l,2-SUBSTITUTED 3-OXOPYRAZOLIDINE DERIVATIVES AS PROSTAGLANDIN E2 RECEPTOR 4 (EP4) AGONISTS FOR THE TREATMENT OF GASTROINTESTINAL AND PULMONARY DISEASES

Abstract

The present invention relates to compounds of formula I as prostaglandin E2 receptor 4 (EP4) agonists for use in methods of treatment of gastrointestinal and pulmonary dis-cases or disorders. An exemplary compound is e.g. 4-(2-(2-(3-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxy-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl) propyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoic acid (Example 1) Pharmacological data is provided, e.g.

Claims

1. A compound of the Formula I: ##STR00072## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt solvate, hydrate, tautomer or optical isomer thereof, wherein; A is OR, C(O)R, CO.sub.2R, C(O)N(R).sub.2, C(O)N(R)S(O).sub.2R.sup.3, S(O).sub.2R, S(O).sub.2OR, SO.sub.2N(R).sub.2, C.sub.1-8 alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl; X is halo, OR, COOR, or C.sub.1-6 alkyl; L and Lare each independently a C.sub.2-4 alkylene; R.sup.1 is H, halo, CN, NO.sub.2, OR, SR, COOR, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, or C.sub.1-6 alkyl; R.sup.2 is OR, OC(O)R.sup.3, OC(O)OR.sub.3, CO.sub.2R, CON(R).sub.2, SO.sub.2N(R).sub.2, SO.sub.2R.sup.3, OSO.sub.2R.sup.3, or OSO.sub.2N(R).sub.2; R.sup.3 is C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl, or a phenyl; R is H, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, or C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl; and n is 0, 1, 2, or 3; wherein at each occurrence, alkyl, alkylene, alkoxy, and cycloalkyl are each optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of OH, SH, CN, NO.sub.2, COOH, halo, or COOC.sub.1-4 alkyl; wherein at each occurrence, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl are each optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of OR, SR, CN, NO.sub.2, CO.sub.2R, halo, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, or oxo.

2. The compound according to claim 1, wherein (i) L is the group ##STR00073## and/or (ii) L is the group ##STR00074##

3. The compound according to claim 1, wherein the compound is a compound of Formula (1): ##STR00075## Or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, tautomer, or optical isomer thereof, wherein A, X, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and n are the same as defined in claim 1.

4. The compound according to claim 1, wherein A is selected from C(O)OR, C(O)N(R)S(O).sub.2R.sup.3, S(O).sub.2OR, C.sub.1-8 alkyl, heterocycloalkyl, or heteroaryl, wherein the heterocycloalkyl, and heteroaryl are each optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of OR, SR, halo, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, or oxo.

5. The compound according to claim 1, wherein A is selected from the group consisting of: ##STR00076## preferably wherein A is: ##STR00077## more preferably wherein A is ##STR00078##

6. The compound according to claim 1, wherein X is halo or OR, preferably wherein X is F or OH.

7. The compound according to claim 6, wherein X is F or OH, and n is 1, or 2.

8. The compound according to claim 1 wherein n is 0.

9. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R.sup.1 is H, OH, halo, CN, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy optionally substituted with 1-3 fluorine atoms or C.sub.1-6 alkyl optionally substituted with 1-3 fluorine atoms; preferably wherein R.sup.1 is C.sub.1-6 alkyl optionally substituted with 1-3 fluorine atoms.

10. The compound according to claim 9, wherein R.sup.1 is methyl.

11. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R.sup.2 is OR, CON(R).sub.2, SO.sub.2N(R).sub.2, or OSO.sub.2N(R).sub.2, preferably wherein R.sup.2 is OH, CONH.sub.2, SO.sub.2NH.sub.2, or OSO.sub.2NH.sub.2.

12. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R.sup.2 is CON(R).sub.2, SO.sub.2N(R).sub.2, OSO.sub.2R.sup.3, or OSO.sub.2N(R).sub.2; preferably wherein R.sup.2 is CONH.sub.2, SO.sub.2NH.sub.2, or OSO.sub.2NH.sub.2.

13. The compound according to claim 1 which is a compound of Formula (2a), (2b), (2c), or (2d): ##STR00079## ##STR00080## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate or tautomer thereof, wherein X, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and n are the same as defined in any preceding claim.

14. The compound according to claim 1, which is a compound of Formula (5), (5a), (5b), (6), (6a), (6b): ##STR00081## ##STR00082## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate or tautomer thereof.

15. The compound according to claim 1, wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of: ##STR00083## ##STR00084## ##STR00085## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, tautomer, or optical isomer thereof.

16. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, or tautomer, according to claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

17. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 16, wherein the composition further comprises at least one additional therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunomodulators and combinations thereof.

18. A kit comprising a compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, tautomer or optical isomer according to claim 1 and at least one additional therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunomodulators and combinations thereof.

19. (canceled)

20. A method of treating an EP.sub.4 receptor mediated disease, the method comprising administering an effective therapeutic amount of a compound according to claim 1 to a patient in need thereof.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the EP.sub.4 receptor mediated disease is a gastrointestinal disorder.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the gastrointestinal disorder is selected from the group consisting of constipation disorders, constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, mixed type irritable bowel syndrome, chronic idiopathic constipation, gastrointestinal symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease, gastrointestinal symptoms associated with cystic fibrosis, intestinal dysmotility, postoperative ileus, food allergy or food intolerance, celiac disease, gastrointestinal motility disorders, functional gastrointestinal disorders, drug induced enteropathy, NSAID induced gastric and intestinal injury, chemotherapy induced mucositis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), duodenogastric reflux, diarrhoeal diseases, immune mediated gastrointestinal diseases, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and ischemic colitis.

23. The method according to claim 20, wherein the EP.sub.4 receptor mediated disease is a pulmonary disease or condition.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the pulmonary disease or condition is selected from chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, asthma, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, chronic idiopathic cough, hyperactive airway disorder, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] The invention relates to novel compounds. The invention also relates to the use of novel compounds as agonists of the EP.sub.4 receptor. The invention further relates to the use of novel compounds in the manufacture of medicaments for use as EP.sub.4 receptor agonists and methods of treatment comprising administering a compound of the invention as an EP.sub.4 receptor agonist.

[0034] The compounds of Formula (I) may be used in treating, preventing, ameliorating, controlling or reducing the risk of diseases or disorders in which EP.sub.4 receptors are involved. The compounds of Formula (I) may be used in treating, preventing, ameliorating, controlling or reducing the risk of gastrointestinal disorders and conditions, including but not limited to constipation disorders, constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, mixed type irritable bowel syndrome, chronic idiopathic constipation, gastrointestinal symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease, gastrointestinal symptoms associated with cystic fibrosis, intestinal dysmotility, postoperative ileus, food allergy or food intolerance, celiac disease, gastrointestinal motility disorders, functional gastrointestinal disorders, drug induced enteropathy, NSAID induced gastric and intestinal injury, chemotherapy induced mucositis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), duodenogastric reflux, diarrhoeal diseases, immune mediated gastrointestinal diseases, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease and ischemic colitis.

[0035] The compounds of Formula (I) may also be used in treating, preventing, ameliorating, controlling or reducing the risk of pulmonary diseases and conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, asthma, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, chronic idiopathic cough, hyperactive airway disorder and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

[0036] Certain novel compounds of the invention show particularly high activities as EP.sub.4 receptor agonists.

[0037] The compounds of the invention have been demonstrated to have activity as EP.sub.4 receptor agonists. Compounds of the invention also possess low gastrointestinal permeability, as demonstrated by Caco-2 studies. It is therefore believed that the compounds of the invention exhibit low systemic bioavailability when administered orally. Functional agonism of EP.sub.4 receptors expressed in the gastrointestinal tract has the potential to treat a range of gastrointestinal disorders. The combination of EP.sub.4 receptor agonist activity and low gastrointestinal permeability suggests that compounds of the invention are useful for the treatment of a range of gastrointestinal disorders without cardiovascular side effects arising from systemic distribution.

[0038] In one aspect, the invention includes a compound of the Formula I:

##STR00002##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, tautomer or optical isomer thereof, wherein; [0039] A is OR, C(O)R, CO.sub.2R, C(O)N(R).sub.2, C(O)N(R)S(O).sub.2R.sup.3, S(O).sub.2R, S(O).sub.2OR, SO.sub.2N(R).sub.2, C.sub.1-8 alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl; [0040] X is halo, OR, COOR, or C.sub.1-6 alkyl; [0041] L and L are each independently a C.sub.2-4 alkylene; [0042] R.sup.1 is H, halo, CN, NO.sub.2, OR, SR, COOR, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, or C.sub.1-6 alkyl; [0043] R.sup.2 is OR, OC(O)R.sup.3, OC(O)OR.sup.3, CO.sub.2R, CON(R).sub.2, SO.sub.2N(R).sub.2, SO.sub.2R.sup.3, OSO.sub.1R.sup.3, or OSO.sub.2N(R).sub.2; [0044] R.sup.3 is C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl, or a phenyl; [0045] R is H, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, or C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl; and [0046] n is 0, 1, 2, or 3; [0047] wherein at each occurrence, alkyl, alkylene, alkoxy and cycloalkyl are each optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of OH, SH, CN, NO.sub.2, COOH, halo, or COOC.sub.1-4 alkyl; [0048] wherein at each occurrence, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl are each optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of OR, SR, CN, NO.sub.2, CO.sub.2R, halo, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, or oxo.

[0049] In some embodiments, the compound is a compound of Formula (I), Formula (Ia), Formula (Ib), Formula (Ic), Formula (1), Formula (Ia), Formula (Ib), Formula (Ic), Formula (2a), Formula (2b), Formula (2c), Formula (2d), Formula (3a), Formula (3b), Formula (3c), Formula (3d), Formula (3e), Formula (3f), Formula (5), Formula (5a), Formula (5b), Formula (6), Formula (6a), Formula (6b) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or tautomer thereof.

[0050] In some embodiments, the compound is a compound of Formula (I), Formula (Ia), Formula (Ib), Formula (Ic), Formula (1), Formula (1a), Formula (1b), Formula (1c), Formula (2a), Formula (2b), Formula (2c), Formula (2d), Formula (3a), Formula (3b), Formula (3c), Formula (3d), Formula (3e), Formula (3f), Formula (5), Formula (5a), Formula (5b), Formula (6), Formula (6a), Formula (6b) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

[0051] In some embodiments, L is the group

##STR00003##

[0052] In some embodiments, L is the group

##STR00004##

[0053] In one embodiment of this aspect, the compound is a compound of Formula (1):

##STR00005##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, tautomer or optical isomer thereof.

[0054] In some embodiments, A is selected from C(O)OR, C(O)N(R)S(O).sub.2R.sup.3, S(O).sub.2OR, C.sub.1-8 alkyl, heterocycloalkyl, or heteroaryl, wherein the heterocycloalkyl, and heteroaryl are each optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of OR, SR, halo, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, or oxo.

[0055] In some embodiments, A is selected from C(O)OR and heteroaryl.

[0056] In some embodiments, A is selected from the group consisting of:

##STR00006##

[0057] In some embodiments, A is:

##STR00007##

[0058] In some embodiments, A is

##STR00008##

[0059] In some embodiments, the compound of Formula (I) is a compound of Formula (Ia), (Ib) or (Ic):

##STR00009##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, tautomer or optical isomer thereof.

[0060] In some embodiments, the compound of Formula (I) is a compound of Formula (1a), (1b) or (1c):

##STR00010##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, tautomer or optical isomer thereof.

[0061] In some embodiments, the compound of Formula (I) is a compound of Formula (3a), (3b), (3c), (3d), (3e) or (3f):

##STR00011## ##STR00012##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, tautomer or optical isomer thereof.

[0062] In some embodiments, X is halo or OR.

[0063] In some embodiments, X is F, Cl, or OH.

[0064] In some embodiments, X is F or OH, and n is 0, 1 or 2.

[0065] In some embodiments, X is F, Cl or OH, and n is 1, or 2.

[0066] In some embodiments, X is F or OH, and n is 1, or 2.

[0067] In some embodiments n is 0.

[0068] In some embodiments, R.sup.1 is H, OH, halo, CN, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy optionally substituted with 1-3 fluorine atoms or C.sub.1-6 alkyl optionally substituted with 1-3 fluorine atoms.

[0069] In some embodiments, R is H, OH, halo, CN, C.sub.1-6 alkyl optionally substituted with 1-3 fluorine atoms or C.sub.1-6 alkyl optionally substituted with 1-3 fluorine atoms.

[0070] In some embodiments, R.sup.1 is methyl.

[0071] In some embodiments R.sup.2 is OR, CON(R).sub.2, SO.sub.2N(R).sub.2, or OSO.sub.2 N(R).sub.2.

[0072] In some embodiments R.sup.2 is OH, CONH.sub.2, SO.sub.2NH.sub.2, or OSO.sub.2NH.sub.2.

[0073] In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is CON(R).sub.2, SO.sub.2N(R).sub.2, OSO.sub.2R.sup.3, or OSO.sub.2N(R).sub.2.

[0074] In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is CONH.sub.2, SO.sub.2NH.sub.2, or OSO.sub.2NH.sub.2.

[0075] In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is CONH.sub.2.

[0076] In some embodiments, provided herein is a compound of Formula (2a), (2b), (2c), or (2d):

##STR00013## ##STR00014##

or pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate or tautomer thereof.

[0077] In some embodiments, R.sup.1 is H or C.sub.1-6 alkyl. In a further embodiment, R is methyl. In another embodiment, n is 0.

[0078] In some embodiments, provided herein is compound of Formula (5), (5a), (5b), (6), (6a), (6b):

##STR00015## ##STR00016##

or pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate or tautomer thereof.

[0079] In some embodiments, R.sup.2 is CO.sub.2R, CON(R).sub.2, SO.sub.2N(R); or OSO.sub.2N(R).sub.2. In a further embodiment, R.sup.2 is CONH.sub.2, SO.sub.2NH.sub.2 or OSO.sub.2NH.sub.2.

[0080] In some embodiments, provided herein is compounds selected from the group consisting of:

##STR00017## ##STR00018## ##STR00019##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, tautomer or optical isomer thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

[0081] In some embodiments, the invention includes a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound described herein, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

[0082] In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition further comprises at least one additional therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunomodulators and combinations thereof.

[0083] In some embodiments, the invention includes a method of modulating EP4 receptor agonist activity in a biological sample, the method comprising contacting said EP4 receptor with a compound or composition described herein.

[0084] In some embodiments, the invention includes a method of treating an EP4 receptor mediated disease, the method comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a compound or composition described herein.

[0085] In some embodiments, the EP4 receptor mediated disease is a gastrointestinal disorder. In a further embodiment, the gastrointestinal disorder is selected from the group consisting of constipation disorders, constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, mixed type irritable bowel syndrome, chronic idiopathic constipation, gastrointestinal symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease, gastrointestinal symptoms associated with cystic fibrosis, intestinal dysmotility, postoperative ileus, food allergy or food intolerance, celiac disease, gastrointestinal motility disorders, functional gastrointestinal disorders, drug induced enteropathy, NSAID induced gastric and intestinal injury, chemotherapy induced mucositis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), duodenogastric reflux, diarrhoeal diseases, immune mediated gastrointestinal diseases, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease and ischemic colitis, or pulmonary diseases and conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, asthma, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, chronic idiopathic cough, hyperactive airway disorder and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

[0086] In some embodiments, the compound of Formula I is a compound listed in Table 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate or tautomer thereof.

[0087] In some embodiments, provided herein is compounds selected from the compounds listed in Table 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Exemplary compounds of Formula (I) Racemic Compound S isomer R isomer [00020] [00021] [00022] [00023] [00024] [00025] [00026] [00027] [00028] [00029] [00030] [00031] [00032] [00033] [00034] [00035] [00036] [00037] [00038] [00039] [00040] [00041] [00042] [00043] [00044] [00045] [00046]
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

ABBREVIATIONS

[0088] aq aqueous [0089] Bn benzyl [0090] DCM dichloromethane [0091] DMA dimethylacetamide [0092] DMF dimethylformamide [0093] dppf 1,1-bis(diphenylphosphino) ferrocene [0094] EDCI 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide [0095] EtOAc ethyl acetate [0096] FA formic acid [0097] HATU 1-[Bis(dimethylamino)methylene]-1H-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-b]pyridinium 3-oxide hexafluorophosphate, [0098] HOBt hydroxybenzotriazole [0099] HPLC high performance liquid chromatography [0100] hr hour [0101] hrs hours [0102] LCMS liquid chromatography mass spectrometry [0103] M molar [0104] MeCN acetonitrile [0105] MeOH methanol [0106] N normal [0107] NBS N-bromosuccinimide [0108] prep HPLC preparative high-performance liquid chromatography [0109] RT room temperature [0110] sat saturated [0111] THF tetrahydrofuran [0112] UPLC ultra performance liquid chromatography

Definitions

[0113] In this application, the following definitions apply, unless indicated otherwise.

[0114] The term treatment, in relation to the uses of any of the compounds described herein, including those of Formula (I), Formula (Ia), Formula (Ib), Formula (Ic), Formula (1), Formula (1a), Formula (1b), Formula (1c), Formula (2a), Formula (2b), Formula (2c), Formula (2d), Formula (3a), Formula (3b), Formula (3c), Formula (3d), Formula (3e), Formula (3f), Formula (5), Formula (5a), Formula (5b), Formula (6), Formula (6a) and Formula (6b) is used to describe any form of intervention where a compound is administered to a subject suffering from, or at risk of suffering from, or potentially at risk of suffering from the disease or disorder in question. Thus, the term treatment covers both preventative (prophylactic) treatment and treatment where measurable or detectable symptoms of the disease or disorder are being displayed.

