"(Aza)indole derivative substituted in position 5, pharmaceutical composition comprising it, intermediate compounds and preparation process therefor"

_{* * * * * * * * * * * * *} The present invention relates to an (aza)indole derivative substituted in position 5, to a pharmaceutical composition comprising it, to intermediate compounds and to a preparation process therefor.

More particularly, the present invention relates to an (aza)indole derivative substituted in position 5, which has inhibitory activity on mPGES-1.

It is known that prostaglandins (PG) are oxygenated fatty acids synthesized and released into the extracellular space, and then into the plasma, urine and other biological fluids.

They are important bioregulators, but also inflammation mediators that modulate intracellular reactions and intercellular communication.

The prostaglandins E ₂ (PGE ₂ ) have an important physiological role of regulating renal function, vascular homeostasis, bone remodeling, induction of fever, gastrointestinal function and pregnancy. Besides these physiological functions, the PGE ₂ prostaglandins behave as potent mediators of acute inflammation (inducing hyperalgesia, vasodilatation and discharge of fluids from vessels: Vane J. R. and Botting R. M. 1997 "Anti-inflammatory drugs and their mechanism of action" Inflamm. Res. 47 (2): p. 78) and chronic inflammation. Specifically, the PGE ₂ prostaglandins are particularly abundant in articular inflammatory pathologies. PGE ₂ prostaglandins also play a role in pain and are potent pyretic agents (Ayoub S. S. et al., 2004 "Aceta- minophen-induced hypothermia in mice is mediated by a prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 1 gene-derived protein", PNAS 101 : 11165- 11169; Ivanov A. et al. 2002 "Prostaglandin E ₂ - synthesizing enzymes in fever: differential transcriptional regulation", Am. J. Physiol. Regul.

Integr. Comp. Physiol. 283: R1104-R1117).

The enzyme responsible for the synthesis of PGE ₂ prostaglandins is prostaglandin E synthase (PGES), which converts the endoperoxide

PGH ₂ , formed from arachidonic acid by the action of cyclooxygenases, into PGE ₂ . The activity of PGES has been found both in the cytosolic fraction and membrane-bound in various types of cells.

Three enzymatic forms have been identified (Kudo I. et al. 2005 "Prostaglandin E synthase, a terminal enzyme for prostaglandin E ₂ biosynthesis", Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 38, 633-638); among these, microsomal PGES-1 (mPGES-1 ) is a membrane-bound enzyme that requires glutathione as an essential cofactor for its activity.

The expression of mPGES-1 is induced by pro-inflammatory stimuli such as IL-1 β or LPS (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 96: 7220, 1999). It is co- localized together with COX-2 on the endoplasmatic reticulum and on the nuclear envelope (Lazarus M. et al. 2002 "Biochemical characterization of mouse microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 and its colocalization with cyclooxygenase-2 in peritoneal macrophages" Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 397: 336; Murakami M. et al. 2000 "Regulation of prostaglandin E2 biosynthesis by inducible membrane-associated prostaglandin E2 synthase that acts in concert with cyclooxygenase-2" J. Biol. Chem. 275: 32783; Yamagata K. et al. 2001 "Coexpression of microsomal-type prostaglandin E synthase with cyclooxygenase-2 in brain endothelial cells of rats during endotoxin-induced fever" J. Neurosci. 15;21 (8): 2669-77). Although the two enzymes (COX-2 and mPGES-1 ) have a functional connection and co-expression, their rate of induction differs in a few cellular systems, indicating different regulatory induction mechanisms (J. Immunol. 167: 469, 2001 ).

Drugs that inhibit the enzyme COX-2 have been shown to be effective in alleviating inflammation and pain in chronic inflammatory

pathologies such as arthritis, but their prolonged use may induce tissue damage caused by an overproduction of cytokines, for instance TNFα and IL-1 β (Stichtenoth D.O. 2001 "Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase is regulated by proinflammatory cytokines and glucocorticoids in primary rheumatoid synovial cells" J. Immunol. 167: 469). In addition, the prolonged use of these drugs is associated with cardiovascular side effects. This has led to the withdrawal from the market of a number of selective COX-2 inhibitors and to a revision of the indications for the entire class of these drugs. Recent research efforts are directed towards overcoming the side effects of COX-2 inhibitors by studying mPGES-1 inhibitors for the purpose of developing drugs that are active in the treatment of inflammation and pain (B. Samuelsson et al. "Membrane Prostaglandin E Synthase-1 : A Novel Therapeutic Target" Pharmacol. Rev. 59:207- 224, 2007).

In addition, numerous studies have demonstrated that the PGE ₂ prostaglandins are tumor-promoting factors (L. R. Howe, "Inflammation and breast cancer. Cyclooxygenase/prostaglandin signaling and breast cancer", Breast cancer research 2007, 9:210, Castellone M. D. et al. 2005 "Prostaglandin E ₂ promotes colon cancer growth through a novel Gs-Axin-B-catenin", Science 310, 1504-1510; Mehrotra S., et al. 2006 "Microsomal prostaglandin E ₂ in breast cancer: a potential target for therapy", J. Pathol. 208(3): 356-63; Nakano et al. 2006 "Induction of macrophagic prostaglandin E2 synthesis by glioma cells" J. Neurosurgery 104(4), 574-582) that are involved in angiogenesis, cell proliferation and cell migration functions. Selective FANS and COX-2 inhibitors are also found to inhibit various types of tumors, including colonrectal, oesophageal, breast, lung and bladder tumors by means of inhibiting PGE ₂ . PGE ₂ prostaglandins derived from COX-2 induce tumor growth by means of binding to the actual receptors and activating

signals for controlling cell proliferation, migration, apoptosis and angiogenesis (Wang D. et al. 2006 "Prostaglandin and cancer" Gut. 55 (1 ):115-22; Han C. et al. 2006 "Prostaglandin E ₂ receptor EP1 transactivates EGFR/MET receptor tyrosine kinases and enhances invasiveness in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells", Journal of Cellular Physiology 207: 261 -270).

An (aza)indole derivative substituted in position 5 that has selective inhibitory activity on mPGES-1 has now been found. The wording "(aza)indole derivative" is intended to represent a compound within formula (I) hereinbelow, wherein the basic nucleus, represented by an indole ring, can have one or more carbon atoms in the 4, 6, and 7 position optionally replaced with a nitrogen atom and a single or double bond between the carbon atoms in the 2- and 3-position.

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to an (aza)indole derivative substituted in position 5, of formula (I):

in which:

X is a halogen atom or a (CrC ₃ )alkyl, trifluoromethyl, nitro, amino, cyano, di(Ci-C ₃ )alkylamino, hydroxy, (Ci-C ₃ )alkoxy, phenyl or (Cr

Cs)alkylphenyl group;

Y and Z, which may be identical or different, are a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a (CrC ₃ )alkyl, trifluoromethyl, nitro, amino, di(Cr

C ₃ )alkylamino, hydroxy, (CrC ₃ )alkoxy, phenyl, COOH, (Ci-C ₃ )alkyl- COOH, (C ₂ -C ₃ )alkenyl-COOH, COOR, wherein R is a linear or branched (Ci-C ₆ )alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, CONH ₂ , SO ₂ CH ₃ ,

SO ₂ NHCH ₃ or NHSO ₂ CH ₃ group; G1 , G2, and G3, which may be identical or different, are a nitrogen atom or a CH group;

R1 is a (Ci-C ₆ )alkyl, (C ₃ -C ₇ )cycloalkyl, (Ci-C ₆ )alkylOR', (CH ₂ )PNR ¹¹ R ¹ ", (CH ₂ ) _H CONR ¹¹ R ¹ ", (CH ₂ ) _n COR', (CH ₂ ) _n COOR", (CH ₂ ) _n OCOR',

SO ₂ R ¹ , (CH ₂ )nNR"SO ₂ R', (CH ₂ ) _n SO ₂ R' group, optionally substituted with 1 to 3 hydroxy groups, wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6, R ¹ is a (Ci-C ₃ )alkyl, or (Ci-C ₃ )alkylOH group, and R" and R ¹ ", which may be identical or different, are a hydrogen atom or a (Ci-C ₃ )alkyl group;

W is a σ bond, or a (Ci-C ₆ )alkyl, (C ₂ -C ₆ )alkenyl, O(Ci-C ₆ )alkyl, 0(C ₂ - C ₆ )alkenyl, C(O)NH, (CH ₂ ) _p CO(CH ₂ ) _q , or (CH ₂ ) _p C(OH)(CH ₂ ) _q group, wherein p and q, which may be identical or different, are an integer from O to 3; R2 is a phenyl, pyridine or (C ₃ -C ₇ )cycloalkyl group, optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents, which may be identical or different, represented by a L-M group, wherein L is a σ bond, or a (Ci-C ₆ )alkyl, (C ₂ -C ₆ )alkenyl, (C ₂ -C ₆ )alkinyl, O(Ci-C ₆ )alkyl, 0(C ₂ - Cβjalkenyl, O(C ₂ -Ce)alkinyl group, and M is a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a OH, CF ₃ , NO ₂ , CN, COOR", SO ₂ NHR", CH ₂ CONR ¹¹ R ¹ ",

NR ¹¹ R ¹ ", SO ₂ R ^IV , NHSO ₂ R ^IV , POR ^IV R ^V , or OPOR ^IV R ^V group, wherein R" and R ¹ ", which may be identical or different, have the meaning above, and R ^ιv and R ^v , which may be identical or different, are a (Ci-C ₃ )alkyl group, provided that when G1 , G2, and G3 are all a CH group, R1 is a (Ci-C ₆ )alkyl or (C ₃ - C ₇ )cycloalkyl group, optionally substituted with 1 to 3 hydroxy groups, W is a σ bond, and the bond between the carbon atoms in the 2 and 3 position is a double bond, R2 is not a phenyl or pyridine group, optionally substituted with 1 to 3

substituents, which may be identical or different, selected from halogen, (Ci-C6)alkyl optionally substituted with a hydroxy group, trifluoromethyl, nitro, amino, di(Ci-C ₃ )alkylamino, hydroxy, (Cr C ₃ )alkoxy, COOH, COOR", SO ₂ CH ₃ , SO ₂ NHCH ₃ , NHSO ₂ CH ₃ , POR ^IV R ^V , OPOR ^IV R ^V , (C _r C ₆ )alkyl-COOH, and (C ₂ -C ₆ )alkenyl-

COOH; and provided that when G1 is N, and G2 and G3 are a CH group, R2 is not a divalent aromatic group substituted with one L-M group represented by O(d- C ₆ )alkyl, O(C ₂ -C ₆ )alkenyl, and O(C ₂ -C ₆ )alkinyl group; and the physiologically acceptable addition salts, stereoisomers, enantiomers, hydrates, solvates and polymorphic forms thereof.

The dotted line between the carbon atoms in the 2 and 3 position means that such a bond can be a single or a double bond. The chain of the various alkyl groups that may be present in the compound of formula (I) may be linear or branched.

In the case of certain substituents, the compound of formula (I) according to the present invention may contain an asymmetric carbon atom and may thus be in the form of stereoisomers and enantiomers. Typical examples of such substituents are 2-butanol, 2-methylbutyl, 2-butenoic acid, 2-methylpropanoic acid and 1 ,2-pentane diol. Preferably, the halogen is bromine, chlorine or fluorine. Preferred meanings of X are halogen, (Ci-C ₃ )alkyl, trifluoromethyl, nitro, cyano and (Ci-C ₃ )alkoxy. Particularly preferred meanings of X are Cl, Br, F, trifluoromethyl and nitro.

