FUROSEMIDE ANALOGUES AND COMPOSITIONS AND USES THEREOF FOR TREATMENT OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/866,735, filed June 26, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/985,547, filed March 5, 2020, which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present application pertains to the field of furosemide analogues. More particularly, the present application relates to furosemide analogues useful in preventing, delaying or treating Alzheimer’s Disease.

INTRODUCTION

[0003] Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of the beta- amyloid protein or Ab, in a fibrillar form, existing as extracellular amyloid plaques and as amyloid within the walls of cerebral blood vessels. Fibrillar Ab amyloid deposition in AD is believed to be detrimental to the patient and eventually leads to toxicity and neuronal cell death, characteristic hallmarks of AD.

[0004] Ab plaque, caused by protein-misfolding, is a hallmark of AD and, thus, AD can be classified as a proteopathic disease. The formation of Ab plaque is believed to enhance the level of inflammatory cytokines and over-activate the inflammation response. Therefore, AD can also be classified as an immunopathic disease. Figure 1 illustrates the proteopathic and immunopathic aspects of AD (Block M. BMC Neuroscience, 2006, 9, S2-S8).

[0005] Much work in AD has been accomplished, but little is conventionally known about compounds or agents for therapeutic regimes to arrest amyloid formation, deposition, accumulation and/or persistence that occurs in Alzheimer’s disease and other amyloidoses.

[0006] Therefore, a need remains for new compounds or agents for therapeutic regimes to arrest or reverse amyloid formation, deposition, accumulation and/or persistence that occurs in Alzheimers disease and other amyloidoses. A need also remains for new compounds or agents for therapeutic regimens to arrest or reverse neuroinflammation that occurs in Alzheimer’s disease and other amyloidosis.

[0007] The above information is provided for the purpose of making known information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.

SUMMARY

[0008] An object of the present application is to provide compounds and compositions useful in preventing, delaying or treating Alzheimer’s Disease. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a compound, which is a compound of Formula Z:

Formula Z where:

A represents functional region 1, which is optionally present and when present includes both a hydrogen bond donor and a hydrogen bond acceptor;

B represents functional region 2, which comprises a functional group or groups for interaction with positively charged amino acid side chains and, optionally, a hydrogen bond acceptor;

C represents functional region 3, which comprises an aromatic functional group and, optionally, a hydrogen bond acceptor; and X represents an alkoxy group, such as a methoxy group, or a halide, such as F, Br or

Cl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or hydrate thereof, wherein the compound of Formula Z is selected from the group consisting of compounds of Formula I, II, III and IV:

phenyl or phenyl that is para-substituted with CH3, OCH3 or CH(CF3)OH;

R ⁴ is -COOH or -CH(CF ₃ )OH;

R ⁵ is H or C1-C4 alkyl, preferably H or methyl;

R ⁶ is NR ⁷ R ⁸ , where each R ⁷ and R ⁸ is independently selected from H, C1-C4 alkyl (preferably methyl or ethyl) or phenyl, or where R ⁷ and R ⁸ together with the N to which they are bound form a six-membered heterocycle that optionally includes O; and the dashed lines represent bonds that may be present or absent, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or hydrate thereof.

[0009] In accordance with other embodiments, there is provided a compound of Formula Z, which has the structure of formula I, II, or Ilia:

I II

X is alkoxy (e.g., methoxy), F, Cl or Br; and the dashed lines represent bonds that may be present or absent, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or hydrate thereof.

[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the present application there is provided a use of furosemide, 2-(benzylamino)benzoic acid, the compound of Formula I, II, III or IV, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or hydrate thereof, as defined above, for preventing, delaying or treating AD in a subject in need thereof.

[0011] In accordance with another aspect of the present application there is provided a method for preventing, delaying or treating AD comprising administering furosemide, 2- (benzylamino)benzoic acid, or the compound of Formula I, II, III or IV, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or hydrate thereof, as defined above, to a subject in need thereof.

[0012] In accordance with another aspect of the present application there is provided a composition comprising one or more compound of Formula Z:

where:

A represents functional region 1, which is optionally present and when present includes both a hydrogen bond donor and a hydrogen bond acceptor;

B represents functional region 2, which comprises a functional group or groups for interaction with positively charged amino acid side chains and, optionally, a hydrogen bond acceptor;

C represents functional region 3, which comprises an aromatic functional group and, optionally, a hydrogen bond acceptor; and

X represents an alkoxy group, such as a methoxy group, or a halide, such as F, Br or

Cl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or hydrate thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or excipient, wherein each of the one or more compounds of Formula Z is selected from the group consisting of compounds of Formula I, II, III and IV:

phenyl or phenyl that is para-substituted with CH3, OCH3 or CH(CF3)OH;

integer from 0 to 2 and p is an integer of 0 or 1;

R ⁴ is -COOH or -CH(CF ₃ )OH;

R ⁵ is H or C1-C4 alkyl, preferably H or methyl; R ⁶ is NR ⁷ R ⁸ , where each R ⁷ and R ⁸ is independently selected from H, C1-C4 alkyl (preferably methyl or ethyl) or phenyl, or where R ⁷ and R ⁸ together with the N to which they are bound form a six-membered heterocycle that optionally includes O;

X is F, Cl or Br; and the dashed lines represent bonds that may be present or absent.

[0013] In accordance with another aspect of the present application there is provided a composition comprising one or more compound of formula I, II, or Ilia:

X is F, Cl or Br; and the dashed lines represent bonds that may be present or absent, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or hydrate thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or excipient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0014] For a better understanding of the application as described herein, as well as other aspects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0015] Figure 1 schematically depicts proteopathic and immunopathic mechanisms of Alzheimer’s Disease.

[0016] Figure 2 schematically depicts an Ab aggregation assay as employed in Example 2.

[0017] Figure 3 schematically depicts an Ab fibrillization assay as employed in Example 3.

[0018] Figure 4 schematically depicts the role of microglia involved in neuroinflammation (A) and a neurotoxicity assay (B) as employed in Example 4.

[0019] Figure 5 graphically depicts the results of a neurotoxicity assay of compounds of the present application, showing the SHSY-5y viability 72h post-addition of supernatant from differentiated THP-1 cells 48h post-addition of exemplary compounds of the present application.

[0020] Figure 6 graphically depicts the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4, IL-10, IL- 1RA and Arginase measured as M2 indicators during a neurotoxicity assay of furosemide.

[0021] Figure 7 graphically depicts the ICso values for anti-Ab oligomerization activity (mM) for various compounds of the invention having structures of Formula I or Formula II. [0022] Figure 8 graphically depicts aggregation inhibition percentages for various compounds of the invention having structures of Formula III.

[0023] Figure 9 graphically depicts activity of compounds according to certain embodiments of the invention on TNF-a production from 5 ng/mL LPS stimulated AIM-A9 cells, where the compound concentration was 25 mM.

[0024] Figure 10 graphically depicts activity of compounds according to certain

embodiments of the invention on TNF-a production from 5 ng/mL LPS stimulated AIM-A9 cells, where the compound concentration was 8.3 pM.

[0025] Figure 11 graphically depicts activity of compounds according to certain

embodiments of the invention on TNF-a production from 5 ng/mL LPS stimulated AIM-A9 cells, where the compound concentration was 2.7 pM.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0026] Definitions

[0027] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

[0028] As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms“a”,“an” and“the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0029] The term“comprising” as used herein will be understood to mean that the list following is non-exhaustive and may or may not include any other additional suitable items, for example one or more further feature(s), component(s) and/or ingredient(s) as appropriate.

[0030] The term“subject” is used herein interchangeably with the term“patient” to refer to a mammal, such as a human, in need of treatment or potentially in need of treatment.

[0031] The terms“treatment” or“treating,” as used herein, mean an approach for obtaining beneficial or desired results, including clinical results. Beneficial or desired clinical results can include, but are not limited to, alleviation or amelioration of one or more symptoms or conditions, diminishment of extent of disease, stabilized (i.e., not worsening) state of disease, preventing spread of disease, delay or slowing of disease progression, amelioration or palliation of the disease state, and remission (whether partial or total), whether detectable or undetectable.

[0032] The term“therapeutically effective amount,”“effective amount” or“sufficient amount” of a compound of the present application is a quantity sufficient to, when administered to the subject, including a mammal, for example a human, effect beneficial or desired results, including clinical results, and, as such, an“effective amount” or synonym thereto depends upon the context in which it is being applied.

[0033] Moreover, a“treatment” or“prevention” regime of a subject with a therapeutically effective amount of an agent may consist of a single administration, or alternatively comprise a series of applications. For example, the agent may be administered at least once a week. However, in another embodiment, the agent may be administered to the subject from about one time per week to about once daily for a given treatment. The length of the treatment period depends on a variety of factors, such as the severity of the disease, the age of the patient, the concentration and the activity of the agent, or a combination thereof. It will also be appreciated that the effective dosage of the agent used for treatment or prophylaxis may increase or decrease over the course of a particular treatment or prophylaxis regime. Changes in dosage may result and become apparent by standard diagnostic assays known in the art. In some instances, chronic administration may be required.

[0034] The term“administering” is defined as any conventional route for administering an agent(s) to a subject for use as is known to one skilled in the art. This may include, for example, administration via the parenteral (i.e., subcutaneous, intradermal, intramuscular, etc.) or mucosal surface route. In other embodiments this may include oral administration.

The dose of the agent(s) may vary according to factors such as the health, age, weight and sex of the animal. The dosage regime may be adjusted to provide the optimum dose. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the dosage regime can be determined and/or optimized without undue experimentation.

[0035] To“inhibit” or“suppress” or“lower” or“reduce” or“down regulate” a function or activity, is to reduce the function or activity when compared to otherwise same conditions except for a condition or parameter of interest, or alternatively, as compared to another condition or control. [0036] The present application provides compounds and compositions for use in preventing, delaying or treating Alzheimer’s disease. A tryptophan metabolite, 3-hydroxylanthranilic acid (3-HAA), is an endogenous molecule with anti-fibrilization activity against Ab, and which can reduce inflammation progression. 3-HAA was used to identify other compounds having 3-HAA as a backbone that would be candidates for AD treatement and/or prevention.

Furosemide was identified as 3-HAA analogue, that can be used to target Ab misfolding and neuroinflammation.

Furosemide

[0037] A series of furosemide analogues have now been synthesized and demonstrated to also have activity in targeting Ab misfolding and/or neuroinflammation. The furosemide analogues of the present application have the general structure of Formula Z:

Formula Z where: A represents functional region 1, which is optionally present and when present includes both a hydrogen bond donor and a hydrogen bond acceptor;

B represents functional region 2, which comprises a functional group or groups for interaction with positively charged amino acid side chains and, optionally, a hydrogen bond acceptor;

C represents functional region 3, which comprises an aromatic functional group and, optionally, a hydrogen bond acceptor; and

X represents a halide, such as F, Br or Cl.

[0038] In functional region 3, the aromatic functional group or groups optionally interact with the target through p - p stacking or cation - p interactions.

[0039] Accordingly, the present application provides compounds of Formula Z that are selected from the group consisting of compounds of Formula I, II, III and IV, which are useful in preventing, delaying or treating AD by inhibiting Ab aggregation and/or reducing or inhibiting Ab-induced neuroinflammation:

where where n is an integer from 0 to 5 and R is CH3, phenyl or phenyl that is para-substituted with CH3, OCH3 or CH(CF3)OH;

R ⁴ is -COOH or -CH(CF ₃ )OH;

R ⁵ is H or C1-C4 alkyl, preferably H or methyl;

R ⁶ is NR ⁷ R ⁸ , where each R ⁷ and R ⁸ is independently selected from H, C1-C4 alkyl (preferably methyl or ethyl) or phenyl, or where R ⁷ and R ⁸ together with the N to which they are bound form a six-membered heterocycle that optionally includes O;

X is F, Cl or Br; and the dashed lines represent bonds that may be present or absent.

[0040] In certain embodiments, the compound of Formula III is a compound of Formula Ilia:

where R ³ and X are as defined above.

[0041] In certain embodiments, the compound of Formula III is a compound of Formula Illb:

where X is as defined above.

[0042] Furosemide and its analogues, including the compounds of Formulae I, II, III and IV and 2-(benzylamino)benzoic acid, have now been found to act as: (i) anti-Ab aggregation agents, by inhibiting Ab oligomerization and/or fibrillization; and/or (ii) anti

neuroinflammation agents by rescuing neuronal cells under Ab induced neuroinflammation.

[0043] In a specific example, a compound of formula II showed potent activity, 6.5 mM towards anti-Ab oligomerization activity. In another specific example, 2- (benzylamino)benzoic acid and a compound of formula Ilia, in which X is Br and R ³ is demonstrated anti-neuroinflammation activity by being able to rescue neuronal cells under Ab-induced neurotoxicity.

[0044] Compositions and Use

[0045] The present application further provides compositions comprising furosemide, 2- (benzylamino)benzoic acid, a compound of formula Z (such as, a compound of formula I, a compound of formula II, a compound of formula III or a compound of formula IV), or any combination thereof.

[0046] The compositions containing these compound(s) can be prepared by known methods for the preparation of pharmaceutically acceptable compositions which can be administered to subjects, such that an effective quantity of the active agent(s) is combined in a mixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. Suitable vehicles are described, for example, in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (2003 - 20th edition) and in The United States Pharmacopeia: The National Formulary (USP 24 NF19) published in 1999. On this basis, the compositions include, albeit not exclusively, solutions of the compound(s) in association with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles or diluents, and/or contained in buffered solutions with a suitable pH and iso-osmotic with the physiological fluids.

[0047] The compositions can be formulated for administration to a subject alone or in combination with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, as noted above, and/or with other pharmaceutically active agents for preventing, delaying or treating AD, the proportion of which is determined by the solubility and chemical nature of the agents, chosen route of administration and standard pharmaceutical practice.

[0048] The dosage of the compound(s) and/or compositions can vary depending on many factors such as the pharmacodynamic properties of the agent, the mode of administration, the age, health and weight of the recipient, the nature and extent of the symptoms, the frequency of the treatment and the type of concurrent treatment, if any, and the clearance rate of the compound in the animal to be treated. One of skill in the art can determine the appropriate dosage based on the above factors. The compound(s) can be administered initially in a suitable dosage that may be adjusted as required, depending on the clinical response.

[0049] The present application further provides methods of using furosemide, 2- (benzylamino)benzoic acid, a compound of formula Z (such as, a compound of formula I, a compound of formula II, a compound of formula III or a compound of formula IV), or any combination thereof, for preventing, delaying or treating AD. In accordance with certain embodiments, there is provided a method of preventing, delaying or treating AD in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of furosemide, 2-(benzylamino)benzoic acid, a compound of formula I, a compound of formula II, a compound of formula III, or any combination thereof. [0050] Synthesis of Furosemide Analogues

[0051] The present application further provides methods for synthesizing compounds of Formula Z. Details of exemplary, non-limiting, methods for synthesizing these compounds are found in the following examples.

