Phenylpyrazole derivatives as potent ROCK1 and ROCK2 inhibitors

The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I): or stereoisomers, tautomers, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein all the variables are as defined herein. These compounds are selective ROCK inhibitors. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and methods of treating cardiovascular, smooth muscle, oncologic, neuropathologic, autoimmune, fibrotic, and/or inflammatory disorders using the same.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel phenylpyrazole derivatives, compositions containing them, and methods of using them, for example, for the treatment or prophylaxis of disorders associated with aberrant Rho kinase activity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rho-Kinase (ROCK) is a member of the serine-threonine protein kinase family. ROCK exists in two isoforms, ROCK1 and ROCK2 (Ishizaki, T. et al.,EMBO J., 15:1885-1893 (1996)). ROCK has been identified as an effector molecule of RhoA, a small GTP-binding protein (G protein) that plays a key role in multiple cellular signaling pathways. ROCK and RhoA are ubiquitously expressed across tissues. The RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway is involved in a number of cellular functions, such as actin organization, cell adhesion, cell migration, and cytokinesis (Riento, K. et al.,Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol.,4:446-456 (2003)). It is also directly involved in regulating smooth muscle contraction (Somlyo, A. P.,Nature, 389:908-911 (1997)). Upon activation of its receptor, RhoA is activated, and, in turn, it activates ROCK. Activated ROCK phosphorylates the myosin-binding subunit of myosin light chain phosphatase, which inhibits activity of the phosphatase and leads to contraction. Contraction of the smooth muscle in the vasculature increases blood pressure, leading to hypertension.

Additional studies in the literature, some using the known ROCK inhibitors fasudil (Asano, T. et al.,J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.,241:1033-1040 (1987)) or Y-27632 (Uehata, M. et al.,Nature, 389:990-994 (1997)) further illustrate the link between ROCK and cardiovascular disease. For example, ROCK expression and activity have been shown to be elevated in spontaneously hypertensive rats, suggesting a link to the development of hypertension in these animals (Mukai, Y. et al.,FASEB J.,15:1062-1064 (2001)). The ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 (Uehata, M. et al.,Nature, ibid.) was shown to significantly decrease blood pressure in three rat models of hypertension, including the spontaneously hypertensive rat, renal hypertensive rat and deoxycortisone acetate salt hypertensive rat models, while having only a minor effect on blood pressure in control rats. This reinforces the link between ROCK and hypertension.

Other studies suggest a link between ROCK and atherosclerosis. For example, gene transfer of a dominant negative form of ROCK suppressed neointimal formation following balloon injury in porcine femoral arteries (Eto, Y. et al.,Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.,278:H1744-H1750 (2000)). In a similar model, ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 also inhibited neointimal formation in rats (Sawada, N. et al.,Circulation, 101:2030-2033 (2000)). In a porcine model of IL-1 beta-induced coronary stenosis, long term treatment with the ROCK inhibitor fasudil was shown to progressively reduce coronary stenosis, as well as promote a regression of coronary constrictive remodeling (Shimokawa, H. et al.,Cardiovascular Res.,51:169-177 (2001)).

Additional investigations suggest that a ROCK inhibitor would be useful in treating other cardiovascular diseases. For example, in a rat stroke model, fasudil was shown to reduce both the infarct size and neurologic deficit (Toshima, Y.,Stroke, 31:2245-2250 (2000)). The ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 was shown to improve ventricular hypertrophy, fibrosis and function in a model of congestive heart failure in Dahl salt-sensitive rats (Kobayashi, N. et al.,Cardiovascular Res.,55:757-767 (2002)).

In another study, it has been demonstrated that inhibition of the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway allows formation of multiple competing lamellipodia that disrupt the productive migration of monocytes (Worthylake, R. A. et al.,J. Biol. Chem.,278:13578-13584 (2003)). It has also been reported that small molecule inhibitors of Rho Kinase are capable of inhibiting MCP-1 mediated chemotaxis in vitro (Iijima, H.,Bioorg. Med. Chem.,15:1022-1033 (2007)). Due to the dependence of immune cell migration upon the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway one would anticipate inhibition of Rho Kinase should also provide benefit for diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease.

The above studies provide evidence for a link between ROCK and cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, atherosclerosis, restenosis, stroke, heart failure, coronary vasospasm, cerebral vasospasm, ischemia/reperfusion injury, pulmonary hypertension and angina, as well as renal disease and erectile dysfunction. Given the demonstrated effect of ROCK on smooth muscle, ROCK inhibitors may also be useful in other diseases involving smooth muscle hyper-reactivity, including asthma and glaucoma (Shimokawa, H. et al.,Arterioscler. Thromb. Vase. Biol.,25:1767-1775 (2005)). Furthermore, Rho-kinase has been indicated as a drug target for the treatment of various other diseases, including airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness (Henry, P. J. et al.,Pulm. Pharmacol. Ther.,18:67-74 (2005)), cancer (Rattan, R. et al.,J. Neurosci. Res.,83:243-255 (2006); Lepley, D. et al.,Cancer Res.,65:3788-3795 (2005)), fibrotic diseases (Jiang, C. et al.,Int. J. Mol. Sci.,13:8293-8307 (2012); Zhou, L. et al.,Am. J. Nephrol.,34:468-475 (2011)), as well as neurological disorders, such as spinal-cord injury, Alzheimer disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke and neuropathic pain (Mueller, B. K. et al.,Nat. Rev. Drug Disc.,4:387-398 (2005); Sun, X. et. al.,J. Neuroimmunol.,180:126-134 (2006)).

There remains an unmet medical need for new drugs to treat cardiovascular disease. In the 2012 update of Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics from the American Heart Association (Circulation, 125:e2-e220 (2012)), it was reported that cardiovascular disease accounted for 32.8% of all deaths in the U.S., with coronary heart disease accounting for ˜1 in 6 deaths overall in the U.S. Contributing to these numbers, it was found that ˜33.5% of the adult U.S. population was hypertensive, and it was estimated that in 2010 ˜6.6 million U.S. adults would have heart failure. Therefore, despite the number of medications available to treat cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including diuretics, beta blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin blockers and calcium channel blockers, CVD remains poorly controlled or resistant to current medication for many patients.

Although there are many reports of ROCK inhibitors under investigation (see, for example, US 2008/0275062 A1), fasudil is the only marketed ROCK inhibitor at this time. An i.v. formulation was approved in Japan for treatment of cerebral vasospasm. There remains a need for new therapeutics, including ROCK inhibitors, for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, neurological diseases, renal diseases, fibrotic diseases, bronchial asthma, erectile dysfunction, and glaucoma.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides novel phenylpyrazole derivatives including stereoisomers, tautomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, or solvates thereof, which are useful as selective inhibitors of Rho kinases.

The present invention also provides processes and intermediates for making the compounds of the present invention.

The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and at least one of the compounds of the present invention or stereoisomers, tautomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, or solvates thereof.

The compounds of the invention may be used in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of conditions associated with aberrant ROCK activity.

The compounds of the present invention may be used in therapy.

