Compounds and uses thereof for the modulation of hemoglobin

Provide herein are compounds and pharmaceutical compositions suitable as modulators of hemoglobin, methods and intermediates for their preparation, and methods for their use in treating disorders mediated by hemoglobin and disorders that would benefit from tissue and/or cellular oxygenation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides compounds and pharmaceutical compositions suitable as allosteric modulators of hemoglobin, methods and intermediates for their preparation, and methods for their use in treating disorders mediated by hemoglobin and disorders that would benefit from tissue and/or cellular oxygenation.

STATE OF THE ART

Sickle cell disease is a disorder of the red blood cells, found particularly among those of African and Mediterranean descent. The basis for sickle cell disease is found in sickle hemoglobin (HbS), which contains a point mutation relative to the prevalent peptide sequence of hemoglobin (Hb).

Hemoglobin (Hb) transports oxygen molecules from the lungs to various tissues and organs throughout the body. Hemoglobin binds and releases oxygen through conformational changes. Sickle hemoglobin (HbS) contains a point mutation where glutamic acid is replaced with valine, allowing HbS to become susceptible to polymerization to give the HbS containing red blood cells their characteristic sickle shape. The sickled cells are also more rigid than normal red blood cells, and their lack of flexibility can lead to blockage of blood vessels. U.S. Pat. No. 7,160,910 discloses compounds that are allosteric modulators of hemoglobin. However, a need exists for additional therapeutics that can treat disorders that are mediated by Hb or by abnormal Hb such as HbS.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to compounds and pharmaceutical compositions suitable as allosteric modulators of hemoglobin. In some aspects, this invention relates to methods for treating disorders mediated by hemoglobin and disorders that would benefit from tissue and/or cellular oxygenation.

In certain aspects of the invention, a compound of formula (I) is provided:

an N-oxide thereof, or a tautomer or each thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of each of the preceding, whereinring A is phenyl optionally substituted with 1-3 halo and/or C1-C6alkoxy, or is a 4-10 membered heterocycle containing up to 5 ring heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatom is selected from the group consisting of O, N, S, and oxidized forms of N and S, optionally substituted, or is

wherein R7is C1-C6alkyl, optionally substituted with 3-5 fluoro groups, or is C3-C6cycloalkyl;ring B is selected from the group consisting of

wherein R8is C1-C6alkyl, —CO—C1-C6alkyl or a prodrug moiety;X is O, S, SO, or SO2;is a single or a double bond;ring C is phenyl or a 6 membered nitrogen-containing heteroaryl, each of which is optionally substituted with 1-4: halo, oxo, C1-C6alkyl and/or C1-C6alkoxy, wherein the C1-C6alkyl is optionally substituted with 1-5 halo, C1-C6alkoxy and/or 4-10 membered heterocycle containing up to 5 ring heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatom is selected from the group consisting of O, N, S, and oxidized forms of N and S; andeach R1is hydrogen or a prodrug moiety R;V1and V2independently are C1-C6alkoxy; or V1and V2together with the carbon atom they are attached to form a ring of formula:

wherein each V3and V4are independently O, S, or NH, provided that when one of V3and V4is S, the other is NH, and provided that V3and V4are both not NH; q is 1 or 2; each V5is independently C1-C6alkyl or CO2R60, where each R60independently is C1-C6alkyl or hydrogen; t is 1, 2, or 4; or CV1V2is C═V, wherein V is O, NOR80, or NNR81R82;wherein R80is optionally substituted C1-C6alkyl;R81and R82independently are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, optionally substituted C1-C6alkyl, COR83, or CO2R84;R83is hydrogen or optionally substituted C1-C6alkyl;R84is optionally substituted C1-C6alkyl;provided that when ring C is C6-C10aryl;and ring B is optionally substituted 4-10 membered heterocyclyl;then ring A excludes optionally substituted 5-10 membered heteroaryl;provided that when ring C is C6-C10aryl;and ring B is optionally substituted 5-10 membered heteroaryl;then ring A is not optionally substituted 4-10 membered heterocycle;provided that the compounds provided herein exclude those disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/730,730 and 13/730,674; andprovided that the compounds provided herein exclude those in Table 1 hereinbelow.

Preferably, V and V2together with the carbon atom they are attached to form a ring of formula:

In some embodiments, V1and V2independently are C1-C6alkoxy; or V1and V2together with the carbon atom they are attached to form a ring of formula:

wherein each V3and V4are independently O, S, or NH, provided that when one or V3and V4is S the other is NH, and provided that V3and V4are both not NH; q is 1 or 2; each V5is independently C1-C6alkyl or CO2R60, where each R60independently is C1-C6alkyl or hydrogen; t is 0, 1, 2, or 4; or CV1V2is C═V, wherein V is O, and wherein the remaining variables are defined herein.

In certain embodiments, a compound of formula (II) is provided:

wherein the remaining variables are defined herein.

In certain embodiments, a compound selected from formulas (IIA), (IIB) and (IIC) is provided:

In further aspects of the invention, a composition is provided comprising any of the compounds described herein, and at least a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

In still further aspects of the invention, a method is provided for increasing oxygen affinity of hemoglobin S in a subject, the method comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of any of the compounds or compositions described herein.

In further aspects of the invention, a method is provided for treating oxygen deficiency associated with sickle cell anemia, the method comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of any of the compounds or compositions described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

As used herein, the term “comprising” or “comprises” is intended to mean that the compositions and methods include the recited elements, but not excluding others. “Consisting essentially of” when used to define compositions and methods, shall mean excluding other elements of any essential significance to the combination for the stated purpose. Thus, a composition or process consisting essentially of the elements as defined herein would not exclude other materials or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. “Consisting of” shall mean excluding more than trace elements of other ingredients and substantial method steps. Embodiments defined by each of these transition terms are within the scope of this invention.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations. Each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. The term “about” when used before a numerical designation, e.g., temperature, time, amount, and concentration, including range, indicates approximations which may vary by (+) or (−) 10%, 5% or 1%.

As used herein, Cm-Cn, such as C1-C12, C1-C8, or C1-C6when used before a group refers to that group containing m to n carbon atoms.

The term “alkoxy” refers to —O-alkyl.

The term “aryl” refers to a monovalent, aromatic mono- or bicyclic ring having 6-10 ring carbon atoms. Examples of aryl include phenyl and naphthyl. The condensed ring may or may not be aromatic provided that the point of attachment is at an aromatic carbon atom. For example, and without limitation, the following is an aryl group:

The term “—CO2H ester” refers to an ester formed between the —CO2H group and an alcohol, preferably an aliphatic alcohol. A preferred example included —CO2RE, wherein REis alkyl or aryl group optionally substituted with an amino group.

The term “chiral moiety” refers to a moiety that is chiral. Such a moiety can possess one or more asymmetric centers. Preferably, the chiral moiety is enantiomerically enriched, and more preferably a single enantiomer. Non limiting examples of chiral moieties include chiral carboxylic acids, chiral amines, chiral amino acids, such as the naturally occurring amino acids, chiral alcohols including chiral steroids, and the likes.

The term “cycloalkyl” refers to a monovalent, preferably saturated, hydrocarbyl mono-, bi-, or tricyclic ring having 3-12 ring carbon atoms. While cycloalkyl, refers preferably to saturated hydrocarbyl rings, as used herein, it also includes rings containing 1-2 carbon-carbon double bonds. Nonlimiting examples of cycloalkyl include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, adamentyl, and the like. The condensed rings may or may not be non-aromatic hydrocarbyl rings provided that the point of attachment is at a cycloalkyl carbon atom. For example, and without limitation, the following is a cycloalkyl group:

The term “heteroaryl” refers to a monovalent, aromatic mono-, bi-, or tricyclic ring having 2-16 ring carbon atoms and 1-8 ring heteroatoms selected preferably from N, O, S, and P and oxidized forms of N, S, and P, provided that the ring contains at least 5 ring atoms. Nonlimiting examples of heteroaryl include furan, imidazole, oxadiazole, oxazole, pyridine, quinoline, and the like. The condensed rings may or may not be a heteroatom containing aromatic ring provided that the point of attachment is a heteroaryl atom. For example, and without limitation, the following is a heteroaryl group:

The term “heterocyclyl” or heterocycle refers to a non-aromatic, mono-, bi-, or tricyclic ring containing 2-12 ring carbon atoms and 1-8 ring heteroatoms selected preferably from N, O, S, and P and oxidized forms of N, S, and P, provided that the ring contains at least 3 ring atoms. While heterocyclyl preferably refers to saturated ring systems, it also includes ring systems containing 1-3 double bonds, provided that the ring is non-aromatic. Nonlimiting examples of heterocyclyl include, azalactones, oxazoline, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, pyrrolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, and tetrahydropyranyl. The condensed rings may or may not contain a non-aromatic heteroatom containing ring provided that the point of attachment is a heterocyclyl group. For example, and without limitation, the following is a heterocyclyl group:

The term “hydrolyzing” refers to breaking an RH—O—CO—, RH—O—CS—, or an RH—O—SO2-moiety to an RH—OH, preferably by adding water across the broken bond. A hydrolyzing is performed using various methods well known to the skilled artisan, non limiting examples of which include acidic and basic hydrolysis.

The term “oxo” refers to a C═O group, and to a substitution of 2 geminal hydrogen atoms with a C═O group.

R101and R102independently is hydrogen; C1-C8alkyl, optionally substituted with —CO2H or an ester thereof, C1-C6alkoxy, oxo, —CR103═C(R103)2, —CCR, C3-C10cycloalkyl, C3-C10heterocyclyl, C6-C12aryl, or C2-C12heteroaryl, wherein each R103independently is hydrogen or C1-C8alkyl; C3-C12cycloalkyl; C3-C10heterocyclyl; C6-C12aryl; or C2-C12heteroaryl; wherein each cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, or heteroaryl is optionally substituted with 1-3 alkyl groups or 1-3 halo groups, or R101and R102together with the nitrogen atom they are attached to form a 5-7 membered heterocycle.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable” refers to safe and non-toxic for in vivo, preferably, human administration.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” refers to a salt that is pharmaceutically acceptable.

The term “salt” refers to an ionic compound formed between an acid and a base. When the compound provided herein contains an acidic functionality, such salts include, without limitation, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, and ammonium salts. As used herein, ammonium salts include, salts containing protonated nitrogen bases and alkylated nitrogen bases. Exemplary, and non-limiting cations useful in pharmaceutically acceptable salts include Na, K, Rb, Cs, NH4, Ca, Ba, imidazolium, and ammonium cations based on naturally occurring amino acids. When the compounds utilized herein contain basic functionality, such salts include, without limitation, salts of organic acids, such as caroboxylic acids and sulfonic acids, and mineral acids, such as hydrogen halides, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and the likes. Exemplary and non-limiting anions useful in pharmaceutically acceptable salts include oxalate, maleate, acetate, propionate, succinate, tartrate, chloride, sulfate, bisalfate, mono-, di-, and tribasic phosphate, mesylate, tosylate, and the likes.

