NOVEL PHENOLIC THIOETHERS AS INHIBITORS OF 5-LIPOXYGENASE

Abstract: The compounds of the present invention comprise substituted phenolic thioethers represented by the formula: wherein: R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and independently represent tert -alkyl or phenyl; A represents methylene or methylene substituted by alkyl, dialkyl or hydroxy, provided that when A includes hydroxymethylene, the hydroxymethylene group is not adjacent to a heteroatom; B represents sulfur, sulfoxide, sulfone, oxygen, -NH- or nitrogen substituted by alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, substituted phenyl or substituted benzyl; C represents methylene or methylene substituted by alkyl; R₃ represents CO₂H, CO₂-alkyl or a tetrazole group; m is 0 or 1, n is 2, 3 or 4 and p is 1, 2 or 3; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The compounds of the present invention are specific inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase and, therefore, are usefull in the treatment of local and systemic inflammation, allergy and hypersensitivity reactions and other disorders in which agents formed in the 5-lipoxygenase metabolic pathway are involved.

Description: Background of the Invention The present invention relates to substituted phenolic thioethers and more particularly relates to the novel compounds of formula I which are specific 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors and are useful, for example, as anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy agents. It is well recognized that arachidonic acid, an essential unsaturated fatty acid, is enzymatically oxygenated to various products, including, prostaglandins, thromboxanes, the 5-, 11-, 12- and 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs), DIHETEs) and hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HPETEs) and the leukotrienes, all of which are potent physiological effects. The leukotrienes, which have produced via the 5-lipoxygenase pathway, are the major contributors to the onset of the symptoms of asthma, and mediators for immediate hypersensitivity reactions, inflammation and other allergic responses. Leukotrienes are found in inflammatory exudates and are involved in the process of cellular invasion during inflammation. The term "leukotrienes" is used as a generic term to describe a class of substances, such as slow-reacting substance (SRS) which is an important mediator in asthma and other hypersensitivity reactions. Immunologically generated SRS is usually referred to as slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A). SRS-A consists of leukotrienes (LT) known as A₄, B₄, C₄, D₄, and E₄. LTC₄ is at least 100 times more potent than histamine in causing long lasting bronchoconstricting effects. The leukotrienes also increase vascular permeability and cause decreased cardiac output and impaired ventricular contraction. LTB₄ may be an important mediator of inflammation in, for example, inflammatory bowel disease. Chemotaxis is a reaction by which the direction of migration of cells is determined by substances in their environment. It is one of the major processes bringing leukocytes from the blood to an inflammatory site, whether the inflammation is caused by an infectious agent, allergic challenge, or other pro-inflammatory stimuli. LTB₄ is not only chemotactic for neutrophils and monocytes, but is also highly active in stimulating eosinophil locomotion. LTB₄ also stimulates calcium influx and aggregation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and LTB₄ may, thus, play an important role in mediating both acute and chronic inflammation. Rheumatoid spondylitis is characterized by an acute neutrophil flareup in the joint which is associated with elevated levels of LTB₄. LTB₄ is also present in gouty effusions; and exposure to urate crystals is known to stimulate LTB₄ production by neutrophils. Accordingly, the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors of the present invention through inhibition of neutrophil attraction and activation in arthritic joints should reduce the protease and oxidative burden believed responsible for joint destruction in arthritic diseases. Aspirin and the other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) such as indomethacin, ibuprofen, fenoprofen, and the like, inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins via the cyclooxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism. These prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors generally exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic and analgesic activity, and are widely used in the treatment of arthritis. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents can lead to the formation of additional pro-inflammatory derivatives of arachidonic acid produced through the 5-lipoxygenase pathway which play a role in immediate hypersensitivity reactions and also have pronounced inflammatory effects. Administration of the NSAIDs alone can produce allergic reactions including bronchospastic reactivity; skin rashes; syndrome of abdominal pain, fever, chills, nausea and vomiting; and anaphylaxis. For this reason, aspirin and the other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) are generally contraindicated for patients suffering from asthma or who have previously exhibited allergic sensitivity to aspirin or other NSAIDs. Co-administration of the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors of this invention with cyclooxygenase inhibitors may mitigate the untoward side effects of the latter and allow the increased advantageous use of such cyclooxygenase inhibitors. Prior to the recognition of the significance of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism in allergic reactions and inflammation, the search for effective therapeutic agents was based primarily on those agents which treated the symptoms of allergy and inflammation. There has since been effort to develop new drugs which selectively block the formation of the mediators of these conditions, and the present invention provides new chemical entities which are inhibitors of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway and are useful in the treatment of asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and other allergic, hypersensitivity, and inflammatory conditions. See Bengt Samuesson, "Leukotrienes: Mediators of Immediate Hypersensitivity Reactions and Inflammation", Science , Vol. 220, pp. 568-575 (May 1983); Michael K. Bach, "Inhibitors of Leukotriene Synthesis and Action", The Leukotrienes, Chemistry and Biology , pp 163-194 (Academic Press, Inc., 1984); C. W. Lee et al., "Human Biology and Immunoreactivity of Leukotrienes", Advances in Inflammation Research , Volume 6, pp 219-225 (Raven Press, New York 1984); Editorial, "Leukotrienes and other Lipoxygenase Products in the Pathogenesis and Therapy of Psoriasis and Dermatoses", Arch. Dermatol , Vol. 119, pp 541-547 (July, 1983); Robert A. Lewis et al., "A Review of Recent Contributions on Biologically active Products of Arachidonate Conversion", Int. J. Immunopharmac. , Vol. 4, No. 2, pp 85-90 (1982); Michael K. Bach, Biochemical Pharmacology , Vol. 23, No. 4, pp 515-521 (1984); and E. L. Becker, Chemotactic Factors of Inflammation , pp 223-225 (Elsevier Science Publishers V.B., Amsterdam, 1983); P. Sharon, and W.F. Stenson, Gastroenterology , Vol. 84, 454 (1984); and Musch, M.W. et al., Science , Vol. 217, 1255 (1982). The present invention provides compounds which block the 5-lipoxygenase metabolic pathway and, therefore, block the formation of the leukotrienes responsible for allergy and inflammation, and represent therapeutic agents which are useful in the treatment of allergic and hypersensitivity reactions and inflammation, alone, or also may be utilized in combination with other lipoxygenase inhibitors or with cyclooxygenase inhibitors such as the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Various thioether compounds have been described previously. For example, European Patent Application publication No. 0131221 discloses compounds of the formula in which Ar is phenyl or phenyl substituted by one to three of varied substituents, for example, alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxy, etc.; Q is oxygen, sulfur or an NH group; A is straight or branched chain, optionally substituted, alkylene and R is hydrogen or straight or branched alkyl, optionally substituted by alkoxy, hydroxyl, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, etc.; and n is 0, 1 or 2. The disclosed compounds are indicated to have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties through inhibition of undefined anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions, although no test data are provided. The preferred compounds are stated to be those in which Q represents oxygen and n is 0 without mention of any preference among the numerous possible substituents for R or substituted phenyl as Ar. In contrast to the invention disclosed in the foregoing publication, the compounds of the present invention all have a sulfur atom at the position corresponding to Q as well as having di(tertiary)-alkyl or diphenyl groups as substituents on the phenol moiety corresponding to the substituted Ar group in the above publication which, as described therein, may or may not comprise a phenol. Moreover, it is noted that the compounds of the present invention have been found to possess specificity for the inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase which is an important distinctive property not attributed to the compounds in the foregoing publication. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the compounds of formula I of this invention, including their surprising specific 5-lipoxygenase inhibitory properties, are, therefore, not specifically described in the aforementioned EPA publication No. 0131221. U.S. Patent Nos. 4,029,812, 4,076,841 and 4,078,084 disclose compounds of the formula comprising 2-(3,5-di- tert -butyl-4-hydroxy-phenyl) thio carboxamides. The compounds are indicated to be useful in lowering serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. A series of thioethers, useful as, for example, polyfunctional antioxidants for polymers, and biologically active substances, obtained by the nucleophilic addition of thiols, including 3,5-di- tert -butyl-4-hydroxythiophenol, and hydrogen sulfide to acrylate derivatives have been described. See Medvedev et al., Khimiya; Khimicheskaya Tekhnologiya , Volume 20 , (1977), pp. 568-574. The compounds resulting from the foregoing process have the general formulas RS(CH₂) n X and S(CH₂CH₂X)₂ in which R is 3,5-di- tert -butyl-4-­ hydroxyphenyl and X represents, for example, -C≡N, NH₂, CH(OH)CH₂Cl, OH, COCl and various carboxy, carboxylate and amide functions. Compounds of formula I according to the present invention of 5-lipoxygenase activity for structurally related compounds are not disclosed. U.S. Patent No. 4,153,803 discloses cholesterol-lowering phenoxyalkanoic acid esters of the formula wherein, when Y is sulfur, X is hydrogen, benzyl, benzyloxy or benzylthio or substituted derivatives thereof; R is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, alkyl or alkoxy, A¹ and A² are hydrogen or alkyl and Z is amine or azacyclohydrocarbonyloxy. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide novel substituted phenolic thioethers. It is a further object of the present invention to provide methods for promoting anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects in mammals in need thereof by the administration of preselected dosages of the compounds of the present invention or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof in appropriate non-toxic pharmaceutical dosage forms or compositions. Another object of the present invention is to provide dosage unit forms adapted for, e.g., oral and/or parenteral administration and useful in the treatment, management and mitigation of allergies, inflammation and hypersensitivity reactions and related disorders and conditions in which physiologically active agents formed in the 5-lipoxygenase metabolic pathway are involved. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS These and other similar objects, advantages and features are accomplished according to the products, compositions and methods of the invention comprised of compounds of the formula and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and independently represent tert -alkyl or phenyl; A represents methylene or methylene substituted by alkyl, dialkyl or hydroxy, provided that when A includes hydroxymethylene, the hydroxymethylene group is not adjacent to a heteroatom; B represents sulfur, sulfoxide, sulfone, oxygen, -NH- or nitrogen substituted by alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, substituted phenyl or substituted benzyl; C represents methylene or methylene substituted by alkyl; R₃ represents CO₂H, CO₂-alkyl or a tetrazole group; m is 0 or 1, n is 2, 3 or 4 and p is 1, 2 or 3. The term" tert -alkyl" as used herein in reference to R₁ and R₂ refers to branched chain alkyl moieties of from about 4 to 10 carbon atoms having a tertiary carbon atom attached to the phenyl ring substituted by R₁ and R₂. Exemplary of such groups are tert -butyl, i.e., 1,1-­ dimethylethyl, 1-1-dimethylpropyl, 1-methyl-1-(ethyl)pentyl, 1,1-diethylpropyl, 1-ethyl-1-(propyl)butyl and the like. The term "alkyl" defines straight or branched chain monovalent hydrocarbon radicals having between about 1 to 6 carbon atoms including, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, pentyl, 1-methylbutyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, etc. As used herein, "substituted phenyl" and "substituted benzyl" defines those derivatives wherein the phenyl moiety thereof is substituted by one or two substituents which may be the same or different and independently selected from halogen (i.e., chlorine, bromine or fluorine), C₁-C₆ alkyl, hydroxy, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, acetoxy, carboxylic acid and C₁-C₆ alkyl esters thereof, nitro or phenyl. The N-substituted phenyl or N-substituted benzyl moieties set forth above are described in U.S. Patent No. 4551279, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Such moieties include, for example, N-phenylglycine ethyl ester, N-(4-chlorophenyl)glycine ethyl ester, N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) glycine, etc. Methods for their preparation are also described in detail in the aforesaid patent. These nitrogen substituted compounds are utilized as reactants to prepare the compounds of the present invention of formula I according to the synthesis procedures set forth below. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that when A or C in formula I represents substituted methylene, an asymmetric center exists and accordinly, d and l enantiomers or diastereomers and mixtures are obtained. The present invention includes such mixtures as well as the separate isomers. Representative of preferred compounds of formula I are those wherein R₁ and R₂ are both tert -alkyl or phenyl; A is -CH₂-CH₂- or -CH₂--CH₂-; B is sulfur; C is -CH₂- or -CH₂-CH₂-;R₃ is CO₂H (or CO₂⁻⁺ cation) and m is 0. Especially preferred for use in the therapeutic methods of the invention are compounds of the formulae: The expression "pharmaceutically acceptable salts" is intended to include those salts capable of being formed with the compounds of the present invention, e.g., when R₃ represents carboxyl or tetrazole, without materially altering the chemical structure of pharmacological properties thereof. Such salts include inorganic and organic cations or acid addition salts, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, ammonium, alkylammonium, triethanolamine, lysine, hydrochloric, hydrobromide, etc. well known to those skilled in the art. The foregoing salts are prepared in the conventional manner by neutralization of the compounds of formula I with the desire base or acid. The compounds of the present invention can be administered in such oral dosage forms as tables, capsules, pills, powders, granules, elixirs, or syrups as well as aerosols for inhalation. Likewise, administration may be effected intravascularly, subcutaneously, or intramuscularly using dosage forms known to those of ordinary skill in the pharmaceutical arts. In general, the preferred form of administration is oral. An effective but non-toxic amount of the compound is employed in treatment. The dosage regimen utilizing the present compounds is selected in accordance with a variety of factors including the type, age, weight, sex, and medical condition of the patient; the severity of the condition to be ameliorated; and the route of administration. A physician of ordinary skill can readily determine and prescribe the effective amount of the drug