Imidazole derivatives, potent and selective antagonists of angiotensin II receptor

Abstract: A compound of the formula : wherein R¹ is hydrogen, halogen, nitro, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, amino or acylamino, R², R³ and R⁴ are each hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkylthio, more or di or trihalo(lower)alkyl, oxo(lower)alkyl, hydroxy(lower)alkyl or optionally esterified carboxy; or R² and R³ are linked together to form l,3-butadienylene, R⁵ is hydrogen or imino-protective group, A is lower alkylene, Q is CH or N, X is N or CH, Y is NH, O or S, and is condensed or uncondensed imidazolyl which may have suitable substituent(s), and pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; processes for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.

Description: The present invention relates to novel imidazole derivatives and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof which have pharmacological activities such as angiotensin II antagonism and the like, to process for preparation thereof, to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same and to a use of the same for the preparation of a medicament useful for treating or preventing angiotensin II mediated diseases, for example, hypertension (e.g. essential hypertension, renal hypertension ), heart failure, and the like in human being or animals. EP-A-0 380 959 discloses imidazole compounds which have angiotensin II antagonizing properties as well as 8-adrenoceptor antagonizing properties, which are useful as antihypertensives and for treatment of congestive heart failure. EP-A-0 324 377 discloses a pharmaceutical composition comprising a diuretic or a non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug, a pharmaceutical suitable carrier and an antihypertensive selected from imidazole. EP-A-0 071 060 discloses imidazolyl compounds and their acid addition salts and their use as medicaments especially for the treatment of inflammatory and thromboembolic diseases. EP-A-0 426 021 discloses condensed imidazole derivates and the use for treating or preventing angiotensin II mediated diseases. EP-A-0 399 731 discloses azaindenes which antagonizes the actions of angiotensin II and are of value in treating conditions such as hypertension and congestive heart failure. EP-A-0 400 974 discloses substituted imidazo-fused-6-membered heterocycles which are angiotensin II antoganists which are useful in the treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure. The imidazole derivatives of the present invention are novel and can be represented by the formula (I) as defined in claim 1. According to the present invention, the object compound (I) can be prepared by the following processes. Process 1 Process 2 Process 3 Process 4 Wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, A, Q, X, Y and are each as defined above, R 4 / a is oxo (C₁-C₆)alkyl or halogen, R 4 / b is hydroxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl or hydrogen, R 5 / a is imino-protective group, and R⁶ is acid residue. Suitable salts of the compound (I) are conventional non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable salt and may include a salt with a base or an acid addition salt such as a salt with an inorganic base, for example, an alkali metal salt (e.g. sodium salt, potassium salt, cesium salt, etc.), an alkaline earth metal salt (e.g. calcium salt, magnesium salt, etc.), an ammonium salt; a salt with an organic base, for example, an organic amine salt (e.g. triethylamine salt, pyridine salt, picoline salt, ethanolamine salt, triethanolamine salt, dicyclohexylamine salt, N,N'-dibenzylethylenediamine salt, etc.), etc.; an inorganic acid addition salt (e.g. hydrochloride, hydrobromide, sulfate, phosphate, etc.); an organic carboxylic or sulfonic acid addition salt (e.g. formate, acetate, trifluoroacetate, maleate, tartrate, methanesulfonate, benzenesulfonate, p-toluenesulfonate, etc.); a salt with a basic or acidic amino acid (e.g. arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, etc.); and the like, and the preferable example thereof is an acid addition salt. In the above and subsequent descriptions of the present specification, suitable examples and illustrations of the various definitions which the present invention include within the scope thereof are explained in detail as follows. Suitable "C₁-C₆ alkyl" and C₁-C₆ alkyl group in the term "C₁-C₆ alkylthio" may include straight or branched one, having 1 to 6 carbon atom(s), such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, t-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, and the like. Suitable "C₂-C₆ alkenyl" may include vinyl, 1-propenyl, allyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 2-pentenyl, and the like, in which the most preferred one is vinyl. Suitable "C₁-C₆ alkylene" is one having 1 to 6 carbon atom(s) and may include methylene, ethylene, trimethylene, propylene, tetramethylene, methyltrimethylene, dimethylethylene, hexamethylene, and the like, in which the preferred one is methylene. Suitable "halogen" means fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo. Suitable "C₁-C₆ alkoxy" may include straight or branched one such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy, tert-butoxy, pentyloxy, hexyloxy or the like. Suitable acyl group in the term "acylamino" may include carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, sulfamoyl, aliphatic acyl, aromatic acyl, heterocyclic acyl, in which the preferable one is aliphatic acyl such as C₁-C₆ alkanoyl (e.g. formyl, acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, hexanoyl, etc.). Suitable "mono or di or trihalo(C₁-C₆)alkyl" may include chloromethyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, dichloromethyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethylpropyl, and the like. Suitable "hydroxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl" may include hydroxymethyl, hydroxyetyl, and the like. Suitable "oxo(C₁-C₆)alkyl" may include formyl, formylmethyl, formylethyl, and the like. Suitable "esterified carboxy" may include C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl (e.g. methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, etc.), and the like. Suitable "imino-protective group" may include conventional one, and the preferable example thereof is ar(C₁-C₆)alkyl such as mono-(or di- or tri-)phenyl-(C₁-C₆)alkyl (e.g. benzyl, benzhydryl, trityl, etc.), acyl such as C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl (e.g. tert-butoxycarbonyl, etc.), C₁-C₆ alkanesulfonyl (e.g. mesyl, etc.), arenesulfonyl (e.g. tosyl, etc.), and the like, in which the most preferred one is trityl. Particularly, the preferred embodiment of is as follows. 2-C₁-C₆ alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl (e.g. 2-ethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, 2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, 2-butyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, etc.); 2,7-di(C₁-C₆)alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl (e.g. 2-ethyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, 7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, 2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, etc.), 2,5,7-tri(C₁-C₆)alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl (e.g. 2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, 5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, etc.); 5-halo-2-C₁-C₆ alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl (e.g. 2-butyl-5-chloro-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, etc.), 5-C₁-C₆ alkoxy-2-C₁-C₆ alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl (e.g. 2-butyl-5-methoxy-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, etc.), and more preferably 2-C₁-C₆ alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, 2,7-di(C₁-C₆)alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl and 2,5,7-tri(C₁-C₆)alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl. Suitable "acid residue" may include halogen (e.g. fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo), acyloxy (e.g. acetoxy, tosyloxy, mesyloxy, etc.) and the like. The preferred embodiment of the heterocyclic derivatives (I) of the present invention can be represented by the following chemical formula : wherein R a is C₁-C₆ alkyl, R b is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, A is C₁-C₆ alkylene, and R², R³ and R⁴ are each hydrogen, halogen or nitro; or R² and R³ are linked together to form 1,3-butadienylene, in which C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkylene and halogen are each the same as those mentioned above. Also, the preferred embodiment of the compound (I) can be represented by the following formula . wherein R a is C₁-C₆ alkyl, R b is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, R¹ is hydrogen, halogen, nitro, alkoxy, amino or acylamino, A is C₁-C₆ alkylene, Q is CH or N, and R², R³ and R⁴ are each hydrogen, halogen or nitro; or R² and R³ are linked together to form 1,3-butadienylene, in which C₁-C₆ alkyl, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, acylamino and C₁-C₆ alkylene are each the same as those mentioned above. Also, the preferred embodiment of the compound (I) can be represented by the following formula. wherein R¹ is hydrogen, halogen, nitro, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, amino or acylamino, R², R³ and R⁴ are each hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆ alkyl or C₂-C₆ alkenyl; or R² and R³ are linked together to form 1,3-butadienylene, A is C₁-C₆ alkylene, Q is CH or N, and is 3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl which may have C₁₋₆ alkyl, halogen, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, hydroxy(C₁₋₆) alkyl or optionally esterified carboxy. in which each of these definitions is the same as those mentioned above, and more preferred example of may be: 2-lower alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl (e.g. 2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, 2-butyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, etc.); 2,7-di(lower)alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl (e.g. 7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, 2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, etc.), 5-halo-2-lower alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl (e.g. 2-butyl-5-chloro-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, etc.), 5-lower alkyl-2-lower alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl (e.g. 2-butyl-5-methoxy-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, etc.). Also, the preferred embodiment of the compound (I) can be represented by the following formula. wherein R¹ is hydrogen, halogen, nitro, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, amino or acylamino, R², R³ and R⁴ are each hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ alkylthio, dihalo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, oxo(C₁-C₆)alkyl or hydroxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl; or R² and R³ are linked together to form 1,3-butadienylene, A is C₁-C₆ alkylene, Q is CH or N, and is 3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, which may have C₁-C₆ alkyl, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, hydroxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl or optionally esterified carboxy in which each of these definitions is the same as those mentioned above, and more preferred example of may be: 2-lower alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl (e.g. 2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, 2-butyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, etc.); 2,7-di(lower)alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl (e.g. 7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, 2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, etc.), 2,5,7-tri(lower)alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl (e.g. 2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, etc.); 5-halo-2-lower alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl (e.g. 2-butyl-5-chloro-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, etc.), 5-lower alkoxy-2-lower alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl (e.g. 2-butyl-5-methoxy-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, etc.). Further, the preferred embodiment of the compound (I) can be represented by the following formula. wherein R¹ is hydrogen, halogen, nitro, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, amino or acylamino, R², R³ and R⁴ are each hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ alkylthio, mono or di or trihalo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, oxo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, hydroxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl or optionally esterified carboxy; or R² and R³ are linked together to form 1,3-butadienylene, R⁵ is hydrogen or imino-protective group, A is C₁-C₆ alkylene, Q is CH or N, and is 3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, which may have C₁-C₆ alkyl, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, hydroxy-(C₁-C₆)alkyl or optionally esterified carboxy, in which each of these definitions is the same as those mentioned above, and more preferred example of may be : 2-lower alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl (e.g. 2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, 2-butyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, etc.); 2,7-di(lower)alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl (e.g. 7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, 2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, etc.), 2,5,7-tri(lower)alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl (e.g. 2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, etc.); 5-halo-2-lower alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl (e.g. 2-butyl-5-chloro-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, etc.), 5-lower alkoxy-2-lower alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl (e.g. 2-butyl-5-methoxy-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, etc.). Particularly, the preferred compound (I) of the present invention is represented by the following formula: wherein R², R³ and R⁴ are each hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ alkylthio, mono or di or trihalo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, oxo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, hydroxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl or optionally esterified carboxy (more preferably carboxy or C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl); or R² and R³ are linked together to form 1,3-butadienylene, Y is NH and is 2-lower alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, 2,7-di(lower)alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, 2,5,7-tri(lower)alkyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, 5-halo-2-lower alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, 5-lower alkoxy-2-lower alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl (more preferably, 2-lower alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, 2,7-di(lower)alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl or 2,5,7-tri(lower)alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl), and further, more preferred embodiment of a group of the formula. is represented by the following formula : wherein R 2 / a is hydrogen, halogen, cyano, C₁-C₆ alkyl or C₁-C₆ alkylthio, and R 3 / a is hydrogen, halogen, nitro, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, trihalo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, oxo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, hydroxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl or C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl; wherein R 2 / b and R 3 / b are each halogen; wherein R 2 / c is hydrogen, halogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, R 3 / c is C₁-C₆ alkyl, and R 4 / c is hydrogen or halogen; or wherein R 2 / d is hydrogen, halogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, and R 3 / d is C₁-C₆ alkyl; and the most preferred one is : wherein R 2 / f and R 3 / f are each hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or halogen. The processes for preparing the object compound (I) of the present invention are explained in detail in the following. Process 1 : The object compound (I) or a salt thereof can be prepared by subjecting the compound (II) to the formation reaction of a tetrazole group. The agent to be used in the present reaction may include conventional ones which is capable of converting a cyano group to a tetrazolyl group such as metal azide, for example, alkali metal azide (e.g., potassium azide, sodium azide etc.), tri(C₁-C₆)alkyltin azide (e.g. trimethyltin azide, etc.), triaryltin azide (e.g. triphenyltin azide, etc.), or the like. The present reaction is usually carried out in the presence of a base such as tri(C₁-C₆)alkylamine (e.g. triethylamine, etc.), and the like, or 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, and the like. The present reaction is usually carried out in a solvent such as xylene, dioxane, chloroform, methylene chloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, tetrahydrofuran, pyridine, acetonitrile, dimethylformamide or any other solvent which does not adversely affect the reaction. The reaction temperature is not critical and the reaction is usually carried out under warming or heating, preferably under heating. Further, the compound (I) wherein R¹ is amino can be prepared by reducing the corresponding nitro compound in a conventional manner, and the compound (I) wherein R¹ is acylamino can be prepared by acylating the amino compound obtained above in a conventional manner. And further, the present reaction includes, within its scope, the case that the dihalo(C₁-C₆)alkyl group on R², R³ or R⁴ is transformed to the oxo(C₁-C₆)alkyl group during the reaction or at the post-treating step of the present process. Process 2 : The object compound (I-b) or a salt thereof can be prepared by subjecting the compound (I-a) or a salt thereof to reduction. The reduction may include, for example, chemical reduction with an alkali metal borohydride (e.g. sodium borohydride, etc.), and catalytic reduction with palladium catalysts (e.g. palladium on carbon, etc.), and the like. This reaction is usually carried out in a conventional solvent which does not adversely influence the reaction such as alcohol [e.g. methanol, ethanol, propanol, etc.], tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N-dimethylformamide or a mixture thereof. The reaction temperature is not critical, and the reaction is usually carried out under cooling to heating. Process 3 : The object compound (I) or a salt thereof can be prepared by reacting the compound (III) or a salt thereof with the compound (IV) or a salt thereof. The present reaction is usually carried out in the presence of a base such as alkyl lithium (e.g. n-butyl lithium, etc.), alkali metal hydride (e.g. sodium hydride, potassium hydride, etc.), di(C₁-C₆)alkylamine (e.g. diisopropylamine, etc.), tri(C₁-C₆)alkylamine (e.g. trimethylamine, triethylamine, etc.), pyridine or its derivative (e.g. picoline, lutidine, 4-dimethylaminopyridine, etc.), or the like. The present reaction is usually carried out in a solvent such as dioxane, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide, diethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, benzene, tetrahydrofuran, or any other solvent which does not adversely affect the reaction. In case that the base to be used is liquid, it can also be used as a solvent. The reaction temperature is not critical and the reaction is usually carried out under cooling, at ambient temperature or under heating. Process 4 : The object compound (I-d) or a salt thereof can be prepared by subjecting the compound (I-c) or a salt thereof to removal reaction of the imino-protective group. Suitable method for this removal may include conventional one which is capable of removing an imino-protective group on a tetrazolyl group such as hydrolysis, reduction, or the like. The hydrolysis is preferably carried out in the presence of the base or an acid. Suitable base may include, for example, an inorganic base such as alkali metal hydride (e.g. sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc.), alkaline earth metal hydroxide (e.g. magnesium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, etc.), alkali metal carbonate, (e.g. sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, etc.), alkaline earth metal carbonate (e.g. magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate, etc.), alkali metal bicarbonate (e.g. sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, etc.), alkali metal acetate (e.g. sodium acetate, potassium acetate, etc.), alkaline earth metal phosphate (e.g. magnesium phosphate, calcium phosphate, etc.), alkali metal hydrogen phosphate (e.g. disodium hydrogen phosphate, dipotassium hydrogen phosphate, etc.), or the like, and an organic base such as trialkylamine (e.g. trimethylamine, triethylamine, etc.), picoline, N-methylpyrrolidine, N-methylmorpholine, 1,5-diazabicyclo-[4,3,0]non-5-one, 1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane, 1,5-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]undecene-5 or the like. The hydrolysis using a base is often carried out in water or a hydrophilic organic solvent or a mixed solvent thereof. Suitable acid may include an organic acid (e.g. formic acid acetic acid, propionic acid, etc.) and an inorganic acid (e.g. hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, etc.). The present hydrolysis is usually carried out in an organic solvent, water or a mixed solvent thereof. The reaction temperature is not critical, and the reaction is usually carried out at ambient temperature or under warming or heating. The starting compounds (II), (III) and (IV) are new and can be prepared by the methods of Preparations mentioned below or a similar manner thereto or a conventional manner. The object compound (I) of the present invention can be isolated and purified in a conventional manner, for example, extraction precipitation, fractional crystallization, recrystallization, chromatography, and the like. The object compound (I) thus obtained can be converted to its salt by a conventional method. The object compound (I) of the present invention exhibits angiotensin antagonism such as vasodilating activity and is useful as an angiotensin II antagonist and effective to various angiotensin II mediated diseases such as hypertension (e.g. essential hypertension, renal hypertension, etc.), heart failure, and the like. Further, it is expected that the object compounds of the present invention are useful as therapeutical and/or preventive agents for cardiopathy (e.g. angina pectoris, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, etc.), hyperaldosteronism, cerebral vascular diseases, senile dementia, ophthalimic diseases (e.g. glaucoma, etc.), and the like; and diagnostic agents to test the renin angiotensin system. In order to illustrate the usefulness of the object compounds (I), pharmacological activity of representative compounds of the present invention is shown below. [1] Test Compound : 1 ○ 3-[4-[4-Bromo-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (hereinafter referred to as Compound 1 ○) [2] Inhibition by the antagonist of contractile response to angiotensin II in excised guinea pig ileum Test Method : Male guinea pigs weighing 300 g to 500 g were sacrificed by decapitation and the ileum were excised. Longitudinal strips of the ileum (length : 2 cm) were placed in a 25 ml organ bath containing Tyrode's solution of the following composition (mM) : NaCl, 137; KCl, 2.7; CaCl₂, 1.8; MgCl₂, 1.1; NaH₂PO₄, 0.4; NaHCO₃, 12; Glucose, 5.6. The bath was maintained at 37°C and bubbled with 95% O₂ + 5% CO₂. The strips was stretched with a resting force of 0.5 g, and the isometric contraction were recorded via force development transducer on an ink-writing recorder. The preparation was equilibrated in Tyrode's solution mentioned above for 30 minutes, and then exposed to atropine (3.2 x 10⁻⁷ g/ml). Five minutes later, the response for angiotensin II (1 x 10⁻⁸ g/ml) was obtained and the preparation was washed a few times. This procedure was repeated twice. After the last response for angiotensin II was obtained (control response), the preparation was washed, and the response for angiotensin II (10⁻⁸ g/ml) was obtained in the presence of the test compound. The concentration of the test compound were 10⁻⁷, 10⁻⁸, 10⁻⁹, 10⁻¹⁰ M. The test compound were added 3 minutes prior to adding angiotensin II. Atropine was also added 5 minutes prior to adding angiotensin II. The inhibition of the test compound for angiotensin II contraction were expressed as a percentage change to control response, and IC₅₀ (M) was calculated. [3] Test Result : Compound IC₅₀ (M) 1 ○ 1.70 x 10⁻⁹ For therapeutic or preventive administration, the object compound (I) of the present invention are used in the form of conventional pharmaceutical preparation which contains said compound as an active ingredient, in admixture with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers such as an organic or inorganic solid or liquid excipient which is suitable for oral, parenteral and external administration. The pharmaceutical preparation may be in solid form such as tablet, granule, powder, capsule, or liquid form such as solution, suspension, syrup, emulsion, lemonade and the like. If needed, there may be included in the above preparations auxiliary substances, stabilizing agents, wetting agents and other commonly used additives such as lactose, citric acid, tartaric acid, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, terra alba, sucrose, corn starch, talc, gelatin, agar, pectin, peanut oil, olive oil, cacao butter, ethylene glycol, and the like. While the dosage of the compound (I) may vary from and also depend upon the age, conditions of the patient, a kind of diseases or conditions, a kind of the compound (I) to be applied, etc. In general amounts between 0.01 mg and about 500 mg or even more per day may be administered to a patient. An average single dose of about 0.05 mg, 0.1 mg, 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 20 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg of the object compound (I) of the present invention may be used in treating diseases. The following Preparations and Examples are given for the purpose of illustrating the present invention. Preparation 1 To a solution of 1-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile (1.274 g) in tetrahydrofuran (25 ml) was added N-bromosuccinimide (1.776 g) in several portions at ambient temperature. After being stirred for 3 hours at the same temperature, the mixture was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was treated with diethyl ether. The precipitates were removed by filtration and washed with a small amounts of diethyl ether. The filtrates were concentrated in vacuo to give an oily residue, which was purified by silica gel column chromatography (elution by 40% dichloromethane in n-hexane) to yield 4-bromo-1-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile (1.78 g) as a solid. mp : 55-59.5°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.42 (3H, s), 6.93 (1H, d, J=2.3Hz), 7.04 (1H, d, J=2.3Hz), 7.29 (5H, s) Preparation 2 To a solution of 1-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole (1 g) in tetrahydrofuran (50 ml) was added N-chlorosuccinimide (850 mg) in one portion at -78°C under nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was warmed to 10°C, stirred for one hour, and then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel to yield 2-chloro-1-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole (1.2 g) as an oil. (This product was a mixture of the starting material and the desired product and used to the next reaction furthermore without purification.) Preparation 3 Phosphoryl chloride (747 µl) was added dropwise to N,N-dimethylformamide (7 ml) at 5°C. The mixture was stirred at 5°C for 15 minutes and at ambient temperature for 15 minutes. To the mixture was added a solution of 2-chloro-1-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole (1.2 g) in N,N-dimethylformamide (7 ml) at ambient temperature. The mixture was stirred at the same temperature for one hour and at 50°C for 2.5 hours. After cooled to ambient temperature, the mixture was treated with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The separated oil was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water, dried, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was column chromatographed on silica gel to yield 5-chloro-1-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde (377 mg) as a solid. NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.44 (3H, s), 6.33 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.09 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.18 (2H, d, J=8.0Hz), 7.31 (2H, d, J=8.0Hz), 9.32 (1H, s) Preparation 4 A mixture of 5-chloro-1-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde (365 mg), hydroxylamine hydrochloride (173 mg), and sodium acetate (204 mg) in 60% aqueous ethanol (6 ml) was stirred at 60°C for one hour. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate. The mixture was washed with water, dried, and concentrated in vacuo to give a residue (450 mg) of 5-chloro-1-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde oxime. A mixture of the residue and sodium acetate (30 mg) in acetic anhydride (5 ml) was stirred at 160°C for one and half hours under nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (eluted by ethyl acetate:n-hexane = 1/15) to yield 5-chloro-1-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile (325 mg) as an oil. NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.45 (3H, s), 6.25 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.90 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.23 (2H, d, J=8.0Hz), 7.34 (2H, d, J=8Hz) Preparation 5 To a solution of 1-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile (1.092 g) in a mixture of ethanol (10 ml) and 1,4-dioxane (10 ml) was added N-chlorosuccinimide (1.862 g) in one portion at ambient temperature. The mixture was stirred for 2.5 hours at the same temperature and then water (30 ml) was added therein. The separated oil was extracted with diethyl ether. The extract was washed with water, dried, and concentrated in vacuo. The yellow residue was crystallized from n-hexane to yield 3,4-dichloro-1-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile (1.28 g). mp : 85-86°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.45 (3H, s), 6.91 (1H, s), 7.23 and 7.34 (4H, ABq, J=7.5Hz) Preparation 6 To a solution of 1-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile (1.0 g) in acetic anhydride (4 ml) was added nitric acid (231 µl, 94%) dropwise at 5°C. The mixture was stirred at the same temperature for 3 hours and then poured into ice water. The pH was adjusted to 5-7 by the addition of saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The separated oil was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, water and brine, dried, and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to yield 1-(4-methylphenyl)-4-nitropyrrole-2-carbonitrile (471 mg) as a solid. NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.47 (3H, s), 7.36 (4H, s), 7.49 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.83 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz) Preparation 7 A mixture of 3,4-dichloro-1-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile (1.25 g), 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile (10 mg) and N-bromosuccinimide (1.068 g) in carbon tetrachloride (25 ml) was refluxed for 3 hours, cooled to ambient temperature, and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was crystallized from 10% ethyl acetate in n-hexane to yield 1-(4-bromomethylphenyl)-3,4-dichloropyrrole-2-carbonitrile (1.01 g). NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.53 (2H, s), 6.94 (1H, s), 7.46 and 7.58 (4H, ABq, J=7.5Hz) Preparation 8 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 7. (1) 4-Bromo-1-(4-bromomethylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 105-116°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.54 (2H, s), 7.00 (1H, d, J=2.3Hz), 7.10 (1H, d, J=2.3Hz), 7.41 (2H, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.55 (2H, d, J=8.5Hz) (2) 1-(4-Bromomethylphenyl)-5-chloropyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.53 (2H, s), 6.30 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.94 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.37 (2H, d, J=8.0Hz), 7.57 (2H, d, J=8.0Hz) (3) 1-(4-Bromomethylphenyl)-4-nitropyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.54 (2H, s), 7.48 (2H, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.52 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.62 (2H, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.88 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz) (4) 1-(4-Bromomethylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.55 (2H, s), 6.37 (1H, dd, J=4.5Hz and 3.0Hz), 7.01 (1H, dd, J=4.5Hz and 2.5Hz), 7.09 (1H, dd, J=3Hz and 2.5Hz), 7.43 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.52 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (5) 1-(4-Bromomethylphenyl)indole-2-carbonitrile This compound was used to the next reaction without furthermore purification. Preparation 9 To a solution of 2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine (568 mg) in dimethyl sulfoxide (7 ml) was added sodium hydride (132 mg, 60% oil dispersion) at ambient temperature. The mixture was stirred for 40 minutes at the same temperature. To the mixture was added dropwise a solution of 1-(4-bromomethylphenyl)-3,4-dichloropyrrole-2-carbonitrile (990 mg) in dimethyl sulfoxide (3 ml). The mixture was stirred for 2 hours at ambient temperature and ice water (30 ml) was added therein. The separated oil was extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The extracts were washed with water, dried, and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography eluted by 50% ethyl acetate in n-hexane to give 2-butyl-3-[4-(2-cyano-3,4-dichloro-1-pyrrolyl)-benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (546 mg) as an oil. NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.91 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.42 (2H, m), 1.76 (2H, m), 2.73 (3H, s), 2.90 