[0052] In certain embodiments there is provided a method of synthesizing compounds of Formula Z, in which the functional group at region A is varied. These compounds have the structure of Formula I, as depicted above. An example of this synthetic method is provided in Scheme I:

Scheme I

[0053] In other embodiments there is provided a method of synthesizing compounds of Formula Z, in which the functional group at region B is varied. These compounds have the structure of Formula II, as depicted above. An example of this synthetic method is provided in Scheme II:

Scheme II [0054] Specific examples of synthetic methods for making the furosemide analogues of the present application are provided in the Examples section below.

[0055] To gain a better understanding of the invention described herein, the following examples are set forth. It should be understood that these examples are for illustrative purposes only. Therefore, they should not limit the scope of this invention in any way.

EXAMPLES

[0056] EXAMPLE 1: Synthesis and Characterization of anti-Ab aggregation and/or anti neuroinflammation compounds

[0057] The following synthetic schemes include reference numerals to componds. The descriptions of the syntheses that follow include these reference numerals as well as the compound identifier numbers used in the activity studies that follow.

[0058] Furthermore, throughout the specification and figures, certain synonymous nomenclature is used to refer to compound designators that have alphanumeric prefixes. A compound denoted“WW016” may also be denoted“W016”, and it may be further denoted with inclusion of an optional series designator“S” followed by Roman numerals, e.g.,“SHIa- W016” or“SIIIa-WW016”. These designations are all synonymous and chemical structure associated with each set of synonymous compound designators will be clear from one or more of the following: the presentation of the corresponding structure or Series/R-group key above the associated bar in a relevant bar graph Figure; the presentation of the corresponding structure or Series/R-group key in the associated row in a Table; or reference to“WW###” nomenclature alongside the numerically consecutive synthetic nomenclature for the associated synthesis in this Example 1.

[0059] Synthesis and Characterisation of Compounds of Formula I

1 2a-2q 3a-3q

Scheme 1.1: General Synthesis of Compounds of Formula I

Scheme 1.2: Synthesis of amine for Compound 36

[0060] General procedure A for preparation of Compounds 2a - 2g

[0061] 4-Chloro-5-(chlorosulfonyl)-2-fluorobenzoic acid (1 eq.) was dissolved in anhydrous THF (0.3 M) and cooled to 0°C. Triethylamine (3 eq.) was added to the reaction mixture. The appropriate amine (1.2 eq.) was dissolved by THF and added to reaction slowly. The reaction was allowed to warm to room temperature and monitored by TLC. Upon completion of the reaction, the mixture was diluted with EtOAcTUO and layers separated. The pH of the aqueous phase was adjusted to 3 and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layers were washed with brine, dried over Na2SC>4 and concentrated under reduced pressure. Column

chromatography gave the desired compounds 2a-2q (20-88%).

[0062] General procedure B for preparation of Compounds 3a - 3

[0063] Intermediates 2a - 2q (1 eq.) were dissolved in ethylene glycol (0.3 M) and to this, furfurylamine (3 eq.) and DIPEA (2 eq.) were added. The reaction mixture was heated to 130°C for 16 h. The mixture was diluted with EtOAcTUO and layers were separated. The pH of the aqueous phase was adjusted to 3 and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layers were washed with brine, dried over Na2S04 and concentrated under reduced pressure. Column chromatography gave the compounds 3a-3q (33-82%).

[0064] 4-Chloro-5-(chlorosulfonyl)-2-fluorobenzoic acid (intermediate 1)

[0065] Chlorosulfonic acid (4.09 g, 35.09 mmol, 6 eq.) was cooled to 0°C. To this, 4-chloro- 2-fluorobenzoic acid (1.02 g, 5.85 mmol, 1 eq.) was added, portion-wise. The reaction was then heated to 140°C and stirred for 5 h. The reaction was monitored by TLC. After TLC indicated consumption of starting material, the reaction was cooled to -10°C and ice was added to the mixture. A white solid precipitated, was washed with water and placed in desiccator to dry. The title product was obtained as a yellow solid (1.44 g, 90%). Rf 0.3, hexane-EtOAc-AcOH 9: 1 :0.05.

[0066] 4-Chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)-5-sulfamoylbenzoic acid (Furosemide)

[0067] According to the General Procedures A and B, the title compound (126 mg, 76% over 2 steps) was obtained as a white solid.

[0068] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO- d ₆ ) d (ppm) 13.36 (s, 1H), 8.62 (t, J= 5.9 Hz, 1H), 8.38 (s, 1H), 7.62 (d, J= 1.8 Hz, 1H), 7.34 (s, 2H), 7.06 (s, 1H), 6.46 - 6.26 (m, 2H), 4.58 (d, J = 5.8 Hz, 2H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for C12H10CIN2O5S [M-H] : 328.9999, found:

328.9998.

[0069] 4-ChloiO-5-(/V-cyclopiOpylsulfamoyl)-2-((fiiran-2-ylmethyl)a mino)benzoic acid (3b, WW030)

[0070] According to the General Procedures A and B, the title compound (270 mg, 59% over 2 steps) was obtained as a white solid. [0071] ¾ NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-ώ) d (ppm) 13.46 (s, 1H), 8.72 (t , J = 5.4 Hz, 1H), 8.40 (s, 1H), 7.92 (d, = 2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.63 (m, 1H), 7.08 (s, 1H), 6.51 - 6.28 (m, 2H), 4.59 (d, J = 5.7 Hz, 2H), 2.13 (m, 1H), 0.54 - 0.18 (m, 4H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for

C15H14CIN2O5S [M-H] : 369.0312, found: 369.0312.

[0072] 4-chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl) amino)-5-(/V-methylsulfamoyl) benzoic acid (3c, WW032)

[0073] According to the General Procedures A and B, the title compound (126 mg, 57% over 2 steps) was obtained as a white solid.

[0074] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-ώ) d (ppm) 13.44 (s, 1H), 8.69 (t, J= 5.9 Hz, 1H), 8.34 (s, 1H), 7.63 (d, J= 1.8 Hz, 1H), 7.37 (q, J= 4.9 Hz, 1H), 7.08 (s, 1H), 6.46 - 6.34 (m, 2H), 4.59 (d, J= 5.8 Hz, 2H), 2.40 (d, J= 4.9 Hz, 3H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for

C13H12CIN2O5S [M-H] : 343.0155, found: 343.0159

[0075] 5-(7V-benzylsulfamoyl)-4-chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)b enzoic acid (3d, WW035)

[0076] According to the General Procedures A and B, the title compound (390 mg, 57% over 2 steps) was obtained as a white solid.

[0077] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-ώ) d (ppm) 8.81 - 8.60 (m, 1H), 8.29 (s, 1H), 8.12 (t, J = 6.3 Hz, 1H), 7.64 (dd, J\ = 1.9 Hz, J2 = 0.9 Hz, 1H), 7.31 - 7.10 (m, 5H), 6.98 (s, 1H), 6.44 (dd, J\ = 3.2 Hz, J2 = 1.9 Hz, 1H), 6.40 - 6.30 (m, 1H), 4.56 (d, J= 5.8 Hz, 2H), 4.01 (d, J = 6.3 Hz, 2H); HRMS (ESI, m/z ) Calculated for C19H16CIN2O5S [M-H] : 419.0468, found:

419.0469.

[0078] 4-ChloiO-2-((fui an-2-ylmethyl)amino)-5-(/V-(4-(2,2,2-tnfluoiO-l- hydroxyethyl)benzyl) sulfamoyl)benzoic acid (3e, WW036)

[0079] According to the General Procedures A and B, the title compound (362 mg, 31% over 2 steps) was obtained as a white solid.

[0080] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-ώ) d (ppm) 13.39 (s, 1H), 8.68 (t, J= 5.8 Hz, 1H), 8.34 (s, 1H), 8.16 (t, J= 6.2 Hz, 1H), 7.64 (s, 1H), 7.36 (d, J= 8.0 Hz, 2H), 7.26 (d, J= 8.2 Hz, 2H), 7.03 (s, 1H), 6.79 (d, = 5.6 Hz, 1H), 6.48 - 6.31 (m, 2H), 5.08 (p, = 7.3 Hz, 1H),

4.57 (d, J= 5.7 Hz, 2H), 4.02 (d, J= 6.1 Hz, 2H); HRMS (ESI, m/z ) Calculated for

C21H17CIF3N2O6S [M-H] : 517.0448, found: 517.0451.

[0081] 4-Chloro-2((furan-2-ylmethyl) amino)-5-(morpholinosulfony)benzoic acid (3f, WW049)

[0082] According to the General Procedures A and B, the title compound (123 mg, 50% over 2 steps) was obtained as a white solid.

[0083] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-ώ) d (ppm) 13.53 (s, 1H), 8.78 (t, J= 5.8 Hz, 1H), 8.33 (s, 1H), 7.67 - 7.57 (m, 1H), 7.13 (s, 1H), 6.49 - 6.33 (m, 2H), 4.60 (d, J= 5.8 Hz, 2H), 3.67 - 3.49 (m, 4H), 3.13 - 2.97 (m, 4H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for C16H16CIN2O6S [M- H] : 399.0417, found: 399.0420.

[0084] 5-(/V-Benzyl-/V-methylsiilfamoyl)-4-chloiO-2-((furan-2-ylmet hyl) amino) benzoic acid (3g, WW052)

[0085] According to the General Procedures A and B, the title compound (269 mg, 34 % over 2 steps) was obtained as a white solid.

[0086] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-ώ) d (ppm) 8.82 (d, J= 5.1 Hz, 1H), 8.41 (s, 1H), 7.64 (s, 1H), 7.40 - 7.24 (m, 5H), 7.14 (s, 1H), 6.48 - 6.36 (m, 2H), 4.61 (d, J= 5.8 Hz, 2H), 4.32 (s, 2H), 2.61 (s, 3H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for C20H18CIN2O5S [M-H] : 433.0625, found: 433.0625.

[0087] 4-Chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl) amino)-5-(/V-( l-phenylethyl) sulfamoyl) benzoic acid (3h, WW053)

[0088] According to the General Procedure A and B, the title compound (188 mg, 24% over 2 steps) was obtained as a white solid.

[0089] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-ώ) d (ppm) 13.30 (s, 1H), 8.60 (t, J= 5.7 Hz, 1H), 8.20 (s, 1H), 8.13 (d, J= 8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.65 (d, J= 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.20 - 7.01 (m, 5H), 6.88 (s, 1H), 6.49 - 6.29 (m, 2H), 4.53 (d, J= 5.8 Hz, 2H), 4.28 (dt, J\ = 14.3 Hz, Ji = 7.0 Hz, 1H), 1.29 (d, J= 7.0 Hz, 3H); HRMS (ESI, m/z ) Calculated for C20H18CIN2O5S [M-H] : 433.0625, found: 433.0624.

[0090] 4-Chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl) amino)-5-(/V-phenethylsulfamoyl) benzoic acid (3i, WW056)

[0091] According to the General Procedure A and B, the title compound (612 mg, 77% over 2 steps) was obtained as a white solid.

[0092] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-ώ) d (ppm) 13.41 (s, 1H), 8.68 (t, J= 6.0 Hz, 1H), 8.33 (s, 1H), 7.73 - 7.52 (m, 2H), 7.26 - 6.96 (m, 6H), 6.49 - 6.27 (m, 2H), 4.58 (d, J = 5.9 Hz, 2H), 3.00 (q, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 2.68 (q, J = 7.7 Hz, 2H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for C20H18CIN2O5S [M-H] : 433.0625, found: 433.0625.

[0093] 4-Chloro-5-(7V-ethylsulfamoyl)-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl) amino) benzoic acid (3j, WW057)

[0094] According to the General Procedures A and B, the title compound (127 mg, 19% over 2 steps) was obtained as a white solid.

[0095] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-ώ) d (ppm) 13.44 (s, 1H), 8.70 (t, J= 5.7 Hz, 1H), 8.35 (s, 1H), 7.63 (dd, J\ = 1.9 Hz, Ji = 0.9 Hz, 1H), 7.52 (t, J = 5.7 Hz, 1H), 7.07 (s, 1H), 6.46 - 6.32 (m, 2H), 4.58 (d, J = 5.7 Hz, 2H), 2.80 (p, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 0.96 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 3H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for C14H14CIN2O5S [M-H] : 357.0312, found: 357.0314.

[0096] 4-Chloi o-5-(/V, /V-dimethylsulfamoyl)-2-((fui an-2-ylmethyl) amino) benzoic acid (3k, WW062)

[0097] According to the General Procedures A and B, the title compound (238 mg, 36% over 2 steps) was obtained as a white solid.

[0098] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-ώ) d (ppm) 13.50 (s, 1H), 8.74 (t, J= 5.9 Hz, 1H), 8.33 (s, 1H), 7.63 (dd, i = 1.8 Hz, J2 = 0.9 Hz, 1H), 7.11 (s, 1H), 6.47 - 6.35 (m, 2H), 4.60 (d, = 5.8 Hz, 2H), 2.72 (s, 6H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for C14H14CIN2O5S [M-H] :

357.0312, found: 357.0311.

[0099] 4-Chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl) amino)-5-(/V-(4-methoxy benzyl) sulfamoyl) benzoic acid (31, WW063)

[00100] According to the General Procedures A and B, the title compound (167 mg, 21% over 2 steps) was obtained as a white solid.

[00101] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-ώ) d (ppm) 13.35 (s, 1H), 8.64 (t, J = 5.9 Hz, 1H), 8.23 (s, 1H), 8.02 (t, J= 6.2 Hz, 1H), 7.63 (s, 1H), 7.08 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 6.97 (s, 1H), 6.73 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 6.46 - 6.32 (m, 2H), 4.56 (d, J = 5.8 Hz, 2H), 3.94 (d, J = 6.2 Hz, 2H), 3.67 (s, 3H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for C20H18CIN2O6S [M-H] : 449.0574, found: 449.0575.

[00102] 4-Chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl) amino)-5-(/V-hexylsulfamoyl) benzoic acid (3m, WW064)

[00103] According to the General Procedures A and B, the title compound (561 mg, 74% over 2 steps) was obtained as a white solid.

