CH₂OH, -CH₂Br, or a group of formula -phenyl-OCH₃.

14. The compound of claim 1 wherein R¹ is unsubstituted phenyl.

15. The compound of claim 1 wherein R² is C_6-I4 aryl optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹⁰ groups.

16. The compound of claim 1 wherein R² is naphthyl or phenyl.

17. The compound of claim 1 wherein R² is naphthyl or phenyl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹⁰ groups.

18. The compound of claim 17 wherein each R¹⁰ group is independently selected from halogen, OH and C_1-3 alkoxy.

19. The compound of claim 17 wherein each R¹⁰ group is an independently selected R²⁰ or R³⁰ group.

20. The compound of claim 1 wherein R² is naphthyl or phenyl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R²⁰ groups.

21. The compound of claim 20 wherein the R²⁰ groups are phenyl groups optionally substituted with up to three R²¹ groups independently selected from C_1-3 alkoxy, F, Cl, Br, OH₅ -C(=O)-O-C_1-3 alkyl, C_1-3 alkyl, CF₃, OCF₃, phenoxy, benzyloxy, -S(=O)₂-CH₃, - C(=O)-CH₃, -N(CH₃)₂, -NH-C(=O)-CH₃, -C(=O)-N(CH₃)₂, -C(=0)-NH₂, -C(=O)OH, CH- ₂OH, methylsulfonylamino, phenylsulfonyl, -CH₂-O-CH₃, a group of formula -C(=0)- N(R⁵⁰X R⁵¹) or

-S(=O)₂-N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹) where R⁵⁰ and R⁵¹ together form -(CH₂)₄-; or any two R²¹ groups on adjacent atoms of the phenyl group to which they are attached can form a group of formula -0-CH₂-O-.

22. The compound of claim 1 wherein R² is naphthyl or phenyl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R³⁰ groups.

23. The compound of claim 22 wherein the R³⁰ groups are heteroaryl groups selected from thiophenyl, benzofuranyl, indolyl, quinolyl, chromenyl, isobenzothiophenyl, thienyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, isoxazolyl, or furyl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to three R²² groups independently selected from OH, CN, halogen, C_1-3 alkoxy, C_1-3 alkyl, C_1- ₃ haloalkyl, C_1-3 hydroxyalkyl, C_1-3 alkoxyaryl or phenylsulfonyl.

24. The compound of claim 1 wherein R² is C_7-24 arylalkyl optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R a groups.

25. The compound of claim 1 wherein R² is 2-phenylethyl, optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹¹ groups.

26. The compound of claim 25 wherein each of the R¹¹ groups is independently selected from -OH, -C_1-6 alkyl, -halogen, C_1-6 alkoxy-, -Ci.₆ hydroxyalkyl, -C_1-6 haloalkyl, or a group of formula -aryl-Ci_-3 alkoxy.

27. The compound of claim 25 wherein each of the R¹¹ groups is independently selected from -OH, -C_1-3 alkyl, -halogen, C_1-3 alkoxy-, -C_1-3 hydroxyalkyl, -C_1-3 haloalkyl, or a group of formula -phenyl-C_1-3 alkoxy.

28. The compound of claim 25 wherein each of the R¹¹ groups is independently selected from -OH, -CH₃, -Cl, -F, -Br, -OCH₃, -CH₂OH, -CH₂Br, or a group of formula -phenyl- OCH₃.

s

29. The compound of claim 1, wherein:

R³ is H, -C_1-3 alkyl or -C_1-3 alkyl-heterocycloalkyl, wherein the heterocycloalkyl is unsubstituted or substituted; and

R¹ is -C_1-3 alkyl, -C_3-6 cycloalkyl, or unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl substituted with 1, 2, or

3 groups independently selected from -OH, -C_1-6 alkyl, -halogen, -C_1-6 alkoxy, -C_1-6 o hydroxyalkyl, -Ci^haloalkyl, or a group of formula -aryl-C_1-3 alkoxy.

