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Title:
OXAZOLE OREXIN RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2015/018029
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to oxazole compounds which are antagonists of orexin receptors. The present invention is also directed to uses of the oxazole compounds described herein in the potential treatment or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases in which orexin receptors are involved. The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The present invention is also directed to uses of these pharmaceutical compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which orexin receptors are involved.

Inventors:
BESHORE DOUGLAS C (US)
KUDUK SCOTT D (US)
LIVERTON NIGEL (US)
LUO YUNFU (CN)
MENG NA (CN)
YU TINGTING (CN)
Application Number:
PCT/CN2013/081081
Publication Date:
February 12, 2015
Filing Date:
August 08, 2013
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
MERCK SHARP & DOHME (US)
BESHORE DOUGLAS C (US)
KUDUK SCOTT D (US)
LIVERTON NIGEL (US)
LUO YUNFU (CN)
MENG NA (CN)
YU TINGTING (CN)
International Classes:
C07D413/04; A61K31/4545; A61P25/00; A61P25/20
Domestic Patent References:
WO2013059222A12013-04-25
WO2010124055A12010-10-28
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
LIU, SHEN & ASSOCIATES (Building 1 10 Caihefang Road, Haidian District, Beijing 0, CN)
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Claims:
CLAIMS

1. A compound of the formula I:

I

wherein:

A is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, naphthyl and heteroaryl;

Rla Rlb and Rlc are independently selected from the group consisting of:

(1) hydrogen,

(2) halogen,

(3) hydroxyl,

(4) -(C=0)m-On-Cl-6alkyl, where m is 0 or 1, n is 0 or 1 (wherein if m is 0 or n is 0, a bond is present) and where the alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from R4,

(5) -(C=0)m-On-C3-6cycloalkyl, where the cycloalkyl is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from R4,

(6) -(C=0)m-C2-4alkenyl, where the alkenyl is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from R4,

(7) -(C=0)m-C2-4alkynyl, where the alkynyl is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from R4,

(8) -(C=0)m-On-phenyl or -(C=0)m-On-naphthyl, where the phenyl or naphthyl is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from R4,

(9) -(C=0)m-On-heterocycle, where the heterocycle is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from R4,

(10) 1, wherein RIO and R11 are independently selected from the group consisting of:

(a) hydrogen,

(b) C 1 -6alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with R4, (c) C3-6alkenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with R4,

(d) C3-6alkynyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with R4,

(e) C3-6cycloalkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted with R4,

(f) phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with R4, and (g) heterocycle, which is unsubstituted or substituted with R4,

(11) -S(0)2-NRlORl l,

(12) -S(0)q-Rl2, where q is 0, 1 or 2 and where Rl is selected from the definitions of RlO and Rl l,

(13) -C02H,

(14) -CN, and

(15) -N02;

R3 is selected from Cl-6alkyl and C3-6cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from R4;

R4 is selected from the group consisting of:

(1) hydroxyl,

(2) halogen,

(3) Cl-6alkyl,

(4) -C3-6cycloalkyl,

(5) -0-Cl-6alkyl,

(6) -0(C=0)-Cl-6alkyl,

(?) -NH2,

(?) -NH-Cl-6alkyl,

(8) -N02,

(9) phenyl,

(10) heterocycle,

(11) -CO2H, and

(12) -CN;

R5 is selected from the group consisting of:

(1) hydrogen,

(2) halogen,

(3) C 1 -6alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl, -O-C 1.

6alkyl, -NH2, -NH-Cl-6alkyl, -(C=0)0-Cl-6alkyl, or phenyl, wherein the phenyl is unsubstituted or substituted with Cl-6alkyl, halogen, or Cl-6alkyl-OH,

(4) C3-6cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with Cl-6alkyl, halogen, hydroxyl, -0-Cl-6alkyl, -N¾, -NH-Cl-6alkyl, -(C=0)0-Cl-6alkyl, or phenyl, wherein the phenyl is unsubstituted or substituted with Cl-6alkyl, halogen, or Cl- 6alkyl-OH,

(5) -0-Cl-6alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl or phenyl, and

(6) -(C=0)0-Cl-6alkyl,

(7) -CN, -(C=0)NH2,

-(C=0)NH-Cl-6alkyl, and

-(C=0)NH-0-Cl_6alkyl;

R6 is selected from the group consisting of:

(1) hydrogen,

(2) halogen,

(3) C 1 -6alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl, -O-C 1.

6alkyl, -NH2, -NH-Cl-6alkyl, -(C=0)0-Cl-6alkyl, or phenyl, wherein the phenyl is unsubstituted or substituted with Cl-6alkyl, halogen, or Cl-6alkyl-OH,

(4) C3-6cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with Cl-6alkyl, halogen, hydroxyl, -0-Cl-6alkyl, -NH2, -NH-Cl-6alkyl, -(C=0)0-Cl-6alkyl, or phenyl, wherein the phenyl is unsubstituted or substituted with Cl-6alkyl, halogen, or Cl- 6alkyl-OH,

(5) -0-Cl-6alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl or phenyl, and

(6) -(C=0)0-Cl-6alkyl,

(7) -CN,

(8) -(C=0)NH2,

(9) -(C=0)NH-Cl-6alkyl, and

(10) -(C=0)NH-0-Cl-6alkyl;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

2. The compound of Claim 1 of the formula la:

la

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

3. The compound of Claim 1 of the formula lb:

harmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 4. The compound of Claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein Rla, Rib and R1 C are independently selected from the group consisting of:

(1) hydrogen,

(2) halogen,

(3) hydroxyl,

(4) Cl-6alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl or phenyl,

(5) -0-Cl-6alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl or phenyl,

(6) -CN, and

(7) heteroaryl, wherein heteroaryl is selected from triazolyl, tetrazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, pyridyl, and pyrimidinyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl, Cl-6alkyl, -0-Cl-6alkyl or-N02-

5. The compound of Claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein Rlc is hydrogen, and Ri a and Rib are independently selected from the group consisting of:

(1) hydrogen,

(2) fluoro,

(3) chloro,

(4) bromo,

(5) methyl,

(6) ethyl,

(?) trifluoromethyl, and

(8) heteroaryl, wherein heteroaryl is selected from triazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrrolyl,

imidazolyl, indolyl, pyridyl, and pyrimidinyl.

6. The compound of Claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein R3 is methyl or ethyl. 7. The compound of Claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein R5 is selected from the group consisting of:

(1) hydrogen,

(2) bromo,

(3) methyl,

(4) -C(CH3)2OH,

(5) -CH(OH)CH3,

(6) -C(CH3)(OH)CH2CH3,

(?) -CH2OCH3,

(8) cyclopropyl, and

(9) phenyl.

8. The compound of Claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein R5 is -C(CH3)20H or -C(CH3)(OH)CH2CH3.

9. The compound of Claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein R6 is selected from the group consisting of:

(1) hydrogen,

(2) bromo,

(3) methyl,

(4) trifluoromethyl,

(5) -CH(CH3)2, and

(6) phenyl.

10. The compound of Claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein R6 is methyl or phenyl.

11. A compound which is selected from the group consisting of:

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-bromooxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l- yl)methanone;

methyl 2-(2-((3R,6R)- 1 -(2-(2H- 1 ,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)oxazol-4 yl)cyclopropanecarboxylate;

1 -(3- {[(3R,6R)-1 - {[6-methoxy-2-(2H- 1 ,2,3-triazol-2-yl)pyridin-3-yl]carbonyl} -6- methylpiperidin-3-yl]oxy}phenyl)ethanol;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-cyclopropyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin- yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl)oxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(6-fluoropyridin-2-yl)oxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone; (2-(2H-l ,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-2-methyl-5-(4-(m-tolyl)oxazol-2-yl)piperidin- 1 - yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)oxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

2-((3R,6R)- 1 -(2-(2H- 1 ,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-5-bromooxazole-4- carbonitrile;

methyl 2-((3R,6R)-l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-5- bromooxazole-4-carboxylate;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2 methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(5-cyclopropyl-4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)oxazol-2 yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-isopropyloxazol-2- yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

(2-(2H ,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(tert-butyl)oxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidm^ yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-2-methyl-5-(4-phenyloxazol-2-yl)piperidin-l- yl)methanone;

(2-(2H ,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-2-methyl-5-(5-methyl-4-((R)-2,2,2-trifluoro hydroxyethyl)oxazol-2-yl)piperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-2-methyl^^

hydroxyethyl)oxazol-2-yl)piperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

1 -(2-((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-Hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidine- 1 - carbonyl)phenyl)cyclopropanecarbonitrile;

4-(2-((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-Hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidine-l- carbonyl)phenyl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-carbonitrile;

(2-ethoxypyridin-3-yl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-Hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l- yl)(pyrazolo[ 1 ,5-a]pyridin-7-yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)thiophen-3-yl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol 2-yl)-2 -methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l-yl)(2- (pyrimidin-2-yl)thiophen-3-yl)methanone;

(2-ethoxyphenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l-yl)(2- (trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)methanone; ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l-yl)(2- isopropoxyphenyl)methanone;

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l-yl)(2- ((methylsulfonyl)methyl)phenyl)methanone;

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l-yl)(2- methoxypheny l)methanone ;

(2-chloro-5-isopropylthiazol-4-yl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)- 2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

methyl 2-((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidine-l- carbonyl)benzoate;

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l-yl)(2- (pyrimidin-2-yl)phenyl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophen-3-yl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol- 2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l-yl)(4- (pyrimidin-2-yl) thiophen-3 -yl)methanone;

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-Hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l-yl)(4- (pyrimidin-2-yl) thiophen-3 -yl)methanone;

(2-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2- yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l-yl)(2-(2,2,2- trifluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl)methanone;

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l-yl)(2- isopropoxypyridin-3-yl)methanone;

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l-yl)(2-(2- methoxyethyl)phenyl)methanone;

(5-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)isothiazol-4-yl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol- 2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l-yl)(5-methyl- 2-(2H- 1 ,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophen-3-yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-((R)-2-hydroxybutan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2- yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-((S)-2-hydroxybutan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2- yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

(4-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophen-3-yl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-((S)-2-hydroxybutan-2-yl)-5- methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

(4-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophen-3-yl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-((R)-2-hydroxybutan-2-yl)-5- methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophen-3-yl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-((S)-2-hydroxybutan-2-yl)-5- methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone; (2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophen-3-yl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-((S)-2-hydroxybutan-2-yl)-5- methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophen-3-yl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-((S)-2-hydroxybutan-2-yl)-5- methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-((R)-2-hydroxybutan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(5-chloro-4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)oxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(5-(difluoromethyl)-4-(2-hydroxypropan-2- yl)oxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5- (trifluoromethyl)oxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l-yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(5-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-4-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2 methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

methyl 2-((3R,6R)-l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-5- phenyloxazole-4-carboxylate;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(hydroxymethyl)-5-phenyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(fluoromethyl)-5-phenyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(methoxymethyl)-5-phenyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-phenyloxazol-2-yl)-2 methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

2-((3R,6R)-l-(2-(2H-l,2,3triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-5-phenyloxazole-4- carboxamide;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(methoxymethyl)-5-phenyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(l-hydroxyethyl)-5-phenyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-((dimethylamino)methyl)-5-phenyloxazol-2-yl) 2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

methyl-(2-((3R,6R)-l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-5- phenyloxazol-4-yl)acetate;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)-5-phenyloxazol-2- yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-methoxy-2-methylpropyl)-5-phenyl-oxazol- 2-yl)-2 -methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-5-phenyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone; (2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-fluoroethyl)-5-phenyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone;

(5-methyl-2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-2-methyl-5-(5-methyloxazol-2-yl)piperidm^ l-yl)methanone;

(2-(2H ,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(5-(tert-butyl)oxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin - yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-2-methyl-5-(5-phenyloxazol-2-yl)piperidin-l- yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(5-cyclobutyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l- yl)methanone;

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(5-cyclopropyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l- yl)methanone; and

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4,5-diphenyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l- yl)methanone;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

12. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises an inert carrier and a compound of Claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 13. A compound of Claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for use in medicine.

14. Use of a compound of Claim 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of a sleep disorder.

15. A method for enhancing the quality of sleep in a mammalian patient in need thereof which comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of Claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 16. A method for treating insomnia in a mammalian patient in need thereof which comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of Claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

17. A method for treating or controlling obesity in a mammalian patient in need thereof which comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of Claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Description:
OXAZOLE OREXIN RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The orexins (hypocretins) comprise two neuropeptides produced in the hypothalamus: the orexin A (OX-A) (a 33 amino acid peptide) and the orexin B (OX-B) (a 28 amino acid peptide) (Sakurai T. et al, Cell, 1998, 92, 573-585). Orexins are found to stimulate food consumption in rats suggesting a physiological role for these peptides as mediators in the central feedback mechanism that regulates feeding behavior (Sakurai T. et al., Cell, 1998, 92, 573-585). Orexins regulate states of sleep and wakefulness opening potentially novel therapeutic approaches for narcoleptic or insomniac patients (Chemelli R.M. et al., Cell, 1999, 98, 437-451). Orexins have also been indicated as playing a role in arousal, reward, learning and memory (Harris, et al, Trends Neurosci., 2006, 29 (10), 571-577). Two orexin receptors have been cloned and characterized in mammals. They belong to the super family of G-protein coupled receptors (Sakurai T. et al, Cell, 1998, 92, 573-585): the orexin-1 receptor (OX or

OXl R) is selective for OX-A and the orexin-2 receptor (OX2 or OX2R) is capable to bind OX- A as well as OX-B. The physiological actions in which orexins are presumed to participate are thought to be expressed via one or both of OXl receptor and OX2 receptor as the two subtypes of orexin receptors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to oxazole compounds which are antagonists of orexin receptors. The present invention is also directed to uses of the oxazole compounds described herein in the potential treatment or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases in which orexin receptors are involved. The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The present invention is also directed to uses of these pharmaceutical compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which orexin receptors are involved. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

wherein:

A is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, naphthyl and heteroaryl;

Rla Rlb and Rlc are independently selected from the group consisting of:

(1) hydrogen,

(2) halogen,

(3) hydroxyl,

(4) -(C=0) m -O n -Ci-6alkyl, where m is 0 or 1, n is 0 or 1 (wherein if m is 0 or n is 0, a bond is present) and where the alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from R4,

(5) -(C=0) m -O n -C3-6cycloalkyl, where the cycloalkyl is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from R4,

(6) -(C=0) m -C2-4alkenyl, where the alkenyl is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from R4,

(7) -(C=0) m -C2-4alkynyl, where the alkynyl is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from R4,

(8) -(C=0) m -O n -phenyl or -(C=0) m -O n -naphthyl, where the phenyl or naphthyl is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from R4,

(9) -(C=0) m -O n -heterocycle, where the heterocycle is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from R4,

(10) -(C=O) m -NRl0Rl 1, wherein RlO and Rl 1 are independently selected from the group consisting of:

(a) hydrogen,

(b) C 1 _6alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with R4,

(c) C3_6alkenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with R4,

(d) C3_6alkynyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with R4,

(e) C3_6cycloalkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted with R4,

(f) phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with R4, and

(g) heterocycle, which is unsubstituted or substituted with R4,

(11) -S(0)2-NRlORl l,

(12) -S(0)q-Rl2, where q is 0, 1 or 2 and where Rl2 is selected from the definitions of RlO and Rl l,

(13) -C0 2 H,

(14) -CN, and

(15) -N0 2 ;

R3 is selected from Ci_6alkyl and C3_6cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from R4; R4 is selected from the group consisting of: (1) hydroxyl,

(2) halogen,

(3) Ci-6alkyl,

(4) -C3-6cycloalkyl,

(5) -0-Ci-6alkyl,

(6) -0(C=0)-Ci-6alkyl,

(?) -NH 2 ,

(?) -NH-Ci-6alkyl,

(8) -N0 2 ,

(9) phenyl,

(10) heterocycle,

(11) -CO2H, and

(12) -CN; selected from the group consisting of:

(1) hydrogen,

(2) halogen,

(3) C 1 _6alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl, -O-C 1.

6alkyl, -NI¾, -NH-Ci_6alkyl, -(C=0)0-Ci_6alkyl, or phenyl, wherein the phenyl is unsubstituted or substituted with Ci_6alkyl, halogen, or Ci_6alkyl-OH,

(4) C3_6cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with Ci_6alkyl, halogen, hydroxyl, -0-Ci-6alkyl, -N¾, -NH-Ci.6alkyl, -(C=0)0-Ci_6alkyl, or phenyl, wherein the phenyl is unsubstituted or substituted with Ci_6alkyl, halogen, or Ci_ 6alkyl-OH,

(5) -0-Ci-6alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl or phenyl, and

(6) -(C=0)0-Ci-6alkyl,

(7) -CN,

(8) -(C=0)NH 2 ,

(9) -(C=0)NH-Ci-6alkyl, and

(10) -(C=0)NH-0-Ci-6alkyl; selected from the group consisting of:

(1) hydrogen,

(2) halogen,

(3) C 1 _6alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl, -O-C 1.

6alkyl, -NI¾, -NH-Ci_6alkyl, -(C=0)0-Ci_6alkyl, or phenyl, wherein the phenyl is unsubstituted or substituted with Ci_6alkyl, halogen, or Ci_6alkyl-OH,

(4) C3_6cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with Ci_6alkyl, halogen, hydroxyl, -0-Ci-6alkyl, -N¾, -NH-Ci.6alkyl, -(C=0)0-Ci_6alkyl, or phenyl, wherein the phenyl is unsubstituted or substituted with Cl-6alkyl, halogen, or Cl- 6alkyl-OH,

(5) -0-Cl-6alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl or phenyl, and

(6) -(C=0)0-Cl-6alkyl,

(7) -CN,

(8) -(C=0)NH 2 ,

(9) -(C=0)NH-Cl-6alkyl, and

(10) -(C=0)NH-0-Cl-6alkyl; armaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

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

la

wherein Rla, Rlb ? Rlc ? R3 ? R5 ? and R6 are defined herein; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds of the formula la':

la'

wherein Rla, Rlb ? Rlc ? R3 ? R5 ? and R6 are defined herein; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds of the formula la" : la"

wherein lU a , Rib, Rlc s R3 ? R5 ? and R6 are defined herein; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

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

lb

wherein Rl a , Rib, R3 ? R5 ? and R6 are defined herein; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds of the formula lb':

lb *

wherein Rla, Rib, R3 ? R5 ? and R6 are defined herein; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds of the formula lb" lb"

wherein lU a , Rib, R3 ? R5 ? and R6 are defined herein; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds of the formula Ic

Ic

wherein Rl a , R3, R5 ? and R6 are defined herein; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds of the formula Ic':

Ic *

wherein Rla, R3, R5 ? and R6 are defined herein; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds of the formula Ic"

Ic"

wherein Rla, R3, R5, and R6 are defined herein; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein A is selected from phenyl, pyridyl, thiophenyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, and pyrazolyl. An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein A is phenyl. An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein A is pyridyl. An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein A is thiophenyl. An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein A is thiazolyl. An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein A is isothiazolyl. An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein A is pyrazolyl.

An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein Rl a , Rib and Rlc are independently selected from the group consisting of:

(1) hydrogen,

(2) halogen,

(3) hydroxyl,

(4) Cl-6alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl or phenyl,

(5) -0-Cl-6alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl or phenyl,

(6) heteroaryl, wherein heteroaryl is selected from triazolyl, tetrazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, pyridyl, and pyrimidinyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl, Cl-6alkyl, -0-Cl-6alkyl or-N02,

(7) phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl, Cl-6alkyl, - 0-Cl-6alkyl or-N02,

(8) -O-phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl, Cl_ 6alkyl, -0-Cl-6alkyl or-N02,

(9) -CN, and

( 10) -NH-C 1 -6alkyl, or -N(C 1 -6alkyl)(C 1 -6alkyl), which is unsubstituted or

substituted with halogen, hydroxyl, Cl-6alkyl, and -0-Cl-6alkyl.

An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein Rla, Rib and Rlc are independently selected from the group consisting of:

(1) hydrogen,

(2) halogen, (3) hydroxyl,

(4) Ci_6alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl or phenyl,

(5) -0-Ci_6alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl or phenyl,

(6) -CN, and

(7) heteroaryl, wherein heteroaryl is selected from triazolyl, tetrazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, pyridyl, and pyrimidinyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl, Ci_6alkyl, -0-Ci_6alkyl or-N02-

An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein R i a , Rib and R 1 C are independently selected from the group consisting of:

(1) hydrogen,

(2) halogen,

(3) Ci_6alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen,

(4) -0-Ci_6alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen,

(5) -CN, and

(6) heteroaryl, wherein heteroaryl is selected from triazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrrolyl,

imidazolyl, indolyl, pyridyl, and pyrimidinyl.

An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein Rlc is hydrogen, and R i a and Rib are independently selected from the group consisting of:

(1) hydrogen,

(2) fluoro,

(3) chloro,

(4) bromo,

(5) methyl,

(6) ethyl,

(?) trifluoromethyl, and

(8) heteroaryl, wherein heteroaryl is selected from triazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrrolyl,

imidazolyl, indolyl, pyridyl, and pyrimidinyl.

An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein Rlc is hydrogen, Rib is hydrogen, and Ria is independently selected from the group consisting of:

(1) triazolyl,

(2) tetrazolyl,

(3) oxazolyl,

(4) pyrrolyl,

(5) imidazolyl,

(6) pyridyl, and

(?) pyrimidinyl.

An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein Rlc is hydrogen, Rib is hydrogen, and Ria is independently selected from the group consisting of:

(1) triazolyl, (2) tetrazolyl, and

(3) pyrimidinyl.

An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein R3 is Ci-galkyl. An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein R3 is

C3_6cycloalkyl. An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein R3 is methyl or ethyl. An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein R3 is methyl. An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein R3 is (R)-methyl.

An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein R5 is selected from the group consisting of:

(1) hydrogen,

(2) bromo,

(3) methyl,

(4) -C(CH 3 ) 2 OH,

(5) -CH(OH)CH3,

(6) -C(CH3)(OH)CH2CH3,

(7) -CH2OCH3,

(8) cyclopropyl, and

(9) phenyl.

