SCHIZOPHRENIA

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to compounds that inhibit the glycine transporter GIyTl and which are useful in the treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with glutamatergic neurotransmission dysfunction and diseases in which the glycine transporter GIyTl is involved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to compounds of the formula I:

wherein: Rl is -(CH2)n-R^ ^a _j wherein n is independently 0-6, and Rl ^a is selected from the group consisting of:

(1) Ci-6alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1-6 halogen, hydroxy,

(2) phenyl substituted with R2a, R2b _an( J R2c,

(3) heterocycle substituted with R2a, R2b _an d R2C _J

(4) C3_6cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with Ci-6alkyl, 1-6 halogen, hydroxy or -NRIORI 1,

(5) -O-Ci_6alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1-6 halogen, hydroxy or

-NRlORl I,

(6) -CO ₂ R9, wherein R^ is independently selected from: (a) hydrogen,

(b) -Ci-galkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1-6 fluoro,

(c) benzyl, and

(d) phenyl,

(7) -NRl ⁰ Rl I, wherein R^ 0 and R* 1 are independently selected from:

(a) hydrogen,

(b) -Ci_6alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with hydroxy, 1-6 fluoro or

-NR12R13, where Rl2 and Rl3 are independently selected from hydrogen and ■ Ci_6alkyl,

(c) -C^cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with hydroxy, 1-6 fluoro or -NR12R13 _;

(d) benzyl,

(e) phenyl, and (8) -CONRlORl 1;

R2 is selected from the group consisting of: (1) phenyl, which is substituted with R2a, R2b _an d R2C _J

(2) heterocycle, which is substituted with R2a, R2b _an d R2c _;

(3) Ci-galkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1-6 halogen, hydroxy,

-NRl ORI 1, phenyl or heterocycle, where the phenyl or heterocycle is substituted with (4) C3-6cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1-6 halogen, hydroxy or

-NRl θRl l, and (5) -Ci_6alkyl-(C3_6cycloalkyl), which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1-6 halogen, hydroxy or -NRl ORI I ;

R2a _; R2b and R2c are independently selected from the group consisting of:

(1) hydrogen,

(2) halogen,

(3) -Ci-βalkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with:

(a) 1-6 halogen,

(b) phenyl,

(c) C3_6cycloalkyl, or

(d) -NRlORlI ₅

(4) -O-Ci_6alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1-6 halogen,

(5) hydroxy,

(6) -SCF ₃ ,

(7) -SCHF2,

(8) -SCH ₃ ,

(9) -CO ₂ R9,

(10) -CN,

(H) -SO ₂ R9,

(12) -Sθ2-NRlθRl l,

(13) -NRlORlI,

(14) -CONRlθRl l, and

(15) -NO ₂ ,

or two of R2a, R2b _an d R2C are linked to form a group wherein r is 1 to 3;

R3 is selected from the group consisting of:

(1) Ci-galkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1-6 halogen, hydroxyl,

-NRl ORI 1, or heterocycle, which is substituted with R2a, R.2b _an d R2C,

(2) C3_6cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1-6 halogen, hydroxyl or -NRlORl I,

(3) -Ci-6alkyl-(C3_6cycloalkyl), which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1-6 halogen, hydroxy or -NRl ORI 1, and

(4) -NRl ORI I, and

(5) heterocycle, which is substituted with R ^2a , R2b and R2C _; R4 and R^ are independently selected from the group consisting of:

(1) hydrogen, and

(2) Ci_6alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen or hydroxyl, or R4 and R^ taken together form a C3_6cycloalkyl ring;

A is selected from the group consisting of: (1) -O-, and

(2) -NRlO-; m is zero or one, whereby when m is zero R2 is attached directly to the carbonyl; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and individual enantiomers and diastereomers thereof.

Suitably a and b are each 1 or 2, and preferably a and b are each 2. In an embodiment, the present invention includes compounds wherein R* is selected from the group consisting of (CH ₂ ) _n R ^la wherein R ^la is C _3-6 cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with R ^2a , R ^2b and R ^2c . In one embodiment, suitably n is 1 and R ^la is unsubstituted

C _3-6 cycloalkyl, preferably cyclopropyl. hi a further embodiment, suitably n is 0 and R ^!a is unsubstituted

C _3-6 cycloalkyl, preferably cyclohexyl. An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds of the formula Ia:

Ia

wherein R ^Ib is a C _3-6 cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with R ^2a , R ^2b and R ^2c and R ² , R ^2a , R ^2b , R ^2c , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ , A, n and m are defined herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or individual enantiomer or diastereoisomer therefore. Suitably n is 1 and R ^lb is unsubtituted C _3-6 cycloalkyl, preferably cyclopropyl.

Further embodiments of the present invention include compounds wherein R* is heterocycle substituted with with R ^2a , R ^2b and R ² °. The heterocycle is preferably an unsaturated heterocyclic moiety, for example a nitrogen containing unsaturated heterocycle such as pyridyl and R ^2a and R ^2b are hydrogen and R ² ° is hydrogen or fluorine or a saturated heterocyclic moiety, for example a nitrogen containing saturated heterocycle such as piperidyl, optionally substituted by C _1-6 alkyl.

An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds of the formula Ib:

Ib wherein R^ is Cl-6alkyl, and Rl, R^, R^ ₅ A and m are defined herein; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or an individual enantiomer or diastereomer thereof.

An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein R^ is C 1-3 alkyl and R5 is hydrogen or Ci-3alkyl.

Within this embodiment, the present invention includes compounds wherein R^ is Ci- 3 alkyl in the (S) configuration and R-> is hydrogen. Also within this embodiment, the present invention includes compounds wherein R^ is methyl and R^ is hydrogen.

Also within this embodiment, the present invention includes compounds wherein R^ is methyl and R^ is methyl.

Also within this embodiment, the present invention includes compounds wherein R^ is hydrogen and R^ is hydrogen.

An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein m is zero. Within this embodiment, the present invention includes compounds of the formula Ic:

Ic

wherein Rl, R2, R3, R4 _an d R5 _are defined herein; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or an individual enantiomer or diastereomer thereof. Further within this embodiment, the present invention includes compounds wherein R ² is selected from the group consisting of:

(1) phenyl, which is substituted with R2a, R.2b _an d R2C _;

(2) heterocycle, such as thienyl, pyridyl or pyrimidinyl, which is substituted with R ^2a , R2b and R2C, (3) Ci_8alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1-6 halogen, phenyl or

-NRl ORI 1, where the phenyl is substituted with R ² a, R2b _an d R2c, (4) C3_6cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with 1-6 halogen, hydroxy or

-NRlORl 1, and

R2a, R2b _an d R2C _are independently selected from the group consisting of: (1) hydrogen,

(2) halogen,

(3) -Ci- ₆ alkyl,

(4) -O-Ci_6alkyl,

(5) -CF ₃ , (6) -OCF3,

(7) -OCHF ₂ ,

(8) -SCF ₃ ,

(9) -SCHF ₂ ,

(10) -NH ₂ , and (11) -NMe ₂ .

Also further within this embodiment, the present invention includes compounds wherein R ² is phenyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl or thienyl substituted by R2a, R2b _arκ } R2c as hereinbefore defined; Within this embodiment the present invention includes compounds of the formula Id:

wherein Rl, R-*, R4 and R^ are defined herein and R ^2a , R ^2b and R ^2c are selected from hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, bromo, OCH ₃ , CF _3j OCF ₃ and NH ₂ , and preferably selected from hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, bromo and CF ₃ ; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and individual enantiomers and diastereomers thereof.

Within this embodiment, the present invention includes compounds of the formula Id'

Id ¹

wherein Rl, R2a, R2b _; R2c _an d R3 _are defined herein; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and individual enantiomers and diastereomers thereof.

Also within this embodiment, the present invention includes compounds of the formula Id":

Id"

wherein R ¹ , R2a, R2b _; R2C ₅ R3 _an( j R4 _are defined herein; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and individual enantiomers and diastereomers thereof.

An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein R^ is a group R ^3a and R ^3a is a heterocycle as defined herein which is substituted with R ^2a , R ^2b and R ^2c . Preferred heterocyclic groups R ^3a include unsaturated heterocycles. Preferably the unsaturated heterocyle will be a six-membered ring containing one or more nitrogen atoms, for example pyridine, or a five-membered ring containing a sulphur or oxygen atom or one to three nitrogen atoms.

Most suitably R ^3a is a five-membered unsaturated heterocycle having one, two or three hetero atoms selected from one, two or three nitrogen atoms and additionally optionally an oxygen or sulphur atom that is linked to the sulphonyl group through one of the heterocycle 's carbon atoms.

Preferably R ^3a is a group

wherein at least one of X, Y and Z is nitrogen and one of the other groups is nitrogen, the third position being carbon; and R ^3b is hydrogen or Ci _-6 alkyl, preferably methyl or R ^3a is pyridine. Most preferably R ^3a is a group:

CH ₃

and R ^3b is hydrogen or methyl.

The unsaturated heterocycle may be unsubstituted or substituted by one or two halogen atoms or Ci _-6 alkyl or Q _-6 haloalkyl groups. Preferably the unsaturated heterocycle is unsubstituted or substituted with one or two methyl or ethyl groups.

