Patent Publication Number: US-2009239890-A1

Title: Spiro substituted cyclopropane compounds for the treatment of inflammatory disorders

Description:
This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/030,292, filed Feb. 21, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to novel spiro substituted cyclopropane derivatives that can inhibit matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a disintegrin and metalloproteases (ADAMs) and/or tumor necrosis factor alpha-converting enzyme (TACE) and in so doing prevent the release of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of treatment using such compounds. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (OA and RA, respectively) are destructive diseases of articular cartilage characterized by localized erosion of the cartilage surface. Findings have shown that articular cartilage from the femoral heads of patients with OA, for example, had a reduced incorporation of radiolabeled sulfate over controls, suggesting that there must be an enhanced rate of cartilage degradation in OA (Mankin et al.,  J. Bone Joint Surg.,  52A: 424-434 (1970)). There are four classes of protein degradative enzymes in mammalian cells: serine, cysteine, aspartyl and metalloproteases. The available evidence supports the belief that it is the metalloproteases that are responsible for the degradation of the extracellular matrix of articullar cartilage in OA and RA. Increased activities of collagenases and stromelysin have been found in OA cartilage and the activity correlates with severity of the lesion (Mankin et al.,  Arthritis Rheum.,  21: 761-766 (1978); Woessner et al.,  Arthritis Rheum.,  26: 63-68 (1983); and Ibid. 27: 305-312 (1984). In addition, aggrecanase (a newly identified metalloprotease) has been identified that provides the specific cleavage product of proteoglycan, found in RA and OA patients (Lohmander et al.,  Arthritis Rheum.,  36: 1214-22 (1993). 
     Metalloproteases (MPs) have been implicated as the key enzymes in the destruction of mammalian cartilage and bone. It can be expected that the pathogenesis of such diseases can be modified in a beneficial manner by the administration of MP inhibitors (see Wahl et al.,  Ann. Rep. Med. Chem.,  25: 175-184, AP, San Diego, (1990)). 
     MMPs are a family of over 20 different enzymes that are involved in a variety of biological processes important in the uncontrolled breakdown of connective tissue, including proteoglycan and collagen, leading to resorption of the extracellular matrix. This is a feature of many pathological conditions, such as RA and OA, corneal, epidermal or gastric ulceration; tumor metastasis or invasion; periodontal disease and bone disease. Normally these catabolic enzymes are tightly regulated at the level of their synthesis as well as at their level of extracellular activity through the action of specific inhibitors, such as alpha-2-macroglobulins and TIMPs (tissue inhibitor of MPs), which form inactive complexes with the MMP&#39;s. 
     Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a cell-associated cytokine that is processed from a 26 kDa precursor form to a 17 kd active form. See, Black, “Tumor necrosis factor-alpha converting enzyme,”  Int. J. Biochem. Cell Biol.,  34(1): 1-5 (2002 January); and Moss et al., “TACE and other ADAM proteases as targets for drug discovery,”  Drug Discovery Today,  6(8): 417-426 (2001 Apr. 1), each of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     TNF-α has been shown to play a pivotal role in immune and inflammatory responses. Inappropriate or over-expression of TNF-α is a hallmark of a number of diseases, including RA, Crohn&#39;s disease, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis and sepsis. Inhibition of TNF-α production has been shown to be beneficial in many preclinical models of inflammatory disease, making inhibition of TNF-α production or signaling an appealing target for the development of novel anti-inflammatory drugs. 
     TNF-α is a primary mediator in humans and animals of inflammation, fever and acute phase responses, similar to those observed during acute infection and shock. Excess TNF-α has been shown to be lethal. Blocking the effects of TNF-α with specific antibodies can be beneficial in a variety of conditions, including autoimmune diseases such as RA (Feldman et al.,  Lancet,  344: 1105 (1994)), non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (Lohmander et al.,  Arthritis Rheum.,  36: 1214-22 (1993)) and Crohn&#39;s disease (Macdonald et al.,  Clin. Exp. Immunol.,  81: 301 (1990)). 
     Compounds that inhibit the production of TNF-α are therefore of therapeutic importance for the treatment of inflammatory disorders. Recently it has been shown that metalloproteases, such as TACE, are capable of converting TNF-α from its inactive to active form (Gearing et al.,  Nature,  370: 555 (1994)). Since excessive TNF-α production has been noted in several disease conditions also characterized by MMP-mediated tissue degradation, compounds which inhibit both MMPs and TNF-α production may also have a particular advantage in diseases where both mechanisms are involved. 
     One approach to inhibiting the harmful effects of TNF-α is to inhibit the enzyme, TACE before it can process TNF-α to its soluble form. TACE is a member of the ADAM family of type I membrane proteins and mediates the ectodomain shedding of various membrane-anchored signaling and adhesion proteins. TACE has become increasingly important in the study of several diseases, including inflammatory disease, because of its role in cleaving TNF-α from its “stalk” sequence and thus releasing the soluble form of the TNF-α protein (Black,  Int. J. Biochem. Cell Biol.,  34: 1-5 (2002)). 
     There are numerous patents and publications which disclose hydroxamate, sulphonamide, hydantoin, carboxylate and/or lactam based MMP inhibitors. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,677,355 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,534,491 (B2), describe compounds that are hydroxamic acid derivatives and MMP inhibitors. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,495,565 discloses lactam derivatives that are potential inhibitors of MMPs and/or TNF-α. 
     PCT Publications WO2002/074750, WO2002/096426, WO20040067996, WO2004012663, WO200274750 and WO2004024721 disclose hydantoin derivatives that are potential inhibitors of MMPs. 
     PCT Publications WO2004024698 and WO2004024715 disclose sulphonamide derivatives that are potential inhibitors of MMPs. 
     PCT Publications WO2004056766, WO2003053940 and WO2003053941 also describe potential inhibitors of TACE and MMPs. 
     PCT Publication WO2006/019768 refers to hydantoin derivatives that are TACE inhibitors. 
     There is a need in the art for inhibitors of MMPs, ADAMs, TACE, and TNF-α, which can be useful as anti-inflammatory compounds and cartilage protecting therapeutics. The inhibition of TNF-α, TACE and or other MMPs can prevent the degradation of cartilage by these enzymes, thereby alleviating the pathological conditions of OA and RA as well as many other auto-immune diseases. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In its many embodiments, the present invention provides a novel class of compounds as inhibitors of TACE, the production of TNF-α, MMPs, ADAMs, aggrecanase, or any combination thereof, methods of preparing such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more such compounds, methods of preparing pharmaceutical formulations comprising one or more such compounds, and methods of treatment, prevention, inhibition or amelioration of one or more diseases associated with TACE, aggrecanase TNF-α, MMPs, ADAMs or any combination thereof using such compounds or pharmaceutical compositions. 
     In one embodiment, the present application discloses a compound represented by Formula I: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein:
         W represents —COOH, —CONHOH or —CH 2 SH;   L represents hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl;   X represents aryl or heteroaryl;   U represents O, S, SO, SO 2 , NR 1 , CH 2  or C(R 1 ) 2 ;   V represents CH 2  or a single bond;   Ar represents aryl or heteroaryl;   R 1  represents hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl;
 
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester or prodrug of said compound of Formula I.
       

     The compounds of Formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, esters and prodrugs thereof can be useful as inhibitors of TACE and may be useful in the treatment and prevention of diseases associated with TACE, TNF-α, MMPs, ADAMs or any combination thereof. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In its several embodiments, the present invention provides a novel class of inhibitors of TACE, aggrecanase, the production of TNF-α, MMPs, ADAMs or any combination thereof, pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more of the compounds, methods of preparing pharmaceutical formulations comprising one or more such compounds, and methods of treatment, prevention or amelioration of one or more of the symptoms of inflammation. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention provides compounds which are represented by structural Formula I above or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester, prodrug or isomer thereof, wherein the various moieties are as described above. 
     In another embodiment, the isomer referred to the in the preceding paragraph is a stereoisomer, in which all stereoisomers are contemplated. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention provides a compound of the Formula I above or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester or prodrug thereof, wherein:
         W represents —COOH or —CONHOH;   L represents hydrogen or alkyl;   X represents aryl;   U represents O;   V represents CH 2 ; and   Ar represents aryl or heteroaryl.       

     In a preferred embodiment of the embodiment of the preceding paragraph, the present invention provides a compound of the Formula I above or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester or prodrug thereof, wherein:
         L represents hydrogen or methyl;   X represents phenylene optionally substituted by fluoro; and   Ar represents quinolyl substituted by methyl, trifluoromethyl, phenyl or pyridyl.       

