In particular, the present invention is directed to amide compounds substituted i) at the carbonyl carbon with an ethyl/ethenyl attached to a phenyl ring and an aryl/heteroaryl/heterocyclic ring, and ii) at the amino with a nitrogen bearing heteroaryl ring, which are modulators of glucokinase and are useful in the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of hyperglycemia and type II diabetes.

Glucokinase ("GK") is believed to be important in the body's regulation of its plasma glucose level. GK, found principally in the liver and pancreas, is one of four hexokinases that catalyze the initial metabolism of glucose. The GK pathway is saturated at higher glucose levels than the other hexokinase pathways (See R. L.

Printz et al., Annu. Rev. Nutr., 13 : 463-496 (1993)). GK is critical to maintaining the glucose balance in mammals. Animals that do not express GK die soon after birth with diabetes, while animals that overexpress GK have improved glucose tolerance.

Activation of GK can lead to hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. (See, for example, H. B. T. Christesen et al., Diabetes, 51: 1240-1246 (2002) ). Additionally, type II maturity-onset diabetes of the young is caused by the loss of function mutations in the GK gene, suggesting that GK operates as a glucose sensor in humans. (Y. Liang et al. , Biochem. J. 309: 167-173 (1995) ). Thus, compounds that activate GK increase the sensitivity of the GK sensory system and would be useful in the treatment of hyperglycemia-particularly the hyperglycemia associated with type II diabetes. It is therefore desirable to provide novel compounds that activate GK to treat diabetes.

International Patent Publication No. W02001044216 and U. S. Patent No.

6,353, 111 describe (E)-2, 3-disubstituted-N-heteroarylacrylamides as GK activators.

International Patent Publication No. W02002014312 and U. S. Patent Nos. 6,369, 232, 6,388, 088, and 6,441, 180 describe tetrazolylphenylacetamide GK activators.

International Patent Publication No. W02000058293, European Patent Application No. EP 1169312 and U. S. Patent No. 6,320, 050 describe arylcycloalkylpropionamide GK activators. International Patent Publication No. 2002008209 and U. S. Patent No.

6,486, 184 describe alpha-acyl and alpha-heteroatom-substituted benzene acetamide GK activators as anti-diabetic agents. International Patent Publication No.

W02001083478 describes hydantoin-containing GK activators. International Patent Publication No. W02001083465 and U. S. Patent No. 6, 388, 071 describe alkynylphenyl heteroaromatic GK activators. International Patent Publication No.

W02001085707 and U. S. Patent No. 6,489, 485 describe para-amine substituted phenylamide GK activators. International Patent Publication No. W02002046173 and U. S. Patent Nos. 6,433, 188,6, 441,184, and 6,448, 399 describe fused heteroaromatic GK activators. International Patent Publication No. W02002048106 and U. S. Patent No. 6,482, 951 describe isoindolin-l-one GK activators. International Patent Publication No. W02001085706 describes substituted phenylacetamide GK activators for treating type II diabetes. U. S. Patent No. 6,384, 220 describes para-aryl or heteroaryl substituted phenyl GK activators. French Patent No. 2,834, 295 describes methods for the purification and crystal structure of human GK.

International Patent Publication No. W02003095438, published after the priority date of the present application, describes N-heteroaryl phenylacetamides and related compounds as GK activators for the treatment of type II diabetes. U. S. Patent No.

6,610, 846 describes the preparation of cycloalkylheteroaryl propionamides as GK activators. International Patent Publication No. W02003000262 describes vinyl phenyl GK activators. International Patent Publication No. W02003000267 describes aminonicotinate derivatives as GK modulators. International Patent Publication No.

W02003015774, published after the priority date of the present application, describes compounds as GK modulators. International Patent Publication No. W02003047626, published after the priority date of the present application, describes the use of a GK activator in combination with a glucagon antagonist for treating type II diabetes.

International Patent Publication No. W02003055482, published after the priority date of the present application, describes amide derivatives as GK activators. International Patent Publication No. W02003080585, published after the priority date of the present application, describes aminobenzamide derivatives with GK activity for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. International Patent Publication No.

W02003097824, published after the priority date of the present application, describes human liver GK crystals and their used for structure-based drug design. International Patent Publication No. W02004002481, published after the priority date of the present application, discloses arylcarbonyl derivatives as GK activators.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Compounds represented by Formula (I) : (I) or phannaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are useful in the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of hyperglycemia and type II diabetes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a compound of Formula (I) : (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: Q is an aryl, a 5-or 6-membered heteroaryl, or a 4-8-membered heterocyclic ring; T together with the-N=C-to which it is attached forms a heteroaryl ring, or a heterocyclic ring where the N=C bond is the only site of unsaturation ; Ri and R2 each independently are hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, vinyl, ethynyl, methoxy, OCFnH3-n, -N(C0-4alkyl)(C0-4alkyl), CHO, or Cl 2alkyl optionally substituted with 1-5 independent halogen, hydroxy, cyano, methoxy, -N(C0-2alkyl)(C0-2alkyl), SOCH3, or SO2CH3 substituents ; or Rl and R2 together form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; or R1 and R2 may be taken together to represent an oxygen atom attached to the ring via a double bond; R3 and R each independently are hydrogen, halogen, OCFnH3-n, methoxy, C02IC7, cyano, nitro, CHO, CONR99R100, CON (OCH3) CH3, or Cl 2alkyl, heteroaryl, or C3 7cycloalkyl optionally substituted with 1-5 independent halogen, hydroxy, cyano, methoxy, -NHCO2CH3, or -N(C0-2alkyl)(C0-2alkyl) substituents; or R3 and R4 together form a 5-8-membered aromatic, heteroaromatic, carbocyclic, or heterocyclic ring ; R5 and R6 each independently are hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, C02R7, CHO, COR8 C (OH) R7R8, C (-NoR7) R, COUR", SR7, SORB, SO2R8, SO2NR9R10, CH2NR9R10, NR9R10, N (C0-4alkyl) S02R, NHCOR7, or Cl 4alkyl group, C2-4alkenyl group, C2-4alkYnYl group, Cl 4alkoxy group, aryl group, or heteroaryl group, wherein any group optionally is substituted with 1-6 independent halogen, cyano, nitro, hydroxy, C1-2alkoxy, -N(C0-2alkyl)(C0-2alkyl), C1-2alkyl, CFnH3-n, aryl, heteroaryl,-COC1_2alkyl,-CON (C0-2alkyl) (Co-2alkyl), SCH3, SOCH3, SO2CH3, or - S02N (Co-2alkyl) (Co-2alkyl) substituents; or R5 and R6 together form a 5-8- membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; R7 and R77 each independently are hydrogen, or Cl 4alkyl group, C2-4alkenyl group, C2-4alkynyl group, C3-7cycloalkyl group, aryl group, heteroaryl group, or 4-7- membered heterocyclic group, wherein any group optionally is substituted with 1-6 independent halogen, cyano, nitro, hydroxy, Cl_2alkoxy,-N (Co_2alkyl) (Co_2alkyl), Ci-2alkyl, C3-7cycloalkyl, 4-7-membered heterocyclic ring, CFnH3-n, aryl, heteroaryl, CO2H, -COC1-2alkyl, -CON (Co-2alkyl) (Calkyl), SOCH3, S02CH3, or -SO2N(C0-2alkyl)(C0-2alkyl) substituents; R8 is Cl 4alkyl group, C2-4alkenyl group, C2-4alkynyl group, C3-7cycloalkyl group, aryl group, heteroaryl group, or 4-7-membered heterocyclic group, wherein any group optionally is substituted with 1-6 independent halogen, cyano, nitro, hydroxy, C1-2alkoxy, -N(C0-2alkyl)(C0-2alkyl), C1-2alkyl, C3-7cycloalkyl, 4-7- membered heterocyclic ring, CFnH3-n, aryl, heteroaryl, C02H, COC1-2alkyl, -CON(C0-2alkyl)(C0-2alkyl), SOCH3, SO2CH3, or -SO2N(C0-2alkyl)(C0-2alkyl) substituents; R9, Rlo, R99, and Rl°° each independently are hydrogen, or C1-4alkyl group, C3-7cycloalkyl group, aryl group, heteroaryl group, or 4-7-membered heterocyclic group, wherein any group optionally is substituted with 1-6 independent halogen, cyano, nitro, hydroxy, Ci-2alkoxy,-N (Co-2alkyl) (Co-2alkyl), Ci-2alkyl, C3- 7cycloalkyl, 4-7-membered heterocyclic ring, CFnHs-n, aryl, heteroaryl, COCl_2alkyl, -CON(C0-2alkyl)(C0-2alkyl), SOCH3, SO2CH3, or -SO2N(C0-2alkyl)(C0-2alkyl) substituents; or R9 and Rl° or R99 and Rl°° together form a 6-8-membered heterobicyclic ring system or a 4-8-membered heterocyclic ring which optionally is substituted with 1-2 independent Cl_2alkyl, CH20CH3, COCo-2alkyl, hydroxy, or S02CH3 substituents; n is 1, 2 or 3 ; mis0 or 1 ; and the dotted line together with the solid line forms an optional double bond, and A indicates that the double bond has the (E)-configuration.

If the dotted line together with the solid line forms a single bond, the carbon atom linking the aryl ring and Q-bearing sidechain to the carbonyl carbon is a chiral centre. Accordingly, the compound may be present either as a racemate, or as a single enantiomer in the (R)-or (S)-configuration. The (R)-enantiomers are preferred.

A particular group of compounds which may be mentioned are compounds of Formula (I), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, provided that when Q is an unsubstituted 5-or 6-membered heterocyclic ring containing one heteroatom selected from O, S and S=O ; T completes a 5-or 6-membered heteroaryl ring which is unsubstituted or monosubstituted by halogen, methoxy, C02-Co-4alkyl, cyano, nitro, CONH2, CONH- Cl-4alkyl, perfluoroCl-2alkyl, or Cl 2alkyl optionally monosubstituted with methoxy or -NH(C0-2alkyl) ; Rs and R6 each independently are hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> CO2-Cl_4alkyl, S-C1-4alkyl, S-perfluoroCl-4alkyl, SO Cl-4alkyl, SO2-Cl-4allcyl, SO2- perfluoroCl-4alkyl, SO2NH2, NH2, C1-4alkyl, perfluoroC1-4alkyl, C1-4alkoxy or perfluoroCl-4alkoxy ; and m is 0; then the dotted line together with the solid line must form a double bond.

In the first aspect, the present invention is directed to a compound represented by Formula (Ia) : (Ia) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Q, T, Rl-R6, m, and A are as defined above in Formula (I).

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the present invention is directed to a compound represented by Formula (Ia), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: Q is an aryl.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the present invention is directed to a compound represented by Formula (Ia), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Q is a 5-or 6-membered heteroaryl ring.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the present invention is directed to a compound represented by Formula (Ia), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Q is a thienyl, furyl, thiazolyl, or pyridyl ring.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the present invention is directed to a compound represented by Formula (Ia), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Q is a 4-8-membered heterocyclic ring.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the present invention is directed to a compound represented by Formula (Ia), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Q is tetrahydropyranyl, piperidinyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl, 1-oxo- tetrahydrothiopyranyl or 1,1-dioxo-tetrahydrothiopyranyl.

In the second aspect, the present invention is directed to a compound represented by Formula (Ib) : (Ib) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Q, T, Rl-R6 and m are as defined above in Formula (I).

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the present invention is directed to a compound represented by Formula (Ib), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: Q is a 5-or 6-membered heteroaryl ring.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the present invention is directed to a compound represented by Formula (Ib), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: Q is a thienyl, furyl, thiazolyl, or pyridyl ring.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the present invention is directed to a compound represented by Formula (Ib), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: Q is a 4-8-membered heterocyclic ring.

In another embodiment of the second aspect, the present invention is directed to a compound represented by Formula (Ib), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: Q is tetrahydropyranyl, piperidinyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl, 1-oxo- tetrahydrothiopyranyl, or 1, 1-dioxo-tetrahydrothiopyranyl.

The molecular weight of the compounds of formula (I) is preferably less than 800, more preferably less than 600, most preferably less than 500.

In the present invention, Q is preferably 2-furyl, 2-thienyl, tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl, 1-oxo-tetrahydrothiopyranyl, or 1, 1-dioxo- tetrahydrothiopyranyl; more preferably 4-tetrahydropyranyl or 4- tetrahydrothiopyranyl; most preferably 4-tetrahydropyranyl.

When Q is a heteroaryl or heterocyclic group it is preferably linked to the- (CH2) m-group through a carbon atom.

When Q is a heteroaryl group it preferably does not have a substituent Ri or R2 other than hydrogen at a position adjacent to point of attachment to the- (CH2) m group.

In the present invention, the group of formula is preferably a monocyclic heteroaryl group. More preferably it is thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, or pyridyl ; more preferably 2-thiazolyl, 5- [1, 2,4] thiadiazolyl, 2- [1, 3,4] thiadiazolyl, 4-pyrimidinyl, 2-pyrazinyl, 3- isoxazolyl, or 2-pyridyl; even more preferably 2-thiazolyl, 5- [1, 2,4] thiadiazolyl, 4- pyrimidinyl, 2-pyrazinyl, or 2-pyridyl ; most preferably 2-thiazolyl, 2-pyrazinyl, or 2- pyridyl.

More preferably the group of formula is 2-thiazolyl, or 2-pyrazinyl.

Most preferably the group of formula is 2-thiazolyl and R3 is 5-fluoro and R4 is hydrogen; or 2-pyrazinyl and R3 and R4 are hydrogen; especially preferred is 2-thiazolyl where R3 is 5-fluoro and R4 is hydrogen.

In the present invention, Ri and R2 are preferably hydrogen.

In the present invention R3 and R4 are preferably independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, and methyl, more preferably R3 and R are independently selected from hydrogen, fluoro, and methyl.

In the present invention, R3 is preferably hydrogen or halogen; more preferably hydrogen, fluoro, chloro or bromo; even more preferably hydrogen, fluoro, or chloro; most preferably hydrogen or fluoro.

In the present invention, R4 is preferably hydrogen, halogen, or methyl; more preferably hydrogen or methyl.

In the present invention, R5 and R6 are preferably not both hydrogen.

In the present invention, Rs is preferably CF3, SOR8, Sorb, S02NRRIO, NHS02R8, or triazolyl; more preferably SOR8, SO2R8, or SO2NR9Rl° ; most preferably SO2R8 or SO2NR9Rl°, especially S02R.

In particular R5 is SO2C3_4cycloalkyl, especially SO2cyclopropyl.

In the present invention, R6 is preferably hydrogen, chloro, fluoro, or trifluoromethyl; more preferably hydrogen.

In the present invention, R7, R77, and R8 are preferably Cl 4alkyl, C3_ 7cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, or 4-7-membered heterocyclic group; more preferably Cl_ 3alkyl, 4-6-membered heterocyclic group, or C3-5cycloalkyl ; most preferably methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, oxetanyl, or tetrahydrofuryl, and especially methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, cyclopropyl, or cyclobutyl.

When the dotted line together with the solid line forms a double bond R8 is preferably Cl 3alkyl, or C3-4cycloalkyl.

When the dotted line together with the solid line forms a single bond R8 is preferably C3-4cycloalkyl, especially cyclopropyl.

When R5 and/or R6 are CO2R7 or SR7, R7 is preferably not hydrogen.

In the present invention, R9 and Rl° are preferably independently Cl 4alkyl e. g. one of R9 and Rl° is hydrogen and the other is ethyl, or combine to form a 4-8- membered heterocyclic ring. R9 and Rl° are preferably not both hydrogen.

In the present invention, R99 and Rloo are preferably C0-4alkyl.

In the present invention, m is preferably 0.

In the present invention, n is preferably 2 or 3.

A preferred group of compounds are compounds of Formula (I), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein: Q is 4-tetrahydropyranyl; T together with the-N=C-to which it is attached forms a 2-pyrazinyl or 2- thiazolyl ring; R1 and R2 are hydrogen; R3 and R4 each independently are hydrogen or fluoro; R5 is SO2R8, or SO2NR9R10 ; R6 is hydrogen; R8 is a C3-scycloalkyl group or a 4-6-membered heterocyclic group, and, in addition, when the dotted line together with the solid line forms a double bond R8 may be a Cl 3alkyl group; R9 and Rl° are independently Co-4alkyl, provided that R9 and Rl° are not both hydrogen; m is 0; and the dotted line together with the solid line forms an optional double bond, and A indicates that the double bond has the (E)-configuration.

A more preferred group of compounds are compounds of Formula (I), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein: Q is 4-tetrahydropyranyl ; T together with the-N=C-to which it is attached forms a 2-pyrazinyl or 2- thiazolyl ring; Rl and R2 are hydrogen; R3 and each independently are hydrogen or fluoro; Rs is SO2R8 ; R6 is hydrogen; R8 is a C3 5cycloalkyl group and, in addition, when the dotted line together with the solid line forms a double bond R8 may be a Cl 3alkyl group; m is 0; and the dotted line together with the solid line forms an optional double bond, and A indicates that the double bond has the (E)-configuration.

Specific compounds of the invention which may be mentioned are those described in the Examples, in particular Examples 1 to 201, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Specific compounds of the invention which may be mentioned are: (2R)-2-(4-Cyclopropanesulfonylphenyl)-N-(5-fluorothiazol-2-y l)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionamide; (2R)-2- (4-Cyclopropanesulfonylphenyl)-N-pyrazin-2-yl-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) propionamide; (2R)-2- (4-Cyclobutanesulfonylphenyl)-N-pyrazin-2-yl-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) propionamide; (2R)-2- (4-Cyclobutanesulfonylphenyl)-N-(5-fluorothiazol-2-yl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionamide; and (E)-N- (5-Fluorothiazol-2-yl)-2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) acrylamide; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In particular the compounds: (2R)-2- (4-Cyclopropanesulfonylphenyl)-N- (5-fluorothiazol-2-yl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionamide; (2R)-2- (4-Cyclopropanesulfonylphenyl)-N-pyrazin-2-yl-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) propionamide ; and (E)-N- (5-Fluorothiazol-2-yl)-2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) acrylamide; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

While the preferred groups for each variable have generally been listed above separately for each variable, preferred compounds of this invention include those in which several or each variable in Formula (I) is selected from the preferred, more preferred, most preferred, especially or particularly listed groups for each variable. Therefore, this invention is intended to include all combinations of preferred, more preferred, most preferred, especially and particularly listed groups.

As used herein, unless stated otherwise,"alkyl"as well as other groups having the prefix"alk"such as, for example, alkoxy, alkanyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and the like, means carbon chains which may be linear or branched or combinations thereof. Examples of alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, sec- and tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl and the like."Alkenyl","alkynyl"and other like terms include carbon chains having at least one unsaturated carbon-carbon bond.

As used herein, for example,"Co-4alkyl"is used to mean an alkyl having 0-4 carbons-that is, 0,1, 2,3, or 4 carbons in a straight or branched configuration. An alkyl having no carbon is hydrogen when the alkyl is a terminal group. An alkyl having no carbon is a direct bond when the alkyl is a bridging (connecting) group.

The terms"cycloalkyl"and"carbocyclic ring"mean carbocycles containing no heteroatoms, and include mono-, bi-, and tricyclic saturated carbocycles, as well as fused and bridged systems. Such fused ring systems can include one ring that is partially or fully unsaturated, such as a benzene ring, to form fused ring systems, such as benzofused carbocycles. Cycloalkyl includes such fused ring systems as spirofused ring systems. Examples of cycloalkyl and carbocyclic rings include C3-gcycloalkyl such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and decahydronaphthalene, adamantane, indanyl, 1,2, 3, 4-tetrahydronaphthalene and the like.

The term"halogen"includes fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine atoms.

The term"aryl"includes, for example, phenyl and naphthyl.

Unless otherwise stated, the term"heterocyclic ring"includes 4-8-membered saturated rings containing one or two heteroatoms chosen from oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen. The heteroatoms are not directly attached to one another. Examples of heterocyclic rings include oxetane, tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydropyran, oxepane, oxocane, thietane, tetrahydrothiophene, tetrahydrothiopyran, thiepane, thiocane, azetidine, pyrrolidine, piperidine, azepane, azocane, [1, 3] dioxane, oxazolidine, piperazine, and the like. Other examples of heterocyclic rings include the oxidised forms of the sulfur-containing rings. Thus, tetrahydrothiophene 1-oxide, tetrahydrothiophene 1, 1-dioxide, tetrahydrothiopyran 1-oxide, and tetrahydrothiopyran 1, 1-dioxide are also considered to be heterocyclic rings.

Unless otherwise stated, the term"heteroaryl"includes 5-or 6-membered heteroaryl rings containing 1-4 heteroatoms chosen from oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen.

Examples of such heteroaryl rings are furyl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, triazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, tetrazolyl, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, and triazinyl.

The above formulas are shown without a definitive stereochemistry at certain positions. The present invention includes all stereoisomers (e. g. geometric isomers, optical isomers, diastereoisomers, etc. ) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, except where specifically drawn or stated otherwise. Further, mixtures of stereoisomers as well as isolated specific stereoisomers are also included, except where specifically drawn or stated otherwise. During the course of the synthetic procedures used to prepare such compounds, or in using racemization or epimerization procedures known to those skilled in the art, the products of such procedures can be a mixture of stereoisomers. When a tautomer of the compound of the above formulas exists, the present invention includes any possible tautomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and mixtures thereof, except where specifically drawn or stated otherwise. When the compound of the above formulas and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof exist in the form of solvates or polymorphic forms, the present invention includes any possible solvates and polymorphic forms. A type of a solvent that forms the solvate is not particularly limited so long as the solvent is pharmacologically acceptable. For example, water, ethanol, propanol, acetone or the like can be used.