In another embodiment, R^ is a Ci _-4 alkyl group optionally substituted by a cyclopropyl group or a group NR ¹⁴ R ¹⁵ wherein R ¹⁴ is hydrogen or a Ci _-6 alkyl group and R ^!5 is a Ci _-6 alkyl group or R ¹⁴ and R ¹⁵ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a four to six membered heterocyclic ring.

A preferred group of compounds of the formula (I) is that of the formula Ie:

Ie

Wherein n, R ^lb and R ^2a , R ^2b and R ^2c are as hereinbefore defined, D and E are each independently CH or N and R ^3a is an unsaturated heterocyle optionally substituted by a halogen or a Ci _-6 alkyl or C] _-6 haloalkyl group. n is preferably 0 or 1.

Preferred values of R ^lb are as hereinbefore defined.

R ^2a , R ^2b , R ^2c are preferably hydrogen, CF3 or halogen, suitably chlorine or fluorine.

Preferably only one of R ^2a , R ^2b , R ^2c is hydrogen.

In one preferred embodiment D and E are both CH. Li a further preferred embodiment, one of Dand E is

CH and the other is N.

R ^3a is preferably a six-membered heterocyle containing one or more nitrogen atoms for example pyridine, or a five-membered heterocycle containing a sulphur atom and/or one to three nitrogen atoms and preferably two to three nitrogen atoms, wherein the hetercyclic ring is optionally substituted by one or two halogen atoms or Ci _-6 alkyl or Ci _-6 haloalkyl groups, such as methyl or ethyl. The heterocycle will preferably be connected to the sulphonyl group through a ring carbon atom.

Preferred heterocycles include five-membered unsaturated heterocycles such as triazolyl, pyrazolyl and imidazolyl.

The substituents on the heterocycle ring may be attached to ring carbon and or ring nitrogen atoms (in the case of nitrogen containing heterocycles).

A further preferred group of compounds of the formula (I) is that of the formula If:

Wherein n, R ^lb and R ^2a , R ^2b and R ^2c are as hereinbefore defined, D and E are each independently CH or N, and R ^3a is a group CH ₂ R ^3b wherein R ^3b is methyl, ethyl or cyclopropyl: n is preferably 0 or 1.

Preferred values of R ^lb are as hereinbefore defined.

R ^2a , R ^2b , R ^2c are preferably hydrogen, Ci-βalkyl, such as methyl, ethyl and isopropyl and preferably methyl, cyclopropyl, O-Cl-6alkyl, preferably methoxy, di- Cl-6alkylamino, preferably dimethylamino, CF3 ₅ OCF2 or halogen, suitably chlorine or fluorine. Preferably only one of R ^2a , R ^2b , R 2c is hydrogen.

In one preferred embodiment D and E are both CH. In a further preferred embodiment, one of D and E is CH and the other is N.

Specific embodiments of the present invention include a compound which is selected from the group consisting of the subject compounds of the Examples herein and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and individual enantiomers and diastereomers thereof.

The compounds of the present invention may contain one or more chiral centers and can thus occur as racemates and racemic mixtures, single enantiomers, diastereomeric mixtures and individual diastereomers. In the case of those compounds wherein R ³ is an alkyl or substituted alkyl group, the RI group is preferably transeqatorial in relation to the group -SO2R3. Additional asymmetric

centers may be present depending upon the nature of the various substituents on the molecule. Each such asymmetric center will independently produce two optical isomers and it is intended that all of the possible optical isomers and diastereomers in mixtures and as pure or partially purified compounds are included within the ambit of this invention. The present invention is meant to comprehend all such isomeric forms of these compounds. Formula I shows the structure of the class of compounds without preferred stereochemistry.

The independent syntheses of these diastereomers or their chromatographic separations may be achieved as known in the art by appropriate modification of the methodology disclosed herein. Their absolute stereochemistry may be determined by the x-ray crystallography of crystalline products or crystalline intermediates which are derivatized, if necessary, with a reagent containing an asymmetric center of known absolute configuration.

If desired, racemic mixtures of the compounds may be separated so that the individual enantiomers are isolated. The separation can be carried out by methods well known in the art, such as the coupling of a racemic mixture of compounds to an enantiomerically pure compound to form a diastereomeric mixture, followed by separation of the individual diastereomers by standard methods, such as fractional crystallization or chromatography. The coupling reaction is often the formation of salts using an enantiomerically pure acid or base. The diasteromeric derivatives may then be converted to the pure enantiomers by cleavage of the added chiral residue. The racemic mixture of the compounds can also be separated directly by chromatographic methods utilizing chiral stationary phases, which methods are well known in the art.

Alternatively, any enantiomer of a compound may be obtained by stereoselective synthesis using optically pure starting materials or reagents of known configuration by methods well known in the art.

As appreciated by those of skill in the art, halo or halogen as used herein are intended to include fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo. Similarly, C 1-6, as in Ci_6alkyl is defined to identify the group as having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbons in a linear or branched arrangement, such that Ci-galkyl specifically includes methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl and octyl. A group which is designated as being independently substituted with substituents may be independently substituted with multiple numbers of such substituents. The term "heterocycle" as used herein includes both unsaturated and saturated heterocyclic moieties, wherein the unsaturated heterocyclic moieties (i.e. "heteroaryl") include benzoimidazolyl, benzimidazolonyl, benzofuranyl, benzofurazanyl, benzopyrazolyl, benzotriazolyl, benzothiophenyl, benzoxazolyl, carbazolyl, carbolinyl, cinnolinyl, furanyl, imidazolyl, indolinyl, indolyl, indolazinyl, indazolyl, isobenzofuranyl, isoindolyl, isoquinolyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, naphthpyridinyl, oxadiazolyl, oxazolyl, oxazoline, isoxazoline, oxetanyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyridopyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyrrolyl, quinazolinyl, quinolyl, quinoxalinyl, tetrazolyl, tetrazolopyridyl, thiadiazolyl, thiazolyl, thienyl, triazolyl, and N-oxides thereof, and wherein the saturated heterocyclic moieties include azetidinyl, 1 ,4-dioxanyl,

hexahydroazepinyl, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, pyranyl, pyridin-2-onyl, pyrrolidinyl, morpholinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, thiomorpholinyl, and tetrahydrothienyl, and N-oxides thereof.

The term "pharmaceutically acceptable salts" refers to salts prepared from pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic bases or acids including inorganic or organic bases and inorganic or organic acids. Salts derived from inorganic bases include aluminum, ammonium, calcium, copper, ferric, ferrous, lithium, magnesium, manganic salts, manganous, potassium, sodium, zinc, and the like. Particularly preferred are the ammonium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium salts. Salts in the solid form may exist in more than one crystal structure, and may also be in the form of hydrates. Salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptable organic non-toxic bases include salts of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, substituted amines including naturally occurring substituted amines, cyclic amines, and basic ion exchange resins, such as arginine, betaine, caffeine, choline, N,N'~dibenzylethylene- diamine, diethylamine, 2-diethylaminoethanol, 2-dimethylamino-ethanol, ethanolamine, ethylenediamine, N-ethyl-morpholine, N-ethylpiperidine, glucamine, glucosamine, histidine, hydrabamine, isopropylamine, lysine, methylglucamine, morpholine, piperazine, piperidine, polyamine resins, procaine, purines, theobromine, triethylamine, trimethylamine, tripropylamine, tromethamine, and the like. When the compound of the present invention is basic, salts may be prepared from pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic acids, including inorganic and organic acids. Such acids include acetic, benzenesulfonic, benzoic, camphorsulfonic, citric, ethanesulfonic, fumaric, gluconic, glutamic, hydrobromic, hydrochloric, isethionic, lactic, maleic, malic, mandelic, methanesulfonic, mucic, nitric, pamoic, pantothenic, phosphoric, succinic, sulfuric, tartaric, p-toluenesulfonic acid, and the like.

Particularly preferred are citric, hydrobromic, hydrochloric, maleic, phosphoric, sulfuric, fumaric, and tartaric acids. It will be understood that, as used herein, references to the compounds of the present invention are meant to also include the pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

Exemplifying the invention is the use of the compounds disclosed in the Examples and herein. Specific compounds within the present invention include a compound which selected from the group consisting of the compounds disclosed in the following Examples and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and individual diastereomers thereof.

The subject compounds are useful in a method of inhibiting the glycine transporter GIyTl activity in a patient such as a mammal in need of such inhibition comprising the administration of an effective amount of the compound. The present invention is directed to the use of the compounds disclosed herein as inhibitors of the glycine transporter GIyTl activity. In addition to primates, especially humans, a variety of other mammals can be treated according to the method of the present invention.

The present invention is further directed to a method for the manufacture of a medicament for inhibiting glycine transporter GIyTl activity in humans and animals comprising combining a compound of the present invention with a pharmaceutical carrier or diluent.

