Field of the Invention

This invention relates to novel pharmaceutically-useful compounds, which compounds are useful as inhibitors of the production of leukotrienes, such as leukotriene C ₄ . The compounds are of potential utility in the treatment of respiratory and/or inflammatory diseases. The invention also relates to the use of such compounds as medicaments, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and to synthetic routes for their production.

Background of the Invention

Arachidonic acid is a fatty acid that is essential in the body and is stored in cell membranes. They may be converted, e.g. in the event of inflammation, into mediators, some of which are known to have beneficial properties and others that are harmful. Such mediators include leukotrienes (formed by the action of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), which acts by catalysing the insertion of molecular oxygen into carbon position 5) and prostaglandins (which are formed by the action of cyclooxygenases (COXs)). Huge efforts have been devoted towards the development of drugs that inhibit the action of these metabolites as well as the biological processes that form them.

Of the leukotrienes, leukotriene (LT) B ₄ is known to be a strong proinflammatory mediator, while the cysteinyl-containing leukotrienes C ₄ , D ₄ and E ₄ (CysLTs) are mainly very potent bronchoconstrictors and have thus been implicated in the pathobiology of asthma. It has also been suggested that the CysLTs play a role in inflammatory mechanisms. The biological activities of the CysLTs are mediated through two receptors designated CysLTi and CysLT ₂ , but the existence of additional CysLT receptors has also been proposed. Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRas) have been developed for the treatment of asthma, but they are often highly selective for CysLTi. It may be hypothesised that better control of asthma, and possibly also COPD, may be attained if the activity of both of the CysLT receptors could be reduced. This may be achieved by developing unselective LTRas, but also by inhibiting the activity of proteins, e.g. enzymes, involved in the synthesis of the CysLTs; 5-LO ₁ 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP), and leukotriene C ₄ synthase may be mentioned. However, a 5-LO or a FLAP inhibitor would also decrease the formation of LTB ₄ . For a review on leukotrienes in asthma, see H.-E Claesson and S.-E. Dahlen J. Internal Med. 245, 205 (1999).

There are many diseases/disorders that are inflammatory in their nature or have an inflammatory component. One of the major problems associated with existing treatments of inflammatory conditions is a lack of efficacy and/or the prevalence of side effects (real or perceived).

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting 6% to 8% of the adult population of the industrialized world. In children, the incidence is even higher, being close to 10% in most countries. Asthma is the most common cause of hospitalization for children under the age of fifteen.

Treatment regimens for asthma are based on the severity of the condition. Mild cases are either untreated or are only treated with inhaled β-agonists. Patients with more severe asthma are typically treated with anti-inflammatory compounds on a regular basis.

There is a considerable under-treatment of asthma, which is due at least in part to perceived risks with existing maintenance therapy (mainly inhaled corticosteroids). These include risks of growth retardation in children and loss of bone mineral density, resulting in unnecessary morbidity and mortality. As an alternative to steroids, LTRas have been developed. These drugs may be given orally, but are considerably less efficacious than inhaled steroids and usually do not control airway inflammation satisfactorily.

This combination of factors has led to at least 50% of all asthma patients being inadequately treated.

A similar pattern of under-treatment exists in relation to allergic disorders, where drugs are available to treat a number of common conditions but are underused in view of apparent side effects. Rhinitis, conjunctivitis and dermatitis may have an allergic component, but may also arise in the absence of underlying allergy. Indeed, non-allergic conditions of this class are in many cases more difficult to treat.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease affecting 6% to 8% of the world population. The disease is potentially lethal, and the morbidity and mortality from the condition is considerable. At present, there is no known pharmacological treatment capable of changing the course of COPD.

Other inflammatory disorders which may be mentioned include: (a) pulmonary fibrosis (this is less common than COPD, but is a serious disorder with a very bad prognosis. No curative treatment exists); (b) inflammatory bowel disease (a group of disorders with a high morbidity rate. Today only symptomatic treatment of such disorders is available); and (c) rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis (common disabling inflammatory disorders of the joints. There are currently no curative, and only moderately effective symptomatic, treatments available for the management of such conditions).

Inflammation is also a common cause of pain. Inflammatory pain may arise for numerous reasons, such as infection, surgery or other trauma. Moreover, several malignancies are known to have inflammatory components adding to the symptomatology of the patients.

Thus, new and/or alternative treatments for respiratory and/or inflammatory disorders would be of benefit to all of the above-mentioned patient groups. In particular, there is a real and substantial unmet clinical need for an effective antiinflammatory drug capable of treating inflammatory disorders, in particular asthma and COPD ₁ with no real or perceived side effects.

The listing or discussion of an apparently prior-published document in this specification should not necessarily be taken as an acknowledgement that the document is part of the state of the art or is common general knowledge.

Journal article by Ohashi et al, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters 9 (1999) 1945-1948 discloses various compounds that are of potential use as medicaments. It further discloses, as an intermediate to the compound sulochrin, a biphenyl/diphenyl compound (linked with a carbonyl group; i.e. a benzophenone) that is further substituted with benzyloxy moieties, two of which are attached to each ortho position of one of the phenyl rings. Journal article by Couture et al, J. Chem. Soc, Perkin Trans. 1. 1999, 789-794 also discloses, as an intermediate in the synthesis of a natural product, a biphenyl compound (linked with a carbonyl group), which is further substituted with a carboxylic acid group and benzyloxy moieties.

International patent application WO 2008/107661 discloses various biphenyl/diphenyl compounds that may be useful as LTC ₄ synthase inhibitors, and of use therefore in the treatment of inflammation. However, the two phenyl rings are linked together with Wa a methylene group. Further, international patent application WO 2009/030887 discloses, for that same use, various biaryl compounds linked together with a carbonyl group (i.e. diarylketones). However, this document predominantly relates to compounds having biaryl/diphenyl cores substituted with, as essential features, a carboxylic acid group (or derivative thereof), and at least one further aromatic group, which latter two groups are attached to one of the aromatic rings of the biaryl/diaryl core in an orientation that is ortho with respect to each other.

Disclosure of the Invention

According to the invention, there is provided a compound of formula I,

wherein

Y represents -C(O)- or -C(=N-OR ²⁸ )-; R ²⁸ represents hydrogen or Ci-6 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more halo atoms;

Y is attached to either D ₃ or D _b ;

the D _a or D _b moiety that is directly attached to Y represents a carbon atom;

the D _a or D _b that is not directly attached to Y represents Di;

each of D ₁ , D ₂ and D ₃ respectively represent -C(R ^1a )=, -C(R ^1b )= and -C(R ^1c )=, or, each of D ₁ , D ₂ and D ₃ may alternatively and independently represent -N=;

ring A represents:

ring I)

each of E ^a1 , E ^a2 , E ^a3 , E ^a4 and E ^a5 respectively represent -C(H)=, -C(R ^2b )=, -C(R ^2c )=, -C(R ^2d )= and -C(H)=, or, each of E ^a1 , E ^a2 , E ^a3 , E ^a4 and E ^a5 may alternatively and independently represent -N=;

one of R ^2b , R ^2c and R ^2d represents the requisite -L ³ - Y ³ group, and the others independently represent hydrogen, -|_ ^1a -Y ^1a or a substituent selected from X ¹ ;

ring II)

E ^b1 and E ^b2 respectively represent -C(R ^3a )= and -C(R ^3b )=;

Y ^b represents -C(R ^3c )= or -N=;

W ^b represents -N(R ^3d )-, -O- or -S-; one of R ^3a , R ^3b and, if present, R ^3c and R ^M , represents the requisite -L ³ - Y ³ group, and the remaining R ^3a , R ^3b and (if present) R ^3c substituents represents hydrogen, -L ^1a -Y ^1a or a substituent selected from X ² , and the remaining R ^3d substituent (if present) represents hydrogen or a substituent selected from R ^z1 ; or

ring III)

E ^c1 and E° ² each respectively represent -C(R ^4a )= and -C(R ^4b )=;

Y° represents -C(R ⁴⁰ )= or -N=;

W ^c represents -N(R ⁴ ")-, -O- or -S-;

one of R ^4a , R ^4b and, if present, R ⁴⁰ and R ^M represents the requisite -L ³ -Y ³ group, and the remaining R ^4a , R ^4b and (if present) R ⁴⁰ substituents represent hydrogen, -L ^1a -Y ^1a or a substituent selected from X ³ , and the remaining R ⁴⁰ substituent (if present) represents hydrogen or a substituent selected from R ²² ;

R ^z1 and R ^z2 independently represent a group selected from Z ^1a ;

R ^1a , R ^1b , R ^1c , independently represent hydrogen, a group selected from Z ^2a , halo, -CN, -N(R ^6b )R ^7b , -N(R ^5d )C(O)R ^6c , -N(R ^5e )C(O)N(R ^6d )R ^7d , -N(R ^5f )C(O)OR ^6e , -N ₃ , -NO ₂ , -N(R ⁵⁹ )S(O) ₂ N(R ^6t )R ^7f , -0R ^5h , -OC(O)N(R ^6g )R ⁷⁹ , -OS(O) ₂ R ⁵ ', -N(R ^5k )S(O) ₂ R ^5m , -OC(O)R ⁵ ", -0C(0)0R ^5p or -OS(O) ₂ N(R ⁶ⁱ )R ⁷ⁱ ;

X ¹ , X ² and X ³ independently represent a group selected from Z ^2a , or, halo, -CN, -N(R ^6b )R ^7b , -N(R ^5d )C(O)R ^6c , -N(R ^5e )C(O)N(R ^6d )R ^7d , -N(R ^5f )C(O)OR ^6e , -N ₃ , -NO ₂ , -N(R ^5g )S(O) ₂ N(R ^6f )R ^7f , -OR*, -OC(O)N(R ^6g )R ^7g , -OS(O) ₂ R ⁵¹ , -N(R ^5k )S(O) ₂ R ^5m , -OC(O)R ⁵ ", -0C(0)0R ^5p or -OS(O) ₂ N(R ⁶ⁱ )R ⁷ⁱ ;

Z ^1a and Z ^2a independently represent -R ^5a , -C(0)R ^5b , -C(O)OR ⁵⁰ , -C(O)N(R ^6a )R ^7a , -S(0) _m R ⁵⁾ or -S(O) ₂ N(R ^6h )R ^7h ; R ^5b to R ^5h , R ^5j , R ^5k , R ⁵ⁿ , R ^6a to R ⁶ⁱ , R ^7a , R ^7b , R ^7d and R ^7f to R ⁷ⁱ independently represent, on each occasion when used herein, H or R ^5a ; or any of the pairs R ^6a and R ^7a , R ^6b and R ^7b , R ^6d and R ^7d , R ^6f and R ^7f , R ^6g and R ⁷⁹ , R ^6h and R ^7h or R ⁶ⁱ and R ⁷ⁱ may be linked together to form, along with the atom(s) to which they are attached, a 3- to 6-membered ring, which ring optionally contains a further heteroatom (such as nitrogen or oxygen) in addition to the nitrogen atom to which these substituents are necessarily attached, and which ring is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from F, Cl, =0, -OR ^5h and/or R ^5a ;

R ⁵ⁱ , R ^5m and R ^5p independently represent R ^5a ;

R ^5a represents, on each occasion when used herein, C _1-6 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo, -CN, -N ₃ , =0, -OR ^8a , -N(R ^8b )R ^8c , -S(O) _n R ^8d , -S(O) ₂ N(R ^8e )R ^8f and/or -OS(O) ₂ N(R ⁸⁹ )R ^8h ;

n represents 0, 1 or 2;

R ^8a , R ^8b , R ^8d , R ^8e and R ⁸⁹ independently represent H or C _1-6 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo, =O, -OR ^11a , -N(R ^12a )R ^12b and/or -S(O) ₂ -M ¹ ;

R ^8c , R ^8f and R ^8h independently represent H, -S(O) ₂ CH ₃ , -S(O) ₂ CF ₃ or C _1-6 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from F, Cl, =0, -0R ^13a , -N(R ^14a )R ^14b and/or -S(O) ₂ -M ² ; or

R ^8b and R ^8c , R ^8e and R ^8f or R ^8g and R ^8h may be linked together to form, along with the atom(s) to which they are attached, a 3- to 6-membered ring, which ring optionally contains a further heteroatom (such as nitrogen or oxygen) in addition to the nitrogen atom to which these substituents are necessarily attached, and which ring is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from F, Cl, =0 and/or C _1-3 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from =O and fluoro;

M ¹ and M ² independently represent -N(R ^15a )R ^15b or C _1-3 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more fluoro atoms; R ^11a and R ^13a independently represent H or C _1-3 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more fluoro atoms;

R ^12a , R ^12b , R ^14a , R ^14b , R ^15a and R ^15b independently represent H, -CH ₃ or -CH ₂ CH ₃ ,

Y ¹ and Y ^1a independently represent, on each occasion when used herein, -C(O)OR ⁹³ or 5-tetrazolyl;

R ^9a represents: (i) hydrogen; or

(ii) C _1-8 alkyl or a heterocycloalkyl group, both of which are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from G ¹ and/or Z ¹ ;

one of Y ² and Y ³ represents an aryl group or a heteroaryl group (both of which groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from A) and the other represents either:

(a) an aryl group or a heteroaryl group (both of which groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from A); or (b) C _1-12 alkyl or a heterocycloalkyl group, both of which are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from G ¹ and/or Z ¹ ;

A represents, on each occasion when used herein:

I) an aryl group or a heteroaryl group, both of which are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from B;

II) C _1-8 alkyl or a heterocycloalkyl group, both of which are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from G ¹ and/or Z ¹ ; or

III) a G ¹ group;

G ¹ represents, on each occasion when used herein, halo, cyano, -N ₃ ,

-NO ₂ , -ONO ₂ or -A ¹ -R ^16a ; wherein A ¹ represents a single bond or a spacer group selected from

-C(O)A ² -, -S-, -S(O) _m1 A ³ -, -N(R ^17a )A ⁴ - or -OA ⁵ -, in which:

A ² represents a single bond, -O-, -N(R ^17b )- or -C(O)-; A ³ represents a single bond, -O- or -N(R ^17c )-; A ⁴ and A ⁵ independently represent a single bond, -C(O)-, -C(O)N(R ^17d )-, -C(O)O-, -S(O) ₂ - or -S(O) ₂ N(R ¹⁷⁶ )-;

Z ¹ represents, on each occasion when used herein, =0, =S, =NOR ^16b , =NS(O) ₂ N(R ^17f )R ^16c , =NCN or =C(H)NO ₂ ;

B represents, on each occasion when used herein:

I) an aryl group or a heteroaryl group, both of which are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from G ² ; II) Ci _-8 alkyl or a heterocycloalkyl group, both of which are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from G ² and/or Z ² ; or III) a G ² group;

G ² represents, on each occasion when used herein, halo, cyano, -N ₃ , -NO ₂ , -ONO ₂ or -A ⁶ -R ^18a ; wherein A ⁶ represents a single bond or a spacer group selected from

-C(O)A ⁷ -, -S-, -S(O) _m1 A ⁸ -, -N(R ^19a )A ⁹ - or -OA ¹⁰ -, in which:

A ⁷ represents a single bond, -0-, -N(R ^19b )- or -C(O)-;

A ⁸ represents a single bond, -O- or -N(R ^19c )-; A ⁹ and A ¹⁰ independently represent a single bond, -C(O)-, -C(O)N(R ^19d )-,

-C(O)O-, -S(O) ₂ - or -S(O) ₂ N(R ¹⁹⁶ )-;

Z ² represents, on each occasion when used herein, =0, =S, =NOR ^18b , =NS(O) ₂ N(R ^19f )R ^18c , =NCN or =C(H)NO ₂ ;

R 16a D ¹ ^b D16C o ^17a Di7b D17C Di7d Di7e nU1 D ¹ 8a Di8b DI&C n19a o19b D19C , i « x i r\ _j i x , , I x i • * » ■ * i • * i ■ * ,

R ^19d , R ^19e and R ^19t are independently selected from: i) hydrogen; ii) an aryl group or a heteroaryl group, both of which are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from G ³ ; iii) Ci- ₈ alkyl or a heterocycloalkyl group, both of which are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from G ³ and/or Z ³ ; or any pair of R ^16a to R ^16c and R ^17a to R ^17f , and/or R ^18a to R ^18c and R ^19a to R ^19f , may, for example when present on the same or on adjacent atoms, be linked together to form with those, or other relevant, atoms a further 3- to 8-membered ring, optionally containing 1 to 3 heteroatoms and/or 1 to 3 double bonds, which ring is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from G ³ and/or Z ³ ;

G ³ represents, on each occasion when used herein, halo, cyano, -N ₃ , -NO ₂ , -ONO ₂ or -A ¹¹ -R ^20a ; wherein A ¹¹ represents a single bond or a spacer group selected from -C(O)A ¹² -, -S-, -S(O) _m1 A ¹³ -, -N(R ^21a )A ¹⁴ - or -OA ¹⁵ -, in which: A ¹² represents a single bond, -0-, -N(R ^21b )- or -C(O)-; A ¹³ represents a single bond, -O- or -N(R ²¹⁰ )-; A ¹⁴ and A ¹⁵ independently represent a single bond, -C(O)-, -C(O)N(R ^21d )-, -C(O)O-, -S(O) ₂ - or -S(O) ₂ N(R ^21e )-;

Z ³ represents, on each occasion when used herein, =0, =S, =NOR ^20b , =NS(O) ₂ N(R ^21f )R ^20c , =NCN or =C(H)NO ₂ ;

R ₂ Oa _{1 R} 20b_ PJ ₂ Oc ₁ R ₂ Ia _{1 R2} ib_ _R 2i _{Cj R21d} R ₂ Ie _{gnd R} 2H _gre i _nde pendently selected from: i) hydrogen; ii) C _1-6 alkyl or a heterocycloalkyl group, both of which groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo, C _1-4 alkyl, -N(R ^22a )R ^23a , -OR ^22b and =0; and iii) an aryl or heteroaryl group, both of which are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo, C _1-4 alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from =0, fluoro and chloro), -N(R ^22c )R ^23b and -OR ^22d ; or any pair of R ^20a to R ^20c and R ^21a to R ^21f may, for example when present on the same or on adjacent atoms, be linked together to form with those, or other relevant, atoms a further 3- to 8-membered ring, optionally containing 1 to 3 heteroatoms and/or 1 or 2 double bonds, which ring is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo, C _1-4 alkyl, -N(R ^22e )R ^23c , -OR ^22f and =0;

L ¹ and L ^1a independently represent a single bond or -(CH ₂ ) _p -Q-(CH ₂ ) _q -;

p and q independently represent, on each occasion when used herein, O, 1 or 2; Q represents -C(R^)(R* ² )-, -C(O)- or -0-,

but wherein when Q represents -O-, then p represents 1 or 2;

R ^y1 and R^ independently represent H, F or X ⁴ ; or

R ^y1 and R^ may be linked together to form a 3- to 6-membered ring, which ring optionally contains a heteroatom, and which ring is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from F, Cl, =0 and X ⁵ ;

L ² and L ³ independently represent a single bond or a spacer group selected from

-(CH ₂ ) _p -C(R ^y3 )(R ^y4 )-(CH ₂ ) _q -A ¹⁶ -, -C(O)A ¹⁷ -, -S-, -S(O)-, -SC(R ^y3 )(R ^y4 )-, -S(O) ₂ A ¹⁸ -,

-N(R ^W )A ¹⁹ - or -OA ²⁰ -, in which:

A ¹⁶ represents a single bond, -0-, -N(R ^W )-, -C(O)-, or -S(0) _m -;

A ¹⁷ and A ¹⁸ independently represent a single bond, -C(R^)(R* ⁴ )-, -0-, or -N(R ^w ); A ¹⁹ and A ²⁰ independently represent a single bond, -C(R^)(R ⁷⁴ )-, -C(O)-,

-C(O)C(R ^y3 )(R ^y4 )-, -C(O)N(R ^W )-, -C(O)O-, -S(O) ₂ - or -S(O) ₂ N(R*)-,

but wherein L ² does not represent a single bond when Y ² represents C _1-12 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from G ¹ and Z ¹ ;

m represents O, 1 or 2;

ml represents, on each occasion when used herein, 1 or 2;

R ^y3 and R ^y4 independently represent, on each occasion when used herein, H, F or

X ⁶ ; or

R ^y3 and R ^y4 may be linked together to form a 3- to 6-membered ring, which ring optionally contains a heteroatom, and which ring is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from F, Cl, =0 and X ⁷ ;

R ^w represents, on each occasion when used herein, H or X ⁸ ;

X ⁴ to X ⁸ independently represent C _1-12 (e.g. C _1-6 ) alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo, -CN ₁ -N(R ^24a )R ^25a , -OR ^24b , =0, heterocycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl (which latter three groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo, -CN, C _1-4 alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from fluoro, chloro and =0), -N(R ^24c )R ^25b and -OR ^24d )), aryl or heteroaryl (which latter two groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo, -CN ₁ C _1-4 alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from fluoro, chloro and =0), -N(R ^26a )R ^26b and -OR ^26c );

R 22a _D 22b _D 22c _D 22d _D 22e _D 22f _D 23a _D 23b _D 23c _D 24a _D 24b _D 24c _D 24d _D 25a _D 25b

R ^26a , R ^26b and R ^26c are independently selected from hydrogen and C _1-4 alkyl, which latter group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from fluoro, -OH, -OCH ₃ , -OCH ₂ CH ₃ and/or =O,

or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof,

provided that: when Y is attached to D ₃ and represents -C(O)-, -L ¹ -Y ¹ represents -COOH, D ₁ and D ₃ represent -C(H)=, D ₂ represents -C(-OCH ₃ )=, ring A represents ring (I) in which E ^a1 , E ^a2 , E ^a4 and E ^a5 represent -C(H)=, E ^a3 represents -C(-L ³ -Y ³ )=, then L ² and L ³ do not both represent -0-CH ₂ - in which Y ² and Y ³ (as appropriate) represent unsubstituted phenyl,

which compounds and salts are referred to hereinafter as "the compounds of the invention". Such compounds of the invention are characterised in that the -L ¹ -Y ¹ and -L ² - Y ² are in a meta relationship, relative to one another.

Pharmaceutically-acceptable salts include acid addition salts and base addition salts. Such salts may be formed by conventional means, for example by reaction of a free acid or a free base form of a compound of formula I with one or more equivalents of an appropriate acid or base, optionally in a solvent, or in a medium in which the salt is insoluble, followed by removal of said solvent, or said medium, using standard techniques (e.g. in vacuo, by freeze-drying or by filtration). Salts may also be prepared by exchanging a counter-ion of a compound of the invention in the form of a salt with another counter-ion, for example using a suitable ion exchange resin.

Compounds of the invention may contain double bonds and may thus exist as E (entgegen) and Z (zusammen) geometric isomers about each individual double bond. All such isomers and mixtures thereof are included within the scope of the invention.

Compounds of the invention may also exhibit tautomerism. All tautomeric forms and mixtures thereof are included within the scope of the invention.

Compounds of the invention may also contain one or more asymmetric carbon atoms and may therefore exhibit optical and/or diastereoisomerism. Diastereoisomers may be separated using conventional techniques, e.g. chromatography or fractional crystallisation. The various stereoisomers may be isolated by separation of a racemic or other mixture of the compounds using conventional, e.g. fractional crystallisation or HPLC, techniques. Alternatively the desired optical isomers may be made by reaction of the appropriate optically active starting materials under conditions which will not cause racemisation or epimerisation (i.e. a 'chiral pool' method), by reaction of the appropriate starting material with a 'chiral auxiliary' which can subsequently be removed at a suitable stage, by derivatisation (i.e. a resolution, including a dynamic resolution), for example with a homochiral acid followed by separation of the diastereomeric derivatives by conventional means such as chromatography, or by reaction with an appropriate chiral reagent or chiral catalyst all under conditions known to the skilled person. All stereoisomers and mixtures thereof are included within the scope of the invention.

Unless otherwise specified, d-q alkyl groups (where q is the upper limit of the range) defined herein may be straight-chain or, when there is a sufficient number

(i.e. a minimum of two or three, as appropriate) of carbon atoms, be branched- chain, and/or cyclic (so forming a C _3-q -cycloalkyl group). Such cycloalkyl groups may be monocyclic or bicyclic and may further be bridged. Further, when there is a sufficient number (i.e. a minimum of four) of carbon atoms, such groups may also be part cyclic. Such alkyl groups may also be saturated or, when there is a sufficient number (i.e. a minimum of two) of carbon atoms, be unsaturated

(forming, for example, a C _2-q alkenyl or a C ₂ .q alkynyl group). Where the number of carbon atoms permits, Ci-q alkyl groups may also be spiro-groups (i.e. two cycloalkyl rings linked together by a single common carbon atom), although they are preferably not so. The term "halo", when used herein, includes fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo.

