Compounds having Selectivity for Retinoid X Receptors i

Related Applications

This application is a continuation-in-part of the application Serial No. 08/027,747, filed on March 5, 1993, which is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 5 08/003,223, filed on January 11, 1993, which is a continu¬ ation-in-part of application Serial No. 944,783, filed on September 11, 1992, which is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 872,707 filed April 22, 1992.

Field of the Invention 10 This invention relates to intracellular receptors and ligands therefor. More specifically, this invention re¬ lates to compounds having selective activity for specific retinoic acid receptors, and methods for use of such compounds.

15 Background of the Invention

The vitamin A metabolite retinoic acid has long been recognized to induce a broad spectrum of biological effects. A variety of structural analogues of retinoic acid have been synthesized that also have been found to be

20 bioactive. Some, such as Retin-A ^® (registered trademark of Johnson & Johnson) and Accutane ^® (registered trademark of Hoffmann-LaRoche) , have found utility as therapeutic agents for the treatment of various pathological condi¬ tions. Metabolites of vitamin A and their synthetic

25 analogues are collectively herein called "retinoids".

Synthetic retinoids have been found to mimic many of the pharmacological actions of retinoic acid. However, the broad spectrum of pharmacological actions of retinoic

acid is not reproduced in full by all bioactive synthetic retinoids.

Medical professionals have become very interested in the medicinal applications of retinoids. Among their uses approved by the FDA is the treatment of severe forms of acne and psoriasis. A large body of evidence also exists that these compounds can be used to arrest and, to an extent, reverse the effects of skin damage arising from prolonged exposure to the sun. Other evidence exists that these compounds may be useful in the treatments of a variety of severe cancers including melanoma, cervical cancer, some forms of leukemia, and basal and squamous cell carcinomas. Retinoids have also shown an ability to be efficacious in treating premalignant cell lesions, such as oral leukoplakia, and to prevent the occurrence of malignancy.

Use of the retinoids is associated with a number of significant side effects. The most serious of these is that, as a class, they are among the most potent tera- togens known. Teratogens are compounds that cause severe birth defects during specific periods of fetal exposure. Other side effects include irritation of the tissues treated, which can be so severe that patients cannot tolerate treatment. Various investigations have been undertaken to elucidate the structure-activity relationships governing the abilities of synthetic retinoids to induce the various pharmacological consequences of retinoic acid exposure. This has been a complicated task, however, since the assays available to investigators have been bioassays, carried out either in intact animals or in isolated tissues. Technical constraints have often dictated the use of different small animal species for different assays. Interpretation of results has been complicated by possible pharmacokinetic and metabolic effects and possible species differences in the receptors involved.

Nevertheless, definite differences in the pharmacological effects of various synthetic retinoids have been observed. Major insight into the molecular mechanism of retinoic acid signal transduction was gained in 1988. Prior to that time, several high abundance cellular retinoid binding proteins were incorrectly inferred to be the signal transducing receptors for retinoic acid. In 1988, a member of the steroid/thyroid hormone intra- cellular receptor superfamily (Evans, Science, 240:889-95 (1988)) was shown to transduce a retinoic acid signal

(Giguere et al., Nature, 330:624-29 (1987); Petkovich et al..

Nature, 330: 444-50 (1987)) . This unexpected finding related retinoic acid to other non-peptide hormones and elucidated the mechanism of retinoic acid effects in altering cell function. It is now known that retinoids regulate the activity of two distinct intracellular receptor sub¬ families; the Retinoic Acid Receptors (RARs) and the Retinoid X Receptors (RXRs) .

The first retinoic acid receptor identified, designated RAR-alpha, acts to modulate transcription of specific target genes in a manner which is ligand- dependent, as has been shown to be the case for many of the members of the steroid/thyroid hormone intracellular receptor superfamily. The endogenous low-molecular-weight ligand upon which the transcription-modulating activity of RAR-alpha depends is all -trans-retinoic acid. Retinoic acid receptor-mediated changes in gene expression result in characteristic alterations in cellular phenotype, with consequences in many tissues manifesting the biological response to retinoic acid. Two additional genes closely related to RAR-alpha were recently identified and were designated RAR-beta and RAR-gamma and are very highly related (Brand et al.. Nature , 332:850-53 (1988); Ishikawa et a/., Mol. Endocrin. , 4:837-44 (1990)). In the region of the retinoid receptors which can be shown to confer ligand binding, the primary amino acid sequences diverge by less than 15% among the three RAR subtypes or isoforms. All-

trans-retinoic acid is a natural ligand for the retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and is capable of binding to these receptors with high affinity, resulting in the regulation of gene expression. The newly-discovered retinoid meta- bolite, 9-c/s-retinoic acid, is also an activator of RARs. A related but unexpected observation was made recently (Mangelsdorf et al.. Nature, 345:224-29 (1990)), in which another member of the steroid/thyroid receptor superfamily was also shown to be responsive to retinoic acid. This new retinoid receptor subtype has been designated Retinoid X Receptor (RXR) , because certain earlier data suggested that a derivative of all -trans- retinoic acid may be the endogenous ligand for RXR. Like the RARs, the RXRs are also known to have at least three subtypes or isoforms, namely RXR-alpha, RXR-beta, and RXR- gamma, with corres-ponding unique patterns of expression (Manglesdorf et al., Genes & Devel . , 6:329-44 (1992)).

Although both the RARs and RXRs respond to all -trans - retinoic acid in vivo, the receptors differ in several important aspects. First, the RARs and RXRs are signi¬ ficantly divergent in primary structure (e.g. , the ligand binding domains of RARo. and RXRαr have only 27% amino acid identity) . These structural differences are reflected in the different relative degrees of responsiveness of RARs and RXRs to various vitamin A metabolites and synthetic retinoids. In addition, distinctly different patterns of tissue distribution are seen for RARs and RXRs. For example, in contrast to the RARs, which are not expressed at high levels in the visceral tissues, RXRo. mRNA has been shown to be most abundant in the liver, kidney, lung, muscle and intestine. Finally, the RARs and RXRs have different target gene specificity. For example, response elements have recently been identified in the cellular retinal binding protein type II (CRBPII) and apoli- poprotein Al genes which confer responsiveness to RXR, but not RAR. Furthermore, RAR has also been recently shown to

repress RXR-mediated activation through the CRBPII RXR response element (Manglesdorf etal. , Cell, 66:555-61 (1991)). These data indicate that two retinoic acid responsive pathways are not simply redundant, but instead manifest a complex interplay. Recently, Heyman et al. (Cell, 68:397-406 (1992)) and Levin et al. (Nature, 355:359-61 (1992)) independently demonstrated that 9-c/s-retinoic . acid is a natural endogenous ligand for the RXRs. 9-c/s-retinoic acid was shown to bind and transactivate the RXRs, as well as the RARs, and therefore appears to act as a "bifunctional" ligand.

In view of the related, but clearly distinct, nature of these receptors, ligands which are more selective for the Retinoid X Receptor subfamily would be of great value for selectively controlling processes mediated by one or more of the RXR isoforms, and would provide the capacity for independent control of the physiologic processes mediated by the RXRs. Ligands which preferentially affect one or more but not all of the receptor isoforms also offer the possibility of increased therapeutic efficacy when used for medicinal applications.

The entire disclosures of the publications and references referred to above and hereafter in this specification are incorporated herein by reference.

St: ary of the Invention

The present invention is directed to compounds, com¬ positions, and methods for modulating processes mediated by one or more Retinoid X Receptors. More particularly, the invention relates to compounds whi selec" ^' ^ely or preferentially activate Retinoid X Rec ;ors, i ^~ compar¬ ison to Retinoic Acid Receptors. These compounds selectively modulate processes mediated by Retinoid X Receptors. Accordingly, the invention also relates to methods for modulating processes selectively mediated by one or more Retinoid X Receptors, in comparison to Retinoic Acid Receptors, by use of the compounds of this

invention. Examples of compounds used in and forming part of the invention include bicyclic benzyl, pyridinyl, thiophene, furanyl, and pyrrole derivatives. Pharma¬ ceutical compositions containing the compounds disclosed are also within the scope of this invention. Also included are methods for identifying or purifying Retinoid X Receptors by use of the compounds of this invention.

Brief Description of the Figures

The present invention may be better understood and its advantages appreciated by those skilled in the art by referring to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 presents the standardized dose response profiles showing the transactivation of RAR and RXR isoforms by 3-methyl-TTNCB. Figure 2 presents the standardized dose response profiles showing the transactivation of RAR and RXR isoforms by all -fraπs-retinoic acid.

Figure 3 presents the standardized dose response profiles showing the transactivation of RAR and RXR isoforms by 9-c/s-retinoic acid.

Figure 4 presents the standardized dose response profiles showing the transactivation of RAR and RXR isoforms by 3-methyl-TTNEB.

Figure 5 presents the standardized dose response profiles showing the transactivation of RAR and RXR isoforms by 3-bromo-TTNEB.

Figure 6 presents the standardized dose response profiles showing the transactivation of RAR and RXR isoforms by 3-methyl-TTNCHBP. Figure 7 presents the standardized dose response profiles showing the transactivation of RAR and RXR isoforms by 3-methyl-TTNEHBP.

Figure 8 presents the inhibition of transglutaminase activity by 9-c/s-retinoic acid, all -trans-retinoic acid, and 3-methyl-TTNCB.

Figure 9 presents the Topical Dose Response, based on the test on Rhino mice, for 9-c/s-retinoic acid, all-trans- retinoic acid, 3-methyl-TTNCB, 1, 25-dihydroxy Vitamin D.

Figure 10 presents the effect on rat HDL cholesterol of all -trans-retinoic acid, 9-c/s-retinoic acid, 3-methyl- TTNCB, and 3-methyl-TTNEB.

Figure 11 presents the concentration-related effect of 3-methyl-TTNEB and TTNPB individually on incorporation of radiolabeled thymidine into DNA.

Figure 12 presents the concentration-related effect of a combination of 3-methyl-TTNEB and TTNPB on incorporation of radiolabeled thymidine into DNA.

Detailed Description of the Invention

This invention discloses retinoid-like compounds or ligands which have selective activity for members of the subfamily of Retinoid X Receptors (RXRs) , in comparison to members of the subfamily of Retinoic Acid Receptors

(RARs) . Examples of such compounds are bicyclic benzyl, pyridinyl, thiophene, furanyl, and pyrrole derivatives which can be represented by the formulae:

wherein

R, and Rj, each independently, represent hydrogen or lower alkyl or acyl having 1-4 carbon atoms;

Y represents C, 0, S, N, CHOH, CO, SO, S0 ₂ , or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt;

R ₃ represents hydrogen or lower alkyl having 1-4 carbon atoms where Y is C or N; R ₄ represents hydrogen or lower alkyl having 1-4 carbon atoms where Y is C, but R ₄ does not exist if Y is N, and neither R ₃ or R ₄ exist if Y is S, 0, CHOH, CO, SO, or S0 ₂ ;

R" and R" represent hydrogen, lower alkyl or acyl having 1-4 carbon atoms, OH, alkoxy having 1-4 carbon atoms, thiol or thio ether, or amino, or R' or R" taken together form an oxo (keto) , methano, thioketo, H0-N=, NC-N=, (R ₇ R ₈ )N-N=, epoxy, cyclopropyl, or cycloalkyl group and wherein the epoxy, cyclopropyl, and cycloalkyl groups can be substituted with lower alkyl having 1-4 carbons or halogen;

R' " and R"" represent hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl or acyl having 1-4 carbon atoms, or R' " and R"" taken together form a cycloalkyl group having 3-10 carbons, and wherein the cycloalkyl group can be substituted with lower alkyl having 1-4 carbons or halogen;

R ₅ represents hydrogen, a lower alkyl having 1-4 carbons, halogen, nitro, 0R ₇ , SR ₇ , NR ₇ R ₈ , or (CF) _n CF ₃ , but R ₅ cannot be hydrogen if together Rg, R, ₀ , R _n , R ₁₂ and R ₁₃ are all hydrogen and Z, Z' , Z", Z'", or Z"" are all carbon;

Re, Rι ₀ , R _n , R ₁₂ , R ₁₃ each independently represent hydrogen, a lower alkyl having 1-4 carbons, halogen, nitro, 0R ₇ , SR ₇ , NR ₇ R ₈ or (CF) _n CF ₃ , and exist only if the Z, Z' , Z", Z'", or Z"" from which it originates is C, or each independently represent hydrogen or a lower alkyl having 1-4 carbons if the Z, Z' , Z", Z'", or Z " " from which it originates is N, and where one of Rg, Rι ₀ , R _π , R ₁₂ or R _l3 is

X; R ₇ represents hydrogen or a lower alkyl having 1--6 carbons;

R ₈ represents hydrogen or a lower alkyl having 1-6 carbons;

R ₁₄ represents hydrogen, a lower alkyl having 1-4 carbons, oxo, hydroxy, acyl having 1-4 carbons, halogen, thiol, or thioketone;

X is COOH, tetrazole, P0 ₃ H, S0 ₃ H, CHO, CH ₂ OH, C0NH ₂ , COSH, COORg, COSR ₉ , CONHRg, or COOW where Ro. represents a lower alkyl having 1-4 carbons, phenyl, aromatic alkyl, or q-hydroxyphenyl, q-bromophenyl, q-chlorophenyl, q-floro- phenyl, or q-iodophenyl, where q=2-4, where W is a pharma¬ ceutically acceptable salt, and where X can originate from any C or N on the ring;

Z, Z ^r , Z", Z"' andZ"", each independently, represent C, S, O, N, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, but is not O or S if attached by a double bond to another such Z or if attached to another such Z which is 0 or S, and is not N if attached by a single bond to another such Z which is N; n = 0-3; and the dashed lines in the second and seventh structures shown depict optional double bonds-

As used in this disclosure, pharmaceutically accep¬ table salts include but are not limited to: hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic, hydrofluoric, sulfuric, citric, maleic, acetic, lactic, nicotinic, succinic, oxalic, phosphoric, malonic, salicylic, phenylacetic, stearic, pyridine, ammonium, piperazine, diethylamine, nicoti- namide, formic, urea, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, lithium, cinnamic, methylamino, meth- anesulfonic, picric, tartaric, triethylamino, dimethy- lamino, and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane. Additional pharmaceutically acceptable salts are known to those of skill in the art.