[0115] The term effective therapeutic amount (for example in relation to methods of treatment of a disease or condition) refers to an amount of the compound which is effective to produce a desired therapeutic effect. For example, if the condition is pain, then the effective therapeutic amount is an amount sufficient to provide a desired level of pain relief. The desired level of pain relief may be, for example, complete removal of the pain or a reduction in the severity of the pain.

[0116] As used herein, the term hydroxyl or hydroxy refers to an OH moiety.

[0117] As used herein, an alkyl group refers to a saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group containing 1-12 (e.g., 1-8, 1-6, or 1-4) carbon atoms. An alkyl group can be straight or branched. Examples of alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, n-heptyl, or 2-ethylhexyl. An alkyl group can be substituted (i.e., optionally substituted) with one or more substituents such as halo, phospho, cycloaliphatic [e.g., cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl], heterocycloaliphatic [e.g., heterocycloalkyl or heterocycloalkenyl], aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, aroyl, heteroaroyl, acyl [e.g., (aliphatic) carbonyl, (cycloaliphatic) carbonyl, or (heterocycloaliphatic) carbonyl], nitro, cyano, amido [e.g., (cycloalkylalkyl) carbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino, aralkylcarbonylamino, (heterocycloalkyl) carbonylamino, (heterocycloalkylalkyl) carbonylamino, heteroarylcarbonylamino, heteroaralkylcarbonylamino alkylaminocarbonyl, cycloalkylaminocarbonyl, heterocycloalkylaminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl, or heteroarylaminocarbonyl], amino [e.g., aliphaticamino, cycloaliphaticamino, or heterocycloaliphaticamino], sulfonyl [e.g., aliphatic-SO.sub.2], sulfinyl, sulfanyl, sulfoxy, urea, thiourea, sulfamoyl, sulfamide, oxo, carboxy, carbamoyl, cycloaliphaticoxy, heterocycloaliphaticoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, aralkyloxy, heteroarylalkoxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, or hydroxy. Without limitation, some examples of substituted alkyls include carboxyalkyl (such as HOOC-alkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, and alkylcarbonyloxyalkyl), cyanoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, acylalkyl, aralkyl, (alkoxyaryl)alkyl, (sulfonylamino)alkyl (such as (alkyl-SO.sub.2-amino)alkyl), aminoalkyl, amidoalkyl, (cycloaliphatic)alkyl, or haloalkyl.

[0118] As used herein, an alkylene group refers to a bivalent branched or straight alkyl group that contains 2-12 (e.g. 2-8, 2-6, or 2-4) carbon atoms, and serves to connect two chemical moieties. Examples of alkylene groups include, but are not limited to methylene, ethylene, propylene, butylene, isopropylene (methylethylene), and isobutylene (2-methylpropylene). An alkylene group can be substituted (i.e., optionally substituted) with one or more substituents as defined in the alkyl group.

[0119] As used herein, an amido encompasses both aminocarbonyl and carbonylamino. These terms when used alone or in connection with another group refer to an amido group such as N(R.sup.X)C(O)R.sup.Y or C(O)N(R.sup.X).sub.2, when used terminally, and C(O)N(R.sup.X) or N(R.sup.X)C(O)when used internally, wherein R.sup.X and R.sup.Y can be aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aryl, araliphatic, heterocycloaliphatic, heteroaryl or heteroaraliphatic. Examples of amido groups include alkylamido (such as alkylcarbonylamino or alkylaminocarbonyl), (heterocycloaliphatic)amido, (heteroaralkyl)amido, (heteroaryl)amido, (heterocycloalkyl)alkylamido, arylamido, aralkylamido, (cycloalkyl)alkylamido, or cycloalkylamido.

[0120] As used herein, an amino group refers to NR.sup.XR.sup.Y wherein each of R.sup.X and R.sup.Y is independently hydrogen, aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, (cycloaliphatic) aliphatic, aryl, araliphatic, heterocycloaliphatic, (heterocycloaliphatic) aliphatic, heteroaryl, carboxy, sulfanyl, sulfinyl, sulfonyl, (aliphatic) carbonyl, (cycloaliphatic) carbonyl, ((cycloaliphatic) aliphatic) carbonyl, arylcarbonyl, (araliphatic) carbonyl, (heterocycloaliphatic) carbonyl, ((heterocycloaliphatic) aliphatic) carbonyl, (heteroaryl) carbonyl, or (heteroaraliphatic) carbonyl, each of which being defined herein and being optionally substituted. Examples of amino groups include alkylamino, dialkylamino, or arylamino. When the term amino is not the terminal group (e.g., alkylcarbonylamino), it is represented by NR.sup.X, where R.sup.X has the same meaning as defined above.

[0121] As used herein, an aryl group used alone or as part of a larger moiety as in aralkyl, aralkoxy, or aryloxyalkyl refers to monocyclic (e.g., phenyl); bicyclic (e.g., indenyl, naphthalenyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, tetrahydroindenyl); and tricyclic (e.g., fluorenyl tetrahydrofluorenyl, or tetrahydroanthracenyl, anthracenyl) ring systems in which the monocyclic ring system is aromatic or at least one of the rings in a bicyclic or tricyclic ring system is aromatic. The bicyclic and tricyclic groups include benzofused 2-3 membered carbocyclic rings. For example, a benzofused group includes phenyl fused with two or more C.sub.4-8 carbocyclic moieties. An aryl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents including aliphatic [e.g., alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl]; cycloaliphatic; (cycloaliphatic) aliphatic; heterocycloaliphatic; (heterocycloaliphatic) aliphatic; aryl; heteroaryl; alkoxy; (cycloaliphatic)oxy; (heterocycloaliphatic)oxy; aryloxy; heteroaryloxy; (araliphatic)oxy; (heteroaraliphatic)oxy; aroyl; heteroaroyl; amino; oxo (on a non-aromatic carbocyclic ring of a benzofused bicyclic or tricyclic aryl); nitro; carboxy; amido; acyl [e.g., (aliphatic) carbonyl; (cycloaliphatic) carbonyl; ((cycloaliphatic) aliphatic) carbonyl; (araliphatic) carbonyl; (heterocycloaliphatic) carbonyl; ((heterocycloaliphatic) aliphatic) carbonyl; or (heteroaraliphatic) carbonyl]; sulfonyl [e.g., aliphatic-SO.sub.2 or amino-SO.sub.2]; sulfinyl [e.g., aliphatic-S(O) or cycloaliphatic-S(O)]; sulfanyl [e.g., aliphatic-S]; cyano; halo; hydroxy; mercapto; sulfoxy; urea; thiourea; sulfamoyl; sulfamide; or carbamoyl. Alternatively, an aryl can be unsubstituted.

[0122] Non-limiting examples of substituted aryls include haloaryl [e.g., mono-, di (such as p,m-dihaloaryl), and (trihalo) aryl]; (carboxy) aryl [e.g., (alkoxycarbonyl) aryl, ((aralkyl) carbonyloxy) aryl, and (alkoxycarbonyl) aryl]; (amido) aryl [e.g., (aminocarbonyl) aryl, (((alkylamino)alkyl)aminocarbonyl) aryl, (alkylcarbonyl)aminoaryl, (arylaminocarbonyl) aryl, and (((heteroaryl)amino) carbonyl) aryl]; aminoaryl [e.g., ((alkylsulfonyl)amino) aryl or ((dialkyl)amino) aryl]; (cyanoalkyl) aryl; (alkoxy) aryl; (sulfamoyl) aryl [e.g., (aminosulfonyl) aryl]; (alkylsulfonyl) aryl; (cyano) aryl; (hydroxyalkyl) aryl; ((alkoxy)alkyl) aryl; (hydroxy) aryl, ((carboxy)alkyl) aryl; (((dialkyl)amino)alkyl) aryl; (nitroalkyl) aryl; (((alkylsulfonyl)amino)alkyl) aryl; ((heterocycloaliphatic) carbonyl) aryl; ((alkylsulfonyl)alkyl) aryl; (cyanoalkyl) aryl; (hydroxyalkyl) aryl; (alkylcarbonyl) aryl; alkylaryl; (trihaloalkyl) aryl; p-amino-m-alkoxycarbonylaryl; p-amino-m-cyanoaryl; p-halo-m-aminoaryl; or (m-(heterocycloaliphatic)-o-(alkyl)) aryl.

[0123] As used herein, a cycloalkyl group refers to a saturated carbocyclic mono- or bicyclic (fused or bridged) ring of 3-10 (e.g., 5-10) carbon atoms. Examples of cycloalkyl groups include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, adamantyl, norbornyl, cubyl, octahydro-indenyl, decahydro-naphthyl, bicyclo[3.2.1]octyl, bicyclo[2.2.2]octyl, bicyclo[3.3.1]nonyl, bicyclo[3.3.2.]decyl, bicyclo[2.2.2]octyl, adamantyl, or ((aminocarbonyl)cycloalkyl) cycloalkyl.

[0124] A cycloalkyl group can be optionally substituted with one or more substituents such as phospho, aliphatic [e.g., alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl], cycloaliphatic, (cycloaliphatic) aliphatic, heterocycloaliphatic, (heterocycloaliphatic) aliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, (cycloaliphatic)oxy, (heterocycloaliphatic)oxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, (araliphatic)oxy, (heteroaraliphatic)oxy, aroyl, heteroaroyl, amino, amido [e.g., (aliphatic) carbonylamino, (cycloaliphatic) carbonylamino, ((cycloaliphatic) aliphatic) carbonylamino, (aryl) carbonylamino, (araliphatic) carbonylamino, (heterocycloaliphatic) carbonylamino, ((heterocycloaliphatic) aliphatic) carbonylamino, (heteroaryl) carbonylamino, or (heteroaraliphatic) carbonylamino], nitro, carboxy [e.g., HOOC, alkoxycarbonyl, or alkylcarbonyloxy], acyl [e.g., (cycloaliphatic) carbonyl, ((cycloaliphatic) aliphatic) carbonyl, (araliphatic) carbonyl, (heterocycloaliphatic) carbonyl, ((heterocycloaliphatic) aliphatic) carbonyl, or (heteroaraliphatic) carbonyl], cyano, halo, hydroxy, mercapto, sulfonyl [e.g., alkyl-SO.sub.2 and aryl-SO.sub.2], sulfinyl [e.g., alkyl-S(O)], sulfanyl [e.g., alkyl-S], sulfoxy, urea, thiourea, sulfamoyl, sulfamide, oxo, or carbamoyl.

[0125] As used herein, a heterocycloalkyl group refers to a 3-10 membered mono- or bicylic (fused or bridged) (e.g., 5- to 10-membered mono- or bicyclic) saturated ring structure, in which one or more of the ring atoms is a heteroatom (e.g., N, O, S, or combinations thereof). Examples of a heterocycloalkyl group include piperidyl, piperazyl, tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrofuryl, 1,4-dioxolanyl, 1,4-dithianyl, 1,3-dioxolanyl, oxazolidyl, isoxazolidyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholyl, octahydrobenzofuryl, octahydrochromenyl, octahydrothiochromenyl, octahydroindolyl, octahydropyrindinyl, decahydroquinolinyl, octahydrobenzo[b]thiopheneyl, 2-oxa-bicyclo[2.2.2]octyl, 1-aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]octyl, 3-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octyl, and 2,6-dioxa-tricyclo[3.3.1.03.7]nonyl. A monocyclic heterocycloalkyl group can be fused with a phenyl moiety to form structures, such as tetrahydroisoquinoline, that would be categorized as heteroaryls.

[0126] A heterocycloalkyl group can be optionally substituted with one or more substituents such as phospho, aliphatic [e.g., alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl], cycloaliphatic, (cycloaliphatic) aliphatic, heterocycloaliphatic, (heterocycloaliphatic) aliphatic, aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, (cycloaliphatic)oxy, (heterocycloaliphatic)oxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, (araliphatic)oxy, (heteroaraliphatic)oxy, aroyl, heteroaroyl, amino, amido [e.g., (aliphatic) carbonylamino, (cycloaliphatic) carbonylamino, ((cycloaliphatic) aliphatic) carbonylamino, (aryl) carbonylamino, (araliphatic) carbonylamino, (heterocycloaliphatic) carbonylamino, ((heterocycloaliphatic) aliphatic) carbonylamino, (heteroaryl) carbonylamino, or (heteroaraliphatic) carbonylamino], nitro, carboxy [e.g., HOOC, alkoxycarbonyl, or alkylcarbonyloxy], acyl [e.g., (cycloaliphatic) carbonyl, ((cycloaliphatic) aliphatic) carbonyl, (araliphatic) carbonyl, (heterocycloaliphatic) carbonyl, ((heterocycloaliphatic) aliphatic) carbonyl, or (heteroaraliphatic) carbonyl], nitro, cyano, halo, hydroxy, mercapto, sulfonyl [e.g., alkylsulfonyl or arylsulfonyl], sulfinyl [e.g., alkylsulfinyl], sulfanyl [e.g., alkylsulfanyl], sulfoxy, urea, thiourea, sulfamoyl, sulfamide, oxo, or carbamoyl.

[0127] A heteroaryl group, as used herein, refers to a monocyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic ring system having 4 to 15 ring atoms wherein one or more of the ring atoms is a heteroatom (e.g., N, O, S, or combinations thereof) and in which the monocyclic ring system is aromatic or at least one of the rings in the bicyclic or tricyclic ring systems is aromatic. A heteroaryl group includes a benzofused ring system having 2 to 3 rings. For example, a benzofused group includes benzo fused with one or two 4 to 8 membered heterocycloaliphatic moieties (e.g., indolizyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, 3H-indolyl, indolinyl, benzo[b]furyl, benzo[b]thiophene-yl, quinolinyl, or isoquinolinyl). Some examples of heteroaryl are azetidinyl, pyridyl, 1H-indazolyl, furyl, pyrrolyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, imidazolyl, tetrazolyl, benzofuryl, isoquinolinyl, benzthiazolyl, xanthene, thioxanthene, phenothiazine, dihydroindole, benzo[1,3]dioxole, benzo[b]furyl, benzo[b]thiophenyl, indazolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzthiazolyl, puryl, cinnolyl, quinolyl, quinazolyl, cinnolyl, phthalazyl, quinazolyl, quinoxalyl, isoquinolyl, 4H-quinolizyl, benzo-1,2,5-thiadiazolyl, or 1,8-naphthyridyl.

[0128] Without limitation, monocyclic heteroaryls include furyl, thiophene-yl, 2H-pyrrolyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, thazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, 2H-pyranyl, 4-H-pranyl, pyridyl, pyridazyl, pyrimidyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazyl, or 1,3,5-triazyl. Monocyclic heteroaryls are numbered according to standard chemical nomenclature.

[0129] Without limitation, bicyclic heteroaryls include indolizyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, 3H-indolyl, indolinyl, benzo[b]furyl, benzo[b]thiophenyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, indolizyl, isoindolyl, indolyl, benzo[b]furyl, bexo[b]thiophenyl, indazolyl, benzimidazyl, benzthiazolyl, purinyl, 4H-quinolizyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, cinnolyl, phthalazyl, quinazolyl, quinoxalyl, 1,8-naphthyridyl, or pteridyl. Bicyclic heteroaryls are numbered according to standard chemical nomenclature.

[0130] A heteroaryl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents such as aliphatic [e.g., alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl]; cycloaliphatic; (cycloaliphatic) aliphatic; heterocycloaliphatic; (heterocycloaliphatic) aliphatic; aryl; heteroaryl; alkoxy; (cycloaliphatic)oxy; (heterocycloaliphatic)oxy; aryloxy; heteroaryloxy; (araliphatic)oxy; (heteroaraliphatic)oxy; aroyl; heteroaroyl; amino; oxo (on a non-aromatic carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring of a bicyclic or tricyclic heteroaryl); carboxy; amido; acyl [e.g., aliphaticcarbonyl; (cycloaliphatic) carbonyl; ((cycloaliphatic) aliphatic) carbonyl; (araliphatic) carbonyl; (heterocycloaliphatic) carbonyl; ((heterocycloaliphatic) aliphatic) carbonyl; or (heteroaraliphatic) carbonyl]; sulfonyl [e.g., aliphaticsulfonyl or aminosulfonyl]; sulfinyl [e.g., aliphaticsulfinyl]; sulfanyl [e.g., aliphaticsulfanyl]; nitro; cyano; halo; hydroxy; mercapto; sulfoxy; urea; thiourea; sulfamoyl; sulfamide; or carbamoyl. Alternatively, a heteroaryl can be unsubstituted.

[0131] Non-limiting examples of substituted heteroaryls include (halo) heteroaryl [e.g., mono- and di-(halo) heteroaryl]; (carboxy) heteroaryl [e.g., (alkoxycarbonyl) heteroaryl]; cyanoheteroaryl; aminoheteroaryl [e.g., ((alkylsulfonyl)amino) heteroaryl and ((dialkyl)amino) heteroaryl]; (amido) heteroaryl [e.g., aminocarbonylheteroaryl, ((alkylcarbonyl)amino) heteroaryl, ((((alkyl)amino)alkyl)aminocarbonyl) heteroaryl, (((heteroaryl)amino) carbonyl) heteroaryl, ((heterocycloaliphatic) carbonyl) heteroaryl, and ((alkylcarbonyl)amino) heteroaryl]; (cyanoalkyl) heteroaryl; (alkoxy) heteroaryl; (sulfamoyl) heteroaryl [e.g., (aminosulfonyl) heteroaryl]; (sulfonyl) heteroaryl [e.g., (alkylsulfonyl) heteroaryl]; (hydroxyalkyl) heteroaryl; (alkoxyalkyl) heteroaryl; (hydroxy) heteroaryl; ((carboxy)alkyl) heteroaryl; (((dialkyl)amino)alkyl]heteroaryl; (heterocycloaliphatic) heteroaryl; (cycloaliphatic) heteroaryl; (nitroalkyl) heteroaryl; (((alkylsulfonyl)amino)alkyl) heteroaryl; ((alkylsulfonyl)alkyl) heteroaryl; (cyanoalkyl) heteroaryl; (acyl) heteroaryl [e.g., (alkylcarbonyl) heteroaryl]; (alkyl) heteroaryl; or (haloalkyl) heteroaryl [e.g., trihaloalkylheteroaryl].