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.60 (2H, s), 6.94 (1H, s), 7.09 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.31 (4H, s), 8.25 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Preparation 10 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 9. (1) 3-[4-(4-Bromo-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.92 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.42 (2H, m), 1.77 (2H, m), 2.72 (3H, s), 2.88 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.57 (2H, s), 6.97 (1H, d, J=2.3Hz), 7.03 (1H, d, J=2.3Hz), 7.08 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.38 (2H, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.48 (2H, d, J=8.5Hz), 8.24 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (2) 2-Butyl-3-[4-(5-chloro-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.92 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.32-1.52 (2H, m), 1.72-1.91 (2H, m), 2.87 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.59 (2H, s), 6.27 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.91 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.28 (1H, dd, J=8.5Hz and 5.0Hz), 7.32 (4H, s), 8.07 (1H, dd, J=8.5Hz and 1.0Hz), 8.38 (1H, dd, J=5.0Hz and 1.0Hz) (3) 2-Butyl-3-[4-(2-cyano-4-nitro-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.94 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.33-1.56 (2H, m), 1.77-1.97 (2H, m), 2.90 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.61 (2H, s), 7.31 (1H, dd, J=7.5Hz and 4.5Hz), 7.37 (2H, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.45 (2H, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.49 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.82 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 8.09 (1H, dd, J=7.5Hz and 1Hz), 8.39 (1H, dd, J=4.5Hz and 1.0Hz) (4) 2-Butyl-3-[4-(2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.93 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.45 (2H, m), 1.87 (2H, m), 2.88 (2H, dd, J=8Hz and 8Hz), 5.56 (2H, s), 6.33 (1H, dd, J=4Hz and 3Hz), 6.98 (1H, dd, J=4Hz and 1Hz), 7.03 (1H, dd, J=3Hz and 1Hz), 7.28 (1H, m), 7.29 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.41 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 8.07 (1H, dd, J=7.5Hz and 1.5Hz), 8.38 (1H, dd, J=4Hz and 1.5Hz) (5) 2-Butyl-3-[4-(2-cyano-1-indolyl)benzyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.93 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.46 (2H, m), 1.88 (2H, m), 2.98 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 5.66 (2H, s), 7.21-7.45 (4H, m), 7.32 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.40 (1H, s), 7.48 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.72 (1H, m), 8.13 (1H, dd, J=8Hz and 1Hz), 8.46 (1H, dd, J=4.5Hz and 1Hz) (6) 2-Butyl-3-[4-(5-chloro-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.90 (3H, t, J=6.5Hz), 1.40 (2H, m), 1.73 (2H, m), 2.72 (3H, s), 2.87 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.58 (2H, s), 6.24 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.90 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.08 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.30 (4H, s), 8.25 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Preparation 11 A mixture of 2-amino-4-methyl-3-nitropyridine (5.0 g) and N,N-dimethylaniline (8.5 ml) was heated at 100°C under nitrogen atmosphere. To the solution was added butyryl chloride (3.5 ml) and the mixture was stirred at 100°C for 5 hours. After being cooled to room temperature, ethyl acetate was added to the reaction mixture. The organic layer was separated and washed successively with water and brine. The solution was dried over magnesium sulfate and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was washed with n-hexane to give 2-butyrylamino-4-methyl-3-nitropyridine (7.0 g). mp : 92.5-99°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.01 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.64-1.85 (2H, m), 2.43 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.48 (3H, s), 7.10 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 8.26 (1H, br s), 8.35 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) Preparation 12 A solution of 2-butyrylamino-4-methyl-3-nitropyridine (7.0 g) and iron powder (17.5 g) in a mixture of acetic acid (14 ml) and ethanol (100 ml) was stirred at 90°C for 3 hours under nitrogen atmosphere. After being cooled to room temperature, the reaction mixture was filtered through Celite and the filtrate was evaporated in vacuo. Ethyl acetate and saturated aqueous sodium hydrogencarbonate were added to the residue until pH 7∼8 and the resulting suspension was filtered through Celite. The organic layer of the filtrate was separated, washed with brine and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo and the residue was purified with silica gel column chromatography (eluent : ethyl acetate) to give 7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine (3.6 g). mp : 108-111°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.09 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.90-2.12 (2H, m), 2.72 (3H, s), 3.06 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 7.07 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 8.19 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) Preparation 13 2-Bromo-4-methylaniline (15.0 g), 2,5-dimethoxy-tetrahydrofuran (10.7 g) and acetic acid (81 ml) were combined under nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture was stirred at 90°C for 1.5 hours. After being cooled to room temperature, the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo with toluene. n-Hexane (300 ml) was added to the residue, and the suspension was filtered through Celite. Then silica gel was added to the filtrate with stirring until the colour of the solution disappeared. The suspension was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo to give 1-(2-bromo-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole (16.1 g). NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.38 (3H, s), 6.31 (2H, t, J=3.0Hz), 6.83 (2H, t, J=3.0Hz), 7.12-7.22 (2H, m), 7.51 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz) Preparation 14 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 13. (1) 1-(3-Fluoro-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.39 (3H, d, J=2.5Hz), 6.32 (2H, m), 7.02-7.26 (5H, m) (2) 5-Methyl-2-(1-pyrrolyl)pyridine mp : 54.5-62°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.33 (3H, s), 6.35 (2H, t, J=2.0Hz), 7.22 (1H, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.48 (2H, t, J=2.0Hz), 7.56 (1H, dd, J=8.5Hz, 1.5Hz), 8.25 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz) (3) 1-(3-Chloro-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole mp : 48-50°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ): 2.39 (3H, s), 6.34 (2H, dd, J=4Hz, 4Hz), 7.05 (2H, dd, J=4Hz, 4Hz), 7.19 (1H, dd, J=8Hz, 2Hz), 7.26 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 7.40 (1H, d, J=2Hz) (4) 1-(3-Methoxy-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.23 (3H, s), 3.87 (3H, s), 6.33 (2H, t, J=2Hz), 6.84 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 6.88 (1H, dd, J=8Hz, 2Hz), 7.06 (2H, t, J=2Hz), 7.16 (1H, d, J=8Hz) (5) 1-(4-Methyl-2-nitrophenyl)pyrrole NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.48 (3H, s), 6.35 (2H, t, J=2Hz), 6.78 (2H, t, J=2Hz), 7.35 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 7.46 (1H, dd, J=8Hz, 1Hz), 7.67 (1H, d, J=1Hz) (6) 1-(2-Chloro-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.48 (3H, s), 6.34 (2H, t, J=2.5Hz), 6.89 (2H, t, J=2.5Hz), 7.12 (1H, dd, J=9Hz, 1Hz), 7.24 (1H, d, J=9Hz), 7.33 (1H, br s) Preparation 15 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 3. (1) 1-(5-Methyl-2-pyridyl)pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.40 (3H, s), 6.42 (1H, dd, J=4.0Hz, 3.5Hz), 7.19 (1H, dd, J=4.0Hz, 1.5Hz), 7.33 (1H, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.41 (1H, dd, J=3.5Hz, 1.5Hz), 7.64 (1H, dd, J=8.5Hz, 2.0Hz), 8.33 (1H, d, J=2.0Hz), 9.75 (1H, s) (2) 1-(3-Chloro-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.44 (3H, s), 6.41 (1H, dd, J=4Hz, 3Hz), 7.04 (1H, m), 7.15 (1H, m), 7.17 (1H, dd, J=7Hz, 2Hz), 7.32 (1H, d, J=7Hz), 7.37 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 9.48 (1H, s) (3) 1-(3-Methoxy-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.27 (3H, s), 3.85 (3H, s), 6.40 (1H, dd, J=4Hz, 3Hz), 6.82 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 6.87 (1H, dd, J=7Hz, 2Hz), 7.08 (1H, dd, J=3Hz, 2Hz), 7.17 (1H, dd, J=4Hz, 2Hz), 7.20 (1H, d, J=7Hz), 9.59 (1H, s) (4) 1-(2-Chloro-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde mp : 109-110°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.42 (3H, s), 6.43 (1H, dd, J=4Hz, 3Hz), 6.95 (1H, m), 7.11 (1H, dd, J=4Hz, 1Hz), 7.19 (1H, d, J=9Hz), 7.15 (1H, d, J=9Hz), 7.32 (1H, br s), 9.50 (1H, s) Preparation 16 1-(4-Methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde (1.45 g) was dissolved in chloroform (20 ml), and pyridinium hydrobromide perbromide (2.62 g) was added to the solution at 0°C under nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture was stirred at the same temperature for 30 minutes. Methylene chloride was added to the mixture, and then saturated sodium thiosulfate was added until excess reagent was decomposed. The organic solution was washed with saturated sodium hydrogencarbonate and brine, and dried over magnesium sulfate. The obtained residue was purified by isopropyl ether to give 1-bromo-1-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde (1.65 g). NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.47 (3H, s), 6.46 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.09 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.17 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.30 (2H, d, J=8Hz) Preparation 17 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 16. (1) 5-Bromo-1-(5-methyl-2-pyridyl)pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde mp : 65.5-73°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.45 (3H, s), 6.47 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.07 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.24 (1H, d, J=7.0Hz), 7.71 (1H, dd, J=7.0Hz, 1.5Hz), 8.04 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 9.37 (1H, s) (2) 5-Bromo-1-(2-chloro-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde mp : 88-90°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.44 (3H, s), 6.50 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.06 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.20 (2H, s), 7.36 (1H, br s), 9.29 (1H, s) (3) 5-Bromo-1-(3-methoxy-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.30 (3H, s), 3.33 (3H, s), 6.47 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.71 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 6.80 (1H, dd, J=8, 2Hz), 7.10 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.24 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 9.31 (1H, s) Preparation 18 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 4. (1) 5-Bromo-1-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.44 (3H, s), 6.37 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.92 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.23 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.32 (2H, d, J=8Hz) (2) 1-(5-Methyl-2-pyridyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.39 (3H, s), 6.37 (1H, t, J=4.5Hz), 7.04 (1H, dd, J=4.5Hz, 1.0Hz), 7.52 (1H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.56 (1H, dd, J=4.5Hz, 1.0Hz), 7.69 (1H, dd, J=9.0Hz, 1.5Hz), 8.39 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz) (3) 5-Bromo-1-(5-methyl-2-pyridyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 95-100.5°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.45 (3H, s), 6.40 (1H, d, J=4.0Hz), 6.95 (1H, d, J=4.0Hz), 7.37 (1H, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.73 (1H, dd, J=8.5Hz, 1.5Hz), 8.48 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz) (4) 5-Bromo-1-(2-chloro-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.46 (3H, s), 6.40 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.94 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.20-7.94 (2H, m), 7.41 (1H, br s) (5) 1-(3-Chloro-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.42 (3H, s), 6.35 (1H, dd, J=4Hz, 2.5Hz), 6.99 (1H, dd, J=4Hz, 1Hz), 7.05 (1H, dd, J=2.5Hz, 1Hz), 7.28 (1H, dd, J=8Hz, 1.5Hz), 7.36 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 7.45 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz) (6) 5-Bromo-1-(3-methoxy-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.30 (3H, s), 3.89 (3H, s), 6.40 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.78 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 6.88 (1H, dd, J=8, 2Hz), 6.94 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.38 (1H, d, J=8Hz) (7) 1-(2-Chloro-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.42 (3H, s), 6.35 (1H, dd, J=4Hz, 3Hz), 6.89-7.02 (2H, m), 7.18 (1H, dd, J=8Hz, 1Hz), 7.28 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 7.36 (1H, br s) Preparation 19 Chlorosulfonyl isocyanate (1.2 ml) in methylene chloride (12 ml) was added dropwise to a stirred solution of 1-(2-bromo-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole (2.5 g) in methylene chloride (25 ml) kept about -20°C under nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture was stirred at -20°C for 30 minutes and at room temperature for 1.5 hours, and then was added dropwise dimethylformamide (1.7 ml) keeping at about -20°C. The reaction mixture was stirred at -20°C for 30 minutes and at room temperature for an hour. To the reaction mixture was added 4N-hydrochloric acid at 0°C, and stirred at 0°C for 30 minutes. The organic layer was washed with water and saturated sodium hydrogencarbonate solution, and dried over magnesium sulfate, and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography with a mixture of ethyl acetate and n-hexane (1:10) as eluent to give 1-(2-bromo-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile (2.4 g). NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.42 (3H, s), 6.36 (1H, dd, J=4.0, 3.0Hz), 6.93 (1H, dd, J=3.0Hz, 1.0Hz), 6.97 (1H, dd, J=4.0Hz, 1.0Hz), 7.22-7.29 (2H, m), 7.55 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz) Preparation 20 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 19. (1) 1-(3-Fluoro-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.35 (3H, d, J=2.5Hz), 6.37 (1H, m), 6.99-7.48 (5H, m) (2) 1-(4-Methyl-2-nitrophenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.56 (3H, s), 6.48 (1H, dd, J=4Hz, 3Hz), 6.90 (1H, dd, J=3Hz, 2Hz), 7.01 (1H, dd, J=4Hz, 2Hz), 7.41 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 7.57 (1H, dd, J=8Hz, 1Hz), 7.92 (1H, d, J=1Hz) Preparation 21 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 2. (1) 4-Bromo-3-chloro-1-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.47 (3H, s), 6.97 (1H, s), 7.23 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.35 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (2) 4-Bromo-1-(3-fluoro-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.35 (3H, d, J=2.5Hz), 6.88 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.07 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.09-7.49 (4H, m) (3) 4-Bromo-1-(2-bromo-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.41 (3H, s), 6.93 (2H, s), 7.23-7.28 (2H, m), 7.56 (1H, s) (4) 4-Bromo-1-(2-chloro-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 92-94°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.42 (3H, s), 6.94 (2H, s), 7.19 (1H, dd, J=7.5Hz, 0.8Hz), 7.27 (1H, d, J=7.5Hz), 7.36 (1H, m) (5) 4-Bromo-1-(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.43 (3H, s), 6.96 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.06 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.26 (1H, dd, J=8Hz, 2Hz), 7.35 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 7.42 (1H, d, J=2Hz) Preparation 22 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 7. (1) 4-Bromo-1-(4-bromomethylphenyl)-3-chloropyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.55 (2H, s), 7.00 (1H, s), 7.34 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.59 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (2) 5-Bromo-1-(4-bromomethylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.55 (2H, s), 6.40 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.93 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.33 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 7.55 (1H, d, J=8Hz) (3) 4-Bromo-1-(4-bromomethyl-3-fluorophenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.54 (2H, s), 7.01 (1H, d, J=2.5Hz),7,10 (1H, d, J=2.5Hz), 7.19-7.62 (3H, m) (4) 1-(5-Bromomethyl-2-pyridyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.52 (2H, s), 6.40 (1H, t, J=4.0Hz), 7.08 (1H, dd, J=4.0Hz, 1.0Hz), 7.61 (1H, dd, J=4.0Hz, 1.0Hz), 7.65 (1H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.92 (1H, dd, J=9.0Hz, 2.0Hz), 8.54 (1H, d, J=2.0Hz) (5) 5-Bromo-1-(5-bromomethyl-2-pyridyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.54 (2H, s), 6.42 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.97 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.49 (1H, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.98 (1H, dd, J=8.5Hz, 1.5Hz), 8.68 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz) (6) 1-(2-Bromo-4-bromomethylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.49 (2H, s), 6.38 (1H, dd, J=4.0Hz, 3.0Hz), 6.93-7.03 (2H, m), 7.39 (1H, d, J=8.0Hz), 7.49 (1H, dd, J=8.0Hz, 1.0Hz), 7.77 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz) (7) 4-Bromo-1-(2-bromo-4-bromomethylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.48 (2H, s), 6.97 (2H, s), 7.35 (1H, d, J=8.0Hz), 7.49 (1H, dd, J=8.0Hz, 1.0Hz), 7.79 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz) (8) 5-Bromo-1-(4-bromomethyl-2-chlorophenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.50 (2H, s), 6.42 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.95 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.36 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 7.47 (1H, d, J=8Hz, 1Hz), 7.62 (1H, d, J=1Hz) (9) 4-Bromo-1-(4-bromomethyl-2-chlorophenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile (This product was a mixture of the starting material and the desired product and used to the next reaction furthermore without purification.) (10) 4-Bromo-1-(4-bromomethyl-3-chlorophenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ): 4.61 (2H, s), 6.99 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.19 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.36 (1H, dd, J=8Hz and 2Hz), 7.50 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.61 (1H, d, J=8Hz) (11) 5-Bromo-1-(4-bromomethyl-3-methoxyphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 3.94 (3H, s), 4.58 (2H, s), 6.49 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.85 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 6.90-6.99 (2H, m), 7.48 (1H, d, J=8Hz) (12) 1-(4-Bromomethyl-2-nitrophenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.57 (2H, s), 6.41 (1H, dd, J=4.3Hz), 6.91 (1H, dd, J=3, 2Hz), 7.03 (1H, dd, J=4Hz, 2Hz), 7.53 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 7.80 (1H, dd, J=8Hz, 2Hz), 8.14 (1H, d, J=2Hz) (13) 1-(4-Bromomethyl-2-chlorophenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile (This product was a mixture of the starting material and the desired product and used to the next reaction furthermore without purification.) Preparation 23 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 9. (1) 3-[4-(4-Bromo-3-chloro-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.90 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.40 (2H, m), 1.74 (2H, m), 2.71 (3H, s), 2.86 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 5.59 (2H, s), 6.96 (1H, s), 7.07 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.30 (4H, s), 8.23 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (2) 3-[4-(2-Bromo-5-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.90 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.41 (2H, m), 1.74 (2H, m), 2.70 (3H, s), 2.88 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 5.60 (2H, s), 6.37 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.91 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.07 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.31 (4H, s), 8.24 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (3) 3-[4-(4-Bromo-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)]-2-fluorobenzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.92 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.33-1.56 (2H, m), 1.68-1.87 (2H, m), 2.70 (3H, s), 2.89 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.58 (2H, s), 6.97 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 7.01-7.30 (5H, m), 8.21 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (4) 3-[4-(4-Bromo-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 115-118°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.01 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.71-1.93 (2H, m), 2.71 (3H, s), 2.85 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.57 (2H, s), 6.96 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.03 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.07 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.28 (2H, d, J=9.5Hz), 7.38 (2H, d, J=9.5Hz), 8.22 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (5) 2-Butyl-3-[2-(2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)-5-pyridylmethyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 104-108.5°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.93 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.34-1.55 (2H, m), 1.69-1.89 (2H, m), 2.70 (3H, s), 2.89 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.53 (2H, s), 6.37 (1H, dd, J=4.5Hz, 3.0Hz), 7.01-7.11 (2H, m), 7.54 (1H, dd, J=3.0Hz, 1.0Hz), 7.56 (1H, d, J=8.0Hz), 7.70 (1H, dd, J=8.0Hz, 1.5Hz), 8.22 I1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 8.46 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz) (6) 3-[2-(5-Bromo-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)-5-pyridylmethyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.92 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.33-1.54 (2H, m), 1.68-1.86 (2H, m), 2.70 (3H, s), 2.89 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.60 (2H, s), 6.40 (1H, d, J=4.0Hz), 6.95 (1H, d, J=4.0Hz), 7.07 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.39 (1H, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.71 (1H, dd, J=8.5Hz, 1.5Hz), 8.23 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 8.61 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz) (7) 3-[3-Bromo-4-(2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 162-167°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.94 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.35-1.56 (2H, m), 1.70-1.88 (2H, m), 2.71 (3H, s), 2.89 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.53 (2H, s), 6.35 (1H, dd, J=3.5Hz, 3.0Hz), 6.90 (1H, dd, J=3.0Hz, 1.0Hz), 6.98 (1H, dd, J=3.5Hz, 1.0Hz), 7.08 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.18 (1K, dd, J=8.0Hz, 1.0Hz), 7.35 (1H, d, J=8.0Hz), 7.53 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 8.22 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (8) 3-[3-Bromo-4-(4-bromo-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.93 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.34-1.55 (2H, m), 1.70-1.91 (2H, m), 2.73 (3H, s), 2.93 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.54 (2H, s), 6.90 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 6.94 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 7.10 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.18 (1H, dd, J=8.0Hz, 1.0Hz), 7.32 (1H, d, J=8.0Hz), 7.56 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 8.23 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (9) 3-[4-(2-Bromo-5-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)-3-chlorobenzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.91 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.42 (2H, m), 1.75 (2H, m), 2.73 (3H, s), 2.88 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 5.58 (2H, s), 6.40 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.92 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.09 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.19 (1H, dd, J=8Hz, 1Hz), 7.31 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 7.39 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 8.25 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (10) 3-[4-(4-Bromo-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)-3-chlorobenzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.92 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.45 (2H, m), 1.79 (2H, m), 2.73 (3H, s), 2.89 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 5.55 (2H, s), 6.92 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 6.95 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.07 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.15 (1H, dd, J=7.5Hz, 1Hz), 7.34 (1H, d, J=7.5Hz), 7.36 (1H, s), 8.22 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (11) 3-[4-(4-Bromo-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)-2-chlorobenzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.92 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.49 (2H, m), 1.78 (2H, m), 2.80 (3H, s), 3.00 (2H, m), 5.70 (2H, s), 6.77 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 6.99 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.04 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.20 (1H, dd, J=8Hz, 2Hz), 7.25 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 7.58 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 8.30 (1H, d, J=8Hz) (12) 3-[4-(2-Bromo-5-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.99 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.80 (2H, m), 2.70 (3H, s), 2.84 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 5.60 (2H, s), 6.36 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.91 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.05 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.30 (4H, s), 8.23 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (13) 3-[4-(2-Bromo-5-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)-2-methoxy]benzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.92 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.43 (2H, m), 1.77 (2H, m), 2.73 (3H, s), 2.93 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 3.96 (3H, s), 5.56 (2H, s), 6.37 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.71-6.89 (3H, m), 6.92 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.07 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 8.23 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (14) 2-Butyl-3-[4-(2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)-3-nitrobenzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.96 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.48 (3H, m), 1.83 (2H, m), 2.98 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 5.64 (2H, s), 6.39 (1H, dd, J=4Hz, 3Hz), 6.88 (1H, dd, J=3Hz, 2Hz), 7.01 (1H, dd, J=4Hz, 2Hz), 7.12 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.44-7.56 (2H, m), 7.98 (1H, s), 8.25 (1H, d, J=4Hz) (15) 2-Butyl-3-[3-chloro-4-(2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.95 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.46 (2H, m), 1.80 (2H, m), 2.73 (3H, s), 2.90 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.56 (2H, s), 6.36 (1H, dd, J=4Hz, 3Hz), 6.93 (1H, dd, J=3Hz, 1Hz), 6.99 (1H, dd, J=4Hz, 1Hz), 7.08 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.15 (1H, dd, J=8Hz, 1Hz), 7.34 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 7.35 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 8.23 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Preparation 24 To a stirred mixture of 1-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile (10 g), silica gel (46 g) and carbon tetrachloride (150 ml) was added dropwise a solution of tertbutyl hypochlorite (8.1 g) in carbon tetrachloride (15 ml). After stirring for 1 hour at ambient temperature, the precipitate was filtered off and the filtrate was evaporated in vacuo to give an oily residue which was crystallized from n-hexane. The crystals were further purified by silica gel column chromatography (SiO₂ 100 g, n-hexane-toluene = 1:1) and subsequent crystallization from n-hexane to give colorless crystals (3.92 g) of 4-chloro-1-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile. mp : 72-74°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.43 (3H, s), 6.89 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.02 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.33 (4H, s) Preparation 25 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 7. 1-(4-Bromomethylphenyl)-4-chloropyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 95-97°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.52 (2H, s), 6.92 (1H, d, J=lHz), 7.03 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.41 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.54 (2H, d, J=8Hz) Preparation 26 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 9. 2-Butyl-3-[4-(4-chloro-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 112-113°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.92 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.32-1.53 (2H, m), 1.66-1.87 (2H, m), 2.72 (3H, s), 2.90 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.57 (2H, s), 6.89 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 6.99 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.09 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.28 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.39 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 8.24 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) Preparation 27 To a suspension of sodium hydride (114 mg, 60% oil dispersion) in dimethyl sulfoxide (5 ml) was added dropwise a solution of 2-butyrylamino-4-methyl-3-nitropyridine (605 mg) in dimethyl sulfoxide (10 ml) at ambient temperature under nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was stirred at the same temperature for one hour and a solution of 1-(4-bromomethylphenyl)-4-chloropyrrole-2-carbonitrile (800 ml) in dimethyl sulfoxide (10 ml) was added therein. The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 2 hours and quenched with ice water. The separated oil was extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The combined extracts were washed with water, dried, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel eluted by n-hexane/ethylacetate (2/1-1/1) to yield 2-[N-butyryl-N-[4-(4-chloro-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]amino]-4-methyl-3-nitropyridine (723 mg). mp : 139-141°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.90 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.57-1.80 (2H, m), 1.98-2.20 (2H, broad peak), 2.42 (3H, s), 4.40-5.35 (2H, broad peak), 6.91 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.04 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.10-7.65 (5H, m), 8.40-8.58 (1H, m) Preparation 28 A mixture of 2-[N-butyryl-N-[4-(4-chloro-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]amino]-4-methyl-3-nitropyridine (700 mg), iron powder (894 mg), acetic acid (1.8 ml) and ethanol (15 ml) was stirred under reflux for 15 hours. After being cooled to room temperature, the reaction mixture was filtered and the filtrate was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was partitioned into ethyl acetate (100 ml) and saturated aqueous sodium hydrogencarbonate solution. The organic layer was washed with water, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by a silica gel column chromatography (n-hexane-ethyl acetate = 1:1) to give 3-[4-(4-chloro-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine (565 mg) as a pale yellow powder. NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.01 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.70-1.94 (2H, m), 2.71 (3H, s), 2.33 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.56 (2H, s), 6.89 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.00 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.07 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.25 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.38 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 8.22 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Preparation 29 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 13. (1) 1-(2-Fluoro-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.38 (3H, s), 6.33 (2H, t, J=2.5Hz), 6.96-7.08 (4H, m), 7.28 (1H, t, J=8.0Hz) (2) 1-(3-Fluoro-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole mp : 64-67.5°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.28 (3H, d, J=1.0Hz), 6.32 (2H, t, J=2.5Hz), 7.04 (2H, t, J=2.5Hz), 7.01-7.12 (2H, m), 7.21 (1H, t, J=8.0Hz) (3) Ethyl 3-methyl-4-(1-pyrrolyl)benzoate NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.40 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.30 (3H, s), 4.40 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 6.30-6.38 (2H, m), 6.77-6.85 (2H, m), 7.30 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 7.93 (1H, dd), 8.00 (1H, d) Preparation 30 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 3. (1) 1-(3-Fluoro-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.32 (3H, d, J=1.0Hz), 6.40 (1H, dd, J=4.5Hz, 3.0Hz), 6.99-7.11 (3H, m), 7.15 (1H, dd, J=4.5Hz, 1.0Hz), 7.26 (1H, t, J=8.0Hz), 9.57 (1H, s) (2) 1-(2-Bromo-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde mp : 116-119°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.42 (3H, s), 6.42 (1H, dd, J=4.0Hz, 3.0Hz), 6.91-6.97 (1H, m), 7.12 (1H, dd, J=4.0Hz, 1.0Hz), 7.19-7.24 (2H, m), 7.52 (1H, s), 9.49 (1H, s) Preparation 31 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 16. (1) 5-Bromo-1-(3-fluoro-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde mp : 126-138.5°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.38 (3H, d, J=1.5Hz), 6.47 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.97 (2H, d, J=8.0Hz), 7.08 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.31 (1H, t, J=8.0Hz), 9.32 (1H, s) (2) 5-Bromo-1-(2-bromo-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde mp : 110.5-113.5°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.44 (3H, s), 6.51 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.08 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.20-7.30 (2H, m), 7.54 (1H, d, J=0.5Hz), 9.29 (1H, s) Preparation 32 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 19. (1) 1-(4-Ethoxycarbonyl-2-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 61-63°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.44 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.20 (3H, s), 4.42 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 6.35-6.43 (1H, m), 6.88-6.98 (1H, m), 6.98-7.04 (1H, m), 7.38 (1H, d, J=9Hz), 8.00 (1H, dd, J=9Hz, 1Hz), 8.07 (1H, d, J=1Hz) (2) 1-(2-Fluoro-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 47-52°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.41 (3H, s), 6.35 (1H, dd, J=4.5Hz, 3.5Hz), 6.94-7.15 (4H, m), 7.31 (1H, t, J=8.0Hz) (3) 1-(4-Ethoxycarbonylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 110-112°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.43 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 4.43 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 6.40 (1H, q, J=4Hz & 3Hz), 7.05 (1H, q, J=4Hz & 2Hz), 7.16 (1H, q, J=3Hz & 2Hz), 7.57 (2H, d, J=10Hz), 8.21 (2H, d, J=10Hz) Preparation 33 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 4. (1) 5-Bromo-1-(3-fluoro-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 56.5-58°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.37 (3H, d, J=1.0Hz), 6.38 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.92 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.02-7.11 (2H, m), 7.35 (1H, t, J=8.0Hz) (2) 5-Bromo-1-(2-bromo-4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.45 (3H, s), 6.39 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.95 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.27 (2H, s), 7.59 (1H, s) Preparation 34 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 2. 