Preferred meanings of Y and Z are H, halogen, nitro, COOH, (Cr

C ₃ )alkyl, trifluoromethyl and (CrC ₃ )alkoxy. Particularly preferred meanings of Y and Z are H, Cl, Br, F, trifluoromethyl, nitro, COOH, methyl, ethyl, methoxy and ethoxy. Preferred meanings of R1 are a (CrC ₃ )alkyl, (CrC ₃ )alkylOR',

(CH ₂ ) _n NR"R ^m , (CH ₂ ) _n CONR"R ^m , (CH ₂ )HCOR ¹ , (CH ₂ )PCOOR ¹¹ , (CH ₂ )HOCOR ¹ , SO ₂ R ¹ , (CH ₂ )HNR ¹¹ SO ₂ R ¹ , (CH ₂ ) _n SO ₂ R' group, optionally substituted with 1 to 3 hydroxy groups, wherein n is an integer from 1 to 4, R ¹ is a (C _r C ₃ )alkyl or (Ci-C ₃ )alkylOH group, and R" and R ¹ ", which may be identical or different, are a hydrogen atom or a (Ci-C ₃ )alkyl group.

Particularly preferred meanings of R1 are a (CrC ₃ )alkyl, (Cr C ₃ )alkylOR', (CH ₂ )HCONR ¹¹ R ¹ ", (CH ₂ ) _n COR', (CH ₂ ) _n COOR", (CH ₂ ) _n OCOR', SO ₂ R ¹ , (CH ₂ )HNR ¹¹ SO ₂ R ¹ , (CH ₂ ) _n SO ₂ R' group, optionally substituted with 1 to 3 hydroxy groups, wherein n is an integer from 1 to 3, R ¹ is a CH ₃ , C ₂ H ₅ , CH ₂ OH, or C ₂ H ₄ OH group, and R" and R ¹ ", which may be identical or different, are a hydrogen atom or a CH ₃ , C ₂ H ₅ group.

Preferred meanings of W are a σ bond, or a (CrC ₃ )alkyl, (C ₂ - C ₄ )alkenyl, O(C _r C ₃ )alkyl, O(C ₂ -C ₃ )alkenyl, C(O)NH, (CH ₂ ) _p CO(CH ₂ ) _q , or (CH ₂ )pC(OH)(CH ₂ ) _q group, wherein p and q, which may be identical or different, are an integer from 1 to 3.

Particularly preferred meanings of W are a σ bond, or a CH ₂ , C ₂ H ₄ , CH=CH, OCH ₂ , OC ₂ H ₄ , OCH=CH, C(O)NH, (CH ₂ ) _p CO(CH ₂ ) _q , or (CH ₂ ) _p C(OH)(CH ₂ )q group, wherein p and q, which may be identical or different, are an integer from 1 to 2.

Preferred meanings of R2 are a phenyl, pyridine or (C ₃ -C ₇ )cycloalkyl group, optionally substituted with 1 to 2 substituents, which may be identical or different, represented by a L-M group, wherein L is a σ bond, or a (Ci-C ₃ )alkyl, (C ₂ -C ₄ )alkenyl, (C ₂ -C ₄ )alkinyl, O(Ci-C ₃ )alkyl, O(C ₂ -C ₄ )alkenyl, O(C ₂ -C ₄ )alkinyl group, and M is a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a CF ₃ , CN, COOR", SO ₂ NHR", CH ₂ CONR ¹¹ R ¹ ", NR ¹¹ R ¹ ", SO ₂ R ^IV , NHSO ₂ R ^IV , POR ^IV R ^V , or OPOR ^IV R ^V group, wherein R" and R ¹ ", which may be identical or different, are a hydrogen atom or a (Cr C ₃ )alkyl group, and R ^ιv and R ^v , which may be identical or different, are

a (Ci-C ₃ )alkyl group.

Particularly preferred meanings of R2 is a phenyl, pyridine or (C ₃ -

C ₇ )cycloalkyl group, optionally substituted with 1 substituent represented by a L-M group, wherein L is a σ bond, or a CH ₂ , C ₂ H ₄ , CH=CH, C≡C, OCH ₂ , OC ₂ H ₄ , OCH=CH, OC≡C group, and M is a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a CF ₃ , CN, COOR", SO ₂ NHR",

CH ₂ CONR ¹¹ R ¹ ", NR ¹¹ R ¹ ", SO ₂ R ^IV , NHSO ₂ R ^IV , POR ^IV R ^V , or OPOR ^IV R ^V group, wherein R" and R ¹ ", which may be identical or different, are a hydrogen atom or a CH ₃ , C ₂ H ₅ group, and R ^ιv and R ^v , which may be identical or different, are a CH ₃ or C ₂ H ₅ group.

A first particularly preferred meaning of the group W-R2 is where W is a σ bond, or a CH ₂ or C ₂ H ₄ group and R2 is a phenyl group optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents, which may be identical or different, selected from Br, Cl, and F atom, and CH ₃ , C ₂ H ₅ , OCH ₃ , OC ₂ H ₅ , CN, CH ₂ CN, and CH ₂ CONH ₂ group.

A second particularly preferred meaning of the group W-R2 is where

W is a σ bond, or a CH ₂ or C ₂ H ₄ group and R2 is a pyridine group optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents, which may be identical or different, selected from Br, Cl, and F atom, and CH ₃ , C ₂ H ₅ , OCH ₃ , OC ₂ H ₅ , CN, CH ₂ CN, and CH ₂ CONH ₂ group.

A third particularly preferred meaning of the group W-R2 is where W is a σ bond, or a CH ₂ or C ₂ H ₄ group and R2 is a cyclohexyl group optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents, which may be identical or different, selected from Br, Cl, and F atom, and CH ₃ , C ₂ H ₅ , OCH ₃ , OC ₂ H ₅ , CN, CH ₂ CN, and CH ₂ CONH ₂ group.

Depending on the nature of the substituents, the compound of formula (I) may form addition salts with physiologically acceptable organic or mineral acids or bases.

Typical examples of physiologically acceptable mineral acids are hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid and

nitric acid.

Typical examples of suitable physiologically acceptable organic acids are acetic acid, ascorbic acid, benzoic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, maleic acid, methanesulfonic acid, oxalic acid, para- toluenesulfonic acid, benzensulfonic acid, succinic acid, tannic acid and tartaric acid.

Typical examples of suitable physiologically acceptable mineral bases are: ammonia, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium.

Typical examples of suitable physiologically acceptable organic bases are: arginine, betaine, caffeine, choline, N, N- dibenzylethylenediamine, diethylamine, 2-diethylaminoethanol, 2- dimethylaminoethanol, ethanolamine, ethylenediamine, N- ethylmorpholine, N-ethylpiperidine, N-methylglucamine, glucamine, glucosamine, histidine, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperidine, N-(2- hydroxyethyl)pyrrolidine, isopropylamine, lysine, methylglucamine, morpholine, piperazine, piperidine, theobromine, triethylamine, trimethylamine, thpropylamine and tromethamine.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a process for preparing an (aza)indole derivative substituted in position 5, of formula

in which X, Y, Z, G1 , G2, G3, W, R1 and R2 have the meanings given above, and the physiologically acceptable addition salts, stereoisomers, enantiomers, hydrates, sulfates and polymorphic forms thereof,

a) by reacting a compound of formula (II):

in which

X, Y and Z have the meanings given above, and Q is a halogen atom or a hydroxy group, with a compound of formula (III):

in which

G1 , G2, G3, R1 , R2 and W have the meanings given above, to give a compound of formula (I):

in which

X, Y, Z, G1 , G2, G3, R1 , R2 and W have the meanings given above, and b) forming, if so desired, a physiologically acceptable addition salt of the compound of formula (I) from step (a). According to a first embodiment, the abovementioned step (a) is

performed by reacting a compound of formula (II) in which Q is Cl with an amine of formula (III) in the presence of a suitable acid acceptor according to standard techniques.

According to a second embodiment, the abovementioned step (a) is performed by reacting a compound of formula (II) in which Q is OH with an amine of formula (III) in the presence of a suitable coupling agent according to standard techniques.

Further, the reaction of step (a) can also be conducted in solid phase by preliminary linking the compound of formula (III) to a preparative resin, such as, for example PL-FMP Resin, manufactured by from Polymer Laboratories. In this case, a cleavage step, in which the resulting compound of formula (I) is removed from the resin is made after step (a). Such a cleavage step is made with conventional techniques, such as, for example, treatment with trifluoroacetic acid. When the compound of formula (I) is intended to have a single bond between the carbon atoms in the 2- and 3-position, a reduction step is made after step (a). Such a reduction step is made with conventional techniques, such as, for example, treatment with tin in the presence of a strong acid. When R1 is represented by a (CH ₂ )nCOOR ^N group, and R" is an alkyl group, the corresponding acid, wherein R" is a hydrogen atom, may be obtained by hydrolysis, according to standard techniques, such as, for example, in the presence of a strong base like NaOH. The intermediate compounds of formula (III) are novel. According to a third aspect, the present invention also relates to a compound of formula (III):

wherein

G1 , G2, and G3, which may be identical or different, are a nitrogen atom or a CH group;

R1 is a (Ci-C ₆ )alkyl, (C ₃ -C ₇ )cycloalkyl, (Ci-C ₆ )alkylOR', (CH ₂ ) _H CONR ¹¹ R ¹ ", (CH ₂ ) _H COR ¹ , (CH ₂ ) _n COOR", (CH ₂ ) _n OCOR',

SO ₂ R ¹ , (CH ₂ )HNR ¹¹ SO ₂ R ¹ , (CH ₂ ) _n SO ₂ R' group, optionally substituted with 1 to 3 hydroxy groups, wherein n is an integer from 1 to 6, R ¹ is a (Ci-C ₃ )alkyl, or (Ci-C ₃ )alkylOH group, and R" and R ¹ ", which may be identical or different, are a hydrogen atom or a (Ci-C ₃ )alkyl group;

W is a σ bond, or a (Ci-C ₆ )alkyl, (C ₂ -C ₆ )alkenyl, O(Ci-C ₆ )alkyl, 0(C ₂ - C ₆ )alkenyl, C(O)NH, (CH ₂ ) _p CO(CH ₂ ) _q , or (CH ₂ ) _p C(OH)(CH ₂ ) _q group, wherein p and q, which may be identical or different, are an integer from O to 3; and R2 is a phenyl, pyridine or (C ₄ -C ₇ )cycloalkyl group, optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents, which may be identical or different, represented by a L-M group, wherein L is a σ bond, or a (Ci-C ₆ )alkyl, (C ₂ -C ₆ )alkenyl, (C ₂ -C ₆ )alkinyl, O(Ci-C ₆ )alkyl, 0(C ₂ - Cβjalkenyl, O(C ₂ -Ce)alkinyl group, and M is a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a OH, CF ₃ , NO ₂ , CN, COOR", SO ₂ NHR", CH ₂ CONR ¹¹ R ¹ ",

NR ¹¹ R ¹ ", SO ₂ R ^IV , NHSO ₂ R ^IV , POR ^IV R ^V , or OPOR ^IV R ^V group, wherein R" and R ¹ ", which may be identical or different, have the meaning above, and R ^ιv and R ^v , which may be identical or different, are a (Ci-C ₃ )alkyl group, provided that when G1 , G2, and G3 are all a CH group, R1 is a (Ci-C ₆ )alkyl or (C ₃ - C ₇ )cycloalkyl group, optionally substituted with 1 to 3 hydroxy groups, W is a σ bond, and the bond between the carbon atoms in the 2 and 3 position is a double bond, R2 is not a phenyl or pyridine group, optionally substituted with 1 to 3

substituents, which may be identical or different, selected from halogen, (Ci-C ₆ )alkyl optionally substituted with a hydroxy group, trifluoromethyl, nitro, amino, di(Ci-C ₃ )alkylamino, hydroxy, (CrC3)alkoxy, COOH, COOR", SO ₂ CH ₃ , SO ₂ NHCH ₃ , NHSO ₂ CH ₃ , POR ^IV R ^V , OPOR ^IV R ^V , (Ci- C ₆ )alkyl-COOH, and (C ₂ -C ₆ )alkenyl-COOH and provided that when G1 is N, and G2 and G3 are a CH group, R2 is not a divalent aromatic group substituted with one L-M group represented by O(Ci- C ₆ )alkyl, O(C ₂ -C ₆ )alkenyl, and O(C ₂ -C ₆ )alkinyl group. Preferred meanings of R1 is a (CrC ₃ )alkyl, (Ci-C ₃ )alkylOR', (CH ₂ )HCONR ¹¹ R ¹ ", (CH ₂ ) _n COR', (CH ₂ ) _n COOR", (CH ₂ ) _n OCOR', SO ₂ R ¹ , (CH ₂ )nNR"SO ₂ R', (CH ₂ ) _n SO ₂ R' group, optionally substituted with 1 to 3 hydroxy groups, wherein n is an integer from 1 to 4, R ¹ is a (Ci-C ₃ )alkyl or (Ci-C ₃ )alkylOH group, and R" and R ¹ ", which may be identical or different, are a hydrogen atom or a (Ci-C ₃ )alkyl group.