     In another embodiment, the compound of Formula I is selected from the group consisting of compounds listed in the table below, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester or isomer thereof. This table also lists the mass spectroscopy data for the molecular ion of each compound. The compounds in the table have TACE K i  values ranging from about 5 to about 50,000 nM. In one embodiment, some of the compounds have K i  values ranging from about 5 to about 3000 nM, and in one embodiment, from about 5 to about 200 nM, and in one embodiment, about 5 to about 50 nM. The synthesis and characterization of these compounds are described hereinbelow in the “EXAMPLES” section of the present application. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 COMPOUND 
                   
                 EXACT 
                 OBSERVED 
               
               
                 ID 
                 STRUCTURE 
                 MASS 
                 MASS 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 9 
                 
                   
                     
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 464 
                 465 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 11 
                 
                   
                     
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 479 
                 480 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 12 
                 
                   
                     
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 464 
                 465 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 13 
                 
                   
                     
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 479 
                 480 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 14 
                 
                   
                     
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 402 
                 403 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 15 
                 
                   
                     
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 417 
                 418 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 16 
                 
                   
                     
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 465 
                 466 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 17 
                 
                   
                     
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 480 
                 481 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 18 
                 
                   
                     
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 465 
                 466 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 19 
                 
                   
                     
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 480 
                 481 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 20 
                 
                   
                     
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 456 
                 457 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 21 
                 
                   
                     
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 482 
                 483 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 22 
                 
                   
                     
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 471 
                 472 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 23 
                 
                   
                     
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 497 
                 498 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 24 
                 
                   
                     
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 510 
                 511 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 25 
                 
                   
                     
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 496 
                 497 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 26 
                 
                   
                     