[0132] As used herein, an alkoxy group refers to an alkyl-O group where alkyl has been defined previously.

[0133] As used herein, a carboxy group refers to COOH, COOR.sup.X, OC(O)H, OC(O)R.sup.X, when used as a terminal group; or OC(O) or C(O)O when used as an internal group.

[0134] As used herein, a mercapto group refers to SH.

[0135] As used herein, a sulfo group refers to SO.sub.3H or SO.sub.3R when used terminally or S(O).sub.3 when used internally.

[0136] As used herein, a sulfamide group refers to the structure NR.sup.XS(O).sub.2NR.sup.YR.sup.Z when used terminally and NR.sup.XS(O).sub.2NR.sup.Y when used internally, wherein R.sup.X, R.sup.Y, and R.sup.Z have been defined above.

[0137] As used herein, a sulfamoyl group refers to the structure OS(O).sub.2NR.sup.YR.sup.Z wherein R.sup.Y and R.sup.Z have been defined above.

[0138] As used herein, a sulfonamide group refers to the structure S(O).sub.2NRR.sup.Y or NR*S(O).sub.2R.sup.Z when used terminally; or S(O).sub.2NR* or NR*S(O).sub.2 when used internally, wherein R.sup.X, R.sup.y, and R.sup.Z are defined above.

[0139] As used herein a sulfanyl group refers to SR.sup.X when used terminally and S when used internally, wherein R.sup.X has been defined above. Examples of sulfanyls include aliphatic S, cycloaliphatic-S, aryl-S, or the like.

[0140] As used herein, a halogen or halo group refers to fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

[0141] As used herein, an oxo refers to O.

[0142] As used herein, the term vicinal generally refers to the placement of substituents on a group that includes two or more carbon atoms, wherein the substituents are attached to adjacent carbon atoms.

[0143] As used herein, the term geminal generally refers to the placement of substituents on a group that includes two or more carbon atoms, wherein the substituents are attached to the same carbon atom.

[0144] The terms terminally and internally refer to the location of a group within a substituent. A group is terminal when the group is present at the end of the substituent not further bonded to the rest of the chemical structure. Carboxyalkyl, i.e., R.sup.XO(O)C-alkyl, is an example of a carboxy group used terminally. A group is internal when the group is present in the middle of a substituent of the chemical structure. Alkylcarboxy (e.g., alkyl-C(O)O or alkyl-OC(O)) and alkylcarboxyaryl (e.g., alkyl-C(O)O-aryl- or alkyl-O(CO)-aryl-) are examples of carboxy groups used internally.

[0145] As used herein, an aliphatic chain refers to a branched or straight aliphatic group (e.g., alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, or alkynyl groups). A straight aliphatic chain has the structure-[CH.sub.2].sub.v, where v is 1-12. A branched aliphatic chain is a straight aliphatic chain that is substituted with one or more aliphatic groups. A branched aliphatic chain has the structure-[CQQ].sub.v where Q is independently a hydrogen or an aliphatic group; however, Q shall be an aliphatic group in at least one instance. The term aliphatic chain includes alkyl chains, alkenyl chains, and alkynyl chains, where alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl are defined above.

[0146] The phrase optionally substituted is used herein interchangeably with the phrase substituted or unsubstituted. As described herein, compounds of the invention can optionally be substituted with one or more substituents, such as are illustrated generally above, or as exemplified by particular classes, subclasses, and species of the invention. Unless otherwise noted, each of the specific groups for the variables recited herein can be optionally substituted with one or more substituents described herein. Each substituent of a specific group is further optionally substituted with one to three of halo, cyano, oxo, alkoxy, hydroxy, amino, nitro, aryl, cycloaliphatic, heterocycloaliphatic, heteroaryl, haloalkyl, and alkyl. For instance, an alkyl group can be substituted with alkylsulfanyl and the alkylsulfanyl can be optionally substituted with one to three of halo, cyano, oxo, alkoxy, hydroxy, amino, nitro, aryl, haloalkyl, and alkyl. As an additional example, the cycloalkyl portion of a (cycloalkyl) carbonylamino can be optionally substituted with one to three of halo, cyano, alkoxy, hydroxy, nitro, haloalkyl, and alkyl. When two alkoxy groups are bound to the same atom or adjacent atoms, the two alkxoy groups can form a ring together with the atom(s) to which they are bound.

[0147] As used herein, the term substituted, whether preceded by the term optionally or not, refers generally to the replacement of hydrogen atoms in a given structure with the radical of a specified substituent. Specific substituents are described above in the definitions and below in the description of compounds and examples thereof. Unless otherwise indicated, an optionally substituted group can have a substituent at each substitutable position of the group, and when more than one position in any given structure can be substituted with more than one substituent selected from a specified group, the substituent can be either the same or different at every position. A ring substituent, such as a heterocycloalkyl, can be bound to another ring, such as a cycloalkyl, to form a spiro-bicyclic ring system, e.g., both rings share one common atom. As one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, combinations of substituents envisioned by this invention are those combinations that result in the formation of stable or chemically feasible compounds.

[0148] As used herein, the phrase stable or chemically feasible refers to compounds that are not substantially altered when subjected to conditions to allow for their production, detection, and preferably their recovery, purification, and use for one or more of the purposes disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a stable compound or chemically feasible compound is one that is not substantially altered when kept at a temperature of 40 C. or less, in the absence of moisture or other chemically reactive conditions, for at least a week.

[0149] To the extent that any of the compounds described have chiral centres, the present invention extends to all optical isomers of such compounds, whether in the form of racemates or resolved enantiomers. The invention described herein relates to all crystal forms, solvates and hydrates of any of the disclosed compounds however so prepared. To the extent that any of the compounds disclosed herein have acid or basic centres such as carboxylates or amino groups, then all salt forms of said compounds are included herein. The invention described herein further relates to all tautomers of the compounds presented herein. In the case of pharmaceutical uses, the salt should be seen as being a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.

[0150] Salts or pharmaceutically acceptable salts that may be mentioned include acid addition salts and base addition salts. Such salts may be formed by conventional means, for example by reaction of a free acid or a free base form of a compound with one or more equivalents of an appropriate acid or base, optionally in a solvent, or in a medium in which the salt is insoluble, followed by removal of said solvent, or said medium, using standard techniques (e.g. in vacuo, by freeze-drying or by filtration). Salts may also be prepared by exchanging a counter-ion of a compound in the form of a salt with another counter-ion, for example using a suitable ion exchange resin.

[0151] Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts include acid addition salts derived from mineral acids and organic acids, and salts derived from metals such as sodium, magnesium, potassium and calcium.

[0152] Examples of acid addition salts include acid addition salts formed with acetic, 2,2-dichloroacetic, adipic, alginic, aryl sulfonic acids (e.g. benzenesulfonic, naphthalene-2-sulfonic, naphthalene-1,5-disulfonic and p-toluenesulfonic), ascorbic (e.g. L-ascorbic), L-aspartic, benzoic, 4-acetamidobenzoic, butanoic, (+) camphoric, camphor-sulfonic, (+)-(1S)-camphor-10-sulfonic, capric, caproic, caprylic, cinnamic, citric, cyclamic, dodecylsulfuric, ethane-1,2-disulfonic, ethanesulfonic, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic, formic, fumaric, galactaric, gentisic, glucoheptonic, gluconic (e.g. D-gluconic), glucuronic (e.g. D-glucuronic), glutamic (e.g. L-glutamic), a-oxoglutaric, glycolic, hippuric, hydrobromic, hydrochloric, hydriodic, isethionic, lactic (e.g. (+)-L-lactic and ()-DL-lactic), lactobionic, maleic, malic (e.g. ()-L-malic), malonic, ()-DL-mandelic, metaphosphoric, methanesulfonic, 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic, nicotinic, nitric, oleic, orotic, oxalic, palmitic, pamoic, phosphoric, propionic, L-pyroglutamic, salicylic, 4-amino-salicylic, sebacic, stearic, succinic, sulfuric, tannic, tartaric (e.g. (+)-L-tartaric), thiocyanic, undecylenic and valeric acids.

[0153] Also encompassed are any solvates of the compounds and their salts. Preferred solvates are solvates formed by the incorporation into the solid state structure (e.g. crystal structure) of the compounds of the invention of molecules of a non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable solvent (referred to below as the solvating solvent). Examples of such solvents include water, alcohols (such as ethanol, isopropanol and butanol) and dimethylsulfoxide. Solvates can be prepared by recrystallising the compounds of the invention with a solvent or mixture of solvents containing the solvating solvent. Whether or not a solvate has been formed in any given instance can be determined by subjecting crystals of the compound to analysis using well known and standard techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray crystallography.

[0154] The solvates can be stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric solvates. Particular solvates may be hydrates, and examples of hydrates include hemihydrates, monohydrates and dihydrates. For a more detailed discussion of solvates and the methods used to make and characterise them, see Bryn et al, Solid-State Chemistry of Drugs, Second Edition, published by SSCI, Inc of West Lafayette, IN, USA, 1999, ISBN 0-967-06710-3.

[0155] The term pharmaceutical composition in the context of this invention means a composition comprising an active agent and comprising additionally one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. The composition may further contain ingredients selected from, for example, diluents, adjuvants, excipients, vehicles, preserving agents, fillers, disintegrating agents, wetting agents, emulsifying agents, suspending agents, sweetening agents, flavouring agents, perfuming agents, antibacterial agents, antifungal agents, lubricating agents and dispersing agents, depending on the nature of the mode of administration and dosage forms. The compositions may take the form, for example, of tablets, dragees, powders, elixirs, syrups, liquid preparations including suspensions, sprays, inhalants, tablets, lozenges, emulsions, solutions, cachets, granules, capsules and suppositories, as well as liquid preparations for injections, including liposome preparations.

[0156] The compounds of the invention may contain one or more isotopic substitutions, and a reference to a particular element includes within its scope all isotopes of the element. For example, a reference to hydrogen includes within its scope .sup.1H, .sup.2H (D), and .sup.3H (T). Similarly, references to carbon and oxygen include within their scope respectively .sup.12C, .sup.13C and .sup.14C and .sup.16O and .sup.18O. In an analogous manner, a reference to a particular functional group also includes within its scope isotopic variations, unless the context indicates otherwise. For example, a reference to an alkyl group such as an ethyl group or an alkoxy group such as a methoxy group also covers variations in which one or more of the hydrogen atoms in the group is in the form of a deuterium or tritium isotope, e.g. as in an ethyl group in which all five hydrogen atoms are in the deuterium isotopic form (a perdeuteroethyl group) or a methoxy group in which all three hydrogen atoms are in the deuterium isotopic form (a trideuteromethoxy group). The isotopes may be radioactive or non-radioactive.

[0157] Therapeutic dosages may be varied depending upon the requirements of the patient, the severity of the condition being treated, and the compound being employed. Determination of the proper dosage for a particular situation is within the skill of the art. Generally, treatment is initiated with the smaller dosages which are less than the optimum dose of the compound. Thereafter the dosage is increased by small increments until the optimum effect under the circumstances is reached. For convenience, the total daily dosage may be divided and administered in portions during the day if desired.

[0158] The magnitude of an effective dose of a compound will, of course, vary with the nature of the severity of the condition to be treated and with the particular compound and its route of administration. The selection of appropriate dosages is within the ability of one of ordinary skill in this art, without undue burden. In general, the daily dose range may be from about 10 g to about 30 mg per kg body weight of a human and non-human animal, preferably from about 50 g to about 30 mg per kg of body weight of a human and non-human animal, for example from about 50 g to about 10 mg per kg of body weight of a human and non-human animal, for example from about 100 g to about 30 mg per kg of body weight of a human and non-human animal, for example from about 100 g to about 10 mg per kg of body weight of a human and non-human animal and most preferably from about 100 g to about 1 mg per kg of body weight of a human and non-human animal.

Combination Therapy

[0159] An effective amount can be achieved in the method or pharmaceutical composition of the invention employing a compound of the invention (including a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate (e.g., hydrate)) alone or in combination with an additional suitable therapeutic agent, for example, an antiviral agent or a vaccine. When combination therapy is employed, an effective amount can be achieved using a first amount of a compound of the invention and a second amount of an additional suitable therapeutic agent.

[0160] In another embodiment of this invention, a compound of the invention and the additional therapeutic agent, are each administered in an effective amount (i.e., each in an amount which would be therapeutically effective if administered alone). In another embodiment, a compound of the invention and the additional therapeutic agent, are each administered in an amount which alone does not provide a therapeutic effect (a sub-therapeutic dose). In yet another embodiment, a compound of the invention can be administered in an effective amount, while the additional therapeutic agent is administered in a sub-therapeutic dose. In still another embodiment, a compound of the invention can be administered in a sub-therapeutic dose, while the additional therapeutic agent, for example, a suitable cancer-therapeutic agent is administered in an effective amount.

[0161] As used herein, the terms in combination or co-administration can be used interchangeably to refer to the use of more than one therapy (e.g., one or more prophylactic and/or therapeutic agents). The use of the terms does not restrict the order in which therapies (e.g., prophylactic and/or therapeutic agents) are administered to a subject.

[0162] Co-administration encompasses administration of the first and second amounts of the compounds of the co-administration in an essentially simultaneous manner, such as in a single pharmaceutical composition, for example, capsule or tablet having a fixed ratio of first and second amounts, or in multiple, separate capsules or tablets for each. In addition, such co-administration also encompasses use of each compound in a sequential manner in either order.

[0163] In one embodiment, a compound of the invention and an additional therapeutic agent are administered separately, sequentially or simultaneously to the subject.

[0164] When co-administration involves the separate administration of the first amount of a compound of the invention and a second amount of an additional therapeutic agent, the compounds are administered sufficiently close in time to have the desired therapeutic effect. For example, the period of time between each administration which can result in the desired therapeutic effect, can range from minutes to hours and can be determined taking into account the properties of each compound such as potency, solubility, bioavailability, plasma half-life and kinetic profile. For example, a compound of the invention and the second therapeutic agent can be administered in any order within 24 hours of each other, within 16 hours of each other, within 8 hours of each other, within 4 hours of each other, within 1 hour of each other or within 30 minutes of each other.

[0165] More, specifically, a first therapy (e.g., a prophylactic or therapeutic agent such as a compound of the invention) can be administered prior to (e.g., 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, 96 hours, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, or 12 weeks before), concomitantly with, or subsequent to (e.g., 5 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, 96 hours, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, or 12 weeks after) the administration of a second therapy (e.g., a prophylactic or therapeutic agent such as an anti-cancer agent) to a subject.

[0166] It is understood that the method of co-administration of a first amount of a compound of the invention and a second amount of an additional therapeutic agent can result in an enhanced or synergistic therapeutic effect, wherein the combined effect is greater than the additive effect that would result from separate administration of the first amount of a compound of the invention and the second amount of an additional therapeutic agent.

[0167] As used herein, the term synergistic refers to a combination of a compound of the invention and another therapy (e.g., a prophylactic or therapeutic agent), which is more effective than the additive effects of the therapies. A synergistic effect of a combination of therapies (e.g., a combination of prophylactic or therapeutic agents) can permit the use of lower dosages of one or more of the therapies and/or less frequent administration of said therapies to a subject. The ability to utilize lower dosages of a therapy (e.g., a prophylactic or therapeutic agent) and/or to administer said therapy less frequently can reduce the toxicity associated with the administration of said therapy to a subject without reducing the efficacy of said therapy in the prevention, management or treatment of a disorder. In addition, a synergistic effect can result in improved efficacy of agents in the prevention, management or treatment of a disorder. Finally, a synergistic effect of a combination of therapies (e.g., a combination of prophylactic or therapeutic agents) may avoid or reduce adverse or unwanted side effects associated with the use of either therapy alone.

[0168] The presence of a synergistic effect can be determined using suitable methods for assessing drug interaction. Suitable methods include, for example, the Sigmoid-Emax equation (Holford, N.H.G. and Scheiner, L. B., Clin. Pharmacokinet. 6:429-453 (1981)), the equation of Loewe additivity (Loewe, S. and Muischnek, H., Arc h. Exp. Pathol Pharmacol. 114:313-326 (1926)) and the median-effect equation (Chou, T. C. and Talalay, P., Adv. Enzyme Regul. 22:27-55 (1984)). Each equation referred to above can be applied with experimental data to generate a corresponding graph to aid in assessing the effects of the drug combination. The corresponding graphs associated with the equations referred to above are the concentration-effect curve, isobologram curve and combination index curve, respectively.

[0169] In one aspect the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, tautomer or optical isomer of the invention, a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and at least one additional therapeutic agent. In some embodiments the compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, tautomer or optical isomer of the invention and the at least one additional therapeutic agent are co-formulated. In some embodiments the compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, tautomer or optical isomer of the invention and the at least one additional therapeutic agent are formulated separately.

[0170] In another aspect the invention provides a kit comprising a compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, tautomer or optical isomer of the invention and at least one additional therapeutic agent. The kit may comprise instructions to administer the compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, tautomer or optical isomer of the invention and the at least one additional therapeutic agent to a subject in need thereof.