The terms “treat”, “treating” or “treatment”, as used herein, include alleviating, abating or ameliorating a disease or condition or one or more symptoms thereof, preventing additional symptoms, ameliorating or preventing the underlying metabolic causes of symptoms, inhibiting the disease or condition, e.g., arresting or suppressing the development of the disease or condition, relieving the disease or condition, causing regression of the disease or condition, relieving a condition caused by the disease or condition, or suppressing the symptoms of the disease or condition, and are intended to include prophylaxis. The terms also include relieving the disease or conditions, e.g., causing the regression of clinical symptoms. The terms further include achieving a therapeutic benefit and/or a prophylactic benefit. By therapeutic benefit is meant eradication or amelioration of the underlying disorder being treated. Also, a therapeutic benefit is achieved with the eradication or amelioration of one or more of the physiological symptoms associated with the underlying disorder such that an improvement is observed in the individual, notwithstanding that the individual is still be afflicted with the underlying disorder. For prophylactic benefit, the compositions are administered to an individual at risk of developing a particular disease, or to an individual reporting one or more of the physiological symptoms of a disease, even though a diagnosis of this disease has not been made.

The terms “preventing” or “prevention” refer to a reduction in risk of acquiring a disease or disorder (i.e., causing at least one of the clinical symptoms of the disease not to develop in a subject that may be exposed to or predisposed to the disease but does not yet experience or display symptoms of the disease). The terms further include causing the clinical symptoms not to develop, for example in a subject at risk of suffering from such a disease or disorder, thereby substantially averting onset of the disease or disorder.

The term “effective amount” refers to an amount that is effective for the treatment of a condition or disorder by an intranasal administration of a compound or composition described herein. In some embodiments, an effective amount of any of the compositions or dosage forms described herein is the amount used to treat a disorder mediated by hemoglobin or a disorder that would benefit from tissue and/or cellular oxygenation of any of the compositions or dosage forms described herein to a subject in need thereof.

The term “carrier” as used herein, refers to relatively nontoxic chemical compounds or agents that facilitate the incorporation of a compound into cells, e.g., red blood cells, or tissues.

As used herein, a “prodrug” is a compound that, after administration, is metabolized or otherwise converted to an active or more active form with respect to at least one property. To produce a prodrug, a pharmaceutically active compound can be modified chemically to render it less active or inactive, but the chemical modification is such that an active form of the compound is generated by metabolic or other biological processes. A prodrug may have, relative to the drug, altered metabolic stability or transport characteristics, fewer side effects or lower toxicity. For example, see the reference Nogrady, 1985, Medicinal Chemistry A Biochemical Approach, Oxford University Press, New York, pages 388-392. Prodrugs can also be prepared using compounds that are not drugs.

Compounds

In certain aspects of the invention, a compound of formula (I) is provided:

or a tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of each thereof, whereinring A is C6-C10aryl, a C3-C8cycloalkyl, a 5-10 membered heteroaryl or a 4-10 membered heterocycle containing up to 5 ring heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatom is selected from the group consisting of O, N, S, and oxidized forms of N and S, wherein each of the aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, or heterocycle is optionally substituted with 1-4: halo, C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6alkoxy, and/or C3-C10cycloalkyl, wherein the C1-C6alkyl is optionally substituted with 1-5 halo, C1-C6 alkoxy, and/or C3-C10cycloalkyl;ring B is a 5-10 membered heteroaryl or a 4-10 membered heterocycle containing up to 5 ring heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatom is selected from the group consisting of O, N, S, and oxidized forms of N and S, wherein each of the heteroaryl and the heterocycle is optionally substituted with 1-4: halo, C1-C6alkyl and/or —CO—C1-C6alkyl,is a single or a double bond;X is O, S, SO, or SO2;ring C is C6-C10aryl or a 5-10 membered heteroaryl containing up to 5 ring heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatom is selected from the group consisting of O, N, S, and oxidized forms of N and S, each of which is optionally substituted with 1-4: halo, oxo, —OR1, C1-C6alkyl, and/or C1-C6alkoxy, wherein the C1-C6alkyl is optionally substituted with 1-5 halo, C1-C6alkoxy and/oror a 4-10 membered heterocycle containing up to 5 ring heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatom is selected from the group consisting of O, N, S, and oxidized forms of N and S; andR1is hydrogen or a prodrug moiety;V1and V2independently are C1-C6alkoxy; or V1and V2together with the carbon atom they are attached to form a ring of formula:

wherein each V3and V4are independently O, S, or NH, provided that when one of V3and V4is S, the other is NH, and provided that V3and V4are both not NH; q is 1 or 2; each V5is independently C1-C6alkyl or CO2R60, where each R60independently is C1-C6alkyl or hydrogen; t is 0, 1, 2, or 4; or CV1V2is C═V, wherein V is O, NOR80, or NNR81R82;R80is optionally substituted C1-C6alkyl;R81and R82independently are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, optionally substituted C1-C6alkyl, COR83, or CO2R84;R83is hydrogen or optionally substituted C1-C6alkyl;R84is optionally substituted C1-C6alkyl;provided that when ring C is C6-C10aryl;and ring B is optionally substituted 4-10 membered heterocyclyl;then ring A excludes optionally substituted 5-10 membered heteroaryl;and provided that when ring C is C6-C10aryl;and ring B is optionally substituted 5-10 membered heteroaryl;then ring A is not optionally substituted 4-10 membered heterocycle.

In certain aspects of the invention, a compound of formula (I) is provided:

or a tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of each thereof, whereinring A is phenyl optionally substituted with 1-3 halo and/or C1-C6alkoxy, or is a 4-10 membered heterocycle containing up to 5 ring heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatom is selected from the group consisting of O, N, S, and oxidized forms of N and S, optionally substituted, or is

wherein R7is C1-C6alkyl, optionally substituted with 3-5 fluoro groups, or is C3-C6cycloalkyl;ring B is selected from the group consisting of

wherein R8is C1-C6alkyl, —CO—C1-C6alkyl or a prodrug moiety;X is O, S, SO, or SO2;is a single or a double bond;ring C is phenyl or a 6 membered nitrogen-containing heteroaryl, each of which is optionally substituted with 1-4: halo, oxo, —OR1, C1-C6alkyl and/or C1-C6alkoxy, wherein the C1-C6alkyl is optionally substituted with 1-5 halo, C1-C6alkoxy and/or 4-10 membered heterocycle containing up to 5 ring heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatom is selected from the group consisting of O, N, S, and oxidized forms of N and S; andeach R1is hydrogen or a prodrug moiety R;V1and V2independently are C1-C6alkoxy; or V1and V2together with the carbon atom they are attached to form a ring of formula:

wherein each V3and V4are independently O, S, or NH, provided that when one of V3and V4is S, the other is NH, and provided that V3and V4are both not NH; q is 1 or 2; each V5is independently C1-C6alkyl or CO2R60, where each R60independently is C1-C6alkyl or hydrogen; t is 0, 1, 2, or 4; or CV1V2is C═V, wherein V is O, NOR80, or NNR81R82;R80is optionally substituted C1-C6alkyl;R81and R82independently are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, optionally substituted C1-C6alkyl, COR83, or CO2R84;R83is hydrogen or optionally substituted C1-C6alkyl;R84is optionally substituted C1-C6alkyl;provided that when ring C is C6-C10aryl;and ring B is optionally substituted 4-10 membered heterocyclyl;then ring A excludes optionally substituted 5-10 membered heteroaryl;and provided that when ring C is C6-C10aryl;and ring B is optionally substituted 5-10 membered heteroaryl;then ring A is not optionally substituted 4-10 membered heterocycle.

Preferably, V1and V2together with the carbon atom they are attached to form a ring of formula:

In some embodiments, V1and V2independently are C1-C6alkoxy; or V1and V2together with the carbon atom they are attached to form a ring of formula:

wherein each V3and V4are independently O, S, or NH, provided that when one or V3and V4is S the other is NH, and provided that V3and V4are both not NH; q is 1 or 2; each V5is independently C1-C6alkyl or CO2R60, where each R60independently is C1-C6alkyl or hydrogen; t is 0, 1, 2, or 4; or CV1V2is C═V, wherein V is O, and wherein the remaining variables are defined herein.

In certain embodiments, a compound of formula (II) is provided:

or a tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of each thereof, whereinring A is phenyl optionally substituted with 1-3 halo and/or C1-C6alkoxy, or is a 4-10 membered heterocycle containing up to 5 ring heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatom is selected from the group consisting of O, N, S, and oxidized forms of N and S, optionally substituted, or is

wherein R7is C1-C6alkyl, optionally substituted with 3-5 fluoro groups, or is C3-C6cycloalkyl;ring B is selected from the group consisting of

wherein R8is C1-C6alkyl, —CO—C1-C6alkyl or a prodrug moiety;X is O, S, SO, or SO2;is a single or a double bond;ring C is phenyl or a 6 membered nitrogen-containing heteroaryl, each of which is optionally substituted with 1-4: halo, oxo, —OR1, C1-C6alkyl and/or C1-C6alkoxy, wherein the C1-C6alkyl is optionally substituted with 1-5 halo, C1-C6alkoxy and/or 4-10 membered heterocycle containing up to 5 ring heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatom is selected from the group consisting of O, N, S, and oxidized forms of N and S; andeach R1is hydrogen or a prodrug moiety R;V1and V2independently are C1-C6alkoxy; or V1and V2together with the carbon atom they are attached to form a ring of formula:

wherein each V3and V4are independently O, S, or NH, provided that when one of V3and V4is S, the other is NH, and provided that V3and V4are both not NH; q is 1 or 2; each V5is independently C1-C6alkyl or CO2R60, where each R60independently is C1-C6alkyl or hydrogen; t is 0, 1, 2, or 4; or CV1V2is C═V, wherein V is O, NOR80, or NNR81R82;R80is optionally substituted C1-C6alkyl;R81and R82independently are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, optionally substituted C1-C6alkyl, COR83, or CO2R84;R83is hydrogen or optionally substituted C1-C6alkyl;R84is optionally substituted C1-C6alkyl;provided that when ring C is C6-C10aryl;and ring B is optionally substituted 4-10 membered heterocyclyl;then ring A excludes optionally substituted 5-10 membered heteroaryl;and provided that when ring C is C6-C10aryl;and ring B is optionally substituted 5-10 membered heteroaryl;then ring A is not optionally substituted 4-10 membered heterocycle.

In certain embodiments, t is 0. In certain embodiments, t is 1. In certain embodiments, t is 2. In certain embodiments, t is 3.

In certain embodiments, a compound selected from formulas (IIA), (IIB) and (IIC) is provided:

In certain embodiments, ring A isphenyl substituted with 1-3 halo or C1-C6alkoxy, orC3-C8heterocyclyl containing 1-3 heteroatoms, wherein the heterocycle is optionally substituted with 1-3 halo.

In certain embodiments, compounds of formulas (I), (II), (IIA), (IIB) and (IIC) are provided, wherein

is selected from the group consisting of:

In certain embodiments, compounds of formulas (I), (II), (IIA), (IIB) and (IIC) are provided, wherein

In certain embodiments, a compound is provided, wherein the compound selected from the group consisting of:

or an N oxides thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of each thereof.

