A compound of the formula I: wherein: the group: is selected from the group consisting of: R 1 is selected from the group consisting of: -C 1-6 alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy, fluoro, -CN, -O-C 1-6 alkyl, and C 3-6 cycloalkyl; a phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl ring, wherein the phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl ring is substituted with one or more R 1a , R 1b and R 1c , wherein R 1a , R 1b and R 1c are independently selected from the group consisting of: (a) hydrogen, (b) halogen, (c) C 1-6 alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy and fluoro, (d) -O-C 1-6 alkyl, (e) C 3-6 cycloalkyl, and (f) -CN; R 2 and R 3 are independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, and fluoro; R 7 and R 8 are independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, and C 1-6 alkyl; R 9 is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, -C 1-6 alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy, methoxy, fluoro, phenyl, or pyridyl; each of R 10 , R 11 and R 12 is independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, fluoro, -OH, -CH 3 , -CF 3 , -CH 2 OH, -CH 2 CH 2 OH, -CH 2 OCH 3 , and -CH 2 CH 2 OCH 3 ; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. the group: is selected from the group consisting of: R 1 is selected from the group consisting of: -C 1-6 alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy, fluoro, -CN, -O-C 1-6 alkyl, and C 3-6 cycloalkyl; a phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl ring, wherein the phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl ring is substituted with one or more R 1a , R 1b and R 1c , wherein R 1a , R 1b and R 1c are independently selected from the group consisting of: (a) hydrogen, (b) halogen, (c) C 1-6 alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy and fluoro, (d) -O-C 1-6 alkyl, (e) C 3-6 cycloalkyl, and (f) -CN; -C 1-6 alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy, fluoro, -CN, -O-C 1-6 alkyl, and C 3-6 cycloalkyl; a phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl ring, wherein the phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl ring is substituted with one or more R 1a , R 1b and R 1c , wherein R 1a , R 1b and R 1c are independently selected from the group consisting of: (a) hydrogen, (b) halogen, (c) C 1-6 alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy and fluoro, (d) -O-C 1-6 alkyl, (e) C 3-6 cycloalkyl, and (f) -CN; (a) hydrogen, (b) halogen, (c) C 1-6 alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy and fluoro, (d) -O-C 1-6 alkyl, (e) C 3-6 cycloalkyl, and (f) -CN; R 2 and R 3 are independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, and fluoro; hydrogen, and fluoro; R 7 and R 8 are independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, and C 1-6 alkyl; hydrogen, and C 1-6 alkyl; R 9 is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, -C 1-6 alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy, methoxy, fluoro, phenyl, or pyridyl; hydrogen, -C 1-6 alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy, methoxy, fluoro, phenyl, or pyridyl; each of R 10 , R 11 and R 12 is independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, fluoro, -OH, -CH 3 , -CF 3 , -CH 2 OH, -CH 2 CH 2 OH, -CH 2 OCH 3 , and -CH 2 CH 2 OCH 3 ; hydrogen, fluoro, -OH, -CH 3 , -CF 3 , -CH 2 OH, -CH 2 CH 2 OH, -CH 2 OCH 3 , and -CH 2 CH 2 OCH 3 ; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. <EOS>