4-Bromo-1-(5-methyl-2-pyridyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 97.5-109.5°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.41 (3H, s), 7.01 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.50 (1H, d, J=8.0Hz), 7.57 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.70 (1H, dd, J=8.0Hz, 1.0Hz), 8.38 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz) Preparation 35 To a mixture of 1-(4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile (5.16 g) and aluminum chloride (5.72 g) in 1,2-dichloroethane (51 ml) was added a solution of dichloromethylmethyl ether (2.97 g) in 1,2-dichloroethane (5 ml) in one portion at -15°C. The mixture was stirred for one hour at the same temperature and then dichloromethylmethyl ether (0.6 g) was added therein. After stirring for 3 hours at 5°C, the reaction mixture was quenched with 10% hydrochloric acid. The separated organic layer was washed with 10% hydrochloric acid three times, dried, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel eluted by 1% methanol in dichloromethane to yield 1-(4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl)-4-formylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile (2.96 g) as a pale yellow solid. mp : 128-129.5°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.46 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 4.44 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 7.48 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.59 (2H, d, J=10Hz), 7.73 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 8.27 (2H, t, J=10Hz), 9.89 (1H, s) Preparation 36 To a solution of dimethylsulfoxide (64 ml) was added sodium hydride (480 mg, 60% oil dispersion) at ambient temperature. The suspension was stirred at 60°C for 50 minutes to give a clear solution. To the cooled solution was added methyltriphenylphosphonium bromide (4.29 g) at ambient temperature in one portion. The mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for half an hour and at 50°C for half an hour. The yellow mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and therein 1-(4-ethoxycarbonyl-phenyl)-4-formylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile (2.68 g) was added in one portion. After stirring at ambient temperature for one and half hours, the mixture was quenched with aqueous hydrochloric acid and extracted with dichloromethane. The organic layer was washed with aqueous hydrochloric acid three times, dried, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel eluted by 20% n-hexane in dichloromethane to yield 1-(4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl)-4-vinylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile (1.80 g) as a white solid. mp : 118.5-120°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.43 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 4.42 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 5.18 (1H, d, J=10Hz), 5.56 (1H, d, J=17.5Hz), 6.56 (1H, q, J=10Hz & 17.5Hz), 7.14 (2H, s), 7.56 (2H, d, J=7.5Hz), 8.21 (2H, d, J=7.5Hz) Preparation 37 A mixture of 1-(4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl)-4-vinylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile (1.59 g) and lithium borohydride (78.4 mg) in tetrahydrofuran (30 ml) was refluxed for 3 hours. To the pale green solution was added lithium borohydride (78.4 mg) and the mixture was refluxed for 3 hours. The cooled mixture was quenched with saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution and diethyl ether was added. The separated organic layer was washed with saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution, dried, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel eluted by 2% methanol in dichloromethane to yield 1-(4-hydroxymethylphenyl)-4-vinylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile (910 mg) as a white solid. mp : 77-79°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.79 (2H, s), 5.16 (1H, d, J=10Hz), 5.54 (1H, d, J=17.5Hz), 6.55 (1H, q, J=10Hz & 17.5Hz), 7.10 (2H, s), 7.43 (2H, d, J=10Hz), 7.52 (2H, d, J=10Hz) Preparation 38 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 37. 1-(4-Hydroxymethyl-2-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.82 (1H, br), 2.14 (3H, s), 4.74 (2H, s), 6.30-6.40 (1H, m), 6.85-6.93 (1H, m), 6.93-7.00 (1H, m), 7.22-7.40 (3H, m) Preparation 39 To a mixture of 1-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile (546 mg) and aluminum chloride (532 mg) in dichloromethane (10 ml) was added t-butyl chloride (368 mg) in dichloromethane (10 ml) in one portion at 5°C. The mixture was stirred at the same temperature for 20 minutes. The reaction mixture was quenched with 10% hydrochloric acid. The separated organic layer was washed with 10% hydrochloric acid and water, successively, dried, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel eluted by a mixture of ethyl acetate and n-hexane (1:6) to yield 4-t-butyl-1-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile (660 mg). mp : 77-78°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.28 (9H, s), 2.40 (3H, s), 6.87 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 6.90 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.27 (2H, d, J=10Hz), 7.32 (2H, d, J=10Hz) Preparation 40 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 7. (1) 1-(4-Bromomethyl-2-fluorophenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 67-69°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.50 (2H, s), 6.40 (1H, dd, J=4.5Hz, 3.5Hz), 6.99-7.10 (2H, m), 7.28-7.51 (3H, m) (2) 5-Bromo-1-(4-bromomethyl-3-fluorophenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 70.5-73°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.57 (2H, s), 6.41 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.95 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.15 (1H, dd, J=8.0Hz, 1.0Hz), 7.19 (1H, dd, J=8.0Hz, 1.0Hz), 7.59 (1H, t, J=8.0Hz) (3) 4-Bromo-1-(5-bromomethyl-2-pyridyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 107.5-115°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.51 (2H, s), 7.03 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 7.62 (1H, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.63 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 7.93 (1H, dd, J=8.5Hz, 1.5Hz), 8.53 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz) (4) 5-Bromo-1-(2-bromo-4-bromomethylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.49 (2H, s), 6.42 (1H, d, J=4.0Hz), 6.96 (1H, d, J=4.0Hz), 7.37 (1H, d, J=8.0Hz), 7.53 (1H, dd, J=8.0Hz, 1.5Hz), 7.80 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz) (5) 1-(4-Bromomethylphenyl)pyrrole-2,5-dicarbonitrile mp : 123-138°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.53 (2H, s), 6.99 (2H, s), 7.46 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.62 (2H, d, J=8Hz) (6) 1-(4-Bromomethylphenyl)-4-tert-butylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 108-109°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.25 (9H, s), 4.52 (2H, s), 6.88 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 6.91 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.36-7.56 (4H, m) Preparation 41 To a solution of 1-(4-hydroxymethylphenyl)-4-vinylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile (910 mg) in dichloromethane (15 ml) was added pyridine (385 mg), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (20 mg), methanesulfonyl chloride (560 mg) successively at 5°C. The mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 4 hours and then pyridine (385 mg) and methanesulfonyl chloride (560 mg) was added therein. The mixture was stirred at the same temperature overnight, washed with aqueous hydrochloric acid, dried, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel eluted by dichloromethane to yield 1-(4-chloromethylphenyl)-4-vinylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile (831 mg) as a colorless oil. NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.64 (2H, s), 5.17 (1H, dd, J=1Hz & 10Hz), 5.54 (1H, dd, J=1Hz & 17.5Hz), 6.56 (1H, dd, J=10Hz & 17.5Hz), 7.10 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.08 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.44 (2H, d, J=7.5Hz), 7.54 (2H, d, J=7.5Hz) Preparation 42 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 41. 1-(4-Chloromethyl-2-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.15 (3H, s), 4.60 (2H, s), 6.32-6.40 (1H, m), 6.85-6.93 (1H, m), 6.93-7.01 (1H, m), 7.23-7.44 (3H, m) Preparation 43 A mixture of ethyl 4-amino-3-nitrobenzoate (49.5 g) and N,N-dimethylaniline (90 ml) was heated at 110°C under nitrogen atmosphere. To the solution was added valeryl chloride (29 ml) and the mixture was stirred at 110°C for 1.5 hours. After being cooled to room temperature, 1N hydrochloric acid was added until pH 2∼3 to the reaction mixture. The aqueous solution was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was separated and washed successively with water and brine. The solution was dried over magnesium sulfate and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified with silica gel column chromatography (ethyl acetate : n-hexane = 1:5) to give ethyl 3-nitro-4-valerylaminobenzoate (67.5 g). NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.98 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.35-1.56 (2H, m), 1.43 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.67-1.85 (2H, m), 2.52 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 4.43 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 7.82 (1H, dd, J=9.0Hz, 1.0Hz), 8.28 (1H, d, J=9.0Hz), 9.41 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz) Preparation 44 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 43. (1) 6-Chloro-3-nitro-2-valerylaminopyridine mp : 101-102°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.96 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.47 (2H, m), 1.72 (2H, m), 2.72 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 7.18 (1H, d, J=9Hz), 8.43 (1H, d, J=9Hz) (2) 6-Methoxy-3-Nitro-2-valerylaminopyridine mp : 62-64°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.97 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.43 (2H, m), 1.76 (2H, m), 2.79 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 4.06 (3H, s), 6.51 (1H, d, J=9Hz), 8.42 (1H, d, J=9Hz) Preparation 45 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 27. (1) 4-Bromo-1-[4-[N-(5-ethoxycarbonyl-2-nitrophenyl)-N-valerylamino]methylphenyl]pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.87 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.15-1.50 (5H, m), 1.54-1.80 (2H, m), 1.99-2.18 (2H, m), 4.43 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 4.63 (1H, d, J=15Hz), 5.20 (1H, d, J=15Hz), 7.00 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.10 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.30-7.40 (4H, m), 7.73 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.98 (1H, d, J=10Hz), 8.21 (1H, dd, J=10Hz, 1Hz) (2) 4-Bromo-1-[4-[N-(6-chloro-3-nitropyridin-2-yl)-N-valerylamino]methylphenyl]pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.87 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.18-1.40 (2H, m), 1.52-1.76 (2H, m), 2.28-2.55 (2H, m), 5.20-5.45 (2H, br), 6.98 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.08 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.30-7.72 (5H, m), 8.23 (1H, d, J=8Hz) (3) 4-Bromo-1-[4-[N-(6-methoxy-3-nitropyridin-2-yl)-N-valerylamino]methylphenyl]pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.85 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.18-1.41 (2H, m), 1.50-1.75 (4H, m), 2.05-2.48 (1H, br s), 5.10-5.45 (1H, br s), 6.65-6.86 (1H, m), 6.95 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.06 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.20-7.60 (4H, m), 8.20-8.35 (1H, m) Preparation 46 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 9. (1) 2-Butyl-3-[4-(2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)-3-fluorobenzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 119-122°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.92 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.34-1.56 (2H, m), 1.70-1.89 (2H, m), 2.72 (3H, s), 2.89 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.54 (2H, s), 6.37 (1H, dd, J=4.5Hz, 3.5Hz), 6.95-7.14 (5H, m), 7.40 (1H, t, J=6.5Hz), 8.23 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (2) 2-Butyl-3-[4-(5-bromo-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)-2-fluorobenzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.93 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.33-1.56 (2H, m), 1.69-1.87 (2H, m), 2.72 (3H, s), 2.93 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.62 (2H, s), 6.39 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.93 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.01-7.17 (3H, m), 7.20 (1H, dd, J=10.0Hz, 1.5Hz), 8.26 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (3) 3-[[2-(4-Bromo-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)pyridin-5-yl]-methyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 135-138.5°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.94 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.33-1.55 (2H, m), 1.69-1.88 (2H, m), 2.70 (3H, s), 2.89 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.53 (2H, s), 7.01 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.08 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.54 (1H, d, J=8.0Hz), 7.56 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.70 (1H, dd, J=8.0Hz, 2.0Hz), 8.22 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 8.46 (1H, d, J=2.0Hz) (4) 3-[3-Bromo-4-(5-bromo-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 139-145.5°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.92 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.31-1.54 (2H, m), 1.67-1.85 (2H, m), 2.71 (3H, s), 2.89 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.56 (2H, s), 6.39 (1H, d, J=4.0Hz), 6.93 (1H, d, J=4.0Hz), 7.09 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.21 (1H, dd, J=7.5Hz, 1.5Hz), 7.31 (1H, d, J=7.5Hz), 7.57 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 8.23 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (5) 2-Butyl-3-[4-(2,5-dicyano-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 159-161°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.90 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.28-1.52 (2H, m), 1.63-1.86 (2H, m), 2.70 (3H, s), 2.86 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.59 (2H, s), 6.96 (2H, s), 7.08 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.33 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.41 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 8.21 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (6) 3-[4-(2-Cyano-1-pyrrolyl)-3-methylbenzyl]-7-methyl-3-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 127-128°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.03 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.72-1.94 (2H, m), 2.08 (3H, s), 2.72 (3H, s), 2.85 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.52 (2H, s), 6.28-6.38 (1H, m), 6.80-6.88 (1H, m), 6.91-6.99 (1H, m), 6.99-7.14 (3H, m), 7.20 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 8.21 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (7) 2-Butyl-3-[4-(4-tert-butyl-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)-benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.91 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.26 (9H, s), 1.30-1.55 (2H, m), 1.65-1.90 (2H, m), 2.73 (3H, s), 2.88 (2H, t), 5.54 (2H, s), 6.80 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 6.88 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.08 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.23 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.39 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 8.23 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (8) 2-Butyl-3-[4-(4-chloro-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.93 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.30-1.53 (2H, m), 1.73-1.93 (2H, m), 2.82 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.57 (2H, s), 6.89 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.00 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.19-7.46 (5H, m), 8.02 (1H, dd, J=8Hz, 1Hz), 8.36 (1H, dd, J=5Hz, 1Hz) (9) 3-[4-(2-Cyano-4-vinyl-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.01 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.70-1.92 (2H, m), 2.70 (3H, s), 2.83 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.14 (1H, dd, J=11Hz, 1Hz), 5.43-5.60 (3H, m), 6.52 (1H, dd, J=11Hz, 17.5Hz), 7.00-7.10 (3H, m), 7.25 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.39 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 8.21 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Preparation 47 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 28. (1) 3-[4-(4-Bromo-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-2-butyl-5-chloro-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 140-141°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.98 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.31-1.53 (2H, m), 1.70-1.92 (2H, m), 2.88 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.52 (2H, s), 6.98 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.06 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.22-7.48 (5H, m), 8.04 (1H, d, J=8Hz) (2) 3-[4-(4-Bromo-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-2-butyl-5-methoxy-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 140-143°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.92 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.30-1.54 (2H, m), 1.70-1.90 (2H, m), 2.82 (2H, t-like, J=7.5Hz), 3.98 (3H, s), 5.48 (2H, s), 6.72 (1H, d, J=10Hz), 6.98 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.04 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.30-7.47 (4H, m), 7.94 (1H, d, J=10Hz) Preparation 48 To a solution of 4-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-3-carbonitrile (2.0 g) in a mixture of benzene (40 ml) and 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (10 ml) was added methyliodide (1.56 g) and tetrabutylammonium iodide (4.06 g) in that order in an ice bath. The mixture was stirred for 3 hours at ambient temperature and extracted twice with diethyl ether. The combined organic layers were washed with aqueous hydrochloric acid and then water, dried, and concentrated in vacuo to yield 1-methyl-4-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-3-carbonitrile (2.03 g) as pale yellow crystals. mp : 93-94°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.38 (3H, s), 3.72 (3H, s), 6.78 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.14 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.21 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.52 (2H, d, J=8Hz) Preparation 49 A mixture of 1-methyl-4-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-3-carbonitrile (2.0 g), 2,2'-azobis(4-methoxy-2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile (200 mg) and N-bromosuccinimide (1.91 g) in carbon tetrachloride (40 ml) was refluxed under nitrogen atmosphere, cooled to ambient temperature, and filtered. The filtrate was washed with 5% sodium thiosulfate solution and water. The separated oil was extracted with carbon tetrachloride, dried, and evaporated under reduced pressure to give a mixture of 2-bromo-l-methyl-3-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-4-carbonitrile and 2-bromo-1-methyl-4-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-3-carbonitrile. mp : 113-115°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.39 (3H, s), 3.70 (3H, s), 7.20-7.35 (3H, m), 7.45 (2H, d, J=8Hz) Preparation 50 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 7. A mixture of 2-bromo-3-(4-bromomethylphenyl)-1-methylpyrrole-4-carbonitrile and 2-bromo-4-(4-bromomethylphenyl)-1-methylpyrrole-3-carbonitrile mp : 146-149°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 3.69 (3H, s), 4.51 (2H, s), 7.35 (1H, s), 7.49-7.57 (4H, m) Preparation 51 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 27. A mixture of 2-bromo-1-methyl-3-[4-[N-(4-methyl-3-nitropyridin-2-yl)-N-butyrylamino]methylphenyl]pyrrole-4-carbonitrile and 2-bromo-1-methyl-4-[4-[N-(4-methyl-3-nitropyridin-2-yl)-N-butyrylamino]methylphenyl]pyrrole-3-carbonitrile. NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.89 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.55-1.85 (2H, m), 2.00-2.24 (2H, br peak), 2.43 (3H, s), 3.70 (3H, s), 4.90-5.35 (2H, br peak), 7.00-7.64 (6H, m), 8.37-8.52 (1H, m) Preparation 52 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 28. A mixture of 3-[4-(2-bromo-4-cyano-1-methyl-3-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine and 3-[4-(2-bromo-3-cyano-1-methyl-4-pyrrolyl)-benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine. mp : 105-108°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.00 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.69-1.92 (2H, m), 2.70 (3H, s), 3.69 (3H, s), 5.52 (2H, s), 7.02 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.18 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.30 (1H, s), 7.48 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 8.21 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Preparation 53 A solution of the mixture prepared by Preparation 53 (300 mg) in methanol (15 ml) was hydrogenated over 10% palladium on carbon (300 mg) under a hydrogen atmosphere (3 atm) for 8 hours. The catalyst was filtered off and the filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by preparative thin layer chromatography to give 3-[4-(4-cyano-1-methyl-3-pyrrolyl)-benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (117 mg) as crystals. mp : 117-120°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.00 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.69-1.91 (2H, m), 2.71 (3H, s), 2.86 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.71 (3H, s), 5.51 (2H, s), 6.76 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.06 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.10-7.20 (3H, m), 7.53 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 8.22 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Preparation 54 To a solution of 1-(4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl)-4-formylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile (2.0 g) in 1,2-dichloroethane (10 ml) was added sodium borohydride (296 mg) in one portion under nitrogen at ambient temperature. The mixture was stirred for one hour at the same temperature and then quenched with aqueous saturated ammonium chloride solution at 5°C. The organic layer was washed with water and brine, dried, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography eluted by a mixture of ethyl acetate and n-hexane (2:1) to give 1-(4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl)-4-hydroxymethylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile (1.3 g) as a white solid. mp : 120-121.5°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.43 (3H, t, J=7.0Hz), 4.42 (2H, q, J=7.0Hz), 4.65 (2H, s), 7.04 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 7.18 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 7.55 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 8.20 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) Preparation 55 To a solution of 1-(4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl)-4-hydroxymethylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile (500 mg) in dichloromethane (5.5 ml) was added trifluoroacetic acid (2.8 ml) and triethylsilane (652 µl) in that order at 5°C under nitrogen. The mixture was stirred at 5°C for one and half hours and at ambient temperature for one hour and then poured into a mixture of diethyl ether and n-hexane (1:1). The mixture was washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and brine, dried, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (elution by ethyl acetate/n-hexane = 1/10) to yield 1-(4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl)-4-methylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile (163 mg) as a white solid. mp : 72-75.5°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.42 (3H, t, J=7.0Hz), 2.16 (3H, s), 4.41 (2H, q, J=7.0Hz), 6.87 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 6.93 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 7.52 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 8.19 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) Preparation 56 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 55. 1-(4-Ethoxycarbonylphenyl)-5-methylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 99-104°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.42 (3H, t, J=7.0Hz), 2.18 (3H, s), 4.42 (2H, q, J=7.0Hz), 6.11 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.90 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.40 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 8.21 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) Preparation 57 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 37. (1) 1-(4-Hydroxymethylphenyl)-4-methylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 89-95°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.76 (1H, br s), 2.16 (3H, s), 4.75 (2H, s), 6.81 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 6.87 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 7.41 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.49 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) (2) 1-(4-Hydroxymethylphenyl)-5-methylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.99 (1H, br), 2.15 (3H, s), 4.79 (2H, d, J=5.5Hz), 6.08 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.87 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.31 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.52 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) (3) 3-Chloro-1-(4-hydroxymethylphenyl)-2-methylpyrrole-5-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.89 (1H, br s), 2.12 (3H, s), 4.80 (2H, s), 6.86 (1H, s), 7.29 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.53 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) Preparation 58 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 41. 1-(4-Chloromethylphenyl)-4-methylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 115-120°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.15 (3H, s), 4.63 (2H, s), 6.82 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 6.88 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 7.42 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.52 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) Preparation 59 To a solution of 1-(4-hydroxymethylphenyl)-5-methyl-pyrrole-2-carbonitrile (890 mg) in dichloromethane (9 ml) was added triethylamine (794 µl) and methanesulfonyl chloride (343 µl) at 0°C under nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was stirred at 0°C for an hour and then dichloromethane was added therein. The mixture was stirred and washed with water twice and brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo to give 1-(4-methanesulfonyloxymethylphenyl)-5-methylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile (1.19 g). NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.18 (3H, s), 3.03 (3H, s), 5.31 (2H, s), 6.10 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.89 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.37 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.59 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) Preparation 60 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 59. (1) 3-Chloro-1-(4-methanesulfonyloxymethylphenyl)-2-methylpyrrole-5-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.12 (3H, s), 3.04 (3H, s), 5.31 (2H, s), 6.87 (1H, s), 7.37 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.61 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) (2) 1-(4-Methanesulfonyloxymethylphenyl)-5-methylthio-pyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 95-98°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.20 (3H, s), 2.94 (3H, s), 5.24 (2H, s), 6.24 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 6.90 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.38 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.51 (2H, d, J=8Hz) Preparation 61 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 27. 2-[N-Butyryl-N-[4-(2-cyano-4-methyl-1-pyrrolyl)-benzyl]amino]-4-methyl-3-nitropyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.88 (3H, t, J=7.0Hz), 1.56-1.80 (2H, m), 2.02-2.19 (2H, m), 2.12 (3H, s), 2.43 (3H, s), 4.72-5.30 (2H, m), 6.78-6.91(3H, m), 7.26-7.53 (4H, m), 8.46-8.57 (1H, m) Preparation 62 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 28. 3-[4-(2-Cyano-4-methyl-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.01 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.71-1.92 (2H, m), 2.11 (3H, s), 2.70 (3H, s), 2.83 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.54 (2H, s), 6.79 (2H, d, J=1.0Hz), 7.06 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.23 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.36 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 8.21 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) Preparation 63 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 3. 1-(4-Ethoxycarbonylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde mp : 66-69°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.41 (3H, t, J=7.0Hz), 4.41 (2H, q, J=7.0Hz), 6.44 (1H, dd, J=4.0 & 3.0Hz), 7.11 (1H, dd, J=3.0 & 1.0Hz), 7.19 (1H, dd, J=4.0 & 1.0Hz), 7.41 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 8.16 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 9.60 (1H, s) Preparation 64 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 54. 1-(4-Ethoxycarbonylphenyl)-2-hydroxymethylpyrrole NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.41 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 4.40 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 4.54 (2H, s), 6.29 (1H, dd, J=4.0 & 3.0Hz), 6.37 (1H, dd, J=4.0 & 1.0Hz), 6.92 (1H, dd, J=3.0 & 1.0Hz), 7.60 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 8.15 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) Preparation 65 To a solution of 1-(4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl)-2-hydroxymethylpyrrole (8.97 g) in dichloromethane (90 ml) was added triethylamine (12.1 ml), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (100 mg) and tert-butylchlorodiphenylsilane (10.6 ml) in that order at 5°C under nitrogen atmosphere. After stirring for half an hour at 5°C, the mixture was allowed to warm to ambient temperature and stirred for 13.5 hours. The mixture was washed with water and brine, dried, concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (elution by ethyl acetate/n-hexane = 1/7) to yield 2-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethyl-1-(4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl)pyrrole (18.67 g) as an oil. NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.02 (9H, s), 1.44 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 4.43 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 4.56 (2H, s), 6.13 (1H, dd, J=4.0 & 1.0Hz), 6.23 (1H, dd, J=4.0 & 3.5Hz), 6.90 (1H, dd, J=3.5 & 1.0Hz), 7.30-7.48 (6H, m), 7.59-7.76 (6H, m), 8.12 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) Preparation 66 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 19. 2-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyloxymethyl-1-(4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.98 (9H, s), 1.46 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 4.43 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 4.45 (2H, s), 6.19 (1H, d, J=4.0Hz), 6.91 (1H, d, J=4.0Hz), 7.29-7.59 (10H, m), 7.77 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 8.16 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) Preparation 67 To a solution of 2-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethyl-1-(4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile (1.9 g) in tetrahydrofuran (19 ml) was added tetrabutylammonium fluoride (5.6 ml, 1M tetrahydrofuran solution) through syringe at ambient temperature. The mixture was stirred for half an hour at the same temperature and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and the solution was washed with aqueous hydrochloric acid, water and brine, and then dried, and concentrated in vacuo. The oily residue was chromatographed on silica gel (elution by ethyl acetate/n-hexane = 1/1) to give 1-(4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl)-5-hydroxymethylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile (702.5 mg) as an oil. NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.42 (3H, t, J=7.0Hz), 4.44 (2H, q, J=7.0Hz), 4.49 (2H, s), 6.40 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.97 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.54 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 8.23 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) Preparation 68 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 67. 