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
                 511 
                 512 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     As used above, and throughout this disclosure, the following terms, unless otherwise indicated, shall be understood to have the following meanings: 
     “Patient” includes both human and animals. 
     “Mammal” means humans and other mammalian animals. 
     “Alkyl” means an aliphatic hydrocarbon group which may be straight or branched and comprising about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms in the chain. Preferred alkyl groups contain about 1 to about 12 carbon atoms in the chain. More preferred alkyl groups contain about 1 to about 6 carbon atoms in the chain. Branched means that one or more lower alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl or propyl, are attached to a linear alkyl chain. “Lower alkyl” means a group having about 1 to about 6 carbon atoms in the chain which may be straight or branched. “Alkyl” may be unsubstituted or optionally substituted by one or more substituents which may be the same or different, each substituent being independently selected from the group consisting of halo, alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, cyano, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylthio, amino, —NH(alkyl), —NH(cycloalkyl), —N(alkyl) 2 , —O—C(O)-alkyl, —O—C(O)-aryl, —O—C(O)-cycloalkyl, carboxy and —C(O)O-alkyl. Non-limiting examples of suitable alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl and t-butyl. 
     “Alkenyl” means an aliphatic hydrocarbon group containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond and which may be straight or branched and comprising about 2 to about 15 carbon atoms in the chain. Preferred alkenyl groups have about 2 to about 12 carbon atoms in the chain; and more preferably about 2 to about 6 carbon atoms in the chain. Branched means that one or more lower alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl or propyl, are attached to a linear alkenyl chain. “Lower alkenyl” means about 2 to about 6 carbon atoms in the chain which may be straight or branched. “Alkenyl” may be unsubstituted or optionally substituted by one or more substituents which may be the same or different, each substituent being independently selected from the group consisting of halo, alkyl. aryl, cycloalkyl, cyano, alkoxy and —S(alkyl). Non-limiting examples of suitable alkenyl groups include ethenyl, propenyl, n-butenyl, 3-methylbut-2-enyl, n-pentenyl, octenyl and decenyl. 
     “Alkylene” means a difunctional group obtained by removal of a hydrogen atom from an alkyl group that is defined above. Non-limiting examples of alkylene include methylene, ethylene and propylene. 
     “Alkynyl” means an aliphatic hydrocarbon group containing at least one carbon-carbon triple bond and which may be straight or branched and comprising about 2 to about 15 carbon atoms in the chain. Preferred alkynyl groups have about 2 to about 12 carbon atoms in the chain; and more preferably about 2 to about 4 carbon atoms in the chain. Branched means that one or more lower alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl or propyl, are attached to a linear alkynyl chain. “Lower alkynyl” means about 2 to about 6 carbon atoms in the chain which may be straight or branched. Non-limiting examples of suitable alkynyl groups include ethynyl, propynyl, 2-butynyl and 3-methylbutynyl. “Alkynyl” may be unsubstituted or optionally substituted by one or more substituents which may be the same or different, each substituent being independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl and cycloalkyl. 
     “Aryl” means an aromatic monocyclic or multicyclic ring system comprising about 6 to about 14 carbon atoms, preferably about 6 to about 10 carbon atoms. The aryl group can be optionally substituted with one or more “ring system substituents” which may be the same or different, and are as defined herein. Non-limiting examples of suitable aryl groups include phenyl and naphthyl. 
     “Heteroaryl” means an aromatic monocyclic or multicyclic ring system comprising about 5 to about 14 ring atoms, preferably about 5 to about 10 ring atoms, in which one or more of the ring atoms is an element other than carbon, for example nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, alone or in combination. Preferred heteroaryls contain about 5 to about 6 ring atoms. The “heteroaryl” can be optionally substituted by one or more “ring system substituents” which may be the same or different, and are as defined herein. The prefix aza, oxa or thia before the heteroaryl root name means that at least a nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atom respectively, is present as a ring atom. A nitrogen atom of a heteroaryl can be optionally oxidized to the corresponding N-oxide. “Heteroaryl” may also include a heteroaryl as defined above fused to an aryl as defined above. Non-limiting examples of suitable heteroaryls include pyridyl, pyrazinyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridone (including N-substituted pyridones), isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, pyrazolyl, furazanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, quinoxalinyl, phthalazinyl, oxindolyl, imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinyl, imidazo[2,1-b]thiazolyl, benzofurazanyl, indolyl, azaindolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzothienyl, quinolinyl, imidazolyl, thienopyridyl, quinazolinyl, thienopyrimidyl, pyrrolopyridyl, imidazopyridyl, isoquinolinyl, benzoazaindolyl, 1,2,4-triazinyl, benzothiazolyl and the like. The term “heteroaryl” also refers to partially saturated heteroaryl moieties such as, for example, tetrahydroisoquinolyl, tetrahydroquinolyl and the like. 
     “Aralkyl” or “arylalkyl” means an aryl-alkyl-group in which the aryl and alkyl are as previously described. Preferred aralkyls comprise a lower alkyl group. Non-limiting examples of suitable aralkyl groups include benzyl, 2-phenethyl and naphthalenylmethyl. The bond to the parent moiety is through the alkyl. 
     “Alkylaryl” means an alkyl-aryl-group in which the alkyl and aryl are as previously described. Preferred alkylaryls comprise a lower alkyl group. Non-limiting example of a suitable alkylaryl group is tolyl. The bond to the parent moiety is through the aryl. 
     “Cycloalkyl” means a non-aromatic mono- or multicyclic ring system comprising about 3 to about 10 carbon atoms, preferably about 5 to about 10 carbon atoms. Preferred cycloalkyl rings contain about 5 to about 7 ring atoms. The cycloalkyl can be optionally substituted with one or more “ring system substituents” which may be the same or different, and are as defined above. Non-limiting examples of suitable monocyclic cycloalkyls include cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl and the like. Non-limiting examples of suitable multicyclic cycloalkyls include 1-decalinyl, norbornyl, adamantyl and the like. 
     “Cycloalkylalkyl” means a cycloalkyl moiety as defined above linked via an alkyl moiety (defined above) to a parent core. Non-limiting examples of suitable cycloalkylalkyls include cyclohexylmethyl, adamantylmethyl and the like. 
     “Cycloalkenyl” means a non-aromatic mono or multicyclic ring system comprising about 3 to about 10 carbon atoms, preferably about 5 to about 10 carbon atoms which contains at least one carbon-carbon double bond. Preferred cycloalkenyl rings contain about 5 to about 7 ring atoms. The cycloalkenyl can be optionally substituted with one or more “ring system substituents” which may be the same or different, and are as defined above. Non-limiting examples of suitable monocyclic cycloalkenyls include cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, cyclohepta-1,3-dienyl, and the like. Non-limiting example of a suitable multicyclic cycloalkenyl is norbornylenyl. 
     “Cycloalkenylalkyl” means a cycloalkenyl moiety as defined above linked via an alkyl moiety (defined above) to a parent core. Non-limiting examples of suitable cycloalkenylalkyls include cyclopentenylmethyl, cyclohexenylmethyl and the like. 
     “Halogen” means fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine. Preferred are fluorine, chlorine and bromine. 
     “Ring system substituent” means a substituent attached to an aromatic or non-aromatic ring system which, for example, replaces an available hydrogen on the ring system. Ring system substituents may be the same or different, each being independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, alkylaryl, heteroaralkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, alkylheteroaryl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, aralkoxy, acyl, aroyl, halo, nitro, cyano, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroarylthio, aralkylthio, heteroaralkylthio, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, —C(═N—CN)—NH 2 , —C(═NH)—NH 2 , —C(═NH)—NH(alkyl), Y 1 Y 2 N—, Y 1 Y 2 N-alkyl-, Y 1 Y 2 NC(O)— and Y 1 Y 2 NSO 2 —, wherein Y 1  and Y 2  can be the same or different and are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, and aralkyl. “Ring system substituent” may also mean a single moiety which simultaneously replaces two available hydrogens on two adjacent carbon atoms (one H on each carbon) on a ring system. Examples of such moiety are methylene dioxy, ethylenedioxy, —C(CH 3 ) 2 — and the like which form moieties such as, for example: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     “Heteroarylalkyl” means a heteroaryl moiety as defined above linked via an alkyl moiety (defined above) to a parent core. Non-limiting examples of suitable heteroaryls include 2-pyridinylmethyl, quinolinylmethyl and the like. 
     “Heterocyclyl” means a non-aromatic saturated monocyclic or multicyclic ring system comprising about 3 to about 10 ring atoms, preferably about 5 to about 10 ring atoms, in which one or more of the atoms in the ring system is an element other than carbon, for example nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, alone or in combination. There are no adjacent oxygen and/or sulfur atoms present in the ring system. Preferred heterocyclyls contain about 5 to about 6 ring atoms. The prefix aza, oxa or thia before the heterocyclyl root name means that at least a nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atom respectively is present as a ring atom. Any —NH in a heterocyclyl ring may exist protected such as, for example, as an —N(Boc), —N(CBz), —N(Tos) group and the like; such protections are also considered part of this invention. The heterocyclyl can be optionally substituted by one or more “ring system substituents” which may be the same or different, and are as defined herein. The nitrogen or sulfur atom of the heterocyclyl can be optionally oxidized to the corresponding N-oxide, S-oxide or S,S-dioxide. Non-limiting examples of suitable monocyclic heterocyclyl rings include piperidyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, thiazolidinyl, 1,4-dioxanyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl, lactam, lactone, and the like. “Heterocyclyl” may also mean a single moiety (e.g., carbonyl) which simultaneously replaces two available hydrogens on the same carbon atom on a ring system. Examples of such moiety are 2-pyrrolidone: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     and 3-pyrrolidone: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     “Heterocyclylalkyl” means a heterocyclyl moiety as defined above linked via an alkyl moiety (defined above) to a parent core. Non-limiting examples of suitable heterocyclylalkyls include piperidinylmethyl, piperazinylmethyl and the like. 