Particularly preferred meanings of R1 is a (Ci-C ₃ )alkyl, (d- C ₃ )alkylOR', (CH ₂ )HCONR ¹¹ R ¹ ", (CH ₂ ) _n COR', (CH ₂ ) _n COOR", (CH ₂ ) _n OCOR', SO ₂ R ¹ , (CH ₂ ) _H NR ¹¹ SO ₂ R ¹ , (CH ₂ ) _n SO ₂ R' group, optionally substituted with 1 to 3 hydroxy groups, wherein n is an integer from 1 to 3, R ¹ is a CH ₃ , C ₂ H ₅ , CH ₂ OH, or C ₂ H ₄ OH group, and R" and R ¹ ", which may be identical or different, are a hydrogen atom or a CH ₃ , C ₂ H ₅ group.

Preferred meanings of W are σ bond, or a (CrC ₃ )alkyl, (C ₂ - C ₄ )alkenyl, O(Ci-C ₃ )alkyl, O(C ₂ -C ₃ )alkenyl, C(O)NH, (CH ₂ ) _p CO(CH ₂ ) _q , or (CH ₂ )pC(OH)(CH ₂ ) _q group, wherein p and q, which may be identical or different, are an integer from 1 to 3.

Particularly preferred meanings of W are σ bond, or a CH ₂ , C ₂ H ₄ , CH=CH, OCH ₂ , OC ₂ H ₄ , OCH=CH, C(O)NH, (CH ₂ ) _p CO(CH ₂ ) _q , or (CH ₂ ) _p C(OH)(CH ₂ )q group, wherein p and q, which may be identical or different, are an integer from 1 to 2.

Preferred meanings of R2 is a phenyl, pyridine or (C ₄ -C ₇ )cycloalkyl group, optionally substituted with 1 to 2 substituents, which may be identical or different, represented by a L-M group, wherein L is a σ bond, or a (Ci-C ₃ )alkyl, (C ₂ -C ₄ )alkenyl, (C ₂ -C ₄ )alkinyl, O(Ci-C ₃ )alkyl, O(C ₂ -C ₄ )alkenyl, O(C ₂ -C ₄ )alkinyl group, and M is a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a CF ₃ , CN, COOR", SO ₂ NHR", CH ₂ CONR ¹¹ R ¹ ", NR ¹¹ R ¹ ", SO ₂ R ^IV , NHSO ₂ R ^IV , POR ^IV R ^V , or OPOR ^IV R ^V group, wherein R" and R ¹ ", which may be identical or different, are a hydrogen atom or a (Cr Cs)alkyl group, and R ^ιv and R ^v , which may be identical or different, are a (Ci-C ₃ )alkyl group.

Particularly preferred meanings of R2 is a phenyl, pyridine or (C ₄ - C ₇ )cycloalkyl group, optionally substituted with 1 substituent represented by a L-M group, wherein L is a σ bond, or a CH ₂ , C ₂ H ₄ , CH=CH, C≡C, OCH ₂ , OC ₂ H ₄ , OCH=CH, OC≡C group, and M is a hydrogen or halogen atom, or a CF ₃ , CN, COOR", SO ₂ NHR", CH ₂ CONR ¹¹ R ¹ ", NR ¹¹ R ¹ ", SO ₂ R ^IV , NHSO ₂ R ^IV , POR ^IV R ^V , or OPOR ^IV R ^V group, wherein R" and R ¹ ", which may be identical or different, are a hydrogen atom or a CH ₃ , C ₂ H ₅ group, and R ^ιv and R ^v , which may be identical or different, are a CH ₃ or C ₂ H ₅ group. A first particularly preferred meaning of the group W-R2 is where W is a σ bond, or a CH ₂ or C ₂ H ₄ group and R2 is a phenyl group optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents, which may be identical or different, selected from Br, Cl, and F atom, CH ₃ , C ₂ H ₅ , OCH ₃ , OC ₂ H ₅ , CN, CH ₂ CN, and CH ₂ CONH ₂ group A second particularly preferred meaning of the group W-R2 is where W is a σ bond, or a CH ₂ or C ₂ H ₄ group and R2 is a pyridine group optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents, which may be identical or different, selected from Br, Cl, and F atom, CH ₃ , C ₂ H ₅ , OCH ₃ , OC ₂ H ₅ , CN, CH ₂ CN, and CH ₂ CONH ₂ group A third particularly preferred meaning of the group W-R2 is where W

is a σ bond, or a CH ₂ or C ₂ H ₄ group and R2 is a cyclohexyl group optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents, which may be identical or different, selected from Br, Cl, and F atom, CH ₃ , C ₂ H ₅ , OCH ₃ , OC ₂ H ₅ , CN, CH ₂ CN, and CH ₂ CONH ₂ group The investigations on the biological properties of the compound of formula (I) according to the present invention demonstrated that it has an unexpected selective property of inhibiting mPGES-1 and pronounced anti-nociceptive activity in inflammatory pain.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention thus relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing an effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or of a physiologically acceptable addition salt, stereoisomer, enantiomer, hydrate, solvate or polymorphic form thereof, and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable inert ingredient.

In the present description and in the claims, the term "effective amount" refers to an amount that gives an appreciable improvement in at least one symptom or parameter of a specific disorder.

The pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention will be used in the treatment or prevention of disorders associated with the production of prostaglandin E ₂ (PGE ₂ ), for instance inflammatory processes, pain, tumors, neurodegenerative disorders and atherosclerosis.

Advantageously, the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention will be used in the treatment of pain in chronic inflammatory pathologies such as arthritis, or of tumors, particularly colorectal, oesophageal, breast, lung and bladder tumors.

Preferably, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are prepared in suitable dosage forms comprising an effective dose of at least one compound of formula (I) or of a physiologically acceptable addition salt, stereoisomer, enantiomer, hydrate, solvate or polymorphic form thereof, and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable inert

ingredient.

Examples of suitable dosage forms are tablets, capsules, coated tablets, granules, solutions and syrups for oral administration; creams, ointments and antiseptic plasters for topical administration; suppositories for rectal administration and sterile solutions for administration by injection or aerosol or ophthalmic administration.

The dosage forms may also contain other conventional ingredients, for instance: preserving agents, stabilizers, surfactants, buffers, salts for regulating the osmotic pressure, emulsifiers, sweeteners, colorants, flavorings and the like.

If required for particular therapies, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may contain other pharmacologically active ingredients whose simultaneous administration is beneficial.

The amount of compound of formula (I) or of a physiologically acceptable addition salt, stereoisomer, enantiomer, hydrate, solvate or polymorphic form thereof, and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable inert ingredient in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may vary within a wide range depending on known factors, for instance the type of disease to be treated, the severity of the disease, the body weight of the patient, the dosage form, the chosen route of administration, the number of daily administrations and the efficacy of the chosen compound of formula (I). However, the optimum amount may be easily and routinely determined by a person skilled in the art.

Typically, the amount of compound of formula (I) or of a physiologically acceptable addition salt, stereoisomer, enantiomer, hydrate, solvate or polymorphic form thereof, and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable inert ingredient in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention will be such that it provides a level of administration of between 0.0001 and 100 mg/kg/day and even more preferably between 0.01 and 10 mg/kg/day.

Clearly, the pharmaceutical formations of the present invention do not necessarily need to contain the entire amount of the compound of formula (I) since the said effective amount may be added by means of administration of a plurality of doses of the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention.

The dosage forms of the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be prepared according to techniques that are well known to pharmaceutical chemists, including mixing, granulation, compression, dissolution, sterilization and the like. The examples that follow serve to further illustrate the invention without, however, limiting it.

EXAMPLE 1

Preparation of intermediate compounds a) 1 -ethyl-2-(4-methylphenvD-1 H-pynOlo[2,3-fc>ipyridin-5-amine

To a solution of 2-amino-3-bromo-5-nitropyridine (1.2 g, 5.5 mmol) in anhydrous THF (23 ml), PdCI ₂ (52 mg, 0.29 mmol), 1 ,1 '-Bis(di-tert- butylphosphino)ferrocene (D-tBPF, 0.17 g, 0.39 mmol), diisopropylamine (0.81 g, 8.0 mmol), and CuI (22 mg, 0.11 mmol) were added while stirring. To this mixture 4-ethynyltoluene (1.0 ml, 7.9 mmol) was added dropwise over 2.25 hours. The mixture thus obtained was filtered under vacuum through Celite, the residue washed several times with EtOAc.

After evaporation of the solvent, the residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (Et ₂ O/n-hexane, Et ₂ O 30%->60%) to give 5-nitro-3-(phenylethynyl)pyridin-2-amine as yellow solid:

¹ H-NMR (CDCI ₃ ): 8.93 (d, J= 2.7 Hz, 1 H); 8.36 (d, J= 2.7 Hz, 1 H); 7.42 (AA' of AA'BB' system, 2H); 7.19 (BB' of AA'BB' system, 2H); 5.85 (bs, 2H); 2.39 (s, 3H).

To a suspension of potassium ter-butoxide (0.41 g, 3.7 mmol) in anhydrous DMF (5 ml) a solution of 5-nitro-3-(phenylethynyl)pyridin-2- amine (0.70 g, 2.8 mmol), in DMF (25 ml) was added dropwise while stirring at room temperature. After 1.5 days, iodoethane (0.38 ml, 4.7 mmol) was added and the whole stirred for additional 1.5 days. To the reaction H ₂ O (50 ml) and EtOAc (100 ml) were then added. The mixture was poured into a separatory funnel, the organic layer separated, the aqueous one thoroughly extracted with EtOAc (50 ml) and combined organic layers washed with brine (2 x 100 ml). The organic solvent was removed by evaporation under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (Et ₂ O/n-hexane, Et ₂ O 10%^20%) to give 1 -ethyl-2-(4-methylphenyl)-5-nitro-1 H-pyrrolo[2,3- £>]pyridine:

¹ H-NMR (CDCI ₃ ): 9.21 (d, J= 2.7 Hz, 1 H); 8.71 (d, J= 2.7 Hz, 1 H); 7.40 (AA' of AA ¹ BB' system, 2H); 7.32 (BB' of AA'BB' system, 2H); 6.60 (s, 1 H); 4.41 (q, J=7.2 Hz, 2H); 2.45 (s, 3H); 1.31 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 3H) A solution of 1 -ethyl-2-(4-methylphenyl)-5-nitro-1 H-pyrrolo[2,3-ιb] pyridine (0.36 g, 1.3 mmol) in a EtOAc/EtOH (absolute )= 4:7 mixture (110 ml) was hydrogenated in H ₂ atmosphere with the presence of 10% Pd(C) (110 mg) for 2h. The residue was filtered under vacuum through CeI ite to remove the catalyst and the solvent evaporated to give crude 1 -ethyl-2-(4-methylphenyl)-1 /-/-pyrrolo[2,3-ib]pyridin-5-amine which was used without any further purification:

¹ H-NMR (CDCI ₃ ): 7.91 (d, J= 3.0 Hz,1 H); 7.39 (AA' of AA'BB' system, 2H); 7.32-7.18 (m, 3H); 6.25 (s, 1 H); 4.30 (q, J= 7.5 Hz, 2H); 3.32 (bs,

2H); 2.41 (s, 3H); 1.27 (t, J= 7.5 Hz, 3H). b) 1 -isopropyl-2-(4-methylphenyl)-1 /-/-pyrrolo[2.3-ib1pyridin-5-amine

The process described above in Example 1 a) was used, except that isopropyl bromide was used instead of iodoethane. 1 -isopropyl-2-(4-methylphenyl)-5-nitro-1 H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine:

¹ H-NMR (CDCI ₃ ): 9.18 (d, J= 2.4 Hz, 1 H); 8.67 (d, J= 2.4 Hz, 1 H); 7.34 (AA ¹ BB' system, 4H); 6.52 (s, 1 H); 4.70 (ept., J=6.9 Hz, 1 H); 2.45 (s, 3H); 1.70 (d, J = 6.9 Hz, 6H)

1 -isopropyl-2-(4-methylphenyl)-1 H-pyrrolo[2,3-ιb]pyridin-5-amine: 1H-NMR (CDCI ₃ ): 7.85 (d, J= 1.4 Hz,1 H); 7.27 (AA' of AA'BB' system,

2H); 7.16-7.05 (m, 3H); 6.11 (s, 1 H); 4.56 (ept., J=7.0 Hz, 1 H); 3.85 (bs, 2H); 2.33 (s, 3H), 1.59 (d, J= 7.0 Hz, 6H). c) 1 -(2-methoxyethyl)-2-(4-methylphenyl)-1 H-pyrrolo[2,3-ibipyridin-5- amine The process described above in Example 1 a) was used, except that 2-methoxyethyl bromide was used instead of iodoethane. 1 -(2-methoxyethyl)-2-(4-methylphenyl)-5-nitro-1 H-pyrrolo[2,3-ib]pyhdine: 1H-NMR (CDCI ₃ ): 9.21 (d, J= 2.4 Hz, 1 H); 8.71 (d, J= 2.4 Hz, 1 H); 7.49 (AA' of AA'BB' system, 2H); 7.32 (BB' of AA'BB' system, 2H); 6.62 (s, 1 H); 4.54 (t, J= 5.6 Hz, 2H); 3.70 (t, J = 5.6 Hz, 2H); 3.19 (s, 3H); 2.45 (s, 3H).

1 -(2-methoxyethyl)-2-(4-methylphenyl)-1 /-/-pyrrolo[2,3-ib]pyridin-5- amine:

¹ H-NMR (CDCI ₃ ): 7.89 (d, J= 2.7 Hz, 1 H); 7.46 (AA' of AA'BB' system, 2H); 7.25 (BB' of AA'BB' system, 2H); 7.19 (d, J= 2.4 Hz, 1 H); 6.27 (s, 1 H); 4.42 (t, J= 6.0 Hz, 2H); 3.68 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 2H); 3.40 (bs, 1 H); 3.17 (s, 3H); 2.40 (s, 3H). d) 1 -ethyl-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1 H-pyrrolo[2,3-ibipyridin-5-annine

The process described above in Example 1 a) was used, except that 1 -ethynyl-4-fluorobenzene was used instead of 4-ethynyltoluene.

3-[(4-fluorophenyl)ethynyl]-5-nitropyridin-2-amine: 1H-NMR (CDCIs/CDsOD): 8.78 (d, J= 2.3 Hz, 1 H); 8.24 (d, J= 2.3 Hz, 1 H); 7.43 (m, 2H); 6.97 (m, 2H), 2.05 (s, 3H).

1 -ethyl-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-nitro-1 /-/-pyrrolo[2,3-ib]pyridine

¹ H-NMR (CDCI ₃ ): 9.30 (d, J= 2.5 Hz, 1 H); 8.80 (d, J= 2.5 Hz, 1 H); 7.60 (m, 2H); 7.30 (m, 2H); 6.70 (s, 1 H); 4.48 (q, J= 7.6 Hz, 2H); 1.39 (t, J= 7.6 Hz 3H)

1 -ethyl-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1 /-/-pyrrolo[2,3-ιb]pyridin-5-amine 1H-NMR (CDCI ₃ ): 7.90 (d, J= 2.4 Hz, 1 H); 7.42 (m, 2H); 7.25-7.05 (m, 3H), 6.21 (s, 1 H); 4.24 (q, J= 7.2Hz, 2H); 3.50 (bs, 2H);1.22 (t, J= 7.2 Hz, 3H) e) 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-(2-nnethoxyethyl)-1/-/-Dyrrolor2,3-ibip yπdin-5- amine The process described above in Example 1 a) was used, except that 1 -ethynyl-4-fluorobenzene and 2-methoxyethylbromide were used instead of 4-ethynyltoluene and iodoethane, respectively. 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1 -(2-nnethoxyethyl)-5-nitro-1 /-/-pyrrolo[2,3-ib]pyridine: 1H-NMR (CDCI ₃ ): 9.23 (d, J= 2.6 Hz, 1 H); 8.74 (d, J= 2.6 Hz, 1 H);7.90-7.20 (2m, 5 H); 6.64 (s, 1 H); 4.51 (t, J= 5.6 Hz, 2H); 3.75 (t, J= 5.6 Hz, 2H); 3.20 (s, 3H);

2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1 -(2-methoxyethyl)-1 /-/-pyrrolo[2,3-ib]pyridin-5- amine:

¹ H-NMR (CDCI ₃ ): 8.00 (d, J= 2.2 Hz, 1 H); 7.63 (m, 2H); 7.40-7.10 (m, 3H), 6.34 (s, 1 H); 4.47 (t, J= 5.8 Hz, 2H); 3.80 (t, J= 5.8 Hz, 4H); 3.25 (s, 3H). f) ethyl 4-(5-amino-2-phenyl-1 /-/-indol-1 -yl)butanoate

To a solution of 2-phenyl-5-nitroindole (prepared as described in J. Org.Chem. (1966), 31 (1 ), 65-9) (1.5 g; 6.3 mmol) in CH ₃ CN (50ml) was added K ₂ CO ₃ (1.7 g; 12.6 mmol).To the mixture thus obtained was then added dropwise ethyl 4-bromobutanoate (3.3 g; 16 mmol) and the resulting mixture was heated to 120 ⁰ C under stirring for 18 hours. After cooling, the mixture was poured into water (500ml) and the crude product was filtered, dried under vacuum to give ethyl 4-(5-nitro-2- phenyl-1 H-indol-1 -yl)butanoate which was used in the following reaction

without any further purification.

¹ H-NMR (DMSO-de) 1.08 (t, J=7.16 Hz, 3 H); 1.80 (quin, J=7.23 Hz, 2 H); 2.15 (t, J=7.00 Hz, 2 H); 3.91 (q, J=7.02 Hz ₁ 2 H); 4.34 (t, J=7.31 Hz, 2 H); 6.84 (s, 1 H); 7.47 - 7.62 (m, 5 H); 7.80 (d, J=9.06 Hz, 1 H); 8.08 (dd, J=9.21 , 2.19 Hz, 1 H); 8.59 (d, J=2.34 Hz, 1 H).

To a suspension of 10% Pd/C (67 mg, 0.06 mmol) in 95% ethanol

(50 ml) a solution of 4-(5-nitro-2-phenyl-1 H-indol-1 -yl)butanoate (2.2 g;

6 mmol) in 95 ethanol (100 ml) was added (0.1 g; 0.1 mmol) and the mixture underwent hydrogenation in a Parr hydrogenator (H ₂ ,30 psi) for 4 hours.

The residue was filtered under vacuum through Celite to remove the catalyst and the solvent evaporated to give crude ethyl 4-(5-amino-2- phenyl-1 H-indol-1 -yl)butanoate which was used without any further purification. 1H NMR (DMSO-CZ ₆ ) 1.09 (t, J=7.16 Hz, 3 H); 1.78 (quin, J=7.16 Hz, 2

H); 2.09 (t, J=7.16 Hz, 2 H); 3.92 (q, J=7.21 Hz, 2 H); 4.20 (t, J=7.31 Hz, 2 H); 6.44 (s, 1 H); 6.87 (dd, J=8.62, 2.19 Hz, 1 H); 7.14 (d, J=2.05 Hz, 1 H); 7.35 - 7.59 (m, 6 H); 8.08 (br. s., 2 H). g) ethyl 3-(5-amino-2-phenyl-1 H-indol-1 -vDpropanoate The process described above in Example 1f) was used, except that ethyl 3-bromopropanoate was used instead of ethyl 4-bromobutanoate. ethyl 3-(5-nitro-2-phenyl-1 H-indol-1 -yl)propanoate

¹ H NMR (DMSO-CZ ₆ ) 1.02 (t, J=7.02 Hz, 3 H); 2.61 (t, J=7.31 Hz, 2 H); 3.88 (q, J=7.02 Hz, 2 H); 4.57 (t, J=7.16 Hz, 2 H); 6.83 (s, 1 H); 7.46 - 7.65 (m, 5 H); 7.80 (d, J=9.06 Hz, 1 H); 8.08 (dd, J=9.06, 2.34 Hz, 1 H); 8.57 (d, J=2.34 Hz, 1 H). ethyl 3-(5-amino-2-phenyl-1 H-indol-1 -yl)propanoate

¹ H NMR (DMSO-c/e) 1.05 (t, J=7.16 Hz, 3 H); 2.54 (br. s., J=7.50,

7.50 Hz, 2 H); 3.90 (q, J=7.02 Hz, 2 H); 4.36 (t, J=7.31 Hz, 2 H); 4.55 (br. s., 2 H); 6.24 (s, 1 H); 6.57 (dd, J=8.62, 2.19 Hz, 1 H); 6.70 (d,

J=2.05 Hz, 1 H); 7.21 (d, J=QJl Hz, 1 H); 7.34 - 7.55 (m, 5 H). h) ethyl (5-amino-2-phenyl-1/-/-indol-1 -yl)acetate

The process described above in Example 1f) was used, except that ethyl 2-bromoacetate was used instead of ethyl 4-bromobutanoate. ethyl (5-nitro-2-phenyl-1 H-indol-1 -yl)acetate:

¹ H NMR (DMSO-CZ ₆ ) 1.11 (t, J=7.02 Hz, 3 H); 4.09 (q, J=7.02 Hz, 2 H); 5.15 (s, 2 H); 6.90 (d, J=0.58 Hz, 1 H); 7.46 - 7.60 (m, 5 H); 7.73 (d, J=9.35 Hz, 1 H); 8.08 (dd, J=9.06, 2.34 Hz, 1 H); 8.60 (d, J=2.34 Hz, 1 H). ethyl (5-amino-2-phenyl-1 /-/-indol-1 -yl)acetate:

1 H NMR (CDCI ₃ ) 1.23 (t, J=7.16 Hz, 3 H); 2.97 (br. s., 2 H); 4.20 (q, J=7.02 Hz, 2 H); 4.74 (s, 2 H); 6.45 (s, 1 H); 6.79 (dd, J=8.77, 2.05 Hz, 1 H); 7.06 (s, 1 H); 7.08 (d, J=5.85 Hz, 1 H); 7.34 - 7.52 (m, 5 H). i) 1 -[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-2-phenyl-1 /-/-indol-5-amine The process described above in Example 1f) was used, except that 2-chloro-λ/,λ/-dimethylethanamine hydrochloride was used instead of ethyl 4-bromobutanoate

A/,λ/-dimethyl-2-(5-nitro-2-phenyl-1 H-indol-1 -yl)ethanamine: 1H NMR (DMSO-CZ ₆ ) 1.98 (s, 6 H); 2.41 (t, J=6.87 Hz, 2 H); 4.36 (t, J=6.87 Hz, 2 H); 6.81 (s, 1 H); 7.45 - 7.65 (m, 5 H); 7.77 (d, J=9.06 Hz, 1 H); 8.07 (dd, J=9.06, 2.34 Hz, 1 H); 8.56 (d, J=2.34 Hz, 1 H). 1 -[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-2-phenyl-1 /-/-indol-5-amine: 1H NMR (DMSO-Cy ₆ ) 2.00 (s, 6 H); 2.38 (t, J=7.31 Hz, 2 H); 4.13 (t, J=7.31 Hz, 2 H); 4.52 (br. s., 2 H); 6.23 (s, 1 H); 6.57 (dd, J=8.62, 2.19 Hz, 1 H); 6.69 (d, J=1.75 Hz, 1 H); 7.19 (d, J=8.48 Hz, 1 H); 7.35 - 7.58 (m, 5 H). I) 1 -(2-methoxyethyl)-2-phenyl-1 /-/-indol-5-amine

The process described above in Example 1f) was used, except that 1 -bromo-2-nnethoxyethane was used instead of ethyl 4-bromobutanoate 1 -(2-methoxyethyl)-5-nitro-2-phenyl-1 /-/-indole

¹ H NMR (DMSO-c/e) 3.04 (s, 3 H); 3.53 (t, J=5.41 Hz, 2 H); 4.44 (t, J=5.41 Hz, 2 H); 6.83 (s, 1 H); 7.46 - 7.66 (m, 5 H); 7.79 (d, J=9.06 Hz, 1 H); 8.06 (dd, J=9.06, 2.34 Hz, 1 H); 8.57 (d, J=2.34 Hz, 1 H).