[0171] In another aspect the invention provides a combination therapy for use as a medicament, wherein the combination therapy comprises administering a compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, tautomer or optical isomer of the invention to a subject in need thereof and administering an additional therapeutic agent to the subject in need thereof.

[0172] The compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, tautomer or optical isomer of the invention and the additional therapeutic agent may be administered to the subject separately, sequentially or simultaneously.

[0173] The pharmaceutical composition, kit and/or combination therapy may be for use in the treatment of a gastrointestinal disorder or a pulmonary disease or condition. The gastrointestinal disorder may be selected from the group consisting of constipation disorders, constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, mixed type irritable bowel syndrome, chronic idiopathic constipation, gastrointestinal symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease, gastrointestinal symptoms associated with cystic fibrosis, intestinal dysmotility, postoperative ileus, food allergy or food intolerance, celiac disease, gastrointestinal motility disorders, functional gastrointestinal disorders, drug induced enteropathy, NSAID induced gastric and intestinal injury, chemotherapy induced mucositis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), duodenogastric reflux, diarrhoeal diseases, immune mediated gastrointestinal diseases, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and ischemic colitis. The pulmonary disease or condition may be selected from the group consisting of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, asthma, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, chronic idiopathic cough, hyperactive airway disorder, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

[0174] The at least one additional therapeutic agent may be selected from the group consisting of aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunomodulators and combinations thereof.

[0175] Aminosalicylates are also known as 5-aminosalicylates (5-ASAs). The at least one additional therapeutic agent may be an aminosalicylate. The aminosalicylate may be mesalamine. The aminosalicylate may be sulfasalazine. The at least one additional therapeutic agent may be a corticosteroid. The corticosteroid may be budesonide. The at least one additional therapeutic agent may be an immunomodulator. The immunomodulator may be thiopurine. The immunomodulator may be methotrexate.

Pharmaceutical Formulations

[0176] While it is possible for the active compound to be administered alone, it is preferable to present it as a pharmaceutical composition (e.g. formulation).

[0177] Accordingly, in another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one compound of Formula (I) as defined above together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

[0178] When the pharmaceutical composition comprises at least one additional therapeutic agent, the compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, tautomer or optical isomer of the invention and the at least one additional therapeutic agent may be co-formulated or the compound, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, tautomer or optical isomer of the invention and the at least one additional therapeutic agent may be formulated separately.

[0179] The composition may be a tablet composition.

[0180] The composition may be a capsule composition.

[0181] The pharmaceutically acceptable excipient(s) can be selected from, for example, carriers (e.g. a solid, liquid or semi-solid carrier), adjuvants, diluents (e.g solid diluents such as fillers or bulking agents; and liquid diluents such as solvents and co-solvents), granulating agents, binders, flow aids, coating agents, release-controlling agents (e.g. release retarding or delaying polymers or waxes), binding agents, disintegrants, buffering agents, lubricants, preservatives, antifungal and antibacterial agents, antioxidants, buffering agents, tonicity-adjusting agents, thickening agents, flavouring agents, sweeteners, pigments, plasticizers, taste masking agents, stabilisers or any other excipients conventionally used in pharmaceutical compositions.

[0182] The term pharmaceutically acceptable as used herein means compounds, materials, compositions, and/or dosage forms which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of a subject (e.g. a human subject) without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problem or complication, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio. Each excipient must also be acceptable in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation.

[0183] Pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of the Formula (I) can be formulated in accordance with known techniques, see for example, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, PA, USA.

[0184] The pharmaceutical compositions can be in any form suitable for oral, parenteral, topical, intranasal, intrabronchial, sublingual, ophthalmic, otic, rectal, intra-vaginal, or transdermal administration.

[0185] Pharmaceutical dosage forms suitable for oral administration include tablets (coated or uncoated), capsules (hard or soft shell), caplets, pills, lozenges, syrups, solutions, powders, granules, elixirs and suspensions, sublingual tablets, wafers or patches such as buccal patches.

[0186] Tablet compositions can contain a unit dosage of active compound together with an inert diluent or carrier such as a sugar or sugar alcohol, eg; lactose, sucrose, sorbitol or mannitol; and/or a non-sugar derived diluent such as sodium carbonate, calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, or a cellulose or derivative thereof such as microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, and starches such as corn starc h. Tablets may also contain such standard ingredients as binding and granulating agents such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, disintegrants (e.g. swellable crosslinked polymers such as crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose), lubricating agents (e.g. stearates), preservatives (e.g. parabens), antioxidants (e.g. BHT), buffering agents (for example phosphate or citrate buffers), and effervescent agents such as citrate/bicarbonate mixtures. Such excipients are well known and do not need to be discussed in detail here.

[0187] Tablets may be designed to release the drug either upon contact with stomach fluids (immediate release tablets) or to release in a controlled manner (controlled release tablets) over a prolonged period of time or with a specific region of the GI tract.

[0188] The pharmaceutical compositions typically comprise from approximately 1% (w/w) to approximately 95%, preferably % (w/w) active ingredient and from 99% (w/w) to 5% (w/w) of a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient (for example as defined above) or combination of such excipients. Preferably, the compositions comprise from approximately 20% (w/w) to approximately 90% (w/w) active ingredient and from 80% (w/w) to 10% of a pharmaceutically excipient or combination of excipients. The pharmaceutical compositions comprise from approximately 1% to approximately 95%, preferably from approximately 20% to approximately 90%, active ingredient. Pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention may be, for example, in unit dose form, such as in the form of ampoules, vials, suppositories, pre-filled syringes, drages, powders, tablets or capsules.

[0189] Tablets and capsules may contain, for example, 0-20% disintegrants, 0-5% lubricants, 0-5% flow aids and/or 0-99% (w/w) fillers/or bulking agents (depending on drug dose). They may also contain 0-10% (w/w) polymer binders, 0-5% (w/w) antioxidants, 0-5% (w/w) pigments. Slow release tablets would in addition typically contain 0-99% (w/w) release-controlling (e.g. delayin g) polymers (depending on dose). The film coats of the tablet or capsule typically contain 0-10% (w/w) polymers, 0-3% (w/w) pigments, and/or 0-2% (w/w) plasticizers.

[0190] Parenteral formulations typically contain 0-20% (w/w) buffers, 0-50% (w/w) cosolvents, and/or 0-99% (w/w) water for Injection (WFI) (depending on dose and if freeze dried). Formulations for intramuscular depots may also contain 0-99% (w/w) oils.

[0191] The pharmaceutical formulations may be presented to a patient in patient packs containing an entire course of treatment in a single package, usually a blister pack.

[0192] The compounds of the Formula (I) will generally be presented in unit dosage form and, as such, will typically contain sufficient compound to provide a desired level of biological activity. For example, a formulation may contain from 1 nanogram to 2 grams of active ingredient, e.g. from 1 nanogram to 2 milligrams of active ingredient. Within these ranges, particular sub-ranges of compound are 0.1 milligrams to 2 grams of active ingredient (more usually from 10 milligrams to 1 gram, e.g. 50 milligrams to 500 milligrams), or 1 microgram to 20 milligrams (for example 1 microgram to 10 milligrams, e.g. 0.1 milligrams to 2 milligrams of active ingredient).

[0193] For oral compositions, a unit dosage form may contain from 1 milligram to 2 grams, more typically 10 milligrams to 1 gram, for example 50 milligrams to 1 gram, e.g. 100 milligrams to 1 gram, of active compound.

[0194] The active compound will be administered to a patient in need thereof (for example a human or animal patient) in an amount sufficient to achieve the desired therapeutic effect (effective amount). The precise amounts of compound administered may be determined by a supervising physician in accordance with standard procedures.

Synthesis of Compounds of the Formula (1)

LC/MS Method 1

[0195] Instruments: Acquity UPLC with Photodiode Array Detector and QDA mass detector; Column: Acquity C-18, 1.6 micron, 502.1 mm; Gradient [time (min)/solvent B in A (%)]: 0.00/10, 0.75/10, 2.80/90, 4.50/100, 4.60/100, 4.70/10; Solvents: solvent A=0.1% formic acid in water; solvent B=0.1% formic acid in water/acetonitrile (10:90); column temperature 35 C.; Flow rate 0.8 mL/min.

LC/MS Method 2

[0196] Instruments: Acquity UPLC with Photodiode Array Detector and QDA mass detector; Column: Acquity C-18, 1.6 micron, 501.6 mm; Gradient [time (min)/solvent B in A (%)]: 0.00/3, 0.20/3, 2.70/98, 3.00/100, 3.50/100, 3.51/3, 4.00/3; Solvents: solvent A=0.1% formic acid in water; solvent B=0.1% formic acid in water/acetonitrile (10:90); column temperature 35 C.; Flow rate 0.9 mL/min.

LC/MS Method 3

[0197] Instruments: Water 2690 with Photodiode Array Detector and QDA mass detector; Column: X-Bridge C-18, 5 micron, 1001.6 mm; Gradient [time (min)/solvent B in A (%)]: 0.01/10, 1.00/10, 5.00/100, 7.00/100, 7.50/10, 8.00/10; Solvents: solvent A=0.1% formic acid and 10 mM ammonium carbonate in water; solvent B=acetonitrile; column temperature 35 C.; Flow rate 0.9 mL/min.

General Synthetic Strategies

[0198] Compounds of formula G-4 can be synthesized according to Scheme 1 by first 1) alkylating tert-butyl carbazate with a bromide compound of formula G-la, or 2) contacting tert-butyl carbazate with an aldehyde of formula G-1b under reductive amination conditions to provide the hydrazine compound G-2. Contacting G-2 with the bivalent compound, 3-bromopropionyl chloride provides the cyclized and boc-protected compound of formula G-3. Deprotection of G-4 provides a compound of formula G-4.

##STR00047##

[0199] Compounds of formula G-4 can be alkylated according to Scheme 2, via a conjugate addition reaction with a compound of the formula G-5 to provide a compound of formula G-6. G-6 can then be coupled with an aryl bromide of formula G-7, wherein R.sup.x and R.sup.x are each independently a lower alkyl group, or both R* and R.sup.x together with the boron atom and oxygen atoms to which they are attached, form a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic ring. The coupling of G-6 to G-7 typically takes place in the presence of a palladium catalyst, such as PdCl.sub.2 (dppf).DCM, to provide a biaryl compound of formula G-8. G-8 can be further reduced to provide a compound of G-10. Other functional group interconversions are possible at this point in the synthesis, such as when A is an ester group, the compound of G-8 or G-10 can be further hydrolyzed. Also, reduction (and/or other FGI, e.g. hydrolysis) can be performed prior to Pd catalyzed coupling according to Scheme 2, via a compound of formula G-9.

##STR00048##

[0200] Phenol compounds of formula G-11 can be further derivatized to compounds of formula G-12 according to Scheme 3, by reaction with a sulfonamidating reagent such as sulfamoyl chloride.

##STR00049##

EXAMPLES

[0201] Additional embodiments are disclosed in further detail in the following examples, which are not in any way intended to limit the scope of the claims. In the exemplified chiral separations of racemic compounds in the following examples, isomer 1 refers to the isomer that eluted first from the chiral column and isomer 2 refers to the isomer that eluted second from the chiral column.

Synthetic Preparation of the Intermediates

Intermediate 1: Synthesis of methyl 4-(2-(5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoate (Intermediate 1)

##STR00050##

[0202] Step (i): Methyl 4-(2-bromoethyl)benzoate (20.00 g, 82.65 mmol), tert-Butyl carbazate (12.01 g, 90.92 mmol), NaHCO.sub.3 (27.78 g, 330.60 mmol) and NaI (1.24 g, 8.27 mmol) were suspended in MeCN (200 mL) at room temperature and the reaction mixture was allowed to stir at 80 C. for 24 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated under vacuo and the residue was partitioned between water (1000 mL) and EtOAc (800 mL), aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (3300 mL). The organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo and the crude product was purified by gradient column chromatography (normal phase, silica), product was eluted at 0% to 18% EtOAc in hexane to afford impure product which was further purified by gradient reverse phase flash column chromatography (reverse phase, C18 silica), product eluted at 0% to 55% MeCN in water to afford tert-butyl 2-(4-(methoxycarbonyl) phenethyl) hydrazine-1-carboxylate (5.6 g, 23. %) as yellow oil. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method_3), m/z 239 (ES+, M+H-tBu), at 2.20 min.

[0203] Step (ii): tert-butyl 2-(4-(methoxycarbonyl) phenethyl) hydrazine-1-carboxylate (5.60 g, 19.04 mmol) was dissolved in MeCN (60 mL) and potassium carbonate (13.16 g, 95.19 mmol) was added to the reaction mixture at room temperature and the reaction mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 10 min. After this, 3-bromopropionyl chloride (2.90 mL, 28.56 mmol) was added drop wise at room temperature and reaction mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 24 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated under vacuo and the obtained residue was partitioned between water (800 mL) and EtOAc (500 mL), aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (2200 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo and the product was purified by gradient column chromatography (normal phase, silica), product was eluted at 0% to 22% EtOAc in hexane to afford impure product which was further purified by gradient reverse phase flash column chromatography (reverse phase, C18 silica), product elute at 0% to 45% MeCN in water to afford tert-butyl 2-(4-(methoxycarbonyl) phenethyl)-3-oxopyrazolidine-1-carboxylate (6.5 g, 98%) as yellow oil. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method_3), m/z 293. (ES+, M+HtBu), at 2.43 min.

[0204] Step (iii): ter-butyl 2-(4-(methoxycarbonyl) phenethyl)-3-oxopyrazolidine-1-carboxylate (6.5 g, 18.7 mmol) was dissolved in dioxane (70 mL) and 4 N HCl in dioxane (70 mL) was added drop wise to the reaction mixture at 0 C. and the reaction mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 4 h. Solvent was removed in vacuo to obtain crude product which was purified by trituration with 20% MeOH in diethyl ether to afford methyl 4-(2-(5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoate (4.8 g, 90. %) as an off-white powder. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method_3), m/z 249 (ES+, M+H), at 1.57 min. .sup.1H NMR: (400 MHz, DMSO) :2.62-2.58 (t, 2H, J=8.2 Hz), 3.06-3.02 (t, 2H, J=7.4 Hz), 3.58-3.56 (t, 2H, J=4.4 Hz), 3.74-3.70 (t, 2H, J=7.2 Hz), 7.46-7.44 (d, 2H, J=8.4 Hz), 7.90-7.89 (d, 2H, J=8.0 Hz).

Intermediate 2: Synthesis of methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-(3-bromophenyl)-3-hydroxypropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-2,6-difluorobenzoate (Intermediate 2)

##STR00051##

[0205] Step (i): methyl 4-bromo-2,6-difluorobenzoate (40.00 g, 159.36 mmol), potassium vinyltrifluoroborate (32.00 g, 239.04 mmol) and TEA (42 mL, 318.72 mmol) were dissolved in IPA (400 mL) and nitrogen gas was purged for 30 min at room temperature. After this, PdC12 (dppf).DCM (13.01 g, 15.93 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was allowed to stir at 80 C. for 3 h. The reaction mixture was then partitioned between water (1000 mL) and EtOAc (1000 mL). Aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (2500 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo and the crude product was purified by gradient flash column chromatography (normal phase, Silica) product eluted at 0% to 5% EtOAc in hexane to afford methyl 2,6-difluoro-4-vinylbenzoate (25.0 g, 79%) as yellow oil.

[0206] Step (ii) methyl 2,6-difluoro-4-vinylbenzoate (25.0 g, 126.19 mmol) was dissolved in mixture of t-Butanol (130 mL) and water (175 mL) at room temperature. After this, NBS (26.94 g, 151.43 mmol) was added portion wise at room temperature and allowed to stir at 40 C. temperature for 16 h. After cooling to 5 C., a NaOH Solution (10.09 g, 252.23 mmol) and allowed to stir at room temperature for 30 min. The reaction mixture was then partitioned between water (800 mL) and EtOAc (500 mL), aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (2300 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo to afford crude methyl 2,6-difluoro-4-(oxiran-2-yl)benzoate (22.8 g, 84%) as yellow oil.

[0207] Step (iii): methyl 2,6-difluoro-4-(oxiran-2-yl)benzoate (22.8 g, 106.54 mmol) was dissolved in methanol (500 mL) and 10% palladium on carbon with 50% moisture (6.9 g) was added. After this, ammonium formate (67.22 g, 1065.42 mmol) was added at room temperature and reaction mixture was allowed to stir for 16 h at room temperature. After completion, the reaction mixture was filtered through celite bed, washed with MeOH (3000 mL) and filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. The reaction mixture was then partitioned between water (1000 mL) and EtO Ac (500 mL). Aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (2300 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo to afford crude product which was purified by gradient flash column chromatography (normal phase, Silica) product eluted at 0% to 26% EtOAc in hexane to afford methyl 2,6-difluoro-4-(2-hydroxyethyl)benzoate (11 g, 47.80%) as yellow oil.

[0208] Step (iv): methyl 2,6-difluoro-4-(2-hydroxyethyl)benzoate (11.00 g, 50.87 mmol) was dissolved in DCM (300 mL) at room temperature. After this, Dess-Martin periodinane (32.36 g, 76.31 mmol) was added portion wise at room temperature and reaction mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 2 h. The reaction mixture was then partitioned between saturated aqueous NaHCO.sub.3 solution (500 mL) and DCM (800 mL). Aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (2500 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo to afford crude methyl 2,6-difluoro-4-(2-oxoethyl)benzoate (7.96 g, 73%) as white solid. Used in the next step without further purification.