Representative derivatives according to the present invention include the following: p [3, 5, 5, 8,8-pentamethyl-l,2, 3 , 4-tetrahydro-2- naphthyl- (2-carbonyl)] -benzoic acid, also known as 4-

[ (3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthyl) carbonyl]benzoic acid, and designated "3-methyl-TTNCB"; p[5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-l,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3-isopropyl-

2-naphthyl- (2-carbonyl) ] -benzoic acid, also known as 4- [ (3-isopropyl-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2- naphthyl)carbonyl]benzoic acid, and designated "3-IPR-

TTNCB" or Compound 37; p[5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3-isopropyl-

2-naphthyl- (2-methano)] -benzoic acid, also known as 4- [1- (3-isopropyl-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-5, 6,7, 8-tetrahydro-2- naphthyl)ethenyl]benzoic acid, and designated "3-IPR-

TTNEB" or Compound 42; p [5,5, 8,8-tetramethyl-l,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3-ethyl-2- naphthyl- (2-methano)] -benzoic acid, also known as 4- [1- (3- ethyl-5,- 8 , 8 -1etramethyl-5 , 6 , 7 , 8-tetrahydro-2- naphthyl)er. anyl]benzoic acid, and designated "3-ethyl-

TTNEB" or Compound 45; p[5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-l,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3-bromo-2- naphthyl- (2-methano) ] -benzoic acid, also known as 4- [1- (3- bromo-5 ,5,8,8 - 1 etramethyl - 5 ,6,7, 8 -tetrahydro- 2 - naphthyl) ethenyl] benzoic acid, and designated "3-bromo-

TTNEB" or Compound 46; p [5,5,8, 8 -tet ramethyl- 1,2, 3,4- tetrahydro-3-chloro-2- naphthyl- (2-methano) ] -benzoic acid, also known as 4- [1- (3- chloro- 5 ,5,8, 8 -tet ramethyl - 5 ,6,7, 8 -tetrahydro- 2 - naphthyl) ethenyl] benzoic acid, and designated "3-chloro-

TTNEB" or Compound 43; p [3 , 5, 5, 8 , 8 -pentamethyl -1, 2,3, 4 - tetrahydro- 2 - naphthyl- (2-methano) ] -benzoic acid, also known as 4- [1- (3 , 5, 5, 8, 8-pentamethyl-5, 6 , 7, 8-tetrahydro-2- naphthyl) ethenyl] benzoic acid, and designated "3-methyl-

TTNEB"; p [3 , 5 , 5 , 8 , 8 -pentamethyl -1 ,2,3, 4 -tetrahydro- 2 - naphthyl- (2-hydroxymethyl) ] -benzoic acid, also known as 4- [1- (3,5,5,8,8 -pentamethyl -5,6,7,8 -tetrahydro- 2 - naphthyl) hydroxymethyl] benzoic acid, and designated "3- met hyl - TTNHMB " ;

p [5,5, 8, 8 -tetramethyl-1, 2, 3, 4 -tetrahydro-3-bromo-2- naphthyl- (2-carbonyl) ] -benzoic acid, also known as 4-[(3- bromo-5 ,5, 8,8 - et ramethyl - 5 , 6,7, 8 -tetrahydro-2 - naphthyDcarbonyl] benzoic acid, and designated "3-bromo- TTNCB" or Compound 41; p [5 , 5 , 8 , 8 -tetramethyl-1 ,2,3, 4 -tetrahydro -3 -chloro-2 - naphthyl- (2-carbonyl) ] -benzoic acid, also known as 4-[(3- chloro-5 ,5,8, 8 -tetramethyl-5 ,6,7,8 -tetrahydro- 2 - naphthyl) carbonyl] benzoic acid, and designated "3-chloro- TTNCB" or Compound 38; p [5 , 5 , 8 , 8 -tetramethyl- 1 _r 2 , 3 , 4 - tetrahydro-3 -hydroxy-2 - naphthyl- (2-carbonyl) ] -benzoic acid, also known as 4-[(3- hydroxy-5 ,5,8, 8 -tetramethyl-5 ,6,7, 8 -tetrahydro -2- naphthyl) carbonyl] benzoic acid, and designated "3-hydroxy- TTNCB" or Compound 39; p [5 , 5 , 8 , 8 -tetramethyl-1, 2, 3 , 4-tetrahydro-3 -ethyl-2- naphthyl- (2-carbonyl) ] -benzoic acid, also known as 4-[(3- ethyl-5 ,5,8, 8 -tetramethyl-5, 6,7, 8 -tetrahydro- 2 - naphthyl) carbonyl] benzoic acid, and designated "3-ethyl- TTNCB" or Compound 40; p [3 ,5, 5, 8, 8 -pentamethyl -1, 2,3, 4 -tetrahydro-2 - naphthyl- (2 -thioketo) ] -benzoic acid, also known as 4- [(3,5,5,8, 8 -pentamethyl- 5, 6,7, 8 -tetrahydro-2 -naphthyl) thioketo] benzoic acid, and designated " thioketone " ; p [3 , 5, 5, 8, 8 -pentamethyl -1, 2,3, 4 -tetrahydro-2 - naphthyl- (2-carbonyl) ] -N- (4-hydroxyphenyl) benzamide, also known as 4- [(3,5,5,8, 8-pentamethyl-5, 6,7, 8 -tetrahydro- 2- napht hyl ) carbonyl ] -N- ( 4 - hydr oxyphenyl ) benzamide , and designated " 3 -methyl -TTNCHBP " ; p[3,5,5,8, 8 -pentamethyl -1,2 , 3 , 4 -tetrahydro- 2 - naphthyl- (2-methano) ] -N- (4-hγdroxyphenyl) benzamide , also known as 4- [1- (3,5,5,8, 8 -pentamethyl- 5, 6,7, 8 -tetrahydro-2 - naphthyl) ethenyl] -N- (4-hydroxyphenyl) benzamide, and designated "3-methyl-TTNEHBP" or Compound 63; 2- [1- (3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5, 6,7, 8 -tetrahydro -2- naphthyl) ethenyl] pyridine-5-carboxylic acid, designated "TPNEP" or Compound 58;

ethyl 2- [1- (3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro- 2-naphthyl)ethenyl]pyridine-5-carboxylate, designated "TPNEPE" or Compound Et-58;

2- [1- (5,5,8, 8-tetramethyl-5, 6,7, 8-tetrahydro-2- naphthyl) ethenyl]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid, designated "TTNEP" or Compound 56;

4- [1- (3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5, 6,7, 8-tetrahydro-2- naphthyl) epoxy]benzoic acid, designated "TPNEB" or Compound 47; 4- [1- (3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7, 8-tetrahydro-2- naphthyl) cyclopropyl]benzoic acid, designated "TPNCB" or Compound 48;

4-[l-(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2- naphthyl)ethenyl]benzenetetrazole, designated "3-methyl- TTNEBT" or Compound 55;

5- [1- (3,5,5, 8,8-pentamethyl-5, 6,7, 8-tetrahydro-2- naphthyl)ethenyl]pyridine-2-carboxylic acid, designated "TPNEPC" or Compound 60;

2- [1- (3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2- naphthyl) cyclopropyl]pyridine-5-carboxylic acid, designated "TPNCP" or Compound 62; and methyl 2- [1- (3,5,5,8, 8-pentamethyl-5, 6,7,8- tetrahydro-2-naphthyl)cyclopropyl]pyridine-5-carboxylate, designated Compound Me-62. Representative structures for such compounds are as follows:

3-methyl-TTNCB 3-methyl-TTNHMB

-methyl-TTNEB thioketone

-methyl-TTNCHBP

15

-μ[(--_«optop l-5A8,----tt--r__-.yl-5A7.8---ϋ--r --^ -Hl-(_-<-_Λ-ro-5_5Λ--t-<r--r-_-_yr-5.6J.8-_-t-^ 2rBMph-r"l)ciiiyn-y') benzoic acid (-MPMTNCB) 2<uphlhyl)eth_rιyl] benzoic acid (3-cU-ro-TTNEB)

4-[l-(3-4rydroxy-5A8.8-___»ιi-_--yl-5A7.----m-rιy--tH

4-((3-cb--«o-SΛ8,M-_--i--αy--SΛ7.-Meαi-i>^-o- 2-ωph-byl) e-benyl) benzoic acid (3-kydnny-TTNEB) 2-α-φt__r ca-rborr l] benzoic acid (3-cU-ro-TT CB)

-{(3-hydroxy-5,5Λ---_- -r--«ryl-5.6,7.--t--r--rydrr>-

4-[H_-< ^-.5.- ----t--π__-τ ^5,6.7,8^«-lr _-r>- 2-_uφhu-y l)α-borιyl) benzoic acid (--hydroxy-TTNCB) 2-i_-ph-hyl)--i-nyl] benzoic acid (3-E.-TTNEB)

4-[(3-el-τyl-5J.8.8---»r--iιerl.yl-5.6.7,8-t_tt_ yd- - 2-ι_-phlhyl)--rbonyl] benzoic acid (3-E--TTN CB) -(H--bcrιr_v5.5,8.8-_Mrarneιlryl-5.6.7,8-ler-a ycfro- 2-n-pht yl)rJ enyl] benzoic acid (-Mtroniβ-TTNEB)

-[(3-*roπ-_-5_5.- --_ϊ_ϊir__ l-5.6 ,8-t--_ hy---- -ll-(3,5._A8-pe____ι_s_τy.-5Λ7,8-___^ό-r- 24_-ph-_yl)ca-bonyl) benzoic acid (3_t«_-»o-TTNCB) 2-__φh-hy l)epo-;y] benzoic acid (TPNEB)

/21146

16

-_fayl---Il-(3_5_5.8,8-p------_-iyl-S.6 _> 7.8-l-tr«-ry-r--

2---ipr_iryI)er_-_Qyl] py-id-D--2-C-τboxyi_le (3TTNEPE)

2-(l-( ₃ _5Λ8._-pen--rrι-t_yμ5Λ7.---Mr_hydro- 2-_-pl_ rl)cy--opc-pyl) pyridiDe-5-c_rbo_ylic acid (TPNCP)

Methyl 2-{l-(3Λ5.- --p-r--ui----ry--5,6 ,8-_jtrahydro- 2-_-φfa_hyl)cy-J-ιpr-py.] py-i-__M -5H--rbo-yl--e

-{l-(3_5 7.7-i>e_--_ι__-iyμ2__-d-nyl)-a__nyl) benzoic a

-[H3_5_5A8-p<-----_-lryl-_A7 ---tt--ry--τ>-2--_φh e«henyl)-N-C4---Bto_yp -_-yI)t«-_---i<_e (3-M-.TTNEC-BP) -CH3-5-5Λ ,7-_«-_--__-t_y--_V___j_ιyI)ei--_πyl] benzoic

In addition, thiophene, furanyl, pyrazine, pyrazole, pyridazine, thadiazole, and pyrrole groups function as isosteres for phenyl groups, and may be substituted for the phenyl group of the above bicyclic benzyl derivatives.

Representative derivatives of the present invention can be prepared according to the following illustrative synthetic schemes:

Compounds of structure 1 containing R ₅ = lower alkyl are prepared in accordance with United States Patent No. 2,897,237. When R ₅ = Halo, OH, amino, or thio, the products are prepared by standard Friedel-Crafts reaction conditions combining the appropriate substituted benzene with 2,5-dichloro-2,5-dimethyl hexane in the presence of aluminum trichloride.

Condensation of 1 with mono-methyl terephthalate 2 was carried out by addition of PC1 ₅ to 1 and 2 in CH ₂ C1 ₂ followed by addition of A1C1 ₃ at room temperature.

The resulting methyl esters 3 are hydrolyzed to the carboxylic acid 4 by refluxing in aqueous KOH-MeOH followed by acidification.

2) HCl/H ₂ O

Treatment of ketone 4 with NaBH ₄ afforded alcohol 5.

Treatment of the methyl ester 3 with methyltriphosphonium bromide -sodium amide in THF afforded the methano compound 6.

The carboxylic acid 7 was formed by adding KOH to methano compound 6 in MeOH, followed by acidification.

10

Treatment of the methyl ester 6 with hydrogen gas and 5% palladium over carbon in ethyl acetate yields the hydrogenated compound 9.

Treatment of compound 9 with aqueous KOH in refluxing MeOH, followed by acidification, yields the carboxylic acid compound 10.

11

12

R = Me or H

Condensation of 1 with thiophene 2,5-mono methyl dicarboxylic acid or furanyl 2,5-mono methyl dicarboxylic acid was carried out by addition of PC1 ₅ in CH ₂ C1 ₂ followed by addition of A1C1 ₃ at room temperature to give esters 11 and 12, which were hydrolyzed with KOH followed by acidification to the corresponding acids.

13

4,4-Dimethylchroman and 4,4-dimethyl-7-alkylchroman compounds of type 13 and 14 as well as 4,4- dimethylthiochroman, 4,4-dimethyl-7-alkylthiochroman, 4,4- dimethyl-l,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline, and 4,4-dimethyl-7- alkyl-l,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline analogs were synthesized by similar methods as compound 3, i.e. , Friedel-Crafts conditions combining the appropriate dimethylchroman, dimethylthiochroman or dimethyltetrahydroquinoline with mono-methyl terephthalate acid chloride in the presence of A1C1 ₃ or SnCl , followed by base hydrolysis and acidification to give the carboxylic acid. For the synthesis of the tetrahydroquinoline analogs, it was necessary to acylate the amine before Friedel-Crafts coupling with mono-methyl terephthalate acid chloride. For the synthesis of the appropriate dimethylchromans, dimethylthiochromans and tetrahydroquinolines, see U.S. Patent Nos. 5,053,523 and 5,023,341 and European Patent Publication No. 0284288.

Compounds of the type 18 were synthesized by nucleophillic addition of the Grignard reagent 16 to bromotetralone, bromoindane, or other bicyclic ketone derivitive. Treatment of the resulting alcohol with methanolic HCI gave the intermediate 17. Displacement of the bromine with CuCN in quinoline gave the nitrile which was then hydrolyzed to the acid 18 in refluxing KOH. Bromine compound 15 was synthesized from 2,5-dichloro-2,5- dimethylhexane and 2-bromotoluene with a catalytic amount of A1C1 ₃ .

Treatment of compounds 3-methyl-TTNCB and 3-methyl-TTNEB with DCC, p-amino phenol, and DMAP resulted in the amino- esters 19 and 20.