     “Heterocyclenyl” means a non-aromatic monocyclic or multicyclic ring system comprising about 3 to about 10 ring atoms, preferably about 5 to about 10 ring atoms, in which one or more of the atoms in the ring system is an element other than carbon, for example nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atom, alone or in combination, and which contains at least one carbon-carbon double bond or carbon-nitrogen double bond. There are no adjacent oxygen and/or sulfur atoms present in the ring system. Preferred heterocyclenyl rings contain about 5 to about 6 ring atoms. The prefix aza, oxa or thia before the heterocyclenyl root name means that at least a nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atom respectively is present as a ring atom. The heterocyclenyl can be optionally substituted by one or more ring system substituents, wherein “ring system substituent” is as defined above. The nitrogen or sulfur atom of the heterocyclenyl can be optionally oxidized to the corresponding N-oxide, S-oxide or S,S-dioxide. Non-limiting examples of suitable heterocyclenyl groups include 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridinyl, 1,2-dihydropyridinyl, 1,4-dihydropyridinyl, 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridinyl, 1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidinyl, 2-pyrrolinyl, 3-pyrrolinyl, 2-imidazolinyl, 2-pyrazolinyl, dihydroimidazolyl, dihydrooxazolyl, dihydrooxadiazolyl, dihydrothiazolyl, 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyranyl, dihydrofuranyl, fluorodihydrofuranyl, 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptenyl, dihydrothiophenyl, dihydrothiopyranyl, and the like. “Heterocyclenyl” may also mean a single moiety (e.g., carbonyl) which simultaneously replaces two available hydrogens on the same carbon atom on a ring system. An example of such moiety is 1,2-dihydro-pyrrol-3-one: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     “Heterocyclenylalkyl” means a heterocyclenyl moiety as defined above linked via an alkyl moiety (defined above) to a parent core. 
     It should be noted that in hetero-atom containing ring systems of this invention, there are no hydroxyl groups on carbon atoms adjacent to a N, O or S, as well as there are no N or S groups on carbon adjacent to another heteroatom. Thus, for example, in the ring: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     there is no —OH attached directly to carbons marked 2 and 5. 
     It should also be noted that tautomeric forms such as, for example, the moieties: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     are considered equivalent in certain embodiments of this invention. 
     “Alkynylalkyl” means an alkynyl-alkyl-group in which the alkynyl and alkyl are as previously described. Preferred alkynylalkyls contain a lower alkynyl and a lower alkyl group. The bond to the parent moiety is through the alkyl. Non-limiting examples of suitable alkynylalkyl groups include propargylmethyl. 
     “Heteroaralkyl” means a heteroaryl-alkyl-group in which the heteroaryl and alkyl are as previously described. Preferred heteroaralkyls contain a lower alkyl group. Non-limiting examples of suitable aralkyl groups include pyridylmethyl, and quinolin-3-ylmethyl. The bond to the parent moiety is through the alkyl. 
     “Hydroxyalkyl” means a HO-alkyl-group in which alkyl is as previously defined. Preferred hydroxyalkyls contain lower alkyl. Non-limiting examples of suitable hydroxyalkyl groups include hydroxymethyl and 2-hydroxyethyl. 
     “Acyl” means an H—C(O)—, alkyl-C(O)— or cycloalkyl-C(O)—, group in which the various groups are as previously described. The bond to the parent moiety is through the carbonyl. Preferred acyls contain a lower alkyl. Non-limiting examples of suitable acyl groups include formyl, acetyl and propanoyl. 
     “Aroyl” means an aryl-C(O)— group in which the aryl group is as previously described. The bond to the parent moiety is through the carbonyl. Non-limiting examples of suitable groups include benzoyl and 1-naphthoyl. 
     “Alkoxy” means an alkyl-O— group in which the alkyl group is as previously described. Non-limiting examples of suitable alkoxy groups include methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy and n-butoxy. The bond to the parent moiety is through the ether oxygen. 
     “Aryloxy” means an aryl-O— group in which the aryl group is as previously described. Non-limiting examples of suitable aryloxy groups include phenoxy and naphthoxy. The bond to the parent moiety is through the ether oxygen. 
     “Aralkyloxy” means an aralkyl-O— group in which the aralkyl group is as previously described. Non-limiting examples of suitable aralkyloxy groups include benzyloxy and 1- or 2-naphthalenemethoxy. The bond to the parent moiety is through the ether oxygen. 
     “Alkylthio” means an alkyl-S— group in which the alkyl group is as previously described. Non-limiting examples of suitable alkylthio groups include methylthio and ethylthio. The bond to the parent moiety is through the sulfur. 
     “Arylthio” means an aryl-S— group in which the aryl group is as previously described. Non-limiting examples of suitable arylthio groups include phenylthio and naphthylthio. The bond to the parent moiety is through the sulfur. 
     “Aralkylthio” means an aralkyl-S— group in which the aralkyl group is as previously described. Non-limiting example of a suitable aralkylthio group is benzylthio. The bond to the parent moiety is through the sulfur. 
     “Alkoxycarbonyl” means an alkyl-O—CO— group. Non-limiting examples of suitable alkoxycarbonyl groups include methoxycarbonyl and ethoxycarbonyl. The bond to the parent moiety is through the carbonyl. 
     “Aryloxycarbonyl” means an aryl-O—C(O)— group. Non-limiting examples of suitable aryloxycarbonyl groups include phenoxycarbonyl and naphthoxycarbonyl. The bond to the parent moiety is through the carbonyl. 
     “Aralkoxycarbonyl” means an aralkyl-O—C(O)— group. Non-limiting example of a suitable aralkoxycarbonyl group is benzyloxycarbonyl. The bond to the parent moiety is through the carbonyl. 
     “Alkylsulfonyl” means an alkyl-S(O 2 )— group. Preferred groups are those in which the alkyl group is lower alkyl. The bond to the parent moiety is through the sulfonyl. 
     “Arylsulfonyl” means an aryl-S(O 2 )— group. The bond to the parent moiety is through the sulfonyl. 
     The term “substituted” means that one or more hydrogens on the designated atom is replaced with a selection from the indicated group, provided that the designated atom&#39;s normal valency under the existing circumstances is not exceeded, and that the substitution results in a stable compound. Combinations of substituents and/or variables are permissible only if such combinations result in stable compounds. By “stable compound” or “stable structure” is meant a compound that is sufficiently robust to survive isolation to a useful degree of purity from a reaction mixture, and formulation into an efficacious therapeutic agent. 
     The term “optionally substituted” means optional substitution with the specified groups, radicals or moieties. 
     The term “purified”, “in purified form” or “in isolated and purified form” for a compound refers to the physical state of said compound after being isolated from a synthetic process (e.g. from a reaction mixture), or natural source or combination thereof. Thus, the term “purified”, “in purified form” or “in isolated and purified form” for a compound refers to the physical state of said compound after being obtained from a purification process or processes described herein or well known to the skilled artisan (e.g., chromatography, recrystallization and the like), in sufficient purity to be characterizable by standard analytical techniques described herein or well known to the skilled artisan. 
     It should also be noted that any carbon as well as heteroatom with unsatisfied valences in the text, schemes, examples and Tables herein is assumed to have the sufficient number of hydrogen atom(s) to satisfy the valences. 
     When a functional group in a compound is termed “protected”, this means that the group is in modified form to preclude undesired side reactions at the protected site when the compound is subjected to a reaction. Suitable protecting groups will be recognized by those with ordinary skill in the art as well as by reference to standard textbooks such as, for example, T. W. Greene et al,  Protective Groups in organic Synthesis  (1991), Wiley, New York. 
     When any variable (e.g., aryl, heterocycle, R 2 , etc.) occurs more than one time in any constituent or in Formula I, its definition on each occurrence is independent of its definition at every other occurrence. 
     As used herein, the term “composition” is intended to encompass a product comprising the specified ingredients in the specified amounts, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combination of the specified ingredients in the specified amounts. 
     Prodrugs and solvates of the compounds of the invention are also contemplated herein. A discussion of prodrugs is provided in T. Higuchi and V. Stella,  Pro - drugs as Novel Delivery Systems  (1987) 14 of the A.C.S. Symposium Series, and in  Bioreversible Carriers in Drug Design , (1987) Edward B. Roche, ed., American Pharmaceutical Association and Pergamon Press. The term “prodrug” means a compound (e.g, a drug precursor) that is transformed in vivo to yield a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate or solvate of the compound. The transformation may occur by various mechanisms (e.g., by metabolic or chemical processes), such as, for example, through hydrolysis in blood. A discussion of the use of prodrugs is provided by T. Higuchi and W. Stella, “Pro-drugs as Novel Delivery Systems,” Vol. 14 of the A.C.S. Symposium Series, and in Bioreversible Carriers in Drug Design, ed. Edward B. Roche, American Pharmaceutical Association and Pergamon Press, 1987. 
     For example, if a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate or solvate of the compound contains a carboxylic acid functional group, a prodrug can comprise an ester formed by the replacement of the hydrogen atom of the acid group with a group such as, for example, (C 1 -C 8 )alkyl, (C 2 -C 12 )alkanoyloxymethyl, 1-(alkanoyloxy)ethyl having from 4 to 9 carbon atoms, 1-methyl-1-(alkanoyloxy)-ethyl having from 5 to 10 carbon atoms, alkoxycarbonyloxymethyl having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, 1-(alkoxycarbonyloxy)ethyl having from 4 to 7 carbon atoms, 1-methyl-1-(alkoxycarbonyloxy)ethyl having from 5 to 8 carbon atoms, N-(alkoxycarbonyl)aminomethyl having from 3 to 9 carbon atoms, 1-(N-(alkoxycarbonyl)amino)ethyl having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, 3-phthalidyl, 4-crotonolactonyl, gamma-butyrolacton-4-yl, di-N,N—(C 1 -C 2 )alkylamino(C 2 -C 3 )alkyl (such as β-dimethylaminoethyl), carbamoyl-(C 1 -C 2 )alkyl, N,N-di (C 1 -C 2 )alkylcarbamoyl-(C 1 -C 2 )alkyl and piperidino-, pyrrolidino- or morpholino(C 2 -C 3 )alkyl, and the like. 
     Similarly, if a compound of Formula I contains an alcohol functional group, a prodrug can be formed by the replacement of the hydrogen atom of the alcohol group with a group such as, for example, (C 1 -C 6 )alkanoyloxymethyl, 1-((C 1 -C 6 )alkanoyloxy)ethyl, 1-methyl-1-((C 1 -C 6 )alkanoyloxy)ethyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxycarbonyloxymethyl, N—(C 1 -C 6 )alkoxycarbonylaminomethyl, succinoyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkanoyl, α-amino(C 1 -C 4 )alkanyl, arylacyl and α-aminoacyl, or α-aminoacyl-α-aminoacyl, where each α-aminoacyl group is independently selected from the naturally occurring L-amino acids, P(O)(OH) 2 , —P(O)(O(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl) 2  or glycosyl (the radical resulting from the removal of a hydroxyl group of the hemiacetal form of a carbohydrate), and the like. 
     If a compound of Formula I incorporates an amine functional group, a prodrug can be formed by the replacement of a hydrogen atom in the amine group with a group such as, for example, R-carbonyl, RO-carbonyl, NRR′-carbonyl where R and R′ are each independently (C 1 -C 10 )alkyl, (C 3 -C 7 ) cycloalkyl, benzyl, or R-carbonyl is a natural α-aminoacyl or natural α-aminoacyl, —C(OH)C(O)OY 1  wherein Y 1  is H, (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl or benzyl, —C(OY 2 )Y 3  wherein Y 2  is (C 1 -C 4 ) alkyl and Y 3  is (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, carboxy (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, amino(C 1 -C 4 )alkyl or mono-N— or di-N,N—(C 1 -C 6 )alkylaminoalkyl, —C(Y 4 )Y 5  wherein Y 4  is H or methyl and Y 5  is mono-N— or di-N,N—(C 1 -C 6 )alkylamino morpholino, piperidin-1-yl or pyrrolidin-1-yl, and the like. 
