PATENT ABSTRACT
The invention relates to novel piperazine derivatives and their use as active ingredients in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions. The invention also concerns related aspects including pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more of those compounds and their use as medicaments for the treatment or prevention of protozoal infections, especially malaria.

PATENT DESCRIPTION
The invention relates to novel compounds of the formula I. The invention also concerns related aspects including processes for the preparation of the compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more compounds of the formula I and especially their use as medicaments to treat or prevent malaria infections or to treat or prevent other protozoal diseases like sleeping sickness, Chagas disease, amebiasis, giardiasis, trichomoniasis, toxoplasmosis, leishmaniasis etc. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Numerous serious diseases affecting humans as well as domestic and livestock animal are caused by protozoal organisms such as kinetoplastida, apicomplexa, anaerobic protozoa,  microsporidia  and  plasmodium . The clinically most relevant of these diseases is malaria. 
     Malaria is one of the most serious and complex health problems affecting humanity in the 21 st  century. The disease affects about 300 million people worldwide, killing 1 to 1.5 million people every year. Malaria is an infectious disease caused by four species of the protozoan parasite  plasmodium, P. falciparum  being the most severe of the four. All attempts to develop vaccines against  P. falciparum  have failed so far. Therefore, therapies and preventive measures against malaria are confined to drugs. Various classes of antimalarial drugs exist. The most widely used are the quinoline antimalarials, e.g. chloroquine which has been an especially effective drug for both prophylaxis and therapy. However, resistance to many of the currently available antimalarial drugs is spreading rapidly, threatening people in areas where malaria is endemic. Reports of multi-drug resistant strains of malaria parasites render the search for new antimalarial agents especially urgent. 
       P. falciparum  enters the human body by way of bites of the female anophelino mosquito (it may also be transmitted by blood transfusion from asymptotic donors; almost all infected blood components including red cells, platelet concentrates, white cells, cryoprecipitates and fresh plasma can transmit malaria). The  plasmodium  parasite initially populates the liver, and during later stages of the infectious cycle reproduces in red blood cells. During this stage, the parasite degrades hemoglobin and uses the degradation products as nutrients for growth. The limitations of the current antiprotozoal chemotherapeutic arsenal underscore the need for new drugs in this therapeutic area. The present invention relates to the identification of novel low molecular weight, non-peptidic, non-quinoline compounds of formula I which are useful in the treatment and/or prevention of protozoal infections, especially in the treatment and/or prevention of malaria, in particular  plasmodium falciparum  malaria. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to novel compounds of the formula I: 
                                
wherein
 
X represents —(CH 2 ) 0-2 — or —C(═O)—;
 
n represents the integer 0, 1 or 2;
 
R 1  represents hydrogen; alkyl; cycloalkyl; ethoxy-carbonyl; hydroxy-ethyl; benzo[1,3]dioxolyl; aryl that can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, and carboxyl; pyridyl that can be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, alkoxy-carbonyl, and carboxyl; furanyl that can be mono-, or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from methyl, hydroxy-methyl, and bromine; thienyl that can be mono-substituted with methyl or chlorine; pyrimidinyl that can be mono-substituted with alkyl, halogen, cyclopropyl, CH 3 —S—, or methylsulfonyl or that can be mono- or di-substituted with methoxy; pyridazinyl; benzothienyl; benzofuranyl; quinolinyl; isoquinolinyl; benzhydryl, wherein both phenyl rings can be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, and alkyl-carbonyl; imidazolyl optionally mono-substituted with alkyl; thiazolyl; or oxazolyl;
 
R 2  represents hydrogen; alkyl; indolyl; carboxyl; alkoxy-carbonyl; amino-carbonyl; imidazolyl optionally mono-substituted with alkyl; cycloalkyl; aryl that can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from phenyl, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, and carboxyl; pyridyl that can be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from phenyl, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, alkoxy-carbonyl, and carboxyl; benzothienyl; thiazolyl; or thienyl;
 
R 3  represents hydrogen; alkyl; cycloalkyl; formyl; acetyl; ethoxy-carbonyl; hydroxy-ethyl; benzo[1,3]dioxolyl; indolyl; pyridyl that can be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from: halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, alkoxy-alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, alkoxy-carbonyl, carboxyl, hydroxy-C 1-5 -alkyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, di-(hydroxy-C 1-5 -alkyl)-C 1-5 -alkyl, —CH 2 —(CH 2 ) k —NR 31 R 32 , (azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl-methyl, (azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl-methyl, 2-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethyl, 2-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-ethyl, 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propyl, 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propyl, (pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl-methyl, (pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl-methyl, (pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl-methyl, (pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl-methyl, 2-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethyl, 2-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-ethyl, 2-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethyl, 2-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-ethyl, 3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propyl, 3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propyl, 3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propyl, 3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propyl, —CH 2 —(CH 2 ) p —CONR 31 R 32 , —CO—NHR 31 , 1-(3-carboxy-azetidinyl)-2-acetyl, 1-(2-carboxy-pyrrolidinyl)-2-acetyl, 1-(3-carboxy-pyrrolidinyl)-2-acetyl, 1-(3-carboxy-azetidinyl)-3-propionyl, 1-(2-carboxy-pyrrolidinyl)-3-propionyl, 1-(3-carboxy-pyrrolidinyl)-3-propionyl, —(CH 2 ) p CH(OH)—CH 2 —NR 31 R 32 , hydroxy-C 2-5 -alkoxy, di-(hydroxy-C 1-5 -alkyl)-C 1-5 -alkoxy, 2,3-dihydroxypropoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-propoxy, —OCH 2 —(CH 2 ) m —NR 31 R 32 , 2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-ethoxy, 3-pyrrolidin-1-yl-propoxy, 2-piperazin-1-yl-ethoxy, 2-[4-(C 1-5 -alkyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-ethoxy, 2-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-ethoxy, 3-piperazin-1-yl-propoxy, 3-[4-(C 1-5 -alkyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-propoxy, 3-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-morpholin-4-yl-ethoxy, 3-morpholin-4-yl-propoxy, 2-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethoxy, 2-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-ethoxy, 2-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethoxy, 2-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-ethoxy, 2-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethoxy, 2-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-ethoxy, 2-[(2-hydroxy-pyrrolidine)-1-yl]-ethoxy, 2-[(3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine)-1-yl]-ethoxy, 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propoxy, 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propoxy, 3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propoxy, 3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propoxy, 3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propoxy, 3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propoxy, 3-[(2-hydroxy-pyrrolidine)-1-yl]-propoxy, 3-[(3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine)-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-amino-3-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-propoxy, —O—CH 2 —CONR 31 R 32 , 1-(3-carboxy-azetidinyl)-1-oxo-2-ethoxy, 1-(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl-1-oxo-2-ethoxy, 1-(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl-1-oxo-2-ethoxy, 3-carbamoyl-propoxy, 3-(C 1-5 -alkylcarbamoyl)propoxy, 3-(2-hydroxyethylcarbamoyl)propoxy, —OCH 2 —CH(OH)—CH 2 —NR 31 R 32  3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-2-hydroxypropoxy, 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-2-hydroxypropoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-[(2-hydroxy-pyrrolidine)-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-[(3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine)-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-pyrrolidin-1-yl-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-[4-(C 1-5 -alkyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-morpholin-4-yl-propoxy, —R 31 R 32 , —CH 2 —(CH 2 ) k —NHSO 2 R 33 , —(CH 2 ) p CH(OH)—CH 2 —NHSO 2 R 33 , —OCH 2 —(CH 2 ) m —NHSO 2 R 33 , —OCH 2 —CH(OH)—CH 2 —NHSO 2 R 33 , —CH 2 —(CH 2 ) k —NHCOR 34 , —(CH 2 ) p CH(OH)—CH 2 —NHCOR 34 , —OCH 2 —(CH 2 ) m —NHCOR 34 , —OCH 2 —CH(OH)—CH 2 —NHCOR 34 , —SO 2 NHR 31 , morpholino, piperidino, oxo-piperidinyl, oxo-pyrrolidinyl, pyridyl, and phenyl wherein the phenyl-ring can again be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, cyano, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, alkoxy-carbonyl, and carboxyl; furanyl that can be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from methyl, hydroxy-methyl, bromine, and phenyl wherein the phenyl-ring can again be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, cyano, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, carboxyl, and methylene-dioxy; thienyl that can be mono-substituted with methyl, chlorine, or phenyl wherein the phenyl-ring can again be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, cyano, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, carboxyl, and methylene-dioxy; pyrimidinyl that can be mono-substituted with alkyl, halogen, cyclopropyl, CH 3 —S—, methylsulfonyl, or phenyl wherein the phenyl-ring can again be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, cyano, —CF 3 , and —OCF 3 ; pyrimidinyl mono- or di-substituted with methoxy; pyridazinyl; benzothienyl; benzofuranyl; quinolinyl; isoquinolinyl; or benzhydryl, wherein both phenyl rings can be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, and alkyl-carbonyl; or
 