27

mCPBA CHjClj

Representative pyridinal derivatives (compounds 21, 23, 26, and 27) may be prepared according to the illustrative synthetic schemes shown above. The synthesis of compound 21 is similar to that previously described for compound 7. Pentamethyl tetrahydronaphthalene 1, pyridinal acid chloride 24, and A1C1 ₃ are stirred in CH ₂ C1 ₂ to give the ketone 25. Treatment of the ketone 25 with methyl triphosphonium bromide-sodium amide in THF afforded the ethenyl compound 26. Hydrolysis of 26 (KOH,MeOH) followed by acidification gave the acid 21. The cyclopropyl analog 23 was synthesized by treatment of the ethenyl compound 26 with CH ₂ I ₂ , zinc dust, CuCl in refluxing ether (Simmons-Smith reaction) . Hydrolysis of the resulting cyclopropyl ester 27 was achieved with methanolic KOH followed by acidification to give compound 23. When R1-R ₅ are methyl, for example, compound 62 (TPNCP) is obtained, as shown in Example 33 below.

Other cyclopropyl derivatives such as TPNCB (compound 48) may be likewise prepared by the same method as described for analog 23: olefin 6 is treated with the Simmons-Smith reagent described above, followed by hydrolysis with methanolic-KOH and acidification (HCI) to give the desired cyclopropyl derivative. Epoxy derivatives such as TPNEB (compound 47) may be synthesized by treatment of compound 7 with m-chloroperbenzoic acid at room temperature in CH ₂ C1 ₂ for several hours.

Alternatively, pyridinal analogs, such as compounds 58 (TPNEP) , 60 (TPNEPC) , and 61 (3TTNEPE) , may be prepared by the following synthetic route.

Illustrative examples for the preparation of some of the compounds according to this invention are as follows:

Example 1

Preparation of compound 3 where R-, R ₂ , R ₃ , R ₊ and 1?- are methyl, R' and R" are oxo, and X=COOMe:

To 7 gm (34.7 mmol) of 1,1,4,4,6-pentamethyl-1,2,3,4- tetrahydronaphthalene and 6 gm (33.3 mmol) of mono-methyl teraphthalate in 200 mL of CH ₂ C1 ₂ was added 8 g (38.8 mmol) of PC1 ₅ . The reaction boiled vigorously and turned clear within 10 min. After stirring for an additional 1 h, 6 g

(43.5 mmol) of A1C1 ₃ was added in 1 g portions over 15 min. and the reaction was allowed to stir overnight. The mixture was poured into 300 mL of 20% aqueous HCI and extracted with 5% EtOAc-hexanes, dried (MgS04) , concentrated, and crystallized from MeOH to give ca. 6 gm (16.5 mmol) of methyl ester 3.

¹ HNMR (CD ₃ OCD ₃ ) δ 1.20 (S, 2(CH ₃ )), 1.35 (s, 2 (CH ₃ ) ) , 1.75 (s, 2(CH ₂ )), 2.31 (s, CH ₃ ) , 3.93 (s, C00CH ₃ ) , 7.21 (s, Ar- CH) , 7.23 (s, Ar-CH) , 7.85 (d, J=8 Hz, Ar-2(CH) ) , 8.18 (d, J=8 Hz, Ar-2(CH)) .

Example 2

Preparation of compound 4 where R _1# R ₂ , R ₃ , R ₄ and R- are methyl, R ¹ and R" are oxo, and X = COOH (3-methyl-TTNCB) :

To 6 gm (16.5 mmol) of methyl ester 3 suspended in 100 mL of MeOH was added 50 mL of 5N aqueous KOH. The mixture was heated under reflux for 1 h, cooled, acidified

(20% aqueous HCI) and the organics extracted with EtOAc.

After drying (MgS04) , the product was concentrated and precipitated from 1:4 EtOAc-hexanes to give ca. 5 g (14.3 mmol) of acid 4.

¹ HNMR (CD ₃ OCD ₃ ) δ 1.20 (s, 2 (CH ₃ ) ) , 1.35 (s, 2(CH ₃ ) ) , 1.75 (s, 2(CH ₂ )), 2.31 (s, CH ₃ ) , 7.21 (s, Ar-CH), 7.23 (s, Ar- CH), 7.91 (d, J=8 Hz, Ar-2(CH)), 8.21 (d, J=8 Hz, Ar-. 2(CH) ) .

Example 3

Preparation of compound 5 where R,, R ₂ , R ₃ , R ₄ and R ₅ are methyl, R ^» = H and R" = OH, and X = COOH (3-methyl- TTNHMB) : To a 1:1 THF-MeOH solution containing 1 g (2.86 mmol) of ketone 4 was added 100 mg of NaBH ₄ . The mixture was heated to 50°C for 10 min., cooled, acidified (20% aqueous HCI) , and the organics extracted (EtOAc) . After drying (MgS0 ₄ ) , the product was concentrated and precipitated from 1:3 EtOAc-hexanes to give 550 mg (1.56 mmol) of the alcohol 5.

¹ HNMR (CD ₃ OCD ₃ ) δ 1.20 (s, CH ₃ ) ) , 1.22 (s, (CH ₃ ) ) , 1.22 (s, 2(0- ₃ )). ¹ - ⁶⁵ (S' 2(CH ₂ )), 2.21 (s, CH ₃ ) , 6.00 (s, -CHOH-), 7.09 (s, Ar-CH), 7.41 (s, Ar-CH), 7.53 (d, J=8 Hz, Ar- 2(CH)), 8.01 (d, J=8 Hz, Ar-2 (CH) ) .

Example 4

Preparation of compound 6 where R R ₂ , R ₃ , R ₄ and R ₅ are methyl, R' and R" are methano, and X = COOMe:

To 1 gm of methyl ester 3 (2.7 mmol) in 25 mL of dry THF was added 1.2 g (3.08 mmol) of methyltriphosphonium bromide-sodium amide. The solution was stirred at RT for 3 h or until complete by TLC (20% EtOAc-hexanes) . Water was added and the organics were extracted with EtOAc, dried (MgS0 ₄ ) , concentrated and purified by Si0 ₂ chromatography (5% EtOAc-hexanes) followed by crystallization from MeOH to give 700 mg (1.93 mmol) of methano compound 6.

¹ HNMR (CD ₃ OCD ₃ ) δ 1.22 (s, 2 (CH ₃ ) ) , 1.30 (s, 2 (CH ₃ ) ) , 1.72 (s, 2(CH ₂ )), 1.95 (s, CH ₃ ) , 3.85 (s, COOCH ₃ ) , 5.29 (s,=CH), 5.92 (s, =CH) , 7.19 (s, Ar-CH), 7.20 (s, Ar-CH), 7.39 (d, J=8 Hz, Ar-2(CH)), 7.96 (d, J=8 Hz, Ar-2 (CH) ) .

Example 5

Preparation of compound 7 where Ri, R ₂ , R ₃ , R ₄ and R ₅ are methyl, R' and R" are methano, and X = COOH (3-methyl- TTNEB) :

To 500 mg of methano compound 6 (1.38 mmol) in 20 mL of MeOH was added 5 mL of 5 N aqueous KOH and the suspension was refluxed for 1 h. After acidification (20% aqueous HCI) the organics were extracted (EtOAc) , dried (MgS0 ₄ ) , concentrated, and the solids recrystallized from EtOAc-hexanes 1:5 to give 350 mg (1.0 mmol) of the carboxylic acid 7.

¹ HNMR (CD ₃ OCD ₃ ) , δ 1.22 (s, 2 (CH ₃ ) ) , 1.30 (s, 2 (CH ₃ ) ) , 1.72 (s, 2(0- ₂ .), -95 (S, CH ₃ ) , 5.22 (s,= ϊ), 5.89 (s,=CH), 7.19 (s, Ar-OI) , 7.20 (s, Ar-CH) , 7.39 (d, J=8 Hz, Ar- 2(CH)), 7.96 (d, J = 8 Hz, Ar-2(OI)) .

Example 6

Preparation of compound 37 where R ₁ ,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ are methyl, R ₅ is isopropyl, R ¹ and R" are oxo, and X=C00H (3-IPR-TTNCB) : The compound was prepared in a manner similar to that of compound 4 except that 6-isopropyl-l,l,4,4-tetramethyl- 1,2,3,4-tetra-hydronaphthalene was substituted for 1,1,4,4,6-pentamethyl-l,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene in examples 1 and 2. MP: 254 °C; tø-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.19 (d,J=7 Hz,Oϊ(Oi ₃ ) ₂ ) , 1.21 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.33 (s,2(0_ ₃ )), 1.70 (s,2(OΪ ₂ )), 3.12 (q,J=7 Hz,αϊ(0- ₃ ) ₂ ) , 7.14 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.37 (s, r-OI), 7.92 (d,J=8 Hz, Ar-2 (OI) ) , 8.18 (d,J=8 Hz, Ar- 2 (OI) ) .

Example 7 Preparation of compound 38 where R^R^R _j ^ are methyl, R ₅ is chloro, R' and R" are oxo, and X=C00H (3-chloro-TTNCB) :

The compound was prepared in a manner similar to that of compound 4 except that 6-chloro-1,1,4,4-tetramethyl-

1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalene was substituted for 1,1,4, ,6-pentamethyl-l,2,3, -tetrahydronaphthalene in examples 1 and 2. MP: 254 °C; ^X H-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.26

(s,2(OΪ ₃ )), 1.32 (s,2(OΪ ₃ )), 1.72 (s,2(CH ₂ )), 7.35 (s,Ar-

OI), 7.36 (s,Ar-OI), 7.91 (d,J=8 Hz, Ar-2 (OI) ) , 8.19

(d,J=8 Hz, Ar-2(OI)) .

Example 8

Preparation of compound 39 where R _! ,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ are methyl, R ₅ is hydroxy, R' and R" are oxo, and X = COOH (3-hydroxy- TTNCB) : The compound was prepared in a manner similar to that of compound 4 except that 6-hydroxy-1,1,4,4-tetramethyl- 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalene was substituted for 1,1,4,4,6-pentamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene in examples 1 and 2. MP: 264 °C; tø-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.17 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.31 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.68 (s,2(CH ₂ )), 7.02 (s,Ar- CH) , 7.44 (s,Ar-CH), 7.77 (d,J=8 Hz, Ar-2 (CH) ) , 8.27 (d,J=8 Hz, Ar-2(CH)), 11.50 (s,-OH).

Example 9

Preparation of compound 40 where Rι,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ are methyl, R ₅ is ethyl, R' and R" are oxo, and X=COOH (3-Et-TTNCB) :

The compound was prepared in a manner similar to that of compound 4 except that 6-ethyl-l,l,4,4-tetramethyl- 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalene was substituted for 1,1,4,4,6-pentamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene in examples 1 and 2. MP: 226°C; Η-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.16 (t,J=7.5 Hz,-CH ₂ CH ₃ ), 1.19 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.32 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.69 (s,2(CH ₂ )), 2.69(q,J=7.5 Hz, CH ₂ CH ₃ ) , 7.20 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.25 (s,Ar-CH), 7.87 (brd,Ar-2(CH) ) , 8.20 (brd,Ar-2(CH) ) .

Example 10 Preparation of compound 41 where Rι,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ are methyl, R ₅ is bromo, R' and R" are oxo, and X = COOH (3-bromo-TTNCB) :

The compound was prepared in a manner similar to that of compound 4 except that 6-bromo-l,l,4,4-tetramethyl-

1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalene was substituted for 1,1,4,4,6-pentamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene in examples 1 and 2. MP: 275 °C; ^! H-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.25 (s,2(CH ₃ ), 1.32 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.71 (s,2(CH ₂ )), 7.30 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.54 (s,Ar-CH), 7.90 (d,J=8 Hz, Ar-2(CH) ) , 8.18 (d,J=8 Hz,Ar-2 (CH) ) .

Example 11

Preparation of compound 42 where R,,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ are methyl, R ₅ is isopropyl, R ¹ and R ⁿ are methano, and X = COOH (3-IPR- TTNEB) : The compound was prepared in a manner similar to that of compound 7 except that 6-isopropyl-l,1,4,4-tetramethyl- 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalene was substituted for 1,1,4,4,6-pentamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene in examples 1, 2, 4, and 5. MP: 252 °C; tø-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.05 (d,J=7 Hz,CH(CH ₃ ) ₂ ) , 1.27 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.32 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.70 (s,2( Ϊ ₂ )), 2.73(q,J=7 Hz,CH(CH ₃ ) ₂ ) , 5.32 (s,=CH), 5.87 (s,=CH) 7.06 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.23 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.40 (d,J=8 Hz,.Ar- 2 (OI) ) , 8.040 (d,J=8 Hz,Ar-2(CH)) .

Example 12 Preparation of compound 43 where R,,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ are methyl, R ₅ is chloro, R' and R" are methano, and X=C00H (3-chloro- TTNEB) :

The compound was prepared in a manner similar to that of compound 7 except that 6-chloro-l,l,4,4-tetramethyl- 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalene was substituted for 1,1,4,4,6-pentamethyl-l,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene in examples 1, 2, 4, and 5. MP: 233 °C; ^X H-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.28 (s,2(OΪ ₃ )), 1.31 (s,2(OΪ ₃ )), 1.71 (s,2(CH ₂ )), 5.42 (s,=CH), 5.89 (s,=OI), 7.23 (s,Ar- ϊ) , 7.28 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.37 (d,J=8 Hz,Ar-2(OI) ) , 8.03 (d,J=8 Hz,Ar-2 (CH) ) .

Example 13

Preparation of compound 44 where R ₁ ,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ are methyl, R- is hydroxy, R' and R" are methano, and X = COOH (3- hydroxy-TTNEB) r The compound was prepared in a manner similar to that of compound 7 except that 6-hydroxy-1,1,4,4-1etramethyl- 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalene was substituted for 1,1,4,4,6-pentamethyl-l,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene in examples 1, 2, 4, and 5. MP: 216 °C, ^X H-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.21 (s,2(OΪ ₃ ), 1.30 (s,2(α_ ₃ )) _r 1.68 (s,2( I ₂ )), 5.54 (s,=CH),

5.94 (s,=CH), 6.86 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.00 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.48 (d,J=8.4 Hz, Ar-2(CH)), 8.07 (d,J=8.4 Hz, Ar-2 (CH) ) .

