Pyridine derivatives, their production and use

Abstract: There is disclosed the use of a pyridine derivative of the formula (I): wherein R is an optionally substituted pyridine ring, X is a oxygen atom or -S(O) n -, wherein n is 0, 1 or 2, A is a bivalent C₁₋₁₅ hydrocarbon residue whose branched moiety may have a substituent, Y is an oxygen or sulfur atom, R₃ is a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted hydrocarbon residue, R₄ is an optionally substituted hydrocarbon residue or an optionally substituted monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclic group, R₃ and R₄ may be joined together with the carbamoyl group or the thiocarbamoyl group to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic group, or R₃ or R₄ may be independently attached to A to form a ring, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, in the production of a pharmaceutical composition for providing antiinflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, antiallergic, immunosuppressing, immunomoduating or adhesive protein expression inhibitory activity.

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to pyridine derivatives which are useful as a medicament, their production and use. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Treatment of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and the like has been carried out by symptomatic therapy in which inflammation is relieved by a non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID). The NSAID's are classified into acidic antiinflammatory drugs and basic antiinflammatory drugs. On the other hand, recently, more attention has been paid to causal therapy in which immunopathy is improved by immunomodulatory activity. Examples of drugs used for causal therapy include D-penicillamine, levamisole and lobenzarit. Most of these NSAID's are acidic antiinflammatory drugs represented by aspirin and indomethacin. They have disadvantage of causing serious side effects such as a stomach ulcer and having difficulty in using them continuously for a long period for time. Further, although basic antiinflammatory drugs have strong analgesic activity they have weak antiinflammatory action and therefore they are unsuitable for chronic diseases. Furthermore, immunomodulators are insufficient in their pharmacological effects, side effects, toxicity and the like. Thus, it is desired to develop better drugs which are suitable for both symptomatic and causal therapy. Recently, adhesion protein [e.g., intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)] inhibitors which inhibit infiltration of inflammatory cells or block attachment of immunocytes which participate in antigen or cell recognition have been noted [Masayuki Miyasaka, Jikken-Igaku, 9 , 289 (1991); D.L. Thiele and P.E. Lipsky, Immunology Today, 10 , 375 (1989)]. There are possibilities that these drugs inhibit or mitigate inflammatory by a mechanism different from conventional one. Therefore, such drugs are expected to be antiinflammatory drugs, antiallergic drugs or immunosuppressants of new generation. Further EP-A-0 177 907 discloses compounds of the formula wherein R is hydrogen or C 1-4 alkyl, Z is a phenyl group optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms and/or a C 1-4 alkyl group, R 1 and R 2 independently are hydrogen, C 1-4 alkyl, and C 7-11 alkylphenyl group, or (wherein R is as defined herein before), whereby the substituent is affixed at the 3- or 4-position of the pyridine ring; provided that R in not hydrogen if R 1 and R 2 are methyl and Z is 4-chlorophenyl, which compounds are showing gastrocyto-protective activity; US-A-3,950,542 mentions N-[2-(2-pyridinylthio)ethyl]propanamide for the treatment of seborrhea; and EP-A-0103503 mentions amides of the formula wherein X represents nitrogen or CH; Am represents an amino group substituted with lower alkyl, lower alkyl carrying a hydroxyl-, phenyl- or C 3-6 cycloalkyl-substituent, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, phenyl and C 3-6 cycloalkyl; an amino group substituted with two same or different lower alkenyl or lower alkynyl; an amino group substituted with same or different (hydroxy)- lower alkyl or (lower alkoxy)- lower alkyl; a di-lower alkylamino group; a di-lower alkylamino group substituted with phenyl, C 3-6 cycloalkyl, methoxy or hydroxy; a pyrrolidino group; a morpholino group; a thiomorpholino group; a hexamethyleneimino group; a piperidino group; a piperidino group substituted with methyl, hydroxy or hydroxymethyl, or with two methyl groups; a piperazino group substituted at position 4 with lower alkyl or (hydroxy)- lower alkyl; or a piperazino group substituted at position 4 with lower alkyl or (hydroxy)- lower alkyl and also carrying a methyl group at positions 3 and/or 5; A is CO or SO 2 ; and B is a C 1-6 alkyl, phenyl, pyridyl or pyridyl-1-oxide or a pharmaceutical acceptable salt thereof, which compounds are showing H 2 -receptor blocking activity. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The main object of the present invention is to provide novel drugs which have immunomodulatory activity or adhesion protein expression inhibitory activity as well as improved antiinflammatory activity, antipyretic activity and analgesic activity. Compounds having a structure similar to that of the compounds in the present invention have been disclosed as starting materials for synthesis of cephems in EP-A-256542, JP-A 61-194794 and JP-A 62-148377. Further, N-[2-(4-pyridylthio)-ethyl]acetamide and N-[2-(4-pyridylsulfonyl)-ethyl]acetamide has been disclosed in Tr. Leninger. Khim.-Farmatseut. Inst., 1962 (16), 17-20 [Chem. Abstr. 61, 638g]. However, there is no disclosure of biological activities of these compounds. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present inventors have synthesized and studied various pyridine derivatives having substituents. As a result, it has been found that a specific class of pyridine derivatives has excellent anti inflammatory activity, antipyretic activity, analgesic activity, immunomodulatory activity, antiallergic activity and adhesion protein expression inhibitory activity. That is, according to the present invention, there are provided: 1) Use of a pyridine derivative of the formula (I): wherein R is an optionally substituted pyridine ring, X is a oxygen atom or -S(O) n -, wherein n is 0, 1 or 2, A is a bivalent C 1-15 hydrocarbon residue whose branched moiety may have a substituent, Y is an oxygen or sulfur atom, R 3 and R 4 are joined together with the carbamoyl group or the thiocarbamoyl group to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic group, or one of R 3 and R 4 is attached to A to form a ring (whereby the unattached R 3 is a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted hydrocarbon residue, and the unattached R 4 is an optionally substituted hydrocarbon residue or an optionally substituted monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclic group), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, in the production of a pharmaceutical composition for providing antiinflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, antiallergic, immunosuppressing, immunomodulating or adhesive protein expression inhibitory activity; 2) a pyridine derivative of the formula (III): wherein R 1 and R 2 are the same or different and are a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 2-6 alkenyl group, a C 1-6 alkoxy group, hydroxy group, nitro group, cyano group, amino group, carbamoyl group, an acylamino group, a C 1-6 alkylamino group, a C 2-6 alkenylamino group or an aralkylamino group, X is an oxygen atom or -S(O) n -, wherein n is 0, 1 or 2; A is a bivalent C 1-15 hydrocarbon residue whose branched moiety may have a substituent, Y is an oxygen or sulfur atom, R 5 and R 6 are the same or different and are a hydrogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 2-6 alkenyl group, a halogeno C 1-6 alkyl group, a halogeno C 2-6 alkenyl group, an optionally substituted aralkyl group or an optionally substituted aryl group, or R 5 and R 6 are joined to form a group of the formula: wherein R 7 and R 8 are the same or different and are a hydrogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 2-6 alkenyl group, a halogeno C 1-6 alkyl group, a halogeno C 2-6 alkenyl group, an optionally substituted aralkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group or an optionally substituted monocyclic or a bicyclic heterocyclic group, or R 7 and R 8 are linked together to form a ring, B 1 is -(CH 2 ) p -, wherein p is an integer of 1 to 4, or a group of the formula: -CH 2 S-, -CH 2 CH 2 S-, -SO 2 CH 2 -, wherein R 9 is a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted C 1-6 alkyl, C 2-6 alkenyl or aralkyl group, or a salt or solvate thereof; 3) a pyridine derivative of the formula (IV): wherein R 1 and R 2 are the same or different and are a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 2-6 alkenyl group, a C 1-6 alkoxy group, hydroxy group, nitro group, cyano group, amino group, carbamoyl group, an acylamino group, a C 1-6 alkylamino group, a C 2-6 alkenylamino group or an aralkylamino group, X is an oxygen atom or -S(O) n -, wherein n is 0, 1 or 2, A is a bivalent C 1-15 hydrocarbon residue whose branched moiety may have a substituent, Y is an oxygen or sulfur atom, a group of the formula: is an optionally substituted benzene ring, B 2 is -(CH 2 ) p -, wherein p is an integer of 1 to 4, or a group of the formula: -SO 2 -, wherein R 9 is a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted C 1-6 alkyl, C 2-6 alkenyl or aralkyl group, or a group of the formula: -CH 2 CH 2 O-, -CH 2 S-, -CH 2 CH 2 S- or wherein R 12 and R 13 are the same or different and are a hydrogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 2-6 alkenyl group, a halogeno C 1-6 alkyl group, a halogeno C 2-6 alkenyl group, an optionally substituted aralkyl group or an aryl group, or R 12 and R 13 may be linked together to form a ring, or a salt or solvate thereof; 4) a pyridine derivative of the formula (V): wherein R 1 and R 2 are the same or different and are a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 2-6 alkenyl group, a C 1-6 alkoxy group, hydroxy group, nitro group, cyano group, amino group, carbamoyl group, an acylamino group, a C 1-6 alkylamino group, a C 2-6 alkenylamino group or an aralkylamino group, X is an oxygen atom or -S(O) n -, wherein n is 0, 1 or 2, a group of the formula: is an optionally substituted benzene ring, or a salt or solvate thereof; 5) processes for preparing the compounds of 2), 3) and 4) above; and 6) pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compound of the formula (I) as defined in 1) above. DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION In the formulas (I) and (III) to (V), the optionally substituted pyridine ring represented by R may be substituted by the same or different 1 to 4, preferably 1 to 2 substituents such as a halogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 2-6 alkenyl group, a C 1-6 alkoxy group, hydroxy group, nitro group, cyano group, amino group, carbamoyl group, an acylamino group, a C 1-6 alkylamino group, a C 2-6 alkenylamino group or an aralkylamino group. Examples of the bivalent C 1-15 hydrocarbon residue represented by A in the above formula include a group of the formula: wherein l and m each is 0 or an integer of 1 to 6, R 14 and R 15 are a hydrogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 2-6 alkenyl group, an optionally substituted aralkyl group or an optionally substituted aryl group, and R 14 and R 15 may be linked together with the adjacent carbon atom to form a 3 to 6 membered ring, and R 14 or R 15 may be linked to R 3 or R 4 to form a ring, or a group of the formula: -(CH 2 ) ℓ -CH=CH-(CH 2 ) m - wherein ℓ and m are as defined above. Examples of the optionally substituted hydrocarbon residue of R 3 and R 4 include (1) a C 2-30 alkyl group, (2) a C 2-30 alkenyl group, (3) a C 1-6 alkyl group substituted with a halogen atom, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group, (4) a C 2-6 alkenyl group substituted with a halogen atom, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group, (5) an optionally substituted aralkyl group and (6) an optionally substituted aryl group. The monocyclic heterocyclic group represented by R 4 , R 7 and R 8 is a 5 to 6 membered monocyclic aromatic heterocyclic group or a saturated or unsaturated monocyclic non-aromatic heterocyclic group having 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen as its ring constituent atoms. Preferred examples thereof include thienyl (e.g., 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl), furyl (e.g., 2-furyl, 3-furyl), pyranyl, 2H-pyrrolyl, pyrrolyl (e.g., 2-pyrrolyl, 3-pyrrolyl), imidazolyl (e.g., 2-imidazolyl, 4-imidazolyl), pyrazolyl (e.g., 3-pyrazolyl, 4-pyrazolyl), isothiazolyl (e.g., 3-isothiazolyl, 4-isothiazolyl), isoxazolyl (e.g., 3-isoxazolyl, 4-isoxazolyl), pyridyl (e.g., 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl), pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl (e.g., 2-pyrimidinyl, 4-pyrimidinyl) and pyridazinyl (e.g., 3-pyridazinyl, 4-pyridazinyl). The above monocyclic heterocyclic group may be partially saturated. Examples of the partially saturated monocyclic heterocyclic group include pyrrolidinyl (e.g., 2-pyrrolidinyl, 3-pyrrolidinyl), pyrrolinyl (e.g., 2-pyrrolin-3-yl), imidazolinyl (2-imidazolin-4-yl), piperidyl (e.g., 2-piperidyl, 3-piperidyl), piperazinyl (e.g., 2-piperazinyl) and morpholinyl (e.g., 3-morpholinyl). The above monocyclic heterocyclic group represented by R 4 , R 7 and R 8 may have 1 to 4 substituents such as a halogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 2-6 alkenyl group, a C 1-6 alkoxy group, nitro group, cyano group, hydroxy group, a C 1-6 alkoxycarbonyl group, carboxyl group, carbamoyl group, a C 1-6 alkylcarbamoyl group or a C 2-6 alkenylcarbamoyl group. The bicyclic heterocyclic group represented by R 4 , R 7 and R 8 is a condensed ring formed by a 5 to 6 membered aromatic heterocyclic group or a saturated or unsaturated non-aromatic heterocyclic group having 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen as ring constituent atoms. Preferred examples thereof include isobenzofuranyl (e.g., 1-benzofuranyl), chromenyl (e.g., 2H-chromen-3-yl), benzothienyl (e.g., 2-benzothienyl), indolizinyl (e.g., 2-indolizinyl, 3-indolizinyl), isoindolyl (e.g., 1-isoindolyl), 3H-indolyl (e.g., 3H-indol-2-yl), indolyl (e.g., 2-indolyl), 1H-indazolyl (e.g., 1H-indazol-3-yl), purinyl (e.g., 8-purinyl), isoquinolyl (e.g., 1-isoquinolyl, 3-isoquinolyl), quinolyl (2-quinolyl, 3-quinolyl), phthalazinyl (e.g., 1-phthalazinyl), naphthylidinyl (e.g., 1,8-naphthylidin-2-yl), quinoxalinyl (e.g., 2-quinoxalinyl), quinazolinyl (e.g., 2-quinazolinyl) and cinnolinyl (e.g., 3-cinnolinyl). The above bicyclic heterocyclic group may be partially saturated. Examples of the partially saturated bicyclic heterocyclic group include isochromanyl (e.g., 3-isochromanyl), indolinyl (e.g., 2-indolinyl), isoindolinyl (e.g., 1-isoindolinyl), 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-quinolyl and 1,2,3,4-terahydro-3-isoquinolyl. The above bicyclic heterocyclic group represented by R 4 , R 7 and R 8 may have 1 to 4 substituents which are the same as those of the above monocyclic heterocyclic group represented by R 4 , R 7 and R 8 . Examples of the heterocyclic group formed by R 3 and R 4 together with the carbamoyl group or the thiocarbamoyl group to which they are attached include a group of the formula (VI): wherein Y is an oxygen or sulfur atom; R 5 and R 6 are the same or different and are a hydrogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 2-6 alkenyl group, a halogeno C 1-6 alkyl group, a halogeno C 2-6 alkenyl group, an optionally substituted aralkyl group or an optionally substituted aryl group, or R 5 and R 6 are joined to form a group of the formula: R 7 and R 8 are the same or different and are a hydrogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 2-6 alkenyl group, a halogeno C 1-6 alkyl group, a halogeno C 2-6 alkenyl group, an optionally substituted aralkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group or an optionally substituted monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclic group, or R 7 and R 8 are linked together to form a ring, B 1 is -(CH 2 ) p -, wherein p is an integer of 1 to 4, or a group of the formula: -CH 2 S-, -CH 2 CH 2 S-, -SO 2 CH 2 -, wherein R 9 is a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted C 1-6 alkyl, C 2-6 alkenyl or aralkyl group; or the heterocyclic group formed by R 3 and R 4 is a group of the formula: wherein Y is a oxygen or sulfur atom, a group of the formula is an optionally substituted benzene ring, B 2 is -(CH 2 ) p -, wherein p is an integer of 1 to 4, or a group of the formula: -SO 2 -, wherein R 9 is a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted C 1-6 alkyl, C 2-6 alkenyl or aralkyl group, or B 2 is a group of the formula: -CH 2 CH 2 O-, -CH 2 S-, -CH 2 CH 2 S- or wherein R 12 and R 13 are the same or different and are a hydrogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 2-6 alkenyl group, a halogeno C 1-6 alkyl group, a halogeno C 2-6 alkenyl group, an optionally substituted aralkyl or aryl group, or R 12 and R 13 may be linked together to form a ring. Examples of the substituent of the optionally substituted benzene ring of the formula: include a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 2-6 alkenyl group, a halogeno C 1-6 alkyl group, a halogeno C 2-6 alkenyl group, an optionally substituted aralkyl group or an aryl group, a halogen atom, nitro group, cyano group, a C 1-6 alkoxy group, amino group, a C 1-6 alkylamino group, a C 2-6 alkenylamino group, an acylamino group, acyl group and carbamoyl group. The benzene ring may be substituted with 1 to 4, preferably 1 to 2 substituents which are the same or different. When R 3 and R 4 are independently attached to A to form a ring, A is a group of the formula: wherein ℓ , m, R 14 and R 15 are as defined above. Examples of a 3 to 6 membered ring formed by linkage between R 14 and R 15 included cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl. Examples of the ring formed by linkage between R 14 or R 15 and R 3 include groups of the formulas: wherein q and r are 2 or 3, respectively and R 4 and Y are as defined above. Examples of the ring formed by linkage between R 14 or R 15 and R 4 include groups of the formulas: wherein s and t are 1 or 2, respectively and R 3 and Y are as defined above. Examples of the ring formed by linkage between R 7 and R 8 or between R 12 and R 13 include a monocyclic hydrocarbon residue having 3 to 6 carbon atoms such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cycloheptyl and cyclohexyl. Examples of the "halogen atom" in each group of the above formulas include fluoro, bromo, chloro and iodo. Examples of the "C 1-6 alkyl group" in the each group of the above formulas include straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl and hexyl. Examples of the "C 2-6 alkenyl group" in each group of the above formulas include alkenyl groups having 2 to 6 carbon atoms such as vinyl, allyl, 2-butenyl and 3-butenyl. Examples of the substituent of the optionally substituted C 1-6 alkyl and C 2-6 alkenyl groups represented by R 9 include a halogen atom, a C 1-6 alkoxy group, hydroxy group, a C 1-6 alkoxycarbonyl group, carboxyl group, carbamoyl group, a C 1-6 alkylcarbamoyl group and pyridylthio group. Examples of the "C 1-6 alkoxy group" in each group of the above formulas include straight-chain or branched-chain alkoxy groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy and pentoxy. Examples of the "acylamino group" in each group of the above formulas include alkanoylamino groups and benzamide groups having 2 to 6 carbon atoms such as acetamide, propanoylamino, butyrylamino and pivaloylamino. Examples of the "C 1-6 alkylamino group" in each group of the above formulas include alkylamino groups whose alkyl moiety has 1 to 6 carbon atoms (e.g., methylamino, ethylamino, propylamino, butylamino), N,N-dialkylamino groups whose alkyl moieties have 1 to 6 carbon atoms, respectively (e.g., dimethylamino, diethylamino, dibutylamino, methylethylamino) and groups wherein the alkyl moieties of the dialkyl moiety are joined to form a 5 or 6 membered ring structure (e.g., pyrrolidinyl, piperidino). Examples of the "C 2-6 alkenylamino group" in each group of the above formulas include alkenylamino and N,N-dialkenylamino groups containing the "C 2-6 alkenyl groups" as exemplified above. Examples of the "aralkylamino group" in each group in the above formulas include phenyl C 1-6 alkylamino groups whose alkyl moiety has 1 to 6 carbon atoms (e.g., benzylamino, phenethylamino, 3-phenylpropylamino, 4-phenylbutylamino), naphthyl C 1-6 alkylamino groups whose alkyl moiety has 1 to 6 carbon atoms [e.g., (1-naphthyl)methylamino, 2-(1-naphthyl)ethylamino, 2-(2-naphthyl)ethylamino], N,N-bis(phenyl C 1-6 alkyl)amino groups whose each alkyl moiety has 1 to 6 carbon atoms [e.g., dibenzylamino, diphenethylamino, bis(3-phenylpropyl)amino] and N,N-bis (naphthyl C 1-6 alkyl)amino groups whose each alkyl moiety has 1 to 6 carbon atoms [e.g., bis[(1-naphthyl)methyl]amino, bis[(1-naphthyl)ethyl]amino]. The phenyl moiety of the phenyl C 1-6 alkylamino group and the N,N-bis(phenyl C 1-6 alkyl)amino group as well as the naphthyl moiety of the naphthyl C 1-6 alkylamino group and the N,N-bis(naphthyl C 1-6 alkyl)amino group may have 1 to 4 substituents such as a halogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 2-6 alkenyl group, a C 1-6 alkoxy group, nitro group, cyano group, hydroxy group, a C 1-6 alkoxycarbonyl group, carbamoyl group, a C 1-6 alkylcarbamoyl group and a C 2-6 alkenylcarbamoyl group. Examples of the "halogen atom", the "C 1-6 alkyl group", the "C 2-6 alkenyl group" and the "C 1-6 alkoxy group" include the same groups as the "halogen atom", the "C 1-6 alkyl group", the "C 2-6 alkenyl group" and the "C 1-6 alkoxy group" in the groups of the above formulas, respectively. Examples of the "C 2-6 alkenylcarbamoyl" group include N-alkenylcarbamoyl groups and N,N-dialkenylcarbamoyl groups containing the "C 2-6 alkenyl group" as exemplified above. Examples of the C 1-6 alkoxycarbonyl group include alkoxycarbonyl groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms such as methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl and butoxycarbonyl . Examples of the C 1-6 alkylcarbamoyl group include N-alkylcarbamoyl groups whose alkyl moiety has 1 to 6 carbon atoms (e.g., methylcarbamoyl, ethylcarbamoyl, propylcarbamoyl, butylcarbamoyl) and N,N-dialkylcarbamoyl groups whose each alkyl moiety has 1 to 6 carbon atoms (e.g, dimethylcarbamoyl, diethylcarbamoyl, dibutylcarbamoyl, methylethylcarbamoyl). Examples of the "C 2-6 alkenylcarbamoyl" group include N-alkenylcarbamoyl groups and N,N-dialkenylcarbamoyl groups containing the "C 2-6 alkenyl group" as exemplified above. Examples of the "optionally substituted aralkyl group" in each group of the above formulas include phenyl C 1-6 alkyl groups whose alkyl moiety has 1 to 6 carbon atoms (e.g., benzyl, phenethyl, 3-phenylpropyl, 4-phenylbutyl) and naphtyl C 1-6 alkyl whose each alkyl moiety has 1 to 6 carbon atoms [e.g., (1-naphthyl)methyl, 2-(1-naphthyl)ethyl, 2-(2-naphthyl)ethyl]. The phenyl moiety of the phenyl C 1-6 alkyl group and the naphthyl moiety of the naphthyl C 1-6 alkyl group may have 1 to 4 substituents such as a halogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 2-6 alkenyl, a C 1-6 alkoxy group, nitro group, cyano group, hydroxy group, a C 1-6 alkoxycarbonyl group, carbamoyl group, a C 1-6 alkylcarbamoyl group and a C 2-6 alkenylcarbamoyl group . Examples of the halogen atom include fluoro, bromo, chloro and iodo. Examples of the C 1-6 alkyl group and the C 2-6 alkenyl groups include the same "C 1-6 alkyl group" and "C 2-6 alkenyl group" as exemplified above. Examples of the C 1-6 alkoxy group include straight-chain or branched-chain alkoxy groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy and pentoxy. Examples of the C 1-6 alkoxycarbonyl group include alkoxycarbonyl groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms such as methoxy carbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl and butoxycarbonyl. Examples of the C 1-6 alkylcarbamoyl group include N-alkylcarbamoyl groups whose alkyl moiety has 1 to 6 carbon atoms (e.g., methylcarbamoyl, ethylcarbamoyl, propylcarbamoyl, butylcarbamoyl) and N,N-dialkylcarbamoyl groups whose each alkyl moiety has 1 to 6 carbon atoms (e.g., dimethylcarbamoyl, diethylcarbamoyl, dibutylcarbamoyl, methylethylcarbamoyl). Examples of the "optionally substituted aryl group" in each group of the above formulas include aromatic monocyclic or bicyclic hydrocarbon residues such as phenyl, 1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl and phenanthryl. The aryl group may have 1 to 4, preferably 1 or 2 substituents such as a halogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 