Since the compounds of Formula (1) are intended for pharmaceutical use they are preferably provided in substantially pure form, for example at least 60% pure, more suitably at least 75% pure, especially at least 98% pure (% are on a weight for weight basis).

The invention also encompasses a pharmaceutical composition that is comprised of a compound of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Preferably the composition is comprised of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a non-toxic therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula (I) as described above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Moreover, within this preferred embodiment, the invention encompasses a pharmaceutical composition for the prophylaxis or treatment of hyperglycemia and diabetes by the activation of GK, comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a non-toxic therapeutically effective amount of compound of Formula (I) as described above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The invention also provides the use of a compound of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as a pharmaceutical.

The compounds and compositions of the present invention are effective for treating hyperglycemia in mammals such as, for example, humans.

The invention also provides a method of prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of a condition where activation of GK is desirable comprising a step of administering an effective amount of a compound of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The invention also provides a method of prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of hyperglycemia or diabetes comprising a step of administering an effective amount of a compound of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The invention also provides a method of prevention of diabetes in a human demonstrating pre-diabetic hyperglycemia or impaired glucose tolerance comprising a step of administering an effective prophylactic amount of a compound of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The invention also provides the use of a compound of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as a GK activator.

The invention also provides the use of a compound of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of hyperglycemia or diabetes.

The invention also provides the use of a compound of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the prevention of diabetes in a human demonstrating pre-diabetic hyperglycemia or impaired glucose tolerance.

The invention also provides the use of a compound of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for the activation of GK.

The invention also provides the use of a compound of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of hyperglycemia or diabetes.

The invention also provides the use of a compound of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention of diabetes in a human demonstrating pre-diabetic hyperglycemia or impaired glucose tolerance.

The compounds and compositions of the present invention may be optionally employed in combination with one or more other anti-diabetic agents or anti- hyperglycemic agents, which include, for example, sulfonylureas (e. g. glyburide, glimepiride, glipyride, glipizide, chlorpropamide, gliclazide, glisoxepid, acetohexamide, glibornuride, tolbutamide, tolazamide, carbutamide, gliquidone, glyhexamide, phenbutamide, tolcyclamide, etc. ), biguanides (e. g. metformin, phenformin, bufonnin, etc. ), glucagon antagonists (e. g. a peptide or non-peptide glucagon antagonist), glucosidase inhibitors (e. g. acarbose, miglitol, etc. ), insulin secetagogues, insulin sensitizers (e. g. troglitazone, rosiglitazone, pioglitazone, etc. ) and the like; or anti-obesity agents (e. g. sibutramine, orlistat, etc. ) and the like. The compounds and compositions of the present invention and the other anti-diabetic agents or anti-hyperglycemic agents may be administered simultaneously, sequentially or separately.

The term"pharmaceutically acceptable salts"refers to salts prepared from pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic bases or acids. When the compound of the present invention is acidic, its corresponding salt can be conveniently prepared from pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic bases, including inorganic bases and organic bases. Salts derived from such inorganic bases include aluminum, ammonium, calcium, cupric, cuprous, ferric, ferrous, lithium, magnesium, manganic, manganous, potassium, sodium, zinc and the like salts. Particularly preferred are the ammonium, calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium salts. Salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptable organic non-toxic bases include salts of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, as well as cyclic amines and substituted amines such as naturally occurring and synthetic amines. Other phannaceutically acceptable organic non-toxic bases from which salts can be formed include, for example, arginin, betaine, caffeine, choline, N', N'-dibenzylethylenediamine, diethylamine, 2- diethylaminoethanol, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, ethanolamine, ethylenediamine, N- ethylmorpholine, N-ethylpiperidine, glucamine, glucosamine, histidine, isopropylamine, lysine, methylglucamine, morpholine, piperazine, piperidine, polyamine resins, procaine, purines, theobromine, triethylamine, trimethylamine, tripropylamine, tromethamine and the like.

When the compound of the present invention is basic, its corresponding salt can be conveniently prepared from pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic acids, including inorganic and organic acids. Such acids include, for example, acetic, benzenesulfonic, benzoic, camphorsulfonic, citric, ethanesulfonic, fumaric, gluconic, glutamic, hydrobromic, hydrochloric, isethionic, lactic, maleic, malic, mandelic, methanesulfonic, mucic, nitric, pamoic, pantothenic, phosphoric, succinic, sulfuric, tartaric, p-toluenesulfonic acid and the like. Particularly preferred are citric, hydrobromic, hydrochloric, maleic, phosphoric, sulfuric, methanesulfonic, and tartaric acids.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention comprise a compound of Formula (1), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as an active ingredient, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and optionally other therapeutic ingredients or adjuvants. The compositions include compositions suitable for oral, rectal, topical, and parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous) administration, as well as administration through inhaling, although the most suitable route in any given case will depend on the particular host, and nature and severity of the conditions for which the active ingredient is being administered.

The pharmaceutical compositions may be conveniently presented in unit dosage form and prepared by any of the methods well known in the art of pharmacy.

The pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention are preferably adapted for oral administration.

In practice, the compounds of Formula (1), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, of this invention can be combined as the active ingredient in intimate admixture with a pharmaceutical carrier according to conventional pharmaceutical compounding techniques. The carrier may take a wide variety of forms depending on the form of preparation desired for administration, e. g. oral or parenteral (including intravenous). Thus, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be presented as discrete units suitable for oral administration such as capsules, cachets or tablets each containing a predetermined amount of the active ingredient. Further, the compositions can be presented as a powder, as granules, as a solution, as a suspension in an aqueous liquid, as a non-aqueous liquid, as an oil-in-water emulsion, or as a water-in-oil liquid emulsion. In addition to the common dosage forms set out above, the compound represented by Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, may also be administered by controlled release means and/or delivery devices. The compositions may be prepared by any of the methods of pharmacy. In general, such methods include a step of bringing into association the active ingredient with the carrier that constitutes one or more necessary ingredients. In general, the compositions are prepared by uniformly and intimately admixing the active ingredient with liquid carriers or finely divided solid carriers or both. The product can then be conveniently shaped into the desired presentation.

Thus, the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may include a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a compound of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds of Formula (I), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, can also be included in pharmaceutical compositions in combination with one or more other therapeutically active compounds.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention include a pharmaceutically acceptable liposomal formulation containing a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The pharmaceutical carrier employed can be, for example, a solid, liquid, or gas. Examples of solid carriers include lactose, terra alba, sucrose, talc, gelatin, agar, pectin, acacia, magnesium stearate, and stearic acid. Examples of liquid carriers are sugar syrup, peanut oil, olive oil, and water. Examples of gaseous carriers include carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

In preparing the compositions for oral dosage form, any convenient pharmaceutical media may be employed. For example, water, glycols, oils, alcohols, flavoring agents, preservatives, coloring agents, and the like may be used to form oral liquid preparations such as suspensions, elixirs and solutions; while carriers such as starches, sugars, microcrystalline cellulose, diluents, granulating agents, lubricants, binders, disintegrating agents, and the like may be used to form oral solid preparations such as powders, capsules and tablets. Because of their ease of administration, tablets and capsules are the preferred oral dosage units whereby solid pharmaceutical carriers are employed. Optionally, tablets may be coated by standard aqueous or nonaqueous techniques.

A tablet containing the composition of this invention may be prepared by compression or molding, optionally with one or more accessory ingredients or adjuvants. Compressed tablets may be prepared by compressing, in a suitable machine, the active ingredient in a free-flowing form such as powder or granules, optionally mixed with a binder, lubricant, inert diluent, surface active or dispersing agent or other such excipient. These excipients may be, for example, inert diluents such as calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, lactose, calcium phosphate or sodium phosphate; granulating and disintegrating agents, for example, corn starch, or alginic acid; binding agents, for example, starch, gelatin or acacia; and lubricating agents, for example, magnesium stearate, stearic acid or talc. The tablets may be uncoated or they may be coated by known techniques to delay disintegration and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and thereby provide a sustained action over a longer time. For example, a time delay material such as glyceryl monostearate or glyceryl distearate may be used.

In hard gelatin capsules, the active ingredient is mixed with an inert solid diluent, for example, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate or kaolin. In soft gelatin capsules, the active ingredient is mixed with water or an oil medium, for example, peanut oil, liquid paraffin or olive oil. Molded tablets may be made by molding in a suitable machine, a mixture of the powdered compound moistened with an inert liquid diluent. Each tablet preferably contains from about 0. 05mg to about 5g of the active ingredient and each cachet or capsule preferably containing from about 0. 05mg to about 5g of the active ingredient.

For example, a formulation intended for the oral administration to humans may contain from about O. 5mg to about 5g of active agent, compounded with an appropriate and convenient amount of carrier material which may vary from about 5 to about 95 percent of the total composition. Unit dosage forms will generally contain between from about lmg to about 2g of the active ingredient, typically 25mg, 50mg, 100mg, 200mg, 300mg, 400mg, 500mg, 600mg, 800mg, or 1000mg.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention suitable for parenteral administration may be prepared as solutions or suspensions of the active compounds in water. A suitable surfactant can be included such as, for example, hydroxypropylcellulose. Dispersions can also be prepared in glycerol, liquid polyethylene glycols, and mixtures thereof in oils. Further, a preservative can be included to prevent the detrimental growth of microorganisms.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention suitable for injectable use include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions. Furthermore, the compositions can be in the form of sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of such sterile injectable solutions or dispersions. In all cases, the final injectable form must be sterile and must be effectively fluid for easy syringability. The pharmaceutical compositions must be stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage; thus, preferably should be preserved against the contaminating action of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (e. g. glycerol, propylene glycol and liquid polyethylene glycol), vegetable oils, and suitable mixtures thereof.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be in a form suitable for topical use such as, for example, an aerosol, cream, ointment, lotion, dusting powder, or the like. Further, the compositions can be in a form suitable for use in transdermal devices. These formulations may be prepared, utilizing a compound of Formula (1), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, via conventional processing methods. As an example, a cream or ointment is prepared by admixing hydrophilic material and water, together with about 5wt% to about l Owt% of the compound, to produce a cream or ointment having a desired consistency.

Pharmaceutical compositions of this invention can be in a form suitable for rectal administration wherein the carrier is a solid. It is preferable that the mixture forms unit dose suppositories. Suitable carriers include cocoa butter and other materials commonly used in the art. The suppositories may be conveniently formed by first admixing the composition with the softened or melted carrier (s) followed by chilling and shaping in molds.

Pharmaceutical compositions of this invention can be in a form suitable for inhaled administration. Such administration can be in forms and utilizing carriers described in, for example, 1) Particulate Interactions in Dry Powder Formulations for Inhalation, Xian Zeng et al, 2000, Taylor and Francis, 2) Pharmaceutical Inhalation Aerosol Technology. Anthony Hickey, 1992, Marcel Dekker, 3) Respiratory Drug Delivery, 1990, Editor: P. R. Byron, CRC Press.

In addition to the aforementioned carrier ingredients, the pharmaceutical compositions described above may include, as appropriate, one or more additional carrier ingredients such as diluents, buffers, flavoring agents, binders, surface-active agents, thickeners, lubricants, preservatives (including anti-oxidants) and the like.

Furthermore, other adjuvants can be included to render the formulation isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient. Compositions containing a compound of Formula (1), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, may also be prepared in powder or liquid concentrate form.

Generally, dosage levels on the order of from about O. Olmg/kg to about 150mg/kg of body weight per day are useful in the treatment of the above-indicated conditions, or alternatively about 0. 5mg to about lOg per patient per day. For example, diabetes may be effectively treated by the administration of from about 0. 01 to 1 00mg of the compound per kilogram of body weight per day, or alternatively about 0. 5mg to about 7g per patient per day.

It is understood, however, that the specific dose level for any particular patient will depend upon a variety of factors including the age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, time of administration, route of administration, rate of excretion, drug combination and the severity of the disease in the particular diabetic patient undergoing therapy. Further, it is understood that the compounds and salts thereof of this invention can be administered at subtherapeutic levels prophylactically in anticipation of a hyperglycemic condition.

The compounds of Formula (I) may exhibit advantageous properties compared to known glucokinase activators, e. g. as illustrated in the assays described herein. In particular compounds of the invention may exhibit improved values for Km, Vmax EC50, maximum activation (glucose concentration = 5mM), and/or maximum blood glucose reduction on basal blood glucose levels (e. g. in C57BL/6J mice), or other advantageous pharmacological properties, compared to known GK activators EXPERIMENTAL In accordance with this invention, the compounds of Formula (Ia) can be prepared following the protocol illustrated in Scheme 1 below: SCHEME 1 wherein Q, T, R1-R6, m and A are as described above, and Rl l is Co4aLkyl.

The aldehydes II and phenylacetic acids or esters III are commercially available or are readily prepared using known techniques. When Q represents an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, IV may be prepared by the Perkin reaction (G.

Karminski-Zamola et al., Tetrahedron 1982, 38, 1329-1335). In this reaction, II is condensed with the phenylacetic acid III (Rl l = Coalkyl) in the presence of a carboxylic acid anhydride, e. g. acetic anhydride, and a tertiary amine base, e. g. triethylamine, at reflux to give the acrylic acid IV. Alternatively, IV may be prepared through the condensation of II and III (Rl I = COaLkyl) under the influence of an amine base, such as piperidine, in toluene under reflux (D. Deschenes et al. , WO 01/46151).

When Q is a heterocyclic ring, the a-carbanion of the phenylacetic ester III (Rl = Ci- 4alkyl), generated at-78°C in, for example, tetrahydrofuran, by a strong base, e. g. lithium diisopropylamide, may be condensed with II to give an a, 3-unsaturated ester (T. Severin et al. Chem. Ber. 1985, 118, 4760-4773) that may be saponified using, for example, sodium hydroxide (W. L. Corbett et al. , WO 01/44216), to produce IV.

The a,/. 3 unsaturated carboxylic acids IV may be condensed with heteroaromatic amines V, many of which are commercially available, using a variety of coupling conditions, e. g. polymer supported carbodiimide-1-hydroxybenzotriazole in N,N-dimethylformamide at 20°C (for representative procedures, see http://www. argotech. com/PDF/resins/pscarbodiimide. pdfand available from Argonaut Technologies, Inc. , Foster City, California), to give (Ia).

The compounds of Formula (Ib) can be made by the route displayed in Scheme 2 below: SCHEME 2 wherein Q, T, Rl-R6 and m are as described above, V is CO2R"or CO2CH2Ph, and X is chloro, bromo, iodo, or-OSO2R12 ; wherein Rll is as described above and R12 is Cl 4alkyl, optionally substituted with one or more fluorines, or optionally substituted aryl.

The halides and sulfonate esters VI are commercially available or are readily prepared using known techniques. These alkylating agents may be reacted with the dianions of the phenylacetic acids VII, generated at-78°C in tetrahydrofuran with >2 equivalents of a strong base, such as lithium diisopropylamide, to generate VIII directly (F. T. Bizzarro et al. , WO 00/58293). Alternatively, the a-carbanion of phenylacetic ester VII, generated at-78°C in tetrahydrofuran by a strong base, such as lithium bis (trimethylsilyl) amide (L. Snyder et al., J. Org. Chem. 1994, 59, 7033- 7037), can be alkylated by VI to give a-substituted esters. Saponification of these esters, employing, for example, sodium hydroxide in aqueous methanol at 20°C to reflux, leads to the carboxylic acids VIII.

The carboxylic acids VIII may be condensed with heteroaromatic amines V using a variety of coupling conditions, e. g. polymer supported carbodiimide-l- hydroxybenzotriazole in N, N-dimethylformamide at 20°C (for representative procedures, see http://www. argotech. com/PDF/resins/ps_carbodiimide. pdf and available from Argonaut Technologies, Inc. , Foster City, California), to give amides (Ib).

The compound of Formula (Ib) has an asymmetric carbon atom which interlinks the amide carbonyl carbon, the aryl ring, and the Q-containing sidechain. In accordance with this invention, the preferred stereoconfiguration at the asymmetric centre is (R).

If one desires to isolate the pure (R)-or (S)-stereoisomers of the compound of Formula (Ib), it is possible to resolve a racemic mixture of the chiral carboxylic acid precursor VIII by any conventional chemical means and then condense the enantiopure carboxylic acids with an amine of formula V using a reagent that causes negligible racemisation. By way of illustration, racemic VIII can be condensed with a chiral oxazolidinone derivative (see, for instance, F. T. Bizzarro et al. WO 00/58293) to generate a mixture of diastereoisomeric imides that are separable by any conventional method, e. g. column chromatography. Hydrolysis of the pure imides affords the stereopure (R)-and (@-carboxylic acids that can then be condensed with heterocyclic amines V, employing a reagent that minimises racemisation of the chiral centre, e. g. benzotriazol-l-yloxytris (pyrrolidino) phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (J. Coste et al. Tetrahedron Lett. 1990, 31, 205-208), to furnish enantiopure (R)-or (@-amides of Formula (Ib). Alternatively, a racemic mixture of amides of Formula (Ib) can be separated by means of chiral high performance liquid chromatography employing a chiral stationary phase which can be purchased from, for example, Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd, Tokyo, Japan.

Further details for the preparation of the compounds of Formula (I) are found in the examples.

The compounds of Formula (I) may be prepared singly or as compound libraries comprising at least 2, for example 5 to 1,000, compounds and more preferably 10 to 100 compounds of Formula (I). Compound libraries may be prepared by a combinatorial"split and mix"approach or by multiple parallel synthesis using either solution or solid phase chemistry, using procedures known to those skilled in the art.

During the synthesis of the compounds of Formula (I), labile functional groups in the intermediate compounds, e. g. hydroxy, carboxy and amino groups, may be protected. The protecting groups may be removed at any stage in the synthesis of the compounds of Formula (1) or may be present on the final compound of Formula (I).

A comprehensive discussion of the ways in which various labile functional groups may be protected and methods for cleaving the resulting protected derivatives is given in, for example, Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry, T. W. Greene and P. G. M.

Wuts, (1991) Wiley-Interscience, New York, 2nd edition.

Any novel intermediates as defined above are also included within the scope of the invention.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a compound of Formula (IV) and the use of such compounds in the synthesis of GK activators: wherein Q, Rl, Ra, R5, R6, m and A are as described for Formula (I).

Preferred compounds of formula (IV) are those wherein: Q is 4-tetrahydropyranyl ; Rl and R2 are hydrogen; Rs is Sorb, or SO2NR9Rl° ; R6 is hydrogen; R8 is a C1-3alkyl group, a C3-scycloalkyl group or a 4-6-membered heterocyclic group; R9 and Rl° are independently Co-4alkyl, provided that R9 and Rl° are not both hydrogen ; m is 0; and A indicates that the double bond has the (E)-configuration.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a compound of Formula (VIII) and the use of such compounds in the synthesis of GK activators: wherein Q, Rl, R2, R5, R6 and m are as described for Formula (I).

Preferred compounds of formula (VIII) are those wherein: Q is 4-tetrahydropyranyl; Rl and R2 are hydrogen; Rs is SO2R8, or SO2NR9Rl° ; R6 is hydrogen; R8 is a C3 5cycloaLkyl group or a 4-6-membered heterocyclic group; R9 and Rl° are independently Coalkyi, provided that R9 and Rl° are not both hydrogen; and m is 0.

The preferences for the various substituent groups in the compounds of Formulae (IV) and (VIII) are as described above for the compounds of Formula (I).

Specific compounds of Formulae (IV) and (VIII) include those described in the Preparations.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is also provided 5- fluorothiazol-2-ylamine or an amide or acid addition salt thereof. In particular the invention provides the amides and acid addition salts of this compound. Suitable acid addition salts include those formed with inorganic and organic acids. Such acids include, for example, acetic, trifluoroacetic, benzenesulfonic, benzoic, camphorsulfonic, citric, ethanesulfonic, fumaric, gluconic, glutamic, hydrobromic, hydrochloric, hydrofluoric isethionic, lactic, maleic, malic, mandelic, methanesulfonic, mucic, nitric, pamoic, pantothenic, phosphoric, succinic, sulfuric, tartaric, p-toluenesulfonic acid, triflic and the like. Particularly preferred are the hydrohalide salts especially the hydrochloride. The amides and acid addition salts of 5-fluorothiazol-2-ylamine may be useful as intermediates for the synthesis of compounds of Formula (1) or may themeselves act as GK activators and hence be of use in the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of hyperglycemia and type II diabetes.

All publications, including, but not limited to, patents and patent application cited in this specification, are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference herein as fully set forth.

Materials and methods Microwave reactions were performed in a CEM Explorer system at 100W. Column chromatography was carried out on Si02 (40-63 mesh) unless specified otherwise.

LCMS data were obtained employing one of two methods: Method A: Waters Symmetry 3. 5, u Cls column (2.1 x 30. 0mm, flow rate = 0. 8mL/min) eluting with a (5% MeCN in H2O)-MeCN solution containing 0. 1%HCO2H over 6min and UV detection at 220nm. Gradient information: 0. 0-1. 2min: 100% (5% MeCN in H20) ; 1.2-3. 8min: Ramp up to 10% (5% MeCN in H20)-90% MeCN ; 3.8-4. 4min: Hold at 10% (5% MeCN in H20)-90% MeCN ; 4.4-5. 5min: Ramp up to 100% MeCN ; 5.5- 6. 0min : Return to 100% (5% MeCN in H20). Method B: Phenomenex Mercury Luna 3µ C18 column (2.0 x 10. 0mm, flow rate = 1. 5mL/min), eluting with a (5% MeCN in H20)-MeCN solution (4: 1 to 1: 4) containing 0. 1% HC02H over 2. 95min, & employing diode array detection. The mass spectra for both Methods A and B were obtained employing an electrospray ionisation source in either the positive (ES+) ion or negative ion (ES-) mode. Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionisation (APCI) spectra were obtained on a FinniganMat SSQ 7000C instrument. The syntheses of the following compounds have been reported previously: 2-Amino-5-chloro-4- methylthiazole: S. Kyoichi et al. EP 412404; 2-Amino-5-formylthiazole : M. D.