The subject treated in the present methods is generally a mammal, preferably a human being, male or female, in whom inhibition of glycine transporter GIyTl activity is desired. The term

"therapeutically effective amount" means the amount of the subject compound that will elicit the biological or medical response of a tissue, system, animal or human that is being sought by the researcher, veterinarian, medical doctor or other clinician. It is recognized that one skilled in the art may affect the neurological and psychiatric disorders by treating a patient presently afflicted with the disorders or by prophylactically treating a patient afflicted with such disorders with an effective amount of the compound of the present invention. As used herein, the terms "treatment" and "treating" refer to all processes wherein there may be a slowing, interrupting, arresting, controlling, or stopping of the progression of the neurological and psychiatric disorders described herein, but does not necessarily indicate a total elimination of all disorder symptoms, as well as the prophylactic therapy to retard the progression or reduce the risk of the noted conditions, particularly in a patient who is predisposed to such disease or disorder.

The term "composition" as used herein is intended to encompass a product comprising the specified ingredients in the specified amounts, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combination of the specified ingredients in the specified amounts. Such term in relation to pharmaceutical composition, is intended to encompass a product comprising the active ingredient(s), and the inert ingredient(s) that make up the carrier, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combination, complexation or aggregation of any two or more of the ingredients, or from dissociation of one or more of the ingredients, or from other types of reactions or interactions of one or more of the ingredients. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention encompass any composition made by admixing a compound of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. By "pharmaceutically acceptable" it is meant the carrier, diluent or excipient must be compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not deleterious to the recipient thereof.

The terms "administration of and or "administering a" compound should be understood to mean providing a compound of the invention or a prodrug of a compound of the invention to the individual in need of treatment.

The utility of the compounds in accordance with the present invention as inhibiting the glycine transporter activity, in particular GIyTl activity, may be demonstrated by methodology known in the art. Human placental choriocarcinoma cells (JAR cells (ATCC No. HTB-144)) endogenously expressing GIyTl were cultured in 96-well Cytostar scintillating microplates (Amersham Biosciences) in RPMI 1640 medium containing 10% fetal calf serum in the presence of penicillin (100 micrograms/milliliter) and streptomycin (100 micrograms/ milliliter). Cells were grown at 37 ⁰ C in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 for 40-48 hours before the assay. Culture medium was removed from the Cytostar plate, and JAR cells were incubated with 30 microliters of TBlA buffer (120 mM NaCl, 2 mM KCl, 1 mM CaCl ₂ , 1 mM MgCl ₂ , 10 mM HEPES, 5 mM L-alanine, pH 7.5 adjusted with Tris base) with or without the compounds of the present invention for 1 minute. Then 30 microliters of [ ^l4 C]-glycine diluted with TBlA was added to each well to give a final concentration of 10 micromolar. After incubation at room temperature for 3 hours, the Cytostar scintillating microplates were sealed and

counted on a Top Count scintillation counter (Packard). Non-specific uptake of [ ¹⁴ C]-glycine was determined in the presence of 10 mM unlabeled glycine. [ ¹⁴ C]taurine uptake experiments were performed according to the same protocol except that 10 mM unlabeled taurine was used to determine non-specific uptake. To determine potencies, a range of concentrations of the compounds of the present invention was added to the cells, followed by the fixed concentration of [ ¹⁴ C]glycine. The concentration of the present compound that inhibited half of the specific uptake of [ ¹⁴ C] glycine (IC ₅₀ value) was determined from the assay data by non-linear curve fitting.

In particular, the compounds of the following examples had activity in inhibiting specific uptake of [ ¹⁴ C]glycine in the aforementioned assay, generally with an IC ₅₀ value of less than about 10 micromolar. Preferred compounds within the present invention had activity in inhibiting specific uptake of [ ¹⁴ C]glycine in the aforementioned assay with an IC ₅₀ value of less than about 1 micromolar. These compounds were selective for [ ^I4 C]glycine uptake (by GIyTl in the JAR cells) compared to [ ¹⁴ C]taurine uptake (by the taurine transporter TauT in the JAR cells). Such a result is indicative of the intrinsic activity of the compounds in use as inhibitors of GIyTl transporter activity. The NMDA receptor is central to a wide range of CNS processes, and plays a role in a variety of disease states in humans or other species. The action of GIyTl transporters affects the local concentration of glycine around NMDA receptors. Selective GIyTl inhibitors slow the removal of glycine from the synapse, causing the level of synaptic glycine to rise. This in turn increases the occupancy of the glycine binding site on the NMDA receptor, which increases activation of the NMDA receptor following glutamate release from the presynaptic terminal. Because a certain amount of glycine is needed for the efficient functioning of NMDA receptors, any change to that local concentration can affect NMDA-mediated neurotransmission. Changes in NMDA-mediated neurotransmission have been implicated in certain neuropsychiatric disorders such as dementia, depression and psychoses, for example schizophrenia, and learning and memory disorders, for example attention deficit disorders and autism. The compounds of the present invention have utility in treating a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with glutamatergic neurotransmission dysfunction, including one or more of the following conditions or diseases: schizophrenia or psychosis including schizophrenia (paranoid, disorganized, catatonic or undifferentiated), schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, brief psychotic disorder, shared psychotic disorder, psychotic disorder due to a general medical condition and substance-induced or drug-induced (phencyclidine, ketamine and other dissociative anaesthetics, amphetamine and other psychostimulants and cocaine) psychosispsychotic disorder, psychosis associated with affective disorders, brief reactive psychosis, schizoaffective psychosis, "schizophrenia-spectrum" disorders such as schizoid or schizotypal personality disorders, or illness associated with psychosis (such as major depression, manic depressive (bipolar) disorder, Alzheimer's disease and post-traumatic stress syndrome), including both the positive and the negative symptoms of schizophrenia and other psychoses; cognitive disorders including dementia (associated with Alzheimer's disease, ischemia, multi-infarct dementia, trauma, vascular problems or stroke, HIV disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Pick's disease, Creutzfeldt- Jacob disease,

perinatal hypoxia, other general medical conditions or substance abuse); delirium, amnestic disorders or age related cognitive decline; anxiety disorders including acute stress disorder, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attack, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, separation anxiety disorder, social phobia, specific phobia, substance-induced anxiety disorder and anxiety due to a general medical condition; substance-related disorders and addictive behaviors (including substance-induced delirium, persisting dementia, persisting amnestic disorder, psychotic disorder or anxiety disorder; tolerance, dependence or withdrawal from substances including alcohol, amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants, nicotine, opioids, phencyclidine, sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics); obesity, bulimia nervosa and compulsive eating disorders; bipolar disorders, mood disorders including depressive disorders; depression including unipolar depression, seasonal depression and post-partum depression, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD), mood disorders due to a general medical condition, and substance-induced mood disorders; learning disorders, pervasive developmental disorder including autistic disorder, attention disorders including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorder; NMDA receptor-related disorders such as autism, depression, benign forgeffulness, childhood learning disorders and closed head injury; movement disorders, including akinesias and akinetic-rigid syndromes (including Parkinson's disease, drug-induced parkinsonism, postencephalitic parkinsonism, progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple system atrophy, corticobasal degeneration, parkinsonism-ALS dementia complex and basal ganglia calcification), medication-induced parkinsonism (such as neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, neuroleptic-induced acute dystonia, neuroleptic-induced acute akathisia, neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia and medication-induced postural tremor), Gilles de Ia Tourette's syndrome, epilepsy, muscular spasms and disorders associated with muscular spasticity or weakness including tremors; dyskinesias [including tremor (such as rest tremor, postural tremor and intention tremor), chorea (such as Sydenham's chorea, Huntington's disease, benign hereditary chorea, neuroacanthocytosis, symptomatic chorea, drug-induced chorea and hemiballism), myoclonus (including generalised myoclonus and focal myoclonus), tics (including simple tics, complex tics and symptomatic tics),and dystonia (including generalised dystonia such as iodiopathic dystonia, drug-induced dystonia, symptomatic dystonia and paroxymal dystonia, and focal dystonia such as blepharospasm, oromandibular dystonia, spasmodic dysphonia, spasmodic torticollis, axial dystonia, dystonic writer's cramp and hemiplegia dystonia)]; urinary incontinence; neuronal damage including ocular damage, retinopathy or macular degeneration of the eye, tinnitus, hearing impairment and loss, and brain edema; emesis; and sleep disorders including insomnia and narcolepsy.

In another specific embodiment, the present invention provides a method for treating schizophrenia or psychosis comprising: administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of the present invention. Particular schizophrenia or psychosis pathologies are paranoid, disorganized, catatonic or undifferentiated schizophrenia and substance-induced psychotic disorder. At present, the text revision of the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) (2000, American Psychiatric Association, Washington DC) provides a

diagnostic tool that includes paranoid, disorganized, catatonic or undifferentiated schizophrenia and substance-induced psychotic disorder. As used herein, the term "schizophrenia or psychosis" includes treatment of those mental disorders as described in DSM-IV-TR. The skilled artisan will recognize that there are alternative nomenclatures, nosologies and classification systems for mental disorders, and that these systems evolve with medical and scientific progress. Thus the term "schizophrenia or psychosis" is intended to include like disorders that are described in other diagnostic sources.

The subject compounds are further useful in a method for the prevention, treatment, control, amelioration, or reducation of risk of the diseases, disorders and conditions noted herein.

