BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Septic shock is a serious medical condition that is caused by invasion of the circulatory system by bacteria. Septic shock is characterized by acute circulatory failure, usually with hypotension, followed by multiple organ failure and acute renal failure. The mortality rate of patients having septic shock is in the range of 25% to 90%. It is estimated that up to 500,000 people a year in both the United States and Europe develop septic shock.

The human immune system has many dedicated receptor systems that detect common pathogens, especially bacteria, and these receptor systems are distinct from the specific antibody and T-cell receptor systems, because they are permanently present, and are not tailored to meet a particular threat. Many of the dedicated receptor systems recognize the structural components of bacteria, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) lipoteichoic acid and peptidoglycan, and lead to activation of the immune system when these receptors bind structural components of bacteria.

LPS, a major component of the outer cell membrane of gram-negative bacteria, appears to be a major factor in the progression of a bacterial infection to septic shock. The principal mechanism for recognition by the human immune system of LPS is by binding of the CDi4 receptor on macrophages to LPS. This binding requires LPS Binding Protein (LBP), an inducible protein made in the liver. Once macrophages have bound and recognized LPS, the macrophages produce massive amounts of inflammatory cytokines, especially tumor necrosis

factor (TNF u), Interleukin 1 (IL-l ), and interleukin 6 (IL-6).

Three of the transcription factors important in inducing LBP production in the liver are AP-1, C/EBP and STAT-3. All of these can be stimulated through the IL-6 signaling pathway, which is produced locally in the liver by Kuppfer cells.

IL-6 stimulates the MAP kinases (also called ERK1 and ERK2) through MEK, and these MAP kinases can activate the three transcription factors mentioned above by phosphorylation. Thus, an inhibitor of MEK can decrease the stimulation of LBP gene transcription, and attenuate the strength of the macrophage response to LPS.

In macrophages, LPS signaling appears to activate all three of the known MAP kinase pathways, including the MEKIERK cascade, and LPS stimulation of macrophages leads to rapid and major activation of ERKs. ERK is believed to be one of the kinases that phosphorylates IKB, a prerequisite for the liberation of the transcription factor NF KB. NF KB, once liberated, enters the nucleus, and is probably the single most important transcriptional activator for production of TNF a. Thus, an inhibitor of MEK or ERK activity could also decrease the stimulation of TNF-a gene transcription, leading to a greatly decreased physiological response to LPS.

In cells that contain the TNF receptor, activation of that receptor leads to turning on of many pathways that lead to toxicity in the target cell, and which culminate in apoptosis (regulated self-destruction of the cell). Multiple organ failure is more likely caused by TNF-a induced toxicity than by any other single cause. Neutral sphingomyelinase has been shown to be activated by the TNF receptor, and this, in turn, activates ceramide-activated protein kinase, which then activates the MEKIMAP kinase pathway in the target cells, probably adding to the overall toxic effects of ThE.

Thus, the MEK/MAP kinase pathway is important in septic shock, and is involved at several vital points in the progression of septic shock.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a method of treating or preventing septic shock, the method comprising administering to a patient having septic shock or at risk of having septic shock a therapeutically acceptable amount of a compound that is a MEK inhibitor.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the MEK inhibitor is 2-(2-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxo-4H-[ ]benzopyran.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the patient has septic shock.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the patient is at risk of having septic shock.

In a more preferred embodiment the invention provides a method of treating or preventing septic shock, the method comprising administering to a patient having septic shock or at risk of having septic shock a therapeutically acceptable amount of 2-(2-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxo-4H-[ 1 ]benzopyran.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the MEK inhibitor is a compound of Formula I wherein: R1 is hydrogen, hydroxy, C1-Cs alkyl, C1-Cg alkoxy, halo, trifluoromethyl, or CN; R2 is hydrogen; R3, R4, and Rs independently are hydrogen, hydroxy, halo trifluoromethyl, C1-Cs alkyl, Cl-Cg alkoxy, nitro, CN, or

-(O or NH)m-(CH2)n-R9, where Rg is hydrogen, hydroxy, COOL, orNR10R11; n is 0-4; m is O or R10 and R1 1 independently are hydrogen or C1-Cg alkyl, or taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached can complete a 3-10 member cyclic ring optionally containing 1, 2, or 3 additional heteroatoms selected from 0, S, NH, or N-C1 -C8 alkyl; Z is COOR7, tetrazolyl, CONR6R7, CONHNR1OR11, or CH20R7; R6 and R7 independently are hydrogen, Cl-Cg alkyl, C2-Cg alkenyl, C2-Cg alkynyl, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, or C3-C10 (cycloalkyl optionally containing one, two, or three heteroatoms selected from 0, S, NH, or N alkyl); or R6 and R7 together with the nitrogen to which they are attached complete a 3-10 member cyclic ring optionally containing 1, 2, or 3 additional heteroatoms selected from 0, S, NH, or N alkyl; and wherein any of the foregoing alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups can be unsubstituted or substituted by halo, hydroxy, alkoxy, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, cycloalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, or heteroaryloxy, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, amides, or prodrugs thereof.

In a more preferred embodiment, the MEK inhibitor is [4-Chloro-2-( 1 H-tetrazol-5-yl)-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenyl)-amine; (4-iodo-2-methyl-phenyl)-{2-( 1 H-tetrazol-5-yl)-phenyl]amine; [4-nitro-2-( 1 H-tetrazol- 5-yl)-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenyl)-amine; 4-Eluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methylphenylamino)benzoic acid; 3,4,5-Trifluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzoic acid; 3,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzoic acid; 5-Bromo-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzoic acid;

5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzoic acid; Sodium 5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzoate; 5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-mcthyl-phenylamino)-beflzoic acid; 2-(4-lodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro-benzoic acid; 4-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzoic acid; 2-(4-lodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzoic acid; 5-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzOic acid; 5-lodo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzoic acid; 2,3 ,5-Trifluoro-4-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzoic acid; 2-(4-lodo-phenylamino)-5-methoxy-benzoic acid; 5-Methyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzoic acid; 2-(4-lodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-4-nitro-benzoic acid; 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-4-fluoro-benzoic acid; 2-(2-Bromo-4-iodo-phenylamino)-5-nitro-benzoic acid; 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-3,4-difluoro-benzoic acid; 5-Chloro-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 4 -Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-methyl-benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> N-Ethyl-4-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide; 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N,N-dimethyl- benzamide; 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-( 1 H-tetrazol-5-yl)- benzamide; 5 -Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide; 5 -Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N,N-dimethyl- benzamide; [5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzoylaminoj -acetic acid; 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-propyl-benzamide; 5 -Bromo-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide;

NNN-Diethyl-4-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide; 4-Fluoro-N- (3-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperazin-l -yll-propyl)- <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> N,N-Diethyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5 -nitro-benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> N-Butyl-4-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide; 5-Chloro-N,N-diethyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide; 5-Bromo.-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N,N-dimethyl- benzamide; 5 -Bromo-3 ,4-difluoro-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)-benzamide; N-(2,3-Dihydroxy-propyl)-3 ,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)-benzamide; 5-Bromo-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- (2-piperidin- 1 -yl-ethyl)-benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)-benzamide; N-(2,3-Dihydroxy-propyl)-4-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)-benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-N-(3 -hydroxy-propyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)-benzamide; 5-Bromo-3 ,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- (2-pyrrolidin- 1 -yl-ethyl)-benzamide; 5-Bromo-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- (2-pyridin-4-yl-ethyl)-benzamide; 4-Fluoro-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino) - benzamide; 5-Bromo-N-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo- 2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide; 5-Bromo-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- (2-morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-benzamide;

3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-morpholill- 4-yl-ethyl)-benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-pyrrolidin- <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 1 -yl-ethyl)-benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2--methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-pyridin-4- yl- ethyl)-benzamide; N-(3 -Dimethylamino-propyl)-3 ,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)-benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> N-Benzyl-4-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-3,4-difluoro-N-(2-hydroxy- ethyl)-benzamide; 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-morpholin-4-yl - ethyl)-benzamide; 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(3-piperidin- 1 -yl- propyl)-benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(3-piperidin- 1 -yl-propyl)-benzamide; 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-thiophen -2-yl- ethyl)-benzamide; 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-pyrrolidin- 1 -yl- ethyl)-benzamide; 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-3 ,4-difluoro-N-(2-morpholin- 4-yl-ethyl)-benzamide; 5 -Bromo-3 ,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- pyridin-4-ylmethyl-benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2 -methyl-phenylamino)-N-pyridin- 4-ylmethyl-benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(3 -dimethylamino- <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> propyl)-3 ,4-difluoro-benzamide; 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-pyridin-4-ylmethy l- benzamide;

4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-pyridin-4-yl - ethyl)-benzamide; 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-3 ,4-difluoro-N-(2-pyridin- 4-yl-ethyl)-benzamide; 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-3 ,4-difluoro-N-(3 -hydroxy- propyl)-benzamide; 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-3 ,4-difluoro-N-(2-pyrrolidin- 1 -yl-ethyl)-benzamide; 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-phenethyl- benzamide; 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-3 ,4-difluoro-N-(2-thiophen- 2-yl-ethyl)-benzamide; 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-3 ,4-difluoro-N-pyridin- 4-ylmethyl-benzamide; 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-3,4-difluoro-N-phenethyl- benzamide; 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-3 ,4-difluoro-N-(2-piperidin- 1 -yl-ethyl)-benzamide; 5-Chloro-N- (3 -[4-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperazin- 1 -yl]-propyl } - 2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)- benzamide; 5 -Eluoro-N- (3 - [4-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperazin- 1 -ylj-propyl } - 2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)- benzamide; 2-(4-Iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5 -nitro-N-pyridin-4-yl methyl- benzamide; 5 -Bromo-N- (3 - [4-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperazin- 1 -ylj -propyl } - 2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)- benzamide; 5 -Chloro-N-(2-diethylamino-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)- benzamide; 5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-piperidin- 1 -yl- ethyl)-benzamide; (3 -Hydroxy-pyrrolidin- 1 -yl)-[2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 5-nitro-phenyl] ;

5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-pyrrolidin- 1 -yl- ethyl)-benzamide; 5-Bromo-N-(2-diethylamino-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)- benzamide; N- (2- [IBis-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amino] -ethyl) -5-chloro-2-(4-iodo- 2-methyl- phenylamino)- benzamide; N-(2-[Bis-(2 -hydroxy-ethyl)-ami no]-ethyl)-5 } -5-bromo-2-(4-iodo- 2-methyl- phenylamino)- benzamide; N- (3 - [4-(2-Hydroxy-ethyl)-piperazin- 1 -yl] -propyl } -2-(4-iodo- 2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide; 5 -Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-pyridin-4-ylmethyl - benzamide; 5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-ethyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-pyrrolidin- 1 -yl- ethyl)-benzamide; 5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-piperidin- 1 -yl- ethyl)-benzamide; 5-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-pyrrolidin- 1 -yl- ethyl)-benzamide; 5-Chloro-N-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)-benzamide; N- {2-[Bis-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-aminoj-ethyl } -5-fluoro-2-(4-iodo- 2-methyl- phenylamino)- berizamide; 5-Chloro-N-(3 -hydroxy-propyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide; 5-Chloro-N-(3 -diethylamino-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-(4-iodo- 2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide; 5-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-piperidin- l-yl- ethyl)-benzamide; 5 -Bromo-N-(3 -hydroxy-propyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide; 5.Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(3-piperidin- 1 -yl- propyl)-benzamide;

N-(3- [Bis-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amino] -ethyl } -2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)-5-nitro- beuzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-morpholin-4-yl - <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> ethyl)-ben-zamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 5-Chloro-N-(3 -diethylamino-propyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl phenylamino)-benzamide; 5-Chloro-N-(2-diisopropylamino-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)-benzamide; 5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(3-piperidin-1 -yl- propyl)-benzamide; 2-(4-lodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro-N-(2-piperidin- 1 -yl- ethyl)-benzamide; 5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-piperazin- 1 -yl- ethyl)-benzamide; N-(2-Diethylamino-ethyl)-5-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)-benzamide; 5-Bromo-N-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)-benzamide; N-(3 -Hydroxy-propyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro- benzamide; 5 -Eluoro-N-(3 -hydroxy-propyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenyl amino)- benzamide; N-(3 -Diethylamino-propyl)-5 -fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)-benzamide; N-(3 -Diethylamino-propyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 5-nitro-benzamide; 5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-morpholin-4-yl- ethyl)-benzamide; 2-(4-Iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro-N-(3 -piperidin- 1 -yl- propyl)-benzamide; [5-Eluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)phenyl] -(3 -hydroxy- pyrrolidin- 1 -yl)-;

S -Bromo-N-(2-diisopropylamino-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)-benzamide; 5-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-morpholin-4-yl - ethyl)-benzamide; 5-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(3 -piperidin- 1 -yl- propyl)-benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> [5-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-pbenyl] - <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> [4-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperazin-1 -; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> N-(3-Diethylamino-2-hydrnxy-propyl)-5-fluoro-2-(4-iodo 2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide; N-Cyclopropyl-5-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide; 5-Chloro-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino) - benzamide; 5-Fluoro-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino) - benzamide; N-Benzyloxy-5-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide; N-Benzyloxy-5-bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide; 2-(4-Iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5 -nitro-N-(4-sulfamoyl-benzyl)- benzamide; S-Bromo-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide; N-(2-Hydroxy-ethyl)-5 -iodo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide; N-(2-Hydroxy-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-ethyl-phenylamino)-5 -nitro- benzamide; 2-(4-Iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-methyl-5-nitro-N-phenyl benzamide; 5-Chloro-N-cyclopropyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide;