R 3  represents aryl that can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy-C 1-5 -alkyl; 2,3-dihydroxypropyl; di-(hydroxy-C 1-5 -alkyl)-C 1-5 -alkyl; —CH 2 —(CH 2 ) k —NR 31 R 32 ; (azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl-methyl; (azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl-methyl; 2-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethyl; 2-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-ethyl; 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propyl; 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propyl; (pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl-methyl; (pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl-methyl; (pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl-methyl; (pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl-methyl; 2-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethyl; 2-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-ethyl; 2-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethyl; 2-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-ethyl; 3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propyl; 3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propyl; 3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propyl; 3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propyl; —CH 2 —(CH 2 ) p —CONR 31 R 32 ; —CO—NHR 31 ; 1-(3-carboxy-azetidinyl)-2-acetyl; 1-(2-carboxy-pyrrolidinyl)-2-acetyl; 1-(3-carboxy-pyrrolidinyl)-2-acetyl; 1-(3-carboxy-azetidinyl)-3-propionyl; 1-(2-carboxy-pyrrolidinyl)-3-propionyl; 1-(3-carboxy-pyrrolidinyl)-3-propionyl; —(CH 2 ) p CH(OH)—CH 2 —NR 31 R 32 ; hydroxy-C 2-5 -alkoxy; di-(hydroxy-C 1-5 -alkyl)-C 1-5 -alkoxy; 2,3-dihydroxypropoxy; 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-propoxy; —OCH 2 —(CH 2 ) m —NR 31 R 32 ; 2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-ethoxy; 3-pyrrolidin-1-yl-propoxy; 2-piperazin-1-yl-ethoxy; 2-[4-(C 1-5 -alkyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-ethoxy; 2-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-ethoxy; 3-piperazin-1-yl-propoxy; 3-[4-(C 1-5 -alkyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-propoxy; 3-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-propoxy; 2-morpholin-4-yl-ethoxy; 3-morpholin-4-yl-propoxy; 2-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethoxy; 2-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-ethoxy; 2-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethoxy; 2-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-ethoxy; 2-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethoxy; 2-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-ethoxy; 2-[(2-hydroxy-pyrrolidine)-1-yl]-ethoxy; 2-[(3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine)-1-yl]-ethoxy; 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propoxy; 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propoxy; 3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propoxy; 3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propoxy; 3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propoxy; 3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propoxy; 3-[(2-hydroxy-pyrrolidine)-1-yl]-propoxy; 3-[(3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine)-1-yl]-propoxy; 2-amino-3-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-propoxy; —O—CH 2 —CONR 31 R 32 ; 1-(3-carboxy-azetidinyl)-1-oxo-2-ethoxy; 1-(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl-1-oxo-2-ethoxy; 1-(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl-1-oxo-2-ethoxy; 3-carbamoyl-propoxy; 3-(C 1-5 -alkylcarbamoyl)propoxy; 3-(2-hydroxyethylcarbamoyl)propoxy; —OCH 2 —CH(OH)—CH 2 —NR 31 R 32 ; 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-2-hydroxypropoxy; 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-2-hydroxypropoxy; 2-hydroxy-3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propoxy; 2-hydroxy-3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propoxy; 2-hydroxy-3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propoxy; 2-hydroxy-3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propoxy; 2-hydroxy-3-[(2-hydroxy-pyrrolidine)-1-yl]-propoxy; 2-hydroxy-3-[(3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine)-1-yl]-propoxy; 2-hydroxy-3-pyrrolidin-1-yl-propoxy; 2-hydroxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-propoxy; 2-hydroxy-3-[4-(C 1-5 -alkyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-propoxy; 2-hydroxy-3-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-propoxy; 2-hydroxy-3-morpholin-4-yl-propoxy; —NR 31 R 32 ; —NHCO—R 31 ; —CH 2 —(CH 2 ) k —NHSO 2 R 33 ; —(CH 2 ) p CH(OH)—CH 2 —NHSO 2 R 33 ; —OCH 2 —(CH 2 ) m —NHSO 2 R 33 ; —OCH 2 —CH(OH)—CH 2 —NHSO 2 R 33 ; —CH 2 —(CH 2 ) k —NHCOR 34 ; —(CH 2 ) p CH(OH)—CH 2 —NHCOR 34 ; —OCH 2 —(CH 2 ) m —NHCOR 34 ; —OCH 2 —CH(OH)—CH 2 —NHCOR 34 ; —SO 2 NHR 31 ; phenyl, wherein said phenyl ring can further be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, carboxyl, and methylene-dioxy; pyridyl, wherein said pyridyl ring can further be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, and —CF 3 ; furanyl, wherein said furanyl ring can further be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, and halogen; thienyl, wherein said thienyl ring can further be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, and halogen; oxadiazolyl, wherein said oxadiazolyl ring can further be mono-substituted with alkyl, pyridyl or phenyl, wherein the phenyl ring can further be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, carboxyl, and methylene-dioxy; isoxazolyl, wherein said isoxazolyl ring can further be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from alkyl, phenyl and pyridyl; halogen; alkyl; alkoxy; —CF 3 ; —OCF 3 ; hydroxy; cyano; alkoxy-carbonyl; alkyl-carbonyl; carboxyl; monoalkyl-amino; dialkyl-amino; pyrrolidino; morpholino; thiomorpholino; piperidino; N-benzyl-N-alkyl-amino; N-pyridyl-N-methyl-amino; (dialkyl-amino)-alkoxy; phenyl-alkoxy, wherein the phenyl ring can further be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, carboxyl, and methylene-dioxy; phenyl-amino-carbonyl, wherein the phenyl ring can further be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, carboxyl, and methylene-dioxy; phenyl-alkyl-amino-carbonyl, wherein the phenyl ring can further be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, carboxyl, and methylene-dioxy; alkyl-amino-carbonyl; dialkyl-amino-carbonyl; pyridyl-amino-carbonyl; phenyl-carbonyl-amino, wherein the phenyl ring can further be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, carboxyl, and methylene-dioxy; phenyl-alkyl-carbonyl-amino, wherein the phenyl ring can further be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, carboxyl, and methylene-dioxy; alkyl-carbonyl-amino; pyridyl-carbonyl-amino; and tetrahydro-isoquinolinyl;
 
or R 3  represents the following group:
 
                                
wherein Z represents phenyl or pyridyl;
 
R 31  represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, 1-propyl, 2-propyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-ethyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 2-C 1-5 -alkoxyethyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 3-C 1-5 -alkoxypropyl, 2-aminoethyl, 2-(C 1-5 -alkylamino)ethyl, 2-(di-(C 1-5 -alkyl)amino)ethyl, carboxymethyl, 1-(C 1-5 -alkylcarboxy)methyl, 2-carboxyethyl, 2-(C 1-5 -alkylcarboxy)ethyl, phenyl, pyridyl, phenyl-alkyl, hydroxyalkyl-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, cycloalkyl-carbonyl, or phenyl-carbonyl;
 
R 32  represents hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl;
 
R 33  represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-methoxyethyl, methylamino, ethylamino, propylamino, isopropylamino, n-butylamino, or dimethylamino;
 
R 34  represents hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, aminomethyl, methylaminomethyl, dimethylaminomethyl, aminoethyl, 2-methylamino-ethyl, or 2-dimethylamino-ethyl;
 
k represents the integer 1, 2, or 3;
 
m represents the integer 1 or 2;
 
p represents 0, 1, or 2;
 
R 35  represents alkyl; alkyl-carbonyl; alkoxy-carbonyl; cycloalkyl-carbonyl; aryl, wherein the aryl-ring can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, alkoxy-carbonyl, and carboxyl; aryl-carbonyl, wherein the aryl-ring can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, alkoxy-carbonyl, and carboxyl; aryl-alkyl, wherein the aryl-ring can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, alkoxy-carbonyl, and carboxyl; pyridyl, wherein the pyridyl-ring can be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, alkoxy-carbonyl, and carboxyl; pyridyl-alkyl, wherein the pyridyl-ring can be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, alkoxy-carbonyl, and carboxyl; pyrimidinyl, wherein the pyrimidinyl-ring can be mono-, or di-substituted wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, and —CF 3 ; furanyl-carbonyl; furanyl-alkyl, wherein the furanyl-ring can be mono-, or di-substituted wherein the substituents are independently selected from methyl, hydroxy-methyl, and bromine; thienyl-alkyl that can be mono-substituted with methyl or chlorine; benzothienyl-alkyl; benzofuranyl-alkyl; imidazolyl-alkyl; or thiazolyl-alkyl; and
 
R 4  represents alkyl; cycloalkyl; benzo[1,3]dioxolyl; benzo[1,3]dioxolyl —CH 2 —; benzothienyl; benzofuranyl; indazolyl; indolyl that can be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , and hydroxy; quinolinyl; isoquinolinyl; benzhydryl, wherein both phenyl-rings can be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, and alkyl-carbonyl; aryl that can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from phenyl, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, and carboxyl; pyridyl that can be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, alkoxy-carbonyl, and carboxyl; aryl —CH═CH—, wherein aryl can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from phenyl, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, and carboxyl; aryl —CH 2 —CH 2 —, wherein aryl can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from phenyl, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, and carboxyl; pyridyl —CH═CH—, wherein pyridyl can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from phenyl, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, and carboxyl; pyridyl —CH 2 —CH 2 —, wherein pyridyl can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from phenyl, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, and carboxyl; aryl —CH 2 —, wherein aryl can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from phenyl, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, and carboxyl; pyridyl —CH 2 —, wherein pyridyl can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from phenyl, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, and carboxyl; thienyl —CH 2 —; pyrimidinyl —CH═CH—; furanyl —CH═CH—; or thienyl —CH═CH—;
 
and optically pure enantiomers, mixtures of enantiomers such as for example racemates, optically pure diastereomers, mixtures of diastereomers, diastereomeric racemates, mixtures of diastereomeric racemates, and meso-forms, as well as salts and solvates of such compounds, and morphological forms.
 
     The present invention also relates to compounds of the formula I′: 
                                
wherein n, X, R 1 , R 2 , R 3  and R 4  are as defined for formula I above.
 
     The present invention further also relates to compounds of the formula I, wherein 
     X represents —(CH 2 ) 0-2 — or —C(═O)—; 
     n represents the integer 0, 1 or 2; 
     R 1  represents hydrogen; alkyl; cycloalkyl; ethoxy-carbonyl; hydroxy-ethyl; benzo[1,3]dioxolyl; aryl that can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, and carboxyl; pyridyl that can be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, alkoxy-carbonyl, and carboxyl; furanyl that can be mono-, or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from methyl, hydroxy-methyl, and bromine; thienyl that can be mono-substituted with methyl or chlorine; pyrimidinyl that can be mono-substituted with alkyl, halogen, cyclopropyl, CH 3 —S—, or methylsulfonyl or that can be mono- or di-substituted with methoxy; pyridazinyl; benzothienyl; benzofuranyl; quinolinyl; isoquinolinyl; or benzhydryl, wherein both phenyl rings can be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, and alkyl-carbonyl;
 
R 2  represents hydrogen; alkyl; indolyl; carboxyl; alkoxy-carbonyl; amino-carbonyl; imidazolyl; cycloalkyl; aryl that can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from phenyl, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, and carboxyl; pyridyl that can be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from phenyl, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, alkoxy-carbonyl, and carboxyl; benzothienyl; thiazolyl; or thienyl;
 
R 3  represents hydrogen; alkyl; cycloalkyl; formyl; acetyl; ethoxy-carbonyl; hydroxy-ethyl; benzo[1,3]dioxolyl; pyridyl that can be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from phenyl, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, alkoxy-carbonyl, and carboxyl; furanyl that can be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from phenyl, methyl, hydroxy-methyl, and bromine; thienyl that can be mono-substituted with phenyl, methyl, or chlorine; pyrimidinyl that can be mono-substituted with phenyl, alkyl, halogen, cyclopropyl, CH 3 —S—, or methylsulfonyl or that can be mono- or di-substituted with methoxy; pyridazinyl; benzothienyl; benzofuranyl; quinolinyl; isoquinolinyl; or benzhydryl, wherein both phenyl rings can be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, and alkyl-carbonyl; or
 
R 3  represents aryl that can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from the group consisting of:
 
phenyl, wherein said phenyl ring can further be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, carboxyl, and methylene-dioxy; pyridyl, wherein said pyridyl ring can further be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, and —CF 3 ; furanyl, wherein said furanyl ring can further be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, and halogen; thienyl, wherein said thienyl ring can further be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, and halogen; oxadiazolyl, wherein said oxadiazolyl ring can further be mono-substituted with alkyl or phenyl, wherein the phenyl ring can further be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, carboxyl, and methylene-dioxy; pyridyl; isoxazolyl, wherein said isoxazolyl ring can further be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from alkyl, phenyl and pyridyl; halogen; alkyl; alkoxy; —CF 3 ; —OCF 3 ; hydroxy; cyano; alkoxy-carbonyl; alkyl-carbonyl; carboxyl; monoalkyl-amino; dialkyl-amino; pyrrolidino; morpholino; thiomorpholino; piperidino; N-benzyl-N-alkyl-amino; N-pyridyl-N-methyl-amino; (dialkyl-amino)-alkoxy; phenyl-alkoxy, wherein the phenyl ring can further be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, carboxyl, and methylene-dioxy; phenyl-amino-carbonyl, wherein the phenyl ring can further be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, carboxyl, and methylene-dioxy; phenyl-alkyl-amino-carbonyl, wherein the phenyl ring can further be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, carboxyl, and methylene-dioxy; alkyl-amino-carbonyl; dialkyl-amino-carbonyl; pyridyl-amino-carbonyl; phenyl-carbonyl-amino, wherein the phenyl ring can further be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, carboxyl, and methylene-dioxy; phenyl-alkyl-carbonyl-amino, wherein the phenyl ring can further be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, carboxyl, and methylene-dioxy; alkyl-carbonyl-amino; and pyridyl-carbonyl-amino; and
 
R 4  represents alkyl; cycloalkyl; benzo[1,3]dioxolyl; benzo[1,3]dioxolyl —CH 2 —; benzothienyl; benzofuranyl; indazolyl; indolyl that can be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , and hydroxy; quinolinyl; isoquinolinyl; benzhydryl, wherein both phenyl-rings can be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, and alkyl-carbonyl; aryl that can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from phenyl, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, and carboxyl; pyridyl that can be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, alkoxy-carbonyl, and carboxyl; aryl —CH═CH—, wherein aryl can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from phenyl, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, and carboxyl; aryl —CH 2 —CH 2 —, wherein aryl can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from phenyl, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, and carboxyl; pyridyl —CH═CH—, wherein pyridyl can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from phenyl, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, and carboxyl; pyridyl —CH 2 —CH 2 —, wherein pyridyl can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from phenyl, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, and carboxyl; aryl —CH 2 —, wherein aryl can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from phenyl, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, and carboxyl; pyridyl —CH 2 —, wherein pyridyl can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from phenyl, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, and carboxyl; or thienyl —CH 2 —;
 
and optically pure enantiomers, mixtures of enantiomers such as for example racemates, optically pure diastereomers, mixtures of diastereomers, diastereomeric racemates, mixtures of diastereomeric racemates, and meso-forms, as well as salts and solvates of such compounds, and morphological forms.
 