[0209] Step (v): methyl 2,6-difluoro-4-(2-oxoethyl)benzoate (7.92 g, 37.00 mmol) and tert-butyl carbazate (4.89 g, 37.00 mmol) were dissolved in methanol (100 mL) under nitrogen atmosphere and 4 molecular sieves was also added to maintain moisture free condition. After this, Glacial acetic acid (0.3 mL, 3.70 mmol) was added at room temperature and allowed to stir for 3 h at room temperature. After this, reaction mixture was cooled at 0 C. and sodium cyanoborohydride (2.78 g, 44.40 mmol) was added portion wise and allowed to stir at room temperature for 12 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated under vacuo to obtain residue. It was partitioned between saturated aqueous NaHCO.sub.3 solution (500 mL) and EtOAc (300 mL), aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (2200 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo to obtain crude product which was purified by gradient column chromatography (normal phase, silica) product eluted at 0% to 3% EtOAc in DCM to afford crude tert-butyl 2-(3,5-difluoro-4-(methoxycarbonyl) phenethyl) hydrazine-1-carboxylate (9.10 g, 65%) as white solid. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 275 (ES+, M+H-tBu), at 2.32 min.

[0210] Step (vi): tert-butyl 2-(3,5-difluoro-4-(methoxycarbonyl) phenethyl) hydrazine-1-carboxylate (9.00 g, 27.26 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (20 mL) and potassium carbonate (18.83 g, 136.30 mmol) was added to the reaction mixture at room temperature and allowed to stir at room temperature for 10 min. After this, 4-bromobutanoyl chloride (3.4 mL, 40.89 mmol) was added drop wise at room temperature and reaction mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 3 h and then at 40 C. for 16 h. The reaction mixture was partitioned between water (500 mL) and EtOAc (700 mL), aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (2250 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo and the product was purified by gradient column chromatography (reverse phase, C18 silica), product was eluted at 0% to 50% MeCN In water to afford (3.5 g, 33%) as yellow oil. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2) m/z 329 (ES+, M+H-tBu), at 2.48 min.

[0211] Step (vii): tert-butyl 2-(3,5-difluoro-4-(methoxy carbonyl) phenethyl)-3-oxopyrazolidine-1-carboxylate (3.5 g, 9.11 mmol) was dissolved in dioxane (40 mL) and 4 N HCl in dioxane (20 mL) was added drop wise to the reaction mixture at 0 C. Reaction mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 18 h. Solvent was removed in vacuo to obtain crude product which was purified by trituration with 20% MeOH in diethyl ether to afford methyl 2,6-difluoro-4-(2-(5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoate_HCl_salt) (2.62 g, 79%) as off-white amorphous powder. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 285 (ES+, M+H), at 1.67 minmin.

[0212] Step (vii): tert-butyl 2-(3,5-difluoro-4-(methoxy carbonyl) phenethyl)-3-oxopyrazolidine-1-carboxylate (3.5 g, 9.11 mmol) was dissolved in dioxane (40 mL) and 4 N HCl in dioxane (20 mL) was added drop wise to the reaction mixture at 0 C. Reaction mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 18 h. Solvent was removed in vacuo to obtain crude product which was purified by trituration with 20% MeOH in diethyl ether to afford methyl 2,6-difluoro-4-(2-(5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoate_HCl_salt) (2.62 g, 79%) as off-white amorphous powder. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 285 (ES+, M+H), at 1.67 min.

[0213] Step (viii): methyl 2,6-difluoro-4-(2-(5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoate_HCl_salt) (0.80 g, 2.81 mmol) and 1-(3-bromophenyl) prop-2-en-1-one (1.60 g, 14.08 mmol) were suspended in MeOH (10 mL) at room temperature and reaction mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 15 min. After this, TEA (0.70 mL, 5.27 mmol) was added at room temperature and allowed to stir at 60 C. for 4 h. The reaction mixture was partitioned between water (200 mL) and EtOAc (200 mL) and aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (2100 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo and the crude product was further purified by gradient reverse phase flash column chromatography (reverse phase, C18 silica), product eluted at 0% to 58% ACN in water to afford methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-(3-bromophenyl)-3-oxopropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-2,6-difluorobenzoate (0.65 g, 47%) as colorless sticky material. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 495 (ES+, M+H), at 2.58 min.

[0214] Step (ix): methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-(3-bromophenyl)-3-oxopropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-2,6-difluorobenzoate (0.650 g, 1.31 mmol) was dissolved in ethanol (4 mL) and water (2 mL), and CeCl.sub.3 (0.97 g, 3.94 mmol) was added and reaction mixture was allowed to stir at 0 C. for 5 min. Sodium borohydride (0.20 g, 0.5.26 mmol) was then added at 0 C. and reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The reaction mixture was then partitioned between water (100 mL) and EtOAc (150 mL) and the aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (250 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo to afford Intermediate 2: methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-(3-bromophenyl)-3-hydroxypropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-2,6-difluorobenzoate (0.620 g, 95. %) as brown solid. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 497 (ES+, M+H), at 2.04 min. .sup.1H NMR: (400Mz, DMSO) : 1.74-1.73 (d, 2H, J=4.8 Hz), 2.88-2.76 (m, 4H), 3.12-3.10 (d, 2H, J=7.2 Hz), 3.86 (s, 3H), 4.66 (s, 1H), 5.44-5.43 (d, 1H, J=4.4 Hz), 7.12-7.10 (d, 2H, J=9.6 Hz), 7.36-7.27 (m, 2H), 7.43-7.41 (d, 1H, J=8.0 Hz), 7.55 (s, 1H).

Intermediate B: Synthesis of 1-(3-bromophenyl) prop-2-en-1-one (Intermediate B)

##STR00052##

[0215] Step (i): 3-bromobenzaldehyde (12.0 g, 56.6 mmole) was dissolved in diethyl ether (30 mL) at 0 C., vinylmagnesium bromide (1M in THF) (200 mL) was added drop wise at 0 C. under nitrogen atmosphere and allowed to stir at room temperature for 3 h. The reaction mixture was partitioned between saturated aqueous NH.sub.4Cl (1000 mL) and EtOAc (800 mL); the aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (2300 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo and the crude product was purified by gradient column chromatography (normal phase, Silica) product eluted at 0% to 14% EtOAc in hexane to afford 1-(3-bromophenyl) prop-2-en-1-ol (A) (12.0 g, 94%) as a colourless oil . . .

[0216] Step (ii): [1-(3-bromophenyl) prop-2-en-1-ol A) (12.0 g, 57.1 mmole) was dissolved in acetone (30 mL) at room temperature. To it, Jones reagent (39 mL) was added dropwise at 25 C. and allowed to stir at 25 C. for 30 min. Then reaction mixture was warmed to 0 C. and stirred for 30 min. The reaction mixture was partitioned between saturated aqueous NaHCO.sub.3 (100 mL) and EtOAc (800 mL) and aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (2250 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo and the crude product was purified by gradient column chromatography (normal phase, Silica) product eluted at 0% to 8% EtO Ac in hexane to afford 1-(3-bromophenyl) prop-2-en-1-one (8.0 g, 97%) as yellow gum. Product was confirmed by LCMS no mass ion 2.39 min.

Intermediate 3: Synthesis of methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-(3-bromophenyl)-3-hydroxypropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-2-hydroxybenzoate (Intermediate 3)

##STR00053##

[0217] Step (i): methyl 4-bromo-2-methoxybenzoate (30.00 g, 156.07 mmol), potassium vinyltrifluoroborate (41.81 g, 312.16 mmol) and TEA (64.93 mL, 468.21 mmol) were dissolved in Isopropyl alcohol (300 mL) and nitrogen gas was purged for 30 min at room temperature. After this, PdCl.sub.2 (dppf) DCM (20.09 g, 24.60 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was allowed to stir at 80 C. for 3 h. The reaction mixture was then partitioned between water (1200 mL) and EtOAc (700 mL). Aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (2500 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo and the crude product was purified by gradient flash column chromatography (normal phase, Silica) product eluted at 0% to 14% EtOAc in hexane to afford methyl 2-methoxy-4-vinylbenzoate (20.00 g, 84%) as yellow oil. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 1), m/z 193 (ES+, M+H) at 2.18 min.

[0218] Step (ii): methyl 2-methoxy-4-vinylbenzoate (20.00 g, 104.05 mmol) was dissolved in mixture of t-Butanol (15 mL) and water (30 mL) at room temperature. After this, NBS (27.78 g, 156.08 mmol) was added portion wise at room temperature and reaction mixture was allowed to stir at 40 C. temperature for 2 h. The reaction mixture was then partitioned between water (1000 mL) and EtOAc (800 mL). Aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (2300 mL).

[0219] Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo to afford crude methyl 2-methoxy-4-(oxiran-2-yl)benzoate (20.00 g, Quantitative yield) as yellow oil. Note: As this product was not stable, carried forward to next step without purification.

[0220] Step (iii): methyl 2-methoxy-4-(oxiran-2-yl)benzoate (20.00 g, 96.06 mmol) was dissolved in methanol (200 mL) and 10% palladium on carbon with 50% moisture (10.00 g) was added. After this, ammonium formate (60.57 g, 960.60 mmol) was added at room temperature and reaction mixture was allowed to stir at 60 C. temperature for 4 h. After completion, the reaction mixture was filtered through celite bed and washed with MeOH (2000 mL). Filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. Crude product was purified by gradient flash column chromatography (normal phase, Silica), product eluted at 0% to 45% EtOAc in hexane to afford crude methyl 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-methoxybenzoate (9.80 g, 49%) as colorless oil. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 1), m/z 211 (ES+), at 1.60 min.

[0221] Step (iv): methyl 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-methoxybenzoate (9.80 g, 46.62 mmol) was dissolved in DCM (100 mL) at room temperature. After this, Dess-Martin periodinane (39.54 g, 93.24 mmol) was added portion wise at room temperature and reaction mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 4 h. The reaction mixture was then partitioned between saturated aqueous NaHCO; solution (800 mL) and EtOAc (500 mL). Aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (2200 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo to afford methyl 2-methoxy-4-(2-oxoethyl)benzoate (10.0 g, Quantitative yield) as yellow oil, which was used in the next step without further purification.

[0222] Step (v): methyl 2-methoxy-4-(2-oxoethyl)benzoate (10.0 g, 48.03 mmol) and tert-butyl carbazate (7.62 g, 57.63 mmol) were dissolved in methanol (100 mL) under nitrogen atmosphere. 4 molecular sieves (1.00 g) was also added to maintain moisture free condition. After this, glacial acetic acid (0.3 mL, 4.80 mmol) was added at room temperature and the reaction mixture was allowed to stir for 3 h at room temperature. After this, reaction mixture was cooled at 0 C. and Sodium cyanoborohydride (4.53 g, 72.05 mmol) was added portion wise and reaction mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 16 h. The reaction mixture was filtered under reduced pressure and filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. Obtained residue was partitioned between saturated aqueous NaHCO; solution (700 mL) and EtOAc (500 mL). Aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (3200 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo to obtain crude product which was purified by gradient column chromatography (normal phase, silica), product was eluted at 0% to 29% EtOAc in Hexane to afford crude tert-butyl 2-(3-methoxy-4-(methoxycarbonyl) phenethyl) hydrazine-1-carboxylate (7.0 g, 45%) as yellow sticky material. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 347 (ES+, M+Na), at 2.02.

[0223] Step (vi): tert-butyl 2-(4-(methoxycarbonyl) phenethyl) hydrazine-1-carboxylate (7.00 g, 21.59 mmol) was dissolved in MeCN (70 mL) and potassium carbonate (14.92 g, 107.93 mmol) was added to the reaction mixture at room temperature. Reaction mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 10 min. After this, 3-Bromopropionyl chloride (3.26 mL, 32.39 mmol) was added drop wise at room temperature and reaction mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 24 h. After this, reaction mixture was stirred at 40 C. for 4 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated under vacuo and the obtained residue was partitioned between water (700 mL) and EtO Ac (500 mL). Aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (2200 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo and the product was purified by gradient column chromatography (normal phase, silica), product was eluted at 0% to 32% EtOAc in hexane to afford tert-butyl 2-(3-methoxy-4-(methoxycarbonyl) phenethyl)-3-oxopyrazolidine-1-carboxylate (2.0 g, 24%) as yellow oil. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 323 (ES+, M+H-tBu), at 2.27 min.

[0224] Step (vii): tert-butyl 2-(3-methoxy-4-(methoxycarbonyl) phenethyl)-3-oxopyrazolidine-1-carboxylate (2.00 g, 5.29 mmol) was dissolved in 1,4-Dioxane (20 mL) and 4 N HCl in dioxane (20 mL) was added drop wise to the reaction mixture at 0 C. and the reaction mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 8 h. Solvent was removed in vacuo to obtain crude product which was purified by triturating with 20% MeOH in diethyl ether to afford crude methyl 2-methoxy-4-(2-(5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoate HCl salt (1.50 g, 90.36%) as off white amorphous powder. Product was confirmed by LCMS, m/z 279.10 (ES+), at 1.415 min.

[0225] Step (viii): methyl 2-methoxy-4-(2-(5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoate hydrochloride (1.00 g, 3.18 mmol), 1-(3-bromophenyl) prop-2-en-1-one (3.33 g, 15.88 mmol) and TEA (2.2 mL, 15.88 mmol) were suspended in MeOH (10 mL) at room temperature and reaction mixture was allowed to stir at 60 C. for 4 h. The reaction mixture was partitioned between saturated aqueous NH.sub.4Cl solution (300 mL) and EtOAc (200 mL). Aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (2100 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo and the crude product was further purified by reverse phase gradient flash column chromatography (reverse phase, C18 silica), product eluted at 0% to 65% MeCN in water to afford methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-(3-bromophenyl)-3-oxopropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-2-methoxybenzoate (1.20 g, 69%) as colorless sticky material. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 489 (ES+, M+H), at 2.38 min.

[0226] Step (ix): methyl (R)-4-((1-(3-bromobenzyl) pyrrolidine-2-carboxamido)methyl)-2-methoxybenzoate (0.25 g, 0.51 mmol) was dissolved in DCM (3 mL) and reaction mixture was cooled to 78 C. After this, BBr.sub.3 (1 M solution in DCM) (2.5 mL, 2.56 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was allowed to stir at 78 C. for 1 h. Reaction mixture then partitioned between saturated aqueous solution of NaHCO; (100 mL) and DCM (70 mL). Aqueous layer was again extracted with EtOAc (240 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo to afford methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-(3-bromophenyl)-3-oxopropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-2-hydroxybenzoate, (0.18 g, 74%) as yellow sticky material. Productwas confirmed by LCMS (Method 2) m/z 475 (ES+, M+H) at 2.61 min.

[0227] Step (x): methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-(3-bromophenyl)-3-oxopropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-2-hydroxybenzoate (0.16 g, 0.34 mmol) was dissolved in ethanol (2 mL) and water (2 mL). To it, CeCl.sub.3 (0.25 g, 1.01 mmol) was added and reaction mixture was allowed to stir at 0 C. for 5 min. After this, NaBH.sub.4 (0.085 g, 1.36 mmol) was added at 0 C. and reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The reaction mixture was partitioned between saturated aqueous NaHCO.sub.3 solution (30 mL) and EtOAc (30 mL). Aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (220 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo to afford Intermediate 3 methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-(3-bromophenyl)-3-hydroxypropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-2-hydroxybenzoate (0.15 g, 93%) as an off-white solid. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 478 (ES+, M+H) at 2.46 min.

Synthetic Preparation of Compounds of Formula I

Example 1: Synthesis of 4-(2-(2-(3-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxy-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl) propyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoic acid (Compound 1)

##STR00054##

[0228] Step (i): Intermediate 1 methyl 4-(2-(5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoate hydrochloride (2.00 g, 7.26 mmol) and 1-(3-bromophenyl) prop-2-en-1-one (1.50 g, 14.52 mmol) were suspended in IPA (20 mL) at room temperature and reaction mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 15 min. After this, TEA (2.5 mL, 36.30 mmol) was added at room temperature and allowed to stir at 80 C. for 12 h. The reaction mixture was partitioned between saturated aqueous NH.sub.4Cl solution (500 mL) and EtOAc (300 mL) and aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (2100 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo and the crude product was further purified by gradient reverse phase flash column chromatography (reverse phase, C18 silica), product eluted at 0% to 75% MeCN in water to afford methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-(3-bromophenyl)-3-oxopropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoate (0.80 g, 24%) as colorless sticky material. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 3), m/z 459 (ES+, M+H), at 2.48 min.

[0229] Step (ii): methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-(3-bromophenyl)-3-oxopropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoate (0.25 g, 0.55 mmol), 4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl) boronic acid (0.99 g, 0.65 mmol) and potassium carbonate (0.23 g, 1.65 mmol) were suspended in dioxane (3 mL) and water (2 mL) at room temperature and reaction mixture was degassed with nitrogen at room temperature for 15 min. After this, PdCl.sub.2 (dppf).DCM (0.04 g, 0.05 mmol) was added at room temperature and reaction mixture was allowed to stir at 100 C. for 4 h. The reaction mixture was partitioned between water (200 mL) and EtOAc (100 mL), aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (250 mL). The organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo and the crude product was purified by gradient column chromatography (normal phase, Silica) product eluted at 0% to 80% EtOAc in hexane to afford methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-(4-hydroxy-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3-oxopropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoate Intermediate 4 (0.21 g, 81%) as off-white solid. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 3), m/z 509 (ES+, M+Na), at 2.33 min.