     One or more compounds of the invention may exist in unsolvated as well as solvated forms with pharmaceutically acceptable solvents such as water, ethanol, and the like, and it is intended that the invention embrace both solvated and unsolvated forms. “Solvate” means a physical association of a compound of this invention with one or more solvent molecules. This physical association involves varying degrees of ionic and covalent bonding, including hydrogen bonding. In certain instances the solvate will be capable of isolation, for example when one or more solvent molecules are incorporated in the crystal lattice of the crystalline solid. “Solvate” encompasses both solution-phase and isolatable solvates. Non-limiting examples of suitable solvates include ethanolates, methanolates, and the like. “Hydrate” is a solvate wherein the solvent molecule is H 2 O. 
     One or more compounds of the invention may optionally be converted to a solvate. Preparation of solvates is generally known. Thus, for example, M. Caira et al,  J. Pharmaceutical Sci.,  93(3), 601-611 (2004) describe the preparation of the solvates of the antifungal fluconazole in ethyl acetate as well as from water. Similar preparations of solvates, hemisolvate, hydrates and the like are described by E. C. van Tonder et al,  AAPS Pharm Sci Tech.,  5(1), article 12 (2004); and A. L. Bingham et al,  Chem. Commun.,  603-604 (2001). A typical, non-limiting, process involves dissolving the inventive compound in desired amounts of the desired solvent (organic or water or mixtures thereof) at a higher than ambient temperature, and cooling the solution at a rate sufficient to form crystals which are then isolated by standard methods. Analytical techniques such as, for example I. R. spectroscopy, show the presence of the solvent (or water) in the crystals as a solvate (or hydrate). 
     “Effective amount” or “therapeutically effective amount” is meant to describe an amount of compound or a composition of the present invention effective in inhibiting the above-noted diseases and thus producing the desired therapeutic, ameliorative, inhibitory or preventative effect. 
     The compounds of Formula I can form salts which are also within the scope of this invention. Reference to a compound of Formula I herein is understood to include reference to salts thereof, unless otherwise indicated. The term “salt(s)”, as employed herein, denotes acidic salts formed with inorganic and/or organic acids, as well as basic salts formed with inorganic and/or organic bases. In addition, when a compound of Formula I contains both a basic moiety, such as, but not limited to a pyridine or imidazole, and an acidic moiety, such as, but not limited to a carboxylic acid, zwitterions (“inner salts”) may be formed and are included within the term “salt(s)” as used herein. Pharmaceutically acceptable (i.e., non-toxic, physiologically acceptable) salts are preferred, although other salts are also useful. Salts of the compounds of the Formula I may be formed, for example, by reacting a compound of Formula I with an amount of acid or base, such as an equivalent amount, in a medium such as one in which the salt precipitates or in an aqueous medium followed by lyophilization. 
     Exemplary acid addition salts include acetates, ascorbates, benzoates, benzenesulfonates, bisulfates, borates, butyrates, citrates, camphorates, camphorsulfonates, fumarates, hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, hydroiodides, lactates, maleates, methanesulfonates, naphthalenesulfonates, nitrates, oxalates, phosphates, propionates, salicylates, succinates, sulfates, tartarates, thiocyanates, toluenesulfonates (also known as tosylates,) and the like. Additionally, acids which are generally considered suitable for the formation of pharmaceutically useful salts from basic pharmaceutical compounds are discussed, for example, by P. Stahl et al, Camille G. (eds.)  Handbook of Pharmaceutical Salts. Properties, Selection and Use . (2002) Zurich: Wiley-VCH; S. Berge et al,  Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences  (1977) 66(1) 1-19; P. Gould,  International J of Pharmaceutics  (1986) 33 201-217; Anderson et al, The Practice of Medicinal Chemistty (1996), Academic Press, New York; and in  The Orange Book  (Food &amp; Drug Administration, Washington, D.C. on their website). These disclosures are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
     Exemplary basic salts include ammonium salts, alkali metal salts such as sodium, lithium, and potassium salts, alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium and magnesium salts, salts with organic bases (for example, organic amines) such as dicyclohexylamines, t-butyl amines, and salts with amino acids such as arginine, lysine and the like. Basic nitrogen-containing groups may be quarternized with agents such as lower alkyl halides (e.g. methyl, ethyl, and butyl chlorides, bromides and iodides), dialkyl sulfates (e.g. dimethyl, diethyl, and dibutyl sulfates), long chain halides (e.g. decyl, lauryl, and stearyl chlorides, bromides and iodides), aralkyl halides (e.g. benzyl and phenethyl bromides), and others. 
     All such acid salts and base salts are intended to be pharmaceutically acceptable salts within the scope of the invention and all acid and base salts are considered equivalent to the free forms of the corresponding compounds for purposes of the invention. 
     Pharmaceutically acceptable esters of the present compounds include the following groups: (1) carboxylic acid esters obtained by esterification of the hydroxy groups, in which the non-carbonyl moiety of the carboxylic acid portion of the ester grouping is selected from straight or branched chain alkyl (for example, acetyl, n-propyl, t-butyl, or n-butyl), alkoxyalkyl (for example, methoxymethyl), aralkyl (for example, benzyl), aryloxyalkyl (for example, phenoxymethyl), aryl (for example, phenyl optionally substituted with, for example, halogen, C 1-4 alkyl, or C 1-4 alkoxy or amino); (2) sulfonate esters, such as alkyl- or aralkylsulfonyl (for example, methanesulfonyl); (3) amino acid esters (for example, L-valyl or L-isoleucyl); (4) phosphonate esters and (5) mono-, di- or triphosphate esters. The phosphate esters may be further esterified by, for example, a C 1-20  alcohol or reactive derivative thereof, or by a 2,3-di (C 6-24 )acyl glycerol. 
     Compounds of Formula I, and salts, solvates, esters and prodrugs thereof, may exist in their tautomeric form (for example, as an amide or imino ether). All such tautomeric forms are contemplated herein as part of the present invention. 
     The compounds of Formula I may contain asymmetric or chiral centers, and, therefore, exist in different stereoisomeric forms. It is intended that all stereoisomeric forms of the compounds of Formula I as well as mixtures thereof, including racemic mixtures, form part of the present invention. In addition, the present invention embraces all geometric and positional isomers. For example, if a compound of Formula I incorporates a double bond or a fused ring, both the cis- and trans-forms, as well as mixtures, are embraced within the scope of the invention. 
     Diastereomeric mixtures can be separated into their individual diastereomers on the basis of their physical chemical differences by methods well known to those skilled in the art, such as, for example, by chromatography and/or fractional crystallization. Enantiomers can be separated by converting the enantiomeric mixture into a diastereomeric mixture by reaction with an appropriate optically active compound (e.g., chiral auxiliary such as a chiral alcohol or Mosher&#39;s acid chloride), separating the diastereomers and converting (e.g., hydrolyzing) the individual diastereomers to the corresponding pure enantiomers. Also, some of the compounds of Formula I may be atropisomers (e.g., substituted biaryls) and are considered as part of this invention. Enantiomers can also be separated by use of chiral HPLC column. 
     It is also possible that the compounds of Formula I may exist in different tautomeric forms, and all such forms are embraced within the scope of the invention. Also, for example, all keto-enol and imine-enamine forms of the compounds are included in the invention. 
     All stereoisomers (for example, geometric isomers, optical isomers and the like) of the present compounds (including those of the salts, solvates, esters and prodrugs of the compounds as well as the salts, solvates and esters of the prodrugs), such as those which may exist due to asymmetric carbons on various substituents, including enantiomeric forms (which may exist even in the absence of asymmetric carbons), rotameric forms, atropisomers, and diastereomeric forms, are contemplated within the scope of this invention, as are positional isomers (such as, for example, 4-pyridyl and 3-pyridyl). (For example, if a compound of Formula I incorporates a double bond or a fused ring, both the cis- and trans-forms, as well as mixtures, are embraced within the scope of the invention. Also, for example, all keto-enol and imine-enamine forms of the compounds are included in the invention.) Individual stereoisomers of the compounds of the invention may, for example, be substantially free of other isomers, or may be admixed, for example, as racemates or with all other, or other selected, stereoisomers. The chiral centers of the present invention can have the S or R configuration as defined by the IUPAC 1974 Recommendations. The use of the terms “salt”, “solvate”, “ester”, “prodrug” and the like, is intended to equally apply to the salt, solvate, ester and prodrug of enantiomers, stereoisomers, rotamers, tautomers, positional isomers, racemates or prodrugs of the inventive compounds. 
     The present invention also embraces isotopically-labelled compounds of the present invention which are identical to those recited herein, but for the fact that one or more atoms are replaced by an atom having an atomic mass or mass number different from the atomic mass or mass number usually found in nature. Examples of isotopes that can be incorporated into compounds of the invention include isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, fluorine and chlorine, such as  2 H,  3 H,  13 C,  14 C,  15 N,  18 O,  17 O,  31 P,  32 P,  35 S,  18 F, and  36 Cl, respectively. 
     Certain isotopically-labelled compounds of Formula I (e.g., those labeled with  3 H and  14 C) are useful in compound and/or substrate tissue distribution assays. Tritiated (i.e.,  3 H) and carbon-14 (i.e.,  14 C) isotopes are particularly preferred for their ease of preparation and detectability. Further, substitution with heavier isotopes such as deuterium (i.e.,  2 H) may afford certain therapeutic advantages resulting from greater metabolic stability (e.g., increased in vivo half-life or reduced dosage requirements) and hence may be preferred in some circumstances. Isotopically labelled compounds of Formula I can generally be prepared by following procedures analogous to those disclosed in the Schemes and/or in the Examples hereinbelow, by substituting an appropriate isotopically labelled reagent for a non-isotopically labelled reagent. 
     Polymorphic forms of the compounds of Formula I, and of the salts, solvates, esters and prodrugs of the compounds of Formula I, are intended to be included in the present invention. 
     The compounds according to the invention have pharmacological properties; in particular, the compounds of Formula I can be inhibitors of TACE, aggrecanase, the production of TNF-α, MMPs, ADAMs or any combination thereof. 
     The compounds according to the invention have pharmacological properties; in particular, the compounds of Formula I can be inhibitors of TACE, aggrecanase, TNF-α and/or MMP activity. 
     In one aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising as an active ingredient at least one compound of Formula I. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition of Formula I additionally comprising at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating disorders associated with TACE, aggrecanase, TNF-α, MMPs, ADAMs or any combination thereof, said method comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment an effective amount of at least one compound of Formula I. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a use of a compound of Formula I for the manufacture of a medicament to treat disorders associated with TACE, aggrecanase, TNF-α, MMPs, ADAMs or any combination thereof. 
