CANNABINOID RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS/INVERSE AGONISTS USEFUL FOR

TREATING OBESITY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention provides cannabinoid receptor antagonists/inverse agonists and pharmaceutical compositions thereof and methods of using the same for treating obesity, diabetes, and/or cardiometabolic disorders. More particularly, the present invention relates to a novel method for treating obesity, diabetes, and/or cardiometabolic disorders using a pyrazole.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Obesity is associated with an increase in the overall amount of adipose tissue (i.e., body fat), especially adipose tissue localized in the abdominal area. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. The prevalence of obesity has steadily increased over the years among all racial and ethnic groups. The most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Center for Health Statistics report 66% of the adult population overweight (BMI, 25.0-29.9), 31% obese (BMI, 30-39.9), and 5% extremely obese (BMI, >40.0). Among children aged 6 through 19 years, 32% were overweight and 17% were obese. This translates to 124 million Americans medically overweight, and 44 million of these deemed obese. Obesity is responsible for more than 300,000 deaths annually, and will soon overtake tobacco usage as the primary cause of preventable death in the United States. Obesity is a chronic disease that contributes directly to numerous dangerous co-morbidities, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory diseases, premature aging, and some forms of cancer. Type 2 diabetes, a serious and life-threatening disorder with growing prevalence in both adult and childhood populations, is currently the 7 ^th leading cause of death in the United States. Since more than 80% of patients with type 2 diabetes are overweight, obesity is the greatest risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. Increasing clinical evidence indicates that the best way to control type 2 diabetes is to reduce weight.

[0003] The most popular over-the counter drugs for the treatment of obesity, phenylpropanolamine and ephedrine, and the most popular prescription drug, fenfluramine, were removed from the marketplace as a result of safety concerns. Drugs

currently approved for the long-term treatment of obesity fall into two categories: (a) CNS appetite suppressants such as sibutramine and (b) gut lipase inhibitors such as orlistat. CNS appetite suppressants reduce eating behavior through activation of the 'satiety center' in the brain and/or by inhibition of the 'hunger center' in the brain. Gut lipase inhibitors reduce the absorption of dietary fat from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Although sibutramine and orlistat work through very different mechanisms, they share in common the same overall goal of reducing body weight secondary to reducing the amount of calories that reach the systemic circulation. Unfortunately, these indirect therapies produce only a modest initial weight loss (approximately 5% compared to placebo) that is usually not maintained. After one or two years of treatment, most patients return to or exceed their starting weight. In addition, most approved anti-obesity therapeutics produce undesirable and often dangerous side effects that can complicate treatment and interfere with a patient's quality of life.

[0004] The lack of therapeutic effectiveness, coupled with the spiraling obesity epidemic, positions the 'treatment of obesity' as one of the largest and most urgent unmet medical needs. There is, therefore, a real and continuing need for the development of improved medications that treat or prevent obesity. [0005] The endocanabinoid system, comprised of the canabinoid receptors (CBl and CB2) and their endogenous ligands (e.g., anandamide, 2-AG), plays a prominent role in the control of food intake and energy metabolism. CBl receptors are widely expressed in the brain, including cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, pituitary and hypothalamus. CB 1 receptors have also been identified in numerous peripheral organs and tissues, including thyroid gland, adrenal gland, reproductive organs, adipose tissue, liver, muscle, and gastrointestinal tract. CB2 receptors are localized almost exclusively in immune and blood cells [Endocrine Reviews 2006, 27, 73].

[0006] The plant-derived cannabinoid agonist δ ⁹ -tetrahydrocannabinol (δ ⁹ -THC), the main psychoactive component of marijuana, binds to both CBl and CB2 receptors. δ ⁹ -THC is widely reported to increase appetite and food intake (hyperphagia) in humans and in animals. This hyperphagic effect is largely blocked by pretreatment with selective CBl receptor antagonists/inverse agonists [e.g., rimonabant (SR141716A, Acomplia®)], strongly supporting the belief that CBl receptor activation mediates the hyperphagic effect of δ ⁹ -THC, [Endocrine Reviews 2006, 27, 73].

[0007] In humans, rimonabant produces a clinically meaningful weight loss in obese patients. Patients also experience improvements in associated cardiometabolic risk factors, including a decrease in fasting insulin levels and a decrease in triglyceride levels. Rimonabant also produces greater reductions in abdominal fat deposits, which are a known risk factor for diabetes and heart disease [Science 2006, 311, 323]. Taken together, these improvements in adiposity and cardiometabolic risk factors produce an overall decrease in the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome [Lancet 2005, 365, 1389 and N^JM 2005, 353, 2121].

[0008] The beneficial effects of rimonabant on cardiometabolic risk factors such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance and eleveated levels of blood lipids cannot be explained by diet and weight loss alone. For example, in patients receiving 20 mg of rimonabant, only approximately 50% of the beneficial effects on triglycerides, fasting insulin, and insulin resistance can be accounted for by weight loss. These results suggest a direct pharmacological effect of CBl antagonists on glucose and lipid metabolism, in addition to indirect effects on metabolism secondary to hypophagia-mediated weight loss [Science 2006, 311, 323 and JAMA 2006, 311, 323].

[0009] The CB 1 receptor is one of the most abundant and widely distributed G protein- coupled receptors in the mammalian brain. It is believed that the appetite-suppressant properties of CB 1 antagonists are mediated through an interaction with CB 1 receptors in the hypothalamus (regulation of food intake), and in the mesolimbic region (rewarding properties of food). However, CBl receptors are far more broadly distributed in brain (e.g., neocortex, hippocampus, thalamus, cerebellum, and pituitary), and while interacting with targeted CBl receptors in hypothalamus and mesolimbic regions, CBl antagonists have ready access to non-targeted CBl receptors that have little if any role in appetite control. Binding to non-targeted receptors can often lead to unwanted side effects of CνS drugs [Endocrine Reviews 2006, 27: 73]. The CBl antagonist/inverse agonist rimonabant produces psychiatric and nervous system side effects. These include depressed mood, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, dizziness, and headache. These side effects are dose-related and are most pronounced at the most efficacious weight-reducing dose of rimonabant (JAMA 2006, 311, 323). The occurrence of therapeutic efficacy (appetite suppression) and side effects over the same dose range strongly suggest that both effects are mediated through concurrent antagonism of CBl receptors in both 'targeted' and 'non-targeted' brain regions. Brain-penetrant CBl antagonists/inverse

agonists do not selectively target CBl receptors in efficacy brain regions, while ignoring CBl receptors in side effect brain regions.

[0010] The beneficial effects of the CBl antagonist rimonabant on body weight, adiposity, and cardiometabolic risk factors such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance and elevated levels of blood lipids cannot be explained by weight loss derived from CNS-mediated appetite suppression alone [JAMA 2006, 311, 323]. Approximately 50% of the non-CNS benefit is likely derived from an interaction with CBl receptors in peripheral tissues known to play an active role in metabolism. These include adipose tissue, liver, muscle, and gastrointestinal tract.

[0011] In view of the above, it is highly desirable to find effective and highly selective CBl receptor antagonists/inverse agonists with limited or no CNS adverse side effects, including mood disorders. Particularly, it is desirable to find compounds that preferentially target CBl receptors in peripheral tissues (e.g., adipose tissue, liver, muscle, and gastrointestinal tract), while sparing CBl receptors in brain. In this way, peripherally-mediated beneficial effects of CB 1 antagonists/inverse agonists should be maintained, whereas CNS side effects should be reduced or eliminated. This should provide a novel opportunity to develop safer agents for the prevention or treatment of obesity, diabetes, and cardiometabolic diseases (e.g., hypertension and dyslipidemias).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Accordingly, in an aspect, the present invention provides novel pyrazoles or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof that are CBl receptor antagonists/inverse agonists.

[0013] In another aspect, the present invention provides novel pharmaceutical compositions, comprising: a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of at least one of the compounds of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt form thereof.

[0014] In another aspect, the present invention provides novel methods for treating obesity, diabetes, and/or cardiometabolic disorders (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidemias, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance), comprising: administering to a mammal in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of at least one of the compounds of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt form thereof.

[0015] In another aspect, the present invention provides processes for preparing novel compounds.

[0016] In another aspect, the present invention provides novel compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salts for use in therapy.

[0017] In another aspect, the present invention provides the use of novel compounds for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of obesity, diabetes, and/or cardiometabolic disorders.

[0018] These and other objects, which will become apparent during the following detailed description, have been achieved by the inventors' discovery that the presently claimed compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms thereof are expected to be effective CBl receptor antagonists/inverse agonists.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] All references cited herein are hereby incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.

[0020] The present invention is based on the finding that a CBl receptor antagonist/inverse agonist has beneficial effects on body weight, adiposity, and cardiometabolic risk factors such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance and eleveated levels of blood lipids that cannot be explained by weight loss derived from CNS- mediated appetite suppression alone and that this effect is mediated, at least in part, through interaction at peripheral receptors. To this end, the present invention provides compounds that are designed to preferentially target CB 1 receptors in peripheral tissues (e.g., adipose tissue, liver, muscle, and gastrointestinal tract), while sparing CBl receptors in brain. Peripherally-mediated beneficial effects of CB 1 antagonists/inverse agonists should be maintained, whereas CNS side effects should be reduced or eliminated.

[0021] The compounds of the present invention have been designed to have reduced CNS exposure by virtue of their inability or limited ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) or by their participation in active transport systems, thus reducing centrally mediated side-effects, a potential problem with many anti-obesity agents. It is expected that the peripherally restricted compounds of the present invention will have no or very limited CNS effects. Thus, their peripherally mediated CBl antaonistic properties should provide therapeutic agents with greater safety.