Example 14

Preparation of compound 45 where R ₁ ,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ are methyl, R ₅ is ethyl, R' and R" are methano, and X = COOH (3-Et- TTNEB) :

The compound was prepared in a manner similar to that of compound 7 except that 6-ethyl-l,1,4,4-tetramethyl-

1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalene was substituted for 1,1,4,4,6-pentamethyl-l,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene in examples 1, 2, 4, and 5. MP: 236 °C; -NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δθ.99

(t,J=7.6 Hz,-CH ₂ CH ₃ ) , 1.27 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.31 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.70

(s,2(CH ₂ )) _; 2.29(q,J=7.6 Hz,-CH ₂ CH ₃ ), 5.34 (s,=CH), 5.83

(s,=CH), 7.08 (s,Ar-CH), 7.12 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.38 (d,J=8 Hz, Ar-2(CH)), 8.00 (d,J=8 Hz, Ar-2(CH) ) .

Example 15

Preparation of compound 46 where R,,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ are methyl, R ₅ is bromo, R' and R" are methano, and X = COOH (3-bromo- TTNEB) : The compound was prepared in a manner similar to that of compound 7 except that 6-bromo-1,1,4,4-tetramethyl- 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalene was substituted for 1,1,4,4,6-pentamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene in examples 1, 2, 4, and 5. MP: 235 °C; ^X H-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.27 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.31 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.71 (s,CH ₃ ), 5.40 (s,=CH), 5.90 (s,=CH), 7.26 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.36 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.43 (d,J=8 Hz,Ar-2(CH) ) , 8.04 (d,J=8 Hz,Ar-2 (CH) ) .

Example 16

Preparation of compound 47 where R ₁ ,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ ,R ₅ are methyl, R' and R" taken together are CH ₂ -0 (epoxide) , and X = COOH (TPNEB) :

The compound was prepared from compound 6 where R _lf R ₂ , R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₅ are methyl. To 1 g (2.76 mmol) of olefin 6 in 5 mL of CH ₂ C1 ₂ was added 600 mg (3.46 mmol) of mCPBA and

the reaction was stirred at room temperature for 2 h. Water was added followed by extraction of the organics with ether. The ether layer was washed with water, IN Na ₂ C0 ₃ , brine and dried (MgS0 ₄ ) , filtered and concentrated. Crystallization from MeOH gave the desired epoxide-methyl ester. The methyl ester was hydrolized in refluxing methanolic KOH followed by acidification (IN HCI) to give the crude epoxide-acid 47 which was purified by crystal¬ lization from EtOAc-hex to give 600 mg (1.64 mmol) of a white powder (59% yield) . MP: 168 °C; ^r H-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.26 (s,CΗ ₃ ), 1.27 (s,CH ₃ ), 1.30 (s,OI ₃ ), 1.31 (s,CH ₃ ), 1.69 (s,(20I ₂ )), 2.14 (s,CH ₃ ), 3.15 (d,J=5.6 Hz,CH-0), 3.41 (d,J=5.6 Hz,OI-0), 7.09 (s,Ar-OI) , 7.28 (d,J=8.3 Hz, Ar- 2(OΪ)), 7.32 (s,Ar-OI), 8.01 (d,J=8.3 Hz,Ar-2(CH) ) .

Example 17

Preparation of compound 48 where R,,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ ,R ₅ are methyl, R ¹ and R" taken together are CH ₂ -CH ₂ (cyclopropyl) , and X = COOH (TPNCB) :

The compound was prepared from compound 6 where R _x , R ₂ , R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₅ are methyl. To a dry 100 mL three necked round bottom flask fitted with a reflux condensor, dropping funnel, and magnetic stir bar was added 722 mg (11.65 mmol) of zinc dust, 109 mg (1.105 mmol) of cuprous chloride (CuCl) , 7.5 mL of dry THF, and 1.48 g (5.52 mmol) of diiodomethane. To the addition funnel is added Ig

(2.76 mmol) of compound 6 in 5 mL of dry THF. The flask is heated to 80 °C, followed by dropwise addition of 6.

After the addition of 6 was complete, the reaction was allowed to reflux for 30 h or until completion, followed by dilution with 50 mL of ether and 20 mL of saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution. The organic layer was washed with 10% NaOH (3 x 20 mL) , brine and dried over anhydrous MgS0. The product was concentrated and purified by preparative TLC (2% EtOAc-hexane) to give 220 mg (0.59 mmol) of the methyl ester of 48. Hydrolysis of the methyl ester with refluxing methanolic KOH, followed by acidifi-

cation (IN HCI), gave 150 mg (0.41 mmol) of the desired compound 48 after crystallization from EtOAc-hexane (15% yield). MP: 244 °C; ^J H-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.28 (s,4 (CH ₃ ) ) , 1.39

(s,CH ₂ -CH ₂ ), 1.69 (s,2(CH ₂ )), 2.12 (s,CH ₃ ), 6.98 (d,J=8.4 Hz,Ar-2 (CH) ) , 7.06 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.29 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.91

(d,J=8.4 Hz,Ar-2(CH)) .

Example 18

Preparation of compound 49 where R,,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R,R ₅ are methyl,

R ¹ = H and R" = CH ₃ , and X = COOH (PTNEB) : The compound was prepared from compound 7 where R-, R ₂ , R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₅ are methyl. To Ig (2.87 mmol) of compound 7 in 25 mL of EtOAc was added 10 mg of 10% Pd/C. The mixture was degassed under vacuum followed by addition of H ₂ , and allowed to stir under H ₂ for 2 h. The reaction was filtered through celite and the product crystallized from

EtOAc-hexane to give 750 mg (2.14 mmol) of the desired product 49 (75% yield). MP: 208 °C; tø-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.24

(s,CH ₃ ), 1.25 (s,CH ₃ ), 1.26 (s,CH ₃ ), 1.29 (s,CH ₃ ), 1.61

(d,J=7.2 Hz,CH ₃ ), 1.67 (s,2(CH ₂ )), 2.12 (s,CH ₃ ), 4.30(q,J=7.2 Hz, CH) , 7.02 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.20 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.24 (d,J=8.4 Hz, Ar-2(CH)), 7.99 (d,J=8.4 Hz,Ar-2(CH) ) .

Example 19

Preparation of compound 50 where Rι,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ ,R ₅ are methyl,

R' and R" = methylidene cyclopentane, and X = COOH (PTNCB) :

The compound was prepared from compound 4 and where Ri, R, R ₃ , j, R ₅ are methyl. To Ig (2.87 mmol) of 4 in 25 mL of THF at 0 °C was added 8.6 mL of a 1M cyclopentenyl magnesium chloride solution (8.6 mmol). After stirring for 30 m, water was added and acidified with 5 N HCI. The acidified mixture was heated for 5 m, cooled, and the organic product extracted with EtOAc. The EtOAc layer was washed with water and brine, dried (MgS0 ₄ ) , filtered, and concentrated to give the crude product. Crystallization from EtOAc-hexane gave 340 mg (0.85 mmol) of 50 as a white

powder (30% yield) . MP: 201 °C; %-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.27 (s,4(CH ₃ )), 1.64 (br t,CH ₂ ), 1.68 (s,2(CH ₂ )), 1.70 (br t,CH ₂ ) , 1.97 (s,CH ₃ ), 2.15 (br t,CH ₂ ), 2.56 (br t,CH ₂ ), 7.04 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.05 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.29 (d,J=8 Hz,Ar-2 (CH) ) , 7.97 (d,J=8 Hz,Ar-2 (CH) ) .

Example 20

Preparation of compound 51 where R ₁ ,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ ,R ₅ are methyl,

R ¹ and R" = isopropylidene, and X = COOH (PTNIB) :

The compound was prepared from compound 4 and where R-, R ₂ , R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₅ are methyl. To lg (2.87 mmol) of 4 in 25 mL of THF at 0°C was added 8.6 mL of a 1M isopropyl magnesium chloride solution (8.6 mmol) . After stirring for 30 m, water was added and acidified with 5 N HCI. The acidified mixture was heated for 5 m, cooled, and the organic product extracted with EtOAc. The EtOAc layer was washed with water and brine, dried (MgS0 ₄ ) , filtered, and concentrated to give the crude isopropylidene product. Crystallization from EtOAc-hexane gave 550 mg (1.46 mmol) of 51 as a white powder (51% yield) . MP: 297°C; ^- MR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.25 (br s,4(CH ₃ ) ) , 1.64 (s,=CO_ ₃ ), 1.66 (s,=CCH ₃ ) 1.87 (s,2(CH ₂ )), 1.96 (s,OI ₃ ), 7.00 (s,Ar-OI) , 7.03 (s,Ar- CH) , 7.25 (d,J=8 Hz,Ar-2(CH)) , 7.97 (d,J=8 Hz,Ar-2 (OI) ) .

Example 21

Preparation of compound 52 where are methyl, R' and R" = oxo, Z = S, and X = COOH (TTNCTC) :

To 1 g (4.9 mmol) of 1,1,4,4,6-pentamethyl-l,2,3,4- tetrahydro-naphthalene and 1 g (4.9 mmol) of mono methyl thiophene carboxylic acid chloride in 25 mL of CH ₂ C1 ₂ was added 1 g (7.5 mmol) of A1C1 ₃ . The reaction was heated to reflux for 15 m followed by cooling and addition of 20% aqueous HCI. The product was extracted with EtOAc, washed

(H ₂ 0, brine) , dried (MgS0 ₄ ) , filtered, concentrated, and purified by crystallization from MeOH to give 450 mg (1.21 mmol) of the methyl ester of 52 (25% yield) . The methyl ester was hydrolized in methanolic KOH followed by

acidification (20% HCI) extraction with EtOAc, washed (H ₂ 0, brine) , dried (MgS0) , filtered, concentrated, and purified by crystallization from EtOAc-hexane to give 375 mg (1.05 mmol) of 52 (87% yield). MP: 206 °C; ^J H-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.26 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.31 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.71 (s,2(CH ₂ )), 2.38 (s,CH ₃ ), 7.21 (s, r-CH), 7.44 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.48 (d,J=4 Hz, Thio Ar- CH) , 7.85 (d,J=4 Hz,Thio Ar-CH) .

Example 22

Preparation of compound 53 where R ₁ ,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ ,R ₅ are methyl, R* and R" = methano, Z = S, and X = COOH (TTNETC) :

Compound 53 was prepared from the methyl ester of 52 in a manner similar to examples 4 and 5. MP: 200 °C; *H-

NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.26 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.30 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.69

(s,2(CH ₂ )), 2.10 (s,CH ₃ ), 5.21 (s,=CH), 5.88 (s,=CH), 6.76 (d,J=4 Hz,Thio Ar-CH), 7.11 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.23 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.68 (d,J=4 Hz,Thio Ar-CH) .

Example 23

Preparation of compound 54 where R,,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ ,R ₅ are methyl,

R ¹ and R" = oxo, and X = tetrazole (3-methyl-TTNCBT) : To 500 mg (1.51 mmol) of 4- [ (3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-

5,6,7, 8-tetrahydro-2-naphthyl) carbonyl]benzonitrile

(synthesized by A1C1 ₃ catalyzed condensation of 1,1,4,4,6- pentamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetra hydronaphthalene with 4-cyanobenzoic acid chloride in CH ₂ C1 ₂ ) in toluene was added 342 mg (1.66 mmol) of trimethyl tin azide. The mixture was refluxed for 23 h and cooled to give 537 mg (1.44 mmol) of the desired tetrazole

54 as a white precipitate (96% yield) . LRMS: 374.15; ^J H-NMR

(CD ₃ SOCD ₃ ) δl.19 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.32 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.70 (s,2(CH ₂ )), 2.25 (s,CH ₃ ), 3.19 (s,N-H) , 7.30 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.32 (s,Ar-CH), 7.90 (d,J=8 Hz,Ar-2(CH) ) , 8.20 (d,J=8 Hz,Ar-2 (CH) ) .

Example 24

Preparation of compound 55 where R ₁ ,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ ,R ₅ are methyl,

R ¹ and R" = methano, and X = tetrazole (3-methyl-TTNEBT) :

To 500 mg (1.52 mmol) of 4- [1-(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl- 5,6,7, 8-tetrahydro-2-naphthyl) ethenyl] benzonitrile

(synthesized by A1C1 ₃ catalyzed condensation of 1,1,4,4,6- pentamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene with 4- cyanobenzoic acid chloride in CH ₂ C1 ₂ followed by treatment of the ketone with 0_ ₃ PPh ₃ Br-NaNH ₂ ) in toluene was added 342 mg (1.67 mmol) of trimethyl tin azide. The mixture was refluxed for 23 h and cooled to give 535 mg (1.44 mmol) of the desired tetrazole 55 as a white precipitate (95% yield). LRMS: 372.25; ^X H-NMR (CD ₃ SOCD ₃ ) δl.21 (s,2(OI ₃ )), 1.24 (S,2(CH ₃ )), 1.68 (s,2(CH ₂ )), 1.92 (s,CH ₃ ), 2.55 (s,N- H) , 5.27 (= I) , 5.97 (s,=CH), 7.10 (s,Ar-OI) , 7.18 (s,Ar- OI) , 7.47 (d,J=8 Hz,Ar-2(CH)) , 8.00 (d,J=8 Hz,Ar-2(CH) ) .

Example 25

Preparation of compound 25 where R R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ are methyl, R ¹ and R" = oxo, and X = COOMe: The compound was prepared in a manner similar to that of compound 4 except that 1,1,4,4-tetramethyl-1,2,3,4- tetrahydronaphthalene was substituted for 1,1,4,4,6- pentamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene and 4-methyl ester pyridinic 2-acid chloride was substituted for mono- methyl terephthalic acid chloride (see examples 1 and 2) .

Example 26

Preparation of compound 56 where Rι,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ are methyl, R ¹ and R" = methano, and X = COOH (TTNEP) :

Compound 25 was treated with CH ₃ PPh ₃ Br-NaNH ₂ as in example #4. Hydrolysis of the resulting olefinic methyl ester with methanolic KOH, followed by acidification (20%

HCI) and crystallization from EtOAc-hexane gave compound

56. MP: 173 °C; ^J H-NMR (CDCl ₃ ) δl.26 (s,(CH ₃ )), 1.27

(s,Ol ₃ , 1.30 (s,2(0- ₃ )), 1.70 (s,(OI ₂ )), 5.70 (s,=OI) , 6.10 (s,= I), 7.08 (d,J=8 Hz,Pyr-CH), 7.27 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.19

(d,J=8 Hz,Ar-CH), 7.39 (d,J=8 Hz,Ar-CH) , 8.28 (d,J=8 Hz,Pyr-CH), 9.31 (s,Pyr-CH).