The subject compounds are further useful in a method for the prevention, treatment, control, amelioration, or reduction of risk of the aforementioned diseases, disorders and conditions in combination with other agents, including an inhibitor of glycine transporter GIyTl activity.

The compounds of the present invention may be used in combination with one or more other drugs in the treatment, prevention, control, amelioration, or reduction of risk of diseases or conditions for which compounds of the present invention or the other drugs may have utility, where the combination of the drugs together are safer or more effective than either drug alone. Such other drug(s) may be administered, by a route and in an amount commonly used therefor, contemporaneously or sequentially with a compound of the present invention. When a compound of the present invention is used contemporaneously with one or more other drugs, a pharmaceutical composition in unit dosage form containing such other drugs and the compound of the present invention is preferred. However, the combination therapy may also includes therapies in which the compound of the present invention and one or more other drugs are administered on different overlapping schedules. It is also contemplated that when used in combination with one or more other active ingredients, the compounds of the present invention and the other active ingredients may be used in lower doses than when each is used singly. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention include those that contain one or more other active ingredients, in addition to a compound of the present invention.

The above combinations include combinations of a compound of the present invention not only with one other active compound, but also with two or more other active compounds. Likewise, compounds of the present invention may be used in combination with other drugs that are used in the prevention, treatment, control, amelioration, or reduction of risk of the diseases or conditions for which compounds of the present invention are useful. Such other drugs may be administered, by a route and in an amount commonly used therefor, contemporaneously or sequentially with a compound of the present invention. When a compound of the present invention is used contemporaneously with one or more other drags, a pharmaceutical composition containing such other drugs in addition to the compound of the present invention is preferred. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention include those that also contain one or more other active ingredients, in addition to a compound of the present invention.

The weight ratio of the compound of the present invention to the second active ingredient may be varied and will depend upon the effective dose of each ingredient. Generally, an

effective dose of each will be used. Thus, for example, when a compound of the present invention is combined with another agent, the weight ratio of the compound of the present invention to the other agent will generally range from about 1000:1 to about 1:1000, preferably about 200:1 to about 1:200. Combinations of a compound of the present invention and other active ingredients will generally also be within the aforementioned range, but in each case, an effective dose of each active ingredient should be used.

In such combinations the compound of the present invention and other active agents may be administered separately or in conjunction. In addition, the administration of one element may be prior to, concurrent to, or subsequent to the administration of other agent(s). Accordingly, the subject compounds may be used alone or in combination with other agents which are known to be beneficial in the subject indications or other drugs that affect receptors or enzymes that either increase the efficacy, safety, convenience, or reduce unwanted side effects or toxicity of the compounds of the present invention. The subject compound and the other agent may be co-administered, either in concomitant therapy or in a fixed combination. Pharmaceutical compositions intended for oral use may be prepared according to any method known to the art for the manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions and such compositions may contain one or more agents selected from the group consisting of sweetening agents, flavoring agents, coloring agents and preserving agents in order to provide pharmaceutically elegant and palatable preparations. Tablets contain the active ingredient in admixture with non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable excipients that are suitable for the manufacture of tablets. The tablets may be uncoated or they may be coated by known techniques to delay disintegration and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and thereby provide a sustained action over a longer period. Compositions for oral use may also be presented as hard gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredients are mixed with an inert solid diluent, for example, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate or kaolin, or as soft gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with water or an oil medium, for example peanut oil, liquid paraffin, or olive oil. Aqueous suspensions, oily suspensions, dispersible powders or granules, oil-in-water emulsions, and sterile injectable aqueous or oleagenous suspension may be prepared by standard methods known in the art.

In the treatment of conditions which require inhibition of glycine transporter GIyTl activity an appropriate dosage level will generally be about 0.01 to 500 mg per kg patient body weight per day which can be administered in single or multiple doses. Preferably, the dosage level will be about 0.1 to about 250 mg/kg per day; more preferably about 0.5 to about 100 mg/kg per day. A suitable dosage level may be about 0.01 to 250 mg/kg per day, about 0.05 to 100 mg/kg per day, or about 0.1 to 50 mg/kg per day. Within this range the dosage may be 0.05 to 0.5, 0.5 to 5 or 5 to 50 mg/kg per day. For oral administration, the compositions are preferably provided in the form of tablets containing 1.0 to 1000 milligrams of the active ingredient, particularly 1.0, 5.0, 10, 15. 20, 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500, 600, 750, 800, 900, and 1000 milligrams of the active ingredient for the symptomatic adjustment of the dosage to the patient to be treated. The compounds may be administered on a regimen

of 1 to 4 times per day, preferably once or twice per day. This dosage regimen may be adjusted to provide the optimal therapeutic response. It will be understood, however, that the specific dose level and frequency of dosage for any particular patient may be varied and will depend upon a variety of factors including the activity of the specific compound employed, the metabolic stability and length of action of that compound, the age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, mode and time of administration, rate of excretion, drug combination, the severity of the particular condition, and the host undergoing therapy. Several methods for preparing the compounds of this invention are illustrated in the following Schemes and Examples. Starting materials and the requisite intermediates are in some cases commercially available, or can be prepared according to literature procedures or as illustrated herein. The compounds of this invention may be prepared by employing methods well known to those skilled in the art for preparing analogous compounds, for example using the reactions as shown in the following schemes, in addition to other standard manipulations that are known in the literature or exemplified in the experimental procedures. Substituent numbering as shown in the schemes does not necessarily correlate to that used in the claims and often, for clarity, a single substituent is shown attached to the compound where multiple substituents are allowed under the definitions hereinabove. Reactions used to generate the compounds of this invention are prepared by employing reactions as shown in the schemes and examples herein, in addition to other standard manipulations such as ester hydrolysis, cleavage of protecting groups, etc., as may be known in the literature or exemplified in the experimental procedures. In some cases the final product may be further modified, for example, by manipulation of substituents. These manipulations may include, but are not limited to, reduction, oxidation, alkylation, acylation, and hydrolysis reactions which are commonly known to those skilled in the art. In some cases the order of carrying out the foregoing reaction schemes may be varied to facilitate the reaction or to avoid unwanted reaction products. The following examples are provided so that the invention might be more fully understood. These examples are illustrative only and should not be construed as limiting the invention in any way.

The compounds of the formula (I) may be prepared by oxidation of the corresponding sulphanyl compound. This oxidation may be carried out with oxone, which is conveniently used as an aqueous solution, in a water miscible inert solvent, for example a ketone such as acetone, at a non-extreme temperature, for example 0 to 15O ⁰ C and preferably 50 to 100 ⁰ C. The sulphanyl compounds may be prepared by the method of Scheme I:

REACTION SCHEME I

LAH Et ₂ O

t

As illustrated in general Reaction Scheme I, dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-8-carbonitrile is reacted with Rl L, where L is a leaving group such as halogen, for example bromine, in the presence of KHDMS, followed by reduction of the nitrile, for example with LAH, to give{[l,4-dioxaspiro[4.4]dec-8-yl]methyl}amine suitably substituted by Rl at the 8-position. This compound is then acylated by reaction with R^ substituted with a reactive carboxylic acid derivative, e.g. an acid chloride, followed by ring opening of dioxa-ring by dilute acid and reduction of the resulting ketone, for example with sodium borohydride. The resulting hydroxyl group is then displaced by a sulhur containing group to give the desired sulphanyl compound, either by reaction with thioacetic acid in the presence of triphenylphosphine and diisopropylazocarboxylate followed by reaction with R ³ I in the presence of lithium hydroxide or by reaction with NaSR ³ in the presence of mesyl chloride and pyridine.

The compounds of the formula (I) may also be prepared by the reaction of a compound of the formula (H):

(H) with the appropriate acid halide of the formula R2C0hal, and preferably the appropriate acid chloride. The reaction is suitably carried out in the presence of a weak base such as a trialkylamine, for example ethyldiisopropylamine, in a non polar solvent, for example a halogenated hydrocarbon such as dichloromethane, at a non-extreme temperature, for example -20 to 100 ⁰ C and conveniently 0 to 50 ⁰ C.

The compounds of the formula (IT) may be prepared by the method of reaction Scheme II:

REACTION SCHEME II

PPh ₃

N ₂ (CO ₂ Pn) ₂

Thioacetate

As illustrated in general Reaction Scheme II, a suitably substituted dioxaspiro[4,5]decane-8-carbonitrile is acidified to convert the dioxialane ring to an oxo group followed by reduction of the oxo group with sodium borohydride to give the corresponding hydroxy compound. The hydroxy group is converted to a thioacetate group by reaction with triphenylphosphine/thioacetic acid and the thioacetate group in turn alkylated by a compound R ³ I in the presence of lithium hydroxide. Oxygenation by oxone gives the corresponding sulfanoylcyclohexanecarbonitrile. To prepare

compounds of the formula (II) wherein R ⁴ and R ⁵ are hydrogen, the nitrile group is reduced, for example by hydrogenation in the presence of a suitable catalyst such as Raney nickel.