Heterocycloalkyl groups that may be mentioned include non-aromatic monocyclic and bicyclic heterocycloalkyl groups (which groups may further be bridged) in which at least one (e.g. one to four) of the atoms in the ring system is other than carbon (i.e. a heteroatom), and in which the total number of atoms in the ring system is between three and twelve (e.g. between five and ten). Further, such heterocycloalkyl groups may be saturated or unsaturated containing one or more double and/or triple bonds, forming for example a C _2-q (e.g. C ₄ ^) heterocycloalkenyl (where q is the upper limit of the range) or a C _7-q heterocycloalkynyl group. C _2- q heterocycloalkyl groups that may be mentioned include 7-azabicyclo-[2.2.1]heptanyl, 6-azabicyclo[3.1.1]heptanyl, 6- azabicyclo[3.2.1]-octanyl, 8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octanyl, aziridinyl, azetidinyl, dihydropyranyl, dihydropyridyl, dihydropyrrolyl (including 2,5-dihydropyrrolyl), dioxolanyl (including 1,3-dioxolanyl), dioxanyl (including 1 ,3-dioxanyl and 1 ,4- dioxanyl), dithianyl (including 1 ,4-dithianyl), dithiolanyl (including 1 ,3-dithiolanyl), imidazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, morpholinyl, 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanyl, 6- oxabicyclo[3.2.1]-octanyl, oxetanyl, oxiranyl, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, pyranyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrrolidinonyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolinyl, quinuclidinyl, sulfolanyl, 3- sulfolenyl, tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydropyridyl (such as 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridyl and 1 ,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridyl), thietanyl, thiiranyl, thiolanyl, thiomorpholinyl, trithianyl (including 1 ,3,5-trithianyl), tropanyl and the like. Substituents on heterocycloalkyl groups may, where appropriate, be located on any atom in the ring system including a heteroatom. Further, in the case where the substituent is another cyclic compound, then the cyclic compound may be attached through a single atom on the heterocycloalkyl group, forming a so- called "spiro"-compound. The point of attachment of heterocycloalkyl groups may be via any atom in the ring system including (where appropriate) a heteroatom (such as a nitrogen atom), or an atom on any fused carbocyclic ring that may be present as part of the ring system. Heterocycloalkyl groups may also be in the N- or S- oxidised form.

For the avoidance of doubt, the term "bicyclic" (e.g. when employed in the context of heterocycloalkyl groups) refers to groups in which the second ring of a two-ring system is formed between two adjacent atoms of the first ring. The term

"bridged" (e.g. when employed in the context of heterocycloalkyl groups) refers to monocyclic or bicyclic groups in which two non-adjacent atoms are linked by either an alkylene or heteroalkylene chain (as appropriate).

Aryl groups that may be mentioned include C _6-I4 (such as C _6-I3 (e.g. C _6-10 )) aryl groups. Such groups may be monocyclic or bicyclic and have between 6 and 14 ring carbon atoms, in which at least one ring is aromatic. C ₆ - _H aryl groups include phenyl, naphthyl and the like, such as 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl, indanyl, indenyl and fluorenyl. The point of attachment of aryl groups may be via any atom of the ring system. However, when aryl groups are bicyclic or tricyclic, they are preferably linked to the rest of the molecule via an aromatic ring.

Heteroaryl groups that may be mentioned include those which have between 5 and 14 (e.g. 10) members. Such groups may be monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic, provided that at least one of the rings is aromatic and wherein at least one (e.g. one to four) of the atoms in the ring system is other than carbon (i.e. a heteroatom). Heteroaryl groups that may be mentioned include oxazolopyridyl (including oxazolo[4,5-/5]pyridyl, oxazolo[5,4-/?]pyridyl and, in particular, oxazolo[4,5-c]pyridyl and oxazolo[5,4-c]pyridyl), thiazolopyridyl (including thiazolo[4,5-b]pyridyl, thiazolo[5,4-b]pyridyl and, in particular, thiazolo[4,5- c]pyridyl and thiazolo[5,4-c]pyridyl) and, more preferably, benzothiadiazolyl (including 2,1,3-benzothiadiazolyl), isothiochromanyl and, more preferably, acridinyl, benzimidazolyl, benzodioxanyl, benzodioxepinyl, benzodioxolyl (including 1 ,3-benzodioxolyl), benzofuranyl, benzofurazanyl, benzothiazolyl, benzoxadiazolyl (including 2,1 ,3-benzoxadiazolyl), benzoxazinyl (including 3,4- dihydro-2H-1 ,4-benzoxazinyl), benzoxazolyl, benzomorpholinyl, benzoselena- diazolyl (including 2,1 ,3-benzoselenadiazolyl), benzothienyl, carbazolyl, chromanyl, cinnolinyl, furanyl (i.e. furyl), imidazolyl, imidazopyridyl (such as imidazo[4,5-b]pyridyl, imidazo[5,4-/3]pyridyl and, preferably, imidazo[1 ,2- a]pyridyl), indazolyl, indolinyl, indolyl, isobenzofuranyl, isochromanyl, isoindolinyl, isoindolyl, isoquinolinyl, isothiaziolyl, isoxazolyl, naphthyridinyl (including 1 ,6- naphthyridinyl or, preferably, 1 ,5-naphthyridinyl and 1 ,8-naphthyridinyl), oxadiazolyl (including 1 ,2,3-oxadiazolyl, 1 ,2,4-oxadiazolyl and 1 ,3,4-oxadiazolyl), oxazolyl, phenazinyl, phenothiazinyl, phthalazinyl, pteridinyl, purinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, quinazolinyl, quinolinyl, quinolizinyl, quinoxalinyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl (including 1 ,2,3,4- tetrahydroisoquinolinyl and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl), tetrahydroquinolinyl (including 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolinyl and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinolinyl), tetrazolyl, thiadiazolyl (including 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl, 1 ,2,4-thiadiazolyl and 1 ,3,4-thiadiazolyl), thiazolyl, thiochromanyl, thienyl, triazolyl (including 1 ,2,3-triazolyl, 1 ,2,4-triazolyl and 1,3,4-triazolyl) and the like. Substituents on heteroaryl groups may, where appropriate, be located on any atom in the ring system including a heteroatom. The point of attachment of heteroaryl groups may be via any atom in the ring system including (where appropriate) a heteroatom (such as a nitrogen atom), or an atom on any fused carbocyclic ring that may be present as part of the ring system. However, when heteroaryl groups are polycyclic, they are preferably linked to the rest of the molecule via an aromatic ring. Heteroaryl groups may also be in the N- or S- oxidised form.

Heteroatoms that may be mentioned include phosphorus, silicon, boron, tellurium, selenium and, preferably, oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur.

For the avoidance of doubt, in cases in which the identity of two or more substituents in a compound of the invention may be the same, the actual identities of the respective substituents are not in any way interdependent. For example, in the situation in which X ¹ and X ² both represent R ^5a , i.e. a C _1-6 alkyl group optionally substituted as hereinbefore defined, the alkyl groups in question may be the same or different. Similarly, when groups are substituted by more than one substituent as defined herein, the identities of those individual substituents are not to be regarded as being interdependent. For example, when there are two X ¹ substituents present, which represent -R ^5a and -C(O)R ^5b in which R ^5b represents R ^5a , then the identities of the two R ^5a groups are not to be regarded as being interdependent. Likewise, when Y ² or Y ³ represent e.g. an aryl group substituted by G ¹ in addition to, for example, Ci _-8 alkyl, which latter group is substituted by G ¹ , the identities of the two G ¹ groups are not to be regarded as being interdependent.

For the avoidance of doubt, when a term such as "R ⁵³ to R ⁵ *" is employed herein, this will be understood by the skilled person to mean R ^5a , R ^5b , R ^5c , R ^5d , R ^5e , R ^5f , R ⁵⁹ and R ^5h inclusively.

For the avoidance of doubt, when the term "an R ⁵ group" is referred to herein, we mean any one of R ^5a to R ^5k , R ^5m , R ⁵ⁿ or R ^5p . For the avoidance of doubt, where it is stated herein that "any pair of R ^16a to R ^16c and R ^17a to R ^17f ... may ... be linked together", we mean that any one of R ^16a , R ^16b or R ^16c may be linked with any one of R ^17a , R ^17b , R ^17c , R ^17d , R ^17e or R ^17f to form a ring as hereinbefore defined. For example, R ^16a and R ^17b (i.e. when a G ¹ group is present in which G ¹ represents -A ¹ -R ^16a , A ¹ represents -C(O)A ² and A ² represents -N(R ^17b )-) or R ^16c and R ^17f may be linked together with the nitrogen atom to which they are necessarily attached to form a ring as hereinbefore defined.

For the avoidance of doubt, compounds of the invention that may be mentioned include the following:

wherein Y is attached to an atom of the A ring, as hereinbefore described (i.e. at the point of attachement of rings (I), (II) and (III) defined by the bond crossed by a squiggly line).

The skilled person will appreciate that, given that there is an essential '-|_ ³ -Y ³ ' group present in the compound of formula I, then when, for example, ring A represents ring I), then at least one of -C(R ^2b )=, -C(R ^2c )= and -C(R ^2d )= must be present, in which the any one of the relevant R ^2b , R ^2c and R ^2d groups represents the essential -L ³ - Y ³ group.

Compounds of the invention that may be mentioned include those in which: X ⁴ to X ⁸ independently represent C ₁ ^ alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo, -CN, -N(R ^24a )R ^25a , -OR ^24b , =0, aryl and heteroaryl (which latter three groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo, -CN, Ci _-4 alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from fluoro, chloro and =0), -N(R ^24c )R ^25b and -OR ^24d )), aryl or heteroaryl (which latter two groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo, -CN ₁ C _1-4 alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from fluoro, chloro and =0), -N(R ^26a )R ^26b and -OR ^26c ).

Compounds of the invention that may be mentioned include those in which, for example when Y is attached to D _b> then L ² does not represent -S(O)- (i.e. L ² represents a single bond or a spacer group selected from -(CH ₂ )p-C(R ^y3 )(R ^y4 )-(CH ₂ ) _q -A ¹⁶ -, -C(O)A ¹⁷ -, -S-, -SC(FP ³ XR*)-. -S(O) ₂ A ¹⁸ -, -N(R ^W )A ¹⁹ - or -OA ²⁰ -).

Other compounds of the invention that may be mentioned include those in which, for example when Y is attached to D _a or D _b (e.g. to D _b ), then: L ² or L ³ (e.g. L ² ) do(es) not represent -S-, -S(O)- or -S(O) ₂ - (i.e. L ² and/or L ³ independently represent a single bond or a spacer group selected from -(CH ₂ )p-C(R ^y3 )(R ^y4 HCH ₂ ) _q -A ¹⁶ -, -C(O)A ¹⁷ -, -SC(R ^y3 )(R ^y4 )-, -S(O) ₂ A ¹⁸ - (in which A ¹⁸ is not a single bond), -N(R ^W )A ¹⁹ - or -OA ²⁰ -);

L ² or L ³ (e.g. L ² ) does not represent a single bond (e.g. L ² and/or L ³ independently represent -(CH ₂ ) _p -C(R ^y3 )(R ^y4 )-(CH ₂ ) _q -A ¹⁶ -, -C(O)A ¹⁷ -, -SC(R^)(R* ⁴ )-, -S(O) ₂ A ¹⁸ - (in which A ¹⁸ is not a single bond), -N(R ^W )A ¹⁹ - or -OA ²⁰ -).

Compounds of the invention that may be mentioned include those in which: when Y is attached to D _a or D _b (e.g. D _b ), and D ₂ and D ₃ respectively represent -C(R ^1b )= and -C(R ^1c )=, then R ^1b and/or R ^1c do not represent -C(O)OR ⁵⁰ (and, preferably, R ^1c represents hydrogen, halo, -CN, -N ₃ or -NO ₂ ; especially hydrogen); when Y is attached to D _a or D _b (e.g. D _a ), and D ₃ represents -C(R ^1c )=, then R ^1c preferably represents hydrogen, halo, -CN, -N ₃ or -NO ₂ (and most preferably represents halo or, particularly, hydrogen); when Y is attached to D _a or D _b (e.g. D _a ), and D ₂ represents -C(R ^1b )=, then R ^1b preferably represents hydrogen, halo, -CN, -N ₃ or -NO ₂ (and most preferably represents halo or, particularly, hydrogen);

D ₂ and D ₃ respectively represent -C(R ^1b )= and -C(R ^1c )=, in which R ^1b and R ^1c are independently hydrogen, halo, -CN, -N ₃ or -NO ₂ (and most preferably represents halo or, particularly, hydrogen); when ring A represents ring (I), then preferably when R ^2c represents the essential -L ³ -Y ³ group, then when E ^2a and E ^4a respectively represent -C(R ^2b )= and -C(R ^2d )=, then R ^2b and R ^2d preferably do not represent -L ^1a -Y ^1a (i.e. they preferably represent hydrogen or a substituent selected from X ¹ ; most preferably R ^2b and R ^2d in this situation represent halo or, particularly, hydrogen); for example when R ^1a and/or R ^1b represents Z ^2a , then Z ^2a preferably represents -R ^5a , -C(O)R ^5b , -C(O)N(R ^6a )R ^7a , -S(O) _m R ^5j or -S(O) ₂ N(R ^6h )R ^7h ; for example when Z ^2a represents -R ^5a , then R ^5a preferably represents C _1-6 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from =O or, preferably, halo, -CN, -N ₃ , -N(R ^8b )R ^8c , -S(O) _n R ^8d , -S(O) ₂ N(R ^8e )R ^8f and -OS(O) ₂ N(R ⁸⁹ )R ^8h ; when alkyl groups mentioned herein are substituted by halo, then that halo group is preferably fluoro.

Other compounds of the invention that may be mentioned include those in which: D ₁ , D ₂ and D ₃ do not represent -N=; each of D ₁ , D ₂ and D ₃ respectively represent -C(R ^1a )=, -C(R ^1b )= and -C(R ^1c )=; ring A (e.g. when it represents ring I) does not contain a nitrogen atom, for example E ^β1 , E ^a2 , E ^a3 , E ^a4 and E ^a5 do not represent -N= (i.e. each of E ^a1 , E ^a2 , E ^a3 , E ^a4 and E ^a5 respectively represent -C(H)=, -C(R ^2b )=, -C(R ^2c )=, -C(R ^2d )= and -C(H)=).

Preferred compounds of the invention include those in which: when one of Y ² and Y ³ (e.g. Y ² ) represents C _1-12 alkyl, then that group is preferably C _3-12 alkyl (more preferably, C _3-12 cycloalkyl) optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from G ¹ and/or Z ¹ ; when one of Y ² and Y ³ (e.g. Y ² ) represents C _1-12 alkyl, then L ² and L ³ preferably do not represent a single bond or -OA ²⁰ - (in which A ²⁰ is preferably a single bond); both of Y ² and Y ³ independently represent a cyclic group (e.g. C _3-12 cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl), for example an aryl group or a heteroaryl group (both of which groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from A); L ¹ and L ^1a independently represent a single bond or -(CH ₂ ) _p -Q-(CH ₂ ) _q -; p represents 1 or 2; Q represents -C(R^)(R* ² )- or -C(O)-.

Further compounds of the invention that may be mentioned include those in which: when R ^5a represents Ci _-6 alkyl substituted with two substituents, then those substituents are not =0 and -OR ^8a substituted at a terminal carbon atom of the alkyl group (so forming a -C(=O)OR ^8a group); when R ^5a represents C _1-6 alkyl substituted with two substituents, then those substituents are not =0 and -N(R ^8b )R ^8c substituted at a terminal carbon atom of the alkyl group (so forming a -C(=O)N(R ^8b )R ^8c group); when R ^8a , R ^8b , R ^8d , R ^8e and/or R ^8g represent C _1-6 alkyl substituted with two substituents, then those substituents are not =0 and -0R ^11a substituted at a terminal carbon atom of the alkyl group (so forming a -C(=O)OR ^11a group); when R ^8a , R ^8b , R ^8d , R ^8e and/or R ^8g represent C _1-6 alkyl substituted with two substituents, then those substituents are not =0 and -N(R ^12a )R ^12b substituted at a terminal carbon atom of the alkyl group (so forming a -C(=O)N(R ^12a )R ^12b group); when R ^8c , R ^8f and/or R ^8h represent C _1-6 alkyl substituted with two substituents, then those substituents are not =0 and -0R ^13a substituted at a terminal carbon atom of the alkyl group (so forming a -C(=O)OR ^13a group); when R ^8c , R ^8f and/or R ^8h represent C _1-6 alkyl substituted with two substituents, then those substituents are not =0 and -N(R ^14a )R ^14b substituted at a terminal carbon atom of the alkyl group (so forming a -C(=O)N(R ^14a )R ^14b group); R ^5a represents, on each occasion when used herein, C _1-6 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from fluoro, -CN, -OR ^8a , -N(R ^8b )R ^8c , -S(O) _n R ^8d and/or -S(O) ₂ N(R ^8e )R ^8f ;

_R ^βa _R ^βb _R ^βd _{and R} ^βe independently represent H or C _1-6 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from fluoro, -0R ^11a and/or -N(R ^12a )R ^12b ; R ^8c and R ^8f independently represent H or C _1-3 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from F, -OR ^13a , -N(R ^14a )R ^14b , -S(O) ₂ CH ₃ , -S(O) ₂ CHF ₂ and/or -S(O) ₂ CF ₃ .

Compounds of the invention that may be mentioned include those in which:

M ¹ and M ² independently represent -CH ₂ CH ₃ , or, preferably, -CH ₃ , -CF ₃ or -N(R ^15a )R ^15b ;

R ^11a and R ^13a independently represent -CHF ₂ or, preferably H, -CH ₃ , -CH ₂ CH ₃ or

-CF ₃ ;

X ⁴ to X ⁸ independently represent C _1-6 alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo, -CN, -N(R ^24a )R ^25a , -OR ^24b , =0, aryl and heteroaryl (which latter two groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo, C _1-4 alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from fluoro, chloro and =0), -N(R ^24c )R ^25b and -OR ^24d )), aryl or heteroaryl (which latter two groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo, Ci _-4 alkyl (optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from fluoro, chloro and =0), -N(R ^26a )R ^26b and -OR ^26c ); D25b

R ^26a , R ^26b and R ^26c are independently selected from hydrogen and C _1-4 alkyl, which latter group is optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from chloro or, preferably, fluoro and/or =O. 0 Compounds of the invention that may be mentioned include those in which, for example, when D ₁ , D ₂ and D ₃ respectively represent -C(R ^1a )=, -C(R ^1b )= and -C(R ^1c )=; ring A represents ring (I) and E ^a \ E ^a2 , E ^a3 , E ^a4 and E ^a5 respectively represent -C(H)=, -C(R ^2b )=, -C(R ^2c )=, -C(R ^2d )= and -C(H)=, then: when Y ² and Y ³ both represent a heteroaryl (e.g. a 4- to 10-membered heteroaryl)5 group, then L ¹ and, if present, L ^1a , independently represent a single bond, -(CH ₂ ) _P -Q-(CH ₂ V in which Q represents -C(O)-, or, -(CH ₂ ) _p -Q-(CH ₂ ) _q - in which p represents 1 or 2 and Q represents -O-; when Y ² and Y ³ both represent a heteroaryl group, then L ² and L ³ do not both represent single bonds. 0

Further compounds of the invention that may be mentioned include those in which, for example, when D ₁ , D ₂ and D ₃ respectively represent -C(R ^1a )=, -C(R ^1b )= and -C(R ^1c )=; ring A represents ring (I) and E ^a1 , E ^a2 , E ^a3 , E ^a4 and E ^a5 respectively represent -C(H)=, -C(R ^2b )=, -C(R ^2c )=, -C(R ^2d )= and -C(H)=, then:5 L ¹ represents a single bond, -(CH ₂ ) _p -Q-(CH ₂ ) _q - in which Q represents -C(O)-, or, -(CH ₂ ) _p -Q-(CH ₂ ) _q - in which p represents 1 or 2 and Q represents -O-; Q represents -C(O)-;

(e.g. one of) L ² and L ³ independently represent a spacer group selected from -(CH ₂ ) _p -C(R ^y3 )(R ^y4 )-(CH ₂ ) _q -A ¹⁶ -, -C(O)A ¹⁷ -, -S-, -S(O)-, -SC(R^)(R* ⁴ )-, -S(O) ₂ A ¹⁸ -,0 -N(R ^W )A ¹⁹ - or -OA ²⁰ -;

(e.g. one of) Y ² and Y ³ represent an aryl group optionally substituted as defined herein.

Further compounds of the invention that may be mentioned include those in5 which, for example, when D ₁ , D ₂ and D ₃ respectively represent -C(H)=, -C(R ^1b )= and -C(H)=; ring A represents ring (I) and E ^a1 , E ^a2 , E ^a3 , E ^a4 and E ^a5 respectively represent -C(H)=, -C(R ^2b )= -C(R ^2c )= -C(R ^2d )= and -C(H)=, when R ^1b or, if present, X ¹ represent -N(R ^5d )C(O)R ^6c , and R ^6c represents R ^5a , then R ^5a represents a linear or branched C _1-6 alkyl group optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from halo, -CN, -N ₃ , =0, -OR ^8a , -N(R ^8b )R ^8c , -S(O) _n R ^8d , -S(O) ₂ N(R ^8e )R ^8f or -OS(O) ₂ N(R ^8g )R ^8h .

Yet further compounds of the invention that may be mentioned include those in which: when, for example, ring A represents ring (I), L ² or L ³ represent -N(R ^W )A ¹⁹ -, in which A ¹⁹ represents a single bond and R ^w represents H, then Y ² or Y ³ (as appropriate) do not represent a benzimidazolyl (e.g. benzimidazol-2-yl) group.

Preferred compounds of the invention include those in which: one (e.g. Di or D ₃ ) or none of D ₁ , D ₂ and D ₃ represent -N=; D ₁ , D ₂ and D ₃ respectively represent -C(R ^1a )=, -C(R ^1b )= and -C(R ^1c )=;

R ^1a and R ^1c independently represent hydrogen; when ring A represents ring (I), then two, preferably, one or, more preferably, none of E ^a1 , E ^a2 , E ^a3 , E ^a4 and E ^a5 represent -N=;

E ^a1 , E ^a2 , E ^a3 , E ^a4 and E ^a5 respectively represent -C(H)=, -C(R ^2b )=, -C(R ^2c )=, -C(R ^2d )= and -C(H)=;

R ^2c represents the requisite -L ³ - Y ³ group; only one of R ^2b , R ^2c and R ^2d (e.g. R ^2b ) may represent -L ^1a -Y ^1a ; one of R ^2b and R ^2d (e.g. R ^2b ) represents hydrogen or -L ^1a -Y ^1a , and the other represents hydrogen or a substituent selected from X ¹ ; when one of R ^2b , R ^2c and R ^2d represents -L ^1a -Y ^1a , then it is preferably 5-tetrazolyl or, more preferably, -COOR ^9a , in which R ^9a is preferably H;

R ³⁰ and R ^3d independently represent unsubstituted C _1-6 (e.g. C _1-3 ) alkyl, or, preferably, hydrogen; for example when ring A represents ring (II) then, one of R ^3a and R ^3b represents a substituent X ² or, more preferably, H or -L ^1a -Y ^1a , and the other represents the requisite -L ³ -Y ³ group;

R ^4b and R ⁴⁰ independently represent unsubstituted C _1-6 (e.g. C _1-3 ) alkyl, or, preferably, hydrogen; for example when ring A represents ring (III) then, one of R ^4a and, if present, R^ represents a substituent X ³ or, more preferably, H or -L ^1a -Y ^1a , and the other represents the requisite -L ³ - Y ³ group; when any one of R ^3a , R ^3b , R ^3c , R ^3d , R ^4a , R ^4b , R ⁴⁰ or R ⁴⁰ (e.g. R ^3a , R ^3b , R ^4a or R ⁴⁰ ) represents -L ^1a -Y ^1a , then it is preferably a 5-tetrazolyl group or -COOR ^9a , in which

R ^9a is preferably H;

X ¹ , X ² and X ³ independently represent halo (e.g. chloro or fluoro), -R ^5a , -CN and -OR ^5h ;

Z ^1a and Z ^2a independently represent -R ^5a ; when any of the pairs R ^6a and R ^7a , R ^6b and R ^7b , R ^6d and R ^7d , R ^6f and R ^7f , R ^6g and

R ^7g , R ^6h and R ^7h or R ⁶ⁱ and R ⁷ⁱ are linked together, they form a 5- or 6-membered ring optionally substituted by F, -OCH ₃ or, preferably, =0 or R ^5a , and which ring optionally contains an oxygen or nitrogen heteroatom (which nitrogen heteroatom may be optionally substituted, for example with a methyl group, so forming e.g.