Example 27

Preparation of compound 57 where R,,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ ,R ₅ are methyl, R' and R" = oxo, and X = COOH:

Compound 57 was prepared in a manner similar to that of compound 6 (example #4) except that 4-methylester- pyridinic-2-acid chloride was substituted for mono-methyl terephthalic acid chloride (see examples 1 and 2) . The resulting methyl ester was hydrolyzed as in example #5 to give compound 57. tø-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.22 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.30 (s, 2(CH ₃ )), 1.69 (s,2(CH ₂ )), 2.40 (s,CH ₃ ), 7.22 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.43 (s,Ar-CH), 8.13 (d,J=8.0 Hz,Pyr-CH), 8.54 (d,J=8 Hz,Pyr- CH) , 9.34 (s,Pyr-CH) .

Example 28

Preparation of compound 58 where R,,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ ,R ₅ are methyl, R' and R" = methano, and X = COOH (TPNEP) :

The methyl ester from example #26 was treated with CH ₃ PPh ₃ Br-NaNH ₂ as in example #4 followed by hydrolysis with methanolic KOH at reflux for 1 h and acidification with

20% aqueous HCI and crystallization from EtOAc-hexane to give compound 58. MP: 235 °C; ^X H-NMR (CDCl ₃ ) δl.27

(s,2(CH ₂ )), 1.31 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.70 (s,2(CH ₂ )), 2.00 (s,CH ₃ ),

5.55 (s,=OI), 6.57 (s,=CH), 7.06 (d,J=8.3 Hz,Pyr-CH) , 7.12 (s,Ar-CH), 7.14 (s,Ar-CH) , 8.20 (d,J=8.1 Hz,Pyr-CH) . 9.29 (s,Pyr-CH) .

Example 29

Preparation of methyl 2-acetyl-5-pyridinecarboxylate 32: To a slurry of the 2,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid 29 (34 g, 0.2 mol) in 120 mL of methanol at 0°C was added dropwise 15 mL of thionyl chloride and the resulting slurry was warmed up to room temperature, giving rise to a clear solution. The mixture then was heated at reflux for 12h and to afford a yellow slurry. Filtration of the

reaction mixture provided dimethyl-2,5-pyridinedi- carboxylate 30 in quantitative yield as a yellow crystalline solid.

The pyridinedicarboxylate 30 (19.5 g, 0.1 mol) was treated with solid KOH (6.51 g, 0.1 mol) in 300 mL of methanol at room temperature for 2 h, giving rise to a thick pale white suspension, which was filtered and dried to provide the mono-potassium pyridinecarboxylate 3 in quantitative yield. The crude mono-pyridinecarboxylate 31 (880 mg, 4 mmol) was treated with 3 mL of thionyl chloride at reflux for 2h and the excess SOCl ₂ was removed by the usual method. To the crude acid chloride in 8 mL of THF at - 78°C was added slowly a freshly prepared 1.0M ether solution (5.5 mL, 5.5 mmol) Me ₂ CuLi. The resulting dark slurry was allowed to stir at -78 °C for 60 min. and then was quenched with 2% HCI. Standard work-up and chromatography of the crude mixture afforded methyl-2- acetyl-5-pyridinecarboxylate 32 in over 56% yield as a yellow solid.

Example 30

Preparation of compound 58 (TPNEP) (by an alternate scheme than in Example 28) and of corresponding ester Et-58 where R ₁ ,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ ,R ₅ are methyl, R ¹ and R" are methano, and = COOH:

A solution of 2-bromotoluene (8.5 g, 50 mmol) and

2,2-dichloro-2,2-dimethylhexane (9.15 g, 50 mmol) in 100 mL of dichloroethane was treated with aluminum trichloride

(0.66 g, 5 mmol). The resulting dark brown solution was allowed to stir at room temperature for 30 min. and was then quenched with ice. Removal of solvent and recrystallization from methanol afforded 2-bromo- 3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalene 33 in 95% yield as a white solid. A THF (4 mL) solution containing the bromocompound 33 (141 mg, 0.5 mmol) at -78 °C was treated with a 1.6 M hexane solution (0.4 mL, 0.6

mmol) of n-BuLi, and the resulting mixture was then cannulated to a THF (2 mL) solution of the 2-acetyl-5- pyridinecarboxylate 32 (72 mg, 0.4 mmol) at -78 °C. The mixture was allowed to stir at -78 °C for 60 min. and was quenched with 2% HCI. Removal of the solvent and chroma¬ tography of the crude mixture provided the intermediate 34, which was then treated with 5% HCI at reflux followed by KOH-MeOH at 70°C for 30 min. Standard work-up and chromatography of the crude mixture provided 2- [1- (3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2 naphthyl) ethenyl] pyridine-5-carboxylic acid 58 in over 50% yield as a white solid. ^J H-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.27 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.31 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.70 (s,2(CH ₂ )), 2.00 (s, CH3) , 5.56 (s,=CH), 6.55 (s,=CH), 7.08 (d,J = 8.3 Hz, Pyr-CH), 7.12 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.15 (s,Ar-CH), 8.23 (d,J = 8.3 Hz,Pyr-CH) and 9.32 (s,Pyr-CH) .

Treatment of the pyridinecarboxylic acid 58 (15 mg, 0.004 mmol) with one drop of S0C1 ₂ in 5 mL of ethanol at reflux for 60 m, followed by a flash chromatography, gave rise to a quantitative yield of the ethyl ester Et-58 as a white solid. tø-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.27 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.31 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.40 (t,J = 7.1 Hz,

-CH ₂ CH ₃ ) , 1.70 (s,2(CH ₂ )), 1.99 (s,CH ₃ ), 4.40 (q,J = 7.1 Hz, -CH ₂ CH ₃ ) , 5.51 (s,=CH), 6.53 (s,=CH), 7.01 (d, J = 8.0 Hz,Pyr-CH), 7.12 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.14 (s,Ar-CH) , 8.15 (d,J = 8.0 Hz,Pyr-CH) and 9.23 (s,Pyr-CH).

Example 31

Preparation of 3-acetyl-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid N,N- diisopro-pylamide 36a: The mono-potassium pyridinecarboxylate 31 (1.1 g, 5 mmol) was treated with SOCl ₂ (5 mL, excess) at 70 °C for 2h and the excess thionyl chloride was removed to give a yellowish solid. To a solution of diisopropylamine (1 g, 10 mmol) in 10 mL of methylene chloride at 0 °C was added the CH ₂ C1 ₂ solution (10 mL) of the above acid chloride. The resulting slurry was allowed to stir at room temperature

for 3 h and was filtered from the ammonium salts. Removal of solvent and chromatography of the crude residue afforded the product 36a in 90% yield as a white solid.

Example 32 Preparation of compounds 60 (TPNEPC) and 61 (3TTNEPE) :

2-Bromo-3,5, 5, 8, 8-pentamethyl-5, 6, 7, 8 - tetrahydronaphthalene 33 (620 mg, 2.2 mmol) and the acetylpyridineamide 36A (500 mg, 2 mmol) were converted by a similar method as described above to obtain the intermediate 34 in over 80% yield. To a solution of the pyridine amide 34 (432 mg, 1 mmol) in 5 mL of THF at -78°C was added 1.5 M DIBAL toluene solution (0.7 mL, 1.05 mmol) and the resulting yellow clear solution was warmed up to - 20 °C slowly in 60 min. and then was quenched with water. Removal of solvent and chromatography of the crude mixture afforded the pyridinealdehyde 35 in 83% yield as a white solid. ^X H-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.25 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.29 (s,2(OI ₃ )), 1.70 (s,2(OI ₂ )), 1.96 (s,OI ₃ ), 5.47 (s,=OI), 5.92 (s,=CH) , 7.10 (s,Ar-OI), 7.11 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.70 (d,J = 8.0 Hz,Pyr- OI) , 7.88 (d,J = 8.0 Hz,Pyr-CH), 8.72 (s, Pyr-CH), 10.06 (s,CΗO) .

The pyridinealdehyde 35 (10 mg, 0.03 mmol) was treated with 2.0 mL of H ₂ 0 ₂ in 2 mL of methanol -water 1:1 mixture at room temperature for 10 h and then was quenched with 10% HCI. Extraction of the mixture with EtOAc (40 mL) and removal of solvent gave rise to 5-[l-(3,5,5,8,8- pentamethyl-5 ,6,7, 8 -tetrahydro -2 -naphthyl) ethenyl] pyridine-2 -carboxylic acid 60 as a white solid in almost quantitative yield. tø-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.26 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.30 (s,2(OI ₃ )), 1.70 (s _r 2(CH ₂ )), 1.94 (s,OI ₃ ), 5.47 (s,=OI), 5.92 (s,=OI) , 7.10 (s,Ar-2(CH)) , 7.76 (bs, Pyr-CH, 8.16 (bs,Pyr-OI) and 8.65 (s, Pyr-CH) .

Treatment of the pyridinecarboxylic acid 60 (5 mg) with one drop of S0C1 ₂ in 1 mL of ethanol at reflux for 60 min followed by a flash chromatography gave rise to a quantitative yield of the ethyl ester 61 as a white solid.

^X H-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.26 (s,2(CH ₃ )) , 1.29 (s,2(CH ₃ )) , 1.44 (t,J = 7.1 Hz,-CH ₂ CH ₃ ) , 1.69 (s,2(CH ₂ )) , 1.95 (s,CH ₃ ) , 4.46 (q,J = 7.1 Hz,-CH ₂ CH ₃ ) ) , 5.43 (s,=CH) , 5.88 (s,=CH) , 7.09 (s, Ar- CH) , 7.10 ( s, Ar-CH) , 7.64 (d,J = 8.0 Hz, Pyr-CH) , 8.03 (d,J = 8.0 Hz, Pyr-CH) and 8.68 (s, Pyr-CH) .

Example 33

Preparation of compound 62 where R ₁ ,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ ,R ₅ are methyl and R' and R" together are CH ₂ CH ₂ (TPNCP) :

To 162 mg (2.48 mmol) of zinc dust, 25 mg (0.25 mmol) of CuCl, and 332 mg (1.24 mmol) of CH ₂ I ₂ in 3 mL of dry ether was added dropwise 150 mg (0.413 mmol) of olefin 26 where R,, R ₂ , R ₃ , R ₄ , R ₅ are methyl in 5 mL of dry ether. The mixture was heated at reflux for 12 h or until com-plete by H-NMR. Water was added and the organics extracted with ether, washed with NH ₄ C1, brine and dried over MgS0 ₄ . The desired cyclopropyl compound was purified by crystal¬ lization from ether-MeOH to give 60 mg (0.159 mmol) of the methyl ester of 62 as a pale yellow solid (39% yield) . MP: 177 °C; 'H-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.27 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.31 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.35 (s,CH ₂ ), 1.70 (s,2(CH ₂ )), 1.85 (s,CH ₂ ), 2.11 (s,CH ₃ ), 3.90 (s,CH ₃ ), 6.75 (d,J = 8.0 Hz,Pyr-CH), 7.14 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.26 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.98 (d,J = 8.0 Hz,Pyr-CH) and 9.23 (s,Pyr-CH).

To 60 mg (0.16 mmol) of the above methyl ester in 10 mL of MeOH was added 1 mL of an aqueous 6N KOH solution. After stirring at room temperature for 1 h, the hydrolysis was complete and the reaction was acidified with 1 N aqueous HCI until the solids precipitated. The product was extracted with ether, washed with water, brine and dried over MgS0 ₄ . Crystallization from EtOAc-hexanes gave 33 mg

(0.094 mmol) of the pyridinal carboxylic acid 62 (59% yield). MP: 275 °C; tø-NMR(CDC1 ₃ ) δl.25 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.35

(s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.40 (s,CH ₂ ), 1.72 (s,2(CH ₂ )), 1.85 (s,CH ₂ ),

2.15(s,CH ₃ ), 6.78 (d,J = 8.0 Hz,Pyr-CH), 7.14 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.26 (s,Ar-CH), 8.02 (d,J = 8.0 Hz,Pyr-CH) and 9.15 (s,Pyr-CH) .

Example 34

Preparation of compound 63 where R,,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ ,R ₅ are methyl, R ¹ and R" are methano, X = CONHRr,, and Rg = 4-hydroxyphenyl (3-methyl-TTNEHBP) : To 750 mg (10 mml) of DMF in 22 mL of anhydrous ether was added 1.3g (10 mmol) of oxalyl chloride. The reaction was stirred for 1 h, followed by removal of solvent to give a crude white solid (dimethylchloroformadinium chloride) . To the dimethylchloro-formadinium chloride was added 2.87 g (8.24 mmol) of compound 7 in 12 mL of dry

DMF. The reaction was stirred for 20 m at room temperature followed by cooling to 0°C. The cooled solution of the acid chloride of 7 was added dropwise to a cooled DMF

(0°C) solution containing 3.62 g (33 mmol) of 4- aminophenol and 1.68 g (16.3 mmol) of triethyl amine. After stirring at 0°C for 30 m, the reaction was warmed to room temperature for 12 h. Aqueous 20% HCI was added and the resulting solid was filtered and washed with water, acetone, and EtOAc to give 600 mg (1.36 mmol) of the desired compound 63 (17% yield). ^X H-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.29 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.31 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.71 (s, (OI ₂ ) ) , 1.99 (s,OI ₃ ), 5.31 (s,=CH) , 5.80 (s,=CH), 6.85 (d,Ar-2 (OI) ) , 7.09 (s,Ar- OI) , 7.16 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.40 (d,Ar-2(OI) ) , 7.48 (d,Ar-2 (CH) ) , 8.40 (d,Ar-2 (OI) ) .