30. The compound of claim 29 wherein:

R³ is methyl or tetrahydrofuranylmethyl, wherein the tetrahydofuranyl moiety is unsubstituted or substituted; and s R¹ is methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, cyclopentyl, or phenyl substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups independently selected from -OH, -C_1-3 alkyl, -halogen, C_1-3 alkoxy-, -Ci_-3 hydroxyalkyl, - C_1-3 haloalkyl, or a group of formula -phenyl-C_1-3 alkoxy.

31. The compound of claim 30 wherein the phenyl is substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groups 0 independently selected from -OH, -CH₃, -Cl, -F, -Br, -OCH₃, -CH₂OH, -CH₂Br, or a group of formula -phenyl-OCH₃.

32. The compound of claim 29 wherein R² is C_6-I4 aryl optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹⁰ groups. ₅

33. The compound of claim 29 wherein R² is naphthyl or phenyl.

34. The compound of claim 29 wherein R² is naphthyl or phenyl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹⁰ groups. 0

35. The compound of claim 34 wherein each R¹⁰ group is independently selected from halogen, OH and Ci_-3 alkoxy.

36. The compound of claim 34 wherein each R¹⁰ group is an independently selected R²⁰ or R³⁰ group.

37. The compound of claim 29 wherein R² is naphthyl or phenyl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R²⁰ groups.

38. The compound of claim 37 wherein each of the R²⁰ groups is independently naphthyl or phenyl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to three R²¹ groups independently selected from C_1-3 alkoxy, F, Cl, Br₅ OH, -Q=O)-O-C_1-3 alkyl, C_1-3 alkyl, CF₃, OCF₃, phenoxy, benzyloxy, -SC=O)₂-CH₃, -CC=O)-CH₃, -N(CH₃)₂, -NH-C(=O)-CH₃, - CC=O)-NCCHs)₂, -CC=O)-NH₂, -C(=O)OH, CH₂OH, methylsulfonylamino, phenylsulfonyl, -CH₂-O-CH₃, a group of formula -CC=O)- N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹) or -S(=O)₂- N(R⁵⁰)( R⁵¹) where R⁵⁰ and R⁵¹ together form-(CH₂)₄-; or any two R²¹ groups on adjacent atoms of the naphthyl or the phenyl to which they are attached can form a group of formula -0-CH₂-O-.

39. The compound of claim 29 wherein R² is naphthyl or phenyl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R³⁰ groups.

40. The compound of claim 39 wherein the R³⁰ groups are heteroaryl groups selected from thiophenyl, benzofuranyl, indolyl, quinolyl, chromenyl, isobenzothiophenyl, thienyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, isoxazolyl, or furyl, each of which is optionally substituted with up to three R²² groups independently selected from OH, CN, halogen, C_1-3 alkoxy, C_1-3 alkyl, C_1- ₃ haloalkyl, C_1-3 hydroxyalkyl, C_1-3 alkoxyaryl or phenylsulfonyl.

41. The compound of claim 29 wherein R² is C_7-24 arylalkyl optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹¹ groups.

42. The compound of claim 29 wherein R² is 2-phenylethyl, optionally substituted with up to three independently selected R¹¹ groups.

43. The compound of claim 42 wherein each of the R¹¹ groups is independently selected from -OH, -C_1-6 alkyl, -halogen, Q_-6 alkoxy-, -C_1-6 hydroxyalkyl, -C_1-6haloalkyl, or a group of formula -aryl-C_1-3 alkoxy.

44. The compound of claim 42 wherein each of the R¹¹ groups is independently selected from -OH₅ -C_1-3 alkyl, -halogen, C_1-3 alkoxy-, -C_1-3 hydroxyalkyl, -C_1-3 haloalkyl, or a group of formula -phenyl-C_1-3 alkoxy.

45. The compound of claim 42 wherein each of the R¹¹ groups is independently selected from -OH, -CH₃, -Cl, -F, -Br, -OCH₃, -CH₂OH, -CH₂Br, or a group of formula -phenyl-

OCH₃.