Frishberg US Patent No. 4,225, 719; 5-Amino- [1, 2,4] thiadiazole hydrochloride: Y.

Yoshida et al. Bioorg Med. Chem. 2000, 8, 2317-2335; 2-Chloromethylthiophene: G.

Norcini et al. US Patent No. 5,716, 943; Ethyl (4-mercaptophenyl) acetate : F. Gadient Ger. Offen. 2442979; Ethyl 4- (methylsulfanylphenyl) acetate: M. Kiuchi et al. J Med Chem. 2000, 43, 2946-2961; Ethyl (4-propylsulfanylphenyl) acetate: N. P. Buu-Hoi et al. Chien. Ther. 1967,2, 39-48 ; Ethyl (4- [1, 2,3] triazol-1-ylphenyl) acetate: G. Biagi et al. Farmaco Ed. Sci. 1988, 43, 597-611; Ethyl (4- [1, 2,4] triazol-1-ylphenyl) acetate: M. Artico et al. Eur. J. Med. Chem. 1992,27, 219-228; (3-Fluoro-4- methylsulfanylphenyl) acetic acid: L. B. Snyder and Z. Zheng WO 00/10566 ; 4- Iodomethyltetrahydropyran : D. J. Anderson et al. WO 95/30670; 4- Iodotetrahydropyran : Heuberger and OwenJ J Chem. Soc. 1952,910-913 ; Methyl (3- bromo-4-methylsulfanylphenyl) acetate: F. T. Bizzarro et al. WO 00/58293 ; Methyl 4-tert-butoxycarbonylmethylbenzoate : F. Agnelli and G. A. Sulikowski Tetrahedron Lett. 1998, 39, 8807-8810 ; (4-Methylsulfanylmethylphenyl) acetic acid: T. Tanaka et al. JP 54079247; (3R)-3- (Tosyloxy) tetrahydrofuran: A. Bouzide et al. Tetrahedron Lett. 2001, 42, 8781-8783; (3S)-3-(Tosyloxy)tetrahydrofuran : F. J. A. Hundscheid et al. Tetrahedron 1987, 43, 5073-5088; 3- (Tosyloxy) oxetane: K. Baum et al. J. Org.

Chez. 1983, 48, 2953-2956. (E)-2-Phenyl-3-thiophen-2-yl acrylic acid was purchased from Maybridge (Tintagel, UK).

Abbreviations and acronyms: Ac: Acetyl ; i-Am : Isopentyl; ATP: Adenosine 5'-triphosphate ; BOP: Benzotriazol-1-yloxytris (dimethylamino) phosphonium hexafluorophosphate; n-Bu : n-Butyl ; t-Bu : tert-Butyl ; Bz: Benzoyl; dba: dibenzylideneacetone ; DIPEA: N, N-Diisopropylethylamine ; DMAc : N, N- Dimethylacetamide; DME: 1,2-Dimethoxyethane ; DMF: N, N-Dimethylformamide ; DMPU: 1, 3-Dimethyl-3, 4,5, 6-tetrahydro-2 (lH)-pyrimidinone ; DMSO: Dimethylsulfoxide ; DPEPhos: Bis (2-diphenylphosphinophenyl) ether; EDCI: 1- (3- Dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride; Et: Ethyl; FA: Fold activation; GK: Glucokinase; Glc: Glucose; G6P: Glucose-6-phosphate ; G6PDH: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase; GST-GK: Glutathione S-transferase- Glucokinase fusion protein; HATU: 0-(7-Azabenzotriazol-l-yl)-N, N, N', N'- tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate ; HOBt : 1-Hydroxybenzotriazole ; IH: Isohexane; i-Pr : Isopropyl ; LDA: Lithium diisopropylamide; LHMDS: Lithium bis (trimethylsilyl) amide; mCPBA : 3-Chloroperoxybenzoic acid; Me: Methyl; mp: Melting point; NADP (H) : ß-Nicotinamide adenille dinucleotide phosphate (reduced); NBS: N-Bromosuccinimide ; Ph: Phenyl; PS: Polymer supported ; RF : Retention factor; RT: Retention time; RTA : Retention time with Method A; RTB : Retention time with Method B; RP-HPLC: Reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography; TBA-OX: Tetrabutylammonium oxone; TFA: Trifluoroacetic acid; TFAA: Trifluoroacetic anhydride; TFFH : Fluoro-N, N, N', N'-tetramethylformamidinium hexafluorophosphate; THF : Tetrahydrofuran.

Preparation 1: (E)-2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-thiophen-3-ylacrylic acid A mixture of 3-thiophenecarboxaldehyde (1.40mL, 15. 0mmol), (4- methanesulfonylphenyl) acetic acid (3.23g, 15. 0mmol), and piperidine (0.45mL, 4. 5mmol) in PhMe (21mL) was heated under reflux with stirring for 16h. On cooling, the PhMe was decanted off from the oily solid that had settled at the bottom of the reaction vessel. This solid was partitioned between 1M HC1 (60mL) and EtOAc (400mL), then the aqueous phase was extracted further with EtOAc (60mL). The combined organic layers were washed with H20 (60mL), before being shaken with saturated aqueous Na2C03 (100mL). The resulting emulsion was filtered through Celite. The organic layer was extracted further with saturated aqueous Na2C03 (2 x 100mL). The combined aqueous layers were washed with Et20 (80mL), before being filtered through Celite and carefully acidified with AcOH to adjust the pH to 4. The off-white precipitate formed was collected, washed thoroughly with H20, and air dried to furnished the title compound: mlz (ES) = 634.2 [2M+ NH4+.

Several other acrylic acids were prepared (TABLE 1) by the piperidine- catalysed condensation of (4-methanesulfonylphenyl) acetic acid with the appropriate heteroaromatic aldehyde as described in Preparation 1.

TABLE 1 Prep Structure Name mzz (ES s W 2 t OH (4-2-(4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-thiophen-634. 1 osxJC ° 2-ylacrylicacid [2M+NH4] o 0 o 3 X OH (@-3-Furan-2-yl-2-(4-310. 1 o {methanesulfonylphenyl) acrylic acid [MA NH4] ° b erz \ N 4 $ oH (E)-2-(4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-thiazol-2-310. 2 , sx ° ylacrylicacid [M+ H] + asz N N j] (E)-2- (4-Methanesulfbnylphenyl)-3-pyndin- 345. 1 , 3-ylacrylic acid [M+ MeCN + H] + /lot O i 6 1l (E)-2-(4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-(5-340. 1 \ methylthiophen-2-yl) acrylic acid [M+ NH4] + /O O CI ci (E)-3- (5-Chlorothiophen-2-yl)-2- (4- 360. 0 methanesulfonylphenyl) acrylic acid [M+NH4] + % % 0 zu Nos NBS i 8 OH (E)-2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-thiazol-5- 310. 1 , sx ° ylacrylic acid [M+ H] + ouzo ob 0 Preparation 9: (E)-2-(4-Bromophenyl)-3-furan-2-ylacrylic acid A mixture of 4-bromophenylacetic acid (12.90g, 60. 0mmol), 2- furancarboxaldehyde (6. 0mL, 72. 0mmol), NEt3 (12. 0mL, 86. 4mmol), and Ac20 (12. 0mL, 127. 2mmol) were heated at 140°C (bath) with stirring for 13/4h. The reaction mixture was cooled in an ice bath, before being treated with 2M HCl (30mL) to adjust the pH to 1. A solid precipitated out of solution. This solid was extracted into Et2O (500mL). The Et2O layer was washed with H20 (lOOmL), before being extracted with 5% w/v aqueous Na2C03 solution (5 x 100mL). The aqueous extracts were washed with Et2O (2 x 50mL), before being carefully acidified with AcOH to pH 6. The cream solid generated was collected, washed with H20, and recrystallised from MeOH-H20 to give the title compound: m/z (ES+) = 604.0 [2M + NH4]+.

The Perkin Condensation, using NEt3 and Ac2O, was used to make other acrylic acids (TABLE 2) from the appropriate arylacetic acid and (hetero) aromatic aldehyde as described in Preparation 9.

TABLE 2 Prep Structure Name m/z (ES2) 10 X (E)-2-(4-Bromophenyl)-3-thiophen-2-636. 1 w I QH ylacrylic acid [2M+ NH4) Brw er I/o ()-3-Furan-2-yl-2- (4-methoxyphenyl) acrylic 245. 4 OH acid fm+Hl+ - 0 ° i (E)-2- (4-Nitrophenyl)-3-thiophen-2-ylacrylic 568. 2 )))"id [2M+NH4] Po 'N /S i 13 t OH (E)-2-(4-Cyanophenyl)-3-thiophen-2-528. 2 NsX ylacrylic acid [2M', NH4] zozo NEZ \ 14 E)-2- (4-Cyanophenyl)-3-phenylacrylic acid 516. 3 JLJ o o N Preparation 15: Ethyl (4-methanesulfonylphenyl) acetate SOC12 (8.2mL, 112. 0mmol) was added to a stirred suspension of (4- methanesulfonylphenyl) acetic acid (20. 00g, 93. 3mmol) in EtOH (80mL) at-10°C.

The mixture was allowed to warm up to 20°C over 16h, then the solvents were removed under reduced pressure. The remainder was dissolved in EtOAc, then the resulting solution was washed with H20 until the pH of the aqueous phase was neutral. The EtOAc solution was washed further with saturated aqueous Na2C03, before being dried (MgS04). Filtration and solvent evaporation furnished the title compound: m/z (ES+) = 284.1 [M+ MeCN + H] +.

Preparation 16: Ethyl (4-methylsulfanylmethylphenyl) acetate (4-Methylsulfanylmethylphenyl) acetic acid (2. 00g, 10.2mmol) was esterified as described above in Preparation 15 to give the title compound : mlz (ES) = 242.2 [M + NH4] +.

Preparation 17: Ethyl (3-fluoro-4-methylsulfanylphenyl) acetate (3-Fluoro-4-methylsulfanylphenyl) acetic acid (7.54g, 37. 7mmol) was esterified as described above in Preparation 15 to give the title compound: RTA = 3. 62min.

Preparation 18: Ethyl (4-methanesulfinylphenyl) acetate mCPBA (3. 82g of 65% pure, 22. 2mmol) was added portionwise to a stirred solution of ethyl 4- (methylsulfanylphenyl) acetate (4.66g, 22. 2mmol) in CH2C12 (70mL) while cooling with an ice-H2O bath. The mixture was stirred for 4d at 20°C, before being quenched with saturated aqueous Na2CO3. The organic layer was separated, washed with saturated aqueous NaHC03, and dried (MgS04). Filtration, solvent evaporation, and flash chromatography (IH-EtOAc, 1: 1 to 0: 1) furnished the title compound: mlz (ES) = 227.0 [M+ H] +.

Preparation 19: Ethyl (4-ethanesulfonylphenyl) acetate Alkylation of ethyl (4-mercaptophenyl) acetate (20g, 102mmol) with EtI (9.8mL, 122mmol), using a similar procedure to that described in Preparation 39, furnished ethyl (4-ethylsulfanylphenyl) acetate: m/z (ES+) = 225.2 [M+ H] +.

Oxidation of this compound (22.6g, 101mmol) with mCPBA (222mmol), employing a protocol similar to that described in Preparation 22, provided the title compound : m/z (ES+) = 298.2 [M+ MeCN + H] +.

Preparation 20: Ethyl [4-(propane-1-sulfonyl) phenyl] acetate Ethyl (4-propylsulfanylphenyl) acetate (20. 0g, 83.9mmol) was oxidised with mCPBA (172. 0mmol), employing a protocol similar to that described in Preparation 22, to afford the title compound: mlz (ES+) = 312.2 [M+ MeCN + H]+.

Preparation 21: Triphenyl (tetrahydropyran-4-ylmethyl) phosphonium iodide A stirred solution of 4-iodomethyltetrahydropyran (3. 43g, 1 5. 2mmol) and PPh3 (3. 98g, 15. 2mmol) in anhydrous MeCN (lOmL) was heated under reflux for 19h. On cooling to 20°C, Et2O (50mL) was added. The precipitate formed was collected, washed with Et20 (150mL), and recrystallised (MeCN) to give the title compound: m/z (ES+) = 361.2 [M+.

Preparation 22: 2- (4-Cyclopropanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- propionic acid A stirred suspension of Aids (12.90g, 96. 8mmol) in anhydrous CH2Cl2 (135mL) was treated portionwise at 0°C with ethyl chlorooxoacetate (8. 5mL, 76. 0mmol). Cyclopropyl phenyl sulfide (10. OmL, 70. 0mmol) was added to the mixture dropwise over lh while maintaining the reaction temperature below 10°C.

The mixure was allowed to warm to 20°C, before being stirred for an additional 70min. Ice cold H20 (35mL) was added on cooling to 0°C, then the mixture was stirred further for 10min. The CH2C12 layer was separated, then the aqueous layer was extracted with more CHUCK (2 x 50mL). The combined organic layers were dried (MgS04), filtered and concentrated to give ethyl (4-cyclopropylsulfanylphenyl)- oxoacetate: RTB = 1. 74min. LHMDS (3.7mL of a l. OM solution in THF, 3. 7mmol) was added to a stirred suspension of triphenyl (tetrahydropyran-4-ylmethyl) - phosphonium iodide (Preparation 21,1. 82g, 3. 7mmol) in anhydrous THF (5.6mL) at 0°C. After lh, a solution of ethyl (4-cyclopropylsulfanylphenyl) oxoacetate (0.78g, 3. 1mmol) in anhydrous THF (4mL) was added over 5min. The mixture was stirred at 0°C for lh, before being allowed to warm to 20°C over 16h. H20 (7mL) was added on cooling down to 0°C. 1M HC1 was added to adjust the pH to 6, then the mixture was stirred for lh at 20°C. The THF was removed in vacuo, then Et2O (35mL) was added. The mixture was stirred for 30min and filtered, washing with Et20. The aqueous layer was separated and extracted with Et2O (3 x OmL). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine (20mL), dried, filtered, and concentrated.

Flash chromatography (IH-CH2C12, 2: 1 to 1: 1, followed by THF-CH2C12,1 : 99) yielded ethyl 2- (4-cyclopropylsulfanylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) acrylate : m/z (ES+) = 333.2 [M+ H] +. A stirred solution of this thioether (609mg, 1. 83mmol) in CH2C12 (35mL) was treated with a solution of mCPBA (992mg of 65% pure, 3. 74mmol) in CH2C12 (15mL). After 16h, saturated aqueous NaHCO3 (25mL) was added, then stirring was continued for 5min. The layers were separated, then the aqueous phase was extracted with CH2C12 (20mL). The combined organic layers were washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO3 (25mL), H20 (25mL), and brine (25mL), before being dried (MgS04). Filtration and solvent evaporation gave ethyl 2- (4-cyclopropanesulfonylphenyl)-3-(tetrahydropyran-4-yl) acrylate: m/z (ES+) = 382.2 [M+ NH4] +. A solution of this compound (667mg, 1. 83mmol) in EtOAc (60mL) was treated with Pd (10% on C, 424mg, 0. 39mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred under a H2 atmosphere for 3d, before being filtered through Celite. The Celite was washed with EtOAc (100mL), then the combined filtrates were concentrated to give ethyl 2- (4-cyclopropanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionate: RF (CH2C12-THF, 30 : 1) = 0. 56. A solution of this ester (664mg, 1. 81mmol) in THF- H20 (3: 1,20mL) was stirred with LiOH-H20 (168mg, 4. 00mmol) for 23h. The THF was evaporated off under reduced pressure, then the remainder was diluted with H20 (lOmL). The mixture was washed with Et2O (2 x 20mL), before being acidified with 2M HC1 (5mL) to pHl. The remainder was extracted with EtOAc (3 x 20mL). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine (20mL), dried (MgS04), filtered, and evaporated to give the title compound: m/z (ES+) = 694.4 [2M+ NB.

Preparation 23: 2-(4-Cyclopropanesulfonylphenyl)-3-(tetrahydropyran-4- yl) acrylic acid Ethyl 2- (4-cyclopropanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) acrylate (see Preparation 22,3. 44g, 9. 44mmol) was saponified, using the procedure described in Preparation 25, to afford the title compound: m/z (ES = 673.5 [2M+ H] +.

Preparation 24: (E)-2- (4-Cyclopropanesulfinylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) acrylic acid Partial oxidation of ethyl 2- (4-cyclopropylsulfanylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran- 4-yl) acrylate (see Preparation 22,3. 14g, 9. 44mmol) with mCPBA, employing the protocol described above in Preparation 18, furnished ethyl 2- (4- cyclopropanesulfinylphenyl)-3-(tetrahydropyran-4-yl) acrylate: m/z (ES+) = 349.2 [M + H]+. Saponification of this ester (1. 15g, 3. 3mmol), using the procedure described in Preparation 25, afforded the title compound : m/z (ES+) = 641.4 [2M + Hl+.

Preparation 25: (E)-2-(4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-(tetrahydropyran-4-yl) acrylic acid LDA (24mL of a 1.8M solution in n-C7Hl6-THF-PhEt, 43. 3mmol) was added dropwise to a stirred solution of DMPU (19mL, 153. 0mmol) in anhydrous THF (lOOmL) at-78°C. After 30min, a solution of ethyl (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)- acetate (Preparation 15, 5. 00g, 20. 6mmol) in anhydrous THF (42mL) was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred further for 1h, before being treated dropwise with a solution of tetrahydropyran-4-carboxaldehyde (2.36g, 20. 6mmol) in anhydrous THF (25mL). After being allowed to warm up to 20°C over 16h, the reaction was quenched with saturated aqueous NH4C1 (210mL). The THF was removed under reduced pressure, then the remainder was extracted with EtOAc (3 x 250mL). The combined EtOAc extracts were dried (MgSO4), filtered, and concentrated. Column chromatography (IH-EtOAc, 7: 3) furnished (E)-ethyl 2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) acrylate: mlz (ES+) = 356.2 [M+ NH4] +. A solution of this ester (6.46g, 19. 1mmol) in MeOH (30mL) and 1M NaOH (40mL, 40. 0mmol) was heated under reflux for lh. On cooling, the mixture was washed with EtOAc. The aqueous phase was acidified with 1M HCl, before being extracted with EtOAc. The combined organic extracts were dried (MgS04). Filtration and solvent evaporation afforded the title compound: mlz (ES+) = 621. 3 [2M+ H] +.

The acrylic acids listed in TABLE 3 were synthesised employing similar methods to those described in Preparation 25.

TABLE 3 Prep Structure Name m/z (ES s 26 W OH (E)-2-(4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-653. 3 (tetrahydrothiopyran-4-yl) acrylic acid [2M+ H] + 0 0 s ) t (B)-2- (4-MethanesulSnylphenyl)-3- 621. 3 (tetrahydrothiopyran-4-yl) acrylic acid [2M+ H] + s-"° 0 ()-2- (4-Methoxyphenyl)-3- 525. 3 I OH (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) acrylic acid [2M+ Hl+ sO~O. t L) 29 (E)-2- (4-Methylsulfanylphenyl)-3- 557. 3 OH (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) acrylic acid [2M+ H] + s-' ° Preparation 30: (E)-3- (Tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-2- (4- [1, 2, 3] triazol-l-ylphenyl) acrylic acid NaOEt (0.63mL of a 0. 5M solution in EtOH, 0. 32mmol) was added dropwise to a stirred solution of ethyl (4-[1, 2,3] triazol-1-ylphenyl) acetate (730mg, 3. 16mmol) and tetrahydropyran-4-carboxaldehyde (396mg, 3. 47mmol) in anhydrous DMSO (3mL). The mixture was heated at 80°C for 16h, before being treated with AcOH to adjust the pH to 7. EtOAc (30mL) was added, then the solution was washed with H20 (2 x l OmL) and brine (lOmL), before being dried (MgS04). Filtration, solvent evaporation, and column chromatography (IH-EtOAc, 1: 1) yielded ethyl 3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-2- (4- [1, 2,3] triazol-1-ylphenyl) acrylate : m/z (ES+) = 328.2 [M+ H] +. This ester (404mg, 1. 23mmol) was saponified as described above in Preparation 25 to give the title compound: m/z (ES+) = 300.2 [M+ H] +.

The method detailed in Preparation 30, involving the condensation of a phenylacetic ester with the appropriate aldehyde followed by saponification of the intermediate α,ß-unsaturated ester, was employed to prepare the acrylic acids listed in TABLE 4.