An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein R5 is -C(CH3)20H. An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein R5 is -C(CH3)(OH)CH2CH3.

An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein R6 is selected from the group consisting of:

(1) hydrogen,

(2) bromo,

(3) methyl,

(4) trifluoromethyl,

(5) -CH(CH3)2, and

(6) phenyl.

An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein R6 is methyl. An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein R6 is phenyl.

An embodiment of the present invention includes compounds wherein at least one of R5 and R6 is other than hydrogen.

Certain embodiments of the present invention include a compound which is selected from the group consisting of the subject compounds of the Examples herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The compounds of the present invention may contain one or more asymmetric centers and can thus occur as racemates and racemic mixtures, single enantiomers,

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

The independent syntheses of these diastereomers or their chromatographic separations may be achieved as known in the art by appropriate modification of the methodology disclosed herein. Their absolute stereochemistry may be determined by the x-ray

crystallography of crystalline products or crystalline intermediates which are derivatized, if necessary, with a reagent containing an asymmetric center of known absolute configuration. If desired, racemic mixtures of the compounds may be separated so that the individual enantiomers are isolated. The separation can be carried out by methods well known in the art, such as the coupling of a racemic mixture of compounds to an enantiomerically pure compound to form a diastereomeric mixture, followed by separation of the individual diastereomers by standard methods, such as fractional crystallization or chromatography. The coupling reaction is often the formation of salts using an enantiomerically pure acid or base. The diasteromeric derivatives may then be converted to the pure enantiomers by cleavage of the added chiral residue. The racemic mixture of the compounds can also be separated directly by chromatographic methods utilizing chiral stationary phases, which methods are well known in the art. Alternatively, any enantiomer of a compound may be obtained by stereoselective synthesis using optically pure starting materials or reagents of known configuration by methods well known in the art.

As appreciated by those of skill in the art, halogen or halo as used herein are intended to include fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo. Similarly, Ci-6, as in Ci_6alkyl is defined to identify the group as having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbons in a linear or branched arrangement, such that Ci_6alkyl specifically includes methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, and hexyl. A group which is designated as being independently substituted with substituents may be independently substituted with multiple numbers of such substituents. The term "heterocycle" as used herein includes both unsaturated and saturated heterocyclic moieties, wherein the unsaturated heterocyclic moieties (i.e. "heteroaryl") include

benzoimidazolyl, benzimidazolonyl, benzofuranyl, benzofurazanyl, benzopyrazolyl,

benzothiazolyl, benzotriazolyl, benzothiophenyl, benzoxazepin, benzoxazolyl, carbazolyl, carbolinyl, cinnolinyl, furanyl, imidazolyl, indolinyl, indolyl, dihydroindolyl, indolazinyl, indazolyl, isobenzofuranyl, isoindolyl, isoquinolyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, naphthpyridinyl, oxadiazolyl, oxazolyl, oxazoline, isoxazoline, oxetanyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyridopyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyrrolyl, quinazolinyl, quinolyl, quinoxalinyl, tetrahydroquinoxalinyl, tetrazolyl, tetrazolopyridyl, thiadiazolyl, thiazolyl, thienyl, triazolyl, and N-oxides thereof, and wherein the saturated heterocyclic moieties include azetidinyl, 1,4- dioxanyl, hexahydroazepinyl, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, pyridin-2-onyl, pyrrolidinyl, morpholinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, thiomorpholinyl, and tetrahydrothienyl, and N-oxides thereof. The present invention also includes all pharmaceutically acceptable isotopic variations of a compound of the Formula I in which one or more atoms is replaced by atoms having the same atomic number, but an atomic mass or mass number different from the atomic mass or mass number usually found in nature. Examples of isotopes suitable for inclusion in the compounds of the invention include isotopes of hydrogen such as 2pi and 3H, carbon such as l lC, 13C and 14Q nitrogen such as 13N and 15N, oxygen such as 150, 170 and 18θ, phosphorus such as 32p ? sulfur such as 35s, fluorine such as 1 F, iodine such as 1 3i and 125i s and chlorine such as 36Q. Certain isotopically-labelled compounds of Formula I, for example those incorporating a radioactive isotope, are useful in drug and/or substrate tissue distribution studies. The radioactive isotopes tritium, i.e. 3H, and carbon-14, i.e. 14C, are particularly useful for this purpose in view of their ease of incorporation and ready means of detection.

Substitution with heavier isotopes such as deuterium, i.e. 2H, may afford certain therapeutic advantages resulting from greater metabolic stability, for example, increased in vivo half-life or reduced dosage requirements, and hence may be preferred in some circumstances. Substitution with positron emitting isotopes, such as 1 lC, 1 F, 150 and 13N, can be useful in Positron

Emission Topography (PET) studies for examining substrate receptor occupancy. Isotopically- labelled compounds of Formula I can generally be prepared by conventional techniques known to those skilled in the art or by processes analogous to those described in the accompanying Examples using appropriate isotopically-labelled reagents in place of the non-labelled reagent previously employed.

The term "pharmaceutically acceptable salts" refers to salts prepared from pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic bases or acids including inorganic or organic bases and inorganic or organic acids. Salts derived from inorganic bases include aluminum, ammonium, calcium, copper, ferric, ferrous, lithium, magnesium, manganic salts, manganous, potassium, sodium, zinc, and the like. Particular embodiments include the ammonium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium salts. Salts in the solid form may exist in more than one crystal structure, and may also be in the form of hydrates. Salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptable organic non-toxic bases include salts of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, substituted amines including naturally occurring substituted amines, cyclic amines, and basic ion exchange resins, such as arginine, betaine, caffeine, choline, Ν,Ν'-dibenzylethylene-diamine, diethylamine, 2- diethylaminoethanol, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, ethanolamine, ethylenediamine, N-ethyl- morpholine, N-ethylpiperidine, glucamine, glucosamine, histidine, hydrabamine, isopropylamine, lysine, methylglucamine, morpholine, piperazine, piperidine, polyamine resins, procaine, purines, theobromine, triethylamine, trimethylamine, tripropylamine, tromethamine, and the like.

When the compound of the present invention is basic, salts may be prepared from pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic acids, including inorganic and organic acids. Such acids include acetic, benzenesulfonic, benzoic, camphorsulfonic, citric, ethanesulfonic, fumaric, gluconic, glutamic, hydrobromic, hydrochloric, isethionic, lactic, maleic, malic, mandelic, methanesulfonic, mucic, nitric, pamoic, pantothenic, phosphoric, succinic, sulfuric, tartaric, p- toluenesulfonic acid, and the like. Particular embodiments include the citric, hydrobromic, hydrochloric, maleic, phosphoric, sulfuric, fumaric, and tartaric acids. It will be understood that, as used herein, references to the compounds of Formula I are meant to also include the pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

Exemplifying the invention is the use of the compounds disclosed in the

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

The subject compounds are useful in a method of antagonizing orexin receptor activity in a patient such as a mammal in need of such inhibition comprising the administration of an effective amount of the compound. The present invention is directed to the use of the compounds disclosed herein as antagonists of orexin receptor activity. In addition to primates, especially humans, a variety of other mammals may be treated according to the method of the present invention. The present invention is directed to a compound of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof that could be useful in medicine. The present invention may further be directed to a use of a compound of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the manufacture of a medicament for antagonizing orexin receptor activity or treating the disorders and diseases noted herein in humans and animals.

The subject treated in the present methods is generally a mammal, such as a human being, male or female. The term "therapeutically effective amount" means the amount of the subject compound that will elicit the biological or medical response of a tissue, system, animal or human that is being sought by the researcher, veterinarian, medical doctor or other clinician. It is recognized that one skilled in the art may affect the neurological and psychiatric disorders by treating a patient presently afflicted with the disorders or by prophylactically treating a patient afflicted with the disorders with an effective amount of the compound of the present invention. As used herein, the terms "treatment" and "treating" refer to all processes wherein there may be a slowing, interrupting, arresting, controlling, or stopping of the progression of the neurological and psychiatric disorders described herein, but does not necessarily indicate a total elimination of all disorder symptoms, as well as the prophylactic therapy of the mentioned conditions, particularly in a patient who is predisposed to such disease or disorder. The terms "administration of and or "administering a" compound should be understood to mean providing a compound of the invention or a prodrug of a compound of the invention to the individual in need thereof.

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

The utility of the compounds in accordance with the present invention as orexin receptor OX1R and/or OX2R antagonists may be readily determined without undue

experimentation by methodology well known in the art, including the "FLIPR Ca 2+ Flux Assay" (Okumura et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 280:976-981, 2001). In a typical experiment the OXl and OX2 receptor antagonistic activity of the compounds of the present invention was determined in accordance with the following experimental method. For intracellular calcium measurements, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing the rat orexin- 1 receptor or the human orexin-2 receptor, are grown in Iscove's modified DMEM containing 2 mM L-glutamine, 0.5 g/ml G418, 1% hypoxanthine-thymidine supplement, 100 U/ml penicillin, 100 μg/ml streptomycin and 10 % heat-inactivated fetal calf serum (FCS). The cells are seeded at 20,000 cells / well into Becton-Dickinson black 384-well clear bottom sterile plates coated with poly-D- lysine. All reagents were from GIBCO-Invitrogen Corp. The seeded plates are incubated overnight at 37°C and 5% C02. Ala-6,12 human orexin-A as the agonist is prepared as a 1 mM stock solution in 1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) and diluted in assay buffer (HBSS containing 20 mM HEPES, 0.1% BSA and 2.5mM probenecid, pH7.4) for use in the assay at a final concentration of 70pM. Test compounds are prepared as 10 mM stock solution in DMSO, then diluted in 384-well plates, first in DMSO, then assay buffer. On the day of the assay, cells are washed 3 times with 100 μΐ assay buffer and then incubated for 60 min (37° C, 5% C02) in 60 μΐ assay buffer containing 1 μΜ Fluo-4AM ester, 0.02 % pluronic acid, and 1 % BSA. The dye loading solution is then aspirated and cells are washed 3 times with 100 μΐ assay buffer. 30 μΐ of that same buffer is left in each well. Within the Fluorescent Imaging Plate Reader (FLIPR, Molecular Devices), test compounds are added to the plate in a volume of 25 μΐ, incubated for 5 min and finally 25 μΐ of agonist is added. Fluorescence is measured for each well at 1 second intervals for 5 minutes and the height of each fluorescence peak is compared to the height of the fluorescence peak induced by 70 pM Ala-6,12 orexin-A with buffer in place of antagonist. For each antagonist, IC50 value (the concentration of compound needed to inhibit 50 % of the agonist response) is determined. Alternatively, compound potency can be assessed by a radioligand binding assay (described in Bergman et. al. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2008, 18, 1425 - 1430) in which the inhibition constant (¾) is determined in membranes prepared from

CHO cells expressing either the OXl or OX2 receptor. The intrinsic orexin receptor antagonist activity of a compound which may be used in the present invention may be determined by these assays.

All of the final compounds of the following examples had activity in antagonizing the human orexin-2 receptor in the aforementioned assays with an IC50 of about 0.1 nM to 2500 nM. All of the final compounds of the following examples had activity in the radioligand binding assay with a Ki of about 0.1 nM to 250 nM against the orexin-2 receptor. All of the final compounds of the following examples had activity in the FLIPR assay with an IC50 of about 5 nM to 2500 nM against the orexin-2 receptor. Additional data is provided in the following Examples. Such a result is indicative of the intrinsic activity of the compounds in use as antagonists of orexin-1 receptor and/or the orexin-2 receptor. In general, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that a substance is considered to effectively antagonize the orexin receptor if it has an IC50 of less than about 50 μΜ, preferably less than about 1000 nM.

The orexin receptors have been implicated in a wide range of biological functions. This has suggested a potential role for these receptors in a variety of disease processes in humans or other species. The compounds of the present invention could therefore potentially have utility in treating, preventing, ameliorating, controlling or reducing the risk of a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with orexin receptors, including one or more of the following conditions or diseases: sleep disorders, sleep disturbances, including enhancing sleep quality, improving sleep quality, increasing sleep efficiency, augmenting sleep maintenance; increasing the value which is calculated from the time that a subject sleeps divided by the time that a subject is attempting to sleep; improving sleep initiation; decreasing sleep latency or onset (the time it takes to fall asleep); decreasing difficulties in falling asleep;

increasing sleep continuity; decreasing the number of awakenings during sleep; decreasing intermittent wakings during sleep; decreasing nocturnal arousals; decreasing the time spent awake following the initial onset of sleep; increasing the total amount of sleep; reducing the fragmentation of sleep; altering the timing, frequency or duration of REM sleep bouts; altering the timing, frequency or duration of slow wave (i.e. stages 3 or 4) sleep bouts; increasing the amount and percentage of stage 2 sleep; promoting slow wave sleep; enhancing EEG-delta activity during sleep; decreasing nocturnal arousals, especially early morning awakenings;

increasing daytime alertness; reducing daytime drowsiness; treating or reducing excessive daytime sleepiness; increasing satisfaction with the intensity of sleep; increasing sleep maintenance; idiopathic insomnia; sleep problems; insomnia, hypersomnia, idiopathic hypersomnia, repeatability hypersomnia, intrinsic hypersomnia, narcolepsy, interrupted sleep, sleep apnea, wakefulness, nocturnal myoclonus, REM sleep interruptions, jet-lag, shift workers' sleep disturbances, dyssomnias, night terror, insomnias associated with depression,

emotional/mood disorders, Alzheimer's disease or cognitive impairment, as well as sleep walking and enuresis, and sleep disorders which accompany aging; Alzheimer's sundowning; conditions associated with circadian rhythmicity as well as mental and physical disorders associated with travel across time zones and with rotating shift-work schedules, conditions due to drugs which cause reductions in REM sleep as a side effect; fibromyalgia; syndromes which are manifested by non-restorative sleep and muscle pain or sleep apnea which is associated with respiratory disturbances during sleep; conditions which result from a diminished quality of sleep; increasing learning; augmenting memory; increasing retention of memory; eating disorders associated with excessive food intake and complications associated therewith, compulsive eating disorders, obesity (due to any cause, whether genetic or environmental), obesity-related disorders overeating, anorexia, bulimia, cachexia, dysregulated appetite control, hypertension, diabetes, elevated plasma insulin concentrations and insulin resistance, dyslipidemias, hyperlipidemia, endometrial, breast, prostate and colon cancer, osteoarthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, cholelithiasis, gallstones, heart disease, lung disease, abnormal heart rhythms and arrythmias, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, acute and congestive heart failure; hypotension; hypertension; urinary retention; osteoporosis; angina pectoris; myocardinal infarction; ischemic or haemorrhagic stroke; subarachnoid haemorrhage; ulcers; allergies; benign prostatic hypertrophy; chronic renal failure; renal disease; impaired glucose tolerance; sudden death, polycystic ovary disease, craniopharyngioma, the Prader-Willi Syndrome, Frohlich's syndrome, GH-deficient subjects, normal variant short stature, Turner's syndrome, and other pathological conditions showing reduced metabolic activity or a decrease in resting energy expenditure as a percentage of total fat-free mass, e.g, children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, metabolic syndrome, also known as syndrome X, insulin resistance syndrome, reproductive hormone abnormalities, sexual and reproductive dysfunction, such as impaired fertility, infertility, hypogonadism in males and hirsutism in females, fetal defects associated with maternal obesity, gastrointestinal motility disorders, intestinal motility

dyskinesias, obesity-related gastro-esophageal reflux, hypothalmic diseases, hypophysis diseases, respiratory disorders, such as obesity-hypoventilation syndrome (Pickwickian syndrome), breathlessness, cardiovascular disorders, inflammation, such as systemic inflammation of the vasculature, arteriosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, hyperuricaemia, lower back pain, gallbladder disease, gout, kidney cancer, increased anesthetic risk, reducing the risk of secondary outcomes of obesity, such as reducing the risk of left ventricular hypertrophy; diseases or disorders where abnormal oscillatory activity occurs in the brain, including depression, migraine, neuropathic pain, Parkinson's disease, psychosis and schizophrenia, as well as diseases or disorders where there is abnormal coupling of activity, particularly through the thalamus; enhancing cognitive function, including cognitive dysfunctions that comprise deficits in all types of attention, learning and memory functions occurring transiently or chronically in the normal, healthy, young, adult or aging population, and also occurring transiently or chronically in psychiatric, neurologic, cardiovascular and immune disorders; enhancing memory; increasing memory retention; increasing immune response; increasing immune function; hot flashes; night sweats; extending life span; schizophrenia; muscle-related disorders that are controlled by the

excitation/relaxation rhythms imposed by the neural system such as cardiac rhythm and other disorders of the cardiovascular system; conditions related to proliferation of cells such as vasodilation or vasorestriction and blood pressure; cancer; cardiac arrhythmia; hypertension; congestive heart failure; conditions of the genital/urinary system; disorders of sexual function and fertility; adequacy of renal function; responsivity to anesthetics; mood disorders, such as depression or more particularly depressive disorders, for example, single episodic or recurrent major depressive disorders and dysthymic disorders, or bipolar disorders, for example, bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder and cyclothymic disorder, mood disorders due to a general medical condition, and substance-induced mood disorders; affective neurosis; depressive neurosis;

anxiety neurosis; anxiety disorders including acute stress disorder, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attack, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, separation anxiety disorder, social phobia, specific phobia, substance-induced anxiety disorder and anxiety due to a general medical condition; acute neurological and psychiatric disorders such as cerebral deficits subsequent to cardiac bypass surgery and grafting, stroke, ischemic stroke, cerebral ischemia, spinal cord trauma, head trauma, perinatal hypoxia, cardiac arrest, hypoglycemic neuronal damage; Huntington's Chorea; Huntington's disease and Tourette syndrome; Cushing's syndrome/disease; basophile adenoma; prolactinoma;

hyperprolactinemia; hypophysis tumor/adenoma; hypothalamic diseases; inflammatory bowel disease; gastric diskinesia; gastric ulcers; Froehlich's syndrome; adrenohypophysis disease; hypophysis disease; adrenohypophysis hypofunction; adrenohypophysis hyperfunction;

hypothalamic hypogonadism; Kallman's syndrome (anosmia, hyposmia); functional or psychogenic amenorrhea; hypopituitarism; hypothalamic hypothyroidism; hypothalamic- adrenal dysfunction; idiopathic hyperprolactinemia; hypothalamic disorders of growth hormone deficiency; idiopathic growth deficiency; dwarfism; gigantism; acromegaly; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; multiple sclerosis; ocular damage; retinopathy; cognitive disorders; idiopathic and drug-induced Parkinson's disease; muscular spasms and disorders associated with muscular spasticity including tremors, epilepsy, convulsions, seizure disorders, absence seisures, complex partial and generalized seizures; Lennox-Gastaut syndrome; cognitive disorders including dementia (associated with Alzheimer's disease, ischemia, trauma, vascular problems or stroke, HIV disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Pick's disease, Creutzfeldt- Jacob disease, perinatal hypoxia, other general medical conditions or substance abuse); delirium, amnestic disorders or age related cognitive decline; schizophrenia or psychosis including schizophrenia (paranoid, disorganized, catatonic or undifferentiated), schizophreniform disorder, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, brief psychotic disorder, shared psychotic disorder, psychotic disorder due to a general medical condition and substance-induced psychotic disorder; dissociateive disorders including multiple personality syndromes and psychogenic amnesias; substance-related disorders, substance use, substance abuse, substance seeking, substance reinstatement, all types of psychological and physical addictions and addictive behaviors, reward-related behaviors (including substance-induced delirium, persisting dementia, persisting amnestic disorder, psychotic disorder or anxiety disorder; tolerance, addictive feeding, addictive feeding behaviors, binge/purge feeding behaviors, dependence, withdrawal or relapse from substances including alcohol, amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants, morphine, nicotine, opioids, phencyclidine, sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics); appetite, taste, eating or drinking disorders; movement disorders, including akinesias and akinetic-rigid syndromes (including Parkinson's disease, drug-induced parkinsonism, postencephalitic parkinsonism, progressive supranuclear palsy, multiple system atrophy, corticobasal

degeneration, parkinsonism- ALS dementia complex and basal ganglia calcification), chronic fatigue syndrome, fatigue, including Parkinson's fatigue, multiple sclerosis fatigue, fatigue caused by a sleep disorder or a circadian rhythm disorder, medication-induced parkinsonism (such as neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, neuroleptic- induced acute dystonia, neuroleptic-induced acute akathisia, neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia and medication-induced postural tremor), Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome, epilepsy, and dyskinesias [including tremor (such as rest tremor, essential tremor, postural tremor and intention tremor), chorea (such as Sydenham's chorea, Huntington's disease, benign hereditary chorea, neuroacanthocytosis, symptomatic chorea, drug-induced chorea and hemiballism), myoclonus (including generalised myoclonus and focal myoclonus), tics (including simple tics, complex tics and symptomatic tics), restless leg syndrome and dystonia (including generalised dystonia such as iodiopathic dystonia, drug-induced dystonia, symptomatic dystonia and paroxymal dystonia, and focal dystonia such as blepharospasm, oromandibular dystonia, spasmodic dysphonia, spasmodic torticollis, axial dystonia, dystonic writer's cramp and hemiplegic dystonia); neurodegenerative disorders including nosological entities such as disinhibition-dementia-parkinsonism-amyotrophy complex; pallido-ponto-nigral degeneration; epilepsy; seizure disorders; attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); conduct disorder; migraine (including migraine headache); headache; hyperalgesia; pain; enhanced or exaggerated sensitivity to pain such as hyperalgesia, causalgia, and allodynia; acute pain; burn pain; atypical facial pain; neuropathic pain; back pain; complex regional pain syndrome I and II; arthritic pain; sports injury pain; pain related to infection e.g. HIV, post-chemotherapy pain; post-stroke pain; post-operative pain; neuralgia; emesis, nausea, vomiting; gastric dyskinesia; gastric ulcers;

Kallman's syndrome (anosmia); asthma; cancer; conditions associated with visceral pain such as irritable bowel syndrome, and angina; eating disorders; urinary incontinence; substance tolerance, substance withdrawal (including, substances such as opiates, nicotine, tobacco products, alcohol, benzodiazepines, cocaine, sedatives, hypnotics, etc.); psychosis; schizophrenia; anxiety (including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder); mood disorders (including depression, mania, bipolar disorders); trigeminal neuralgia; hearing loss; tinnitus; neuronal damage including ocular damage; retinopathy; macular degeneration of the eye; emesis; brain edema; pain, including acute and chronic pain states, severe pain, intractable pain, inflammatory pain, neuropathic pain, post-traumatic pain, bone and joint pain (osteoarthritis), repetitive motion pain, dental pain, cancer pain, myofascial pain (muscular injury, fibromyalgia), perioperative pain (general surgery, gynecological), chronic pain, neuropathic pain, post-traumatic pain, trigeminal neuralgia, migraine and migraine headache and other diseases related to general orexin system dysfunction.