The compounds of the present invention may be used for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a condition associated with aberrant ROCK activity.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of treating a cardiovascular or related disease which method comprises administering to a patient in need of such treatment a compound of the present invention as described above. Examples of such diseases that may be treated include, for example, hypertension, atherosclerosis, restenosis, stroke, heart failure, renal failure, coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, coronary vasospasm, cerebral vasospasm, ischemia/reperfusion injury, pulmonary hypertension, angina, erectile dysfunction and renal disease.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of treating diseases involving smooth muscle hyper reactivity including asthma, erectile dysfunction and glaucoma, which method comprises administering to a patient in need of such treatment a compound of the present invention as described above.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of treating diseases mediated at least partially by Rho kinase including fibrotic diseases, oncology, spinal-cord injury, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, neuropathic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease, which method comprises administering to a patient in need of such treatment a compound of the present invention as described above.

In yet additional aspects, the present invention is directed at pharmaceutical compositions comprising the above-mentioned compounds, processes for preparing the above-mentioned compounds and intermediates used in these processes.

The compounds of the invention can be used alone, in combination with other compounds of the present invention, or in combination with one or more, preferably one to two other agent(s).

These and other features of the invention will be set forth in expanded form as the disclosure continues.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

I. Compounds of the Invention

In one aspect, the present invention provides, inter alia, compounds of Formula (I):

In another aspect, the present invention provides compounds of Formula (II):

wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl, or heterocyclyl is substituted with 0-4 Re;Ra, at each occurrence, is independently selected from H, CN, C1-6alkyl substituted with 0-5 Re, C2-6alkenyl substituted with 0-5 Re, C2-6alkynyl substituted with 0-5 Re, —(CH2)r—C3-10carbocyclyl substituted with 0-5 Re, and —(CH2)r-heterocyclyl substituted with 0-5 Re; or Raand Ratogether with the nitrogen atom to which they are both attached form a heterocyclic ring substituted with 0-5 Re;Rb, at each occurrence, is independently selected from H, C1-6alkyl substituted with 0-5 Re, C2-6alkenyl substituted with 0-5 Re, C2-6alkynyl substituted with 0-5 Re, —(CH2)r—C3-10carbocyclyl substituted with 0-5 Re, and —(CH2)r-heterocyclyl substituted with 0-5 Re;Rc, at each occurrence, is independently selected from C1-6alkyl substituted with 0-5 Re, C2-6alkenyl substituted with 0-5 Re, C2-6alkynyl substituted with 0-5 Re, C3-6carbocyclyl, and heterocyclyl;Rd, at each occurrence, is independently selected from H and C1-4alkyl substituted with 0-5 Re;Re, at each occurrence, is independently selected from C1-6alkyl substituted with 0-5 Rf, C2-6alkenyl, C2-6alkynyl, —(CH2)r—C3-6cycloalkyl, F, Cl, Br, CN, NO2, ═O, CO2H, —(CH2)rORf, and —(CH2)rNRfRf;Rf, at each occurrence, is independently selected from H, F, Cl, NH2, OH, OC1-5alkyl, C1-5alkyl, C3-6cycloalkyl, and phenyl;r, at each occurrence, is independently selected from zero, 1, 2, 3, and 4; and
other variables are as defined in Formula (I) above.

In still another aspect, the present invention provides compounds of Formula (I) or stereoisomers, tautomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, or prodrugs thereof, wherein:R8is independently selected from

R9is —OH; and
other variables are as defined in Formula (I) above.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides compounds of Formula (I), or stereoisomers, tautomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, or prodrugs thereof, wherein:R1is independently selected from H, CN, and C1-4alkyl;R2is H;R3is independently selected from F, C1-4alkyl substituted with 0-3 Re, —OC1-4alkyl substituted with 0-3 Re;R4is independently selected from H and F;R6and R7are independently selected from H, C1-4alkyl substituted with 0-4 Re, C2-4alkenyl, —(CH2)rORb, —(CH2)rNRaRa, —(CH2)rNRaC(═O)Rb, —(CH2)rC(═O)Rb, and —(CH2)rNHS(O)2Rc;alternatively, R6and R7together with the carbon atom to which they are both attached form a cycloalkyl substituted with 0-5 Re; alternatively, when n is 2, two adjacent R6groups may form a cyclopropyl and two R7groups are both hydrogen;R8is selected from

wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl, or heterocyclyl is substituted with 0-4 ReRa, at each occurrence, is independently selected from H, CN, C1-4alkyl substituted with 0-5 Re, —C3-10carbocyclyl substituted with 0-5 Re, and —(CH2)r-heterocyclyl substituted with 0-5 Re;Rb, at each occurrence, is independently selected from H and C1-6alkyl substituted with 0-5 Re;Rc, at each occurrence, is independently selected from C1-4alkyl and C3-6cycloalkyl;Re, at each occurrence, is independently selected from C1-6alkyl substituted with 0-5 Rf, F, and OH;Rf, at each occurrence, is independently selected from H, F, Cl, NH2, OH, OC1-5alkyl, C1-5alkyl, and C3-6cycloalkyl;n, at each occurrence, is independently selected from 1 and 2; andr, at each occurrence, is independently selected from zero, 1, 2, and 3.

wherein said alkyl, cycloalkyl, or heterocyclyl is substituted with 0-4 Re;Ra, at each occurrence, is independently selected from H, CN, C1-6alkyl substituted with 0-5 Re, C2-6alkenyl substituted with 0-5 Re, C2-6alkynyl substituted with 0-5 Re, —(CH2)r—C3-10carbocyclyl substituted with 0-5 Re, and —(CH2)r-heterocyclyl substituted with 0-5 Re; or Raand Ratogether with the nitrogen atom to which they are both attached form a heterocyclic ring substituted with 0-5 Re;Rb, at each occurrence, is independently selected from H, C1-6alkyl substituted with 0-5 Re, C2-6alkenyl substituted with 0-5 Re, C2-6alkynyl substituted with 0-5 Re, —(CH2)rC3-10carbocyclyl substituted with 0-5 Re, and —(CH2)r-heterocyclyl substituted with 0-5 Re;Rc, at each occurrence, is independently selected from C1-6alkyl substituted with 0-5 Re, C2-6alkenyl substituted with 0-5 Re, C2-6alkynyl substituted with 0-5 Re, C3-6carbocyclyl, and heterocyclyl;Rd, at each occurrence, is independently selected from H and C1-4alkyl substituted with 0-5 Re;Re, at each occurrence, is independently selected from C1-6alkyl substituted with 0-5 Rf, C2-6alkenyl, C2-6alkynyl, —(CH2)r—C3-6cycloalkyl, F, Cl, Br, CN, NO2, ═O, CO2H, —(CH2)rORf, and —(CH2)rNR(Rf;Rf, at each occurrence, is independently selected from H, F, Cl, NH2, OH, OC1-5alkyl, C1-5alkyl, C3-6cycloalkyl, and phenyl; andr, at each occurrence, is independently selected from zero, 1, 2, 3, and 4.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides compounds of Formulae (II) and (III), or stereoisomers, tautomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, or prodrugs thereof, wherein:R1and R2are independently H or C1-4alkyl;R3is F, Cl, and C1-4alkyl, —(CH2)rORb, or S(O)2Me;R4is H, F, Cl, or methyl;R6and R7are independently selected from H, C1-4alkyl substituted with 0-4 Re, and —(CH2)r-heterocyclyl substituted with 0-3 Re; or R6and R7together with the carbon atom to which they are both attached form a cycloalkyl substituted with 0-5 Re;R8is selected from

In another aspect, the present invention provides a compound selected from any subset list of compounds exemplified in the present application.