required to prevent, treat or arrest the progress of the condition. Dosages of the compounds of the present invention, will range generally between about 0.1 mg/kg/day to about 100 mg/kg/day and preferably between about 0.5 mg/kg/day to about 50 mg/kg/day when administered to patients suffering from allergic or hypersensitivity reactions or inflammation. The compounds may also be administered transdermally or topically to treat proliferative skin conditions such as psoriasis. The daily dosage may be administered in a single dose or in equal divided doses three or four times daily. In the pharmaceutical compositions and methods of the present invention, at least one of the active compounds of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof will typically be adminstered in admixture with suitable pharmaceutical diluents, excipients, or carriers (collectively referred to herein as "carrier" materials) suitably selected with respect to the intended form of administration, that is, oral tables, capsules, elixirs, syrups, and the like, and consistent with conventional pharmaceutical practices. For instance, for oral administration in the form of tablets or capsules, the active drug component may be combined with any oral non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable inert carrier such as lactose, starch, sucrose, cellulose, magnesium stearate, dicalcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, mannitol and the like; for oral administration in liquid form, the active drug component may be combined with any oral non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable inert carrier such as ethanol and the like. Moreover, when desired or necessary, suitable binders, lubricants, disintegrating agents and coloring agents can also be incorporated in the mixture. Suitable binders include starch, gelatin, natural sugars, corn sweeteners, natural and synthetic gums such as acacia, sodium alginate, carboxymethylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, and waxes. Lubricants for use in these dosage forms include boric acid, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate, sodium chloride, and the like. Disintegrators include, without limitation, starch, methylcellulose, agar, bentonite, guar gum, and the like. The compounds of the invention are easily prepared from readily available starting materials by any of the following alternate processes in a conventional manner. The following reaction schemes describe the methods employed for preparing the compounds of formula I, including starting materials, intermediates, and reaction conditions. In the above formulas, R₁ and R₂ are as defined before. R₃ is CO₂H or CO₂-alkyl. Alk₁ is straight or branched alkyl or hydroxyalkyl. Alk₂ is straight or branched alkyl. M⁺ is Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, ⁺N(R₄)₄ in which R₄ is hydrogen or straight or branched alkyl. Alkyl epoxide is in which R₅-R₈ represent hydrogen, straight or branched alkyl. X represents B as defined before. Y represents hydrogen, alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, substituted phenyl or substituted benzyl. The following non-limiting examples further illustrate details for the preparation of the compounds of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily understand and appreciate that known variations of the conditions and procedures in the following preparative methods can be utilized. All temperatures are degrees Celcius unless otherwise noted. Melting points were determined on a Thomas-Hoover melting point apparatus and are uncorrected. EXAMPLE 1 - 3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl thiocyanate To a three-necked, round bottom 5 L flask, equipped with a mechanical stirrer, gas inlet, thermometer and gas outlet, was added 2,6-di- tert -butylphenol (474g, 2.30 mole), ammonium thiocyanate (76.12g, 4.83 mole) and methanol (1200ml). The reaction mixture was stirred and cooled to 0°C in an ice/salt bath. Maintaining the temperature at 0 to 10°C, chlorine gas was slowly bubbled through the mixture for about 1 hour whereupon the reaction mixture was a heterogeneous yellow color. Ammonia was then bubbled through the reaction for about 1 and 1/2 hours, maintaining the reaction mixture at a temperature of between 0 to 10°C. The reaction was stirred for an additional hour at 0°C, poured into 2 L of cold distilled water and refrigerated overnight. The aqueous phase was decanted and the solid taken up in methanol, precipitated by addition of water, filtered and dried for 2 days over phosphorous pentoxide. The resulting gummy yellow solid was recrystallized from pentane and dried in vacuo to yield the product as a while powder, m.p. 61.5-63°C. Analysis calc. for C₁₅H₂₁NSO: Theory: C,68.40; H, 8.03; N, 5.32; S, 12.17. Found: C, 68.85; H, 8.05; N, 5.29; S, 12.12. EXAMPLE 2 - 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-mercaptophenol 3,5-bis(1,1-Dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl thiocyanate (55 g, 0.209 mole) was dissolved in acetone (200 ml) under an argon atmosphere. Water (7.6 g, 0.42 mole) was added and the reaction cooled to 0°C. Triethylphosphine (24.7 g, 0.209 mole) was added dropwise over a period of 1 hour and the reaction was then allowed to warm to room temperature with stirring. The solution was concentrated, solvents removed, and the resulting coil purified by chromatography on silica. The fractions containing the thiol were combined, the solvents removed to yield a white powder which was recrystallized from methanol/water and dried to yield 43.3 g of the desired product. NMR confirmed the identity of the product. EXAMPLE 3 - [[2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ hydroxyphenyl]thio]ethyl]thio]acetic acid, monosodium salt Mercaptoacetic acid (1.3 g, 0.0144 mole) was added to a solution of sodium ethoxide, prepared from sodium (0.66g, 0.0288 mole) in ethyl alcohol (25 ml). After stirring for one hour, 1-bromo-2-chloroethane (6ml, 0.072 mole) was added all at once and the solution stirred for 2 hours. After refluxing for 4 hours, the excess 1-bromo-2-chloro ethane was removed by rotary evapotor. Ethyl alcohol (50ml) was added to the residue and the sodium salt of 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ mercaptophenol prepared from sodium (0.33g, 0.0144 mole) and 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-mercaptophenol (3.43g, 0.0144 mole) in ethyl alcohol (25ml) was added by cannula. After stirring for eighteen hours at room temperature, the mixture was refluxed for 1 hour, cooled to room temperature and water (50ml) added with rapid stirring. The ethyl alcohol was removed with a rotary evaporator. The aqueous residue was extracted with ethyl acetate (2x100ml) combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The residue was crystallized from ethyl acetate/hexane. This solid was recrystallized from ethyl acetate/hexane to give the title compound. Analysis calc. for C₁₈H₂₇O₃S₂Na (378.54): Calc.: C, 57.11; H, 7.19; S, 16.94. Found: C, 56.75; H, 7.24; S, 16.84. EXAMPLE 4 - [[2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ hydroxyphenyl]thio]ethyl]thio]acetic acid The title compound of Example 3 (0.90g) was dissolved in water (40ml) acidified with 10% hydrochloric acid and extracted into ethyl acetate (2x50ml). The combined extracts were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated using a rotary evaporator to give an oil. The oil was crystallized from hexane to give the title compound, m.p. ca . 86°C. Analysis calc. for C₁₈H₂₈O₃S₂ (356.54): Calc.: C, 60.64; H, 7.92; S, 17.98. Found: C, 60.93; H, 7.87; S, 17.81. EXAMPLE 5 The title compound of Example 4 was also prepared by the procedure of Example 3 without the isolation of the sodium salt. The ethyl acetate solution containing the sodium salt was treated with ten percent hydrochloric acid, stirred for thirty minutes and the layers were separated. The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated with a rotary evaporator to give a solid which was recrystallized from hexane. Analysis calc. for C₁₈H₂₈O₃S₂ (356.54): Calc.: C, 60.64; H, 7.92; S, 17.98. Found: C, 60.73; H, 7.84; S, 17.92. EXAMPLE 6 - [[2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ hydroxyphenyl]thio]ethyl]thio]acetic acid, 2,2′, 2″ nitrilotris[ethanol] salt A solution of triethanol amine (0.60g, 0.004 mole) in ethyl alcohol (3ml) was added to a solution of the title compound of Example 4 (1.4g, 0.004 mole) in ethyl alcohol (5ml). This mixture was heated on a hot plate for 1.5 hours. The ethyl alcohol solution was concentrated to a volume of 5 ml and ethyl ether (25ml) was added followed by hexane (5ml). A white solid was filtered, washed with ethyl ether - hexane and air dried to give 1.8g of the title compound, m.p. ca . 