5-Eluoro-2-(4-iodo-2 methyl-phenylamino)-N-methyl-N-phenyl- benzamide; N-Allyl-5-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> N-Benzyloxy-5 -iodo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl -phenylamino)-benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 5-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(4-sullamoyl- benzyl)-benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> N-Allyl-5 -chloro-2-(4-iodo-2 -methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> N-Cyclopropyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro- benzamide; 5-Bromo-N-cyclopropyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide; 5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-methyl-N-phenyl- benzamide; 5-Iodo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(4-sulfamoyl-benzyl )- benzamide; 5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(4-sulfamoyl- benzyl)-benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> N-Allyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro-benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 2-(4-Iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro-N-(4-sulfamoyl-benzy l)- benzamide; N-Allyl-5-bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide; 5-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(3-methyl-benzyl) - benzamide; N-Cyclopropyl-5-iodo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide; 5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-methyl-N-phenyl- benzamide; N-Benzyloxy-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5 -nitro- benzamide; N-Cyclohexyl-5-iodo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide;

N-Allyl-5-iodo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide; 5-lodo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(3-methyl-benzyl)- benzamide; 2-14-lodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(3-methyl-benzyl)-5-nitro- benzamide; 5- lodo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-methyl-N-phenyl- benzamide; N-Cyclohexyl-5-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide; 5-Chloro-N-cyclohexyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phcnylamino)- benzamide; 5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(3-methyl-benzyl)- benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> 5 -Bromo-N-cyc lohexyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> berzamide; 5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(3-methyl-benzyl) - benzamide; N-Cyclohexyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro- benzamide; N-Benzyloxy-5 -bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide; N-Benzyloxy-5-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide; 5-Chloro-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino) - benzamide; 5 -Bromo-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide; 2-(4-Iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-methyl-5-nitro-N-phenyl- benzamide; 5 -Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-methyl-N-phenyl- benzamide;

N-(2-Hydroxy-ethyl)-5 -iodo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide; 5-Chloro-N-cyclopropyl-2-(4-iodo-2-meill-penylamino)- benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> N-Allyl-5-chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 5 -Eluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-methyl-N-phenyl- benzamide; N-(2-Hydroxy-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro- <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> beizamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 5 -Fluoro-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> beuzamide; 5-Bromo-N-cyclopropyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide; N-Cyclopropyl-5-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide; 5-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(4-sulfamoyl- benzyl)-benzamide; N-Cyclopropyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro- benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> N-Allyl-5-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> N-Benzyloxy-5-iodo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide ; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> N-Allyl-5-bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide; 5 -Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2 -methyl-phenylamino)-N-(4-sulfamoyl- benzyl)-benzamide; 5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-methyl-N-phenyl- benzamide; N-Allyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro-benzamide; 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzyl alcohol; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> [5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-phenylj-methanol; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> [2-(4-Iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro -methanol; [5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-phenyl]-methanol; or

N-Allyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro-benzamide.

In another preferred embodiment, the MEK inhibitor is a compound of Formula II wherein: Rla is hydrogen, hydroxy, C1-C8 alkyl, Cl-Cg alkoxy, halo, trifluoromethyl, or CN; R2a is hydrogen; R3a, R4a, and R5a independently are hydrogen, hydroxy, halo, trifluoromethyl, Cl-Cg alkyl, Cl-Cg alkoxy, nitro, CN, or (O or NH)m-(CH2)n-R9a, where Rga is hydrogen, hydroxy, CO2H or NR10aR1 la n is 0-4; mix 0 or 1; Rloa and R1 la independently are hydrogen or C1-Cg alkyl, or taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached can complete a 3- to 10-member cyclic ring optionally containing one, two, or three additional heteroatoms selected from 0, S, NH, or N-Cl-Cg alkyl; R6a is hydrogen, C1-Cs alkyl, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or C3-C10 cycloalkyl;

R7a is hydrogen, Cl-Cg alkyl, C2-Cg alkenyl, C2-Cg alkynyl, C3-C10 (cycloalkyl or cycloalkyl optionally containing a heteroatom selected from 0, S, or NR9a); and wherein any of the foregoing alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups can be unsubstituted or substituted by cycloalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, or heteroaryloxy; or R6a and R7a taken together with the N to which they are attached can complete a 5- to 10-membered cyclic ring, optionally containing one, two, or three additional heteroatoms selected from 0, S, or NRloaRl la and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, amides or prodrugs thereof.

In a more preferred embodiment the MEK inhibitor is 4-Fluoro-N-hydroxy-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide ; 4-Fluoro-2 -(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylam ino)-N-(methoxy)- benzamide; 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(prop-2-ynyloxy)- benzamide; 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-phenoxyethoxy) - benzamide; 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-thienylmethoxy )- benzamide; 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(prop-2-enyloxy)- benzamide; 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- (cyclopropylmethoxy)-benzamide; 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(cyclopentoxy)- benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- (3 -furylmethoxy)-benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-ethoxy- benzamide;

3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(but-2-enyloxy )- benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(cyclopropyl- methoxy)-benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-( 1 -methylprop- 2-ynyloxy)-benzamide; 3,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(3-phenylprop - 2-ynyloxy)-benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(3 -methyl- 5-phenylpent-2-en-4-ynyloxy)-benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(prop- 2-ynyloxy)-benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(propoxy)- benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(cyclobutyloxy )- benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- (2-thienylmethoxy)-benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-methyl-prop - 2-enyloxy)-benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- (2-phenoxyethoxy)-benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(but-2-enyloxy )- benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(but-3 -ynylox¼- benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- (cyclopentyloxy)-benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> (3 -(2-fluorophenyl)-prop-2-ynyloxy)-benzamide; 5-Bromo-3 ,4-difluoro-N-hydroxy-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)-benzamide;

5 -Bromo-3 ,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- (n-propoxy)-benzamide; 5-Bromo-3 ,4-difluoro-N-(furan-3 -ylmethoxy)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)-benzamide; 5-Bromo-N-(but-2-enyloxy)-3 ,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)-benzamide 5 -Bromo-N-butoxy-3 ,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide; 5-Bromo-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N (3-methyl-but-2-enyloxy)-benzamide; 5-Bromo-3 ,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- (3 -methyl-pent-2-en-4-ynyloxy)-benzamide; 5-Bromo-3 ,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-benzyl)-N- [5-(3 -methoxy-phenyl)-3 -methyl-pent-2-en-4-ynyloxy] -benzamide; 5-Bromo-3 ,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(prop.

2-ynyloxy)-benzamide; 5-Bromo-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- [3 -(3 -methoxy-phenyl)-prop-2-ynyloxy] -benzamide; 5-Bromo-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- (thiopen-2-ylmethoxy)-benzamide; 5 -Bromo-3 ,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- (pyridin-3 -ylmethoxy)-benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 5-Bromo-3 -4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> (3 -(2-fluorophenyl)-prop-2-ynyloxy)-benzamide; 5-Bromo-3 ,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- (ethoxy)-benzamide; 5-Bromo-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- (cyclopropylmethoxy)-benzamide; 5-Bromo-3,4-difiuoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- (isopropoxy)-benzamide; 5-Bromo-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-but 3 -ynyloxy)-benzamide;

5-Chloro-N-hydroxy-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide ; 5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(tetrahydro-pyran 2-yloxy)-benzamide; 5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-methoxy benzamide; 4-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-phenylmethoxy benzamide; 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-phenylmethoxy- benzamide; 5-Fluoro-N-hydroxy-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide ; 5-lodo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-phenylmethoxy- benzamide; 5-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(tetrahydropyran- 2-yloxy)-benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(3 -phenylprop- 2-ynyloxy)-benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- (3 -furylmethoxy)-benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- (2-thienylmethoxy)-benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(but- 3 -ynyloxy)-benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-methyl- prop-2-enyloxy)-benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(but- 2-enyloxy)-benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-bromo-2 -methyl-phenylamino)-N-(methoxy)- benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4 -bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(ethoxy)- benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(cyclobutoxy) - benzamide;

3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(isopropOxy)- benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- (2-phenoxyethoxy)-benzamide; 3,4-Difluoro-2-(4-bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(cyclopropyl methoxy)-benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(n-propoxy)- benzamide; 3,4-Difluoro-2-(4-bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-( 1 -methyl- prop-2-ynyloxy)-benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> (3 -(3 -fiuorophenyl)-prop-2-ynyloxy)-benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- (4,4-dimethylpent-2-ynyloxy)-benzamide; 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- (cyclopentoxy)-benzamide; 3 ,4,5 -Trifluoro-N-hydroxy-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide; 5 -Chloro-3 ,4-difluoro-N-hydroxy-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)-benzamide; 5 -Bromo-3 ,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-N- hydroxy-benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> N-Hydroxy-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-4-nitro-benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 3 ,4,5-Trifluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-N-hydroxy- benzamide; 5-Chloro-3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-N- hydroxy-benzamide; 5.Bromo-2-(2-chloro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-3 ,4-difluoro-N- hydroxy-benzamide; 2-(2-Fluoro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-N-hydroxy-4-nitro-benzamide; 2-(2-Chloro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-3 ,4,5 -trifluoro-N-hydroxy- benzamide;

5-Chloro-2-(2-chIoro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-3,4-difluon-N- hydroxy-benzamide; 5-Bromo-2-(2-bromo-4-iodo-phenylamino)-3,4-difluoro-N hydroxy-benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 2-(2-Chloro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-N-hydroxy-4-methyl-benzamide ; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 2-(2-Bromo-4-iodo-phenylamino)-3 ,4,5-trifluoro-N-hydroxy- benzamide; 2-(2-Bromo-4-iodo-phenylamino)-5-chloro-3,4-difluoro-N- hydroxy-benzamide; 2-(2-Bromo-4-iodo-phenylamino)-N-hydroxy-4-nitro-benzamide; 4-Fluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-N-hydroxy-benzamide ; 3,4-Difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-N-hydroxy- benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 2-(2-Chloro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-4-fluoro-N-hydroxy-benzamide ; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 2-(2-Chloro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-3 ,4-difluoro-N-hydroxy- benzamide; 2-(2-Bromo-4-iodo-phenylamino)-4-fluoro-N-hydroxy-benzamide; 2-(2-Bromo-4-iodo-phenylamino)-3 ,4-difluoro-N-hydroxy- <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> berizamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> N-Cyclopropylmethoxy-3 ,4,5-trifluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)-benzamide; 5-Chloro-N-cyclopropylmethoxy-3 ,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)-benzamide; 5-Bromo-N-cyclopropylmethoxy-3 ,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodo- phenylamino)-benzamide; N-Cyclopropylmethoxy-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-4-nitro - benzamide; N-Cyclopropylmethoxy-3 ,4,5-trifluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodo- phenylamino)-benzamide; 5-Chloro-N-cyclopropylmethoxy-3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iod o- phenylamino)-benzamide;

5 -Bromo-2-(2-chloro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-N- cyclopropylmethoxy-3 ,4-difluoro-benzamide; N-Cyclopropylmethoxy-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-4-nitro - benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 2-(2-Chloro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-N-cyclopropylmethoxy- <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 3 ,4,5-trifluoro-benzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 5-Chloro-2-(2-chloro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-N- cyclopropylmethoxy-3 ,4-difluoro-benzamide; 5-Bromo-2-(2-bromo-4-iodo-phenylamino)-N-ethoxy-3,4-difluoro <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> beuzamide; <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> 2-(2-Chloro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-N-ethoxy-4-nitro-benzamide; 2-(2-Bromo-4-iodo-phenylamino)-N-cyclopropylmethoxy- 3,4,5-trifluoro-benzamide; 2-(2-Bromo-4-iodo-phenylamino)-5-chloro-N- cyclopropylmethoxy-3 ,4-difluoro-benzamide 2-(2-Bromo-4-iodo-phenylamino)-N-cyclopropylmethoxy-4-nitro- benzamide; N-Cyclopropylmethoxy-4-fluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodo-phenylamino )- benzamide; N-Cyclopropylmethoxy-3 ,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodo- phenylamino)-benzamide; 2-(2-Chloro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-N-cyclopropylmethoxy-4-fluor o- benzamide; 2-(2-Chloro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-N-cyclopropylmethoxy- 3 ,4-difluoro-benzamide; 2-(2-Bromo-4-iodo-phenylamino)-N-cyclopropylmethoxy-4-fluoro - benzamide; or 2-(2-Bromo-4-iodo-phenylamino)-N-cyclopropylmethoxy- 3 ,4-difluoro-benzamide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a method of treating or preventing septic shock, the method comprising administering to a patient having septic shock or at risk of having septic shock a therapeutically acceptable amount of a compound that is a MEK inhibitor.

The patients of the present invention have septic shock or are at risk of having septic shock. Those skilled in the art are readily able to identify patients having septic shock. Moreover, patients who are at risk of having septic shock are also easily identifiable by those skilled in the art. For example, patients who are at risk of having septic shock generally comprise patients who have a bacterial infection. Moreover, the bacterial infection is typically a gram-negative bacterial infection.

The term "patient" means all animals including humans. Examples of patients include humans, cows, dogs, cats, goats, sheep, and pigs.