Thus, in certain embodiments the present invention may provide methods for: enhancing the quality of sleep; augmenting sleep maintenance; increasing REM sleep; increasing stage 2 sleep; decreasing fragmentation of sleep patterns; treating insomnia and all types of sleep disorders; treating or controlling sleep disturbances associated with diseases such as neurological disorders including neuropathic pain and restless leg syndrome; treating or controlling addiction disorders; treating or controlling psychoactive substance use and abuse; enhancing cognition; increasing memory retention; treating or controlling obesity; treating or controlling diabetes and appetite, taste, eating, or drinking disorders; treating or controlling hypothalamic diseases;

treating or controlling depression; treating, controlling, ameliorating or reducing the risk of epilepsy, including absence epilepsy; treating or controlling pain, including neuropathic pain; treating or controlling Parkinson's disease; treating or controlling psychosis; treating or controlling dysthymic, mood, psychotic and anxiety disorders; treating or controlling depression, including major depression and major depression disorder; treating or controlling bipolar disorder; or treating, controlling, ameliorating or reducing the risk of schizophrenia, in a mammalian patient in need thereof which comprises administering to the patient a

therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the present invention.

The subject compounds could further be of potential use in a method for the prevention, treatment, control, amelioration, or reduction of risk of the diseases, disorders and conditions noted herein. The dosage of active ingredient in the compositions of this invention may be varied, however, it is necessary that the amount of the active ingredient be such that a suitable dosage form is obtained. The active ingredient may be administered to patients (animals and human) in need of such treatment in dosages that will provide optimal pharmaceutical efficacy. The selected dosage depends upon the desired therapeutic effect, on the route of administration, and on the duration of the treatment. The dose will vary from patient to patient depending upon the nature and severity of disease, the patient's weight, special diets then being followed by a patient, concurrent medication, and other factors which those skilled in the art will recognize. Generally, dosage levels of between 0.0001 to 10 mg/kg. of body weight daily are administered to the patient, e.g., humans and elderly humans, to obtain effective antagonism of orexin receptors. The dosage range will generally be about 0.5 mg to 1.0 g. per patient per day which may be administered in single or multiple doses. In one embodiment, the dosage range will be about 0.5 mg to 500 mg per patient per day; in another embodiment about 0.5 mg to 200 mg per patient per day; and in yet another embodiment about 5 mg to 50 mg per patient per day. Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be provided in a solid dosage formulation such as comprising about 0.5 mg to 500 mg active ingredient, or comprising about 1 mg to 250 mg active ingredient. The pharmaceutical composition may be provided in a solid dosage formulation comprising about 1 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 25 mg, 30 mg, 50 mg, 80 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg or 250 mg active ingredient. For oral administration, the compositions may be provided in the form of tablets containing 1.0 to 1000 milligrams of the active ingredient, such as 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500, 600, 750, 800, 900, and 1000 milligrams of the active ingredient for the symptomatic adjustment of the dosage to the patient to be treated. The compounds may be administered on a regimen of 1 to 4 times per day, such as once or twice per day. The compounds may be administered before bedtime. For example, the compounds may be administered about lHour prior to bedtime, about 30 minutes prior to bedtime or immediately before bedtime.

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

Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention include those that contain one or more other active ingredients, in addition to a compound of the present invention. The above combinations include combinations of a compound of the present invention not only with one other active compound, but also with two or more other active compounds.

Likewise, compounds of the present invention may be used in combination with other drugs that are used in the prevention, treatment, control, amelioration, or reduction of risk of the diseases or conditions for which compounds of the present invention are useful. Such other drugs may be administered, by a route and in an amount commonly used therefor, contemporaneously or sequentially with a compound of the present invention. When a compound of the present invention is used contemporaneously with one or more other drugs, a pharmaceutical composition containing such other drugs in addition to the compound of the present invention is contemplated. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention include those that also contain one or more other active ingredients, in addition to a compound of the present invention.

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

combinations the compound of the present invention and other active agents may be

administered separately or in conjunction. In addition, the administration of one element may be prior to, concurrent to, or subsequent to the administration of other agent(s).

The compounds of the present invention may be administered in combination with other compounds which are known in the art to be useful for enhancing sleep quality and preventing and treating sleep disorders and sleep disturbances, including e.g., sedatives, hypnotics, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, antianxiety agents, antihistamines, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, cyclopyrrolones, GABA agonists, 5HT-2 antagonists including 5HT-2A antagonists and 5HT-2A/2C antagonists, histamine antagonists including histamine H3 antagonists, histamine H3 inverse agonists, imidazopyridines, minor tranquilizers, melatonin agonists and antagonists, melatonergic agents, other orexin antagonists, orexin agonists, prokineticin agonists and antagonists, pyrazolopyrimidines, T-type calcium channel antagonists, triazolopyridines, and the like, such as: adinazolam, allobarbital, alonimid, alprazolam, amitriptyline, amobarbital, amoxapine, armodafinil, APD-125, bentazepam, benzoctamine, brotizolam, bupropion, busprione, butabarbital, butalbital, capromorelin, capuride, carbocloral, chloral betaine, chloral hydrate, chlordiazepoxide, clomipramine, clonazepam, cloperidone, clorazepate, clorethate, clozapine, conazepam, cyprazepam, desipramine, dexclamol, diazepam, dichloralphenazone, divalproex, diphenhydramine, doxepin, EMD-281014, eplivanserin, estazolam, eszopiclone, ethchlorynol, etomidate, fenobam, flunitrazepam, flurazepam, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, fosazepam, gaboxadol, glutethimide, halazepam, hydroxyzine, ibutamoren, imipramine, indiplon, lithium, lorazepam, lormetazepam, LY-156735, maprotiline, MDL-100907, mecloqualone, melatonin, mephobarbital, meprobamate, methaqualone, methyprylon, midaflur, midazolam, modafmil, nefazodone, NGD-2-73, nisobamate, nitrazepam, nortriptyline, ornortriptyline, oxazepam, paraldehyde, paroxetine, pentobarbital, perlapine, perphenazine, phenelzine, phenobarbital, prazepam, promethazine, propofol, protriptyline, quazepam, ramelteon, reclazepam, roletamide, secobarbital, sertraline, suproclone, TAK-375, temazepam, thioridazine, tiagabine, tracazolate, tranylcypromaine, trazodone, triazolam, trepipam, tricetamide, triclofos, trifluoperazine, trimetozine, trimipramine, uldazepam, venlafaxine, zaleplon, zolazepam, zopiclone, Zolpidem, and salts thereof, and combinations thereof, and the like, or the compound of the present invention may be administered in conjunction with the use of physical methods such as with light therapy or electrical stimulation.

In another embodiment, the subject compound may be employed in combination with other compounds which are known in the art, either administered separately or in the same pharmaceutical compositions, including, but are not limited to: insulin sensitizers including (i) PPARy antagonists such as glitazones (e.g. ciglitazone; darglitazone; englitazone; isaglitazone (MCC-555); pioglitazone; rosiglitazone; troglitazone; tularik; BRL49653; CLX-0921; 5-BTZD), GW-0207, LG-100641, and LY-300512, and the like); (iii) biguanides such as metformin and phenformin; (b) insulin or insulin mimetics, such as biota, LP-100, novarapid, insulin detemir, insulin lispro, insulin glargine, insulin zinc suspension (lente and ultralente); Lys-Pro insulin, GLP-1 (73-7) (insulintropin); and GLP-1 (7-36)-NI¾); (c) sulfonylureas, such as acetohexamide; chlorpropamide; diabinese; glibenclamide; glipizide; glyburide; glimepiride; gliclazide;

glipentide; gliquidone; glisolamide; tolazamide; and tolbutamide; (d) a-glucosidase inhibitors, such as acarbose, adiposine; camiglibose; emiglitate; miglitol; voglibose; pradimicin-Q;

salbostatin; CKD-711; MDL-25,637; MDL-73,945; and MOR 14, and the like; (e) cholesterol lowering agents such as (i) HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (atorvastatin, itavastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rivastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin, and other statins), (ii) bile acid absorbers/sequestrants, such as cholestyramine, colestipol, dialkylaminoalkyl derivatives of a cross-linked dextran; Colestid®; LoCholest®, and the like, (ii) nicotinyl alcohol, nicotinic acid or a salt thereof, (iii) proliferator-activater receptor a agonists such as fenofibric acid derivatives (gemfibrozil, clofibrate, fenofibrate and benzafibrate), (iv) inhibitors of cholesterol absorption such as stanol esters, beta-sitosterol, sterol glycosides such as tiqueside; and azetidinones such as ezetimibe, and the like, and (acyl CoAxholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT)) inhibitors such as avasimibe, and melinamide, (v) anti-oxidants, such as probucol, (vi) vitamin E, and (vii) thyromimetics; (f) PPARa agonists such as beclofibrate, benzafibrate, ciprofibrate, clofibrate, etofibrate, fenofibrate, and gemfibrozil; and other fibric acid derivatives, such as Atromid®, Lopid® and Tricor®, and the like, and PPARa agonists as described in WO 97/36579; (g) PPAR5 agonists, such as those disclosed in W097/28149; (h) PPAR α/δ agonists, such as muraglitazar, and the compounds disclosed in US 6,414,002; (i) anti-obesity agents, such as (1) growth hormone secretagogues, growth hormone secretagogue receptor agonists/antagonists, such as NN703, hexarelin, MK-0677, SM-130686, CP-424,391, L-692,429, and L-163,255, and such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,536,716, and 6,358,951, U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2002/049196 and 2002/022637, and PCT Application Nos. WO 01/56592 and WO

02/32888; (2) protein tyrosine phosphatase- IB (PTP-1B) inhibitors; (3) cannabinoid receptor ligands, such as cannabinoid CBi receptor antagonists or inverse agonists, such as rimonabant, taranabant, AMT-251, and SR- 14778 and SR 141716A (Sanofi Synthelabo), SLV-319 (Solvay), BAY 65-2520 (Bayer) and those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,532,237, 4,973,587, 5,013,837, 5,081,122, 5,112,820, 5,292,736, 5,624,941, 6,028,084, PCT Application Nos. WO 96/33159, WO 98/33765, W098/43636, W098/43635, WO 01/09120, W098/31227, W098/41519,

WO98/37061, WO00/10967, WO00/10968, WO97/29079, WO99/02499, WO 01/58869, WO 01/64632, WO 01/64633, WO 01/64634, W002/076949, WO 03/007887, WO 04/048317, and WO 05/000809; (4) anti-obesity serotonergic agents, such as fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine, phentermine, and sibutramine; (5) P3-adrenoreceptor agonists, such as AD9677/TAK677 (Dainippon/Takeda), CL-316,243, SB 418790, BRL-37344, L-796568, BMS-196085, BRL-

35135A, CGP12177A, BTA-243, Trecadrine, Zeneca D7114, SR 59119A; (6) pancreatic lipase inhibitors, such as orlistat (Xenical®), Triton WR1339, RHC80267, lipstatin, tetrahydrolipstatin, teasaponin, diethylumbelliferyl phosphate, and those disclosed in PCT Application No. WO 01/77094; (7) neuropeptide Yl antagonists, such as BIBP3226, J-l 15814, BIBO 3304, LY- 357897, CP-671906, GI-264879A, and those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,001,836, and PCT Patent Publication Nos. WO 96/14307, WO 01/23387, WO 99/51600, WO 01/85690, WO 01/85098, WO 01/85173, and WO 01/89528; (8) neuropeptide Y5 antagonists, such as GW- 569180A, GW-594884A, GW-587081X, GW-548118X, FR226928, FR 240662, FR252384, 1229U91, GI-264879A, CGP71683A, LY-377897, PD-160170, SR-120562A, SR-120819A and JCF-104, and those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,057,335; 6,043,246; 6,140,354; 6,166,038; 6,180,653; 6,191,160; 6,313,298; 6,335,345; 6,337,332; 6,326,375; 6,329,395; 6,340,683;

6,388,077; 6,462,053; 6,649,624; and 6,723,847, European Patent Nos. EP-01010691, and EP- 01044970; and PCT International Patent Publication Nos. WO 97/19682, WO 97/20820, WO 97/20821, WO 97/20822, WO 97/20823, WO 98/24768; WO 98/25907; WO 98/25908; WO 98/27063, WO 98/47505; WO 98/40356; WO 99/15516; WO 99/27965; WO 00/64880, WO 00/68197, WO 00/69849, WO 01/09120, WO 01/14376; WO 01/85714, WO 01/85730, WO 01/07409, WO 01/02379, WO 01/02379, WO 01/23388, WO 01/23389, WO 01/44201, WO 01/62737, WO 01/62738, WO 01/09120, WO 02/22592, WO 0248152, and WO 02/49648; WO 02/094825; WO 03/014083; WO 03/10191; WO 03/092889; WO 04/002986; and WO

04/031175; (9) melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) receptor antagonists, such as those disclosed in WO 01/21577 and WO 01/21169; (10) melanin-concentrating hormone 1 receptor (MCH1R) antagonists, such as T-226296 (Takeda), and those disclosed in PCT Patent

Application Nos. WO 01/82925, WO 01/87834, WO 02/051809, WO 02/06245, WO 02/076929, WO 02/076947, WO 02/04433, WO 02/51809, WO 02/083134, WO 02/094799, WO 03/004027; (11) melanin-concentrating hormone 2 receptor (MCH2R) agonist/antagonists; (12) orexin receptor antagonists, such as SB-334867-A, and those disclosed in patent publications herein; (13) serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, and sertraline; (14)

melanocortin agonists, such as Melanotan II; (15) Mc4r (melanocortin 4 receptor) agonists, such as CHIR86036 (Chiron), ME-10142, and ME-10145 (Melacure), CHIR86036 (Chiron); PT-141, and PT-14 (Palatin); (16) 5HT-2 agonists; (17) 5HT2C (serotonin receptor 2C) agonists, such as BVT933, DPCA37215, WAY161503, R-1065, and those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,914,250, and PCT Application Nos. WO 02/36596, WO 02/48124, WO 02/10169, WO 01/66548, WO 02/44152, WO 02/51844, WO 02/40456, and WO 02/40457; (18) galanin antagonists; (19) CCK agonists; (20) CCK-A (cholecystokinin-A) agonists, such as AR-R 15849, GI 181771, JMV-180, A-71378, A-71623 and SR14613, and those discribed in U.S. Patent No. 5,739,106; (21) GLP-1 agonists; (22) corticotropin-releasing hormone agonists; (23) histamine receptor-3 (H3) modulators; (24) histamine receptor-3 (H3) antagonists/inverse agonists, such as hioperamide, 3- (lH-imidazol-4-yl)propyl N-(4-pentenyl)carbamate, clobenpropit, iodophenpropit, imoproxifan, GT2394 (Gliatech), and O- [3 -(lH-imidazol-4-yl)propanol] -carbamates; (25) β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase- 1 inhibitors (β-HSD-l); (26) PDE (phosphodiesterase) inhibitors, such as theophylline, pentoxifylline, zaprinast, sildenafil, amrinone, milrinone, cilostamide, rolipram, and cilomilast; (27) phosphodiesterase-3B (PDE3B) inhibitors; (28) NE (norepinephrine) transport inhibitors, such as GW 320659, despiramine, talsupram, and nomifensine; (29) ghrelin receptor antagonists, such as those disclosed in PCT Application Nos. WO 01/87335, and WO 02/08250; (30) leptin, including recombinant human leptin (PEG-OB, Hoffman La Roche) and recombinant methionyl human leptin (Amgen); (31) leptin derivatives; (32) BRS3 (bombesin receptor subtype 3) agonists such as [D-Phe6,beta-Alal l,Phel3,Nlel4]Bn(6-14) and [D- Phe6,Phel3]Bn(6-13)propylamide, and those compounds disclosed in Pept. Sci. 2002 Aug; 8(8): 461-75); (33) CNTF (Ciliary neurotrophic factors), such as GI-181771 (Glaxo-SmithKline), SR146131 (Sanofi Synthelabo), butabindide, PD170,292, and PD 149164 (Pfizer); (34) CNTF derivatives, such as axokine (Regeneron); (35) monoamine reuptake inhibitors, such as sibutramine; (36) UCP-1 (uncoupling protein-1), 2, or 3 activators, such as phytanic acid, 4-[(E)- 2-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-napthalenyl)-l-p ropenyl]benzoic acid (TTNPB), retinoic acid; (37) thyroid hormone β agonists, such as KB-2611 (KaroBioBMS); (38) FAS (fatty acid synthase) inhibitors, such as Cerulenin and C75; (39) DGAT1 (diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1) inhibitors; (40) DGAT2 (diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2) inhibitors; (41) ACC2 (acetyl-CoA carboxylase-2) inhibitors; (42) glucocorticoid antagonists; (43) acyl- estrogens, such as oleoyl-estrone, disclosed in del Mar-Grasa, M. et al, Obesity Research, 9:202-9 (2001); (44) dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP-IV) inhibitors, such as isoleucine thiazolidide, valine pyrrolidide, NVP-DPP728, LAF237, P93/01, TSL 225, TMC-2A/2B/2C, FE 999011, P9310/K364, VIP 0177, SDZ 274-444, sitagliptin; and the compounds disclosed in US

6,699,871, WO 03/004498; WO 03/004496; EP 1 258 476; WO 02/083128; WO 02/062764; WO 03/000250; WO 03/002530; WO 03/002531; WO 03/002553; WO 03/002593; WO

03/000180; and WO 03/000181; (46) dicarboxylate transporter inhibitors; (47) glucose transporter inhibitors; (48) phosphate transporter inhibitors; (49) Metformin (Glucophage®); (50) Topiramate (Topimax®); (50) peptide YY, PYY 3-36, peptide YY analogs, derivatives, and fragments such as BIM-43073D, BIM-43004C (Olitvak, D.A. et al, Dig. Dis. Sci. 44(3):643-48 (1999)); (51) Neuropeptide Y2 (NPY2) receptor agonists such NPY3-36, N acetyl [Leu(28,31)] NPY 24-36, TASP-V, and cyclo-(28/32)-Ac-[Lys28-Glu32]-(25-36)-pNPY; (52) Neuropeptide Y4 (NPY4) agonists such as pancreatic peptide (PP), and other Y4 agonists such as 1229U91; (54) cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors such as etoricoxib, celecoxib, valdecoxib, parecoxib, lumiracoxib, BMS347070, tiracoxib or JTE522, ABT963, CS502 and GW406381; (55)

Neuropeptide Yl (NPY1) antagonists such as BIBP3226, J-l 15814, BIBO 3304, LY-357897, CP-671906, GI-264879A; (56) Opioid antagonists such as nalmefene (Revex ®), 3- methoxynaltrexone, naloxone, naltrexone; (57) 11 β HSD-1 (11-beta hydroxy steroid

dehydrogenase type 1) inhibitors such as BVT 3498, BVT 2733, and those disclosed in WO 01/90091, WO 01/90090, WO 01/90092, US 6,730,690 and US 2004-0133011; (58) aminorex; (59) amphechloral; (60) amphetamine; (61) benzphetamine; (62) chlorphentermine; (63) clobenzorex; (64) cloforex; (65) clominorex; (66) clortermine; (67) cyclexedrine; (68) dextroamphetamine; (69) diphemethoxidine, (70) N-ethylamphetamine; (71) fenbutrazate; (72) fenisorex; (73) fenproporex; (74) fludorex; (75) fluminorex; (76) furfurylmethylamphetamine; (77) levamfetamine; (78) levophacetoperane; (79) mefenorex; (80) metamfepramone; (81) methamphetamine; (82) norpseudoephedrine; (83) pentorex; (84) phendimetrazine; (85) phenmetrazine; (86) picilorex; (87) phytopharm 57; and (88) zonisamide., (89) neuromedin U and analogs or derivatives thereof, (90) oxyntomodulin and analogs or derivatives thereof, and (91) Neurokinin- 1 receptor antagonists (NK-1 antagonists) such as the compounds disclosed in: U.S. Patent Nos. 5,162,339, 5,232,929, 5,242,930, 5,373,003, 5,387,595, 5,459,270, 5,494,926, 5,496,833, and 5,637,699.

In another embodiment, the subject compound may be employed in combination with an anti-depressant or anti-anxiety agent, including norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

(including tertiary amine tricyclics and secondary amine tricyclics), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase (RIMAs), serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) antagonists, a-adrenoreceptor antagonists, neurokinin- 1 receptor antagonists, atypical anti-depressants, benzodiazepines, 5-HT I A agonists or antagonists, especially 5-HT IA partial agonists, and corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) antagonists.

Specific agents include: amitriptyline, clomipramine, doxepin, imipramine and trimipramine; amoxapine, desipramine, maprotiline, nortriptyline and protriptyline; citalopram, duloxetine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine and sertraline; isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine and selegiline; moclobemide: venlafaxine; aprepitant; bupropion, lithium, nefazodone, trazodone and viloxazine; alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clonazepam, chlorazepate, diazepam, halazepam, lorazepam, oxazepam and prazepam; buspirone, flesinoxan, gepirone and ipsapirone, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

In another embodiment, the subject compound may be employed in combination with anti- Alzheimer's agents; beta-secretase inhibitors; gamma-secretase inhibitors; growth hormone secretagogues; recombinant growth hormone; HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors;

NS AID's including ibuprofen; vitamin E; anti-amyloid antibodies; CB-1 receptor antagonists or CB-1 receptor inverse agonists; antibiotics such as doxycycline and rifampin; N-methyl-D- aspartate (NMD A) receptor antagonists, such as memantine; cholinesterase inhibitors such as galantamine, rivastigmine, donepezil, and tacrine; growth hormone secretagogues such as ibutamoren, ibutamoren mesylate, and capromorelin; histamine H3 antagonists; AMPA agonists; PDE IV inhibitors; GAB A A inverse agonists; or neuronal nicotinic agonists.