The compounds of the formula (II) may also be prepared by the method of reaction Scheme HI:

REACTION SCHEME m

HCI TOSMIC

Acetone f-BuOK

H

Compounds of the formula (II) wherein R^ is Cl-6alkyl and R^ is hydrogen or Ci_6alkyl may be prepared by general Reaction Scheme m, nucleophilic addition to the suitably substituted cyclohexane thioether carbonitrile is carried out using a Grignard reagent or double nucleophilic addition to the nitrile using an alkyl cerium reagent furnishes the corresponding amine which is acylated as decribed previously. Chromatographic resolution of the racemate can be carried out under standard conditions.

The following examples serve to illustrate the preparation of compounds of the invention:

Example 1

2,4-Dichloro-N-({l-cyclopropylmethyl-4-[(l-methyI-lH-l,2, 3-triazol-4-yl)suIfonyI]cycIohexyl} methyl)benzamide (compound 1):

8-(Cyclopropylmethyl)-l,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-8-carboni trile:

To a stirred solution of l,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane-8-carbonitrile (2Og ; 119.6136mmol) and (bromomethyl)cyclopropane (17.76g 12.6 ml ; 131.57mmol) in THF (100 ml) at -1O ⁰ C was added KHMDS (0.5M solution in toluene ; 263.15ml ; 131.57 mmol) dropwise and the solution allowed to warm to ambient temperature with stirring for 18 hours. The reaction was cooled in an ice bath and quenched with sat. ammonium chloride solution and the solvent evaporated. The residue was partitioned between EtOAc (300 ml) and water (100 ml adjusted to pH 4 with 1 N HCl). The organic phase was separated, dried over MgSO ₄ , filtered and evaporated to give an orange oil. (21.0 g) ¹ H NMR δ (ppm)(CDCl ₃ ): 3.99-3.89 (4 H, m), 2.08 (2 H, d, J = 13.5 Hz), 1.96-1.72 (9 H, m), 0.96-0.82 (1 H, m), 0.59-0.53 (2 H, m), 0.17 (2 H, q, J = 5.1 Hz).

{[8-(Cyclopropylmethyl)-l,4-dioxaspiro [4.5] dec-8-yl] methyl} amine:

To a stirred suspension of lithium aluminium hydride (IM solution in ether; 94.9 ml ; 94.9 mmol) at -78 ⁰ C was added a solution of δ-^yclopropylmethy^-l^-dioxaspiro^.SJdecane-S-carbonitrile (14g; 63.264mmol) in ether (40 ml) over 30 minutes and the mixture stirred cold for 1 hour, then allowed to warm to ambient temperature and stirred for 3 hours. The resultant mixture was cooled in an ice bath and to the mixture was added in turn water (2 ml), 15% NaOH solution (2 ml) and water (2 ml). The resultant white granular solid was collected on a filter and rinsed twice with diethyl ether. The filtrate was evaporated to give the crude product as a colourless oil (12 g). ¹ H NMR δ (ppm)(CDCl ₃ ): 3.93 (4 H, s), 2.68 (2 H, s), 1.63-1.57 (4 H, m), 1.54-1.48 (4 H, m), 1.25 (2 H, d, J = 6.6 Hz), 0.65-0.50 (1 H, m), 0.46-0.40 (2 H ₃ m), 0.02 (2 H, q, J = 4.9 Hz). MS (m/e) = 226.

2,4-Dichloro-N-[(8-cycIopropylmethyl-l,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]d ec-8-yI)methyl]benzamide:

To a solution of {[8-(cyclopropylmethyl)-l,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]dec-8-yl]methyl} amine (7g ; 31.0 mmol) and n-ethyldiisopropylamine (6.45ml; 37.2 mmol) in DCM (60 ml) at O ⁰ C was added 2,4-dichlorobenzoyl chloride (4.78 ImI; 34.17mmol) dropwise and the solution stirred for 4 hours warming to ambient temperature. The reaction was partitioned between DCM (50 ml) and water (20 ml). The aqueous phase was extracted with DCM (20 ml) and the combined organics dried over MgSO ₄ , filtered and evaporated to give a colourless oil which was used in the next step without further purification. (11.5 g) ¹ H NMR δ (ppm)(CDCl ₃ ): 7.67 (1 H, d, J= 8.3 Hz), 7.43 (1 H, d, J = 2.0 Hz), 7.32 (1 H, dd, J = 2.0, 8.4 Hz), 6.25 (1 H, s), 3.93 (4 H, s), 3.56 (2 H, d, J = 6.2 Hz), 1.67 (8 H, m)), 1.33 (2 H, d, J = 6.7 Hz), 0.75-0.65 (1 H, m), 0.51-0.47 (2 H, m), 0.05 (2 H, q, J = 5.0 Hz). MS (m/e) = 398

2,4-Dichloro-N-{[l-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4-oxocycloheχyl]meth yl}benzamide:

2,4-Dichloro-N-[(8-cyclopropylmethyl-l,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]d ec-8-yl)methyl]benzamide (llg; 27.6158mmol) was dissolved in THF (80 ml) and HCl (2M ; 80 ml) and the solution stirred at ambient temperature for 18 hours. The solution was adjusted to pH 9 with ION NaOH solution and extracted with DCM (2x 75 ml). The combined organics were dried (MgSO4) filtered and evaporated to give an oil which was crystallised from EtOAc isohexane as a white solid (8.Og) ¹ H NMR δ (ppm)(CDCl ₃ ): 7.67 (1 H, d, J = 8.3 Hz), 7.44 (1 H, d, J = 2.0 Hz), 7.34 (1 H, dd, J = 2.0, 8.3 Hz), 6.37 (1 H, s), 3.72 (2 H, d, J = 6.4 Hz), 2.57-2.49 (2 H, m), 2.39-2.31 (2 H, m), 1.92-1.80 (4 H, m), 1.43 (2 H, s), 0.77-0.69 (1 H, m), 0.58-0.54 (2 H, m), 0.11 (2 H, q, J = 5.0 Hz). MS (m/e) = 354.

2,4-Dichloro-N-{[l-(cyclopropyImethyI)-4-hydroxycyclohexy I]methyl}benzamide: To a stirred solution of 2,4-dichloro-N-{[l-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4-oxocyclohexyl]methy l}benzamide (Ig; 2.82mmol) in ethanol (20 ml) was added in 4 portions over 30 minutes sodium borohydride (0.1495g ; 3.95mmol) and the solution stirred at ambient temperature for 2 hours. Water (1 ml) was added and the methanol evaporated. The residue was partioned between DCM (50 ml) and water (20 ml). The aqueous phase was extracted with DCM (20 ml) and the combined organics dried over MgSO ₄ , filtered and evaporated to give an oil. The crude product was chromatographed on silica eluted with 20% EtOAc in DCM to give the two isomeric alcohols in approx 1:1 ratio, 350 mg of each isomer as white foamy solids, plus approx 150 mg of mixed fractions. Less polar alcohol: ¹ H NMR δ (ppm)(CDCl ₃ ): 7.67 (1 H, d, J = 8.3 Hz), 7.43 (1 H, d, J = 2.0 Hz), 7.33 (1 H, dd, J = 2.0, 8.3 Hz), 6.27 (1 H, s), 3.71 (1 H, d, J = 4.0 Hz), 3.50 (2 H, d, J = 6.3 Hz), 1.83 (2 H, dd, J = 4.0, 13.1 Hz), 1.72 (2 H, d, J = 13.8 Hz), 1.46-1.32 (6 H, m), 0.72-0.66 (1 H, m), 0.52-0.48 (2 H, m), 0.07 (2 H, q, J = 5.0 Hz). MS (m/e) = 354. More polar alcohol: ¹ H NMR δ (ppm)(CDCl ₃ ): 7.66 (1 H, d, J = 8.4 Hz), 7.42 (1 H, d, J = 2.0 Hz), 7.32 (1 H, dd, J = 2.0, 8.3 Hz), 6.26 (1 H, s), 3.69-3.65 (1 H, m), 3.59 (2 H, d, J = 6.1 Hz), 1.83-1.77 (2 H, m), 1.72-1.68 (2 H, m), 1.63-1.59 (2 H, m), 1.39-1.33 (2 H, m), 1.25 (2 H, d, J = 6.7 Hz), 0.72-0.64 (1 H, m), 0.51-0.47 (2 H, m), 0.04 (2 H, m). MS (m/e) = 354

2,4-Dichloro-N-({l-cyclopropylmethyl-4-[(l-methyl-lH-l,2, 3-triazol-4-yl)thio]cyclohexyl}methyl) benzamide:

To a solution of 2,4-dichloro-N-{[l-(cycloρropylmethyl)-4-hydroxycyclohexyl] methyl} benzamide (O.lg; 0.28mmol; less polar alcohol isomer) in pyridine (5 ml) at O ⁰ C was added methanesulphonyl chloride (0.035g 0.024ml; 0.31mmol) dropwise and the solution stirred at ambient temperature for 1 hour. LC/MS indicates complete formation of the mesylate. In a separate flask 4,4'-dithiobis(l-methyl-lH- 1,2,3-triazole) (100 mg; 0.44 mmol) in dry ethanol (2 ml) was treated with sodium borohydride (0.017g; 0.44mmol) and the mixture stirred for 30 minutes. LC/MS indicates absence of disulfide to give the thiol. The thiol solution was added to the mesylate and the reaction heated at 5O ⁰ C for 18 hours. The pyridine was evaporated and the residue co-evaporated with toluene. The solid was partitioned between

water (5 ml) and DCM (20 ml) and the organic phase separated, dried over MgSO ₄ , filtered and evaporated to give an oil. The crude product was chromatographed on silica eluting with 10% EtOAc in DCM to give a colourless oil (100 mg) ¹ HNMR δ (ppm)(CDCl ₃ ): 7.63 (1 H, d, J = 8.3 Hz), 7.55 (1 H, s), 7.41 (1 H, d, J = 1.8 Hz), 7.31 (1 H, dd, J = 1.9, 8.3 Hz), 6.23 (1 H, s), 4.09 (3 H, s) ₅ 3.53 (2 H, d, J = 6.2 Hz), 3.16-3.10 (1 H, m), 1.90-1.86 (2 H, m), 1.69 (4 H, dd, J = 12.2, 20.5 Hz), 1.36 (2 H, t, J = 12.7 Hz), 1.20 (2 H, d, J = 6.6 Hz), 0.69-0.61 (1 H, m), 0.46 (2 H, q, J = 5.9 Hz), 0.01 (2 H, t, J = 4.9 Hz). MS (m/e) = 453.