The compounds of the present invention, which can be used to treat septic shock, are MEK inhibitors. A MEK inhibitor is a compound that shows MEK inhibition when tested in the assays titled "Enzyme Assays" in United States Patent Number 5,525,625, column 6, beginning at line 35. The complete disclosure of United States Patent Number 5,525,625 is hereby incorporated by reference. An example of a MEK inhibitor is 2-(2-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)- 4-oxo-4H-[1]benzopyran. Specifically, a compound is a MEK inhibitor if a compound shows activity in the assay titled "Cascade Assay for Inhibitors of the MAP Kinase Pathway," column 6, line 36 to column 7, line 4 of the United States Patent Number 5,525,625 and/or shows activity in the assay titled "In Vitro MEK Assay" at column 7, lines 4 to 27 of the above-referenced patent.

The MEK inhibitors of the present method can be administered to a patient as part of a pharmaceutically acceptable composition. The compositions can be administered to humans and animals either orally, rectally, parenterally (intravenously, intramuscularly,or subcutaneously), intracisternally, intravaginally, intraperitoneally, intravesically, locally (powders, ointments, or drops), or as a buccal or nasal spray.

Compositions suitable for parenteral injection may comprise physiologically acceptable sterile aqueous or nonaqueous solutions, dispersions, suspensions or emulsions, and sterile powders for reconstitution into sterile injectable solutions or dispersions. Examples of suitable aqueous and nonaqueous carriers, diluents, solvents, or vehicles include water, ethanol, polyols (propyleneglycol, polyethyleneglycol, glycerol, and the like), suitable mixtures thereof, vegetable oils (such as olive oil), and injectable organic esters such as ethyl oleate. Proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersions and by the use of surfactants.

These compositions may also contain adjuvants such as preserving, wetting, emulsifying, and dispensing agents. Prevention of the action of microorganisms can be ensured by various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid, and the like. It may also be desirable to include isotonic agents, for example sugars, sodium chloride, and the like. Prolonged absorption of the injectable pharmaceutical form can be brought about by the use of agents delaying absorption, for example, aluminum monostearate and gelatin.

Solid dosage forms for oral administration include capsules, tablets, pills, powders, and granules. In such solid dosage forms, the active compound is admixed with at least one inert customary excipient (or carrier) such as sodium citrate or dicalcium phosphate or (a) fillers or extenders, as for example, starches, lactose, sucrose, glucose, mannitol, and silicic acid, (b) binders, as for example, carboxymethylcellulose, alignates, gelatin, polyvinylpyrrolidone, sucrose, and acacia, (c) humectants, as for example, glycerol, (d) disintegrating agents, as for example, agar-agar, calcium carbonate, potato or tapioca starch, alginic acid, certain complex silicates, and sodium carbonate, (e) solution retarders, as for example paraffin, (f) absorption accelerators, as for example, quaternary ammonium compounds, (g) wetting agents, as for example, cetyl alcohol and glycerol monostearate, (h) adsorbents, as for example, kaolin and bentonite, and (i) lubricants, as for example, talc, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, solid

polyethylene glycols, sodium lauryl sulfate, or mixtures thereof. In the case of capsules, tablets, and pills, the dosage forms may also comprise buffering agents.

Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers in soft and hard-filled gelatin capsules using such excipients as lactose or milk sugar as well as high molecular weight polyethyleneglycols, and the like.

Solid dosage forms such as tablets, dragees, capsules, pills, and granules can be prepared with coatings and shells, such as enteric coatings and others well- known in the art. They may contain opacifying agents, and can also be of such composition that they release the active compound or compounds in a certain part of the intestinal tract in a delayed manner. Examples of embedding compositions which can be used are polymeric substances and waxes. The active compounds can also be in micro-encapsulated form, if appropriate, with one or more of the above-mentioned excipients.

Liquid dosage forms for oral administration include pharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups, and elixirs. In addition to the active compounds, the liquid dosage forms may contain inert diluents commonly used in the art, such as water or other solvents, solubilizing agents and emulsifiers, as for example, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl carbonate, ethyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, propyleneglycol, 1,3-butyleneglycol, dimethylformamide, oils, in particular, cottonseed oil, groundnut oil, corn germ oil, olive oil, castor oil and sesame oil, glycerol, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, polyethyleneglycols, and fatty acid esters of sorbitan or mixtures of these substances, and the like.

Besides such inert diluents, the composition can also include adjuvants, such as wetting agents, emulsifying and suspending agents, sweetening, flavoring, and perfuming agents.

Suspensions, in addition to the active compounds, may contain suspending agents, as for example, ethoxylated isostearyl alcohols, polyoxyethylene sorbitol and sorbitan esters, microcrystalline cellulose, aluminum metahydroxide, bentonite, agar-agar and tragacanth, or mixtures of these substances, and the like.

Compositions for rectal administrations are preferably suppositories which can be prepared by mixing the compounds of the present invention with suitable

non-irritating excipients or carriers such as cocoa butter, polyethyleneglycol, or a suppository wax, which are solid at ordinary temperatures but liquid at body temperature and therefore, melt in the rectum or vaginal cavity and release the active component.

Dosage forms for topical administration of a compound of this invention include ointments, powders, sprays, and inhalants. The active component is admixed under sterile conditions with a physiologically acceptable carrier and any preservatives, buffers, or propellants as may be required. Ophthalamic formulations, eye ointments, powders, and solutions are also contemplated as being within the scope of this invention.

The compounds of the present method can be administered to a patient at dosage levels in the range of about 0.1 to about 1000 mg per day. For a normal human adult having a body weight of about 70 kg, a dosage in the range of about 0.01 to about 100 mg per kg of body weight per day is preferable. The specific dosage used, however, can vary. For example, the dosage can depend on a numbers of factors including the requirements of the patient, the severity of the condition being treated, and the pharmacological activity of the compound being used. The determination of optimum dosages for a particular patient is well-known to those skilled in the art.

The compounds of the present method can be administered as pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, amides, or prodrugs. The term "pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, amides, and prodrugs" as used herein refers to those carboxylate salts, amino acid addition salts, esters, amides, and prodrugs of the compounds of the present invention which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of patients without undue toxicity, irritation, allergic response, and the like, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio, and effective for their intended use, as well as the zwitterionic forms, where possible, of the compounds of the invention. The term "salts" refers to the relatively non-toxic, inorganic and organic acid addition salts of compounds of the present invention. These salts can be prepared in site during the final isolation and purification of the compounds or by separately reacting the purified compound in its free base form with a suitable organic or

inorganic acid and isolating the salt thus formed. Representative salts include the hydrobromide, hydrochloride, sulfate, bisulfate, nitrate, acetate, oxalate, valerate, oleate, palmitate, stearate, laurate, borate, benzoate, lactate, phosphate, tosylate, citrate, maleate, -fumarate, succinate, tartrate, naphthylate mesylate, glucoheptonate, lactiobionate and laurylsulphonate salts, and the like. These may include cations based on the alkali and alkaline earth metals, such as sodium, lithium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and the like, as well as nontoxic ammonium, quaternary ammonium, and amine cations including, but not limited to ammonium, tetramethylammonium, tetraethylammonium, methyl amine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, triethylamine, ethylamine, and the like. (See, for example, S.M. Berge, et al., "Pharmaceutical Salts,"J. Pharm. Sci., 1977;66:1-19 which is incorporated herein by reference.) Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable, non-toxic esters of the compounds of this invention include C1-C6 alkyl esters wherein the alkyl group is a straight or branched chain. Acceptable esters also include C5-C7 cycloalkyl esters as well as arylalkyl esters such as, but not limited to benzyl. C1-C4 alkyl esters are preferred. Esters of the compounds of the present invention may be prepared according to conventional methods.

Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable, non-toxic amides of the compounds of this invention include amides derived from ammonia, primary C1-C6 alkyl amines and secondary C1-C6 dialkyl amines wherein the alkyl groups are straight or branched chain. In the case of secondary amines the amine may also be in the form of a 5 or 6 membered heterocycle containing one nitrogen atom.

Amides derived from ammonia, C1-C3 alkyl primary amines and C1-C2 dialkyl secondary amines are preferred. Amides of the compounds of the invention may be prepared according to conventional methods.

The term "prodrug" refers to compounds that are rapidly transformed in vivo to yield the parent compound of the above formula, for example, by hydrolysis in blood. A thorough discussion is provided in T. Higuchi and V. Stella, "Pro-drugs as Novel Delivery Systems," Vol. 14 of the A.C.S.

Symposium Series, and in Bioreversible Carriers in Drue Design, ed. Edward B.

Roche, American Pharmaceutical Association and Pergamon Press, 1987, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In addition, the compounds of the present method can exist in unsolvated as well as solvated forms with pharmaceutically acceptable solvents such as water, ethanol, and the like. In general, the solvated forms are considered equivalent to the unsolvated forms for the purposes of the present invention.

The compounds of the present method can exist in different stereoisometric forms by virtue of the presence of asymmetric centers in the compounds. It is contemplated that all stereoisometric forms of the compounds as well as mixtures thereof, including racemic mixtures, form part of this invention.

As used herein, the term "aryl" means a cyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic aromatic ring moiety having from five to twelve carbon atoms. Examples of typical aryl groups include phenyl, naphthyl, and fluorenyl. The aryl may be substituted by one, two, or three groups selected from fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, nitro, amino, alkylamino, or dialkylamino. Typical substituted aryl groups include 3-fluorophenyl, 3,5-dimethoxyphenyl, 4-nitronaphthyl, 2-methyl-4-chloro-7-aminofluorenyl, and the like.

The term "aryloxy" means an aryl group bonded through an oxygen atom, for example phenoxy, 3-bromophenoxy, naphthyloxy, and 4-methyl- l-fluorenyloxy.

"Heteroaryl" means a cyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic aromatic ring moiety having from four to eleven carbon atoms and one, two, or three heteroatoms selected from 0, S, or N. Examples include furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, xanthenyl, pyronyl, indolyl, pyrimidyl, naphthyridyl, pyridyl, benzinnidazolyl, and triazinyl. The heteroaryl groups can be unsubstituted or substituted by one, two, or three groups selected from fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, nitro, amino, alkylamino, or dialkylamino. Examples of substituted heteroaryl groups include chloropyranyl, methylthienyl, fluoropyridyl, amino-l ,4-benzisoxazinyl, nitroisoquinolinyl, and hydroxyindolyl.

The heteroaryl groups can be bonded through oxygen to make heteroaryloxy groups, for example thienyloxy, isothiazolyloxy, benzofuranyloxy, pyridyloxy, and 4-methylisoquinolinyloxy.

The term ;;alkyl" means straight and branched chain aliphatic groups.

Typical alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert.-butyl, 2,3-dimethylhexyl, and l,l-dimethylpentyl. The alkyl groups can be unsubstituted or substituted by halo, hydroxy, alkoxy, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, cycloalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, or heteroaryloxy, as those terms are defined herein. Typical substituted alkyl groups include chloromethyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 2-dimethylaminobutyl, and 2-(hydroxymethylamino)ethyl. Examples of aryl and aryloxy substituted alkyl groups include phenylmethyl, 2-phenylethyl, 3-chlorophenylmethyl, 1,1 -dimethyl-3-(2-nitrophenoxy)butyl, and 3,4,5-trifluoronaphthylmethyl. Examples of alkyl groups substituted by a heteroaryl or heteroaryloxy group include thienylmethyl, 2-furylethyl, 6-furyloxyoctyl, 4-methylquinolyloxymethyl, and 6-isothiazolylhexyl. Cycloalkyl substituted alkyl groups include cyclopropylmethyl, 2-cyclohexyethyl, piperidyl- 2-methyl, 2-(piperidin- 1 -yl)-ethyl, 3-(morpholin-4-yl)propyl.

"Alkenyl" means a straight or branched carbon chain having one or more double bonds. Examples include but-2-enyl, 2-methyl-prop-2-enyl, 1,1 -dimethyl- hex-4-enyl, 3 -ethyl-4-methyl-pent-2-enyl, and 3 -isopropyl-pent-4-enyl. The alkenyl groups can be substituted with halo, hydroxy, alkoxy, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, or heteroyloxy, for example 2-bromoethenyl, 3 -hydroxy-2-butenyl, 1 -aminoethenyl, 3 -phenylprop-2-enyl, 6-thienyl-hex-2-enyl, 2-furyloxy-but-2-enyl, and 4-naphthyloxy-hex-2-enyl.

"Alkynyl" means a straight or branched carbon chain having at least one triple bond. Typical alkynyl groups include prop-2-ynyl, 2-methyl-hex-5-ynyl, 3,4-dimethyl-hex-5-ynyl, and 2-ethyl-but-3-ynyl. The alkynyl groups can be substituted as the alkyl and alkenyl groups, for example, by aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, or heteroaryloxy, for example 4-(2-fluorophenyl)-but-3 -ynyl, 3-methyl- 5 -thienylpent-4-ynyl, 3 -phenoxy-hex-4-ynyl, and 2-furyloxy-3 -methyl-hex-4-ynyl.

The alkenyl and alkynyl groups can have one or more double bonds or triple bonds, respectively, or a combination of double and triple bonds. For

example, typical groups having both double and triple bonds include hex-2-en- 4-ynyl, 3-methyl-5-phenylpent-2-en-4-ynyl, and 3-thienyloxy-hex-3 -en-5-ynyl.

The term "cycloalkyl" means a nonaromatic ring or fused rings. Examples include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopenyl, cyclooctyl, bicycloheptyl, adamantyl, and cyclohexyl. The ring can optionally contain one, two, or three heteroatoms selected from 0, S, or N. Such groups include tetrahydrofuryl, tetrahydropyrrolyl, octahydrobenzofuranyl, morpholinyl, piperazinyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, octahydroindolyl, and octahydrobenzothiofuranyl. The cycloalkyl groups can be substituted with the same substituents as an alkyl and alkenyl groups, for example, halo, hydroxy, aryl, and heteroaryloxy. Examples include 3-hydroxycyclohexyl, 2-aminocyclopropyl, 2-phenylpyrrolidinyl, and 3 -thienylmorpholine- 1 -yl.

