AZACYCLYLBENZAMIDE DERIVATIVES AS HISTAMINE-3 ANTAGONISTS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The current invention relates to azacyclylbenzamide compounds, their use in modulation of the hιstamιne-3 (H ₃ ) receptor and treatment of a variety of central nervous system disorders related to or affected by the H ₃ receptor The invention also provides methods of synthesis and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the azacyclylbenzamide compounds

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The hιstamιne-3 (H ₃ ) receptor is one of four histamine receptor subtypes (H ₁ -H ₄ ), all of which are members of the G-protein-coupled receptor (GCPR) superfamily The H ₃ receptor is predominantly expressed in the central nervous system In the brain, it is located in regions associated with learning and memory such as the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and striatum The H ₃ receptor acts as both auto- and hetero-receptor to regulate the release of histamine and other neurotransmitters Within the cortex, the H ₃ receptor appears to directly modify GABA release from cortical interneurons Antagonism of the H ₃ receptor produces a decrease in GABA release and disinhibition of the cortical cholinergic system, resulting in increased acetylcholine levels (Bacciottini, L et al, Behavioral Brain Research, 124, 2001 , 183- 194) In addition to direct regulation of cholinergic neurotransmission, the H ₃ receptor has been shown to modulate the release of dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine (Leurs, R , et al, Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, 19, 1998, 177-183) Thus, H ₃ receptor blockade is able to elevate concentrations of a number of neurotransmitters, including histamine, acetylcholine dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and glutamate, and thus offers a means for targeting cognitive processes, which often rely on the integration of multiple neurotransmitter systems

H ₃ agonists have been reported to impair memory in various tasks, such as object recognition, passive avoidance (Blandina, P , et al, British Journal of Pharmacology, 119(8), 1996, 1656-1664) and social olfactory memory (Prast, H , et al, 734, 1996, 316-318), whereas H ₃ antagonists have been reported to rescue impairments produced pharmacologically or genetically Miyazaki, S , et al, Life Sciences, 61 , 1997, 355-361 , Meguro, K et al,

Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, 50, 1995, 321-325, Fox, G B , et al, Behaπoral Brain Research 131 , 2002 151-161 and Komater, V A , et al, Psychopharmacology, 167, 2003, 363-372

H ₃ receptors are targets for the control of arousal and vigilance as well as for the treatment of sleep disorders because they colocalize with histammergic neurons in brain regions that regulate the sleep-wake cycle and they modulate histamine release and levels in the CNS Passani et al Trends Pharmacol Sci 25, 618-25, 2004 The administration of selective H ₃

receptor agonists, such as R-rt-methylhistamine, increases sleep time and slow wave sleep in cats and rodents and produces sedation in the guinea pig, whereas H ₃ antagonists such as thioperamide increase wakefulness in cats and rats and decrease slow wave sleep and REM sleep in rats Monti et al Eur J Pharmacol 205, 283-287, 1991 and Esbenshade et al Molecular Interventions 6 77-88, 2006

Studies on memory consolidation and spatial memory impairments, which are particularly prevelant in AD and dimentia, have revealed that the H ₃ antagonist thioperamide improves recall in a mouse model of premature senescence as well as in spontaneously hypertensive rat pups, and also prevents scopolamine-induced amnesia Meguro et al Pharmacol Biochem Behav 50, 321-325, 1995 and Hancock et al Expert Opin Investig

Drugs 13, 1237-1248, 2004 Further, H ₃ receptor knockout mice are insensitive to the effects of scopolamine in an inhibitory avoidance paradigm, supporting a role for H ₃ receptor modulation of cholinergic function in memory acquisition Toyota et al MoI Pharmacol 62, 389-397, 2002 Impairments in social recognition memory are apparent in AD, but may also be relevant to social cognitive impairment in schizophrenia and ADHD Esbenshade et al Molecular Interventions 6 77-88, 2006 Social recognition tests have been used to show that the administration of selective histaminergic agonists enhances social memory, whereas recall is disrupted by the inhibition of histamine synthesis Prast et al Brain Res 734, 316-318, 1996 In particular, thioperamide as well as several other H ₃ receptor antagonists have been attributed with pro-cognitive effects Id In working memory impairments, prevalent in AD, ADHD, and schizophrenia, thioperamide reverses scopolamine-induced deficits Barbier et al Br J Pharmacol 143, 649-661 , 2004 and Fox et al J Pharmacol Exp Ther 305, 897-908, 2003 Thioperamide, ciproxifan, and GT-2331 , all H ₃ antagonists, are also efficacious in treating impulsivity associated with ADHD in spontaneous hypertensive rat pups Fox et al Behav Brain Res 131 , 151-161 , 2002

The H ₃ receptor is also involved in pathological processes in the 6-OHDA-lesιoned rat brain, a well-characterized model of Parkinson's disease Increased H ₃ receptor mRNA expression and binding may, for example, modulate GABAergic neuronal activity in dopamine- depleted striatum Anichtchik et al , European Journal of Neuroscience, 12 (11), 3823-3832 2000

Methamphetamine-induced hyperlocomotor activity, a behaviorally relevant model for psychosis, can be attenuated by ciproxifan in mice (Moπsset et al J Pharmacol Exp Ther 300, 621-628, 2002), as well as by the antipsychotic drug risperidone and the H ₃ receptor antagonist ABT-239 Fox et al J Pharmacol Exp Ther 313, 176-190 (2005) H ₃ antagonists, such as thioperamide have also been shown to reduce cumulative food consumption, weight gain and are suggested to have antidepressant activity Esbenshade et al supra and Perez-Garcia et al Psychopharmacologia, 142(2) 215-220 1999

Accordingly, there is significant neuroanatomical, neurochemical, pharmacological and behavioral data to support the use of H ₃ receptor antagonists for improving cognitive performance in disease states such as neurodegeneration, cognitive impairment Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, dementia, psychosis, depression attention deficit disorder (ADD)/attentιon deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia, obesity and sleep disorders

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide compounds which are inhibitors of the H ₃ receptor and are useful as therapeutic agents in the treatment of a variety of central nervous system disorders related to or affected by the H ₃ receptor It is another object of this invention to provide therapeutic methods and pharmaceutical compositions useful for the treatment of central nervous system disorders related to or affected by the H ₃ receptor It is a feature of this invention that the compounds provided may also be useful to further study and elucidate the H ₃ receptor

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an azacyclylbenzamide compound of formula I

(I)

wherein

X iS (CR ⁷ R ⁸ U CO Or SO ₂ , m is O or 1 , n is 1 , 2 or 3,

R ¹ is H, C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl, CrC ₆ haloalkyl, C ₃ -C ₁₀ cycloalkyl or a 3-10 membered cycloheteroalkyl each group optionally substituted,

R ² is H or CrC ₆ alkyl or C ₃ -C ₁₀ cycloalkyl each group optionally substituted, R ³ and R ⁴ are taken together with the atom to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted monocyclic 5-membered aromatic ring system optionally containing one or two additional heteroatoms selected from N, O or S or an optionally substituted fused bicyclic or tricyclic 9- to 15-membered aromatic ring system optionally containing one to three additional heteroatoms selected from N, O or S, and

R ⁵ and R ⁶ are each independently H, halogen or CrC ₆ alky!, C ₃ -Ci ₀ cycloalkyl or Ci-C ₆ alkoxy each optionally substituted, or R ⁵ and R ⁶ are taken together with the atoms to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted phenyl ring, R ⁷ and R ⁸ are each independently H, halogen or C _r C ₆ alky! or C ₃ -Ci ₀ cycloalkyl each group optionally substituted, or a stereoisomer, tautomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof In a more particular embodiment thereof, if R ² is H or R ³ and R ⁴ are taken together to form a tricyclic aromatic ring system, then n is not 2

The present invention also provides methods and compositions useful for the therapeutic treatment of central nervous system disorders related to or affected by the Histamine- 3 receptor

Another embodiment of the present invention provides use of a composition of any one of the embodiments described herein for the treatment of a central nervous system disorder related to or affected by the H ₃ receptor More particularly, the present invention provides for use of a compound of any one of the embodiments described herein for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a central nervous system disorder related to or affected by the H ₃ receptor

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by a progressive loss of memory and cognitive function and is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly AD is believed to affect approximately 15-20 million people worldwide The goal of treatment in AD, in addition to reversing the disease process, is to improve or at least slow the loss of memory and cognition and to maintain independent function in patients with mild to moderate disease AD is characterized by numerous deficits in neurotransmitter function (Moller, H-J , European

Neuropsychopharmacology 9, 1999, S53-S59), further a postmortem study in humans suggests that a decrease in brain histamine levels may contribute to the cognitive decline associated with AD directly or through the cholinergic system (Panula, P , et ai, Neuroscience, 82, 1998, 993- 997) Hιstamιne-3 (H ₃ ) receptor antagonists have been reported to rescue impairments produced pharmacologically or genetically (Miyazaki, S , et al, Life Sciences, 61, 1997, 355-361 , Meguro, K , et al Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior 50, 1995, 321-325, Fox, G B , et al Beharioral Brain Research, 131 , 2002, 151-161 , and Komater, V A . et al,

Psychopharmacology, 167 2003, 363-372) Neuroanatomical, neurochemical, pharmacological and behavioral data support the belief that H ₃ receptor antagonists may improve cognitive performance in disease states such as mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease and may have therapeutic value in the treatment of attention deficit disorder (ADD)/attentιon deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia, dementia, psychosis, depression, Parkinson's disease, obesity and sleep disorders To that end, compounds which inhibit the H ₃ receptor and act as H ₃ antagonists are earnestly sought

Surprisingly it has now been found that azacyclylbenzamide compounds of formula I demonstrate H ₃ affinity along with significant sub-type selectivity and function as H ₃ antagonists Advantageously said formula I compounds are effective therapeutic agents for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders associated with or affected by the H ₃ receptor Accordingly, the present invention provides an azacyclylbenzamide compound of formula I

(I) wherein

X is (CR ⁷ R ⁸ ) _m , CO or SO ₂ , m is O or 1 , n is 1 , 2 or 3,

R ¹ is an alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl or cycloheteroalkyl group each group optionally substituted,

R ² is H or an alkyl or cycloalkyl group each group optionally substituted R ³ and R ⁴ are taken together with the atom to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted monocyclic 5-membered aromatic ring system optionally containing one or two additional heteroatoms selected from N, O or S or an optionally substituted fused bicyclic or tricyclic 9- to 15-membered aromatic ring system optionally containing one to three additional heteroatoms selected from N, O or S, and

R ⁵ and R ⁶ are each independently H, halogen or an alkyl cycloalkyl or a CrC ₆ alkoxy group each optionally substituted, or R ⁵ and R ⁶ are taken together with the atoms to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted phenyl ring,

R ^' and R ⁸ are each independently H, halogen or an afkyl or cycloalkyl group each group optionally substituted, or a stereoisomer thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof

In a more particular embodiment thereof, R ⁵ and R ⁶ are both H

Particular compounds of the invention include those compounds of formula I wherein n is 1 or 2 Another group of compounds is those of formula I compounds wherein X is (CR ⁷ R ⁸ ) _m Also preferred are those formula I compounds wherein R ³ and R ⁴ are taken together with the atom to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted benzimidazole, pyrazole, indazole or indole ring system

More particular compounds of the invention are those compounds of formula I wherein R ¹ is isopropyl or C ₃ -C ₆ cycloalkyl, X is (CR ⁷ R ⁸ ) _m , and R ⁷ and R ⁸ are each independently H or CH ₃ Another group of compounds are those compounds of formula I wherein n is 1 or 2, R ¹ is isopropyl or Ca-Cecycloalkyl, X is (CR ⁷ R ⁸ ) _m , and R ⁷ and R ⁸ are each independently H or CH3 A further group of compounds are those compounds of formula I wherein n is 1 or 2, R ¹ is isopropyl or C ₃ -Ce cycloalkyl, and R ³ and R ⁴ are taken together with the atom to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted benzimidazole, indazole, pyrazole or indole ring system In another embodiment of the compound of formula (I)

X is (CR ⁷ R ⁸ ) _m , CO or SO ₂ , m is O or 1 , n is 1 , 2 or 3,

R ¹ is H, C ₁ -C ₆ alky!, Ci-C ₆ haloalkyl, C ₃ -Ci ₀ cycloalkyl or a 3-10 membered cycloheteroalkyl each group optionally substituted,

R ² is H or CrC ₆ alkyl or C ₃ -C ₁₀ cycloalkyl each group optionally substituted, R ³ and R ⁴ are taken together with the atom to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted monocyclic 5-membered aromatic ring system optionally containing one or two additional heteroatoms selected from N, O or S or an optionally substituted fused bicyclic or tricyclic 9- to 15-membered aromatic ring system optionally containing one to three additional heteroatoms selected from N, O or S, and R ⁵ and R ⁶ are each independently H, halogen or C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl or C ₃ -Ci ₀ cycloalkyl or d-

C ₆ alkoxy each optionally substituted, or R ⁵ and R ⁶ are taken together with the atoms to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted phenyl ring,

R ⁷ and R ⁸ are each independently H, halogen or CrCe alkyl or C ₃ -Ci _O cycloalkyl each group optionally substituted, or a stereoisomer, tautomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, provided that if R ² is H or R ³ and R ⁴ are taken together to form a tricyclic aromatic ring system, then n is not 2

In another embodimert, n is 1 or 2 In another embodiment, X is (CR ⁷ R ⁸ ) _m More particularly, wherein m is 0 Alternatively, m is 1 and R ⁷ and R ⁸ are both H

In another more particular embodiment of the compound of formula I, R ³ and R ⁴ are taken together with the atom to which they are attached to form the structure of formula IA

wherein, q is O, 1 , 2 or 3,

V and W are independently N or CR ¹⁰ ,

R ⁹ is independently halo, nitro cyano, hydroxy, S(O) _P R ^d , -N(R ^a ) ₂ C _r C ₆ alkyl, C ₁ -C ₆ acyl, C ₁ -C ₆ alkoxy, Ce-C _1O aryl, a 5-7 membered heteroaryl or heterocyclyl group, or C ₃ -C ₆ cycloalkyl, wherein each C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl, C ₁ -C ₆ acyl, C ₁ -C ₆ alkoxy, C ₆ -C ₁₀ aryl 5-7 membered heteroaryl or heterocyclyl group, or Cj-C ₆ cycloalkyl is substituted with 0-4 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of CrC ₄ alkyl, C ₃ -C ₆ cycloakyl, C ₂ -C ₆ alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ alkynyl, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, phenyl, a 5-7 membered heterorcyclyl or heteroaryl ring -N(R ^a ) _t , - C(O)R ^b -OR ^C and -S(O) _P R ^d , R ¹⁰ is independently H, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, S(O) _p R ^d , -N(R ^a ) ₂ , C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl, C ₁ -C ₆ acyl, C ₁ -C ₆ alkoxy, Cg-C _1O aryl, a 5-7 membered heteroaryl or heterocyclyl group, or Cs-Ce cycloalkyl wherein each C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl, C ₁ -C ₆ acyl C ₁ -C ₆ alkoxy, C ₆ -C ₁₀ aryl, 5-7 membered heteroaryl or heterocyclyl group, or C ₃ -C ₆ cycloalkyl is substituted with 0-4 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl, C ₃ -C ₆ cycloakyl C ₂ -C ₅ alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ alkynyl, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, phenyl, a 5-7 membered heterorcyclyl or heteroaryl ring, -N(R ^a ) _t , -C(O)R ^b -OR ⁰ and -S(O) _p R ^d , each R ^a is independently H, C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl, -CHO, -C(O)(C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl) or -CO ₂ (C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl), each R ^b is independently H, -OH -0(C ₁ -C ₄ ), C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl, -NH ₂ , -NH(C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl) or -N(C ₁ - C ₄ alkyOz, each R ^c is independently H C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl, C ₁ -C ₄ haloalkyl, -CHO or -C(O)(C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl), each R ^d is independently H C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl or -OH, and each p is independently 0, 1 or 2

In another embodiment of the structure of formula IA, q is O In another embodiment, W is N and V is CR ¹⁰ More particularly, R ¹⁰ is C ₁ -C ₃ alkyl, more particular still, methyl In another embodiment, V is N and W is CR ¹⁰ More particularly, R ¹⁰ is H In another embodiment, R ² is methyl or ethyl

In another embodiment of the compound of formula I R ³ and R ⁴ are taken together with the atom to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted pyrazole, benzimidazole, indazole or indole ring system In another embodiment R ¹ is C ₁ -Ce alkyl or C ₃ -C ₆ cycloalkyl In another embodiment, R ¹ is methyl ethyl, propyl or isopropyl

In a more particular embodiment m is O, or R ³ and R ⁴ combine to form the structure of formula IA or IB, or R ¹ is methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl cyclopentylmethyl cyclohexylmethyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, tetrahydropyran-4-yl, bιcyclo[2 2 1 Jhept-2-yl, or adamantan-2-yl or R ² is C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl, preferably methyl or ethyl

In another embodiment, q is 1 and R ⁹ is methoxy

In another embodiment, R ³ and R ⁴ are taken together with the atom to which they are attached to form the structure of formula IB

IB wherein, q is 0, 1 , 2 or 3, and

R ⁹ is independently halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, S(O) _p R ^d , -N(R ^a ) ₂ Ci-C ₆ alkyl, CrC ₆ acyl, CrC ₆ alkoxy C ₆ -C ₁₀ aryl, a 5-7 membered heteroaryl or heterocyclyl group, or C ₃ -C ₆ cycloalkyl wherein each CrC ₆ alkyl, CrC ₆ acyl, C ₁ -C ₆ alkoxy, C ₆ -Ci _O aryl 5-7 membered heteroaryl or heterocyclyl group, or C ₃ -C ₆ cycloalkyl is substituted with 0-4 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of C-C ₄ alkyl, C ₃ -C ₆ cycloakyl, C ₂ -C ₆ alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ alkynyl, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, phenyl, a 5-7 membered heterorcyclyl or heteroaryl ring -N(R ^a ) _t , - C(O)R ^b -OR ^C and -S(O) _p R ^d , each R ^a is independently H, C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl, -CHO, -C(O)(C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl) Or -CO ₂ (C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl), each R ^b is independently H, -OH, -0(C ₁ -C ₄ ), C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl, -NH ₂ , -NH(CrC ₄ alkyl) or -N(C ₁ -

C ₄ alkyl) ₂ , each R ^c is independently H, CrC ₄ alkyl, C ₁ -C ₄ haloalkyl -CHO Or -C(O)(C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl), each R ^d is independently H, CrC ₄ alkyl or -OH, and each p is independently O, 1 or 2 In another embodiment q is O

In another embodiment, R ¹ is methyl, ethyl propyl, isopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, tetrahydropyran-4-yl, bιcyclo[2 2 1]hept-2-yl, or adamantan-2-yl

Another aspect of the invention provides a compound of formula

wherein X is (CH ₂ ) _mi m is O or 1 ,

n is 1 or 2,

R ¹ is CrC ₆ alkyl or C ₃ -C ₆ cycloalkyl each group optionally substituted, R ² is H or C _r C ₆ alkyl, and

R ³ and R ⁴ are taken together with the atom to which they are attached to form an 5 optionally substituted monocyclic 5-membered aromatic ring system optionally containing one or two additional heteroatoms selected from N, O or S or an optionally substituted fused bicyclic aromatic ring system optionally containing one to three additional heteroatoms selected from N, O or S, or a stereoisomer, tautomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof O Another aspect of the invention provides a compound of formula

wherein X is (CH ₂ ) _m , m is 0 or 1 , R ¹ is CrC ₆ alkyl or C ₃ -C ₆ cycloalkyl each group optionally substituted,

R ² is H or C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl, and

R ³ and R ⁴ are taken together with the atom to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted monocyclic 5-membered aromatic ring system optionally containing one or two additional heteroatoms selected from N, O or S or an optionally substituted fused bicyclic aromatic ring system optionally containing one to three additional heteroatoms selected from N, O or S; or a stereoisomer, tautomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof Another aspect of the invention provides a compound of formula

wherein

X is (CH ₂ ) _m , m is 0 or 1 ,

R ¹ is CrC ₆ alkyl or C ₃ -C ₆ cycloalkyl each group optionally substituted

R ² is H or C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl, q ι s 0, 1 , 2 or 3,