In another embodiment, the compounds of the present invention have ROCK IC50values ≦10 μM.

In another embodiment, the compounds of the present invention have ROCK IC50values ≦1 μM.

In another embodiment, the compounds of the present invention have ROCK IC50values ≦0.1 μM.

In another embodiment, the compounds of the present invention have ROCK IC50values ≦0.05 μM.

In another embodiment, the compounds of the present invention have ROCK IC50values ≦0.01 μM.

II. Other Embodiments of the Invention

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising at least one of the compounds of the present invention or a stereoisomer, a tautomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or a solvate thereof.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition, comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of at least one of the compounds of the present invention or a stereoisomer, a tautomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or a solvate thereof.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a process for making a compound of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides an intermediate for making a compound of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition further comprising additional therapeutic agent(s).

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of a condition associated with aberrant ROCK activity comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment and/or prophylaxis a therapeutically effective amount of at least one of the compounds of the present invention or a stereoisomer, a tautomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or a solvate thereof. As used herein, the term “patient” encompasses all mammalian species.

As used herein, “treating” or “treatment” cover the treatment of a disease-state in a mammal, particularly in a human, and include: (a) inhibiting the disease-state, i.e., arresting it development; and/or (b) relieving the disease-state, i.e., causing regression of the disease state.

As used herein, “prophylaxis” or “prevention” cover the preventive treatment of a subclinical disease-state in a mammal, particularly in a human, aimed at reducing the probability of the occurrence of a clinical disease-state. Patients are selected for preventative therapy based on factors that are known to increase risk of suffering a clinical disease state compared to the general population. “Prophylaxis” therapies can be divided into (a) primary prevention and (b) secondary prevention. Primary prevention is defined as treatment in a patient that has not yet presented with a clinical disease state, whereas secondary prevention is defined as preventing a second occurrence of the same or similar clinical disease state. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a combined preparation of a compound of the present invention and additional therapeutic agent(s) for simultaneous, separate or sequential use in therapy.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. This invention encompasses all combinations of preferred aspects of the invention noted herein. It is understood that any and all embodiments of the present invention may be taken in conjunction with any other embodiment or embodiments to describe additional embodiments. It is also to be understood that each individual element of the embodiments is its own independent embodiment. Furthermore, any element of an embodiment is meant to be combined with any and all other elements from any embodiment to describe an additional embodiment.

Throughout the specification and the appended claims, a given chemical formula or name shall encompass all stereo and optical isomers and racemates thereof where such isomers exist. Unless otherwise indicated, all chiral (enantiomeric and diastereomeric) and racemic forms are within the scope of the invention. Many geometric isomers of C═C double bonds, C═N double bonds, ring systems, and the like can also be present in the compounds, and all such stable isomers are contemplated in the present invention. Cis- and trans- (or E- and Z-) 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. The present compounds can be isolated in optically active or racemic forms. Optically active forms may be prepared by resolution of racemic forms or by synthesis from optically active starting materials. All processes used to prepare compounds of the present invention and intermediates made therein are considered to be part of the present invention. When enantiomeric or diastereomeric products are prepared, they may be separated by conventional methods, for example, by chromatography or fractional crystallization. Depending on the process conditions the end products of the present invention are obtained either in free (neutral) or salt form. Both the free form and the salts of these end products are within the scope of the invention. If so desired, one form of a compound may be converted into another form. A free base or acid may be converted into a salt; a salt may be converted into the free compound or another salt; a mixture of isomeric compounds of the present invention may be separated into the individual isomers. Compounds of the present invention, free form and salts thereof, may exist in multiple tautomeric forms, in which hydrogen atoms are transposed to other parts of the molecules and the chemical bonds between the atoms of the molecules are consequently rearranged. It should be understood that all tautomeric forms, insofar as they may exist, are included within the invention.

The term “stereoisomer” refers to isomers of identical constitution that differ in the arrangement of their atoms in space. Enantiomers and diastereomers are examples of stereoisomers. The term “enantiomer” refers to one of a pair of molecular species that are mirror images of each other and are not superimposable. The term “diastereomer” refers to stereoisomers that are not mirror images. The term “racemate” or “racemic mixture” refers to a composition composed of equimolar quantities of two enantiomeric species, wherein the composition is devoid of optical activity.

The symbols “R” and “S” represent the configuration of substituents around a chiral carbon atom(s). The isomeric descriptors “R” and “S” are used as described herein for indicating atom configuration(s) relative to a core molecule and are intended to be used as defined in the literature (IUPAC Recommendations 1996, Pure and Applied Chemistry,68:2193-2222 (1996)).

The term “chiral” refers to the structural characteristic of a molecule that makes it impossible to superimpose it on its mirror image. The term “homochiral” refers to a state of enantiomeric purity. The term “optical activity” refers to the degree to which a homochiral molecule or nonracemic mixture of chiral molecules rotates a plane of polarized light.

As used herein, the term “alkyl” or “alkylene” is intended to include both branched and straight-chain saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having the specified number of carbon atoms. For example, “C1to C10alkyl” or “C1-10alkyl” (or alkylene), is intended to include C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, and C10alkyl groups. Additionally, for example, “C1to C6alkyl” or “C1-C6alkyl” denotes alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Alkyl group can be unsubstituted or substituted with at least one hydrogen being replaced by another chemical group. Example alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, methyl (Me), ethyl (Et), propyl (e.g., n-propyl and isopropyl), butyl (e.g., n-butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl), and pentyl (e.g., n-pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl).

“Alkenyl” or “alkenylene” is intended to include hydrocarbon chains of either straight or branched configuration having the specified number of carbon atoms and one or more, preferably one to two, carbon-carbon double bonds that may occur in any stable point along the chain. For example, “C2to C6alkenyl” or “C2-6alkenyl” (or alkenylene), is intended to include C2, C3, C4, C5, and C6alkenyl groups. Examples of alkenyl include, but are not limited to, ethenyl, 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-pentenyl, 3-pentenyl, 4-pentenyl, 2-hexenyl, 3-hexenyl, 4-hexenyl, 5-hexenyl, 2-methyl-2-propenyl, and 4-methyl-3-pentenyl.

“Alkynyl” or “alkynylene” is intended to include hydrocarbon chains of either straight or branched configuration having one or more, preferably one to three, carbon-carbon triple bonds that may occur in any stable point along the chain. For example, “C2to C6alkynyl” or “C2-6alkynyl” (or alkynylene), is intended to include C2, C3, C4, C5, and C6alkynyl groups; such as ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl, pentynyl, and hexynyl.

The term “alkoxy” or “alkyloxy” refers to an —O-alkyl group. “C1to C6alkoxy” or “C1-6alkoxy” (or alkyloxy), is intended to include C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, and C6alkoxy groups. Example alkoxy groups include, but are not limited to, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy (e.g., n-propoxy and isopropoxy), and t-butoxy. Similarly, “alkylthio” or “thioalkoxy” represents an alkyl group as defined above with the indicated number of carbon atoms attached through a sulphur bridge; for example methyl-S— and ethyl-S—.