2,4-Dichloro-N-({l-cyclopropylmethyl-4-[(l-methyl-lH-l,2, 3-triazol-4-yl)suIfonyl]cyclohexyl} methyl)benzamide:

To a solution of 2,4-dichloro-N-({l-cyclopropylmethyl-4-[(l-methyl-lH-l,2,3-t riazol-4-yl)thio] cyclohexyl}methyl)benzamide (O.lg; 0.22mmol) in acetone (5 ml) was added a solution of oxone (0.5g ; 0.66mmol) in water (1 ml) and the solution heated at reflux for 2 hours. The reaction was diluted with water (5 ml) and adjusted to pH 7 with Na ₂ CO ₃ solution (2M). The aqueous mixture was extracted with DCM (10 ml) and the organics separated, washed with brine (30 ml), dried over MgSO ₄ filtered and evaporated to give a white foam (85 mg). ¹ H NMR δ (ppm)(CDCl ₃ ): 8.12 (1 H, s), 7.57 (1 H, d, J = 8.3 Hz), 7.40 (1 H, d, J = 1.9 Hz), 7.30 (1 H, dd, J = 1.8, 8.3 Hz), 6.24 (1 H, d, J = 5.9 Hz), 4.21 (3 H, s), 3.45 (2 H, d, J = 6.3 Hz), 3.19-3.13 (1 H, m), 2.02 (2 H, d, J = 11.2 Hz), 1.89-1.79 (4 H, m), 1.37-1.30 (2 H, m), 1.20 (2 H, d, J = 6.6 Hz), 0.69-0.61 (1 H, m), 0.48 (2 H, q, J = 5.9 Hz), 0.01 (2 H, t, J = 4.9 Hz). MS (m/e) = 485.

The following compounds were made b an analogous procedure.

Example 2

2,4-Dichloro-iV-(4-cyclopropylniethanesulfonyl-l-cyclopro pylmethylcyclohexyl-methyl)benzamide (compound 2):

Thioacetic acid 4-cyclopropylmethyl-4-[(2,4-dichlorobenzoyIamino)methyl]-cyc lohexyI ester:

To a stirred solution of triphenylphosphine (0.44 g ; 1.68 mmol) in THF (20 ml) at O ⁰ C was added diisopropylazodicarboxylate (0.34 g ; 1.68 mmol) and the solution stirred at O ⁰ C for 90 minutes. To a stirred solution of 2,4-dichloro-N-{[l-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4-hydroxycyclohexyl]m ethyl}benzamide (0.30 g; 0.84 mmol; less polar alcohol isomer) in THF (10 ml) was added thioaeetic acid (0.12 ml ; 1.68mmol). The resulting solution was added dropwise to the triphenylphosphine solution at O ⁰ C. On complete addition, the solution was stirred at O ⁰ C for 1 hour then allowed to warm to ambient temperature and stirred for 18 hours. The reaction mixture was partitioned between EtOAc (200 ml) and water (100 ml). The organic phase was washed with brine (100 ml), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to give a yellow oily solid. The crude product was chromatographed on silica eluted with 10 - 30 % EtOAc in isohexane to give the product contaminated with triphenylphosphine oxide. The contaminated product was chromatographed on silica eluted with 1 % EtOAc in dichloromethane to give the desired product as an oil (220 mg). IH NMR δ (ppm)(CDC13): 7.66 (1 H, d, J = 8.4Hz), 7.43 (1 H, d, J = 2.1Hz) ₅ 7.34 (1 H, dd, J = 2.1, 8.4Hz), 6.26 (1 H, s), 3.58 (2 H, d, J = 6.0Hz), 3.45-3.52 (1 H, m), 2.30 (3 H ₅ s), 1.83-1.88 (2 H, m), 1.65-1.74 (4 H, m), 1.44-1.52 (2 H, m), 1.26 (2 H, d, J = 7.0Hz) ₅ 0.64-0.71 (1 H ₅ m), 0.47-0.52 (2 H, m), 0.00-0.06 (2 H, m).

2,4-Dichloro-N-(l-cycIopropylmethyl-4-cyclopropylmethylsu lfanylcyclohexyl-methylbenzamide:

To a stirred solution of thioaeetic acid 4-cyclopropylmethyl-4-[(2,4-dichlorobenzoylamino)methyl] cyclohexyl ester (220 mg ; 0.53 mmol) in degassed IPA (3 ml) was added a solution of lithium hydroxide (51 mg ; 2.12 mmol) in water (1 ml) and the mixture stirred at ambient temperature for 2 hours.

(Bromomethyl)cyclopropane (0.10 ml ; 1.06 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 18 hours. The reaction mixture was evaporated and the residue diluted with EtOAc (50 ml). The organic phase was washed with water (50 ml) and brine (20 ml), dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate, filtered and evaporated to give a yellow oil. The crude product was purified by preparative-plate chromatography on silica eluting with 15 % EtOAc in isohexane to give the desired product as a yellow oil (65 mg). IH NMR δ (ρpm)(CDC13): 7.68 (1 H ₅ d, J = 8.4Hz) ₅ 7.42 (1 H ₅ d, J = 2.1Hz) ₅ 7.33 (1 H ₅ dd, J = 2.1, 8.4Hz), 6.21-6.23 (1 H, m), 3.59 (2 H, d, J = 6.0Hz), 2.67-2.79 (1 H, m), 2.48 (2 H ₅ d, J = 7.0Hz) ₅ 1.87-1.92 (2 H ₅ m), 1.59-1.76 (4 H, m), 1.32-1.41 (2 H, m), 1.25 (2 H, d, J = 6.8Hz), 0.91-1.02 (1 H ₅ m), 0.64-0.75 (1 H ₅ m), 0.57 (2 H ₅ dd, J = 1.2, 7.9Hz), 0.46-0.49 (2 H, m), 0.18- 0.28 (2 H ₅ m), 0.03-0.04 (2 H ₅ m).

2,4-DichIoro-iV-(4-cyclopropylmethanesuIfonyI-l-cycloprop ylmethylcycIohexyl-methyI)benzamide:

To a stirred solution of 2,4-dichloro-N-(l-cyclopropylmethyl-4-cyclopropylmethylsulfa nylcyclohexyl methylbenzamide (65 mg ; 0.152 mmol) in acetone (2 ml) was added a solution of oxone (281 mg ; 0.457 mmol) in water (2 ml) and the solution heated at reflux for 1 hour. The reaction was diluted with water (8 ml) and adjusted to pH 7 with saturated NaHCO ₃ solution. The aqueous mixture was extracted with EtOAc (2x50 ml). The organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sufate, filtered and evaporated to give a colourless oil. The oil was purified by preparative plate chromatography eluting

with 10 % EtOAc in dichloromethane which give the title compound as a white foam (37 mg). IH NMR δ (ppm)(CDC13): 7.66 (1 H, d, J = 8.3 Hz), 7.43 (1 H, d, J = 2.0 Hz), 7.34 (1 H, dd, J = 2.0, 8.3 Hz), 6.21- 6.29 (1 H, m), 3.62 (2 H, d, J = 6.4 Hz), 2.84-2.95 (3 H, m), 2.04-2.07 (2 H, m), 1.87-1.95 (4 H, m), 1.35- 1.41 (2 H, m), 1.13-1.27 (3 H, m), 0.66-0.80 (3 H, m), 0.48-0.52 (2 H, m), 0.40-0.43 (2 H, m), 0.04-0.08 (2 H, m). MS (m/e) = 459.

The following compounds can be prepared by the method of example 2 using the appropriate carboxylic acid/acid chloride:

Example 3 2,4-dichloro-iV-(l-{l-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4-[(cyclopropylmet hyl)thio]cyclohexyl}ethyl)benzamide

l,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]dec-8-yI ethanethioate

Potassium thioacetate (21.39 g, 187 mmol) was added to a stirred mixture of l,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]dec-8-yl methanesulfonate (29.5 g, 125 mmol) in DMSO (31.2 ml) and the mixture was heated at 40 ⁰ C for 24 h.