The examples presented below are intended to illustrate particular embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the specification, including the claims, in any way.

The 2-(4-bromo and 4-iodo phenylamino)-benzoic acid derivatives of Formula I can be prepared from commercially available starting materials utilizing synthetic methodologies well-known to those skilled in organic chemistry. A typical synthesis is carried out by reacting a 4-bromo or 4-iodo aniline with a benzoic acid having a leaving group at the 2-position to give a 2-(phenylamino)- benzoic acid. This process is depicted in Scheme 1.

Scheme 1 where L is a leaving group, for example halo such as fluoro.

The reaction of aniline and the benzoic acid derivative generally is accomplished by mixing the benzoic acid with an equimolar quantity or excess of the aniline in an unreactive organic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran or toluene, in the presence of a base such as lithium diisopropylamide, n-butyl lithium, sodium hydride, triethylamine, and Hunig's base. The reaction generally is carried out at a temperature of about -78°C to about 100"C, and normally is complete within about 2 hours to about 4 days. The product can be isolated by removing the solvent, for example by evaporation under reduced pressure, and further purified, if desired, by standard methods such as chromatography, crystallization, or distillation.

The 2-(phenylamino)-benzoic acid (e.g., Formula I, where R7 is hydrogen) can be reacted with an organic or inorganic base such as pyridine, triethylamine, calcium carbonate, or sodium hydroxide to produce a pharmaceutically acceptable

salt. The free acids can also be reacted with an alcohol of the formula HOR7 (where R7 is other than hydrogen, for example methyl) to produce the corresponding ester. Reaction of the benzoic acid with an alcohol can be carried out in the presence of a coupling agent. Typical coupling reagents include 2-ethoxy- 1 -ethoxycarbonyl- 1 ,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ), 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), bromo-tris(pyrrolidino)- phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (PyBrOP), and (benzotriazolyloxy) tripyrrolidino phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (PyBOP). The phenylamino benzoic acid and alcohol derivative normally are mixed in approximately equimolar quantities in an unreactive organic solvent such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, or xylene, and an equimolar quantity of the coupling reagent is added. A base such as triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine can be added to act as an acid scavenger if desired. The coupling reaction generally is complete after about 10 minutes to 2 hours, and the product is readily isolated by removing the reaction solvent, for instance by evaporation under reduced pressure, and purifying the product by standard methods such as chromatography or crystallizations from solvents such as acetone, diethyl ether, or ethanol.

The benzamides of the invention, Formula I where Z is CONR6R7, are readily prepared by reacting the foregoing benzoic acids with an amine of the formula HNR6R7. The reaction is carried out by reacting approximately equimolar quantities of the benzoic acid and amine in an unreactive organic solvent in the presence of a coupling reagent. Typical solvents are chloroform, dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, benzene, toluene, and xylene. Typical coupling reagents include DCC, EEDQ, PyBrOP, and PyBOP. The reaction is generally complete after about 10 minutes to about 2 hours when carried out at a temperature of about 0°C to about 60"C. The product amide is readily isolated by removing the reaction solvent, for instance by evaporation, and further purification can be accomplished by normal methods such as chromatography, crystallization, or distillation. The hydrazides (z = CONHNRloRl l) are similarly prepared by coupling a benzoic acid with a hydrazine of the formula H2HNRl oRl 1.

The benzyl alcohols of the invention, compounds of Formula I where Z is CH2OR6 and R6 is hydrogen, are readily prepared by reduction of the corresponding benzoic acid according to the following scheme 0 I I R1 {2{-OH {2 MNIMR reducing '<N\/ agent Br or I Br or I R3 R4 R 4 Typical reducing agents commonly employed include borane in tetrahydrofuran.

The reduction normally is carried out in an unreactive organic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, and generally is complete within about 2 hours to about 24 hours when conducted at a temperature of about 0°C to about 40"C.

The following detailed examples illustrate specific compounds provided by this invention.

EXAMPLE 1 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methylphenYlamino)benzoic acid To a stirring solution comprised of 3.16 g (0.0133 mol) of 2-amino-5- iodotoluene in 5 mL of tetrahydrofuran at -780C was added 10 mL (0.020 mol) of a 2.0 M lithium diisopropylamide in tetrahydrofuran/heptane/ethenylbenzene (Aldrich) solution. The resulting green suspension was stirred vigorously for 15 minutes, after which time a solution of 1.00 g (0.00632 mol) of 2,4-difluorobenzoic acid in 10 mL of tetrahydrofuran was added. The reaction temperature was allowed to increase slowly to room temperature, at which temperature it was stirred for 2 days. The reaction mixture was concentrated.

Aqueous HC1 (10%) was added to the concentrate, and the solution was extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase was dried (MgS04) and then boiled over a steambath to low volume and cooled to room temperature. The off-white fibers were collected by vacuum filtration, rinsed with hexanes, and vacuum-oven

dried. (76°C; ca. 10 mm of Hg) to afford 1.10 g (47%) of the desired material; mp 224-229.5°C; 1H NMR (400 MHz; DMSO): 6 9.72 (s, 1H), 7.97 (dd, 1H, J= 7.0, 8.7 lIz), 7.70 (d, 1H, J = 1.5 Hz), 7.57 (dd, 1H,J=8.4, 1.9 Hz), 7.17 (d, 1H, J= 8.2 Hz), 6.61-6.53 (m, 2H), 2.18 (s, 3H); 13CNMR(l00MHz; DMSO):6 169.87, 167.60,165.12,150.17, 150.05, 139.83, 138.49, 136.07, 135.31, 135.20, 135.07, 125.60, 109.32, 105.09, 104.87, 99.72, 99.46, 89.43, 17.52; 19F NMR (376 MHz; DMSO): 6-104.00 to -104.07 (m); IR (KBr) 1670 (C = 0 stretch) cm-1; MS (Cl) M+1 = 372.

Analysis calculated for C14Hl lFINO2: C, 45.31; H, 2.99; N, 3.77.

Found: C, 45.21; H, 2.77; N, 3.64.

EXAMPLES 2-30 By following the general procedure of Example 1, the following benzoic acids and salts were prepared: Example Compound MP °C No.

2 3,4,5-Trifluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 206-210 benzoic acid 3 3,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 240.5-244.5 benzoic acid 4 5-Bromo-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-9-methyl- 259.5-262 phenylamino)-benzoic acid Example Compound MP "C No.

5 5-Chloro-2-(2-chloro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-benzoic 255-260 acid 6 5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzoic 234-238 acid 7 Sodium 5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- 310-320 phenylamino)-benzoate DEC 8 5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzoic 239.5-240 acid 9 2-(2-Chloro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-5-nitro-benzoic 289-293 acid 10 4-Fluoro-2-(3-fluoro-4-iodo-2-methyl- 233-235 phenylamino)-benzoic acid 11 2-(4-lodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro-benzoic 264-267 acid 12 2-(2-Fluoro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-5 -nitro-benzoic 256-258 acid 13 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-4-fluoro- 218.5-220 benzoic acid 14 2-(2-Bromo-4-iodo-phenylamino)-5-nitro-benzoic 285-288 acid DEC 15 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-3,4-difluoro- 230-234 benzoic acid 16 3-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzoic 218-221 acid 17 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methoxy-phenylamino)- 230-233 benzoic acid 18 4-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzoic 245-255 acid DEC Example Compound MP "C No.

19 2-(4-Iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzoic acid 218-223 20 5-Eluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzoic 243-46 acid 21 5-lodo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzoic 241-245 acid 22 2,3 ,5-Trifluoro-4-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 218-222 benzoic acid 23 4-Fluoro-2-(3-chloro-4-iodo-2-methyl- 248-252.5 phenylamino)-benzoic acid 24 2-(4-lodo-phenylamino)-5 -methoxy-benzoic acid 208-211 25 3-Chloro-2-(2-chloro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-benzoic 232-233 acid 26 2-Fluoro-6-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzoic 179-182 acid 27 4-Fluoro2-(2,3-dimethyl-4-iodo-2-methyl- 258-261 phenylamino)benzoic acid 28 5-Methyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzoic 209.5-211 acid 29 2-Chloro-6-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-berzoic 171 - 175 acid 30 2-(4-Iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-4-nitro-benzoic 251-263 acid EXAMPLE 31 5-Chloro-N-(2-hYdroxYethYl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide To a stirring solution comprised of 0.1020 g (0.2632 mmol) of 5-chloro- 2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzoic acid, 0.1 mL (1.7 mmol) of ethanolamine, and 0.05 mL (0.29 mmol) of diisopropylethylamine in 5 mL of a 1:1 (v/v) tetrahydrofuran-dichloromethane solution was added 0.15 g (0.29 mmol)

of solid PyBOP powder directly. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The solvent was removed in vacuo. The crude residue was partitioned between ether (50 mL) and 10% aqueous hydrochloric acid (50 mL).

The organic phase was washed with 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide (50 mL), dried (MgSO4) and concentrated in vacuo to afford a yellow-brown oil which was crystallized from hexanes-ether to afford 0.083 1 g (73%) of a green-yellow powder; mp 120-121°C; 1H NMR (400 MHz; CDC13): 9.11 (s, 1H), 7.56 (d, 1H, J= 1.4 Hz), 7.46-7.41 (m, 2H), 7.20 (dd, 1H, j = 8.9, 2.4 Hz), 7.00 (t, 2H, J = 9.6 Hz), 6.55 (broad t, 1H), 3.86 (t, 2H, J = 5.0 Hz), 3.61 (dd, 211, J = 10.1, 5.5 Hz), 2.23 (s, 3H), 1.56 (broad s, 1H); IR (KBr) 3297 (O-H stretch), 1627 (C = 0 stretch) cm-1; MS (C1) M+1 = 431.

Analysis calculated for C16H16CllN202: C, 44.62; H, 3.74; N, 6.50.

Found: 44.63; H, 3.67; N, 6.30.

EXAMPLES 32-48 By following the general procedure of Example 31, the following benzamides were prepared by reacting the corresponding benzoic acid with the corresponding amine.

Example Compound MP °C No.

32 4-Methoxy-N-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-3-nitro- 153.5-156 benzamide 33 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino) 158 benzamide 34 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- 102.5-104.5 methyl-benzamide Example Compound MP "C No.

35 N-Ethyl-4-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 90-91 benzamide 36 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N,N- oil dimethyl-benzamide 37 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-( 1 H- 285-288 DEC tetrazol-5-yl)-benzamide 38 5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 180-182 benzamide 39 5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N,N- 137-138 dimethyl-benzamide 40 [5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 170-173 benzoylamino]-acetic acid 41 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- 69-71 propyl-benzamide 42 5-Bromo-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- 132-133.4 phenylamino)-benzamide 43 N,N-Diethyl-4-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- oil phenylamino)-benzamide 44 4-Fluoro-N- ( 3-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperazin- 1 -yl]- 122-124 propyl } -2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide 45 N,N-Diethyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylaiino)-5- 91-93 nitro-benzamide 46 N-Butyl-4-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 97-99 benzamide 47 5-Chloro-N,N-diethyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl 118-120 phenylamino)-benzamide 48 5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N,N- 142.5-144 dimethyl-benzamide

EXAMPLE 49 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-henylamino)-benzyl alcohol 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-1nethl-phenylamino)-benzOic acid (0.50 g, 1.35 mmol) was dissolved in 6 mL (6 mmol) of cold 1.0 M borane-tetrahydrofuran complex in tetrahydrofuran solution. The reaction mixture was stirred under nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature overnight. The reaction was quenched with 80 mL of methanol. Concentration in vacuo produced a clear tan oil which was purified by MPLC. Elution with dichloromethane afforded 0.4285 g (89%) of a white solid; mp 99-100.5"C; 1H NMR (400 MHz; DMSO): 5 7.57 (d, 1H, J=1.7 Hz), 7.45 (dd, 1H, j=8.4, 1.9 Hz), 7.39 (s, 1H), 7.29 (t, 1H, J=7.5 Hz), 6.89 (d, 1H, J=8.4 Hz), 6.67-6.60 (m, 1H), 5.47 (t, 1H, J=5.5 Hz), 4.49 (d, 2H, 5.1 Hz), 2.14 (s, 3H); IR (KBr) 3372 (O-H stretch) cm-1; MS (CI) M+1 = 358.

Analysis calculated for C14H13FINO: C, 47.08; H, 3.67; N, 3.92.

Found: C, 47.17; H, 3.75; N, 3.72.

EXAMPLE 50-52 The following benzyl alcohols were prepared by the general procedure of Example 49.

Example No. Compound MP "C 50 [5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 82-85 phenylj-methanol 51 [2-(4-Iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro-phenylj- 126.5-128.5 methanol 52 [5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 60.5-63.5 phenyll-methanol

Several invention compounds of Formula I were prepared utilizing combinatorial synthetic techniques. The general procedure is as follows: To a 0.8-mL autosampler vial in a metal block was added 40 pL of a 0.5 M solution of the acid in DMF and 40 ptL of the reagent amine (2 M solution in Hunig's base and 1 M in amine in DMF). A 0.5 M solution of PyBrop was freshly prepared and 50 ptL were added to the autosampler vial. The reaction was allowed to stand for 24 hours.