V and W are independently N or CR ¹⁰ ,

R ⁹ is independently halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, S(O) _p R ^d , -N(R ^a ) ₂ , C ₁ -C ₆ alky!, Ci-C ₆ acyl, C ₁ -C ₀ alkoxy, C ₆ -C ₁₀ aryl a 5-7 membered heteroaryl or heterocyclyl group, or C ₃ -C ₆ cycloalkyl, wherein each C ₁ -C ₆ atkyl, C ₁ -C ₆ acyl, C ₁ -Ce alkoxy, C ₆ -C ₁₀ aryl, 5-7 membered heteroaryl or heterocyclyl group, or C ₃ -C ₆ cycloalkyl is substituted with 0-4 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl, C ₃ -C ₈ cycloakyl, C ₂ -C ₆ alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ alkynyl, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, phenyl, a 5-7 membered heterorcyclyl or heteroaryl ring, -N(R ^a ) _t , - C(O)R ^b , -OR ^C and -S(O) _p R ^d ,

R ¹⁰ is independently H, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy S(O) _p R ^d , -N(R ^a ) _2l C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl, C ₁ -C ₆ acyl, C ₁ -C ₆ alkoxy, C ₆ -C _1O aryl, a 5-7 membered heteroaryl or heterocyclyl group, or Cj-C ₆ cycloalkyl, wherein each C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl, C ₁ -C ₆ acyl, C ₁ -C ₆ alkoxy, C ₆ -C _1O aryl, 5-7 membered heteroaryl or heterocyclyl group, or C ₃ -Cg cycloalkyl is substituted with 0-4 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl, C ₃ -C ₆ cycloakyl, C ₂ -C ₆ alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ alkynyl, halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, phenyl, a 5-7 membered heterorcyclyl or heteroaryl ring, -N(R ^a ) _t , -C(O)R ^b , -OR ⁰ and -S(O) _p R ^d , each R ^a is independently H, C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl -CHO, -C(O)(CrC ₄ alkyl) or -CO ₂ (C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl), each R ^b is independently H, -OH, -0(C ₁ -C ₄ ), C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl, -NH ₂ , -NH(C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl) or -N(C ₁ - C ₄ alkyl) ₂ ; each R ^c is independently H, C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl, C _r C ₄ haloalkyl, -CHO or -C(O)(C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl), each R ^d is independently H, C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl or -OH, and each p is independently 0, 1 or 2, or a stereoisomer tautomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof In another embodiment, q is 1 and R ⁹ is methoxy

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a compound selected from the group consisting essentially of N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-[(3R)-pyrrol� �dιn-3-yl]benzamιde

N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-[(3S)-pyrr olιdιn-3-yl]benzamιde N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-pιperιdιn-4-ylbenzamιde N-methyl-4-[(2-methyl- 1 H-benzimidazol- 1 -yl)methyl]-N-[(3R)-pyrrolιdιn-3-yl]benzamιde 4-(1H-benzιmιdazol-1-ylmethyl)-N-methyl-N-[(3R)-pyrrolιd� �n-3-yl]benzamιde N-methyl-4-[(2-methyl- 1 H-benzimidazol- 1 -yl)methyl]-N-pιperιdιn-4-ylbenzamιde

4-(1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-ylmethyl)-N-methyl-N-pιperιdm-4-ylbenza mιde 4-(5-cyano-2-methyl-1H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-methyl-N-[(3R) -pyrrolfdιn-3-yl]benzamιde 4-(1 H-indazol-1 -yl)-N-methyl-N-[(3R)-pyrrolidin-3-yl]benzamide 4-(2H-ιndazol-2-yl)-N-methyl-N-[(3R)-pyrrolιdιn-3-yl]benz amιde 4-(2H-ιndazol-2-yl)-N-methyl-N-pιpeπdιn-4-ylbenzarnιde

4-( 1 H-indazol- 1 -yl)-N-methyl-N-pιperιdιn-4-ylbenzamιde 4-(1H-ιndazol-1-ylmethyl)-N-methyl-N-[(3R)-pyrrolιdιn-3-y l]benzamιde

4-(1 H-ιndazol-1-ylmethyl)-N-methyl-N-pιperιdιn-4-ylbenzamιd e

N-methyl-4-(1 H-pyrazol-1-yl)-N-[(3R)-pyrrolidin-3-yl]benzamide N-methyl-N-pιperιdιn-4-yl-4-(1 H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzamιde N-methyl-4-f1 H-pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)-N-[(3R)-pyrrolιdιn-3-yl]benzamιde N~methyl-N-pιpeπdιn-4-yl-4-( 1 H-pyrazol- 1 -ylmethyl)benzamιde

4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-[(3R)-pyrrolιdιn-3-yl]benzamιde N-ethyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-[(3R)-pyrrolιdιn-3-yl]benzamιde

N-[(3R)-1-ιsobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-methyl-4-(2-methy l-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)benzamιde N-[(3R)-1-cyclohexylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-methyl-4-(2-methyl- 1 H-benzιmιdazol-1- yl)benzamιde

N-[(3R)-1-ethylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-methyl-4-(2*methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1 -yl)benzamιde N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-[(3R)-1-propylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]ben zamιde N-[(3R)-1-(cyclopropylmethyl)pyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-methyl-4-( 2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1- yl)benzamιde N-[(3R)- 1 -(cyclopentylmethyl)pyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-methyl-4-(2-methyl- 1 H-benzimidazol- 1 - yl)benzamιde

N-[(3R)- 1 -(cyclohexylmethyl)pyrrolidin-3-yl]-N-methyl-4-(2-methyl- 1 H-benzimidazol- 1 - yl)benzamιde

N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-[(3R)-1-methylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]ben zamιde N-[(3R)-1-ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-methyl-4-(2-methyl- 1H-benzιmιdazol-1- yl)benzamιde

N-[(3R)-1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-methyl-4-(2-meth yl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1- yl)benzamιde

N-[(3R)-1-cyclopentylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-methyl-4-(2-met hyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1- yl)benzamιde

N-[(3R)-1-cycloheptylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-methyl-4-(2-met hyl-1H-benzιmιdazol-1- yl)benzamιde

N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-y!)-N-[(3R)-1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4- yl)pyrrolιdιn-3-yl]benzamιde N-[(3R)-1-bιcyclo[2 2 1]hept-2-ylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1- yl)benzamιde

N-[(3R)-1-adamantan-2-ylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-methyl-4-(2- methyl-1H-benzιmιdazol-1- yl)benzamιde

N-[(3S)-1-ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-methyl-4-(2-meth yl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1- yl)benzamide

N-[(3S)-1-cyc!obutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-methyl-4-(2-meth yl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1- yl)benzamιde

N-[(3S)-1-cyclopentylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-methyl-4-(2-met hyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1- yl)benzamιde

N-[(3S)-1-cyclohexylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-methyl-4-(2-meth yl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1- yl)benzamιde N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1 -yl)-N-[(3S)-1-(3-methylcyclopentyl)pyrrolιdιn-3- yljbenzamide

N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-{(3S)-1-[(3R)-3- methylcyclopentyl]pyrrolιdιn-3-yl}benzamιde

N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-[(3S)-1-(2 -methylcyclohexyl)pyrrolιdιn-3- yl]beπzamιde

N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-{(3S)-1-[(3R)-3- methylcyclohexyl]pyrrolιdιn-3-yl}benzamιde

N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzimidazol-1-yl)-N-[(3S)-1-(3-methylcyclohexyl)pyrrolidi n-3- yljbenzamide N-[(3S)-1-(cyclopropylmethyl)pyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-methyl-4-( 2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1- yl)benzamide N-(1-ιsopropylpipeπdιn-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1H-benz imιdazol-1-yl)benzamide

N-(1-cyclopentylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)benzamιde N-(1-cyclohexylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)benzamιde N-(1-cyclobutylpιpeπdιn-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)benzamιde

N-[(3R)-1-ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-methyl-4-[(2-met hyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl]benzamιde

N-^SR^I-cyclobutylpyrrolidin-S-yO-N-methyl^-p-methyl-I H-benzimidazol-i- yl)methyl]benzamιde N-[(3R)-1-cyclopentylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-methyl-4-[(2-methy l-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl]benzamιde

N-[(3R)-1-cyclohexylpyrrolidin-3-yl]-N-methyl-4-[(2-methy l-1 H-benzimidazol-1- yl)methyl]benzamιde

4-(1H-benzιmιdazol-1-ylmethyl)-N-[(3R)-1-ιsopropylpyrr olιdm-3-yl]-N-methylbenzamιde 4-(1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-ylmethyl)-N-[(3R)-1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdin -3-yl]-N-methylbenzamιde

4-(1H-benzιmιdazol-1-ylmethyl)-N-[(3R)-1-cyclopentylpyr rolidιn-3-yl]-N-methylbenzamιde N-(1-ιsopropylpipeπdιn-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-[(2-methyl-1H-ben zιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl]benzamιde

N^I-cyclobutylpiperidiπ^-ylJ-N-methyl^-^-methyl-I H-benzimidazol-i- yl)methyl]benzamιde

N^I-cyclopentylpipeπdin^-y^-N-methyM-p-methyl-IH-benzimi dazol-i- yl)methyl]benzamιde

4-( 1 H-benzimidazol- 1 -ylmethyl)-N-( 1 -ιsopropylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-N-methylbenzamιde ^(I H-benzimidazol-i-ylmethyO-N^I-cyclobutylpipeπdin-φyO-N-met hylbenzamide 4-(1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-ylmethyl)-N-(1-cyclopentylpιperιdιn-4- yl)-N-methylbenzamιde 4-(5-cyano-2-methyl-1H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-[(3R)-1-ιsopr opylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N- methylbenzamide

4-(5-cyano-2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-[(3R)-1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl ]-N- methylbenzamide

4-(5-cyano-2-methyl-1H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-[(3R)-1-cyc lopentylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N- methylbeπzamide 4-(2H-ιndazol-2-yl)-N-[(3R)-1 -ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-methylbenzamιde

N-[(3R)-1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-4-(2H-ιndazol-2-y l)-N-methylbenzamιde N-[(3R)-1-cyclopentylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-4-(2H-ιndazol-2-yl) -N-methylbenzamιde 4-(1H-ιndazol-1-yl)-N-[(3R)-1-ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]- N-methylbenzamιde N-pR^I-cyclobutylpyrrolidin-S-ylH^I H-indazol-i-yO-N-methylbenzamide N-pRJ-i-cyclopentylpyrrolidin-S-ylH-CI H-indazol-i-y^-N-methylbenzamide

4-(2H-ιndazol-2-yl)-N-(1-ιsopropylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-N- methylbenzamιde N-(1-cyclobutylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-4-(2H-ιndazol-2-yl)-N-met hylbenzamιde N-(1-cyclopentylpιpeπdιn-4-yl)-4-(2H-ιndazol-2-yl)-N-met hylbenzamιde 4-(1H-ιndazol-1-yl)-N-(1-ιsopropylpιpeπdιn-4-yl)-N-meth ylbenzamιde N^I-cyclobutylpipeπdin^-ylH-CIH-indazol-i-yO-N-methylbenzam ide

N-(1-cyclopentylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-4-(1H-ιndazol-1-yl)-N -methylbenzamιde 4-(1 H-ιndazol-1-ylmethyl)-N-[(3R)-1-ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl ]-N-methylbenzamιde N-[(3R)-1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-4-(1 H-ιndazol-1-ylmethyl)-N-methylbenzamιde N-pRJ-i-cyclopentylpyrrolidin-S-ylJ^I H-indazol-i-ylmethyO-N-methylbenzamide 4-(1H-ιndazol-1-ylmethyl)-N-(1-ιsopropylpιperιdιn-4-yl) -N-methylbenzamιde

N^I -cyclobutylpiperidin^-ylH-fiH-indazol-i-ylmethyO-N-methylben zamfde N-fi-cyclopentylpiperidin^-ylJ^-tiH-indazol-i-ylmethyO-N-met hylbenzamide N-[(3R)-1-ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-methyl-4-(1H-pyrazo l-1-yl)benzamιde N-PRJ-i-cyclobutylpyrrolidin-S-ylJ-N-methyl^^iH-pyrazol-i-yO benzamidβ N-[(3R)-1-cyclopentylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-methyl-4-(1 H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzamιde

N-(1-ιsopropylpιpeπdιn-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-(1H-pyrazol-1 -yl)benzamιde N-( 1 -cyclobutylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-( 1 H-pyrazol- 1 -yl)benzamιde N^I-cyclopentylpipeπdin^-ylJ-N-methyM-CI H-pyrazol-i-ylJbenzamide

N-methyl-N-[(3R)-1-(1 -methylethyl)pyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-4-(1H-pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)ben zamιde N-[(3R)-1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-methyl-4-(1 H-pyrazol- 1 -ylmethyl)benzamιde

N-[(3R)- 1 -cyclopentylpyrrolιdin-3-yl]-N-methyl-4-( 1 H-pyrazol- 1 -ylmethyl)benzamιde N-methyl-N-[1-(1-methylethyl)pιperιdιn-4-yl]-4-(1H-pyrazo l-1-ylmethyl)benzamιde

N-(1-cyclobutylpιpeπdιn-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-(1 H-pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)benzamιde N-(1-cyclopentylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-(1 H-pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)benzamιde

3-fluoro-N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-[(3R)-1-(1-methylethyl)pyrrolιdιn -

3-yl]benzamιde N-[(3R)-1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-3-fluoro-N-methyl-4-( 2-methyl-1H-benzιmιdazol-1- yl)benzamιde

N 3-dιmethyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-[(3R)-1-(1-methylethyl)pyrrolιdιn -3- yljbenzamide

N-[(3R)-1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N,3-dιmethyl-4-(2 -methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1- yl)benzamιde

3-methoxy-N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1H-benzιmιdazoI-1-yl)-N- [(3R)-1-(1- methylethyl)pyrrolιdιn-3-yl]benzamιde

N-[(3R)-1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-3-methoxy-N-methyl -4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1- yl)benzamιde 3-fluoro-N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-[1-(1-methylethyl)pιperιdιn-4- yljbenzamide

N-(1-cyclopentylp!peridin-4-yl)-3-fluoro-N-methyl-4-(2-me thyl-1 H-benzimidazoI-1- yl)benzamιde

2-chloro-N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-[1-(1-methylethyl)pιpeπdιn-4- yljbenzamide

2-chloro-N-(1-cyclopentylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-(2 -methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1- yl)benzamιde

N,3-dιmethyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-[1-(1-methylethyl)pιperιdιn-4- yljbenzamide N-(1-cyclopentylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-N,3-dιmethyl-4-(2-methyl -1 H-benzιmιdazol-1- yl)benzamιde

3-methoxy-N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-[1-(1-methylethyl)pιpeπdιn-4- yljbenzamide

N-(1-cyclopentylpιpeπdιn-4-yl)-3-methoxy-N-methyl-4-(2 -methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1- yl)benzamιde

N-[(3R)-1-ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)benzamιde

N-[(3R)-1-cyclopentylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)benzamιde

N-[(3R)-1-cyclohexylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)benzamιde

N-ethyl-N-[{3R)- 1 -ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzimidazol- 1 -yl)benzamιde N-[(3R)-1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-ylJ-N-ethyI-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yI)benzamιde

N-[(3R)- 1 -cyclopentylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-ethyl-4-(2-methyl- 1 H-benzimidazol- 1 - yl)benzamιde

N-[(3R)-1-cyclohexylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-ethyl-4-(2-methy l-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1 -yl)benzamιde 2-chloro-N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-[(3R)-1-(1-methylethyl)pyrrolιdιn - 3-yl]benzamιde

2-chloro-N-[(3R)-1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-methyl- 4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1- yl)benzamιde,

(R)-N-(I -ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-N-methyl-4-((2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl)-1 -naphthamide

(R)-N-(I -cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-N-methyl-4-((2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]imιdazol-1- yl)methyl)-1 -naphthamide; and N-(1-cyclopentylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-((2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-

1 -naphthamide

Additional exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a compound selected from the group consisting essentially of

(R)-N-(I -cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-2-methoxy-N-methyl-4-(2-methyl -1 H-benzo[d]imιdazol- 1-yl)benzamιde

(R)-N-(1-ιsopropylpyrrolidin-3-yl)-2-methoxy-N-methyl-4- (2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol- 1-yl)benzamιde

N-((R)-1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-N-methyl-4-(2-methy l-1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)-3- (trιfluoromethyl)benzamιde N-((R)-1-ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)-3-

(trifluoromethyl)benzamide

(R)-N-(1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-N-methyl-4-(2-methy l-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)-2- (trιfluoromethyl)benzamιde

(R)-N-(1-isopropylpyrrolidin-3-yl)-N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)-2- (trιfluoromethyl)benzamιde

(R)-N-(1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-N,2-dιmethyl-4-(2- methyl-1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)benzamιde

(R)-N-(1-ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-N,2-dιmethyl-4-(2- methyl-1H-benzo[d]imιdazol-1- yl)benzamιde N-(1-cyclopentylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-2-methoxy-N-methyl-4-(2-m ethyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmidazol-1- yl)benzamιde

N-(1-ιsopropylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-2-methoxy-N-methyl-4-(2 -methyl-1 H-benzo[d]imιdazol-1- yl)benzamιde

N-(1-cyclopentylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)-3- (trιfluoromethyl)benzamιde

N-(1-ιsopropylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1H -benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)-3- (tπfluoromethyl)benzamιde

N-(1-cyclopentylpiperidιn-4-yl)-N-methy!-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]imιdazot-1-yl)-2- (tπfluoromethyl)benzamιde

N-(1-ιsopropylpιpeπdιn-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)-2- (trιfluoromethyl)benzamιde N-(1-cyclopentylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-N,2-dιmethyl-4-(2-methyl -1H-benzo[d]imιdazol-1- yl)benzamιde

N-(1-isopropylpιpeπdιn-4-yl)-N,2-dιmethyl-4-(2-methyl -1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)benzamιde

(R)-N-(I -cyclobutylpyrrolidιn-3-yl)-N-methyl-4-((2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl)-1-naphthamιde

(R)-N-(1-ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-N-methyl-4-((2-meth yl-1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl)- 1 -naphthamide

N-(1-ιsopropylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-((2-methy!-1 H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)methyl)-1- naphthamide N-(1-cyclopentylpιpeπdιn-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-((2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-

1 -naphthamide

(R)-N-(1-cyclobutylpyrrolidιn-3-yl)-N-methy!-3-(2-methyl -1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazo!-1- yl)benzamide

(R)-N-(I -ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-N-methyl-3-(2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]imidazol-1- yl)benzamιde

N-(1-cyclopentylpιpeπdιn-4-yl)-N-methyl-3-(2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)benzamιde

N-(1-ιsopropylpiperιdin-4-yl)-N-methyl-3-(2-methyl-1H-b enzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)benzamιde (R)-N-(1-cyc!obutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-4-((4-fluoro-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N- methylbenzamide

(R)-4-((4-fluoro-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1-ι sopropylpyrrolιdιπ-3-yl)-N- methylbenzamide

N-(1-cyclopentylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-4-((4-fluoro-1 H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)methyl)-N- methylbenzamide 4-((4-fluoro-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1-ιsopropylpιpeπdιn -4-yl)-N- methylbenzamide

(R)-N-(1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdin-3-yl)-4-((4-fluoro-2-methy l-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl)-N-methyibenzamιde

(R)-4-((4-fluoro-2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1-ιsopropylpyrrolιdι n-3-yl)- N-methylbenzamide

N-(1-cyclopentyIpιperidιn-4-yl)-4-((4-fluoro-2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N- methylbenzamide

4-((4-fIuoro-2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1-isopropylpiperidin-4-yl )-N- methylbenzamide

(R)-N-(1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-4-((5-fluoro-1H-ben zo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N- methylbenzamide (R)-4-((5-fluoro-1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1 -yl)methyl)-N-(1-ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-N- methylbenzamide

N-(1-cyclopentylpιpendιn-4-yl)-4-((5-fluoro-1H-benzo[d] ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N- methylbenzamide

4-((5-fluoro-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1-ιsopropylpιperιdι n-4-yl)-N- methylbenzamide