The mixture was cooled, brine was added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic fractions were washed with brine , dried, and evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using a Biotage 65i cartridge, eluting with EtOAc/isohexane to give l,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]dec-8-yl ethanethioate (17.5 g, 81 mmol, 64.8 % yield) as a red oil. IH ΝMR (500 MHz, CDC13): δ 3.92 (4H, s), 3.53 (IH, s), 2.29 (3H, s), 2.00-1.93 (2H, m), 1.77-1.63 (6H, m).

8-[(cyclopropylmethyl)thio]-l,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane l,4-Dioxaspiro[4.5]dec-8-yl ethanethioate (16.3 g, 75 mmol) was added to a stirred mixture of cyclopropylmethyl bromide (20.35 g, 151 mmol) and lithium hydroxide (7.22 g, 301 mmol) in water (15 ml) and 2-Propanol (75 ml) and stirred at room temperature overnight. Brine was added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic fractions were washed with brine, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure to yield crude product which was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using a Biotage 65i cartridge, eluting with EtOAc/isohexane to give 8-[(cyclopropylmethyl)thio]-l,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane as a orange oil. (14.1 g, 61.7 mmol, 82 % yield). IH ΝMR (400 MHz, CDC13): δ 3.92 (4H, s), 2.82-2.76 (IH, m), 2.47 (2H, d, J 7.0), 2.01-1.97 (2H, m), 1.84-1.80 (2H, m), 1.69 (4H, m), 1.00-0.82 (IH, m), 0.57-0.53 (2H, m), 0.19 (2H, q, J 5.1).

4- [(cyclopropylmethyl)thio] cyclohexanone

8-[(Cyclopropylmethyl)thio]-l ₅ 4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane (14.1 g, 61.7 mmol) was added to a stirred mixture of IM hydrochloric acid (120 ml, 120 mmol) and acetone (300 ml) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The acetone was removed by evaporation and the residue was extracted with ethyl acetate and washed with water, dried and evaporated to yield an oil used unpurified in the next step. 4-[(cyclopropylmethyl)thio]cyclohexanone (11.5 g, 62.4 mmol, 100 % yield) IH NMR (500 MHz, CDC13): δ 3.13 (IH, s), 2.49-2.43 (4H, m), 2.28-2.22 (2H, m), 2.14 (2H, s), 1.83 (2H,m), 0.95-0.87 (IH, m), 0.51 (2H, m), 0.14 (2H, m).

4-[(cyclopropylmethyl)thio]cyclohexanecarbonitrile

Potassium-t-butoxide (16.10 g, 144 mmol) was added to a stirred, cooled (0 ⁰ C) mixture of TOSMIC

(15.84 g, 81 mmol) and 4-[(cyclopropylmethyl)thio]cyclohexanone (11.5 g, 62.4 mmol) in DME (125 ml) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 h. The mixture was cooled, diluted with ethyl acetate, washed with brine, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel using a Biotage 65i cartridge, eluting with EtOAc/isohexane to give two separated isomers. Combined yield of 4-[(cyclopropylmethyl)thio] cyclohexanecarbonitrile (7.1 g, 36.3 mmol, 58.3 % yield)

Less polar isomer: IH NMR (500 MHz, CDC13): δ 2.77 (IH, m), 2.54-2.46 (3H, m), 2.16-2.08 (4H, m), 1.67 (2H, m), 1.42-1.35 (2H, m), 0.98-0.90 (IH, m), 0.56 (2H, m ), 0.19 (2H, m). More polar isomer: IH NMR (500 MHz, CDC13): δ 2.73 (2H, m), 2.41 (2H, d, J 6.9), 1.97 (2H, m), 1.87 (2H, m), 1.70 (4H, m), 0.92-0.84 (IH, m), 0.49 (2H, m), 0.13 (2H, m).

l-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4-[(cyclopropylmethyl)thio]cyclohex anecarbonitrile

4-[(cyclopropylmethyl)thio]cyclohexanecarbonitrile (either isomer) (1.95g ; lOmmol) was dissolved in THF (1OmL) and cyclopropyl methyl bromide (2.7g ; 20mmol) was added followed by the dropwise addition of sodium hexamethyldisilazide (2M ₅ 1OmL, 20mmol). The reaction was stirred for half an hour and then was quenched with brine and extracted into ethyl acetate. The organic layer was dried and product was purified rigorously from its less polar isomer on silica using a Biotage 65i cartridge eluting with EtOAc/isohexane to yield l-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4-[(cyclopropylmethyl)thio] cyclohexanecarbonitrile as an oil. (2g, 80%)

IH NMR (360 MHz, CDC13): δ 2.57-2.41 (3H, m), 2.09 (2H, m), 1.98 (2H, m), 1.70 (2H, m), 1.40 (2H, d, J 6.9), 1.29-1.21 (2H, m), 0.93-0.75 (2H, m), 0.51-0.45 (4H, m), 0.15-0.07 (4H, m).

(l-{l-(cyclopropyImethyl)-4-[(cyclopropylmethyl)thio]cycl ohexyl}ethyl)amine l-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4-[(cyclopropylmethyl)thio]cyclohexane carbonitrile (2g ; 8.0321mmol) was dissolved in toluene (3OmL) and methylmagnesium bromide (8.6ml ; 12mL of a 1.4M solution in 3:1 toluene / hexane) was added and the reaction mixture was heated to reflux for 16 hours. The reaction was cooled to OC and methanol (12mL) was added and the mixture was stirred for 15 minutes before

adding sodium borohydride (.315g ; 8.514026mmol) and stirring for 0.5 hours at room temperature. The reaction was carefully quenched with 1 M hydrochloric acid (24mL) and then extracted into ethyl acetate and purified using a 4OM Biotage cartridge using 5% (2M ammonia in methanol)/ DCM to yield (l-{l-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4-[(cyclopropylmethyl)thio]cyclohe xyl}ethyl)amine. (1.6g, 75%) IH NMR (400 MHz, CDC13): δ 0.06 (2H, m), 0.18 (2H, m), 0.44 (2H, m), 0.51-0.65 (3H, m), 0.92-0.96 (IH, m), 1.04 (3H, d, J 6.6), 1.17-1.25 (2H, m), 1.43 (4H, m), 1.80-1.86 (3H, m), 2.44 (2H, m), 2.77 (IH, m), 3.29 (IH, q, J 6.6).

Example 4 2,4-dichloro-Λ ^r -(l-{l-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4[(cyclopropylmethyl)sulfon yl]cyclohexyl}ethyl) benzamide

2,4-dichloro-7V-(l-{l-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4-[(cyclopropyI methyl)thio]cyclohexyl}ethyl)benzamide

(l-{l-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4-[(cyclopropylmethyl)thio]cycl ohexyl}ethyl)amine (.Ig ; .3745mmol), 2,4- dichlorobenzoyl chloride (.1174g ; .56175mmol) and triethylamine (.0567g ; .56175mmol) were dissolved in dichloromethane and stirred for one hour at room temperature. The reaction was evaporated and partitioned between ethyl acetate and saturated bicarbonate solution. The organic layer was dried and evaporated and the residue was purified by silica chromatography using ethyl acetate hexanes to yield 2,4-dichloro-N-(l - { 1 -(cyclopropylmethyl)-4-[(cyclopropylmethyl)thio]cyclohexyl} ethyl) benzamide. (130 mg, 79%)

2,4-dichloro-iV-(l-{l-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4[(cyclopropylm ethyl)sulfonyl]cycIohexyl}ethyl) benzamide

2,4-dichloro-N-( 1 - { 1 -(cyclopropylmethyl)-4-[(cyclopropylmethyl)thio]cyclohexyl} ethyl)benzamide (.12g ; .2733mmol) was dissolved in acetone (2ml) and a solution of potassium peroxymonosulfate

(oxone) (.504g ; .8199mmol) in water (ImL) was added. The reaction was heated to reflux for four hours before cooling and extracting with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried and evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography to yield 2,4-dichloro-N-(l-{l- (cyclopropylmethyl)-4[(cyclopropylmethyl)sulfonyl]cyclohexyl }ethyl)benzamide (45mg, 35%)

1H ΝMR (400 MHz, CDC13): δ 7.59 (IH, d. J 8.3), 7.42 (IH, d, J 1.8), 7.31 (IH, dd, J 1.8, 8.3), 6.26 (IH, d, J 9.7), 4.76-4.70 (IH, m), 2.96-2.86 (3H, m), 2.23-2.16 (IH, m), 2.09 (IH, d, J 9.8), 2.01 (2H, m), 1.82 (2H, m), 1.42 (IH, m), 1.31 (IH, m), 1.21 (5H, m), 0.77-0.67 (3H, m), 0.57-0.53 (IH, m), 0.47 (3H, m), 0.41 (IH, m), 0.1-0.04 (2H, m)

Example 5

2-chloro-Ν-(l-{l-(cycIopropyImethyl)-4-[(cycIopropylmeth yl)sulfonyI]cyclohexyl}ethyl)-4- (trifluor omethyl)b enzamide

(l-{l-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4-[(cyclopropylmethyl)thio]cyclohe xyl}ethyl)amine (.534g ; 2mmol) was dissolved in dichloromethane (5mL) and 2-chloro-4-trifluoromethylbenzoyl chloride (.62Ig ; 3mmol) and were added. The reaction was stirred for an hour and the solvent was evaporated to give a residue that was taken up into ethyl acetate and washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution. The organic layer was dried and purified by chromatography to give the amide. This was taken up into dichloromethane and treated with chloroperoxybenzoic acid (1.0572g 1.373g of 77%; 6mmol) for one hour before quenching with calcium hydroxide (.6669g ; 9mmol). The filtered solution was purified by column chromatography on silica to give 2-chloro-N-(l-{l-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4-[(cyclopropylmethyl) sulfonyl]cyclohexyl}ethyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzamide (.65g, 64%).