In another embodiment, the subject compound may be employed in combination with sedatives, hypnotics, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, antianxiety agents, cyclopyrrolones, imidazopyridines, pyrazolopyrimidines, minor tranquilizers, melatonin agonists and antagonists, melatonergic agents, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, 5HT-2 antagonists, and the like, such as: adinazolam, allobarbital, alonimid, alprazolam, amitriptyline, amobarbital, amoxapine, bentazepam, benzoctamine, brotizolam, bupropion, busprione, butabarbital, butalbital, capuride, carbocloral, chloral betaine, chloral hydrate, chlordiazepoxide, clomipramine, clonazepam, cloperidone, clorazepate, clorethate, clozapine, cyprazepam, desipramine, dexclamol, diazepam, dichloralphenazone, divalproex, diphenhydramine, doxepin, estazolam, ethchlorvynol, etomidate, fenobam, flunitrazepam, flurazepam, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, fosazepam, glutethimide, halazepam, hydroxyzine, imipramine, lithium, lorazepam, lormetazepam, maprotiline, mecloqualone, melatonin, mephobarbital, meprobamate, methaqualone, midaflur, midazolam, nefazodone, nisobamate, nitrazepam, nortriptyline, oxazepam, paraldehyde, paroxetine, pentobarbital, perlapine, perphenazine, phenelzine, phenobarbital, prazepam, promethazine, propofol, protriptyline, quazepam, reclazepam, roletamide, secobarbital, sertraline, suproclone, temazepam, thioridazine, tracazolate, tranylcypromaine, trazodone, triazolam, trepipam, tricetamide, triclofos, trifluoperazine, trimetozine, trimipramine, uldazepam, venlafaxine, zaleplon, zolazepam, Zolpidem, and salts thereof, and combinations thereof, and the like, or the subject compound may be administered in conjunction with the use of physical methods such as with light therapy or electrical stimulation.

In another embodiment, the subject compound may be employed in combination with levodopa (with or without a selective extracerebral decarboxylase inhibitor such as carbidopa or benserazide), anticholinergics such as biperiden (optionally as its hydrochloride or lactate salt) and trihexyphenidyl (benzhexol) hydrochloride, COMT inhibitors such as entacapone, MOA-B inhibitors, antioxidants, A2a adenosine receptor antagonists, cholinergic agonists, NMDA receptor antagonists, serotonin receptor antagonists and dopamine receptor agonists such as alentemol, bromocriptine, fenoldopam, lisuride, naxagolide, pergolide and pramipexole.

In another embodiment, the subject compound may be employed in combination with acetophenazine, alentemol, benzhexol, bromocriptine, biperiden, chlorpromazine, chlorprothixene, clozapine, diazepam, fenoldopam, fluphenazine, haloperidol, levodopa, levodopa with benserazide, levodopa with carbidopa, lisuride, loxapine, mesoridazine, molindolone, naxagolide, olanzapine, pergolide, perphenazine, pimozide, pramipexole, risperidone, sulpiride, tetrabenazine, trihexyphenidyl, thioridazine, thiothixene or trifluoperazine.

In another embodiment, the subject compound may be employed in combination with a compound from the phenothiazine, thioxanthene, heterocyclic dibenzazepine,

butyrophenone, diphenylbutylpiperidine and indolone classes of neuroleptic agent. Suitable examples of phenothiazines include chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, thioridazine, acetophenazine, fluphenazine, perphenazine and trifluoperazine. Suitable examples of thioxanthenes include chlorprothixene and thiothixene. An example of a dibenzazepine is clozapine. An example of a butyrophenone is haloperidol. An example of a diphenylbutylpiperidine is pimozide. An example of an indolone is molindolone. Other neuroleptic agents include loxapine, sulpiride and risperidone.

In another embodiment, the subject compound may be employed in combination with a nicotine agonist or a nicotine receptor partial agonist such as varenicline, opioid antagonists (e.g., naltrexone (including naltrexone depot), antabuse, and nalmefene),

dopaminergic agents (e.g., apomorphine), ADD/ ADHD agents (e.g., methylphenidate

hydrochloride (e.g., Ritalin® and Concerta®), atomoxetine (e.g., Strattera®), a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), amphetamines (e.g., Adderall®)) and anti-obesity agents, such as apo-B/MTP inhibitors, 1 IBeta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase- 1 (l lBeta-HSD type 1) inhibitors, peptide YY3-36 or analogs thereof, MCR-4 agonists, CCK-A agonists, monoamine reuptake inhibitors, sympathomimetic agents, β3 adrenergic receptor agonists, dopamine receptor agonists, melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptor analogs, 5-HT2c receptor agonists, melanin

concentrating hormone receptor antagonists, leptin, leptin analogs, leptin receptor agonists, galanin receptor antagonists, lipase inhibitors, bombesin receptor agonists, neuropeptide-Y receptor antagonists (e.g., NPY Y5 receptor antagonists), thyromimetic agents,

dehydroepiandrosterone or analogs thereof, glucocorticoid receptor antagonists, other orexin receptor antagonists, glucagon-like peptide- 1 receptor agonists, ciliary neurotrophic factors, human agouti-related protein antagonists, ghrelin receptor antagonists, histamine 3 receptor antagonists or inverse agonists, and neuromedin U receptor agonists, and pharmaceutically acceptble salts thereof.

In another embodiment, the subject compound may be employed in combination with an anoretic agent such as aminorex, amphechloral, amphetamine, benzphetamine, chlorphentermine, clobenzorex, cloforex, clominorex, clortermine, cyclexedrine, dexfenfluramine, dextroamphetamine, diethylpropion, diphemethoxidine, N-ethylamphetamine, fenbutrazate, fenfluramine, fenisorex, fenproporex, fludorex, fluminorex,

furfurylmethylamphetamine, levamfetamine, levophacetoperane, mazindol, mefenorex, metamfepramone, methamphetamine, norpseudoephedrine, pentorex, phendimetrazine, phenmetrazine, phentermine, phenylpropanolamine, picilorex and sibutramine; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI); halogenated amphetamine derivatives, including

chlorphentermine, cloforex, clortermine, dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, picilorex and sibutramine; and pharmaceutically acceptble salts thereof.

In another embodiment, the subject compound may be employed in combination with an opiate agonist, a lipoxygenase inhibitor, such as an inhibitor of 5 -lipoxygenase, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, such as a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, an interleukin inhibitor, such as an interleukin- 1 inhibitor, an NMDA antagonist, an inhibitor of nitric oxide or an inhibitor of the synthesis of nitric oxide, a non-steroidal antiinflammatory agent, or a cytokine-suppressing antiinflammatory agent, for example with a compound such as acetaminophen, asprin, codiene, fentanyl, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketorolac, morphine, naproxen, phenacetin, piroxicam, a steroidal analgesic, sufentanyl, sunlindac, tenidap, and the like. Similarly, the subject compound may be administered with a pain reliever; a potentiator such as caffeine, an H2-antagonist, simethicone, aluminum or magnesium hydroxide; a decongestant such as phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pseudophedrine, oxymetazoline, epinephrine, naphazoline,

xylometazoline, propylhexedrine, or levo-desoxy-ephedrine; an antiitussive such as codeine, hydrocodone, caramiphen, carbetapentane, or dextramethorphan; a diuretic; and a sedating or non-sedating antihistamine.

The compounds of the present invention may be administered by oral, parenteral (e.g., intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intravenous, ICV, intracisternal injection or infusion, subcutaneous injection, or implant), by inhalation spray, nasal, vaginal, rectal, sublingual, or topical routes of administration and may be formulated, alone or together, in suitable dosage unit formulations containing conventional non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants and vehicles appropriate for each route of administration. In addition to the treatment of warm- blooded animals such as mice, rats, horses, cattle, sheep, dogs, cats, monkeys, etc., the compounds of the invention may be effective for use in humans.

The pharmaceutical compositions for the administration of the compounds of this invention may conveniently be presented in dosage unit form and may be prepared by any of the methods well known in the art of pharmacy. All methods include the step of bringing the active ingredient into association with the carrier which constitutes one or more accessory ingredients. In general, the pharmaceutical compositions are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing the active ingredient into association with a liquid carrier or a finely divided solid carrier or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the product into the desired formulation. In the pharmaceutical composition the active object compound is included in an amount sufficient to produce the desired effect upon the process or condition of diseases. As used herein, the term "composition" is intended to encompass a product comprising the specified ingredients in the specified amounts, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combination of the specified ingredients in the specified amounts.

Pharmaceutical compositions intended for oral use may be prepared according to any method known to the art for the manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions and such compositions may contain one or more agents selected from the group consisting of sweetening agents, flavoring agents, coloring agents and preserving agents in order to provide

pharmaceutically elegant and palatable preparations. Tablets contain the active ingredient in admixture with non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable excipients which are suitable for the manufacture of tablets. These excipients may be for example, inert diluents, such as calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, lactose, calcium phosphate or sodium phosphate; granulating and disintegrating agents, for example, corn starch, or alginic acid; binding agents, for example starch, gelatin or acacia, and lubricating agents, for example magnesium stearate, stearic acid or talc. The tablets may be uncoated or they may be coated by known techniques to delay disintegration and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and thereby provide a sustained action over a longer period. Compositions for oral use may also be presented as hard gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with an inert solid diluent, for example, calcium

carbonate, calcium phosphate or kaolin, or as soft gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with water or an oil medium, for example peanut oil, liquid paraffin, or olive oil.

Aqueous suspensions contain the active materials in admixture with excipients suitable for the manufacture of aqueous suspensions. Oily suspensions may be formulated by suspending the active ingredient in a suitable oil. Oil-in-water emulsions may also be employed. Dispersible powders and granules suitable for preparation of an aqueous suspension by the addition of water provide the active ingredient in admixture with a dispersing or wetting agent, suspending agent and one or more preservatives. Pharmaceutical compositions of the present compounds may be in the form of a sterile injectable aqueous or oleagenous suspension. The compounds of the present invention may also be administered in the form of suppositories for rectal administration. For topical use, creams, ointments, jellies, solutions or suspensions, etc., containing the compounds of the present invention may be employed. The compounds of the present invention may also be formulated for administered by inhalation. The compounds of the present invention may also be administered by a transdermal patch by methods known in the art.

Several methods for preparing the compounds of this invention are illustrated in the following Schemes and Examples. Starting materials are made according to procedures known in the art (e.g. PCT Patent Publications WO2001/68609, WO2004/085403,

WO2005/118548, WO2008/147518, WO2009/143033 and WO2010/048012) or as illustrated herein. The following abbreviations are used herein: Me: methyl; Et: ethyl; t-Bu: ie/t-butyl; Ar: aryl; Ph: phenyl; Bn: benzyl; Ac: acetyl; Boc: tert-butyloxy carbonyl; BSA: bovine serum albumin; CbzCl: benzylchloroformate; CDI: carbonyl diimidazole; DCM: dichloromethane; DCE: dichloroethane; DEAD: diethylazodicarboxylate; DIPEA: N,N-diisopropylethylamine; DMF: N,N-dimethylformamide; DMSO: dimethylsulfoxide; CH 2 C1 2 : dichloromethane; EDC: N- (3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethylcarbodiimide; Et 3 N: triethylamine; EtOAc: ethylacetate;

EtOH: ethanol; HC1: hydrogen chloride; HATU: (0-(7-azabenzotriazol-l-yl)-N,N,N',N'- tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate); HO At: l-hydroxy-7-aza-benzotriazole; HOBT:

hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate; HPLC: high performance liquid chromatography; Hunig's base: Ν,Ν-diisopropylethylamine; MeOH: methanol; MgS0 4 : magnesium sulfate; MTBE: methyl tert- butyl ether; NaHC0 3 : sodium bicarbonate; NaOH: sodium hydroxide; NMM: N- methylmorpholine; PyClu: 1 -(chloro- 1 -pyrrolidinylmethylene)-pyrrolidinium

hexafluorophosphate; rt: room temperature; SOCl 2 : thionyl chloride; T3P: 2,4,6-tripropyl- l,3,5,2,4,6-trioxatriphosphorinane-2,4,6-trioxide; THF: tetrahydrofuran; TFA: trifluoracetic acid. The compounds of the present invention can be prepared in a variety of fashions.

In some cases the final product may be further modified, for example, by manipulation of substituents. These manipulations may include, but are not limited to, reduction, oxidation, alkylation, acylation, and hydrolysis reactions which are commonly known to those skilled in the art. In some cases the order of carrying out the foregoing reaction schemes may be varied to facilitate the reaction or to avoid unwanted reaction products. The following examples are provided so that the invention might be more fully understood. These examples are illustrative only and should not be construed as limiting the invention in any way.

In a general method to prepare the compounds of the current invention, the amine of a piperidinemethanol derivative A is protected with an appropriate protecting group, for example BOC. The alcohol is then oxidized to the acid via either one or two step procedures. Coupling of the resulting acid C with bromoethylamine can then be affected by an appropriate coupling reagent. Oxidation/bromination then affords protected compound E which can then be deprotected and then piperidine F coupled with the desired acid to form amide G. The bromo group is then amenable to a range of further transformations to other functional groups, either by modification of final roduct G, or of intermediate E.

In another general method to prepare the compounds of the current invention, an amide or carbamate derivative of the piperidine H is oxidized to the corresponding acid in either a one or two step oxidation process. Coupling of the resulting acid J with aminomalononitrile results in coupling and cyclization to aminooxazole derivative K. Diazotization and bromination of K affords intermediate L. The cyano and bromo substituents can then be converted to other substituents of interest by a range of appropriate chemistry. In the case where chemistry was carried out on a carbamate derivative of the piperidine, the carbamate can be removed under appropriate conditions and the resulting piperidine coupled with the desired acid reagent under appropriate coupling conditions.

In another general method to prepare the compounds of the current invention, an acid intermediate J can be couple with an amino substituted keto ester to provide intermediate M. Dehydrative cyclization of this intermediate with for example, triphenylphosphine iodine or triphenylphosphine hexachloroethane affords intermediate N. The ester functionality in intermediate N can then be converted to other functionality, for example secondary of tertiary alcohols via standard processes described in the literature.

In another general method to prepare the compounds of the current invention, an amide or carbamate derivative of a piperidine aldehyde Q is reacted with an aminoethanol derivative and the resulting dihydrooxazole derivative R aromatized with an appropriate oxidant, such as IBX in DMSO. The resulting intermediate N can be further functionalized as described in the scheme above.

INTERMEDIATES

Step 1 : Methyl 2-(l-cvanocvclopropyl)benzoate (Al)

To a solution of NaH (1.1 g, 26.2 mmol) in DMSO (20 mL) was added methyl 2- (cyanomethyl)benzoate (2 g, 11.4 mmol); after stirring at RT under nitrogen for 1 h, l-bromo-2- chloroethane (1.8 g, 12.6 mmol) was added and the mixture stirred at RT for 2h. The mixture was quenched with ice water (10 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (10 mL><3). The organic layers were combined, dried over Na 2 S0 4 and concentrated in vacuo to give the crude compound, which was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (petroleum ether / EtOAc 20: 1) to give the title compound (2 g) as a white solid. MS (ESI) m/e (M+H+) detected.

Step 2: 2-(l-Cvanocvclopropyl)benzoic acid (Intermediate A)

To a solution of the product from step 1 in THF/MeOH/H 2 0 (3: 1 : 1, 16 mL) was added lithium hydroxide in water (3 mL) and the mixture stirred overnight at RT. The THF and MeOH were removed in vacuo and the resulting solution acidified to pH ~1 with HC1 (1 N) to give a white crystalline precipitate. The solid was isolated by filtration, washed with water and dried in vacuo to afford intermediate A as a white solid. MS (ESI) m/e (M+H + ): 187.9.

Intermediate B

4-(Pyrimidin-2-yl)thiophene-3-carboxylic acid

Step 1 : 4-Pyrimidin-2-yl-thiophene-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (Bl)

To a degassed solution of 4-bromothiophene-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (1 g, 4.3 mmol), 2-tributylstannanylpyrimidine (1.587g, 4.3mmol) and CsF (1.3 g, 8.6 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) was added Pd(PPh 3 ) 4 (0.5 g, 0.43 mmol) and Cul (0.16 g, 0.86 mmol). The mixture was heated under microwave conditions at 110 °C for 45 minutes, cooled and diluted with sat NH 4 C1 solution and water. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc (20 mL x 5) and the combined organic layers dried over Na 2 S0 4 , filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel (petroleum ether: EtOAc = 10: 1) to provide the title compound (1.06 g) as yellow oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 235.0 found, 235.0 required.

Step 2: 4-Pyrimidin-2-yl-thiophene-3-carboxylic acid (Intermediate B)

The title compound was prepared from the product of step 1 using the procedure described for the synthesis of compound F2. LRMS m/z (M+H) 207.0 found, 207.0 required.

Intermediate C

2-(2H-Tetrazol-2-yl)benzoic

To a 20 mL microwave tube was charged 2-iodobenzoic acid (1.85 g, 7.46 mmol), cesium carbonate (4.06 g, 12.5 mmol), copper(I) iodide (0.128 g, 0.671 mmol), and DMA (8.0 mL). N,A^-Dimethylglyine (0.131 g, 1.27 mmol) and tetrazole (1.29 g, 18.4 mmol) were added, and the solution irradiated in a microwave reactor at 100 °C for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was diluted with water and 1 N aqueous sodium hydroxide and washed with EtOAc. The aqueous fraction was acidified with cone. HCl and extracted 2x with EtOAc. The combined organic fractions were washed with brine, dried over MgS0 4 , filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography [0-85% (1% acetic acid in EtOAc) in hexanes], to provide the title compound. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CD 3 OD): δ 7.72-7.84 (m, 3 H), 8.07 (dd, / = 7.6, 1.6 Hz, 1 H), 8.90 (s, 1 H) ppm. LRMS m/z (M+H) 191.1 found, 191.2.

Intermediate D

2-(2H)-l,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)thiophene-3-carboxylic acid

A solution of 2-bromo-3-thiophene carboxylic acid (1.50 g, 7.24 mmol), 1H-

1,2,3-triazole (0.600 g, 8.69 mmol), potassium carbonate (2.00 g, 14.5 mmol), and copper iodide (0.138 g, 0.724 mmol) in DMF (36.2 mL) was sparged with nitrogen and heated to 75 °C for 96 h. The cooled reaction mixture was diluted with water, washed with ether, and acidified with cone. HCl. The acidic aqueous solution was extracted 3x with EtOAc and the combined organic fractions washed with brine, dried over MgS0 4 , filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The crude material was purified by silica gel chromatography [0-70% (1% acetic acid in EtOAc) in hexanes], to provide the title compound as an off-white solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 196.2 found, 196.1 required.

Intermediate E

Potassium 2-(pyrimidin-2-yl)thiophene-3 -carboxy late

Step 1 : Methyl 2-bromothiophene-3-carboxylate (El)

A solution of 2-bromo-3-thiophene carboxylic acid (3.35 g, 16.2 mmol) in methanol (50 mL) was cooled to 0 °C and saturated with gaseous HCl. The solution was heated to 60 °C overnight, cooled and then concentrated in vacuo. The residue was redissolved in EtOAc, washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and brine, dried over Na 2 S0 4 , filtered, and concentrated in vacuo, providing methyl 2-bromothiophene-3-carboxylate as yellow oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 221.1 found, 221.0 required.

Step 2: Methyl 2-(pyrimidin-2-yl)thiophene-3-carboxylate (E2)

A solution of the product from step 1 (1.74 g, 7.87 mmol), 2- (tributylstannyl)pyrimidine (4.36 g, 11.81 mmol), CsF (4.78 g, 31.5 mmol), and copper(I) iodide (0.450 g, 2.36 mmol) in DMF (16 mL) in a pressure vessel was sparged with nitrogen and treated with Pd(PPh 3 ) 4 (0.455 g, 0.394 mmol). The mixture was sealed and heated at 120 °C overnight. The cooled reaction mixture was partitioned between EtOAc and water and filtered through celite. The organic layer was washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and brine, dried over MgS0 4 , filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography (0-30% EtOAc in hexanes), to provide the title compound as a yellow solid. LRMS m z (M+H) 221.2 found, 221.1 required.

Step 3: Potassium 2-(pyrimidin-2-yl)thiophene-3-carboxylate (Intermediate E)

A solution of the product from step 2 (0.695 g, 3.16 mmol) and potassium trimethylsilanolate (0.506 g, 3.94 mmol) in THF (16 mL) was stirred at RT overnight, then diluted with ether and filtered through a glass frit. The solids were washed with ether, and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo, to provide the title compound as a beige solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 207.3 found, 207.1 required. Intermediate F

4-(2H-l ,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)thiophene-3-carboxylic acid

Step 1 : 4-Bromo-thiophene-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (Fl)

To a solution of 3,4-dibromothiophene (30 g, 0.12 mol) in THF (200 mL) at 0 °C was added i-PrMgCl (2.0 M solution in THF, 77 mL, 0.15 mol), keeping the temperature below 5 °C. The resulting mixture was stirred at 0-5 °C for 5 h, ethyl chloroformate (14.4 mL, 0.15 mol) added dropwise at < 10 °C and the resulting mixture warmed to RT, stirred overnight and quenched with the sat aqueous NH 4 C1. Most of the THF was then removed in vacuo, water added and the mixture extracted with EtOAc (80 mL x 4). The combined organic layers were dried over Na 2 S0 4 , filtered, the filtrate concentrated in vacuo and the crude product purified by chromatography on silica gel (petroleum ether: EtOAc =300: 1) to provide the title compound (21 g) as a brown oil.

Step 2: 4-Bromo-thiophene-3-carboxylic acid (F2)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (10 g, 43 mmol) in methanol (60 mL) was added sodium hydroxide (3.4 g, 86 mmol) and water (1 mL) and the mixture was stirred at RT overnight. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo, the residue diluted with water (30mL) and extracted with EtOAc (25 mL x 4). The pH of aqueous layer was adjusted to ~3 with 1M HC1 and the aqueous phase extracted with EtOAc (25 mL x 4). The combined extracts were dried over Na 2 S0 4 , filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to provide the title compound (7.9 g) as a yellow solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 206.9, 208.9 found, 206.9, 208.9 required.