“Halo” or “halogen” includes fluoro (F), chloro (Cl), bromo (Br), and iodo (I). “Haloalkyl” is intended to include both branched and straight-chain saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having the specified number of carbon atoms, substituted with 1 or more halogens. Examples of haloalkyl include, but are not limited to, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, pentachloroethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, heptafluoropropyl, and heptachloropropyl. Examples of haloalkyl also include “fluoroalkyl” that is intended to include both branched and straight-chain saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having the specified number of carbon atoms, substituted with 1 or more fluorine atoms.

“Haloalkoxy” or “haloalkyloxy” represents a haloalkyl group as defined above with the indicated number of carbon atoms attached through an oxygen bridge. For example, “C1to C6haloalkoxy” or “C1-6haloalkoxy”, is intended to include C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, and C6haloalkoxy groups. Examples of haloalkoxy include, but are not limited to, trifluoromethoxy, 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy, and pentafluorothoxy. Similarly, “haloalkylthio” or “thiohaloalkoxy” represents a haloalkyl group as defined above with the indicated number of carbon atoms attached through a sulphur bridge; for example trifluoromethyl-S—, and pentafluoroethyl-S—.

The term “cycloalkyl” refers to cyclized alkyl groups, including mono-, bi- or poly-cyclic ring systems. “C3to C7cycloalkyl” or “C3-7cycloalkyl” is intended to include C3, C4, C5, C6, and C7cycloalkyl groups. Example cycloalkyl groups include, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and norbornyl. Branched cycloalkyl groups such as 1-methylcyclopropyl and 2-methylcyclopropyl are included in the definition of “cycloalkyl”.

As used herein, “carbocycle”, “carbocyclyl” or “carbocyclic residue” is intended to mean any stable 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, or 8-membered monocyclic or bicyclic or 7-, 8-, 9-, 10-, 11-, 12-, or 13-membered bicyclic or tricyclic hydrocarbon ring, any of which may be saturated, partially unsaturated, unsaturated or aromatic. Examples of such carbocycles include, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclobutenyl, cyclopentyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptenyl, cycloheptyl, cycloheptenyl, adamantyl, cyclooctyl, cyclooctenyl, cyclooctadienyl, [3.3.0]bicyclooctane, [4.3.0]bicyclononane, [4.4.0]bicyclodecane (decalin), [2.2.2]bicyclooctane, fluorenyl, phenyl, naphthyl, indanyl, adamantyl, anthracenyl, and tetrahydronaphthyl (tetralin). As shown above, bridged rings are also included in the definition of carbocycle (e.g., [2.2.2]bicyclooctane). Preferred carbocycles, unless otherwise specified, are cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, and indanyl. When the term “carbocyclyl” is used, it is intended to include “aryl”. A bridged ring occurs when one or more carbon atoms link two non-adjacent carbon atoms. Preferred bridges are one or two carbon atoms. It is noted that a bridge always converts a monocyclic ring into a tricyclic ring. When a ring is bridged, the substituents recited for the ring may also be present on the bridge.

As used herein, the term “bicyclic carbocyclyl” or “bicyclic carbocyclic group” is intended to mean a stable 9- or 10-membered carbocyclic ring system that contains two fused rings and consists of carbon atoms. Of the two fused rings, one ring is a benzo ring fused to a second ring; and the second ring is a 5- or 6-membered carbon ring which is saturated, partially unsaturated, or unsaturated. The bicyclic carbocyclic group may be attached to its pendant group at any carbon atom which results in a stable structure. The bicyclic carbocyclic group described herein may be substituted on any carbon if the resulting compound is stable. Examples of a bicyclic carbocyclic group are, but not limited to, naphthyl, 1,2-dihydronaphthyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl, and indanyl.

The term “benzyl”, as used herein, refers to a methyl group on which one of the hydrogen atoms is replaced by a phenyl group, wherein said phenyl group may optionally be substituted with 1 to 5 groups, preferably 1 to 3 groups, OH, OCH3, Cl, F, Br, I, CN, NO2, NH2, N(CH3)H, N(CH3)2, CF3, OCF3, C(═O)CH3, SCH3, S(═O)CH3, S(═O)2CH3, CH3, CH2CH3, CO2H, and CO2CH3.

As used herein, the term “heterocycle”, “heterocyclyl”, or “heterocyclic ring” is intended to mean a stable 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, or 7-membered monocyclic or bicyclic or 7-, 8-, 9-, 10-, 11-, 12-, 13-, or 14-membered polycyclic heterocyclic ring that is saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated, and that contains carbon atoms and 1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of N, O and S; and including any polycyclic group in which any of the above-defined heterocyclic rings is fused to a benzene ring. The nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms may optionally be oxidized (i.e., N→O and S(O)p, wherein p is 0, 1 or 2). The nitrogen atom may be substituted or unsubstituted (i.e., N or NR wherein R is H or another substituent, if defined). The heterocyclic ring may be attached to its pendant group at any heteroatom or carbon atom that results in a stable structure. The heterocyclic rings described herein may be substituted on carbon or on a nitrogen atom if the resulting compound is stable. A nitrogen in the heterocycle may optionally be quaternized. It is preferred that when the total number of S and O atoms in the heterocycle exceeds 1, then these heteroatoms are not adjacent to one another. It is preferred that the total number of S and O atoms in the heterocycle is not more than 1. When the term “heterocycle” is used, it is intended to include heteroaryl.

Bridged rings are also included in the definition of heterocycle. A bridged ring occurs when one or more atoms (i.e., C, O, N, or S) link two non-adjacent carbon or nitrogen atoms. Examples of bridged rings include, but are not limited to, one carbon atom, two carbon atoms, one nitrogen atom, two nitrogen atoms, and a carbon-nitrogen group. It is noted that a bridge always converts a monocyclic ring into a tricyclic ring. When a ring is bridged, the substituents recited for the ring may also be present on the bridge.

As used herein, the term “bicyclic heterocycle” or “bicyclic heterocyclic group” is intended to mean a stable 9- or 10-membered heterocyclic ring system which contains two fused rings and consists of carbon atoms and 1, 2, 3, or 4 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of N, O and S. Of the two fused rings, one ring is a 5- or 6-membered monocyclic aromatic ring comprising a 5-membered heteroaryl ring, a 6-membered heteroaryl ring or a benzo ring, each fused to a second ring. The second ring is a 5- or 6-membered monocyclic ring which is saturated, partially unsaturated, or unsaturated, and comprises a 5-membered heterocycle, a 6-membered heterocycle or a carbocycle (provided the first ring is not benzo when the second ring is a carbocycle).

The bicyclic heterocyclic group may be attached to its pendant group at any heteroatom or carbon atom which results in a stable structure. The bicyclic heterocyclic group described herein may be substituted on carbon or on a nitrogen atom if the resulting compound is stable. It is preferred that when the total number of S and O atoms in the heterocycle exceeds 1, then these heteroatoms are not adjacent to one another. It is preferred that the total number of S and O atoms in the heterocycle is not more than 1. Examples of a bicyclic heterocyclic group are, but not limited to, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, phthalazinyl, quinazolinyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, indolinyl, 1H-indazolyl, benzimidazolyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolinyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-quinolinyl, 2,3-dihydro-benzofuranyl, chromanyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-quinoxalinyl, and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-quinazolinyl.