81°C. Analysis calc. for C₂₄H₄₃NO₆S₂ (505.7): Calc.: C, 57.00; H, 8.57; N, 2.77; S, 12.68. Found: C, 56.94; H, 8.53; N, 2.76; S, 12.60. EXAMPLE 7 - [[2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ hydroxyphenyl]thio]ethyl]thio]acetic acid, lysine salt The title compound of Example 4 (0.71g, 0.002 mole) and lysine (0.29g, 0.002 mole) were dissolved in methyl alcohol (30ml) and heated at 40°C for 18 hrs. The solution was concentrated to a volume of 15 ml and ethyl ether added until cloudy and cooled for 72 hrs in a refrigerator. The white solid was filtered, washed well eith ethyl ether, and dried in vacuo to give 0.59g of the product, m.p. ca . 130°C. Analysis calc. for C₂₄H₄₂N₂O₅S₂ (502.7): Calc.: C, 57.34; H, 8.42; N, 5.57. Found: C, 57.41; H, 8.14; N, 5.69. EXAMPLE 8 - methyl[[2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ hydroxyphenyl]thio]ethyl]thio]acetate Thionyl chloride (3ml) was added to the title compound of Example 4 (1,2g, 0.003 mole) in methyl alcohol (50 ml) and stirred for 2 hours. The solvent and excess thionyl chloride were removed using a rotary evaporator and the produce purified by chromatography on silica to give 0.8g of an oil. Analysis calc. for C₁₉H₃₀O₃S₂ (370.5): Calc.: C, 61.58; H, 8.16; S, 17.30. Found: C, 61.46; H, 8.04; S, 17.31. EXAMPLE 9 - [(2-chloroethyl)thio]acetic acid Mercaptoacetic acid (10.6g, 0.11 mole) was added to ethyl alcohol (100ml) containing sodium ethoxide freshly prepared from sodium (5.56g, 0.24 mole). After stirring for 2.5 hours, 1-bromo-2-chloroethane (41,3g, 0.288 mole) was added dropwise over three minutes and stirred overnight at room temperature. The white solid was filtered, dissolved in water (50ml) and acidified with ten percent hydrochloric acid (50ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (3x50ml). The extracts were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to give an oil which was identified by NMR as the title compound. EXAMPLE 10 - methyl [(2-chloroethyl)thio]acetate Thionyl chloride (10ml) was added to a solution of the title compound of Example 9 (9,7g, 0.06 mole) in methyl alcohol (100ml) cooled to 5°C via an ice bath. The ice bath was removed and the reaction stirred for 2.5 hours at room temperature. The methyl alcohol and excess thionyl chloride were removed using a rotary evaporator to give 9.8g, of an oil which was identified by NMR as the title compound. EXAMPLE 11 - methyl [(2-chloroethyl)sulfinyl]acetate 3-Chloro-peroxybenzoic acid (81%, 4.7g, 0.022 mole) was added to the title compound of Example 10 (3.7g, 0.022 mole) in cold (5°C) methylene chloride (75ml) stirred for 30 minutes and cooled in a refrigerator for 48 hours. After removing the solid by filtration, a saturated solution of sodium thiosulfate (30ml) was added and the mixture stirred for 15 minutes. The layers were separated and the organic layer was washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate (2x50ml), dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and the solvent removed on a rotary evaporator. The residue was crystallized from ethyl acetate and hexane to give a white solid which was identified as the title compound by its NMR and IR spectra. EXAMPLE 12 - ethyl [[2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ hydroxyphenyl]thio]ethyl]sulfinyl]acetate 2,6-bis(1,1-Dimethylethyl)-4-mercaptophenol (2.97g, 0.0125 mole) was added to sodium ethoxide, freshly prepared from sodium (0.29g, 0.0125 mole) in ethyl alcohol (75ml), and stirred for 1.5 hours. A solution of the title compound of Example 11 (2.3g, 0.0125 mole) in ethyl alcohol (50ml) was added dropwise over one hour and the resulting solution stirred for 20 hours at room temperature. Water (100ml) was added and the ethyl alcohol removed using a rotary evaporator. The aqueous residue was extracted with ethyl acetate (2x100ml). The combined organic extracts were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, concentrated and the product purified by chromatography on silica. The yellow solid was recrystallized from ethyl acetate/hexane to give 1.1g, m.p. ca . 110°C. Analysis calc. for C₂₀H₃₂O₄S₂ (400.6): Calc.: C, 59.97; H, 8.05; S, 16.01. Found: C, 59.96; H, 7.72; S, 16.19. EXAMPLE 13 - 3-[[2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ hydroxyphenyl]thio]ethyl]thio]propanoic acid The title compound was prepared according to the method of Example 5 from 3-mercaptopropionic acid (6.1g, 0.057 mole); sodium (3.9g, 0.17 mole); 1-bromo-2-chloroethane (12.4g, 0.086 mole); and 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-mercaptophenol (13.7g, 0.057 mole), purified by chromatography on silica and recrystallized from ethyl acetate/hexane, m.p. ca . 57.5°C. Analysis calc. for C₁₉H₃₀O₃S₂ (370.6): Calc.: C, 61.58; H, 8.16; S, 17.30. Found: C, 61.64; H, 7.89; S, 17.32. EXAMPLE 14 - 4-[[2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ hydroxyphenyl]thio]ethyl]thio]butanoic acid The title compound was prepared by the method of Example 13 from 4-mercaptobutyric acid and identified by its NMR spectrum. EXAMPLE 15 - methyl 4-[[2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-­ 4-hydroxyphenyl]thio]ethyl]thio]butanoate The title compound was prepared according to the method of Example 8 from the title compound of Example 14 (6.5g) and thionyl chloride (10ml) in methyl alcohol (75ml). Analysis calc. for C₂₁H₃₄O₃S₂ (398.6): Calc.: C, 63.28; H, 8.60; S, 16.09. Found: C, 63.49; H, 8.71; S, 16.14. EXAMPLE 16 - methyl [(2-chloroethyl)sulfonyl]acetate The title compound was prepared from 3-chloro­ peroxybenzoic acid and the title compound of Example 11 according to the procedure of Example 11 and identified by its NMR and IR spectra. EXAMPLE 17 - ethyl [[2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ hydroxyphenyl]thio]ethyl]sulfonyl]acetate The title compound was prepared according to the method of Example 12 from the title compound of Example 16, sodium ethoxide and 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-mercaptophenol, m.p. ca . 95°C. Analysis calc. for C₂₀H₃₂O₅S₂ (416.6): Calc.: C, 57.66; H, 7.74; S, 15.39. Found: C, 57.67; H, 7.77; S, 15.67. EXAMPLE 18 - 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-[(2-hydroxy-­ 1-methylpropyl)thio]phenol 2,6-bis(1,1-Dimethylethyl)-4-mercaptophenol (18.2g, 0.076 mole) was added to a solution of sodium ethoxide freshly prepared from sodium (3.5g, 0.15 mole) in ethyl alcohol (100ml) and stirred for 1 hour. After cooling to 5°C with an ice bath, trans-2,3-epoxybutane (5.0g, 0.069 mole) was added and the ice bath removed. After stirring for 5.5 hours the reaction mixture was poured into ten percent hydrochloric acid (50ml). The ethyl alcohol was removed using a rotary evaporator and the aqueous residue extracted with ethyl acetate (2x75ml). The extracts were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and concentrated to an orange oil. The product was purified by chromatography on silica to give a yellow solid which was recrystallized from hexane to give a white solid, m.p. ca . 