1-(4-Hydroxymethylphenyl)-5-methylthiopyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 88-91°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.28 (3H, s), 4.81 (2H, s), 6.30 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 6.96 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.39 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.53 (2H, d, J=8Hz) Preparation 69 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 9. (1) 3-[4-(2-Cyano-5-methyl-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.00 (3H, t, J=7.0Hz), 1.69-1.91 (2H, m), 2.10 (3H, s), 2.72 (3H, s), 2.87 (2H, t, J=7.0Hz), 5.57 (2H, s), 6.06 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.86 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.08 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.28 (4H, s), 8.23 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (2) 3-[4-(3-Chloro-5-cyano-2-methyl-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.00 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.70-1.91 (2H, m), 2.08 (3H, s), 2.71 (3H, s), 2.87 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.57 (2H, s), 6.83 (1H, s), 7.08 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.23 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.31 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 8.23 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (3) 3-[4-(2-Cyano-5-methylthio-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.00 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.68-1.90 (2H, m), 2.21 (3H, s), 2.70 (3H, s), 2.82 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.58 (2H, s), 6.28 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 6.91 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.06 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.22-7.48 (4H, m), 8.22 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (4) 2-Butyl-3-[4-(2-cyano-5-methyl-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.91 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.41 (2H, m), 1.75 (2H, m), 2.10 (3H, s), 2.71 (3H, s), 2.87 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 5.58 (2H, s), 6.05 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.86 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.07 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.28 (4H, s), 8.23 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (5) 3-[4-(4-Chloro-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.34 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.61 (3H, s), 2.68 (3H, s), 2.87 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 5.53 (2H, s), 6.89 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 6.95 (1H, s), 7.00 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.28 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.38 (2H, d, J=8Hz) (6) 3-[4-(2-Cyano-4-difluoromethyl-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.02 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.72-1.98 (2H, m), 2.75 (3H, s), 2.93 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.59 (2H, s), 6.68 (1H, t, J=56Hz), 7.05-7.18 (2H, m), 7.18-7.37 (3H, m), 7.37-7.49 (2H, m), 8.29 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Preparation 70 To a suspension of 1-(4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl)-5-methylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile (1.76 g) and silica gel (8.0 g, Mallinckrodt) in tetrachloromethane (26 ml) was added dropwise sulfuryl chloride (760 µl) at 5°C under nitrogen atmosphere. The suspension was stirred at 5°C for one hour and then at ambient temperature for half an hour. The mixture was filtered off and washed with a little amount of tetrachloromethane. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo and the residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (elution by ethyl acetate/n-hexane = 1/7) to yield 4-chloro-1-(4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl)-5-methylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile (1.36 g). mp : 101-106°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.42 (3H, t, J=7.0Hz), 2.15 (3H, s), 4.43 (2H, q, J=7.0Hz), 6.89 (1H, s), 7.38 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 8.22 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) Preparation 71 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 16. 5-Bromo-1-(4-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylphenyl)-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.12 (9H, s), 4.86 (2H, s), 6.49 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.11 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.53-7.19 (10H, m), 7.78-7.67 (4H, m), 9.31 (1H, s) Preparation 72 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 4. 5-Bromo-1-(4-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylphenyl)-pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.13 (9H, s), 4.84 (2H, s), 6.37 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.92 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.54-7.23 (10H, m), 7.76-7.66 (4H, m) Preparation 73 To a mixture of N,N,N'-N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (1.55 ml) and 5-bromo-1-(4-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile (3.80 g) was added dropwise n-butyllithium solution (1.6M solution in n-hexane, 5.2 ml) during a period of 20 minutes at -60°C under nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was stirred for one hour at the same temperature and then dimethyldisulfide (1 ml) was added therein in one portion. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to ambient temperature, stirred overnight at the same temperature and then poured into ice water. The separated oil was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water, dried, and concentrated in vacuo to give the residue, which was purified by column chromatography on silica gel to yield 1-(4-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylphenyl)-5-methylthiopyrrole-2-carbonitrile (1.94 g) as a solid. mp : 145-148°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.11 (9H, s), 2.27 (3H, s), 4.83 (2H, s), 6.30 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 6.93 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.29-7.53 (10H, m), 7.64-7.74 (4H, m) Preparation 74 To a solution of diethylaminosulfur trifluoride (639 mg) in dichloromethane (10 ml) was added 4-formyl-1-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile (417 mg) in one portion at ambient temperature. The mixture was stirred for 6.5 hours at the same temperature and further more diethylaminosulfur trifluoride (0.5 ml) was added therein to complete the reaction. The mixture was stirred overnight at the same temperature and then washed with water. The organic layer was dried and concentrated in vacuo to give an oily residue, which was purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel (elution by n-hexane/ethyl acetate = 9/1) to yield 4-difluoromethyl-1-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile (364 mg) as an yellow oil. NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.43 (3H, s), 6.68 (1H, t, J=56Hz), 7.09 (1H, br s), 7.24 (1H, br s), 7.33 (4H, s) Preparation 75 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 7. 1-(4-Bromomethylphenyl)-4-difluoromethylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 74-76°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.53 (2H, s), 6.79 (1H, t, J=56Hz), 7.12 (1H, br s), 7.28 (1H, br s), 7.45 (2H, d, J=10Hz), 7.57 (2H, d, J=10Hz) Preparation 76 A mixture of 4-bromo-1-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile (3.66 g), sodium trifluoroacetate (7.62 g), cuprous iodide (5.34 g) and N-methylpyrrolidone (40 ml) was stirred at 200°C under a nitrogen atmosphere for 11 hours. The mixture was filtered. The filtrate was poured into water and extracted with ethyl acetate twice. The combined organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to afford 1-(4-methylphenyl)-4-trifluoromethylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile (0.98 g). mp : 40-42°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.44 (3H, s), 7.13 (1H, s like), 7.32 (5H, s) Preparation 77 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 7. 1-(4-Bromomethylphenyl)-4-trifluoromethylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 65-68°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.53 (2H, s), 7.17 (1H, s like), 7.38 (1H, s like), 7.45 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.60 (2H, d, J=9Hz) Preparation 78 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 35. 1-(4-Ethoxycarbonylphenyl)-5-formyl-4-methylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 105-108°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.42 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.46 (3H, s), 4.43 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 6.82 (1H, s), 7.47 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 8.23 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 9.68 (1H, s) Preparation 79 The following compound was obtained according to similar manners to those of Preparations 54 and 55, successively. 4,5-Dimethyl-1-(4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 58-59°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.41 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.09 (6H, s), 4.43 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 6.79 (1H, s), 7.40 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 8.20 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) Preparation 80 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 70. 5-Chloro-1-(4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl)-4-methylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 72-75°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.42 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.12 (3H, s), 4.42 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 6.83 (1H, s), 7.46 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 8.21 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) Preparation 81 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 16. 5-Bromo-1-(4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl)-4-methylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 68-70.5°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.42 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.13 (3H, s), 4.43 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 6.86 (1H, s), 7.45 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 8.21 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) Preparation 82 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 37. (1) 4,5-Dimethyl-1-(4-hydroxymethylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 77.5-82°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.05 (3H, s), 2.09 (3H, s), 4.74 (2H, s), 6.73 (1H, s), 7.27 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.49 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) (2) 5-Chloro-1-(4-hydroxymethylphenyl)-4-methylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 94-99.5°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.85 (1H, t like), 2.11 (3H, s), 4.80 (2H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.80 (1H, s), 7.35 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.56 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) (3) 5-Bromo-1-(4-hydroxymethylphenyl)-4-methylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 84-87.5°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.11 (3H, s), 4.80 (2H, s), 6.81 (1H, s), 7.32 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.52 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) Preparation 83 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 59. (1) 4,5-Dimethyl-1-(4-methanesulfonyloxymethylphenyl)-pyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 91.5-93.5°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.08 (6H, s), 3.01 (3H, s), 5.30 (2H, s), 6.75 (1H, s), 7.35 (2H, d, J=9.OHz), 7.58 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) (2) 5-Chloro-1-(4-methanesulfonyloxymethylphenyl)-4-methylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.12 (3H, s), 3.02 (3H, s), 5.31 (2H, s), 6.81 (1H, s), 7.42 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.61 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) (3) 5-Bromo-1-(4-methanesulfonyloxymethylphenyl)-4-methylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.13 (3H, s), 3.01 (3H, s), 5.31 (2H, s), 6.84 (1H, s), 7.40 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.59 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) (4) 4-Ethoxycarbonyl-1-(4-methanesulfonyloxymethyl-phenyl)-2-(1-trityl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)pyrrole NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.37 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 2.92 (3H, s), 4.32 (2H, q, J=8Hz), 5.19 (2H, s), 6.88-6.98 (6H, m), 7.18-7.39 (13H, m), 7.44 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.55 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz) Preparation 84 To a solution of 2-butyrylamino-4,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-pyridine (2.49 g) in dimethylformamide (12.5 ml) was added sodium hydride (441 mg) in an ice-water bath. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for an hour, and a solution of 1-(4-methanesulfonyloxymethylphenyl)-5-methylpyrrole-2-carbonitrile (3.05 g) in dimethylformamide (15 ml) was dropwise therein. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 5.5 hours and was stood overnight. The separated oil was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract were washed with brine, dried, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography eluted by n-hexane/ethyl acetate (1/1) to give 2-[N-butyryl-N-[4-(2-cyano-5-methyl-1pyrrolyl)benzyl]amino]-4,6-dimethyl-3-nitropyridine (2.75 g) as oil. NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.89 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.68 (2H, m), 2.10 (2H, m), 2.15 (3H, s), 2.36 (3H, s), 2.52 (3H, s), 4.73-5.32 (2H), 6.06 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.86 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.08-7.48 (5H) Preparation 85 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 84. (1) 2-[N-Butyryl-N-[4-(2-cyano-4,5-dimethyl-1-pyrrolyl)-benzyl]amino]-4-methyl-3-nitropyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.88 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.57-1.80 (2H, m), 1.98-2.20 (2H, m), 2.04 (3H, s), 2.06 (3H, s), 2.42 (3H, s), 4.62-5.38 (2H, m), 6.71 (1H, s), 7.07-7.55 (5H, m), 8.42-8.55 (1H, m) (2) 4,6-Dimethyl-2-[N-propionyl-N-[4-(2-cyano-5-methyl-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]amino]-3-nitropyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.10 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 2.13 (3H, s), 2.13-2.25 (2H, m), 2.36 (3H, s), 2.52 (3H, s), 4.66-5.40 (2H, m), 6.04 (1H, m), 6.83 (1H, m), 7.03-7.75 (5H, m) Preparation 86 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 9. (1) 3-[4-(2-Cyano-4-trifluoromethyl-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.02 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.83 (2H, dt, J-7Hz, 7Hz), 2.71 (3H, s), 2.86 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 5.58 (2H, s), 7.08 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.15 (1H, s like), 7.30 (2H, d, J=7Hz), 7.32 (1H, s like), 7.40 (2H, d, J=7Hz), 8.22 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (2) 3-[4-(4-Chloro-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-2-ethyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.42 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.75 (3H, s), 2.92 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 5.58 (2H, s), 6.91 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.01 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.09 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.31 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.40 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 8.25 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (3) 3-[4-(4-Chloro-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.03 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.78-2.02 (2H, m), 2.84 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.58 (2H, s), 6.90 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.00 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.20-7.45 (5H, m), 8.07 (1H, dd, J=8Hz, lHz), 8.48 (1H, dd, J=5Hz, 1Hz) (4) 3-[4-(4-Chloro-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.99 (3H, s), 1.67-1.90 (2H, m), 2.60 (3H, s), 2.64 (3H, s), 2.77 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.52 (2H, s), 6.89 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 6.93 (1H, s), 7.00 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.26 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.37 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (5) 3-[4-(5-Chloro-2-cyano-4-methyl-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.00 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.69-1.90 (2H, m), 2.09 (3H, s), 2.70 (3H, s), 2.82 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.57 (2H, s), 6.77 (1H, s), 7.04 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.28 (4H, s), 8.21 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (6) 3-[4-(5-Bromo-2-cyano-4-methyl-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 106-109°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.00 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.69-1.90 (2H, m), 2.10 (3H, s), 2.71 (3H, s), 2.85 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.58 (2H, s), 6.80 (1H, s), 7.07 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.28 (4H, s), 8.23 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (7) 3-[4-(2-Chloro-4-cyano-1-methyl-3-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-propyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.00 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.69-1.91 (2H, m), 2.69 (3H, s), 2.83 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.67 (3H, s), 5.52 (2H, s), 7.03 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.13-7.24 (3H, m), 7.51 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 8.21 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Preparation 87 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 28. (1) 3-[4-(2-Cyano-5-methyl-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 182-183.5°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.34 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 2.09 (3H, s), 2.60 (3H, s), 2.65 (3H, s), 2.84 (2H, q, J=8Hz), 5.53 (2H, s), 6.04 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 6.85 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 6.92 (1H, s), 7.22 (2H, d, J=7Hz), 7.26 (2H, d, J=7Hz) (2) 3-[4-(2-Cyano-4,5-dimethyl-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imiazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.99 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.70-1.92 (2H, m), 2.00 (3H, s), 2.04 (3H, s), 2.70 (3H, s), 2.87 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.57 (2H, s), 6.71 (1H, s), 7.06 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.21 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.28 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 8.23 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (3) 3-[4-(2-Cyano-5-methyl-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.97 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.76 (2H, dt, J=7Hz, 7Hz), 2.61 (3H, s), 2.65 (3H, s), 2.78 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 5.53 (2H, s), 6.06 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.86 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.92 (1H, s), 7.28 (4H, s) Preparation 88 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 4. 1-(4-tert-Butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.11 (9H, s), 4.82 (2H, s), 6.35 (1H, dd, J=5Hz, 4Hz), 6.99 (1H, dd, J=5Hz, 2Hz), 7.08 (1H, dd, J=4Hz, 2Hz), 7.30-7.53 (10H, m), 7.62-7.74 (4H, m) Preparation 89 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 1. 4-Bromo-1-(4-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylphenyl)-pyrrole-2-carbonitrile mp : 88-90°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.10 (9H, s), 4.81 (2H, s), 6.97 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.09 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.32-7.58 (10H, m), 7.65-7.80 (2H, m) Preparation 90 A mixture of 4-bromo-1-(4-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy-methylphenyl)pyrrole-2-carbonitrile (2.02 g) and trimethyltin azide (2.42 g) in xylene (20 ml) was stirred at 120°C for 14 hours. After cooled to ambient temperature, the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo. To the residue was added trityl chloride (42 mg), triethylamine (50 µl) and methylene chloride (1 ml), and the mixture was treated in a conventional manner to give 4-bromo-1-(4-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylphenyl)-2-(1-trityl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)pyrrole (1.63 g) NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.12 (9H, s), 4.73 (2H, s), 6.84-7.51 (27H, m), 7.64-7.76 (4H, m) Preparation 91 To a stirred solution of 4-bromo-1-(4-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylphenyl)-2-(1-trityl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)pyrrole (500 mg) in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran (5 ml) and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (0.19 ml) was added n-butyl lithium (0.41 ml; 1.6M in n-hexane) at -78°C under nitrogen atmosphere and the mixture was stirred at the same temperature for half an hour. Ethyl chloroformate (0.3 ml) was added to the mixture at the same temperature and the resulting mixture was stirred at -78°C for half an hour, at 0°C for one hour and then at ambient temperature for two hours. The reaction was quenched with aqueous saturated sodium bicarbonate and diluted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with brine and dried over magnesium sulfate. After filtration, the filtrate was concentrated and the residue was purified by flash chromatography eluted with a mixture of ethyl acetate - n-hexane 1:9 (V/V) to give 1-(4-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymethylphenyl)-4-ethoxycarbonyl-2-(1-trityl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)pyrrole (311 mg) as a colorless viscous oil. NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.12 (9H, s), 1.36 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 4.31 (2H, q, J=8Hz), 4.72 (2H, s), 6.83-6.98 (4H, m), 7.09-7.46 (20H, m), 7.55 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.64-7.75 (4H, m) Preparation 92 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 67. 4-Ethoxycarbonyl-1-(4-hydroxymethylphenyl)-2-(1-trityl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)pyrrole NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.36 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 4.31 (2H, q, J=8Hz), 4.67 (2H, br d, J=4Hz), 6.85-7.02 (13H, m), 7.13-7.39 (6H, m), 7.43 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.55 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Preparation 93 To a stirred solution of diethyl cyanomethylphosphonate (96 ml) in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (375 ml) was added sodium hydride (60% : 22g) portionwise below 5°C and the stirring was continued at 0°C for half an hour and then at ambient temperature for half an hour. The reaction mixture was recooled to 0°C and a solution of methyl p-formylbenzoate (75 g) in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (375 ml) was added to the reaction mixture below 6°C. The reaction mixture was quenched with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and diluted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water and aqueous saturated sodium bicarbonate and dried over magnesium sulfate and filtered. The solvent was removed in vacuo and the solid product was recrystallized from ethanol to give 4-methoxycarbonylcinnamonitrile (52.12 g) as a white needle. mp : 141-144°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 3.95 (3H, s), 6.00 (1H, d, J=17Hz), 7.45 (1H, d, J=17Hz), 7.53 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 8.09 (2H, d, J=9Hz) Preparation 94 4-(4-Methoxycarbonylphenyl)-1H-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile (13.21 g) was prepared by reacting 4-methoxycarbonyl-cinnamonitrile (50 g) with p-tolylmethyl isocyanide (62.5 g) in a conventional manner. mp : 171-172°C NMR (CDCl₃, + CD₃OD, δ) : 3.93 (3H, s), 7.04-7.11 (1H, m), 7.35-7.41 (1H, m), 7.73 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 8.07 (2H, d, J=9Hz) Preparation 95 To a stirred solution of 4-(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl)-1H-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile (3.00 g) in N,N-dimethylformamide (25 ml) was added sodium hydride (60% oil dispersion : 559mg) at ambient temperature and the stirring was continued for half an hour at the same temperature. Iodomethane (1.99 g) was added to the mixture, and was stirred at ambient temperature for two hours. The reaction mixture was poured onto ice water and extracted with ethyl acetate and washed with 7% aqueous hydrochloric acid. The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was recrystallized from ethanol to give 4-(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl)-1-methylpyrrole-3-carbonitrile (2.78 g) as pale yellow needles. mp : 125-126°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 3.75 (3H, s), 3.93 (3H, s), 6.91 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.20 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.70 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 8.06 (2H, d, J=9Hz) Preparation 96 The following compound was obtained by reacting 4-(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl)-1-methylpyrrole-3-carbonitrile with thionyl chloride, silica gel and carbon tetrachloride in a conventional manner. A mixture of 5-chloro-4-(4-methoxycarbonyIphenyI)-1-methylpyrrole-3-carbonitrile and 2,5-dichloro-4-(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl)-1-methylpyrrole-3-carbonitrile. NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 3.70, 3.71, 3.95, 7.24, 7.60-7.72, 8.07-8.17 Preparation 97 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 37. (1) 5-Chloro-4-(4-hydroxymethylphenyl)-1-methylpyrrole-3-carbonitrile mp : 153-155°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 3.69 (3H, s), 4.73 (2H, s), 7.21 (1H, s), 7.46 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.59 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (2) 2,5-Dichloro-4-(4-hydroxymethylphenyl)-1-methylpyrrole-3-carbonitrile mp : 167-170°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 3.68 (3H, s), 4.74 (2H, s), 7.46 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.56 (2H, d, J=9Hz) Preparation 98 To a stirred solution of 5-chloro-4-(4-hydroxymethylphenyl)-1-methylpyrrole-3-carbonitrile (450 mg) in methylene chloride (20 ml) was added triphenylphosphine (1.44 g) and carbon tetrabromide (1.21 g) successively at 0°C and the resulting yellow solution was stirred at the same temperature for a while. The mixture was washed with aqueous saturated sodium bicarbonate and water, dried over magnesium sulfate and filtered. The organic layer was concentrated in vacuo and the residue was purified by flash chromatography eluted with a mixture of ethyl acetate and n-hexane 1:4 (V/V) then with 1:3 (V/V) to give 4-(4-bromomethylphenyl)-5-chloro-1-methylpyrrole-3-carbonitrile (220 mg) as a white solid. mp : 128-133°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 3.70 (3H, s), 4.63 (2H, s), 7.22 (1H, s), 7.49 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.59 (2H, d, J=9Hz) Preparation 99 To a stirred suspension of 2-formylamino-2-(4-methylphenyl)acetic acid (4.00 g) in acetic anhydride (45 ml) was added 2-chloroacrylonitrile (16.5 ml) at room temperature and the resulting suspension was heated at 90°C for 2.5 hours. After cooling, the solvent was evaporated and the residue was washed with isopropyl ether. The mixture was filtered and the resulting solid was dissolved into ethyl acetate and the solution was washed with aqueous saturated sodium bicarbonate and water successively. The organic layer was dried with magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography eluted with n-hexane/methylene chloride 1:3 (V/V) to give 2-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-3-carbonitrile (0.73 g) as a colorless viscous oil. NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.40 (3H, s), 6.50-6.58 (1H, m), 6.75-6.84 (1H, m), 7.27 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.59 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 8.68 (1H, br s) Preparation 100 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 95. 1-Ethyl-2-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-3-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.31 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 2.40 (3H, s), 3.90 (2H, q, J=7Hz), 6.47 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.70 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.28 (5H, s) Preparation 101 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 1. A mixture of 5-bromo-1-ethyl-2-(4-methylphenyl)-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile and 4-bromo-1-ethyl-2-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-3-carbonitrile. NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.23 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 2.42 (3H, s), 3.95 (2H, q, J=7Hz), 6.51 (0.63H, s), 7.28 (4.37H, s) Preparation 102 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 7. A mixture of 5-bromo-2-(4-bromomethylphenyI)-1-ethylpyrrole-3-carbonitrile and 4-bromo-2-(4-bromo-methylphenyl)-1-ethylpyrrole-3-carbonitrile (This compound was used to the next reaction without furthermore purification.) Preparation 103 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 9. (1) A mixture of 3-[4-(5-bromo-3-cyano-1-ethyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine and 3-[4-(4-bromo-3-cyano-1-ethyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.00 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.19 and 1.20 (total 3H, each t, J=7Hz), 1.81 (2H, m), 2.75 (3H, s), 2.91 (2H, m), 3.90 (2H, q, J=7Hz), 5.58 (2H, s), 6.50 (0.6H, s), 7.10 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.28 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.85 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 8.24 and 8.26 (total 1H, each d, J=5Hz) (2) 3-[4-(5-Bromo-3-cyano-1-ethyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.02 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.20 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.83 (2H, m), 2.73 (3H, s), 2.90 (2H, dd, J=8Hz, 7Hz), 3.90 (2H, d, J=7Hz), 5.58 (2H, s), 6.51 (1H, s), 7.09 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.25 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.35 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 8.25 (1H, d, J=4Hz) Preparation 104 A mixture of 3-[4-(5-bromo-3-cyano-1-ethyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine and 3-[4-(4-bromo-3-cyano-1-ethyl-2-pyrrolyl)-benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine was dissolved in methanol (15 ml) and hydrogenated with 10% palladium on charcoal (300 mg) and potassium hydroxide (180 mg) at atmospheric pressure at ambient temperature for two hours. Concentrated hydrochloric acid was added until the pH of the solution was adjusted to 1 and then triethylamine was added until the pH was alkaline. The mixture was filtered through celite and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluted with ethyl acetate to give 3-[4-(3-cyano-1-ethyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine as a colorless oil. NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.01 (3H, t, J=7.0Hz), 1.28 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.82 (2H, m), 2.73 (3H, s), 2.91 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 3.86 (2H, q, J=8Hz), 5.58 (2H, s), 6.50 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 6.70 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.09 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.24 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.35 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 8.25 (1H, d, J=4Hz) Preparation 105 A mixture of 2-amino-4-methyl-3-nitropyridine (5.0 g) and N,N-dimethylaniline (8.5 ml) was heated at 100°C under nitrogen atmosphere. To the solution was added butyryl chloride (3.5 ml) and the mixture was stirred at 100°C for 5 hours. After being cooled to room temperature, ethyl acetate was added to the reaction mixture. The organic layer was separated and washed successively with water and brine. The solution was dried over magnesium sulfate and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was washed with n-hexane to give 2-butyrylamino-4-methyl-3-nitropyridine (7.0 g). mp : 92.5-99°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.01 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.64-1.85 (2H, m), 2.43 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.48 (3H, s), 7.10 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 8.26 (1H, br s), 8.35 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) Preparation 106 A solution of 2-butyrylamino-4-methyl-3-nitropyridine (7.0 g) and iron powder (17.5 g) in a mixture of acetic acid (14 ml) and ethanol (100 ml) was stirred at 90°C for 3 hours under nitrogen atmosphere. After being cooled to room temperature, the reaction mixture was filtered through Celite and the filtrate was evaporated in vacuo. Ethyl acetate and saturated aqueous sodium hydrogencarbonate were added to the residue until pH 7∼8 and the resulting suspension was filtered through Celite. The organic layer of the filtrate was separated, washed with brine and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo and the residue was purified with silica gel column chromatography (eluent:ethyl acetate) to give 7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (3.6 g). mp : 108-111°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.09 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.90-2.12 (2H, m), 2.72 (3H, s), 3.06 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 7.07 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 8.19 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) Preparation 107 A mixture of 2-hydroxy-4'-methylbenzophenone (18.3 g), chloroacetonitrile (7.87 g) and potassium carbonate (14.2 g) in N,N'-dimethylformamide (183 ml) was stirred at ambient temperature for 5 hours and then poured into ice water. The separated oil was extracted with dichloromethane (x2). The organic layer were washed with water (x3), dried and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel eluted with dichloromethane to give 2-cyanomethoxy-4'-methylbenzophenone (21.3 g) as a yellow oil. NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.42 (3H, s), 4.72 (2H, s), 7.10-7.72 (8H, m) Preparation 108 The following compounds was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 3. 