Step 3: 4-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)thiophene-3-carboxylic acidflntermediate F)

To a mixture of the product from step 2 (7.9 g, 38 mmol), cesium carbonate (24.8 g,76 mmol) and Cul (2.88 g, 7.6 mmol) in DMF (200 mL) were added 2H-[l,2,3]triazole (5.24 g,76 mmol) and N,N'-dimethyl-cyclohexane-l,2-diamine (0.9 g, 6.5 mmol) and the mixture was heated to 110 °C overnight. The cooled reaction mixture was adjusted to ~pH12 with 1M sodium hydroxide and extracted with EtOAc (50 mL x 3). The aqueous layer was adjusted to ~pH 4 with 1M HC1 and extracted with EtOAc (50 mLx4). The extracts was dried over Na 2 S0 4 , filtered, the filtrate concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by chromatography on silica (Petroleum ether : EtOAc =10: 1) to provide the title compound (4.1 g). LRMS m/z (M+H) 196.0 found, 196.0 required.

Intermediate G

5-(2H-l ,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)isothiazole-4-carboxylic acid

Step 1 : 5-Bromo-isothiazole-4-carboxylic acid (Gl)

To a solution of isothiazole-4-carboxylic acid (1.70 g, 12.98 mmol) in THF (17 ml) was added t-BuLi (29.95 mL) at -78 °C, and then a solution of CBr 4 (8.62 g, 25.96 mmol) in THF (10 ml) was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred at -78 °C for 2 h, quenched with addition of saturated aqueous NH 4 C1 and extracted with EtOAc (50 mL x 3). The aqueous layer was adjusted to pH -1.5 by addition of HC1, and then extracted with EtOAc (50 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were dried over MgS0 4 , filtered, and concentrated in vacuo providing the title compound (1.50 g), which was used without further purification.

Step 2: 5-[l,2,31Triazol-2-yl-isothiazole-4-carboxylic acid (Intermediate G)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (1.50 g, 7.25 mmol) in DMF (15 mL) were added potassium carbonate (2.00 g, 14.5 mmol), Cul (138 mg, 0.725 mmol) and 2H-1, 2, 3- triazole (0.6 g, 8.70 mmol) and the mixture heated at 110 °C for 16 h. The cooled reaction mixture was filtered and extracted with EtOAc (50 mL x 3). The aqueous layer was adjusted to pH ~1.5 by addition of HC1, and then extracted with EtOAc (50 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were dried over MgS0 4 , filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by

Prep-HPLC, providing the title compound as a brown solid (121 mg).

Intermediate H

4-Fluoro-2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoic acid

To a mixture of 2-bromo-4-fluorobenzoic acid (30 g, 137 mmol), cesium carbonate (89.26 g, 274 mmol) and Cul (5.27 g, 27.4 mmol) in DMF (200 mL) were added N,N'-dimethylcyclohexane-l,2-diamine (3.7 mL,23.3 mmol) and lH-l,2,3-triazole (18.92 g, 274 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at 110 °C overnight, cooled, concentrated in vacuo and diluted with water (150 mL). The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc (300 mL x 3). The aqueous layer was acidified with 2N HC1 and extracted with EtOAc (300 mL x 4). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (150 mL x 3), dried over Na 2 S0 4 , filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel (petroleum ether : EtOAc = 100: 1 - 5 : 1) to provide the title compound (18.13 g) as a yellow solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 208.0 found, 208.0 required.

Intermediate J

5-Methyl-2-(2H- 1 ,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophene-3-carboxylic acid

Step 1 : Ethyl 2-amino-5-methylthiophene-3-carboxylate (Jl)

A mixture of ethyl 2-cyanoacetate (9.7 g, 90 mmol), TEA (5.15 g, 51 mmol) and sublimed sulfur in DMF (30 mL) was stirred at 15 °C for 15 mins. Propionaldehyde (5.0 g, 90 mmol) was added dropwise, the reaction mixture stirred for 3 hours, diluted with EtOAc (70 mL) and filtered. The filtrate was washed with water and brine, dried over MgS0 4 , filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica (petroleum ether: EtOAc = 10: 1 to 1 : 1) to give the title compound (7.4 g). LCMS m/z (Μ+Η) 186.2 found, 186.1 required.

Step 2: Ethyl 2-bromo-5-methylthiophene-3-carboxylate (J2)

A mixture of tert-butyl nitrite (6.67 g, 64.8 mmol) and CuBr 2 in acetonitrile (80 mL) was stirred at 0 °C for 30 mins and a solution of the product from step 1 (6.0 g, 32.4 mmol) in acetonitrile (100 mL) added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred for 4 h diluted with EtOAc (70 mL), washed with water and brine, dried over MgS0 4 , filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica (petroleum ether: EtOAc = 100:0 to 90: 10) to give the title compound (4.1 g) as yellow oil.

Step 3: 2-Bromo-5-methylthiophene-3-carboxylic acid (J3)

A solution of the product from step 2 (3.0 g, 12 mmol) and LiOH.hydrate (1.51 g, 36 mmol) in 15 mL of ethanol and 15 mL of water was stirred at RT overnight. The reaction mixture was adjusted to ~pH 3 with IN HC1 and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was extracted with EtOAc (30 mL x 3), and the combined organic layers were dried over Na 2 S0 4 , filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound as a white solid (350 mg), which was used in the next step without further purification.

Step 4: 5-Methyl-2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophene-3-carboxylic acid (Intermediate J)

To a solution of the product from step 3 (1.4 g, 6.33 mmol), cesium carbonate

(6.17 g, 19.0 mmol) and Cul (0.12 g, 0.633 mmol) in DMF (30 mL) was added N,N'-dimethyl- cyclohexane-l,2-diamine (0.1 mL) and lH-l,2,3-triazole (873 mL, 12.66 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at 110 °C overnight and the cooled mixture concentrated in vacuo, diluted with water (50 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (30 mL x 3). The aqueous layer was acidified with 2N HCl and extracted with EtOAc (30 mL x 4). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (50 mL x 3), dried over Na 2 S0 4 , filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica gel (petroleum ether: EtOAc = 1 : 1) to give the title compound (700 mg) as a yellow solid. LCMS m/z (M+H) 210.0 found, 210.0 required. Intermediate K

2-(2,2-Difluoroethoxy)nicotinic acid

To a suspension of 2,2-difluoroethanol (492 mg, 6.0 mmol) in DMF (10 mL) at 0 °C was added NaH (180 mg, 4.5 mmol), and the mixture was stirred at 0 °C for 0.5 h. A suspension of 2-fluoronicotinic acid (423 mg, 3.0 mmol) and NaH (180 mg, 4.5 mmol) in DMF (5mL) was added dropwise at 0 °C and the resulting mixture was stirred at RT overnight. The mixture was diluted with water, acidified to pH~3 with 1M HCl and extracted with EtOAc (50 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over MgS0 4 , filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (350 mg), which was used directly without any further purification. LRMS m/z (M+H) 204.1 found, 204.0 required.

Intermediate L

2-(2-Methoxyethyl)benzoic acid

Step 1 : (E)-Methyl 2-(2-methoxyvinyl)benzoate (LI)

To a suspension of (methoxymethyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide (9.44 g, 27.4 mmol) in THF (50 mL) was added NaH (1.46 g, 36.6 mmol) at 0 °C portion wise. The mixture was stirred at 0 °C for 0.5 h and then a solution of methyl 2-formylbenzoate (3.0 g, 18.3 mmol) in THF (15 mL) added dropwise and the reaction mixture stirred at RT for 12 h. The mixture was diluted with water, extracted with EtOAc (30 mL x 2) and the combined organic layers washed with brine, dried over MgS0 4 , filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica (petroleum ether: EtOAc = 10: 1 to 3: 1) to give the title compound (2.3 g) as a colorless oil.

Step 2: Methyl 2-(2-methoxyethyl)benzoate (L2)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (2.3 g, 11.9 mmol) in EtOAc (30 mL) was added Pd/C (200 mg) at RT and the mixture was stirred at RT overnight under a balloon of H 2 . The mixture was filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (2.2 g), which was used directly in the next step.

Step 3 : 2-(2-Methoxyethyl)benzoic acid (Intermediate L)

A mixture of the product from step 2 (2.2 g, 11.3 mmol) and LiOH (1.43 g, 33.9 mmol) in methanol (15 mL) and water (15 mL) was stirred at RT overnight. The mixture was adjusted to ~pH 3 with IN HC1 and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was extracted with EtOAc (30 mL x 3), and the combined organic layers were dried over Na 2 S0 4 , filtered and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound as a white solid (1.5 g), which was used in the next step without further purification.

Intermediate M

2-(4-Cyanotetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)benzoic acid

Step 1 : Methyl 2-(4-cyanotetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)benzoate

To a suspension of NaH (27.4 g, 0.69mol, 60%) in DMF was added dropwise a solution of methyl 2-(cyanomethyl)benzoate (50 g, 0.29 mol) in DMF at 0 °C under N 2 . The mixture was stirred for 30mins at that temperature and 18-crown-6 (7.6 g, 0.03 mol) was added. The mixture was stirred for 30 mins at 0 °C, Nal (42.9 g, 0.29 mol) was added, followed by dropwise addition of a solution of bis(2-bromoethyl)ether (79.6 g, 0.34 mol) at 0 °C. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 h and poured into a large amount of ice-water. The resulting mixture was filtered to give the title compound as a solid (42.7 g). MS (ESI) m/e (M+H + ): 246.0 Step 2: 2-(4-Cyanotetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)benzoic acid (Intermediate M).

To a solution of the compound from step 1 (40 g) in MeOH/THF (480 mL, 5:1) was added NaOH (2M, 326 mL). The reaction was stirred at 60-65 °C for 3h, cooled to RT and concentrated in vacuo,. Water (300 mL) was added the pH adjusted to ~1 with HC1(2M). The mixture was filtered to give intermediate M (34 g) as a white solid.

MS (ESI) m/e (M-H + ): 230.0

EXAMPLE 1

(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-bromooxazol-2 -yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l- vDmethanone

Step 1 : (2R,5R)-tert-Butyl 5-(hvdroxymethyl)-2-methylpiperidine-l-carboxylate (2)

To a solution of ((3R,6R)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)methanol (lS)-(+)-10- camphorsulfonic acid salt (M. Giradin et al, Org. Proc. Res. Dev. 2013, 17, 61-68)(17 g, 0.047 mol) in THF/water (150 mL/150 mL) was added sodium hydroxide (5.65 g, 0.14 mol) and Boc 2 0 (15.4 g, 0.071 mol). The mixture was stirred at 17 °C for 4 h, and then extracted with EtOAc (150 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (150 mL), dried over MgSO filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography (petroleum ether: EtOAc = 10: 1) to give the title compound (10.0 g).

Step 2: (3R,2 t S , )-l-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)-6-methylpiperidine-3-carboxy lic acid (3)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (2.7 g, 0.12 mol) in acetonitrile (48 mL) was added a solution of Na 2 HP04 (0.62 M, 33 mL) and TEMPO (0.183 g, 0.12 mol). Then a solution of NaC10 2 (2.1 g, 23 mmol) in water (9 mL) and NaCIO (2.4 mL) was added simultaneously. The mixture was stirred at 35 °C for 9 h and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. Water (20 mL) was added and the mixture extracted with EtOAc (20 mL x 3), the combined organic layers washed with brine (20 mL), dried over MgS0 4 , filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound as a yellow oil (2.68 g) which was used directly in the following step. Step 3: (2R,5R)-tert-Butyl 5-(4,5-dihydrooxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidine-l-carboxylate (4) To a solution of the product from step 2 (4 g, 16 mmol) in DCM (50 mL) was added EDCI (4.73 g, 25 mmol), HOBt (1.68 g, 12 mmol), DIEA (6.39 g, 49 mmol) and 2- bromoethylamine hydrochloride (3.38 g, 16 mol). The solution was stirred at RT for 9 h under N 2 , then poured into water (30 mL) and extracted with DCM (20 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (30 mL), dried over Na 2 S0 4 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography (petroleum ether: EtOAc = 7: 1 to 2 : 1) to give the title compound (2.9 g). LRMS m/z (M+H) 269.2 found, 269.2 required. Step 4: 4-Bromo-2-((3R,6R)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)oxazole (6)

To a solution of the product from step 3 (2 g, 7.46 mmol) in CC1 4 (30 mL) was added NBS (3.96 g, 22 mmol) and AIBN (0.122 g, 0.75 mmol) and the stirred mixture heated at 90 °C for 4 h. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue dissolved in DCM (15 mL) and trifluoroacetic acid (15 mL) added. The solution was stirred at RT for 30 min, the solvent removed under reduced pressure to give the crude product (1 g), which was used directly in the next step without further purification. LRMS m/z (M+H) 245.1, 247.1 found, 245.0, 247.0 required.

Step 5 : (2-(2H- 1 ,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-bromooxazol-2-yl)-2-m ethylpiperidin- l-yl)methanone (Example 1):

A solution of 2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoic acid (P. Coleman, J. Schreier, WO2007/126934) (1 g, 4.1 mmol) in SOCl 2 (10 mL) was stirred at 80 °C for 30 min. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and toluene (10 mL) was added to give solution A. The product from step 4 (1 g, 4.1 mmol) was dissolved in DCM (10 mL), DIEA (1.58 g, 12 mmol) added, and then solution A added at 0 °C. The resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 2 h, then poured into water (10 mL) and extracted with DCM (10 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (10 mL), dried over Na 2 S0 4 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica (petroleum ether : EtOAc = 10 : 1 to = 3 : 1) then purified by prep. TLC (petroleum ether : EtOAc = 1 : 1) to give the title compound (0.2 g). LRMS m/z (Μ+Η) 416.0, 418.0 found, 416.1, 418.1 required

EXAMPLE 2

Exam ple 2

Exam ple 1

Methyl 2-(2-((3R.6R -l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-vnbenzovn-6-methylpiperidin-3-vnox azol-4- vDcyclopropanecarboxylate To a solution of Example 1 (41 mg, 0.1 mmol) in toluene (3 mL) was added methyl 2-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-l,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)cyclopropane carboxylate (27 mg, 0.12 mmol), Pd(dba) 2 (5 mg), butyldi-l-adamantylphosphine (7 mg) and Cs 2 C0 3 (96 mg, 0.3 mmol) The resulting mixture was stirred at 90 °C for 9 h, cooled to RT, concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by prep-HPLC to give the title compound (12 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 436.2 found, 436.2 required.

TABLE 1

The following compounds were prepared using the foregoing methodology and general procedure described in Example 2, but substituting the appropriate boronate for methyl 2-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-l,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl) cyclopropane carboxylate, as described in the foregoing Reaction Schemes and Examples. The requisite starting materials were commercially available, described in the literature or readily synthesized by one skilled in the art of organic synthesis from commercially available reagents using conventional reactions without undue experimentation.

EXAMPLES 8 AND 9 1 -(3- ( IT3R.6R)- 1 - i r6-methoxy-2-(2H- 1 ,2,3-triazol-2-vnpyridin-3-yllcarbonyll -6- methylpiperidin-3-ylloxy|phenyl)ethanol

Resolution of Example 3 by SFC chromatography (Column: Chiralpak AD-H 250x4.6mm I.D., 5um; Mobile phase: methanol (0.05% DEA) in C0 2 5% to 40% gradient. Flow rate: 2.35mL/min Wavelength: 220nm) afforded the title compounds as separate isomers.

EXAMPLE 10

p (2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-vnphenvn((2R,5R -5-(4-(2-hvdroxypropan-2-vnoxazol-2-vn-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone

Step 1 : Methyl 2-((3R,6R -l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-vnbenzovn-6-methylpiperidin-3- yl)oxazole-4-carboxylate (7)

To a solution of Example 1 (103 mg, 0.25 mmol) in methanol (5 mL) was added butyldi-l-adamantylphosphine (20 mg), Pd (dba) 2 (10 mg) and NaOAc (82 mg, 1 mmol) and the mixture was stirred at 100 °C for 9 h under a balloon of CO. After cooling to RT, the mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by prep-TLC (petroleum ether: EtOAc = 1 : 1) to give the title compound (42 mg). LRMS m/z (Μ+Η) 396.2 found, 396.2 required.

Step 2: (2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-vnphenvn((2R,5R -5-(4-(2-hvdroxypropan-2-vnoxazol-2-vn-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone

To a solution of the product from step 1 (42 mg, 0.11 mmol) in THF (5 mL) was added MeMgBr (0.1 mL, 3M, 0.3 mmol) at 0 °C, the mixture was stirred at 15 °C for 1 h, then aq. NH 4 C1 added. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by prep-HPLC to give the title compound (35 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 396.2 found, 396.2 required.

EXAMPLE 11

2-((3R,6R)-l-(2-(2H-l,23-Triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpi peridin-3-yl)-5-bromooxazole-4- carbonitrile Step 1 : (2-(2H-l,2 J-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpip eridin-l- yDmethanone (8)

A solution of 2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoic acid (500 mg, 2.64 mmol) in SOCl 2 (5 mL) was heated to refluxed for 1 hour, cooled and concentrated in vacuo. The oil was dissolved in toluene (5 mL) and added to a solution of ((3R,6R)-6-methylpiperidin-3- yl)methanol hydrochloride (437 mg, 2.65 mmol) in toluene (5 mL), then aq. sodium hydroxide (5.3 mL, 1 mol/L) was added. The mixture was stirred at 10 °C for 12 h, poured into water (5 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (5 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were dried over Na 2 S0 4 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by chromatography on silica (petroleum ether: EtOAc =5: 1 to petroleum ether: EtOAc =1 : 1) to afford the title compound (728 mg). LRMS m/z (Μ+Η) 301.2 found, 301.2 required.

Step 2: (3R,6R)-l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperid ine-3-carboxylic acid (9)

To a solution the product from step 1 (9.03 g, 30.1 mmol) in acetonitrile (80 mL) was added aqueous Na 2 HP0 4 (100 mL) and TEMPO (0.47 g, 3.01 mmol). The resulting mixture was warmed to 35 °C, then a solution of NaC10 2 (5.4 g, 60.2 mmol) in (100 mL) water and NaCIO (6.1 mL, 6%) added simultaneously over 10 min and the resulting mixture stirred at 35 °C overnight. After removal of most of acetonitrile in vacuo, the resulting mixture was extracted with DCM (3 x 100 mL). The organic layers were combined and washed with 200 mL of sat. sodium bisulfite solution. Product was purified by extracting into 200 mL of 1M sodium hydroxide which was washed with 2 x 100 mL of DCM. The aqueous phase was acidified with sat. aqueous citric acid to pH 3, extracted with DCM (3 x 200 mL), dried over MgS0 4 , filtered and the solvent evaporated to give the title compound (8.05 g). LRMS m/z (M+H) 315.1 found, 315.1 required. Step 3 : 2-((3R.6R)- 1 -(2-(2H- 1.2 -Triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-5- aminooxazole-4-carbonitrile (10) To a suspension of the product from step 2 (1.41 g, 4.5 mol) in 15 mL of pyridine was added 2-aminomalononitrile (1.15 g, 4.52 mmol) and EDCI (864 mg, 4.52 mmol) at RT and the mixture was stirred at RT overnight under N 2 . Water (50 mL) was added, the product was extracted with EtOAc (50 mL x 3), the combined extracts washed with brine (50 mL x 3), dried over Na 2 S0 4 and the solvent evaporated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica (petroleum ether/EtOAc=l/l) to give the title compound (1.3 g). LRMS m/z (M+H) 378.2 found, 378.2 required.

Step 4: 2-((3R,6R -l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-vnbenzovn-6-methylpiperidin-3-vn-5 - bromooxazole-4-carbonitrile (Example 11)

To a solution of the product from step 3 (800 mg, 2.12 mmol) in acetonitrile (35 mL) was added t-BuONO (237 mg, 2.3 mmol) and CuBr 2 (475 mg, 2.12 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 2 h, concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by chromatography on silica (petroleum ether/EtOAc = 2: 1) to give the title compound (280 mg). LRMS m/z (Μ+Η) 441.1 , 443.1 found, 441.1 , 443.1 required.

Methyl 2-((3R,6R -l-(2-(2H-l ,2,3-Triazol-2-vnbenzovn-6-methylpiperidin-3-vn-5- bromooxazole-4-carboxylate

Step 1 : 2-((3R,6R -l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-vnbenzovn-6-methylpiperidin-3-vn-5 - bromooxazole-4-carboxamide (11)

A solution of Example 11 (300 mg, 0.68 mmol) in 8 mL of concentrated H 2 S0 4 was stirred at RT for 3 h under N 2 . Then the mixture was added dropwise to saturated aqueous NaHCC"3 solution, extracted with EtOAc (30 mL x 3), dried over MgS0 4 and concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (312 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 459.1, 461.1 found, 459.1, 461.1 required. Step 2: Di-tert-butyl ((5-bromo-2-r(3R,6R -6-methyl-l-(r2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2- vDphenyll carbonyll piperidin-3 -yll - 1 ,3 -oxazol-4-yll carbonvDimidodicarbonate (12) To a solution of the product from step 1 (312 mg, 0.68 mmol) in 15 mL of acetonitrile was added DMAP (30 mg) and di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (392 mg, 1.8 mmol) at RT and the mixture was stirred at RT for 2 h. Aqueous NH 4 C1 (50 mL) was added and the mixture extracted with EtOAc (30 mL x 3), the combined extracts dried over MgS0 4 and concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (440 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 659.2, 661.2 found, 659.2, 661.2 required.

Step 3: Methyl 2-((3R,6R -l-(2-(2H-l ,2,3-triazol-2-vnbenzovn-6-methylpiperidin-3-vn-5- bromooxazole-4-carboxylate(Example 12)

To a solution of the product from step 2 (440 mg, 0.66 mmol) in THF (7.5 mL) and methanol (7.5 mL) was added potassium carbonate (96 mg, 0.7 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at RT overnight. Aqueous NH 4 C1 (50 mL) was added and the mixture, extracted with EtOAc (30 mL x 3) and the combined organic layers were dried over MgS0 4 and concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (300 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 474.1 , 476.1 found, 474.1, 476.1 required.