     The general terms used hereinbefore and hereinafter preferably have, within this disclosure, the following meanings, unless otherwise indicated: 
     Where the plural form is used for compounds, salts, pharmaceutical compositions, diseases and the like, this is intended to mean also a single compound, salt, or the like. 
     Any reference to a compound of formula I is to be understood as referring also to optically pure enantiomers, mixtures of enantiomers such as racemates, diastereomers, mixtures of diastereomers, diastereomeric racemates, mixtures of diastereomeric racemates, and meso-forms, as well as salts (especially pharmaceutically acceptable salts) and solvates (including hydrates) of such compounds, and morphological forms, as appropriate and expedient. 
     In the definitions of formula I—if not otherwise stated—the term alkyl, alone or in combination with other groups, means saturated, straight or branched chain groups with one to seven carbon atoms, preferably one to four carbon atoms. Examples of alkyl groups are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, pentyl, hexyl and heptyl. The methyl, ethyl and isopropyl groups are preferred, unless indicated otherwise. 
     The term alkoxy, alone or in combination with other groups, refers to an R—O— group, wherein R is an alkyl. Examples of alkoxy groups are methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, iso-propoxy, n-butoxy, iso-butoxy, sec-butoxy and tert-butoxy. 
     The term halogen means fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine, preferably fluorine and chlorine. 
     The term cycloalkyl, alone or in combination with other groups, means a saturated cyclic hydrocarbon ring system with 3 to 7 carbon atoms, e.g. cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl. The cyclopropyl group is a preferred group. 
     The term aryl, alone or in combination with other groups, relates to a phenyl or naphthyl group, preferably a phenyl group. 
     The expression pharmaceutically acceptable salts encompasses either salts with inorganic acids or organic acids like hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid, sulfuric acid, sulfamic acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, phosphorous acid, nitrous acid, citric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, benzoic acid, mandelic acid, cinnamic acid, palmoic acid, stearic acid, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, ethanedisulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, salicylic acid, succinic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, and the like that are non toxic to living organisms or in case the compound of formula I is acidic in nature with an inorganic base like an alkali or earth alkali base, e.g. sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide and the like. For other examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts, reference can be made to “Salt selection for basic drugs”,  Int. J. Pharm . (1986), 33, 201-217. 
     The compounds of the formula I contain one or more asymmetric carbon atoms and may be prepared in form of optically pure enantiomers, mixtures of enantiomers such as racemates, diastereomers, mixtures of diastereomers, diastereomeric racemates, mixtures of diastereomeric racemates, or meso-forms. 
     The present invention encompasses all these forms. Mixtures can be separated in a manner known per se, e.g. by column chromatography, thin layer chromatography (TLC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), or crystallization. 
     Preferred compounds are compounds of the formula I, wherein 
     X represents —CH 2 —; 
     n represents the integer 1; 
     R 1  represents aryl that can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, and carboxyl; pyridyl that can be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, alkoxy-carbonyl, and carboxyl; furanyl that can be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from methyl, hydroxy-methyl, and bromine; thienyl that can be mono-substituted with methyl or chlorine; benzothienyl; benzofuranyl; quinolinyl; or isoquinolinyl;
 
R 2  represents aryl that can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from phenyl, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, and carboxyl; pyridyl that can be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from phenyl, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, alkoxy-carbonyl, and carboxyl; benzothienyl; thiazolyl; or thienyl; and
 
R 3  and R 4  are as defined for formula I above.
 
     Also preferred compounds are compounds of the formula I, wherein 
     X represents —CH 2 —; 
     n represents the integer 1; 
     R 1  and R 2  both represent phenyl; and 
     R 3  and R 4  are as defined for formula I above. 
     Also preferred compounds are compounds of the formula I, wherein 
     X represents —CH 2 —; 
     n represents the integer 1; 
     R 1  and R 2  both represent phenyl; 
     R 3  is as defined for formula I above; and 
     R 4  represents a radical of the formula 
                                
wherein R 5  represents phenyl that can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from phenyl, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, and carboxyl.
 
     The present invention also relates to compounds of formula I wherein the meanings of one or more of the substituents and symbols as defined for formula I, or a preferred embodiment of formula I, are replaced by their preferred meanings as defined herein, such as those defined for the above-given preferred compounds. 
     In an especially preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a compound of formula I, wherein 
     X represents —(CH 2 ) 0-1 — or —C(═O)—; 
     n represents the integer 1; 
     R 1  represents hydrogen; alkyl; ethoxy-carbonyl; hydroxy-ethyl; benzo[1,3]dioxolyl; aryl that can be mono-substituted with halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , or alkyl-carbonyl; pyridyl that can be mono-substituted with halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, or —CF 3 ; furanyl that can be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from methyl, hydroxy-methyl, and bromine; thienyl that can be mono-substituted with methyl or chlorine; pyrimidinyl; isoquinolinyl; or benzhydryl;
 
R 2  represents indolyl; imidazolyl; aryl that can be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, hydroxy, and cyano; pyridyl; benzothienyl; thiazolyl; or thienyl;
 
R 3  represents aryl that is mono-substituted with phenyl, pyridyl, alkyl, alkoxy, pyrrolidino, (dialkyl-amino)-alkoxy or phenyl-alkoxy; and
 
R 4  represents aryl —CH═CH—, wherein aryl is mono-substituted with alkoxy or —CF 3 , especially methoxy or —CF 3 ; or aryl —CH 2 —CH 2 —, wherein aryl is di-substituted with —CF 3 .
 
     In a further especially preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a compound of formula I, wherein 
     X represents —(CH 2 )—; 
     n represents the integer 1; 
     R 1  represents hydrogen; methyl; cycloalkyl; benzo[1,3]dioxolyl; aryl that can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, and carboxyl; pyridyl that can be mono-, or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, alkoxy-carbonyl, and carboxyl; furanyl that can be mono-, or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from methyl, hydroxy-methyl, and bromine; thienyl that can be mono-substituted with methyl or chlorine; pyrimidinyl that can be mono-substituted with alkyl, halogen, or cyclopropyl or that can be mono- or di-substituted with methoxy; pyridazinyl; benzothienyl; benzofuranyl; quinolinyl; isoquinolinyl; imidazolyl; thiazolyl; or oxazolyl;
 
R 2  represents cycloalkyl; aryl that can be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , and cyano; pyridyl that can be mono-, or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , and —OCF 3 ; thiazolyl; or thienyl;
 
R 3  represents alkyl; cycloalkyl; pyridyl that can be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from: halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , alkoxy-carbonyl, carboxyl, hydroxy-C 1-5 -alkyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, di-(hydroxy-C 1-5 -alkyl)-C 1-5 -alkyl, —CH 2 —(CH 2 ) k —NR 31 R 32 , (azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl-methyl, (azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl-methyl, 2-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethyl, 2-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-ethyl, 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propyl, 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propyl, (pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl-methyl, (pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl-methyl, (pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl-methyl, (pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl-methyl, 2-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethyl, 2-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-ethyl, 2-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethyl, 2-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-ethyl, 3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propyl, 3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propyl, 3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propyl, 3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propyl, —CH 2 —(CH 2 ) p —CONR 31 R 32 , —CO—NHR 31 , 1-(3-carboxy-azetidinyl)-2-acetyl, 1-(2-carboxy-pyrrolidinyl)-2-acetyl, 1-(3-carboxy-pyrrolidinyl)-2-acetyl, 1-(3-carboxy-azetidinyl)-3-propionyl, 1-(2-carboxy-pyrrolidinyl)-3-propionyl, 1-(3-carboxy-pyrrolidinyl)-3-propionyl, —(CH 2 ) p CH(OH)—CH 2 —NR 31 R 32 , hydroxy-C 2-5 -alkoxy, di-(hydroxy-C 1-5 -alkyl)-C 1-5 -alkoxy, 2,3-dihydroxypropoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-propoxy, —OCH 2 —(CH 2 ) m —NR 31 R 32 , 2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-ethoxy, 3-pyrrolidin-1-yl-propoxy, 2-piperazin-1-yl-ethoxy, 2-[4-(C 1-5 -alkyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-ethoxy, 2-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-ethoxy, 3-piperazin-1-yl-propoxy, 3-[4-(C 1-5 -alkyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-propoxy, 3-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-morpholin-4-yl-ethoxy, 3-morpholin-4-yl-propoxy, 2-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethoxy, 2-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-ethoxy, 2-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethoxy, 2-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-ethoxy, 2-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethoxy, 2-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-ethoxy, 2-[(2-hydroxy-pyrrolidine)-1-yl]-ethoxy, 2-[(3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine)-1-yl]-ethoxy, 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propoxy, 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propoxy, 3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propoxy, 3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propoxy, 3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propoxy, 3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propoxy, 3-[(2-hydroxy-pyrrolidine)-1-yl]-propoxy, 3-[(3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine)-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-amino-3-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-propoxy, —O—CH 2 —CONR 31 R 32 , 1-(3-carboxy-azetidinyl)-1-oxo-2-ethoxy, 1-(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl-1-oxo-2-ethoxy, 1-(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl-1-oxo-2-ethoxy, 3-carbamoyl-propoxy, 3-(C 1-5 -alkylcarbamoyl)propoxy, 3-(2-hydroxyethylcarbamoyl)propoxy, —OCH 2 —C H(OH)—CH 2 —NR 31 R 32 , 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-2-hydroxypropoxy, 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-2-hydroxypropoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-[(2-hydroxy-pyrrolidine)-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-[(3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine)-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-pyrrolidin-1-yl-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-[4-(C 1-5 -alkyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-propoxy, 2-hydroxy-3-morpholin-4-yl-propoxy, —NR 31 R 32 , —NHCO—R 31 , —CH 2 —(CH 2 ) k —NHSO 2 R 33 , —(CH 2 ) p CH(OH)—CH 2 —NHSO 2 R 33 , —OCH 2 —(CH 2 ) m —NHSO 2 R 33 , —OCH 2 —CH(OH)—CH 2 —NHSO 2 R 33 , —CH 2 —(CH 2 ) k —NHCOR 34 —(CH 2 ) p CH(OH)—CH 2 —NHCOR 34 , —OCH 2 —(CH 2 ) m —NHCOR 34 , —OCH 2 —CH(OH)—CH 2 —NHCOR 34 , —SO 2 NHR 31 , and phenyl wherein the phenyl-ring can again be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, alkoxy-carbonyl, and carboxyl; furanyl that can be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from methyl, hydroxy-methyl, bromine, and phenyl, wherein said phenyl ring can further be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, carboxyl, and methylene-dioxy; thienyl that can be mono-substituted with methyl, chlorine, or phenyl wherein said phenyl ring can further be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, carboxyl, and methylene-dioxy; benzothienyl; benzofuranyl; quinolinyl; or isoquinolinyl; or
 