[00104] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-ώ) d (ppm) 13.42 (s, 1H), 8.71 (s, 1H), 8.34 (s, 1H), 7.73 - 7.43 (m, 2H), 7.06 (s, 1H), 6.39 (dd, J\ = 14.0 Hz, Ji = 2.3 Hz, 2H), 4.57 (d, J =

5.5 Hz, 2H), 2.74 (q, = 6.5 Hz, 2H), 1.40 - 1.26 (m, 2H), 1.19 - 1.03 (m, 6H), 0.79 (t , J =

6.6 Hz, 3H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for C18H22CIN2O5S [M-H] : 413.0938, found: 413.0939.

[00105] 4-Chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl) amino)-5-(/V-(4-methylbenzyl) sulfamoyl) benzoic acid (3n, WW065)

[00106] According to the General Procedure A and B, the title compound (259 mg, 33% over 2 steps) was obtained as a white solid.

[00107] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-ώ) d (ppm) 9.84 (s, 1H), 8.32 (s, 1H), 7.87 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 1H), 7.62 (s, 1H), 7.14 - 6.97 (m, 4H), 6.82 (s, 1H), 6.46 - 6.27 (m, 2H), 4.46 (d, J = 4.9 Hz, 2H), 3.92 (d, J = 6.1 Hz, 2H), 2.22 (s, 3H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for C20H18CIN2O5S [M-H] : 433.0625, found: 433.0623.

[00108] 4-Chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl) amino)-5-(/V-phenylsulfamoyl) benzoic acid (3o, Compound 80)

[00109] According to the General Procedures A and B, the title compound (600 mg, 81% over 2 steps) was obtained as a white solid.

[00110] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-ώ) d (ppm) 13.49 (s, 1H), 10.35 (s, 1H), 8.70 (t, J= 5.8 Hz, 1H), 8.40 (s, 1H), 7.60 (dd, J\ = 1.9 Hz, Ji = 0.9 Hz, 1H), 7.26 - 7.17 (m, 2H), 7.10 - 6.92 (m, 4H), 6.43 - 6.30 (m, 2H), 4.54 (d, J = 5.7 Hz, 2H); HRMS (ESI, m/z)

Calculated for C18H14CIN2O5S [M-H] : 405.0312, found: 405.0312.

[00111] 4-ChloiO-5-(/V-cyclohexylsulfamoyl)-2-((fiiran-2-ylmethyl) amino) benzoic acid (3p, WW082)

[00112] According to the General Procedures A and B, the title compound (409 mg, 54% over 2 steps) was obtained as a white solid.

[00113] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-ώ) d (ppm) 13.45 (s, 1H), 8.70 (s, 1H), 8.37 (s, 1H), 7.67 - 7.50 (m, 2H), 7.06 (s, 1H), 6.48 - 6.32 (m, 2H), 4.57 (d, J = 5.5 Hz, 2H), 1.73 - 0.81 (m, 11H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for C18H20CIN2O5S [M-H] : 411.0783, found: 411.0783.

[00114] 4-Chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl) amino)-5-(piperidin-l-ylsulfonyl) benzoic acid (3q, WW096)

[00115] According to the General Procedures A and B, the title compound (466 mg, 64% over 2 steps) was obtained as a white solid.

[00116] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-ώ) d (ppm) 13.49 (s, 1H), 8.73 (s, 1H), 8.33 (s, 1H), 7.63 (s, 1H), 7.10 (s, 1H), 6.49 - 6.32 (m, 2H), 4.59 (d, J = 5.7 Hz, 2H), 3.06 (s, 4H), 1.66 - 1.30 (m, 6H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for C17H18CIN2O5S [M-H] : 397.0625, found: 397.0623.

[00117] 4-(2, 2, 2-Trifluoro- 1-hydroxy ethyl)benzonitrile (intermediate 4)

[00118] 4-Formylbenzonitrile (3.52 g, 26.84 mmol, 1 eq.) was dissolved in anhydrous THF (15 mL) and cooled to -20 °C. To this, TMSCF3 (6.4 mL, 32.21 mmol, 1.2 eq.) and TBAF (5.4 mL, 5.37 mmol, 0.2 eq.) were added, slowly. The mixture was stirred for 3 h followed by the addition of 1 mL of 1 M HC1 solution. The reaction was diluted with EtOAcTHO and layers separated. The organic layer was dried over N zSCL, fdtered, solvent removed under reduced pressure and subjected to column chromatography (hexanes-EtOAc 3: 1) to obtain the title compound (0.39 g, 73%) as a yellow solid. ^X H NMR (300 MHz, CDCL) d (ppm) 7.74 (d, J= 8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.64 (d, J= 7.7 Hz, 2H), 5.14 (p, J= 6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.73 (d, J= 4.3 Hz, 1H).

[00119] l-(4-(Aminomethyl)phenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethan-l-ol (intermediate 5)

[00120] Lithium aluminium hydride (0.045 g, 7.46 mmol, 1.5 eq.) was suspended in anhydrous THF (10 mL) and cooled to 0 °C. The reaction mixture was purged by Ar, before dropwise addition of 4-(2,2,2-trifluoro-l -hydroxy ethyl)benzonitrile (1.0 g, 4.97 mmol, 1 M in THF). The reaction was stirred for 2 h and quenched by addition of EtOAc/satd Na2C03 solution. L-tartrate tetrahydrate solution was added to decompose Al(OH)3 and the reaction was stirred for 16 h. The organic layer was extracted, dried over Na2S04, fdtered, solvent removed under reduced pressure. Flash chromatography (CH2Cb-MeOH 80:20) gave the title compound (580 mg, 57%) as a white solid.

[00121] Synthesis and Characterisation of Compounds of Formula II

Scheme 2.1 Synthesis of compounds 7 and 11

[00122] 2-Chloro-4-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)-5-(hydroxymethyl)-7V- methylbenzenesulfonamide (7, WW109)

[00123] Carboxylic acid 6 (100 mg, 0.29 mmol, 1 eq.) was dissolved in anhydrous

THF (3 mL). To this, a solution of Btb-THF (1 M in THF, 0.87 mL, 0.87 mmol, 3 eq.) was added and stirred overnight at 60 °C. The reaction was monitored using TLC. The reaction was diluted with EtOAc and washed with standard NaHCCb solution. The organic layer was dried over Na ₂ S04, fdtered, and solvent removed under reduced pressure. Flash

chromatography (hexanes-EtOAc 70:30) gave the title compound (77 mg, 80%) as a white solid.

[00124] R _f 0.2 (hexanes-EtOAc 65:35); *H NMR (300 MHz, CDCls) d (ppm) 7.74 (s, 1H), 7.41 (dd, Ji = 1.9 Hz, J ₂ = 0.9 Hz, 1H), 6.80 (s, 1H), 6.33 (m, 1H), 5.92 (s, 1H), 4.76 (d, J= 5.5 Hz, 1H), 4.71 (s, 2H), 4.41 (d, J= 5.6 Hz, 2H), 2.60 (d, J = 5.5 Hz, 3H), 1.74 (s, 1H). HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for CisHisClN^SNa [M+Na] ⁺ : 353.0339, found: 353.0341

[00125] 2-Chloi _O -5-foi myl-4-((fui an-2-ylmethyl)amino)-/V- methylbenzenesulfonamide (intermediate 8)

[00126] 2-Chloro-4-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)-5-(hydroxymethyl)-/V- methylbenzenesulfonamide (77 mg, 0.233 mmol, 1 eq.) was dissolved in DMF (2 mL) at 0 °C. To this, Dess-Martin periodinane (118.5 mg, 0.279 mmol, 1 eq.) was added, portion-wise and the reaction was stirred for 6 h, warming to room temperature. The reaction was monitored by TLC and when the starting material was consumed, the reaction was poured into EtOAc, washed with 1 : 1 10% Na ₂ S ₂ O.Vsatd NaHC03. The organic layer was dried over Na ₂ S04, fdtered, and solvent removed under reduced pressure. Flash chromatography (hexanes-EtOAc 70:30) afforded the title compound (50 mg, 66%) as a white solid. Rf 0.4 (hexanes-EtOAc 7:3).

[00127] tert- Butyl (5-chloro-2-formyl-4-(7V-methylsulfamoyl)phenyl)(furan-2- ylmethyl)carbamate (intermediate 9)

[00128] Aldehyde 8 (28 mg, 0.085 mmol, 1 eq.) was dissolved in anhydrous CH2CI2 (2 mL) and cooled to 0°C. To this, triethylamine (13 mg, 0.128 mmol, 1.5 eq.), B0C2O (37 mg, 0.170 mmol, 2 eq.), and DMAP (10 mg, 0.085 mmol, 1 eq.), were added. The reaction was stirred for 3 h, allowing to warm to room temperature. The reaction was diluted with CH2CI2 and washed with brine. The organic layer was dried over Na2SC>4, filtered, solvent removed under reduced pressure. Flash chromatography (hexanes -EtO Ac 7:3) gave the title compound (37 mg, 99%) as a yellow solid.

[00129] *H NMR (300 MHz, CDCb) d (ppm) 9.84 (d, J= 0.7 Hz, 1H), 9.15 (t, J= 5.5 Hz, 1H), 8.33 (s, 1H), 7.41 (dd, J= 1.9, 0.8 Hz, 1H), 6.90 (s, 1H), 6.37 (dd, J= 3.3, 1.9 Hz, 1H), 6.30 (dd, J= 3.2, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 4.49 (d, J= 5.7 Hz, 2H), 3.39 (s, 3H), 1.34 (s, 9H).

[00130] tert- Butyl (5-chloro-4-(N-methylsulfamoyl)-2-(2,2,2-trifluoro-l- hydroxyethyl)phenyl)(furan-2-ylmethyl)carbamate (intermediate 10)

[00131] Aldehyde 9 (36.5 mg, 0.085 mmol, 1 eq.) was dissolved in anhydrous THF (3 mL) and the mixture cooled to 0°C. To this, TMSCF3 (0.04 mL, 0.17 mmol, 2 eq.) and TBAF (1M in THF, 0.04 mL, 0.043 mmol, 0.5 eq.) were added, dropwise. The mixture was left to stir overnight, allowing to warm to room temperature. When TLC indicated consumption of aldehyde 9, water (1 mL) was added to the reaction and stirred for 1 h. The reaction was diluted with EtO Ac and washed with brine. The organic layer was dried over Na2S04, fdtered, solvent removed under reduced pressure. Flash chromatography (hexanes -EtO Ac 85: 15) gave the title compound (21 mg, 50%) as a white solid. Rf 0.25 (hexane-EtOAc 7:3).

[00132] 2-chloro-4-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)-7V-methyl-5-(2,2,2-trif luoro-l- hydroxyethyl)benzene sulfonamide (11, WW094)

[00133] tert- Butyl (5-chloro-4-(/V-methylsulfamoyl)-2-(2,2,2-trifluoro-l- hydroxy ethyl)phenyl)(furan-2-ylmethyl)carbamate (21 mg, 0.042 mmol) was dissolved in MeOH (2 mL) and 5 M HC1 (2 mL) was added. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 1 h before being diluted with EtOAc/ThO. The organic layers were combined, washed by brine, dried over Na2SC>4, and concentrated under reduced pressure. Column chromatography gave the title product (16 mg, 93%) as a white solid.

[00134] *H NMR (300 MHz, CDCls) d (ppm) 7.71 (s, 1H), 7.41 (dd, J\ = 1.9 Hz, Ji = 0.9 Hz, 1H), 6.78 (s, 1H), 6.39 - 6.24 (m, 3H), 5.10 (q, J= 7.3 Hz, 1H), 4.72 (t, J= 5.4 Hz, 1H), 4.39 (d, J = 5.6 Hz, 2H), 3.56 (s, 1H), 2.59 (d, J= 5.4 Hz, 3H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for [M-H] : 397.0237, found: 397.0238.

6 12

Scheme 2.2 Synthesis of compound 12

Scheme 2.3 Synthesis of compounds 13-15

[00135] 4-Chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)-5-(A ^/ -methylsulfamoyl)benzamide (13, WW101)

[00136] 4-Chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)-5-(/V-methylsulfamoyl)b enzoic acid 6

(800 mg, 2.3202 mmol, 1 eq.) and CDI (413.5 mg, 2.5522 mmol, 1.1 eq.) were dissolved in anhydrous THF (8 mL), under Ar. The mixture was stirred at 40°C and a yellow homogenous solution formed after 3 hours. The 28% NHtOH solution (0.5 mL, 2.784 mmol, 1.2 eq.) was then added to the mixture at room temperature and stirred for a further 2 hours. The mixture was diluted with EtOAc and washed with saturated NaHCCb. The organic layer and aq layer were separated, and aq layer extracted with further EtOAc. The organic extracts were combined and dried with Na2S04, and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. Flash chromatography (hexanes-EtOAc 70:30) gave the title compound (679 mg, 85%) as a white solid.

[00137] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-ώ) d (ppm) 8.89 (t , J = 5.8 Hz, 1H), 8.21 (s, 1H), 8.09 (s, 1H), 7.62 (d, J= 18 Hz, 1H), 7.46 (s, 1H), 7.23 (q, J= 4.9 Hz, 1H), 6.98 (s, 1H), 6.46 - 6.32 (m, 2H), 4.50 (d, J= 5.8 Hz, 2H), 2.39 (d, J= 4.9 Hz, 4H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for [M-H] : 342.0315, found: 342.0315.

[00138] 4-Chloi _O -2-((fiiran-2-ylmethyl)amino)-/V-methyl-5-(/V- methylsulfamoyl)benzamide (14, WW102)

[00139] 4-Chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)-5-(/V-methylsulfamoyl)b enzoic acid 6

(200 mg, 0.58 mmol, 1 eq.) and CDI (103.4 mg, 0.638 mmol, 1.1 eq.) were dissolved in THF (2 mL), under Ar. The mixture was stirred at 40°C and a yellow homogenous solution formed after 3 h. Methylamine solution (0.35 mL, 2M in THF, 1.2 eq.) was then added to the mixture at room temperature and stirred for a further 2 h. The mixture was diluted with EtOAc and washed with saturated NaHCCb. The organic layer and aq layer were separated and aq layer extracted with further EtOAc. The organic extracts were combined and dried with Na2S04, and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. Flash chromatography (hexanes-EtOAc 3: 1) gave the title compound (51 mg, 25%) as a white solid.

[00140] *H NMR (300 MHz, CDCls) d (ppm) 8.86 (s, 1H), 8.04 (s, 1H), 7.44 - 7.37 (m, 1H), 6.85 (s, 1H), 6.39 - 6.25 (m, 3H), 4.77 (q, J= 5.5 Hz, 1H), 4.41 (d, J= 5.6 Hz, 2H), 2.98 (d, J = 4.8 Hz, 3H), 2.61 (d, J= 5.4 Hz, 3H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for [M+H] ⁺ : 358.0628, found: 358.0634.