2-6 alkenyl group, a C 1-6 alkoxy group, nitro group, cyano group, oxo group, hydroxy group, amino group, an acylamino group, a C 1-6 alkoxycarbonyl group, carbamoyl group, a C 1-6 alkylcarbamoyl group and a C 2-6 alkenylcarbamoyl group. Examples of the halogen atom include fluoro, bromo, chloro and iodo. Examples of the C 1-6 alkyl group include alkyl groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and examples of the C 2-6 alkenyl group include alkenyl groups having 2 to 6 carbon atoms. As concrete examples of the alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and the C 2-6 alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, there are such alkyl groups and alkenyl groups as exemplified above for the "C 1-6 alkyl group" and the "C 2-6 alkenyl group". Examples of the C 1-6 alkoxy group include alkoxy groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Examples of the C 1-6 alkoxycarbonyl group include alkoxycarbonyl groups whose alkoxy moiety has 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Examples of the C 1-6 alkylcarbamoyl group include N-alkylcarbamoyl groups whose alkyl moiety has 1 to 6 carbon atoms and N,N-dialkylcarbamoyl groups whose each alkyl moiety has 1 to 6 carbon atoms. As concrete examples of these groups, there are such groups as exemplified above for the C 1-6 alkoxy group, C 1-6 alkoxycarbonyl group and C 1-6 alkylcarbamoyl as the substituent of the phenyl moiety in the above aralkyl group. Examples of the "C 2-6 alkenylcarbamoyl group" include N-alkenylcarbamoyl groups and N,N-dialkenylcarbamoyl groups containing the "C 2-6 alkenyl group" as exemplified above. Examples of the aryl group having an oxo group include benzoquinonyl, naphthoquinolyl and anthraquinonyl. Examples of the "C 2-30 alkyl group" in the above each group include straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl groups having 2 to 30, preferably 2 to 10 carbon atoms (e.g., ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, icosanyl, henicosanyl, docosanyl, tricosanyl, tetracosanyl, pentacosanyl, hexacosanyl, heptacosanyl, octacosanyl, nonacosanyl, triacontanyl, farnesyl, dihydrophytyl), cycloalkyl groups having 3 to 8 carbon atoms (e.g., cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl), bicycloalkyl groups having 7 to 12 carbon atoms (e.g., norbornyl, bicyclo[2.2.2]octyl, bicyclo[3.3.1]nonyl, bicyclo[3.3.0]octyl), tricycloalkyl groups having 7 to 12 carbon atoms (e.g., adamantyl), bicyclic hydrocarbon residues in which a condensed ring is formed by 5 to 8 membered rings (e.g., perhydropentalenyl, perhydroindenyl, perhydroazulenyl, perhydrocyclopenta-cyclooctenyl, perhydronaphthyl, perhydrobenzocycloheptenyl, perhydrobenzocyclooctenyl, perhydroheptalenyl, perhydrocycloheptacyclooctenyl) and tricyclic hydrocarbon residues in which a condensed ring is formed by 5 to 8 membered rings [e.g., perhydroindacenyl (as,s), perhydro-acenaphthylenyl, perhydrophenanthryl, perhydroanthryl]. Examples of the C 2-30 alkenyl group in the above each group include alkenyl groups having 2 to 30 carbon atoms (e.g., vinyl, allyl, 9-octadecenyl), cycloalkenyl groups having 5 to 8 carbon atoms (e.g., cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl), bicycloalkenyl groups having 7 to 12 carbon atoms [e.g., bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-enyl], tricycloalkenyl groups having 7 to 12 carbon atoms, bicyclic hydrocarbon residues in which a condensed ring is formed by a benzene ring and 5 to 8 membered ring [e.g., indanyl (e.g., 1-indanyl, 2-indanyl), indenyl (e.g., 1H-inden-1-yl, 1H-inden-2-yl, 1H-inden-3-yl), dihydronaphthyl (e.g., 1,2-dihydro-1-naphthyl, 1,2-dihydro-2-naphthyl), tetrahydronaphthyl (e.g., 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1-naphthyl, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthyl), 5H-benzocycloheptenyl (e.g., 5H-5-benzocycloheptenyl, 5H-8-benzocycloheptenyl), dihydro-5H-benzocycloheptenyl (e.g., 6,7-dihydro-5H-8-benzocycloheptenyl) and tetrahydrobenzocyclooctenyl (e.g., 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-9-benzocyclooctenyl] and tricyclic hydrocarbon residues in which a condensed ring is formed by two benzene rings and a 5 to 8 membered ring [e.g., acenaphthenyl (e.g., 1-acenaphthenyl) and tetrahydroanthryl (e.g., 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-anthryl]. As the "C 1-6 alkyl group substituted with a halogen atom, an aryl or a heterocyclic group", there are C 1-6 alkyl groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms substituted with 1 to 3 halogen atoms, aryl groups and heterocyclic groups as exemplified above. As the "C 2-6 alkenyl group substituted with a halogen atom, an aryl or a heterocyclic group", there are C 2-6 alkenyl groups having 2 to 6 carbon atoms substituted with 1 to 3 halogen atoms, aryl groups and heterocyclic groups as exemplified above. The compound (I) forms a salt such as an acid addition salt as well as a solvate. Examples of the acid to be used to form the acid addition salt of the compound (I) include inorganic acids (e.g., hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid) and organic acids (e.g, acetic acid, oxalic acid, methanesulfonic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid). Examples of the solvent to be used to form the solvate include methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, acetone, tetrahydrofuran and dioxane. The compound of the formula (I) can have an asymmetric carbon atom. When two kinds of stereoisomers of R-configuration and S-configuration exist, each isomer and the mixture thereof are included in the scope of the present invention. In the compounds of the formula (III), preferably, R 1 and R 2 are the same or different and are a hydrogen atom, amino group or an acyl amino group. More preferably, R 1 and R 2 are each hydrogen atom. X is preferably an oxygen or sulfur atom. A is preferably a bivalent C 1-6 hydrocarbon residue, more preferably, methylene, ethylene, propylene or butylene. Y is preferably an oxygen atom. R 5 and R 6 are the same or different and are a hydrogen atom or a C 1-6 alkyl group, or R 5 and R 6 are joined to form the group of the formula: wherein R 7 and R 8 are the same and different and preferably are a hydrogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aralkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl or an optionally substituted monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclic group. B 1 is preferably -C(=O)-O-, -C(=O)-S-, -C(=O)-CH 2 or -C(=O)-NR 9 -, more preferably, -C(=O)-S- or -C(=O)-NR 9 -, wherein R 9 is as defined above. In the compounds of the formula (IV), preferably, R 1 and R 2 are the same or different and are a hydrogen atom, amino group or an acylamino group. More preferably, R 1 and R 2 are each hydrogen atom. X is preferably an oxygen or sulfur atom. A is preferably a bivalent C 1-6 hydrocarbon residue, more preferably, methylene, ethylene, propylene or butylene. Y is preferably an oxygen atom. B 2 is preferably -(CH 2 ) p -, -(HO-)CH-, -C(=O)-O-, -C(=S)-O-, -SO 2 -, -C(=O)-NR 9 - or -C(=S)-NR 9 -, more preferably -CH 2 -, -C(=O)-O-, -C(=S)-O-, -SO 2 -, -C(=O)-NR 9 - or -C(=S)-NR 9 -, wherein R 9 is as defined above. R 9 is preferably a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted C 1-6 alkyl group. The substituent of the optionally substituted C 1-6 alkyl group is preferably pyridylthio group. In the compounds of the formula (V), preferably, R 1 and R 2 are the same or different and are a hydrogen atom, amino group or an acylamino group. More preferably, R 1 and R 2 are each hydrogen. X is an oxygen or sulfur atom. The specific examples of the pyridine derivative of the present invention are as follows: 4-[4-(5-Benzylidene-2,4-thiazolidinedione)butylthio]pyridine, 4-[4-[5-(4-Chlorobenzylidene)-2,4-thiazolidinedione]butylthio]pyridine, 4-[4-[5-(2-Thienylmethylene)-2,4-thiazolidinedione]butylthio]pyridine, 4-[4-(5-Propylmethylene-2,4-thiazolidinedione)butylthio]pyridine, 4-(5,5-Dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione)methylthiopyridine, 4-[4-[5-(4-Pyridyl)methylene-2,4-thiazolidinedione]butylthio]pyridine, 4-[4-[5-(3-Pyridyl)methylene-2,4-thiazolidinedione]butylthio]pyridine, 4-[4-(5-Nonylmethylene-2,4-thiazolidinedione)butylthio]pyridine hydrochloride, 3-[3-(4-Pyridylthio)propyl]-2H-1,3-benzoxazine-2-thion-4(3H)-one, 3-[4-(4-Pyridylthio)butyl]quinazoline-2,4-(1H,3H)-dione, 1,3-bis[4-(4-Pyridylthio)butyl]quinazoline-2,4-(1H,3H)-dione, 3-[4-(4-Pyridylthio)butyl]-2H-1,3-benzoxazine-2-thion-4(3H)-one, 4-Saccharinmethylthiopyridine, 4-Saccharinmethylthiopyridine hydrochloride, 1,3-bis[4-(2-Pyridylthio)butyl]quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione, 1-(4-Pyridylthio)methyl-3-[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione dihydrochloride, 1,3-bis[4-(4-Pyridylthio)butyl]quinazoline-2(1H)-thion-4(3H)-one dihydrochloride, 4-(Phthalimidomethylthio)pyridine, and 4-(Phthalimidomethyloxy)pyridine. The pyridine derivative of the present invention can be synthesized, for example, according to the following processes. (A) When X is O or S in the formula (I), a compound of the formula (VIII): R-E wherein E is halogen such as chloro, bromo or iodo, and R is as defined above, is reacted with a compound of the formula (IX) wherein X 1 is O or S, and the other groups are as defined above. (B) When X is O or S in the formula (I), a compound of the formula (X): R-X 1 -H wherein each symbol is as defined above, is reacted with a compound of the formula (XI): wherein E 1 is halogen such as chloro, bromo, iodo or a leaving group such as methanesulfonyloxy, p-toluenesulfonyloxy, and the other symbols are as defined above. (C) A compound of the formula (XII): R-X-A-E 1 wherein each symbol is as defined above, is reacted with a compound of the formula (XIII): wherein each symbol is as defined above. (D) When Y is O in the formula (I), a compound of the formula (XIV): R-X-A-NHR 3 wherein each symbol is as defined above, is reacted with a compound of the formula (XV): wherein E 2 is halogen such as chloro, bromo, O-C(=O)-R 4 or OH, and the other symbol is as defined above. (E) When Y is O and R 3 is an alkyl group or aralkyl group in the formula (I), a compound of the formula (XVI): wherein each symbol is as defined above, is reacted with the compound of the formula (XVII): R 3 '-E 1 wherein R 3 ' is an alkyl group or aralkyl group, and the other group is as defined above. (F) When X is S and A is CH 2 in the formula (I), a compound of the formula (XVIII): R-SH wherein each symbol is as defined above, is reacted with the compound of the formula (XIX): R 4 CONHCH 2 OH wherein each symbol is as defined above. (G) When, in the formula (I), R 3 is H, Y is O, R 4 is a group of the formula: wherein R 16 and R 17 are the same or different and are a hydrogen atom or a C 1-6 alkyl group, or may be joined to form a ring, and the group of the formula: the compound of the formula (I) wherein the group of the formula: is phthalimido group, is reacted with a compound of the formula: (H) When, in the formula (I), X is S(O), S(O) 2 , the compound of the formula (I) wherein X is S is reacted with an oxidizing agent. (I) When, in the formula (I), R 3 and R 4 are joined together with the carbamoyl group or the thiocarbamoyl group to which they are attached to form the group of the formula (VI), the compound of the formula (VIII) is reacted with a compound of the formula (XX): wherein each symbol is as defined above. (J) When, in the formula (I), R 3 and R 4 are joined together with the carbamoyl group or the thiocarbamoyl group to which they are attached to form the group of the formula (VI), the compound of the formula (X) is reacted with a compound of the formula (XXI): wherein each symbol is as defined above. (K) When, in the formula (I), R 3 and R 4 are joined together with the carbamoyl group or the thiocarbamoyl group to which they are attached to form the group of the formula (VI), the compound of the formula (XII) is reacted with a compound of the formula (XXII): wherein each symbol is as defined above. (L) When, in the formula (I), R 3 and R 4 are joined together with the carbamoyl group or the thiocarbamoyl group to which they are attached to form the group of the formula (VI) and R 5 and R 6 are joined to form the group of the formula: a compound of the formula (XXIII): wherein each symbol is as defined above, is reacted with a compound of the formula: wherein each symbol is as defined above. (M) When, in the formula (I), R 3 and R 4 are joined together with the carbamoyl group or the thiocarbamoyl group to which they are attached to form the group of the formula (VI) and B 1 is -(CH 2 ) p -, a compound of the formula (XXIV): wherein each group is as defined above, is subjected to cyclodehydration. (N) When, in the formula (I), R 3 and R 4 are joined together with the carbamoyl group or the thiocarbamoyl group to which they are attached to form the group of the formula (VI) and B 1 is represented by the formula: a compound of the formula (XXV): wherein B 3 is O, S or -N(R 9 )-, and the other groups are as defined above, is reacted with the compound of the formula (XXVI): wherein E 3 is an imidazolyl group, chloro or phenoxy group and the other group is as defined above. (O) When, in the formula (I), R 3 and R 4 are joined together with the carbamoyl group or thiocarbamoyl group to which they are attached to form the group of the formula (VI) and Y is O and B 1 is -CH(OH)-CH 2 -, a compound of the formula (XXVII): wherein each symbol is as defined above, is reduced with a reducing agent, e.g., sodium borohydride. (P) When, in the formula (I), R 3 and R 4 are joined together with the carbamoyl group or thiocarbamoyl group to which they are attached to form the group of the formula (VI) and X is S(O) or S(O) 2 , the compound (I) whose X is S is reacted with an oxidizing agent. (Q) When, in the formula (I), R 3 and R 4 are joined together with the carbamoyl group or the thiocarbamoyl group to which they are attached to form the group of the formula (VII), the compound of the formula (VIII) is reacted with a compound of the formula (XXVIII): wherein each symbol is as defined above. (R) When, in the formula (I), R 3 and R 4 are joined together with the carbamoyl group or the thiocarbamoyl group to which they are attached to form the group of the formula (VII), the compound of the formula (X) is reacted with a compound of the formula (XXIX): wherein each symbol is as defined above. (S) When, in the formula (I), R 3 and R 4 are joined together with the carbamoyl group or the thiocarbamoyl group to which they are attached to form the group of the formula (VII), the compound of the formula (XII) is reacted with a compound of the formula (XXX): wherein each symbol is as defined above. (T) When, in the formula (I), R 3 and R 4 are joined together with the carbamoyl group or the thiocarbamoyl group to which they are attached to form the group of the formula (VII) and B 2 is -(CH 2 ) p -, a compound of the formula (XXXI): is cyclized by dehydration. (U) When, in the formula (I), R 3 and R 4 are joined together with the carbamoyl group or the thiocarbamoyl group to which they are attached to form the group of the formula (VII) and B 2 is a group of the formula: a compound of the formula (XXXII): wherein each symbol is as defined above, is reacted with the compound of the formula (XXVI). (V) When, in the formula (I), R 3 and R 4 are joined together with the carbamoyl group or the thiocarbamoyl group to which they are attached to form the group of the formula (VII) and B 2 is -CH 2 CH 2 X 1 -, a compound of the formula (XXXIII): wherein each symbol is as defined above, is subjected to cyclodehydration. (W) When, in the formula (I), R 3 and R 4 are joined together with the carbamoyl group or the thiocarbamoyl group to which they are attached to form the group of the formula (VII) and B 2 is a group of the formula: a compound of the formula (XXXIV): wherein each symbol is as defined above, is reacted with a compound of the formula: wherein each symbol is as defined above. (X) When, in the formula (I), R 3 and R 4 are joined together with the carbamoyl group to which these are bonded to form the group of the formula (VII) and Y is O and B 1 is a compound of the formula (XXXV): wherein each symbol is as defined above, is reduced with a reducing agent, e.g., sodium borohydride. (Y) When, in the formula (I), R 3 and R 4 are joined together with the carbamoyl group to which they are attached to form the group of the formula (VII) and Y is O and B 1 is CH 2 , a compound of the formula (XXXVI): wherein each symbol is as defined above, is reduced with a reducing agent, e.g., sodium borohydride in a solvent, e.g., trifluoroacetic acid. (Z) When, in the formula (I), R 3 and R 4 are joined together with the carbamoyl group to which they are attached to form the group of the formula (VII) and X is S(O) or S(O) 2 , the compound (I) whose X is S is reacted with an oxidizing agent. In the reaction of the compound (VIII) with the compound (IX) in the above process A, the compound (IX) is used in an amount of 1 equivalent to large excess based on the compound (VIII). The reaction can be carried out at -20 to +200°C in a solvent in the presence of a basic compound such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydride, potassium carbonate, triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine or 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene. Examples of the solvent to be used in the reaction include water, lower alcohols (e.g., methanol, ethanol, propanol), ketones (e.g., acetone, methyl ethyl ketone), ethers (e.g., tetrahydrofuran) and aprotic polar solvents (e.g., N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide). The reaction of the compound (X) with the compound (XI) in the process B is carried out under the same conditions as those in the reaction of the compound (VIII) with the compound (IX) in the process A. The reaction of the compound (XII) with the compound (XIII) in the process C is carried out under the same conditions as those in the reaction of the compound (VIII) with the compound (IX) in the process A. In the reaction of the compound (XIV) with the compound (XV) whose E 2 is chloro, bromo or -C(=O)R 4 in the process D, the compound (XV) is used in an amount of 1 equivalent to large excess based on the compound (XIV). The reaction can be carried out at -30 to +200°C in a solvent in the presence or absence of an inorganic base (e.g., potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate) or an organic base [e.g., triethylamine, pyridine, dimethylaniline, 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO)]. As the solvent to be used in the reaction, there are, for example, halogenated hydrocarbons (e.g., methylene chloride, chloroform, dichloroethane), ethers (e.g., diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dimethoxyethane), esters (e.g., methyl acetate, ethyl acetate) and aprotic polar solvents (e.g., N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide). The reaction of the compound (XIV) with the compound (XV) whose E 2 is OH in the process D is carried out by using the compound (XV) in an amount of 1 to 3 equivalents based on the compound (XIV) under conventional conditions for peptide syntheses. For example, the reaction is carried out in a solvent at -30 to +100°C by using N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbidiimide hydrochloride, diethyl cyanophosphonate or 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole as a condensation agent. As the solvent to be used in the reaction, there are, for example, ketones (e.g., acetone, methyl ethyl ketone), ethers (e.g., tetrahydrofuran), halogenated hydrocarbons (e.g., methylene chloride, chloroform) and aprotic polar solvents (e.g., N,N-dimethylformamide). The reaction of the compound (XVI) with the compound (XVII) in the process E is carried out under the same conditions as those in the reaction of the compound (VIII) with the compound (IX) in the process A. The reaction of the compound (XVIII) with the compound (XIX) in the process F is carried out at -30 to +100°C in a solvent or without using any solvent in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid by using the compound (XIX) in an amount of 1 equivalent to large excess based on the compound (XVIII). As the solvent to be used in the reaction, there are, for example, methylene chloride, chloroform and dichloroethane. The reaction of the compound (I) with the compound of the formula: wherein each symbol is as defined above, in the process G is carried out at -30 to +100°C in a solvent. The amount of the compound of the formula: wherein each symbol is as defined above, is 1 equivalent to large excess relative to the compound (I). As the solvent to be used in the reaction, there are, for example, water, lower alcohols (e.g., methanol, ethanol, propanol), ethers (e.g., tetrahydrofuran) and halogenated hydrocarbons (e.g., methylene chloride, chloroform, dichloroethane). The oxidation of the compound (I) whose X is S in the process H is carried out at -30 to +100°C in the presence of a solvent by using an oxidizing agent in an amount of 1 equivalent to large excess based on the compound (I) whose X is S. As the solvent to be used in the reaction, there are, for example, water, methanol, ethanol, dichloromethane and chloroform. Examples of the oxidizing agent include m-chloroperbenzoic acid, sodium metaperiodate and hydrogen peroxide. The reaction of the compound (VIII) with the compound (XX) in the process I is carried out under the same conditions as those in the reaction of the compound (VIII) with the compound (IX) in the process A. The reaction of the compound (X) with the compound (XXI) in the process J is carried out under the same conditions as those in the reaction of the compound (VIII) with the compound (IX) in the process A. The reaction of the compound (XII) with the compound (XXII) in the process K is carried out under the same conditions as those in the reaction of the compound (VIII) with the compound (IX) in the process A. The reaction of the compound (XXIII) with the compound of the formula: wherein each symbol is as defined above, is carried out at -30 to +200°C in a solvent in the presence of an inorganic base (e.g., potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate), an organic base (e.g., piperidine, pyrrolidine) or sodium acetate. The amount of the compound of the formula: wherein each symbol is as defined above, is 1 equivalent to large excess relative to the compound (XXIII). As the solvent to be used in the reaction, there are, for example, water, lower alcohols (e.g., methanol, ethanol, propanol), ketones (e.g., acetone, methyl ethyl ketone), aprotic polar solvents (e.g., N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide), acetic acid and propionic acid. The cyclization by dehydration of the compound (XXIV) in the process M can be carried out at -80 to +100°C in a solvent in the presence of a dehydrating agent. As the dehydrating agent to be used in the reaction, there are, for example, methanesulfonyl chloride or p-toluenesulfonyl chloride in combination with a base. Examples of the base include triethylamine, pyridine and diisopropyl ethyl amine. As the solvent to be used in the reaction, there are, for example, ketones (e.g., acetone, methyl ethyl ketone), ethers (e.g., tetrahydrofuran), halogenated hydrocarbons (methylene chloride, chloroform, dichloroethane) and aprotic polar solvents (e.g., N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide). The reaction of the compound (XXV) with the compound (XXVI) in the process N is carried out at -30 to +100°C in a solvent. The amount of the compound (XXVI) is 1 to 3 equivalents relative to the compound (XXV). As the solvent to be used in the reaction, there are, for example, halogenated hydrocarbons (e.g., methylene chloride, chloroform, dichloroethane), ethers (e.g., diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran) and N,N-dimethylformamide. The reduction of the compound (XXVII) in the process O is carried out at -30 to +100°C in a solvent. The amount of sodium borohydride is 1 equivalent to large excess relative to the compound (XXVII). As the solvent to be used in the reaction, there are, for example, water, methanol and ethanol. The oxidation of the compound (I) in the process P is carried out under the same conditions as those in the process H. The reaction of the compound (VIII) with the compound (XXVIII) in the process Q is carried out under the same conditions as those in the reaction of the compound (VIII) with the compound (IX) in the process A. The reaction of the compound (X) with the compound (XXIX) in the process R is carried out under the same conditions as those in the reaction of the compound (VIII) with the compound (IX) in the process A. The reaction of the compound (XII) with the compound (XXX) in the process S is carried out under the same conditions as those in the reaction of the compound (VIII) with the compound (IX) in the