EXAMPLE 13

Example 12 13

(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxy propan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)- 2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yPmethanone

Step 1 : Methyl 2-((3R,6R -l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-vnbenzovn-6-methylpiperidin-3-vn-5 - methyloxazole-4-carboxylate (13)

To a solution of Example 12 (100 mg, 0.22 mmol) in toluene (2 mL) at RT, under N 2 was added Pd(dppf)Cl 2 (10 mg), followed by dropwise addition of (CH 3 ) 3 A1 (0.3 mL, 0.9 mmol) and the reaction mixture stirred at 80 °C overnight. The reaction mixture was quenched with water (20 mL), extracted with EtOAc (30 mL x 3) and the combined organic layers dried over MgS0 4 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by prep-TLC

(petroleum ether/EtOAc = 1 :2) to afford the title compound (40 mg). LRMS m z (M+H) 410.2 found, 410.2 required.

Step 2: (2-(2H-l ,2,3-Triazol-2-vnphenvn((2R,5R -5-(4-(2-hvdroxypropan-2-vn-5- methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone (Example 13)

To a suspension of the product from step 1 (50 mg, 0.12 mol) in 2 mL of THF at 0 °C, under N 2 , was added dropwise CH MgBr (0.2 mL, 3M, 0.6 mmol) and the resulting mixture stirred at RT for 50 min., quenched with water (0.5 mL) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by prep-HPLC to give the title compound (3 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 410.2 found, 410.2 required

EXAMPLE 14

Example 12 14 Example 14

(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(5-cyclopropy l-4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)oxazol-2- yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone

Stepl : Methyl2-((3R.6R)-l-(2-(2H-l .2 -triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-5- cy clopropyloxazole-4-carboxylate (14)

To a solution of Example 12 (80 mg, 0.17 mmol) in THF (2 mL) and water (0.2 mL) were added cyclopropylboronic acid (28 mg, 0.33 mmol), tricyclohexylphosphine (10 mg), K 3 PO 4 (70 mg, 0.33 mmol) and Pd 2 (dba) 3 (10 mg) at RT. The resulting mixture was stirred at 80 °C under nitrogen overnight. The cooled mixture was filtered and the filtrate was diluted with water (5 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (30 mL x 3). The combined organic layer was dried over MgS0 4 and concentrated in vacuo, the residue was purified by prep-TLC (petroleum ether/EtOAc =1 :2) to afford the title compound (50 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 436.3 found, 436.2 required. Step 2: (2-(2H-l ,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(5-cvclopropyl-4-(2-hydr oxypropan-2- yl)oxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l-yl)methanone (Example 14)

To a suspension of the product from step 1 (50 mg, 0.12 mol) in 2 mL of THF at

0 °C under N 2 , was added dropwise CH 3 MgBr (0.2 mL, 3M, 0.6 mmol) and the resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 50 min., quenched with water (0.5 mL) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by prep-HPLC to give the title compound (4 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 436.2 found, 436.2 required.

EXAMPLE 15

(2-(2H-l,23-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hvdroxyprop an-2-yl)-5-isopropyloxazol-2- νΠ-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -vDmethanone Step 1 : Methyl2-((3R.6R -l-(2-(2H ,2 -triazol-2-vnbenzovn-6-methylpiperidin-3-vn-5-(prop- 1 -en-2-yl)oxazole-4-carboxylate (15)

To a solution of Example 12 (150 mg, 0.33 mmol) in DMF (3 mL) was added 4,4,5, 5-tetramethyl-2-(prop-l-en-2-yl)-l,3,2-dioxaborolane (84 mg, 0.5 mmol), potassium carbonate (70 mg, 0.33 mmol) and Pd(dppf)Cl 2 (10 mg) at RT. The reaction mixture was stirred at 80 °C under N 2 overnight, cooled, water (20 mL) added and the mixture extracted with EtOAc (30 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were dried over MgS0 4 , filtered and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo to give the crude product, purified by prep-TLC (petroleum

ether/EtOAc=l/2) to give the title compound (60 mg). LRMS m/z (Μ+Η) 436.2 found, 436.2 required.

Step 2: Methyl 2-((3R,6R)-l-(2-(2H-l ,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-5- isopropyloxazole-4-carboxylate (16)

To a suspension of the product from step 1 (60 mg, 0.137 mmol) in methanol (10 mL) was added Pd/C (10 mg) at RT. The reaction mixture was stirred under H 2 for 2 h, filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to afford the title compound (50 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 438.3 found, 438.2 required.

Step 3: (2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hvdroxypro pan-2-yl)-5- isopropyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -vDmethanone (Example 15)

To a suspension of the product from step 2 (50 mg, 0.12 mol) in 2 mL of THF at

0 °C, under N 2 , was added dropwise CH 3 MgBr (0.2 mL, 3M, 0.6 mmol) and the resulting mixture stirred at RT for 50 min., quenched with water (0.5 mL) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by prep-HPLC to give the title compound (16 mg). LRMS m z (M+H) 438.2 found, 438.3 required.

EXAMPLE 16

(2-(2H-1.2 -Triazol-2-yl)phenylX(2-¾.5R)-5-(4-(tert-butyl)oxa∞

yDmethanone Step 1 : (3R,6R)-l-(2-(2H-l,23-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidi ne-3-carboxamide (17)

To a solution of (3R,6R)-l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6- methylpiperidine-3-carboxylic acid (800 mg, 2.55 mmol) (Example 11 step 2) in DMF (30 mL) were added HATU (1.2 g, 3.1 mmol), DIEA (0.4 g, 3.1 mmol) and ammonium chloride (273 mg, 5.1 mmol) and the mixture stirred at RT overnight. The reaction mixture was diluted with water (10 mL), extracted with DCM (10 mL><3), the combined organic layer was washed with brine (10 mL), dried over MgS0 4 and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by

chromatography on silica (DCM : methano 1=20: 1) to give the title compound (720 mg, 90%). LRMS m/z (M+H) 314.2 found, 314.2 required Step 2: (2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-vnphenvn((2R,5R -5-(4-(tert-butvnoxazol-2-yl -2- methylpiperidin-1 -yDmethanone (Example 16)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (50 mg, 0.16 mmol) in toluene (3 mL) was added l-bromo-3,3-dimethylbutan-2-one (27 mg, 0.12 mmol) and the mixture was stirred at

100 °C for 9 h. The cooled reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by prep-HPLC to give the title compound (10 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 394.2 found, 394.2 required.

EXAMPLE 17

(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-2-methyl-5-(4-phen yloxazol-2-yl)piperidin-l- yDmethanone

(3R,6R)- 1 -(2-(2H- 1 ,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidine-3-carboxamide (200 mg, 0.64 mmol) and 2-bromo-l-phenylethanone (245 mg, 1.23 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) was heated to reflux overnight. After cooled to RT, the mixture was filtered and the filtrate was purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound as white solid (12 mg). LRMS m/z (Μ+Η) 414.2 found, 414.2 required. EXAMPLES 18 AND 19

Example 18 Example 19

(2-(2H ,2 -Triazol-2-vnphenvn((2R,5R -2-methyl-5-(5-methyl-4-((R -2,2,2-trifluoro-l- hydroxyethyl)oxazol-2-yl)piperidin- 1 -yDmethanone

(2-(2H-l,23-triazol-2-vDphenvD((2R,5R)-2-m^^

hydroxy ethyl)oxazol-2-yl)piperidin- 1 -yDmethanone

Step 1 : (E)-Ethyl 2-(hydroxyimino)-3-oxobutanoate (18)

To a solution of ethyl 3-oxobutanoate (30 g, 0.23 mol) in AcOH (30 mL) was added a solution of NaN0 2 (18 g, 0.26 mol) in water (80 mL) at -10 °C. The resulting mixture was stirred at 0 °C for 5 h. 2-Methoxy-2-methylpropane (200 mL) was added and the organic layer was washed with water, brine, dried over MgS0 4 and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound as a yellow oil (21.3 g) which was used directly in the next step.

Step 2: Ethyl 2-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)-3-oxobutanoate (19)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (3.3 g, 0.021 mol) in methanol (30 mL) was added Boc 2 0 (5.00 g, 0.023 mmol) and Pd/C (0.3 g) at RT and the mixture stirred at RT overnight under a balloon of H 2 . The mixture was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound as a white solid (2.51 g, 48.5%), which was used directly in the next step.

Step 3: Ethyl 2-amino-3-oxobutanoate hydrochloride (20)

A solution of ethyl 2-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)-3-oxobutanoate (2.46 g, 0.01 mol) in HCl/EtOAc (30 mL) was stirred at rt. for 3 h. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo to give ethyl 2-amino-3-oxobutanoate hydrochloride as white solid (1.46 g), which was used directly in the next step.

Step 4: Ethyl 2-((3R,6R -l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-vnbenzovn-6-methylpiperidine-3- carboxamido)-3-oxobutanoate (21)

A mixture of (3R,6R)-1 -(2-(2H-l ,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidine-3- carboxylic acid (314 mg, 1.00 mmol) in S0C1 2 (2 mL) was stirred at 80 °C for 1 h. The cooled mixture was concentrated in vacuo and DCM (10 mL) was added to give solution A. To a solution of ethyl 2-amino-3-oxobutanoate hydrochloride (270 mg, 1.5 mmol) in DCM (5 mL) was added DIEA (387 mg, 3 mmol), and then the solution A was added at 0 °C and the mixture stirred at RT for 12 h. The mixture was poured into water, extracted with DCM (30 mL x 3) and the combined organic layers washed with brine, dried over MgS0 4 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was purified by chromatography on silica (petroleum ether: EtOAc = 3: 1 to 1 :3) to give the title compound as a yellow oil (270 mg). LRMS m/z (Μ+Η) 442.2 found, 442.2 required.

Step 5: Ethyl 2-((3R,6R)-l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpipe ridin-3-yl)-5- methyloxazole-4-carboxylate (22)

To a mixture of I 2 (313 mg, 1.22 mmol), PPh 3 (322 mg, 1.22 mmol) and triethylamine (247 mg, 2.45 mmol) in DCM (5 mL) was added a solution of the product from step 4 (270 mg, 0.61 mmol) in DCM (2 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 3 h, poured into water and extracted with DCM (10 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over MgS0 4 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by Prep-TLC (petroleum ether: EtOAc = 1 :3) to give the title compound as a yellow solid (171 mg). LRMS m/z (Μ+Η) 424.2 found, 424.2 required.

Step 6: (2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(hvdroxymethy l)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)- 2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanol (23)

To a solution of the product from step 5 (300 mg, 0.728 mmol) in THF (5 mL) was added DIBAL-H (2.20 mL) at -78 °C dropwise and the resulting mixture stirred at 0 °C for 3 h. The reaction was quenched with methanol, filtered, concentrated in vacuo and the residue was purified by Prep-TLC (petroleum ether: EtOAc = 1 :3) to give the title compound as yellow solid (170 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 382.2 found, 382.2 required.

Step 7: 2-((3R,6R)-l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpipe ridin-3-yl)-5- methyloxazole-4-carbaldehyde (24)

To a stirred solution of the product from step 6 (127 mg, 0.33 mmol) in DCM (5 mL) was added DMP (280 mg, 0.66 mmol) at RT and the mixture was stirred at RT for 3 h, diluted with water (7 mL) and extracted with DCM (15 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over MgS0 4 , filtered, the filtrate concentrated in vacuo and the residue was purified by Prep-TLC (petroleum ether: EtOAc = 1 :2), to give the title compound (70 mg) as a colorless oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 380.2 found, 380.2 required.

Step 8 : (2-(2H- 1 ,2,3-Triazol-2-vnphenvn((2R,5R -2-methyl-5-(5-methyl-4-(2,2,2-trifluoro- 1 - hydroxyethyl)oxazol-2-yl)piperidin-l-yl)methanone (Examples 18 & 19):

To a solution of the product from step 7 (76 mg, 0.2 mmol) in THF (5 mL) at 0 °C was added CsF (15 mg, 0.2 mmol) followed by dropwise addition of TMSCF 3 (43 mg, 0.3 mmol) and the resulting mixture stirred at 0 °C for 30 min. The reaction was quenched with aqueous NH4C1, diluted with water (7 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (15 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over MgS0 4 , filtered, concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by prep-HPLC providing the title compound (2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2- yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-2-methyl-5-(5-methyl-4-((R)-2,2,2-trifiuo ro-l-hydroxyethyl)oxazol-2- yl)piperidin-l-yl)methanone (Example 18) (10 mg) and (2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2- yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-2-methyl-5-(5-methyl-4-((S)-2,2,2-trifluo ro-l-hydroxyethyl)oxazol-2- yl)piperidin-l-yl)methanone (Example 19) (10 mg) as white solids. LRMS m/z (Μ+Η) 450.2 found, 450.2 required.

EXAMPLE 20

25 26 27

1 -(2-((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-Hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl )-2-methylpiperidine- 1 - carbonyDphenyDcyclopropanecarbonitrile

Step 1 : (2^,5^ -Βεηζν1 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpiperidine-l-carboxylate (25)

To a solution of ((3R,6R)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)methanol hydrochloride (5.0 g, 30.3 mmol) in THF (50 mL) was added CbzCl (7.90 g, 46.5 mmol) and saturated aqueous NaHC0 3 (50 mL) and the resulting mixture stirred at RT overnight. Water (50 mL) was added, the mixture was extracted with EtOAc (100 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (50 mL x 3), dried over Na 2 S0 4 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (6.80 g) as a yellow oil, which was used in the next step without further purification. LRMS m/z (M+H) 264.2 found, 264.2 required.

Step 2: (2R,5R)-Benzyl 5-formyl-2-methylpiperidine-l-carboxylate (26)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (14 g, 53.2 mmol) in DCM (300 mL) was added PhI(OAc) 2 (20.5 g, 63.8 mmol) and TEMPO (4.15 g, 26.6 mmol) at 0 °C and the resulting mixture stirred at RT overnight. Water (150 mL) was added and the mixture was extracted with DCM (100 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (50 mL x 3), dried over Na 2 S0 4 and concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (13.5 g), used in the following step without further purification. LRMS m/z (M+H) 262.2 found, 262.1 required

Step 3: Methyl 2-((3R,6R)-l-((benzyloxy)carbonyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-5 -methyl-4,5- dihydrooxazole-4-carboxylate (27):

To a solution of methyl 2-amino-3-hydroxybutanoate (9.61 g, 56.9 mmol) in DCM (250 mL) was added DABCO (17.3 g, 155 mmol) at RT and the mixture was stirred at RT for 20 min. The product from step 2 (13.5 g, 51.7 mmol) in 50 mL of DCM was added and the resulting mixture stirred at RT for 30 min before cooling to 0 °C and addition of NCS (7.5 g, 56.9 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 2 h, then water (50 mL) and saturated aqueous Na 2 S 2 0 5 (150 mL) were added and the mixture extracted with DCM (100 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were washed with saturated aqueous NaHC0 3 (50 mL x 3), brine (50 mL x 3), dried over Na 2 S0 4 and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by

chromatography on silica (petroleum ether: EtOAc= 5: 1) to give the title compound (12 g). LRMS m/z (M+H) 375.2 found, 375.2 required Step 4: Methyl 2-((3R,6R)-l-((benzyloxy)carbonyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-5 -methyloxazole-4- carboxylate (28)

To a solution of the product from step 3 (6 g, 16.0 mmol) in DMSO (50 mL) was added IBX (8.9 g, 32.0 mmol) at RT and the resulting mixture was stirred at 120 °C overnight. Water (100 mL) was added, the mixture was extracted with EtOAc (100 mL x 3), the combined organic layers washed with brine (50 mL x 3), dried over Na 2 S0 4 and concentrated in vacuo.

The residue was purified by chromatography on silica (petroleum ether :EtO Ac = 3: 1) to give the title compound (800 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 373.2 found, 373.2 required

Step 5: (2S,5R)-Bmzyl 5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpip eridine- 1-carboxylate (29)

To a solution of the product from step 4 (500 mg, 1.34 mmol) in dry THF (7 mL) at 0°C was added a solution of CH 3 MgBr (1.3 mL, 3 M) dropwise and the mixture was stirred at at 0 °C for 1 h, then quenched with water (2 mL). The mixture was extracted with EtOAc (5 mL><3) and the combined organic layers were dried over MgS0 4 and the solvent evaporated in vacuo to give the title compound (400 mg), used without further purification. LRMS m/z (M+H) 373.2 found, 373.2 required.

Step 6: 2-(5-methyl-2-((3R,6R)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)oxazol-4-yl)pr opan-2-ol (30)

To a solution of the product from step 5 (400 mg, 1.07 mol) in EtOAc (20 mL) was added Pd/C (40 mg) and the mixture was stirred at RT overnight under a ¾ balloon. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (200 mg), which was used directly in the next step.

Step 7: l-(2-((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-Hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-y l)-2-methylpiperidine-l- carbonyDphenyDcyclopropanecarbonitrile (example 20)

To a solution of the product from step 6 (35.0 mg, 0.147 mmol), 2-(l- cyanocyclopropyl)benzoic acid (Intermediate A) (26 mg, 0. 14 mmol) in DMF (2 mL) were added HATU (70.0 mg, 0.18 mmol) and triethylamine (0.15 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred at RT overnight, then directly purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound (6 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 408.2 found, 408.2 required.

TABLE 2

The following compounds were prepared using the foregoing methodology and general procedure described in Example 11 , but substituting the appropriate carboxylic acid for 2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoic acid, as described in the foregoing Reaction Schemes and Examples. The requisite starting materials were commercially available, described in the literature or readily synthesized by one skilled in the art of organic synthesis from commercially available reagents using conventional reactions without undue experimentation.

EXAMPLE 24

Example 24

(2-(2H-Tetrazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropa n-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone

Step 1 : (3R,6 t S')-l-((Benzyloxy)carbonyl)-6-methylpiperidine-3-carbo xylic acid (31)

To a solution of (25 , ,5R)-benzyl 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpiperidine-l- carboxylate (7.00 g, 26.6 mmol) in acetonitrile (90 mL) was added a solution of Na 2 HP0 4 (0.62 M) in 24 mL of water followed by TEMPO (415 mg, 2.66 mmol) and the resulting mixture heated to 35 °C. A solution of NaC10 2 (4.79 g, 53.3 mmol) in water (50 mL) and NaCIO (5.42 mL) was then added simultaneously and the mixture was stirred at 35 °C overnight. After cooling to RT, the mixture was concentrated in vacuo. Water (50 mL) was added, the pH adjusted to ~5 with 2 M HC1 and the mixture extracted with EtOAc (70 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (20 mL x 3), dried over MgS0 4 , filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (6.93 g). LRMS m/z (M+H) 278.1 found, 278.1 required.

Step 2: (2^,5^ -Βεηζν1 5-((l-methoxy-l,3-dioxobutan-2-yl)carbamoyl)-2-methylpiperid ine-l- carboxylate (32)

A mixture of the product from step 1 (3.20 g, 11.5 mmol) and SOCl 2 (10 mL) was stirred at 80 °C for 1 h, cooled and concentrated in vacuo and DCM (20 mL) was added as solution A. To a solution of methyl 2-amino-3-oxobutanoate hydrochloride (3.10 g, 17.2 mmol) in DCM (40 mL) was added DIEA (7.42 g, 57.5 mmol), and then solution A was added at 0 °C and the mixture was stirred at RT for 12 h. The mixture was poured into water, extracted with DCM (80 mL x 3) and the combined organic layers washed with brine, dried over MgS0 4 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (petroleum ether: EtOAc = 10: 1 to 1 :3) to give the title compound as a yellow oil (2.15 g).

LRMS m/z (M+H) 391.2 found, 391.2 required.

Step 3: Methyl 2-((3R,6 t S')-l-((benzyloxy)carbonyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-5- methyloxazole-4- carboxylate (28)

To a solution of I 2 (2.78 g, 10.9 mmol), PPh 3 (2.86 g, 10.9 mmol) and triethylamine (2.20 g, 21.8 mmol) in DCM (30 mL) was added a solution of the product from step 2 (2.20 g, 5.4 mmol) in DCM (15 mL) and the resulting mixture stirred at RT for 3 h. The mixture was poured into water and extracted with DCM (50 mL x 3); the combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over MgS0 4 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica (petroleum ether: EtOAc = 10: 1 to 1 :3) to give the title compound as a yellow solid (1.52 g). LRMS m/z (M+H) 373.1 found, 373.2 required.

Step 4: (2S,5R)- enzy\ 5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpip eridine- 1-carboxylate (29) & 5-(4-Acetyl-5-methyl-oxazol-2-yl)-2-methyl-piperidine-l-carb oxylic acid benzyl ester (33)

To a solution of MeMgBr (1.61 mL, 4.83 mmol) in dry THF (5 mL) at 0 °C under nitrogen was added dropwise a solution of the product from step 3 (600 mg, 1.61 mmol) in THF (6 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred at 0 °C for 30 min, quenched with saturated aqueous NH 4 CI and extracted with EtOAc (20 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over MgS0 4 , filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by Prep- TLC (petroleum ether: EtOAc = 3: 1) to give (25 , ,5R)-benzyl 5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5- methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidine- 1-carboxylate (230 mg) as yellow oil. LRMS m z (M+H) 373.2 found, 373.2 required and 5-(4-acetyl-5-methyl-oxazol-2-yl)-2-methyl-piperidine-l- carboxylic acid benzyl ester (172 mg) as a yellow oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 357.2 found, 357.2 required.

Step 5: 2-(5-Methyl-2-((3R,6R)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)oxazol-4-yl)pr opan-2-ol (30)

To a solution of (25 , ,5R)-benzyl 5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2- yl)-2-methylpiperidine- 1-carboxylate (320 mg, 0.86 mol) in EtOAc (20 mL) was added Pd/C (30 mg) at RT. The mixture was stirred at overnight under a balloon of H 2 , then filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (180 mg), used directly in the next step.