In certain embodiments, a compound is provided, wherein the compound selected from the group consisting of:

or an N oxides thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of each thereof.
Prodrug Moiety

In one aspect, R is hydrogen, a phosphate or a diphosphate containing moiety, or another promoiety or prodrug moiety. Preferably the prodrug moiety imparts at least a 2 fold, more preferably a 4 fold, enhanced solubility and/or bioavailability to the active moiety (where R is hydrogen), and more preferably is hydrolyzed in vivo. The promoieties are structurally and functionally defined herein.

In one embodiments, R is —COR90, CO2R91, or CONR92R93wherein

R92and R93independently are C1-C6alkyl; C3-C8cycloalkyl, 4-9 membered heterocycle, or a 5-10 membered heteroaryl, each containing at least 1 basic nitrogen moiety; or R92and R93together with the nitrogen atom they are bonded to for a 4-9 member heterocycle substituted with at least 1 amino, C1-C6alkyl amino, or di C1-C6alkylamino group.

In certain embodiments, R is —C(O)R31, C(O)OR31, or CON(R13)2,

each R31is independently a C1-C6alkyl; C3-C8cycloalkyl, 4-9 membered heterocycle, or a 5-10 membered heteroaryl, containing at least 1 basic nitrogen moiety; and

each R13independently is C1-C6alkyl; C3-C8cycloalkyl, 4-9 membered heterocycle, or a 5-10 membered heteroaryl, containing at least 1 basic nitrogen moiety; or both R13together with the nitrogen atom they are bonded to for a 4-9 member heterocycle substituted with at least 1 amino, C1-C6alkyl amino, or di C1-C6alkylamino group.

In one embodiment, R31is a group of the formula (CR32R33)eNR34R35, wherein

each R32and R33is independently H, a C1-C8alkyl, C3-C9heterocyclyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl, C6-C10aryl, C3-C9heteroaryl or R32and R33together with the carbon atom they are bond to form a C3-C8cycloalkyl, C6-C10aryl, C3-C9heterocyclyl or C3-C9heteroaryl ring system, or 2 adjacent R32moieties or 2 adjacent R33moieties together with the carbon atom they are bond to form a C3-C8cycloalkyl, C6-C10aryl, C3-C9heterocyclyl or C3-C9heteroaryl ring system;

each R34and R35is a C1-C8alkyl, C3-C9heterocyclyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl, or R34and R35together with the nitrogen atom they are bond to form a C3-C8cycloalkyl or C3-C9heterocyclyl ring system;

each heterocyclic and heteroaryl ring system is optionally substituted with C1-C3alkyl, —OH, amino and carboxyl groups; and

e is an integer of from 1 to 4.

In some less preferred embodiments R34and R35can be hydrogen.

In one embodiment, the subscript e is preferably 2 and each R32and R33is preferably independently selected from the group, H, CH3, and a member in which R32and R33are joined together to form a cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, or 1,1-dioxo-hexahydro-1Δ6-thiopyran-4-yl or tetrahydropyran-4-yl group.

With regard to the prodrug group, preferred embodiments are compounds wherein NR34R35is morpholino.

In one embodiment, R is:

wherein

each R32and R33is independently H, C1-C8alkyl, or optionally, if both present on the same substituent, may be joined together to form a C3-C8cycloalkyl, C6-C10aryl, C3-C9heterocyclyl or C3-C9heteroaryl ring system.

In a preferred embodiment, linkage of the prodrug moiety to the rest of the active molecule is stable enough so that the serum half life of the prodrug is from about 8 to about 24 hours.

In an embodiment of the invention, the prodrug moiety comprises a tertiary amine having a pKa near the physiological pH of 7.5. Any amines having a pKa within 1 unit of 7.5 are suitable alternatives amines for this purpose. The amine may be provided by the amine of a morpholino group. This pKa range of 6.5 to 8.5 allows for significant concentrations of the basic neutral amine to be present in the mildly alkaline small intestine. The basic, neutral form of the amine prodrug is lipophilic and is absorbed through the wall of the small intestine into the blood. Following absorption into the bloodstream, the prodrug moiety is cleaved by esterases which are naturally present in the serum to release an active compound.

Examples of R include, without limitation:

In another embodiment, R is as tabulated below:

In another aspect, R is,

wherein

In yet another aspect, R is:

In one embodiment, X1is selected from the group consisting of O, S and NR37wherein R37is hydrogen or C1-C6alkyl;

X2is selected from the group consisting of halogen, C1-C6alkoxy, diacylglycerol, amino, C1-C6alkylamino, C1-C6dialkylamino, C1-C6alkylthio, a PEG moiety, a bile acid moiety, a sugar moiety, an amino acid moiety, a di- or tri-peptide, a PEG carboxylic acid, and —U—V wherein

U is O or S; and

V is selected from the group consisting of C1-C6alkyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl, C3-C9heterocyclyl, C6-C10aryl, C3-C9heteroaryl, C(W2)X3, PO(X3)2, and SO2X3;

wherein W2is O or NR39

X4is selected from the group consisting of O, S, S═O, and SO2; and

Each heterocyclic and heteroaryl ring system is optionally substituted with C1-C3alkyl, —OH, amino and carboxyl groups.

In another embodiment, the present invention utilizes the following X2groups:

In another embodiment, In one embodiment, R is:

wherein

In one embodiment, R is:

wherein

X4is selected from the group consisting of O, S, S═O, and SO2; and

In some embodiments, R is represented by the following structures:

wherein, in the above examples, R43is C10-C22alkyl or alkylene, R44is H or C1-C6alkyl and R45represents side chain alkyl groups present in naturally occurring alpha amino acids;

In one embodiment, R is:

In some embodiments, R is —CH(R201)OCH2P(O)OR204NR205R206, wherein R201is C1-C8alkyl, R204is phenyl, optionally substituted. In one embodiment, R206is —CHR207C(O)OR208wherein R207is selected from the group consisting of the naturally occurring amino acid side chains and —CO2H esters thereof and R208is C1-C8alkyl. In one embodiment, R206is C1-C6alkyl, optionally substituted with 1-3, CO2H, SH, NH2, C6-C10aryl, and C2-C10heteroaryl.

In one embodiment, R is:

In one embodiment, R is:

Various polyethylene glycol (PEG) moieties and synthetic methods related to them that can be used or adapted to make compounds of the invention are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,608,076; 6,395,266; 6,194,580; 6,153,655; 6,127,355; 6,111,107; 5,965,566; 5,880,131; 5,840,900; 6,011,042 and 5,681,567.

In one embodiment, R is

wherein

W is —CH(CH3)W1;

wherein W1is a substituted C1-C8alkyl group containing a moiety which is optionally negatively charged at physiological pH,

said moiety is selected from the group consisting of CO2H, SO3H, SO2H, —P(O)(OR52)(OH), —OP(O)(OR52)(OH), and OSO3H,

Each heterocyclic and heteroaryl ring system is optionally substituted with one or more, preferably 1-3, C1-C3alkyl, —OH, amino and/or carboxyl groups.

In one embodiment, R is:

wherein R53is H or C1-C6alkyl.

In another aspect, R is SO3H.

In another aspect, R comprises a cleavable linker, wherein the term “cleavable linker” refers to a linker which has a short half life in vivo. The breakdown of the linker Z in a compound releases or generates the active compound. In one embodiment, the cleavable linker has a half life of less than ten hours. In one embodiment, the cleavable linker has a half life of less than an hour. In one embodiment, the half life of the cleavable linker is between one and fifteen minutes. In one embodiment, the cleavable linker has at least one connection with the structure: C*—C(═X*)X*—C* wherein C* is a substituted or unsubstituted methylene group, and X* is S or O. In one embodiment, the cleavable linker has at least one C*—C(═O)O—C* connection. In one embodiment, the cleavable linker has at least one C*—C(═O)S—C* connection. In one embodiment, the cleavable linker has at least one —C(═O)N*—C*—SO2—N*-connection, wherein N* is —NH— or C1-C6alkylamino. In one embodiment, the cleavable linker is hydrolyzed by an esterase enzyme.

In one embodiment, the linker is a self-immolating linker, such as that disclosed in U.S. patent publication 2002/0147138, to Firestone; PCT Appl. No. US05/08161 and PCT Pub. No. 2004/087075. In another embodiment, the linker is a substrate for enzymes. See generally Rooseboom et al., 2004, Pharmacol. Rev. 56:53-102.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

In further aspects of the invention, a composition is provided comprising any of the compounds described herein, and at least a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

In another aspect, this invention provides a composition comprising any of the compounds described herein, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

Such compositions can be formulated for different routes of administration. Although compositions suitable for oral delivery will probably be used most frequently, other routes that may be used include transdermal, intravenous, intraarterial, pulmonary, rectal, nasal, vaginal, lingual, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intracutaneous, intracranial, and subcutaneous routes. Suitable dosage forms for administering any of the compounds described herein include tablets, capsules, pills, powders, aerosols, suppositories, parenterals, and oral liquids, including suspensions, solutions and emulsions. Sustained release dosage forms may also be used, for example, in a transdermal patch form. All dosage forms may be prepared using methods that are standard in the art (see e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 16th ed., A. Oslo editor, Easton Pa. 1980).

Pharmaceutically acceptable excipients are non-toxic, aid administration, and do not adversely affect the therapeutic benefit of the compound of this invention. Such excipients may be any solid, liquid, semi-solid or, in the case of an aerosol composition, gaseous excipient that is generally available to one of skill in the art. Pharmaceutical compositions in accordance with the invention are prepared by conventional means using methods known in the art.

The compositions disclosed herein may be used in conjunction with any of the vehicles and excipients commonly employed in pharmaceutical preparations, e.g., talc, gum arabic, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, cocoa butter, aqueous or non-aqueous solvents, oils, paraffin derivatives, glycols, etc. Coloring and flavoring agents may also be added to preparations, particularly to those for oral administration. Solutions can be prepared using water or physiologically compatible organic solvents such as ethanol, 1,2-propylene glycol, polyglycols, dimethylsulfoxide, fatty alcohols, triglycerides, partial esters of glycerin and the like.

In one embodiment, this invention provides sustained release formulations such as drug depots or patches comprising an effective amount of a compound provided herein. In another embodiment, the patch further comprises gum Arabic or hydroxypropyl cellulose separately or in combination, in the presence of alpha-tocopherol. Preferably, the hydroxypropyl cellulose has an average MW of from 10,000 to 100,000. In a more preferred embodiment, the hydroxypropyl cellulose has an average MW of from 5,000 to 50,000.

Compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be used alone or in combination with other compounds. When administered with another agent, the co-administration can be in any manner in which the pharmacological effects of both are manifest in the patient at the same time. Thus, co-administration does not require that a single pharmaceutical composition, the same dosage form, or even the same route of administration be used for administration of both the compound of this invention and the other agent or that the two agents be administered at precisely the same time. However, co-administration will be accomplished most conveniently by the same dosage form and the same route of administration, at substantially the same time. Obviously, such administration most advantageously proceeds by delivering both active ingredients simultaneously in a novel pharmaceutical composition in accordance with the present invention.