[0230] Step (iii): methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-(3-bromophenyl)-3-oxopropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoate (0.21 g, 0.43 mmol) and cerium (iii) chloride (0.32 g, 1.30 mmol) were dissolved in ethanol (3 mL) and water (3 mL) at room temperature and the reaction mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 5 min. After this, sodium borohydride (0.65 g, 1.73 mmol) was added at 0 C. and allowed the reaction mixture to stir at room temperature for 2 h. The reaction mixture was partitioned between saturated aqueous NaHCO.sub.3 solution (100 mL) and EtOAc (50 mL) and aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (230 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo to afford methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxy-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl) propyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoate (0.16 g, 76%) as off white solid. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 3), m/z 489 (ES+, M+H), at 2.19 min.

[0231] Step (iv): methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxy-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl) propyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoate (0.16 g, 0.33 mmol) was dissolved in Dioxane (2 mL) and water (2 mL). To it, LiOH monohydrate (0.073 g, 1.75 mmol) was added at room temperature and allowed to stir at room temperature for 3 h. Reaction mixture was then partitioned between water (80 mL) and EtOAc (250 mL). Aqueous layer was further acidified with 1 N aqueous HCl (20 mL), adjusted pH up to 3 and extracted with EtOAc (270 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo to afford 4-(2-(2-(3-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxy-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl) propyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoic acid) (0.125 g, 81%) as a brown solid. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 3), m/z 475 (ES+, M+H), at 1.97 min. .sup.1H NMR: (400 MHz, DMSO) :1.26-1.23 (m, 3H), 1.82-1.80 (d, 2H, J=6.4 Hz), 2.16 (s, 3H), 2.88-2.85 (t, 3H, J=6.0 Hz), 3.17 (s, 3H), 4.08 (s, 1H), 4.71-4.69 (d, 1H, J=6.0 Hz), 6.87-6.83 (m, 2H), 7.01-6.99 (d, 1H, J=8.4 Hz), 7.16-7.14 (d, 1H, J=7.6 Hz), 7.37-7.26 (m, 5H), 7.85-7.83 (d, 2H, 8.4 Hz), 9.43 (s, 2H).

[0232] Compounds 1R and 1S: Racemic Compound 1 (0.12 g) was enantiomerically separated with a Shimadzu Prep-HPLC system (PHENOMNENEX AMYLOSE-250*21.2 mm, 5 m column) using a mobile phase that is 43.0% 10 mM DEA in heptane and 57.0% IPA, with no gradient and a flow rate of 16.00 mL/min. Isomer 1:(0.004 g, 2.6%; off-white solid) Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 3), m/z 475 (ES+, M+H), at 2.30 min. .sup.1H NMR: (400 MHZ, MeOD) :2.03-1.93 (m, 2H), 2.93-2.90 (t, 4H, J-6.8 Hz), 3.07-3.03 (t, 3H, J=7.2 Hz), 3.25 (s, 2H), 3.37-3.32 (m, 1H), 3.59-3.56 (m, 1H), 3.71-3.69 (m, 2H), 4.87-4.84 (t, 1H, J=6.0 Hz), 6.68-6.66 (m, 1H), 6.73-6.72 (d, 1H, J=2.0z), 7.02-7.00 (d, 1H, J-8.0 Hz), 7.25-7.19 (m, 3H), 7.41-7.32 (m, 5H), 7.91-7.89 (d, 2H, J-8.0 Hz). Isomer 2: Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 3), m/z 475 (ES+, M+H), at 2.30 min. .sup.1H NMR: (400 MHZ, MeOD) :1.97-1.94 (t, 2H, J=6.4 Hz), 2.93-2.90 (t, 4H, J=6.8 Hz), 3.07-3.03 (m, 3H), 3.26 (s, 2H), 3.59-3.57 (t, 2H J=4.6 Hz), 3.71-3.69 (t, 2H J=4.6 Hz), 4.87-4.84 (t, 1H, J-6.4 Hz), 6.68-6.65 (dd, 1H J=2.4 Hz & J=4.0 Hz), 6.72-6.72 (d, 1H, J=2.0 Hz), 7.02-7.00 (d, 1H, J-8.0 Hz), 7.24-7.19 (m, 3H), 7.41-7.32 (m, 5H), 7.91-7.89 (d, 2H, J=8.0 Hz).

Example 2: Synthesis of 4-(2-(2-(3-(4-carbamoyl-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3-hydroxypropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoic acid (Compound 2)

##STR00055##

[0233] Step (i): Intermediate 1, methyl 4-(2-(5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoate hydrochloride (2.00 g, 7.26 mmol) and 1-(3-bromophenyl) prop-2-en-1-one (1.50 g, 14.52 mmol) were suspended in IPA (20 mL) at room temperature and reaction mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 15 min. After this, TEA (2.5 mL, 36.30 mmol) was added at room temperature and allowed to stir at 80 C. for 12 h. The reaction mixture was partitioned between saturated aqueous NH.sub.4Cl solution (500 mL) and EtOAc (300 mL) and aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (2100 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo and the crude product was further purified by gradient reverse phase flash column chromatography (reverse phase, C18 silica), product eluted at 0% to 75% MeCN in water to afford methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-(3-bromophenyl)-3-oxopropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoate (0.80 g, 24%) as colorless sticky material. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 3), m/z 459 (ES+, M+H), at 2.48 min.

[0234] Step (ii): Methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-(3-bromophenyl)-3-oxopropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoate (0.60 g, 1.30 mmole), 3-methyl-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)benzamide (1.36 g, 5.23 mmole) and K.sub.2CO.sub.3 (0.54 g, 3.92 mmole) were dissolved in mixture of dioxane:water (3:2, 5 mL) and nitrogen gas was purged for 20 min at room temperature. After this, PdCl.sub.2 (dppf) DCM (0.21 g, 0.26 mmole) was added and the reaction mixture was allowed to stir at 80 C. for 8 h. The reaction mixture was then partitioned between water (100 mL) and EtOAc (100 mL), aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (270 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo and the crude product was purified by gradient flash column chromatography (reverse phase, C18 silica), product eluted at 0% to 38% MeCN in water to give methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-(4-carbamoyl-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3-oxopropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoate (0.60 g, 90%) as white solid. LCMS: (Method 3): Product was confirmed m/z 536 (ES+, M+Na), at 2.16 min.

[0235] Step (iii): methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-(4-carbamoyl-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3-oxopropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoate (0.60 g, 1.16 mmole) was dissolved in ethanol (3 mL) and water (2 mL) and CeCl.sub.3 (0.86 g, 3.50 mmole) was added to the reaction mixture. Reaction mixture was allowed to stir at 0 C. for 5 min. After this, sodium borohydride (0.17 g, 4.67 mmole) was added at 0 C. and reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 h. The reaction mixture was partitioned between saturated aqueous NaHCO; solution (100 mL) and EtOAc (80 mL) and aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (250 mL). The organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo and the crude product was purified by gradient flash column chromatography (reverse phase, C18 silica), product elute at 0% to 35% MeCN in water to afford pure methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-(4-carbamoyl-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3-hydroxypropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoate (0.50 g, 83%) as off white solid. LCMS: (LCMS Method 3): Product was confirmed m/z 516 (ES+, M+H), at 2.78 min.

[0236] Step (iv): methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-(4-carbamoyl-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3-hydroxypropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoate (1.80 g, 3.49 mmole) was dissolved in dioxane (15 mL) and water (8 mL). LiOH monohydrate (0.73 g, 17.46 mmole) was added at room temperature and reaction mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 3h. Reaction mixture was then partitioned between water (250 mL) and EtOAc (2350 mL). Aqueous layer further acidified with 4N aqueous HCl (60 mL) to adjust the pH up to 1 and extracted with EtOAc (2300 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo to afford pure 4-(2-(2-(3-(4-carbamoyl-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3-hydroxypropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoic acid (1.47 g, 83%) as an off-white solid. LCMS (Method 2): Product was confirmed m/z 502 (ES+, M+H), at 1.53 min. .sup.1H NMR: (400 MHZ, DMSO) &: 1.76-1.84 (m, 2H,), 2.26 (s, 3H), 2.70-2.90 (m, 4H), 3.18 (s, 3H), 4.72 (brs, 1H), 5.37 (d, 1H, J=4.0 Hz), 7.21-7.45 (m, 8H), 7.74 (dd, 1H, J=7.9 and 1.9 Hz), 7.80-7.86 (m, 3H), 7.98 (s, 1H), 12.86 (brs, 1H). Compounds 2R and 2S: Racemic compound 2 was enatiomericaly separated on a Waters Prep-HPLC system using following method: Column ADH-9.5*250 mm 5 micron, Solvents A: 0.1% TFA in N-heptane, B: IPA: methanol (70:30) isocratic 75% A/25% B with variable flow rate (time/flow, 0.01/4.0, 5.00/4.0, 10.00/8.0, 100.00/8.0, min/ml per min)

[0237] Isomer 1 (0.489 g, 28%) as off-white solid. LCMS: (Method 2): Product was confirmed m/z 502 (ES+, M+H), at 1.56 min. .sup.1H NMR: (400 MHz, DMSO): 1.77-1.86 (m, 2H), 2.27 (s, 3H), 2.74-2.90 (m, 4H), 3.14 (brs, 2H), 4.73 (t, 1H, J-6.4 Hz), 7.21-7.47 (m, 8H), 7.75 (dd, 1H, J=7.9 Hz, 1.9 Hz), 7.80-7.86 (m, 3H), 7.98 (s, 1H), 12.86 (brs, 1H). (Note: Some of the aliphatic protons obscured by DMSO- and/or water)

[0238] Isomer 2 (0.477 g, 27%) as off-white solid. LCMS: (Method 2): Product was confirmed m/z 502 (ES+, M+H), at 1.56 min. .sup.1H NMR: (400 MHz, DMSO) 1.77-1.86 (m, 2H), 2.27 (s, 3H), 2.76-2.90 (m, 4H), 3.14 (brs, 2H), 4.69-4.76 (m, 1H), 5.37 (brs, 1H), 7.22-7.45 (m, 8H), 7.75 (dd, 1H, J=7.9 Hz, 1.9 Hz), 7.81-7.86 (m, 3H), 7.97 (s, 1H), 12.84 (brs, 1H).

(Note: Some of the aliphatic protons obscured by DMSO- and/or water)

Example 3: Synthesis of 4-(2-(2-(3-hydroxy-3-(2-methyl-4-sulfamoyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl) propyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoic acid (Compound 3)

[0239] was synthesized by the method described in Example 1 using 3-Methyl-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide, which was synthesized from 3-methyl-4-bromobenzsulfonamide, PdCl.sub.2 (dppf).DCM, and KOAc, in dioxane (80 C.; 2 h), and reverse phase flash chromatography at the final step to give 4-(2-(2-(3-hydroxy-3-(2-methyl-4-sulfamoyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl) propyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoic acid; (0.027 g, 28%) as an off white solid. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 3), m/z 538 (ES+, M+H), at 1.90 min. .sup.1H NMR: (400 MHz, DMSO) :1.10-1.07 (t, 1H, J=7 Hz), 1.82-1.80 (d, 2H, 5.6 Hz), 2.08 (s, 1H), 2.29 (s, 4H), 2.87-2.85 (d, 4H, 6.4 Hz), 3.13 (s, 3H), 4.73 (s, 1H) 5.39-5.38 (d, 1H, 4.4 Hz), 7.35-7.24 (m, 3H), 7.46-7.37 (m, 6H), 7.71-7.68 (m, 1H), 7.75 (s, 1H), 7.84-7.82 (d, 2H, J=8.4 Hz), 12.85 (s, 1H).

[0240] Compounds 3R and 3S: Racemic Compound 3 was enantiomerically separated with a Waters Prep-HPLC system (CROMEGACHIRAL CCO 250*20 mm, 5 m column) using a mobile phase that is 75% 0.1% FA in heptane and 25% a mixture of IPA and methanol (50:50) as the mobile phase, with a flow rate of 18.00 mL/min and no gradient. Isomer 1:(0.019 g, 6.5%; off-white solid) Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 3), m/z 538 (ES+, M+H), at 1.90 min. .sup.1H NMR: (400 MHz, DMSO) :1.23 (s, 2H), 1.82-1.81 (d, 2H, J-6.4 Hz), 2.33-2.29 (m, 4H), 2.83 (s, 4H), 3.16 (s, 5H), 4.74 (s, 1H), 5.40 (s, 1H), 7.25-7.23 (m, 3H), 7.44-7.34 (m, 6H), 7.71-7.68 (m, 1H), 7.75-7.75 (d, 1H, J=1.6 Hz), 7.82-7.8-(d, 2H, J-8 Hz). Isomer 2: (0.017 g, 5.8%; off-white solid). Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 3), m/z 538 (ES+,M+H), at 1.93 min. .sup.1H NMR: (400 MHz, DMSO) &: 1.23-1.16 (d, 3H, J=28.0 Hz), 1.82 (s, 2H), 2.29 (s, 4H), 2.82 (s, 4H), 3.14 (s, 2H), 4.74 (s, 1H), 5.39 (s, 1H) 7.24-7.21 (d, 3H, J=12 Hz), 7.42-7.35 (q, 5H), 7.80-7.69 (m, 4H).

Example 4: Synthesis of 4-(2-(2-(3-(4-hydroxy-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3-oxopropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoate (Compound 4)

##STR00056##

[0241] Step (i): Intermediate 4 from Example 1 (methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-(4-hydroxy-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3-oxopropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoate, 0.17 g, 0.34 mmol) was dissolved in Dioxane (3 mL) and water (2 mL). LiOH monohydrate (0.073 g, 1.74 mmol) was added at room temperature and allowed to stir at room temperature for 3 h. The reaction mixture was then partitioned between water (80 mL) and EtOAc (250 mL). Aqueous layer was further acidified with 4 N aqueous HCl (3 mL) to adjust pH up to 1 and extracted with EtOAc (250 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo to afford pure 4-(2-(2-(3-(4-hydroxy-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3-oxopropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoic acid (0.13 g, 79%) as white solid. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 1), m/z 473 (ES+, M+H), at 2.13 min.

[0242] Step (ii): 4-(2-(2-(3-(4-hydroxy-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3-oxopropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoic acid (0.130 g, 0.27 mmol) was dissolved in DMA (3 mL). Sulfamoyl chloride (0.095 g, 0.82 mmol) was added at room temperature and allowed to stir at room temperature for 3 h. The reaction mixture was then partitioned between water (70 mL) and EtOAc (30 mL). Aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (220 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo and the crude product was purified by gradient flash column chromatography product eluted at 0% to 5% methanol in DCM to afford pure 4-(2-(2-(3-(2-methyl-4-(sulfamoyloxy)-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3-oxopropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoic acid (0.15 g, 99%) as white solid. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 1), m/z 552 (ES+), at 2.14 min.

[0243] Step (iiia) (racemic method): 4-(2-(2-(3-(2-methyl-4-(sulfamoyloxy)-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3-oxopropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoic acid (0.03 g, 0.054 mmol) was dissolved in methanol (3 mL) and 10% palladium on carbon with 50% moisture (0.02 g) was added. H2 gas was purged through reaction mixture at room temperature for 2 h. After completion, the reaction mixture was filtered through celite bed, washed with MeOH (30 mL) and filtrate was concentrated in vacuo. Crude product was purified by gradient flash column chromatography (reverse phase, C18 silica), product eluted at 0% to 35% MeCN in water to afford 4-(2-(2-(3-hydroxy-3-(2-methyl-4-(sulfamoyloxy)-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl) propyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoic acid (0.010 g, 33%) as brown solid. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 1), m/z 554 (ES+, M+H), at 2.01 min. .sup.1H NMR: (400Mz, MeOD): 1.98-1.95 (t, 3H, J=6.4 Hz), 2.26 (s, 3H), 2.95-2.92 (m, 3H, J=6.8 Hz), 3.26 (s, 2H), 3.36 (s, 1H), 3.58-3.56 (m, 1H), 3.70-3.68 (m, 1H), 4.87-4.85 (d, 2H, J=6.4 Hz), 7.25-7.12 (m, 5H), 7.25 (s, 1H), 7.46-7.39 (m, 2H), 7.92 (s, 2H), 12.72 (s, 1H).

[0244] Step (iiib) (chiral separation method): 4-(2-(2-(3-(2-methyl-4-(sulfamoyloxy)-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3-oxopropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoic acid (0.10 g, 0.18 mmol) was dissolved in ethanol (3 mL) and water (2 mL) and CeCl.sub.3 (0.13 g, 0.54 mmol) was added to the reaction mixture. Reaction mixture was allowed to stir at 0 C. for 5 min. After this, sodium borohydride (0.027 g, 0.72 mmol) was added at 0 C. and reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The reaction mixture was then partitioned between water (30 mL) and EtOAc (220 mL). Aqueous layer was further acidified with 4 N aqueous HCl (3 mL), adjusted pH up to 1 and extracted with EtOAc (250 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo to provide the crude product.

[0245] Compounds 4R and 4S: Racemic Compound 4 was enantiomerically separated with a Schimadzu Prep-HPLC system (CROMEGACHIRAL CCJ 25 CM*20 mm, 5 m column) using a mobile phase that is 60% 0.1% FA in heptane and 40% a mixture of IPA and methanol (60:40) at a flow rate of 19.00 mL/min, and with no gradient. Isomer 1:(0.0057 g, 24%; white solid) Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 1), m/z 554 (ES+, M+H), at 2.02 min. Chiral HPLC: product purity was confirmed at 16.23 min. .sup.1H NMR: (400 MHZ, MeOD) :1.98-1.93 (m, 2H), 2.27 (s, 3H), 2.97-2.91 (m, 4H), 3.27-3.27 (m, 2H), 4.88-4.85 (t, 2H, J=6.4 Hz), 7.23-7.18 (m, 4H), 7.34-7.31 (m, 3H), 7.46-7.41 (m, 2H), 7.93-7.92 (d, 2H, J=6.8 Hz) 7.63-7.61 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz), 7.73-7.71 (d, 1H, J=7.6 Hz), 7.83-7.78 (m, 3H), 8.58-8.56 (t, 1H, J=5.2 Hz). Isomer 2: (0.0047 g, 26%; white solid) Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 1), m/z 554 (ES+, M+H), at 2.02 min. Chiral HPLC: product purity was confirmed at 10.62 min. .sup.1H NMR: (400 MHZ, MeOD) :1.98-193 (m, 3H), 2.27 (s, 3H), 2.97-2.93 (m, 4H), 3.27 (s, 2H), 4.88-4.85 (t, 2H, J=6.4 Hz), 7.24-7.25 (m, 4H), 7.31-7.29 (m, 2H), 7.34 (s, 1H), 7.46-7.39 (m, 2H) 7.93-7.91 (d, 2H, J=7.6 Hz), 8.51 (s, 1H).