process A. The cyclization by dehydration of the compound (XXXI) in the process T is carried out under the same conditions as those in the reaction of the compound (XXIV) in the process M. The reaction of the compound (XXXII) with the compound (XXVI) in the process U is carried out under the same conditions as those in the reaction of the compound (XXV) with the compound (XXVI) in the process N. The cyclization by dehydration of the compound (XXXIII) in the process V is carried out under the same conditions as those in the reaction of the compound (XXIV) in the process M. The reaction of the compound (XXXIV) with the compound of the formula: wherein each symbol is as defined above, in the process W is carried out under conventional conditions of acetanol syntheses. The reaction is carried out, for example, at -30 to +150°C in an solvent in the presence of an acid. As the acid to be used in the reaction, there are, for example, BF 3 ·Et 2 O in which Et means ethyl, p-toluenesulfonic acid and camphorsulfonic acid. Examples of the solvent include benzene, toluene, xylene and N,N-dimethylformamide. The reduction of the compound (XXXV) in the process X is carried out under the same conditions as those in the reduction of the compound (XXVII) with sodium borohydride in the process O. The reduction of the compound (XXXVI) in the process Y is carried out at -10 to +100°C in trifluoroacetic acid by using a reducing agent, e.g., sodium borohydride in an amount of 1 equivalent to large excess. Oxidation of the compound (I) in the process Z is carried out under the same conditions as those in the process H. The starting compounds for the production of the compounds (I) according to the invention can be produced by a known method or a per se known method, for example, in the following manner: The compound (XII), when X is O or S, can be obtained, for example, according to the following process: wherein each symbol is as defined above. The reaction of the compound (X) with the compound (XXXVII) is carried out under the same conditions as those in the reaction of the compound (VIII) with the compound (IX) in the process A. The compound (XIV), when X is O or S, can be obtained, for example, according to the following process: wherein each symbol is as defined above. The reaction of the compound (X) with the compound (XXXVIII) is carried out under the same conditions as those in the reaction of the compound (VIII) with the compound (IX) in the process A. The compound (XIX) can be obtained, for example, according to the following process: wherein each symbol is as defined above. The reaction of the compound (XXXIX) with formaldehyde is carried out at 0 to +200°C in a solvent in the presence or absence of a base by using formaldehyde in an amount of 1 equivalent to large excess based on the compound (XXXIX). As the base to be used in the reaction, there are, for example, potassium carbonate, potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide. Examples of the solvent include water, methanol, ethanol and N,N-dimethylformamide. The compound (I) can be separated and purified from the reaction mixture according to conventional separation and purification techniques such as extraction, concentration, filtration, recrystallization, column chromatography or thin layer chromatography. The compound (I) of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof have cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity, 5-lipoxygenase inhibitory activity, antiinflammatory activity, antipyretic activity, analgesic activity, antiallergic activity, immunomodulatory activity and adhesion protein expression inhibitory activity. Examples of the adhesion proteins include ICAM-1, ICAM-2, ELAM-1 (endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1) and VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1) which participate infiltration of inflammatory cells and antigen or cell recognition among by immunocytes as well as LFA-1 (lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1) and Mac-1 (macrophage antigen-1). Therefore, these compounds are useful as an analgesic, antipyretic or antiinflammatory agent for acute and chronic inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatism, osteoarthritis), an immunotherapic agent (immunosuppressive agent and immunomodulator) against autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatism) and cancer, an antiallergic agent, an antiasthmatic agent, 5-lipoxygenase inhibitory agent. Further, they are useful as agents for treating thrombotic diseases (cardiac infarction, arterial embolism, venous embolism), nephritis, fulminant hepatitis and implantation immuno-rejection. When the compound (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof is used as the above medicament, the compound (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof is mixed with an appropriate pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients, diluents (e.g., starch, physiological saline), and can be administered orally or parenterally in the per se known form such as powders, granules, tablets, capsules and injection preparations. The dosage is varied depending upon a particular administration route, conditions of a disease to be treated, age or weight of a patient to be treated. However, for example, in the case of treatment of, e.g., thrombotic diseases by oral administration to an adult patient, it is preferred that the dosage is 0.2 to 50 mg/kg/day, preferably 0.5 to 30 mg/kg/day and can be administered 1 to several times daily. The following Experiments, Examples and Reference Examples further illustrate the present invention in detail. Experiment 1 Cyclooxygenase Inhibitory Activity [Test Method] A rat (Jcl:wistar, male, 12 to 15 weeks old) was subjected to peritoneotomy under anesthesia, and 8 ml of blood was taken from the abdominal aorta using a syringe [in which 0.72 ml of 3.2 % sodium citrate was presucked]. The blood was centrifuged at room temperature (for 15 seconds at 2000 rpm and for 5 seconds at 3000 rpm, and thereafter centrifugation was stopped without using a brake), platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was taken, and the remaining blood was further centrifuged (at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes) to obtain platelet-poor plasma (PPP). The number of platelets in PPP was counted and PRP was diluted with PPP to adjust the concentration of platelets to 10 6 /µl. Arachidonic acid (25 µl, 500 µg/100 µl) and 2.5 µl of a test compound were added to 0.225 ml of this PRP, and was allowed to stand at 37°C for 15 minutes. Then, 1.1 ml of ethanol was added thereto and the mixture was shaken well, and centrifuged (at 2000 rpm, for 10 minutes). Water (1 ml) was added to 1 ml of the supernatant and the mixture was injected into a high performance liquid chromatography column (HPLC), and chromatographed under the following conditions to measure the peak height of 12 (S)-hydroxy-5,8,10-hepta-decatrienoic acid (HHT). As a control, the measurement was carried out according to the same manner except for using 2.5 µl of the solvent used for dissolving the test compound in place of the test compound. The inhibitory percentage at respective concentrations was calculated using the following equation to obtain IC 50 . The inhibitory percentage (%) = (l-As/Ac) × 100 wherein As is the peak height of HHT in the test compound and Ac is the peak height of HHT in the control. [Results] The results are shown in Table 1. Cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity Compound (Example No.) IC 50 (µM) Indomethacin (control compound) 14.0 16 10 17 4.5 19 13 22 12 23 3.2 25 7.7 26 5.1 27 4.3 28 6.2 29 11.0 30 7.0 46 5.1 47 1.8 53 6.0 55 2.9 64 12 Experiment 2 5-Lipoxygenase Inhibitory Activity [Test Method] A solution of a given concentration of a test compound (0.01 ml) was added to 0.9 ml of a rat basophilic leukemia cell suspension [10 7 cells/mast cell medium (150 mM NaCl/3.7 mM KCl/3.0 mM Na 2 HPO 4 /3.5 mM KH 2 PO 4 /0.9 mM CaCl 2 /5.6 mM dextrose, adjusted to pH 7.0 with 30 % NaOH] and the mixture was allowed to stand at 37°C for 5 minutes. Then, 0.1 ml of mast cell medium containing 50 µg of arachidonic acid and 1 µg of calcium ionophore (A-23187) were added and the mixture was allowed to stand at 37°C for 15 minutes. Ethanol (1 ml) was added thereto and the mixture was shaken well, and filtered (Membrane filter, 0.45 µm). A part of the filtrate was injected into a HPLC column, and chromatographed under the following conditions to measure the peak height of 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) and leukotriene B 4 (LTB 4 ). As a control, the measurement was carried out according to the same manner except that 0.01 ml of the solvent used for dissolving the test compound was used in place of the test compound. The inhibitory percentage (%) was calculated from the following equation to obtain IC 50 . The inhibitory percentage (%) = (l-As/Ac) × 100 wherein As is the peak height of 5-HETE or LTB 4 of the test compound and Ac is the peak height of 5-HETE or LTB 4 of a control. [Results] The results are shown in Table 2. 5-Lipoxygenase inhibitory activity Compound (Example No.) 5-HETE IC 50 (µM) LTB 4 IC 50 (µM) 1 17.4 11.8 18 0.044 0.033 28 1.4 1.2 36 4.6 4.3 48 2.3 2.2 49 2.6 2.5 50 1.8 1.1 52 1.3 0.79 54 3.8 3.7 Experiment 3 In vitro ART (antigen-responding T-cell) Proliferation Test [Test Method] A male Lewis rat (7 weeks old) was sensitized with 250 µg/rat of killed M. tuberculosis H 37 RA to induce adjuvant arthritis, and the inguen lymph node was removed after 14 days. This was suspended in a RPMI-1640 culture medium containing 5 % fetal calf serum (FCS) to obtain a single cell suspension and incubated at 37°C for 1 hour in a nylon wool column. The column was eluted with the same culture medium, and cells which did not adhere to the column were used as T cells. On the other hand, spleen cells were prepared as antigen-presenting cell from a nonsensitized male Lewis rat (8 to 9 weeks old) and the cells were used after irradiation of 2500 R soft X-rays. The above T cells (5 × 10 5 cells/well) and spleen cells (1 × 10 5 cells/well) were incubated in RPMI-1640 culture medium (total volume 200 µl) containing 2% of syngeneic rat serum (treated at 56°C for 30 minutes) together with purified protein derivative (PPD) (final concentration 2 µg/ml) in 0.5 % CO 2 at 37°C for 72 hours. After addition of 3 H-Tdr (0.5 µCi/well), the mixture was further incubated for 24 hours and cells were recovered to measure the radioactivity of Tdr which was taken in. A solution of a test compound (20 µl) was added just before the addition of PPD and it was present throughout the incubation period. The effect of the test compound was indicated as an inhibitory percentage relative to the amount of 3 H-Tdr which was taken in T cells by PPD. [Results] The results are shown in Table 3. In vitro ART proliferation test Compound (Example No.) % Inhibition of ART growth Concentration of compound 1 µM 10 µM 15 -3 52 18 20 32 20 30 31 23 39 12 26 -4 -49 28 -11 -33 29 -21 1 30 30 -12 33 10 31 41 -9 -25 42 -21 64 45 17 -42 46 22 20 47 9 72 48 -10 19 49 -31 75 50 -1 74 51 -20 68 52 -20 75 53 16 27 54 4 78 56 -50 62 59 -14 33 60 -31 -54 61 -227 99 62 3 -54 68 96 41 Experiment 4 Rat Carrageenin Pedal Edema Inhibitory Activity [Test Method] A Jcl: SD male rat (6 weeks old, weight 160-220 g) was used. After the mesurement of the volume of dexter hind limb foot pad, a test compound suspended in 5% gum arabic solution was administered orally. Immediately after the administration, water was further administered orally so that the total administration volume of liquid became 5 ml/rat. After one hour, 0.05 ml of 1% carrageenin suspension in physiological saline was injected subcutaneously in the foot pad to induce edema [Winter, C. A., Risley, E. A. and Nuss, G. W.: Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. Med. 111, 544 (1962)]. Three hours after injection of carrageenin, the volume of dexter limb was measured, and the edema volume was calculated by the difference between the volume after injection and the volume of pre-injection. [Results] The results are shown in Table 4. Rat carrageenin pedal edema inhibitory activity Compound (Example No.) Dose (mg/kg) Inhibitory percentage (%) 4 50 36 12.5 20 5 50 34 7 50 39 10 50 23 20 50 29 23 50 26 25 50 21 26 50 31 28 50 25 29 50 44 31 50 35 32 50 28 33 50 45 35 50 45 36 50 27 39 50 33 42 50 36 44 50 27 45 50 22 55 50 32 58 50 25 60 50 34 61 50 29 66 50 44 69 50 19 70 50 23 Experiment 5 Mouse Phenylquinone Writhing Inhibitory Activity [Test Method] A Slc: ICR male mouse (4 weeks, weight 17 to 24 g) was used. A test compound suspended in 5% gum arabic solution was administered orally. After 30 minutes, 0.1 ml/10 g body weight of 0.02% phenylquinone solution in water (dissolved by the aid of 5% ethanol) was injected intraperitoneally, and writhing and stretching responses of individual animals were measured for 20 minutes [Siegmund, E., Cadmus, R. and Lu, G.; Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. Med. 95, 729 (1957)]. [Results] The results are shown in Table 5. Mouse phenylquinone writhing inhibitory activity Compound (Example No.) Dose (mg/kg) Inhibitory percentage (%) 4 50 55 5 50 56 6 50 56 7 50 80 9 50 49 10 50 50 13 50 55 15 50 51 16 50 59 17 50 84 23 50 66 26 50 59 28 50 89 30 50 64 Experiment 6 Mouse Acetic Acid Writhing Inhibitory Activity [Test Method] Ten male Slc: ICR mice, 4 weeks old, per 1 group were used. A test compound was administered orally, and after 30 minutes, 0.1 ml/10 g body weight of physiological saline containing 0.6% acetic acid was injected intraperitoneally. For 20 minutes, writhing (in agony condition) response by administration of acetic acid was counted regarding individual animals. The inhibitory percentage relative to the mean response counts of a control group was calculated regarding respective animals in a test compound administration group. The test compound was suspended in 5% gum arabic solution, and the administration volume was 0.2 ml/10 g. [Results] The results are shown in Table 6. Mouse acetic acid writhing inhibitory activity Compound (Example No.) Dose (mg/kg) Inhibitory percentage (%) 47 50 46 49 50 54 52 50 49 65 50 62 66 50 96 67 50 91 70 50 75 72 50 87 74 50 66 Experiment 7 Pain Relief Test By Randall Celit Method Seven to eight male Jcl: Winter rats, 5 weeks old, per one group were used. 0.1 ml of 10% brewer's yeast physiological saline suspension was injected subcutaneously in the rat dexter hind limb foot pad to induce inflammation. After three hours, the pain threshold was measured by pressure stimulating pain relief measuring apparatus manufactured by Ugo Basile Company (Cat. No. 7200) using an index of false pain reflex in the inflammatory limb (dexter hind limb), and this was taken as response threshold value in the inflammatory limb. A test compound was administered after additional 45 minutes orally, and the threshold was measured after one and two hours. The efficacy was determined by comparing threshold of a control group and that of the test compound group. The test compound was suspended in 5% gum arabic solution and the administration volume was 0.5 ml/100 g. [Results] The results are shown in Table 7. Randall Celit method Compound (Example No.) Dose (mg/kg) % Of control 1 hour 2 hours 66 200 242±21.9 326.1±80.1 50 215.2±16.1 158.4±26.2 70 200 222.7±26.4 165.8±24.9 Experiment 8 Antipyretic Activity Six male DS line rats, 7 weeks old, weighing 200 to 240 g (Nihon Clea) per one group were used. According to the method of Winder et al. (J. Pharmac. Exp. Ther. 138: 405 (1963)), a suspension of 15% brewer's yeast (Sigma) in physiological saline (1 ml/100 g, b.w.) was injected subcutaneously at 16 hours before measurement of the body temperature to induce pyrexia. After injection of yeast, only water was provided, and each rat was bred separately in a five duplicate cage. At 16, 17 and 18 hours after yeast injection, the rectal temperature was measured by a thermistor thermometer (Takara Kogyo K.K.), and this was taken as the basal body temperature. The rectal temperature was indicated by the temperature which was digitally displayed at 15 seconds after a thermistor thermometer sensor was inserted in the rectum to the extent of 4 cm. Animals having the body temperature of not lower than 38.5°C at 18 hours after yeast injection were selected, and a test compound was administered orally (1 ml/100 g, b.w.). As a control, only the solvent was provided. Upon administration, the body temperature of the control group and that of the test compound-administered group were adjusted to the same temperature. The rectal temperature was measured every hour till five hours after administration. [Results] The results are shown in Table 8. Antipyretic activity Compound (Example No.) Dose (mg/kg) Δ°C (peak time) 4 50 -1.40**(4h) 6 50 -2.58**(3h) 7 50 -0.62 (4h) 13 50 -0.52 (2h) 16 50 -0.82 (2h) 17 50 -0.97 (3h) 30 50 -0.68 (2h) 31 50 -0.82 (4h) 32 50 -1.14 (4h) 33 50 -0.63 (3h) 42 50 -2.40 (3h) 12.5 -1.60 (3h) 66 50 -2.43 (2h) 12.5 -2.13 (2h) 70 50 -2.02 (2h) Experiment 9 Rat Reversed Passive Arthus Reaction (skin) Inhibitory Activity This reaction was induced by using domestic rabbit anti-egg albumin (EA) antiserum according to the method of Chang and Otterness [Chang, Y. -H. and Otterness, I. G.: Eur. J. Pharmacol. 69, 155 (1981)]. Using six Jcl: SD male rats (7 weeks old, weight about 250 g) per one group, the hair was removed in the back under ether anesthesia, 1 ml of 0.5% EA physiological saline was injected intracutaneously from the tail vein, and further each 0.1 ml of diluted antiserum (6 mg protein antibody/ml) was injected in the back on both dexter and sinister sides. A test compound (50 mg/kg) was suspended in 5% gum arabic solution and the suspension was administered orally at one hour before EA administration. Acceleration of permeability through the vessel by the reaction was measured by injecting 1 ml of 1 % Evans blue physiological saline intravenously at three hours after the induction of the reaction. Then, after 30 minutes, the rat was sacrificed by exsanguination. The skin was peeled off and the area of pigment spot (length × breadth, mm 2 ) was measured. [Results] The results are shown in Table 9. Rat reversed passive Arthus reaction inhibitory activity Compound (Example No.) Inhibitory percentage (%) 4 27 Experiment 10 Adhesion Protein Expression Inhibitory Activity [Test Method] The various concentrations of test compounds were added to the human umbilical cord-derived vascular endothelial cells [sold by Klabo] which were seeded in the gelatin coat plate and the mixture were incubated at 37 °C for 15 minutes. Then, the human tumor necrosis factor-α[TNF- α; sold by Genzyme] was added therein to the final concentration of 1 ng/ml and incubation was carried out at 37 °C for 3 hours for expression of ELAM-l and for 6 hours for that of ICAM-I. After the reaction, the cells were fixed using glutaraldhyde and the expression amount of ELAM-l and ICAM-l was measured by the cell-ELISA method. That is, the expression was determined by fluorescence-labeling the adhesion- proteins on the cells in the system using anti-ELAM-l antibody BBA-2 and anti-ICAM-l antibody BBA4 as the first antibody as well as horseradish peroxidase-labeled rabbit anti-mouse IgG antibody as the second antibody. [Results] The results are shown in Table 10. Adhesion protein expression inhibition test Compound (Example No.) Concentration (µM) Expression Inhibitory Potency (%) ELAM-l ICAM-l 42 3 - 21 30 - 54 46 13 33 - 47 13 96 83 49 30 - 94 50 30 - 60 56 30 - 78 68 13 94 75 69 13 31 34 70 30 - 35 75 13 29 35 79 10 47 - 80 10 33 - 82 10 53 79 93 13 - 25 95 13 71 83 Experiment 11 Effect On Acute Renal Failure Induced By Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Male Sprague-Dawley rats (6 to 7 weeks old) were anesthetized using pentobarbital sodium (50 mg/kg, i.p.) and bilateral renal arteries were completely occluded for 45 minutes followed by reperfusion. After 20 hours of the reperfusion, the blood was collected from the abdominal aorta under anesthesia and the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was determined. The test compounds were orally (5 ml/kg) administered 1 hour before the ligation of the renal arteries. [Results] The results are shown in Table 11. The effects on acute renal failure induced by the renal ischemia followed by reperfusion in rats Compound (Exmaple No.) Dose (mg/kg) Blood urea nitrogen (mg/dl) vehicle 100±10 49 50 76.8±16.9 56 50 62.4±7.0 vehicle 93±11 68 50 64±11 As shown in Table 11, these invented compounds inhibited the increase in BUN in the model of acute renal failure induced by occlusion of the bilateral renal arteries of rats followed by reperfusion. Experiment 12 PAF Induced Respiratory Tract Constriction Inhibitory Activity [Test Method] Male and female Hartley guinea pigs, weighing about 400 g, were used. The guinea pigs were fixed at dorsal position under urethane anethesia (1.5 g/kg, i.p.). One leg of cannula (having four legs) was inserted in the trachea and two of three other legs were bound to the respirator (Harvard apparatus rodent respirator). The remaining one leg (side branch) was bound to the bronchospasm transducer 7.020 (Ugobasile). Under the conditions of 5 to 7 ml of air supply/time, 70 times/min. of supply time and 10 cm H 2 O of pulmonary pressure load, the amount of over flow air was recorded on Rectigraph (Rectigraph-85, Saneissoki) via the transducer. After Gallamine triethoxide treatment (1 mg/kg, i.v.), PAF was administered intravenously (1.0 µg/kg) and the maximum respiratory tract constriction response was observed after 30 seconds. Under these conditions, the inhibitory activity of the test compounds were examined. The test compounds were suspended in 5% gum arabic solution, respectively, and they were administered intravenously 2 minutes before PAF administration [Results] The results are shown in Table 12. PAF induced respiratory tract constriction inhibitory test Compound (Example No.) Dose (mg/kg) Inhibitory activity (%) 42 3 51.7 47 3 50.7 60 3 39.8 94 3 53.5 95 10 61.4 98 0.3 90.4 Example 1 Synthesis of 2-(2-phthalimidoethylthio)pyridine Triethylamine [12.54 ml (90 mmol)] was added to a suspension of 6.67 g (60 mmol) of 2-mercaptopyridine and 15.24 g (60 mmol) of N-(2-bromoethyl)phthalimide in 200 ml of ethanol and stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. The mixture was heated under reflux for 2 hours. The solvent was distilled off, chloroform was added to the residue, and the mixture was washed with water and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl-acetate/n-hexane=1:2) to obtain 8.00 g of the desired compound (46.9%, colorless crystals). NMR (90 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 3.50 (2H, t, J=6Hz), 3.72 (2H, t, J=6Hz), 6.90 (1H, m), 7.16 (1H, m), 7.43 (1H, m), 7.60-7.93 (4H, m), 8.35 (1H, m) Example 2 Synthesis of 4-[4-(decanoylpiperidyl)thio]pyridine i) Synthesis of N-t-butoxycarbonyl-4-methanesulfonyloxypiperidine. To a solution of 1.00 g (4.97mmol) of N-t-butorycartoryl-4-hydroxypiperidine and 0.83 ml (5.96 mmol) of triethylamine in 50 ml of methylene chloride was added 0.46 ml (5.96 mmol) of methanesulfonyl chloride under ice-cooling and stirring and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was washed with an aqueous saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and water and dried. The solvent was distilled off. The residue was washed with hexane to obtain 1.37 g of the-desired compound (98.6%, colorless powder), mp: 87.0-88.0°C. Anal. for C 11 H 21 NO 5 S, Calcd.: C; 47.29, H; 7.58, N; 5.01 Found: C; 47.04, H; 7.76, N; 5.06 NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ:1.46 (9H, s), 1.70-2.08 (4H, m), 3.04 (3H, s), 3.30 (2H, ddd, J=14, 8, 4Hz), 3.71 (2H, ddd, J=14, 7, 4Hz), 4.88 (1H, septet, J=4Hz) IR (KBr)cm -1 : 2960, 2850, 1690, 1680 ii) Synthesis of 4-[4-(t-butoxycarbonyl)piperidylthio]pyridine 4-Mercaptopyridine (362 mg, 3.26 mmol) was dissolved in 30 ml of anhydrous methanol and 4.1M sodium methylate solution in methanol (0.80 ml, 3.26 mmol) was added. The mixture was stirred for 30 minutes. N-t-Butoxycarbonyl-4-methanesulfonyloxypiperidine (760 mg, 2.72 mmol) was added and the mixture was refluxed for 18 hours. After cooling, the solvent was distilled off. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and was washed with 1N aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide and water and dried. The solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate=1:1) to obtain 660 mg of the desired compound (82.4%, colorless powder), mp: 71.0-72.0°C. Anal. for C 15 H 22 N 2 O 2 S, Calcd.: C; 61.19, H; 7.53, N; 9.51 Found: C; 61.28, H; 7.64, N; 9.39 NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.46 (9H, s), 1.50-1.80 (2H, m), 2.03 (2H, ddd, J=14, 9, 4Hz), 3.61 (2H, ddd, J=14, 10, 4Hz), 3.56 (1H, tt, J=10, 4Hz), 3.96 (2H, dt, J=14, 4Hz), 7.14 (2H, dd, J=5, 2Hz), 8.42 (2H, dd, J=5, 2Hz) IR (KBr)cm -1 : 2960, 2930, 2850, 1690, 1580 iii) Synthesis of 4-[4-(decanoylpiperidyl)thio]pyridine To a solution of 250 mg (0.85 mmol) of 4-[4-(N-t-butoxycarbonyl)piperidylthio]pyridine in 5 ml of methanol was added of 2N hydrogen chloride solution in methanol (5 ml, 10 mmol) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. The solvent was distilled off. To a solution of 225 mg of the residue and 0.42 ml (3.03 mmol) of triethylamine in 5 ml of methylene chloride was added 0.21 ml (1.01 mmol) of decanoyl chloride under ice-cooling with stirring and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was washed with an aqueous saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and water and dried. The solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate) to obtain 210 mg of the desired compound (71.7%, colorless oil). Anal. for C 20 H 32 N 2 OS·0.5H 2 O, Calcd.: C; 67.18, H; 9.30, N; 7.83 Found: C; 67.33, H; 9.19, N; 7.71 NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 0.88 (3H, t, J=7Hz), 1.27 (12H, m), 1.50-1.90 (4H, m), 2.00-2.20 (2H, m), 2.33 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 3.10 (1H, td, J=12, 3Hz), 3.27 (1H, td, J=12, 3Hz), 3.59 (1H, m), 3.83 (1H, dt, J=14, 3Hz), 4.32 (1H, dt, J=14, 3Hz), 7.16 (2H, dd, J=5, 2Hz), 8.44 (2H, brd, J=5Hz) IR (Neat) cm -1 : 3270, 3100, 1630, 1570 Example 3 Synthesis of 3-(4-phthalimidobutylthio)pyridine To a solution of 3.64 g (20 mmol) of 3-dimethylaminocarbamoylthiopyridine in 100 ml of methanol was added 1.6 g (40 mmol) of sodium hydroxide. The mixture was heated and refluxed for 3 hours under nitrogen atmosphere. After cooling, 5.64 g (20 mmol) of N-(4-bromobutyl)phthalimide was added. The mixture was heated and refluxed for 2.5 hours. The solvent was distilled off and chloroform was added to the residue. The mixture was washed with water and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/n-hexane=1:1) to obtain 280 mg of the desired compound (4.5%, colorless oil). NMR (90 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.47-2.05 (4H, m), 2.95 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 3.68 (2H, t, J=7Hz), 7.16 (1H, dd, J=7, 4Hz), 7.54-7.95 (5H, m), 8.38 (1H, dd, J=5, 2Hz), 8.54 (1H, d) Reference Example 1 Synthesis of 4-[3-(propionylamino)propylthio]pyridine To a solution of 700 mg (2.90 mmol) of 4-(3-aminopropylthio)pyridine dihydrochloride and 1.62 ml (11.6 mmol) of triethylamine in 30 ml of methylene chloride was added 0.30 ml (3.48 mmol) of propionyl chloride and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. The reaction solution was washed with an aqueous saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and water and dried. The solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: methanol/ethyl acetate=1:10) to obtain the powder which was washed with ether and dried to obtain 483 mg of the desired compound (74.2%, yellow prisms), mp: 50.0-51.0°C. Anal. for C 11 H 16 N 2 OS, Calcd.: C; 58.90, H; 7.19, N; 12.49 Found: C; 58.59, H; 7.25, N; 12.33 NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.16 (3H, t, J=7Hz), Example 4 Synthesis of 4-(phthallmidomethylthio)pyridine In 250 ml of ethanol were suspended 6.95 g (62.5 mmol) of 4-mercaptopyridine and 15.0 g (62.5 mmol) of (N-bromomethyl)phthalimide, triethylamine [10.5 ml (74.8 mmol)] was added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. The solvent was distilled off. The residue was dissolved in chloroform, washed with a saturated aqueous solution or sodium bicarbonate and water and dried. Then the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: chloroform/ethyl acetate=3:2) to obtain powder. The powder thus obtained was recrystallized from ethyl acetate to obtain 12.0 g of the desired compound (yield: 71.6%, colorless needles). mp: 133.0-134.0°C Anal. for C 14 H 10 N 2 O 2 S, Calcd.: C; 62.21, H; 3.73, N; 10.36, S; 11.86 Found : C; 62.21, H; 3.73, N; 10.32, S; 11.86. NMR (200MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ : 5.19 (2H, s), 7.41 (2H, dd, J=5,2Hz), 7.70-7.80 (2H, m), 7.80-7.95 (2H, m), 8.45 (2H, dd, J=5,2Hz). IR (KBr)cm -1 : 1770, 1710. Example 5 Synthesis of 3-(phthalimidomethylthio)pyridine To a solution of 1.00 g (5.49 mmol) of 3-(dimethylaminocarbonylthio)pyridine in 50 ml of methanol, 5.49 ml (5.49 mmol) of a 1N aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide was added. The mixture was heated at 60°C for 1 hour with stirring. After cooling, the solvent was distilled off. The residue was dissolved in ethanol and dried. The solvent was distilled off. The residue thus obtained and 1.58 g of (6.59 mmol) of (N-bromomethyl)phthalimide were suspended in 50 ml of ethanol, and 0.92 ml (6.59 mmol) of triethylamine was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours. The solvent was distilled off, and the residue was dissolved in chloroform, washed with water and dried. Then the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate=1:1) to obtain powder. The powder thus obtained was washed with ether and dried to obtain 1.20 g of the desired compound (yield: 80.9%, colorless powder). mp: 123.0-124.0°C Anal. for C 14 H 10 N 2 O 2 S, Calcd.: C; 62.21, H; 3.73, N; 10.36 Found : C; 62.62, H; 3.70, N; 9.98. NMR (200MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ : 5.04 (2H, s), 7.27 (1H, t, J=5Hz), 7.70-8.00 (5H, m), 8.52 (1H, dd, J=5,1Hz), 8.64 (1H, d, J=1Hz). IR (KBr)cm -1 : 1770, 1720. Example 6 Synthesis of 2-(phthalimidomethylthio)pyridine In 50 ml of ethanol were suspended 1.11 g (10 mmol) of 2-mercaptopyridine and 2.40 g (10.0 mmol) of (N-bromomethyl)phthalimide, triethylamine [1.54 ml (11.0 mmol)] was added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours. The solvent was distilled off. The residue was dissolved in chloroform, washed with water and dried. Then the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate=1:1) to obtain powder. The powder thus obtained was washed with ether and dried to obtain 2.16 g of the desired compound (yield: 80.0%, colorless powder). mp: 93.0-94.0°C Anal. for C 14 H 10 N 2 O 2 S, Calcd.: C; 62.21, H; 3.73, N; 10.36 Found : C; 62.07, H; 3.69, N; 10.27. NMR (200MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ : 5.54 (2H,s), 7.06 (1H, ddd, J=8,5,1Hz), 7.26 (1H, dd, J=8,1Hz), 7.53 (1H, td, J=8,1Hz), 7.65-7.75 (2H, m), 7.75-7.90 (2H, m), 8.53 (1H, dd, J=5,1Hz). IR (KBr)cm -1 : 1780, 1720. Example 7 Synthesis of 4-(phthalimidomethyloxy)pyridine To a solution of 4.76 g (50 mmol) of 4-hydroxypyridine and 10.76 g (55 mmol) of N-chloromethylphthalimide in 80 ml of DMF, 8.23 ml (55 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5,4,0]-7-undecene was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. After the solvent was distilled off, the reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The precipitate was filtered off. The aqueous layer was further extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate) to obtain 2.67 g of the desired compound (yield: 21%, colorless crystals). mp: 129.0-131.0°C Anal. for C 14 H 10 N 2 O 3 ·0.2H 2 O, Calcd.: C; 65.21, H; 4.07, N; 10.86 Found : C; 65.33, H; 3.93, N; 10.66. NMR (200MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ : 5.72 (2H, s), 7.03 (1H, dd, J=5,2Hz), 7.70-7.86 (2H, m), 7.86-8.00 (2H, m), 8.47 (2H, dd, J=5,2Hz). IR (KBr)cm -1 : 1780, 1720, 1590. Example 8 Synthesis of 3-(phthalimidomethyloxy)pyridine In 100 ml of acetone were suspended 2.43 g (25.6mmol) of 3-hydroxypyridine and 5.00 g (25.6 mmol) of (N-chloromethyl)phthalimide, potassium carbonate [3.52 g (25.6 mmol)] was added and the mixture was stirred at 60°C for 7 hours under heating. After cooling, the solvent was distilled off. The residue was dissolved in dichloromethane, washed with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate and water and dried. Then the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: dichloromethane to ethyl acetate/hexane=1:1) to obtain 2.60 g of the desired compound (yield: 40.0%, colorless columns). Anal. for C 14 H 10 N 2 O 3 , Calcd.: C; 66.14, H; 3.96, N; 11.02 Found : C; 65.91, H; 4.17, N; 10.99. NMR (200MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ : 5.71 (2H, s), 7.27 (1H, dd, J=4.0,8.6Hz), 7.51 (1H, ddd, J=1.4,3.0,8.6Hz), 7.80 (2H, dd, J=3.0,5.4Hz), 7.94 (2H, dd, J=3.0,5.4Hz), 8.31 (1H, dd, J=1.4,4.0Hz), 8.44 (1H, d, J=3.0Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3060, 1780, 1730, 715. Example 9 Synthesis of 2-(phthalimidomethyloxy)pyridine a) Method wherein a silver salt is generated in situ In 4 ml of benzene were suspended 0.095 g (1.0 mmol) of 2-hydroxypyridine and 0.14 g (0.5 mmol) of silver carbonate, N-bromomethylphthalimide [0.29 g (1.2 mmol)] was added at room temperature, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 14 hours under heating. After cooling, the residue was filtered and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane=10:1) to obtain powder. The powder was recrystallized from ethyl acetate to obtain 0.10 g of the desired compound (yield: 39.0%, colorless columns). b) Method wherein a silver salt is isolated. i) Synthesis of 2-hydroxypyridine silver salt A solution of 20.40 g (120 mmol) of silver nitrate in 200 ml of water was added to a solution of 11.42 g (120 mmol) of 2-hydroxypyridine in 300 ml of water at room temperature. The reaction mixture was neutralized with 8.0 ml of an aqueous ammonium solution. The resulting precipitate was collected, washed successively with water, ethanol and ether and dried to obtain 25.01 g of the desired compound (yield: quant., colorless columns). ii) Synthesis of 2-(phthalimidemethyloxy)pyridine In 4 ml of benzene was suspended 0.20 g (1.0 mmol) of 2-hydroxypyridine silver salt, N-bromomethylphthalimide [0.29 g (1.2 mmol)] was added at room temperature, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The residue was filtered and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane=10:1) to obtain powder. The powder was recrystallized from ethyl acetate to obtain 0.21 g of the desired compound (yield: 82.5%, colorless columns). Anal. for C 14 H 10 N 2 O 3 , Calcd.: C; 66.14, H; 3.96, N; 11.02 Found : C; 65.93, H; 4.12, N; 10.96. NMR (200MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ : 6.00 (2H, s), 6.75 (1H, dt, J=1.0,8.3Hz), 6.94 (1H, ddd, J=1.0,5.2,7.1Hz), 7.60 (1H, ddd, J=2.2,7.0,8.3Hz), 7.74-7.79 (4H, m), 8.21 (1H, ddd, J=1.0,2.0,5.2Hz). IR (KBr)cm -1 : 3100, 3050, 1780, 1730, 1600, 1570. Example 10 Synthesis of 4-[3-[N-(2-thienylmethyl)-N-trifluoroacetylamino]propylthio]pyridine hydrochloride i) Synthesis of 4-[3-[N-(2-thienylmethyl)amino]propylthio]pyridine In 200 ml of methylene chloride were dissolved 10.34 g (61.1 mmol) of 4-(3-hydroxypropylthio)pyridine and 10.2 ml (73.3 mmol) of triethylamine, methanesulfonyl chloride [5.7 ml (73.3 mmol)] was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was washed with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate and water and dried. Then the solvent was distilled off. To 8.05 g of the residue was added 3.3 ml (32.5 mmol) of 2-thiophenemethylamine. The mixture was heated at 80°C for 3 hours. After cooling, the mixture was purified by column chromatography (eluent: chloroform/methanol=25:1) to obtain 2.5 g of the desired compound (yield: 29.1%, yellow oil). ii) Synthesis of 4-[3-[N-(2-thienylmethyl)-N-trifluoroacetylamino]propylthio]pyridine hydrochloride According to the same manner as that described in Example 25, the title compound was synthesized. NMR (200MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ : 1.75-2.13 (2H, m), 3.13-3.34 (2H, m), 3.42-3.61 (2H, m), 4.80 and 4.86 (2H, each s), 6.94-7.03 (1H, m), 7.12-7.19 (1H, m), 7.50 (1H, m), 7.78-7.93 (2H, m), 8.58-8.69 (2H, m). Example 11 Synthesis of 3-[2-(phthalimido)ethyl]-2-(pivaloylamino)pyridine In 100 ml of ethanol was suspended 6.28 g (29.8 mmol) of 3-mercapt-2-(pivaloylamino)pyridine and 11.4 g (44.8 mmol) of N-(2-bromoethyl)phthalimide, triethylamine [8.32 ml (59.7 mmol)] was added and the mixture was heated under reflux for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was poured into water and extracted with chloroform. The combined chloroform solution was dried and then the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate 1:1 to ethyl acetate) to obtain 11.0 g of the desired compound (yield: 96.3%, white solid). NMR (200MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ : 1.34 (9H, s), 3.18 (2H, t, J=6.6Hz), 3.87 (2H, t, J=6.4Hz), 7.06 (1H, dd J=4.8,7.6Hz), 7.71-7.85 (4H, m), 7.93 (1H, dd, J=1.6,7.8Hz), 8.30 (1H, dd, J=1.8,4.8Hz), 8.39 (1H, br.s). IR (KBr)cm -1 : 3380, 1760, 1700. Example 12 Synthesis of 2-amino-3-[2-(phthalimido)ethyl]pyridine Hydrochloric acid (5N) was added to 8.84 g (23.1 mmol) of 3-[2-(phthalimide)ethyl]-2-(pivaloylamino)pyridine, and the mixture was stirred at 100°C for 4 hours. After cooling, 25% ammonia water was added to the mixture to make it basic. The resulting mixture was extracted with methylene chloride. The combined methylene chloride solution was dried and then the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate 1:1 to ethyl acetate) to obtain liquid. The liquid was precipitated by adding ether to obtain 2.75 g of the desired compound (yield: 39.8%, pale yellow powder). NMR (200MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 3.11 (2H, t, J=6.5Hz), 3.88 (2H, t, J=6.5Hz), 5.14 (2H, br.s), 6.62 (1H, dd, J=4.9,7.5Hz), 7.71-7.87 (5H, m), 7.98 (1H, dd, J=1.8,4.8Hz). IR (KBr)cm -1 : 3450, 3400, 3300, 1770, 1700. Example 13 Synthesis of 3-[2-(phthalimido)ethyl]-2-(pivaloylamino)pyridine hydrochloride In 5 ml of methanol was dissolved 248 mg (0.647 mmol) of 3-[2-(phthalimide)ethyl]-2-(pivaloylamino)piridine. The solution was treated with 5 ml (10 mmol) of a 2N solution of hydrogen chloride in methanol. The solvent was distilled off to obtain 272 mg of the desired compound (yield: 100%, white powder). NMR (200MHz, D 2 O) δ : 1.27 (9H, S), 3.51 (2H, br.t, J=5.5Hz), 3.92 (2H, br.t, J=5.0Hz), 7.49 (1H, br.t, J=7.0Hz), 7.68-7.77 (4H, m), 8.07 (1H, br.d, J=6.0Hz), 8.53 (1H, br.d, J=8.2Hz). IR (KBr)cm -1 : 3350, 1770, 1710. Example 14 Synthesis of 2-amino-3-[2-(phthalimido)ethyl]pyridine hydrochloride In 5 ml of methanol was dissolved 237 mg (0.792 mmol) of 2-amino-3-[2-(phthalimido)ethyl]pyridine. The solution was treated with 5 ml (10 mmol) of a 2N solution of hydrogen chloride in methanol. The solvent was distilled off to obtain the desired powder. The powder thus obtained was washed with ether to obtain 233 mg of the desired compound (yield: 79.0%, pale yellow powder). NMR (200MHz, D 2 O) δ : 3.33 (2H, t, J=5.9Hz), 3.88 (2H, t, J=5.9Hz), 6.70 (1H, dd, J=6.4,7.6Hz), 7.46 (1H, dd, J=1.5,6.3Hz), 7.71-7.78 (4H, m), 8.05 (1H, dd, J=1.5,7.5Hz). IR (KBr)cm -1 : 3280, 3210, 1765, 1710. Example 15 Synthesis of 3-(phthalimidomethylthio)-2-pivaloylaminopyridine In 3 ml of ethanol were suspended 0.21 g (1.0 mmol) of 3-mercapto-2-(pivaloylamino)pyridine and 0.29 g (1.2 mmol) of (N-bromomethyl)phthalimide, triethylamine [0.14 ml (1.2 mmol)] was added and the mixture was stirred for 4 hours. The solvent was distilled off. The residue was dissolved in chloroform, washed with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate and water and dried. Then the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane=2:1) to obtain powder. The powder thus obtained was recrystallized from ethyl acetate to obtain 0.29 g of the desired compound (yield: 78.0%, colorless columns). Anal. for C 19 H 19 N 3 O 3 S, Calcd.: C; 61.77, H; 5.18, N; 11.37 Found : C; 61.78, H; 5.46, N; 11.20. NMR (200MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ : 1.27 (9H, s), 4.97 (2H, s), 7.08 (1H, dd, J=4.8,7.8Hz), 7.70-7.86 (4H, m), 8.01 (1H, dd, J=1.8,7.8Hz), 8.41 (1H, dd, J=1.8,7.8Hz), 8.55 (1H, bs). IR (KBr)cm -1 : 3200, 2960, 1730, 1720, 1680, 1420, 910, 710. Example 16 Synthesis of 4-(3-phthalimidopropyloxy)pyridine To a solution of 4.76 g (50 mmol) of 4-hydroxypyridine and 14.75 g (55 mmol) of N-(3-bromopropyl)phthalimide in 80 ml of DMF was added 8.23 ml (55 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 6 hours. After the solvent was distilled off, the mixture was poured into water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The mixture was washed with water and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate) to obtain 2.32 g of the desired compound (yield: 16.4%, colorless crystals). mp: 81.0-82.0°C Anal. for C 16 H 14 N 2 O 3 , Calcd.: C; 68.08, H; 5.00, N; 9.92 Found : C; 68.23, H; 5.06, N; 10.00. NMR (200MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ : 2.22 (2H, m), 3.92 (2H, t, J=6.8Hz), 4.08 (2H, t, J=6.2Hz), 6.70 (2H, dd, J=5,1.4Hz), 7.67-7.92 (4H, m), 8.39 (2H, dd, J=5,1.4Hz). IR (KBr)cm -1 : 1775, 1710, 1595, 1565, 1505. Example 17 Synthesis of 4-(4-phthalimidobutyloxy)pyridine To a solution of 4.76 g (50 mmol) of 4-hydroxypyridine and 15.52 g (55 mmol) of N-(4-bromobutyl)phthalimide in 80 ml of DMF was added 8.23 ml (5 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 7 hours. After the solvent was distilled off, the mixture was poured into water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The mixture was washed with water and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate) to obtain 2.63 g of the desired compound (yield: 17.2%, colorless crystals). mp: 126-127°C Anal. for C 17 H 16 N 2 O 3 ·0.5H 2 O, Calcd.: C; 66.87, H; 5.61, N; 9.17 Found : C; 67.05, H; 5.43, N; 9.20. NMR (200MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ : 1.75-1.97 (4H, m), 3.78 (2H, m), 4.05 (2H, m), 6.78 (2H, dd, J=4.8,1.6Hz), 7.88-7.91 (4H, m), 8.41 (2H, dd, J=4.8,1.6Hz). IR (KBr)cm -1 : 1770, 1710, 1595, 1570. Example 18 Synthesis of 4-[(4-nitrophthalimido)methylthio]pyridine N-Chloromethyl-4-nitrophthalimide [2.89 g (12 mmol)] was added under ice-cooling with stirring to a suspension of 1.11 g (10 mmol) of 4-mercaptopyridine and 1.4 ml (12 mmol) of triethylamine in 50 ml of ethanol. The mixture was stirred at room-temperature for 16 hours. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate) to obtain 1.99 g of the desired compound (yield: 63.1%, yellow crystals). NMR (200MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ : 5.25 (2H, m), 7,40 (2H, dd, J=1.8,4.6Hz), 8.08 (1H, d, J=8.0Hz), 8.48 (2H, dd, J=1.8,4.6Hz), 8.63 (1H, dd, J=1.8,8.0Hz). IR (KBr)cm -1 : 3100, 1725, 1535, 1345. Example 19 Synthesis of 4-[cis-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthalimido)methylthio]pyridine i) Synthesis of cis-(N-hydroxymethyl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthalimide Formalin [8.1 ml (100 mmol)] was added to a suspension of 15.12 g (100 mmol) of cis-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthalimide in 150 ml of water. The mixture was stirred for about 1 hour under heating at 110°C until the precipitate was dissolved and the mixture became a clear solution. The reaction mixture was filtered while it was hot, and then was allowed to stand overnight in a refrigerator. The resulting precipitate was filtered off, washed with ice water and then dried to obtain 17.48 g of the desired compound (yield: 96.5%, pale yellow solid). Anal. for C 9 H 11 NO 3 , Calcd.: C; 59.66, H; 6.12, N; 7.73 Found : C; 59.96, H; 6.27, N; 7.76. NMR (200MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ : 5.00 (2H, d, J=6.8Hz), 6.50 (1H, t, J=6.8Hz), 7.95 (1H, dd, J=1.0,4.8Hz), 9.14 (1H, d, J=4.8Hz), 9.19 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz). IR (KBr)cm -1 : 3480, 3045, 2950, 1700. ii) Synthesis of cis-(N-bromomethyl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthalimide Triphenylphosphine [3.15 g (12 mmol)] was added to a solution of 1.81 g (10 mmol) of cis-(N-hydroxymethyl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthalimide and 3.98 g (12 mmol) of carbon tetrachloride in 100 ml of methylene chloride. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The solvent was distilled off and then the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane=1:2) to obtain 1.25 g of the desired compound (yield: 51.2%, brown oil). NMR (200MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ : 2.27 (2H, m), 2.63 (2H, m), 3.16 (2H, m), 5.17 (2H, s), 5.91 (2H, m). IR (neat)cm -1 : 3050, 2950, 1730, 1710, 655, 600. iii) Synthesis of 4-[cis-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthalimido)methylthio]pyridine To a suspension of 110 mg (1.0 mmol) of 4-mercaptopyridine and 0.14 ml (1.2 mmol) of triethylamine in 5 ml of ethanol, 2.93 mg (1.2 ml) of cis-(N-bromomethyl)1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthalimide was added under ice-cooling with stirring. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The solvent gas distilled off and then the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate) to obtain 250 mg of the desired compound (yield: 91.0%, yellow oil). NMR (200MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ : 2.17-2.27 (2H, m), 2.53-2.64 (2H, m), 3.11 (2H, m), 4.93 (2H, m), 5.80 (2H, m), 7.34 (2H, dd, J=1.2,4.2Hz), 8.44 (2H, bd, J=4.2Hz). IR (neat)cm -1 : 3040, 2950, 1710, 1570. Example 20 Synthesis of 4-(3-hydroxyisoindolin-1-on-2-ylmethylthio)pyridine To a solution of 4.01 g (14.8 mmol) of 4-(phthalimidomethylthio)pyridine in 25 ml of methanol, a solution of 1.08 g (29.7 mmol) of sodium borohydride in 20 ml of methanol was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours. Glacial acetic acid (0.5 ml) was added to quench the reaction, and then the solvent was distilled off. The residue was dissolved in chloroform, washed with water and dried, and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by recrystallization (recrystallization solvent: ethanol) to obtain 2.35 g of the desired compound (yield: 58.3%, yellow crystals). Anal. for C 14 H 12 N 2 O 2 S, Calcd.: C; 61.75, H; 4.44, N; 10.29 Found : C; 61.51, H; 4.39, N; 10.40. NMR (200MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ : 4.77 (1H, d, J=14.2Hz), 4.78 (1H, bs), 5.49 (1H, d, J=14.2Hz), 6.01 (1H, bs), 7.30-7.33 (2H, m), 7.46-7.77 (4H, m), 8.17-8.12 (2H, m). IR (KBr)cm -1 : 3420, 3140, 3050, 1700. Example 21 Synthesis of 4-(2-phthalimidoethyloxy)pyridine To a solution of 4.76 g (50 mmol) of 4-hydroxypyridine and 13.97 g (55 mmol) of N-(2-bromoethyl)phthalimide in 80 ml of DMF, 8.23 ml (55 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 32 hours. After the solvent was distilled off, the mixture was poured into water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The mixture was washed with water and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and then the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate) to obtain 0.41 g of the desired compound (yield: 3.1%, colorless crystal). mp: 157-158°C NMR (200MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ : 4.14 (2H, m), 4.29 (2H,m), 6.80 (2H, dd, J=4.8,1.6Hz), 7.69-7.93 (4H, m), 8.41 (2H, dd, J=4.8,1.6Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1775, 1705, 1595, 1570, 1510, 1290. Example 22 Synthesis of 4-[3-(3-hydroxyisoindolin-1-on-2-yl)propyloxy]pyridine Sodium borohydride [1.89 g (50 mmol)] was added to a solution of 2.82 g (10.0 mmol) of 4-(3-phthalimidopropyloxy)pyridine in 150 ml of ethanol. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes. After the solvent was distilled off, brine was added to the residue. The mixture was extracted with chloroform and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and then the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethanol/ethyl acetate=1:10), and then recrystallized from ethyl acetate to obtain 1.54 g of the desired compound (yield: 54.2%, colorless crystals). mp: 124-125°C. Anal. for C 16 H 16 N 2 O 3 , Calcd.: C; 67.59, H; 5.67, N; 9.85 Found : C; 67.74, H; 5.74, N; 9.84. NMR (200MHz), CDCl 3 ) δ : 2.04-2.36 (2H, m), 3.60-4.05 (4H, m), 5.22 (1H, br.), 5.85 (1H, s), 6.55 (1H, dd, J=4.8,1.6Hz), 7.47-7.67 (3H, m), 7.79 (1H, m), 7.97 (2H, dd, J=4.8,1.6Hz). IR (KBr)cm -1 : 3115, 1685, 1605, 1570, 1505, 1470, 1445, 1420, 1290, 1215. Example 23 Synthesis of 4-[3-(isoindolin-1-on-2-yl)propyloxy]pyridine i) Synthesis of 4-[3-(2-hydroxymethylbenzoyl)aminopropyloxy]pyridine Sodium borohydride [3.78 g (100 mmol)] was added to a solution of 2.82 g (10.0 mmol) of 4-(3-phthalimidopropyloxy)pyridine in 150 ml of ethanol. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. After the solvent was distiled off, brine was added to the residue. The mixture was extracted with chloroform and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off and then the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethanol/ethyl acetate=1:10) to obtain 1.488 g of the desired compound (yield: 52.0%, colorless crystals). mp: 108-109°C. Anal. for C 13 H 18 N 2 O 3 , Calcd.: C; 67.12, H; 6.34, N; 9.78 Found : C; 67.20, H; 6.40, N; 9.68. NMR (200MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ : 2.16 (2H, m), 3.67 (2H, m), 4.13 (2H, t, J=6Hz), 4.61 (2H, s), 4.75 (1H,br.), 6.76 (2H, dd, J=4.8,1.6Hz), 7.28 (1H, br.), 7.30-7.50 (3H, m), 7.59 (1H, m), 8.33 (2H, dd, J=4.8,1.6Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3400, 3205, 1635, 1600, 1585, 1565, 1510, 1440. ii) Synthesis of 4-[3-(isoindolin-1-on-2-yl)propyloxy]pyridine To a solution of 1.25 ml (9.0 mmol) of 4-[3-(2-hydroxymethylbenzoyl)-aminopropyloxy]pyridine and 1.25 ml (9.0 mmol) of triethylamine in 50 ml of methylene chloride, 0.47 ml (6.1 mmol) of methanesulfonyl chloride was added under ice-cooling with stirring. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was washed successively with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate, water and brine and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and then the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethanol/ethyl acetate=1:10) to obtain 537 mg of the desired compound (yield: 66.6%, pale brown crystals). mp: 70-71°C. Anal. for C 16 H 16 N 2 O 2 , Calcd.: C; 71.62, H; 6.01, N; 10.44 Found : C; 71.47, H; 6.07, N; 10.33. NMR (200MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ : 2.17 (2H, m), 3.69 (2H, t, J=6.6Hz), 4.18 (2H, t, J=6.4Hz), 5.29 (2H, s), 6.82 (2H, dd, J=4.8,1.6Hz), 7.33-7.56 (3H, m), 7.83 (1H, m), 8.40 (2H, dd, J=4.8,1.6Hz). IR (KBr)cm -1 : 1685, 1590, 1565, 1505, 1465, 1290, 1215. Example 24 Synthesis of 4-(3,4-pyridinedicarboxyimidomethylthio)pyridine i) Synthesis of (N-hydroxymethyl)-3,4-pyridinedicarboxyimide Formalin [0.81 ml (10.0 mmol)] was added to a suspension of 1.48 g (10.0 mmol) of 3,4-pyridinecarboxyimide in 17.5 ml of water. The mixture was stirred for about 1 hour under heating at 110°C until the precipitate was dissolved and the mixture became a clear solution. The reaction mixture was filtered while it was hot, and then was allowed to stand overnight in a refrigerator. The resulting precipitate was filtered off, washed with ice water and then dried to obtain 0.34 g of the desired compound (yield: 19.0%, pale red yellow solid). Anal. for C 8 H 6 N 2 O 3 ·0.1H 2 O, Calcd.: C; 53.40, H; 3.47, N; 15.57 Found : C; 53.28, H; 3.37, N; 15.57. NMR (200MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ : 5.00 (2H, d, J=6.8Hz), 6.50 (1H, t, J=6.8Hz), 7.95 (1H, dd, J=1.0,4.8Hz), 9.14 (1H, d, J=4.8Hz), 9.19 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz). IR (KBr)cm -1 : 3170, 1785, 1710. ii) Synthesis of 4-(3,4-pyridinedicarboxyimidomethylthio)pyridine Thionyl chloride [0.22 ml (3.0 mmol)] was added to a suspension of 180 mg (1.0 mmol) of (N-hydroxymethyl)-3,4-pyridinedicarboxyimide in 5 ml of carbon tetrachloride. The mixture was stirred under heating at 80°C for 3 hours. After cooling, the solvent was distilled off. 0.42 ml (3.0 mmol) of triethylamine and 110 mg (1.0 mmol) of 4-mercaptopyridine were added to a suspension of the residue in 5 ml of ethanol. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The solvent was distilled off. Then the residue was dissolved in chloroform, washed with water and dried. The solvent was distilled off and then the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate) to obtain 70 mg of the desired compound (yield: 27%, yellow crystals). NMR (200MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ : 5.22 (2H, s), 7.40 (2H, dd, J=1.6,4.6Hz), 7.78 (1H, dd, J=1.0,4.8Hz), 8.47 (2H, dd, J=1.6,4.6Hz), 9.11 (1H, d, J=4.8Hz), 9.20 (1H, d, J=1.0Hz). IR (KBr)cm -1 : 1720, 1580, 920, 810, 740. Example 25 Synthesis of 4-[2-(3-hydroxyisoindolin-1-on-2-yl)ethylthio]pyridine To a solution of 5.69 g (20.0 mmol) of 4-(2-phthalimidoethylthio)pyridine in 150 ml of ethanol, 2.27 g (60 mmol) of sodium borohydride was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes. The solvent was distilled off and saturated saline was added to the residue. The mixture was extracted with chloroform and the extract was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethanol/ethyl acetate = 1 : 10), after which subsequent recrystallization from ethyl acetate gave 3.63 g of the desired compound (63.4% yield, colorless crystals), mp. 111.5-112.5°C. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 3.31 (2H, t, J=7.2 Hz), 3.79 (2H, m), 5.89 (1H, s), 7.23 (2H, dd, J=6.4, 1.6 Hz), 7.42-7.65 (3H, m), 7.50 (1H, dd, J=6.8, 1.2 Hz), 8.21 (2H, m). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3510, 3435, 1700, 1680, 1585. Example 26 Synthesis of 4-[2-(isoindolin-1-on-2-yl)ethylthio]pyridine i) Synthesis of 4-[2-(2-hydroxymethylbenzoyl)aminoethylthio]pyridine To a solution of 2.84 g (10.0 mmol) of 4-(2-phthalimidoethylthio)pyridine in 150 ml of ethanol, 3.78 g (100 mmol) of sodium borohydride was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. The solvent was distilled off and saturated saline was added to the residue. The mixture was extracted with chloroform and the extract was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethanol/ethyl acetate = 1 : 10) to give 2.24 g of the desired compound (77.8% yield, colorless crystals), mp. 132-133°C. Anal. for C 15 H 16 N 2 O 2 S, Calcd.: C; 62.48, H; 5.59, N; 9.71. Found: C; 62.20, H; 5.65, N; 9.53. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ : 3.30 (2H, t, J=6.6 Hz), 3.76 (2H, m), 4.20 (1H, br), 4.64 (2H, ABq), 6.99 (1H, br), 7.23 (2H, dd, J=4.8, 1.6 Hz), 7.31-7.58 (4H, m), 8.42 (2H, dd, J=4.8, 1.6 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3260, 1655, 1590, 1555. ii) Synthesis of 4-[2-(isoindolin-1-on-2-yl)ethylthio]pyridine To a solution of 1.153g (4.0 mmol) of 4-[2-(2-hydroxymethylbenzoyl)aminoethylthio]pyridine and 1.68 ml (12.1 mmol) of triethylamine in 50 ml of methylene chloride, 0.62 ml (8.0 mmol) of methanesulfonyl chloride was added with stirring at room temperature, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. The mixture was washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate, water and saturated saline, and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate) to give 623 mg of the desired compound (57.6% yield, colorless crystals), mp. 86-87°C. Anal. for C 15 H 14 N 2 OS, Calcd.: C; 66.64, H; 5.22, N; 10.36. Found: C; 66.49, H; 5.25, N; 10.26. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 3.29 (2H, m), 3.84 (2H, m), 5.34 (2H, s), 7.22 (2H, dd, J=4.6, 1.6 Hz), 7.34-7.58 (3H, m), 7.83 (1H, d, J=7.6 Hz), 8.38 (2H, dd, J=4.6, 1.6 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1705, 1695, 1575. Example 27 Synthesis of 4-[4-(3-hydroxyisoindolin-1-on-2-yl)butylthio]pyridine To a solution of 6.25 g (20.0 mmol) of 4-(4-phthalimidobutylthio)pyridine in 300 ml of ethanol, 1.51 g (40 mmol) of sodium borohydride was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2.5 hours. The solvent was distilled off and saturated saline was added to the residue. The mixture was extracted with chloroform and the extract was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate) to give 1.73 g of the desired compound (27.5% yield, colorless crystals), mp. 144-145°C. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.82 (4H, m), 3.04 (2H, t, J=7.2 Hz), 3.45-3.75 (2H, m), 5.80 (1H, s), 7.13 (2H, dd, J=4.8, 1.6 Hz), 7.45-7.65 (3H, m), 7.74 (1H, m), 8.25 (2H, m). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1700, 1585. Example 28 Synthesis of 4-[4-(isoindolin-1-on-2-yl)butylthio]pyridine i) Synthesis of 4-[4-(2-hydroxymethylbenzoyl)aminobutylthio]pyridine To a solution of 6.25 g of (20.0 mmol) of 4-(4-phthalimidobutylthio)pyridine in 300 ml of ethanol, 7.57 g (200 mmol) of sodium borohydride was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 14 hours. The solvent was distilled off and saturated saline was added to the residue. The mixture was extracted with chloroform and the extract was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethanol/ethyl acetate = 1 : 10) to give 4.63 g of the desired compound (73.1% yield, colorless crystals), mp. 87-88°C. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.83 (4H, m), 3.06 (2H, m), 3.52 (2H, m), 4.60 (2H, s), 6.63 (1H, br), 7.13 (2H, dd, J=6.4, 1.6 Hz), 7.25-7.58 (4H, m), 8.37 (2H, m). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3300, 1655, 1590, 1560. ii) Synthesis of 4-[4-(isoindolin-1-on-2-yl)butylthio]pyridine To a solution of 1.58 g (5.0 mmol) of 4-[4-(2-hydroxymethylbenzoyl)aminobutylthio]pyridine and 2.09 ml (15.0 mmol) of triethylamine in 50 ml of methylene chloride, 0.77 ml (10.0 mmol) of methanesulfonyl chloride was added with stirring at room temperature, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. The mixture was washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate, water and saturated saline, and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate) to give 1.075 g of the desired compound (72.1% yield, pale brown crystals), mp. 57-58°C. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.87 (4H, m), 3.05 (2H, m), 3.59 (2H, m), 5.36 (2H, s), 7.11 (2H, dd, J=4.8, 1.6 Hz), 7.34-7.59 (3H, m), 7.97 (1H, d, J=7.2 Hz), 8.35 (2H, dd, J=4.8, 1.6 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1685, 1580, 1535, 1485, 1470, 1460, 1415, 1375, 1350. Example 29 Synthesis of 4-[3-(3-hydroxyisoindolin-1-on-2-yl)propylthio]pyridine To a solution of 5.97 g (20.0 mmol) of 4-(3-phthalimidopropylthio)pyridine in 300 ml of ethanol, 1.51 g (40 mmol) of sodium borohydride was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 5 hours. The solvent was distilled off and saturated saline was added to the residue. The mixture was extracted with chloroform and the extract was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethanol/ethyl acetate = 1 : 10) to give 3.27 g of the desired compound (54.4% yield, colorless crystals), mp. 132-134°C. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 2.11 (2H, m), 2.97 (2H, m), 3.72 (2H, m), 5.83 (1H, s), 6.98 (2H, d, J=5.4 Hz), 7.47-7.67 (3H, m), 7.77 (1H, dd, J=7.6, 1.2 Hz), 8.02 (2H, m). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3430, 1690, 1585, 1470, 1415, 1350. Example 30 Synthesis of 4-[3-(isoindolin-1-on-2-yl)propylthio]pyridine i) Synthesis of 4-[3-(2-hydroxymethylbenzoyl)aminopropylthio]pyridine To a solution of 5.97 g (20.0 mmol) of 4-(3-phthalimidopropylthio)pyridine in 300 ml of ethanol, 7.57 g (200 mmol) of sodium borohydride was added, and stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. The solvent was distilled off and saturated saline was added to the residue. The mixture was extracted with chloroform and the extract was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethanol/ethyl acetate = 1 : 10) to give 4.73 g of the desired compound (78.2% yield, colorless crystals), mp. 110-111°C. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 2.08 (2H, m), 3.11 (2H, t, J=7.2 Hz), 3.64 (2H, m), 4.62 (2H, s), 6.81 (1H, br), 7.16 (2H, dd, J=4.8, 1.6 Hz), 7.32-7.52 (3H, m), 7.57 (1H, d, J=7.6 Hz), 8.38 (2H, dd, J=4.8, 1.6 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3280, 1655, 1585, 1555. ii)Synthesis of 4-[3-(isoindolin-1-on-2-yl)propylthio]pyridine To a solution of 1.51 g (5.0 mmol) of 4-[3-(2-hydroxymethylbenzoyl)aminopropylthio]pyridine and 2.09 ml (15.0 mmol) of triethylamine in 50 ml of methylene chloride, 0.77 ml (10.0 mmol) of methanesulfonyl chloride was added with stirring at room temperature, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. The mixture was washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate, water and saturated saline, and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate) to give 1.12g of the desired compound (78.9% yield, pale brown crystals), mp. 73-74.5°C. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 2.11 (2H, m), 3.16 (2H, m), 3.68 (2H, t, J=6.6 Hz), 5.37 (2H, s), 7.17 (2H, dd, J=6.6, 1.6 Hz), 7.36-7.61 (3H, m), 8.01 (1H, d, J=7.6 Hz), 8.35 (2H, dd, J=6.6, 1.6 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1690, 1580. Example 31 Synthesis of 4-(3-phthalimidopropyloxy)pyridine hydrochloride To a solution of 1.41 g (5.0 mmol) of 4-(3-phthalimidopropyloxy)pyridine in 20 ml of methanol, 10 ml of hydrogen chloride-methanol was added. The solvent was distilled off and acetone was added to the residue. The resulting crystals were collected by filtration and washed with acetone to give 1.03 g of the desired compound (64.8% yield, colorless crystals), mp. 167-169°C. NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ: 2.15 (2H, m), 3.78 (2H, t, J=6.6 Hz), 4.39 (2H, t, J=6.2 Hz), 7.45 (2H, d, J=7.2 Hz), 7.86 (4H, m), 8.73 (2H, d, J=7.2 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1780, 1715, 1640, 1595, 1510. Example 32 Synthesis of 4-(4-phthalimidobutyloxy)pyridine hydrochloride To a suspension of 1.48 g (5.0 mmol) of 4-(4-phthalimidobutyloxy)pyridine in 20 ml of methanol, 15 ml of hydrogen chloride-methanol was added and dissolve. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was crystallized from acetone-ether. The resulting crystals were collected by filtration and washed with ether to give 1.51 g of the desired compound (86.3% yield, colorless crystals), mp. 154-156°C. Anal. for C 17 H 16 N 2 O 3 S·HCl·H 2 O, Calcd.: C; 58.21, H; 5.46, N; 7.99. Found: C; 58.29, H; 5.38, N; 8.02. NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ: 1.81 (4H, m), 3.66 (2H, m), 4.37 (2H, m), 7.54 (2H, d, J=7.4 Hz), 7.87 (4H, m), 8.74 (2H, d, J=7.4 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1770, 1715, 1640, 1595, 1510. Example 33 Synthesis of 4-phthalimidomethyloxypyridine hydrochloride To a solution of 1.27 g (5.0 mmol) of 4-phthalimidomethyloxypyridine in 20 ml of methylene chloride, 10 ml of hydrogen chloride-methanol was added. The solvent was distilled off and acetone was added to the residue. The resulting crystals were collected by filtration and washed with acetone to give 1.35 g (93.1% yield, colorless crystals), mp. 157-159°C. Anal. for C 14 H 10 N 2 O 3 ·HCl, Calcd.: C; 57.84, H; 3.81, N; 9.64. Found: C; 57.74, H; 3.82, N; 9.69. NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ:5.96 (2H, s), 7.73 (2H, t, J=6 Hz), 7.88-8.06 (4H, m), 8.83 (2H, d, J=6.2 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1785, 1725, 1640, 1505. Example 34 Synthesis of 4-(4-benzoylpiperidylthio)pyridine The desired compound was synthesized in the same manner as described in Reference Example 1, mp. 123-124°C. Anal. for C 17 H 18 N 2 OS, Calcd.: C; 68.43, H; 6.08, N; 9.39. Found: C; 68.71, H; 6.10, N; 9.42. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.72 (2H, m), 2.10 (2H, m), 3.28 (2H, m), 3.64 (1H, m), 7.19 (2H, dd, J=4.6, 1.6 Hz), 7.41 (5H, m), 8.43 (2H, dd, J=4.6, 1.6 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1625, 1575. Example 35 Synthesis of 4-[4-(2-thenoyl)piperidylthio]pyridine The desired compound was synthesized in the same manner as described in Reference Example 1. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.76 (2H, m), 2.15 (2H, m), 3.40 (2H, m), 3.67 (1H, m), 4.27 (2H, m), 7.05 (1H, dd, J=5, 3.6 Hz), 7.20 (2H, dd, J=4.6, 1.6 Hz), 7.29 (1H, dd, J=3.6, 1.2 Hz), 7.46 (1H, dd, J=5, 1.2 Hz), 8.44 (2H, dd, J=4.6, 1.6 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1600, 1575. Example 36 Synthesis of 4-[4-(thianaphthene-2-carbonyl)piperidylthio]pyridine The desired compound was synthesized in the same manner as described in Reference Example 1, mp. 146-147°C. Anal. for C 19 H 18 N 2 OS 2 , Calcd.: C; 64.38, H; 5.12, N; 7.90. Found: C; 64.34, H; 4.89, N; 7.94. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.80 (2H, m), 2.17 (2H, m), 3.44 (2H, m), 3.69 (1H, m), 4.29 (1H, m), 7.22 (2H, dd, J=4.6, 1.6 Hz), 7.25-7.51 (3H, m), 7.75-7.92 (2H, m), 8.45 (2H, dd, J=4.6, 1.6 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1615, 1575, 1520. Example 37 Synthesis of 4-[4-(2-picolinyl)piperidylthio]pyridine The desired compound was synthesized in the same manner as described in Reference Example 1. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.68-2.31 (4H, m), 3.36 (2H, m), 3.68 (1H, m), 3.98 (1H, m), 4.46 (1H, m), 7.21 (2H, dd, J=4.8, 1.6 Hz), 7.37 (1H, m), 7.66 (1H, m), 7.82 (1H, m), 8.44 (2H, dd, J=4.8, 1.6 Hz), 8.59 (1H, m). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1625, 1585, 1575, 1565. Example 38 Synthesis of 4-(4-pivaloylpiperidylthio)pyridine The desired compound was synthesized in the same manner as described in Reference Example 1. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.29 (9H, s), 1.60 (2H, m), 2.11 (2H, m), 3.22 (2H, m), 3.61 (1H, m), 4.23 (2H, m), 7.17 (2H, dd, J=4.6, 1.6 Hz), 8.44 (2H, dd, J=4.6, 1.6 Hz). IR (neat) cm -1 : 1630, 1575. Example 39 Synthesis of 4-(4-isobutyrylpiperidylthio)pyridine The desired compound was synthesized in the same manner as described in Reference Example 1. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.13 (6H, d, J=6.8 Hz), 1.65 (2H, m), 2.10 (2H, m), 2.80 (1H, heptet, J=6.8 Hz), 3.10 (1H, m), 3.30 (1H, m), 3.60 (1H, m), 3.90 (1H, m), 4.33 (1H, m), 7.17 (2H, dd, J=4.6, 1.6 Hz), 8.44 (2H, dd, J=4.6, 1.6 Hz). IR (neat) cm -1 : 1640, 1575. Example 40 Synthesis of 3-[3-(4-pyridylthio)propyl]-2H-1,3-benzoxadine-2,4(3H)-dione To a solution of 1.153 g (4.0 mmol) of 4-[3-(2-hydroxybenzoylamino)]propylthiopyridine in 30 ml of dry tetrahydrofuran, 1.30 g (10.0 mmol) of 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. The solvent was distilled off and chloroform was added to the residue. The mixture was washed with water and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate) to give 1.14 g of the desired compound (90.7% yield, colorless crystals), mp. 101.5-102°C. Anal. for C 16 H 14 N 2 O 3 S, Calcd.: C; 61.13, H; 4.49, N; 8.91. Found: C; 61.20, H; 4.25, N; 8.98. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 2.16 (2H, m), 3.08 (2H, t, J=7.4 Hz), 4.22 (2H, t, J=7 Hz), 7.15 (2H, dd, J=4.8, 1.6 Hz), 7.25-7.44 (2H, m), 7.73 (1H, m), 8.09 (1H, dd, J=8, 1.8 Hz), 8.40 (2H, dd, J=4.8, 1.6 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1760, 1695, 1620, 1580. Example 41 Synthesis of 5,5-dimethyl-3-[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]hydantoin To a solution of 2.56 g (20 mmol) of 5,5-dimethylhydantoin and 4.03 g (20 mmol) of 4-(4-chlorobutylthio)pyridine in 20 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide, 3.00 ml (20 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 43 hours, followed by further stirring at 70°C for 10 hours. Ethyl acetate was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was washed three times with water and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/ethanol = 10 : 1) to give 3.33 g of the desired compound (56.8% yield, colorless crystals). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.42 (6H, s), 1.77 (4H, m), 3.02 (2H, t, J=7 Hz), 3.54 (2H, t, J=6.6 Hz), 6.93 (1H, br), 7.11 (2H, dd, J=4.8, 1.6 Hz), 8.37 (2H, dd, J=4.8, 1.6 Hz). IR (neat) cm -1 : 3300, 1775, 1710, 1580. Example 42 Synthesis of 3-[3-(4-pyridylthio)propyl]-2H-1,3-benzoxadine-2-thion-4(3H)-one To a solution of 1.442 g (5.0 mmol) of 4-[3-(2-hydroxybenzoylamino)]propylthio]pyridine in 30 ml of dry tetrahydrofuran, 1.78 g (10.0 mmol) of 1,1'-thiocarbonyldiimidazole was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 6 hours. The solvent was distilled off and chloroform was added to the residue. The mixture was washed with water and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/n-hexane = 2 : 1) to give 1.57 g of the desired compound (95.0% yield, colorless crystals), mp. 118.5-119°C. Anal. for C 16 H 14 N 2 O 2 S 2 , Calcd.: C; 58.16, H; 4.27, N; 8.48. Found: C; 58.00, H; 4.28, N; 8.41. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ:2.26 (2H, m), 3.11 (2H, t, J=7.4 Hz), 4.62 (2H, m), 7.15 (2H, dd, J=4.8, 1.6 Hz), 7.32-7.46 (2H, m), 7.75 (1H, m), 8.07 (1H, dd, J=7.8, 1.8 Hz), 8.40 (2H, dd, J=4.8, 1.6 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1710, 1620, 1595, 1580. Example 43 Synthesis of 1-methyl-3-[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]hydantoin The desired compound was synthesized in the same manner as described in Example 41. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.77 (4H, m), 3.00 (3H, s), 3.02 (2H, t, J=7 Hz), 3.55 (2H, t, J=6.6 Hz), 3.85 (2H, s), 7.12 (2H, dd, J=4.8, 1.6 Hz), 8.39 (2H, dd, J=4.8, 1.6 Hz). IR (neat) cm -1 : 1770, 1710, 1575. Example 44 Synthesis of 4-(4-succinimidobutylthio)pyridine The desired compound was synthesized in the same manner as described in Example 41, mp. 80-81°C. Anal. for C 13 H 16 N 2 O 2 S, Calcd.: C; 59.07, H; 6.10, N; 10.60. Found: C; 59.36, H; 6.04, N; 10.63. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.73 (4H, m), 2.70 (4H, s) 3.00 (2H, t, J=6.8 Hz), 3.55 (2H, t, J=6.8 Hz), 7.09 (2H, dd, J=4.6, 1.6 Hz), 8.39 (2H, dd, J=4.6, 1.6 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1770, 1710, 1580. Example 45 Synthesis of 4-(2,2-dimethyl-3-phthalimidopropylthio)pyridine To a solution of 0.56 g (5.0 mmol) of 4-mercaptopyridine and 1.48 g (5.0 mmol) of (N-3-bromo-2,2-dimethylpropyl)phthalimide in 20 ml of dimethylformamide, 0.75 ml (5.0 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 8 hours. Water was added, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate) to give 12.0 g of the desired compound (71.6% yield, colorless columns). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.13 (6H, s), 3.03 (2H, s), 3.70 (2H, s), 7.17 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.6 Hz), 7.72-7.92 (4H, m), 8.38 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.6 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3030, 2960, 1715, 1580, 800, 720. Example 46 Synthesis of 3-[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]quinazolin-2,4(1H,3H)-dione The desired compound was synthesized in the same manner as described in Example 41. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.66-2.03 (4H, m), 3.07 (2H, t, J=7 Hz), 4.15 (2H, t, J=7 Hz), 7.06-7.16 (3H, m), 7.25 (1H, m), 7.61 (1H, m), 8.14 (1H, m), 8.38 (2H, m), 10.02 (1H, br). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1710, 1660. Example 47 Synthesis of 1,3-bis[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]quinazolin-2,4(1H,3H)-dione The desired compound was synthesized in the same manner as described in Example 41. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.70-2.07 (8H, m), 2.97-3.14 (4H, m), 4.07-4.25 (4H, m), 7.05-7.14 (4H, m), 7.17 (1H, d, J=8.4 Hz), 7.27 (1H, m), 7.69 (1H, m), 8.25 (1H, dd, J=7.8, 1.6 Hz), 8.31-8.45 (4H, m). IR (neat) cm -1 : 1700, 1660, 1610, 1575. Example 48 Synthesis of 3-[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]-1-benzylquinazolin-2,4-(1H,3H)-dione The desired compound was synthesized in the same manner as described in Example 41. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.72-2.05 (4H, m), 3.06 (2H, t, J=7.2 Hz), 4.21 (2H, t, J=7 Hz), 5.38 (2H, s), 7.05-7.40 (9H, m), 7.55 (1H, m), 8.24 (1H, dd, J=7.8, 1.6 Hz), 8.36 (2H, dd, J=6.8, 1.6 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1700, 1660, 1610, 1575, 1485. Example 49 Synthesis of 4-[4-(5-benzylidene-2,4-thiazolidinedione)butylthio]pyridine i) Synthesis of 5-benzylidene-2,4-thiazolldinedione To a solution of 20 g (171 mmol) of 2,4-thiazolidinedione and 17.4 ml (171 mmol) of benzaldehyde in 350 ml of ethanol, 1.68 ml (17.1 mmol) of piperidine was added, and the mixture was heated under reflux for 5 hours. After cooling, the precipitated crystals were filtered and washed with cooled ethanol to give 31.67 g of the desired compound (90.4% yield, pale yellow crystals). Anal. for C 10 H 7 NO 2 S, Calcd.: C; 58.52, H; 3.44, N; 6.82. Found: C; 58.74, H; 3.42, N; 6.82. NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ: 7.48-7.63 (5H, m), 7.81 (1H, s), 12.40 (1H, bs). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3140, 3020, 2780, 1740, 1690, 1605. ii) Synthesis of 4-[4-(5-benzylidene-2,4-thiazolidinedione)butylthio]pyridine To a solution of 2.0 g (9.74 mmol) of 5-benzylidene-2,4-thiazolidinedione and 1.96 g (9.74 mmol) of 4-(4-chlorobutylthio)pyridine in 80 ml of dimethylformamide, 1.46 ml (9.74 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane = 2 : 1) to give 2.40 g of the desired compound (66.6% yield, pale yellow crystals). Anal. for C 19 H 18 N 2 O 2 S 2 , Calcd.: C; 61.60, H; 4.90, N; 7.56. Found: C; 61.74, H; 5.04, N; 7.41. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.68-1.96 (4H, m), 3.03 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 3.81 (2H, t, J=6.8 Hz), 7.11 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.8 Hz), 7.45-7.54 (5H, m), 7.81 (1H, s), 8.39 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.8 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3040, 2950, 1745, 1680, 1615, 1580, 1130, 800, 770, 695. Example 50 Synthesis of 4-[4-[5-(4-chlorobenzylidene)-2,4-thiazolidinedione]butylthio]pyridine i) Synthesis of 5-(4-chlorobenzylidene)-2,4-thiazolidinedione To a solution of 20 g (171 mmol) of 2,4-thiazolidinedione and 17.4 ml (171 mmol) of 4-chlorobenzaldehyde in 350 ml of ethanol, 1.68 ml (17.1 mmol) of piperidine was added, and the mixture was heated under reflux for 5 hours. After cooling, the precipitated crystals were filtered and washed with cooled ethanol to give 17.75 g of the desired compound (43.4% yield, pale yellow crystals). Anal. for C 10 H 6 NO 2 SCl, Calcd.: C: 50.11, H; 2.52, N; 5.84. Found: C; 50.02, H; 2.52, N; 5.91. NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ: 7.61 (4H, s), 7.79 (1H, s). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3150, 3050, 2760, 1750, 1720, 1610. ii) 4-[4-[5-(4-chlorobenzylidene)-2,4-thiazolidinedione]butylthio]pyridine To a solution of 2.0 g (8.34 mmol) of 5-(4-chlorobenzylidene)-2,4-thiazolidinedione and 1.68 g (8.34 mmol) of 4-(4-chlorobutylthio)pyridine in 80 ml of dimethylformamide, 1.24 ml (8.34 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane = 2 : 1) to give 2.08 g of the desired compound (61.5% yield, pale yellow crystals). Anal. for C 19 H 17 N 2 O 2 S 2 Cl, Calcd.: C; 56.36, H; 4.23, N; 6.92. Found: C; 56.27, H; 4.23, N; 6.77. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.64-1.95 (4H, m), 3.02 (2H, t, J=7.2 Hz), 3.80 (2H, t, J=6.8 Hz), 7.10 (2H, dd, J=1.8, 4.8 Hz), 7.45 (4H, s), 7.84 (1H, s), 8.38 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.8 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3040, 2950, 1740, 1685, 1610, 1580, 1345, 810, 710. Example 51 Synthesis of 4-[4-[5-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-2,4-thiazolidinedione]butylthio]pyridine To a solution of 20 g (171 mmol) of 2,4-thiazolidinedione and 20.6 ml (171 mmol) of anisaldehyde in 350 ml of ethanol, 1.68 ml (17.1 mmol) of piperidine was added, and the mixture was heated under reflux for 5 hours. After cooling, the precipitated crystals were filtered and washed with cooled ethanol to give 30.75 g of the desired compound (76.5% yield, pale yellow crystals). Anal. for C 11 H 9 NO 3 S, Calcd.: C; 56.16, H; 3.86, N; 5.95. Found: C; 56.43, H; 4.04, N; 6.18. NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ: 3.83 (3H, s), 7.11 (2H, d, J=8.3 Hz), 7.55 (2H, d, J=7.4 Hz), 7.79 (1H, s). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3230, 1745, 1690, 1590, 1285, 695. ii) Synthesis of 4-[4-[5-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-2,4-thiazolidinedione]butylthio]pyridine To a solution of 2.0 g (8.50 mmol) of 5-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-2,4-thiazolidinedione and 1.71 g (8.50 mmol) of 4-(4-chlorobutylthio)pyridine in 80 ml of dimethylformamide, 1.27 ml (8.50 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane = 2 : 1) to give 2.35 g of the desired compound (69.0% yield, pale yellow crystals). Anal. for C 20 H 20 N 2 O 3 S 2 , Calcd.: C; 59.98, H; 5.03, N; 6.99. Found: C; 66.06, H; 5.19, N; 6.92. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ:1.68-1.94 (4H, m), 3.02 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 3.79 (2H, t, J=6.8 Hz), 3.87 (3H, s), 6.99 (2H, d, J=8.8 Hz), 7.09 (2H, dd, J=1.8, 4.8 Hz), 7.47 (2H, d, J=9.0 Hz), 7.85 (1H, s), 8.38 (2H, dd, J=1.4, 4.4 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3040, 2950, 1750, 1690, 1600, 1580, 825, 805, 740, 715. Example 52 Synthesis of 4-[4-(5-benzylidenerhodanine)butylthio]pyridine i) Synthesis of 5-benzylidenerhodanine To a solution of 10 g (75.1 mmol) of rhodanine and 7.63 ml (75.1 mmol) of benzaldehyde in 150 ml of ethanol, 0.74 ml (7.5 mmol) of piperidine was added, and the mixture was heated under reflux for 5 hours. After cooling, the precipitated crystals were filtered and washed with cooled ethanol to give 11.07 g of the desired compound (66.6% yield, pale yellow crystals). Anal. for C 10 H 7 NOS 2 , Calcd.: C; 54.27, H; 3.19, N; 6.33. Found: C; 54.33, H; 3.31, N; 6.25. NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ: 7.51-7.64 (5H, m), 7.66 (1H, s). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3170, 3070, 2850, 1705, 1680, 1590, 1440, 680, 530. ii) Synthesis of 4-[4-(5-benzylidenerhodanine)butylthio]pyridine To a solution of 20 g (9.04 mmol) of 5-benzylidenrhodanine and 1.83 g (9.04 mmol) of 4-(4-chlorobutylthio)pyridine in 80 ml of dimethylformamide, 1.35 ml (9.04 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane = 2 : 1) to give 1.47 g of the desired compound (39.2% yield, pale yellow crystals). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.72-1.98 (4H, m), 3.04 (2H, t, J=7.2 Hz), 4.18 (2H, t, J=6.8 Hz), 7.11 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.6 Hz), 7.45-7.58 (5H, m), 7.75 (1H, s), 8.39 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.6 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3020, 2940, 1710, 1580, 1340, 800, 760, 690. Example 53 Synthesis of 4-[3-(5-benzylidene-2,4-thiazolidinedione)propylthio]pyridine To a solution of 2.0 g (9.74 mmol) of 5-benzylidene-2,4-thiazolidinedione and 1.83 g (9.74 mmol) of 4-(3-chloropropylthio)pyridine in 80 ml of dimethylformamide, 1.46 ml (9.74 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane = 2 : 1) to give 1.92 g of the desired compound (55.4% yield, pale yellow crystals). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 2.10 (2H, quint., J=7.4 Hz), 3.02 (2H, t, J=7.2 Hz), 3.93 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 7.11 (2H, dd, J=1.8, 4.6 Hz), 7.45-7.54 (5H, m), 7.91 (1H, s), 8.40 (2H, dd, J=1.4, 4.4 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3030, 2950, 1755, 1685, 1605, 1580, 1380, 800, 760, 710, 685. Example 54 Synthesis of 4-[2-(5-benzylidene-2,4-thiazolidinedione)ethylthio]pyridine To a solution of 2.0 g (9.74 mmol) of 5-benzylidene-2,4-thiazolidinedione and 1.69 g (9.74 mmol) of 4-(2-chloroethylthio)pyridine in 80 ml of dimethylformamide, 1.46 ml (9.74 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C four 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane = 2 : 1) to give 1.33 g of the desired compound (39.8% yield, pale yellow crystals). Anal. for C 17 H 14 N 2 O 2 S 2 , Calcd.: C; 59.63, H; 4.12, N; 8.18. Found: C; 59.54, H; 3.99, N; 8.04. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 3.27 (2H, t, J=7.8 Hz), 4.05 (2H, t, J=7.4 Hz), 7.27 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.2 Hz), 7.46-7.54 (5H, m), 7.93 (1H, s), 8.46 (2H, dd, J=1.4, 4.4 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3030, 1754, 1680, 1605, 1580, 800, 770, 710, 690. Example 55 Synthesis of 4-[4-(isoindolin-1-on-2-yl)butyloxy]pyridine The desired compound was synthesized in the same manner as described in Example 23. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.72-2.05 (4H, m), 3.60 (2H, t, J=6.6 Hz), 4.09 (2H, t, J=6.2 Hz), 5.34 (2H, s), 6.80 (2H, dd, J=4.8, 1.6 Hz), 7.31-7.57 (3H, m), 7.85 (1H, d, J=6.6 Hz), 8.40 (2H, dd, J=4.8, 1.6 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1700, 1685, 1595, 1585, 1570, 1505. Example 56 Synthesis of 4-[4-[5-(2-thienylmethylene)-2,4-thiazolidinedione]butylthio]pyridine i) Synthesis of 5-(2-thienylmethylene)-2,4-thiazolidinedione To a solution of 20 g (171 mmol) of 2,4-thiazolidinedione and 16.0 ml (171 mmol) of 2-thiophenecarboxaldehyde in 350 ml of ethanol, 1.68 ml (17.1 mmol) of piperidine was added, and the mixture was heated under reflux for 5 hours. After cooling, the precipitated crystals were filtered and washed with cooled ethanol to give 24.03 g of the desired compound (66.6% yield, pale yellow crystals). Anal. for C 8 H 5 NO 2 S 2 , Calcd.: C; 45.48, H; 2.39, N; 6.63. Found: C; 45.41, H; 2.41, N; 6.52. NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ: 7.29 (1H, dd, J=3.6, 4.4 Hz), 7.67 (1H, bd, J=3.6 Hz), 8.01 (1H, bd, J=4.4 Hz), 8.07 (1H, s). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3450, 3130, 3040, 2800, 1740, 1690, 1600, 1330, 640, 540. ii) Synthesis of 4-[4-[5-(2-thienylmethylene)-2,4-thiazolidinedione]butylthio]pyridine To a solution of 2.5 g (11.8 mmol) of 5-(2-thienylmethylene)-2,4-thiazolidinedione and 1.99 g (9.86 mmol) of 4-(4-chlorobutylthio)pyridine in 100 ml of dimethylformamide, 1.76 ml (11.8 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane = 2 : 1) to give 2.35 g of the desired compound (52.8% yield, pale yellow crystals). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.68-1.95 (4H, m), 3.02 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 3.79 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 7.10 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.6 Hz), 7.20 (1H, dd, J=3.8, 5.0 Hz), 7.41 (1H, bd, J=4.2 Hz), 7.67 (1H, bd, J=5.0 Hz), 8.06 (1H, s), 8.38 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.8 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3040, 2950, 1740, 1680, 1600, 1580, 1350, 800, 740, 700. Example 57 Synthesis of 4-[4-[5-(4-dimethylaminobenzylidene)rhodanine]butylthio]pyridine To a solution of 3.0 g (11.35 mmol) of 5-(4-dimethylaminobenzylidene)rhodanine and 1.91 g (9.46 mmol) of 4-(4-chlorobutylthio)pyridine in 100 ml of dimethylformamide, 1.41 ml (9.46 mmol) of 1,8-diazebicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane = 2 : 1) to give 1.89 g of the desired compound (38.8% yield, pale yellow crystals). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.71-2.01 (4H, m), 3.03 (2H, t, J=7.2 Hz), 3.09 (6H, s), 4.17 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 6.73 (2H, d, J=9.0 Hz), 7.10 (2H, dd, J=1.8, 4.8 Hz), 7.40 (2H, d, J=9.0 Hz), 7.67 (1H, s), 8.38 (2H, dd, J=1.8, 4.8 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3030, 2950, 1700, 1620, 1580, 820, 800. Example 58 Synthesis of 4-(5-benzylidene-2,4-thiazolidinedione)methylthiopyridine i) Synthesis of 4-chloromethylthiopyridine To a solution of 5.56 g (50.0 mmol) of 4-mercaptopyridine and 8.97 ml (60.0 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene in 50 ml of dimethylformaldehyde, 3.90 ml (60.0 mmol) of bromochloromethane was added with stirring under ice-cooling, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. Water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: chloroform) to give 2.34 g of the desired compound (27.2% yield, pale yellow crystals). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 5.05 (2H, s), 7.30 (2H, dd, J=1.8, 4.6 Hz), 8.51 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.6 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3020, 2950, 1570, 1480, 1405, 800, 735, 700, 645. ii) Synthesis of 4-(5-benzylidene-2,4-thiazolidinedione)methylthiopyridine To a solution of 0.308 g (1.50 mmol) of 5-benzylidene-2,4-thiazolidinedione and 0.127 g (0.80 mmol) of 4-chloromethylthiopyridine in 8 ml of dimethylformamide, 0.12 ml (0.80 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane = 1 : 1) to give 0.13 g of the desired compound (50.0% yield, pale yellow crystals). Anal. for C 16 H 12 N 2 O 2 S 2 ·0.4H 2 O, Calcd.: C; 57.26, H; 3.84, N; 8.35. Found: C; 57.56, H; 3.53, N; 8.43. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 5.23 (2H, s), 7.41 (2H, bd, J=6.0 Hz), 7.46-7.52 (5H, m), 7.95 (1H, s), 8.49 (2H, bs). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3030, 2920, 1740, 1690, 1575, 1370, 810, 760, 685. Example 59 Synthesis of 4-[4-(2,4-thiazolidinedione)butylthio]pyridine To a solution of 2.34 g (20.0 mmol) of 2,4-thiazolidinedione and 4.03 g (20.0 mmol) of 4-(4-chlorobutylthio)pyridine in 120 ml of dimethylformamide, 3.0 ml (20 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane = 2 : 1 to ethyl acetate) to give 3.50 g of the desired compound (62.0% yield, pale yellow crystals). Anal. for C 12 H 14 N 2 O 2 S 2 , Calcd.: C; 51.04, H; 5.00, N; 9.92. Found: C; 50.73, H; 4.92, N; 9.94. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.63-1.88 (4H, m), 3.00 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 3.67 (2H, t, J=6.8 Hz), 3.95 (2H, s), 7.10 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.6 Hz), 8.40 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.6 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3040, 2950, 2930, 1750, 1685, 1580, 1380, 1355, 900, 800, 710. Example 60 Synthesis of 3-[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]-2H-1,3-benzoxadine-2-thion-4(3H)-on i) Synthesis of 4-[4-(2-hydroxybenzoylamino)butylthio]pyridine To a solution of 12.50 g (40 mmol) of 4-(phthalimidobuthylthio)pyridine in 200 ml of ethanol, 5.82 ml (120 mmol) of hydrazine monohydrate was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours. Then, 200 ml of ethyl acetate was added, and the precipitated materials were filtered off. The solvent was distilled off from the filtrate and chloroform was added to the residue. The mixture was washed with saturated saline and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off, and 400 ml of methylene chloride and 8.36 ml (60 mmol) of triethylamine were added to the residue. Then, 9.53 g (48 mmol) of O-acetylsalicyloyl chloride was added with stirring under ice-cooling, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. The mixture was washed with saturated saline and the solvent was distilled off from the mixture, after which 62.4 ml of ethanol and 62.4 ml of 1N-NaOH were added to the residue and the mixture was stirred for 15 minutes. Then, 62.4 ml of 1N-HCl was added, and ethanol was distilled off, after which the residue was extracted with chloroform and the extract was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate) to give 5.48 g of the desired compound (45.3% yield, colorless solid), mp. 83-85°C. Anal. for C 16 H 18 N 2 O 2 S, Calcd.: C; 63.55, H; 6.00, N; 9.26. Found: C; 63.27, H; 5.87, N; 8.96. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.72-1.93 (4H, m), 3.04 (2H, m), 3.51 (2H, m), 6.50 (1H, br), 6.83 (1H, m), 6.99 (1H, dd, J=8.4, 1.0 Hz), 7.12 (2H, m), 7.29-7.44 (2H, m), 8.38 (2H, m). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3240, 1640, 1595, 1585, 1545, 1490. ii) Synthesis of 3-[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]-2H-1,3-benzoxadine-2-thion-4(3H)-on To a solution of 2.43 g (8.04 mmol) of 4-[4-(2-hydroxybenzoylamino)butylthio]pyridine in 80 ml of dry tetrahydrofuran, 2.86 g (16.05 mmol) of 1,1'-thiocarbonyldiimidazole was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 70 hours. The solvent was distilled off and chloroform was added to the residue. The mixture was washed with water and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/n-hexane = 2 : 1) to give 2.28 g of the desired compound (82.3% yield, colorless crystals), mp. 93-94°C. Anal. for C 17 H 16 N 2 O 2 S 2 , Calcd.: C; 59.28, H; 4.68, N; 8.13. Found: C; 59.27, H; 4.72, N; 8.17. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.83 (2H, m), 2.01 (2H, m), 3.06 (2H, t, J=7.2 Hz), 4.49 (2H, m), 7.11 (2H, m), 7.32-7.46 (2H, m), 7.75 (1H, m), 8.07 (1H, m), 8.39 (2H, m). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1715, 1620, 1600, 1575. Example 61 Synthesis of 4-(4-rhodaninebutylthio)pyridine To a solution of 4.0 g (30.0 mmol) of rhodanine and 6.05 g (30.0 mmol) of 4-(4-chlorobutylthio)pyridine in 150 ml of dimethylformamide, 4.49 ml (30.0 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane = 2 : 1 to methyl acetate) to give 1.75 g of the desired compound (19.6% yield, pale brown crystals). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.66-1.93 (4H, m), 3.01 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 3.97 (2H, s), 4.02 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 7.10 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.6 Hz), 8.39 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.6 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3040, 2950, 1730, 1710, 1580, 1360, 1280, 1225, 1140, 810, 715. Example 62 Synthesis of 2-[4-(5-benzylidene-2,4-thiazolidinedione)butylthio]pyridine i) Synthesis of 2-(4-chlorobutylthio)pyridine To a solution of 25.0 g (225 mmol) of 2-mercaptopyridine and 34.5 ml (247 mmol) of triethylamine in 300 ml of ethanol, 28.5 ml (247 mmol) of 1-bromo-4-chlorobutane was added with stirring under ice-cooling, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was dissolved in chloroform. The solution was washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and water, and dried. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane = 1 : 3) to give 29.73 g of the desired compound (65.5% yield, pale yellow oil). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.70-2.05 (4H, m), 3.21 (2H, t, J=6.8 Hz), 3.58 (2H, t, J=6.2 Hz), 6.98 (1H, ddd, J=1.2, 5.0, 7.4 Hz), 7.17 (1H, d, J=8.0 Hz), 7.48 (1H, ddd, J=1.8, 7.2, 7.8 Hz), 8.40-8.45 (1H, m). ii) Synthesis of 2-[4-(5-benzylidene-2,4-thiazolidinedione)butylthio]pyridine To a solution of 4.10 g (20.0 mmol) of 5-benzylidene-2,4-thiazolidinedione and 4.03 g (20.0 mmol) of 2-(4-chlorobutylthio)pyridine in 80 ml of dimethylformamide, 3.0 ml (20.0 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane = 1 : 3) to give 3.89 g of the desired compound (52.5% yield, pale yellow crystals). Anal. for C 19 H 18 N 2 O 2 S 2 , Calcd.: C; 61.60, H; 4.90, N; 7.56. Found: C; 61.62, H; 4.86, N; 7.56. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.67-1.93 (4H, m), 3.21 (2H, t, J=6.8 Hz), 3.79 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 6.95 (1H, ddd, J=1.0, 5.0, 7.4 Hz), 7.15 (1H, ddd, J=1.0, 1.2, 8.2 Hz), 7.41-7.51 (6H, m), 7.26 (1H, s), 8.41 (1H, m). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3060, 3040, 2950, 2930, 1675, 1605, 1580, 1365, 1130, 755, 690. Example 63 Synthesis of 4-[5-(2-thienylmethylene)-2,4-thiazolidinedione)methylthio]pyridine To a solution of 1.72 g (8.14 mmol) of 5-(2-thienylmethylene)-2,4-thiazolidinedione and 1.30 g (8.14 mmol) of 4-chloromethylthiopyridine in 80 ml of dimethylformamide, 1.22 ml (8.14 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane = 1 : 2 to 1 : 4) to give 1.88 g of the desired compound (69.0% yield, pale yellow crystals). Anal. for C 14 H 10 N 2 O 2 S 3 , Calcd.: C; 50.28, H; 3.01, N; 8.38. Found: C; 49.95, H; 3.00, N; 8.25. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 5.21 (2H, s), 7.20 (1H, dd, J=3.8, 5.0 Hz), 7.39-7.43 (3H, m), 7.67-7.71 (1H, m), 8.10 (1H, s), 8.48 (2H, bd, J=5.4 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3040, 1740, 1680, 1600, 1580, 730. Example 64 Synthesis of 4-(4-saccharinbutylthio)pyridine To a solution of 2.75 g (15.0 mmol) of saccharin and 3.03 g (15.0 mmol) of 4-(4-chlorobutylthio)pyridine in 100 ml of dimethylformamide, 2.24 ml (15.0 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane = 1 : 2 to 4 : 1) to give 1.16 g of the desired compound (22.2% yield, white crystals). Anal. for C 16 H 16 N 2 O 3 S 2 , Calcd.: C; 55.15, H; 4.63, N; 8.04. Found: C; 55.00, H; 4.33, N; 8.00. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.80-2.12 (4H, m), 3.04 (2H, t, J=7.2 Hz), 3.83 (1H, t, 3=7.0 Hz), 7.10 (2H, dd, J=1.4, 4.6 Hz), 7.79-7.96 (3H, m), 8.04-8.08 (1H, m), 8.37 (2H, bd, J=6.0 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3080, 2960, 1740, 1580, 1325, 1305, 1185, 760, 680. Example 65 Synthesis of 4-(4-(5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione)butylthio]pyridine To a solution of 1.29 g (10.0 mmol) of 5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dine and 2.02 g (10.0 mmol) 4-(4-chlorobutylthio)pyridine in 80 ml of dimethylformamide, 1.50 ml (10.0 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane = 1 : 1 → 2 : 1) to give 2.44 g of the desired compound (82.9% yield, colorless oil). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.55 (6H, s), 1.66-1.93 (4H, m), 3.02 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 3.57 (2H, t, J=6.8 Hz), 7.09 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.6 Hz), 8.39 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.6 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3040, 2950, 1820, 1740, 1580, 1450, 1420, 1100, 805, 780, 710. Example 66 Synthesis of 4-(2,4-thiazolidinedionemethylthio)pyridine To a solution of 1.76 g (15.0 mmol) of 2,4-thiazolidinedione and 2.39 g (15.0 mmol) of 4-chloromethylthiopyridine in 100 ml of dimethylformamide, 2.24 ml (15.0 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane = 2 : 1 to ethyl acetate) to give 1.49 g of the desired compound (41.5% yield, pale yellow crystals). Anal. for C 9 H 3 N 2 O 2 S 2 , Calcd.: C; 44.98, H; 3.36, N; 11.66. Found: C; 44.94, H; 3.41, N; 11.61. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 3.99 (2H, s), 5.10 (2H, s), 7.37 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.6 Hz), 8.48 (2H, bd, J=6.0 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3080, 3010, 2940, 1755, 1680, 1570, 895, 805. Example 67 Synthesis of 4-[2-[2H-1,3-benzoxadine-2-thion-4(3H)-on]ethylthio]pyridine i) Synthesis of 4-[2-(2-hydroxybenzoyl)aminoethylthio]pyridine To a solution of 3.50 g (12.3 mmol) of 4-(2-phthalimidoethylthio)pyridine in 80 ml of ethanol, 1.80 ml (37.0 mmol) of hydrazine monohydrate was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 5 hours. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was dissolved in chloroform. The precipitate was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated. The resulting residue was used for the subsequent reaction. To a solution of the above residue and 4.18 ml (30.0 mmol) of triethylamine in 100 ml of methylene chloride, 4.97 g (25.0 mmol) of O-acetylsalicyloyl chloride was added with stirring under ice-cooling, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and water, and dried. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: methylene chloride/acetone = 8 : 1 to 2 : 1) to give 1.73 g of the desired compound (51.3% yield, white crystals). ii) Synthesis of 4-[2-[2H-1,3-benzoxadlne-2-thion-4(3H)-on]ethylthio]pyridine To a solution of 4-[2-(2-hydroxybenzoyl)aminoethylthio]pyridine in 70 ml of tetrahydrofuran, 1.13 g (6.31 mmol) of 1,1'-thiocarbonyldiimidazole was added under nitrogen atmosphere, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 64 hours. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was dissolved in chloroform. The solution was washed with water and dried. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate) to give 1.40 g of the desired compound (70.0% yield, white crystals). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 3.41 (2H, dd, J=7.8, 8.0 Hz), 4.74 (2H, dd, J=7.8, 8.0 Hz), 7.34-7.49 (4H, m), 7.77 (1H, ddd, J=1.8, 7.4, 9.0 Hz), 8.10 (1H, dd, J=1.8, 8.0 Hz), 8.45 (2H, bs). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3020, 2350, 1705, 1620, 1475, 1320, 800, 755, 700. Example 68 Synthesis of 4-[4-(5-propylmethylene-2,4-thiazolidinedione)butylthio]pyridine To a solution of 0.5 g (1.77 mmol) of 4-[4-(2,4-thiazolidinedione)butylthio]pyridine and 0.16 ml (1.77 mmol) of butylaldehyde in 25 ml of ethanol, 0.02 ml (0.18 mmol) of piperidine was added, and the mixture was heated under reflux for 2 hours. After cooling, the solvent was distilled off and the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate. The solution was washed with water and dried. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate = 2 : 1 to 1 : 1) to give 0.42 g of the desired compound (70.6% yield, yellow oil). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 0.98 (3H, t, J=7.2 Hz), 1.50-1.68 (2H, m), 1.69-1.88 (4H, m), 2.22 (2H, q, J=7.4 Hz), 3.01 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 3.73 (2H, t, J=6.8 Hz), 7.08 (1H, t, J=7.8 Hz), 7.09 (2H, dd, J=1.8, 4.6 Hz), 8.38 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.6 Hz). IR (neat) cm -1 : 3030, 2955, 2930, 1740, 1680, 1580, 1480, 800, 705. Example 69 Synthesis of 4-saccharinmethylthiopyridine To a solution of 2.75 g (15.0 mmol) of saccharin and 3.03 g (15.0 mmol) of 4-chloromethylthiopyridine in 100 ml of dimethylformamide, 2.24 ml (15.0 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane = 1 : 2 to 4 : 1) to give 1.73 g of the desired compound (37.7% yield, pale yellow crystals). Anal. for C 13 H 10 N 2 O 3 S 2 , Calcd.: C; 50.97, H; 3.29, N; 9.14. Found: C; 50.66, H; 3.27, N; 9.11. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 5.32 (2H, s), 7.42 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.6 Hz), 7.81-7.96 (3H, m), 8.08-8.11 (1H, m), 8.50 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.6 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3090, 3030, 1740, 1570, 1400, 1340, 1180, 800, 750, 670. Example 70 Synthesis of 4-(5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione)methylthiopyridine To a solution of 1.93 g (15.0 mmol) of 5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione and 2.40 g (15.0 mmol) of 4-chloromethylthiopyridine in 100 ml of dimethylformamide, 2.24 ml (15.0 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane = 1 : 2 to 2 : 1) to give 2.32 g of the desired compound (61.3% yield, yellow crystals). Anal. for C 11 H 12 N 2 O 3 S, Calcd.: C; 52.37, H; 4.79, N; 11.10. Found: C; 52.08, H; 4.94, N; 11.06. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.54 (6H, s), 5.01 (2H, s), 7.38 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.6 Hz), 8.49 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.6 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3030, 2980, 1810, 1740, 1580, 800, 770, 700. Example 71 Synthesis of 4-[4-[5-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)methylene-2,4-thiazolidinedione]butylthio]pyridine i) Synthesis of 5-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)methylene-2,4-thiazolidinedione To a solution of 12.5 g (107 mmol) of 2,4-thiazolidinedione and 25.0 g (107 mmol) of 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde in 300 ml of ethanol, 1.05 ml (10.7 mmol) of piperidine was added, and the mixture was heated under reflux for 5 hours. After cooling, the precipitated crystals were filtered and washed with cooled ethanol to give 15.23 g of the desired compound (42.8% yield, pale yellow crystals). NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ: 1.41 (18H, s), 7.37 (2H, s), 7.76 (2H, s), 12.44 (1H, bs). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3620, 3440, 2960, 1740, 1690, 700, 650. ii) Synthesis of 4-[4-[5-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)methylene-2,4-thiazolidinedione]butylthio]pyridine To a solution of 5.0 g (15.0 mmol) of 5-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)methylene-2,4-thiazolidinedione and 3.02 g (15.0 mmol) of 4-(4-chlorobutylthio)pyridine in 100 ml of dimethylformamide, 2.24 ml (15.0 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane = 2 : 1) and recrystallization (solvent: ethyl acetate-ether) to give 3.83 g of the desired compound (51.3% yield, pale yellow crystals). Anal. for C 27 H 34 N 2 O 3 S 2 , Calcd.: C; 65.03, H; 6.87, N; 5.62. Found: C; 64.92, H: 6.78, N; 5.48. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.47 (18H, s), 1.67-1.95 (4H, m), 3.03 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 3.80 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 5.73 (1H, s), 7.11 (2H, dd, J=1.8, 4.8 Hz), 7.37 (2H, s), 7.87 (1H, s), 8.39 (2H, dd, J=1.8, 4.8 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 2950, 1740, 1680, 1580, 1130, 800, 740. Example 72 Synthesis of 4-(2,4-thiazolidinedionemethylthio)pyridine hydrochloride To a solution of 702.9 mg (2.92 mmol) of 4-(2,4-thiazolidinedionemethylthio)pyridine in 30 ml of methanol, 70 ml of 10% hydrochloric acid-methanol was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by recrystallisation (solvent: ethanol-ether) to give 689.9 mg of the desired compound (84.9% yield, pale yellow crystals). Anal. for C 9 H 8 N 2 O 2 S 2 ·HCl, Calcd.: C; 39.06, H; 3.28, N; 10.12. Found: C; 38.85, H; 2.99, N; 10.10. NMR (200 MHz, D 2 O, ref=4.80 ppm of HDO) δ: 4.18 (2H, s), 5.38 (2H, s), 8.05 (2H, bd, J=7.2 Hz), 8.50 (2H, bd, J=7.2 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1670, 1625, 1370, 1140, 800. Example 73 Synthesis of 4-[4-[5-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)methylenerhodanine]butylthio]pyridine i) Synthesis of 5-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)methylenerhodanine To a solution of 14.6 g (110 mmol) of rhodanine and 25.7 g (110 mmol) of 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde in 150 ml of ethanol, 1.08 ml (11.0 mmol) of piperidine was added, and the mixture was heated under reflux for 5 hours. After cooling, the precipitated crystals were filtered and washed with cooled ethanol to give 26.71 g of the desired compound (69.7% yield, pale yellow crystals). Anal. for C 18 H 23 NO 2 S 2 , Calcd.: C; 61.86, H; 6.63, N; 4.01. Found: C; 61.95, H; 6.50, N; 3.96. NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ: 1.42 (18H, s), 7.37 (2H, s), 7.69 (1H, s), 7.76 (1H, s), 12.44 (1H, s). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3620, 2960, 1700, 1580, 1420, 1180, 690, 660. ii) Synthesis of 4-[4-[5-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)methylenerhodanine]butylthio]pyridine To a solution of 5.24 g (15.0 mmol) of 5-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)methylenerhodanine and 3.02 g (15.0 mmol) of 4-(4-chlorobutylthio)pyridine in 100 ml of dimethylformamide, 2.24 ml (15.0 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo-[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane = 1 : 1) and recrystallization (solvent: ethyl acetate-ether) to give 2.21 g of the desired compound (28.6% yield, pale yellow crystals). Anal. for C 27 H 34 N 2 O 2 S 3 , Calcd.: C; 63.00, H; 6.66, N; 5.44. Found: C; 62.89, H; 6.79, N; 5.35. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.48 (18H, s), 1.71-2.03 (4H, m), 3.04 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 4.18 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 5.79 (1H, s), 7.11 (2H, bd. J=6.4 Hz), 7.36 (2H, s), 7.72 (1H, s), 8.40 (2H, bd, J=6.4 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 2950, 1705, 1580, 1160, 800. Example 74 Synthesis of 4-(5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dionemethylthio)pyridine hydrochloride To a solution of 627.2 mg (2.49 mmol) of 4-(5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dionemethylthio)pyridine in 30 ml of methanol, 70 ml of 10% hydrochloric acid-methanol was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by recrystallization (solvent: ethanol-ether) to give 631.5 mg of the desired compound (88.0% yield, white crystals). Anal. for C 11 H 12 N 2 O 3 S·HCl, Calcd.: C; 45.76, H; 4.54, N; 9.70. Found: C; 45.62, H; 4.60, N; 9.66. NMR (200 MHz, D 2 O, ref=4.80 ppm of HDO) δ: 1.57 (6H, s), 5.38 (2H, s), 8.07 (2H, d, J=7.2 Hz), 8.54 (2H, d, J=7.2 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1745, 1620, 1595, 1480, 815, 780. Example 75 Synthesis of 4-(saccharinmethylthio)pyridine hydrochloride To a solution of 589.9 mg (1.93 mmol) of 4-(saccharinmethylthio)pyridine in 30 ml of methanol, 70 ml of 10% hydrochloric acid-methanol was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by recrystallization (solvent: ethanol-ether) to give 607.6 mg of the desired compound (91.7% yield, pale yellow crystals). Anal. for C 13 H 10 N 2 O 3 S·HCl, Calcd.: C; 45.55, H; 3.23, N; 8.17. Found: C; 45.45, H; 3.33, N; 8.17. NMR (200 MHz, D 2 O, ref=4.80 ppm of HDO) δ: 5.67 (2H, s), 7.90-8.07 (6H, m), 8.55 (2H, bd, J=7.0 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3040, 2980, 1735, 1630, 1595, 1355, 1285, 1250, 1180, 800, 760. Example 76 Synthesis of 3-[3-(2-pyridylthio)propyl]-2H-1,3-benzoxadine-2-thion-4(3H)-one To a solution of 1.153 g (4.00 mmol) of 2-[3-(2-hydroxybenzoylamino)propylthio]pyridine in 60 ml of dry tetrahydrofuran, 1.426 g (8.00 mmol) of 1,1'-thiocarbonyldiimidazole was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 64 hours. The solvent was distilled off and chloroform was added to the residue. The mixture was washed with water and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/n-hexane = 1 : 4) to give 0.72 g of the desired compound (54.5% yield, colorless crystals), mp. 83-84°C. Anal. for C 16 H 14 N 2 O 2 S 2 , Calcd.: C; 58.16, H; 4.27, N; 8.48. Found: C; 58.05, H; 4.21, N; 8.33. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 2.25 (2H, m), 3.30 (2H, t, J=7.2 Hz), 4.62 (2H, m), 6.97 (1H, m), 7.19 (1H, d, J=8 Hz), 7.32-7.53 (3H, m), 7.74 (1H, m), 8.08 (1H, m), 8.38 (1H, m). Example 77 Synthesis of 3-[3-(2-pyridylthio)propyl]-2H-1,3-benzoxadine-2,4(3H)-dione To a solution of 1.153 g (4.0 mmol) of 2-[3-(2-hydroxybenzoylamino)propylthio]pyridine in 60 ml of dry tetrahydrofuran, 1.30 g (10.0 mmol) of 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The solvent was distilled off and chloroform was added to the residue. The mixture was washed with water and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/n-hexane = 1 : 3) to give 1.07 g of the desired compound (85.1% yield, colorless viscous liquid). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 2.16 (2H, m), 3.26 (2H, t, J=7.2 Hz), 4.21 (2H, t, J=7 Hz), 6.95 (1H, m), 7.16 (1H, m), 7.24-7.50 (3H, m), 7.71 (1H, m), 8.09 (1H, dd, J=8, 1.6 Hz), 8.34 (1H, m). IR (neat) cm -1 : 1760, 1700, 1685, 1620, 1585. Example 78 Synthesis of 4-[4-[5-(3-thienyl)methylene-2,4-thiazolidinedione)butylthio]pyridine To a solution of 1.41 g (5.0 mmol) of 4-[4-(2,4-thiazolidinedione)butylthio]pyridine and 0.44 ml (5.0 mmol) of 3-thiophenecarbaldehyde in 50 ml of ethanol, 0.05 ml (0.5 mmol) of piperidine was added, and the mixture was heated under reflux for 8 hours. After cooling, the solvent was distilled off. The residue was dissolved in chloroform, and the solution was washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate, and dried. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate) to give 1.43 g of the desired compound (76.0% yield, pale yellow crystals). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.68-1.94 (4H, m), 3.03 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 3.79 (2H, t, J=6.8 Hz), 7.11 (2H, d, J=5.8 Hz), 7.29 (1H, dd, J=1.2, 5.2 Hz), 7.45 (1H, dd, J=3.0, 5.2 Hz), 7.63 (1H, dd, J=1.4, 3.0 Hz), 7.90 (1H, s), 8.39 (2H, s). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3100, 2950, 1730, 1680, 1610, 1360, 1120, 780, 710, 620, 545. Example 79 Synthesis of 4-[4-[5-(4-pyridyl)methylene-2,4-thiazolidinedione]butylthio]pyridine To a solution of 1.41 g (5.0 mmol) of 4-[4-(2,4-thiazolidinedione)butylthio]pyridine and 0.48 ml (5.0 mmol) of 4-pyridinecarbaldehyde in 50 ml of ethanol, 0.05 ml (0.5 mmol) of piperidine was added, and the mixture was heated under reflux for 16 hours. After cooling, the solvent was distilled off. The residue was dissolved in chloroform, and the solution was washed with water, and dried. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate to ethyl acetate/ethanol = 20 : 1 to 10 : 1) to give 0.666 g of the desired compound (35.9% yield, pale yellow crystals). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.68-1.98 (4H, m), 3.03 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 3.82 (2H, t, J=6.7 Hz), 7.11 (2H, d, J=5.3 Hz), 7.35 (2H, d, J=6.0 Hz), 7.79 (1H, s), 8.39 (2H, s), 8.75 (2H, d, J=4.5 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3010, 2950, 1745, 1680, 1575, 1350, 1130, 805, 710, 650, 540. Example 80 Synthesis of 4-[4-[5-(3-pyridyl)methylene-2,4-thiazolidinedione]butylthio]pyridine To a solution of 1.41 g (5.0 mmol) of 4-[4-(2,4-thiazolidinedione)butylthio]pyridine and 0.47 ml (5.0 mmol) of 3-pyridylcarboxaldehyde in 50 ml of ethanol, 0.05 ml (0.5 mmol) of piperidine was added, and the mixture was heated under reflux for 16 hours. After cooling, the solvent was distilled off. The residue was dissolved in chloroform, and the solution was washed with water, and dried. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate) to give 0.932 g of the desired compound (50.2% yield, pale yellow crystals). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.70-1.98 (4H, m), 3.04 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 3.82 (2H, t, J=6.8 Hz), 7.12 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.6 Hz), 7.44 (1H, dd, J=4.6, 8.0 Hz), 7.81 (1H, ddd, J=1.8, 2.0, 8.0 Hz), 7.88 (1H, s), 8.40 (2H, d, J=4.8 Hz), 8.66 (1H, dd, J=1.6, 4.8 Hz), 8.79 (1H, d, J=2.2 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3030, 2840, 1740, 1675, 1610, 1365, 1130, 800, 705. Example 81 Synthesis of 4-[4-[5-(2-pyridyl)methylene-2,4-thiazolidinedione]butylthio]pyridine To a solution of 1.41 g (5.0 mmol) of 4-[4-(2,4-thiazolidinedione)butylthio]pyridine and 0.48 ml (5.0 mmol) of 2-pyridinecarbaldehyde in 50 ml of ethanol, 0.05 ml (0.5 mmol) of piperidine was added, and the mixture was heated under reflux for 16 hours. After cooling, the solvent was distilled off. The residue was dissolved in chloroform, and the solution was washed with water, and dried. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate = 1 : 1 to ethyl acetate) to give 1.49 g of the desired compound (80.2% yield, pale yellow crystals). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.67-1.94 (4H, m), 3.02 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 3.80 (2H, t, J=6.6 Hz), 7.10 (2H, dd, J=1.4, 4.8 Hz), 7.28 (1H, ddd, J=1.0, 4.8, 7.8 Hz), 7.51 (1H, d, J=7.8 Hz), 7.78 (1H, ddd, H=1.8, 7.6, 7.8 Hz), 7.79 (1H, s), 8.38 (2H, d, J=4.8 Hz), 8.75 (1H, d, J=4.6 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3040, 2950, 1730, 1670, 1575, 1390, 1130, 800, 710, 540. Example 82 Synthesis of 4-[4-(5-nonylmethylene-2,4-thiazolidinedione)butylthio]pyridine hydrochloride i) Synthesis of 4-[4-(5-nonylmethylene-2,4-thiazolidinedione)butylthio]pyridine To a solution of 1.41 g (5.0 mmol) of 4-[4-(2,4-thiazolidinedione)butylthio]pyridine and 0.94 ml (5.0 mmol) of 1-decanal in 50 ml of ethanol, 0.05 ml (0.5 mmol) of piperidine was added, and the mixture was heated under reflux for 2 hours. After cooling, the solvent was distilled off. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate, and the solution was washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate, and dried. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate = 5 : 1 to 1 : 1) to give 1.97 g of the desired compound (93.7% yield, yellow oil). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 0.88 (3H, t, J=7.2 Hz), 1.22-1.30 (12H, m), 1.46-1.60 (2H, m), 1.68-1.88 (4H, m), 2.23 (2H, q, J=7.6 Hz), 3.02 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 3.74 (2H, t, J=6.8 Hz), 7.09 (1H, t, J=7.8 Hz), 7.12 (2H, d, J=4.6 Hz), 8.40 (2H, s). IR (neat) cm -1 : 3030, 2925, 2850, 1740, 1690, 1580, 1480, 1350, 800, 735, 710. ii) Synthesis of 4-[4-(5-nonylmethylene-2,4-thiazolidinedione)butylthio]pyridine hydrochloride To a solution of 1.83 g (4.35 mmol) of the above free amine in 40 ml of methanol, 200 ml of 10% hydrochloric acid/methanol was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was washed with ether to give 1.50 g of the desired product (75.4% yield, white solid). NMR (200 MHz, D 2 O) δ: 0.93 (3H, m), 1.32 (12H, m), 1.55 (2H, m), 1.77 (4H, m), 2.21 (2H, m), 3.21 (2H, m), 3.74 (2H, m), 7.04 (1H, t, J=7.4 Hz), 7.68 (2H, d, J=6.6 Hz), 8.45 (2H, d, J=6.0 Hz). Example 83 Synthesis of 2-[4-[5-(2-thienyl)methylene-2,4-thiazolidinedione]butylthio]pyridine To a solution of 2.11 g (10.0 mmol) of 5-(2-thienyl)methylene-2,4-thiazolidinedione and 2.02 g (10.0 mmol) of 2-(4-chlorobutylthio)pyridine in 100 ml of dimethylformamide, 1.50 ml (10.0 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate = 3 : 1 to 2 : 1) to give 1.40 g of the desired compound (37.3% yield, pale yellow crystals). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.68-1.94 (4H, m), 3.22 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 3.79 (2H, t, J=6.8 Hz), 6.97 (1H, ddd, J=1.0, 4.8, 7.2 Hz), 7.14-7.22 (2H, m), 7.41 (1H, d, J=3.8 Hz), 7.47 (1H, ddd, J=1.6, 8.0, 8.0 Hz), 7.66 (1H, d, J=5.2 Hz), 8.06 (1H, s), 8.42 (1H, dd, J=1.4, 4.0 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1730, 1665, 1600, 1350, 1130, 755. Example 84 Synthesis of 3-[4-[5-(2-thienyl)methylene-2,4-thiazolidinedione]butylthio]pyridine i) 3-(4-chlorobutylthio)pyridine To a solution of 2.73 g (15 mmol) of 3-(N,N-dimethylaminocarbamoylthio)pyridine in 30 ml of methanol, 16.5 ml (33 mmol) of 2 N aqueous sodium hydroxide was added, and the mixture was heated under reflux for 30 minutes. After cooling, the pH of the reaction mixture was adjusted to about 5 with 1 N hydrochloric acid, and the solvent was distilled off. To a solution of this crude product (3-mercaptopyridine) and 4.18 ml (30 mmol) of triethylamine in 30 ml of ethanol, 3.46 ml (30 mmol) of 4-bromo-1-chlorobutane was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was dissolved in methylene chloride. The solution was washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate, and dried. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate = 5 : 1 to 1 : 1) to give 2.09 g of the desired compound (69.1% yield, yellow oil). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.74-2.01 (4H, m), 2.97 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 3.56 (2H, t, J=6.2 Hz), 7.25 (1H, dd, J=4.8, 8.0 Hz), 7.68 (1H, ddd, J=1.4, 1.8, 8.0 Hz), 8.44 (1H, dd, J=1.4, 4.8 Hz), 8.59 (1H, d, J=1.8 Hz). IR (neat) cm -1 : 3035, 2955, 2865, 1560, 1465, 1405, 1110, 1020, 795, 705, 650, 620. ii) 3-[4-[5-(2-thienyl)methylene-2,4-thiazolidinedione]butylthio]pyridine To a solution of 2.11 g (10.0 mmol) of 5-(2-thienyl)methylene-2,4-thiazolidinedione and 2.02 g (10.0 mmol) of 3-(4-chlorobutylthio)pyridine in 100 ml of dimethylformamide, 1.50 ml (10.0 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by recrystallization (solvent: chloroform/ethyl acetate/diethyl ether) to give 2.18 g of the product (57.9% yield, pale brown crystals). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.62-1.94 (4H, m), 2.97 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 3.69 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 7.18-7.22 (2H, m), 7.42 (1H, d, J=3.8 Hz), 7.63-7.69 (2H, m), 8.07 (1H, s), 8.43 (1H, s), 8.59 (1H, s). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1740, 1670, 1600, 1350, 1120, 720. Example 85 Synthesis of 4-[4-(5-isopropyridene-2,4-thiazolidinedione)butylthio]pyridine i) 5-isopropyridene-2,4-thiazolidinedione In a 300-ml flask equipped with an apparatus for dehydration, 10.0 g (90 mmol) of 2,4-thiazolidinedione and 15 ml (225 mmol) of acetone was placed, and 100 ml of benzene was added thereto. To this suspension, 0.5 ml (5 mmol) of piperidine and 0.25 ml (4 mmol) of glacial acetic acid were successively added, and the mixture was heated under reflux for 22 hours. After cooling, the solvent was distilled off. Although the residue was recrystallized from ethanol/chloroform/ether, it was not possible to separate the product from the starting material (2,4-thiazolidinedione). In the subsequent reaction, this mixture (starting material : desired product = 1 : 1.14, 4.55 g) was used without further purification. NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ: 1.94 (3H, s), 2.34 (3H, s), 12.06 (1H, s). ii) 4-[4-(5-isopropyridene-2,4-thiazolidinedione)buthylthio]pyridine To a solution of 2.60 g (18.8 mmol) of the above mixture and 3.79 g (18.8 mmol) of 4-(4-chlorobutylthio)pyridine in 100 ml of dimethylformamide, 2.81 ml (18.8 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate = 2 : 1 to 1 : 1 to 1 : 2 to ethyl acetate) to give 1.98 g of the desired product (61.4% yield, pale yellow powder). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.68-1.86 (4H, m), 2.00 (3H, s), 2.45 (3H, s), 3.01 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 3.71 (2H, t, J=6.8 Hz), 7.11 (2H, d, J=6.2 Hz), 8.38 (2H, s). Example 86 Synthesis of 4-[(isoindolin-1-on-2-yl)methylthio]pyridine To a solution of 681 mg (2.5 mmol) of 4-[(3-hydroxyisoindolin-1-on-2-yl)methylthio]pyridine in 6 ml of trifluoroacetic acid, 0.30 g (7.93 mmol) of sodium borohydride was added in small portions, and the mixture was stirred for 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was poured into cold water and aqueous ammonia was added to make the mixture basic, followed by extraction with methylene chloride. The extract was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by recrystallization (solvent: ethyl acetate) to give 350 mg of the desired product (54.6% yield, colorless columns), mp. 131-132°C. Anal. for C 14 H 12 N 2 OS, Calcd.: C; 65.60, H; 4.72, N; 10.93. Found: C; 65.31, H; 4.64, N; 10.71. Example 87 Synthesis of 3-[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]quinazoline-2(1H)-thion-4(3H)-one In a solution of 1.50 g (4.0 mmol) of 4-[4-(2-aminobenzoylamino)butylthio]pyridine dihydrochloride in 10 ml of methanol, 4.2 ml (8.4 mmol) of 2 N aqueous sodium hydroxide was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. Water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with chloroform. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The resulting free amine was used in the subsequent reaction without further purification. Under nitrogen atmosphere, to a solution of the above free amine in 20 ml of tetrahydrofuran, 1.43 g (8.0 mmol) of 1,1'-thiocarbonyldiimidazole was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was dissolved in chloroform. The solution was washed with water and dried. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was washed with chloroform/ethyl acetate to give 614 mg (44.8% yield, pale brown powder). NMR (200 MHz, DMSO=d 6 ) δ: 1.64-1.94 (4H, m), 3.12 (2H, t, J=6.8 Hz), 4.44 (2H, t, J=7.4 Hz), 7.25 (2H, dd, J=1.4, 4.6 Hz), 7.29-7.41 (2H, m), 7.74 (1H, dt, J=1.4, 8.2 Hz), 7.96 (1H, dd, J=1.2, 8.0 Hz), 8.34 (2H, dd, J=1.4, 4.6 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1675, 1590, 1405, 1160, 760, 720. Example 88 Synthesis of 3-[3-(4-pyridylthio)propyl]quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione Under nitrogen atmosphere, to a solution of 718 mg (2.5 mmol) of 4-[3(2-aminobenzoylamino)propylthio]pyridine in 15 ml of tetrahydrofuran, 811 mg (5.0 mmol) of 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was dissolved in chloroform. The solution was washed with water and dried. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was recrystallized from ethanol/chloroform/ether to give 514 mg of the desired product (65.7% yield, white crystals). NMR (200 MHz DMSO-d 6 ) δ: 1.97 (2H, quint., J=7.2 Hz), 3.12 (2H, t, J=7.4 Hz), 4.05 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 7.16-7.27 (4H, m), 7.65 (1H, dt, J=1.4, 6.6 Hz), 8.35 (2H, d, J=6.0 Hz), 11.43 (1H, s). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 1710, 1660, 1585, 1460, 1410, 805, 760, 720. Example 89 Synthesis of 3-[3-(4-pyridylthio)propyl]quinazoline-2(1H)-thion-4(3H)-one Under nitrogen atmosphere, to a solution of 1.48 g (5.15 mmol) of 4-[3-(2-aminobenzoylamino)propylthio]pyridine in 30 ml of tetrahydrofuran, 1.84 g (10.3 mmol) of 1,1'-thiocarbonyldiimidazole was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 64 hours. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was washed with chloroform/ether to give 1.16 g of the desired product (68.5% yield, pale brown crystals). NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ: 2.09 (2H, quint., J=7.6 Hz), 3.16 (2H, t, J=7.2 Hz), 4.56 (2H, t, J=7.6 Hz), 7.27 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.6 Hz), 7.30-7.42 (2H, m), 7.74 (1H, ddd, J=1.5, 7.0, 7.2 Hz), 7.67 (1H, dd, J=1.4, 8.0 Hz), 8.36 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.6 Hz). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 2920, 2850, 1685, 1625, 1585, 1410, 1140, 760, 720. Example 90 Synthesis of 3-[4-(2-pyridylthio)butyl]quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione Under nitrogen atmosphere, to a solution of 452 mg (1.5 mmol) of 2-[4-(2-aminobenzoylamino)butylthio]pyridine in 20 ml of tetrahydrofuran, 486 mg (3.0 mmol) of 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was dissolved in chloroform. The solution was washed with water and dried. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was recrystallized from chloroform/ether to give 337 mg of the desired product (68.8% yield, white crystals). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.75-1.99 (4H, m), 3.25 (2H, t, J=6.8 Hz), 4.15 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 6.94 (1H, ddd, J=1.2, 5.0, 7.2 Hz), 7.12-7.23 (3H, m), 7.44 (1H, ddd, J=2.0, 7.8, 8.0 Hz), 7.96 (1H, m), 8.13 (1H, dd, J=1.4, 8.0 Hz), 8.39 (1H, m), 10.32 (1H, s). IR (KBr) cm -1 : 3190, 1720, 1635, 765. Example 91 Synthesis of 3-[4-(2-pyridylthio)butyl]quinazoline-2(1H)-thion-4(3H)-one In a solution of 1.94 g (5.18 mmol) of 2-[4-(2-aminobenzoylamino)butylthio]pyridine dihydrochloride in 10 ml of methanol, 6.5 ml (13.0 mmol) of 2 N aqueous sodium hydroxide was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. Water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with chloroform. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The resulting free amine was used in the subsequent reaction without further purification. Under nitrogen atmosphere, to a solution of the above free amine in 20 ml of tetrahydrofuran, 1.43 g (8.0 mmol) of 1,1'-thiocarbonyldiimidazole was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was dissolved in chloroform. The solution was washed with water and dried. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was recrystallized from chloroform/ether to give 0.856 g (62.2% yield, pale brown solid). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.76-2.08 (4H, m), 3.25 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 4.56 (2H, t, J=7.8 Hz), 6.95 (1H, ddd, J=1.0, 5.0, 7.2 Hz), 7.09-7.18 (2H, m), 7.27-7.35 (1H, m), 7.45 (1H, ddd, J=1.4, 7.4, 8.0 Hz), 7.61-7.70 (1H, m), 8.13 (1H, dd, J=1.6, 8.0 Hz), 8.39-8.43 (1H, m), 10.82 (1H, s). Example 92 Synthesis of 1,3-bis[3-(4-pyridylthio)propyl]quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione dihydrochloride i) Synthesis of 1,3-bis[3-(4-pyridylthio)propyl]quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione To a solution of 1.62 g (10 mmol) of benzoylene urea and 1.88 g (10 mmol) of 4-(3-chloropropylthio)pyridine in 50 ml of dimethylformamide, 1.65 ml (11 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/ethanol = 25 : 1 to 10 : 1 to 2 : 1). First, 0.973 g of 3-[3-(4-pyridylthio)propyl]quinazoline-2,4-(1H,3H)-dione (31.1% yield, pale yellow crystals) was obtained, and then, 0.487 g of the desired product was obtained (10.4% yield, yellow oil). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 2.04-2.24 (4H, m), 3.02-3.16 (4H, m), 4.27-4.35 (4H, m), 7.08-7.30 (6H, m), 7.62 (1H, ddd, J=1.8, 7.0, 7.2 Hz), 8.23 (1H, dd, J=1.6, 8.0 Hz), 8.35-8.41 (4H, m). ii) Synthesis of 1,3-bis[3-(4-pyridylthio)propyl]quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione dihydrochloride To a solution of 150 mg (0.323 mmol) of the above free amine in 15 ml of methanol, 30 ml of 10% hydrochloric acid/methanol was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by recrystallization (solvent: ethanol/ether) to give 80.0 mg of the desired product (46.1% yield, pale yellow crystals). NMR (200 MHz, D 2 O) δ: 2.11-2.30 (4H, m), 3.27-3.50 (4H, m), 4.10-4.40 (4H, m), 7.32-7.48 (2H, m), 7.73-7.82 (5H, m), 8.02 (1H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 8.39 (4H, d, J=6.6 Hz). Example 93 Synthesis of 1,3-bis[4-(2-pyridylthio)butyl]quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione To a solution of 1.62 g (10 mmol) of benzoylene urea and 2.02 g (10 mmol) of 2-(4-chlorobutylthio)pyridine in 50 ml of dimethylformamide, 1.65 ml (11 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate = 2 : 1 to 1 : 2). First, 221 mg of the desired product was obtained (4.6% yield, yellow oil), and then, 292 mg of 3-[4-(2-pyridylthio)butyl]quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione was obtained (8.9% yield, white crystals). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.76-1.94 (8H, m), 3.18-3.29 (4H, m), 4.08-4.20 (4H, m), 6.90-7.00 (2H, m), 7.12-7.23 (4H, m), 7.39-7.51 (2H, m), 7.63 (1H, ddd, J=1.6, 7.0, 7.4 Hz), 8.22 (1H, dd, J=1.8, 8.0 Hz), 8.37-8.42 (2H, m). Example 94 Synthesis of 1-(4-pyridylthio)methyl-3-[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione dihydrochloride i) Synthesis of 1-(4-pyridylthio)methyl-3-[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione To a solution of 491 mg (1.5 mmol) of 3-[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione and 287 mg (1.8 mmol) of 4-chloromethylthiopyridine in 15 ml of dimethylformamide, 0.27 ml (1.8 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo-[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/hexane = 2 : 1 to 4 : 1 to ethyl acetate) to give 0.315 g of the desired product (46.7% yield, colorless oil). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.68-1.90 (4H, m), 3.02 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 4.10 (2H, t, J=7.2 Hz), 5.72 (2H, s), 7.10 (2H, dd, J=1.5, 4.8 Hz), 7.20 (1H, d, J=8.6 Hz), 7.33 (1H, dt, J=1.0, 7.0 Hz), 7.42 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.6 Hz), 7.72 (1H, ddd, J=1.8, 7.0, 7.4 Hz), 8.25 (1H, dd, J=1.4, 8.0 Hz), 8.35 (2H, dd, J=1.4, 4.8 Hz), 8.48 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.6 Hz). IR (neat) cm -1 : 3030, 2960, 1705, 1660, 1575, 1480, 1400, 1260, 805, 760, 710. ii) Synthesis of 1-(4-pyridylthio)methyl-3-[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione dihydrochloride To a solution of 200 mg (0.44 mmol) of the above free amine in 10 ml of methanol, 50 ml of 10% hydrochloric acid/methanol was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by recrystallization (solvent: ethanol/ether) to give 183 mg of the desired product (78.8% yield, white crystals), mp. 148-150°C. Example 95 Synthesis of 1,3-bis[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]quinazoline-2(1H)-thion-4(3H)-one dihydrochloride i) Synthesis of 1,3-bis[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]quinazoline-2(1H)-thion-4(3H)-one To a solution of 515 mg (1.5 mmol) of 3-[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]quinazoline-2(1H)-thion-4(3H)-one and 332 mg (1.65 mmol) of 4-(4-chlorobutylthio)pyridine in 15 ml of dimethylformamide, 0.25 ml (1.65 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo-[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/ethanol = 25 : 1 to 10 : 1) to give 0.694 mg of the desired product (97.1% yield; colorless oil). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.78-2.06 (8H, m), 3.02-3.11 (4H, m), 3.34 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 4.17 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 7.12 (4H, d, J=5.4 Hz), 7.35-7.52 (2H, m), 7.69 (1H, ddd, J=1.4, 7.0, 7.0 Hz), 8.22 (1H, dd, J=1.4, 8.0 Hz), 8.40 (4H, s). IR (neat) cm -1 : 2960, 1700, 1655, 1610, 1480, 1400, 1100, 760, 695. ii) Synthesis of 1,3-bis[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]quinazoline-2(1H)-thion-4(3H)-one dihydrochloride To a solution of 449 mg (0.94 mmol) of the free amine in 30 ml of methanol, 100 ml of 10% hydrochloric acid/methanol was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by recrystallisation (solvent: ethanol/ether) to give 450 mg of the desired product (86.9% yield, white crystals), mp. 87-89°C. Example 96 Synthesis of 1,3-bis[3-(4-pyridylthio)propyl]quinazollne-2(1H)-thion-4(3H)-one To a solution of 494 mg (1.5 mmol) of 3-[4-(4-pyridylthio)propyl]quinazoline-2(1H)-thion-4(3H)-one and 338 mg (1.8 mmol) of 4-(3-chloropropylthio)pyridine in 15 ml of dimethylformamide, 0.27 ml (1.8 mmol) of 1,8-diazabicyclo-[5.4.0]-7-undecene was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours and at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, the solvent was distilled off and the residue was dissolved in chloroform. The solution was washed with water and dried. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/ethanol = 25 : 1 to 10 : 1 to 5 : 1) to give 0.73 g of the desired product (100% yield, yellow oil). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 2.21 (4H, quint., J=6.8 Hz), 3.12 (4H, q, J=7.2 Hz), 3.42 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 4.30 (2H, t, J=7.2 Hz), 7.12 (4H, s), 7.35-7.51 (2H, m), 7.70 (1H, ddd, J=1.6, 7.0, 7.2 Hz), 8.20 (1H, dd, J=1.6, 7.8 Hz), 8.38 (4H, s). Example 97 Synthesis of 1,3-bis[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]-5,5-dimethylhydantoin dihydrochloride i) Synthesis of 1,3-bis[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]-5,5-dimethylhydantoin To a suspension of 96 mg (2.4 mmol) of 60% sodium hydride (oily) in 15 ml of dimethylformamide, 587 mg (2.0 mmol) of 3-[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]-5,5-dimethylhydantoin was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 minutes. To this reaction mixture, 807 mg (4.0 mmol) of 4-(4-chlorobutylthio)pyridine was added with stirring under ice-cooling, and the mixture was stirred at 80°C for 16 hours. After cooling, water was added to the reaction mixture, and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the-solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/ethanol = 10 : 1) to give 0.74 g of the desired product (80.7% yield, yellow oil). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.37 (6H, s), 1.68-1.88 (8H, m), 2.98-3.07 (4H, m), 3.29 (2H, t, J=7.0 Hz), 3.55 (2H, t, J=6.6 Hz), 7.12 (4H, d, J=4.6 Hz), 8.39 (4H, s). IR (neat) cm -1 : 3030, 2935, 1760, 1700, 1575, 1455, 300, 710. ii) Synthesis of 1,3-bis[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]-5,5-dimethylhydantoin dihydrochloride To a solution of 0.68 g (1.48 mmol) of the above free amine in 30 ml of methanol, 50 ml of 10% hydrochloric acid/methanol was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The solvent was distilled off to give 0.91 g of the desired product (100% yield, yellow oil). NMR (200 MHz, D 2 O) δ: 1.40 (6H, s), 1.76-1.88 (8H, m), 3.23-3.32 (4H, m), 3.35-3.42 (2H, m), 3.57 (2H, t, J=6.2 Hz), 7.80 (4H, dd, J=1.4, 7.2 Hz), 8.42 (4H, d, J=7.0 Hz). Example 98 Synthesis of 1,2-bis[N-[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]-N-propionylamino]benzene dihydrochloride i) Synthesis of 1,2-dipropionylaminobenzene To a solution of 3.24 g (30 mmol) of O-phenylenediamine in 9.7 ml (120 mmol) of pyridine, 11.54 ml (90 mmol) of propionic anhydride was added at room temperature, and the mixture was stirred for 16 hours. The resulting precipitate was filtered and washed with ether, followed by drying to give 5.24 of the desired product (80.1% yield, white crystals). NMR (200 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ: 1.09 (6H, t, J=7.8 Hz), 2.35 (4H, q, J=7.6 Hz), 7.12 (2H, dd, J=3.4, 6.0 Hz), 7.51 (2H, dd, J=3.4, 6.0 Hz), 9.25 (2H, s). ii) Synthesis of 1,2-bis[N-(4-chlorobutyl)-N-propionylamino]benzene To a suspension of 3.27 g (15 mmol) of 1,2-dipropionylaminobenzene, 4.32 ml (37.5 mmol) of 4-bromo-1-chlorobutane, and 0.96 g (3.0 mmol) of tetrabutylammonium bromide in 25 ml of toluene, 5.6 ml of 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide was added at room temperature, and the mixture was stirred for 16 hours. The organic layer was separated, washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride, and dried. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: hexane/ethyl acetate = 2 : 1 to 1 : 1 to 1 : 2 to 1 : 4) to give 0.76 g of the desired product (12.6% yield, white crystals). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.09 (6H, t, J=7.8 Hz), 1.58-1.90 (10H, m), 2.07-2.26 (2H, m), 2.69-2.83 (2H, m), 3.51 (4H, t, J=5.5 Hz), 4.24-4.40 (2H, m), 7.20 (2H, dd, J=3.6, 6.0 Hz), 7.43 (2H, dd, J=3.6, 6.0 Hz). iii) Synthesis of 1,2-bis[N-[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]-N-propionylamino]benzene To a solution of 525 mg (4.7 mmol) of 4-mercaptopyridine and 265 mg (4.7 mmol) of potassium hydroxide in 20 ml of dimethyl sulfoxide, 760 mg (1.89 mmol) of 1,2-bis[N-(4-chlorobutyl)-N-propionylamino]benzene was added at room temperature, and the mixture was stirred for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into water and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was dried and the solvent was distilled off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate to ethyl acetate/ethanol = 20 : 1 to 10 : 1 to 5 : 1) to give 0.84 g of the desired product (81.0% yield, pale yellow crystals). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.62-1.74 (8H, m), 1.82 (6H, s), 2.84-2.99 (6H, m), 2.84-2.99 (6H, m), 4.22-4.38 (2H, m), 7.08 (4H, d, J=5.8 Hz), 7.14 (2H, dd, J=3.6, 5.8 Hz), 7.42 (2H, dd, J=3.6, 5.8 Hz), 8.38 (4H, s). iv) Synthesis of 1,2-bis[N-[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]-N-propionylamino]benzene dihydrochloride To a solution of 840 mg (1.53 mmol) of 1,2-bis[N-[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]-N-propionylamino]benzene in 20 ml of methanol, 80 ml of 10% hydrochloric acid/methanol was added, and the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was recrystallized from ethanol/ether to give 707 mg of the desired product (74.1% yield, pale yellow crystals). NMR (200 MHz, D 2 O) δ: 0.95 (3H, t, J=7.2 Hz), 1.80-1.15 (3H, m), 1.62-1.95 (10H, m), 2.10-2.30 (2H, m), 2.74-2.90 (2H, m), 3.10-3.20 (4H, m), 4.04-4.36 (2H, m), 7.22-7.52 (4H, m), 7.69-7.73 (4H, m), 8.32-8.37 (4H, m). Reference Example 2 Synthesis of 4-[3-(t-butoxycarbonylamino)propylsulfinyl]pyridine To a solution of 4.03 g (15.0 mmol) of 4-[3-(t-butoxycarbonylamino)propylthio]pyridine in 100 ml of methylene chloride, 3.05 g (15.0 mmol) of m-chloroperbenzoic acid was added with stirring under ice-cooling, and the mixture was stirred at the same temperature for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was washed two times with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/ethanol = 10 : 1) to give 3.37 g of the desired compound (78.9% yield, colorless crystals). NMR (90 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.43 (9H, s), 1.50-2.30 (2H, m), 2.60-3.10 (2H, m), 3.26 (2H, m), 4.84 (1H, br), 7.54 (2H, m), 8.78 (2H, m). Reference Example 3 Synthesis of 4-[3-(t-butoxycarbonylamino)propylsulfonyl]pyridine To a solution of 4.03 g (15.0 mmol) of 4-[3-(t-butoxycarbonylamino)propylthio]pyridine in 100 ml of methylene chloride, 6.70 g (33.0 mmol) of m-chloroperbenzoic acid was added with stirring under ice-cooling, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 hour. The reaction mixture was washed two times with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate) to give 3.68 g of the desired compound (81.6% yield, colorless crystals). NMR (90 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.40 (9H, s), 1.75-2.13 (2H, m), 3.06-3.38 (4H, m), 4.70 (1H, br), 7.75 (2H, m), 8.90 (2H, m). Reference Example 4 Synthesis of 4-(4-chlorobutylthio)pyridine To a suspension of 33.35 g (0.30 mol) of 4-mercaptopyridine and 51.44 g (0.30 mol) of 1-bromo-4-chlorobutane in 500 ml of ethanol, 41.9 ml (0.30 mol) of triethylamine was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 5 hours. The solvent was distilled off and chloroform was added to the residue. The mixture was washed with water and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethyl acetate/n-hexane = 1 : 1) to give 54.27 g of the desired compound (89.7% yield, colorless oil). NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.92 (4H, m), 3.02 (2H, t, J=6.8 Hz), 3.59 (2H, t, J=6.2 Hz), 7.12 (2H, dd, J=4.6, 1.6 Hz), 8.40 (2H, dd, J=4.0, 1.6 Hz). Reference Example 5 Synthesis of 4-(3-chloropropylthio)pyridine The desired compound was synthesized in the same manner as described in Reference Example 4. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 2.17 (2H, m), 3.17 (2H, t, J=7 Hz), 3.70 (2H, t, J=6 Hz), 7.14 (2H, dd, J=4.6, 1.6 Hz), 8.42 (2H, dd, J=4.6, 1.6 Hz). Reference Example 6 Synthesis of 4-(2-chloroethylthio)pyridine The desired compound was synthesized in the same manner as described in Reference Example 4. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 3.34 (2H, t, J=8.4 Hz), 3.70 (2H, t, J=8.0 Hz), 7.15 (2H, dd, J=1.6, 4.4 Hz), 8.45 (2H, dd, J=1.4, 4.4 Hz). Reference Example 7 Synthesis of 2-(4-chlorobutylthio)pyridine This compound was synthesized by the same method as used in Reference Example 4. NMR (200 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.70-2.05 (4H, m), 3.21 (2H, t, J=6.8 Hz), 3.58 (2H, t, J=6.2 Hz), 6.98 (1H, ddd, J=1.2, 5.0, 7.4 Hz), 7.17 (1H, d, J=8.0 Hz), 7.48 (1H, ddd, J=1.8, 7.2, 7.8 Hz), 8.40-8.45 (1H, m).

Claims: Use of a pyridine derivative of the formula (I): wherein R is an optionally substituted pyridine ring, X is a oxygen atom or -S(O) n -, wherein n is 0, 1 or 2, A is a bivalent C 1-15 hydrocarbon residue whose branched moiety may have a substituent, Y is an oxygen or sulfur atom, R 3 and R 4 are joined together with the carbamoyl group or the thiocarbamoyl group to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic group, or one of R 3 and R 4 is attached to A to form a ring (whereby the unattached R 3 is a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted hydrocarbon residue, and the unattached R 4 is an optionally substituted hydrocarbon residue or an optionally substituted monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclic group), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, in the production of a pharmaceutical composition for providing antiinflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, antiallergic, immunosuppressing, immunomodulating or adhesive protein expression inhibitory activity. A pyridine derivative of the formula (III): wherein R 1 and R 2 are the same or different and are a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 2-6 alkenyl group, a C 1-6 alkoxy group, hydroxy group, nitro group, cyano group, amino group, carbamoyl group, an acylamino group, a C 1-6 alkylamino group, a C 2-6 alkenylamino group or an aralkylamino group, X is an oxygen atom or -S(O) n -, wherein n is 0, 1 or 2; A is a bivalent C 1-15 hydrocarbon residue whose branched moiety may have a substituent, Y is an oxygen or sulfur atom, R 5 and R 6 are the same or different and are a hydrogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 2-6 alkenyl group, a halogeno C 1-6 alkyl group, a halogeno C 2-6 alkenyl group, an optionally substituted aralkyl group or an optionally substituted aryl group, or R 5 and R 6 are joined to form a group of the formula: wherein R 7 and R 8 are the same or different and are a hydrogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 2-6 alkenyl group, a halogeno C 1-6 alkyl group, a halogeno C 2-6 alkenyl group, an optionally substituted aralkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group or an optionally substituted monocyclic or a bicyclic heterocyclic group, or R 7 and R 8 are linked together to form a ring, B 1 is -(CH 2 ) p -, wherein p is an integer of 1 to 4, or a group of the formula: -CH 2 S-, -CH 2 CH 2 S-, -SO 2 CH 2 -, wherein R 9 is a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted C 1-6 alkyl, C 2-6 alkenyl or aralkyl group, or a salt or solvate thereof. The pyridine derivative according to claim 2, wherein R 1 and R 2 are the same or different and are a hydrogen atom, amino group or an acylamino group, X is an oxygen or sulfur atom, Y is an oxygen atom, A is a bivalent C 1-6 hydrocarbon residue, R 5 and R 6 are the same or different and are a hydrogen atom or a C 1-6 alkyl, or R 5 and R 6 are joined to form a group of the formula: wherein R 7 and R 8 are the same or different and are a hydrogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aralkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group or an optionally substituted monocyclic or bicyclic heterocyclic group, B 1 is -C(=O)-O-, -C(=O)-S-, -C(=O)-CH 2 - or -C(=O)-NR 9 -, wherein R 9 is as defined in claim 2. The pyridine derivative according to claim 3, wherein R 1 and R 2 are a hydrogen atom, A is a C 1-4 alkylene, B 1 is -C(=O)-S- or -C(=O)-NR 9 -. The pyridine derivative according to claim 2 selected from: 4-[4-(5-benzylidene-2,4-thiazolidinedione)-butylthio]pyridine; 4-[4-[5-(4-chlorobenzylidene)-2,4-thiazolidinedione]butylthio]pyridine; 4-[4-[5-(2-thienylmethylene)-2,4-thiazolidinedione]butylthio]pyridine; 4-[4-(5-propylmethylene-2,4-thiazolidinedione)-butylthio]pyridine; 4-(5,5-dimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione)-methylthiopyridine; 4-[4-[5-(4-pyridyl)methylene-2,4-thiazolidinedione]butylthio]pyridine; 4-[4-[5-(3-pyridyl)methylene-2,4-thiazolidinedione]butylthio]pyridine; and 4-[4-(5-nonylmethylene-2,4-thiazolidinedione)-butylthio]pyridine hydrochloride. A pyridine derivative of the formula (IV): wherein R 1 and R 2 are the same or different and are a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 2-6 alkenyl group, a C 1-6 alkoxy group, hydroxy group, nitro group, cyano group, amino group, carbamoyl group, an acylamino group, a C 1-6 alkylamino group, a C 2-6 alkenylamino group or an aralkylamino group, X is an oxygen atom or -S(O) n -, wherein n is 0, 1 or 2, A is a bivalent C 1-15 hydrocarbon residue whose branched moiety may have a substituent, Y is an oxygen or sulfur atom, a group of the formula: is an optionally substituted benzene ring, B 2 is -(CH 2 ) p -, wherein p is an integer of 1 to 4, or a group of the formula: -SO 2 -, wherein R 9 is a hydrogen atom, an optionally substituted C 1-6 alkyl, C 2-6 alkenyl or aralkyl group, or a group of the formula: -CH 2 CH 2 O-, -CH 2 S-, -CH 2 CH 2 S- or wherein R 12 and R 13 are the same or different and are a hydrogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 2-6 alkenyl group, a halogeno C 1-6 alkyl group, a halogeno C 2-6 alkenyl group, an optionally substituted aralkyl group or an aryl group, or R 12 and R 13 may be linked together to form a ring, or a salt or solvate thereof. The pyridine derivative according to claim 6, wherein R 1 and R 2 are the same or different and are a hydrogen atom, amino group or an acylamino group, X is an oxygen or sulfur atom, A is a bivalent C 1-6 hydrocarbon residue, Y is an oxygen atom, B 2 is -(CH 2 ) p -, -(HO-)CH-, -C(=O)-O-, -C(=S)-O-, -SO 2 -, -C(=O)-NR 9 - or -C(=S)-NR 9 -wherein p is an integer of 1 to 4, R 9 is a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted C 1-6 alkyl group. The pyridine derivative according to claim 7, wherein R 1 and R 2 are a hydrogen atom, A is a C 1-4 alkylene, B 2 is -CH 2 -, -C(=O)-O-, -C(=S)-O-, -SO 2 -, -C(=O)-NR 9 - or -C(=S)-NR 9 -, and the substituent of the C 1-6 alkyl group is pyridylthio group. The pyridine derivative according to claim 6 selected from: 3-[3-(4-pyridylthio)propyl]-2H-1,3-benzoxazine-2-thion-4(3H)-one; 3-[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]quinazoline-2,4-(1H,3H)dione; 1,3-bis[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]quinazoline-2,4-(1H,3H)dione; 3-[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]-2H-1,3-benzoxazine-2-thion-4(3H)-one; 4-saccharinmethylthiopyridine; 4-saccharinmethylthiopyridine hydrochloride; 1,3-bis[4-(2-pyridylthio)butyl]quinazoline-2,4-(1H,3H)dione; 1-(4-pyridylthio)methyl-3-[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]quinazoline-2,4-(1H,3H)-dione dihydrochloride; and 1,3-bis[4-(4-pyridylthio)butyl]quinazoline-2(1H)-thion-4(3H)-one dihydrochloride. A pyridine derivative of the formula (V): wherein R 1 and R 2 are the same or different and are a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C 1-6 alkyl group, a C 2-6 alkenyl group, a C 1-6 alkoxy group, hydroxy group, nitro group, cyano group, amino group, carbamoyl group, an acylamino group, a C 1-6 alkylamino group, a C 2-6 alkenylamino group or an aralkylamino group, X is an oxygen atom or -S(O) n -, wherein n is 0, 1 or 2, a group of the formula: is an optionally substituted benzene ring, or a salt or solvate thereof. The pyridine derivative according to claim 10, wherein R 1 and R 2 are the same or different and are a hydrogen atom, amino group or an acylamino group, X is an oxygen or sulfur atom. The pyridine derivative according to claim 11, wherein R 1 and R 2 are a hydrogen atom. The pyridine derivative according to claim 10, which is 4-(phthalimidomethylthio)pyridine, or 4-(phthalimidomethyloxy)pyridine. A process for producing a pyridine derivative of the formula (III): wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 5 , R 6 , A, B 1 , X and Y are as defined in claim 2, which comprises the steps of: (a) reacting a compound of the formula: wherein E 1 is halogen or a leaving group, and the other symbols are as defined above, with a compound of the formula: wherein each symbol is as defined above; or (b) when R 5 and R 6 are joined to form the group of the formula: wherein R 7 and R 8 are as defined in claim 2, reacting a compound of the formula: wherein each symbol is as defined above, with a compound of the formula: wherein each symbol is as defined above. A process for producing a pyridine derivative of the formula (IV): wherein R1, R 2 , A, B 2 , X and Y are as defined in claim 6, which comprises the steps of: (a) reacting a compound of the formula: wherein E 1 is halogen or a leaving group, and the other symbols are as defined above, with a compound of the formula: wherein each symbol is as defined above; or (b) when B 2 is -(CH 2 ) p - wherein p is as defined above, cyclizing a compound of the formula: wherein each symbol is as defined above, by dehydration; or (c) when B 2 is -C(=Y)-O-, -C(=Y)-S- or -C(=Y)-N(R 9 )-wherein R 9 and Y are as defined in claim 6, reacting a compound of the formula: wherein B 3 is O, S or -N(R 9 )-, and the other groups are as defined above, with a compound of the formula: wherein E 3 is an imidazolyl group, chloro or phenoxy group and the other group is as defined above; or (d) when Y is O and B 2 is -C(-OH)H-, reacting a compound of the formula: wherein each symbol is as defined above, with sodium borohydride, or (e) when Y is O and B 2 is -CH 2 -, reacting a compound of the formula: wherein each symbol is as defined above, with sodium borohydride in trifluoroacetic acid; or (f) when B 2 is -C(=O)-N(-R 9 )- wherein R 9 is as defined above, reacting a compound of the formula: wherein each symbol is as defined above, with a compound of the formula: R 9 -E 1 wherein each symbol is as defined above. A process for producing a pyridine derivative of the formula (V): wherein R 1 , R 2 , and X are as defined in claim 10, which comprises the steps of: (a) reacting a compound of the formula: wherein X is O or S and R 1 and R 2 are as defined above, with a compound of the formula: wherein E 1 is halogen or a leaving group, and is as defined above, to produce a compound of the formula (V), wherein X is O or S; and (b) - for preparing compounds of the formula (V), wherein X is S(O) or S(O) 2 - subsequently reacting the compound of the formula (V), wherein X is S with an oxidizing agent. A pharmaceutical composition for providing antiinflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, antiallergic, immunosuppressing or immunomodulating activity which comprises a pyridine derivative of the formula (I) as defined in claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 17, wherein the pyridine derivative is selected from that of the formula (III) as claimed in claim 2; that of the formula (IV) as claimed in claim 6; and that of the formula (V) as claimed in claim 10. A pharmaceutical composition for providing adhesive protein expression inhibitory activity which comprises a pyridine derivative of the formula (I) as defined in claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 19, wherein the pyridine derivative is selected from that of the formula (III) as claimed in claim 2; that of the formula (IV) as claimed in claim 6; and that of the formula (V) as claimed in claim 10. Use according to claim 1, wherein the pyridine derivative is selected from that of the formula (III) as claimed in claim 2; that of the formula (IV) as claimed in claim 6; and that of the formula (V) as claimed in claim 10.

Inventors: SAIJO TAKETOSHI, TAKATANI MUNEO, TOMIMATSU KIMINORI, SAIJO, TAKETOSHI, TAKATANI, MUNEO, TOMIMATSU, KIMINORI
Applicants: TAKEDA CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES LTD, TAKEDA CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: C07D213
IPC codes: C07D413, C07D401, C07D417, C07D213