Methods of Treatment

In aspects of the invention, a method is provided for increasing tissue and/or cellular oxygenation, the method comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of any of the compounds or compositions described herein.

In aspects of the invention, a method is provided for increasing oxygen affinity of hemoglobin S in a subject, the method comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of any of the compounds or compositions described herein.

In aspects of the invention, a method is provided for treating a condition associated with oxygen deficiency, the method comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of any of the compounds or compositions described herein.

In further aspects of the invention, a method is provided for treating oxygen deficiency associated with sickle cell anemia, the method comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of any of the compounds or compositions described herein.

In further aspects of the invention, a method is provided for treating sickle cell disease, the method comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of any of the compounds or compositions described herein. In still further aspects of the invention, a method is provided for treating cancer, a pulmonary disorder, stroke, high altitude sickness, an ulcer, a pressure sore, Alzheimer's disease, acute respiratory disease syndrome, and a wound, the method comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of any of the compounds or compositions described herein.

Synthetic Methods

Certain methods for making the compounds described herein are also provided. The reactions are preferably carried out in a suitable inert solvent that will be apparent to the skilled artisan upon reading this disclosure, for a sufficient period of time to ensure substantial completion of the reaction as observed by thin layer chromatography,1H-NMR, etc. If needed to speed up the reaction, the reaction mixture can be heated, as is well known to the skilled artisan. The final and the intermediate compounds are purified, if necessary, by various art known methods such as crystallization, precipitation, column chromatography, and the likes, as will be apparent to the skilled artisan upon reading this disclosure.

An illustrative and non-limiting method for synthesizing a compound of formula (I), is schematically shown below.

In the following Schemes,

refer to rings A, B and C as described herein;

R14is C1-C6alkyl, COR15or COOR15; wherein R15is optionally substituted C1-C6alkyl, optionally substituted C6-C10aryl, optionally substituted 5-10 membered heteroaryl containing up to 5 ring heteroatoms, or optionally substituted 4-10 membered heterocycle containing up to 5 ring heteroatoms, wherein the heteroatom is selected from the group consisting of O, N, S, and oxidized forms of N and S;

X, and X5each represents a leaving group and are independently selected from Cl, Br, and I.

Ar is phenyl optionally substituted with 1-3 halo and/or C1-C4alkyl; n is 0, 1, or 2.

General Synthetic Schemes

General Method A (Scheme 1) for Preparing Aryloxy/Heteroarylether Analogs (4a/4b) from Substituted Methylene Alcohol (1) and Hydroxyl(Hetero)Aryl Aldehyde Derivatives (3a/3b).

A hydroxyl(hetero)arylaldehyde derivatives (3a/3b) (0.1-2 mmol) mixture with substituted methylene alcohol (1) (0.8 to 1.2 eq) and PPh3(1-1.5 eq) in anhydrous THF (1-10 mL) was stirred under nitrogen until complete dissolution. The solution was cooled to 0° C. on ice bath and DIAD or DEAD (1.1 eq) in THF or toluene was added dropwise over a 1-20 min period. The ice cooling bath was allowed to expire over 90 min and the mixture was stirred at RT for 2-48 hours. The mixture was stirred for 10 min, then filtered through a pad of silica. The silica was washed with ethyl acetate 2-20 mL. The combined filtrates were evaporated and the residue was dried on highvac. The residue was purified by preparative HPLC or flash silica gel chromatography.

General Method A (Scheme 1) for Preparing Aryloxy/Heteroarylether Analogs (4a/4b) from Substituted Methylene Halide (2) and Hydroxyl(Hetero)Aryl Aldehyde Derivatives (3a/3b).

A mixture of hydroxyl(hetero)arylaldehyde derivatives (3a/3b) (0.1-2 mmol, 1-4 eq.), substituted methylene chloride or bromide (2) (1 eq), and K2CO3(2-5 eq.) (catalytic amount of NaI or Bu4NI may also be added) in DMF or acetonitrile (1 to 10 mL) was stirred at RT or heating up to 120° C. for 0.5-8 h under nitrogen atmosphere. In workup A, water was added to the reaction mixture, the precipitated product was collected, washed with water, and then subjected to preparative HPLC or flash silica gel chromatography purification. In workup B (for products that did not precipitate), diluted HCl or aqueous NH4Cl was added at 0° C. to adjusted the pH to ˜7, the reaction mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate or dichloromethane and aqueous sodium chloride and the organic layer separated, dried, and solvent removed under vacuum to afford crude product which was purified by automated silica gel column chromatography using appropriate solvents mixture (e.g., ethyl acetate/hexanes).

General Method C for Preparing Substituted Methylene Chloride (2a).

To a solution of substituted methylene alcohol (1) (0.1 to 2 mmol) in DCM (1-10 mL) was added SOCl2dropwise (2 eq to 5 eq) at 0° C. or RT. The reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 10 min to 6 h, or until reaction is judged complete (LC/MS). The reaction mixture is concentrated to dryness over a rotavap. The crude chloride residue was suspended in toluene, sonicated and concentrated to dryness. The process was repeated three times and dried under vacuum to give the substituted methylene chloride (2), usually as an off-white solid, which was used for next step without further purification. Alternatively, a solution of aqueous 1N Na2CO3is then added to produce a solution of pH˜8. the mixture was extracted with DCM (3×10−50mL), dried over sodium sulfate, and concentrated to the crude substituted methylene chloride (2a), which is then purified by column chromatography on silica gel (0-100% ethyl acetate-hexanes).

General Method D for Preparing Substituted Methylene Bromide (2b).

To a solution of substituted methylene alcohol (1) (0.1 to 2 mmol) in DCM (1-10 mL) was added Ph3P Br2dropwise (2 eq to 5 eq) at 0° C. or RT. The reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 10 min to 2 h, or until reaction is judged complete (LC/MS). The reaction mixture is concentrated to dryness over a rotavap. The residue purified by column chromatography on silica gel (0-100% ethyl acetate-hexanes) to afford the pure bromide 2b.

General Method E (Scheme 2) for Preparing Heterocyclic Methylene Derivatives 9, 10, 12 and 13.

Condensation of heterocyclic ketone analog 5 with chlorformate or dialkyl carbonate gives (hetero)cyclic beta-ketone ester 6 (Step 1). The ketone ester 6 is converted to the triflate intermediate 7 by treating with a triflating agent (e.g, triflic anhydride) in the presence of an organic base such as Hunig's base (Step 2). Suzuki coupling of the triflate 7 with a boronic acid or ester affords heterocyclohexene carboxylate 8 (Step 3). Subsequent reduction of the ester group by LAH or DIBAL gives the corresponding alcohol 9-OH (Step 4). Further reaction of the alcohol 9-OH with thionyl chloride, Ph3PBr2(or CBr4-Ph3P or PBr3), or alkyl/aryl sulfonyl chloride produces the corresponding 10-X chloride, bromide or sulfonate (Step 5).

Alternatively, the double bond of heterocyclohexene carboxylate 8 is reduced to give the cis-heterocyclohexane 11-cis carboxylate under palladium catalyzed hydrogenation conditions (Step 6). Reduction of the ester group of 11-cis by LAH or DIBAL yields cis-alcohol 12-OH-cis (Step 8). Conversion of the alcohol 12-OH-cis to its chloride, bromide or sulfonate (such as mesylate, tosylate) 13-X-cis can be achieved by reacting with thionyl chloride, or Ph3PBr2, or sulfonyl chloride (such as mesyl chloride or tosyl chloride) (Step 9). The cis-cyclohexane carboxylate 11-cis can also be isomerized to the thermodynamically more stable trans-isomer 11-trans by the treatment with an alcoholic alkoxide (e.g., ethoxide) solution. Analogously, transformation of 11-trans ester to 12-trans alcohol and 13-X-trans halide is accomplished by applying conditions of Step 8 and Step 9 (Scheme 2) similar to these for the corresponding cis-isomers.

Coupling of the (hetero)cyclic methylene derivatives 9, 10, 12 and 13 with hydroxyl(hetero)arylaldehyde derivatives (3a/3b) (Scheme 3) by general method A or B affords the corresponding aryloxy/heteroarylether analogs (4c and 4d).

Similarly, N-linked heterocyclic analogs (compound 5, Scheme 4) can also be synthesized from amination procedures developed by Buchwald and Hartwig.

Syntheses of the ester prodrugs start with the free carboxylic acid bearing the tertiary amine. The free acid is activated for ester formation in an aprotic solvent and then reacted with a free alcohol group in the presence of an inert base, such as triethyl amine, to provide the ester prodrug. Activating conditions for the carboxylic acid include forming the acid chloride using oxalyl chloride or thionyl chloride in an aprotic solvent, optionally with a catalytic amount of dimethyl formamide, followed by evaporation. Examples of aprotic solvents, include, but are not limited to methylene chloride, tetrahydrofuran, and the like. Alternatively, activations can be performed in situ by using reagents such as BOP (benzotriazol-1-yloxytris(dimethylamino) phosphonium hexafluorolphosphate, and the like (see Nagy et al., 1993, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:6373-6376) followed by reaction with the free alcohol. Isolation of the ester products can be affected by extraction with an organic solvent, such as ethyl acetate or methylene chloride, against a mildly acidic aqueous solution; followed by base treatment of the acidic aqueous phase so as to render it basic; followed by extraction with an organic solvent, for example ethyl acetate or methylene chroride; evaporation of the organic solvent layer; and recrystallization from a solvent, such as ethanol. Optionally, the solvent can be acidified with an acid, such as HCl or acetic acid to provide a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Alternatively the crude reaction can be passed over an ion exchange column bearing sulfonic acid groups in the protonated form, washed with deionized water, and eluted with aqueous ammonia; followed by evaporation.

Suitable free acids bearing the tertiary amine are commercially available, such as 2-(N-morpholino)-propionic acid, N,N-dimethyl-beta-alanine, and the like. Non-commercial acids can be synthesized in straightforward manner via standard literature procedures.

Carbonate and carbamate prodrugs can be prepared in an analogous way. For example, amino alcohols and diamines can be activated using activating agents such as phosgene or carbonyl diimidazole, to provide an activated carbonates, which in turn can react with the alcohol and/or the phenolic hydroxy group on the compounds utilized herein to provide carbonate and carbamate prodrugs.

Various protecting groups and synthetic methods related to them that can be used or adapted to make compounds of the invention can be adapted from the references Testa et al., Hydrolysis in Drug and Prodrug Metabolism, June 2003, Wiley—VCH, Zurich, 419-534 and Beaumont et al., Curr. Drug Metab. 2003, 4:461-85.

Scheme 5 below provides a method of synthesizing an acyloxymethyl version of a prodrug by adapting a method from the reference Sobolev et al., 2002, J. Org. Chem. 67:401-410.

Scheme 6 below provides a method for synthesizing a phosphonooxymethyl version of a prodrug by adapting a method from Mantyla et al., 2004, J. Med. Chem. 47:188-195.