TABLE 4 Prep Structure Name m/z (ES+orES) 0 31 OH (E)-2- (4-Nitrophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- 572. 4 OvN+J O yl) acrylic acid [2M+ NH4] + o 'N out 32 (E)-2- (4-Bromophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran- 329. 1 Br) OH 4-yl) acrylic acid [MA NH4] + A 33 Q, (F)-3- (Tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-2- (4- 300. 2 [1, 2, 4] triazol-1-ylphenyl) acrylic acid [M+ H] + \sN N 34 A OH (E)-3-(Tetrahydrothiopyran-4-yl)-2-(4-316. 1 [1, 2, 4] triazol-1-ylphenyl) acrylic acid [M+ H] + \oN N oit N < (E)-tert-Butyl 4-[2-carboxy-2-(4- 35 g methanesulfonylphenyl) vinyl] piperidine-l- [M+ NH4] + carboxylate 0 , su o~, A 36 ! ! (E)-2- (4-Efhanesulfonylphenyl)-3- 647. 3 (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) acrylic acid [2M-H]- . 0 0 0 37 ot, (E)-2- [4- (Propane-l-sulfonyl) phenyll-3- 337. 0 (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) acrylic acid [M-H]- 0 'b Preparation 38: 2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-thiophen-2-ylpropionic acid DMPU (50mL, 413mmol) was added to a solution of LDA (65mL of a 1. 8M solution in n-C7Hl6=THF-PhEt, 117mmol) in anhydrous THF (250mL) at-78°C.

The mixture was stirred for lh to generate a cream precipitate. A solution of (4- methanesulfonylphenyl) acetic acid (12. 00g, 56mmol) in anhydrous THF (120mL) was added over 20min. More anhydrous THF (30mL) was added, then the thick yellow slurry was stirred for lh. The mixture was treated with a solution of 2- chloromethylthiophene (7.50g, 57mmol) and PhMe (5.20g, 57mmol) in anhydrous THF (20mL), then stirring was continued at-78°C for 20min. The reaction mixture was then allowed to warm to 20°C over 16h, before being quenched with H20 (500mL). The THF was removed under reduced pressure, then 12M HCl was added to adjust the pH to 2. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc (2 x 300mL), then the extracts were washed with H20 (2 x 200mL) and brine (2 x 100mL), before being dried (MgS04). Filtration, solvent evaporation, and column chromatography (IH- EtOAc, 3: 2 containing 0.5% AcOH) furnished the title compound: m/z (ES+) = 638.3 [2M + NH4] +.

Preparation 39: Ethyl [4- (tetrahydropyran-4-ylsulfanyl) phenyl] acetate NEt3 (1. 3mL, 9. 0mmol) and 4-iodotetrahydropyran (1.93g, 9. 0mmol) were added to a stirred solution of ethyl (4-mercaptophenyl) acetate (1. 21g, 6. 0mmol) in anhydrous DMF (lOmL) at 0°C. The mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature over 3d, then the solvents were removed under reduced pressure. The residue was partitioned between Et20 (lOOmL) and saturated aqueous NH4Cl (50mL), the aqueous phase being extracted further with Et20 (45mL). The combined ethereal extracts were washed with H20 (50mL), H20-saturated aqueous Na2C03 (1: 1, 50mL), and brine (50mL), before being dried (MgS04). Filtration, solvent evaporation, and flash chromatography (IH-Et20, 10: 1 to 2: 1) afforded the title compound: RF (IH-Et20, 2: 1) =0. 31.

Preparation 40: Ethyl (4-methoxymethylsulfanylphenyl) acetate This compound was prepared using the procedure described above in Preparation 39: RF (IH-Et20, 10: 1) = 0. 19.

Preparation 41: 2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionic acid LDA (38.9mL of a 1.8M solution in sz-C7Hl6-THF-PhEt, 70. 0mmol) was added to a solution of DMPU (59.3mL, 490. 3mmol) in anhydrous THF (150mL) at -78°C. The mixture was stirred for 30min, before being treated dropwise with a solutionofethyl (4-methanesulfonylphenyl) acetate (Preparation 15, 16.97g, 70. 0mmol) in anhydrous THF (50mL). Stirring was continued at-78°C for 45min, then a solution of 4-iodomethyltetrahydropyran (19. 00g, 84. 0mmol) in anhydrous THF (40mL) was added. The mixture was allowed to warm to 20°C over 16h, before being quenched with 1M HCl (70mL). The THF was removed under reduced pressure, then more H20 (40mL) was added and the remainder extracted with EtOAc (2 x 250mL). The EtOAc extracts were dried (MgS04). Filtration, solvent evaporation, and flash chromatography (IH-EtOAc, 9: 1 to 1: 1) furnished ethyl 2- (4- methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionate : m/z (ES+) = 698.3 [2M+ NH4] +. A solution of this compound (20.27g, 59. 6mmol) in MeOH (100mL) and 2M NaOH (62. 5mL, 125. 0mmol) was heated under reflux for lh. The solvents were removed under reduced pressure, then the remaining solid was triturated with Et20 (5 x 100mL), before being dissolved in H20 (100mL). The aqueous solution was washed with EtOAc (50mL), acidified with 2M HC1 to pH 1, and extracted with EtOAc (2 x 1L). After drying (MgS04), filtration and solvent evaporation gave the title compound: m/z (ES+) = 642.3 [2M + NH4]+.

Similar approaches to those highlighted by Preparation 41, involving alkylation of the appropriate ester with 4-iodomethyltetrahydropyran followed by hydrolysis of the product, were employed to prepare the carboxylic acids shown in TABLE 5.

TABLE S Prep Structure Name m/z (ES+ or Es) 3- (Tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-2- (4- 669. 3 42 F OH trifluoromethylsulfanylphenyl) propionic acid [2M+ H] + F so 0 43 2- (4-Methoxymethylsulfanylphenyl)-3- 638. 4 (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionic acid [2M+ NH4] + ou 0 OH 3- (Tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-2- [4- 351. 2 44 ít (tetrahydropyran-4-ylsulfanyl) phenyl]- [M+H] + i o propionic acid o Q 45 2- (4-Methylsulfanylmethylphenyl)-3- 589. 1 oH (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionic acid [2M + H] + S-A'0 0 46 OH 2- (4-Nitrophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- 576. 4 o + o Yl) propionic acid [2M+ NHa] zoo 0 47 on 2- (3-Fluoro-4-methylsulfanylphenyl)-3- 597. 4 F (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionic acid [2M+ H] + , s i o F F 48 l OH 2-(3-Bromo-4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-408. 1 (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionic acid [M+ NH4] + i o 0 Br Br 0 49 OH 2- (4-Ethanesulfonylphenyl)-3- 651. 4 (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionic acid [2M-H]- ISO Ob lb I Preparation 50: 2- (3-Fluoro-4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) propionic acid A stirred solution of 2- (3-fluoro-4-methylsulfanylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran- 4-yl) propionic acid (Preparation 47,598mg, 2. 0mmol) in CH2C12 (20mL) was treated with mCPBA (1. 15g of 60% pure, 4. 0mmol). After 16h, the solution was filtered, then the filtrate was purified by column chromatography (IH-EtOAc-AcOH, 320: 80: 1 to 80: 320: 1) to furnish the title compound: mlz (ES+) = 678.3 [2M + NH4] +.

Preparation 51: 2- (4-Ethylsulfamoylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionic acid Ethyl (4-nitrophenyl) acetate (25. 0g, 119. 5mmol) was alkylated with 4- iodomethyltetrahydropyran (32.4g, 143. 4mmol), according to the protocol described in Preparation 41, to give ethyl 2- (4-nitrophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) propionate: h (CDC13) : 1.21 (3H, t), 1.25-1. 45 (3H, m), 1.55-1. 65 (2H, m), 1.70- 1.80 (1H, m), 2.05-2. 15 (1H, m), 3.25-3. 35 (2H, m), 3.79 (1H, t), 3.90-3. 95 (2H, m), 4. 10-4. 20 (2H, m), 7.49 (2H, d), 8.19 (2H, d). The nitro group of this compound (6. 55g, 18. lmmol) was reduced utilising the procedure described in EXAMPLE 145 to give ethyl 2- (4-aminophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionate: m/z (ES+) = 278.2 [M+ H] +. This compound (30. 5g, 110mmol) was transformed into ethyl 2- (4- chlorosulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionate employing the protocol described in Preparation 59. A solution of this sulfonyl chloride (33.6g, 93. 2mmol) in anhydrous TE (lOOmL) was added over 30min at 0°C to EtNH2 (116. 5mL of a 2. 0M solution in THF, 233. 0mmol). The mixture was warmed up to 20°C, before being stirred for 16h. The suspension was filtered through a Celite pad, which was washed with THF (3 x 50mL). The combined THF solutions were concentrated to furnish crude ethyl 2- (4-ethylsulfamoylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionate: nilz (ES+) = 370.2 [M+ H] +. Hydrolysis of this ester (33.7g, 91. 2mmol), utilising the procedure outlined in Preparation 41, followed by purification via RP-HPLC afforded the title compound: talc (ES+) = 342.2 [M+ H] +.

Preparation 52: 2- (4-Cyclobutanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionic acid Alkylation of ethyl (4-mercaptophenyl) acetate (9. 5g, 48. 4mmol) with c-BuBr (7.84g, 58. 1mmol), using a similar procedure to that described in EXAMPLE 161, furnished ethyl (4-cyclobutylsulfanylphenyl) acetate: RTA = 4. 17min. Oxidation of this compound (18. 5g, 73.9mmol) with mCPBA (222mmol), employing a protocol similar to that described in Preparation 22, provided ethyl (4- cyclobutanesulfonylphenyl) acetate : mlz (ES+) = 283.2 [M + H] +. Condensation of this compound (18. 84g, 66. 7mmol) with tetrahydropyran-4-carboxaldehyde (8. 38g, 73. 4mmol), utilising the procedure described in Preparation 30, gave ethyl 2- (4- cyclobutanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) acrylate: m/z (ES+) = 396.2 [M+ NH4] +. Reduction of this a,) 6-unsaturated ester (13. 00g, 34. 4mmol), using the protocol described in Preparation 22, furnished ethyl 2- (4- cyclobutanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionate: m/z (ES) = 381. 2 [M + H] +. This ester was hydrolysed employing the procedure outlined in Preparation 22 to afford the title compound: mlz (ES+) = 370. 2 [M NH4] +.

Preparation 53: (2R)-2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) propionic acid NEt3 (15.4mL, 110mmol) was added to a stirred suspension of 2- (4- methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propanoic acid (Preparation 41, 30. 0g, 96. Ommol) in anhydrous THF (300mL) at 0°C. After 10min, pivaloyl chloride (13. 6mL, 110mmol) was added dropwise over 20min and the mixture was stirred at 0°C for 2h. Meanwhile, n-BuLi (45.3mL of a 2. 5M solution in hexanes, 115mmol) was added to a solution of (R)- (+)-4-benzyl-2-oxazolidinone (20.4g, 115mmol) in anhydrous THF (300mL) at-78°C. The mixture was stirred at-78°C to 20°C over 2h.

The solution thus obtained was added dropwise to the abovementioned mixed anhydride solution at-78°C. The reaction was stirred at-78°C for lh and then at 20°C for 4h, before being treated with Ha0 (300mL). The THF was removed in vacuo, then the remainder was extracted with EtOAc (3 x 300mL). The combined organic layers were washed with H20, dried (Na2S04), filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. Chromatographic separation (EtOAc-n-C6Hl4, 1: 2 to 1: 1) afforded two products: (1) (4R)-4-benzyl-3- [ (2R)-2- [4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl]-3- (tetrahydro-2H- pyran-4-yl) propanoyl]-1, 3-oxazolidin-2-one: mp 139-141°C (from Et2O-THF) ; (2) (4R)-4-benzyl-3- [ (2-2- [4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl]-3- (tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4- yl) propanoyl]-1, 3-oxazolidin-2-one: m/z (APCf) = 472 [M+ H] +. A solution of LiOH (1. 5g, 64mmol) and 35% aqueous H202 (14. 5g, 128mmol) in H20 (400mL) was added dropwise over 40min to a stirred solution of (4R)-4-benzyl-3- [ (2R)-2- [4- (methylsulfonyl) phenyl]-3-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl) propanoyl]-1, 3-oxazolidin-2- one (15. 1g, 10. 9mmol) in THF-H20 (3: 1,1. 6L) at 0°C. The reaction was stirred at 0°C for 1. 5h, then the remaining oxidant was destroyed with 10% aqueous Na2S03.

The mixture was washed with Et2O (4 x 300mL), acidified with 10% aqueous HCl, and extracted with EtOAc (3 x 200mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried (Na2S04), filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. Trituration with Et2O-hexanes gave the title compound: mp 217°C ; the absolute configuration was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Preparation 54: (2R)-2- (4-Cyclopropanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) propionic acid The title compound ( [a] -48. 8 (c = 1. 02, CHC13)) was obtained from 2- (4- cyclopropanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionic acid (Preparation 22) employing the protocols described in Preparation 53.

Preparation 55: (2R)-2- (4-Ethylsulfamoylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionic acid The title compound was obtained from 2- (4-ethylsulfamoylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionic acid (Preparation 51) by employing the protocols described in Preparation 53. It was analysed by chiral HPLC: CHIRAL CEL OJ-R (Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd. , Tokyo, Japan), 4. 6mm o x 15cm, CH3CN-0. 5M NaC104 (pH 2.0), 17: 83, O. 5mL/min, UV 235nm, 25°C ; RT (R) = 43. 89min (RT (S) = 38. 84min).

Preparation 56: (2R)-2- (4-Cyclobutanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) propionic acid The enantiomerically pure title compound was obtained from 2- (4- cyclobutanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionic acid (Preparation 52) by employing the protocols described in Preparation 53. It was analysed by chiral HPLC : CHIRAL CEL OJ-R (Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd. , Tokyo, Japan), 4.6mm o x 15cm, CH3CN-0. 5M NaC104 (pH 2.0), 17: 83,0. 5mL/min, UV 235nm, 25°C ; RT (R) = 82. 69min (RT (5) = 78. 63min).

Preparation 57: 2- (4-Methylsulfanyl-3-nitrophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) propionic acid (4-Chloro-3-nitrophenyl) acetic acid (10. OOg, 46. 4mmol) was esterified as described above in Preparation 15 to furnish ethyl (4-chloro-3-nitrophenyl) acetate: m/z (ES+) = 285.2 [M+ MeCN + H] +. Alkylation of this ester (10. 50g, 43. 1mmol), using the protocol described in Preparation 41, yielded ethyl 2- (4-chloro-3- nitrophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionate: m/z (ES+) = 342.1 [M+ H] +. A solution of this compound (7.42g, 19. 7mmol) in DMSO (50mL) was treated with NaSMe (1.52g, 21. 6mmol). The mixture was stirred at 20°C for 5. 5h and then at 50°C for 2h, before being poured onto crushed ice (SOOmL). After the ice had melted completely, the mixture was partitioned between EtOAc (250mL) and H20 (lOOmL).

The aqueous phase was further extracted with EtOAc (4 x 200mL), then the combined organic extracts were washed with brine and dried (MgS04). Filtration, solvent evaporation, and column chromatography (IH-EtOAc, 7: 3) gave ethyl 2- (4- methylsulfanyl-3-nitrophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionate : m/z (ES+) = 371.0 [Mur NH4] +. This ester (7.48g, 19. 2mmol) was hydrolysed with LiOH H20, as described above in Preparation 22, to furnish the title compound: nalz (ES+) =, 343. 3 [M + NH4] +.

Preparation 58: 2- (3-Methylsulfanylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionic acid Ethyl (3-nitrophenyl) acetate (11. 60g, 55.5mmol) was condensed with tetrahydropyran-4-carboxaldehyde employing the procedure described in Preparation 30 to give ethyl 2- (3-nitrophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) acrylate: m/z (ES+) = 628.3 [2M+ NH4] +. A solution of this compound (4.65g, 15. 2mmol) in EtOH (80mL) was treated with a slurry of Pd (10% on C, 49mg, 0. 46mmol) in EtOH (1 OmL) and Ha0 (1mL). The mixture was stirred under a H2 atmosphere for 24h, before being filtered through Celite. The Celite was washed with EtOAc (5 x 50mL), then the combined filtrates were evaporated to give ethyl 2- (3-aminophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionate: mlz (ES+) = 278.2 [M+ H] +. A solution of this compound (2.77g, lO. Ommol) in DME (lOmL) was added over 30min to a stirred mixture of i-AmONO (2.0 mL, 15. 0mmol) and MeSSMe (9.9mL, 110. Ommol). The temperature was raised to 45°C for 0.5h and then to 85°C for 1.5h. On cooling, the solvents were removed under reduced pressure, then the residue was dissolved in EtOAc (60mL). The EtOAc solution was washed with 1M HCl (2 x 20mL), H20 (20mL), and brine (20mL). Filtration, solvent evaporation, and column chromatography (CH2Cl2-Et2O, 1: 0 to 99: 1) afforded ethyl 2- (3-methylsulfanyl- phenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionate : m/z (ES+) = 309.2 [M+ H] +.

Saponification of this ester with LiOH-H20, by the protocol outlined in Preparation 22, furnished the title compound: mlz (ES+) = 561. 3 [2M+ H] +.

Preparation 59: 4- [2- (Tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-1- (thiazol-2-ylcarbamoyl) ethyl] - benzenesulfonyl chloride 2- (4-Nitrophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionic acid (Preparation 46, 10.40g, 37. 2mmol) was condensed with thiazol-2-ylamine employing the procedure described in EXAMPLE 65 to afford 2- (4-nitrophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N thiazol-2-ylpropionamide : m/z (ES) = 362.1 [M+ H] +. The nitro group of this compound (6. 55g, 18. lmmol) was reduced utilising the procedure described in EXAMPLE 145 to give 2-(4-aminophenyl)-3-(tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2-yl- propionamide: nilz (ES+) = 332.1 [M+ H] +. A solution of NaN02 (2. 1 1g, 30. 5mol) in H20 (20mL) was added slowly to a stirred mixture of the above aniline (9.40g, 28.4mmol), 12M HCl (30mL), and H20 (30mL) at 0°C. After lh, the resulting diazonium salt solution was added over 15min to a mixture of CuCl2 2H20 (1.29g, 7.6mmol) in AcOH (64. 5mL) and H20 (3.2mL) which had been saturated previously with S02. The mixture was stirred for 1. 5h, treated with H20 (200mL) and extracted with EtOAc (300 + 150 mL). The combined EtOAc extracts were washed with H20 (2 x 200mL), filtered, and dried (MgS04). Filtration and solvent evaporation provided the title compound : m/z (ES+) = 466.1 [M + MeCN + H] +.

Preparation 60: 4- [l- (5-Chlorothiazol-2-ylcarbamoyl)-2- (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) ethyl] benzenesulfonyl chloride Using similar procedures to those described in Preparation 59, 2- (4- nitrophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionic acid (Preparation 46,9. 74g, 34. 9mmol) was converted into the title compound: #H (CDC13) : 1.25-1. 50 (3H, m), 1.55-1. 70 (2H, br), 1.80-1. 85 (1H, m), 2.20-2. 30 (1H, m), 3.20-3. 35 (2H, m), 3.80- 4.00 (3H, m), 7.20 (1H, s), 7.65 (2H, d), 8.00 (2H, d).

Preparation 61 : 5-Fluorothiazol-2-ylamine hydrochloride NEt3 (63.4mL, 455mmol) was added to a stirred suspension of 5- bromothiazol-2-ylamine hydrobromide (102.7g, 379mmol) in CHUCK (1. 5L). After lh, TFAA (64.2mL, 455mmol) was added dropwise at 0°C over 15min. The mixture was allowed to warm to 20°C over lh, before being stirred for an additional 2h. H2O (600mL) was added and the resulting precipitate was collected. The aqueous layer of the filtrate was separated and extracted with CHC13 (3 x 300mL). The combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried (Na2S04), filtered and concentrated.

The collected precipitate and residual solid were combined and triturated with EtOAn-C6H14 to give N- (5-bromothiazol-2-yl)-2, 2, 2-trifluoroacetamide : iL (CDC13) : 7.45 (1H, s), 13.05 (1H, br). n-BuLi (253mL of a 1. 58M solution in hexanes, 403mmol) was added dropwise over 50min to a stirred solution of the above amide (50. 0g, 183mmol) in anhydrous THF (1.3L) at-78°C. After 1. 5h, a solution of N-fluorobenzenesulphonimide (86. 0g, 275mmol) in anhydrous THF (250mL) was added dropwise over 30min. The mixture was stirred for 3h, before being warmed up to-30°C. H20 (300mL) was added and the mixture was filtered through a Celite pad.

The solid collected and Celite were washed with Et20 (400mL) and H2O (400mL).

The organic layer of the filtrate was separated and extracted with water (2 x 400mL).

The combined aqueous layers were washed with Et20 (400mL), before being acidified to pH 6.5 with 2M HC1 and extracted with EtOAc (2 x 400mL). The combined organic extracts were washed with H20 (2 x 400mL) and brine, before being dried (MgS04), filtered and concentrated. Column chromatography (EtOAc- M-C6Hi4, 1: 3 to 1: 2) gave N- (5-fluorothiazol-2-yl)-2, 2,2-trifluoroacetamide : g (CDC13): 7.13 (1H, d). AcCl (12.6mL, 175mmol) was added dropwise to a stirred solution of this amide (15.7g, 73mmol) in MeOH (300mL) at 0°C. The mixture was stirred at 20°C for 30min, heated under reflux for lh, and finally concentrated in vacuo. The residual solid was triturated with THF to give the title compound: (D20) : 7.00 (1H, d).