     The compounds of Formula I can have anti-inflammatory activity and/or immunomodulatory activity and can be useful in the treatment of diseases including but not limited to septic shock, haemodynamic shock, sepsis syndrome, post ischaemic reperfusion injury, malaria, mycobacterial infection, meningitis, psoriasis, congestive heart failure, fibrotic diseases, cachexia, graft rejection, cancers such as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, diseases involving angiogenesis, autoimmune diseases, skin inflammatory diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn&#39;s disease and colitis, OA and RA, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, adult Still&#39;s disease, ureitis, Wegener&#39;s granulomatosis, Behcehe disease, Sjogren&#39;s syndrome, sarcoidosis, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, multiple sclerosis, sciatica, complex regional pain syndrome, radiation damage, hyperoxic alveolar injury, periodontal disease, HIV, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, systemic lupus erythematosus, glaucoma, sarcoidosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinal disease, scleroderma, osteoporosis, renal ischemia, myocardial infarction, cerebral stroke, cerebral ischemia, nephritis, hepatitis, glomerulonephritis, cryptogenic fibrosing aveolitis, psoriasis, transplant rejection, atopic dermatitis, vasculitis, allergy, seasonal allergic rhinitis, reversible airway obstruction, adult respiratory distress syndrome, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and/or bronchitis. It is contemplated that a compound of this invention may be useful in treating one or more of the diseases listed. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a method of preparing a pharmaceutical composition for treating the disorders associated with TACE, aggrecanase, TNF-α, MMPs, ADAMs or any combination thereof, said method comprising bringing into intimate contact at least one compound of Formula I and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a compound of Formula I exhibiting TACE, TNF-α, MMPs, ADAMs or any combination thereof inhibitory activity, including all enantiomers, stereoisomers and tautomers of said compound, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, or esters of said compound, said compound being selected from the compounds of structures listed in Table 1 set forth above. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for treating disorders associated with TACE, aggrecanase, TNF-α, MMP, ADAM or any combination thereof in a subject comprising, administering to the subject in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester, or isomer thereof. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a compound of Formula I in purified form. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a condition or disease mediated by TACE, MMPs, TNF-α, aggrecanase, or any combination thereof in a subject comprising: administering to the subject in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester or isomer thereof. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a condition or disease selected from the group consisting of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, periodontitis, gingivitis, corneal ulceration, solid tumor growth and tumor invasion by secondary metastases, neovascular glaucoma, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis and psoriasis in a subject, comprising: administering to the subject in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester or isomer thereof. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a condition or disease selected from the group consisting of fever, cardiovascular conditions, hemorrhage, coagulation, cachexia, anorexia, alcoholism, acute phase response, acute infection, shock, graft versus host reaction, autoimmune disease and HIV infection in a subject comprising administering to the subject in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester, or isomer thereof. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a condition or disease selected from the group consisting of septic shock, haemodynamic shock, sepsis syndrome, post ischaemic reperfusion injury, malaria, mycobacterial infection, meningitis, psoriasis, congestive heart failure, fibrotic diseases, cachexia, graft rejection, cancers such as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, diseases involving angiogenesis, autoimmune diseases, skin inflammatory diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn&#39;s disease and colitis, osteo and rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, adult Still&#39;s disease, ureitis, Wegener&#39;s granulomatosis, Behcehe disease, Sjogren&#39;s syndrome, sarcoidosis, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, multiple sclerosis, sciatica, complex regional pain syndrome, radiation damage, hyperoxic alveolar injury, periodontal disease, HIV, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, systemic lupus erythematosus, glaucoma, sarcoidosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinal disease, scleroderma, osteoporosis, renal ischemia, myocardial infarction, cerebral stroke, cerebral ischemia, nephritis, hepatitis, glomerulonephritis, cryptogenic fibrosing aveolitis, psoriasis, transplant rejection, atopic dermatitis, vasculitis, allergy, seasonal allergic rhinitis, reversible airway obstruction, adult respiratory distress syndrome, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchitis in a subject comprising administering to the subject in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester or isomer thereof. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a condition or disease associated with COPD, comprising: administering to the subject in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester or isomer thereof. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a condition or disease associated with rheumatoid arthritis, comprising: administering to the subject in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester, or isomer thereof. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a condition or disease associated with Crohn&#39;s disease, comprising: administering to the subject in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester or isomer thereof. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a condition or disease associated with psoriasis, comprising: administering to the subject in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester, or isomer thereof. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a condition or disease associated with ankylosing spondylitis, comprising: administering to the subject in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester or isomer thereof. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a condition or disease associated with sciatica, comprising: administering to the subject in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester or isomer thereof. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a condition or disease associated with complex regional pain syndrome, comprising: administering to the subject in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester, or isomer thereof. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a condition or disease associated with psoriatic arthritis, comprising: administering to the subject in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester, or isomer thereof. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a condition or disease associated with multiple sclerosis, comprising: administering to the subject in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester or isomer thereof, in combination with a compound selected from the group consisting of Avonex®, Betaseron, Copaxone or other compounds indicated for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. 
     Additionally, a compound of the present invention may be co-administered or used in combination with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDS) such as methotrexate, azathioprine, leflunomide, pencillinamine, gold salts, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclophosphamide and other similar drugs. They may also be co-administered with or used in combination with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as piroxicam, naproxen, indomethacin, ibuprofen and the like; cycloxygenase-2 selective (COX-2) inhibitors such as Vioxx® and Celebrex®; immunosuppressives such as steroids, cyclosporin, Tacrolimus, rapamycin and the like; biological response modifiers (BRMs) such as Enbrel®, Remicade®, IL-1 antagonists, anti-CD40, anti-CD28, IL-10, anti-adhesion molecules and the like; and other anti-inflammatory agents such as p38 kinase inhibitors, PDE4 inhibitors, other chemically different TACE inhibitors, chemokine receptor antagonists, Thalidomide and other small molecule inhibitors of pro-inflammatory cytokine production. 
     Also, a compound of the present invention may be co-administered or used in combination with an H1 antagonist for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis and/or asthma. Suitable H1 antagonists may be, for example, Claritin®, Clarinex®, Allegra®, or Zyrtec®. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a condition or disease mediated by TACE, MMPs, TNF-α, aggrecanase, or any combination thereof in a subject comprising: administering to the subject in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or isomer thereof in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of at least one medicament selected from the group consisting of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS), NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors, COX-1 inhibitors, immunosuppressives, biological response modifiers (BRMs), anti-inflammatory agents and H1 antagonists. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a condition or disease selected from the group consisting of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, periodontitis, gingivitis, corneal ulceration, solid tumor growth and tumor invasion by secondary metastases, neovascular glaucoma, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis and psoriasis in a subject, comprising: administering to the subject in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester, or isomer thereof in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of at least one medicament selected from the group consisting of DMARDS, NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors, COX-1 inhibitors, immunosuppressives, BRMs, anti-inflammatory agents and H1 antagonists. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating a condition or disease selected from the group consisting of septic shock, haemodynamic shock, sepsis syndrome, post ischaemic reperfusion injury, malaria, mycobacterial infection, meningitis, psoriasis, congestive heart failure, fibrotic diseases, cachexia, graft rejection, cancers such as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, diseases involving angiogenesis, autoimmune diseases, skin inflammatory diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn&#39;s disease and colitis, osteo and rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, adult Still&#39;s disease, ureitis, Wegener&#39;s granulomatosis, Behcehe disease, Sjogren&#39;s syndrome, sarcoidosis, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, multiple sclerosis, sciatica, complex regional pain syndrome, radiation damage, hyperoxic alveolar injury, periodontal disease, HIV, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, systemic lupus erythematosus, glaucoma, sarcoidosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinal disease, scleroderma, osteoporosis, renal ischemia, myocardial infarction, cerebral stroke, cerebral ischemia, nephritis, hepatitis, glomerulonephritis, cryptogenic fibrosing aveolitis, psoriasis, transplant rejection, atopic dermatitis, vasculitis, allergy, seasonal allergic rhinitis, reversible airway obstruction, adult respiratory distress syndrome, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchitis in a subject comprising administering to the subject in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester or isomer thereof in combination with a therapeutically effective amount of at least one medicament selected from the group consisting of DMARDS, NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors, COX-1 inhibitors, immunosuppressives, BRMs, anti-inflammatory agents and H1 antagonists. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a method for treating RA comprising administering a compound of the formula I in combination with compound selected from the class consisting of a COX-2 inhibitor e.g. Celebrex® or Vioxx®; a COX-1 inhibitor e.g. Feldene®; an immunosuppressive e.g. methotrexate or cyclosporin; a steroid e.g. β-methasone; and anti-TNF-α compound, e.g. Enbrel® or Remicade®; a PDE IV inhibitor, or other classes of compounds indicated for the treatment of RA. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides a method for treating multiple sclerosis comprising administering a compound of the Formula I in combination with a compound selected from the group consisting of Avonex®, Betaseron, Copaxone or other compounds indicated for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. 