2-(4-Methylphenyl)indolizine-3-carbaldehyde NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.41 (3H, s), 6.58 (1H, s), 6.91 (1H, t, J=6Hz), 7.23 (1H, m), 7.26 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.46 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.55 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 9.75 (1H, s), 9.84 (1H, d, J=6Hz) Preparation 109 To a stirred solution of 2-picoline (5.12 g) in acetone (10 ml) was added 2-bromo-4'-methylacetophenone (10.4 g) in one portion and the mixture was heated at 80°C for one hour. After addition of diethyl ether, the crystalline product was collected and washed with diethyl ether. After drying in air for several hours, this product was suspended in water (100 ml) and a solution of sodium bicarbonate (21 g) in water (100 ml) was added dropwise to the suspension. The mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 45 minutes and refluxed for half an hour. The mixture was diluted with methylene chloride and washed with aqueous saturated sodium chloride. The organic layer was separated, dried over potassium carbonate and filtered. The solvent was removed in vacuo and the resulting solid was recrystallized from benzene to give 2-(4-methylphenyl)indolizine (7.51 g). NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.36 (3H, s), 6.43 (1H, br t, J=6Hz), 6.66 (2H, m), 7.20 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.32 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 7.54 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.52 (1H, m), 7.89 (1H, br s) Preparation 110 A mixture of 2-pyridyl acetonitrile (5.0 g) and 2-bromo-4'-methylacetophenone (8.52 g) in acetone (10 ml) was heated at 80°C for 24 hours, during which 2-pyridylacetonitrile (1 g, 2 g) was added to the reaction mixture. After being cooled, the solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluted with a mixture of ethyl acetate and n-hexane (1:6 to 1:2, V/V) to give a solid product. This product was recrystallized from ethanol-water to give 2-(4-methylphenyl)indolizine-1-carbonitrile (4.1 g) as a pale brown powder. mp : 107-109°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.40 (3H, s), 6.75 (1H, dd, J=7Hz and 1Hz), 7.06 (1H, ddd, J=1Hz, 7Hz and 8Hz), 7.26 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.42 (1H, s), 7.65 (1H, m), 7.67 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 8.00 (1H, br d, J=7Hz) Preparation 111 The following compounds was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 4. 2-(4-Methylphenyl)indolizine-3-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.40 (3H, s), 6.66 (1H, s), 6.81 (1H, dt, J=1Hz and 7Hz), 7.02 (1H, dt, J=1Hz and 7Hz), 7.39 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.49 (1H, d, J=7Hz), 7.71 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 8.26 (1H, d, J=7Hz) Preparation 112 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 35. 2-Formyl-3-(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl)-1-methylpyrrole-4-carbonitrile mp : 197-200°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 3.97 (3H, s), 4.05 (3H, s), 7.35 (1H, s), 7.56 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 8.17 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 9.61 (1H, s) Preparation 113 The following compound was obtained according to similar manners to those of Preparations 54 and 55, successively. 1,2-Dimethyl-3-(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl)pyrrole-4-carbonitrile mp : 135-138°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.29 (3H, s), 3.62 (3H, s), 3.93 (3H, s), 7.17 (1H, s), 7.46 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 8.10 (2H, d, J=9Hz) Preparation 114 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 37. 1,2-Dimethyl-3-(4-hydroxymethylphenyl)pyrrole-4-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.78 (1H, br s), 2.27 (3H, s), 3.61 (3H, s), 4.71 (2H, s), 7.13 (1H, s), 7.34-7.48 (4H, m) Preparation 115 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 98. 3-(4-Chloromethylphenyl)-1,2-dimethylpyrrole-4-carbonitrile mp : 170-177°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.27 (3H, s), 3.62 (3H, s), 4.63 (2H, s), 7.14 (1H, s), 7.34-7.50 (4H, m) Preparation 116 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 95. (1) 2-(4-Methylphenyl)-1-propylpyrrole-3-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.80 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.56 (2H, m), 2.40 (3H, s), 3.32 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 6.49 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 6.69 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 7.20-7.36 (4H, m) (2) 1-Isopropyl-2-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-3-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.37 (6H, d, J=7Hz), 2.41 (3H, s), 4.40 (1H, m), 6.50 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.78 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.28 (4H, s) Preparation 117 The following compound was obtained according to similar manners to those of Preparation 7 and 27, successively. A mixture of 4,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-2-[N-propionyl-N-[4-(4-bromo-3-cyano-1-ethyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]amino]-pyridine and 4,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-2-[N-propionyl-N-[4-(5-bromo-3-cyano-1-ethyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]amino]pyridine. (This mixture was used to the next reaction without further purification.) Preparation 118 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 27. 4,6-Dimethyl-2-[N-propionyl-N-[4-(2-chloro-4-cyano-1-methyl-3-pyrrolyl)benzyl]amino]-3-nitropyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.11 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.05-2.65 (8H, m), 3.68 (3H, s), 4.55-5.40 (2H, br), 6.88-7.68 (6H, m) Preparation 119 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 49. (1) 1-Bromo-2-(4-methylphenyl)indolizine-3-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.43 (3H, s), 6.88 (1H, dt, J=1Hz and 7Hz), 7.13 (1H, ddd, J=1Hz, 7Hz and 8Hz), 7.30 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.58 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 7.62 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 8.27 (1H, d, J=7Hz) (2) 3-Bromo-2-(4-methylphenyl)indolizine-l-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.42 (3H, s), 6.93 (1H, dt, J=0.5 and 7Hz), 7.18 (1H, dt, J=0.5Hz and 8Hz), 7.32 (2H, d, J=7Hz), 7.60 (2H, d, J=7Hz), 7.69 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 8.21 (1H, d, J=7Hz) Preparation 120 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 1. (1) A mixture of 4-bromo-2-(4-methylphenyl)-1-propylpyrrole-3-carbonitrile and 5-bromo-2-(4-methylphenyl)-1-propylpyrrole-3-carbonitrile (This mixture was used to the next reaction without further purification.) (2) 4,5-Dibromo-1-isopropyl-2-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-3-carbonitrile (This compound was used to the next reaction without further purification.) Preparation 121 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 7. (1) 1-Bromo-2-(4-bromomethylphenyl)indolizine-3-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.56 (2H, s), 6.92 (1H, dt, J=1Hz and 7Hz), 7.17 (1H, ddd, J=1Hz, 7Hz and 8Hz), 7.54 (2H, d, J=7Hz), 7.60 (1H, m), 7.71 (2H, d, J=7Hz), 8.28 (1H, d, J=7Hz) (2) 3-Bromo-2-(4-bromomethylphenyl)indolizine-1-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.56 (2H, s), 6.95 (1H, dt, J=0.5 and 7Hz), 7.19 (1H, ddd, J=0.5Hz, 7Hz and 8Hz), 7.53 (2H, d, J=7Hz), 7.65 (1H, m), 7.68 (2H, d, J=7Hz), 8.24 (1H, d, J=7Hz) (3) 2-(4-Bromomethylphenyl)-4,5-dibromo-1-isopropyl-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile (This compound was used to the next reaction without further purification.) Preparation 122 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 9. (1) 2-Butyl-3-[4-(1-bromo-3-cyano-2-indolizinyl)benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.92 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.44 (2H, m), 1.86 (2H, m), 2.94 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 5.61 (2H, s), 6.90 (1H, dt, J=1Hz and 7Hz), 7.15 (1H, ddd, J=1Hz, 7Hz and 8Hz), 7.28 (2H, d, J=7Hz), 7.29 (1H, m), 7.57 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 7.67 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 8.13 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 8.25 (1H, d, J=7Hz), 8.43 (1H, dd, J=1Hz and 6Hz) (2) 2-Butyl-3-[4-(3-bromo-1-cyano-2-indolizinyl)benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.91 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.43 (2H, m), 1.86 (2H, m), 2.88 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 5.63 (2H, s), 6.98 (1H, dd, J=1Hz and 7Hz), 7.21 (1H, dd, J=1Hz and 8Hz), 7.28 (1H, m), 7.31 (2H, d, J=7Hz), 7.68 (2H, d, J=7Hz), 7.70 (1H, m), 8.11 (1H, dd, J=7Hz and 1Hz), 8.24 (1H, d, J=7Hz), 8.53 (1H, dd, J=5Hz and 1Hz) (3) 3-[4-(4-Cyano-1,2-dimethyl-3-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 122-124°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.00 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.70-1.93 (2H, m), 2.20 (3H, s), 2.71 (3H, s), 2.86 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.58 (3H, s), 5.53 (2H, s), 7.05 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.10 (1H, s), 7.18 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.32 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 8.23 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (4) 3-[4-(3-Cyano-4,5-dibromo-1-isopropyl-2-pyrrolyl)-benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.02 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.48 (6H, d, J=7Hz), 1.83 (2H, m), 2.72 (3H, s), 2.87 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 4.49 (1H, m), 5.56 (2H, s), 7.07 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.24 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.39 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 8.23 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (5) 3-[4-(2-Chloro-4-cyano-1-methyl-3-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 150-152°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.99 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.66-1.90 (2H, m), 2.61 (3H, s), 2.65 (3H, s), 2.80 (2H, m), 3.67 (3H, s), 5.50 (2H, s), 6.92 (1H, s), 7.11-7.23 (3H, m), 7.50 (2H, d, J=9Hz) Preparation 123 The following compound was obtained according to similar manners to those of Preparation 7 and 9, successively. A mixture of 3-[4-(5-bromo-3-cyano-1-propyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-3-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine and 3-[4-(4-bromo-3-cyano-1-propyl-2-pyrrolyl)-benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine. NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.67 (1.5H, t, J=8Hz), 0.70 (1.5H, t, J=8Hz), 0.99 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.57 (2H, m), 1.83 (2H, m), 2.74 (3H, br s), 2.91 (2H, m), 3.86 (2H, m), 5.57 (2H, s), 6.50 (0.5H, s), 7.10 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.19-7.41 (4.5H, m), 8.26 (0.5H, d, J=5Hz), 8.27 (0.5H, d, J=5Hz) Preparation 124 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 28. (1) 3-[4-(2-Chloro-4-cyano-1-methyl-3-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-ethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 155-157°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.35 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.60 (3H, s), 2.67 (3H, s), 2.86 (2H, q), 3.67 (3H, s), 5.50 (2H, s), 6.92 (1H, s), 7.13-7.24 (3H, m), 7.50 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (2) A mixture of 3-[4-(4-bromo-3-cyano-1-ethyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-ethyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine and 3-[4-(5-bromo-3-cyano-1-ethyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-ethyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine. NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.12-1.32 (6H, m), 2.60 (3H, s), 2.65 (3H, s), 2.82 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 3.82-4.05 (2H, m), 5.54 (2H, s), 6.50 (0.4H, s), 6.93 (0.6H, s), 7.18-7.42 (4H, m) Preparation 125 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 104. (1) 3-[4-(3-Cyano-1-propyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.75 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.00 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.61 (2H, m), 1.81 (2H, m), 2.72 (3H, s), 2.88 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 3.78 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 5.55 (2H, s), 6.47 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 6.69 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 7.06 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.23 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.33 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 8.24 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (2) 3-[4-(3-Cyano-1-ethyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-ethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 171-172°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.26 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.36 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 2.61 (3H, s), 2.66 (3H, s), 2.86 (2H, q, J=8Hz), 3.87 (2H, q, J=8Hz), 5.53 (2H, s), 6.49 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 6.70 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 6.95 (1H, s), 7.23 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.35 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (3) 3-[4-(3-Cyano-1-isopropyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.01 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.33 (6H, d, J=7Hz), 1.81 (2H, m), 2.70 (3H, s), 2.86 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 4.31 (1H, m), 5.55 (2H, s), 6.50 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 6.79 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 7.05 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.23 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.32 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 8.23 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Preparation 126 The following compound was obtained according to similar manners to those of Preparation 27 and 28, successively. A mixture of 3-[4-(4-bromo-3-cyano-1-ethyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine and 3-[4-(5-bromo-3-cyano-1-ethyl-2-pyrrolyl)-benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.96 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.21 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.76 (2H, m), 2.59 (3H, s), 2.63 (3H, s), 2.76 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 3.85-4.05 (2H, m), 5.51 (2H, s), 6.91 (0.9H, s), 7.16-7.57 (4.1H, m) Preparation 127 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 104. 3-[4-(3-Cyano-1-ethyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.97 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.26 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.76 (2H, m), 2.60 (3H, s), 2.64 (3H, s), 2.76 (2H, dd, J=7Hz and 8Hz), 3.88 (2H, q, J=8Hz), 5.52 (2H, s), 6.49 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 6.70 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 6.90 (1H, s), 7.23 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.84 (2H, d, J=9Hz) Preparation 128 A mixture of (4-methoxycarbonylbenzoyl) acetonitrile (80.0 g), 2-aminopropanone diethyl acetal (58.0 g) and toluene (370 ml) was refluxed for 15 hours under nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to afford a mixture of (E)-3-(2,2-diethoxy-1-methylethylamino)-3-(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl)acrylonitrile and (Z)-3-(2,2-diethoxy-1-methylethylamino)-3-4-methoxy-carbonylphenyl)acrylonitrile as a brown oil (117.6 g). NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.23 (6H, t, J=7.0Hz), 1.27 (3H, d, J=7.0Hz), 3.44-3.86 (4H, m), 3.91-4.01 (1H, m), 3.95 (3H, s), 4.03 (2/5H, s), 4.17 (3/5H, s), 4.36 (2/5H, d, J=3.5Hz), 4.46 (3/5H, d, J=3.5Hz), 4.69 (3/5H, d, J=8.0Hz), 5.07 (2/5H, d, J=10.0Hz), 7.50 (4/5H, d, J=8.0Hz), 7.61 (6/5H, d, J=8.0Hz), 8.08 (4/5H, d, J=8.0Hz), 8.11 (6/5H, d, J=8.0Hz) Preparation 129 A mixture (117.0 g) of (E)-3-(2,2-diethoxy-1-methylethylamino-3-(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl)acrylonitrile and (Z)-3-(2,2-diethoxy-1-methylethylamino)-3-(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl)acrylonitrile was treated with trifluoroacetic acid (200 ml) at 0°C for 30 minutes and then at ambient temperature for 30 minutes. To the mixture ethyl acetate (300 ml) was added at 0°C and this mixture was stirred at 0°C for 15 minutes. The precipitates were collected by vacuum filtration to afford 2-(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl)-5-methylpyrrole-3-carbonitrile as an orange powder (54.8 g). mp : 201-205°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.35 (3H, s), 3.96 (3H, s), 6.28 (1H, d, J=2.5Hz), 7.74 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 8.10 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 8.60 (1H, br s) Preparation 130 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 95. (1) 2-(4-Methoxycarbonylphenyl)-1,5-dimethylpyrrole-3-carbonitrile mp : 138-139.5°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.29 (3H, s), 3.51 (3H, s), 3.96 (3H, s), 6.27 (1H, s), 7.52 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 8.16 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) (2) 1-Ethyl-2-(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl)-5-methylpyrrole-3-carbonitrile mp : 84-85.5°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.21 (3H, t, J=7.0Hz), 2.31 (3H, s), 3.91 (2H, q, J=7.0Hz), 3.97 (3H, s), 6.26 (1H, s), 7.51 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 8.16 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) (3) 5-Chloro-1-methyl-2-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-3-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.42 (3H, s), 3.54 (3H, s), 6.41 (1H, s), 7.32 (4H, s) (4) 5-Chloro-1-ethyl-2-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-3-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.25 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 2.41 (3H, s), 3.92 (2H, q, J=7Hz), 6.49 (1H, s), 7.30 (4H, s) Preparation 131 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 1. 5-Chloro-2-(4-methylphenyl)pyrrole-3-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.39 (3H, s), 6.37 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 7.27 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.54 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 8.64 (1H, br s) Preparation 132 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 37. (1) 2-(4-Hydroxymethylphenyl)-1,5-dimethylpyrrole-3-carbonitrile mp : 108-111°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.96 (1H, bt, J=4.0Hz), 2.28 (3H, s), 3.49 (3H, s), 4.75 (2H, d, J=4.0Hz), 6.22 (1H, s), 7.41 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.49 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) (2) 1-Ethyl-2-(4-hydroxymethylphenyl)-5-methylpyrrole-3-carbonitrile mp : 91-94.5°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.18 (3H, t, J=7.0Hz), 2.19 (1H, br s), 2.29 (3H, s), 3.87 (2H, q, J=7.0Hz), 4.73 (2H, s), 6.20 (1H, s), 7.40 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.48 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) Preparation 133 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 59. (1) 2-(4-Methanesulfonyloxymethylphenyl)-1,5-dimethylpyrrole-3-carbonitrile mp : 89-94°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 2.28 (3H, s), 3.01 (3H, s), 3.49 (3H, s), 5.29 (2H, s), 6.25 (1H, s), 7.47 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.56 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) (2) 1-Ethyl-2-(4-methanesulfonyloxymethylphenyl)-5-methylpyrrole-3-carbonitrile mp : 104.5-108°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.20 (3H, t, J=7 .0Hz), 2.31 (3H, s), 3.01 (3H, s), 3.89 (2H, q, J=7.0Hz), 5.29 (2H, s), 6.24 (1H, s), 7.47 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.56 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) Preparation 134 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 7. (1) 2-(4-Bromomethylphenyl)-5-chloro-1-methylpyrrole-3-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 4.54 (2H, s), 6.45 (1H, s), 7.41 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.53 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (2) 2-(4-Bromomethylphenyl)-5-chloro-1-ethylpyrrole-3-carbonitrile NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.28 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 3.97 (2H, q, J=7Hz), 4.52 (2H, s), 6.42 (1H, s), 7.40 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.52 (2H, d, J=9Hz) Preparation 135 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 9. (1) 3-[4-(3-Cyano-5-chloro-1-ethyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.00 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.20 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.81 (2H, m), 2.71 (3H, s), 2.82 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 3.91 (2H, q, J=7Hz), 5.54 (2H, s), 6.40 (1H, s), 7.04 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.19 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.33 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 8.23 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (2) 3-[4-(3-Cyano-5-chloro-1-methyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 132-134°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.01 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.82 (2H, m), 2.70 (3H, s), 2.83 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 3.50 (3H, s), 5.55 (2H, s), 6.41 (1H, s), 7.05 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.24 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.36 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 8.21 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (3) 3-[4-(5-Chloro-3-cyano-1-ethyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.19 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.32 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 2.60 (3H, s), 2.65 (3H, s), 2.81 (2H, q, J=8Hz), 3.90 (2H, q, J=8Hz), 5.50 (2H, s), 6.40 (1H, s), 6.90 (1H, s), 7.19 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.34 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (4) 3-[4-(5-Chloro-3-cyano-1-methyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.36 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 2.60 (3H, s), 2.64 (3H, s), 2.82 (2H, q, J=7Hz), 3.50 (3H, s), 5.51 (2H, s), 6.41 (1H, s), 6.92 (1H, s), 7.24 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.36 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (5) 3-[4-(5-Chloro-3-cyano-1-ethyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 131-135°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.96 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.21 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.76 (2H, m), 2.60 (3H, s), 2.64 (3H, s), 2.77 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 3.91 (2H, q, J=7Hz), 5.52 (2H, s), 6.40 (1H, s), 6.92 (1H, s), 7.25 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.34 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (6) 3-[4-(5-Chloro-3-cyano-1-methyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.98 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.78 (2H, m), 2.60 (3H, s), 2.63 (3H, s), 2.76 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 3.50 (3H, s), 5.51 (2H, s), 6.40 (1H, s), 6.91 (1H, s), 7.22 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.34 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (7) 3-[4-(3-Cyano-1,5-dimethyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 156-157°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.34 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.25 (3H, s), 2.60 (3H, s), 2.65 (3H, s), 2.82 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 3.42 (3H, s), 5.51 (2H, s), 6.21 (1H, s), 6.91 (1H, s), 7.22 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.35 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) (8) 3-[4-(3-Cyano-1-ethyl-5-methyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 159-162°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.15 (3H, t, J=7.0Hz), 1.32 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.28 (3H, s), 2.61 (3H, s), 2.66 (3H, s), 2.84 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 3.81 (2H, q, J=7.0Hz), 5.51 (2H, s), 6.20 (1H, s), 6.91 (1H, s), 7.21 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.35 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) (9) 3-[4-(3-Cyano-1,5-dimethyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 111-113°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.01 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.71-1.92 (2H, m), 2.24 (3H, s), 2.70 (3H, s), 2.84 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.42 (3H, s), 5.54 (2H, s), 6.21 (1H, s), 7.03 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.22 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.37 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 8.21 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (10) 3-[4-(3-Cyano-1-ethyl-5-methyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 113-115°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.00 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.15 (3H, t, J=7.0Hz), 1.70-1.91 (2H, m), 2.28 (3H, s), 2.70 (3H, s), 2.83 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.82 (2H, q, J=7.0Hz), 5.54 (2H, s), 6.20 (1H, s), 7.05 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.21 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.35 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 8.21 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (11) 3-[4-(3-Cyano-1,5-dimethyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 118-120°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.98 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.67-1.89 (2H, m), 2.25 (3H, s), 2.60 (3H, s), 2.63 (3H, s), 2.78 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.42 (3H, s), 5.51 (2H, s), 6.21 (1H, s), 6.91 (1H, s), 7.21 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.35 (2H, d, J=7.5Hz) (12) 3-[4-(3-Cyano-1-ethyl-5-methyl-2-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 169-170°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.98 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.14 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.77 (2H, m), 2.27 (3H, s), 2.61 (3H, s), 2.65 (3H, s), 2.78 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 3.81 (2H, q, J=7Hz), 5.52 (2H, s), 6.20 (1H, s), 6.91 (1H, s), 7.21 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.35 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (13) 3-[4-(2-Bromo-4-cyano-1-methyl-3-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 151-152°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.33 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.60 (3H, s), 2.64 (3H, s), 2.82 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 3.69 (3H, s), 5.50 (2H, s), 6.90 (1H, s), 7.19 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.30 (1H, s), 7.48 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (14) 3-[4-(2-Bromo-4-cyano-1-methyl-3-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 142-143°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.98 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.65-1.87 (2H, m), 2.60 (3H, s), 2.64 (3H, s), 2.78 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.69 (3H, s), 5.50 (2H, s), 6.90 (1H, s), 7.17 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.30 (1H, s), 7.48 (2H, d, J=9Hz) Example 1 A mixture of 2-butyl-3-[4-(3,4-dichloro-2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (490 mg) and trimethyltin azide (690 mg) in xylene (5 ml) was stirred at 120°C for 22 hours. After cooled to ambient temperature, the mixture was treated with aqueous 1N sodium hydroxide (10 ml) for 4 hours. The suspension was filtered. The filtrate was washed with diisopropyl ether, adjusted to pH 4 with aqueous lN-hydrochloric acid, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (elution by methanol/dichloromethane = 1/8) to give 2-butyl-3-[4-[3,4-dichloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (516 mg) as an amorphous solid. NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.83 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.22-1.44 (2H, m), 1.57-1.74 (2H, m), 2.58 (3H, s), 2.85 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.58 (2H, s), 6.81 (1H, s), 7.10 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.20 (2H, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.28 (2H, d, J=8.5Hz), 8.18 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz) Example 2 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Example 1. (1) 3-[4-[4-Bromo-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 188-191°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.88 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.37 (2H, m), 1.68 (2H, m), 2.57 (3H, s), 5.55 (2H, s), 6.87 (1H, d, J=2.3Hz), 7.09 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.19 (4H, m), 7.40 (1H, d, J=2.3Hz), 8.17 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (2) 2-Butyl-3-[4-[2-chloro-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 147°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.82 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.22-1.45 (2H, m), 1.58-1.77 (2H, m), 2.86 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.60 (2H, s), 6.41 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.74 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.21 (4H, s), 7.28 (1H, dd, J=8.0Hz and 5.0Hz), 8.03 (1H, dd, J=8.0Hz and 1.0Hz), 8.33 (1H, dd, J=5.0Hz and 1.0Hz) (3) 2-Butyl-3-[4-[4-nitro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl] benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.88 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.27-1.49 (2H, m), 1.64-1.83 (2H, m), 2.89 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.56 (2H, s),7.03 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.19 (2H, d, J=8.0Hz), 7.27 (1H, dd, J=7.5Hz and 5.0Hz), 7.29 (2H, d, J=8.0Hz), 8.01 (1H, dd, J=7.5Hz & 1.0Hz), 8.19 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 8.31 (1H, dd, J=5.0Hz and 1.0Hz) (4) 2-Butyl-3-[4-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 98-101°C NMR (CD₃OD, δ) : 0.93 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.44 (2H, m), 1.80 (2H, m), 2.90 (2H, dd, J=7Hz & 7Hz), 5.57 (2H, s), 6.42 (1H, dd, J=3. 