Preparation 62: 4-[2-(Tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-1-(thiazol-2-ylcarbamoyl) ethyl] benzoic acid Methyl 4-tert-butoxycarbonylmethylbenzoate (1.71g, 6. 84mmol) was alkylated with 4-iodomethyltetrahydropyran (1.86g, 8. 21mmol), employing the method described in Preparation 41, to afford methyl 4- [1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) ethyl] benzoate: RTA = 3. 86min. A solution of this compound (1.37g, 3. 94mmol) in CH2C12 (5mL) was treated with TFA-CH2C12 (2: 1, 15mL) at 0°C over lOmin. The mixture was stirred at 20°C for 3h, before being concentrated in vacuo. The residue was treated with PhMe and the solvents were evaporated off under reduced pressure. This process was repeated twice to provide crude methyl 4- [1- carboxy-2- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) ethyl] benzoate. This carboxylic acid was condensed with thiazol-2-ylamine, utilizing the protocol outlined in EXAMPLE 65, to furnish methyl 4-[2-(tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-1-(thiazol-2-ylcarbamoyl) ethyl] benzoate: m/z (ES+) = 375.2 [M+ H] +. This ester (1.20g, 3. 21mmol) was saponified with LiOH-H20, using the procedure described in Preparation 22, to furnish the title compound: mlz (ES) = 359.2 [M-H]-.

EXAMPLE 1 (E)-2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-N-thiazol-2-yl-3-thiophen-3-ylacry lamide A suspension of PS-carbodiimide (688mg, loading 1. 34µmol mg-1, 922µmol), (E)-2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-thiophen-3-ylacrylic acid (Preparation 1,139mg, 450, umol), and HOBt (84mg, 622, umol) in anhydrous DMF was stirred for 15min at 20°C. Thiazol-2-ylamine (32mg, 320, tanol) was added, then the mixture was stirred for 40h at 20°C, before being filtered through Celite. The filter cake was washed with DMF (lOmL), EtOAc (20mL), and CH2C12 (20mL). The solutions were combined, the solvents removed under reduced pressure, and the residue dissolved in EtOAc (50mL). The EtOAc solution was washed with saturated aqueous Na2C03 (3 x 20mL), H2O (20mL), and brine (20mL), before being dried (Na2S04). Filtration, solvent evaporation, and flash chromatography (IH-EtOAc, 3: 1 to 1: 3) gave the title compound: RTA = 3.43 min; mlz (ES+) = 391.0 [M+ H] +.

The PS-carbodiimide-HOBt-mediated condensation of the appropriate carboxylic acid with thiazol-2-ylamine, as outlined in EXAMPLE 1, was also used to synthesise the amides listed in TABLE 6 below.

TABLE 6 # |Name |RT (min) |m/z (ES) l s i H (E)-2- (4-Methanesulfonyl- 391. 0 2 N phenyl)-N-thiazol-2-yl-3-3. 451'1 [M+ H] + 0 0 thiophen-2-ylacrylan-iide N 0 i ß H (E)-3-Furan-2-yl-2-(4-375 1 N s methanesulfonylphenyl)-N 3. 39 [M+H] + 05 ° N) thiazol-2-ylacrylamide (> I's ìl H (E)-2-(4-Methanesulfonyl-392 0 4 s phenyl)-3, N-bisthiazol-2-3. 13 3 [M+ H] + 0 l-)/) ylacrylamide S 0 (E)-2- (4-Methanesulfonyl- 405. 1 5 N S phenyl)-3- (5-methylthiophen- 3. 56 [Al [M + H] + 2-yl)-N-thiazol-2-ylacrylamide o N 'ò cl (E)-3- (5-Chlorothiophen-2- ìl H yl)-2-(4-methanesulfonyl-3 63 [A] 466. 1 N S phenyl)-N-thiazol-2- [M+ MeCN + H] + o N ylacrylamide 0 Nez (E)-2- (4-Methanesulfonyl- 7 N phenyl)-3-thiazol-5-ylW-3. 12 . o l o N) thiazol-2-ylacrylamide [ N 0 2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)- 434. 1 8 W Ns, S N-thiazol-2-yl-3-thiophen-2-3 41 [Al [M+ MECN + H] + zS O N^2 ylpropionamide b N 2- (4-Cyclopropanesulfonyl- phenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- 3, 19A 421. 2 [M+H] + yl)-N thiazol-2-yl- vz sXÒ propionamide S, lob 2- (4-Cyclopropanesulfonyl- henyl)-N 5-fluorothiazol-2-+ oJ'J" yl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-'-43. U+HJ propionamide V/o N (5-Fluorothiazol-2-yl)-2- (4- H methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-454. 2 11 NSF (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-3. 201'1 [M+MeCN+H] + oS~ iN, propionamide o 0 0 (E)-2- (4-Bromophenyl)-3- 12 H (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-3. 67 [Al 393. 0 [M+ H] + ) T YN) thiazol-2-ylacrylamide out 0 (E)-2- (4-Methoxyphenyl)-3- 13, (N S (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-3. 52 [A] 345. 2 [M+ H] + s thiazol-2-ylacrylamide _ nez u 0 (E)-3- (Tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- H N-thiazol-2-yl-2- (4- N s 3. 17 382. 1 [M+ Ho [1, 2, 4] triazol-1-ylphenyl)- NtIN ° N acrylamide N s (E)-3- (Tetrahydrothiopyran-4- 15 N S yl)-N thiazol-2-yl-2- (4- 3. 45A 398. 1 [M+ H] + , [1, 2, 4] triaz l-1-ylphenyl)- [1, 2, 4] triazol-1-ylphenyl)- NW ° N acrylamide N (E)-3- (Tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- H N-thiazol-2-yl-2- (4- 16 nus 3. 171au 382. 0 [M+H] [1, 2, 3] triazol-1-ylphenyl)- N acrylamide Non 3- (Tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N- 17 NIs thiazol-2-yl-2- (4- 3. 83 [Al 417. 2 [M+ H] + trifluoromethylsulfanyl- | Ft phenyl) propionamide F-7 F 0 2- (4-Methylsulfanylmethyl- phenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- A + NS yl)-N-tliiazol-2- Nfl-)/ylpropionamide 0 2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)- H N- (lH-pyrazol-3-yl)-3- 19 N N, 2. 90 378. 1 [M+ H] 'IC/NH (tetrahydropyran-4- osv ° yl) propionamide po 0 0 2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)- 20 N N-pyridin-2-yl-3- (tetrahydro- 2. 86 [Al 389. 2 [M+ H] + YID pyran-4-yl) propionamide A 0 0 2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)- 21 N r,,, ) 2. 89 [Al 390. 2 [M+ H] + (tetrahydropyran-4- /O NN yl) propionamide asz 0 N (4, 5-Dihydrothiazol-2-yl)-2- H (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- 22 w NYS (tetrahydropyran-4-2. 61 397. 2 [M+ H] 0N yl) propionamide 0 o N (lH-Imidazol-2-yl)-2- (4- HH methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- 23 N N 2. 11 378. 2 [M+ H) lj/ ? (tetrahydropyran-4- 0N yl) propionarnide o N-Benzothiazol-2-yl-2- (4- 24 N S methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-3. 44A 445. 3 [M+ H] + o I \ (tetrahydropyran-4- i o N/ yl) propionamide . 0 0 2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)- H 3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N- 437. 3 o A T Y) [1, 3, 4] thiadiazol-2- [M+ MeCN + H] 0N-N ylpropionamide 0 o 2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)- 26 J (NH S (3 « 1yl [1, 2, 4] thiadiazol- 5-yl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- 0N yl) propionamide vs N- (5-Fluoropyridin-2-yl)-2- (4- 27 N methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-A + (tetrahydropyran-4-3. 19 407. 2 [M+H) yl) propionamide 0 0 2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)- 28 NN N-pyrazin-2-yl-3- (tetrahydro- 2. 87 [Al 390. 3 [M+ H] + O o N pyran-4-yl) propionamide 0 0 0 2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)- 29 N- (5-methylthiazol-2-yl)-3- 3. 201" 409. 1 [M+H] + (tetrahydropyran-4- SsJ\ 0 N yl) propionamide o o 0 2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)- 30 N S N (4-methylthiazol-2-yl)-3- 3, 15A 409. 1 [M+H] + (tetrahydropyran-4- o 0 N yl) propionamide o' 0 2- (4-Cyclopropanesulfonyl- H phenyl)-N- (3-methyl- 31 w N S [1, 2, 4] tluadiazol-5-yl)-3- 3. 19 [Al 436. 3 [M+ H] + o Y, (tetrahyclropyran-4- Vz ° yl) propionamude ot 2- (4-Cyclopropanesulfonyl- hen 1-N azin-2-1-3-+ 32 ff tNI (tetrahydropyran-4- il yl) propionamide 0 out o 2- (4-Cyclopropanesulfonyl- 33 N S phenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- 3, 20n 422. 1 [M+ H] + , o N yl)-N [1, 2, 4] thiadiazol-5- ylpropionamide sb 0 0 ()-2- (4-Cyclopropane- tl N S sulfonylphenyl)-3-(tetrahydro-3 14 [A] 460. 2 34 o | pyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2-. [M MeCN + H] + ylacrylamide Vo 0 2- (4-Methanesulfonyl- H phenyl)-N- (5-nitrothiazol-2- 481. 3 35 <Ns o yl)-3-(tetrahydropyran-4-. [M+ MeCN + H] + 0 N N O yl) propionamide o [A] RT employing Method A. [B] RT employing Method B.

EXAMPLE 36 (E)-N-(5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)-2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-t hiophen-2- ylacrylamide A solution of (E)-2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-thiophen-2-ylacrylic acid (Preparation 2,309mg, l. 0mmol), HATU (813mg, 2. 1mmol), 5-chlorothiazol-2- ylamine hydrochloride (258mg, 1. 5mmol), and DIPEA (0. 71mL, 4. 0mmol) in anhydrous DMF (5mL) was heated under microwave irradiation with stirring at 60°C for 2min. The solvents were evaporated off under reduced pressure, then the remainder was partitioned between CH2C12 (60mL) and 1M HC1 (60mL). The organic layer was separated and washed with 1M HC1 (60mL), H20 (60mL), saturated aqueous Na2C03 (2 x 60mL), H20 (60mL), and brine (60mL), before being dried (Na2S04). Filtration, solvent evaporation, and flash chromatography (IH-EtOAc, 4: 1 to 2: 3) gave the title compound: RTA= 3. 77min ; mlz (ES) = 466.1 [M+ MeCN + H] +.

The microwave-mediated condensation of the appropriate carboxylic acid with thiazol-2-ylamines, outlined in EXAMPLE 36, was also employed to prepare the amides listed in TABLE 7 below.

TABLE 7 Ex Structure Name RT min m/z (ES s ()-N-(5-Chloro-4- s methyltluazol-2-yl)-2- (4- 480. 1 37 NYi s cl methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-3. 93 [M+ MECN + H] + oSvÒ ° Nn thiophen-2-ylacrylamide 0 i (E)-N-(5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)-450. 1 38 N s 3-furan-2-yl-2- (4-methane- 3. 78 + 0 nif, s s 2 H (E)-N-(5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)- 39 Ncs 2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)- 3. 77 + H))) 2"'- t -j 7M'iVte<bj [\J'i 3-thiophen-3-ylacrylamide [M+MeCN+H] + o 0 N % H (E)-N-(5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)-461. 2 40 N s 2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)- 3. 27 + °xxSo d NS 3-pyridin-3-ylacrylamide 0 iN, 0 /s N (5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)-2- (4- 468, 1 41 o N s methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-3. 75 [M+MeCN+H] + vSX O NS thiophen-2-ylpropionamide 0 iN, 0 N (5-Chloro-4-methylthiazol- 2-yl)-2- (4- 42 N s methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-3. 66 484. 1 + °\ N (tetrahydropyran-4- is yl) propionamide NBS N J. (E')-N-(5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)-467. 1 43 cl 2- (4-metlianesulfonylphenyl)- 3. 55 [M+ MeCN + H] + o N/ 3-thiazol-5-ylacrylamide o 0 EXAMPLE 44 (E)-2- (4-Bromophenyl)-N-(5-chlorothiazol-2-yl)-3-furan-2-ylacrylam ide A suspension of (E)-2-(4-bromophenyl)-3-furan-2-ylacrylic acid (Preparation 9,4. 10g, 14. 0mmol) and oxalyl chloride (2. 5mL, 28. 0mmol) in anhydrous CH2C12 (lOOmL) was treated with a catalytic amount of anhydrous DMF (25, uL). The resulting solution was stirred at 20°C for 4h, then the solvents were removed under reduced pressure. CH2C12 (50mL) was added to the residue, then the solvents were evaporated off under reduced pressure to give 2- (4-bromophenyl)-3- furan-2-ylacryloyl chloride as a brown solid. A solution of this acid chloride (343mg, l. lmmol) in anhydrous THF (lmL) was added to a solution of 5-chlorothiazol-2- ylamine hydrochloride (171mg, l. Ommol) and NEt3 (0.56mL, 4. 0mmol) in anhydrous THF (1mL). The suspension was stirred for 16h at 20°C, then the solvents were removed under reduced pressure. The residue was partitioned between CH2Cl2 (lOmL) and saturated aqueous NaHCO3 (5mL). The organic layer was washed with H20 (5mL) and brine (5mL), before being concentrated. The resulting solid was recrystallised from MeOH to furnish the title compound: RTA = 4. 39min; m/z (ES+) = 410.9 [M+ H] +.

Several other enamides were prepared via the condensation of the appropriate acid chloride with heteroaromatic amines as represented by EXAMPLE 44. These compounds are listed in TABLE 8 below. TABLE 8 Ex Structure Name RTA (min) n/z (ESU 0 (E)-2- (4-Bromophenyl)-3- 369. 9 45 furan-2-yl-N-pyrimidin-4-4. 01 ] + Br If))) ylacrylaimde"' Br/O NN 0 \0% (E)-2-(4-Bromophenyl)-N-(5-454 9 454. 9 46 \ N S bromotliazol-2-yl)-3-furan-2-4. 41 M+ H + Br ylacrylamide 0 Ber 0 (E)-2- (4-Bromophenyl)-3- 47 N s furan-2-yl-N-thiazol-2-4. 09 [M+ Hl+ lao Br 0 ylacrylaniide 0 O ()-2- (4-Bromophenyl)-3- 48 N S furan-2-yl-N (5-methylthiazol-4. 20 M H] + 2-yl) acrylamide Ber 0 0 \+ (E)-N-B enzothiazol-2-yl-2-(4- 49 N S bromophenyl)-3-furan-2-4. 44 [4M7+0H] + Br 0 N ylacrylaniide Bu ()-2- (4-Bromophenyl)-N 403. 0 50 N s (4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-3- 4. 32 403. 0 yi furan-2-ylacrylamide Ber s \+ (E)-2-(4-Bromophenyl)-N-(5-4 470. 9 51/CIX, N S bromothiazol-2-yl)-3-4. 55 M0+9H + Br thiophen-2-ylacrylamide ber s \ H (4-2-(4-Bromophenyl)-N-393 0 52. AH s thiazol-2-yl-3-thiophen-2-4. 15 rM+Hr 0 ylacrylaimide Br" /9S- % (E)-2-(4-Bromophenyl)-N-393 9 393. 9 53 X HN [1, 3, 4] thiadiazol-2-yl-3- 3. 94 [M+H] + Yi thiophen-2-ylacrylan-tide Po /_ ()-2- (4-Bromophenyl)-N-(5- 54 \ N s methylthiazol-2-yl)-3-4, 31 M H] + thiophen-2-ylacrylamide Yo 0 YNI \+ (E)-2-(4-Bsomophenyl)-N-(5-426. 9 426. 9 55 N s chlorothiazol-2-yl)-3-4. 48 im + Hl+ ici thiophen-2-ylacrylamide bu ber W (E)-3-Furan-2-yl-2-(4- 56 H methoxyphenyl)-N-thiazol-2-3. 90 XoXd O N) ylacrylamide lao 0 (E)-3-Furan-2-yl-2- (4- 57 N s methoxyphenyt)-N- (5- 4. 06 [M+Hl+ "0/-methylthiazol-2-yl) acrylarrjide Rs 0 oN (E)-N- (5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)-392. 1 58 N S cl 2- (4-nitrophenyl)-3-thiophen- 4. 03 CM+ H] + 2-ylacrylaniide M o (E)-N (5-Bromothiazol-2-yl)-438. 0 59 I w (N--s Br 2- (4-nitrophenyl)-3-thiophen- 4. 03 [M+ H] + + ii-)/) 2 acrylamide M 0 s (E)-2- (4-Nitrophenyl)-N- 358. 1 60 I I NYs thiazol-2-yl-3-thiophen-2-3. 74 [M+ H] + lao M 0. N+ 0 ylacrylamide s-~ ~- Ci H (E)-N-(5-Bromothiazol-2-yl)-510 1 61 N S Br 2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)- 3. 80 [M+ MeCN + H] + 3 thiophen-2-ylacrylarnide Rs. -s \ H (E)-2-(4-Cyanophenyl)-N-338 1 62 N s thiazol-2-yl-3-thiophen-2-3. 61 [M+ H] + N ylacrylamide [] N (E)-N-(5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)-372 0 63 AN S 2-(4-cyanophenyl)-3-3. 96 M+H + /cl thiophen-2-ylacrylamide 0 iN, (E)-N-(5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)- 366. 0 64 2- (4-cyanophenyl)-3- 4. 25 M+H + cl phenylacrylamide 0 ion, N EXAMPLE 65 2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2-ylpropionamide EDCI (80mg, 420, umol) and HOBt (56mg, 420, umol) were added to a stirred solution of 2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionic acid (Preparation 41, 100mg, 320µmol) in anhydrous DMF (6mL). After 15min, the solution was treated with thiazol-2-ylamine (38mg, 380µmol). The mixture was stirred at 20°C for 16h, before being concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was partitioned between CH2C12 and saturated aqueous Na2C03. The organic layer was washed with 1M HC1 and dried (MgS04). Filtration and solvent evaporation yielded the title compound: RTA = 3. 16 min ; m/z (ES+) = 436.2 [M+ MeCN +H] +.

The procedure exemplified by the preparation of EXAMPLE 65 was also used to prepare several other amides (TABLE 9).

TABLE 9 Ex Structure Name RT min nalz ES , s . g H ()-2-Phenyl-V-thiazoI-2-yl-3- [A] 313. 0 66 N) thiophen-2-ylacrylamde [M+ H] + o nu s > (E)-2-Phenyl-N- NS [1, 3, 4] thiadiazol-2-yl-3- 3. 77A1 314. 1 U > thiophen-2-ylacrylaniide 0 N-N 0 H (E)-2- (4-Methanesulfonyl- 68 NS phenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- 3. 18 [Al 393. 2 yl)-N-thiazol-2-ylacrylaniide 'ò 0 0 (E)-N- (5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)- J) n 2- (4-methanesulfbnylphenyl)-,,, [A] 468. 2 o /o N)-cl 3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- [M+ MeCN + H] + 0 acrylamide o 0 (E)-N- (5-Bromothiazol-2-yl)- 70 X N S 2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3 55 [A] 514. 1 11 Br 3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- [M+MeCN+H] + S o NJ acrylamide o s s (E)-2- (4-Methanesulfonyl- 71 X N S phenyl)-3-(tetrahydrothio-3 53 [A] 450. 1 o {pyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2-yl-. [M+ MeCN + H] + 0N acrylan-iide 0 s (E)-N- (5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)- 72 AX N S 2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3 9l [A] 484. 0 0 cl 3- (tetrahydrothiopyran-4-yl)- [M+ MECN + Hl+ acrylamide o s ()-N-(5-Chloro-4-methyl- H thiazol-2-yl)-2- (4-methane- 0 Y,-ci sulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydro- [M+MeCN+H] + , O Nn thiopyran-4-yl) acrylamide 0 s (E)-2- (4-Methanesulfinyl- 74 JL M s phenyl)-3- (tetrahydro- [A] 393. 1 1j tluopyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2- [M+ H] + R ° Nz ylacrylamide li 0 ()-N-(5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)-' 75 AN 2-(4-methanesulfinylphenyl)-3 71 [A] 468. 2 j/-ci 3- (tetrahydrothiopyran-4-yl)-' 1 + s ° '- acrylamide 0 0 0 N (5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)-2- (4- N s methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-a, 470. 3 3. 57 o Y -ci (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- [M+ MeCN + H] + 0 propionamide o 0 o (ymethylsulfanyl- H phenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- 393. 2 NYs) yl)-N-thiazol-2-yl-3. 51 [M+ H] + o°>Sw ° N=Y propionamide 0 3- (Tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-2- g I NYs [4- (tetrahydropyran-4- 3. 40[A] 433. 1 SU O N) ylsulfanyl) phenyl]-N-thiazol-. [M+ H] + s 2-ylpropionamide o) 0 N s 2- (3-Methylsulfanylphenyl)-3- 79 NS (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-Al-3. 52 [Al 363. 2 N thiazol-2-ylpropionamide s I 2- (4-Methylsulfanyl-3-nitro- 80 N s, phenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- yl)-N-thiazol-2-yl- 42A [M+ H] + propionamide o o (E)-2- (4-Nitrophenyl)-3- 81Ys (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-1. 51 [B 360. 0 0'N+ 0N thiazol-2-ylacrylamide N n 0 9 l + (E)-N-(5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)- H 2- (4-nitrophenyl)-3- 394. 0 (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- [M+ H] + acrylamide n o ()-2- (4-Methylsulfanyl- s phenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- 1. 61B 361. 0 lao yl)-N-thiazol-2-ylacrylamide s 0 N-/ ()-N-(5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)- 84 t H 2-(4-methylsulfanylphenyl)-3- [B] 395 o N s (tetrahydropyran-4-1. 86B 395. 0 sSv ° N yl) acrylamide 0 2- (3-Fluoro-4-methylsulfanyl- 1 H phenyl)-3-(tetrahydropyran-4- [A] 381. 2 yl)-N thiazol-2- [M+ H] s ? O N ylpropionamide F 2- (4-Cyclopropanesulfonyl- l H phenyl)-N-(5-formylthiazol-2- [A] 490. 2 6 N S 3. 22 M+ MeCN + H + 86 N s yl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- 3. 221" [M+ MECN + H] + ox o N ° yl) propionamide p-" o (E)-N-(5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)- H 2- (4-cyclopropanesulfmyl- 437. 2 ci phenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- XSw O N yl) acrylamide I I o ()-2- (4-Cyclopropane- 1 {H sulfmylphenyl)-3-{tetrahydro- [A] 403 3 00 '*. \ Ttr. i Z. O ? r. l+ 88 pyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2- [M+ H] s N ylacrylamide I I 0 2- (3-Bromo-4- | H methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- [A] 516. 2 89 mNX, (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-3. 39 [M+ MeCN + H] + ZSv ? o N thiazol-2-ylpropionamide O Br 9+l 2- (4-Ethanesulfonylphenyl)- H N- (3-methyl- [1, 2, 4] thiadiazol- [A] 424. 1 90 I N Y 5-yl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- [M+ H] + 5~ ° N ; yl) propionamide o 2- (4-Ethylsulfamoylphenyl)- 91 j -pyrimidm-4-yl-3- [A] 419. 1 (tetrahydropyran-4- [M+ H] o H iN yl) propionamide H ° 2- (4-Ethylsulfamoylphenyl)- a jL M ALpyrazm-2-yl-3-on [A] 419. 2 N (tetrahydropyran-4-3[M+ H] + N-, e) yl) propionamide H [A] RT employing Method A. [B] RT employing Method B.