R 3  represents aryl that can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from the group consisting of:
 
hydroxy-C 1-5 -alkyl; 2,3-dihydroxypropyl; di-(hydroxy-C 1-5 -alkyl)-C 1-5 -alkyl; —CH 2 —(CH 2 ) k —NR 31 R 32 ; (azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl-methyl; (azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl-methyl; 2-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethyl; 2-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-ethyl; 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propyl; 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propyl; (pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl-methyl; (pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl-methyl; (pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl-methyl; (pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl-methyl; 2-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethyl; 2-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-ethyl; 2-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethyl; 2-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-ethyl; 3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propyl; 3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propyl; 3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propyl; 3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propyl; —CH 2 —(CH 2 ) p —CONR 31 R 32 —CO—NHR 31 ; 1-(3-carboxy-azetidinyl)-2-acetyl; 1-(2-carboxy-pyrrolidinyl)-2-acetyl; 1-(3-carboxy-pyrrolidinyl)-2-acetyl; 1-(3-carboxy-azetidinyl)-3-propionyl; 1-(2-carboxy-pyrrolidinyl)-3-propionyl; 1-(3-carboxy-pyrrolidinyl)-3-propionyl; —(CH 2 ) p CH(OH)—CH 2 —NR 31 R 32 ; hydroxy-C 2-5 -alkoxy; di-(hydroxy-C 1-5 -alkyl)-C 1-5 -alkoxy; 2,3-dihydroxypropoxy; 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-propoxy; —OCH 2 —(CH 2 ) m —NR 31 R 32 ; 2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-ethoxy; 3-pyrrolidin-1-yl-propoxy; 2-piperazin-1-yl-ethoxy; 2-[4-(C 1-5 -alkyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-ethoxy; 2-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-ethoxy; 3-piperazin-1-yl-propoxy; 3-[4-(C 1-5 -alkyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-propoxy; 3-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-propoxy; 2-morpholin-4-yl-ethoxy; 3-morpholin-4-yl-propoxy; 2-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethoxy; 2-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-ethoxy; 2-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethoxy; 2-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-ethoxy; 2-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-ethoxy; 2-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-ethoxy; 2-[(2-hydroxy-pyrrolidine)-1-yl]-ethoxy; 2-[(3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine)-1-yl]-ethoxy; 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propoxy; 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propoxy; 3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propoxy; 3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propoxy; 3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propoxy; 3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propoxy; 3-[(2-hydroxy-pyrrolidine)-1-yl]-propoxy; 3-[(3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine)-1-yl]-propoxy; 2-amino-3-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-propoxy; —O—CH 2 —CONR 31 R 32 ; 1-(3-carboxy-azetidinyl)-1-oxo-2-ethoxy; 1-(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl-1-oxo-2-ethoxy; 1-(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl-1-oxo-2-ethoxy; 3-carbamoyl-propoxy; 3-(C 1-5 -alkylcarbamoyl)propoxy; 3-(2-hydroxyethylcarbamoyl)propoxy; —OCH 2 —CH(OH)—CH 2 —NR 31 R 32 ; 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-2-hydroxypropoxy; 3-[(azetidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-2-hydroxypropoxy; 2-hydroxy-3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propoxy; 2-hydroxy-3-[(pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propoxy; 2-hydroxy-3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid)-1-yl]-propoxy; 2-hydroxy-3-[(pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid C 1-5 -alkylester)-1-yl]-propoxy; 2-hydroxy-3-[(2-hydroxy-pyrrolidine)-1-yl]-propoxy; 2-hydroxy-3-[(3-hydroxy-pyrrolidine)-1-yl]-propoxy; 2-hydroxy-3-pyrrolidin-1-yl-propoxy; 2-hydroxy-3-piperazin-1-yl-propoxy; 2-hydroxy-3-[4-(C 1-5 -alkyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-propoxy; 2-hydroxy-3-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-propoxy; 2-hydroxy-3-morpholin-4-yl-propoxy; —NR 31 R 32 ; —NHCO—R 31 ; —CH 2 —(CH 2 ) k —NHSO 2 R 33 ; —(CH 2 ) p CH(OH)—CH 2 —NHSO 2 R 33 ; —OCH 2 —(CH 2 ) m —NHSO 2 R 33 ; —OCH 2 —CH(OH)—CH 2 —NHSO 2 R 33 ; —CH 2 —(CH 2 ) k —NHCOR 34 ; —(CH 2 ) p CH(OH)—CH 2 —NHCOR 34 ; —OCH 2 —(CH 2 ) m —NHCOR 34 ; —OCH 2 —CH(OH)—CH 2 —NHCOR 34 ; —SO 2 NHR 31 ; phenyl, wherein said phenyl ring can further be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, carboxyl, and methylene-dioxy; pyridyl, wherein said pyridyl ring can further be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, and —CF 3 ; furanyl, wherein said furanyl ring can further be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, and halogen; thienyl, wherein said thienyl ring can further be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, and halogen; oxadiazolyl, wherein said oxadiazolyl ring can further be mono-substituted with alkyl or phenyl, wherein the phenyl ring can further be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, carboxyl, and methylene-dioxy; isoxazolyl, wherein said isoxazolyl ring can further be mono- or di-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from alkyl, phenyl and pyridyl; halogen; alkyl; alkoxy; —CF 3 ; —OCF 3 ; hydroxy; cyano; alkoxy-carbonyl; alkyl-carbonyl; carboxyl; monoalkyl-amino; dialkyl-amino; pyrrolidino; morpholino; thiomorpholino; piperidino; N-benzyl-N-alkyl-amino; N-pyridyl-N-methyl-amino; (dialkyl-amino)-alkoxy; phenyl-alkoxy, wherein the phenyl ring can further be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, carboxyl, and methylene-dioxy; phenyl-amino-carbonyl, wherein the phenyl ring can further be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, carboxyl, and methylene-dioxy; phenyl-alkyl-amino-carbonyl, wherein the phenyl ring can further be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, carboxyl, and methylene-dioxy; alkyl-amino-carbonyl; dialkyl-amino-carbonyl; pyridyl-amino-carbonyl; phenyl-carbonyl-amino, wherein the phenyl ring can further be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, carboxyl, and methylene-dioxy; phenyl-alkyl-carbonyl-amino, wherein the phenyl ring can further be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, cyano, alkoxy-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, carboxyl, and methylene-dioxy; alkyl-carbonyl-amino; and pyridyl-carbonyl-amino;
 
or R 3  represents the following group:
 
                                
wherein Z represents phenyl or pyridyl;
 
R 31  represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, 1-propyl, 2-propyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-ethyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 2-C 1-5 -alkoxyethyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 3-C 1-5 -alkoxypropyl, 2-aminoethyl, 2-(C 1-5 -alkylamino)ethyl, 2-(di-(C 1-5 -alkyl)amino)ethyl, carboxymethyl, 1-(C 1-5 -alkylcarboxy)methyl, 2-carboxyethyl, or 2-(C 1-5 -alkylcarboxy)ethyl;
 
R 32  represents hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl;
 
R 33  represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-methoxyethyl, methylamino, ethylamino, propylamino, isopropylamino, n-butylamino, or dimethylamino;
 
R 34  represents hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, aminomethyl, methylaminomethyl, dimethylaminomethyl, aminoethyl, 2-methylamino-ethyl, or 2-dimethylamino-ethyl;
 
k represents the integer 1, 2, or 3;
 
m represents the integer 1 or 2;
 
p represents 0, 1, or 2;
 
R 35  represents alkyl; alkyl-carbonyl; alkoxy-carbonyl; cycloalkyl-carbonyl; aryl, wherein the aryl-ring can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, alkoxy-carbonyl, and carboxyl; aryl-carbonyl, wherein the aryl-ring can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, alkoxy-carbonyl, and carboxyl; aryl-alkyl, wherein the aryl-ring can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, alkoxy-carbonyl, and carboxyl; pyridyl, wherein the pyridyl-ring can be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, alkoxy-carbonyl, and carboxyl; pyridyl-alkyl, wherein the pyridyl-ring can be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, alkoxy-carbonyl, and carboxyl; pyrimidinyl, wherein the pyrimidinyl-ring can be mono-, or di-substituted wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, and —CF 3 ; furanyl-carbonyl; furanyl-alkyl, wherein the furanyl-ring can be mono-, or di-substituted wherein the substituents are independently selected from methyl, hydroxy-methyl, and bromine; thienyl-alkyl that can be mono-substituted with methyl or chlorine; benzothienyl-alkyl; benzofuranyl-alkyl; imidazolyl-alkyl; or thiazolyl-alkyl; and
 
R 4  represents aryl —CH═CH—, wherein aryl can be mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, and cyano; pyridyl —CH═CH—, wherein pyridyl can be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , —OCF 3 , hydroxy, and cyano; pyrimidinyl —CH═CH—; furanyl —CH═CH—; or thienyl —CH═CH—.
 
     In another especially preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a compound of formula I, wherein 
     X represents —CH 2 — or a bond; 
     n represents the integer 1; 
     R 1  represents alkyl; cycloalkyl (preferably cyclopropyl); hydroxy-ethyl; benzo[1,3]dioxolyl; phenyl that can be mono-substituted with halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, —CF 3 , or alkyl-carbonyl, or phenyl that is di- or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from alkyl (especially methyl) and halogen; pyridyl that can be mono-substituted with halogen, alkyl, or —CF 3 ; furanyl that can be mono-substituted with methyl, hydroxy-methyl, or bromine, or furanyl that is di-substituted with alkyl (especially methyl); thienyl that can be mono-substituted with methyl or chlorine; pyrimidinyl; isoquinolinyl; benzhydryl; imidazolyl optionally mono-substituted with alkyl (especially methyl); or thiazolyl; or X represents —C(═O)— and R 1  represents hydrogen;
 
R 2  represents indolyl; imidazolyl optionally mono-substituted with alkyl (especially methyl); phenyl that can be mono-substituted with halogen, alkyl, hydroxy, or cyano, or phenyl that is di-substituted with halogen; pyridyl; benzothienyl; thiazolyl; or thienyl;
 
R 3  represents indolyl; pyridyl that can be mono-substituted with alkoxy, alkoxy-alkoxy, —NR 31 R 32 , morpholino, piperidino, oxo-piperidinyl, oxo-pyrrolidinyl, pyridyl, or phenyl; or phenyl which is mono-substituted with phenyl, pyridyl, alkyl, alkoxy, dialkyl-amino, morpholino, N-benzyl-N-alkyl-amino, (dialkyl-amino)-alkoxy, phenyl-alkoxy, or tetrahydro-isoquinolinyl;
 
or R 3  represents the following group:
 
                                
wherein Z represents phenyl or pyridyl;
 
R 31  represents 2-C 1-5 -alkoxyethyl, phenyl, pyridyl, phenyl-alkyl, hydroxyalkyl-carbonyl, alkyl-carbonyl, cycloalkyl-carbonyl, or phenyl-carbonyl;
 
R 32  represents hydrogen or methyl;
 
R 35  represents alkyl, alkyl-carbonyl, phenyl, pyridyl, or pyrimidinyl; and
 
R 4  represents phenyl —CH═CH— (the configuration at the double bond being preferably trans), wherein phenyl can be mono-, di-, or tri-substituted, wherein the substituents are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkoxy (especially methoxy), and —CF 3 ; or phenyl —CH 2 —CH 2 —, wherein phenyl is di-substituted with —CF 3 .
 
     Preferred compounds of formula I are:
     N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-pentyl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-pentyl-benzyl)-3-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-pentyl-benzyl)-3-(2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-3-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-N-(4-pentyl-benzyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-3-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-N-(4-pentyl-benzyl)-acrylamide, and   N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-3-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-(4-pentyl-benzyl)-propionamide.   