5Hz & 3Hz), 6.94 (1H, dd, J=3.5Hz & 2Hz), 7.04 (1H, dd, J=3Hz & 2Hz), 7.21 (4H, s), 7.32 (lH, dd, J=8Hz & 5Hz), 8.04 (1H, dd, J=8Hz & 1Hz), 8.35 (1H, dd, J=5Hz & 1Hz) (5) 2-Butyl-3-[4-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-indolyl]-benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (6) 2-Butyl-3-[4-[2-chloro-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine Example 3 To a solution of 2-butyl-3-[4-[3,4-dichloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine (496 mg) in hot ethanol (7.5 ml) was added a solution of sodium bicarbonate (86.6 mg) in water (4 ml) in one portion. The mixture was stirred at 80°C for 5 minutes and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in ethanol (6 ml). The ethanolic solution was filtered through a millipor filter. The filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in water (5 ml) and lyophilized to yield sodium salt of 2-butyl-3-[4-[3,4-dichloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (466 mg) as a solid. NMR (D₂O, δ ) : 0.43 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 0.80-1.01 (2H, m), 1.14-1.34 (2H, m), 2.31 (3H, s), 2.61 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.31 (2H, s), 6.54 (1H, s), 6.69 (2H, d, J=8.5Hz), 6.79 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 6.90 (2H, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.90 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) Example 4 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Example 3. (1) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[4-bromo-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine mp : 154-168°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.51 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 0.87-1.08 (2H, m), 1.15-1.36 (2H, m), 2.30 (3H, s), 2.55 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.18 (2H, s), 6.26 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 6.48 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 6.51 (2H, d, J=8.0Hz), 6.69 (2H, d, J=8.0Hz), 6.71 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.78 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (2) Sodium salt of 2-butyl-3-[4-[2-chloro-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.60 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.08 (2H, m), 1.40 (2H, m), 2.70 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 5.42 (2H, s), 6.19 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.63 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.90 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.00 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.20 (1H, dd, J=9Hz & 6Hz), 7.90 (1H, dd, J=9Hz & 1Hz), 8.17 (1H, dd, J=6Hz & 1Hz) (3) Sodium salt of 2-butyl-3-[4-[4-nitro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine mp : 166-179°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.71 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.05-1.27 (2H, m), 1.41-1.61 (2H, m), 2.70 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.42 (2H, s), 6.83 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 6.94 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.12 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.21 (1H, dd, J=8Hz & 5Hz), 7.64 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.92 (1H, dd, J=8.0Hz & 1.0Hz), 8.12 (1H, dd, J=5.0Hz & 1.0Hz) (4) Sodium salt of 2-butyl-3-[4-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-indolyl]benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 187-192°C (dec.) NMR (D₂O + CD₃OD, δ) : 0.50 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 0.92 (2H, m), 1.28 (2H, m), 2.50 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.26 (2H, s), 6.50-6.82 (3H, m), 6.63 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 6.80 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 6.98 (1H, s), 7.12 (1H, dd, J=8Hz & 5Hz), 7.37 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 7.86 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 8.08 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (5) Sodium salt of 2-butyl-3-[4-[2-chloro-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 154-157°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.72 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.21 (2H, m), 1.49 (2H, m), 2.60 (3H, s), 2.87 (2H, t, J=6Hz), 5.54 (2H, s), 6.25 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.84 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.90 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.05 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.14 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 8.15 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Example 5 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Example 1. (1) 3-[4-[2-Bromo-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.90 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.40 (2H, m), 1.70 (2H, m), 3.41 (2H, m), 5.62 (2H, s), 6.47 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.90 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.15 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.23 (4H, s), 8.20 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (2) 3-[4-[4-Bromo-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-2-fluorobenzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.89 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.27-1.49 (2H, m), 1.62-1.82 (2H, m), 2.57 (3H, s), 2.86 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.57 (2H, s), 6.85 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 6.92 (1H, d, J=9Hz), 7.03 (1H, dd, J=9.0Hz & 1.5Hz), 7.09 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.33 (1H, dd, J=11.0Hz & 1.5Hz), 7.45 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 8.14 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (3) 3-[4-[4-Bromo-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 179-186°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.94 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.62-1.86 (2H, m), 2.58 (3H, s), 2.82 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.53 (2H, s), 6.81 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 7.09 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.16 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.22 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.39 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 8.16 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (4) 2-Butyl-7-methyl-3-[2-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-5-pyridylmethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 148-154°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.89 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.28-1.49 (2H, m), 1.61-1.81 (2H, m), 2.56 (3H, s), 2.90 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.57 (2H, s), 6.46 (1H, t, J=4.0Hz), 6.86 (1H, dd, J=4.0Hz & 1.0Hz), 7.11 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.38 (1H, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.50 (1H, dd, J=4.0Hz & 1.0Hz), 7.69 (1H, dd, J=8.5Hz & 1.5Hz), 8.17 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 8.31 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz) (5) 3-[2-[2-Bromo-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-5-pyridylmethyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine mp : 98-114°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.87 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.25-1.48 (2H, m), 1.59-1.78 (2H, m), 2.57 (3H, s), 2.90 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.69 (2H, s), 6.58 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.96 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.11 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.48 (1H, d, J=7.5Hz), 7.73 (1H, dd, J=7.5Hz & 1.5Hz), 8.20 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 8.48 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz) (6) 3-[3-Bromo-4-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.89 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.29-1.50 (2H, m), 1.62-1.80 (2H, m), 2.58 (3H, s), 2.89 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.61 (2H, s), 6.43 (1H, t, J=4.0Hz), 6.97 (1H, dd, J=4.0Hz & 1.0Hz), 7.05-7.15 (1H, m), 7.11(1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.16 (1H, dd, J=8.5Hz & 1.0Hz), 7.43 (1H, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.64 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 8.20 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (7) 3-[3-Bromo-4-[4-bromo-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.89 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.28-1.50 (2H, m), 1.62-1.80 (2H, m), 2.58 (3H, s), 2.88 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.61 (2H, s), 6.93 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.11 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.15 (1H, dd, J=8.5Hz & 1.0Hz), 7.31 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.45 (1H, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.63 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 8.19 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (8) 3-[4-[2-Bromo-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-3-chlorobenzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine NMR (CDCl₃-CD₃OD, δ) : 0.93 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.44 (2H, m), 1.74 (2H, m), 2.73 (3H, s), 3.05 (2H, dd, J=8Hz & 7Hz), 5.72 (2H, s), 6.53 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.98 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.32-7.34 (2H, m), 7.37-7.45 (2H, m), 8.37 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (9) 3-[4-[4-Bromo-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-3-chlorobenzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine NMR (CDCl₃ + CD₃OD, δ) : 0.95 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.45 (2H, m), 1.77 (2H, m), 2.70 (3H, s), 2.94 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.59 (2H, s), 6.93 (1H, d, J=1.9Hz), 6.95 (1H, d, J=1.9Hz), 7.13 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.15 (1H, d, J=8.1Hz, 1.9Hz), 7.29 (1H, d, J=1.9Hz), 7.38 (1H, d, J=8.1Hz), 8.20 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (10) 3-[4-[4-Bromo-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-2-chlorobenzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine NMR (CDCl₃-CD₃OD, δ) : 0.94 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.44 (2H, m), 1.75 (2H, m), 2.70 (3H, s), 2.88 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 5.65 (2H, s), 6.58 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 6.92 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.02 (1H, dd, J=8Hz & 2Hz), 7.09 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.14 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.47 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 8.18 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (11) 3-[4-[2-Bromo-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃-CD₃OD, δ) : 0.96 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.74 (2H, m), 2.69 (3H, s), 2.86 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 5.60 (2H, s), 6.45 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.86 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.13 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.22 (4H, s), 8.20 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (12) 2-Butyl-7-methyl-3-[3-nitro-4-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.88 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.39 (2H, m), 1.73 (2H, m), 2.92 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 5.72 (2H, s), 6.45 (1H, t, J=3Hz), 6.96 (1H, dd, J=3Hz & 1Hz), 7.12 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.19 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.48 (1H, dd, J=7Hz & 1Hz), 7.57 (1H, d, J=7Hz), 8.10 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 8.19 (1H, d, J=4Hz) (13) 2-Butyl-3-[3-chloro-4-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃-CD₃OD, δ) : 0.90 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.40 (2H, m), 1.70 (2H, m), 2.64 (3H, s), 2.87 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 5.54 (2H, s), 6.40 (1H, dd, J=4Hz & 3Hz), 6.85 (1H, dd, J=3Hz & 1Hz), 6.90 (1H, dd, J=4Hz & 1Hz), 7.09 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.10 (1H, dd, J=8Hz & 2Hz), 7.23 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.32 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 8.14 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Example 6 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Example 3. (1) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[2-bromo-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.58 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.06 (2H, m), 1.31 (2H, m), 2.44 (3H, s), 2.71 (2H, t, J=6Hz), 5.38 (2H, s), 6.26 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.66 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.35 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.43 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.46 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.97 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (2) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[4-bromo-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-2-fluorobenzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 153-179°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.58 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 0.95-1.17 (2H, m), 1.25-1.46 (2H, m), 2.35 (3H, s), 2.63 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.27 (2H, s), 6.29-6.43 (1H, m), 6.37 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 6.49-6.63 (2H, m), 6.53 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 6.73 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.83 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (3) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[4-bromo-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine mp : 157-178°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.78 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.40-1.62 (2H, m), 2.47 (3H, s), 2.70 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.35 (2H, s), 6.52 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 6.64 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 6.65 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 6.82 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 6.93 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.93 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (4) Sodium salt of 2-butyl-7-methyl-3-[2-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-5-pyridylmethyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine mp : 123-148°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.74 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.12-1.33 (2H, m), 1.39-1.59 (2H, m), 2.50 (3H, s), 2.82 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.42 (2H, s), 6.40 (1H, t, J=3.5Hz), 6.65 (1H, d, J=8.0Hz), 6.73 (1H, dd, J=3.5Hz & 1.0Hz), 6.98 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.10 (1H, dd, J=3.5Hz, 1.0Hz), 7.28 (1H, dd, J=8.0Hz & 1.5Hz), 7.97 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 8.17 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz) (5) Sodium salt of 3-[2-[2-bromo-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-5-pyridylmethyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 132-157°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.68 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.06-1.28 (2H, m), 1.33-1.52 (2H, m), 2.50 (3H, s), 2.84 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.56 (2H, s), 6.41 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.73 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.03 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.09 (1H, d, J=9Hz), 7.52 (1H, dd, J=9.0Hz & 1.5Hz), 8.04 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 8.31 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz) (6) Sodium salt of 3-[3-bromo-4-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine mp : 128.5-159.5°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.63 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.01-1.24 (2H, m), 1.31-1.53 (2H, m), 2.43 (3H, s), 2.74 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.38 (2H, s), 6.28 (1H, t, J=3.0Hz), 6.55 (1H, br s), 6.71-6.81 (1H, m), 6.90 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.00 (1H, d, J=8.0Hz), 7.09 (1H, d, J=8.0Hz), 7.21 (1H, s), 7.95 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (7) Sodium salt of 3-[3-bromo-4-[4-bromo-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 159.5-170.5°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.52 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 0.92-1.18 (2H, m), 1.27-1.50 (2H, m), 2.36 (3H, s), 2.69 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.35 (2H, s), 6.30 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 6.66 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 6.79 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 6.98 (2H, s), 7.17 (1H, s), 7.89 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (8) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[2-bromo-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-3-chlorobenzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 165-175°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.47 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 0.98 (2H, m), 1.27 (2H, m), 2.69 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 5.36 (2H, br s), 6.20 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.72 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.82 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 6.94 (1H, dd, J=8Hz & 1Hz), 6.99 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 7.10 (1H, s), 7.94 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (9) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[4-bromo-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-3-chlorobenzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 168-178°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.61 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.13 (2H, m), 1.42 (2H, m), 2.43 (3H, s), 2.73 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 5.49 (2H, s), 6.43 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 6.68 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 6.90 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 6.91-7.08 (3H, m), 7.94 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (10) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[4-bromo-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-2-chlorobenzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.60 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.07 (2H, m), 1.37 (2H, m), 2.39 (3H, s), 2.60 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 5.30 (2H, br s), 6.20 (1H, d, J=9Hz), 6.42 (1H, dd, J=9Hz & 1Hz), 6.45 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 6.55 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 6.84 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 6.95 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.86 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (11) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[2-bromo-5-(1H-tetrazoI-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.65 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.36 (2H, m), 2.41 (3H, s), 2.69 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 5.37 (2H, s), 6.27 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.66 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.81 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 6.90 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 6.94 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.94 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (12) Sodium salt of 2-butyl-7-methyl-3-[3-nitro-4-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.72 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.22 (2H, m), 1.50 (2H, m), 2.83 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 5.52 (2H, s), 6.39 (1H, t, J=3Hz), 6.76 (1H, dd, J=3Hz & 1Hz), 6.83 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.00 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.28-7.42 (2H, m), 7.62 (1H, s), 8.00 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (13) Sodium salt of 2-butyl-3-[3-chloro-4-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 49-50°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.62 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.10 (2H, m), 1.40 (2H, m), 2.43 (3H, s), 2.71 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 5.34 (2H, s), 6.27 (1H, t, J=3Hz), 6.52 (1H, br s), 6.73 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.83 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 6.90 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 7.00 (2H, m), 7.90 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (14) Potassium salt of 3-[4-[4-bromo-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.69 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.43 (2H, m), 2.60 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.74 (2H, s), 6.26 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 6.52 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 6.55 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 6.71 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 6.73 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.82 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Example 7 The following compounds were obtained according to similar manners to those of Example 1 and Example 3, successively. (1) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[4-bromo-3-chloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 160-175°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.43 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 0.94 (2H, m), 1.27 (2H, m), 2.66 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 5.43 (2H, s), 6.63 (1H, s), 6.76 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 6.83 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 6.97 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.96 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (2) Sodium salt of 3-[4-(2-bromo-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-2-methoxybenzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.51 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.00 (2H, m), 1.28 (2H, m), 2.38 (3H, s), 2.57 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 3.52 (3H, s), 5.20 (2H, s), 6.15 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 6.28 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 6.41 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 6.59 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 6.66 (1H, s), 6.82 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.92 (1H, d, J=4Hz) Example 8 A mixture of 2-butyl-7-methyl-3-[3-nitro-4-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine (145 mg), 10% palladium on carbon (30 mg), and methanol (5 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 5 hours under hydrogen atmosphere(4 atom). After vacuum filtration, the filtrate was evaporated in vacuo to give a yellow residue of 3-[3-amino-4-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine (130 mg). This residue was treated with acetic anhydride (1 ml) and pyridine (2 ml) at room temperature for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was evaporated in vacuo and purified by preparative thin layer chromatography (ethyl acetate-acetic acid = 19:1) to give a brownish viscous oil (65 ml). To a solution of the oil in ethanol (2 ml) was added a solution of sodium hydrogencarbonate (12.8 mg) in water (1 ml) and the mixture was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in water (2 ml) and lyophilized to afford sodium salt of 3-[3-acetamido-4-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (65 mg) as an amorphous powder. NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.79 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.28 (2H, m), 1.56 (2H, m), 1.74 (3H, s), 2.55 (3H, s), 2.87 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 5.49 (2H, s), 6.41 (1H, br s), 6.73 (1H, br s), 6.81 (1H, br s), 6.96 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 7.08 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.19 (1H, br s), 7.21 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 8.08 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Example 9 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Example 1. (1) 2-Butyl-3-[4-[4-chloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 186-190.5°C NMR (CD₃OD-CDCl₃, δ) : 0.91 (3H, t,J=7.5HZ), 1.31-1.52 (2H, m), 1.64-1.83 (2H, m), 2.70 (3H, s), 2.91 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.58 (2H, s), 6.85 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 6.98 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.14 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.19 (4H, s), 8.21 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (2) 3-[4-[4-Chloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 225-227°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.95 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.62-1.86 (2H, m), 2.57 (3H, s), 2.84 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.58 (2H, s), 6.92 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.10 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.14-7.35 (4H, m), 7.49 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 8.18 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Example 10 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Example 3. (1) Sodium salt of 2-butyl-3-[4-[4-chloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine mp : 161-170°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.68 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.02-1.23 (2H, m), 1.31-1.50 (2H, m), 2.44 (3H, s), 2.67 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.31 (2H, s), 6.51 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 6.57 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 6.65 (2H, d, J=8.5Hz), 6.82 (2H, d, J=8.5Hz), 6.90 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.92 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (2) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[4-chloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 184-187°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.74 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.35-1.59 (2H, m), 2.42 (3H, s), 2.65 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.30 (2H, s), 6.44 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 6.51-6.63 (3H, m), 6.77 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 6.86 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.39 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Example 11 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Example 1. (1) 2-Butyl-3-[3-fluoro-4-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 106.5-108°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.89 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.27-1.50 (2H, m), 1.62-1.81 (2H, m), 2.57 (3H, s), 2.89 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.60 (2H, s), 6.46 (1H, t, J=3.0Hz), 6.94-7.04 (2H, m), 7.11 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.17-7.29 (2H, m), 7.41 (1H, t, J=8.5Hz), 8.18 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (2) 2-Butyl-3-[4-[2-bromo-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-2-fluorobenzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.85 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.25-1.47 (2H, m), 1.59-1.78 (2H, m), 2.57 (3H, s), 2.86 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.62 (2H, s), 6.58 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.89-7.16 (2H, m), 6.93 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.10 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.40 (1H, dd, J=10.0Hz & 1.0Hz), 8.18 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (3) 3-[[2-[4-Bromo-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]pyridin-5-yl]methyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.88 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.27-1.49 (2H, m), 1.61-1.80 (2H, m), 2.55 (3H, s), 2.90 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.56 (2H, s), 6.72 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.09 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.17 (1H, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.58 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.60 (1H, dd, J=8.5Hz & 1.0Hz), 8.15 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 8.31 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz) (4) 3-[3-Bromo-4-[2-bromo-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.83 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.25-1.45 (2H, m), 1.56-1.72 (2H, m), 2.58 (3H, s), 2.88 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.63 (2H, s), 6.62 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.01 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.12 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.18 (1H, dd, J=8.5Hz & 1.0Hz), 7.42 (1H, d, J=8.5Hz), 7.69 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 8.19 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (5) 2-Butyl-3-[4-[2-cyano-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.87 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.22-1.45 (2H, m), 1.57-1.76 (2H, m), 2.57 (3H, s), 2.83 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.58 (2H, s), 6.58 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.06-7.33 (6H, m), 8.18 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (6) 7-Methyl-2-propyl-3-[4-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-4-vinyl-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃ + CD₃OD, δ) : 0.92 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.59-1.82 (2H, m), 2.60 (3H, s), 2.72 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 4.96 (1H, dd, J=11Hz & 1Hz), 5.32-5.50 (3H, m), 6.50 (1H, dd, J=11Hz, 17.5Hz), 6.83-6.90 (2H, m), 6.89-7.08 (5H, m), 8.05 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Example 12 A mixture of 7-methyl-2-propyl-3-[4-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-4-vinyl-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (40 mg), 10% palladium on carbon (10 mg) and methanol (5 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours under hydrogen atmosphere (3 atm). After filtration, the filtrate was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by preparative thin layer chromatography (dichloromethane:methanol = 5:1) to give 3-[4-[4-ethyl-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (20 ml). NMR (CDCl₃, + CD₃OD, δ) : 0.99 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.21 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.64-1.87 (2H, m), 2.44-2.60 (2H, m), 2.64 (3H, s), 2.80 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.46 (2H, s), 6.67-6.76 (2H, m), 6.97-7.13 (5H, m), 8.13 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Example 13 A mixture of 3-[4-(2-cyano-1-pyrrolyl)-3-methylbenzyl]-7-methyl-3-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (260 mg), sodium azide (183 mg), triethylamine hydrochloride (484 mg) and 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (5 ml) were stirred at 130°C for 2 days under nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was poured into water (25 ml) and the pH value was adjusted to 4 with 7% hydrochloric acid. The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic layer was washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by preparative thin layer chromatography (CH₂Cl₂-MeOH = 6:1) to afford 7-methyl-3-[3-methyl-4-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (225 mg). NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.96 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.67-2.00 (5H, m), 2.72 (3H, s), 2.98 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.54 (2H, s), 6.36-6.43 (1H, m), 6.77-6.84 (1H, m), 6.93-7.22 (5H, m), 8.29 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Example 14 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Example 13. (1) 3-[4-[4-Bromo-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-2-butyl-5-methoxy-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 235-241°C NMR (CDCl₃, + CD₃OD, δ) : 0.92 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.38-1.51 (2H, m), 1.63-1.85 (2H, m), 2.75-2.90 (2H, t-like, J=7.5Hz), 3.98 (3H, s), 5.48 (2H, s), 6.72 (1H, d, J=9Hz), 6.91 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.01 (1H, d, J=lHz), 7.15-7.32 (4H, m), 7.89 (1H, d, J=9Hz) (2) 2-Butyl-3-[4-[4-chloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.82 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.19-1.46 (2H, m), 1.59-1.81 (2H, m), 2.78 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.48 (2H, s), 6.83-7.0 (2H, m), 7.00-7.38 (5H, m), 7.98 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 8.37 (2H, d, J=5Hz) Example 15 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Example 3. (1) Sodium salt of 2-butyl-3-[3-fluoro-4-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine mp : 93-131°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.66 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.03-1.25 (2H, m), 1.32-1.52 (2H, m), 2.45 (3H, s), 2.72 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.35 (2H, s), 6.32 (1H, t, J=3.5Hz), 6.63-6.80 (4H, m), 6.89 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 6.94 (1H, t, J=8.0Hz), 7.91 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (2) Sodium salt of 2-butyl-3-[4-[2-bromo-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-2-fluorobenzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 129-151°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.52 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 0.90-1.12 (2H, m), 1.20-1.41 (2H, m), 2.32 (3H, s), 2.65 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.37 (2H, s), 6.11 (1H, d, J=4.0Hz), 6.50 (1H, d, J=8.0Hz), 6.61 (1H, d, J=4.0Hz), 6.68 (1H, d, J=8.0Hz), 6.75-6.87 (2H, m), 7.91 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (3) Sodium salt of 3-[[2-[4-bromo-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]pyridin-5-yl]methyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 155-170.5°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.72 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.09-1.33 (2H, m), 1.40-1.58 (2H, m), 2.48 (3H, s), 2.81 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.43 (2H, s), 6.61 (1H, d, J=9.0Hz), 6.64 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 6.95 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 6.97 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.30 (1H, dd, J=9.0Hz & 1.0Hz), 7.93 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 8.13 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz) (4) Sodium salt of 3-[3-bromo-4-[2-bromo-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 142-169°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.50 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 0.89-1.11 (2H, m), 1.21-1.42 (2H, m), 2.38 (3H, s), 2.70 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.39 (2H, s), 6.21 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.72 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.84 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.04 (2H, s), 7.29 (1H, s), 7.97 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (5) Sodium salt of 2-butyl-3-[4-[2-cyano-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.60 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 0.97-1.20 (2H, m), 1.20-1.41 (2H, m), 2.44 (3H, s), 2.71 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.38 (2H, s), 6.72 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.88-7.08 (6H, m), 7.97 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (6) Sodium salt of 7-methyl-3-[3-methyl-4-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 125-128°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.80 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.40-1.70 (5H, m), 2.51 (3H, s), 2.77 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.38 (2H, s), 6.32-6.41 (1H, m), 6.59-6.68 (1H, m), 6.68-6.82 (2H, m), 6.82-6.96 (2H, m), 7.00 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 8.01 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (7) Sodium salt of 2-butyl-3-[4-[4-chloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 190-193°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.62 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 0.96-1.19 (2H, m), 1.32-1.56 (2H, m), 2.60 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.30 (2H, s), 6.41 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 6.52 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 6.62 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 6.81 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.10 (1H, dd, J=5Hz & 8Hz), 7.85 (1H, dd, J=8Hz & 1Hz),'8.06 (1H, dd, J=5Hz & 1Hz) (8) Sodium salt of 7-methyl-2-propyl-3-[4-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-4-vinyl-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.79 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.40-1.64 (2H, m), 2.52 (3H, s), 2.63-2.85 (2H, m), 5.00-5.12 (1H, m), 5.32-5.60 (3H, m), 6.42-7.14 (8H, m), 7.92-8.05 (1H, m) (9) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[4-ethyl-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.84 