46. A compound selected from:

2- Amino-5 -[2- (3 '-methoxybiphenyl-3 -yl)ethyl] -3 -methyl-5 -phenyl-3 ,5 -dihydro-4iϊ- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-[2-(3-bromophenyl)ethyl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one;

2-Amino-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-(2-phenylethyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H^'-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^"- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-5-(3-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4iJ-imidazol-4- one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-5-phenyl-3-(tetrahydrofuran-2-yhnethyl)-3,5- dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-5-phenyl-3-(tetrahydrofuran-2-ylmethyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H^'- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5,5-diphenyl-3-(tetrahydrofuran-2-ylmethyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-(3-methylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-3-methyl-5-(3-methylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4- one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-3-methyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-3,5-dihy(iro-4H-imidazol-4- one;

2-Ammo-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-(4-methylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H^'- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-5-[3-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl]-5-(3'-methoxybiplienyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-3_!5- dihydro-4iJ-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-[4-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl]-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-3,5- dihydro-4f£-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-3,5-dimethyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-5-isopropyl-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-[2-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)ethyl]-3,5-dimethyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^'-imidazol-4- one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-3,5-dimethyl-5-(2-phenylethyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H^'-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-diliydro-4H^'-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-biphenyl-3-yl-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^'-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-3-methyl-5,5-diphenyl-3,5-dihydro-4Ji-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-5-(3-metb.oxyphenyl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^"- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-3-methyl-5-(2-naphth.yl)-5-phenyl-3,5-diliydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-5-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-diliydro-4H^'-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(3-bromophenyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-meth.yl-3,5-dihydro-4H^"-imidazol-4- one trifluoroacetate;

2-Ammo-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4H- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(3'-metiioxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^"- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Ammo-5-ethyl-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^'-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-cyclopentyl-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3₎5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Ammo-5-ethyl-5-(3'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-3,5-dihydro-4i7-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-benzyl-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Ammo-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-[3-(3--tliienyl)phenyl]-3₃5-dih.ydro-4if-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-[3-(3-thienyl)phenyl]-3,5-dihydro-4Ji^'-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(2'-hydroxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4if-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-5-(3'-hydroxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-metliyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^'-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

Methyl 3'-(2-amino-l-methyl-5-oxo-4-phenyl-4,5-dih.ydro-lH^'-irnidazol-4-yl)biplienyl-4- carboxylate trifluoroacetate;

2-Arrύno-5-(4'-chlorobiplienyl-3-yl)-3-rnetb.yl-5-plienyl-3₅5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Arnino-3-methyl-5-(2'-methylbiphenyl-3-yl)-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Arnino-3-rnetb.yl-5-(3'-rnetb.ylbiphenyl-3-yl)-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^'-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-3-methyl-5-(4'-methylbiphenyl-3-yl)-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(4'-fluorobiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3₅5-dihydro-4i?-irriidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(3'-ethoxybiplienyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-diliydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Ammo-3-me%l-5-phenyl-5-[2^I-(trifluorome%l)biphenyl-3-yl]-3,5-dihydro-4H- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-5-(2'-chlorobiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^'-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(2'-methoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-metliyl-5-phenyl-3,5-(iiliydro-4H^'-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-5-(4'-ethoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^'-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-[3'-(Mfluorornethyl)biphenyl-3-yl]-3,5-dihydro-4H^"- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-3-meth.yl-5-phenyl-5-[4'-(trifluorometliyl)biphenyl-3-yl]-3,5-dihydro-4H^'- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Ammo-5-(3',5'-dichlorobip]ienyl-3-yl)-3-metb.yl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4- one trifluoroacetate;