Example 35

Preparation of compound 64 where R ₁ ,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ ,R ₅ are methyl, R ¹ and R" are methano, X - CONHRg, and Rg = 4-fluorophenyl (3-methyl-TTNEFBP) :

The compound was prepared in a manner similar to that of compound 63 except that 4-fluoroaniline was substituted for 4-aminophenol. MP: 203°C; tø-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.28 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.31 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.70 (s,2(CH ₂ )), 1.96 (s,CH ₃ ) , 5.33 (s,=OI), 5.81 (s,=OI), 7.05 (d,J=9 Hz) ,Ar-2(CH) ) , 7.09 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.13 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.39 (d,J=8.4 Hz,Ar- 2(CH)). 7.59 (dd,J=5,9 Hz,Ar-20I) , 7.75 (brs NH) , 7.78 (d,J=8.4 Hz,Ar-2(CH) ) .

Example 36

Preparation of compound 65 where R ₁ ,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ ,R ₅ are methyl, R' and R" are methano, X = CONHRrj, and Rg = 4- phenylcarboxylic acid (3-methyl-TTNECBP) : The compound was prepared in a manner similar to that of compound 63 except that methyl 4-aminophenyl carbσxylate was substituted for 4-aminophenol. The resulting ester was hydrolyzed in methanolic KOH, followed by acidification (20% HCI) to give the desired compound 65. MP: 200 °C; tø-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.28 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.31 (S,2(CH ₃ )), 1.71 (S,2(CH ₂ )), 1.97 (s,CH ₃ ), 5.34 (s,=CH), 5.85 (s,=CH), 7.09 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.14 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.40 (d,J=8 Hz,Ar-CH), 7.80 (d,J=8 Hz,Ar-2(CH)) , 7.87 (br s,Ar-2 (CH) ) , 8.14 (br s,Ar-2 (CH) ) .

Example 37

Preparation of compound 66 where R ₁ ,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ ,R ₅ are methyl, R' and R" are oxo, X = CONHR ₉ , and R ₉ = 3-hydroxyphenyl (3- methyl-m-TTNCHBP) :

To 750 mg (10 mml) of DMF in 22 mL of anhydrous ether was added 1.3g (10 mmol) of oxalyl chloride. The reaction was stirred for 1 h, followed by removal of solvent to give a crude white solid (dimethylchloroformadinium chloride) . To the dimethylchlorofor-madinium chloride was added 2.88 g (8.24 mmol) of compound 4 in 12 mL of dry DMF. The reaction was stirred for 20 m at room temperature, followed by cooling to 0°C. The cooled solution of the acid chloride of 7 was added dropwise to a cooled DMF (0°C) solution containing 3.62 g (33 mmol) of 4-aminophenol and 1.68 g (16.3 mmol) of triethyl amine. After stirring at 0°C for 30 m, the reaction was warmed to room temperature for 12 h. Aqueous 20% HCI was added and the resulting solid was filtered and washed with water, acetone, and EtOAc to give 750 mg (1.70 mmol) of the desired compound 66 (21% yield) . MP: 182°C; *H-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.22 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.32 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.70 (s,2(CH ₂ )), 2.37 (S,CH ₃ ), 6.58 (m,Ar-2(CH) ) , 7.20 (d,J=8 Hz,Ar-CH) , 7.22

(s,Ar-OI) , 7.28 (s,Ar-Ch) , 7.91 (d,J=8.3 Hz,Ar-2 (CH) ) , 8.26 (d,J=8.3 Hz,Ar-2(OI)) .

Example 38

Preparation of compound 67 where R ₁ ,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ ,R ₅ are methyl, R ¹ and R" are methano, X = CONHRg, and Rg = 3-hydroxyphenyl (3-methyl-m-TTNEHBP) :

The compound was prepared in a manner similar to that of compound 63 except that 3-aminophenol was substituted for -aminophenol. MP: 136°C; ^l H-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.28 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.31 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.70 (s,2(CH ₂ )), 1.97 (s,CH ₃ ) , 5.35 (s,=OI), 5.84 (s,=CH), 6.57 (m,Ar-2(CH) ) , 7.09 (s,Ar- CH) , 7.14 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.16 (m,Ar-CH) , 7.39 (d,J=8.3 Hz,Ar- 2(OI)), 8.09 (d,J=8.3 Hz,Ar-2 (OI) ) .

Example 39 Preparation of compound 68 where R ₁ ,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ ,R ₅ are methyl, R ¹ and R" are methano, X = CONHRg, and Rg - 2-hydroxyphenyl (3-methyl-o-TTNCΗBP) :

The compound was prepared in a manner similar to that of compound 63 except that 2-aminophenol was substituted for 4-aminophenol. MP: 180°C; ^X H-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.28 (s,2(CΗ ₃ )), 1.31 (s,2( I ₃ )), 1.71 (s,2(0_ ₂ )), 1.97 (s,CH ₃ ), 5.35 (s,=CH), 5.84 (s,=OI) , 6.9 (m,Ar-OI) , 7.08-7.2 (m,Ar- OI) , 7.09 (s,Ar-OI), 7.13 (s,Ar-OI) , 7.42 (d,J=8.4 Hz,Ar- 2(CH)), 7.83 (d,J=8.4 Hz,Ar-2(OI)) , 8.03 (brs,Ar-OI) , 8.64 (s,NH) .

Example 40

Preparation of compound 69 where R ₁ ,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ ,R ₅ are methyl, R' and R" are methano, X = CONHRg, and Rg = 3- phenylcarboxylic acid (3-methyl-m-TTNECBP) : The compound was prepared in a manner similar to that of compound 63 except that methyl-3-amino phenyl carboxylate was substituted for 4-aminophenol. The resulting ester was hydrolyzed in methanolic KOH followed by acidification (20% HCI) to give the desired compound

69. MP: 250°C; tø-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.28 (s,2(CH ₃ )) , 1.31

(s,2(CH ₃ )) , 1.71 (s,2(CH ₂ )) , 1.97 (s,CH ₃ ) , 5.34 (s,=CH) ,

5.85 (s,=CH), 7.09 (s, Ar-CH), 7.14 (s, Ar-CH) , 7.40 (d,J=8

Hz, Ar-2(CH)), 7.55 (m, Ar-CH) , 7.76 (m, Ar-CH) , 7.80 (d,J=8 Hz, Ar-2(CH)) , 7.87 ( s, Ar-CH) , 8.14 (s,NH) .

Example 41

Preparation of compound 70 where R,,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R,R ₅ are methyl,

R' and R" are methano, n=0, and X = COOH:

The compound was prepared in a manner similar to that of compound 7 except that 1,1,3,3,5-pentamethylindane was substituted for 1,1,4,4,6-pentamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro¬ naphthalene in examples 1, 2, 4, and 5. MP: 145°C; Η-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.05 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.28 (s,CH ₃ ), 1.31 (s,CH ₃ ), 1.38 (s,CH ₂ ), 1.98 (s,CH ₃ ), 5.34 (s,CH), 5.84 (s,CH), 6.90 (s, Ar-CH), 6.92 (s, Ar-CH), 7.36 (d,J=8.4 Hz, Ar-2 (CH) ) , 8.00 (d,J=8.4 Hz,Ar-2(CH) ) .

Example 42

Preparation of compound 71 where Rj,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ ,R ₅ ,R ₁₄ are methyl, R ¹ and R" are methano, n=0, and X = COOH: The compound was prepared in a manner similar to that of compound 7 except that 1,1,2,3,3,5-pentamethylindane was substituted for 1,1,4,4,6-pentamethyl-1,2,3,4- tetrahydronaphthalene in examples 1, 2, 4, and 5. MP: 217°C; tø-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.01 (d,J=7.3 Hz,CH ₃ ), 1.08 (s,CH ₃ ), 1.10 (s,CH ₃ ), 1.27 (s,.CH ₃ ) , 1.30 (s,OI ₃ ), 1.88 (q,CH), 2.00 (s,CH ₃ ), 5.35 (s,=CH), 5.85 (s,=CH), 6.95 (s,Ar-CH) , 6.98 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.38(d,J=8.3 Hz,Ar-2(CH) ) , 8.00 (d,J=8.3 Hz,Ar- 2 (CH) ) .

Example 43 Preparation of compound 72 where R ₁ ,R ₂ ,R ₃ ,R ₄ ,R ₅ , are methyl, R ¹ and R" are H, and X = COOH:

The compound was prepared in a manner similar to that of compound 4 (examples 1 and 2) except that methyl-4-

(bromomethyl)benzoate was substituted for mono-methyl

terephthalic acid chloride. MP: 237°C; tø-NMR (CDC1 ₃ ) δl.23 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.27 (s,2(CH ₃ )), 1.67 (s,2(CH ₂ )), 2.16 (s,CH ₃ ), 4.06 (s,CH ₂ ), 7.01 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.08 (s,Ar-CH) , 7.25 (d,J=8 Hz,Ar-2(CH)) , 8.01 (d,J=8 Hz,Ar-2(OI) ) .

Evaluation of Retinoid Receptor Subtype Selectivity

Representative synthetic retinoid compounds of the current invention were analyzed and found to exhibit subtype selectivity for retinoid receptors, and to be capable of modulating processes selectively mediated by retinoid X receptors, as discussed more fully below.

As employed herein, the phrase "processes selectively mediated by retinoid X receptors" refers to biological, physiological, endocrinological, and other bodily processes which are mediated by receptors or receptor combinations which are responsive to retinoid X receptor selective processes, e.g. , compounds which selectively activate one and/or multiple members of the RXR subfamily. Modulation of such processes can be accomplished in vitro or in vivo, in vivomodulation can be carried out in a wide range of subjects, such as, for example, humans, rodents, sheep, pigs, cows, and the like.

The receptors which are responsive to retinoid X receptor selective ligands include: retinoid X receptor- alpha, retinoid X receptor-beta, retinoid X receptor- gamma, and splicing variants encoded by the genes for such receptors, as well as various combinations thereof (i.e. , homodimers, homotrimers, heterodimers, heterotrimers, and the like) . Also included are combinations of retinoid X receptors with other members of the steroid/thyroid super- family of receptors with which the retinoid X receptors may interact by forming heterodimers, heterotrimers, and the higher heteromultimers. For example, the retinoic acid receptor-alpha, -beta, or -gamma isoforms form a heterodimer with any of the retinoid X receptor isoforms, (i.e. , alpha, beta, or gamma, including any combination of the different receptor isoforms) , and the various retinoid

X receptors form a heterodimer with thyroid receptor and form a heterodimer with vitamin D receptor. Members of the retinoid X receptor subfamily form a heterodimer with certain "orphan receptors" including PPAR (Issemann and Green, Nature, 347:645-49 (1990)); HNF4 (Sladek et al.. Genes & Development -.2353 -65 (1990)); the COUP family of receptors (e.g. , Miyajima et al. , Nucleic Acids Research 16:11057-74 (1988) , and Wang etal.. Nature, 340:163-66 (1989)); COUP-like receptors and COUP homologs, such as those described by Mlodzik et al. {Cell, 60:211-24 (1990)) and Ladias et al. (Science, 251:5561-65 (1991) ) ; the ultraspiracle receptor (e.g., Oro et al.. Nature, 347:298-301 (1990)); and the like.

As employed herein, the phrase "members of the steroid/thyroid superfamily of receptors" (also known as "nuclear receptors" or "intracellular receptors") refers to hormone binding proteins that operate as ligand- dependent transcription factors. Furthermore, this classification includes identified members of the steroid/thyroid superfamily of receptors for which specific ligands have not yet been identified (referred to hereinafter as "orphan receptors") . All members of the intracellular receptor superfamily have the intrinsic ability to bind to specific DNA sequences. Following binding, the transcriptional activity of a target gene (i.e., a gene associated with the specific DNA sequence) is modulated as a function of the ligand bound to the receptor. Also, see Heyman et al.. Cell, 68:397-406 (1992), and copending U.S. Serial No. 809,980, filed December 18, 1991, whose entire disclosures are incorporated herein by reference.

The modulation of gene expression by the ligand retinoic acid and its receptors can be examined in a reconstituted system in cell culture. Such a system was used to evaluate the synthetic retinoid compounds of this invention for their interaction with the retinoid receptor subtypes RARα, RAR/3, RARγ, RXRo., RXR?, and RXR ₇ .

The system for reconstituting ligand-dependent transcriptional control, which was developed by Evans etal.. Science, 240:889-95 (1988), has been termed a "co-trans- fection" or ⁿ cis-trans" assay. This assay is described in further detail in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,981,784 and 5,071,773, which are incorporated herein by reference. Also see Heyman et al.. Cell, 68:397-406 (1992). The co- transfection assay provides a mechanism to evaluate the ability of a compound to modulate the transcription response initiated by an intracellular receptor. The co- transfection assay is a functional, rapid assay that monitors hormone or ligand activity and is a good predictor of an in vivosystem.

Briefly, the co-transfeetion assay involves the introduction of two plasmids by transient transfection into a retinoid receptor-negative mammalian cell background. The first plasmid contains a retinoid receptor cDNA and directs constitutive expression of the encoded receptor. The second plasmid contains a cDNA that encodes for a readily quantifiable protein, e.g. , firefly luciferase or chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) , under control of a promoter containing a retinoid acid response element, which confers retinoid dependence on the transcription of the reporter. In this co-transfection assay, all retinoid receptors respond to all-traπs-retinoic acid in a similar fashion. This assay can be used to accurately measure efficacy and potency of retinoic acid and synthetic retinoids as ligands that interact with the individual retinoid receptor subtypes. Accordingly, synthetic retinoid compounds of the current invention were evaluated for their interaction with retinoid receptor subtypes using the co-transfeetion assay in which CV-1 cells were co-transfected with one of the retinoid receptor subtypes, a reporter construct, and an internal control to allow normalization of the response

for transfection efficiency. The following example is illustrative.

Example 44

Retinoids: All- trans-retinoic acid (RA) and 13 -cis- retinoic acid (13-c/s-RA) were obtained from Sigma. 9-c/s- retinoic acid (9-c/s-RA) was synthesized as described in Heyman et al. , Cell, 68:397-406 (1992). Retinoid purity was established as greater than 99% by reverse phase high- performance liquid chromatography. Retinoids were dis- solved in dimethylsulfoxide for use in the transcriptional activation assays.