Scheme 7 below provides a method of synthesizing an alkyloxymethyl version of a prodrug

EXAMPLES

In the examples below as well as throughout the application, the following abbreviations have the following meanings. If not defined, the terms have their generally accepted meanings.° C.=degrees CelsiusRT=Room temperaturemin=minute(s)h=hour(s)μL=MicrolitermL=Millilitermmol=Millimoleeq=Equivalentmg=Milligramppm=Parts per millionatm=Atmospheric pressureMS=Mass spectrometryLC-MS=Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometryHPLC=High performance liquid chromatographyNMR=Nuclear magnetic resonanceSat./sat. SaturatedMeOH=MethanolEtOH=EthanolEtOAc=Ethyl acetateEt3N=TriethylamineACN=AcetonitrileAc2O=Acetic anhydrideNa(OAc)3BH=Sodium triacetoxy borohydridePBr3=phosphorus tribromidePh3P=TriphenylphosphinePh3PBr2=Triphenylphosphine dibromideCBr4TetrabromomethaneDMF=N,N-DimethylformamideDCM=DichloromethaneLAH/LiAlH4=Lithium aluminum hydrideTHF=TetrahydrofuranDIBAL=Diisobutylaluminium hydrideDIAD=Diisopropyl azodicarboxylateDEAD=Diethyl azodicarboxylateDIPEA=N,N-DiisopropylethylamineTf2O=Trifluoromethanesulfonic (triflic) anhydridePd(dppf)Cl2=[1,1′-Bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium(II), complex

Experimental Procedures for Intermediates

To a mixture of (2-bromopyridin-3-yl)methanol (20.0 g, 106.4 mmol, 1 eq.; refer to example 14) and imidazole (14.5 g, 212.8 mmol, 2 eq.) in DMF (50.0 mL) was added TBSCl (19.2 g, 150.7 mmol, 1.2 eq.) at RT. The mixture was stirred at RT for 1 h and diluted with a mixture of water (100 mL) and EtOAc (300 mL). The organic layer was washed with NH4Cl(sat.)solution and brine, dried over Na2SO4, concentrated, and purified on silica gel using 10% EtOAc/hexanes as eluent to give 2-bromo-3-((tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl)pyridine (30.1 g, 94%) as a colorless oil. MS (ESI) m/z 302.0 [M+H]+.

Methylmagnesium bromide (3M/ether, 41.0 mL, 123.4 mmol) was added to a stirred solution of 3-((tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl)picolinonitrile (20.4 g, 82.25 mmol) in THF (100.0 mL) at −78° C. The reaction mixture was warm to RT, quenched with aqueous citric acid solution, and extracted with EtOAc (50 mL) twice. The combined organic layers were washed with NaHCO3(sat)solution and brine, dried over Na2SO4, concentrated, and purified on silica gel using a mixture of EtOAc/hexanes as eluent to give 1-(3-((tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl)pyridin-2-yl)ethanone (12.9 g, 59%) as a colorless oil. MS (ESI) m/z 266.2 [M+H]+.

1-(3-((tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl)pyridin-2-yl)ethanone (10.8 g, 40.75 mmol) in dimethoxy-N,N-dimethylmethanamine (15.0 mL) was heated to reflux for 3 days. The mixture was concentrated and used for next step without further purification. MS (ESI) m/z 321.1 [M+H]+.

Preparation of 3-(chloromethyl)-2-O-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridine (INT-2)

To (E)-1-(3-((tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl)pyridin-2-yl)-3-(dimethylamino)prop-2-en-1-one (crude above, 5.91 g, 18.44 mmol, 1 eq.) in EtOH (20 mL) was added (3,3,3-trifluoroethyl)hydrazine dihydrochloride (4.13 g, crude above, 22.13 mmol, 1.2 eq.) at RT. The mixture was heated at 80° C. for 1 h, concentrated, and diluted with EtOAc (50 mL) and NaHCO3(sat)solution (10 mL). The layers were separated and aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc three times. The combined organic layers were dried over Na2SO4, concentrated, and purified on silica gel using a mixture of EtOAc and hexanes as eluent to give 3-((tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl)-2-(1-(3,3,3-trifluoroethyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridine (5.90 g; 86% for 2 steps). MS (ESI) m/z 372.2 [M+H]+.

To (2-(1-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridin-3-yl)methanol (408 mg, 1.59 mmol) in DCM (5 mL) was added SOCl2(1.5 mL) at RT. The reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 4 h and concentrated to dryness. The crude solid was suspended in toluene and concentrated to dryness. The process was repeated three times and dried under vacuum to give 3-(chloromethyl)-2-(1-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridine hydrochloride (498 mg) as an off-white solid, which was used for next step without further purification

Preparation of 3-(chloromethyl)-2-O-(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridine (INT-3)

To (2-(1-(2,2,2-trifluoropropyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridin-3-yl)methanol (140 mg, 0.52 mmol) in DCM (5 mL) was added SOCl2(2.0 mL) at RT. The reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 4 h and concentrated to dryness. The crude solid was suspended in toluene and concentrated to dryness. The process was repeated three times and dried under vacuum to give 3-(chloromethyl)-2-(1-(2,2,2-trifluoropropyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridine hydrochloride (498 mg) as an off-white solid, which was used for next step without further purification.

Preparation of 3-(chloromethyl)-2-(1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridine (INT-4)

To a 500-mL flask containing the pyrazole boronate (9.0 g, 38.1 mmol), 2-chloropyridine (5.47 g, 38.1 mmol), Pd(dppf)Cl2([1,1-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]dichloropalladium) (1.39 g, 1.91 mmol, 5% mol), and sodium bicarbonate (9.61 g, 114.4 mmol, 3 equiv) was added 100 mL of dioxane and 30 mL of water. The mixture was heated under nitrogen at 100° C. for 12 hrs. Then solvents were removed on a rotavap at 40° C. undervaccum. The resulting brown residue was suspended in 20% EtOAc/DCM (60 mL), filtered through a pad of silica gel (15 g); washed with 20% EtOAc/DCM (4×20 mL). The combined filtrate were concentrated to afford a brown oil (13 g). The residue was dissolved 10% EtOAc/hexanes (20 mL) and loaded on a Biotage 100 g snap SiO2column and eluted with 0-50% EtOAc. (2-(1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridin-3-yl)methanol was obtained as a light brown oil (3.32 g, 40%). MS (ESI) m/z 218 [M+H]+.

To a solution of (2-(1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridin-3-yl)methanol) (440 mg, 2.02 mmol) in DCM (4 mL) was added SOCl2(2 eq) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 15 mins and concentrated to dryness. The crude solid was suspended in toluene and concentrated to dryness. The process was repeated three times and dried under vacuum to give 3-(chloromethyl)-2-(1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridine hydrochloride (432 mg) as an off-white solid, which was used for next step without further purification. MS (ESI) m/z 236.5 [M+H]+.

Preparation of 3-(chloromethyl)-2-(1-cyclopentyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridine (INT-5)

To (E)-1-(3-((tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)methyl)pyridin-2-yl)-3-(dimethylamino)prop-2-en-1-one (crude, 3.205 g, 10.0 mmol, 1 eq.) in EtOH (30 mL) was added cyclopentylhydrazine HCl salt (1.639 g, 12.0 mmol, 1.2 eq) at RT. The mixture was heated at 80° C. for 2 h, concentrated, and purified on silica gel using a mixture of EtOAc and hexanes as eluent to give a mixture of regio-isomers, the less polar (2-(1-cyclopentyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridin-3-yl)methanol was obtained as a light brown oil (440 mg). MS (ESI) m/z 244.2 [M+H]+.

To a solution of (2-(1-cyclopentyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridin-3-yl)methanol (301 mg, 1.24 mmol) in DCM (3 mL) was added SOCl2(3 eq) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 15 mins (thew reaction was done in 10 mins by LCMS) and concentrated to dryness. The crude solid was suspended in toluene and concentrated to dryness. The process was repeated three times and dried under vacuum to give 3-(chloromethyl)-2-(1-cyclopentyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridine hydrochloride (305 mg) as an off-white solid, which was used for next step without further purification. MS (ESI) m/z 262.2 [M+H]+.

Preparation of 5-hydroxy-2-(2-methoxyethoxy)isonicotinaldehyde (INT-6)

To a solution of 6-(benzyloxy)pyridin-3-ol (2.0 g, 10 mmol, 1 eq.) in DMF (20 mL) was added NaH (60% in mineral oil; 0.6 g, 15 mmol, 1.5 eq.) at 0-5° C. portion-wise. Upon the completion of addition, the mixture was continued to stir at 0-5° C. for 15 min, added chloromethyl methyl ether (0.88 g, 11 mmol, 1.1 eq.), stirred at 0-5° C. for another 20 min, and quenched with NH4Cl(sat)solution. The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc (3×20 mL) and the combined organic layers were washed with water and brine, dried over Na2SO4, concentrated, and purified on silica gel using 25% EtOAc/hexanes as eluent to give 2-(benzyloxy)-5-(methoxymethoxy)pyridine (2.1 g, 87%) as a colorless oil. MS (ESI) m/z 246.1 [M+H]+.

Preparation of 2,6-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (INT-7)

Into a 3000-mL three neck round-bottom flask, was placed a solution of AlCl3(240 g, 1.80 mol, 3.00 equiv) in dichloromethane (1200 mL). A solution of 2,6-dimethoxybenzaldehyde (100 g, 601.78 mmol, 1.00 equiv) in dichloromethane (800 ml) was added to the reaction mixture dropwise at 0° C. The resulting solution was stirred overnight at room temperature, and then it was quenched with 200 mL of diluted HCl (2M). The resulting solution was extracted with 2×200 mL of dichloromethane. The combined organic layers were concentrated under vacuum. The residue was applied onto a silica gel column with ethyl acetate/petroleum ether (1:200-1:50) as eluent to furnish 40 g (48%) of 2,6-dihydroxybenzaldehyde as a yellow solid.

Preparation of 5-hydroxy-2-methoxyisonicotinaldehyde (INT-8)

To a solution of 6-methoxypyridin-3-ol (20 g, 0.16 mol) in DMF (200 mL) was added NaH (60% in mineral oil; 9.6 g, 0.24 mol) at 0-5° C. portion-wise. Upon the completion of addition, the mixture was continued to stir at 0-5° C. for 15 min followed by additional of chloromethyl methyl ether. The mixture was stirred at 0-5° C. for another 20 min and quenched with aqueous NH4Cl(sat). The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL) and the combined organic layer was washed with water and brine, dried over Na2SO4, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified on silica gel with 25% EtOAc/hexanes as eluent to give 2-methoxy-5-(methoxymethoxy)pyridine (24.1 g, 89.3%) as a colorless oil.1H NMR (400 MHz; CDCl3) 7.97 (d, 1H), 7.35 (dd, 1H), 6.70 (d, 1H), 5.12 (s, 2H), 3.91 (s, 3H), 3.51 (s, 3H); MS (ESI) m/z 170.1 [M+H]+.