     TACE activity is determined by a kinetic assay measuring the rate of increase in fluorescent intensity generated by TACE catalyzed cleavage of an internally quenched peptide substrate (SPDL-3). The purified catalytic domain of recombinant human TACE (rhTACEc, Residue 215 to 477 with two mutation (S266A and N452Q) and a 6×His tail) is used in the assay. It is purified from the baculovirus/Hi5 cells expression system using affinity chromatography. The substrate SPDL-3 is an internally quenched peptide (MCA-Pro-Leu-Ala-Gln-Ala-Val-Arg-Ser-Ser-Ser-Dpa-Arg-NH2), with its sequence derived from the pro-TNFα cleavage site. MCA is (7-Methoxycoumarin-4-yl)acetyl. Dpa is N-3-(2,4-Dinitrophenyl)-L-2,3-diaminopropionyl. 
     A 50 μl assay mixture contains 20 mM HEPES, pH 7.3, 5 mM CaCl 2 , 100 μM ZnCl 2 , 2% DMSO, 0.04% Methylcellulose, 30 μM SPDL-3, 70 pM rhTACEc and a test compound. RhTACEc is pre-incubated with the testing compound for 90 min. at 25° C. Reaction is started by addition of the substrate. The fluorescent intensity (excitation at 320 nm, emission at 405 nm) was measured every 45 seconds for 30 min. using a fluorospectrometer (GEMINI XS, Molecular Devices). Rate of enzymatic reaction is shown as Units per second. Effect of a test compound is shown as % of TACE activity in the absence of the compound. 
     The term “pharmaceutical composition” is also intended to encompass both the bulk composition and individual dosage units comprised of more than one (e.g., two) pharmaceutically active agents such as, for example, a compound of the present invention and an additional agent selected from the lists of the additional agents described herein, along with any pharmaceutically inactive excipients. The bulk composition and each individual dosage unit can contain fixed amounts of the afore-said “more than one pharmaceutically active agents”. The bulk composition is material that has not yet been formed into individual dosage units. An illustrative dosage unit is an oral dosage unit such as tablets, pills and the like. Similarly, the herein-described method of treating a patient by administering a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is also intended to encompass the administration of the afore-said bulk composition and individual dosage units. 
     Formulations for oral use may also be presented as hard gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredients is mixed with an inert solid diluent, for example, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate or kaolin, or a soft gelatin capsules where in the active ingredient is mixed with water or an oil medium, for example peanut oil, liquid paraffin or olive oil. 
     Aqueous suspensions contain the active material in admixture with excipients suitable for the manufacture of aqueous suspensions. Such excipients are suspending agents, for example, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose, sodium alginate, polyvinyl-pyrrolidone, gum tragacanth and gum acacia; dispersing or wetting agents may be a naturally-occurring phosphatide, for example, lecithin, or condensation products of an alkylene oxide with fatty acids, for example polyoxyethylene stearate, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with long chain aliphatic alcohols, for example, heptadecaethylene-oxycetanol, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with partial esters derived from fatty acids and a hexitol such as polyoxyethylene sorbitol monooleate, or condensation products of ethylene oxide with partial esters derived from fatty acids and hexitol anhydrides, for example, polyethylene sorbitan monooleate. The aqueous suspensions may also contain one or more preservatives, for example, ethyl or n-propyl, p-hydroxybenzoate, one or more coloring agents, one or more flavoring agents, and one or more sweetening agents, such as sucrose, saccharin or aspartame. 
     Oily suspensions may be formulated by suspending the active ingredient in a vegetable oil, for example, arachis oil, olive oil, sesame oil or coconut oil, or in mineral oil such as liquid paraffin. The oily suspensions may contain a thickening agent, for example, beeswax, hard paraffin or cetyl alcohol. Sweetening agents such as those set forth above, and flavoring agents may be added to provide a palatable oral preparation. These compositions may be preserved by the addition of an anti-oxidant such as ascorbic acid. 
     Dispersible powders and granules suitable for preparation of an aqueous suspension by the addition of water provide the active ingredient in admixture with a dispersing or wetting agent, suspending agent and one or more preservatives. Suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents are exemplified by those already mentioned above. Additional excipients, e.g., sweetening, flavoring and coloring agents, may also be present. 
     The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may also be in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion. The oily phase may be a vegetable oil, e.g., olive oil or arachis oil, or a mineral oil, e.g., liquid paraffin or mixtures of these. Suitable emulsifying agents may be naturally-occurring phosphatides, e.g., soy beans, lecithin, and esters or partial esters derived from fatty acids and hexitol anhydrides, for example, sorbitan monooleate, and condensation products of the said partial esters with ethylene oxide, e.g., polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate. The emulsions may also contain sweetening and flavoring agents. 
     Syrups and elixirs may be formulated with sweetening agents, for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, sorbitol or sucrose. Such formulations may also contain a demulcent, a preservative and flavoring and coloring agents. 
     The pharmaceutical compositions may be in the form of a sterile injectable aqueous or oleagenous suspension. This suspension may be formulated according to the known art using those suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents which have been mentioned above. The sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution or suspension in a non-toxic parenterally-acceptable diluent or solvent, e.g., as a solution in 1,3-butane diol. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are water, Ringer&#39;s solution and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil may be employed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. In addition, fatty acids such as oleic acid find use in the preparation of injectables. 
     Compounds of the invention may also be administered in the form of suppositories for rectal administration of the drug. The compositions can be prepared by mixing the drug with a suitable non-irritating excipient which is solid at ordinary temperatures but liquid at the rectal temperature and will therefore melt in the rectum to release the drug. Such materials are cocoa butter and polyethylene glycols. 
     For topical use, creams, ointments, jellies, solutions or suspensions, etc., containing the compounds of the invention are employed. (For purposes of this application, topical application shall include mouthwashes and gargles.) 
     The compounds for the present invention can be administered in the intranasal form via topical use of suitable intranasal vehicles, or via transdermal routes, using those forms of transdermal skin patches well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. To be administered in the form of a transdermal delivery system, the dosage administration will, of course, be continuous rather than intermittent throughout the dosage regimen. Compounds of the present invention may also be delivered as a suppository employing bases such as cocoa butter, glycerinated gelatin, hydrogenated vegetable oils, mixtures of polyethylene glycols of various molecular weights and fatty acid esters of polyethylene glycol. 
     The dosage regimen utilizing the compounds of the present invention is selected in accordance with a variety of factors including type, species, weight, sex and medical condition of the patient; the severity of the condition to be treated; the route of administration; the renal and hepatic function of the patient; and the particular compound thereof employed. A physician or veterinarian of ordinary skill can readily determine and prescribe the effective amount of the drug required to prevent, counter, arrest or reverse the progress of the condition. Optimal precision in achieving concentration of drug within the range that yields efficacy without toxicity requires a regimen based on the kinetics of the drug&#39;s availability to target sites. This involves a consideration of the distribution, equilibrium, and elimination of a drug. Preferably, doses of the compound of Formula I useful in the method of the present invention range from 0.01 to 1000 mg per day. More preferably, dosages range from 0.1 to 1000 mg/day. Most preferably, dosages range from 0.1 to 500 mg/day. For oral administration, the compositions are preferably provided in the form of tablets containing 0.01 to 1000 milligrams of the active ingredient, particularly 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0, 25.0, 50.0, 100 and 500 milligrams of the active ingredient for the symptomatic adjustment of the dosage to the patient to be treated. An effective amount of the drug is ordinarily supplied at a dosage level of from about 0.0002 mg/kg to about 50 mg/kg of body weight per day. The range is more particularly from about 0.001 mg/kg to 1 mg/kg of body weight per day. 
     Advantageously, the active agent of the present invention may be administered in a single daily dose, or the total daily dosage may be administered in dividend doses of two, three or four time daily. 
     The amount of active ingredient that may be combined with the carrier materials to produce single dosage form will vary depending upon the host treated and the particular mode of administration. 
     It will be understood, however, that the specific dose level for any particular patient will depend upon a variety of factors including the age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, time of administration, route or administration, rate of excretion, drug combination and the severity of the particular disease undergoing therapy. 
     The compounds of the invention may be produced by processes known to those skilled in the art and as shown in the following reaction schemes and in the preparations and examples described below. 
     EXAMPLES 
     The following abbreviations may be used in the procedures and schemes below:
     aq aqueous   Boc tert-Butoxycarbonyl   DEC Diethylaminopropyl carbodiimide   EtOAc Ethyl Acetate   EtOH Ethanol   Et 2 O Diethyl ether   h hours     1 HNMR proton NMR spectroscopy   HOBT hydroxybenzotriazole   MeOH methanol   min minutes   ppt precipitate   rt room temperature   satd saturated   sgc silica gel chromatography   TFA trifluoroacetic acid   