IH NMR (500 MHz, CDC13): δ 7.72 (IH, d, J 8.0), 7.68 (IH, s), 7.59 (IH, d, J 8.0), 6.23 (IH, d, J 9.8), 4.78-4.72 (IH, m), 2.97-2.87 (3H, m), 2.26-2.18 (IH, m), 2.09 (IH, m), 2.03 (2H, m), 1.88-1.80 (2H, m), 1.57-1.51 (IH, m), 1.48-1.42 (IH, m), 1.32 (IH, dd, J 5.9, 14.3), 1.24-1.18 (5H, m), 0.79-0.75 (2H, m), 0.72-0.65 (IH, m), 0.58-0.54 (IH, m), 0.48-0.40 (3H, m), 0.11-0.04 (2H, m). 150mg of this was separated by chiral HPLC into the pure enantiomers. Enantiomer A: (51mg) Enantiomer B: (47mg)

Example 6:

2,4-dichloro-N-[l-(cyclopropyl-hydroxyI-methyI)-4-cyclopr opylmethanesulfonyl- cyclohexylmethyl]-benzamide:

l-(cyclopropyI-hydroxy-methyI)-4-cyclopropylmethylsulfany l-cyclohexanecarbonitrile To a stirred solution of diisopropylamine (1.59 ml ; 11.3 mmol) in THF (10 ml) at 0 ⁰ C was added dropwise butyl lithium (2.5 M in hexanes ; 4.51 ml ; 11.3 mmol). The mixture was stirred at 0 ⁰ C for 15 minutes then cooled to -78 ⁰ C. A solution of 4-cyclopropylmethylsulfanyl-cyclohexanecarbonitrile (2 g ; 10.2mmol) in THF (10 ml) was added dropwise. On complete addition, the mixture was stirred at -78 ⁰ C for 30 minutes. Cyclopropanecarboxaldehyde (0.91 ml ; 12.2 mmol) was added dropwise and the mixture was allowed to warm slowly to room temperature and stir for 64 hours. The mixture was quenched with brine (50 ml) and extracted with EtOAc (2 x 75 ml). The combined organics were washed with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (50 ml) and brine (50 ml), dried (MgSO ₄ ) and evaporated in vacuo to give an orange oil. The crude product was chromatographed on silica eluted with 25-30 % EtOAc in hexane to give the product as an orange oil (1.9339 g). IH NMR (400 MHz, DMSO): δ 5.29 (IH, d, J 4.9), 2.76 (IH, dd, J 4.9, 7.8), 2.68-2.58 (IH, m), 2.15-2.11 (IH, m), 2.04-1.98 (4H, m), 1.56-1.38 (4H, m), 0.98-0.88 (2H, m), 0.52-0.48 (3H, m), 0.45-0.37 (IH, m), 0.34-0.28 (2H, m), 0.19- 0.17 (2H, m). m/z = 266 (M + H ⁺ ).

l-(cycIopropyl-hydroxy-methyl)-4-cyclopropylmethanesulfonyl- cyclohexanecarbonitrile

To a stirred solution of l-(cycloproρyl-hydroxy-methyl)-4-cyclopropylmethylsulfanyl- cyclohexanecarbonitrile (1.93 g ; 7.27 mmol) in acetone (15 ml) was added a slurry of oxone (13.4 g ; 21.8 mmol) in water (10 ml). The mixture was heated at 60 ⁰ C for 1 hour then allowed to cool to room temperature. Water (50 ml) was added and the pH was adjusted to 7 with 2 M sodium carbonate solution. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc (80 ml) and DCM 950 ml). The combined organics were dried (MgSO ₄ ) and evaporated in vacuo to give the product as a white solid (1.9015 g). IH NMR (400 MHz, DMSO): δ 5.36 (IH, d, J 5.0), 3.11-3.05 (3H, m), 2.78 (IH, dd, J 4.8, 7.8), 2.26-2.20 (IH, m), 2.14-2.08 (3H, m), 1.67-1.43 (4H, m), 1.08-0.84 (2H, m), 0.62-0.58 (2H, m), 0.53-0.49 (IH, m), 0.46- 0.30 (5H, m). m/z = 320 (M + Na ⁺ ).

(l-aminomethyl-4-cyclopropylmethanesulfonyl-cyclohexyl)-c yclopropyI-methanoI

To l-(cyclopropyl-hydroxy-methyl)-4-cyclopropylmethanesulfonyl- cyclohexanecarbonitrile (1.90 g ; 6.39 mmol) in 2 M ammonia in methanol solution (20 ml) (nitrile did not dissolve) under a nitrogen atmosphere was added Raney Nickel (approx. 1 ml of 50% aqueous slurry). The resulting mixture was agitated under an atmosphere of hydrogen (50 psi) on a Parr apparatus for 40 hours. MS indicated that very little reduction of the nitrile had taken place. The mixture was filtered through a catalyst filter and the catalyst washed extensively with MeOH (300 ml, added in portions). The filtrate was evaporated in vacuo to give a greeny-white solid, which was transferred to the Parr flask as a suspension in EtOH (20 ml). Aqueous ammonia solution (1.5 ml) was added followed by Raney Nickel (approx. 1 ml of 50% aqueous slurry). The resulting mixture was agitated under an atmosphere of hydrogen (50 psi) on a Parr apparatus for 24 hours. MS indicated the presence of starting material (m/z = 320, [M+Na]+), a small amount of product (m/z = 302) and product with water eliminated (m/z = 284). The mixture was filtered and the catalyst washed as before. The filtrate was evaporated in vacuo to give a greeny-white solid, which was triturated with MeOH and collected by filtration as a white solid (775 mg). NMR indicated that this was recovered starting material. The trituration filtrate was evaporated in vacuo and the residue was loaded in MeOH on to a SCX cartridge. The cartridge was washed with several column lengths of MeOH followed by 2M ammonia in methanol solution to elute the amine. The desired product was obtained as a green oil upon evaporation of the appropriate fractions (229 mg). m/z = 302 (M + H ⁺ ).

2,4-dichloro-N-[l-(cyclopropyI-hydroxyl-methyl)-4-cyclopr opylmethanesulfonyl- cyclohexylmethyl]-benzamide

To a solution of (l-aminomethyl-4-cyclopropylmethanesulfonyl-cyclohexyl)-cycl opropyl-methanol (229 mg ; 0.760 mmol) and N, N-diisopropylethylamine (0.16 ml ; 0.912 mmol) in DCM (5 ml) was added 2, 4-dichlorobenzoylchloride (0.12 ml ; 0.836 mmol). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. MS indicated the absence of starting material to give new peaks at m/z = 475 ([M+H]+), 496 ([M+Na]+) and 456 ([M-H2O]). Water (5 ml) and DCM (3 ml) was added and the mixture was stirred vigorously for 5 minutes then passed through a PTFE separation frit. The organic phase was collected

and evaporated and evaporated in vacuo to give a brown oil The oil was chromatographed on silica eluted with 30 % EtOAc in DCM. The resulting white foam was impure by NMR and was purified by prep. TLC eluted with 2% MeOH in DCM. A white foam (86 mg) was obtained. NMR and HPLC indicated an impurity (approximately 20 %), thought to be compound where water has eliminated to give a double bond. The material was purified on the Agilent, with a loss of the majority of the product due to technical difficulties. IH NMR δ (ppm)(CDC13): 7.60 (1 H, d, J = 8.3 Hz), 7.42 (1 H, d, J = 1.9 Hz), 7.31 (5 H, dd, J = 1.9, 8.3 Hz), 7.22-7.18 (1 H, m), 3.70 (2 H, ABq, J = 6.3, 14.3, 64.5 Hz), 2.93-2.87 (3 H, m), 2.68 (1 H, d, J = 9.0 Hz), 2.14-2.08 (2 H ₅ m), 2.04-1.97 (2 H, m), 1.93-1.79 (3 H, m), 1.44-1.40 (2 H, m), 1.23-1.15 (1 H, m), 1.06-0.99 (1 H, m), 0.77-0.67 (3 H, m), 0.59-0.53 (1 H, m), 0.44-0.42 (2 H, m), 0.37-0.31 (1 H, m), 0.29-0.23 (1 H, m). m/z = 474 (M + H ⁺ ).