To a mixture of 2-methoxy-5-(methoxymethoxy)pyridine (30 g, 0.178 mol) and diisopropylamine (507 uL, 3.6 mmol) in THF (500 mL) was added methyl lithium (1.6 M/THF, 200 mL, 0.32 mol) at −40° C. Upon the completion of addition, the mixture was warmed to 0° C. and continued to stir at 0° C. for 3 h. The reaction mixture was then cooled back down to −40° C. followed by addition of DMF (24.7 mL, 0.32 mol) slowly. The mixture was then stirred at −40° C. for 1 h and quenched with a mixture of HCl (12 N, 120 mL) and THF (280 mL). Water (200 mL) was added and the pH of the mixture was adjusted to pH 8-9 with solid K2CO3. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc (300 mL) twice. The organic layer was combined, dried over Na2SO4, and concentrated to give 2-methoxy-5-(methoxymethoxy)isonicotinaldehyde (33.5 g, 95.7%) as a brown solid, which was used for next step without further purification.1H NMR (400 MHz; CD3OD) 7.90 (s, 1H), 6.92 (s, 1H), 5.64 (s, 1H), 5.20 (s, 2H), 3.84 (s, 3H), 3.48 (s, 3H); MS (ESI) m/z 198.1 [M+H]+.

Experimental Procedures for Examples

Compound A Preparation of 2-methoxy-5-[[2-[1-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)pyrazol-3-yl]pyridin-3-yl]methoxy]pyridine-4-carbaldehyde

Compound A was prepared using general method B from 5-hydroxy-2-methoxyisonicotinaldehyde and INT-2.

Compound B Preparation of 2-oxo-5-[[2-(2-propan-2-ylpyrazol-3-yl) pyridin-3-yl]methoxy]-1H-pyridine-4-carbaldehyde

To (2-(1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridin-3-yl)methanol (560 mg, 2.58 mmol) in DCM (10 mL) was added SOCl2(3.0 mL) at RT. The reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 4 h and concentrated to dryness. The crude solid was suspended in toluene and concentrated to dryness. The process was repeated three times and dried under vacuum to give 3-(chloromethyl)-2-(1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridine hydrochloride (700 mg) as an off-white solid, which was used for next step without further purification.

Compound C Preparation of 2-(2-morpholin-4-ylethoxy)-5-[[2-(2-propan-2-ylpyrazol-3-yl) pyridin-3-yl]methoxy]pyridine-4-carbaldehyde

Compound C was prepared according to general method B from 5-hydroxy-2-(2-morpholinoethoxy) isonicotinaldehyde and INT-4.

Compound D Preparation of 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)-5-[[2-[2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)pyrazol-3-yl]pyridin-3-yl]methoxy]pyridine-4-carbaldehyde

Compound D was prepared according to general method B from 5-hydroxy-2-(2-methoxyethoxy)isonicotinaldehyde (INT-5) and INT-2.

Compound E Preparation of 6-methyl-3-[[2-[2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)pyrazol-3-yl]pyridin-3-yl]methoxy]pyridine-2-carbaldehyde

Compound E was prepared according to general method B from 3-hydroxy-6-methylpicolinaldehyde and INT-2.

Compound F Preparation of 6-methyl-3-[[2-[2-(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)pyrazol-3-yl]pyridin-3-yl]methoxy]pyridine-2-carbaldehyde

Compound F was prepared according to general method B from 3-hydroxy-6-methylpicolinaldehyde and INT-3.

Compound G Preparation of 3-[[2-[2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)pyrazol-3-yl]pyridin-3-yl]methoxy]pyridine-2-carbaldehyde

Compound G was prepared according to general method B from 3-hydroxypicolinaldehyde and INT-2.

Compound H Preparation of 3-[[2-[2-(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)pyrazol-3-yl]pyridin-3-yl]methoxy]pyridine-2-carbaldehyde

Compound H was prepared according to general method B from 3-hydroxypicolinaldehyde and INT-3.

Compound I Preparation of 3-chloro-5-[[2-(2-propan-2-ylpyrazol-3-yl)pyridin-3-yl]methoxy]pyridine-4-carbaldehyde

Compound I was prepared according to general method B from 3-chloro-5-hydroxyisonicotinaldehyde and INT-4.

Compound J Preparation of 3-chloro-5-[[2-[2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)pyrazol-3-yl]pyridin-3-yl]methoxy]pyridine-4-carbaldehyde

Compound J was prepared according to general method B from 3-chloro-5-hydroxyisonicotinaldehyde and INT-2.

Compound K Preparation of tert-butyl 4-(((4-formyl-6-methoxypyridin-3-yl)oxy)methyl)-5-(1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-3,6-dihydropyridine-1(2H)-carboxylate

To a solution of 1-tert-butyl 4-ethyl 3-oxopiperidine-1,4-dicarboxylate (2.0 g, 7.37 mmol) in DCM (45 mL) was added DIPEA (1.54 ml, 8.84 mmol) and Tf2O (1.36 mL, 8.11 mmol) at −78° C., then the temperature was warmed up to room temperature and the solution was stirred at RT for 1.5 h, the mixture was diluted with DCM (100 mL), organic layer was washed with Sat. NaHCO3, brine, dried and concentrated to give 1-(tert-butyl) 4-ethyl 5-(((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)oxy)-3,6-dihydropyridine-1,4(2H)-dicarboxylate, which was used for next step without purification.

To a solution of 1-tert-butyl 4-ethyl 3-(((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)oxy)-5,6-dihydropyridine-1,4(2H)-dicarboxylate (1.49 g, 3.7 mmol) and (1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)boronic acid (0.57 g, 3.7 mmol) in dioxane (10 mL) was added Pd(dppf)Cl2(0.27 g, 0.37 mmol) and a solution of sodium carbonate (1.18 g, 11.10) in water (3 ml), the mixture was degassed with N2for 5 min, and was heated at 100° C. for 15 h, after cooling to room temperature the mixture was diluted with EtOAc and washed with Sat. NaHCO3and brine, organic layer was combined, dried and concentrated to give crude product, which was purified by column chromatography (Hexanes/EtOAc=3:1) to give desired product 830 mg (62%).

To a solution of 1-(tert-butyl) 4-ethyl 5-(1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-3,6-dihydropyridine-1,4(2H)-dicarboxylate (450 mg, 1.24 mmol) in THF (6 mL) was added LiAlH4(1M in THF, 1.49 mL, 1.49 mmol) at −20° C., the reaction was stirred at −20° C. for 30 min, and was quenched with Sat. NH4Cl, the aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc, the combined organics were washed with brine, dried and concentrated to give crude oil, which was purified by column (Hexanes/EtOAc=100:0 to 40:60) to give tert-butyl 4-(hydroxymethyl)-5-(1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-3,6-dihydropyridine-1(2H)-carboxylate (370 mg, 91%).

To a solution of give tert-butyl 4-(hydroxymethyl)-5-(1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-3,6-dihydropyridine-1(2H)-carboxylate (25 mg, 0.08 mmol) in DCM (1 mL) was added triphenylphosphine bromine adduct (40 mg, 0.09 mmol) at room temperature, after stirring for 30 min, it was diluted with DCM, washed with Sat. NaHCO3, brine, dried and concentrated to give crude product, which was purified by column to give tert-butyl 4-(bromomethyl)-5-(1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-3,6-dihydropyridine-1(2H)-carboxylate (18 mg).

Compound L Preparation of 2-hydroxy-6-((5-(1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl) methoxy)benzaldehyde

To a solution of ethyl 3-oxotetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-carboxylate (1.0 g, 5.81 mmol) in DCM (30 mL) was added DIPEA (1.22 mL, 6.97 mmol) and Tf2O (1.08 mL, 6.39 mmol) at −78° C., then it was warmed up to room temperature and stirred at room temperature for 2 h, the solution was diluted with DCM, washed with Sat. NaHCO3, brine, dried and concentrated to give ethyl 5-(((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)oxy)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-carboxylate as crude product (2 g).

To a solution of ethyl 5-(((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)oxy)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-carboxylate (crude from step 1) and 1-isopropyl-5-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole (1.37 g, 5.82 mmol) in dioxane (20 ml) was added Pd(dppf)Cl2(430 mg, 0.58 mmol) and Na2CO3(1.85 g, 17.46 mmol) in water (6 mL), the mixture was degassed with N2 for 5 min, and was heated at 100° C. for 15 h, after cooling to room temperature the mixture was diluted with EtOAc and washed with Sat. NaHCO3and brine, organic layer was combined, dried and concentrated to give crude product, which was purified by column chromatography (Hexanes/EtOAc=3:1) to give ethyl 5-(1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-carboxylate (850 mg).

To a solution of ethyl 5-(1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-carboxylate (600 mg, 2.27 mmol) in THF (10 mL) was added LiAlH4(1M in THF, 2.72 mL, 2.72 mmol) at −20° C., the reaction was stirred at −20° C. for 30 min, and was quenched with Sat. NH4Cl, the aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc, the combined organics were washed with brine, dried and concentrated to give crude oil, which was purified by column (Hexanes/EtOAc=100:0 to 20:80) to give (5-(1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)methanol (500 mg).

To a solution of (5-(1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)methanol (300 mg, 1.35 mmol) in DCM (5 mL) was added dibromotriphenylphosphorane (630 mg, 1.35 mmol) at room temperature, after stirring for 30 min, it was diluted with DCM, organic layer was washed with Sat. NaHCO3, brine, dried and concentrated to give crude product, which was purified by column(Hexanes/EtOAc=4:1) to give 5-(4-(bromomethyl)-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-3-yl)-1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazole (360 mg).

Compound M Preparation of 2-methoxy-5-[[5-(2-propan-2-ylpyrazol-3-yl)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl]methoxy]pyridine-4-carbaldehyde

Compound N Preparation of 6-methyl-3-[[5-(2-propan-2-ylpyrazol-3-yl)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl]methoxy]pyridine-2-carbaldehyde

Compound O Preparation of 2-hydroxy-6-[(5-phenyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl) methoxy]benzaldehyde

To a solution of ethyl 5-(((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)oxy)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-carboxylate (1.77 g, 5.81 mmol) and phenylboronic acid (1.42 g, 11.62 mmol) in dioxane (15 ml) was added Pd(dppf)Cl2(430 mg, 0.58 mmol) and Na2CO3(1.85 g, 17.46 mmol) in water (4.5 mL), the mixture was degassed with N2 for 5 min, and was heated at 100° C. for 15 h, after cooling to room temperature the mixture was diluted with EtOAc and washed with Sat. NaHCO3and brine, organic layer was combined, dried and concentrated to give crude product, which was purified by column chromatography (Hexanes/EtOAc=4:1) to give ethyl 5-phenyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-carboxylate (1.05 g, 78%).

To a solution of ethyl 5-phenyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-carboxylate (1.05 g, 4.52 mmol) in THF (20 mL) was added LiAlH4(1M in THF, 5.42 mL, 5.42 mmol) at −20° C., the reaction was stirred at −20° C. for 30 min, and was quenched with Sat. NH4Cl, the aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc, the combined organics were washed with brine, dried and concentrated to give crude oil, which was purified by column (Hexanes/EtOAc=100:0 to 35:65) to give (5-phenyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)methanol (720 mg).