2-Ammo-5-[3^5'-bis(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl-3-yl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-3-methyl-5-[3-(2-naphthyl)phenyl]-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^'-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-3-methyl-5-(4'-phenoxybiphenyl-3-yl)-5-plienyl-3,5-diliydro-4/i-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-[3-(l-benzofuran-2-yl)phenyl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dib.ydro-4H-imidazol-4- one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-[3-(l,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)plienyl]-3-methyl-5-plienyl-3,5-dihydro-4_JH- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Arrήno-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-[3'-(trifluoromethoxy)biphenyl-3-yl]-3,5-dihydro-4H^"- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Ammo-3-me&yl-5-phenyl-5-[4'-(trifluoromethoxy)biphenyl-3-yl]-3,5-diliydro-4H^"- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-[3-(l-benzothien-3-yl)phenyl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4- one trifluoroacetate;

2-Ammo-5-(3'-chloro-4'-fluorobiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^'- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-3-meth.yl-5-[3-(l-naphthyl)phenyl]-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^"-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Ammo-5-[4^l-(benzyloxy)biphenyl-3-yl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^'-irnidazol-4- one trifluoroacetate;

2-Ammo-3-methyl-5-[4'-(niethylsulfonyl)biphenyl-3-yl]-5-plienyl-3,5-dihydro-4H- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-3-methyl--5-ρhenyl-5-(3-quinolin-5-ylρheriyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-(3-pyrimidin-5-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Aniino-5-[4'-(dimethylamino)biphenyl-3-yl]-3-metiiyl-5-pb.enyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^'- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-(3-pyridm-4-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4iϊ-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-3-methyl-5-[3-(5-methyl-2-fύryl)phenyl]-5-phenyl-3,5-diliydro-4H-imidazol-4- one trifluoroacetate;

2-Arnino-5-[3-(5-chloro-2-thienyl)phenyl]-3-methyl-5-pb.enyl-3,5-diliydro-4/i^'-imidazol-4- one trifluoroacetate;

5-(3'-Acetylbiplienyl-3-yl)-2-amino-3-metb.yl-5-phenyl-3_:,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one; 2-Amino-5-[3-(6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)phenyl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(3'-chlorobiplienyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one;

N-[3'-(2-amino-l-methyl-5-oxo-4-phenyl-4,5-diliydro-lH¹imidazol-4-yl)biplienyl-4- yljacetamide trifluoroacetate; 3'-(2-Amino-l-methyl-5-oxo-4-phenyl-4,5-dihyαio-lH-imidazol-4-yl)-iV^' _>Λ'^'- dimethylbiphenyl-3-carboxamide trifluoroacetate;

3'-(2-amino-l-methyl-5-oxo-4-phenyl-4,5-diliydro-lJJ-irnidazol-4-yl)biphenyl-3- carboxamide trifluoroacetate;

2-Ammo-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-(3-pyridin-3-ylphenyl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-[3-(lH-indol-5-yl)phenyl]-3-rnethyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-irnidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-[4'-(piperidin-l-ylsulfonyl)biphenyl-3-yl]-3,5-dih.ydro-4H- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

3'-(2-Amino-l-methyl-5-oxo-4-plienyl-4,5-diliydro-lH-imidazol-4-yl)biphenyl-3- carboxylic acid trifluoroacetate; 2-Amino-5-[3'-(hydroxymethyl)biphenyl-3-yl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-diliydro-4H^'- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

N-[3'-(2-amino-l-methyl-5-oxo-4-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-lH^'-imidazol-4-yl)biplienyl-4- yl]methanesulfonamide trifluoroacetate;

2-Ammo-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-[4'-(pyrrolidin-l-ylcarbonyl)biplienyl-3-yl]-3,5-dihydro- 4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(3'-isopropylbiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-3-methyl-5-phenyl-5-{3-[l-(phenylsulfonyl)-lH^'-indol-3-yl]ph.enyl}-3,5-dihydro-

4H-imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2-amino-5-[4'-(hydroxymethyl)biphenyl-3-yl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