The reaction mixture was transferred to a 2-dram vial and diluted with 2 mL of ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with 3 mL of distilled water and the water layer washed again with 2 mL of ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers were allowed to evaporate to dryness in an open fume hood.

The residue was taken up in 2 mL of 50% acetonitrile in water and injected on a semi-prep reversed phase column (10 mm x 25 cm, 5 ptM spherical silica, pore size 115 A derivatized with C-18, the sample was eluted at 4.7 mL/min with a linear ramp to 100% acetonitrile over 8.5 minutes. Elution with 100% acetonitrile continued for 8 minutes). Fractions were collected by monitoring at 214 nM. The residue was dissolved in chloroform and transferred to a preweighed vial, evaporated, and weighed again to determine the yield.

EXAMPLES 53-206 The following compounds of Formula I were prepared by combinatorial methodology: Example Compound MS No. M-H 53 5-Bromo-3,4-difluoro-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- 510 phenylamino)-benzamide 54 N-(2,3-Dihydroxy-propyl)-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl 462 phenylamino)-benzamide Example Compound MS No. M-H 55 5-Bromo-3 ,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2- - 577 piperidin- 1 -yl-ethyl)-benzamide 56 3,4-Difluoro-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl - 432 phenylamino)-benzamide 57 N-(2,3-Dihydroxy-propyl)-4-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- 444 phenylamino)-benzamide 58 3,4-Difluoro-N-(3-hydroxy-propyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- 446 phenylamino)-benzamide 59 5-Bromo-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- 564 (2-pyrrolidin- 1 -yl-ethyl)-benzamide 60 5-Bromo-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- 571 (2-pyridin-4-yl-ethyl)-benzamide 61 4-Fluoro-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino) - 414 benzamide 62 5-Bromo-N-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo- 551 2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide 63 5-Bromo-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- 580 (2-morpholin-4-yl-ethyl)-benzamide 64 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-morpholin- 501 4-yl-ethyl)-benzamide 65 3,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-pyrrolidin - 485 1 -yl-ethyl)-benzamide 66 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-pyridin-4-y l 493 ethyl)-benzamide 67 N-(3 -Dimethylamino-propyl)-3 ,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- 473 phenylamino)-benzamide 68 N-Benzyl-4-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide 460 69 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-3 ,4-difluoro-N-(2-hydroxy- 384 ethyl)-benzamide 70 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-morpholin-4-yl - 483 ethyl)-benzamide Example Compound MS No. M-H 71 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylaminoy-N-(3-piperidin 1 -yl- 495 propyl)-benzamide 72 3,4eifluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(3-piperidin- 513 1 -yl-propyl)-benzamide 73 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-thiophen-2-yl- 480 ethyl)-benzamide 74 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-pyrrolidin- 1 -yl- 467 ethyl)-benzamide 75 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-3,4-difluoro-N-(2-morpholin - 453 4-yl-ethyl)-benzamide 76 5-Bromo-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N 557 pyridin-4-ylmethyl-benzarnide 77 3,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-pyridin- 479 4-ylmethyl-benzamide 78 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)- 425 3 ,4-difluoro-benzamide 79 4-Eluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-pyridin-4-ylmethy l- 461 benzamide 80 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-pyridin-4-yl- 475 ethyl)-benzamide 81 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-3,4-difluoro-N-(2-pyridin- 445 4-yl-ethyl)-benzamide 82 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-3,4-difluoro-N-(3-hydroxy- 400 propyl)-benzamide 83 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-3 ,4-difluoro-N-(2-pyrrolidin- 437 1 -yl.ethyl)-benzamide 84 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-phenethyl- 474 benzamide 85 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-3,4-difluoro-N-(2-thiophen- 450 2-yl-ethyl)-benzamide 86 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-3,4-difluoro-N-pyridin- 431 4-ylmethyl-benzamide Example Compound MS No. M-H 87 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-3,4-difluoro-N-phenethyl- 444 benzamide 88 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-3,4-difluoro-N-(2-piperidin - 451 1 -yl-ethyl)-benzamide 89 5-Chloro-N- ( 3-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperazin- 1 -yl]-propyl } - 557* 2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)- benzamide 90 5-Fluoro-N-{3-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperazin- 1 -yl] -propyl } - 541* 2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)- benzamide 91 2-(4-lodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro-N-pyridin-4-yl methyl- 487 benzamide 92 5-Bromo-N- ( 3-[4-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperazin- 1 -yl]-propyl } - 601 * 2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)- benzamide 93 5-Chloro-N-(2-diethylamino-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- 486* phenylamino)- benzamide 94 5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-piperidin-1-yl - 497* ethyl)-benzamide 95 (3-Hydroxy-pyrrolidin- 1 -yl)-[2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino) 466 5-nitro-phenyl]- 96 5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-pyrrolidin-1-y l- 484* ethyl)-benzamide 97 5-Bromo-N-(2-diethylamino-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- 530* phenylamino)- benzamide 98 N-{2-[Bis-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amino]-ethyl}-5-chloro-2-(4-iodo - 518* 2-methyl- phenylamino)- benzamide 99 N-(2-[Bis-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amino]-ethyl )-5-bromo-2-(4-iodo- 562* 2-methyl- phenylamino)- benzamide 100 [5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-phenyl]-(3-hydroxy- 499 pyrrolidin- 1 -yl)- 101 2-(4-Iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro-benzoic acid phenethyl 501 ester 102 N-{3-[4-(2-Hydroxy-ethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-propyl } -2-(4-iodo- 568 * 2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide Example Compound MS No. M-H <BR> <BR> 103 [5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-phenyl -hydroxy- - 455 pyrrolidin- I -yl)- 104 5-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-pyridin-4-ylmethy l- 460 benzamide 105 5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-pyrrolidin-1-yl - 528* ethyl)-benzamide 106 5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-piperidin- I -yl- 542* ethyl)-benzamide 107 5-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-pyrrolidin-1-y l- 468* ethyl)-benzamide 108 5-Chloro-N-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- 472* phenylamino)-benzamide 109 N-{2-[Bis-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amino]-ethyl}-5-fluoro-2-(4-iodo - 502* 2-methyl- phenylamino)- benzamide 110 5-Chloro-N-(3-hydroxy-propyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- 445* phenylamino)-benzamide 111 5-Chloro-N-(3-diethylamino-2-hydroxy-propyl)-2-(4-iodo- 516* 2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide 112 5-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-piperidin-1-yl - 482* ethyl)-benzamide 113 5-Bromo-N-(3 -hydroxy-propyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- 489 * phenylamino)-benzamide 114 5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(3-piperidin- 1 -yl- 556* propyl)-benzamide 115 N-(2-[Bis-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-amino]-ethyl -2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- 529* phenylamino)-5-nitro- benzamide 116 5 -Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-morpholin-4-yl- 500* ethyl)-benzamide 117 5-Chloro-N-(3-diethylamino-propyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- 500* phenylamino)-benzamide Example Compound MS No. M-H 118 5-Chloro-N-(2-diisopropylamino-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- - 514* phenylamino)-benzamide 119 5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(3-piperidin-1-yl - 512* propyl)-benzamide 120 2-(4-lodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro-N-(2-piperidin-1-yl- 509* ethyl)-benzamide 121 5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-piperazin- 1 -yl- 544* ethyl)-benzamide 122 N-(2-Diethylamino-ethyl)-5-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- 470* phenylamino)-benzamide 123 5-Bromo-N-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- 516* phenylamino)-benzamide 124 N-(3-Hydroxy-propyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro - 456* benzamide 125 5-Eluoro-N-(3 -hydroxy-propyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 429* benzamide 126 N-(3-Diethylamino-propyl)-5-iluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- 484* phenylamino)-benzamide 127 N-(3-Diethylamino-propyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 511 * 5-nitro-benzamide 128 5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-morpholin-4-yl- 544* ethyl)-benzamide 129 2-(4-Iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5 -nitro-N-(3 -piperidin- I -yl- 523 * propyl)-benzamide 130 [5-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-phenyl]-(3-hydroxy - 439 pyrrolidin-1 -yl)- 131 5-Bromo-N-(2-diisopropylamino-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- 558* phenylamino)-benzamide 132 5-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(2-morpholin-4-yl - 484* ethyl )-benzamide 133 5-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(3-piperidin-1 -yl- 496* propyl)-benzamide Example Compound MS No. M-H 134 [5-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylarnino)-phenyl - - 482 [4-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-piperazin- 1 - 135 N-(3-Diethylamino-2-hydroxy-propyl)-5-fluoro-2-(4-iodo- 500* 2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide 136 [5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzoylamino]-acet ic 443 acid 137 2-(4-lodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro-N-(2-pyrrolidin- 1 -yl- 495 * ethyl)-benzamide 138 N-(3-Dimethylamino-propyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 483* 5-nitro-benzamide 139 N-(2-Diisopropylamino-ethyl)-5-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- 498* phenylamino)- benzamide 140 5-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-thiobenzoic acid S- 490 phenethyl ester 141 5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-thiobenzoic acid S- 506 phenethyl ester 142 5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-thiobenzoic acid S- 536 benzyl ester 143 2-(4-lodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro-thiobenzoic acid S- 503 benzyl ester 144 5 -Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-thiobenzoic acid S- 476 benzyl ester 145 5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-thiebenzoic acid S- 492 benzyl ester 146 N-Cyclopropyl-5-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 409 benzamide 147 5-Chloro-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino) - 429 benzamide 148 5-Fluoro-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino) - 413 benzamide 149 N-Benzyloxy-5 -fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 475 benzamide Example Compound MS No. M-H 150 N-Benzyloxy-5-bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 593* benzamide 151 2-(4-lodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro-N-(4-sulfamoyl-benzy l)- 567 benzamide 152 5-Bromo-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino) 473 benzamide 153 N-(2-Hydroxy-ethyl)-5-iodo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 521 benzamide 154 N-(2-Hydroxy-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro- 440 benzamide 155 2-(4-lodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-methyl-5-nitro-N-phenyl- 486 benzamide 156 5-Chloro-N-cyclopropyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 425 benzamide 157 5-Irluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-methyl-N-phenyl- 459 benzamide 158 N-Allyl-5-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide 409 159 N-Benzyloxy-5-iodo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzarlli de 583 160 5-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(4-sulfamoyl- 538 benzyl)-benzamide 161 N-Allyl-5-chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide 425 162 N-Cyclopropyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro- 436 benzamide 163 5-Bromo-N-cyclopropyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylarnino)- 469 benzamide 164 5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-methyl-N-phenyl- 475 benzamide 165 5-lodo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(4-sulfamoyl-benzyl )- 646 benzamide 166 5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(4-sulfamoyl- 598 benzyl)-benzamide 167 N-Allyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro-benzamide 436 Example Compound MS No. M-H 168 2-(4-lodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro-N-(4-sulfamoyl-benzy l)- 565 benzamide 169 N-Allyl-5-bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide 469 170 5-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(3-methyl-benzyl) - 473 benzamide 171 N-Cyclopropyl-5-iodo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 517 benzamide 172 5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-methyl-N-phenyl- 519 benzamide 173 N-Benzyloxy-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro- 502 benzamide 174 N-Cyclohexyl-5-iodo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 559 benzamide 175 N-Allyl-5-iodo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide 517 176 5-lodo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(3-methyl-benzyl)- 581 benzamide 177 2-(4-lodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(3-methyl-benzyl)-5-nitro- 500 benzamide 178 5-lodo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-methyl-N-phenyl- 567 benzamide 179 N-Cyclohexyl-5-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 451 benzamide 180 5-Chloro-N-cyclohexyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 467 benzamide 181 5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(3-methyl-benzyl)- 533 benzamide 182 5-Bromo-N-cyclohexyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino) 511 benzamide 183 5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(3-methyl-benzyl) - 489 benzamide 184 N-Cyclohexyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro- 478 benzamide Example Compound MS No. M-H 185 N-Benzyloxy-5-hromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino) 538 benzamide 186 N-Benzyloxy-5-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 477 benzamide 187 5-Chloro-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-mefll-phenylamino). 431 benzamide 188 5-Bromo-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 475 benzamide 189 2-(4-Iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-methyl-5-nitro-N-phenyl- 488 benzamide 190 5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-ìnethyl-N-phenyl - 477 benzamide 191 N-(2-Hydroxy-ethyl)-5-iodo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 523 benzamide 192 5-Chloro-N-cyclopropyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 425 benzamide 193 N-Allyl-5-chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide 427 194 5-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-methyl-N-phenyl- 461 benzamide 195 N-(2-Hydroxy-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro- 442 benzamide 196 5-Fluoro-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino) 415 benzamide 197 5-Bromo-N-cyclopropyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 472 benzamide 198 N-Cyclopropyl-5 -fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 411 benzamide 199 5-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(4-sulfamoyl- 540 benzyl)-benzamide 200 N-Cyclopropyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro- 438 benzamide 201 N-Allyl-5-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide 411

Example Compound MS No. M-H 202 N-Benzyloxy-5-iodo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide 585 203 N-Allyl-5-bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide 472 204 5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(4-sulfamoyl- 601 benzyl)-benzamide 205 5-Bromo-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-methyl-N-phenyl- 522 benzamide 206 N-Allyl-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-5-nitro-benzamide 438 * M+H EXAMPLE 207 Preparation of {4-Chloro-2-( 1 H-tetrazol-5-yl-(4-iodo-2-methvl-phenyl)-amine Step a: Preparation of 5-chloro-2-fluoro-benzaldehyde To a solution of 1-chloro-4-fluorobenzne (13.06 g, 0.1 mol) in THE (180 mL), at -78°C, LDA (2M solution in THF, 50 mL, 0.1 mol) was added drop wise. After stirring at -780C for 1.5 hours, DMF (8 mL) was added to the reaction mixture and allowed to warm up to room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture was partitioned between water and Et2O. The Et2O layer was dried (MgSO4) and the solvent removed in vacuum to give 14.95 g (94%) yield of crude aldehyde: 1H NMR (CDC13): o, 10.3 (s, -C(=O)~).