-N(H)- Or -N(CH ₃ )-);

R ^5c , R ^5j and R ^6e independently represent R ^5a ; when R ^5a , R ^8a , R ^8b , R ^8d , R ^8e and R ^8g represent C^ alkyl optionally substituted by one or more halo substituents, then those halo substituents are preferably Cl or, more preferably, F;

R ^5a represents C ₁ - ₆ (e.g. Ci _-4 ) alkyl optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from Cl, =O, -N(R ^8b )R ^8c and, preferably, F and -OR ^8a ; m and n independently represent 2; when any one of R ^8a , R ^8b , R ^8d , R ^8e and R ^8g represents C ₁ ^ alkyl substituted by halo, then preferred halo groups are chloro and, preferably, fluoro;

R ^8a , R ^8b , R ^8d , R ^8e and R ⁸⁹ independently represent H or C _1-3 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more fluoro atoms;

R ^8c , R ^8f and R ^8h independently represent H, -S(O) ₂ CH ₃ , -S(O) ₂ CF ₃ or C _1-3 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more fluoro atoms, or the relevant pairs (i.e. R ^8b and R ^8c , R ^8e and R ^8f or R ^8g and R ^8h ) are linked together as defined herein; when R ^8b and R ^8c , R ^8e and R ^8f or R ^8g and R ^8h are linked together, they form a 5- or

6-membered ring, optionally substituted by F, =0 or -CH ₃ ;

M ¹ and M ² independently represent -CH ₃ or -CF ₃ ; R ^11a , R ^12a , R ^12b , R ^13a , R ^14a , R ^14b , R ^15a and R ^15b independently represent H or -CH ₃ ;

Y ¹ and Y ^1a independently represent -C(O)OR ^9a or 5-tetrazolyl;

R ^9a represents C _1-4 (e.g. C _1-3 ) alkyl optionally substituted by one or more halo

(e.g. fluoro) atoms or R ^9a more preferably represents hydrogen;

A represents aryl (e.g. phenyl) optionally substituted by B; C _1-6 alkyl optionally substituted by G ¹ and/or Z ¹ ; or G ¹ ;

G ¹ represents halo, cyano or -A ¹ -R ^16a ; A ¹ represents -C(O)A ² , -N(R ^17a )A ⁴ - or -OA ⁵ -;

A ² represents a single bond or -0-;

A ⁴ represents -C(0)N(R ^17d )-, -C(O)O- or, more preferably, a single bond or

-C(O)-; A ⁵ represents -C(O)- or, preferably, a single bond;

Z ¹ represents =NCN, preferably, =N0R ^16b or, more preferably, =0;

B represents heteroaryl (e.g. oxazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl or, preferably, thienyl) or, more preferably, aryl (e.g. phenyl) optionally substituted by G ² ; C ₁ ^ alkyl optionally substituted by G ² and/or Z ² ; or, preferably G ² , G ² represents cyano or, more preferably, halo or -A ⁶ -R ^18a ;

A ⁶ represents a single bond, -N(R ^19a )A ⁹ - or -OA ¹⁰ -;

A ⁹ represents -C(0)N(R ^19d )-, -C(O)O- or, more preferably, a single bond or

-C(O)-;

A ¹⁰ represents a single bond; Z ² represents =NCN, preferably, =N0R ^18b or, more preferably, =0;

R 16a _D 19a _D 19b oWc , , IΛ ,

R ^19d , R ^19e and R ^19f are independently selected from hydrogen, aryl (e.g. phenyl) or heteroaryl (which latter two groups are optionally substituted by G ³ ) or Ci _-6 (e.g. C _1-4 ) alkyl (optionally substituted by G ³ and/or Z ³ ), or the relevant pairs are linked together as hereinbefore defined; when any pair of R ^16a to R ^16c and R ^17a to R ^17f , or R ^18a to R ^18c and R ^19a to R ^19f are linked together, they form a 5- or 6-membered ring, optionally substituted by one or more (e.g. one or two) substituents selected from G ³ and/or Z ³ ; G ³ represents halo or -A ¹¹ -R ^20a ; A ¹¹ represents a single bond or -0-; Z ³ represents =0;

R ^20a , R ^20b , R ^20c , R ^21a , R ^21b , R ^21c , R ^21d , R ^21e and R ^21f are independently selected from H ₁ Ci _-3 (e.g. C _1-2 ) alkyl (e.g. methyl) optionally substituted by one or more halo (e.g. fluoro) atoms, or optionally substituted aryl (e.g. phenyl), or the relevant pairs are linked together as defined herein; when any pair of R ^20a to R ^20c and R ^21a to R ^21f are linked together, they form a 5- or 6-membered ring, optionally substituted by one or more (e.g. one or two) substituents selected from halo (e.g. fluoro) and C _1-2 alkyl (e.g. methyl); R ^y1 and R^ independently represent hydrogen or methyl, or, they are linked together to form a 3-membered cyclopropyl group; either one of p and q represents 1 and the other represents 0, or, more preferably, both of p and q represent 0;

Q represents -C(R^)(R* ² )- or -C(O)-;

L ² and L ³ independently represent -OA ²⁰ -, particularly, -S-, -SC(R ^y3 )(R ^y4 )- or, preferably, -(CH ₂ ) _p -C(R ^y3 )(R ^y4 )-(CH ₂ ) _q -A ¹⁶ -, -S(O) ₂ A ¹⁸ - or -N(R ^W )A ¹⁹ -;

A ¹⁶ represents a single bond or, preferably, -C(O)-;

A ¹⁸ represents -N(R ^W )- or, preferably, a single bond;

A ¹⁹ represents -C(R ^y3 )(R ^y4 )-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)C(R ^y3 )(R ^y4 )- or, preferably, a single \^ bond, -C(O)-, -C(O)N(R ^W )- or -S(O) ₂ -; A ²⁰ represents a single bond or -C(R ^y3 )(R ^y4 )-;

R ^y3 and R ^y4 independently represent H or X ⁶ , or, are linked together to form a 3- membered cyclopropyl group;

R ^w represents H or X ⁸ ;

X ⁴ to X ⁸ independently represent Ci _-3 alkyl (optionally substituted by fluoro) or aryl (e.g. phenyl) optionally substituted by fluoro; p22a p22b p22c p22d p22e p22f p23a p23b p23c p24a p24b p24c p24d p25a _ j p25b independently represent hydrogen or Ci _-2 alkyl optionally substituted by =0 or, more preferably, one or more fluoro atoms.

More preferred compounds of the invention include those in which: when ring A represents ring (I), in which there is one -N= group present, then E ^a ' ,

E ^a3 or E ^a5 represents such a moiety; when ring A represents ring (II), then W ^b may represent -N(R ^3d )- (so forming a pyrrolyl or imidazolyl ring) or, more preferably, when Y* represents -C(R ³⁰ )=, then W ^b preferably represents -O- or, particularly, -S- (so forming a furyl or, particularly, a thienyl ring) or when Y ^b represents -N=, then W ^b preferably represents -O- or -S- (so forming, for example, an oxazolyl or thiazolyl ring);

R ^3c and R ^3d independently represent H; when ring A represents ring (III), then W ^c preferably represents -N(R ⁴ ")-; R ^M represents H;

R ^8c , R ^8f and R ^8h independently represent H or Ci _-3 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more fluoro atoms;

X ¹ , X ² and X ³ independently represent fluoro, chloro, -CN, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, difluoromethoxy and/or trifluoromethoxy;

R ^y1 and R^ independently represent hydrogen; A represents G ¹ or C _1-6 alkyl (e.g. C _1-4 alkyl) optionally substituted by G ¹ and/or Z ¹ ;

A ¹ represents -N(R ^17a )A ⁴ - or -OA ⁵ -; G ² represents halo or -A ⁶ -R ^18a .

Preferred rings that ring A may represents include furyl (e.g. 2-furyl), thienyl (e.g. 2-thienyl), oxazolyl (e.g. 2-oxazolyl), thiazolyl (e.g. 2-thiazolyl), pyridyl (e.g. 4- or preferably, 2- or 3-pyridyl), pyrrolyl (e.g. 3-pyrrolyl or, preferably, 2-pyrrolyl), imidazolyl (e.g. 4-imidazolyl or, preferably, 1- or 2-imidazolyl) or, preferably, phenyl.

Preferred rings that the Di to D ₃ -containing ring may represent include 2- or 4- pyridyl (relative to the point of attachment to the -C(O)- moiety) or, preferably, phenyl.

Preferred aryl and heteroaryl groups that Y ² and Y ³ may independently represent include optionally substituted (i.e. by A) phenyl, naphthyl (e.g. 5,6,7,8- tetrahydronaphthyl), pyrrolyl, furyl, thienyl (e.g. 2-thienyl or 3-thienyl), imidazolyl (e.g. 2-imidazolyl or 4-imidazolyl), oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridyl (e.g. 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl or 4-pyridyl), indazolyl, indolyl, indolinyl, isoindolinyl, quinolinyl, 1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, 1 ,2,3,4- tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, quinolizinyl, benzoxazolyl, benzofuranyl, isobenzofuranyl, chromanyl, benzothienyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, indazolyl, benzimidazolyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, 1 ,3-benzodioxolyl, tetrazolyl, benzothiazolyl, and/or benzodioxanyl, group. Preferred values include benzothienyl (e.g. 7-benzothienyl), 1 ,3-benzodioxolyl, particularly, naphthyl (e.g. 5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthyl or, preferably, 1 -naphthyl or 2-naphthyl), more particularly, 2-benzoxazolyl, 2-benzimidazolyl, 2-benzothiazolyl, thienyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, pyridyl (e.g. 2- or 3-pyridyl), and, most preferably, phenyl. Preferred phenyl groups include butoxyphenyl (e.g. 3-n-butoxyphenyl), halophenyl (e.g. chlorophenyl, such as 4-chlorophenyl and 3-chlorophenyl), trifluoromethoxyphenyl (e.g. 4-trifluoromethoxyphenyl) and cyclopropylcarbonylphenyl (e.g. 4-cyclopropylcarbonylphenyl).

Preferred substituents on Y ² and Y ³ groups (e.g. when they represent aryl or heteroaryl) include: halo (e.g. fluoro, chloro or bromo); cyano;

C _1-6 alkyl, which alkyl group may be cyclic, part-cyclic, unsaturated or, preferably, linear or branched (e.g. Ci _-4 alkyl (such as ethyl, /7-propyl, isopropyl, f-butyl or, preferably, /7-butyl or methyl), all of which are optionally substituted with one or more halo (e.g. fluoro) groups (so forming, for example, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl or, preferably, trifluoromethyl); heterocycloalkyl, such as a 5- or 6-membered heterocycloalkyl group, preferably containing a nitrogen atom and, optionally, a further nitrogen or oxygen atom, so forming for example morpholinyl (e.g. 4-morpholinyl), piperazinyl (e.g. 4- piperazinyl) or piperidinyl (e.g. 1-piperidinyl and 4-piperidinyl) or pyrrolidinyl (e.g.

1-pyrrolidinyl), which heterocycloalkyl group is optionally substituted by one or more (e.g. one or two) substituents selected from C _1-3 alkyl (e.g. methyl) and =O;

-OR ²⁶ ; -C(O)R ²⁶ ;

-C(O)OR ²⁶ ;

-N(R ²⁶ JR ²⁷ ; and

-S(O) _m R ²⁶ (in which m is 0 or, preferably, 1 or 2); wherein R ²⁶ and R ²⁷ independently represent, on each occasion when used herein, H, C _1-6 alkyl, such as Ci _-4 alkyl (e.g. ethyl, /7-propyl, f-butyl, cyclopropyl, or, preferably, n-butyl, methyl or isopropyl) optionally substituted by one or more halo

(e.g. fluoro) groups (so forming e.g. a perfluoroethyl or, preferably, a trifluoromethyl group) or aryl (e.g. phenyl) optionally substituted by one or more halo or d- ₃ (e.g. C _1-2 ) alkyl groups (which alkyl group is optionally substituted by one or more halo (e.g. fluoro) atoms). Preferably, when the substituent is

-S(O)R ²⁶ Or -S(O) ₂ R ²⁶ , then R ²⁶ is not hydrogen.

Preferred compounds of the invention include those in which:

Y represents -C(O)-; Y is attached to D ₃ or, preferably, D _b ;

D ₁ , D ₂ and D ₃ respectively represent -C(R ^1a )=, -C(R ^1b )= and -C(R ^1c )=;

R ^1a , R ^1b and R ^1c independently represent H; ring A represents ring (I);

E ^a1 and E ^a5 independently represent -C(H)=; E ^a2 , E ^a3 and E ^a4 respectively represent -C(R ^2b )=, -C(R ^2c )= and -C(R ^2d )=;

R ^2b represents -|_ ^1a -Y ^1a or, more preferably, H; preferably none of R ^2b , R ^2c , R ^2d , R ^3a , R ^3b , R ^3c , R ^3d , R ^4a , R ^4b , R ⁴⁰ and R ⁴ * represent

_ _L 1a_ _γ 1a. one of R ^2b , R ^2c , R ^2d , R ^3a , R ^3b , R ^3c , R ^3d , R ^4a , R ^4b , R ^4c and R^ represents the essential -L ³ - Y ³ group and the others independently represent hydrogen or a substituent selected (as appropriate) from X ¹ , X ² , X ³ , R ^z1 and R ²² (most preferably such groups represent hydrogen);

R ^2c represents the requisite -L ³ - Y ³ group;

R ^2d represents H;

L ¹ and L ^1a independently represent a single bond; L ¹ and L ^1a are the same;

Y ¹ and Y ^1a independently represent 5-tetrazolyl (which is preferably unsubstituted) or, preferably, -C(O)OR ^9a ;

Y ¹ and Y ^1a are the same; when Y ¹ represents 5-tetrazolyl, then R ^2b to R ^2d (e.g. R ^2b ) do not represent -L ^1a -Y ^1a (but preferably represent hydrogen);

R ^9a represents C _1-6 alkyl (e.g. ethyl or methyl) or H; when, for example, Y ¹ and Y ^1a are the same, then R ^9a represents C _1-6 alkyl (e.g. ethyl or, preferably, methyl) or, more preferably, H;

L ² and L ³ independently represent -OA ²⁰ - or, preferably, -N(R ^W )A ¹⁹ -; at least one of (and preferably both of) L ² and L ³ represents -N(R ^W )A ¹⁹ -;

L ² and L ³ may be different (for example when R ^2b represents H) or L ² and L ³ are the same (for example when R ^2b represents -L ^1a -Y ^1a );

A ¹⁹ represents a single bond, -S(O) ₂ - or -C(O)-;

A ²⁰ represents a single bond; R ^w represents C _1-3 alkyl (e.g. methyl) or H;

Y ² and Y ³ independently represent optionally substituted (e.g. by one or two substituents) heteroaryl (such as 6-membered monocyclic heteroaryl group in which the heteroatom is preferably nitrogen or a 9-membered bicyclic heteroaryl group in which there is one or two heteroatom(s) preferably selected from sulfur and oxygen; so forming a pyridyl group, e.g. 2-pyridyl or 3-pyridyl, benzothienyl, e.g. 7-benzothienyl, or benzodioxoyl, e.g. 4-benzo[1 ,3]dioxoyl), optionally substituted (e.g. by one or two substituents) aryl (e.g. naphthyl, such as 5,6,7,8- tetrahydronaphthyl, or, preferably, phenyl) or optionally substituted (e.g. by two or, preferably, one substituents) C _1-12 (e.g. C _1-8 ) alkyl (which group is preferably acyclic, e.g. linear, and/or is preferably unsubstituted, e.g. n-hexyl); at least one of Y ² and Y ³ represents aryl (e.g. phenyl) optionally substituted as defined herein;

Y ² and Y ³ may be different (for example when R ^2b represents H) or Y ² and Y ³ are the same (for example when R ^2b represents -L ^1a -Y ^1a ); when Y ² or Y ³ represent C _1-12 alkyl, then it is preferably a part-cyclic C _1-6 alkyl group, a cyclic C _3-6 alkyl group, or, more preferably, a Ci _-8 alkyl group (e.g. an unsubstituted acyclic, e.g. linear, C _1-8 alkyl group (e.g. n-hexyl)), all of which alkyl groups may be optionally substituted by one or more G ¹ substituent(s); A represents G ¹ or C _1-6 (e.g. C _1-4 ) alkyl (e.g. butyl (such as n-butyl) or methyl) optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from G ¹ ;

G ¹ represents halo (e.g. fluoro or, preferably, chloro; for example, when G ¹ is attached to an aromatic ring, then halo may represent fluoro or chloro and when G ¹ is attached to a non-aromatic ring, then it represents fluoro) or -A ¹ -R ^16a ; A ¹ represents a single bond or, preferably, -C(O)A ² or -OA ⁵ -; A ² and A ⁵ independently represent a single bond;

R ^16a represents hydrogen or, preferably, C _1-6 (e.g. C _1-4 ) alkyl (e.g. methyl, cyclopropyl or butyl, such as n-butyl) optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from G ³ (e.g. fluoro); G ³ represents halo (e.g. fluoro; and hence e.g. R ^16a may represent trifluoromethyl); when Y ² and/or Y ³ represent an optionally substituted phenyl group, then that phenyl group may be substituted with a single substituent (e.g. at the meta or para- position) or with two substituents (e.g. with one at the para-position and the other at the meta- or ortho- position, so forming for example a 3,4-substituted, 2,4-substituted or 2,5-substituted phenyl group);

R ²⁸ represents hydrogen or unsubstituted C _1-3 (e.g. C _1-2 ) alkyl (e.g. methyl).

Preferred substituents on Y ² or Y ³ groups (for instance, when they represent heteroaryl groups or, preferably, aryl group, such as phenyl) include n-butoxy, trifluoromethoxy, chloro and cyclopropylcarbonyl (i.e. -C(O)-cyclopropyl).

When Y ² or Y ³ represents optionally substituted C _1-12 alkyl, then that group is preferably hexyl (e.g. n-hexyl).

Particularly preferred compounds of the invention include those of the following formula: wherein

Y represents -C(O)- or -C(=N-OR ²⁸ )-;

R ²⁸ represents hydrogen or Ci _-3 alkyl; Y is attached to either D _a or D _b (preferably to D _b ); each of D ₁ , D ₂ and D ₃ respectively represent -C(R ^1a )=, -C(R ^1b )= and -C(R ^1c )=; each of E ^a1 , E ^a2 , E ^a4 and E ^a5 respectively represent -C(H)=, -C(R ^2b )=, -C(R ^2d )= and -C(H)=, or, any one or two (e.g. one) of E ^a1 , E ^a2 , E ^a4 and E ^a5 (e.g. E ^a1 or E ^a5 ) may alternatively and independently represent -N= (for instance E ^a1 or E ^a5 may alternatively and independently represent -N=);

R ^2b and R ^2d independently represent a substituent selected from X ¹ , or, R ^2b and

R ^2d more preferably (and independently) represent hydrogen;

R ^1a , R ^1b , R ^1c , independently represent R ^5a or halo, but more preferably (and independently) represent hydrogen; X ¹ independently represents a group selected from R ^5a and halo;

R ^5a represents, on each occasion when used herein, C _1-6 (e.g. C _1-4 ) alkyl;

Y ¹ and Y ^1a independently represent, on each occasion when used herein,

-C(O)OR ⁹³ ;

R ^9a represents: (i) hydrogen; or

(ii) C _1-8 alkyl (e.g. C _1-6 alkyl) optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from G ¹ and/or Z ¹ (but preferably unsubstituted);

Y ² represents acyclic C _1-6 (e.g. C _4-6 ) alkyl or Y ² more preferably represents: (i) aryl

(preferably phenyl); (ii) 5- or, preferably, 6-membered heteroaryl (e.g. in which there is preferably one heteroatom, preferably selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, so forming e.g. pyridyl or thienyl); (iii) 9- or 10-membered bicyclic heteroaryl group (e.g. consisting of a benzene ring fused to a 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl or heterocycloalkyl group, so forming e.g. 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl,

3,4-ethylenedioxyphenyl, indolyl or tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, which may be attached via the non-aromatic ring); (iv) C _3-8 (e.g. C _5-6 ) cycloalkyl; (v) or a 4- to 8- membered (e.g. 5- or 6-membered) heterocycloalkyl group, all of which groups are optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from A (or alkyl or heterocycloalkyl groups may be substituted by one or more substituents selected from G ¹ and/or Z ¹ ); when Y ² or Y ³ represent alkyl, then such groups are preferably cycloalkyl;

Y ³ may represents a group as defined above for Y ² (provided that at least one of Y ² and Y ³ represent an aromatic group), and hence Y ³ may represent acyclic C ₁ ^

(e.g. C _4-6 ) alkyl or, more preferably, Y ³ represents represents phenyl optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from A;

A represents G ¹ or C _1-6 (e.g. Ci _-4 ) alkyl optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from Z ¹ and, preferably, G ¹ ; Z ¹ represents =O;

G ¹ represents halo (e.g. chloro or fluoro), -CN or -A ¹ -R ^16a ;

A ¹ represents -C(O)A ² , -N(R ^17a )A ⁴ - or -OA ⁵ -;

A ² , A ⁴ and A ⁵ independently represent a single bond;

R ^16a represents hydrogen or Ci _-6 (e.g. Ci _-4 ) alkyl (e.g. methyl, cyclopropyl, etc) optionally substituted by one or more G ³ substituents;

R ^17a represents C _1-4 (e.g. Ci _-2 ) alkyl;

G ³ represents halo (e.g. fluoro);

L ¹ represents a single bond;

L ² represents -S(O) ₂ - or, preferably, a single bond, -C(R^)(R ⁷⁴ )-, -N(R ^W )A ¹⁹ -, -C(O)A ¹⁷ -, -OA ²⁰ -, -S(O)- or -S-,

L ³ represents a group as defined herein for L ² and L ³ more preferably represents

-N(R ^W )A ¹⁹ - (e.g. -N(R ^W )-, -N(R ^W )-C(O)- or -N(R ^W )-S(O) ₂ -);

A ¹⁷ represents -N(R ^W )- or a single bond,

A ¹⁹ represents a single bond, -C(R^)(R ^y4 )-, -C(O)- Or -S(O) ₂ -; A ²⁰ represents a single bond or -C(R ^y3 )(R ^y4 )-;

R ^y3 and R ^y4 independently represent hydrogen;

R ^w represents, on each occasion when used herein, H or X ⁸ ;

X ⁸ represents Ci _-8 (e.g. C _1-6 ) alkyl (e.g. Ci _-5 alkyl, including part-cyclic, part- branched alkyl and unsaturated alkyl groups) optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from =0, -OR ^24b and heterocycloalkyl (e.g. a 4- to 6- membered heterocycloalkyl group, which may be attached to the alkyl group via a single common carbon atom; and which heterocycloalkyl group may contain one or two heteroatoms, preferably selected from oxygen);

R ^24b represents hydrogen or Ci _-4 (e.g. Ci _-3 ) alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl or isopropyl). For the avoidance of doubt, all individual features (e.g. preferred features) mentioned herein may be taken in isolation or in combination with any other feature (including preferred feature) mentioned herein (hence, preferred features may be taken in conjunction with other preferred features, or independently of them).

Particularly preferred compounds of the invention include those of the examples described hereinafter.