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.17 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.50-1.70 (2H, m), 2.39-2.64 (5H, m), 2.70-2.87 (2H, m), 5.48 (2H, s), 6.58-6.70 (2H, m), 6.83 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 6.94 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.12 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 8.08 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Example 16 The following compounds were obtained according to similar manners to those of Examples 13 and 3, successively. (1) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[4-bromo-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-butyl-5-chloro-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.63 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 0.94-1.19 (2H, m), 1.33-1.55 (2H, m), 2.61 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.20 (2H, s), 6.38 (1H, d, J=lHz), 6.57 (1H, d, J=lHz), 6.68 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 6.84 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 6.93 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 7.69 (1H, d, J=8Hz) (2) Sodium salt of 2-butyl-3-[4-[4-tert-butyl-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 188-195°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.61 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 0.85-1.18 (11H, m), 1.30-1.50 (2H, m), 2.44 (3H, s), 2.63 (2H, t), 5.31 (2H, s), 6.38 (1H, d), 6.57 (1H, d), 6.68 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 6.84 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 6.92 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.93 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Example 17 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Example 1. (1) A mixture of 3-[4-[2-bromo-1-methyl-4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl [4,5-b]pyridine and 3-[4-[2-bromo-1-methyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-4-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine. NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.93 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.61-1.86 (2H, m), 2.57 (3H, s), 2.83 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.70 (3H, s), 5.51 (2H, s), 7.05-7.26 (5H, m), 7.51 (1H, s), 8.16 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (2) 3-[4-[1-Methyl-4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃ + CD₃OD, δ) : 1.02 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.71-1.93 (2H, m), 2.91 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.65 (3H, s), 2.91 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.75 (3H, s), 5.51 (2H, s), 6.72 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.03 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.11 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.20 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.33 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 8.19 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Example 18 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Example 3. (1) A mixture of sodium salt of 3-[4-[2-bromo-1-methyl-4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine and sodium salt of 3-[4-[2-bromo-1-methyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-4-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine. mp : 83-85°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.63 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.27-1.52 (2H, m), 2.31 (3H, s), 2.59 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.23 (3H, s), 5.24 (2H, s), 6.67-6.90 (5H, m), 7.18 (1H, s), 7.88 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (2) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[1-methyl-4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 140-143°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.78 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.40-1.65 (2H, m), 2.48 (3H, s), 2.64 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.58 (3H, s), 5.28 (2H, s), 6.52 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 6.73 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 6.88 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 6.99 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.05 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.97 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Example 19 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Example 1. (1) 7-Methyl-3-[4-[4-methyl-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.93 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.62-1.84 (2H, m), 2.09 (3H, s), 2.56 (3H, s), 2.83 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.52 (2H, s), 6.67 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 6.99 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 7.09 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.18 (4H, s), 8.18 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (2) 7-Methyl-3-[4-[5-methylthio-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 181-183°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.91 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.57-1.78 (2H, m), 2.18 (3H, s), 2.57 (3H, s), 2.81 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.60 (2H, s), 6.51 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 6.91 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.22 (4H, s-like), 8.19 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (3) 3-[4-[4-Chloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3H-imidzo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 1.31 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.60 (3H, s), 2.62 (3H, s), 2.81 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 5.50 (2H, s), 6.83 (1H, d, J=lHz), 6.90-6.98 (2H, m), 7.03-7.20 (4H, m) Example 20 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Example 13. (1) 7-Methyl-3-[4-[2-methyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 184-186°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.90 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.57-1.79 (2H, m), 1.99 (3H, s), 2.57 (3H, s), 2.82 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.60 (2H, s), 6.18 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.80 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.10 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.22 (4H, s), 8.19 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (2) 3-[4-[3-Chloro-2-methyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 190.5-192.5°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.90 (3H, t, J=7. 5Hz), 1.56-1.79 (2H, m), 1.98 (3H, s), 2.57 (3H, s), 2.82 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.60 (2H, s), 6.90 (1H, s), 7.11 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.24 (4H, s), 8.18 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) Example 21 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Example 3. (1) Sodium salt of 7-methyl-3-[4-[4-methyl-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.74 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.35-1.58 (2H, m), 1.97 (3H, s), 2.43 (3H, s), 2.63 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.26 (2H, s), 6.25 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 6.51 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz), 6.58 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 6.73 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 6.87 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.89 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (2) Sodium salt of 7-methyl-3-[4-[2-methyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.66 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.23-1.48 (2H, m), 1.62 (3H, s), 2.35 (3H, s), 2.65 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.27 (2H, s), 5.97 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.59 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.71 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 6.76 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 6.89 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.85 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (3) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[3-chloro-2-methyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.57 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.22-1.48 (2H, m), 1.36 (3H, s), 2.29 (3H, s), 2.61 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.27 (2H, s), 6.48 (1H, s), 6.58 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 6.71 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 6.87 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.82 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (4) Sodium salt of 7-methyl-3-[4-[5-methylthio-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.68 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.25-1.55 (2H, m), 1.79 (3H, s), 2.40 (3H, s), 2.69 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.38 (2H, s), 6.35 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 6.68 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 6.85 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 6.95 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.93 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (5) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[4-chloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 1.13 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.39 (3H, s), 2.42 (3H, s), 2.72 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 5.38 (2H, s), 6.59-6.67 (2H, m), 6.70 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 6.81-6.93 (3H, m) Example 22 The following compound was obtained according to similar manners to those of Examples 1 and 3, successively. Sodium salt of 2-butyl-7-methyl-3-[4-[2-methyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.69 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.16 (2H, m), 1.40 (2H, m), 1.88 (3H, s), 2.50 (3H, s), 2.78 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 5.43 (2H, s), 6.11 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.60 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.90 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.00 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.03 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 8.03 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Example 23 A mixture of trimethyltin azide (315 mg) and 3-[4-(2-cyano-4-difluoromethyl-1-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (155.3 mg) in xylene (3 ml) was stirred at 125°C for 16 hours and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in methanol (2 ml) and the methanolic solution was treated with aqueous 8.9N-hydrochloric acid (0.3 ml). The solution was adjusted to pH 5 with aqueous 1N sodium hydroxide solution and then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by preparative thin layer chromatography to yield 3-[4-[4-formyl-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine (60 mg) as an amorphous solid. NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.93 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.63-1.87 (2H, m), 2.57 (3H, s), 2.82 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.54 (2H, s), 6.90 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.09 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.17 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.25 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.93 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 8.16 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 9.78 (1H, s) Example 24 The following compound was obtained according to similar manners to those of Preparation 54 and Example 3, successively. Sodium salt of 3-[4-[4-hydroxymethyl-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.81 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.44-1.68 (2H, m), 2.56 (3H, s), 2.76 (2H, t, J=7 .5Hz), 4.56 (2H, s), 5.44 (2H, s), 6.72 (1H, d, J=lHz), 6.76-6.94 (5H, m), 7.09 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 8.03 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Example 25 To a suspension of 3-[4-[4-chloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine (10.33 g) in ethanol (100 ml) was added concentrated hydrochloric acid (10 ml) and ethanol (200 ml). The mixture was heated to 40-50°C in a water bath. The resulting solution was concentrated to half volume under reduced pressure. The precipitates were collected by filtration, washed with ethanol (50 ml) and dried over phosphorus pentoxide to yield 3-[4-[4-chloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine hydrochloride (7.70 g) as a cream powder. mp: 140-143°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ): 0.98 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.76 (2H, m), 2.71 (3H, s), 3.19 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.78 (2H, s), 7.02 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.29 and 7.40 (4H, ABq, J=8.5Hz), 7.42-7.48 (3H, m), 8.48 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Example 26 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Example 1. (1) 7-Methyl-2-propyl-3-[4-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-4-trifluoromethyl-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.96 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.76 (2H, dt, J=7Hz, 7Hz), 2.57 (3H, s), 2.85 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 5.57 (2H, s), 7.08 (1H, s), 7.21 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.31 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.85 (1H, s), 8.18 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (2) 5,7-Dimethyl-3-[4-[2-methyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 242-243°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.88 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.65 (2H, dt, J=7Hz, 7Hz), 2.00 (3H, s), 2.52 (3H, s), 2.53 (3H, s), 2.76 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 5.56 (2H, s), 6.18 (1H, d, J=4Hz) , 6.80 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.97 (1H, s), 7.21 (4H, s) (3) 3-[4-[2,3-Dimethyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 212-215°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.90 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.58-1.80 (2H, m), 1.91 (3H, s), 2.06 (3H, s), 2.57 (3H, s), 2.82 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.60 (2H, s), 6.70 (1H, s), 7.10 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.18 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.24 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 8.20 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (4) 3-[4-[2-Chloro-3-methyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 213-215°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.90 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.59-1.81 (2H, m), 2.10 (3H, s), 2.57 (3H, s), 2.82 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.60 (2H, s), 6.85 (1H, s), 7.10 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.23 (4H, s), 8.18 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (5) 3-[4-[2-Bromo-3-methyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 214-216°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.90 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.58-1.80 (2H, m), 2.08 (3H, s), 2.57 (3H, s), 2.81 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.60 (2H, s), 6.85 (1H, s), 7.11 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.16-7.30 (4H, m), 8.19 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (6) 2-Ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3-[4-[5-methyl-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 261-263°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 1.20 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 2.00 (3H, s), 2.52 (3H x 2, s), 2.79 (2H, q, J=7Hz), 5.55 (2H, s), 6.18 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.81 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.96 (1H, s), 7.20 (4H, s) (7) 3-[4-[4-Chloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-2-ethyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 210-213°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 1.29 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 2.57 (3H, s), 2.87 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 5.53 (2H, s), 6.89 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.09 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.20 (2H, d, J=7Hz), 7.24 (2H, d, J=7Hz), 7.46 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 8.18 (1H, d, J=4Hz) (8) 3-[4-[4-Chloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 188-193°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.96 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.65-1.88 (2H, m), 2.85 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.59 (2H, s), 6.89 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.15-7.32 (5H, m), 7.45 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 8.03 (1H, dd, J=8Hz, 1Hz), 8.32 (1H, dd, J=5Hz, 1Hz) (9) 3-[4-(4-Chloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine mp : 217-219°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.93 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.60-1.82 (2H, m), 2.5 (6H), 2.76 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.51 (2H, s), 6.90 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 6.96 (1H, s), 7.15 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.25 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.45 (1H, d, J=1Hz) (10) 3-[4-[2-Chloro-1-methyl-4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.94 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.63-1.85 (2H, m), 2.56 (3H, s), 2.81 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.69 (3H, s), 5.51 (2H, s), 7.04-7.28 (5H, m), 7.50 (1H, s), 8.17 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (11) 3-[4-[5-Bromo-1-ethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.89 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.04 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.66 (2H, m), 2.56 (3H, s), 2.81 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 3.78 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 5.59 (2H, s), 6.76 (1H, s), 7.08 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.21 (2H, d, J=7Hz), 7.32 (2H, d, J=7Hz), 8.18 (1H, d, J=4Hz) (12) 3-[4-[1-Ethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃ - CD₃OD, δ) : 0.96 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.20 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.75 (2H, m), 2.64 (3H, s), 2.88 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 3.78 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 5.58 (2H, s), 6.62 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 6.86 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 7.11 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.17 (2H, d, J=7Hz), 7.26 (2H, d, J=7Hz), 8.18 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Example 27 Sodium hydride (10 mg) (60% in oil) was added to a stirred solution of 2-butyl-7-methylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (48 mg) in dimethyl sulfoxide (5.0 ml) and the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes at ambient temperature. To this mixture was added a solution of 4-ethoxycarbonyl-1-(4-methanesulfonyloxymethylphenyl)-2-(1-trityl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)pyrrole (193 mg) in dimethyl sulfoxide (2 ml). The mixture was stirred for 3 hours at ambient temperature and poured into brine. The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate, dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by preparative thin layer chromatography to afford 2-butyl-3-[4-[4-ethoxycarbonyl-2-(1-trityl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (123 mg) as a colorless viscous oil. NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.88 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.36 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.24-1.41 (2H, m), 1.71 (2H, m), 2.70 (3H, s), 2.74 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 4.30 (2H, q, J=8Hz), 5.44 (2H, s), 6.86-7.35 (20H, m), 7.40 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.48 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 8.20 (1H, d, J=8Hz) Example 28 A mixture of 2-butyl-3-[4-[4-ethoxycarbonyl-2-(1-trityl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (115 mg), conc. hydrochloric acid (0.25 ml) and methanol (20 ml) was stirred for 2 hours and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by preparative thin layer chromatography to give 2-butyl-3-[4-[4-ethoxycarbonyl-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (53 mg) as a colorless viscous oil. NMR (CDCl₃ - CD₃OD, δ) : 0.93 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.36 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.42 (2H, m), 1.73 (2H, m), 2.69 (3H, s), 2.90 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 4.31 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 5.60 (2H, s), 7.14 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 7.17-7.31 (6H, m), 8.18 (1H, d, J=8Hz) Example 29 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Example 3. (1) Sodium salt of 7-methyl-2-propyl-3-[4-[2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-4-trifluoromethyl-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.56 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.39 (2H, dt, J=7.7Hz), 2.35 (3H, s), 2.56 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 5.21 (2H, s), 6.57 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 6.67-6.83 (5H), 7.79 (1H, d, J=8Hz) (2) Sodium salt of 5,7-dimethyl-3-[4-[2-methyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.69 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.37 (2H, m), 1.80 (3H, s), 2.37 (6H, s), 2.67 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 5.34 (2H, s), 6.07 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.60 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.71 (1H, s), 6.84 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 6.96 (2H, d, J=8Hz) (3) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[2,3-dimethyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl [4,5-b]pyridine mp : 123-129.5°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.63 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.22-1.52 (2H, m), 1.45 (3H, s), 1.82 (3H, s), 2.35 (3H, s), 2.65 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.30 (2H, s), 6.48 (1H, s), 6.65 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 6.77 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 6.88 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.87 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (4) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[2-chloro-3-methyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.48 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.12-1.39 (2H, m), 1.60 (3H, s), 2.26 (3H, s), 2.51 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.21 (2H, s), 6.46 (1H, s), 6.58-6.71 (3H, m), 6.83 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.81 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (5) Sodium salt of 3-[4-(2-bromo-3-methyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.50 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.10-1.49 (2H, m), 1.62 (3H, s), 2.26 (3H, s), 2.50 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.22 (2H, s), 6.50 (1H, s), 6.57-6.72 (3H, m), 6.83 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.83 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (6) Sodium salt of 2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3-[4-[2-methyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 177-181°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 1.00 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.63 (3H, s), 2.26 (3H x 2, s), 2.65 (2H, q, J=7Hz), 5.76 (2H, s), 5.96 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 6.46 (1H, s), 6.59 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 6.72 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 6.90 (2H, d, J=8Hz) (7) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[4-chloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-ethyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 1.11 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.43 (3H, s), 2.70 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 5.30 (2H, s), 6.44 (1H, d, J=2Hz), 6.51-6.63 (3H, m), 6.78 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 6.89 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.88 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (8) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[4-chloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.80 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.45-1.71 (2H, m), 2.70 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.40 (2H, s), 6.56-6.76 (4H, m), 6.86 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.22 (1H, dd, J=8Hz, 5Hz), 7.95 (1H, dd, J=8Hz, 1Hz), 8.14 (1H, dd, J=5Hz, 1Hz) (9) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[4-Chloro-2-(lH-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.73 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.34-1.59 (2H, m), 2.33 (3H, s), 2.37 (3H, s), 2.64 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.30 (2H, s), 6.43 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 6.50-6.72 (4H, m), 6.80 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (10) Sodium salt of 2-butyl-3-[4-[4-ethoxycarbonyl-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.68 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.17 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 1.15 (2H, m), 1.43 (2H, m), 2.44 (3H, s), 2.64 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 4.11 (2H, q, J=8Hz), 5.31 (2H, s), 6.71 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 6.88 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 6.90 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 6.96 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 6.98 (1H, d, J=1.5Hz), 7.90 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (11) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[2-chloro-1-methyl-4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.70 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.33-1.58 (2H, m), 2.37 (3H, s), 2.62 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.33 (3H, s), 6.74-6.93 (5H, m), 7.07 (1H, s), 7.93 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (12) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[5-bromo-1-ethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.45 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 0.58 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.35 (2H, m), 2.30 (3H, s), 2.63 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 3.20 (2H, m), 5.30 (2H, s), 6.56 (1H, s), 6.71 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.79 (2H, d, J=7Hz), 6.95 (2H, d, J=7Hz), 7.83 (1H, d, J=4Hz) (13) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[1-ethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.65 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 0.73 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.35 (2H, m), 2.32 (3H, s), 2.65 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 3.34 (2H, q, J=7Hz), 5.28 (2H, s), 6.57 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 6.75 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 6.76 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 6.82 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 6.89 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.83 (1H, d, J=5Hz) Example 30 7-Methyl-3-[4-[5-methyl-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (13.1 g) was dissolved in hot ethanol (70 ml) and conc. hydrochloric acid (3.2 ml) was added therein. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour at ambient temperature and the precipitate was collected by vacuum filtration to give a white powder (11.7 g). This was recrystallized from methanol - 1N hydrochloric acid to afford 7-methyl-3-[4-[5-methyl-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine hydrochloride (9.13 g) as colorless fine crystals. mp : 241-243°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.90 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.69 (2H, m), 2.00 (3H, s), 2.70 (3H, s), 3.18 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 5.82 (2H, s), 6.20 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 6.88 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.27 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.40 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.46 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 8.50 (1H, d, J=4Hz) Example 31 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Example 1. (1) 2-Butyl-3-[4-[1-bromo-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-indolizinyl]benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃-CD₃OD, δ) : 0.93 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.43 (2H, m), 1.79 (2H, m), 2.93 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 5.64 (2H, s), 6.86 (1H, dd, J=7Hz and 1Hz), 7.11 (1H, dd, J=7Hz and 8Hz), 7.21 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.32 (1H, m), 7.35 (2H, d, J=8Hz), 7.57 (1H, d, J=8Hz), 8.05 (1H, dd, J=8Hz and 1Hz), 8.36 (1H, dd, J=7Hz and 1Hz), 9.10 (1H, d, J=7Hz) (2) 2-Butyl-3-[4-[1-bromo-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-indolizinyl]benzyl]-3H-imidazo]4,5-b]pyridine NMR (CDCl₃-CD₃OD, δ) : 0.92 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.44 (2H, m), 1.86 (2H, m), 3.02 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 5.62 (2H, s), 6.93 (1H, dd, J=7Hz), 7.17 (1H, ddd, J=1Hz, 7Hz and 8Hz), 7.24-7.45 (5H, m), 8.15 (2H, dt, J=1Hz and 7Hz), 8.43 (1H, dd, J=1Hz and 5Hz), 8.52 (1H, d, J=8Hz) (3) 3-[4-[2-Chloro-1-methyl-4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-ethyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 224-226°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 1.26 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.52 (6H, s), 2.81 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 3.69 (3H, s), 5.48 (2H, s), 6.96 (1H, s), 7.10 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.21 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.51 (1H, s) (4) 3-[4-[1,2-Dimethyl-4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 124-130°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.92 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.61-1.83 (2H, m), 2.12 (3H, s), 2.56 (3H, s), 2.83 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.62 (3H, s), 5.50 (2H, s), 7.03-7.18 (5H, m), 7.30 (1H, s), 8.17 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (5) 7-Methyl-2-propyl-3-[4-[1-propyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.63 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 0.88 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.45 (2H, m), 1.66 (2H, m), 2.56 (3H, s), 2.83 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 3.72 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 5.58 (2H, s), 6.58 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.07 (1H, d, J=4Hz), 7.09 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.10 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.20 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 8.17 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (6) 5,7-Dimethyl-2-ethyl-3-[4-[1-ethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 252-254°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 1.11 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.23 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 2.44 (3H, s), 2.47 (3H, s), 2.81 (2H, q, J=8Hz), 3.77 (2H, q, J=8Hz), 5.51 (2H, s), 6.58 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 6.95 (1H, s), 7.10 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 7.19 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.31 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (7) 3-[4-[1-Isopropyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.90 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.28 (6H, d, J=8Hz), 1.70 (2H, m), 2.56 (3H, s), 2.82 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 4.07 (1H, m), 5.57 (2H, s), 6.61 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 7.09 (1H, d, J=SHz), 7.19 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 7.22 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.29 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 8.17 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (8) 3-[4-[2-Chloro-1-methyl-4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 147-150°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.91 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.60-1.81 (2H, m), 2.51(6H, s), 2.77 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.70 (3H, s), 5.48 (2H, s), 6.96 (1H, s), 7.10 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.21 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.51 (1H, s) (9) 5,7-Dimethyl-3-[4-[1-ethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 209-212°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.86 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.11 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.68 (2H, m), 2.50 (3H, s), 2.53 (3H, s), 2.75 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 3.78 (2H, q, J=8Hz), 5.55 (2H, s), 6.60 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 6.98 (1H, s), 7.10 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 7.17 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.31 (2H, d, J=9Hz) Example 32 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Example 3. (1) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[2-chloro-1-methyl-4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-ethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 107-112°C NMR (D₂O, δ) : 1.00 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.19 (3H, s), 2.23 (3H, s), 2.55 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 3.20 (3H, s), 5.19 (2H, s), 6.48 (1H, s), 6.66-6.84 (4H, m), 7.00 (1H, s) (2) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[1,2-dimethyl-4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.78 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.40-1.62 (2H, m), 1.78 (3H, s), 2.46 (3H, s), 2.71 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.45 (3H, s), 5.35 (2H, s), 6.73 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 6.85 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 6.97 