(R)-N-(1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-4-((5-fluoro-2-meth yl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl)-N-methylbenzamιde

(R)-4-((5-fluoro-2-methyl-1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)meth yl)-N-(1-ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)- N-methylbenzamide N-(1-cyclopentylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-4-((5-fluoro-2-methyl-1H- benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N- methylbenzamide

4-((o-fluoro-2-methyl-1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)- N-(1-ιsopropylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-N- methylbenzamide

(R)-N-(I -cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-4-((6-fluoro-1H-benzo[d]ιmιd azol-1-yl)methyl)-N- methylbenzamide

(R)-4-((6-fluoro-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1-ιsopropylpyrrolιdι n-3-yl)-N- methylbenzamide

N-(1-cyclopentylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-4-((6-fluoro-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N- methylbenzamide N-(1-cyclopentylpιpeπdιn-4-yl)-4-((6-fluoro-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N- methylbenzamide

(R)-N-(1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-4-((6-fluoro-2-meth yl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl)-N-methylbenzamιde

(R)-4-((6-fluoro-2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]imιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1-ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn -3-yl)- N-methylbenzamide

N-(1-cyclopentylpιpeπdιn-4-yl)-4-((6-fluoro-2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N- methylbenzamide

4-((6-fluoro-2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1-ιsopropylpιperιdι n-4-yl)-N- methylbenzamide (R)-N-( 1 -cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-4-((7-f luoro- 1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol- 1 -yl)methyl)-N- methylbenzamide

(R)-N-(1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-4-((7-fluoro-1H-ben zo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N- methylbenzamide

N-(1-cyclopentylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-4-((7-fluoro-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N- methylbenzamide 4-((7-fluoro-1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1-ιsopro pylpιpeπdιn-4-yl)-N- methylbenzamide

(R)-N-(1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-4-((7-fluoro-2-meth yl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl)-N-methylbenzamιde

(R)-4-((7-fluoro-2-methyl-1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)meth yl)-N-(1 -ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)- N-methylbenzamide

N-(1-cyclopentylpιpeπdιn-4-yl)-4-((7-fluoro-2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N- methylbenzamide

4-((7-fluoro-2-methyl-1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)- N-(1-ιsopropylpιpeπdιn-4-yl)-N- methylbenzamide (R)-4-((1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdι n-3-yl)-2-fluoro-N- methylbenzamide

(R)-4-((1 H-benzo[d3irriidazol-1-yl)methyl)-2-fluoro-N-(1-fSopropylpyr rofιdin-3-yl)-N- methylbenzamide

4-((1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1-cyclopentylpιpeπdι n-4-yl)-2-fluoro-N- methylbenzamide

4-((1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-2-fluoro-N-(1-ιsopropylp� �perιdιn-4-yl)-N- methylbenzamide

(R)-N-(I -cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-2-fluoro-N-methyl-4-((2-methyl -1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl)benzamιde (R)-2-fluoro-N-(1-ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-N-methyl-4-(( 2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl)benzamιde

N-(1-cyclopentylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-2-fluoro-N-methyl-4-(( 2-methyl-1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl)benzamιde

2-fluoro-N-(1-ιsopropylpιpeπdιn-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-((2- methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl)benzamιde

(R)-4-((1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1-cyclobuty lpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-3-fluoro-N- methylbenzamide

(R)-4-((1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-3-fluoro-N-(1- ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-N- methylbenzamide 4-(( 1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol- 1 -yl)methyl)-N-( 1 -cyclopentylpipeπdin^-ylJ-S-fluoro-N- methylbenzamide

4-((1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-3-fluoro-N-(1-ιsopropylp� �perιdιn-4-yl)-N- methylbenzamide

(R)-N-(I -cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-3-fluoro-N-methyl-4-f(2-methyl -1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl)benzamιde (R)-3-fluoro-N-(1-ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-N-methyl-4-(( 2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl)benzamιde

N-(1-cyclopentylpιpeπdm-4-yl)-3-fluoro-N-methyl-4-((2-m ethyl-1 H-beπzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl)benzamιde

3-fluoro-N-(1-ιsopropylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-((2 -methyl-1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl)benzamιde

(R)-4-((1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdι n-3-yl)-2-methoxy-N- methylbenzamide

(R)-4-((1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1-ιsopropylpyrrolιdι n-3-yl)-2-methoxy-N- methylbenzamide 4-((1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1 -yl)methyl)-N-(1-cyclopentylpιpeπdιn-4-yl)-2-methoxy-N- methylbenzamide

4-((1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazoI-1-yl)methyI)-N-(1-ιsopropylpιperιdι n-4-yI)-2-methoxy-N- methylbenzamide

(R)-N-(1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-2-methoxy-N-methyl- 4-((2-methyl-1 H- benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)benzamιde

(R)-N-(1-ιsopropylpyrroIιdιn-3-yl)-2-methoxy-N-methyl- 4-((2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol- 1 -yl)methyl)benzamιde

N^I-cyclopentylpipeπdin^-yO^-methoxy-N-methyl^^C∑-meth yl-I H-benzotdJimidazol-i- yl)methyl)benzamιde N-(1-ιsopropylpιpeπdιn-4-yl)-2-methoxy-N-methyl-4-((2-me thyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl)benzamιde

(RH-^IH-benzofdJimidazol-i-yOmethyO-S-chloro-N^I-cyclobut ylpyrrolidin-S-yO-N- methylbenzamide

(RH-^IH-benzofdJimidazol-i-yOmethyO-S-chloro-N^I-isopropy lpyrrolidin-S-y^-N- methylbenzamide

4-((1 H-benzo[d]ιmidazol-1-yl)methyl)-3-chloro-N-(1-cyclopentylp� �peπdin-4-yl)-N- methylbenzamide

4-((1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-3-chloro-N-(1-ιsopropylp� �peπdιn-4-yl)-N- methylbenzamide (R)-3-chloro-N-( 1 -cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-N-methyl-4-((2-methyl- 1 H-benzo[d]imιdazol-

1-yl)methyl)benzamide

(R)-3-chloro-N-(1-isopropylpyrrolidin-3-yl)-N-methyl-4-(( 2-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1- yl)methyl)benzamιde

3-chloro-N-(1-cyclopentylpιpeπdιn-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-((2 -methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmidazol-1- yl)methyl)benzamιde 3-chloro-N-(1-ιsopropylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-((2-me thyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl)benzamιde

4-((1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1-ιsopropylpιpeπdιn -3-yl)-N-methylbenzamιcle 4-((1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1-cyclobutylpιperιdι n-3-yl)-N-methylbenzamιde 4-((1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1-cyclopentylpιperιd� �n-3-yl)-N-methylbenzamιde N-(1-ιsopropylpιperιdιn-3-yl)-N-methyl-4-((2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl)benzamιde

N-(1-cyclobutylpιperιdιn-3-yl)-N-methyl-4-((2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl)benzamιde

N-(1-cyclopentylpιpeπdιn-3-yl)-N-methyl-4-((2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl)benzamιde

4-(1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-(1-ιsopropylpιperιdι n-3-yl)-N-methylbenzamιde 4-(1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-(1-cyclobutylpιperιdιn-3 -yl)-N-methylbenzamιde 4-(1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1 -yl)-N-(1-cyclopentylpιperιdιn-3-yl)-N-methylbenzamιde N-(1-ιsopropylpιpeπdιn-3-yl)-N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)benzamιde N-(1-cyclobutylpιperιdιn-3-yl)-N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)benzamιde

N-(1-cyclopentylpιperιdιn-3-yl)-N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)benzamιde

(R)-N-(1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-4-((6-methoxy-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N- methyl benzamide (R)-N-(I -cyclobutylpyrrolidin-S-ylH-^δ-methoxy-IH-benzoldJimidazol- i-yOmethylJ-N- methyl benzamide

(R)-N-(I -cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-N-methyl-4-((5-methyl-1H-benzo [d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl)benzamιde

(R)-N-(1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-N-methyl-4-((6-meth yl-1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl)benzamιde

(R)-N-(1-ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-N-methyl-4-((6-meth yl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yl)methyl)benzamιde

(R)-N-(1-ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-N-methyl-4-((5-meth yl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1- yt)methyl)benzamιde (R)-N-(I -ιsopropylpyrrolidin-3-yl)-4-((5-methoxy-1 H-benzo[d]ιmidazol-1-yI)methyl)-N- methylbeπzamide

(R)-N-(I -ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-4-((6-methoxy-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1 -yl)methyl)-N- methylbenzamide

N-(1-ιsopropylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-((6-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmidazol-1- yl)methyl)benzamιde N-(1-ιsopropylpιpeπdιn-4-yl)-4-((6-methoxy-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N- methylbenzamide

N-( 1 -ιsopropylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-((5-methyl- 1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol- 1 - yl)methyl)benzamιde

N-(1-ιsopropylpιpeπdιn-4-yl)-4-((5-methoxy-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N- methylbenzamide

(R)-N-(I -cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-4-((6-methoxy-2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1 -yl)methyl)- N-methylbenzamide

(R)-N-(I -cyclobutylpyrrolidin-3-yl)-4-((2,6-dimethyl-1 H-benzo[d]imidazol-1 -yl)methyl)-N- methylbenzamide (R)-N-(I -cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-4-((2,5-dιmethyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N- methylbenzamide

(R)-N-(I -cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-4-((5-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-benz o[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)- N-methylbenzamide

(R)-N-(I -ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-4-((5-methoxy-2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)- N-methylbenzamide

(R)-4-((2,5-dιmethyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1 -yl)methyl)-N-(1 -ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-N- methylbenzamide

(R)-4-((2,6-dιmethyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1-isopropylpyrrolιdιn -3-yl)-N- methylbenzamide (R)-N-(I -ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-4-((6-methoxy-2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-

N-methylbenzamιde

N-(1-ιsopropylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-4-((5-methoxy-2-methyl- 1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N- methylbenzamide

4-((2 5-dιmethyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1-ιsopropylpιperιdι n-4-yl)-N- methylbenzamide

4-((2,6-dιmethyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1 -yl)methyl)-N-(1-ιsopropylpιpeπdιn-4-yl)-N- methylbenzamide, and N-(1-ιsopropylpιperιdιn-4-yl)-4-((6-methoxy-2-methyl-1H- benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N- methylbenzamide, or a stereoisomer thereor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof

Another aspect of the invention provides a method for the treatment of a cognitive disorder related to or affected by the Hιstamιne-3 (H ₃ ) receptor in a patient in need thereof

which comprises providing to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I or any other embodiment thereof described herein In a more particular embodiment, said disorder is a neurodegenerative disorder More particular still, said disorder is mild cognitive impairment (MCI), dementia, delirium, amnestic disorder, Alzheimer s disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), memory disorder memory deficits associated with depression, schizophrenia, a psychotic disorder paranoia, mano-depressive illness, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, developmental disorders Down's syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, loss of executive function, loss of learned information, vascular dementia, cognitive decline, neurodegenerative disorder, HIV-induced dimentia, head trauma, Pick s disease Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Body dementia, vascular dementia, surgical procedure-induced cognitive dysfunction, traumatic brain injury or stroke In another more particular embodiment, said disorder is selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer s disease, attention deficit disorder, schizophrenia, Parkinsons' disease, frontal temporal dementia or depression Another aspect of the invention provides a method for the inhibtion of an H ₃ receptor comprising contacting said receptor with an effective amount of a compound of formula I or any other embodiment thereof described herein

An additional aspect of the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition which comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an effective amount of a compound of formula I or any other embodiment thereof described hereinl

Treating" or "treatment" of a disease in a subject refers to 1) preventing the disease from occurring in a subject that is predisposed or does not yet display symptoms of the disease, 2) inhibiting the disease or arresting its development, or 3) ameliorating or causing regression of the disease A cognitive disease," "cognitive dysfunction," or "cognition-related disorder" is a disease or disorder affecting mental processes such as memory, attention, perception, action, problem solving and mental imagery Cognitive dysfunction generally originates in the central nervous system and can be influenced or derived from neurodegeneration Particular cognition-related disorders (e g cognitive dysfunction) include, without limitation, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), dementia, delirium amnestic disorder Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease,

Huntington s disease, memory disorders including memory deficits associated with depression senile dementia, dementia of Alzheimer's disease, cognitive deficits or cognitive dysfunction associated with neurological conditions including, for example, Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), Alzheimer's disease, depression and schizophrenia (and other psychotic disorders such as paranoia and mano-depressive illness), cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia, disorders of attention and learning such as attention deficit disorders (e g , attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)) and dyslexia, cognitive dysfunction associated

with developmental disorders such as Down s syndrome and Fragile X syndrome, loss of executive function, loss of learned information, vascular dementia, schizophrenia, cognitive decline, neurodegenerative disorder, and other dementias, for example, due to HIV disease, head trauma, Parkinson's disease, Huntington s disease, Pick's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, or due to multiple etiologies Cognition-related disorders also include, without limitation, cognitive dysfunction associated with MCI and dementias such as Lewy Body, vascular, and post stroke dementias Cognitive dysfunction associated with surgical procedures, traumatic brain injury or stroke may also be treated in accordance with the embodiments described herein An optionally substituted moiety may be substituted with one or more substituents The substituent groups, which are optionally present, may be one or more of those customarily employed in the development of pharmaceutical compounds or the modification of such compounds to influence their structure/activity, persistence, absorption, stability or other beneficial property Specific examples of such substituents include halogen atoms, nitro, cyano, thiocyanato, cyanato, hydroxyl, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy ammo, alkylammo, dialkylamino, formyl, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl, alkanoyl, alkylthio, alkylsuphinyl, alkylsulphonyl, carbamoyl, alkylamido, phenyl, phenoxy, benzyl, benzyloxy, heterocycly! or cyctoalkyl groups, preferably halogen atoms or lower alkyl or lower alkoxy groups Unless otherwise specified, typically, 0-4 substituents may be present When any of the foregoing substituents represents or contains an alkyl substituent group, this may be linear or branched and may contain up to 12 carbon atoms, preferably up to 6 carbon atoms, more preferably up to 4 carbon atoms

Preferably, optionally substituted refers to the replacement of 0-4 hydrogen atoms with 0-4 groups selected from C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl, C ₃ -C ₆ cycloakyl, C ₂ -C ₆ alkenyl, C ₂ -C ₆ alkynyl, halo, nitro cyano, hydroxy C ₆ -Ci _O aryl, a 3-10 membered heterorcyclyl ring, a 5-10 membered heteroaryl ring -N(R%, -C(O)R ^b , -OR ⁰ and -S(O) _p R ^d wherein each R ^a is independently H, C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl, - CHO, -C(O)(C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl), or -CO ₂ (C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl), each R ^b is independently H ₁ -OH, -0(C ₁ -C ₄ ), C ₁ - C ₄ alkyl, -NH ₂ , -NH(CrC ₄ alkyl), Or -N(C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl) ₂ , each R ^c is independently H, Ci-C ₄ alkyl, C ₁ - C ₄ haloalkyl, -CHO or -C(O)(C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl) each R ^d is independently H, C ₁ -C ₄ alkyl, or -OH, and p is O, 1 or 2 As used herein, the term "alkyl" includes both a (C ₁ -Cw) straight chain and a (C ₃ -C ₁₂ ) branched chain saturated hydrocarbon moiety Preferred alkyl groups have one to six carbon atoms (C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl) Examples of saturated hydrocarbon alkyl moieties include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, π-propyl, isopropyl, /7-butyl, ferf-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, n-pentyl, n- hexyl, or the like "Alkoxy" refers to the group -O-alkyl wherein alkyl is defined herein Preferred alkoxy groups have 1 to 6 carbon atoms (C ₁ -C ₆ alkoxy) Alkoxy includes, by way of example, methoxy, ethoxy n-propoxy, isopropoxy, π-butoxy, f-butoxy, sec-butoxy, and n-pentoxy

"Amino" refers to the group -NH ₂

"Aryl" or "Ar" refers to a monovalent aromatic carbocyclic group of from 6 to 14 carbon atoms having a single ring (e g , phenyl) or multiple condensed rings (e g , naphthyl or anthryl) which condensed rings may or may not be aromatic (e g , 2-benzoxazolιnone, 2H-1.4- benzoxazιn-3(4H)-one-7-yl, and the like) provided that the point of attachment is at an aromatic carbon atom Preferred aryl groups are C ₆ -C ₁₀ aryl groups and include phenyl and naphthyl

"Arylalkyl" refers to an aryl group as defined herein appended at any suitable position to an alkyl group, wherein the point of attachment to the base-compound is at the alkyl group Preferred arylalkyl groups have 7 to 14 carbon atoms (C ₇ -Cu arylalkyl), more preferably the aryl portion is phenyl (C ₆ ) and the alkyl portion is C ₁ -C ₂ In such embodiments the group is C ₇ -Cg arylalkyl Examples of arylalkyl groups include benzyl and phenethyl

"Alkenyl" refers to alkenyl groups having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms (C ₂ -C ₆ alkenyl) and preferably 2 to 4 carbon atoms (C ₂ -C ₄ alkenyl) and having at least 1 and preferably from 1 to 2 sites of alkenyl unsaturation Such groups are exemplified, for example, by vinyl, allyl, and but-3-en-1-yl

"Alkynyl" refers to alkynyl groups having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms (C ₂ -C ₆ alkynyl) and preferably 2 to 3 carbon atoms (C ₂ -C ₃ alkynyl) and having at least 1 and preferably from 1 to 2 sites of alkynyl unsaturation

"Acyl" refers to the groups H-C(O)-, alkyl-C(O)-, alkenyl-C(O)-, alkynyl-C(O)-, cycloalkyl-C(O)-, cycloalkenyl-C(O)-, aryl-C(O)- 5-7 membered heteroaryl-C(O)-, 5-7 membered heterocyclιc-C(O)-, wherein alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and heterocyclic are as defined herein Acyl includes the "acetyl" group CH ₃ C(O)-

'Cyano" or "nitrile' refers to the group -CN

"Cycloalkenyl" refers to cyclic alkyl groups of from 3 to 10 carbon atoms having single or multiple cyclic rings including fused, bridged, and spiro ring systems which contain at least one double bond Preferred cycloalkenyl groups have 3 to 6 carbon atoms (C ₃ -C ₆ cycloalkenyl) and contain one double bond Examples of suitable cycloalkenyl groups include, for instance, cyclobutenyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, and cyclooctenyl

Hydroxy" or "hydroxyl" refers to the group -OH ' Nitro" refers to the group -NO ₂

"Oxo" refers to the atom (=0) or (-0 ) As an activating group, 'oxo' groups are amenable to reductive amination by nucleophilic amine groups to form alkylarnino or aminoalkyl substituents Preferably, the reductive amination step takes place in the presence of a boron- containmg reducing agent

^' Spirocyclyl" refers to divalent saturated cyclic group from 3 to 10 carbon atoms having a cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl ring with a spiro union (the union formed by a single atom which is the only common member of the rings) as exemplified by the following structure"

As used herein, the term "haloalkyl" designates a C _n H _2n+ I group having from one to 2n+1 halogen atoms which may be the same or different Preferably, haloalky groups have one to six carbon atoms (CrC ₆ haloalkyl) Examples of haloalkyl groups include CF ₃ , CH ₂ CI, C ₂ H ₃ BrCI, C ₃ H ₅ F ₂ , or the like

The term "halogen" or "halo", as used herein, designates fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine

The term "cycloalkyl", as used herein, refers to a monocyclic, bicyclic, tricyclic, fused, bridged, or spiro monovalent saturated hydrocarbon moiety of 3-10 carbon atoms (C ₃ -CiQ cycloalkyl) Examples of cycloalkyl moieties include, but are not limited to cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, norbomyl, adamantyl, spιro[4.5]decanyl, or the like

The term "cycloheteroalkyl," "heterocyclyl," "heterocycloalkyl," "heterocyclo" or ^" heterocyclylalkyl" as used herein, designates a C ₃ -Ci ₀ cycloalkyl ring system containing 1 , 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms, which may be the same or different, selected from N, O or S and optionally containing one double bond. Where the cycloheteroalkyl groups are polycyclic (e.g bicyclic), one of the rings may be aromatic so long as the ring which is the point of attachment for the cycloheteroalkyl group is not aromatic (e g. 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-3-yl). Exemplary of the cycloheteroalkyl ring systems included in the term as designated herein are the following rings wherein Xi is NR, O or S and R is H or an optional substituent as defined hereinabove.