Step 6: (2-(2H-Tetrazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2 -yl)-5-methyloxazol-2- yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l-yl)methanone (example 15)

A mixture of 2-(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)benzoic acid (19 mg, 0.100 mmol) in SOCl 2 (2 mL) was stirred at 80 °C for 1 h, the solvent removed under reduced pressure and DCM (2 mL) was added to give solution A. To a solution of the product from step 5 (24 mg, 0.101 mmol) in DCM (4 mL) was added DIEA (42 mg, 0.325 mmol), and then solution A was added at 0 °C and the mixture was stirred at RT for 12 h. The mixture was poured into water, extracted with DCM (10 mL x 3) and the combined organic layers washed with brine, dried over MgS0 4 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by Prep-TLC (petroleum ether: EtOAc = 1 :2) to give the title compound as white solid (13.2 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 411.2 found, 411.2 required.

EXAMPLE 25

(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)thiophen-3-yl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2- hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol- 2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone

A mixture of 2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophene-3-carboxylic acid (Intermediate D) (19 mg, 0.10 mmol) in thionyl chloride (2 mL) was stirred at 80 °C for 1 h. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and dichloromethane (2 mL) was added to form solution A. To a solution of 2-(5-methyl-2-((3R,6R)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)oxazol-4-yl)pr opan-2-ol (30 from Example 24) (24 mg, 0.101 mmol) in DCM (4 mL) was added DIPEA (42 mg, 0.325 mmol) and solution A was added dropwise at 0 °C. The resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 12 h, poured into water and extracted with DCM (10 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over MgS0 4 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was purified by prep-TLC (66% ethyl acetate in petroleum ether) to give the title compound (5.3 mg) as white solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 416.2 found, 416.2 required.

TABLE 3

The following compounds were prepared using the foregoing methodology and general procedure described in Example 11 , but substituting the appropriate carboxylic acid for 2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoic acid, as described in the foregoing Reaction Schemes and Examples. The requisite starting materials were commercially available, described in the literature or readily synthesized by one skilled in the art of organic synthesis from commercially available reagents using conventional reactions without undue experimentation.

yl)thiophen-3 -yl)methanone

EXAMPLE 27

(2-Ethoxyphenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methy loxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone

Step 1 : ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-Hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin-l-yl)(2- (pyrimidin-2-yl)phenyl)methanone (Example 27)

To a solution of 2-ethoxybenzoic acid (17 mg, 0.1 mmol) in DMF (3 mL) were added HATU (45 mg, 0.12 mmol), DIEA (39 mg, 0.3 mmol) and 2-(5-methyl-2-((3R,6R)-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl)oxazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol (24 mg, 0.1 mmol) and the mixture was stirred at RT overnight. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate was purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound as white solid (12 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 387.2 found, 387.2 required.

TABLE 4

The following compounds were prepared using the foregoing methodology and general procedure described in Example 18, but substituting the appropriate carboxylic acid for 2-ethoxybenzoic acid, as described in the foregoing Reaction Schemes and Examples. The requisite starting materials were commercially available, described in the literature or readily synthesized by one skilled in the art of organic synthesis from commercially available reagents using conventional reactions without undue experimentation.

EXAMPLE 33

Methyl 2-((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)- 2-methylpiperidine-l- carbonyl)benzoate

To a solution of 2-(methoxycarbonyl)benzoic acid (18 mg, 0.1 mmol) in DMF (3 mL) were added HATU (45 mg, 0.12 mmol), DIPEA (39 mg, 0.3 mmol) and 2-(5-methyl-2- ((3R,6R)-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl)oxazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol (30, from Example 24) (24 mg, 0.1 mmol) and the mixture stirred at RT overnight. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound as white solid (12 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 401.2 found, 401.2 required.

EXAMPLE 34

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-Hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl) -2-methylpiperidin-l-yl)(2- (pyrimidin-2-yl)phenyl)methanone

To a solution of 2-(pyrimidin-2-yl)benzoic acid (20 mg, 0.10 mmol), 2-(5-methyl- 2-((3R,6R)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)oxazol-4-yl)propan-2-ol (24 mg, 0.10 mmol) and DIEA (32 mg, 0.25 mmol) in DCM (5 mL) was added T 3 P (0.5 mL) at 0 °C and the resulting mixture stirred at 50 °C overnight. After cooling to RT, the mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue was purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound as white solid (11 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 421.2 found, 421.2 required.

EXAMPLE 35

(2-(2H-l,23-Triazol-2-yl)thiophen-3-yl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-h ydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-meth

2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone

The title compound was prepared by the procedure described for the synthesis of (2-(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2 -yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin-l-yl) methanone (example 15), substituting 4-[l,2,3]triazol-2-yl-thiophene-3- carboxylic acid (Intermediate F) for 2-tetrazol-2-yl-benzoic acid HRMS m/z (M+H) 416.2 found, 416.2 required.

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-Hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl) -2-methylpiperidin-l-yl)(4- (pyrimidin-2-yl) thiophen-3 -yDmethanone

The title compound was prepared by the procedure described for the synthesis of (2-(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2 -yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin-l-yl) methanone (example 15), substituting 4-pyrimidin-2-yl-thiophene-3- carboxylic acid for 2-tetrazol-2-yl-benzoic acid LRMS m/z (Μ+Η) 427.1 found, 427.2 required.

EXAMPLE 37

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-Hvdroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin-l-yl)(4-

(pyrimidin-2-νΠ thiophen-3 -yDmethanone

The title compound was prepared by the procedure described for the synthesis of

(2-(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropa n-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin-l-yl) methanone (example 15), substituting 4-fluoro-2-[l,2,3]triazol-2-yl- benzoic acid (Intermediate Η) for 2-tetrazol-2-yl-benzoic acid HRMS m/z (M+H) 428.2 found,

428.2 required. EXAMPLE 38

(2-(2,2-Difluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydr oxypropan-2-yl)-5-methylox yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone

The title compound was prepared by the procedure described for the synthesis of ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin-l-yl)(2- (pyrimidin-2-yl)phenyl) methanone (example 18), substituting 2-(2,2-difluoro-ethoxy)-nicotinic acid for 2-ethoxy-benzoic acid LRMS m/z (M+H) 424.2 found, 424.2 required.

TABLE 5

The following compounds were prepared using the foregoing methodology and general procedure described in Example 28, but substituting the appropriate alcohol for 2,2- difluoroethanol (described in the synthesis of intermediate K), as described in the foregoing Reaction Schemes and Examples. The requisite starting materials were commercially available, described in the literature or readily synthesized by one skilled in the art of organic synthesis from commercially available reagents using conventional reactions without undue

experimentation.

EXAMPLE 41

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-Hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyto^

methoxyethyl)phenyl)methanone

The title compound was prepared by the procedure described for the synthesis of ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)(2-

(pyrimidin-2-yl)phenyl) methanone (example 18), substituting 2-(2-methoxyethyl)benzoic acid (Intermediate L) for 2-ethoxy-benzoic acid LRMS m/z (M+H) 401.2 found, 401.2 required.

EXAMPLE 42

Intermediate G Example 42

(5-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-yl isothiazol-4-vn((2R,5R -5-(4-(2-hvdroxypropan-2-vn-5- methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone

The title compound was prepared by the procedure described for the synthesis of ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin-l-yl)(2- (pyrimidin-2-yl)phenyl) methanone (example 18), substituting 5-[l,2,3]triazol-2-yl-isothiazole- 4-carboxylic acid (Intermediate G) for 2-ethoxy-benzoic acid. LRMS m/z (Μ+Η) 401.1 found, 417.2 required.

EXAMPLE 43

Intermediate J Example 43

((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-Hvdroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl) -2-methylpiperidin-l-yl)(5-methyl- 2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophen-3-yl)methanone

The title compound was prepared by the procedure described for the synthesis of ((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin-l-yl)(2- (pyrimidin-2-yl)phenyl) methanone (example 18), substituting 5-methyl-2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2- yl)thiophene-3-carboxylic acid (Intermediate J) for 2-ethoxy-benzoic acid. LRMS m/z (Μ+Η) 430.1 found, 430.2 required.

(2-(2H-l,2 -Triazol-2-vnphenvn((2R,5R -5-(4-((R -2-hvdroxybutan-2-vn-5-methyloxazol-2- yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone

(2-(2H-l,2 -triazol-2-vnphenvn((2R,5R -5-(4-((S -2-hvdroxybutan-2-vn-5-methyloxazol-2-yl - 2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone

Step 1 : (2R,5R)-Benzyl 5-(4-(2-hydroxybutan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpipe ridine-l- carboxylate (50)

To a solution of EtMgBr (1.12 mL, 3.36 mmol) in dry THF (10 mL) at -78 °C under nitrogen was added a solution of (2R,5R)-benzyl 5-(4-acetyl-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidine-1 -carboxylate (400 mg, 1.12 mmol) in THF (6 mL) dropwise. The resulting mixture was stirred at -78 °C for 30 min, quenched with saturated aqueous NH 4 C1 and extracted with EtOAc (20 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over

MgS0 4 , filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by Prep-TLC (petroleum ether: EtOAc = 1 : 1) to give the title compound (350 mg) as a yellow oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 387.1 found, 387.2 required. Step 2: 2-(5-Methyl-2-((3R.6R)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)oxazol-4-yl)bu tan-2-ol (51):

To a solution of the product from step 1 (150 mg, 0.387 mmol) in ethanol (10 mL) was added Pd/C (30 mg) and the mixture was stirred at RT overnight under a balloon of H 2 . The mixture was filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (90 mg), which was used directly in the next step.

Step 3 : (2-(2H-l ,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-((R)-2-hvdroxybutan-2 -yl)-5- methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l -yDmethanone (example 44) & (2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2- yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(( t S')-2-hydroxybutan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methyl piperidin-l- yPmethanone (example 45)

A mixture of 2-(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)benzoic acid (38 mg, 0.200 mmol) and SOCl 2 (2 mL) was stirred at 80 °C for 1 h. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and DCM (3 mL) was added to give solution A. To a solution of the product from step 2 (50 mg, 0.200 mmol) in DCM (4 mL) was added DIEA (52 mg, 0.400 mmol), and then solution A was added at 0 °C and the reaction mixture stirred at RT for 12 h. The mixture was poured into water and the mixture extracted with DCM (20 mL x 3), the combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over MgS0 4 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product mixture was purified by prep-HPLC to give the desired products (2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-((R)- 2-hydroxybutan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin- l-yl)methanone (8.4 mg) and (2- (2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-((5)-2-hydroxybu tan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin-l-yl)methanone (10.5 mg). LRMS m/z (Μ+Η) 424.2 found, 424.2 required.

TABLE 6

The following compounds were prepared using the foregoing methodology and general procedure described in Example 44 & 45, but substituting the appropriate carboxylic acid for 2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoic acid, as described in the foregoing Reaction Schemes and Examples. The requisite starting materials were commercially available, described in the literature or readily synthesized by one skilled in the art of organic synthesis from commercially available reagents using conventional reactions without undue experimentation.

EXAMPLES 48 AND 49

(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)thiophen-3-yl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-((S)-2 -hydroxybutan-2-yl)-5- methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone&(2-(2H- 1 ,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophen-3- yl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-((S)-2-hydroxybutan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2- yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l- yl)methanone

Step 1 : (2R,5R -Benzyl 5-(4-((R -2-hvdroxybutan-2-vn-5-methyloxazol-2-vn-2- methylpiperidine-l-carboxylate & (2R,5R)-benzyl 5-(4-((S)-2-hydroxybutan-2-yl)-5- methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidine-l-carboxylate (5 O A & 5 O B)

Compound 50 was resolved by SFC with the following condition to give the title compounds. Column: Chiralpak IC-3 150x4.6mm I.D., 3um Mobile phase: methanol (0.05% DEA) in C02 from5% to 40% Flow rate: 2.35mL/min Wavelength: 220nm

Step 2: (R -2-(5-Methyl-2-((3R,6R -6-methylpiperidin-3-vnoxazol-4-vnbutan-2-ol (51 A)

The title compound was prepared by the procedure described for the synthesis of

2-(5-methyl-2-((3R,6R)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)oxazol-4-yl )butan-2-ol (51, Example 44/45), substituting (2R,5R)-Benzyl 5-(4-(2-hydroxybutan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidine-l-carboxylate for (2R,5R)-benzyl 5-(4-((R)-2-hydroxybutan-2-yl)-5- methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidine-l-carboxylate. LRMS m/z (M+H) 253.2 found, 253.2 required.

Step 3: (2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)thiophen-3-yl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-((S)-2 -hvdroxybutan-2-yl) -5- methyloxazol- 2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l-yl)methanone (Example 48)

A mixture of 2-(2H)-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophene-3-carboxylic acid (intermediate D) (39 mg, 0.200 mmol) and thionyl chloride (2 mL) was stirred at 80°C for 1 h. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and DCM (3 mL) was added to form solution A. To a solution of the product from Step 2 (50 mg, 0.200 mmol) in dichloromethane (4 mL) was added DIPEA (52 mg, 0.400 mmol), and then solution A was added dropwise at 0°C. The resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 12 h, poured into water and the mixture extracted with

dichloromethane (20 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over MgS0 4 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound (8.4 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 430.2 found, 430.2 required.

Step 4: (S -2-(5-methyl-2-((3R.6R -6-methylpiperidin-3-vnoxazol-4-vnbutan-2-ol (51 B

The title compound was prepared by the procedure described for the synthesis of 2-(5-Methyl-2-((3R,6R)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)oxazol-4-yl)bu tan-2-ol (51), substituting

(2R,5R)-Benzyl 5-(4-(2-hydroxybutan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpipe ridine- 1 - carboxylate for (2R,5R)-benzyl 5-(4-((S)-2-hydroxybutan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidine-1- carboxylate. LRMS m/z (M+H) 253.2 found, 253.2 required. Step 5: (2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-vnthiophen-3-vn((2R,5R -5-(4-((S -2-hvdroxybutan-2-vn -5- methyloxazol- 2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l-yl)methanone (Example 49)

A mixture of 2-(2H)-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophene-3-carboxylic acid (intermediate D) (39 mg, 0.200 mmol) and thionyl chloride (2 mL) was stirred at 80 °C for 1 h. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and DCM (3 mL) was added to form solution A. To a solution of the product from Step 4 (50 mg, 0.200 mmol) in DCM (4 mL) was added DIPEA (52 mg, 0.400 mmol) and solution A was added dropwise at 0°C. The reaction mixture was stirred at RT for 12 h, poured into water and extracted with DCM (20 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over MgS0 4 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound (7.9 mg). LRMS m z (M+H) 430.2 found, 430.2 required.

EXAMPLE 50

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophen-3-yl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-((S )-2-hydroxybutan-2-yl)-5- methyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone

A mixture of 2-(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)benzoic acid (Intermediate C) (38 mg, 0.200 mmol) and thionyl chloride (2 mL) was stirred at 80 °C for 1 h. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and DCM (3 mL) added to form solution A. To a solution of (R)-2-(5-methyl- 2-((3R,6R)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)oxazol-4-yl) butan-2-ol (50 mg, 0.200 mmol) in DCM (4 mL) was added DIPEA (52 mg, 0.400 mmol), and then solution A was added dropwise at 0 °C. The resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 12 h, poured into water and extracted with DCM (20 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over MgSC^, filtered and concentrated in vacuum. The crude product was purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound (9 mg). LRMS m z (M+H) 426.2 found, 426.2 required.

EXAMPLE 51

(2-(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-((R)-2-hydroxyb utan-2-yl)-5-methyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yl)methanone

A mixture of 2-(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)benzoic acid (Intermediate C) (38 mg, 0.200 mmol) and thionyl chloride (2 mL) was stirred at 80 °C for 1 h. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and DCM (3 mL) was added to form solution A. To a solution of (R)-2-(5- methyl-2-((3R,6R)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)oxazol-4-yl) butan-2-ol (50 mg, 0.200 mmol) in DCM (4 mL) was added DIPEA (52 mg, 0.400 mmol), and then solution A was added dropwise at 0 °C. The resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 12 h, poured into water and extracted with dichloromethane (20 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over MgSC"4, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound (8 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 426.2 found, 426.2 required.

EXAMPLE 52

Example 52

(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(5-chloro-4-( 2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)oxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone

Step 1 : Ethyl 2-((3R,6R)-l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpipe ridin-3-yl)oxazole- 4-carboxylate (52) To a solution of (3R,6R)-l-(2-(2H-l ,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6- methylpiperidine-3-carboxamide (400 mg, 1.28 mmol) and AgSbF 6 (440 mg, 1.28 mmol) in DCE (8 mL) was added ethyl 3-bromo-2-oxopropanoate (248 mg, 1.28 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at 90 °C overnight, cooled to RT, poured into water, extracted with EtOAc (20 mL x 3), the combined extracts dried over MgS0 4 and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by Prep-TLC (petroleum ether: EtOAc = 2: 1) to give the title compound (200 mg). LRMS m/z (Μ+Η) 410.2 found, 410.1 required

Step 2: Ethyl 2-((3R,6R -l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-vnbenzovn-6-methylpiperidin-3-vn-5 - chlorooxazole-4-carboxylate (53)

A solution of the product from step 1 (160 mg, 0.39 mmol) and NCS (154 mg, 1.17 mmol) in DCM (5 mL) was stirred at 75 °C overnight. The mixture was cooled to RT, poured into water and extracted with EtOAc (10 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were dried over MgS0 4 , filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by Prep-TLC (petroleum ether: EtOAc = 1 : 1) to give the title compound. LRMS m/z (Μ+Η) 443.9, 445.9 found, 444.1 446.1 required.

Step 3 : (2-(2H- 1 ,2,3-Triazol-2-vnphenvn((2R,5R -5-(5-chloro-4-(2-hvdroxypropan-2- yl)oxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l-yl)methanone (Example 52)

To a solution of the product from step 2 (30 mg, 0.067 mmol) in THF (5 mL) at 0

°C was added MeMgBr (2.26 mL, 0.677 mmol) and the resulting mixture stirred at RT overnight, The reaction mixture was quenched with aq. NH 4 C1 (5 mL), extracted with EtOAc (10 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (10 mL), dried over Na 2 S0 4 , filtered, the filtrate concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound as white solid. LRMS m z (M+H) 430.1 , 432.1 found, 430.1 , 432.1 required.

EXAMPLE 53

56 57 Example 53

(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(5-(difluorom ethyl)-4-(2-hydroxypropan-2- yl)oxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone Step 1 : Ethyl 4,4-difluoro-2-(hydroxyimino)-3-oxobutanoate (54)

To a solution of ethyl 4,4-difluoro-3-oxobutanoate (5 g, 27.17 mmol) in acetic acid (18 mL) was added dropwise a solution of sodium nitrite (4.7 g, 54.34 mol) in water (50 mL) over 5 h at 20 °C. The reaction mixture was diluted with water and extracted with EtOAc (3 x 50 mL), the combined organic layers washed with water, brine, dried over MgS0 4 and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound as yellow oil (5 g) which was used directly in the next step.

Step 2: Ethyl 2-amino-4,4-difluoro-3-oxobutanoate hydrochloride (55)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (4 g, 20.5 mol) in methanol/ hydrochloric acid (40 mL/2 mL) was added Pd/C (2 g) at RT. The mixture was stirred at RT overnight under a balloon of H 2 , the mixture filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (2.8 g), which was used directly in the next step. Step 3: Ethyl 2-((3R,6R -l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-vnbenzovn-6-methylpiperidine-3- carboxamido)-4,4-difluoro-3-oxobutanoate (56)

To a solution of the product from step 2 and ethyl 2-amino-4,4-difluoro-3- oxobutanoate hydrochloride (579 mg, 3.18 mmol) in DCM (2 mL) was added HATU (316 mg, 0.83 mmol) and DIEA (826 mg, 6.4 mmol) and the mixture stirred at RT for 12 h. The mixture was poured into water, extracted with EtOAc (50 mL x 3) and the combined organic layers washed with brine, dried over MgS0 4 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (petroleum ether: EtOAc = 10: 1 to 1 :2) to give the title compound as yellow oil (150 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 478.2 found, 478.2 required. Step 4: Ethyl 2-((3R,6R -l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-vnbenzovn-6-methylpiperidin-3-vn-5 - (difluoromethyl)oxazole-4-carboxylate (57)

To a solution of I 2 (30 mg, 0.12 mmol), PPh 3 (32 mg, 0.12 mmol) and triethylamine (24 mg, 0.24 mmol) in DCM (2 mL) was added a solution of the product from step 3 (30 mg, 0.06 mmol) in DCM (2 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 3 h, poured into water and extracted with DCM (50 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over MgS0 4 , filtered, concentrated in vacuo and the residue was purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound as a white solid (10 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 460.1 found, 460.2 required. Step 5 : (2-(2H- 1 ,2,3-Triazol-2-vnphenvn((2R,5R -5-(5-(difluoromethvn-4-(2-hvdroxypropan- 2-yl)oxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone

To a solution of the product from step 4 (15 mg, 0.03 mmol) in dry THF (1 mL) at 0°C was added dropwise a solution of CH 3 MgBr (0.2 mL, 3 M), the mixture stirred at 0 °C for 1 h, then quenched with water (10 mL) and the mixture extracted with EtOAc (15 mL><3). The combined organic layers were dried over MgS0 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by prep-HPLC to give the title compound (9 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 446.3 found, 446.2 required.

EXAMPLE 54

(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-vnphenvn((2R,5R -5-(4-(2-hvdroxypropan-2-vn-5- (trifluoromethyl)oxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -vDmethanone

Step 1 : Ethyl 2-diazo-4A4-trifluoro-3-oxobutanoate (58)

To a solution of ethyl 2-diazoacetate (3 g, 26.32 mmol) in DCM (30 mL) at 0 °C was added dropwise pyridine (3.3 mL) and the mixture stirred for 15 min. A solution of trifluoroacetic anhydride (10 g, 52.63 mmol) in DCM (30 mL) was added dropwise, the mixture stirred for additional 30 mins, poured into water, neutralized over NaHC0 3 and extracted with EtOAc. The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over MgS0 4 , filtered, concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by chromatography on silica (petroleum ether: EtOAc = 5: 1) to give the title compound a as yellow oil (5 g). LRMS m/z (M+H) 211.2 found, 211.0 required.