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.07 (1H, s), 7.98 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (3) Sodium salt of 7-methyl-2-propyl-3-[4-[1-propyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.28 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 0.62 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.07 (2H, m), 1.34 (2H, m), 2.37 (3H, s), 2.65 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 3.28 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 5.33 (2H, s), 6.53 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 6.68 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 6.78 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 6.89 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 6.94 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.90 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (4) Sodium salt of 5,7-dimethyl-2-ethyl-3-[4-[1-ethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.78 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.05 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 2.29 (6H, s), 2.67 (2H, q, J=8Hz), 3.40 (2H, q, J=8Hz), 5.79 (2H, s), 6.55 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 6.56 (1H, s), 6.78 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 6.86 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 6.91 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (5) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[1-isopropyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl [4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.68 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 0.92 (6H, d, J=7Hz), 1.40 (2H, m), 2.39 (3H, s), 2.69 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 3.82 (1H, m), 5.34 (2H, s), 6.56 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 6.84 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 6.85 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 6.91 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 6.98 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.90 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (6) Sodium salt of 5,7-dimethyl-3-[4-[1-ethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.64 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 0.80 (3H, t, J=8Hz), 1.35 (2H, m), 2.27 (3H, s), 2.31 (3H, s), 2.63 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 3.45 (2H, q, J=8Hz), 5.82 (2H, s), 6.56 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 6.61 (1H, s), 6.79 (1H, d, J=3Hz), 6.89 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 6.94 (2H, d, J=9Hz) Example 33 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Example 1. (1) 3-[4-[5-Chloro-1-ethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine mp : 213-214°C NMR (CDCl₃-CD₃OD, δ) : 1.01 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.18 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.80 (2H, m), 2.71 (3H, s), 2.95 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 3.89 (2H, q, J=7Hz), 5.63 (2H, s), 6.60 (1H, s), 7.15 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.22 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.30 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.49 (1H, s), 8.23 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (2) 3-[4-[5-Chloro-1-methyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine mp : 190-191°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.93 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.72 (2H, m), 2.57 (3H, s), 2.84 (2H, d, J=7Hz), 3.37 (3H, s), 5.58 (2H, s), 6.67 (1H, s), 7.10 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.22 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.37 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 8.18 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (3) 3-[4-[5-Chloro-1-ethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 254-261°C (dec.) NMR (CDCl₃-CD₃OD, δ) : 1.17 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.34 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.61 (3H, s), 2.63 (3H, s), 2.89 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 3.88 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 5.58 (2H, s), 6.60 (2H, s), 7.00 (1H, s), 7.20 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.30 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (4) 3-[4-[5-Chloro-1-methyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 244-245°C (dec.) NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 1.25 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 2.51 (6H, s), 2.82 (2H, q, J=7Hz), 5.53 (2H, s), 6.68 (1H, s), 6.97 (1H, s), 7.20 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.37 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (5) 3-[4-[5-Chloro-1-ethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 211-213°C NMR (CDCl₃-CD₃OD, δ) : 0.96 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.18 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.75 (2H, m), 2.60 (3H, s), 2.65 (3H, s), 2.83 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 3.39 (2H, q, J=7Hz), 5.59 (2H, s), 6.60 (1H, s), 6.99 (1H, s), 7.20 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.30 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (6) 3-[4-[5-Chloro-1-methyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 191-193°C NMR (CDCl₃-CD₃OD, δ) : 0.99 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.77 (2H, m), 2.60 (3H, s), 2.62 (3H, s), 2.84 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 3.46 (3H, s), 5.57 (2H, s), 6.60 (1H, s), 6.99 (1H, s), 7.19 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.29 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (7) 3-[4-[1,5-Dimethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine mp : 238-241°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 1.26 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.27 (3H, s), 2.50 (6H, s), 2.83 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 3.31 (3H, s), 5.52 (2H, s), 6.36 (1H, s), 6.97 (1H, s), 7.18 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.31 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) (8) 3-[4-[1-Ethyl-5-methyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 261.5-262.5°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 1.02 (3H, t, J=7.0Hz), 1.22 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.29 (3H, s), 2.51 (6H, s), 2.82 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 3.73 (2H, q, J=7.0Hz), 5.53 (2H, s), 6.34 (1H, s), 6.97 (1H, s), 7.19 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.30 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) (9) 3-[4-[1,5-Dimethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 202-204.5°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ): 0.93 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.62-1.83 (2H, m), 2.27 (3H, s), 2.57 (3H, s), 2.86 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.32 (3H, s), 5.58 (2H, s), 6.34 (1H, s), 7.09 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.21 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.32 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 8.17 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (10) 3-[4-[1-Ethyl-5-methyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 176-178°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.90 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.00 (3H, t, J=7.0Hz), 1.58-1.80 (2H, m), 2.29 (3H, s), 2.58 (3H, s), 2.82 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.71 (2H, q, J=7.0Hz), 5.58 (2H, s), 6.34 (1H, s), 7.10 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.21 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.30 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 8.20 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (11) 3-[4-[1,5-Dimethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine mp : 148-153°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.91 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.59-1.82 (2H, m), 2.27 (3H, s), 2.80 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.32 (3H, s), 5.53 (2H, s), 6.35 (1H, s), 6.97 (1H, s), 7.17 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.31 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (12) 3-[4-1-Ethyl-5-methyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 208-209°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.88 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.00 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.66 (2H, m), 2.30 (3H, s), 2.50 (6H, s), 2.77 (2H, q, J=7Hz), 3.73 (2H, q, J=7Hz), 5.54 (2H, s), 6.34 (1H, s), 6.97 (1H, s), 7.18 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.30 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (13) 3-[4-[2-Bromo-1-methyl-4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 229-231°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 1.25 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.81 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 3.71 (3H, s), 5.48 (2H, s), 6.95 (1H, s), 7.10 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.20 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.63 (1H, s) (14) 3-[4-[2-Bromo-1-methyl-4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 151-153°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.91 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.59-1.82 (2H, m), 2.76 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.71 (3H, s), 5.48 (2H, s), 6.95 (1H, s), 7.10 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.20 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.63 (1H, s) Example 34 The following compounds were obtained according to a similar manner to that of Example 3. (1) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[5-chloro-1-ethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.57 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 0.64 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.38 (2H, m), 2.35 (3H, s), 2.68 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 3.29 (2H, br q, J=7Hz), 5.36 (2H, s), 6.44 (1H, s), 6.80 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 6.83 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 6.95 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.88 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (2) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[5-chloro-1-methyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.77 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.50 (2H, s), 2.40 (3H, s), 2.71 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 2.89 (3H, s), 5.35 (2H, s), 6.47 (1H, s), 6.73 (2H, d, J=5Hz), 6.82-6.92 (3H), 7.91 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (3) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[5-chloro-1-ethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.53 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.02 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 2.24 (6H, s), 2.66 (2H, q, J=7Hz), 3.24 (2H, br q, J=7Hz), 5.80 (2H, br s), 6.43 (1H, s), 6.50 (1H, s), 6.80 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 6.93 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (4) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[5-chloro-1-methyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 1.11 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 2.29 (6H, s), 2.70 (2H, q, J=7Hz), 2.82 (3H, s), 5.30 (2H, s), 6.43 (1H, s), 6.64 (1H, s), 6.72 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 6.88 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (5) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[5-chloro-1-ethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 172-176°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.89 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.02 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.68 (2H, m), 2.49 (3H, s), 2.51 (3H, s), 2.76 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.75 (2H, q, J=7Hz), 5.50 (2H, s), 6.36 (1H, s), 6.95 (1H, s), 7.10 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.35 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (6) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[5-chloro-1-methyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.68 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.40 (2H, m), 2.26 (6H, s), 2.60 (2H, t, J=8Hz), 2.71 (3H, s), 5.78 (2H, s), 6.44 (1H, s), 6.58 (1H, s), 6.73 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 6.87 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (7) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[1,5-dimethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 1.08 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.07 (3H, s), 2.30 (6H, s), 2.68 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 2.85 (3H, s), 5.28 (2H, s), 6.28 (1H, s), 6.65 (1H, s), 6.80 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 6.88 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz) (8) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[1-ethyl-5-methyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 138.5-148°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.97 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.23 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.24 (3H, s), 2.80 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 3.69 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 5.48 (2H, s), 6.10 (1H, s), 6.95 (1H, s), 7.07 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.31 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (9) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[1,5-dimethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.75 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.48 (2H, m), 2.11 (3H, s), 2.42 (3H, s), 2.69 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.90 (3H, s), 5.33 (2H, s), 6.30 (1H, s), 6.80 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 6.87 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 6.89 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.90 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (10) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[1-ethyl-5-methyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.60 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 0.64 (3H, t, J=7.0Hz), 1.26-1.49 (2H, m), 2.10 (3H, s), 2.38 (3H, s), 2.68 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.28 (2H, q, J=7.0Hz), 5.32 (2H, s), 6.30 (1H, s), 6.81 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 6.85 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 6.94 (2H, d, J=9.0Hz), 7.90 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) (11) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[1,5-dimethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 112-113°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.93 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.60-1.84 (2H, m), 2.23 (3H, s), 2.79 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.28 (3H, s), 5.46 (2H, s), 6.11 (1H, s), 6.95 (1H, s), 7.06 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.48 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (12) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[1-ethyl-5-methyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 165-173°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.90 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 0.98 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.68 (2H, m), 2.25 (3H, s), 2.52 (6H, s), 2.77 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 3.69 (2H, q, J=7Hz), 5.49 (2H, s), 6.11 (1H, s), 6.95 (1H, s), 7.07 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.31 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (13) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[2-bromo-1-methyl-4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 188-190°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 1.27 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 2.82 (2H, q, J=7.5Hz), 3.63 (3H, s), 5.43 (2H, s), 6.94 (1H, s), 7.00 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.20 (1H, s), 7.31 (2H, d, J=9Hz) (14) Sodium salt of 3-[4-[2-bromo-1-methyl-4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 171-173°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.93 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.62-1.84 (2H, m), 2.78 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.63 (3H, s), 5.43 (2H, s), 6.94 (1H, s), 6.99 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.19 (1H, s), 7.30 (2H, d, J=9Hz) Example 35 The following compounds were obtained according to similar manners to those of Examples 27 and 28 successively. (1) 3-[4-[4-Chloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 225-227°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.95 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.62-1.86 (2H, m), 2.57 (3H, s), 2.84 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.58 (2H, s), 6.92 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 7.10 (1H, d, J=5Hz), 7.14-7.35 (4H, m), 7.49 (1H, d, J=1Hz), 8.18 (1H, d, J=5Hz) (2) 7-Methyl-3-[4-[2-methyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 184-186°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.90 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.57-1.79 (2H, m), 1.99 (3H, s), 2.57 (3H, s), 2.82 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 5.60 (2H, s), 6.18 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 6.80 (1H, d, J=4.5Hz), 7.10 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz), 7.22 (4H, s), 8.19 (1H, d, J=5.0Hz) Preparation 136 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Preparation 9. 3-[4-(2-Chloro-4-cyano-1-methyl-3-pyrrolyl)benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 150-152°C NMR (CDCl₃, δ) : 0.99 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.66-1.90 (2H, m), 2.61 (3H, s), 2.65 (3H, s), 2.80 (2H, m), 3.67 (3H, s), 5.50 (2H, s), 6.92 (1H, s), 7.11-7.23 (3H, m), 7.50 (2H, d, J=9Hz) Example 36 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Example 1. 3-[4-[2-Chloro-1-methyl-4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine mp : 147-150°C NMR (DMSO-d₆, δ) : 0.91 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.60-1.81 (2H, m), 2.51 (6H, s), 2.77 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.70 (3H, s), 5.48 (2H, s), 6.96 (1H, s), 7.10 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.21 (2H, d, J=9Hz), 7.51 (1H, s) Example 37 The following compound was obtained according to a similar manner to that of Example 3. Sodium salt of 3-[4-[2-chloro-1-methyl-4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine NMR (D₂O, δ) : 0.68 (3H, t, J=7.5Hz), 1.32-1.55 (2H, m), 2.29 (3H, s), 2.35 (3H, s), 2.58 (2H, t, J=7.5Hz), 3.31 (3H, s), 5.28 (2H, s), 6.63 (1H, s), 6.77-6.90 (4H, m), 7.04 (1H, s)

Claims: Claims for the following Contracting States : DE, GB, FR, IT, NL, SE, CH, BE, AT, LU, DK, LI A compound of the formula : wherein R¹ is hydrogen, halogen, nitro, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, amino or acylamino, R², R³ and R⁴ are each hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ alkylthio, mono or di or trihalo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, oxo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, hydroxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl or optionally esterified carboxy; or R² and R³ are linked together to form 1,3-butadienylene, R⁵ is hydrogen or imino-protective group, A is C₁-C₆ alkylene, Q is CH or N, X is CH, Y is NH, and is 3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, which may have C₁-C₆ alkyl, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, hydroxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl or optionally esterified carboxy, and pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A compound of claim 1, wherein R¹ is hydrogen, halogen, nitro, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, amino or C₁-C₆ alkanoylamino, R², R³ and R⁴ are each hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ alkylthio, mono- or di- or trihalo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, oxo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, hydroxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl, carboxy or C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl, and R⁵ is hydrogen or mono- or di- or triphenyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl. A compound of claim 2, wherein R¹ and R⁴ are each hydrogen, and Q is CH. A compound of claim 3, which is represented by the formula : A compound of claim 4, wherein is 2-C₁-C₆ alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, 2,7-di(C₁-C₆)alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, 2,5,7-tri(C₁-C₆)alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, 5-halo-2-C₁-C₆ alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl or 5-C₁-C₆ alkoxy-2-C₁-C₆ alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, and is a group of the formula : wherein R 2 / a is hydrogen, halogen, cyano, C₁-C₆ alkyl or C₁-C₆ alkylthio, and R 3 / a is hydrogen, halogen, nitro, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, trihalo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, oxo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, hydroxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl or C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl; wherein R 2 / band R 3 / b are each halogen; wherein R 2 / c is hydrogen, halogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, R 3 / c is C₁-C₆ alkyl, and R 4 / c is hydrogen or halogen; or wherein R 2 / d is hydrogen, halogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, and R 3 / d is C₁-C₆ alkyl; A compound of claim 5, which is selected from the group consisting of : (1) 3-[4-[4-bromo-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (2) 2-butyl-3-[4-[3,4-dichloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzoyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (3) 3-[4-[2-bromo-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (4) 3-[4-[4-bromo-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (5) 2-butyl-3-[4-[4-chloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (6) 3-[4-[4-chloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (7) 7-methyl-3-[4-[4-methyl-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (8) 7-methyl-3-[4-[2-methyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (9) 3-[4-[3-chloro-2-methyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine, (10) 3-[4-[4-chloro-2-(1H-tetrazoI-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine, (11) 5,7-dimethyl-3-[4-[2-methyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (12) 3-[4-[2,3-dimethyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (13) 3-[4-[2-chloro-3-methyl-5-(1H-tetrazoI-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine, (14) 2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3-[4-[2-methyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (15) 3-[4-[4-chloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-2-ethyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (16) 3-[4-[4-chloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine (17) 3-[4-[2-chloro-1-methyl-4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine (18) 3-[4-[5-bromo-1-ethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine (19) 3-[4-[1-ethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (20) 3-[4-[2-chloro-1-methyl-4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-ethyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine, (21) 5,7-dimethyl-2-ethyl-3-[4-[1-ethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (22) 5,7-dimethyl-3-[4-[1-ethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, and (23) 3-[4-[2-chloro-1-methyl-4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine, or their sodium salt or hydrochloride. A process for preparing a compound of the formula : wherein R¹ is hydrogen, halogen, nitro, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, amino or acylamino, R², R³ and R⁴ are each hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ alkylthio, moro or di or trihalo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, oxo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, hydroxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl or optionally esterified carboxy; or R² and R³ are linked together to form 1,3-butadienylene, R⁵ is hydrogen or imino-protective group, A is C₁-C₆ alkylene, Q is CH or N, X is CH, Y is NH, and is, 3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, which may have C₁-C₆ alkyl, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, hydroxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl or optionally esterified carboxy, or a salt thereof, which comprises a) subjecting a compound of the formula : wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, A, Q, X, Y and are each as defined above, to formation reaction of a tetrazole group, to give a compound of the formula : wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, A, Q, X, Y and are each as defined above, or a salt thereof, or b) subjecting a compound of the formula : wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁵, A, Q, X, Y and are each as defined above, and R 4 / a is oxo(C₁-C₆)alkyl or halogen, or a salt thereof, to reduction, to give a compound of the formula : wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁵ A, Q, X, Y and are each as defined above, and R 4 / b is hydroxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl or hydrogen, or a salt thereof or c) reacting a compound of the formula : wherein is as defined above, and or a salt thereof, with a compound of the formula : wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, A, Q, X, Y and are each as defined above, and R⁶ is acid residue, or a salt thereof, to give a compound of the formula : wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, A, Q, X, Y and are each as defined above, or a salt thereof, or d) subjecting a compound of the formula : wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, A, Q, X, Y and are each as defined above, and R 5 / a is imino-protective group, or a salt thereof, to removal of the imino-protective group, to give a compound of the formula : wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, A, Q, X, Y and are each as defined above, or a salt thereof. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 1 or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable, substantially non-toxic carrier or excipient. A compound of claim 1 or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for use as a medicament. A compound of claim 1 or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for use as an angiotensin II antagonist. Use of a compound of claim 1 for manufacturing a medicament for treating or preventing angiotensin II mediated diseases. Use of a compound of claim 1 for manufacturing a medicament for treating or preventing hypertension or heart failure. A process for preparing a pharmaceutical composition which comprises admixing a compound of claim 1 with a pharmaceutically acceptable substantially non-toxic carrier or excipient. Claims for the following Contracting States : ES, GR A process for preparing a compound of the formula : wherein R¹ is hydrogen, halogen, nitro, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, amino or acylamino, R², R³ and R⁴ are each hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ alkylthio, mono or di or trihalo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, oxo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, hydroxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl or optionally esterified carboxy; or R² and R³ are linked together to form 1,3-butadienylene, R⁵ is hydrogen or imino-protective group, A is C₁-C₆ alkylene, Q is CH or N, X is CH, Y is NH, and is, 3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, which may have C₁-C₆ alkyl, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, hydroxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl or optionally esterified carboxy, or a salt thereof, which comprises a) subjecting a compound of the formula : wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, A, Q, X, Y and are each as defined above, to formation reaction of a tetrazole group, to give a compound of the formula : wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, A, Q, X, Y and are each as defined above, or a salt thereof, or b) subjecting a compound of the formula : wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁵, A, Q, X, Y and are each as defined above, and R 4 / a is oxo(C₁-C₆)alkyl or halogen, or a salt thereof, to reduction, to give a compound of the formula : wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁵ A, Q, X, Y and are each as defined above, and R 4 / b is hydroxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl or hydrogen, or a salt thereof or c) reacting a compound of the formula : wherein is as defined above, and or a salt thereof, with a compound of the formula : wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, A, Q, X, Y and are each as defined above, and R⁶ is acid residue, or a salt thereof, to give a compound of the formula : wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, A, Q, X, Y and are each as defined above, or a salt thereof, or d) subjecting a compound of the formula : wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, A, Q, X, Y and are each as defined above, and R 5 / a is imino-protective group, or a salt thereof, to removal of the imino-protective group, to give a compound of the formula : Wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, A, Q, X, Y and are each as defined above, or a salt thereof. A process of claim 1, wherein R¹ is hydrogen, halogen, nitro, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, amino or C₁-C₆ alkanoylamino, R², R³ and R⁴ are each hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₁-C₆ alkylthio, mono- or di- or trihalo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, oxo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, hydroxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl, carboxy or C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl, and R⁵ is hydrogen or mono- or di- or triphenyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl. A process of claim 2, wherein R¹ and R⁴ are each hydrogen, and Q is CH. A process of claim 3, for preparing a compound, which is represented by the formula : A process of claim 4, wherein is 2-C₁-C₆ alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, 2,7-di(C₁-C₆)alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, 2,5,7-tri(C₁-C₆)alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, 5-halo-2-C₁-C₆ alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl or 5-C₁-C₆ alkoxy-2-C₁-C₆ alkyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, and is a group of the formula : wherein R 2 / a is hydrogen, halogen, cyano, C₁-C₆ alkyl or C₁-C₆ alkylthio, and R 3 / a is hydrogen, halogen, nitro, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, trihalo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, oxo(C₁-C₆)alkyl, hydroxy(C₁-C₆)alkyl or C₁-C₆ alkoxycarbonyl; wherein R 2 / b and R 3 / b are each halogen; wherein R 2 / c is hydrogen, halogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, R 3 / c is C₁-C₆ alkyl, and R 4 / c is hydrogen or halogen; or wherein R 2 / d is hydrogen, halogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, and R 3 / d is C₁-C₆ alkyl; A process of claim 5 for preparing a compound, which is selected from the group consisting of : (1) 3-[4-[4-bromo-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (2) 2-butyl-3-[4-[3,4-dichloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzoyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (3) 3-[4-[2-bromo-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-2-butyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (4) 3-[4-[4-bromo-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (5) 2-butyl-3-[4-[4-chloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (6) 3-[4-[4-chloro-1-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (7) 7-methyl-3-[4-[4-methyl-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (8) 7-methyl-3-[4-[2-methyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (9) 3-[4-[3-chloro-2-methyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (10) 3-[4-[4-chloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (11) 5,7-dimethyl-3-[4-[2-methyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (12) 3-[4-[2,3-dimethyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (13) 3-[4-[2-chloro-3-methyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine, (14) 2-ethyl-5,7-dimethyl-3-[4-[2-methyl-5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (15) 3-[4-[4-chloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-ethyl-7-methyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (16) 3-[4-[4-chloro-2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine (17) 3-[4-[2-chloro-1-methyl-4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine (18) 3-[4-[5-bromo-1-ethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine (19) 3-[4-[1-ethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]-benzyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (20) 3-[4-[2-chloro-1-methyl-4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-ethyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine, (21) 5,7-dimethyl-2-ethyl-3-[4-[1-ethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, (22) 5,7-dimethyl-3-[4-[1-ethyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, and (23) 3-[4-[2-chloro-1-methyl-4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-3-pyrrolyl]benzyl]-5,7-dimethyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine, or their sodium salt or hydrochloride. Modification of the process claimed in claim 1 which is characterised by bringing a compound of formula I, or a non-toxic salt thereof, produced by a process claimed in claim 1, into pharmaceutically acceptable form by admixture or presentation of said compound with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.

Inventors: INOUE TAKAYUKI, KAYAKIRI HIROSHI, KURODA AKIO, OKU TERUO, SAITOH YUKI, SATOH SHIGEKI, SETOI HIROYUKI, TANAKA HIROKAZU, INOUE, TAKAYUKI, KAYAKIRI, HIROSHI, KURODA, AKIO, OKU, TERUO, SAITOH, YUKI, SATOH, SHIGEKI, SETOI, HIROYUKI, TANAKA, HIROKAZU
Applicants: FUJISAWA PHARMACEUTICAL CO, FUJISAWA PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: C07D401
IPC codes: C07D487, A61P9, C07D473, C07D403, C07D417, C07D495, A61K31, C07D413, C07D471, A61P43