The term heteroaryl" as used herein designates an aromatic heterocyclic ring system, which may be a single ring (monocyclic) or multiple rings (bicyclic, up to three rings) fused together or linked covalently Preferably, heteroaryl is a 5- to 6-membered monocyclic ring or a 9- to 10-membered bicyclic ring system Where the heteroaryl groups are polycyclic (e g bicyclic), one of the rings may be aromatic so long as the ring which is the point of attachment for the heteroaryl group is aromatic (e g 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1 8-naphthyrιdιn-6-yl) The rings may contain from one to four hetero atoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur wherein the nitrogen or sulfur atoms are optionally oxidized, or the nitrogen atom is optionally quartemized Examples of heteroaryl moieties include, but are not limited to, heterocycles such as furan, thiophene, pyrrole, pyrazole, imidazole, oxazole, isoxazole, thiazole, isothiazole, oxadiazole, triazole, pyridine, pynmidine, pyrazine, pyπdazine, benzimidazole, benzoxazole, benzisoxazole, benzothiazole, benzofuran, benzothiophene, thianthrene, dibenzofuran, dibenzothiophene, indole, indazole, quinoline, isoquinoline, quinazoline, quinoxaline, purine or the like Exemplary of the monocyclic 5-membered aromatic ring system formed when R ₃ and R ₄ are taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached are pyrrole pyrazole, imidazole, oxazole, isoxazole, thiazole, isothiazole, oxadiazole, tπazole or the like Exemplary of the fused bicyclic or tricyclic 9- to 15-membered aromatic ring system formed when R ₃ and R ₄ are taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached are indolyl, indazolyl benzimidazolyl, tetrahydrocarbazolyl, hexahydroindolizinoindolonyl, tetrahydropyranoindolyl azaindolyl, imidazopyπdinyl, indolinyl, tetrahydroquinolmlyl, pyπdomdolyl, dihydrodibenzoazepinyl, or the like

Tautomer" refers to alternate forms of a compound that differ in the position of a proton, such as enol-keto and imine-enamine tautomers, or the tautomeric forms of heteroaryl groups containing a ring atom attached to both a ring -NH- moiety and a ring =N- moiety such as pyrazoles, imidazoles, benzimidazoles, triazoles, and tetrazoles

Patient' or 'subject" refers to mammals and includes humans and non-human mammals, such as dogs, cats, mice, rats, cows, rabbits and monkeys

"Pharmaceutically acceptable salt" refers to pharmaceutically acceptable salts of a compound, which salts are derived from a variety of organic and inorganic counter ions well known in the art and include, by way of example only, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, ammonium, and tetraalkylammonium, and when the molecule contains a basic functionality, salts of organic or inorganic acids, such as hydrochloride, hydrobromide, tartrate mesylate, acetate, maleate and oxalate Unless indicated otherwise the nomenclature of substituents that are not explicitly defined herein are arrived at by naming the terminal portion of the functionality followed by the

adjacent functionality toward the point of attachment For example, the substituent arylalkyloxycabonyl ' refers to the group (aryl)-(alkyl)-O-C(O)-

It is understood that in all substituted groups defined above, polymers arrived at by defining substituents with further substituents to themselves (e g , substituted aryl having a substituted aryl group as a substituent which is itself substituted with a substituted aryl group, which is further substituted by a substituted aryl group etc ) are not intended for inclusion herein In such cases, the maximum number of such substitutions is three For example, serial substitutions of substituted aryl groups with two other substituted aryl groups are limited to -substituted aryl-(substιtuted aryl)-substιtuted aryl Similarly it is understood that the above definitions are not intended to include impermissible substitution patterns (e g , methyl substituted with 5 fluoro groups) Such impermissible substitution patterns are well known to the skilled artisan

At various places in the present specification, substituents of compounds are disclosed in groups or in ranges It is specifically intended that the description include each and every individual subcombination of the members of such groups and ranges For example, the term C _{1 6} alky) ^* is specifically intended to individually disclose C*, C ₂ , C ₃ , C ₄ , C ₅ , C ₆ , CrCs, C ₁ -C ₅ , C ₁ -C ₄ C ₁ -C ₃ , C ₁ -C ₂ C ₂ -C ₆ C ₂ -C ₅ , C ₂ -C4, C2-C3, Ca-Cβ, C ₃ -C5 C3-C4, C4-C6, C4-C5, and C5-C6 alkyl By way of another example, the term '5-7 membered heteroaryl or heterocyclyl group" is specifically intended to individually disclose a heteroaryl or heterocyclyl group having 5, 6, 7, 5- 7, and 5-6 ring atoms

Stereoisomer" or stereoisomers ' refer to compounds that differ in the chirality or atomic connectivity at one or more stereocenters Stereoisomers include enantiomers, diastereomers as well as cis-trans (E/Z) isomerism Unless otherwise stated, structures depicted herein are also meant to include all stereochemical forms of the structure, i e , the R and S configurations for each asymmetric center Therefore, single stereochemical isomers as well as enantiomeric and diastereomeric mixtures of the present compounds are within the scope of the invention Unless otherwise stated, structures depicted herein are also meant to include compounds which differ only in the presence of one or more isotopically enriched atoms For example, compounds having the present structures except for the replacement of a hydrogen by a deuterium or tritium, or the replacement of a carbon by a ¹³ C- or ¹⁴ C-enrιched carbon are within the scope of this invention

The compounds of the present invention may be converted to salts, in particular pharmaceutically acceptable salts using art recognized procedures Suitable salts with bases are, for example, metal salts, such as alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salts, for example sodium, potassium or magnesium salts, or salts with ammonia or an organic amine such as morpholine thiomorpholine, pipeπdine, pyrrolidine, a mono-, di- or tri-lower alkylamine, for example ethyl-tert-butyl-, diethyl-, dnsopropyl-, triethyl- tributyl- or dimethylpropylamine, or a

mono-, dι- or tπhydroxy lower alkylamine for example mono-, dι- or triethanolamine Internal salts may furthermore be formed Salts which are unsuitable for pharmaceutical uses but which can be employed, for example, for the isolation or purification of free compounds or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts are also included The term "pharmaceutically acceptable salt" as used herein, refers to salts derived from organic and inorganic acids such as, for example, acetic, propionic lactic, citric, tartaric, succinic, fumaric, maleic, malonic, mandelic, malic phthalic, hydrochloric, hydrobromic phosphoric, nitric, sulfuric methanesulfonic, napthalenesulfonic, benzenesulfonic, toluenesulfonic, camphorsulfonic, and similarly known acceptable acids when a compound of this invention contains a basic moiety Salts may also be formed from organic and inorganic bases, preferably alkali metal salts, for example, sodium lithium, or potassium when a compound of this invention contains a carboxylate or phenolic moiety, or similar moiety capable of forming base addition salts

Compounds of the invention include esters, carbamates or other conventional prodrug forms which in general, are functional derivatives of the compounds of the invention and which are readily converted to the inventive active moiety in vivo Correspondingly the method of the invention embraces the treatment of the various conditions described hereinabove with a compound of formula I or with a compound which is not specifically disclosed but which, upon administration, converts to a compound of formula I in vivo Also included are metabolites of the compounds of the present invention defined as active species produced upon introduction of these compounds into a biological system

Advantageously, the present invention provides a process to prepare compounds of formula I, which, in one embodiment comprises reacting a benzoic acid of formula Il with an azacyclylamine of formula III in the presence of a coupling agent optionally in the presence of a solvent In one embodiment, the invention provides a process for the preparation of a compound of formula I

(I) wherein X is (CR ⁷ R ⁸ U CO or SO ₂ , m is O or 1 , n is 1, 2 or 3

R ¹ is H, CrC ₆ alkyl, Ci-C ₆ haloalkyl, C ₃ -C- _o cycloalkyl or a 3-10 membered cycloheteroalkyl each group optionally substituted; R ² is H or C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl or Ca-C ₁₀ cycloalkyl each group optionally substituted; R ³ and R ⁴ are taken together with the atom to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted monocyclic 5-membered aromatic ring system optionally containing one or two additional heteroatoms selected from N, O or S or an optionally substituted fused bicyclic or tricyclic 9- to 15-membered aromatic ring system optionally containing one to three additional heteroatoms selected from N, O or S; and R ⁵ and R ⁶ are each independently H, halogen, CrCβ alkyl, C ₁ -Cg alkoxy or C ₃ -C-1 ₀ cycloalkyl each optionally substituted; or R ⁵ and R ⁶ are taken together with the atoms to which they are attached to form an optionally substituted phenyl ring; R ⁷ and R ⁸ are each independently H, halogen or C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl or C ₃ -C ₁₀ cycloalkyl each group optionally substituted; or a stereoisomer, tautomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; which process comprises reacting a compound of formula

wherein X ₁ R ³ and R ⁴ are as described hereinabove for formula I with an azacyclylamine of formula

wherein n, R ¹ and R ² are as described hereinabove for formula I in the presence of a coupling agent optionally in the presence of a solvent.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a process for the preparation of a compound of formula I, said process comprising reacting a compound of formula Il

wherein X, R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ and R ⁶ are as described hereinabove for formula I with an azacyclylamine of formula III

in the presence of a coupling agent and optionally in the presence of a solvent to form a compound of formula IHa:

(Ilia) wherein,

R ^x is R ¹ or a protecting group;

R ^γ is H or CrC ₆ alkyl or C ₃ -Ci ₀ cycloalkyl each group optionally substituted; wherein, if R ^v is H and R ² in the compound of formula I is other than H, than the process further comprises: reacting activated-R ² with the compound of formula Ida, to form a compound of formula IHb:

(Wb) wherein if R ^x is R ¹ , then the compound of formula I is formed; or if R ^x is a protecting group, then the process further comprises; deprotecting the compound of formula IHb to form a deprotected compound; and if R ¹ in the compound of formula I is H, then the compound of formula I is formed; or if R ¹ in the compound of formula I is other than H, then the process further comprises reacting the deprotected compound with activated-R ¹ ; wherein the compound of formula I is formed. In a more particular embodiment of the above-process:

R ^x is a protecting group and the protecting group is ^-butoxycarbonyf (Boc), benzyl, acetyl, p-methoxybenzyl (PMB), CrCg alkyl, 9-fluoroenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc), benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz), trifluoroacetyl, tosyl or trityl;

R ^γ is H; activated-R ² is halo-R ² , tosylate-R ² , R ² -anhydride, mesylate- R ² , or triflate- R ² ;

activated-R ¹ is halo-R ¹ or oxo-R ¹ , the deprotecting step comprises contacting the compound of formula NIb with an acid, activated-R ¹ is oxo-R ¹ and the reacting the deprotected compound with activated- R ¹ step comprises a reductive amination reaction in the presence of a boron-reducing agent, any of the process steps are performed in a protic solvent, an aprotic solvent, a polar solvent, a nonpolar solvent, a protic polar solvent an aprotic nonpolar solvent, or an aprotic polar solvent; any of the process steps includes a purification step comprising at least one of filtration, extraction, chromatography, trituration, or recrystalization, and/or any of the process steps includes an analytical step comprising liquid chromatography (LC), mass spectroscopy (MS), liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy (LC/MS), gas chromatography (GC), gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), thin layer chromatography (TLC), melting point (MP) analysis, optical rotation (OR) or elemental analysis

A reaction scheme for the preparation of a compound of formula I is shown in scheme I.

SCHEME I

Coupling agents suitable for use in the method of invention include 2-(1H-benzotrιazol-1- yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronιum tetrafluoroborate, benzotrιazol-1-yl-oxytπpyrrolιdinophosphonιum hexafluorophosphate or the like, preferably 2-(1H-benzotπazol-1-yl)-1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethyluronιum tetrafluoroborate Solvents suitable for use in the method of the invention include N ₁ N- dimethylformamide tetrahydrofuran, or the like

Compounds of formula Il wherein X is (CR'R ⁸ ) _m (Ha) may be readily prepared by reacting a compound, HNR ³ R ⁴ , with a benzoate of formula IV in the presence of a base such as K ₂ CO ₂ to give the corresponding substituted benzoate and hydrolyzing said substituted

benzoate with a suitable base such as NaOH or LiOH to give the desired compound of formula Ha. The reaction is shown in scheme Il wherein R is CrC ₄ alkyl and Hal is Cl, Br or I.

SCHEME II

Alternatively, compounds of formula I may be prepared by reacting a benzoic acid of formula Il with a protected azacyclylamine of formula V in the presence of a coupling agent, as described in scheme I, to give the protected aminoamide of formula Vl, reacting said formula Vl amide with an alkylating agent, R ² -Hal, wherein Hal is Br or I to give the compound of formula VII; deprotecting said formula VII compound to give the corresponding free amine and reacting said amine with an aldehyde of formula VIII or a ketone of formula IX in the presence of a borohydride salt such as NaBH ₃ CN or NaBH(OAc) ₃ to give the desired compound of formula I. The reaction is shown in scheme III wherein P represents a protecting group; Hal represents Br or I; and R ^a represents R ¹ minus one carbon atom (R ¹ - Ci).

SCHEME III

Protecting groups useful in the reactions described heremabove include t-butoxycarbonyl (Boc), benzyl, acetyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, or any conventional group known to protect a basic nitrogen in standard synthetic procedures, preferably t-butoxycarbonyl Compounds of formula I wherein X is CO (Ib) may be prepared by reacting a halobenzoic acid of formula X with an azacyclylamine of formula III in the presence of a coupling agent, as described heremabove in schemes I and II, to give the corresponding amide of formula Xl reacting the formula Xl amide with carbon monoxide and methanol in the presence of a palladium catalyst to give the benzoate of formula XII, hydrolyzing the formula XII benzoate with base to give the corresponding benzoic acid, reacting said benzoic acid with thionyl chloride to give the benzoic acid chloride of formula XIII, reacting the formula XIII acid chloride with a compound, HNR ³ R ⁴ , to give the desired compound of formula Ib The reaction is shown in scheme IV wherein Hal represents Br or I

SCHEME IV

Coupling Agent

(X)

(Xl)

(XIl) (XIII)

(Ib)

Compounds of formula I wherein X is SO ₂ (Ic) may be prepared by reacting a phenylsulfonyl chloride of formula XIV with a compound, HNR ₃ R ₄ , to give the compound of formula XV, hydrolysing the compound of formula XV to give the benzoic acid of formula XVl ₁ reacting said formula XVI benzoic acid with a protected azacyclylamine of formula V in the presence of a coupling agent as described hereinabove in scheme III to give the compound of formula XVII, and converting said formula XVII compound to the desired compound of formula Ic via sequential alkylation, deprotection and reductive amination in the manner described hereinabove in scheme III The reaction is shown in scheme V wherein R is CrC ₄ alkyl, P is a protecting group, Hal is Br or I and R ^a represents R ¹ minus one carbon atom (R ¹ - Ci)

SCHEME V

⁰⁰

Coupling Agent

Advantageously, the formula I compounds of the invention are useful for the treatment of

CNS disorders related to or affected by the Hιstamιne-3 receptor including cognitive disorders, for example Alzheimer's disease mild cognitive impairment, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, memory loss, sleep disorders, obesity, psychosis, dementia depression, Parkinson's disease or the like Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for the treatment of a disorder of the central nervous system related to or affected by the Hιstamιne-3 receptor in a patient in need thereof which comprises providing said patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I as described hereinabove The compounds may be provided by oral or parenteral administration or in any common manner known to be an effective administration of a therapeutic agent to a patient in need thereof

The term 'providing" as used herein with respect to providing a compound or substance embraced by the invention designates either directly administering such a compound or substance, or administering a prodrug, derivative or analog which forms an equivalent amount of the compound or substance within the body The inventive method includes a method for the treatment of schizophrenia, a method for the treatment of a disease associated with a deficit in memory, cognition or learning or a cognitive disorder such as Alzheimer's disease or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a method for the treatment of a mild cognitive disorder, a method for the treatment of a developmental disorder such as schizophrenia, a method for the treatment of psychosis, a method for the treatment of Parkinson s disease, a method for the treatment of depression, a method for the treatment of a sleep disorder or any other CNS disease or disorder associated with or related to the H ₃ receptor

In one embodiment the present invention provides a method for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD, also known as Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD) in both children and adults Accordingly, in this embodiment, the present invention provides a method for treating attention deficit disorders in a pediatric patient

The present invention therefore provides a method for the treatment of each of the conditions listed above in a patient, preferably in a human, said method comprises providing said patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I as described hereinabove The compounds may be provided by oral or parenteral administration or in any common manner known to be an effective administration of a therapeutic agent to a patient in need thereof

The therapeutically effective amount provided in the treatment of a specific CNS disorder may vary according to the specific condιtιon(s) being treated, the size, age and response pattern of the patient, the severity of the disorder, the judgment of the attending physician and the like In general, effective amounts for daily oral administration may be about 0 01 to 1 ,000 mg/kg, preferably about 0 5 to 500 mg/kg and effective amounts for parenteral administration may be about 0 1 to 100 mg/kg, preferably about 0 5 to 50 mg/kg

In actual practice, the compounds of the invention are provided by administering the compound or a precursor thereof in a solid or liquid form, either neat or in combination with one or more conventional pharmaceutical carriers or excipients Accordingly, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition which comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an effective amount of a compound of formula I as described hereinabove

In one embodiment, the invention relates to compositions comprising at least one compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients, or diluents Such compositions include pharmaceutical compositions for treating or controlling disease states or conditions of the

central nervous system In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise mixtures of one or more compounds of formula I

In certain embodiments, the invention relates to compositions comprising at least one compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients, or diluents Such compositions are prepared in accordance with acceptable pharmaceutical procedures Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are those carriers that are compatible with the other ingredients in the formulation and are biologically acceptable

The compounds of formula I may be administered orally or parenterally, neat, or in combination with conventional pharmaceutical carriers Applicable solid carriers can include one or more substances that can also act as flavoring agents, lubricants, solubilizers, suspending agents, fillers, glidants, compression aids, binders, tablet-disintegrating agents, or encapsulating materials In powders, the carrier is a finely divided solid that is in admixture with the finely divided active ingredient In tablets, the active ingredient is mixed with a carrier having the necessary compression properties in suitable proportions and compacted in the shape and size desired The powders and tablets preferably contain up to 99% of the active ingredient Suitable solid carriers include, for example, calcium phosphate, magnesium stearate, talc, sugars, lactose, dextrin, starch, gelatin, cellulose, methyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidine, low melting waxes and ion exchange resins In certain embodiments, a compound of formula I is provided in a disintegrating tablet formulation suitable for pediatric administration

Liquid carriers can be used in preparing solutions, suspensions, emulsions, syrups and elixirs The active ingredient can be dissolved or suspended in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier such as water, an organic solvent, a mixture of both, or a pharmaceutically acceptable oil or fat The liquid carrier can contain other suitable pharmaceutical additives such as, for example solubilizers, emulsifiers, buffers, preservatives, sweeteners, flavoring agents, suspending agents, thickening agents, colors, viscosity regulators, stabilizers or osmo- regulators Suitable examples of liquid carriers for oral and parenteral administration include water (particularly containing additives as above, e g cellulose derivatives, preferably sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution), alcohols (including monohydric alcohols and polyhydric alcohols e g glycols) and their derivatives, and oils (e g fractionated coconut oil and arachis oil) For parenteral administration, the carrier can also be an oily ester such as ethyl oleate and isopropyl myπstate Sterile liquid carriers are used in sterile liquid form compositions for parenteral administration The liquid carrier for pressurized compositions can be halogenated hydrocarbon or other pharmaceutically acceptable propellent

In certain embodiments, a liquid pharmaceutical composition is provided wherein said composition is suitable for pediatric administration In other embodiments, the liquid composition is a syrup or suspension

Liquid pharmaceutical compositions that are sterile solutions or suspensions can be administered by, for example, intramuscular, intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injection Sterile solutions can also be administered intravenously Compositions for oral administration can be in either liquid or solid form