73°C. Analysis calc. for C₁₈H₃₀O₂S (310.5): Calc.: C, 69.63; H, 9.74; S, 10.33. Found: C, 69.75; H, 9.60; S, 10.35. EXAMPLE 19 - methyl [[2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ hydroxyphenyl]thio]-1-methylpropyl]thio] acetate The title compound of Example 18 (3.5g, 0.0112 mole) was added to trifluoroacetic acid (4ml) and stirred for one hour. The methyl thioglycolate (1ml, 0.0112 mole) was added, the reaction stirred for 2.5 hours and then poured into water (100ml) and ethyl acetate (25ml). After 18 hours the layers were separated and the organic layer concentrated to give 5.6g of an oil. The product was purified by chromatography on silica. Analysis calc. for C₂₁H₃₄O₃S₂ (398.1): Calc.: C, 63.28; H, 8.60; S, 16.09. Found: C, 63.17; H, 8.70; S, 16.15. EXAMPLE 20 - [[2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ hydroxyphenyl]thio]-1-methylpropyl]thio] acetic acid Lithium hydroxide monohydrate (.20g, 0.0035 mole) was added to a solution of the title compound of Example 19 (1.16g, 0.0029 mole) in methyl alcohol (35ml) and water (10ml). When the reaction became clear more water was added. The reaction was acidified with ten percent hydrochloric acid. The methyl alcohol was removed using a rotary evaporator and the residue extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The product was purified by chromatography on silica. Analysis calc. for C₂₀H₃₂O₃S₂ (384.6): Calc.: C, 62.46; H, 8.39; S, 16.67. Found: C, 62.33; H, 8.22; S, 16.37. EXAMPLE 21 - 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-[(2-hydroxy-2-­ methylpropyl)thio]phenol The title compound was prepared according to the method of Example 18 for 1,1-dimethylethylene oxide. Analysis calc. for C₁₈H₃₀O₂S (310.5): Calc.: C, 69.63; H, 9.74; S, 10.33. Found: C, 69.55; H, 9.92; S, 10.45. EXAMPLE 22 methyl [[2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethy)-4-­ hydroxyphenyl]thio]-2-methylpropyl]thio]acetate Methyl thioglycolate (0.7g, 0.0067 mole) was added by syringe to a stirred solution of the title compound of Example 21 (2.2g, 0.007mole) and trifluoroacetic acid (3ml). This solution after 3 hours was poured into water (50ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (2x50ml). The extracts were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to an oil. The product was purified by chromatography on silica. The product of Example 25 is also obtained in this reaction as the methyl ester. Analysis calc. for C₂₁H₃₄O₃S₂ (398.6): Calc.: C, 63.27; H, 8.60; S, 16.09. Found: C, 63.00; H, 8.61; S, 16.19. EXAMPLE 23 - 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-[(2-­ hydroxypropyl)thio]phenol The title compound was prepared according to the method of Example 18 from propylene oxide, m.p. ca . 82°C. Analysis calc. for C₁₇H₂₈O₂S (296.5): Calc.: C, 68.87; H, 9.52; S, 10.82. Found: C, 69.10; H, 9.49; S, 11.06. EXAMPLE 24 - ethyl [(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)thio]acetate The title compound was prepared according to the method of Example 18 from methyl thioglycolate (13.8g, 0.13 mole), sodium (3.0g, 0.13 mole) and 1,1-dimethylethylene oxide (9.3g, 0.13 mole). The title compound was identified by its NMR spectrum. EXAMPLE 25 - ethyl [[2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ hydroxyphenyl]thio]-1,1-dimethylethyl]thio]acetate Trifluoracetic acid (10ml) was added to a solution of 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-mercaptophenol (2.6g, 0.011 mole) and the title compound of Example 24 (1.9g, 0.01 mole) in methylene chloride (50ml) and stirred for 20 hours at room temperature. The reaction was poured into water (100ml) and the layers separated. The organic layer was washed with water (100ml), dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The product (an oil) was purified by chromatography on silica and identified by ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectra. The product of Example 22 is also obtained in this reaction as the ethyl ester. EXAMPLE 26 - methyl [[2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ hydroxyphenyl]thio]propyl]thio]acetate and methyl[[2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ hydroxyphenyl]thio-1-methylethyl]thio]acetate Methyl thioglycolate (1ml, 0.0112 mole) was added to a solution of the title compound of Example 23 (3.5g, 0.0118 mole) in trifluoroacetic acid (3ml). The solution was stirred for 48 hours, poured into water (50ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (50ml). The ethyl acetate extract was washed with water (2x50ml), saturated sodium bicarbonate (50ml), water (2x50ml), dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to give an oil. The products (oil) were purified by chromatography on silica. Analysis calc. for C₂₀H₃₂S₂O₃ (384.6): Calc.: C, 62.46; H, 8.39; S, 16.67. Found: C, 62.63; H, 8.29; S, 16.80. EXAMPLE 27 - 2′-hydroxy[1,1′ :3′ ,1″-terphenyl]-5′-yl thiocyanate 2,6-Diphenylphenol (100g, 0.406 mole) and ammonium thiocyanate (67.99g, 0.893 mole) were suspended in methanol (150 ml) in a three necked round bottom flask equipped with magnetic stirrer, thermometer and bubbler. The reaction mixture was cooled to -5°C in an acetone/ice bath and chlorine gas bubbled through the solution for three hours. Maintaining the temperature below 10°C, ammonia gas was bubbled through the reaction for 2 hours. The contents of the flask were then poured into iced distilled water (250ml) and allowed to stand for 12 hours. After filtering, the solid was dried in in vacuo at 45°C for 12 hours. The title compound was purified by chromatography on silica and recrystallized for hexane, m.p. ca . 104-106.5°C. Analysis calc. for C₁₉H₁₃OSN (303.69): Calc.: C, 75.22; H, 4.32; N, 4.62; S, 10.57. Found: C, 75.12; H, 4.49; N, 4.65; S, 10.41. EXAMPLE 28 - 5′-mercapto-[1,1′ :3′ ,1″-terphenyl]-2′-ol The title compound of Example 27 (32.2g, 0.106 mole) and water (1.9 ml) were dissolved in acetone (150ml) with stirring and cooled to -5°C. Triethylphosphine (15.7ml, 0.106 mole) was added dropwise over a period of 40 minutes. The reaction was stirred at 0°C for 1 hour and then at room temperature for 2 hours. The solvent was evaporated and the product isolated by chromatography on silica. Analysis calc. for C₁₈H₁₄OS (278.31): Calc.: C, 77.67; H, 5.07; S, 11.52. Found: C, 77.80; H, 5.19; S, 11.68. EXAMPLE 29 - [[2-[(2′-hydroxy[1,1′ :3′ ,1″-terphenyl]-5′-­ yl)thio]ethyl]thio]acetic acid The title compound was prepared according to the method of Example 13 from mercaptoacetic acid (2.3g, 0.025 mole); 1-bromo-2-chloroethane (2.1ml, 0.025 mole); sodium (1.8g, 0.08 mole) and 5′-mercapto-[1,1′:3′, 1″-terphenyl]-2′-ol (8.6g, 0.03 mole), m.p. ca . 125°C. Analysis calc. for C₂₂H₂₀O₃S₂ (396.5): Calc.: C, 66,64; H, 5.08; S, 16.17. Found: C, 67.01; H, 5.13; S, 16.10. EXAMPLE 30 - 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-[(2-hydroxyethyl) thio]phenol Triethylamine (0.42g, 0.0042 mole), 2-bromoethanol (0.52g, 0.0044 mole) and the title compound of Example 2 (1.0g, 0.0042 mole) were stirred in methylene chloride (50ml) for 20 hours. The reaction was condensed and ethyl acetate (25ml) added to the residue. After filtering the white solid the filtrate was concentrated and the product purified by chromatography on silica, m.p. ca . 66°C. Analysis calc. for C₁₆H₂₆O₂S (282.4): Calc.: C, 68.04; H, 9.28; S, 11.35. Found: C, 67.98; H, 9.20; S, 11.24. EXAMPLE 31 - [2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ hydroxyphenyl]thio]ethoxy]acetic acid Chloroacetic acid (1.88 g) was added to a solution of the product of Example 30 (5.64g) in tert . butyl alcohol. Potassium tert -butoxide (8.96g) was added and the mixture refluxed for 22 hours. The reaction was made basic with 5% sodium bicarbonate and extracted with ethyl ether (3x50ml). The NaHCO₃ extracts were acidified to about pH 2 with 1N HCl and extracted 3 times with ethyl ether (100ml). The combined organic extracts were washed twice with water, twice with saturated brine, dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent removed using a rotary evaporator to give the impure product. The product was purified by chromatography on silica, m.p. ca . 86°C. Analysis calc. for C₁₈H₂₈O₄S (340.47): Calc.: C, 63.50; H, 8.29; S, 9.42. Found: C, 63.52; H, 8.02; S, 9.46. EXAMPLE 32 - 4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl thiocyanate Sodium thiocyanate (23.5g, 0.29 mole) was added to a solution of ortho -cresol (31.4, 0.29 mole) in methyl alcohol (225ml) and cooled by an ice bath. A solution of bromine (46.4g, 0.29 mole) in methyl alcohol (50ml) was added dropwise over 45 minutes. The reaction was filtered and poured into water (400ml). Sodium thiosulfate was added to eliminate the color (yellow). The product was extracted into ethyl ether (2x200ml). The ethyl ether extracts were washed with water (100ml), 1N hydrochloric acid (200ml) and saturated sodium chloride (50ml), dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The product was purified by chromatography on silica. The structure was confirmed by NMR and IR spectroscopy. EXAMPLE 33 - 4-mercapto-2-methylphenol The title compound was prepared according to the method of Example 2 from triethylphosphine (10.0g), water (1.5g) and Example 32 (14.0g). The structure was confirmed by NMR and IR spectroscopy. EXAMPLE 34 - [[2-[(4-hydroxy-3-methylphenyl)thio]ethyl] thio]acetic acid The title compound was prepared according to the method of Example 5 from the compound of Example 33, m.p. ca . 