[0022] Moreover, if the maximum dosage of a drug used in the treatment of obesity, diabetes, and/or cardiometabolic disorders (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidemias, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance) is limited as a result of CNS side effects (e.g., seizures, depression, anxiety, movement disorders, and hyperactivity), incorporation of a peripherally restricting group in such a drug would lower the brain concentration of the drug relative to the concentration in the systemic circulation, thereby affording the opportunity to increase the dosage employed to treat the peripheral disorder. The increased dosage may provide greater therapeutic efficacy, as well as a more rapid onset of therapeutic action.

[0023] [1] In an embodiment, the present invention provides novel compound AA or a stereoisomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

AA

[0024] wherein:

[0025] X, Y, X', and Y' are independently selected from H, halogen, CF ₃ , NO ₂ , Ci_ ₆ alkyl,

Ci-6 alkoxy, and phenyl; [0026] V is H or Ci_ ₆ alkyl ;

[0027] R" is selected from H, Ci_ ₆ alkyl, (CH ₂ ) ₀ - ₆ aryl, and (CH ₂ ) ₀ - ₆ heteroaryl; [0028] R' is selected from H, Ci_6 alkyl, and a 5-7 membered cyclic amine that is unsaturated, partially saturated, or fully saturated and is substituted with 0-4 groups selected from CF ₃ , NO ₂ , Ci_6 alkyl, benzyl, phenyl, OH, halogen, and Ci_6 alkoxy; [0029] ring R' is attached via its nitrogen atom to the amide nitrogen of AA; and [0030] at least one of X, Y, X', Y', V, R', or R" is suitably modified or replaced by a group capable of reducing or limiting the CNS (brain) levels of compound AA.

[0031] [2] In an embodiment, the present invention provides novel compounds of formula I or a stereoisomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

I

[0032] wherein:

[0033] X and Y are independently selected from H, halogen, C ₁ ^ alkyl, NO ₂ , CF ₃ , NR ₂ , OR, CO ₂ R, (CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, O(CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, OCH ₂ CH=CHCO ₂ R, CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, CH ₂ OCH ₂ CH=CHCO ₂ R, O(CH ₂ ) _n PO(OR) ₂ ,CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n PO(OR) ₂ , NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n PO(OR) ₂ , NR ³ CH ₂ CH=CHCO ₂ R, NR ³ SO ₂ CH ₃ , NR ^a CO(CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CO ₂ R, O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ (CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CO ₂ R, O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CONH ₂ , O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ (CH ₂ ) _n CONH _2, CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CONH ₂ , O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ -tetrazole, CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ -tetrazole, O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ (CH ₂ ) _n -tetrazole, NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CO ₂ R, CH ₂ NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CO ₂ R, NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CONH ₂ , CH ₂ NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CONH ₂ , NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ -tetrazole, CH ₂ NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ -tetrazole, - CN, (CH ₂ ) _m C(NH)NH ₂ , CONR ₂ , (CH ₂ ) _n CONR ₂ , O(CH ₂ ) _n CONR ₂ , CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n CONH ₂ , NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n CONR ₂ , OCH ₂ CH=CHCONR ₂ , CH ₂ OCH ₂ CH=CHCONR ₂ , NR ^a CH ₂ CH=CHCONR ₂ ,-tetrazole, O(CH ₂ CH ₂ O) _P R, NR ^a (CH ₂ CH ₂ O) _p R, and SO ₂ NR ³ CH ₃ ;

[0034] X' and Y' are independently selected from H, halogen, Ci_ ₆ alkyl, NO ₂ , CF ₃ , NR ₂ , OR, CO ₂ R, (CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, O(CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, OCH ₂ CH=CHCO ₂ R, CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, CH ₂ OCH ₂ CH=CHCO ₂ R, O(CH ₂ ) _n PO(OR) ₂ ,CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n PO(OR) ₂ , NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n PO(OR) ₂ , NR ³ CH ₂ CH=CHCO ₂ R, NR ³ SO ₂ CH ₃ , NR ³ CO(CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CO ₂ R, O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ (CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CO ₂ R, O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CONH ₂ , O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ (CH ₂ ) _n CONH _2, CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CONH ₂ , O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ -tetrazole, CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ -tetrazole, O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ (CH ₂ ) _n -tetrazole, NR ³ (CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CO ₂ R, CH ₂ NR ³ (CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CO ₂ R, NR ³ (CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CONH ₂ , CH ₂ NR ³ (CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CONH ₂ , NR ³ (CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ -tetrazole, CH ₂ NR ³ (CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ -tetrazole, - CN, (CH ₂ ) _m C(NH)NH ₂ , CONR ₂ , (CH ₂ ) _n CONR ₂ , O(CH ₂ ) _n CONR ₂ , CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n CONH ₂ ,

NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n CONR ₂ , OCH ₂ CH=CHCONR ₂ , CH ₂ OCH ₂ CH=CHCONR ₂ , NR ^a CH ₂ CH=CHCONR ₂ ,-tetrazole, O(CH ₂ CH ₂ O) _P R, NR ^a (CH ₂ CH ₂ O) _p R, and SO ₂ NR ³ CH ₃ ;

[0035] A is selected from H, Ci_6 alkyl, (CH ₂ ) _m -C _3-6 -cycloalkyl, (CH ₂ ) _m -heteroaryl, and (CH ₂ ) _m -aryl, wherein each aryl and heteroaryl is substituted with 0-1 groups selected from CF _3, halogen, Ci_ ₄ alkyl, -CN, CONR ₂ , NO ₂ , NR ₂ , and OR; [0036] R' is selected from H, Ci_ ₆ alkyl, CH(A)-(CH ₂ ) _m CO ₂ R, CH(A)-(CH ₂ ) _m CONH ₂ , CH(A)-(CH ₂ ) _m C(NH)NH _2, (CH ₂ ) _m -phenyl-(CH ₂ ) _m CO ₂ R, (CH ₂ ) _m -pyridyl-(CH ₂ ) _m CO ₂ R, (CH ₂ ) _m -phenyl-(CH ₂ ) _m CONH ₂ , (CH ₂ ) _m -pyridyl-(CH ₂ ) _m CONH ₂ , (CH ₂ ) _m -phenyl-(CH ₂ ) _m C(NH)NH ₂ , (CH ₂ ) _m -pyridyl-(CH ₂ ) _m (CN)NH ₂ , (CH ₂ ) _m -phenyl-(CH ₂ ) _m -tetrazole, and (CH ₂ ) _m -pyridyl-(CH ₂ ) _m -tetrazole;

[0037] alternatively, R' is

[0038] R" is is selected from H, Ci_ ₆ alkyl, (CH ₂ ) ₀ - ₆ aryl, and (CH ₂ ) ₀ - ₆ heteroaryl;

[0039] Z is selected from H, Ci_ ₆ alkyl, aryl, NR ₂ , OR, -CN, (CH ₂ ) _m C(NH)NH ₂ , CO ₂ R,

(CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, O(CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, NR ³ CH(A)CO ₂ R,

CH ₂ NR ³ CH(A)CO ₂ R, NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R CH ₂ NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R OCH ₂ CH=CHCO ₂ R,

CH ₂ OCH ₂ CH=CHCO ₂ R, O(CH ₂ ) _n PO(OR) ₂ , CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n PO(OR) ₂ , O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CO ₂ R,

CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CO ₂ R, CONR ₂ , (CH ₂ ) _n CONR ₂ , O(CH ₂ ) _n CONR ₂ , CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n CONR ₂ ,

OCH ₂ CH=CHCONR ₂ , CH ₂ OCH ₂ CH=CHCONR ₂ , CH ₂ NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n tetrazole,

CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n tetrazole, and (CH ₂ ) _m tetrazole;

[0040] Q is selected from N, CH, and CQ';

[0041] Q' is selected from H, CO ₂ R, (CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R,

CH ₂ OCH ₂ CH=CHCO ₂ R, CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n PO(OR) ₂ , CONR ₂ , (CH ₂ ) _n CONR ₂ ,

CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n CONR ₂ , CH ₂ OCH ₂ CH=CHCONR _2, and (CH ₂ ) _m tetrazole;

[0042] V is selected from H, Ci_6 alkyl, C ₂ _ ₆ alkenyl, CF ₃ , aryl, -CN, (CH ₂ ) _m C(NH)NH ₂ ,

(CH ₂ ) _m CO ₂ R, (CH ₂ ) _m CONR ₂ , (CH ₂ ) _m -tetrazole, (CH ₂ ) _m CONR ^a CH(A)-(CH ₂ ) _m CO ₂ R,

(CH ₂ ) _m CONR ^a (CH ₂ ) _m -phenyl-(CH ₂ ) _m CO ₂ R, (CH ₂ ) _m CONR ^a (CH ₂ ) _m -phenyl-

(CH ₂ ) _m -tetrazole, CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, CH ₂ NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n CONH ₂ ,

CH ₂ NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n CONH ₂ , and CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n tetrazole;

[0043] R is independently selected from H, C ₁ ^ alkyl;

[0044] R ^a is independently selected from H, C ₁ ^ alkyl, C ₂ _6 alkenyl, and C ₂ _6 alkynyl;

[0045] m is selected from O, 1, 2, 3, and 4;

[0046] n is selected from 1, 2, 3, and 4; and,

[0047] p is selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12;

[0048] provided that at least one of the following is satisfied:

(a) at least one of X, Y, X', and Y' is other than H, halogen, Ci_ ₆ alkyl, NO ₂ , -CN, CF ₃ , OR, and phenyl;

(b) R' is selected from CH(A)-(CH ₂ ) _m CO ₂ R, CH(A)-(CH ₂ ) _m CONH ₂ , CH(A)- (CH ₂ ) _m C(NH)NH ₂ , (CH ₂ ) _m -phenyl-(CH ₂ ) _m CO ₂ R, (CH ₂ ) _m -pyridyl-(CH ₂ ) _m CO ₂ R, (CH ₂ ) _m -phenyl-(CH ₂ ) _m CONH ₂ , (CH ₂ ) _m -pyridyl-(CH ₂ ) _m CONH ₂ , (CH ₂ ) _m -phenyl-(CH ₂ ) _m C(NH)NH ₂ , (CH ₂ ) _m -pyridyl-(CH ₂ ) _m (CN)NH ₂ , (CH ₂ ) _m -phenyl-(CH ₂ ) _m -tetrazole, and (CH ₂ ) _m -pyridyl-(CH ₂ ) _m -tetrazole;

(c) Z is present and is other than H, Ci_6 alkyl, aryl, NR ₂ , and OR;

(d) Q is present and is CQ' where Q' is other than H; and/or

(e) V is other than H, -CN, CF ₃ , C ₂ _ ₆ alkenyl, aryl, and Ci_ ₆ alkyl.