Plasmids: The receptor expression vectors used in the co-transfection assay have been described previously (pRShRAR-α: Giguere et al. (1987); pRShRAR-j8 and pRShRAR-γ: Ishikawa etal. (1990) ; pRShRXR-c.: Mangelsdorf etal. , (1990); pRSmRXR-3 and pRSmRXR-γ: Mangelsdorf et a/.. Genes & Devel. ,

6:329-44 (1992)). A basal reporter plasmid Δ-MTV-LUC

(Hollenberg and Evans, Cell, 55:899-906 (1988)) containing two copies of the TRE-palindromic response element 5' - TCAGGTCATGACCTGA-3 ' (Umesono et al.. Nature, 336:262-65 (1988)) was used in transfections for the RARs, and CRBPIIFKLUC, which contains an RXRE (retinoid X receptor response element (Mangelsdorf etal. , Cell, 66:555-61 (1991)), was used in transfections for the RXRs. Co-transfection Assay In CV-1 Cells: A monkey kidney cell line, CV-1, was used in the cis-transassay. Cells were transfected with two plasmids. The trans-vector allowed efficient production of the retinoid receptor in these cells, which do not normally express this receptor pro- tein. The cis-vector contains an easily assayable gene product, in this case the firefly luciferase, coupled to a retinoid-responsive promoter, i.e . , an RARE or RXRE. Addition of retinoic acid or an appropriate synthetic retinoid results in the formation of a retinoid-RAR or - RXR complex that activates the expression of luciferase

gene, causing light to be emitted from cell extracts. The level of luciferase activity is directly proportional to the effectiveness of the retinoid-receptor complex in activating gene expression. This sensitive and repro- ducible co-transfection approach permits the identi¬ fication of retinoids that interact with the different receptor isoforms.

Cells were cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10% charcoal resin-stripped fetal bovine serum, and experi- ments were conducted in 96-well plates. The plasmids were transiently transfected by the calcium phosphate method

(Umesono and Evans, Cell, 57:1139-46 (1989) and Berger et al.,

J. Steroid Biochem. Molec. Biol. , 41 : 733-38 (1992) ) by using 10 ng of a pRS (Rous sarcoma virus promoter) receptor-expression plasmid vector, 50 ng of the reporter luciferase (LUC) plasmid, 50 ng of pRSj8-GAL(j8-galactosidase) as an internal control, and 90 ng of carrier plasmid, pGEM. Cells were transfected for 6 h and then washed to remove the pre¬ cipitate. The cells were then incubated for 36 h with or without retinoid. After the transfection, all subsequent steps were performed on a Beckman Biomek Automated Workstation. Cell extracts were prepared, then assayed for luciferase and /3-galactosidase activities, as described by Berger et al. (1992) . All determinations were performed in triplicate in two independent experiments and were normalized for transfection efficiency by using β- galactosidase as the internal control. Retinoid activity was normalized relative to that of all-tra/js-retinoic acid and is expressed as potency (EC50) , which is the concen- tration of retinoid required to produce 50% of the maximal observed response, and efficacy (%) , which is the maximal response observed relative to that of all -trans-retinoic acid at 10 ^"5 M. The data obtained is the average of at least four independent experiments. Efficacy values less than 5% are not statistically different than the 0% background. Compounds with an efficacy of less than 20% at concentrations of 10 ^"5 M are considered to be inactive. At

higher concentrations of compound, such as 10" ⁴ M, these compounds are generally toxic to cells and thus the maximal efficacy at 10 ^"5 M is reported in the tables and figures contained herein.

The synthetic retinoid compound 3-methyl-TTNCB, as described above, was evaluated for its ability to regulate gene expression mediated by retinoid receptors. As shown in Figure 1, this compound is capable of activating members of the RXR subfamily, i.e., RXRα, RXR/3, and RXR ₇ , but clearly has no significant activity for members of the RAR subfamily, i.e., RARα, RAR/3, and RARγ. Assays using all- trans-retinoic acid (Figure 2) and 9-c/s-retinoic acid (Figure 3) were run for reference, and demonstrate that these retinoic acid isomers activate members of both the RAR and RXR subfamilies.

Potency and efficacy were calculated for the 3- methyl-TTNCB compound, as summarized in the following table. For reference, the data for 9-c/s-retinoic acid are also included. TABLE 1

Potency (nM) Efficacy

3-Methyl-TTNCB

RXRα 330 130%

RXR/3 200 52% RXRγ 260 82%

<2% <4% <4%

9-cis-retinoic acid RXRo. 150 140?

RXR/3 100 140?

RXRγ 110 140?

100

82 120

As shown by the data in Table 1, 3-methyl-TTNCB readily and at low concentrations activates RXRs. Further, 3-methyl-TTNCB is more potent an activator of RXRs than RARs, and preferentially activates RXRs in comparison to RARs, in that much higher concentrations of the compound are required to activate the RARs. In contrast, 9-c/s-retinoic acid does not preferentially activate the RXRs, as also shown in Table 1. Rather, 9-c/s- retinoic acid activates the RAR/3 and RARγ isoforms at lower concentrations and more readily than the RXR/3 and RXRγ isoforms, and has substantially the same, within the accuracy of the measurement, activity for the RARo. isoform in comparison to the RXRαr isoform.

An extract reported to contain 9-c/s-retinoic acid has previously been reported as at least 10-fold more potent in inducing RXRα than RARo. (Heyman et al. , Cell, 68:397,399

(January 24, 1992) ) . Presently available data indicate that 9-c/s-retinoic acid does not preferentially activate RXRs in comparison to RARs, as shown and discussed above. The compounds of this invention preferentially activate RXRs in comparison to RARs, and are preferably at least three times more potent as activators of RXRs than RARs, and more preferably at least five times more potent as activators of RXRs than RARs.

Potency and efficacy have also been calculated for the 3-methyl-TTNEB, 3-bromo-TTNEB, ^' 3-methyl-TTNCHBP, 3-

methyl-TTNEHBP, TPNEP, and TPNCP compounds, as summarized below in Table 2.

88° 49? 71?

3? 18? 15?

113% 155% 128%

<2%

7% 17%

3-Methyl-TTNEHBP

RXRQΓ 140 125?

RXR/3 71 121?

RXRγ 48 163?

25° 10?

75? 138? 100?

<2\ <2? 24?

63% 93% 49%

<2% <2% <2%

As shown by the data in Table 2, 3-methyl-TTNEB, 3- bromo-TTNEB, 3-methyl-TTNCHBP, 3-methyl-TTNEHBP, TPNEP, and TPNCP each readily and preferentially activate the RXRs, and are more potent as activators of RXRs than of RARs. The diminished activity of these compounds for the RARs in comparison to the RXRs is also shown for some of these compounds in Figures 4-7.

It can be expected that synthetic retinoid ligands, such as those exemplified in Tables 1 and 2 which preferentially affect some but not all of the retinoic

acid receptor isoforms, can, in pharmacological prepara¬ tions, provide pharmaceuticals with higher therapeutic indices and a better side effect profile than currently used retinoids. For example, the compounds of the present invention have been observed to be less irritating to the skin than standard retinoids.

The retinoid compounds of this invention are useful for the treatment of certain dermatological conditions such as keratinization disorders, i.e . , differentiation/ proliferation. A standard assay to determine the activity of these compounds is the measurement of the enzymatic activity for transglutaminase; this is a measure of the antiproliferative action of retinoids. Retinoids have been shown to inhibit the pathway of differentiation, which is indicated by a decrease in several biochemical markers that are associated with the expression of squa- mous cell phenotype, such as transglutaminase. (Yuspa et al., Cancer Research, -.3 -. 5101 -12 (1983)) . As can be seen from Figure 8, the 3-methyl-TTNCB compound is capable of inhibiting transglutaminase activity and inhibits 50% of the enzyme activity at 1 x 10" ⁷ M.

The compounds of this invention also exhibit good comedolytic activity in the test on Rhino mice described by Kligman et al. (J. of Inves. Derm., 73:354-58 (1979)) and Mezick et al. fJ. of Inves. Derm. , 83:110-13 (1984)). The test on Rhino mice has been a model for screening comedolytic agents. The activity of the 3-methyl-TTNCB retinoid compound, as well as 9-c/s and all-rransretinoic acid is shown in Figure 9. A 0.1% solution of 3-methyl-TTNCB is capable of inhibiting the utriculi diameter by approximately 50%. It has also been observed that 3-methyl-TTNCB is less irritating to the skin of Rhino mice than 9-c/s- or all- trans-retinoic acid.

The synthetic retinoids of the current invention have also been tested using radioligand displacement assays. RAR and RXR isoforms overexpressed in E. coli or baculovirus

are capable of binding radiolabeled 9-c/s-retinoic acid with binding parameters which are essentially similar to those receptors overexpressed in mammalian cells. By testing the abilities of various synthetic retinoids to compete with the radiolabeled retinoic acid for binding to various receptor isoforms, the relative dissociation constant for the receptor itself can be determined. This is an important supplementary analysis to the co-transfection assay since it can detect important discrepancies that may arise due to the various determinants of retinoid activity in the co-transfection assay. These determinants may include (1) activating or inactivating metabolic altera¬ tions in the test compounds, (2) binding to serum proteins which alter the free concentration of the test compound, (3) differences in cell permeation among test compounds,

(4) intrinsic differences in the affinity of the test compounds for the receptor proteins, i.e. , in Ej, and (5) conformational changes produced in the receptor after binding of the test compound, reflected in the effects on reporter gene expression.

The 3-methyl-TTNOB compound is capable of displacing ³ H-9-c/s-retinoic acid bound to the RXRs, but is not capable of displacing radiolabeled ligand that is bound to the RARs. This indicates that the 3-methyl-TTNCB compound preferentially binds RXRs in comparison to RARs, a pro¬ perty which would be expected of a ligand selective for the RXRs.

It has been recognized that the co-transfection assay provides a functional assessment of the ligand being tested as either an agonist or antagonist of the specific genetic process sought to be affected. Ligands which do not significantly react with other intracellular recep¬ tors, as determined by the co-transfection assay, can be expected to result in fewer pharmacological side effects. Because the co-transfection assay is run in living cells, the evaluation of a ligand provides an early indicator of

the potential toxicity of the candidate at concentrations where a therapeutic benefit would be expected.

Processes capable of being modulated by retinoid receptors, in accordance with the present invention, include in vitro cellular differentiation, the regulation of morphogenetic processes including limb morphogenesis, regulation of cellular retinol binding protein (CRBP) , and the like. As readily recognized by those of skill in the art, the availability of ligands for the retinoid X receptor makes it possible, for the first time, to elucidate the processes controlled by members of the retinoid X receptor subfamily. In addition, it allows development of assays for the identification of anta¬ gonists for these receptors. The processes capable of being modulated by retinoid receptors, in accordance with the present invention, further include the in vivomodulation of lipid metabolism; in vivo modulation of skin related processes (e.g. , acne, psoriasis, aging, wrinkling, and the like); in vivomodulation of programmed cell death (a poptosis); in vivomodulation of malignant cell development, such as occurs, for example, in acute promyelocytic leukemia, mammary cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, cancers of the aerodigestive pathway, skin cancer, bladder cancer, and sarcomas; in vivo modulation of premalignant lesions, such as occurs with oral leuko¬ plakia and the like; in vivo modulation of auto-immune diseases such as rheumatoic arthritis; in vivo modulation of fatty acid metabolism; and the like. Such applications can be expected to allow the modulation of various biological processes with reduced occurrence of undesir¬ able side effects such as teratogenic effects, skin irritation, mucosal dryness, lipid disturbances, and the like. In vivoapplications can be employed with a wide range of subjects, such as, for example, humans, rodents, sheep, pigs, cows, and the like.

For example, regarding the in vivomodulation of lipid metabolism referred to above, apolipoprotein Al is a major protein component of plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Since the circulating level of HDL in humans has been shown to be inversely correlated to the risk of coronary vascular diseases, it can be expected that regul¬ ating synthesis of apolipoprotein Al can be utilized in the treatment of coronary vascular disease. It has been established that regulation of transcription of apolipo- protein Al is controlled by members of the intra-cellular receptor superfamily, and further that the apolipoprotein Al gene transcription start site A is a highly selective retinoid responsive element (RXRE) that responds prefer¬ entially to RXRα. Rottman et al., Mol. Cell. Biol., 11:3814-20 (1991) . Therefore, ligands which selectively activate members of the RXR family of retinoic acid receptors may regulate apolipoprotein Al transcription. We have demonstrated in in vivo studies that ligands having selective activity for RXRs can be used to significantly raise plasma HDL levels, as demonstrated in the following example.

Example 45

Male Sprague-Dawley rats (160-200 gram) were obtained from Harland. Animals were fed standard laboratory diets (Harlan/Teklad) and kept in an environmentally controlled animal house with a light period lasting from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Animals were treated with drugs prepared as sus¬ pensions in olive oil.

To verify that RXR activation can modulate HDL cholesterol, an initial study was carried out that included dosing rats for 4 days with an RAR-selective compound, all-trans retinoic acid, the non-selective RAR/RXR agonist, 9-c/s-retinoic acid, and either of two RXR- selective agents, 3-methyl-TTNCB or 3-methyl-TTNEB. Each drug was administered at a dose of 100 mg/kg, i.p. Positive control groups received olive oil as a vehicle.

Twenty-four hours after the last treatment, rats were sacrificed by C0 ₂ inhalation, blood was collected from the inferior vena cava into a tube containing 0.1 ml of 0.15% EDTA and centrifuged at 1500 x g for 20 min. at 4°C. Plasma was separated and stored at 4°C for evaluation of plasma total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) .

Plasma total cholesterol was measured enzymatically utilizing Boeringer Mannheim Diagnostics High Performance Cholesterol Methods with an ABBOTT VP Bichromatic Analyzer. HDL was measured after preparation of the HDL- containing fraction by heparin-manganese precipitation of plasma. HDL-cholesterol in this fraction was estimated as mentioned earlier. All HDL separations were checked for contamination by lipoproteins with agarose gel electro- phoresis.

The results of this study are shown in Figure 10. As shown, rats receiving the RXR-selective compounds exhibited substantial and statistically significant increases in HDL levels, particularly when receiving 3- methyl-TTNEB. Because the RXR-selective ligand 3-methyl- TTNEB was the most efficacious, additional 4 day experi¬ ments were conducted with this agent at doses of 0.3, 1, 3, 6, 10, 30, 100, or 300 mg/kg i.p. in 0.5 ml olive oil or 1, 3, 10, 30, 100, 300 mg/kg p.o. in 0.5 ml olive oil for 4 days. An additional 30 day p.o. study was conducted with 10, 30, or 100 mg/kg 3-methyl-TTNEB to determine whether tolerance would develop to its pharmacological actions. For the rats receiving 3-methyl-TTNEB in various doses for four days, it was also observed that most of the

HDL elevation was obtainable with relatively low doses

(less than 5 mg/kg) of 3-methyl-TTNEB. The 30-day study with 3-methyl-TTNEB did not indicate development of tolerance to its pharmacological action. Additional in vitro studies were also performed utilizing the co-transfection assay previously described within this application to demonstrate the effect of RXR-selective

ligands on regulation of transcription of apolipoprotein- AI, as described in the following example.