To a solution of (5-phenyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)methanol (360 mg, 1.89 mmol) in DCM (6 mL) was added dibromotriphenylphosphorane (880 mg, 2.08 mmol) at room temperature, after stirring for 30 min, it was diluted with DCM, organic layer was washed with Sat. NaHCO3, brine, dried and concentrated to give crude product, which was purified by column(Hexanes/EtOAc=9:1) to give 4-(bromomethyl)-5-phenyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyran (380 mg).

Compound P Preparation of 3-methoxy-5-[[2-[2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)pyrazol-3-yl]pyridin-3-yl]methoxy]pyridine-4-carbaldehyde

Compound Q Preparation of 2-methoxy-5-[[2-(2-methoxyphenyl)pyridin-3-yl]methoxy]pyridine-4-carbaldehyde

Into a 50-mL round-bottom flask, was placed a solution of (2-chloropyridin-3-yl)methanol (500 mg, 3.48 mmol, 1.00 equiv) in a solvent mixture of dioxane and H2O (10/10 mL). (2-Methoxyphenyl)boronic acid (532 mg, 3.50 mmol, 1.20 equiv), sodium bicarbonate (882 mg, 10.50 mmol, 3.00 equiv), and Pd(dppf)Cl2(286 mg, 0.39 mmol, 0.10 equiv) were added to the reaction mixture. The resulting solution was stirred for 2 h at 100° C., and then it was diluted with 100 mL of H2O. The resulting solution was extracted with 2×100 mL of ethyl acetate, and the combined organic layers were concentrated under vacuum. The residue was applied onto a silica gel column with ethyl acetate/petroleum ether (1:5) as eluent to furnish 650 mg (87%) of [2-(2-methoxyphenyl)pyridin-3-yl]methanol as a yellow solid.

Into a 50-mL round-bottom flask, was placed a solution of [2-(2-methoxyphenyl)pyridin-3-yl]methanol (600 mg, 2.79 mmol, 1.00 equiv) in thionyl chloride (10 mL). The resulting solution was heated to reflux for 2 hr, and then it was concentrated under vacuum. This resulted in 600 mg (92%) of 3-(chloromethyl)-2-(2-methoxyphenyl)pyridine as a yellow solid.

Compound R Preparation of 2-methoxy-5-[[2-(3-methoxyphenyl)pyridin-3-yl]methoxy]pyridine-4-carbaldehyde

Into a 50-mL round-bottom flask, which was purged and maintained with an inert atmosphere of nitrogen, was placed a solution of (3-methoxyphenyl)boronic acid (1.6 g, 10.53 mmol, 1.20 equiv), (2-chloropyridin-3-yl)methanol (1 g, 6.97 mmol, 1.00 equiv), sodium bicarbonate (1.7 g, 20.24 mmol, 3.00 equiv), Pd(dppf)Cl2(0.57 g, 0.10 equiv) in a solvent mixture of dioxane (10 mL) and water (10 mL). The resulting solution was stirred for 1.5 h at 100° C., and then it was diluted with 20 mL of H2O. The resulting solution was extracted with 2×50 mL of ethyl acetate, and the combined organic layers were concentrated under vacuum. The residue was applied onto a silica gel column with ethyl acetate/petroleum ether (1:50-1:1) as eluent to yield 1.3 g (87%) of [2-(3-methoxyphenyl)pyridin-3-yl]methanol as a colorless oil.

Into a 50-mL round-bottom flask, was placed a solution of [2-(3-methoxyphenyl)pyridin-3-yl]methanol (1 g, 4.65 mmol, 1.00 equiv) in thionyl chloride (20 mL). The resulting solution was stirred for 2 h at reflux. The resulting mixture was concentrated under vacuum to furnish 600 mg (55%) of 3-(chloromethyl)-2-(3-methoxyphenyl)pyridine as a white solid.

Compound S Preparation of 2-hydroxy-6-[(1-methyl-5-phenyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridin-4-yl) methoxy]benzaldehyde

To a solid of tert-butyl 4-(hydroxymethyl)-3-phenyl-5,6-dihydropyridine-1(2H)-carboxylate (300 mg, 1.04 mmol) in round bottom flask was added 4N HCl in dioxane (6 mL) at room temperature, after stirring for 1 h, the mixture was concentrated and dried under high vacuum to give (5-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl)methanol as HCl salt.

To a solution of (5-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl)methanol hydrochloride (230 mg, 1.04 mmol) in ACN (10 mL) was added Et3N (0.15 mL, 1.04 mmol) followed by formalin (340 mg, 4.16 mmol). After stirred at room temperature for 10 min, it was added Na(OAc)3BH (440 mg, 2.08 mmol) and was stirred for 30 min, the mixture was concentrated to remove most of the ACN, and the residue was diluted with CHCl3, organic layer was washed with Sat. NaHCO3, brine, dried and concentrated to give crude product, which was purified by column (DCM/MeOH=9:1) to give (1-methyl-5-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl)methanol (140 mg).

To a solution of (1-methyl-5-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl)methanol (130 mg, 0.64 mmol) in DCM (4 mL) was added SOCl2(1.16 mL, 16 mmol) at room temperature, after stirred at room temperature for 30 min, the mixture was concentrated, dried under high vacuum to give 4-(chloromethyl)-1-methyl-5-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine as crude HCl salt.

Compound T Preparation of 2-methoxy-5-[[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)pyridin-3-yl]methoxy]pyridine-4-carbaldehyde

Into a 50-mL round-bottom flask, which was purged and maintained with an inert atmosphere of nitrogen, was placed a solution of (4-methoxyphenyl)boronic acid (1.6 g, 10.53 mmol, 1.20 equiv), (2-chloropyridin-3-yl)methanol (1 g, 6.97 mmol, 1.00 equiv), sodium bicarbonate (1.7 g, 20.24 mmol, 3.00 equiv), Pd(dppf)Cl2(0.57 g, 0.10 equiv) in a solvent mixture of dioxane (10 mL) and water (10 mL). The resulting solution was stirred for 1.5 h at 100° C., and then it was diluted with 20 mL of H2O. The resulting solution was extracted with 2×50 mL of ethyl acetate, and the combined organic layers were concentrated under vacuum. The residue was applied onto a silica gel column with ethyl acetate/petroleum ether (1:50-1:1) as eluent to furnish 1 g (67%) of [2-(4-methoxyphenyl)pyridin-3-yl]methanol as a colorless oil.

Into a 50-mL round-bottom flask, was placed a solution of [2-(4-methoxyphenyl)pyridin-3-yl]methanol (1 g, 4.65 mmol, 1.00 equiv) in thionyl chloride (20 mL). The resulting solution was stirred for 2 h at reflux. The resulting mixture was concentrated under vacuum to yield 600 mg (55%) of 3-(chloromethyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)pyridine as a white solid.

Compound U Preparation of 5-[[2-(2-chlorophenyl)pyridin-3-yl]methoxy]-2-methoxypyridine-4-carbaldehyde

Into a 50-mL round-bottom flask, was placed a solution of (2-chlorophenyl)boronic acid (1.6 g, 10.23 mmol, 1.20 equiv), (2-chloropyridin-3-yl)methanol (1 g, 6.97 mmol, 1.00 equiv), Pd(dppf)Cl2(570 mg, 0.78 mmol, 0.10 equiv), and sodium bicarbonate (1.7 g, 20.24 mmol, 3.00 equiv) in a solvent mixture of dioxane (10 mL) and water (10 mL). The resulting solution was stirred for 3 h at 70° C., and then it was diluted with 20 mL of H2O. The resulting solution was extracted with 2×20 mL of dichloromethane, and the combined organic layers were concentrated under vacuum. The residue was applied onto a silica gel column with ethyl acetate/petroleum ether (1:100-1:5) as eluent to furnish 1 g (65%) of [2-(2-chlorophenyl)pyridin-3-yl]methanol as a white solid.

Into a 25-mL round-bottom flask, was placed a solution of [2-(2-chlorophenyl)pyridin-3-yl]methanol (1 g, 4.55 mmol, 1.00 equiv) in thionyl chloride (5 mL). The resulting solution was stirred for 1 h at reflux. The resulting mixture was concentrated under vacuum to yield 1 g (92%) of 3-(chloromethyl)-2-(2-chlorophenyl)pyridine as a white solid.

Into a 50-mL round-bottom flask, was placed a solution of 3-(chloromethyl)-2-(2-chlorophenyl)pyridine (309 mg, 1.30 mmol, 1.00 equiv), 5-hydroxy-2-methoxypyridine-4-carbaldehyde (200 mg, 1.31 mmol, 1.00 equiv), and potassium carbonate (361 mg, 2.61 mmol, 1.50 equiv) in CH3CN. (20 mL). The resulting solution was stirred for 4 h at 70° C., and then it was concentrated under vacuum. The residue was purified by prep-HPLC. This resulted in 86.2 mg (11%) of 5-[[2-(2-chlorophenyl)pyridin-3-yl]methoxy]-2-methoxypyridine-4-carbaldehyde; bis(trifluoroacetic acid) as a brown oil.

Compound V Preparation of 2-[(1-acetyl-5-phenyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridin-4-yl)methoxy]-6-hydroxybenzaldehyde

To a solution of (5-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl)methanol hydrochloride (90 mg, 0.38 mmol) in DCM (2 mL) at 0° C. was added Et3N (0.11 mL, 0.76 mmol) and a solution of Ac2O (0.04 mL, 0.38 mmol) in DCM (0.4 mL), after stirred for 15 min, it was diluted with Sat. NH4Cl and EtOAc, organic layer was separated and the aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc, organic layers were combined, washed with Sat. NaHCO3, brine, dried over Na2SO4, and was concentrated to give 1-(4-(hydroxymethyl)-5-phenyl-3,6-dihydropyridin-1(2H)-methan-1-one as crude product (95 mg).

To a solution of 1-(4-(hydroxymethyl)-3-phenyl-5,6-dihydropyridin-1(2H)-yl)ethanone (86 mg, 0.37 mmol) in DCM (2 mL) was added SOCl2(0.67 mL, 9.25 mmol). After stirred at RT for 15 min, the mixture was concentrated and was diluted with Sat. NaHCO3 and EtOAc, organic layer was separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc, organic layer ere combined, washed with brine, dried and concentrated to give crude oil, which was purified by column (Hexanes/EtOAc=100:0 to 25:75) to give 1-(4-(chloromethyl)-5-phenyl-3,6-dihydropyridin-1(2H)-yl)ethan-1-one (35 mg).

Compound W Preparation of 2-[(1-acetyl-4-phenyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridin-5-yl) methoxy]-6-hydroxybenzaldehyde

To a solution of 1-tert-butyl 3-methyl 4-oxopiperidine-1,3-dicarboxylate (2.50 g, 9.72 mmol) in DCM (50 mL) was added DIPEA (2.03 mL, 11.66 mmol) and Tf2O (1.80 mL, 10.69 mmol) at −78° C., and then it was warmed up to room temperature and stirred further for 2 h, the solution was diluted with DCM and the organic layer was washed with Sat. NaHCO3, dried and concentrated to give 1-tert-butyl 3-methyl 4-(((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)oxy)-5,6-dihydropyridine-1,3(2H)-dicarboxylate as crude product (4.4 g).