EXAMPLE 93 (2R)-3-(Tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-N- thiazol-2- ylpropionamide Method A: To a stirred solution of PPh3 (3.53g, 13. 4mmol) in CH2Cl2 (70mL) was added NBS (882mg, 10. 6mmol) at 0°C. After 1Omin, (2R)-2- (4- methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-(tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionic acid (Preparation 53, 2.80g, 9. 0mmol) was added, then the mixture was stirred at 0°C for 20 min, and then at 20°C for 30min. Thiazol-2-ylamine (933mg, 9.3mmol) and pyridine (2.2mL, 18. 8mmol) were added at 0°C, then the mixture was stirred at 20°C for 20h. After solvent evaporation, the residue was partitioned between 5% aqueous citric acid (lOOmL) and EtOAc (500mL). The aqueous layer was further extracted with EtOAc (200mL), then the combined organic layers were washed with H20 and brine, before being dried (Na2SO4), filtered, and concentrated in vacuo. Chromatographic purification (CHCl3-MeOH, 99: 1) of the residue on Chromatorex# NH-DM1020 (Fuji Silysia Chemical, Ltd. , Aichi-ken, Japan; See also http://www. fuji-silysia. co.jp/e- fllOOdx. htm) gave the title compound: mp 217°C ; [α]D20-51. 5 (c = 1.00, CHCl3).

Method B: Racemic 2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- N-thiazol-2-ylpropionamide (EXAMPLE 65) was separated by chiral stationary phase HPLC. Method: CHIRAL CEL OJe (Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd. , Tokyo, Japan), 10cm x 25cm, MeOH (100%), 189mL/min, W 285nm, 25°C ; RT (S) = 21. 7min ; RT (R) = 25. 4min. Analysis: CHIRAL CEL OJ-R'E' (Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd. , Tokyo, Japan), 4.6mm o x 15cm, CH3CN-0. 5M NaClO4 (pH 2.0), 20: 80, 0. 5mL/min, UV 225nm, 25°C ; RT ($) = 11. 53min ; RT (R) = 19.30min.

Method A of EXAMPLE 93 was utilised to obtain the compounds listed in TABLE 10 from the appropriate heteroaromatic amine and enantiopure acid.

TABLE 10 Ex Structure Name iil/z I (conen, solvent, temp) I (APCt (2R)-2- (4-Cyclopropane- H sulfonylphenyl)-N- (5- ( 1 (Y F fluorothiazol-2-yl)-3- 94 N (tetrahydropyran-4- (c=0. 97, CHC13, 31°C) [M+ H] + s, (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) propionamide (2R)-N- (5-Chlorothiazol- l N 2-yl)-2-(4-methane--125 0 429 JU&T ; n (c=0. 73, CHC13, 25°C) [M+ H] + zS~ O N-'/ (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- o propionamide (2R)-N- (5-Fluorothiazol- s 2-yl)-2- (4-methane--67. 1 413 96, i NF sulfonylphenyl)-3-+ bw O N (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- s "Sb propionamide (2R)-2- (4-Cyclopropane- N s sulfonylphenyl)-3--71. 9 422 1j'N (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N + o 0 N-JIN (c=0. 93, CHC13, 30-C) [M+Hl+ zoo ylpropionamide (2R)-2- (4-Cyclopropane- t N sulfonylphenyl)-N-52. 3 416 o 0 N (C=0, 99, CHC13, 28°C) [M+ H] + s (tetraliydropyran-4- yl) propionamide (2R)-N- (5-Fluoropyridin- 2-yl)-2- (4-methane- _54, 0 407 99 (c=0. 63, CHC13, 25'C) [M+H] + S O N F (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) propionamide (2R)-2- (4-Cyclopropane- sulfonylphenyl)-N (5- 100 ° I fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3--54. 1 433 + 0 N"'F (c=1. 05, CHC13, 22°C) [M + H] + yl) propionamide H (2R)-2- (4-Cyclopropane- s sulfonylphenyl)-3--53. 7 421 101 o 0 (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N- (c=1. 03, CHC13, 23°C) [M+ H] + Vv sNÒ thiazol-2-ylpropionamide (2R)-2- (4-Cyclopropane- AN S sulfonylphenyl)-N-(3-52. 0 436 102 JU hyl- [l, 2, 4] thiadiazol- my Vo o 4-yl) propionamide Method A of EXAMPLE 93 was also used to prepared the compounds listed in TABLE 11 from the appropriate heteroaromatic amine and enantiopure acid.

TABLE 11 Ex Structure Name RTA (min) Xt/Z (ES+) 0 (2R)-2- (4-Cyclobutane- sulfonylphenyl)-N- 103 N J pyrazin-2-yl-3-3. 29. 2 (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- [M+ H] + propionamide 0 (2R)-2- (4-Cyclobutane- H sulfonylphenyl)-N- 104 o I N pyrimidin-4-yl-3-3. 24 430 2 J NIINI (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- propionamide 0 (2R)-2- (4-Cyclobutane- sulfonylphenyl)-N 105 N isoxazol-3-yl-3-3. 49 419. 2 _o (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- [M+ H] propionamide 0 (2R)-2- (4-Cyclobutane- sulfonylphenyl)-N (l- 106 w N methyl-1H pyrazol-3-3. 22 4M+ H + o yl)-3- (tetrahydropyran- [] N \ 4-yl) propionamide 0 (2R)-2- (4-Cyclobutane- I H sulfonylphenyl)-N-(5- 107 NS F fluorothiazol-2-yl)-3-3. 82 494. 1 o i [M+ MECN H] + % 0 iN, (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- propionamide o) (2R)-2- (4-Ethyl- H sulfamoylphenyl)-N-419. 2 N 108 Ny pyrazin-2-yl-3-3. 15 + °'tJ o N>> (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- H, sÒ propionamide H 0 o) (2R)-2- (4-Ethyl- H sulfamoylphenyl)-N-419. 2 109 Nn pynrnidin-4-yl-3-3. 09 [M + H] + 0 (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- propionamide H 0 o (2R)-2- (4-Ethyl- uI H sulfamoylphenyl)-N-418 1 110 N pyridin-2-yl-3-3. 26 [M+ H] + (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- propionamide H 0 o (2R)-2- (4-Ethyl- > H sulfamoylphenyl)-N-(l-421 1 111 g<>gN>/methyl-lH-pyrazol-3-3. 12 [M + H] + or yl)-3- (tetrahydropyran- NSv \ 4-yl) propionamide H o (2R)-2- (4-Ethyl- sulfamoylphenyl)-N-(3- H methyl-439. 1 112 , 112 NS N [1, 2, 4] thiadiazol-5-yl)-- [M+H]' 0 N 3- (tetrahydropyran-4- o'yl) propionamide (2R)-2- (4-Ethyl- H | sulfamoylphenyl)-N-(6-449 1 113 N o methoxypyrimidin-4-3. 54 M+H + ° o Ns : 5N yl)-3-(tetrahydropyran- [] 4-yl) propionamide EXAMPLE 114 (E)-2-(4-Cyclopropanesulfonylphenyl)-N-(5-fluoropyridin-2-yl )-3-(tetrahydropyran- 4-yl) acrylamide TFFH (283mg, 1. 07mmol) and DIPEA (373, umol, 2. 14mmol) were added to a stirred solution of (E)-2- (4-cyclopropanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) acrylic acid (Preparation 23,300mg, 0.89mmol) in anhydrous CH2C12 (18mL).

After 30min, the solution was treated portionwise with 2-amino-5-fluoropyridine (200mg, 1. 78mmol) over 30min, before being stirred further for 16h. Solvent evaporation and purification by RP-HPLC furnished the title compound: RTA = 3. 34min ; mlz (ES+) = 431.2 [M+ H] +.

The procedure exemplified by the preparation of EXAMPLE 114 was also used to prepare several other amides (TABLE 12).

TABLE 12 Ex Structure Name RTA (nun) m/z (ES+) (E)-2- (4-Cyclopropane- sulfonylphenyl)-N-(5-478. 3 115 o I N F fluorothiazol-2-yl)-3-3. 44 [M+ MeCN + H] + i o N (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) acrylamide 0 2- (3-Fluoro-4- methanesulfonylphenyl)-472. 3 116 N s N (5-fluorothiazol-2-yl)- 3. 28 + H T !) UF o/lt., < [M+MeCN+H] q, 3- (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) propionamide % b ? (E)-N- (5-Fluorothiazol-2- yl) _ _ (4_ 117 (N s methanesulfonylphenyl)-3. 24 452. 3 o 3- (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) acrylamide 0 (E)-2- (4-Ethanesulfonyl- phenyl)-N-pyrimidin-4-yl-402. 1 (N) 3-(tetrahydropyran-4-3. 12 [M+ H] + 'gaz 0 N. N yl) acrylamide o o+ 0 (E)-2- (4-Ethanesulfonyl- 119 1 {H phenyl)-N-isoxazol-3-yl-391. 1 (% (N) 3-(tetrahydropyran-4-3. 19 [M + H] + 5sv O N-o yl) acrylamide 0 (E)-N- (5-Fluorothiazol-2- yl)-2- [4- (propane-l- 439. 1 120 mye sulfonyl) phenyl]-3- 3. 67 °sU"'L (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) acrylamide o (E)-2- [4- (Propane-l- sulfonyl) phenyl]-N 121 g+gN>/pyrimidin-4-yl-3-3. 29 [M+H] + o N (tetrahydropyran-4- 's, yl) acrylamide 0 0o (E)-N- (3-Methyl- [1, 2, 4] thiadiazol-5-yl)-2-36 1 122 N s, [4- (propane-1-sulfonyl)- 3. 44 [M+ Hj+ o yt phenyl]-3- (tetrahydro- pyran-4-yl) acrylamide lob o (-N (1-Methyl-1H pyrazol-3-yl)-2- [4- 123 Nr\ (propane-I-sulfonyl)-3. 26 418. 3 N-3- (tetrahydro- pyran-4-yl) acrylamide EXAMPLE 124, EXAMPLE 125, AND EXAMPLE 126 (E)-2-Phenyl-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2-ylacrylamide, (E)-2- (4- Formylphenyl)-N-(5-formylthiazol-2-yl)-3-(tetrahydropyran-4- yl) acrylamide, and (E)-N-(5-Formylthiazol-2-yl)-2-phenyl-3-(tetrahydropyran-4-y l) acrylamide n-BuLi (17mL of a 1.6M solution in hexanes, 27. 2mmol) was added to a stirred solution of (E)-2- (4-bromophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2- ylacrylamide (EXAMPLE 12,4. 00g, 10. 2mmol) in anhydrous THF (lOOmL) at -78°C. After 110min, the mixture was treated with anhydrous DMF (5mL, 64. 6mmol), before being allowed to warm to 20°C over 30min. The reaction was quenched with 1M HC1, then the THF was evaporated off under reduced pressure.

The aqueous phase was extracted with CH2CI2, then the CH2C12 extracts were dried (MgS04), filtered, and concentrated. The residue was stirred with Na2S205 solution.

The solid produced was collected and triturated with EtOAc. This material was then suspended in EtOAc, then saturated aqueous NaHCO3 was added with stirring. The layers were separated, then the aqueous phase was extracted with EtOAc and CH2C12.

The combined organic layers were dried, filtered, concentrated, and subjected to column chromatography (CH2C12-THF, 93: 7), to give EXAMPLE 125 (RTB = 1. 30min ; mlz (ES+) = 371.2 [M+ H]+) and EXAMPLE 126 (RTB = 1.38min ; mlz (ES+) = 343.4 [M+ H] +). The EtOAc washings from the bisulfite addition complex were concentrated, then the residue was subjected to flash chromatography (CH2C12- THF, 24: 1 to 93: 7) to give EXAMPLE 124 (RTB = 1.39min ; mlz (ES+) = 315.3 [M+ H] +) and an additional quantity of EXAMPLE 126.

EXAMPLE 127 2- [2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionylamino] thiazole-5- carboxylic acid Ethyl 2-aminothiazole-5-carboxylate (2. 21g, 12. 8mmol) was condensed with 2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionic acid (Preparation 41, 1. 00g, 3. 2mmol), using the procedure described for EXAMPLE 65, to give ethyl 2- [2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) propionylamino] thiazole-5-carboxylate: m/z (ES+) = 508.3 [M+ MeCN + H] +.

LiOH-H2O (410mg, 9. 8mmol) was added to a solution of this ester (1.44g, 3. 1mmol) in THF-H20 (3: 1,30mL). The mixture was stirred at 20°C for 16h and then at 55°C for 24h. The solvents were removed in vacuo, then the residue was dissolved in H2O (50mL). The aqueous solution was washed with EtOAc (20mL), before being acidified to pH 1 with 2M HCl and extracted with EtOAc (2 x 100mL). The combined organic extracts were dried (MgS04), filtered and concentrated to give a solid that was recrystallised (EtOAc-MeOH) to give the title compound: RTA = 2. 95min ; m/z (ES+) = 480.2 [M+ MeCN + H] +.

EXAMPLE 128 2- [2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionylamino] thiazole-5- carboxylic acid methoxy-methyl-amide NEt3 (647, uL, 4. 64mmol) and BOP (976mg, 2. 21mmol) were added to a stirred solution of 2- [2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) propionylamino] thiazole-5-carboxylic acid (EXAMPLE 127,968mg, 2. 21mmol) in anhydrous DMF (30mL). After 5min, N, O-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (237mg, 2. 43mmol) was added, then the mixture was stirred at 20°C for 18h. The solvents were removed in vacuo, then the residue was dissolved in EtOAc (75mL).

The EtOAc solution was washed with saturated aqueous Na2CO3 (40mL), 2M HCl (40mL), and brine (40mL), before being dried (MgS04). Filtration and solvent evaporation provided the title compound: RTB = 1. 27min ; m/z (ES+) = 482.0 [M + H] +.

EXAMPLE 129 2- [2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionylamino] thiazole-5- carboxylic acid methylamide 2- [2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) propionylamino] thiazole-5-carboxylic acid (EXAMPLE 127,399mg, 0. 91mmol) was condensed with MeNH2'HCl in the presence of NEt3, utilising the general procedure described in EXAMPLE 65, to give the title compound: RTA = 2. 82min ; m/z (ES+) = 452.3 [M+ H] +.

EXAMPLE 130 (E)-2- [2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) acryloylamino] thiazole- 5-carboxylic acid methylamide Ethyl 2-aminothiazole-5-carboxylate (0.73g, 4. 26mmol) was condensed with (E)-2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetraliydropyran-4-yl) acrylic acid (Preparation 25,0. 33g, 1. 07mmol), using the procedure described in EXAMPLE 65, to give (E)-ethyl 2- [2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) acryloylamino] thiazole-5-carboxylate: m/z (ES+) = 465.3 [M+ H] +. This ester (0.50g, 1.07mmol) was saponified, employing the protocol described in EXAMPLE 127, to furnish (E)-2- [2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) acryloylamino] thiazole-5-carboxylic acid : m/z (ES) = 435.2 [M-H]-. Utilising the approach described in EXAMPLE 129, this acid (0.16g, 0.37mmol) was transformed into the title compound: RTA = 2. 87min ; m/z (ES+) = 450.2 [M+ H] +.

EXAMPLE 131 AND EXAMPLE 132 N- (5-Formylthiazol-2-yl)-2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) propionamide and N-(5-Hydroxymethylthiazol-2-yl)-2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)- 3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionamide DIBAL (2.45mL of a 1. 5M solution in PhMe, 3. 68mmol) was added dropwise to a stirred solution of ethyl 2- [2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) propionylamino] thiazole-5-carboxylate (see EXAMPLE 127,1. 72g, 3. 68mmol) in anhydrous CH2CI2 (50mL) at-78°C. After 50min, more DIBAL (2. OmL of a 1. 5M solution in PhMe, 3. 00mmol) was added. The mixture was stirred further for 70min, before being quenched with MeOH (3mL) and 1M HC1 (3mL). On warming to 20°C, more 1M HC1 (20mL) was added. The organic phase was separated, dried (MgS04), filtered, and concentrated, before being purified by column chromatography (IH- EtOAc, 1: 9 to 0: 1, then MeOH: EtOAc, 1: 9) to give the title aldehyde (RTA = 2. 97min ; mlz (ES+) = 464.2 [M+ MeCN + H] +) and the title alcohol (RTA = 2. 56min ; only (ES+) = 425.3 [M+ H] +).

EXAMPLE 133 N-(5-Cyanothiazol-2-yl)-2-(4-cyclopropanesulfonylphenyl)-3-( tetrahydropyran-4- yl) propionamide A stirred solution of 2-(4-cyclopropanesulfonylphenyl)-N-(5-formylthiazol-2- yl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionamide (EXAMPLE 86,369mg, 0. 82mmol) in pyridine (1.53mL) was treated with H2NOH-HCl (63mg, 0.91mmol) at 0°C. The mixture was stirred at 20°C for 3h, before being warmed up to 60°C and treated with Ac20 (155, uL, 1. 65mmol). After 3h, the mixture was cooled to 20°C, before being concentrated in vacuo and treated with CH2C12 (6mL) and H20 (6mL). The aqueous phase was acidified to pH 3 with 10% aqueous citric acid. The organic layer was separated, then the aqueous layer was further extracted with CH2C12 (2 x 10mL). The combined organic extracts were dried (MgS04), filtered, and concentrated to give a residue that was purified by column chromatography (IH-EtOAc, 1: 3) to furnish the title compound: RTA = 3. 40min ; mlz (ES+) = 487.4 [M+ MeCN + H] +.

EXAMPLE 134 N-(5-Cyanothiazol-2-yl)-2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-(tetra hydropyran-4- yl) propionamide The procedure described in EXAMPLE 133 was employed to convert N- (5- formylthiazol-2-yl)-2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) propionamide (EXAMPLE 131,200mg, 0. 47mmol) into the title compound: RTA = 3. 14min ; m/z (ES+) = 461.3 [M+ MeCN + H] +.

EXAMPLE 135 Methyl {2- [2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionylamino]- thiazol-5-ylmethyl} carbamate (NH4) 2CO3 (2.25g, 34. 1mmol) was added to a stirred solution of N-(5- formylthiazol-2-yl)-2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) propionamide (EXAMPLE 131,125mg, 0. 3mmol) in MeOH (15mL). After 16h at 20°C, the mixture was concentrated, then the residue was partitioned between CH2C12 and H20. The organic layer was washed with Na2C03 and 2M HCl, before being dried (MgS04). Filtration, solvent evaporation, and column chromatography (EtOAc) furnished the title compound: RTA = 1. 07min ; mlz (ES+) = 482. 3 [M+ H] +.

EXAMPLE 136 (E)-3- (l-Formylpiperidin-4-yl)-2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-N-thiazol-2- ylacrylamide (E)-tert-Butyl 4- [2-carboxy-2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl) vinyl] piperidine-1- carboxylate (Preparation 35,3. 17g, 7. 7mmol) was condensed with thiazol-2-ylamine (2.32g, 23. 2mmol), employing the procedure described in EXAMPLE 65, to give (E)-tert-butyl 4- [2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-2- (thiazol-2- ylcarbamoyl) vinyl] piperidine-l-carboxylate : m/z (ES+) = 492.2 [M+ H] +. TFA (20mL) was added to a stirred solution of the abovementioned carbamate (1.40g, 2. 8mmol) in CH2Cl2 (20mL). After 2h, the solution was concentrated ira vacuo. The residue was dissolved in H2O, then the solution was washed with EtOAc. The aqueous layer was concentrated to furnish the trifluoroacetate salt of (E)-2- (4- methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-piperidin-4-yl-N-thiazol-2-ylacryla mide: m/z (ES+) = 392.1 [M+ H] +. A stirred solution of imidazole (102mg, 1. 5mmol) in anhydrous DMF (lmL) was treated with Me3SiCl (114, uL, 0. 9mmol). After 20min, the above trifluoroacetate salt (150mg, 0. 3mmol) was added. The mixture was stirred for 16h, before being partitioned between CH2C12 and 1M HC1. The organic layer was dried (MgS04), filtered, concentrated, and flash chromatographed (EtOAc-MeOH, 97: 3 to 19: 1). Recrystallisation (EtOAc) of the residue gave the title compound: RTA = 3. 05min ; mlz (ES+) = 420.2 [M+ H] +.