[00141] 4-Chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl) amino)-/V, /V-dimethyl-5-(N- methylsulfamoyl) benzamide (15, WW103)

[00142] 4-Chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)-5-(/V-methylsulfamoyl)b enzoic acid 6 (300 mg, 0.87 mmol, 1 eq.) and CDI (183 mg, 1.13 mmol, 1.2 eq.) were dissolved in anhydrous THF (3 mL), under Ar. The mixture was stirred at 40°C and a yellow homogenous solution formed after 3 h. The dimethylamine solution (0.6 mL, 2M in THF, 1.2 eq.) was then added to the mixture at room temperature and stirred for a further 2 h. The mixture was diluted with EtOAc and washed with satd NaHCOs solution. The organic layer and aq layer were separated and aq layer extracted with further EtOAc. The organic extracts were combined and dried with Na2S04, and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure.

Flash chromatography (hexanes-EtOAc 3: 1) gave the title compound (237 mg, 73%) as a white solid.

[00143] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-ώ) d (ppm) 7.84 (s, 1H), 7.39 (dd, J\ = 1.9 Hz, J ₂ = 0.8 Hz, 1H), 6.86 (s, 1H), 6.31 (m, 2H), 4.80 (s, 1H), 4.36 (s, 2H), 3.08 (s, 6H), 2.59 (s,

3H); HRMS (ESI, m/z ) Calculated for [M-H] : 370.0628, found: 370.0630.

Scheme 2.4 Synthesis of compound 19

[00144] 4-Chloro-2-fluoro-5-(N-methylsulfamoyl)benzamide (intermediate 16)

[00145] Intermediate 2c (800 mg, 3.01 mmol, 1 eq.) and CDI (633 mg, 3.91 mmol, 1.3 eq.) were dissolved in anhydrous THF (9 mL) under Ar. The mixture was stirred at 40°C and a yellow homogenous solution formed after 3 h. Ammonium hydroxide solution (28%, 0.8 mL, 1.3 eq.) was added at room temperature and stirred for a further 2 h. The mixture was diluted with EtOAc and washed with saturated NaHCCb solution. The layers were separated and aq layer was extracted with EtOAc. The organic extracts were combined and dried with Na2S04, and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. Flash chromatography (CTHCh-MeOH 95:5) gave the title compound (664 mg, 83%) as a white solid.

[00146] *H NMR (300 MHz, CDsOD) d (ppm) 8.46 (d, J= 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.62 (d, J = 10.1 Hz, 1H), 2.58 (s, 3H).

[00147] 2-Chloro-5-cyano-4-fluoro-7V-methylbenzenesulfonamide (intermediate 17)

[00148] 4-Chloro-2-fluoro-5-(V-methylsulfamoyl)benzamide 16 (50 mg, 0.188 mmol,

1 eq.) was dissolved in anhydrous DMF (1 mL) at 0°C. To this, cyanuric chloride (52 mg, 0.282 mmol, 1.5 eq.) was added and stirred for 3 h, warming to room temperature. The reaction mixture was then diluted with EtOAc/ThO. The organic layers were combined and washed with brine, dried over NazSCri and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. Flash chromatography (hexanes -EtO Ac 7:3) gave the title compound (44 mg, 94%) as a white solid.

[00149] 2-Chloro-5-cyano-4-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)-A ^/ - methylbenzenesulfonamide (intermediate 18)

[00150] 2-Chloro-5-cyano-4-fluoro-/V-methylbenzenesulfonamide 17 (114 mg, 0.460 mmol, 1 eq.) was dissolved in anhydrous DMF (2 mL) at 0°C. To this, furfurylamine (0.06 mL, 0.690 mmol, 1.5 eq.) and triethylamine (0.1 mL, 0.69 mL 1.5 eq.) were added. The reaction mixture was heated to 50°C for 16 h. The mixture was then diluted with EtOAc/FhO and layers separated. The pH of the aqueous phase was adjusted to 3 and extracted with EtO Ac. The organic layers were washed with brine, dried over Na2S04 and concentrated under reduced pressure. Flash chromatography (hexanes -EtO Ac 3: 1) gave the title compound (150 mg, 72%) as a white solid.

[00151] 2-Chloro-4-((furan-2-ylmethyl) amino)-/V-methyl-5-((l//-tetrazol-5-yl) benzenesulfonamide (19, WW121)

[00152] 2-Chloro-5-cyano-4-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)- V-methylbenzenesulfonamide 18 (107 mg, 0.328 mmol, 1 eq.), NaN3 (28 mg, 0.427 mmol, 1.3 eq.) and Et3N ^» HCl (59 mg, 0.427 mmol, 1.3 eq.) were dissolved in toluene (2 mL). The reaction was heated to 100 °C and stirred for 48 h. The reaction was then quenched with ThO and the layers were separated. The aq layer was extracted with EtOAc. The combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried over Na2SC>4 and concentrated under reduced pressure. Flash chromatography (hexanes-EtOAc-AcOH 3: 1:0.02) gave the title compound (120 mg, 99%) as a white solid.

[00153] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-ώ) d (ppm) 8.59 (s, 1H), 8.47 (s, 1H), 7.64 (s, 1H), 7.41 (d, J= 5.1 Hz, 1H), 7.21 (s, 1H), 6.43 (s, 2H), 4.69 (d, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 2.43 (d, J = 4.9 Hz, 3H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for C13H12CIN6O3S [M-H] : 367.0380, found: 367.0381.

Scheme 2.5 Synthesis of compound 21

[00154] 4-Chloi _O -2-((fiiran-2-ylmethyl)amino)-/V'-hydi _O xy-5-(/V- methylsulfamoyl)benzimidamide (intermediate 20)

[00155] 2-Chloro-5-cyano-4-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)-/V-methylbenzen esulfonamide 18 (127.2 mg, 0.391 mmol, 1 eq.) was dissolved in EtOH (2 mL). In a separate flask, the hydroxylamine hydrochloride (55 mg, 0.782 mmol, 2 eq.) was dissolved in NaHCCb solution (100 mg, 1.2 M, 3 eq.). This solution was then added to the reaction mixture and heated to reflux for 16 h. The reaction mixture was then diluted with EtOAc/EhO and the layers were separated. The organic layers were combined, dried over Na2SC>4 and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude product was used directly in the next step without further purification.

[00156] 2-Chloro-4-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)-7V-methyl-5-(5-oxo-2,5- dihydro- l,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)benzenesulfonamide (21, WW187)

[00157] To a stirred solution of intermediate 4-chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)-/V'- hydroxy-5-(/V-methylsulfamoyl)benzi midamide 20 (64 mg, 0.1882 mmol, 1 eq.) in 1,4- dioxane (1 mL) was added CDI (45.8 mg, 0.282 mmol, 1.5 eq.) and DBU (31.5 mg, 0.207 mmol, 1.1 eq.). The reaction was heated to reflux for 16 h before being diluted with

EtOAc/EhO. The layers were separated and the pH of aq layer was adjusted to 5. The aq layer was then extracted with EtOAc and the organic layers were combined, washed with brine, dried over Na2SC>4 and concentrated under reduced pressure. Flash chromatography (CH2CI2- MeOH 95:5) gave the title compound (62 mg, 86%) as a white solid.

[00158] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6 d (ppm) 13.23 (s, 1H), 8.18 - 8.11 (m, 1H), 7.63 (d, J= 1.4 Hz, 2H), 7.44 - 7.34 (m, 1H), 7.16 (s, 1H), 6.46 - 6.36 (m, 2H), 4.63 (d, J = 5.6 Hz, 2H), 2.41 (d, J= 4.9 Hz, 3H); HRMS (ESI, m/z ) Calculated for C14H14CIN4O5S [M+H] ⁺ : 383.0217, found: 383.0211.

[00159] Synthesis and Characterisation of Compounds of Formula III

Scheme 3.1 Preparation of Compounds 22-24 (Formula Illb)

Scheme 3.2 Preparation of Compounds 25-33 (Formula Illb)

Scheme 3.3 Preparation of Compounds 36-42 (Formula Ilia) [00160] General Procedure C for Synthesis of Compounds 22-24.

[00161] The appropriate benzoic acid (1 eq.), furfurylamine (2 eq,), Cul (0.1 eq,), K2CO3 (2 eq.) and /V,/V-dimethylglycein (0.2 eq.) were dissolved in DMSO (0.3 M). The reaction was heated to 40 °C for 12 h before being diluted with EtOAc/1 M HC1 solution. The layers were separated and the pH of aq layer was adjusted to 3. The aq layer was then extracted with EtOAc and the organic layers were combined, washed with brine, dried over Na2S04, and concentrated under reduced pressure. Column chromatography gave the desired compounds 22-25 (34- 71%).

[00162] General Procedure D for Synthesis of Compounds 25-33.

[00163] 2-Fluoro-4-chlorobenzoic acid or 2-fluoro-4-methoxybenzoic acid (1 eq.) was dissolved in DMSO (0.2 M) under argon. The corresponding amine (1.5 eq.) and NJV- diisopropylethylamine (3 eq.) were added to the reaction mixture. The reaction was heated to 120 °C and stirred for 16 h. The reaction was allowed to cool to rt before diluting with EtOAc and water. The aqueous layer was acidified with 1M HC1 and extracted with EtOAc (x3). The combined organic layers were washed with water, dried over Na2S04, filtered, the solvent removed under reduced pressure and purified through column chromatography (hexanes- EtOAc-AcOH 80: 19: 1) to obtain the desired products (5-36%).

[00164] General Procedure E for Synthesis of Compounds 34a-34d.

[00165] The appropriate benzaldehyde (1 eq.) was dissolved in anhydrous THF (0.3 M) and cooled to -20 °C. To this, TMSCF3 (1.2 eq.) and TBAF (0.2 eq.) were added, slowly. The reaction was allowed to attain room temperature and stirred for 3 h followed by the addition of 1 mL of 1M HC1 solution. The mixture was then diluted with EtOAc/H20 and the layers were separated. The organic layer was dried over Na2S04, filtered, solvent removed under reduced pressure. Column chromatography gave the desired compounds 34a-34b (53-88%).

[00166] General Procedure F for Synthesis of Compounds 35a-35d.

[00167] Method I (Synthesis of 35a and 35d): Intermediates 35a and 35d (1 eq.) were dissolved in MeOH (0.3 M) and Pd-C (1 mmol starting material with 20 - 30 mg Pb-C) was added. To this, 15 psi ¾ was applied to the reaction mixture with oscillation shaking for 4 h. The reaction was monitored by TLC. After TLC indicated consumption of starting material, the reaction mixture was filtered through celite and quenched by satd ammonium chloride. The layers were separated and the aqueous phase was extracted with EtOAc. The combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried over Na2SC>4 and concentrated under reduced pressure to afford intermediate compounds 35a and 35d (77-86%) as white solids. The crude products were used directly in the next step without further purification.

[00168] Method II (Synthesis of 35b and 35c): Fe powder (100 eq.), and NFUCl powder (50 eq.) were dissolved in EtOH (0.05 M) and placed in a flask with reflux condenser. The mixture was then heated to reflux. In a separate flask, intermediates 35b and 35c (1 eq.), was dissolved in EtOH (0.1 M). The EtOH solution was then added to the reaction mixture and stirred. The reaction was monitored by TLC. After TLC indicated consumption of starting material, the reaction mixture was filtered and quenched by satd ammonium chloride. The layers were separated and the aq phase was extracted with EtOAc. The combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried over Na2S04 and concentrated under reduced pressure to afford intermediate compounds 35b and 35c (49-71%) as white solids. The crude products were used directly in the next step without further purification.

[00169] General Procedure G for Synthesis of Compounds 36-42.

[00170] Anilines 35a-35d (1 eq.) were dissolved in anhydrous 1,2-dichloroethane (0.3 M), under Ar. Following the addition of appropriate aldehyde (2 eq.) and AcOH (0.5 eq.), the reaction was stirred at 60 °C for 1 h. Na(OAcTBH (1.5 eq.) was then added to the reaction and stirred for 16 h. The reaction solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the crude residue was resuspended in EtOH. NaBH4 (4 eq.) was added and stirred at 60 °C for 1 h. The reaction was quenched with EtOAcTHO and the layers were separated. The aq phase was extracted with EtOAc. The combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried over Na2S04, and concentrated under reduced pressure. Column chromatography gave the compounds 36-42 (29-67%).

[00171] 4-Fluoro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl) amino)benzoic acid (22, WW071)

[00172] According to the General Procedure C, the title compound (431 mg, 71%) was obtained as a white solid.

[00173] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) d (ppm) 12.79 (s, 1H), 8.34 (s, 1H), 7.84 (dd, J\ = 8.8 Hz, J2 = 7.1 Hz, 1H), 7.66 - 7.54 (m, 1H), 6.65 (dd, J\ = 12.7 Hz, J2 = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.45 - 6.32 (m, 3H), 4.45 (d, J= 5.1 Hz, 2H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for C12H9FNO3 [M-H] : 234.0566, found: 234.0567.

[00174] 4-Chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl) amino) benzoic acid (23, Compound WW001)

[00175] According to the General Procedure C, the title compound (151 mg, 34%) was obtained as a white solid.

[00176] *H NMR (300 MHz, CDCls) d (ppm) 8.05 (s, 1H), 7.92 (d, J= 8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.41 (dd, J\ = 1.9 Hz, Ji = 0.8 Hz, 1H), 6.78 (d, J= 2.0 Hz, 1H), 6.64 (dd, J\ = 8.6 Hz, Ji = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 6.40 - 6.25 (ddd, J\ = 24.3Hz, Ji = 3.2 Hz, Js = 1.4 Hz, 1H), 4.44 (d, J= 4.1 Hz, 2H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for C12H9CINO3 [M-H] : 250.0271, found 250.0271.

[00177] 4-Bromo-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl) amino) benzoic acid (24, WW073)

[00178] According to the General Procedure C, the title compound (188 mg, 46%) was obtained as a white solid. [00179] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) d (ppm) 12.96 (s, 1H), 8.25 (s, 1H), 7.69 (d, J= 8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.64 - 7.54 (m, 1H), 7.03 (d, J = 1.6 Hz, 1H), 6.74 (dd, J\ = 8.5 Hz, J2 = 1.6 Hz, 1H), 6.45 - 6.29 (m, 2H), 4.48 (s, 2H); ESI-HRMS Calculated for Ci^BrNOs [M-H] : 293.9766, found: 293.9766.

[00180] 2-((Furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)-4-methoxybenzoic acid (25)

[00181] According to the General Procedure D, using 2-fluoro-4-methoxybenzoic acid (0.57 g, 3.3 mmol) and 2-furan-2-yl-ethylamine (0.46 mL, mmol), the title compound (91 mg, 5 %) was obtained as a white solid.