To a solution of 1-tert-butyl 3-methyl 4-(((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)oxy)-5,6-dihydropyridine-1,3(2H)-dicarboxylate (1.95 g, 5 mmol) and phenylboronic acid (1.22 g, 10 mmol) in Dioxane (20 ml) was added Pd(dppf)Cl2and a solution of Na2CO3(3.18 g, 30 mmol) in water (6 mL), after degassed with N2for 5 min, the reaction was heated at 100° C. for 15 h, the mixture was cooled to room temperature, diluted with EtOAc, organic layer was washed with water, brine, dried and concentrated to give crude product, which was purified by column (Hexanes/EtOAc=3:1) to give 1-tert-butyl 3-methyl 4-phenyl-5,6-dihydropyridine-1,3(2H)-dicarboxylate (740 mg).

To a solution of 1-tert-butyl 3-methyl 4-phenyl-5,6-dihydropyridine-1,3(2H)-dicarboxylate (740 mg, 2.33 mmol) in THF (7.2 mL) was added 1M LiAlH4in THF (2.80 mL, 2.80 mmol) at −20° C. dropwise, after stirring at −20° C. for 30 min, it was quenched with Sat. NH4Cl, the mixture was extracted with EtOAc. Organic layers were combined, washed with brine, dried and concentrated to give crude product, which was purified by column (Hexanes/EtOAc=60:40) to give tert-butyl 5-(hydroxymethyl)-4-phenyl-3,6-dihydropyridine-1(2H)-carboxylate (512 mg).

To tert-butyl 3-(hydroxymethyl)-4-phenyl-5,6-dihydropyridine-1(2H)-carboxylate (510 mg, 1.76 mmol) was added 4N HCl in Dioxane (3 ml), after stirring at room temperature for 1 h, it was concentrated to give (4-phenyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridin-3-yl)methanol as HCl salt.

To a solution of (4-phenyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridin-3-yl)methanol hydrochloride (110 mg, 0.49 mmol) in DCM (2 mL) was added DIPEA (0.17 mL, 0.98 mmol) and Ac2O (0.05 g, 0.49 mmol), 15 min later, it was diluted with water and extracted with DCM. Organic layers were combined, dried and concentrated, the resulting crude oil was purified by column (EtOAc followed by DCM/MeOH=9:1) to give 1-(5-(hydroxymethyl)-4-phenyl-3,6-dihydropyridin-1(2H)-yl)ethan-1-one (88 mg).

To a solution of 1-(3-(hydroxymethyl)-4-phenyl-5,6-dihydropyridin-1(2H)-yl)ethanone (88 mg, 0.38 mmol) in DCM (2 mL) was added SOCl2(0.67 mL, 9.50 mmol) at 0° C. After stirring at 0° C. for 15 min, the solution was concentrated to remove SOCl2, dried under high vacuum to give 1-(5-(chloromethyl)-4-phenyl-3,6-dihydropyridin-1(2H)-yl)ethan-1-one as crude product.

Compound X Preparation of 2-((2-(1-cyclopentyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridin-3-yl) methoxy)-6-hydroxybenzaldehyde

To a mixture of 3-(chloromethyl)-2-(1-cyclopentyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridine hydrochloride (44.7 mg, 0.15 mmol) and 2,6-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (83 mg, 0.6 mmol, 4 eq) and potassium carbonate (41.5 mg, 0.3 mmol, 2 eq) were added 1 mL anhydrous DMF. The mixture was heated to 80° C. for 40 mins. The reaction was almost done by LCMS. Solvent was removed at 50° C. on a rotavap. Water 3 mL and 0.3 mL of formic acid were added to the resulting brown residue, the mixture was sonicated to make sure all carbonate was neutralized. Solvents were then removed at 45° C. on a rotavap. DCM (4×1 ml) was added to the yellow residue, the mixture was sonicated and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated to give the crude product as a yellow-light brown film. It contains the product, 2,6-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, and some starting chloride, no bis-alkylation product was observed. The residue was taken up in 2 ml DCM, filtered and loaded on a 4 g ZAP S102 column. It was purified on Biotage Isolera One system eluted with 5%-100% EtOAc (the product came out around 25% EtOAc, 2nd peak; the 1st peak is dihydroxybenzaldehyde). The product as a yellow film was contained after removing solvents, the residue was re-dissolved in 0.3 mL CH3CN and to this was added 0.5 mL of water. This suspension was freezed and put on a lyophilizer over the weekend. The product was obtained as a light brown film (18.6 mg, 34% yield).1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3-d) δ 11.94 (s, 1H), 10.37 (s, 1H), 8.75 (dd, J=4.8, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 7.97 (dd, J=8.0, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 7.59 (d, J=2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.42 (dd, J=7.7, 4.8 Hz, 1H), 7.37 (t, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 6.56 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 6.35 (d, J=1.9 Hz, 1H), 6.25 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 5.07 (s, 2H), 4.79-4.67 (m, 1H), 2.18-1.95 (m, 4H), 1.95-1.84 (m, 2H), 1.66-1.50 (m, 2H); MS (ESI) m/z 364.3 [M+H]+.

Compound Y Preparation of 2-hydroxy-6-[[(2S)-1-phenylpyrrolidin-2-yl]methoxy]benzaldehyde

To a solution of (S)-pyrrolidin-2-ylmethanol (1.52 g, 15 mmol) and CuI (190 mg, 1 mmol) in iPrOH (10 mL) was added (CH2OH)2(1.11 mL, 20 mmol), iododbenzene (2.04 g, 20 mmol) and K3PO4(4.25 g, 20 mmol), after degassed with N2, the mixture was heated at 88° C. for 15 h. Water and ether was added, organic layer was separated and aqueous layer was further extracted with ether. Organic layers were combined, concentrated and the resulting crude oil was purified by column (hexanes/EtOAc=2:1) to give (S)-(1-phenylpyrrolidin-2-yl)methanol (1.6 g).

Compound Z Preparation of 5-[[2-(3-chlorophenyl)pyridin-3-yl]methoxy]-2-methoxypyridine-4-carbaldehyde

Into a 50-mL round-bottom flask, was placed a solution of (3-chlorophenyl)boronic acid (1.6 g, 10.23 mmol, 1.20 equiv), (2-chloropyridin-3-yl)methanol (1 g, 6.97 mmol, 1.00 equiv), Pd(dppf)Cl2(570 mg, 0.78 mmol, 0.10 equiv), and sodium bicarbonate (1.7 g, 20.24 mmol, 3.00 equiv) in a solvent mixture of dioxane (10 mL) and water (10 mL). The resulting solution was stirred for 3 h at 70° C., and then it was diluted with 20 mL of H2O. The resulting solution was extracted with 2×20 mL of dichloromethane, and the combined organic layers were concentrated under vacuum. The residue was applied onto a silica gel column with ethyl acetate/petroleum ether (1:100-1:5) as eluent to yield 1.2 g (78%) of [2-(3-chlorophenyl)pyridin-3-yl]methanol as a white solid.

Into a 50-mL round-bottom flask, was placed a solution of [2-(3-chlorophenyl)pyridin-3-yl]methanol (600 mg, 2.73 mmol, 1.00 equiv) in thionyl chloride (10 mL). The resulting solution was stirred for 1 h at reflux. The resulting mixture was concentrated under vacuum. This resulted in 500 mg (77%) of 3-(chloromethyl)-2-(3-chlorophenyl)pyridine as a white solid.

Into a 100-mL round-bottom flask, was placed a solution of (4-chlorophenyl)boronic acid (1.6 g, 10.23 mmol, 1.20 equiv), (2-chloropyridin-3-yl)methanol (1 g, 6.97 mmol, 1.00 equiv), Pd(dppf)Cl2(570 mg, 0.78 mmol, 0.10 equiv), and sodium bicarbonate (1.7 g, 20.24 mmol, 3.00 equiv) in a solvent mixture of dioxane (10 mL) and water (10 mL). The resulting solution was stirred for 4 h at 70° C., and then it was diluted with 100 mL of H2O. The resulting solution was extracted with 2×200 mL of dichloromethane, and the combined organic layers were concentrated under vacuum. The residue was applied onto a silica gel column with ethyl acetate/petroleum ether (1:100-1:5) as eluent to yield 1 g (65%) of [2-(4-chlorophenyl)pyridin-3-yl]methanol as a light yellow oil.

Into a 25-mL round-bottom flask, was placed a solution of [2-(4-chlorophenyl)pyridin-3-yl]methanol (1 g, 4.55 mmol, 1.00 equiv) in thionyl chloride (5 mL). The resulting solution was stirred for 1 h at reflux. The resulting mixture was concentrated under vacuum. This resulted in 1 g (92%) of 3-(chloromethyl)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)pyridine as a white solid.

Throughout the description of this invention, reference is made to various patent applications and publications, each of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

As used herein, Table 1 includes compounds described below or tautomers or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof:2-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-8-ylmethoxy)-5-methoxybenzaldehyde,2-(imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-2-ylmethoxy)-5-methoxybenzaldehyde,2-(imidazo[1,5-a]pyridin-8-ylmethoxy)-5-methoxybenzaldehyde,5-methoxy-2-(quinolin-5-ylmethoxy)benzaldehyde,5-methoxy-2-((1-methyl-1H-indazol-4-yl)methoxy)benzaldehyde,5-methoxy-2-((8-methylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-2-yl)methoxy)benzaldehyde,2-((1H-indazol-4-yl)methoxy)-5-methoxybenzaldehyde,5-methoxy-2-(pyridin-3-ylmethoxy)benzaldehyde,2-((2-(1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridin-3-yl)methoxy)-5-methoxybenzaldehyde,2-hydroxy-6-((2-(1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridin-3-yl)methoxy)benzaldehyde,2-((3-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)benzyl)oxy)-6-hydroxybenzaldehyde,2-((4-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)benzyl)oxy)-6-hydroxybenzaldehyde,methyl 4((2-formylphenoxy)methyl)benzoate,4-((2-formylphenoxy)methyl)benzoic acid,methyl 3-((2-formylphenoxy)methyl)benzoate,2-bromo-3-((2-(1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridin-3-yl)methoxy)benzaldehyde,2-hydroxy-6-((2-(1-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridin-3-yl)methoxy)benzaldehyde,2-hydroxy-6-(2-(1-(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridin-3-yl)methoxy)benzaldehyde,2-fluoro-6-((2-(1-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridin-3-yl)methoxy)benzaldehyde,2-fluoro-6-((2-(1-(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridin-3-yl)methoxy)benzaldehyde,2-fluoro-6-((2-(1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridin-3-yl)methoxy)benzaldehyde, and1-(2-formyl-3-hydroxyphenethyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid, or a tautomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.