Compounds of the invention may be made in accordance with techniques that are well known to those skilled in the art, for example as described hereinafter.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a process for the preparation of a compound of formula I which process comprises:

(i) for compounds of formula I in which Y represents -C(O)-, oxidation of a compound of formula II,

wherein Y ² represents -CH ₂ - (or -CH(OH)-), and ring A, D _a , D _b , D ₂ , D ₃ , L ¹ , Y ¹ , L ² , Y ² , L ³ and Y ³ are as hereinbefore defined, in the presence of a suitable oxidising agent, for example, KMnO ₄ , optionally in the presence of a suitable solvent, such as acetone, and an additive such as magnesium sulfate (or, e.g. when Y ² represents -CH(OH)-, with pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC) or the like (e.g. pyridinium dichromate; PDC));

(ii) for compounds of formula I in which L ² and/or L ³ represents -N(R ^W )A ¹⁹ - in which R ^w represents H (and, preferably, Y is -C(O)- and/or R ²⁸ is C _1-6 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more halo atoms), reaction of a compound of formula III,

or a protected derivative thereof (e.g. an amino-protected derivative or a keto- protecting group, such as a ketal or thioketal) wherein L ^2a represents -NH ₂ or -N(R ^W )A ¹⁹ -Y ² , L ^3a represents -NH ₂ or -N(R ^W )A ¹⁹ -Y ³ , provided that at least one of L ^2a and L ^3a represents -NH ₂ , and Y, ring A, D _a , D _bl D ₂ , D ₃ , L ¹ and Y ¹ are as hereinbefore defined, with:

(A) when A ¹⁹ represents -C(O)N(R*)-, in which R ^w represents H: (a) a compound of formula IV,

Y ^a -N=C=O IV

; or (b) with CO (or a reagent that is a suitable source of CO (e.g. Mo(CO) ₆ or

Co ₂ (CO) ₈ )) or a reagent such as phosgene or triphosgene in the presence of a compound of formula V,

Y^NH ₂ V

wherein, in both cases, Y ⁸ represents Y ² or Y ³ (as appropriate/required) as hereinbefore defined. For example, in the case of (a) above, in the presence of a suitable solvent (e.g. THF, dioxane or diethyl ether) under reaction conditions known to those skilled in the art (e.g. at room temperature). In the case of (b), suitable conditions will be known to the skilled person, for example the reactions may be carried out in the presence of an appropriate catalyst system (e.g. a palladium catalyst), preferably under pressure and/or under microwave irradiation conditions. The skilled person will appreciate that the compound so formed may be isolated by precipitation or crystallisation (from e.g. n-hexane) and purified by recrystallisation techniques (e.g. from a suitable solvent such as THF, hexane (e.g. n-hexane), methanol, dioxane, water, or mixtures thereof). The skilled person will appreciate that for preparation of compounds of formula I in which -L ² - Y ² represents -C(O)N(H)-Y ² and -L ³ -Y ³ represents -C(O)N(H)-Y ³ and Y ² and Y ³ are different, two different compounds of formula IV or V (as appropriate) will need to be employed in successive reaction steps. For the preparation of such compounds starting from compounds of formula III in which both of L ^2a and L ^3a represent -NH ₂ , then mono-protection (at a single amino group) followed by deprotection may be necessary, or the reaction may be performed with less than 2 equivalents of the compound of formula IV or V (as appropriate);

(B) when A ¹⁹ represents -S(O) ₂ N(R ^W )-: (a) CISO ₃ H ₁ followed by PCI ₅ , and then reaction with a compound of formula V as hereinbefore defined;

(b) SO ₂ CI ₂ , followed by reaction with a compound of formula V as hereinbefore defined;

(c) a compound of formula VA,

Y^N(H)SO ₂ CI VA

wherein Y ⁸ Y ³ is as hereinbefore defined;

(d) CISO ₂ N=C=O, optionally in the presence BrCH ₂ CH ₂ OH, following by reaction in the presence of a compound of formula V as hereinbefore defined (which reaction may proceed via a 2-oxazolidinone intermediate), for example under standard reaction conditions, for e.g. such as those described hereinbefore in respect of process step (Si)(A) above (e.g. employing a Cu or Pd catalyst under Goldberg coupling or Buchwald-Hartwig reaction conditions), followed by standard oxidation reaction conditions (for example, reaction in the presence of an oxidising reagent such as mefø-chloroperbenzoic acid in the presence of a suitable solvent such as dichloromethane e.g. as described in Journal of Organic Chemistry, (1988) 53(13), 3012-16, or, KMnO ₄ , e.g. as described in Journal of Organic Chemistry, (1979), 44(13), 2055-61. The skilled person will also appreciate that the compound of formula VA may need to be prepared, for example from a corresponding compound of formula V as defined above, and SO ₂ (or a suitable source thereof) or SOCI ₂ ;

(C) when A ¹⁹ represents a single bond, with a compound of formula Vl,

γ ^a _ _L ^a vi wherein L ^a represents a suitable leaving group such as chloro, bromo, iodo, a sulfonate group (e.g. -OS(O) ₂ CF ₃ , -OS(O) ₂ CH ₃ , -OS(O) ₂ PhMe or a nonaflate) or -B(OH) ₂ (or a protected derivative thereof, e.g. an alkyl protected derivative, so forming, for example a 4,4,5,5-tetramethyM ,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl group) and Y ²¹ is as hereinbefore defined, for example optionally in the presence of an appropriate metal catalyst (or a salt or complex thereof) such as Cu, Cu(OAc) ₂ , CuI (or Cul/diamine complex), copper tris(triphenyl-phosphine)bromide, Pd(OAc) ₂ , Pd ₂ (dba) ₃ or NiCI ₂ and an optional additive such as Ph ₃ P, 2,2'- bis(diphenylphosphino)-1 ,1'-binaphthyl, xantphos, NaI or an appropriate crown ether such as 18-crown-6-benzene, in the presence of an appropriate base such as NaH, Et ₃ N, pyridine, Λ/.Λf-dimethylethylenediamine, Na ₂ CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , K ₃ PO ₄ , Cs ₂ CO ₃ , f-BuONa or f-BuOK (or a mixture thereof, optionally in the presence of 4A molecular sieves), in a suitable solvent (e.g. dichloromethane, dioxane, toluene, ethanol, isopropanol, dimethylformamide, ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, water, dimethylsulfoxide, acetonitrile, dimethylacetamide, Λ/-methylpyrrolidinone, tetrahydrofuran or a mixture thereof) or in the absence of an additional solvent when the reagent may itself act as a solvent (e.g. when Y ⁸ represents phenyl and L ^a represents bromo, i.e. bromobenzene). This reaction may be carried out at room temperature or above (e.g. at a high temperature, such as the reflux temperature of the solvent system that is employed) or using microwave irradiation;

(D) when A ¹⁹ represents -S(O) ₂ -, -C(O)-, -C(R ^y3 )(R ^y4 )-, -C(O)-C(R ^y3 )(R ^y4 )- or -C(O)O-, with a compound of formula VII,

wherein A ^19a represents -S(O) ₂ -, -C(O)-, -C(R ^y3 )(R ^y4 )-, -C(O)-C(R ^y3 )(R ^y4 )- or -C(O)O-, and Y ⁸ and L ^a are as hereinbefore defined, and L ^a is preferably, bromo or chloro, under reaction conditions known to those skilled in the art, the reaction may be performed at around room temperature or above (e.g. up to 40-180 ⁰ C), optionally in the presence of a suitable base (e.g. sodium hydride, sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, pyrrolidinopyridine, pyridine, triethylamine, tributylamine, trimethylamine, dimethylaminopyridine, diisopropylamine, diisopropylethylamine, 1 ,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene, sodium hydroxide, N- ethyldiisopropylamine, Λ/-(methylpolystyrene)-4-(methylamino)pyridine, potassium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide, sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide, potassium tert- butoxide, lithium diisopropylamide, lithium 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine or mixtures thereof) and an appropriate solvent (e.g. tetrahydrofuran, pyridine, toluene, dichloromethane, chloroform, acetonitrile, dimethylformamide, trifluoromethylbenzene, dioxane or triethylamine);

(iii) for compounds of formula I in which one of L ² and L ³ represents -N(R ^W )C(O)N(R ^W )- and the other represents -NH ₂ (or a protected derivative thereof) or -N(R ^W )C(O)N(R ^W )-, in which R ^w represents H (in all cases), and, preferably, Y is -C(O)- and/or R ²⁸ is C _1-6 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more halo atoms, reaction of a compound of formula VIII ₁

wherein one of J ¹ or J ² represents -N=C=O and the other represents -NH ₂ (or a protected derivative thereof) or -N=C=O (as appropriate), and Y, ring A, D _a , D _b , D ₂ , D ₃ , L ¹ and Y ¹ are as hereinbefore defined, with a compound of formula V as hereinbefore defined, under reaction conditions known to those skilled in the art, such as those described hereinbefore in respect of process step (ii)(A)(b) above;

(iv) for compounds of formula I in which, preferably, Y is -C(O)- or R ²⁸ is C _1-6 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more halo atoms, reaction of a compound of formula IX,

wherein at least one of Z ^x and Z ^y represents a suitable leaving group and the other may also independently represent a suitable leaving group, or, Z ^y may represent -L ² - Y ² and Z ^x may represent -L ³ - Y ³ , in which the suitable leaving group may independently be fluoro or, preferably, chloro, bromo, iodo, a sulfonate group (e.g. -OS(O) ₂ CF ₃ , -OS(O) ₂ CH ₃ , -OS(O) ₂ PhMe or a nonaflate), -B(OH) ₂ , -B(OFH ₂ , -Sn(FH ₃ or diazonium salts, in which each FT* independently represents a Ci _-6 alkyl group, or, in the case of -B(OFT ⁰¹ J ₂ , the respective FT* groups may be linked together to form a 4- to 6-membered cyclic group (such as a 4,4,5, 5-tetramethyl- 1 ,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl group), and Y, ring A, D _a , D _b , D ₂ , D ₃ , L ¹ , Y ¹ , L ² , Y ² , L ³ and Y ³ are as hereinbefore defined, with a (or two separate) compound(s) (as appropriate/required) of formula X,

Y ^a -L ^x -H X

wherein L ^x represents L ² or L ³ (as appropriate/required; in which they are preferably and independently selected from -N(FT)-A ¹⁹ - and -OA ²⁰ -), and Y ⁸ is as hereinbefore defined, under suitable reaction conditions known to those skilled in the art, for example such as those hereinbefore described in respect of process (ii) above (e.g. process (U)(B) or (U)(C)), for example optionally in the presence of an appropriate metal catalyst (or a salt or complex thereof) such as Cu, Cu(OAc) ₂ , CuI (or Cul/diamine complex), copper tris(triphenyl- phosphine)bromide, Pd(OAc) ₂ , Pd ₂ (dba) ₃ or NiCI ₂ and an optional additive such as Ph ₃ P, 2,2 ^l -bis(diphenylphosphino)-1 ,1'-binaphthyl, xantphos, NaI or an appropriate crown ether such as 18-crown-6-benzene, in the presence of an appropriate base such as NaH, Et ₃ N, pyridine, /V./V-dimethylethylenediamine, Na ₂ CO ₃ , K ₂ CO ₃ , K ₃ PO ₄ , Cs ₂ CO ₃ , NBuONa or f-BuOK (or a mixture thereof, optionally in the presence of 4A molecular sieves), in a suitable solvent (e.g. dichloromethane, dioxane, toluene, ethanol, isopropanol, dimethylformamide, ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, water, dimethylsulfoxide, acetonitrile, dimethylacetamide, Λ/-methylpyrrolidinone, tetrahydrofuran or a mixture thereof). Alternatively, for example, when L ² or L ³ represent -O- (and hence the compound of formula X is an alcohol, e.g. a phenol) or -S-, (i.e. the compound of formula X is a thiol, e.g. a thiophenol), then the reaction may be performed in the presence of a mixture of KF/AI ₂ O ₃ (e.g. in the presence of a suitable solvent such as acetonitrile, at elevated temperature, e.g. at about 10O ⁰ C; in this instance the leaving group that Z ^x or Z ^y may represent in the compound of formula IX is preferably fluoro). Alterntaively still, when L represents -S(O) ₂ A ¹⁸ -, in which A ¹⁸ represents -N(FT)-), Ullman reaction conditions such as those described in Tetrahedron Letters, (2006), 47(28), 4973- 4978 may be employed. The skilled person will appreciate that when compounds of formula I in which L ² and L ³ are different are required, then reaction with different compounds of formula X (for example, first reaction with a compound of formula X in which L ^x represents -N(R ^W )A ¹⁹ -, followed by reaction with another, separate, compound of formula X in which L ^x represents -OA ²⁰ -) may be required;

(v) compounds of formula I in which there is a R ^w group present that does not represent hydrogen (or if there is R ⁵ , R ⁶ , R ⁷ , R ⁸ , R ⁹ , R ¹⁰ , R ¹¹ , R ¹² , R ¹³ , R ¹⁴ , R ¹⁵ , R ¹⁶ , R ¹⁷ , R ¹⁸ , R ¹⁹ , R ²⁰ , R ²¹ , R ²² , R ²³ , R ²⁴ , R ²⁵ or R ²⁶ group present, which is attached to a heteroatom such as nitrogen or oxygen, and which does/do not represent hydrogen), may be prepared by reaction of a corresponding compound of formula I in which such a group is present that does represent hydrogen with a compound of formula Xl,

R^-L" Xl

wherein R^ represents either R ^w (as appropriate) as hereinbefore defined provided that it does not represent hydrogen (or R ^w represents a R ⁵ to R ²⁶ group in which those groups do not represent hydrogen), and L ^b represents a suitable leaving group such as one hereinbefore defined in respect of L ^a or -Sn(alkyl) ₃ (e.g. -SnMe ₃ or -SnBu ₃ ), or a similar group known to the skilled person, under reaction conditions known to those skilled in the art, for example such as those described in respect of process step (ii) above (e.g. (U)(D)). The skilled person will appreciate that various groups (e.g. primary amino groups) may need to be mono-protected and then subsequently deprotected following reaction with the compound of formula Xl;

(vi) for compounds of formula I that contain only saturated alkyl groups, reduction of a corresponding compound of formula I that contains an unsaturation, such as a double or triple bond, in the presence of suitable reducing conditions, for example by catalytic (e.g. employing Pd) hydrogenation;

(vii) for compounds of formula I in which Y ¹ and/oK if present, Y ^1a represents -C(O)OR ^9a , in which R ^9a represents hydrogen (or, other carboxylic acid or ester protected derivatives (e.g. amide derivatives)), hydrolysis of a corresponding compound of formula I in which R ^9a does not represent H, under standard conditions, for example in the presence of an aqueous solution of base (e.g. aqueous 2M NaOH) optionally in the presence of an (additional) organic solvent (such as dioxane or diethyl ether), which reaction mixture may be stirred at room or, preferably, elevated temperature (e.g. about 120 ⁰ C) for a period of time until hydrolysis is complete (e.g. 5 hours). Alternatively, non-hydrolytic means may be employed to convert esters to acids e.g. by hydrogentation or oxidation (e.g. for certain benzylic groups) known to those skilled in the art;

(viii) for compounds of formula I in which Y ¹ and/or, if present, Y ^1a represents -C(O)OR ⁹³ , and R ^9a does not represent H:

(A) esterification (or the like) of a corresponding compound of formula I in which R ^9a represents H; or

(B) trans-esterification (or the like) of a corresponding compound of formula I in which R ^9a does not represent H (and does not represent the same value of the corresponding R ^9a group in the compound of formula I to be prepared), under standard conditions in the presence of the appropriate alcohol of formula XII ₁

R ^9za OH XII

in which R ^9za represents R ^9a provided that it does not represent H, for example further in the presence of acid (e.g. concentrated H ₂ SO ₄ ) at elevated temperature, such as at the reflux temperature of the alcohol of formula XII;

(ix) for compounds of formula I in which Y ¹ and/or, if present, Y ^1a represents -C(O)OR ⁹³ , in which R ^9a is other than H, and L ¹ and/or, if present, L ^1a , are as hereinbefore defined, provided that they do not represent -(CH ₂ ) _p -Q-(CH ₂ ) _q - in which p represents 0 and Q represents -O-, and, preferably, Y is -C(O)- or R ²⁸ is C _1-6 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more halo atoms, reaction of a compound of formula XIII,

wherein at least one of L ⁵ and L ^5a represents an appropriate alkali metal group (e.g. sodium, potassium or, especially, lithium), a -Mg-halide, a zinc-based group 5 or a suitable leaving group such as halo or -B(OH) ₂ , or a protected derivative thereof (e.g. an alkyl protected derivative, so forming for example a 4,4,5,5- tetramethyl-1 ,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl group), and the other may represent -L ¹ -Y ¹ or _ _L ^ia _γ ^ia _(as appropriate), _an d Y, ring A, D _a , D _b , D ₂ , D ₃ , L ² , Y ² , L ³ and Y ³ are as hereinbefore defined (the skilled person will appreciate that the compound of

10. formula XIII in which L ⁵ and/or L ^5a represents an alkali metal (e.g. lithium), a Mg- halide or a zinc-based group may be prepared from a corresponding compound of formula XIII in which L ⁵ and/or L ^5a represents halo, for example under conditions such as Grignard reaction conditions, halogen-lithium exchange reaction conditions, which latter two may be followed by transmetallation, all of

15 which reaction conditions are known to those skilled in the art), with a compound of formula XIV, 0 wherein L ^xy represents L ¹ or L ^1a (as appropriate; provided that it does not represent -(CH ₂ ) _p -Q-(CH ₂ ) _q - in which p represents 0 and Q represents -O-) and Y ^b represents -C(O)OR ^9a , in which R ^9a is other than H ₁ and L ⁶ represents a suitable leaving group known to those skilled in the art, such as Ci _-3 alkoxy or, preferably, halo (especially chloro or bromo). For example, for compounds of formula I in 5 which L ¹ represents a single bond and Y ¹ represents -C(O)OR ^9a , the compound of formula XIV may be CI-C(O)OR ^9a . The reaction may be performed under standard reaction conditions, for example in the presence of a polar aprotic solvent (e.g. THF or diethyl ether); 0 (x) compounds of formula I in which L ¹ and/or, if present, L ^1a preferably represent a single bond, and Y ¹ and/or, if present, Y ^1a represents a 5-tetrazoly group (and, preferably, Y is -C(O)- or R ²⁸ is C _1-6 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more halo atoms), may be prepared in accordance with the procedures described in international patent application WO 2006/077366;

(xi) for compounds of formula I in which L ¹ and/or, if present, L ^1a represent a single bond, and Y ¹ and/or, if present, Y ^1a represent -C(O)OR ^9a in which R ^9a is H, (and, preferably, Y is -C(O)- or R ²⁸ is Ci _-6 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more halo atoms), reaction of a compound of formula XIII as hereinbefore defined but in which L ⁵ and/or L ^5a (as appropriate) represents either:

(I) an alkali metal (for example, such as one defined in respect of process step (ix) above); or

(II) -Mg-halide, with carbon dioxide, followed by acidification under standard conditions known to those skilled in the art, for example, in the presence of aqueous hydrochloric acid;

(xii) for compounds of formula I in which L ¹ and/or, if present, L ^1a represent a single bond, and Y ¹ and/or, if present, Y ^1a represent -C(O)OR ^9a (and, preferably, Y is -C(O)- or R ²⁸ is C _1-6 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more halo atoms), reaction of a corresponding compound of formula XIII as hereinbefore defined but in which L ⁵ and/or L ^5a (as appropriate) is a suitable leaving group known to those skilled in the art (such as a sulfonate group (e.g. a triflate) or, preferably, a halo (e.g. bromo or iodo) group) with CO (or a reagent that is a suitable source of CO (e.g. Mo(CO) ₆ or Co ₂ (CO) ₈ )), in the presence of a compound of formula XV,

R ⁹³ OH XV

wherein R ^9a is as hereinbefore defined, and an appropriate catalyst system (e.g. a palladium catalyst, such as PdCI ₂ , Pd(OAc) ₂ , Pd(Ph ₃ P) ₂ CI ₂ , Pd(Ph ₃ P) ₄ , Pd ₂ (dba) ₃ or the like) under conditions known to those skilled in the art;

(xiii) for compounds of formula I in which Y represents -C(O)-, reaction of either a compound of formula XVI or XVII,

wherein Y ^z1 represents -C(O)OH (and in the compound of formula XVI, it may be attached to either one of D ₃ or D _b ) respectively with a compound of formula XVIII or XIX,

XVlIl

wherein (in all cases) ring A, D _a , D _b , D ₂ , D ₃ , L ¹ , Y ¹ , L ² , Y ² , L ³ and Y ³ are as hereinbefore defined, in the presence of a suitable reagent that converts the carboxylic acid group of the compound of formula XVI or XVII to a more reactive derivative (e.g. an acid chloride or acid anhydride, or the like; which reactive derivative may itself be separately prepared and/or isolated, or where such a reactive derivative may be prepared in situ) such as POCI ₃ , in the presence of ZnCb, for example as described in Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry (2007), 5(3), 494-500 or, more preferably, PCI ₃ , PCI ₅ , SOCI ₂ or (COCI) ₂ . Alternatively, such a reaction may be performed in the presence of a suitable catalyst (for example a Lewis acid catalyst such as SnCI ₄ ), for example as described in Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical (2006), 256(1-2), 242-246 or under alternative Friedel-crafts acylation reaction conditions (or variations thereupon) such as those described in Tetrahedron Letters (2006), 47(34), 6063-6066; Synthesis (2006), (21), 3547-3574; Tetrahedron Letters (2006), 62(50), 11675- 11678; Synthesis (2006), (15), 2618-2623; Pharmazie (2006), 61(6), 505-510; and Synthetic Communications (2006), 36(10), 1405-1411. Alternatively, such a reaction between the two relevant compounds may be performed under coupling reaction conditions (e.g. StNIe coupling conditions), for example as described in Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters (2004), 14(4), 1023-1026;

(xiv) for compounds of formula I in which Y represents -C(O)-, reaction of either a compound of formula XX or XXI,

wherein Y ² represents -CN (in the case of a compound of formula XXI, it may be attached to D ₃ or D _b ), with a compound of formula XXII or XXIII,

XXIII

respectively, wherein L ^5b represents L ⁵ as hereinbefore defined provided that it does not represent -L ¹ -Y ¹ , and which L ^5b group may therefore represents -B(OH) ₂ (or a protected derivative thereof), an alkali metal (such as lithium) or a -Mg- halide (such as -MgI or, preferably, -MgBr), and (in all cases) ring A, D _a> D _b , D ₂ , D ₃ , L ¹ , Y ¹ , L ² , Y ² , L ³ and Y ³ are as hereinbefore defined, for example in the presence of a suitable solvent, optionally in the presence of a catalyst, for example, as described in Organic Letters (2006), 8(26), 5987-5990. Compounds of formula I may also be obtained by performing variations of such a reaction, for example by performing a reaction of a compound of formula XX or XXI respectively with a compound of formula XVIII or XIX as hereinbefore defined, for example under conditions described in Journal of Organic Chemistry (2006), 71(9), 3551-3558 or US patent application US 2005/256102;

(xv) for compounds of formula I in which Y represents -C(O)-, reaction of an activated derivative of a compound of formula XVI or XVII as hereinbefore defined (for example an acid chloride; the preparation of which is hereinbefore described in process step (xiii) above), with a compound of formula XXII or XXIII (as hereinbefore defined), respectively, for example under reaction conditions such as those hereinbefore described in respect of process step (xiv) above;

(xvi) for compounds of formula I in which Y represents -C(=N-OR ²⁸ )-, reaction of a corresponding compound of formula I, with a compound of formula XXIIIA,

H ₂ N-O-R ²⁸ XXIIIA

wherein R ²⁸ is represents hydrogen or Ci _-6 alkyl optionally substitutued by one or more halo atoms, under standard condensation reaction conditions, for example in the presence of an anhydrous solvent (e.g. dry pyridine, ethanol and/or another suitable solvent);

(xvii) for compounds of formula I in which Y represents -C(=N-OR ²⁸ )- and R ²⁸ represents C _1-6 alkyl optionally substituted by one or more halo atoms, reaction of a corresponding compound of formula I, in which R ²⁸ represents hydrogen, with a compound of formula XXIIIB,

R ^28a .|_ ⁷ XX\\\B wherein R ^28a represents R ²⁸ , provided that it does not represent hydrogen and L ⁷ represents a suitable leaving group, such as one hereinbefore defined in respect of L ^a (e.g. bromo or iodo), under standard alkylation reaction conditions, such as those hereinbefore described in respect of process step (ii).

Compounds of formula Il may be prepared by reaction of a compound of formula XVIII with a compound of formula XIX, both as hereinbefore defined, with formaldehyde (e.g. in the form of paraformaldehyde or an aqueous solution of formaldehyde such as a 3% aqueous solution), for example under acidic conditions (e.g. in the presence of aqueous HCI) at or above room temperature (e.g. at between 50 ⁰ C and 70 ⁰ C). Preferably, the formaldehyde is added (e.g. slowly) to an acidic solution of the compound of formula XVIII at about 50 ⁰ C, with the reaction temperature rising to about 70 ⁰ C after addition is complete. When acidic conditions are employed, precipitation of the compound of formula Il may be effected by the neutralisation (for example by the addition of a base such as ammonia). Compounds of formula I may also be prepared in accordance with such a procedure, for example under similar reaction conditions, employing similar reagents and reactants.

Compounds of formula HA in which Y ^z represents -CH(OH)- may be prepared by reaction of a compound of formula XVI or XVII but in which Y ^z1 represents -C(O)H, with a compound of formula XXIII or XXII (as appropriate), for example under conditons such as those described in respect of process step (xiv) above. The relevant aldehydes may be prepared by reaction of a corresponding compound of formula XXIII or XXII, as hereinbefore defined (and preferably one in which L ^5b is a -Mg-halide, such as -Mg-I), with dimethylformamide (or a similar reagent for the introduction of the aldehyde group), under standard Grignard reaction conditions known to those skilled in the art (for example those described herein).

Compounds of formulae III, VIII, IX and XIII in which Y represents -C(O)-, may be prepared by oxidation of a compound of formulae XXIV, XXV, XXVI and XXVII, respectively,

5a

, ( ring A)-Y' M ^a T ³ , XXVII

wherein Y ^z , ring A, D ₈ , D _b> D ₂ , D ₃ , L ¹ , Y ¹ , L ^2a , L ^3a , Z ^x , Z ^y , L ² , Y ² , L ³ , Y ³ , J ¹ , J ² , L ⁵ and L ^5a are as hereinbefore defined, under standard oxidation conditions known to those skilled in the art, for example such as those hereinbefore described in respect of preparation of compounds of formula I (process step (i) above). The skilled person will appreciate that, similarly, compounds of formulae XXIV, XXV, XXVI and XXVII may be prepared by reduction of corresponding compounds of formulae III, VIII, IX and XIII, under standard reaction conditions, such as those described herein.

Compounds of formula III in which Y represents -C(O)-, or, preferably, compounds of formula XXIV (or protected, e.g. mono-protected derivatives thereof) may be prepared by reduction of a compound of formula XXVIII, XXVIII

wherein T represents -C(O)- (in the case where compounds of formula III are to be prepared) or, preferably, -CH ₂ - (in the case where compounds of formula XXIV are to be prepared), Z ^z1 represents -N ₃ , -NO ₂ , -N(R ^W )A ¹⁹ -Y ² or a protected -NH ₂ group, Z* ² represents -N ₃ , -NO ₂ , -N(FT)A ¹⁹ - Y ³ or a protected -NH ₂ group, provided that at least one of Z ^z1 and Z ²² represents -N ₃ or -NO ₂ , under standard reaction conditions known to those skilled in the art, in the presence of a suitable reducing agent, for example reduction by catalytic hydrogenation (e.g. in the presence of a palladium catalyst in a source of hydrogen) or employing an appropriate reducing agent (such as trialkylsilane; e.g. triethylsilane). The skilled person will appreciate that where the reduction is performed in the presence of a -C(O)- group (e.g. when T represents -C(O)-), a chemoselective reducing agent may need to be employed.

Compounds of formula III in which both L ^2a and L ^3a represent -NH ₂ (or protected derivatives thereof) may also be prepared by reaction of a compound of formula IX as defined above, with ammonia, or preferably with a protected derivative thereof (e.g. benzylamine or Ph ₂ C=NH), under conditions such as those described hereinbefore in respect of preparation of compounds of formula I (process step (iv) above).