86°C. Analysis calc. for C₁₁H₁₄O₃S₂ (258.3): Calc.: C, 51.13; H, 5.47; S, 24.82. Found: C, 51.09; H, 5.50; S, 24.86. EXAMPLE 35 - 4-hydroxyphenyl thiocyanate The title compound was prepared according to the method of Example 32 from phenol (0.35 mole), bromine (0.35 mole) and sodium thiocyanate (0.35 mole). EXAMPLE 36 - 4-[(2-chloroethyl)thio]phenol 2-chloro-ethanol (3.9g, 0.049 mole) was added to a solution of the product of Example 35 (7.4g, 0.049 mole) in water (0.1 mole) and acetone (50ml). After cooling with an ice bath triethylphosphine (5.6g, 0.047 mole) was added dropwise over 25 minutes. Ethyl ether (200ml) and water (75ml) were added and the layers separated. The organic layer was washed with water (4x50ml) and saturated sodium chloride (2x25ml) dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to give a yellow oil. The structure was confirmed by its NMR spectrum. EXAMPLE 37 - [[2-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)thio]ethyl]thio] acetic acid Mercaptoacetic acid (3.5g, 0.039 mole) was added to ethyl alcohol (100ml) containing sodium (1.8g, 0.078 mole). The compound of Example 36 (7.3g, 0.039 mole) in ethyl alcohol (20ml) was added dropwise and the mixture refluxed 1 hour. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, poured into water (250ml) and acidified with 2N hydrochloric acid. The product was extracted into ethyl ether (2x50ml) and the ethyl ether extracted with 1M sodium bicarbonate (3x80ml). The combined basic washes were acidified with 2N hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl ether (3x150ml). The combined ethyl ether extracts were washed with water (3x75ml) and saturated sodium chloride (50ml), dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to give a yellow solid. Recrystallization from ethyl ether/pentane gave the title compound, m.p. ca . 105°C. Analysis calc. for C₁₀H₁₂O₃S₂ (244.3): Calc.: C, 49.15; H, 4.96; S, 26.24. Found: C, 49.02; H, 5.00; S, 26.41. EXAMPLE 38 - 3-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl] thio]propanal Triethylamine (1.1ml), 0.0076 mole) was added to a solution of 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-mercaptophenol (18.2g, 0.076 mole) in methyl alcohol (200ml) and stirred for 30 minutes. Freshly distilled acrolein (12.8g, 0.23 mole) was added and the solution stirred at room temperature. The product was purified by chromatography on silica and characterized by its NMR and IR spectra and m.p. ca . 75°C. EXAMPLE 39 - ethyl [[3-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ hydroxyphenl]thio]propyl]methylamino] acetate Sarcosine ethyl ester hydrochloride (2.3g, 0.015 mole) and the compound of Example 38 (5.0g, 0.017 mole) were stirred two hours in ethyl alcohol (40ml). Sodium cyanoborohydride (0.93g, 0.015 mole) was added and the mixture stirred at room temperature for 18 hours, refluxed for 30 minutes, then acidified with 1N hydrochloric acid to about pH 2. After stirring for 1 hour the volume of the reaction muxture was concentrated, water (50ml) added and the product extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract was washed with water and saturated sodium chloride and dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The product was purified by chromatography on silica. Analysis calc. for C₂₂H₃₇O₃NS (395.6): Calc.: C, 66.79; H, 9.43; N, 3.54; S, 8.10. Found: C, 67.09; H, 9.40; N, 3.50; S, 8.21. EXAMPLE 40 - methyl [[3-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ hydroxyphenyl]thio]propyl]methylamino]acetate, monohydrochloride Gaseous hydrogen chloride was bubbled into a solution of the compound of Example 39 (113mg) in methyl alcohol (20ml) for 15 minutes and the reaction stirred for four days. The reaction was concentrated and the product was characterized by its NMR and IR spectra. EXAMPLE 40A - [[3-[[3,5-bis(1,1-Dimethylethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl] thio]propyl]methyl]amino]acetic acid, monohydrochloride The product from Example 39 was hydrolysed with 6N hydrochloric acid at 65°C to give the title compound, m.p. ca . 168°C. Analysis calc. for C₂₀H₃₃O₃NS·HCl (403.22): Calc: C, 59.46; H, 8.48; N, 3.47; Cl, 8.78; S, 7.94. Found: C, 59.17; H, 8.40; N, 3.22; Cl, 8.86; S, 8.09. EXAMPLE 41 - [[3-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl] thio]-2-hydroxypropyl]thio]acetic acid Mercaptoacetic acid (1.32g, 0.0144 mole) was added to a solution of ethyl alcohol (100ml) containing sodium (0.66g, 0.029 mole). The solution was stirred for 30 minutes and epichlorohydrin (1.33g, 0.0144 mole) was added by syringe. A solution of the sodium salt of 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ mercaptophenol prepared from 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ mercaptophenol (3.43g, 0.0144 mole) and sodium (0.33g, 0.0144 mole) in ethyl alcohol (50ml) was added dropwise and the reaction stirred for 72 hours at room temperature. Water (50ml) was added and the ethyl alcohol removed using a rotary evaporator. The product was extracted into ethyl acetate, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The product was isolated as an oil by chromatography on silica. The structure was confirmed by its NMR and IR spectra. EXAMPLE 42 - methyl [[3-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ hydroxyphenyl]thio]-2-hydroxypropyl]thio] acetate Oxalyl chloride (3ml) was added to a solution of the compound of Example 41 (2.3g) in benzene (50ml) and stirred for 3 hours at room temperature. The reaction volume was reduced and methyl alcohol (100ml) added. After evaporation of the solvents, the product (an oil) was purified by chromatography on silica. Analysis calc. for C₂₀H₃₂O₄S₂ (400.6): Calc.: C, 59.97; H, 8.05; S, 16.01. Found: C, 59.64; H, 8.15; S, 16.08. Utilizing the foregoing synthesis methods and appropriate starting materials, the following compounds are likewise obtained: EXAMPLE 52 [2S*-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl] thio]-1R*-methylpropoxy]acetic acid Starting with the 2,6-bis (1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-[(2-­ hydroxy-1-methylpropyl)thio]phenol of Example 18 and using the method of Example 31 gave the title compound, m.p. ca . 89-92°C; Mass Spec. 368 (M⁺). EXAMPLE 53 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-[[2R*-hydroxy-1R*-­ methylpropyl)thio]phenol The Product of Example 2 was added to a solution of 3.5g of sodium metal in 150 ml of ethanol at 5°C and stirred for 1 hour. Cis-2-butene oxide (10g) in 50 ml of ethanol was added dropwise, and the reaction solution was allowed to warm to room temperature over about 18 hours, then acidified with 10% hydrochloric acid, extracted with ethyl acetate and dried over sodium sulfate. The solvent was removed under vacuum and the resulting oil was chromatographed on silica to give the product; m.p. ca . 53-56°C. EXAMPLE 54 Ethyl[2R*-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ hydroxyphenyl]-thio]-1R*-methylpropoxy]acetate The product from Example 53 (15.4g) was added to 450 ml of tetrahydrofuran (THF) and the solution was cooled to about -55°C. Potassium hexamethyldisilizane (112 ml of 0.95 M in THF) was added; the reaction mixture was warmed to about -10°C, and 9.95g of ethyl bromoacetate was added. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature over about 18 hours then cooled to about 5°C and 11 ml of acetic acid was added, followed in about 1 hour by the addition of water and ether. The layers were separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with ether. The ether extracts were combined and washed with water then dried over sodium sulfate. The solvent was removed under vacuum and the resulting oil was chromatographed on silica to give the product as an oil. Combustion Analysis: Calculated: C = 66.63, H = 9.15, S = 8.09 Found: C = 66.82, H = 9.30, S = 8.26 EXAMPLE 55 [2R*-[[3,5-bis[1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-­ thio]-1R*-methylpropoxylacetic acid The title compound was prepared according to the method of Example 20 from the product of Example 54. The product was obtained as an oil. Combustion Analysis: Calculated: C = 65.18, H = 8.75 Found: C = 65.25, H = 8.96 EXAMPLE 56 Ethyl 4-[(2-bromoethyl)thio]butanoate and Ethyl 4-[(2-chloroethyl)thio]butanoate 4-Mercaptobutyric acid (10.0g) was added dropwise to a solution of 3.8g of sodium in 150 ml of ethanol followed by the dropwise addition of 2-bromo-1-chloroethane in 25 ml of ethanol. The solution was stirred for 2.5 hours and toluene followed by ethanol