[00182] *H NMR (300 MHz, Acetone-ώ) d 8.35 (s, 1H), 7.86 (dd, J = 9.0, 0.8 Hz,

1H), 7.50 (dd, J = 1.9, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 6.37 (ddd, J = 9.0, 3.6, 2.1 Hz, 3H), 6.22 (ddd, J = 8.9,

2.5, 0.8 Hz, 1H), 4.48 (d, J = 5.4 Hz, 2H), 3.82 (d, J = 0.8 Hz, 3H); ¹³ C NMR (75 MHz, Acetone-ώ) d 169.9, 165.6, 142.7, 134.4, 110.9, 107.6, 104.1, 102.9, 95.9, 55.2, 40.1. ESI- HRMS Calculated for C13H14NO4 [M-H] ⁺ : 248.0923 found: 248.0928. Purity by HPLC:

99.0 % (/R = 10.9 min).

[00183] 4-Chloro-2-((2-(furan-2-yl)ethyl)amino)benzoic acid (26)

[00184] According to the General Procedure D, using 2-fluoro-4-chlorobenzoic acid (0.1 g, 0.57 mmol) and 2-furan-2-yl-ethylamine (0.096 g, 0.86 mmol), the title compound (54 mg, 36%) was obtained as a white solid.

[00185] Rf 0.29 (hexanes -EtO Ac 50:50); *H NMR (300 MHz, Acetone-r e) d 8.11 (s, 1H), 7.88 (d, = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (d, J= 1.9 Hz, 1H), 6.79 (d, = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 6.58 (dd, J = 8.5, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 6.33 (dd, .7= 3.2, 1.9 Hz, 1H), 6.20 (d, = 3.2 Hz, 1H), 3.53 (d, = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 3.00 (t, J = 6.8 Hz, 2H); ¹³ C NMR (75 MHz, Acetone) d 169.8, 153.9, 152.9, 142.4, 141.2, 134.4, 115.2, 111.4, 111.1, 109.4, 107.2, 42.0, 28.3; ESI-HRMS calcd for C13H11CINO3 264.0427, found m/z 264.0431 [M-H] ; Purity by HPLC: 98.93% (fe = 12.05 min).

[00186] 4-Chloro-2-((3-(furan-2-yl)propyl)amino)benzoic acid (27)

[00187] According to the General Procedure D, using 2-fluoro-4-chlorobenzoic acid (0.1 g, 0.57 mmol) and 2-(2-furyl)-l -propanamine (0.11 g, 0.86 mmol), the title compound (48 mg, 30%) was obtained as an off-white solid.

[00188] i?/0.38 (hexanes -EtO Ac 50:50); *H NMR (300 MHz, Acetone-fife) d 8.09 (s,

1H), 7.89 (d, = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.42 (d, J= 1.9 Hz, 1H), 6.74 (d, .7= 2.1 Hz, 1H), 6.57 (dd, J = 8.5, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 6.32 (dd, .7= 3.2, 1.9 Hz, 1H), 6.11 (d, = 3.2 Hz, 1H), 3.29 (t, J= 7.0 Hz, 2H), 2.77 (t, J= 7.5 Hz, 2H), 2.03 - 1.94 (m, 2H); ¹³ C NMR (75 MHz, Acetone) d 170.0, 155.9, 153.1, 142.0, 141.2, 134.5, 115.0, 111.4, 111.0, 109.3, 106.1, 42.5, 28.1, 25.9; ESI- HRMS calcd for C14H13CINO3 278.0584, found m/z 278.0586 [M-H] ; Purity by HPLC: 99.74% (fe = 12.48 min).

[00189] 4-Chloro-2-((furan-3-ylmethyl)amino)benzoic acid (28)

[00190] According to the General Procedure D, using 2-fluoro-4-chlorobenzoic acid (0.1 g, 0.57 mmol) and 3-furylmethylamine (0.08 mL, 0.86 mmol), the title compound (46 mg, 32%) was obtained as a white solid.

[00191] Rf 0.33 (hexanes-EtOAc-AcOH 50:49: 1); *H NMR (300 MHz, Acetone-fife) d 8.24 (s, 1H), 7.90 (d, = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.61 (dd, .7= 1.7, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 7.55 (t, J= 1.7 Hz, 1H), 6.85 (d, = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 6.61 (dd, J= 8.5, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 6.52 (dd, J= 1.9, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 4.36 (d, = 4.5 Hz, 2H); ¹³ C NMR (75 MHz, Acetone-fife) d 169.9, 152.8, 144.6, 141.1, 141.1, 134.4, 123.7, 115.5, 111.8, 111.0, 109.6, 38.5; ESI-HRMS calcd for C12H11CINO3 252.0427, found m/z 252.0422 [M+H] ⁺ ; Purity by HPLC: 100% (fe = 11.65 min).

[00192] 2-((Furan-3-ylmethyl)amino)-4-methoxybenzoic acid (29)

[00193] According to the General Procedure D, using 2-fluoro-4-methoxybenzoic acid (0.4 g, 2.16 mmol) and 3-furylmethylamine (0.3 mL, 3.25 mmol), the title compound (60 mg, 12 %) was obtained as a white solid.

[00194] *H NMR (300 MHz, Acetone-fife) d 8.22 (s, 1H), 7.87 (d, J= 8.9 Hz, 1H), 7.60 (t, J= 1.1 Hz, 1H), 7.54 (t, J= 1.8 Hz, 1H), 6.52 (dd, J= 1.8, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 6.30 (d, .7= 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.22 (dd, J= 8.9, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 4.32 (s, 2H), 3.82 (s, 3H); ¹³ C NMR (75 MHz, Acetone) d 170.2, 165.8, 153.9, 144.3, 140.9, 134.5, 123.9, 110.9, 104.1, 102.8, 95.9, 55.4, 38.3; ESI-HRMS: Calculated for C13H14NO4 [M-H] ⁺ : 248.0923; found: 248.0928. Purity by HPLC: 99.5% (fe = 10.8 min).

[00195] 4-Chloro-2-((thiophen-2-ylmethyl)amino)benzoic acid (30)

[00196] According to the General Procedure D, using 2-fluoro-4-chlorobenzoic acid (0.2 g, 1.15 mmol) and 2-thiophenemethylamine (0.18 mL, 1.72 mmol), the title compound (75 mg, 24%) was obtained as an off- white solid.

[00197] i?/0.4 (hexanes-EtOAc-AcOH 50:49: 1); *H NMR (300 MHz, Acetone-fife) d

8.48 (s, 1H), 7.92 (d, = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.36 (dd, J= 5.1, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 7.12 (dt, J= 3.4, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 7.00 (dd, J= 5.1, 3.5 Hz, 1H), 6.87 (d, .7= 2.0 Hz, 1H), 6.63 (dd, J= 8.5, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 4.74 (d, = 4.7 Hz, 2H); ¹³ C NMR (75 MHz, Acetone) d 169.8, 152.5, 143.1, 141.0, 134.4, 127.8, 126.2, 125.7, 115.9, 112.1, 109.9, 42.4; ESI-HRMS calcd for C12H9CINO2S

266.0043, found m/z 266.0049 [M-H] ; Purity by HPLC: 99.9% (fe = 12.01 min).

[00198] 2-(Benzylamino)-4-chlorobenzoic acid (31)

[00199] According to the General Procedure D, using 2-fluoro-4-chlorobenzoic acid (0.2 g, 1.15 mmol) and benzylamine (0.19 mL, 1.72 mmol), the title compound (94 mg, 31%) was obtained as a white solid.

[00200] R _f 0.4 (hexanes-EtOAc-AcOH 50: 19: 1); Ή NMR (300 MHz, Acetone-r/e) d 11.17 (s, 1H), 8.47 (s, 1H), 7.92 (d, J= 8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.46 - 7.33 (m, 4H), 7.30 - 7.23 (m, 1H), 6.74 (d, J= 2.0 Hz, 1H), 6.60 (dd, J= 8.5, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 4.58 - 4.45 (m, 2H);

[00201] 2-(Benzylamino)-4-methoxybenzoic acid (32)

[00202] According to the General Procedure D, using 2-fluoro-4-methoxybenzoic acid (0.4 g, 2.16 mmol) and benzylamine (0.54 mL, 5 mmol), the title compound (40 mg, 5 %) was obtained as a white solid.

[00203] *H NMR (300 MHz, CDCls) d 8.21 (s, 1H), 7.94 (dd, J= 8.9, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 7.40 - 7.27 (m, 5H), 6.21 (dt, = 8.9, 1.9 Hz, 1H), 6.06 (d, = 2.3 Hz, 1H), 4.47 (s, 2H), 3.73 (d, J= 1.4 Hz, 3H); ¹³ C NMR (75 MHz, CDCls) d 173.6 (C=0), 165.6 (Car-O), 153.6 (Car- N), 138.7 (C _ar -CH ₂ ), 134.7 (Car-H), 128.8 (Car-H), 127.3 (Car-H), 127.1 (Car-H), 102.8 (Car- H), 95.7 (C _ar -COOH), 55.2 (OCHs), 47.1 (CH ₂ ); ESI-HRMS Calculated for CisHieNOs [M+H] ⁺ 258.1085, found 258.1151; Purity by HPLC: 98.9% (fe = 11.4 min).

[00204] 4-Chloro-2-(phenethylamino)benzoic acid (33)

[00205] According to the General Procedure D, using 2-fluoro-4-chlorobenzoic acid (0.2 g, 1.15 mmol) and phenylethylamine (0.22 mL, 1.72 mmol), the title compound (94 mg, 31%) was obtained as a white solid.

[00206] Rf 0.32 (hexanes -EtO Ac- AcOH 50:49: 1); *H NMR (300 MHz, Acetone-r e) d 8.08 (s, 1H), 7.88 (d, J= 8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.40 - 7.27 (m, 4H), 7.21 (td, J= 6.4, 5.9, 2.5 Hz, 1H), 6.80 (d, = 2.0 Hz, 1H), 6.58 (dd, J= 8.6, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 3.50 (t, .7= 7.2 Hz, 2H), 2.98 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 2H); ¹³ C NMR (75 MHz, Acetone) d 169.8, 152.9, 141.2, 140.2, 134.4, 129.7, 129.3, 127.2, 115.1, 111.5, 109.3, 44.9, 35.8; ESI-HRMS calcd for C15H15CINO2 276.0791, found m/z 276.0808 [M+H] ⁺ ; Purity by HPLC: 98.3% (fe = 12.64 min).

[00207] 2,2,2-Trifbioro-l-(4-fluoro-2-nitrophenyl)ethan-l-ol (intermediate 34a)

[00208] According to the General Procedure E, the title compound (945 mg, 88%) was obtained as a yellow solid.

[00209] *H NMR (300 MHz, CDCls) d (ppm) 7.99 (dd, J= 8.9, 5.5 Hz, 1H), 7.77 (dd, J= 8.2, 2.7 Hz, 1H), 7.46 (ddd, J= 9.2, 7.2, 2.7 Hz, 1H), 6.17 (p, J= 5.9 Hz, 1H), 2.92 (dt, J = 5.4, 1.0 Hz, 1H).

[00210] l-(4-Chloro-2-nitrophenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethan-l-ol (intermediate 34b)

[00211] According to the General Procedure E, the title compound (145 mg, 53%) was obtained as a yellow solid. [00212] *H NMR (300 MHz, CDCls) d (ppm) 8.05 (d, J= 2.2 Hz, 1H), 7.94 (d, J= 8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.72 (dd, = 8.5, 2.2 Hz, 1H), 6.18 (p, J= 5.9 Hz, 1H), 2.93 (d, = 5.4 Hz, 1H).

[00213] l-(4-Bromo-2-nitrophenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethan-l-ol (intermediate 34c)

[00214] According to the General Procedure E, the title compound (870 mg, 61%) was obtained as a yellow solid.

[00215] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) d (ppm) 8.19 (t, J= 1.2 Hz, 1H), 7.87 (d, J = 1.3 Hz, 2H), 6.16 (p, = 5.9 Hz, 1H), 2.92 (d, J= 5.4 Hz, 1H).

[00216] 2,2,2-Trifluoro- l-(4-methoxy-2-nitrophenyl)ethan- l-ol (intermediate 34d)

[00217] According to the General Procedure E, the title compound (305 mg, 84%) was obtained as a yellow solid.

[00218] *H NMR (300 MHz, CDCls) d (ppm) 7.84 (d, J= 8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.52 (d, J= 2.7 Hz, 1H), 7.23 (dd, .7= 8.8, 2.7 Hz, 1H), 6.05 (p, J= 6.1 Hz, 1H), 3.90 (s, 3H).

[00219] l-(2-Amino-4-fluorophenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethan-l-ol (intermediate 35a)

[00220] According to the General Procedure F, Method I, the title compound (360 mg, 86%) was obtained as a white solid. Rf 0.25 (hexanes-EtOAc 85: 15).

[00221] l-(2-Amino-4-chlorophenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethan-l-ol (intermediate 35b)

[00222] According to the General Procedure F, Method II, the title compound (149 mg, 49%) was obtained as a white solid. Rf 0.3 (hexane-EtOAc 85: 15).

[00223] l-(2-Amino-4-bromophenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethan-l-ol (intermediate 35c)

[00224] According to the General Procedure F, Method II, the title compound (329 mg, 71%) was obtained as a white solid. Rf 0.25 (hexanes-EtOAc 85: 15).

[00225] l-(2-Amino-4-methoxyphenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethan-l-ol (intermediate 35d)

[00226] According to the General Procedure F, Method I, the title compound (177 mg, 77%) was obtained as a white solid. Rf 0.1 (hexane-EtOAc 4: 1).

[00227] 2, 2, 2-Trifluoro-l-(4-fluoro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl) amino)phenyl) ethan-1- ol (36, WW011)

[00228] According to the General Procedure G, the title compound (103 mg, 67%) was obtained as a white solid. [00229] *H NMR (300 MHz, CDCls) d (ppm) 7.38 (dd, J\ = 1.9 Hz, J2 = 0.8 Hz, 1H), 7.14 (dd, J\ = 8.3 Hz, J2 = 6.4 Hz, 1H), 6.53 - 6.39 (m, 2H), 6.34 (dd, J\ = 3.2 Hz, J2 = 1.9 Hz, 1H), 6.25 (dd, i = 3.2 Hz, ₂ = 0.9 HZ, lH), 5.22 (s, 1H), 5.06 (q, = 7.4 Hz, 1H), 4.31 (s, 2H), 2.89 (s, 1H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for C13H12F4NO2 [M+H] ⁺ : 290.0804, found: 290.0997.

[00230] l-(4-Chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl) amino) phenyl)-2, 2, 2-trifluoroethan-l- ol (37, WW013)

^[00231] According to the General Procedure G, the title compound (55 mg, 58%) was obtained as a white solid.