     Further preferred compounds of formula I are:
     N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-pyridin-4-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-pyridin-3-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-[4-(4-pyridin-2-yl-piperazin-1-yl)-benzyl]-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-benzyloxy-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-[4-(4-pyrimidin-2-yl-piperazin-1-yl)-benzyl]-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N-[4-(4-Acetyl-piperazin-1-yl)-benzyl]-N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-[6-(4-pyrimidin-2-yl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-ylmethyl]-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-furan-2-ylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-ethoxy-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-ethoxy-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-oxo-2-(4-thiophen-2-ylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl]-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-ethyl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—{(S)-1-Benzyl-2-[4-(4-methyl-benzyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—{(S)-1-Benzyl-2-[4-(4-ethyl-benzyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—{(S)-1-Benzyl-2-[4-(3H-imidazol-4-ylmethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-5-ylmethyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—{(S)-1-Benzyl-2-[4-(4-isopropyl-benzyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-oxo-2-(4-thiazol-2-ylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl]-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-p-tolyl-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-oxo-2-(4-pyridin-3-ylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl]-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-oxo-2-(4-thiophen-3-ylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl]-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—{(S)-1-Benzyl-2-[4-(2,3-difluoro-4-methyl-benzyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—{(S)-1-Benzyl-2-[4-(3,4-dimethyl-benzyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-oxo-2-(4-pyrimidin-5-ylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl]-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-ethoxy-benzyl)-3-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-oxo-2-(4-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl]-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—{(S)-1-Benzyl-2-[4-(3-methyl-benzyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-ethyl-benzyl)-3-p-tolyl-acrylamide,   N—{(S)-1-Benzyl-2-oxo-2-[4-(4-trifluoromethyl-benzyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-ethyl}-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-3-(4-bromo-phenyl)-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-3-(4-bromo-phenyl)-N-(4-ethyl-benzyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-ethyl-benzyl)-3-(3-fluoro-4-methoxy-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(6-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-3-yl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-ethyl-benzyl)-3-(4-methoxy-2,3-dimethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-[2,3′]bipyridinyl-5-ylmethyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-ethyl-benzyl)-3-(4-methoxy-3-methyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-[4-(3-dimethylamino-propoxy)-benzyl]-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—{(S)-1-Benzyl-2-[4-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-N-(4-pentyl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-3-(3,5-dimethoxy-phenyl)-N-(4-ethyl-benzyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-3-(3-fluoro-4-methoxy-phenyl)-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-[4-(3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinolin-2-yl)-benzyl]-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-ethyl-benzyl)-3-(3-fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-pyridin-3-ylmethyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-[4-(3-dimethylamino-propoxy)-benzyl]-3-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N-Benzyl-N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-ethyl-benzyl)-3-(2-fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N-[2-(4-Benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-(S)-1-(4-chloro-benzyl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-morpholin-4-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-oxo-2-(4-pyridin-4-ylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl]-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-[6-(4-pyridin-2-yl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-ylmethyl]-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—{(S)-1-Benzyl-2-[4-(1H-imidazol-2-ylmethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-ethyl-benzyl)-3-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N-[2-(4-Benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-(S)-1-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-ethyl]-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—{(S)-1-Benzyl-2-[4-(6-methyl-pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(6-morpholin-4-yl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-[6-(2-oxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-ylmethyl]-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(6-phenyl-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N-[6-(4-Acetyl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-ylmethyl]-N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-[4-(4-phenyl-piperazin-1-yl)-benzyl]-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-thiophen-3-ylmethyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—{(S)-1-Benzyl-2-[4-(3,5-dimethyl-benzyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-3-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-ethyl-benzyl)-3-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-[6-(2-hydroxy-acetylamino)-pyridin-3-ylmethyl]-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N-[2-(4-Benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-(S)-1-thiazol-4-ylmethyl-ethyl]-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-pentyl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-[6-(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-pyridin-3-ylmethyl]-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-[4-(4-ethyl-piperazin-1-yl)-benzyl]-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-thiazol-2-ylmethyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—{(S)-1-Benzyl-2-[4-(2,3-dimethyl-benzyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-oxo-2-(4-thiophen-2-ylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl]-N-pyridin-3-ylmethyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-pyridin-4-ylmethyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-furan-2-ylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-pyridin-3-ylmethyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—{(S)-1-Benzyl-2-[4-(2,4-dimethyl-benzyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-2-oxo-ethyl}-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N-[2-(4-Benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-1-thiazol-2-ylmethyl-ethyl]-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-[6-(2-methoxy-ethylamino)-pyridin-3-ylmethyl]-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(6-ethoxy-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide,   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-{6-[(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-methyl-amino]-pyridin-3-ylmethyl}-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide, and   N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-3-(2-fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-(4-pyridin-2-yl-benzyl)-acrylamide.   

     The compounds of the formula I are useful for the treatment and/or prevention of the diseases mentioned herein, especially malaria. 
     In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for the treatment and/or prevention of the diseases mentioned herein, especially malaria, said method comprising administering to a subject a pharmaceutically active amount of a compound of formula I. 
     A further aspect of the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formula I and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier material. These pharmaceutical compositions may be used for the treatment or prevention of the above-mentioned diseases. The pharmaceutical compositions can be used for enteral, parenteral, or topical administration. They can be administered, for example, perorally, e.g. in the form of tablets, coated tablets, dragées, hard and soft gelatine capsules, solutions, emulsions or suspensions, nasal, e.g. in the form of sprays, rectally, e.g. in the form of suppositories, parenterally, e.g. in the form of injection solutions or infusion solutions, or topically, e.g. in the form of ointments, creams or oils. 
     The invention also relates to the use of a compound of formula I for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment and/or prevention of the above-mentioned diseases. 
     The production of the pharmaceutical compositions can be effected in a manner which will be familiar to any person skilled in the art (see for example Mark Gibson, Editor, Pharmaceutical Preformulation and Formulation, IHS Health Group, Englewood, Colo., USA, 2001; Remington,  The Science and Practice of Pharmacy,  20th Edition, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science) by bringing the described compounds of formula I or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, optionally in combination with other therapeutically valuable substances, into a galenical administration form together with suitable, non-toxic, inert, therapeutically compatible solid or liquid carrier materials and, if desired, usual pharmaceutical adjuvants. 
     The compounds of formula I or the above-mentioned pharmaceutical compositions may also be used in combination with one or more other therapeutically useful substances e.g. with other antimalarials like quinolines (quinine, chloroquine, amodiaquine, mefloquine, primaquine, tafenoquine), peroxide antimalarials (artemisinin, artemether, artesunate), pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine antimalarials (e.g. Fansidar), hydroxynaphtoquinones (e.g. atovaquone), acroline-type antimalarials (e.g. pyronaridine) and other antiprotozoal agents like ethylstibamine, hydroxystilbamidine, pentamidine, stilbamidine, quinapyramine, puromycine, propamidine, nifurtimox, melarsoprol, nimorazole, nifuroxime, aminitrozole and the like. 
     The present invention also relates to pro-drugs of a compound of formula I that convert in vivo to the compound of formula I as such. Any reference to a compound of formula I is therefore to be understood as referring also to the corresponding pro-drugs of the compound of formula I, as appropriate and expedient. 
     The compounds of the formula I of the present invention may be prepared according to the procedures described herein, especially as described in the experimental part. 
     In general, all chemical transformations can be performed according to well-known standard methodologies as described in the literature or as described in the procedures below. 
     Preparation of Compounds of Formula I: 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     The Boc-protected aminoacid 1 can be coupled with an N-4-substituted piperazine 2 by the help of a coupling/activating reagent such as EDC or TBTU in a solvent such as DCM, DMF or acetonitrile at rt in the presence of a base such as Hünig&#39;s base, triethylamine or N-methylmorpholine to give the intermediate 3. Boc-deprotection is usually achieved by reacting 3 with HCl in dioxane to give the HCl-salt of the amine intermediate 4 which can be refluxed with an aldehyde derivative 5 (under reductive amination conditions via the imine; not depicted) in methanol in the presence of a base such as triethylamine to form an unstable imine intermediate which is reduced at rt with sodium borohydride to give the secondary amine intermediate 6. Compound 6 can be acylated by either an acid chloride 7 (Y═Cl) in a suitable solvent like DCM or acetonitrile in the presence of a base such as Hünig&#39;s base, or a carboxylic acid 7 (Y═OH) by the help of a coupling/activating reagent such as EDC or TBTU in a solvent such as DCM, DMF or acetonitrile at rt in the presence of a base such as Hünig&#39;s base, triethylamine or N-methylmorpholine to give the final compounds 8 of formula I. 
     The procedure for the preparation of compounds of formula I depicted in scheme 2 starts by a reductive amination of the aminoacid methyl ester 9 with an aldehyde derivative 5 (under conditions similar to those described above) to give the secondary amine intermediate 10 which can be acylated by either an acid chloride 7 (Y═Cl) in a suitable solvent like DCM or acetonitrile in the presence of a base such as Hünig&#39;s base, or a carboxylic acid 7 (Y═OH) by the help of a coupling/activating reagent such as EDC or TBTU in a solvent such as DCM, DMF or acetonitrile at rt in the presence of a base such as Hünig&#39;s base, triethylamine or N-methylmorpholine to give the intermediate 11. Hydrolysis of the methylester group by a base such as sodium hydroxide in a solvent such as methanol at rt leads to the intermediate carboxylic acid 12. The acid 12 can either be reacted in an acylation reaction under conditions as described above with an N-4-substituted piperazine derivative 2 to give the final compounds 8 of formula I, or compound 12 can be reacted with 1-Boc-piperazine 13 in an acylation reaction under conditions as described above to give intermediate 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     14 which is deprotected under standard conditions with HCl in dioxane to give the amine precursor 15 which is either reacted under reductive amination conditions with an aldehyde derivative 16 in a solvent such as DCM or acetonitrile in the presence of sodium triacetoxyborohydride as the reducing agent to give the final compounds 17 of formula I, or the amine 15 can be acylated with reagent 18 under conditions as described above (depending on the nature of Y) to give the final compounds 19 of formula I. 
     The following examples illustrate the invention but do not limit the scope thereof. All temperatures are stated in ° C. 
     Abbreviations (as Used Herein): 
     
         
         aq. aqueous 
         Boc tert.-butyloxycarbonyl 
         Bu Butyl 
         DCM Dichloromethane 
         DIPEA Diisopropylethylamine 
         DMF Dimethylformamide 
         DMSO Dimethylsulfoxide 
         EDC N-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethyl-carbodiimid 
         ELSD Evaporative light-scattering detection 
         Et Ethyl 
         EtOAc Ethyl acetate 
         EtOH Ethanol 
         Ex Example 
         Fmoc Fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl 
         h hour(s) 
         HPLC High Performance Liquid Chromatography 
         HV High Vacuum 
         LC-MS Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy 
         Me Methyl 
         MeOH Methanol 
         min minute(s) 
         MS Mass Spectroscopy 
         PBS Phosphate buffered saline 
         prep. preparative 
         PyBOP Benzotriazole-1-yl-oxy-tris-pyrrolidino-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate 
         quant. quantitative 
         rt room temperature 
         sat. saturated 
         SK-CC02-A 2-(Dimethylamino)-ferrocen-1-yl-palladium(II)-chloride Dinorbornylphosphine Complex (Fluka 44696) 
         TBTU O-Benzotriazol-1-yl-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate 
         TEA Triethylamine 
         TFA Trifluoroacetic acid 
         TLC Thin Layer Chromatography 
         t R  retention time (given in minutes) 
         UV ultra violet 
         V is visible 
       