Compounds of formulae III, IX, XXIV or XXVI in which L ¹ represents a single bond, and Y ¹ represents -C(0)0R ^9a , may be prepared by:

(I) reaction of a compound of formula XXIX,

wherein Z ^q1 and Z ^q2 respectively represent Z ^x and Z ^y (in the case of preparation of compounds of formulae IX or XXVI) or -NH ₂ (or -N(R ^W )A ¹⁹ -Y ² , -N(R ^W )A ¹⁹ -Y ³ or a protected derivative thereof; in the case of preparation of compounds of formulae III or XXIV), and ring A, D ₃ , D _b , D ₂ , D ₃ , Z ^x , Z ^y and T are as hereinbefore defined, 5 with a suitable reagent such as phosgene or triphosgene in the presence of a Lewis acid, followed by reaction in the presence of a compound of formula XV as hereinbefore defined, hence undergoing a hydrolysis or alcoholysis reaction step;

(II) for such compounds in which R ^9a represents hydrogen, formylation of a 10 compound of formula XXIX as hereinbefore defined, for example in the presence of suitable reagents such as P(O)CI ₃ and DMF, followed by oxidation under standard conditions;

(III) reaction of a compound of formula XXX,

wherein W ¹ represents a suitable leaving group such as one defined by Z ^x and Z ^y above, and ring A, D ₃ , D _b , D ₂ , D ₃ , Z ^q1 , Z ^q2 and T are as hereinbefore defined, are as hereinbefore defined, with CO (or a reagent that is a suitable source of CO 0 (e.g. Mo(CO) ₆ or Co ₂ (CO) ₈ ) followed by reaction in the presence of a compound of formula XV as hereinbefore defined, under reaction conditions known to those skilled in the art, for example such as those hereinbefore described in respect of preparation of compounds of formula I (process step (ii), e.g. (ii)(A)(b) above), e.g. the carbonylation step being performed in the presence of an appropriate 5 precious metal (e.g. palladium) catalyst;

(IV) reaction of a compound of formula XXXI,

wherein W ² represents a suitable group such as an appropriate alkali metal group (e.g. sodium, potassium or, especially, lithium), a -Mg-halide or a zinc-based group, and ring A, D _a , D _b , D ₂ , D ₃ , Z ^q1 , Z ^q2 and T are as hereinbefore defined, with e.g. CO ₂ (in the case where R ^9a in the compounds to be prepared represents hydrogen) or a compound of formula XIV in which L ^xy represents a single bond, Y ^b represents -C(O)OR ^9a , in which R ^9a is other than hydrogen, and L ⁶ represents a suitable leaving group, such as chloro or bromo or a d. ₁₄ (such as C _1-6 (e.g. Ci _-3 ) alkoxy group), under reaction conditions known to those skilled in the art. The skilled person will appreciate that this reaction step may be performed directly after (i.e. in the same reaction pot) the preparation of compounds of formula XXXI (which is described hereinafter).

Compounds of formula IX in which Z* and Z ^y represent a sulfonate group may be prepared from corresponding compounds in which the Z ^x and Z ^y groups represent a hydroxy group, with an appropriate reagent for the conversion of the hydroxy group to the sulfonate group (e.g. tosyl chloride, mesyl chloride, triflic anhydride and the like) under conditions known to those skilled in the art, for example in the presence of a suitable base and solvent (such as those described above in respect of process step (i), e.g. an aqueous solution of K ₃ PO ₄ in toluene) preferably at or below room temperature (e.g. at about 1O ⁰ C).

Compounds of formulae XX and XXI may be prepared, for example, by reaction of a corresponding compound of formula XXIII or XXII, respectively (all of which are as hereinbefore defined, e.g. in which L ^5b represents bromo or, preferably, iodo), for example, in the presence of a nucleophile that is a source of cyano ions, e.g. potassium or, preferably, copper cyanide.

Compounds of formulae XXII and XXIII in which L ^5b represents a -Mg-halide may be prepared by reaction of a compound corresponding to a compound of formula

XXII or XXIII but in which L ^5b represents a halo group (e.g. bromo or iodo), under standard Grignard formation conditions, for example in the presence of /-PrMgCI

(or the like) in the presence of a polar aprotic solvent (such as THF) under inert reaction condition, and preferably at low temperature (such as at below O ⁰ C, e.g. at about 30 ⁰ C). The skilled person will appreciate that these compounds may be prepared in situ (see e.g. the process for the preparation of compounds of formula I (process steps (xvi) and (xvii)).

Compounds of formulae XXIX or XXX in which T represents -CH ₂ - may be prepared by reduction of a corresponding compound of formulae XXIX or XXX in which T represents -C(O)- (or from compounds corresponding to compounds of formulae XXIX or XXX but in which T represents -CH(OH)-), for example under standard reaction conditions known to those skilled in the art, for example reduction in the presence of a suitable reducing reagent such as LiAIH ₄ , NaBH ₄ or trialkylsilane (e.g. triethylsilane) or reduction by hydrogenation (e.g. in the presence of Pd/C).

Alternatively, compounds of formulae XXIX or XXX in which T represents -CH ₂ - may be prepared by reaction of a compound of formula XXXII,

XXXII

wherein Y ^y represents a suitable group such as -OH, bromo, chloro or iodo, and ring A and Z ^q2 are as hereinbefore defined, with a compound of formula XXXIII,

X _Y X _Y X _YI I _I I ₁ I

wherein M represents hydrogen (and is attached to either D ₃ or D _b ) and W ^q represents hydrogen (for compounds of formula XXIX) or W ¹ (for compounds of formula XXX) and D ₃ , D _b , D ₂ , D ₃ and Z ^q1 are as hereinbefore defined, under standard conditions, for example in the presence of a Lewis or Brønsted acid. Alternatively, such compounds may be prepared from reaction of a compound of formula XXXII in which Y ^y represents bromo or chloro with a compound corresponding to a compound of formula XXXIII but in which M represents -BF ₃ K (or the like), for example in accordance with the procedures described in Molander et al, J. Org. Chem. 71, 9198 (2006). Compounds of formulae XXIX or XXX in which T represents -C(O)- may be prepared by reaction of a compound of formula XXXIV,

wherein T represents -C(O)CI or -C=N-NH(f-butyl) (or the like) and ring A and Z ^q2 are as hereinbefore defined, with a compound of formula XXXIII in which M represents hydrogen or an appropriate alkali metal group (e.g. sodium, potassium or, especially, lithium), a -Mg-halide or a zinc-based group, or, a bromo group, and D ₃ , D _b , D ₂ , D ₃ , Z ^q1 and W ^q are as hereinbefore defined, under reaction conditions known to those skilled in the art. For example in the case of reaction of a compound of formula XXXIV in which T represents -C(O)CI with a compound of formula XXXIII in which M represents hydrogen, in the presence of an appropriate Lewis acid. In the case where M represents an appropriate alkali metal group, a -Mg-halide or a zinc-based group, under reaction conditions such as those hereinbefore described in respect of preparation of compounds of formulae III, IX, XXIV or XXVI (process step (IV) above) and preparation of compounds of formula XXXI (see below). In the case of a reaction of a compound of formula XXXIV in which T ^x represents -C=N-NH(f-butyl) (or the like) with a compound of formula XXXIII in which M represents bromo, under reaction conditions such as those described in Takemiya et al, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 128, 14800 (2006).

For compounds corresponding to compounds of formula XXIX or XXX in which T represents -CH(OH)-, reaction of a compound corresponding to a compound of formula XXXIV, but in which T represents -C(O)H, with a compound of formula XXXIII as defined above, under reaction conditions such as those hereinbefore described in respect of preparation of compounds of formulae XXIX or XXX in which T represents -C(O)-.

Compounds of formula XXXI may be prepared in several ways. For example, compounds of formula XXXI in which W ² represents an alkali metal such as lithium, may be prepared from a corresponding compound of formula XXIX (in particular those in which Z ^q1 and/or Z ^q2 represents a chloro or sulfonate group or, especially, a protected -NH ₂ group, wherein the protecting group is preferably a lithiation-directing group, e.g. an amido group, such as a pivaloylamido group, or a sulfonamido group, such as an arylsulfonamido group, e.g. phenylsulfonamide), by reaction with an organolithium base, such as n-BuLi, s-BuLi, NBuLi, lithium diisopropylamide or lithium 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (which organolithium base is optionally in the presence of an additive (for example, a lithium coordinating agent such as an ether (e.g. dimethoxyethane) or an amine (e.g. tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA), (-)sparteine or 1 ,3-dimethyl-3,4,5,6- tetrahydro-2(1H)-pyrimidinone (DMPU) and the like)), for example in the presence of a suitable solvent, such as a polar aprotic solvent (e.g. tetrahydrofuran or diethyl ether), at sub-ambient temperatures (e.g. 0 ⁰ C to -78°C) under an inert atmosphere. Alternatively, such compounds of formula XXXI may be prepared by reaction of a compound of formula XXX in which W ¹ represents chloro, bromo or iodo by a halogen-lithium reaction in the presence of an organolithium base such as t- or n-butyllithium under reaction conditions such as those described above. Compounds of formula XXXI in which W ² represents -Mg-halide may be prepared from a corresponding compound of formula XXX in which W ¹ represents halo (e.g. bromo), for example optionally in the presence of a catalyst (e.g. FeCI ₃ ) under standard Grignard conditions known to those skilled in the art. The skilled person will also appreciate that the magnesium of the Grignard reagent or the lithium of the lithiated species may be exchanged to a different metal (i.e. a transmetallation reaction may be performed), for example to form compounds of formula XXXI in which W ² represents a zinc-based group (e.g. using ZnCI ₂ ).

Compounds mentioned herein (e.g. those of formulae IV, V ₁ VA, Vl, VII, X, Xl, XII, XIII, XIV, XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, XXI, XXII, XXIII, XXIIIA, XXIIIB, XXV ₁ XXVII, XXVIII, XXXII, XXXIII and XXXIV) are either commercially available, are known in the literature, or may be obtained either by analogy with the processes described herein, or by conventional synthetic procedures, in accordance with standard techniques, from available starting materials using appropriate reagents and reaction conditions. In this respect, the skilled person may refer to inter alia "Comprehensive Organic Synthesis" by B. M. Trost and I. Fleming, Pergamon Press, 1991. Further, the compounds described herein may also be prepared in accordance with synthetic routes and techniques described in international patent application WO 2006/077366. The substituents D _a , D _b , D ₂ , D ₃ , L ¹ , Y ¹ , L ² , Y ² , L ³ and Y ³ in final compounds of the invention or relevant intermediates may be modified one or more times, after or during the processes described above by way of methods that are well known to those skilled in the art. Examples of such methods include substitutions, reductions, oxidations, alkylations, acylations, hydrolyses, esterifications (e.g. from a carboxylic acid, e.g. in the presence of H ₂ SO ₄ and appropriate alcohol or in the presence of K ₂ CO ₃ and alkyl iodide), etherifications, halogenations or nitrations. Such reactions may result in the formation of a symmetric or asymmetric final compound of the invention or intermediate. The precursor groups can be changed to a different such group, or to the groups defined in formula I, at any time during the reaction sequence. For example, in cases where Y ¹ (or, if present, Y ^1a ) represents -C(O)OR ^9a in which R ^9a does not initially represent hydrogen (so providing at least one ester functional group), the skilled person will appreciate that at any stage during the synthesis (e.g. the final step), the relevant R ^9a -containing group may be hydrolysed to form a carboxylic acid functional group (i.e. a group in which R ^9a represents hydrogen). In this respect, the skilled person may also refer to "Comprehensive Organic Functional Group Transformations" by A. R. Katritzky, O. Meth-Cohn and C. W. Rees, Pergamon Press, 1995. Other specific transformation steps include: the reduction of a nitro group to an amino group; the hydrolysis of a nitrile group to a carboxylic acid group; standard nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions, for example in which an iodo-, preferably, fluoro- or bromo-phenyl group is converted into a cyanophenyl group by employing a source of cyanide ions (e.g. by reaction with a compound which is a source of cyano anions, e.g. sodium, copper (I), zinc or, preferably, potassium cyanide) as a reagent (alternatively, in this case, palladium catalysed cyanation reaction conditions may also be employed); the reduction of an azido group to an amino group (e.g. in the presence of FeCI ₃ trihydrate and zinc powder); and the oxidation of a sulfide to a sulfoxide or to a sulfone (e.g. conversion of a -SCH ₃ substituent to a -S(O)CH ₃ or -S(O) ₂ CH ₃ substituent in the presence of a suitable oxidising agent such as Oxone or meta-chloroperbenzoic acid (MCPBA)), or the reverse reduction in the presence of a suitable reducing agent.

Other transformations that may be mentioned include: the conversion of a halo group (preferably iodo or bromo) to a 1-alkynyl group (e.g. by reaction with a 1- alkyne), which latter reaction may be performed in the presence of a suitable coupling catalyst (e.g. a palladium and/or a copper based catalyst) and a suitable base (e.g. a tri-(C _1-6 alkyl)amine such as triethylamine, tributylamine or ethyldiisopropylamine); the introduction of amino groups and hydroxy groups in accordance with standard conditions using reagents known to those skilled in the art; the conversion of an amino group to a halo, azido or a cyano group, for example via diazotisation (e.g. generated in situ by reaction with NaNO ₂ and a strong acid, such as HCI or H ₂ SO ₄ , at low temperature such as at 0 ⁰ C or below, e.g. at about -5°C) followed by reaction with the appropriate reagent/nucleophile e.g. a source of the relevant reagent/anion, for example by reaction in the presence of a reagent that is a source of halogen (e.g. CuCI, CuBr or NaI), or a reagent that is a source of azido or cyanide anions, such as NaN ₃ , CuCN or NaCN; the conversion of -C(O)OH to a -NH ₂ group, under Schmidt reaction conditions, or variants thereof, for example in the presence of HN ₃ (which may be formed in by contacting NaN ₃ with a strong acid such as H ₂ SO ₄ ), or, for variants, by reaction with diphenyl phosphoryl azide ((PhO) ₂ P(O)N ₃ ) in the presence of an alcohol, such as tert-butanol, which may result in the formation of a carbamate intermediate; the conversion of -C(O)NH ₂ to -NH ₂ , for example under Hofmann rearrangement reaction conditions, for example in the presence of NaOBr (which may be formed by contacting NaOH and Br ₂ ) which may result in the formation of a carbamate intermediate; the conversion of -C(O)N ₃ (which compound itself may be prepared from the corresponding acyl hydrazide under standard diazotisation reaction conditions, e.g. in the presence of NaNO ₂ and a strong acid such as H ₂ SO ₄ or HCI) to -NH ₂ , for example under Curtius rearrangement reaction conditions, which may result in the formation of an intermediate isocyanate (or a carbamate if treated with an alcohol); the conversion of an alkyl carbamate to -NH ₂ , by hydrolysis, for example in the presence of water and base or under acidic conditions, or, when a benzyl carbamate intermediate is formed, under hydrogenation reaction conditions (e.g. catalytic hydrogenation reaction conditions in the presence of a precious metal catalyst such as Pd); halogenation of an aromatic ring, for example by an electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction in the presence of halogen atoms (e.g. chlorine, bromine, etc, or an equivalent source thereof) and, if necessary an appropriate catalyst/Lewis acid (e.g. AICI ₃ or FeCI ₃ ).

Further, the skilled person will appreciate that the Di to D ₃ -containing ring, as well as the A ring may be heterocycles, which moieties may be prepared with reference to a standard heterocyclic chemistry textbook (e.g. "Heterocyclic Chemistr/ by J. A. Joule, K. Mills and G. F. Smith, 3 ^rd edition, published by Chapman & Hall, "Comprehensive Heterocyclic Chemistry Ir by A. R. Katritzky, C. W. Rees and E. F. V. Scriven, Pergamon Press, 1996 or "Science of Synthesis", Volumes 9-17 (Hetarenes and Related Ring Systems), Georg Thieme Verlag, 2006). Hence, the reactions disclosed herein that relate to compounds containing hetereocycles may also be performed with compounds that are precursors to heterocycles, and which pre-cursors may be converted to those heterocycles at a later stage in the synthesis.

Compounds of the invention may be isolated (or purified) from their reaction mixtures using conventional techniques (e.g. crystallisations, recrystallisations or chromatographic techniques).

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, in the processes described above and hereinafter, the functional groups of intermediate compounds may need to be protected by protecting groups.

The protection and deprotection of functional groups may take place before or after a reaction in the above-mentioned schemes.

Protecting groups may be removed in accordance with techniques that are well known to those skilled in the art and as described hereinafter. For example, protected compounds/intermediates described herein may be converted chemically to unprotected compounds using standard deprotection techniques. By 'protecting group' we also include suitable alternative groups that are precursors to the actual group that it is desired to protect. For example, instead of a 'standard' amino protecting group, a nitro or azido group may be employed to effectively serve as an amino protecting group, which groups may be later converted (having served the purpose of acting as a protecting group) to the amino group, for example under standard reduction conditions described herein. Protecting groups that may be mentioned include lactone protecting groups (or derivatives thereof), which may serve to protect both a hydroxy group and an α- carboxy group (i.e. such that the cyclic moiety is formed between the two functional groups. The type of chemistry involved will dictate the need, and type, of protecting groups as well as the sequence for accomplishing the synthesis.

The use of protecting groups is described in e.g. "Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis", 3 ^rd edition, T.W. Greene & P.G.M. Wutz, Wiley-lnterscience (1999).

Medical and Pharmaceutical Uses

Compounds of the invention are indicated as pharmaceuticals. According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a compound of the invention, as hereinbefore defined but without the proviso, for use as a pharmaceutical.

Although compounds of the invention may possess pharmacological activity as such, certain pharmaceutically-acceptable (e.g. "protected") derivatives of compounds of the invention may exist or be prepared which may not possess such activity, but may be administered parenterally or orally and thereafter be metabolised in the body to form compounds of the invention. Such compounds (which may possess some pharmacological activity, provided that such activity is appreciably lower than that of the "active" compounds to which they are metabolised) may therefore be described as "prodrugs" of compounds of the invention.

By "prodrug of a compound of the invention", we include compounds that form a compound of the invention, in an experimentally-detectable amount, within a predetermined time (e.g. about 1 hour), following oral or parenteral administration. All prodrugs of the compounds of the invention are included within the scope of the invention.

Furthermore, certain compounds of the invention, including, but not limited to: (a) compounds of formula I in which Y ¹ (or, if present, Y ^1a ) represents

-C(O)OR ^9a in which R ^9a is/are other than hydrogen, so forming an ester group; and/or

(b) compounds of formula I in which Y represents -C(=N-OR ²⁸ )-, i.e. the following compound of formula Ia,

in which the integers are as hereinbefore defined (and the squiggly line indicates that the oxime may exist as a cis or trans isomer, as is apparent to the skilled person),

may possess no or minimal pharmacological activity as such, but may be administered parenterally or orally, and thereafter be metabolised in the body to form compounds of the invention that possess pharmacological activity as such, including, but not limited to:

(A) corresponding compounds of formula I, in which Y ¹ (or, if present, Y ^1a ) represents -C(O)OR ^9a in which R ^9a represent hydrogen (see (a) above); and/or (B) corresponding compounds of formula I in which Y represents -C(O)-, for example in the case where the oxime or oxime ether of the compound of formula Ia (see (b) above) is hydrolysed to the corresponding carbonyl moiety.

Such compounds (which also includes compounds that may possess some pharmacological activity, but that activity is appreciably lower than that of the "active" compounds of the invention to which they are metabolised), may also be described as "prodrugs".

Thus, the compounds of the invention are useful because they possess pharmacological activity, and/or are metabolised in the body following oral or parenteral administration to form compounds which possess pharmacological activity.

Compounds of the invention may inhibit leukotriene (LT) C ₄ synthase, for example as may be shown in the test described below, and may thus be useful in the treatment of those conditions in which it is required that the formation of e.g. LTC ₄ , LTD ₄ or LTE ₄ is inhibited or decreased, or where it is required that the activation of a Cys-LT receptor (e.g. CyS-LT ₁ or CyS-LT ₂ ) is inhibited or attenuated. The compounds of the invention may also inhibit microsomal glutathione S-transferases (MGSTs), such as MGST-I, MGST-II and/or MGST-III (preferably, MGST-II), thereby inhibiting or decreasing the formation of LTD ₄ , LTE ₄ or, especially, LTC ₄ .

Compounds of the invention may also inhibit the activity of 5-lipoxygenase- activating protein (FLAP), for example as may be shown in a test such as that described in MoI. Pharmacol., 41, 873-879 (1992). Hence, compounds of the invention may also be useful in inhibiting or decreasing the formation of LTC ₄ and/or LTB ₄ .

Compounds of the invention are thus expected to be useful in the treatment of disorders that may benefit from inhibition of production (i.e. synthesis and/or biosynthesis) of leukotrienes (such as LTC ₄ ), for example a respiratory disorder and/or inflammation.

The term "inflammation" will be understood by those skilled in the art to include any condition characterised by a localised or a systemic protective response, which may be elicited by physical trauma, infection, chronic diseases, such as those mentioned hereinbefore, and/or chemical and/or physiological reactions to external stimuli (e.g. as part of an allergic response). Any such response, which may serve to destroy, dilute or sequester both the injurious agent and the injured tissue, may be manifest by, for example, heat, swelling, pain, redness, dilation of blood vessels and/or increased blood flow, invasion of the affected area by white blood cells, loss of function and/or any other symptoms known to be associated with inflammatory conditions.

The term "inflammation" will thus also be understood to include any inflammatory disease, disorder or condition per se, any condition that has an inflammatory component associated with it, and/or any condition characterised by inflammation as a symptom, including inter alia acute, chronic, ulcerative, specific, allergic and necrotic inflammation, and other forms of inflammation known to those skilled in the art. The term thus also includes, for the purposes of this invention, inflammatory pain, pain generally and/or fever.

Accordingly, compounds of the invention may be useful in the treatment of allergic disorders, asthma, childhood wheezing, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung disease (e.g. sarcoidosis, pulmonary fibrosis, scleroderma lung disease, and usual interstitial in pneumonia), ear nose and throat diseases (e.g. rhinitis, nasal polyposis, and otitis media), eye diseases (e.g. conjunctivitis and giant papillary conjunctivitis), skin diseases (e.g. psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema), rheumatic diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, arthrosis, psoriasis arthritis, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis), vasculitis (e.g. Henoch- Schonlein purpura, Loffler ^' s syndrome and Kawasaki disease), cardiovascular diseases (e.g. atherosclerosis), gastrointestinal diseases (e.g. eosinophilic diseases in the gastrointestinal system, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, celiaci and gastric haemorrhagia), urologic diseases (e.g. glomerulonephritis, interstitial cystitis, nephritis, nephropathy, nephrotic syndrome, hepatorenal syndrome, and nephrotoxicity), diseases of the central nervous system (e.g. cerebral ischemia, spinal cord injury, migraine, multiple sclerosis, and sleep-disordered breathing), endocrine diseases (e.g. autoimmune thyreoiditis, diabetes-related inflammation), urticaria, anaphylaxis, angioedema, oedema in Kwashiorkor, dysmenorrhoea, burn-induced oxidative injury, multiple trauma, pain, toxic oil syndrome, endotoxin chock, sepsis, bacterial infections (e.g. from Helicobacter pylori, Pseudomonas aerugiosa or Shigella dysenteriae), fungal infections (e.g. vulvovaginal candidasis), viral infections (e.g. hepatitis, meningitis, parainfluenza and respiratory syncytial virus), sickle cell anemia, hypereosinofilic syndrome, and malignancies (e.g. Hodgkins lymphoma, leukemia (e.g. eosinophil leukemia and chronic myelogenous leukemia), mastocytos, polycytemi vera, and ovarian carcinoma). In particular, compounds of the invention may be useful in treating allergic disorders, asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, COPD, cystic fibrosis, dermatitis, urticaria, eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and pain.

Compounds of the invention are indicated both in the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of the above-mentioned conditions. According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of treatment of a disease which is associated with, and/or which can be modulated by inhibition of, LTC ₄ synthase and/or a method of treatment of a disease in which inhibition of the synthesis of LTC ₄ is desired and/or required (e.g. respiratory disorders and/or inflammation), which method comprises administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention, as hereinbefore defined but without the proviso, to a patient suffering from, or susceptible to, such a condition.

"Patients" include mammalian (including human) patients.

The term "effective amount" refers to an amount of a compound, which confers a therapeutic effect on the treated patient. The effect may be objective (i.e. measurable by some test or marker) or subjective (i.e. the subject gives an indication of or feels an effect).

Compounds of the invention will normally be administered orally, intravenously, subcutaneously, buccally, rectally, dermally, nasally, tracheally, bronchially, sublingually, by any other parenteral route or via inhalation, in a pharmaceutically acceptable dosage form.

Compounds of the invention may be administered alone, but are preferably administered by way of known pharmaceutical formulations, including tablets, capsules or elixirs for oral administration, suppositories for rectal administration, sterile solutions or suspensions for parenteral or intramuscular administration, and the like.

Such formulations may be prepared in accordance with standard and/or accepted pharmaceutical practice.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is thus provided a pharmaceutical formulation including a compound of the invention, as hereinbefore defined but without the proviso, in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier. Depending on e.g. potency and physical characteristics of the compound of the invention (i.e. active ingredient), pharmaceutical formulations that may be mentioned include those in which the active ingredient is present in at least 1% (or at least 10%, at least 30% or at least 50%) by weight. That is, the ratio of active ingredient to the other components (i.e. the addition of adjuvant, diluent and carrier) of the pharmaceutical composition is at least 1 :99 (or at least 10:90, at least 30:70 or at least 50:50) by weight.