The compounds of formula I may be administered rectally or vaginally in the form of a conventional suppository For administration by intranasal or intrabronchial inhalation or insufflation, the compounds of formula I can be formulated into an aqueous or partially aqueous solution, which can then be utilized in the form of an aerosol The compounds of formula I can also be administered transdermal^ through the use of a transdermal patch containing the active compound and a carrier that is inert to the active compound, is non-toxic to the skin, and allows delivery of the agent for systemic absorption into the blood stream via the skin The carrier can take any number of forms such as creams and ointments pastes, gels and occlusive devices The creams and ointments can be viscous liquid or semisolid emulsions of either the oιl-ιn-water or water-ιn-oιl type Pastes comprised of absorptive powders dispersed in petroleum or hydrophilic petroleum containing the active ingredient can also be suitable A variety of occlusive devices can be used to release the active ingredient into the blood stream such as a semipermeable membrane covering a reservoir containing the active ingredient with or without a carrier, or a matrix containing the active ingredient Other occlusive devices are known in the literature

Preferably the pharmaceutical composition is in unit dosage form, e g as tablets capsules, powders, solutions, suspensions, emulsions, granules, or suppositories In such form, the composition is sub-divided in unit dose containing appropriate quantities of the active ingredient, the unit dosage forms can be packaged compositions, for example, packeted powders, vials, ampoules, prefilled syringes or sachets containing liquids The unit dosage form can be, for example, a capsule or tablet itself, or it can be the appropriate number of any such compositions in package form The therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I provided to a patient will vary depending upon what is being administered, the purpose of the administration, such as prophylaxis or therapy, the state of the patient, the manner of administration, or the like In therapeutic applications, compounds of formula I are provided to a patient suffering from a condition in an amount sufficient to treat or at least partially treat the symptoms of the condition and its complications An amount adequate to accomplish this is a "therapeutically effective amount" as described previously herein The dosage to be used in the treatment of a specific case must be subjectively determined by the attending physician The variables involved

include the specific condition and the size, age and response pattern of the patient Generally, a starting dose is about 5 mg per day with gradual increase in the daily dose to about 150 mg per day, to provide the desired dosage level in the patient

In certain embodiments, the present invention is directed to prodrugs of compounds of formula I The term 'prodrug," as used herein, means a compound that is convertible in vivo by metabolic means (e g by hydrolysis) to a compound of formula I. Various forms of prodrugs are known in the art such as those discussed in, for example, Bundgaard, (ed ), Design of Prodrugs, Elsevier (1985), Widder, et al (ed ), Methods in Enzymology, vol 4, Academic Press (1985), Krogsgaard-Larsen, et al , (ed) 'Design and Application of Prodrugs, Textbook of Drug Design and Development, Chapter 5, 1 13-191 (1991 ), Bundgaard, et al Journal of Drug Delivery Reviews, 8 1-38(1992), Bundgaard, J of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 77 285 et seq (1988), and Higuchi and Stella (eds ) Prodrugs as Novel Drug Delivery Systems, American Chemical Society (1975)

For a more clear understanding, and in order to illustrate the invention more clearly, specific examples thereof are set forth hereinbelow The following examples are merely illustrative and are not to be understood as limiting the scope and underlying principles of the invention in any way The terms HPLC and NMR designate high performance liquid chromatography and proton nuclear magnetic resonance respectively The term MS designates mass spectroscopy with (+) referring to the positive mode which generally gives a M+1 (or M+H) absorption where M = the molecular mass All compounds are analyzed at least by MS and NMR The term Boc designates t-butoxycarbonyl Unless otherwise noted, all parts are parts by weight

EXAMPLES

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of 4-(2-Methylbenzιmιdazol-1-yl)benzoιc acid

Step 1 A solution of 2-methylbenzιmιdazole (5 OO g, 37 68 mmol) in anhydrous methylsulfoxide in a pressure vessel at room temperature was treated with potassium carbonate (20 83 g, 150 72 mmol) stirred at room temperature for 0 5 h and treated with methyl-4-fluorobenzoate (14 62 mL 113 03 mmol) The pressure vessel was sealed, allowed to heat at 80 ⁰ C for 72 h and cooled to room temperature The vessel was unsealed and the reaction mixture was filtered The filtrate was partitioned between dichloromethane and 5% aqueous citric acid The organic phase was washed sequentially with 5% aqueous citric acid, saturated aqueous sodium

bicarbonate, and brine, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo The resultant residue was purified by ISCO CombiFlash ^® chromatography (silica, 2 5-3 5% methanol/dichloromethane) to provide methyl 4-(2-methylbenzιmιdazol-1-yl)benzoate as an off- white solid, 5 72 g (57%), mp 153-154 ⁰ C, MS (ES) m/z 267 1 [M+H] ⁺ Step 2 A solution of methyl 4-(2-methylbenzoιmιdazol-1-yl)benzoate (O 34 g, 1 26 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran was treated with lithium hydroxide solution (2 6 mL 2 0 N) at room temperature, stirred at room temperature for 18 h and partitioned between sodium hydroxide and ethyl ether The aqueous phase was washed with ethyl ether, acidified with aqueous hydrochloric acid to pH 1-2 treated with saturated aqueous sodium chloride, set in the refrigerator for 2 hours and filtered The filtercake was dried under reduced pressure to give the title product as a white solid O 3 g (98 5%), mp 299-300 ⁰ C, MS (ES) m/z 253 1 [M+H] ⁺

EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of 3-[4-(2-Methylbenzιmιdazol-1-yl)benzoylamιno]-(R)-pyrrol� �dιne-1- carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

A solution of 4-(2-methylbenzoιmιdazol-1-yl)-benzoιc acid (1 5 g, 5 95 mmol), (R)-(+)-N- Boc-3-amιnopyrrolιdιne (1 11 mL, 6 54 mmol) and 4-methylmorpholιne (3 27 mL, 29 75 mmol) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran at 0 ⁰ C was treated with 2-(1H-benzotπazoM-yl)-1 , 1 ,3,3- tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate (TBTU)(2 20 g, 6 84 mmol), allowed to warm to room temperature, stirred at room temperature for 2 h and concentrated in vacuo The resultant residue was diluted with 5% aqueous citric acid and extracted with dichloromethane The extracts were combined, washed sequentially with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and brine, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and concentrated to dryness in vacuo to provide the title product as a yellow viscous oil, 2 23 g (90%) [α] _D ²⁵ = - 24 ° (c = 1 00 in methanol), MS (ES) m/z 421 [M+Hf

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of λ/-Methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)-λ/-(R)-pyrrolιdιn-3-yl- benzamide Hydrochloride

Step1 A solution of 3-[4-(2-methylbenzoιmιdazol-1-yl)benzoylamιno]-(R)-pyrrol ιdιne-1- carboxylic acid ferf-butyl ester (2 0O g 4 76 mmol) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran at 0 ⁰ C was treated slowly with sodium hydride (60% dispersion in mineral oil, 0 48 g, 11 90 mmol), stirred at 0 ⁰ C for 0 5 h, treated with iodomethane (0 90 mL, 14 27 mmol), stirred at room temperature for 18 h, quenched with 5% aqueous citric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate The extracts were combined, washed sequentially with aqueous citric acid, saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo The resultant residue was purified by ISCO CombiFlash® chromatography (silica, 1-4% methanol/dichlormethane) to provide 3-{methyl-[4-(2-methylbenzιmιdazol-1-yl)benzoyl]amιno}-(/ ?)-pyrrolιdιne-1-carboxylιc acid terf-butyl ester as a yellow foam, 1 2 g (58%) [α] _D ²⁵ = +43 ° (c = 1 00 in methanol), MS (ES) m/z 435 40 [M+H] ⁺

Step2 A solution of 3-{methyl-[4-(2-methylbenzιmιdazol-1-yl)benzoyl]amιno}-(f ?)-pyrrolιdιne-1- carboxylic acid terf-butyl ester (3 2 g, 7 36 mmol) in dichloromethane at room temperature was treated with trifluoroacetic acid (8 mL), stirred at room temperature for 20 h and concentrated in vacuo The resultant residue was dispersed in sodium hydroxide and saturated aqueous sodium chloride and extracted with methylene chloride until no product was detected in the aqueous phase by thin layer chromatography The extracts were combined, washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo This residue was purified by ISCO CombiFlash® chromatography (silica, 0 2% ammonium hydroxide, 5 % methanol/dichloromethane) to afford /V-methyl-4-(2-methyl-benzoιmιdazol-1-yl)- /V-(f?)-pyrrolιdιn-3-yl-benzamιde as a white foam, 2 17 g (88 2%) The foam was dissolved in ethyl acetate, treated with ethereal HCI, allowed to stand at 10-25° C and filtered The filtercake was dried to afford the title product as a white solid mp 171-172 ⁰ C MS (ES) m/z 335 1 [M+H] ⁺

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of /V-[(3R)-1-lsobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-/V-methyl-4-(2-methyl- 1 H- benzιmιdazol-1-yl)benzamιde Hydrochloride

A solution of W-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)-A/-(R)-pyrrolidin -3-y- benzamide (0 1 g, 0 3 mmol), isobutylaldehyde (0 033 mL, 0 36 mmol) and acetic acid (0 07 mL, 0 6 mmol) in methanol at 0 ⁰ C was treated with sodium cyanoborohydride (0 028 g, 0 45 mmol) allowed to warm to room temperature, stirred at room temperature for 3 h, quenched by the addition of saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (5 mL), aqueous sodium hydroxide (2 mL, 2 5 N), and aqueous saturated sodium chloride (2 mL) and extracted with dichloromethane The extracts were combined, washed with saturated aqueous sodium chloride, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo The resultant residue was purified by ISCO

CombiFlash® chromatography (silica, 3-5% methanol/dichloromethane) to give the free amine of the title product as a colorless foam The foam was dissolved in ethyl acetate, treated with ethereal HCI, allowed to stand at 10-25° C and filtered The filtercake was dried to afford the title product as a white solid, 0 082 g (64%), mp 189-190 ⁰ C, [α] _D ²⁵ = - 7 ° (c = 1 00 in methanol), identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses MS (ES) m/z 391 2 [M+Hf

EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of λ/-f(3R)-1-Cvclohexvlpvrrolιdιn-3-vn-/V-methvl-4-(2-methv l-1H- benzιmιdazol-1-yl)benzamιde Hydrochloride

A solution of λ/-methyl-4-(2-methylbenzιmidazol-1-yl)-λ/-(/?)-pyrrolιd ιn-3-yl-benzamιde (0 1 g, 0 3 mmol), cyclohexanone (0 037 mL, 0 36 mmol) and acetic acid (0 07 mL 0 6 mmol) in 1 ,2-dιchloroethane at 0 ⁰ C was treated with sodium triacetoxyborohydπde (0 095 g 0 45 mmol), allowed to warm to room temperature, stirred at room temperature for 3 h, quenched with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (5 mL), sodium hydroxide (2 mL, 2 5 N), and aqueous saturated sodium chloride (2 mL) and extracted with dichloromethane The extracts were

combined, washed with aqueous saturated sodium chloride dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo The resultant residue was purified by ISCO CombiFlash ^® chromatography (silica, 2 5-4% methanol/dichloromethane) to provide the free amine of the title product as a colorless foam The foam was dissolved in ethyl acetate, treated with ethereal HCI, allowed to stand at 10-25° C and filtered The filtercake was dried to afford the title product as a white solid, O 11 g (81%), mp 193-194 ⁰ C, identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses [α] _D ²⁵ = +16 ^ύ (c = 1 OO in methanol) MS (ES) m/z 417 2 [IVHH] ⁺ HRMS calcd for C ₂₆ H ₃₂ N ₄ O + H ⁺ , 417 26489, found (ESI, [M+H] ⁺ Obs'd), 417 2649

EXAMPLES 6-18 Preparation of λ/-[(3R)-1-Substιtuted-pyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-N-methyl-4-(2-me thyl- 1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)benzamιde Hydrochloride Compounds

R ^a = R ¹ - C ₁

Using essentially the same procedures described in Examples 4 and 5 and employing the desired aldehyde or ketone, the compounds shown in Table I were obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses

TABLE

Ex. No. R ¹ mp°C [M+HJ WD ^25*

6 ethyl 171-173 363 1 +6

7 propyl 180-182 377 1 +3

8 cyclopropylmethyl 185-186 389 1 +4

9 cyclopentylmethyl 190-192 417 2 +3

10 cyclohexylmethyl 184-185 431.2 -2

1 1 methyl 178-180 349.2 ~

12 isopropyl 181-183 377.1 +9

13 cyclobutyl 175-176 389.1 + 11

14 cyclopentyl 186-187 403.1 + 12

14 cyclopentyl 186-187 403.1 + 12

15 cycloheptyl 180-182 431.2 +8

16 tetrahydropyran-4-yl 200-202 419.1 + 14

17 bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl 205-207 429.2 +3

18 adamantan-2-vl 257-259 469.3 -10

^* 1.00% solution in methanol

EXAMPLE 19: Preparation of A/-Methvl-4-(2-methvlbenzimidazol-1-vl)-A/-(S)-pvrrolidin-3- y[- benzamide Hydrochloride

Step1 (S)-tert-butyl 3-(4-(2-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)benzamido)-pyrrolidi ne-1- carboxylate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 2 and employing (S)-(-)-N- Boc-3-amιnopyrrolidine as starting material, the title compound was obtained as a white foam. [tt] ₀ ²⁵ = +30 ° (c = 1 % solution in Methanol); MS (ES) m/z 421.2 [M+Hf. SteD_2: 3-{Methyl-[4-(2-methyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-( S)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 1) and employing (S)-tert-butyl 3-(4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]imidazol-1 -yl)benzamido)-pyrrolidιne-1 -carboxylate as the starting material, the title product was obtained as a yellow foam. [α] _D ²⁵ = -51 ° (c = 1% solution in Methanol); MS (ES) m/z 435.2 [M+Hf. Step 3' /V-Methyl-4-(2-methyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-/V-(S)-pyrrolidιn -3-yl-benzamιde

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 2) and employing 3- {methyl-[4-(2-methyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-benzoyl]-amino}-(S) -pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-

butyl ester as the starting material, the title product was obtained as a white solid, mp 130-132 ⁰ C MS (ES) m/z 335 2 [M+Hf

EXAMPLES 20-29 Preparation of /V-[(3S)-1-Substιtuted-pyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-A/-methyl-4-(2-me thyl- 1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)benzamιde Hydrochloride Compounds

R ^a = R ¹ C ₁

Using essentially the same procedures described in Examples 4 and 5 and employing N- methyl-4-(2-methylbenzιmιdazol-1-yl)-A/-(S)-pyrrolιdιn-3 -yl-benzamιde_and the desired aldehyde or ketone the compounds shown in Table Il were obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses

TABLE Il

Ex. No. R ¹ mp °C [M+H] M ₀ ^25*

20 isopropyl 190-192 377 2 -9

21 cyclobutyl 184-185 3892 -11

22 cyclopentyl 165-166 403 2 -14

23 cyclohexyl 170-172 417 3 -14

24 3-methylcyclopentyl 173-175 417 3 -11

25 (R)-3-methylcyclopentyl 175-177 417 3 -11

26 2-methylcyclohexyl 195-196 431 3 -

27 (R)-3-methylcyclohexyl 187-189 431 3 -7

28 3-methylcyclohexyl 181-183 431 3 -10

29 cyclopropylmethyl 179-180 389 2 -

^* 1 00% solution in methanol

EXAMPLE 30 Preparation of A/-Methyl-4-(2-methylbenzιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-pιpeπdιn-4-yl - benzamide Hydrochloride

Step 1 tert-butyl 4-(4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)benzamιdo)-pιperιdιne-1-carbox ylate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 2 and employing t-butyl 4- amιnopιpeπdιne-1-carboxylate as starting material, the title product was obtained as an off-white foam MS (ES) m/z 435 2 [M+H] ⁺

Step 2 N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-(pιpeπd ιn-4-yl)benzamιde Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 1 ) and employing tert-butyl 4-(4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)benzamido)-pιρeπdine-1-carboxyl ate as the starting material, the title product was obtained as a yellow foam MS (ES) m/z 449 3 [M+H] ⁺ Step 3 A/-Methyl-4-(2-methyl-benzoιmιdazol-1 -yl)-A/-pιpeπdιn-4-yl-benzamιde

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 2) and employing N- methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-(pιpeπdιn-4-yl)benzamιde as the starting material, the title product was obtained as a yellow solid, mp 219-221 ⁰ C, identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses MS (ES) m/z 349 2 [M+Hf

EXAMPLES 31-34 Preparation of A/-f1-Substιtuted-pιperιdιn-4-yll-M-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1 H- benzιmιdazol-1-yl)benzamιde Hydrochloride Compounds

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 5 and employing /V-methyl- 4-(2-methylbenzimιdazol-1-yl)-/V-pιperιdιn-4-yl-benzamι de and the desired ketone, the compounds shown in Table III were obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses

TABLE III

R ¹

Ex.No. R ¹ mp °C [M+H]

31 isopropyl 282-284 391 2 32 cyclopentyl 270 (dec) 417 2 33 cyclohexyl 285 (dec) 431 2

34 cyclobutyl 280 (dec) 403 2

EXAMPLE 35 Preparation of W-Methyl-4-[(2-methylbenzιmιdazol-1 -yl)methyl]-/ yl-benzamide Hydrochloride

Step 1 4-(2-Methyl-benzoιmιdazol-1-ylmethyl)-benzoιc acid methyl ester

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 1 (step 1) and employing methyl 4-bromomethylbenzoate as starting material, the title product was obtained as a yellow solid, mp 100-101 C MS (ES) M/ZI m/z 281 1 [M+H] ⁺ Step 2 4-(2-Methvl-benzoimιdazol-1-ylmethyl)-benzoιc acid

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 1 (step 2) and employing 4- (2-Methyl-benzoιrnιdazol-1-ylmethyl)-benzoιc acid methyl ester as starting material, the title product was obtained as a white solid mp 300 C decomposed, MS (ES) m/z 267 2[M + H]

Step 3 3-[4-(2-Methyl-benzoιmιdazol-1-ylmethyl)-benzoylamιno1-(/ ^)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxytιc acid teff-butyl ester

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 2 and employing 4-(2- methyl-benzoιmιdazol-1-ylmethyl)-benzoιc acid as starting material, the title product was obtained as a yellow solid [α] _D ²⁵ = -22 ° (c = 1% solution in Methanol) MS (ES) m/z 435 2 [M+H] ⁺

Step 4 3-{Methyl-[4-(2-methyl-benzoιmιdazol-1-ylmethyl)-benzoyl1- amιno}-(ff)-pyrro[ιdιne-1 - carboxylic acid terf-butyl ester

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 1) and employing 3- [4-(2-methyl-benzoιmιdazol-1-ylmethyl)-benzoylamιno]-(/ ^: ?)-pyrrolιdιne-1-carboxylιc acid tert- butyl ester as starting material, the title product was obtained as a yellow foam [α]o ²⁵ = -2 ° (c = 1% solution in Methanol), MS (ES) m/z 449 2 [M+H] ⁺ Step δ A/-Methyl-4-(2-methyl-benzoιmιdazol-1-ylmethyl)-A/-(R)-pyr rolιdιn-3-y[-benzamιde

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 2) and employing 3- {methyl-[4-(2-methyl-benzoιmιdazol-1-ylmethyl)-benzoyl]-am ιno}-(R)-pyrrolιdιne-1-carboxylιc acid ferf-butyl ester as starting material, the title product was obtained as a white solid, mp 126- 128 ⁰ C, [α] _D ²⁵ = - 0 69 ° (c = 7 mg in 0 8 mL Methanol), MS (ES) m/z 349 1 [M+Hf, HRMS calcd for C _2I H ₂₄ N ₄ O + H', 349 20229, found (ESI, [M+Hf Obs'd) 349 2025

EXAMPLE 36 Preparation of (RH-((1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-methyl-N-(pyrrolιdιn-3 - yl)benzamιde Hydrochloride

Step 1 Methyl-4-(( 1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1 -yl)methyl)benzoate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 1 (step 1) and employing benzimidazole as starting material the title product was obtained as a light yellow solid, mp 94- 95 ⁰ C MS (ES) m/z 267 1 [M+H] ⁺