[00232] *H NMR (300 MHz, CDCb) d (ppm) 7.39 (m, 1H), 7.10 (d, J= 8.1 Hz, 1H), 6.83 - 6.68 (m, 2H), 6.34 (dd, J\ = 3.3 Hz, J ₂ = 1.9 Hz, 1H), 6.25 (d, J= 3.2 Hz, 1H), 5.22 - 4.92 (m, 2H), 4.32 (s, 2H), 2.95 (s, 1H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for C13H12CIF3NO2 [M+H] ⁺ : 306.0509, found: 306.0504.

[00233] l-(4-Bromo-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl) amino) phenyl)-2, 2, 2-trifluoroethan-l- ol (38, WW016)

^[00234] According to the General Procedure G, the title compound (84 mg, 50%) was obtained as a white solid.

[00235] *H NMR (300 MHz, CDCls) d (ppm) 7.39 (s, 1H), 7.04 (d, J= 8.1 Hz, 1H), 6.96 - 6.85 (m, 2H), 6.38 - 6.21 (m, 2H), 5.21 - 4.96 (m, 2H), 4.32 (d, J= 5.2 Hz, 2H), 2.98 (s, 1H).

[00236] 2, 2, 2-trifluoro-l-(2-((furan-2-ylmethyl) amino)-4-methoxyphenyl) ethan- l-ol (39, WW003)

^[00237] According to the General Procedure G, the title compound (32 mg, 29%) was obtained as a white solid.

[00238] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) d (ppm) 7.56 (dd, J\= 1 Hz, Ji = 1.77 Hz, 1H), 7.16 (d, J= 8.2 Hz, 1H), 6.72 (d, J= 5.4 Hz, 1H), 6.37 (dd, J\ = 3.2 Hz, Ji = 1.8 Hz, 1H), 6.24 (d, .7= 3.1 Hz, 1H), 6.22 - 6.15 (m, 2H), 6.11 (t, 1H), 5.34 - 5.16 (m, 1H), 4.29 (d, J= 5.8 Hz, 2H), 3.66 (s, 3H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for C14H15F3NO3 [M+H] ⁺ :

302.1004, found 302.0989.

[00239] l-(4-Chloro-2-((thiazol-4-ylmethyl) amino) phenyl)2, 2, 2-trifluoroethan- l-ol (40, WW021)

[00240] According to the General Procedure G, the title compound (65 mg, 65%) was obtained as a white solid.

[00241] *H NMR (300 MHz, CDCb) d (ppm) 8.73 (s, 1H), 7.26 (s, 1H), 7.03 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 6.68 (d, = 8.9 Hz, 2H), 5.73 (s, 1H), 5.05 (q, = 7.4 Hz, 2H), 4.47 (s, 2H); HRMS (ESI, m/z): Calculated for C12H9CIF3N2OS [M-H] : 321.0076, found: 321.0077.

[00242] l-(4-Bromo-2-((thiazol-4-ylmethyl) amino) phenyl)-2, 2, 2-trofluoroethan- l-ol (41, WW017)

^[00243] According to the General Procedure G, the title compound (41 mg, 50%) was obtained as a white solid.

[00244] *HNMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) d (ppm) 9.08 (d, J= 1.9 Hz, 1H), 7.35 (d, J = 1.9 Hz, 1H), 7.21 (d, = 8.2 Hz, 1H), 6.95 (d, .7= 5.3 Hz, 1H), 6.81 - 6.65 (m, 2H), 6.57 (t, J = 5.9 Hz, 1H), 5.38 (p, J= 6.9 Hz, 1H), 4.47 (d, J= 5.8 Hz, 2H); HRMS (ESI, m/z):

Calculated for Ci2H9BrF ₃ N ₂ OS [M-H] : 364.9571, found: 364.9569.

[00245] 2, 2, 2-Trifluoro-l-(4-methoxy-2-(((thiazol-4-ylmethyl) amino) phenyl) ethan-l-ol (42, WW005)

^[00246] According to the General Procedure G, the title compound (75 mg, 47%) was obtained as a white solid.

[00247] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) d (ppm) 9.06 (d, J= 1.9 Hz, 1H), 7.34 (d, J = 1.9 Hz, 1H), 7.15 (d, = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 6.72 (d, = 5.4 Hz, 1H), 6.26 (s, 1H), 6.17 (dd, J\ = 8.5 Hz, Ji = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.07 (d, J= 2.4 Hz, 1H), 5.34 - 5.20 (m, 1H), 4.56 - 4.29 (m, 1H), 3.61 (s, 3H); HRMS (ESI, m/z ) Calculated for C13H14F3N2O2S [M+H] ⁺ : 319.0728, found 319.0729. [00248] Synthesis and Characterisation of Compounds of Formula IV

48a-g 47a-g 46a-g

Scheme 2.1 General scheme for synthesis of Series IV compounds

[00249] General Procedure H for Preparation of Compounds 46a-46g

[00250] Intermediate 45 (1 eq.) was dissolved SOCk (5 eq.) and heated to 60 °C for 3 h. The thionyl chloride was then removed in vacuo and got a yellow solid. The solid was then resuspended in anhydrous THF (0.3 M) and cooled to 0°C. To this, the appropriate amine (1.2 eq.) was added to reaction and stirred at 0 °C for 2 h before quenched by satd NaHCCri solution. The layers were then extracted with EtOAc. The organic extracts were combined and washed with brine, dried over Na2SC>4 and concentrated under reduced pressure. Flash chromatography gave the desired compounds 9a-9g (81-91%) as white solids.

[00251] General Procedure I for Preparation of Compounds 47a-47g

[00252] Intermediates 46a-46g (1 eq.) were dissolved in anhydrous DMF (0.3 M). To this, furfurylamine (3 eq.) and triethylamine (3 eq.) were added and stirred at 80 °C for 16 h before being diluted with EtOAc/FkO. The layers were separated and the organic layers were combined. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over Na2SC>4 and concentrated under reduced pressure. Flash chromatography gave intermediates 47a-47g (20-73%) as white solids. [00253] General Procedure J for Preparation of Compounds 48a-48g

[00254] Intermediates 47a-47g (1 eq.) were dissolved in anhydrous THF (0.3 M). To this, 2 M NaOH was added until the pH was adjusted to 9. The reaction mixture was then stirred at room temperature for 2 h before being diluted with EtOAc. The layers were separated and the pH of aqueous phase was adjusted to 3. The organic layers were combined and washed with brine, dried over Na2SC>4 and concentrated under reduced pressure. Flash chromatography give compounds 48a-48g (36-93%) as white solids.

[00255] 4-Chloro-2-fluoro-5-iodobenzoic acid (intermediate 43)

[00256] 4-Chloro-2-fluorobenzoic acid (5 g, 28.6 mmol, 1 eq.) was dissolved in concentrated sulfuric acid (50 mL) at 0 °C. To this, /V-iodosuccinimide (7 g, 31.5 mmol, 1.1 eq.) was added, portion-wise. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0 °C at 4 h. The reaction was then warmed up to room temperature and poured onto water (120 mL). 1 N sodium thiosulfate (40 mL) was added. The precipitate was washed with water and dried. The crude residue was resuspended in hot 1 : 1 ethanol: water. The yellow precipitate was discarded. Additional water was added, and the white precipitate was collected and dried to afford the title product (7.09 g, 83%) as a white solid.

[00257] *H NMR (300 MHz, CDCb) d (ppm) 13.62 (s, 1H), 8.30 (dd, J= 7.9, 3.7 Hz, 1H), 7.75 (dd, J= 10.6, 3.7 Hz, 1H); HRMS (ESI m/z) Calculated for C7H2CIFIO2 [M-H] : 298.8722, found: 298.8773.

[00258] Methyl 4-chloro-2-fluoro-5-iodobenzoate (intermediate 44)

[00259] Intermediate 43 (3.9 g, 12.9534 mmol, 1 eq.) was dissolved in MeOH (40 mL). To this, SOCI2 (5 mL, 5 eq.) was slowly added at 0 °C. The reaction mixture was refluxed at 70 °C for 2 h before cooling to room temperature. MeOH was removed in vacuo and the resulting residue was poured onto an ice-water mixture and extracted with EtOAc. The combined organic extracts were washed with satd NaHCOs solution, dried over Na2S04, and concentrated under reduced pressure to afford the title product (3.55 g, 87 %) as a white solid. The product was directly applied to next steps without purification.

[00260] *H NMR (300 MHz, CDCb) d (ppm) 8.41 (d, J= 7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.30 (d, J = 10.1 Hz, 1H), 3.94 (s, 3H).

[00261] 2-Chloro-4-fluoro-5-(methoxycarbonyl)benzoic acid (intermediate 45)

[00262] Intermediate 44 (3.6 g, 1 eq.) was dissolved in anhydrous THF (35 mL) under Ar and cooled to -40 °C. /-PrMgBr (18 mL, 0.75 M, 1.2 eq.) was added and stirred at -40 °C for 2 h. The reaction system was then evacuated and purged with dry CO2 and stirred for another 16 h before being diluted with EtOAc/LLO. The pH of the aqueous phase was adjusted to 3 and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layers were washed with brine, dried over Na2S04 and concentrated under reduced pressure. Column chromatography (hexanes- EtOAc-AcOH 4: 1 :0.05) gave the title compound 45 (2.61 g, 82%) as a white solid.

[00263] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) d (ppm) 13.77 (s, 1H), 8.34 (dd, J = 7.9, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.76 (d, J= 10.7 Hz, 1H), 3.87 (s, 3H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for

C9H5CIFO4 [M+H] ⁺ : 230.9860, found: 230.9861.

[00264] Methyl 5-carbamoyl-4-chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)benzoate (47a)

^[00265] According to the General Procedures H and I, the title compound (387 mg, 73% over 2 steps) was obtained as a white solid.

[00266] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6 d (ppm) 8.20 (t, J= 5.8 Hz, 1H), 7.96 (d, J = 1.8 Hz, 1H), 7.69 (s, 1H), 7.61 (d, J= 2.1 Hz, 1H), 7.40 (s, 1H), 6.95 (d, J= 1.8 Hz, 1H), 6.46 - 6.31 (m, 2H), 4.54 (d, J= 5.8 Hz, 2H), 3.82 (d, J = 1.8 Hz, 3H); HRMS (ESI, m/z ) Calculated for C14H14O4N2CI [M+H] ⁺ : 309.0642, found: 309.0640.

[00267] Methyl 4-chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)-5- (methylcarbamoyl)benzoate (47b)

^[ 00268 ^] According to the General Procedures H and I, the title compound (80 mg, 41% over 2 steps) was obtained as a white solid.

[00269] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6 d (ppm) 8.18 (d, J= 5.8 Hz, 2H), 7.89 (s,

1H), 7.61 (d, .7= 1.8 Hz, 1H), 6.96 (s, 1H), 6.45-6.31 (m, 2H), 4.54 (d, = 5.9 Hz, 2H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 2.70 (d, J= 4.6 Hz, 3H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for C15H16C1N204 [M+H] ⁺ : 323.0799, found: 309.0782.

[00270] Methyl 4-chloro-5-(ethylcarbamoyl)-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)benzo ate

(47c)

[00271] According to the General Procedures H and I, the title compound (131 mg, 47% over 2 steps) was obtained as a white solid.

[00272] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6 d (ppm) 8.22 (dt, J= 17.7, 5.7 Hz, 2H), 7.86 (d, J = 0.8 Hz, 1H), 7.68 - 7.55 (m, 1H), 6.96 (s, 1H), 6.47 - 6.22 (m, 2H), 4.54 (d, J= 5.8 Hz, 2H), 3.82 (s, 3H), 3.28 - 3.10 (m, 2H), 1.16 - 1.00 (m, 3H).

[00273] Methyl 4-chloro-5-(dimethylcarbamoyl)-2-((furan-2- ylmethyl)amino)benzoate (47d)

[00274] According to the General Procedures H and I, the title compound (86 mg, 20% over 2 steps) was obtained as a white solid.

[00275] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6 d (ppm) 7.63 (dd, J = 1.9, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 7.00 (s, 1H), 6.37 (dd, J = 3.2, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 4.53 (d, J = 5.8 Hz, 2H), 3.80 (s, 3H), 2.96 (s, 3H), 2.79 (s, 3H).

[00276] Methyl 4-chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)-5-(morpholine-4- carbonyl)benzoate (47e)

^[00277] According to the General Procedures H and I, the title compound (166 mg, 51% over 2 steps) was obtained as a white solid.

[00278] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6 d (ppm) 8.18 (t, J = 5.8 Hz, 1H), 7.73 (s, 1H), 7.62 (d, J = 2.2 Hz, 1H), 7.00 (s, 1H), 6.46 -6.33 (m, 2H), 4.53 (d, J = 5.8 Hz, 2H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.56 (d, J = 28.1 Hz, 6H), 3.18 (s, 2H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for C18H20O5N2CI [M+H] ⁺ : 379.1061, found: 379.1054.

[00279] Methyl 4-chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)-5-(piperidine- 1- carbonyl)benzoate (471)

^[ 00280 ^] According to the General Procedures H and I, the title compound (399 mg, 67% over 2 steps) was obtained as a white solid.

[00281] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6 d (ppm) 8.15 (t, J = 5.8 Hz, 1H), 7.74 - 7.57 (m, 2H), 6.99 (s, 1H), 6.49 - 6.30 (m, 2H), 4.53 (d, J= 5.8 Hz, 2H), 3.80 (s, 3H), 3.68 - 3.43 (m, 2H), 3.13 (d, J= 6.2 Hz, 2H), 1.72 - 1.28 (m, 6H).

[00282] Methyl 4-chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)-5- (phenylcarbamoyl)benzoate (47g)

^[00283] According to the General Procedures H and I, the title compound (438 mg, 66% over 2 steps) was obtained as a white solid.

[00284] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6 d (ppm) 10.32 (s, 1H), 8.29 (t, J = 5.9 Hz, 1H), 7.99 (s, 1H), 7.78 - 7.55 (m, 3H), 7.32 (t, J= 7.8 Hz, 2H), 7.17 - 6.96 (m, 2H), 6.49 - 6.31 (m, 2H), 4.59 (d, J = 5.9 Hz, 2H), 3.83 (s, 3H). HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for C20H18O4N2CI [M+H] ⁺ : 385.0955, found: 385.0949.

[00285] 5-Carbamoyl-4-chloro-2((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino) benzoic acid (48a)

^[ 00286 ^] According to the General Procedure J, the title compound (35 mg, 93%) was obtained as a white solid.

[00287] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6 d (ppm) 13.16 (s, 1H), 8.40 (s, 1H), 7.95 (s, 1H), 7.70 - 7.57 (m, 2H), 7.35 (s, 1H), 6.90 (s, 1H), 6.45 - 6.30 (m, 2H), 4.52 (d, J= 5.3 Hz, 2H). HRMS (ESI, m/z ) Calculated for C13H11CIN2O4 [M+H] ⁺ : 295.0486, found: 295.0477.