Step b: Preparation of 5-chloro-2-fluoro-benzaldehvde oxime A solution of 5-chloro-2-fluoro-benzaldehyde (10 g, 0.0631 mol), hydroxylamine hydrochloride (6.57 g, 0.0946 mol) and pyridine (8.3 mL, 0.1010 mol) in EtOH (100 mL) was heated at 750C (oil bath temperature) for 1 hour and the solvent removed under vacuum to give an oil. The oil was partitioned between water and CH2Cl2. The CH2C12 layer was dried (MgSO4) and the solvent removed under vacuum to give crude aldoxime as a solid. The

solid was purified by medium pressure liquid chromatography on silica. Elution with CH2C12 gave 4.87 g (28%) of the aldoxime as white solid: mp 95-97"C; Analysis calculated for C7H5NOFC1: C, 48.44; FI, 2.90; N, 8.07.

Found: C, 48.55; H, 2.69, N, 7.90.

Step c: Preparation of 5-chloro-2-fluoro-benzonirile A solution of the 5-chloro-2-fluoro-benzaldehyde oxime (3.15 g, 0.0182 mol) in acetic anhydride (150 mL) was refluxed for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and poured into saturated aqueous NaHCO3 (200 mL) solution. The mixture was extracted with Et2O. The Et2O layer was dried (K2C03) and the solvent removed to give the product as an oily solid. The product was used without further purification in the next step.

Step d: Preparation of 5-(5-ehloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-1 H-tetrazole A mixture of 5-chloro-2-fluoro-benzonitrile (2.84 g, 0.01823 mol), butanol (15 mL), sodium azide (1.543 g, 0.0237 mol), acetic acid (1.36 mL, 0.0237 mol) was refluxed for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, additional 1.543 g sodium azide added, and the reaction mixture refluxed for additional 24 hours. After cooling to room temperature, Et2O (100 mL) and 10% aqueous NaOH (200 mL) were added sequentially. The mixture was vigorously stirred. The aqueous layer was separated, cooled with ice-methanol bath (-15"C) and acidified to pH 1 with conc. HC1. A gray solid precipitated. The solid was dried in vacuum at 500C to give 1.76 g (49%) of 5-(5-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-lH- tetrazole: mp partial melt at 1 100C, complete melting at 1240C); 1H (400 Mz, CDC13): 88.19-8.08 (m, 1H), 7.77-7.71 (m, 1H), 7.61-7.52 (m, 1H); 13C (100 Mz, CDC13): 8 159.00, 156.49, 140.88, 133.02, 132.93, 130.73, 129.23, 129.21, 129.08, 126.05, 118.96, 118.73, 114.50; MS (CI) = 199(100),M= 198(6).

Step e: Preparation of 4-Chloro-2-( 1 H-tetrazol-5-yl)-4-iodo-2-methyl-phenvl)- amine To a solution of 2-methyl-4-iodoaniline (3.52 g, 0.0151 mol) in THE (25 mL) at -78°C-, LDA (2 molar solution in THF, 11.33 mL, 0.02267 mol) was added dropwise. After stirring for 0.5 hours, a solution of 1-(tetrazol-5-yl)-2- fluoro-5-chlorobenzene (1.5 g, 0.00756 mol) in THE (15 mL) was added dropwise. The reaction was stirred for 16 hours as it warmed up to room temperature. The reaction mixture was quenched with aqueous conc. NH4Cl solution and extracted with CH2C12. The organic layer was dried (MgSO4) and the solvent removed giving a crude product as an oil. The oil with CH2Cl2- >CH2Cl2:MeOH (9.7:0.3) gave 1.5 g (48%) of the desired product: mp 205-208°C; 1H (400 Mz, DMSO): 6 9.13 (s, 1H), 8.00-7.99 (s, 1H), 7.69 (s, 1H), 7.55-7.52 (m, 1H), 7.43-7.40 (m, 1H), 7.12-7.05 (m, 1H), 2.24 (s, 3H); 13C (100 Mz, CDC13): 141.87, 139.28, 138.88, 135.47, 133.71, 131.65, 128.15, 123.69, 121.94, 116.68, 87.79, 17.22; MS (CI) M+2 = 413 (44), M+1 = 412(85), M = 411 (100).

Analysis calculated for C14H11N5CH#0.5H2O: C, 39.97; H, 2.87; N, 16.65.

Found: C, 38.87, H, 2.77; N, 16.47.

The following tetrazole substituted phenylamines were prepared by following the general procedure of Example 207.

EXAMPLE 208 (4-iodo-2-methvl-phenyl)-{2-( 1 H-tetrazol-5-vl)-nhenyll amine mp 23 1 0C (doc) EXAMPLE 209 4-nitro-2-(1 H-tetrazol-5 -yl)-(4-iodo-2-methvl-nhenyl)-amine mp 205-2080C.

The 4-bromo and 4-iodo phenylamino benzhydroxamic acid derivatives of Formula I can be prepared from commercially available starting materials utilizing synthetic methodologies well-known to those skilled in organic chemistry. A typical synthesis is carried out by reacting a 4-bromo or 4-iodo aniline with a benzoic acid having a leaving group at the 2-position to give a phenylamino benzoic acid, and then reacting the benzoic acid phenylamino derivative with a hydroxylamine derivative. This process is depicted in Scheme la.

Scheme la

where L is a leaving group, for example halo such as fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo, or an activated hydroxy group such as a diethylphosphate, trimethylsilyloxy, p-nitrophenoxy, or phenylsulfonoxy.

The reaction of aniline and the benzoic acid derivative generally is accomplished by mixing the benzoic acid with an equimolar quantity or excess of the aniline in an unreactive organic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, or toluene, in the presence of a base such as lithium diisopropylamide, n-butyl lithium, sodium

hydride, and sodium amide. The reaction generally is carried out at a temperature of about -78°C to about 25"C, and normally is complete within about 2 hours to about 4 days. The product can be isolated by removing the solvent, for example by evaporation under reduced pressure, and further purified, if desired, by standard methods such as chromatography, crystallization, or distillation.

The phenylamino benzoic acid next is reacted with a hydroxylamine derivative HNR6aOR7a in the presence of a peptide coupling reagent.

Hydroxylamine derivatives that can be employed include methoxylamine, N-ethyl- isopropoxy amine, and tetrahydro-oxazine. Typical coupling reagents include 2-ethoxy- 1 -ethoxycarbonyl- 1 ,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ), 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), bromo-tris(pyrrolidino)-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (PyBrOP) and (benzotriazolyloxy)tripyrrolidino phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (PyBOP). The phenylamino benzoic acid and hydroxylamino derivative normally are mixed in approximately equimolar quantities in an unreactive organic solvent such as dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, or xylene, and an equimolar quantity of the coupling reagent is added. A base such as triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine can be added to act as an acid scavenger if desired. The coupling reaction generally is complete after about 10 minutes to 2 hours, and the product is readily isolated by removing the reaction solvent, for instance by evaporation under reduced pressure, and purifying the product by standard methods such as chromatography or crystallizations from solvents such as acetone, diethyl ether, or ethanol.

An alternative method for making the invention compounds involves first converting a benzoic acid to a hydroxamic acid derivative, and then reacting the hydroxamic acid derivative with an aniline. This synthetic sequence is depicted in Scheme 2.

Scheme 2 where L is a leaving group. The general reaction conditions for both of the steps in Scheme 2 are the same as those described above for Scheme la.

Yet another method for making invention compounds comprises reacting a phenylamino benzhydroxamic acid with an ester forming group as depicted in Scheme 3.

Scheme 3 R6a t2a C -NOH NI + L - R7a Br or I < > ¼ base }ase 0 R6a t2a CNOR la Br or I/ R5a R4a where L is a leaving group such as halo, and a base is triethylamine or diisopropylamine.

The synthesis of invention compounds of Formula II is further illustrated by the following detailed examples.

EXAMPLE la 4-Eluoro-N-hvdroxy-2-(4-iodo-2-methvl-phenvlamino)-benzamide (a) Preparation of 4-Eluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-nhenvlamino-benzoic acid To a stirred solution containing 3.16 g (0.0133 mol) of 2-amino- 5-iodotoluene in 5 mL of tetrahydrofuran at -780C was added 10 mL (0.020 mol) of a 2.0 M lithium diisopropylamide in tetrahydrofuran/heptane/ethylbenzene (Aldrich) solution. The resulting green suspension was stirred vigorously for 15 minutes, after which time a solution of 1.00 g (0.00632 mol) of 2,4-difluorobenzoic acid in 10 mL of tetrahydrofuran was added. The reaction temperature was allowed to increase slowly to room temperature, at which

temperature the mixture was stirred for 2 days. The reaction mixture was concentrated by evaporation of the solvent under reduced pressure. Aqueous HCl (10%) was added to the concentrate, and the solution was extracted with dichloromethane. The organic phase was dried (MgSO4) and then concentrated over a steambath to low volume (10 mL) and cooled to room temperature. The off- white fibers which formed were collected by vacuum filtration, rinsed with hexane, and dried in a vacuum-oven (76"C; ca. 10 mm of Hg) to afford 1.10 g (47%) of the desired material; mp 224-229.5"C; 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO): 8 9.72 (s, 1H), 7.97 (dd, 1H, J=7.0, 8.7 Hz), 7.70 (d, 1H, J=1.5 Hz), 7.57 (dd, 1H,J=8.4, 1.9Hz), 7.17 (d, 1H, J=8.2 Hz), 6.61-6.53 (m, 2H), 2.18 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO): 8 169.87, 166.36 (d, JC-F=249 4 Hz), 150.11 (d, jCE=11.4Hz), 139.83,138.49,136.07, 135.26 (d, JC F=11.5 Hz), 135.07, 125.60, 109.32, 104.98 (d, JC F=21.1 Hz), 99.54 (d, JC F=26.0 Hz), 89.43, 17.52; 19F NMR (376 MHz, DMSO): 6 -104.00 to -104.07 (m); IR (KBr) 1670 (C=O stretch)cm-l; MS (CI) M+1 = 372.

Analysis calculated for C14H1IF1N02: C, 45.31; H, 2.99; N, 3.77.

Found: C, 45.21; H, 2.77; N, 3.64.

(b) Preparation of 4-Fluoro-N-hydroxy-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamin benzamide To a stirred solution of 4-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenyl amino)-benzoic acid (0.6495 g, 0.001750 mol), O-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine (0.2590 g, 0.002211 mol), and diisopropylethylamine (0.40 mL, 0.0023 mol) in 31 mL of an equivolume tetrahydroluran-dichloromethane solution was added 1.18 g (0.00227 mol) of solid PyBOP ([benzotriazolyloxy]tripyrrolidino phosphonium hexafluorophosphate, Advanced ChemTech) directly. The reaction mixture was stirred for 30 minutes after which time it was concentrated in vacuo.

The brown oil was treated with 10% aqueous hydrochloric acid. The suspension was extracted with ether. The organic extraction was washed with 10% sodium hydroxide followed by another 10% hydrochloric acid wash, was dried (MgSO4) and concentrated in vacuo to afford 1.0 g of a light-brown foam. This intermediate was dissolved in 25 mL of ethanolic hydrogen chloride, and the solution was allowed to stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo to a brown oil that was purified by flash silica chromatography. Elution with dichloromethane+dichloromethane-methanol (166:1) afforded 0.2284 g of a light-brown viscous oil. Scratching with pentane- hexanes and drying under high vacuum afforded 0.1541 g (23%) of an off-white foam; mp 61-75"C; 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO): 5 11.34 (s, 1H), 9.68 (s, 1M), 9.18 (s, 1H), 7.65 (d, 1H, J=1.5 Hz), 7.58 (dd, 1H, J=8.7, 6.8 Hz), 7.52 (dd, 1H, J=8.4, 1.9 Hz), 7.15 (d, 1H, J=8.4 Hz), 6.74 (dd, 1H, J=1 1.8, 2.4 Hz), 6.62 (ddd, 1H, J=8.4, 8.4, 2.7 Hz), 2.18 (s, 3H); 13C NMR (100 MHz, DMSO): 5 165.91, 164.36 (d, JC F=247.1 Hz), 146.78, 139.18, 138.77, 135.43, 132.64, 130.60 (d, JC-F=l l 5 Hz), 122.23, 112.52, 104.72 (d, J=22.1 Hz), 100.45 (d, JC F=25.2 Hz), 86.77, 17.03; 19F NMR (376 MHz, DMSO): 5-107.20 to -107.27 (m); IR (KBr) 3307 (broad, O-H stretch), 1636 (C=O stretch) cm-1; MS (CI) M+1 = 387.

Analysis calculated for C14Hl2FIN202: C, 43.54; H, 3.13; N, 7.25.

Found: C, 43.62; H, 3.24; N, 6.98.