was twice added and removed on a rotary evaporator. A solution of 10% hydrochloric acid was added to the residue and the product was extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extracts were dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent was removed to give an oil which was chromatographed on silica to give the products as characterized by their PMR spectrum, bromine analysis and chlorine analysis. EXAMPLE 57 Ethyl 4-[[2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ hydroxyphenyl]thio]butanoate The title compound, an oil, was prepared by the method of Example 12 using the Products of Example 56 and Example 2. Combustion Analysis: Calculated: C = 64.04, H = 8.79, S = 15.54 Found: C = 63.85, H = 8.94, S = 15.35 EXAMPLE 58 Ethyl [(2-chloroethyl)thio]acetate The title compound was prepared by the method of Example 56 using methyl thioglycolate and bromochloroethane. It was identified by its PMR spectrum. EXAMPLE 59 Ethyl [[2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ hydroxyphenyl]thio]ethyl]thio]acetate The title compound, an oil, was prepared by the method of Example 12 using the products of Example 58 and Example 2. Combustion Analysis: Calculated: C = 62.46, H = 8.39, S = 16.67 Found: C = 62.55, H = 8.60, S = 16.70 EXAMPLE 60 1,1-Dimethylethyl[[2-[[3,5-bis-(1,1-dimethylethyl) -4-hydroxyphenyl]thio]ethyl]thio]acetate In a pressure reactor 1.0g of the product from Example 4 was dissolved in 25.0 ml of methylene chloride followed by the addition of 0.04 ml of sulfuric acid and 25 ml of isobutylene. The solution was agitated for about 72 hours then added to 25 ml of water containing 296 mg of sodium bicarbonate. The aqueous layer was extracted with additional methylene chloride, the organic extracts were dried over magnesium sulfate and the solvent was removed. The residue was chromatographed on silica to give the title compound, an oil. Combustion analysis: Calculated: C = 64.04, H = 8.79, S = 15.54 Found: C = 64.08, H = 8.72, S = 15.64 EXAMPLE 61 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-[(2-chloroethyl)thio]-­ phenol The product of Example 1 was treated by the method of Example 36 to give the title compound; m.p. ca . 102-106°C. EXAMPLE 62 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-[(2-chloroethyl)-­ sulfinyl]-phenol The title compound was prepared according to the method of Example 11 from the product of Example 61. Combustion Analysis: Calculated: C = 60.64, H = 7.95, Cl = 11.19, S = 10.12 Found: C = 60.79, H = 8.03, Cl = 11.55, S = 10.32 EXAMPLE 63 Ethyl [[2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ hydroxyphenyl]sulfinyl]ethyl]thio]acetate The title compound was prepared by the method of Example 37 using the product of Example 62 and mercaptoacetic acid methyl ester; m.p. ca . 97-102 C. EXAMPLE 64 Methyl [[3-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hy­ droxyphenyl]thio]propyl](phenylmethyl)amino]acetate Using the method of Example 39, the product from Example 38 was reacted with methanol and N-benzylglycine methyl ester to give the title compound. Combustion Analysis: C₂₇H₃₉NO₃S (457.681) Calculated: C = 70.86, H = 8.59, N = 3.06, S = 7.01 Found: C = 70.94, H = 8.67, N = 3.40, S = 7.21 EXAMPLE 65 [[3-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl] thio]propyl](phenylmethyl)amino]acetic acid hydrochloride The product of Example 64 was treated by the method of Example 40A to give the title compound; m.p. ca . 190-200°C. Combustion Analysis: C₂₆H₃₈Cl NO₃S (480.115) Calculated: C = 65.05, H = 7.98, N = 2.92, Cl = 7.38, S = 6.68 Found: C = 64.99, H = 7.90, N = 2.94, Cl = 7.59, S = 6.82 EXAMPLE 66 Ethyl [2S*-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-­ hydroxyphenyl]thio]-1R*-methylpropoxy]acetate The product from Example 31 was treated by the method of Example 54 to give the title compound. Combustion Analysis: Calculated: C = 66.63, H = 9.15, S = 8.09 Found: C = 66.51, H = 9.15, S = 8.10 EXAMPLE 67 [[4-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxy­ phenyl]thio]butyl]thio]acetic acid The title compound was prepared by the method of Example 5 using mercaptoacetic acid and 1-bromo-4-chlorobutane; m.p. ca . 84-86°C. Combustion Analysis: C₂₀H₃₂O₃S₂ (384.604) Calculated: C = 62.46, H = 8.39, S = 16.67 Found: C = 62.59, H = 8.32, S = 16.78 BIOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS The compounds of the invention are evaluated with respect to 5-lipoxygenase inhibition according to the following assay procedures. (1) Inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase, in vitro : anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy activities. The 100,000 x g supernatant fraction of Rat Basophilic Leukemia Cell Homogenate (RBL-1) serves as a 5-lipoxygenase enzyme source. The enzyme is incubated with [1-¹⁴C)-arachidonic acid and Ca++ in the presence and absence of test compound. The product of 5-lipoxygenase, 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), is separated by thin-layer chromatography and measured by radioactivity. A compound inhibiting 5-HETE synthesis by 30% or more is considered active at that concentration. Initial screening doses are 1 x 10⁻⁴M. When the compound inhibits more than 50% of 5-HETE synthesis at 10⁻⁴M, that compound is tested at multiple dose levels to determine the IC₅₀ value (inhibitory concentration to inhibit 50%). (2) In vivo inhibition of ovalbumin-induced bronchoconstriction - Anti-allergy assay. Adult, male Hartley guinea pigs (300-350g, fasted) actively sensitized to ovalbumin are utilized in this assay. Ovalbumin (OA) causes bronchoconstriction when administered to actively-sensitized guinea pigs. The observed bronchoconstriction is comprised of at least two distinct components: a) a cyclooxygenase-dependent, rapidly occurring bronchoconstriction mediated by thromboxane A₂ and possibly other mediators and b) 5-lipoxygenase dependent slow developing component, dependent upon the de novo generation of LTC₄ and LTD₄. All test animals are pretreated with aspirin and pyrilamine to block the occurrence of the rapidly occurring component (a). Compounds which block the generation of LTC₄ and LTD₄ (5-lipoxygenese inhibitors) or antagonize the activity of LTC₄/LTD₄ (leukotriene inhibitors) modulate the severity of the remaining component of this well-characterized anaphylactic response. Test compounds are administered at screening doses of 50mg/kg, i.v., or 100mg/kg, i.g. A compound is rated active in this test if it causes a significant reduction (i.e., p 0.05, student's t-test) in intratracheal insufflation pressure induced by an i.v. injection of ovalbumin (3mg/ml, i.v.), aspirin (5mg/kg. i.v.) and propranolol (6mg/kg i.p.). Treated animals are statistically compared to concurrent vehicle treated controls. Compounds rated active in inhibiting the production of the LTC₄/LTD₄ allergic mediators through inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase according to this test are believed to play a significant role in bronchopulmonary allergic conditions, e.g., asthma. The results with respect to certain of the preferred compounds of the present invention are set forth in Tables I and II below: It is further noted that the compounds of the present invention have not been found to be inhibitors of either 12- or 15- lipoxygenases or of cyclooxygenase at concentrations which inhibit 5-lipoxygenase further confirming the specificity of the present compounds for 5-lipoxygenase. While the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes, modifications, and substitutions can be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, effective dosages other than the preferred ranges set forth hereinabove may be applicable as a consequence of variations in the responsiveness of the mammal treated, severity of condition treated, dosage related adverse effects, if any, observed and analogous considerations. Likewise, the specific pharmacological responses observed may vary depending upon the particular active compounds selected or whether different active compounds are used in combination or in the presence of suitable pharmaceutical carriers, as well as the type of formulation and mode of administration employed, and such expected variations or differences in results are contemplated in accordance with the objects and practices of the present invention. It is intended, therefore, that the invention be limited only by the scope of the claims which follow.