[0049] [3] In another embodiment, the present invention provides novel compounds of formula II or a stereoisomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

II.

[0050] [4] In another embodiment, the present invention provides novel compounds of formula Ha or a stereoisomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

[0051] [5] In another embodiment, the present invention provides novel compounds of formula II, wherein:

[0052] X and Y are independently selected from H, halogen, C _1-4 alkyl, CF ₃ , -CN, NO ₂ ,

NR ₂ , and OR;

[0053] X' and Y' are independently selected from H, halogen, Ci_ ₄ alkyl, CF ₃ , -CN, NO ₂ ,

NR ₂ , and OR;

[0054] Z is selected from (CH ₂ ) _m C(NH)NH ₂ , (CH ₂ ) _m CO ₂ R, O(CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R,

CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, NR ³ CH(A)CO ₂ R, CH ₂ NR ³ CH(A)CO ₂ R, NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R

CH ₂ NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R OCH ₂ CH=CHCO ₂ R, CH ₂ OCH ₂ CH=CHCO ₂ R, O(CH ₂ ) _n PO(OR) ₂ ,

CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n PO(OR) ₂ , 0(CHa) _n C ₆ H ₄ CO ₂ R, CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CO ₂ R, (CH ₂ ) _m CONR ₂ ,

O(CH ₂ ) _n CONR ₂ , CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n CONR ₂ , OCH ₂ CH=CHCONR ₂ ,

CH ₂ OCH ₂ CH=CHCONR ₂ , CH ₂ NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n tetrazole, CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n tetrazole, and

(CH ₂ ) _m tetrazole;

[0055] Q is selected from N and CH;

[0056] V is selected from H, Ci_6 alkyl, C ₂ _ ₆ alkenyl, CF ₃ , aryl, and -CN;

[0057] R is selected from H, C _1-4 alkyl, and C ₂ _ ₄ alkenyl; and,

[0058] n is selected from 1 and 2.

[0059] [6] In another embodiment, the present invention provides novel compounds of formula II, wherein:

[0060] X and Y are independently selected from H, halogen, Ci_ ₆ alkyl, NO ₂ , CF ₃ , NR ₂ , OR, -CN, (CH ₂ ) _m C(NH)NH ₂ , (CH ₂ ) _m CO ₂ R, O(CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, OCH ₂ CH=CHCO ₂ R,

CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, CH ₂ OCH ₂ CH=CHCO ₂ R, O(CH ₂ ) _n PO(OR) ₂ ,CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n PO(OR) ₂ ,

NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n PO(OR) ₂ , NR ³ CH ₂ CH=CHCO ₂ R, NR ³ SO ₂ CH ₃ ,

NR ^a CO(CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CO ₂ R, O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ (CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R,

CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CO ₂ R, O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CONH ₂ , O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ (CH ₂ ) _n CONH _2,

O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ -tetrazole, CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CONH ₂ , CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ -tetrazole,

O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ (CH ₂ ) _n -tetrazole, NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CO ₂ R, CH ₂ NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CO ₂ R,

NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CONH ₂ , CH ₂ NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CONH ₂ , NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ -tetrazole,

CH ₂ NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ -tetrazole, CONR ₂ , (CH ₂ ) _n CONR ₂ , O(CH ₂ ) _n CONR ₂ ,

CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n CONH ₂ , NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n CONR ₂ , OCH ₂ CH=CHCONR ₂ ,

CH ₂ OCH ₂ CH=CHCONR ₂ , NR ^a CH ₂ CH=CHCONR ₂ ,-tetrazole, O(CH ₂ CH ₂ O) _P R,

NR ^a (CH ₂ CH ₂ O) _p R, and SO ₂ NR ³ CH ₃ ;

[0061] provided that at least one of X and Y is other than H, halogen, C ₁ ^ alkyl, -CN,

NO ₂ , CF ₃ , and OR;

[0062] X' and Y' are independently selected from H, halogen, Ci_ ₄ alkyl, -CN, NO ₂ , NR ₂ , and OR;

[0063] Z is selected from H, C _1-4 alkyl, and aryl;

[0064] Q is selected from N and CH;

[0065] V is selected from H, Ci_ ₄ alkyl, and aryl;

[0066] R is selected from H, C _1-4 alkyl, and C ₂ _ ₄ alkenyl; and,

[0067] n is selected from 1 and 2.

[0068] [7] In another embodiment, the present invention provides novel compounds of formula II, wherein:

[0069] X and Y are independently selected from H, halogen, Ci_ ₄ alkyl, -CN, NO ₂ , NR ₂ , and OR;

[0070] X' and Y' are independently selected from H, halogen, Ci_ ₆ alkyl, -CN, NO ₂ , CF ₃ , NR ₂ , OR, CO ₂ R, (CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, (CH ₂ ) _m C(NH)NH ₂ , O(CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, OCH ₂ CH=CHCO ₂ R, CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, CH ₂ OCH ₂ CH=CHCO ₂ R, O(CH ₂ ) _n PO(OR) ₂ ,CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n PO(OR) ₂ , NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n PO(OR) ₂ , NR ³ CH ₂ CH=CHCO ₂ R, NR ³ SO ₂ CH ₃ , NR ³ CO(CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CO ₂ R, O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ (CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CO ₂ R, O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CONH ₂ , O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ (CH ₂ ) _n CONH _2, O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ -tetrazole, CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CONH ₂ , CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ -tetrazole, O(CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ (CH ₂ ) _n -tetrazole, NR ³ (CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CO ₂ R, CH ₂ NR ³ (CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CO ₂ R,

NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CONH ₂ , CH ₂ NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ CONH ₂ , NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ -tetrazole,

CH ₂ NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n C ₆ H ₄ -tetrazole, CONR ₂ , (CH ₂ ) _n CONR ₂ , O(CH ₂ ) _n CONR ₂ ,

CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n CONH ₂ , NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n CONR ₂ , OCH ₂ CH=CHCONR ₂ ,

CH ₂ OCH ₂ CH=CHCONR ₂ , NR ^a CH ₂ CH=CHCONR ₂ ,-tetrazole, O(CH ₂ CH ₂ O) _P R,

NR ^a (CH ₂ CH ₂ O) _p R, and SO ₂ NR ³ CH ₃ ;

[0071] provided that at least one of X' and Y' is other than halogen, C _1-4 alkyl, -CN,

NO ₂ , and OR;

[0072] Z is selected from H, Ci_ ₄ alkyl, and aryl;

[0073] Q is selected from N and CH;

[0074] V is selected from H, Ci_ ₄ alkyl, and aryl;

[0075] R is selected from H, C _1-4 alkyl, and C ₂ _ ₄ alkenyl;

[0076] n is selected from 1 and 2; and,

[0077] p is selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12.

[0078] [8] In another embodiment, the present invention provides novel compounds of formula II, wherein:

[0079] X and Y are independently selected from H, CF ₃ , halogen, Ci_ ₄ alkyl, -CN, NO ₂ ,

NR ₂ , and OR;

[0080] X' and Y' are independently selected from H, CF _3, halogen, Ci_ ₄ alkyl, -CN, NO ₂ ,

NR ₂ , and OR;

[0081] Z is selected from H, C _1-4 alkyl, and aryl;

[0082] Q is selected from N and CH;

[0083] V is selected from (CH ₂ ) _m CO ₂ R, (CH ₂ ) _m CONR ₂ , (CH ₂ ) _m C(NH)NH ₂ , (CH ₂ ) _m - tetrazole, (CH ₂ ) _m CONR ^a CH(A)-(CH ₂ ) _m CO ₂ R, (CH ₂ ) _m CONR ^a (CH ₂ ) _m

-phenyl-(CH ₂ ) _m CO ₂ R, (CH ₂ ) _m CONR ^a (CH ₂ ) _m -phenyl-(CH ₂ ) _m -tetrazole,

CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, CH ₂ NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n CO ₂ R, CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n CONH ₂ , CH ₂ NR ^a (CH ₂ ) _n CONH ₂ , and CH ₂ O(CH ₂ ) _n tetrazole;

[0084] A is selected from H, Ci_ ₄ alkyl, and (CH ₂ ) _m -aryl, wherein each aryl is optionally substituted with 0-1 groups selected from CF ₃ , halogen, Ci_ ₄ alkyl, -CN, CONR ₂ , NO ₂ ,

NR ₂ , and OR;

[0085] R is selected from H, Ci_ ₄ alkyl, and C ₂ _ ₄ alkenyl;

[0086] m is selected from 0, 1, and 2; and,

[0087] n is selected from 1 and 2.