The invention further provides a process for the preparation of a pharmaceutical formulation, as hereinbefore defined, which process comprises bringing into association a compound of the invention, as hereinbefore defined but without the proviso, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof with a pharmaceutically- acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier.

Compounds of the invention may also be combined with other therapeutic agents that are useful in the treatment of a respiratory disorder (e.g. leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRas), glucocorticoids, antihistamines, beta-adrenergic drugs, anticholinergic drugs and PDE ₄ inhibitors and/or other therapeutic agents that are useful in the treatment of a respiratory disorder) and/or other therapeutic agents that are useful in the treatment of inflammation and disorders with an inflammatory component (e.g. NSAIDs, coxibs, corticosteroids, analgesics, inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase, inhibitors of FLAP (5-lipoxygenase activting protein), immunosuppressants and sulphasalazine and related compounds and/or other therapeutic agents that are useful in the treatment of inflammation).

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a combination product comprising:

(A) a compound of the invention, as hereinbefore defined but without the proviso; and (B) another therapeutic agent that is useful in the treatment of a respiratory disorder and/or inflammation, wherein each of components (A) and (B) is formulated in admixture with a pharmaceutically-acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier.

Such combination products provide for the administration of a compound of the invention in conjunction with the other therapeutic agent, and may thus be presented either as separate formulations, wherein at least one of those formulations comprises a compound of the invention, and at least one comprises the other therapeutic agent, or may be presented (i.e. formulated) as a combined preparation (i.e. presented as a single formulation including a compound of the invention and the other therapeutic agent).

Thus, there is further provided:

(1 ) a pharmaceutical formulation including a compound of the invention, as hereinbefore defined but without the proviso, another therapeutic agent that is useful in the treatment of a respiratory disorder and/or inflammation, and a pharmaceutically-acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier; and

(2) a kit of parts comprising components: (a) a pharmaceutical formulation including a compound of the invention, as hereinbefore defined but without the proviso, in admixture with a pharmaceutically-acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier; and (b) a pharmaceutical formulation including another therapeutic agent that is useful in the treatment of a respiratory disorder and/or inflammation in admixture with a pharmaceutically-acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier, which components (a) and (b) are each provided in a form that is suitable for administration in conjunction with the other.

The invention further provides a process for the preparation of a combination product as hereinbefore defined, which process comprises bringing into association a compound of the invention, as hereinbefore defined but without the proviso, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof with the other therapeutic agent that is useful in the treatment of a respiratory disorder and/or inflammation, and at least one pharmaceutically-acceptable adjuvant, diluent or carrier.

By "bringing into association", we mean that the two components are rendered suitable for administration in conjunction with each other.

Thus, in relation to the process for the preparation of a kit of parts as hereinbefore defined, by bringing the two components "into association with" each other, we include that the two components of the kit of parts may be: (i) provided as separate formulations (i.e. independently of one another), which are subsequently brought together for use in conjunction with each other in combination therapy; or

(ii) packaged and presented together as separate components of a "combination pack" for use in conjunction with each other in combination therapy.

Compounds of the invention may be administered at varying doses. Oral, pulmonary and topical dosages may range from between about 0.01 mg/kg of body weight per day (mg/kg/day) to about 100 mg/kg/day, preferably about 0.01 to about 10 mg/kg/day, and more preferably about 0.1 to about 5.0 mg/kg/day. For e.g. oral administration, the compositions typically contain between about 0.01 mg to about 500 mg, and preferably between about 1 mg to about 100 mg, of the active ingredient. Intravenously, the most preferred doses will range from about 0.001 to about 10 mg/kg/hour during constant rate infusion. Advantageously, compounds may be administered in a single daily dose, or the total daily dosage may be administered in divided doses of two, three or four times daily.

In any event, the physician, or the skilled person, will be able to determine the actual dosage which will be most suitable for an individual patient, which is likely to vary with the route of administration, the type and severity of the condition that is to be treated, as well as the species, age, weight, sex, renal function, hepatic function and response of the particular patient to be treated. The above- mentioned dosages are exemplary of the average case; there can, of course, be individual instances where higher or lower dosage ranges are merited, and such are within the scope of this invention.

Aqueous solubility is a fundamental molecular property that governs a large range of physical phenomena related to the specific chemical compound including e.g. environmental fate, human intestinal absorption, effectiveness of in vitro screening assays, and product qualities of water-soluble chemicals. By definition, the solubility of a compound is the maximum quantity of compound that can dissolve in a certain quantity of solvent at a specified temperature. Knowledge of a compound's aqueous solubility can lead to an understanding of its pharmacokinetics, as well as an appropriate means of formulation. Compounds of the invention may exhibit improved solubility properties. Greater aqueous solubility (or greater aqueous thermodynamic solubility) may have advantages related to the effectiveness of the compounds of the invention, for instance improved absorption in vivo (e.g. in the human intestine) or the compounds may have other advantages associated with the physical phenomena related to improved aqueous stability (see above). Good (e.g. improved) aqueous solubility may aid the formulation of compounds of the invention, i.e. it may be easier and/or less expensive to manufacture tablets which will dissolve more readily in the stomach as potentially one can avoid esoteric and/or expensive additives and be less dependent on particle-size (e.g. micronization or grinding may be avoided) of the crystals, etc, and it may be easier to prepare formulations intended for intravenous administration.

Compounds of the invention may have the advantage that they are effective inhibitors of LTC ₄ synthase.

Compounds of the invention may also have the advantage that they may be more efficacious than, be less toxic than, be longer acting than, be more potent than, produce fewer side effects than, be more easily absorbed than, and/or have a better pharmacokinetic profile (e.g. higher oral bioavailability and/or lower clearance) than, and/or have other useful pharmacological, physical, or chemical properties over, compounds known in the prior art, whether for use in the above- stated indications or otherwise.

Biological Test

In vitro assay

In the assay, LTC ₄ synthase catalyses the reaction where the substrate LTA ₄ is converted to LTC ₄ . Recombinant human LTC ₄ synthase is expressed in Piccia pastoralis and the purified enzyme is dissolved in 25 mM tris-buffer pH 7.8 supplemented with 0.1 mM glutathione (GSH) and stored at -80 ⁰ C. The assay is performed in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) pH 7.4 and 5 mM GSH in 384-well plates.

The following is added chronologically to each well: 1. 48 μl_ LTC ₄ synthase in PBS with 5 mM GSH. The total protein concentration in this solution is 0.5 μg/mL.

2. 1 μl_ inhibitor in DMSO (final concentration 10 μM).

3. Incubation of the plate at room temperature for 10 min. 4. 1 μl_ LTA ₄ (final concentration 2.5 μM).

5. Incubation of the plate at room temperature for 5 min.

6. 10 μL of the incubation mixture is analysed using homogenous time resolved fluorescent (HTRF) detection.

Biological Examples

(a) Title compounds of the Examples were tested in the biological in vitro assay described above and were found to inhibit LTC ₄ synthase. Title compounds of the examples exhibit a certain IC ₅₀ value, which shows that they inhibit LTC ₄ synthase. IC ₅₀ values for title compounds of the examples are depicted in the tables hereinafter.

(b) Title compounds of the Examples were tested in the biological in vitro assay described above and were found to inhibit LTC ₄ synthase. Thus, when the total concentration of title compounds in the assay was 10μM (except where specified), the following %-inhibition values where obtained.

(c) Title compounds of the Examples 20 and 21 were also tested in the biological in vitro assay described above and were found to inhibit LTC ₄ synthase. The IC ₅₀ values are depicted below.

Examples

In the event that there is a discrepancy between nomenclature and any compounds depicted graphically, then it is the latter that presides (unless contradicted by any experimental details that may be given or unless it is clear from the context).

The invention is illustrated by way of the following examples, in which the following abbreviations may be employed:

aq aqueous atm atmosphere

BINAP 2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1 , 1 '-binaphthyl brine saturated aqueous solution of NaCI

DBU 1 ,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene

DCM dichloromethane

DMF dimethylformamide

DMSO dimethylsulfoxide dppf 1 ,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene

EtOAc ethyl acetate

EtOH ethanol

MeCN acetonitrile

MeOH methanol

NMR nuclear magnetic resonance

Oxone potassium peroxymonosulfate (2KHSO ₅ KHSO ₄ K ₂ SO ₄ ) Pd ₂ dba ₃ tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium(0) rt room temperature rx reflux sat saturated THF tetrahydrofuran xantphos 9,9-dimethyl-4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-9H-xanthene

Example 1 :1

3-(4-[(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino1benzoyl)-5-(2.4-dichl orobenzamido)benzoic acid

(a) 3-(Chlorocarbonyl)-5-nitrobenzoic acid methyl ester A mixture of 5-nitroisophthalic acid mono-methyl ester (20 g, 88.83 mmol), SOCI ₂ (64 mL, 880 mmol) and DMF (2 mL) was heated at 70 ⁰ C for 2 h. The mixture was distilled under reduced pressure and the distillate recrystallized from toluene/hexane. Distillation (0.14 mbar, 200 ⁰ C) gave the sub-title compound. Yield: 15.02 g (69%).

(b) 3-(4-Bromobenzoyl)-5-nitrobenzoic acid methyl ester

/-PrMgCI LiCI in THF (1.1 M, 16.9 mL, 18.1 mmol) was added to 1 -bromo-4-iodo- benzene (4.26 g, 15.0 mmol) in THF (55 mL) at -10 ⁰ C over 40 min. The mixture was cooled to -78 ⁰ C and 3-(chlorocarbonyl)-5-nitrobenzoic acid methyl ester (11.0 g, 45.2 mmol) in THF (40 mL) was added. The temperature was allowed to reach rt, H ₂ O was added and the mixture was concentrated to a small volume. Extractive workup (EtOAc, NH ₄ CI (aq, sat), NaHCO ₃ (aq, sat), H ₂ O, brine), drying (Na ₂ SO ₄ ), concentration and purification by chromatography gave the sub-title compound. Yield: 2.72 g (50%).

(c) 3-f4-r(4-ChlorophenvD(methyl)aminolbenzoyl)-5-nitrobenzoic acid methyl ester

A mixture of 3-(4-bromobenzoyl)-5-nitrobenzoic acid methyl ester (1.00 g, 2.75 mmol), 4-chloro-/V-methylaniline (0.47 g, 3.30 mmol), Pd(OAc) ₂ (31 mg, 0.14 mmol), BINAP (0.13 g, 0.21 mmol), Cs ₂ CO ₃ (1.25 g, 3.84 mmol) and toluene (20 ml_) was heated at 100 ⁰ C for 24 h. The mixture was filtered through Celite and the solids washed with EtOAc. The combined filtrates were concentrated and purified by chromatography to give the sub-title compound. Yield: 874 mg (75%).

(d) 3-Amino-5-(4-r(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminolbenzoyl>benzo ic acid methyl ester

A mixture of 3-{4-[(4-chlorophenyl)amino]benzoyl}-5-nitrobenzoic acid methyl ester (0.86 g, 2.02 mmol), Fe-powder (1.70 g, 30.4 mmol), NH ₄ CI (aq, sat, 45 mL) and isopropanol (80 mL) was heated at rx for 1 h. The mixture was filtered through Celite, the solids washed with EtOAc and the combined filtrates concentrated. Extractive workup (EtOAc, H ₂ O, brine), drying (Na ₂ SO ₄ ), concentration and purification by chromatography gave the sub-title compound. Yield: 0.72 g (90%).

(e) 3-(4-f(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminolbenzoyl)-5-(2.4-dichloro benzamido)- benzoic acid methyl ester

A mixture of 3-amino-5-{4-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]benzoyl}benzoic acid methyl ester (0.15 g, 0.38 mmol), 2,4-dichlorobenzoyl chloride (88 mg, 0.42 mmol) and toluene (13 mL) was heated at rx for 1.5 h and allowed to cool to rt. MeOH (10 mL) was added and the mixture was stirred at rt for 10 min. Concentration and purification by chromatography gave the sub-title compound. Yield: 0.22 g (99%).

(f) 3-(4-r(4-ChlorophenvO(methyl)aminolbenzoyl)-5-(2,4-dichlorob enzamido)- benzoic acid

A mixture of 3-{4-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]benzoyl}-5-(2,4-dichloro benz- amido)benzoic acid methyl ester (205 mg, 0.36 mmol), NaOH (72 mg, 1.8 mmol in 7 mL H ₂ O) and EtOH (30 mL) was heated at rx for 1 h. The mixture was allowed to cool to rt. HCI (1 M, 3 mL) was added and the mixure was concentrated to a small volume. Extractive workup (EtOAc ₁ H ₂ O ₁ brine), drying (Na ₂ SO ₄ ), concentration and purification by chromatography gave the title compound. Yield: 140 mg (70%). ¹ H NMR (DMSO-c/ ₆ ) δ: 10.86 (1H, s) 8.56-8.53 (1 H, m) 8.21-8.11 (1H, m) 7.96-7.87 (1 H, m) 7.77-7.61 (4H, m) 7.54 (1 H, dd, J = 8.4, 1.6 Hz) 7.51-7.43 (2H, m) 7.34-7.26 (2H ₁ m) 6.91-6.81 (2H, m) 3.33 (3H, s). IC ₅₀ = 166 nM. Example 1 :2

The title compound was synthesized in accordance with Example 1:1 using the appropriate acid choride in step (e), see Table 1.

Table 1.

Example 2:1 3-(5-r(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminoipicolinoyl)-5-(phenylcar bamovπbenzoic acid

(a) 5-r(4-Chlorophenyl)methylaminolpyridine-2-carbaldehvde

The sub-title compound was prepared from 5-bromo-2-formylpyridine and

4-chloro-Λ/-methylaniline in accordance with Example 2:11 , step (a).

(b) 3-(5-r(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminolpicolinoyl-5-iodobenzoic acid methyl ester

The sub-title compound was prepared from 3,5-diiodobenzoic acid methyl ester and 5-[(4-chlorophenyl)methylamino]pyridine-2-carbaldehyde in accordance with Example 2:11 , step (b), followed by oxidation in accordance with Example 2:11 , step (b). (c) S-fS-r^ChlorophenvMmethvOaminolpicolinoyll-δ-fphenylcarbamo vO- benzoic acid methyl ester

A mixture of 3-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]picolinoyl}-5-iodobenzoi c acid methyl ester (250 mg, 0.493 mmol), aniline (135 μl_, 1.48 mmol), Mo(CO) ₆ (130 mg, 0.493 mmol), Pd(OAc) ₂ (11 mg, 0.05 mmol), DBU (220 μl_, 1.48 mmol) and THF (2 ml_) was heated with microwave irradiation in a sealed vial for 15 min at 100 ⁰ C. The mixture was filtered through Celite, and the solids washed with THF. The filtrates were concentrated and the residue purified by chromatography to give the sub-title compound. Yield: 110 mg (45%).

(d) 3-{5-r(4-Chlorophenvπ(methyl)aminolpicolinoyl)-5-(phenylcar bamoyl)- benzoic acid

NaOH (aq, 2 M, 1.1 mL) was added to 3-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]- picolinoyl}-5-(phenylcarbamoyl)benzoic acid methyl ester (110 mg, 0.22 mmol) in MeCN (4 mL). The mixture was heated at 50 ⁰ C for 1 h and allowed to cool. The mixture was acidified with HCI (aq, 1 M). Concentration and crystallization from EtOH gave the title compound. Yield: 68 mg (64%).

¹ H NMR (DMSO-cfe) δ: 10.57 (1 H, s) 8.75-8.67 (3H, m) 8.23 (1 H, d, J= 3.0 Hz) 8.05 (1 H, d, J= 9.0 Hz) 7.81-7.75 ( 2H, m) 7.57-7.51 (2H, m) 7.42-7.34 (4H, m) 7.30 (1 H, dd, J= 9.0; 3.0 Hz) 7.16-7.10 (1 H, m) 3.42 (3H, s). IC ₅₀ = 449 nM.

Examples 2:2-2:6

The title compounds was synthesized in accordance with Example 2:1 using the appropriate amine in step (c), see Table 2.

Example 2:7

3-(5-r(4-Chlorophenvπ(methyl)aminolpicolinoyl)-5-r3-(tri fluoromethyl)benzamidol- benzoic acid

(a) 3-(5-r(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminolpicolinoyl)-5-r3-(triflu oromethyl)- benzamidolbenzoic acid methyl ester

A mixture of 3-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]picolinoyl}-5-iodobenzoi c acid methyl ester (150 mg, 0.296 mmol, see Example 2:1 , step (b)), 3-(trifluoromethyl)- benzamide (70 mg, 0.37 mmol), N ¹ ,N ² -dimethylethane-1 ,2-diamine (9.7 μl_, 0.09 mmol), CuI (8.6 mg, 0.045 mmol), Cs ₂ CO ₃ (195 mg, 0.6 mmol) and toluene (3 mL) was stirred at 110 °C for 20 h. The mixture was cooled to rt and filtered through Celite and the filtrate was concentrated. The residue was purified by chromatography to give the sub-title compound. Yield 135 mg (80%).

(b) 3-(5-r(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminolpicolinoyl}-5-r3-(triflu oromethyl)- benzamidolbenzoic acid

Hydrolysis of the material from step (a) above, in accordance with Example 1 :1 , step (f) gave the title compound. Yield: 105 mg (82%). ¹ H NMR (DMSO-cfe) δ: 10.72 (1 H, s) 8.61-8.51 (2H, m) 8.39-8.35 (1 H, m) 8.32 (1H, d, J= 7.8 Hz) 8.27- 8.23 (1 H, m) 8.23 (1 H, d, J= 2.8 Hz) 8.01-7.94 (2H, m) 7.83-7.77 (1 H, m) 7.55- 7.49 (2H, m) 7.42-7.35 (2H, m) 7.30 (1H, dd, J= 8.9; 2.9 Hz) 3.41 (3H, s). IC ₅₀ = 549 nM.

Examples 2:8.- 2:10

The title compounds were synthesized in accordance with Example 2:7 using the appropriate benzamide in step (a), see Table 2.

Example 2:11 3-(4-r(4-Chlorophenvπ(methyl)aminolbenzoyl>-5-(phenylcar bamoyl)benzoic acid(

(a) 4-r(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminolbenzaldehvde

Toluene (100 mL) and 4-chloro-Λ/-methylaniline (4.58 mL, 37.8 mmol) were added to a mixture of Cs ₂ CO ₃ (17.26 g, 53 mmol), Pd(OAc) ₂ (0.42 g, 1.9 mmol), BINAP (1.77 g, 2.8 mmol) and 4-bromobenzaldehyde (7 g, 37.8 mmol). The mixture was stirred at 85 ⁰ C for 20 h and filtered through Celite. The solids were washed with EtOAc. The combined filtrates were concentrated and the residue purified by chromatography to give the sub-title compound. Yield: 7.7 g (82%).

(b) 3-Bromo-5-(4-f4-chlorophenyl(methyl)aminolbenzoyl)benzoic acid methyl ester

/-PrMgCI in THF (22.5 mL, 29 mmol, 1.3 M) was added dropwise to a mixture of 3-bromo-5-iodobenzoic acid methyl ester (8.54 g, 25 mmol) and THF (150 mL) at -15 ⁰ C. The mixture was stirred at -15 ⁰ C for 80 min and cooled to -45 ⁰ C. 4-[(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]benzaldehyde (4.3 g, 17.5 mmol) in THF (30 mL) was added dropwise and the mixture was stirred for 20 min at -45 ⁰ C and at rt for 20 h. NH ₄ CI (aq, sat) was added. Extractive workup (EtOAc, H ₂ O, brine) and concentration gave a residue (10 g). A mixture of the residue (8 g, 17.4 mmol), DMF (150 mL) and MnO ₂ (32 g, 368 mmol) was stirred at rt for 24 h. Filtration, concentration, crystallization from EtOAc, washing with isohexane and drying gave the sub-title compound. Yield: 6 g (75%).

(c) 3-(4-f(4-Chlorophenvπ(methyl)amino1benzoyll-5-(phenylcarbam oyl)- benzoic acid methyl ester

A mixture of 3-bromo-5-{4-[4-chlorophenyl(methyl)amino]benzoyl}benzoic acid methyl ester (100 mg, 0.22 mmol), aniline (31 mg, 0.33 mmol), Na ₂ CO ₃ (35 mg, 0.33 mmol), Pd(OAc) ₂ (1.0 mg, 0.004 mmol) xantphos (2.5 mg, 0.004 mmol) and toluene (1 mL) was stirred under a carbon monoxide atmosphere (1 atm) at 80 ⁰ C over night. Filtration through a silica pad and concentration gave a residue which was purified by chromatography to give the sub-title compound.

(d) S-^-f^-ChlorophenylKmethvOaminotøenzoylVδ-fphenylcarbamovO - benzoic acid

Hydrolysis of 3-{4-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]benzoyl}-5-(phenylcarbam oyl)- benzoic acid methyl ester in accordance with Example 17, step (b) gave the title compound. ¹ H NMR (DMSO-cfe) δ: 13.54 (1H, s) 10.57 (1H, s) 8.75-8.71 (1H, m) 8.47-8.43 (1 H, m) 8.33-8.29 (1H, m) 7.77 (2H, d, J= 8 Hz) 7.69 (2H, d, J= 9 Hz) 7.52-7.46 (2H ₁ m) 7.40-7.30 (4H, m) 7.12 (1 H ₁ t, J= 8 Hz) 6.88 (2H, d, J= 9 Hz) 3.36 (3H, s). IC ₅₀ = 694 nM. Examples 2:12 - 2:15

The title compounds were synthesized in accordance with Example 2:11 using the appropriate aniline in step (a), see Table 2.

Table 2.

d,

Hz) 9.0;

(1H ₁

8.22 (1H, 7.62- (1H,

(1H, (1H,

Example 3 3-(4-Chorophenylamino)-5-f4-(4-chlorophenylamino)benzoyllben zoic acid

(a) 3-(4-Chorophenylamino)-5-r4-(4-chlorophenylamino)benzoyllben zoic acid methyl ester

The sub-title compound was prepared from 3-amino-5-[4-(4-chlorophenylamino)- benzoyl]benzoic acid methyl ester (see Example 7, step (b)) and 1-bromo-4- chlorobenzene in accordance with Example 1 :1 , step (c).

(d) 3-(4-Chorophenylamino)-5-r4-(4-chlorophenylamino)benzoyllben zoic acid The title compound was prepared from 3-(4-chorophenylamino)-5-[4-(4-chloro- phenylamino)benzoyl]benzoic acid methyl ester in accordance with Example 1 :1 , step (f). ¹ H NMR (DMSO-cfe) δ: 13.3-13.1 (1 H ₁ br s) 9.03 (1 H, s) 8.75 (1 H ₁ s) 7.84- 7.77 (1H, m) 7.76-7.65 (2H ₁ m) 7.64-7.57 (1H ₁ m) 7.54-7.46 (1 H ₁ m) 7.43-7.29 (4H ₁ m) 7.28-7.07 (6H, m). IC ₅₀ = 146 nM. Example 4:1 5-(4-Chlorophenylamino)-2-(4-heptylamidobenzoyl)benzoic acid

(a) 5-Bromo-2-(4-nitrobenzoyl)benzoic acid methyl ester

/-PrMgCI LiCI in THF (1.25M.17.6 ml_, 22 mmol) was added to 5-bromo-2-iodo- benzoic acid methyl ester (6.82 g, 20 mmol) in THF (40 ml_) at -40 ⁰ C over 5 min. The mixture was stirred at -30 ⁰ C for 1 h, cooled to -78 ⁰ C and added to 4-nitro- benzoyl chloride (7.42 g, 40 mmol) in THF (30 mL) at -78 ⁰ C. The temperature was allowed to reach rt and NaHCO ₃ (aq, sat) was added. Extractive workup (EtOAc, NaHCO ₃ (aq, sat), H ₂ O, brine), drying (K ₂ CO ₃ and Na ₂ SO ₄ ), concentration and crystallization from EtOAc gave the sub-title compound. Yield: 5.48 g (75%).

(b) 5-(4-Chlorophenylamino)-2-(4-nitrobenzoyl)benzoic acid methyl ester

A mixture of 5-bromo-2-(4-nitrobenzoyl)benzoic acid methyl ester (2.60 g, 7.14 mmol), 4-chloroaniline (1.09 g, 8.57 mmol), Pd ₂ dba ₃ (0.33 g, 0.36 mmol), BINAP (0.33 g, 0.54 mmol), Cs ₂ CO ₃ (3.26 g, 10 mmol) and toluene (50 mL) was heated at 110 ⁰ C for 36 h. The mixture was allowed to cool, filtered through Celite and the solids washed with EtOAc. The combined filtrates were concentrated and purified by chromatography to give the sub-title compound. Yield: 2.2 g (75%).