As used herein, the term “aromatic heterocyclic group” or “heteroaryl” refers to substituted and unsubstituted aromatic 5- or 6-membered monocyclic groups, 9- or 10-membered bicyclic groups, and 11- to 14-membered tricyclic groups which have at least one heteroatom (O, S or N) in at least one of the rings, said heteroatom-containing ring preferably having 1, 2, or 3 heteroatoms selected from O, S, and N. Each ring of the heteroaryl group containing a heteroatom can contain one or two oxygen or sulfur atoms and/or from one to four nitrogen atoms provided that the total number of heteroatoms in each ring is four or less and each ring has at least one carbon atom. Heteroaryl groups can be substituted or unsubstituted. The nitrogen atom may be substituted or unsubstituted (i.e., N or NR wherein R is H or another substituent, if defined). The nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms may optionally be oxidized (i.e., N→O and S(O)p) and the nitrogen atoms may optionally be quaternized.

Heteroaryl groups which are bicyclic or tricyclic must include at least one fully aromatic ring but the other fused ring or rings may be aromatic or non-aromatic. The heteroaryl group may be attached at any available nitrogen or carbon atom of any ring. The heteroaryl ring system may contain zero, one, two or three substituents. Heteroaryl groups include, without limitation, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, triazinyl, furyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, thienyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, indolyl, pyrroyl, oxazolyl, benzofuryl, benzothienyl, benzthiazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, indazolyl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, purinyl, carbazolyl, benzimidazolyl, indolinyl, benzodioxolanyl, and benzodioxane.

The term “counterion” is used to represent a negatively charged species such as chloride, bromide, hydroxide, acetate, and sulfate.

When a dotted ring is used within a ring structure, this indicates that the ring structure may be saturated, partially saturated or unsaturated.

As referred to herein, the term “substituted” means that at least one hydrogen atom is replaced with a non-hydrogen group, provided that normal valencies are maintained and that the substitution results in a stable compound. When a substituent is keto (i.e., ═O), then 2 hydrogens on the atom are replaced. Keto substituents are not present on aromatic moieties. When a ring system (e.g., carbocyclic or heterocyclic) is said to be substituted with a carbonyl group or a double bond, it is intended that the carbonyl group or double bond be part (i.e., within) of the ring. Ring double bonds, as used herein, are double bonds that are formed between two adjacent ring atoms (e.g., C═C, C═N, or N═N).

In cases wherein there are nitrogen atoms (e.g., amines) on compounds of the present invention, these may be converted to N-oxides by treatment with an oxidizing agent (e.g., mCPBA and/or hydrogen peroxides) to afford other compounds of this invention. Thus, shown and claimed nitrogen atoms are considered to cover both the shown nitrogen and its N-oxide (N→O) derivative.

When any variable occurs more than one time in any constituent or formula for a compound, its definition at each occurrence is independent of its definition at every other occurrence. Thus, for example, if a group is shown to be substituted with 0-3 R groups, then said group may optionally be substituted with up to three R groups, and at each occurrence R is selected independently from the definition of R. Also, combinations of substituents and/or variables are permissible only if such combinations result in stable compounds.

The phrase “pharmaceutically acceptable” is employed herein to refer to those compounds, materials, compositions, and/or dosage forms that 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, and/or other problem or complication, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.

In addition, compounds of formula I may have prodrug forms. Any compound that will be converted in vivo to provide the bioactive agent (i.e., a compound of formula I) is a prodrug within the scope and spirit of the invention. Various forms of prodrugs are well known in the art. For examples of such prodrug derivatives, see:

Compounds containing a carboxy group can form physiologically hydrolyzable esters that serve as prodrugs by being hydrolyzed in the body to yield formula I compounds per se. Such prodrugs are preferably administered orally since hydrolysis in many instances occurs principally under the influence of the digestive enzymes. Parenteral administration may be used where the ester per se is active, or in those instances where hydrolysis occurs in the blood. Examples of physiologically hydrolyzable esters of compounds of formula I include C1-6alkyl, C1-6alkylbenzyl, 4-methoxybenzyl, indanyl, phthalyl, methoxymethyl, C1-6alkanoyloxy-C1-6alkyl (e.g., acetoxymethyl, pivaloyloxymethyl or propionyloxymethyl), C1-6alkoxycarbonyloxy-C1-6alkyl (e.g., methoxycarbonyl-oxymethyl or ethoxycarbonyloxymethyl, glycyloxymethyl, phenylglycyloxymethyl, (5-methyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxolen-4-yl)-methyl), and other well known physiologically hydrolyzable esters used, for example, in the penicillin and cephalosporin arts. Such esters may be prepared by conventional techniques known in the art.

Preparation of prodrugs is well known in the art and described in, for example, King, F. D., ed.,Medicinal Chemistry: Principles and Practice, The Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, UK (1994); Testa, B. et al.,Hydrolysis in Drug and Prodrug Metabolism. Chemistry, Biochemistry and Enzymology, VCHA and Wiley-VCH, Zurich, Switzerland (2003); Wermuth, C. G., ed.,The Practice of Medicinal Chemistry, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. (1999).

The present invention is intended to include all isotopes of atoms occurring in the present compounds. Isotopes include those atoms having the same atomic number but different mass numbers. By way of general example and without limitation, isotopes of hydrogen include deuterium and tritium. Deuterium has one proton and one neutron in its nucleus and that has twice the mass of ordinary hydrogen. Deuterium can be represented by symbols such as “2H” or “D”. The term “deuterated” herein, by itself or used to modify a compound or group, refers to replacement of one or more hydrogen atom(s), which is attached to carbon(s), with a deuterium atom. Isotopes of carbon include13C and14C.

Isotopically-labeled compounds of the invention can generally be prepared by conventional techniques known to those skilled in the art or by processes analogous to those described herein, using an appropriate isotopically-labeled reagent in place of the non-labeled reagent otherwise employed. Such compounds have a variety of potential uses, e.g., as standards and reagents in determining the ability of a potential pharmaceutical compound to bind to target proteins or receptors, or for imaging compounds of this invention bound to biological receptors in vivo or in vitro.

“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. It is preferred that compounds of the present invention do not contain a N-halo, S(O)2H, or S(O)H group.

The term “solvate” means a physical association of a compound of this invention with one or more solvent molecules, whether organic or inorganic. This physical association includes hydrogen bonding. In certain instances the solvate will be capable of isolation, for example when one or more solvent molecules are incorporated in the crystal lattice of the crystalline solid. The solvent molecules in the solvate may be present in a regular arrangement and/or a non-ordered arrangement. The solvate may comprise either a stoichiometric or nonstoichiometric amount of the solvent molecules. “Solvate” encompasses both solution-phase and isolable solvates. Exemplary solvates include, but are not limited to, hydrates, ethanolates, methanolates, and isopropanolates. Methods of solvation are generally known in the art.

The compounds of the present invention can be prepared in a number of ways known to one skilled in the art of organic synthesis.