[0088] [9] In another embodiment, the present invention provides novel compounds of formula I, wherein:

[0089] X and Y are independently selected from H, CF ₃ , halogen, Ci_ ₄ alkyl, -CN, NO ₂ ,

NR ₂ , and OR;

[0090] X' and Y' are independently selected from H, CF ₃ , halogen, Ci_ ₄ alkyl, -CN, NO ₂ ,

NR ₂ , and OR;

[0091] R' is selected from CH(A)-(CH ₂ ) _m CO ₂ R, CH(A)-(CH ₂ ) _m CONH ₂ , CH(A)-

(CH ₂ ) _m C(NH)NH ₂ , (CH ₂ ) _m -phenyl-(CH ₂ ) _m CO ₂ R, (CH ₂ ) _m -pyridyl-(CH ₂ ) _m CO ₂ R,

(CH ₂ ) _m -phenyl-(CH ₂ ) _m CONH ₂ , (CH ₂ ) _m -pyridyl-(CH ₂ ) _m CONH ₂ ,

(CH ₂ ) _m -phenyl-(CH ₂ ) _m C(NH)NH ₂ , (CH ₂ ) _m -pyridyl-(CH ₂ ) _m (CN)NH ₂ ,

(CH ₂ ) _m -phenyl-(CH ₂ ) _m -tetrazole, and (CH ₂ ) _m -pyridyl-(CH ₂ ) _m -tetrazole;

[0092] A is selected from H, Ci_ ₆ alkyl, (CH ₂ ) _m -C ₃ _ ₆ -cycloalkyl, (CH ₂ ) _m -phenyl,

(CH ₂ ) _m -aryl, and (CH ₂ ) _m -heteroaryl, wherein each aryl, phenyl, and heteroaryl is optionally substituted with 0-1 groups selected from CF ₃ , halogen, Ci_ ₄ alkyl, -CN,

CONR ₂ , NO ₂ , NR ₂ , and OR;

[0093] V is selected from H, Ci_ ₄ alkyl, and aryl;

[0094] R is selected from H, Ci_ ₄ alkyl; and,

[0095] m is selected from 0, 1, and 2.

[0096] In another embodiment, the present invention provides novel pharmaceutical compositions, comprising: a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt form thereof.

[0097] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a novel method for treating a disease, comprising: administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt form thereof, wherein the disease is selected from obesity, diabetes, cardiometabolic disorders, and a combination thereof.

[0098] In another embodiment, the diabetes disorder is selected from Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, inadequate glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance.

[0099] In another embodiment, the cardiometabolic disorder is selected from hypertension, dyslipidemias (e.g., undesirable blood lipid levels, elevated cholesterol levels, and lowered LDL levels), high blood pressure, and insulin resistance.

[00100] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a novel method for treating a co-morbidity of obesity, comprising: administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt form thereof.

[00101] In another embodiment, the co-morbidity is selected from diabetes,

Metabolic Syndrome, dementia, and heart disease.

[00102] In another embodiment, the co-morbidity is selected from hypertension; gallbladder disease; gastrointestinal disorders; menstrual irregularities; degenerative arthritis; venous statis ulcers; pulmonary hypoventilation syndrome; sleep apnea; snoring; coronary artery disease; arterial sclerotic disease; pseudotumor cerebri; accident proneness; increased risks with surgeries; osteoarthritis; high cholesterol; and, increased incidence of malignancies of the ovaries, cervix, uterus, breasts, prostrate, and gallbladder.

[00103] In another embodiment, the present invention also provides a method of preventing or reversing the deposition of adipose tissue in a mammal by the administration of a compound of the present invention. By preventing or reversing the deposition of adipose tissue, compound of the present invention are expected to reduce the incidence or severity of obesity, thereby reducing the incidence or severity of associated co-morbidities.

[00104] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a compound of the present invention for use in therapy.

[00105] In another embodiment, the present invention provides the use of the present invention for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of obesity, diabetes, cardiometabolic disorders, and a combination thereof.

[00106] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. This invention encompasses all combinations of aspects of the invention noted herein. It is understood that any and all embodiments of the present invention may be taken in conjunction with any other embodiment or embodiments to describe additional embodiments. It is also to be understood that each individual element of the embodiments is intended to be taken individually as its own independent embodiment. Furthermore, any element of an embodiment is meant to be combined with any and all other elements from any embodiment to describe an additional embodiment.

[00107] The examples provided in the definitions present in this application are non-inclusive unless otherwise stated. They include but are not limited to the recited examples.

[00108] The compounds herein described may have asymmetric centers, geometric centers (e.g., double bond), or both. All chiral, diastereomeric, racemic forms and all geometric isomeric forms of a structure are intended, unless the specific stereochemistry or isomeric form is specifically indicated. Compounds of the present invention containing an asymmetrically substituted atom may be isolated in optically active or racemic forms. It is well known in the art how to prepare optically active forms, such as by resolution of racemic forms, by synthesis from optically active starting materials, or through use of chiral auxiliaries. Geometric isomers of olefins, C=N double bonds, or other types of double bonds may be present in the compounds described herein, and all such stable isomers are included in the present invention. Specifically, cis and trans geometric isomers of the compounds of the present invention may also exist and may be isolated as a mixture of isomers or as separated isomeric forms. All processes used to prepare compounds of the present invention and intermediates made therein are considered to be part of the present invention. All tautomers of shown or described compounds are also considered to be part of the present invention.

[00109] "Alkyl" includes both branched and straight-chain saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having the specified number of carbon atoms. C ₁ ^ alkyl, for example, includes C ₁ , C ₂ , C3, C ₄ , C5, and Ce alkyl groups. Examples of alkyl include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, s-butyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl, and s-pentyl. [00110] "Alkenyl" includes the specified number of hydrocarbon atoms in either straight or branched configuration with one or more unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds that may occur in any stable point along the chain, such as ethenyl and propenyl. C ₂ - ₆ alkenyl includes C ₂ , C3, C ₄ , C5, and Ce alkenyl groups.

[00111] "Alkynyl" includes the specified number of hydrocarbon atoms in either straight or branched configuration with one or more triple carbon-carbon bonds that may occur in any stable point along the chain, such as ethynyl and propynyl. C ₂ - ₆ Alkynyl includes C ₂ , C3, C ₄ , C5, and Ce alkynyl groups.

[00112] "Cycloalkyl" includes the specified number of hydrocarbon atoms in a saturated ring, such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, and cyclooctyl. C3-8 cycloalkyl includes C3, C ₄ , C5, Ce, C ₇ , and Cs cycloalkyl groups. [00113] "Cyclic amine" is a hydrocarbon ring wherein one carbon atom of the ring has been replaced by a nitrogen atom. The cyclic amine can be unsaturated, partially saturated, or fully saturated. The cyclic amine can also be bicyclic, tricyclic, and polycyclic. Examples of cyclic amine include pyrrolidine and piperdine. [00114] Halo" or "halogen" refers to fluoro, chloro, bromo, and iodo.

[00115] "Counterion" is used to represent a small, negatively charged species, such as chloride, bromide, hydroxide, acetate, and sulfate. [00116] The group "C _O H ₄ " represents a phenylene.

[00117] "Aryl" refers to any stable 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, or 13 membered monocyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic ring, wherein at least one ring, if more than one is present, is aromatic. Examples of aryl include fluorenyl, phenyl, naphthyl, indanyl, adamantyl, and tetrahydronaphthyl.

[00118] "Heteroaryl" refers to any stable 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 membered monocyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic heterocyclic ring that is aromatic, and which consists of carbon atoms and 1, 2, 3, or 4 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of N, O, and S. If the heteroaryl group is bicyclic or tricyclic, then at least one of the two or three rings must contain a heteroatom, though both or all three may each contain one or more heteroatoms. If the heteroaryl group is bicyclic or tricyclic, then

only one of the rings must be aromatic. The N group may be N, NH, or N-substituent, depending on the chosen ring and if substituents are recited. The nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms may optionally be oxidized (e.g., S, S(O), S(O) ₂ , and N-O). The heteroaryl ring may be attached to its pendant group at any heteroatom or carbon atom that results in a stable structure. The heteroaryl rings described herein may be substituted on carbon or on a nitrogen atom if the resulting compound is stable.

[00119] Examples of heteroaryl includes acridinyl, azocinyl, benzimidazolyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiofuranyl, benzothiophenyl, benzoxazolyl, benzoxazolinyl, benzthiazolyl, benztriazolyl, benztetrazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, benzimidazolinyl, carbazolyl, 4aH-carbazolyl, carbolinyl, chromanyl, chromenyl, cinnolinyl, decahydroquinolinyl, 2H,6H-l,5,2-dithiazinyl, dihydrofuro[2,3-έ]tetrahydrofuran, furanyl, furazanyl, imidazolyl, lH-indazolyl, indolenyl, indolinyl, indolizinyl, indolyl, 3η-indolyl, isatinoyl, isobenzofuranyl, isochromanyl, isoindazolyl, isoindolinyl, isoindolyl, isoquinolinyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, naphthyridinyl, oxadiazolyl, 1,2,3-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,5- oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl, oxazolidinyl, oxazolyl, oxindolyl, pyrimidinyl, phenanthridinyl, phenanthrolinyl, phenazinyl, phenothiazinyl, phenoxathinyl, phenoxazinyl, phthalazinyl, pteridinyl, pyranyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyridooxazole, pyridoimidazole, pyridothiazole, pyridinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, 2H-pyrrolyl, pyrrolyl, quinazolinyl, quinolinyl, 4H-quinolizinyl, quinoxalinyl, quinuclidinyl, tetrazolyl, 6H-l,2,5-thiadiazinyl, 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,5-thiadiazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, thianthrenyl, thiazolyl, thienyl, thienothiazolyl, thienooxazolyl, thienoimidazolyl, thiophenyl, triazinyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl, 1 ,2,4-triazolyl, 1,2,5-triazolyl, 1,3,4-triazolyl, and xanthenyl.