1 -(2-methoxyethyl)-2-phenyl-1 /-/-indol-5-amine I) 4-(5-amino-2-phenyl-1 H-indol-1 -yl)butan-2-one

The process described above in Example 1f) was used, except that 4-chlorobutan-2-one was used instead of ethyl 4-bromobutanoate

4-(5-nitro-2-phenyl-1 H-indol-1 -yl)butan-2-one

¹ H NMR (DMSO-c/e) 2.00 (s, 3 H); 2.85 (t, J=7.50 Hz, 2 H); 4.45 (t, J=7.50 Hz, 2 H); 6.83 (d, J=0.58 Hz, 1 H); 7.47 - 7.62 (m, 5 H); 7.79 (d, J=9.35 Hz, 1 H); 8.07 (dd, J=9.06, 2.34 Hz, 1 H); 8.58 (d, J=2.34 Hz, 1 H).

4-(5-amino-2-phenyl-1 H-indol-1 -yl)butan-2-one

¹ H NMR (DMSO-c/e) 1.98 (s, 3 H); 2.77 (t, J=7.68 Hz, 2 H); 4.25 (t, J=7.68 Hz, 2 H); 4.52 (br. s., 2 H); 6.24 (s, 1 H); 6.57 (dd, J=8.64, 2.06 Hz, 1 H); 6.69 (d, J=1.92 Hz, 1 H); 7.20 (d, J=8.51 Hz, 1 H); 7.32 - 7.63 (m, 5 H). m ) 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1 -(2-methoxyethyl)-1 /-/-indol-5-amine

To a solution of 5-nitroindole (3.5 g; 21.6 mmol) in DMF (100ml) was added CS ₂ CO3 (13.9 g; 42.6 mmol). The mixture thus obtained was stirred 1 h hour at room temperature then 1-bromo-2-methoxyethane

(5.9 g; 42.6 mmol) was added dropwise. The resulting mixture was heated to 120 ⁰ C under stirring for 4 hours. After cooling, the mixture was poured into water (500ml) and the crude product was filtered, dried under vacuum to give1 -(2-methoxyethyl)-5-nitro-1 /-/-indole which was used in the following reaction without any further purification.

¹ H NMR (DMSO-CZ ₆ ) 3.21 (s, 3 H); 3.68 (t, J=5.26 Hz, 2 H); 4.43 (t, J=5.26 Hz, 2 H); 6.75 (dd, J=3.22, 0.58 Hz, 1 H); 7.62 (d, J=3.22 Hz, 1 H); 7.70 (d, J=9.35 Hz, 1 H); 8.02 (dd, J=9.06, 2.34 Hz, 1 H); 8.56 (d, J=2.34 Hz, 1 H).

To a suspension containing cesium acetate dried under vacuum overnight at 140 ⁰ C (7.3 g; 38 mmol) in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA, 10 ml), under an inert atmosphere, were added palladium acetate (0.22 g; 0.98 mmol), triphenylphosphine (1 g; 3.8 mmol), 1 -(2-methoxyethyl)- 5-nitro-1 H-indole (4.2 g; 19.1 mmol) and 1 -iodo-4-fluorobenzene (4.7 g; 21 mmol).

The reaction mixture was left under stirring at 140 ⁰ C under an inert atmosphere for 18 hours. The mixture was then cooled to room temperature, dichloromethane (100 ml) was added and the mixture thus obtained was filtered under vacuum through Celite.

The organic solution was transferred into a separating funnel, washed with H2O (2x 100ml) and dried over Na2SO ₄ .

The organic solvent was removed by evaporation under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (n-hexane/EtOAc , n-hexane100->60%) to give 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1 -

(2-methoxyethyl)-5-nitro-1 H-indole (0.9 g), which was used without any further purification.

¹ H NMR (DMSO-c/e) 3.05 (s, 3 H); 3.53 (t, J=5.33 Hz, 2 H); 4.41 (t, J=5.41 Hz, 2 H); 6.83 (s, 1 H); 7.32 - 7.44 (m, 2 H); 7.62 - 7.73 (m, 2 H); 7.79 (d, J=9.21 Hz, 1 H); 8.06 (dd, J=9.06, 2.34 Hz, 1 H); 8.57 (d, J=2.34 Hz, 1 H).

To a suspension containing 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1 -(2-methoxyethyl)-5- nitro-1 H-indole (0.9 g; 2.9 mmol) in ethanol absolute (100 ml) was added stannous chloride dihydrate (3.3 g; 14.6 mmol).The reaction mixture was left under stirring at 75 ⁰ C for 48 hours. The mixture was then cooled to room temperature, the solvent partially evaporated under reduced pressure and poured in water (100 ml) and ice. NaHCO3

(saturated solution) was added to pH 8 and the mixture was left under stirring for 20 minutes. The solution was transferred into a separating funnel, and extracted with ethyl acetate (2 x 50 ml). The organic phases

were combined, and the resulting organic phase was washed with H2O (2x 100 ml) and dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ .

The organic solvent was removed by evaporation under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (n-hexane/EtOAc , n-hexane100->60%) to give 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1 -

(2-methoxyethyl)-1 H-indol-5-amine (0.7 g), which was used without any further purification.

¹ H NMR (DMSO-CZ ₆ ) 3.07 (s, 3 H); 3.51 (t, J=5.70 Hz, 2 H); 4.18 (t, J=5.85 Hz, 2 H); 4.53 (br. s., 2 H); 6.22 (s, 1 H); 6.56 (dd, J=8.62, 2.19 Hz, 1 H); 6.69 (d, J=1.46 Hz, 1 H); 7.22 (d, J=8.77 Hz, 1 H); 7.30 (t, J=8.92 Hz, 2 H); 7.59 (dd, J=9.06, 5.55 Hz, 2 H). n) 3-(5-amino-2-phenyl-1 /-/-indol-1 -yl)propyl acetate To a solution containing ethyl 3-(5-nitro-2-phenyl-1 H-indol-1 - yl)propanoate (prepared as described in example 1g) (2.1 g; 6.2 mmol) in THF (20 ml) sodium borohydride (0.98 g, 24.8 mmol) and EtOH absolute (25 ml) were added; the reaction mixture was left under stirring at room temperature for 18 hours. Then water (5 ml) and HCI 2N were added to pH 6. The solution was transferred into a separating funnel, and extracted with ethyl acetate (2 x 50 ml). The organic phases were combined, and dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ . The solvent was removed by evaporation under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (n-hexane/EtOAc, n- hexanei 00->70%) to give 3-(5-nitro-2-phenyl-1 H-indol-1 -yl)propan-1 -ol (1.5 g), which was used without any further purification. 1H NMR (CDCI ₃ ) 1.81 - 1.93 (m, J=6.58, 6.58, 6.43, 6.14 Hz, 2 H);

3.36 (t, J=5.70 Hz, 2 H); 3.50 (br. s., 1 H); 4.38 (t, J=7.02 Hz, 2 H); 6.69 (s, 1 H); 7.28 - 7.61 (m, 6 H); 8.06 (dd, J=9.06, 2.34 Hz, 1 H); 8.55 (d, J=2.05 Hz, 1 H).

To a solution containing ethyl 3-(5-nitro-2-phenyl-1 H-indol-1 -yl) propan-1 -ol (2.2 g; 7.4 mmol) and triethylamine (1.24 ml; 8.9 mmol) in

CH ₂ Cb (20 ml), acetyl chloride (0.6 ml; 8.9 mmol) was added dropwise; the reaction mixture was left under stirring at room temperature for 2 hours. Then water (20 ml) and NaHCO ₃ (saturated solution) were added to pH 7. The biphasic solution was transferred into a separating funnel extracted with CH ₂ CI ₂ (2 x 50 ml). The organic phases were combined, washed with brine (2x 100 ml) and dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ . The solvent was removed by evaporation under reduced pressure to give 3-(5-nitro-2- phenyl-1 H-indol-1 -yl)propyl acetate (1.5 g), which was used without any further purification. 1H NMR (DMSO-CZ ₆ ) 1.79 (s, 3 H); 1.86 (qd, J=6.63, 6.43 Hz, 2 H);

3.75 (t, J=5.99 Hz, 2 H); 4.41 (t, J=7.16 Hz, 2 H); 6.85 (s, 1 H); 7.47 -

7.64 (m, 5 H); 7.79 (d, J=9.06 Hz, 1 H); 8.08 (dd, J=9.06, 2.34 Hz, 1 H);

8.59 (d, J=2.05 Hz, 1 H).

To a suspension of 10% Pd/C (87 mg, 0.08 mmol) in 95° ethanol (100 ml) a solution of 3-(5-nitro-2-phenyl-1 H-indol-1 -yl)propyl acetate

(2.76 g; 8 mmol) in 95° ethanol (200 ml) was added and the mixture underwent hydrogenation in a Parr hydrogenator (H ₂ , 30 psi) for 4 hours.

The residue was filtered under vacuum through CeI ite to remove the catalyst and the solvent evaporated to give crude 3-(5-amino-2-phenyl-

1 H-indol-1 -yl)propyl acetate which was used without any further purification. o) 2-(5-amino-2-phenyl-1 H-indol-1 -vhethyl acetate

The process described above in Example 1 n) was used, except that ethyl (5-nitro-2-phenyl-1 H-indol-1 -yl)acetate (prepared as described in example 1 h) was used instead of 3-(5-nitro-2-phenyl-1 H-indol-1 - yl)propanoate.