Example 5: Synthesis of 4-(2-(2-(3-(4-carbamoyl-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3-hydroxypropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-2,6-difluorobenzoic acid (Compound 5)

##STR00057##

[0246] Step (i): Intermediate 2, methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-(3-bromophenyl)-3-hydroxypropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-2,6-difluorobenzoateate (0.20 g, 0.60 mmol), 3-methyl-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)benzamide (0.21 g, 0.79 mmol) and K.sub.2CO.sub.3 (0.17 g, 0.1.30 mmol) were dissolved in mixture of Dioxane: Water (1:1, 5 mL) and nitrogen gas was purged for 30 min at room temperature. After this, PdCl.sub.2 (dppf).DCM (0.099 g, 0.12 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was allowed to stir at 80 C. for 1 h. The reaction mixture was then partitioned between water (70 mL) and EtOAc (70 mL), aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (230 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo and the crude product was purified by reverse phase gradient flash column chromatography (reverse phase, C18 silica), product eluted at 0% to 28% MeCN in water to afford methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-(4-carbamoyl-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3-hydroxypropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-2,6-difluorobenzoate (0.29 g, 87%) as light brown solid. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 552 (ES+, M+H) at 1.92 min.

[0247] Step (ii): methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-(4-carbamoyl-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3-hydroxypropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-2,6-difluorobenzoate (0.29 g, 0.29 mmol) was dissolved in Dioxane (4 mL) and water (2 mL). LiOH (0.11 g, 0.88 mmol) was added at room temperature and allowed to stir at room temperature for 16 h. Reaction mixture was acidified with 4 N aqueous HCl (4 mL) to adjust the pH 1 and extracted with EtOAc (40 mL). The aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (330 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo and the crude product was purified by reverse phase gradient flash column chromatography (reverse phase, C18 silica), product eluted at 0% to 23% ACN in water to afford 4-(2-(2-(3-(4-carbamoyl-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3-hydroxypropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-2,6-difluorobenzoic acid (0.15 g, 53%) as an off-white solid. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 538 (ES+, M+H) at 1.49 min. .sup.1H NMR: (400 MHz, DMSO) :1.23 (s, 2H), 1.81-1.80 (d, 2H, J=4.8 Hz), 2.26 (s, 3H), 2.75 (s, 3H), 3.17-3.16 (d, 4H, 3.6 Hz), 4.12-4.11 (d, 1H, J=4.8 Hz), 4.71 (s, 1H), 5.47-5.46 (d, 1H, J=3.6 Hz), 6.75-6.73 (d, 2H, J=7.2 Hz), 7.25-7.22 (m, 2H), 7.37-7.33 (m, 2H), 7.43-7.39 (m, 2H), 7.76-7.74 (m, 1H), 7.82 (s, 1H), 8.02 (s, 1H).

[0248] Compounds 5R and 5S: The racemic mixture (70 mg) was enantiomerically separated with a Shimadzu Prep-HPLC system (CHROMEGACHIRAL CCO 250*25 mm, 5 m column) using a mobile phase that is 80% 0.1% FA in heptane and 20% a mixture of IPA and methanol (70:30) with no gradient, at a flow rate of 20.00 mL/min. Isomer 1:(0.038 g, 13%; white solid) Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 538 (ES+, M+H) at 1.59 min. Chiral HPLC: Product purity was confirmed at 14.48 min. .sup.1H NMR: (400 MHz, DMSO) :1.81-1.80 (d, 2H, J=6.4 Hz), 2.27 (s, 4H), 2.85 (s, 4H), 3.13-3.12 (d, 2H, J=5.6 Hz), 4.73 (s, 1H), 5.36 (s, 1H), 7.10-7.04 (m, 2H), 7.27-7.22 (m, 2H), 7.43-7.34 (m, 4H), 7.76-7.74 (m, 1H), 7.82 (s, 1H), 7.97 (s, 1H), 13.78 (s, 1H). Isomer 2: (0.052 g, 18%; off-white solid) Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 538 (ES+,M+H), at 1.60 min. Chiral HPLC: Product purity was confirmed at 10.50 min. .sup.1H NMR: (400 MHz, DMSO) :1.81-1.80 (d, 2H, J=5.6 Hz), 2.27 (s, 3H), 2.85 (s, 3H), 3.14-3.12 (d, 2H, 7.6 Hz), 4.72 (s, 1H), 5.37 (s, 1H), 7.06-7.04 (d, 2H, J=8.8 Hz), 7.27-7.22 (m, 2H), 7.43-7.34 (m, 4H), 7.76-7.74 (m, 1H), 7.82 (s, 1H), 7.97 (s, 1H), 13.79 (s, 1H).

Example 6: Synthesis of 2-hydroxy-4-(2-(2-(3-hydroxy-3-(2-methyl-4-sulfamoyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl) propyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoic acid (Compound 6)

##STR00058##

[0249] Step (i): Intermediate 3, methyl 4-(2-(2-(3-(3-bromophenyl)-3-hydroxypropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-2-hydroxybenzoate (0.15 g, 0.32 mmol), 3-methyl-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide (0.14 g, 0.47 mmol) and K.sub.2CO.sub.3 (0.89 g, 0.64 mmol) were dissolved in 4 mL of a 1:1 dioxane:water mixture. Nitrogen gas was purged for 30 min at room temperature. After this, PdCl.sub.2 (dppf).DCM (0.026 g, 0.032 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was allowed to stir at 80 C. for 1 h. The reaction mixture was then partitioned between water (50 mL) and EtOAc (50 mL). Aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (220 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo and the crude product was purified by gradient flash column chromatography (reverse phase, C18 silica), product eluted at 0% to 55% MeCN in water to afford methyl 2-hydroxy-4-(2-(2-(3-hydroxy-3-(2-methyl-4-sulfamoyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl) propyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoate (0.13 g, 73%) as white solid. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 568 (ES+), at 1.86 min.

[0250] Step (ii): methyl 2-hydroxy-4-(2-(2-(3-hydroxy-3-(2-methyl-4-sulfamoyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl) propyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoate (0.13 g, 0.23 mmol) was dissolved in 4 mL of a 1:1 dioxane:water mixture at room temperature, and LiOH monohydrate (0.048 g, 1.15 mmol) was added, and the reaction mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 3 h. The Reaction mixture was partitioned between water (30 mL) and EtOAc (250 mL). The aqueous layer was further acidified with 4 N aqueous HCl (2 mL) to adjust pH to 1, and then extracted with EtOAc (250 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo to afford pure 2-hydroxy-4-(2-(2-(3-hydroxy-3-(2-methyl-4-sulfamoyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl) propyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoic acid (0.050 g, 39%) as off white solid. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 554 (ES+, M+H), at 1.90 min.

[0251] Compounds 6R and 6S: Racemic Compound 6 (50 mg) was enantiomerically separated with a Waters Prep-HPLC system (CHIRALPAK AD-H 25010 mm 5 m column) using a mobile phase that was 80% 0.1% FA in heptane and 20% IPA: acetonitrile (70:30) with no gradient, at a flow rate of 7.00 mL/min. Isomer 1:(0.006 g, 4.7%; sticky solid) Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 554 (ES+, M+H), at 1.86 min. Chiral HPLC: Product purity was confirmed at 18.45 min. .sup.1H NMR: (400 MHZ, MeOD) :1.971-1.955 (d, 3H, J=6.4 Hz), 2.331 (s, 3H), 2.908-2.853 (m, 4H), 3.59-3.56 (t, 3H, J=4.8 Hz), 3.70-3.68 (t, 3H, J=4.6 Hz), 6.81 (s, 2H), 7.27-7.25 (d, 1H, J=7.2 Hz), 7.38-7.36 (d, 2H, J=8.0 Hz), 7.49-7.43 (m, 2H), 7.78-7.76 (d, 2H, J=7.6 Hz), 7.84 (s, 1H). Isomer 2: (0.007 g, 4.0%; sticky solid) Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 3), m/z 554 (ES+, M+H), at 1.87 min. Chiral HPLC: Product purity was confirmed at 29.47 min. .sup.1H NMR: (400 MHZ, MeOD) :1.99-1.96 (m, 3H), 2.33-2.30 (d, 3H, J=10.4 Hz), 2.91-2.86 (m, 4H), 3.58-3.56 (t, 2H, J=4.6 Hz), 3.70-3.68 (t, 2H, J=4.6 Hz), 6.82 (s, 2H), 7.27-7.25 (d, 1H, J=7.2 Hz), 7.38-7.36 (d, 2H, J=8.0 Hz), 7.49-7.43 (m, 2H), 7.78-7.76 (d, 2H, J=8.0 Hz), 7.83 (s, 1H).

Example 7: Synthesis of 4-(2-(2-(3-(4-carbamoyl-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3-hydroxypropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-2-hydroxybenzoic acid (Compound 7)

[0252] Compound 7 was synthesized by method described in Example 6 using 3-methyl-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)benzamide to give 4-(2-(2-(3-(4-carbamoyl-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl)-3-hydroxypropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)-2-hydroxybenzoic acid (0.075 g, 86%) as an off-white solid. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 518 (ES+, M+H), at 1.62 min.

[0253] Compounds 7R and 7S: Racemic Compound 7 (75 mg) was separated with a Waters Prep-HPLC system (CHIRALPAK AD-H 25010 mm 5 m column) using a mobile phase that was 75% 0.1% FA in heptane and 25% a mixture of IPA and acetonitrile (70:30) at a flow rate of 8.00 mL/min, with no gradient. Isomer 1:(0.016 g, 19%; off-white solid) Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 518 (ES+, M+H), at 1.74 min. Chiral HPLC: product purity was confirmed at 11.21 min. .sup.1H NMR: (400 MHz, DMSO) :1.81-1.80 (d, 2H, J=6.0 Hz), 2.27 (s, 3H), 2.54 (s, 1H), 2.80-2.7 (d, 4H, J=6.4 Hz), 3.153 (s, 3H), 4.74-4.71 (t, 1H, J=6.0 Hz), 5.32 (s, 1H), 6.78-6.74 (m, 2H) 7.27-7.22 (m, 2H), 7.36-7.33 (m, 2H), 7.43-7.38 (m, 2H), 7.68-7.66 (d, 1H, J=8.0 Hz), 7.76-7.73 (dd, 1H, J=1.6 Hz), 7.81 (s, 1H), 7.97 (s, 1H), 11.20 (s, 1H), 13.84 (s, 1H). Isomer 2: (0.025 g, 29%; off-white solid) Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 518 (ES+, M+H), at 1.73 min. Chiral HPLC: product purity was confirmed at 9.72 min. 1H NMR: (400 MHz, DMSO) :1.81-1.80 (d, 2H, J=6.4 Hz), 2.27 (s, 4H), 2.80 (s, 4H), 3.15-3.14 (d, 3H, J=6.4 Hz), 4.74-4.72 (d, 1H, J=6.0 Hz), 5.31 (s, 1H), 6.76-6.74 (d, 1H, J=8.4 Hz), 6.78 (s, 1H), 7.27-7.22 (m, 2H), 7.36-7.33 (m, 2H), 7.43-7.38 (m, 2H), 7.68-7.66 (d, 1H, J=8.0 Hz), 7.76-7.73 (dd, 1H, J=1.6 Hz), 7.81 (s, 1H), 7.97 (s, 1H), 11.20 (s, 1H), 13.84 (s, 1H).

Example 8: Synthesis of 2,6-difluoro-4-(2-(2-(3-hydroxy-3-(2-methyl-4-sulfamoyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl) propyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoic acid (Compound 8)

[0254] Compound (8) was synthesized by the method described in Example 5, using 3-methyl-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide to give 2,6-difluoro-4-(2-(2-(3-hydroxy-3-(2-methyl-4-sulfamoyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-3-yl) propyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzoic acid (0.040 g, 23%) as white solid. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 574 (ES+, M+H) at 1.58 min.

[0255] Compounds 8R and 8S: Racemic Compound (8) (40 mg) was enantiomerically separated with a Shimadzu Prep-HPLC system (CHROMEGACHIRAL CCO 250*25 mm, 5 m column) using a mobile phase that is 80% 0.1% FA in heptane and 20% a mixture of IPA and acetonitrile (70:30) with no gradient, and a flow rate of 22.00 mL/min. Isomer 1:(0.010 g, 5.7%; sticky gum) Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 574 (ES+, M+H) at 1.58 min. Chiral HPLC: Product purity was confirmed at 28.03 min. .sup.1H NMR: (400 MHZ, MeOD) :1.30 (s, 3H), 1.98-1.96 (d, 3H, J=6.0 Hz), 2.34 (s, 4H), 2.96-2.93 (t, 6H, J=6.6 Hz), 6.98-6.95 (d, 2H, J=9.2 Hz), 7.28-7.25 (m, 1H), 7.38-7.36 (m, 2H), 7.50-7.43 (m, 2H), 7.78-7.76 (dd, 1H, J=1.5 Hz), 7.84-7.84 (m, 1H). Isomer 2: (0.012 g, 6.8%; sticky gum) Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 574 (ES+, M+H), at 1.58 min. Chiral HPLC: Product purity was confirmed at 20.05 min. .sup.1H NMR: (400 MHZ, MeOD) :1.30 (s, 3H), 1.97-1.96 (d, 2H, J=5.6 Hz), 2.34-2.32 (m, 3H), 2.96-2.93 (t, 4H, J=6.4 Hz), 6.98-6.95 (d, 2H, J=9.2 Hz), 7.28-7.26 (m, 1H), 7.38-7.36 (m, 2H), 7.48-7.45 (m, 2H), 7.78-7.76 (dd, 1H, J=1.5 Hz), 7.84 (s, 1H).

Example 9: Synthesis of (3-(3-(2-(4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl) phenethyl)-3-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)-1-hydroxypropyl)-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-4-carboxamide (Compound 9)

##STR00059##

[0256] Step (i): 1-bromo-4-(2-bromoethyl)benzene (10.00 g, 38.18 mmol), tert-Butyl hydrazine carboxylate (7.57 g, 57.27 mmol), NaHCO.sub.3 (12.84 g, 15.27 mmol) and NaI (0.57 g, 3.82 mmol) were suspended in MeCN (100 mL) at room temperature and the reaction mixture was allowed to stir at 70 C. for 72 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated under vacuo and the residue was partitioned between water (1000 mL) and EtOAc (800 mL), aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (3500 mL). The organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo and the crude product was purified by gradient column chromatography (normal phase, silica), product was eluted at 0% to 15% EtOAc in hexane to afford tert-butyl 2-(4-bromophenethyl) hydrazine-1-carboxylate (5.0 g, 42%) as an off-white solid. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 260 (ES+, M+H-tBu) at 2.34 min.

[0257] Step (ii): tert-butyl 2-(4-bromophenethyl) hydrazine-1-carboxylate (5.00 g, 15.89 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (50 mL) at room temperature, and potassium carbonate (10.98 g, 79.47 mmol) was added, and allowed to stir at room temperature for 15 min. 3-Bromopropionyl chloride (2.40 mL, 23.56 mmol) was then added drop wise at room temperature and the reaction mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 24 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated under vacuo. Obtained residue was partitioned between water (500 mL) and EtOAc (400 mL), the aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (2300 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried over Na.sub.2SO.sub.4), and the solvent was removed in vacuo. The crude product was purified by gradient column chromatography (normal phase, silica), with 0% to 30% EtOAc in hexane to afford tert-butyl 2-(4-bromophenethyl)-3-oxopyrazolidine-1-carboxylate (4.0 g, 68%) as yellow sticky solid. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 313 (ES+, M+H-tBu), at 2.65 min.

[0258] Step (iii): tert-butyl 2-(4-bromophenethyl)-3-oxopyrazolidine-1-carboxylate (2.00 g, 5.43 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (20 mL). Nitrogen gas was purged at room temperature for 15 min. After this, zinc cyanide (1.28 g, 10.87 mmol) and tetrakistriphenylphosphine-palladium 0 (0.63 g. 0.54 mmol) were added and reaction mixture was allowed to stir at 150 C. for 1 h in microwave (reaction split over 4 reaction vials). The reaction mixture was partitioned between water (400 mL) and EtOAc (300 mL). Aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (2200 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo and the crude product was purified by reverse phase gradient flash column chromatography (reverse phase, C18 Silica), product eluted at 0% to 68% MeCN in water to afford 4-(2-(5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzonitrile (0.65 g, 41%) as yellow solid. Product was confirmed LCMS (Method 2), m/z 216 (ES+, M+H), at 1.63 min.