In Vitro Assays

The effectiveness of compounds of the present invention as ROCK inhibitors can be determined in a 30 μL assay containing 20 mM HEPES, pH 7.5, 20 mM MgCl2, 0.015% Brij-35, 4 mM DTT, 5 μM ATP and 1.5 μM peptide substrate (FITC-AHA-AKRRRLSSLRA-OH). Compounds were dissolved in DMSO so that the final concentration of DMSO was <2%, and the reaction was initiated with Rho kinase variants. After incubation, the reaction was terminated by the addition of EDTA and the phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated peptides separated using a LABCHIP® 3000 Reader (Caliper Life Sciences). Controls consisted of assays that did not contain compound, and backgrounds consisted of assays that contained enzyme and substrate but had EDTA from the beginning of the reaction to inhibit kinase activity. Compounds were tested in dose-response format, and the inhibition of kinase activity was calculated at each concentration of compound. The inhibition data were fit using a curve-fitting program to determine the IC50; i.e., the concentration of compound required to inhibit 50% of kinase activity.

Representative Examples were tested in the ROCK assay described above and found having ROCK inhibitory activity. A range of ROCK inhibitory activity (IC50values) of ≦50 μM (50000 nM) was observed. Table A below lists the ROCK IC50values measured for the examples.

The compounds of this invention can be administered in such oral dosage forms as tablets, capsules (each of which includes sustained release or timed release formulations), pills, powders, granules, elixirs, tinctures, suspensions, syrups, and emulsions. They may also be administered in intravenous (bolus or infusion), intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, or intramuscular form, all using dosage forms well known to those of ordinary skill in the pharmaceutical arts. They can be administered alone, but generally will be administered with a pharmaceutical carrier selected on the basis of the chosen route of administration and standard pharmaceutical practice.

The term “pharmaceutical composition” means a composition comprising a compound of the invention in combination with at least one additional pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” refers to media generally accepted in the art for the delivery of biologically active agents to animals, in particular, mammals, including, i.e., adjuvant, excipient or vehicle, such as diluents, preserving agents, fillers, flow regulating agents, disintegrating agents, wetting agents, emulsifying agents, suspending agents, sweetening agents, flavoring agents, perfuming agents, antibacterial agents, antifungal agents, lubricating agents and dispensing agents, depending on the nature of the mode of administration and dosage forms. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are formulated according to a number of factors well within the purview of those of ordinary skill in the art. These include, without limitation: the type and nature of the active agent being formulated; the patient to which the agent-containing composition is to be administered; the intended route of administration of the composition; and the therapeutic indication being targeted. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include both aqueous and non-aqueous liquid media, as well as a variety of solid and semi-solid dosage forms. Such carriers can include a number of different ingredients and additives in addition to the active agent, such additional ingredients being included in the formulation for a variety of reasons, e.g., stabilization of the active agent, binders, etc., well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Descriptions of suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, and factors involved in their selection, are found in a variety of readily available sources such as, for example,Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences,18th Edition (1990).

By way of general guidance, the daily oral dosage of each active ingredient, when used for the indicated effects, will range between about 0.001 to about 1000 mg/kg of body weight, preferably between about 0.01 to about 100 mg/kg of body weight per day, and most preferably between about 0.1 to about 20 mg/kg/day. Intravenously, the most preferred doses will range from about 0.001 to about 10 mg/kg/minute during a constant rate infusion. Compounds of this invention may be administered in a single daily dose, or the total daily dosage may be administered in divided doses of two, three, or four times daily.

Compounds of this invention can also be administered by parenteral administration (e.g., intra-venous, intra-arterial, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously. When administered intra-venous or intra-arterial, the dose can be given continuously or intermittent. Furthermore, formulation can be developed for intramuscularly and subcutaneous delivery that ensure a gradual release of the active pharmaceutical ingredient.

Compounds of this invention can be administered in intranasal form via topical use of suitable intranasal vehicles, or via transdermal routes, using transdermal skin patches. When administered in the form of a transdermal delivery system, the dosage administration will, of course, be continuous rather than intermittent throughout the dosage regimen.

The compounds are typically administered in admixture with suitable pharmaceutical diluents, excipients, or carriers (collectively referred to herein as pharmaceutical carriers) suitably selected with respect to the intended form of administration, e.g., oral tablets, capsules, elixirs, and syrups, and consistent with conventional pharmaceutical practices.

Dosage forms (pharmaceutical compositions) suitable for administration may contain from about 1 milligram to about 1000 milligrams of active ingredient per dosage unit. In these pharmaceutical compositions the active ingredient will ordinarily be present in an amount of about 0.1-95% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

The compounds of the present invention can be administered alone or in combination with one or more additional therapeutic agents. By “administered in combination” or “combination therapy” it is meant that the compound of the present invention and one or more additional therapeutic agents are administered concurrently to the mammal being treated. When administered in combination, each component may be administered at the same time or sequentially in any order at different points in time. Thus, each component may be administered separately but sufficiently closely in time so as to provide the desired therapeutic effect.

The compounds of the present invention are also useful as standard or reference compounds, for example as a quality standard or control, in tests or assays involving the inhibition of ROCK. Such compounds may be provided in a commercial kit, for example, for use in pharmaceutical research involving ROCK. For example, a compound of the present invention could be used as a reference in an assay to compare its known activity to a compound with an unknown activity. This would ensure the experimentor that the assay was being performed properly and provide a basis for comparison, especially if the test compound was a derivative of the reference compound. When developing new assays or protocols, compounds according to the present invention could be used to test their effectiveness.

The present invention also encompasses an article of manufacture. As used herein, article of manufacture is intended to include, but not be limited to, kits and packages. The article of manufacture of the present invention, comprises: (a) a first container; (b) a pharmaceutical composition located within the first container, wherein the composition, comprises: a first therapeutic agent, comprising: a compound of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt form thereof; and, (c) a package insert stating that the pharmaceutical composition can be used for the treatment of a cardiovascular and/or inflammatory disorder (as defined previously). In another embodiment, the package insert states that the pharmaceutical composition can be used in combination (as defined previously) with a second therapeutic agent to treat cardiovascular and/or inflammatory disorder. The article of manufacture can further comprise: (d) a second container, wherein components (a) and (b) are located within the second container and component (c) is located within or outside of the second container. Located within the first and second containers means that the respective container holds the item within its boundaries.

The first container is a receptacle used to hold a pharmaceutical composition. This container can be for manufacturing, storing, shipping, and/or individual/bulk selling. First container is intended to cover a bottle, jar, vial, flask, syringe, tube (e.g., for a cream preparation), or any other container used to manufacture, hold, store, or distribute a pharmaceutical product.

The second container is one used to hold the first container and, optionally, the package insert. Examples of the second container include, but are not limited to, boxes (e.g., cardboard or plastic), crates, cartons, bags (e.g., paper or plastic bags), pouches, and sacks. The package insert can be physically attached to the outside of the first container via tape, glue, staple, or another method of attachment, or it can rest inside the second container without any physical means of attachment to the first container. Alternatively, the package insert is located on the outside of the second container. When located on the outside of the second container, it is preferable that the package insert is physically attached via tape, glue, staple, or another method of attachment. Alternatively, it can be adjacent to or touching the outside of the second container without being physically attached.

The package insert is a label, tag, marker, etc. that recites information relating to the pharmaceutical composition located within the first container. The information recited will usually be determined by the regulatory agency governing the area in which the article of manufacture is to be sold (e.g., the United States Food and Drug Administration). Preferably, the package insert specifically recites the indications for which the pharmaceutical composition has been approved. The package insert may be made of any material on which a person can read information contained therein or thereon. Preferably, the package insert is a printable material (e.g., paper, plastic, cardboard, foil, adhesive-backed paper or plastic, etc.) on which the desired information has been formed (e.g., printed or applied).