     A general scheme for preparing all of the compounds of the present invention, and particularly those in Table 1 above, is shown below: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     In particular, Compound Nos. 9 and 11 can be prepared according to the following scheme: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     Preparation of Compound 4 
     Compound 4 was prepared following to the general synthetic route described in Maldaner, A. O. and Pilli, R. A.  Tetrahedron,  1999, 55, 13321-13332. 
     Magnesium (4.8 g) was added to a rb flask. Anhydrous THF (130 mL) was added, followed by compound 1 (46 g). Dibromoethane (4 drops) and two crystals of iodine were added. The reaction mixture was heated on a steam bath with stirring using a mechanical stirrer. After 10 min, the reaction mixture turned cloudy and lost the iodine color. The reaction mixture was stirred for 2 h. The reaction mixture was removed from the heat and allowed to cool to rt. The flask was then cooled to −78° C. with a dry ice/2-propanol bath. Succinamide (5.5 g) was dissolved in 250 mL of CH 2 Cl 2  and added to the flask via dropping funnel over 30 min. The reaction mixture was left stirring overnight during which time it warmed up from −78° C. to rt. NaBH 3 CN (4.2 g) was added, followed by approx 40 mL of 4 N HCl to adjust the pH to 1-2. The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 30 min. The pH was adjusted to about 7 using 20% aq NaOH and stirred for 5 min. The resulting mixture was filtered to remove inorganic salts and the layers were separated. The organic layer was dried with MgSO 4 , filtered, and concentrated to a yellow oil. The crude product was purified via flash sgc using 500 mL of silica gel and a 30%-100% EtOAc/hexanes gradient as the mobile phase. The fraction containing the product was concentrated to a slurry. Et 2 O was added and the resulting white solid was filtered off to give 2.2 g of compound 2. 
     Compound 2 (4.94 g) was suspended in 50 mL of dry THF and cooled to −78° C. LDA (11 mL of 2 M in THF) was added via syringe and the reaction mixture was stirred at −78° C. for 45 min. Boc anhydride was added as a solid, the flask was recapped and the reaction mixture was stirred at −78° C. for 2 h. Saturated aq NH 4 Cl was added (50 mL) and the reaction mixture was extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried with Na 2 SO 4 , filtered, and concentrated to a yellow oil. The crude product was purified via flash sgc using a 15%-100% EtOAc/hexanes gradient as the mobile phase to give 4.6 g of compound 3. 
     Compound 3 (2.75 g) was dissolved in 20 mL of dry THF and cooled to −78° C. LiHMDS (7.9 mL of 1 M in THF) was added via syringe and the reaction mixture was stirred for 45 min giving a clear yellow solution. (N,N-Dimethyl)methyleneammonium iodide (1.53 g) was added as a solid. The reaction mixture was stirred at temperatures between −78° C. and −20° C. for 1.5 h Saturated aq NH 4 Cl (7 mL) was added and the reaction mixture was extracted with 60 mL of EtOAc. The organic layer was washed with 10 mL of brine, dried with MgSO 4 , filtered, and concentrated to a yellow oil. The crude product was purified via sgc using a 0% to 5% MeOH/CH 2 Cl 2  gradient as the mobile phase. Compound 4 (0.68 g) was obtained as a yellow oil. 
     Preparation of Compound 5 
     Compound 4 (5.85 g) was dissolved in 10 mL of MeOH and cooled to −10° C. in an ice-methanol bath. Methyl iodide (5 mL) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at temperatures between −10° C. and rt over 1 h. A white ppt formed. Additional MeOH (20 mL) was added and the reaction was stirred for 30 min. The reaction mixture was concentrated to dryness giving a tan solid (7.2 g). CH 2 Cl 2  (150 mL) and 150 mL of satd aq NaHCO 3  were added and the reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 18 h. The layers were separated and the aq layer was further extracted with 2×30 mL of CH 2 Cl 2 . The combined organic layer was dried with MgSO 4 , filtered and concentrated to give 5.05 g of a yellow oil.  1 HNMR indicated that this was the desired compound 5. 
     Preparation of Compound 6 
     Compound 5 (5.0 g) was dissolved in 50 mL of CH 3 CN. The sulfonium ylide tert-Butyl (tetrahydrothiophenio) acetate bromide (4.1 g) and DBU (3.0 g) were added. (Note: A procedure for preparing the sulfonium ylide may be found in Aggarwal, V. K.; and Grange E.  Chemistry: a European Journal  2006, 12, 568-575.) The reaction mixture was stirred for 20 h at rt under N 2 . The reaction mixture was concentrated to dryness. EtOAc (100 mL) and water (15 mL) were added and the layers were separated. The organic layer was washed with 20 mL of 10% aq HCl and 20 mL of brine, dried with MgSO 4 , filtered, and concentrated to 6.7 g of golden yellow foam. The crude product was purified via flash sgc using a 15%-20% EtOAc/hexanes gradient as the mobile phase to give 2.55 g of Compound 6. 
     Preparation of Compound 7 
     Compound 6 (2.25 g) was dissolved in 20 mL of EtOH and 20 mL of EtOAc and palladium hydroxide was added (0.5 g). The reaction mixture was hydrogenated at 50 psi at rt overnight. The catalyst was filtered off. The retained solid was rinsed with EtOAc and the combined filtrate was concentrated to a tan solid. Diethyl ether and hexanes were added (1:2-vol:vol), the solid was triturated in the solvent, and the resulting suspension was filtered to give off white solid 7. 
     Preparation of Compound 8 
     Compound 7 (155 mg) was dissolved in 2 mL of DMF. 2-phenyl-4-chloromethyl quinoline (223 mg) was added, followed by 376 mg of Cs 2 CO 3 . The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 4 h. EtOAc was added and the resulting solution was washed with water and brine. The organic layer was dried with MgSO 4 , filtered, and concentrated to 0.3 g of viscous oil. The crude product was purified via flash sgc using a 10%-15% EtOAc/hexanes gradient as the mobile phase to give 185 mg of Compound 8. 
     Preparation of Compound 9 
     Compound 8 (180 mg) was dissolved in 1 mL of CH 2 Cl 2 . TFA (0.3 mL) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 1.5 h. Additional TFA was added (0.3 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 h. Additional TFA was added (0.5 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred for 1.5 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated to dryness. Toluene was added (3 mL) and the reaction mixture was concentrated to dryness. The toluene/concentration steps were repeated three times. The resulting material was dried under high vacuum. Diethyl ether was added causing compound 9 to form as a white ppt (114 mg). 
     Preparation of Compound 10 
     Compound 9 (103 mg) was dissolved in 1 mL of DMF and 1 mL of CH 2 Cl 2 . Diisopropyl ethyl amine (95 mg), HOBT (33 mg), and hydroxylamine (67 mg) were added followed by DEC (55 mg). The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 18 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc (10 mL) and washed with water and brine. The organic layer was dried with MgSO 4 , filtered, and concentrated to 140 mg of gummy foam. The crude product was purified via flash sgc using a 50%-70% EtOAc/hexanes gradient as the mobile phase. Compound 10 was obtained as a white foam. 
     Preparation of Compound 11 
     Compound 10 (95 mg) was dissolved in 2 mL of TFA. Triethylsilane (30 mg) was added followed by TFA (120 mg). The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 30 min then concentrated to dryness. Diethyl ether was added causing compound 11 to precipitate as an off white solid-(68 mg). 
     For compounds containing a fluorine in the phenyl ring, the procedures used were similar to those described above for the non-fluorinated compounds. 
     Preparation of Compound 2a 
     For the preparation of the benzyl protected compound 2a from compound 1a the following preparation was used. 
     Compound 1a (26 g), benzyl bromide (23 g), potassium carbonate (56.4 g) and acetone (150 mL) were placed in a flask and stirred for 18 h at room temperature, followed by filtration and washing of the filtrate with acetone. Concentration of the liquid gave an oil which was next dissolved in EtOH (150 mL) and washed with 50 ml water and 50 mL brine. After drying with magnesium sulfate, and filtratration, the liquid was concentrated to give an oil, which solidified on standing (37.8 g compound 2a collected). 
     While the present invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments set forth above, many alternatives, modifications and other variations thereof will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. All such alternatives, modifications and variations are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Each document referred to herein is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.