EXAMPLE 137 AND EXAMPLE 138 (E)-2-(4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-(1-oxohexahydro-1#4-thiopy ran-4-yl)-N-thiazol- 2-ylacrylamide and (E)-3-(1,1-Dioxohexahydro-1#6-thiopyran-4-yl)-2-(4- methanesulfonylphenyl)-N-thiazol-2-ylacrylamide mCPBA (71mg of 86% pure, 410µmol) was added to a stirred solution of (E)- 2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydrothiopyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2-ylacrylamide (EXAMPLE 71,96mg, 230, cgnol) in CH2C12 (5mL). After 2h, the reaction mixture was quenched with saturated aqueous Na2C03 solution. The organic layer was washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO3, before being dried (MgS04). Filtration, solvent evaporation, and flash chromatography (EtOAc then CH2Cl2-MeOH, 19: 1) gave EXAMPLE 138 (RTA = 3. 12min ; m/z (ES+) = 482.2 [M+ MeCN + H] +) and EXAMPLE 137 (RTA = 2. 95min ; nilz (ES+) = 425.1 [M+ H] +).

EXAMPLE 139 AND EXAMPLE 140 (E)-N-(5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)-2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-( 1-oxohexahydro-1#4- thiopyran-4-yl) acrylamide and (E)-N-(5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)-3-(1,1-dioxohexahydro- 1 A6-thiopyran-4-yl)-2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl) acrylamide Incomplete oxidation of (E)-N-(5-chlorothiazol-2-yl)-2-(4- methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydrothiopyran-4-yl) acrylamide (EXAMPLE 72), employing the procedure described above for EXAMPLE 137 and EXAMPLE 138, furnished EXAMPLE 139 (RTB = 1.36min ; mlz (ES+) = 458.9 [M+ H] +) and EXAMPLE 140 (RTB = 1.48min ; m/z (ES+) = 515.9 [M+ MeCN + H] +).

EXAMPLE 141 AND EXAMPLE 142 2- (3-Fluoro-4-methanesulfinylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2- ylpropionamide and 2- (3-Fluoro-4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- N-thiazol-2-ylpropionamide Incomplete oxidation of 2- (3-fluoro-4-methylsulfanylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2-ylpropionamide (EXAMPLE 85,350mg, 0. 92mmol) with 1.5 equiv of mCPBA, employing the procedure described above for EXAMPLE 137 and EXAMPLE 138, furnished EXAMPLE 141 (RTA = 3. 06min ; m/z (ES+) = 397. 1 [M+ H] +) and EXAMPLE 142 (RTA = 3. 12min ; mlz (ES+) = 413.1 [M H]+).

EXAMPLE 143 N-(5-Bromothiazol-2-yl)-2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-(tetra hydropyran-4- yl) propionamide A solution of 2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-(tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N- thiazol-2-ylpropionamide (EXAMPLE 65,202mg, 510µmol), NBS (9lmg, 510, amol), and Bz2O2 (6mg, 26, umol), in CC14 (2mL) was heated to reflux for 16h.

After removal of the solvent, the residue was partitioned between EtOAc (30mL) and H2O (30mL). The organic extracts were washed with saturated aqueous NH4Cl (30mL), before being dried (MgS04). Filtration, solvent evaporation, and flash chromatography (CH2Cl2-EtOAc, 2: 3) gave the title compound: RTA = 3. 50min ; m/z (ES+) = 516. 2 [M + MeCN + H] +.

EXAMPLE 144 (E)-2- (4-Hydroxyphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2-ylacrylamide BBr3 (2. 5mL of a l. OM solution in CH2Cl2, 2. 5mmol) was added to a stirred solution of (E)-2- (4-methoxyphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2- ylacrylamide (EXAMPLE 13,340mg, 984, umol) in anhydrous CH2C12 (20mL) at -78°C. After 1h, the mixture was allowed to wann to 20°C over a period of 24h.

CH2Cl2 (100mL) was added, then the mixture was washed with H20 (20mL) and brine (20mL), before being dried (MgS04). Filtration, solvent evaporation, and column chromatography (CH2Cl2-MeOH, 50: 1) furnished the title compound: RTB = 1. 27min ; 7nlz (ES+) = 331. 0 [M+ H]+.

EXAMPLE 145 (E)-2- (4-Methanesulfonylaminophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2- ylacrylamide A stirred suspension of (E)-2- (4-nitrophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N- thiazol-2-ylacrylamide (EXAMPLE 81,1. 54g, 4. 0mmol) in EtOH (54mL) and THF (3 OmL) was treated with H2O (13mL), saturated aqueous NH4C1 (13mL), and Fe powder (1.49g, 26. 7mmol). After 4. 5h at 20°C, the reaction mixture was filtered through Celite, washing with CH2C12. The combined filtrates were concentrated and the residue was dissolved in CH2C12. The CH2C12 solution was washed with H20 and dried (MgS04). Filtration, solvent evaporation, and column chromatography (EtOAc-MeOH, 19: 1) gave (-2- (4-aminophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-V- thiazol-2-ylacrylamide: mlz (ES+) = 330.1 [M+ H] . A stirred solution of this compound (104mg, 291, umol) in anhydrous CH2C12 (4mL) was treated with MeSO2Cl (90, uL, 1165, umol) and pyridine (94, uL, 1165, umol). After 16h, the mixture was diluted with CH2C12 (25mL), before being extracted twice with 2M NaOH. The combined aqueous extracts were washed with Et20, before being acidified with 12M HC1 to pHl and extracted twice with CH2C12. The combined organic extracts were washed with brine and dried (MgS04). Filtration and solvent evaporation afforded the title compound: RTB =1. 26min ; mlz (ES+) = 408.0 [M+ H] +.

EXAMPLE 146 3-(Tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-2-[4-(tetrahydropyran-4-ylmethylsul fanyl)phenyl]-N- thiazol-2-ylpropionamide A solution of 2- (4-methoxymethylsulfanylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N thiazol-2-ylpropionamide (EXAMPLE 77,1. 29g, 3. 28mmol) in THF (50mL) was added to a stirred solution of AgN03 (0.59g, 3. 28mmol) in EtOH (85mL) at 40°C.

The mixture was protected from light and stirred at 40°C for 21h. The solvents were evaporated off under reduced pressure, then the remaining solid was triturated with i-PrOH (60mL), THF (60mL), and Et20 (60mL). After air-drying, the solid was stirred vigorously with CH2C12 (200mL) and 6M HCl (82mL) for 4h under Ar. The layers were separated, then the aqueous phase was extracted with CH2Cl2 (2 x 100mL). The combined organic extracts were filtered through Celite, washed with brine (lOOmL) and dried (MgS04). Filtration and solvent evaporation furnished 2- (4- mercaptophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2-ylpropionamide : m/z (ES+) = 349.2 [M + H] +. NEt3 (0.14mL, 1006µmol) and a solution of 4- iodomethyltetrahydropyran (151 mg, 668mol) in anhydrous DMF (3mL) were added to a stirred solution of this benzenethiol (197mg, 565, umol) in anhydrous DMF (7mL) at 0°C. The mixture was warmed to 20°C, before being stirred for 16h. The solvents were evaporated off under reduced pressure, then the residue was partitioned between CH2C12 (25mL) and 2% aqueous citric acid (lOmL). The aqueous layer was extracted with CH2C12 (10mL), then the combined organic layers were washed with H20 (lOmL), saturated aqueous Na2C03 (lOmL), H20 (lOmL), and brine (lOmL). After drying (MgS04), filtration and solvent evaporation gave a residue that was subjected to flash chromatography (1H EtOAc, 3: 1 to 0: 1) to furnish the title compound: RTA= 3. 61min ; mlz (ES+) = 447.3 [M+ H]+.

EXAMPLE 147 2-[4-(Pyridin-3-ylsulfanyl)phenyl]-3-(tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- N-thiazol-2- ylpropionamide A solution of Pd2dba3 (18mg, 20, umol) and DPEPhos (24mg, 45, umol) in anhydrous PhMe (4mL) was stirred at 20°C for 3min. 3-Iodopyridine (107mg, 522, umol), 2- (4-mercaptophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2- ylpropionamide (see EXAMPLE 146,173mg, 500mol), and t-BuOK (65mg, 579, umol) were added, then the mixture was heated at 105°C (bath) for 2. 5h. On cooling to 20°C, the mixture was diluted with CH2C12 (lOmL) and filtered through Celite, washing with CH2C12 (5mL) and EtOAc (lOmL). Solvent evaporation and flash chromatography (IH-EtOAc, 3: 1 to 0: 1) afforded the title compound: RTB = 1. 37min ; m/z (ES+) = 426.0 [M+ H] +.

EXAMPLE 148 <BR> <BR> <BR> 3- (Tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-2- [4- (tetrahydropyran-4-ylmethanesulfonyl) phenyl]-N-<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> thiazol-2-ylpropionamide A stirred solution of 3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-2- [4- (tetrahydropyran-4- ylmethylsulfanyl) phenyl]-N-thiazol-2-ylpropionamide (EXAMPLE 146,146mg, 327µmol) in CHzCIz (7mL) was treated with a solution of mCPBA (186 mg of 65% pure, 690µmol) in CH2C12 (7mL). After 4d, saturated aqueous Na2C03 (l OmL) was added, then the mixture was stirred vigorously for 5min. The aqueous phase was extracted with CH2C12 (lOmL), then the combined organic extracts were washed with saturated aqueous Na2C03 (lOmL), H20 (lOmL), and brine (lOmL), before being dried (MgS04). Filtration, solvent evaporation, and flash chromatography (EtOAc) provided the title compound: RTA = 3. 26min ; m/z (ES+) = 479. 3 [M+ H] +.

Several other sulfones were prepared by the oxidation of the appropriate thioether (TABLE 13) using the protocol described in EXAMPLE 148.

TABLE 13 Ex Structure Name RT min m/z S 0 2- (4-Methoxymethane- sulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydro- [A] 425. 2 149 f"" pyran-4-yl) W-thiazol-2-yl--- [M+H]' 0 0 N propionamide o 0 o) 2- [4- (Tetrahydropyran-4- 150 N S sulfonyl) phenyl]-3- 3. 041'1 465. 1 Oa o N) (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-. [M+ H] + thiazol-2-ylpropionamide 0 2- [4- (Pyridine-3-sulfonyl)- 151 f N, í S phenyl]-3-(tetrahydropyran-4-1 36X] 458. 0 O5 ; ° N) yl)-N-thiazol-2-. [M+ H] + ylpropionamide Je o). 2- (3-Methanesulfonyl- 152 N S phenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- 1. 281'3 395. 0 i o NJ Yl)-N thiazol-2- [M+ H] ylpropionamide 0=8=0 I [A] RT employing Method A. [B] RT employing Method B.

The compounds listed in TABLE 14 were prepared from 2- (4- mercaptophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2-ylpropionamide (see EXAMPLE 146) by combining the procedures used to make EXAMPLES 146 and 148.

TABLE 14 Ex Structure Name RT (min) m/z (ES+) 0 2- (4-Cyclopropylmethane- 153 N s sulfonylphenyl)-3-B 435. 0 o) (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-1. [M+H] + thiazol-2-ylpropionamide o 0 2- [4- (Pyridin-3- 154 l N ylmethanesulfonyl) phenyl]-3- ooM 472. 1 1t t Y) (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-. [M+ H] + s thiazol-2-ylpropionamide o 0 2- [4- (Propane-l-sulfonyl)- H phenyl]-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- 464. 2 o A T) yl)-N-thiazol-2-. [M+ MeCN + H] + /5~ ° N ylpropionamide lob 0 + H 2-(4-Ethanesulfonylphenyl)- 156 N S 3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N 3. 11 A + o I o N thiazol-2-ylpropionamide [M+ MeCN + H] 0 0m 0 2- (4-Cyanomethanesulfonyl- 157 N s phenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- 3, 15A 420. 2 o yl)-N-thiazol-2-. [M+ H] + Nts~ O N ylpropionamide o 0 2- [4- ( [1, 2, 4] 0xadiazol-3- H ylmethanesulfonyl) phenyl]-3- 463. 2 (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N 3. 06 [M+H] + ° J. s-9 O NZ thiazol-2-ylpropionamide \) 0 2- [4- ( [1, 3] Dioxolan-2- 159 l N S ylmethanesulfonyl) phenyl]-3-3 ll [A] 508. 3 159 o \ (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-. [M+ MeCN + H] + 0 thiazol-2-ylpropionaniide o 2- [4- (Propane-2-sulfonyl)- H phenyl]-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- 423. 3 160 ; Z : NIS yl)-N-thiazol-2-3. 17El [M+ H] + YSvÒ ylpropionamide T o [A] RT employing Method A. [B] RT employing Method B.

EXAMPLE 161 2- [4- (Oxetane-3-sulfonyl) phenyl]-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2-<BR> ylpropionamide A mixture of 2-(4-mercaptophenyl)-3-(tekahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2- ylpropionamide (see EXAMPLE 146,349mg, l. Ommol), K2C03 (152mg, l. lmmol), NaI (150mg, l. Ommol), and 3- (tosyloxy) oxetane (274mg, 1. 2mmol) in anhydrous DMAc (20mL) was heated for 2h at 130°C. The solvent was evaporated off under reduced pressure, then the residue was partitioned between CH2C12 (75mL) and 2% aqueous citric acid (20mL). The organic layer was washed with H20 (20mL), saturated aqueous Na2CO3 (20mL), and brine (20mL), before being dried (MgS04).

Filtration and solvent evaporation afforded 2- [4- (oxetan-3-ylsulfanyl) phenyl] -3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2-ylpropionamide : nilz (ES+) = 405.2 [M+ H] +.

This thioether was oxidised employing the protocol outlined in EXAMPLE 148 to give the title compound: RTA = 3. 04min ; m/z (ES+) = 437. 2 [M+ H] +.

The compounds listed in TABLE 15 were synthesized employing the protocols described in EXAMPLE 161.

TABLE 15 Ex Structure Name RTA (min) mlz (ES) 2- [4- ( (3S)- H Tetrahydrofuran-3- 162 < T3 sulfonyl) phenyl]-3- 3. 07 451. 3 , i o N (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N- O thiazol-2-ylpropionamide ou ou 2- [4- ( (3R)- Tetrahydrofuran-3- 163 451. 2 163 N S sulfonyl) phenyl]-3- 2. 96 [4M1+2H] + Ofi o NJ (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N- ¢r ° thiazol-2-ylpropionarnide 0)'** 0 2- (4-Cyclobutane- sulfonylphenyl)-3-476. 3 164 N (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-3. 31 [M+ MECN + H] + JSÒ thiazol-2-ylpropionamide C/ EXAMPLE 165 <BR> <BR> 2- [4- (2-Oxopropane-l-sulfonyl) phenyl]-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2- ylpropionamide Reaction of 2- (4-mercaptophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2- ylpropionamide (see EXAMPLE 146, 363mg, 1. 04mmol) with chloroacetone (90, uL, l. 10mmol), employing a procedure similar to that described in EXAMPLE 146, furnished 2-[4-(2-oxopropylsulfanyl)phenyl]-3-(tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N -thiazol-2- ylpropionamide : mlz (ES+) = 405.3 [M+ H] +. TBA-OX (2.46g, 2.44mmol) was added to a stirred solution of the abovementioned thioether (399mg, 0.99mmol) in CH2C12 (20mL). After 19h, the reaction mixture was treated with more TBA-OX (0.97g, 0. 96mmol). An additional quantity of TBA-OX (1.09g, 1. 07mmol) was added 20h later, then the mixture was stirred further for 3d. Solvent evaporation and flash chromatography (IH-EtOAc, 3: 2 to 0: 1) afforded the title compound: RTA = 3.12min ; mlz (ES+) = 437.2 [M+ H] +.

The compounds listed in TABLE 16 were obtained from 2- (4- mercaptophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2-ylpropionamide (see EXAMPLE 146) by combining the procedure used to make EXAMPLE 147 with that used to prepare EXAMPLES 141 and 142.

TABLE 16 Ex Structure Name RTA (min) m/z (ES+) 91 2- [4- (Pyridine-2- 166 N S sulfonyl) phenyl]-3- 3. 20 458. 3 o 0 yi (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N- [M + H] + ¢y thiazol-2-ylpropionamide N 2- [4- (Pyridine-2- 167 N S sulfinyl) phenyl]-3- 3. 07 442. 3 167 N (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N [M+ H] + thiazol-2-ylpropionamide ÇN 109 2- [4- (Pyrazine-2- 168 N s sulfonyl) phenyl]-3- 3. 19 459. 3 °). o YN) (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-. [M+ H] + thiazol-2-ylpropionamide ZAIN 2- [4- (Pyrazine-2- 169 N S sulfinyl) phenyl]-3-3 00 443. 3 0 N (tetraliydropyran-4-yl)-N- [M+ H] + thiazol-2-ylpropionamide "IN 0 2- [4- (Pyrimidine-5- 170 g+ NS sulfonyl) phenyl]-3-3 18 459. 3 0 (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N- [M+ H] + sb thiazol-2-ylpropionamide N EXAMPLE 171 2-(3-Amino-4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-(tetrahydropyran-4-yl) -N-thiazol-2- ylpropionamide 2- (4-Methylsulfanyl-3-nitrophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2- ylpropionamide (EXAMPLE 80,5. 84g, 13. 2mmol) was oxidized with mCPBA following the procedure described in EXAMPLE 148 to give 2- (4-methanesulfonyl- 3-nitrophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2-ylpropionamide : mlz (ES+) = 481. 1 [M+ MeCN + H] +. This compound (520mg, 1. 2mmol) was reduced, employing the procedure described in EXAMPLE 145, to give the title compound: RTA = 2. 95min ; m/z (ES+) = 426.1 [M+ NH4] +.

EXAMPLE 172 2- (3-Chloro-4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2- ylpropionamide A solution of NaNO2 (34mg, 498, umol) in H20 (0.8mL) was added to a solution of 2- (3-amino-4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol- 2-ylpropionamide (EXAMPLE 171,200mg, 488, anol) in 6M HCl (1. 6mL) at 0°C.

The reaction was stirred at 0°C for 35min, before being added slowly to a stirred mixture of Cu powder (80mg, 1.26mmol) and 12M HCl (0.8mL) at 0°C. The temperature was increased to 20°C, then stirring was continued for 1h. The mixture was then heated at 60°C for lh, before being cooled down to 20°C and extracted with CH2C12 (3 x 15mL). The organic extracts were dried (MgS04), filtered, and concentrated to give a residue that was purified by RP-HPLC to furnish the title compound: RTA = 3. 17min ; filz (ES+) = 429.2 [M+ H] +.

EXAMPLE 173 2-[4-(Morpholine-4-sulfonyl)phenyl]-3-(tetrahydropyran-4-yl) -N-thiazol-2-yl- propionamide NEt3 (120, uL, 868pmol) and morpholine (76, µL, 868µmol) were added to a stirred solution of 4-[2-(tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-1-(thiazol-2- ylcarbamoyl) ethyl] benzenesulfonyl chloride (Preparation 59,300mg, 723µmol) in anhydrous DMF (4mL). After lOmin, the solvents were removed in vacuo, then the residue was taken up in CH2C12 (50mL). The CHzClz solution was washed with H20 (20mL), 1M HCl (20mL), H20 (20mL), saturated aqueous Na2C03 (20mL), and brine (20mL), before being dried (MgS04). Filtration, solvent evaporation, and recrystallisation (CHzClz-IH) gave the title compound: RTA = 3. 15min ; m/z (ES) 466.1 [M+ H] +.

The sulfonamides listed in TABLE 17 were synthesised by employing protocols similar to those described in EXAMPLE 173.