[00120] "Mammal" covers warm blooded mammals that are typically under medical care (e.g., humans and domesticated animals). Examples of mammals include feline, canine, equine, bovine, and human, as well as just human. [00121] "Treating" or "treatment" covers the treatment of a disease-state in a mammal, and includes: (a) preventing the disease-state from occurring in a mammal, in particular, when such mammal is predisposed to the disease-state but has not yet been diagnosed as having it; (b) inhibiting the disease-state, i.e., arresting it development; and/or (c) relieving the disease-state, i.e., causing regression of the disease state until a desired endpoint is reached.

[00122] "Pharmaceutically acceptable salts" refer to derivatives of the disclosed compounds wherein the parent compound is modified by making acid or base salts thereof. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, but are not limited to, mineral or organic acid salts of basic residues such as amines; alkali or organic salts of acidic residues such as carboxylic acids; and the like. The pharmaceutically acceptable salts include the conventional non-toxic salts or the quaternary ammonium salts of the parent compound formed, for example, from non-toxic inorganic or organic acids. For example, such conventional non-toxic salts include, but are not limited to, those derived from inorganic and organic acids selected from 1, 2-ethanedisulfonic, 2-acetoxybenzoic, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic, acetic, ascorbic, benzenesulfonic, benzoic, bicarbonic, carbonic, citric, edetic, ethane disulfonic, ethane sulfonic, fumaric, glucoheptonic, gluconic, glutamic, glycolic, glycollyarsanilic, hexylresorcinic, hydrabamic, hydrobromic, hydrochloric, hydroiodide, hydroxymaleic, hydroxynaphthoic, isethionic, lactic, lactobionic, lauryl sulfonic, maleic, malic, mandelic, methanesulfonic, napsylic, nitric, oxalic, pamoic, pantothenic, phenylacetic, phosphoric, polygalacturonic, propionic, salicyclic, stearic, subacetic, succinic, sulfamic, sulfanilic, sulfuric, tannic, tartaric, and toluenesulfonic.

[00123] The pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the present invention can be synthesized from the parent compound that contains a basic or acidic moiety by conventional chemical methods. Generally, such salts can be prepared by reacting the free acid or base forms of these compounds with a stoichiometric amount of the appropriate base or acid in water or in an organic solvent, or in a mixture of the two; generally, non-aqueous media like ether, ethyl acetate, ethanol, isopropanol, or acetonitrile are useful. Lists of suitable salts are found in Remington 's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th ed., Mack Publishing Company, Easton, PA, 1990, p 1445. [00124] "Therapeutically effective amount" includes an amount of a compound of the present invention that is effective when administered alone or in combination to treat obesity or another indication listed herein. "Therapeutically effective amount" also includes an amount of the combination of compounds claimed that is effective to treat the desired indication. The combination of compounds can be a synergistic combination. Synergy, as described, for example, by Chou and Talalay, Adv. Enzyme Regul. 1984, 22:27-55, occurs when the effect of the compounds when administered in combination is greater than the additive effect of the compounds when administered alone as a single

agent. In general, a synergistic effect is most clearly demonstrated at sub-optimal concentrations of the compounds. Synergy can be in terms of lower cytotoxicity, increased effect, or some other beneficial effect of the combination compared with the individual components.

[00125] Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above.

The index is a measure of an individual's body weight relative to height. BMI is calculated by dividing body weight (in kilograms) by height (in meters) squared. Normal and healthy body weight is defined as having a BMI between 20 and 24.9. Overweight is defined as having a BMI > 25. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S., with 44 million obese Americans, and an additional eighty million deemed medically overweight.

[00126] Obesity is a disease characterized as a condition resulting from the excess accumulation of adipose tissue, especially adipose tissue localized in the abdominal area. It is desirable to treat overweight or obese patients by reducing their amount of adipose tissue, and thereby reducing their overall body weight to within the normal range for their sex and height. In this way, their risk for co-morbidities such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease will be reduced. It is also desirable to prevent normal weight individuals from accumulating additional, excess adipose tissue, effectively maintaining their body weights at a BMI < 25, and preventing the development of co-morbidities. It is also desirable to control obesity, effectively preventing overweight and obese individuals from accumulating additional, excess adipose tissue, reducing the risk of further exacerbating their co-morbidities.

[00127] Cannabinoid receptors are located in a number of peripheral (non-CNS) tissues, including thyroid gland, adrenal gland, reproductive organs, adipose tissue, liver, muscle, and gastrointestinal tract. Cannabinoid receptor antagonists/inverse agonists being developed to treat obesity and smoking cessation, regardless of route of administration, enter the CNS from the systemic circulation. While present in the systemic circulation, such drugs have access to peripheral tissues. One of skill in the art recognizes that cannabinoid receptor antagonists/inverse agonists intended to enter the CNS from the systemic circulation in order to treat obesity and smoking cessation, also have access to cannabinoid receptors in peripheral tissues. Thus, a cannabinoid receptor antagonist/inverse agonist useful for the present invention may have some access to the CNS from the systemic circulation.

[00128] Drugs enter the CNS from the systemic circulation by crossing the blood- brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a highly specialized 'gate-keeper' that protects the brain by preventing the entry of many potentially harmful substances into the CNS from the systemic circulation. Much is known about the BBB, and of the physical-chemical properties required for compounds transported across it. [00129] Drugs that do not cross the BBB into the CNS or that are readily eliminated through transport mechanisms [J Clin Invest. 97, 2517(1996)] are known in the literature and have low CNS activity due to their inability to develop brain levels necessary for pharmacological action. The BBB has at least one mechanism to remove drugs prior to their accumulation in the CNS. P-Glycoproteins (P-gp) localized in plasma membrane of the BBB can influence the brain penetration and pharmacological activity of many drugs through translocation across membranes. The lack of accumulation into the brain by some drugs can be explained by their active removal from the brain by P-gp residing in the BBB. For example, the typical opioid drug loperamide, clinically used as an antidiarrheal, is actively removed from the brain by P-gp, thus explaining its lack of opiate-like CNS effects. Another example is domperidone, a dopamine receptor blocker that participates in the P-gp transport [J Clin Invest. 97, 2517(1996)]. Whereas dopamine receptor blockers that cross the BBB can be used to treat schizophrenia, the readily-eliminated domperidone can be used to prevent emesis, without the likelihood of producing adverse CNS effects. [00130] In addition to the above compounds, agents possessing structural characteristics that retard or prevent BBB penetration or contribute to participation in active elimination processes have been identified in various classes of therapeutics. These include antihistamines [Drug Metab. Dispos. 31, 312 (2003)], beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists (B-blockers) [Eur. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 28, Suppl: 21-3 (1985); Br. J. Clin. Pharmacol, 11 (6), 549-553 (1981)], non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) [J. Pharm ScL, 88(10) 950-954 (1999)], and opioid antagonists. This latter group has been tested in relation to their activity in the GI tract. These peripherally selective opioid antagonists are described in various US patents as being useful in the treatment of non-CNS pathologies in mammals, in particular those of the GI tract [see US 5,260,542; US 5,434,171; US 5,159,081; and US 5,270,238]. [00131] Other types of non-brain penetrant compounds can be prepared through the creation of a charge within the molecule. Thus, the addition of a methyl group to the

tertiary amine functionality of the drugs scopolamine or atropine, unlike the parent molecules, prevents their passage across the BBB through the presence of a positive charge. However, the new molecules (methyl-scopolamine and methyl-atropine) retain their full anticholinergic pharmacological properties. As such, these drugs can also be used to treat peripheral diseases, without the concern of adverse CNS effects. The quaternary ammonium compound methylnaltrexone is also used for the prevention and/or treatment of opioid and non-opioid induced side effects associated with opioid administration.

[00132] The discovery that the anti-obesity activity of cannabinoid receptor antagonists/inverse agonists may in part be mediated by a non-CNS mechanism could make it beneficial for the compounds of the present invention to be peripherally restricted, i.e., have an inability or limited ability to cross the BBB, or be readily eliminated from the brain through active transport systems. It may be desirable for the compounds of the present invention to be peripherally restricted, which in turn will result in no or very limited CNS effects. Compounds that provide peripherally mediated anti- obesity properties should result in therapeutic agents with greater safety. It can be desirable that the compounds of the present invention, when administered in a therapeutically effective amount, have no or very limited CNS effects. It can also be desirable that the lack of CNS effects is a result of the compounds of the present invention having minimal brain concentrations when administered in therapeutically effective amounts. In this context, minimal brain concentrations means levels that are too low to be therapeutically effective for the treatment of a CNS indication or too low to cause significant or measurable deleterious or undesired side effects. [00133] Rimonabant (Compound Ha when X=H; Y, X', and Y'=C1; V=CH ₃ ; Z=H;

Q=N; and n=2) is a drug that crosses the BBB and is indicated for the treatment of obesity. In compound AA, one of R, R , R , X, X ¹ , V and Z is a group capable of reducing or limiting the CNS activity of compound AA. This reduced or limited CNS activity occurs via at least one of R, R , R , X, X ¹ , V and Z being a group that either limits compound AA' s ability to cross the BBB relative to that of rimonabant or enables it to be actively removed from the brain at a rate greater than that of rimonabant. Examples of the amount of compound AA present in the brain can include (a) from 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, to 100% lower than rimonabant, (b) from 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, to 100% lower than

rimonabant, and (c) from 98, 99, to 100% lower than rimonabant, when administered at the same dosage.