Other features of the invention will become apparent in the course of the following descriptions of exemplary embodiments that are given for illustration of the invention and are not intended to be limiting thereof. The following Examples have been prepared, isolated and characterized using the methods disclosed herein.

VI. General Synthesis Including Schemes

The compounds of the present invention may be synthesized by many methods available to those skilled in the art of organic chemistry (Maffrand, J. P. et al.,Heterocycles, 16(1):35-37 (1981)). General synthetic schemes for preparing compounds of the present invention are described below. These schemes are illustrative and are not meant to limit the possible techniques one skilled in the art may use to prepare the compounds disclosed herein. Different methods to prepare the compounds of the present invention will be evident to those skilled in the art. Additionally, the various steps in the synthesis may be performed in an alternate sequence in order to give the desired compound or compounds.

Examples of compounds of the present invention prepared by methods described in the general schemes are given in the intermediates and examples section set out hereinafter. Preparation of homochiral examples may be carried out by techniques known to one skilled in the art. For example, homochiral compounds may be prepared by separation of racemic products by chiral phase preparative HPLC. Alternatively, the example compounds may be prepared by methods known to give enantiomerically enriched products. These include, but are not limited to, the incorporation of chiral auxiliary functionalities into racemic intermediates which serve to control the diastereoselectivity of transformations, providing enantio-enriched products upon cleavage of the chiral auxiliary.

The compounds of the present invention can be prepared in a number of ways 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 by variations thereon as appreciated by those skilled in the art. Preferred methods include, but are not limited to, those described below. The reactions are performed in a solvent or solvent mixture appropriate to the reagents and materials employed and suitable for the transformations being effected. It will be understood by those skilled in the art of organic synthesis that the functionality present on the molecule should be consistent with the transformations proposed. This will sometimes require a judgment to modify the order of the synthetic steps or to select one particular process scheme over another in order to obtain a desired compound of the invention.

It will also be recognized that another major consideration in the planning of any synthetic route in this field is the judicious choice of the protecting group used for protection of the reactive functional groups present in the compounds described in this invention. An authoritative account describing the many alternatives to the trained practitioner is Greene et al. (Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis,4th Edition, Wiley-Interscience (2006)).

Scheme 1 shows the synthesis of generic compound 1e from the common intermediate 1d. Suzuki-Miyaura coupling between pyrazole boronic acid or boronate 1a and aryl halide, or other Suzuki coupling reaction partners 1b, in the presence of a base such as K3PO4and a Pd catalyst such as PdCl2(dppf) followed by removal of the protecting group affords intermediate 1c. Ester 1c is converted to acid intermediate 1d under basic, such as LiOH (R′=Me, Et, etc), or acidic, such as TFA (R′=tert-Bu), or hydrogenation conditions (R′=Bn). Amide formation affords target 1e by coupling intermediate 1d with an appropriate amine in the presence of a coupling reagent, such as HATU or EDC, and a base such as DIEA.

Alternatively, compounds with generic structure 1e can be prepared as shown in Scheme 2. Amide formation between substituted aryl carboxylic acids 2a and amines 2b affords 2c under conditions such as using HATU or EDC as a coupling reagent with a base such as DIEA or TEA. Suzuki-Miyaura coupling between aryl halides 2c and pyrazole boronic acid derivatives 1a in the presence of a base such as K3PO4and a catalyst such as PdCl2(dppf) followed by removal of the protecting group if necessary affords target compounds 1e.

Unless otherwise stated, analysis of final products was carried out by reverse phase analytical HPLC.

To a solution of methyl 4-bromo-3-methoxybenzoate (1.32 g, 5.39 mmol) in dioxane (30 mL) and water (5 mL) were added tert-butyl 4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-1-carboxylate (1.901 g, 6.46 mmol), potassium phosphate (2.86 g, 13.47 mmol) and PdCl2(dppf) (0.197 g, 0.269 mmol) at rt. The reaction was stirred under argon at 100° C. for 3 hrs. The reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc, washed with H2O. The organic phase was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The residue was dissolved in DCM (10 mL) and TFA (5 mL) was added. The reaction was stirred at rt for 1.5 hrs. Solvent was removed. The residue was taken into EtOAc, which was washed with NaHCO3(3×) and brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated. The crude product was purified by normal phase chromatography. Desired product was isolated as a white solid (0.86 g, 69% yield). LCMS (ESI) m/z: 233.0 [M+H]+;1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 8.13 (s, 2H), 7.73-7.66 (m, 1H), 7.66-7.56 (m, 2H), 3.98 (s, 3H), 3.94 (s, 3H).

Intermediate 2 was synthesized by following a similar route to Intermediate 1 using methyl 4-bromo-2-methoxybenzoate in step 1A. LCMS (ESI) m/z: 219.1 [M+H]+.

Intermediate 3 was synthesized by following a similar route to Intermediate 1 using 3-methyl-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole in step 1A. LCMS (ESI) m/z: 233.0 [M+H]+.

To a solution of methyl 4-bromo-3-methylbenzoate (1.1 g, 4.8 mmol) in dioxane (20 mL) and water (5 mL) were added tert-butyl 4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-1-carboxylate (1.6 g, 5.3 mmol), potassium phosphate (2.6 g, 12 mmol) and PdCl2(dppf) (0.18 g, 0.24 mmol) at rt. The reaction was stirred under argon at 90° C. for 3 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc, washed with H2O and brine. The organic phase was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The crude product was purified by normal phase chromatography to give Intermediate 4A (1.1 g, 70%) and 4B (0.28 g, 27%) as white solids.

To a solution of Intermediate 8B (0.30 g, 1.1 mmol) in DCM (3 mL) was added TFA (1 mL, 13 mmol) at rt. The reaction was stirred under argon at rt for 2 h. The solvent was removed, and the residue was dried to give Intermediate 8 (0.31 g, 100%) as white solid. LCMS (ESI) m/z: 163.1 [M+H]+.

To a solution of ethyl 2-amino-2-(2-fluorophenyl)acetate HCl salt (0.52 g, 2.2 mmol) in THF (15 mL) was added 1 M LiAlH4(6.7 mL, 6.7 mmol) at 0° C. The reaction was stirred under argon at 0° C. for 2 h. The reaction was quenched by adding sodium potassium tartrate solution. The reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc, washed with brine. The organic phase was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to give crude product of Intermediate 9 (0.33 g, 95%), which was dried and used without further purification. LC-MS (ESI) m/z: 156.0 [M+H]+.

To a solution of Intermediate 11B (1.5 g, 5.4 mmol) in MeOH (15 mL) was added 4 M HCl in dioxane (6.7 mL, 27 mmol) at rt. The reaction was stirred under argon at rt for 2 h. The solvent was removed, and the residue was dried in vacuo to give Intermediate 11C (0.91 g, 100%) as white solid. LC-MS (ESI) m/z: 170.0 [M+H]+.

To a solution of Intermediate 11D (1.4 g, 5.4 mmol) in dioxane (20 mL) and water (5 mL) were added NaIO4(3.3 g, 16 mmol) and OsO4(1.3 mL, 0.11 mmol) at rt. The reaction was stirred under argon at rt overnight. Solid was filtered and washed with EtOAc. Solvent was removed from filtrate to give crude Intermediate 11E (1.5 g, 100%) as dark brown solid. LC-MS (ESI) m/z: 272.1 [M+H]+.