    
     GENERAL PROCEDURES AND EXAMPLES 
     HPLC Conditions 
     Analytic: Zorbax 59 SB Aqua column, 4.6×50 mm from Agilent Technologies. 
     Eluents: A: acetonitrile; B: H 2 O+0.5% TFA. Gradient: 90% B→5% B over 2 min. 
     Flow: 1 mL/min. Detection: UV/Vis+MS. 
     Preparative: Zorbax SB Aqua column, 20×500 mm from Agilent Technologies. 
     Eluent: A: Acetonitrile; B: H 2 O+0.05% ammonium hydroxide (25% aq.). Gradient: 
     80% B→10% B over 6 min. Flow: 40 mL/min. Detection: UV+MS, or UV+ELSD. 
     Chiral, analytic: Regis Whelk column, 4.6×250 mm, 10 μm. Eluent A: EtOH+0.05% Et 3 N. Eluent B: hexane. Isocratic conditions, usually 60% B, over 40 min, 1 mL/min. The isocratic mixture may vary, depending on the compounds. 
     Chiral, preparative: As analytical conditions, but on a Regis Whelk 01 column, 50×250 mm and a flow of 100 mL/min. 
     Example 1 
     Step 1 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     (S)-2-tert-Butoxycarbonylamino-3-phenyl-propionic acid (3 g, 11.3 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (100 mL), and PyBOP (5.9 g, 11.3 mmol) and Hünig&#39;s base (3.36 g, 25.99 mmol) were added, followed by 1-benzyl-piperazine (2 g, 11.3 mmol). Stirring at rt was continued for 8 h, followed by the addition of EtOAc (400 mL). The mixture was washed with 1 N aq. HCl (300 mL), sat. aq. sodium hydrogencarbonate solution (300 mL) and brine (300 mL). The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to give 4.375 g (91%) of [(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester. LC-MS: t R =0.80 min; [M+H] + =424.34. 
     Step 2 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     [(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (2.5 g, 5.9 mmol) was dissolved in dioxane (20 mL), followed by the addition of 4 M HCl in dioxane (30 mL). The mixture was stirred at rt for 1 h, the solvent removed under reduced pressure and the residue dried under HV to give 2.2 g (quant. yield) of N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-pentyl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide hydrochloride. LC-MS: t R =0.56 min; [M+H] + =324.26. 
     Step 3 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-pentyl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide hydrochloride (2 g, 5.55 mmol) was dissolved in methanol (50 mL), followed by the addition of triethylamine (0.562 g, 5.55 mmol) and 4-n-pentylbenzaldehyde (1.076 g, 6.10 mmol). The mixture was heated to reflux for 5 h, cooled to rt and sodium borohydride (0.6 g, 15.8 mmol) was added in several portions over a period of 60 min. Stirring at rt was continued for 12 h, followed by the addition of water (2 mL). The mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure, to the residue was added water (100 mL) and the product was extracted with EtOAc (3×100 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (100 mL), dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude material was purified by column chromatography (silicagel, heptane/EtOAc=1/1) to give 906 mg (32%) of 1-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-(S)-2-(4-pentyl-benzylamino)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one. LC-MS: t R =0.77 min; [M+H] + =484.44. 
     Step 4 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     In an inert atmosphere, trans-4-trifluoromethyl-cinnamic acid (21.4 mg, 0.099 mmol) was dissolved in 2 mL dichloromethane followed by the addition of 1-chloro-N,N-2-trimethylpropenyl amine (16.4 μl, 0.122 mmol). Stirring was continued at rt for 1 h. This solution was then added to a solution of 1-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-(S)-2-(4-pentyl-benzylamino)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one (43.5 mg, 0.09 mmol) in dichloromethane (1 mL) and Hünig&#39;s base (39 μl). The resulting mixture was stirred for 1 h at rt, followed by the addition of water (3 mL). The layers were separated. The aq. layer was extracted with dichloromethane (2×2 mL) and the combined organic layers were dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified by prep. TLC (silicagel, heptane/EtOAc=1/1) to give 36.1 mg (58%) of N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-pentyl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide. LC-MS: t R =1.02 min; [M+H] + =682.48. 
     According to the procedures described above the following examples could be prepared: 
     Example 2 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Acylation of 1-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-(S)-2-(4-pentyl-benzylamino)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one (43.5 mg, 0.09 mmol) according to the procedure described for the preparation of Example 1 with trans-3-trifluoromethyl-cinnamic acid (21.4 mg, 0.099 mmol) gave 42.9 mg (69%) of N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-pentyl-benzyl)-3-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide. LC-MS: t R =1.02 min; [M+H] + =682.48. 
     Example 3 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Acylation of 1-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-(S)-2-(4-pentyl-benzylamino)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one (43.5 mg, 0.09 mmol) according to the procedure described for the preparation of Example 1 with trans-2-trifluoromethyl-cinnamic acid (21.4 mg, 0.099 mmol) gave 37.6 mg (60%) of N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-pentyl-benzyl)-3-(2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide. LC-MS: t R =1.04 min; [M+H] + =682.49. 
     Example 4 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Acylation of 1-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-(S)-2-(4-pentyl-benzylamino)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one (43.5 mg, 0.09 mmol) according to the procedure described for the preparation of Example 1 with trans-4-methoxy-cinnamic acid (17.6 mg, 0.099 mmol) gave 27.7 mg (48%) of N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-3-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-N-(4-pentyl-benzyl)-acrylamide. LC-MS: t R =1.00 min; [M+H] + =644.50. 
     Example 5 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Acylation of 1-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-(S)-2-(4-pentyl-benzylamino)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one (43.5 mg, 0.09 mmol) according to the procedure described for the preparation of Example 1 with trans-3-methoxy-cinnamic acid (17.6 mg, 0.099 mmol) gave 31.3 mg (54%) of N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-3-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-N-(4-pentyl-benzyl)-acrylamide. LC-MS: t R =1.01 min; [M+H] + =644.50. 
     Example 6 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Acylation of 1-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-(S)-2-(4-pentyl-benzylamino)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one (43.5 mg, 0.09 mmol) according to the procedure described for the preparation of Example 1 with 3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-hydrocinnamic acid (28.33 mg, 0.099 mmol) gave 55.5 mg (82%) of N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-3-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-N-(4-pentyl-benzyl)-propionamide. LC-MS: t R =1.05 min; [M+H] + =752.45. 
     Example 7 
     Step 1 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     In an inert atmosphere L-phenylalanine methylester hydrochloride (5 g, 23.2 mmol) was dissolved in MeOH (100 mL) followed by the addition of TEA (3.2 mL, 23.2 mmol) and 4-n-pentlybenzaldehyde (4.0 g, 23.2 mmol). The mixture was refluxed for 4 h, cooled to rt, followed by the addition of sodium borohydride (1.3 g, 34.8 mmol) in portions. Stirring was continued for 20 min, then sat. sodium hydrogen carbonate (aq.) (100 mL) was added and the product was extracted with EtOAc (2×100 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (150 mL), dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and the solvent was evaporated to give 7.35 g (93%) of 2-(4-pentyl-benzylamino)-(S)-3-phenyl-propionic acid methyl ester as a slightly yellow oil. LC-MS: t R =0.89 min; [M+H] + =340.31. 
     Step 2 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     In an inert atmosphere trans-4-(trifluoromethyl)-cinnamic acid (6.7 g, 31.2 mmol) was dissolved in DCM (150 mL) and 1-chloro-N,N,2-trimethylpropenylamine (4.7 g, 35.5 mmol) was slowly added via syringe. Stirring was continued for 1 h followed by the addition of DIPEA (10.7 mL, 62.6 mmol) and 2-(4-pentyl-benzylamino)-(S)-3-phenyl-propionic acid methyl ester (7.0 g, 20.8 mmol). Stirring was continued for 45 min. Water (250 mL) was added and the product was extracted with DCM (3×150 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to give the crude product which was purified by column chromatography (silicagel, EtOAc/heptane=¼) to give 6.71 g (59%) of 2-{(4-pentyl-benzyl)-[3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acryloyl]-amino}-(S)-3-phenyl-propionic acid methyl ester. LC-MS: t R =1.21 min; [M+H] + =538.38. 
     Step 3 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     2-{(4-pentyl-benzyl)-[3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acryloyl]-amino}-(S)-3-phenyl-propionic acid methyl ester (6.6 g, 12.3 mmol) was dissolved in MeOH (150 mL) and 1M NaOH aq . (25 mL) was added. Stirring was continued for 1 h. A solution of 10% citric acid was added till the pH=6, followed by removal of the MeOH under reduced pressure and the addition of NaCl (solid) to saturate the solution. The product was extracted with EtOAc (2×150 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to give 6.55 g (quant. yield) of 2-{(4-pentyl-benzyl)-[3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acryloyl]-amino}-(S)-3-phenyl-propionic acid. LC-MS: t R =1.16 min; [M+H] + =524.38. 
     Step 4 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     2-{(4-pentyl-benzyl)-[3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acryloyl]-amino}-(S)-3-phenyl-propionic acid (50 mg, 0.095 mmol) was dissolved in acetonitrile (1.0 ml), TBTU (37 mg, 0.115 mmol), DIPEA (37 mg, 0.29 mmol) and 1-formylpiperazine (12.23 mg, 0.105 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred for 16 h at rt, filtered and directly purified by prep. HPLC to give 32 mg of N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-formyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-pentyl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide. LC-MS: t R =1.17 min; [M+H] + =620.50. 
     Example 8 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     2-{(4-pentyl-benzyl)-[3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acryloyl]-amino}-(S)-3-phenyl-propionic acid (50 mg, 0.095 mmol) was dissolved in acetonitrile (1.0 mL), TBTU (37 mg, 0.115 mmol), DIPEA (37 mg, 0.29 mmol) and 1-methylpiperazine (10.6 mg, 0.105 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred for 16 h at rt, filtered and directly purified by prep. HPLC to give 28 mg of N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-pentyl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide. LC-MS: t R =1.00 min; [M+H] + =606.38. 
     Examples 9 to 11 were prepared according to the procedures described for the preparation of Examples 7 to 8: 
     Example 9 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 10 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 11 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 12 
     Step 1 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     2-{(4-pentyl-benzyl)-[3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acryloyl]-amino}-(S)-3-phenyl-propionic acid (1.5 g, 2.86 mmol) and TBTU (1.1 g, 3.43 mmol) was dissolved in acetonitrile (30 mL) and DIPEA (1.5 mL, 8.6 mmol) and stirred at rt for 5 min, followed by the addition of Fmoc-piperazine hydrobromide (1.22 g, 3.15 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 16 h and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc (150 ml) and washed with brine (100 ml), dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified by column chromatography (silicagel, EtOAc/heptane=3/7) to give 1.75 g (75%) of 4-(2-{(4-pentyl-benzyl)-[3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acryloyl]-amino}-(S)-3-phenyl-propionyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid 9H-fluoren-9-ylmethyl ester. LC-MS: t R =1.25 min; [M+H] + =814.5. 
     Step 2 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     4-(2-{(4-pentyl-benzyl)-[3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acryloyl]-amino}-(S)-3-phenyl-propionyl)-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid 9H-fluoren-9-ylmethyl ester (1.75 g, 2.15 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (47.5 mL) and piperidine (2.5 mL) was added. Stirring was continued at rt for 30 min. EtOAc (150 mL) was added and the mixture was washed with water (2×150 mL). The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography (silicagel, MeOH/DCM=1/99) to give 1.05 g (82.5%) of N—((S)-1-Benzyl-2-oxo-2-piperazin-1-yl-ethyl)-N-(4-pentyl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide. LC-MS: t R =0.97 min; [M+H] + =592.19. 
     Step 3 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     N—((S)-1-Benzyl-2-oxo-2-piperazin-1-yl-ethyl)-N-(4-pentyl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide (50 mg, 0.084 mmol) was dissolved in acetonitrile (1 mL) and pyridine-2-carbaldehyde (10 mg, 0.092 mmol) and sodium triacetoxyborohydride (26.7 mg, 0.126 mmol) was added. The mixture was stirred at rt for 16 h, filtered and directly purified by prep. HPLC to give 29 mg of N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-oxo-2-(4-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl)-ethyl]-N-(4-pentyl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide. LC-MS: t R =1.02 min; [M+H] + =683.58. 
     Examples 13 to 28 were prepared according to the procedures described for the preparation of Example 12: 
     Example 13 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 14 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 15 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 16 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 17 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 18 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 19 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 20 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 21 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 22 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 23 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 24 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 25 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 26 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 27 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 28 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 29 
     Step 1 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     2-Amino-1-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-(S)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one hydrochloride (500 mg, 1.26 mmol) were dissolved in MeOH (5 mL), DIPEA (359 mg, 2.77 mmol) and 4-n-butoxybenzaldehyde (226 mg, 1.26 mmol) was added and the mixture was heated to reflux for 2 h, cooled again to rt followed by slow addition of sodium borohydride (48 mg, 1.26 mmol) in portions. Stirring was continued for 15 min. Water (1 mL) was added and the solvents were removed under reduced pressure. The residue was taken up in diethylether (5 mL), washed with 10% aq. citric acid (5 mL) and water (5 mL), dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give 411 mg (67%) of 1-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-(4-butoxy-benzylamino)-(S)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one. LC-MS: t R =0.74 min; [M+H] + =486.43. 
     Step 2 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     In an inert atmosphere, trans-4-(trifluoromethyl)cinnamic acid (28 mg, 0.13 mmol) was dissolved in DCM (0.5 mL) followed by the addition of 1-chloro-N,N,2-trimethylpropenylamine (19.4 mg, 0.145 mmol). The mixture was stirred at rt for 30 min followed by the addition of DIPEA (34 mg, 0.26 mmol) and 1-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-(4-butoxy-benzylamino)-(S)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one (63 mg, 0.13 mmol). Stirring was continued for 30 min. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue was directly purified by prep. HPLC to give 51 mg (57%) of N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-butoxy-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide. LC-MS: t R =1.02 min; [M+H] + =684.49. 
     The following Examples 30 to 46 were prepared by applying the same 2 step sequence using different aldehydes and either trans-4-(trifluoromethyl)cinnamic acid or trans-4-(methoxy)cinnamic acid. 
     Example 30 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 31 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 32 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 33 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 34 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 35 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 36 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 37 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Examples 38 to 43 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
     Examples 44 to 46 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 47 
                                