[00134] The compounds of the present invention are expected to be cannabinoid receptor antagonists or inverse agonists.

[00135] An inverse agonist is compound that not only blocks the action of the endogenous agonist at the receptor, but also exhibits its own activity which is usually the opposite of that shown by the agonist. Inverse agonists are also effective against certain types of receptors (e.g. certain histamine receptors / GABA receptors) which have intrinsic activity without the interaction of a ligand upon them (also referred to as 'constitutive activity').

[00136] Most methods of treating obesity are dependent on a significant reduction in energy intake, either by a decrease in food intake (e.g., sibutramine) or by inhibition of fat absorption (e.g., orlistat). In the present invention, adipose tissue may be reduced in the absence of a significant reduction in food intake. The weight loss, as a result of the present invention, comes from the treatment with a compound of the present invention, largely independent of, though not totally dissociated from, appetite and food intake. It can be desirable that adipose tissue loss occurs while food intake is maintained, increased or (a) about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20% below the normal range of the subject prior to being treated in accordance with the present invention (i.e., its pre-administration level), (b) about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15% below its pre-administration level, (c) about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10% below its pre-administration level, or (d) about 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5% below its pre- administration level.

[00137] In some cases, loss of adipose tissue can be accompanied by a concomitant loss of lean muscle mass. This is particularly evident in cancer patients who show a generalized wasting of body tissues, including adipose tissue and lean muscle mass. In the present invention, however, it can be desirable for body fat to be significantly reduced in the absence of a significant reduction in lean body mass. Adipose tissue loss comes from treatment with a compound of the present invention, independent of a significant change in lean body mass. Thus, adipose tissue loss can occur while lean body mass is maintained, increased, or (a) is no more than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30% below the normal range of the subject prior to being treated in accordance with

the present invention (i.e., its pre-administration level), (b) is no more than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15% below pre-administration levels, (c) is no more than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10% below pre-administration levels, or (d) is no more than about 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5% below pre-administration levels. [00138] In some cases, loss of adipose tissue can be accompanied by a concomitant loss of water mass. This is particularly evident with diet regimens that promote dehydration. In the present invention, it can be desirable for body fat to be significantly reduced in the absence of a significant reduction in water mass. In other words, adipose tissue loss comes from treatment with a compound of the present invention, independent of a significant change in water mass. It can be desirable that adipose tissue loss occurs while water mass is maintained, increased, or (a) is no more than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30% below the normal range of the subject prior to being treated in accordance with the present invention (i.e., its pre-administration level), (b) is no more than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15% below pre-administration levels, (c) is no more than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10% below pre-administration levels, or (d) is no more than about 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5% below pre-administration levels. [00139] Sibutramine and orlistat are currently marketed for use in the treatment of obesity. These two compounds achieve weight loss through entirely different mechanisms. Sibutramine, a CNS appetite suppressant, inhibits the neuronal reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline. Orlistat inhibits gut lipase enzymes that are responsible for breaking down ingested fat.

[00140] Cannabinoid receptor antagonists/inverse agonists can promote weight loss through inhibition of peripheral cannabinoid receptors, a mechanism entirely different from appetite suppressants, gut lipase inhibitors, and other agents with similar indications (e.g., serotonin agonists, leptin, fatty acid synthase inhibitors, and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors). Co-administration of a cannabinoid receptor antagonist/inverse agonist together with one or more other agents that are useful for treating the indications described above (e.g., obesity, diabetes, cardiometabolic disorders, and a combination thereof) is expected to be beneficial, by producing, for example, either additive or synergistic effects. Examples of additional agents include an appetite suppressant, a lipase inhibitor, and a MAO inhibitor (e.g., MAO-B and a combination of MAO-A/B). Therefore, the present invention provides a method of

treating obesity, diabetes, and/or cardiometabolic disorders, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the present invention and a second component effective for treating the desired indication.

[00141] Examples of second components include anti-obesity agents, which include, but are not limited to: l) growth hormone secretagogues; 2) growth hormone secretagogue receptor agonists/antagonists; 3) melanocortin agonists; 4) Mc4r (melanocortin 4 receptor) agonists; 5) .beta. -3 agonists; 7) 5HT2C (serotonin receptor 2C) agonists; 8) orexin antagonists; 9) melanin concentrating hormone antagonists; 10) melanin-concentrating hormone 1 receptor (MCHlR) antagonists; 11) melanin- concentrating hormone 2 receptor (MCH2R) agonist/antagonists; 12) galanin antagonists; 13) CCK agonists; 14) CCK-A (cholecystokinin-A) agonists; 16) corticotropin-releasing hormone agonists; 17) NPY 5 antagonists; 18) NPY 1 antagonists; 19) histamine receptor-3 (H3) modulators; 20) histamine receptor-3 (H3) antagonists/inverse agonists; 21)β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase- 1 inhibitors (.beta.- HSD-I); 22) PDE (phosphodiesterase) inhibitors; 23) phosphodiesterase-3B (PDE3B) inhibitors; 24) NE (norepinephrine) transport inhibitors; 25) non-selective serotonin/norepinephrine transport inhibitors, such as sibutramine, phentermine, or fenfluramine; 26) ghrelin antagonists; 28) leptin derivatives; 29) BRS3 (bombesin receptor subtype 3) agonists; 30) CNTF (Ciliary neurotrophic factors); 31) CNTF derivatives, such as axokine (Regeneron); 32) monoamine reuptake inhibitors; 33) UCP- 1 (uncoupling protein-1), 2, or 3 activators; 34) thyroid hormone .beta, agonists; 35) FAS (fatty acid synthase) inhibitors; 37) DGAT2 (diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2) inhibitors; 38) ACC2 (acetyl-CoA carboxylase-2) inhibitors; 39) glucocorticoid antagonists; 40) acyl-estrogens; 41) lipase inhibitors, such as orlistat (Xenical®); 42) fatty acid transporter inhibitors; 43) dicarboxylate transporter inhibitors; 44) glucose transporter inhibitors; 45) phosphate transporter inhibitors; 46) serotonin reuptake inhibitors; 47) Metformin (Glucophage®); 48) Topiramate (Topimax®); and/or 49) MAO inhibitors. [00142] Examples of MAO inhibitors include Moclobemide; Brofaromine; BW

A616U; Ro 41-1049; RS-2232; SR 95191; Harmaline; Harman; Amiflamine; BW 1370U87; FLA 688; FLA 788; Bifemelane; Clorgyline; LY 51641; MDL 72,394; 5-(4- Benzyloxyphenyl)-3-(2-cyanoethyl)-(3H)-l,3,4-oxadiazol-2-one ; 5-(4- Arylmethoxyphenyl)-2-(2-cyanoethyl)tetrazoles; Lazabemide; Ro 16-6491; Almoxatone; XB308; RS-1636; RS-1653; NW-1015; SL 340026;. L-selegiline; Rasagiline; Pargyline;

AGN 1135; MDL 72,974; MDL 72,145; MDL 72,638; LY 54761; MD 780236; MD 240931; Bifemelane; Toloxatone; Cimoxatone; Iproniazid; Phenelzine; Nialamide; Phenylhydrazine; 1-Phenylcyclopropylamine; Isocarboxazid; and, Tranylcypromine. Additional examples of MAO inhibitors can be found in USPA 2007/0004683; USAN 11/445,044; USPA 2007/0015734; and USAN 11/424,274.

[00143] Examples of diabetes disorders include treating Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, inadequate glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance.

[00144] Examples of second components useful for treating diabetes include (a) insulin sensitizers including (i) PPAR-γ agonists such as the glitazones (e.g. troglitazone, pioglitazone, englitazone, MCC-555, rosiglitazone), and compounds disclosed in WO97/27857, 97/28115, 97/28137, and 97/27847; and (ii) biguanides such as metformin and phenformin; (b) insulin or insulin mimetics; (c) sulfonylureas such as tolbutamide and glipizide, or related materials; (d) α-glucosidase inhibitors (e.g., acarbose); (e) cholesterol lowering agents such as (i) HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (lovastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin, rivastatin, and other statins), (ii) sequestrants (e.g., cholestyramine, colestipol, and dialkylaminoalkyl derivatives of a cross-linked dextran), (iii) nicotinyl alcohol, nicotinic acid or a salt thereof, (iv) PPAR- α agonists (e.g., fenofibric acid derivatives including gemfibrozil, clofibrate, fenofibrate, and bezafibrate), (v) inhibitors of cholesterol absorption (e.g., β-sitosterol) and acyl CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitors (e.g., melinamide), and (vi) probucol; (f) PPAR- α/ γ agonists; (g) antiobesity compounds (described previously); (h) ileal bile acid transporter inhibitors; and (i) insulin receptor activators.

[00145] The compounds of the present invention are expected to be CBl receptor inhibitors/inverse agonists and are expected to be useful for treating diseases mediated by the CBi receptor. The compounds of the present are expected to possess an affinity in vitro for the central and/or peripheral cannabinoid receptors under the experimental conditions described by Devane et al, Molecular Pharmacology, 1988, 34, 605-613. The compounds according to the invention are also expected to possess an affinity for the cannabinoid receptors present on preparations of electrically stimulated isolated organs. These tests can be performed on guinea-pig ileum and on mouse vas deferens according to Roselt et al., Acta Physiologica Scandinavia 1975, 94, 142-144, and according to Nicolau et al., Arch. Int. Pharmacodyn, 1978, 236, 131-136.