Step 2 4-((1 H-benzofd]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)benzoιc acid

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 1 (step 2) and employing methyl-4-((1W-benzo[d]ιmιdazoI-1 -yl)methyI)benzoate as starting material, the title product was obtained as a white solid , mp 94-95 ⁰ C, MS (ES) m/z 253 1 [M+H] ⁺ Step 3 (ff)-tert-butyl 3-(4-((1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)benzamιdo)-pyrrol� �dιne-1- carboxylate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 2 and employing 4-((1 H- benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)benzoιc acid as starting material, the title product was obtained [α] _D ²⁵ = -23 8 ° (c = 7 mg in O 8 mL Methanol) MS (ES) m/z 421 2[M+Hf , Step 4 3-[(4-Benzoιmιdazol-1 -ylmethyl-benzoyl)-methyl-amιno]-(/ ^: ?)-pyrrolιdιne-1-carboxylιc acid tert-butyl ester

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 1) and employing (f?)-tert-butyl 3-(4-((1 W-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)benzamιdo)-pyrrolιdιne-1 -carboxylate as the starting material, the titled product was obtained as a white foam, [α] _D ²⁵ = - 1 0 ° (c = 7 mg in 0 8 mL Methanol), MS (ES) m/z 435 2 [M+Hf,

Step 5 (R)-4-((1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1 -yl)methyl)-N-methyl-N-(pyrrolιdιn-3-yl)benzamιde

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 2) and employing 3- [(4-Benzoιmιdazol-1-ylmethyl-benzoyl)-methyl-amιno]-(/?)- pyrrolιdιne-1-carboxylιc acid tert-butyl ester as starting material the title product was obtained as a white solid, mp 150-152 ⁰ C, [α] _D ²⁵ = - 0 6 ° (c = 7 mg in 0 8 mL methanol), MS (ES) m/z 335 2 [M+Hf

EXAMPLES 37-43 Preparation of A/-[(3R)-1-Substιtuted-pyrrolιdιn-3-yl]-/V-methyl-4-[(2-m ethyl- 1 H-benzιmιdazol-1 -yl)methyl]benzamιde Hydrochloride Compounds and λ/-[(3R)-1-Substιtuted- pyrroIιdιn-3-yl]-λ/-methyl-4-[(1 H-benzιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl]-benzamιde Hydrochloride Compounds

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 5 and employing the appropriate benzamide substrate and ketone the compounds shown in Table IV were obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses

TABLE IV

Ex.No. R ¹ »10 mp °C [M+H] 25*

JaI

37 isopropyl CH ₃ 163-164 391 2 +4 6 ^*

38 cyclobutyl CH ₃ 172-174 403 2 +6 63*

39 cyclopentyl CH ₃ 179-180 417 3 +7 4*

40 cyclohexyl CH ₃ 188-190 431 3 +9 2*

41 isopropyl H 167-169 377 3 +5 2 ^*

42 cyclobutyl H 154-155 389 3 +7 0 ^*

43 cyclopentyl H 164-165 403 3 +8 0*

^* 1 00% solution in methanol

Example 44 Preparation of N-methyI-4-((2-methyl-1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N- (pιpeπdιn-4-yl)benzamιde

Step 1 tert-butyl 4-(4-((2-methyI-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyI)benzamιdo)-pιpeπdme-1- carboxylate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 2 and employing tert-butyl 4-amιnopιpeπdιne-1-carboxylate as starting material, the title product was obtained as a yellow solid, mp 77-79 ³ C, MS (ES) m/z 449 3 [M+H]*,

Step 2 tert-butyl 4-(N-methyI-4-((2-methyl-1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazo!-1- yl)methyl)benzamιdo)pιperιdιne-1-carboxylate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 1) and employing tert-butyl 4-(4-((2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1 -yl)methyl)benzamιdo)pιpeπdιne-1-carboxylate as starting material the title product was obtained as a white foam, MS (ES) m/z 463 3 [M+H] ⁺ Step 3 N-methyl-4-((2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d)ιmιdazol-1 -yl)methyl)-N-(pιperιdιn-4-yl)benzamιde

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (Step 2) and employing N-methyl-4-((2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(pιpeπdιn-4-yl)benzam ιde as starting material, the title product was obtained as a white solid, mp 196-198 ⁰ C, MS (ES) m/z 363 2 [M+Hf

Example 45 Preparation of 4-((1H-benzofdlιmιdazol-1-vl)methyl)-n-methyl-N-(pιperιd ιn-4- yl)benzamιde

Step 1 tert-butyl 4-(4-((1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)benzamιdo)pιperι dιne-1-carboxy!ate Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 2 and employing 4-((1H- benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)benzoιc acid as starting material, the title product was obtained as a yellow foam, MS (ES) m/z 435 3 [M+H] ⁺

Step.2 tert-butyl 4-(4-((1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-methylbenzamιdo)pιper� �dιne-1- carboxylate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 1) and employing tert-butyl 4-(4-((1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)benzamιdo)pιperι dιne-1-carboxylate as starting material, the title product was obtained as a white foam, MS (ES) m/z 449 3 [M+Hf

Step 3 4-((1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-methyl-N-(pιperιdιn-4 -yl)benzamιde

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (Step 2) and employing tert-butyl 4-(4-((1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-methylbenzamιdo )piperιdine-1-carboxylate as starting material, the title product was obtained as a white solid mp 199-201 ⁰ C, MS (ES) m/z 349 1 [M+Hf

EXAMPLES 46-50 Preparation of 4-((1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1 -yl)methyl)-N-(1-substιtuted pιperιdιn-4-yl)-N-methylbenzamιde hydrochloride compounds and N-(1 -substituted pιpeπdιn-4- yl)-N-methyl-4-((2-methyl-1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl) -benzamιde hydrochloride compounds

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 5 and employing the desired ketone, the compounds shown in Table V were obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses.

TABLE V

Ex. No. R ¹ ,10 mp °C [M+H]

46 /-propyl CH ₃ 200-202 405 3

47 cyclobutyl CH ₃ 280 (dec) 417 3

48 cyclopentyl CH ₃ 280 (dec) 431 3

49 /-propyl H 185-187 391 2

50 cyclobutyl H 238-240 403 1

51 cyclopentyl H 248-250 417 2

Example _. 52 Preparation of 4-(5-Cyano-2-methyl-benzoιmιdazol-1-yl)-benzoιc acid

Step 1 To a solution of 4-fluoro-3-nιtrobenzonιtrιle (2 g, 12 mmol) and methyl-4-amιnobenzoate (1 91 g, 12 6 mmol) in anhydrous methylsulfoxide at O ⁰ C was added potassium f-butoxide (3 1 g, 26 4 mmol) The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature, and stirred at room temperature for 4 hours, quenched with 5% citric acid The brown solid was filtered and washed with CH ₂ CI ₂ (3 x 100 mL) The filtrate was partitioned between dichloromethane and 5% aqueous citric acid The aqueous layer was washed with dichloromethane The organic layers were combined and washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO ₃ solution brine, dned over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo The resultant residue was purified by ISCO ComiFlash ^® chromatography (silica, CH ₂ CI ₂ ) to provide 1 76 g (49%) of 4-(4-cyano-2-nιtro-phenylamιno)- benzoic acid methyl ester as an orange oil, MS (ES) m/z 298 3 [M+Hf Step 2 To a solution of 4-(4-cyano-2-nιtro-phenylamιno)-benzoιc acid methyl ester (O 36 g, 1 21 mmol) and hydrazine (O 24 mL, 4 84 mmol) in ethanol was added palladium on carbon (0 04 g, 10%), and the reaction mixture was allowed to reflux for 3 hours The palladium was filtered through the pad of celite The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo The residue was purified by ISCO ComiFlash ^® chromatography (silica 15% ethyl acetate/CH ₂ CI ₂ ) to give 0 161 g (50%) of 4-(2-amιno-4~cyano-phenylamιno)-benzoιc acid methyl ester as a yellow solid, mp 164-165 ⁰ C MS (ES) m/z 268 2 [M+Hf Step 3 To a solution of 4-(2-amιno 4-cyano-phenylamιno)-benzoιc acid methyl ester (0 5 g 1 87 mmol) at 0 ⁰ C was added acetyl chloride (0 2 mL, 2 81 mmol) K ₂ CO ₃ (1 55 g, 1 1 22 mmol 325 mesh) The reaction mixture was stirred in a water bath for 3 hours The solid was filtered through a pad of celite The filtrate was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water The organic solution was washed with 5% citric acid, saturated aqueous NaHCO ₃ solution and

brine dried over sodium sulfate The organic layers were concentrated in vacuo, then set in the refrigerator overnight The precipitate was filtered and the filtercake was dried under reduced pressure to give 0 5 g (86%) of 4-(2-acetylamιno-4-cyano-phenylamιno)-benzoιc acid methyl ester as an off-white solid, mp 231-232 ⁰ C MS (ES) m'z 310 2 [M+H] ⁺ Step 4 A solution of 4-(2-acetylamιno-4-cyano-phenylamιno)-benzoιc acid methyl ester (0 15 g, 0485 mmol) in acetic acid (10 ml_) was refluxed for 4 hours, and cooled to room temperature Brine (5 mL) was added The reaction mixture was partitioned between methylene chloride (CH ₂ CI ₂ ) and water The aqueous layer was extracted with CH ₂ CI ₂ (3 x100 mL) The organic layers were combined and washed with 5% NaHCθ ₃ solution and brine, dried with Na ₂ SO ₄ The solvent was removed in vacuo The crude solid was recrystallized from 20% ethylacetate/hexane The solid was filtered and the filtercake was dried under reduced pressure to give 0 124 g (88%) of 4-(5-cyano-2-methyl-benzoιmιdazol-1-yl)-benzoιc acid methyl ester as a white solid, mp 179-181 ⁰ C MS (ES) m/z 292 0 [M+H] ⁺

Step 5 To a solution of 4-(5-cyano-2-methyl-benzoιmιdazol-1-yl)-benzoιc acid methyl ester (3 25 g 11 16 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (40 ml) at room temperature was added aqueous LiOH solution (11 2 mL, 2 N), and ther reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 17 hours and then partitioned between aqueous NaOH soiution (2 5 N) and ethyl ether The aqueous phase was washed with ethyl ether and acidified with aqueous HCI to pH 1-2, treated with brine, set in the refrigerator for 4 hours and filtered The filtercake was dried under reduced pressure to give the title product 2 28 g (94%) as a white solid, mp 300 ⁰ C (dec) MS (ES) m/z 278 1 [M+H]

Example 53 Preparation of (R)-4-(5-cyano-2-methyl-benzoιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-methyl-N-pyr rolιdιn-

3-yl-benzamιde

Step 1 (R)-tert-butyl 3-(4-(5-cyano-2-methyl-1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yI)benzamιdo )pyrrolιdιne-1- carboxylate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 2 and employing (R)-(-)-N- Boc-3-amιnopyrrolιdιne as starting material, (R)-tert-butyl 3-(4-(5-cyano-2-methyl-1H-

benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)benzamιdo)pyrrolidιne-1-carboxylat e was obtained as a yellow foam, [α] _D ²⁵ = -23 6 ° (c = 1 00 in methanol), MS (ES) m/z 446 3 [M+H] ⁺

Step 2 3-{[4-(5-Cyano-2-methyl-benzoιmιdazol-1-yl)-benzoyl]-methy l-amιno}-(R)-pyrrolιdιne-1- carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 1) and employing (R)-tert-butyl 3-(4-(5-cyano-2-methyl-1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)benzamιdo )pyrrolιdιne-1- carboxylate as starting material, the title product was obtanined as yellow foam, [α] _D ²⁵ = +45 6 ⁰ (c = 1 00 in methanol) MS (ES) m/z 460 2 [M+H] ⁺

Step 3 (RH-tδ-cyano-a-methyl-IH-benzofdiimidazol-i-vD-N-methyl-N-t pyrrolidin-S- yl)benzamιde

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (Step 2) and 3-{[4-(5- cyano-2-methyl-benzoιmιdazol-1-yl)-benzoyl]-methyl-amιno} -(R)-pyrrolιdιne-1 -carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester as the starting material, the title product was obtained as a white solid, mp 178- 180 ⁰ C, [α] _D ²⁵ = +1 ° (c = 1 00 in methanol), MS (ES) m/z 360 2 [M+Hf

of 4-(5-Cyano-2-methyl-benzoιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-(1-substιtuted- pyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-N-methyl-benzamιde hydrochloride compounds

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 5 and employing the desired ketone, the compounds shown in Table Vl were obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses

25*

Ex No. R ¹ mp ⁰ C [M+H] [α] _c

54 /-propyl 230-232 402 3 +16 6

55 cyclobutyl 240-242 414 2 +24 4

56 cyclopentyl 185-187 428 3 +23 8 * 1 00% solution in methanol

Example 57-58 Preparation of 4~lndazol-2-yl-benzoιc acid methyl ester (57) 4-lndazol-1-yl- benzoic acid methyl

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 1 and employing indozole as the starting material, the mixture of 4-ιndazol-2-yl-benzoιc acid methyl ester and 4-ιndazol-1- yl-benzoιc acid methyl ester were obtained The mixture was separated by ISCO CombiFlash® chromatography (silica, 4-14% ethyl acetate/hexane) to provide 4-ιndazol-2-yl-benzoιc acid methyl ester (25%) as a white solid, mp 186-187 ⁰ C, MS (ES) m/z 253 0 [M+H] ^* , and 4-ιndazol- 1 -yl-benzoic acid methyl ester (39%) as a white solid, mp 80-81 ⁰ C, MS (ES) m/z 253 0 [M+H] ⁺

Example 59a-59b Preparation of 4-lndazol-2-yl-benzoιc acid (59a) and 4-lndazol-1 -yl-benzoιc acid (59b)

008/064634

Using essential the same procedure described in Example 2 and employing 4-ιndazol-2- yl-benzoic acid and 4-ιndazoM-yl-benzoιc acid as starting material respectively, 4-ιndazol-2-yl- benzoic acid was obtained as a white solid, mp 286-288 ⁰ C, MS (ES) m/z 237.0 [M-H] , and 4- ιndazol-1-yl-benzoιc acid was obtained as a white solid, mp 171-172 ⁰ C, MS (ES) m/z 237 O [M-

H]

EXAMPLES 60a-b Preparation of (R)-4-lndazol-2-y)-N-methyl-N-pyrrolιdιn-3-yl-benzamιde (60a)and (R)-4-lndazol-1-yl-N-methyl-N-pyrrolιdιn-3-yl-benzamιde (60b)

Step 1a (R)-tert-butyl 3-(4-(2H-ιndazol-2-yl)benzamιdo)pyrrolιdιne-1 -carboxylate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 2 and employing (R)-(-)-N- Boc-3-amιnopyrrolidιne and 4-ιndazol-2-yl-benzoic acid as starting materials, (R)-tert-butyl 3-(4- (2H-ιndazol-2-yl)benzamιdo)pyrrolιdιne-1-carboxylate was obtained as a white solid, mp 211- 212 ⁰ C [α] _D ²⁵ = -31 O ° (c = 1 OO in methanol), MS (ES) m/z 407 0 [M+Hf

56

SUBSTITUTE SHEET RULE 26

34

Step 1b (RHert-butyl 3-(4-(1H-ιndazol-1-yI)benzamιdo)pyrrotιdine-1-carboxylate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 2 and employing (R)-(-)-N- Boc-3-amιnopyrrolιdιne and 4-ιndazol-1-yl-benzoιc acid as starting materials, (R)-tert-butyl 3-(4- (1 H-ιndazol-1-yl)benzamιdo)pyrrolιdιne-1 -carboxylate was obtained as a yellow foam [α] _D ²⁵ = - 32 O ° (c = 1 OO in methanol), MS (ES) m/z 407 1 [M+Hf

Step 2a S-p-lndazol^-yl-benzoyO-methyl-ammoj-pyrrolidine-i-carboxyli c acid tert-butyl ester Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (Step 1) and employing (R)-tert-butyl 3-(4-(2H-ιndazol-2-yl)benzamιdo)pyrrolιdιne-1-carboxylat e as the starting material 3-[(4-indazol-2-yl-benzoyl)-methyl-amino]-(R)-pyrrolidme-1-c arboxylic acid tert-butyl ester was obtained as a yellow solid, mp 133-134 ⁰ C, [α] _D ^2D = +64 0 ° (c = 1 00 in methanol), MS (ES) m/z 421 0 [M+Hf

Step 2b 3-[(4-lndazol-1-yl-benzoyl)-methyl-amino]-(R)-pyrrolidine-1~ carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (Step 1) and employing (R)-tert-butyl 3-(4-(1 H-ιndazol-1-yl)benzamιdo)pyrrolιdιne-1-carboxylate as the starting material, 3-[(4-lndazol-1-yl-benzoyl)-methyl-amino]-(R)-pyrrolidine-1- carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester was obtained as a yellow foam, [α] _D ²⁵ = +60 0 ° (c = 1 00 in methanol), MS (ES) m/z 421 1 [M+Hf Step 3a (R)-4-(2H-ιndazol-2-yl)-N-methyl-N-(pyrrolιdιn-3-yl)benza mιde

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 2) and employing (R)-tert-butyl 3-(4-(2H-ιndazol-2-yl)benzamιdo)pyrrolιdιne-1-carboxylat e as the starting material, the desired product 60a was obtained as an off-white solid, mp 243-245 ⁰ C, [α] _D ²⁵ = -4 ° (c = 1 00 in methanol), MS (ES) m/z 321 [M+H]\ Step 3b (R)-4-(1 H-ιndazol-1-yl)-N-methyl-N-(pyrrolιdm-3-yl)benzamιde

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 2) and employing (R)-tert-butyl 3-(4-(1H-ιndazol-1-yl)benzamιdo)pyrrolιdιne-1-carboxylat e as the starting material, the desired product 60b was obtained as a yellow solid mp 99-101 ⁰ C, [α] _D ²⁵ = 0 ° (c = 1 00 in methanol), MS (ES) m/z 321 2 [M+Hf

EXAMPLES 61-66 Preparation of (R)-4-lndazol-2-yl-N-methyl-N-substιtuted pyrrolιdιn-3-yl- benzamide hydrochloride compounds (61-63) and (R)-4-lndazol-1-yl-N- substituted methyl-N- pyrrolιdιn-3-yl-benzamιde hydrochloride compounds (64-66)

57 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 5 and employing the desired ketone, the compounds shown in Table VII were obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses.