Example 46:

This work focused on studying the transcriptional properties of the retinoid receptors RAR and RXR on a reporter molecule (e.g. , luciferase) under control of a basal promoter containing the RXR response element from the apolipoprotein Al gene ("A" site) . Plasmid constructs coding for the various receptors were transfected into a human hepatocyte cell line (HepG-2) along with the reporter plasmid. Reporter plasmids contained multimers of the apolipoprotein-AI "A" site (-214 to -192 relative to transcription start site) shown to bind RXR. Wido et al., Mol. Cell. Biol.12:3380-89 (1992); Ladias δ_ Karathanasis, Science 251:561-65 (1991). After transfection, treatment, harvest, and assay, the data obtained was normalized to transfected beta-galactosidase activity so as to control for transfection efficiency. The results demonstrated activation in the system with the RXR-specific ligands 3- methyl-TTNCB and 3-methyl-TTNEB, demonstrating that the RXR specific ligands could regulate the transcriptional properties via the "A" site from the apolipoprotein Al gene. These compounds had no effect when RAR was used in the transfection, demonstrating receptor specificity. The transcriptional regulation by RXR was dependent on the presence of the hormone response element.

It has been surprisingly found that the administration of a compound containing a ligand which has specific activity for RXRs but essentially no activity for RARs, in combination with a ligand that has specific activity for RARS but not RXRs, provides a cellular response at extremely low dosages, dosages at which the ligands individually provide no significant response. Specifically, the concentration-related effect of an RXR- specific ligand and a RAR-specific ligand on proliferation of a myeloma cell line (RPMI 8226) was studied in in vitro

studies using a thymidine incorporation assay. (L.M. Bradley, Selected Methods in Cellular Immunology, Ch. 10.1, pp. 235-38, Mishell & Shiigi (eds.), Freeman & Co., New York, 1980) . This assay examines the incorporation of radiolabeled thymidine into DNA, and by determining the ability of a compound to inhibit thymidine incorporation into DNA, provides a measure of cell proliferation. Compounds which inhibit cell proliferation have well-known utility in the treatment of certain cancers. As shown previously (Table 2) , 3-methyl-TTNEB activates members of the RXR subfamily and has no significant activity for members of the RAR subfamily. Examination of the effects of 3-methyl-TTNEB on the proliferation of myeloma cells show a concentration dependent inhibition of thymidine incorporation. The IC ₅₀ (the concentration of 3-methyl-TTNEB required to produce 50% inhibition of the maximal response) is 10" ⁷ M, as shown in Figure 11. Concentrations less than 10" ⁸ M provide essentially no effect on cell proliferation, as also shown in Figure 11.

It is well known that the compound TTNPB activates members of the RAR subfamily and has no significant activity for members of the RXR subfamily. The compound TTNPB is shown below, and its activity is shown in Table 3.

TTNPB

TABLE 3 Potency (nM) Efficacy

TTNPB RXRO! >10,000 <5% RXR/3 >10,000 <5% RXRγ >10,000 <5%

RARo. 52 30 RARjS 4 40 RARγ 0.4 50

The effect of TTNPB on cell proliferation is shown in Figure 11. The IC ₅₀ value of TTNPB is about 5 x 10" ^u M, and a concentration of less than 10" ^u M produces essentially no effect on cell proliferation.

However, it has been found that when these two compounds (3-methyl-TTNEB and TTNPB) are present together, each at a concentration where the compound alone produces substantially no anti-proliferative effect, the combina¬ tion of the two compounds effectively blocks cell proliferation. The combination of the two compounds appears to produce a greater than additive, or syner- gistic, effect.

For example, as shown in Figure 12, the presence of TTNPB at a concentration of 10 ^"11 M produces a 9% inhibition on thymidine incorporation. However, combining it with 3- methyl-TTNEB at a concentration of 10 ^*8 M (which results in no effect on cell proliferation) produces a greatly enhanced inhibitory effect of 49%. Likewise, it has also been found that the inhibitory effect of 3-methyl-TTNEB is greatly increased by the presence of TTNPB at a concentration which alone produces no effect.

Since it is well-known that toxic side effects of compounds such as TTNPB are concentration-dependent, the synergistic effect resulting from combining such RAR- specific compounds with RXR-specific compounds can be

expected to permit lower dosages that are efficacious and to therefore reduce toxic side effects. For example, in cancer chemotherapy, use of two such compounds, in combination, at relatively low doses can be expected to produce the desired beneficial effect, while minimizing undesired side effects which result at higher doses of the compounds.

In vitro studies utilizing the co-transfection assay have also shown this same synergistic effect. For example, utilizing the co-transfection assay described previously and employing RAR-c. and RXR-o. and a reporter consisting ,£ the ApoAl response element "A" site in the context -.-f TKLUC (Ladias & Karathanasis, Science 251:561-65 (19S-1) , transfections were performed in HEPG2 cells. In this study, lOOng of the designated receptor were used and RSVCAT was used as a carrier to keep the amount of RSV promoter constant. All compounds were added at a final concentration of 10 ^"7 M. The RXR specific compound, 3- methyl-TTNEB (Table 2, above), and the RAR specific compound, TTNPB (Table 3, above) were utilized. As shown below in Table 4, the relative normalized response observed utilizing the co-transfection assay also demonstrated a synergistic effect when a combination of the two compounds was utilized, compared to the response achieved utilizing the compounds individually.

TABLE 4

Reporter Activity Compound (Fold Induction)

3-methyl-TTNEB 5 TTNPB 32

3-methyl-TTNEB + TTNPB 75

As will be discernable to those skilled in the art from the foregoing discussions, the biological response of an RAR selective compound at a given concentration can be synergistically enhanced by combining the compound with an

RXR selective compound. Similarly, the biological response of an RXR selective compound can be enhanced by combining the compound with an RAR selective compound. Thus, it becomes possible to achieve a desirable bio- logical response, using a combination of RAR and RXR selective compounds, at lower concentrations than would be the case using the compounds alone. Among the advantages provided by such combinations of RAR and RXR selective compounds are desirable therapeutic effects with fewer side effects. In addition, novel effects that are not obtainable with either agent alone may be achieved by combinations of RAR and RXR selective compounds.

It has been further demonstrated that RXR-specific compounds also synergistically enhance the response of other hormonal systems. Specifically, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) is a member of the intracellular receptor super family that plays a role in the modulation of lipid homeostasis. PPAR has been shown to be activated by amphipathic carboxylates, such as clofibric acid, and these agents, called peroxisome proliferators, have been used in man as hypolipidemic agents. The addition of 9-cis-retinoic acid (a retinoid ligand which activates both RAR and RXR receptors) and clofibric acid to HepG2 cells transfected with RXRα and PPAR expression plasmids, results in the activation of receptor gene which was greater than the sum of the activation with each ligand separately. (Kliewer etal., Nature 358:771 (1992)). Similarly, when the above two receptors were co-transfected into HepG2 cells, the addition of both an RXR-specific ligand (3-methyl-TTNEB) and clofibric acid was found to produce a greater than additive response as determined by activation of a target reporter gene, as shown below in Table 5.

TABLE 5 Compound Normalized Response (%) clofibric Acid 100

3-methyl-TTNEB 90 clofibric acid + 3-methyl-TTNEB 425

A similar synergistic effect was observed with RXR and RXR-specific ligands and the Vitamin D receptor (VDR) and its cognate ligands. When RXR/3 and VD receptors were co-transfected into CV-1 cells containing a hormone response element, the addition of RXR selective 3-methyl- TTNCB and 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D (1,25-D) produced a greater than additive response than was observed for each of the individual ligands, as shown below in Table 6.

TABLE 6 Compound Normalized Response (%)

1,25-D 100

3-Methyl-TTNCB 13

1,25-D + 3-methyl-TTNCB 190

As shown, the above results indicate that each pair of receptors (RXRα/PPAR and RXR/3/VDR, respectively) , in the presence of ligands known to specifically activate their respective receptors, are capable of producing a synergistic response. The results indicate that the response of a single agent can be enhanced by the combination of the two agents, or that comparable biological or therapeutic responses can be achieved by use of lower doses of such agents in combination.

The observation that RXR-specific ligands are able to act synergistically with RAR ligands, PPAR ligands, and Vitamin D ligands indicates that RXR-specific ligands have usefulness not only as single therapeutic agents but also in combination therapy to obtain enhanced biological or therapeutic response by the addition of the RXR-specific ligand. Such combination therapy also may provide an added benefit of decreasing the side effects associated with the primary agent by employing lower doses of that

agent. For example, use of Vitamin D or a related Vitamin D receptor ligand in conjunction with an RXR selective compound for the treatment of a variety of disorders including skin diseases (acne, psoriasis) , hyperpro- 1iterative disorders (benign and malignant cancers) and disorders of calcium homeostasis.may decrease the adverse side effects associated with Vitamin D therapy alone.

Since RXR is known to form heterodimers with various members of the intracellular receptor super family, it can be expected that the synergistic response observed with use of RXR-selective ligands may be achieved with other receptors with which heterodimers are formed. These include PPARs, RARs, Vitamin D, thyroid hormone receptors, HNF4, the COUP family of receptors, as referenced above, and other as yet unidentified members of the intracellular super family of receptors.

As will be further discernible to those skilled in the art, the compounds disclosed above can be readily utilized in pharmacological applications where selective retinoid receptor activity is desired, and where it is desired to minimize cross reactivities with other related intracellular receptors. In vivo applications of the invention include administration of the disclosed compounds to mammalian subjects, and in particular to humans.

The compounds of the present invention are small molecules which are relatively fat soluble or lipophilic and enter the cell by passive diffusion across the plasma membrane. Consequently, these ligands are well suited for administration orally and by injection, as well as topically. Upon administration, these ligands can selectively activate retinoid X receptors, and thereby selectively modulate processes mediated by these receptors. The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are prepared in conventional dosage unit forms by incorporating an active compound of the invention, or a

mixture of such compounds, with a nontoxic pharmaceutical carrier according to accepted procedures in a nontoxic amount sufficient to produce the desired pharmacodynamic activity in a mammalian and in particular a human subject. Preferably, the composition contains the active ingredient in an active, but nontoxic, amount selected from about 5 mg to about 500 mg of active ingredient per dosage unit. This quantity depends on the specific biological activity desired and the condition of the patient. The pharmaceutical carrier or vehicle employed may be, for example, a solid or liquid. A variety of pharmaceutical forms can be employed. Thus, when using a solid carrier, the preparation can be plain milled, micronized in oil, tableted, placed in a hard gelatin or enteric-coated capsule in micronized powder or pellet form, or in the form of a troche, lozenge, or suppository. When using a liquid carrier, the preparation can be in the form of a liquid, such as an ampule, or as an aqueous or nonaqueous liquid suspension. For topical administration, the active ingredient may be formulated using bland, moisturizing bases, such as ointments or creams. Examples of suitable ointment bases are petrolatum, petrolatum plus volatile silicones, lanolin, and water in oil emulsions such as Eucerin (Beiersdorf) . Examples of suitable cream bases are Nivea Cream (Beiersdorf) , cold cream (USP) , Purpose Cream (Johnson & Johnson) hydrophilic ointment (USP) , and Lubriderm (Warner-Lambert) .

The following examples provide illustrative pharmacological composition formulations:

Example 47

Hard gelatin capsules are prepared using the following ingredients: Quantity ( σ/capsule) 3-methyl-TTNCB 140

Starch, dried 100

Magnesium stearate 10

Total 250 mg

The above ingredients are mixed and filled into hard gelatin capsules in 250 mg quantities.

Example 48

A tablet is prepared using the ingredients below:

Quantity

(mσ/tablet) 3-methyl-TTNCB 140

Cellulose, microcrystalline 200

Silicon dioxide, fumed 10

Stearic acid 10

Total 360 mg The components are blended and compressed to form tablets each weighing 360 mg.

Example 49

Tablets, each containing 60 mg of active ingredient, are made as follows: Quantity

The active ingredient, starch, and cellulose are passed through a No. 45 mesh U.S. sieve and mixed thoroughly. The solution of PVP is mixed with the resultant powders, which are then passed through a No. 14 mesh U.S. sieve.- The granules so produced are dried at 50°C and passed through a No. 18 mesh U.S. sieve. The SCMS, magnesium stearate, and talc, previously passed through a No. 60 mesh U.S. sieve, are then added to the granules which, after mixing, are compressed on a tablet machine to yield tablets each weighing 150 mg.

Example 50

Suppositories, each containing 225 mg of active ingredient, may be made as follows:

3-methyl-TTNCB 225 mg Saturated fatty acid glycerides 2,000 mg

Total 2,225 mg

The active ingredient is passed through a No. 60 mesh U.S. sieve and suspended in the saturated fatty acid glycerides previously melted using the minimum heat necessary. The mixture is then poured into a suppository mold of normal 2g capacity and allowed to cool.

Example 51

An intravenous formulation may be prepared as follows: 3-methyl-TTNCB 100 mg

Isotonic saline 1,000 ml

Glycerol 100 ml

The compound is dissolved in the glycerol and then the solution is slowly diluted with isotonic saline. The solution of the above ingredients is then administered intravenously at a rate of 1 ml per minute to a patient.

The compounds of this invention also have utility when labeled as ligands for use in assays to determine the presence of RXRs. They are particularly useful due to

their ability to selectively bond to members of the RXR subfamily and can therefore be used to determine the presence of RXR isoforms in the presence of other related receptors. Due to the selective specificity of the compounds of this invention for retinoid X receptors, these compounds can also be used to purify samples of retinoid X receptors in vitro. Such purification can be carried out by mixing samples containing retinoid X receptors with one of more of the bicyclic derivative compounds disclosed so that the compound (ligand) binds to the receptor, and then separating out the bound ligand/receptor combination by separation techniques which are known to those of skill in the art. These techniques include column separation, filtration, centrifugation, tagging and physical separation, and antibody complexing, among others.

While the preferred embodiments have been described and illustrated, various substitutions and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.