Step 1:
 
     In an inert atmosphere, indole-5-carboxaldehyde (108 mg, 0.75 mmol) and 2-amino-1-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-(S)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one (162 mg, 0.50 mmol) were dissolved in dry MeOH (4.0 mL) and refluxed for 4 h. The reaction mixture was cooled to rt followed by slow addition of sodium borohydride (28 mg, 0.75 mmol). Stirring was continued for 1 h. Water (1 mL) was added to the reaction mixture followed by evaporation of the solvent under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc (10 mL) and washed with sat. sodium hydrogencarbonate solution (10 mL) and brine (10 mL). The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give 200 mg (80%) of 1-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-[(1H-indol-5-ylmethyl)-amino]-(S)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one. LC-MS: t R =0.65 min; [M+H] + =453.39. 
     Step 2: 
     In an inert atmosphere, trans-4-(trifluoromethyl)cinnamic acid (34 mg, 0.156 mmol) was dissolved in DCM (3 mL) and 1-chloro-N,N,2-trimethylpropenylamine (24 mg, 0.182 mmol) was added at rt. The reaction mixture was stirred for 30 min followed by the addition of 1-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-[(1H-indol-5-ylmethyl)-amino]-(S)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one (59 mg, 0.13 mmol). Stirring was continued at rt for 3 h. The solvents were evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was directly purified by prep. HPLC to give 33 mg (39%) of N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(1H-indol-5-ylmethyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide. LC-MS: t R =0.96 min; [M+H] + =651.24. 
     Example 48 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     The compound of Example 48 was prepared according to the procedures described for the preparation of Example 47, replacing indole-5-carboxaldehyde in step 1 by 4-n-dibutylaminobenzaldehyde. 
     Example 49 
                                                          
Step 1:
 
     According to the procedures described above for the reductive amination step, 2-amino-1-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-(S)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one (1.4 g, 3.53 mmol) was converted into 1-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-(4-chloro-benzylamino)-(S)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one (1.56 g, 99%). LC-MS: t R =0.69 min; [M+H] + =448.17. 
     Step 2: 
     According to the procedures described above for the acylation with 1-chloro-N,N,2-trimethylpropenylamine as the activation reagent, 1-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-(4-chloro-benzylamino)-(S)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one (1.43 g, 3.20 mmol) was converted into N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-chloro-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide (1.63 g, 79%). LC-MS: t R =0.98 min; [M+H] + =646.67. 
     Step 3: 
     1-(4-Benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-(4-chloro-benzylamino)-(S)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one (830 mg, 1.21 mmol), 1-phenyl-piperazine (208 mg, 1.21 mmol) and sodium tert.-butoxide (301 mg, 3.04 mmol) were dissolved in dioxane (20 mL) and degassed for 5 min with N 2 -gas. Stirring at rt was continued for 30 min. The reaction mixture was heated to 80° C. and SK-CC02-A (37 mg, 0.061 mmol) dissolved in dioxane (5 mL) was added via syringe. The mixture was heated to 110° C. for 2 h, cooled again to rt followed by the addition of water (100 mL). The product was extracted by EtOAc (2×100 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude material was purified by column chromatography (silicagel, heptane/EtOAc=1/1) to give 246 mg (26%) of N-[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-chloro-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide. LC-MS: t R =0.98 min; [M+H] + =772.71. 
     Examples 50 to 56 were prepared according to the procedures described for the preparation of Example 49: 
     Example 50 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 51 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 52 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 53 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 54 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 55 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 56 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Examples 57 to 64 were prepared according to the procedures described above for the preparation of Example 1 by replacing Boc-L-phenylalanine by the respective Boc-L-aminoacid, except for Example 61 where the racemic Boc-protected aminoacid was used: 
     Example 57 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 58 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 59 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 60 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 61 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 62 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 63 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 64 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Examples 65 to 73 were prepared according to procedures described above: 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 R 
               
             
          
           
               
                             LC-MS 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Ex-No.: 
                 65 
                 66 
                 67 
                 68 
                 69 
               
               
                 t R  = 
                 0.81 
                 0.82 
                 0.84 
                 0.83 
                 0.81 
               
               
                 [M + H]+ = 
                 621.57 
                 639.59 
                 701.44 
                 635.57 
                 711.55 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 R 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                             LC-MS 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Ex-No.: 
                 70 
                 71 
                 72 
                 73 
               
               
                   
                 t R  = 
                 0.81 
                 0.91 
                 0.90 
                 0.85 
               
               
                   
                 [M + H]+ = 
                 681.59 
                 707.44 
                 707.31 
                 669.37 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Example 74 
                                                          
Step 1:
 
     Was performed according to the description of Example 49, Step 1: 1-(4-Benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-(4-bromo-benzylamino)-(S)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one (1.25 g, quant. yield, LC-MS: t R =0.67 min; [M+H] + =494.56) was obtained from 2-amino-1-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-(S)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one (1.0 g, 2.55 mmol) and p-bromo-benzaldehyde (706 mg, 3.82 mmol). 
     Step 2: 
     Was performed according to the description of Example 49, Step 2: N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-bromo-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide (0.80 g, 40%, LC-MS: t R =0.99 min; [M+H] + =692.66) was obtained from 1-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-(4-bromo-benzylamino)-(S)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one (1.4 g, 2.84 mmol) and trans-4-(trifluoromethyl)cinnamic acid (1.33 g, 5.68 mmol). 
     Step 3: 
     In an inert atmosphere, N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-bromo-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide (60 mg, 0.087 mmol) was dissolved in toluene (0.5 mL) followed by the addition of 3-pyridineboronic acid (11 mg, 0.087 mmol), 2M potassium carbonate solution (0.5 mL) and iso-propanol (0.5 mL). The mixture was degassed with argon for 5 min and heated to 100° C. followed by the addition of tetrakis-(triphenylphosphine)palladium (3 mg, 0.003 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 3 h at 110° C., cooled to rt again and water (1 mL) was added. The product was extracted with EtOAc (3×3 mL). The combined organic layers were evaporated to dryness and the residue was purified by prep. HPLC to give 21 mg (35%) of N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-pyridin-3-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide. LC-MS: t R =0.85 min; [M+H] + =689.68. 
     Example 75 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     According to the procedure described in Example 74, Step 3, N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-pyridin-3-yl-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide (13 mg, 20%, LC-MS: t R =0.83 min; [M+H] + =689.7) was obtained from N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(4-bromo-benzyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide (60 mg, 0.087 mmol) and 4-pyridineboronic acid (11 mg, 0.087 mmol). 
     Examples 76 to 102 were obtained according to procedures described for the preparation of Example 1: 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 R 
               
             
          
           
               
                               LC-MS 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Ex-No.: 
                 76 
                 77 
                 78 
                 79 
                 80 
                 81 
               
               
                 t R  = 
                 0.96 
                 0.98 
                 0.97 
                 1.00 
                 0.98 
                 0.93 
               
               
                 [M + H]+ = 
                 586.49 
                 652.41 
                 620.3 
                 630.35 
                 616.38 
                 666.55 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 R 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                               LC-MS 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Ex-No.: 
                 82 
                 83 
                 84 
                 85 
                 86 
                 87 
               
               
                   
                 t R  = 
                 0.95 
                 1.00 
                 1.02 
                 0.95 
                 0.96 
                 1.00 
               
               
                   
                 [M + H]+ = 
                 616.54 
                 658.31 
                 658.28 
                 602.78 
                 590.63 
                 630.36 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 R 
               
             
          
           
               
                                 LC-MS 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Ex-No.: 
                 88 
                 89 
                 90 
                 91 
                 92 
                 93 
               
               
                 t R  = 
                 0.97 
                 0.97 
                 0.97 
                 0.98 
                 0.96 
                 0.95 
               
               
                 [M + H]+ = 
                 586.46 
                 712.38 
                 652.42 
                 500.54 
                 572.48 
                 608.51 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 R 
               
             
          
           
               
                               LC-MS 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Ex-No.: 
                 94 
                 95 
                 96 
                 97 
                 98 
                 99 
               
               
                 t R  = 
                 0.99 
                 0.95 
                 0.96 
                 1.01 
                 1.00 
                 0.96 
               
               
                 [M + H]+ = 
                 670.41 
                 590.48 
                 632.54 
                 658.31 
                 658.47 
                 608.51 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 R 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                         LC-MS 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Ex-No.: 
                 100 
                 101 
                 102 
               
               
                   
                 t R  = 
                 0.98 
                 0.97 
                 0.98 
               
               
                   
                 [M + H]+ = 
                 652.66 
                 586.49 
                 640.48 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Example 103 was prepared according to the procedure described for Example 112: 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Examples 104 to 108 were obtained according to procedures described for the preparation of Example 1 using D-phenylalanine as the starting material: 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 R 
               
             
          
           
               
                 LC-MS 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Ex-No.: 
                 104 
                 105 
                 106 
                 107 
                 108 
               
               
                 t R  = 
                 1.01 
                 0.99 
                 1.00 
                 0.96 
                 1.00 
               
               
                 [M + H]+ = 
                 630.36 
                 616.38 
                 658.35 
                 620.32 
                 658.34 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Example 109 
                                
Step 1:
 
     Was performed according to the description of Example 49, Step 1: 1-(4-Benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-(S)-3-phenyl-2-[(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-amino]-propan-1-one (200 mg, quant. yield, LC-MS: t R =0.59 min; [M+H] + =415.27) was obtained from 2-amino-1-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-(S)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one (162 mg, 0.50 mmol) and pyridine-3-carbaldehyde (80 mg, 0.75 mmol). 
     Step 2: 
     Was performed according to the description of Example 49, Step 2: N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-pyridin-3-ylmethyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide (20 mg, 18%, LC-MS: t R =0.80 min; [M+H] + =613.61) was obtained from 1-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-(S)-3-phenyl-2-[(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-amino]-propan-1-one (75 mg, 0.18 mmol) and trans-4-(trifluoromethyl)cinnamic acid (50 mg, 0.216 mmol). 
     Example 110 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 110 was prepared according to the procedures described for the preparation of Example 109 by using pyridine-2-carbaldehyde instead of pyridine-3-carbaldehyde in step 1: N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide. (39 mg, 45%, LC-MS: t R =0.87 min; [M+H] + =613.49.) 
     Example 111 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 111 was prepared according to the procedures described for the preparation of Example 109 by using pyridine-4-carbaldehyde instead of pyridine-3-carbaldehyde in step 1: N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-pyridin-4-ylmethyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide. (32 mg, 29%, LC-MS: t R =0.79 min; [M+H] + =613.64.) 
     Example 112 
                                                          
Step 1:
 