EXAMPLE 2a 5 -Bromo-3 4-difluoro-N-hvdroxv-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-nhenvlamino)-benzami de (a) Preparation of 5-Bromo-2 3.4-trifluorobenzoic acid To a stirred solution comprised of 1-bromo-2,3,4-trifluorobenzene (Aldrich, 99%; 5.30 g, 0.0249 mol) in 95 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran cooled

to -780C was slowly added 12.5 mL of 2.0 M lithium diisopropylamide in heptane/tetrahydrofuran/ethylbenzene solution (Aldrich). The mixture was stirred for 1 hour and transferred by canula into 700 mL of a stirred saturated ethereal carbon dioxide solution cooled to -780C. The cold bath was removed, and the reaction mixture was stirred for 18 hours at ambient temperature. Dilute (10%) aqueous hydrochloric acid (ca. 500 mL) was poured into the reaction mixture, and the mixture was subsequently concentrated on a rotary evaporator to a crude solid.

The solid product was partitioned between diethyl ether (150 mL) and aq. HCI (330 mL, pH 0). The aqueous phase was extracted with a second portion (100 mL) of diethyl ether, and the combined ethereal extracts were washed with 5% aqueous sodium hydroxide (200 mL) and water (100 mL, pH 12). These combined alkaline aqueous extractions were acidified to pH 0 with concentrated aqueous hydrochloric acid. The resulting suspension was extracted with ether (2 x 200 mL). The combined organic extracts were dried (MgSO4), concentrated in vacuo, and subjected to high vacuum until constant mass was achieved to afford 5.60 g (88% yield) of an off-white powder; mp 139-142.5°C; 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO): 8 13.97 (broad s, 1H, 8.00-7.96 (m, 1H); 13CNMR(100MHz, DMSO): 8162.96,129.34,118.47, 104.54(d, JC~F=22.9 Hz); 19F NMR (376 MHz, DMSO): 8-120.20 to -120.31 (m), -131.75 to -131.86 (m), -154.95 to -155.07 (m); IR (KBr) 1696 (C=O stretch)cm-1; MS (CI) M+1 = 255.

Analysis calculated for C74H21BrF302: C, 32.97; H, 0.79; N, 0.00; Br, 31.34; F, 22.35.

Found: C, 33.18; H, 0.64; N, 0.01; Br, 30.14; F, 22.75.

(b) Preparation of 5-Bromo-3 4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenvlamino)- benzoic acid To a stirred solution comprised of 1.88 g (0.00791 mol) of 2-amino- 5-iodotoluene in- 10 mL of tetrahydrofuran at -780C was added 6 mL (0.012 mol) of a 2.0 M lithium diisopropylamide in-tetrahydrofuran/heptane/ethylbenzene (Aldrich) solution. The resulting green suspension was stirred vigorously for 10 minutes, after which time a solution of 1.00 g (0.00392 mol) of 5-bromo- 2,3,4-trifluorobenzoic acid in 15 mL of tetrahydrofuran was added. The cold bath was subsequently removed, and the reaction mixture stirred for 18 hours. The mixture was concentrated, and the concentrate was treated with 100 mL of dilute (10%) aqueous hydrochloric acid. The resulting suspension was extracted with ether (2 x 150 mL), and the combined organic extractions were dried (MgSO4) and concentrated in vacuo to give an orange solid. The solid was triturated with boiling dichloromethane, cooled to ambient temperature, and collected by filtration. The solid was rinsed with dichloromethane, and dried in the vacuum- oven (80"C) to afford 1.39 g (76%) of a yellow-green powder; mp 259.5-262"C; 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO): 89.03 (s, 1H), 7.99 (dd, 1H, J=7.5, 1.9 Hz), 7.57 (dd, 1H, J=1.5 Hz), 7.42 (dd, 1H, J=8.4, 1.9 Hz), 6.70 (dd, 1H, J=8.4, 6.0 Hz), 2.24 (s, 3H); 19F NMR (376 MHz, DMSO): 8-123.40 to -123.47 (m); -139.00 to -139.14 (m); IR (KBr) 1667 (C=O stretch)cm-1; MS (CI) M+1 = 469.

Analysis calculated for C14H9BrF2IN02: C, 35.93; H, 1.94; N, 2.99; Br, 17.07; F, 8.12; 1,27.11.

Found: C, 36.15; H, 1.91; N, 2.70; Br, 16.40; F, 8.46; I, 26.05.

(c) Preparation of 5-Bromo-3 4-difluoro-N-hydroxy-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenvlamino)-benzamide To a stirred solution comprised of 5-bromo-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo- 2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzoic acid (0.51 g, 0.0011 mol), O-(tetrahydro-2H- pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine (0.15 g, 0.0013 mol), and diisopropylethylamine (0.25 mL, 0.0014 mol) in 20 mL of an equivolume tetrahydrofuran-

dichloromethane solution was added 0.6794 g (0.001306 mol) of solid PyBOP (Advanced ChemTech) directly. The reaction mixture was stirred at 240C for 10 minutes, and then was concentrated to dryness in vacuo. The concentrate was suspended in 100 mL of 10% aqueous hydrochloric acid. The suspension was extracted with 125 mL of diethyl ether. The ether layer was separated, washed with 75 mL of 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide, and then with 100 mL of dilute acid. The ether solution was dried (MgSO4) and concentrated in vacuo to afford 0.62 g (100%) of an off-white foam. The foam was dissolved inca. 15 mL of methanolic hydrogen chloride. After 5 minutes, the solution was concentrated in vacuo to an oil, and the oil was purified by flash silica chromatography. Elution with dichloromethane-tdlchloromethane-methano (99:1) afforded 0.2233 g (42%) of a yellow powder. The powder was dissolved in diethyl ether and washed with dilute hydrochloric acid. The organic phase was dried (MgSO4) and concentrated in vacuo to afford 0.200 g of a foam. This product was triturated with pentane to afford 0.1525 g of a powder that was repurified by flash silica chromatography. Elution with dichloromethane afforded 0.0783 g (15%) of an analytically pure title compound, mp 80-90"C; 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO): 8 11.53 (s, 1H), 9.38 (s, 1H), 8.82 (s, 1H), 7.70 (dd, 1H, J=7.0, 1.9 Hz), 7.53 (s, 1H), 7.37 (dd, 1H, J=8.4, 1.9 Hz), 6.55 (dd, 1H, J=8.2, 6.5 Hz), 2.22 (s, 3H); 19F NMR (376 MHz, DMSO): 8-126.24 to -126.29 (m), -137.71 to -137.77 (m); IR (KBr) 3346 (broad, O-H stretch), 1651 (C=O stretch)cm-l; MS (CI) M+1 = 484.

Analysis calculated for ClqH10BrF2TN202: C, 34.81; H, 2.09; N, 5.80.

Found: C, 34.53; H, 1.73; N, 5.52, Examples 3 to 12 in the table below were prepared by the general procedure of Examples la and 2a.

EXAMPLES 13a-77a Examples 13 to 77 were prepared utilizing combinatorial synthetic methodology by reacting appropriately substituted phenylamino benzoic acids (e.g., as shown in Scheme 1) and hydroxylamines (e.g., A general method is given below: To a 0.8-mL autosampler vial in a metal block was added 40 ptL of a 0.5 M solution of the acid in DMF and 40 RL of the hydroxylamine (2 M solution in Hunig's base and 1 M in amine in DMF). A 0.5 M solution of PyBrop was freshly prepared, and 50 ,uL were added to the autosampler vial. The reaction was allowed to stand for 24 hours.

The reaction mixture was transferred to a 2-dram vial and diluted with 2 mL of ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with 3 mL of distilled water and the water layer washed again with 2 mL of ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers were allowed to evaporate to dryness in an open fume hood.

The residue was taken up in 2 mL of 50% acetonitrile in water and injected on a semi-prep reversed phase column (10 mm x 25 cm, 5 I1M spherical silica, pore Size 115 A derivatized with C-18, the sample was eluted at 4.7 mL/min with a linear ramp to 100% acetonitrile over 8.5 minutes. Elution with 100% acetonitrile continued for 8 minutes.) Fractions were collected by monitoring at 214 nM. The desired fractions were evaporated using a Zymark Turbovap. The product was dissolved in chloroform and transferred to a preweighed vial, evaporated, and weighed again to determine the yield. The structure was confirmed by mass spectroscopy.

EXAMPLES 3a-77a Example Compound Melting MS No. Point ("C) (M-H+) 3a 2-(4-bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-4-fluoro-N- 56-75 dec 523 hydroxy-benzamide 4a 5-Chloro-N-hydroxy-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- 65 dec phenylamino)-benzamide 5a 5-Chloro-N-hydroxy-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- 62-67 phenylamino)-N-methyl-benzamide 6a 5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino) 105-108 (terahydropyran-2-yloxy)benzamide 7a 5-Chloro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- 64-68 methoxybenzamide 8a 4-Fluoro-N-hydroxy-2-(4-fluoro-2-methyl- 119-135 phenylamino)-benzamide 9a 4-Fluoro-N-hydroxy-2-(2-methyl phenylamino)- 101 - 103 benzamide 1 ova 4-Fluoro-2-(4-fluor-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- 142-146 (terahydropyran-2-yloxy)benzamide 11 a 4-Fluoro-N-hydroxy-2-(4-cluoro-2-methyl- 133.5-135 phenylamino)-benzamide Example Compound Melting MS No. Point ("C) - (M-H+) 12a 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- 107-109.5 phenytmethoxy-benzamide 1 3a 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- 399 methoxy-benzamide 1 4a 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 417 N-methoxy-benzamide 1 5a 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 369 3,4-difluoro-N-methoxy-benzamide 1 6a 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-ethoxy- 342* 3 ,4-difluoro-benzamide (M-EtO) 17a 5-Bromo-N-ethoxy-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo- 509 2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide 18a 3,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 445 N-isopropoxy-benzamide 19a 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 397 3,4-difluoro-N-isopropoxy-benzamide 20a 4-Fluoro-N-(furan-3-ylmethoxy)-2-(4-iodo- 465 2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide Example Compound Melting MS No. Point ("C) - (M-H+) 21 a 3,4-Difluoro-N-(furan-3-ylmethoxy)-2-(4-iodo- 483 2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide 22a 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 435 3 ,4-difluoro-N-(furan-3 -ylmethoxy)-benzamide 23a 5-Bromo-3,4-difluoro-N-(furan-3-ylmethoxy)- 561 2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide 24a 5-Bromo-N-(but-2-enyloxy)-3,4-difluoro- 536 2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide 25a 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- 423 (prop-2-ynyloxy)-benzamide 26a 3,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 441 N-(prop-2-ynyloxy)-benzamide 27a 3,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 455 N-( 1 -methyl-prop-2-ynyloxy)-benzamide 28a 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 407 3 ,4-difluoro-N-(l -methyl-prop-2-ynyloxy)- benzamide 29a N-(But-3-ynyloxy)-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo 455 2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide Example Compound Melting MS No. Point (OC) - (M-H+) 30a 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(but- 407 3-ynylxy)-3 ,4-difluoro-benzamide 31 a 5-Bromo-N-(but-3-ynyloxy)-3,4-difluoro- 533 2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide 32a 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 517 N-(3 -phenyl-prop-2-ynyloxy)-benzamide 33a 3,4-Difluoro-2-(4-bromo-2-methyl- 469 phenylamino)-N-(3 -phenyl-prop-2-ynyloxy)- benzamide 34a 3,4-Difluoro-N-[3-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-prop- 535 2-ynyloxyj-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- benzamide 35a 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 487 3 ,4-difluoro-N-[3-(3-fluoro-phenyl)-prop- 2-ynyloxyj -benzamide 36a 3,4-Difluoro-N-[3-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-prop- 535 2 -ynyloxyl -2 -(4-io do-2 -methyl -phenyl amino)- benzamide 37a 5-Bromo-3,4-difluoro-N-[3-(2-fluoro-phenyl)- 613 prop-2-ynyloxy]-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- phenylamino)-benzamide Example Compound Melting MS No. Point ("C) - (M-H+) 3 8a 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 557 * N-(3-methyl-5-phenyl-pent-2-en-4-ynyloxy)- *(M+H) benzamide 39a 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 510 3,4-difluoro-N-(3-methyl-5-phenyl-pent-2-en- 4-ynyloxy)-benzamide 40a N-Ethoxy-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- 431 phenylamino)-benzamide 41 a 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-ethoxy- 383 3 ,4-difluoro-benzamide 42a 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- 427 propoxy-benzamide 43a 3,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 445 N-propoxy-benzamide 44a 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 397 3,4-difluoro-N-propoxy-benzamide 45a 5-Bromo-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- 523 phenylamino)-N-propoxy-benzamide 46a 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- 427 isopropoxy-benzamide Example Compound Melting MS No. Point ("C1) (M-H+) 47a 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 445 N-isopfopoxy-benzamide 4 8a 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 397 3,4-difluoro-N-isopropoxy-benzamide 49a 5-Bromo-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- 523 phenylamino)-N-isopropoxy-benzamide 50a N-Cyclobutyloxy-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo- 457 2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide 51 a 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- 409 cyclobutyloxy-3 ,4-difluoro-benzamide 52a N-Cyclopentyloxy-4-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- 453 phenylamino)-benzamide 53a N-Cyclopentyloxy-3 ,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo- 471 2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide 54a 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- 423 cyclopentyloxy-3,4-difluoro-benzamide 55a N-Cyclopropylmethoxy-4-fluoro-2-(4-iodo- 439 2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide 56a N-Cyclopropylmethoxy-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo- 457 2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide Example Compound Melting MS No. Point (°C) (M-l l+) 57a 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- 409 cyclopropylmethoxy-3 ,4-difluoro-benzamide 58a 5-Bromo-N-cyclopropylmethoxy-3,4-difluoro- 435 2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino) 59a 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- 505 (2-phenoxy-ethoxy)-benzamide 60a 3,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 523 N-(2-phenoxy-ethoxy)-benzamide 61 a 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 475 3 ,4-difluoro-N-(2-phenoxy-ethoxy)-benzamide 62a 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- 481 (thiophen-2-ylmethoxy)-benzamide 63a 3,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-pheny]amino)- 499 N-(thiophen-2-ylmethoxy)-benzamide 64a 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 451 3 ,4-difluoro-N-(thiophen-2-ylmethoxy)- benzamide 65a 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- 439 (2-methyl-allyloxy)-benzamide Example Compound Melting MS No. Point ("C) (M-H+) 66a 3,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 457 N-(2-methyl-allyloxy)-benzamide 67a 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 410 3,4-difluoro-N-(2-methyl-allyloxy)-benzamide 68a N-(But-2-enyloxy)-4-fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl- 439 phenylamino)-benzamide 69a N-(But-2-enyloxy)-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo- 457 2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide 70a 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(but- 410 2-enyloxy)-3 ,4-difluoro-benzamide 71 a 3 ,4-Difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)- 441 N-(prop-2-ynyloxy)-benzamide 72a N-(But-3-ynyloxy)-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo- 455 2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide 73a 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- 449 (4,4-dimethyl-pent-2-ynyloxy)-3,4-difluoro- benzamide 74a N-(But-2-enyloxy)-3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo- 457 2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide

Example Compound Melting MS No. Point (0C) - (M-H+) 75 a 2-(4-Bromo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N-(but- 410 2-enyloxy)-3 *4-difluoro-benzamide 76a N-(3-tert.-butyl-propyn-2-yl)oxy-4-fluoro 479 2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-benzamide 77a 4-Fluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methyl-phenylamino)-N- 577* phenylmethoxy-benzamide *CI Enzyme Assays Cascade assay for inhibitors of the MAP kinase pathway Incorporation of 32P into myelin basic protein (MBP) was assayed in the presence of a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein containing p44MAP kinase (GST-MAPK) and a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein containing p45MEK (GST-MEK). The assay solution contained 20 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, 10 mM MgC12, 1 mM MnC12, 1 mM EGTA, 50 FM [y-32PjATP, 10 pLg GST-MEK, 0.5 ug GST-MAPK and 40 g MBP in a final volume of 100 CIL Reactions were stopped after 20 minutes by addition of trichloroacetic acid and filtered through a GF/C filter mat. 32P retained on the filter mat was determined using a 1205 Betaplate. Compounds were assessed at 10 uM for ability to inhibit incorporation of 32P.

To ascertain whether compounds were inhibiting GST-MEK or GST MAPK, two additional protocols were employed. In the first protocol, compounds were added to tubes containing GST-MEK, followed by addition of GST-MAPK, MBP and [y-32P]ATP. In the second protocol, compounds were added to tubes containing both GST-MEK and GST-MAPK, followed by MBP and [y-32P]ATP.

Compounds that showed activity in both protocols were scored as MAPK inhibitors, while compounds showing activity in only the first protocol were scored as MEK inhibitors.

In vitro MAP kinase assay Inhibitory activity was also confinned in direct assays. For MAP kinase, 1 ltg GST-MAPK was incubated with 40 lug MBP for 15 minutes at 300C in a final volume of 50 ltL containing 50 mM Tris (pH 7.5), 10 RM MgC12, 2 RM EGTA, and 10 RM [Y-32P]ATP. The reaction was stopped by addition of Laemmli SDS sample buffer and phosphorylated MBP resolved by electrophoresis on a 10% polyacrylamide gel. Radioactivity incorporated into MBP was determined by autoradiography, and subsequently by excision of the bands followed by scintillation counting.

In vitro MEK assay For evaluation of direct MEK activity, 10 lug GST-MEK1 was incubated with 5 sug of a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein containing p44MAP kinase with a lysine to alanine mutation at position 71 (GST-MAPK-KA). This mutation eliminates kinase activity of MAPK, so only kinase activity attributed to the added MEK remains. Incubations were 15 minutes at 300C in a final volume of 50 ltL containing 50 mM Tris (pH 7.5), 10,uM MgC12, 2 ,uM EGTA, and 10 ,uM [y-32PjATP. The reaction was stopped by addition of Laemmli SDS sample buffer and phosphorylated GST-MAPK-KA was resolved by electrophoresis on a 10% polyacrylamide gel. Radioactivity incorporated into GST-MAPK-KA was determined by autoradiography, and subsequently by excision of the bands followed by scintillation counting. Additionally, an artificially activated MEK was utilized that contained serine to glutamate mutations at positions 218 and 222 (GST-MEK-2E). When these sites are phosphorylated, MEK activity is increased. Phosphorylation of these sites can be mimicked by mutation of the serine residues to glutamate. For this assay, 5 ,ug GST-MEK-2E was incubated

with 5 pLg GST-MAPK-KA for 15 minutes at 300C in the same reaction buffer as described above. Reactions were terminated and analyzed as above.

Whole cell MAP kinase assay To determine if compounds were- able to block activation of MAP kinase in whole cells, the following protocol was used: Cells were plated in multi-well plates and grown to confluence. Cells were then serum-deprived overnight. Cells were exposed to the desired concentrations of compound or vehicle (DMSO) for 30 minutes, followed by addition of a growth factor, for example, PDGF (100 ng/mL). After a 5-minute treatment with the growth factor, cells were washed with PBS, then lysed in a buffer consisting of 70 mM NaCI, 10 mM HEPES (pM 7.4), 50 mM glycerol phosphate, and 1% Triton X-100. Lysates were clarified by centrifugation at 13,000 x g for 10 minutes. Five micrograms of the resulting supernatants were incubated with 10 lag microtubule associated protein-2 (Map2) for 15 minutes at 300C in a final volume of 25 ltL containing 50 mM Tris (pH 7.4), 10 mM Mac12, 2 mM EGTA and 30 ,uM [y-32P]ATP. Reactions were terminated by addition of Laemmli sample buffer. Phosphorylated Map2 was resolved on 7.5% acrylamide gels and incorporated radioactivity determined by autoradiography and subsequent excision of the bands followed by scintillation counting.

Immunoprecipitation and antiphosphotvrosine immunoblots To determine the state of tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular MAP kinase, cells were lysed, endogenous MAP kinase was immunoprecipitated with a specific antibody, and the resulting immunoprecipitate analyzed for the presence of phosphotyrosine as follows: confluent cells were serum-deprived overnight and treated with compounds and growth factors as described above. Cells were then scraped and pelleted at 13,000 x g for 2 minutes. The resulting cell pellet was resuspended and dissolved in 100 RL of 1% SDS containing 1 mM NaVO4.

Following alternate boiling and vortexing to denature cellular protein, 900 RL RIPA buffer (50 mM Tris (pH 7.4), 150 mM NaCI, 1% Triton X-100, 0.1%

deoxycholate, and 10 mM EDTA) was added. To this mixture was added 60 RL agarose beads coupled with rabbit immunoglobulin G and 60 lay Pansorbin cells in order to clear the lysate of nonspecific binding proteins. This mixture was incubated at 40for 15 minutes then centrifuged at 13,000 x g for 10 minutes.

The resulting supernatant was transferred to fresh tubes and incubated with 10 L of a polyclonal antisera raised against a fragment of MAP kinase for a minimum of 1 hour at 40C. Seventy microliters of a slurry of agarose beads coupled with protein G and protein A was added and the incubation continued for an additional 30 minutes at 4"C. The beads were pelleted by centrifugation at 13,000 x g for 5 minutes and washed three times with 1 mL RIPA buffer. Laemmli sample buffer was added to the final bead pellet. This mixture was boiled for 5 minutes then resolved on a 10% acrylamide gel. Proteins on the gel were transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane and nonspecific binding sites on the membrane blocked by incubation with 1% ovalbumin and 1% bovine serum albumin in TBST (150 mM Nail, 10 mM Tris (pH 7.4), and 0.05% Tween 20). The membrane was then incubated with a commercially available antibody directed against phosphotyrosine. Antibody bound on the membrane was detected by incubation with 1251-protein A, followed by autoradiography.

Cell Growth Assays 3H-Thymidine incorporation Cells were plated in multi-well plates and grown to near confluence. The media was then removed and replaced with growth media containing 1% bovine serum albumin. After 24-hour serum starvation, compounds and specific growth factors were added and incubations continued for an additional 24 hours. During the final 2 hours, 3H-thymidine was added to the medium. To tenninate the incubations, the medium was removed and cell layers washed twice with ice-cold phosphate-buffered saline. After the final wash, ice-cold 5% trichloroacetic acid was added and the cells incubated for 15 minutes at room temperature. The trichloroacetic acid solution was then removed and the cell layer washed three

times with distilled water. After the final wash, the cell layer was solubilized by addition of 2% sodium dodecylsulfate. Radioactivity in this solution was determined by scintillation counting.

In 3T3-L1- adipocyte cells, in which the inhibition blocks MAPK activation by insulin with an IC50 of3 KtM, the compound had no effect on the insulin stimulated uptake of radiolabeled 2-deoxyglucose, or on the insulin-stimulated synthesis of either lipid or glycogen at 10 laM concentration. This demonstrates that the inhibitor shows selectivity between the mitogenic and metabolic effects of insulin, and demonstrates that the inhibitor will show less toxicity than an inhibitor which does not show this surprising selectivity.

Monolayer growth Cells were plated into multi-well plates at 10 to 20,000 cells/mL.

Forty-eight hours after seeding, compounds were added to the cell growth medium and incubation was continued for 2 additional days. Cells were then removed from the wells by incubation with trypsin and enumerated with a Coulter counter.

Growth in soft-agar Cells were seeded into 35-mm dishes at 5 to 10,000 cells/dish using growth medium containing 0.3% agar. After chilling to solidify the agar, cells were transferred to a 370C incubator. After 7 to 10 days growth, visible colonies were manually enumerated with the aid of a dissecting microscope.

Order of addition experiments established that the invention compounds are inhibiting MEK and not MAP kinase. Experiments looking at the phosphorylation of a kinase defective mutant of MAP kinase as substrate (so that there can be no autophosphorylation of the MAP kinase to complicate interpretation) confirms that the inhibitor inhibits MEK with an IC50 essentially identical to that produced in the cascade assay.

Kinetic analysis demonstrates that the invention compounds are not competitive with ATP. Thus, they do not bind at the ATP binding site of the enzyme, which is probably the explanation as to why these compounds do not

show the nonspecific kinase inhibitory activity typical of most kinase inhibitors, which do bind at the ATP binding site and which are ATP competitive.

The in vitro and in vivo biological activity of several representative compounds of Formula I and II in the foregoing assays is presented in Tables 1 and 2.

TABLE 1 Compound of In Vitro In Vivo Example No. % inhibition IC50 laM % Inhibition IC50 pLM 4 0.005 1 3 0.0111 10 2 0.014 3 1 0.019 32 0.028 53 0.047 0.54 33 0.052 5 0.066 6 0.071 7 0.072 8 0.086 9 0.097 34 0.098 10 0.101 55 0.114 35 0.121 11 0.128 36 0.129 12 0.135 54 0.158 13 0.178 TABLE 1 Compound of In Vitro In Vivo Example No. % Inhibition IC50 AM % Inhibition IC50 pM 14 0.179 15 0.194 31 0.226 37 0.237 92 0.253 184 0.278 16 0.323 96 0.374 57 0.399 38 0.412 49 0.418 3 17 0.434 18 0.446 91 0.449 39 0.497 93 0.521 19 0.524 50% at 30 µM 186 0.555 20 0.557 187 0.561 21 0.569 90 0.604 89 0.614 40 0.651 30% at 30 laM 188 0.771 189 0.859 41 0.872 51 0.887 TABLE 1 Compound of In Vitro In Vivo Example No. % Inhibition IC50 µM % Inhibition- lC50 µM 42 - 0.920 190 0.921 43 >1.000 95 1.00 1 208 1.215 191 1.355 209 1.372 44 1.481 22 1.581 30% at 30 pM 23 1.588 45 1.755 192 1.797 46 1.814 47 1.911 24 1.944 48 1.945 100 1.994 91 2.071 27 2.269 52 2.346 25 2.363 26 2.609 50% at 30 µM 193 2.902 28 3.670 194 4.952 29 5.331 195 12.831 30 105 10 TABLE 2 Compound of In vitro In vivo Example No. IC 50 (µM) IC 50 (laM) - la 0.007 0.05 2a -0.003 0.03 3a 0.072 3 4a 0.023 1 5a 0.566 30 6a 0.345 30 7a 0.221 <30 8a 7.13 3 9a 0.409 1 1 lea 0.334 0.5 12a 0.826 13a 0.243 14a 0.061 >2 17a 0.014 20a 0.042 0.17 21a 0.014 22a 0.137 23a 0.016 24a 0.021 0.12 25a 0.102 27a 0.026 28a 0.728 29a 0.076 0.73 30a 0.971 31a 0.045 32a 0.017 33a 0.374 34a 0.113 1.5 36a 0.056 0.07 TABLE 2 Compound of In vitro In vivo Example No. IC 50 (laM) IC 50 (,uM) 40a 0.028 0.125 41a 0.236 42a 0.087 43a 0.040 0.100 44a 0.475 45a 0.126 47a 0.087 0.13 49a 0.085 50a 0.043 0.22 53a 0.140 55a 0.047 56a 0.014 57a 0.181 58a 0.018 0.014 59a 0.259 62a 0.086 63a 0.019 64a 0.279 65a 0.057 66a 0.016 0.13 68a 0.119 69a 0.016 70a 0.224 71a 0.015 0.39 74a 0.035 77a 0.28