To a solution of methyl 5-(azidomethyl)-2-fluorobenzoate (0.42 g, 2.0 mmol) in MeOH (10 mL) was added catalytic amount of 5% Pd/C. The reaction was stirred under a hydrogen balloon at rt for 5 h. The catalyst was filtered, and the solvent was removed to give Intermediate 12 (0.34 g, 94%) as white solid. LC-MS (ESI) m/z: 184.0 [M+H]+.

To a solution of Intermediate 13B (0.58, 2.3 mmol) in MeOH (5 mL) was added HCl (4 M in dioxane, 2.8 ml, 11 mmol) at rt. The reaction was stirred under argon at rt for 2 h. The solvent was removed to give Intermediate 13C (0.52 g, 100%) as white solid. LC-MS (ESI) m/z: 153.0 [M+H]+.

To a solution of Intermediate 13C (0.046 g, 0.30 mmol) in acetonitrile (3 mL) were added sodium iodide (0.27 g, 1.8 mmol) and TMSCl (0.19 mL, 1.5 mmol) at rt. The reaction was stirred under argon at 60° C. for 2 h. The solvent was removed to give the crude product of Intermediate 13 (41 mg, 100%) as dark brown solid. LC-MS (ESI) m/z: 139.0 [M+H]+.

To a solution of methyl 4-bromo-3-hydroxybenzoate (0.16 g, 0.69 mmol) in DMF (3 mL) were added K2CO3(0.14 g, 1.0 mmol), and 2-bromoethanol (0.15 mL, 2.0 mmol) at rt. The reaction was stirred at 50° C. for 12 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with water and EtOAc. The two layers were separated. The EtOAc solution was washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The crude product was purified by normal phase chromatography to provide Intermediate 15A (0.20 g, 90%) as white solid. LCMS (ESI) m/z: 275.0/277.0 [M+H]+.

To a solution of Intermediate 15B (55 mg, 0.21 mmol) in THF (5 mL) and water (1 mL) was added LiOH (25 mg, 1.1 mmol) at rt. The reaction was heated at reflux under argon for 2 h. The reaction was acidified with HCl (1.0 N). The solvent was removed, and the residue was dried in vacuo to give Intermediate 15 (52 mg, 100%) as white solid. LC-MS (ESI) m/z: 249.1 [M+H]+.

The following Examples in Table 1 were prepared by using a similar procedure as described in Example 1 by coupling Intermediate 1 with the appropriate amine Various coupling reagents could be used other than the one described in Example 1 such as HATU, T3P, BOP, PyBop, EDC/HOBt.

The following Examples in Table 2 were made by using a similar procedure as described in Example 53 by coupling Intermediate 2 with the appropriate amines Various coupling reagents could be used other than the one described in Example 1 such as HATU, T3P, BOP, PyBop, EDC/HOBt.

To a solution of Example 63A (163 mg, 0.54 mmol) in DME (10 mL) and water (2.5 mL) were added tert-butyl 4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-1-carboxylate (359 mg, 1.22 mmol), Na2CO3(172 mg, 1.62 mmol) and Pd(PPh3)4(62 mg, 0.054 mmol). The reaction was heated at reflux for 3 h. The reaction was cooled and diluted with EtOAc. The mixture was washed with water and brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated. Purification by normal phase chromatography gave Example 63B (115 mg, 74% yield). LCMS (ESI) m/z: 290.2 [M+H]+.

Example 63B (115 mg, 0.397 mmol) was dissolved in THF (5 mL) and aqueous lithium hydroxide (1 mL, 2.000 mmol) was added. The reaction was stirred at rt under argon overnight. Most solvent was removed. The residue was diluted with water and was neutralized with 1.0N HCl. Then it was concentrated and dried in vacuum to give brown solid, which was used in the next step without further purification. LCMS (ESI) m/z: 276.1 [M+H]+.

The following Examples in Table 3 were prepared following a similar procedure as described in Example 65 by coupling Example 64 with appropriate amines

Compounds listed in Table 4 were prepared by following the similar procedures to those described for Example 1 and Example 84 using the appropriate intermediates described or purchased from commercial sources. Other coupling reagents such as HATU, T3P, BOP, PyBop, and EDC/HOBt could be used other than the one described in Example 1.

Compounds listed in Table 5 were prepared by following the similar procedure described for Example 64 using the appropriate intermediates described or purchased from commercial sources. Other coupling reagents such as HATU, T3P, BOP, PyBop, and EDC/HOBt could be used other than the one described in Example 64.

Compounds listed in Table 6 were prepared by similar procedures to those described for Example 254 and Example 255 using the appropriate intermediates described or purchased from commercial sources.

To a solution of Example 265 A (0.37 g, 0.96 mmol) in dioxane (10 mL) and water (2 mL) were added NaIO4(0.61 g, 2.9 mmol) and catalytic amount of OsO4(0.20 mL, 0.019 mmol) at rt. The reaction was stirred under argon at rt overnight. The reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc, washed with H2O and brine. The organic phase was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to afford Example 265B (0.37 g, 100%). LC-MS (ESI) m/z: 384.1 [M+H]+.

To a solution of Example 267B (64 mg, 0.26 mmol) in DCM (3 mL) was added TFA (1 mL, 13 mmol) at rt. The reaction was stirred under argon at rt for 1 h. The solvent was removed to afford Example 267C (68 mg, 100%) as an off-white solid. LC-MS (ESI) m/z: 150.0 [M+H]+.

Examples 269 and 270

Compounds listed in Table 7 were prepared by similar procedures described for Examples 268, 269, 270 and 271.

To a suspension of Example 295B (0.12 g, 0.34 mmol) in DMF (2 mL) were added K2CO3(0.14 g, 1.00 mmol) and Met (0.50 mL of 2.0 M in TBME, 1.0 mmol). The reaction was stirred at rt for 70 min. It was quenched with ice-water, and was extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was washed with water and brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered, and concentrated to give Example 295C (0.14 g, 99%) as oil. LCMS (ESI) m/z: 380.0.0/382.0 [M+H]+.

Example 297A was prepared following a similar procedure as described in Example 296A by using 1 equivalent of paraformaldehyde. LC-MS (ESI) m/z: 244.0/246.0 [M+H]+.

A dried round-bottom flask was charged with Example 299B (40 mg, 0.11 mmol) in DCM (2 mL). To it was added DAST (0.030 mL, 0.23 mmol) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was slowly warmed to rt, quenched with 1.5 M potassium phosphate solution, and extracted with EtOAc. The combined organic solution was washed with brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated. Purification by normal phase chromatography gave Example 299C (20 mg, 47%). LCMS (ESI) m/z: 372.0/374.0 [M+H]+.

Examples 300 and 301

Example 302A was prepared following a similar procedure described in Example 268A by replacing 4-bromo-3-(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)benzoic acid with 4-borono-2-methoxybenzoic acid, and replacing (R)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)ethanamine with (R)-1-(3-methoxyphenyl)ethanamine LC-MS (ESI) m/z: 330.1 [M+H]+.

Compounds listed in Table 8 were prepared by following the similar procedure to that described in Example 308.