2-(5-nitro-2-phenyl-1 H-indol-1 -yl)ethanol

¹ H NMR (DMSO-CZ ₆ ) 3.63 (t, J=5.85 Hz, 2 H); 4.32 (t, J=5.85 Hz, 2 H); 6.46 (br. s., 1 H); 6.83 (s, 1 H); 7.43 - 7.71 (m, 5 H); 7.77 (d, J=9.06 Hz,

1 H); 8.06 (dd, J=9.06, 2.34 Hz, 1 H); 8.57 (d, J=2.34 Hz, 1 H). ethyl 2-(5-nitro-2-phenyl-1H-indol-1 -yl) acetate 1H NMR (DMSO-CZ ₆ ) 1.70 (s, 3 H); 4.16 (t, J=5.26 Hz, 2 H); 4.57 (t, J=5.26 Hz, 2 H); 6.83 (s, 1 H); 7.35 - 7.70 (m, 5 H); 7.81 (d, J=9.35 Hz, 1 H); 8.09 (dd, J=9.35, 2.34 Hz, 1 H); 8.58 (d, J=2.34 Hz, 1 H). p) 2-cvclohexyl-1 -ethyl-1 /-/-indol-5-amine

To a solution containing 2-iodo-4-nitroaniline (25 g; 95 mmol) and triethylamine (43 ml; 312 mmol) in CH ₂ CI ₂ (250 ml), a solution containing methanesulphonyl chloride (36 g; 312 mmol) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was left under stirring at room temperature for 18 hours, then NH ₄ CI (saturated solution) was added (250 ml). The biphasic solution was transferred into a separating funnel, the organic phase was separated, dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ and the solvent was removed by evaporation under reduced pressure. The residue was suspended in EtOH (200 ml) and heated under stirring until a yellow solid precipitated. The crude product was filtered, washed with EtOH (750 ml), and dried under vacuum to give λ/-(2-iodo-4-nitrophenyl)-/V- (methylsulfonyl)methanesulfonamide (32 g) which was used in the following reaction without any further purification. 1H NMR (DMSO-c/e) 3.68 (s, 6 H); 7.93 (d, J=8.77 Hz, 1 H); 8.29 (dd,

J=8.48, 2.34 Hz, 1 H); 8.73 (d, J=2.63 Hz, 1 H).

To a mixture containing λ/-(2-iodo-4-nitrophenyl)-/V- (methylsulfonyl)methanesulfonamide (31 g; 75 mmol) in EtOH (230 ml), water (115 ml) and LiOH (9 g; 375 mmol) were added. The reaction mixture was refluxed for 2 hours, then cooled to room temperature, the solvent evaporated under reduced pressure. NH ₄ CI (saturated solution, 250 ml) was added and the mixture was stirred until a yellow solid precipitated. The crude product was filtered and dried under vacuum to give λ/-(2-iodo-4-nitrophenyl)methanesulfonamide (24 g) which was used in the following reaction without any further purification.

¹ H NMR (DMSO-CZ ₆ ) 3.01 (s, 3 H); 7.41 (d, J=9.06 Hz, 1 H); 8.10 (dd, J=9.21 , 2.78 Hz, 1 H); 8.53 (d, J=2.92 Hz, 1 H); 9.55 (br. s., 0 H).

To a mixture containing /V-(2-iodo-4-nitrophenyl)methanesulfonannide (13.5 g; 39.5 mmol), thethylamine (17.9 ml; 129 mmol), ethynylcyclohexane (8.55g; 79 mmol) in DMF (60 ml), CuI (1.5 g; 7.9 mmol) and dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(ll) [Cl ₂ (PPh ₃ ) ₂ Pd] (2.77 g; 3.95 mmol) were added. The reaction mixture was left under stirring at 70 ⁰ C for 18 hours. After cooling to room temperature, EtOAc (100 ml) was added, the inorganic precipitate was filtered off and the solution was transferred into a separating funnel and washed with NaHCO ₃ (saturated solution, 3 x 200 ml) and water (2 x 150 ml). The organic phase was dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ , the solvent was removed by evaporation under reduced pressure. The so obtained crude product was crystallized (isopropylether) to give 2-cyclohexyl-1 -(methylsulfonyl)- 5-nitro-1H-indole (11.7 g)

¹ H NMR (DMSO-c/e) 1.14 - 1.53 (m, 5 H); 1.62 - 1.93 (m, 3 H); 2.02 - 2.20 (m, 2 H); 3.08 - 3.27 (m, 1 H); 3.46 (s, 3 H); 6.87 (s, 1 H); 8.09 (d, J=9.10 Hz, 1 H); 8.17 (dd, J=9.10, 2.05 Hz, 1 H); 8.52 (d, J=2.05 Hz, 1 H). To a solution containing 2-cyclohexyl-1 -(methylsulfonyl)-5-nitro-1 H- indole (5.8 g; 18 mmol) in THF (50 ml), tetrabutylammonium fluoride ( 1 M solution in THF; 18 ml; 18 mmol) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was refluxed for 18 hours, then cooled to room temperature. Water (50 ml) and EtOAc (50 ml) were added, the biphasic solution was transferred into a separating funnel, the organic layer separated and dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ , and the solvent was removed by evaporation under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (n-hexane/EtOAc , n-hexane100->80%) to give 2-cyclohexyl- 5-nitro-1 H-indole (3.2 g), which was used without any further purification.

¹ H NMR (DMSO-c/ ₆ ) 1.12 - 1.58 (m, 5 H); 1.64 - 1.87 (m, 3 H); 1.95 - 2.12 (m, 2 H); 2.67 - 2.85 (m, 1 H); 6.41 (d, J=1.98 Hz, 1 H); 7.43 (d, J=8.92 Hz, 1 H); 7.92 (dd, J=8.92, 2.31 Hz, 1 H); 8.43 (d, J=2.31 Hz, 1 H); 11.66 (br. s., 1 H). To a solution of 2-cyclohexyl-5-nitro-1 H-indole (5 g; 20.5 mmol) in DMF (100 ml) sodium hydride (50% suspension) (1 g, 20.5 mmol) was added; the mixture was left under stirring for 30 minutes, then ethyl iodide (2.5 ml; 30.8 mmol) in DMF (10 ml) was added dropwise and the resulting mixture was left under stirring at room temperature for 18 hours. The reaction mixture was poured in NaHCO3 (saturated solution, 100 ml) and stirred for 30 minutes. The solid was filtered under vacuum to give 2-cyclohexyl-1 -ethyl-5-nitro-1 H-indole (4.8 g) which was used without any further purification.

¹ H NMR (DMSO-CZ ₆ ) 1.16 - 1.56 (m, 5 H); 1.29 (t, J=7.09 Hz, 3 H); 1.67 - 1.89 (m, 3 H); 1.90 - 2.05 (m, 2 H); 2.69 - 2.86 (m, 1 H); 4.28 (q, J=7.16 Hz, 2 H); 6.52 (s, 1 H); 7.62 (d, J=9.06 Hz, 1 H); 7.96 (dd, J=9.06, 2.34 Hz, 1 H); 8.45 (d, J=2.34 Hz, 1 H).

To a suspension of 10% Pd/C (380 mg, 0.36 mmol) in 95° ethanol (50 ml) a solution of 2-cyclohexyl-1 -ethyl-5-nitro-1 H-indole (4.8 g; 18 mmol) in 95° ethanol (100 ml) was added and the mixture underwent hydrogenation in a Parr hydrogenator (H ₂ , 30 psi) for 4 hours. The residue was filtered under vacuum through Celite to remove the catalyst and the solvent evaporated to give crude 2-cyclohexyl-1 -ethyl-1 H-indol- 5-amine (4 g) which was used without any further purification. Monoisotopic mass = 242.18; GC/MS (M) ⁺ m/z =242. q) 2-phenethyl-1 -ethyl-1 /-/-indol-5-amine

To a solution of 2-iodo-4-nitroaniline (1.02 g, 3.86 mmol) in dichloromethane (10 ml), has been added under stirring triethylamine (1.77 ml, 12.7 mmol). To this mixture, a solution of methanesulphonyl chloride (0.98 ml, 12.7 mmol) in dichloromethane (2 ml) has been

added dropwise, very slowly and in an ice-bath. The mixture so obtained was left under stirring at room temperature overnight. The day after, the reaction mixture was neutralized with a saturated aqueous solution of NH ₄ CI. The organic phase was separated, and, after evaporation of the solvent, the residue has been washed with ethanol and filtered to give N-(2-iodo-4-nitrophenyl)-N-(methylsulfonyl)- methanesulfonamide as yellow solid.

N-(2-iodo-4-nitrophenyl)-N-(methylsulfonyl)methanesulfona mide: 1H-NMR (DMSO-de): 8.73 (d, J= 2.6 Hz, 1 H); 8.29 (dd, J= 8.8,2.6 Hz, 1 H); 7.93 (d, J= 8.8 Hz, 1 H); 3.68 (s, 6H).

LiOH (0.21 mg, 8.9 mmol) in a mixture ethanol/water 2/1 (18 ml) was added to a solution of N-(2-iodo-4-nitrophenyl)-N-(methylsulfonyl) methanesulfonamide (0.75 g, 1.78 mmol). The reaction mixture was refluxed for two hours. After cooling at room temperature, the reaction mixture was neutralized with H ₂ O, NH ₄ CI and HCI 2N, then ethanol was eliminated, and the aqueous phase was extracted with ethyl acetate (3x20 ml). The organic solvent was removed by evaporating under reduced pressure to give λ/-(2-iodo-4-nitrophenyl)methanesulfonamide without further purification. λ/-(2-iodo-4-nitrophenyl)methanesulfonamide:

¹ H-NMR (DMSO-de): 9.53 (br. s., 1 H); 8.59 (d, J= 2.2 Hz, 1 H); 8.19 (dd, J=8.8, 2.7, 1 H); 7.55 (d, J= 8.8, 1 H); 3.14 (s, 3H).

CuI (0.06 g, 0.34 mmol) previously maintained in oven for at least 48 hours, bis(thphenylphosphino)palladium dichloride (0.2 g, 0.17 mmol), triethylamine (1.1 ml, 7.82 mmol) and 4-phenyl-1 -butyne (0.44 g, 3.4 mmol) was added to a solution of λ/-(2-iodo-4- nitrophenyl)methanesulfonamide (0.6 g, 1.7 mmol) in anhydrous DMF (20 ml) kept under nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture was left under stirring overnight. Next morning, after cooling, the reaction mixture was poured in H ₂ O and ice (200 ml) leaving under stirring for

some hours. After filtration, a brown solid was recovered, recrystallized from ethyl acetate/hexane 1 :1 , and then from iPrOH/EtOH 9:1. The residue was filtered to give 1-(methylsulfonyl)-5-nitro-2-(2-phenethyl)- 1 H-indole. 1 -(methylsulfonyl)-5-nitro-2-(2-phenethyl)-1 /-/-indole:

¹ H-NMR (DMSO-de): 8.53 (d, J= 2.0 Hz,1 H); 8.18 (dd, J= 8.4, 2.5, 1 H); 8.10 (d, 1 H); 7.29 (m, 5H); 6.91 (s, 1 H); 3.52 (s, 3H); 3.29 (m, 2H); 3.05 (m, 2H).

Tetrabutyl ammonium fluoride (TBAF, 0.37 ml, 1.29 mmol) was added to a solution of 1 -(methylsulfonyl)-5-nitro-2-(2-phenethyl)-1 /-/- indole (0.25 g, 0.95 mmol) in THF (5 ml). The reaction mixture was refluxed overnight under stirring. The next morning, after cooling, the reaction mixture was poured in H ₂ O, and kept under stirring overnight.

After filtration, the solid was purified with flash chromatography on silica gel (n-hexane/EtOAc, n-hexane 90->80%) to give 2-phenethyl-5-nitro-

1 /-/-indole.