[0259] Step (iv): 4-(2-(5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl) (0.60 g, 2.79 mmol) and 1-(3-bromophenyl) prop-2-en-1-one (2.90 g, 13.95 mmol) were suspended in MeOH (6 mL) at room temperature and reaction mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 15 min. After this, TEA (2.00 mL, 13.95 mmol) was added at room temperature and allowed to stir at 60 C. for 4 h. The reaction mixture was partitioned between water (200 mL) and EtOAc (150 mL) and aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (2120 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo and crude product was purified by reverse phase gradient flash column chromatography (reverse phase, C18 silica), product eluted at 0% to 72% ACN in water to afford 4-(2-(2-(3-(3-bromophenyl)-3-oxopropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl) benzoate (0.50 g, 49%) as yellow oil. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 426 (ES+, M+H), at 2.58 min.

[0260] Step (v): 4-(2-(2-(3-(3-bromophenyl)-3-oxopropyl)-5-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)ethyl)benzonitrile (0.50 g, 1.18 mmol), 3-methyl-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)benzamide (0.46 g, 1.76 mmol) and K.sub.2CO.sub.3 (0.33 g, 2.35 mmol) were dissolved in 1,4-dioxane (5 mL) and water (5 mL). Nitrogen gas was purged at room temperature for 20 min. After this, PdC12 (dppf).DCM (0.096 g, 0.12 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was allowed to stir at 80 C. for 2 h. The reaction mixture was partitioned between water (200 mL) and EtOAc (150 mL). Aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (2100 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo and crude product was purified by reverse phase gradient flash column chromatography (reverse phase, C18 Silica), product eluted at 0% to 55% MeCN in water to afford 3-(3-(2-(4-cyanophenethyl)-3-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl) propanoyl)-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-4-carboxamide (0.25 g, 44%) as off-white solid. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 481 (ES+, M+H), at 2.18 min.

[0261] Step (vi) 3-(3-(2-(4-cyanophenethyl)-3-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl) propanoyl)-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-4-carboxamide (0.20 g, 0.42 mmol) was dissolved in ethanol (2 mL) and water (2 mL). After this, NaBH.sub.4 (0.03 g, 0.83 mmol) was added at 0 C. and allowed to stir at room temperature for 1 h. The reaction mixture was partitioned between water (50 mL) and EtOAc (50 mL) and aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (230 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo to afford pure 3-(3-(2-(4-cyanophenethyl)-3-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)-1-hydroxypropyl)-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-4-carboxamide (0.17 g, 85%) as off white solid. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 483 (ES+, M+H), at 2.14 min.

[0262] Step (vii): 3-(3-(2-(4-cyanophenethyl)-3-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)-1-hydroxypropyl)-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-4-carboxamide (0.17 g, 0.35 mmol) was suspended in DMF (2 mL) at room temperature, and sodium azide (0.24 g, 3.50 mmol) and ammonium chloride (0.20 g, 3.50 mmol) were added and allowed it to stir at 100 C. for 48 h. The reaction mixture was partitioned between water (70 mL) and EtOAc (50 mL) and aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (350 mL). Organic layers were combined and dried (Na.sub.2SO.sub.4). Solvent was removed in vacuo and the crude product was purified by reverse phase gradient flash column chromatography (reverse phase, C18 Silica), product eluted at 0% to 45% MeCN in water to afford (3-(3-(2-(4-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl) phenethyl)-3-oxopyrazolidin-1-yl)-1-hydroxypropyl)-2-methyl-[1,1-biphenyl]-4-carboxamide (0.10 g, 54%) as an off-white solid. Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 526 (ES+), at 1.91 min. Chiral HPLC: Product purity was confirmed at 13.67 min. and 15.68 min. .sup.1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO): 1.85-1.83 (d, 2H, J=6.4 Hz), 2.29 (s, 3H), 2.89-2.86 (m, 4H), 3.18 (S, 4H), 4.76 (S, 1H), 5.40 (m, 1H), 7.29-7.24 (m, 2H), 7.45-7.36 (m, 6H), 7.76-7.76 (d, 1H, J=1.2 Hz), 7.83 (s, 1H), 7.95-7.93 (d, 2H, J-8.0 Hz), 8.00 (s, 1H).

[0263] Compounds 9R and 9S: Racemic Compound 9 (90 mg) was enantiomerically separated with a Waters 600 Controller-HPLC system (CHIRALPAK_IG_SFC_21 mm*250 mm, 5 m column) using a mobile phase that is 90% heptane and 10% IPA and acetonitrile (70:30), with no gradient and a flow rate of 23.00 mL/min. Isomer 1:(0.028 g, 31%; white solid) Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 526 (ES+, M+H), at 1.75 min. Chiral HPLC: product purity was confirmed at 13.19 min. .sup.1H NMR: (400 MHz, DMSO) 1.82-1.81 (d, 2H, J-5.6 Hz), 2.10 (s, 3H), 2.87-2.83 (t, 4H, J=6.6 Hz), 3.15 (s, 4H), 4.73 (s, 1H), 5.36 (s, 1H), 7.26-7.22 (m, 2H), 7.42-7.33 (m, 6H), 7.75-7.73 (m, 1H), 7.81 (s, 1H), 7.92-7.90 (d, 2H, J=8.0 Hz), 7.97 (s, 1H). Isomer 2: (0.025 g, 28%; white solid) Product was confirmed by LCMS (Method 2), m/z 526 (ES+, M+H), at 1.76 min. Chiral HPLC: product purity was confirmed at 14.89 min. (98%). .sup.1H NMR: (400 MHz, DMSO): 1.82-1.81 (d, 2H, J=6.0 Hz), 2.26 (s, 3H), 2.83-2.66 (m, 4H), 3.07 (s, 4H), 4.73 (s, 1H), 5.37 (s, 1H), 7.43-7.22 (m, 8H), 7.75-7.73 (m, 1H), 7.80 (s, 1H), 7.90-7.89 (d, 2H, J=8.0 Hz), 7.98 (s, 1H).

Example 10: Biological Assays

[0264] Cloning, Baculovirus generation, large scale infection of HEK293 cells and membrane preparation: Human prostaglandin E2 receptor 4 (EP.sub.4) was cloned into pBacMam expression vector (GeneScript, UK). Transposition of EP.sub.4 DNA was performed using Invitrogen's Bac-to-Bac Baculovirus Expression Systems. P0 baculovirus was generated by transfecting SF9 Cells with bacmid DNA using Cellfectin II transfection reagent (ThermoFisher Scientific, UK). Following P0 generation P1 virus was then generated ready for large scale infection and membrane preparation. HEK293 cells were grown in DMEM (ThermoFisher Scientific, UK), supplemented with 10% heat inactivated fetal bovine serum (FBS). Cells were infected at a seeding density of 3.5 million cells/mL in 500 cm.sup.3 flasks at 5% v/v EP.sub.4 Bacman. Expression was carried out over a 36 hr period at 37 C. with 5% CO.sub.2. The cells were removed using PBS and a cell scrapper. The cell culture was centrifuged at 2500 RPM for 10 mins at 4 C. The supernatant was then poured off and the pellet stored at 80 C. The pellet was defrosted and re-suspended in 15 mL of homogenising buffer (20 mM HEPES, 10 mM EDTA, pH 7.4). Then homogenised in mechanical homogeniser (VMR) for 10 seconds. The membrane was centrifuged in centrifuge tubes at 40,000 g for 15 mins at 4 C. The supernatant was poured away and re-suspended in 15 mL of homogenising buffer. Homogenised for 20 seconds. The membrane was centrifuged at 40,000 g for 45 mins at 4 C. The membrane was re-suspended in 3 mL of storage buffer (20 mM HEPES, 0.1 mM EDTA, pH 7.4) mixing well. The resulting membranes were then stored at 80 C.

[0265] cAMP Gs Functional Assay: CAMP production following EP.sub.4 receptor activation was determined using the Homogeneous Time-Resolved Fluorescence (HTRF) CAMP dynamic-2 assay (Cisbio, France). HEK293 cells were transfected using a 0.5% EP.sub.4 Bacmam virus for 36 hours, before dissociating the cells, and freezing at 150 C.

[0266] On the day of testing, increasing concentration of test compounds, alongside positive controls (10 M PGE2 (Tocris, Abingdon, UK)) and negative control (DMSO (Sigma-Aldrich, UK) were added to a ProxiPlate-384 Plus, White 384-shallow well Mircoplate, (PerkinElmer, USA) using the ECHO dispense.

[0267] Cells were defrosted in a water bath and resuspended in DMEM supplemented with 10% FBS before centrifuging at 1200 RPM for 5 mins to form a pellet. The pellet was resuspended in assay buffer (DMEM+0.5 mM IBMX (Tocris, Abingdon, UK)) to 0.510.sup.6 cells/mL. Cell suspension, for a final assay concentration of 5000 cell/well was added using the multidrop to the pre-dispensed assay plate. The plate was then incubated at 37 C. for 30 mins, with 5% CO.sub.2. The CAMP production was determined as manufacturer's instructions, before plates were read on a PheraStar fluorescence plate reader (BMG LabTech, Germany).

[0268] The pEC50 values (Log M) were calculated from the mid-point of the curve using Dotmatics as shown in Table 2.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Activity (pEC.sub.50 and Emax values) of selected compounds of Formula (1) for the prostaglandin E.sub.2 receptor 4 (cAMP human EP.sub.4) cAMP human EP.sub.4 cAMP human EP.sub.4 Example pEC.sub.50 Emax 1; racemate 8.4 97 1; isomer 1 7.3 97 1; isomer 2 8.7 99 2; racemate 8.5 99 2; isomer 1 6.8 95 2; isomer 2 9.3 98 3; racemate 8.6 97 3; isomer 1 7.4 93 3; isomer 2 8.9 98 4; racemate 8.2 97 4; isomer 1 6.6 93 4; isomer 2 8.6 97 5; racemate 7.3 97 5; isomer 1 6.1 88 5; isomer 2 7.8 96 6; isomer 1 8.4 97 6; isomer 2 7.3 96 7; isomer 1 8.4 99 7; isomer 2 7 97 8; isomer 1 5.6 96 8; isomer 2 7.5 99 9; racemate 9.8 97 9; isomer 1 7.4 93 9; isomer 2 9.6 96

Unidirectional Caco-2 Cell Permeability Assay

[0269] Caco-2 cells (ECACC) were seeded onto 24-well Transwell plates at 210.sup.5 cells per well and used in confluent monolayers after a 21 day culture at 37 C. under 5% CO.sub.2. Test compounds were incubated at 10 M, 0.2% DMSO final, n=2 in assay buffer (Hanks balanced salt solution supplemented with 25 mM HEPES, adjusted to pH 6.5). Hanks balanced salt solution supplemented with 25 mM HEPES, adjusted to pH 7.4 (0.2% DMSO final) was used for the basolateral chamber (as receiver).

[0270] Incubations were performed at 37 C., with samples removed from both donor and acceptor chambers at T=0 and 1 hour and compound analysed by mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) including an analytical internal standard (0.5 M carbamazepine).

[0271] Apparent permeability (P.sub.app) values are shown in Table 3 and were determined from the relationship:

[00001]$P_{\mathrm{app}}=\frac{{\mathrm{Compound}}_{\mathrm{Acceptor}T=\mathrm{end}}/\left({\mathrm{Compound}}_{\mathrm{Donor}}{V}_{\mathrm{Donor}}\right)}{\mathrm{Incubation}\mathrm{Time}}\frac{V_{\mathrm{Donor}}}{\mathrm{Area}60{10}^{-6}\mathrm{cm}/s}$

[0272] Where V is the volume of each Transwell compartment (apical 125 L, basolateral 600 L), and concentrations are the relative MS responses for compound (normalized to internal standard) in the donor chamber before incubation and acceptor chamber at the end of the incubation Area=area of cells exposed for drug transfer (0.33 cm.sup.2).

[0273] Lucifer Yellow (LY) was added to the apical buffer in all wells to assess viability of the cell layer. As LY cannot freely permeate lipophilic barriers, a high degree of LY transport indicates poor integrity of the cell layer and wells with a LY P.sub.app>1010.sup.6 cm/s were rejected.

[0274] Compound recovery from the wells was determined from MS responses (normalized to internal standard) in donor and acceptor chambers at the end of incubation compared to response in the donor chamber pre-incubation.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Mean apparent permeability (P.sub.app) values Caco-2 Mean P.sub.app A-B Example (10.sup.6 cm/s) 1; racemate 0.68 1; isomer 1 0.86 2; isomer 1 <0.29 2; isomer 2 <0.47 3; racemate 0.3 3; isomer 1 0.23 3; isomer 2 0.72 4; isomer 1 0.3 4; isomer 2 0.67 5; isomer 2 <0.1 6; isomer 1 <0.1 7; isomer 1 <0.1 7; isomer 2 <0.1 8; isomer 2 <0.3 9; racemate <0.1 9; isomer 2 <0.1

[0275] It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims.

NUMBERED EMBODIMENTS

[0276] 1. A compound of the Formula I:

##STR00060##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or tautomer thereof, wherein; [0277] A is OR, C(O)R, CO.sub.2R, C(O)N(R).sub.2, C(O)N(R)S(O).sub.2R, S(O).sub.2R, S(O).sub.2OR, SO.sub.2N(R).sub.2, C.sub.1-8 alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl; [0278] X is halo, OR, COOR, or C.sub.1-6 alkyl; [0279] L and L are each independently a C.sub.2-4 alkylene; [0280] R.sup.1 is H, halo, CN, NO.sub.2, OR, SR, COOR, C.sub.1-6 alkoxy, or C.sub.1-6 alkyl; [0281] R.sup.2 is OR, OC(O)R.sup.3, OC(O)OR.sup.3, CO.sub.2R, CON(R).sub.2, SO.sub.2N(R).sub.2, SO.sub.2R.sup.3, OSO.sub.2R.sup.3, or OSO.sub.2N(R).sub.2; [0282] R.sup.3 is C.sub.1-6 alkyl, C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl, or a phenyl; [0283] R is H, C.sub.1-6 alkyl, or C.sub.3-6 cycloalkyl; and [0284] n is 0, 1, 2, or 3; [0285] wherein at each occurrence, alkyl, alkylene, alkoxy, and cycloalkyl are each optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of OH, SH, CN, NO.sub.2, COOH, halo, or COOC.sub.1-4 alkyl; [0286] wherein at each occurrence, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl are each optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of OR, SR, CN, NO.sub.2, CO.sub.2R, halo, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, or oxo.

[0287] 2. The compound according to embodiment 1, wherein the compound is a compound of Formula (1):

##STR00061##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or tautomer thereof, wherein A, X, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and n are the same as defined in embodiment 1.

[0288] 3. The compound according to embodiment 1 or embodiment 2, wherein A is selected from C(O)OR, C(O)N(R)S(O).sub.2R.sup.3, S(O).sub.2OR, C.sub.1-8 alkyl, heterocycloalkyl, or heteroaryl, wherein the heterocycloalkyl, and heteroaryl are each optionally and independently substituted with up to 3 instances of OR, SR, halo, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, or oxo.

[0289] 4. The compound according to embodiment 1 or embodiment 2, wherein A is selected from the group consisting of:

##STR00062##

[0290] 5. The compound according to any one of embodiments 1-4, wherein A is:

##STR00063##

[0291] 6. The compound according to any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein X is halo or OR.

[0292] 7. The compound according to embodiment 6, wherein X is F or OH, and n is 1, or 2.

[0293] 8. The compound according to any one of embodiments 1-7, wherein R.sup.1 is H, OH, halo, CN, C.sub.1-6 alkyl optionally substituted with 1-3 fluorine atoms or C.sub.1-6 alkyl optionally substituted with 1-3 fluorine atoms.

[0294] 9. The compound according to embodiment 8, wherein R.sup.1 is methyl.

[0295] 10. The compound according to any one of embodiments 1-9, wherein R.sup.2 is CON(R).sub.2, SO.sub.2N(R).sub.2, OSO.sub.2R.sup.3, or OSO.sub.2N(R).sub.2.

[0296] 11. The compound according to embodiment 10, wherein R.sup.2 is CONH.sub.2, SO.sub.2NH.sub.2, or OSO.sub.2NH.sub.2.

[0297] 12. The compound according to any one of embodiments 1-8 which is a compound of Formula (2a), (2b), (2c), or (2d):

##STR00064## ##STR00065##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or tautomer thereof, wherein X, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and n are the same as defined in embodiment 1.

[0298] 13. The compound according to embodiment 1, which is a compound of Formula (5), (5a), (5b), (6), (6a), (6b):

##STR00066## ##STR00067## ##STR00068##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

[0299] 14. The compound according to embodiment 1, wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of:

##STR00069## ##STR00070## ##STR00071##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

[0300] 15. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to any one of embodiments 1-14 and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

[0301] 16. The compound according to any one of embodiments 1 to 14 or composition according to embodiment 15, for use in the treatment of an EP4 receptor mediated disease.

[0302] 17. The compound or composition for use according to embodiment 16, wherein the EP4 receptor mediated disease is a gastrointestinal disorder.

[0303] 18. The compound or composition for use according to embodiment 17, wherein the gastrointestinal disorder is selected from the group consisting of constipation disorders, constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, mixed type irritable bowel syndrome, chronic idiopathic constipation, gastrointestinal symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease, gastrointestinal symptoms associated with cystic fibrosis, intestinal dysmotility, postoperative ileus, food allergy or food intolerance, celiac disease, gastrointestinal motility disorders, functional gastrointestinal disorders, drug induced enteropathy, NSAID induced gastric and intestinal injury, chemotherapy induced mucositis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), duodenogastric reflux, diarrhoeal diseases, immune mediated gastrointestinal diseases, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and ischemic colitis,

[0304] 19. The compound or composition for use according to embodiment 16, wherein the EP4 receptor mediated disease is pulmonary diseases or conditions.

[0305] 20. The compound or composition for use according to embodiment 19, wherein the pulmonary disease or condition is selected from chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, asthma, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, chronic idiopathic cough, hyperactive airway disorder, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.