[00146] CBl receptor affinities can be determined using membrane preparations of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in which the human cannabinoid CBl receptor is stably transfected (Biochem J. 1991, 279, 129-134) in conjunction with [3H]CP-55,940 as radioligand. After incubation of a freshly prepared cell membrane preparation with the [3 H] -radioligand, with or without addition of test compound, separation of bound and free ligand is performed by filtration over glass fiber filters. Radioactivity on the filter is measured by liquid scintillation counting. The IC50 values can be determined from at least three independent measurements.

[00147] In the present invention, the compound(s) of the present invention can be administered in any convenient manner (e.g., enterally or parenterally). Examples of methods of administration include orally and transdermally. One skilled in this art is aware that the routes of administering the compounds of the present invention may vary significantly. In addition to other oral administrations, sustained release compositions may be favored. Other acceptable routes may include injections (e.g., intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intraperitoneal); subdermal implants; and, buccal, sublingual, topical, rectal, vaginal, and intranasal administrations. Bioerodible, non- bioerodible, biodegradable, and non-biodegradable systems of administration may also be used. Examples of oral formulations include tablets, coated tablets, hard and soft gelatin capsules, solutions, emulsions, and suspensions.

[00148] If a solid composition in the form of tablets is prepared, the main active ingredient can be mixed with a pharmaceutical vehicle, examples of which include silica, starch, lactose, magnesium stearate, and talc. The tablets can be coated with sucrose or another appropriate substance or they can be treated so as to have a sustained or delayed activity and so as to release a predetermined amount of active ingredient continuously. Gelatin capsules can be obtained by mixing the active ingredient with a diluent and incorporating the resulting mixture into soft or hard gelatin capsules. A syrup or elixir can contain the active ingredient in conjunction with a sweetener, which is preferably calorie-free, an antiseptic (e.g., methylparaben and/or propylparaben), a flavoring, and an appropriate color. Water-dispersible powders or granules can contain the active ingredient mixed with dispersants or wetting agents or with suspending agents such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, as well as with sweeteners or taste correctors. Rectal administration can be effected using suppositories, which are prepared with binders melting at the rectal temperature (e.g., cocoa butter and/or polyethylene glycols).

Parenteral administration can be effected using aqueous suspensions, isotonic saline solutions, or injectable sterile solutions, which contain pharmacologically compatible dispersants and/or wetting agents (e.g., propylene glycol and/or polyethylene glycol). The active ingredient can also be formulated as microcapsules or microspheres, optionally with one or more carriers or additives. The active ingredient can also be presented in the form of a complex with a cyclodextrin, for example α-, β-, or γ- cyclodextrin, 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, and/or methyl-β-cyclodextrin. [00149] The dose of the compound of the present invention administered daily will vary on an individual basis and to some extent may be determined by the severity of the disease being treated (e.g., obesity, diabetes, and cardiometabolic disorders). The dose of the compound of the present invention will also vary depending on the compound administered. Examples of dosages of compounds of the present invention include from about 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 76, 80, 85, 90, 95, to 100 mg/kg of mammal body weight. The compound can be administered in a single dose or in a number of smaller doses over a period of time. The length of time during which the compound is administered varies on an individual basis, and can continue until the desired results are achieved (i.e., reduction of body fat, or prevention of a gain in body fat). Therapy could, therefore, last from 1 day to weeks, months, or even years depending upon the subject being treated, the desired results, and how quickly the subject responds to treatment in accordance with the present invention. [00150] A possible example of a tablet of the present invention is as follows.

Ingredient mg/T ablet

Active ingredient 100

Powdered lactose 95

White corn starch 35

Polyvinylpyrrolidone 8

Na carboxymethylstarch 10

Magnesium stearate 2

Tablet weight 250

[00151] A possible example of a capsule of the present invention is as follows. Ingredient mg/T ablet

Active ingredient 50

Crystalline lactose 60

Microcrystalline cellulose 34

Talc 5

Magnesium stearate 1

Capsule fill weight 150

[00152] In the above capsule, the active ingredient has a suitable particle size.

The crystalline lactose and the microcrystalline cellulose are homogeneously mixed with one another, sieved, and thereafter the talc and magnesium stearate are admixed. The final mixture is filled into hard gelatin capsules of suitable size.

[00153] A possible example of an injection follows.

Ingredient mg/T ablet

Active substance 1.0 mg

I N HCl 20.0 μl acetic acid 0.5 mg

NaCl 8.0 mg

Phenol 10.0 mg

1 N NaOH q.s. ad pH 5

H ₂ O q.s. ad 1 mL

SYNTHESIS

[00154] The compounds of the present invention can be prepared in a number of ways known to one skilled in the art of organic synthesis (e.g., see EP 0,658,546, J Med Chem 2002, 45, 2708). The compounds of the present invention can be synthesized using the methods described below, together with synthetic methods known in the art of synthetic organic chemistry, or by variations thereon as appreciated by those skilled in the art. Preferred methods include, but are not limited to, those described below. The reactions are performed in a solvent appropriate to the reagents and materials employed and suitable for the transformations being effected. It will be understood by those skilled in the art of organic synthesis that the functionality present on the molecule should be consistent with the transformations proposed. This will sometimes require a judgment to modify the order of the synthetic steps or to select one particular process scheme over another in order to obtain a desired compound of the invention. It will also be recognized that another major consideration in the planning of any synthetic route in this

field is the judicious choice of the protecting group used for protection of the reactive functional groups present in the compounds described in this invention. An authoritative account describing the many alternatives to the trained practitioner is Greene and Wuts (Protective Groups In Organic Synthesis, Wiley and Sons, 1991).

[00156] Scheme 1 shows how the condensation of a propiophenone with diethyl oxalate in the presence of a base such as lithium hexamethydilsilazide should afford,

after acidification with hydrochloric acid solution, the diketoester (step a). Heating this ester with an aryl hydrazine in a solvent such as ethanol should produce the pyrazole ester along with the uncyclized imine (step b). These materials may be separated due to their solubility differences, or heated together in ethanolic hydroxide solution to cause further conversion of the imine to the pyrazole along with concomitant saponification of the ester to the carboxylic acid (step c). Subsequent conversion of the carboxylic acid to the acid chloride using thionyl chloride followed by treatment with ethyl N- aminonipecotate should afford the hydrazide ester (step d). Hydrolysis of the ester with lithium hydroxide and acidification with dilute hydrochloric acid solution should yield the hydrazide carboxylic acid (step e). Treatment of this acid with thionyl chloride followed by ammonia should afford the carboxamide (step f).

[00157] Alternatively, the acid chloride generated from the product of step c can be treated with N-amino-2-pyrrolidine methanol 0-CH ₂ CO ₂ Et derivative to produce the hydrazide ester (step g). Subsequent hydrolysis of this ester with aqueous base should afford the carboxylic acid (step h).

[00158] Scheme 2

[00159] Scheme 2 describes how the conversion of the carboxylic acid from

Scheme 1 to its acid chloride using thionyl chloride or oxalyl chloride in dichloroethane at elevated temperatures followed by treatment with ethyl 4-aminocyclohexane carboxylate in the presence of triethyl amine should afford the amide ester (step a). Hydrolysis of the ester with lithium hydroxide and acidification with dilute hydrochloric acid solution should yield the amide carboxylic acid (step b). When this acid is further treated with Boc anhydride (BOC2O) in THF in the presence of pyridine, followed by a solution of ammonia in THF at 0 degrees to ambient temperature, the carboxamido compound will be produced (step c).

[00160] Alternatively, the acid chloride generated from the acid of Scheme 1 can be treated with 2-amino-cyclopentylmethanol 0-CH ₂ CO ₂ Et derivative to produce the amide ester (step c). Subsequent hydrolysis of this ester with aqueous base should afford the carboxylic acid (step d).

[00161] Scheme 3

[00162] Scheme 3 depicts the conversion of the carboxylic acid from Scheme 1 to its acid chloride using thionyl chloride or oxalyl chloride in dichloroethane at ambient to elevated temperatures followed by treatment with an amine such as alanine ethyl ester (A=methyl, n=0) in the presence of triethylamine to afford the amide ester (step a). Hydrolysis of the ester with lithium hydroxide in aqueous THF solution and acidification with dilute hydrochloric acid solution should yield the amide carboxylic acid (step b). This acid can be further treated with Boc anhydride (BoC ₂ O) in THF in the presence of pyridine, followed by a solution of ammonia in THF at 0 degrees to ambient temperature to yield the carboxamido compound (step c).

[00163] Scheme 4

[00164] Scheme 4 illustrates how the treatment of 4'-benzyloxypropiophenone with ethyl-t-butyl oxalate in the presence of an equivalent of base, such as lithium hexamethydilsilazide, should afford, after acidification with hydrochloric acid solution, the diketoester (step a). Removal of the benzyl group via hydrogenolysis and treatment of the resulting phenol with ethyl bromoacetate in the presence of a base, such as potassium carbonate, in a solvent such as DMF at elevated temperature should produce the ester (step b). Heating this diketo-diester with an aryl hydrazine in a solvent such as

ethanol should produce the pyrazole ester along with the uncyclized imine (step c). These materials may be separated due to their solubility differences, or through flash column chromatography. The pyrazole, upon treatment with trifluoroacetic acid in methylene chloride, should afford the carboxylic acid (step d). Subsequent conversion of the carboxylic acid to the acid chloride using thionyl chloride followed by treatment with N-aminopiperidine should afford the hydazide ester (step e). Hydrolysis of the ester with lithium hydroxide in aqueous THF solution, and acidification with dilute hydrochloric acid solution, should yield the hydrazide carboxylic acid (step f). Reaction of this acid with thionyl chloride followed by treatment with ammonia should afford the carboxamido compound (step g).