2-phenethyl-5-nitro-1 /-/-indole:

¹ H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 11.76 (br. s., 1 H), 8.42 (d, J = 2.31 Hz, 1 H), 7.93 (dd, J = 2.31 , 8.92 Hz, 1 H), 7.45 (d, J = 8.92 Hz, 1 H), 7.11 - 7.34 (m, 5H), 6.45 (s, 1 H), 2.97 - 3.15 (m, 4H)

A 60% dispersion of NaH (0.5 g, 2.02 mmol) was added to a solution of 2-phenethyl-5-nitro-1 H-indole (0.16 g, 0.6 mmol) in DMF (30 ml). The reaction mixture was kept under stirring for 30 minutes. Then, ethyl iodide (0.15 ml, 1.9 mmol) was added, and the mixture was left under stirring overnight at room temperature. The next morning, the mixture was poured in H ₂ O left under stirring overnight, obtaining a precipitate which was filtered to give 2-phenethyl-1-ethyl-5-nitro-1 /-/-indole. 2-phenethyl-1 -ethyl-5-nitro-1 H-indole:

¹ H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 8.46 (d, J = 2.05 Hz, 1 H), 7.97 (dd, J = 2.34, 9.06 Hz, 1 H), 7.62 (d, J = 9.06 Hz, 1 H), 7.13 - 7.40 (m, 5H),

6.58 (s, 1 H), 4.26 (q, J = 7.31 Hz, 2H), 2.99 - 3.18 (m, 4H), 1.25 (t, J = 7.20 Hz, 3H)

SnCb (1 ,2 g, 6,3 mmol) was added to a solution of 2-phenethyl-1 - ethyl-5-nitro-1 H-indole (0.17 g, 0.57 mmol) in THF (50 ml). The mixture was kept under stirring at 70 ⁰ C overnight. After cooling, the mixture was poured in H2O, neutralized with NaHCO3, and extracted with ethyl acetate (3x50 ml). After evaporation of the solvent under reduced pressure, the solid was purified on a chromatographic column using CHCI ₃ as eluent to give 2-phenethyl-1 -ethyl -1 /-/-indol-5-amine. 2-phenethyl-1 -ethyl -1 /-/-indol-5-amine:

¹ H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 7.25 - 7.37 (m, 4H), 7.15 - 7.25 (m, 1 H), 7.11 (d, J = 8.48 Hz, 1 H), 6.72 (d, J = 2.05 Hz, 1 H), 6.53 (dd, J = 2.19, 8.62 Hz, 1 H), 6.02 (s, 1 H), 5.46 (br. s., 2H), 4.05 (q, J = 7.11 Hz, 2H), 2.81 - 3.15 (m, 4H), 1.18 (t, J = 7.16 Hz, 3H) r) 2-benzyl-1 -ethyl-1 /-/-indol-5-ammina

The intermediate compound r) was prepared with a procedure similar to that described for the intermediate compound q) by using 3-phenyl- 1 -propyne (0.16 g, 1.4 mmol) instead of 4-phenyl-1 -butyne.

2-benzyl-1 -(methanesulfonyl)-5-nitro-1 /-/-indole: 1H-NMR (DMSO-de): 8.54 (d, J= 2,3 Hz, 1 H); 8.17 (m, 1 H); 8.08 (m,

1 H); 7.35 (m, 5H); 6.53 (s, 1 H); 4.37 (s, 2H); 3.37 (s, 3H). 2-benzyl-5-nitro-1 /-/-indole:

¹ H-NMR (DMSO-de): 11.74 (bs, 1 H); 8.44 (d, J= 2.3 Hz, 2H); 7.92 (dd, J= 8.9, 2.3 Hz, 1 H); 7.44 (d, J= 8.9, 1 H); 7.32 (m, 4H); 7.24 (m, 1 H); 6.44 (s, 1 H); 4.12 (s, 2H).

2-benzyl-1 -ethyl-5-nitro-1 /-/-indole:

¹ H-NMR (DMSO-de): 8.48 (d, J= 2.3 Hz, 1 H); 7.98 (dd, J= 9.1 , 2.3 Hz, 1 H); 7.60 (d, J= 9.1 Hz, 1 H); 7.30 (m, 5H); 6.43 (s, 1 H); 4.22 (m, 4H); 1.09 (t, J= 7.2 Hz, 3H). 2-benzyl-1 -ethyl-1 /-/-indol-5-amine:

¹ H-NMR (DMSO-Cl ₆ ): 7.22 (m, 5H); 7.04 (d, J= 8.5 Hz, 1 H); 6.84 (d, J= 2.3 Hz, 1 H); 6.59 (dd, J= 8.5, 2.3 Hz, 1 H); 6.05 (s, 1 H); 4.05 (s, 2H); 3.94 (q, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H); 3.22 (bs, 2H); 1.10 (t, J= 7.2 Hz, 3H). s) 5-amino-1 -(3-triisopropylsilanyloxypropyl)-1 H-indol-2-carboxylic acid phenylamide

N ₂ H ₄ *H ₂ O (25 ml) was added dropwise to a solution of 1-fluoro-4- nitrobenzene. The mixture was kept under stirring, at first at room temperature for 3 hours, and then under reflux for 1 hour. After cooling, the resulting precipitate was filtered and washed with H ₂ O to give 4- nitrophenylhydrazine which was used in the next reaction without any further purification.

4-nitrophenylhydrazine: M/z (APCI ⁺ ) 154 (MH ⁺ ) A suspension in water (150 ml) of 4-nitrophenylhydrazine (15 g, 23 mmol) and 2-oxo-propionic acid ethyl ester (12 g, 100 mmol) was left under stirring at room temperature for 6 hours. The obtained precipitate was filtered and washed to give the ethyl ester of the 2-[(4-nitrophenyl)- hydrazono]-propionic acid.

¹ H-NMR (DMSO-de): 10.45 (s, 1 H); 8.21 -8.15 (m, 2H); 7.42-7.36 (m, 2H); 4.28-4.15 (m, 2H); 2.15 (s, 3H); 1.36-1.22 (m, 3H). Polyphosphoric acid (PPA, 50 g) was added to a solution of ethyl ester of the 2-[(4-nitrophenyl)-hydrazono]-propionic acid (6 g, 23 mmol) in toluene (70 ml). The mixture was refluxed for 3 hours, then was cooled at 0-10 ⁰ C, and added with NH ₄ CI until pH 8-9. The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and then the solvent was removed by evaporation under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (n-hexane/EtOAc, 80/20) and crystallized with CH ₂ CI ₂ to give the ethyl ester of 5-nitro-1 H-indole-2- carboxylic acid.

Ethyl ester of 5-nitro-1 H-indole-2-carboxylic acid: 1H-NMR (DMSO-de): 12.55 (s, 1 H); 8.73 (s, 1 H); 8.14 (d, 1 H); 7.62

(d, 1 H); 7.45 (s, 1 H); 4.45-4.32 (m, 2H); 1.43-1.30 (m, 3H).

Anhydrous K ₂ CO ₃ (2.36 g, 17.1 mmol), 18-crown-6 (1.14 g, 4.28 mmol) and 3-triisopropylsilanyloxypropyl bromide (3.78 g, 12.82 mmol) were added to a solution of ethyl ester of 5-nitro-1 H-indole-2-carboxylic acid (2 g, 8.85 mmol) in anhydrous acetonitrile (50 ml). The mixture was heated at 80 ⁰ C for 4 hours. After evaporation of the solvent under reduced pressure, water was added, and the resulting mixture was extracted with dichloromethane. After evaporation of the solvent under reduced pressure, the solid was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (n-hexane/EtOAc, 50/10) to give the ethyl ester of 5-nitro-1 - (triisopropylsilaniloxypropyl)-1 /-/-indole-2-carboxylic acid: M/z (APCI ⁺ ) 449 (MH ⁺ )

The ethyl ester of 5-nitro-1 -(triisopropylsilaniloxypropyl)-1 H-indole-2- carboxylic acid (2.76 g, 6.2 mmol) was dissolved in a solution of KOH 5% in EtOH/H ₂ O 1/1 (80 ml) and left under stirring at room temperature for 16 hours. Ethanol was then evaporated, and 1 N HCI was added to the solution until to pH 5. The solution was then extracted with EtOAc. After evaporation of the solvent under reduced pressure, the solid was washed with n-hexane/dichloromethane 10/1 and filtered to give the 5- nitro-1 -(triisopropylsilaniloxypropyl)-i H-indole-2-carboxylic acid.

5-nitro-1 -(triisopropylsilaniloxypropyl)-i H-indole-2-carboxylic acid: M/z (APCI ⁺ ) 421 (MH ⁺ )

A mixture of 5-nitro-1 -(triisopropylsilaniloxypropyl)-1 H-indole-2- carboxylic acid (0.448 g, 1.065 mmol), O-benzotriazol-1 -yl-N,N,N',N'- tetramethyluronium tetrafluoroborate (TBTU) (0.478 g, 1.49 mmol) and triethylamine (0.22 ml, 1.59 mmol) in anhydrous acrylonitrile (14 ml) was kept under stirring at room temperature for 30 minutes. Aniline (0.109 g, 1.175 mmol) was added to this mixture. The mixture was left at 50°-55°C for about 3 hours, and then diluted with H ₂ O and extracted with ethyl acetate (EtOAc). After evaporation of the solvent under

reduced pressure, the obtained solid was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (n-hexane/EtOAc, 50/10) to give phenylamide of 5-nitro-1 -(triisopropylsilaniloxypropyl)-i H-indole-2- carboxylic acid: M/z (APCI ⁺ ) 496 (MH ⁺ )

A catalytic amount of 10%Pd/C was added to a solution of phenylamide of 5-nitro-1 -(triisopropylsilaniloxypropyl)-i H-indole-2- carboxylic acid (0.323 g, 0.65 mmol) in MeOH (100 ml), and the mixture was hydrogenated at 29 psi for 12 hours. The solution was filtered through Celite™ and the filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure to give a solid used without any further purification.

Phenylamide of 5-amino-1 -(triisopropylsilaniloxypropyl)-i H-indole-2- carboxylic acid: M/z (APCI ⁺ ) 466 (MH ⁺ ).

EXAMPLE 2

Preparation of compounds of the invention a) Example of a first variant of the preparation process:

To a solution of a ino(aza)indole dichloromethane (10 ml) was added triethylamine (2.2 mmol), followed by dropwise addition of an acyl chloride (II) (2.2 mmol) dissolved in dichloromethane (10 ml). Once the additions were complete, the mixture was left under stirring at room temperature for 20 hours. Water (50 ml) was then added and the organic phase was separated out and dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ . The solution was evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude product obtained was purified to give compound of

formula (I) in which X, Y, Z, G1 , G2, G3, R1 , W and R2 have the meanings given above. b) Example of a second variant of the preparation process:

To a suspension of 5-amino(aza)indole (III) (0.9 mmol) were added Amberlyst A21 resin (0.9 g) in dichloromethane (3 ml) and an acyl chloride (II) (0.28 mmol) in dichloromethane (3 ml). The mixture was left under stirring for 20 hours. The Amberlyst A21 resin was then removed by filtration and washed with dichloromethane (5 ml). The organic phases were combined, diluted with dimethylformamide (1 ml) and stirred with Amberlyst 15 resin (0.9 g) for 5 hours. This treatment was repeated twice. The Amberlyst 15 resin was removed by filtration and the solution was evaporated under centrifuge to give compound of formula (I) in which X, Y, Z, G1 , G2, G3, R1 , W and R2 have the meanings given above, c) Example of a third variant of the preparation process:

Under an inert atmosphere, a benzoic acid (II) (0.67 mmol) and a 5- amino(aza)indole (III) (0.45 mmol) were dissolved in dichloromethane (8 ml) and dimethylformamide (0.8 ml). After leaving the mixture stirring at room temperature for 10 minutes, PS-carbodiimide resin (0.73 g) was

added.

After leaving the reaction mixture stirring for 20 hours, the resin was removed by filtration and washed with dichloromethane (2 x 5 ml). The solution was evaporated under centrifugation to give compound of formula (I) in which X, Y, Z, G1 , G2, G3, R1 , VV and R2 have the meanings given above. d) Example of a fourth variant of the preparation process:

To a solution of a benzoic acid (II) (10 mmol) in dimethylformamide (40 ml) with stirring at 0 ⁰ C, 1 -hydroxybenzotriazol (HOBt) (10 mmol) and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) (10 mmol) were added. The mixture was left under stirring at 0 ⁰ C for 30 minutes and a 5- amino(aza)indole (III) (9 mmol) dissolved in dimethylformamide (20 ml) was added.