[00288] 4-Chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)-5-(methylcarbamoyl)benz oic acid

(48b)

^[00289] According to the General Procedure J, the title compound (108 mg, 70%) was obtained as a white solid.

[00290] ¾ NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6 d (ppm) 13.17 (s, 1H), 8.40 (s, 1H), 8.15 (d, J

= 4.8 Hz, 1H), 7.88 (s, 1H), 7.65 - 7.54 (m, 1H), 6.91 (s, 1H), 6.41 (dd, = 3.2 Hz, 1.9 Hz, 1H), 6.34 (d, J= 3.3 Hz, 1H), 4.52 (d, J= 5.1 Hz, 2H), 2.70 (d, J= 4.6 Hz, 3H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for C14H12CIN2O4 [M-H] : 307.0486, found: 307.0482.

[00291] 4-Chloro-5-(ethylcarbamoyl)-2((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)benzoi c acid

(48c)

^[00292] According to the General Procedure J, the title compound (40 mg, 36%) was obtained as a white solid. [00293] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6 d (ppm) 13.17 (s, 1H), 8.41 (s, 1H), 8.21 (d, J = 6.0 Hz, 1H), 7.85 (s, 1H), 7.61 (d, J= 1.8 Hz, 1H), 6.90 (s, 1H), 6.41 (dd, .7= 3.2, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 6.34 (d, J = 3.3 Hz, 1H), 4.52 (d, J= 5.1 Hz, 2H), 3.27 - 3.11 (m, 2H), 1.07 (t, J= 7.2 Hz, 3H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for C15H14CIN2O4 [M-H] : 321.0642, found:

321.0641.

[00294] 4-Chloro-5-(dimethylcarbamoyl)-2((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)ben zoic acid (48d)

^[00295] According to the General Procedure J, the title compound (25 mg, 37%) was obtained as a white solid.

[00296] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6 d (ppm) 13.17 (s, 1H), 7.67 (s, 1H), 7.62 (d, J = 17.7 Hz, 1H), 6.95 (s, 1H), 6.45 - 6.33 (m, 2H), 4.50 (s, 2H), 2.95 (s, 3H), 2.79 (s, 3H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for C 15H14CIN2O4 [M-H] : 321.0642, found: 321.0650.

[00297] 4-Chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)-5-(morpholine-4-carbony l)benzoic acid (48e)

^[00298] According to the General Procedure J, the title compound (80 mg, 62%) was obtained as a white solid.

[00299] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6 d (ppm) 13.20 (s, 1H), 8.36 (s, 1H), 7.71 (d, J = 1.4 Hz, 1H), 7.62 (d, J= 2.3 Hz, 1H), 6.96 (d, J= 1.4 Hz, 1H), 6.46 - 6.32 (m, 2H), 4.51 (d, J= 5.1 Hz, 2H), 3.33 (s, 1H), 3.18 (s, 2H); HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for

C17H18CIN2O5 [M+H] ⁺ : 365.0904, found: 365.0911.

[00300] 4-Chloro-2-((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)-5-(piperidine-l-carbony l)benzoic acid (48f)

^[00301] According to the General Procedure J, the title compound (15 mg, 44%) was obtained as a white solid.

[00302] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6 d (ppm) 13.18 (s, 1H), 8.32 (s, 1H), 7.69 - 7.58 (m, 2H), 6.95 (d, J= 1.3 Hz, 1H), 6.46 - 6.32 (m, 2H), 4.51 (d, J= 4.9 Hz, 2H), 3.59 (s, 1H), 3.52 (s, 1H), 3.13 (d, J= 5.5 Hz, 2H), 1.55 (m, 7H). HRMS (ESI, m/z) Calculated for C 18H18CIN2O4 [M-H] : 361.0955, found: 361.0954.

[00303] 4-Chloro-2((furan-2-ylmethyl)amino)-5-(phenylcarbamoyl)benzo ic acid

(48g)

^[00304] According to the General Procedure J, the title compound (153 mg, 40%) was obtained as a white solid.

[00305] *H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6 d (ppm) 13.24 (s, 1H), 10.29 (s, 1H), 8.49 (s, 1H), 7.98 (s, 1H), 7.72 - 7.59 (m, 3H), 7.32 (t, J= 7.8 Hz, 2H), 6.99 (s, 1H), 6.37 (s, 1H), 4.56 (d, J= 5.5 Hz, 2H); HRMS (ESI, m/z ) Calculated for C19H16CIN2O4 [M+H] ⁺ : 369.0642, found: 369.0656. [00306] EXAMPLE 2: Ab Oligomerization Studies

[00307] A3 Oligomer Formation Assay with Single-Site biotin-AB(l-42)

[00308] Purpose:

[00309] The purpose of this assay was to determine the effect that compounds have on inhibiting the oligomerization of biotinylated amyloid-beta(l-42) (bioAbeta42).

[00310] As bioAbeta42 oligomerizes in the test plate, compounds with inhibitory activity will keep the bioAbeta42 in a monomeric state an, consequently, reduce the amount of oligomers. Once the oligomerization step is complete, the amount of oligomeric bioAbeta42 is determined using ELISA method with NeutrAvidin™-coated plate.

NeutrAvidin™-bound oligomers are then detected by addition of Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) labeled streptavidin. Monomeric bioAbeta42 will not have extra biotin site, so that only oligomeric bioAbeta42 will be able to bind the streptavidin. HRP substrate is added to the wells and detected by absorbance in the plate reader giving an end point, total oligomer reading. A positive control (DMSO only) will give 100% oligomerization. Incubation with a negative control (0.1% Tween-20) will give 100% inhibition of oligomerization for a given run. Compounds, including a known standard compound (TRV1471, see U.S. Patent No. 9,938,249), were analyzed to determine if they were effective at inhibiting oligomerization versus the control. The assay can detect oligomer species. This method was adapted from the method described in LeVine, Anal Biochem, 2006.

[00311] A schematic of this assay is provided in Figure 2.

[00312] Procedure

[00313] A NeutrAvidin™-coated plate is prepared by coating an ELISA plate (Costar 9018) with 50 pi of 1 pg/ml NeutrAvidin™ (NA) in 10 mM sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.5. NeutrAvidin™ can be prepared as 1 mg/ml (1000X) in DDW/10% glycerol and stored at -80°C until use. The plate is sealed with adhesive fdm and stored at 4°C overnight. The plate wells are then blocked for 2 hours at room temperature (RT) with 250 mΐ/well of OFB-T buffer. Plates may be unsealed during the 2 h blocking step. [00314] The bio-AbI 1 -42) peptide is prepared by dissolving bio-Abeta peptide in HFIP at a concentration of 0.1 mg/ml. The peptide solution can be stored at -80°C until use and thawed immediately before use.

[00315] For the assay 30 pi* bio-Abeta (for 6 plates, 20 cpds) is mixed with 50 mΐ of HFIP in a tube, vortexed, and then dried to a thin film under N2 stream. (*Use 15 mΐ for 3 plates, 10 cpds) 50 mΐ of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is added to the tube, vortexed and incubated 10 min at RT in hood to disaggregate seeds, vortexed again, and then dried to a thin film under N2 stream. 50 mΐ of HFIP is added, mixed, and dried under N2 stream to remove residual TFA.

[00316] DMSO (1304 mΐ; 2 x 652 mΐ) is then added to the tube to provide a final peptide concentration of 2.3 pg/ml to make 50X bioAbeta42. Use within an hour or so. (*

Use 652 mΐ for 3 plates, 10 cpds)

[00317] The assay is performed according to the following steps:

1. Prepare solutions of a test compound in a range of concentrations (e.g., 2 mM, 1 mM, 500 uM, 250 uM, 125 uM, 62.5 uM, and 31 uM of test compound) in 100% DMSO (Costar 3365).

2. Aliquot 3.4 mΐ of each concentration of the test compounds into the bottom of each well of a 96-well polypropylene plate.

3. Pipet 2 mΐ/well of the 50X bioAbeta42 peptide into the bottom of each well of three 96-well polypropylene plate (Costar 3365). Make sure every well has similar amount of bioAbeta drop.

4. Add 340 ul (2 x 170 ul) of Oligomer Formation Buffer to compoundsOFB-diluted test compounds. Precede to step 5 immediately.

5. Add 100 mΐ of OFB-diluted test compound to 50X bioAbeta42 and start oligomer rxn

6. Incubate plate for 1 hr at RT without shaking

7. Stop the reaction by addition of 50 mΐ of 0.3% Tween 20 in dH20

[00318] Oligomer formation is then measured as follows:

1. Let a NeutrAvidin™-coated plate come to room temperature.

2. Remove blocking solution from NeutrAvidin™-coated plate. 3. Add 50 pi of oligomer preparation from the wells in the assay plate to a

corresponding well of the NeutrAvidin™-coated plate. Seal and incubate for 2 hr at RT with shaking.

4. Wash on plate washer (3 X 10 sec) with 250 mΐ/well with TBST (20 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5/ 150 mM NaCl/ 0.1% Tween 20).

5. Add 50 mΐ of Streptavidin-HRP (1 :20,000) in OFBT, seal and incubate for 1 h with shaking at 150 rpm.

6. Wash as in Step 3 and add 100 mΐ of TMB/H2O2 substrate solution to each well. Stop reaction after 5-10 min with 100 mΐ of 2% v/v sulfuric acid.

7. Read the absorbance at 450 nm in a plate reader.

[00319] Buffers

[00320] TBST [20 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5 - 150 mM NaCl - 0.1% Tween 20]

1 M Tris-HCl, pH 7.5 80 ml

NaCl 33.88 g

Tween 20 (Research Organics) 4 ml

Distilled H2O 4 liters

[00321] Oligomer Formation Buffer [20 mM sodium phosphate - 150 mM NaCl, pH

7.5]

Na ₂ HP04-7H ₂ 0 4.66 g

NaH2P04-H20 0.36 g

NaCl 8.47 g

Distilled H2O 1 liter

[00322] Blocking buffer (OFB-T buffer): Oligomer Formation Buffer + Tween 20 [20 mM sodium phosphate - 150 mM NaCl, pH 7.5, 0.1% v/v Tween 20]

Na ₂ HP04-7H ₂ 0 4.66 g

NaH ₂ P04-H ₂ 0 0.36 g

NaCl 8.47 g

Distilled H2O 1 liter

Tween 20 1 ml [00323] TMB/H2O2 substrate solution

[00324] Leave the reagents at RT for a while to warm up to RT. Add 4 mΐ of 35% H2O2 to 20 ml of Citrate/ Acetate buffer and then add 200 mΐ of 10 mg/ml TMB solution to 20 ml of buffer.

[00325] Results

[00326] The results of testing exemplary compounds of the present application are provided in the table below.

[00327] These results demonstrate the ability of compounds of the present application to act as anti-Ab aggregation agents by inhibiting Ab oligomerization.

[00328] EXAMPLE 3: Ab Fibrillization Studies

[00329] Ab ThT Aggregation Assay

[00330] Purpose

[00331] The purpose of this assay is to determine the effect that compounds have on inhibiting the aggregation of amyloid-beta. As amyloid-beta aggregates in the plate reader, it binds thioflavin T (ThT) and fluoresces. The fluorescence value is measured in the plate reader, giving a kinetic aggregation curve over time. A control sample (lacking compound) will give a 100% aggregation for a given run. Compounds then added to subsequent rows will show if they are effective at inhibiting aggregation versus the control. This is a 72 hour kinetic assay. [00332] A schematic overview of this assay is provided in Figure 3.

[00333] Procedure:

1. In the vial provided by Anaspec, dissolve the 1 mg of synthetic Ab 1-40 in lmL

HFIP. Vortex (10 s) and then sonicate it for approximately 5 min or until it becomes clear.

2. Remove the HFIP using a stream of argon in the chemistry fume hood. Make sure the sample is dry and only a waxy fdm remains.

3. Dissolve the waxy fdm in 1 mL of 20 mM tris base pH 10 (approx 230 mM Ab), vortex and sonicate for approximately 5-10 minutes again until it becomes clear (might not always go clear - typically slightly cloudy).

4. Transfer this volume from the provided vial to a 15mL glass vial.

5. Dilute the sample to 5.7mL with tris base (gives 40mM Ab), which is additional 4.7mL of tris base.

6. Drop the pH of the sample to 7.4 by adding samll amounts of concentrated HC1, being sure not to overshoot. This takes approximately 10 pL. If pH is dropped too far use NaOH to bring it back up to 7.4.

7. Once the pH is at 7.4, fdter the sample using a 0.2 pm syringe fdter with 21 gauge needle.

8. Dilute the Ab 1 : 1 (5.7mL) with Tris HC1 ThT Buffer (20 mM Tris, 8uM ThT, 0.3M NaCl, pH 7.4) to give a total volume of 11 4mL. This yields a final concentration of 20mM Ab.

9. This is then plated at 200pL per well on a 96 well black plate, typically avoiding the outermost layer of wells as these tend to experience noticeable evaporation over the 3 day experiment.

10. Cover plate with clear plastic lid, put in plate reader and start appropriate pre-defmed method (typically Kinetic ThT, version 4). [00334] Buffers

20mM Tris Base pH 10 20mM Tris HC1 ThT Buffer

- MW = 121 g/mol - Same as tris base, plus

- V(H ₂ 0) = 400mL - 0.3M NaCl (7.01g in 400mL)

m = 0.969g - Drop pH to 7.4 with cone. HC1

- 8 mM ThT = Dissolve 5.1 mg in 2 mL tris base. Then dilute this 1000 times with tris base.

[00335] Results

[00336] Compounds of the present application tested using the above assay were found to inhibit fibrillization of Ab oligomers. The results of testing exemplary compounds of the present application are provided in the table below.

[00337] EXAMPLE 4: Anti-neuroinflammation studies

[00338] Neurotoxicity Assay

[00339] This study used differentiated (using phorbol myristate acetate, PMA) human acute monocytic leukemia cells, THP-1, cultured in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with additives. Earlier studies with THP-1 cell line indicate that upon LPS/IFNy activation, these cells release neurotoxic factors [Cheung YT, et al. Neurotoxicology. 2009;30(1): 127-35] These are remarkably plastic cells, which can potentially polarize to multiple cell lineages on the application of specific stimuli. On treatment with PMA, the suspension (floating cells) mature to a highly adherent phenotype with increased phagocytic ability

(macrophage/mi croglia like). Typically, after PMA differentiation THP-1 monocytes, display increased cell surface expression of CDl lb and CD14. PMA differentiated

macrophage/microglia with a combination of LPS/IFNy/amyloid beta peptide were used to activate the cells; and small synthetic molecules were tested. The cell-free supernatant generated from microglia were then transferred to previously mature neuronal cells lines. [00340] Figure 4A shows the role of microglia involved in neuroinflammation and Figure 4B schematically depicts the neurotoxicity (Ntox) assay, which is described in detail below.