TABLE VII

Ex. No. R ¹ mp ⁰ C [M-I-H] [α] _D 25*

61 /-propyl 227-228 363 2 +2 00 62 cyclobutyl 163-165 375 2 +3 00

63 cyclopentyl 216-218 389 2 +10 00 64 /-propyl 175-177 363 2 +3 00 65 cyclobutyl 163-165 375 2 +6 00 66 cyclopentyl 151-152 389 2 +900 ^* 1 00% solution in methanol

EXAMPLES 67- 68 Preparation of 4-lndazol-2-yl-N-methyl-N-pιpeπdιn-3-yl-benzamιde (67) and 4-lndazol-1-yl-N-methyl-N-peπdιn-3-yl-benzamιde (68)

Step 1a tert-butyl 4-(4-(2H-ιndazol-2-yl)benzamιdo)pιpeπdιne-1-carboxylate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 2 and employing N-Boc-3- aminopipertdine and 4-ιndazol-2-yl-benzoιc acid as starting material the tert-butyl 4-(4-(2H- ιndazol-2-yl)benzamιdo)piperιdine-1-carboxylate was obtained as a pink solid, mp 202-204 ⁰ C MS (ES) m/z 421 3 [M+H] ⁺ ,

59

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26

2008/064634

Step 1b tert-butyl 4-(4-(1H-ιndazol-1-yl)benzamιdo)pιperιdιne-1 -carboxylate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 2 and employing N-Boc-3- aminopipendine and 4-ιndazoM-yl-benzoιc acid as the starting material, tert-butyl 4-(4-(1H- ιndazol-1-yl)benzamιdo)pιpeπdιne-1 -carboxylate was obtained as a yellow solid mp 165-166 ⁰ C, MS (ES) m/z 421 3 [M+Hf

Step 2a tert-butyl 4-(4-(2H-ιndazol-2-yl)-N~methylbenzamιdo)pιpeπdιne-1 -carboxylate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 1) and employing tert-butyl 4-(4-(2H-ιndazol-2-yl)benzamιdo)pιperιdιne-1 -carboxylate as the starting material the 4-[(4-ιndazol-2-yl-benzoyl)-methyl-amιno]~pιpeπdιne-1-c arboxylιc acid tert-butyl ester was obtained as a yellow solid, mp 176-177 ⁰ C MS (ES) m/z 435 2 [M+Hf

Step 2b tert-butyl 4-(4-(1H-ιndazol-1-yl)benzamιdo)pιperιdιne-1 -carboxylate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 1) and employing and tert-butyl 4-(4-(1H-ιndazol-1-yl)benzamιdo)pιperιdιne-1 -carboxylate as the starting material, 4-[(4-ιndazol-1 -yl-benzoyl)-methyl-amιno]-pιpeπdιne-1-carboxylιc acid tert-butyl ester was obtained as a yellow solid, mp147-149 ⁰ C, MS (ES) m/z 435 3 [M+Hf

Step 3a tert-butyl 4-(4-(1 H-ιndazol-1-yl)benzamιdo)pιpeπdιne-1-carboxylate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 2) and employing tert-butyl 4-(4-(2H-ιndazol-2-yl)benzamιdo)pιpeπdιne-1 -carboxylate as the starting material, the desired product 67 was obtained as a white solid, mp 260 ⁰ C decompose, MS (ES) m/z 335 1 [M+H] ⁺

Step 3b tert-butyl 4-(4-(1 H-ιndazol-1-yl)benzamιdo)pιpeπdιne-1 -carboxylate and tert-butyl 4-(4- (1 H-ιndazol-1-yl)benzamιdo)pιperιdιne-1-carboxylate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 2) and employing tert-butyl 4-(4-(1 H-ιndazol-1-yl)benzamιdo)pιperιdιne-1-carboxylate as the starting material, the desired product 68 was obtained as a light yellow solid, mp 255-256 ⁰ C, MS (ES) m/z 335 2 [M+Hf

EXAMPLES 69-74 Preparation of 4-lndazol-2-yl-N-methyl-N-substιtuted pιpeπdιn-3-yl- benzamide hydrochloride compounds (69-71) and 4-lndazol-1-yl-N-methyl-N-substιtuted pιperιdιn-3-yl-benzamιde hydrochloride compounds (72-74)

60 SUBSTITUTE SHEET RULE 26

the

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 5 and employing desired ketone, the compounds shown in Table VIII were obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses,

TABLE VIII

71-73

Ex. No. R ¹ JπE JM+HL

69 /-propyl 166-168 377 2 70 cyclobutyl 273-275 389 2 71 cyclopentyl 283-285 403 2 72 /-propyl 151-162 377 2 73 cyclobutyl 160 (dec) 389 2 74 cyclopentyl 240 (dec) 403 2

EXAMPLE 75 Preparation of (R)-4-((1H-ιndazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-methyl-N-(pyrrolιdιn-3- yl)benzamιde

Step 1 methyl 4-((1 H-ιndazol-1-yl)methyl)benzoate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 1 (step 1) and employing indazole as the starting material, the title product was obtained as a white solid, mp 89-90 ⁰ C, MS (ES) m/z 267 1 [M+Hf Step 2 4-((1 H-ιndazol-1-yl)methyl)benzoιc acid Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 1 (step 2) and employing methyl 4-((1 H-ιndazol-1-yl)methyl)benzoate as starting material, 4-ιndazol-1-ylmethyl-benzoic acid was obtained as a white solid mp 178-179 ⁰ C, MS (ES) m/z 253 1 [M+H] ⁺ Step 3 (R)-tert-butyl 3-(4-((1H-ιndazol-1-yl)methyl)benzamιdo)pyrrolιdιne-1-ca rboxylate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 2 and employing 4-ιndazol- 1-ylmethyl-benzoιc acid as the starting material, 3-(4-ιndazoI-1-ylmethyl-benzoylamtno)- pyrrolιdιne-1-carboxylιc acid tert-butyl ester was obtained as a yellow foam, [α] ₀ ²⁵ = -23 0 ° (c = 1 00 in methanol), MS (ES) m/z 421 3 [M+Hf

Step 4 3-[(4-lndazol-1-ylmethyl-benzoyl)-methyl-amιno]-(R)-pyrrol� �dιne-1-carboxy!ιc acid tert- butyl ester

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 1) and employing 3- (4-indazol-1-ylmethyl-benzoylamino)-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester as the starting material, the title product was obtained as a yellow wax, [α] ₀ ²⁵ = +55 O ° (c = 1 OO in methanol), MS (ES) m/z 435 3 [M+H] ⁺ Step 5 4-lndazol-1-vlmethyl-N-methyl-N~pyrrolιdιn-3-yl-benzamιde hydrochloride

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 2) and employing 3- [(4-ιndazo!-1 -y!methyl-benzoyl)-methy!-amιno]-(R)-pyrrolιdιne-1-carbox ylιc acid tert-butyl ester

25 as the starting material, the titled product was obtained as a yellow solid, mp 255-256 ⁰ C [α]o = 0 ° (c = 1 00 in methanol), MS (ES) m/z 335 2 [M+Hf

Example 76-78 Preparation of (R)-4-lndazol-1-y!methyl-N-(1-substιtuted-pyrrolιdιn-3-yl )-N- methyl-benzamide hydrochloride compounds

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 5 and employing the desired ketone, the compounds shown in Table IX were obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses

TABLE IX

Ex. No. R ¹ mp ⁰ C [MíH] [g] _D ^: 25*

76 /-propyl 156-158 377 2 +3

77 cyclobutyl 105-106 389 3 +4

78 cyclopentyl 98-99 403 3 ^* 1 ,00% solution in methanol

EXAMPLES 79-81 : Preparation of 4-lndazol-1-ylmethyl-N-(1 -substιtuted-pιpeπdιn-4-yl)-N- methyl-benzamide hydrochloride compounds

Step 1. 3-(4-lnda2θl-1-ylmethyl-benzoylamιno)-piperιdιne-1-carbo xylιc acid tert-butyl ester

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 2 and employing 4-lndazol- 1-ylmethyl-benzoιc acid as the starting material, the title product was obtained as a white foam, MS (ES) m/z 435 2 [M+Hf

Step 2 4-[(4-lndazol-1-ylmethyl-benzoyl)-methyl-amιno]-piperidine- 1-carboxylιc acid tert-butyl ester

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 1) and employing 3- (4-ιndazol-1-ylmethyl-benzoylamιno)-pιperιdιne-1-carbox ylιc acid tert-butyl ester as the starting material, the title product was obtained as a yellow foam, MS (ES) m/z 4492 [M+H] ⁺ Step 3' 4-lndazol-1-ylmethyl-N-methyl-N-pιperidιn-4-yl-benzamιde

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 2) and employing 4- [(4-mdazol-1-ylmethyl-benzoyl)-methyt-amιno]-pιpeπdιne-1 -carboxylie acid tert-butyl ester as the starting material, the title product was obtained as a white solid, mp 146-148 ⁰ C, MS (ES) rn/z 349 2 [M+H] ⁺

Step 4 4-lndazol-1-vlmethvl-N-(1-substituted-piperidin-4-vl)-N-meth yl-benzamide hydrochlorides

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 5 and employing the desired ketone the compounds shown in Table X were obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses

TABLE X

Ex. No. R ¹ mp ⁰ C [M+H]

79 /-propyl 197-199 391 2

80 cyclobutyl 254-256 403 2

81 cyclopentyl 265-267 417 2

EXAMPLES 82-84 Preparation of (R)-N-(1-substιtuted-pyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-N-methyl-4-pyrazol- 1-yl- benzamide hydrochloride compounds

Methyl 4-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzoate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 1 (step 1) and employing pyrazole as the starting material, methyl 4-(1 H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzoate was obtained as a white solid, mp 107-109 ^G C, MS (ES) m/z 203 2 [M-H] Step 2 4-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzoιc acιd Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 1 (step 2) and employing methyl 4-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzoate as starting material, 4-pyrazol~1-yl~benzoιc acid was obtained as a white solid, mp 263-264 ⁰ C, MS (ES) m/z 187 0 [M-H] Step 3 (R)-tert-butyl 3-(4-(iH-pyrazol-1-yl)benzamιdo)pyrrolιdιne-1-carboxylate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 2 and employing 4-pyrazol- 1-yl-benzoιc acid as starting material, 3-(4-pyrazol-1-yl-benzoylamιno)-pyrrolιdιne-1-carboxylιc acid tert-butyl ester was obtained as an off-white solid, mp 263-264 ⁰ C, [α] _D ²⁵ = -32 0 ° (c = 1 00 in methanol), MS (ES) m/z 357 0 [M+Hf Step 4 (R)-tert-butyl 3-(N-methyl-4-(1 H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzamιdo)-pyrrolιdιne-1-carboxylate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 1 ) and employing 3- (4-pyrazol-1-yl-benzoylamιno)-pyrrolιdιne-1-carboxylιc acid tert-butyl ester as the starting material, the title compound was obtained as an off-white foam, [α] _D ²⁵ = -7 ° (c = 1 00 in methanol), MS (ES) m/z 393 2 [M+Naf Step 5 (R)-N-methyl-4-(1H-pyrazol~1-yl)-N-(pyrrolιdin-3-yl)benzam� �de

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 2) and employing (R)-tert-butyl 3-(N-methyl-4-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzamιdo)pyrrolιdιne-1-ca rboxylate as the starting material, the title compound was obtained as an off-white solid, mp 170-174 ⁰ C [α]o ²⁵ = -9 ° (c = 1 00 in methanol), MS (ESI) m/z 271 2 [M+H] ⁺ Step 6 (R)-N-(I -substιtuted-pyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-N-methyl-4-pyrazol-1-yl-ben zamιde hydrochlorides

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 5 and employing the desired ketone, the compounds shown in Table Xl were obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses

TABLE Xl

Ex. No. R ¹ mp °C [MíH] [α] _D ^; 25*

82 /-propyl 176-178 313.2 +7.00

83 cyclobutyl 163-164 325.2 +8.00

84 cyclopentyl 170-171 339.2 +12.0 1.00% solution in methanol

EXAMPLES 85-87: Preparation of N-methyl-N-(1 -substituted piperidin-4-yl)-4-(1 H-pyrazol-1 - yl)benzamide hydrochloride compounds

Step 1 : tert-butyl 4-(4-( 1 H-pyrazol-1 -yl)benzamido)piperidine-1 -carboxylate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 2 and employing 4-pyrazol-

1-yl-benzoic acid as the starting material, the title compound was obtained as a white solid, mp

170-171 ⁰ C, MS (ES) m/z 393.1 [M+Na] ⁺ . Step 2: tert-butyl 4-(N-methyl-4-(1 H-pyrazol-1 -yl)benzamido)piperidine-1 -carboxylate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 1) and employing tert-butyl 4-(4-(1 H-pyrazol-1 -yl)benzamido)piperidine-1 -carboxylate as the starting material, the title compound was obtained as a white solid, mp 164-166 ⁰ C, MS (ESI) m/z 407.2 [M+Na] ⁺ .

Step 3: N-methyl-N-(piperidin-4-yl)-4-(1 H-pyrazol-1 -yl)benzamide Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 2) and employing tert-butyl 4-(N-methyl-4-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzamido)piperidine-1-carbox ylate as the starting material, N-methyl-N-(piperidin-4-yl)-4-(1 H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzamide hydrochloride was obtained as an off-white solid, mp 162-163 ⁰ C, MS (ESI) m/z 285.1 [M+H] ⁺ .

Step 4: N-methyl-N-(1 -substituted piperidin-4-yl)-4-(1 H-pyrazol-1 -yl)benzamide hydrochlorides Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 5 and employing the desired ketone, the compounds shown in Table XII were obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses.

TABLE Xl!

Ex. No. R^ mp ⁰ C [ft/H-H]

85 /-propyl 285-286 327.2

86 cyclobutyl 272-273 339.2

87 cyclopentyl 240 (dec) 353.2

EXAMPLES 88-90: Preparation of N-(1-substituted-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-N-methyl-4-pyrazol-1- ylmethyl-benzamide hydrochloride compounds

Step 1 methyl 4-((1 H-pyrazoM-yl)methyl)benzoate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 1 (step 1 ) and employing pyrazole as the starting material, the title compound was obtained as a yellow oil, MS (ESI) m/z 217 1 [M+H] ⁺

Step 2 4-((1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)benzoιc acid

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 1 and employing methyl 4- ((1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)benzoate as the starting material, 4-((1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)benzoιc acid was obtained as an off-white solid, mp 174-176 ⁰ C, MS (ESI) m/z 203 O [M+H]* Step 3 (R)-tert-butyl 3-(4-((1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)benzamιdo)pyrrolιdιne-1-car boxylate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 2 and employing 4-((1H- pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)benzoιc acid as the starting material, 3-(4-pyrazol-1-ylmethyl- benzoylamιno)-pyrrolιdιne-1-carboxylιc acid tert-butyl ester was obtained as a white foam, [α]p ²⁵ = O ° (c = 1 OO in methanol), MS (ESI) m/z 369 2 [M-H] Step 4 (R)-tert-butyl 3-(4-((1 H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-methylbenzamιdo)pyrrolιdιπe-1- carboxylate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 1 ) and employing (R)-tert-butyl 3-(4-((1 H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)benzamιdo)pyrrolιdιne-1-carboxylate as the starting

material, the title compound was obtained as a yellow foam, [α]o ²⁵ = +1 11 ° (c = 1 OO in methanol), MS (ESI) m/z 407 2 [M+Naf Step_^. (R)-4-((1 H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-methyl-N-(pyrrolιdιn-3-yl)benzam� �de

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (sterp 2) and employing (R)-tert-butyl 3-(4-((1 H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-methylbenzamιdo)pyrrolιdιne-1-ca rboxylate as the starting material, 4-pyrazol-1 -ylmethyl-N-pyrrolιdιn-3-yl-benzamιde hydrochloride was obtained as a light-yellow solid, mp 103-105 ⁰ C, [α] _D ²⁵ = -2 0 ° (c = 1 00 in methanol), MS (ESI) m/z 285 1 [M+H] ⁺

Step 6 (R)-4-((1 H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-methyl-N-(1 -substituted pyrrolιdιn-3-yl)benzamιde hydrochlorides

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 5 and employing the desired ketone the compounds shown in Table XIII were obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses.

TABLE XHI

Ex, No. R ¹ mp °C [M+H] [g] _D 25*

88 /-propyl 135-136 327 2 -2

89 cyclobutyl 125-127 339 2 +2

90 cyclopentyl 130-131 353 2 +2

1 00% solution in methanol

EXAMPLES 91-93 Preparation of N-(1-substιtuted-pιpeπdin-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-pyrazol-1- ylmethyl-benzamide hydrochloride compounds

Step 1 tert-butyl 4-(4-((1H-pyrazoH-yl)methyl)benzarnιdo)pιperιdιne-1-carb oxylatβ

Using essentially the same procedure described in Examples 2 and employing 4- pyrazol-1-ylmethyl-benzoιc acid as the starting material, the title product was obtained as a white solid, mp 168-169 ⁰ C, MS (ESI) m/z 383 2 [M-H] ^"

Step 2 tert-butyl 4-(4-(( 1 H-pyrazol- 1 -yl)methyl)-N-methylbenzamιdo)pιpeπd me- 1 -carboxylate Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 1 ) and employing 3-

(4-pyrazol-1-ylmethyl-benzoylamιno)-pιpeπdιne-1-carbo xylιc acid tert-butyl ester as the starting material, the title product which was obtained as a light yellow foam, MS (ESI) m/z 399 2 [M-H]

Step 3 4-((1 H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-methyl-N-(pιpeπdιn-4-yl)benzamι de hydrochloride

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 2) and employing 4-

P-indazol-i-ylmethyl-benzoylJ-methyl-aminoJ-pipendine-i-carb oxylic acid tert-butyl ester as the starting material, the title product was obtained as an off-white solid, mp 110-112 ⁰ C, MS (ESl) m/z 299 2 [M+Hf

Step 4 N-(1-substιtuted-pιpeπdιn-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-pyrazol-1-ylm ethyl-benzamιde hydrochlorides

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 5 and employing the desired ketone, the compounds shown in Table XIV were obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses

TABLE XIV

Ex. No. R ¹ mp JMiHL

91 /-propyl 213-215 341 2

Ex. No. R ¹ mp ⁰ C [M-I-H]

92 cyclobutyl 235-237 353 2

93 cyclopentyl 250 (dec) 367 2

EXAMPLES 94 Preparaion of (1-lsopropyl-pyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-methyl-amιne (94a) and 1- Cyclobutyl-pyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-methylamιne (94b)

Step 1: (R)-ferf-Butyl 3-(benzyloxycarbonylamιno)pyrrolιdιne-1-carboxylate

To a solution of (R)-tert-butyl 3-amιnopyrrolιdιne-i-carboxylate (1 0 eq) in tetrahydrofuran at 0 ⁰ C was added benzyl chloroformate (1.2 eq) and diisopropylethylamme (2 5 eq) and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours The reaction mixture was diluted with methylene chloride and washed with aqueous sodium hydroxide (1 0 N). The organic layer was dried (sodium sulfate) and the solvent was removed in vacuo Purification by ISCO CombiFlash® chromatography (silica, 20-100 % ethyl acetate in hexanes) provided the title compound, MS (ES) m/z 320 4 [M-H] ^" Step 2 (R)-terf-Butyl 3-((benzyloxycarbonyl)(methyl)amιno)-pyrrolιdιne-1-carbox ylate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 1) and employing (R)-tert-butyl 3-(benzyloxycarbonylamιno)pyrrolιdιne-1-carboxylate as the starting material, the title compound was obtained as a colorless oil, MS (ES) m/z 334.4 [M+H] ⁺ . Step 3 (R)-Benzyl methyl(pyrrolιdιn-3-yl)carbamate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 2) and employing (fi)-ferf-Butyl 3-((benzyloxycarbonyl)(methyl)amιno)-pyrrolιdιne-1-carbox ylate as the starting material, the title compound was obtained as a colorless oil, MS (ES) m/z 234 3 [M+Hf Step 4a (R)-Benzyl 1-ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl(methyl)carbamate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 5 and employing (R)-benzyl methyl-(pyrrolιdιn-3-y!)carbamate and acetone as starting material, the desired product was obtained, MS (ES) m/z 276 4 [M+H] ⁺

Step 4b (R)-Benzyl 1-cyclobutylpyrrolιdιn-3-yI(methyl)carbamate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 5 and employing (R)-benzyl methyl-(pyrrolιdιn-3-yl)carbamate and cyclobutanone as starting materials, the desired product was obtained as an oil, MS (ES) m/z 2884 [M+H] ⁺ Step 5a (1 -lsopropyl-pyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-methyl-amιne

To a solution of (R)-benzyl 1-ιsopropylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl(methyl)carbamate in ethanol at 0 ⁰ C under nitrogen atmosphere was added Pd-C 10% and the mixture was stirred at room temperature under hydrogen pressure (45 psi) overnight The catalyst was removed by filtration and the solvent was concentrated in vacuo The residue was purified by ISCO CombiFlash® chromatography (silica 0-10% methanol in dichloromethane with 0 5% ammonium hydroxide) to afford (R)-1-ιsopropyl-N-methylpyrrolιdιn-3-amιne, MS (ESI) m/z 143 1 [M+Hf S|ep_5b_ (1-Cyclobutyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-methyl-amine

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 94 (5a) and employing (R)- Benzyl i-cyclobutylpyrrohdin-S-yKmethylJcarbamate as the starting material, the desired product was obtained as a clear oil, MS (ESI) m/z 155 1 [M+Hf

EXAMPLES 95-102 Preparation of substituted -4-(2-methyl-1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)benzoιc acids

Step 1 4-(2-Methyl-benzoιmιdazol-1-yl)-substιtuted benzoates

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 1 (step 1) and employing the desired methyl 4-fluorobenzoate as starting material, the desired products were obtained and identified by 1 H NMR and mass spectral analyses

TABLE XV

Ex. No. R mp °C [M+H]

Ex. No. R mpj^ JMiML

95a Et 3-fluoro - 299.1

96a Me 2-chloro 148-150 301.1

97a Me 3-methyl 135-136 281.1

98a Me 3-methoxyl yellow oil 297.1

99a Me 2-methoyl colorless oil 297.1

100a Me 3-CF ₃ yellow foam 335.1

101a Me 2-CF ₃ 137-139 335.1

102a Me 2-Me 134-135 281.1

Step 2: 4-(2-Methyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-substituted benzoic acids

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 1 (step 2) and employing the requisite 4-(2-methyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-substituted benzoate as starting material, the compounds shown in Table XVI were obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses.