N-[3'-(2-amino-l-methyl-5-oxo-4-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-lH^"-imidazol-4-yl)biphenyl-3- yljacetamide trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-[3-(3,5-dirnethylisoxazol-4-yl)phenyl]-3-rnethyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H^"- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-(2',4'-dichlorobiphenyl-3-yl)-3-methyl-5-pb.enyl-3,5-dihydro-4Ji^'-imidazol-4- one trifluoroacetate;

2-Ammo-5-[2'-(methoxymethyl)biphenyl-3-yl]-3-rnethyl-5-pb.enyl-3,5-diliydro-4H^'- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate; 2- Amino-5 - [3 '-(methoxymethyl)biphenyl-3 -yl] -3 -methyl-5-phenyl-3 , 5-dihydro-4H^"- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

2-Amino-5-[4'-(methoxymethyl)biphenyl-3-yl]-3-methyl-5-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4iJ- imidazol-4-one trifluoroacetate;

Methyl-3 '-(2-amino- 1 -methyl-5 -oxo-4-phenyl-4, 5-dihydro- lH-imidazol-4-yl)biphenyl-3 - carboxylate trifluoroacetate; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, alternative salt, tautomer, or in vivo-hydrolysable precursor thereof.

47. A pharmaceutical composition comprising as active ingredient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 46 in association with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, carriers or diluents. s

48. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 46, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use as a medicament.

49. Use of a compound of any one of claims 1 to 46 as a medicament for treating or o preventing an Aβ-related pathology.

50. Use of a compound of any one of claims 1 to 46 as a medicament for treating or preventing an Aβ-related pathology, wherein said Aβ-related pathology is Downs syndrome, a β-amyloid angiopathy, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, hereditary cerebral s hemorrhage, a disorder associated with cognitive impairment, MCI ("mild cognitive impairment"), Alzheimer Disease, memory loss, attention deficit symptoms associated with Alzheimer disease, neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer disease, dementia of mixed vascular origin, dementia of degenerative origin, pre-senile dementia, senile dementia, dementia associated with Parkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy or 0 cortical basal degeneration.

51. Use of a compound of any one of claims 1 to 46 in the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing an Aβ-related pathology.

5 52. Use of a compound of any one of claims 1 to 46 in the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing an Aβ-related pathology, wherein said Aβ-related pathology is Downs syndrome, a β-amyloid angiopathy, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage, a disorder associated with cognitive impairment, MCI ("mild cognitive impairment"), Alzheimer Disease, memory loss, attention deficit symptoms 0 associated with Alzheimer disease, neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer disease, dementia of mixed vascular origin, dementia of degenerative origin, pre-senile dementia, senile dementia, dementia associated with Parkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy or cortical basal degeneration.

53. A method of inhibiting activity of BACE comprising contacting said BACE with a compound of any one of claims 1 to 46.

54. A method of treating or preventing an Aβ-related pathology in a mammal, comprising administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of any one of claims 1 to 46.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein said Aβ-related pathology is Downs syndrome, a β- amyloid angiopathy, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage, a disorder associated with cognitive impairment, MCI ("mild cognitive impairment"), Alzheimer Disease, memory loss, attention deficit symptoms associated with Alzheimer disease, neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer disease, dementia of mixed vascular origin, dementia of degenerative origin, pre-senile dementia, senile dementia, dementia associated with Parkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy or cortical basal degeneration.

56. The method of claim 46, wherein said mammal is a human.

57. A method of treating or preventing an Aβ-related pathology in a mammal, comprising administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of any one of claims 1 to 46 and at least one cognitive enhancing agent, memory enhancing agent, or choline esterase inhibitor.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein said Aβ-related pathology is Downs syndrome, a β- amyloid angiopathy, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage, a disorder associated with cognitive impairment, MCI ("mild cognitive impairment"), Alzheimer Disease, memory loss, attention deficit symptoms associated with Alzheimer disease, neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer disease, dementia of mixed vascular origin, dementia of degenerative origin, pre-senile dementia, senile dementia, dementia associated with Parkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy or cortical basal degeneration.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein said mammal is a human.