(c) 2-(4-Aminobenzoyl)-5-r(4-chlorophenyl)aminolbenzoic acid methyl ester 5-(4-Chlorophenylamino)-2-(4-nitrobenzoyl)benzoic acid methyl ester (1.8 g, 4.38 mmol) was added to FeCI ₃ 6H ₂ O (2.4 g, 8.76 mmol) in EtOH (70 mL). Fe-powder (2.4 g, 43 mmol) and H ₂ O (7 mL) was added and the mixture heated at rx for 75 min. The mixture was allowed to cool, filtered through Celite, the solids washed with dioxane and the combined filtrates concentrated. Extractive workup (EtOAc, H ₂ O, brine), drying (Na ₂ SO ₄ ), concentration and purification by chromatography gave the sub-title compound. Yield: 1.41 g (84%). (d) 5-(4-Chlorophenylamino)-2-(4-heptylamidobenzoyl)benzoic acid methyl ester

A mixture of 2-(4-aminobenzoyl)-5-[(4-chlorophenyl)amino]benzoic acid methyl ester (0.19 g, 0.5 mmol), heptanoyl chloride (93 μL, 0.6 mmol) and toluene (4 ml_) was heated at rx for 40 min and allowed to cool to rt. MeOH (1.5 ml_) was added and the mixture concentrated. Extractive workup (EtOAc, NaHCO ₃ (aq, sat), brine), drying (Na ₂ SO ₄ ), concentration and purification by chromatography gave the sub-title compound. Yield: 140 mg (57%).

(e) 5-(4-Chlorophenylamino)-2-(4-heptylamidobenzoyl)benzoic acid

NaOH (2 M, 2.8 ml_) was added to 5-(4-chlorophenylamino)-2-(4-heptylamido- benzoyl)benzoic acid methyl ester (0.14 g, 0.28 mmol) in dioxane (10 ml_). The mixture was heated at 75 ⁰ C for 1 h and allowed to cool. H ₂ O (5 ml.) was added and the mixture was acidified with HCI (1 M). Extractive workup (EtOAc, H ₂ O, brine), drying (Na ₂ SO ₄ ), concentration and crystallization from MeCN and then from DCM gave the title compound. Yield: 50 mg (37%). ¹ H NMR (DMSO-(Z ₆ ) δ: 13.0-12.9 (1 H ₁ brs) 10.22 (1 H ₁ s) 8.85 (1 H ₁ s) 7.74-7.65 (2H ₁ m) 7.64-7.57 (2H, m) 7.51-7.46 (1H ₁ m) 7.40-7.32 (2H, m) 7.29-7.15 (4H, m) 2.33 (2H, t, J = 7.4 Hz) 1.66-1.52 (2H, m) 1.36-1.21 (6H, m) 0.93-0.80 (3H, m). IC ₅₀ = 646 nM.

Example 4:2

The title compound was synthesized in accordance with Example 4:1 using the appropriate aniline in step (b) and the appropriate acid choride in step (d) see Table 3.

Table 3.

Example 5 5-r(4-Chlorophenvπ(methvπaminol-2-r4-(4-trifluoromethoxybe nzenesulfonamido)- benzoyllbenzoic acid

The title compound was synthesized from 2-(4-aminobenzoyl)-5-[(4-chloro- phenyl)(methyl)amino]benzoic acid methyl ester (prepared in accordance with Example 4:1 , steps (b) and (c) using the appropriate aniline in step (b)) and 4-trifluoromethoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride in accordance with Example 7 step (c) followed by hydrolysis in accordance with Example 1 :1 step (f). 1H NMR (DMSO-^ ₆ ) δ: 8.02-7.90 (2H, m) 7.64-7.50 (4H, m) 7.49-7.38 (2H, m) 7.32-7.12 (6H, m) 7.08 (1 H ₁ dd, J = 8.4; 2.1 Hz) 3.33 (3H ₁ s). IC ₅₀ = 549 nM.

Example 6:1 5-(4-Chlorophenylamino)-2-r4-(4-chlorophenylamino)benzoyllbe nzoic acid

The title compound was synthesized from 2-(4-aminobenzoyl)-5-[(4-chloro- phenyl)amino]benzoic acid methyl ester (see Example 4:1 , step (c)) and 1-bromo- 4-chlorobenzene in accordance with the procedure in Example 1 :1 , step (c), followed by hydrolysis in accordance with Example 1 :1, step (f). 1H NMR (DMSO-cfe) δ: 13.0-12.8 (1H, br s) 8.94 (1 H, s) 8.81 (1 H, s) 7.63-7.46 (3H, m) 7.41-7.30 (4H, m) 7.28-7.13 (6H, m) 7.10-7.00 (2H, m). IC ₅₀ = 625 nM.

Examples 6:2 - 6:3 The title compounds were synthesized from 5-bromo-2-(4-nitrobenzoyl)benzoic acid methyl ester (see Example 4:1 , step (a)) and the appropriate aniline in accordance with the procedure in Example 1.1 , step (c), followed by (i) reduction in accordance with Example 4:1, step (c), (ii) coupling using the appropriate aryl halide in accordance with Example 1.1 , step (c) and (iii) hydrolysis in accordance with Example 1 :1 , step (T), or from from 2-(4-aminobenzoyl)-5-[(4-chlorophenyl)- amino]benzoic acid methyl ester (see Example 4:1 , step (c)) and an appropriate aryl halide, in accordance with the procedure in Example 1.1 , step (c), followed by hydrolysis in accordance with Example 1 :1 , step (f), see Table 4.

Table 4.

Example 7 3-(4-Butoxybenzensulfonamido)-5-f4-(4-chlorophenylamino)benz oyllbenzoic acid

(a) 3-[4-(4-Chlorophenylamino)benzoyll-5-nitrobenzoic acid methyl ester The sub-title compound was prepared from 3-(4-bromobenzoyl)-5-nitrobenzoic acid methyl ester (see Example 1 :1 , step (b)) and 4-chloroaniline in accordance with Example 1 :1 , step (c).

(b) 3-Amino-5-r4-(4-chlorophenylamino)benzoyllbenzoic acid methyl ester The sub-title compound was prepared from 3-[4-(4-chlorophenylamino)benzoyl]- 5-nitrobenzoic acid methyl ester in accordance with Example 1 :1, step (d).

(c) 3-(4-Butoxybenzensulfonamido)-5-r4-(4-chlorophenylamino)benz ovn- benzoic acid methyl ester

A mixture of 3-amino-5-[4-(4-chlorophenylamino)benzoyl]benzoic acid methyl ester (86 mg, 0.23 mmol), 4-butoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride (62 mg, 0.25 mmol) and pyridine (8 ml_) was stirred at rt for 3 h. Concentration, extractive workup (EtOAc, HCI (aq, 0.1 M), NaHCO ₃ (aq, sat), H ₂ O, brine), drying (Na ₂ SO ₄ ), concentration and purification by chromatography gave the sub-title compound. Yield: 112 mg (84%).

(d) 3-(4-Butoxybenzensulfonamido)-5-r4-(4-chlorophenylamino)benz oyll- benzoic acid

The title compound was prepared from 3-(4-butoxybenzensulfonamido)-5- [4-(4-chlorophenylamino)benzoyl]benzoic acid methyl ester in accordance with Example 1 :1, step (f). ¹ H NMR (DMSO-d ₆ ) δ: 9.05 (1H, s) 7.98-7.91 (1H, m) 7.90- 7.80 (1 H, m) 7.72-7.63 (2H, m) 7.58-7.45 (3H, m) 7.41-7.33 (2H, m) 7.28-7.19 (2H, m) 7.13-6.99 (4H, m) 3.96 (3H, t, J = 6.0 Hz) 1.70-1.55 (2H, m) 1.45-1.28 (2H, m) 0.87 (3H, t, J = 7.2 Hz). IC ₅₀ = 89 nM.

Example 8:1 3-(5-[(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminolpicolinoyl)-5-phenoxyben zoic acid

(a) S-fδ-r^-ChlorophenylKmethvOaminolpicolinoyll-δ-phenoxybenz oic acid methyl ester

A mixture of 3-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]picolinoyl}-5-iodobenzoi c acid methyl ester (215 mg, 0.42 mmol, see Example 2:1 , step (b)), phenol (60 mg, 0.64 mmol), Λ/,Λ/-dimethylglycine ^• HCI (12 mg, 0.084 mmol), CuI (4.0 mg, 0.021 mmol), Cs ₂ CO ₃ (274 mg, 0.84 mmol) and dioxane (4 ml_) was heated at 120 ⁰ C for 40 h. The mixture was allowed to cool to rt, filtered through Celite and washed with EtOAc. The filtrates were concentrated and the residue purified by chromatography to give the sub-title compound. Yield: 120 mg (60%).

(b) 3-(5-r(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminolpicolinoyl)-5-phenoxyben zoic acid Hydrolysis of 3-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]picolinoyl}-5-phenoxyben zoic acid methyl ester in accordance with Example 1:1, step (f) gave the title compound. ¹ H NMR (DMSO-Qf ₆ ) δ: 8.33-8.28 (1 H, m) 8.21 (1 H, d, J= 3.0 Hz) 8.00 (1H, d, J= 9.0 Hz) 7.87-7.83 (1H, m) 7.66-7.62 (1 H, m) 7.58-7.53 (2H, m) 7.50- 7.44 (2H, m) 7.43-7.37 (2H, m) 7.30 (1H, dd, J= 9.0; 3.0 Hz) 7.27-7.22 (1H ₁ m) 7.18-7.13 (2H, m) 3.42 (3H, s). IC ₅₀ = 67 nM.

Examples 8:2 - 8:8 The title compounds were prepared in accordance with Example 8:1 using the appropriate phenol in step (a), see Table 5.

Example 8:9

3-(4-r(4-Chlorophenyl)(methvπaminolbenzoyl)-5-(3.4-diflu orophenoxy)benzoic acid

(a) 3-(4-r(4-Chlorophenyl)(methvπaminolbenzoyl)-5-(3,4-difluoro phenoxy)- benzoic acid methyl ester

A mixture of 3-bromo-5-{4-[(chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminobenzoyl}benzoic acid methyl ester (200 mg, 0.44 mmol, see Example 2:11 , step (b)), 3,4-difluorophenol

(85 mg, 0.65 mmol), Λ/,Λ/-dimethylglycine (9 mg, 0.09 mmol), CuI (4.2 mg, 0.02 mmol), Cs ₂ CO ₃ (284 mg, 0.9 mmol) and dioxane (4 ml_) was stirred at 120 ⁰ C for 12 h and then at rt for 24 h. The mixture was filtered through Celite and washed with EtOAc. Concentration of the filtrates and purification of the residue by chromatography gave the sub-title compound. Yield: 30 mg (14%).

(b) 3-{44(4-Chlorophenv0(methyl)amino1benzoyl)-5-(3.4-difluoroph enoxy)- benzoic acid

Hydrolysis of 3-{4-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]benzoyl}-5-(3,4-difluoro - phenoxy)benzoic acid methyl ester in accordance with Example 1 :1 , step (f) gave the title compound. ¹ H NMR (DMSO-d ₆ ) δ: 13.45 (1 H, br s) 7.90 (1 H ₁ 1, J= 1.4 Hz) 7.67 (3H, m) 7.55-7.32 (5H, m) 7.34-7.32 (2H, m) 7.06-7.02 (1H, m) 6.86 (2H, d, J= 9.0 Hz) 3.35 (3H ₁ s). IC ₅₀ = 30 nM.

Examples 8:10 - 8:21

The title compounds were prepared in accordance with Example 8:9 using the appropriate phenol in step (a), see Table 5.

Table 5.

Example 9:1

S-rO-ChlorophenvDfmethvDaminol-δ-lδ-KΦchlorophenylVmet hvDaminoi- picoliπovDbenzoic acid

(a) 3-r(3-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino1-5-(5-r(4-chlorophenyl)(met hyl)aminol- picolinovDbenzoic acid methyl ester

A mixture of 3-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]picolinoyl}-5-iodobenzoi c acid methyl ester (150 mg, 0.30 mmol, see Example 2:1 , step (b)), 3-chloro-Λ/-methyl- aniline (44 mg, 0.31 mmol), Pd(OAc) ₂ (4.0 mg, 0.018 mg), BINAP (14.0 mg, 0.023 mmol), Cs ₂ CO ₃ (146.6 mg, 0.45 mmol) and toluene (3 mL) was stirred at 110 ⁰ C for 16 h. Filtration through Celite, washing with EtOAc, concentration of the filtrates and purification by chromatography gave the sub-title compound. Yield: 84 mg (53%).

(b) 3-r(3-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminol-5-(5-r(4-chlorophenyl)(met hyl)aminol- picolinovDbenzoic acid

Hydrolysis of 3-[(3-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]-5-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)(met hyl)- amino]picolinoyl}benzoic acid methyl ester in accordance with Example 1 :1 , step (f) gave the title compound. ¹ H NMR (DMSO-c/ ₆ ) δ: 8.20 (1H, d, J= 2.8 Hz) 8.14- 8.10 (1 H, m) 7.99 (1 H, d, J= 9.0 Hz) 7.87-7.83 (1H, m) 7.81-7.76 (1H, m) 7.58- 7.53 (2H, m) 7.42-7.37 (2H, m) 7.35-7.28 (2H, m) 7.16-7.12 (1 H, m) 7.07-6.99 (2H, m) 3.41 (3H, s) 3.36 (3H, s). IC ₅₀ = 147 nM.

Examples 9:2 - 9:6. 9:9 - 9:14. 9:21 - 9:22. 9:28 - 9:34. 9:36 - 9:37 and 9:42 The title compounds were prepared in accordance with Example 9:1 using the appropriate amine in step (a), see Table 6. Example 9:7

3-(5-f(4-Chlorophenvπ(methvπaminolpicolinoyl)-5-r(cvclo propylmethyl)(phenvπ- aminolbenzoic acid

(a) 3-{5-r(4-Chlorophenvπ(methyl)aminolpicolinoyl>-5-r(cvclo propylmethvπ- (phenvhaminolbenzoic acid methyl ester

Bromomethylcyclopropane (116 mg, 0.86 mmol) was added to a mixture of 3-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino}picolinoyl]-5-phenylamin obenzoic acid methyl ester (135 mg, 0.29 mmol, prepared in accordance with Example 9:1 , using aniline in step (a)), NaH (12 mg, 0.30 mmol, 60% in mineral oil) and THF (3 ml_). The mixture was stirred at rt for 3 h and acidified (0.1 M HCI (aq)) to pH~1. Extractive workup (EtOAc, H ₂ O, brine), drying (Na ₂ SO ₄ ), concentration and purification by chromatography gave the sub-title compound. Yield: 90 mg (59%).

(b) 3-(5-r(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminolpicolinoyl)-5-r(cvclopro pylmethyl)- (phenvOaminolbenzoic acid

Hydrolysis of 3-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino}picolinoyl]-5-[(cyclopro pyl- methyl)(phenyl)amino]benzoic acid methyl ester in accordance with Example 1 :1 , step (f) gave the title compound. ¹ H NMR (DMSO-cfe) δ: 8.17 (1 H, d, J= 3.0 Hz) 7.98-7.93 (2H, m) 7.72-7.68 (1 H, m) 7.63-7.60 (1 H, m) 7.58-7.53 (2H, m) 7.42- 7.36 (4H, m) 7.30 (1H, dd, J= 9.0; 3.0 Hz) 7.23-7.18 (2H, m) 7.17-7.11 (1H, m) 3.68-3.64 (2H, m) 3.41 (3H, s) 1.16-1.08 (1 H, m) 0.48-0.41 (2H, m) 0.19-0.13 (2H, m). IC ₅₀ = 32 nM.

Examples 9:8. 9:15. 9:25. 9:35. 9:39 - 9:41 and 9:45 - 9:47

The title compounds were prepared in accordance with Example 9:7 using the appropriate esters and alkyl halides, see Table 6. Example 9:16

3-(5-r(4-Chlorophenvπ(cvclopropylmethyl)aminolpicolinoyl )-5-r(4-chlorophenyl)- (methvhaminorbenzoic acid

(a) 5-f(4-Chlorophenyl)cvclopropylmethylaminoipyridine-2-carbald ehvde

The sub-title compound was prepared from 5-bromo-2-formylpyridine and 4-chloroaniline in accordance with Example 2:11 , step (a) followed by alkylation with bromomethylcyclopropane in accordance with Example 9:7, step (a).

(b) 3-(5-f(4-Chlorophenyl)(cvclopropylmethyl)aminoipicolinoyl)-5 -iodobenzoic acid methyl ester

The sub-title compound was prepared from 5-[(4-chlorophenyl)cyclopropylmethyl- amino]pyridine-2-carbaldehyde and 3,5-diiodobenzoic acid methyl ester in accordance with Example 2:11 step (b).

(c) 3-(5-r(4-Chlorophenvπ(cvclopropylmethyl)aminolpicolinoyl)-5 -r(4-chloro- phenvD(methvπaminorbenzoic acid

The title compound was prepared from 3-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)cyclopropylmethyl- amino]pyridine-2-carbonyl}-5-iodobenzoic acid methyl ester and 4-chloro-Λ/- methylaniline in accordance with Example 9:1 , steps (a) and (b).

¹ H NMR (DMSO-c/e) δ: 13.2-13.1 (1 H, br s) 8.10 (1 H, d, J= 2.8 Hz) 8.04-8.01 (1 H, m) 7.94 (1H, d, J= 9.0 Hz) 7.79-7.75 (1H, m) 7.70-7.65 (1H, m) 7.58-7.52 (2H, m) 7.40-7.34 (4H, m) 7.22 (1H ₁ dd, J= 9.0; 3.2 Hz) 7.18-7.14 (2H, m) 3.70 (2H, d, J= 6.7 Hz) 3.33 (3H, s) 1.11-1.06 (1 H, m) 0.47-0.42 (2H ₁ m) 0.17-0.12 (2H, m). IC ₅₀ = 17 nM.

Examples 9:17 and 9:20

The title compounds were prepared in accordance with Example 9:16 using the appropriate aniline in step (c), see Table 6. Example 9:23

3-(5-r(4-ChlorophenvO(methyl)amino1picolinoyl)-5-(Λ/-phe nylacetamido)benzoic acid

(a) 3-{5-r(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminolpicolinoyl)-5-(Λ/-pheπ ylacetamido)- benzoic acid methyl ester

A mixture of 3-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]picolinoyl}-5-phenylamin obenz- oic acid methyl ester (135 mg, 0.29 mmol. prepared in accordance with Example 9:1 , using aniline in step (a)), acetyl chloride (45 mg, 0.57 mmol) and toluene (3 ml_) was stirred at 90 ⁰ C for 3 h. The mixture was acidified (0.1 M HCI (aq)) to pH ~1. Extractive workup (EtOAc ₁ H ₂ O, brine), drying (Na ₂ SO ₄ ) and concentration gave the sub-title compound which was used in the next step without further purification. Yield: 130 mg (87 %).

(b) 3-(5-f(4-Chlorophenyl)(methv0aminolpicolinoyl}-5-(Λ/-phenyl acetamido)- benzoic acid

Hydrolysis of the material obtained in step (a) above in accordance with Example 1 :1, step (f) gave the title compound. ¹ H NMR (DMSO-Cf ₆ ) δ: ¹ H NMR (DMSO-cfe) δ: 8.43-8.38 (1H, m) 8.18-8.04 (3H, m) 8.00 (1 H ₁ d, J= 9.0 Hz) 7.59-7.53 (2H, m) 7.53-7.43 (4H, m) 7.43-7.36 (3H, m) 7.30 (1H, dd, J= 9.0; 3.0 Hz) 3.42 (3H, s) 2.00 (3H, s). IC ₅₀ = 199 nM.

Examples 9:18 - 9:19. 9:24. 9:26. 9:38 and 9:43 - 9:44

The title compounds were prepared in accordance with Example 9:23 using the appropriatetesters and acid chlorides, see Table 6.

Example 9:27

The title compound was prepared in accordance with Example 9:7 using the appropriate ester and substituting the alkyl halide for 2,2-dimethyloxirane, see Table 6. Table 6.

(3H,

(2H,

m) 4.50

3-{5-[(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]picolinoyl}-5-[(2-ethoxy ethyl)(phenyl)- amino]benzoic acid ^" _ _^ ______

8.16 (1 H, d, J= 2.8 Hz) 7.99-7.93 (2H ₁ m) 7.77-7.72 (1 H ₁ m) 7.70-7.65 (1 H, m) 7.58-7.52 (2H, m) 7.42-7.34 (4H, m) 7.30 (1H, dd, J= 8.8; 2.8 Hz) 7.23-7.17 (2H ₁ m) 7.13-7.07 (1H ₁ m) 3.98-3.91 (2H, m) 3.62-3.56 (2H, m) 3.44-3.38 (2H, m) 4.41 (3H, s) 1.06 (3H ₁ 1, J= 7.0 Hz)

Example 10:1

3-r(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminol-5-{4-r(4-chlorophenyl)( methyl)aminolbenzoyl}- benzoic acid

(a) 3-r(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino1-5-(4-r(4-chlorophenyl)(met hvπaminol- benzovDbenzoic acid methyl ester

A mixture of 3-bromo-5-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminobenzoyl]benzoic acid methyl ester (200 mg, 0.44 mmol, see Example 2:11 , step (b)), Cs ₂ CO ₃ (199 mg, 0.61 mmol), Pd(OAc) ₂ (4.9 mg, 0.02 mmol), BINAP (20.3 mg, 0.03 mmol),

4-chloro-Λ/-methylaniline (61.7 mg, 0.44 mmol) and toluene (2 ml.) was heated at rx for 20 h. The mixture was filtered through Celite and washed with EtOAc.

Concentration and purification of the filtrate by chromatography gave the sub-title compound. Yield: 126 mg (56%).

(b) 3-r(4-Chlorophenvn(methvnaminol-5-(4-f(4-chlorophenvπ(methv namino1- benzovDbenzoic acid

Hydrolysis of 3-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]-5-{4-[(4-chlorophenyl)(met hyl)- amino]benzoyl}benzoic acid methyl ester in accordance with Example 1 :1 , step (f) gave the title compound. ¹ H NMR (DMSO-d ₆ ) δ: 13.18 (1 H, br s) 7.64-7-62 (4H, m) 7.49 (2H, d, J= 8.8 Hz) 7.40 (2H, d, J= 8.9 Hz) 7.34-7.30 (3H, m) 7.21 (2H, d, J= 8.9 Hz) 6.86 (2H, d, J= 9.0 Hz) 3.34 (3H, s) 3.32 (3H ₁ s). IC ₅₀ = 41 nM.

Examples 10:2 - 10:22 The title compounds were prepared in accordance with Example 10:1 using the appropriate amine in step (a), see Table 7. Example 10:23

S-IΦrM-ChlorophenvDdnethvDaminolbenzovD-S-rmethvKphenvDa minolbenzoic acid

(a) S-^-ff^ChlorophenvDmethylaminolbenzovD-S-phenylaminobenzoic acid methyl ester

The sub-title compound was prepared from 3-bromo-5-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)-

(methyl)aminobenzoyl]benzoic acid methyl ester and aniline in accordance with

Example 10:1 , step (a).

(b) 3-(4-[(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminolbenzoyl)-5-rmethyl(pheny l)aminol- benzoic acid methyl ester

NaH (15 mg, 0.37 mmol) was added to a mixture of 3-{4-[(4-chlorophenyl)-

(methyl)amino]benzoyl}-5-(phenylamino)benzoic acid methyl ester (164 mg, 0.35 mmol), methyl iodide (148 mg, 1.04 mmol) and DMF (2 mL) at 0 ⁰ C. The mixture was stirred at rt for 5 h. Extractive workup (EtOAc, H ₂ O, brine), concentration of the extracts and purification by chromatography gave the sub-title compound.

Yield: 120 mg (71%).

(c) 3-(4-r(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminolbenzoyl>-5-rmethyl(ph enyl)aminol- benzoic acid

Hydrolysis of the compound from step (b) above in accordance with Example 1 :1 , step (f) gave the title compound. Yield: 120 mg (100%). ¹ H NMR (DMSO-cfe) δ: 13.14 (1 H ₁ br s) 7.65-7.57 (4H, m) 7.50 (2H, m) 7.40-7.22 (7H, m) 7.15 (1 H ₁ 1, J= 7.0 Hz) 6.86 (2H, d, J= 9.0 Hz) 3.34 (3H ₁ s) 3.33 (3H, s). IC ₅₀ = 40 nM.

Examples 10:24 - 10:30 and 10:35 - 10:37

The title compounds were prepared in accordance with Example 10:23 using the appropriate aniline in step (a) and the appropriate alkyl halide in step (b) (when alkyl bromides were used, the reaction conditions were 40 ⁰ C for 24h), see Table 7. Example 10:38

The title compound was prepared in accordance with Example 10:23 using aniline in step (a) and 2-(isopropoxymethyl)oxirane in step (b) (the reaction condition was 40 ⁰ C for 24h), see Table 7.

Example 10:31

3-(4-r(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminolbenzoyl)-5-r(Λ/-phen yl)cvclobutylcarbox- amidolbenzoic acid

(a) 3-(4-r(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminolbenzoyl>-5-r(Λ/-phen yl)cvclobutyl- carboxamidolbenzoic acid methyl ester A mixture of 3-{4-[(4-chlorophenyl)methylamino]benzoyl}-5-phenylaminobenz oic acid methyl ester (57 mg, 0.12 mmol) (prepared in accordance with Example 10:1 , using aniline in step (a)), cyclobutanecarbonyl chloride (72 mg, 0.61 mmol) and DCM (2 mL) was stirred at 60 ⁰ C for 2 h. Concentration and purification of the residue by chromatography gave the sub-title compound. Yield: 52 mg (78%).