TABLE 17 TqA Ex Structure Name RT m/z (ES+) 0 % H 2-(4-Sulfamoylphenyl)-3- 174 N s (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-2. 93 M+ H + thiazol-2-ylpropionamide Zozo 0 2- (4-Methylsulfamoyl- phenyl)-3- (tetrahydro- 410. 2 175 ''s nAr-11 3-00 rui+ °-W lo 2 pyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2-. [M+H] + , s ylpropionamide Mb 2- (4-Dimethylsulfamoyl- s phenyl)-3- (tetrahydro- 424. 1 SU 0 N) pyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2-. [M + H] + \ gN'vò ylpropionamide , o) 2- [4- (4-Methylpiperazine- N s 1-sulfonyl) phenyl]-3- 479. 2 177 o (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)--" [M+H] S thiazol-2-ylpropionamide 0 2- {4- [ (Pyridin-2- Y Y)- 178 frrY Y sulfamoyl] phenyl}-3- 2. 82 . , s (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N WN o tliiazol-2-ylpropionamide ion 0 2_ {4- [ (Pyridin-3- s yhnethyl) _ 9 o fiYT sulfamoyl] phenyl}-3- 2. 70 r+H Ns 0N- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N- H H thiazol-2-ylpropionamide (nu 0m, 3- (Tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- 1 N 2-{4-[(tekahydropyran-4-494 1 180 o tY) ylmethyl) sulfamoyl]-3. 07 0N--/ phenyl}-N-thiazol-2- H ylpropionamide 0 2- {4- [ (Tetrahydrofuran-2- H ylmethyl) sulfamoyl]- 181 NIS phenyll-3- (tetrahydro- 3. 19 480. 3 + q 1 0N pyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2- [M+Hj H ylpropionamide 0 3- (Tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- s N-thiazol-2-yl-2- [4- 182 m T) (thiomorpholine-4-3. 42 Is sulfonyl) phenyl]- J o propionamide s 2- [4- (Azetidine-l- 183/BJ\N S sulfonyl) phenyl]-3-436. 1 o T,- :/ (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-IM'+ H] + N, Sx thiazol-2-ylpropionamide H 2- [4- ( [1, 4] 0xazepane-4- 4 Y'''Y\ sulfonyl) phenyl]-3- 480. 3 i o N (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N [M+ H] thiazol-2-ylpropionamide 0 2- (4-Cyclopropyl- 185 l N s sulfamoylphenyl)-3-3 20 470. 3 ts Oß, t tN) (tekahydropyran-4-yl)-N-. [M+ MeCN + H] + NI thiazol-2-ylpropionamide H 0 2- [4- (Cyclopropylmethyl- 186 N sulfamoyl) phenyl]-3- 3. 24 450. 3 o (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-[M+ H] + thiazol-2-ylpropionamide V n'o 0 3- (Tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- H H N-thiazol-2-yl-2-{4-492 1 187 <) [(thiophen-2-ylmethyl)-3. 31 [M+ H] + i o N sulfamoyl] phenyl}- N 16 propionaniide 2- [4- ( (lS, 4S)-2-Oxa-5- s azabicyclo [2. 2. 1] heptane- 188 o NIS 5-sulfonyl) phenyl]-3- 3. 06 M+ H + N'S (tetrahych-opyran-4-yl)-N- tN O thiazol-2-ylpropionamide J'o 2- (4-Ethylsulfamoyl- s phenyl)-3-424. 2 189 NIS (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-3 17 [M+ H] + NoSss O N thiazol-2-ylpropionamide H o 99 2- [4- (4-Methyl- N s [1, 4] diazepane-l- 190 o NIS sulfonyl) phenyl]-3- 2. 59 493. 3 'S (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N- thiazol-2-ylpropionamide o k 2- [4- ( (2)-2- N S Methoxymethyl- o I \ Y/pyrrolidine-1-sulfonyl)-494. 3 s phenyl]-3- [M+H] ° (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N thiazol-2-ylpropionamide oll 3- (Tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- H 2- [4- (tetrahydropyran-4- 480. 3 192 o | ylsulfamoyl) phenyl]-N-. [M+ H] + uN, S~ O N thiazol-2-ylpropionamide H 0 H 2- [4- (Imidazole-l- s sulfonyl) phenyl]-3- 447. 3 O 0 S- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-- [M+H]'' oNoSx thiazol-2-ylpropionamide ° N (5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)- H 2- [4- (2-dimethylamino- 194 N S ethylsulfamoyl) phenyl]-3- 2. 52 501 1 I °ç, 9 o NS (tekahydropyran-4-] oN~H ò yl) propionamide O °L N-(5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)- H 2- [4- (3-hydroxyazetidine- 195 0 Nc, 1-sulfonyl) phenyl]-3- 3. 81 [M+ MeCN + NH4] + o N (tetrahydropyran-4- , CN O yl) propionamude HO HO N (5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)- H 2- [4- ( (3S)-3- 196 o c hydroxypyrrolidine-1-500. 3 °s ° ' sulibnyl) phenyl]-3- [M+H] 'S (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) propionamide HO N (5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)- 2- [4- (4-methylpiperazine- 513. 4 197 fYY YV l-sulfonyl) phenyl]-3- 2. 76 . (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) propionamide EXAMPLE 198 N-(5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)-2-[4-(piperazine-1-sulfonyl)phenyl] -3-(tetrahydropyran-4- yl) propionamide NEt3 (278, uL, 2. 0mmol) and tert-butyl piperazine-1-carboxylate (373mg, 2. 0mmol) were added to a stirred solution of 4-[1-(5-chlorothiazol-2-ylcarbamoyl)-2- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) ethyl] benzenesulfonyl chloride (Preparation 60,449mg, 1. 0mmol) in anhydrous DMAc (4mL). The mixture was stirred for 16h, then the solvents were removed in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc (50mL) to give a solution that was washed with H2O (15mL), saturated aqueous Na2C03 (15mL), and brine (15mL), before being dried (MgSO4). Filtration, solvent evaporation, and column chromatography (IH-EtOAc, 7: 3 to 1: 1) gave tert-butyl 4-14- [l- (5- chlorothiazol-2-ylcarbamoyl)-2- (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) ethyl] benzenesulfonyl} piperazine-l-carboxylate : m/z (ES+) = 599.5 [M+ H] +. A solution of this compound (189mg, 316, umol) in CH2C12-TFA (1: 1,7mL) was stirred for 1h. The solvents were evaporated off under reduced pressure, then the residue was triturated with Et20. The product was collected, washed with Et20, and air-dried to furnish the trifluoroacetate salt of the title compound: RTA = 2. 64min ; m/z (ES+) = 499.3 [M+ H] + The compounds listed in TABLE 18 were synthesized as their trifluoroacetate salts employing the procedures described in EXAMPLE 198.

TABLE 18 Ex Structure Name RT niin nilz (ES) N (5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)- H 2- [4- (2-methylamino- 487. 3 199 N S cl ethylsuffamoyl) phenyl]-3- 2. 54 [M+ H] + 0 (tetrahydropyran-4- 'Sb YI) propionamide H 2- [4- (2-Amino- H ethylsulfamoyl) phenyl]- 473. 3 200 N s N (5-chlorothiazol-2-yl)- 2. 44 + 0 3- (tetrahydropyran-4- HZN fHSO yl) propionamide EXAMPLE 201 N-Ethyl-4-[2-(tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-1-(thiazol-2-ylcarbamoyl ) ethyl] benzamide 4- [2- (Tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-1- (thiazol-2-ylcarbamoyl) ethyl] benzoic acid (Preparation 62, 150mg, 420µmol) was condensed with EtNH2#HCl in the presence of DIPEA, utilising the general procedure described in EXAMPLE 65, to give the title compound: RTA = 2. 97min ; m/z (ES+) = 388.3 [M+ H] +.

1H NMR data for several Examples are catalogued in TABLE 19.

TABLE 19 Ex Solvent 1.15-1.22 (m, 2H), 1. 40-1. 50 (m, 4H), 1. 55-1. 70 (m, 2H), 2. 10-2. 25 (m, 1H), 34 CDC13 2. 55-2. 65 (m, 1H), 3.20-3. 30 (m, 2H), 3.85-3. 95 (m, 2H), 7.02 (d, 1H), 7.13 (d, 1H), 7.41 (d, 1H), 7.47 (d, 2H), 8.05 (d, 2H), 8.45-8. 53 (br, 1H) 68 CDC13 1.40-1. 70 (m, 4H), 2.13-2. 22 (m, 1H), 3.16 (s, 3H), 3.21-3. 31 (m, 2H), 3.85- 3. 95 (m, 2H), 7.01 (d, 1H), 7. 11 (d, 1H), 7.40 (d, 1H), 7.48 (d, 2H), 8.10 (d, 2H) 1. 00-1.06 (m, 2H), 1.25-1. 50 (m, 5H), 1. 55-1.65 (m, 2H), 1.75-1. 85 (m, 1H), 94 CDC13 2.15-2. 25 (m, 1H), 2.42-2. 51 (m, 1H), 3.25-3. 33 (m, 2H), 3.76-3. 85 (m, 1H), 3.88-3. 96 (m, 2H), 7.02 (d, 1H), 7.46 (d, 2H), 7.84 (d, 2H), 10.49 (s, 1H) 1. 00-1. 10 (m, 2H), 1.30-1. 50 (m, 5H), 1.55-1. 70 (m, 2H), 1.79-1. 87 (m, 1H), 98 CDC13 2. 20-2. 28 (m, 1H), 2.42-2. 50 (m, 1H), 3.26-3. 37 (m, 2H), 3.75-3. 80 (n4 1H), 3. 90-4.00 (m, 2H), 7.57 (d, 2H), 7.76 (s, 1H), 7.93 (d, 2H), 8.21 (d, 1H), 8. 38 (d, 1H), 9.55 (s, 1H 1. 00-1.10 (m, 2H), 1. 30-1. 55 (m, 5H), 1.60-1. 70 (m, 2H), 1.75-1. 85 (m, 1H), 100 # CDCl3 # 2. 15-2.25 (m, 1H), 2.40-2. 50 (m, 1H), 3.25-3. 35 (m, 2H), 3.68-3. 78 (m, 1H), 3. 90-3.98 (m, 2H), 7.40-7. 45 (m, 1H), 7.56 (d, 2H), 7.89 (d, 2H), 7.93 (s, 1H), 8. 09 (s, 1H), 8.19-8. 27 (m, 1H) 0.85-0. 95 (m, 2H), 1. 40-1. 65 (m, 5H), 1.75-1. 85 (m, lH), 1.95-2. 05 (m, 1H), 103 CDC13 2.15-2. 30 (n4 2H), 2.55-2. 60 (m, 2H), 3.25-3. 35 (m, 2H), 3.75-3. 95 (m, 4H), 7. 56 (d, 2H), 7.85 (d, 2H), 8.17 (d, 1H), 8. 20-8. 25 (br, 1H), 8.35 (d, 1H), 9.52 (s, 1H) 0. 80-0. 90 (m, 2H), 1.25-1. 45 (m, 3H), 1.50-1. 65 (m, 2H), 1.75-1. 85 (m, 1H) 107 CDC13 1. 95-2. 05 (m, 2H), 2. 15-2.25 (m, 1H), 2.50-2. 62 (m, 2H), 3.23-3. 32 (m, 2H), 3. 75-3. 95 (m, 4H), 7.00 (d, 1H), 7.45 (d, 2H), 7.81 (d, 2H), 9.73 br s, 1H 0.80-0. 90 (m, 1H), 1. 10-1. 20 (m, 2H), 1. 40-1. 55 (m, 4H), 1.60-1. 70 (m, 2H), 114 CDC13 2.55-2. 65 (m, 1H), 3.25-3. 35 (m, 2H), 3.90-4. 00 (m, 2H), 6.95 (d, 1H), 7.40- 7.55 (m, 3H), 8.00-8. 15 (m, 4H), 8.35-8. 40 (m, 1H) 1.12-1. 20 (m, 2H), 1.40-1. 55 (m, 4H), 1.60-1. 70 (m, 2H), 2.10-2. 21 (m, 1H), 115 CDC13 2.53-2. 62 (m, 1H), 3.20-3. 30 (m, 2H), 3.85-3. 95 (m, 2H), 7.00 (d, 1H), 7.09 (d, 1H), 7.43 (d, 2H), 8.04 (d, 2H), 8.10 (s, 1H) 117 (CD3) 2SO 1. 45-1. 55 (n4 4H), 2.25-2. 35 (m, 1H), 3.15-3. 25 (m, 2H), 3.30 (s, 3H), 3.75- 3. 85 (m, 2H), 6.75 d, 1H), 7.31 (s, 1H), 7.49 (d, 2H), 7.93 (d, 2H) The following compounds may also be synthesised using the procedures described above: 2-(3-Chloro-4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-N-(5-fluorothiazol-2-yl )-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionamide; 2- (4-Methanesulfonyl-3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-N- (5-fluorothiazol-2-yl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionamide; and 2-(3,4-Dichlorophenyl)-N-(5-fluorothiazol-2-yl)-3-(tetrahydr opyran-4- yl) propionamide.

ASSAYS In vitro GK activity Using a protocol similar to that described in WO 00/58293, GK activity was assayed by coupling the production of G6P by GST-GK to the generation of NADPH with G6PDH as the coupling enzyme.

The GK assay was performed at 30°C in a flat bottom 96-well assay plate from Costar with a final incubation volume of 100, uL. The assay buffer contained: 25mM Hepes buffer (pH 7.4), 12. 5mM KC1, 5mM D-Glc, 5mM ATP, 6.25mM NADP, 25mM MgCl2, 1mM dithiothreitol, test compound or 5% DMSO, 3. 0unit/mL G6PDH, and 0. 4, uL/mL GST-GK, derived from human liver GK. ATP, G6PDH, and NADP were purchased from Roche Diagnostics. The other reagents were >98% pure and were purchased from Kanto Chemicals. The test compounds were dissolved in DMSO, before being added to the assay buffer without ATP. This mix was preincubated in the temperature controlled chamber of a SPECTRAmax 250 microplate spectrophotometer (Molecular Devices Corporation, Sunnyvale, CA) for 10min, then the reaction was started by the addition of 10, uL ATP solution.

After starting the reaction, the increase in optical density (OD) at 340nm was monitored over a 10min incubation period as a measure of GK activity. Sufficient GST-GK was added to produce an increase in OD340 over the 10min incubation period in wells containing 5% DMSO, but no test compound. Preliminary experiments established that the GK reaction was linear over this period of time, even in the presence of activators that produced a 8-fold increase in GK activity. The GK activity in control wells was compared with the activity in wells containing test GK activators. The compound concentrations that produced a 50% increase in GK activity (i. e. FA1.5) were calculated. GK activators achieved FA1.5 at < 30, uM.

The above EXAMPLES 1-201 produced EC50s ranging from 0.1 to 32. 6, uM with max FAs from 1.6 to 8.7.

The following compounds did not achieve FA1.5 at 30p. M and hence are not preferred compounds of the invention: 2- (4-Bromophenyl)-3-furan-2-yl-N- [1, 3,4] thiadiazol-2-yl-acrylamide; 3-Furan-2-yl-2- (4-methoxyphenyl)-N- (4-trifluoromethyl-thiazol-2- yl) acrylamide; N- (5-Bromothiazol-2-yl)-3-furan-2-yl-2- (3-methoxyphenyl) acrylamide; N- (5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)-3-furan-2-yl-2- (3-methoxyphenyl) acrylamide; 4-[2-(Tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-1-(thiazol-2-ylcarbamoyl) ethyl] benzoic acid; N-Methyl-4- [2- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-1- (thiazol-2- ylcarbamoyl) ethyl] benzamide; N, N-Dimethyl-4- [2- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-1- (thiazol-2- ylcarbamoyl) ethyl] benzamide; 2- (4-Aminophenyl)-N- (5-chlorothiazol-2-yl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- propionamide ; N- (5-Dimethylaminomethylthiazol-2-yl)-2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionamide; N- (5-Chlorobenzooxazol-2-yl)-2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionamide; 2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-N- (1-methyl-lH-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionamide; N- (lH-Benzoimidazol-2-yl)-2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran- 4-yl) -propionamide; N-Isoquinolin-1-yl-2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- propionamide; N-Isoquinolin-3-yl-2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)- propionamide ; 3-[2-(Tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-1-(thiazol-2-ylcarbamoyl) ethyl] benzoic acid ; 3- [2- (Tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-l- (thiazol-2-ylcarbamoyl) ethyl] -N-thiazol-2-yl- benzamide; 3- [2- (Tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-1- (thiazol-2-ylcarbamoyl) ethyl] benzoic acid methyl ester; 2- (4-Mercaptophenyl)-3- (tetrahydro-pyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2-yl-propionamide ; 2- (4-Aminophenyl)-3- (tetrahydro-pyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2-yl-propionamide ; 2- [2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionylamino]- thiazole-4-carboxylic acid; 4- [2- (Tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-l- (thiazol-2-ylcarbamoyl) ethyl] benzamide ; 2- (3-Cyclopropanesulfonylaminophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol- 2-yl-propionamide; 2- [2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) propionylamino]- thiazole-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester; 2- [2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-propionylamino]- thiazole-5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester; 2- (3-Methanesulfonylaminophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2-yl- propionamide; 2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N- (5- trifluoromethylthiazol-2-yl) -propionamide; 2- (4-Cyanophenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2-yl-propionamide ; 2- (4-Dimethylaminomethylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2-yl- acrylamide ; 2- (4-Methylaminomethylphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2-yl- acrylamide; 2- [2- (4-Carboxyphenyl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) acryloylamino]-thiazole-5- carboxylic acid; N- [5- (4-Ethylpiperazine-1-carbonyl) thiazol-2-yl]-2-phenyl-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) acrylamide; N- [5- (4-Methylpiperazine-l-carbonyl) thiazol-2-yl] -2-phenyl-3- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl) acrylamide; 2- [2-Phenyl-3- (tetrahydro-pyran-4-yl) acryloylamino] thiazole-5-carboxylic acid (2-dimethylaminoethyl) amide; 2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-4- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2-yl- butyramide; 2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-4- (tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-but-2-enoic acid thiazol-2-ylamide; 2- (4-Acetylaminophenyl)-N- (5-chlorothiazol-2-yl)-3- (tetrahydropyran-4- yl) acrylamide ; N- (5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)-2- (4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-piperidin-4-yl- acrylamide; 2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-piperidin-4-yl-N-thiazol-2-yl-ac rylainide ; 2- (4-Aminophenyl)-3- (tetrahydro-pyran-4-yl)-N-thiazol-2-yl-acrylamide ; 2- (4-Aminophenyl)-N- (5-chloro-thiazol-2-yl)-3- (tetrahydro-pyran-4- yl) acrylamide; 2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-piperidin-1-yl-N-thiazol-2-yl-pr opionamide ; 2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-3- (3-methylthiophen-2-yl)-N-thiazol-2-yl- acrylamide; 2- (4-Methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-pyridin-3-yl-N-thiazol-2-yl-acry lamide ; 2- (3-Bromophenyl)-N- (5-chlorothiazol-2-yl)-3-thiophen-2-yl-acrylamide ; 2- (3-Bromophenyl)-N-thiazol-2-yl-3-thiophen-2-yl-acrylamide ; N- (4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2-phenyl-3-thiophen-2-yl-acrylamide ; N- (5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)-2-phenyl-3-thiophen-2-yl-acrylamide ; N- (5-Methylthiazol-2-yl)-2-phenyl-3-thiophen-2-yl-acrylamide ; 2- (4-Bromophenyl)-N-pyrazin-2-yl-3-thiophen-2-yl-acrylamide ; 3-Furan-2-yl-2- (3-methoxyphenyl)-N-thiazol-2-yl-acrylamide ; 2- (4-Bromophenyl)-N- (5-bromopyridin-2-yl)-3-furan-2-yl-acrylamide ; N- (5-Bromothiazol-2-yl)-2- (4-cyanophenyl)-3-phenyl-acrylamide ; 2- (4-Cyanophenyl)-3-phenyl-N- [1, 3,4] thiadiazol-2-yl-acrylamide ; 2- (4-Cyanophenyl)-3-furan-2-yl-N- [1, 3,4] thiadiazol-2-yl-acrylamide ; 2- (4-Cyanophenyl)-3-phenyl-N-thiazol-2-yl-acrylamide ; 3-Furan-2-yl-2- (3-methoxyphenyl)-N-pyridin-2-yl-acrylamide ; 2- (4-Bromophenyl)-N- (4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-3-thiophen-2-yl-acrylamide ; 2- (4-Bromophenyl)-N-pyridin-2-yl-3-thiophen-2-yl-acrylamide ; 2- (4-Bromophenyl)-N-pyrimidin-4-yl-3-thiophen-2-yl-acrylamide ; 2- (4-Bromophenyl)-3-thiophen-2-yl-N- (4-trifluoromethyl-thiazol-2-yl)- acrylamide; N- (5-Bromopyridin-2-yl)-3-furan-2-yl-2- (4-methoxyphenyl) acrylamide; 3-Furan-2-yl-2- (4-methoxyphenyl)-N-pyrimidin-4-yl-acrylamide ; N- (5-Bromothiazol-2-yl)-3-furan-2-yl-2- (4-methoxyphenyl) acrylamide; N- (5-Chlorothiazol-2-yl)-3-furan-2-yl-2- (4-methoxyphenyl) acrylamide; N-Benzothiazol-2-yl-3-furan-2-yl-2- (4-methoxyphenyl) acrylamide; N-Benzothiazol-2-yl-2- (4-bromophenyl)-3-thiophen-2-yl-acrylamide ; 3-Furan-2-yl-2- (4-methoxyphenyl)-N- [1, 3,4] thiadiazol-2-yl-acrylamide; 2- (4-Bromophenyl)-N- (5-bromopyridin-2-yl)-3-thiophen-2-yl-acrylamide ; and N- (4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-3-furan-2-yl-2- (4-methoxyphenyl) acrylamide.

In vivo GK activity Following an 18h fasting period, C57BL/6J mice were dosed orally via gavage with GK activator at 50mg/kg body weight. Blood Glc determinations were made 5 times during the 6h post-dose study period.

Mice (n = 5) were weighed and fasted for 18h before oral treatment. GK activators were dissolved in the Gelucire vehicle reported in WO 00/58293 (EtOH: Gelucire44/14: PEG400q. s. 4: 66: 30 v/v/v) at a concentration of 13.3mg/mL.

Mice were dosed orally with 7. 5mL formulation per kg of body weight to equal a 50mg/kg dose. Immediately prior to dosing, a pre-dose (time zero) blood Glc reading was acquired by snipping off a small portion of the animals'tails (<lmm) and collecting 15, uL blood for analysis. After GK activator treatment, further blood Glc readings were taken at 1,2, 4, and 6h post-dose from the same tail wound. Results were interpreted by comparing the mean blood Glc values of 5 vehicle treated mice with the 5 GK activator treated mice over the 6h study duration. Compounds are considered active when they exhibit a statistically significant decrease in blood Glc compared to vehicle for 2 consecutive assay time points.

Several of the GK activators exemplified above showed strong GK activator effects in vivo when administered orally following the abovementioned protocol.