The invention provides novel inhibitors of hedgehog signaling that are useful as a therapeutic agents for treating malignancies where the compounds have the general formula I:

##STR00001##

wherein A, X, Y R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, m and n are as described herein.

The present invention provides a compound having an excellent control effect against harmful arthropods, which is represented by formula (I) [wherein A.sup.1 represents CR.sup.1b etc., A.sup.2 represents CR.sup.1c etc., T represents a C1-C10 chain hydrocarbon group which is substituted with one or more halogen atoms etc., Q represents an oxygen atom etc., R.sup.1a, R.sup.1b and R.sup.1c are identical to or different from each other, and each represents a C1-C6 alkyl group etc., R.sup.2 represents a C1-C6 alkyl group etc., R.sup.3 represents a C1-C6 chain hydrocarbon group etc., n is 0, 1 or 2, and q is 0, 1, 2 or 3.],

as well as a composition for controlling harmful arthropod comprising the same compound, and a method for controlling harmful arthropod comprising applying the same compound.

##STR00001##

In one aspect, compounds of Formula AA, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, are featured: ##STR00001## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the variables shown in Formula A can be as defined anywhere herein.

There is provided compounds of formula I (I) or pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, wherein L, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and X have meanings provided in the description, which compounds are useful in the treatment of cancers.

##STR00001##

There is provided compounds of formula I (I) or pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, wherein L, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and X have meanings provided in the description, which compounds are useful in the treatment of cancers.

##STR00001##

In one aspect, compounds of Formulae (I) and (II), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are featured; Formula (I), Formula (II) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the variables shown in Formulae (I) and (II) can be as defined anywhere herein. ##STR00001##

In one aspect, compounds of Formulae (I) and (II), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are featured; Formula (I), Formula (II) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the variables shown in Formulae (I) and (II) can be as defined anywhere herein. ##STR00001##

Improved methods for preparing chemical precursors to sulfonyl chloride III, which are important intermediates in the preparation of pyroxsulam herbicide, are provided. Also provided are compounds of Formula III, Formula VII, and IV, wherein R.sup.1 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, X is Cl or OH, Y is halogen, OH, or OR.sup.2, and R.sup.2 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl.

##STR00001##

Improved methods for preparing chemical precursors to sulfonyl chloride III, which are important intermediates in the preparation of pyroxsulam herbicide, are provided. Also provided are compounds of Formula III, Formula VII, and IV, wherein R.sup.1 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl, X is Cl or OH, Y is halogen, OH, or OR.sup.2, and R.sup.2 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl.

##STR00001##

The invention relates to new pyridinyl sulfonamide derivatives of the formula

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1, A and n are as defined herein, to their use as medicaments, to methods for their therapeutic use and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them.