Claims: 1. Phenolic thioethers of the formula: and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and independently represent tert-alkyl or phenyl; A represents methylene or methylene substituted by alkyl, dialkyl or hydroxy, provided that when A includes hydroxymethylene, the hydroxymethylene group is not adjacent to a heteroatom; B represents sulfur, sulfoxide, sulfone, oxygen, -NH- or nitrogen substituted by alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, substituted phenyl or substituted benzyl; C represents methylene or methylene substituted by alkyl; R₃ represents CO₂H, CO₂-alkyl, or a tetrazole group; m is 0 or 1, n is 2, 3, or 4 and p is 1, 2, or 3. 2. A compound according to Claim 1 wherein R₁ and R₂ are both tert-alkyl. 3. A compound according to Claim 2 wherein said tert-alkyl is tert-butyl. 4. A compound according to Claim 1 wherein R₁ and R₂ are both phenyl. 5. A compound according to Claim 1 wherein A is -CH₂-CH₂- or -CH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-. 6. A compound according to Claim 1 wherein B is sulfur, sulfoxide or sulfone. 7. A compound according to Claim 1 wherein B is oxygen, -NH- or nitrogen substituted by alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, substituted phenyl or substituted benzyl. 8. A compound according to Claim 1 wherein C is -CH₂-. 9. A compound according to Claim 1 wherein R₃ is -CO₂H. 10. A compound according to claim 1 wherein said compound is of the formula: 11. A compound according to Claim 1 which is [[2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]thio]-­ 1-methylpropyl]thio]acetic acid. 12. A compound according to Claim 1 which is [2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-­ dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]thio]ethoxy]acetic acid. 13. A compound according to Claim 1 which is [2S*-[[3,5-­ bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]thio]-1R*-­ methylpropoxy]acetic acid. 14. A compound according to Claim 1 which is [2R*-[[3,5-bis-­ (1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]thio]-1R*-­ methylpropoxy]acetic acid. 15. A compound according to Claim 1 which is ethyl [2R*-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]thio]-­ 1R*-methylpropoxy]acetate. 16. A compound according to Claim 1 which is ethyl 4-[[2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl] thio]butanoate. 17. A compound according to Claim 1 which is ethyl [[2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]­ thio]ethyl]thio]acetate. 18. A compound according to Claim 1 which is 1,1-dimethylethyl-­ [[2-[[3,5-bis-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]thio]­ ethyl]thio]acetate. 19. A compound according to Claim 1 which is ethyl[[2-­ [[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]sulfinyl]­ ethyl]thio]acetate. 20. A compound according to Claim 1 which is methyl [[3-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]thio]­ propyl](phenylmethyl)amino]acetate. 21. A compound according to Claim 1 which is [[3-­ [[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]thio]­ propyl](phenylmethyl)amino]acetic acid hydrochloride. 22. A compound according to Claim 1 which is ethyl [2S*-­ [[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]thio]-1R*-­ methylpropoxy]acetate. 23. A compound according to Claim 1 which is [[4-[[3,5-­ bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]thio]butyl]­ thio]acetic acid. 24. A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of inflammation and allergy conditions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to one of the preceding claims and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 25. Use of the compounds according to one of the claims 1 to 23 for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for eliciting an anti-inflammatory or anti-allergic effect, treating asthma, or treating proliferative skin disorders in a mammal. Claims for the following contracting states: AT, ES 1. A process for the production of phenolic thioethers of the formula: and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and independently represent tert-alkyl or phenyl; A represents methylene or methylene substituted by alkyl, dialkyl or hydroxy, provided that when A includes hydroxymethylene, the hydroxymethylene group is not adjacent to a heteroatom; B represents sulfur, sulfoxide, sulfone, oxygene, -NH- or nitrogen substituted by alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, substituted phenyl or substituted benzyl; C represents methylene or methylene substituted by alkyl; R₃ represents CO₂H, CO₂-alkyl, or a tetrazole group; m is 0 or 1, n is 2, 3, or 4 and p is 1, 2, or 3,characterized in that a) a compound of formula II is reacted with Cl-(A)n-Br in the presence of a base and the resulting compound of formula III is reacted with HB-(C)p-R₃, or b) a compound of formula II as above is reacted with an alkyl epoxide in the presence of a base and the resulting compound of formula IV is reacted with -(C)p-R₃ or c) a compound of formula V is reacted with H-(C)p-R₃ in the presence of NaCNBH₃ resulting in a compound of formula I, wherein B is , wherein Y represents hydrogen, alkyl, phenyl benzyl, substituted phenyl or substituted benzyl, or d) a compound of formula II as above is reacted with halogen-(A)n-OH in the presence of a base and the resulting compound of formula IV above is reacted with -(C)p-R₃ and, if desired, the compound I resulting from one of the processes a) to d) is converted into a pharmaceutical acceptable salt thereof. 2. A process according to Claim 1 wherein the starting material R₁ and R₂ are both tert-butyl. 3. A process according to Claim 1 wherein in the starting material R₁ and R₂ are both phenyl. 4. A process according to one of the preceding claims wherein in the starting material A is -CH₂-CH₂- or -CH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-. 5. A process according to one of the preceding claims wherein in the starting material C is -CH₂-. 6. A process according to one of the preceding claims wherein in the starting material R₃ is -CO₂H. Claims for the following contracting state : GR 1. Phenolic thioethers of the formula: and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein R₁ and R₂ are the same or different and independently represent tert-alkyl or phenyl; A represents methylene or methylene substituted by alkyl, dialkyl or hydroxy, provided that when A includes hydroxymethylene, the hydroxymethylene group is not adjacent to a heteroatom; B represents sulfur, sulfoxide, sulfone, oxygen, -NH- or nitrogen substituted by alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, substituted phenyl or substituted benzyl; C represents methylene or methylene substituted by alkyl; R₃ represents CO₂H, CO₂-alkyl, or a tetrazole group; m is 0 or 1, n is 2, 3, or 4 and p is 1, 2, or 3. 2. A compound according to Claim 1 wherein R₁ and R₂ are both tert-alkyl. 3. A compound according to Claim 2 wherein said tert-alkyl is tert-butyl. 4. A compound according to Claim 1 wherein R₁ and R₂ are both phenyl. 5. A compound according to Claim 1 wherein A is -CH₂-CH₂-­ or -CH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂-. 6. A compound according to Claim 1 wherein B is sulfur, sulfoxide or sulfone. 7. A compound according to Claim 1 wherein B is oxygen, -NH-­ or nitrogen substituted by alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, substituted phenyl or substituted benzyl. 8. A compound according to Claim 1 wherein C is -CH₂-. 9. A compound according to Claim 1 whrein R₃ is -CO₂E. 10. A compound according to Claim 1 wherein said compound is of the formula: 11. A compound according to Claim 1 which is [[2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]thio]-­ 1-methylpropyl]thio]acetic acid. 12. A compound according to Claim 1 which is [2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-­ dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]thio]ethoxy]acetic acid. 13. A compound according to Claim 1 which is [2S*-[[3,5-­ bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]thio]-1R*-­ methylpropoxy]acetic acid. 14. A compound according to Claim 1 which [2R*-[[3,5-bis­ (1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]thio]-1R*-­ methylpropoxy]acetic acid. 15. A compound according to Claim 1 which is ethyl [2R*-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]thio]-­ 1R*-methylpropoxy]acetate. 16. A compound according to Claim 1 which is ethyl 4-[[2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl] thio]butanoate. 17. A compound according to Claim 1 which is ethyl [[2-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]­ thio]ethyl]thio]acetate. 18. A compound according to Claim 1 which is 1,1-dimethylethyl-­ [[2-[[3,5-bis-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]thio]­ ethyl]thio]acetate. 19. A compound according to Claim 1 which is ethyl[[2-­ [[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]sulfinyl]­ ethyl]thio]acetate. 20. A compound according to Claim 1 which is methyl [[3-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]thio]­ propyl](phenylmethyl)amino]acetate. 21. A compound according to Claim 1 which is [[3-­ [[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]thio]­ propyl](phenylmethyl)amino]acetic acid hydrochloride. 22. A compound according to Claim 1 which is ethyl [2S*-­ [[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]thio]-1R*-­ methylpropoxy]acetate. 23. A compound according to Claim 1 which is [[4-[[3,5-­ bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]thio]butyl]­ thio]acetic acid.

Inventors: DEASON, JAMES DONALD, MUELLER, RICHARD AUGUST, PARTIS, RICHARD ALLEN
Applicants: G.D. SEARLE & CO.
Application year: 1987
Main classification: C07C323
IPC codes: C07C323, C07C67, C07C331, A61P11, A61K31, C07C317, C12N9, A61P37, C07C313, A61P29, C07D257, A61P43, C07C327