     Was performed according to the description of Example 49, Step 1: 1-(4-Benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-[(6-bromo-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-amino]-(S)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one (300 mg, quant. yield, LC-MS: t R =0.64 min; [M+H] + =495.23) was obtained from 2-amino-1-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-(S)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one (210 mg, 0.65 mmol) and 6-bromo-pyridine-3-carbaldehyde (480 mg, 2.6 mmol). 
     Step 2: 
     Was performed according to the description of Example 49, Step 2: N—[(S)-1-Benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(6-bromo-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide (2.0 mg, quant. yield, LC-MS: t R =0.93 min; [M+H] + =693.58) was obtained from 1-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-[(6-bromo-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-amino]-(S)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one (1.37 g, 2.77 mmol) and trans-4-(trifluoromethyl)cinnamic acid (720 mg, 3.33 mmol). 
     Step 3: 
     In an inert atmosphere, 1-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-[(6-bromo-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-amino]-(S)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one (55 mg, 0.08 mmol) was dissolved in dioxane (1 mL) and 1-(2-pyrimidyl)piperazine (20 mg, 0.12 mmol) and sodium tert.-butoxide (11.5 mg, 0.12 mmol) were added. The reaction mixture was degassed with argon and heated to 105° C. followed by the addition of SK-CC02-A (Palladium-catalyst; 3 mg, 0.005 mmol) dissolved in dioxane (0.5 mL). Stirring was continued for 12 h. The reaction mixture was cooled to rt, water (1 mL) was added and the product was extracted with EtOAc (3×32 mL). The combined organic layers were concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by prep. HPLC to give 7 mg (11%) of N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-[6-(4-pyrimidin-2-yl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-ylmethyl]-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide. (LC-MS: t R =0.85 min; [M+H] + =775.36). 
     Examples 113 to 123 were prepared according to the procedure described for Example 112: 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 R 
               
             
          
           
               
                             LC-MS 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Ex-No.: 
                 113 
                 114 
                 115 
                 116 
                 117 
                 118 
               
               
                 t R  = 
                 0.78 
                 0.83 
                 0.82 
                 0.84 
                 0.86 
                 1.00 
               
               
                 [M + H]+ = 
                 774.40 
                 698.31 
                 739.30 
                 696.33 
                 718.32 
                 686.30 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 R 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                           LC-MS 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Ex-No.: 
                 119 
                 120 
                 121 
                 122 
                 123 
               
               
                   
                 t R  = 
                 1.05 
                 0.80 
                 0.87 
                 0.82 
                 0.80 
               
               
                   
                 [M + H]+ = 
                 686.29 
                 725.50 
                 732.35 
                 705.33 
                 711.35 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Example 124 was prepared according to the procedure described for Example 112: 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 125 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     In an inert atmosphere, 1-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-[(6-bromo-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-amino]-(S)-3-phenyl-propan-1-one (50 mg, 0.072 mmol) was dissolved in toluene (0.5 mL). 4-Pyridineboronic acid (9.6 mg, 0.079 mmol), 2M potassium carbonate solution (0.5 mL) and isopropanol (0.5 ml) was added and the mixture was degassed with argon for 10 min, followed by the addition of tetrakis-(triphenylphosphine)palladium (2.5 mg, 0.002 mmol). The reaction mixture was heated to 100° C. for 12 h, cooled again to rt and water (1 mL) was added. The product was extracted with EtOAc (3×2 ml). The combined organic layers were concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by prep. HPLC to give 8.4 mg (17%) of N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-[2,4′]bipyridinyl-5-ylmethyl-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide. (LC-MS: t R =0.84 min; [M+H] + =690.17). 
     Examples 126 to 128 are prepared according to the procedure described for the preparation of Example 125: 
     Example 126 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 127 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 128 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 129 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     In an inert atmosphere, N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(6-bromo-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide (70 mg, 0.101 mmol), 2-pyrrolidinon (10.3 mg, 0.121 mmol), potassium carbonate (27.9 mg, 0.202 mmol), copper(I)iodide (1 mg, 0.005 mmol) and N,N-dimethylenediamine (1 mg, 0.01 mmol) were dissolved in dioxane (1 mL). The reaction mixture was heated to 120° C. for 12 h, then filtered over a plug of silicagel with EtOAc, concentrated and purified by perp. HPLC to give 29 mg (52%) of N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-[6-(2-oxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-ylmethyl]-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide. (LC-MS: t R =1.02 min; [M+H] + =688.46). 
     Examples 130 to 134 were prepared according to the procedure described for the preparation of Example 129: 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 R 
               
             
          
           
               
                 LC-MS 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Ex-No.: 
                 130 
                 131 
                 132 
                 133 
                 134 
               
               
                 t R  = 
                 0.95 
                 1.04 
                 1.02 
                 1.01 
                 0.97 
               
               
                 [M + H]+ = 
                 686.18 
                 745.92 
                 696.25 
                 710.27 
                 670.24 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Example 135 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     In an inert atmosphere, N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-(6-bromo-pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide (80 mg, 0.116 mmol), was dissolved in dry toluene (3 mL) followed by the addition of 2-methoxy-ethanol (11.4 mg, 0.15 mmol), tris-(dibenzylideneaceton)-dipalladium (2.1 mg, 0.002 mmol), xanthphos (4 mg, 0.007 mmol) and sodium tert.-butoxide (16.7 mg, 0.174 mmol). The mixture was heated to 50° C. and stirring continued for 90 min. The reaction mixture was cooled to rt, brine (5 mL) was added and the product was extracted with EtOAc (3×4 ml). The combined organic layers were concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by prep. HPLC to give 38 mg (47%) of N—[(S)-1-benzyl-2-(4-benzyl-piperazin-1-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl]-N-[6-(2-methoxy-ethoxy)-pyridin-3-ylmethyl]-3-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-acrylamide. (LC-MS: t R =1.06 min; [M+H] + =687.27). 
     Examples 136 to 138 were prepared according to the procedure described for the preparation of Example 135: 
     Example 136 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 137 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Example 138 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
      
     
     Examples 139-166 were prepared according to the procedure described for the preparation of Example 12: 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 R 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                           LC-MS 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Ex-No.: 
                 139 
                 140 
                 141 
                 142 
                 143 
                 144 
               
               
                 t R  = 
                 0.88 
                 0.87 
                 0.90 
                 0.92 
                 0.77 
                 0.97 
               
               
                 [M + H]+ = 
                 679.32 
                 695.47 
                 703.52 
                 717.55 
                 679.54 
                 731.58 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 R 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                             LC-MS 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Ex-No.: 
                 145 
                 146 
                 147 
                 148 
                 149 
                 150 
               
               
                 t R  = 
                 0.86 
                 0.96 
                 0.82 
                 0.88 
                 0.91 
                 0.92 
               
               
                 [M + H]+ = 
                 696.47 
                 745.6 
                 690.25 
                 695.26 
                 739.55 
                 717.56 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 R 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                           LC-MS 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Ex-No.: 
                 151 
                 152 
                 153 
                 154 
                 155 
                 156 
               
               
                 t R  = 
                 0.82 
                 0.86 
                 0.91 
                 0.92 
                 0.82 
                 0.80 
               
               
                 [M + H]+ = 
                 691.52 
                 690.25 
                 703.52 
                 757.53 
                 690.25 
                 679.55 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 R 
               
             
          
           
               
                           LC-MS 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Ex-No.: 
                 157 
                 158 
                 159 
                 160 
                 161 
                 162 
               
               
                 t R  = 
                 0.85 
                 0.92 
                 0.89 
                 0.82 
                 0.91 
                 0.94 
               
               
                 [M + H]+ = 
                 704.52 
                 717.55 
                 669.6 
                 693.53 
                 717.53 
                 717.36 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 R 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                               LC-MS 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Ex-No.: 
                 163 
                 164 
                 165 
                 166 
               
               
                   
                 t R  = 
                 0.90 
                 0.85 
                 0.91 
                 0.90 
               
               
                   
                 [M + H]+ = 
                 683.6 
                 653.54 
                 703.36 
                 717.37 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Examples 167 to 175 were prepared according to the procedures described for the preparation of Example 1: 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 R 
               
             
          
           
               
                               LC-MS 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Ex-No.: 
                 167 
                 168 
                 159 
                 170 
                 171 
               
               
                 t R  = 
                 0.83 
                 0.84 
                 0.85 
                 0.81 
                 0.81 
               
               
                 [M + H]+ = 
                 635.57 
                 701.44 
                 669.37 
                 711.55 
                 681.59 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 R 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                             LC-MS 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Ex-No.: 
                 172 
                 173 
                 174 
                 175 
               
               
                   
                 t R  = 
                 0.82 
                 0.91 
                 0.81 
                 0.90 
               
               
                   
                 [M + H]+ = 
                 639.59 
                 707.44 
                 621.57 
                 707.31 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The following compounds can be prepared according to the general procedures and the detailed experimental procedures described above: 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
In Vitro Antimalarial Activity:  Plasmodium falciparum  In Vitro Assay
 
     In vitro activity against erythrocytic stages of  P. falciparum  is determined using a [ 3 H] hypoxanthine incorporation assay. One strain resistant to chloroquine and pyrimethamine ( P. falciparum  K1) is used in the assays, and all test compounds are compared for activity with the standard drugs chloroquine (sigma C6628) and artemisinin (sigma-36, 159-3). Compounds are diluted in DMSO to 1 mM and added to parasite cultures incubated in RPMI 1640 medium without hypoxanthine, supplemented with HEPES (5.94 g/L), NaHCO 3  (2.1 g/L), neomycin (100 U/mL), Albumax (5 g/L) and washed human red cells at 2.5% haematocrit (0.3% parasitaemia). Seven serial doubling dilutions of each drug are prepared in 96-well microtitre plates and incubated in a humidifying atmosphere at 37° C.; 4% CO 2 , 3% O 2 , 93% N 2 . 
     After 48 hours, 50 μl of [ 3 H] hypoxanthine (0.5 μCi) is added to each well of a plate. The plates are incubated for a further 24 hours under the same conditions. The plates are then harvested with a Betaplate cell harvester (Wallac) and washed with distilled water. The dried filters are inserted into a plastic foil with 10 mL of scintillation fluid, and counted in a Betaplate liquid scintillation counter. IC 50  values are calculated from sigmoidal inhibition curves using Microsoft Excel. 
                                                 TABLE 1                   IC 50  values (nM) for selected compounds:                Compound of Example No.:   IC 50  (nM) on K1                            Example 1   3.8           Example 2   70           Example 3   375           Example 4   7           Example 5   19           Example 6   588           Example 15   11           Example 29   7.5           Example 33   6.9           Example 37   18           Example 38   11           Example 43   8.3           Example 81   7.4           Example 87   13           Example 125   4.8           Example 129   9.5           Example 159   2.4           Chloroquine   300           Artemisinin   2                        
In Vivo Antimalarial Efficacy Studies
 
     In vivo antimalarial activity is assessed for groups of three female NMRI mice (20-22 g) intravenously infected on day 0 with  P. berghei  strain GFP-ANKA (0.2 mL heparinized saline suspension containing 2×10 7  parasitized erythrocytes). In control mice, parasitaemia typically rise to approximately 40% by day 3 after infection, and control mice die between day 5 and day 7 after infection. For the mice treated with compounds, compounds are either formulated in an aqueous-gelatine vehicle with 3 mg/mL compounds or in tween 80/ethanol (7%/3%) with 5 mg/mL. 
     Compounds are administered intraperitonealy or subcoutaneously either as two consecutive twice-daily dosings (BID) (2×75 mg/kg BID, 24 and 48 hours after infection) or as four consecutive daily doses (4×10 mg/kg or 4×50 mg/kg, 3, 24, 48 and 72 hours after infection). With the double BID-dose regimen, 24 hours after the last drug treatment, 1 μl tail blood is taken, resuspended in 1 mL PBS buffer and parasitemia determined with a FACScan (Becton Dickinson) by counting 100 000 red blood cells. Tail blood samples for the quadruple-dose regimen are processed on day 4 after infection. Activity is calculated as the difference between the mean value of the control and treated groups expressed as a percent relative to the control group. For parasetimias lower than 0.1%, the presence of parasites in the FACS gate is checked visually. The survival days of infected mice treated with compound is also recorded for each compound. Mice surviving for 30 days are checked for parasitemia and subsequently euthanised. A compound is considered curative if the animal survives to day 30 post-infection with no detectable parasites.