The mixture was left under stirring at 0 ⁰ C for a further 30 minutes, and then at room temperature for 18 hours. The mixture was filtered, 2N hydrochloric acid was added to pH 2, and the precipitate thus formed was filtered off and purified to give compound of formula (I) in which X, Y, Z, G1 , G2, G3, R1 , W and R2 have the meanings given above. e) Example of a fifth variant of the preparation process:

(I)

To a suspension of cesium acetate dried under vacuum overnight at

140 ⁰ C (6.02 mmol) in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) (3 ml), under an inert atmosphere, were added palladium acetate (0.017 mmol), triphenylphosphine (0.067 mmol), 5-amino(aza)indole (IV)' (3.35 mmol) and an aryl iodide (V) (3.68 mmol).

The reaction mixture was left under stirring at 140 ⁰ C under an inert atmosphere for 18 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, dichloromethane (50 ml) was added and the resulting mixture was filtered under vacuum through Celite. The filtered organic solution was transferred into a separating funnel. The organic phase was washed with H ₂ O (2 x 50 ml), dried over Na ₂ SO ₄ and evaporated under reduced pressure.

The residue was purified to give compound of formula (I) in which X, Y, Z, G1 , G2, G3, R1 , W and R2 have the meanings given above. f) Example of solid phase preparation using a PL-FMP resin:

The following example of solid phase preparation by using a preparative resin is given with specific reference to compounds of the present invention wherein the above mentioned G1 , G2, G3 groups are CH and R1 is SO2R ¹ and X, Y, Z, W, R2 and R ¹ have the meanings given above. Additionally, the following example comprises steps 1 and 2 to prepare the starting compound B1 of the process of the present invention because intermediate A1 is first prepared in situ without separation from the preparative resin.

Step (1 ): 15 g of PL-FMP resin (0.9 mmol/g) in a solution 1 % AcOH in DMF (300 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 2h. Then, N-(A- amino-2-iodophenyl)alkylsulfonamide (54 mmol) and 11.5 g of sodium triacetoxyborohydride (54 mmol) were added. PL-FMP Resin (manufactured by Polymer Laboratories, UK) is an aldehyde-based resin suitable for attachment of amines via reductive amination. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24h, then the resin was filtered and washed with DMF (3 x 150 ml), DMF / MeOH in a 1/1 volume ratio (3 x 150 ml), MeOH (3 x 150 ml), CH ₂ CI ₂ / MeOH in a 1/1 volume ratio (3 x 100 ml), and CH ₂ CI ₂ (3 x 100 ml). The resin was dried under vacuum at room temperature to give 18.3 g of resin (A1 ) which was used without any further purification.

Step (2): 1.172 g of resin (A1 ) (0.8 mmol, theoretical ) were added to a mixture of DMF(IO ml), the B2 alkyne (5 mmol), CuI (32 mg, 0.17 mmol), 58 mg of dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(ll)

[CI ₂ (PPh ₃ ) ₂ Pd] (0.8 mmol) and 2 ml of triethylamine (22 mmol). The mixture was heated at 70 ⁰ C and stirred for 48h.

The reaction was quenched by cooling to room temperature. The resin was filtered and washed with DMF (3 x 10 ml), DMF / H ₂ O in a 95/5 volume ratio (3x10 ml), DMF / H ₂ O in a 90/10 volume ratio (3x10 ml), DMF / H ₂ O in a 80/20 volume ratio (3 x 10 ml), DMF / H ₂ O in a 50/50 volume ratio (3 x 10 ml), DMF (3 x 10 ml), DMF / MeOH in a 50/50 volume ratio (3x 10 ml), MeOH (3x 10 ml), MeOH / CH ₂ CI ₂ in a 50/50 volume ratio (3x10 ml), and CH ₂ CI ₂ (3x10 ml). The resin B1 so far obtained, was used without any further purification.

Step (3): 1.38 ml of N,N-diisopropylethylamine (DIEA, 8.0 mmol) and acyl chloride (6.5 mmol) (C2) were added to a suspension of resin (B1) in CH ₂ CI ₂ (10 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18h, then the resin was filtered and washed with CH ₂ CI ₂ (3x10 ml), CH ₂ CI ₂ / DMF in a 1/1 volume ratio (3 x 10 ml), DMF (3 x 10 ml), DMF / H ₂ O in a 9/1 volume ratio (3x 10 ml), DMF (3x 10 ml), DMF / MeOH in a 1/1 volume ratio (3 x 10 ml) , MeOH (3 x 10 ml), CH ₂ CI ₂ / MeOH in a 1/1 volume ratio (3 x 10 ml), CH ₂ CI ₂ (3 x 10 ml). The resin (C1) so far obtained, was used without any further purification. Step (4): The resin (C1) was added to a solution of triethylsilane (0.15 ml) in TFA /DCM in a 1/1 volume ratio (15 ml) and stirred at room temperature for 15 minute. The resin was filtered and washed with solution of triethylsilane (0.15 ml) in TFA /DCM in a 1/1 volume ratio (5 ml). The solution was evaporated under vacuum to give the crude product that was purified with preparative HPLC to give compound (I) in which X, Y, Z, W, R2 and R ¹ have the meanings given above, g) Example of reduction of double bond in position 2-3:

A 5-amino(aza)indole derivative (1 mmol) was dissolved in a solution of EtOH (3 ml) and HCI cone. (1.5 ml). Then, tin (5 mmol) was added and the mixture was refluxed for 6 hours. The mixture was filtered, the solution poured in a 20% KOH solution (5 ml), and extracted with Et.20 (3 X 10 ml). Organic phase was filtered on Celite and dried over Na2SO ₄ . The solution was evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude product obtained was purified to give compound of formula (T) in which X, Y, Z, G1 , G2, G3, R1 , W and R2 have the meanings given above. h) Example of preparation of acid from the corresponding ester:

An (aza)indolester derivative (0.32 mmol) was dissolved in a solution of THF/EtOH in a 1/1 volume ratio (3 ml), then a solution of NaOH 1 N was added (1.2 ml) and the mixture was stirred a room temperature for 3 h.

The organic solvents were removed under vacuum and 1 N HCI solution was added until precipitation of acid. The product was filtered, washed with water and dried under vacuum to give compound of formula (I) in which X, Y, Z, G1 , G2, G3, n, W and R2 have the meanings given above.

i) Example of a sixth variant of the preparation process: CH ₃ CN 2N

(H) (V) (I)

In inert atmosphere, a benzoic acid (II) (0.74 mmol), TBTU (0.86 mmol) and triethylamine (0.98 mmol) have been dissolved in anhydrous acetonitrile (3 ml). After having left the mixture under stirring at room temperature for 30 minutes, a solution of the compound (V) (0.61 mmol) in anhydrous acetonitrile (3 ml) has been added. The mixture has been left under stirring at room temperature for 3 hours, then diluted with H2O and extracted with ethyl acetate (EtOAc). After evaporation of the solvent under reduced pressure, the resulting solid (0.16 mmol) has been dissolved in MeOH (15 ml). To the solution. HCI 2N (2.5 ml) has been added, and the mixture has been left at room temperature for 3 hours. The solvent has been then evaporated under reduced pressure, and the residue dissolved in DCM and washed with a saturated solution of NaHCOs. After evaporation of the organic solvent, the residue has been purified to give the compound (I) where Y, Z, G1 , G2, and G3 have the meanings indicated above, W is an amidic bond, and R2 is a phenyl group.

The compounds of the present invention shown in Table 1 below were thus prepared. In Table 1 the following abbreviations with the following meanings are used: Purification A = Crystallization

Purification B = Flash chromatography on silica gel Purification C = Preparative HPLC (X Bridge prep. C18;

5 μm, 3O x 150 mm)

EtOAc = Ethyl acetate

Hex = Hexane

MeOH = Methanol

EtOH = Ethanol

CH ₃ CN = Acetonitrile

H ₂ O Water

HCOOH = Formic acid iPrOH = lsopropanol

Pr ₂ O = Propyl ether

TABLE 1

EXAMPLE 3 In vitro biological activity

The test used makes it possible to evaluate the inhibitory capacity of the test compounds on the production of PGE ₂ and the selectivity relative to the production of PGF _2α - The human pulmonary adenocarcinoma cell line A549 was used, which is particularly sensitive to stimulation with proinflammatory cytokines, for instance IL-I p, and, in response to this stimulation, is particularly active in the production and release of two prostanoids: PGE ₂ and PGF _2α (Thoren S. Jakobsson P-J, 2000).

The cells were stimulated with IL-1 _β (10 ng/ml) and simultaneously treated with the test compound for 22 hours in a suitable culture medium (DMEM - Dulbecco's Modified Eagles Medium) enriched with

5% fetal calf serum and L-glutamine (4 mM final) in an incubator at 37°C and with a CO ₂ concentration of 5%.

At the end of the incubation, the amount of PGE ₂ and PGF _2α produced and released into the supernatant were assayed using an EIA kit (produced and sold by Cayman Chemicals, Ann Arbor, Ml, USA).

The comparative compound used was indomethacin at a concentration of 1 O nM (Sigma-Aldrich), which is a non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug that inhibits in equal measure both PGE ₂ and PGF _2α . The results, expressed as a percentage of inhibition of the production of PGE ₂ and of PGF _2α at a concentration of 10 μM, are given in Table 2, in which "ia" (inactive) indicates an inhibitory activity of less than 20%. TABLE 2

For illustrative purposes, Table 3 collates the plC ₅ o values of a number of compounds of the invention, where plC ₅ o represents the negative logarithm of the IC ₅ O, which, in turn, represents the concentration of compound that inhibits the production of PGE ₂ or PGF _2α by 50% relative to cells that are stimulated but not treated with the same compound.

In Table 3, "nd" means not determinable.

TABLE 3

EXAMPLE 4 In vivo biological activity

The test compound was evaluated in the model of acetic acid- induced stretching in mice (Stock J. L. et al., J Clin Inv 2001 , 107: 325-331 ). This test makes it possible to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of the compounds of the invention in a model of inflammatory pain.

Female CD-1 mice weighing 25-30 g were used for the test. The animals were treated intraperitoneally with the test compound (0.1 -10 mg/kg) suspended in methylcellulose (MTC). The control animals were treated with the vehicle alone (MTC) via the same route.

30 minutes after the treatment, the animals received an intraperitoneal injection of acetic acid (0.7 v/v in physiological solution, 16 μl/g of body weight) in order to induce inflammatory pain and to check the effects of the test compound on the nociceptive response.

Immediately after the administration of acetic acid and for the following 20 minutes, the number of stretches, which represents the parameter for evaluation of the nociceptive response, was measured.

As reported in Table 4, the compound of the invention induced, in a dose-dependent manner, a reduction in stretching in the 20 minutes following the administration of acetic acid, compared with the animals treated with MTC alone.

TABLE 4

EXAMPLE 5

Selectivity between isoforms of PGES

The test used makes it possible to evaluate the capacity of the compounds of the invention to inhibit the production of PGE ₂ in a human lymphoma cell line U-937 that preferentially expresses an enzymatic isoform (cPGES), which is responsible for the production of

PGE ₂ under basal conditions, in the absence of pro-inflammatory stimuli. This enzymatic form is different from the one predominantly expressed in the A549 cells (mPGES-1 ) after a pro-inflammatory stimulus.

The absence of inhibitory activity on PGE ₂ in this cell model ensures the selectivity of the compound compared with the enzymatic form responsible for the production of PGE ₂ in the presence of inflammatory stimuli. The results, expressed as a percentage of inhibition of the production of PGE ₂ , are given in Table 5, in which "ia" (inactive) indicates an inhibitory activity of less than 20%. The reference compound used was indomethacin at a concentration of 10 nM.

The compounds of the invention were found not to significantly inhibit the production of PGE ₂ owing mainly to the action of cPGES.

TABLE 5