[00165] Scheme 5

[00166] Scheme 5 shows how the treatment of 3'-nitropropiophenone with diethyl oxalate in the presence of base, such as lithium hexamethydilsilazide, should afford, after acidification with hydrochloric acid solution, the diketo-ester (step a). Heating this ester with an aryl hydrazine in a solvent such as ethanol should produce the pyrazole ester along with the uncyclized imine (step b). These materials may be separated due to their solubility differences, or heated together in ethanolic hydroxide solution to cause further conversion of the imine to the pyrazole along with concomitant saponification of the ester to the carboxylic acid (step c). Subsequent conversion of the carboxylic acid to the

acid chloride using thionyl chloride followed by treatment with N-aminopiperidine should afford the hydazide (step d). The nitro compound can be reduced to the aniline using sodium dithionite in aqueous dioxane containing concentrated ammonium hydroxide solution to give the aniline (step e). Reaction of the aniline with ethyl 4- bromocrotonate in acetone at reflux in the presence of potassium carbonate should afford the ester (step f). Hydrolysis of the ester with lithium hydroxide in aqueous THF solution, and acidification with dilute hydrochloric acid solution should yield the hydrazide carboxylic acid (step g).

[00167] Alternatively, the aniline can be treated with ethyl malonyl chloride in the presence of base to yield the ester (step h). The ester can then be hydrolyzed with lithium hydroxide in aqueous THF solution, and after acidification with dilute hydrochloric acid solution should yield the hydrazide carboxylic acid (step i).

[00168] Scheme 6

[00169] Scheme 6 describes how the conversion of the carboxylic acid of Scheme

5 to its acid chloride using thionyl chloride followed by treatment with N- aminopiperidine should afford the hydazide (step a). The nitro compound can be reduced to the aniline using sodium dithionite in aqueous dioxane containing concentrated ammonium hydroxide solution to give the aniline (step b). Reaction of the aniline with methanesulfonyl chloride in the presence of base should afford the sulfonamide (step c).

[00170] Scheme 7

[00171] Scheme 7 depicts how the condensation of a propiophenone with ethyl-t- butyl oxalate in the presence of base, such as lithium hexamethydilsilazide, should afford, after acidification with hydrochloric acid solution, the diketo-ester (step a). Heating this diketo-ester with an aryl hydrazine in a solvent such as ethanol should produce the pyrazole ester which can be separated from the uncyclized imine via their solubility differences or through flash chromatography (step b). The pyrazole, upon

treatment with trifluoroacetic acid in methylene chloride, should afford the carboxylic acid (step c). Subsequent conversion of the carboxylic acid to the acid chloride using thionyl chloride followed by treatment with N-aminopiperidine should afford the hydazide ester (step d). Hydrolysis of the remaining ester with lithium hydroxide in aqueous THF solution, and acidification with dilute hydrochloric acid solution should yield the hydrazide carboxylic acid (step e). The carboxylic acid can then be treated with thionyl chloride followed by ammonia to produce the carboxamido compound (step f).

[00172] Scheme 8

[00173] Scheme 8 illustrates how the Reaction of a propiophenone with ethyl-t- butyl oxalate in the presence of base, such as lithium hexamethydilsilazide, should

afford, after acidification with hydrochloric acid solution, the diketo-ester (step a). Heating this diketo-ester with an aryl hydrazine in a solvent such as ethanol should produce the pyrazole ester which can be separated from the uncyclized imine via their solubility differences or through flash chromatography (step b). The pyrazole, upon treatment with trifluoroacetic acid in methylene chloride, should afford the carboxylic acid (step c). Subsequent conversion of the carboxylic acid to the acid chloride using thionyl chloride followed by treatment with N-aminopiperidine should afford the hydazide ester (step d). Hydrolysis of the remaining ester with lithium hydroxide in aqueous THF solution, and acidification with dilute hydrochloric acid solution should yield the hydrazide carboxylic acid (step e). The carboxylic acid can then be treated with thionyl chloride followed by ammonia, or with Boc anhydride (BOC ₂ O) in THF in the presence of pyridine, followed by a solution of ammonia in THF at 0 degrees to ambient temperature to produce the benzamide (step f).

[00174] Scheme 9

[00175] Scheme 9 shows how the treatment of a propiophenone with ethyl-t-butyl oxalate in the presence of base, such as lithium hexamethydilsilazide, should afford, after acidification with hydrochloric acid solution, the diketo-ester (step a). Heating this diketo-ester with a hydrazine of an ethyl aryloxyacetate in a solvent such as ethanol should produce the pyrazole ester which can be separated from the uncyclized imine via their solubility differences or through flash chromatography (step b). The pyrazole, upon treatment with trifluoroacetic acid in methylene chloride, should afford the carboxylic

acid (step c). Subsequent conversion of the carboxylic acid to the acid chloride using thionyl chloride followed by treatment with N-aminopiperidine should afford the hydazide ester (step d). Hydrolysis of the remaining ester with lithium hydroxide in aqueous THF solution, and acidification with dilute hydrochloric acid solution should yield the hydrazide carboxylic acid (step e). The carboxylic acid can then be treated with thionyl chloride followed by ammonia to produce the aryloxyacetamide (step f).

[00176] Scheme 10

(b)

[00177] Scheme 10 describes how the treatment of a propiophenone with diethyloxalate in the presence of base, such as lithium hexamethydilsilazide, should afford, after acidification with hydrochloric acid solution, the diketo-ester (step a). Heating this diketo-ester with a hydrazine of an arylnitrile in a solvent such as ethanol should produce the pyrazole ester which can be separated from the uncyclized imine via their solubility differences or through flash chromatography (step b). The pyrazole, upon treatment with lithium hydroxide in aqueous THF solution, and acidification with dilute hydrochloric acid solution should afford the carboxylic acid (step c). Subsequent conversion of the carboxylic acid to the acid chloride using thionyl chloride followed by treatment with N-aminopiperidine should afford the hydazide ester (step d). Heating a mixture of the arylnitrile with sodium azide and zinc chloride or zinc bromide in water with vigorous stirring should produce the aryl-tetrazole, after acidification with dilute hydrochloric acid solution. Alternatively, the nitrile can be treated with HCl gas in a solution of chloroform and methanol at about minus 15 to 0 degrees C to form the imidate ester which can immediately be converted to the carboxamidine by subsequent treatment with ammonium carbonate in methanol.

[00178] Scheme 11

[00179] Scheme 11 depicts how the reaction of ethyl benzoylacetate with ethyl-t- butyl oxalate in the presence of base, such as lithium hexamethydilsilazide, should afford, after acidification with hydrochloric acid solution, the diketo-diester (step a). Heating this diketo-diester with an aryl hydrazine in a solvent such as ethanol should produce the pyrazole ester which can be separated from the uncyclized imine via their solubility differences or through flash chromatography (step b). The pyrazole, upon treatment with trifluoroacetic acid in methylene chloride, should afford the carboxylic acid (step c). Subsequent conversion of the carboxylic acid to the acid chloride using thionyl chloride followed by treatment with N-aminopiperidine should afford the

hydrazide ester (step d). Hydrolysis of the remaining ester with lithium hydroxide in aqueous THF solution, and acidification with dilute hydrochloric acid solution should yield the hydrazide carboxylic acid (step e). The carboxylic acid can then be treated with thionyl chloride followed by ammonia, or with Boc anhydride (BOC ₂ O) in THF in the presence of pyridine, followed by a solution of ammonia in THF at 0 degrees to ambient temperature to produce the carboxamido hydrazide (step f).

[00180] One stereoisomer of a compound of the present invention may be a more potent cannabinoid receptor antagonist than its counterpart(s). Thus, stereoisomers are included in the present invention. When required, separation of the racemic material can be achieved by HPLC using a chiral column or by a resolution using a resolving agent such as described in Wilen, S. H. Tables of Resolving Agents and Optical Resolutions 1972, 308 or using enantiomerically pure acids and bases. A chiral compound of the present invention may also be directly synthesized using a chiral catalyst or a chiral ligand, e.g., Jacobsen, E. Ace. Chem. Res. 2000, 33, 421-431 or using other enantio- and diastereo-selective reactions and reagents known to one skilled in the art of asymmetric synthesis.

[00181] Other features of the invention will become apparent in the course of the following descriptions of exemplary embodiments that are given for illustration of the invention and are not intended to be limiting thereof.

EXAMPLES

[00182] Tables A-E below describe selected examples of the present invention that have been synthesized and tested. The activities of these compounds are as follows:

+ = an IC50 ofSl0 μM;

++ = IC50 of < l μM; and,

+++ = an IC50 < 100 nM.

[00183] The compounds can be prepared according to the methods of the scheme numbers provided for each example.

[00184] Table A

[00185] Table B

[00186] Table C

87] Table D

[00188] Table E

[00189] Tables la-6b show representative examples of the compounds of the present invention. Each example in the tables represents an individual species of the present invention.

Table Ia

91] Table Ib

92] Table Ic

193] Table 2a

194] Table 2b

195] Table 3 a

196] Table 3b

97] Table 4

98] Table 5 a

99] Table 5b

00] Table 5c

01] Table 5d

02] Table 5e

05] Table 6a

06] Table 6b

[00207] Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise that as specifically described herein.