TABLE XVI

Ex. No. Appearance mp°C [M+H]

95b 3-fluoro white solid 285-287 271.0

96b 2-chloro white solid 263-265 287.0

97b 3-methyl white solid 250 decomp 267.0

98b 3-methoxyl white solid 254-256 283.1

99b 2-methoxyl white solid 209-211 283.1

100a 3-CF ₃ white solid 292-294 321.2

101a 2-CF ₃ white solid 299-300 321.2

102a 2-Me white solid 267-269 267.1

EXAMPLES 103-118: Preparation of (R)-N-methyl-4-(2-substituted -1 H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)- N-(1-methylpyrroIidin-3-yl)benzamideyl)benzamide hydrochloride compounds

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 2 and employing the desired methyl 4-(2-methyl-1h-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)benzoιc acid and amine the desired products were obtained and identified by 1H NMR and mass spectral analyses

TABLE XVII

Ex. No. R ¹ R ⁵ mp °C [M+H] [α] _D ^25*

103 /-propyl 3-fluoro 175-177 395 2 _

104 cyclobutyl 3-fluoro 164-166 407 2

105 /-propyl 2-chloro 204-205 41 1 2

106 cyclobutyl 2-chloro 207-209 423 1 -

107 /-propyl 3-methyl 183-185 391 2 -

108 cyclobutyl 3-methyl 164-166 403 2 +4

109 /-propyl 3-methoxyl 168-170 407 2 -5

110 cyclobutyl 3-methoxyl 168-170 419 2 -4

111 /-propyl 2-methoxyl 193-195 407 2 -8

112 cyclobutyl 2-methoxyl 202-204 419 2 -7

113 /-propyl 3-CF ₃ - - -

114 cyclobutyl 3-CF ₃ - - -

115 /-propyl 2-CF ₃ - - -

116 cyclobutyl 2-CF ₃ - - -

117 /-propyl 2-Me - - -

118 cyclobutyl 2-Me - - -

^* 1 00% solution in methanol

EXAMPLE 1 19-134 Preparation of substιtuted-N-(1-substιtuted-pιperιdιn-4-yl)-N-methyl-4 -(2- methyl-benzoιmιdazol-1-yl)-benzamιde hydrochloride compounds

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 2 employing the desired amine, the compounds shown in Table XVIII were obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses

TABLE XVIII

Ex. No. R ¹ R ⁵ JMlML

119 /-propyl 3-fluoro 279-281 409 2

120 cyclopentyl 3-fluoro 250 (dec) 435 2

121 ^-propyl 2-chloro 250 (dec) 425 2

122 cyclpentyl 2-chloro 240 (dec) 451 2

123 /-propyl 3-methyl 250 (dec) 405 2

124 cyclopentyl 3-methyl 240 (dec) 431 2

125 /-propyl 3-methoxyl 250-252 421 2

126 cyclopentyl 3-methoxyl 244-246 447 2

_{1 27}

/-propyl 2-methoxyl 215-217 421 2

128 cyclopentyl 2-methoxyl 210-212 447 2

129 /-propyl 3-CF ₃ - -

130 cyclobutyl 3-CF ₃ - -

131 /-propyl 2-CF ₃ - -

132 cyclobutyl 2-CF ₃ - -

133 /-propyl 2-Me - -

134 cyclobutyl 2-Me - -

EXAMPLE 135-137 Preparation of N-(1-substιtuted-pyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-4-(2-methyl-benzoιmιd azol-

1-yl)-benzamιde hydrochloride compounds

Step_1_4-(2-Methyl-benzoιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-(R)-pyrrolιd� �n-3-yl-benzamιde

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 2) and employing 3-

[4-(2-methyl-benzoιmιdazol-1-yl)-benzoylamιno]-(/?)-py rrolιdιne-1-carboxylιc acid tert-butyl ester

25 _ as the starting material the title product was obtained as a yellow solid, imp 197-199 ⁰ C, [α]p ²

0 ° (c = 1 00 in methanol), MS (ES) m/z 321 2 [M+Hf

Step 2 N-(1-substιtuted-pyrrolιdιn-3-ylH-(2-methyl-benzoιmιdaz ol-1-yl)-benzamιde hydrochlorides

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 5 and employing 4-(2- methyl-benzoιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-(R)-pyrrolιdιn-3-yl-benzam� �de and the desired ketone as starting material the compounds shown in Table XIX were obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses

Ex. No. R ¹ mp °C [MíH] [a] 25 ^«

135 isopropyl 186-188 363 2 -5 0

136 cyclopenty! 168-170 389 2 -11 0

137 cyclohexyl 194-196 403 2 -17 0 * 1 00% solution in methanol

EXAMPLE 138 Preparation of (R)-N-ethyl-4-(2-methyl-1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-(pyrro lιdm- 3-yl)benzamιde hydrochloride compounds

SteD_1_ 3-{Ethyl-[4-(2-methyl-benzoιmιdazol-1-yl)-benzoyl]-amιno} -(R)-pyrrolιdine-1-carboxylιc acid tert-butyl ester

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 1) and employing 3- [4-(2-methyl-benzoιmιdazol-1-yl)-benzoylamιno]-(/?)-pyrro lιdιne-1-carboxylιc acid tert-butyl ester and ethyl bromide as the starting material, the title product was obtained as a white foam, [α] _D ²⁵ = +64 6° (1 % solution in methanol), MS (ES) m/z 449 2 [M+H] ⁺ , Step 2 N-Ethyl-4-(2-methyl-benzoιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-pyrrolιdιn-3-y l-benzamιde hydrochloride

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 2) and employing 3- {ethyl-[4-(2-methyl-benzoιmιdazol-1-yl)-benzoyl]-amιno}-( / ^: ?)-pyrrolιdιne-1-carboxylιc acid tert- butyl ester as the starting material, the title product was obtained as a yellow solid, mp 174-176 ⁰ C, [α] _D ²⁵ = -11 4° (1% solution in methanol), MS (ES) m/z 349 2 [M+Hf ,

EXAMPLE 139-141 Preparation of (R)-N-ethyl-4-(2-methyl-1H-benzofd1ιmιdazol-1-yl)-N-(1- methylpyrrolιdιn-3-yl)benzamιde hydrochloride compounds

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 5 and employing the appropriate ketone, the compounds shown in Table XXI were obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses

TABLE XXI

139 isopropyl 156-157 391 3 -104

140 cyclobutyl 134-136 403 28 -8 4

141 cyclopentyl 162-164 417 30 -7 6

142 cyclohexyl 177-179 431 32 -8 2 α] ₀ = 1% solution in methanol

EXAMPLE 143-144 Preparation of (R)-N-methyl-4-((2-methyl-1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1 - yl)methyl)-N-(1-substιtuted pyrrolιdιn-3-yl)-1-naphthamιde hydrochloride compounds and N- methyl-4-((2-methyl-1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1 -substituted pιpeπdιn-4-yl)-1- naphthamide hydrochloride compounds

Step 1 methyl 4-((2-methyl-1 H-ben2o[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-1-naphthoate

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 1) and employing methyl 4-(bromomethyl)-1-naphthoate as the starting material, the title product was obtained as a white solid, mp 207-208 ⁰ C, MS (ES) m/z 331 1 [M+Hf,

Step 2 4-((2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazo!-1-yl)methyl)-1-naphthoιc acιd

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 2) and employing methyl 4-((2-methyl-1H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-1-naphthoate as the starting material, the title product was obtained as a white solid, mp 292-293 ⁰ C, MS (ES) m/z 317 1 [M+H] ⁺ ,

Step 3 (R)-N-methyl-4-((2-substιtuted-1H-benzo[d1ιmιdazol-1-vl)m ethyl)-N-(1-methylpyrrolιdιn-

3-yl)-1 -naphthamide hydrochlorides and N-(1-substιtutedιperιdιn-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-((2-methyl-

1 H-benzo[d]ιmιdazol-1-yl)methyl)-1 -naphthamide hydrochlorides

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 5 and employing the desired ketone the compounds shown in Table XXII were obtained and identified by NMR and mass spectral analyses

TABLE XXII

143a 1 isopropyl 441 2 0 192-194

143b 1 cyclobutyl 453 2 +3 157-159

144a 2 cyclopentyl 481 2 - 228-230

144b 2 isopropyl 455 2 - 153-155

144c 2 cyclobutyl 467 2 279-281

EXAMPLE 145-148: Preparation of (R)-N-methvl-3-(2-methvl-1H-benzofd1imidazol-1-yl)-N-(1- substituted pyrrolidin-3-yl)benzamide hydrochloride compounds (145-146) and N-methy!-3-(2- methyl-1 H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)-N-(1-substituted piperidin-4-yl)benzamide hydrochloride compounds (147-148)

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 2 employing the desired amine, the compounds shown in Table XXIII are obtained.

TABLE XXIII

Ex. No. R ¹ Ex. No. R ¹

145 /-propyl 147 /-propyl 146 cyclobutyl 148 cyclopenty

EXAMPLE 149-180: Preparation of (R)-N-methyl-3-(fluoro substituted 1H- benzo[d]imidazol-1- yl)-N-(1 -substituted pyrrolidin-3-yl)benzamide hydrochloride compounds and N-methyl-3-( fluoro substituted-1 H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)-N-(1-substituted piperidin-4-yl)benzamide hydrochloride compounds

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 2 and employing the desired 4-((fluoro substituted-1 H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)methyl)benzoic acid and amine, the compounds shown in Table XXIV are obtained.

TABLE XXIV

EXAMPLE 181-212 : Preparation of (R)- N-methyl -4-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1- substituted pyrrolidin-3-yl) benzamide hydrochloride compounds and N-methyl-4-((2-methyl-1 H- benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(1-substituted piperidin-4-yl)benzamide hydrochloride compounds

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 2 and employing the desired 4-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1 -yl)methyl)benzoic acid and amine, the compounds shown in Table XXV are obtained.

TABLE XXV

EXAMPLE 213-216 : Preparation of (R)-4-{1 H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)-N-methyl-N-(piperidin-3- yl)benzamide, (R)-N-methyl-4-(2-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)-N-(piperi din-3-yl)benzamide and (R)-4-((1 H-benzo[dJimidazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-methyl-N-(piperidin-3-yl)b enzamιde, (R)-N- methyi-4-((2-methyl- 1 H-benzo[d]imidazol-1 -yl)methyl)-N-(piperidin-3-yl)benzamide

Step 1 : Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 2 employing the desired 4- ((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)methyl)benzoic acid and (R)-1-benzylpiperidin-3-amine, the compounds shown in Table XXVI are obtained.

TABLE XXVI

Ex. No. n Ex. No. n

213a H O 214a Me O 215a H 1 216a Me 1

Step 2: Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 3 (step 1), the compounds shown in Table XXVII are obtained.

TABLE XXVII

Step 3:To a solution of the desired substrate in ethanol under N2 at room temperature is added Pd-C 10%. The reaction mixture is hydrogenated at 40 Psi for 18 hrs. The mixture is filtered through a pad of celite and the filtrate is concentrated under in vacuo. The residue are purified by ISCO CombiFlash chromatography (silica, 2.5-3.5% methanol/methylene chloride) to provide the compounds shown in Table XXVII. TABLE XXVII!

EXAMPLE 218-229: Preparation of (R)-1-substituted-N-metnyIpiperidtn-3-arnine derivatives

Using essentially the same procedure described in Example 2 employing the desired amine, the compounds shown in Table XXIX are obtained.

TABLE XXIX

Ex, No. R ² n R ¹ Ex. No. R ² n R ¹

218 H 0 /-propyl 219 Me 0 /-propyl

220 H 0 cyclobutyl 221 Me 0 cyclobutyl

222 H 0 cyclopentyl 223 Me 0 cyclopentyl

224 H 1 /-propyl 225 Me 1 /-propyl

226 H 1 cyclobutyl 227 Me 1 cyclobutyl

228 H 1 cyclopentyl 229 Me 1 cyclopentyl

EXAMPLE 229-240 Preparation of (R)-N-(I -substituted pyrrolidin-3-yI)-N-methyl-4-((substituted-1 H- benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)rnethyl)benzamide hydrochloride compounds and N -(1 -substituted piperidin-4-yl)-N-methyl-4-((substituted-1H-benzo[d]imidazol -1-yI)methyl)benzamide hydrochloride compounds

Using essentially the same procedures described in Example 2 employing the desired 4-((1H- benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)methyl)benzoic acids and amines, the compounds shown in Table XXX are obtained.

85

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26

TABLE XXX

Ex. No. R n R ¹ Ex. No. R ² n R ¹

229 5-0Me 0 /-propyl 230 6-OMe 0 /-propyl

231 5-OMe 0 cyclobutyl 232 6-OMe 0 cyclobutyl ,

223 5-Me 0 /-propyl 234 6-Me 0 /-propyl

225 5-Me 0 cyclobutyl 236 6-Me 0 cyclobutyl

227 5-OMe 1 /-propyl 238 6-OMe 1 /-propyl

229 5-Me 1 cyclopentyl 240 6-Me 1 cyclopentyl

EXAMPLE 241-252

Preparation of (R)-N-(I -substituted pyrrolidin-3-yl)-4-((substituted-2-methyl-1H- benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-methylbenzamidehydrochloride compounds and N-(1- substituted piperidin-4-yI)-4-((substituted-2-methyl-1 H-benzo[d]imidazol-1 -yl)methyl)-N- methylbenzamidehydrochloride compounds

Using essentially the same procedures described in Examples 2 employing the desired 4-((1H- benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)methyl)benzoic acids and amines, the compounds shown in Table XXXI are obtained.

TABLE XXXl

Ex. No. R n R ¹ Ex. No. R ² n R ¹

241 5-OMe 0 /-propyl 242 6-OMe 0 /-propyl

243 5-OMe 0 cyclobutyl 244 6-OMe 0 cyclobutyl

245 5-Me 0 /-propyl 246 6-Me 0 /-propyl

247 5-Me 0 cyclobutyl 248 6-Me 0 cyclobutyl

249 5-OMe 1 /-propyl 250 6-OMe 1 /-propyl

251 5-Me 1 cyclopentyl 252 6-Me 1 cyclopentyl

Example 253: Evaluation of Methyl histamine binding in human histamine H3 receptor cell line

The affinity of test compounds for the histamine 3 (H3) receptor is evaluated in the following manner, Stably transfected HEK293T cells are grown in DMEM containing 10% heat

86

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26

inactivated FBS and G-418 (500ug/ml) Cells are scraped from the plate transferred to centrifuge tubes, washed one time in PBS by centrifugation in a Sorvall RT7 Plus centrifuge (2000rpm 10 minutes 4 ⁰ C) The resulting pellets are stored at -8O ⁰ C until ready for use Cells are re-suspended in buffer (5OmM Tris pH=7 5) and placed in a Dounce homogenizer douncing ten times to homogenize cells The homogenate is spun down by centrifugation (Sorvall RT7 Plus, 1800rpm 10 minutes, 4 ⁰ C) The supernatant is placed in a Corex tube and spun down by centrifugation (Sorvall RC 5c Plus, 17,000 rpm 20 minutes, 4 ⁰ C) The pellet is resuspended in buffer (5OmM Tπs, pH 7 5) Protein concentration (ug/ul) is determined using the Micro-BCA Protein Determination The binding assay is set up in a 96 well microtiter plate in a total volume of 250 uL Non-specific binding is determined in the presence of 10 uM clobenpropit The final radioligand concentration is 1 nM The test compound is serially diluted using the Beckman Bιomek2000 to a final approximate range of 100 uM to 100 pM Membranes are suspended in buffer homogenized in 2 bursts of ten seconds using a Vitris mechanical homogenizer set at power setting 5 Ten μg of membranes are added to each well Following a one hour incubation at 30 ⁰ C, the reaction is terminated by the addition of ice cold buffer and rapid filtration with a Packard Filtermate Harvester through a GF/B filter pre-soaked with 1 % PEI for one hour The plate is dried for one hour at 37 ⁰ C and 60 μl Microscint Scintillaπt is added to each well The CPM per well is measured on a Packard Top Count NXT Ki values are determined in nM The Ki is calculated from the IC _5O (ι e the concentration of competing ligand which displaces 50% of the specific binding of the radioligand) CPM values are expressed as % specific binding and plotted vs compound concentration A curve is fitted using a four- parameter logistic fit and the IC ₅₀ value is determined The Ki is calculated from this using the Cheng-Prusoff equation pKi = IC ₅₀ /1 +(UKd) where L = concentration of free radioligand used in the assay, and Kd is the dissociation constant of the radioligand for the receptor L is determined for each experiment by counting an aliquot of the diluted radioligand (corresponding to that added to each well) and the Kd has previously been determined under identical conditions for this cell line / radioligand Cyclic AMP assay for histamine receptor H3 antagonism activity

Stable H3 cells are maintained in tissue culture flask in DMEM with high glucose, 10 % FBS 1 X pen/strep, 500 ug/ml GY18 until experiment Culture media is removed and cells are washed twice with PBS w/ Ca++ and Mg++ plus 500 μM IBMX Cells are then detached by tapping on the side of the flask and resuspend in the same buffer Two thousand cells/well are incubated with 1 μM histamine plus 10 μM forskolin plus various concentrations of compounds in a total volume of 30 μl in 96 well plates for 30 mm at 3O ⁰ C Final test compound concentrations range from 10-4M to 10-9 5M at full log dilutions Cyclic AMP levels are measured using HitHunter cAMP kit from Discoverx, cat# 900041 according to manufacturer s instruction Chemiluminescence signals are detected using Top Count (Packard)

Cyclic AMP levels in control cells receiving 10 μM forskolin plus 100 nM histamine are considered 0%, and in cells receiving 10 uM forskolin plus 100 nM histamine plus 1 μM clobenpropit are considered 100% Data are expressed as % control and analyzed using Prizm soft ware The Kb values are calculated using the following equation, KB = EC ₅₀ or IC ₅₀ /[1 + (Iιgand/Kd)] The data are shown in Table XXX, below

For Table XXX

A = < 1O nM

B = 10 1 nM -50 0 nM C = 50 1 nM - 100 nM

D = > 10O nM

TABLE XXX hH3 Binding Ki Example #

(nM)

3 D

4 B

5 A

6 B

7 B

8 B

9 B

10 D

11 D

12 A

13 A

14 A

15 B

16 B

17 A

18 D

19 D

20 B

21 B

22 A

23 B

hH3 Binding Ki Example #

{nM)

24 B

25 B

26 D

27 D

28 B

29 B

30 D

31 A

32 A

33 D

34 B

35 D

36 D

37 A

38 A

39 A

40 B

41 A

42 A

43 B

44 D

45 D

46 C

47 D

48 D

49 C

50 D

51 D

53 D

54 A

55 A

56 B

60a D

60b D

61 A

hH3 Binding Ki Example #

(nM)

62 A

63 A

64 A

65 A

66 B

67 D

68 D

69 C

70 D

71 D

72 C

73 D

74 D

75 D

76 C

77 B

78 C

79 C

80 D

81 D

82 A

83 A

84 A

85 D

86 D

87 D

88 D

89 D

90 D

91 D

92 D

93 D

103 B

104 B

105 B

hH3 Binding Ki Example #

(nM)

106 B

107 -

108 -

109 -

110 -

111 -

112 -

113 -

114 -

115 -

116 -

117 -

118 -

119 A

120 B

121 A

122 C

123 -

124 -

125 -

126 -

127 -

128 -

129 -

130 -

131 -

132 -

133 -

134 -

135 D

136 D

137 D

138 D

139 B

140 B

hH3 Binding Ki Example #

(nM)

141 C 142 D