[00341] Seeding, activation, priming, and treatment ofTHP-1 cells for the Ntox assay [00342] Day 1: Seeding

[00343] Seed (0.5 xlO ⁶ ) THP-1 cells in each well of a 12-well tissue culture plate in warm complete growth medium up to 500 pi to 1 ml per well. The composition of the complete growth medium includes the following additives to 50 ml of RPMI 1640:

Tetracycline free heat-inactivated FBS 5ml (Final concentration 10 %)

Sodium pyruvate 500 mΐ (Final concentration one mM)

beta-mercaptoethanol five mΐ of 0.5 M prepared from a 14.3 M stock in RPMI 1640 (Final concentration 50 mM)

Antibiotic-Antimycotic (Anti-Anti) 500 mΐ of 100 X (10,000 units penicillin, 10 mg streptomycin, and 25 pg amphotericin B per ml).

[00344] Use two T75 flasks with cells growing for at least three days in complete growth medium.

[00345] Day 2: Differentiation

[00346] Collect suspension cells from each well and centrifuge at 1000 r.p.m in a swinging bucket centrifuge for 5 minutes and suspend (500 mΐ) in warm Differentiating medium RPMI 1640 with the following additives (50 ml):

Tetracycline free heat-inactivated FBS 3.25 ml (Final concentration 6.25%)

Sodium pyruvate 500 mΐ (Final concentration one mM)

PMA 50 mΐ (Final concentration 150 nM) 1000 X aliquots prepared in the -20 freezer [00347] Day 3: Activation and treatment

[00348] Warm RPMI 1640 medium and prepare Experimental medium RPMI 1640 with the following additives (50 ml):

Tetracycline free heat-inactivated FBS 2.5 ml (Final concentration 5 %) Sodium pyruvate 500 mΐ (Final concentration one mM)

[00349] The THP-1 monocytes should have adhered to the plate by now; these are defined as M0 macrophages. Remove the differentiating medium containing PMA and add the Experimental medium with stimulants at a final concentration of IFNy 400 ng/ml and LPS 1 pg/ml. These stimulants are the first stimulus for the conversion into Ml macrophages. Keep the first stimulus on for three hours and add 25 mM of compounds in the required wells (This is aimed at converting 1 - M2 macrophages/microglia like cells).

[00350] Resuspend 12 mΐ of 0.5 mM of Ab i-42 in 1200 mΐ of DPBS without calcium and magnesium /sterile filtered oligomer forming buffer pH 7.2-7.4 vortex at 5 r.p.m. on the bench top vortex for 30 seconds. Place this on the shaker at 300 r.p.m. for 1.5 hours. After four hours of addition of LPS and IFNy, most THP-1 monocytes adhere to the surface of the plate, now add 50 mΐ of resuspended Ab to each well of THP-1 cells. It is important to add the peptide drop-by-drop evenly distributing it in each well of two 12 well plates containing 500 mΐ of media at the final concentration 500 nM Ab i-42. Place the cells in the culture incubator for 48 hours before extracting the cells/supematant for further processing.

[00351] Day 5: Collection

[00352] Collect the supernatant from each well place it in a labeled 1.5 ml centrifuge tube, centrifuge at 3000 r.p.m. The collected supernatant may be used for end-point assays like the neuron cell viability, or determination of cytokine levels. Wash the adherent macrophages with ice-cold PBS and collecting any floating cells by centrifugation at 3000 r.p.m. Use the adhered cells lysates for immunoblotting with anti- pro-IL-Ib (34 kDa) and anti-Tex264 antibodies. The intact cells may be used for functional assays like the migration assay, phagocytosis assay, determination of cell surface markers indicating M0, Ml, M2 phenotypes, detection of reactive oxygen species and GSH (markers for oxidative stress), caspases and NLRP3 inflammasome markers. [00353] Maturation of SH-SY5Y (ATCC: CRL-2266)

[00354] Day 1 : Seed cells at a density of 5000 cells/well of 96 well plate in growth medium (Growth medium DMEM/F12 with 5% FBS and antibiotics).

[00355] Day 2: Replace growth medium with 2.5% FBS containing DMEM/F12 supplemented with Retinoic acid at a final concentration of 10 mM. Keep for 7-10 days replacing differentiating medium every other day. Mature cells express higher levels of NMDA receptors. Apply microglial supernatant on the mature-differentiated SH-SY5y cells, measure the neuronal viability, cell cycle analysis for apoptosis and other cell death markers.

[00356] Results

[00357] The results of these studies are shown in Figures 5 and 6. As shown in Figure 5, compounds of this application are effective in rescuing neuronal cells under Ab induced neuroinflammation, as indicated by the increase in percent live cells in comparison to the control with no compound added. Also, as shown in Figure 6, the addition of furosemide increases the concentrations of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Furosemide also inhibits the production and release of cytokines including IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-a from peripheral mononuclear cells (data not shown).

[00358] EXAMPLE 5: Activity Studies

[00359] A series of furosemide analogues as defined herein were studied for activity as inhibitors of Ab-misfolding and for activity as inhibitors of neuroinflammation.

[00360] Methods

[00361] The assay methods used in the present example are similar to those used in previous examples, with minor modifications.

[00362] b-amyloid oligomerization assay

[00363] This assay was adapted from LeVine (2006). Biotinylated Abi-42 was purchased from AnaSpec (Freemont, CA, United States). An ELISA plate (Costar 9018) was coated with 50.0 pL of a stock solution containing 1.00 pg/mL NeutrAvidin in sodium phosphate buffer (10.0 mM, pH 7.50). The plate was sealed and stored at 4°C overnight prior to blocking for 2 h at room temperature with 200 pL/well of OFB-T buffer [20.0mM sodium phosphate, 150 mM NaCl, pH 7.50, 0.100% (v/v) Tween 20] Then, 20.0 pL of Abi-42 stock solution (0.100 mg/mL) was treated with HFIP and dried under a stream of argon. One hundred microliter of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) was added to the tube and the sample was dissolved using a vortex mixer prior to drying under a stream of argon. HFIP was added and dried under a stream or argon to remove residual TFA. The biotinylated Abi-42 was then dissolved in 870 pL of DMSO, and 2.00 pL of the solution was added to each well of a 96-well polypropylene plate (Costar 3365) followed by 100 pL of test compound diluted in OFB-T buffer (various concentrations). The plate was incubated for 1 h at room temperature without shaking, and then stopped by the addition of 50.0 pL of 0.300% (v/v) Tween 20 in MilliQ ^R water. 50.0 pL of the biotinylated Abi-42/compound solution was added to each well of the NeutrAvidin™-coated plate (after removing blocking solution) and the plate was sealed and incubated for 2 h with shaking at 150 rpm. The plate was washed three times with TBST solution [20.0 mM Tris-HCl, 34.0 mM sodium chloride, pH 7.50, 0.100% (v/v) Tween 20], then 50.0 pL of Streptavidin-HRP (1 :20,000) in OFB-T buffer was added and the plate was sealed and incubated for 1 h with shaking at 150 rpm. The plate was again washed three times with TBST, followed by addition of 100 pL of tetramethylbenzidine/H202 substrate solution to each well. The reaction was stopped after 10-30 min by the addition of 100 pL of 2.00% (v/v) aqueous sulfuric acid prior to reading absorbance at 450 nm in a plate reader.

[00364] b-amyloid ThT Aggregation Assay

[00365] This assay was adapted from LeVine (1993). Abi-40 (>95%) was purchased from AnaSpec (Freemont, CA, United States) and stored at -80°C. All other reagents were of the highest available purity, purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (Oakville, ON, Canada), and used without further purification. All water used in the assays was micropore filtered and deionized (MilliQR). Abi-40 (1.00 mg) was dissolved in hexafluoro-2 propanol (HFIP) and sonicated for 30 min to disassemble any pre-formed aggregates. HFIP was removed using a stream of argon gas prior to dissolution of Abi-40 in 1.00 mL Tris base (20.0 mM, pH 10.0) using vortex and 10 min sonication. The solution was then further diluted with 4.70 mL of Tris base followed by adjusting to pH 7.40 using concentrated hydrochloric acid and then filtered using a 0.200 mm syringe filter. The pretreated Abi-40 was diluted with an equal volume (5.70 mL) of 8.00 mM

[00366] ThT in Tris (20.0 mM, pH 7.40, 300 mM NaCl) and 200 mL aliquots of this solution [20.0 mM Abi-40 and 4.00 mM ThT in Tris (20.0 mM, pH 7.40, 150 mM NaCl)] were added to wells of a black polystyrene 96-well plate. 4.00 mL of test compound solutions at various concentrations were added to each well. Each sample was performed in triplicate and MilliQR water alone served as a vehicle control. Plates were sealed and incubated in a microplate reader (Tecan Genios) at 37.0°C with fluorescence measurements recorded (lex = 450 nm, lem = 480 nm) every 15 min after first being shaken at high intensity for 15 s and then allowed to settle for 10 s before each reading.

[00367] Assay for testing anti-inflammation activity using SIM-A9 cell line

[00368] SIM-A9 cells are maintained in Dulbecco’s modified eagle medium: nutrient mixture F-12 (DMEM-F12) with 10% fetal bovine serum, 5% horse-serum and antibiotic- antimycotic (Anti-anti). To passage the cells, transfer all medium and floating cells from flask to a centrifuge tube. The adherent cell layer is washed with Ca++/Mg++ free Dulbecco’s phosphate-buffered saline (D-PBS). Collect rinse solution to the same centrifuge tube. Cells are detached by 1 mM EDTA, 1 mM EGTA and 1 mg/mL glucose solution. Observe cells under a microscope until cell layer is dispersed. All collected cells are centrifuged at 125 ^c g for 5 to 10 minutes. Discard supernatant and resuspend the cell pellet in growth medium.

[00369] SIM-A9 cells were seeded 24 hr before experiment (-90% confluency before activation). Culturing medium was replaced with reduced FBS DMEM-F12 medium

(containing 5% FBS + 2.5% horse serum) with required LPS concentration (final volume is 1 mL/well). The conditioning medium and lysate were harvested for cytokine and cell marker detection.

[00370] Enzyme-inked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

[00371] The cytokines secreted from SIM-A9 were quantified using ELISA kits following manufacture’s instructions. Limits of detection for the ELISA kits were IL-6 (2.5- 500 pg/mL) and TNF-a (5-1000 pg/mL). Briefly, the high-binding plates were coated with 100 pL/well with diluted capture anti-bodies (1:250) for overnight at 4°C. The coated plates were blocked with the diluent for 1 hour before the assay. Each sample was diluted accordingly and added to the plates for 2-hour incubation at room temperature. Plates were then washed by 250 pL/well PBS with 0.05% Tween-20 and incubated with detection anti-bodies (1:250 in assay diluent) for 1 hour at room temperature. After another washing step, 1:250 diluted avidin-HRP (horseradish peroxidase) was added and incubated for 30 mins. 100 pL TMB-substrate was added after the final washing and the plate was incubated in dark until the signal was sufficiently developed. The reaction was stop by 50 pL 2 N sulfuric acid. The absorbance was measured at 450 nm with a correction of 570 nm using plate reader.

[00372] Western bloting

[00373] After 24 hr activation by LPS, cell grown in 6-well plates were washed twice with ice-cold PBS and harvested in RIPA buffer supplemented with protease inhibitor cocktail. The whole-cell extracts were then centrifuged at 1,5000 rpm for 20 mins at 4°C in order to remove cell debris. Protein concentrations were quantified using Micro BCA protein assay kit. The absorbance was measured at 595 nm using microplate reader.

[00374] Equal amounts of cellular protein were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and transferred onto polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membranes at 100 V for 90 mins. The membranes were blocked for 1 hour in Tris-buffered saline (TBS), pH 7.4, with 0.1% Tween-20 (TBS-T) containing 10% skim milk. The membrane blot was then incubated overnight at 4°C with primary antibodies against iNOS (1 : 1000), COX-2 (1: 1000) and Tubulin (1 :5000) in TBS-T containing 5% skim milk. The membrane was washed with TBS-T 3 x 10 mins and incubated with goat anti rabbit IgG-horseradish peroxidase (1:5,000) for 1 hour. After the washing step, the immunobloting was visualized by chemiluminescence HRP-substrate.

[00375] Results

[00376] The results of the anti-Ab oligomerization and inhibition of Ab fibrillization studies are provided in the tables below.

Table: Synthetic molecules and their activity towards anti-Ab oligomerization and fibrillization.

C

Compounds of Formula IV

Compounds of Formula II

Compounds of Formula Illb

Compounds of Formula Ilia

‘ND’ denotes the inhibition activity was not detected over 200 mM

‘S#” denotes a structure of Formula #

a\ Compound 100 forms fibrillization in assay buffer at 200 mM

b\ The statistical analysis was performed using one-student test comparing to positive control DMSO.

ns not significant, p > 0.05; *: p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01 ; *** : > < 0.001 ; ****: p < 0.0001

[00377] Figure 7 illustrates how changing functional groups in Regions A and B can be used to alter anti-Ab oligomerization activity of the compound of Formula Z. Figure 8 illustrates how changing functional groups in Region B, as well as the nature of the halide, can be used to alter anti-Ab fibrillization activity. Of the compounds studied in this Example, SII-W103 exhibited the lowest ICso, of 6.5 mM, towards anti-Ab oligomerization, and SHIa- W016 exhibited the greatest inhibition, 81%, towards anti-Ab fibrillization.

[00378] The results of the anti-inflammation studies are provided in the following tables.

- Compounds were tested at 25 mM on SIM-A9 cells.

- BBB = blood-brain barrier

- core (see Gupta et al, ACS Chemical Neuroscience 2020, 11, 2, 205-224).

- indicates that compounds were active at lower concentrations.

R ^J BBB score TNF-a %

Inhibition

SO NHi 3.29 31

H 3,78 18

4.31 19.2

3.96 9.2

3.39 25

3.87 32

R ¹ BBB score TNF-et %

Inhibition

3.82 27

3.41 Not active

3.82 Not active

3.86 Not active

4.18 37.2

4.19 Not active [00379] The results shown above indicate that the sulfonyl group is not necessary at Region A but can improve anti-inflammatory activity.

[00380] Figures 9 - 11 depict the results of compound activity on TNF-a production from 5 ng/mL LPS stimulated AIM-A9 cells, as an indication of anti-inflammatory activity.

[00381] The following table shows the results of compound activity on TNF-a production from LPS stimulated AIM-A9 cells using the compounds at a concentration of 2.7 mM.

[00382] All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this Specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains and are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent applications was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

[00383] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.