(b) 3-(4-[(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino1benzoyl>-5-r(Λ/-phen yl)cvclobutyl- carboxamidolbenzoic acid

Hydrolysis of 3-{4-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]benzoyl}-5-[(Λ/-phenyl) - cyclobutylcarboxamido]benzoic acid methyl ester in accordance with Example 1:1, step (f) gave the title compound. ¹ H NMR (DMSO-c/ ₆ ) δ: 13.39 (1H, br s) 13.39 (1 H, m) 7.98 (2H, m) 7.79 (1 H, m) 7.63-7.32 (11 H, m) 6.85-6.84 (2H, m) 3.35 (3H ₁ s) 2.27-2.24 (2H, m) 1.72-1.67 (4H, m). IC ₅₀ = 277 nM.

Examples 10:32 - 10:34 and 10:39 The title compounds were prepared in accordance with Example 10:31 using the appropriate acid chloride in step (a), see Table 7. Table 7.

d, J= m)

m) J= 5.7

m)

7.07-

(4H, m)

m) J= m) 7.99-7.98 (2H, m) 7.82-7.79 (1 H ₁ m) 7.63-7.60 (2H, m) 7.52-7.30 (9H, m) 6.84 (2H, d, J = 9.0 Hz) 3.35 (3H, s) 2.53-2.16 (3H, m) 1.76-1.71 (2H, m) 1.51-1.41 (4H, m) 1.09-0.95 (2H, m)

Example 11 :1

3-(5-r(4-Chlorophenyl)(nnethvπanninolpicolinoyl)-5-(4-me thoxybenzyloxy)benzoic acid

A mixture of 3-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]picolinoyl}-5-iodobenzoi c acid methyl ester (260 mg, 0.51 mmol, see Example 2:1, step (b)), CuI (4.9 mg, 0.025 mmol), 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (12 mg, 0.051 mmol), Cs ₂ CO ₃ (249 mg, 0.76 mmol), 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol (145 mg, 1.02 mmol) and toluene (5 mL) was stirred at 85 ⁰ C for 20 h. Filtering through Celite and concentration afforded a residue which was purified by chromatography yielding a mixture of 3-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]picolinoyl}-5-(4-methoxy benzyloxy)benzoic acid methyl ester and 3-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]picolinoyl}-5-(4- methoxybenzyloxy)benzoic acid 4-methoxybenzyl ester. The mixture was hydrolyzed in accordance with Example 1:1, step (f) to give the title compound. Yield: 92 mg (36%). ¹ H NMR (DMSO-Cf ₆ ) δ: 13.23 (1 H, s) 8.20 (1 H, d, J= 3.0 Hz) 8.12-8.09 (1 H, m) 7.98 (1 H, d, J= 9.0 Hz) 7.83-7.80 (1 H, m) 7.71-7.68 (1H, m) 7.56-7.51 (2H, m) 7.43-7.36 (4H, m) 7.29 (1H, dd, J= 9.0; 3.0 Hz) 6.97-6.91 (2H, m) 5.14 (2H, s) 3.75 (3H, s) 3.40 (3H, s). IC ₅₀ = 887 nM.

Examples 11 :2 - 11 :5

The title compounds were prepared in accordance with Example 11 :1 using the appropriate benzyl alcohol, see Table 8. Table 8.

9.0 m) 7.9; 1.8

Example 12:1

3'-Chloro-5-{5-r(4-chlorophenyl)(methv0aminolpicolinoyl)b iphenyl-3-carboxylic acid

A mixture of 3-iodo-5-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]picolinoyl}benzoi c acid (150 mg, 0.30 mmol, prepared by hydrolysis of the methyl ester from Example 2:1 , step (b)), 3-chlorophenylboronic acid (69 mg, 0.44 mmol), Pd(OAc) ₂ (3.32 mg, 0.015 mmol), tri-o-tolylphosphine (9.0 mg, 0.03 mmol), K ₃ PO ₄ (226 mg, 1.04 mmol) and toluene:EtOH (4:1, 4 mL) was heated at 100 ⁰ C for 18 h. Filtration through Celite, washing with EtOAc, extractive workup (EtOAc, H ₂ O, NaHCO ₃ (aq, sat), brine), drying (Na ₂ SO ₄ ), concentration, purification by chromatography and hydrolysis in accordance with Example 1:1, step (f) gave the title compound. Yield: 65 mg (46 %). ¹ H NMR (DMSO-Cf ₆ ) δ: 8.44-8.40 (1 H, m) 8.32-8.28 (1 H, m) 8.23-8.18 (2H, m) 7.96 (1 H, d, J= 8.9 Hz) 7.73-7.68 (1H, m) 7.67-7.61 (1 H, m) 7.53-7.46 (3H, m) 7.45-7.41 (1H, m) 7.39-7.32 (2H, m) 7.26 (1 H, dd, J= 8.9; 3.0 Hz) 3.37 (3H ₁ s, overlapped with water). IC ₅₀ = 184 nM.

Examples 12:2 and 12:3 The title compounds were prepared in accordance with example 12:1 using the appropriate boronic acids, see Table 9. Table 9.

Example 13 3-Benzyl-5-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminolpicolinoyl)benz oic acid

A mixture of 3-bromo-5-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]picolinoyl}benzo ic acid methyl ester (300 mg, 0.65 mmol), potassium benzyltrifluoroborate (136 mg, 0.68 mmol), Cs ₂ CO ₃ (636 mg, 1.94 mmol), PdCI ₂ (dppf) ^■ CH ₂ CI ₂ (48 mg, 0.059 mmol), THF (5 mL) and water (0.5 ml.) was heated at rx for 16 h. Filtration through Celite, washing with EtOAc and extractive workup of the filtrate (EtOAc, H ₂ O, brine), drying (Na ₂ SO ₄ ), concentration and purification by chromatography gave the sub-title compound. Yield: 200 mg (66%). Hydrolysis in accordance with Example 1 :1 , step (f) gave the title compound. Yield: 195 mg (98%). ¹ H NMR (DMSO-Cf ₆ ) δ: 8.38 (1H, t, J= 1.6 Hz) 8.19 (1H, d, J= 3.0 Hz) 8.08-8.05 (1H ₁ m) 8.02-7.97 (2H, m) 7.58-7.52 (2H, m) 7.43-7.37 (2H ₁ m) 7.35-7.27 (5H, m) 7.25- 7.19 (1 H ₁ m) 4.12 (2H, s) 3.42 (3H ₁ s). IC ₅₀ = 298 nM.

Example 14 3-Benzoyl-5-(5-r(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminolpicolinoyl)ben zoic acid

(a) 3-(5-r(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino1picolinoyl)-5-(trimethyl stannvπ- benzoic acid methyl ester

A mixture of 3-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]picolinoyl}-5-iodobenzoi c acid methyl ester (100 mg, 0.19 mmol, see Example 2:1 , step (b)), 1 ,1 ,1 ,2,2,2- hexamethyldistannane (97 mg, 0.29 mmol), PdCI ₂ (PPh ₃ ) ₂ (14 mg, 0.02 mmol) and toluene (4 mL) was stirred at 105 ⁰ C for 3 h. The mixture was filtered through silica and the solids washed washed with EtOAc and toluene. Concentration of the filtrates gave the sub-title compound. Yield 90 mg (89%).

(b) 3-Benzoyl-5-(5-r(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]picolinoyl)ben zoic acid methyl ester

A mixture of 3-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]picolinoyl}-5-(trimethyl stannyl)- benzoic acid methyl ester (150 mg, 0.28 mmol), benzoyl chloride (36 μl_, 0.31 mmol), Pd(PPh ₃ J ₄ (13.2 mg, 0.114 mmol) and toluene (3 mL) was stirred at 105 ⁰ C for 20 h. The mixture was purified by chromatography to give the sub-title compound. Yield 62 mg (45%).

(c) 3-Benzoyl-5-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminolpicolinoyl)ben zoic acid Hydrolysis of the material obtained in step (b) above, in accordance with Example 1 :1 , step (f) gave the title compound. Yield: 53 mg (80%). ¹ H NMR (DMSO-Cf ₆ ) δ: 13.7-13.5 (1 H, br s) 8.76-8.74 (1H, m) 8.53-8.50 (1H, m) 8.44-8.42 (1 H, m) 8.21 (1 H, d, J= 2.9 Hz) 8.03 (1 H ₁ d, J= 9.0 Hz) 7.84-7.80 (2H ₁ m) 7.75-7.70 (1 H, m) 7.62-7.52 (4H ₁ m) 7.42-7.37 (2H, m) 7.29 (1H, dd, J= 9.0; 2.9 Hz) 3.41 (3H, s). IC ₅₀ = 146 nM.

Example 15

3-{5-r(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminolpicolinoyl)-5-(3-meth oxybenzoyl)benzoic acid

The title compound was prepared in accordance with Example 14 using 3-methoxybenzoyl chloride in step (b). ¹ H NMR (DMSO-c/ ₆ ) δ: 13.7-13.4 (1 H ₁ br s) 8.75-8.72 (1H, m) 8.54-8.50 (1H ₁ m) 8.44-8.42 (1H, m) 8.20 (1H ₁ d, J= 2.9 Hz) 8.04 (1H ₁ d, J= 9.0 Hz) 7.57-7.47 (3H, m) 7.42-7.26 (6H ₁ m) 3.80 (3H, s) 3.41 (3H, s). IC ₅₀ = 173 nM.

Example 16 3-(5-r(4-Chlorophenvπ(methvl)amino1picolinovl)-5-(1-indolvl )benzoic acid

A mixture of 3-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]picolinoyl}-5-iodobenzoi c acid methyl ester (200 mg, 0.39 mmol, see Example 2:1, step (b)), CuI (3.8 mg, 0.019 mmol), /^.Λf-dimethylethane-i ^-diamine (8.6 μL, 0.08 mmol), K ₃ PO ₄ (178 mg, 0.84 mmol), indole (47 mg, 0.48 mmol) and toluene (1 mL) was heated at 110 ⁰ C for 20 h. The mixture was filtered through Celite and the filtrate was concentrated. The residue was purified by chromatography to give the title compound after hydrolysis in accordance with Example 1 :1 , step (f). Yield 115 mg (61%). 1H NMR (DMSO-d ₆ ) δ: 13.55 (1 H ₁ s) 8.48-8.45 (1 H ₁ m) 8.44-8.41 (1 H ₁ m) 8.27- 8.22 (2H ₁ m) 8.06 (1H, d, J= 9.1 Hz) 7.81 (1H, d, J= 3.3 Hz) 7.73-7.67 (2H ₁ m) 7.56-7.51 (2H, m) 7.42-7.37 (2H, m) 7.30 (1H, dd, J= 9.1; 2.9 Hz) 7.25-7.14 (2H ₁ m) 6.76 (1H, d, J= 3.3 Hz) 3.41 (3H, s). IC ₅₀ = 259 nM.

Example 17 3-({4-r(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminolphenyl)(hvdroxyimino)me thyl)-5-phenoxy- benzoic acid

(a) 3-((4-r(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminolphenyl)(hvdroxyimino)me thyl)-5- phenoxybenzoic acid methyl ester A mixture of 3-{4-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]benzoyl}-5-phenoxybenzoi c acid methyl ester (0.100 g, 0.212 mmol), HONH ₂ ^• HCI (22 mg, 0.318 mmol), pyridine (42 mg, 0.53 mmol) and MeOH (8 ml.) was stirred at rx for one day. Concentration and extractive workup (EtOAc ₁ HCI (aq, 2 M) ₁ brine), drying (Na ₂ SO ₄ ), concentration and purification by chromatography gave the sub-title compound.

(b) 3-(f4-r(4-ChlorophenyO(methyl)amino1phenyl)(hvdroxyimino)met hyl)-5- phenoxybenzoic acid

A mixture of 3-({4-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]phenyl}(hydroxyimino)me thyl)- 5-phenoxybenzoic acid methyl ester (88 mg, 0.181 mmol), LiOH ^■ H ₂ O (19 mg, 0.453 mmol), THF (5 mL) and water (1 mL) was stirred at rt for 4 h. Water (4 mL) was added and pH adjusted to 3-4. Extractive workup (EtOAc, H ₂ O, brine), drying (Na ₂ SO ₄ ) and concentration afforded the title compound. Yield: 80 mg (93%). MS [M+H] ⁺ = 473 (E/Z mixture). IC ₅₀ = 834 nM. Example 18

3-({4-r(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminolphenyl)(methoxyimino )methyl)-5- phenoxybenzoic acid

The title compound was prepared in accordance with Example 17 using MeONH ₂ ^■ HCI in step (a). Hydrolysis according to step (b) furnished the title compound. Yield: 83 mg (95%). MS [M+H] ⁺ = 487 (E/Z mixture). IC ₅₀ = 745 nM.

Example 19:1 3-{4-r(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminolbenzoyl)-5-(3.4-difluoro phenylsulfinyl)- benzoic acid

(a) 3-(4-f(4-Chlorophenylmethylaminolbenzoyl)-5-(3.4-difluorophe nyl- sulfanvDbenzoic acid methyl ester A mixture of 3-bromo-5-[4-(4-chlorophenyl(methyl)amino)benzoyl]benzoic acid methyl ester (0.20 g, 0.44 mmol, see Example 2:11 , step (b)), /-PrNEt ₂ (113 mg, 0.88 mmol), dioxane (2 ml_), Pd ₂ (dba) ₃ (10.1 mg, 0.011 mmol), xantphos (12.7 mg, 0.022 mmol) and 3,4-difluorothiophenol (64 mg, 0.44 mmol) was heated at rx for 20 h. The mixture was filtered through Celite and the solids washed with EtOAc. Concentration of the combined filtrates and purification of the residue by chromatography gave the sub-title compound. Yield: 152 mg (67%).

(b) 5-(4-f(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminolbenzoyl)-3-(3.4-difluror ophenyl- sulfinvObenzoic acid methyl ester Oxone (528 mg, 0.86 mmol) in H ₂ O (7 ml.) was added to 3-{4-[(4-chlorophenyl)- methylamino]benzoyl}-5-(3,4-difluorophenylsulfanyl)benzoic acid methyl ester (150 mg 0.29 mmol) in THF (7 mL) at O ⁰ C. The mixture was stirred at O ⁰ C for 10 min and at rt for 5 h. Extractive workup (EtOAc ₁ H ₂ O, brine) and purification by chromatography gave the sub-title compound. Yield: 100 mg (65%).

(c) 5-(4-r(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminolbenzoyl)-3-(3.4-difluror ophenyl- sulfinvObenzoic acid

A mixture of 5-{4-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]benzoyl}-3-(3,4-difluror ophenyl- sulfinyl)benzoic acid methyl ester (170 mg, 0.33 mmol), NaOH (1 M, aq, 16.4 mL, 1.64 mmol) and EtOH (50 mL) was stirred at 70 ⁰ C for 40 min. Acidification with 1 M HCI, extractive workup (EtOAc, H ₂ O, brine), drying (Na ₂ SO ₄ ) and concentration gave the title product. Yield: 70 mg (42%). 13.70 (1 H, s) 8.46-8.45 (1 H, m) 8.23-8.23 (1H, m) 8.20-8.19 (1H, m) 8.02-7.99 (1H, m) 7.75-7.74 (1H, m) 7.69- 7.64 (1H, m) 7.60-7.59 (2H, m) 7.52-7.50 (2H, m) 7.34-7.33 (2H, m) 6.85-6.83 (2H, m) 3.36 (3H, s). IC ₅₀ = 212 nM.

Example 19:2 3-(5-r(4-Chlorophenvπ(methvπaminoipicolinoyl)-5-(1-hexylsu lfinyl)benzoic acid

(a) 3-{5-[(4-Chlorophenvπ(methyl)aminolpicolinoyl)-5-(1-hexylsu lfanvπbenzoic acid methyl ester

A mixture of 3-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]picolinoyl}-5-iodobenzoi c acid methyl ester (0.285 g, 0.56 mmol, see Example 2:1 , step (b)), 1-hexanethiol (0.072 g, 0.61 mmol), Pd ₂ (dba) ₃ (0.018 g, 0.02 mmol), bis(2- diphenylphosphinophenyl)ether (0.018 g, 0.034 mmol), potassium tert-butoxide (0.126 g, 1.12 mmol) and toluene (10 mL) was stirred at rx for 6 h. Filtration through Celite, washing with EtOAc, concentration of the combined filtrates and purification of the residue by chromatography gave the sub-title compound. Yield 0.08 g (28%).

(b) 3-(5-r(4-Chlorophenvπ(methvπaminolpicolinoyl)-5-(1-hexylsu lfinyl)benzoic acid

The title compound was prepared from 3-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]- picolinoyl}-5-(1-hexylsulfanyl)benzoic acid methyl ester by oxidation and hydrolysis in accordance with Example 19:1, steps (b) and (c), see Table 10. Examples 19:3 and 19:4

The title compounds were prepared from 3-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]- picolinoyl}-5-iodobenzoic acid methyl ester and the appropriate thiol in accordance with Example 19:2, step (a) and hydrolysis in accordance with Example 1:1 step (f), see Table 10.

Examples 19:5 - 19:10

The title compounds were prepared in accordance with Example 19:1 , steps (a) and (c) from 3-bromo-5-[4-(4-chlorophenyl(methyl)amino)benzoyl]benzoic acid methyl ester and the appropriate thiol, see Table 10.

Table 10.

H, d, s)

m) m)

m)

m) m)

m)

Example 20:1

3-(4-[(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)aminolbenzoyl>-5-(3.4-di fluorophenylsulfinyl)- benzoic acid

(a) 3-Bromo-5-iodobenzoic acid methyl ester

Na ₂ CO ₃ (9.7 g, 92 mmol) and MeI (5.7 ml_, 92 mmol) was added to a mixture of 3-bromo-5-iodobenzoic acid (15 g, 45.9 mmol), THF (20 mL) and DMF (75 ml.).. The mixture was stirred at rt for 20 h and concentrated. Extractive workup (EtOAc, H ₂ O, NaHCO ₃ (aq, sat), brine) and concentration gave the sub-title compound. Yield: 15 g (99%). (b) 4-f(4-Chlorophenvπ(methyl)anninolbenzaldehvde

Toluene (100 ml_), followed by 4-chloro-Λ/-methylaniline (4.58 ml_, 37.8 mmol) were added to a mixture of Cs ₂ CO ₃ (17.26 g, 53 mmol), Pd(OAc) ₂ (0.42 g, 1.9 mmol), BINAP (1.77 g, 2.8 mmol) and 4-bromobenzaldehyde (7 g, 37.8 mmol). The mixture was stirred at 85 ⁰ C for 20 h and filtered through Celite. The solids were washed with EtOAc. The combined filtrates were concentrated and the residue purified by chromatography to give the sub-title compound. Yield: 7.7 g (82%).

(c) 3-Bromo-5-r4-(4-chlorophenyl(methyl)amino)benzovπbenzoic acid methyl ester

/-PrMgCI in THF (22.5 ml_, 29 mmol, 1.3 M) was added dropwise to a mixture of 3-bromo-5-iodobenzoic acid methyl ester (8.54 g, 25 mmol) and THF (150 ml.) at -15 °C. The mixture was stirred at -15 ⁰ C for 80 min and cooled to -45 ⁰ C. 4-[(4-Chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]benzaldehyde (4.3 g, 17.5 mmol) in THF (30 ml_) was added dropwise and the mixture was stirred for 20 min at -45 ⁰ C and at rt for 20 h. NH ₄ CI (aq, sat) was added. Extractive workup (EtOAc, H ₂ O, brine) and concentration gave a residue (10 g). A mixture of the residue (8 g, 17.4 mmol), DMF (150 mL) and MnO ₂ (32 g, 368 mmol) was stirred at rt for 24 h. Filtration, concentration, crystallization from EtOAc, washing with isohexane and drying gave the sub-title compound. Yield: 6 g (75%).

(d) 3-{4-[(4-Chlorophenyl-methylamino1benzoyl)-5-(3.4-difluoroph enyl- sulfanvPbenzoic acid methyl ester

A mixture of 3-bromo-5-[4-(4-chlorophenyl(methyl)amino)benzoyl]benzoic acid methyl ester (0.20 g, 0.44 mmol), /-PrNEt ₂ (113 mg, 0.88 mmol), dioxane (2 mL), Pd ₂ (dba) ₃ (10.1 mg, 0.011 mmol), xantphos (12.7 mg, 0.022 mmol) and 3,4-di- fluorothiophenol (64 mg, 0.44 mmol) was heated at reflux for 20 h. The mixture was filtered through Celite and the solids washed with EtOAc. Concentration of the combined filtrates and purification of the residue by chromatography gave the sub-title compound. Yield: 152 mg (67%). (e) 5-(4-r(4-ChtorophenvO( methyl )aminolbenzoyl)-3-(3.4-diflurorophenyl- sulfinvObenzoic acid methyl ester

Oxone (528 mg, 0.86 mmol) in H ₂ O (7 mL) was added to 3-{4-[(4-chlorophenyl)- methylamino]benzoyl}-5-(3,4-difluorophenylsulfanyl)benzoic acid methyl ester (150 mg 0.29 mmol) in THF(7 mL) at 0 ⁰ C. The mixture was stirred at 0 ⁰ C for 10 min and at rt for 5 h. Extractive workup (EtOAc ₁ H ₂ O, brine) and purification by chromatography gave the sub-title compound. Yield: 100 mg (65%).

(f) 5-(4-r(4-Chlorophenvπ(methyl)aminolbenzoyl)-3-(3,4-difluror ophenyl- sulfinyDbenzoic acid

A mixture of 5-{4-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]benzoyl}-3-(3,4-difluror ophenyl- sulfinyl)benzoic acid methyl ester (170 mg, 0.33 mmol), NaOH (1 M, aq, 16.4 mL, 1.64 mmol) and EtOH (50 mL) was stirred at 70 ⁰ C for 40 min. Acidification with 1 M HCI, extractive workup (EtOAc ₁ H ₂ O, brine), drying (Na ₂ SO ₄ ) and concen- tration gave the title product. Yield: 70 mg (42%). See Table 20.

Example 20:2

3-(5-[(4-Chlorophenyl)methylaminoipyridine-2-carbonyl> -5-(1-hexylsulfinyl)- benzoic acid

(a) 5-f(4-Chlorophenyl)methylaminolpyridine-2-carbaldehvde

The sub-title compound was prepared from 5-bromo-2-formylpyridine and 4-chloro-Λ/-methylaniline in accordance with procedures described herein. Yield 2.5 g (96%). For instance, a mixture of 5-bromo-2-formylpyridine (e.g. 1.54 mmol), 4-chloro-Λ/-methylaniline (e.g. 1.85 mmol), Pd(OAc) ₂ (e.g. 0.16 mmol), BINAP (e.g. 0.155 mmol), Cs ₂ CO ₃ (e.g. 4.6 mmol) and toluene (e.g.10 mL) may be heated at 80 ⁰ C for 16 h. The mixture may be diluted with EtOAc and filtered through Celite. The combined filtrates may be concentrated and the residue purified by chromatography to give the sub-title compound.

(b) 3-{5-r(4-Chlorophenyl)methylaminolpyridine-2-carbonyl>-5- iodobenzoic acid methyl ester

The sub-title compound was prepared from 3,5-diiodobenzoic acid methyl ester and 5-[(4-chlorophenyl)methylamino]pyridine-2-carbaldehyde in accordance with Example 20:1, step (c), (Yield: 40%) followed by oxidation in accordance with the procedures described herein. Yield: (50%). For instance, pyridinium chlorochromate (e.g. 41.5 mmol) was added to the intermediate compound (e.g. 39.5 mmol) in CH ₂ CI ₂ (e.g. 400 mL) at rt. After 1 h the mixture may be filtered though Celite and concentrated. The residue may be treated with EtOAc and hexane (1 :2) and filtered through silica gel. Concentration of the combined filtrates would give the sub-title compound.

(c) S-lδ-rfΦChlorophenvDmethylaminolpyridine^-carbonvD-δ-d-he xyl- sulfanvDbenzoic acid methyl ester

A mixture of 3-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)methylamino]pyridine-2-carbonyl}-5-iod o- benzoic acid methyl ester (0.285 g, 0.56 mmol), 1-hexanethiol (0.072 g, 0.61 mmol), Pd ₂ (dba) ₃ (0.018 g, 0.02 mmol), bis(2-diphenylphosphinophenyl)ether (0.018 g, 0.034 mmol), potassium terf-butoxide (0.126 g, 1.12 mmol) and toluene (10 mL) was stirred at rx for 6 h. Filtration through Celite, washing with EtOAc, concentration of the combined filtrates and purification of the residue by chromatography gave the sub-title compound. Yield 0.08 g (28%).

(d) 3-(5-r(4-Chlorophenvπmethylaminolpyridine-2-carbonyl}-5-(1- hexyl- sulfinvDbenzoic acid

The title compound was prepared from 3-{5-[(4-chlorophenyl)methylamino]- pyridine-2-carbonyl}-5-(1-hexylsulfanyl)benzoic acid methyl ester by oxidation and hydrolysis in accordance with Example 20:1 , steps (e) and (f), see Table 20.

Table 20.

(2H, J=9.0 m)

Examples 21 :1-21 :2 The title compounds were prepared from 3-{5-[(4- chlorophenyl)methylamino]pyridine-2-carbonyl}-5-iodobenzoic acid methyl ester and the appropriate thiol in accordance with Example 20:2, step (c) and hydrolysis in accordance with Example 20:1 step (f), see Table 21.

Examples 21 :3-2:8

The title compounds were prepared in accordance with Example 20:1, steps (d) and (f) from 3-bromo-5-[4-(4-chlorophenyl(methyl)amino)benzoyl]benzoic acid methyl ester and the appropriate thiol, see Table 21.

m)

m) m)

m) m)