Step 2: Ethyl 2-((3R,6R)-l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpipe ridine-3- carboxamido)-4,4,4-trifluoro-3,3-dihydroxybutanoate (59)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (30 mg, 0.09 mmol) in DCM (1 mL) was added (3R,6R)-l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperid ine-3-carboxamide (26 mg, 0.13 mmol) and Rh 2 (OAc)4 (2 mg, 0.02 mmol) at RT and the resulting mixture was stirred at 80 °C for 20 mins. The mixture was poured into water, extracted with EtOAc (30 mL x 3) and the combined organic layers washed with brine, dried over MgS0 4 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chromatography on silica (petroleum ether: EtOAc = 10: 1 to 1 :3) to give the title compound (30 mg). LRMS m/z (Μ+Η) 514.2 found, 514.2 required.

Step3 : Ethyl-((3R.6R)-1 -(2-(2H-l ,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-5- (trifluoromethyl) oxazole-4-carboxylate (60)

To a solution of I 2 (30 mg, 0.12 mmol), PPh 3 (32 mg, 0.12 mmol) and triethylamine (24 mg, 0.24 mmol) in DCM (2 mL) was added a solution of the product from step 2 (30 mg, 0.06 mmol) in DCM (2 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 3 h, poured into water and extracted with DCM (50 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over MgS0 4 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo and the residue was purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound as a white solid (10 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 478.2 found, 478.2 required.

Step 4: (2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-vnphenvn((2R,5R -5-(4-(2-hvdroxypropan-2-vn-5- (trifluoromethyl)oxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone

To a solution of the product from step 3 (15 mg, 0.03 mmol) in dry THF (1 mL) at 0°C was added dropwise a solution of CH 3 MgBr (0.2 mL, 3 M), the mixture stirred at 0 °C for 1 h, quenched with water (10 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (15 mL><3). The combined organic layers were dried over MgS0 4 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by prep-HPLC to give the title compound (9 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 464.2 found, 464.2 required.

EXAMPLE 55

(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-vnphenvn((2R,5R -5-(5-(2-hvdroxypropan-2-vn-4-methyloxazol-2-vn- 2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone

Step 1 : Ethyl 2-((3R,6R -l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-vnbenzovn-6-methylpiperidin-3-vn-4 - methyloxazole-5-carboxylate (61)

To a solution of (3R,6R)-l-(2-(2H-l ,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6- methylpiperidine-3-carboxamide (50 mg, 0.16 mmol) in acetonitrile (2 mL) was added ethyl 2- chloro-3-oxobutanoate (135 mg, 0.80 mmol). The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and heated at 120°C for 40 hours. The mixture was poured into water (10 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (10 mL><3), the combined organic layer dried over Na 2 SC"4 and concentrated in vacuo. The crude mixture was purified by prep-TLC (PE/EA=1/1) to afford the title compound (30 mg). LRMS m/z (Μ+Η) 424.1 found, 424.2 required.

Step 2:(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(5-(2-hydroxyp ropan-2-yl)-4-methyloxazol- 2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l -yDmethanone (Example 55)

MeMgBr (0.2 mL, 0.59 mmol) was added to the solution of the product from step

1 (50 mg, 0.12 mmol) in THF (2 mL) at 0 °C and the resultant mixture was stirred at RT for 2 h. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by p-HPLC to give the title compound (15.4 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 410.2 found, 410.2 required.

EXAMPLE 56

Methyl 2-((3R,6R -l-(2-(2H-l ,2,3-triazol-2-vnbenzovn-6-methylpiperidin-3-vn-5- phenyloxazole-4-carboxylate Step 1 : Methyl 2-amino-3-oxo-3-phenylpropanoate hydrochloride (62)

NaHMDS (6 mL, 6 mmol) was added dropwise to a solution of methyl 2- ((diphenylmethylene)amino)acetate (1.28 g, 5 mmol) in 20 mL of THF at -78 °C under N 2 . The mixture was stirred at -78 °C for 1 h, benzoyl chloride (0.84 g, 6 mmol) was added dropwise, the mixture stirred at -78 °C for 2 h and HC1 (6 M, 15 mL) added. The mixture was stirred at RT for 30 mins and the solvent removed in vacuo. EtOAc (20 mL) was added and the solid obtained by filtration and dried in vacuo to give the title compound (700 mg), which was used directly without further purification. LRMS m/z (M+H) 194.1 found, 194.1 required.

Step 2: Methyl 2-((3R.6R)-l-(2-(2H-l ,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidine-3- carboxamido)-3-oxo-3-phenylpropanoate (63)

A mixture of (3R,6R)-l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperid ine-3- carboxylic acid (38 mg, 0.200 mmol) and SOCl 2 (2 mL) was stirred at 80 °C for 1 h. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and DCM (3 mL) was added to give solution A. To a solution of the product from step 1 (115 mg, 0.5 mmol) in DCM (3 mL) was added 4- methylmorpholine (99 mg, 1 mmol) at 0 °C, then solution A was added slowly. The mixture was stirred at RT for 2 hours, DCM (15 mL) added, the mixture was washed with brine (5 mL), dried over MgS0 4 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by Prep-TLC (PE: EtOAc = 1 : 1) to give the title compound (70 mg). LRMS m/z (Μ+Η) 490.2 found, 490.2 required.

Step 3: Methyl 2-((3R,6R)-l-(2-(2H-l ,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-5- phenyloxazole-4-carboxylate (Example 41)

To a solution of PPh 3 (52 mg, 0.2 mmol) in DCM (4 mL) was added I 2 (53 mg, 0.2 mmol) and TEA (40 mg, 0.4 mmol) at 18 °C. The mixture was stirred for 5 mins and the solution of the product from step 2 (49 mg, 0.1 mmol) in DCM (4 mL) was added slowly. The mixture was stirred at RT for 3 h, DCM (15 mL) added, the organic layer washed with brine (10 mL), dried over MgS0 4 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by Prep- HPLC to give the title compound (30 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 472.2 found, 472.2 required.

EXAMPLE 57

(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-vnphenvn((2R,5R -5-(4-(hvdroxymethvn-5-phenyloxazol-2-yl -2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone

Step 1 : 2-((3R,6R -l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-vnbenzovn-6-methylpiperidin-3-vn-5 - phenyloxazole-4-carboxylic acid (64)

To a solution of Example 56 (383 mg, 0.81 mmol) in THF (5 mL) and water (5 mL) was added LiOH hydrate (68 mg, 1.63 mmol) and the resulting mixture stirred at RT for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was diluted with water (10 mL) and extracted with DCM (10 mL x 3). The aqueous layer was acidified to ~ pH 2 with 1M HC1, extracted with EtOAc (20 mLx4), the combined organic layers washed with brine (20 mLx2), dried over Na 2 S0 4 and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo and the crude product purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound (8 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 444.2 found, 444.2 required.

Step 2: (2-(2H-l ,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(hvdroxymethyl)-5-phe nyloxazol-2-yl)- 2-methylpiperidin-l -yDmethanone (Example 57)

To a solution of acid product from step 1 (18 mg, 0.039 mmol) in THF (8 mL) were added 4-methylmorpholine (12 mg, 0.1182 mmol) and sec-butyl chloroformate (8 mg, 0.059 mmol) at 0 °C. The mixture was stirred 0 °C for 10 mins, then a solution of NaBH 4 (3 mg, 0.079 mmol) in methanol (2 mL) were added slowly and the mixture stirred at RT for 30 mins. The solvent was removed under vacuum and the residue purified by prep-HPLC to give the title compound (10 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 444.2 found, 444.2 required.

(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(fluoromet hyl)-5-phenyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone Step 1 : (2-(2H ,2 -triazol-2-vnphenvn((2R,5R -5-(4-(fluoromethvn-5-phenyloxazol-2-yl -2- methylpiperidin-l-yl)methanone (Example 58)

To a solution of Example 57 (50 mg, 0.113 mmol) in DCM (5 mL) was added DAST (16 ul, 0.120 mmol) at 0 °C and the resulting mixture stirred under N 2 at RT for 2 hours. Aqueous NaHC0 3 was added and the mixture concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by Prep-HPLC to give title compound (8 mg). LRMS m/z (M+H) 446.2 found, 446.2 required.

EXAMPLE 59

(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(methoxymethy l)-5-phenyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -vDmethanone

Step 1 : (2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(methoxymethy l)-5-phenyloxazol-2-yl)- 2-methylpiperidin-l -vDmethanone (Example 59)

To a solution of Example 57 (60 mg, 0.135 mmol) in THF (6 mL) was added NaH (7 mg, 0.27 mmol) at 0 °C under N 2 . The mixture was stirred at 0 °C for 10 mins, Mel (0.78 g, 5.5 mmol) added, the resulting mixture stirred at RT overnight and quenched with water. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue was purified by prep. HPLC gave the title compound (8 mg) as a white solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 458.2 found, 458.2 required.

EXAMPLE 60

Example 56 Example 60

(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxy propan-2-yl)-5-phenyloxazol-2-yl)- 2-methylpiperidin- 1 -vDmethanone

To a solution of Example 56 (100 mg, 0.2 mmol) in THF (6 mL) was added dropwise MeMgBr (0.32 mL, 0.96 mmol) at 0 °C under N 2 and the resulting mixture stirred at RT for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was quenched with aq. NH 4 C1 (5 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (10 mL x 3), the combined organic layers washed with brine (10 mLx2), dried over Na 2 SC"4 and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by Prep- HPLC to give the title compound (9 mg) as a white solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 472.2 found, 472.2 required. EXAMPLE 61

2-((3R,6R)-l-(2-(2H-l,23-Triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6^

carboxamide

To a solution of 2-((3R,6R)-l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl)-5-phenyloxazole-4-carboxylic acid (from example 57) (30 mg, 0.066 mmol) in DCM (6 mL) was added HATU (33 mg, 0.086 mmol) and DIEA (26 mg, 0.198 mmol) and the mixture stirred at RT for 20 mins. NH 4 C1 (35 mg, 0.66 mmol) was added and the resulting mixture stirred at RT overnight. The reaction mixture was washed with brine (10 mLx2), dried over Na 2 S0 4 , concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound (19 mg) as a white solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 457.2 found, 457.2 required.

EXAMPLE 62

(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-vnphenvn((2R,5R -5-(4-(methoxymethvn-5-phenyloxazol-2-vn-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone

The title compound was prepared by the procedure described for the synthesis of(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(methoxymet hyl)-5-phenyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin-l-yl)methanone (example 46), substituting Ν,Ο-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride for NH 4 C1. LRMS m/z (M+H) 501.2 found, 501.2 required.

EXAMPLE 63

(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-vnphenvn((2R,5R -5-(4-(l-hvdroxyethvn-5-phenyloxazol-2-vn-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone Step 1 : l-(2-((3R,6R -l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-vnbenzovn-6-methylpiperidin-3-vn-5 - phenyloxazol-4-yl)ethanone (65)

To a solution of Example 62 (100 mg, 0.2 mmol) in THF (6 mL) at 0 °C under N 2 , was added dropwise MeMgBr solution (0.32 mL, 0.96 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 3 hours, quenched with aq. NH 4 C1 (5 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (10 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (10 mLx2), dried over Na 2 S0 4 and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (62 mg) as clear oil. LRMS m/z (M+H) 456.4 found, 456.2 required. Step 2: (2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(l-hvdroxyeth yl)-5-phenyloxazol-2-yl)-

2-methylpiperidin-l-yl)methanone (Example 63)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (62 mg, 0.14 mmol) in THF (5 mL) at 0

°C was added NaBH 4 (11 mg, 0.28 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at rt. for 2 hours and quenched with 1 mL of water at 0 °C and the mixture concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by prep-HPLC to give the title compound (6.8 mg) as a white solid. LRMS m/z

(M+H) 458.2 found, 458.2 required.

EXAMPLES 64 AND 65

(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(l-hvdroxyeth yl)-5-phenyloxazol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone

The title compounds were obtained as isomers by chiral SFC separation of example 63.

EXAMPLE 66

Exam ple 57 Exam ple 66

(2-(2H-l,23-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-((dimethyla mino)methyl)-5-ph

2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone

Step 1 : (2-((3R,6R -l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-vnbenzovn-6-methylpiperidin-3-vn-5 - phenyloxazol-4-yl)methyl methanesulfonate (66)

A solution of Example 57 (100 mg, 0.23 mmol) and DIEA (90 mg, 0.7 mmol) in DCM (6 mL) was cooled to 0 °C and methanesulfonyl chloride (0.5 g, 4.4 mmol) added dropwise. The resulting mixture was stirred at 0 °C for 2 h, quenched with water (5 mL) and extracted with DCM. The combined organic layers were dried over Na 2 S0 4 , filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (60 mg) as colorless oil, which was used directly in the next step without further purification. LRMS m/z (Μ+Η) 522.2 found, 522.2 required.

Step 2: (2-(2H-l ,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-((dimethylamino)methy l)-5- phenyloxazol-2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin-l -yDmethanone (Example 66)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (60 mg, 0.13 mmol) in acetonitrile (5 mL) ) at 0 °C, was added potassium carbonate (90 mg, 0.65 mmol) and the resulting mixture stirred at 0 °C for 20 mins. Dimethylamine (0.2 mL, 0.39 mmol) was added dropwise, the mixture stirred at RT overnight and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was diluted with water (5 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (10 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (10 mLx2), dried over Na 2 S0 4 and filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by Prep-TLC (100% EtOAc), and then further purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound (8 mg) as a yellow solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 471.2 found, 471.2 required.

EXAMPLE 67

Methyl-(2-((3R,6R -l-(2-(2H ,2 riazol-2-vnbenzovn-6-methylpiperidin-3-vn-5- phenyloxazol-4-yl)acetate

Step 1 : l-(2-((3R,6R -l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-vnbenzovn-6-methylpiperidin-3-vn-5 - phenyloxazol-4 -yl)-2-diazoethanone (67)

To a solution of 2-((3R,6R)-l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6- methylpiperidin-3-yl) -5-phenyloxazole-4-carboxylic acid (500 mg, 1.09 mmol) in DCM (20 mL) was added oxalyl chloride (278 mg, 2.19 mmol) at 0-5°C via syringe, followed by catalytic DMF. The resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 3.5 hours, concentrated in vacuo and the residue was dissolved in DCM (10 mL). This solution was added dropwise to a mixture of TMSCHN 2 (5 mL, 5 mmol) and TEA (331 mg, 3.27 mmol) in DCM (10 mL) at 0-5°C. The resulting mixture was stirred at RT under N 2 over 48 h and then concentrated in vacuo to give the title compound (1.05g) as pale solid, which was used directly in the next step. Step 2: Methyl 2-(2-((3R,6R)-l-(2-(2H-l ,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl)-5- phenyloxazol-4-yl)acetate (Example 67)

A mixture of the product from step 1 (1.05 g, 2.18 mmol) and Ag 2 0 (505 mg, 2.18 mmol) in methanol (10 mL) was stirred at RT under N 2 for 16 hours. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound (450 mg) as light yellow solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 486.2 found, 486.2 required.

EXAMPLE 68

Example 67 Example 68

(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-hydroxy -2-methylpropyl)-5-phenyloxazol-2- yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone To a solution of Example 67 (100 mg, 0.21 mmol) in anhydrous THF (10 mL) at - 70 °C was added methylmagnesium bromide (0.7 mL, 2.1 mmol). The mixture was then stirred at RT for 1.5 hours, cooled to 0-5 °C and quenched with saturated NH 4 C1 (15 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (10 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were dried over Na 2 S0 4 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by Prep. HPLC gave the title compound (12.5 mg) as white solid. LRMS m z (M+H) 486.2 found, 486.2 required.

EXAMPLE 69

(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4-(2-methoxy -2-methylpropyl)-5-phenyl-oxazol- 2-yl)-2-methylpiperidin- 1 -yPmethanone

To a solution of Example 68 (55 mg, 0.113 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) at 0 °C was added NaH (7 mg, 0.175 mmol), the mixture stirred at 0-5 oC for 30 min and iodomethane (250 mg, 1.76 mmol) added. The resulting mixture was stirred at RT for 6 hours, cooled to 0 °C, quenched with water (5 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (5 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were dried over Na 2 S0 4 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by Prep. HPLC gave the title compound (12 mg) as white solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 500.3 found, 500.3 required.

EXAMPLE 70

Exam ple 67 Example 70

(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-vnphenvn((2R,5R -5-(4-(2-hvdroxyethvn-5-phenyloxazol-2-vn-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone

To a solution of Example 67 (200 mg, 0.412 mmol) in anhydrous THF (10 mL) at

0 °C was added LiBH 4 (20 mg, 1 mmol) and the resulting mixture stirred at RT for 2 hours, recooled to 0°C, quenched with water (10 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (10 mL x 3). The combined organic layers were dried over Na 2 S0 4 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound (135 mg) as white solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 458.2. found, 458.2 required. EXAMPLE 71

(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-vnphenvn((2R,5R -5-(4-(2-fluoroethvn-5-phenyloxazol-2-vn-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone

To a solution of Example 70 (40 mg, 0.087 mmol) in anhydrous DCM (5 mL) was added DAST (15.5 mg, 0.096 mmol) at 0°C and mixture stirred at RT for 2 hours. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue was purified by Prep-HPLC to give the title compound (13.5 mg) as solid. LRMS m/z (M+H) 460.2 found, 460.2 required.

EXAMPLE 72

67 68 Example 72

(5-Methyl-2-(2H ,2,3-triazol-2-vnphenvn((2R,5R -2-methyl-5-(5-methyloxazol-2-vnpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone

Step 1 : (3R,6R -6-Methyl-l-(5-methyl-2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-vnbenzoyl -N-(2- oxopropyDpiperidine-3-carboxamide (68)

To a mixture of 67 (M. Abe et al, WO 2013/005755) (28mg, 0.08 mmol), 1- aminopropan-2-one hydrochloride (9.4 mg, 0.08 mmol) and PyBOP (44 mg, 0.08 mmol) was added DCM (1.5 mL) followed by DIEA (0.074 mL, 0.43 mmol) and THF (1 mL). The mixture was stirred at RT for lh, poured into water and extracted with EtOAc (3x30 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over Na 2 S0 4 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give the crude product, used directly in the next step. LRMS m/z (M+H) 384.4 found, 384.2 required Step 2: (5-Methyl-2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-vnphenvn((2R,5R -2-methyl-5-(5-methyloxazol-2- vDpiperidin-l -yDmethanone (Example 72)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (30mg, 0.08 mmol) in DCM (1.5 mL) was added hexachloroethane (37 mg, 0.16 mmol), triphenylphosphine (41 mg, 0.16 mmol) and DIEA (0.055 mL, 0.31 mmol) and the reaction mixture stirred at RT overnight. The mixture was filtered, concentrated in vacuo and purified by prep HPLC to give the title compound (9 HRMS m/z (M+H) 366.1926 found, 366.1925 required.

EXAMPLE 73

(2-(2H ,2,3-Triazol-2-vnphenvn((2R,5R -5-(5-(tert-butvnoxazol-2-vn-2-methylpiperidin-l- yPmethanone

Step 1 : (3R,6R -l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-vnbenzovn-N-(3,3-dimethyl-2-oxobut vn-6- methylpiperidine-3-carboxamide (70)

The title compound was prepared in a similar manner to Example 72 step 1 , replacing (3R,6R)-6-methyl-l-(5-methyl-2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoy l)piperidine-3- carboxylic acid with (3R,6R)-l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperid ine-3- carboxylic acid and l-aminopropan-2-one HC1 with l-(tert-butylamino)propan-2-one.

Step 2: (2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-vnphenvn((2R,5R -5-(5-(tert-butvnoxazol-2-vn-2- methylpiperidin-l-yl)methanone (Example 73)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (20 mg, 0.049 mmol) in DCM (1 mL) was added triethylamine (0.022 mL, 0.16 mmol) and trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride (0.027 mL, 0.16 mmol) and the reaction mixture stirred at RT for 2 h. Additional triethylamine (0.022 mL, 0.16 mmol) and trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride (0.027 mL, 0.16 mmol) were added and the mixture stirred for 10 min. The mixture was partitioned between aqueous sodium bicarbonate (4 mL) and EtOAc (10 mL). The organic layer was concentrated in vacuo and purified by prep HPLC to give the title compound (9 mg). HRMS m/z (M+H) 394.2233 found, 394.2238 required.

TABLE 7

The following compounds were prepared using the foregoing methodology and general procedure described in Example 73, but substituting the appropriate amine for l-(tert- butylamino)propan-2-one, as described in the foregoing Reaction Schemes and Examples. The requisite starting materials were commercially available, described in the literature or readily synthesized by one skilled in the art of organic synthesis from commercially available reagents using conventional reactions without undue experimentation.

EXAMPLE 77

Example 77 (2-(2H-l,23-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4,^

vDmethanone

Step 1 : (3R,6R -l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-vnbenzovn-N-(2-hvdroxy-l,2-dipheny lethvn-6- methylpiperidine-3 -carboxamide (71)

The title compound was prepared in a similar manner to Example 72 step 1 , replacing (3R,6R)-6-methyl-l-(5-methyl-2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoy l)piperidine-3- carboxylic acid with (3R,6R)-l-(2-(2H-l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methylpiperid ine-3- carboxylic acid and l-aminopropan-2-one HCl with 2-amino-l,2-diphenylethanol.

Step 2: (3R.6RV1 -(2-(2H-l .2 -triazol-2-yl)benzoyl)-6-methyl-N-(2-oxo-l .2- diphenylethyl)piperidine-3-carboxamide (72)

To a solution of the product from step 1 (60 mg, 0.12 mmol) in DCM (2 mL) was added Dess-Martin periodinane (50 mg, 0.12 mmol) and the mixture stirred at RT overnight. The mixture was poured into water (30 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (3x30 mL). The combined organic extracts were dried over Na 2 S0 4 , filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting product was used directly in the next step.

Step 3(2-(2H-l,2,3-Triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-(4,5-diphenylox azol-2-yl)-2- methylpiperidin- 1 -yDmethanone

The title compound was prepared in a similar manner to that described in

Example 73 step 2, to provide the title compound. HRMS m/z (M+H) 490.2234 found, 490.2238 required.

TABLE 8

The following table shows representative data for the compounds of the Examples as orexin receptor antagonists as determined by the assays described herein.

While the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to certain particular embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations, changes, modifications, substitutions, deletions, or additions of procedures and protocols may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.